robotdick: (Default)
Detective Nick Valentine ([personal profile] robotdick) wrote2024-05-02 11:09 pm

HUB 360



This merry little haunt wasn't familiar to Nick, but the address was correct, for what it was worth. There weren't many buildings with penthouses intact, but Hancock had told him to show up here, so here he was. Honestly, as he came up the stairs, Nick wasn't entirely certain what to expect.

Was it a stash house? No, Hancock and he had a tentative understanding about chems. Nick didn't comment and Hancock didn't do them right in front of him if he could help it. It was about the best the synth could hope for, and a fair improvement on their previous arrangement of: nothing.

Was it a new settlement? Bit of a stretch but Evaris did have ecclectic moods.

Maybe he...Nick came up blank. He didn't have a clue or a chance in hell of divining one, so he shouldn't waste the breath (figurative) trying to hash it out. He just stuffed his hands in his pockets, kept his revolver at the ready in case this locale wasn't secure yet, and trudged up more flights of stairs than he cared to count.

At the top he stepped out of the stairwell and through time. One second he was in the Commonwealth and the next he was standing on fine plush carpet in Boston, MA. This place was an absolute time warp, like walking into a photograph, and Nick was entirely thrown as he let the door behind him close and cautiously wandered in.

No turrets...so that was a start.

Cameras? Didn't spot one, didn't see any mics either but he was sure there were a few. This place had electricity and...was that hum an airconditioner?

"Where the hell am I?"
chem_break: (We're alright brother)

[personal profile] chem_break 2024-05-03 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There's just something so smooth about an addict's thoughtless muscle memory. Hancock's just going to be silently pleased with himself for finding a note they can vibe on together, with this. Not like he also wouldn't gladly get smashed with the guy, if Nick could actually drink drinks. Hancock's nothing if not resourceful, and endlessly devoted to finding where he can bend over the rules. ]

Pending Review [ The amount of sheer Charisma he can inject into the objectively dull statement is quite staggering to behold. He could get away with a saucy wink, but he doesn't need to, his voice does all the heavy lifting. Then the Ghoul leans in to catch the match's flame and inhale, the pulled oxygen makes the fire jump and brighten. His unblinking eyes look like black mirrors.

He takes a long drag-- the smoke feels and tastes different, but it still burns, scratches the itch, and nicotine is not something his body is completely desensitized to, either.

Hancock lets the cigarette slide to one one side of his mouth and changes the press of his lips so he can exhale a neat stream of smoke angled to the ground. It's all muscle memory too; same steps, different music. ]


Thanks. Remind me to leave one'a my backup lighters in your coat some time. We keep catchin' each other with our asses out, eventually, someone's gunna end up sore [ In regards. To The. Not having a Lighter. Thing. Obviously. Why is Hancock like this? ]
chem_break: (My kind of trouble)

[personal profile] chem_break 2024-05-04 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ His Town, his Penthouse. That's Logic. Not that he's not willing to pass the deed to The Right Guy. But that's coming on a little strong, right? So yeah, he's stick to plain showing off for now.

Is he hearing a fan, or does he just want to? Hancock draws his own hand up slow, not a quite a sauntering motion, and takes the filter of the smoke between two fingers; this time when he exhales all of the smoke flows down over his mouth. ]


You wanna puff first? [ Not like his fingers are deliberately low on the filter, or anything.]
chem_break: (Got somethin' to say)

[personal profile] chem_break 2024-05-04 12:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ Aw, Nick. Those are just Typical Mechanics of Addiction. Organics just got actual lungs in the package, too. Maybe that's a point the Ghoul is making-- or rather, having a hell of a time with. Different, but the same.

Despite all the necrosis, Hanock's fingers are just as dexterous as his mouth. He still takes his time in turning the not-too-delicate cylinder around his fingers, pointing the smoldering cherry towards his own savoring smirk, and offering Nick the filter.

His hand dips forward, does %90 of the work, stops just shy of salvaging any real friction against Nick's mouth. ]


Lucky for you, I like the taste'a smoke
chem_break: (We're alright brother)

[personal profile] chem_break 2024-05-04 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
[ There's the fan. Hancock's a quick learner about things that win his fixation, and while he doesn't verbally tease Nick about it, he doesn't need to. The glint off his grin and tiny, reactive twitch of his fingers just against Nick's mouth paints up plenty a smug reaction.

He lets out a slow, sated breath. The way his own teeth chew his lip, thoughtful-like, as he watches Nick inhale seem to imply some heady recollections.

He doesn't quite say 'Good boy'.

Doesn't need to. ]


Don't you look cozy. Careful, I'll ya a taste for the High Life

[ He makes half a lazy gesture to the swanky surroundings, meanwhile stealing back his own cig and setting it at the corner of his mouth. He snickers at his own awful pun, shoulders slack, and looks up at Nick from under the brim of his hat. Enjoying, lounging in the height difference between them.]

You're the guest, aincha'? Tell me what ya wanna see first.
chem_break: (My kind of trouble)

[personal profile] chem_break 2024-05-04 02:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ What can he say? The Ghoul likes to give Nick Choices and watch his processor tick. He would be down for a slower burn, too-- trading riskier flirts while trekking through the rooms. Moving from a simmer to a boil.

But damn if it ain't gratifying when Nick Valentine takes the shorter route to the bedroom, no euphemism required. Nice to know he can get the guy's blood up so easy... especially without the actual blood part. ]


Sweet-talker [ He all but purrs the accusation, once again a panther personified. He lingers in their shared smoke a moment longer before rolling back-- but not without taking Nick's tie in a firm grasp along the way. ]

C'mon, bed's this way [ He pulls that tie like a leash, taking them both through the main area, through an open set of glass-and-metal doors, to the master bedroom. ]

Look, modern amenities n' shit

[ Getting a bit bolder now, he uses that unrelenting grip on Nick's tie to steer his back, not too rough, against the doorframe. ]

Whacha think? [ is his raspy goad. ]
chem_break: (My kind of trouble)

[personal profile] chem_break 2024-05-04 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
[ Aw C'mon Nick, he's not gunna keep you pinned to the door the whole time. He'll get moments, probably, to take in the scenery. The one word thing can play aloof, even if that's not the vibe Hancock's getting. To be fair, he's smart enough now to keep an ear for those particular fans. ]

Anyone else trash this place and I'd make 'em foot the bill... not you, Slick Nick. Think I'd like to see the kinda mess you'd make

[ Really Synth-dude, you left the door wide open for that one. Hancock's not going to NOT take that invitation. He makes a show of twisting Nick's tie slowly around his fist, forcing the taller framed man to bend to meet him. ]

Yeah. Definitely the night stands. They're mini-fridges. [ Hancock usually rides the razor's edge between sarcasm and sincerity, but this statement veers firmly towards the prior. ] I can have a couple seconds first, right...?

[ Mocking-mischief softness because, he had spent this whole event playing King Pin so far. ]
chem_break: (Whatcha got?)

[personal profile] chem_break 2024-05-04 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
[ Okay, you want the Ghoul to multitask? Apperently, Nicotine makes him feel sharp. Muti-tasking? On the menu. ]

Didn't wanna make no assumptions [ He lays on the sweetness a bit thick-- playful, friendly poking-fun. It's not untrue, though. That tie stays tight in the Ghoul's fist though, even as he takes his time combing his gaze from the Synth's eyes, down his throat. It's harder to see sparks in the florescent light. He's perfectly comfortable playing the contradicting tunes of Sweet and Commanding romance, at once. ]

Uh-huh. Wish you could taste the Nuka Cherry I popped out

[ As he speaks he drifts in, lets the words drag his rough lips against the synthetic skin of Nick's throat. It's familiar ground, yeah, but sue him for using what he knows. He doesn't go straight for the kill, spending a few moments in not-quite clumsy, affectionate nuzzling. ]

Jesus it was actually a fuckin' pain in the ass to crack this place. Meant running half-way around the damn Commonwealth and back and no less than 3 different shoot outs.

[ This time it's just the barest brush of teeth that catch the ragged edge of Nick's synth-skin. ]

Worth it, I'm thinkin'. Not easy to make an ol' Synth smile like a new model
chem_break: (Singin' my tune)

[personal profile] chem_break 2024-05-04 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
Mmm... in a sec [ Between This and That is exactly where John Hancock fancies being most, point in case. He wants Nick on the wall, on the bed, on the floor-- but yeah, also to show off the spiffy new digs. The Minifridges, the pool table, the dartboard. He figures he's got time though, that all the boxes will get checked and he doesn't mind much what the order is.

... Okay, okay, he's more than a little gratified by Nick's-- eagerness? Can he call it that? Feels nice in his head anyway-- and kicks up a nice vivid replay of the look on the Synth's face when he was swallowing Hancock down like it was a built in design function. Perfectly, blissfully agonized. Yeah, Eager, the Ghoul likes. ]


Not like we ain't got time. [ Another memory registers-- something Hancock didn't get much time to experiment with, last time. His motions veer back towards affectionate composition as he gently butts his cheek against Nick's, not unlike a cat.

Then the flat of his tongue (so much bolder than the timid tip) traces up the shell of Nick's ear, lewd. ]


Guess I'm flattered to be your Top Priority here
chem_break: (Singin' my tune)

[personal profile] chem_break 2024-05-04 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's a branch off Hancock's love of power play, leading Nick around like he's got him leashed; reality usually means he can only push the envelope for so long with this kind of game, caught between his own conflicting sadism and sweetness. He likes bending a willing partner into enduring some suffering (a trade for the promise of a sweeter pay-off), but he doesn't let his real cruelty off-leash on the undeserving. The whole thing plays different with Nick; like he's built for (metaphorically...?) bedding a beast.

The Ghoul does slip into half a moment of caution when that telling glitch locks up his partner; it's gratifying, yeah, but it also wouldn't be very suave of Hancock to let his date drop onto the polished hardwood. The Synth is fully cognizant a moment later though, and it's a glitch coded as just the type of flustered reaction Hancock's aiming for. His grip on Nick's tie loosens after a beat, just enough for him to enjoy the split second of loaded, commanding quiet. ]


Yeah well... I did go and clear my whole evening for ya, so we got the time. Dinner, Show, Afterparty. Metaphorically. [ The last word he says like a filthy cuss, sparing a moment to reach up and adjust his own hat, the motion bragging a far cooler state of relaxation than the Ghoul truly exists in. He's got a killer poker face, incidentally.

He starts to recede in slow, lounging strides; hand still locked on Nick's tie but not pulling, just grasping the slacked fabric, more an invitation to follow than a demand.

The bed is easily the centerpiece of the room, set in the dead middle of the space, framed by a large window protected with thick metal shutters. Aside from the fancy night stands there's also a massive desk, built in wall shelving, a computer terminal, a closet-- not to mention a bunch of ritzy, expensive clutter.]


C'mon then [ he gives the tie the slightest of pulls ] Heel. [ He figures it's more than fair to turn the command on Nick; after all, he had offered it to the Synth first, on their initial date. ]
chem_break: (We're alright brother)

[personal profile] chem_break 2024-05-04 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Nick had been absolutely correct; Hancock loves the limelight, and he soaks up the devoted attention like his body is chemically addicted. It's an undeniable rush, watching Nick follow every letter, devoted, while the Ghoul does his best to trip him up and keep him off balance. The old Synth might not play Smooth Criminal as well as Hancock, but he could stand to give himself a little more credit, sometimes.

Point in Case. Calling a guy a 'John' is fairly common slang, especially in the context of such hot blooded romance-- it just also so happens to be Hancock's first name, and something in the way Nick says it throws the Ghoul for an unexpected loop. He feels like he missed several stairs without realizing he was on a staircase. Good-dizzy, grasping for a words, for a few more seconds than it usually takes. ]


Good point. Guess I'll stick to quitting if ya tell me stop, unless you wanna pick something fancier

[ He doesn't quite fumble his composure, but the call is close. His gaze directs the Synth with the warmth and force of a physical touch to the edge of the master bed. ]

G'on, sit. [ He holds harder onto his own commanding aura, like testing the familiar comfort of a gun's grip when the shots start to sound. His pulse feels like his heart has jumped into this throat. Thank god for that (almost) flawless Poker Face. ]
chem_break: (Whatcha got?)

[personal profile] chem_break 2024-05-04 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Oh yeah, safe words are on The List-- but only if he thinks he seriously needs one. Or, if it's a delightful conversation piece. Neither fits right in the moment, but Hancock shelves the idea for maybe some cute pillow talk, afterwards. You can deduce a lot from a guy by what he picks for a safe word.

Ah, well. He was going to try his luck with 'Down' and see if he could get Nick onto his back by voice alone-- but this works, too. The curious inclination Nick takes to turn and twist, is something the Ghoul can use to knock him down. It only takes a few short seconds-- the fabric of the tie going from strict to slack crumples, Hancock's palm flat on Nick's chest and then the blue-black comforter sweeping up behind Nick's back. ]


Comfy, right? Won't lie, may'a jumped on it once or twice. Didn't want it falling into the lobby at a real... inconvenient moment

[ Conversational, like Nick had been, despite Hancock's knees framing the Synth's hips as he looms above. The hand still grasping Nick's tie is also pinning him down, Hancock's weight resting firmly against the center of his partner's chest. His free hand moves to cup Nick's cheek and-- on a greedy whim, the Ghoul's thumb slides along his bottom lip, pressing smoothly across the synthetic flesh. ]

Damn [ The growl is pure, simmering appreciation. ]
chem_break: (My kind of trouble)

[personal profile] chem_break 2024-05-05 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
[ His eyes sink towards half-shut when Nick's mismatched hands graze up his thighs; any contact is good contact when it plays like this, just as much about the Touching as Being Touched. ]

You need a better hat [ He teases, cutting into his Kin Pin persona with another shot of sugar, sweetness the composition as he momentarily leans over Nick, to rescue his hat were it landed on the bed. He spends a moment scooping the thing up and placing it neatly onto the modern shelving/headboard combo. He even dusts it off unnecessarily before sliding back into place. ]

Hey, isn't it your socks I'm supposed to knock off? [ The comment about how comfortable Nick is to sit on falls in perfect time with Hancock readjusting his position, creating an irresistible opportunity for him to up the ante. He hadn't been %100 on Nick's lap at first, some of the weight shared on his own knees on the mattress. But since Hancock is sitting back anyway, he makes a point of seating himself, saddle-tight, entirely in Nick's lap.

To drive the point of just how comfortable Hancock finds the position, the Ghoul rolls his shoulders into a lavish stretch, twins one arm above his head and then the other. Comfortable is not heavy enough a word for what he is. ]


Don't you worry about me, I like it just fine up here.
chem_break: (We're alright brother)

[personal profile] chem_break 2024-05-05 01:10 am (UTC)(link)
My style is Iconic and you're not gunna say one more about it [ The Ghoul playfully scolds, extremely comfortable in his lounging, lording position. Nick might worry the Ghoul's got Assumptions about his Hardware (haha) but that's not the case. Living as a Ghoul means you don't really have all your Bits by default. Following that, neither does living as a Synth, and neither does living as a human, honestly. Even when he was smooth-skinned John McDonough he thought making assumptions about the state of other people's genitals is rude.]

Gettin' a little ahead of yourself there, ain'tcha? I'm right where I wanna be; no more to it than that. [ he measures a certain tenderness into his words-- it's a small issue to sweat, so far as Hancock is concerned, because Nick had already done pretty damn will with only his current hardware installed. ]

S'alright, alright? Didn't I already say, 'Interest, but no Assumptions'?

[ He takes Nick by each wrist, guiding the Synth's hands under his coat and up his ribs. ]

'Sides, you sayin you ain't enjoying this? My ego ain't fragile, but damn...

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OMFG DED xDDDDD

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Justifiably indeed~

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