(no subject)

[cast_iron_bitch]

Laurent's feet cut a direct line from the hospital to his Terrace rooms. There were any number of places he might have gone to clear his head - or swing his arms, as he was in a rare mood to cut something down to its marrow - yet Laurent did not trust his mood to take him anywhere but home.

Of all the people, of all the traitorous, miserable wretches. This place seemed to collect every possible person from everywhere, human or not, alive or dead, yet it could not see fit to ever bring his brother.

Laurent stopped. It was cold enough that the very air he pulled into his lungs stung all the way down, yet for a moment he couldn't move. This was, perhaps, the first time he allowed himself to admit to hope. Auguste might yet come, even if Darrow insisted on bringing every horrible person from home first.

Shoulders rounding against the wind, Laurent continued on, chilled enough now to hurry indoors, but he found when he was at last standing in his apartment and pulling off his frozen scarf, the core of him was still molten, roiling with a fury he could not seem to expunge with clear and measured thought.

Laurent cast his eyes about the living until his gaze came to rest on a vase. It had been in these rooms longer than he had, there when he moved in. It was squatty and blue, nothing he would have ever chosen apart from the color, but the fat bottom rested neatly in the curve of Laurent's palm.

He stared at it, then threw it at the far wall with all his strength.

Comments

[princekiller]

Though Damen had recognized the familiar sounds of Laurent's entrance even over the low murmur of music that played as he worked in the office, it was the shattering clang of glass that had him swiftly on his feet and running to the other room. In all the time he'd been trapped in this strange city, he had seen more than he could ever have imagined. From murderous friends to murderous children's toys, there was no telling what could be the cause of such a piercing cacophony.

Yet, when he turned the corner, it was only Laurent he found. And a mess of shattered glass upon the floor.

'I never realized you found that vase so unsavory,' he remarked after he'd let himself take a breath. His tone was light, but still laced in worry because, while he was relieved to find Laurent safe, it was hardly like him to throw such a fit.

Relaxing his shoulders, he took a step closer. 'Laurent?'

[cast_iron_bitch]

Laurent startled for the sudden thunder of Damen's journey down the hall. He'd thought to listen for Nicaise or Toulouse - somehow, he had forgotten to listen for Damen, and it was a long moment before he could wrestle his heart back to a normal rhythm.

He looked down at the glittering shards of the vase, now no doubt sunk deep into the carpet. 'I hated it,' he stated, aware that it did not approach sufficient explanation. Laurent inhaled. Damen's experiences at home ended so long before Laurent's own. He could not understand the full extent of Aimeric's foul betrayal without living it, and as that could not happen, Laurent had the unpleasant sensation of again standing alone.

'What do you recall of Aimeric?'

[princekiller]

Laurent made no move toward the vase, but neither did he make any move toward Damen. He stood just as he was and, though little shown on his face, Damen could see the tense of his shoulders beneath his coat, the hard edge of his jaw and sharp of his eye.

'Aimeric,' he echoed, the name not one he had thought upon in many, many months. His memories of the boy's appearance were rather vague, but his position amongst Laurent's men, he remembered well. 'He's the one I advised you to watch,' he said then, recalling a long-ago conversation. 'I was worried about his affect on the other men.'

Still frowning, he tipped his head then, eyes still locked on Laurent. How this had anything to do with the shattered vase, Damen couldn't guess. 'Why?'

[cast_iron_bitch]

'You were correct to worry,' answered Laurent, 'For their sake, not his.' He inhaled, still watching the inanimate shards of glass as if they might spring up and reform at any moment. 'He seduced Jord,' he continued without further preamble. 'He murdered Orlant who no doubt discovered his treachery. He sent word of all our doings back to his father, Guion, all in the hope of a continuation of my Uncle's more personal attentions.'

The quick summation came to an even swifter end. 'And now he is here.'

[princekiller]

Laurent had explained the many things Damen had missed by being pulled into this strange world so prematurely, but he had not gone into great detail in this regard. After all, Damen had been far more focused on the death of his brother and the defeat of the Regent. In becoming the rightful king right alongside Laurent.

Though he had never lived the experience, he could fathom no other future now. Here, in this world without rule, he and Laurent were not kings. But he felt as though he lived as such.

He frowned at Laurent's explanation, wondering over the murder of one of Laurent's most trusted men, before his breath stopped short. 'He's here,' he said, half statement and half question. He looked down at the shards of glass upon the floor, and added in a tone partially cautious and partially intended to lighten the mood somewhat, 'Have you murdered the vase in his stead or is this only a trial run?'

[cast_iron_bitch]

The response was both more and less than what he'd hoped for, though Laurent knew he would never again experience that same righteous fury he'd felt in Ravenel, rolling off Damen in flattening waves. He simply hadn't lived enough, and could not recall events that for him, had never transpired.

Laurent turned, and his expression might have been a stone wall for all that it gave away. 'One death was sufficient.'

[princekiller]

Laurent's gaze was impenetrable, a wall that blocked memories Damen could only guess to understand.

Not for the first time, he felt strangely guilty for having been stolen here sooner than Laurent, to not have lived through many of the same events and happenings. It seemed he was constantly walking a step behind Laurent instead of by his side where he belonged.

'Do you believe him to be a further threat here?' he asked, still watching Laurent carefully. Here there was no country to steal or defend, no Regent to grovel before. Surely Aimeric's motivations were no longer present in this strange place. Surely there would be little need for their paths to cross.

[cast_iron_bitch]

'He is young, ambitious, and a consummate liar who manipulates without the vexing protestations of a conscience. Who knows what havoc he will wreak on those denizens of Darrow who equate a pretty face with innocence.'

And if he meant to use any of that against Laurent the little wretch would regret it - otherwise, Laurent had every intention of ignoring him as he did any little misery until it made itself of consequence.

'I only wonder after his effect on Nicaise.'

[princekiller]

While Damen had little reason to doubt Laurent's assessment, he couldn't help but wonder what ambitions the boy could aspire to here in Darrow. There was no crown. No kingdom. There was power, yes, but it existed within a means of government so wholly unlike that of Vere or Akielos that Damen couldn't imagine how one could climb the tier if they so desired.

Damen was a born leader, but he had never hungered for power. There'd been no need.

'Why would he have any business with Nicaise?' Damen asked, his voice softening as his frown deepened. 'Because they are fellow countrymen?'

[cast_iron_bitch]

'I see I should have spoken more plainly,' said Laurent. 'When I said he sought more of my Uncle's personal attentions, I meant his bed. Not that my Uncle would consent to a colt when he could ride a foal,' Laurent continued, his full mouth pinched in revulsion.

'Guion allowed it. It would have been around the same days that my Uncle took Nicaise into his - ' Laurent's nostrils flared. 'Care.'

[princekiller]

Guion was Aimeric's father, Damen remembered. A Veretian councilman who craved the Regent's approval and his own power and had many sons to help in his endeavors. His station as a soldier in Laurent's army could be seen as direct rebellion against his father.

Or, alternatively, the perfect ruse.

Disgust rolled off Laurent like a wave and it took Damen only a moment to understand the full meaning of his words. He had long suspected though never put words to his thoughts, content to let the past remain as such. He had long suspected many things, none he would dare force Laurent to acknowledge.

Until now, perhaps if Laurent deemed to approach that door himself.

'I suppose he'll be disappointed that the Regent is absent from this place then,' he remarked, choosing his words even more carefully. 'And it's more likely Nicaise will deem him inferior simply for being one of your men to have anything to do with him.

'He's doing well in his training,' he added as it seemed liable to add some comfort and, moreover, it was true. 'And he's grown in the past few months already, is gaining muscle. I have little doubt that he can defend himself well now should he need to.'

[cast_iron_bitch]

'Nicaise deems everyone inferior,' Laurent murmured half to himself, but he was drawn from his thoughts as Damen continued. Physical attributes could do little against the hurts Nicaise carried deep within him, but it was a comfort to know that if Aimeric ever did misstep with him, Nicaise would not take a sword in the belly as Orlant had done.

'He will be tall, I think,' Laurent continued, turning away from the mess of the vase and towards Damen. The short distance required a significant lift of his chin. 'Not as tall as you, but then, few are. I am gratified that he has you as his teacher. I know how to manipulate the form I have - one much larger is quite another story.'

[princekiller]

It was a oddly difficult thing to imagine, that the boy under Laurent's care would soon be a grown man, but it was inevitable all the same. He could not be protected by Laurent all his life however much Laurent might prefer as much. And regardless of who may yet join them in this strange city.

'Tall for a Veretian,' he agreed with a small smirk as Laurent quietly approached. 'And has a mind like yours, as sharp as any sword. I think I'd be more afraid for Aimeric should they ever meet.'

He stepped closer himself then, reaching out carefully to brush his fingers along the arm of Laurent's coat. 'Is there anything you wish of me?' His lips tugged into a faint, somewhat teasing smile. 'I could pay him a visit if you'd like.'

[cast_iron_bitch]

Laurent smiled faintly. If he wished it, Damen likely would prevent Aimeric coming anywhere near their home, but it was not necessary.

'Your life is your own,' remarked Laurent, 'but if it were up to me, I would spare you the indignity of listening to the traitor attempt to elicit pity where none is deserved. Do you know - ' Laurent continued, lifting his arms to wind them around Damen's neck.

'He interrupted our very first kiss.'

[princekiller]

Damen's hand slid to Laurent's side, resting there for only a moment before moving inward to the front of the coat that was still stubbornly fastened.

'Did he?' he replied with a tip of his head. For Damen, there first kiss had been here, in Darrow, in the middle of a bit of sparring, in fact. Laurent did not often speak of their moments together back in Vere, all too aware that they were memories Damen did not share. Damen couldn't help being interested. 'This was in Ravenel, yes? You've spoken of that much before.''

His gaze dropped briefly to the alluring curve of Laurent's lips, then up to his eyes once more. 'Did you make him pay for it?'

[cast_iron_bitch]

'I struck him with a goblet,' said Laurent. While not regrettable, at home it had felt too gauche to revel in, but now that Aimeric was here and again alive, Laurent allowed himself to enjoy the memory. 'As much for insulting Auguste as interrupting, but it was satisfying all the same. You were displeased.'

Laurent reached up, almost in need of stretching to reach Damen's curls, which he carded fine boned fingers through. 'For Jord's sake, not his.'

[princekiller]

How Laurent's brother could have possibly played into the scenario, Damen could only guess, but he laughed all the same. He had little difficulty imagining Laurent striking anyone with a goblet should they upset him for any reason. It was not a typical weapon, but nevertheless an effective one when used properly.

'Mmm,' he remarked, his grin widening as Laurent idly toyed with his hair. He slid his own hand up Laurent's chest, finding the top button of his coat and effortlessly unclasping it. 'Jord. Were they lovers then?'

[cast_iron_bitch]

'Yes,' said Laurent. 'All too literally.' It was difficult to feel sadness when Damen smiled at him so, but still Laurent felt a pang for his poor captain. 'Jord loved him. Even after the betrayal, he plead for him. Aimeric did his work well. All he needed was one good man, and he selected perhaps the best of them.'

He was quiet for a moment. 'He should have been hung for that alone.' Breathing in, Laurent folded a hand over Damen's, though he made no move to stop his work at his collar. 'You mean to distract me.'

[princekiller]

Though Damen had only spent a matter of weeks with Laurent's men, he could easily agree. All of Laurent's men had been loyal (with the exception of Aimeric, clearly) but Jord's devotion was immeasurable. Any army would only benefit from a man like him in its ranks.

Laurent's hand was cool as he laid his fingers over Damen's, momentarily stilling his movements.

'I'm helping,' he said with a small smile as he moved to the next button. 'Unless you intend to venture out into the cold again.'

[cast_iron_bitch]

'Oh, is it cold outside?' asked Laurent. The evidence of it was all around him, from the thawing scarf he'd discarded to the red spots high on his cheeks. His lips were still cold, yet after the anger that had propelled him here and Damen's hands, huge and warm against him now, it was impossible to recall the chill beyond the windows.

'I hadn't noticed.' He looked up at Damen, enjoying the concentration of those dark eyes on his many buttons. 'Will you seek him out?' Laurent wondered, yet unable to escape his own curiosity. It was Damen's way to believe the best of people, but it was also his way now to trust Laurent's judgment. 'Or leave him be.'

[princekiller]

Even now, after all the time they'd spent together as partners and equals -- as lovers -- Damen could still not shake the memories that stirred as he quietly and carefully went about the business of unbuttoning Laurent's shirt further. At least this coat lacked those infernal laces.

'Does he know the truth about me?' he asked when finally he was able to part the thick fabric in full. He pressed his hand against Laurent's warm side, keeping him close as he considered the question. 'Or am I still your Akielon slave to him?'

[cast_iron_bitch]

'Does he know you are he who my countrymen refer to as the Princekiller?' asked Laurent. 'He does not.' And how satisfying that would be to reveal to him, were it not for the fact that the prince in question was Laurent's own beloved brother.

'A fact that will no doubt entrench his poor opinion of me,' Laurent continued with a flat expression. Apart from speaking ill of Auguste, there was nothing Aimeric could say to upset him now. 'Reveal it if you like.'

[princekiller]

He didn't wince at the name though it was a near thing. Laurent's older bother remained a ghost between them, the one act for which Laurent could never forgive or forget. Not entirely. And Damen could not blame him. Whatever the circumstances, there was no changing things now. And, in truth, Damen could not say with full conviction that he would if given the chance. He had done what was necessary in the moment, what his people and his king and father required of him.

Instead, he focused on the man before him, the one he never could have guessed back then would mean so much to him. 'Should he reveal this opinion to me, he'll live to regret it,' he remarked, a grin playing his lips though he meant the sentiment sincerely. 'But it not might not hurt to issue a warning, so to speak. Even if he doesn't fully know who I am, he considers me a beast. Little more than a guard dog. It wouldn't take much to scare him.'

[cast_iron_bitch]

'Do make use of that mobile phone of yours and take a photograph,' said Laurent, unable to suppress a rush of ungracious mirth at the thought of it. Courage was not something Laurent was certain Aimeric possessed, and the thought of Damen approaching him with any kind of fury was pleasing. The upturn of his mouth relaxed into something sweeter, and he pressed his fingers into the space between the hem of Damen's trousers and his skin.

'I will reward you in advance, if you like.'

[princekiller]

Damen hugged a laugh at that, continuing to smooth his hands along Laurent's sides as Laurent reached for him in turn.

'For the photograph?' he asked, sliding his hands further up Laurent's sides and then inward to thumb at a button. Not for the first time, he was grateful that the fashion here dictated much fewer laces. 'I'll have to make sure it's a good one. Good enough to frame, even.'

[cast_iron_bitch]

'Oh yes,' answered Laurent, moving a deft thumb over the button that secured Damen's trousers so that they popped open, leaving him with ample room to slide his hand downward. 'If it is to merit such a reward, it will need to be a satisfying photograph indeed.'

This close to Damen's huge, warm body, it was difficult to think of anything but him, and so Laurent stopped trying. His hand trailed lower, encountering a new source of heat. Laurent felt an answering blossom of warmth of his own, and he looked up, mouth sweetly pursed around a question. 'How many times do you think you can spend before Nicaise arrives home?'

[princekiller]

Laurent's fingers were cool as they grazed the skin of Damen's lower belly and he sucked in a breath, lips twitching into a wider grin as he held still, still smoothing his own hands over the fabric of Laurent's shirt, feeling the warmth of him just beneath.

'Satisfying,' he echoed with a grin before his mouth dropped open on a silent groan as Laurent's warming fingers took him in hand. Instinctively, he rocked his hips forward, eyes dark where they remained locked on Laurent's as he considered the question. A laugh rolled through him, low and aching as he slid one hand up Laurent's chest and over his shoulder to nudge off at least one layer though it would mean Laurent releasing him, if only for a moment. 'At least twice. Unless you intend to draw it out.'

[cast_iron_bitch]

Laurent's lips pursed again, this time in satisfaction as Damen rolled, thick and hot and already heavy against his hand. 'I'd like to have you naked before the hearth and in my mouth,' he answered, aware of the fireplace at his back. It was unlit, but it did not need to be for Laurent to picture the golden light dancing across Damen's skin.

He stroked him once, then removed his hand entirely so that his shirt could be peeled away. 'However long you last is up to you.'

[princekiller]

It was not a difficult scene to imagine and another wave of heat rolled down Damen's spine, cut short as Laurent slid his hand free from Damen's pants.

The gesture was only to aid in Damen's removal of Laurent's coat and Damen studiously went about the task, letting the garment fall to the floor without a care. He wasted no time in setting his attention to the buttons of Laurent's shirt, walking backward as he did so toward the fireplace nestled in the center of the room.

'Luckily, the glass from your little tantrum didn't reach quite this far,' he said with a faint smirk, releasing his hold on Laurent for long enough to find the switch upon the hearth that set the logs within ablaze. It still seemed a strange thing to him, to not have to build a fire at all, but it was doubtlessly convenient. He stepped in closer then, winding an arm around Laurent's middle and bringing their faces close. 'And how will you spend, your Majesty? How may I please you?'

[cast_iron_bitch]

Laurent's deft fingers found Damen's nipple through his shirt and pinched in retribution for the jibe, but Laurent was smiling when he looked up at him.

'I haven't yet decided,' he admitted, forcing himself to move out of Damen's glorious embrace so that he might strip. To encourage him, Laurent pulled his own open shirt from his shoulders and began to remove his pants.

He said, 'Take off your clothes and lie down.'

[princekiller]

The pinch wasn't severe, yet even so Damen made a face and jerked with a laugh, the sound melting into a soft, appreciative groan as Laurent slipped away to begin removing his clothing.

'Yes, sir,' Damen remarked, still grinning, his gaze hungry as he took in the sight of Laurent's milky skin, revealed bit by bit. He removed his own clothing at the same time, first his shirt, which came off with one smooth tug, and then his trousers which required slightly more effort.

He continued to grin up at Laurent as he lowered himself to the ground, first only sitting before beginning to lean back, propping himself on his elbows. 'Do you need me to strike a pose?'

[cast_iron_bitch]

It was impossible to look upon Damen and not want. Were he clothed or prone somewhere without the dappling of firelight, the effect would be the same, and Laurent let a touch of the hunger he felt light his eyes.

'If I could choose just one I would request it,' Laurent assured him, divesting himself of his underclothes so that he might join Damen naked before the fire. The carpet was thin, but Laurent was slight enough that it did not bother his knees. He reached for a blanket from the chaise and handed it to Damen to cushion himself as he pleased, then advanced, gazing down at Damen as he framed those thick, brown thighs with his own.

'I'd like to try something new.'

[princekiller]

Though Laurent's nudity was no longer any secret to Damen and hadn't been for some time, it was a sight from which he knew he could never tire. Laurent moved slowly but with little hesitation, revealing every inch of smooth, white skin and Damen watched all the while, drank in the sight from his prone stance like a man starved.

He shifted only when Laurent held the chaise cushion out to him, lips quirking into a grin before he settled it behind himself. It proved some bit of leverage as well as support and he hummed, low and pleased, as Laurent then made to straddle him, one pale thigh on either side of Damen's. Instinctively, he rested his hands on those thighs, gripping the lean, firm muscle beneath his palms before sliding them upward to Laurent's hips and then stilling.

'New,' he repeated, intrigued. Laurent's hair glistened in the firelight, strands hanging loose but not quite touching his slim shoulders. Damen's fingers itched to touch, but he remained still. Patient. 'Will you tell me or will it be a surprise?'

[cast_iron_bitch]

Damen's huge hands framed his hips, and Laurent allowed himself to indulge in the very recent memory of those same hands guiding him up and down again, ensuring that every thrust of Damen's cock found home in the most pleasurable manner possible. His pale cheeks darkened, his pale eyes following suit, but Laurent did not stray from his course of action.

He smiled, enjoying Damen's suspense. 'I think that I won't,' he decided, 'Though I imagine you will arrive at the correct answer quickly enough. Shall I continue delaying?' he asked as he shifted, moving down Damen's body until he could lie between his thighs. Laurent licked his lips to wet them, allowing his oft repressed lower lip to spring to fullness. 'Or shall I get on with it?'

[princekiller]

Laurent moved like water, sliding down Damen's body with a fluid, mesmerizing grace. Damen watched, ignoring the pang of disappointment in his gut when he could no longer reach Laurent with his greedy hands.

'I would prefer you get on with it,' he admitted with a faint grin, bumping one leg gently against Laurent's side as his gaze dropped to the plump of Laurent's wet bottom lip. Patience was never one of Damen's strengths and never was that more true than when he had Laurent naked before him.

He had an idea of what Laurent might have in mind and his stomach tightened deliciously at the mere idea. He remained quiet, however, and still. Willing to follow wherever Laurent might lead.

[cast_iron_bitch]

Laurent returned that smile, enjoying the easy anticipation of pleasure on Damen's face. 'Very well,' he answered, lowering his head. He journeyed directly to where Damen was hottest, that thick shaft of flesh that was even smoother than the cheek that Laurent dragged against it. Even filled to full hardness, the flesh Damen's cock was addictingly soft, and Laurent lingered for a moment, simply breathing in the heat that threatened to burn through his cheek.

It was difficult to recall why pushing himself to this particular act had once been onerous. The mechanics of the act were of course the same as in the memories that troubled him, but Damen was nothing like the Regent, not in mind or temperament, certainly not in body or soul. Now it was the easiest thing in the world to open his mouth and let the fat head of Damen's cock rest against his tongue. Laurent held it there, enjoying the taste of him before he began to take him deeper, his tongue flat against Damen's length so that every new inch descended was shepherded by warm, wet heat.

[princekiller]

Though it was as he'd suspected, Damen was still stunned by the reality of it, of Laurent knelt between his spread legs, submissive and wholly in control both at once. His eyes were dark. Focused. But there was no anger in his expression, no rigid determination as he parted his lips around the tip of Damen's cock. Damen sucked in a breath at the sensation, clamped down on the desire to lift his hips and plunge into the full warmth of Laurent's mouth. His stomach tightened with the effort as Laurent sank lower little by little until, finally, Damen could only drop his head backward against the floor and shudder in a breath, overwhelmed.

'Fuck,' he grunted on an exhale before lifting his head again. He propped himself back up onto an elbow, reaching down this his other hand to lightly card his fingers through Laurent's golden hair. 'Fuck, Laurent.'