ALTERNATE: No Risk No Reward

[Trillian]

Nobody could resist them. They were a force when they were together and groupies flocked to them in the clubs. Picking up had never been difficult for either of them but now it was a buffet; they could pick out their favourite treats from the gaggle of young men who approached them every night.

Three months later they'd developed quite a routine, spending a lot of time together. If Jake had doubted Lazarus' interest in him, he certainly wouldn't anymore; the ancient always had time for him, sharing opinions, hanging out (which didn't always start as sexy times but usually finished that way). Without being asked, Lazarus even introduced Jake to the Luminary, Halen, and mentioned Jake would make a great second Oligarch for vampires. Halen was non-commital.

Ben had remained in Lazarus' care during this time. The blonde ancient had let him bring all his things over and so Ben was properly set up in his house. He found living with Lazarus to be exceptionally simple; the ancient rarely had time for him because he was always hanging around with Jake, but when he was with Ben on his own, he would be sexy and kind. Ben found himself liking Lazarus even though he was still intimidated by him. Every now and then Jake and Lazarus would both indulge with him, and Ben gradually grew accustomed to their playtime even though towards the end of their sexual activity he would always end up humiliated and demeaned. Lazarus would always be cruel to him whenever Jake was around. He'd learnt that whenever they had others with them, he wouldn't be asked to play with them. It made him both relieved and jealous.

This was one such night. It was winter and Ben had the fireplace hot and blazing in the lounge. Dressed only in a pair of board shorts, he was laid out on the floor writing in his journal about the latest historic things Lazarus had divulged to him. Ben had learnt that Lazarus focussed only on physical talents instead of mental ones, and while disappointed he was also fascinated with Lazarus' celerity and ability to climb walls and hang upside down on ceilings like a weird blonde spiderman. He'd only demonstrated it once and admitted he only ever used it when he wanted to scale something.

When Jake and Lazarus entered the house laughing and supporting a drunken young man between them, Ben picked up his pen and book and stood, holding them against his bare chest. He waited until the three of them were seated before he made his exit, hurrying away because he didn't want to watch them with another.

Lazarus noticed the way Jake stared at his pet, and even as he urged the intoxicated young man onto his knees between his legs, unfastening his jeans so they could get started, Jake asked: "Why is he still here?"

Of course he meant Ben and not their new plaything (Seth? Scott? Sam?) that they'd picked up and then pushed alcohol onto after he readily agreed to be their drinky for the night. Lazarus waited until he had a warm mouth wrapped around him and groaned before he sank back into the sofa and turned his head to look at Jake.

"He's my pet, love." Lazarus' eyelids fluttered as he was momentarily deep-throated. "Don't you like playing with him with me?"

When Jake played with Ben it was always with Lazarus - he'd never been left alone with the mortal blond.

[Black Philip]

The last three months had been exciting, and Jake had never felt more powerful. It was side effect of being around a powerful person, and Jake admitted that he liked that power. He liked being known as the vampire Oligarchs boy, or the closest thing Lazarus had to one. He liked that he was picked. He liked that Lazarus had been in the city long before his arrival but to the best of Jake's knowledge hadn't treated another with such respect and wanting. It was so different than Ben. It was less personal but somehow still romantic. Their fun was more playful than he and Ben, but could also be taken past human limits which was exciting. Most of all was the rush of the seduction and the feeling of humans crawling all over them. Jake had never been wanting for men, but now he had his pick and got to share with someone he liked. Part of him hated how much he liked it all, but it was buried under the rush and thrill of Lazarus.

Everything was going perfect, except for Ben. Ben was still in Jake's life, and that at best was complicated. Their sexual relationship was still unusually good and for that Jake was thankful. It was the only part of Ben he could still enjoy, and when they weren't naked and inside one another Jake felt itchy, and awkward around his ex. He didn't hate Ben, but he didn't think he loved him anymore either. He was just a painful piece of the past every present in Jake's life. He showed how weak Jake had Ben, before Lazarus had helped him feel strong again. It's why he enjoyed humiliating Ben, the sexy ritual of looking down on him. Jake hadn't realized how much of a sadist he could be, but Ben had shown him and strangely he was thankful. There was another part of him that felt guilty, but that guilt was buried under Lazarus too. The blonde had a way of taking up all Jake's space.

As Lazarus got his head, Jake's mind was strangely still on Ben. He was an exposed nerve, and as they'd entered Jake's eyes had been all over Ben's exposed torso and pretty face. It made him hard, not the trick they'd picked up for a good drunk feed. Jake didn't even remember his name. He was also weirdly angry at being so turned on by Ben. Why did he care so much?

"Of course I do," Jake said sweetly, leaning in to kiss Lazarus as the blood donation below blew him. Jake put a hand on the back of the mortal's head. He wasn't slamming it down like he did to Ben, but encouraged the sucking as his tongue danced with his friend's. Jake had avoided talking about Ben with Lazarus, and despite the other being intelligent he was too superficial to ask. He'd told Jake that superficial nature was to help survive the passage of time. Jake was starting to think he had a point. He pulled back from the kiss.

"Mind if I bite first," he asked, not stating yet what he really wanted. He was hoping for a little one on one with Ben, but he wasn't about to do it sober.

[Trillian]

"Mmn, go ahead," Lazarus said. He didn't let their drinky finish him off because he wanted to cum inside him and he didn't want to wait for however long before he was turned on again. He gripped the drinky's hair and pulled him off, forcing him up and back onto the couch. There was a protest but Lazarus just laughed it off and gestured for Jake to suck on his neck. "Here, have him half lying on you so I can..." he didn't finish his sentence, changing position and kneeling on the couch, his stiff member pointing at the pair of them while he fished around in his jacket pocket for a tube of lubrication. He found it with an 'aha!' and squirted some onto the palm of his right hand.

Watching Jake drink from mortals was always a turn-on. He stroked himself, lubing up as Jake's fangs entered the mortal's neck and he drank, causing the youth to writhe. Lazarus whipped the boy's jeans and underwear off and got to work, prepping him. In his eagerness to get going, encouraged by the drinky's sexy noises, he relied on the good feelings of Jake's bite and didn't spend as much time stretching him.

Damn, he was good and tight. The drinky cried out while one vampire fed from him and the other fucked him. Lazarus grinned at Jake as he slowly thrust in and out, not wanting to make it difficult for him to have his feed. Nobody liked it when their food was being jiggled.

[Black Philip]

Jake gave a thankful kiss to the air, blowing it in Lazarus's direction as he grabbed the drinky's hair, pulling back his neck and moving his body into the position requested by his lover. His fangs were in quickly and he let the blood flow, moving his neck and the boy with the pace of Lazarus's thrusts. Jake almost instantly felt lightheaded, the drinky perhaps having one too many cocktails. Jake was greedy, and drank a fair amount, all the while locking eyes with Lazarus. He gave a taunting look, almost like he might suck the kid dry. However, he stopped after a while, dipping the now barely conscious human into a slump as Lazarus worked him over. Jake enjoyed their little dance, and how easily they used the boys that followed them. He almost forgot about Ben all together, but some of the sounds that had come out of the boy's mouth during feeding had reminded Jake of the first time he bit his former love.

"Can I go play with the pet instead," he asked with a mock shyness, making sure to let his eyes droop and to hold an innocent expression. He wasn't sure how protective Lazarus would be. Had Jake and Ben shared no moments other than sex only because Jake hadn't asked, or was Lazarus purposely setting the conditions in which the two interacted? It was a question Jake wanted the answer to very much. Even as he realized he was more than tipsy from the feed his mind was clearly on Ben.

[Trillian]

"Nnh, go ahead, I'm staying here," Lazarus said, figuring Jake couldn't play much with their drinky anymore now that he was mostly used up. Lazarus felt like he was going to last a long while though. "He's good... and warm... and slippery..." Lazarus said, thrusting in with every adjective. The rhythm he'd adopted while Jake had been feeding had put him on a zen-like course which he intended to see through to the very end. It felt like every nerve ending in his entire body was connected to his plunging cock, and there was no end in sight.

Ben had returned to his room - the white one with lacy curtains and a poster bed that didn't fit his personality but now he was quite attached to all of it. It felt like his room now, especially after he'd taken a shag-pile circular rug out of one of the other bedrooms (a pale blue one) and laid it on the wooden floor.

He hadn't been in the mood to continue writing so he'd put his pen and journal away and then lay upon his rug. It was soft and thick and comfy and he liked lying on it with bare skin, so he hadn't bothered to put on more clothes after leaving the lounge. The rug was positioned at the foot of the bed on the floor, between the bed and the door. It was quite a grand size, large enough in diameter to fit him as he stretched out on it. Lazarus had helped him by lifting up the end of the bed so he could put a portion of the rug underneath. It had a two-fold effect - the rug didn't move around on the floor and it also perfectly fit the space now.

Lying on his back and staring up at the ceiling, Ben tried not to think about what was going on downstairs. He'd turned on music so he wouldn't have to hear it. He'd chosen something more upbeat, with a thumping bass and strumming guitar to hide the sounds of sex. One of his favourite songs came on and his eyes drifted closed to enjoy it.

A vampire would find it very easy to sneak up on him. So would an elephant.

[Black Philip]

Jake exited the room without another word. He was drunk, which by itself was nothing new, but he was drunk, angry, and for some reason, sad. He moved through Lazarus's fine house until he came to the room where he knew Ben waited. He knocked, but there was no answer. At first Jake considered leaving. It would be rude to just barge in, but then he reconsidered that after what he and Ben had done to one another entering without an invitation was small potatoes. He swung the door open slowly, looking into the room and finding Ben looking delicious on the rug. Jake also noticed the headphones and could faintly hear the music with his vampire senses. He looked so good. His clear skin, red lips and blonde hair were all calling Jake like a siren song. He moved slowly towards him and in his drunken state, he forgot they weren't together anymore. He crawled on top of Ben, laying his body weight down on him.

"Hi," he said with a slight slur. He looked happy to be with just Ben again. It never occurred to him how rapey he looked.

[Trillian]

Ben's eyes sprang open when he felt a cool body crawling over him. He tensed, expecting Lazarus had brought his two friends in tow to play with and abuse him... but it was Jake. A quick glance at the open door showed him that Jake was here by himself. Lazarus must've stayed downstairs with his latest pick-up.

Since Ben had moved in with Lazarus, he and Jake had never been alone together. He'd thought it was because the blonde ancient was jealous, or feeling spiteful, but he obviously didn't mind now. Ben removed his music with one hand, the sound of it fading for him but probably going louder for Jake, before Ben pushed them a little further away.

His body was responding a lot more than his mind. Used to Jake's physical touch, Ben's heart hammered in his chest and his dick stiffined in his shorts. Nervous, confused and excited, Ben didn't really know what to say. A million questions raced through his mind - including something about being drunk, but nothing seemed appropriate.

"Hi," he said in response, hopeful but wary of the adoration in Jake's expression. He hadn't been looked at like that in ages... since before the breakup. He'd wanted Jake to look at him that way again, but had resigned himself to believing he'd never see it. Goosebumps broke out on his arms as a shiver ran up his spine. Automatically, he reached up to embrace Jake and caress his back.

[Black Philip]

Ben felt so nice. He was warm, and soft, and Jake liked the feel of his stiffening dick beneath those little shorts. The vampire stiffened too, and grinded himself playfully into Ben, looking into his eyes and smiling. It was just like the old days. Jake didn't care how they'd gotten there. He just realized how much he'd missed it. Maybe it was the booze, or the amount of time that had gone by, or maybe the violent exchanges of sexual energy over the last few months had been enough for him to work out his anger, but he just didn't care about past failings. The music was there but forgotten. Jake's mind was only on one thing, wondering if this was actually happening.

"Would you believe me if I told you I missed you," he said, some of that old edge from when they'd first met present in his voice. He gave another grind. God Ben felt fucking good.

[Trillian]

His breath caught, and not just because of the way Jake was grinding deliciously into him (but certainly some of it was from that).

"I miss you, too," he said, emotion welling up in him so strongly that he didn't have the will to hold it back. His heart continued to pound in his chest, hope rising in spite of his mind yelling at him that this was just a trick, another way to fool him and bring him crashing down, of hurting him as payback. He took the leap of faith anyway, hands roaming Jake's body, travelling down to his ass and squeezing there before roaming back up. He wanted to feel more of him; he couldn't get enough. "I'm so sorry. I fucked up so bad. I was stupid. I should never have left. I want to come home."

Ah, shit. He'd gone too far but it was the truth. Truth that Jake probably didn't want to hear, or perhaps he did, and he would laugh at Ben and say 'I knew I could make you say it'. Or maybe it would be too much and Ben had ruined a potentially nice get-together with too much brutal honesty about a horrible event in their past and Jake might get angry at him. He was still hopeful, his eyes glassy with unshed tears that prickled his eyes. He'd suffered mightily at Jake's hand, like punishment (pain and humiliation) after getting an unjust reward (great sex) from him at Lazarus' behest. But he would forgive it all, if only Jake could forgive him.

[Black Philip]

Jake's body tensed up, and his erection deflated. The fantasy was shattered, and the real Ben and Jake had come back into the room. On one level it was everything he'd wanted to hear since Ben left. It's what he'd wanted to hear that night at Risk when he'd been so stupid and vapid and made out with that nobody. It tossed Ben into Lazarus's arms. Jake cried too, and rolled off Ben. They were next to one another now. He reached out and grabbed his hand. It felt so warm, and like he was holding something he'd missed. But it would never work. They wanted different things. Ben was young, immature, unpredictable. The Anarchs were still an important part of his life, although less so recently thanks to Lazarus, and Ben hated them. All of that should've made Jake get up and leave the room, but he stayed and turned his head towards Ben. Could they at least try again? Was it worth fighting for? Did he love him enough for that? Yes. He actually did.

"I want you back in my life," he admitted. "And thank you, for the apology."

He rolled into Ben, the amount of change in his body evidence of his growing nerves. His eyes were wide. "But he's not just going to let me take you."

[Trillian]

When Jake rolled off him, Ben's hopes soured and crashed down. He'd ruined it, the little moment they could have stolen. Why did he have to blurt it all out? Why hadn't he waited until after they'd fooled around? Why hadn't he waited until Jake was plunged deep inside him to admit all those things? At least if his anger had presented it would've been satisfying.

But he'd given up too soon because Jake said exactly what he'd wanted to hear. He was even thanked for saying what he'd said! His heart soared. Elation washed over him, buoying his feelings and unable to stop the smile from overtaking his face. Jake wanted him back! They could be together! When Jake spoke about Lazarus, it felt like even he couldn't stop them.

"You're friends now," Ben said. "He won't risk your friendship over me. He only treats me like shit when you come over because he wants to show off for you," Ben said, divulging something that Lazarus had expressly forbidden him to reveal. He figured that secret wouldn't matter now that Jake was interested in taking him back. Lazarus might demand that they play together some more, and maybe that would happen - it depended on Jake and if he wanted to keep Ben to himself or not - but Ben couldn't picture the lanky blonde caring enough about Ben to pursue it. "Just tell him you changed your mind about me."

Ugh, he could hear the desperation in his voice, the pleading quality of it that made him feel cheap and worthless. Extract Ben, insert hopeless groupie. Thing was, he was hopelessly devoted to Jake and it had taken Ben leaving him to realise how much he did care. His heart hadn't healed. He hadn't gotten over it. He'd moved on in action but not in heart. He clung to Jake now, needing him to not ever let go of Ben again.

[Black Philip]

Why would Lazarus care about Ben? He'd wondered what had kept the blonde's interest over Ben for so long. Was he holding Ben for Jake until he was ready to take him back? No. That was too selfless. He didn't have time to think, and Lazarus was probably drunk and balls deeps. This couldn't happen tonight. Jake turned to Ben, pulling his head to rest on his shoulder.

"I'll talk to him tomorrow," he said, trying not to sound defeated. "I. I wouldn't be so sure that he'll just be cool about this. Vampires can possessive, sometimes."

He'd never been at odds with Lazarus, and still valued his friendship and the times they'd been having together. He wanted a version of this where they could all be on good terms. Also, he was an Oligarch, and Jake knew that people in power loved to use when inconvenient. Then again, he seemed to really like Jake. Perhaps this could all come out good.

"Wanna spend the night together? He won't come looking for me."

He wanted to fuck, feed, and cuddle until they were both exhausted, and just get lost in one another liked they used to. Being physically next to Ben was heaven, and Jake felt himself returning to it.

[Trillian]

Ben thought Lazarus might be bored with him by now - he'd been bringing home other guys to play with after all. He didn't think Lazarus would care so much about him specifically as Jake taking his live-in pet... but he had an idea.

"Just replace me with someone else. Gift him a groupie, you know his tastes." Ben could hear the desperation in his voice; he wanted this badly. He didn't know how to sound any different, though when he spoke next his tone changed into something a little less desperate and little more hopeful. "Someone new and fresh for him while you inherit me?" he suggested.

The invitation had him grinning at Jake. Of course he wanted to spend time with him. "Yes. Please." He looked forward to reconnecting.

[Black Philip]

Ben's idea actually wasn't a bad one. Furthermore, it was how a vampire would think. Ben had spent his time with Lazarus well. Jake didn't like the idea of trading humans around like Pokemon cards, but to get Ben back he'd offer up Lazarus a nice, little morsel. He'd have no problem attracting one, or five. It wasn't even about Lazarus having easy blood and flesh. It was about the insult of taking something away from him. Jake had been done with Ben when Lazarus took him. The same was not so this time around. Jake would've hurt any vampire who fed from Ben during the days they'd been together, but he loved Ben. That was why. Jake was sure Lazarus didn't love the human. He stood, and extended his hand for Ben to take.

"Let's go lie down on a bed then," he said, still feeling the alcohol a bit. "The floor isn't the best place for what happens next."

He sent Ben an image of them naked, touching, and most importantly, Jake feeding. He would guide the human to the mattress, and for now forget about the task he had to do tomorrow. For now, it was just he and Ben. He thought he'd never be able to say that again.

[Trillian]

Ben took Jake's hand and stood, offering a tiny smile and wondering if 'what happened next' would be sweet or rough, but then the imagery came through and his tiny smile grew, liking the nature of the preview.

Jake arrived at the bed first and Ben fell into the role that Lazarus had assigned him; awaiting instruction or seeking out an obvious indication of what came next. The preview he'd received was pretty clear, so Ben sought to remove Jake's clothes, starting with his shirt.