*Content warnings in description*
“Are you fucking insane?”
Darius admitted to being jarred by the accusation. It was barely eight in the morning and he had fallen asleep in a rumpled mess, clothes discarded on the floor as if they didn’t cost a fortune. He blinked blearily, fumbling to focus on the person standing in his doorway. “What?” he groaned, voice like gravel.
The bone deep exhaustion was even worse after a night’s rest in a real bed. Vague memories swam around, reminding him of the strange dance hall. Did that acrobat come back with us? He rubbed at his eyes, struggling to gain some semblance of sense.
“You’ve been gone for two days!” Evan cried, shrill voice finally cutting through the thick fog.
Oh. Darius cringed, gripping his aching head. “I got into some trouble. Everything is fine though,” he mumbled, hoping against all reason that his flatmate didn’t notice the luxury brand clothes.
No such luck.
Evan snatched up the trench coat, shaking it as if it afforded proof of something. “Did you rob a store?” he snapped. “What have you been doing? I covered for you, but if you weren’t back this morning, I was ready to call the cops.”
He silently thought that perhaps he should’ve called the police immediately. Why wait? Shaking his head, Darius slid his legs off the bed. “It’s complicated. Thank you for covering for me.”
Thunk
He froze. With great pain, Darius eyed the red ball gag that had fallen out of his coat pocket. It shimmered under the early morning light innocently.
Covering his face, he settled in for a very uncomfortable lecture about safe sex, the buddy system, and getting regular health checks. It was better than defending himself with the truth. What could he even say about the truth to make it sound truthful?
How much knowledge was it really?
He apologized once more, accepting the annoyed grunt that he received in turn. The door to his room finally, thankfully, shut.
The notes from his archive hunt at the library were just amusing now. He stared at them on the table, feeling like that day was already so far away. Despite Delirium feeling closer than ever, his confusion only seemed to grow. Each answer led to a new question and those questions never seemed to be answered. His body ached from bruises and his brain felt weighed down by lead.
Instead of trying to wade through anymore murky water, Darius grudgingly focused on the most pressing issue. The one that would take him away this evening.
Lan’s trial.
Gabriel hadn’t spoken about it in detail, but the terms were clear. Darius was expected at the circus grounds when the sun set. They were clearly weak to the sun; however, he couldn’t be sure to what extent. It didn’t seem to be the death trap popular media made it out to be.
Just like everything about folklore, it was worth taking the vulnerabilities of Night Children with a grain of salt. After all, hadn’t Adrian made his way to their apartment in the late afternoon once? He hadn’t shriveled up at the whisper of sunlight.
Darius stifled a groan of pain when he saw the calendar date. There was class. He was woefully unprepared for it and that was quite the feat for a study abroad course.
Did he really deserve any of this?
Flashes of Kallum, sensations of being held, low whispers, and cold touches pounded against his skull. A leech who wants me for unknown reasons is still a leech.
Pushing all those thoughts aside, he grabbed clothes from his closet, threw them on, and trudged out.
***
The curtains were pitch black and thick velvet.
Unlike much of the townhouse, the bedroom approached modernity. Sort of. It was dressed in monochrome stripes with too much whimsy in the crown molding and vaulted ceilings to be anything other than a circus tent.
But, wasn’t it reasonable to indulge when Delirium was their life and love?
“Leaving?” Gabriel muttered, trying in vain to keep his lover under the black silk sheets. He rolled onto his back lazily, finding the long, beautiful fingers of his other love stretched out toward him. Smirking, he kissed each digit while his eyes wandered over to the man dressing at the foot of the bed.
“It’s already late.” The strong, steady muscles of a dancer rippled as he tugged on a pair of dark trousers. His debauched hair made a wonderful partner to the scatter of bites and bruises across his shoulders and back. His chest and abdomen were similarly loved.
Gabriel was only dismayed that the true marks of intimacy were healed.
“You always leave so soon,” Luce grumbled, tugging his hand away from Gabriel’s lips. Without a hint of shame, he crawled out from under the sheets and pressed his nude form against their departing lover’s backside. “At least give us a goodbye present,” he teased, lightly raking his teeth against the man’s throat. “Hara?”
“It’s already past noon,” he sighed, irritation nibbling at his gentle tenor. He winced and then quickly stifled a moan as teeth sank into his neck. It was more for show than anything else. There was something deeply intimate about being able to sink inside someone’s throat, and Hara secretly wondered how that felt from the other side.
Gabriel idled up next, powerful body looking sculpted as ever. He hushed Hara’s rising complaints and dutifully pierced the other side of his neck with razor sharp canines.
A strangled gasp had Hara tongue-tied and tensing. The button on his trousers was forgotten as his lovers were suddenly dragging him back to bed.
Luce cradled him as Gabriel pushed.
It wasn’t even worth struggling anymore. Hara was used to it. They feigned exhaustion during daylight hours but would grow lively at a moment’s notice if there was fun to be had.
What was more fun than fucking their lover silly? Again.
Hara’s breath hitched as both Gabriel and Luce drank from him properly. “What are you two doing?” he complained, eyes shutting against the pleasure suddenly coursing through his veins. A part of him wryly thought about how messed up he must be. Would Human intimacy even be enjoyable anymore? Or did he need two bloodsuckers to feel any thrill?
“We’ve decided you’re better off here,” Gabriel muttered after retracting his teeth. The wound was so lovely. Breathtaking, really. Two puncture wounds framed by bubbling purple. It felt permanent. A sign of acceptance.
Hara laughed shortly, confused. “I’ll come back tonight, then?” he offered. “My job ends in the early evening.”
“You don’t have a gig at the dance hall?” Gabriel tilted his head, reluctantly closing the wound. Only centimeters away, he could see Luce’s dismay at having to heal his bite mark as well.
“No.” He threaded fingers through Luce’s hair. There was a curious light in Hara’s expression. Something very akin to concern. He tugged the man into a soft kiss. “Are you both alright?”
“Just impatient,” Luce mused, visibly resisting the urge to bury himself in Hara’s neck once more.
The trio settled back on the sheets quietly.
Hara could feel the rising tension as his lovers exchange silent, heated looks. They seemed to be discussing something. Their expressions were shifting subtly, fingers twitching and curling.
A sharp rap at the door was the only warning before it swung open.
All three heads snapped up to see the Ringleader saunter in.
His usually wild curls were slicked back, irises nearly glowing red. The jacket of his charcoal suit was slung over one arm, appearing freshly pressed. White gloves were cuffed at both wrists with pearl buttons.
“I should have known this was the reason neither of you were ready,” Kallum drawled, taking in Hara unabashedly.
“Ready for what?” Gabriel blinked, concerned now. Whatever had been brewing between him and Luce faded as he turned all attention to their leader.
Luce chortled, flopping back on the sheets with a groan. “Is he really making us do that? I thought I convinced him to relax last night!”
Uncomfortable, but also quite used to the Ringleader’s presence now, Hara knew to stay still. He carefully buttoned his trousers for modesty’s sake though.
“And that’s why you neglected to tell Gabriel?” Kallum’s lips curled in amusement. “Regardless, Yua is waiting downstairs in the car. Get dressed.” He didn’t bother to shut the door as he left.
“What is going on?” Gabriel sighed, getting up and opening the closet.
Luce frowned, growing doubly displeased when Hara took the opportunity to grab the rest of his scattered clothing. “Our precious Ringleader gave the very vindictive Yua an order last night. I suppose in retaliation, he’s requiring Kallum to present the trial immediately.”
“Present? Like ask permission?” Hara tilted his head. “There’s a House of Night higher than the Ringleader’s?” He slipped on his sports bag, adjusting the strap.
“Not exactly,” Gabriel hedged, displeasure evident. He swiftly buttoned his shirt. “He’s presenting the trial to a disposal team. If the trial was for one of our own, it would be simple.”
“However, Lan is a sweet, sweet wolf boy,” Luce murmured, lazily rolling out of bed. “Despite Kallum adopting him, the death rites for his species are not within our capabilities. Even if we charred him to a crisp, it wouldn’t be enough”
Hara’s movement toward the door was halted as Gabriel wrapped strong arms around him. Stifling a sigh, he stilled. “But didn’t you say you tried to convince Yua not to do this?”
Grinning, Luce stood and wrapped his arms around his Human lover’s neck, kissing up his firm jaw. “I did. He’s treating this whole ordeal like a serious matter when we all know the trial is just a farce.”
He chuckled, studying Hara’s exasperated expression. It was common knowledge that he was indifferent to their rituals and relationships. That was part of his charm though. How often did you find a Human who could fall into bed with not one, but two of their kind without worries?
“Our Ringleader is only doing a trial to appease Yua’s wrath. Honestly, if the Little Prince hadn’t been safe and sound and apparently quite adoring of Lan, then everything would’ve gone according to plan.” Luce’s voice softened as he brushed his lips against Hara’s ear. “Isn’t he scary?”
“You’re scarier.”
Luce laughed, throwing his head back. “You like it though.” He smiled knowingly. “It’s better when I’m scary, right, Hara?” He tapped his lover’s chin gently.
“Stop feeding him nonsense,” Gabriel berated Luce rather halfheartedly. “Anyway, it’s pointless to spread rumors and gossip. The trial will reveal the truth. Now get dressed.” He kissed the back of Luce’s hand warmly, nudging him toward the open door.
Rolling his eyes, he acquiesced. Before leaving though, he pointedly nodded at Hara, saying, “I expect you back here tonight. Use your keys. Prepare yourself to welcome us home.”
A very obvious flush raced up his neck, brows furrowing in embarrassment. “Shut up,” Hara snapped softly, but there was hunger in his eyes and promises to be kept. “You already know I will be.”
“Don’t tempt him anymore,” Gabriel laughed, releasing Hara and shooing Luce.
With that, Hara took his chance to leave.
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