❝ Masquerade ❞

[vowelsinyourheart]

{ seething shadows breathing lies }

Traditional thing that Iseul is, he made a point of sending out invitations to every monster and supernatural being with whom he's acquainted the day after telling Damian of his masked ball. Each is written in a large, looping hand and reads:

My Dear Friend,

You are cordially invited to a most exclusive masquerade ball to be held at my estate on the next new moon. The attire is formal with a theme of silver and gold. My doors will open promptly at 8:00pm. Dinner will be served with music, dance, and festivities to follow.

I do so look forward to your attendance.

Kindest Regards,
Your Host

Iseul's calling card is included for those who may not recognize his handwriting. It also happens to have his address on it, as well.

Guests will find the house dark and sprawling, positively goth in decor and style. For those who know or know of Iseul, this won't be a surprise. There's a running joke in the community that the Fae is truly meant to be a vampire... more so than his long-standing vampire rival. Those in attendance will be shown to the parlor, the pocket doors thrown wide to the adjoining suite to make it something of a small ballroom. Musicians sit off to the corner playing with few breaks throughout the night.

The dining room boasts a long table with a veritable banquet. Though, one must be careful about eating Faerie food. Never fear, dear guests, for none of this food was prepared or even harvested by Fae hands. Outside, the grounds are covered with sprawling flower gardens, topiaries, and even a small maze of hedges. Lanterns light the paths since there's no moon for light. Both in and out, the house has many dark nooks and crannies and unoccupied to rooms to disappear into. All guests are welcome to stay if, for any reason, they are unable to leave at first light.

Comments

[hwarangalpha]

"No. I've had a lot of mates in my life. And even children." But Matthias knew what had likely happened to all of them. The taste of that guilt said plenty about that so Sam didn't see a reason to elaborate further as he smiled at him.

"But I know that if I were to ever lose you that would be the end of me. And I'm content in that knowledge."

[thedevilsaid]

No, it isn’t hard to guess what happened to Sam’s family. Families? That’s probably more accurate. Once more his fingers tightened in Sam’s hair, a fierce look sharpening his now-narrowed eyes.

“I’m not,” he retorted. Matthias slid his fingers free of Sam’s hair and pressed his palm to the wolf’s cheek. He wouldn’t want Sam to be miserable, but he also wouldn’t want him cease being just because of that. “If something happened to me, who would carry my memory it not you?” Matthias shook his head. “No. If I die, I’m taking you with me. That’s final. I won’t leave you alone.”

[hwarangalpha]

That was...so surprising actually. And the look was written all over the wolf's face. Tears even formed and fell, the words meaning so much more to him than any 'I love you' ever could. Because this sentiment spoke so highly of what Matthias felt deep in his heart and it moved Sam deeply.

He pressed a kiss to those lips and just allowed himself a moment to cry. When he pulled back, he smiled at his precious demon. "Thank you."

[thedevilsaid]

That was the way Matthias expressed true emotions. He may never say something traditionally affectionate and mean it. But… what he was saying was that he wouldn’t let Sam suffer another loss. He wouldn’t let him be alone in the world again. He’d found Sam that way and he had a feeling being alone again would break him.

And, Matthias actually cared. He didn’t want to see or even imagine Sam in that state again. Sam was his now, after all, and it was up to him to make sure Sam was taken care of.

He pursed his lips at the sight of tears and huffed a tiny sigh as he moved his hands to thumb them away. But he didn’t tell him stop or that that was enough. Matthias didn’t have to like seeing them, but he wanted to give Sam the space to feel his feelings. Hadn’t they always given each other that?

“Alright. No more talk of death and dying while your dick’s still in me, okay?”

[hwarangalpha]

That got a little laugh from the wolf who nodded in agreement. "No more of that. I promise."

But he did pull him in for another lingering kiss to truly express his feelings on how Matthias always let him express himself. He appreciated more than he might ever be able to say or express really. But he could at least try with this kiss right now.

"I'm glad you were lured to me all those years ago, Matthias."

[thedevilsaid]

Genuine affection on his part felt strange. Leaning in to meet Sam's kiss, the urge to cup his face and tangle his fingers into the wolf's hair was too strong to resist. So he didn't resist. One hand came up to rest a palm alongside Sam's jaw. His free arm draped over those broad shoulders to let his fingers play at the shortest of his lover's hair along the nape. All real. All without artifice. All so strange and new to Matthias.

It made him feel giddy.

How long has it been since he's experienced something truly new? So very long.

When the broke apart, Matthias laughed softly. "It couldn't be helped. You're delicious." In more ways than one.

[hwarangalpha]

Sam sighed when the kiss ended, smiling back at that sweet look. Oh Matthias was a demon, yes. But to him? Well, he'd been everything he needed to survive and more. He could have just fed on him and kept him alive but instead he'd become a dear friend and now his lover. He was beyond grateful for it.

"So are you."

[thedevilsaid]

It was the tip of his tongue to ask how it felt to have someone who wouldn't die on him... But Matthias opted not to. That topic was too sensitive to his new lover to bring up frivolously. So strange, the thought, for someone else's feelings and comfort to matter to him. Yet, Sam's feelings and comfort did matter to him.

Slowly trailing his fingers along the back of Sam's neck, Matthias sighed gently.

"Are you ready to rest?" Matthias didn't sleep, but he's accustomed to some of their routines: specifically laying beside Sam while he slept. The wolf always seemed to sleep less fitfully with Matthis close. But he didn't want to make assumptions about his stamina, either. Maybe Sam wanted to keep going or keep talking or keep doing something that required consciousness on his part.

[hwarangalpha]

"I can stay awake longer."

But he knew that when he was ready Matthias would be there. And the memories wouldn't be so close in his dreams as a result. He'd never heal from them but he could actually rest when he had his love close to him. In his long life that was all he really wanted in the end.

"I like listening to you. Talking to you."

[thedevilsaid]

He snorted lightly, then flung his weight to one side, pulling Sam over onto one side with him. Unfortunately, the pillow Matthias fell on was still damp and sticky with blood. Woops. The bite Sam left healed quickly. Already the torn skin was sewn back together, dark bruises surrounding the scabbing that marked where Sam's teeth ripped into him. The mere memory of it made Matthias' skin tingle.

"I saw you take that Fae's card at the party. What are you plotting?"

[hwarangalpha]

"Business. I gave him my card as well in case we have a chance to collaborate."

It was cute that he thought they were plotting though. It truly wasn't that at all. Not even close. Sam smiled softly and rolled onto his side to stay with Matthias, nuzzling into him as he did so.

"Are you worried?"

[thedevilsaid]

How dare you call him out like that, Sam!

Matthias snorted the fakest laugh and shook his head. "When have you ever known me to worry?"

[hwarangalpha]

"Right now. About me."

And it made him so very happy that the demon cared about him that much that he would actually worry about him too.

[thedevilsaid]

Oh, he's pouting so hard over this. "The Fae can't be trusted." As if demons should be trusted...

Well, he knew Sam wasn't a reckless person so... Sighing, he just wriggled closer until he could rest his forehead against Sam's.

"Yes," he admitted quietly. "I worry about you, Su-bin."

[hwarangalpha]

"He honestly felt the same about you." Yet here was Sam with Matthias in his bed, having fallen for him and slept with him.

More than that? He actually got to hear the demon admit that he did worry about him. And he knew he meant it when he got serious with his real name like that. Smiling fondly, he nuzzled him gently.

"Thank you. I'll be alright. I have a strong protector."

[thedevilsaid]

Matthias snorted a laugh. Iseul certainly wasn't wrong. Demons weren't to be trusted, he wholeheartedly agreed. Matthias harbored little love for his own kind, being a territorial thing himself. So many of his kind were wanton in their destruction. And yes, he loved destroying people, but not in any way that left them maimed or dead. Why waste food like that?

"Don't make me have to protect you," he warned, half in humor but also with an edge of seriousness. "That won't end well for anyone but us."

[hwarangalpha]

He laughed softly and bowed his head. Matthias was so fierce in this moment. He was half joking, Sam could hear that. But also he was serious. His demon meant what he had to say and there was something so attractive about that fact.

"I won't. I'll keep myself safe for you."

[thedevilsaid]

"Good. I prefer being lazy," he quipped, wrinkling his nose a little even as he wiggled closer. Closer, closer. It felt like he couldn't get close enough. Even when he'd lay there while Sam slept before he liked to be close. Which, in the summer, is probably not so great for Sam since Matthias runs hot.

"You're not allowed to be careless."