Why is Everything so Heavy?

Gabirel Tabor. 27. Enchanter.

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

erasmusrowe:

Erasmus could have laid there for hours, perhaps even through the night, and whether or not he actually slept made no difference to him. Here, he could hear the rumble of Gabriel’s voice as he spoke, finding the vibrations soothing and grounding, allowing him to further believe this was reality rather than an over the top dream of desire. The arm around him brought with it a blanket of security he’d yet to feel in some time, and the warmth of Gabriel’s comfort soothed him entirely until he was abruptly shoved away.

Confusion and hurt were the first two things to make an appearance, but it was wiped by actual physical pain. Erasmus rolled onto his side, gasping and clutching at his chest as he felt his heart flutter unnaturally. He knew this feeling all too well–the feeling of death’s embrace, but one that wouldn’t allow him to completely die. This terrible discomfort was the same he’d felt on the night of his turning, and he knew now what that meant for him. It had all been too good to be true obviously, and he should have known better than to hope for it to be permanent.

Erasmus’ body went numb. Sights, smells, and sounds all rushing in with endless detail as he reopened his eyes and pushed the mask away from his face. He was a vampire once more, and one that was far behind on blood. Erasmus could hear Gabriel expelling blood from his stomach outside, and even that was enough to drive him mad. He slowly pushed himself up, his muscles tight and his body quivering as he tried to maintain some sort of control over himself. He wanted to scream and cry and lash out with all this newfound hatred burning in him, whatever good the night had offered him completely swallowed by his anger and grief alone.

Gabriel’s voice…and Erasmus could tell he was coming closer. “Stay back.” He ordered, yet his voice didn’t hold the firmness he needed it to. He was on the verge of breaking, eyes already burning with tears, and Gabriel attempting to soothe him only made it worse. He was coming closer still, a warm presence in an otherwise cold world, and the wrath of Erasmus’ hunger finally shoved his willpower away. There was a choked sob somewhere in his throat as he tried to stop himself or warn Gabriel, whatever he could muster first, but blue eyes went to a reddish-gold and he lunged like a caged animal.

Erasmus hit Gabriel hard–and perhaps that was what saved him. The two of them tumbled from the safety of the tent and out into the early sunlight. Fangs were buried deep at Gabriel’s collarbone, one hand wrapped tightly around his friend’s throat as the madness of his thirst set in with an eagerness to kill. Gabriel’s blood flooded a hungry mouth, and Erasmus bit down deeper, but the sun beating down on him sapped his strength quickly and before long he was unable to keep his grip on Gabriel’s throat or bite with as much gusto as he had originally shown.

Part of Gabriel’s mind was rapidly trying to convince himself that last night was some kind of drug-fueled fever dream. Because nobody with magick in their veins could really be this cruel and lack the foresight that new vampires would kill without reason, but a furious grieved vampire who’d thought they’d gotten their lives back only to have that ripped away again - would unleash unrestrained mayhem. Gabriel wasn’t going to do a damned thing to stop it - and he’d made that decision well before he belatedly realized that he was about to be victim number one. Erasmus hadn’t said a word since he entered the tent and that was the only thing that caused the hair stand up on the back of his neck, but the realization came seconds too late.

Erasmus smacked into him hard and the triple onslaught of his back and head slamming against the ground, Erasmus’ weight crushing fully onto his chest, and the fangs burying themselves deep into his body disoriented far beyond what he expected. The wind got knocked out of him upon impact costing him essential time but before his automatic nervous system could kick it back online, there was a hand against his throat, cutting off his air supply before he even got it back. Needing a plan B allowed his mind to come back into the picture but he was unable to even process the rapid blood loss until he could get some goddamn oxygen into his body. Luckily, the hand seemed to loosen and he was able to draw a strained gasp and then another. It wasn’t enough to dispel the black dots, but it was enough to move on to the next critical issue.

Even thirty seconds was too long to spend on weighing pros, cons, and options, so as soon as a thought got through the haze in his head, he acted. Every cell in his body reached for the sunlight, wishing he had some kind of conduit other than himself, that could focus it better, like the ring of mirrors, but for now, he’d just have to use his skin, muscles, and the desperate possibility someone may be looking for him. As soon as the vampire felt weak enough his grip might be breakable, he dug a hand into the earth pleaded for help and got it in the form of thick woven vines. He didn’t have the energy to grab them, so he coaxed them to wrap around his wrists like Erasmus’ hands had so recently been and then yank.

The idea was to keep pulling himself out of Erasmus’ range, up into the canopy of trees, but he was weak, dizzy, and still trying to form some sort of complete breath—so being rather distracted, he hadn’t taken into account how much it would hurt to rip oneself quite literally out of the jaw of a predator. Nor how bloody it’d be.

A scream accompanied the yank, but his magick couldn’t be expended everywhere it was needed at the moment so he focused on getting himself up out of reach and drawing more oxygen in. While Gabriel understood who and what Erasmus was, he was still young enough to have that unrealistic invincibility mindset and had truly believed that he would never have attacked Gabe. It shook him, far more than it should have, coupled with the surprise he had on how hard he’d fought to stay alive. It wasn’t his usual m.o. but he reached for Micah’s signature in his head and nearly fell out of the tree in relief to feel Avery’s presence come back. He was weak, too weak to heal what he needed to, but the forest would get him to Micah and Micah could do the rest and he’d…figure out what to do next after that.

Namely, get everyone he loved behind some sunlight-infused doors but after that — he’d have to find a way to save Erasmus from himself and hoped that a long binge and recovering from blood starvation would do it at least physically for him and then they’d just start over. Square one. It’d be fine. They’d be fine.

Just had to get to Micah.

Dizzily, he hoped vampires had something similar and hoped that for as much of an asshole Kai was, he’d feel it and go to help his own brother. And then stopped thinking until he was being deposited at his brother’s feet and conjuring a weak circle of sunlight around them just in case his still dripping blood had acted as a beacon to where he was going. “Oops.” he managed before things went dark. 

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

erasmusrowe:

There were definitely worse ways to be silenced and Gabriel thought about speaking between kisses just to be a lil shit but it’d have to wait. This was too good to disrupt. Except, his body ended up doing just that, trying to slip out of the hold but Erasmus stilled him rather effectively, mostly by voice alone. Normally, such a display would tempt him into defiance, to push against boundaries to get more of what he couldn’t ask for - but this time he went slack, relaxing back into the hold. He already had everything he needed. Erasmus was a solid commanding presence that Gabriel didn’t doubt could protect himself- but even more shockingly - would protect Gabriel as well, even (and especially) from himself. That was the factor, that feeling of complete safety and protection, that allowed Gabriel to release his own reins, to let himself be taken care of, and be vulnerable enough to experience actual intimacy - and it was a damn hard thing to find.

Erasmus being able to pleasure him beyond the talents of most was an added bonus.

The attempt had, at least, brought Erasmus closer, and Gabriel could feel him almost everywhere, changing his mind again to deciding this was the moment he wanted to keep forever. Everything was gone besides them and their building pleasures, up to and including Gabe’s untimely death and Erasmus’ miraculous rebirth. They weren’t vampire and human anymore, just two souls chasing something so much bigger. Gabriel so badly wanted to hold him closer, to cage him in as he tucked himself against his neck, but his arms were still firmly held above his head and he couldn’t do anything besides nuzzle into his hair and return the raising desperation with his own.

They’d easily hurtled past the point of cat and mouse games, and this time at least, wouldn’t be drawn out in a deliciously maddening way. But it was slightly discombobulating to realize that Gabe would have happily withstood it, begged, done whatever to make the same shivers going down his spine mirror in Erasmus’. That level of devotion had no place in a one time embrace, but here he was, here they were, and none of this felt like Gabriel’d expected. In fact, he could feel the trembles in Erasmus’ body now and glanced down to double-check he was alright, before ended up stunned himself because he’d done that — he’d caused the very trembles he was just wishing he could.

Before he could fully embrace that amazement, Erasmus was thrusting hard - once, twice, and then he was lost as overwhelming physical sensations overrode mental capabilities. Gabriel’d always liked the abrupt hot flood that accompanied his partner’s release and tonight was no different, the sensation immediately tipping him into spilling between their bodies and jerking with slight after shocks as Erasmus dropped on top of him. Just before he got his wits back enough to whine and shift, his wrists were released and he quickly rolled them a few times before dropping his arms protectively around the body slumped on his chest. Gabriel didn’t want him to even dare moving yet and locked both a leg and an arm around him, while using the other hand to start to stroke through his hair as he joined in the light laughter. “You are far too protective to turn me into a vampire in your sex dreams.” Gabriel pointed out dryly, but tugged on a few pieces of hair just to be sure. “But I’m flattered you’d think I’d make an appearance in them.”

His whole body was still singing but in a content, relaxed way that was almost as unrecognizable to him as the silent contentment his mind and soul were basking in was. “S’worth the wait,” he decided. But the hope it doesn’t take as long before the next time he managed to just barely hold back, afraid of ruining whatever this moment was. Sleep didn’t quite feel possible in this body, not at the moment anyway, but he was careful to stay still and quiet in case Erasmus drifted off. Up until the point a rolling nausea got too great to ignore and he not-so-gently shifted his friend off before scrambling out of the tent.

The fact that it was daylight never registered as he was a bit busy trying to expel the stolen blood he’d collected through the night. Waves of nausea racked through him, heat and sweat rising in his skin, and subconsciously he pushed off the mask clinging to his face in an effort to cool down before it caught his attention lying there in the dirt. The mask. As he stared at it, he realized that sound was his own heartbeat rapidly beating in his chest before another wave of nausea distracted his thoughts. What the fuck was happening? Another pause gave him enough time to realize he was naked, and his previously human friend was probably very much a starving vampire again. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Swallowing hard, he dropped against a log and tried to keep the tears out of his voice. “E?” His voice trailed off after that because what could he say? Are you okay? Of course he wasn’t fucking okay. Gabriel felt his magick humming under his skin again as a foreign anger blazed through his body, realizing that someone was responsible for giving his best friend the one simple wish he wanted more than anything and then ripping it away again. Who the fuck thought they could play with everyone’s lives like this? People were dead now because of this and the rolling waves of nausea were beyond proof of that.

Dragging himself up, he moved back and carefully slipped into the tent, mindful of blocking the sun with rusty magick, before his eyes could adjust to the dark and hopefully find his best friend still there. “I’m so sorry.” he whispered. Another wave of nausea made him close his eyes but he breathed through it and opened them again. “You can bite me, if you want. I’ve got too much blood now and my magick - it’ll be okay. And - “ This time he couldn’t keep his voice from wavering or the water from filling his eyes. “Look, magick gave your life back for a night. That means it’s magickally possible to reverse this. I’ll get the spell from them and I’ll figure out some way to make it last longer - ideally permanently, okay? I promise. I - I’m so sorry.”

For a night, everything’d been different. And it’d felt perfect.

Now sunrise had brought a different life to him, one with consequences, with wearing the blood of his family and of his own destruction on his hands, and had completely shattered the illusion he’d built the coven, his boyfriend, and most importantly, himself- up to be.

He wasn’t a hero. He wasn’t different. The stupid traits he’d prided himself on embodying - they were all lies. Lies meant to protect him from realizing his greatest fear had always been true.

He was just like his Father. His brother.

A Tabor, through and through, and it’d only take a night of lowered inhibitions to reveal it.

Fuck.

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

erasmusrowe:

Gabriel liked this. There was a give or take that seemed to fall into an easy balance with them without ever having to talk about it. Take Erasmus’ arousal - it was a warm solid pressure against him but he held steady while Gabriel drank his fill. Truly, he was spoiling Gabriel for anyone else, and somewhere in the back of his mind, he suspected Erasmus would be rather pleased to hear it. Though, he didn’t exactly have a leg to stand on, given the pride blooming in his chest as his name was breathed out alongside a curse. At least he was giving as good as he was getting, or trying to. It was hard to not fully give in to the rush in his veins and a soft moan slipped past his notice as he finally felt Erasmus’ push into him.

It was meant to be a sound of encouragement but it took an awed confused turn as he felt Erasmus pause. It’d been ages for the both of them, but the sudden firm grip on his hips just sent more bolts of heat and pleasure through him as he began to move again. His eyes closed briefly, chest tight and full, but the last few inches drew his gaze back. It was so fucking selfish to want this moment frozen into his memory - but he greedily drank in every detail of the man above him, bowed, strong, — wonderful.

He gave Gabriel a chance to adjust to the not-quite-familiar sensation of being very full before he was moving - this time down - and Gabe was all too happy to return the kiss, slightly off-center because the nip’d made him grin and it was hard to be really really endeared and kiss at the same time. But, fuck. All of this was just so good. For a moment, he couldn’t fucking remember why they’d never done this before or why he’d never even considered it could be like this with him but before his mood or thoughts could dip, Erasmus did, moving his arms off his body to pin above his head and oh fuck.

Gabriel keened as surprise, arousal, and gratefulness flooded through him. It was the last thing he’d expected but the only thing that could have made this any better than it already was. Within minutes he was fully hard again, any lingering tension had melted out of his body, so he began rolling back into Erasmus’ building thrusts finally able to truly let go and give himself over completely to Erasmus’ mercy and pleasure. His mind was quiet for once, focused intensely on the building heat and intimacy between them and allowed for a deep trust to form that normally wasn’t an easy thing for him. Blown out eyes widened in some surprise as Erasmus chose that moment to bring their argument back and what could Gabriel counter that with? Pinned underneath him and taken apart so spectacularly - he did feel beautiful, appreciated, wanted. The sharp thrust following the words drew a choked-out cry but he was arching into it, struggling to form a coherent thought, and quickly accepting that he was completely going to lose that argument.

Nipping lightly at his mouth was going to have to do as far as a comeback was concerned before soothing it with his tongue and taking the opportunity as Erasmus paused to loosen and tighten his inner muscles, gently working him without separating them until he started moving again. His eyes closed, body arching into it again as he felt every inch of his skin like it’d been lit from the inside out. For as muted as it’d felt moments ago, the combination of new blood running through his veins, with being pinned down and forced to be aware of every sensation had completely flipped the game on him. It was overwhelming in the best of ways and Gabriel had no idea how to give even a second of this back to Erasmus.

But he’d happily try.

Blinking hazy eyes open, an idea began to form and a very light smirk hit his lips before he stole another kiss and breathed out, “Fine, I’m beautiful.” Pausing while he shuddered through a particularly well-aimed thrust, he forced himself to refocus and timed his words to each thrust after. “But you’re amazing…and extraordinary…and so fucking talented…and the best…and gorgeous…and smart…and careful..and fuck.” His brain was not all that capable of focusing and for the first time, he tried to wiggle a hand free, his own arousal having built to a demanding blaze and he needed to get a hand on himself, but the restraint filled him with a dark pleasure that just made the throbbing worse and drew another long sound out of him as he rocked up, trying to find that friction against Erasmus’ body then. It was enough but not, drawing quiet pleading noises from him but he didn’t dare break the hold, finding a dark pleasure in it all that probably could be exploited into coming just like this.

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

erasmusrowe:

Well, at least Erasmus could find amusement in Gabriel’s predicament. It helped lessen some of the guilt over pausing things while he asked his questions despite the somewhat mixed answers he got back. Gabriel didn’t trust himself to get bite-y in the heat of the moment, but apparently, Erasmus did and he wasn’t sure how to feel about that but at least he wasn’t totally blood inside and out. That was reassuring - but not as much as Erasmus’ eyes closing under his touch was. As much as he loved all of it, these rare peaceful moments here and there kept catching him off-guard and filling him with a different kind of appreciation that had less to do with his cock and more to do with something…deeper and just kept making everything even better.

Erasmus’ words drew a hybrid amused/aroused sound out of him, but he was certainly welcome to try. Gabriel’s body had been freely given over to do as he pleased. Though despite said permission, his eyes still followed the digits sinking into his mouth with rapt attention, knowing what came next and already burning for it. His hips shifted automatically, a restlessness borne out of pure need settling into his veins, but Erasmus was already there, lighting tracing over his entrance and apparently determined to drive Gabe crazy. “Have you met me?” Gabriel asked with a huff. “I have no idea what that word means.” But he obeyed, all the same, sinking back into the pillows and allowing well, Erasmus to take care of him.

Or continue to, really. He’d been taking care of Gabriel since he stumbled upon him tonight, and he should really probably find a way to thank him that didn’t involve getting naked but it was impossible to think of a better way at the moment. It grew impossible to think at all as Erasmus’ mouth quickly engulfed him again as his finger slipped in, beginning to sate the demanding burn with slow careful stretches.

At least until said searching finger hit the area that made his body jerk, one of his hands flying up to rest on the one planted on his chest, fingers gripping there instead of the hair bobbing between his legs. The words would have intensified a blush down his chest but as it was, he just managed a breathy laugh. “You are,” he argued before words were taken from him again, multiple fingers now building a rhythmic assault on his prostate. There was no hope that Gabriel was going to last very long and when his wicked talented mouth joined back in, he didn’t try. In fact, for once, he did as he was told and relaxed into it, allowing Erasmus to play him perfectly and this time when he got close to that brink, he didn’t pull back. His toes curled, legs tensed, and he gasped out Erasmus’ name as warning moments before he started to spill his first orgasm of the night.

It was one of the stranger experiences of his life, as it was almost muted without his heart racing or body flushing, yet also more focused and intense, given his senses had nothing to distract them with. Gabriel came back into himself slightly dazed but a careful inhale didn’t reveal the taste of blood so at least he hadn’t involuntarily chomped down on anything. Gently squeezing the hand on his chest, he tried to find some kind of something to say but his brain wasn’t that far back online. He did manage a sated grin and just shifted his hips back against Erasmus’ fingers, his muscles had gone lax post-orgasm and making an easier slide. “Your turn.” he managed, missing the heat of Erasmus’ being close and wanting to touch and kiss and maybe bite a lil. His free hand reached down, finding his hair and gently tugging trying to pull him back into range and maybe coax him to replace those fingers with something else.

Gabriel didn’t mind the taste of himself on Erasmus’ tongue and made no secret of being pleased to have him back, letting his own hands wander again, mapping out his body before he broke the kisses, distracted by the sound of his heart and his smell. Gabriel tried to wait until he was fully sheathed inside but his patience wasn’t all that great and he did at least press some kisses to the skin of his neck as a warning before gently biting down. Blood, alcohol, and his recent orgasm swirled together and Gabriel rapidly decided this was his favorite way to feed. As much fun as it was to take down a giant asshole, this was so satisfying. This time, he counted to 60, greed fueling a selfish recklessness, but he did pull back, raising a hand to press against the wound before looking up to gauge if Erasmus was still alright. The sight of him made Gabriel grin again, still beyond able to believe this was truly happening, but wishing to draw the night out as long as he could before ducking to lick at the small rivets that slipped out from under his fingers, and kissing his way down his chest to start toying with the muscles and nipples there.

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

erasmusrowe:

gabriel-enchanted:

Despite being raised on the bare minimum and a selfishness derived from survival, this forest had revealed Gabriel to be a giver to nearly a fault. If someone needed something, wanted something, was lacking in something - he wanted to fix it, to give it, to be it. And the clear surprise on Erasmus’ face at the nearly incomprehensible compliments broke his heart. He wished he could be the person to say those things daily until Erasmus believed it and saw a portion of what Gabriel did when he looked at him because that jumble was just the tip of the iceberg. But there’d be time for that later, and he did try to make a mental note to not forget but his mind and body went pretty pliant at the hand in his hair and the kisses threatening to take his knees out from under him.

Kisses that took a turn once they were horizontal again, further muddling his mind and yet, Gabriel’d never felt more present. The hands on his body kept him from drifting into his own head, the light strokes on his face feeding the need for affection, while the solid weight on his hip kept him grounded as he was given full reign to do what he pleased with his own for awhile.  Gabriel’d long forgotten about the rest of the forest, but now as time ceased to have meaning, the horrors of the night faded away too until everything was just heat, pleasure, and safety. Despite knowing in the back of his head he was the predator here - he felt safe, even from himself, under Erasmus’ attention. Pulling his free hand up, he couldn’t help tracing over the smile on his mouth, easily mirroring it as he always did, but being a little prouder to know that he put that one there. Maybe for tonight, he could temporarily ease some of the darkness that clung so tightly to him.

Before he could draw him back down, Erasmus started to move, and it took some self-control to not reach for him but damn, he was glad he resisted. A sharp gasp burst out at the lick and quickly melted into his first actual moan as his length disappeared into a wickedly talented mouth. Erasmus didn’t give him any warning or build-up, just literally tried to kill him again via superior oral skills. There wasn’t a hesitation, or discomfort, or even a gag - just warm fluid movements perfectly driving Gabriel out of his mind with pleasure. For the first time he could remember, he forgot to be quiet, allowing sounds he’d never heard himself make before getting drawn out over and over. The touches on his arms startled him sightly, uncertain how anyone could fucking multi-task like that but gripped the hands surrounding his own like it was a lifeline as he struggled to keep still.

Gabriel realized at the worst time all the questions he hadn’t asked and absolutely should have - like what is a vampire’s refractory rate, what came out - god, please don’t let it be blood, and would orgasms trigger him to bite? His mind, at least, formed the questions, but Gabriel couldn’t get his tongue to work as he watched Erasmus sink down, pause, and then come back up panting. Oh, fuck him. This was so far and beyond so many of Gabriel’s experiences and he wasn’t even alive for it. “Come back.” Gabriel gasped out finally. “Fuck.” Every muscle in his body felt like it was quivering, tensing, and he needed more than Erasmus’ hands in his own to keep his head from getting away from him.

Trembling slightly now, he looked up, stealing a few deep kisses once he was close enough before allowing his eyes to fall shut for a moment, blocking out how fucking distracting Erasmus was like this, and trying to organize his sudden worries into actual questions. “What - what happens once I go past that point?” Gabriel whispered. “S’not blood, right? Will I be able to resist biting you?” Blinking his eyes open again, he tried to apologize nonverbally for stalling the mood and at least managed a slight smirk before the last question. “Could I go multiple times?” Raising an arm, he moved a hand up to stroke through Erasmus’ hair, determined to muss up his styling as bad as Gabriel’s was, but also just needing the light connection. it was because of that connection he couldn’t let himself risk jizzing blood into a no-longer-a-vampire’s mouth without at least checking to make sure it wasn’t going to happen and didn’t want to lose control, not here, not with him. He’d make up for the interruption later.

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

erasmusrowe:

Things were so much easier like this. Erasmus wasn’t shit-faced drunk, able to focus easily—but he was still intoxicated enough to be unbothered by most things and to lack the usual tight-sealed filter he had. Things between him and Gabriel clicked so easy, and while they always had, it was especially so now. There were no forbidden topics, no uncomfortable pauses, and now there was a new sense of intimacy—something Erasmus sorely needed yet had never expressed. As soon as Gabriel called him over, he did so, taking a seat by the fire as his friend pulled him down.

“Ah shit…yeah I guess I did, didn’t I?” Erasmus scoffed playfully, arms spreading to make room for Gabriel as he did just that. He took the tea within his reach, managing only one sip before his attention was easily pulled to something much more pleasant. He understood those words, because it was a struggle to hold them back himself when he found someone that drew him in by scent. Erasmus’ lips parted, forgetting how to breathe as Gabriel proceeded to kiss him, each touch of lips to skin making his blood surge and his body hunger for more.

“I’m sure.” He whispered, his voice becoming gruffer as his arms came around Gabriel and pulled him closer. But then his friend was shifting, adjusting his position and straddling Erasmus of all things, and that was what finally snapped his control. He nodded his approval, and as soon as teeth met skin, Erasmus dipped his hands under Gabriel’s shirt and investigated the muscles of his back. He could feel the subtle movements of Gabriel’s hips against him, and he moaned softly, hardly noticing when Gabriel finished feeding. Sorry? Sorry for what, this was perfect. “Don’t be.” He mused, and then pushed forward, keeping Gabriel’s legs around him as he pressed his friend’s back to the ground and hovered above him.

Erasmus yanked his shirt off first, and was glad that the body he’d acquired as a vampire was still very much intact. Gabriel was who he was interested in seeing however, and he cocked a grin at him as he pushed that shirt up and over the newborn vampire’s head. “Two years, and this isn’t the first time I’ve imagined having this moment with you.” Erasmus said as he lowered his head and ran his tongue over an erect nipple. “Everything I want, I’m about to do.” He would welcome anything and everything Gabriel wished to do to him as well, but there was nothing he would ask for. In this circumstance, Erasmus was focused on exploring, touching, and tasting before they jumped into straight up fucking. That did not stop him however, from undoing Gabriel’s pants and slipping a hand inside, his warm fingers gently caressing a cock he would definitely come back to. In the meantime, he leaned in and kissed up Gabriel’s neck.  Erasmus started at the base of his friend’s throat, reveling in the fact he didn’t feel the need to bite and feed, though he did offer a few playful nips until he reached Gabriel’s lips.

This kiss was open-mouthed and hungry, showing that while it may have been two years, Erasmus did not lack in experience. He could taste the metallic tang of his own blood on Gabriel’s tongue, and he urged the same lust from his friend as he stroked him slowly, thumb sliding teasingly over the head of his length in a drive to get a response or noise from him. Erasmus wasn’t used to breathing again, and he broke the kiss to pull back a few inches so that he may not only catch his breath, but take in Gabriel’s expression. “Too many clothes still.” He laughed under his breath. “Let’s get rid of these.”

Gabriel couldn’t recall anyone touching him as he drank before, but he didn’t hate it. His body was always low-key straining for affectionate touches, for someone to ground him and stay, but it was hard to believe it was happening when it actually did. Though he had to grin a little as Erasmus followed through - literally pinning Gabriel to the ground - but the rush of heat and pleasure quickly overran any lingering amusement. “Hi,” he whispered, body immediately going lax as Erasmus hovered close before stripping off his shirt and thoroughly distracting Gabriel from any kind of conscious thought. His hands rose to map over the ridges of muscles before his own shirt was being discarded and attention fully stolen by the quick words and teasing tongue. He didn’t get a chance to even form a reply in his head as (unnecessary but habitual) sharp inhales followed the path of said tongue, shivers running internally as Erasmus found each sensitive area, but quickly went external when he realized that he was just as bound here under Erasmus’ determination and desire as he had been by the vines. The thought intensified the arousal already burning in his veins as he barely fought back the urge to push, to rebel a little, to get just a little more. Erasmus’ was already promising to do what he wanted and needed none of Gabe’s say on it but he gave a quick nod all the same.

Shame and self-consciousness were never things he learned to apply to his body (only his emotions) so he didn’t flinch away from Erasmus’ gaze or touch, knowing that a lifestyle that demanded he be in the best fighting shape he could be kept his body pleasing to most. And his friend didn’t seem to find fault with it as he continued to touch, expanding from his chest to his pants, and then under. A soft gasp slipped out at the first touch of warm fingers against hardening flesh, but before he could form a coherent plan of action about that, Erasmus’ mouth was on his neck, teeth meeting skin and drawing more shivers from him, before the warm kisses trailed up and found his mouth.

Most of Gabriel’s partners he never saw again, and as such, they tended to be encounters that went straight to business - maybe a few times - but there’d always been a lack of kissing. He liked kissing and couldn’t help the soft awed sound that followed Erasmus’ move. Realizing he’d fallen into a kind of stupor already, he tried to clear the haze from his brain enough to remember how his limbs worked but the hand was back and moving and what the fuck hope did he have? Gabriel suddenly wasn’t certain which of them had been lacking in experiences lately because Erasmus was playing him effortlessly. A soft moan slipped out at the tease before he choked it off out of habit, too used to being in areas that meant discovery at any moment, and the need to bail if it did for their own survival. Letting go wasn’t something he was familiar with no matter how intently he tried to find someone who could make him.

And then Erasmus was drawing back and that softly displeased/panic noise he couldn’t help either as he chased after his mouth before remembering that breathing was a thing and just fell back against the ground with a soft frown. Oh, now there were words and more thoughts he needed to form and that required movement. “Mkay.” he responded finally, moving hands to Erasmus’ waistband, deftly undoing the stupid contraptions that held them together (that usually magick could just melt away) and shoved down whatever fabric he felt before skimming hands up now-bare thighs and hips, purposefully skipping over his arousal to explore his abs and chest and linger where he was for a moment before dropping his legs and pulling his hands back to push himself back. “Magick makes this so less awkward,” Gabriel grumbled, but pulled the stupid fitted slacks off, all the same, taking care to not throw them towards the fire before losing socks and shoes too, happy to be barefoot and naked again, before moving back towards Erasmus or at least, he intended to, but he froze a moment to just stare. “It seems shallow to say, but you’re so…” Gabriel couldn’t think of an appropriate adjective. “Gorgeous, beautiful, wonderful, amazing.” He rattled more off as he closed the distance between them again, dipping to press a kiss against his bite and chasing the skin up his neck and jaw until he could pull him back into a series of deep kisses, though he was careful to encourage breathing this time.  

Erasmus had plans though and Gabriel followed easily as he was pulled back to his feet and led over to the makeshift shelter Erasmus created. Truthfully, he hadn’t thought they’d make it there during the first round, but he went easily down into the pillows, all the same, not needing to even reach out before Erasmus was there again, warm and solid and keeping Gabriel exactly where he wanted to be. Connecting their mouths became easy, familiar, and this time Gabriel had time to gather some wits back and could let his hands wander over impressive arms, tweak at peaked nipples, smooth down his back, and then back up his sides, before stopping to consider if this was one really vivid intense fae-drink induced dream.

This couldn’t be actually real.

His sinfully gorgeous intense best friend made human, wanted him, and knew exactly how Gabriel would want it - it was far too impossible.

But fuck it.

He was going to enjoy the hell out of this dream while it lasted. So he used his legs to pull Erasmus closer, finally slipping a hand between them to do his own exploring. A soft whimper escaped because of course, he’d be perfect there too because this was a fucking dream but it didn’t stop his own body from flaring up with demanding want. In a dream where he wasn’t a vampire, he’d have happily slid down to take him into his mouth but he wasn’t sure either of them trusted him enough for that, so he made do with his hand, for now, alternating between teasing touches and firm grips. Drawing back from the kiss, he met Erasmus’ gaze, knowing he looked as pulled apart as he felt, and not caring, waiting for the next want to surface.

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

erasmusrowe:

Try again? Erasmus wasn’t certain if that would be the best idea, but it was quite the thought to consider that there might just be peace in the forest for a bit with everyone’s friends and family becoming something else. But then again, this might just not be a permanent thing, and it killed Erasmus to think he would have to go back to the way he was. “Maybe.” He muttered, and left it at that. He wasn’t going to actively try to put those two in the same vicinity.

“Almost two.” Erasmus smirked as he lifted his hand and wiggled two fingers. “I was sick for a while before I was turned. Losing weight, in and out of the hospital. Wasn’t really up to do anything except sleeping, and I’m sure I didn’t look the best either.” But as a human, tonight, he’d like to break that long streak and maybe for once enjoy someone’s touch without feeling the urge to rip them apart.

Speaking of touch…

Gabriel’s fingers drew goosebumps, not so much because of the coldness of them, but because the contact was exactly was Erasmus wanted. “It’d be worth it.” He assured with a grin, glad his offer was accepted, and promptly following along as Gabriel led the way. He tipped back the flask, drinking down what was left of the whiskey before pocketing it for later use. Erasmus nearly missed the question, and then was about to babble on about a list of things that were hardly interesting until Gabriel clarified and OH, it was gonna be that kind of talk. “Want me talking dirty to you?” Erasmus laughed. “I don’t have any weird kinks if that’s what you’re hoping. I mean, going at it rough and hard was always fun, but so were the times that were slow. It’s never really the same, in a rare moment I’m cuddling someone and the next I’m tying them to the bed. I just miss…the spontaneity of it, having someone to click with and have fun. But I guess I do better with actions than words when it comes to that.” He laughed then, because this is something he would have never spoken about so openly, but what the hell. It was Gabriel.

They got back and Erasmus immediately went about forming a makeshift tent out of their supplies. It wasn’t much, but it would shelter them, and most importantly, keep Gabriel free from the sunlight the following day. Hopefully there would be no heavy wind, but if there was, he would guide him to safety, even if it meant returning to the chapel. “I ate too much at the party.” Erasmus said with a shake of his head. “First thing I did when I got my taste back was stuff my fuckin’ face. I’ll try that tea again though, maybe this time I’ll actually appreciate the taste of it.” 

He threw down the left over blankets and pillows and made a place for them to rest. Nothing fancy and overly comfortable, but he’d dealt with far less  a few times in the past. They’d be fine, and Erasmus was sure he’d sleep well enough to not notice he was practically on the ground. He could regret it all tomorrow when he was hungover and stiff. “What about you? Don’t wait until you’re starving to move in for blood, because that’s when accidents happen.”

Almost two. Shit. Though an eyebrow did pick up as Erasmus quickly reassured him the pains to cover up his neck would be worth it. Would it? He was so certain Gabriel didn’t lack talent in this area, hm? It amused him but not nearly as much as Erasmus asking if he wanted to be talked dirty to. If he was offering, Gabriel wasn’t going to say no but it was hard to hide the smile on his mouth once he started. Things were almost always comfortable between them but rarely were they light - and this - he’d never really seen this side of Erasmus before, but he liked it. He had half a quip planned about the kink thing but quickly lost it as he talked about well, literally everything from hard to slow to cuddles to bondage - it all would have made his heart race if it were capable of such a thing - but all of it, yes. Please.

The laugh made him glance over his shoulder and finally share the grin on his lips with a soft, “Guess we’ll see which you’re better at,” tease before they were arriving at their campsite and falling into an easy rhythm to get everything set up. There was an easy fondness flowing between quips and smiles and teases that Gabriel marveled at. Recognizing his place, he moved to the fire to see about heating up some water before settling down to carefully pick a selection of dried leaves, herbs, and fruits to blend into a tea before looking up to see the fort complete and Erasmus fussing over his thirst levels. “M’okay for the minute, but come here.”

Gabriel held out a hand and waited for the other to take it before tugging him down towards the ground and bonfire. “You promised I could curl up in your lap so long as I didn’t tell Sorin and I promise I won’t.” Gabriel let go of him just long enough to move the kettle off the flames, pour the hot water into the pot with the infuser in it before setting both pot and a cup within reach and helping himself into Erasmus’ lap.

He felt bigger like this - and warmer - much to Gabriel’s delight and he turned to nuzzle against his shoulder and burrow himself against his chest, allowing them a few minutes to just get used to being alone and the freedom to touch while he drank the tea. But Gabriel kept catching himself scenting Erasmus and would have flushed if he could before flicking his gaze up. “You really do smell amazing.” There was no not creepy way to say it, but he moved a little to press light kisses over his shoulder and along his collar bone, before nuzzling against his chest with a soft sigh. “You sure ‘bout this?” he asked softly, deciding he should offer another out before things really took a turn. Peeking up at him, he dusted kisses over his jaw and cheek and nose too before glancing down at his neck again and allowing the soft beginning flames of arousal to grow. “Wanna bite a lil.” he admitted. “Can I?” Actually, he’d need a bit more leverage…so he shifted from a seat to a straddle and went back to dusting light touches over his neck and shoulder until he got the okay to very very very carefully bite.

A soft grateful noise slipped out at the first taste of the warm blood against his tongue but he kept part of his mind counting - deciding up to 30 was his limit and let the rest of it just enjoy. More alcohol flooded his system, the blood rushing unsurprisingly south, before he pulled back, just a bit, sticking close to lick at the marks until they stopped oozing and only then realized the rocking he’d been doing in time with Erasmus’ heartbeat. “Sorry.” He tried to still his hips but it was strange to feel the fire inside without feeling it and just moved both his hand to his shirt to begin to push it up. “Ready when you are.” he added. “You sure there’s nothing you want me to do first for you?”

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

erasmusrowe:

The apology didn’t feel as genuine as he would have liked, and Erasmus was sure they would be having a conversation about it later, but he wasn’t in the business of thinking about it now because Gabriel was finally free and taking his hand to lead him away. Erasmus followed without a second thought, offering no parting words to Kainan as he was still rightly angry with him. It would probably fester over time, as it always did, but at least he was away and could get back to the bit of fun he was happening before that entire ordeal.

“He’s…difficult.” Erasmus replied, ignoring the smear of blood on his arm from where Gabriel bit him. The puncture marks had clotted, but were still a dark contrast to his skin and would definitely scar. “I wanted him to meet you because you’re important to me, but I definitely didn’t want shit to be like that.” God his tongue was getting more and more loose, and he really needed to stop, but he just couldn’t, especially when Gabriel suddenly stopped and came to face him. Erasmus laughed lightly. “Now you know how it felt when I fed from you.” He pointed out. “I think if the person matters, it is different. You’re more focused on making it as pleasant as possible for them rather than feeding just to satisfy yourself. When I bit you, that was probably the most gentle I’ve ever been and shit was it hard to keep my hands to myself. The whole biting being erotic thing I mentioned, it’s definitely a thing.” Or…wait…was he talking about that or something else? Erasmus nearly laughed as he realized he didn’t care either way. Yay, alcohol.

“Yeah, you can have sex.” He snorted in amusement. “I didn’t, cause the two people I hooked up with, I ended up biting and draining dry before we got going. They didn’t matter, so I couldn’t control myself.” Erasmus shrugged. “Can imagine how frustrating that is. Also, sunlight weakens you. A lot. I don’t recommend going into it.”

He glanced down at his arms and realized he’d left his jacket behind, but that hardly mattered because all this talk of sex was certainly heating him up. “You know…” He paused, wondering if the next thing he said would be a good or bad idea. Lust was getting the better of him right now though, and he would thank the whiskey for that later otherwise he would never even make these kinds of suggestions. “You’re not starving any more, therefore you’d probably do fine drinking a little at a time. We could head back to that little hang out spot we got, shelter there the rest of the night, and you can feed off me every hour or so.” The two of them…drunk and alone? Yep, sounded good.

“Just go for the neck or the shoulder, so that way I can at least hide the marks.” Felt better there too anyway. Maybe setting this up so he could make some kind of move was a bad idea, could risk their friendship after all, but common sense was a thing of the past right now. Heart pumping a little faster, body exhibiting more heat than usual and there was probably color to his own cheeks, but Erasmus didn’t care. He waited to hear if his idea would be accepted or denied, and if the latter, well at least he tried.

Difficult was putting it mildly, but any residual bitterness faded as Erasmus grumbled about how he was important and that it wasn’t supposed to go like that. He’d had it planned out in his head? Gabriel wasn’t exactly a saint, but Erasmus and the very few things he allowed to bring him the tiniest bits of happiness were important too. “He wasn’t himself tonight and neither was I. So, I won’t hold it against him and we can try again once we’ve all sorta…resettled, ok?” Neither he nor the asshole had plans about leaving Erasmus’ life anytime soon, at least as far as he was concerned so Gabe would find a way to make it work. Simple as that. Though, this no blushing thing was awesome. Yesterday, he’d have been scarlet listening to someone talk about people who matter and how gentle he was and how hard he’d worked to keep his hands to himself. Part of Gabriel was impressed with him and part of him was a little upset things hadn’t escalated then, but he kept getting stuck on the matter part.

Important to me, people who matter…before this forest, the only person Gabriel’d mattered to was Micah. For so long, he thought that was all he’d ever need, but this felt like pieces were clicking into place that he hadn’t even known were missing. And Erasmus - he got it. He knew what it was like to not be enough, to not matter, to go through years of your life just coasting. And now he had someone that wasn’t family who fiercely believed he mattered in Gabe and maybe it was the weird night or the alcohol, but he was just so happy Erasmus sort of wandered into his life that night and gave them both something amazing.

“Wait.” Gabriel blinked a few times. “You’re telling me, you haven’t done anything in over a year?” Then again, he was coming up on that benchmark too and none of that was ok. But before that he’d been sick…so did Gabriel even really wanna know how long it’d been for him? Goddess, his self-control really wasn’t as lacking as everyone assumed. The note about sunlight was heard but overwhelmed by everything else. He’d learn his lesson - probably by going out into the sunlight - but bigger fish to fry.

Despite the whole conversation they’d just had - the offer still caught Gabriel off-guard. Despite having seen him just lose his shit and despite the awkward sex talk…he wanted to just hole up together for the rest of the night? Gabriel still didn’t know if he was the biggest idiot he ever met or the best friend he’d ever have. Probably both. “Yeah?” It took the question half forming on Gabriel’s tongue for him to realize the offer wasn’t exactly what it appeared. He’d wanted to question if he was sure since he knew what might happen if Gabriel were to bite him again, but that…Gabriel was pretty sure that was being alluded to here.

A quiet amused sound slipped out at Erasmus’ directive before reaching out again to trail his fingers against the neck he found so goddamn enthralling. “Really? You gonna suddenly start wearing scarves, turtlenecks, and loads of necklaces to cover up?” The image was ridiculous but also…not entirely impossible to picture and Gabriel loved whiskey. This was so much fun. “I can’t wait to see it. Let’s go.” There were other good things stashed around there too, like good-for-blood teas that he wouldn’t have to choke down, and blankets, and probably some wine.

Gabriel made it a bit further in the forest before curiosity and his too loose tongue got the better of him. “What do you miss the most?” he asked, before realizing the other wasn’t exactly in his thoughts. “Bedroom speaking.” he clarified. But it was important. He hadn’t often been in a position to make up the shitty hand life dealt Erasmus, but tonight he could. Just a little. So he took notes on what was shared until they got to their destination.

Stepping across the magickal wards he had around the campsite pulled at something deep in his chest still not even remotely ready to face (or mourn) the fact his magick was gone forever. He just busied himself with getting the thickest blankets he had out and coming up with some non-magickal way to get them to stay up and around the hammock and surrounding area to act as a warm sunlight deflecting shelter thing for the both of them until he came up with a better plan. Except, he forgot that while magick rendered his height inconsequential — not having magick meant he had to get creative about how the fuck he reached trees to hang blankets on. Or… turning he held the blanket out to Erasmus and grinned. “Help, please. Can you tape these to these three trees and I’ll start a fire and some tea for you? Are you hungry? I can probably find something.”

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

sorinvikare:

“Wonderful,” Sorin muttered, staring at his ‘prize’. “Thanks.” He gave a heavy sigh and jiggled the flask. At least that would be somewhat useful- what was he supposed to do with the little mushrooms? He’d never even liked them, they were the worst- vegetable? Not a fruit, what were they? It was rude to refuse a gift, and he was hungry- jello shots and cookies could only go so far. But this was a weird snack, and he was opening his mouth to say as much and clarify whether they were meant to be edible when he realized that he was not in possession of food, but… drugs. His mouth hung open for a second, and he blinked, slowly closing it. Okay. As a human, he’d never been high, and he could count the number of times he’d actually gotten drunk on his fingers. He’d just never been the type. But he’d also never been the type who feasted on blood and killed people, either, and obviously in the grand scheme of things murder ranked worse than doing drugs. Besides, where had divinity been when he was being pulled beneath the water, lungs burning for air? God could suck it.

He shoved them in his mouth, feeling rather vindictive for all of three seconds before feeling nothing pure disgust. He smacked a hand over his mouth to keep from spitting everything out and sent the vampire an awful look. This was not worth it. Who even did this? He swallowed, regretting everything that had lead him to this moment and then gave a heartfelt “Ugh. Why?” He tried to chase it away with a big mouthful of whatever was in the flask but it just made his eyes water and why was tonight a complete failure? He was a puny defenseless human and Oscar, his friend, someone he’d loved had tried to kill him- as if that should have even been surprising, but no, he wasn’t thinking about that- and now he was eating nasty mushrooms and drinking nasty alcohol in the middle of nowhere with a baby vampire for company. 

Sorin sniffled, touching a hand to his throat. “It burns,” he announced, but his chest felt warmer already, and it was kind of nice because the rest of him was freezing. “I would offer you some, but, you know,” He shrugged. He drank a little more and then squirmed his way out of his sparkly sweater, letting it fall forgotten to the ground. He wasn’t sure whether that made him colder or not, but it was a warm enough night, and once he dried out it probably wouldn’t be too bad. He rubbed his free hand along his arm, taking a startled step backwards with the vampire suddenly in his face. It apparently hadn’t been a threatening move, though, and the words brought forth a tiny, surprised smile. “Hey,” He said, grin widening a fraction, “Yes, you are right. Me- sized,” he repeated, delighted by the phrase. And what a novel concept, too- most of his friends were significantly taller than he was. Perhaps it was a silly reason to like someone, but even so, he felt himself defrosting. The guy was cute and happy, and so far he was hard to actually dislike despite Sorin’s current disgruntled state.

“Yes,” Sorin answered, “I am-” He paused, frowned. He was a human. “I… was a vampire. Before tonight. A grump vampire?” His head tilted as he tried to decide who could fit the bill of this guy’s ‘bestie’, but really, grump vampire could have been just about any one of them. “Which one?” Taking another sip from the flask, he forgot to be wary of the out- of- control vamp and stepped closer. Then, he turned, because he could’ve sworn he’d seen movement out of the corner of his eye, but now there was nothing there, and- “Huh?” He asked, looking back to the vampire. He’d been saying something, Sorin was pretty sure.

Then the guy was walking, and Sorin fell into line like a duckling. You are? “Sorin,” He announced, patting his own chest. “I am Sorin. Hi, Gabriel. I didn’t think it would be very nice to meet you but it is.” Grumpy human and baby vamp. He giggled. “Wait, wait,” He said, “You’re faster than me.” He sped up until he was within reach, grabbing at the vampire’s hand and twining their fingers together clumsily. “Okay, now we can go.” This way, they could stay together. He didn’t speak for a while after that, just hummed a little here and there as he walked and Gabriel chattered away. “Ooh,” he interrupted, tugging on his hand, “Ooh, look.” Pretty lights- and Sorin was so absorbed in watching them that he tripped, going down with a tiny squawk as he hit the floor. He fumbled into a seated position, and then tilted his head back to look at Gabriel. “Hey,” He said, and then, “Hello. Sitting time.” He patted Gabriel’s leg, and then tugged at his pants. “Vă rog.” 

Grumpy human kept earning his name with the faces he was pulling and ugh’s and why’s. It was endlessly endearing though so Gabriel did nothing to ease his discomfort or hide his own amusement about it. His eyes rolled playfully as he declared the alcohol had burnt on its way down and yes, yes it did. Another point to vampirism because nothing about second-hand alcohol burned. It was just glorious. His head tilted as Sorin made a comment about offering him some but you know … was that a joke or not? His eyes briefly dusted over the man’s neck because he could share in a manner of speaking, but he was probably already sloppy levels of intoxicated and shouldn’t push it.

Actually, that brought up several more questions. Could vampires get hung-over? Could they pass out via intoxication? And now the human was stripping, effectively silencing all the blossoming questions as a subtle heat spread through his body instead. Erasmus’ hadn’t been joking about the erotic component to it all - especially when blood was mixed with other substances that destroyed what little inhibitions Gabriel may have been holding on to. He’d never been with someone close to his own stature before but it had to be so much more convenient.

His eyebrows rose when he declared he used to be a vampire and he squinted a little at his face trying to see if he recalled it but he would have remembered this one. “Grumpy vampire.” He confirmed before a shot of delight flickered through him. There was more than one grumpy vampire in their clan? Gabriel was going to have to do something about that. This was amazing. Gabriel didn’t remember what had distracted him and driven him to walk, but the movement didn’t register until something warm and soft was enveloping his hand. Blinking slowly, he brought the clasped hands together before grinning again in amusement and continuing his walk. At least until Sorin found more lights and then they were going down.

A surprised squeak left his mouth before he tensed, immediately jumping back up to his feet as he did not really want to bite his new me-sized friend. But a few careful breaths detected no new fresh blood and his shoulders relaxed a little as he looked down at the other tugging on his pants. There the rush was again, stronger at the foreign words but he just giggled and reached down to pet at his hair - which was surprisingly softer than he’d imagined. “Please don’t hurt yourself. I’m a happy vampire but still learning.” Deciding he had enough of being tall, he sat down too and gave a little sad smile at the other. “In an ironic turn of events, I totally get Erasmus now. He told me the same thing when we first met. To be careful and not like scratch myself around him. Complicated shit, making friends that have heartbeats and warm blood isn’t it?” 

Somehow he was going to have to figure out how to deal because he still needed his brother in his life and the little ragtag group of friends he’d collected. It’d probably be too much to hope that Anthony’d want anything to do with him after this but he couldn’t resist pressing a little closer to the warm body. “Did you happen to see any super tall people still at the party when you left?” Then again, that wasn’t really going to tell him anything. It’s possible Anthony came after him as soon as he left or it’s possible his fate had changed too and he was like running around as a wolf or something. “Or I guess a better question is nobody like screamed and found a body while you were at the party, right?” Gabriel’d lost his jacket at some point and frowned as he found he had nothing to draw around himself in a gesture of comfort and settled for his knees and wrapping his arms around them as he watched the lights. “Would you date a vampire as like…someone with a heartbeat?” He turned his gaze back to Sorin, resting his head on his arms and trying to resist the urge to cry suddenly. “I just…got my first boyfriend,” he admitted quietly. “M’fraid I might have killed him or hurt him and even if I didn’t, I could, you know? And he’s - “ Gabriel curled tighter around himself, letting out a soft sigh. Didn’t matter now. “I was already having a hard time believing he was something I could have, that he could feel those things for me and now this? This seems like…it falls outside of the promises he made, you know? He didn’t sign up for this. And it might not matter because I can’t remember how I got out of the cabin.”

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

erasmusrowe:

Erasmus was growing more and more frustrated with Kainan. The glare he gave him was razor sharp, and it remained in place even as Gabriel bit down onto his arm. It wasn’t unpleasant or painful, and Erasmus would have to compliment Gabriel with such a controlled bite when he got the chance. If it could be like that on his neck, he would have easily allowed it, because it was certainly a guilty pleasure for him. Either way, he wasn’t used to losing blood, and he was prepared to lose a lot of it before he finally pulled away, but surprisingly enough it was Gabriel that pulled back, and that angry look he’d been giving his brother immediately turned into something smug—a blunt take that and shove it.

But then he was lightheaded, and as he glanced down at his arm to see it still profusely bleeding, he remembered alcohol was a blood thinner and yeah he should probably apply some pressure to that. Erasmus leaned back against the tree Gabriel was tied to, letting it support his weight as he caught his friend’s words and huffed a small laugh. “Really? Cause I actually prefer this side.” He quipped, and then was looking back to his brother, the grip he had over the bite on his arm tightening as Kainan still pressured to question Gabriel. For what? His anger returned, and he readied himself to remark when Gabriel beat him to it.

I’ll look after him…

He’s not gonna leave my side…

Erasmus’ look softened as he glanced back to his friend, and no, Kainan wasn’t going to make him do anything. His brother had failed to control him since he was first turned, and after this little display tonight, there was no way he was going to follow anything he was directed to do. “You promised me.” He shot to his brother, disappointed. When they first spoke of Gabriel, Erasmus had expressed his desire to have his brother meet him, and in return he’d gained Kainan’s word to be civil. This…was far from it. And what made it worse was Gabriel was actually defending him and his ability to make decisions, something he shouldn’t have to do from his own brother. “Let him go, we’re leaving. You’re so trusting of your ‘own kind’, you can go hang out with the fae for a while.”

Erasmus was done. He wasn’t patient enough to deal with this when sober, and it certainly didn’t improve after drinking. He turned his full attention to Gabriel then and noticed something had changed. He looked distracted, no longer as defiant as he’d first been. Perhaps he was over it to. This little standstill was certainly getting old now that the danger had passed.

His brother was reckless and apparently that was just an innate trait because he had no baby vamp excuse to explain why he had his arm at Gabriel’s mouth. Kainan didn’t like any of this, but the vamp’s casual display of control and Erasmus’ smug look was too much. What was going to stop the lil shit from attacking fully once his bonds were lifted? Nobody showed control like that on the first night - he wouldn’t stop there. He couldn’t. But then he was turning his anger fully on Kainan but it was - protective? Fiercely defensive of his brother and strange. Nobody’d ever talked to Kai like that before and part of it ruffled his feathers and part of him was just in shock.

Had his brother truly made a friend? Kainan didn’t know what he’d thought when Erasmus first told him about an Enchanter he’d…bonded with but he assumed there had to be some mischief on the Enchanter’s part behind it. Yet this casual display of trust between them and the hotly protective words - that didn’t add up. In fact, Gabriel was beginning to remind him of Sorin. But Erasmus settling against the tree and giving Gabriel a look he’d never seen him give anyone - that finally did it. And the soft you promised me brought guilt slamming home as he realized fully just how badly he’d fucked up.

“Erasmus -“ he began, but there’d be no verbal way to fix this so easily. It also wasn’t fair because he made that promise when they were both vampires and Gabriel was not. This wasn’t a standard night - extraordinary circumstances and all. “I’m sorry.” he said finally, dropping the vines from around the vampires body but not leaving just yet - just in case. “That’s just it,” he added. “Our clan’s been decimated - spread over various species and I need to find a way to…” Maybe he shouldn’t say fix it. He had a feeling Erasmus had no desire to be fixed but “Understand it.” he finished. “Apologies….Gabe.”

—-

A soft snort of amusement slipped out at Erasmus’ quip back, because of course, he did, before alcohol, lust, and anger got the better of him, loosening his tongue probably a bit too much but at least it seemed to work. Combined with sharp quick words from Erasmus’ of course, but eventually, the vines slipped away. Naturally, Gabriel wasn’t expecting it despite wishing desperately for it, and almost fell straight onto his face, but whatever. He caught himself. Disaster averted. He’d just been a little distracted by Erasmus’ proximity but this was good. Better. He could put some distance between them, air, and pretend none of the last little bit had happened.

Gently rubbing fingers over his arms were the vines had pressed in, he shot an unimpressed look at the weak apology shot his way, but he wasn’t in the business of making shit worse between them, no matter what his personal opinions now were about the asshole. “Sorry the coven fucked with your clan.” There was no way Gabriel could even hope of protecting the few people in the clan he cared for from the fallout of this so he didn’t try. “We’re gonna go now.” Reaching, he grabbed at Erasmus’ hand again, knowing from Sorin that if he didn’t, his own ignorance about his speed would probably leave Erasmus some distance behind and he didn’t want his own eagerness to get the fuck away from the fae to like, desert him. “Bye.”

Unfortunately, none of his problems seemed to be eased now that they were putting distance between them and a third party. Instead, he was just starkly aware that they were alone and Erasmus was the only thing he could smell and walking had gotten a lot more complicated than he’d remembered. “When you mentioned your brother was a dick, I clearly underestimated what you meant.” He grumbled finally. “But thanks for…not letting me kill him. And for feeding me.” Was that a weird thing to thank someone for? He didn’t know what else to say, it wasn’t like he could bring up the last topic of conversation they’d been on before they’d been so rudely interrupted because he didn’t need that story in his head any more than it already was. 

And finally, he just stopped walking and spun around to face Erasmus, thankful that blushing didn’t seem to be a thing vampires did. “Are you not supposed to drink from your friends?” He asked finally. “Becuase it’s...it all feels different with you.” Despite not being able to flush, or have his heart race, every nerve in his body still felt like it was turned up to eleven and wanting but not for blood. Or well, not only for blood. Could vampires even get off? These were not the kind of questions answered by dusty tomes in ancient libraries and he’d never thought to ask before. “Or maybe it’s not you and I just - m’drunk and it’s been a crazy night and shitty coping skills transcend death, right?” Lots of people would have weird reactions to being turned into vampires suddenly and then tied up, and then given blood from someone who tasted amazing. Totally vamp-normal. Gabe just had to find a way to get rid of this burning feeling in his body because he couldn’t think and that was a surefire way to get them both killed, or worse. “Never mind. Forget I said anything. Just gotta find another hunt and then we’ll work on finding shelter for us. What even happens to young vampires in the sunlight? And fuck it, can vampires have sex?” It was an important question for Gabriel’s undead future apparently and it’d drive him crazy for the rest of the night wondering. 

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

ailisinwonderland:

She was grinning until he mentioned wanting to bite anyone… She still smiled though. She did at that moment realize maybe Dhviti’s plan had some issues. She could see vampires who weren’t used to being a vampire ending up losing control. She’d have to warn the others once she helped Gabriel get out of here. “You know, that’s rude.” She said with a smirk in response to him saying she smelled terrible. Despite the fact that she had pretty much just said the same thing to him. “Well that’s good… makes sense though…” Good to know if she ever faced a vampire. Maybe she could make herself smell like werewolves… maybe… huh.. She wondered if she could make anti-vampire charms. Those might sell well. Potentially.

She glanced down at his hand on her arm. This must really be bothering him- she could only imagine how overwhelming it was for him. “Of course I’ll help you. Come on.” She was only an inch taller but ever since the transformation completed she felt stronger and for Ailis that went a bit to her head. So she nudged her way through the crowd with Gabriel in tow. Continuing to speak in the mean time. “I do not smell like wet dog.” She lifted her hand up to her face and sniffed it. “I smell like curling up by the fire with a wolf. Warm and comforting. Sort of woodsy… You smell like dirt and… I don’t know… old.” She chuckled when he asked if they all had died. “Uh… not quite, no.” They’d all be actually dead if they just passed out or, so she assumed. “No one’s dead… Well any more than usual at least.”

“You started it.” Gabriel shot back automatically but managed a faint smile himself all the same. Luckily, she seemed inclined to be helpful and he gave a small nod of thanks as he fell in step behind her, forcing himself to not breathe until he had to reply to her chattering. His nose wrinkled in disagreement when she declared she did not smell like a wet dog, but more like a woodsy wolf. “My nose disagrees.” he shot back before another smile pulled at his lips, distracting him momentarily from the bodies around them. “Dirt and old?” he repeated, pretending to think it over. “Still better than doggy bath time.” 

But he had to disagree with the rest of her words. He was not usually dead and now his body was silent and he wanted to casually rip the throats out of everyone present. That was not his usual state of being. And she was a dog! That was not her state of normal, but at least she still had a heartbeat. Then again, come to think of it, none of this seemed like it surprised her. Biding his time until they were at the door and he was reasonably sure he could force himself out into the forest, he dug his heels in and turned to face her. “Tell me this wasn’t the coven’s doing.” he pleaded softly. 

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

arainwisp:

❝You are a protector. It is admirable.❞ Acknowledging his words, Willow spun, bringing herself to the point of dizziness before stopping to gain a more accurate sense of up before she began to dance around her friend once more. Each step felt a bit more labored than the first as an invisible weight seemed to fall upon her shoulders. Perhaps she was only tired, but that seemed unlikely as she’d slept two hours the night before, it was a record for her. She typically spent nights wandering the darkest portion of Arain rather than sleeping at all, in more recent days, she’d been keeping an eye out for Hans. Despite her anger towards, him, she did not wish him harm. Her thoughts had caused her to check out long enough for her to miss the rest of the shift from wisp to human. Her light had dimmed entirely, but instead of being replaced by shadows, she remained at a neutral lighting similar to that of Greta Grimm.

So self-absorbed in her sudden loss of magick and the co-morbid panic that ensued within her, she failed to see what was happening all around her. With a quick exam of the dance floor before bringing her eyes back to Gabriel, Willow nodded quickly. ❝I’m…❞ Her eyes distanced themselves from reality momentarily and she felt similar to how one might feel on an island, alone, in the middle of nowhere. She was entirely separated from not only her magick, but all magick. ❝It’s all gone, Gabriel… It’s gone… They were gone, and now I am. Am I even here?❞

There were only moments for Willow to consider if she might be nothing more than a ghost of herself before she was moving towards Gabriel on the ground. ❝Gabriel… What’s happened? Where’s the magick? Can you feel anything at all? I can’t feel it anymore… Can you stand? Gabriel. Please, get up. We have to go outside. We can’t stay inside here. It can only get worse from here…❞ 

A protector? Gabriel’d never applied the word to himself before - that was Micah’s role. But maybe, in following so closely in his footsteps, he had taken certain qualities on himself. It’d make sense. That, unfortunately, was the last thing to make sense for quite some time. Willow was babbling about gone and here and there was a rushing in his head that made it hard to follow until everything went silent. Gabriel had no idea how long he’d been still but he also had no idea how or why he’d ended up on the floor. Vaguely, he recalled dancing and must have gone too hard and passed out - he was so thirsty. Clearly, he was dehydrated and went to reach for his magick - only to find it gone.

No. No, no, no. Not again. No.

His eyes closed again briefly, reaching harder for it, but it wasn’t there. Just the insane thirst and deeper hunger for something that made no sense. Gradually, he realized someone was talking to him and looked up to find Willow…but not, standing there pleading about going outside. “Am I dreaming?” Gabriel asked quietly, glancing around the dance floor like he’d see his own body lying there somewhere. “Is this a strange prank?” He didn’t remember taking a drink of anything strangely colored and fae-tampered with but he didn’t quite trust his memory either. “Why is it so loud in here?” Sure, there was music, sounds of horror and panic, some of jubilance and merry-making, but that was all background to the steady beats both distracting him and drawing him in.

Fluidly, he got back up to his feet, so that was one of her questions answered. Yes, he could stand. “I don’t feel magick anymore…” he trailed off, barely daring to scent the air, before shuddering. “But I can smell it. It’s still here but…different.” His body wanted him to breathe in again, deeper, his gums starting to ache, but no. This wasn’t happening. Frantically, his hands went for his neck, his arms, his chest, trying to find some kind of bite that would explain this but he’d - he’d been with Willow. She’d have stopped anyone who might have - his fingers lay against his own neck, realizing for the first time that despite the incessant beating going on around him - his own body was silent. “Willow? Fuck.” He had to get out of here before someone scratched themselves or skinned a knee or worse. Vampire. Seriously? He had to find Erasmus before he lost his shit. “Are you -“ no, he could hear her heart beating, she wasn’t dead too, but she didn’t smell like magick. “It’s not safe in here. I need to go. You should too, but try and arm yourself as soon as you can, just in case. ok? Be careful.”

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

erasmusrowe:

Erasmus would have to credit Kainan’s knack for catching on to things quickly. The vines had been a clever save, and thankfully a safe option to refrain from harming Gabriel as well. He stood between them, hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath and marveled at how weak he had become. One thing he had appreciated as a vampire was his everlasting stamina and speed, but now his endurance was next to pathetic.

Gabriel’s pleading look did not go unnoticed, and as Kainan turned to Erasmus to request something so ridiculous, he immediately got angry. “What? No.” He said sharply, not buying that we’re just gonna talk look Kainan had on his face. While Erasmus had been between the two of them to protect Kainan at first, he was now standing protectively in front of Gabriel. “This isn’t some fucking interrogation act. He had nothing to do with what happened to me, or you, or anyone else and I’m not going to watch you use his thirst against him. Why do you even have that?” He asked, jutting a finger at the stick, before reaching out to attempt snatching it away. “You’re not going to jab him with it, so get rid of it.”

Okay, so maybe being a little drunk put his emotions forward and made him care more than he usually did. Erasmus did in fact care a great deal about Gabriel, and it was certainly showing now as he got more and more fired up. Even if he was starting to look up to Kainan, he wasn’t going to tolerate his brother treating Gabriel poorly, not when the situation was so relatable to him. “This isn’t his fault Kai, and he’s not some goddamn animal we’re going to tie up and give treats every time he does something you want him to.” He went to the vines, but tugging on them did nothing to loosen them, and well, Gabriel was still a hungry vampire so maybe that was a good thing. Tied up like this, he could feed without threat of killing, and Erasmus shrugged off his jacket and tossed it to the ground. With his heart still pounding from the run, his veins were full and easily visible across his bare arms. 

He didn’t wait for Kainan’s approval, or disapproval rather, because his arm was already at Gabriel’s lips and he gave him a nod in permission to bite. He was suffering enough as is, and Erasmus couldn’t stomach seeing him beg for the meager droplets of blood Kainan had teased him with. 

Erasmus’ sharp disapproval caught Kainan off-guard —he’d never seen his brother express an ounce of caring about well, anything other than his own freedom. And his own frown quickly mirrored Erasmus’ as he glanced between the small thing bound to the tree and his brother. “How do you know he had nothing to do with it?” Kainan asked. “He’s one of them.” Both his eyebrows rose as his brother shifted, getting between him and the witch and demanding to know why he had a makeshift stake. “You’re human now, I’m fae, we’re a bit more vulnerable than I’d like.” Kai pointed out slowly, moving the stake out of reach and narrowing his eyes. Baby vampires were a hazard and one Kainan had spent years learning how to properly wrangle, what was Erasmus going to do for him? Set him loose on the forest? It wasn’t like any of Kai’s lessons about restraint or control had sunk in for him, how could he pass them on here?

“You think he’s in control?” Kainan asked lowly, just barely stopping himself from declaring the other very much an animal. If he’d been talking to anyone else, he would have, because new vampires were. They were all base instinct and instant gratification - no better than other species running around with four legs and a tail. Forgive him if he didn’t want himself or his brother to become dinner. Stubbornly, Kai kept the vines right where they were as his brother tried tugging at them but at least managed to keep control of his tongue before insulting both his brother and his friend. Though, maybe he shouldn’t have.

“Erasmus!” Kai took a step forward once he realized what he was doing but it was already too late, the vampire’d latched on, golden eyes furiously trained on him before the blood rush seemingly took over. Gripping the wood tighter, he moved a few steps closer to them, ignoring the warning growl coming from the vampire and watching his brother closely for signs of losing too much blood too soon. But to his surprise, it was the vampire who pulled back, a little defiant smirk on his bloodied mouth that Kai wanted to get rid of but refrained. He could see what drew Erasmus to the lil shit. But he just folded his arms and motioned towards the boy. “Now that he’s eaten, may I ask him questions?”

—-

Gabriel didn’t like any of this and immediately regretted every encouraging push he’d ever given Erasmus into not being a dick to his brother. Clearly, it’d not been warranted. What a fucking asshole. Still, it was unexpected when Erasmus got between them and doubly so when Gabriel’s barely there sense of coherency finally managed to pick up that it wasn’t Gabriel he was arguing against - but for. He didn’t have to do that. The words tried to leave his tongue, but each time the dumb bro opened his mouth first, making Gabriel angrier. He wasn’t out of control. At least, not anymore. He’d managed to not bite his best friend, that had to count for something, right?

Except, said best friend started stripping, making Gabriel tilt his head because he was pretty sure it was damn cold out and he was human now so he’d feel it - oh. There was an arm held up to his mouth, filled with warm delicious blood, and god, he wanted. A soft whine slipped out as he half-heartedly tried to fight his own desires before flicking his gaze up to Erasmus’ to really make sure it was ok and getting the nod. Guess they were even now.

Gabriel held on to that thought as he tried to bite as gingerly as possible, repeating slow and steady in his head even as he glared at the asshole who still had a pointy bit of wood Gabriel wanted to destroy. Said stick+dick got closer, pulling a displeased sound of him that he pretended wasn’t at all animalistic, nope, he was in complete control. The whiskey Erasmus had been drinking caught him off-guard, both intoxications smacking into him hard and fast forcing him to pull back before he could be tempted to throw himself fully into it.

Breathing hard, he ran his tongue over his lips since he had no other way to try and clean up, before huffing out a laugh, intended to be only quiet enough for Erasmus to hear, along with his next words. “Mmm, told you it was better on this side.” He quipped, but it wasn’t a lie. His whole body felt warm again, mind dazed, loose, and happy and now that the hunger was somewhat abated, he could turn his attention to…other things.

Like being tied up and at the mercy of two attractive dudes who had at least a foot on him.

Sex hadn’t come up before their talk tonight and Gabriel hadn’t realized that lust was something that could transcend death until right now. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Like he needed this to get any worse. His eyes closed momentarily, part of his mind weakly chiding himself and trying to pull his thoughts in another direction, but the asshole was right. He wasn’t fully in control of himself and wanted more. Wanted touches, wanted kisses, wanted more blood, and - no, fuck. He had a boyfriend. Who he might have killed and who might have had a part in killing him but no Bad Gabe. “Look, ass- Erasmus’ bro. I won’t hurt your brother, and he’s never hurt me. We might not do shit the way you do, but what we do works for us. I get I’m a stranger and up until a few hours ago I was an Enchanter, but your brother is on a very short list of people who haven’t fucked me over and that means a lot to me. I’ll look after him, even if that means against myself or against himself. I’d never have condoned anything like this. I would have warned him if I knew what they’d planned. I’m not asking you to trust me, but trust Erasmus. He doesn’t befriend just any idiot and you know he’s not lacking in intelligence, so please let us go. I’ll find him somewhere safe for the night, I promise…but he’s not gonna leave my side. Not tonight. Please don’t try and make him.”

Shit, that wasn’t half bad for his head being mostly full of whiskey and sex. Pleased with himself, he went lax against the vines, pleading silently with them to please let him go before an embarrassing situation got more so, before glancing between the brothers again and praying the rest of his thoughts weren’t easy to read on his face. It didn’t help that now his mind and mouth knew what Erasmus’ blood tasted like and that every habitual inhale brought the scent back, sweetly torturing him and fanning very dangerous flames that had no business burning.

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

micahtabor:

“Don’t ‘What the fuck, Micah’ me,” Micah frowned. “At least I’m still alive. It’s a bit jarring to see you in such a state, you know.” He tsked. “We cannot. Guardians, however, can,” He said, and waved a hand at his hair. “What do you think? It’s a bit dreadful, isn’t it? I daresay I still make it look better than any of the other redheads I’ve encountered.” He patted his jawline thoughtfully and gave a little hum.

Gabe accepted the gift, and Micah watched with satisfaction as he brought the admittedly pathetic snack to his lips. He spit it out, though, and Micah smacked his arm with a paw, letting his claws scratch skin just a little. Bad Gabe. You will drink that squirrel and like it. He huffed, amused by his own thoughts, eyes tracking the squirrel’s body as his brother finished with it. Then, suddenly, before he even knew what was happening the squirrel was airborn and so was he, claws sinking into the carcass, clinging to it as he hit the ground. His tail flicked, teeth gnawing at the fur for just a second before his sensible brain caught up to his beastly one and he froze. He considered scratching the little brat for taking advantage of his uncontrolled, baser instincts, considered spitting and hissing, but instead he stood, chin tilted in the air, and walked a few feet away before sitting down with his back to Gabe, staring into the dark of the woods, pretending his dumb baby brother didn’t exist. He was an only child, and he did not have a squirrel- throwing asshole baby brother. Try as he might, he could not stop his stupid tail from flicking back and forth, showcasing just how irritated he truly was. Which, in turn, only added to the irritation because damn it, he didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing just how deeply he’d gotten under his skin, and it was just a messy, vicious circle of irritation and tail- flicking and he didn’t know how to stop.

He was more than a little pissed about all it, at first, but at some point as he listened to Gabe laughing at his expense the annoyance drained away. It had been, what, months since the last time he’d heard Gabe laugh, and instead of feeling irate, suddenly, he just felt tired and old. He missed this, missed when it had been just him and Gabriel, in the woods or wherever else. The two of them. He missed Gabe waking him up with his stupid annoying butterfly messengers and his ridiculous eating habits and his headstrong demeanour. He missed his presence, missed everything about him. He missed being Micah and Gabe and feeling secure in the knowledge that if nothing else, he had someone that looked at him as if he were more than just the things that he did or could do.

But, he reminded himself, none of that had been real anyways. If Gabriel had ever truly understood anything about him, he never would have asked him why he hadn’t killed him.

He stared into the woods for a moment longer, deep in his thoughts, before the sound of Gabe’s voice pulled him back. He turned back, rising from the ground fluidly, arms crossing as he answered, voice quite matter- of- fact and composed, almost bored. “I’m a guardian and you are a vampire because your little friends at the cabin are sorely lacking a legitimate sense of humour and apparently have even less of a sense of self- preservation than I had initially thought. You would do well to examine the company you keep, brother, though I suppose the fact that you’re asking means they haven’t pulled you into their harebrained schemes just yet. So good for you on that.” He turned on his heel, facing Gabe once more and clapping his hands together in a little display of mock applause. “I can turn into any mammal you can name. As for what we’re going to do about it… first,” Micah said, “You need to eat, and preferably not me, though I wouldn’t be opposed to it if you could control yourself. By the looks of you, you’ve been having a marvelously good time. Are you going to throw a temper tantrum and lecture me if I drag some hapless fool back here for you to devour?” An eyebrow raised as he awaited an answer. “After you’re stable… I intend to find the responsible parties and acquire answers. They will return us to our normal state of being, I will see to it.” His voice held no uncertainty and a sharp edge. This would be fixed. “As in who?” Micah shrugged. “Sabine, Avery, Oscar? I’ll keep you from killing them to the best of my ability, sure, but it’s not as if we have that many friends in common, you know.”

Gabriel tried to suppress the flinch but given how it’d only been like five hours since he’d died, he was pretty sure he got some leeway, on the whole, getting used to it being common knowledge thing and just tossed out like a casual fact. “It’s a bit jarring being in such a state.” Gabriel returned flatly before gaping. Guardian? How the fuck was Micah a Guardian? His eyes narrowed as he pretended to take in the hair Micah was talking about but it was nighttime in a forest and sure he had vamp eyes but that didn’t mean he saw in color. Gabriel really hoped he got a glimpse of it before having to hide when the sun came up though because it sounded brilliant. “I’m sure you’re the prettiest guardian.” Gabriel agreed, with only a tiny amused smile playing on his lips that got quickly wiped away by the squirrel.

And immediately brought back as Micah-the-cat leaped for the squirrel, ferociously attacking it, and being altogether adorable. God, he missed cats. Especially when Micah realized what he was doing and decided that haughtily punishing Gabe was the best course of action which just made him finally dissolve into laughter. This was, by far, the most ridiculous thing to ever happen to them. He was dead and Micah was a cat. A haughty, proud, very Micah-esque cat. Who lost none of any of that when he went back to two legs and immediately laid into him about the coven. Right. Gabriel’d been hoping somewhere in the foolish optimistic part of his head that maybe fae had gotten involved and progressed from drinks to…whatever this was, but…apparently not.

Sighing, he held onto the tree, but for once, had no comeback. Not a single word of defense for the coven that he could think of. Micah was pissed but each word drove a little deeper into Gabriel’s chest and he had to look away. Could vampires cry? What even was the protocol for your boyfriend turning you into a vampire? Or at least, not warning you that it could happen. Part of Gabriel wanted to ask, but most of him just wanted to be spared the further disappointment that he’d trusted one of them with something as delicate as his heart and trust. But his gaze snapped back at the offer he could bite Micah if he thought he could control him before a startled giggle left his mouth at the idea of throwing a tantrum over a body. “I will throw a tantrum if you bring me another tiny animal,” Gabriel began. “I can get my own…hapless fool. It’s no fun if you bring them to me.”

Wait…forgetting his own speed, he found himself nearly chest to chest with Micah before he finished that sentence, searching his face for some kind of … something but he didn’t find it. “Return us?” Gabriel repeated. “You think I can go back? Be alive, get my magick back?” His brow furrowed, his hand moving to search his own neck again. “I tried to find a bite, some evidence of a blood exchange, but there’s nothing. I was dancing and then I felt - well, I felt like I was dying. I woke up on the floor in Anthony’s room like this.” Biting his lip, he took a step back with a sheepish shrug. “I don’t remember getting out of the cabin. Clarity came later and after a lot of blood. So, no. The hapless fools don’t bother me, but squirrel is exactly as fucking gross as I always thought it would be. Your palate is not nearly refined as your wardrobe, brother.” Smirking, he took a few more steps back, scenting the air to pick a direction as Micah listed a few of their mutual friends. “Those three and Erasmus. Sorin. Willow. Iris. Hans. Eirlys, and…Anthony.”

Barely daring to glance at his brother, he gave a little shrug. “I don’t disagree with you. This little stunt has called the coven and its enchanters into question. I will re-examine the company I keep but to do that and figure out what the fuck happened and why, he kind of needs to not be dead.” If he wasn’t already. Gabriel decided to not wait for agreement on that and scurried off towards the nearest warm scent, tracking his prey. It didn’t take long to happen onto someone wandering alone in the forest and how dumb were they? At least travel in pairs in the woods if you weren’t ready for any number of attacks that could happen. Within seconds Gabriel’d leaped into the air, shocking the man into catching him before biting down and riding him down to the ground. This was much better. He could feel his leg stitching itself back together and just hummed a little in happy approval until the man’s heart took its last beat and left Gabriel searching his pockets for a handkerchief to help clean up. It was only as he began cleaning the blood off his own skin with Micah hovering in the background that the memories came up.

Freezing, he watched the movie play on the back of his eyelids before opening them to stare at Micah. Other memories were there, anger and pain, discipline and trauma, and it’s not like Gabriel could blame his brother for rising up against a tyrannical asshole. But it was hard to get the image of himself, bent protectively over his very dead mother trying to frantically save her with a child’s knowledge of magick out of his head. Anger hit first because his body’d just been fucked with without his consent and now it was turning out his mind had to and nothing was sacred but he fought past it.

Micah’d taken the worst moments of his life and put them out of reach, given him a chance to grow up to be something other — even if he did mock and tease him for his otherness, maybe it was his way of showing some relief for Gabriel not turning out like everyone else. Well, before today anyway. Glancing down, he made sure he was clean of blood before he crossed the distance between them again and wrapped himself around Micah the best he could. “So, I owe you an I’m sorry and a thank you,” Gabriel said quietly, ignoring the sound of Micah’s heartbeat the best he could. “You could have left those memories. You could have raised me just like he would have, but you didn’t. You gave me a chance to be different, to have it better, and I - I don’t know what to say but thank you.” Even if it wasn’t enough. He lingered for as long as he could bear it before stepping back a few paces with an embarrassed little shrug. “Is this what it’s like for you? Except instead of blood, it’s magick? The scent, the feel of it, gets into your head and under your skin and keeps getting louder until you’re helpless against it and have to do something about it?” Help me understand who we are.

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

erasmusrowe:

“I mean, what else am I going to do?” Erasmus asked before taking another swig. “If I don’t hang out with you, I’ll probably end up bored or in trouble, and you’ll definitely end up in trouble.” He scoffed playfully. “But yeah, I’ll do the drinking and you do you’re thing. Fine by me.” And he’d likely feel the pain of a hangover in the morning, but the fact he could get hungover was more exciting than not. There would always be time later to regret things, for now, he just wanted to live.

“It was bad.” Erasmus went on, figuring there was no harm in talking about one of the few stupid moments he’d had. “Didn’t realize how low my tolerance was until that night. Ended up drinking way too much, smoking too much too, and not just cigarettes. Next morning I woke up naked in my roommate’s bed with my roommate, and that was the lovely awkward cherry on top. We went the rest of the year without speaking about it, mostly cause I think that was his first time with another guy and he wanted to pretend it didn’t happen.” Had’t bothered Erasmus either way, they’d stopped talking after he moved out and that was that.

“Hm? Alright.” He really could care less which way they went. His plans were set–follow Gabriel around, help him hunt and make sure he stayed out of trouble, then find someplace to pass out when the time was right. Erasmus was looking into the flask, trying to glimpse how much was in there as he weighed it in his hands, and in the process nearly collided with Gabriel as something seemed to have caught his friend’s attention.

“Something caught your attention huh?” He nearly laughed, knowing that look, but when he followed it and caught sight of a very familiar form walking in the woods, his heart dropped. “Wait…Gabe–” 

But it was too late. Gabriel was already moving and leaving Erasmus behind to try to catch up–and he tried. His legs were carrying him at a full sprint, which was still unbearably slow compared to what he was used to and compared to Gabriel’s newfound abilities. “Gabe no! STOP!” How much use would that really be? Erasmus had remembered hearing his first kills beg for their lives, but it hadn’t reached any empathy in his hunger. His brother was in trouble, likely doomed, and Erasmus couldn’t help but feel partially responsible. “KAINAN!”

He would stop running, even when his lungs burned and the alcohol threatened t make him topple. Erasmus would eventually catch up and throw himself between them, because he couldn’t bring himself to watch his brother die and to have his best friend be the one to do it.

There it was again, dry but true words ringing out between them and making Gabriel grin despite himself. It was true. They were trouble together but twice as bad apart. “That’s fair.” And he hated that he caught the fae-scent then because that story was gold and something he’d only read about in trashy novels he’d picked up here and there and couldn’t believe it had actually happened to someone he knew. There were so many questions he had but they’d have to wait. Like, when was Erasmus’ first time then? It’d surprised him to hear that wasn’t it given the strict upbringing he had, and what guy would want to pretend it didn’t happen? The list would have gone on but he was well and truly distracted, not even realizing the bursts of speed he was putting on, until he heard Erasmus’ voice get dimmer and dimmer, yelling about…something.

His name.

Then someone else’s.

Abruptly, his legs and arms got stuck in something, wriggly vines sliding over his feet, ankles, up his thighs, as more dragged him back towards a tree. He tried to fight them, tearing the vines here and there, but they kept coming until he was bound to the tree with a furious glare. Now he was really going to bite the asshole. Dipping down, he tried to use his fangs to rip through the vines before Erasmus skidding in between them distracted him slightly. What was he doing? Gabriel was trying so hard to not bite him and he was not helping. Gabriel could see the veins in his neck pumping as he talked and the scent of fae-blood was doing nothing to help him calm down or clear his head, he just felt like he was slowly starving and needed blood. Either or. At this point, he didn’t care. Just growled and struggled harder against the vines, realizing for not the first time that night, how dependent on his magick he was and how dumb it was to never learn ways out of situations like this without the use of it.

——-

Kainan was well and truly lost - had even lost the not-werewolf female - and was still trying to find his way back to the cabin. He was reasonably sure he was not at all going the right way but that meant nothing when there was about 11 different angles he could go at that were probably all wrong too. Minding his own business, he didn’t even yell at or try to stifle the flowers growing around him anymore until a crashing caught his attention, followed closely by someone shouting his name.

Erasmus?

Turning, he readied himself to bolt in the direction of his brother’s voice and barely caught sight of the tiny vampire in time to panic-use his newfound abilities to get him under control. This wasn’t a vampire he recognized and he was already bending down to get a sturdy stick when Erasmus skidded between them, breathing hard, and clearly smelling of whiskey, and potentially completely mad.

He was a human now. He knew that. Was reveling in it the last Kai had seen. What the fuck was he doing chasing after out-of-control vamps? Wait. He’d been shouting a name before Kainan’s... Gabe. Was this his lil enchanter friend? Kainan hadn’t considered the possibility that others might be turned into vampires and immediately felt a pang of guilt and responsibility. He should have stuck around the party. Gabriel was probably not the only one who was now running around out of control and hungry and it was hard to not look at Erasmus as he thought about more new vamps he’d let down.

Sighing, he considered his brother a moment before using the branch to scratch his wrist and walk closer to the vampire. “You’re quite lucky my brother likes you.” Kainan said lowly, bringing his wrist up just enough to brush a drop of blood against Gabe’s lip before pulling it away. “But I still have questions, Enchanter. You answer well, you get blood, you be a little shit, I’ll take it. Deal?”

The vampire was clearly pissed but he pulled his lip in, no doubt savoring the small taste before glancing over at his brother and right…Kainan should probably find a way for him to be elsewhere for a moment.  Turning, he did try to look at trust-worthy as possible. “May I have a moment to talk to your…friend?”

Said friend was going to try his patience, piping up with a, “I’m not a coven Enchanter. I have none of the answers you’re looking for. I just…please.” His eyes kept jumping from his brother to Kai’s wrist but Kai didn’t buy the innocent act so easily. He had to know something and Kai would find it out one way or another.

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

erasmusrowe:

“That’s just it, they were right where they needed to be.” Erasmus replied. “I intruded on them, broke into their home, killed them, because I could think of doing nothing more at the time.” And maybe that was the worst part, because he’d known what he was doing, but the desire to feed and the drive it held over him rendered him too weak to back down. There were other options, only this one had been more immediate and instantly gratifying, therefore, he’d gone with it. He followed Gabriel’s motion towards the body, and grimaced slightly. “And now it doesn’t effect me anymore. The loss of life has no impact, because once you kill a child, several hundred adults…it doesn’t matter. You get desensitized. None of it matters.”

Taking the hand, Erasmus stood, but when Gabriel didn’t let go, he wasn’t bothered by it. The hand was cool, urging him to warm it between his own, but there was hardly a point in that. And then he was listening, taking in a scene of death that would have traumatized any child. A repressed memory, one that even shook Erasmus, and he watched Gabriel closely for signs of breaking. He didn’t have a comforting word to offer, because there was really nothing anyone could say to mend that kind of wound, but he did firmly echo the squeeze to his hand, showing that yes he was still here, he was listening, and he cared. “I’m sorry.” He said quietly, surprised he meant it. “With all the shit you’re dealing with now, having that on top of it won’t make it any easier. Either way, I’m here, and for what it’s worth, I don’t intend to let you wander off alone.” Regardless of how Gabriel stressed none of this was their fault, it wouldn’t change the fact that he was still in danger until he figured out how to get a grasp on his thirst.

“There’s no right or wrong anymore.” Erasmus sighed. “Just survival. If you need to hunt, we’ll hunt. I may not have my abilities or strength anymore, but I can at least give you tips and maybe bait someone for you.” He couldn’t comment on Kainan, because it was all too easy to throw the blame back at his brother. It was too easy to throw the blame at anyone really. Yes, it was suspicious, but Erasmus was human and he was happy for that. “Think that enchanter cult had something to do with it?” His words held an edge, because after being staked once already his distaste for them was rather evident.

Releasing Gabriel’s hand, Erasmus gave his friend’s shoulder a fond squeeze and nodded in the direction of his typical hunting grounds. “I don’t know. The last place I want to be at is the chapel, and I’m really not in the mood for blood draws and tests from any that are in the GRF and unaffected. My face is known by a good number, so I’m not sure if there’s any place considered safe for me. Weakened like this, it would be easy for someone to lash out.” And sure he was at the bottom of the food chain now, probably doomed to die without some form of protection, but who could he turn to without putting them in danger? Erasmus knew he had enemies now, and he had no idea what they were nor did he have the means of fighting back. “I’ll…worry about it later. I’ve spent a few nights on my own without a roof over my head, only difference now is I get cold. I’ll manage. For now, listen and pay attention to the wind, see if you can catch a scent.”

He tipped back the flask and took a drink, wincing at the burn and breathing in a lungful of air. Erasmus already had some alcohol in his system, and maybe that was what chipped away at his caution now. He would usually know better than to take these kinds of risks, but tonight he was happy in his own skin, more calm than usual, and pleased to be in his best friend’s company. “You know I haven’t gotten loose with alcohol since my last college party? My roommate at the time convinced me to go out. Naturally I got hammered after a handful of drinks. Led to a very interesting night.”

Gabriel wanted to argue this more but in a lot of ways Erasmus reminded him of Micah and no amount of logic or rationality was going to budge him. Not yet. But they had time. Shit, Gabriel had a lot of time now. It just didn’t make sense to him how that one act - despite there being children involved - could still weigh so heavily on his conscience when now he knew (having glimpsed what control was) how little say he had in all of it. Was it easier to take on the guilt and blame and feel bad like society dictates you should? Would it be worse to not care? Maybe Gabriel shouldn’t be so quick to try and remove the shame and guilt because without it - well, that was the very definition of monster, wasn’t it? And that’s where Erasmus was saying he was now, somewhere beyond guilt, but given the haunted way he told the first story - Gabriel didn’t think that was so true. He was pretty sure each body was tallied somewhere, used as evidence within his own mind that he was terrible and unredeemable and unfit for good things, but he had no legs to stand on anymore.

He, too, had become all of those things.

Yet, he still appreciated the quiet comfort and solidarity Erasmus gave as he shared the forgotten memory. It was hard to make sense of it all, but it felt a little less like a bad dream having said it out loud. And he liked the reassurance he wasn’t alone because at every corner it seemed like he was being hurt by the ones he loved most. Which, probably was some of what Erasmus was referring to with the shit going on now, minus the whole vampirism thing. At least here, with Erasmus, he knew what he’d signed on for and what the dangers could be. Even if they had now been reversed. And he hoped that in some way, he did provide some of the same, even if he was a little less good at biting his tongue.

“You’re too good to me.” Gabriel said softly. “You were given a way out of this life, you don’t have to hunt anymore and I wouldn’t want you to. I can do it and keep you company away from  it, ok? No more baiting. Just you…drinking alcohol and relaxing and enjoying.” Though the question wasn’t unexpected it still made Gabriel flinch a little as he looked in the direction Erasmus pointed out to stall a little. “If you’d have asked me that yesterday, I would have said no way.” he admitted. “After tonight, I have no idea what they’re capable of or aiming for and I - I don’t know that any of them will give me the time of day again.” How could he have ever longed to be a part of them? How much of Anthony’s attraction to him was based on magick? On what they could do together? He’d swore to stay by Gabriel’s side when shit got rough but they’d never clarified what would happen if Gabriel, well, died. Would he want to date a vampire? Somehow, Gabriel doubted it. Especially if he’d attacked when he turned.

But he pushed thoughts of maybe-dead lovers out of his head and focused as he was being told, on the air, but immediately lost concentration in an amused burst as he looked over at his friend. “Loose with alcohol?” he repeated, grinning. “Please keep drinking. I want to hear all about this drunken college night.” But right, blankets, and food. Maybe they should swing by their little makeshift hangout place. There’d be actual supplies there and Gabriel tended to prefer oversized things so there might be something that wouldn’t look absurdly ridiculous on him. “Let’s swing by camp real quick.” Gabriel probably had something stashed that would limit the effects of a hangover but he’d barely started to lead the way when a scent did drift over the wind, making him stop in his tracks for a moment.

Sweet, so sweet, and unlike anything Gabriel’d scented that night. Must be fae. It was truly an irresistible scent and he had half a mind to test out speed and strength and get some distance between him and Erasmus so he could ensure he was done and back in control by the other showed up but something about this one felt different. His whole body got tense as they got closer, predator sneaking in to take over, and a thrill went through him when he glimpsed broad shoulders and tallness. Pleasedon’tbeaverypleasedon’tbeanthony - the flash of blonde was all Gabriel needed to dart for him, gold eyes flashing, and excitement about taking down something bigger and ohsosweet down running rampant through his veins before it all came crashing down before it even started.

[gabriel-enchanted-blog]

If you had to end a life to save a friend, would you do it? If you got to choose the life ended, who would you choose?

“Yes. The only answer to that is that I would choose whoever is responsible for putting someone I care about’s life on the line.”