HUNGER

Truthfully, the last few months had been a dream; the world had been to hell and back, but Kadir didn't remember that. Wrapped up in himself, memories of things that hadn't happened weren't productive or conducive to his work. Kadir had focused his energies on what The Eye had approved under its new regime. The development of treatment options for volatiles and leeches had been a stroke of genius on Sanem's part. Kadir was sad to see her go, but the Soul had more room to expand his interests in her absence. Despite popular discourse, fertility issues persisted among the elves, the autonomous works of the warforged that had been built from his early designs were imperfect, and while the Clockwork creatures had nearly wiped out the world there was still potential there. It was a shame they weren't allowed to bring in test subjects anymore and that The Eye was committed solely to willing volunteers, but Kadir was resolved to work with the resources in front of him.

"Romeo?" Kadir greeted, his voice was warm as ever, but when he looked up and saw Romeo with the escort that had brought him down into Kadir's lab, he had to quickly check his watch to ensure he hadn't forgotten anything. Kadir had told security about Romeo if the other had ever wanted to come visit him, now he was glad that he did. His smile broadened a bit further, charming but completely aloof, "I don't think I forgot anything this time, did you come out all this way to visit?" Kadir waved the escort off, "I have a rotation at Lupercal's clinic next week; if you need your shots, that'll be the time to come in." Kadir was excited to spend some time in lycan city, he was hoping to collect some samples while he was there. Discreetly, of course.

And yet, upon seeing him, Romeo relaxed drastically. Kadir made him feel more at ease, more in control of who he could be, wanted to be. Ever since the war things had felt so out of control, but Kadir guided him into the right direction, always. "All this way? Fuck yeah, I did. Took some time to get to ya, so, here I am, finally," he stretched his arms out to further announce his arrival. With a grin, the Lycan approached the Leech. He began to chuckle slightly at Kadir's attempts to check if everything was wrong, if he'd forgotten something. He wore the watch... Romeo's heart skipped a noticeable beat. "What shots are you referring to?" he raised one brow, "isn't that something I usually do?" he got close, dangerously close, but averted his gaze as quickly as he'd looked at the Leech, "Sorry, I'm--" he struggled to find the right words, at first, before eventually pushing his doubts aside, now fully aligned with his desires, "Speaking of Lupercal. I'll run for Alpha. For a better future, for me, for us, too. If I'm Alpha I'll make sure to give volatiles and leeches alike more possibilities, I'll strengthen the bond between species, so that we can protect each other after the war. Hell, we need all hands on deck after that fucking war." He let his large hand rest against Kadir's cheek, "You showed me it's important to follow my dreams, so, that's exactly what I'll do. With you by my side."

It was Romeo's arrogance that delivered them to this fate; silver piercing flesh, the lingering, final screams of his parents and watching as an incapacitated Romeo was being hauled off along with them. It'd been better to believe Romeo was dead, it seemed an obvious conclusion, for the Malice had looked and there'd been no trace of his brother until now. Carmine had trailed up Italy, far from their home in Sicily where a Verga would no longer be welcome to the flock; black sheep who had carved their fate as beasts who needed to be expunged rather than allies with teeth. Vampires and lycans were fated to never get along, and so with their blood upon his hands, Carmine fled, too. He'd never thought he'd see his brothers face again, aged by stress and time, alive and kicking instead of rotted in a body bag.

"You've changed, you're not the boy I remember you to be, so yes, even I underestimated you." He'd never do so again, "I'm sorry about what happened, I should've killed him when I had the chance, strike first instead of them." Should've, could've, he hadn't. "Rome's my home now, we can work together, brother," he was trying to reach out to the man, find a common goal before things would spiral out of control, "it should be yours as well."

"There's no need for a gift on your part. I just like to treat you every now and then, to see you smile. 'Guess you just have to get used to it," the Lycan grinned. The Lycan inhaled sharply, his muscles tensing at his touch. Arousal washed through his body like electricity. Hiding his arousal wasn't an option, especially considering he was far beyond that point of hiding anything, with his large bulge clearly visible. "You know I can't say no to that. That slick, cold tongue of yours is exquisite," he let his thumb brush over Kadir's tongue, pressing downward ever so slightly so he could see deeper inside where he'd bury himself in soon, "One for the road?" removing his thumb, Romeo pressed his lips against Kadir's, his tongue now gently massaging the other while pulling him closer.

A life left behind, a life torn away from them; Carmine could understand if he was a person that retained a more rational and sensible outlook upon life but the Malice had favored chaos instead. The chaotic churn of his life that led way to mindless debauchery diluted the ire of what was; a baneful creature that was the effect of something violent and unfair. Carmine had to run, a sibling who sat in the shadows as Romeo grew more tenacious and destructive in his own connections; such things that would be the Verga lineage's downfall. Such caustic reminders came bubbling forth now, anger swelling in his throat as he swallowed back knives and vitriol. He'd lingered as best he could, waiting for the day his brother, the Rancor, the Beast, would come back and salvage a clueless teenager from the remnants of a life once cherished. Violence had taken away his family and so violence Carmine became.

Eyebrows furrowed together, the Lycan kept his distance for now, still in shock while his body tried to catch up. His little brother, now all grown up and certainly powerful, he didn't know what motivated him nowadays. Certainly a similar poison than what had gotten Romeo into this mess. Kill or be killed. He seemed to be right about that. "Don't you think I would've done the same if I knew you were alive? I thought they'd killed you, too." He growled, "You're my younger brother, I would've done everything to make sure you're safe," he would've done so today, but back then? His own lack of care and recklessness had ended up getting them both almost killed.

Nick Bateman

"This is-?" Kadir was bad with time, bad with anything that wasn't something he could devote the breadth of his significant mind towards. But the watch was very thoughtful and the date wasn't lost on him, Kadir felt himself blush. They could say this was when they'd made things official between them, though the date nestled within the Midsommar function was one that Kadir wouldn't ever forget. "this is very sweet." Kadir put the watch on immediately, the soundless dial turned mechanically and seamlessly, a product of its exquisite engineering. "Another thing I'm bad at... Gifts, but at least this one comes with a date, that should help me remember." Oh right, Christmas was coming up, what was he meant to get Romeo - that's what people did usually, right. Kadir leaned in towards the other, his hand rested on the other's thigh before it slid to rest on the lycan's arousal between his thighs. "I hope you'll tell me if there's anything I can give you."

"There's no need for a gift on your part. I just like to treat you every now and then, to see you smile. 'Guess you just have to get used to it," the Lycan grinned. The Lycan inhaled sharply, his muscles tensing at his touch. Arousal washed through his body like electricity. Hiding his arousal wasn't an option, especially considering he was far beyond that point of hiding anything, with his large bulge clearly visible. "You know I can't say no to that. That slick, cold tongue of yours is exquisite," he let his thumb brush over Kadir's tongue, pressing downward ever so slightly so he could see deeper inside where he'd bury himself in soon, "One for the road?" removing his thumb, Romeo pressed his lips against Kadir's, his tongue now gently massaging the other while pulling him closer.

The Lupo Pack

To their credit they made it as far as the car, outside it anyways before the anticipation that buzzed under Kadir's skin was all but too much to handle. His hands on Romeo's chest, the leech found himself pushing the other up against the door of the Italian car. Lips connected once again, while Kadir thought about sex very little, when it did cross his mind and he understood that it was a mutual desire then it was hard for him to shake. He'd spent so many years hunched over a microscope, perceiving himself as unlikable and certainly undesirable that anyone could look at him like something to be lusted after felt impossible. At least that was until he'd met Romeo.

He could feel himself getting aroused once again, but he'd have to make sure not to just fuck him right here, in front of everybody. They didn't deserve the show. "Did I excite you?" he eventually asked with a wide grin once they separated. Opening the door for the Leech, his eyes immediately wandered towards the small box on Kadir's seat. Ironic. Wasn't he the one who'd just condemned those who were after material gains? "A little something," he pressed himself against Kadir's back, his lips dancing along Kadir's ear. That little something was nothing more than an Italian watch for him to not forget the time anytime soon -- with a small, engraved date of their first knotting.

❂🐦❂

"You saved me, you did everything you could to protect me. I haven't forgotten that, I'll never forgot that." Which was why whatever came their way, Kadir was prepared to weather it however he could, as best as he could. Navigating relationships, feelings, and the complexities of human interaction were where Kadir was absolutely weakest. He never knew what to say, what to do, where to look, or where to put his hands... But if he could do anything for Romeo, he would. He always would. "I want to help you," Kadir offered, "if I can, if you'll let me."

Getting up, he gestured towards his car, "no way I'm walking, come on." It felt like he'd been running all his life, so he much more preferred to keep things simple and enjoyable. "Besides, I've got something to show you. Inside." He placed a few Euros on the table, leaving a rather generous tip before getting up and slightly shoving another guest that had judged them earlier, just enough so that it might be interpreted as an accident.