Messages

1

The Luminary / Re: Analytical Intimacy

« on: January 08, 2020, 12:54:45 AM »

Cain smiled knowingly when told his heart would be broken by Ben for loving him. He wanted to argue that it wasn't that sort of love, that the love a pet had for their master was different to romantic love but suddenly Ben was asking him to go down to the twelfth floor to amuse himself while 'they' talked.

He was startled to follow Ben's gaze and spy Kerr standing silently in the shadows. The idea that the two of them would talk and that Kerr might forgive Ben or Ben might forgive Kerr or that Ben might convince Kerr to treat him like a pet again - properly - had him agreeing to Ben's terms quickly. He nodded and kissed Ben's lips as his hug tightened before he stood up and headed to his room to grab his key.

As he passed Kerr, he couldn't resist stopping to hug him, too, though he didn't get a kiss for his efforts, just a hug back. He was soon heading down to the games room to give his owners time to mend their relationship without him getting in the way, hopeful that when he returned, everything could be even better than it had been.

2

The Luminary / Re: Analytical Intimacy

« on: January 07, 2020, 09:07:13 PM »

"You are loving," Cain insisted, happy enough to remain kneeling in front of Ben. The kisses they were sharing were almost as nice as sex, they made him feel happy in a different way. His arms were still wrapped around Ben's back, gently rubbing. "I see you with Kerr, remember? You just... don't love everybody," he giggled, feeling daring because he was agreeing with Ben.

Of course, Cain knew that Ben hadn't seen him in a competitive pool of mortals, vying for the attentions of a vampire. He didn't know that Cain was definitely not loving all the time; Ben wasn't the most loving man around but Cain was also flawed. Maybe that was why they ended up finding common ground together, even after Ben had been cruel. Cain had the capacity to be the same, just not to a vampire.

"And I'm not perfect either but I love you," he said offhandedly, leaning up to kiss the tip of Ben's nose.

3

The Luminary / Re: Analytical Intimacy

« on: January 07, 2020, 07:00:39 PM »

Cain was surprised by the kiss but was pliant, letting Ben control it. His heart picked up speed and his body responded, though there was an intimacy to their connection that made it feel like sex wasn't really on the cards. That didn't worry him because the connection and the honesty he was getting from Ben were unexpected gifts that blew his mind.

The feelings of growing affection changed when Ben tugged at his hair, making Cain more physically aware of their positions on the couch, the way he was plastered on Ben. He shuffled around, withdrawing his arms and shifting onto his knees. He was aware that he was much bigger than Ben in general but he didn't want it to become intimidating so he slid a leg off the couch and lowered himself down until he was kneeling on the floor, working his way between Ben's legs.

In the spirit of keeping things equal, he wrapped his hands around Ben's ass and dragged him forward on the couch, pressing his lower half up against him and leaning his chest onto Ben's as their kiss was broken by his need to speak. "D'you want to go to my room?" he panted, keeping his mouth connected to Ben's as much as he was able.

4

The Luminary / Re: Analytical Intimacy

« on: January 07, 2020, 06:20:12 PM »

Cain blinked owlishly at Ben, stunned by his candour and gentle admissions. He mattered? More than willing neck nobodies? Cain's face lit up with joy and tucked his legs up onto the couch in order to burrow his way in against Ben's side, hugging him fiercely. His heart was thudding with happiness, his body tingling as he worked his arms about Ben's torso.

"It's okay - about the domming and subbing," he reassured, lifting his face against Ben's chest so that he was gazing up at his jaw. He pressed a little kiss to it just because he was so happy he couldn't contain himself. "I knew it wasn't right for you but I'm glad you figured it out, too. I like knowing that I matter to you," he grinned. "You're not a runner-up prize. Pretty soon you're going to be the most powerful guy in the whole district, " he giggled.

5

The Luminary / Re: Analytical Intimacy

« on: January 07, 2020, 05:14:08 PM »

Cain was interested in Ben's story, it gave him an insight into their relationship and history that he hadn't expected to be privy to. It made him feel grateful and he thought about it as Ben's cool fingers worked in between his, adding an extra layer of comfort.

"You think he'll switch back?" he asked after a while, meaning Kerr. "You think you'll be able to convince him to be open again?" He knew Ben would hear the hope in his voice and he wasn't ashamed of it.

6

The Luminary / Re: Analytical Intimacy

« on: January 07, 2020, 02:35:33 PM »

Cain was relieved to know the campaign stuff hadn't been a lie but gave Ben a confused look. "That's what Kerr said but... I don't get it. How can Ichabod have more influence than you when he's not even here? Kerr loves you best," he pointed out matter of factly. It wasn't something open to question.

Sure, Kerr had left because of Ben but he'd also come straight back because of him, too. It was harder to feel angry at Ben when he was like this, sitting beside him and sharing his unhappiness. They both felt bad and it made it easier when he wasn't alone with it. Cain hated feeling alone.

He sidled a tentative hand closer to Ben's, not because he wanted to start something but because he wanted to hold hands and feel connected to him physically. It had been nice with Ben the night Kerr left, even though it had been awful. They could make each other feel better when it counted.

7

The Luminary / Re: Analytical Intimacy

« on: January 07, 2020, 02:11:09 PM »

"Yeah," Cain answered despondently, picking at a loose thread beside a rip in his jeans, twirling it around the end of his finger.

"I asked him to stay with me but he said he had campaign stuff to do." Cain pressed his lips together, telegraphing that he wasn't sure he should say what he was thinking but he went ahead with it anyway, lifting his gaze from watching his finger back up to Ben's face.

"Was he lying? Just so he didn't have to be with me? Is there campaign stuff left to do?" he asked softly.

8

The Luminary / Re: Analytical Intimacy

« on: January 07, 2020, 02:01:00 PM »

Cain wasn't having a very good night. Ben had gone out looking for a drink and Kerr had denied spending time with him, even though it could've been just the two of them. A chance to reconnect. But no, there was work to be done. There was always work to be done.

Kerr had been nice about saying no, of course, but that just made it worse because Cain couldn't be angry at him. He was angry and a hard workout hadn't made him feel as good as it usually did. It just made him tired and unmotivated to do anything but lay on the couch and feel sorry for himself. Then Ben walked into the room. He sat up, his hands resting on the soft cushions either side of his thighs.

"Have a good time?" he asked, hoping he didn't sound as bitter as he felt.

9

The Luminary / Re: The Downside Of Truth

« on: January 02, 2020, 02:57:43 PM »

Cain nodded, liking the feel of Kerr's caresses on his muscles. His answer delayed for a moment as his mind shifted focus from the touches to what he was being asked. Because his question had been asked and his mind was catching up, he interpreted the tone of the question and the expression it came with at the same time. He didn't know how to answer it except honestly.

"Yes."

He didn't want to upset Kerr but wasn't that his and Ben's relationship now? It was open. That's why he was here.

10

The Luminary / Re: The Downside Of Truth

« on: January 02, 2020, 07:37:12 AM »

Cain's shoulders sagged when Kerr held him in place. He didn't want to leave the conversation or the room when it was a downer so he was grateful Kerr made him stay. What came next was even better and Cain closed his eyes with a long, slow blink to relish it.

He opened his eyes to look steadily at Kerr, so he would know the conviction of Cain's words.

"Yes, I do. He promised me last night he would be better and he was attentive and giving, to prove himself I guess." Cain's expression shifted, uncertain. "He's given me a stronger role to play, now. It doesn't come naturally to me but it's fun."

11

The Luminary / Re: The Downside Of Truth

« on: January 01, 2020, 09:37:02 PM »

Cain frowned, deeply confused by this new turn of events. He stared into Kerr's face, absorbing every detail as he was reminded of his place. He felt appropriately chastised but at the same time there was an injustice to it that prevented him from being fully cowed.

"But... Ben told me you left because of him. He said that you wanted me to go because you didn't trust him to be good to me. Did he... I don't know why he would lie about that. I never asked him to explain."

Cain shook his head, denying that he'd formed his own opinion about their relationship. A horrible thought occurred to him but he couldn't even bring it to the surface.

Do you not want me any more?

He'd thought Ben would tire of him before Kerr did. They'd always had that magnetism to one another. They'd always got along better. It was easier being with Kerr than it was with Ben.

Do you not want me?

The question kept circling his brain, enough to shut him up, enough for him to wish he hadn't even started this conversation.

"Sorry. I'll leave you alone," he croaked.

12

The Luminary / Re: The Downside Of Truth

« on: January 01, 2020, 10:40:56 AM »

Confusion and frustration bubbled up in Cain, threatening to geyser out. With delay and a fair amount of swallowing, he kept most of it in, though a few words spilled out of his mouth whispery fast from the pressure.

"Why are you punishing yourself for something he did? You left because he upset you. It's not a selfish thing to feel a certain way about it."

13

The Luminary / Re: The Downside Of Truth

« on: December 31, 2019, 09:23:34 AM »

"You know I'm here for you," Cain said with soft insistence in reply to the thanks, looking at Kerr meaningfully and pleased at the brief touch on his arm, though he would've liked for it to linger.

Cain turned to address his task, opening the smaller suitcase and opening it with greater care than Kerr had with his own. He unclipped the elastics that held everything flat and in place and then pulled out the toiletries bag, moving to the bathroom with it. He sorted Kerr's few things out of it into a neat row, placing toothbrush and toothpaste into the empty holder there and then staring at it for a second longer. He would have loved to join his own toothbrush in there.

He put the toiletries bag in the top drawer of the bathroom cabinet to keep it handy but also out of the way. Then he looked at himself in the mirror and groomed himself quickly, pulling his hair backwards into a tail and smoothing it down but releasing it even though he had an elastic in his front jeans pocket. Kerr liked to undo his hair anyway so it could stay undone.

He returned to the bedroom to see Kerr had almost finished unpacking the large suitcase. Cain returned to his side, his hand straying to the corner of the case where he fiddled with it, watching Kerr making not much of a dent in the drawers and cupboard with his clothes.

"I'm glad you came back so quickly. I missed you," he said. They were a repeat of the words he'd said while hugging Kerr at the Academy, but now they carried a brevity that they hadn't possessed then, in his opinion.

14

The Luminary / Re: The Downside Of Truth

« on: December 30, 2019, 08:46:18 AM »

Cain bit back his initial reply, an eager request for Kerr to stay with him. He decided to play it closer to the chest because while Kerr and Ben had a rule about not going into their room uninvited, there was no such rule about whoever slept in the spare room. He was still angry at Ben for being difficult enough that Kerr had left them and a little bit of that anger was aimed at Kerr for implying Cain should leave as well for his own safety. The words hadn't been that direct but the meaning was there. If Kerr had been so concerned, he should've taken Cain with him.

"I'll help," Cain agreed instead, thoughts and opinions racing about his head which he kept a tight hold on. It was very different now, being with them. He hadn't realised how being their pet would change him and his ideals. Ben's treatment of him was intolerable at times but with the deepest of lows also came the intensity of highs, which kind of made it worth it. Ben's desire to experience submission had shifted their dynamic enough for Cain to want to be braver with Kerr. If Ben swung between both extremes, surely Kerr had experienced those things with him? It meant Kerr might surrender to Cain as well.

Forcing his thoughts to lighten as he followed Kerr into the spare room, he couldn't help but feel excited about the separation. He knew he should be more upset that they were quarrelling enough to sleep apart but he didn't really believe it would last for long. Kerr had left for an 'indeterminate amount of time' he'd said, but he was already back, unable to be apart for longer than a day. It bode well for them mending things, but in the meantime Cain might get a few extra thrills.

15

Galvin Academy / Re: A Brave Face

« on: December 23, 2019, 09:25:41 AM »

Cain was seated across the room on an arm chair that faced the doorway at such an angle that he could see a bit of the corridor to the left. The grief in his heart had kept him from participating in all the games with the other folks but he'd still had a good enough time with them that he considered them friends. One of them had revealed he was an imp and at the urging of his next door dorm-mate had taken his shirt off to show Cain how his wings folded really close to his back. Cain had been fascinated by the reveal and a little lusty at the now half-naked man standing in the room. His lust for the imp had him mentally comparing it to Ben (the blond vampire and this imp had similar physiques) and then of course Kerr swam into his thoughts, losing his interest in the small group as they crowded the imp.

He looked to the doorway just as Ben got there. Beside him and not coming to the doorway proper was someone else, someone he couldn't see beyond the left side of his body because the wall hid the rest, but he was tall and very familiar. Cain's heart thudded in his chest and he leapt to his feet, the people in the common room forgotten as he sprinted across the room, a whimper of hope and need sounding in his throat. He didn't think about how it would look to the others, that they would see him running to Ben because that was who had appeared in the doorway, he could only think of Kerr who he was sure was off to one side. The luggage handle in his hand had been the biggest giveaway.

He didn't end up barrelling into Ben, he must've moved out of the way. Cain entered the corridor and stared wild-eyed at Kerr for less than a second but it felt like it hung in a frozen moment. Then he threw himself at Kerr, wrapping his arms around his neck and landing bodily chest to chest against Kerr's familiar hardness. It was his smell, his shape, and it was so good that Kerr was merciful and had forgiven Ben so quickly. He hoped he'd been missed too, but he knew better. It was enough that he didn't have to suffer Kerr's absence.

"Welcome back," he breathed, planting a kiss on Kerr's jaw.