rapture

tristan rivers - vampire - 30 (95)

[tristanriversx]

Ash: That's right, sorry. Been a bit out of it lately.

Ash: For what it's worth, my dealing business has come to an end. I'm trying to decide what normal thing I should do. Maybe stripping is a good option.

Ash: Soup it is. I'll find us a good place. Promise.

Tristan: So long as I'm your only client I don't see why not.

Tristan: I'm happy for you though, I know that's a big step and if you're willing, there's always a spot on my team.

Tristan: I trust you :*

[tristanriversx]

Ash: Now I'm curious about your day job.

Ash: Tomorrow? I just need to get out of here for a bit.

Tristan: You know what I do. I have an art gallery and auction house. I'm an art dealer.

Tristan: Okay lets shoot for tomorrow :) what kind of food? I think with the weather I could use a soup.

[tristanriversx]

Ash: Or means I'm the mistress. Which I guess could be alright.

Ash: Speaking of dates, I owe you one. So I'm thinking dinner. New Orleans isn't too far, we could make it a road trip. This place gets a bit dull after a while.

Tristan: If only I had enough time to have a spouse and a mistress.

Tristan: That sounds fun, when were you thinking?

[tristanriversx]

Ash: Explains you running off on me. Busy guy, aren't you?

Tristan: It's a good thing, means I get extra cash to keep taking you on dates.

[tristanriversx]

[Ash]: Hey, you up for getting some lunch or something tomorrow?

Tristan: Sorry my schedule is packed during the day. Want to do something at night?

[tristanriversx]

campbellashes‌:

“The price for my life is already those contacts.” Ashton explained, figuring he’d better start at the beginning. Tristan had expressed an interest in getting to know him, and this was a real effort in opening up. “Iris wants me dead for dealing here, and Robinson wants me dead otherwise he wouldn’t have sent me in, look…” Ashton took the edge of his shirt and lifted it up, revealing his right side and a deep three inch scar at the base of his ribcage. “Few years ago I got shot, was a deal gone sour and I lost control of the situation. People that do what I do don’t get sick days, so I had to be back on the streets after the bullet was removed, and as you can imagine, I was in a shit ton of pain.” He let the shirt fall and settled back under the blanket. “Started using low doses of morphine to get by, got addicted within a week, and the problem came when I started tapping into Robinson’s product rather than selling it. He sent me here, figuring I would either succeed in expanding the business and lock in extra revenue, which I have, but at the expense of my own life since I’m treading on Iris’ toes in the process, or I would fail, get killed off without it tying back to him.”

Ashton flashed Tristan a weak smile, and curled one hand into the palm of his other, trying to ease the small shake that ran through them at the thought of the morphine he still had on him in the other room. “I’ve worked directly under Robinson for years to know how he thinks, and I had a hunch when he first reassigned me, but now I’m sure of it. And this–” He held up his phone, opening a long list of texts that he’d ignored, all threats from the man himself that got increasingly more violent and promising as they went. “–Is proof of that. Whoever steps up in his place isn’t my concern, because it’s personal now. The guy was like my brother for the longest time, and the shit I know could bring down the entire chain. He’s going to come here himself, and I’m the one that has to take care of this, no one else.”

“I understand everything you’re saying, and I’m not saying I don’t believe you, I just think this personal vendetta has blinded you to an extent and I want to make sure you have thought every variable through.” He reached for Ashton’s hand, lacing their fingers together as he gave them a gentle squeeze, “You told me for a reason, and whatever that was, all I’m asking you know is to wait before you act on impulse.” In reality, Tristan should back off and let Ashton deal with whatever mess he was in. It was not his problem and so what if some random human ended up dead? The guy probably had it coming for a while now. But here he was listening to Ashton think he had control of the situation, and if he knew anything about Iris it was that she was always two steps ahead.

“I have done business with Iris for a long time, we have a bit of a mutual understanding so let me just talk to her. I can maybe get her to help, or maybe just buy you sometime, but it wouldn’t hurt either way, right?” he nudged him, “people like that, they don’t just give you freedom. If you think killing someone is what it takes, you’re probably already being framed for five more things. Just let this take a backseat while I talk to her. Let me help you.”

[tristanriversx]

campbellashes‌:

“I’m planning to kill someone.” There it was: blunt, honest, and without the argument to follow to try to defend himself from an act that was ultimately wrong. “Remember I told you I didn’t always want to do this type of thing? I’m ending it, not just with this attempting to get clean, but all of the dealing as well. I started cutting ties with my suppliers, already getting pissed messages on my phone but well…the vampire that attacked me that night was Iris–some, leader of some sort, I don’t know. She gave me a time frame, and not a big one, to cut ties with my employer and hand over my connections to her. Only, Robinson is a serious dude, and I’m sure he’ll be coming for me sooner rather than later.” Ashton was quiet for a moment, bottom lip curling in so he could bite it nervously. “I give him maybe a week before he flies down, could be less.” 

He looked to Tristan again, searching his eyes for some sort of solid reaction. “Premeditated murder doesn’t look good on me, I’m sure, but I’m done. I want a new life.”

“Wow.” Ashton was blunt and honest and for that Tristan would have to give him credit. Of course there was a certain lack of judgement coming from a vampire who had previously killed people, but it did carry more weight when those words came from a human. But before Tristan could react in any other way, he listened closely, his body slightly tensing at the mention of Iris but relaxing when he learned that Iris wasn’t the target of Ashton’s rage. If it had been, Tristan might’ve just glamoured that idea right out of his head. 

“Wait, Iris wants your contacts? Tells her the price is your freedom. I know of her, she’s powerful and has a lot of influence and a lot of muscle at her side. If anyone can handle someone like that it would be here. You can’t afford to risk yourself like that. You think it dies with him but there’s another Robinson just waiting to takeover—it won’t end with him and you’d be signing your death sentence. Let her do it. It’d be child’s play.”

[tristanriversx]

campbellashes‌:

“Shocked you’re not cracking your back just walking around, old man.” Ashton mused, reaching out to fondly pat the top of Tristan’s leg. His laid back attitude was refreshing, distracting Ashton from the mountain of worries that sat on his shoulders. He actually made the recovering addict laugh, a smile reaching his eyes, and he turned his head to meet Tristan’s gaze.

“Yeah the uh, constant charm finally broke me down. Figured I might as well snag you for myself before someone else beats me to it.” He winked, tuning out the television and making it nothing more than background noise. “So…this whole thing about being honest and stuff…can I tell you something? It’s not good, and it’s sitting on my chest, and I feel like someone should know just in case it all goes to hell.”

“I do that after dates so you don’t judge me. Especially since I’m trying to land more than one. Can’t have you thinking I can’t handle you in bed, you know?” He reached out for a blanket laying on the couch and decided to drape it over the two of them, easily covering them both up in a warm cocoon. “Well then I’ll be sure to clear out my schedule. I don’t want to miss out on such a momentous occasion.”

Ash never ceased with the surprises, and if he was already warning about something being less than pleasant, well Tristan knew he out to brace himself. After all, he already knew him to be a junkie and a dealer, what more could one boy hide? “You know I support you, Ash. Whatever you want to share with me, you won’t get any judgments.”

[tristanriversx]

campbellashes‌:

“Five isn’t a lot asshole.” Ashton laughed. “How old are you anyway?” The explanation seemed to make sense, at least for someone like Tristan, and Ash immediately relaxed and offered him a smirk, passing by a small table to collect one of the unfinished water bottles and drink it down.

No one had ever told him they were proud of him, at least not since his mother before she passed away, and it gave him a small spread of warmth, feeling good to be actually doing something right for once. “Ah well…you’re better than the drugs. And you don’t leave me face down in a toilet when I neglect you for too long.” At least he was at a point he could joke about it, but it had been a really miserable several days.

Ashton sat alongside Tristan with a small sigh, drawing the blanket over them and settling in beside the man’s side. It felt…domestic, but it was a nice change, and a comforting one at that. The question had him reaching for the remote buried between two couch cushions, offering it up for Tristan to find what he liked. “Thanks for coming, by the way. Company is nice. Maybe tomorrow night I can actually get my ass up and take you somewhere, yeah?” He only had a couple weeks after all…and then shit would hit the fan.

“I’m a ripe 65.” He said before laughing, “I’m turning 32, practically ancient, right?” Closer to a century in actuality but at least his fake age was something he didn’t have to change. Just one number that fluctuated here and there depending on the year or who he was speaking to. He had been 30 a lot, 35 sometimes. He had even tested 40 and gotten away with it. 

“Yeah I used to do that to guys but I figured that just wasn’t a good way to be thought of so I stopped making people puke for me.” He joked as he grabbed the remote and began browsing. “I’m happy to come spend time with you anyday you’re not in the mood for puking, just let me know and I’m here.” He turned to look at Ashton, “so are you finally asking me out on a date on your own? Wow, that’s something.”

[tristanriversx]

campbellashes‌:

“Tristan, you can’t be much older than me…” Ashton said as he threw him a look. Hell, he was pushing thirty, and he didn’t imagine the other man was far off. The cold hand was startling, making Ash near shiver from the touch, and he placed his own atop it in some effort to warm it up as he accepted that small kiss with an eager smile.

Tristan backed off far too soon, but Ashton let him, merely pushing away from the wall to head into the living room, but pausing a moment in confusion. “Wait…why’d you come over asking for dinner if you already ate something?” Inconsistencies had a way of drawing up deep rooted paranoia, especially when Ashton was already getting into a comfortable place around Tristan.

“I’ve…been going in and out of withdrawal. Trying to stop doing the shit and it’s harder than I imagined.” He said with a shrug. “So no. Not really interested in going anywhere tonight.”

“Are you sure? I figured you were at least five years younger or more. You look pretty young and I know I look good, but I’m much older than I look.” He teased , “because it’s romantic and it sounds like the proper way to get to come over without seeming sleezy. I needed an excuse alright? and there’s no reason why dinner can’t be a one person gig.” 

His features softened as he listened to Ashton, “I’m proud of you.” He said and moved to sit on the couch, beckoning Ash to follow suit and sit beside him. “I can imagine how hard it must be and I appreciate you choosing to spend time with me instead of the drugs, it means a lot.” he draped one arm over Ash’s shoulders and leaned in to kiss his temple. “want to watch a movie?”

[tristanriversx]

campbellashes‌:

“Was convinced you were screwing with me, starting to think you might have actually meant it.” He crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall, watching the way Tristan’s shoulders and back moved as he discarded his jacket and unraveled the scarf from his neck. He was so fluid in his own way, so precise in each motion that it only added to his overall appeal.

“Yeah, guess you have.” He hadn’t judged Ashton either, nor avoided him, after discovering what it was he did when the sun went down. Even after trying to make a point of telling Tristan he wasn’t worth the attention, here he was, wanting more time alone, and Ashton was becoming selfish enough to take it. As Tristan came within reach, Ash reached out and gently ran his fingers along the length of the man’s forearm. “I’m not the best cook, but I can order something.” He offered. “And maybe in return, you can stay the night?”

“I only ever say what I mean, I’m too old to be wasting time playing games like guys your age do.” he winked at him, he could tell that Asher was relaxed around him, but there was always that edge to him, ready to be proved right so he could say fuck the world all over again. “I’m actually not all that hungry, I ate before I got here but I’m happy to feed you whatever you want to order.” he smiled and closed the distance between them, reaching out to hold the side of Asher’s face before leaning in to kiss him softly, “I guess I can make arrangements for that.”

He took a step back, “tell me what you were up to? I was worried that I was going to get here to an empty apartment since I know you’re like a vampire, make all your rounds at night and whatnot.” and that could be why Asher kept running into his kind, but if Tristan could coax him to stay home, there would be nothing to worry about.

[tristanriversx]

campbellashes‌:

Ashton still wasn’t feeling the best after his cold turkey attempt–something he had deeply regretted shortly after doing when the first waves of nausea crept in. He was still pale, but at least the vomiting had stopped after he caved and popped half his usual dose of Oxy. The sight of the text perked him up however, and after pulling on a jacket, Ashton stepped outside to see if Tristan was proving to be just as reliable as always. Sure enough, he was standing there expectantly, his words drawing forth the first smile he’d managed in days. 

“Wow, weren’t kidding were you?” He snorted in amusement before tilting his head towards the door. “Come on then, get your good-looking ass in here. It’s freezing outside.” Besides the few half empty bottles of water on the living room table by the couch, and the thick blanket draped across the back of the couch, the small house was clean. Benefit of sleeping most of the day and rarely being there during the night, at least he could bring random company in unashamed. 

“You know, I’ve been trying to figure you out, but I think I’ve decided and accepted the fact I can’t.” Ashton said as he closed the door behind Tristan, then shedding his jacket and tossing it on the rack nearby. He was dressed comfortably, obliviously intent on staying in tonight with his t-shirt and black jogger pants. “But whatever, I like your company.”

Tristan smiled, he could tell there was something off about the boy, he could smell his sweat, feel his off-heart rate and he could guess what was happening from the millions of people he had ever encountered in his life, but he didn’t want to get into that unless Ashton wanted him to. “it is very cold, thank you.” not that it affected him, but he had to keep up the charade somehow. “but thank you for the compliment even though for some reason you don’t bother following up with me.”

Tristan teased as he removed his scarf and jacket and set them aside, “what do you mean you can’t figure me out? what is there to figure out?” he stepped closer, “I thought I had been relatively straight and honest with you haven’t I? If anything, maybe too forward.” and Tristan had his own questions, but mostly to himself because the closer he got to Ashton, the less he knew what he was actually doing.

[tristanriversx]

Tristan: Since you’re so bad at asking me out, I’m not giving you a chance to say no. Come outside, you can invite me over for dinner. 

Tristan sent the text message and waiting as he stood outside of Ashton’s place. He had played it safe and passive, but now that he knew Ashton was deeply involved with other vampires, it meant he had to get closer for many reasons including self-preservation. He got the feeling that Ashton wasn’t just some innocent human with a broken history, and if there was anything else to be found out, Tristan would have to get to it. “Oh there you are. Thought you’d keep me waiting forever.”

[tristanriversx]

levigrcy‌:

Eyes blinked in response to the words, Levi closing his mouth to cut off any more words that threatened to escape, the reasoning behind his disappearance hanging off the tip of his tongue. “I’m sorry,” he finally offered, and he was, in every sense of the word. He hadn’t meant to ignore or avoid Tristan, his mind preoccupied with school work and the multiple easels that crowded his room with half finished projects set upon them. With little hesitation, Levi followed in Tristan’s footsteps, following him out of the house and over to the vehicle. Teeth caught his lesser lip at the question, before he offered up a shrug, “I’ve been alright, a little stressed with school exams coming up.” He slid his form into the passenger seat of the vehicle, turning his head to wait for Tristan to slide into the driver’s, “How about you?”

“Oh that’s right. I guess I sometimes forget how young you are, you can’t really be worrying about little old me when you have college and friends to worry about.” Tristan began to drive off, “yeah just been busy as well but probably thinks not nearly as exciting as yours.” he turned to look at Levi, “I’ve been thinking about you a lot though, I guess I didn’t expect to miss you as much as I do, but...here I am.”

[tristanriversx]

campbellashes‌:

Did he think it was a date? Ash had been on a few here and there, never anything of real interest as the end goal had always been the same thing. While Tristan’s actions had certainly followed the expectant flow, they’d ended the night without the sex, prompting Ashton to wonder just what Tristan was all about. “I think if that was the intention, you can do a hell of a lot better than someone like me.” Ashton scoffed, and he wasn’t lying. Here he was, an open drug dealer, felon, addict–bearing more baggage than anyone should want to deal with and all Tristan could think of to say was how he wanted to keep Ash smiling. It made no sense to him.

“Good question.” He said with a shrug at the mention of vampires. “I mean I’ve met one who’s alright. She’s actually pretty nice to me, hasn’t tried to bite me or anything. Not that I would call her a friend, but I don’t mind her being around.” It was rather forced trust, because if she wanted to hurt him she would have likely done it already and there would have ben little he could do to stop her. “I am technically food for them right? Maybe no one likes their food mouthy.”

“Well that’s subjective isn’t it? Just because you think I can do better doesn’t mean I do. Maybe I think you’re as good as it gets, and I don’t want to find anyone better because I don’t think anyone could be better than you. You ever think about that?” He reached the coffee shop and pulled the door open for Ashton, waiting for him to step inside before following him in, “What are you in the mood for? I’ll be nice and pay since you keep wanting to test me.” 

Tristan got in line as he listened. At least it was nice to know that Ashton didn’t have a terrible image of vampires, whoever this ‘nice’ vampire was he’d have to find out so that he could make sure they didn’t have ill intentions. As nice as it was to have someone on his side, he was also not naive enough to think that vampires could be like him--well and even then...”Not every vampire thinks of every human as food. You know that right?”

[tristanriversx]

levigrcy‌:

It was something of a surprise to see Tristan standing on the other side of the door, given that there hadn’t been a whole lot of communication between them as of late. Partly mostly Levi’s fault. “Tristan, I wasn’t —- I’ve just been —-,” words seemed to fail him, as they often did when he was flustered or taken aback, unable to get his tongue to work the way he needed it to. A nervous habit had a hand reaching up, tucking loose strands of hair behind his ear. “Uh, yeah. I mean, no, I’m ready.” Even though he wasn’t exactly certain what he was ready for, or where they were even going.

“Sounds like you’re about to give me a whole lot of excuses that sound like lies so let’s just save that. I don’t think it’d do either of us any good.” He stepped back, “perfect, come on I’m driving us all the way across town which since we live in such a prosperous an amazing city, should only take about twenty minutes.” The curse was not something Tristan could ever appreciate, everyday he felt like a caged bird but at least this sort of thing was a welcomed distraction. “How have you been?” Tristan held the door open for Levi before walking around to sit at the driver’s side.

[tristanriversx]

campbellashes‌:

“What can I say, I play hard to get.” Ashton laughed, nudging Tristan before following alongside him. “So it was a date then?” He asked with a raised brow, relishing in that little fact. “Cause if memory serves correctly, it was decided it was something a little less.” At least conversation was falling back to as easy as it was before, all chuckling and light-hearted jesting. “Does that mean you need to continue to one up yourself next time?”

“Do you think it was a date? That’s the real question. and no way, I did my duty to make you happy and smiley, I have no business trying to out-do that. All I can do is try to keep you that way and hope you don’t ever pull out a gun on me again.” Although Tristan was growing increasingly curious of Ashton’s issues with vampires, because they could very well be bad news for himself. “How come you keep ending in the wrong situations with vampires?”