In the heat of jealousy 

Ash felt absolutely terrible for the rest of the night. Maybe it was because he had no idea where to even begin if he wanted things to finally feel normal. Not that he ever dared to dream of something like that. A normal life never been an option for him - how could it be, with a past like his? For so long others had decided his fate. But now, after finally meeting someone who sparked something in him, he found himself yearning for change. Lucian made him feel like the version of Ash who had taken lives had never even existed. In those fleeting moments, the man's touch erased everything else from his mind.

The next two days blurred into the long haze of drinking. Ash drowned his sorrow in alcohol - it was the only escape he could find. He couldn't face the detective, nor his friend. His boss? Absolutely not. He even turned off his phone, not wanting to deal with anyone. But one night, lost in the darkness of his room, staring blankly at the walls in daze, something made him switch his phone back on. Maybe just to see if the detective had even noticed he was gone. The screen lit up, casting a cold light across Ash's face as he sat hunched in the shadows. He squinted at the sudden brightness - at least ten missed calls stared back at him. Almost just as many messages. Most of them were from Lucian. But one stood out from Damien. He was apologized for his outburst, promising it wouldn't happen again. But he still couldn't understand why Ash would choose someone like that. 

Ash barely reacted. It wasn't the first time Damien had acted out like this after seeing him with other men. He quickly skimmed through Lucian's messages. Most of them sounded genuinely concerned, asking if he was okay, where he was, if he was safe. But the last message... that one made his expression shift. 

" Missing you is annoying, sweetheart."

A soft laugh escaped from Ash. This boldness made him blush like he was a teenager. He stared at the screen, thumb hesitating. He started typing once. But he deleted it right after. Them finally settled on something simple. 

" So you're saying you miss me and I'm winning? Noted. " 

Lucian reply came almost instantly. 

" Careful. I'll collect that win in person." 

Ash's chest tightened. He sat down at the edge of the bed now, phone still in hand. After he didn't remember getting dressed. One moment, he was staring at Lucian's message, and next, he was stumbling down the street, with half buttoned coat and a messy hair that made him look effortlessy handsome. The bottle in his hand was nearly empty by the time he reached Lucian's building. It was Bourbon, probably. He hadn't checked. Didn't care. It was that Kiss that bothered him so much he had to drink before meet the detective. He knew the way too well by that time as he went up the stairs, occasionally slipping or bumping into  walls. When he arrived he leaned against the doorframe and knocked - his fist reached the door with a little too much pressure. It was loud and messy. It took a few seconds, then the lock clicked. And the door opened just enough for Lucian to appear, shirt unbuttoned, with a tired expression. He was working late probably. His eyes flicked over Ash, then down to the nearly-empty bottle hanging from his hand. Lucian didn't say anything just raised an eyebrow. 

Ash let out a half laugh, half defeated groan, trying to balance himself not to fall. 

- I made a mistake. - he said finally. 

Lucian leaned against the doorframe now, arms crossed. 

- You drunk-texting confessions, or you actually showing up to make one? 

Ash didn't answear right away. His voice was dripping with guilt as he spoke. 

- I let my friend kiss me. But I don't feel anything for him. 

Lucian's expression didn't change much, but Ash spotted the tightness in his body, as his jaw clenched. There was a few minutes pause before he responded. 

- You let him? 

Ash looked down. 

- I..didn't want it. I just...thought he needed that. 

Lucian stepped aside, holding the door and nodding Ash to get in. The man shut the door behind him with a heavy thud that made Ash clear he will not let this go easily. The sound echoed trough the space - and Ash felt a vibration down his spine. He was completely fucked up now. 

He turned slowly to face the man but Lucian was already in front of him. 

-You let him kiss you? - he repeated, with a low voice that made Ash froze. 

- I didn't kissed him back. 

- That suppose to make me feel better, Ash? - Lucian took a slow step forward. - You let his hands touch you, his mouth. For god sake. 

Ash swallowed hard as he heard Lucian raised his voice a bit. 

- I didn't want him. I felt wrong. Every second of it. 

- Didn't stop him either. 

- I..bit him. - Ash said softly. That made Lucian laugh. 

The detective patience snapped in a second. He closed the distance between them and shoved Ash back against the wall. 

- Is that what you want? - he growled, pressing him tighter. There was no chance for Ash to escape. 

Lucian grabbed Ash's jaw, tilting his head up just enough to meet his eyes. Ash's heart pounded in his chest, his fingers gripped tighter into the man's shirt. 

- Lucian...- he whined. 

But he didnt't let him talk much. Lucian suddenly crashed his lips against Ash's, kissing him possessively - demanding. It was a clear message: Ash was his. No matter what. It was half punishment, half promise. He kissed Ash like he was trying to erase every second of that kiss with Damien from his memory. His teeth grazed dangerously close to nearly biting Ash's lips bloody. Ash clung to him, gasping, moaning into the kiss, overwhelmed and desperate, holding on like Lucian was the only thing keeping him grounded. The other man's hands slipped beneath Ash's shirt, rough palms skated across his heated body. Then Lucian pulled back for a second to speak. 

- You let him kiss you. Now I'm going to make you forget that he ever did. 

His hands gripped Ash's hips stronger than before, dragging him forward more. Ash groaned as his hips rubbed against Lucian's. His head hitting the wall behind him, his fingers clawed into the man's shoulders like he didn't know to push him away or pull him closer. 

- Say who you belong to.- Lucian growled against his lips. 

- You.- he cried out. 

Lucian's teeth sank into his bottom lip - hard enough to sting, to mark him. 

- Damn right. 

Ash arched into him, he was more drunk from the man's touches than the alcohol. Lucian devoured him, claimed every inch of his body. All he knew was that no one kissed him like this before. With such a need. 

Lucian once again whispered in his ears. 

- Let me show you what it feels like when someone kisses you like they fucking mean it.