Something is moving under Nathaniel's skin. Rippling like waves under the thin surface. It's rolling through him. Soon the perfect skin will crack and burst; the sweet face disappear. His eyes are already bleeding away, the color drained replaced with gleaming yellow. Warm champagne. Amber stones set in Nathaniel's face. His fingernails are growing, the beast is being revealed. Answering the call of the moon...of the night.

The vampire is stretching on the bed. Watching propped up on the elbow. His red, red hair is floating like a ruby river on the white sheets. Almost as white as his skin, but with a different texture.

" Be a good boy," he tells his lover. His strong, muscled body is flexing when he moves, leans over to kiss him, fangs meets fangs of another kind. Nathaniel can't speak now, but he nods slightly before the rush of giving birth to the great cat takes him and brings him to oblivion.
Damian is holding him. Feels the knuckles shift and change inside the lithe body. He is careful to avoid the claws that's ripping into the mattress, tearing the silk. Warm fluid covers his hands and he knows that when he looks up he'll see a cat's face looking down at him.
Nathaniel's thigh is covered in leopard spots and long, strong tail sweeps lightly across the vampire's cheek. A lover's caress, before the lover is gone.

Damian let him go. Watches with loving eyes as the transformation unfolds. The cat stretches his legs, long and smooth. He stretches his own, long limbs as well, mirroring the beast in front of him. His pale fingers touches the soft fur of the sweeping tail, the strong muscles under the slick, silken gold.

" So beautiful..." He mutters.


II

As a rule, what you wish most to avoid to protect your own balance tends to appear even more than usual. Maybe, Damian mused, because something in you wished for it to happen. Called out for it. Like with Nathaniel. He saw the lycanthrope-boy every day now: Be it at the circus or in Anita's home. They didn't have any direct dealings, still they seemed to be in the same room more than usual. Always crossing each other's paths. Damian felt starved by having him so near...Those swaying, narrow hips, graceful movements, lilac eyes and that seemingly endless river of long, auburn hair that was Nathaniel seemed to pop up everywhere he went these days. Made Damian withdraw to the shadows, stern face frozen. A stern face from which he could watch the playful, soft-spoken youth. See the expressions mold and change on his sweet face. The lithe body under the casual clothes move... His fine bone structure, the beautiful skin...all of him; so alive. The warmth in his eyes. The happy, cheerful smile. His sweet voice that curled inside of Damian, brushed something in there. Made him awake, alert - and dreamingly absent at the same time. The way the boy held his mug by Anita's kitchen table, the way he tossed his hair back when someone spoke to him...The way his eyes would seek out Damian in the dark; hazed lavender look at him measuring. Full lips parted, a question in his gaze...

Damian felt like he was standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down at a rushing river, afraid to fall, afraid to jump, still knowing at some level he was already there, tumbled in the ice cold water...and still, it felt warm...

He was standing at the Circus, in the public area after closing time. Watched Nathaniel talk to Cherry and Kane. The two of them were seated on one of the benches while Nathaniel stood in front of them, holding a bottle of peach flavored ice tea in his hand. He said something and the other two laughed.

His hair was braided, his t-shirt white today, the jeans light blue again. Faded, casual....
They were waiting for Anita, their Nimir-Ra. Damian knew that when they got back to Anita's house Nathaniel would curl up next to her in the bed, the knowledge sent a most uncomfortable feeling of jealousy rippling through him. She could have his warmth...affection and love, and still - she didn't take it.

Damian wanted it, he admitted that much. His passion for the boy was a rolling, dark warmth. Still, he wasn't homosexual...he didn't even know if he'd be able to - perform. - if he ever got that close to the young cat. But vampire love was many kinds of love, he reminded himself, he could protect him...keep him... Watch the lithe kitten, make sure he wasn't harmed...
Damian was too old now to get shocked or ashamed over any new emotion that chose to appear in him. Even if this one was most surprising he didn't try to reject it...just accepted. Silently. Accepted and let it stay there, no harm caused, no harm gained...That was how he reasoned. But tear his gaze from the young, beautiful leopard, that he could not...

He saw Nathaniel turn his head and search the shadows surrounding the ring. Did he knew he was being watched? Could he feel it? Did he want to be watched? Damian wondered calmly.
He knew Nathaniel had noticed his gaze before, but as long as he said nothing, the lycanthrope couldn't be sure...Damian would be safe.

A figure glided up beside him, dark clad. Beautiful...the part of him that he could see.

" Asher..." Damian acknowledged his presence.

" You like him, don't you?" Asher's voice was smiling.

" Who?" Damian didn't think he'd fool the other for second, but couldn't just give in either.

" The kitten," Asher smiled back. His blue eyes told Damian that of course the vampire knew. " I didn't think you liked men...be it cats or ...other creatures..." Asher mused, whispering.

" I don't..." Damian replied.

" Then why...?"

" Why what?"

" Why do I feel this waves of passionate longing from you? Of love...desire..."

Damian shrugged lightly.

" I don't know," he said at last. Decided to go for the honest path. Asher would know it anyway if he was lying.

Said Asher laughed softly, a deep velvety purr.

" You know," he said. " when one live as long as we do, it's not that strange...that once in a while we fall in love across our own boundaries...That our love finds a unexpected target..."

" No," Damian lips twitched in a smile. "Apparently not," he added.

" So..." Asher continued. " What will you do about it? Call him to you?"

" No," Damian shifted slightly." He is Anita's pomme de sang, I wouldn't dare touch him...I respect what belongs to her."

Asher fell silent for a while.

" That's not the whole reason is it?" He said at last.

" No..." Damian dropped his gaze from the slender young man in front of them. "I don't think I could give Nathaniel what he would want from me..."

" ...Sex?"

" Yes," Damian shrugged.

Asher sighed beside him.

" So little faith in the power love, Damian...Don't you want him bodily? Isn't your flesh yearning for him in this moment?"

" Yes, but..."

" But you're afraid he'll turn you away aren't you?"

"...I am." Damian admitted not without shame.

" Have no fear," Asher smiled secretive. " The kitten is looking for you right this moment...searching for your glittering gaze..." Crisp sounds as Asher shifted and his clothing with him.

" But I hold no beauty as such," Damian argued. "There are many vampires and men more beautiful than I am..."

Asher still smiled when he leaned in and lay a hand on Damian's shoulder.

" Maybe," he purred in Damian's ear. "Maybe our beau wants something strong and manly?" He suggested. "Someone broad shouldered and angled, - not pretty and petite like the rest of us...He is a natural submissive, you know that."

" Are you suggesting?" Damian didn't quite know how to phrase his question.

" - That he finds you attractive? Yes...He finds this unexpected attention most...intriguing, I assure you..."

" How can you tell?" Damian's voice was still calm. A little smile still played on his lips.

Asher chuckled again.

" Oh, Damian," he said. "You're just afraid of going where you haven't gone before."

" Maybe," Damian muttered.

" Don't be!" Asher was serious. "Anita is a wonderful woman with a big heart, but she has too many people now. She can't take care of them all properly...You, Damian, you could take care of Nathaniel for her."

Damian's smile faltered.

" Nathaniel is one of the few who *does* get his share of our Mistress," he argued. " She protects him to the death, takes great risks for him..."

Asher was quiet for a while.

" Don't look for problems where there are none," he said at last and glided away as he'd arrived.

Damian watched Nathaniel from the shadows.

*********

A few days later Damian prepared to spend the day in Anita's house, simply because it was closer than the Circus, or that's what he told himself when he used the key he'd been given and locked himself in. Entered the spacious kitchen. The coffins in the basement were comfortable enough, he was just going to leave a note that he was there before going down.
It was still late night though and he didn't feel dawn yet - he decided to sit by the table for a while, just feel the calm of the no doubt crowded house, at night.
He saw a long strand of auburn hair on the floor and picked it up, a white mug by the sink...The flowers on the kitchen table, daisies as far as he could tell, was no doubt Nathaniel's work...He seemed to like it here, Damian mused. Liked living with Anita... He could smell him in the air to, faintly, but there: Vanilla...soft fur...it tickled in his nostrils.

" Damian?" The soft voice from the door startled him a little.

" Hi," he said simply. Hadn't time to prepare a mask and smiled back at the boy in the doorway.

Nathaniel wore white pajama pants in a thin material and a black tank. His hair was gathered in a pony-tail. Fell down around his legs like a silken waterfall.

" I heard someone," Nathaniel motioned with his hands while talking. " I wondered who it was, and since I was awake anyway I thought I'd...just as well come down..." He trailed off and dropped his gaze. Walked over to the sink and filled a waiting kettle with water from the spring.

" I hope you don't mind company," he said with his back turned to Damian.

" No..." Damian said with a little smirk. The calm of the house so early, the good vibrations there were soothing. Made him relax. feel comfortable...even with Nathaniel so close by. It was the one he'd come for anyway, wasn't it? His pale fingers played with the auburn strand, wrapped it around his finger. He watched Nathaniel's beautiful backside, wondered what was hidden under the fabric, the curve of his buttocks...the straight back...

Nathaniel made himself breakfast by the bench. Cereals, milk from the fridge, bent over like that he swept the floor with his hair. He seemed unusually tense though, Damian thought, but refused to think of Asher's words the other night.

Nathaniel smiled sweetly while approaching the table with his little bowl of cereals. Blushed faintly when he saw the hair between Damian's fingers but said nothing. Damian found the reaction peculiar, but kept still as well.

"Any particular reason why you're here?" Nathaniel asked gently.

" No..it was closer," Damian stretched his dark-clad legs under the table. "And it's always nice here at night," he added honestly.

Nathaniel smiled and started eating.

" Yes," he smiled between mouthfuls of food," but we all sleep like cats," he grinned. "There's usually more napping than actual sleeping going on."

" Not everybody sleeps like the dead," Damian replied and saw Nathaniel's face light up when he got the joke.

" True," Nathaniel admitted cheerfully and looked at Damian with warmth in his gaze. "Did you...like my show the other night?" He suddenly asked. Sent Damian a shy, almost coy smile over the cereals.

" Yes...yes, I did!" Damian replied and trailed his own cheek slowly with his fingers.

" Good," Nathaniel dropped his gaze and dipped the spoon back in the bowl. " I worked on the act for ages," he explained. " It's really hard...with the timing and the ...thong..." he trailed off, suddenly insecure.

Damian smiled silently.

" You were great," he assured the wereleopard. "I was stunned!" He said teasingly.

Nathaniel giggled softly.

" Thanks," he smiled sweetly and lifted the spoon to his mouth. Dark lashes fluttered on his cheeks. "Have you eaten, yet?" He said when he was done chewing, then he interrupted himself: " Yes, of course you have...sorry...I'm not used at living with vampires anymore...Who did you feed on?" He asked with something almost longing in his voice. It made something ache and twitch in Damian's chest. The warm, red wave rose, uncoiled slowly and spread though his loins.

" A werewolf," he said simply. No emotions in his voice.

" Was he good?" Nathaniel's voice still held that edge of something.

" He was...nice," Damian said silently. Somewhat taken aback by the questions...the way Nathaniel bit his lower lip.

" Would you want me?" The youth said softly. "I mean...before you go to sleep. If you would like to feed..." His eyes fastened on the daisies.

" I haven't fed from you in a while now, Nathaniel..." For some reason it felt scary - and extremely tempting. He studied the hair in his hand. Undid it slowly from his index.

" No," Nathaniel said simply.

" It's always a pleasure," Damian continued. " I would be foolish of me to say no..." Damian continued his musings out loud.

" But...?" The purple gaze met his. Half-expectant, half-afraid. A gaze he couldn't resist.

" But nothing," Damian said. "If you are willing, so am I."

" Good," Nathaniel beamed. Light in his eyes now, he put down the spoon.

Damian rose slowly from the chair, reached out a hand to Nathaniel. The fine boned hand landed in his and Damian dragged him to his feet, savored the feel of the smooth skin, the almost electric feel of Nathaniel's hand in his.

The lycanthrope let his hand go to embrace his shoulders, let his hands slide over the curves. Damian's arms circled his torso in return. Felt the warmth of the youth through the fabric. The silken feel of the skin on his naked arms. The scent of fur and vanilla. Fabric softener, soap.

" Loosen your hair, Nathaniel," Damian murmured and Nathaniel did as he was told. The long veil draped around him, flowed across Damian's fingers. Thick and soft.

Nathaniel tilted his neck, came in closer, pressed himself to the vampire's body. His breathing came heavier, the pulse beat a bit faster. Their gazes met, emerald to purple, and stayed there for a while. Nathaniel's hand played lightly in Damian's hair.

Damian looked down at the boy. He was a bit too short, he decided and let his hands move down his sides to his waist and lifted him from the ground, swung him around and placed him on the kitchen counter, near the sink. Made Nathaniel give a startled little yelp and beam with amused delight.

Damian smiled back, chuckled a little, then he got serious. Still with one arm circling Nathaniel's waist he lifted his fingers to his slender neck and brushed it free from hair. Exposed sweet scented, cream colored skin and a pounding artery. He closed his eyes and bent forward, licked the smooth skin lightly, felt Nathaniel's fingers curl in his hair, the boy give a deep sigh.

He waited no longer but let his fangs pierce the thin surface, careful as not to create ragged marks. Tiny points, that was usually the deal. Nathaniel sighed and contracted before he became soft and yielding in Damian's arms. Rolled into oblivion by the power of his mind. His fists slowly curled and uncurled in Damian's hair while the youth hissed with pleasure. Pressed himself closer to Damian who rode the feel of the flow, the deep red blood that poured into him from Nathaniel's punctured neck. Tasted of lilac innocence and wild cats...Made him dizzy, unleashed the hunger...

Nathaniel's body heat rose as he drained him, the lycanthrope's natural protection against harm. Rose, until the lithe youth was like a glowing piece of coal in his hands, transferred his beating rhythm, the feel of the flow of the blood into Damian. His scent became stronger, almost overwhelming. It was as if he could feel the cat, every curve and angle of his body through their clothes.

He let the neck go with a outburst. Let his head fall back to ride out the feeling. Heard Nathaniel's whimpering sounds as through a haze. He looked down, saw that the wounds were still bleeding, Nathaniel hung limp and oblivious in his arms. He quickly licked the wounds clean, closed them with his saliva. Licked every trace of red from the creamy skin. So smooth the texture, so soft and warm...Damian found it hard to stop, he trailed the line to Nathaniel's ear, licked lightly at the ear-lobe. Traced the curve of the fine shell with the tip of his tongue. Pressed his lips to Nathaniel's soft cheek...

His hands stroke the boy's sides up and down, caught the fabric of his tank on one side and dragged it with him, exposed the flat belly, his fingers landed there. Touching the warm skin, caressed it firmly, rubbed it with his thumb. His fingers moved higher, brushed a stiff nipple in process, his other hand followed and moved in under Nathaniel's top. Touched the muscled, lean torso while his mouth kept pressing kisses to his face.

Nathaniel moaned, still dazed and drugged from the feeding, but Damian didn't care. He pulled the lycanthrope closer, his legs were already spread to allow Damian access to the neck, now he brought their hips into closer contact while caressing Nathaniel's smooth, narrow back with his hands.

"Damian..." Nathaniel murmured and tilted his head slightly. His grip in Damian's hair strengthened as his eyes began to regain focus. His sweet breath in Damian's face, so warm and inviting and they kissed. Nathaniel's soft, full lips parted and Damian's tongue slipped inside. Saliva mingled as their tongues caressed each other. Teased and slid over and across. Fell into a rhythm with each other. Nathaniel's legs curled around the taller male's thighs and he pressed himself closer to the vampire while moaning softly into the kiss. His hands hugged his shoulders and he arched up from the counter hips first, while creating a mewing sound in his throat.

Damian received his weight without breaking the kiss. Lifted the cat up in the air and lowered him to the tiled floor. He hovered above him, his ruby red hair fell around them like a curtain, mingled with Nathaniel's auburn river on the floor. He finally broke the kiss and gave the boy a chance to breathe. So sweet that taste, the taste of Nathaniel lingering on his tongue, flowing through his veins...

He pushed the black material of the top up to Nathaniel's armpits, took a brief second to admire the sight before he swept down to touch his chest with his mouth. Let his lips roam creamy skin, his tongue flickered out to touch a nipple. Nathaniel writhed and moaned beneath him, rubbed his hips against Damian's.

"Oh God," he murmured. "Feels so good."

Damian's hands slid down to his hips, felt the juncture through the fabric. The erect hardness that lay across his lower belly. He caressed it roughly through the fine texture. Nathaniel cried out and stifled it by biting into his own hand. He was breathing heavily now and moved rhythmically against Damian's palm. Eyes half-closed, lost in passion.

Damian thought him the most beautiful creature alive in that moment. A luscious being. A luxury to touch. He lay down beside him, continuing to rub the twitching arousal, realized he was in a similar state: Hard and erect under the black velvet. Nathaniel rolled half way over and caught his lips again, sucked at his tongue gently, created electric sensations of raging lust that shot through Damian's body, made him growl into the wild kiss and pull Nathaniel's hips roughly to with his own. Felt their arousals meet through the layers of fabric, caress and stroke over each others. Nathaniel's hips moved eagerly, pushed and grind at the same time. He let Damian's mouth go and moaned loudly in the silent house.

Damian's shirt had been tugged open during their passionate encounter on the floor and he felt Nathaniel's perspiration on his skin. The slick dampness of the other. Their nipples almost touched as they rolled against each other’s salty, warm moisture. Their legs had entwined, locked them both to the other's body. Arms tangled, mouth's still eager to explore.

Then suddenly a hard tug inside made Damian start and come to his senses. He quickly began to loosen himself from Nathaniel's heavy, unwilling limbs. Heard a disappointed outburst from the other when he realized what was happening. His purple gaze was shrouded and dilated, his lips swollen and moist. He reached out a lazy hand and tried to stop him when he rose from the floor. Damian grabbed it and pulled him with him. Nathaniel fell into his body, lust drugged and unsteady.

" Why?" He muttered disappointed and kissed Damian's sculpted chest. Licked one of his cherry colored nipples, made the vampire hiss in response.

" Dawn, Kitten." He whispered hoarsely. "The dead must rest."

" Oh," Nathaniel said, sounded somewhat relieved as well. " I thought it was something wrong.." he explained lazily and trailed Damian's lips with his finger. "So green," he marveled and locked his gaze in Damian's. Rested his auburn head on the vampire's chest. Head tilted upwards, looking at him, involuntarily coquettish.

Damian sighed deeply and lifted a slender hand to his lips;

" I must go now," he said with regret and pressed his mouth to the creamy surface.

" Yes, I guess..." Nathaniel closed his eyes briefly. "Sleep tight then," His soft voice spoke, then he slowly moved away from the other's body. Moved backwards one step at the time. Let go of his hand at last, brought it with him as far as he could. When he finally had to let it go their fingers slid against each other until only their fingertips touched. Then the contact was broken...

Nathaniel turned around with a deep sigh and slumped shoulders, then he walked slowly towards the door before he suddenly paused and looked back at the vampire:

" See you later, lover..." he winked coyly and was gone.

*********************

Stunned. Excited. Overthrown. Damian staggered down to the coffin room. Dawn just minutes away now, creating a loud, disturbing hum in his body.

He opened the lid to the coffin while marveling at how easy it had been. Not hard at all...Nathaniel was a boy, yes...but it was just a part of him and he'd been just as excited now as he'd ever been with a woman. He breathed in the scent of his own skin, smelled Nathaniel there. Recalled the feel of his body, the touch of his hands...The kisses he gave, so deep and passionate...Damian sighed deeply with delight before he climbed into the coffin and died.



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