for Essek (lacrymaperle) - vampire/werewolf au

[ausgebrannt]

[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.]

Comments

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren looked from the rising lights to the cat trying to capture them, smiling fondly. Ridiculous creature; he was already very invested in this strange fey cat. His eyes turned to Essek as the other man spoke; he was also already very invested in this strange, mysterious Drow.

He sent three of the lights up to hover in the room and sent one skittering across the floor for Frumpkin to chase.]

So you were a power couple from the start.

[Bren teased gently, but there was some truth to the words, wasn't there? This man in front of him was powerful, enough that Bren truly believed that Essek could stand against Trent Ikithon, if Trent were to track him to this place -- a thought that still filled him with cold and leaden fear when he considered it.

His eyes lifted to the lights once more.] It just came to mind...

[But that was strange too, and he let that thought be shuffled to the side as he walked in, moving closer to Essek.]

Is that why this is Widogast Manor?

[zauberdecke]

A power couple?

[ Essek inclined his head as he considered Bren, the way that he came in closer. Off in the distance, he could see that Frumpkin was taking delight in chasing the dancing lights, and fondness because that was rooted in something deeper as well-- of Caleb doing the same thing, three lights to read and then one to skitter about the room while Frumpkin chased it maniacally. ]

You could say that we were, and actually-- I named it Widogast Manor.

[ Essek drew closer with the measuring tape in hand and then motioned for Bren to stand on a dais rising up toward the middle of the room. ] I will measure you now, I have another set of measurements in my mind from before, which I am sure you naturally will default to when you get enough food within you, but for now, it will probably improve your confidence to have clothes tailored to you.

[ and then Essek continued as he watched Bren with fondness in his eyes ]

I was disowned from my Den when I married Caleb Widogast, because I did not seek permission to do so, and thus when we married, I told him that I was Den Widogast now, and that the house must be named after him.

[ He was now in a different type of Den, more of a Coven, and now the leader of it. But deep in his heart he was still Den Widogast ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren stepped up on the dais as indicated. This was a first for him, and he couldn't help a surge of self consciousness. He really had arrived in a state of complete disarray and filth, and that at least had been addressed. But Essek Thelyss lived in a world that Bren had never come close to, even before Trent had found him, and certainly even farther away since then.

But Essek had not treated him as anything but welcome here. Knowing now that he was the incarnation of his late lover's soul, well that certainly was a reason. But Essek still treated him as the person that he was now, not who he had been in another life time. Bren desperately wanted to ease some of that pain that ran so deep in those eyes, to soothe away that grief that he wore like a mantle.

The explanation of the house's title had him smiling.]

You carved out a Den of your own. I see.

[And even now, this place was filled with good, kind people. Bren had met several of them already.

He couldn't stop himself from reaching out then, fingers touching along Essek's cheek.]

Thank you again, for allowing me to stay here. It's been a long time since I've felt truly safe.

[zauberdecke]

[ The very soft touch against his cheek and Essek felt a quiver within him like a glow, he looked up at Bren from where he stood, and for a moment those normally hooded eyes communicated such a raw desperate longing, a kindness that he had not received in a while. A sweet touch from someone who had been starved for it-- and the frission of feeling was so very similar to how he'd felt every time Caleb touched him like so.

He felt so very raw from the power that forced it's way through him at the touch. It was magnetic and pulsing, and it made something deep inside him sing.

But he did not flush, his skin would not allow for that, it still maintained it's coolness. He busily set himself to work with the measurements, making sure that the height was the same (it was, to the centimeter). Then their was the measure from shoulder to shoulder, yet another read that was perfectly in line with the information that he had stored in his mind. He remembered the first time he'd taken Caleb's measurements, he remembered Caleb flirting with him, attempting to get him under skin enough that he would have to pull him to the couch in the corner.

It had worked; of course it had worked well enough that they'd become a messy greedy mess twined on that same couch, with Caleb pushing into him while pinning his hands above him. Another deep breath as he attempted to push that memory back, the tape caught around that waist where there was a marked difference. ]

It is my intention to make it so that you are safe within these walls Bren.. it is the least I can do for you, as well as for him. [ Then he casts a wry smile up at Bren while he works to measure things like wrists and elbows to forearms ] Though once again, your offer to organize the library is muchly appreciated.

[ That is when Essek took a knee on the dais and leaned down, the edge of the tape he settled against Bren's ankle and then carefully he started to pull it upward, slowly and methodically measuring the inseam, from ankle to right where leg stopped ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren let his touch linger. How could he not when he saw that look in Essek's eyes. If he were not standing on the small dais, if Essek weren't moving to begin the measuring, he wouldn't have been able to resist sweeping the other man into a hug. His soul ached to hold him, to be held in turn. The ghost of Caleb yearned for it too, so close but so infinitely far. That cold skin, he only wanted to warm it up in whatever way he could.

His hand fell away as Essek began taking the measurements, trying to be cooperative and not get in the way of having it down. But having the Drow's hands on him, even in those small incidental touches in the name of business, it made something in him flutter.]

It's still a very selfish offer. That library is the most amazing thing I have seen in my life. I will enjoy getting to know it.

[And getting to know its owner... who just dropped to his knees in front of him. Bren tried not to die and go to hell right then and there from the inappropriate thoughts that surged through him. This was business, Bren. Do not get aroused.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek had been aware of how close he was though he'd attempted to deny it, or to ignore it. The way that Bren stood there as still as the hour before dawn. He traded a look with the other man before he completed that measurement and mentally marked it down. Except as he was doing so, he felt the sweet pulse of something, something bright and hot. He knew this scent, it was a scent that he was confronted with at the club that he liked to attend; the club was full of it but he attempted to ignore it.

Somehow though, that sweet scent coming from Bren? It was near impossible to ignore. Someone with less instincts than him would've been able to see the way that the blood started to fill out in the shape of a hard line against trousers.

Hunger spiked through him, a mind-numbing sort of hunger that was rooted in so much of what he had remembered. He'd not touched anyone else since Caleb, had never wanted to however he wanted to touch that man now, wanted to cup that arousal and knead it underneath the palm of his hand, slow and deep until this man was a panting mess above him.

What would happen if he unbuttoned fastenings and then pressed a kiss to the skin just between where balls met shaft, and he bit down until he could taste semen and blood dance over his tongue in a taste that was fully this man. He felt nearly sick with hunger as he moved to measure the other side. He did not need to measure the other side, and yet?

He did ]

I could see you in leather pants, you know. I may have to measure your hips..

[ And cross that measuring tape just around hips, around the press of shaft against fabric ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren was being tested. He'd never put much stock in the gods, and this was their retribution for his casual neglect. They were trying him with this beautiful creature and those precise and elegant hands skirting so close to absolutely indecent territory. He might not survive this.

The older part of his soul rolled his eyes. This was nothing. Give him five minutes outside this walled off place and he would have Essek back on that chaise, reminding him exactly how much he had missed him. He was also fully aware that his inseam was quite the same on both sides, and that measurement was gratuitous. They were both hopeless.

Bren glanced down at those words.] Oh... that's, yes. Of course.

[He answered full of innocence, even if his voice was strained already.]

[zauberdecke]

[ If there was no surviving this, well Essek would throw himself to the (literal) wolves here. He felt hot even though he did not know why he did so. Instead he allowed for that measuring tape to wrap around those hips, the way that he lightly stretched it taught, and close enough that he could feel the heart beat and the sweet musky smell of it. His tongue darted out to lick his lower lip, suddenly both thirsty and hungry while faced with the reality of Bren's presence.

His mind already filled in the measurements in his mind.

Idly he wondered if.. they measured the same there as well?

The tape fell from where it had been wrapped around and he realized he was using this as an excuse to measure every part of Bren, to commit it to memory, to soak himself in the feeling of having Bren with him, and then he rose up from his knees, his gaze catching Bren's and then he very slowly slid behind Bren and that same measuring tape was now lightly touching Bren's neck. The barest whisper, the pull and then Essek leaned in to catch the measurements.

And his lips precariously close to the softness of that neck ]

You are being so good for me, Bren--

[ausgebrannt]

[No surviving it at all, no coming out unscathed, but Bren had accepted this fact. He tried not to hold his breath as that tape wrapped around his hips, as he could feel that scant pressure against his prick that was absolutely not getting hard in his trousers (it absolutely was and he cursed himself for it, but that helped nothing at all.)

He would have breathed a sign of relief (or was it longing?) when Essek stood up, but the other man was not yet done it seemed. His eyes fixed on Essek's, caught by those exquisitely jeweled galaxies, watching right until the Drow slipped out of his sight and to behind him.

The touch of that tape measure had his chin lifting reflexively, breath catching yet again. His eyes shut, going still with as close as the other man was. Oh. Those words were not fair at all. Something tightened low in his belly, something hot that ran deeper than it had any right to, straight to the heart of him.]

Am I? [A swallow, a breath.] I want to be... good for you.

[Gods help him he was in far too deep and he wasn't even sure when it had happened.]

[zauberdecke]

[ The arousal had sharpened to a keen point and Essek scented where it flared-- he'd felt the arousal and it had pulled him, alongside the naked and raw longing in those beautiful blue eyes; eyes that he could've gotten lost in, eyes that pulled at his soul. He was hard, of course he was hard-- he was never not within a semi-hard state, but he throbbed within his loose fitting lounge pants-- a testament to his utter lack of control.

He stood their, barely calculating the measurements of that neck because all he could hear was the steady thick way that blood circulated through arteries and veins, the subtly quickening breath and that pale flesh that looked like everything he wanted. Two new freckles stood out on that neck, lingering precariously close to where he had often times bit into flesh, his favorite spot-- Caleb's favorite spot, where his teeth could easily sink in like a knife to butter.

Would Bren be pliant there? Would skin bear memory of what had been before? He inhaled with his nose brushing and his fingertips slipping to grasp at angular hips.

He could not resist the way his mouth parted and then his tongue dragged against flesh while he poised on the precipice, reading Bren's own reaction and ready to draw away if the reaction was less than favorable. But gods how he wanted to eat this gorgeous man, to slip his teeth in and bury his hand in trousers, like how he did with Caleb.

And the moan that came from Lord Thelyss was nearly tortured from the longing]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren stood motionless, frozen, afraid to move too much for fear of shattering the moment, of doing anything that would send Essek moving back or away. His eyes were still closed, but he could feel Essek's presence, that almost touch, the faint thrum of his existence. He forced himself to breathe, biting back a soft sound at the brush of that nose against his neck, the grip of those hands at his hips.

The drag of that tongue had him outright trembling. He wasn't imagining this after all, was reading something into the situation that wasn't there.

A soft sound slipped from his lips, shivery and low, and Bren let his head fall to the side, fully baring his neck to that attention, a clear invitation -- even if he was unaware exactly what he was inviting. Oh but he didn't care, wouldn't care. After hearing that moan, there was nothing he wouldn't give Essek Thelyss to hear more of it, to give the other man exactly what had set that longing note in his voice.]

Please... [Another soft sound, a plea even if he couldn't say exactly what he was pleading for.]

[zauberdecke]

[ That was the truest form of consent that Essek could've been given. It was that slight lolling to the side, the soft baring of neck; the way that fabric of tunic parted. How he'd clocked the way that the barest hint of red sprigs of chest hair was revealed by the opening, something else he'd always been fascinated by. And thus did Essek pull Bren in close to him, fingers keeping that body there as he let out a soft murmur of endearments in a language that only Caleb inside would know.

And then slowly, sinfully-- teeth dug against those two freckles and the flesh gave so deliciously; he barely had to apply pressure to it in the fact that it gave readily, and immediately blood pumped as if answering his tongue, which swabbed near greedily that which was given to him with no hesitation.

His eyes closed in absolute bliss as the taste of him engulfed his ever sense and set a flowing heat and warmth through him. Now, Essek had found out quickly that taking of blood was important but it was necessary, the vessal usually some amount of pleasure-- but for Essek it was perfunctory. However taking blood from his mate had been a ceremony, a ritual-- something that transcended the act of feeding; a reverent act of love and trust. And gods was Essek drawn into that even as his hand on Bren's hip slowly slid underneath tunic to touch against skin, cool fingers that would soon warm with the potency of his lover's blood.

With a truemate, blood went much further, much longer-- would bring a glow to him and a flush to his cheeks; even small portion. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren's eyes widen in that moment when those teeth pierced his neck, the sudden overlap of reality and dream come to a realization. Vampire. The instincts that should have ruled him as a werewolf should have recognized this as an enemy. All the things that Trent had spent years drilling into his head about terror and pain and violence race through his mind before being washed away by that wash of safety and protection.

All of that was wrong. Essek had taken him in, kept him warm and clean and fed and been nothing but kind to him. Then the bliss crashed into him, like moonlight spilling through a window, setting every cell in him aglow in shimmering, scintillating light. There was no pain in this, only a wellspring of pleasure that stole the breath from his lips.

After that initial moment of tension, everything in Bren relaxed, easing back against Essek, his posture a perfect expression of trust and building desire. Memories that weren't his bubbled up, a first kiss in the shade of a tree, the first time he felt the piercing of these teeth in his neck, softly reassuring his lover that there was no way that he could hurt him, that he wanted this, wanted him no matter what he had been turned into; the sound of laughter as Essek scolded him for having managed to smear ink across his cheek rather than the paper.

So much was still a blur, still beyond his grasp -- and that other fragment of his soul was still kept caged behind a barrier that Bren could not understand -- but he clung to those pieces, clung to the ecstasy that still rolled over him.

His stomach caved beneath that touch, a fluttering feeling that started low in his belly and swept up to speed his heartbeat.]

Essek... [One hand slipped up, fingers finding their way into his hair, urging him on, all encouragement.]

[zauberdecke]

[ A soft whimper as Essek's tongue laps against Caleb's neck, the expanse revealed to his questing tongue, the teeth firmly in place but that tongue growing hotter and hotter with each sweep and swipe. He was hungry for the years, all of the years he had missed-- suddenly he felt like he had consumed all of Bren's fire for it was thrumming through every vein and every secret part of his soul-- his hand grew warmer with the drugged feeling of Bren's blood-- giving life to them and the tiniest part of a heartbeat he could feel in his chest.

Like butterflies wings learning to fly again, after such a long slumber underneath the coldness of winter.

When Bren arched against him, he felt those fingers in his hair-- erotic in such a simple way, but only this soul had ever been allowed to touch his hair and he gasped as drop upon drop of sanguine bliss touched his tastebuds. All the while his fingers slid underneath tunic, and then slipping downward until his slowly warming fingers skirted into the edge of trousers and finally his hand was burrowed deep inside, searching for something that he knew was there, he needed to feel Bren's throbbing-- feel it in time with the imprint of blood, filling his hands and mouth with life. ]

Bren...

[ Not Caleb's name, though that was unspoken, no-- he recognized the man for who he was, an extension but of his own expiriences and his own autonomy, and finally, finally his searching found prick, each ridge as he remembered it.

Same, but different. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Each lap of that tongue only fanned the flame of the growing pleasure racing through him, and somewhere at the back of his mind he realized that there was a growing warmth accompanying it, accompanying the touch against his skin. His own heart beat faster with each moment. His fingers gripped tighter in that hair, soft as satin between his fingers.

He wondered what the rest of his skin would feel like beneath his touch, wondered what Essek would sound like as his hands explored and learned his body -- or was it relearned? The line was blurring. And oh he wanted to relearn it all. Whether it was his soul or the instincts of the beast he'd been turned into or some unholy union of the two, everything of him was screaming that this was his mate, and he'd finally found his way to him.

When that hand found its way around him, Bren nearly choked on the moan that tore past his lips. He was already achingly hard, and that touch was more than welcome.]

Oh gods... [His hips jerked towards that hand, eyes fluttering shut.]

[zauberdecke]

[ his mouth was suddenly off of that neck but only so that he could press soft kisses-- his mouth stained with Bren's blood, the crimson of it painting his tongue and teeth, leaving red kisses against that neck while his palm curled around arousal and he started to pump it slowly, indolently, his breath a warm soft symphony while he nuzzled. Already he could feel the precome smear against his digits, the way that Bren arched into him without a care in the world.

Front to back, surely Bren could not avoid that something was decidedly pressing up against Bren's thigh, a throbbing length with the only thing separating there were two layers of fabric.

He stroked, reaching his hand in deeper so that he could pleasure Bren, could feel those groans and gasps; his mind dizzy with the feeling of pleasing him. His own breaths were chokes and hitches while he supported the other man perfectly. He was strong, he could take it; could support the other man through this-- until he could feel seed run through like a waterfall.

The one thing that Essek did not take account for was the fact that dinner for Bren was on it's way, right at this moment. A blue tiefling bearing a tray of food. Such blue tiefling, as well as most of the staff of this house seemed to be regrettably allergic to knocking, but conversely with the exception of Cadeucus, no one had ever really been in the situation before where Essek had a lover/husband.

And thus did Jester come in, faced with the two men on the dais, and with Essek's hand down the trousers of Bren. ]

~Oh, I've never seen this before-- I didn't know you guys were fu~cking, perhaps next time you can leave something on the doorknob so no one walks in? That would be a really good idea~ [ But Jester was grinning like a mad-girl, because listen it was two very hot men, she was not going to complain ]

Jester... I..

[ Essek pushed himself away from Bren and off the dais as if burned, as if coming back to his senses, turning his back so that he could wipe his mouth of blood and to neaten himself up as a certain sort of panic rubbed through him as to what he had just done.

Taken advantage of his guest. ]

Just leave the tray, I should probably-- we should--

[ Jester shook her head ]

~Oh no, I will go, you look like you have lots to talk about..~ [ Wink wink, nudge nudge-- Jester-style ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Each touch was more than Bren could have hoped for and nowhere near enough. He arched back against him, responsive without restraint, too caught up in Essek and the lingering rush of being fed from to try to rein in his reactions. Feeling the way that Essek's arousal pressed against him, it was enough that he was ready to turn towards him, to seek out his lips, to let his own hands wander.

Then another voice snapped him straight out of that haze of pleasure and he found himself staring at Jester.

Bren, despite having recently lost some blood, flushed an impressive shade of red.]

We--

[Then Essek was moving away from him as if he were something that could indeed burn him, and Bren looked back an almost wounded look in his eyes at that hasty a retreat.]

Thank you, Jester. If you wouldn't mind closing the door.

[Please dear gods close the door.

Bren, flushed and aroused, with lip stains in blood on his neck, turned slowly to face Essek. He hesitated little more than a heartbeat before stepping of the dais and moving towards him. His arms wound around the other man's waist from behind, a silent plea not to run from him. With the way all of him was yearning for Essek, he was certain it would break him. He nuzzled at the back of his neck, lips grazing there as he spoke.]

You're a vampire.

[Perception roll had succeeded. It was not a very high DC given the teeth in his neck at the time, but still.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek's mouth was still covered by his hand, where he could just breath in the blood that still clung to his tongue, the scent of him-- the way that he felt warmth flooding through him from the blood, just a draught but it spread warmly and filled his veins with a honey glow that buzzed sweetness. So much to process, and he was normally so logical and procedural when it came to reactions and emotions; he was fighting to get back to that while he heard dimly Bren's voice hinting to Jester that she should leave.

Right now he was pondering if maybe he should make a swift escape via teleport; he could be in his room behind a barred door effectively where he could attempt to make himself right from this humiliation.

And then he felt arms wrap around his waist, Bren's arms, and those damning words in his ear. Oh, the tone was not damning in any way but it was just his own mind that was supplying it, and not Bren's. He shivered at the feeling of lips pressed just underneath the softness of his undercut, locks of hair that Bren's hand had been buried in-- a touch that would only be allowed by a husband in Drow culture; that Essek had only allowed Caleb to do.

Oh Jester had offered to help him with his hair, and had met with gentle and yet resolved rejection. ]

You are correct, I am.

[ He would not lie to this man; how could he ever tell this man anything that was not the truth? ]

However my protection still stands; I do not know what came over me-- I am not a monster, I.. should have asked your permission.

[ Even though he had read permission in the way that Bren's head fell to the side, just as Caleb often would do as invitation and it had been instincts, pure and simple instincts that had him taking the bite before even thinking ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Caleb had no idea that Essek had considered disappearing into nowhere -- nor really any inkling that this was even an option that could be considered -- but he did know that the sudden distance that the other man had put between him made something turn cold in him. So this was better.

He pressed his face to the juncture of Essek's neck and shoulder, unconsciously scenting him, drawing in that unmistakable aroma of snow and jasmine and home, a softer hint of lavender lingering at the edges. Safe. Home.]

I gave it, didn't I?

[Admittedly a lot of it was a blur, but he was fairly certain he'd nearly begged for it in the moment. He'd at least said please and certainly meant it.]

You feel warm. [Bren murmured, lips still brushing his skin as he formed the words.] You smell so good.

[So he may still be more than a little turned on, and more than a little caught in the outright afterglow of being fed on.]

Master Ikithon said vampires were dangerous, that they'd tear me apart on sight. I think... perhaps he lied. [About a great many things.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Oh that warmth, that beautiful golden warmth-- the heat which he could feel radiating from Bren-- the husky whisper against his neck, the feeling of huffed breath and then a soft moan as suddenly he was not so sure that this was.. that he could. But he licked his lips regardless, tasting Bren on his tongue, the cinnamon and fire-- the taste that had always been his favorite dessert.

There was a unique flavor to it, something far warmer, like drinking mulled wine; spiced and several degrees hotter than Caleb's had ever been. He slipped his hand up and then his hands found those locks of hair, he tangled digits within and gave a soft stroking massage to the scalp. ]

There are some very dangerous vampires, however I am not one of them. I can be dangerous granted, but I am more so reclusive than I am dangerous. [ And oh how Essek felt himself want to hiss with just the mention of Trent Ikithon, the man who had orchestrated is own changing. Rather rich for someone such as that to declare vampires an abomination, when he worked with several factions ]

You taste very good, like something that I have not had in a very long time, but which was my favorite.

[ and that statement is a bit more husky of an admittance as he takes a deep abiding breath and leans backward into those larger arms, allowing himself to enjoy the feeling of intimacy and contact ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren's arms tightened around Essek reflexively as those fingers sank into his hair. He lifted his head into that attention, wordlessly seeking more of it. His eyes fell half shut as he listened to what Essek had to say.]

Dangerous when you need to be. [Bren murmured thoughtfully. Dangerous but not to him, not to the people who worked here and seemed so much more like family than staff. He turned enough and very deliberately, slowly, pressed a kiss to Essek's neck, in a similar spot to where the vampire had bitten him. In fact, he snuck in a quick scrape of his teeth -- oh so careful not to break skin. Bren was the monster here, and he knew it.

If Essek knew what he was, what would he say? For a selfish moment he didn't want to think of any of that. His hand flattened against Essek's chest, holding him close, so close.]

You can have it, when you want it. I want you too. It felt... [Amazing. Blissful. And more than that, it felt so very right, even beyond the overwhelming pleasure of it, it had felt like something fundamental in his world had shifted back into place.] ...right.

[He set his chin on Essek's shoulder, quiet for a moment before he added, voice barely above a whisper.] Our first kiss was under an apple tree. It was the end of summer, and I'd never been more nervous in my life. Everything smelled like apples and you.

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek was the blind one, he had not noticed the way that the blood ran far warmer than Caleb's ever did; the slight scent of wolf just underneath the surface; of woods and pine needles and earth; the tangible fragrance of howling at the moon-- of such a activity could rewrite the very laws of scent. The soft scrape of teeth and he felt his breath hitch; he had breath now, it had been shared by this man as well as the beating of heart.

Right now a pulse thrummed inside of him; a sacred tethering that made him feel human. Caleb had always made him feel not as a vampire, but as a mortal man. And he was weak to that feeling, could feel the desire coursing through him like a drug of the finest caliber.

Fingers tightened in hair the moment that Bren whispered that offer against his neck, his shoulder-- his teeth bit into his lower lip where he knew that if he dug incisor deep, the blood that would well up would be Bren's. It was tempting to take this man as his lover; not only tempting but perhaps inevitable to do so-- one could stop that only insofar as much as they could stop the planets from colliding within axis.

It was the last statement that did it, the whispered memory. His eyes slid closed and he allowed his head to fall back slightly-- the memory came back to him; the sunlight just before sunset; twilight-- with books spread out on their laps. The heat had always made Essek drowsy and somewhat floppy and he'd been content to rest their against Caleb's shoulder.

A single shifting, his own eyes opening to catch Caleb's lips descending upon his own and the sweetness that was shared; it had been slightly awkward and clumsy. But oh, how Essek had wanted it and how his arm and slipped up to drape around shoulders as their kiss grew bolder and less tentative as they both understood that it was mutual.

Essek swallowed and shifted only a little bit in those arms. There was no light that came through the window, but the sconces cast a subtle romantic glow on the far edges, just enough that Bren could see those backlit eyes, the way that they seemed to glow golden like the slow honey of a dripping almost autumn twilight. ]

It is a very dear memory of mine, you had been nervous but you did not understand quite how much I had wanted you to kiss me; and when you did-- you changed my entire world.

[ The hairsbreadth of a heartbeat as he lightly tugged Bren toward him, with a touch now gentle enough that Bren could escape, his eyes on the promise of those lips while every fibre of his being ached for this man, and for a kiss. ]

There is room within me for more memories, yes.

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren had not been close enough physically to Essek before to really appreciate how significant the changes of him having his blood in him were. But he did know that the other man was warmer, and that was already an amazing thing, the warmth of that body in his arms, the flush he could see in his cheeks. He could feel life in his mate, and it thrilled him knowing that he was the source of it.

If Bren had the tail he had in his werewolf form, it would be wagging now as Essek leaned back into him. His gaze met those stunning, star-filled eyes, nearly losing himself in their depths entirely for a moment, sinking into that familiar gold -- so familiar, from so many forgotten dreams in his childhood, in the fragments of memories that surfaced as Essek drew his blood from his body and replaced it with ecstasy.

Even now he spoke of the memories as if they were his own. Small fragments of pieces of a man he once was. That same part of his soul was still locked away, held back by spells that Bren was unaware of. But for once there was a glimmer of hope; his love was here, close.]

I forgot to breathe for a moment, and then you took my breath away anyway.

[Bren nearly melted at those last words. New memories. Memories that were not only Caleb's, not only a ghost of who he was in another life but he was and would be now.]

Then... [His voice was soft, leaning closer, aching for those lips on his.] ...we could start now?

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek felt the moment that Bren's mouth started to descend down upon him, like starfall-- this was not an autumn twilight but rather 12 in the early hours of the morning, and there was a difference there. They would never have sunset or morning light again, but they could have this in all its beautiful entirity. All of the hours of darkness were theirs because they were different aspects.

Essek was a different man, made something else after years upon years of loneliness that had ebbed against him and making patterns in rock and stone, but Bren was not Caleb-- merely a reflection in the mirror with different expressions, wearing different clothes.

But Essek found himself drawn to this other self of Caleb and thus he slipped his hand up to cup that cheek, feeling his heart quiver in that same way that it had. This time though he could feel the nervousness of the other man as if it was palpable.. caught in the wild butterfly beating of the heart as it caught within the cage of bones. ]

I would like to create memories just with you, Bren.

[ his voice soft and husky and then he tilted his head to better make a place where Bren's sweet lips could touch down, like sweet soft rain.. and his eyes strayed toward those full luscious lips which he knew would have to taste like the sweetest ambrosia ]

Kiss me?

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren had come to fear the night, the rise of the moon, the pull that it had over him. So many months, bleeding into years, spent dreading the sunset and what it could bring with it, the way it tugged at him. He felt like his own isolated ocean, tides set by that betrayer moon whether he wished them to be or no, never quite certain if it would be calm or wave-tossed. And the change, oh the change tore at him with anxiety as it approached and then tore at him literally when it arrived.

But here, in this moment with this creature of the night, beautiful and immortal and terrifying, he had never loved the darkness more. If this man was in it, even the moonlight was a welcome and beautiful thing.

The touch at his cheek drew his lips into a smile, no hesitation as he leaned into it, nuzzling with unguarded affection. Safe. Home. Where fate or the gods or whatever cosmic kindness that existed in this cold and often cruel universe had led him. To this moment where that sweet request rang like warmth and music through him.]

Yes.

[Just the word followed immediately by action. It was a first kiss, the latest in a series that had long ago lost count, both these things simultaneously. His lips found Essek's gently, tender in their approach, and lingering, slowly shifting from that tentative but sweet beginning to something more substantial, searching and wanting.]