he'd take them all on

Adrian, as was usual, settled their tab and then the trio slowly headed for the exit, Luke slinging an arm around the pureblood's neck and giving him a kiss on the face in thanks as they stumbled around other patrons, making sure to avoid the cut on his head, unable to properly express his gratitude. He couldn't afford to pay for his own share let alone all three of them. It was incredible and he'd be forever in Adrian's debt. Just as they made it to the door, his friend peeled off, though Luke didn't hear the reason why, Adrian's words consumed by the music. Toilet, probably. With a shrug, he and Henry continued through the doors, feeling immediate relief as the cool air hit them. They waited for Adrian, of course, debriefing on the night until a figure approached them.

With the alcohol pumping through his veins, Luke was relaxed and far more approachable than he'd normally be. Henry, however, was always world weary no matter his state of sobriety, so Luke was the first to greet the stranger, smile on his face. It didn't feel like something they needed to be concerned about, especially considering how much socialising they'd just done inside the club.

Adrian had needed a little bit of space after his unintentional confession at the infirmary, unsure where he and his guardian now stood. Henry didn't understand all the ins and outs of their dynamic, nor did he understand the complexities of Alicante's laws and traditions, but in his eyes, none of that really mattered. Communication was at the heart of their issues, just like any other regular couple. Regardless of how it came about, Henry was proud of Adrian for saying how he really felt, in the moment that he felt it. As a man who constantly slipped through time, if there was one thing Henry had come to learn, it was that nobody got a lot of it. Why waste it hiding in shame, dawdling in fear, looking the other way? The present was all they tangibly had, and it was something that could be taken away in an instant. It was why he'd become entangled in Amy so quickly, and why the three of them had become such fast friends — they were all incredibly impulsive, but it stemmed from feeling everything with such a great intensity that they had no place to hide.

With the night winding down, Henry pushed his way through the writhing bodies and followed the pair to the exit, noticing Adrian split off before they'd made it, heading for the toilets. Enjoying the fresh air while they waited, Henry laughed with Luke about one of the guys they'd met that night, though the noise died in his throat when he noticed someone approach. Just because he was impulsive didn't mean he wasn't wary, Henry certainly the least approachable and forgiving out of the trio. Something else he'd learnt in all of his travels were that people were usually assholes. But the man quickly introduced himself and Henry instantly pieced it together, relaxing. He might not have been Eddie's biggest fan, dubious about how he was handling his dynamic with Adrian, but he supposed he should give him the benefit of the doubt. They'd never met before — or at least, current Henry hadn't ever had the pleasure. He let Luke take point, but his friend's train of thought quickly deteriorated, impaired by the night's drinks.

Henry wrapped his arm around Luke's shoulders then, steadying them both. "There is a lot, buddy, you're absolutely right. Maybe, one day, it'll all make sense." He shot Eddie a knowing smile then, unable to help the hint of passive aggression, alcohol emboldening him. He may as well test the waters without Adrian around. "He was with us, yeah. But it sounds like you don't believe him?"

The dhampir’s smile tightened, only nodding stiffly in response. He knew better than anyone Adrian had a tendency to run his mouth when inebriated, often playing up, exaggerating — their recent trip to the infirmary was more than proof of that. Irritation began hurtling towards fear, Eddie now concerned about what Adrian might be telling other people. Albeit, there wasn’t much to tell, Eddie downplaying everything they’d done for the sake of his own feelings, but if anything ever got out, became exaggerated, they’d be completely fucked. Feeling his cheeks begin to warm, Eddie tried his best to waylay his worry, figuring the comments could still be applied to a guardian and charge dynamic. He was certainly very present in Adrian’s life, anyone could see that. Plus, Adrian was a known flirt. It could all be explained. Eddie was still working on convincing himself of that when Henry finally spoke up.

Considering how kindly Luke had responded, and how highly Adrian spoke of him, Henry’s apparent attitude was unexpected. He didn’t know the man enough to confirm if he was being goaded, but it certainly felt like it, Eddie’s pretense of a smile falling completely as their gazes met. It confirmed his fears. Adrian had been talking. But Eddie still couldn’t be sure of the context, of the details, and it certainly wasn’t the place, nor the people, to confirm anything with. Better to talk it it out privately.

Eddie cleared his throat, attempting to calm down. He’d only approached the pair for help, but he’d been sent nothing but curve balls and he was still no closer to finding Adrian. Now Henry was challenging his own relationship? Questioning their trust in one another? It didn’t register to the guardian that Henry had actually made a good point — Eddie wouldn’t hear it, not when it came from someone he didn’t know, not when it was thrown at him like some kind of accusation of failure. “Right,” the blonde nodded, glancing around them again in hopes of spotting Adrian, finding it difficult to maintain his cool. “Well, to me, it sounds like you’re getting involved in something you don’t know anything about. I believe what I see, and I don’t see Adrian. So, where is he?”

Feeling his own breath quicken, Eddie suddenly moved, pushing Adrian back to release him. He didn't want to go too early, not before he'd had him. "Come here," the dhampir ordered, holding onto Adrian's elbow as he guided him from the floor to the wall. His charge's back now pressed against the wall, Eddie made quick work of their clothes, tugging them all off until they were both stark naked. Breaths heavy, finally, he kissed him, ravenous and unthinking. Eddie was convinced both of them were insatiable. They'd been sleeping together constantly for two months, and yet, each time still felt like the first, though also underlined with an anxiety that it might be their last, and that they couldn't have each other fast enough for what if it were to be taken away?

They'd shared a few times far more tender than this, but neither of them were in that headspace right then, Eddie turning his charge a minute later, front flush against the wall. This was about want, about need, about power. Lately, Eddie was always irritated and frustrated during training. He was desperate to prove himself, constantly worried what the others thought of him, and always stressed by the never-ending game of keeping Adrian's mood balanced somewhere between happy and focused. All of those feelings compounded with lust, and suddenly, he could think of no better way to get his charge to comply, to listen, and each time he did so, Eddie felt a satisfaction like he'd never experienced. In those moments, when they were truly connected, he felt respected, he felt safe, and he felt worthy. It was addictive, Adrian was addictive, and Eddie lost himself in the motion, pushing into him again and again, a hand finding the back of the blonde's head, keeping him steady. "Stay still —" his voice was gruff, breathless. Every now and then, he glanced at the expression on Adrian's face, at the bruising scattered across the base of his neck, at where their bodies met, and he'd smile, mind whirring from the high of it all, in the confirmation that Adrian was his.

The scent of their sweat became too much, and Eddie found himself wanting his blood again, knowing it would complete them both. "I want you —" he grunted, removing his hand so his lips could find his charge's neck instead, trailing along until he found a recent bruise. But no sooner had he started to kiss the tender spot did the doors fly open, and the world came crashing down upon them. Eddie met his best friend's gaze, and in a rush, all breath left him. The guardian pulled back so fast that both of them staggered, unbalanced. Suddenly so far from the synchronised harmony they'd just been, Eddie gasped, trying to find some air but getting none. He didn't hear Mason apologise, didn't hear anything, his ears ringing. Then, suddenly, his best friend was gone again, and as if his body was unlocking itself, Eddie hunched over, the hand that had fisted Adrian's hair moments ago now finding his chest, rubbing at his lungs, trying to inhale through the seizing panic. "Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck. What... what just... fuck —" His stomach turned, body reeling from the sudden change in emotion, feeling the urge to vomit. "No," he gagged. "Fuck —"

“Fuck,” he muttered, feeling embarrassed amongst everything else. “Well, what are you doing back out then? You had the place all to yourself, you could’ve snored it down by now. Or braided Rose’s hair.” Whilst the jokes were normal for the pair, Eddie was trying to deflect from being caught out, feeling sheepish. Mason was someone he’d always looked up to, as a person and as a guardian. The job came far more naturally to him, and he’d landed on a great pairing, one that he’d handled with ease. Eddie, on the other hand, seemed to feel his way through every encounter with Adrian, fiercely determined but very out of his depth.

# ILYA NEEDY ROZANOV 🥺🔒❤️‍🔥🥰🙏

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