"Everything is temporary, I'm not sure there's a need to specify that. You might hurt my feelings, Archivist."
Unlikely. But the possibility of getting out of the bloody Down sounds like a chance he can't pass up. Lucien is used to not having creature comforts, but this is... an enforced humiliation that he would rather not continue.
He drums his fingers again, considering the book.
"However I want?" he prompts, brow lifting. Surely there's a catch there, other than that little clause.
"However you want within reason. I'm not just giving you all my money, or whatever. You can rent a flat somewhere, and I'll pay for it. Buy what you need. I'll expect you to contribute your own income to things, as well." He accepts only one kept man in his life, and that is Martin Blackwood. "You can do whatever you want for quota. I don't care."
"You don't care? That hurts my feelings, Jon." A passing pout turns into another smile. "I already said I don't want your money."
What would he do with it, in his position? The contract grants him license to spend it, but.
"And when I change hands? What happens to a flat then?" Well, since this is temporary, he should look to the future, shouldn't he? "I've heard the newly contracted live with their Dominants."
It's not like they don't have space, but at the same time... that impacts Martin more. Which means he really ought to consult Martin. But the book. Martin would understand.
(Martin would not understand and probably yell at him, but Jon is choosing to ignore that.)
"When you get a new contract, your new partner would just take over payments or whatever new system you work out. We have... spare rooms. But we also have a dog. And a cat. And Martin likes his privacy." As does Jon. "I doubt you'd like it... Unless you're making that a requirement for examining the book?"
"I like cats," he drawls, lifting a brow. Poor Cree would probably resent that line, but she isn't here to do anything about it. "If you want the book in your custody, you'll have to keep me with it. Otherwise, you'll have to come visit it."
In other words, Lucien would have far more say in when and how Jon could look at it.
Jon narrows his eyes at that comment. He wants full access to this book. He needs it. Or the viciously curious part of him that has no other outlets needs it.
"Fine. You can live in the house while I'm looking into the book. But we'll get you a flat when I'm finished."
"If you can bear to let me go after that," he quips. Lucien draws the book closer and picks it up. "You can keep reading after the contract is signed."
Well, he has to make the effort worth it, doesn't he?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Unlikely. But the possibility of getting out of the bloody Down sounds like a chance he can't pass up. Lucien is used to not having creature comforts, but this is... an enforced humiliation that he would rather not continue.
He drums his fingers again, considering the book.
"However I want?" he prompts, brow lifting. Surely there's a catch there, other than that little clause.
no subject
He makes a dismissive gesture.
no subject
What would he do with it, in his position? The contract grants him license to spend it, but.
"And when I change hands? What happens to a flat then?" Well, since this is temporary, he should look to the future, shouldn't he? "I've heard the newly contracted live with their Dominants."
He lifts a brow.
no subject
(Martin would not understand and probably yell at him, but Jon is choosing to ignore that.)
"When you get a new contract, your new partner would just take over payments or whatever new system you work out. We have... spare rooms. But we also have a dog. And a cat. And Martin likes his privacy." As does Jon. "I doubt you'd like it... Unless you're making that a requirement for examining the book?"
Is that what this is? More negotiation?
no subject
In other words, Lucien would have far more say in when and how Jon could look at it.
no subject
"Fine. You can live in the house while I'm looking into the book. But we'll get you a flat when I'm finished."
no subject
Well, he has to make the effort worth it, doesn't he?
no subject
"Write something up, I'll look it over and sign it, and we can get it filed at the courthouse. The sooner, the better."
The fast he can review that book, the faster he can shove Lucien out of the house and into his own flat.
no subject
He pulls the book away and tucks it under his arm with a sharp smile.
"Now then, I'm back to bed. I had a long night, Archivist."
no subject