Disclaimer: The following is a work of fiction which will include t/t and m/m relationships, and probably some sex too. If it is illegal in your area to read this, or if you are not old enough to read this (you know who you are), stop here. Otherwise, please enjoy.
Things That Go Bump, Chapter 12
"First Blood"
James took Sebastian by the hand. "Richard," he called with a smile, "we'll be upstairs if anybody needs us.... And we're having guests for dinner...."
Sebastian smiled and squeezed his hand. "You're getting into this 'mistress of the house' thing, aren't you?"
James raised his eyebrows at Sebastian, quipping, "I'll show you who's the mistress, and who's the master...."
With that, Sebastian broke free and ran up the stairs with James hot on his heels, leaving Richard to roll his eyes. Peaking in the refrigerator, he knew he'd need to go to the farmer's market. As he grabbed his coat, he could already hear giggles and moans from the top of the stairs, and he called "Avery's trying to sleep," with laugh in his voice.
"Mind your own business," Avery called from his bedroom at the other end of the hall. "It's almost as good as porn...." They both heard the two boys laughing but neither of them responded as they kept going at it.
Richard's laugh faded into thought as Pete drifted into his mind. The boy challenged every ounce of self-control Richard had. He hopped into the BMW and drove down to the market, using the early-morning shopping trip to clear his mind. But still, the handsome, smiling face wouldn't depart from his thoughts. Between what Sebastian had gone through with James, and his own feelings of ... loneliness, the boy was rarely far from his thoughts.
When he arrived back at the house it was nearly lunch time and he loaded the groceries into the refrigerator before heading upstairs. He cast a quick glance into the master bedroom and saw Sebastian and James comfortably intertwined in one another's arms. They looked asleep, but he doubted Sebastian was, while James probably was since he was healing.
He knocked gently on Avery's door. "Come in.... Richard...."
Richard sat on the edge of the big king bed as Avery rolled on to his side, letting the silky sheets slide off his sleek upper body. "Can I get you anything for lunch?"
Avery gave him a big smile and said, "You could crawl into bed with me?" Seeing the look on Richard's face, he laughed. "What? You're handsome, I'm bi, and I've been away for a long time...." Avery reached out and put a hand on Richard's leg, teasing him with his fingers.
Avery shook his head and smiled. "Believe me, I would if I could...."
Avery raised his eyebrows curiously. "You too? Is there an epidemic of vampires in love with humans?"
"How do you know he's a human?"
"Oooh, and it's a he? Well, if he wasn't human, he'd be here ... with you, of course...."
"Maybe he's just away...."
"No, I can tell, in any case.... He's a very lucky boy...." Richard blushed. "Now, about lunch," Avery said, hopping up, revealing his exquisite naked body without embarrassment, "lead the way...." His thick, soft cock swayed as he walked, and Richard couldn't help but examine every inch of the man, who cleaned up nicely, despite the scars.
"How are you feeling," Richard said, allowing his hand to trace one long scar on the man's shoulder as they walked.
Avery shivered and said, "Free! Wonderful! They do ache, sometimes.... Perhaps you and your boy would like to give me a massage sometime?"
Again, Richard blushed as he stepped into the kitchen and said, almost embarrassed, "I don't know if I could share...."
"My, my," Avery laughed, winking. "Quite alright.... I promise to keep my hands to myself when I meet him!"
Richard laughed and made him a sandwich. "What would you like to drink?"
"Milk would be fine," Avery said. "So how did you meet ... what's his name?"
"Peter ... Pete.... He's friend of James's...."
"Oh, my...."
"Yeah, he's also on the football team...."
Avery grinned appreciatively, and said, "Given that I'm off tonight, I would love to have a chance to ... unwind, but I think that it's highly unlikely...."
"One never knows.... Maybe one of our dinner guests?"
"Who are they," Avery asked, laughing.
"A council enforcer and a strega...."
Avery burst out laughing, and Richard joined him at the thought.
They were still talking, Richard preparing dinner, when the phone rang in the afternoon. "Richard, we're at the gate...."
"See you in a minute," Richard beamed
Given the smile on his face, Avery asked, "Peter?"
Richard nodded. "Get some fucking clothes on, Avery! Peter has no idea about any of this, by the way...." Avery's eyes sparkled as he ran upstairs and pulled on a pair of black pajama bottoms and returned shirtless, just as Pete, followed by Chris and Steve, walked through the door.
Chris looked at him, then over at Steve and said, "Wow!"
"Yeah," Steve responded with a laugh.
Walking right up to the boy's standing with their mouths agape, Avery held out a hand which they each shook. "Hello! I'm Avery Salazar," he said, eyeing Chris and Steve, who meekly introduced themselves. "You two are a couple," he said, "so you ... must be the Pete I've heard so much about," smiling wickedly at Richard who blushed. But Pete shook his hand with a smile and walked over to Richard, wrapping an arm around him and kissing him deeply in front of everybody. This time, Avery looked at Chris and Steve, and said, "Wow!" Everybody laughed at how he mocked Chris, and they followed him to the living room.
"Sebastian and I are old friends," he explained as the boy's tried to examine his scars. "Ah, you noticed! I was a ... prisoner of war," he said, chuckling at his own cover, which was scarcely a story.
Richard got the food in for dinner and came out to join them. "Avery's just gotten home recently, in fact...."
"What was it like," Chris asked, surprising everyone.
"What was what like, Chris?"
"Being there?"
Avery nodded, thinking he understood. "Very scary.... I was tortured, but I supposed that goes without saying.... Sometimes they'd come and I'd think it was an old friend, but really they were just messing with my mind trying to get information...."
"How did you get home," Steve asked.
"Sebastian," he said and the boys looked at each other, confused. Seeing this, he added, "Sebastian is actually pretty influential, so he ... pulled some strings to make a trade...."
"So, where's James and Sebastian," Pete asked, but seeing Richard's and Avery's faces, he just blushed. "Oh!"
"Actually, now, they're just sleeping," Richard said.
Avery wagged his eyebrows and whispered, "Let's go see them!" Richard shot him a glance, but he just winked, leading the boy's quietly upstairs, shushing them if they made too much noise. The stood in the doorway and saw the two entangled and now fully uncovered, James's long, muscled naked body curled into the smaller, more delicate body of his lover. All together, they sort of gasped at the beauty of them, and said, "Wow!"
Sebastian raised his head and looked over at them as they started giggling. "Avery!" Pulling the sheet up to their waists, he said, "You might as well come in.... James, we have company...."
From a deep blackness, James emerged and rubbed his eyes, smiling at his friends. "Hey, guys," he said yawning and stretching.
The five sat on the edge of the bed and, as James rolled to face them, Sebastian stroking his shoulder. "We just wanted to come by and see how it's going," Steve said.
"Feeling much better, all things considered.... Why don't you guys spend Saturday night here and we can have a slumber party! Still no practice on Sundays, right?"
The boys all happily agreed and talked for a while. Richard excused himself to go check on the food, and Sebastian suggested, "Why don't you guys let us get dressed?"
"Alright," they all said, laughing and faking disappointment. Outside they headed downstairs, but not before Avery pulled Pete to the side and out of view.
"I just wanted to tell you you're very lucky.... I tried to talk Richard into bed this morning, and he absolutely shut me down because of you...."
"He said that," Pete asked, his eyes sparkling.
"He did," Avery said. Laughing, he added, "He even turned me down for a ménage-a-trois, because he said he doesn't want to share you...."
Giving Avery a look over, Pete laughed, "You're my type ... but I feel the same way.... I don't know where these feelings are coming from, but...."
"Follow your heart, young man," Avery said, clapping him on the shoulder. They walked downstairs and just as they got to the bottom, Avery said, loudly, "That was the best blowjob I've ever had...." They all laughed as Richard came running out of the kitchen looking furious. He could tell by the feelings flowing from Pete that he'd been the butt of a mean joke and just blushed. "I think, Richard, that that blush is full body. Care to drop your drawers to settle that?"
Surprising them all, Richard dropped his pants and mooned Avery, making everyone laugh. "So I was right," Avery tossed back. "Mmm mmm, too bad you turned me down, Richard, that's fine...." He quickly pulled them back up and returned to the kitchen, hearing everyone, Pete included, laughing. A few seconds later, he felt strong arms wrap around his waist, a big hand slipping into his front pocket and squeezing.
"Avery told me upstairs what you said to him this morning," Pete whispered into his ear. He felt Avery tense up and stop breathing, so when he added, "I love you," the man's relaxation made it feel like he was going to collapse, so Pete grabbed him tightly.
When he could, Richard turned in his arms, driving his hands into the boy's back pockets, squeezing. He whispered in Pete's ear, "You mean it?"
"Absolutely...."
"I ... love you to.... Almost at first sight, actually...."
Pete grinned as he ran his hand through the man's soft hair and pulled him into a kiss. "Mmmm, I could fuck you silly," he said, as they broke apart.
"Dinner first," Richard gasped, light headed.
"Alright, you can take me to dinner first," Pete joked.
Richard swatted his arm. "I have to finish dinner, now get.... But I would like to take you to dinner, just the two of us...."
"How's tomorrow night," Pete asked, slipping his thigh between Richard's and drawing nose-to-nose with the man.
"Perfect," Richard whispered, his breath tickling Pete's lips. They kissed again, before Richard righted himself and said, "Now get!" Pete laughed and walked out to join his friends, who were about to leave. Richard saw that, from where Avery was sitting, he had seen everything.
As Sebastian and James showed the boys out, Avery came into the kitchen and said, "Sorry for spying, but that tied for hottest thing I've ever seen...."
"Tied with," Richard asked, laughing.
"Seeing Sebastian give a blow job...."
Richard raised his eyebrow and giggled. "By the way, thanks...."
"Anything for an old friend," Avery said, nodding and joining the others.
The two men arrived at just the time appointed and stood at the door waiting for it to be answered, looking very nervous. They were surprised when neither the consul nor Richard answered but a tall, broad-shouldered, beautiful young man answered the door. "May I help you?"
"Consul van der Meer invited us for dinner...."
James waved them in with a pleasant smile and led them to the living room, where Sebastian sat. He did not stand.
The vampire stood at attention. "Thank you for the kind invitation, consul!"
"Thank you for taking the time to join me.... Please be seated.... You've met my partner, then," he added as James sat relaxed at his side.
Both men looked surprised as they knew Sebastian to be single. The strega, Roman stood and stepped in, holding out a hand to James. "You are the vampire that was being guarded at the hospital.... I'm Roman Sylvano...."
James smiled at the man and knew instantly that he was sincere. He stood and took his hand. "James ..." he began, but hearing Sebastian in his head, instead of giving the name of the man who nearly killed him, "... van der Meer...." He looked over at his shoulder and beamed at Sebastian, who smiled back at him. Again, Sylvano did not miss the exchange.
"Horatio Vickers," the vampire said, standing to introduce himself. "Congratulations, then.... Vampires rarely find a mate...."
"Thank you," Sebastian said, as James resumed his seat and Sebastian wrapped an arm around him.
A moment later, Avery entered the room. "Gentlemen," he said, "you'll excuse me.... I've been preparing for a journey.... Avery...."
Everyone was introduced, with the exception of Avery's last name being withheld. "So," Sebastian asked, "any developments?"
"These things ... take time," Vickers said, cutting Sylvano off.
"Hmmm," Sebastian said, thoughtfully, looking at the two men, sizing them up. "Would you like something to drink? Wine, beer, soda; something stronger perhaps?"
They chatted for a while, but soon dinner was ready and Richard sat down with them, and the two guests could feel the scrutiny. Sebastian caught James looking at Sylvano strangely a few times, and nearly asked him about it, but James gave him a signal.
"Mr. Salazar, could you pass the wine," James said, causing Avery to raise his eyebrows.
"Avery ... Salazar," the young vampire said, pushing back from the table in a rush. "What is the meaning of this?"
Sebastian quickly rose to his feet and stared Vickers down. "Sit! Avery, bind them...." Soon, neither man could move in their seats.
"Who are you two," Sebastian said, returning to his seat. Vickers looked at him angrily but said nothing.
"We are ... not from the council," Sylvano said, haltingly, looking at James. "How did you know? Vampires can't read my mind...."
"I could feel you were keeping something from us.... You mean no harm, but we cannot take any risks," James said, taking his hand. "What are you keeping from us?"
Sylvano let his head fall to his chest and shook it back and forth. "We should have told them, Horatio...."
"We can't trust them.... They're with the council...."
"Horatio used to work for Consul Chang," Sylvano began, and Horatio's eyes narrowed at them. "We fell in love, so when Horatio found out about Chang's secret dealings with dark forces, Chang came after me.... So we've been running for months.... I tried to contact my people, but so far, the two people I've been in contact with have disappeared, so I can't risk any more lives...." Sylvano raised his eyes, and looked at James. "Will you help us?"
Sebastian looked at Avery, who shrugged. "He's telling the truth," James said, finally.
"You're sure?"
"Positive...."
Sebastian nodded to Avery, who released them. "I opposed Chang in the council a day and a half ago.... It's not safe for you to be coming and going, so for the time being I'm going to ask you to stay here...." The men looked at each other having a silent conversation. When they nodded, he continued, "I've convinced the council to recall Avery to seek the Oracle -- in doing so I had to threaten to challenge Chang to a death match...."
Horatio looked at Sebastian with new appreciation. "How old are you?"
Sebastian looked like he was trying to find an out, so James leaned in and said, "A gentleman never asks a lady her age," and they all laughed.
"I will say that Chang is a whimpering pup, but he's mad with power.... Tell me, did you discover who his allies are?"
"His allies in the council are few, but they are well-placed.... He seems to think he has a trump though, that's what no one knows about.... He's been working serious dark magic, but he seems not to have anything to show for it...."
"Chang," Sebastian muttered under his breath.
Avery looked concerned, but at last he rose. "Well, as fun as it's been, I suppose I'll run along and meet with the Oracle...."
Sebastian looked up. "Do you need help with the spell?"
"No, it'll be fine.... See if they can give us more information while I'm gone...."
"Hurry back, my friend...." Avery nodded and headed to the basement.
After a few more hours, there was little more to learn from his two visitors and Sebastian stood and led them from the dining room. He called the men he had assigned to them and had them come back to his house and stand guard at the perimeter. To be on the safe side, he called four more guards to wait inside the walls.
At nearly ten, Sebastian received a phone call from Steve. "Hey, I'm just calling to see if Pete came back there?"
"Pete, no...."
"Well, he never made it home tonight after he went out.... He told his mom he was on his way to your place...."
"He never showed.... Hold on a second, Steve...." Sebastian sent a message to his guards to check for Pete's car, and within a few moments, they found it parked just down the street. The door was open and the keys were a few feet away.... "Steve, let me call you back...."
Richard approached him with a look on his face that said he knew what was coming. "Pete...."
"Richard, calm down.... Pete ... has been ... taken...."
"Taken?"
"His car was found abandoned near here.... No one has heard from him...."
"No," Richard called out through an extended sob, collapsing at Sebastian's feet. At just that moment, the door to the basement burst open almost explosively and Avery collapsed through it, a fresh cut on his face and a deep claw mark on his back.
Before he passed out, he managed to say, "The bitch is dead.... They've killed the Oracle...."