Mahogany and Teakwood

Chapter 7: Pine

late at night

no one's around

take off the mask and lose the crown

"So, the way you're protecting me is kind of like," Virgil cast around for a metaphor, "a really strong cologne? And my measly changeling magic is the bad smell you're covering?"

"That is one way to look at it, I suppose." Logan wrinkled his nose.

Virgil swirled the smoky-sweet liquor in his glass. Only a single glass in, and already he felt a growing buzz in the back of his head. More alarmingly, Tipsy Virgil apparently had a habit of bringing up topics Sober Virgil would never touch.

"I didn't mean it in a bad way," he hastened to add. "Actually, your cologne smells good."

Logan cocked his head.

Nice, that didn't sound creepy at all.

"I mean!" Virgil cringed. "I've been kind of noticing it since I moved in. It's, uh"—distracting, divine— "nice?"

Getting further away.

Logan wore an unreadable expression, as though not quite sure what to make of Virgil's insane rambling.

"I'm just gonna shut up now." Virgil hunched down, his face burning. He fought the urge to pull his hood over his head and sink into the couch cushions.

"It is a fragrance oil."

"Huh?" Virgil blinked.

"What you smell is not a cologne. I mix it from several essential oils, based on the scent profile of a candle I quite liked: mahogany and teakwood." Logan gestured towards an oil warmer on the vinyl shelf. "I frequently use it in the apartment and wear it on my wrists. It is subtle enough that not many people notice; I am actually a little surprised you have."

"Why didn't you just buy the candle?" Virgil asked wryly.

"Too artificial." Logan pulled a face. "Human-manufactured synthetic fragrances reek of petroleum."

Virgil huffed. "Yeah. I can't stand most cologne; I prefer straight patchouli oil."

"I noticed. You have a pleasant scent about you."

He...thinks I smell good?

Virgil, suddenly breathless, violently reeled his mind away from that dangerous line of thought. His gaze was snared by Logan's neck as the half-faery tipped back his glass, finished it, and set it down with a grimace.

"I had forgotten how strong this is, even diluted." Logan picked up the bottle and swirled it. More than half remained.

"Holy trollshit, that's diluted?" Virgil whistled.

"I would not keep straight faery liquor in my home. It would be an unwise temptation, even for me," Logan pointed out.

Virgil shrugged. "I know faery giggle water is potent as fuck, but damn."

Logan pulled a face. "Giggle...water?"

"Booze. Liquor." Virgil waved a hand. "You know."

"Actually, I did not." The half-faery pulled out a sharpie and his stack of slang cards.

Virgil giggled and clapped a hand over his mouth. "Fuck."

"You know, I find it interesting how alcohol affects people differently." Logan capped the marker. "For instance, you swear more."