27 Votes

[Black Philip]

The comments regarding Lazarus brought up deeply burred feelings, ones he'd never properly sorted through. His insecurity about Lazarus's decision to attack Ben the day after his own attack had left Jake wondering why the other man had done it. Why had Lazarus betrayed him in that way? He knew it wasn't because he loved Ben, like he'd at least felt for Jake during those days. He'd wondered if that was Lazarus's way of running from his own feelings. The lack of resolution was a sore spot, but the comment had opened Ben up to a new attack.

"I never said better," he clarified, his voice moving into the cruel tones of the Black Prince, the voice Ben would remember from their limo ride. "Just easier."

[Trillian]

Ben laughed, because Jake had needed to take back from his first comment to lob a second one in the same vein. They'd never gotten around to a live debate on radio like the hosts had wanted. They'd run out of time because of the three month campaign. It was a shame. Ben could run rings.

"It's not my fault I don't get knocked back as often as you, love."

Ben had to look away from Kerr, not wanting to face the new expression that found its way on his face.

[Black Philip]

Jake was truly angry now, the word love bringing up a time when he was at his darkest. He'd come so far since then. Damien had reminded him of his leadership in the past, and the kind of leader he could be if he worked hard. Theo had shown him that he could make new friends by just being himself, power hungry and all. Lan Bao had given him kinship he'd been lacking, and an ally when he needed one most. Even Rachel had changed him, and shown him the beauty of humanity he'd forgotten. There were others too, Sabrina being his adopted mother, Arik's new devotion to him being a vaccine to Ben's hateful lies, and of course his family always being there for him.

Lazarus had made Jake feel powerless, and in the weeks after his assault he truly wondered if he should even be a district leader. Now that was gone. He could, and would, be a good leader. He could, and would, be a good sire and partner. He would have it all, and more, and Ben wouldn't spoil that. Ben might've been a better talker, more creatively manipulative and cunning. Those traits would serve him well in his life. There were many vampires who succeeded off those traits. Jake could still do all those things, and did, but decided that this time he would get leadership right. This time he'd remember his honor as a warrior, his expertise as a financier and administrator, and his humility to farm out those things that he couldn't master.

Ben's tongue was venomous and stung so well, but Jake reflected that it was all his rival had left. What power was there in an illusion? What hurt could there be in words and mind games if the other had so much positive in his life? He pitied Ben, sitting over at what he guessed was the Luminary. He must've felt so betrayed and alone without a victory to rub in Jake's face. What future would he have now? Jake guessed it would be more scheming, and he was sure this was not the last time Ben would be a threat to him. However, Jake decided then that there feud was over. Nobody had won, and nobody ever would, because who could truly win a game for dominance against the backdrop of eternity?

It was time to let go, and while that didn't mean he'd ever like Ben, or forgive him, it did mean he was done hating him. He laughed again, before responding.

"Except for today, love, he emulated. "Today you got knocked back hard. Enjoy your free time."

This time he did hang up, not out of some contest for the last word, but because he had so many better things to do than talk to stupid... Fucking... Ben!

[Trillian]

A predictable end that Ben had set Jake up for. He was semi-impressed that Jake had taken the exit and shoved the rejection of the election back at him. The thing that burned Ben the most, however, was losing by so little. He didn't understand how Jake was comfortable with his victory.

Perhaps he wasn't. Perhaps he was hiding it behind the acid of his volleying insults. Ben had heard the change in tone during that conversation. He'd spoiled a little of Jake's night. Objective complete. If Jake had been smarter, he would've let Ben get in exactly one crack, that half the city was content. If their positions had been reversed, Ben would've thanked him and hung up.

Maybe. Maybe he would've done that. More likely he wouldn't have and wished he had. More likely that Jake was thinking that right now.

With a smirk, Ben turned to Kerr. "That went better than expected."

And it really had.

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr tucked his hands into their opposite armpits, his thumbs on his biceps, and stared steadily at Ben throughout the conversation. His expression was marred by a frown but he deliberately tried to keep the rest of his face impassive. His gaze roved Ben's smirk, examining the exact form and tautness of the skin around his mouth before it lifted to look at his cheeks, his forehead and, finally, his eyes.

He nodded thoughtfully, not really certain what he should say to Ben about the conversation he'd overheard. There was going to be no right thing to say. He had to remind himself that, despite being talked about, what was between Ben and Jake wasn't any of his business. "So what now?" he asked in a monotone.

[Trillian]

"Now, I..."

He'd been looking at Kerr, meeting his eyes, but they lowered. Not to the floor, rather it was just a drooping of the eyelids, a powering down. With it went the tension in his shoulders. He didn't sway or cry, nothing so dramatic. He did expect a flood of emotions to well up in him but nothing came. It literally felt like a shutdown, as though someone had come along and was minimising his programming, sending them away so he didn't have to try and manage everything at once.

There was no more party to smile in, no more people to talk to, no more music to process, no more hands touching him or extending to shake, no more votes to win, no more people to impress, no more goals to achieve. He stared off slightly to one side of Kerr's body.

A flicker of an idea. It lit up his eyes enough for him to move them, to make eye contact again.

"Take me upstairs and make me feel good. Or have Cain do it. I just want to..." he struggled for the word for a few seconds before it came to him, "indulge," he breathed.

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr's arms dropped to his sides, his shoulders relaxing. Finally. Something constructive and positive that he could do to help. Making Ben feel good was his favourite thing to do and he generally excelled at it but he wasn't sure he was up to the task alone, tonight. He thought he and Cain together offered more indulgent options anyway; this was not a night for him to worry about what Ichabod thought. Those misgivings faded into insignificance in the face of Ben's needs.

He needed to be distracted from a crushing defeat. He needed to be spoilt and worshipped and be in control - once they got to the bedroom. He needed to indulge.

Kerr strode over to Ben and scooped him up, one arm behind his shoulders, the other behind his knees. He kissed him fiercely as he walked them out to the elevator, showing that he was adored. He would be encouraged to scorn that if he wanted, to set the pace he desired and receive all the attention from his two lovers as he could handle. And if Ben was not interested in thinking or doing for himself because he was entirely drained, Kerr was very, very good at improvising.

One way or another, Ben would definitely come out on top tonight.