Luc stood in a curtained doorway waiting for the Superiore to arrive. He blinked slowly as a new but familiar scent teased his senses.

Hunter was here.

Intrigued, Luc tilted his head to try to capture any conversation. He arrived with Horatio, one of his favorite sottos.

Luc had no idea they knew each other.

Delightful and decadent notions flooded his mind until Cleo touched his elbow from behind.

"Lady Gabrielle, Lady Fiona, and Lord Theo are here," she whispered. Her voice was barely audible for most, but he heard her easily. "Along with your favorito Horatio."

"Who is with Horatio?" he inquired.

"Horatio calls his sotto friend Royce." Cleo ceased to be shocked by his perception long ago. "He has a five-year membership with the life option. No play history, yet, but he has been here with Horatio before."

"I've met him."

"Oh? How'd that go?"

"He's a police detective," Luc smiled. "And, according to Jordy, was 'digging' on me. Hard."

"Hm." Luc grinned at the speculation in that single syllable. "Shall I arrange a more private meeting?"

Luc's humor faded and he sighed in regret. "I believe he is still running a background check on me. Who is the fifth?"

"Sotto Emerald."

Luc nodded. "Fetch Anabella."

He slipped into his chair and drew a quiet breath through his mouth, sifting the subtle scents of the people gathered in the room. 

Hunter was just to his right with Horatio. When Cleo returned with Anabella, Luc focused his attention on the proceedings. He slipped away while Cleo thanked and dismissed the panel.

Back in his rooms, Luc settled on a soft sofa and ran his thumb over Hunter's card.

Why he carried it with him, he couldn't say. He didn't question his impulses. They never led him astray.

Why was Hunter there tonight? And with his favorito Horatio?

From his Club application, Luc knew Horatio was a police officer. Was it possible they worked together?

Had Hunter discovered his identity somehow? Were they investigating him?

Luc frowned at the thought. Jordy's concerns drifted through his mind. No one had come even slightly close in all these years. Prudence's multiple layers of security stood the test of time thus far.  Of course, Luc didn't monitor any of that, the way Prudence did. She assured him she would see to his safety, even after her death.

He should look into it. He had to be safe.

Luc crossed his ankles as a rustle and tinkling announced Cleo.

"Horatio and Royce," she began, "would be delicious together, sugah. Royce is dark, and Horatio is fair. You would enjoy them."

"Perhaps," he nodded slowly.

He already knew he clicked with Horatio. The man was gloriously made, and a sub devoted to pleasing his Dom. He was the only sotto Luc seriously considered Claiming for his exclusive use. Only his sporadic visits to the Club kept him from locking Horatio down. The man had healthy sexual appetites, and it was not fair to expect him to curb them.

Luc settled for playing with him whenever they were both at the Club. The last time, just a few days ago, was the most intense. Horatio was grieving, and they spent hours together.

He hadn't wanted to leave him. It was not the first time he felt that way. Luc never felt more lonely than in the hours after he left Horatio. 

"Why have I heard nothing of Royce?"

"He's Unclaimed, and, according to Horatio, inexperienced."

"Then why would you offer him?"

Luc didn't play with untrained subs. Cleo knew that.

But Royce was Hunter. Experienced or not, Luc wanted him.

"Because he's beautiful, sugah, and if he's hangin' with Horatio, he's not completely raw. He was clumsy when I surprised him in Horatio's box. In the conference room, he was sublime. Perfect posture, glorious lines," she went on, settling on the sofa beside him. "And he's as ripped as Horatio. Shorter, and leaner, but just as beefy as you like 'em."

He filed her assessment away for later, holding the card up between his fingers. "Look into him for me?"

She took it, and laughed, falling back on the sofa.

"He gave you a Braille card!"

"His sister is blind," Luc explained. "They are twins, so I presume that makes him more aware of her needs.

"Would you look up the security firm Prudence hired? I haven't spoken to them since just after she died."

"Sure thing, sugah. You want company?"

A slow smile lifted his lips. "I came tonight because I wanted to take the edge off. Since Horatio wasn't scheduled, anyone would do. Now I want Royce, and I cannot have him. Not yet. I want Horatio, but he is looking after Royce."

Cleo gave an unladylike snort that made Luc laugh.

"Jordy thinks Royce will learn more about me than I want him to," he sighed.

Cleo did not know all the details of his past, but she knew enough to be concerned.

"Jordy's been lustin' after you on the down-low for years. He could be jealous."

"His interest would be sadly misplaced. Besides, he is engaged. To a woman."

"You never wanted him?"

Luc shook his head. "As a child, I was desperate for playmates. I was alone for the first time in my life," he explained. "Jordy did not seem to mind the scars, or that I was blind. He just played with me.

"When Prudence died, he was indispensable, as were you," he added, her bells betraying her agitation. "If I relied upon either one of you exclusively, I am certain I would lose a good friend. The role of a personal assistant is demanding enough. Add in the tedious and excessive tasks one performs for a blind man, and the workload becomes ridiculous."

"I dunno, sugah," Cleo sighed. "You might wanna lay some boundaries. Seems as though your boy Jordy is getting ideas.

"And I would gladly shoulder full responsibility for your estate. I oughta kick your ass for thinking I couldn't."

"Shouldn't, cara mia," he chuckled. "I've no doubt at all you would handle my interests as expertly as you do a flail."

"Ah, hell," she patted his thigh. "I forgive ya, sugah. But I mean it."

"I know and thank you. Perhaps, you are correct. It's not as if I pay Jordy adequately for his assistance. Make it happen."

"What about your incognito status? If I'm managing your assets, some will connect us here eventually."

Luc shrugged. "It was Prudence that insisted I remain anonymous. I don't care who knows I own the Club. I am known around the world as a reclusive eccentric. They should chalk it up to just another artistic quirk. Either way, I don't care. I never have."

"Molto bene, sugah," he could hear the mischief in her wide grin. "I'll get right on your ass...ets."

Laughing at her corny joke, Luc captured Cleo and pulled her astride his lap. It wasn't difficult since she was already heading that way.

"It is not my assets you are getting on tonight, cara mia. My skin is starved for attention," Luc pressed his lips to the quickening pulse at her throat. "Nutrimi," he growled.

***

Hunter groaned at the blare of an alarm rudely thrusting him out of slumber.

"Fuck." Fitz grunted behind him, slapping the bedside table until the alarm silenced.

"Dude," Hunter muttered, pulling the comforter up to his bare shoulder. Fitz kept his place just one degree warmer than a Yeti's nuts. "Why the fuck did I get drunk with you, again?"

"My mama's funeral, a panel at the Club, and hot, nasty sex," Fitz yawned.

"Yeah, that," Hunter murmured.

"You want breakfast?" Fitz blearily peered at his phone with one eye, still supine on the bed. "I mean brunch?"

Hunter cracked his eyes open enough to see that it was almost one in the afternoon. "You mean lunch?"

"Whichever," Fitz dropped the phone, and buried his face in his pillow. "I'll eat pretty much anythin'."

"Except pussy," Hunter yawned the old punchline, and they both broke down laughing.

Both immediately groaned, reminded of their mutual hangover.

"A'ight," Fitz grunted, easing his way into a sitting position on the side of the bed. "I'll order food, you can get the shower first."

"Deal," Hunter inched his way upright, rubbing his eyes. "Nothing too greasy," he warned as Fitz found his feet.

"Bossy."

Hunter grinned, passing Fitz on his way to the bathroom. "You like it."

Fitz chuckled eyes locked on Hunter's flexing ass. "Fuck yeah, I do."

Over an hour later, both bathed and somewhat refreshed, they sat down in the living room to dig into quarter muffulettas from Jason's Deli.

"They're readin' the will today," Fitz mumbled around a mouthful of baked chips, "up at Mama's house."

Hunter swallowed the last bite of his mac'n'cheese, sad to see it go. He eyed Fitz's cup of seafood gumbo wistfully.

"What time?"

Fitz strategically moved his soup as far away from Hunter as the table allowed. "Round six."

Thwarted, Hunter popped open his bag of chips. "I can get home and change, meet up with you there."

Fitz shook his head, tossing his empty bag down. "Don't gotta go. I mean," he sighed, picking up the remains of his sandwich, "Archie'll be there. Mama woulda' left him somethin' to live on, I'm sure, but he's gonna buck no matter what. Fucker never could leave shit alone."

Hunter sat back, watching his friend eat with far less enthusiasm than he normally had. Fitz loved food and would ferret out the newest eateries for the hell of it, no matter what they served.

"You don't need to be alone right now, Fitz," he said quietly.

Fitz grunted, giving Hunter a side-eye. "Don't you got work?"

"Unlike you," Hunter grinned, resting his arms on the table, "I use my vacation time. So, I'll go get cleaned up, and meet you at Mama's around five-thirty."

Fitz nodded, chewing the last bite of his muffuletta. "I hate the way he talks to you," he said. "I love you, man, and that fucker's got no right to treat you like shit."

Hunter smiled, his blue eyes shining at Fitz's rare declaration. It was not the first time he said it, but every time made Hunter's heart skip a few beats.

"I love you, too, Kai, and I can handle Archie," he said softly. "But we know we can't give each other what we both need."

The stark truth cut deep. But he wouldn't lose what he had with Fitz. He couldn't. If that meant denying what he wanted most, so be it.

"I could get past that," Fitz said, holding his eyes.

If only...

Hunter's yearning heart called out to the raw emotion in Fitz's amber gaze.

"I could too, but then what? The worst thing we can do to each other is to settle for each other when we both want what we know we can't get from the other, not really."

Fitz looked away and nodded, but not before he saw the shadow of sadness in those amber eyes. Hunter swallowed his own melancholy over the unwelcome fact.

"A'ight." FItz cleared his throat. "Wanna hit the Club later?"

Hunter considered. "Yeah, why not? You could use some action."

"You too," Fitz pointed out. "I mean, how long are you gonna ride the sidelines? You're not lackin' balls, as I got cause to know."

Hunter considered his reasons, and whether he wanted to talk about it. Fitz wouldn't nag, but he wouldn't let it go either.

He would just wait. The man could drive hardened criminals into babbling with his steady gaze and infinite silence.

"I know I want to learn," Hunter admitted, "to be so good at this shit that I don't freeze up like I did last night. I just...I don't wanna be a novelty, y'know? I want to belong to somebody. And have him belong to me."

Hunter waited for Fitz to respond. When he finally did, it was so quiet he barely heard him

"Me too."

Hunter blinked. "Then why do you play with so many?" They had an ongoing joke about Fitz's Dom Of The Week.

"I'm lookin' for him," Fitz said. "Lookin' for my Dom. He's out there, the one guy that'll make me want just him, and wants just me. That'll hit all my buttons and wanna keep me."

"I hope you find him," Hunter said, sincerely.

He truly wanted Fitz to find a Dom that made him happy. Even if that meant giving up the sexual side of their relationship.

Hunter had to keep telling himself that. One day he might trick himself into believing it.

"You too," Fitz smiled. "Now quit eye-fuckin' my gumbo and get outta here. I'll see ya at Mama's."