Incubus Dreams - October 30th

[nathaniel_kitten]

Nathaniel pauses outside Jean-Claude's room, where he can sense Anita, and looks up at Asher.

"I don't know if I can do this," he whispers, nervously gripping Asher's hand. "What if she says never again to either of us just because I can't feed the ardeur like that anymore?"

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[nathaniel_kitten]

"Please, don't do it again," Nathaniel says, his voice gentle. There's a visible relaxing about his posture, and he finally lets go of Asher's hand. Slowly, he comes over to Anita, takes her hand instead. "I love you just as much now as I did last night, but... I do have limits, and I can say no. I'm learning to say no, and I'm doing it now. I will feed the ardeur. I will have sex with you. But never, ever, will I do either as a leopard or half-shifted."

[ash-imperfect.livejournal.com]

Asher is proud of them both; Anita, for apologising, for realising how she made Nathaniel feel. And Nathaniel, for standing up to Anita. He hopes it proves that Nathaniel is stronger now, that he is capable of making his own decisions. Perhaps it will reassure Anita that he is not taking advantage of the young leopard.

He crosses the room, kissing both their cheeks, gently.

[anita_blake]

Anita's cheek is warm with her blush, and she squeezes Nathaniel's hand.

"I didn't realize," she murmurs, "and I shouldn't have simply assumed. It won't happen again, Nathaniel, I promise."

Even with the ardeur riding them, there had been a choice made. She had made it, regardless of Nathaniel's -- or her own -- feelings on the matter.

She turns her eyes to Asher.

"This is your doing, isn't it?" she asks gently.

Not Nathaniel's upset, but his ability to come to her, to say this to her, to recognize what is and isn't what he wants.

[ash-imperfect.livejournal.com]

Asher nods, smiling proudly.

"I would like to think so," he murmurs, "though Nathaniel did much of the work for himself. I merely coaxed him into being a little more assertive."

[nathaniel_kitten]

Nathaniel has never felt warmer than he does now, seeing that smile on Asher's face. Seeing it there and knowing he is the cause of it. He looks back at Anita.

"He loves me," Nathaniel says simply. "He asked me what I wanted, and I was able to tell him because he let me say it. Ask me what I want, Anita, and I will tell you. I'm trying. I'm trying so very hard. Give me a chance to show that to you."

[anita_blake]

Anita nods, leaning in to kiss Nathaniel gently.

"Next time, I'll ask," she promises him. She wants to believe Nathaniel is coming into his own, becoming his own person, and while she dislikes it's more Asher's doing than hers, she can't help but be glad that it's someone's doing at all. "I have to head out. I'm late, as always it seems. We can talk more later tonight. I... I want to know what you want, Nathaniel. I really do."

[ash-imperfect.livejournal.com]

Asher steps back, allowing Anita room to kiss Nathaniel. He's pleased that Nathaniel and Anita have spoken, that he wasn't needed to stand up for his lover.

[anita_blake]

She's trying. She really is.

Anita steps away from Nathaniel and faces Asher. She seems to debate for a moment, and then she rises up on her toes and kisses him too. Whether they were with Jean-Claude or not, she loves Asher, and she'll kiss him goodbye if she feels like it.

"I'll talk to you both later," she murmurs, and with a final glance at them, she heads out of Jean-Claude's room.

[nathaniel_kitten]

Nathaniel smiles oddly at the closed door, and then looks at Asher.

"That... went a lot better than I thought it would."

[ash-imperfect.livejournal.com]

Asher nods, looking a little stunned.

"Better than we could have hoped for, cher."

[nathaniel_kitten]

"Who was that and where is Anita Blake?" he asks, shaking his head.

But he won't look a gift horse in the mouth. If Anita would respect him, talk to him about his limits, he'll take it. Relief floods him, and he looks to Asher.

"I'm hungry. Will you take me out for supper? I think I'd finally like to try that Greek place you keep not-so-subtly mentioning."

[ash-imperfect.livejournal.com]

Asher laughs, kissing Nathaniel's temple softly.

"That sounds perfect, cher," he replies, leading him from the room, their hands entwined.