bsumone | ❝ Masquerade ❞

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❝ Masquerade ❞

{ 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.

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Iseul lifted a brow. “Do you want to play host alongside me?”

Technically, since Iseul was the one who sent out the invitations and the intent of the party was formed before they were together, Damian had no such duties. However, if he wanted to claim them for himself, Iseul certainly wouldn’t tell him no. It’s sweet how eager he seems about it.

“I would like it very much if you would share in the hosting duties with me.”

"I can be a very good host."

He laughed softly then nuzzled into him a bit. "We should sneak inside and get cleaned up then we can go back out to the party again."

“I’m sure you can be,” Iseul drawled. Somehow, he often managed to sound bored. Even with his sweet vampire. But Damian’s known him long enough by now to know better.

Turning his head for one more lingering kiss, Iseul sighed against those now-warm lips. “Come. The house has an old servant’s door. We can sneak in through the kitchen.”

"Perfect."

First he helped Iseul get to his feet and then he brushed what he could off of his body before gathering their clothes. Those would have to be brushed off too but that was fine with him. Smiling brightly at his lover, he nodded for him to show him the way. Then they could have an enjoyable time getting each other nice and cleaned up.

Dressing once more was an odious thing. In spite of Iseul’s love for adorning himself in fine things, now they were just a barrier between him and his new lover. Oh, how he once more craved the cool touch of Damian’s skin against his, the closeness they shared moments ago curled up around each other.

A soft sigh escaped him as he finished tying his cape in place.

Iseul led them out of the maze and away from the rest of his gardens. Tucked away at the side of the house was a simple door, nothing designed to catch the eye like those at the front and back of the home. It led to a narrow hall with a trio of small rooms and direct access to the kitchen. The old servants’ quarters. A throwback from the days when people didn’t want their servants to be seen.

Unseen access to the stairs leading to the upper level was also accessible from this narrow hall. Once upstairs, the hall opened up. It was a bit dark without any lights on (since the guests were not welcome in this private area), and Iseul guided them through his familiarity with the space alone. He knew without thinking the exact number of steps, the exact number of doors and paintings they’d pass before coming to the primary suite – his bedroom and its adjoined bathroom.

Once inside, the fae flicked on the light to reveal the interior of his bedroom to the vampire for the first time. Passing through it, Iseul opened the door to the en suite so they could wash up.

Looking around the bedroom and the room beyond, he shed the layers away to drop to the floor. He didn't need them right now. Not when they were about to wash up. But, he was curious since he figured this would be where he slept when morning came. Maybe even until his current home was remodeled to match both of their aesthetics.

"You really have more of the aura of a vampire than I do," he noted as he looked away from it all finally to smile at his beloved.

"When we have our place? Let's have some pink in our room."

“Pink?” Iseul blanched. But already, he was designing it in his mind. A perfect melding of pink and black. A curtained canopy to provide an extra level of safety to Damian while he slept. Yes, he’ll cope with pastels for the vampire he loves.

“This is your home, too,” he pointed out as he peeled out of his attire once more, draping the garments over the counter.

“Do you wish to shower or just wash up?”

"Pink." Damian grinned at that, very set on his ways as he moved in close to wrap his arms around that lovely naked form. So warm. He was going to get so addicted to having that warm body in his arms all the time.

And then he smiled more at hearing that this was his home too. Which meant that Iseul was going to change this place to suit them both and he loved that.

"Let's shower. They haven't missed us yet."

Iseul was absolutely going to make the space comfortable for Damian. Not only that, it was important to him that others knew he wasn’t the sole master of this house. Even if they opted to spend more of their time living in Damian’s home and used this one mostly for hosting parties and such, it mattered. After this party, he’ll take an evening with Damian to go through the house and decide which spaces would be strictly Damian’s aesthetic, which would remain Iseul’s, and which they would share (the bedroom, first and foremost among them).

“I think there are enough guests that they won’t miss us a little while longer.” As he spoke, Iseul moved to the shower stall to start the water. He guessed Damian wouldn’t mind it hot.

“If you haven’t any other plans tomorrow, perhaps we could discuss the redecoration?”

He was loving how hot the water got as he stepped in with Iseul, sighing happily as the heat sank into his skin. Pushing his fingers through the fae's hair, he smiled in delight at the offer. A day discussing redecorating of their two homes to suit their tastes? Why he'd adore that.

"I have no plans at all save for being with you now."

He'd mentally cleared his entire calendar.

One corner of Iseul’s mouth curled up in a subtle grin as he watched Damian bask in the heat. He often wondered if it was something Damian missed. He didn’t think vampires were like lizards, really; he’d never noticed any of them being more sluggish or lethargic in cold months. Still, if Damian loved heat, then Iseul would provide it for him.

As such, he wasn’t shy about pressing himself right against his vampire lover so he had the hot water beating down on one side and a warm, living body on the other. The fae wrapped his arms around Damian’s waist, humming contentedly as he tucked himself close. Did they have time to dally? Probably not, but Iseul wanted to enjoy their privacy just a little longer before he went to work with soap and cloth.

Iseul’s only plans involved sketching out some ideas for the wardrobe he promised to his precious vampire. He could do that after they toured their homes. It wasn’t difficult for him to work on Damian’s clothes and chat about the chances to their respective residences at the same time,

“I do plan to monopolize your time.” There was no point in hiding that fact.

Being so surrounded by warmth was divine. He sighed happily and wrapped his arms around Iseul, nuzzling into him. Much as he was fine in the cold he utterly adored being warm like this. Smiling, he laughed softly and gave his hair a kiss before pulling back enough to gaze at him.

"I won't complain about that. I would absolutely love to have my time monopolized by my beautiful muse."

Muse and now precious lover.

“You say that now.” He’s deadpan, as usual. But there’s a spark of mischief in his eyes that someone who knew him well – someone like Damian – would know indicated he was joking. But was he joking? He truly did want to covet as much of Damian’s time as the vampire would allow. Between his paintings and Iseul’s crafting of a wardrobe, they would surely have a great deal of time together. Perhaps they could make the changes to one of their homes first and both reside in the other’s util completion. It made sense.

Iseul was definitely looking forward to having unlimited opportunities to spend time in Damian’s company even if his expression was muted.

“I suppose it shall be more tolerable for you when painting me since I’ll have to be still and quiet.”

"You taking up all my time would really give me more to do honestly. Immortality can be rather dull when you're on your own."

It wasn't that he didn't know other vampires or other supernatural beings. He just stood out as an odd vampire. That really made such a big difference because people could get so hung up on that silly notion of how different it was. It was annoying really. Damian spent so little time with others as a result which meant that he'd truly enjoy being monopolized by his new lover.

"So you'll be far better than tolerable. I'll adore having you around so often."

“There are some times, rare times, when I’ll be required to be away.” Fae business had to be attended to now and again. Thankfully, Iseul wasn’t anyone important to the Court so his presence was seldom a requirement. He only ever made an appearance to keep too much gossip from circulating.

Iseul took a half-step back, putting enough space between them for him to bring his hands up to rest on Damian’s chest. This being who’s been so precious to him for so long without either of them realizing it.

“Those times will not be long,” he assured. Iseul wanted to spent his time with this vampire. It didn’t matter to him how opposite they appeared, how un-vampire-like Damian was. He was someone among the few Iseul tolerated that the fae actually looked forward to spending time with. He only had a handful of people he considered friends (and one of them, he can count on one hand the number of times they’ve physically laid eyes on each other – his long-distance BFF, as they say these days).

Iseul dropped his eyes, following rivulets of water as they dripped down Damian’s pale skin. Of all the things Damian is and has been, he’s beautiful. In all the time they’ve known each other, Iseul can say he’s definitely grown more beautiful the more he came to know Damian.

“I do not want to be away from you for any extended period.”

"I have times like that as well. When the vampires remember I'm actually one of them, of course." Which was, to say the least, rare. They didn't really tend to think of him as one of their own. Largely because he was so vastly different from the stereotype of what they were. It was why he'd picked the name Damian in the first place. To attempt to be taken more seriously. Before he'd honestly just given up on the matter, of course.

"Besides, you already know there are times where I will simply sleep and not wake up for a few years. So we can call it even."

Damian cupped Iseul's face and smiled as he gazed into his eyes. Those beautiful eyes that he was realizing had always been looking at him. Even if neither of them had ever fully realized that fact.

"I'll always be glad for all the time we will have together though."

Iseul could already imagine the period of mourning he'd have the next time Damian had one of his long sleeps. No one would know since he wears black almost exclusively. He'd probably drape himself very artistically over the casket he was going to make sure he had in his home (just in case Damian happened to be in his estate when that happened). It would all be appropriately sad and dramatic. But above all...

"I will keep you safe when you sleep. Always."

Damian smiled and leaned in so he could press a kiss to Iseul's soft lips. If ever there was anyone he trusted to keep him safe? It was this fae here. There were likely many who would tell him he was foolish for that but the vampire didn't care. This creature here before him would do everything in his power to protect him.

"I believe you."

His expression, always so sharp and distant, softened as he peered at Damian. His beautiful vampire. His angelic beauty. His beloved. This amazing person he's wanted, no, needed in his life for so long. One of precious few who make him feel truly alive. His heart raced just staring at his unholy angel, lips parting as he sucked in a breath.

How foolish Iseul had been all the years. To have such a treasure in front of him and not see it... Now the greatest of all his treasures.

"You should. I cannot lie."

"I know. And though I can, I never will lie to you."

He meant that. Every word of it. It was rare for him to make a vow of that nature since one of his greatest assets as a vampire was his ability to lie. However, Iseul wasn't different. He didn't want to lie to him, didn't want that to taint their relationship. Not ever. They'd already taken too long figuring this out together.

Iseul huffed out a breath. He longed to stay here, together with Damian for the rest of the night. Alas, he had duties to fulfill. He would leave no room for anyone to accuse him of being a poor host. The only consolation was that when they left the heat of the shower and donned their masks once more, Damian would be sharing in Iseul's obligation. Damian would stay behind with him when all the others left. And come nightfall, Damian would be his only obligation.

"When the sun rises and I have seen the last guest out, may I sleep beside you?"

"Of course. I hope you'll be with me every time I sleep for the rest of our lives."

To be honest he'd always hated to fall asleep alone. However, that had simply been how it was. There was no one for him to share a bed with. Not until now. Now he had Iseul to share his bed and life with. "I won't be able to stay awake when the sun rises but tomorrow night I'd like to make love with you again."

Well, never fear, dear Damian. Sleeping alone will be a rare thing going forward. Iseul breathed out heavily through his nose, running his hands down Damian's arms to grasp the vampire's hands in them. He drew them to his lips and pressed soft kisses against his knuckles.

"I shall be happy to oblige you." If only they had more time tonight...

"During the day, I will phone my decorator to make arrangements for our bedrooms here." Iseul meant making his bedroom safe for his beloved but also preparing a space for Damian, as well. He's sure they would end up spending more time in Damian's home; however, he wished his estate to be a secure place of refuge for his dear vampire, too.

It felt so good to be on the same wavelength as someone. He'd honestly never had that in his life before and it felt amazing. Smiling, he watched those warm lips kiss his skin and ran his fingers over his cheek with his other hand. How had he wasted all these years and not had this? It was everything he'd ever wanted and so much more. He'd never want to be rid of it. Never could either now that he'd freely given his true name to the fae.

Entirely worth it.

Damian laughed softly and tilted his head a bit. "You'll let me have some pink here to mingle with your black?"

Iseul blinked at the question. As much as he disliked pastels, he wouldn't deny Damian anything that made him feel at home in this space. Not only would he allow it, he would tolerate it. In truth, he'll probably even grow fond of the pink because it reminded him of Damian.

"This is your home now," he explained. "It should look and feel like that to you."

❝ Masquerade ❞

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