nathaniel_kitten: (Default)
Nathaniel Graison ([personal profile] nathaniel_kitten) wrote2009-07-10 04:02 am

(no subject)

"Nathaniel?"

He swims up from sleep, surrounded by Asher's scent, still feeling pleasantly content from the cuddling and kissing that had happened before he'd simply fallen asleep on his vampire.

But that voice was not Asher's.

And neither was that scent.

He sits up suddenly, wide awake, and stares with wide eyes at Anita. His eyes dart from her to Asher, panic in their depths. "Anita?" he chokes out. "You're... you're here..."
anita_blake: (Over The Shoulder)

[personal profile] anita_blake 2009-07-10 08:06 am (UTC)(link)
She smiles at him.

"I am. Just arrived. Ran into Asher downstairs. How are you, Nathaniel?"

Anita's eyes move over his half-clothed body, looking for signs of injury.

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 08:29 am (UTC)(link)
Asher tries to smile reassuringly, though it's closer to a grimace. He places the tray down on the bed beside Nathaniel, before crossing the room to sit down, knowing if he sits on the bed he won't be able to stop himself reaching for Nathaniel.
anita_blake: (Obligatory Headtilt)

[personal profile] anita_blake 2009-07-10 08:34 am (UTC)(link)
Her fingers brush back Nathaniel's hair.

"Asher says you've been spending time with him," she murmurs. "When Liz and Jason are busy." At his nod, she sighs. "Well, now I'm here. You can always find me, all right?"

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 09:11 am (UTC)(link)
"And you are still welcome here whenever you wish, mon...ami." The pause is hardly noticeable, the possessive 'my cat' swallowed, Asher knowing Anita's liekly reaction to such a term.
anita_blake: (Over The Shoulder)

[personal profile] anita_blake 2009-07-10 09:19 am (UTC)(link)
"Asher? Do you think you could step outside for a bit?" She looks over her shoulder at him. "I would like to speak with Nathaniel alone."

Anita knows she could just pull Nathaniel out of the room rather than send Asher away, but Nathaniel looked happy where he was. She was content to leave him there for the time being.

Of course, it doesn't even occur to her that the vampire could eavesdrop through the door, she's simply too focused on the current problem of extricating Nathaniel from Asher's bed.

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 10:21 am (UTC)(link)
Asher looks to Nathaniel to make sure it's ok, standing in response to his nod.

"I shall return to the bar, call me if you have need of me," he murmurs, having no intention of doing any such thing. He will wait outside the door. Not because he doesn't trust Nathaniel to keep their relationship secret, but because he fears what Anita may do if she works it out.
anita_blake: (Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful)

[personal profile] anita_blake 2009-07-10 10:33 am (UTC)(link)
Once the door is shut, Anita sits on the bed, offering Nathaniel a smile. She pets through his hair, not liking the frightened expression on the wereleopard's face.

Was he afraid of Asher?

"Nathaniel," she says slowly. "I think it might be best if you stayed with Elizabeth or Jason or myself from now on. I'll talk to them about it. Maybe bring Micah here so that you'll have more pard."

A soft sigh leaves her lips.

"I think it would be best if you kept away from Asher. He isn't like Damian. No one reins him in, not even Jean-Claude. Nathaniel, look at me." When he does, she holds his eyes -- so terribly old, but so heartbreakingly vulnerable. "Stay away from him. He can't be trusted with you because you just can't tell someone no. If you become lonely, want to be read to, need your hair combed, come find one of us."

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 10:42 am (UTC)(link)
Asher rests his forehead against the cool wood of the door, his eyes closing as he listens to Anita, listens to the woman who has already kept him from Jean Claude's bed as she tries to keep Nathaniel from his.

He barely hears Nathaniel's soft reply, resting his hand against the door jam as he tries to find the strength to walk away, to stop listening. He knows how this must end, knows that if it comes to a choice between Anita nd him, Nathaniel will choose Anita.

But he cannot believe Anita has distrusted him so easily. This proves that any affection was from Jean Claude's memories, not from her.
anita_blake: (You Know You Want Me)

[personal profile] anita_blake 2009-07-10 10:46 am (UTC)(link)
Anita stares at him for a long time, feeling as if she were speaking to a child. Why did Nathaniel get himself into these situations where he could be taken advantage of? Hurt?

Another sigh.

"Either with someone from the pard or in public," she says. "We need to keep you safe, Nathaniel." She smiles at him. "Someone to sit in with you will make sure he doesn't do anything he shouldn't."

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 11:49 am (UTC)(link)
Asher smiles sadly, Nathaniel's words a small glimmer of hope. But Anita's already almost ensured nothing can happen between them; to have a chaperone forced upon him, to never be alone....Asher can only hope Anita's visits to the bar are few and brief. He moves away from the door, still in earshot but far enough away that he can dart down the stairs to the bar should Anita leave Nathaniel.
anita_blake: (Who With The What Now?)

[personal profile] anita_blake 2009-07-10 12:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Anita considers.

Asher knew she was here now, that she would kill him if he harmed Nathaniel, so she can't find fault with allowing Nathaniel's request. She could use that time to speak with Damian, maybe find Elizabeth and Jason, organize things.

"All right," she says, standing. "I won't be far away."

She slips out of the room, pausing at the door, frowning. They would have to be careful. Anita heads down into the bar to find Asher, and when she does, she is all stiff business once more.

"He wants to see you," she tells him. "Eat with you, and then he'll come to us." She looks away from Asher for a moment. "Nathaniel has a lot of faith in you, the same sort Jean-Claude has."

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 01:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Asher arches an eyebrow at her, just as cool, just as business-like.

"Are you threatening me, Anita?" Much like Jean Claude, for Asher to use Anita's name rather than a nickname is always a sign of anger.
anita_blake: (You Want Me To Do What Now?)

[personal profile] anita_blake 2009-07-10 01:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Anita meets his eyes unflinchingly, because she was protecting Nathaniel and she wouldn't back down on that.

"No, Asher, I'm making you a promise."

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 01:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Asher bows, slightly mockingly, smiling thinly as he passes her. He walks slowly, calmly, only hurrying when he's out of sight of the bar.

He opens his door, gazing unhappily at Nathaniel, every emotion written clear on his face.

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Ashet immediately moves to Nathaniel's side, shaking his head.

"No, Nathaniel, it's not that, not at all. I am just afraid of the trouble Anita's presence could cause." He gently cups Nathaniel's face in his hands, kissing him. It starts sweet, but Asher can't keep it that way, too scared, too desperate and hungry for one last taste of Nathaniel.

"I will always want you, mon chat," he whispers. "Never doubt that." He slides one hand round to the nape of Nathaniel's neck, resting his forehead against Nathaniel's, his eyes closed.

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 06:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Shhhhhh, mon coeur. Everything will be alright. The thought of leaving you never crossed my mind, I promise you." Asher embraces him, resting his cheek against Nathaniel's hair, one hand rubbing Nathaniel's back.

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Asher closes his eyes against tears of his own, arms tightening.

"And I love you, mon chat," he whispers back, tangling his fingers in Nathaniel's hair to hold him close, tugging hard enough to force Nathaniel's head back. He bows his head, pressing his face into the curve of Nathaniel's shoulder, lips against his neck, breathing him in.

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Asher pulls back, smiling gently. He hasn't said it to Nathaniel, not in English. It's sad that it's Anita that's driven him to say it now, but the sheer dismay he felt when he saw her, when he realised Nathaniel was no longer solely his in Milliways, drove home exactly how deeply he cared for Nathaniel.

He cups Nathaniel's face in hsi hands, looking deep into Nathaniel's eyes.

"I love you." He gently brushes Nathaniel's hair back over his shoulders, reaching for the silver hair clasp he had given Nathaniel, pressing it gently into Nat's hand.

"It was a token of my love. mon chat. I am a coward, when it comes to matters of the heart."

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 07:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Afraid that I felt more for you than you felt in return." Asher admits, ducking head so that his hair falls as a veil between them.

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Asher picks Nathaniel up, carrying him over to the bed. He turns, sitting down, tugging Nathaniel higher in his lap, curling his body around Nathaniel's.

He wants nothing more than to stay here all night, to just lie in Nathaniel's arms while he can. But he knows that Anita will come looking, soon enough.

"Would you like me to braid your hair, mon chat?"

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"I won't," Asher whispers. "Don't worry, mon petit. I won't send you away from me." He sheds his clothes, needing the comfort of bare skin against his, drawing Nathaniel under the covers and curling in to him.

"Stay with me, mon chat," he whispers, his fingertips caressing the soft dimples above the curve of Nathaniel's ass. "Stay with me until I die today."

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"Do not promise things that you cannot give," Asher whispers, closing his eyes, the scent of tears on Nathaniel's skin, the despair building inside him, enough to spill a few pink-tinged tears down his cheeks, his hands clutching at Nathaniel almost cruelly.

[identity profile] ash-imperfect.livejournal.com 2009-07-10 11:43 pm (UTC)(link)
The only thing that could extend Nathaniel's life would be the fourth mark, and Asher is far too apprehensive of such a thing to even suggest moving towards it. The first mark is enough, by far.

Knowing they'll only drive themselves mad, talking about this, Asher ducks his head, catching Nathaniel's lips, kissing the salty taste of tears from his skin.