Homoween 2019: Hollywood Coven

Day 5: Headless Horseman

Technically, the headless horseman wasn't really a "person". But like with all mythologies, he had essentially been wished into being. Often, when he and Luke passed each other at certain parties (usually one or both of them in leather), Luke would remark on how natural he looked even without a head.

It seemed like a pretty good compliment and zinger against the political establishment at the same time.

The Headless Horseman followed the scent of war. Not stoking it in a sort of Neil Gaiman Good Omens sort of way, but just - knowing the scent of it. He was a wish fulfillment character of both horror and righteousness (depending on who you talked to). And he was stone cold gay with an affection for rail thin schoolteachers. Far more charming than Florence Nightingale to boot- that was for damn sure.

So it made Luke more than a little sad to think that his stacked, confident, funny leather friend had been turned into a cartoon loose fitting nickel slot right outside of the front doors of the Tropicana. 

"Just not right-" Luke muttered to himself.

"What was that?" Derek asked. He almost automatically fit in with the vibe of the city. He was more chameleon than wolf. Already with a silly hat and silly sunglasses that didn't quite scream tourist but would definitely get more than a few fliers shoved in his direction and plenty of people desperately trying not to notice him.

"Nothing-" Luke said, trying for a smile.

"Come on, Blood Boy. We're here to have fun, huh? Solve a little mystery?" Derek asked, sliding his hand into Luke's and giving it a little squeeze. "Plus, I got us tickets for like Thunder from Down Under!"

"They don't let men into that-" Luke said, "but it's a sweet thought. I did think I might like to go see Folies Bergere if it's still around. Or perhaps they have an adult Cirque du Soleil. But after we've solved the mystery."

"Of course," Derek nodded, leading a meandering pathway to the check in desk. "And, you know, if we happen to play some craps on the way to solving the mystery-" he shrugged. "Would that be the worst thing in the world?"

"I suppose not."

"I've never been in here before."

"Oh? You strike me as the type that would come to Vegas every now and then."

"Yeah, but I usually like stay at the Bellagio or the Hard Rock. HR is where most of the porn stars stay."

"Mmm- I feel like I should've known that- all things considered-"

"Hang out with a lot of porn stars on the Riviera?"

"No," Luke said, but didn't offer much information after that about how quite often his own coven would use aspiring and sometimes quite famous male porn stars to satiate certain competing thirsts. 

He tried to be aware, tried to look around for clues. He didn't expect anything to jump out, heavens knew, but Luke didn't just want to get swept away like Vegas wanted him to. He figured he'd probably have to keep Derek grounded but perhaps that would keep him more alert.

"Where'd you want to have dinner, sweetie pie?"

"Hmm?"

"Oh, you know. Here for our honeymoon and all that and he's already dreaming of upstairs-" Derek said, flashing his million watt grin at the receptionist who was trying hard not to be swayed by his charms. And failing. It was harder to resist Derek than to just let yourself into his world. Luke wasn't sure if he was proof of that or not.

"Well congratulations. We gave you room 2238. You have a balcony with a view of Excalibur and the MGM Grand. Have a pleasant stay!"

"Thank you," Luke said as he snatched the keys up before Derek could. Derek struggled to keep up after all, Luke having a mission and all.

"Are we speed racing to our hotel room?" Derek said, the words practically grinning right into Luke's brain.

Once they were in the room, Derek went for the bed with a light body slam. The springs didn't squeak quite as much. Luke went onto the balcony (a little sad) but there was the view. The MGM Grand. A giant golden lion head out front with sparkling green veneers on either side. Nothing caught his attention yet-

"What does it say about our marriage that you're more interested in the view than my body-" Derek said from the bed with a pout.

Luke turned to look at him. "Darling, you'll tire of me. I'm just trying to extend our honeymoon period, as it were."

"You're not giving yourself enough credit, Blood Boy! I like you a lot."

"I know. Still- it feels fortuitous, doesn't it? We didn't even request it but there's the view of the MGM Grand. I wish we hadn't missed the tournament."

"There's always other ways, though. Come on, we're celebrities. We find ways into locked rooms we have no right being in. Everything will be fine," Derek said with a wide grin as he sat up on the bed. "Come here, come over here-" he motioned Luke over and Luke did so. 

Derek extended his body upwards in order to kiss the vampire. 

"I figure they got cameras in the room, so maybe we should give them a show hmm? So they're not suspicious. What good is a honeymoon without getting frisky?"

"You know we're not actually married, right?"

"Details, details."