Shade arrived early to Marigold's return party, as had many others. The DJ was already playing music, people were dancing, and everyone seemed to be having a great time. He made his way inside; being tall made it impossible to slip in unnoticed. A group of women descended on him. "Hey Shade, you made it!" Nomi said excitedly.

"Yeah; thought I would check this place out for once- It is a special night, after all."

"Can you dance?" She asked.

Shade's gut reaction was to say no, despite the truth being yes; but why not? Can't I have fun here? "I can..." He declared.

"Great! Then, please, dance with us." Without waiting for a response, the women took him to the dance floor. He began to dance with them, much to their delight. The music was typical club music, sexually charged, and much of the dancing was suggestive. Shade didn't mind though; it is just dancing. These women haven't asked for anything more from me.

Almost as if reading his mind, a new woman approached him, placing a drink in his hand. She spoke into his ear, "What are my chances at taking you home tonight?"

Shade blushed a bit; I hope my ears aren't red right now. "Look- I'm happy to dance but no one will be taking me home. This isn't me playing hard to get- This is me warning you not to waste your time," He offered her the drink back.

She smiled warmly, "Keep the drink. Tell you what, if you want, I'll get the rumor mill going. That way, all the ladies here will know not to ask and you can have a good time in peace; otherwise, I certainly won't be the last to shoot my shot."

Shade laughed, "I'd appreciate that. Thank you," He lifted the drink in a cheers gesture. She grinned and walked away. Shade looked at the drink for a moment before pulling his converter down and swallowing it.

 

Midas arrived closer to the time Mari was scheduled to be back. When he entered the club, he scanned the tables for Jason. Midas spotted him at a table by himself and went to join him. "Hey, you heard from her yet?" He asked, sitting down.

"She just got on the boat, so half an hour-ish," Jason responded. He pointed to the dance floor, "Take a look at Shade; the ladies love him. I told you he was attractive in a scary way." Midas hadn't even noticed Shade was there. He was dancing with a woman, very seductively. She does seem to be impressed with him; Midas watched them. "Word around the room is they are wasting their time if they are trying to take him to bed but he loves to dance." Midas struggled to take his eyes off him. Jason sighed, "I wonder if there's a reason he's said no to the women... I wonder if he'd dance with me?"

Midas' attention snapped back to Jason, "Maybe he would." Midas couldn't help but wonder if Shade would accept if Jason were to ask; I don't know for sure if he's even comfortable being out.

"Yeah... I'm still too afraid to ask. Just because he's turned down women doesn't mean anything for sure." Jason waved the thought away. "Mari is totally going to ask him though."

"You think?" Midas looked back to the dance floor; is he Mari's type? Do I suddenly have similar taste in men to my daughter?

"For sure; it's like a test she does with all the new guys- To gauge just how afraid they are of you."

"I had no idea she does that; why do I not know she does that?" Midas did feel relief that this was just a habit of hers and that Jason wasn't specifically implying Shade to be her type.

"The answer is they're all afraid of you," Jason chuckled.

"Really?" I haven't done anything on purpose to scare them from her; Midas had never meant to imply that men should be afraid to see her.

"Are you actually surprised?"

"Maybe; just a little bit. I don't think Shade is afraid of me," Midas stated; too bad for Mari he has other reasons to not be interested...

"Why not?"

"He's a six-six deadly assassin?"

"And you're still his boss, just like everyone else here." Midas frowned, looking back to the dance floor.

 

After a little while, Mari finally arrived. When she entered, someone shouted, "Ay! She's Back!" Everyone cheered and a few people crowded her for a moment to greet her. Shade looked at her; she must look like her mom. She had sunflower blonde hair that fell around her shoulders in soft curls and bright blue eyes. The people parted giving her space to go to Midas. Shade continued watching her as she headed to Midas' table where she hugged Jason hard. Shade hadn't met Jason but had heard a little about him; didn't Matt say he's close to them, like family, but he's actually not related at all? Jason was blond as well and ever since he'd joined the Onasises, people would assume he was Mari's biological brother until they heard otherwise.

"Welcome back, Girl!" He smiled.

"Good to be back, Boy!" She then moved to Midas, giving him a warm hug. He squeezed her with his left arm, keeping his right firmly to his side, as he'd always had to do. "Hey Dad; I missed you."

"Missed you too, Princess," He kissed her forehead. Shade smiled as he watched the reunion; he could feel the warmth they shared. As the three of them sat down together, Shade returned his attention to the music and dancing.

The three spent a couple of hours catching up before Mari's attention started drifting around the room, wondering how everyone else was doing. That was when she noticed Shade for the first time. "Oh, hey; that's that assassin, isn't he?"

"He goes by Shade," Jason answered her.

"He sure looks popular, almost as much as Dad."

"Unlike your dad, he's declared he won't be taking any of them to bed," Jason smirked.

"Hey; don't talk about me like I'm not here," Midas glared at them.

"Dad, I'm sorry; but, you are a bit of a man-hoe. It was tough when I was a teenager but I'm over it now. Provided that I never hear any of the gross details, that is," Mari said, teasing him. Midas rolled his eyes.

"Oh, c'mon, Mari," Jason began. "That's not entirely accurate- He's not a hoe. Hoes tend to get paid; he's just a slut."

Midas put his face in his hand, "You are both grounded."

Mari and Jason laughed. Mari turned her attention back to Shade. "He does look really good at that though. I bet he's hot too, wonder what's under the mask," Mari mused to Jason.

Me too; Midas caught himself staring at Shade again. He frowned, "Still right here, by the way. Should I start talking about how hot Cherri is?"

"Okay, okay," Mari smiled. "But, Dad, can you call him over and introduce me? He is my bodyguard too, right?"

"Yup; he is," Midas' voice was full of resignation. He stood and caught Shade's attention, waving him over to the table.

"Excuse me, ladies; I believe I am being summoned." Shade left the dance floor and made his way to Midas' table. "Sir," He bowed his head.

"Shade, this is my daughter, Marigold. Now that she's returned, one of your primary duties is ensuring her safety should danger arise. Prioritize her over me, no matter what." Midas suddenly worried that having formed such a close personal relationship with Shade would cloud his judgment as a bodyguard.

"Of course; pleased to meet you," Shade lightly shook her hand.

"Please, call me Mari." She smiled at him. "So, Shade, couldn't help but notice you are a great dancer. Would you perhaps like to be my first of the night?" Right as she asked, the most sexually charged song to play so far that night began.

Midas stared at Shade over Mari's head, eyebrow raised. "Uhm," Shade hesitated, unsure of how to proceed.

"Oh come on, really- Even you're scared of him?" Mari frowned.

"Tell you what." Shade leaned closer to her, "I will put in a song request. When it plays, I will offer you a dance. You can take it or leave it but I'm not dancing to this song with you."

"Will the song still be sexy?"

"No, it will not," Shade was firm and direct.

"It better not be classical- I didn't ask for a ballroom dance," Mari continued negotiating.

"It won't be classical," Shade promised.

"Fine; put in the request," Mari conceded, still disappointed.

 

A few songs later, the DJ announced he was playing Shade's request. Shade offered his hand to Mari as the song started. It was a popular dance song that wasn't sexually charged. "Guess it'll do," She allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. "So, rumor is none of the ladies have a chance with you for some reason?"

"They do not."

"You sure? None of them, no exceptions?"

Shade couldn't help but think; you are your father's daughter, aren't you? He figured it was best to cut to the chase immediately. "Women lack- Certain equipment- I desire in the bedroom."

"Oh!" She laughed. "No, that's cool; but, in that case, your next dance should be with Jason. I know he'd want to but is scared to ask."

"I'd dance with him but he has to be aware that it wouldn't go further than that still. He's too young for me," Shade replied; that excuse ought to do...

"Oh, but he's twenty-five; how old are you?" Mari asked, confused. "You don't seem that much older."

"I'm thirty-three. I also personally prefer older men, as in, older than myself," He explained; at least right now, I find myself preferring a very specific older man.

"Fair; we all have our taste. I do think he'd enjoy a dance, even if it didn't lead to anything more. Can I let him know it's safe to approach you?" She asked.

"Of course," He agreed; just like with the women, a dance is just a dance. That should be fine... As the song finished, Shade gave Mari a twirl and she returned to her table.

"You look happy, how did it go?" Jason asked her as she sat down. Midas pretended to be engrossed in his phone and drink while listening intently.

"So, turns out there is a huge reason the ladies don't have a chance."

"You mean-" Jason began to get excited.

"Yes- Buuut, don't get your hopes too high. He says you're too young for anything more than a dance with him."

Jason frowned, "Too young, boo; how old is he? He seems young."

"That's what I said. He's thirty-three but he says he likes 'em older than him," Mari shrugged.

Midas almost choked on his drink and they looked at him. "Don't mind me, just went down the wrong pipe." He cleared his throat and went back to his phone; how had it not occurred to me to find out Shade's age? Not that I usually care much- Shade does feel different somehow though... When I first hired him, I assumed he'd be around my age, possibly even older. After spending time with him, I was getting the sense that he's younger than I originally thought... Did Shade mention older men to Mari hoping that she would repeat it near me?

"I can dance with him though?" Jason asked, hopeful.

"For sure, go for it; he's good at it."

When the next song started, Jason did just that. Midas glanced at the two of them, they were dancing very close together. He began to get a jealous feeling in the pit of his stomach. He didn't consider himself a jealous man. He never cared when the women he would see would also see other men; you're being quite the hypocrite, aren't you? Demanding he be okay with all the women, putting a pause on the physical relationship, and now getting jealous over a dance. A dance with a man he already declared he wouldn't do anything with! He stood up and headed to the restroom. Shade noticed Midas on the move. When the song ended, he said goodbye to Jason, then headed toward the restroom himself.

 

When Shade entered the men's room, Midas was the only one inside. He was splashing his face in the sink. "You alright?" Shade asked as he stepped up behind him.

"Yeah." Midas put on a smile, "Fun night."

"You know- I wish I could dance with you out there..."

Midas sighed; I want to, but... "I would like that too- A dance- But, I'm not comfortable with everyone..." Midas felt ashamed of himself; what am I afraid of? "But, weren't we supposed to be taking a break? I'm still kind of worried about you," He remembered the way Shade was breathing when he had the panic attack.

"I'm doing great. I just miss seeing you..." Shade felt a longing that he hadn't ever had before meeting Midas; I want him so badly.

"I do too, but still-" Midas turned to face him and Shade glanced around, confirming they were alone. He pulled down his converter, kissing Midas and putting an end to his sentence. Midas was surprised but he couldn't help getting lost in it. He kissed back deeply; he tastes like... Amaretto? Shade grabbed Midas' shirt, turning him and pressing him against the wall; he's all I want. He moved his mouth to Midas' neck, kissing and licking. Midas' mind raced; what are we doing? This is in public! He didn't make any attempt to stop it though. Midas leaned into Shade, letting out a moan of desire and gripping his back.

At that moment, Jason had entered the restroom; their heads snapped to look at him. "Oh-My-God; sorry, I'll leave," Jason hastily retreated.

At the same time, Midas pushed Shade back, hard. Shade fell against a sink, catching himself and putting his converter back on. Midas moved after Jason, calling to him, "Wait; Jason!"

"Midas..." Shade called as Midas left. A panicked feeling set in again and Shade slipped out of the restroom, then through a back door, to return to his apartment.

Midas pursued Jason but saw, from halfway across the crowded room, that he was already dragging Mari towards the door out of the club. "Shit," He muttered; there is no way I'll catch them. What would I say even if I did? And what exactly am I so afraid of all of the sudden? Jason is gay; what judgment would he have? He's definitely telling Mari but how will she feel? Who else would they tell? No one; they won't tell anyone else. I've always been supportive of others so why am I being this way? Mari won't love me any less... She may mock me for doing that in a public restroom. Shit; Shade! Midas returned to the men's room, finding it empty. "Fuck." This could break the relationship for good; it started to sink in for Midas that he cared for Shade in ways he hadn't for another in a long time.

 

Jason had pulled Mari out of Kharon's Rest and into the stairwell. "What is going on?" She asked.

He looked up the stairs as best he could, making sure they were alone. He kept his voice low as he spoke, "I just walked in on your dad and the assassin making out in the bathroom."

"What?" She stared at him, "You're joking, right?" Jason was an occasional prankster, but Mari couldn't fathom what the punchline would be to that set-up.

"No; not joking."

She could tell from his face that he was being honest. "But... Dad has only ever been with women, I think. Wait; he wasn't being assaulted was he!?"

"That would be an unhinged thing to do! Assault a crime boss- And on his turf! Definitely not what was happening; it was, for sure, mutual. You don't make the noise Midas made when you're being assaulted..." Jason closed his eyes, rubbing his face for a moment, trying to lose the mental image.

Mari frowned, "A public restroom? I mean, that doesn't sound like Dad and that's saying something."

"Oh, no; I know. There are multiple reasons I'm shocked. I already regret how I reacted though. I think I scared him too; he pushed Shade off of him like a teen caught by his parents..."

"I need to talk to him; are you coming?"

"No; I can't face him yet," Jason sighed.

 

Midas headed to Shade's apartment, finding that the 'Please Don't Disturb' note was back on his door. It was a clear message, meant for him. Midas stood staring at it when the elevator opened, revealing Mari. She approached him, "Dad?" He looked at her. "Can we talk?" He nodded and then led her into his apartment. They sat across from each other at the dining table and she spoke, "So, I guess my first question is- You weren't just sexually assaulted in the restroom, right?"

"No! I mean... He did initiate it and it was unexpected; but- I know he would've stopped if I hadn't reciprocated..."

"Yeah... Jason said it, uh, looked mutual and, um, passionate. So, going out on a limb and guessing that was not you two's first- Whatever?"

"It wasn't the first."

"Have there been men all along?"

"Also no; Shade is a first for me."

"Okay; first man but not the first time with said man."

"Yeah..."

"Didn't he only arrive here, like, a month ago, maybe two? Don't you usually wait for a woman to have been here longer before you ask or agree to do anything with her?"

"Shit." Midas put his face in his hand, "I've lost my Goddamn mind." Midas had always taken great care to make sure women were comfortable before doing anything with them. He wanted to make sure they never felt as if their place at Styx was dependent on owing him sexual favors; did I take the same care with Shade? I technically kissed him first; what if he did actually feel pressured? He clearly has trauma... Then again, if he felt I'm dangerous and need to be pleased, would he be hanging signs on his door like that? He took the lead the first time- But only after I kind of insisted on continuing our interaction... He had tried to leave. I did tell him I wasn't trying to make him though, right? What if he didn't believe me... No; everything was consensual... Right? Then the panic attack...

"Dad!" Midas snapped back, looking at her. Mari had apparently been calling him multiple times. "What the hell, Dad, what is going on?"

"I think- I fucked up," Midas frowned, running his hand through his hair.

"What's wrong? You've never been like this before."

"Sorry, it's just..." Midas trailed off.

"I, um, obviously don't want any gross details but how did this happen? How did you get so close to him so fast?"

"I can't say I completely understand it... Maybe, it started when I found out he's cursed too. He used the coin, just like me. His gloved hand- If he touches something living with his bare hand, it dies."

"The Assassin of Decay..."

"Yes, it's a curse; Necrotic-Touch, he calls it. Anyway, before finding that out, I had been trying to set him up with some women here. He got annoyed and accidentally confessed to liking men. After we talked about our curses, I tried to convince him there are men here who'd like to meet him. I just wanted him to feel at home here but he didn't want me to bring it up again... So he tried to make me uncomfortable by acting attracted to me. Only, it didn't make me as uncomfortable as he had expected or as I would have expected. It all kind of, developed from there..." Midas frowned, "Tonight though, I panicked when we were caught. I don't even know why. I'm open about all the women I see..." Midas tapped his fingers silently thinking; he was certainly behaving like he truly, willingly wanted to be with me tonight... Then I pushed him away. "Why did I do that to him? I think... I hurt him tonight." Midas hid his face, fighting off a few tears.

Mari stood up. "You've had a long night, everyone has. I think you should sleep. Maybe in the morning, he'll be ready to talk to you?" She suggested.

"Maybe..." Midas stood.

"And Dad?"

"Yes?"

"You know I love you, right? No matter what; Jason does too."

"Thank you, Princess. I love you too," He hugged her tight. "Jason as well."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight..." Mari pulled away and left his apartment.