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.]

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[ausgebrannt]

[Something in Bren settled in the moment those teeth pierced his skin. Some of the tension of the oncoming change easing as if held at bay while Essek took sustenance from him. His eyes fluttered briefly before falling shut.

His hands tested the ropes subconsciously, mostly because his fingers already ached to slip into the drowpire's hair. Alas that would have to wait for later. He could take the reassurance and pleasure from the feeding though.]

It is... ah... not without a selfish motivation. I love the way you flush when my blood is in your veins.

[It appeals to that possessive claim of mate that every fiber of his being insisted was true.]

[zauberdecke]

[ There was something beautiful about the communion that he was taking, with Bren his religion-- the only religion that he had never needed in his life. Even when they had been together before Essek's world sundered, the only deity he had ever needed was Caleb. The blood flushed hot against his tongue and he lapped at it, drinking from the other man firmly while his fingers curled into forearms.

Tongue swiped and his mouth captured and sucked that sweet life force. If he was not worried of agonizing the werewolf, he would've allowed his fingers to slip into trousers to give him much needed relief of tension, but he did not want to tease the werewolf unnecessarily; there was a time and a place for edging his mate and this was not it. ]

Thank you for allowing me this.

[ In between the flat of his tongue pressing downward to glean every last drop ] Oh, so you like it when I draw blood from your delicous self.. M'hrandii? I promise you are all the sustenance that I desire or need, you are my exclusive source of nourishment now. [ a bit of teasing coyness entered his voice, although his mouth did not do anything selfish as of yet, still grazing the testing phases of what was acceptable just before Bren made the change.

But also reassuring that possessive part of Bren that he knew did not want his mouth on anyone else; he'd let go of that gloried blood store with a gift for years service as he thought was perfectly acceptable ]

[ausgebrannt]

I love it.

[Bren admitted, voice a bit breathless and eyes mostly shut. He would be all too happy to be the only neck that Essek's mouth sought to feed from. He'd never expected to be the possessive type, but the bond between them drew at the wolf in him. This was his mate, and he wanted to be the one to care for him, always, in whatever way he could.

In that moment the tension had eased from him slightly, though it was the briefest calm before the storm. The moon was starting to rise, climbing its way into the sky, and Bren's blood was stirring to meet it.]

Essek...

[And then it was back, the tension, the fear.]

It is starting. You should... you should move away. Please.

[zauberdecke]

[ In this moment, with that fear in Bren's eyes. That was exactly why Essek would respect the request, he drew his mouth away from the neck and then he slowly slid off the bed. Somehow he knew that it would kill him to see the transformation and be able to do nothing about it-- and there was some anxiety in his eyes even though he stood then and then he slowly averted his eyes to give the werewolf privacy within his change.

He had an idea of what to expect, Bren had even told him-- carefully guided him through the steps and yet still he was frightened. No, not of being frightend-- but of seeing Bren in convulsed in pain.

And though the gesture saddened him, he did walk to across the room so as to give Bren the benefit of space, even though he hoped and prayed that through it all Bren would recognize him as mate. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren watched Essek move away, and something in him ached to cry out for him to stay, but he wouldn't. He would never risk the other man's safety, could not bear the thought of hurting him, could not bear the thought of losing him the way he'd lost his family.

So it was best for him to be far from him.

The change began with a strange, sickening cracking as his joints and bones dislocated and broke before reforming in a new and inhuman shape. They shifted beneath his skin, and Bren felt as if his entire body was tearing apart. It was always this way, always pain. There were some werewolves who had learned to control the change enough that it did not feel like being torn limb from limb, but Trent had never saw any reason for his wolves to learn that. The pain would hone them into something sharper, more dangerous.

Bren's mouth opened, lips parting around a silent cry of agony. He did not scream. He was not allowed to scream. He did arch sharply off the bed, straining against his bindings as his body reshaped itself.

Fur crawled its way over his body, a familiar ginger color, as if even being a monster could not change that part of him. Eventually the change ended and he collapsed back to the bed, a low, lupine whine slipping free. He was larger than he'd been, wicked fangs and sharp claws, lean, dangerous muscle beneath the thick finger fur. His eyes though, they remained a familiar bright blue. He panted softly, catching his breath back from the transformation.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek could hear it even if he did not see it. It was absolutely heart-wrenching in it's absolution and with each snap and crack, his body convulsed while he fought down the instinct to run to the werewolf, to wrap his arms around him and to tell him it was alright. The moment that he heard the bed squeeze with the depressed weight, he turned around to see the ginger form laying there, and then his eyes softened and he started toward the bed, but only a few faltering steps. ]

Bren..?

[ Uncertainty to his voice, wondering if the wolf would recognize him as mate as they were, as they had been in another life. Then as he took another step forward, his mouth and the words that formed from them said even more firmly as it gained traction. ]

M'hrandii?

[ Mate in undercommon, and something that Caleb had been to him, they'd been linked by the rules of the potent old magic; while Essek had told the other man that the term meant 'wedded one', it was so much deeper than that, it denoted a connection of the soul on a molecular level and how it transcended the bonds of time and space. More apt now than ever because Caleb Widogast had returned to him in the form of Bren Ermendrud. ]

Please let me know if it is safe.. to come near?

[ausgebrannt]

[The wolf heard the sounds of another in his presence, and for the faintest moment there was the starts of a growl. But then Essek spoke and something seemed to change entirely. Bren turned to look at him with familiar eyes in an entirely unfamiliar face.

A soft, low whine echoed in his throat, more eager lapdog than vicious wolf. And, embarrassingly enough, his tail gave a series of unrestrained thumps against the bed as it wagged because his mate was here.

Whatever had changed in the ginger had not changed nearly enough that it could forget who Essek was to him. The wolf recognized his mate and wanted nothing more than to know said mate was near and safe with him. He could protect his mate now; he was strong and capable and the moon had flooded his blood with strength and power. The wolf was comfortable in its ability to protect its own.]

[zauberdecke]

May I approach?

[ Careful to ask permission, though he marked the way that the tongue thwapped against the bed, the long legs and the hair that covered him. There were no sign of freckles although he was sure he'd be able to see them if he had the luxury of proximity. A few more steps though his tone was soft and soothing, dipped low enough so that there would be no threat perceived.

Already Essek was surveying any damage done, attempting to glean if he needed to tend any wounds. Oh, he would gladly do so-- he would brush that fur coat until it shone, he would pamper the wolf, his mate and lavish him with attention.

Bren as a werewolf was not someone to be feared, and he was not frightened in the slightest. Those eyes softened and then he was taking a few more steps further; it did not seem as if Bren would hurt him which was good and positive, it also meant that perhaps as the more that Bren understood he had nothing to fear, the more likely it was that they could forgo the bonds that tied Bren up. ]

You are safe here and I mean no harm.

[ and perhaps those words would also reach the Caleb hidden deep inside. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Another soft whine before Bren realized he probably ought to try communicating in a more coherent way. So he nodded. Essek could approach. The wolf would like it very much if his mate approached, if he came close enough for the wolf to take in his scent and grow intoxicated on it, on the proximity.

Whatever terror had been in Bren, he'd clearly forgotten it in the wolf's exuberance at having turned and found his mate here with him, for the first time since he'd changed.

And closer to the surface than he had ever been perhaps, Caleb was silently laughing at the ridiculousness of this overgrown puppy. He knew full well that Bren as a wolf was dangerous, a killer who had done terrible things before he'd learned to keep control of the beast that he became. Now though, now that beast wanted petting.

Because his mate was right. He was safe. They were together and they were safe, tucked away some place that was and long had been home. Everything scented of Essek and of himself, and there was comfort in that, in the thrum of familiar magic that permeated the air.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek could feel himself melt a little bit at the eagerness of the puppy; yes-- his form large, he could see the strong legs that was capable of outrunning prey, could see the sharp talons for claws and the glimmer of fangs as tongue loled out of the mouth. There was enough of the humanoid around this werewolf that he could recognize Bren through it all, could understand and intuit the basic need.

The weight depressed and then he curled up in a sitting position next to Bren's side and then ran his fingers against the soft firm of shoulder. Palm was flat and then he stroked lightly, a soothing gesture that touched and then trailed until it was cupping that cheek. ] I knew that my mate would be very good for me, you are good for me..

[ He was encouraging as he softly crooned it in that husky voice of his. ]

If you are good, I will let you free. I know now that you will not harm me-- but also I see that it is those who wish to harm me that will get the worse of it. [ And then Essek looked into those eyes, into ocean eyes that held far more intelligence underneath the surface, a blessed 'more than meets the eyes'. ]

You are my mate and will protect me?

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren's tail still wagged in a rhythmic thump, quickening as Essek approached and even more so when those fingers found their way into his fur. He did not hesitate to turn into that hand at his cheek, nuzzling at him with the wolfish muzzle. That's right. He was good, he would always be good for Essek. For his mate.

The wolf knew that just as deeply and firmly as Bren did, that he would tear anyone to ribbons who threatened Essek.

Another wag of that tail and he nods. He will. He will protect him from everything and anything.

Speech isn't really something the wolf is capable of, but there's a distinct sound of...] Always... [In the half-whined growl that he manages.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Perhaps Bren would reprimand him after the fact but Essek did not have the heart to keep those bonds in place, and thus did Essek rest his palm first on one end of the rope secured around wrist and then he uttered the soft word that would free wrist, m'hrandii. He slowly watched as rope organically released his lover from their bond and then he touched the other.

He would've kept Bren tied and safe but also he knew that the werewolf would not be a threat to him. It was safe to allow him this freedom.

Once his work was done, he moved to sit up against the back of the bed and then made a motion for Bren to come join him any way he wished to. ] I love you and I know you would never hurt me which is why I have released you.

[ Essek spoke to assure Bren of the timbre of his voice, the soft sweetness of it and to reassure him that he was content in this moment with his mate, that this was everything and also that he accepted and loved this form as well. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren might fuss at him later, but he'd also see that Essek had it right. That the wolf had recognized the other man as his mate, that Essek was in no danger from the monster that the moon had turned Bren into. Caleb watched all this from his place locked away in endeared amusement.

So when the bindings were released, the wolf sat up slowly, broadly muscled shoulders rolling as he watched Essek settle in against the bed. Bren shifted and moved to crawl along the bed over to where the drowpire had sat himself and flopped down beside him, settling his large lupin head in Essek's lap.

He peeked up at him from this position. Was it really true that Essek loved him enough to accept this monstrous side of him? The wolf wanted to belong and be loved and accepted, wanted to be held by his mate.]

[zauberdecke]

[ The moment that he felt the weight of that head against his lap, he rested his hand lightly against that neck, softly petting the profuse amounts of fur that covered the werewolf; he was a gorgeous wolf-- and Essek thought so because it was Bren, and he would've accepted the other in any shape or form.

It was a gentle and loving stroke, his fingers touching the ears, lightly scritching just behind-- his curled up Bren, a monster and yet a monster that Essek invariably loved; so there would be no end to being held by Essek and he considered it and knew that he would allow Bren to do much more with him, perhaps not tonight while they were getting used to this.

But perhaps the next time the moon rose full. ] You are mine and I am yours, it has always been so and this will not change anything-- you are still Bren, you are still the incarnation of my very first love, and this was not your fault-- you will never get punished by me for being who you are, who you were made.

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren was, emphatically, not a cat, but he was very close to purring nevertheless, a soft and pleased rumble low in his throat as Essek's fingers found their way into his fur. Was it the first time he'd been touched kindly in this form? Perhaps exactly that, and Bren melted entirely at the tenderness of the touch.

At the lack of revulsion or fear. Maybe his changes would be less terrible and traumatic from now on. Maybe he'd have some chance to truly embrace and understand what he'd become, even if he had never asked for it.

And yes the wolf would absolutely want to breed his mate properly in this form, to claim Essek over and over again until they were both spent.

Those words washed over him like absolution, cleansing away a sin that he had been holding onto even if it had never really been his to bear. His eyes slid shut and he nuzzled his way against Essek's stomach, sharp, vicious fangs nibbling in an absurdly gentle, playful touch against his shirt.]

[zauberdecke]

[ A soft husky laugh as he felt the brush of teeth against fabric, the playfulness of it-- the releasing of tension as if the wolf had been worried about being accepted. He leaned over then to brush his lips at the top of Bren's head, a gentle gesture that was more often than not meant to reassure and to further soothe the wolf, to make sure that he understood that he was here because he wanted to be.

And there was not even a scrap of fear. ]

Now, we have all night so I have a few ideas on what we can do on our first transformation together-- but I rather think that we can start with a bath for you, I can buffer your claws and shampoo your coat and then we can curl up on the couch and I can read aloud to you?

[ Was that not the nicest thought though? A cozy evening spent between mates. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[So worried about that acceptance, and about his own capacity for violence. Now that it seemed that neither worst case scenario where anywhere close to happening, Bren and the wolf that he current was, had relaxed. He huffed a happy sound as those lips pressed through his fur.

He cracked an eye open as Essek spoke though. Oh? A bath?

His tail gave a few excited thumps at this. That... sounded way more relaxing than anything he'd ever experienced on a full moon night. It sounded like a dream.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek was beginning to notice that body language was important to the other man, while in his wolf form and so he smiled in that way of his while he ran his fingers up and down that back that was trustingly presented to him-- a long leisurely stroke with fingers that slipped under tail and then pet all the way to the tip of it.

Much like one would pet a tail of a cat after completing the caress against spine.

Then Essek slipped off the bed with the most subtle of shifts before finally he was moving toward the bathing chambers with a graceful fluidity, now that trust was established he knew he had nothing to fear and that the wolf would never hurt him so he had no real care for allowing Bren to see at the point where he was vulnerable.

A few minutes later the water was turned on, after that a few clicks of time and then the top not scent of his mate filled the air; jasmine, the crisp scent of night sky and something exotic-- which went rather well with how Essek scented at his core; a few drops of orange blossom oils as well to ensure that Bren's coat would glisten and shine. No matter what, according to Essek-- his werewolf would look magnificient. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren was thoroughly enjoying the petting, enough that when Essek moved off the bed, the fearsome werewolf gave a pathetic little wine because wow was it over? Except, right, there was going to be a bath and some cuddles. That worked for him. He hopped himself down from the bed, stretched and padded after Essek, first on all fours before standing up to his full wolfy height, outright towering over the vampire now.

The familiar scent of Essek, or at least pieces of that scent, the parts that weren't unique and intrinsic to the drow alone. His tail wagged subconsciously and he made his way into the bathroom to see what his mate was up to.

He stopped though, as he passed the mirror, catching sight of his reflection and turning to regard himself. Bren had never seen himself like this, not really, and for a moment he was silent before a soft whimper slipped free, ears lowering.

Definitely a monster.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek was in the process of running that bath; the tub was much bigger than the affair that was in Bren's own quarters, the bathtub that could fit the two of them comfortably when Bren was in human form. But Essek was accustomed to luxury and so his tub was far bigger, built much like a roman bathing area with tile, steps leading within. More hot tub than it was truly bathtub.

The oils scented of Essek's scent, there were bubbles that created silky bubbles against the surface, and then Essek turned around only to see Bren staring into the mirror. He was so much taller now, those limbs made him rise. And yet, for all of that.. Essek could see the way that Caleb's shoulders hunched and the whimper, that melancholic whimper.

Carefully Essek moved over to wrap his arms around that waist and then he pressed his head against that chest softly, feeling the hair underneath his cheek. And then he angled his head to look up at Bren, into that wolfish face, with those nearly luminscient blue eyes. His fingers curled into the soft fur just above the tail where he stroked softly. ]

You are still my Bren, you are still my Mate-- I recognize you in this form, I recognize you, you are still handsome to me, nothing has changed. Now come, let's get into the waters, I will bath with you.

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren was distracted enough watching himself -- and his lover cast no reflection, so it wasn't like the mirror provided any clues to the vampire's approach -- that he found himself surprised by the arms around him.

The werewolf looked from his reflection and down to the figure in front of him. He hesitated only a moment before letting his arms wrap around Essek in turn. Ducking his head, he pressed his forehead to his mate's, nosing and snuffling a bit at his jaw. It was a very lupine action, as much instinct as conscious choice on his part.

Essek meant those words, didn't he? Bren could feel the truth in them, could scent if off the smaller form in his arms. Essek still saw him as his mate even like this, still staked claim on him even standing in front of him in this form, seeing the entirety of the monster that he was. More nuzzling, more snuffling, and he nodded. Yes. Into the bath.

The elaborate, obscenely beautiful, welcoming bath.]

[zauberdecke]

[ In a way it was scent marking and Essek leaned into it, allowed Bren to stake his claim in a way that was not precisely physical but still vital; and Essek did have traces of Bren's own aroma about him, how could he not when he slept nearly wrapped around the other man, the curve of his cheek that had pressed into and against Bren's chest as he had slept his death trance; protected from the rest of the world safe in the knowledge that his mate would not hurt him.

That same trust that right now went the other way, that Essek would do everything to protect Bren during this time of the month.

He then lead the other man to the baths, up the steps. Then Essek disentangled himself so that he could push aside his own garments, his sleep shirt that had been Bren's. It slithered to the ground and then he stepped into the perfumed waters then he reached out to take Bren's hand, to help guide him to follow. ]

Come and join me, love.

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren let Essek slip from his arms -- reluctantly -- but he less reluctantly let himself be led towards that bath, tail giving another happy little wag as the perfumed steam wafted up around him.

He reached out to take Essek's hand, his currently large fingers nearly subsuming Essek's entirely as he wrapped them around the drowpire's and followed him into the water. It was wonderfully hot and and smelled amazing and were those bubbles.

A pleased grumble of sound before he sank down into the water, right up to his furry shoulders. Warm. Happy. Warm. Mate. Warm. Very happy.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Once they were within the confines of the water, Essek allows himself the opportunity to get Bren wet; it comes in the form of a crystal pitcher which he scoops up some warm unperfumed water directly from the spout and then he makes a motion for Bren to come closer in the waters so that he can fully saturate his mate in the warmth of the waters, then once that was the case he would then proceed to work all of that fur into quite the pampered lather. ]

There will be no werewolf as well kept as you, my dearest heart.

[ He assures Bren throughout the confines of their bath. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren scooted closer, careful and ginger so that he didn't slosh too much, or risk knocking into his mate. The werewolf was mindful of his size right now, of the sheer monstrosity of him. But that water was also pleasantly warm as it poured over him.

He huffed a sound like a laugh at that. The best kept werewolf. Yes, that would be a lovely thing to be. Kept by his beautiful, brilliant, wonderful mate.

The werewolf's mind did not operate quite like Bren's did in his more human form. It was more sense and scent and sight. Sound. Words were fewer, logic less. Instinct was louder and very much in the driving seat, but every instinct said that this was where he was meant to be. That he was safe and loved, and he had nothing to worry about this moon except being certain that his mate stayed close, stayed safe and protected.]