beastly-bo

[beastly-bo]

Bo laughed again at the shove. "Evidently so," he replied with a gentle nudge of his shoulder against Felix's. He caught the change in tone and expression though, and that made him frown slightly. Things had certainly been more distant between them since Bo had begun seeing Cassie. "I'm here to have my quality time with you. And I would point out that I sought you out on this beloved sofa of your choice," he mused, a gently playful tone to the words.

He couldn't help but smile as Felix spoke, but more so as he looked over at his cousin. In truth, Maxwell had let loose a few too many passing comments about Felix over the years that had led Bo to draw his conclusions as to the feelings at least extending in one direction, but given his own complicated past with his parabatai and his familial ties with Maxwell, he'd kept silent until things seemed to be coming about organically. "Complicated is often the case for most things at the onset," he noted, although he did have to wonder how many of those complications were of Felix and Maxwell's own invention. "He's not a dream, no... but I do think he's the sort of person you'd given up on hoping for. If I'm allowed to say that without sounding entirely biased to my cousin." He was still being a bit playful, mostly to lighten any background tension of the topic. But now he paused in a more serious way, waiting to catch Felix's eye again before he continued to speak. "I know I might have thrown a rather big wrench into anything happening between you both sooner... and I am sorry if it adds to your troubles in any way. But I don't love you any less than I ever have, Felix. You're my parabatai, you are and always will be half of me. And Maxwell?" He glanced over at his cousin with a small smile before returning his gaze to Felix. "He's my family. You are two of the people I love most in the world, and it therefore matters very much to me that you both are happy and cared for. And--not that it has to do with any of it, of course, but--you both are exactly what I would wish for each other. You two deserve a proper chance to see where this goes."

Felix scrunched up his nose at Bo. "Well...your indulgence deserves retaliation!" He said sagely, with a nod. Before giving his parabatai a playful shove. "Besides...shouldn't you be indulging someone else?" After that comment, he pouted, dropping his head back on Bo's shoulder so he couldn't see him tear up.

At the familiar name, Felix picked his head back up to peer curiously at Bo. "Maxwell? He's lovely." He bit his lip, eyes searching until they laid eyes of the nephilim in question. "It's complicated...I suppose." He murmured. Though it wasn't, not at all. Felix adored him. Truly adored him. "It's almost like I made him up in a dream...just out of reach...only he isn't....is he?"

[beastly-bo]

Bo quirked a brow at the comment but didn't question it further, simply focusing on and enjoying the comfort of their embrace.

He laughed a bit at the poke back to him. "I wasn't trying to win anything other than your indulgence of my curiosity," he retorted softly. "I wanted to ask how things were between you and Maxwell... if it's not to brazen of me to come right out and ask such a thing. But I have noticed the two of you."

Felix hummed contently. "Mmm...some of us more than others. Or so I'm told." As he sunk in deeper into the sofa, he purred a little. Bo was always such a cuddle bug. At least to him.

He had almost nodded off when Bo poked him. He poked him back. "Retaliatory poke. I win." He giggled. "Mmm...?" His eyebrow raised curiously, "And what is that? You know you can ask me anything."

[beastly-bo]

"But of course," Bo agreed with an affected seriousness before chuckling a bit. He found himself glancing at example guests while Felix talked, the faces of fae, shifters, and their own comrades mixed amongst the crowd. "Hmm, I suppose I'd never given it much thought. But the blood of the Angel would likely have that sort of allure to it, if nothing else."

When they lulled into a relative silence again, he decided to poke Felix gently in the side, waiting to catch his eye. "I had wanted to ask you about something else, if you don't mind."

Felix nodded emphatically. "Only the best for our High Warlock." He wrinkled his nose a bit at the idea of Magnus hiring a designer. But being all cuddled against Bo was very comfy and he sighed dreamily. He perked back up again though, at the idea of talking about his favorite thing, the vampires. "Fae and shifter blood actually." He offered helpfully. "Though I hear they enjoy nephilim as well, when they get close enough to one. We tend not to get pulled in quite as easily."

[beastly-bo]

"Likely one of a kind, knowing our host. I'd imagine he hired a designer for most of the furniture and whatnot." Bo rested his head atop Felix's, a small smile tugging at his lips at the rambling. "I can't profess to know much about it, no. But I do remember someone once mentioning that fae blood is somewhat coveted by certain vampires. Do you really suppose we all have different tastes?"

He hummed. "I'd forgotten how luxurious Magnus' tastes are. Where do you think these came from?" He asked, petting the couch beside him. "Some place exotic....probably." Curling against his parabatai, mostly instinctually, he rested against his shoulder. The ambiance was lovely. The air around them seeming to glitter. Or that might've been the fairy cocktail he devoured earlier. "Did you know the fairy queen declared war on the vampires? The moroccan vampires. They apparently invited themselves to a buffet. Of faerie folk." He started to babble about the things he'd discovered from the brothel.

[beastly-bo]

Bo had been rather caught up in his socializing so far, running into familiar faces typically turned into a dance or at least a prolonged conversation. But somewhere along the way he'd wondered where Felix had gone off to and made a point to locate and check in on him. The slightly too bright smile indicated alcohol as the culprit for his parabatai's absence, although not in a necessarily negative way. "Hello love," Bo echoed, taking a seat next to Felix. "Foggy headed? Or just enjoying a seat?"

Lounging on a Puffy Couch

Felix was pleasantly buzzed as he lounged on one of Magnus' luxurious couches. As someone approached, he glanced up with a sunny smile. "Hullo, love."

[beastly-bo]

Bo reached into his pocket and produced his own flask, extending it to Asher. "We can't be beginning the night on that sort of attitude."

“Oh bother…”

He sighed forlornly down at the broken flask at his feet. “Well… this certainly bodes poorly for the rest of the evening.”

[beastly-bo]

"Did it? Hmm... sounds like I ought to make it more of a habit," he mused, leaning down to press another kiss against her hand.

"That certainly came out of no where,"

[beastly-bo]

"I'm afraid I'm a bit less obvious without the skull of Yorick in hand."

[beastly-bo]

"I'd think that's a rather smart move for business, but your regulars would certainly appreciate that sort of thing most."

Early Evening @ Priam Books

"I like to stay open late on Wednesdays. Give people a chance to drop by after work instead of having to wait till the weekend,"

[beastly-bo]

"She is rather a gift in that regard, I have to agree," Bo replied with a laugh at the initial comment.

In the Institute Kitchen

"If she wasn't dating the boss, I'd bloody kiss Ava for having this place stocked with proper Yorkshire Tea,"

[beastly-bo]

[beastly-bo]

Bo nearly laughed. "I suppose I can't dispute that. But it felt rude not to offer."

@ the Institute kitchen

"Why do I need to go to Hektor's? Left over pizza is a perfectly acceptable breakfast,"

[beastly-bo]

Bo stood up to his full height again, taking a step towards Cassie. It was something about her smile, in the way she'd replied, that beckoned him to continue that train of thought. Because he found that he wanted to know the same could be said for her. "Is it too presumptuous--or maybe a touch indecent in this context--to ask if you would like to go out sometime? That is, if you don't have someone you partake in certain options with already." His eyes glinted with flirtation as his lips pulled into a touch of a smirk. Because while it was a playful way to ask the question, he was already rather captivated by the fae and therefore meant every bit of his advances. "If I'm mistaken, I do apologize." He closed more of the distance between them then, gently taking a lock of her hair in his hands and tucking it over her shoulder, his fingers ever so slightly grazing the skin there. His gaze was locked on hers though, wanting to catch any signs for him to back off. "But I don't think I could forgive myself for not asking."

Her confidence in him was enough to bring a proper grin to his features. Because even despite their short period of acquaintance, Bo knew that Cassie wouldn't say that if she didn't truly mean it. And that was rather touching. "Hmm, you'll have to let me know from an outside perspective when the time comes, in that case." That was an easy thing to imagine, oddly enough--that Cassie would be around to watch Bo become an uncle, that she would be close enough for that. And as time went on that seemed less like wishful thinking on his part. A pleasant surprise, to be sure. "Though... I do hope you wouldn't hesitate to tell me if you did need anything. Even if I'm not on patrol for the time being."

Cassie smiled at his reply to her comment of his mother. She couldn't help but briefly wonder if she'd actually ever meet the woman. And if she did what would she make of Cassie. Of what she was, how old she was. It was crazy to be thinking about that when she wasn't even sure Bo saw her as anything more than an acquaintance. Still she couldn't deny how drawn to him she was. His manner, the way he carried himself and the little hints of who he was that she was getting. It was reeling her in. Making her want to know more. Making her want to spend more time in his company. She didn't make a habit of asking such bold questions. Well not of that nature. She felt comfortable enough around him though that she hadn't even considered whether she should ask it or not. A subtle smile pulled at her lips when he answered. She wasn't sure how she would have felt if he'd said he had someone but she was glad that she didn't have to find out. "Good to know," she replied, not looking away. It seemed to fit him, too, that is wasn't something he was casual about. Even in her long life she'd found it wasn't something she could be casual about either.

Cassie smiled brightly up at him, at the teasing reply. Enjoying that little bit of playful banter. "You definitely don't have to fear that," she teased in reply. "They shall be a very lucky little girl or boy to have you as their uncle," she declared. She hadn't known him very long and admittedly maybe she didn't know him very well. But she just had a feeling he was going to be a good uncle. She still got feelings like that once in a while. A remanence of an ability long since lost. But she felt in it her bones in a way she knew it hadn't come from her and that it was truth. She nodded her understanding. "Under the circumstances it is probable the best move," she agreed. And some selfish part of her was glad he wouldn't be out patrolling given the threats that loomed in the city at the moment.

[beastly-bo]

Bo stared at Alec with a bit more curiosity than anything. "Hello... you do know you're considered MIA at the moment, yes?"

Alec trudged back into the institute. Feeling heavy, a little sore, and very flustered. He couldn’t help but feel guilty for being out all night. He’d lost his cellphone somewhere and hadn’t honestly tried that hard to contact anyone. He came to a halt when someone stepped in front of him. “Um… hi?” He offered a little apologetic smile.

[beastly-bo]

"Thank you," Bo replied with a soft smile. Even in his brief time of knowing Cassie he was already quite fond of her caring nature, especially because it was coupled with strength and loyalty to those around her. All things Bo admired in others, things that he strived to think true about himself. But more than that, Cassie was truly captivating. In every sense of the word. And he wanted to know more about her, everything even... if he could be so lucky. Her comment about his mother brought an amused edge to his smile. "Oh, do. I'm sure she would love you to bits for it." Bo might have been mistaken given the por lighting of dusk around them, but he thought he caught her blushing. And even if he hadn't, Cassie's smirk and question nearly bowled him over entirely. Because it was bold, perhaps a bit cheeky too in the edge of humor to it. Both of which he found he rather liked. She contained multitudes that were only continuing to reveal themselves as time went on. "Not for quite some time, no," he admitted, watching her curiously. "It's not the sort of thing I take lightly."

Bo laughed again at the comment. "Do I? And here I thought the training was all for naught," he teased. Her reaction to the news about Felix and Jamie softened his expression again. Because since he'd mended fences with the two, he'd grown rather happy about the prospect of just that. "Uncle Bo, yeah. And I'll spoil my niece or nephew rotten." He shrugged a bit. "It's still not ideal, but I'd rather everyone be safe, and that would include me by extension."

"That is never fun to deal with. I'm glad you've found something that helps with it," she said genuinely. It was something she'd suffered with at various points in her long life and not something she'd wish on others. She watched as something changed when she mentioned he'd been right about her being able to fight. Not that she commented on it but she did wonder as to the nature of it. "Should I ever meet her I will be sure to tell her," she smiled at his laugh. The instant his lips pulled into a smirk she suspected. The head tilt all but confirmed. He'd followed where her mind had gone with his earlier statement. What she'd perhaps admittedly been suggesting with her own chose of words now. The flush to her cheeks returned because his words absolutely confirmed he'd understood. "Good to know," she replied, her smirk starting to mirror his with an added glint of amusement in her eyes. "And do you currently have someone to partake in other options with?" it was definitely one of the strangest ways she'd ever asked anyone if they were single. It troubled her they hadn't heard any more from the other Ancient after the string of visits. She didn't for one second think he was done. So part of her had been on alert ever since. Her smile pulled a little wider at his wink. He might not dream of it and she might not be the externally swooning type but he definitely had the ability to make her internally swoon. Of that she was quite sure. "I do believe you're right. You certainly look strong enough." Her expression relaxed as he explained. "Then congratulations are in order. I suppose that will make you an uncle of sorts?" she asked. "And I'm glad you haven't been completely benched if that's not what you wanted,"

[beastly-bo]

"You and me both then, though I'd heard loosely about it beforehand." Bo sighed a bit, still not looking at Ava for the moment. "Not to do the same thing, but it all comes back to the fact that Felix and I were never entirely... platonic with each other, so to speak." It wasn't something he'd ever admitted to anyone, save himself. "And while I'd given up on the idea of it ever going beyond what it had in the past, this all felt a bit... I don't know, underhanded, I suppose. Like he was keeping it from me specifically, and like he'd finally settled down but at the expense of us even being parabatai to each other--being family."

"It felt like a knife in the back, at least at the time." He looked over at Ava now. "But now I feel like I've been a fool and taken a great deal of offense for no good reason. We're both moving on... why should it hurt me enough to act maliciously?"

Ava sat quickly, waiting for him to talk. Not wanting to force or rush him. "Ah. Yeah. Jamie sort of let the cat out of the bag to me at the party," she admitted.

[beastly-bo]

"Mhmm. Bit of an insomniac otherwise." Or, at least, he had been since the death of his sister, even after the time that had passed since. Bo perked up a bit again at the notion of Cassie confirming his suspicions. Not that he would like to see her in danger, but he did rather like the idea of watching her fight. No doubt her grace would hold up even in that department, and that was just the sort of thing Bo admired... and was attracted to, though he didn't plan on admitting that in the moment either. "My mother would likely cry tears of joy to hear you call me a gentleman," he noted with a touch of laughter. His lips tugged into a faint smirk at her phrasing. Of course, he'd been a bit ambiguous himself earlier, but this had his mind wandering in a way that made him question if Cassie's had as well. Other options. He repeated mentally, tilting his head ever so slightly as the smirk deepened. "I think you'll find that I'm typically training or running. Not that I would frown upon other options." His expression reigned back in a tad as she spoke about Malachai. He was admittedly relieved that all had been quiet in that respect, although it tugged at the part of his brain that suspected things being too calm. The notion of him being gallant pulled him out of those thoughts though and he reflected her expression with his own smile. "I wouldn't dream of it," he teased with a wink. "But I do believe I could catch you if you did." Her question resulted in a bit of a laugh from him, though he was truly touched by her concern. "I don't believe I ought to be running if I was. It's to do with my parabatai and his partner. They're expecting a baby, so both sets of parabatai are off duty for the pregnancy. Though I am still on security for the Institute at least."

Her eye brows raised a fraction at his reply, though she was almost certain he didn't mean what her brain had very quickly thought of. "Is that so?" she managed to reply, thankful her voice sounded normal. Though she could feel the faintest of blushes colouring her traitorous cheeks as she tried not to think about him engaging in certain activities before bed. It took a moment longer than it maybe should have to stop thinking about it. She chuckled lightly as he spoke of the women he knew being able to hold their own in a fight. "You imagine correctly," she informed him. It had seemed wise, after the events of her youth, to learn to fight. To protect herself and others. And after all that time she was now just as much a warrior as her brothers. Not that any of them really lent into that side of themselves these days. "You do not need to apologise though. Your concern is very gentlemanly and is appreciated," she said with a soft smile. The smile spread at his call back. "Then I'm very glad you need to tire yourself out before bed, and that this night you chose a run over other options," she usually liked the quiet solitude being in the dog park this late provided. However she was finding she was also quite liking Bo's company. She sighed lightly, thinking back on the events he meant. "We haven't so far, and in truth I don't think we will again. At least not from that particular source, or at our door," she said, finding she wanted to put Bo's mind at rest that she wasn't in imminent danger. "And there you go being very gentlemanly and gallant again. You'll have me thinking you wish me to swoon," she gave him a playful smile. But his last words cause a slight frown, "Though I hope nothing's wrong to cause you to be off active duty. You're not injured in some way are you?"