marothius | ( obsession is a way for damaged people )

If that truly is the aim, then Matthias is well on his way to getting exactly what he wants. He's saying and doing all of the right things. He's making all of the right gestures. He's drawing Seong in with everything he does. Every time he texts or calls. Every time he suggests they see each other. Everything is making Seong feel like he's being spoiled in a way that only Matthias has ever really managed. Or maybe others have tried and Seong just hasn't been receptive to it. Who can say for sure? Seong is hardly the most reliable source when it comes to his relationships. Except for this one. This one, he is fixated on every detail. He wants to remember all of this until the day he dies. He never wants to forget how Matthias is making him feel.

Should they ever separate, this is already shaping up to be the relationship that all future relationships will be measured against. Feeling spoiled is just one of many knives in the back of his (hypothetical) future relationships.

Matthias is right to assume that Seong will follow along behind him. When he starts toward the couch, Seong is right on his heels, following along like a kitten after its chosen person. He toddles along behind, then waits patiently for Matthias to take a seat. The middle. So no matter where Seong sits, he'll be sitting at least relatively close to Matthias. No chance to sit awkwardly at either end of the couch like some kids at their first boy girl party or something. Good. Seong sits to Matthias' right and crosses his legs on the couch so he has a secure(-ish) place to set his plate. He's close but not too close. Just shy of invading Matthias' personal space. Then Matthias gets closer and none of it matters. Matthias sits close enough so his leg is pressed against Seong's and Seong decides to move his own leg a little closer to Matthias, letting his knee rest on top of his boyfriend's leg.

"Toast?" Seong makes sure his plate is a little more secure in his lap before he turns to face Matthias a little more, glass raised ever so slightly. "We should. But, what should we toast to?" Them? Their relationship? Is that lame?

Some of those more obedient habits seem ingrained in Seong. And Matthias isn't complaining! He enjoys knowing Seong will follow along like a good boy. Like he did the first day they officially met. Well, there really isn't anywhere he could escape to in the open layout of Matthias' apartment, so it was follow or eat separately. He doubted Seong wanted to do that. They could FaceTime from their own places and eat if that's what they wanted.

But it's the physical presence of Seong in his place, his personal space that makes Matthias giddy. He went out of his way to make Italian food that Seong could eat, to bring him into his little refuge. He wants Seong there. Even if they're doing other things. He wants Seong there, in his space, being present.

Weird.

Whatever.

Matthias isn't a sentimental sort, so he'll tell himself it's just being in the honeymoon phase of a new relationship. He's good at lying, after all.

"Well, I usually toast to the floor." Please ask him about that. Though his tone implies he'd rather toast to something more serious tonight.

They're definitely rather deeply ingrained in him, those obedient habits. He's almost always been inclined to do as he's told or follow when he thinks he's supposed to or what have you. He usually tries to push back against that inclination though. He tries to ignore that deeply ingrained need to obey someone else's words or gestures. Except when he's with Matthias. When wants to follow Matthias around and he wants to do whatever the other man tells him to. He wants to show Matthias how well he can listen.

Even if, in this case, following Matthias was the only real option. Seong doesn't want to sit somewhere else. He wants to sit with his boyfriend. He wants to sit together and eat a meal. He wants to sit together and talk. He's not normally a huge talker but he wants to talk with Matthias. He wants to sit together even while they otherwise ignore each other and do their own things. While climbing on each other is always fun, he's finding he's just as happy with occupying the space next to Matthias.

Seong merely blinks at Matthias a few times, head tipping to one side and brows pulling together with slight confusion. "I don't get it. What do you mean?"

Matthias is quite content to have a good boy following him around. A good boy who doesn't flinch when it's time to be filthy. Not a good boy. And obedient boy. A slightly (maybe more?) submissive boy. A boy who's a little bit needy. It's such a delicious combination of traits it practically leaves Matthias' mouth watering.

A little smirk pulls at his lips. He heard in a circle he had some decades ago. "To the floor," he repeats, pretending to hold a glass up. "It will hold you when no one else will." He drops his hand, a dull plop sounding as it lands in the empty space beside him. "It doesn't suit us since we have each other, hm?"

Seong has always wanted the kind of person who would call him a good boy when he's being good instead of only pointing out when he's not (except when it's no longer the time to be quite so good). He's always wanted someone who'd appreciate his obedience and maybe take some advantage of his submissive nature, but in a way that not just good for them but for Seong too. On top of all that, Seong's grateful to have someone who doesn't seem to mind that he's a little on the needy side sometimes. A neediness that Seong didn't even know was there, but one that Matthias brought out in him. Basically, Matthias is proving to be everything Seong wanted in a boyfriend. Is this all coming from the honeymoon phase of their relationship? It very well could be, and a part of Seong is sort of waiting to find out just what it is that's wrong with Matthias because there has to be something, right? There needs to be some inherent flaw that Seong's overlooking right now. There just has to be.

Listening intently to what Matthias says, Seong wiggles just a little closer to him, more of his leg coming to rest on top of his boyfriend's (ever conscious of his plate resting on his own lap. The last thing he wants is for his first visit to Matthias' ending with him spilling this delicious smelling plate of food on the floor). "Oh." That's the sort of toast that Seong could have really gotten behind once. But now, perhaps not so much. "You're right. We have each other now. So why don't we toast to us instead?"

There's so much wrong with Matthias! He's a demon, to start. But he's not to keen on revealing that to humans. He doesn't plan to reveal it to Seong, either. What's it have to do with anything anyway?

Matthias lifts his glass this time, holding it out for Seong to clink. "I'll drink to us. To you, me, and wherever we find ourselves wrapped up in each other."

In Seong's eyes, at this point in time, Matthias is perfect. He's everything that Seong has ever wanted and more. And that's without even getting into his physical appearance which is beyond anything Seong ever hoped he'd attract for himself. It's not that he thinks of himself as unattractive and unable to find himself a physically appealing partner, but rather that he thinks Matthias is just way the hell out of his league. This beautiful, well dressed man (should Seong start dressing better more often? He does have nicer clothes to wear for if he's going out, but mostly he dresses for comfort) with a wide array of very appealing attributes and he wants to be with Seong. Maybe that's the part that makes Seong think there has to be some flaw he's not seeing yet.

Otherwise, perfect.

Seong watches Matthias, eyes drifting from his face to the lifted glass and then back again. Pulling his plate off of his lap and laying in carefully on the empty space next to him, Seong leans toward Matthias to press a soft, somewhat chaste kiss to his lips. Sitting back again, he lightly taps his own glass against Matthias'. "To us."

Seong could wear a sack an Matthias wouldn't really care. Oh, he'll jump at some future opportunity to dress his boyfriend up, but it's not a make-or-break situation for him. Maybe Seong doesn't care about fashion or maybe he can't afford high-end brands. Whatever. He's sexy in sweats and out of them. What else matters?

Matthias cants his head slightly when Seong moves the plate from his lap, but he catches on quickly enough to lean in to meet that kiss. He enjoys the affection, even if it's not immediately leading to something more. He enjoys the attention and knowing that Seong wants that same attention from him. It's like being in an echo chamber, really. And for now, that's not a bad thing.

A smile pulls across his lips when their glasses touch and he takes a hearty drink of the wine. A toast to them. To the fun they'll have however long it lasts. "That sounds nicer when you say it. Say it again."

Seong would not be surprised to learn that caring about his appearance compared to Matthias' is just entirely his own hangup and not one that's shared by his boyfriend. He's never been overly concerned with fashion and he definitely can't afford high-end brands (he's lucky he can afford the room he rents so he's not going to spend money he doesn't really have on clothes he won't much wear. Or at least he wouldn't have in the past. He's considering it now. If he just takes some of the money he's been saving up...) but he wants to at least sort of look like he belongs with Matthias. He doesn't really want people to see them and think that Seong is the local goblin that Matthias managed to coax out of the darkest corner of the city. He'd like to avoid having people remind Matthias that he can do better than Seong.

Of course it's not all about other people. He also just wants to look good for his boyfriend. He wants to put in effort for Matthias.

Seong returns Matthias' smile and drinks down a not insignificant amount of the wine in his glass. A drink to them and their future, however long that future may be. To the fun they'll have. The things they'll do together. The meals they'll have, the time they'll spend together, the talking and the sex, the quiet nights when they're just happy to be in each others presence. Cuddling on the couch. The sex. Waking up next to each other. "To us," he repeats before emptying the rest of his glass.

If others think Seong is the local goblin, even better. Matthias managed to bag the local cryptid! That just makes him look better, in his opinion! Not that he'll complain if Seong wants to look better. He'll encourage and help his boyfriend.

"To us," he echoes, downing the rest of his glass. "Now, dig in." He's eager to see if Seong likes his cooking!

Seong looks down at his plate, still sitting next to him on the couch, then hops up and trots over to the kitchen and back with the wine bottle in hand. He refills Matthias' glass and his own, then sets the rest of the bottle down on the table. Picking up his plate, he settles in next to Matthias once more. He starts out close this time, right back to the spot where he got up from. One last drink from his glass then he sets it next to the bottle and folds his legs again so he has a place to set down his plate and start eating.

"Thank you for the food." The first bite that Seong takes seems somewhat apprehensive. It smells good, but that doesn't always mean it'll taste good as well. And what should he do if it doesn't taste good? Should he lie? He's gotten relatively good at lying to people over the years so he should probably just lie, right? But it turns out there was nothing to worry about. His eyes grow wide and his face lights up as he chews his food, looking over at Matthias soon after. "This is delicious. It tastes just as good as it smells!"

It's easy to see Seong's apprehension. He can't blame the guy. What if he didn't like it? That was Matthias' only worry. He knows his cooking is good. He's had a lot of practice. And, frankly, he enjoys it. Cooking is like the witchcraft of old. Gather the right ingredients, combine them in the right ways, and magic! But he can't help smiling at Seong's surprise.

"I'm glad you like it," he quips with a little wiggle. "I really like cooking. Now I can cook for you, too."

It was a worry for Seong too. He didn't want to have to lie about the first meal Matthias decided to cook for him. He didn't want to not enjoy such a kind gesture from his boyfriend. So he worried. He's not necessarily a picky eater but he isn't really the most adventurous either. Over the years, he's taken to sticking to the same few dishes that he's found he likes (with a not so healthy sprinkling of safe instant foods as well) and hasn't really bothered to venture out beyond them.

But being with Matthias feels like it's coming with a lot of trying new things, so why shouldn't that extend to food too?

"I really do like it," he confirms before taking another bite and shifting to lean against Matthias a little. "I'd like to eat more of your cooking." He shakes his head. "I only have one thing that I'm really good at making so I don't really have home cooked meals a lot." Outside of going to his parents, or his roommate occasionally feeling like cooking (usually only if she ends up with a few days off in a row), he doesn't eat much that requires any actual effort. "So thank you for cooking for me." Cooking for him. That sounds selfish. "Us."

"I wanna eat it." The one thing Seong's good at making. "Whenever you feel up to it. You can make it here if you want." He hopes that invitation will be one Seong accepts. He hasn't officially met Seong's roommate and he's really not inclined to. The fewer people he knows in this building, the better.

Matthias grins, taking a bite from his own plate. He chews and nods in approval, then leans in to steal a quick, chaste kiss (they're eating, after all). "I'll cook for you whenever you want." The perk of his day job is that the hours are set. So he's always home for dinner.

"Let me stay here tonight and I'll cook it for you tomorrow." Perhaps not the boldest of declarations, but bold enough for Seong, someone who hasn't been entirely too outgoing in this relationship as of yet. Someone who's been trying not to be entirely too outgoing in this relationship as of yet. Don't push. Don't overstep his bounds. Don't test Matthias' limits. Don't don't don't.

"Tomorrow morning. I'll make breakfast for you." Well, likely closer to lunch, considering Seong's reluctance to be a functional human being in the morning. Thankfully one of the perks of his own job is that he doesn't often have to be a functional human being in the morning. He doesn't have hours so much as deadlines to meet. Which means he can always be home for dinner too.

Quick though it is, Seong still finds himself leaning in to that chaste kiss. He considers setting both of their plates aside and going in for something a little less quick and chaste but that'll ultimately make their supper a lot longer to get through and it'll ruin all of the effort Matthias put in to making this delicious food for them. There'll be plenty of time to do whatever they want afterwards. Instead, Seong takes another bite from his plate and reaches for his glass to wash the food down with some more wine. "Whenever I want. Mm how does every day sound?" Whether he's serious about that or not is up in the air. If Matthias thinks it's a good idea, then he's absolutely serious. And if Matthias doesn't like that idea? Well, Seong never really meant it anyway.

"Deal," he answers without any hesitation. While Matthias has a day job, it's more about being available to his clients, not in the office from 8am to 5pm sort of thing. And he doesn't have anything appointments on the schedule for tomorrow. So if it's brunch or a more genuine lunch, it'll still work.

But what is he agreeing to? Letting Seong stay the night? Yes. Cooking for him every day? Also yes.

"When we get things cleaned up, we can check to make sure I have everything you'll need." Matthias keeps a well-stocked kitchen despite living alone. He really does enjoy cooking a lot. And, so far, time with Seong has been pleasant.

"I should probably warn you, I don't sleep much." At all, actually.

"Oh. Just like that? Great!" He doesn't mean to sound like he's disappointed that Matthias didn't put up more of a fight about him staying over (or cooking for him everyday? Did he just agree to that too?) but he's just a little surprised. He shouldn't be and he knows that by now (already) but he still is. It's perfectly acceptable and normal couple behaviour to spend the night together and cook for one another. Maybe it's that so little of their relationship so far has followed 'normal couple behaviour' so he expected... something. Push back? Having to negotiate his way into Matthias' apartment for the night? It doesn't matter. Matthias agreed. "Great. I've never really wanted to cook for anyone before but I'm kinda looking forward to it." That it means he'll be spending the night here definitely helps.

Seong nods as he eats a few more mouthfuls of food. Honestly, Seong would be surprised if Matthias didn't have most of what he needs, if not all of it, for this little experiment of cooking in front of his clearly very talented boyfriend. It's fine. If Matthias doesn't like it, or if it isn't up to his standards or something, it's not the end of the world. It's fine. Really.

"I should probably warn you too, then, that I sleep a lot." The amount that he slept previously when they spent the night together isn't exactly out of the ordinary, basically. The fact that he'd essentially passed out from exhaustion before actually did little to change his sleeping habits, though he did sleep significantly more soundly! "Oh and maybe I should mention that I'm not really much of a morning person, either. I'm barely an early afternoon person some days."

He could've made some excuse, made Seong work for the invitation to stay overnight. But why when that was Matthias' intent from the start? Maybe if Seong were less interesting... but he's not. Matthias is sure he'll complicate things at some point; this is not that point.

He twists more noodles onto his fork and takes a big bite, puffing out one cheek while he chews. There's a pause that lasts just long enough for Matthias to smile. So he's the first person Seong's wanted to cook for, huh? Don't mind him kicking his feet a little in his enthusiasm. Once he manages to finish chewing and swallow that bite, Matthias grins mischievously. "I'll try my best not to get in your way."

No he won't. He'll be glued to Seong.

"For what it's worth, I'm a barely a person."

Seong would've worked for his invite. He would've put in effort to spend the night with his boyfriend. But not too much effort that be might come off as desperate to be in Matthias' company. That's exactly what he's been trying to avoid, after all. Don't let Matthias know just how deep Seong is into this relationship already. Don't let him know that he regularly craves Matthias' company. Seong is sure there has to be something wrong with him (himself. Not Matthias. Oh, definitely not Matthias) and he'd like to keep that to himself for as long as possible.

So Seong would put in the effort but he's glad he doesn't have to. He doesn't want to have to figure out where the line is between enough and too much.

Pausing for a moment in his own eating, Seong watches Matthias' entire reaction to his admission about the cooking. The changes in his expression and the way he outwardly expresses his enthusiasm. Not only does it make Seong feel pretty good about himself, but it makes Matthias seem just that much more attractive. So much so that it takes a significant amount of time for Seong to realize he's simply staring at the other man. He has to remind himself that this is the point in a conversation where he says something in return, or has any kind of reaction at all. Something. He settles for nodding. At least to begin with. It's a good start.

"Good. Otherwise, how do you feel about being kicked out of your own kitchen?" he jokes with a grin of his own. Perfect response. He knew he had it in him.

"Maybe that's why we seem to work pretty well." So far. "You're barely a person but I don't really get along with many people anyway." So he's the right amount of person for Seong.

Oh, but there's so much wrong with Matthias. Seong just hasn't been around long enough to see any of it yet. And whatever's wrong with Seong? Matthias will probably find it interesting, at least for a little while. It's always interesting for a little while.

Every living being needs nourishment, in some form or another. And while Matthias doesn't need to eat in the way humans do to survive, he knows what feasting with another means. He understands the significance of it long forgotten by humans. Cooking for another is helping them live. It's special. That's why Matthias is so enthusiastic about it. Why he's so careful (and will continue to be careful) to avoid any food stuffs that would harm Seong.

And if he minds that Seong goes silent to stare at him, he makes no indication of if. The brightness of his smile softens, but it doesn't fade entirely as he just peers at Seong, waiting patiently for him to speak. The break in chatting isn't any bother to him. Matthias is a creature that can and does enjoy silence. Every moment doesn't have to be filled with conversation. Nor does he find the pause (or the staring) awkward.

And when Seong finally does speak again, Matthias laughs. "You wouldn't dare!" As if Matthias could be kicked out of his own kitchen!

"Mmm," he nods in agreement. Seong doesn't seem like most of the people Matthias has met. There's something different about him that the demon can't quite put his finger on. But whatever it is, he likes it.

Sure, it's likely that there's something wrong with Matthias since he's with Seong and Seong is a mess, but he's not seen much real evidence of it yet. If it's there, Seong needs to see it to believe it. Logically, he knows that no one is perfect and that obviously applies to Matthias as well, but logic has no place anywhere in Seong's mind when he's with Matthias.

Seong gathers up some of the mushrooms and peppers onto his fork to have some of them without the pasta interfering, and he smiles to himself as he chews them. While he may not truly grasp the overall significance of eating together, he knows what it means to him. To get to share a meal with someone he cares about, that was prepared by that same person means a lot to him. It feels special. It makes him feel special. A meal prepared with him in mind and one that doesn't make him feel like his dietary restrictions are a burden. It makes him feel special.

And he wants Matthias to feel special too. He wants to return the favour by cooking for him too. Something that he's never done for anyone and never wanted to do for anyone.

Just Matthias.

"I would," he says after swallowing his food, lifting his chin a little defiantly. As if Seong would even try to kick Matthias out of his own kitchen. As if Seong would try to kick Matthias out of anywhere.

"You've got some balls threatening to kick me out of my own kitchen," he quips with a laugh. "The first time you're in my house, too! The gall of you!" But he's so entertained. Already, inviting Seong over is turning out to be fun.

That Seong feels like cooking and sharing meals is a way for them to bond is enough for Matthias. It's a significant thing to share and Matthias does, in fact, feel special that he's the first person Seong's wanted to cook for. Even if Seong made him instant noodles, he'd be content with it.

In retaliation for Seong's 'offense', Matthias stabs his fork into the other's plate and swirls some of the pasta onto it, holding it up to Seong's lips.

"It'll be my kitchen tomorrow morning," he counters with a laugh of his own. A bold claim, perhaps, but bold has been working for him so far this evening. Well bold in comparison to past actions. Bold in comparison to the way he's been otherwise tiptoeing through this whole relationship so far. Though, to be fair, claiming (temporary) ownership and threatening to kick them out of it upon first visit their home is pretty up there.

Even though he'd never actually kick Matthias out of anywhere, and he'll be disappointed if Matthias actually gives Seong enough space to be completely out of his way. He's sure he can work around having his boyfriend in the kitchen with him. And if he can't, he's not above making those instant noodles as a back up.

Seong looks down at his plate, ready to act affronted by Matthias stealing food right off of his plate when that very same food is held up to his mouth. His eyes drop to the food for mere seconds before returning to their rightful position, watching Matthias. Though at least this time his staring his accompanied by pulling the pasta off of the fork.

The mirth doesn't fade from his eyes, but an eyebrow shoots up. "Your kitchen? Since when are you paying my rent?" Matthias doesn't pay rent, thanks to a very handy suggestive ability. He can afford to, he just opts not to. There are perks to being an inhuman thing and he likes to take advantage of them.

But he can't repress another laugh.

"Actually, I'm looking forward to have my own personal chef tomorrow." There's enough room for the two of them to dance around each other in the kitchen. Or for Matthias to be affixed to Seong's back. Or maybe he'll be a very good boy and perch himself a the breakfast bar and watch Seong work from a safe distance. They'll know which mood strikes Matthias tomorrow.

"I do have a question for you, though."

Seong sets his fork down and reaches out to trace that raised eyebrow with his index finger, grinning around the food in his mouth. He chews it up and swallows, shrugging one shoulder. "My kitchen. For as long as I'm cooking. I guess you can consider breakfast tomorrow as my rent payment." If only Seong could actually get away with trading breakfast for a place to live. Or trade anything aside from money for a place to live.

But his roommate isn't home enough for him to cook for her instead of paying rent. Not that he can cook much anymore. And sleeping with her didn't work for either of them, so money it is.

"Only tomorrow. Though depending on how it goes, we can negotiate a repeat performance." If he doesn't completely embarrass himself and Matthias actually likes what he cooks, Seong would be willing to do it again. He would be willing to do a lot for Matthias (including letting him attach himself to Seong while Seong makes a valiant effort to make them breakfast in the morning).

"Hm? What is it?"

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