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Deep brown is practically an exotic eye color to a deep gnome. Most Underdark denizens have pale violet, blue, or grey eyes, except for drow from areas under Lolth's sway. Barcus finds himself admiring the color of Xander's eyes as he looks down at him. He can't help but make a small noise at the rubbing circles against his palm. It feels simultaneously sore, the ache of pressing a bruise, and pleasant. Regardless, he relaxes in the other man's grasp, surrendering to whatever he thinks is necessary.

He chuckles at the banter between them. "I've never met an inventor, tinkerer, or artificer who didn't do that to themselves. Either you're up all night finishing a project or you're up all night fretting over the fact that you haven't started your next one. But that's partly why this place exists. At least we can push one another into resting now and again."

"Thank you," he smiles at the compliment. "Some of the first things I invented were small automatons to carry explosives. The same principles were easy enough to miniaturize and apply here. We should...the three of us, we should collaborate some time."

His eyes are drifting half closed. It's not hard to mesmerize him with hand-holding, apparently.

Barcus might die seeing his eyes when the sunlight hit them just right — like pools of honey, hinted with gold. Alas, the lighting in the workshop may have been good, but not nearly good enough to make that wonder happen.

"I have said it before — it is good I am here." He murmured affectionately while his thumbs moved up along Barcus's palm. "Tell me if the pain is too much." Because the last thing he wanted to do was hurt him. Then, to finish his previous thought: "I am prone to overworking as well, but I have a habit of noticing it in others moreso — and I cannot leave anyone to potentially harm themselves just for a few more minutes of work."

He smiled. "Well, I am not opposed." He hardly imagined Viktor would be.

"It is," he murmurs, ghosting his lips against the nape of Xander's neck. It's obvious he's happy for his presence, but not because he's telling him to drink water.

Viktor is moulding himself around his partner's back, slowly hooking his chin on his shoulder and wrapping an arm around his middle like a clingy koala as he watches their interaction.

"I am surprised we haven't collaborated already." He's definitely been wanting to, but he and Barcus were both so busy with their own things for the past while. "We could certainly build something amazing, and lose a record amount of sleep while we are at it."

He notices the way Barcus relaxes, his eyes drooping. Viktor smiles faintly.

"Magical, isn't he? Without even a spell to speak of." He's talking to Barcus about how great Xander is at hand massages, of course, sounding as smitten as a blushing bride.

Barcus is someone who, in spite of his great fondness for dick, really does notice facial features and personality traits first in the attractive people around him. Were someone to ask, he would definitely compliment Xander's eyes, and Viktor's perfect cheekbones. Among other things.

In the meantime, even as he relaxes into the attention, he smirks a little at the way Viktor is snuggling up behind his lover. "Well, we just need to think of an idea. I certainly don't want to monopolize your time together when you're having fun, but I do fear my workbench has had enough of me for the day. Just chase me off when you want privacy again."

Or don't. He kinda likes this.

"Mmmhmm," he murmurs in answer to Viktor. "Very good with his hands." Whoa, wait, that came out wrong. His ears turn violet. "Erm!! I didn't mean for that to sound lascivious; my apologies."

Well, far be it from him to stop Viktor from latching onto him. He would return the favor but, you know, his hands were occupied massaging Barcus to help alleviate some of his pain. He set said hand down and motioned for the other so he could repeat the process.

At least Barcus wasn't alone in his blushing — between the compliments and Viktor's snuggling, his own cheeks were flushed with heat. "Funny we speak of my hands, when it is Viktor's that I first complimented." He laughed. "No apologies needed. I am glad I can be of service."

"Do stay, Barcus. If we wanted privacy, we would have gone home." These days it never seems like sex is off the table completely with the two of them, but they would have at least stumbled back to the inn rather than doing it here, if things went in that direction.

Viktor chuckles softly, the sound warm and low.

"It is true. I would wager that all three of us are quite good with our hands," he says, leaving that out there to be taken as it will.

Now that Xander is done with one of Barcus' hands, Viktor puts his wine glass on the table and takes it in both of his. He runs his fingertips feather-softly down the countours of it, turning it over and getting a good sense for where the sore parts are. He then decides to simply sandwich the gnome's hand between both of his. His hands glow with an ethereal, multicoloured light, similar to how he looked in his storm form on the beach. He presses healing magic into Barcus' hand, which should feel warm and tingly, and relieve his aches further.

Honestly, Barcus wouldn't hold them to that bit. Going home for privacy. Making love in the lounge wouldn't be appreciated, because other people want to relax there, but as long as they clean up, it's whatever.

When Xander sets his one hand down, Barcus fumbles for a second like he's not sure where to put it, because his first inclination is on the nearest man's knee and that's a little bit presumptuous. Before he comes to a conclusion, Viktor takes it and now each one of them has one of his hands and Barcus' pulse is racing.

He's reading too much into this, surely. It feels so nice, though...

"I, hmm, I do pride myself on my ability to handle delicate, detailed work," he says tentatively, smiling. Flirting with the idea of flirting. "I suppose sometimes creation takes a soft touch, and sometimes it needs a stronger hand."

You know, at first, Xander did not think there was any flirting happening. Probably because massaging Barcus's hand had been more physician's instinct when seeing a man in pain and knowing how to alleviate it — touching someone was not inherently flirtatious to him.

But now they're talking about hands and being good with them, and Viktor's weight was still leaning heavily into his body, and his lips had just been on his neck. Barcus was blushing. He was blushing.

"...Are you flirting with my partner, Barcus?" Well he was half right, and he didn't even sound accusatory. Genuinely curious here — was he? (Don't mention the fact that he didn't add himself to that question).

Immediately, the gnome feels called out, and he looks apologetic, but then he catches the look in Xander's eyes and reads it accurately. No, that was just a question, not a complaint, and given Barcus' tendency to dance around a topic to begin with, it's pretty legit. His expression softens again, and they're still both holding onto him, so he lets his shoulders relax and laughs a little.

"Forgive me, dear, but I'm only flesh and blood, and there are two kind, brilliant, beautiful men holding my hands. It can stop right now, and I'll behave myself, if you prefer, but technically I'm flirting with you both."

He looks at Viktor. "It does my heart good just to see you two being happy together. I meant that bit about basking. But it did rather sound like you started the flirting. Am I wrong?"

At Xander's question, Viktor's eyes widen, and he blinks. Was Xander truly not aware of the atmosphere permeating this room, which is coming just as much from Viktor's smitten buzz and the fact that Xander is massaging Barcus' hands as anything Barcus is saying or doing?

"I- I-" He stammers. His cheeks are red now, and though he knows neither of them are being accusatory, he's struggling to find words to explain himself. "Perhaps I did...? The drink is making me foolish," he chides himself.

"I- I admit, I thought we were all flirting..." He says innocently, and looks to Xander. "But apparently Xander was just being a good doctor, and we were getting carried away. Sorry, darling, I will stop." He draws his hands away from Barcus, putting them on his partner's shoulders instead, and kisses his cheek.

Oh. OH!

In Xander's defense, he was not used to men flirting with him to begin with, given it being a big obvious no-no back home, and he was just doctoring by default when the gnome came over with sore hands.

"I seem to be the foolish one." Xander said, still amused and now blushing just as much as everyone else. He closed one eye as Viktor kissed his cheek, and offered Barcus's hands another soft squeeze. "We have not discussed the exclusivity of our relationship, but if Viktor is not opposed to flirting and a bit of exploration, I am not either."

Barcus looks a little crestfallen, but he lets Viktor withdraw without complaint. "Well, I don't think flirting is foolish, but if you're concerned the wine has your inhibitions too low, I can certainly give you space."

Except of course Xander is holding onto him still and the atmosphere hasn't actually been disrupted that much. He seems reassured by the squeeze of his hands, looking from one to the other. "Well, now I'm getting a resounding maybe."

"Viktor is aware I have more than one partner. It's not a situation I ever expected myself to be in--gods know I didn't think I had that much cachet--but there is a lot to be said for being able to share pleasure and affection freely, while knowing there will always be someone you can come home to. Obviously, it's not my place to dictate the terms of your relationship, but should there be a little extra space on this couch for me tonight, rest assured I'll be the most appreciative of guests."

And since Xander is the one who's still holding his hands, he'll take the opportunity to bring one closer and give him a light, chaste kiss on the back of the knuckles. "I do feel much better, by the way."

"It's not... I am not drunk by any means, so don't fret about that. I just... Feel comfortable with the two of you, and with Xander and I recently making our relationship more serious, I have been in an affectionate mood."

He's a bit confused and embarrassed by all of this, worried that he's behaved inappropriately when he thought he was just having fun with the people he cares for. He fights the urge to close up and withdraw. Examining Xander's face and tone more closely, he does not seem to be upset, so perhaps the situation is not doomed.

He feels a strange, small flash of jealousy as Barcus kisses Xander's knuckles. And indeed, perhaps part of the reason he was flirting in the first place was a subconscious insecurity about Xander massaging Barcus' hands. He knows now that Xander was doing it only from a doctor's perspective, but in the moment he wasn't sure, especially when Barcus started to enjoy it so much. He wonders if his and Xander's relationship is too new and fragile to be opening it up to others. But, well, the opportunity is right here and now, and it is tempting.

"I love Xander very much, and I wouldn't want to do anything to upset him. But I am quite fond of you, Barcus, and... It would be nice to share the affection we seem to be overflowing with. Exclusivity is... A conversation we should have had, given... Our unique situation." Or rather, Xander's unique situation, but he won't put too fine a point on it, in case his partner doesn't want to talk about it. "I personally would not want to do anything sexual or romantic with anyone unless Xander was directly involved. But if we are all having a good time with this..." He shrugs, brows raised curiously as he looks to his partner.

He could not turn any redder if he tried now that Barcus was kissing his knuckles. He did not pull away, but he did lift his other hand up to press against Viktor's cheek.

"I am married," he offered by way of explanation, because he saw little point in hiding it. "My wife, Celene, is a noblewoman with an inclination toward the fairer sex. We married for political purposes, and respect one anothers boundaries. Truly, she had been telling me for years I needed to find a lover, or several." He chuffed out a laugh at that last part. "I am happy with Viktor — more than happy, but I... see no harm in a bit of fun tonight, if that is what we all would like. We come as a pair, regardless." Since he felt similarly about doing anything without Viktor.

"Viktor..." Barcus keeps a hold on Xander's hand but reaches out to the other man, slightly tentative, but seeking to brush his fingers across his cheek. "You have no idea how much I admire you, do you? An absolutely remarkable creator and innovator, how could I not be drawn to the fire in your mind?"

"Like the two of you, I am certainly not about disrupting my relationships with Bel or Ashton," or Dorian and Orym, but those are much looser, bonds of bright affection with no particular boundaries or rules set yet. "But being friends-with-benefits, even for just a night, would mean a great deal to me. To express my admiration and my gratitude."

"Also, forgive me, but I can't help but notice I'm at exactly the right height for certain activities with men your size." He's capable of being cheeky, too, not just sentimental!

The news that Xander is married seems not to surprise him even a little bit. He just smiles wider. "Oh, my parents were a bit like that. It's common among deep gnomes to have marriages with a woman and a man and they both have same-sex lovers on the side. My father was more interested in his work than sex--although he adored my mother, I'm one of eight children--but my mother had plenty of lady-friends. One of them taught me how to cook, actually."

Viktor exhales a small oh and looks down as Barcus brushes his cheek. Clearly he did not know how much his gnome friend admires him. Nor that he would like to express that admiration... Amorously.

Still, their hands on his cheeks calm him, reassure him that everything is okay. He closes his eyes for a brief moment, feeling how warm his body is.

He blushes again at Barcus' suggestion of... Well, it sounds like fellatio. "So long as we could sit while you do it..." He murmurs. He is not standing for that long, nor does he want Xander to. Their sex is... Adaptive, to require the least effort possible.

He is glad to hear that Xander's arrangement is not such an uncommon one, after all. He imagines it will comfort his partner to hear it treated as normal, and it's enlightening for Viktor as well.

"Shall we go to Xander's room at the inn, then?" For a bit of privacy, and a bed.

Okay, well, now it was time for Xander to feel the pang lf jealousy when Barcus spoke so adoringly at his partner. Human nature, he told himself, and he was not about to be contradictory when he was openly supporting it all. The gnome worded it all nicely anyway.

He was going to just... let Viktor take the reins on that blow job talk. Good lord. In fact — give him a second to pray silently.

"Your father and I have that in common." Being too busy to worry about side partners during his marriage, that is. "I am glad to know you understand. I think my bedroom will suffice." Which meant he had to get up. Xander sighed and released Barcus hand so he could turn and kiss Viktor on the lips, his smile warm when he pulled back. "You're sure?" Because this was sudden and a lot and he'd be damned if he didn't double check.

Barcus might be just a little amused at that insistence that they be allowed to sit. It's fair, though. His height is less advantageous in that position, but he's still more than happy to make good on the offer. "If I'm doing my job properly, you wouldn't be able to keep your knees from buckling for long anyway," he assures them. "And I'm known for doing all sorts of jobs properly."

But now he's starting to feel like the slut in the room, which may be accurate but it's a little unusual for him. He pats each man on the shoulder and moves away to let them talk to one another and come to their final conclusions. "Anywhere you prefer, dear. I suppose he's the only one of us without roommates."

Not that Bel would mind Barcus bringing them to their place, but there's also the cat and the dragon to consider.

"Oh, my." Barcus, please, you're going to kill them before they even make it to bed with you.

He's grateful to get a moment to speak directly to Xander. He thinks they both could use a little reassurance before they get into this.

And the kiss does settle Viktor's racing heart, makes his breathing deeper. It's okay. Everything is okay. Finally, he can look Xander in his deep brown eyes, and his warm gaze is soothing. He puts his hands on his partner's cheeks.

"I am yours, and you are mine. Nothing will change that." He's just as much saying it for himself as for Xander. "My heart will not be pulled in any other direction. It belongs to you alone." Of course, there are other people Viktor loves with all his heart, like Jayce and Skan, but not like he loves Xander. It's different. He kisses him again.

"This is just... A nice bonus to what we already have. We can stop at any time; Barcus will understand. So just... Tap me thrice, if you need to." Their signal.

"Father above..." Xander muttered in response to Barcus's comment. He cleared his throat and focused on his discussion with Viktor.

He couldn't help the fond smile that spread across his lips, his own worries assuaged almost as soon as their eyes met. "As does mine." He assured his partner and eagerly returned the next kiss he offered.

Xander gently tapped Viktor's arm three times. "Of course. You do the same."

That said, he turned his head to gently nuzzle into Viktor's neck, and he remained there for a few seconds to catch his breath before pulling back and looking over to Barcus.

"Shall we, then?"

Barcus bustles around the room quietly, putting things away as they speak together, and taking a moment for himself to message Bel and let him know he'll be home either very late, or in the morning. He's not eavesdropping, but he does catch the bit about three taps, and files it away in his mind as he dampens the fire and tucks the food under a glass cloche to keep animals from scenting it and coming in for a nibble.

He offers a hand to whichever of them prefers to take it, and guides them out of the workshop. It's late enough, no one else is there anyway, and he can lock up behind their departure without inconveniencing anyone. The walk back to the Inn is leisurely, as there is no call to rush them, and his legs are short anyway.

Once they're in Xander's room, he looks up at them with a warm smile: "Ground rules, gentlemen? I enjoy kissing, for one thing, but I do understand if you prefer to keep that for one another. And if one of you is usually more...in charge," his gaze strays to Viktor briefly, because of that tap me thrice, "I'm happy to defer to him."

Viktor has a feeling Xander will be doing a lot of praying tonight. Hopefully some of it to him.

He nods to his love and cradles the back of his neck as he nuzzles into him, closing his eyes briefly. Sweet man. Yes, he feels much better about all of this now.

He takes Barcus' hand, because he hadn't gotten a chance to heal one of them yet. As he stands, he sneaks healing into it. He hobbles over to his chair; now that he's gotten used to it, it's hard to justify not using it. It conserves so much of his energy, and he knows he's going to need it. He takes the hand of whoever will hold his on their walk to the inn.

Viktor's brows raise as Barcus seems to assume that he's usually the one in charge. He has no idea where that came from.

"Ah, we tend to... Take turns?" He looks to Xander uncertainly. "I am far less experienced, however, and have never taken more than one partner, so I doubt I will be much use in the driver's seat here."

"And I see no reason to bar certain activities. That seems unnecessarily complicating. We both enjoy kissing."

Let's be realistic: most of it would be to him.

He grabbed his cane and stood on Viktor's other side to hold his hand as they headed to the inn. He could hope, with any luck, that Finnick didn't clock him walking into a room with two men tonight, but he doubted he would be so lucky. Alas — something to blush about later.

"We go wherever the mood takes us." He added with a soft laugh, "and I have no issue with kissing. If there is something we do not enjoy, I am sure you will know quickly enough."

He looked between the both of them as he shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over a chair beside the bed, cane set against the wall. "If anything, kissing seems a fantastic way to begin." And with that said, he settled onto the edge of the bed and reached for Viktor to pull him into his lap, hands on his hips. "Why don't you join us up here, Barcus, and we can... ease our way in."

Barcus gives a little shiver when he feels that healing energy, but he says nothing, only shoots Viktor a fond look.

"Ahh, well," he looks a little sheepish. "My experiences with multiple partners at once have been few and far between, but this wouldn't be the first time. The first time, I was a little tipsy at the Elfsong and a halfling and a gold dwarf took turns kissing me like they were passing a cigarette back and forth across the bar."

Talk about a sexual awakening.

He makes so bold as to remove his own jacket, shaking it out gently and folding it. He leaves his boots by the door so as not to track dirt into the room, and then there's a utility belt to remove lest the tools poke someone in the wrong spot at the wrong time. Once all that is done, he looks up to see the one man in the other's lap, and he has to take a moment to enjoy the sight before coming over and clambering onto the bed beside them.

"You really are both very handsome," he observes, and rests a hand on Xander's back lightly. He'll wait patiently until they seem comfortable before reaching out for more.

Viktor chuckles softly as Barcus recounts his first experience like this. Viktor can't imagine being in such a position, but it does sound interesting. This is as adventurous as he's ever been, and still, it's not like any of them are strangers.

He rises from his chair, hobbling over to the bed, where Xander takes him into his lap. He hums happily; the gesture makes him feel... Adored. He drapes his arms loosely around his partner's neck and kisses him languidly, closing his eyes and losing himself in it readily. If anything can soothe his nerves, it is this.

From the start, Viktor never expected anyone in Caldera to have eyes for him, but was quickly proven wrong. Still, it's dizzying when someone new expresses attraction to him.

"Thank you," he breaks the kiss to murmur. "As are you, and as I was saying, exceptional with your hands..." He really and truly is very attracted to Barcus' hands, which should now be in top-shape for their activities. "Would you... Mind removing my brace for me? I would like to see them at work." He lifts his right leg, clad in metal, toward the gnome.

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