Cole and Nigel- part 3 (outdated)

!Warning! 

Suggestive content, very soft/implied NSFW


    For the first time in a very long time- longer than he could remember- Nigel was second guessing himself. Despite his steady observations, his welcoming gestures, and affectionate words, Cole had rejected him. Perhaps he had been too hasty with him, too forward. Of the nights Nigel had gotten the chance to gently persuade Cole, he had chosen the one in which Cole digested a divorce. Foolish.

     Nigel knew himself well, and he was getting impatient. Though he knew Cole was not capable of it, he felt as though the man was teasing him. His sharp comments, those soft doe eyes whenever he was unsure, and the slim fit of his suits. Nigel could feel his own patience chipping away with each nervous tick Cole had, each clear of his throat. He feared he may just take Cole by the hair one night and yank. Call him something cruel.

     He could have chosen two nights prior to kiss him, in which Cole rested his head on Nigel’s leg while they smoked. Another private night in Cole’s office, in which they spoke of women and sex. Nigel had been steady with him, careful not to spook him while he pet his head. Nigel had Cole’s soft dark locks between his fingers, each slow stroke from Nigel’s hand had Cole melting against his leg.

     Cole was calm, focused on the room rather than fidgeting with himself. He had even nuzzled his face a bit against Nigel.

     Nigel should have kissed him then. The man had slipped into a rare sweet obedience he only displayed when they were alone. Nigel could have tipped his chin and kissed him.

     Cole would have been frightened, yes. Frightened of his own feelings perhaps, but he wouldn't have pushed Nigel away.

     Or perhaps he would have. Nigel didn’t know.

     But last night was a mistake, that was certain. Nigel was far too hasty.

     Now, Cole had been incredibly flared the whole day, his feathers flustered and his tone sharp. He had refused to speak with Nigel, not in a friendly manner anyhow. Rather, he spoke to him as he did their first week of meeting. Professionally.

     It was charming, really. Endearing. How he persisted he was nothing more than a colleague to Nigel. Despite Nigel’s love for Cole’s obedience, he found himself still drawn to that persistently ‘in order’ way about him.

     Infact, Cole had been so on edge today that he offered (insisted) to give  a planner to Jareth, who was still holding it now as he stood at the microphone.

     He had been fidgeting with it mindlessly, the corners now completely bent up. He was staring blankly with his pale eyes at Vinnie, who was playing a bass line for him. Jareth then looked to Nigel, then down at Nigel’s shoulder.

     No recording today, just puttering around. Jareth was to have his full album finished and ready to record within the month, an easy task for the odd fellow. For now, they toyed around with their instruments, and on occasion Jareth would jump in to develop something that he liked. However, that wasn’t happening much today, and Vinnie stopped playing.

     “I say we’re due for a break.” Richard declared, sitting on the couch. He had been balancing a pencil on his upper lip.

     “Are we?” Vinnie murmured, looking over to the clock on the wall.

     “Nigel? What say you, aye old fellow? You’ve been nice and private today.”

     Nigel had indeed been more silent than usual. Not of purposeful intent, but he had a heavy load of thinking to be done.

     “Oh yea?” He asked, turning on the piano bench to face the other lads. “I’d sooner say we should take it now before the boss catches us.”

     “You think he’d be upset?” Asked Vinnie.

     “Surely he would. It’ll be good for him.” Nigel chuckled, standing and beginning to stretch. “Best sneak out while we can.”

     “Where is Cole?” Vinnie asked.

     “His office.” Richard said.

     “Is he? I thought he had gone out for lunch.” Vinnie corrected.

     “No, he didn't.” Richard insisted. "He's back now- he came on in."

     “I only said that I thought- I didn't say I knew.”

     Nigel sauntered to the couch where Richard sat, picking up a stray teacup he had left behind from their morning brew. Despite the tea having gone cold, he raised the cup to his lips.

      It was then that the door to the hallway came open, Cole entering with a stack of papers thrown onto a flimsy clipboard. He looked to Jareth, his eyes doing a quick head to toe check before looking to Nigel. His doe eyes flicked back down to his papers.

     What a doll… Pathetically avoidant. He likely thought he was doing a rather good job rejecting Nigel.

     Had he stayed up the night before? Was he unable to sleep with all of the thoughts swirling around in his head? How many times did he get up to check if the front door was locked to keep himself busy?

     Nigel’s mustache curled subtly at the ends as he attempted to hide a smile, raising his cup to take another sip.

     Cole cleared his throat, his chest puffing just slightly, This meant; I have an important announcement! Best listen up!

     Richard gave a short whistle through his teeth at the pair of bickering musicians, allowing Cole the room.

     “Right- well, we haven't got any need to stay for the late evening. I’ve gotten my calls made,” He glanced at Jareth and raised his brows as though Jareth knew what he meant. He likely didn’t. “I’d sooner say there's no need for work today. Have you ehm… worked on the new song?”

     Jareth shook his head no. He had refused to show any of his writing today. It wasn't done.

     “You haven't?”

     Jareth shook his head no once more.

     Cole briefly looked at Vinnie, likely hoping for someone to bring up the absurdity. He then cleared his throat, putting his hands on his hips, checking his watch, then putting his hands back on his hips.

     A fussy little mess he was.

     “Right, well… let's be off then.”

     “Lets.” Nigel agreed, placing his cup down. The other lads went to pack up their instruments, and Jareth remained standing by the microphone, thinking about something. “Mind me driving you and Jareth home then?”

     “No need, thank you.” Cole said shortly, his hands meeting to twist at his wedding ring. His eyes stayed on Jareth. “Jareth- your coat.”

     So he was being a stubborn thing this evening.

     “Cheeky you are, I’ve been nothin but lovely on you Cole. Think it’s only fair I drive you home.” Nigel teased, approaching Cole as he began to head for the door.

     “Nigel,” Cole scolded, his feathers puffing up as they all met the bitter cold. “I can drive perfectly fine on my own.”

     “Oh yea, Can he?” Nigel asked, looking down to Jareth who walked beside him. Jareth did not reply. “Give us a chance, Cole,”

     “For god sakes…” Cole muttered, turning to lock the studio door.

     Cole turned the key three times as he always did.



///


     Nigel sat in front of his full length mirror, leaned against his velvet arm chair. His heel clicked against the wooden floorboard as he uncrossed his legs, spreading them to look at himself. He held a thin cigarette between two fingers, the smoke swirling into the air as he admired his body dressed in lingerie. He wore a woman’s black transparent bra, snug around his ribs and cupped close to each breast. Sheer long gloves and stockings darkened his arms and legs. Red lipstick and red heels matched one another, bringing out the flames in his curled hair. He let his free hand toy with one of the elastic bra straps, giving it a mindless tug then letting it snap back into place.

    Cole was at his office, Nigel knew. The man was unable to sleep, and had wandered back to the studio in a nervous blunder to pace there rather than at home. Surely…

     Nigel stood, turning to inspect his back side.

     Nigel could go visit him- he should go visit him. But the lad was in such a sensitive place now, he couldn't process things easily. No, he had to fester and boil over things, letting them consume his mind- what a fool. What a darling.

    Cole was not a straight man, Nigel knew this. His desires were deeply hidden away, silenced and undetected by even Cole himself at times. But every now and then, in the dim lighting of Cole’s office, a desire would sneak through. It snuck through in the way that Cole nuzzled against Nigel’s knee, or asked to discuss how Nigel made love to his now ex wife. Only once had Cole said; please compliment me. Nervous and hushed. To which Nigel said; you’re my favorite. You always have been.

     Cole had said nothing more.

     Perhaps Cole was contemplating his feelings, wondering why he felt such a way about a simple kiss. Would that be encouragement for deeper exploration, or encouragement to hide?

     Nigel reached up and rubbed his face with his palms, letting out a slow sigh. Never had he second guessed himself in such a manner. That stupid man was twisting him like his wedding ring, and Nigel wanted nothing more than to break him.

     Nigel slipped on a white button up over his bra, rolling the sleeves up. He abandoned his gloves and heels, replacing them with high waisted trousers and work shoes. He tucked in his shirt, wiped off his makeup, slipped on a coat for the bitter cold, and scampered from his flat straight into his car.

     When Nigel pulled into the studio to find the lights were on, a warmth glowed in his chest. It may have been joy that Cole was indeed there, but really it was satisfaction that he was right.

     Neglecting to lock his car, Nigel hopped up the steps and fumbled for his pair of studio keys. Having only been here three hours before, he got a wonderful haze of surrealism as he stepped inside, escaping the cruel chill.

      He slipped his coat off, dropping it on the couch as he passed. He made a direct press for Cole’s office, the door ajar with a strip of light against the hallway wall. Just within, the scratch of pencil on paper tapped away and Cole had his head in his hand. He was hunched over his desk, his eyes following the pencil. Nigel leaned against the door frame, watching him.

     Cole’s brows were furrowed, creating that crease just between the end of his nose bridge. He was concentrating.

     “Oi.” Nigel said, making the poor thing jump.

     “Nigel, hello.” He said, his brows raised slightly.

     Ah, there he was. His darling Cole, away from the others. The sweet thing could sound like Jareth as times when they were alone, more soft spoken.

     “Bit late innit?” Nigel asked.

     “Is it?” Cole replied, checking his watch. “I should be off then.”

     “Yea?...Care for a smoke?” Nigel asked, stepping into the room.

     Cole glanced up at him through his brows, those pup eyes. He then looked off into the room, and shook his head.

     “No- that's quite alright.”

     “Oh, you wouldn't like a little chat then?”

     “I can’t imagine anything for us to chat about.” Cole said, his sharp tone returning.

     Ah, frightened they would talk about the kiss then, was he? So, he was denying the event then.

     “We’ll find somethin.” Nigel offered, pulling up a chair to sit on the opposite side of the desk.

     Rejecting him, Cole stood before Nigel could fully sit, gathering his papers.

     “I really haven't got the time to avoid sleep, Nigel.”

     “You haven't?”

     “No,” Cole gave him a nod as though saying goodbye, reaching for the door.

     “Don't go.” Nigel muttered, his tone dark. “Cole.”

     Cole had paused, his eyes staying on the door handle.

     The clock on Cole’s desk ticked gently, and the heater stuck to the wall whirred. Nigel watched as Cole’s hand abandoned the door handle, instead going to twist his wedding ring. Which was absent.

     “I want to forget you’ve done this Nigel.” Cole said.

     “Done what?”

      Cole cleared his throat before speaking again;

     “You’ve ruined us.”

     “Have I?”

     Cole said nothing, and Nigel stood, nearing him. His heels had muffled licks against the carpet with each step. His shadow loomed against Cole as came within reach, allowing himself to press closer than Cole was used to. He smiled justly slightly to himself, watching Cole’s body puff with fluster. His mustache bristled just slightly.

      The shorter male flinched as a hand found his shoulder. Nigel received a side eye glare.

      “Nothin’s changed, Cole.” Nigel muttered his hand gliding down Cole’s stubbornly stiff arm. “We’re just two lads, enjoying one another's company.”

     Cole said nothing.

     “Not a souls got a clue what we’ve been doin in here love, that won't change.” He whispered now, his hand finding the back of Cole’s. Carefully, Nigel wrapped his fingers between Cole’s and gave a tender squeeze.

     Despite his usual confidence, Nigel’s heart pounded heavily against his sternum, and his body shook subtly with adrenaline.

     He waited, watching Cole. The lad breathed heavily through his nose, occasionally hitched. Emotional.

     Carefully, Nigel leaned in, placing a tender kiss against Cole’s neck.

     His skin was warm, soft.

     Nigel placed another, then another up to Cole’s ear. As though finding it ticklish, Cole’s shoulder had raised just slightly, and he shied his head away by turning it.

     “Cole.” Nigel hushed against his ear. “You can leave.”

     And if Cole chose to do so, he would let him. They would not speak of this again as Cole wished.

     Nigel swallowed thickly as Cole gave him a lack of response, keeping stubbornly quiet. So, Nigel took a step to move back.

     “Wait-” Cole whimpered.

     Nigel felt pure excitement burst in his chest, his stache curling at the ends as a grin stretched on his face.  He pressed his chest against Cole’s back, taking a step to close the gap between them.

     “Wait?”

     Cole said nothing. The poor thing was completely flushed.

     “Cole. Ask me to stay.”

     Cole said nothing.

     “Cole.”

     “...Stay.” He muttered.

     “You can do better than that, sweetheart.” Nigel chuckled, his lips brushing against the shell of Cole’s ear. “Cole… mean it.”

     “I want you to stay.”

     “Do you?”

     “Please.”

     Nigel allowed himself the victory, letting the swirl of joy in his chest press a smile onto his face. He leaned in , rewarding Cole with a kiss against his jaw.