Max reached out to pat Astarion on the arm. "At least once a week, I have nightmares about that. It's always in the back of my mind. What would happen if Erik showed up here?" Max's master may not be as cruel, thank god, but he would still upend everything if he showed up. It would still be a nightmare like none other.
"There's nothing that's more important than keeping the ones we love safe. Whatever the cost, I understand."
Only just started? Fuck. They were going to kill him like this. And he was going to die happy. Moans sighed out of him and into against Lioriley's lips as she kissed him. She was more intoxicating than the wine.
"Sorryyyy." That whined apology was about as sincere as he was capable of while this desperately aroused.
His hips rose obediently for Astarion. Finally, they were getting closer. They were already driving him so crazy like this. Every second the vampire spawn took to lay out his clothes was an agony of waiting.
He practically melted against the chair the moment Astarion took his cock in hand. The sight of Lioriley being played with in front of him at the same time made him twitch in Astarion's grip.
And as Lioriley blazed that trail down him with her mouth, until she was was in front of him on her knees, his excited squirming renewed with vigor. Her lips tickling his dick made him cry out with wanton need.
When Rowan drags themself back to the room they're not drunk, not really. It'd take more than most of a pitcher of beer for that. But they're definitely not sober either. And in more pain than they'd like to admit. That didn't go well. Or perhaps it did. They're not sure. There's a clear path forward now, but it's not one they want to take.
They fumble with the door a little before pushing it open, both hoping Max and Lucas are out, and at the same time hoping they're in. They don't want to talk about this, but they do want the comfort of their mates.
...Maybe Max has a bottle of whiskey somewhere. Then they can finish the job that the beer started. Grey eyes dart to the kitchen, before finally doing a sweep of the room as they kick the door closed behind them, checking to see if they're alone or not.
Max had been reading at the desk and dozed off with his cheek plastered to the pages. Groggily, he stirs and turns to see Rowan. He can tell instantly that something is wrong, so he sits up and reaches for them.
Rowan kicks off their shoes before padding over in silence. They climb into Max's lap without a word, hiding their face against his shoulder. They're not crying, but they're tense, holding onto his shirt rather than wrapping their arms around him. "Didn't mean to wake you.
"Lilith says she'll be at the Green Man's temple in a week. At noon. If you want to go."
Rowan is so tense in his arms. Hiding their face like that does nothing to hide the truth from him. They're upset. Whatever happened at that talk, it really wasn't good, was it?
He strokes his hand over their hair, smoothing it in soothing strokes. "Rowan, talk to me. Please? What happened?"
They close their eyes, focusing on Max's scent, and the way his hand works through their hair for a moment, trying to push away the sadness and the pain and the disappointment, and most of all the burning anger. It doesn't really work, but his hand does feel nice at least.
"Don't reckon you should go. She still don't reckon there was nothing wrong with what she said, not really." Yes, she said she'd apologise for Max for it, but they don't believe that she means it.
And then finally, they lift their head, and there is indeed a touch of rage burning in their eyes. "She said if she needed to she'd pick her fucking duty over her girlfriend. That I was a bad werewolf 'cos I wouldn't. Fuck that! I'd be a fucking knobhead if I picked 'duty' over being a decent human being! Person. Whatever!"
Lillith has a girlfriend? That news hit him sideways, but now isn't the time to get into that. Not when he can see the rage burning in Rowan's eyes. And he gets it. He can feel his own anger rising in reply.
He wraps his free arm around Rowan tight as he answers, "I... I couldn't do that either. And who the hell is she to say you're a bad werewolf?" Max didn't know Lilith was in on that secret until right now, either.
"Where the hell does she get off saying something so horrible to you?" He was willing to go and apologize to Lilith before, but now he's just finding himself feeling more and more bitter about the whole thing.
"Why does she always choose the most hurtful things to say to people...?"
...Right, fuck. Max doesn't know that Lilith knows. Or that she is one herself. The thought hits them like a sobering cold wave, reminding themself that they have to be careful even around their mate.
"She don't think it's horrible. She thinks it's the right thing to do. Duty should come first, killing might be a necessary kindness, all that bollocks. If that happens, you already fucked up. And if duty comes first you fucked up too, 'cos you failed as a partner or failed your family or your friends. Protecting them comes first."
"I understand duty. I understand sacrifice. But... if you can't protect the people you care most about, what is it all for?"
Maybe that's selfish of him, but it's how he feels. What good is it, saving the world, if everything you love is gone from it?
"I'll do anything for him, or for you. But some things are just..." The words choke off in his throat.
Images flash before his eyes. Brutal moments where he watched Erik drag away a blood-crazed Childe, one of the poor turned souls Erik's sister had left in her wake. That only happened twice. But both times, the house range with pitiful wails, before descending into a cold, dreary silence. And then his Master would walk through the halls for the next feel days looking broken and hollow. It was his duty, he'd say. A necessary evil. A kindness, to put them out of their misery.
"Killing Lucas like that would not be a kindness! Not ever. I can't see it that way. I can't. I never will. If that's how she really feels about it then... maybe I'm not as sorry for what I said."
"Right?" Max understands. It's a relief, after the fight with Lilith. People are more important than any predestined duty. How she can even think about thinking that putting her duty before her partner? Why is she putting herself through that turmoil?
...Well, because she's been told it's the right thing to do, that's why. It makes them angry about the peope who've put her into that mindset.
"If someone needs it, if they ask for it themselves, then. But even then it wouldn't be my place to do that, that's a medical necessity, not the time for some fucking beast coming in!"
Max nods and puts his forehead against theirs. If one of them asked him for that... could he do it? He's not sure. The one time he killed, it was self-defense, and even still it weighs heavy on him.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. I don't know what to do anymore."
Rowan gives Max a kiss that tastes of beer, instinctively rubbing their nose on his when it breaks. "You don't need to know the answer to everything, you know. Not everything's black and white. And I..."
They take a breath. "I think I'm going to tell Lilith I don't want to speak to her for a bit. I don't think it'll help neither of us. She's hurt and angry and so am I, and so are you, and it's only going to make things worse. So maybe if I tell her I don't want to talk to her maybe she'll think about things, or maybe she won't, but at least we can't make things worse."
The taste of beer explains a little about how they were moving when they got in. Now Max is the one tempted to go find his whiskey stash. He resists. He promised Lucas he would be better about that.
"I know... doesn't stop it from hurting sometimes..." He nuzzles them back, eyes closing as he sucks in a breath.
They're going to tell Lilith they don't want to speak to her? There's a stab of guilt that tries to pry his ribs apart and worm inside, but it doesn't quite land. Instead, there's another realization blooming in his chest. He's not sure he wants to talk to Lilith again either after this. She's yelled at him before, and he's deserved it before. Maybe he deserved it this time too but... every time it happens, he feels a part of himself shatter. And it takes him time to pick up the pieces. And the last few times... it's been Rowan who had to help him do it. That's not fair to either of them.
"I think maybe... I'll tell her the same. This is... " he sighs. "It's hard for me to say. I'll always care about her but... we don't get along so well sometimes. So maybe it's like you said: this way we can't make it worse."
"It goes both ways, darling," Astarion remarked, laying his hand lightly over Max's to give it a quick squeeze. "If such a circumstances should arise--whatever you need from me, whatever you need me to do, to protect you and those you care for--I would do it without hesitation."
Lioriley's full, heated lips combined with his cool fingers likely did feel quite good, but even so, the ardor of Max's enthusiasm was a bit unexpected--and Astarion had expected a lot of enthusiasm. He chuckled softly, wrapping his hand around the base of Max's cock and running his hand down to caress and squeeze his sack, letting Lioriley have her wonderfully wicked way with the rest--all while contentedly teasing and tweaking one pert, glowing nipple. After a moment or two he shifted, angling himself in on the other side of Lioriley to drag his tongue and lips over the hard member, brushing against her mouth in the process. Messy business but oh, so very fun.
Lioriley eagerly took advantage of the opening her beloved provided, and properly set her mouth to Max's shaft, tongue laid flat against the twitching organ so she could slowly lap up to the head. A soft moan eased past her lips, back arched to both lean closer and to rub herself into Astarion's hand.
Initially unsure of where to keep her attention, Lioriley's eyes flitted back and forth between both men, until they ultimately landed - unsurprisingly - on Astarion just as their lips brushed together around their friend's dick. And she angled herself to try and repeat the motion with a bit more fervor, her free hand moving to smooth over Astarion's thigh.
I've been sort of keeping myself to myself for awhile, I know. Had some shit to process. But I missed you. [And everyone else, but like, he's tryna get something going here.]
Oh! We know a guy like that in Zadash! He's got like four of him. He's really powerful, though. You didn't pick up some magic of your own while I was gone, did you?
Oh, all sorts of things, I'm sure. I keep thinking of you bending me across something. Holding my head back by the hair, making me say whatever you want. I'd do it, to get you to keep going.
I happen to know that my kitchen counters are the perfect height for bending you over. All I'll really need to hear is you moaning for me. I won't stop until I'm good and done with you.
"Thank you." Max put a lot of weight into those two words. "It's a comfort to know you'll have my back."
As for what Max's plan is for if that does happen...? He's less sure of what to do.
"Erik doesn't torture, he manipulates. He's a master with words. I can't hide Lucas and Rowan away from him. I know they'd never go for that and sooner or later, he'll hear about it. But... I don't ever want him to get either of them alone. The things he might say I... I think somehow they could hurt worse than a knife."
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2021-06-27 08:02 pm (UTC)"There's nothing that's more important than keeping the ones we love safe. Whatever the cost, I understand."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-06-30 06:15 pm (UTC)"Sorryyyy." That whined apology was about as sincere as he was capable of while this desperately aroused.
His hips rose obediently for Astarion. Finally, they were getting closer. They were already driving him so crazy like this. Every second the vampire spawn took to lay out his clothes was an agony of waiting.
He practically melted against the chair the moment Astarion took his cock in hand. The sight of Lioriley being played with in front of him at the same time made him twitch in Astarion's grip.
And as Lioriley blazed that trail down him with her mouth, until she was was in front of him on her knees, his excited squirming renewed with vigor. Her lips tickling his dick made him cry out with wanton need.
"Oh, fuck, yes!"
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-02 08:06 pm (UTC)When Rowan drags themself back to the room they're not drunk, not really. It'd take more than most of a pitcher of beer for that. But they're definitely not sober either. And in more pain than they'd like to admit. That didn't go well. Or perhaps it did. They're not sure. There's a clear path forward now, but it's not one they want to take.
They fumble with the door a little before pushing it open, both hoping Max and Lucas are out, and at the same time hoping they're in. They don't want to talk about this, but they do want the comfort of their mates.
...Maybe Max has a bottle of whiskey somewhere. Then they can finish the job that the beer started. Grey eyes dart to the kitchen, before finally doing a sweep of the room as they kick the door closed behind them, checking to see if they're alone or not.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-02 08:10 pm (UTC)"Rowan? What happened? Are you okay?"
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-02 08:15 pm (UTC)Rowan kicks off their shoes before padding over in silence. They climb into Max's lap without a word, hiding their face against his shoulder. They're not crying, but they're tense, holding onto his shirt rather than wrapping their arms around him. "Didn't mean to wake you.
"Lilith says she'll be at the Green Man's temple in a week. At noon. If you want to go."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-02 08:21 pm (UTC)Rowan is so tense in his arms. Hiding their face like that does nothing to hide the truth from him. They're upset. Whatever happened at that talk, it really wasn't good, was it?
He strokes his hand over their hair, smoothing it in soothing strokes. "Rowan, talk to me. Please? What happened?"
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-02 08:46 pm (UTC)"Don't reckon you should go. She still don't reckon there was nothing wrong with what she said, not really." Yes, she said she'd apologise for Max for it, but they don't believe that she means it.
And then finally, they lift their head, and there is indeed a touch of rage burning in their eyes. "She said if she needed to she'd pick her fucking duty over her girlfriend. That I was a bad werewolf 'cos I wouldn't. Fuck that! I'd be a fucking knobhead if I picked 'duty' over being a decent human being! Person. Whatever!"
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-02 08:54 pm (UTC)He wraps his free arm around Rowan tight as he answers, "I... I couldn't do that either. And who the hell is she to say you're a bad werewolf?" Max didn't know Lilith was in on that secret until right now, either.
"Where the hell does she get off saying something so horrible to you?" He was willing to go and apologize to Lilith before, but now he's just finding himself feeling more and more bitter about the whole thing.
"Why does she always choose the most hurtful things to say to people...?"
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-02 09:10 pm (UTC)"She don't think it's horrible. She thinks it's the right thing to do. Duty should come first, killing might be a necessary kindness, all that bollocks. If that happens, you already fucked up. And if duty comes first you fucked up too, 'cos you failed as a partner or failed your family or your friends. Protecting them comes first."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-02 09:25 pm (UTC)Maybe that's selfish of him, but it's how he feels. What good is it, saving the world, if everything you love is gone from it?
"I'll do anything for him, or for you. But some things are just..." The words choke off in his throat.
Images flash before his eyes. Brutal moments where he watched Erik drag away a blood-crazed Childe, one of the poor turned souls Erik's sister had left in her wake. That only happened twice. But both times, the house range with pitiful wails, before descending into a cold, dreary silence. And then his Master would walk through the halls for the next feel days looking broken and hollow. It was his duty, he'd say. A necessary evil. A kindness, to put them out of their misery.
"Killing Lucas like that would not be a kindness! Not ever. I can't see it that way. I can't. I never will. If that's how she really feels about it then... maybe I'm not as sorry for what I said."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-02 09:41 pm (UTC)...Well, because she's been told it's the right thing to do, that's why. It makes them angry about the peope who've put her into that mindset.
"If someone needs it, if they ask for it themselves, then. But even then it wouldn't be my place to do that, that's a medical necessity, not the time for some fucking beast coming in!"
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-02 09:46 pm (UTC)"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. I don't know what to do anymore."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-02 10:53 pm (UTC)They take a breath. "I think I'm going to tell Lilith I don't want to speak to her for a bit. I don't think it'll help neither of us. She's hurt and angry and so am I, and so are you, and it's only going to make things worse. So maybe if I tell her I don't want to talk to her maybe she'll think about things, or maybe she won't, but at least we can't make things worse."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-03 02:55 pm (UTC)"I know... doesn't stop it from hurting sometimes..." He nuzzles them back, eyes closing as he sucks in a breath.
They're going to tell Lilith they don't want to speak to her? There's a stab of guilt that tries to pry his ribs apart and worm inside, but it doesn't quite land. Instead, there's another realization blooming in his chest. He's not sure he wants to talk to Lilith again either after this. She's yelled at him before, and he's deserved it before. Maybe he deserved it this time too but... every time it happens, he feels a part of himself shatter. And it takes him time to pick up the pieces. And the last few times... it's been Rowan who had to help him do it. That's not fair to either of them.
"I think maybe... I'll tell her the same. This is... " he sighs. "It's hard for me to say. I'll always care about her but... we don't get along so well sometimes. So maybe it's like you said: this way we can't make it worse."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-05 02:35 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-05 03:52 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-05 08:15 pm (UTC)Initially unsure of where to keep her attention, Lioriley's eyes flitted back and forth between both men, until they ultimately landed - unsurprisingly - on Astarion just as their lips brushed together around their friend's dick. And she angled herself to try and repeat the motion with a bit more fervor, her free hand moving to smooth over Astarion's thigh.
voice;
Date: 2021-07-09 09:37 pm (UTC)Re: voice;
Date: 2021-07-09 09:40 pm (UTC)What's on your mind?
Re: voice;
Date: 2021-07-09 10:32 pm (UTC)I've been sort of keeping myself to myself for awhile, I know. Had some shit to process. But I missed you. [And everyone else, but like, he's tryna get something going here.]
Re: voice;
Date: 2021-07-10 12:01 am (UTC)[The change in Max's tone of voice suggests he wasn't quite sure if this was that kind of call or not up until right now.]
I missed you, too. And I'm glad you worked through whatever it was you needed to.
So, back to the big topic on your mind... what can I and my dick do for you on this fine day?
voice;
Date: 2021-07-10 05:04 am (UTC)Re: voice;
Date: 2021-07-10 09:05 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-11 05:50 pm (UTC)As for what Max's plan is for if that does happen...? He's less sure of what to do.
"Erik doesn't torture, he manipulates. He's a master with words. I can't hide Lucas and Rowan away from him. I know they'd never go for that and sooner or later, he'll hear about it. But... I don't ever want him to get either of them alone. The things he might say I... I think somehow they could hurt worse than a knife."