Reclamation

[Existentially Odd]

"Thank you again, everyone. Keep in touch and drive safely," Kerr bade, smiling broadly as his and Ben's team of guests stepped into the penthouse lift and the doors closed, separating them at last. Kerr pressed his hands into the small of his back and arched backwards in an exaggerated stretch, emitting a loud roar that was two parts excitement, one part relief, one part exhaustion. It had been a very long night.

The night before, they'd watched Lazarus' trial, which had amounted to very little, they'd later heard. Regardless, Kerr and Ben had taken the opportunity to call into the White Rabbit before they went home and declare - abiding by the letter of the City Central's Laws - that they would be occupying the former Chambers of the Oligarchy building in one form or another from now on. It was only the first ball that they'd set in motion.

Tonight, they'd released a veritable cascade of them. It was closing in on two thirty in the morning and Kerr and Ben had been going since sundown.

Kerr had organised the utilities to be turned on in the building three nights ago, unconcerned about who might've been enjoying light or a warm shower on his generosity. Tonight, they'd begun the night by meeting at the former Chambers of the Oligarchy with the building site manager, head architect, lead designer and a couple of key tradespeople that were in charge of building the Kerr Galvin Academy project. They'd done an excellent job with the Academy; it had made sense to reward their hard work by adding another job to their portfolio.

Together, the entire group had gone through every room, closet and cupboard in the entire building, working their way from the parking spaces in the basement all the way to the (remains of the) gardens on the rooftop above the twenty-eighth floor. Luckily, Ben still had the keycard to access their former home and both still had their master keys or codes to every other door - not that the locks weren't about to be changed. The craftspeople had made copious notes, taken countless photos to go with them and done their best to understand Ben and Kerr's vision of what they wanted the building to become. The design team was cautiously optimistic about a month-long delivery by the end of the tour, mostly because the building had held up quite well, despite the squatters and the vandalism to a lot of the rooms.

Kerr straightened up with a sigh and turned towards Ben, enveloping him in a bearhug, nuzzling his face in against Ben's throat and pressing his lips to his skin in some light kisses. "God, that was exhausting," he murmured, finding his brain was the most tired out of everything. All the planning and answering of questions - and he'd tried to let Ben answer most of them, so that it was his vision they were following - had drained him. His lover had to be even more tired than he was. He pulled back to smile down at Ben. "I'll need to drink tonight," he said apologetically. He wasn't dressed for going out, having worn jeans, sneakers and a fitted black long T-shirt because he'd anticipated getting grubby tonight.

The light coming through the large windows in the main rooms caught his eye as it seeped into the foyer around them, stirring fond memories. "I miss living here, in the heart of the city. That view... do you want to move back? Full time?" he queried, tilting his head curiously as he gazed down at Ben. Things were starting to feel more comfortable between them. More normal. Maybe it was being back here, in what had most recently been their home, according to Kerr.

[Trillian]

Ben could feel Kerr's exhaustion but was sending his own back in waves, probably compounding it for his sire. He couldn't block it though, too tired to prevent a broadcast of his feelings. At the same time, he was experiencing a high from all that they'd achieved tonight, and that also went thrumming along their blood bond.

Ben melted into the embrace and then grinned up at Kerr, nodding agreement about the thirst. "I need to as well," he said. He still needed two drinks a night, due to his young age. The fervour of his thirst had muted a year ago, at least. Before he could offer to call some of his contacts for them, Kerr asked a question that captured all of his attention.

"It'll feel weird, like we never left," Ben said. "But out of all the places we've lived together, this feels most like home," he said. There were lots more memories for him here than at the Capital. Most of those were movie-memories, and weren't pleasant to look at either. This was where he came back to himself. This was where he'd fallen in love with Kerr all over again. And according to what he knew, the second time had been the charm.

"Do you want me to call up a couple of my donors for us?" he offered. "It'll take them some time getting here. I can call someone close if we're not too choosy."

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr raised his eyebrows and fluttered his eyelashes at Ben in mock disbelief, surprised by this offer. It sounded so... organised!

"You have donors?!" he teased, poking Ben playfully in the stomach. When Ben wriggled, it almost became a dance as Kerr continued to squeeze and prod his love's midriff with one hand, his other arm wrapped around him as he swayed along with Ben's reactions. "Is this some sort of harem I'm not aware of? And I thought we were working to establish that here - you didn't tell me you already had options! Where do you have them stashed, if they're not nearby? Who are you and what've you done with my spontaneous, club-loving fledgeling?!"

Excitement, exhaustion and new beginnings had combined to make Kerr giddy with joy but he really was curious about this new development. Who had a selection of donors just for themselves?!

[Trillian]

Ben giggled as he tried to escape Kerr's taunting touch, his hand finally landing on the prodding finger and holding it steady with a softly breathed 'no more'. Kerr immediately halted.

"I got the idea from Vincent. He's Owen's sire. I trained with them." Ben forgot that Kerr had met Owen briefly while he'd been on the run from the White Rabbit. "Owen was teasing him about his donor book, and I found out he keeps a list of them. Honestly, I forgot about it until one night when you came for a visit... um... I mean, when Charon came for a visit, he arranged for some of his mortal staff to come by the house, so we didn't have to go out. I realised the convenience of that and so I... uh, bought a notebook to put names and numbers in," he shrugged and giggled again, but it had lost its exuberance and was a great deal more nervous as he wondered how his sire would take it. After a moment he added, "Cain's in there."

Fuck knew why he'd bring Cain up, but Kerr's lusty-boy was a great deal different now. Older, for a start. No longer on the scene, secondly. But he liked being drunk from, and Cain's vampire boyfriend had broken up with him around the time Kerr had disappeared. Drinking from Cain made Ben feel closer to Kerr, in reality, though he hadn't indulged in him sexually. That would have tainted the memory.

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr's embarrassment regarding Cain might've been resolved in Europe but it was still only a couple of months behind him. The name - the final in a loaded list: Vincent, Owen, Charon - was the slap in the face that sobered Kerr's good mood instantly. His mouth skewed and he started gnawing on his tongue stud as he withdrew his arms from around Ben.

"Well, anyone you like then, I guess," he shrugged, tucking his fingertips into the front pockets of his jeans and rocking on his feet in an effort to appear casual. As soon as he spoke, though, he realised he wasn't feeling that way at all. "But not Cain," he added quickly.

He wasn't ready to go there, not so soon and not in his current situation, with Ben recovering his confidence slowly with physical proximity and nowhere near ready for anything sexual. He didn't want to force circumstances with Ben to change, he was content as they were, but Kerr wasn't stupid enough to court temptation for himself, either. That would show impatience, not compassion, because he'd always been helpless to resist Cain's lure.

"We can always just find someone on the streets on our way out, too," he amended yet again. It felt like he was making a big deal out of something he'd prefer to play down but there was a tightness in his sternum that kept him talking, a weight on his shoulders that he wanted to shake off but couldn't. Ben was doing well in recovering after his assault, he wasn't up to facing anything negative and Kerr was damned if he'd let everything he was feeling out over something as banal as feeding. Yes, it was more about the hollowness he felt every time he thought about the people Ben had filled his life with in his absence but none of that compared to Ben's pain.

Restlessly, he offered a tight smile and turned to stroll out of the foyer, intent on leaving Ben to make the decision for himself. The apartment was filled with the ghosts of better memories and plastic-sheeted furniture, not to mention a view of city lights that he'd always loved. He hoped it would make him feel better and make it easier to resist burdening Ben.

[Trillian]

He didn't have to sense Kerr's emotional retreat because he could see and feel it in reality. He felt bad for bringing Cain's name up. It wasn't meant to be a barb - he'd thought Kerr would question why Ben had him as a contact and Ben could tell him how together Kerr's favourite mortal was now, that he was doing well.

Was that really why, Benny-boy?

He'd also wanted to see if Kerr's eyes would spark interest. It hadn't, and he felt like shit over it. Had it been a test of loyalty? He didn't think so, Kerr had already proved that countless times over. It was Ben who had a pattern of faltering, not Kerr. He had to do better. His notebook was in a pocket in his suitcase at Penbrook right now, so he'd have to make do with his phone contacts. He thumbed past a few names and found one of the ex-Oligarch donors. Toby Jameson. He had friends who were also in the know, so he could bring one of them with him.

Ben texted his request and was pleased when Toby answered straight away. His texting was a little off, with random words instead of whatever one was supposed to be there as auto-correct bungled its guess. Ben frowned.

Are you texting and driving?

No. I've had a few beers while watching Netflix. Can I still come?

Ben considered refusing momentarily but he wanted to touch base with Toby, who seemed to be friends will all the ex-Oligarchy donors. It would be good to have him on side.

Sure. Bring one of your mates with you. I'll send an Uber to pick you both up and bring you to me.

Sweet.

Ben arranged for the Uber and then went over to where Kerr had gone to, looking out over the city, and put an arm around his waist as he cuddled up to him. "I don't know if you remember Toby, the guy who always wore that Letterman jacket, but he's coming along with one of his friends."

And that friend definitely wouldn't be Cain. Ben had been told by Cain how he'd been ostracised by the other donors for being Luminary's favourite, and for coming in late on a special pass.

"That Saraekiel guy is trouble. By the end of our chat earlier I got the same vibe off him as I used to get from Zoheret." It took him a while to say the other person he'd reminded him of. "And Lazarus," he said.

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr vaguely recalled Toby as having had trouble with Cain. He couldn't remember specifics and didn't pursue the thought because of the Cain association. He didn't care who he drank from, as long as it was easy. At this end of a long night, everything seemed complicated and he was weary enough that he was getting emotional. Of course, the notion of inviting people to come to them was indulgent and having a directory of options? Downright sinful. If it was something he'd been encouraged to do, he thought he'd exclusively choose female donors. They seemed entirely less problematic to his current, idealistic mind.

He wrapped his arm about Ben naturally, allowing his love to snuggle close, leaning his hip against him and kissing his forehead before pulling back slightly to gaze down at him. The splash of reflected city lights bathed his clear, smooth skin in hues that exaggerated his features momentarily, making him appear rosy with life one moment, grotesque with envy the next. Or perhaps that was just the effect of the next list of names he chose to reel off. Ben was suddenly full of tumultuous references designed to make Kerr recoil inwardly, it felt like.

"Agreed," he murmured, turning to look at the skyline while he pondered the statement and made mental comparisons. "I think he'll probably be even more conniving than Lazarus, though. Less openly disdainful than Zoheret, even if he feels the same way as she does about, well, everyone. He's smart. He's the first to acknowledge... us. Flattery will get him another meeting but I don't believe his little 'I don't know how to politics, please help' routine. Still, allies are better than enemies."

He wanted to lighten the mood by adding a joke along the lines of not ruling out a threesome with the dark angel, to tease Ben about the chemistry between he and Saraekiel, but he wasn't capable of brevity about such things. Neither was Ben. It died before it even had a chance to blossom.

"So we didn't find Digital here. We'll have to look for him-- where did Jeanne say she thought he was? Or was it you that told me another place?" Kerr asked, befuddled by who had told him what and when. He and Ben had definitely had a discussion about needing a coder and Digital's name came up, forcing Kerr to realise he'd have to forge ahead with his forgiveness plan for the scattered clairvoyant. They'd talked about him having established a squatter's den here in the former Chambers but the place was mostly empty when they'd scoured it tonight. Someone had said something about Digital being seen somewhere else recently and it might've been Jeanne after the party, or not. There'd been so many discussions, plans and heavy negotiations to get through since that night, tangled with the heightened emotions that accompanied them, he couldn't keep everything straight. Especially when he was so tired.

They definitely hadn't continued the discussion about siring Murphy, either, but he would tear his tongue stud out before he'd bring that up voluntarily.

[Trillian]

At the 'I don't know how to politics, please help' line, Ben laughed. It was unhindered and natural and he hugged Kerr a little tighter because of it, loving him and his banter. It was something he'd rediscovered about his sire - that Kerr was quite comical even when he was straight-talking, because he was straight-talking.

"Digital. I'm surprised he hasn't sought you out, actually. I feel almost like he's... avoiding me. I've been looking for him for ages and he hasn't shown up. There were some fires started throughout the year, and the local news were saying they were hunting for an arsonist, and they had Digital's signature all over them. Nobody got hurt, always started at night, out of the way so nothing else caught on fire. He's careful even in his madness." Ben lapsed into a momentary silence. "I wish he'd told me you were coming back," he said softly.

Ben turned and faced Kerr directly, tugging gently on his sire to face directly opposite, not wanting to look at his profile when he next spoke.

"After our donors come and go, can we try making love? I don't like that Lazarus was the last to have me. But he's gone now, one way or another, and I know I've been off about being touched, but if we go into our old bedroom where there are good memories..." he shrugged. "I might be okay."

[Existentially Odd]

“Me too,” Kerr agreed quietly to Ben’s declaration that he wished Digital had alerted him to Kerr’s eventual return. So much heartache and awkwardness might have been avoided, if only...

Surprised to find himself being turned towards Ben, Kerr complied, a curious expression on his face. It soon softened into a tender smile. A wave of love washed through him, making it feel like his heart was suddenly too big for his chest. He touched Ben’s face reverently and placed a gentle kiss on his lips before pulling back, finally confident he could speak without sounding too emotional.

“I’d like that,” he admitted, his grin becoming more sensual unintentionally, simply because he was imagining being intimate with Ben again. “But if it’s too much, that’s fine, too.” More than anything, Lazarus had taken choice away from Ben and Kerr wanted him to know that he had it with him - and much more power than he probably felt like he did.

Kerr made a show of taking out his phone and swiping it open, pretending to type into it with his thumb. “I’ll just make a note that you can have your wicked way with me and we’ll see what happens from there. How long until these donors arrive?” he queried, looking playfully eager as he squeezed Ben a little closer and leaned down to nuzzle his throat.

He expected a smile or to get slapped away because he was being a pill about it and that was okay. Being light seemed like a good tone to set, to distract from any fears either of them still had. If he picked up the vibe that Ben was too nervous to make light of anything, he’d change tactic. Though Kerr had friends and others to love in his life, they all seemed trivial in the face of his feelings for the man in his arms. Ben was everything that mattered to him and he’d lay down his life to make him happy. The night he sired him, his soul was split irrevocably in two and Kerr looked forward to the chance to remind Ben that he was his completion.

[Trillian]

Ben smiled at Kerr's note-taking and the pair of them ended up spending the next twenty minutes murmuring conversation to one another while in a tight embrace.

The Uber deposited two young men who found the front doors unlocked and entered the foyer, looking around curiously. Toby texted his arrival to Ben and soon enough they were whisked upstairs by Ben and Kerr.

Ben looked at Ryan curiously, who wore the same letterman jacket at his friend (obviously high-school buddies) and carried a backpack that smelled like hotdogs. Ben had never met the guy before tonight so he was obviously a friend that was in the know but hadn't been an Oligarch donor. Both Ryan and Toby were in their early twenties and obvious jocks because they were muscular and tall. Guys like them used to intimidate Ben but he noticed he wasn't bothered anymore - rather he was assessing their build as being able to donate more than usual. Toby looked like he had a bit of extra weight on him, too - getting a bit soft around the edges. It made him look gentler, somehow. Ben wondered what he was up to now, having lost his placement on the donor lists. Ben could smell the beer on him in the elevator but it wasn't overpowering and he didn't shy from it. He glanced at Kerr. Can I have Toby? He doesn't seem drunk and I've never fed from someone with alcohol in their blood.

"What are you doing with yourself now?" Ben asked, only to break the silence in the lift as it sped them towards their destination on the top floor.

"I work in a diner," Toby replied.

"As a busboy," Ryan sniggered, attracting Toby's annoyed gaze. "Free burgers and dogs, though."

Ben blinked at him. "Is that... do you have a hot dog in your bag?"

Ryan laughed. "Not today, but I have put them in my lunchbox. I've only got chocolate bars and apple juice right now," he explained, green eyes twinkling. "And a couple of packets of crisps. You guys don't always have food handy."

You guys. Ben turned the phrase over in his mind, certain that Ryan meant 'vampires' and interested that Ryan hadn't dropped the word. He'd obviously put some thought into coming out with Toby and being drunk from.

"Do you zen out like Toby or are you... different?"

A slow smile spread over Ryan's face to match the creeping blush that pinked his cheeks. "Different," he said, losing his bravado.

"Ben and Kerr are partnered up," Toby cut in quickly.

Ryan glanced at his friend, a strange expression on his face. "Yeah, you mentioned that in the car. Twice."

"Just so you don't make it awkward, asshole."

The elevator dinged and Ben was grateful for the interruption, though he was also interested to see what would have become of their conversation. He made eye-contact with Kerr and gave him a mental kiss of amusement, but also had a question for him.

Will we drink from them privately or openly? They might want privacy... Ben shrugged.

[Existentially Odd]

Sure. Whichever you wish, Kerr replied when Ben requested Toby. He was surprised that his lover would opt for alcohol-laced blood but it secretly pleased him, too. Thinking about what he and Ben were going to be doing soon had Kerr excited, even with his trepidation, and he was afraid of scaring Ben with his eagerness. The blood might help Ben relax into sex more easily; Ben likely had the same thought. Kerr was definitely not going to halt anything that would help him get laid.

He immediately regretted his laconic attitude when the conversation progressed and Ryan admitted he was going to be turned on by the bite. Just Kerr’s luck. The guy was warm and large - Kerr’s fantasy type - and he’d soon be writhing wantonly against him while he drank. Kerr, who was too thirsty in every way to have a whole lot more self control. Patience was not just for saints, apparently. Sometimes it was necessary for poor idiot sire vampires, too.

When Ben suggested privacy, Kerr panicked a little. It wasn’t that he thought he’d slip up and accidentally fuck the guy, he just didn’t want to give Ryan any excuse to, well, make things awkward. Kerr didn’t want privacy but the alternative was feeding near Ben and Toby. Kerr couldn’t predict whether seeing him with a horny mortal would be arousing and improve his chances with Ben or douse them. For this reason, he kissed Ben back mentally (triggering his fledge’s lips with a slight press on his physical receptors) and hedged his bet.

I’d prefer we all stay together in the lounge but if you feel it’s too much, one of us can go into the library. Perhaps we should ask them? While he waited, he scanned Ryan’s memory in order to find out whether he and Toby were lovers, curious about whether the pair were also looking to capitalise on the feeding when they left.

[Trillian]

When Kerr touched on Ryan's thoughts he would see that Ryan had a girlfriend - a cute and petite blonde thing - but he wasn't actively thinking about her. He didn't harbour any desire for Toby either, though Kerr's quick scan would reveal that Ryan must have a thing for blondes because he was immensely attracted to Ben, who he'd apparently seen a few times when visiting Toby at the Chambers when it was Oligarchy headquarters. That latent interest was in full swing now, and he'd concluded that Ben was just his type - obviously male but pretty enough to fall into the space that Ryan considered perfect to quench his same-sex thirst. Kerr would see that Ryan had vocalised his wish for Ben to drink from him and Toby had reminded him that Ben was unlikely to do anything with him because he'd only just been reunited with his returned-from-the-dead sire.

Word had apparently got around.

Sure, we can ask them, Ben agreed. Much like Kerr, he didn't know how he would feel watching Ryan with Kerr - especially if he was writhing and begging to be touched or fucked. Maybe it would turn Ben on, remembering that he'd been like that. The memory of how it felt wasn't so distant, especially with three years worth of memories lifted out of the equation. The movie memories never got in the way, but he liked that they were perfectly compartmentalised. The more he looked at them, the more distant he felt from the Ben he used to be. Whatever it was he'd been through to make him that way, he was glad he wasn't like that now. I think I'd like to watch, though.

Ben was fairly sure the mortals would want privacy. They walked out of the lift like a quartet about to perform a show and Ben let them into the penthouse suite. Toby remained close to Kerr while Ryan moved further into the place, seeing that there were a few things covered in plastic sheeting but the lounge area had been uncovered for them. He hoped the bedroom had as well, and thought he might go have a look.

"Hey, I've never been up here," Ryan said, and why would he? He'd never made the donor lists. "Can I have a tour?" he asked, though started taking the tour himself, looking into open rooms, or opening doors that were closed. Ben headed directly for the lounge, figuring that they would all end up there anyway, so he might as well get the seat he wanted.

[Existentially Odd]

When Ben said he might want to watch, Kerr’s mind was made up. Ben got what he wanted, no one else’s desires mattered. The fact that Kerr’s chest burnt with possessiveness when he’d seen that Ryan was keen to get close to his traumatised lover was barely relevant.

Repressing a scoff at Ryan’s bold investigation of the Penthouse, Kerr forced a smile and veered off in the direction he’d gone, allowing Ben to travel to the lounge they’d organised. He glanced at Toby and the smile became more natural as he raised his eyebrows at the mortal, tilting his head and silently requesting he take the tour with them. He was pleased when the other mortal came also, rather than sticking with Ben. His curiosity obviously matched Ryan’s.

“Of course you haven’t, very few people ever came up here. This was our private residence - is our private residence, I mean,” Kerr amended hastily, warmed by the thought he and Ben could live here again.

Since the lift opened inside the apartment and the mortals had seen them activate it with their keycard, Kerr figured there was no point discussing the security features inherent in the penthouse, though he did mention the daylight shutters to protect some floors. Now that the power was back on, he assumed they’d be activated once more but he and Ben would be careful before dawn, just in case.

Kerr guided Ryan and Toby to the doorway of every room, playing the perfect host as well as an attentive vampire, being sure to place his hands on Ryan as often as possible. He did his best to keep them out of each room but allowed them to walk through the art gallery and library, to fully appreciate their beauty (even though the gallery was mostly empty, the artworks in storage). He talked about what it had been like living there and what it would be like, once the designers had worked their magic and it put Kerr in a generous mood. They’d redesigned this home once with love; it held a special place in his heart and his relationship with both his fledgelings.

A hand at the small of his back here, a touch of the hand there - along with some artful mind monitoring to assess what Ryan was interested in and persuade him that Kerr was quite charming - and Kerr avoided any awkwardness with dissatisfied mortals being paired with the vampire they didn’t truly want when they all got back to the lounge. Ben was sitting on one of the three seater lounges, Kerr sat in the one directly opposite him. He allowed the mortals to get comfortable as they saw fit, smiling lovingly at his partner while they removed jackets etcetera.

“We had a nice tour but here we are. Missed you,” he winked at Ben, happiness putting him in a flirty mood. “Ryan, come sit with me. Toby, Ben will drink from you,” he instructed, giving the mortals no choice regarding privacy or vampire partner. He knew they wouldn’t mind.

[Trillian]

Toby looked at Ben in surprise, but headed his way.

"Even though I've had a couple beers?" he said, remembering Ben's reputation for the sharply clean donors. Toby had snuck a smoke once and Ben had reamed him out over it fucking hours after he'd had it. Toby's contract had said no smoking and he'd been foolish to think a vampire wouldn't smell it, but Ben had surprised him by coming into the common room that night. He'd kept to the rules after that and had given Ben more respect as well. The blonde wasn't a mouse.

"Because you've had a couple beers," Ben replied, and did a come-on gesture that Toby found hot. He preferred older guys, mostly. The pretty boys weren't enough man for him, but now he could see what Ryan liked about him... and it went beyond the pretty thing. Ben was different to how he remembered him. Or maybe Toby had dismissed him too quickly.

"Straddle or lap sit or lying down?" he asked softly, though Kerr was sure to hear. Ben considered it and placed an arm along the back of the couch.

"Lap sit," Ben said, not wanting to be overwhelmed by Toby's size or laying down with him.

Toby ended up half sitting on the couch, his thighs on Ben's and his legs slightly bent and extended across the three seater. One arm was hooked under his knee while the other was thrown absently around the blonde's shoulders. Ben had a hand on his hip and around his shoulders like a brace. He kept Toby in place without trouble so all the mortal had to do was turn his head away and reveal his unblemished neck. He shuddered when Ben prodded with his tongue, feeling for a vein before sliding his fangs in. It wasn't painless but Toby considered the bite masterful - such a difference when a vampire truly didn't want to cause their donor pain.

Toby's eyes fluttered closed. It felt so good.

Ben's eyes sprang open. He tasted so good.

As he drank, he watched Kerr and Ryan.

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr watched Ryan set out his snacks on the end table then wipe his palms on the seat of his pants as he approached Kerr. He looked nervous yet two high spots of colour on his cheeks declared that he was excited, too. Kerr smiled as the mortal got closer, looking at where he sat, close to the centre of the seat.

"Do you mind if I position you?" Kerr asked quietly.

"Nope. It's all good," Ryan grinned cockily.

"Remove your shoes, please."

With a look that declared Kerr might be having him on, Ryan toed his shoes off and stood before the vampire in his socks.

Kerr managed to wipe the arrogance out of his expression as he concentrated and used telekinesis to lift Ryan's feet off the carpet. After he raised the boy slightly into the air, Kerr moved him into a horizontal position - irrespective of his flailing arms - and had him float over the couch. It'd been a while since he'd flexed his telekinetic muscles and Kerr's pleasure at the mortal's panicked reaction - that soon shifted to stillness and silent awe when he realised his movements didn't affect his trajectory in the slightest - was obvious as he shared a smug look and a wink with Ben. He was over four hundred; it didn't hurt to put on a show and let the mortals understand the power in that, every now and then. It'd been too long since he'd bothered.

The position Kerr chose for Ryan would've been difficult to get into without a lot of wriggling - laying on his side, facing the back of the couch, their upper bodies pressed chest to chest, his arms wrapped around Kerr's torso while he did the same to Ryan. Cradling the mortal almost tenderly, Kerr smiled down into Ryan's eyes. "Comfortable?" he enquired, receiving a dumbstruck nod in response. Chuckling, Kerr leant forward and pressed his lips to Ryan's throat.

His tongue swirled around a little more than was necessary because he watched Ben as he did it; he didn't normally play with his food but he wished to impress his love before they were alone together. He thought of the first night he'd met Ben and drunk from him in Risk, so many years ago. He hadn't been shy that night and it had seduced his mortal love efficiently. He was going for a similar effect tonight, so he was determined to be bold again. After a bit more prodding with his tongue, Kerr gently inserted his fangs and opened up the vein.

Ryan's reaction was gentle at first. His heart rate picked up, dumping his blood delightfully faster into Kerr's mouth, and he sighed blissfully. As Kerr drew more hungrily on the portals to his life-force, Ryan became more excited. His lower half stirred to life, his hips shifting back and forth in little, needy movements and his hands began to rove over Kerr's back, caressing and squeezing him tighter.

Kerr found Ryan's blood deliciously warm. It slunk down his throat and spread throughout him like air invading a room when a window is opened. Kerr felt himself open in a similar fashion, the beast inside him joyous to be drenched in fresh, hot sustenance. Ryan was building to a similar level of pleasure in Kerr's lap, an arm pulling away from Kerr's back in order to cup his crotch and rub his growing erection through his pants. The spice of sexual arousal infiltrated his blood as consequent hormones were released and Kerr relished its taint, maintaining heated eye contact with Ben. It was easy, when drinking sexualised nectar, to imagine what it would feel like when they were alone and he sent his desire to his love along their blood bond, which felt thick and swollen around them, pulsing headily in a room tinged with pheromones and lust.

It seemed too soon when he needed to close Ryan's throat but Kerr knew it to be time. He bit the tip of his tongue and bled onto his youthful flesh, feeling with his tongue when the wounds had closed and cleaning away any remnants of blood with a swipe. Kerr sat back against the couch then, glancing down at Ryan to see that he was alright. He considered offering another hand to help the slow rubbing going on over his pants - much as he had for Ben, years ago - but he didn't want to get involved, if he could help it. He was content to leave his hands resting on the mortal and allow him to calm down without encouragement, watching Ben and Toby and waiting until it would be appropriate to escort the mortals out of the apartment so he could be alone with Ben.