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]

"Not mine. Not anymore," he mutters, tracing Dorian's jaw.

[brushoff]

Godric must be lying. Everyone lies. Still, Dorian won't poke at this.

"Well I, in comparison, am a massive liar. When you live among humanity as I do but are more along the lines of humanity plus, you need to come up with excuses, diversions, and lies to justify whatever odd thing inevitably happens to you."

[loveisall]

"I do not live among humans," he reminds him. "I live among vampires or by myself for millenia. Perhaps I never learned how to lie."

[brushoff]

"If you ever want to learn, I'll be a fantastic teacher," Dorian says, with a little wink. "Watch me in my element one of these evenings. I'll show you what's what."

[loveisall]

"I have seen you," he says and he leans in, momentarily distracted by the pulse in his neck. He plants a kiss there instead.

"You have been asking about me."

[brushoff]

"Like I said—I live among humanity. I don't know the lay of the land with regards to vampires, especially with regards to American vampires. The last thing I need to do is make some horrible faux pas when you introduce me to the vampire president."

If Godric even introduces him to the vampire president in the first place. Dorian can't help but wonder just how much he'll be integrated into Godric's actual life.

Hopefully it'll be a fair amount. The idea of being a side piece repulses him.

[loveisall]

He chuckles. "The Authority. You asked earlier and I...dodged the question. They are vile, self righteous children with short memories and shorter fuses. Save for...one."

He keeps him close. "Each state is a King or Queen. Each district, a sheriff. That's me. I am responsible for all vampire activity in Dallas and I protect my nest, which is made up of my people and their companions."

[brushoff]

This is certainly different from the British vampires. More organized, for one. If this system was there when Toby was alive...who knows what could have happened.

"Have you always had this system? Or is it more recent, something that was developed after vampires became public knowledge?"

[loveisall]

"It is been this way for decades. Since the formation of the country," he explains. "Though the Authority has been around for centuries. Since around the time of the Inquisition."

[brushoff]

British vampires were very different. Or maybe it was just Toby. Maybe Toby was the one who was different, pushing all that away, not bothering with the hierarchy and bullshit. That would suit him.

Dorian snuggles into Godric's grasp, leaning his head against the man's shoulder, exposing the nape of his neck in a way that's very purposeful as he asks, "Why did you have to visit them?"

[loveisall]

"They pressure me every year to take the throne of Texas," he says, turning his face away. "I don't want it. I didn't want this job, either."

[brushoff]

Dorian suspects he knows what the answer is. And yet, he must point out, "Can't you just leave? Let someone else take your job, fuck off and go somewhere else."

If it sucks, hit da bricks, Godric.

[loveisall]

He gently moves Dorian away, off his lap. "Because the world is not small anymore. I cannot live as I once did."

[brushoff]

A brief flicker of annoyance crosses Dorian's face as he's moved off of Godric's lap. He stands up, mostly to idly lean against the wall, before he points out, "I'm not a vampire, but I'm here now. I can help deal with the parts you find most annoying—hell, I'd probably be better at them than you."

[loveisall]

He stands and moves away from him, from the smell of his blood in Dorian's veins, the warm skin against his.

"Start slow, Dorian. But...if we are to do this, I need to make certain you are seen with me. As my companion."

[brushoff]

"That should be easy enough."

It probably won't be easy enough, but a man can dream.

"When's your next outing?"

[loveisall]

"I have a party tonight. You can come. Sit with me."

He looks out the window. "It is simply a way for then to ask me for favors or permission to change their companion."

[brushoff]

Sitting with Godric sounds easy enough. However, there is one thing that Dorian can't help but wonder.

"Do I have to be quiet during all of this? Or can I offer up my two cents on the matter of favors?"

[loveisall]

"They won't thank you for it. So say it quietly to me."

He shrugs.

[brushoff]

"I don't care if they thank me," Dorian points out, despite the fact that he does. The more they talk about this, the more Dorian will wonder what others think. There is a very real chance that he'll be viewed as the vampire equivalent of a Pomeranian: the sheriff's very pretty yet entirely useless little pet.

It's interesting. And he will be very curious to see how the party goes.

"But I can do that much. I hope you're fine with the fact that I'm a horribly opinionated little shit and will be whispering in your ear more than once."

[loveisall]

"I like that," he says, throwing a small smile over his shoulder. "I want your opinions. I don't need a silent trophy on my arm. I don't like you for your beauty. But it is...stunning."

[brushoff]

Dorian gives Godric a wide grin before teasing, "Then I'll have to make certain I'm the most stunning person in the room. When's the party tonight? I'll need at least an hour to get ready."

[loveisall]

Godric shakes his head. "Ten. You have....eighteen hours," he says with a barely suppressed laugh.

[brushoff]

That laugh is intoxicating. Dorian knows he'll want to make it so that he can hear it more. "Four hours for me to get ready, fourteen hours for everything else. Shall I meet you there? Or will you be picking me up?"

[loveisall]

"I can send a car if you'd like," he says, walking past him and hesitating before kissing him deeply.