formmusebox | for Essek (lacrymaperle)

for Essek (lacrymaperle) - vampire/werewolf au

[There had been a simpler time, several years before when Bren hadn't yet known Trent Ikithon, a time when he was thoroughly and blissfully unaware of the things that existed in the dark, when the ideas of werewolves and vampires and other creatures that ought to have been nothing more than fairy tale fodder. Instead, his paths had crossed with Trent and everything had changed. He'd been thrown into a small walled courtyard one night, under the light of a full moon, and he had not been alone. That was the first time he had met a werewolf. Bren remembered the bite, still had the scar of it on one forearm, remembered the confusion and the terror -- both of which were nothing compared to the full moon that followed the month after, the first time he'd transformed. He remembered the pain of his entire body breaking and reshaping itself, the fear of losing himself entirely. He'd blacked out that night, woken up naked and aching as if he'd been run over by a bus.

It had been the same very moon since, except that piece by piece, bit by bit, he held onto some small shred of himself during the transformation. Trent Ikithon had explained that all this was for Bren's own good, that he was safer here than anywhere else. that there were vampires who would tear him apart on sight, one in particular, a singular monster who Trent seemed to have a personal loathing for. Bren tried to probe why any vampire, never mind a particular one, would have any interest in him. No explanation was ever given except that 'the Shadowhand will never have you. Not in this life or the next. I will see to that.'

Bren had no idea what that meant. Before all this, the only strange thing in his life were recurring dreams -- and oh they were beautiful things. Arms that were secure and safe around him, tender and gentle but not warm. The soft lilt of a voice that assured him everything would be well, that wherever he went he would be found again. Trent had hated the dreams and had done his best to cast them out of Bren's conscious awareness. Now they were barely shadows, things he could remember the feeling of more than the details. It hurt even trying to recall them, so he didn't.

This past moon Bren had made his escape after he transformed, finally aware enough of himself that he had his chance. He was free. That was the only thought in his mind right now and it repeated in echoed mantra over and over again as he tried to keep himself from spiraling into a breakdown. It had been years since he'd been out, actually out in the world, not kept with Trent Ikithon's control, trapped within the grounds of that monster's manor. He was, after all, Trent's pet project, for whatever reasons the old bastard had. It didn't matter. Back in that direction lay only pain and isolation. He wouldn't go back.

Of course, he didn't really have a plan to go forward either, really. Even before he'd been captured and turned, he hadn't had any family left, few friends, and he'd been out of the world for years now. He managed to ~~steal~~ find some clothes, ill-fitting, a coat that was too big on his underfed frame, a scarf wrapped about his neck. He was a mess, long copper hair in tangles past his shoulders, his beard untrimmed, a frantic fear in wide blue eyes as he tried to find somewhere to hide, somewhere to get his bearings. He couldn't let Trent find him again. This was freedom, and he would not give it up.

A soft meow caught his attention, and he looked up in surprise as a small orange tabby approached him. For the first time in a long while, Bren smiled.] Hello there... [The little creature sniffed his outstretched hand and headbutted his fingers. It was the first kind touch that he'd known in so long, he almost teared up over it.] Well, at least I am not alone anymore. That's comforting.

[Now if he could just figure out what the hell he was going to do, where he was going to go.]

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[ Essek would never lie to Caleb or even an adjacent soul. If the question came up as to additional details, he'd provide them but for right now he did not want the man to suffer any needless terror, or even think that he was grooming him to be a Feeder. Certainly not the impression he was hoping to make, so he spoke a truth to Bren, there were truth in it and he knew he could sleep at night with what had been revealed.

A hum of acknowledgement from Essek, no words spoken as he very gently ran the blade against skin, the words were such that he could listen to them, though he suddenly grew aware of the way that the heart seemed to jump a little bit. He'd been almost about ready to shift into a mode where he could gently correct Bren and to reassure him but it was like watching a horse become spooked.

And Bren's skin slipped uneven against his knife, a slender line that his thumb smeared inadvertantly- it'd happened too fast and while his reaction times were quick, his instincts suddenly roared in such an undeniable way. He pulled back as if stung by the presence of blood, the bouquet of it that assaulted him unfairly, that ambrosia elixir that he remembered the taste of.

It scented the same, of course it would taste the same-- like a warm cup of mulled spiced wine, of oranges and cloves and everything designed to warm him. All he had to do was..

No.....!

He set the straight-edged blade down on the counter, picked up a towel and then shoved it lightly against Bren's chest as he wiggled his way off the counter, attempting to make a quick retreat. His reaction almost made one believe that he did not like the sight of blood-- that was a good thing perhaps to have Bren believe. ]

We're finished. There is only a small spot left, which you can easily take care of-- there is also a first aid kit in the counter on the left-hand drawer. When you come out, I will show you where you can find fresh clean clothes, they are outdated a bit-- but they will do until I can take your measurements.

[ And then Essek fled out of the bathroom, but as he crossed the threshold, his thumb found it's way to his mouth and he sucked at the very tip where the blood smeared, and as the taste filled his mouth-- he felt a wave of dizzy engulf him. It was exactly the same, the taste and he found that he'd never known such a wave of debilitating longing as he did now. ]

[Bren barely noticed the nick -- the blade sharp enough that the cut was near painless -- though he certainly did notice how Essek reacted, caught sight of the bright red smeared across the Drow's thumb. He winced more at how upset he seemed to have made his host than any discomfort on his part.

But if his rescuer was squeamish about blood, well, Bren would take note of that. Not that bleeding was ever his intention, but the last thing he would want was to make Lord Thelyss uncomfortable.]

Ah, sorry... that was my mistake.

[Bren was quick to apologize, taking the towel as it was pressed to his chest. Right, yes. He nodded quickly. He could handle the rest, and as he watched the other man flee -- a surge of guilt in him and a longing for the abruptly ended closeness, the strangely intimate moment.

Once he was alone in the bathroom, he sighed quietly and reached for the first aid kit, finding something to staunch the bleeding. He took the razor to catch the last bit of scruff and moved to rinse his face, finally looking at himself in the mirror, barely recognizing the face that looked back as long as it had been since he'd seen it. He ran a hand through still-damp hair and made his way out of the bathroom and back to the bedroom.]

Are you all right, Lord Thelyss?

There is nothing to worry about; I just did not want to worsen the condition or cause an unsightly scar.

[ the euphoria of Bren's blood had passed, the taste fading into memory. But for a moment he'd tasted the shadowed hint of it and he had been brought back to a very beautiful time for him. He felt heavy with it, but also grateful even as he knew that he must've appeared brusque with the speed and force with which he'd run out of there.

He strode over to the bed where the garments were laid out. ]

Here is a pair of sleep trousers, as well as a clean tunic, they may hang on you a bit but-- you and my late husband were roughly of the same size give or take some weight.

[ Even though Caleb had always been slender; it was in the cheeks with Bren. A look of gauntness that denoted that Bren would likely be just as malnurished underneath the aegis of robe with each rib standing out like a sore thumb. Oh, Essek knew that his servants would feed him well, and Essek would bade them to give him all that he longed to eat, would rather insist upon it. ]

Tomorrow evening there are no pressing events for me to attend so I shall take you to see the library and then after my studio where I will collect your measurements and perhaps see if there's anything I can tailor to suit your frame.

[ Essek realized that he was talking too much now, perhaps because when he looked at Bren, he saw Caleb standing there, a weaker gaunt Caleb that would've been if he had survived the attack on him. ]

Is there anything else you desire before I leave you to your rest?

[Bren felt a growing sensation somewhere between guilt and an odd rightness at just how much this man's late husband seemed to be part of this. His clothes, his books, his room, his library. And here was Bren in the midst of it all.]

They will be perfect, thank you.

[He picked up the pants, smiling to himself at how soft the fabric felt between his fingers. Without much in the way of shame he tugged the pants on with the robe still fastened, distracted enough that he spoke without thought of what he was saying.]

Mm, I haven't been fed much recently. Disobeying means no food. [And for all that Trent had broken quite a bit of Bren, there was still enough spirit in him to resist and refuse him when some surge of bravery struck him. Pants on, he slipped free of the robe -- despite the fact that Essek was still in the room -- and reached for the shirt.

Essek had been right; Bren's ribs were certainly visible, far too easy to count, but with a little time and actual meals, that could be fixed. Bren was already feeling better after the food that had been given to him earlier. And the warmth and the gentle touches. He pulled the tunic over his head before turning to face Essek fully once more.]

A request, yes. Sorting and organizing a library is all well and good, but if you think of some way that I can actually repay your kindness, please, I'm at your service.

[ for a moment, Essek was distracted by the way that Bren was undressing, the man who was so uncomplicated and who looked so much like Caleb. It was hard not to cross the distance and take that shirt in his fingers, pull him close and attach his lips to Bren's. The thing that kept him back was the shock value, the lack of understanding- and with the added potential misunderstanding that would be the way to pay him back.

Essek did not want just sex. It had never been about that.

He managed to catch his breath and also offer a smile that was wry and a bit shy. ]

Perhaps you should see the library first before you ask? Once you see it and still find you want to repay me, then I will think of some creative way. Perhaps serving me drinks by the pool while I moonbath?

[ that was a mental image for Bren to chew on ]

[Bren would have certainly seen it as Essek giving him a way to pay his dashing rescuer back, and he certainly would have been willing to do just that. If he was being honest with himself, which he wasn't entirely just yet, he would have let Lord Thelyss kiss him for just about any reason. In his defense, the Drow aristocrat was the almost otherworldly ethereal sort of beauty that songs were written about. And further in his defense, something deep at the center of him felt like it was caught inexorably in the orbit of this man, like he couldn't escape the pull to him even if he wanted to try. And he didn't.

He ducked his head with a laugh.]

You do realize you're only making this library sounds more intriguing.

[How big was this library? Bren very much needed to know. And he perked up at that next piece of detail too.]

You have a pool? [And now he was picturing Lord Thelyss in significantly fewer clothes basking beneath the moon and well. He would need to rein that in here and now.]

I am making the library sound large, which it is--

[ And Bren? Despite the gaunt appearance, there was enough of his past lover in Bren that pulled Essek like a shadow caught within the tug of firelight. It was because he could see the cheeks filling out, the jawline to look not so cutting and with ribs not looking so painfully exposed. He would make sure that the staff knew to offer food to this man whenever at all possible, because he wanted to see this man thrive.

And he had caught the words earlier, about 'disobeying'. He would find out who this person was who had done this to Bren, and he would make him pay in the most slow and painful way imaginable. While he had heard it, he had tried to focus on something else because if he hadn't, the questionings would've happened. No, best to find out such things organically and with at least the modicum of a clear head on his shoulders ]

Of course I have a pool which you are free to use. And I am only halfway joking about serving me drinks by the pool, if you suddenly find yourself with time on your hands after the library organization but..

[ And that was when Essek angled a smile right in Bren's direction, and the firelight seemed to catch and hold within those dark violet's depths, illuminating warm golden glimmers like there was a fire within; a dichotomy to the coldness that was the Drow ]

For now, you are free to go anywhere you wish; my own quarters are off limits but the rest of the house is at your disposal and if you have any questions, you will always find one of my staff about and around.

As I said, intriguing.

[Bit by bit there was a spark coming back into Bren, as if being near to Essek was reminding something in him how to light, how to burn. He was feeling more alive already, and he knew that he would miss this place when he had to leave. There was still the better part of a month before the full moon cam and called for him again. He would have to safely aware from here before then, before Essek could discover what a dangerous monster he'd invited into his home.

He couldn't help a smile at the mention of the pool boy duties once more.] That does not sound unappealing at all. [So, well, count him in, Essek.]

Thank you again. I will try to stay out of the way, but I'm eager to see the rest of the house. [He would try to find Jester tomorrow. She seemed willing to play tour guide.]

I should let you get to your rest. I've already taken up so much of your time tonight.

[ Essek gave an incline of his head in acknowledgement, a lock of hair curling against his cheek riotously and dangerously, and a smile that spoke of knowing such equally dangerous secrets. He very quickly then showed Bren the armoire with different garments hung inside, just as old as Essek had promised they would be. While Essek was showing Bren some deeper details of the room, Frumpkin went to make his home on the coverlet and waited patiently for Essek to be done so that he could cuddle with his long-lost master.

Which Essek would never fault the familiar. After all, Frumpkin never slept in his room-- it was the arrangement that they had made fastidiously. ]

I will find you a little after I wake up and then we will go directly to the library; feel free to ask anything of the staff. They have been cautioned not to wake you up, but ring the bell once you arise and they will bring you up breakfast.

[ His fingers itched to touch that cheek but he did not. Oh how he resisted it.

Instead he looked up into Bren's eyes with a softness there ]

May your dreams be of safety and warmth.

[Gods he was beautiful, and Bren had to wrestle with the urge to touch him, stronger than he could really understand. But he managed to hold back, a testament to his willpower. He'd congratulate himself for that later.

For now, he felt himself smiling once again at his mysterious and beneficent rescuer, at the fact that Lord Thelyss did indeed intend to be the one to show him the library, that he'd have at least that much excuse to see him again the next night.]

Thank you again, for everything.

[It was so much more than he deserved, so much more kindness than he had been offered before.]

Goodnight, Lord Thelyss. Sleep well.

[Once Essek had left and Bren found himself alone in the room, he looked around once more. It was still overwhelming, to be somewhere so relatively lavish, somewhere warm and safe. He took a breath and wandered over to the bed, not hesitating to scoop Frumpkin up into his arms.]

I think I have you to thank for leading him to me, ja? You are a very good cat, Frumpkin. An excellent cat.

[Bren settled himself into bed, bringing the cat with him, more pleased than he can admit when Frumpkin only cuddled himself in closer like this was what the cat had been waiting for.

Sleep came for Bren quickly, exhaustion immediately pouncing on him the moment he was no longer on his feet. And the dream came shortly thereafter.]

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