When the car finally pulled to a stop it was outside a very large hotel, attached to which was an obviously very high class restaurant. Selene blinked her eyes open as the car came to a stop and they bulged the moment she looked on the name of the restaurant, recognizing it almost immediately. She leaned yet closer to Mark and hissed in his ear, "That's one of the most expensive places in town!" If not the single most expensive, she couldn't remember off the top of her head.

Domerin tossed a set of Keys in Sesha's direction. "Take Mark with you. Get showered and changed. We've got about an hour before our reservation." He motioned for Selene to follow him as he got out of the car. He couldn't let the youngsters share a hotel room, even for only an hour, the Major would have separated his head from his shoulders, and he liked his head where it was.

Sesha caught the keys and pocketed them, letting Mark come along with him though the young man didn't look particularly happy about the fact. He understood why, of course, but time away from Selene always seemed to drag on these days and that wasn't something he liked. But he went.

Domerin allowed Selene to make use of their hotel's bathroom first, and she spent far more time in there than he had even imagined possible. It was lucky for him that he didn't take very long to get ready. Selene showered first, carefully brushing all the sand from her body, it somehow managed to build up far more than she'd thought possible. She even had to scrub some from her hair. When she'd finished that she did her hair, carefully drying it and brushing it into place, holding it in just the position she wanted it in with small silver berets that caught the light when she turned just so. Finally she dressed herself in one of her favorite dresses. The skirt was not overly short, it hovered somewhere just around her knees. The neckline did not plunge, but it did manage to accent her chest slightly. The colour was earthy shades of green, and the dress was gauzy and flowy and the skirt swirled about her whenever she moved.

On his way past her into the bathroom Domerin stopped long enough to exclaim, "Good GOD your father is going to kill me after all." Though his preparations took far less time, the transformation was such that Selene was surprised it was the same man who emerged from the hotel bathroom. Domerin wasn't dressed in a tux, but was rather dressed up when compared to his usual attire, wearing matching dark pants and jacket with a lighter coloured shirt underneath. His hair had been pulled back into a tight braid.

Selene blinked at him as he offered her is arm. "Shall we go re-join the others." He winked. He was well aware that it was surprising the first time someone learned that he could, indeed, dress like a gentleman. Moments later the pair emerged in the hall and crossed the short distance to the other pair's hotel room, which was just next door.

Needless to say it took the other two less time to shower and get dressed. Mark had brought some nice trousers and a shirt, things he didn't normally wear but which made him look every bit the gentleman. He could play that part when he wanted to, it was in his blood after all. Sesha's outfit was somewhat like that, but he wore lighter colors, neutrals that seemed to flatter him quite well. They'd spent the time waiting for the others to meet them with Sesha asking lots of questions of Mark, even if Domerin wouldn't and giving the young man some advice. They came to the door not soon after, everyone seeming to be ready. And as if on cue Sesha and Mark switched places so they were with the proper partners.

Domerin lead them back down the elevator, through the hotel lobby and into the restaurant proper where they were greeted by a rather formally dressed waiter. "Reservation for four under the name of Lorcasf." Domerin said quietly. After a brief look at a list the man smiled and said "Right this way." He lead them through the restaurant. They wove around full and empty tables alike. It was instantly clear why this place was so expensive. The decorations were fancy, but not overly gaudy. The table settings were fancy, with a center piece and fine china at every table. To one side of the complex there was a dance floor where several couples were dancing to the slow moving tones of several generations worth of music. Their table was set off in one corner, not too far from the dance floor, but not so close that it would disturb their evening. When they reached the table, Domerin slid his arm from Sesha's and pulled out his chair for him, motioning for the other man to sit down.

Selene took in the whole restaurant with awe reflected on her face. This was the kind of place she could only ever dream of eating at; no one she knew could afford a place like this, since most of the people she knew were university students.

Sesha was indeed pleased with what he saw. Despite being older than the younger couple it wasn't as if he got to go to places like this on a regular basis and the times he could get Domerin to even agree were fewer still. That the man had managed to get them a place here on such short notice was rather impressive too. But then most everything about Domerin was. He smiled and sat when he was beckoned to.

Mark was just about as wide eyed as Selene was. He was way to poor to manage to get into places like this, and though he would have loved to have been able to afford to take Selene to somewhere like this it was basically impossible. Well, it was if he wanted to eat for the rest of the days of the month. He pulled out Selene's chair for her in turn.

Selene smiled at Mark's gentlemanly behavior and slid into the chair he pulled out for her.

Their waiter appeared in short order with menus and Domerin requested a bottle of one of the better champagnes from the list before the man departed again. As he opened up his own menu to peruse it, without taking his eyes from the menu he said, "The rule of the evening is as follows. Everyone at this table orders whatever they want, regardless of the price." He glanced over the top of his menu at both each of the younger couple in turn. "And if I think you're just trying to order one of the cheaper items I will reject it and force you to chose something else. You've been warned."

Selene actually winced when she glanced at the prices and had to hide her face behind her menu. She was going to feel incredibly guilty, but she wouldn't put it past the man to do exactly what he said.

Mark wasn't sure it wasn't a captial crime to charge what they were for the food here. He nearly shuddered. Maybe he should just shut his eyes and point at something blindly...

Sesha went behind his own menu but was smiling very softly, almost amused, though still quite taken by everything. He reached under the table and touched Domerin's knee just lightly, a small reassurance to him in that small, familiar touch.

Domerin reached down and lightly traced his hand over Sesha's as a thank you for the reassurance. If the man was impressed already then he was going to be awed by the rest of the evening. Domerin was practically grinning inwardly. "What are you having this evening, love?" Domerin asked, leaning slightly in Sesha's direction.

Selene was in agreement with Mark as far as the prices went. She leaned in his direction and blocked her face with her menu. "What are you having?" she whispered. "Everything is so expensive!"

Sesha smiled softly, turning his hand over and giving Domerin's a light squeeze before taking it back again. "The lamb, I think." Sesha liked lamb, tho most tended to scream about how horrible it was. Perhaps it was a Greek thing. "What about you darling?"

Mark leaned over and ran his eyes over the choices once more. "Um... I don't know." He grinned a bit and shut his eyes and then did point to a random thing on the menu. "It looks like I'm having that."

Selene giggled softly at Mark's way of choosing his dinner. In the end she decided that was perhaps best; even if she didn't look at the prices there were so many things on this menu that she could have spent months choosing what she wanted. She located a section with suitable meals and closed her eyes before randomly pointing to one as well. "I guess I'm having this," she said, showing him where her finger had landed.

"Hmmm... that is the question." Domerin said, glancing back at his menu again. "I think I'll have..." and he named two of the meals from the menu. "Have to leave room for desert, after all..."

Mark laughed softly, still hidden by the menu. "At least we'll get to try something new." And it took the heat off of them having to agonize over a choice.

Sesha merely smiled to that order. He knew Domerin could easily eat a lot and they had been quite active all day so the man must be hungry. "I might just be trying some of yours."

Domerin chuckled. Anyone other than Sesha who tried to eat off his plate usually got their hands swatted. The waiter returned shortly with their champagne. In case no one had noticed how fancy this restaurant was yet, it was once again confirmed when the man popped the cork and had Domerin taste it before pouring them each a glass. When he'd finished doing that, Domerin gave the waiter Sesha's order before giving his own, and then handed the menus back to him.

Sesha was indeed impressed and he said nothing about Domerin drinking tonight. This was different than just popping open beers or some such. Mark had let Selene order before him before surrendering their menus to the waiter once more. The champagne looked really good too, something else that wasn't usually on his list. Sesha brought his glass to himself. "We should toast something."

"To the evening then," Domerin said with a smile that was not entirely without its sly glint. "May it be everything you all wish for, and more." He said as he raised his own glass.

Selene felt tingly. Something about the way Domerin was acting told her they were about to bare witness to a side of the man he didn't usually let others see. She'd never seen someone in the act of being romantic before either. She raised her own glass, though she supposed she was techniqually under age. "To the evening." She murmured.

That wasn't lost upon Sesha, who knew Domerin perhaps better than anyone else. He almost commented on it, but let the man have his secrets for now. He only hoped he didn't keep them for to long. He raised his glass and echoed the toast, followed by Mark lastly.

Domerin and Selene both drank to the toast. It turned out that Sesha's wish, at least partly, was about to be granted. No sooner had they finished their toast and set their glasses back down, than the waiter appeared at their table again, one hand supporting the bottom of a silver platter that had been covered by a long silver domed lid. He glanced around the table and his eyes fell on Sesha. "Mr. Liatos?"

Sesha still had no idea what Domerin might have been up to and so when the waiter appeared again he did seem a bit surprised by it, though the look faded quickly enough. His eyes flicked to Domerin a moment, slightly questioning before returning to the man. "Yes."

Domerin was smiling slightly but his expression gave nothing away. "This is for you then," The waiter said as he pulled the domed lid from the top of the platter. Underneath it was not food. Instead two dozen roses had been bound together with ribbon. Nestled just in the crook of the bow was a card. The card read:
Oh the red rose whispers of passion
While the white rose speaks of love
For the red rose is a falcon
And the white rose is a Dove
So I send you a dozen cream coloured roses
With a blush of red at the tips
For even the purest of love
Sometimes into passion slips.
And as if to prove that the card really was from Domerin, underneath that had been added:
You know what the other dozen are for. and indeed half the roses in the bundle were dragon's breath, red tipped white blossoms, and the other dozen were deep red.

Sesha's surprise returned when the lid was lifted and quickly enough he was smiling, his pleasure at the gift more than clear on his face. He was blushing slightly too as he read the card that had been attached. He knew what it stood for and leaned over to slip his arms around Domerin and hug him tightly, pressing a kiss to his cheek, mindful of where they were but wanting to show exactly how he felt. "They're beautiful Domerin. Thank you so much."

Domerin only smiled, accepting the other man's thanks for his gift. It was enough for him to see the pleased look on Sesha's face when he'd received the gift. He slid one arm around the other man and held him close a few moments.

The waiter, however, had not yet scampered away from the table. He folded the platter that had held Sesha's flowers under one arm and turned to the other side of the table. "Miss Brodrick?" He asked, addressing the table's only female occupant.

Selene blinked in surprise. She'd been quite awed by Domerin's gift, thinking it had been rather sweet not only to buy flowers for his lover like that but to provide them as a surprise and in a public place no less. But what could that man possibly be hiding for her? As far as she knew, Mark had had as much idea about Domerin's plans for the evening as she had. "Y..yes."

"These are yours." And he reached into the jacket of his uniform and pulled forth a small bundle of six long stemmed red roses that had been bound with another pretty ribbon and carefully concealed under his arm where he wouldn't crush them. These too had a small card tucked just under the bow and it read only, I couldn't let a lovely lady feel left out. Though she had her suspicions, even though there was no name affixed to the bottom of the card, Selene couldn't help but let her eyes fall first on Mark.

Sesha remained close to Domerin, reaching under the table to grasp his hand even after they'd parted from their embrace. He kept eyeing his roses, still more than a little pleased at the gift, but smiling seeing that Selene wasn't to be left out either. He knew who they were from and gave Domerin's hand a gentle squeeze.

Mark was quite surprised by all of this, not quite able to keep that off his face. This guy was slick. He'd never have thought it in a million years. He turned just a little red when Selene looked to him but couldn't in good conscious take credit for something he hadn't done. That wasn't right. So he only supplied, "You deserve each one."

Now the waiter did scamper off, apparently signaling an end to the pre-dinner surprises. Domerin gently squeezed Sesha's shoulder, pleased to see that his gift to Selene had not made him jealous, though he had been fairly certain the other man would be happy that he had included her. His eyes too had fallen on Mark. He'd fully expected the young man to take credit for the surprise, and though he wouldn't have minded in the least, it did improve his opinion of Mark ever so slightly that he had not jumped to take the credit.

Selene only beamed. She was fairly certain it had been her uncle and not Mark that had given her the flowers, but she preferred to imagine that they had come from Mark. After all if Mark had known Domerin was going to deliver two dozen roses to Sesha at their table, he probably would have done something similar all on his own. "A girl always loves to get pretty things." Was all she said in reply, carefully laying her flowers on the table beside her napkin. She wasn't even jealous that Sesha had gotten more flowers than she.

Sesha seemed only to pleased, his own smile never leaving his face. Though Domerin knew he never had to do things like this to keep him, it was always a sweet surprise when he did and he loved the man all the more for it.

Mark was relieved that she was happy. He hadn't really expected anything else though. Selene wasn't the type of girl to be nasty over something like that. He would have to get her a little something when they returned home to make up for it.

Domerin's final relief was that Mark hadn't seemed angry over his gift of flowers to Selene either. The last thing he wanted was an argument ruining the evening. Flowers were only the first of his plans, after all.

It wasn't long before the food was brought fresh from the kitchen to be set in front of them. It was clear within the first few bites why the food was as expensive as it was. It was absolutely delicious. Selene ate with that same dainty grace that all women seemed to possess. Domerin utilized far more manners than he usually did when eating, but still somehow managed to almost inhale his food, his two meals disappearing in the time it took the rest of them to eat their single meals.

Sesha knew how Domerin ate and said nothing to him about it at all that evening. The man had an iron stomach and so he had no fear that Domerin would upset himself by eating so fast or so much. He even managed to steal a bite or two before it was all gone. He was in no rush though, just enjoying it.

Mark had good enough table etiquette not to make a total mess of things and himself while he ate. He did have some very high quality remarks about the food though on the way through the meal.

Selene agreed wholeheartedly about the state of the food and she enjoyed each and every bite. It was unlikely, after all, that she'd find herself back in a place like this any time soon.

Domerin stopped only when every crumb of food was gone from his plate. Then he settled back and lightly sipped from his campaign. "Well I'm certainly glad to hear you're all enjoying yourselves. I suppose the rest of you will want to rest your stomachs before desert, however."

Sesha laughed very softly, though he somehow managed not to waste any of his own food either. "Tying to make us all pop, my darling?" He was only teasing lightly, as Domerin was quite aware that Sesha had something of a sweet tooth.

Domerin only grinned in response. "It's not every day, or year, you get to eat at a place like this, I figured we'd all want to take full advantage of it." His eyes drifted from the table to the nearby dance floor where couples were twirling about to the soft tones of slow music. After a few minutes, when he was fairly certain they would all at least be able to move again, he got to his feet and made his way around the table, perhaps surprising everyone by stopping next to Selene's chair, instead of Sesha's. He offered her a half bow, "Might I have the honour of your first dance this evening, my lady?" He added with a slight wink in Sesha's direction, "Once Sesha gets me on the dance floor you're likely to lose your chance at me."

Selene blinked, surprised both by his offer to dance and the charming way in which he presented it. A slight blush touched her cheeks. He really could melt the heart of any woman if he'd put his mind to it. She glanced in both Sesha and Mark's direction, as if asking permission before accepting.

Sesha only smiled, giving his full permission for her to go with Domerin. It made perfect sense though as Domerin knew very well how much he liked to dance. They didn't get that option very often, though he did sometimes steal a few in the middle of hotel rooms when he could convince Domerin.

Mark was rather surprised though it did save him having to go up there just yet. He wasn't exactly the worlds greatest dancer or anything. "Just remember to save one for me." He said, giving her a smile.

Selene smiled at both of them as she got to her feet and accepted Domerin's outstretched arm. Domerin led her away from the table and onto the dance floor where they could be glimpsed through the crowd, slowly twirling in tune to the music. It was clear almost immediately that, though he certainly didn't look it, Domerin was a fairly good dancer. If one was watching closely they would even catch the exact moment when Domerin leaned closer to Selene and apparently whispered something in her ear. A few moments later she nodded and they shared a brief smile, never breaking step all the while.

Sesha did watch, though it was a little strange to see Domerin dancing with someone else. It didn't trouble him in the least though. His sharp eyes caught that little whisper, if that’s what it truly was, and he arched a brow very lightly.

Mark watched to, rather impressed. "I wouldn't have guessed he could dance."

Sesha merely smiled. "There are a lot of things people wouldn't guess about Domerin."

When the song had finished, Domerin began to lead Selene back towards their table. Half way there she disengaged from his arm and hurried back to the table ahead of him, not quite able to keep the excitement out of her smile. "Uncle Sesha." She said as she got back. "Will you dance with me next?"

Sesha blinked, wondering what exactly had brought that on. But he certainly wasn't going to say no. "Of course I will." He stood and offered out his arm to her, giving Domerin a bit of a look before leading Selene back towards the dance floor.

Even Mark caught... something. "What was that all about?"

Selene happily bounded back to the dance floor, this time on Sesha's arm, as thrilled to be dancing with him as with Domerin, even if she didn't quite blush looking at him the way she had looking at his partner.

Domerin came to a stop beside their table watching as they went, his face completely neutral until Sesha's attention was no longer on him, at which time he allowed himself a small grin. His eyes turned in Mark's direction and lay on him heavily for several moments. For a brief time it may have seemed that his plan had been to get the young man alone, so that he could continue whatever torture had begun when he'd first knocked on Mark's door, but when he spoke, he said nothing about Mark, nor Selene. "I hope you're taking notes." was all he said as he grinned again and reached into his jacket, pulling out a CD. Though Mark was unlikely to realize it, the CD was labeled in Sesha's handwriting.

Sesha put his full attention on Selene then when they returned to the floor and began to dance. He was at least as good as Domerin, if not better and was always mindful of her, even if he wasn't quite used to leading. He didn't question her about whatever it was she and Domerin had shared, figuring he would probably find out soon enough.

Mark was rather worried there for a few moments. Things had been going so well too... But then Domerin showed he wasn't thinking about torment, instead only whatever plans it seemed he had made for this night. "You can believe I won't be forgetting any of this."

Domerin offered the boy a slight nod, his grin remaining. "I hope you don't mind, I had to borrow Selene for a few minutes. If the two of you weren't here I probably would have had to wait for Sesha to disappear into the bathroom. He's got eyes like a hawk, makes it terribly hard to pull something like this off from time to time." And without waiting for a response to his apology, Domerin slipped again away from the table, this time moving through the shadows. And he was good at it too. Stealth training did come in handy. It was unlikely Mark's eyes would be able to follow him the whole way but if he was paying close attention he may just have caught a glimpse of him entering the small room at the far end of the dance floor where the music was controlled. Several minutes later he appeared to be making his way out on the dance floor to where Selene and Sesha danced just as the song was ending.

Selene was not used to this kind of dancing, her friends tended to frequent places that played faster music with bright flashing lights and rather loud to boot, but she'd been twirled about by friends a few time and had to admit that Sesha was easily the best person she'd ever danced with, even if he wasn't used to leading. When she saw Domerin had just about reached them, however, she pulled away, allowing him to cut in. "Thank you for the dance." She said, grinning at Sesha a moment before turning and darting back to their table.

Mark just watched him go, loosing him at some point. That only added more questions to the pile. Who the heck was that guy? Sheesh. He was glad he was only into men or he'd be seriously afraid for he and Selene's relationship at the moment.

Sesha let Selene go, giving her a smile. "It was my pleasure." He watched her go before turning his eyes to Domerin and going to meet him. "What have you been up to Mr Lorcasf?" He asked, arching a brow slightly, though he didn't really expect a simple answer to that question.

Domerin only grinned as he gathered Sesha into his arms. He didn't need to answer, for no sooner had Sesha asked his question then there was the sound of a microphone switching on and a voice sounded over the speakers that played the music. "One of our patrons has requested that the following two songs be dedicated to Sesha Liatos with the message," and there was a slight pause and shuffling of paper. "'My love for you is as bright as the ocean and as deep as the sun... or perhaps it is the other way around, I can't tell when you smile at me like that.'" And no sooner had the voice finished speaking than the first tones of a song familiar to Sesha flooded the dance floor. The words washing over them even as Domerin began to move in time to them.

There’s a calm surrender
To the rush of day
When the heat of a rolling wind
Can’t be turned away
An enchanted moment
And it sees me through
It’s enough for this restless warrior
Just to be with you

And can you feel the love tonight
It is where we are
It’s enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far
And can you feel the love tonight
I was laid to rest
It’s enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best

Selene was rather out of breath by the time she got back to their table and settled down in her seat. She'd been rather thrilled to be a part of Domerin's plan, though until she heard the message over the speakers, she hadn't known exactly what it was. She was watching Domerin pull Sesha close with some fondness, unable to stop thinking about how sweet the two of them seemed to be together. Her hand groped for Mark's. "I hope we're something like them in five years." She whispered.

Sesha turned a rather deep red when the voice came over and then the song began to play. He had thought Domerin was going to do something, but every time it finally did he was taken by surprise, not only by what was happening but by the realization of just how wonderful the man was and how very much he loved him. "You always know just what to say." He whispered as they began to move, his love for the man clearly showing in every facet of his being.

Mark nearly gaped. He didn't think he'd ever be able to manage to pull something like that off. He was truly in the presence of a master. His hand squeezed Selene's gently. "Me too." And he meant it sincerely.

There’s a time for everyone
If they only learn
That the twisting kaleidoscope
Moves us all in turn
There’s a rhyme and reason
To the wild out doors
When the heart of this star crossed voyager
Beats in time with yours

And can you feel the love tonight
It is where we are
It’s enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far
And can you feel the love tonight
I was laid to rest
It’s enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best

Domerin grinned again, pulling Sesha close against him, enjoying the feel of the other man in his arms, enjoying his reaction to the surprise, knowing he'd enjoyed it just by the way he acted. Domerin felt he needed no more reward than Sesha's happiness. "You know I'm not very good with words," Domerin murmured back. "But I certainly try my hardest for you."

"You wouldn't think," Selene said softly back as she watched the pair dance, "that Uncle Dom would do any of this. The fancy restaurant, the nice cloths, the flowers, dancing. He's so... gruf.. so much like my Dad. It's... it's like he's two completely different people!"

Sesha moved perfectly in time with Domerin, as if they never even had to think about it, merely like a single being. He laid his head upon Domerin's shoulder. "You far surpass may every thought and hope." He smiled very softly, nothing in the moment but the pair of them together.

"You're telling me." Mark muttered in return, certain words coming back into his mind quite quickly. "Sesha told me that there’s lots of things people don't think about Domerin. He was obviously right."

Selene had to agree with that. What wasn't hard for Selene to see, however, was why Sesha loved Domerin. Nor was it hard for her to understand why her father and he were friends, though they certainly had a very odd way of expressing their friendship. She was content to watch them dance only until she had caught her breath again, however, and then she got back to her feet, pulling Mark with her. "Well, what are we waiting for?" She grinned. "I want my turn to dance with you now."

As Mark and Selene were making their way to the dance floor, the final chours of the first song Domerin had chosen for his surprise were fading away and the first chords of the second song had already begun to float about the floor.

Maybe it’s intuition
But some things you just don’t question
Like in your eyes
I see my future in an instant
And there it goes
I think I’ve found my best friend
I know it might seem more than a little crazy
But I believe

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

Domerin held Sesha close against him, though he was always careful not to crush him. He felt that somehow, as the music played and the world fell away from them, they merged together, the lines between them somehow blurring until he wasn't entirely certain where Sesha began and he ended. There was a time when such strong feelings had frightened him, when he'd been young, when he hadn't known his place in the world. Now it was a warm and welcome feeling, one he wished he could truly capture more often. Lost in the moment, the music, and his lover, Domerin was even bold enough to whisper a few lines of the music into Sesha's ears as they danced, as if to reinforce their message of love.

Mark had almost forgotten that they were supposed to be dancing too but he stood and followed Selene to the floor, hoping he wouldn't disappoint her after the clearly deep display from the two older men. But he knew what he felt and when they got there he drew Selene into him and began to dance.

Sesha closed his eyes, having no fear of falling even so. Domerin would never let him and it was almost as if he could see through the other mans eyes if he truly wanted to. When he was younger, he might have wept from something like this, but it wasn't so strong an urge any longer. His joy didn't find its way out in tears, but in how he held Domerin and loved him and promised to never, never let him go.

There’s just no rhyme or reason
Only this sense of completion
And in your eyes
I see the missing pieces
I’m searching for
I think I’ve found my best friend
I know it might seem more than a little crazy
But I believe

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

Mark may not have swept Selene off her feet the way Domerin had for Sesha. He might not have sent her flowers, or played a special song for her or said anything overly special, but Selene didn't think he really had to. It was enough that he was there dancing with her, holding her close against his chest. When she'd been taken far away, when she'd been alone and frightened, she'd been terrified she would never get to experience this side of Mark, the romantic side she hadn't even realized until so recently that she wanted to see at all. It was enough for her to close her eyes and let the music and Mark carry her away to an entirely new and exciting place.

Many times in his association with Sesha, Domerin had felt that no words were necessary for them to express their feelings to each other. He felt that, despite the music playing, despite that he had carefully chosen songs that expressed the way he truly felt, in the end he needed no words to feel Sesha's love and joy at their relationship, and he suspected the other man could tell without having to hear it, just how much he really meant to Domerin. Domerin did not close his eyes as Sesha did, instead his eyes drank in the other man, watching him as he moved to the music in his arms, as he loved in his pure and gentle way, and loving him more every moment for simply being who he was.

A thousand Angel dance around you

He whispered the words gently in Sesha's ears.

I am complete now that I’ve found you

Mark had been afraid at first. Afraid of messing up, of making Selene realize that he wasn't as good as Domerin, or someone else who really could sweep her off of her feet. But as the danced, his tension and worry melted out of him. Just by holding her and realizing that she wasn't thinking about anyone else but him at that moment made him feel better than he had in a very long time. He squeezed her gently, never rough, as they moved together on the floor. He hadn't had a chance to say it since that day, and it was only the two of them now and he wanted her to know the truth, without interruptions. "I love you Selene."

Sesha listened to the words as they were whispered to him by Domerin, in the voice he had come to love and to which he would never ask to change for all the world. All the strength Domerin gave him, everything. He wouldn't be who he was today if it weren't for the man. And when the last line was whispered by Domerin, he spoke it too, almost without even thinking about it, as if it could bind them together for all time.

Domerin may have been a rather attractive man with what appeared to be a very caring heart, but Selene didn't want Domerin. Though she couldn't deny she felt a flutter in her heart at Domerin's looks, what she really and truly wanted was to feel the way she did right now, when she was alone with Mark, when she had his full attention. When she got to feel like his special girl. She squeezed him as he spoke the words. So it hadn't been a dream, that day in her bedroom. "I love you too, Mark." she murmured back. "I'm sorry it took me so long to realize."

Domerin's hand lightly trailed through Sesha's hair, brushing his forehead in the process. In his mind they were bonded as surely and securely as if they had said their wedding vows. He hadn't been kidding when he'd told Sesha that there was nothing in this world that could part them. He only hoped that this evening would wipe away Sesha's terrible fears after that night of bad dreams. If Kith Wentworth really was lurking around somewhere out there, this night should stand as proof to both men who owned Domerin's heart now.

Mark shook his head. "You don't have to apologize to me Sel. We both know it now and nothing is going to change that." Nothing, not even her father would be able to drive him away. And he would never let her forget it, so long as he was able to.

Sesha's fears had been allayed quite well and though he knew Domerin's former lover was somewhere out there this only served to remind him of what he already knew. That no matter what, Domerin wasn't going to leave him. And if the other man ever tired to lurk in his dreams again he would be in for a rather rude surprise as his will had only been strengthened by this show of love and devotion.

The soft tones of Domerin's second song faded away as well and the next song began to play. Though his second surprise had ended, Domerin kept Sesha in his arms, allowing him to keep them both dancing for as long as he wished. He was in no hurry, and he suspected once they'd finished with their desert, everyone would be eager for a chance to get some sleep. He was content, for the time being, to be on the dance floor with Sesha.

Selene as well was content to dance with Mark until she was breathless again. The words and the songs didn't matter. All that mattered was that he was beside her. She was glad that she'd taken Sesha's advice. No matter what her father said when she got home, he could never ruin this amazing evening.

Sesha wouldn't let Domerin go for awhile after, though he knew eventually they were going to have to return to their table. He wouldn't ever forget the wonder of this night. Eventually though, he allowed them to slow, though didn't quite pull back just yet. He leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to Domerin's cheek. "Thank you for this, my love."

Mark let them dance until Selene seemed to tire and only then did he slow them to a stop, giving her another gentle squeeze. "Lets go sit back down, shall we?"

Selene hesitated. She was well aware that the time was growing late, the evening drawing to a close, and she desperately did not want the night to end, wanting her time with Mark to last forever. But she nodded, realizing that it was unrealistic, and exhausting herself would only cause her to miss the last precious parts of the evening. "Thank you," she said softly as they made their way back, "for all the dancing."

Domerin turned his head so that as Sesha pulled away he could catch the man's lips with a light kiss of his own. "You deserved every second of it. You work very hard, and with so much stress in your life I knew I needed to sieze my one opportunity to relax you completely. There's no need for thanks," he added, "seeing how happy you are is enough for me."

Mark kept her hand as the made their way back to the table, feeling exactly the same as she did. He didn't want to go back home and know that he couldn't just come and see her anytime he liked. He wanted to be able to just sweep her away, though he recalled where that had gotten them last time. Would things ever be like this again? "Thank you for dancing with me Selene."

Sesha smiled softly and gave Domerin a squeeze. "You make me happier than anything else. Never forget that." And he most certainly wouldn't let Domerin as far as he was concerned.

Domerin was well pleased by Sesha's comment. That was enough to make him happy. His eyes fell on their table in the corner where Selene was just settling back into her seat and with a sigh he gently pulled away from Sesha. He too did not want this evening to end, he liked seeing Sesha so happy, he liked forgetting about the less pleasant aspects of their work, but they had guests with them, and aside from that, Domerin had not quite finished surprising Sesha yet. "Hungry for some desert, Love? I think the children are getting tired..."

Sesha took Domerin's hand, holding it close to him even though their embrace had ended. He was all smiles and glow now. Work could wait until the morning. "I think I'm just about ready. Lets not keep them waiting."

Domerin and Sesha returned to the table in short order, it did not take long to cross the restaurant even if one was not in a hurry. Desert menus had already been laid on the table, a candle in the center piece had been lit and a pot of tea had been laid by the center piece in case anyone wished to have any. Selene had already pulled open the smaller menu that held the deserts. Now that her stomach had had time to recover from their meal, she found the sight of their chocolate cakes rather delectable. She was trying to talk herself out of having some, and failing rather miserably.

Mark was leaning over and reading off of Selene's menu, pointing things out to here now and again. He even offered to share a dessert with her if she was afraid of the calories. Not that she needed to worry about her weight any.

Sesha already had a few things in mind. He like sweet things, but there was a particular type that he was especially fond of. And he found something like it on the menu. So he knew within a few moments what he was going to be having.

Selene eagerly accepted Mark's offer to share a desert. She wasn't so much worried about gaining too much weight, but she preferred to eat healthy and their desert portions looked so large she didn't want to risk eating a whole one herself.

It didn't take long for Domerin to decide what he wanted either. He was only having one desert, though he clearly intended to finish it all by himself.

When the waiter re-appeared, Domerin again ordered for both himself and Sesha, and Selene asked for two forks with her desert.

Sesha once again found Domerin's hand under the table once they were waiting for their dessert to arrive.

Mark watched the pair of men for a moment, waiting for a second when it looked like it would be okay to speak. They seemed so involved with each other. "Um... thanks for everything." He thought it would be right to show that he did actually appreciate the day they'd given them.

"Yes, thank you." Selene agreed with a huge grin. "Maybe someday we'll be able to give you something as a proper thank you."

Domerin waved his free hand, the other was squeezing Sesha's hand under the table. "No need to thank us. Having a good time is thanks enough. I'm glad you've enjoyed yourselves."

When desert arrived a few minutes later it was every bit as delicious as dinner had been. Domerin once again polished his off in short order without managing to look like a complete pig and Selene picked at her's more delicately, deliberately allowing Mark to have a larger portion of it than herself.

Mark took the hint and ate most of it, though he didn't really need to be urge much into it. This was really, really good stuff.

Sesha's was covered in strawberries, one of his favorite things anywhere, and he took more of his time, but he didn't keep the others long, knowing it was getting late.

When the bill arrived Domerin scooped it up before anyone else could look at it, and carefully deflected any attempts to see the amount at the bottom. He looked over it only briefly before handing it back to the waiter with his credit card. It didn't take long for him to take care of it, and when he'd finished he didn't rush anyone out of the restaurant, allowing them all time to digest again and enjoy the last few minutes of the evening before they filed back out to the car. Another old rock-and-roll song played on the radio while he drove them back to the beach they'd spent the day at. There were still people there, though it wasn't nearly as crowded as it had been in full daylight. Luckily the remainder of the people were couples looking for a romantic moment. Selene wished she could have stolen one but it was time to bid farewell to Mark. After all, if she wanted to ride back home on Domerin's motorcycle, she couldn't fit Mark on there with her. Domerin slipped out of the car for a smoke, trying to allow them a last few minutes together to say their farewells.

Sesha followed Domerin out of the car, letting Selene and Mark have their time together. Even though Domerin was smoking, he slipped am arm around him and kept close. Being near the man was more important than his dislike of the smoke he was inhaling.

Mark took the moments for what it was, leaning in and cupping Selene's face gently in his hand. "Today was amazing. I just hope we get to have lots more like it."

Domerin put one arm around Sesha as well, enjoying the cool night air as much as the cigarette he was smoking. He was very careful to blow the smoke away from Sesha's face, making sure that Sesha was on the opposite side from the way the wind was blowing in order to keep it from deflecting in his direction.

Selene looked up into Mark's face, both very happy and very sad. "I had an amazing time too." She said softly. She was only sorry that it was coming to an end so suddenly. "We'll find a way to make everything work, Mark. I promise you we will. Daddy will get used to us having a relationship, and until then we'll just be careful what we do when he's around. He's really not so bad Mark, honestly. He's just very protective. Same as you are."

Mark nodded lightly. "I know, I just... its so hard it not being like it used to. And now that we know how we feel I just want to be with you as much as possible. I know we'll figure out a way."

"Don't let Daddy keep you away." She said softly, inching closer to him. "You can visit whenever you want, it's my place too now. You just need to call me first, or have the receptionist call us. Unfortunately, I can't give you a key card." It was an unfortunate fact of life when one was living in a research institute with a top secret military base underneath it. Then, because she was afraid at any moment Domerin or Sesha would open the doors and she'd lose her chance, Selene leaned closer, lifting herself so that she could reach his face. "I love you too, Mark." And she pressed her lips towards his.

Mark returned the kiss, hoping silently that everything would work out for the best. He loved this woman, and a woman she was no matter what her father may think, and he would be damned if he ever gave her up. He let it linger a few long moments before drawing back rather sadly.

"I'll see you soon." Selene said softly as she slowly made her way out of the car.

Glancing over to see that Selene had finally emerged from the car, Domerin tossed the last of his cigarette away and swooped down to lay a light kiss on Sesha's forehead. "Alright, Love. Be careful driving loverboy home and I'll see you back at the institute."

Sesha smiled and gave Domerin a tight squeeze before letting him go. "You be safe too dearest." And he made his way back to the car so he could drive Mark home.

Domerin waited until they'd driven away before he lead Selene back over to his motorcycle and handed her the helmet. As he was helping her onto the seat behind him he flashed a last grin over his shoulder. "Hold on tight, Selene. I don't usually do this, but we've got to beat Sesha home."

When they reached the institute, Domerin took a moment or two to escort Selene to the door and make sure she'd gotten home alright. He didn't have to, of course, but it was the gentlemanly thing to do and he'd been playing the gentleman all night. Then he hurried back to the room he shared with Sesha in order to prepare for his final surprise.

He was ready by the time Sesha got back. Just as Sesha was about to open the door, it came open from the inside to reveal Domerin, dressed no longer in his nice clothing but in his bath robe. Candles covered every table, shelf, windowsill and other available safe space. There was no other light in the apartment, save the soft flickering flames of all the candles. Domerin bowed from the waist and gestured in the direction of the apartment's bathroom. "Your bath, awaits, my dear."

Sesha had thought the night was over and so he had not hurried in the least with taking Mark back to his home. The two of them talked quite a bit on the way. And so it was fully a surprise when the door opened for him and he saw Domerin standing there. But despite that, a smile curled his lips after a moment and he stepped in. "Domerin, you rouge."

Domerin slid the door closed behind him, grinning from ear to ear. "Who says the romance has to end just because we're home for the evening, hmm?" Domerin gently led him in the direction of the bathroom, which he would find decorated in a similar manner, candles in every available place burning softly, there were even floating candles in the hot water that he'd drawn for the bath. He'd also added Sesha's favorite scented salts and decorated the room with more roses, including some rose petals scattered on the edges of the bath tub.

Sesha smiled, clearly impressed and more than a little pleased by the attention to detail. Domerin must have driven pretty fast to get back here in time for all of this. But he had nothing ill to say now and he turned, putting his arms quickly around Domerin's neck. "You are far to good to me."

The water was cool by the time they left the bathroom again. Domerin disappeared only long enough to extinguish all the candles from the living room, then returned to blow out those in the bathroom. He didn't think anyone would appreciate them burning down the entire institute because of carelessness. When he'd finished he took Sesha's arm and led him to the bedroom in the moon light. One final surprise awaited Sesha there. It seemed the bedroom had not escaped Domerin's redecorating either. More candles were scattered about, though not nearly so many as had graced the other rooms. Perhaps he'd lit them during his short disappearance. More roses had been placed on the table on Sesha's side of the bed, and more rose petals had been sprinkled over the covers of the newly made bed. Domerin stood in the doorway and allowed Sesha to take in the last of his handy work.

Sesha smiled, much as he had before, though this was the perfect way to end this wonderful day they had managed to make for themselves. He moved to the bed and picked up the roses that had been set on the nightstand and smelled them lightly. He had always liked the scent of roses. Still holding them, he lifted his other hand and held it out to Domerin.

Domerin answered his lover's summons, pausing only long enough to close the door behind him.