The everyday monsters in our lives

He kissed him back and the joy it made the vampyre feel was immeasurable. Letting the human breathe he just smiled until a more serious question was asked. He took a deep breath, caressing his cheek gently, running his thumb down to run along the human's warm bottom lips, removing a bit of saliva there. "I would do anything for you," because was there really any way for him to hide it anymore? There probably wasn't. The human shook his head, and what was said next could've made Cesare swore he had a heart in that second. Staring at him in disbelief he wanted to pull him back into another kiss. But as if they were cursed, their moment came to an end quickly.
Cesare knew that the human would perhaps never grow to be able to show his care around others, but it was enough for him to have just admitted what he had. Benjamin wanted him as he was. He looked to the sire, wrapping an arm protectively around the human, pulling him close so he could blame it on the vampyre holding him in place. "He-hey! you can't just go in there!" Sadie came after the other sire fast, but she had to stop in her tracks as she saw how their leader was awake once more. Was this a miracle? "Cesare," she breathed out, forgetting herself as she stumbled forward, sitting down by the side of the bed, looking up at her sire with big eyes.
Martin came in as well, along with most of the other sires that had stuck around here for a while now. Cesare looked around to see his creations and how they had all stayed loyal and by his side. It was clear to him how selfish he had been in all of this, and as he held Benjamin close, he knew he had to make it up to them all. "It's quite alright," his lips pulling up in his ever charming smile, moving a hand down to stroke Sadie's hair. "I feel better now .. but we still have work to do," he said quite steadfast, grasping lightly at the human's shirt as this was important to him. "There's still one of those crazed vampyres out there; she goes by Nika, and I wasn't able to track her down." It was clear that all of them were ready to stand by their leader's side once again.

"I want everyone out and looking for her," he instructed them, giving them a description, and it was far from one that could go by unnoticed. He looked around at his sires, and it seemed clear to all of them how appreciative he was of their loyalty. It was something they could feel within their sire bond, and not something that needed to be said. "I still have healing to do, and Benjamin's blood seem to have helped me regain myself," he said rather seriously. He was making it clear to them that he had claimed him. That for whatever reason they were to keep him safe. Even if he hadn't directly asked if he could lay claim to the human, he had sorta sealed that deal as he had so willingly offered his blood to the vampyre.
"Martin, Sadie; I want the two of you to secure Benjamin's place of living, check up on his work and if anything unusual has happened within the vicinity of his living quarters," he was handing out very specific tasks to each sire, making sure everyone understood their purpose in this. "Once she is dead, you can reap your rewards," he said, a few vampyres nodding, running off with their fast speed. Some stayed behind, lingering for a bit. Sadie still sat by the bed, looking at Cesare. She noticed how her brother was clinging to him, and she knew then that something was up. Not saying anything else she got up, taking Cesare's hand and pressing it to her lips. "Welcome back," she said, trying not to cry, but how could she not? Her and Martin left in a hurry as well. Those who hadn't been assigned a task remained in the woods surrounding this cabin, but no-one entered unless they were called upon.
"Don't be shy with me now .. we're alone now," he assured him, kissing his head of hair gently, breathing him in as if he was the best perfume in the world. "I know you're not comfortable when there's others here with us .. I won't force you to show me any affection," as long as he got this in private, then he couldn't complain too badly. "I need to get up and walk around for a bit .. how about we go down to the kitchen and try cooking something for you to eat," he clearly just wanted to take a bit of time to be normal. Well as normal as things could be right now. If Benjamin accepted he would get up, a bit unsure on his feet, but he seemed to find his balance. He took and emptied a few vials, just drinking it to keep himself well fed. Moving downstairs and into the kitchen was a bit of a walk, but Cesare would manage. He sat down by the kitchen isle, folding his hands on the cold marble slab used for the counter top. "Show me how you cook," he told him. In the fridge he would see there was fresh produce of all kinds, clearly having kept it stocked in case the human would ever return.

Frankly, the elder vampyre was just happy to have him there. It felt almost unreal, but things seemed to calm down as soon as he was assured that they were alone. He wanted the human to slowly come to terms with everything. It was quite a big thing that had happened upstairs, and both of them perhaps needed to think things through. As the human made himself a sandwich, the vampyre watched with careful eyes, noting down in his mind how he liked certain things and added more or less for taste. Surely he couldn't taste it himself, but he could remember this recipe if it ever needed to be used. It was kind of cute how Benjamin kept explaining taste to him, chuckling and yet not letting him know that he couldn't really tell much of a difference. Only in blood, but he felt like they had talked enough about that for a while. And he still knew how blood made the human feel.
"I've always been sorta jealous of you mortals," he nodded, picking up a slice of bread that was just laying unused on the counter. Lifting it to his face he smelled it, but he could more so smell the ingredients; the yeast, the flour, the salt and sugar. Taking a careful bite of it he sighed as he chewed, "but it seems so tedious to chew and chew and chew," he chuckled, swallowing the bread as he had chewed it enough times. He just sorta looked at the bread humming a bit, letting Benjamin eat in peace as he looked out the big windows. It was quite modern this place, even if it didn't really fit a real cottage vibe, it more so seemed like a nice getaway. "I don't want to waste this slice of bread," he hummed as Benjamin was about done with his sandwich, "and I could do with some fresh air." It was a few leading questions, but he eventually turned to look at Benjamin, "there's a small pond nearby, nothing big, but ducks usually land there; would you come feed them with me?"

The human was right to be worried, but Cesare wasn't too afraid anything bad was going to happen. He was turned around, and rather instinctively grabbed onto Benjamin's hips, pulling him closer to stand between his legs. "I'm fine to walk, and the pond isn't far from here; I just shouldn't be moving too fast," he said, leaning in to place a kiss against the human's stomach. It was a little funny to feel how it was protruding a little as it had been filled up. Nothing too noticeable to a human, but to a vampyre it was quite amusing. "If we do this I promise to stay in bed afterwards until I'm completely healed," he said, looking up at him with soft eyes. He just felt so restless. He had slipped into a slumber and even before that he hadn't been able to do much. Right now he could walk, and he wanted to do something, just the two of them.
"I'll make you a deal; If I get worse for any reason, all you have to do is yell for one of my sires, and they will come take me to bed," he said, his thumbs caressing his hip bones, feeling how they actually had some nice movement to them now that he had loosened them up. Lifting up the human's shirt, he placed his cold lips against his stomach, kissing him as he smiled, clearly amused. "You're so warm," he muttered softly, continuing to pepper his lower abdomen with tender kisses.
Eventually he got up, grabbing some extra bread for the ducks. He was walking more consistent, but just for safety, he grabbed a few vials to drink, making sure to rinse out his mouth afterwards to not upset the human. Outside the nature was quite calming. The wind in the trees made it all sound so cozy. The summer was still there, but here in the shadows of the woods it felt quite nicely tempered. He showed him the way, and he hadn't been lying when he said it wasn't a long walk. In fact they barely had to break through the trees to reach a small pond, tall grass around it and a few ducks already swimming around and quacking quite peacefully.

The mutter made him chuckle, "if I had been human I would've died long before I would've gotten to meet you," he argued quite reasonably. He looked up at him with a soft smile, "but yes, I suppose I would've loved to be human, but only with you."
As they arrived at the pond, he sat down on the grass, resting himself a little as he started tearing the bread into smaller pieces for them to throw to the wild ducks. The question made him hum, chuckling a little. He supposed he hadn't really told him much. "I own the hotels," he said with a soft nod. Cesare was a bit of a wild card. He was perhaps a bit unpredictable and surprising in many ways. "I suppose I like the hotels because I get to do a bit of work, and there's always rooms for any sire that might need a place to stay," he nodded, clearly he had invested a lot into those whom he had chosen to turn. Sure, he had a temper that could make him yell and throw a fuss, but he had also been reminded today of why he had so many sires. "I like houses outside of the city because I feel like I can breathe out here," maybe it was an aesthetic thing more than anything. He moved on to crumble up some more bread, even throwing some out into the pond with relative ease. The ducks swarming the bread, eating it before it got too soggy and started to sink down into the waters.
"I guess I grew up outside of big cities and I always find myself returning to nature in the end," he shrugged, turning his head to look at the human with a soft smile on his lips. "I haven't really spoken much about myself, have I?" He scoffed at his own question, shaking his head no a little as he felt silly. How was the human ever going to care for someone he didn't know? "Well, ask away," he said, handing him some breadcrumbs that he could feed the ducks with.

"Hotels, dear one, I have a few scattered around the world," he corrected him rather sweetly. Though it was a lot to take in, he thought it was better to just come clean off the bat. Owning land, business and buildings was a rather good investment. It at least secured him an income that couldn't really be matched. And he never really thought of how much money he truly had as most of it was just invested or used for all sorts of things like cars for his sires or travels. He didn't have to worry about finance, he just had to worry about who he was going to use the money on, or rather what. There was a reason he had quite the wardrobe, houses and even boats, but putting all of that out there now might make him come off snobbish or perhaps like he was trying to brag.
He couldn't help but chuckle as Benjamin felt put on the spot, but as the human thought, he instead took to feeding the ducks. Some of them were brave enough to come closer, but most stayed back and Cesare made sure to throw some to those as well. As a question was finally spoken he hummed and nodded, "I've been to school multiple times during my lifetime," he admitted. It wasn't really something he thought or spoke about often. "I didn't really have a school to go to growing up; I was homeschooled where I learned how to read and write - mostly Latin which was dreadful as a kid and totally unusable in the current state of the world." He leaned back a little, resting for a while as throwing made him a little sore, but it was just the fact that he was still recovering from his slumber. He knew it would pass soon enough.
"Once I went out and explored the world I saw how many new things I could learn; the world was growing fast, and I wanted to suck up as much knowledge as I could," he looked to Benjamin, smiling as he probably sounded ancient to the human. "I learnt more languages; I took up economy and law; I studied anatomy and arts," just to list a few things. Of course some had not caught his interest, but he continued because he was hungry for knowledge. "I wouldn't say I've learnt everything about the world, but I guess when I know everything down here, then I can look to the stars and find a new beginning there," he chuckled, shaking his head no because he was acting silly again.
"Let's go back and forth a little bit .. I want to get to know you better as well," he said, taking a second to think about his question. "Do you have a favorite color; and if so, what is it?" It was a very basic question, but he was just curious by nature.

"Well I certainly hope not; that would take away a lot of hobbies for me," he smiled then to see the human's smile fade. He frowned, confused as to if he had said something wrong. He continued to ask his question and as Benjamin seemed reluctant he kept nudging at him to get an answer out. He didn't even have to say anything, it was all about looking at him the right way until he gave in. However the reply surprised him. He would've thought it was maybe a sunset orange or perhaps a deep sea blue. But it was the color of his eyes? Smiling a little he leaned over to him, kissing his shoulder gently, "you don't have to be shy with me; it's just the two of us," he said, looking down to see a duck between them as he chuckled, "and the ducks."
Yeah, the last thing he wanted was for Benjamin to shy away. It was just special to talk together like this, and he wasn't willing to let either of them retreat into their own minds of worry. They could have plenty of time to talk. "Would it soothe you to hear that I didn't have a favorite color before I saw your eyes?" he whispered more intimately, humming softly as he kissed his shoulder again, "the pink color of your lips are a close second." He wasn't trying to make fun of him, and if the human turned to look at him he could see just how genuine Cesare was right now. He reached his hand over, placing it on top of the young man's one that was resting in the grass. "Ask me something now," he beckoned him. He wanted to continue this, wanted to learn more about this man whom he had fallen for so hard.

Shrugging lightly at the statement he couldn't deny he was a charmer, but he was also not lying. At least not to the human. Seeing how it seemed to dawn on him that he was actually speaking the truth was a little cute. The serious expression and the pink cheeks were quite a mix, and he couldn't ignore just how beautiful he looked.
Benjamin seemed hesitant, but eventually came with a question that was quite valid. He hummed softly, moving a little closer, kissing his neck gently. He really couldn't help himself, could he? "I suppose I wouldn't know for sure," he admitted, still holding his hand, littering his neck with small kisses, just feeling how his lips were heated up against his skin. "Though .. I hope it would," he was speaking in hypotheticals now, resting his chin on the human's shoulder, studying him from every angle it seemed. "However I do wish we could've met under different circumstances .. that you would've gotten to see my good side first," that was one of his biggest regrets. But he couldn't change the past.
It was his turn to ask a question and he felt perhaps a bit more daring. "Are you actually turned on by me, or is it just because you're curious?" he asked, wondering if that was why the human had been so selfish in regards to when he had been turned on. "I mean, just because I want you that way doesn't mean you have to want me back." Love could take on many faces, and he just wasn't sure what to think most of the time seeing as Benjamin clearly enjoyed his touch, and yet whenever the human had come to him he hadn't really been in a sane mindset.

It was fair that he was still trying to figure it out, though the follow up was spoken so softly. How could the human have so many sides? He was quite taken aback, feeling the hand that cupped his cheek, the thumb gently touching his skin before he was kissed ever so gently against his temple. The simple gesture made him sigh, closing his eyes as if it would make the moment last longer. "I guess I am quite the masochist," he pondered, though he didn't linger on that for too long before another question came.
He felt a knot in his throat, but most of all he felt guilty. "Claiming someone is an outdated thing," he just said, but he had promised not to lie to him and he felt obligated to tell him what everything had meant. "The way you think of claiming is I claim you," he started out, frowning a little as he wasn't sure he made a lot of sense to the mortal, "but actually it's more of you claim me." He closed his eyes as a small breeze came over the pond, a few of the ducks waddling away as they realized there was no bread left. "When you offered your blood to me, you laid claim on me." Was that too abstract? Opening his eyes he wasn't quite sure what emotion to express, because on one hand he shouldn't be feeling good about this and on the other he just really felt proud in a sense. "It doesn't have to mean anything; in fact I never have to drink from you ever again," he assured him. No, this wasn't tying them together, even if that was what it traditionally meant.
"This isn't as much of a question as it is a request," he said, looking down as he thought of how to phrase it, because he didn't want to bring up bad things, but he had to sorta go through what had happened. But this was from when they were still at the hotel. "Could you please never speak my name with anger or resentment?" he asked, not sure if it was too much. The human was probably curious and he sighed, "when you were angry with me and you said my name as if it was a swearword I-" closing his eyes again, nuzzling his nose against his neck, "I just don't want to be something negative to you; in any sense."

Usually with a claim there would be left a mark or something, but he wasn't sure if it was true. Cesare had never really been claimed. The human's response was normal and Cesare nodded, opting to distract the beautiful man by his side.
The promise to try was all he could get and he nodded. And as the human moved away the vampyre frowned a little confused. Was he angry again? He sorta prepared himself to be yelled at, but then his hand was grabbed and their fingers entangled. It seemed like Benjamin was full of surprises today. To many people such a small gesture meant nothing, but to Cesare it was a sort of reciprocation that he longed so dearly for. The admittance made him smile. "It's alright," he said, giving his hand a squeeze, "tell me when I get too much for you."
He had been true about not wanting to be associated with anything negative. He looked down at their hands, his thumb caressing the warm skin. "It's your turn to ask a question," he spoke softly, just longing to hear his voice more. Was he completely mad? Only time would tell. "You don't have to be afraid of hurting me," he reminded him, because he wanted them to have this moment to just be honest with one another.

The question that was posed next was an odd one. Getting mad at the human? He wasn't sure he wanted to think of that even for a second. "I don't think so ..?" He paused for a second, truly contemplating answering this, but maybe it was because he was selfish and he wanted the human to himself in some capacity. He sighed before he gave in, "I suppose I would get upset if you offered your blood willingly to someone else," he knew it probably made him look bad, but he was speaking the truth. Vampyres could be rather selective, and even if Benjamin never wanted him to drink his blood ever again, it would hurt very much to know that someone was deemed worthy to drink from him like that.
He watched as the collar was opened, wondering what was going on. But then the human hesitantly exposed the fact that he had been bitten, and from the look on the vampyre's face it wasn't something he had been told. He looked down in confusion and hurt, blinking a few times as he released himself from the human's hand. He was fighting an inner battle with himself right now, his jaw clenching as his eyes turned darker for a second. He would have to slaughter the last remaining of that bloodline to even be able to break that claim. It was stupid how things like that worked. But it was also a way of ensuring that a donor was kept in the family. "Did you offer it willingly .. or was it taken from you?" he asked it simply and through gritted teeth. He wasn't looking at the human, more so contemplating how he would rip this Nika apart alive and burn her remains one piece at a time.

Everything had been blurry and confusing for both of them. Cesare hadn't even been able to contain his fury even somewhat. The bite was narly, and not as delicate as a typical claim should be. They were monsters in that family. He then turned to look at him, reaching over to cup his face, pulling him closer and pressing their foreheads together. "I'm sorry this was done to you," he whispered, genuinely and yet his jaw was still flexed. His breathing was a bit unstable, but he was not going to let his anger out on the human. He wouldn't ever want him to think that this was his fault. "I'll do anything to right this wrong,
I promise you," he said softly, placing a gentle kiss against his lips before getting up on his feet.
He stumbled a little, the weight not evenly distributed made it feel a bit less essy to walk. "There should only be one left of that family, and I'll eradicate her," he promised, looking out at the ducks he tried to soften his eyes, but it was clear his fury was immense. They had done this to him, well knowing what Cesare had said. He was in the right to end that line, and he wanted it done now. And that was when he started to feel light headed, a streak of blood escaping the patch on his cheek.

Cesare wasn't sure if he wanted Benjamin to experience him like this. He thought perhas he would think he was throwing a tantrum of not getting his way, but it was much different. This wasn't about claims, it was about consent, and this family had taken advantage of the man he cared so deeply for. Stumbling a little he felt the blood run down his neck, gritting his teeth, "it's alright .. I think I just moved my jaw too much," he muttered, but he perhaps sounded a bit slurry. It wasn't a normal scratch after all, but he wasn't going to let the human worry anymore. He had been through a lot. "Could you help me back?" A moment of weakness, but he also knew it would soothe Benjamin to know he helped where he could.
Returning to the cottage a few of his sires saw the blood, some calling for a doctor straight away. He was helped into the bathroom, sitting by the tub. He sent all of his sires out, wanting them to wait for the doctor, but he couldn't get himself to send the human away. Not when he had returned to him. "I wish I could say it looks pretty .. but it doesn't," he scoffed, carefully taking off the patch. It was still bleeding, a few droplets making a run for it down his neck. "You don't have to stay here; I know you're not fond of blood, so just go get some fresh air," he was the one hurting, but he was more occupied by Benjamin being okay. He pulled himself up, heading over to the sink where he grabbed a clean towel, dousing it in cold water. He had to grit his teeth as to not scream at the pain that ran through his body as he started cleaning it.