The everyday monsters in our lives

Anyone might've been bored laying for hours just being awake next to someone, but not Cesare. He felt alive, feeling how the human almost refused to move away from him. Oh how cute he could look, his face and body still covered in sweat; their combined scents lingering in the room despite the door to the beach was open. Everything was perfect right now. Things were as they were supposed to be. And he knew that it would only be so long as they were together.
As the first few sunrays came in from the door, he just smiled, watching as a new day dawned. And yet there was a sadness to his smile as well. He knew that Benjamin would have to go back home, and while the vampyre could plead with him to stay, he knew better than to make the human choose. No, he wouldn't be like that to the man he loved. He could encompass everything so long as he got to experience him like this. Letting him sleep for a while, he knew it was about time that they should at least thing about getting him some food and perhaps clean up a bit. "My love," he whispered, kissing his hair and face, slowly wanting to wake him up. He had slept so soundly, and Cesare felt bad for waking him, but they had to. "I hate to wake you, but if you want time to clean up, it would be wise to get up," deep down he hoped that the human would tell him to shut up. Snuggle in closer and just let them spend the rest of the day in bed. Perhaps reliving a few of the experiences from last night.

"Anything for you," he whispered assuringly, just pressing him closer, but also wrapping him up in the duvet. He felt bad for not being able to warm him up. Perhaps he should invest in some heated blankets? He didn't really get to think much of it before the phone started to ring. Benjamin had made himself very clear, but Cesare still wanted to check. If it was Sadie, then it wouldn't be wise to ignore her. However the picture popping up on screen made him frown a little. He could recognize the human in a second, but the other guy he didn't know. "It's a Mark?" He asked, looking at the human if he was still in his arms. Reaching over he took the phone, holding it to his ear, "The phone of Mister Harris, how may I help you?" His voice smoother than ever, wanting to help the human in this case.

Benjamin not wanting to talk to him made sense as he was clearly too tired to do anything else than sleep. Not that he minded. He just kept holding him for as long as he needed him. The voice on the other end sounded kind, sweet even, and perhaps that made him a bit curious. "Well I do what I can to please him," his lips curling up in a Cheshire smile at his own inside joke, "I suppose I could look over his calendar and find time for you, but I'm afraid that he is quite busy right now." Cesare's voice was easily calm, collected and rather professional. "If I may ask the nature of this meeting up, I will be sure to pass it on to him at the earliest possibility?" He wanted to know his intentions. Someone from Benjamin's childhood could prove troublesome, especially if it was someone still involved in the town he came from. Perhaps it was someone out to hurt the man he loved. He just had to be sure, and maybe it was overstepping a boundary, but he couldn't be too safe.
"Do not fret to be candid with me; I know Mister Harris inside and out," pressing him a little closer as he smiled once more at his own inside joke, "what sort of message would you like to leave? I can assure you only he will read it."

"Oh, he just seemed to have arrived," he said, looking down to the human, handing him the phone at the soft mutter, "your friend Mark." Cesare just said as he got out of bed to close the window. Why did he feel so restless all of a sudden? It wasn't like Benjamin wasn't allowed to have friends. Hell, the vampyre wanted him to have all the people in his life that he could ever wish for, but something in his gut was making him hurt. Was this .. jealousy? And for what? A childhood friend who wanted to meet up with him. But perhaps it went deeper than that.
A part of Cesare wanted to know the human. He wanted to know every part of him, and this was clearly one of those things that he couldn't ever be a part of. Sure, he could be a friend, but a childhood friend meant more, wasn't that how it worked? He went out to start up a shower, making sure the water would be nice and warm for when Benjamin was ready. Looking in the mirror he saw the mess on his skin, sighing softly at the sight, but he was also sorta listening in on what Benjamin was saying in the other room.

Listening in he wasn't sure he should have. The human sounded so happy. He wondered if he sounded just as happy when they were together. He had to, right? They were in love after all. The human soon joined him, the scoff making him nod, "I'm sorry .. I didn't mean to be rude to your friend," he apologized. He had been stupid and jealous. He walked over, cupping his face lovingly. Searching his eyes it was clear he was a little on edge. "I think my insecurities are getting to me," he admitted with a frown. Was that silly? He just wasn't sure how to behave when he barely felt like he knew the man in front of him, and yet loved him so deeply.
"Are you alright? Not hurting I hope?" He asked, wanting rather to think of the night they had just shared. Leaning in he greeted his lips gently. "Let's clean up and get some food for you, hm?" A wise suggestion. He wouldn't have him starve on his watch. After the shower he did exactly that, ordering some food to be delivered and while he waited he moved over to sit by the window, albeit hiding in the shadows from the curtains. He had always wished he could be out in the sunlight. Maybe experience what other living creatures felt like on a warm summer's day.

He shrugged as he wasn't quite sure yet. But for now he just wanted to help him clean up. He had made the mess after all. It was nice just to be close to him like this, feeling the water heat both of them up a bit. Finishing the shower he was lucky that water usually didn't stick much to him. Perhaps besides his hair, but maybe that was more a matter of how much there was to be entangled in. He did end up drying it fast, letting the rest of it dry out naturally. His eyes were just focused on the horizon as Benjamin asked what was going on.
"I suppose Mark yes, but maybe more the idea of him," he pondered out loud, juat trying to put some words to it. He had just gotten the human back a second time. Was it not fair that he was a little on edge of being left again? "And I suppose I am getting melancholic," he smiled softly, turning his head to look at him, "wondering if you'll ever get bored of me." He was just speaking his thoughts at this point. Sighing he got up, walking to him and leaning down over him, helping him dry off a little as he had missed some droplets on his face and chest. "I'm just good at worrying .. it's like my superpower," he chuckled softly, leaning down to connect their lips. He had been abandoned before, and maybe that trauma would always be there in some way or another. What was to say that he wouldn't experience that again?

He wasn't sure how to truly describe it. Perhaps it was because he so deeply felt love for the human that losing him would be losing part of himself in that sense. He came over and he grabbed his wrist moving with him down on the bed but he wasn't quite sure what to think of that statement. Sex. Had this just been sex? It wasn't to the vampyre at least, but he was already a downer, so pointing that out would perhaps not aid him. "I've been used before, and once people have gotten what they wanted they leave me behind quite easily," it wasn't something that the human could really do anything about. It was those who had come before. Cesare had been torn asunder by many people, but he knew that if Benjamin did it it would be the last hurt his heart could take.
The follow up questions made him sigh, leaning in to kiss his forehead with a slight smile. "I'm sorry .. I just really am terrified of losing you after what we've just shared," he admitted. He kissed him gently once more, pressing him close. Truly being close to him seemed to be the only thing soothing him right now. "Are you busy today?" He asked, wanting to move ahead and prove his worrying mind wrong.

"Oh, incredibly busy? I suppose I am too," he mused, feeling how his skin was caressed. He was so sweet to him, wasn't he? Making him feel so good and here with him. "As long as I get to be in bed with you," he muttered softly, licking his lips a little tessingly. There was a knock at the door and he sighed softly, having to get up. Going to the door he was greeted by a delivery guy who handed him the groceries. He got a strange look, but ended up just taking the bag inside. "Are you going to help making you some food?" He smiled from the small kitchen. Maybe it was about time he showed his skills in the kitchen.
He had bought a variety of options, but he also knew that the human usually went more for proteins than carbs.
He would let him decide before he helped prepare. At least he was good at cutting stuff.
Cesare enjoyed the mundane of it. Cooking made him calm down. Funny when you thought about the fact he couldn't ever enjoy what he made himself. "Do you have a favourite dish?" He asked clearly very interested in knowing. He wanted to know everything.

Cesare had to admit he hated moving away when the human had been holding him in place like that. However some things were just meant to be handled. If they had the whole day together, then he was in no rush. Seeing Benjamin join him in the kitchen all dressed he did sigh a little. Maybe he had hoped that he would stay naked? Though he had to admit that being naked and cooking perhpas wasn't the best combo. Hearing about his diet it wasn't really a surprise to hear, because rice and chicken was good for someone working out - at least that was what he had gathered. The part with the favorite food made him hum, smiling a little, "we could recreate that some day?" He suggested, "though I hope you'll find only good days with me." Maybe that was a selfish thought, but he wanted to be a source of joy to him.
He chuckled softly at the poses questions, answering them as they came to him. "I suppose it is a learned skill that takes a bit of practice, especially without taste buds for this sort of food." He admitted as he hummed a little, adding some of the vegetables to the oil and seasoning mixture, making sure to cover it well and let it sit for a while to really soak it up. He went on to the meat, having ordered some very nice pork belly that he was now slicing into bitesize pieces. He wasn't sure if Benjamin would've tasted this dish before, but maybe he would like it. "I love cooking Korean food," he admitted, gesturing to what he was making now, "I might not be able to taste it, but I can smell the ingredients,  understand what smells make for a good flavor combination." Putting a lid on the vegetables he started to lightly sear the pork belly which made it soft and a little fatty and salty to eat - at least that was what he had heard. He wasn't seasoning the meat, as the meat was to be enjoyed with other things he was making.
He took out a done piece of pork on a spoon, blowing on it to make it a little cooler before he offered it to the human. It would be nice and easy to chew, very soft but also had that salty and fatty kick to it. "Don't worry, this is the only fatty thing here," he promised him with a small smile. Once he was done there were multiple small dishes and he setup the table, even taking a plate for himself. And while he couldn't really eat, he wanted to be included in this experience as well. He went over it all; there was of course the pork belly; the kimchi; there was a vegetable soup that was made on the seasoning and vegetables he had cut, with a little bit of chili paste added. There was some steamed greens and of course some nice rice. Cesare explained that he could pick a little at a time, choosing what combinations he would like to try. "Usually, you take a bit of everything," he explained, having taken chopsticks,
but there was normal cutlery as well. He made the first bit for him with some greens, rice, a bit of the kimchi and then the pork belly. Holding it to his lips he wanted to see his reaction. "I enjoy cooking because it seems it's a universal thing for people to appreciate," he admitted, "I suppose my love language is acts of service; I love pleasing those I care for whether it be housing them, cooking for them or even just being there for them."

"I'm expecting you to eat until you are full - I can always save the rest for later," he assured him. The meat wouldn't so easily go bad now that it was cooked, the soup could be frozen and the rest he could easily mix up into a stir fry later if he wanted not to waste anything. Feeding Benjamin felt good, especially as he seemed to like it. The vampyre did end up eating some of it. He mostly kept to the spicy stuff as it at least felt like something that wasn't just boring mush to him. The human seemed very affectionate today, which he hadn't really experienced with him before. At first it had just been the lingering on his hip, but then it was his lower back and now his thigh. It felt new and different and yet so comforting to him that Benjamin wasn't shying away anymore.
Letting him eat, he just remained quiet, nibbling at a few things, but not truly eating. He wouldn't really get used to that unless blood was involved. Though one thing at a time, he thought. One thing was having the human profess his love, another was actively feeding in front of him. And he didn't want to ruin his appetite. The question made him hum, drying his fingers in a napkin before folding his hands in front of him on the table. "I suppose the first thing I learned was some sort of minced pie," before that he hadn't really been interested in cooking, but as everything went, when you had eternity you could get interested in new stuff. "It was apparently horrible and way too salty; the meat was burnt and the crust .. well let me just say that it was pretty much inedible," he chuckled, shaking his head a little as he looked at the different things in front of him. "I didn't learn everything at once; I started out small and was lucky to have some mortal friends who wanted to test out my skills," making him smile as it was so long ago but clearly fond memories to him.
Looking back at the human, "I wanted to cook for them because they worked a lot during the day, I worked during the night .. plus when you have no need for sleep it just made sense for me to help out," he said. He reached down, touching the human's thigh, just gently caressing it a little mindlessly. "By cooking I keep their memories alive .. if I'm alone I feel like I can close my eyes and hear them bickering about nonsense .. and right now it has the added bonus that I can spend my time with you in the kitchen," he pondered.

"I do .. but it was a long time ago, and I know that they'll live forever with me because of the memories," he smiled, feeling comforted by the gentle touches and kisses. He rarely spoke of his past. Not that he was trying to be secretive, but he had lived a long life already. Longer than most vampyres still currently alive. He kept thanking him, and he just shook his head, "thank you for letting me cook for you - I know you like to do that yourself."
Once the human finished, he chuckled at the sigh, reaching over to touch the stomach too as he shook his head a little. At least he knew that it had been good food for him. But then his face was touched, and it felt as if no words were truly needed. They just looked at one another, the silence being a comfort before he let go. "Go lay down for a bit - then we'll go for a walk to get your blood pumping," he smiled, handling the cleaning. Cesare seemed to find comfort in the mundane. It wasn't every day he got to do this. At worst he had a few vials to clean up, but this felt like a homely thing. Strange for a vampyre he thought but that wasn't really for him to judge.
Once the cleaning was done and the leftovers were stored away securely he went to find the human. Smiling he went to him, kissing his forehead. "Let's go on that walk .. don't bother with your shoes," he chuckled. No, he wanted to walk in the sand, feel the water as he planned to have them walk along the beach.

Watching him get up and put on a shirt made him sigh, though he got up as well. He put on a long sleeved shirt, perhaps a dead giveaway out in the sun, but nobody was really around. He liked going out during the day, because that was when people seemed most alive. Walking along the water edge he wasn't too worried about getting wet. He reached out, holding his hand as they walked. The beach was nice and quiet, mostly because it was privately owned, but a few seagulls could be heard in the distance. There was a nice breeze coming in, the waves gently hitting the sand, making the vampyre's feet sink slightly into the sand. "I should come out here more often," he hummed softly, hiding the fact that the sun was a bit hard on him, but he wanted to spend some of the daytime doing something with the human. It wouldn't be too bad, he just couldn't spend hours out here.
"When I was a kid I lived in a small harbor city .. I would always look out to the sea when I felt sad or alone," he told, not really thinking much about what he said before he said it. It was just nice to have someone to talk to. Someone to hold his hand and even listen. "Because maybe I hoped there was someone on the other end of the sea doing the same as me .. and that meant I wasn't alone at all." Was that strange? He couldn't judge as he had a clear bias in this. "I guess that's why I love sailing," he smiled, turning to look at the human as they walked. Even if he was a fair bit taller than him, he always made a point of greeting those beautiful brown eyes with his own. Nothing could beat the feeling of being together like this.

Cesare smiled as the human spoke about adventure. He had a feeling that they perhaps had the same wanderlust inside of them, but only Benjamin had never been truly able to explore it. They walked as the human seemed to want to disapprove of where they had gone. Cesare stopped, still holding the humans hand as he was quite clearly a little surprised to hear him talk like this. He nodded, looking down to their hands, though he had some objections. "I don't think you get to decide what I do with my money and estates," he chuckled softly before turning his eyes back to the human, "you deserve to be treated like this, so don't fool yourself into thinking that you don't." Lifting his hand he touched his cheek ever so gently. He loved him so much, could he not see that he wished to spoil him rotten? And even so he had been limiting himself quite a lot. He could've stolen Benjamin away to Paris or Amsterdam; he could've bought the human all the spare parts he needed for his cars, hell he could've bought all the cars he wanted. But he hadn't. Because doing that would be like negating the human's independence.
"I grew up with nothing, and I am not blind to these luxuries, but if I can't spend my time with the ones I hold dear, especially the man I love, then why should I ever have taken you here?" Was that not a fair question to pose? Benjamin hadn't asked for this. It was Cesare who had wanted to go here. It was the vampyre's own decision.
"Besides I would've hated if our first time would've been in a sleazy motel," he spoke genuinely. He knew it wouldn't have mattered in the end. But it didn't change the fact of the matter that he wanted to treat Benjamin with love and reapect