Time: October 26, evening. Two nights past the meeting with Lacroix, one night past Frank and Cash at the Haven.
Cash wheels the big Harley expertly though the darkened street of the park. Technically, the park will be closing in a couple of hours, but as long as things don't get too noisy, the cops generally only caution people after midnight. Frank had left a message on Cash's personal voice mail earlier asking to meet.
The gazebo comes into view, and, sure enough, the Gangrel catches sight of a figure perched on the railing. "Hey, Frank," he calls as he parks the bike next to Frank's beater of a car.
A lazy smile forms on the mortal's face as he straightens. "Hey, Cash," Frank Kouhanek says back, gesturing for the Gangrel to join him.
Cash takes the stairs up to the platform two at a time in an easy lope. He comes straight to Frank and envelopes him in a tight hug, breathing in the mortal's scent, already familar and cherished. Teasing, he remarks, "Don't smell like Julian, Frank - haven't you been to the mansion yet?"
While the hug is now welcome and enjoyed, the words take the detective aback, his eyes widening as they part. "Smell like Julian? Why..." He gulps, knowing but not knowing what he is obviously being teased about. "I'm missing something here, buddy..." He tries on a smile, but it doesn't fit.
"Easy, Frank, didn't mean to put you on the spot. It's just that for months now, I figured Julian or Sonny was grooming you for the Ventrue..." Cash slants a speculative look at the mortal.
Frank narrows his eyes at his new friend. That wasn't at all what Cash was alluding to, he's sure of it. "Cash, I don't even own a good suit, and I ask too many questions to be a Ventrue, I think. I'm no yes-man, can't stick to procedures." He shrugs.
"'Don't own a good suit', I *like* that one. Have to tell Stone - the boys and girls like you, by the way. Had a couple of them come by or call just to say so." [I can see why Julian wants you, my friend.]
"Yeah?" Frank pulls at his chin, leaning against the stone railing of the gazebo next to Cash. "I felt pretty comfortable with them, I guess." He manages a wry grin finally. "As comfortable as any mortal can be, I'm sure. I do feel a bit of a 'coming home' feeling, Cash. I like that."
"That's good, man, better than good, actually. Julian was right, your 'best' clan is probably us." Cash turns to face Frank, leaning up against one of the poles supporting the gazebo roof.
Frank sighs, glancing over. "So that's settled. I'll be Gangrel." He pauses, smiling a little, liking the sound of that. "So what's next? When is this all going to happen?"
"That's kinda up to you, man. Julian and I were thinking about the 30th. There's no hurry, though. You *are* ok with it being me?"
The mortal starts in surprise. Today is only the 26th. "You, yeah, no problem, bud." He smiles, meaning that. "I like you, Cash. But why wait until then? And, ah, right before Halloween? Excuse me, but the juxtaposition seems a little bizarre..." He chuckles nervously, though settling down again.
"Hallows is a holy day for me, my friend. I'm pagan, Julian's Catholic, by the way. But we were thinking to introduce you around as a new fledgling at Julian's big Masquerade Ball."
Frank pales considerably at the suggestion. "Ah... you can't be serious..."
"Most of the community will be there." Cash shrugs. "Just don't wait too long. I don't want to lose you, too."
"Too long!" Frank erupts, his passionate side rushing to the fore before his brain can, as is his way. "Cash, man, I don't WANT to wait that long! Excuse me, but isn't that what happened to Sasha? Julian waited too long and look what happened!" He presses closer, serious and worried. "I want to be Gangrel! You know Brujah saw me with you, Cash! Do you want history to repeat itself??"
"Gods, NO!!! Never that, never again." Cash reaches out and grabs the detective's jacket front and pulls him close. "I'd have taken you the other night, amongst the clan, or right here and now, if Julian hadn't bid me wait for...." Cash breaks off just in time. [For him to have you as a mortal first.] Appalled by what he almost revealed, Cash pulls Frank face to face, reaching up to pull his face down in a kiss, surprisingly brutal for just a split second, then gentling. [You're mine, mine, not the Brujah's - never...]
The reaction from the Gangrel heartens Frank Kouhanek at first, then something changes at the mention of Julian, and then... then the Kindred is kissing him, first hard, like a slap, then soft... Frank passes from relief to confusion to shock to... relief. His hands have also grabbed at the other's leather jacket, but now it's to hold him there.
The kiss is soothing now, more gentle than the mortal had thought possible between a human and a Kindred, or between two men. Cash pulls back just enough to whisper his name, then the cool lips are back, the strangely soft tickle of beard against Frank's own stubbled face.
When Kindred and mortal part again, a sigh escapes the latter, and his brown eyes are wide with wonder as they meet the other's. "Cash... um... " Frank licks his lips, amazed. "That was nice," he whispers.
Cash reaches up and cups the mortal's face, running a soothing thumb over the cheek, just touching the edge of his lips. "My friend, you have no concept of the pleasures and passions of Kindred life. Your time with Alexandra was just the merest taste....." Cash's voice trails off. "Taste, gods, I want to taste you."
"Taste..." Frank echoes dreamily, falling rather willingly under the Kindred's lure, but he's still Frank Kouhanek. "Julian bid you to wait for what, Cash?"
"Shit, Frank - you would have to bring up the 'prince of the city'. My god and goddess know I love the man, he's my lord and my lover, but he can be such a feudal pain in the ass sometimes." Cash runs his hand through his hair, causing it to stand on end.
"You brought it up, Cash," Frank points out patiently, the corner of his mouth quirked up. "So, you're waiting for what?"
Cash paces away the width of the gazebo, bracing himself on the railing opposite. "Just waiting, OK? *HE* has the right to say who and when." [Which is the truth, but not the whole story.] "One thing you gotta understand, man, is that this ain't a democracy. You're about to put yourself under a *feudal* system, unchanged since the Middle Ages. He's the Prince, man. It's not just a title."
"Like he wanted Sasha to wait?" Frank can't help saying. This is hitting too close to home. "You saw what happened. Anyone close to Julian is vulnerable, and I think I'm counted there." He looks across the gazebo at the other man, wishing he'd stayed close. "They know where I live, Cash. Remind him of that."
"Then come stay with us, at the mansion. There's plenty of room, you're safe at work with Sonny. It's only a couple of days." Cash turns and comes back across the open floor of the gazebo, the prowling quality in the Gangrel's walk, almost stalking, is apparent to the mortal for the first time. Cash reaches out, wanting to touch Frank again. "You're mine, I won't let them near you."
The lightly possessive tone in the Gangrel primogen's voice actually heartens the mortal, who is very glad to lose the physical space separating them. When Cash reaches out, Frank instinctively responds, clasping his forearm much as he's seen Cash do with his clansmen. "Good... then I think I'll do just that, buddy. And a couple days sounds good..."
He sighs, starting to relax. "We haven't talked about particulars... like how and what's exactly going to happen to me..." Frank takes a deep breath. "Not sure I want to know, but I should be prepared."
Cash gestures to the bench at the back of the Gazebo, "Yeah, it's time to get down to the nuts and bolts."
Frank follows Cash and sits down beside him. He hasn't forgotten about the "taste" comment and can't help but wonder what his blood is going to taste like to Cash.
"I think you'd better think about taking a short leave of absence from the department." Cash sees the detective's mouth start to open in protest. "Just a couple of weeks, man. You do *not* want to come up on a homicide scene until you can keep the eyes and teeth under control no matter what."
"Right," Frank admits readily after closing his dropped jaw. "Okay, I got the time coming. What else?"
"The actual Embrace is... well harder to hear about than go though. If you don't *think* about what's happening, it's easier." Cash reaches out and slings an arm across the back of the park bench, pulling Frank in closer, turning slightly, his eyes somber. "I'm going to kill you, man, that's the honest truth. Drain you to the last dregs, to the point your heart is giving out. Then feed you *my* blood to replace it." Cash shivers, remembering his own Embrace, no explanations, just ecstasy and pain.
The arm around Frank's shoulders is a very good thing, because the mortal's first instinct is to run to the next county. But the touch of the Gangrel grounds him, keeps him in touch with what he knows he wants, despite the awful truth of it. Frank works a swallow down his suddenly bone dry throat. "Don't miss, man," he says quietly, locking eyes with the Kindred. "Bring me back into your life, Cash. You have done this before, of course?"
"Julian has, that's why I want him there. I'm just now getting to be old enough to be permitted to make a childe." Cash looks away. "Julian trusted me to embrace Sasha, and my bloodline is strong. If you don't turn away into the light, you'll come back."
Cash reaches out and turns Frank's face to him with the hand not holding the mortal's shoulder. "Until you swallow Kindred blood, you have a choice, man. Now it's a choice between life as a mortal and life as a Kindred, then it will be between life and death. The choice is always yours, though."
"The light..." Frank is puzzled, but trusts Cash now. "Yes, it's my choice. But I have no real choice at present. I'll be sacrificed or Embraced by Brujah." He shudders, remembering his encounter with the Brujah primogen, Cameron. "I'm a liability to the prince as long as I'm mortal. And... God help me, I want the life..." He closes his eyes, just resting in his sire-to-be's touch.
"And I want you in my clan, in my family. I don't want you hurt or to feel betrayed afterwards, man. Not like me, or even Julian. I like you too much for that."
Frank nods, smiling. He's feeling more and more bonded already to this Kindred, this rough but kind Gangrel whose touch of wild resonates within his own self. "Thanks, man. I won't let you down."
"When you *become* Kindred, that hurts. I won't lie to you. The Embrace itself is the rush of a lifetime, but your body will resist the changes. You'll think I've betrayed you into hell for a while, but it will pass, and I'll be there - in your head with you if you like my help with it. I won't let you deal with it alone like I had to."
The mortal opens his eyes, looking again into Cash's stormy hazel ones. "No, HELL would be waking up Brujah." He takes the hand from his cheek and holds it in his in his lap, smiling crookedly. "But that ain't gonna happen. Thanks for being honest with me. I LIKE honest. I hate people talking in circles around me." He won't bring up the Julian thing again, though.
"This is gonna be hard on you, Frank. I thought Stevie was the devil incarnate for a few days. He didn't tell me *anything*. Gods, the first time I wept with the pain, I about went ballistic. Oh, that brings up ANOTHER thing...." Cash fidgets, looking VERY embarrassed.
Frank rubs a hand along the other's arm. "Hey, buddy, it's okay, I do need to know. This is so great." He smiles wanly, only half wishing they were talking about someone else this was going to happen to.
"Did you ever see Alexandra cry, Frank? or perspire?" Cash can't figure out exactly what facts of Kindred life his new childe-to-be knows, what he's guessed at and what will blindside him.
The mortal frowns momentarily, thinking. "Ah... I don't think so... what about it?"
"We weep in blood, we sweat in blood, we cum in blood." Cash looks out over the deserted park, his eyes a million miles away and decades ago. "Nobody bothered to warn me. Shocked the hell out of me, Frank. Scared me."
The hand rubs the Gangrel's arm again, but it's not clear if Frank needs the reassurance or if he thinks Cash does. "Shit. You mean you bleed all over the place?"
Cash chuckles at that. "No, man, it's just a tint of blood. Where a mortal's tears are clear, our are tinged with blood. And for a man, your cum is too. I have *no* idea if it tastes different. I never had a male lover as a mortal. Smokey and Morgaine say no."
"Oh, you mean there is a bit of blood in your... fluids." Frank untenses a little. The images that were starting to come up were pretty graphic and wild in his fertile imagination. "Tastes..." Frank gulps, not having thought about tasting cum before, blood-tinged or not. "Ah, yeah, I suppose not..." [How the hell would I know??]
Cash continues, "Frank, if it were *all over the place*, we'd never be able to maintain the Masquerade. Think for a minute, have you noticed anything that weird?"
"No, of course not, but you are masters of deception... I mean, you know, the Masquerade and all," Frank murmurs.
"And it's a Masquerade that you will be joining, my friend. The next few weeks you'll feel like you are balancing on a tightrope, at the same time coping with the worst case of flu you ever had."
"Flu..." Frank looks puzzled. "Go on, man..."
"The changes in your body, Frank, what we call 'the Becoming'. They hurt. You'll be sick to your stomach, you'll be ravenous with Hunger and only blood will quench it, but then you'll realize what you drank and want to throw up." Cash looks solemnly at this man he aches to Embrace. [It's better to know, surely. No panic, maybe even less pain.] "Frank, I'm deliberately painting a 'worst case' scenario here." Cash reaches out and cups the mortal's suddenly pale cheek as he makes that last a reassurance.
"Yeah," Frank sighs, remembering. "Alexandra's blood made me sick, but that was just a tiny taste. I didn't throw up... strangely, And I know what to expect. It doesn't horrify me... the thought of drinking blood." He realizes this as he says it, wondering. "It's kinda... erotic."
"Oh Frank, you're gonna have it *so* much easier than I did, or even Julian." Cash sighs and pulls Frank closer, strong arms around the mortal's shoulders. "I knew nothing, it was almost a rape. Stevie made me Kindred to start a gang, he wanted a warrior and nothing more. *YOU*, though, are accepted and desired for yourself. Frank, you're gonna be my childe. I won't abandon you like the Gangrel often do. I've liked you since Julian first pointed you out to me, in the Starkweather mess, and you are so *right* for my clan. If I had met you and Julian hadn't, I would be begging the prince for your Embrace. I won't be a negligent sire, Frank. I'll always be there for you." Cash leans his head in against the mortal's warmth.
Frank's head is swimming. [Damn, this is so great... so right...] "Thanks... Cash," he murmurs, his voice actually tender. "Thanks, man. You're good. We're gonna be good." He can't say more, his throat a bit tight.
"Yeah, we will be, 'fledgling'." There is a teasing tone in Cash's voice as the slang for a new born Kindred slides into his speech. Cash reaches out and flicks Frank on the chin, playfully. "Yeah... Still wonder if you taste as good as you smell, cause you smell enticing." [Gods, I want him. Is this how Julian saw me, standing on the brink of passion and afraid to dive in. I don't think he's even kissed another man before. So much hidden beneath the surface, has Frank.]
"Yeah?" Frank murmurs, chuckling. The detective smiles and realizes he is very comfortable with both the camaraderie and the intimacy with Cash. Remembering the kiss they shared, he wonders if that was only to shut him up about Julian after all. "Cash," Frank murmurs, leaning in closer, "it's okay. You can taste me." He smiles, more relaxed than he's been for days.
A quick, aroused intake of breath escapes the Gangrel. "Oh yeah...." he breathes out, just at the threshold of Frank's hearing. Lacing his fingers into Frank's, Cash lifts the mortal's wrist up to his mouth. He kisses the wrist, licking at the skin, before bending his head over it, then his teeth break the skin as gently as a lover's touch.
Gasping sharply, Frank feels a sting then a flood of indescribable, pleasurable sensations, like the rush of a full-body orgasm. He throws his head back, moaning, his eyes wide and sightless, clutching at the Kindred.
"Frank, look at me." Cash murmurs a moment later as he withdraws from the Kiss, as gentle as he entered, licking at the wounds to make them disappear.
Closing his mouth, then swallowing, Frank tilts his head back down, returning to earth. He glances in wonder at his healed wrist, then meets Cash's eyes, wondering. "Wow... what you did..."
Silver eyes and a touch of blood at the corner of Cash's mouth, "See me as I am, my friend. Do you desire this?" Cash growls.
Seeing his own blood on the other's mouth, Frank feels a faint shiver, but the urge to run is gone. Again, the passion is stirred in him, that which Alexandra touched awake. "I desire this," Frank breathes, awed.
A quick lick of a tongue and the blood is gone. The silver fades from the Gangrel's eyes. "I just wanted to be sure. For we are predators, Frank, never doubt it. Just ethical ones, most of us."
The passion still thrums through the mortal. "I shot Julian Luna, Cash, and I wanted to hunt Kindred and you have to ask me about ethical predators?" He snorts with irony, but also with a bit of a smile. "I fit in, brother, I'm just not there yet!"
"Frank, you thought us to be monsters. I just don't want you to think of yourself as one, now or later. And your blood...." Cash's eyes glint silver again, deliberately. ".... burns like brandy, strong and heady." Cash nearly purrs that last.
"I don't think that now," Frank sighs. "And tonight seals it." Then he gives the hand in his a squeeze. "Yeah? I taste good to you?" He smirks, enjoying the other man's reaction.
"Wonderful," Cash still has a hold on Frank's hand, and he drops a kiss in the palm.
Frank watches the kiss to his palm in amazement. "Cash, that was... incredible. I... I don't know what to say. Thanks." He shifts position minutely, aware suddenly that his pants are a bit tight in front.
Cash leans in and kisses the skin at the opening of Frank's jacket, tasting sweat and leather, but to the mortal's disappointment, he doesn't break the skin. Then a final lingering kiss on the lips. "You taste like the night, Frank. Like pine forests under the moonlight. We'll run together in them someday soon."
"I... would like that," Frank replies, his voice a bit breathy. Then his hand slips around to the back of Cash's head, and - no longer surprised by any of this, happy to be swept along - Frank kisses Cash again, settling easily on his mouth now.
[Oh gods, it would be so easy to just take him, to turn him now, but no... wait. Nothing to feed him here... better to wait.] The half formed thoughts skitter in and out of the back of the Gangrel's mind, for most of his attention is on the mortal in his arms.
Reluctantly, Cash breaks the kiss, gazing down at the mortal so unexpectedly passionate in his arms. "Kouhanek, I underestimated you in more than one way... [and I'm damn glad I did.]
Frank languidly glances back, eyes still half-lidded. "Yeah? What's that?"
"I never thought you'd come to us, never dreamed of you as a Gangrel. I about fainted when Julian proposed it. Thought it would be all business and no passion between us. You have surprised me at every turn. Gonna lead me a merry dance, I can tell." Cash's face lights up in unholy glee. "Or *we* will lead Julian on one."
A grin spreads over the detective's face. "Sounds like my kinda fun, Cash. And... hell, the passion brought me into all of this. I guess Julian is the key anyway... he's been nothing but fair with me." He shrugs. "Well, whatever, hell, let's do it..." A gleam comes into his eye. "On Julian's timetable, of course."
He dares to wink.
THE END
