formmusebox | for Essek (lacrymaperle)

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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.]

for Essek (lacrymaperle) - vampire/werewolf au

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