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| a.connor a.doyle a.lindsey a.oz a.spike a.wesley a.xander a.other three.somes het.fic character.study |
| Title: An Apt Pupil Author: Bridie Pairing: Angelus/Penn Rating: NC-17 Setting: Historical I'm running a finger along the edge of my cooling coffee cup. The smell in this place is enough to drive me out, but I'll wait. London's unwashed masses gathering in one of its poorer coffee houses to drink bitter brew and pretend themselves intellectuals. Amidst this crowd I've found a true gem. He'll be here tonight, I've no doubt. My grey-eyed lad. Two weeks since I first saw my prey sitting here, for prey is what I believed him to be. Hair spilling softly around that ridiculous plain collar he wears, falling into his eyes. God, those eyes. I've seen them clouded in thought, then suddenly flash to piercing intensity as he gathers his wits for a verbal attack. But last night I saw them heavy lidded with lust, dazed with a passion he can't quite give a name to yet. I yearn to see that look again. Two weeks of careful seduction. It's my game and I don't like being rushed. But the boy is just visiting here with his father, the first time he's been allowed out of that careful paternal grasp. I don't have much time left, and this one requires all my skill. I draw him into conversation in this smoky coffee house. Letting him rant in his quiet way about politics and religion. Religion. That gets him riled. I can see the blood rushing just under the surface, suffusing those cheeks with color. I cock my head and listen, just so, to hear him draw in breath as he launches into a tirade that would rival his father's sermons. I mentioned this to him once and was rewarded with a look so furious I leaned into its heat and just smiled. I don't care what gets you this worked up, boy, I just enjoy the effect it has on your body. So I taunt. I argue. And lately, I've touched. Subtle touches that make me laugh at my memories of swinging barmaids onto my lap for a quick grope. A quarter of a century under Darla's firm tutelage has taught me finesse. And so much more. She's left me to my own devises while she visits the Master at Court. I wonder what she would make of this game I'm playing? Probably laugh in that beautiful, bell like voice of hers and ask me how he kisses as she lays her lips to mine. Ask me for the texture of his skin as she runs her small hands up my back. And I would tell her everything. How the first time I brushed the hair from his forehead, so I could see those eyes again, he flinched. And his look felt like random sunlight. And when I grasped his hands to still them as he argued, I could feel his entire body shiver. Could count the heartbeats it took him to pull back and remember himself. Remember where we were. But best of all I can imagine the sweet smile on my Sire's face when I tell her of the kiss. How walking through the cobbled streets listening to him fume about his father it suddenly seemed like the right time. To pull him into a darkened alley, not quite struggling for he, somehow, blindly trusted his new strange friend. I pushed my body against his, shoving him roughly against the stone wall. I remember laughing at the transparent thoughts that flitted over his face. Robbery? But he's obviously wealthier than I. Assault? No room for that. I rubbed my length against him in agreement, no room at all. And then. Realization. "Why?" He asked in a breathless voice that I could see him curse at inwardly. A good student always asks questions. So I answered with my mouth. Pressed against his. He was awkward at first, and I spared a moment to wonder if he'd ever kissed another person, or worse, if his mind was going to let him deny him what I knew his body wanted. What his body had told me in a hundred stolen glances and subtle clues. But a moment was all it took, and suddenly I found myself not pushing, but holding. Those smooth lips parting under mine as I swallowed his gasp of surprise and my tongue slipped in. Into heat. Felt his body shake violently as he seemed to cast off twenty years of conditioning and just give in. Suddenly open to me, that mouth blooming and welcoming under my tongue. Then I felt it. Those red lips closing around me, teeth grazing gently as he just sucked. What a clever, clever lad. The sudden clatter of horseshoes on the street startled him enough to pull back. I expected to see shame and fear and regret but the face tilted up to mine reflected back none of that. Instead I saw the gaze I want to always see there. Utter contentment and absolute wonder. When I suggested it was past time for him to get home to his father I was delighted at the flash of anger in his eyes. I don't think I could ever tire of this one. I lightened his look with a swift and hard kiss. Promising more 'conversation' tomorrow. So here I sit. The memory of that kiss has me licking my lips thoughtfully when I see him stride in. Full of purpose. Full of anger. I feel a flash of protectiveness at whatever nameless demon has my lad so flushed. Because that's my new vocation, and I will not share. With the self absorbed passion only youth possesses he throws himself into the chair opposite me. Those gray eyes flashing around the room, landing anywhere but on me. This will not do. "What is it, lad? What has ye so bothered ye've no greeting for a friend?" I have him. Calling him out on a breach of manners. Simple, but it means something to him. I see him pause in some internal rant, "Why bother with a greeting when my next words must be a farewell?" I'm angry now. First I've suffered through a timetable on my hunt and now this? "Running from me, are you? Did I shock yer Puritan sensibilities as badly as all that?" God, he's blushing, and I know it's not from shame. I can see his hands fretting with the newspaper on the table, and for some reason my eloquent boy can't find the words to speak to me. Something so low and needing and desperate in his voice when he finally manages to whisper the words, "No·I would never run from ye, Angelus." Oh you would if you knew what I was, knew exactly what it was I wanted from you. What I will get. He's so earnest now, a fall of messy brown hair across his forehead as he leans towards me. "I'd not give your friendship up for the world, or your·conversation." I want to see more of that blush, child. "But my father·He·We must leave tomorrow." Ah·there it is. The boy knows so little of the world that he still believes his father holds it in the palm of his hand. The preacher no doubt believes it too and senses his grip on his son shaken by his experiences in this wicked city. If he only knew·But they're both wrong. I hold that power. This one, so young, so eager, so close to being mine. The words are pouring out of him now, his usual logic and control forgotten. "Ye have shown me so much. The stories ye tell! I long to have such adventures. To see the world. See strange places. But I will live and die hours from this city, following in my father's footsteps. Tending his flock of sheep, spewing words at them I don't believe. I could almost bear it. Could almost keep lying to myself·except now·I wish to God I'd never met ye!" "You don't mean that, lad." I give in to the urge to brush his unruly hair from his face, and can't help the smile I feel as he leans in to my touch. Such pain in his gaze, and that makes me smile harder. I want to just suck all that human misery and self doubt out of him and fill him back up with my own strength. Take the ability that's already in him and forge it into iron. Feed him the knowledge he lacks and watch those eyes widen with the realization of his own power. Power that belongs to me. That's what I want. That's what I'll have. I have chosen this one. "Penn, lad, ye'll not be leavin with yer father." Those eyes, sharp on me, "I won't?" "No·ye'll be stayin'. With me." Wonder, not disbelief tinges his voice, "Staying. With ye." "Aye." Spark of defiance, "Just like that? Ye think I'll leave my family and take up with ye? Good God, man, I don't even really know ye! I don't know how ye live, where ye live·do ye mean to keep me like some·whore?" The last word breathed low past patrician lips. I can't help but sit back and laugh at the look on his face. "Ye've never asked about me before, lad. But to answer yer questions, I do quite well. My business is something of a·family concern, and there's a place there for ye. An' aye, you'll be leaving yer family for me, an' gladly too, I'll warrant. Lastly, my home is not far from here, for I've an urge to push ye against bed clothes an' not a stone wall." I can almost feel his mind processing my words, the frown leaving his face. If I had breath left in my body it would fail me at his smile. With a hard swallow of his throat my eyes are captured, following the bobbing motion covered by his plain collar. I consider buying him some coffee just to watch him do that again. "Ye'll begin my adventures, then? Take me with ye?" "Anythin' ye ask·everythin'." And I'll take the same from him. Nothing he won't give willingly. His answer is clear enough in his face, and it only takes me a moment to guide him through the crowd and out the door. I resist the urge to grab him and run through the streets to my door. I settle for a brisk pace that he eagerly keeps up with, trying manfully to match my longer stride. Finally, we're inside and he's following me up the stairs to my bedroom. Not the one I share with Darla. He's not ready for that bit of information yet. He's laughing and out of breath and beyond beautiful in his happiness. With a look of triumph he turns to me, "I will never have to see my father again! Never listen to his tired sermons. Never take another beating." He is standing just inside the doorway, eyes shining with dreams of what small promises I've made to him. He has no idea. "You may be seein' your dear father sooner than ye think, lad." He misunderstands me, "Ye'd force me back to him?" The question breathed like a curse. My thumb presses along his fine jaw as I cup his face, "Nay, Penn·yer mine now. But family holds something we all need. Blood calls to blood, whether in love or hate, and ye have to heed that call. If'n ye go back to see yer father, I'll be by yer side." That gentle brow furrowed in thought brings me back to my purpose, and I lean forward to brush my lips across his. I'll let him lead the dance for a moment, and my student proves worthy, those lush lips pressed tightly to mine. He parts them with a gasp as he feels my tongue questing towards his, and I want to swallow every sound he makes. Those long fingers are wrapped in my hair, pulling out the tie, trying to draw me in further. Hungry whimpers from my boy as I suckle none too gently on his tongue, my own hands pressing into his hips, pulling him just so·there. His head hits the door with a loud thump as our clothed erections meet. The look of shock on his face is priceless, those bruised lips forming a perfect 'O' of surprise. I let the slow grind of our bodies sink in, watching his face, relishing his newness. "I thought·" he searches for breath and for words, "I thought ye said something about bed clothes this time." Does his brain never stop? I silence that sweet mouth with a wet kiss, pulling back to answer, "Aye·that I did. Just warming ye to the thought." "God!" he breathes in sweet innocence, "I don't think I can get much warmer!" His hands reach down to grasp mine, "But ye, Angelus·ye need some warming." I watch, transfixed as he takes my hands, rubbing them between his own, heating my skin with his friction. Slowly he brings the fingers of one hand to his face, leaning into my touch, his mouth ghosting over my skin like a moths' wings. I watch, I wait, knowing the speed at which his mind analyzes as those lips press against my wrist. He senses the wrongness and stills. Rough fingers replace lips. Pressing, seeking for a pulse they can never find. And I see it. The father in the son. Eyes dark with fear and a hundred dread names for what he thinks. "What are you?" I could laugh out loud for the ignorance of the world, but right now all I want is this boy, and I want him as eager and open as he was a moment ago, not struggling as he is now in my grasp. "What do you think I am, Penn?" Knowing I can capture his mind as surely as I've pinned his body. Fierce eyes. Studying me. I'll swallow this attention too. I'm greedy. I'll take it all. 'Ye are incredibly strong." He gives me a rough shove that doesn't even register against my bulk. "How old are ye?" He's tilted his head·peering at my face, hoping to read an answer there. "More than twice yer age." "Can I harm ye?" "Is that what ye want, my boy?" My words breathed along his throat as I lick his jumping pulse. "Are ye after causing me harm?" "N-no. But·will ye harm me?" "Nay·I want to give you the world my gem. Want to pour it out before ye and watch ye drink it down." My mouth moving now over his cheeks·gentle touch, "Will ye let me do that lad? Will ye let go of what ye know and let me teach ye?" And this is my bright and wonderful lad, his hands around my waist, pulling me towards him. Arching his neck into my mouth, and who am I to refuse? Pulling that wretched bit of cloth from his neck, I sink blunt teeth into soft skin and suck against the bruise. The boy lets out a low moan as I rock my hips into his. "Show me·please." I can't remember hearing a sweeter invitation, and reward him with a wet kiss as I move him back towards my bed. The eagerness of youth has him pulling on his own clothes frantically, kicking off his shoes and he is suddenly there. Naked. Before me. Easily I push him back onto the bed, his knees bending and he falls back. Skin flushed, and I just stare at the blood rushing under that smooth skin. "Such a lovely lad." My eyes drinking in the expanse of skin laid out before me. "Lovely?" That frown again. "I'm not lovely, ye may as well call me pretty." Just a little indignant, just a little flattered. "Aye, ye are a pretty one." I let my body fall forward over his, catching myself on my hands, hovering just above him. "Ye've the sweetest face, yer lips jes beggin' ta be kissed." I press my mouth to his to prove the point, pulling away before he can open to me. "An a right wicked tongue for such a novice." I see him silence his own protest of his innocence. Good lad, no point in lying to me. "Yer neck·ah·such bruises I want to leave here. Mark ye·let the world know I've been here." A good hard suck over the hollow of his throat and his hips are bucking up, his hardness rubbing against my trousers. He doesn't know what's he asking for, but his groan tells me plain enough. "That's it lad·listen to yer body, it won't lie to ye about what it needs." His eyes are shut tight, every nerve straining to know where I'll touch next. "These shoulders·it's not the body of a preacher's son ye have·ye've done hard labor. Remind me ta thank yer father for that." Gray eyes open, and laughing with me, widening in surprise as I lower my head to his chest. He can't voice his protest quickly enough as I latch onto one brown nipple, flicking my tongue against it as it hardens. Shock-sucked air into his lungs and his hands are scrabbling at my shirt. His breath moving against my hair as I fasten onto the nub with teeth and bear down, eliciting a grunt of pain followed by a sigh as I nuzzle the tender flesh. I tug his hands from my clothes and raise myself, pulling back and resting some of my weight on his thighs. It's a delight to watch his mind warring with what his body feels. I know which will win, but it's a pleasure to watch him struggle, to know I hold the winning arguments in my hands, my lips, my cock. As if reading my mind I watch his gaze dart down to his hard length straining under my crotch. "Such a pretty cock, isn't it?" I trail a finger along the length and feel his body shiver underneath me. Transfixed, he watches as I pull back the delicate skin and press a finger against the moisture beading at the tip. I push down harder just to watch him bite back a cry that turns to a sob as I bring the finger up to my mouth and lick his liquid from it. "It's a sweet and pretty cock, ye have there, Penn my lad." "Ye·ye *tasted* me!" I can hear the wonder and disgust in his voice. I'll cure him of that. "Aye·just a taste." He relaxes at that and I let out a laugh, "Time enough to drink and suck and swallow ye." Such a groan my boy lets out, his body shivering with it. "God·" I'm there, swallowing his sounds, his words, my mouth feeding on his and I can't kiss him enough. His body rubbing beneath me, and I know he needs to breath, but I need his lips more. With a gasp he wrenches away, taking in great lungfuls of air, laughing and cursing. "Angelus·God·how can ye·Hell·ye are the devil and ye are going to kill me·my father warned me·and I don't care·just·God·please don't stop!" I lick his earlobe and blow across the wet skin. "I'll get ye closer to God than yer father ever could, my gem." The desire to have him is so strong in me, I can't help but slide down his body, that sweet length of flesh just begging for my mouth. No reason to resist, and I let my tongue push his foreskin down as I close my mouth around him. I move my hands to still the hips bucking beneath me, his frantic movements just drive me to suck harder, my tongue teasing as I push the skin down further. I take him in deep, feel him moving against the back of my throat, my nose pressed into the curls at the base of him. No one's ever touched him here like this, I own this moment. Those whimpers, the tremors running through his body are all mine. Every noise making my own cock throb in anticipation. I can wait, I've learned that good things come to those who wait. Remembering that breathing is good for something I pull his musky scent in, ignoring the hands pulling at my hair. Not stopping my steady suck until I realize something is wrong. The timber of his voice is somehow off. The fingers wrapped in my hair are pulling too hard. The words finally reaching my ears. "Please·please·stop! Ye said no harm·ye said·" Christ, what a broken sound! In an instant I'm next to him, cradling him in my arms. Murmuring what I hope are calming words and petting his trembling body. "What, lad? Ye've nothing to fear." "Ye left me. I was alone." He's trying so hard to control the shaking, to find his composure. "I·I want ye here. With me." Ahh·such an innocent! "I am here, my lovely. After tonight, ye'll never be without me. I promise ye that." It's a small thing he asks, and I've no trouble granting it. I gently turn him so he's facing me, his eyes turned up to mine and I understand why he wants me here. His first moment of physical love and he wants to be able to see and feel me. Tis no trouble at all. I bring my hand up to my mouth, dragging my tongue across it and bring it down between us, grabbing his hard shaft. He gasps at this but doesn't look away from me. Good boy. I've got you. He's young and so hard, his body arches towards me and I let him alternate between thrusting into my fist and letting me pull on his length. His eyes bore into mine, and I'm not sure what he sees, but he concentrates on it with such pure fury. So young and so hard, it isn't long before I feel his body stiffen, feel the warm wetness spilling over my fingers. He's closed his eyes, and I can almost imagine he is listening to his body, hearing the gentle pulse I feel in my hand. When he is finally still, those eyelids flutter open and I am gifted with the most amazing smile. A smile I cannot believe that anyone else has ever seen, because there was never anyone worthy of it. But I am, and I accept it, one of many firsts he'll give me before this night is done. His movements are sleepy and sated as those elegant fingers pluck my shirt aside. He leans forward and rubs his smooth face along my exposed skin. I've had virgins before. Willing and otherwise. But this boy drowns in each new sensation, and I've no wish to rescue him. "Ye really oughtn't to be dressed." The clarity of his tone startles me and I look down into laughing gray eyes. I feel a half smile play across my face, "No? Something you want then, lad?" "To see ye." I pull myself easily from his arms and rise from the bed, letting his gaze follow me like a caress. I remove my rumpled clothing as I stand before my dresser, staring at the empty space in the mirror. I've never missed catching my reflection in the glass, Darla's lips and eyes have always told me everything I've needed to know about myself. But that boy, whose body moves quietly on the blankets behind me, he is my reflection in flesh. I've doubted in the past few weeks how Darla might feel about coming home to this·to him. I smile as I turn back to that warm body, for I'm now quite sure that this is why she left me alone in the first place. To find my self. My lad's eyes widen a bit as he takes in my form, his gaze resting on the rather angry looking muscle curving up from between my legs. He's not frightened, just curious as I kneel on the bed before him, tossing a vial of oil to one side. He brushes his hair impatiently from his eyes as he rises to kneel in front of me, hands hovering uselessly. "Ye *can* touch me, lad." I say, a little impatiently, rewarded with a hot look. The pride in this one·so easy to get him riled. I can see the 'how' hovering on his lips, but his arrogance won't let it fall. Instead I find my skin mapped by careful hands and mouth. No teeth, but that's something his nature and I will teach him later. Those tentative touches shake as his hands move lower until I find my hardness gripped lightly by warm fingers. I let out a hiss as that grip tightens, and I feel my length jerked roughly. "Penn!" I gasp as I look into a wicked grin, his pace not varying. "Jesus, lad·ye'll finish me off too soon!" A falter in his pace, "Isn't that·don't ye want that?" "I'll tell ye what I want, my pretty one." Time to show him who the master is here, and he finds himself on his back, my body pressed against him. Like a cat, he curls into the sensation and I groan as he pulls a hand to his mouth. "Just a taste." He whispers. Christ on the cross, he's already a demon! May Heaven and Hell never deliver me from this Puritan virgin. I pull his legs up, bending his knees and lean in, wanting him to get used to feeling me, feel my pressure·just there. "I'll not complete myself in yer hand, boy·" His breath is harsh and alive against my throat, "Nay, I'll bury myself so deep in ye, ye'll not know where you begin and I end." A lazy thrust to illustrate my lesson. A startled yelp, and he's scooting his body away from me, trying to pull his legs together. I do believe that comprehension has set in. "Ye'll not! Ye can't possibly want to·put *that* in me·there." The horror of the thought is evident in his husky tone. I breathe in the tang of his terror and smile. Have I mentioned that I'm an evil bastard? Well, I am, and eliciting this reaction in anyone, especially him, is a delight indeed. God·the challenge of bending his mind·making him want this·who wouldn't smile? I'm pulling his body back under mine, fluttering kisses along his eyelids, his cheeks, his jaw. "Shhh·calm yerself my pretty boy. I've promised ye no harm·ye must trust me." I press myself into his shiver. "Ye need to forget·need to let go of those petty human fears." I thrust down against his hardening length. "That's it, lad·feel that pretty cock of yers sliding against me." He's moaning now, lost in the sensation, no longer trying to free himself, and yes·those thighs spreading beneath me. "Yer a sweet one·such a young thing. But Penn·Penn!" Gray eyes focus on me again. "Ye need to take a risk·this is an adventure after all." "Risk?" I'm suddenly so aware of how young he is·how naïve·how easy to break him, which just makes me press against him all the harder. "Aye my gem·precious·it'll hurt a bit. But I swear the pleasure you felt before'll be nothing compared to what I can give ye." "I'm afraid." The admission pulled from him like something painful and fragile. "I know." Did I just purr? "Will ye stop?" He gasps as our foreskins slide across each other, "Will ye stop if I ask?" A low laugh crawls out from me, "Ye'll not ask that, lad. Ye'll beg me *not* to." I pull him onto his side, drawing one strong leg across me as I reach for the oil. Simple enough to slide my hand around him and tap gently at that tiny hole. Capture his small animal whimpers in my mouth as I push against him with one finger. I have to pull back and remind him, "Breathe, precious·ye must breathe." "Can't·please·kiss me!" His mouth struggling to reach mine. "Then breathe through yer nose, lad." I laugh and fasten my lips to his, finally pushing past that tight ring of muscle. His mouth open against mine and he's sucking my tongue into his mouth in desperate distraction. Dear god, so tight, so warm, around my mouth, around my finger, and I think I'll die again from the need for him. I grind our bodies together and we're both moaning as I work another finger in. His grunt against this added intrusion turns into a wail as he flings his head back. "God!" And those hips are thrusting against my hand. I'm the only deity here, boy, and I will devour you whole. He doesn't know whether to push into my body or bear down on my fingers, all rational thought has left his brain, and I know it's my time. As I pull my slick fingers out of him slowly my other hand moves down to circle his hardness. More distraction as I push him onto his back, draw his legs up, leaning in to whisper, "That's it lad...open yerself for me....spread...ah...that's it, there's my good lad." There's a spark of fear in his eyes as he watches me anoint myself with oil, but he's too far gone in passion to struggle as I press the tip against his hole. No, as long as he can see me he can hold on to my promises. God, impossibly tight and still beneath me, "Breathe, lovely, breathe·let me in now." I feel strong thighs parting beneath me as he grips his legs, his chest glistening with a sheen of sweat rising sharply as he obeys me. There·bend to me·need this. My own body is shaking as I sink slowly into him, that tight glove of muscle threatening my control. It takes everything I have to hold still and not break him with a lunge. Couldn't harm him·not like this. I take my weight and move down to lick the tears teasing at the corner of his eyes. So sweet. Give it all to me. I'll take so much more. That wet touch undoes him and he's shaking with passion, shattered beneath me. "God·oh God·ye're·*in* me!" The words torn from him in gasps that send ripples around my cock. I rock slowly into his flesh to confirm this, "Aye·and yer all around me·feel me!" And this time I pull out and move back with more force. His wordless cry calls to my demon, and my fangs itch to drop and sink into him as deeply as the rest of me. Not yet. "Penn·lad, how does it feel?" Dropping my head down to him, my lips hovering over his. "Feel me in you? Just a little harder, shall I?" And I do, I rear back and pull his legs with me, wrapping my arms and nuzzling his calf as I set a steady pace. Watch those hands twisting into the cloth, his head thrashing in time to my thrusts, that lovely length of flesh so hard again dripping as it bobs with my movement. Then those eyes flash open and pin me with such a look of hunger and need I still for a moment. If I could freeze this instant of his torment and surrender I would· keep it with me always. Just one word breaks past those swollen well-kissed lips, "Please·" My boy needs me, hurts with it, and it just *sings* to me. I let his legs drop 'round my waist and I cover his body with mine. Rain kisses down on that face tilted so eagerly up to mine. "Aye, Penn·anythin'·everythin'·tell me·what do you feel?" Sweet Jesus! His arms are around me and his hips are moving with mine, his muscles clench around me and a groan is pulled from me as I try not complete myself in his tight willing heat. His smile, bright as day, and just as glowing, "I feel·alive!" Laughter bubbling up in him as he strains to match my pace, sharp joyful cry as I grab his turgid length and pull roughly. "Yes!" And I swear his look of triumph matches my own. Well chosen. Well loved. He arches into my fist, as I pull his pleasure from him, that tight heat clamping down on me. He's gasping now for air as I set a punishing pace, the echoes of his passion still keeping him wrapped around me and shuddering as I bend my head to his neck. That column of flesh and muscle exposed for me, offered. My tongue laps hard against the earlier bruise and his low moan tips my heart over as fangs drop, sinking in past skin into vein. The first blissful swallow of hot life across my palette and I'm drowning in him. Lost as I complete myself, driving into his tight body, filling my boy as I drain him. His grip on me weakening as I lap at the slowing pulse of blood and I pull back and stare for a moment. My choice, and he sees it. That instant where he knows what he has given me and what I might offer him. Such a small voice rasps out of him, "Promise me." What an amazing lad, my Penn is, so demanding as he dies for me. "What, my gem? What shall I promise you?" Face so pale, lips barely moving now. "This won't stop. This will go on and on. Promise." A child's dream granted by a demon, "Forever, love." With sharp teeth I make a small gash, just deep enough and press my wrist to his mouth. "Drink." He does. Gentle lapping is all he can manage but I cradle him to me and let him drink until he stops. Until his heart ceases, and those wide gray eyes shut. I caress him in this stillness and wait. -End Feedback |