dorian & godric

[brushoff]

Christ, how Dorian hated Texas.

It was the best and worst of America. There still was so much space, plenty of towns barely hanging on, hardscrabble little places that were trying to make their move, the drive and determination and chutzpah that Dorian adored of the America in the past. America in the 1920s was great. A feisty nation, determined to prove itself on the world's stage, bright and brilliant and ready to take on the challenge.

But the Texas cities? The cities were horrible. Large, ugly things almost crushed under the weight of their own self-importance and overpasses. Forgotten centers where all residents fled to cookie-cutter nigh identical houses set in towns created solely for the purpose of commuting. People didn't thrive in places like that, with their subdivisions and big box stores and fucking Targets. You lived there, but you didn't thrive. And Dorian Gray was always looking for something new, something bright and breathing and alive.

Granted, a shitty little dive bar wasn't exactly what most people thought of when they thought of 'alive.' But Dorian had been lingering around Dallas long enough that a few things had gained his interest. The coming out of the closet, so to speak, of vampires had been the big one. Idly, he wondered what Toby would have thought of it all—he felt so alone for so long. Would vampire advocacy groups or these cute little pamphlets have changed anything? Or would the Sunday morning cable news services about how all vampires are damned have made things worse? There's no way of knowing. But Dorian wanted to learn more about this himself.

Try as he may to fit in, it's obvious that Dorian is here for something. He flirts with the waitress and casually asks a few questions about vampire activity in the area. He loses a game of pool but presses his competition whenever they bring up 'fangs.' This is the third day in a row he's made some not-so-subtle inquiries about vampires, something's got to give eventually. He's British as hell, the accent is a dead giveaway, so might as well lean into the obviousness and see what happens.

And as he slips out of the back door of the dive bar, stepping outside to light up a cigarette, Dorian's certain that something will happen. What precisely? He doesn't know.

Comments

[loveisall]

Godric nods. "I can help you arrange it." He leans in to kiss him again. "Why is it that I am so drawn to you, Dorian Gray? Is it because you and I share a sadness?"

[brushoff]

Dorian indulges in the kiss before pulling away.

"I know why I'm drawn to you. You remind me of someone I loved. You're certainly different, of course. He was more childish than you. More callous. But that sadness, that stubbornness, I'm drawn to it like a moth to a flame."

And who knows. Maybe this time will be different.

[loveisall]

He's quiet for a while and then takes Dorian's hand and places it on his shoulder, along his back. "Do you feel that there?" he wonders. "The mark that is more like a burn."

[brushoff]

"I do."

And Dorian will leave his hand there, during what he assumes will be the next story.

[loveisall]

"I was bought by a vampire after my village was captured. He kept me as a house slave in his home in Rome. He branded me as his so I would never be able to escape. He did not see me as a fighter, a warrior. He saw only a boy who could play him songs and entertain his guests in whatever way they saw fit." He lowers his head. "He was a sadistic man, prone to indulgences in sick pleasures. He changed me so he could own me...which he did, for many years."

[brushoff]

Dorian looks a little sick as Godric tells his story. He adjusts his hand slightly, more that it's around Godric's waist, so he can pull the man in for an awkward little hug.

"That's horrifying. I'm sorry you had to endure that." A pause before, "How did you get away?"

[loveisall]

"I killed him. I fought against the Maker bond and tore his head from his body. I killed them all. The servants, the other slaves. The guests. And then I ran. I ran into the woods and I stayed there for weeks. Months. Covered in his blood."

He leans against him, accepting that warmth.

[brushoff]

"Good."

Godric might have reservations about killing everyone, but Dorian doesn't. Sometimes there is collateral damage. That's just how it works. It's terrible, but it is what it is.

"I'm glad the bastard's dead."

[loveisall]

He turns and draws him into a kiss again. "Yes. And i stayed angry with him for thousands of years. Let it color me. But no longer."

[brushoff]

"The dead truly can hold a grudge," Dorian lightly muses. "And a well deserved one at that. I'd probably hold it even longer."

[loveisall]

"You seem the type," he says gently, playfully and stands up. "It will be sunrise soon."

[brushoff]

"You should probably head back soon," Dorian shrugs. There's a moment and a pause before,

"Unless you want to spend the night, of course. I picked a place that had a windowless room for a reason."

[loveisall]

He tilts his head.

"Do you realize what you are asking me? The trust it deserves?"

[brushoff]

"Indeed I do," Dorian nods. "I could kill you in your sleep. I could drag your body out here and have you face the sun. I could get a stake and slam it through your chest. I doubt you told anyone you were coming here, so none would be the wiser."

He gives Godric a little shrug. "But I won't do that. I can't offer you any proof aside from my word, so here it is. You'll make it through the night unscathed."

[loveisall]

"Through the day," he corrects gently and glances over his shoulder, making a decision.

If he makes it through, then he will do so. If he makes it through, then he knows he can trust Dorian.

"Alright," he finally decides and takes off his shoes.

[brushoff]

Dorian can't help it: he gives Godric a bright little smile at that 'alright.' It's precisely what he wants to hear.

"Come on. I've got pajamas that I'm fairly certain are in your size."

[loveisall]

"I am fine like this," he says, gently pressing his hand against Dorian's chest. "We are not to the point where I will wear your clothes."

But he does walk to the bed and inspect it. "Are you certain you're alright with this?"

[brushoff]

"I wish you would wear my clothes," Dorian points out, as he looks over Godric. "You wear too much linen. It makes you look like you're leading a cult."

Please, for the love of God, wear normal people clothes.

At the question, however, Dorian nods. "I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't alright. If you aren't alright with this, however, you still have time to leave."

[loveisall]

That gets a laugh. "I wear what is comfortable for me, Dorian. Not all of us enjoy making a spectacle of ourselves."

He slides in under the blankets. "I am not leaving."

[brushoff]

Godric might wear his own clothes, but Dorian's certainly changing. Normally, he's the type to sleep naked. However, that's just a little too forward for this current situation. Expensive, ridiculous pajamas it is.

"Good," he says, as he slides in under the blankets as well. Dorian cuddles up to Godric slightly as he muses, "I'm not leaving either."

Oh, and because he's a lazy asshole who doesn't want to get up from his bed, "Alexa, turn off the bedroom light."

[loveisall]

Godric gives one last laugh before he settles in for the day. He doesn't move, doesn't breathe, doesn't do anything but lie there like a corpse.

He wakes promptly at dusk, sitting up and checking himself for...well, he isn't quite sure.

[brushoff]

Dorian...is still sleeping. Absolutely nothing has happened to Godric as he sleeps, he just gets to deal with Dorian taking up far too much of the bed. He's absolutely ended up hogging the covers, sorry buddy.

But as he feels Godric sit up, he makes a little noise, the sort of sleepy noise people make when they need to wake up but don't exactly want to.

[loveisall]

He places a hand on his stomach, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I should go. I have been missing for too long. They'll be combing the streets."

[brushoff]

Dorian groans in annoyance as he murmurs, "Urgh...fine. But text me, alright? I—"

Nope, big yawn, somebody's still sleepy.

[loveisall]

Godric pauses, just watching and enjoying the sight of him.

"I don't know how to use a phone. Stan bought me one, but I leave it at the house."