Work Text:
A whisk of cold air swiftly swept into the empty space behind him as the heavy doors that lead into the main foyer of this event shut behind him with a heavy thud. Try as he might, there was no silencing a door that was that heavy, and try even harder, but someone was always going to know that someone had just left. He could not escape the eyes that followed him curiously as he weaved his way through the thick crowd of people to these doors. It’s not like they led anywhere important, and he hadn’t left the gathering altogether, simply found a door that led outside onto one of the various balconies that this manor held.
Outside was much cooler than it was indoors, biting at his skin in a way that was calming compared to the almost sweltering heat indoors. It wasn’t the heat that made him come out here though, far from it. He’s stood under heavy and intense lights many times before. Between his shows at his own manor, when he was being presented some glorious achievement or trophy, or simply standing under lights all day in a lecture hall, this had never made him wish he was somewhere else. Not that he wanted to be somewhere else in the first place. These type of gatherings were right up his alley. Between the wine and the people of similar status, he felt right at home among these people. Despite all of that though, he had found himself growing bored. The wine was turning bland, the conversations he was being roped into were mundane. He needed a moment of respite and peace before being able to collect himself enough to go back in there with his usual “all is well” smile that wound its way onto so many articles and newspaper covers.
A heavy sigh left his lips as he finally stepped away from the door, turning his back towards it as he leaned against the balcony. Despite the wine losing its flavor, he still carried a glass of it. Below him there was the endless expanse of a cliff side and rocky shore that led to the ocean, an ocean and beach bathed in the sweet silver light of the moon that shined full and above them, but his attention was firmly set on the light ripples of the red wine in his hand. The red almost appeared black in this light, no longer illuminated in a deep red that reminded him of blood so closely. Perhaps it was the liquor finally setting into his system that was making him lose his focus and interest there, he has had quite a few glasses to try and rid his tongue of how boring this event that he had to go to was becoming. Not having driven here himself, it need not matter if he got a little drunk now did it? As long as he was still sober enough to hold his head high and keep his reputation when he went back inside, then to him it did not matter.
The bland wine was drunk down in one go.
D.M. Held his head hung low once he had finished off the glass, eyes closed as he held that now empty glass, arms crossed over the balcony again. With the wine in his system it was easy for his thoughts to slip away from him settling into a standstill silence within his mind. He could hear a mix of things, the ocean in the distance, the muffled chatter of those inside still and the music that carried their conversations. This event was one he would have preferred to miss if you asked him. Though he loved the attention, loved reminding people just who he was and the power and wealth that he held, when it was a party just for the sake of a party and he was expected to be there, it lost its appeal. This was no party that he was hosting himself within the walls of his own home, this was no party that he was going to in disguise to gain information for his next plan or exchange something that he needed, or just wanting to be in the heart of the terror and shock that happened when the crime was unveiled and there was now blood on the floor.
Nights were different for him now. His nights had been filled with a secret that was more thrilling to him than holding this entire city in the palm of his hand, pulling its strings like a grand puppeteer. Slowly his eyes opened again, though only halfway. His light blue gaze was drawn to the expanse of black beneath him. He stared at nothing in particular, merely letting himself fall prey to the thoughts of his mind.
For as long as he could remember, there was a thrill in having a secret. He held secrets from his parents, things he’d hide underneath his bed, in his closet. He held secrets from his brother, and then once he got older and inherited his family’s fortune and power, he held secrets from the world. A thrill that had him feeling like he had risen to the top and everyone else were people he would only be able to look down upon as they were never going to be able to reach his level. He felt untouchable. What a high of a feeling it was. It felt the best because he never had anything else to compare it to. His life had always been a competition, a fight for power and who was on top. That “high” so to speak, he learned, turned out to be nothing compared to something else, something new and fresh in his life.
His greatest secret, the secret that made him feel more power than he’s ever had, lied within a certain detective. Naib Subedar.
This man was supposed to be his greatest enemy, the person sworn to take him down just as he was sworn to finally stop Naib in his pursuit for truth. In their chasing for their own goals in life, they ended up meeting somewhere in the middle. He could still recall with vivid imagery in his mind over that event. They were both there for different reasons. Inference had been there with his friends, and he was there for business regarding his next big move in the world. When they crossed paths everything started out as they always had, Naib’s annoyance with him, and his own enjoyment in riling up the detective with words and looks alone. The last thing he would have pictured for that night to go was to end up in a dark room, away from the other guests, the detective pinned to a wall as their lips danced into the night. The sounds of distant and muffled music and chatter had his mind easily slipping to that memory.
That first time perhaps should have been it, and yet, it wasn’t. Their paths crossed more than they ever have, Naib had gone out of his way to seek him out most of the time under the guise that he was keeping careful watch of him, or wanting to pick his brain over some case that was currently bothering him. He very well could have looked the detective in the eyes and then shut the door, but he never did, he welcomed him into his office, welcomed him into his dining room, his bed. He was always welcomed each and every time he came by. Not all instances wound up tangled in sheets, but he could feel himself slipping into each of those kisses, skin burning in the best way possible with each of those touches.
Love was a mystery to him, Naib knew this, and yet he still made that promise, took his hand and assured him that they will uncover this mystery together. Perhaps deep down he was longing for this, not having much of it as a child. Perhaps he was weak and foolish for letting someone like that into his life, but he could not find it in himself to care. This was his greatest secret, something only the two of them shared. Each night in bed together, calmly waiting for sleep to take them both, he relaxed into it more, this was…thrilling.
Naib was thrilling. Love was thrilling.
As his mind drifted back to that first night, the first time he allowed himself to even just be a little bit vulnerable, falling into the desires of his heart alongside his body, his eyes shut again, remembering each touch of the night. Oh how he’d love to chase after that forever.
“There you are, I almost was half tempted to think that you left without me. Would be a shame as you are my ride.”
Speak of the devil.
D.M. Turned his head to the side, looking back towards the door. There standing in the warm yellow light, holding the door open was the very same detective that had been in his mind. That lighting against him sun kissed skin…his eyes trailed over him for a moment, drinking in the sight. It nearly took all his strength to get Naib into that suit, be it one that he had personally tailored for the man and that is precisely the reason behind Naib not wanting to wear it. But he looked delectable in it, the black suit hugging each dip and curve in a way that was intoxicating to look at. Did not matter how much wine he drank that night, he’d rather get drunk off of him.
He could hear a new song starting in the background, a small smile spreading over his lips. “My dear detective, how little do you still think of me? Leave? Without you by my side? I cannot show who you belong to if I depart on my own.” His words were laced in amusement, his movements fluid as he turned to face the brunette fully. He had flushed under his gaze and his words, eyes glancing off as he cleared his throat lightly. “Come now, did you search for me because you cannot fathom entertainment on your own?”
“N-no!” How quick he was to jump to his defense, his poor pride on the line. D.M. Smiled. “I simply noticed that you were gone from inside. In case you have forgotten, this is not one of the events that I find myself attending.”
“Ah yes, you prefer the events where you can lurk and observe, where you do not need to get dressed up even if you simply look ravishing when you do.” Setting the glass down on the balcony’s edge he strode over to the smaller, swooping in and delicately grasping one of his hands as he pulled him further out into the night away from the bustle of the gathering indoors. He pulled the detective close, thrilled in the way he flushed deeper, eyes looking anywhere but him, especially once that hold on his hand was used to pull him into a position that made it look like they were to dance. Holding one of the man’s hands, the other settling on his waist…even with the muffled music he could hear it clearly, out here it was just them.
He had forgotten that his greatest entertainment was right there with him the whole time. It came in the stunning appearance of a Nepali detective with a noble heart, a heart that he managed to steal.
“What’re you doing? If anyone sees-“
“Do not worry yourself so much. They are all full and drunk on wine.”
Naib eyed him wearily, seeing the slight flush to his own pale cheeks. “You’re drunk.”
“Not entirely. Had I been drunk I would not be carrying out such conversations with you, nor be able to silence your worries over any potential eye.” They had not gone public yet, hence this being his most prized and dear secret. Naib always had his worries. Worried that they will be caught together at a gathering, worried that his friends will discover this, worried what it would do to their reputations.
“Perhaps you should have drank more, let your worries go. Just for a night. None know your name here.” He leaned down close to his ear, whispering his next words to him. “Let your worries go. Be here with me, forget that there is anyone else.” A kiss was placed just under his ear, a light brush of his lips that he could feel sent a shiver down the other man’s spine. Forgetting that there were other people nearby, just beyond the barrier of a door was easy for him. Putting his focus on his secret did not trouble him. It was just them out there, carried by distant music, an atmosphere dulled for their pleasure. As he gazed down at Naib, he could see him trying to do what he had asked, to just picture them in that moment.
He shook his head lightly, always taking things and putting too much thought into them. Though a helpful trait, it could easily get in the way of things, such as this moment.
“You are thinking over this too much, just follow my lead.”
“What? What lead-“ Naib could not get much out before he had momentarily taken his hand off of his waist to bring Naib’s free hand up to his shoulder. The position they now were in intimate for lovers in a dance. He needed only to listen to the music beyond those walls for a moment before pulling the detective along with him, carefully guiding him through a dance that he had long ago learned. The beginning was messy, the other clearly not having engaged in dance like this much before, if at all, stumbling over each step as he was not sure where to step, where to look. He guided Naib into their rhythm, matching the tone to the music fitting of their relationship. Hidden and blurred from the world, and he drew his attention into himself. How much easier it was to gaze at him without the hat in the way, both bathed in warm yellow and cool silver, rough hand held in his own smooth one.
This was a dance that they should have been in. The world, if they knew their trust positions in life would find it a crime, that the hero and villain should not fall together, should not embrace this aspect of life like this. There was enjoyment in defiance. Enjoyment in chasing after what the heart wanted instead of what the world wanted to imprint on you. He could not say he ever chased his own desires like this. He’d always been strung by the world, but this…he could want this for himself.
What was wrong with the villain being selfish after all?