Adagio was disgustingly cheerful this evening. She was getting properly dolled up with her natural hair, dressing exactly as she pleased without any consideration for subterfuge or disguise. The sun was setting, the dying light falling away from her bathroom's skylight, bathing her in a golden glow. Adagio grinned in the mirror. She hadn't noticed yesterday, but her thigh gap had returned. Her thigh gap had been critical in her past more than once. A tiny, tantalizing window that gave pause to men and women alike. She chose a pair of viciously tight, dark purple jeans that would show off her hips and thighs. They were strategically ripped up the sides of the legs; from the '90s, she thought.

She hadn't had this feeling in months-or was it years? How long had she been alone in her little temple in the sky, collecting dust with her effects?

Wallowing in self-pity.

Disgusting. It didn't matter now, truly it didn't. She was going to be with Him tonight. He would be a shield for her, an arm to hold that would carry her with grace and style through the petty social pressures of Canterlot.

He didn't know her. He was terrified of her, and rightfully so, but she had seduced him a second time, yesterday. She hated that she'd had to open up a bit to do it, truly, but it had been the right move. She let him see a tiny peek of her, who she was, and he'd fallen into her. It was sloppy, yes, but effective.

He didn't trust her, very definitely, and he shouldn't. But she had proven too interesting for him to resist. And that wasn't even mentioning the sublimity of her form. This was her favorite way to win. She'd barely lifted a finger, hadn't had to cast a spell.

His affection yesterday had been restrained. That was on purpose, she suspected. He was guarded, confused about what he was feeling. His love had been a drip-feed. She would get him tonight. How old was he? She'd forgotten to ask. She guessed he was mid-twenties at best. What was that in pony years? Was there a difference? He was probably pushing 30. The '90s would do, tonight.

Adagio was brimming with the power she had drained from him, still, but it was depleting. Her stomach wasn't rumbling, but she knew that soon she'd be hungry, even after the snacks from yesterday.

Adagio counted her victories. She'd had two this week. Well, one. Buck was a work in progress; he was more complicated than she'd expected. She'd had to compromise for him, just a tiny bit. The interview in contrast was simple.

This was the oldest scheme that Adagio had used since the Information Age began. A 'high level' opening in a company that required little more than sitting around and counting. A rich, pampered old buffoon in the CEO's seat looking for some toy to throw around so he could feel something again, only picking up applications from pretty young things; the less qualified the better. Adagio was over-qualified, of course, and there was zero doubt she was like a blazing sun compared to the other little fireflies that had applied.

She'd walked in asking for an application, and later that evening she had received a callback.

The heat had worked in her favor; her shirt was a few gentle steps away from being see-through due to her sweat, and the blush in her cheeks gave her a decadent glow. She was appetizing, in other words, and stupid old men were always hungry.

Filthy Rich certainly looked hungry. He was a glorified pencil pusher whose company sold...uh, real estate? Or was it paperclips? Some banal griffonshit industry that did nothing but eat and spread and eat and rot. Filthy Rich was a sharp chinned man who had the bearing of a dragon and the temperament of an old donkey with a trust fund. He had cracked after exactly ten minutes into the interview. She had barely said a word to the man before answering the usual questions.

I've been new in town for a few months and I need a big break. I came from a little town on the other coast, but Canterlot is my big shot. I'm trying to work my way up to my own entrepreneur enterprise, and I want to learn proper business here. Yes, I'm very good at math, and spreadsheets are easy for me. Yes, I can type very fast and follow dictation. No, I don't have contacts, but you can look at my portfolio. Yes, I'm staying in town.

His lust and greed tasted like stale black tea. Cold and irritating and worthless.

Adagio had spent the interview delicately crossing her legs, looking around the room with a sort of awe so compelling it was hard to act out, and occasionally fluttering her eyelashes at the grey-haired moron behind the fancy desk. The opening had gone up recently. He'd very likely almost gotten in trouble with the previous accountant. He was wearing a wedding ring. Adagio's racket was old and easy, just like him. She guessed at a couple of months, and it would be done. All she had to do was do math and look pretty and look away for just a little bit. Easy.

Tonight would be easy, too. Now here was a project that she would savor. Her move yesterday had been bold; impassioned, but now she needed a bit of distance and a little dangle. She was the perfect lure, she thought, pulling out an old favorite from her closet. It was a leather vest, mulberry color with the bright gold clasps and the studs on the shoulders. A killer. Same with the boots. As a matter of fact, Adagio was very, very certain that these platform combat boots had been used in at least one or two street fights while the Dazzlings had toured. Vicious little spats on the road. They'd never used bodyguards, not even once; what was the point? And so idiots in bars and especially "devoted" fans had occasionally decided to try their luck with the Dazzlings. Their desperate flailing as they were beaten to a pulp was Aria's favorite joke.

A bitter taste stuck to Adagio's tongue. She was alone. But not tonight. Tonight she was going to get him. She would not be alone tonight.

The hard part was and always would be the hair. Her brilliant amber crown was finally allowed to fly free again. It never tamed easily; an animal unto itself, but tame it she would. Her hair was two days dry, so she made use of another absolute classic. She grabbed her detangler brush and her flat iron and went to work.

To the surprise of fuck-all nobody, Buck had spent the shift before his date stressing the fuck out. He'd also spent the morning before his shift stressing the fuck out in his apartment, but a little bit louder. What the hell was he thinking? He wasn't going to impress Adagio fucking Dazzle with his karaoke singing ass. She was a fucking pop diva! A professional! And Buck was a professional nothing, and so he'd had to stand in front of the mirror and psyche himself up just to get a change of clothes ready and figure out a song to sing. He wanted to call Ma about this, honestly, but he knew she'd be pissed that he was going for another bad girl. Okay, well the last one he'd called her to cry about wasn't really a bad girl, so much. She'd just left. The one before had too. But then she was a professional too, wasn't she? He guessed she was, now. What had Rara liked? She liked it when he sang funk and really got into it. He caught himself missing his time with Coluratura for a few seconds or minutes.

He had to focus.

After jerking off and having some breakfast that he'd almost forgotten about, Buck leaned on his Mom's wisdom; "If her standards are high and you don't meet them, then you don't have to worry because she'll pass you over. If they're low and you exceed them, you don't have to worry because she'll raise them for you." Adagio did actually want to see him, after all. She'd asked him out. So, really, all Buck had to do was just be himself and try not to drop anything. Or talk too much. Or fuckin'...god damn it.

Before he knew it, he was standing outside of Donut Joe's at 9:40 at night. He'd put on an old date getup, which was basically just a black tank top with an open red plaid jacket over it and some tight jeans that would leave a mark on his hips the next day. His hair was back in a high ponytail save for the bangs on the left side of his face which he'd two-stranded and let loose. The bangs puffed up and out, kind of like a rooster's comb. He thought it bespoke confidence; made him feel like the cock of the walk. He was, here, wasn't he? He looked through the window and saw someone belting out "I Wanna Dance With Somebody". They weren't super great sounding, but they were obviously having fun because the crowd was way in on it. Good. They were warmed up. "I've got a shot at not fucking up tonight! That's a change of pace, better fucking capitalize." He said aloud to himself. He took a breath. He was going to be fine, he thought. And then he stopped thinking completely for a moment when he saw Her.

Adagio looked like something out of the grunge music videos he'd seen as a kid. The kind that left little marks on his psyche that would bloom into fetishes during his teen years. She was wearing tall-ass boots and a pair of ripped jeans. He could see her belly button. Her vest was all cleavage and studs. There was a choker around her neck.

Her hair! She'd done it up in a pair of space buns on top of her head. She had trailing curly golden bangs framing her face that swished down past her shoulders, and the rest of her hair followed behind.

She was leaning against the wall, checking her phone when she saw him seeing her. She smirked, and Buck realized that her makeup matched her clothes; dark purple. Her lipstick was almost black. She turned to him, winked. He could see her fucking thigh gap, holy SHIT.

"Fucking hell...Scoots was right. She's going to eat me alive." He muttered. He felt himself waking up inside his pants. He had to play it cool. Adagio was striding towards him. Someone stepping into the diner wanged his shoulder on the threshold on the way in. He'd been distracted by her. So was Buck. He couldn't help it. Everywhere he looked at her was danger and lust. Every part of her was sizzling hot, to him.

"Ooh, you got dressed for me! Buck, you look like you're going to set something on fire behind the diner." Adagio said, looking him up and down.

"I-Is that good...?" Buck stammered.

"Mmm...you look charming and a little dangerous." She said. She walked around him, slowly. He jumped a little as the tips of her fingers brushed against his ass. Buck turned to her.

"And you look like you're going to swallow me whole. How in the world do you keep finding new ways to be gorgeous and terrifying?" Buck said. He held a hand out. Even in the light coming from Donut Joe's fluorescent sign, he could see her blushing.

"Oh, it's an art form, Buck." Adagio said. She took his hand, stitched her fingers in his. She squeezed, and her sharp purple nails scratched lightly against the back of Buck's hand. He raised her hand and kissed the back gently.

"That I know. An expensive one, too. Are those boots Poster Girl? They've gotta be a few decades old." Buck said. He held open the door for Adagio. A couple of people stepped through.

"You know fashion, Buck?" Adagio blinked.

"Enough. I know enough fashion, definitely." Buck said. "C'mon. I've got my usual booth lined up. They know me here."
He placed a tender but insistent hand on the small of Adagio's back and guided her into Donut Joe's. It was a diner with a happy hour that a few years back had set up a karaoke stage. As a result, it had become a popular hookup spot. It even held some concerts for a few underground bands.

Buck's kinda place.

As Buck and Adagio pushed through the crowd, Buck put up a fist and a smirk at the eponymous man behind the front counter. Donut Joe was a redwood trunk of a man; all boxy and barrel-chested, not unlike Buck. He was wearing a bowtie that was maybe 20% rhinestone and 80% hilarious, but that was his style. Donut Joe hooked a thumb at the booths. This was an old ritual by now. He held up his wireless mic and gave Buck a quizzical look. Buck mouthed out "Later." Right now, he just wanted to sit with his date and enjoy the atmosphere. The last song had ended, and Buck could see some woman with blue skin and toothpaste-colored hair was swaying and sighing into a rendition of "Tied Together with a Smile". Buck hated Taylor Swift, but he was about to talk over it, so it didn't matter.

As Buck and Adagio made their way to their booth, they failed to notice two sets of leering eyes across the room. One pair was a piercing blue color, and they looked on with bitter skepticism. The other pair was an aqua color and set behind a pair of slightly wobbly glasses.

"For the last time, they aren't going to notice us! She hasn't seen me even once since the other night, and he's kind of oblivious in the first place." Starlight said. The extent of her disguise was basically a grey hoodie and some black jeans and that was about it. She munched very seriously on a curly fry as she scoped out Buck and Adagio's date. They looked like they were laughing. Fucking gross.

"Well, sure, but you had binoculars before, and now we're in the same room as them...! And hey, lay off Buck, he's a really thoughtful guy." Sunburst said. His frame was like that of a featherweight boxer but without the muscles. His hair was well brushed, but not well combed; the dark orange sorta wavy bangs always a little bit in his face. He had a goatee that he swore by and this was a hill that he was prepared to die on. Tonight he was wearing a navy blue jean jacket.

"Yeah, he looks real thoughtful. He's thinking really hard about her cleavage right now." Starlight spat. This was true. Buck's eyes kept slipping south while he and Adagio chatted and pushed through the crowd. Adagio didn't seem to care.

"Oh, right, that's Her. Man, poor Buck...getting mixed up with someone like her." Sunburst said.

"Right, and that's why we're here. She's an evil sea witch. If she pulls something I can stop her and you can get Buck out of here." Starlight said. It was taking them some time to make it to the booth. The diner was packed. She was whispering something in his ear.

"Starlight, are you sure she's dangerous? She seems like she's just here to enjoy herself."

"Trust me, Sunburst. She's overflowing with magical energy, She's powerful, and it's got to be coming from somewhere, so we need to figure out the how and where, and also watch out in case she goes postal. This is normal monster busting stuff."

"Really? Because it feels a lot like stalking a nice woman who is into my best friend."

"She is not nice, Sunburst, she's an emotion draining vampire who happens to have your friend on a string right now, and she's wearing goth boots to a karaoke bar."

"Okay, well, are you going to finish those fries?"

Adagio was surprised. When Buck had seen her in her battle armor tonight, he hadn't swooned. His lust had flared up, but then it eased as they stepped into the long diner. As a matter of fact, she now tasted awe on him, and far less lust. He was looking at her like a marble statue in a museum, a distant, reverent affection. He thought she was a piece of art. And he was right, of course, but she could be far, far more than something pretty to gawk at.

Buck wasn't looking at her at the moment. As they strode over to their booth, people were waving to him; the regulars of this place, she surmised. They were dropping him nods and he was shooting finger guns. They were waiting for something. The rest of the eyes that they passed trained on Adagio, which was natural. She sipped and sampled at their attractions. There was much lust in this place, that was true, but it seemed that Jocularity was the flavor of the night. She wondered if Buck's presence had something to do with that.

She sat across from him and picked up her menu, which was a slightly depressing parade of pun names for greasy dishes. She said a hail mary for her hips as she decided on a side of fries, hopefully in their smallest size. An extremely nondescript waiter came and took their orders and menus, saying practically nothing to Buck. "That server seems almost afraid of you, Buck." Adagio said.

"Norman? Nah, he's been serving me for a coupl'a years. He just knows me, knows I don't...uh...I don't really like to be served, you know?"

"I don't. What do you mean by that?"

"I dunno, I guess I'm just not super comfortable with being waited on hand and foot."

"Well, why not, Buck? That is his job, isn't it?"

"Sure, but, I dunno, I'm not fond of the royal treatment. Makes me feel, makes me feel put on the spot. I don't, uh..." Buck looked away for a moment. Adagio waited for him. He tasted thoughtful. Reticent. He was a Bard, certainly, but he had to look for the right words. Was he composing a verse? "I don't think I really deserve that kind of thing." Buck admitted. It was just a bit above a whisper. Shame. Adagio tasted his shame. What in the world had he to be ashamed of?

"Well, that's preposterous. You pay for your food, you're especially handsome and sweet, I presume you tip well?"

"...yep."

"So you deserve to be treated well." Adagio said. She struck the table with her nail for emphasis.

"If you insist. Man, I didn't have you pegged for a princess type. That's new." Buck smirked. Adagio's eyes lit up for a moment. He thought she was an absolute monarch.

"Nothing new to Me, Buck. I know my worth, and it's far more than anyone else in this little cesspool." Adagio huffed, flipping her hair.

"Oof. Cesspool? Do you mean this diner, or the city...or the country?"

"Canterlot. It's not even close to the Canterlot I knew." Adagio said.

"Uh...?"

"I told you, Buck. Older than I look." Adagio said, smiling. Their food came back quick as a whip. This was an old routine for Buck, it seemed.

"Oh, so you lived in Canterlot way back in the day, then?"

"In a manner of speaking. My Canterlot is separated from this one by a bit more than just time."

"Oooh, mysterious!" Buck said. He'd ordered a maple bacon burger. Adagio wondered how he maintained his physique. Well, this must be an occasional treat, this meal, otherwise, he'd be more than just a bit paunchy. He took a big bite right out of the center. Adagio began picking at her fries.

"You know, I'm surprised, Buck. I expected you to still be frightened by me. You're remarkably calm, considering the circumstances." Adagio watched Buck as he chewed and stroked his chin, his eyes on the ceiling. It reminded Adagio a little of how donkeys chewed hay. Would Buck have been a donkey? No, no, definitely a pony. Not sure which breed.

"Oh, I'm still real intimidated by you. Not often I get to walk in here with the most gorgeous woman in the world." Buck said, after swallowing his bite.

"First time?" Adagio smirked.

"Yeah. But no, I'm not afraid of you so much, now."

"Oh?" Adagio frowned.

"Well, yeah. You said you wouldn't hurt me, and I believe you." Buck said. He reached out to touch Adagio's hand. She pulled her hand back. No. She wouldn't let him take the initiative here. She drew her wit.

"Even knowing what I am, now, you trust me? Do you think that's wise, Buck? You heard that purple idiot; I'm a monster. Shouldn't you be frightened?" Adagio said. He was growing far too comfortable after their meeting on the bench. He was cuter on the back foot, like most men.

"You're not a monster, Adagio, you're just built different from me." Buck said it like it was the most natural thing in the world. His smile was sweet. And patronizing.

"I am a devilish beast of the abyss from another world. 'Built Different' doesn't begin to describe it. There was a time when men would flee from my sight, and others would run at me with open arms. What makes you think I won't kill you once I've had my way, Buck?" Adagio made sure to show a bit of tooth. She saw the briefest flash of red light on Buck's face. Her eyes must have blinkered for just a moment there. Adagio grinned wider. She was built for drama, she knew. She was in her element.

"Ooh, I know this one! 'In place of a Dark Lord you would have a Queen! Not dark but beautiful and terrible as the dawn! Treacherous as the Seas! Stronger than the foundations of the Earth! All shall love me and despaaaaaair!" Buck said. His eyes rolled back in his head and he gestured like an old thespian. Adagio was dumbfounded. She sniffed the air and found humor. Like a sticky banana taffy. It reminded her of Sonata.

"What, aint'cha seen Lord of the Rings?" Buck said, grinning.

"I read it, oh, ages and ages ago."

"Are you for real?"

"You're mocking me, aren't you?" Adagio said.

"What? No! Yeesh, there's a frown that could make a lemon pucker. Listen. I Know you aren't a monster. A monster would'a smeared me across the walls of that hotel to keep her secret. A monster wouldn't have opened up on me like you did on the bench, before." Buck said. He was counting on his fingers. Adagio blushed when he brought up that damn bench. She'd let out a little too much, it seemed. He wouldn't catch her lacking like that again. "A monster wouldn't have respected my boundaries at Sugar Cube Corner." He finished.

"Perhaps I'm simply not the kind of monster you were expecting. I could still drag you under the water, kicking and screaming." She leaned forward and grinned at him. He looked nonplussed.

"Your bathtub ain't that deep, 'dagio." He said. Ooh, she didn't like it when he acted cute like this.

"I could still eat you, Buck." Adagio growled.

"Ooh, threaten me with a good time! Do I have'ta ask nicely?" Buck purred. Adagio bit her lip. He was quite a talented duelist after all.

"You're incorrigible." Adagio huffed, looking away to hide her smile.

"My ma called me hard-headed, but sure. You like me anyway, though, don't you?" This time when he touched her hand, he looped his pinkie in hers. Adagio could feel an intense heat creeping into her cheeks. It was coming from him, of course. Bald affection.

He thought she was cute.

"If I didn't, you certainly wouldn't be here with me right now, Buck." Adagio hissed.

"Mm. It's an honor, by the way." Buck said, smiling. She could feel him smiling. She refused to look at him.

"Isn't it?" Adagio said.

"Yeah. Out of all the guys in this town, I'm the one you didn't leave out in the cold." Buck said. Adagio turned to him, then.

"Buck, you couldn't possibly imagine the amount of cold, dead men I've left in my wake." She fixed him with a glare. His pinky finger twitched away from hers. She grabbed his wrist.

"Rrr...Right. But they were all bastards, right?" Buck assumed aloud. Adagio's smile crept back onto her face.

"Oooh, Buck...no, Buck. I have been hunting for thousands of years, Buck. And I've had plenty of practice gobbling up good little boys, just like you." Adagio's voice dipped low, dripping with menace. Buck went a bit pale. There it was. Fear. He tasted sublime.

Adagio started laughing. She snorted. "Kidding! I'm kidding, Buck!" She said, flapping her hand at him.

She was lying.

"Mother of fuckin' mercy, woman." Buck said. His clenched knuckles were as pale as his face.

"You're half right, by the way. I do mostly pray on bastardous idiots. I go to bars from time to time, smile and wiggle a little and suddenly they flock to me like lost little lambs."

"Uh...huh."

"And then I drink them, Buck." Adagio said, licking her lips slowly.

"That's...do you need to do that?"

"Yes, of course, Buck. I need to eat to live. And sometimes I want a snack."

"That's fucked up."

"That is what I Am, Buck. A predator. Did you forget?" She said.

"But you can eat food, right? You don't need to drain people's emotions, do ya?"

"I do. I'm not myself unless I have a somewhat consistent stream of emotional energy, which I need to drain from people. If I don't, I'll die. It's simply who I am. A monster."

"You're not a monster, Adagio." Buck said. His hand was shaking.

"And what would You know, Buck? Hm? You don't know what it means to be a beast, Buck. To pursue, and to catch and to have your way...it sustains me. And even if it didn't, the thrill of it alone would be enough! You're human; you could never understand." Adagio said. Her smile was gone. Bucks eyes fell away from her and onto his plate.

"You'd be surprised..." He mumbled.

"What was that?" Adagio said. She'd heard him, of course, but she wanted him to say it.
What was he holding back from her?

"I said, You're more than That, Adagio. I know that much."

"...You don't fucking know me, Buck." Adagio spat. She crossed her arms.

"Yeah. That's why I'm here." He sighed. He looked at her then, and his golden eyes seemed like distant stars. What was she doing? She had come to reel him in, not push him away! Adagio closed her eyes, took a breath. Counted to ten.

"Let me show You, Buck." Adagio said. It was more of a growl, now. The gentle warning of a rattlesnake about to strike. She was being polite. Restrained. But he was underestimating her, and if this was going to work; if she was going to have him, that wouldn't do. He needed to see her properly for what she was. Adagio got up and went to Donut Joe at the counter. She spoke a few sweet and urgent words, and he looked over her shoulder at Buck, who gave him a nervous thumbs up.

"Hey hey, ladies and gentlemen, tonight we've got a real treat for you!" Donut Joe's gravely voice came through the speakers. "The self-described Terror of the Deep, the Wicked Witch of the Waves, come back to Canterlot to cast a spell on all you Poor Unfortunate Souls! Give it up for Adagio Dazzle!" The crowd was instantly hit with a wave of confusion. Some knew the name, most didn't. And then they saw Adagio strutting up the mic stand, and they began to cheer as they should.

Adagio's selection for the night was a relatively recent addition to her repertoire, but Buck didn't know that. He saw her step up to the mic and slowly look around at the cheering bar.

She blew a little kiss as the cheering slowed, then cracked her neck close to the mic so everyone could hear the popping noise.

Dead silence trailed behind that sound. Adagio gave them all her sharp, toothy grin. And then she fixed her eyes on Buck. The song began, and Buck knew instantly that he was in trouble. He knew this song. Hell, he had used this song, a while back. And now, she was turning it on him. I Know I'm a Wolf, by Young Heretics. The opening piano notes chimed softly, eerily. They were like a dirge. Adagio's gaze reached out slowly, snatched Buck's attention up, and refused to let it go.

"Dear Rabbit, my legs are getting weak, chasing you.

The snowfields wouldn't seem so big, if you knew...

That this blood on my teeth, it is far beyond dry.

And I've captured you Once, but I wasn't quite right."
Adagio's voice began high and sweet and tender, but as the song slowly crept along, her voice got lower and huskier. She was moving, stepping so slowly toward Buck that it was like she was floating.

"Now I'm telling you, that you'll be Safe with Me~"
A haze was slowly misting off her. Her eyes blinkered with that red light, just briefly, and then Buck could feel it happening again. The atmosphere in the diner was changing.

Adagio kept her gaze on Buck. He would not be escaping tonight. With each breath between bars, she could taste the arousal stalking through the bar. Lips being bitten, knees turning inward. Sweat. Heat. They all wanted something, probably didn't know what exactly. She knew what she wanted, however. Her steps were measured and silent. Her hips swung like a pendulum. She approached her prey.

"And rabbit...my claws are dull now, so don't be afraid.

I could Keep You Waaarm~

As long as you can just try...to be braaave~!"
The notes came out as a growling moan. The sound of pillow talk and hollow promises. A song of pure lust. She began to lose herself.

"Yes I know I'm a Wolf, and I've been known to bite.

But the rest of my pack...I have left them behiiind..."
She was upon him now. She didn't know when she crossed the room, but she was in front of him, leaning forward. The only thing separating them was a bit of space and the microphone. Her finger came up to his chin like a vulture's talon. She tilted his head up to face her. He was sweating. She could taste how hard he was. Wait.

"And my teeth may be sharp,

and I've been raised to kill,

But the thought of Fresh Meat

it is making me iiiill~"
She was staring at Buck. Smoldering. She was in control of this place, now. He had gone from In Love to Terrified to Comfortable all too quickly, and she was correcting that. Right?

"So I'm telling you, that you'll...be...safe...with..."
And then the note came. Adagio felt like she was dying of thirst. She breathed deep of all the lust and envy and greed in the diner and let fly with a banshee wail. The word was supposed to be "Me". 'Safe with Me', but Adagio howled and shrieked in a beautifully haunted way that made the entire room shudder. People toward the back of the crowd were touching each other. Some were excusing themselves. The bridge came. Adagio opened her eyes. Somewhere in the crowd, there was fear. But it wasn't coming from Buck. Her gaze caught him again. He was watching her with wide eyes.

"So Rabbit...please stop looking the other way.

It's cold out there...so why not stay here

under my taaaaaaaaail~?"

The last note drifted and died a quiet death on Adagio's tongue. Somewhere in the back of the bar, something small and powerful shattered. The room was silent. Buck was staring at her. He should be ready to run or to pounce. He was neither. Through the haze of sexual energy in the room, Buck's emotion shone like a spotlight. His golden eyes were filled with awe. And then it all broke down. Buck raised his hands in front of his chest. He began to clap, slowly.

And Adagio tasted the energy in the room change. Buck stood and clapped harder, and a smattering
of applause murmured through the room. Then someone whistled and someone shouted and then the whole bar erupted into uproarious applause. Adulation. Amazement. Amusement. It rained down on Adagio like a shower of sweet confetti. She hadn't felt this way since the last concert that she and the girls had performed.

And there, still, from Buck, Awe. Love. He cheered for her and rolled his fist in the air and rallied the crowd. A standing ovation. How long had it been?

They Adored her.

Adagio was lost in it, for a moment, then she curtsied to the diner and she blew kisses and she sidled into the booth, sitting next to Buck this time. He didn't look afraid; he was grinning.

He should be afraid of me, she thought. Instead, she could taste him bubbling over with amusement and affection and love. Amazement, and far, far in the back, that rising lust was holding it all up. His feelings tasted like a banquet, all spilling out from behind his golden eyes, and for the briefest moment, Adagio was lost in them.

"Can I kiss you?"

"Hm?" Adagio was in a daze. She had heard maybe two or three words that he'd said.

"I'd very much like to kiss you right now, Miss Adagio Dazzle." Buck said, slower. Everything seemed to be slower right now. Adagio's thoughts certainly were. What was different, here, exactly? Her tongue had been in his mouth only a day ago. Why was she getting nervous? Her cheeks were burning. She smiled then, and she saw Buck's eyebrows fly up. His smile deepened, and she felt herself surrounded by his Love. She nodded to him, leaned up, and puckered her lips.

Buck slid a big meaty arm around Adagio's shoulders. He cupped Adagio's chin in his hand and pulled her close. She placed a hand on his chest. Pushed just a bit, the tiniest bit of resistance. He leaned in. His lips were soft as pillows, and as they touched Adagio's own she realized why this felt so different. This was their first Real Kiss. It wasn't the sloppy drunken affair they'd had a few nights ago, this was Buck's kiss.

It was like feathers dancing on Adagio's lips, though that may have just been his stubble. So tender and so small and so fast it felt like a question. Like he was asking for permission. Adagio could feel his heart pounding under her hand. Somewhere far away, the bar was cheering and wooing.

She answered him. She leaned in further, kissed him forcefully. She kneaded his chest with her fingers. He was so warm. Buck whined softly against her mouth, and began kissing her more urgently; sweet, fierce little pecks, peppering her lips. He was letting himself go. His hand on her chin reached up, his fingers slid up into her hair. Adagio pulled him even closer by the tank top. She bit his lip. She moaned softly against his mouth. His other hand was holding the small of her back.

She began to Drink. His love tasted like chocolate and mint and gold leaf, and there was so much of it. It was growing hotter, his lust far below like a furnace coming to life. She was trembling. The tip of his tongue touched her lips. He hummed softly, whined. The man was starving for love. Starving for her.

Adagio wanted to do more, would have done more, but Buck pulled away, leaving Adagio breathless and love drunk. He reached out with a gentle thumb, he traced her bottom lip. She had seen the look in his eyes before, somewhere. She couldn't remember. It frightened her, that look, but not as much as the words that came next.

"I See You, Adagio Dazzle." Buck said, and Adagio felt the world rising up to meet her. Like she was falling. And then she heard another voice.

"Alright you animals! Alright, settle down!" The voice was halfway between a rock tumbler and a jersey accent. It was the diner's owner. What was his name? Where was she? "Next up we got a local favorite! Our hometown hard lad, our very own Karaoke King finally come back to rule the roost! Give it the fuck Up! For BUCK!" He shouted. The bar erupted into cheers once more, and Adagio felt another wave of adulation rock her.

"Wait, you're the 'What' King?" Adagio said, dazed.

Buck had already scooched out the other side of the booth. He smiled at her. Winked. He took slow steps to the microphone, shooting finger guns and waving at the crowd. Adagio could feel it. They adored him.

Meanwhile, Buck was screaming internally. He was running at full sprint away from the booth, in his mind. That was...that was the first time he'd kissed her. She'd kissed him before, but not like this. He'd gone in, and...it was real.

Holy shit.

Neither of them was drunk and she'd let him kiss her. She'd wanted to kiss him. His cheeks hurt from smiling so hard. He felt hot and embarrassed, but as he stepped out of the booth and into his kingdom, the heat cooled and he was back to smirking and nodding at the good folks in Donut Joe's.

"You the man, dude!"

"Letrostski." Buck said with a dip of the head. He was a good guy, that Jeff.

"Knock 'em dead, Buck!" Buck gave a thumbs up. Brown Betty, was that her name? Related to AJ, he thought.

"HAVE MY BABIES, BUCK!"

"Heeeyberrypunchniceseeyoumaybegoeasyonthescotchhuh?" Buck mumbled. He stepped up to the mic.

He opened his mouth to speak, but the crowd was still going. He hoped desperately that Adagio couldn't see his knees shake as he took a deep breath.

"Alright SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Buck shouted into the mic, smiling. Chuckles rolled through the crowd as they quieted down. "Hey, y'all know what I'm about, guys, but tonight I'm not doin' my usual sexy clown shoes routine!" Buck said. There were scattered "Awwws..." around the bar. He smirked and pointed. "Sorry y'all, but it looks like all the sex appeal in the city's been reserved for that one over there!"

He saw Adagio startle and give a diplomatic wave as she was showered with cheers and whistles. "Amazing, right? So no sexy from me tonight, sorry! Instead, I'mma need y'all to help me out on this one. By shuttin' up! Because this song isn't for you guys! It's for Her. It's a sappy-ass oldie called 'And So It Goes'. Hit it, Joe!"

https://soundcloud.com/user-172575235/and-so-it-goes-buck-edition-acapella

From Buck's exuberance and the crowd's reaction, Adagio had expected Buck to tumble into something spirited and jocular, maybe a Bruno Mars or Journey, or some other song that amateurs liked to sing in bars. Instead, Buck began humming softly to a gentle piano staff. The bar fell away again, and Buck lifted the chair sitting behind the microphone, unhooked the mic, and sat.

"In every heart, there is a room.

A sanctuary safe and strong.

To heal the wounds of lovers past

until a new one comes along."

His voice was in a register lower than the original track. He sang in a deep, honeyed baritone. His half-lidded eyes reached to Adagio across a dark sea.

"I spoke to you in cautious tones...

you answered me with no pretense.

And still I feel I said too much

my silence is my self defense."

Buck took a deep breath. Wait. Was he singing about the conversation on the bench? Was he singing about her or himself? Adagio pondered this as Buck's voice rose miraculously into a raw tenor falsetto.

"And everyyyyyy tiiiiime I held a roooooose...

it seems I always felt the thorns..."

His voice was so close to cracking, she could tell, but he rode the brief crescendo elegantly as the crowd whooped.

"And so it goes, and so it goes, and you're the only one who knooooows~" A pause. The sweat on his brow shined in the little spotlight. His voice. When she heard him sing, she could see him.

"But if my silence made you leave

then that would be my worst mistake."

He was this treasure box, all wrapped and tied up, sitting at the bottom of a trench.

"And so I'll share this room with you,

and you can have this heart to break."

Some damn fool had carelessly dropped him overboard. Buck's head turned away, and he shut his eyes.

"And this is why my eyes are closed

it's just as well for all I've seen.

And so it goes and so it goes

and you're the only one who knooooows..."

And Adagio had found him, and he was going to be Hers. Buck had risen from the chair. He walked across the sea, straight to her. She tasted the air around him. He was so vulnerable, now.

Love, acceptance, love, patience, love, fear, love, hope. They drifted into her on his voice.

"So I would choose to be with you.

That's if the choice were mine to make."

He chuckled, just a little at the end, there. She wanted him so bad.

"But you can make decisions too,

and you can have this heart to break."

He was leaning over her now. When had he gotten so close? He seemed a giant to her, then. A towering lighthouse over a stormy sea. She didn't want to taste it, but she was surrounded by it. Love. She felt invincible and small in his shadow. He turned, the melody drifting away as he walked slowly back to the microphone stand. She was glad for that. She felt like she was going to melt under his gaze.

"And so it goes and so it goes...

and you're the only one who knows."

The refrain was was sweet and delicate. Like his kisses. And then, silence. But not for long.

The crowd blew it's top. The cheering honestly hurt Buck's ears, it was so fucking loud. The crowd closed on him as he made his way back to the booth.

"Lover boy! Lover boy! Ooooohhh!!!" *THUMP* Buck stepped over Berry Punch, giving high fives and fist bumps.

"Jesus dude just fucking marry her already!"

"Buck you gotta show me how you did that high shit, man!"

Buck was nodding and smiling, pushing his way through until the sea parted and he saw Adagio looking at him the way a cow looks at an oncoming train. Her whole damn face was red. Okay, so he did a good job. Phew.

At the back of the bar, Starlight Glimmer was seething. "You saw that! You saw that, right!? She cast a spell!"
If she'd been shouting, it would have been a shriek. Instead it came out as a hissing whisper. She was staring at Sunburst, who eyes were wide. He was looking at Buck and Adagio.

"I don't know, Starlight, it just sounded like a really sexually charged song."

"You had a boner through the whole thing!"

"You would too, if you saw that and also had a dick, Starlight." Sunburst said. "Are you blushing?" He smirked. Starlight pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Yeah, well every other guy in here also had a boner. At the same time! I'm telling you, that was enchantment! Didn't you see the red eyes?"

"No, mostly just her hips." Sunburst said. He zipped his yap when he saw the murder in his girlfriend's eyes.

"Well, well, you tell me, is Buck acting funny? He's nothing like the way you describe him! Isn't he supposed to be, like anxious and nerdy? He was up there killing it!" Starlight huffed.

"He's in his element. He likes to perform, Starlight. He's got other hobbies besides jerking off and writing articles, you know. He's like an entire human being." Sunburst said. His dry wit seemed to light a bulb over Starlight's head.

"Well look at his goofy face! You told me he's often depressed, right? Have you ever seen him this happy?" Starlight flapped an impatient hand at them. Sunburst squinted, then smiled.

"No. No I haven't."

"So you agree! She's got him under her spell!" Starlight said. Buck and Adagio were chatting while the bar crowd fawned over them.

"...No, Starlight, I don't think so."

"Huh?"

"I think he's just in love."

Starlight frowned deep, then reached into her pocket. She'd had a charm in there, just in case their was funny business.
It was a charm of protection, a little crescent moon made of quartz that she'd put an enchantment on. It was broken.

Someone, somewhere in the crowd had shouted "Duet!" and then everyone around Adagio was chanting it. She saw Buck look around and then shrug his shoulders, helplessly,

"You uh...d'ya know Redbone?" He said, scratching the back of his head. Adagio smiled. She didn't want to say anything, because her voice would be squeaky and mousey, she just knew it. She felt feverish, suddenly. She nodded to Buck. He took took her hand and grinned, pulling her up to her feet.

"Sweet." He said, turning around. "Hey Joe! Hit me with the usual!" He shouted.

The crowd cheered as the first twanging notes of "Come and Get Your Love" started blasting out of the speakers. Buck pulled Adagio out onto the dance floor, reached back and grabbed the microphone. He began, and then held the microphone between them. Adagio grabbed his hand over the mic and sang the next stanza right back.

They twirled around each other; one dancing while the other sang. It was silly and Buck's voice cracked once or twice, and Adagio almost stepped on his feet but it was funny and loud and Adagio giggled and spun into Buck's arms and they shoulder-rolled together and caterwauled and as they were catcalling the chorus back and forth at each other, Adagio realized that this was going to be a far more difficult project than she had anticipated. He had swept her up in his rhythm, literally swept her off her feet! He could spar and he could sing and he was genuine and she hadn't had so much fun in so so long. She didn't just want him. She needed this.

Across the diner, Starlight stormed out the door with Sunburst on her heels, dragging him by the wrist, while Buck and Adagio tore up the dance floor, gyrating and laughing and tossing the melody back and forth playfully. The crowd had gotten in on it, singing and screaming the line "COME AND GET YOUR LOVE" while Adagio and Buck scatted out the end of the song. Their shoulders were bouncing and their hips were touching and then she was grinding on him and then she reached up and...

She didn't know when she started kissing him. She hadn't asked, like he had. Her kiss was ravenous and thirsty and demanding, not needy and sweet and honest like his. She groaned into his mouth and pressed up against him. Her tongue invaded his mouth in a matter of seconds, licking the back of his teeth. She felt his hand on her stomach squeeze as the crowd went nuclear around them.

"HOOOO BOY Lookit that bacon sizzle! Let's hear it for the power couple, huh!?" Donut Joe said over the speakers.

The crowd just kept going crazy. Buck and Adagio separated slowly, her hand trailing down his cheek as she pulled away. Buck could almost swear that she had hearts in her eyes. She was glowing in the light of the diner.

"Well, go on." Adagio said.

"Huh?" Buck tilted his head. The crowd was parting, letting them pass as they walked toward the back door.

"You look like you're dying to ask me something." Adagio said. She looked like she was walking in a dream, Buck thought. He hadn't seen her like this before. She was lightly running her fingers up and down his arm.

The sounds of the bar were cut off by a door slamming. It was cool out here.

"Well, uh...first I want to say that you were great up there. I mean, I expected you to be very good, but you sang into my soul up there and-"

"Buck. Relax. I'm already impressed. You have talent, and more importantly, skill. What do you want to ask me?" Buck leaned down, whispering in her ear.

"Would you mind telling me about it?" He said. Adagio deftly turned and lightly backed Buck up against the brick wall. Buck was certain it looked like they were making out. Adagio ran her hands along his chest.

"About what, Buck?" She said, softly. She sounded lost in thought.

"Your life, Adagio. Your story. You're the most interesting person I've ever met and I just..."

"You want to know me, Buck~?" She said softly in his ear. She stood up on her tiptoes and nipped at his ear lobe, giggling when he gasped.

"Y-Y-Yeah. I want to know how you got here, and everything that came before and after that."

"That is...a long story." Adagio said. She kissed the side of his neck slowly, putting pressure on it so her lipstick would leave as much a mark as possible. At least, that's what it felt like. Was she trying to mark him? Was that a Siren thing to do?

"Well, you don't have to tell it all at once."

"Are you asking to come back to my suite?"

"...Yeah."

"Of course you're welcome to come home with me, Buck~. Anytime you like." Her hands slid around his waist and started gently feeling up his back. Buck was getting hot, and hard.

"So you can t-tell me your story. And, maybe we could cuddle some?" Buck said. Adagio pressed her nose against his chest and took a long sniff. Her knee was rising slowly between his legs.

"Yessss, Buck. Whatever you want...oh, but." Adagio said, taking a step back. She put a finger to her chin in mock concentration. She couldn't hide her smile. "...it Is a private matter. What will I get if I tell you?" She said, tracing a circle.

"Well, you'll get my gratitude." Buck said. Adagio frowned. Fuck, he couldn't fight that frown, it was fucking adorable!

"And, and I'll make you breakfast again, how about that?" He felt his pants tightening, the button straining like it was about to pop off like a fucking rifle round.

Why was he so nervous? What the hell was going on, he thought he was being mister smooth tonight and now, well shit. He'd said he'd wanted to take things slower before, but that line of reasoning was getting so flimsy that soon the button that shot off his pants would shatter it as it left the fucking atmosphere.

Adagio was grinning now. She was hugging him, looking up at him with a viciously smug smile.

"And...?"

"What, uhhhh...what else do you want?" Buck said.

Adagio's eyebrow raised. Her smile turned toothy. She had him.

Within the next thirty minutes, she was belly down on her bed, groaning and begging and whimpering
to Buck, who was looming over her back.

Author's Note

Song Review: I mean, the lyrics are in the text. This is Buck opening the door for Adagio, showing her the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his emotional side. It's a deeply vulnerable gesture, presented boldly in response to Adagio's threatening, predatory song. Buck sees that he's courting a beast, and he bares his chest anyway.