{    ♚    }    - - -    

                                       HE smiled. “Y’know, I hear she’s lookin’ to take up                                        a second job for a few days a week, if you’d wanna                                        bring it up to her…” Nick loved the idea of being friends                                        new neighbor. Joshua the florist on the other side                                        of him was old and grumpy. Gabriel was young and                                        fun and cute.

                                       “SIZE of a playin’ card, hmm…” he cut the design out                                        and laid Gabriel back, holding the tattoo here and                                         there. “We could do your chest, your hip, your shoulder                                        blade, or your thigh. You choose.”

Gabriel made a noise of interest. “I’ll think about it. Got a lot of unpacking and whatnot to do first, though.” he chuckled, shaking his head. This was a lot of work... but he was eager to finally have his dream come true. Gabriel was turned this way and that, the paper placed in various spots as the other considered. It was almost... ticklish, in a way.

He was a bit nervous... after all, he’d only ever had one other tattoo, and this was a lot more detailed than the tiny music note he’d gotten. “What, no tramp stamp?” He raised his eyebrows, before smirking. “Alright, fine... hmm... let’s go with... the chest. I want to be able to see it every morning when I get ready.” He grinned cheesily, already way too excited for this.

{    ♚    }    - - -    

                                        “BECAUSE you’re charming?” he grinned, “It’s                                          very possible.” That lingered in the air before                                         Nick smirked. “That could also be because I                                         don’t wanna be a victim of your pranking – I                                         get enough of that from Baby. She’s a regular                                         trickster. What she sees in my brother I’ll never                                         know.”

                                        HE settled at his bench, eyeing the tattoo. “Hmm…                                         How big are you thinking you want it?” Lucifer                                         asked, “I have a few ideas, but it all depends on                                         how big you want it.” He could do the shoulder,                                         the chest, his back, his thigh, but it all depended                                         on the size. 

“Of course I am!” Gabriel insisted. “Just you wait and see.” He grinned hearing there was a fellow prankster here. It was looking more and more like he’d get along with his neighbors. “A trickster, eh? Sounds like her and I will get along famously,” he cooed.

He hummed, debating on what he wanted. Part of him wanted it to be huge, just to piss off his brother, but another part... wanted it to be private. Special. “Mmm, I’m thinking about the size of a playing card,” he traced his finger thoughtfully over the design. “Though I’m open to debate, honestly. I’m not terribly choosy.”

{    ♚    }    - - -    

                                       NICK snickered at the other’s words and took the                                        paper. “Baby, prep my station, will ya?” he called                                        over his shoulder. She popped up and got to work,                                        which was good, because that Alastair guy was                                        starting to look a bit too distracted to be actively                                        tattooing. Nick turned back to Gabriel and his design,                                        eyeing it considerately.

                                       “HMM… Lemme guess: you’re the guy who bought                                        the space next door, yea?” he chuckled, “I was told it                                        was gonna be some kinda candy/joke combo shop,                                        and if there’s ever a thing to rep that, it’s this lil’ logo                                        right here.” Nick leaned close to whisper. “Don’t tell                                        her I told you, but Baby’s a mean baker. If I ever lose                                        my mind and fire her, I’ll send her your way.”

                                       HE stood upright and laughed, then nodded at the                                        picture. “I can do it. And, hell, as a ‘welcome to the                                        neighborhood’ bonus, I’ll give it to ya’ for half price,                                        how’s that sound?” Baby snorted from somewhere                                        in the back and muttered “I didn’t get no ‘welcome to                                        the family’ bonus when I married your brother” before                                        continuing with her work. Nick just chuckled and rolled                                        his eyes, before turning to Gabriel and offering a hand.                                         “Name’s Nick. C’mon, let’s get you set up in back.”

Gabriel glanced between the two. They seemed.. close. Interesting. Also possibly a total bummer, but one could hope! He waited as the other looked over at his design, before breaking out into a wide grin, eyes sparkling. “Bingo! That’d be me, hot stuff.” He winked at the other.

He chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Goodness knows this hiring process is going to be driving me crazy,” he rolled his eyes. For now, it looked like it might just be him working. But that was fine; that’s sort of how he wanted it anyway. At least at the start.

“Half price?” Gabriel exclaimed, eyebrows raising. “Sure you’re not just giving me a deal cause I’m charming?” He waggled his eyebrows, before smirking at the other, following along. Hearing the girl was married to the guy’s brother though... well, that was a relief.

“Name’s Gabriel, pleasure to meet you.” He nodded, shaking the other’s hand before laying out. “I was actually debating on the placement... any suggestions?”

          {     ＰＲＩＮＣＥ  ♛  ＤＥＡＮ     }

                                            He finished his pancakes and laid back on the                                             bed, watching Gabriel eat. When the other spoke,                                             he smiled. “I was actually gonna take you out to                                             dinner,” he replied gently, “Maybe even take you                                              out dancing at a club or something. If you want.”

“Mmm!” Gabriel perked up, the thought of going dancing very appealing. He swallowed down his last bite, scooping up a bit of syrup with his fingers and popping it between his lips. He sucked it clean, before pulling it out to speak again.

“Sounds good to me. Goodness knows I’ve been dying to get out,” he chuckled, setting the plate aside.

          {     ＰＲＩＮＣＥ  ♛  ＤＥＡＮ     }

                                            “You can lock me up any way you like, gorgeous,”                                             he purred, nipping his jaw before pulling a plate                                             of pancakes into his lap, “I made coffee, too, but                                             I figured you’d want pancakes first.” He settled                                              into the bed and grinned as he ate. “You got                                              plans tonight?” Dean asked.

“Mmm, don’t tempt me,” Gabriel teased, licking his lips. He might not be young anymore, but his libido never seemed to have gotten the message, and mornings were always the easiest time to get him going.

That said, he had amazing pancakes, and coffee to look forward to, so he was content for the moment. Gabriel took another big bite, looking over at the other, raising an eyebrow before swallowing. “Got a meeting at five, but other than that, I’m free. Why? Gonna drag me down to Hell...?” He leaned in conspiratorially, before glancing sideways. “... Again?” He grinned, chuckling, before taking another bite.

{    ♚    }    - - -    

                                      IT was a slow day at the parlor. A new business was                                       starting next door, and all the boxes and moving                                        stuff tended to put people off. Nick was at his station,                                       chatting casually over the counter to Alastair as the                                       other worked. The bell to the shop dinged, but he                                       paid it no mind.

                                      THE girl at the counter smiled at Gabriel. “Hey sugar.                                       I think I got a guy free,” she said, blowing a bubble                                        with her gum and turning around. “Hey, Nicky. We got                                       a walk in. You free?” 

                                      NICK stood, white tank top tight to his chest, his jeans                                       sagging just slightly. “Yea, Baby, ‘m free,” he said,                                        beaming at the girl in a warm and familial way, “Go                                       make sure Al’s doin’ his job right, will ya?” She beamed                                       and hopped off, and Nick turned to the blonde with a                                       grin. “What can I do for ya?”

The girl at the counter turned around, and when Gabriel noticed she was chewing bubblegum, he got excited. Potential new customer right next door? Fantastic. He grinned at her, tempted to talk her up, but when he glanced over and saw him... his mouth watered.

Taut chest muscles, strong arms with rounded shoulders, tattoos galore, and pants that sagged just low enough to tease at the wonders that might be below. Gabriel didn’t bother trying to hide the way he assessed him, before a smirk curled his lips.

“I’d like a back massage,” he began, pausing a moment before continuing. “But I think I’ll settle for a tattoo, seeing as this seems to be the place for it.” He winked at the other, before holding out the paper.

On it was the design for his logo... he didn’t have it anywhere on the building yet, but signage was due to be delivered tomorrow, so he was excited. The design was simple; a winged trumpet with floating devil horns and candy floating all around it.

{    ♚    }    - - -    

                                      NICK worked well into the morning. No sleep                                       again tonight… There was a bar fight to deal                                        with, and then the aftermath. He didn’t get                                        closed until five thirty, and with the drive home                                       he didn’t get in till six. He had a half hour to                                       shower, change, chug coffee, and get to the                                       office. At least the tips tonight were good.

                                      AT seven AM Nick was entering the office. He                                       slipped on his jumpsuit and grabbed his stuff.                                       When he entered, the trail of candy he saw                                        practically made fire shoot from his ears.                                        “Gabriel–” he snarled, voice full of loathing                                       as he began to clean the mess.

Gabriel was sitting at his desk, reviewing the hundred or so emails he’d gotten the night before with a bored expression when his door opened. Grinning, he pushed back his chair, propping his feet up on the desk and leaning back, looking casual.

“Nicky! Good to see you,” he greeted cheerfully. “Why the glum expression? Up partying too late? I know how that goes,” he chuckled, popping a Jolly Rancher in his mouth.

{    ♚    }    - - -    

                                      NICK rolled his eyes. Great. His new boss was that                                       kind of asshole. A self righteous prick who was all                                       full of himself. He shook his head and went about                                       his day. So close, he kept telling himself, So close                                       to affording that shop… 

                                      ALWAYS so close, but really, always so far.

                                      THE day ended and, after he’d stripped away the                                       janitor’s uniform, Nick headed to his bike. He                                        mentally prepped himself for his night job on the                                       way to the parking lot, now wearing jeans, a                                        white tank top, with a leather jacket and his helmet                                       under his arm.

Gabriel ended up having to work late- big surprise- as he’d found another facet of the business was dealing with corruption. He sighed. He’d have to come down on this branch too...

But then again, wasn’t that what he was good at? It’s why he was brought in; find the guilty ones and drive them out without making it a big issue. One by one, picking the bad fruit so the tree could flourish.

Still, he did wish he had some free time. He went home late, and when he came back... he remembered that janitor from yesterday. Nick. What his last name was, he had no idea- the name tag only gave so much information... but he would make him his new game.

And so- since he knew janitorial staff and upper management were the only ones allowed in so early... he sent out an email telling the staff to disregard them, and set out a trail...

Candy, piece by piece... leading right to his office.

{    ♚    }    - - -    

                                      HE snarled, glaring at him. “My job is to keep your                                       shitty business from looking shitty, not play nanny                                       to some pompous dickweed.” Nick had zero care                                       for this CEO or threat to his own job by talking to                                        him this way. He was cute, sure, but Nick wasn’t                                       one to let a cute face get in the way of his anger.

                                      “LEARN to clean up your shit, got it? You already                                       piss off half the office, and the other half is close                                       to flat out loathing you. So try and be a bit less of a                                       dick to the person busting his ass to keep your                                        business looking nice, okay?”

Gabriel grinned at the other. This one wasn’t shy at all, was he? Gabriel liked that. “Really? Well in that case...” He sucked on the lollipop for a moment, before speaking again. “Maybe I should hire someone to follow me around and do just that. How about you? Looking for a promotion?” He waggled his eyebrows at the other.

It wasn’t a real offer, of course, but it would be fun to see the other get flustered or even more pissed off.

“It’s called weeding out the weak and disloyal, Nicky, and it’s what I was brought it to do. So tell me...” His eyes gleamed as he grinned up at the other, lollipop at his lips. “Which are you?” He asked before popping the candy back between his lips, turning and sauntering away with a light chuckle.

           {     ＰＲＩＮＣＥ  ♛  ＤＥＡＮ     }

                                             “See? Can your man deliver or can your man                                              deliver?” Was he really Gabriel’s “man”? No,                                              no he wasn’t. But he definitely didn’t care, and                                              it didn’t stop him from using the phrase. He                                               stole a finger full of syrup and chuckled. “I                                               spent all night looking for the perfect recipe,”                                               he admitted, “I wanted them to be good for you.”

“Yeah, ye- hey!” Gabriel’s hand darted out, smacking Dean’s away like a parent might their child. “Back off my syrup, Dean-o. Hell hath no fury like a Shurley parted from their sweets.” He grinned, eyes glinting, before taking a bite. He moaned at the flavor like he was being paid for it. “Oh, now... this isn’t even fair,” he began, turning to the other.

“Keep it up, handsome. I might just have to lock you up in my kitchen for good.”