dukepatrick

[dukepatrick]

Patrick sighed and also pushed himself up straight, knowing that they had a job, a serious job to do and finish that night, and he had grown fond of the projects he and Sebastian thought up together to let it just fail. He was fixing his shirt down a bit, then looked up when Sebastian said that. A small grin curled the corner of his lips, and he took a couple of steps closer to where the other man was now standing. "Monsieur Smythe... Are you suggesting we become friends with benefits?" he said with a playful tone, now standing just against Sebastian, nothing but a small gap between them. "Because I don't think we'd survive to that part you're so much against anyway. Besides, what's best than a drink and good fuck when two friends happen to meet, right?" He chuckled and stepped back. "It'd be a shame, yes. So sure. Why not? Maybe if we plan it right, we could just simply go some place where we knew there'd be no one to tell on us. Like an island somewhere in the Pacific or something like that. A sex vacation between friends, how's that?"

The Wrong Date? || Sebtrick (September 2023)

[dukepatrick]

Patrick scoffed. "You're right. Damn Lucky. Unlike me, first born, only male. Hooray for traditions." The sarcasm was now pouring freely from his lips." He looked down at the bottle being placed aside, and again he didn't take it to drink more. "Either way, things are what they are. There's nothing to do but to wait for the punchline, but also to have fun while it finally gets here." He looked to the sides and chuckled. "The last time you and I were in a big room with a piano like this things were very different. Much less stressful, to say the least." He chuckled and cracked his knuckles to try and push his anxiety down, which usually worked. The other thing he used to do was punching something, but he didn't feel that apply for that moment. "Anyway... I guess we best go back downstaits and try to save what's left for the night, huh?"

The Wrong Date? || Sebtrick (September 2023)

[dukepatrick]

[dukepatrick]

Patrick chuckled. "If it doesn't give him one, at least he could well schooled on how things really function in the real world" he said bitterly, then shrugged. "Oh, that's a true fact. He is one. A dick stuck in the 18th century, if not before that." He huffed, then gave the bottle out to Sebastian and held his hands together between his legs, which were now bouncing back and forth, a clear sign that his anxiety was creeping its ugly head up. "I won't let this idea down either. I also have my own money, if it comes to that. Or maybe we could look for more support elsewhere. We'll see."

He took the bottle back from Sebastian, but instead of taking a drink he put down on the counter. "You must be thinking I'm a fucking coward, don't you? Someone helplessly bounded to do as he is told, and married some woman to have some babies to keep the family grip on the King's good grace, unlike you, who doesn't have to suffer all that. Go ahead, say it. It's not like it isn't true. It's not like it isn't exacly how it's going to happen." He sighed and looked down, his eyes closed as he tried to remain calm. It was not an usual ocurring when he showed himself to be this vulnerable, and it would come a moment when he would think why was he letting Sebastian Smythe, of all people, to see him like that.

The Wrong Date? || Sebtrick (September 2023)

[dukepatrick]

Patrick was pacing back and forth in front of the window, from time to time looking outside and wishing he could somehow grow a pair of wings and could fly away. Some people would have found it hard to believe how someone with his money and pull would still have to live his life as half a lie. Or worse. A total lie. He had no doubt his grandfather would eventually have his wish fulfilled, with him married, to older male, and give him an heir to their House.

Sebastian's voice pulled him out from his train of thought and he turned on the spot to look at where the other man was. "It definitely isn't" he said plainly, then walked towards him with long strides and reached to take the bottle from him, and took a long gulp in. "So, how's it going out there? Are we a roaring success, or should we start looking for a new cause soon? I bet my grandfather would have a laugh if we had to do just that." He walked to a nearby counter and climbed to sit on top of it, while he took another good sip of the champagne.

The Wrong Date? || Sebtrick (September 2023)

[dukepatrick]

Patrick did a small nod with his head when Sebastian was done talking, then chuckled when the other asked him that. "Who knows-" he started to say, then at that very moment he caught his grandfather looking back at him, with eyes like daggers that he seemed to want to throw at him. "He's still standing, so there's that" he said with another chuckle, this a much dryer one. He stopped one of the waiters passing by and grabbed to champagne flutes, and gave one to Sebastian. "Do you ever stop to think that this sort of thing shouldn't be necessary? You and I, of all people, have more than enough resources to do everything that needs to be done with our projects, and yet we can't." He scoffed. "I sometimes feel like monarchies are such a silly thing." He was about to say something else, when someone came up to him, saying that his grandfather, the Duke wanted a word with him. "That was short lived" he said sarcastically, then drank the rest of his champagne in one go and looked at Sebastian with a shrug before following the other to where his grandfather.

He wasn't surprised about what was expecting him when he got there, both men then moving to the side to a more private corner. He had to use all of his strength not to roll his eyes at the older man when he started ranting about him saying he 'belonged' to the LGBTI+Q community (he made airquotes and everything), and how he shouldn't have said that because people will talk, and how he was supposed to pick up a wife soon enough so their family would stay in the goods with the King. Sometimes it was impossible for Patrick to understand how did he still love that man, a man who would never accept him for who he was. Taking a deep breath, he nodded. "I needed to sell the idea, abuelo. It's best if people think I'm one of them" he explained plainly, then with a sounding 'you better', in Spanish of course, the Duke turned around and left Patrick there.

He squeezed his fists so hard his knuckles turned white, and when the urging desire to punch a wall lurked to the surface dangerously close, he turned around and stormed out of the room, and up the stairs to where the guest rooms and other types of room were. He did kick the door open though, and slammed it shut behind him before he started pacing up and down, like a caged tiger.

The Wrong Date? || Sebtrick (September 2023)

[dukepatrick]

Patrick had to hold back to scoff when Sebastian commented about that 'mouthful' bit, even if he knew he wasn't in the wrong at all. As used to as he was to have a swarm of flashes straight at his face, he had to squint a bit before he started talking. He saw the look Sebastian gave him sideways when he stepped aside for the other to take the microphone and smiled. He loved to annoy the other like that. He nodded, then held his hands together in front of him while he listened to the Prince talk, then scoped the room with a quick glance, seeing the look in people's faces, most of them nodding when Sebastian spoke about the impact their first co-joint project had have so far.

Then, Sebastian went on explaining what their second project was about, and there was a half second moment of silence,before a soft murmur could be heard rippling across the room. He saw Sebastian motioning at him and nodded, then stepped forward. "As Sebastian has pointed out, the LGBT, and also Q and I community have had, and still have their big share of rough encounters with people who aren't always the most welcoming and inclusive, not only at their homes, but also their schools, the place where they work, or the street itself. And we want to do something about it."

He turned his head a bit to look at Sebastian, then looked ahead again. "As members of the LGBTQ+I community, and as people with the actual pull to do something about it, we feel we wouldn't be fullfilling our duty to our community, and our countries if we just step aside and let things fly. These shelters, as the ones we have already working, will have everything needed to make it a home, a haven, a place where they can be safe and happy, surrounded by people who understands their situation. They will have healthcare, both physical and psychological, food, education, a warm place to sleep, and to sum it up, everything to make their lives a bit better. And so tonight, we- Sebastian and I, ask for you help to get us to make our project a reality. Thank you." Patrick took one step behind and looked at Sebastian.

The Wrong Date? || Sebtrick (September 2023)

[dukepatrick]

Patrick laughed. "No, I guess they can't. They have to put up with me while I'm still alive, which you and I both know is somewhat of a treat." He winked at him playfully, then shook his head. "Far from it. I'm actually very excited about this project. Something we can gove back to those less lucky than us, but who are similar to us in more ways than just one." He straightened his jacket and down a bit, so he would look presentable while on stage and nodded. "Exactly. It's showtime." He signaled the person in charge with the general protocol, since he was the one who knew that, when Patrick signaled him, he had to take the stage and calling out for the people's attention.

"Please welcome to the stage His Royal Highness, Prince Sebastian Smythe, and His Most Excellent Sir, the Duke of Alcalá, Patrick Blanco."

Patrick scoffed a little. "There's a mouthful for you" he said with a chuckle, then walked beside Sebastian as they both took the stage, the applause sounding all around them as they waved politely at the people, and of course at the dozens of photographers who were flashing their cameras at them. "Thank you all very much, and thank you for coming tonight" he said, after the applause started to finally come down. "Both Prince Sebastian and I are excited about the project which had brought us here tonight, and to finally tell you all about it. But I will let him to explain a bit more. Sebastian?" he said, motionining at him to step forward to the microphone.

The Wrong Date? || Sebtrick (September 2023)

[dukepatrick]

Is that right? I'd put a line in calling you 'Your Royal Highness' though.

Please, you'd like me pulling rank.

[dukepatrick]

Patrick chuckled as he watched Jeff walking away, and truly enough he was soon exchanging words with his date, which wasn't that hard to get actually. He turned to stand in front of Sebastian and nodded. "Of course I did, but I wouldn't be surprised if he tuned my out after I said it, and only processed the 'shelter' bit of it, and I'm sure that's how he sold it to the press." He scoffed. "I'm his only male grandson. Trust me- He can't get rid of me that easy. I'm the only one who can carry on the family name, and I wouldn't be surprised if he still harbors the hope of a male heir who can carry the title on. I guess if I don't, and the name were to die with me, we would all be strip from our title by the King." He huffed. "Isn't royalty a treat in real life?" He asked the bartender for another drink, then downed it all in one go. "So, how about it? Should we make the announcement and get on with it? Rip the bandage in a way?"

The Wrong Date? || Sebtrick (September 2023)

[dukepatrick]

I'm offended by that. You know I always ask nice. Or are you going to pull rank on me because you're a crowned Prince?

Depends on how nice you ask.

[dukepatrick]

Patrick shrugged. "It's not an idea that completely pleases him, trust me. He's very, very old fashion like that. Still--" Another shrug. "It's not the first I have to 'pose' like this for the cameras, and I'm sure it won't be the last one." He chuckled at Jeff's question, then nodded. "I guess there will come a time when she feels bored, and maybe you will have your chance. I can introduce you to her, if you like? Just do me one favor- Whatever happens, if it happens, try to be as discrete as possible." He looked at Sebastian, then back at Jeff. "Do you think you could do that?"

The Wrong Date? || Sebtrick (September 2023)

[dukepatrick]

What that would get me anyway?

Only if you ask nicely ;)

[dukepatrick]

Patrick scrunched his nose at the use of that word in French, even if he thought it sounded insanely hot whenever Sebastian did that; of course, he wouldn't admit that out loud to him. "Knowing you, one can never tell" he responded in a playful manner, then he shook Jeff's hand lively and couldn't help the wide smirk on his face when the other went on about the reason why he was there that night as the Prince's date. He moved to the side a bit so they could all lean on the bar, then he chuckled at Sebastian's question. "Hiding? Au contraire-" he said, then went on pointing to where the model now was, being the center of dozens of flashes, currently posing for several different magazines at once. "And before you ask, yes. That is a woman." He rolled his eyes, then downed what was left of his scotch. "My granfather's idea, so that no one would speak or focus about anything that's not the Foundation. Fun, huh?"

The Wrong Date? || Sebtrick (September 2023)

[dukepatrick]

Bite me.

And don't worry, I won't tell anybody how much you clearly need glasses.

[dukepatrick]

Patrick had to stop to talk to several reporters on his way to the bar, and he knew better than to make a slip by being a brat on a night that meant so much for him and Sebastian. In his mind, and he was sure that Sebastian shared his sentiment, he didn't feel like mess up something that had costed them so much work to put together, and furthermore, the unique chance they were presented to do more with their titles and what that mean for others than just being royal brats, literally. It was telling the world the two young men were more than only their royal titles, and the funny thing was they were both enjoying their work together, even if it had all started with all the enough and required amount of cringe on both their parts. That, and the fact they were sexually friendly, made everything that much better.

He and his date were then stopped by a couple of fashion reporters, and Patrick knew that was his cue. "Excuse me, please" he said to both the reporters and her and took a step back before he turned around and headed to where the bar was. That drink was now more needed than ever. "Scotch on the rocks, please" he said to the bartender, then turned around and leaned against the counter lately, and it was then where he spotted him, also coming towards the bar, and his smile at that moment was the first genuine one of the night. "Glad you could make it" he said with a playful tone, then looked at Jeff. "Hi! I'm Patrick Blanco" he said, offering his hand out to the blonde, then gave Sebastian a soft glare.

The Wrong Date? || Sebtrick (September 2023)

[dukepatrick]

Don't worry. I won't tell anyone you have the biggest puppy eyes ever known to man.

My puppy dog eyes? Please.