[ the way justin's eyes dart up and down does not go unnoticed, but enough time spent together means raphael expects the subtle once over. it's possible raphael is guilty of the same kind of glance—he's never seen justin in work wear, dressed up just a little, the air of professionalism softened by the casual roll of his sleeves—but he makes a point of being especially secretive about it. he's not about to be caught staring.
justin presses the guide to his chest and raphael offers a look as he accepts it, like perhaps he means to say he knows they're on justin's turf now, but raphael's not about to let his guard down. what he's guarding against isn't exactly clear; this is just something they do, this give and take that sometimes results in raphael refusing to give or take anything. tonight, though, he might not be so concerned with avoiding the peculiar dance. ]
Do you torture all your patrons of the arts like this? [ he says as he follows justin through the door, pamphlet curled in hand. of course, he knows they had a deal and that makes him a special case, so he fully intends to fulfill his end of the bargain. ]
It means 'tell me who you spend time with, and I'll tell you who you are.' [ he offers as he peers appraisingly around the museum's foyer, and then finds justin's eyes again, judging his response. ] I'm sure that says something about you. Spending time with a vampire.
[ emphasis here on the word vampire, like maybe justin should consider just what that means. but raphael knows how justin feels; he's already proven that he's not particularly scared of what raphael is, despite the warning signs. and he knows, too, that when justin makes up his mind about something, he's not easily swayed. they have that in common. ]
Spending time with me. [ and he doesn't mean that in a self-deprecating way; that's clear from the smooth tone of voice. he more wants to recognize the rarity of that, of spending time with an acquired taste like raphael. and the rarity of raphael letting it happen. it all means something, surely, the mystery of which raphael leaves justin to contemplate as he passes him by, as if he intends to give himself that tour. ]
no subject
justin presses the guide to his chest and raphael offers a look as he accepts it, like perhaps he means to say he knows they're on justin's turf now, but raphael's not about to let his guard down. what he's guarding against isn't exactly clear; this is just something they do, this give and take that sometimes results in raphael refusing to give or take anything. tonight, though, he might not be so concerned with avoiding the peculiar dance. ]
Do you torture all your patrons of the arts like this? [ he says as he follows justin through the door, pamphlet curled in hand. of course, he knows they had a deal and that makes him a special case, so he fully intends to fulfill his end of the bargain. ]
It means 'tell me who you spend time with, and I'll tell you who you are.' [ he offers as he peers appraisingly around the museum's foyer, and then finds justin's eyes again, judging his response. ] I'm sure that says something about you. Spending time with a vampire.
[ emphasis here on the word vampire, like maybe justin should consider just what that means. but raphael knows how justin feels; he's already proven that he's not particularly scared of what raphael is, despite the warning signs. and he knows, too, that when justin makes up his mind about something, he's not easily swayed. they have that in common. ]
Spending time with me. [ and he doesn't mean that in a self-deprecating way; that's clear from the smooth tone of voice. he more wants to recognize the rarity of that, of spending time with an acquired taste like raphael. and the rarity of raphael letting it happen. it all means something, surely, the mystery of which raphael leaves justin to contemplate as he passes him by, as if he intends to give himself that tour. ]