Work Text:
Charles has never been to Richard's apartment in Opal, so when he was invited to dinner there specifically, he jumped at the opportunity.
He knew Richard considered Opal home far more than anywhere else. He talked so highly of it, and you could even see a little spark in his eyes while he spoke about the city or Ted Knight.
The apartment was exactly what one would expect from Richard Swift: Victorian decor and antique furnishings. Looking at all of it made Charles realize how much of it was stolen and how much was bought, which made him want to go through the old JSA files.
But it was also homey. Lived in.
Dinner was taking longer than expected, with muffled curses coming from the kitchen. This left Charles time to wander around the drawing room.
The large custom-built bookcase caught his eye immediately, both because it practically blended into the room and because of the number of books on it.
Charles stepped closer and lightly traced his fingers over the spines. The collection was vast, with an assortment of texts on history, art, philosophy, and literature. There were books by authors both old and new, famous and forgotten—lots and lots of literature. His hand stilled on a French copy of "Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure." He gently took it from the shelf with a twitch of a smile. He knew this book.
When Charles opened the cover, it read 1887. That struck him as odd, as Fanny Hill was first published in the mid-1700s, if he remembered correctly. Why didn't Richard have an earlier copy?
Charles flipped through the pages until he-
Oh.
He paused on the page, blushing despite himself. It was, uh, a very detailed illustration of a woman, who he presumed was Fanny, having sex with a gentleman, with a group of people watching. It certainly doesn't hold back.
That answered his question.
Charles continued to look through the book and found more illustrations.
It shouldn't surprise Charles that Richard had erotica. The man was a hedonist through and through. And this book... It is undoubtedly hedonistic. Maybe it surprised him because it was out in the open, where anyone could see it. Yes, that must be it.
1878.
Charles knew Fanny Hill had been banned from publication until the 1960s, and if you wanted to read it, you'd have to find it illegally. This meant Richard actively sought this version out, which is kind of funny to think about. Charles knew about Fanny Hill while doing research a while back—long ago enough that he couldn't even remember what he had been researching.
Charles glanced towards the kitchen and smirked. Richard always likes to believe that Charles is this innocent man who doesn't have a wicked bone in his body. And whenever Charles proves otherwise, it shocks Richard all over again. It's an entertaining cycle. His dear anti-hero is always playing with him, so maybe he could push back with his own game just this once.
Charles pushed the smirk down, replacing it with a confused look. He turned back to the beginning of the book and started to read.
This went on until Richard emerged from the dining room with a smile. "Dinner is ready and served, my dear doctor." Charles looked up and smiled, placing the book under his arm as he followed Richard to the dining room.
_
Dinner went off without a hitch, and conversation flowed smoothly between the two. Though that was never in doubt.
Charles had kept the book in his lap the entire meal, waiting for the right moment to mess with Richard. When the meal was nearing its end, he saw his opportunity. Richard had leaned back in his chair, a small, satiated smile on his lips as he sipped his wine.
Charles innocently placed the book on the table so Richard could see the spine. Richard's eyes flicked down at the title, and his next sip of wine suddenly swallowed with a pronounced choke. "I-" He coughed more, trying to regain his composure. Charles confusingly tilted his head for good measure. "I-I see you f-found something to read to keep yourself busy while I cooked?" Richard finally managed with a strangled voice between coughs.
Charles hummed while chewing, quickly swallowing his food before pulling the book closer and opening the front page. Richard's eyes somehow got bigger than they were before. For a man who has mastered the art of lying, Richard's poker face wasn't great right now. "This? Oh, it was just the first thing I saw on your shelf, and I decided to pull it out. Though I hate to admit it, but my French is rusty, so I haven't gotten very far yet." Richard visibly relaxed in his chair but still glared at the book.
Gotcha.
"Well, since you're having trouble with your French, let me get you something you'll enjoy better." Richard abruptly stood up from his seat and tried to grab the book from Charles' hold casually.
Charles, however, easily kept the book out of reach and tilted his head in confusion.
"Are you sure? I think I'd rather stick with this," Charles said innocently, trying to stop himself from smiling.
"I don't believe it's the type of book you'd enjoy, Charles."
"Tell me about the book then. And I'll decide if I want to keep reading it."
Richard hesitated momentarily, glancing between Charles and the book before sitting back in his chair. "...Very well." Richard took another sip of wine, taking his sweet time. Charles couldn't help but feel a twinge of victory for making Richard squirm.
"You know, in the States, Fanny means the buttock. Does Fanny mean anything in the UK?" Charles was just being cruel at this point. But in his defense, Richard was an intelligent man, and if Charles had been anyone else, Richard would've caught on by now.
Richard pursed his lips, "As fascinating British etymology is, no, Fanny doesn't mean anything like that there."
Liar.
Charles tilted his head, putting on his most innocent face. "Really? I thought it meant vagina."
Richard choked on another sip of wine.
This is just getting ridiculous. That did not deserve that type of reaction. Charles was a licensed medical doctor and had two biological children. Time to ramp things up.
Charles pulled the book closer, much to Richard's dismay. "I mean, just look at these illustrations." He flipped to the first illustration and turned the book around to show Richard. The man's eyes widened, his jaw clenched, and a deep flush spread across his cheeks. He looked like a kid who got caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
Charles moved from his chair to Richard's lap, turning to the ninth illustration in the book. It was a drawing of Fanny getting fucked on a table by a sailor. "This one's my favorite." He whispered in Richard's ear, a smirk finally gracing his lips. He let his free hand play with the hairs on the nape of Richard's neck. Richard's heartbeat seemed to accelerate as he let out a sharply indrawn breath. Charles leaned closer, whispering, "How in the world did you get a French-illustrated version of Fanny Hill in 1887?"
Richard stared at Charles, the pieces finally clicking together. "Oh, you bastard." Richard laughed, snatching the book from Charles and tossing it to the ground. "You're a tease, McNider." Richard's tone was low and playful, his fingers tracing idle patterns on Charles' lower back.
Charles leaned back into the touch, a satisfied sigh leaving his lips. "You're one to talk, Swift." He playfully rubbed at Richard's neck with his thumb, the man's eyes glinting with amusement.
"Thank you for noticing," Richard cooed, his other hand gracefully taking hold of Charles' chin. "Did you enjoy dinner?" Richard whispered as his thumb gently caressed Charles' jawline.
"Yes, very much."
"Good."
Richard leaned in to meet Charles, who melted into the kiss. Richard's lips were soft, warm, and demanding. His tongue swept across Charles' bottom lip, and he opened his mouth to allow him access. Charles moaned, his hands traveling up Richard's chest to wrap around his neck.
Richard's hand moved to wrap around Charles' waist, pulling him in closer as they continued to deepen the kiss. Charles could feel Richard's hardness through their pants, pressing against him. Richard's other hand traveled down Charles' back and rested on his ass, squeezing it gently.
Charles broke the kiss and rested his forehead on Richard's, panting heavily. "Bedroom?" He asked breathlessly.
Richard simply nodded and stood up from his seat, grabbing Charles' hand and leading him to the bedroom. Clothes were quickly discarded, littering the hallway floor.
Richard pushed Charles onto the bed, his lips immediately finding Charles' neck. Charles' head tilted back, giving Richard more room, and he groaned as Richard continued to kiss, lick, and bite his neck.
Richard's hands started to wander over Charles' chest, tweaking his nipples before massaging them between his thumb and forefinger. Charles cried out, his hands reaching up to grab a hold of Richard's shoulders.
Richard's lips finally left Charles' neck as he descended Charles' chest. He teasingly bit down on Charles' nipples before sucking on them and soothing the pain with his tongue. Charles moaned, turning his head to the side as he bucked his hips.
"You want to recreate your favorite illustration, doctor?" Charles laughed but nodded regardless. Richard smiled, moving away to grab the lube and a condom from his nightstand. He grabbed Charles' legs and pulled them to the edge of the bed, spreading them. Richard quickly lubed his fingers and gently pressed one against Charles' entrance, teasingly massaging the rim before slowly pushing it in. Charles groaned, his head tilting back as Richard slid his finger in and out, then soon adding a second, then three.
Satisfied that Charles was ready, Richard slid his fingers out and rolled the condom on. He took Charles' legs and rested them on his shoulders before slowly pushing inside him. They both sighed in relief as Richard bottomed out. Richard didn't move until Charles fully adjusted. Only then did he slowly start to move. His hips rocked back and forth, gradually increasing his pace. Charles' eyes were shut, his bottom lip trapped between his teeth, and he let out soft gasps with each thrust. Richard just always knew exactly where to thrust to hit Charles' prostate.
Charles' legs started to tremble on Richard's shoulders, and he whimpered, digging his nails into the sheets. Richard could feel Charles clenching around him, and he groaned, quickening his pace until Charles was panting and writhing underneath him. He reached down and grasped Charles' cock, stroking it in time with his thrusts.
"Fuck." Charles moaned, his back arched as his orgasm tore through him. He tightened around Richard, causing the man to thrust a few more times before stilling. Richard let out a soft moan as he came, his hands clutching Charles' legs.
He stayed there for a moment, just breathing hard before pulling out. Charles watched as Richard got up and disposed of the condom. Richard crawled back into bed and pulled Charles into a tight embrace.
"Fanny."
"Sailor."
They laughed.