I like it when the bite marks cut through the skin (Closed)

[cantilevers]

WHO: Kirk Langstrom (godsandbats) & Vander (cantilevers)
WHEN: Post-Mission 010
WHERE: The Tower of Justice
WHAT: Vander is playing a visit to Kirk who has been in hiding since the mission.
NOTES\WARNINGS: References to biting, exsanguination


Vander arrived at the Tower of Justice a few days after the mission which had seemingly ended disastrously for so many people. He had tried to touch base with those who had been around him to check in on them, and a few had reached back and others had not. Hernan had made indications that Kirk was in a bad way and holed up in the Tower due to psychological and emotional traumas. That was something he could understand himself.

It was clear early on that Kirk would not be willing to make contact with him. His text had gone ignored and Hernan had seemed to take the hard line that it was his position to fix this. He supposed that's what he did, wasn't it?

Like usual, he stepped up to the front door, knocked and waited the cursory few seconds that would allow someone to open the door before he was stepping inside the foyer of the Tower. It looked the same, though the security looked better with more lights on it, but it was currently inactive thanks to Hernan.

He knew the route by heart at this point, so he meandered his down the various huge hallways until he found himself at Kirk's laboratory. It was, as usual, darkened and moody, set for someone with sensitivity to light. He leaned on the door frame and crossed his arms over his chest as he allowed his eyes time to adjust so that he could pick out Kirk in the darkened lab. He knew that Kirk would know he was here; there was no point obfuscating himself and so he didn't bother.

"You're not taking my calls, Lamprey. I'm starting to think that came down with the flu or something. Need me to make you some soup?"

Comments

[cantilevers]

"Good, you both are in good hands with each other," he murmured. "I hope we can learn to trust each other again."

[godsandbats]

Kirk looks back up at Vander. He wants to give another touch to try and reassure the older man but he's pushed his luck enough as it is.

"I hope so too. Maybe we should do that double date soon."

[cantilevers]

He inclined his head a little and hummed.

"Maria and I have a tradition where we go on a date after mission end. Perhaps you two could tag along. We may even be on good behaviour." But probably not.

[godsandbats]

Kirk softly huffs and tries to lift out of his gloominess again.

"Well that's reassuring," he says, amused. "It could be nice."

[cantilevers]

He nodded his head. "You don't even have to dress up unless you want to for Hernan. We can see how the mission goes next month and decide?"

[godsandbats]

Kirk nods.

"That works. It could make for a nice change of pace," he says, though he still feels like he's rather inexperienced with dates.

[cantilevers]

"If you're dating, consider it good practice," he said, though figured Hernan had enough experience to help Kirk out with that.

[godsandbats]

"True. I'm sure Hernan has an opinion or two about a good date for us," Kirk says dryly. In fact, he's sure there was plenty Hernan could say about the matter.

[cantilevers]

"I'm more than happy to hear them if he's willing to share," he remarked. "Though everyone should enjoy a date, yourself included."

[godsandbats]

“I know. You’ve certainly helped me with that as well,” Kirk says, though the idea of him dating still felt foreign. “I don’t know if he’s ever had other male partners before so it’s probably strange territory to both of us.”

[cantilevers]

"That's good. It puts you both on even footing as you navigate through this relationship with each other," he said simply. "Just remember you both need to communicate what you want and need."

[godsandbats]

“A possible challenge for both of us but we know each other well at this point,” Kirk muses. He knows he and Hernan are not always the most honest with their feelings. “Have you and Maria ever struggled with that?”

[cantilevers]

"Trust me, it's easy to fall into the trap and make assumptions. I know you and he have been friends a long time, so it shouldn't be much of an issue for you both," he said as they walked the last hallway before the weird elevator and the foyer.

"Yeah. I think if we'd been honest with each other, we would have started dating a few months ago. We were comfortable and not wanting to disrupt what we had by taking a risk back then." And he hadn't exactly been in the best place emotionally. He still wasn't, but he vowed to be better for Maria.

[godsandbats]

Kirk listens patiently as Vander explains. There was some comfort in knowing that others make mistakes too when it comes to romance.

“And eventually you both realized what you really wanted? It seems difficult to be more emotionally honest.”

[cantilevers]

Vander had the good sense to look abashed at Kirk's question. He rubbed the back of his neck with a hand and coughed out a laugh.

"Well... I sort of blurted out that I loved her," he said with humor. "I hadn't intended to... it all worked out because she felt the same way about me. It was dicey there for a few seconds of our shock though."

[godsandbats]

Kirk can’t help but smile as he imagines Vander’s reaction at the confessions.

“It was a bold move that worked out nicely,” he says in soft amusement. “I’m glad for you.”

[cantilevers]

"Like I said, it was unintended. You know, heat of the moment thing," he replied, showing that even those of them with considerable relationship experiences could still act like fifteen-year-olds sometimes.

He looked at Kirk. "And look at that. We have a smile. You're gonna be alright, I see, Kirk."

[godsandbats]

Kirk’s cheeks warm at Vander’s observation. Maybe the older man is right and Kirk just needs anchors to remind himself of what he has, beyond a hunger for blood.

“Perhaps. It’ll still take time,” Kirk admits. “Hernan… was the one who made the first move. Said to be closer to him.”

[cantilevers]

"It will, yes. Even as you take time to learn to trust yourself, surround yourself with people who make you feel safe to be yourself." It didn't even have to be him. He assumed Kirk had others who matched what the other man was looking for.

"That doesn't surprise me. You're a shy violet when it comes to making relationship moves. It makes you sweet."

[godsandbats]

Kirk softly huffs in amusement at the label.

“Not the most common phrase to describe a vampire,” Kirk says. “But apparently, pretending to be married to each other had us both thinking about our real relationship.”

[cantilevers]

He nodded his head, pleased that the pair had decided to look at their commitment to each other. Both deserved happiness.

"Please, you were probably a shy violet before the change." He smiled at the corner of his lips. "Was it actually pretending at the end there?"

[godsandbats]

“No, not really,” Kirk says with tone that suggests no regrets. “Even at the very beginning of the mission, the bed sharing was nice. And you already know how I seem to enjoy warmth.”

[cantilevers]

"Yeah, you do gravitate to heat in bed," he agreed. He expected Hernan to be a furnace anyway. "The vulnerability of sleep is very intimate."

[godsandbats]

Kirk nods.

“It is. And with the right person, very comforting,” he admits. “It was like that with you and it’s been like with Hernan. It… almost feels like you can forget about everything else.”

[cantilevers]

The corner of his lip twitched again. "I'm glad I was able to bring you that comfort, and I'm happy you have it with Hernan." He shifted his shoulders. "Let yourself have those comforts, Kirk. Life isn't really worth living without something or someone that makes you feel you can just be yourself."