On The Open Plains

Rhion and De had made their way downward onto the flat plains of the Forgottenlands using a series of what looked like man-made ledges. Originally they'd been designed as an easy entryway for those who were actually discarded in this god-awful place but now from the looks of them, slightly covered in plant growth and decaying away at the edges, they hadn't been used in several years. Probably neglected entirely now that the majority of prisoners fated to spend an eternity here in this place were simply cursed and then pitched carelessly over a nearby ledge.

It hadn't been a difficult descent, or at least it shouldn't have been but De found himself stumbling uncharacteristically, having to use Widowmaker's reins to steady himself on more than one occasion. Due to this difficulty he made sure to keep the horse between himself and Rhion as they made their way down.

It wasn't like the other boy had seemed interested in repeating the event. If he had desired to---play again, De figured that Rhion would have approached him the following night, yet he hadn't. In fact he had been completely ignored.

Well, maybe not completely ignored. Rhion had seemed far more interested in conversing with him about mundane things and for some reason that made him feel somewhat stupid because it turned out that Rhion knew a little bit about everything and quite a lot about some other things.

For this reason he found it increasingly difficult to hold a conversation with the older boy. Oh he couldn't blame him for being intelligent, that would have been ridiculous and based entirely on De's personnel bitterness at having been caged for most of his childhood and he simply refused to sink that low. Blaming Rhion for his apparent good fortune and freedom would have been a stretch for even him.

Rhion knew the kinds of things that a capable person should know and it made De realize that if truth were to be told, he wasn't so proficient in such areas himself and despite his best efforts not to, he did envy Rhion for his knowledge. A little.

He supposed that was part of the reason he'd hoped Rhion would come to his bed, so that he could at least impart some of his own talents on the other boy. Sex was the one thing, other than death and stealing, that De seemed to be good at, although he'd never really enjoyed it before. It had just been a tool to him but with Rhion it had been different.

De stumbled yet again catching the horse's mane by accident this time; the beast neighed angrily at him causing him to startle slightly. He hadn't really been expecting the sound of the horse's discomfort to rip into his thoughts like that, hadn't even realized he'd slipped so deeply into his muses.

De sighed then, leaning his forehead against Widowmaker's neck he began to whisper placating apologies to the animal. It seemed to work, he calmed and even nudged De's face with near tenderness as though a mere animal could actually be concerned about him. Why should a beast bother when his own family never had?

He was trying to will away the weakness that seemed to be growing steadily inside him. Perhaps if he tried hard enough he'd be able to assert some control over it. The mind was supposed to be stronger than the body and all that drivel. He doubted that was true, it always seemed to be some muscle-bound Neanderthal who had little to fear in terms of physical damage trying to impart that particular lesson.

It was a practice he'd shied away from since the first time he'd ever fed. Mistakenly he'd killed that person and it wasn't something he ever planned to repeat, which meant he had no intentions of ever using another for the purpose of feeding, it was grotesque anyway, as near to cannibalism as one could get if you thought about it.

It was possible that this was only a temporary state, his resurrection. He'd heard whispered rumors of such things before. People raising from the dead only long enough to avenge their own death but surely he'd know if that's all this were, wouldn't he?

Strangely enough his father's beast actually seemed sympathetic to his apparent clumsiness and began to steer his rider more than his rider actually steered him, whinnying softly and nudging him with that long snout of his on occasion to keep his attention from wondering too far off their course.

"De?" Rhion's voice came from behind, not overly worried, just curious. Perhaps a bit sarcastic---the bastard was always sarcastic or amused to some degree. "You seem somewhat less than gung-ho about this climb. Everything all right, or dare I hope good sense is kicking in?"

Once they were on solid ground Widowmaker all but insisted De mount up. What could the Dark One do but obey? It wasn't like he was much in the mood for arguing. He doubted seriously that he could have remained on his own feet for much longer and the thought of fainting like a girl in front of Rhion nauseated him something fierce. But when the damn beast actually kneeled down for him he'd nearly decided to slay the worthless creature where it lay, but instead he mounted up pretending that it was something the damn horse did all the time.

Rhion found shelter quickly, an amazing achievement considering all the flat land surrounding them. It was little more than a tiny niche between two large boulders but it would provide shelter enough for them both from the coming storm--- the horses on the other hand presented a problem and neither of the boys were sure just how violent the storms in this part got.

"Widowmaker's immortal," De pointed out hesitantly. "He'd survive the storm regardless, but yours---" Rhion stopped what he was doing and looked at De peculiarly for a moment as if he thought it might be strange that he showed concern for the animal. "I'm just saying---" De couldn't help but turn to scan the area looking for some alternative. "The storm may well turn violent and without shelter---"

Suddenly the storm, which had only been playing with them up until then exploded overhead, rain began to pour down heavily muffling the sounds of nature behind a barrage of thunder and pelting rain. It drove ruthlessly downward into the ground stinging De's skin with its ferocity.

Then as though he understood the fragility of both the human's bodies he gently began to urge them both into the tiny niche, neighing at them relentlessly until he had them both pinned inside the rock face out of the driving force of nature's fury.

"Damn stubborn horse! Go ahead and get yourself killed you blasted beast! " De bitched loudly as Widowmaker turned, neighed at Rhion's horse before the two of them turned and galloped into the driving rain together. "What the hell! I swear horses should never be made immortal, after a few hundred years they start getting cocky." For an instant he was nearly angry enough at the damn steed to follow him, might have actually tried to if Rhion's arm hadn't reached lazily forward to wrap itself around his waist to ensure he didn't do just that.

Rhion chuckled deeply, and damn if De didn't feel it all through his body. "What are you bitching about now? If the horse had tried to join us in here it would be more cause for complaint I would think; there's barely room for one of us as is." De stiffened instantly. Did Rhion really mean that he wished Damian were elsewhere? It was like his slick backhanded humor! But the other boy continued on easily, as if he really hadn't meant anything by the remark. "Relax why don't you, there's nothing we can do anyway till this blows over."

Lightning ripped across the heavens, reflecting outward like a spider web underneath the now very dark sky. Thunder mingled with the sound of driving rain and all De could do was sigh and give up screaming obscenities at the stubborn beast as it disappeared into rain and darkness.

"What? It's not like there's a lot of room in here---unless you'd rather I sit on your lap?" Was he serious? He looked serious. Gawd this man had the most atrocious sense of humor ever known! "Do you always take everything so damned seriously, De?" Rhion teased lightly while nudging at his ribs playfully.

It didn't inspire a smile from the dark prince but it did inspire a definite flow of blood to his nether regions. Gawd, usually he actually had to work his way into that sort of---state. It didn't usually come so naturally to him despite the fact he was a seventeen-year-old boy.

"No." He was staring at Rhion; he couldn't help it, besides the other boy was staring at him too, so they were being equally rude in this. "Well, maybe. " De admitted upon thinking about it seriously. "There wasn't much room for jokes in my house---vampires are kinda a serious lot."

"Ah." Rhion answered in an agreeable tone showing his superior knowledge yet again. " I have known some of your kind to at least smile at honest humor though." He paused, seemingly giving De a chance to respond but he faltered in this, just like he did at so many other things. He didn't have anything to say--- "It's called a conversation, you say something, and I say something---then we say something at the same time---"

"Offended, me?" Rhion passed a hand over his brow; a little dramatically De thought, especially since there wasn't really room for such movements. "No, I just noticed that you let me do all the talking is all. I thought you might actually have more to say than that. Of course if I'm wrong, pardon me oh dark and brooding one!" He was being sarcastic again, in that playful way that offended and placated at the same time but De got the definite sense that the boy was truly insulted by his lack of response thus far.

"Fine!" He drew the word out; a bit annoyed at being cornered but his annoyance faded when Rhion didn't seem to become irritated instantly. Instead the other boy just sat there, waiting patiently to be answered. The strange calmness disarmed De entirely and he stumbled over his answer" I---I'm a little tired." De replied awkwardly, not used to being the focus of any conversation. "And I suppose I don't feel all that grand." Maybe he shouldn't have said that? Sharing such information made him feel vulnerable. He was too used to having his every imperfection turned against him like a razor-sharp blade. "It's just these last few days, you know. I'll be fine." There, he'd answered that and he hadn't even snapped once. He was getting better at this it seemed.

Told him what? It took De a few seconds to realize that Rhion had indeed just pointed out that he was interested in the state of his health---but why? It didn't make any sense; of course despite all Rhion's knowledge it was clear to De that he failed to make sense a LOT of times!

"Correction; it was the horse's fault that you didn't end up on your----never mind. Ah, if only the beast could talk---the things I'm sure he'd say in his own defense!" Rhion quipped and all De could do was shake his head disapprovingly. "Let's get this wet shirt off you before you catch pneumonia. With luck like yours we shouldn't take any chances." Rhion motioned to his bag, which he'd actually thought to grab up before the horses had decided to make a break for it. The man was so goddamn efficient it was actually getting annoying. "You can wear one of my shirts or we could just wrap the extra fur around you?"

"Then let me help you, we can accomplish much more that way, I think." Without waiting for permission De laid his hands on the fastening of Rhion's shirt, noticing instantly the way that the larger boy's eyes drifted to his hands as he worked. He wasn't sure about that look, whether it was wariness or discomfort was a mystery? Either way he refused to dwell on its meaning, it wasn't his concern. "There," De announced forcefully as he'd unfastened the last button. "Come forward so I can take this off your shoulders." His words held no emotion whatsoever, he sounded like a parent might when stripping wet clothing from a small child and Rhion leaned forward on command, seemingly obedient enough.

For a moment De froze, the other boy seemed strangely close. No, that wasn't it, Rhion was supposed to be close. It was the fact that he was breathing in the scent of De's hair, of his skin as he lingered so near his throat. In that moment De had to stifle the urge to tilt his throat to the man, offer him a taste of his flesh and he would have too if common sense hadn't interrupted making him feel slightly nauseous.

What the hell was wrong with him, Rhion didn't want him. If he had, then he'd have bedded him last night, perhaps catching him after he'd already turned in---took advantage while he was groggy from sleep and too weak to fight him off. That's what one of De's people would have done anyway.

Besides, it wasn't like De should be feeling this stuff in the first place. Rhion wasn't such a catch---he was just a regular human---a human who'd perhaps been kinder to him than most of the others had been, who didn't seem to mind hearing the sound of his voice when he was trying to be---reasonable. His people would have called that a weakness but De wasn't so sure that was what it was.

The Dark One took a slow breath, hooked his fingers under the cloth of Rhion's shirt and shoved it almost too carefully from his shoulders. He bit his bottom lip as the golden mane of hair slid backwards with the garment exposing the bare muscle of Rhion's impressive shoulders.

Oh, quite possibly he could be a substitute for whatever Rhion desired. Nights were long out here and very cold. Besides that, De knew men---and men had needs. So maybe they would couple again but it would be just that, sex and lust, nothing complicated or even remotely interesting about that and certainly nothing dangerous.

The Dark One tried hard to concentrate on anything but the feel of those large powerful hands skating along his fevered flesh innocently. "Do you have anywhere to go---anyone to go to?" De raised his eyes to Rhion's as he asked the question. "After this is all done---once you've captured this prize you seek?"

"Surviving is good, but there's also something to be said for living." De nearly rolled his eyes at the man's comment and it must have showed in his expression because he got one of those irritable looks again. He really had no desire to fight so he quickly thought of something to say.

"I can tell!" Rhion announced a little too loudly, this time more amused than anything. "I figured you'd be more at ease with the world around you--- being a prince and all? Or perhaps it's just me that you don't like, maybe that's why you're always so ill tempered and tense?"

De tilted his head slightly and studied Rhion's expression trying to figure out just what was going on inside that brain of his, whether he was just being sarcastic or if he was honestly curious. He settled on the latter of the two options and spoke bluntly. "I have no reason to like or dislike you, Rhion Emrys Gwydion of House Carlonday---I think the fact that you're here now, speaks poorly of your judgment. I can't say I understand your choices and I won't even try---why waste my time eh? If you wanted me dead, you had ample opportunity to kill me. If you seek power, then I hate to be the one to inform you but I have none to give at the moment, perhaps in a few years---if you're loyal." He was being sarcastic now, not overly so though. "If it's a more refined revenge you seek, then be my guest, I'd enjoy a good game of chance with a formidable enemy at my back and if it's really guilt that keeps you here---then you're a fool and therefore no threat to me at all."

He'd said more than he'd planned on, but it was part of his training, part of who he was to engage in such acts of politics. How could he not examine Rhion's motives? Especially under these circumstances, the man should want him dead, or at the very least suffering---the fact that he didn't was suspicious

Rhion had pulled back a little to study his face as this speech wound to its close. Rhion's own face had changed; the faint amusement had vanished, and his eyes had narrowed. Damn, he didn't look friendly! Maybe De should've kept his mouth shut? But Rhion had wanted an answer, and what was De supposed to do? Blurt out his first thoughts? "I don't know if I like you or not yet. I---haven't 'liked' many people in my life, I barely know what you mean by that---- But I want you. And that really makes no sense!"

His breathing had quickened; he only became aware of it when Rhion frowned and touched his forehead. Strangely the frown made him look less cross than that unreadable expression he was a master of. "Well. Ask and ye shall receive, I guess---and I definitely asked for it! You have a sting in your tongue, Damian Leviathan, that would rival most vipers. And I guess you're right when you say you don't know people. Do you always expect the worst of everyone?" Rhion's tone was honestly curious, almost gentle.

Now it was De's turn to be offended, and to his disgust Rhion studied him humorously. "To answer your points---- We'll leave my judgment out of it for now, shall we? I understand my choices as little as you, but damned if that bothers me. Life is to be lived sometimes, not planned out completely. And if crucifixion didn't kill you, why the hell should I think my pitiful efforts to take you down would work? I'm not that arrogant, so we can assume I never had any intention of killing you. I have enough power in my own right to content me, small though it would seem to a prince perhaps. In any case I don't attach myself to people for the favors they can grant me; in this world, that's just asking to kiss a new ass every week's end. I'm no vampire, so 'more refined revenge' is not my style. And I mentioned before that it was not all guilt; maybe mostly guilt at first, not now. Though I may still be a fool of course. I don't like this fever," he murmured thoughtfully, switching topics for no reason De could see. "Has it ever happened before? Immortals are not that susceptible to cold usually----not those of my House anyway?"

"We can assume?" De snorted sarcastically "I'll leave my options open if you don't mind." Rhion studied him near critically and without even saying a word made him feel somewhat defenseless. He heard himself rapping out a response just to keep things reasonably comfortable in this strange situation. "And no, it's never happened before."

He had chosen to answer the simplest question rather than inciting a new debate, what he really wanted to ask was 'what is it that holds you to me now, if not guilt' instead he offered up information, a much safer emotional prospect in the long run. "I've only been immortal for three days, but I do know this happens to vampires when they're healing."

"Sexual hang-up." Rhion's tone was patient to the point of purposeful exaggeration. "I mean, the vampires who drooled over me and offered a relationship were pretty explicit in terms of the sex perks. But they also mentioned that not feeding was a grave mistake, health-wise. You need to take care of yourself better!" This was stated with a kind of scolding warmth, as if Rhion were---family. Not the type of family De was used to, more Rhion's type though he was damned how he knew this. A fussy maiden aunt, whose next act would be to serve him tea and cookies and feel his forehead.

This was unreal. He was seated on Rhion's lap. Facing him, looking into those candid golden eyes, listening to the bastard lecture him about vampire sex and vampire health! Bare chest to bare chest; somehow Rhion had forgotten all about the "wear my shirt, wrap you in furs" thing. De felt no inclination to remind him, truth was he felt a bit giddy for whatever reason. The howling wind outside added an otherworldly dimension to the whole weird experience.

Suddenly Rhion smiled in a way that only an idiot could have mistaken for innocence. "It's a pity you're in poor health. This storm seems like it will last for awhile. We should, uh, do something to keep warm besides expel hot air, don't you think? And in this close a space a man's muscles tend to stiffen if he doesn't move a bit----"

"Oh, hell! I've got to spell it out? All right, then. I didn't jump you that first time merely because I was angry, I don't think." Rhion looked down, then looked up again. Although he was flushing slightly, his expression was almost wicked. "Godammit, if you think I'm gonna sit here all night with you on my lap and pretend I'm not interested---even an innocent like you would know better by this time!"

"I don't know what you see before you but the word 'innocent' simply doesn't apply---in any sense of the word." He leaned back a little, still laughing. His eyes were nearly watering from the effort to stifle the sound; it was a little too loud in such close quarters but somehow that didn't matter, not to him or to Rhion who was eying him peculiarly. "If you're under the misguided impression that you were in some sense my first---" Gawd, he was finding it hard to speak, he hadn't laughed this hard since, well he'd never laughed this hard!

It was strangely pleasing, the act of laughing almost a joy in itself. Besides, he suddenly felt something softer for Rhion, perhaps because of the other boy's innocence. It had never occurred to De before that specific moment that Rhion didn't know everything, that perhaps the older boy truly saw him in some false light, forged out of sincere misconception. Probably stemming from some of those unhealthy morals the white council boys were so famous for.

He'd never known someone who was innocent, even if it was just in opinion and he found that it stirred something inside him, a strange kind of protectiveness that he preferred not to think about too much---he supposed it wouldn't hurt, to enlighten the boy a smidgen.

Damian watched with the eyes of a predator as Rhion's tongue slipped out to wet his lips and damned if he didn't look nervous for a split second as he anticipated De's next move. "I could probably show you a thing or two Rhion---give you an honest taste of Darkness if you truly wanta play such a dangerous game--- with me." He left the words hang for a few seconds, studying the sudden shift of Rhion's expression with pleasure.

He recognized that familiar fire, the scorching heat of lust in its most primal form. "I was beginning to think that I wasn't truly your type---but then I knew that couldn't be it---I'm everybody's type." These words slipped out like sweetened poison, malicious, conceited and utterly snotty.

"Maybe I am. And deaf too, to be wanting a smart-mouth like you at all! But unlike some people I have no trouble facing facts. Here's one for you." Rhion had casually taken De's hand, placed it directly onto the evidence of his desire.

"You're either a complete fool, trusting me not to rip this off for you or you're the bravest bastard I've ever met---" De's hand tightened automatically, stroking Rhion up as he spoke with a kind of malevolent threat---his look practically promising castration in the next few seconds.

"I don't see you as that wasteful, De!" He loved the sound of that voice---those words. The curl of desire that had twisted up inside of Rhion had revealed itself inside that statement, slipping out between a soft growl and a sinful silken purr. It stirred the hunger inside of De, threatening to consume him in one solid thrust of animalistic lust. "At least not until your business is done and I'm no longer useful. And being this horny is the same as bravery and foolishness both, dammit!"

"Is it now!" De allowed his lips to twist up into one of those smiles that had even made his demon instructors nervous. "Something tells me you might be useful--- for a little while at least." It was a purely evil tease, bordering on a very dangerous threat but it didn't seem to faze Rhion in the least, not beyond the sudden jerk of his cock against the tight leather of his pants anyway.

It was Rhion's turn to laugh, a low, sensual chuckle that could have stirred the blood of a statue. "'Pretty boy,' me! Now who's blind?" Without giving De time to reply, he tightened the arm still around the other boy's waist, pulling him in close enough to kiss with a simple flex of muscles.

He made Rhion work for that kiss, not opening his lips instantly, turning his face slightly away with an amused laugh calculated to annoy. It wasn't that he didn't want this; hell if Rhion had been discouraged enough to retreat De would have changed tactics, pounced on him so that even an idiot could have realized his desire. But a kind of subtle, evil humor had taken him over; it felt good to tease the other boy, felt powerful, to madden him with lust. And somehow, he trusted Rhion not to ruin the game for him.

The other boy growled warningly when he turned his face away, making the blood in his body sing. The growl sounded dangerous, but also a bit surprised. "First he thinks I'm innocent. Now he thinks I'm afraid of him," he taunted softly. His voice was a little breathless though; he couldn't play this game for long, he was just too damn turned on!

He'd thought it had been Rhion's anger that led the other boy to take him that first time. That maybe Rhion had considered it a punishment, and was indifferent to him otherwise. Now he knew different, but it still probably wouldn't hurt to piss his companion off just a little. He offered Rhion a challenging smile, dripping honey and venom. Felt Rhion's cock jump against his hand again, and heard himself laughing delightedly

"Having fun, you damned little demon? You laugh like a child with a new toy as you grope me. Be careful." Rhion's voice was a sheathed blade; his eyes were blazing, but not with anger. There was even a smile on his lips as he reached out, twined his fingers in De's hair to secure him from dodging this time.

Fun! That was it. He'd had very little of that in his life before now, so little he really hadn't been able to think of the word. He couldn't help actually giggling at Rhion's expression, even through the growing heat in his body that had nothing to do with fever. Everything to do with the way Rhion suddenly moved against him, hard and demanding but also laughing just a little himself.

The storm! How could he have forgotten all about it, the wind was positively roaring outside. A rip of lighting sheeted across the sky, illuminating Rhion's bright hair for an instant like a demonic halo. He felt like a rider on that storm suddenly, wild and careless, unafraid of flying. And just for this minute, he didn't worry about how or why this human could make him feel such a thing.

And damn what a kiss it was! He'd never been much of a kisser personally, never really had much of an opportunity if the truth were to be told but he'd grudgingly admit that Rhion was remarkably good at it, although he'd never admit to it!

But Rhion's skill kind of made him wonder about his own---if he were equally as good at it? He'd never had much of a base for comparison, for all he knew he might be doing it all wrong. For one insane moment he actually considered asking Rhion about kissing and then he came sharply to his senses. How the hell could he ask him something like that? The sarcastic bastard would probably just laugh at him again!

Only one of his past lovers had had the inclination to kiss and he'd been a one-time deal, it was a single night that had inevitably burned itself into De's memory. It had been the first and last time he'd known the pleasure of true intimacy, until now that was. His first time experiencing pleasure (not his first time experiencing sex) had been with a very patient---much older man, one who truly wasn't interested in him in a sexual way. It was simply the fact of too much drink and De's hand wrapped insistently around his member as he'd pleaded shamelessly to be fucked.

He'd done it before, and so expertly too. Maybe he'd do it again. Maybe they could play like this and it would be safe and even if it wasn't 'safe' it was still worth it, if only because it made him feel something besides cold and dead inside.

Rhion jerked slightly at the small pain, the unexpected feel of sharp slicing fingernails. And it might have angered him, if he'd been fool enough to expect softness from the little bastard. But of course he hadn't expected the boy to melt into his arms in breathless wonder at a kiss, now had he?

He'd felt it so incredibly strong between them, almost from the instant they'd been shoved into the tiny wedge of sheltering rock by the eerily intelligent horse. Between the two of them, dammit, not just on his side as he'd thought! And that had stunned him a little, pleased him a lot. Pleased him enough to throw caution to the winds.

Damian had gone so silent and withdrawn as they worked their way down into this country, Rhion's suspicion that De actively disliked him now had hardened into certainty. Well what had he expected, jumping the boy like that out of nowhere after trying to strangle him? Not that his understanding had kept him from wanting that experience repeated, in a different way----not that he hadn't dreamed about it the following night like a mortal teenager with his first hard-on. Oh, he was gone loony, all right, purely and totally soft in the head!

He'd compensated for his own discomfort by babbling like an idiot on the road, talking about things the other boy couldn't possibly give a damn about. Stealing stupid little glances at him every now and then when he was sure he wouldn't be detected. Mooning over him in fact, and totally brainless about it, not even noticing till awhile ago that De was actually sick.

Well, he didn't act sick now, and frankly Rhion was beyond caring anyway. For some strange reason, the boy's arrogance and sultry smirks were more arousing than a mouthful of sweet words could ever be. Of course it also might have been the fact that Rhion had been holding himself back severely before this. Being stuffed into this sliver of rock with all of De's dark velvet charms pressed right against him was just beyond his self-control though, dammit! And with the boy purring at him, damnwell asking for it---

"Little wildcat! Not room enough in here to smack you for that---keep your claws to yourself till a time when there's more room to play. Unless you're trying to stop me, and that's not happening I guarantee!" He moved quickly, nipped the boy's throat hard enough to leave an instant dark bruise on the delicate skin, as well as a small bead of blood. His hand slid between De's legs, groping rather than caressing, then moving impatiently to the waistband of the irritating trousers. "Stand up. We're running out of clothes, but by the gods I'll rip them off you if I have to."

De focused his suddenly softened gaze on Rhion as he stood, the corner of his mouth twisting up into a much more innocent smile than before---maybe not innocent, less guarded, yes---that was it. "I wasn't trying to stop you." De pointed out, so outrageously frank even Rhion couldn't doubt him. "I wouldn't even dream of doing such a thing. I just wanted to taste you---"

De bit his bottom lip then as though he were deliberately trying to stop the flow of words from his mouth, but despite his best efforts he began to grin even wider as Rhion's fingers hooked in the waistband of his leathers and jerked them down impatiently.

"Just so we're clear, I want you to fuck me!" De waved a hand at his own throbbing member as a testament to this fact. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have gotten this far with me 'pretty boy'." He grinned cockily then, stepping the rest of the way outa his pants, and then looking down at Rhion who was still dressed from the waist down he said mischievously, "Well? Not exactly fair that I'm naked and you're---not. Is it?"

"Give me a second," Rhion rasped out, not really eager to reveal he was having trouble breathing suddenly. "I'll show you fair!" I'll show you premature ejaculation if I don't calm down, dammit! How dare you affect me like this, annoying little shit?

Before Rhion could get involved in getting naked, De raised his bare foot and laid it against his chest shoving him almost gently back against the stone wall behind him. This action got him a somewhat curious look from Rhion, who was still seated on the floor and looking up at the Dark One . Oh hell, what was the little gamester playing at now? De was no fool. He probably knew that standing over Rhion like this, foot resting against his chest, that he was making a rather bold move---maybe even implying he was the one in control.

Was he? Rhion wasn't entirely sure. He was much bigger than Damian---in one sense, he could have overpowered De easily. Yet here he sat like a baffled turtle while the boy smirked at him. He could almost feel the wicked jolt of pleasure that went through the little bastard when he didn't try to regain control. Maybe that jolt was why he didn't argue; it was pleasant, to shock the little demon's expectations in such a way.

De gasped a little when Rhion grabbed hold of his foot. He'd no doubt braced himself at the idea of having his feet jerked out from under him---probably even hitting the wall. At the very least he was probably sure the next movement would involve pain of some kind!

Rhion had no intention of hurting him badly; well, if he could help it anyway. De had nearly screamed in shock as the other boy had wrapped his hand around his foot and bit at his exposed ankle. It was only a half-ass effort at causing pain but Rhion smirked and whispered arrogantly between bites. "What's a matter De, wasn't expecting me to play back?"

De bit his lip and just watched as Rhion trailed a combination of biting wet kisses up his calf. Rhion judged from the slight shivers that the boy felt little pain, though he was nipping much harder than he usually allowed himself. Did he feel pleasure? Hopefully yes. Rhion suddenly wanted to ask, but strangled the weak urge ruthlessly. Instead, since the young fool had given him such a beautiful target, he ran one large hand suddenly up the inside of De's leg, cupping his balls with a light but warning squeeze.

"You might just enjoy coming down here, now that you've proven your dominance. I don't mind. Climb on top if you prefer it that way. I like to play, but right now I'd like to fuck more. And if you don't decide what you want in about twenty seconds you aren't gonna have a choice."

De had gasped near silently, his eyes growing round as if he'd been shocked by the feel of Rhion's tongue on his member. What had De expected, laying out a target like that? Surely he hadn't thought it'd be ignored? The kid was a real mystery sometimes, but even he would have known what had been coming but then again from the look of wonderment on his face, it appeared he hadn't.

It was oddly appealing to watch all that natural arrogance, as it was washed away from his softening features in a few short heartbeats. It made him look far younger than he actually was and incited a sudden rush of protectiveness in Rhion.

If the truth were to be told, Rhion wasn't sure he'd have actually bitten him there---at least not a painful bite but he was pleased he didn't get the chance to find out what he'd do because the boy dropped almost instantly to his knees straddling Rhion's thighs.

His breathing was quicker than it had been and when Rhion pulled De close and captured his mouth in a scorching kiss he wasn't surprised to feel the thrum of his heart as it beat harshly inside his small chest, sounding much faster than normal to Rhion's ears.

And this fear seemed to have no affect on his desire because he was still very hard, almost throbbing in fact and pushing the proof of it into the bare flesh of Rhion's stomach even as he broke lose from the kiss and buried his face in Rhion's shoulder as if trying to hide his reaction inside their embrace.

That's when he realized De had latched onto the wounds he'd made on his shoulder and was suckling gently, it was an odd tugging pain that felt like a prelude to something more but somehow Rhion knew their would be no more, not in this moment anyway. It was just an unintentional tease on De's part, and he didn't even realize it.

"You should have remedied it ten minutes ago," De growled, and Rhion burst into delighted laughter. "So eager, I like that! This will be fun." Rhion's tone nearly made it a promise, he wasn't sure why he felt like making promises to De, annoying little shit that he was.

He managed to stand up---the other boy wasn't letting him go at all, and that somehow delighted him too. He dragged his pants off, partially with Damian's help, and managed to step out of them. And then they were pressed together, skin on skin, in this tiny nook while the storm raged outside.

"I don't think so." He easily forestalled Damian's half-hearted effort to escape. Pulled him close, and dove in for another kiss. The boy bit his tongue, and not gently. But Rhion persevered, and had the satisfaction of feeling De go slowly limp in his arms. Well, perhaps not exactly limp. He was trembling. Rhion tasted the blood between them, and gently pulled free to stare into Damian's haunted eyes.

He had settled down into the more comfortable seated position, and now he pulled De onto his lap again. His expression was stern, not matching the gentle caress of his fingers as he gripped De's cock and stroked him slowly, almost tenderly.

He was damned! That was it, he was damned to the infernal fires of hell and for the first time in his life he was thankful for this little fact. Because if he was already damned, nothing he did mattered beyond what he wanted and how it affected him.

So screw all those bastards who'd ever told him what he should be! He didn't have to listen to them anymore. All that mattered was the feeling of Rhion's cock driving into him, he may not have deserved it but if the gods couldn't stop him from taking pleasure in it then the lousy bastards weren't as powerful as they thought they were.

It was a swift, vicious thought filled with power that vibrated through his body like a lightning strike. It awakened and invigorated him beyond his understanding but he didn't waste time analyzing it. He had better things to do at the moment, like fucking Rhion senseless.

Rhion knew exactly what he was and he was still here, thrusting into him like a hungry beast and he certainly didn't look like he was caught up in any futile moral dilemma. So why the hell should he waste his time chasing angels when he'd already captured a brightly shining golden god.

He kissed Rhion this time! His mouth covering his in an effort to coax out Rhion's tongue but the other boy was making him work for it, waiting till De had thoroughly explored his mouth before he slipped his tongue inside the smaller boy's mouth. It was almost like he was offering him a gift and in fact he was because the blood still flowed, spilling out across De's tongue like the sweetest of indulgences making him moan throatily.

The storm screamed around them, nearly crazy in its violence. Rhion slammed into De with all the violence that the storm owned, silent but eloquent. His mouth had never left De's after giving in, giving up that kiss. He was kissing the boy as if he wished blood still flowed between them.

Pleasure struck with a force that left him numb. He realized he'd barely kept himself from screaming. Couldn't keep himself from sobbing once, as he shook in the other boy's tight embrace, coming all over him in a riptide of sensation that nearly cost him consciousness.

The intensity of the moment had startled him violently, laying him open in the same way a blade would have, leaving him feeling raw, and hurt. He could have never explained 'why' he felt that way out loud, maybe he'd simply been poisoned by things from his past, dark things that had forever changed the person he could have been into the monster that he was sentenced to be forever.

The world was an incredibly fucked up place and everything in it, including Rhion, was gunning for him with both barrels. Sure, Rhion didn't wanta off him, he just wanted to fuck over his soul like a true sadist. Watch him suffer for the things he couldn't have.

He pushed backwards hard, clocking himself a good one on the wall behind him right before saying 'fuck it' and darting out the entrance into the pouring rain. So what if he died of pneumonia, at least he could wash Rhion's scent off his body before he went. It didn't matter to him that the rain was stinging his flesh like tiny blades of ice, it was freezing cold but he didn't feel a thing as it soaked into his bones and drenched his hair to the point of being completely water sodden.

He stood there like that, washing and breathing as though they were the only two things in the world that mattered and for that specific moment it was, but only because he made it so to keep from thinking about Rhion or what he was going to do next. He'd have done anything to keep from feeling the cold on the inside or worse the loneliness.

Before he could get a handle on it that rage it boiled up and spilled outward and he was suddenly screaming at the heavens as though he could bring them down with his very words. "FUCK YOU, YOU SOULLESS BASTARDS! I hate you, every damn one of you." His voice was suddenly rough and splintery, near to breaking from the strain of his emotions. "Whata you want from me that you haven't already taken? How dare you, send him to me like this!!! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU ALL." He was still angry when he dropped to his knees, he just didn't have any energy left to pour into the heavens that were ignoring him.

He sat there for several long minutes not saying or doing anything at all, just daydreaming about Death---his own! He wanted it, he'd always wanted it but it wouldn't have him because he wasn't that deserving and he never would be, somehow he knew he'd never be rid of this fucked up world. It was in his veins and it planned on staying there.

Gawd, he suddenly felt like a major drama queen. And he could still feel the tears as they slid like searing hot water down his cheeks among the raindrops. Thank god it was nothing visible to Rhion's eyes. After all that screaming the last thing he wanted was to admit to bawling like a girl.

When Rhion's hand moved forward De actually flinched, and then of course glared at the bigger boy for making him do so however he remained still as Rhion touched his shoulder running his hand through the blood and water mixture that was flowing from De's hair. That might have been the first time De realized he was feeling a fair amount of pain.

"What?" What did Rhion mean by that! It might have been true but what right did he have to say it. Although at the moment instead of getting angry, De just knocked away the exploring hand with the shrug of a shoulder and decided to ignore the comment.

Rhion didn't leave. Rhion was too fucking pig-headed to leave! Rhion came after him, silently. Silently began to squeeze water out of his long thick hair. They were out in the rain, what did the bastard think wringing his hair out would do! De could feel the bastard glaring at him. He also knew the damn fool would begin talking any minute. Of course he couldn't leave it alone, stay shut up like anyone with sense!

The closeness of this bastard wasn't stirring him. No. Oh, damn all the gods, the way that muscular body had felt, wrapped around him. Never in his life, had he felt so blessed, so at peace. As if a place of safety and warmth actually existed in this wretched world.

"If not, you manage to do a damn good job of it, you little shit," Rhion said with all the coldness of death. "Where I come from, good sex is a thing to be happy about. You don't come like you did and then snarl at a person as if they've mortally offended you! You might need to know that in future if someone else ever bothers to touch you."

"If somebody bothers----you stupid fuck! You're lucky I touched YOU! Lucky anyone would bother let alone me, you big blond goon!" De was nearly speechless with outrage, didn't know what he was saying really. All he knew was that every insult Rhion directed towards him injured him in some way he couldn't understand, slipped through his defenses like a knife-blade.

De stood there starring directly at Rhion, and damned if he wasn't pouring every ounce of his hatred into that look without even realizing it. Rapidly Rhion had become every person who'd ever snickered at him or who had sought to injure him physically for his failure---or worse yet, had scorched his naked flesh with their harsh uncaring hands seeking pleasure through his pain.

The only difference between those bastards and Rhion was that Rhion inflicted hurts that ran far deeper than theirs ever had. He was a master at inflicting true pain and that was something that stirred up every self-protection instinct De had. "Indeed, I can," It hung there in the air around them for a few chilling seconds before he continued. " and I won't waste my breath spilling insults on the likes of you." The words sounded foul, even to De. Dripping with enough disgust to imply every insult ever invented by man. " I don't need you, if that's what you think. Your nothing to me, just some human toy I chose to amuse myself with." He wasn't angry when he spoke, he wasn't screaming or even talking loudly, matter of fact he sounded as cold and indifferent as a rattlesnake about ready to strike. " Be careful Rhion, I'm more than I appear to be. Do you think it'd be hard for me to add one more life to my tally-sheet? Do you think I won't end you if you cease to be useful to me? You stand there sneering at me like I'm some distasteful whore you shouldn't have soiled yourself with, and yet you pounce on me the first available opportunity I give you."

"Who are you to be giving me advice on fucking? You act like I'm some inexperienced child---well let me light your path, I've had plenty of lovers, More than enough to know that sex is nothing more than a way to pass the time when one is bored or a tool to use when one needs a step up in this godforsaken world. Oh I've had more than enough lovers to know the score and they meant so much to me that every one of them is worm food today."