SEE THE SUNRISE

purchase | wicek & barry

“Thank you,” Barry said again as the strigoi pulled back. This had gone a lot better than he imagined for someone who was so used to expecting the worst no matter what situation he was in. “I’ll do just that,” he smiled brightly as his eyes roved over Wicek’s face. He was going to miss the other man quite terribly, having gotten used to living with him and Kiaan over the last year. 

“I’ll be sure to mark our dinner dates on the kitchen calendar for rest of the year too,” the spirit grinned before he turned away to look for Kiaan to tell him the good news.

END

Mathias felt distracted, and for a moment he thought about all the people he had left at the castle. He missed them a lot. He knew he wasn’t too far from them, but it wasn’t the same as being in the same place. Maybe Mathias would go to visit the castle again once he was ready. “Bad luck tends to be common for me, but I’m fine with it. I still get to see you from time to time, and that really makes things a lot better”. He smiled at Wicek, “I uh live just above the cafe, so if you ever wanna catch up more, you’re always welcome to come over. You can bring Kiaan too, if you’d like”.

-

Wicek was still heavily under the effect of the spell cast on him but it didn’t stop him from seeing a sadness in the necromancer. They had both seen each other at the best and worst of times so he could recognise it. “We have that in common,” he replied. Mathias had saved his life, quite literally, and proved that point. “This is a good reason for me to get out more and I’d love to come see you more often now you’re not in the castle.” There were few people the strigoi did go and visit and Mathias would now be on the top of that list. “I’ll let Kiaan know he’s invited. But, you know if you’re lonely, you can just tell me to come visit you. I don’t mind being bossed around.”

“Is that really how you are going to great your, Sire?” A tut of his tongue, head shaking as he wondered what Nikita had even taught him. Though, it was certainly more apparent to Alexei now that Wicek had changed. He no longer smelled of vampire but of something else. “I’m here because my Sire invited me here. He is in the castle. Perhaps you know him. Eris, Councilman of Greece?” He didn’t know, of course, how long Wicek had been at the castle but he was sure most masters knew which other masters were here, especially Council members.

Eyes scanning over his fledgling, he smirked. Wicek certainly had kept in decent shape. He was certainly a little more muscular than when they last met which certainly enticed Alexei a little. “Let’s go grab a drink. Preferably from something young. We must catch up. You can tell me all that has happened. I insist.” Eyes flashing red for a brief moment to Wicek before he  began to move. “You can pick the slave. Consider it a gift to me.”

-

In Wicek’s opinion, he was giving his sire far more respect than he deserved. “How would I know, I never really spent time with my sire,” he responded. The strigoi wanted to take a few steps back, maybe even leave altogether. He had been taking strides in dealing with his anxious habits and he wanted to stand his ground. Of course Alexei wasn’t there to see him but part of him had hoped that was the case. He inwardly cursed himself for such a thought. “Vaguely,” he answered. While Wicek knew of the councilmen, he rarely interacted with them, not wanting to get on their bad sides.

He absently clenched his fists at his side before relaxing them, taking a deep breath. “Why don’t we just stay here and get a glass of wine.” The last thing he wanted to do was feed of someone, the act felt far too intimate to share with Alexei, he was practically a stranger now. “I’ll even pay for it.” Besides, he had his own claim that he could feed off if he wanted something fresh. Not that he would be telling his sire about Kiaan either.

Kaden relished the brief hour long freedom the slaves received to leave the Undercroft each day. Whatever he could do to get out of that dank and depressing basement, he’d take it…within reason, of course. The moment of fresh spring air allowed the kresnik to clear his head as he separated himself from the group of slaves in the garden, obviously still within view of the guard on duty. As much as he craved alone time, he wouldn’t be breaking rules any time soon. Not on purpose anyway. 

His attempt at meditating – a practice he’d gotten into shortly after becoming a kresnik and imprisoned by the fae king – was quickly halted by the interruption. He opened his eyes at the other man, looking him over. “No,” he replied simply, “A shame though someone would ruin the one beautiful thing in this place.” 

-

Wicek wasn’t familiar with the man who he decided to talk to. Not that it meant much when Wicek liked to stick to himself. The garden was a high traffic area but it was meant to be because it was beautiful, not because it was fun to destroy. Deciding to take the slave’s word as the truth, he nodded, turning back to the crushed garden beds. 

“It is a shame,” the strigoi muttered, still frowning down at the mess. Some of the plants looked like they couldn’t handle the rough treatment, the others would survive so long as they were trimmed. Standing up, he looked around for the gardeners tools and found some clippers before returning. With each snip, he felt better about the situation. “Sorry for assuming. I just get annoyed with people’s complete disregard for plants sometimes. 

Kiaan was constantly torn between the greenhouse being a safe place, for comfortable relaxing, warming up in the sun or talking about things, and a place that was hot to fuck in. Right now, it was the hottest place they could be. His touch was teasing, purposefully so, leaving her whining for more with every exhale. When his lips moved away from hers, the sound echoed in the space around them. Every kiss made her pant and sigh, enjoying the way his lips felt on her skin. As he moved up her thighs, she knew what his intentions were and it was almost frustrating that he would pause to ask permission when she was staring down at him, mouth hanging open as she panted at the sight. “Please,” she begged in a whine, tightening her fingers in his hair. She didn’t know what to expect or how it would feel, except that it would be incredible. 

“It’s made specifically for vampires,” Matthew smiled. It was an idea from the chef as a way to give to the masters something to order in the restaurant. Some of them enjoyed the illusion of normality after all.

“It was… Interesting,” the fallen angel confessed. The memories that were brought up of the person Matthew had been back then had reminded him of time when he was still conflicted with where he stood. Something that the next two hundred years and stamped out. To say that Matthew had been revisiting those sentiments was putting it lightly, but it was too vulnerable a part of himself that he did not wish to share just yet. Especially not when he was on a date and they could be talking of something else. “I remember meeting you in the village. Stumbling out of a bar and saving me,” he smiled and rested his chin on his hand as he looked at Wicek with some measure of fondness in his eyes.

-

“Then I’d love to give it a try,” he replied. It was nice of the castle to create such dishes for the vampire population. Even more than that, it was nice of Matthew to offer to get him something like this after seeing the price of it on the menu.

~

“I…..am….fiiiiiiiineeeee and so are you….wink wink….” Another burst of laughter as he reached his hand out to the other. Perhaps this wasn’t the guy that did it but he was the only ne here, so perhaps it was. He had no proof either way. The wolf finally was able to get to his feet, though he immediately stumbled forward and into Wick’s arms. “You must have some munchies man. Gotta have munchies when you are smacked outta your nut!” The wold giggled some more, just resting against the older man for support.

-

“You’re definitely not fine,” he repeated. Despite the spell that was numbing his mind, Wicek couldn’t help but feel concerned for the younger looking man. His arms caught him as he stumbled, making sure he was up right before loosening his hold on him. “I don’t have them on me,” he explained. “I have some food in my suite. How about I take you back there, you can eat and get something to drink and then maybe take a nap.” And maybe Wicek would have a snack from his claim, if he was home.

Sinday Asks - Spicy and Sweet

[ text: Mathias ]: We live in Russia, you should at least come here with a coat on first and then take it off.

five minutes later... 

Sinday Asks - Spicy and Sweet

9. What do you look for in a romantic partner?

already answered~

10. What ways do you say ‘I love you’ without actually saying it?

“Getting tea and blankets for them when it’s cold out, cooking a meal, or simply rubbing their back when they’re near by. I think love is about being there for the person you love and doing things that they might not ask for but that they need.”

18. What are some things you like about your crush or person you’re dating?

Sinday Asks - Spicy and Sweet

[ text: Kiaan ]: Kiaan! [ text: Kiaan ]: must you tease me from the next room when you could just come here and get what you want?

Sinday Asks - Spicy and Sweet

5. Monogomous or polyamorous?

“I can be both though I lean more towards polyamourous, knowing I can love more than one person at a time. I also don’t want to limit anyone to just being with me, I’m sure they don’t want that either.”

9. What do you look for in a romantic partner?

“Companionship, really. I like having someone around to curl up with and watch movies and just enjoy each other. I like feeling needed. Also something low stress is good. I’m anxious enough without having to deal with that kind of drama.” 

12. Would you ever get married?

“I think I might. When I was a human, I wanted to despite the strange circumstances. It’s not something I’ve thought about in recent years.”

18. What are some things you like about your crush or person you’re dating?

( @wicekleskov )

Out of all the people that he didn’t expect to find in the castle, his last fledgling would of been at the top of that list. Wicek didn’t exactly fit the image that he had imagined of people that come here, yet, there he was. As far as Alexei was aware, his fledgling hadn’t spotted him yet. If he had a heart that worked, it would be beating fast. How was he going to handle this. Wicek was the one fledgling of his he truly cared for. The first man other than the prince that he truly loved, yet he left him feeling like Wicek only cared for being a vampire over what they had, like his other fledglings that he had never seen again. Damn Nikita, why didn’t she tell him he was here when he let her know where he was going to be. 

Knowing to well that he couldn’t just avoid the man, the vampire approached slowly. “You look well, Wicek.” He simply uttered as he approached from the side, hands resting at his side, eyes not moving off of the older looking male. “I’m surprised to find you in a place like this.” A brief flash of the young man he fell in love with washed over Wicek for a moment as he looked at him before resolving back to how he currently looked. Still attractive of course, a man that he would gladly have continued to love as a human. He missed tasting his blood. 

-

After Barry had moved out, Wicek had made a conscious effort to stick to his promise. He had been leaving the suite more often, trying to ignore the anxiety it gave him. That day something felt off, like it was a doomed day from the start. Those nerves didn’t really go away and he made his way to the bar, holding a glass filled with dark amber liquor would do the job instead. It was almost enough to calm his thoughts until he heard an all too familiar voice from his side. At first, he thought he might just be hearing things but as he turned to see is old lover by his side, the glass dropped from his hands, smashing across the floor.

“Alexei?” he asked, almost not believing it. It would be better to think he had gone insane. Wicek had spent so many years mourning the loss of the man he had loved his entire human life that it felt surreal to finally see him again. Alex had abandoned him after the strigoi had hoped to spend their lives together. “What are you doing here?” he asked in a low voice, barely registering what his sire was saying to him in return. 

Eoin’s eyebrows knit together when the door opened to reveal a vampire with a rather large, green plant. “Oh… Well, you’re very welcome, I suppose. Thank you for the gift,” he answered back hesitantly, reaching out for the plant to take carefully in his grasp. “I’m afraid I’m not sure who exactly you’re referring to though? No offense, but I see quite a handful of claimed slaves, Sir.”

-

It had been a while since he had ventured out to meet someone new, by choice anyway. He was starting to realise why he didn’t, this was very awkward and now he would have to explain why a plant was a good gift. “I thought it might be a nice addition to your office, or room, if you want too. You don’t have too. It’s pretty hard to kill, if that helps.” And now the strigoi knew he was rambling on. His shut his mouth quickly to stop himself from continuing on. “Oh right, I likely should have started with that,” he said with a small laugh, scratching the back of his neck. “Kiaan, he’s about this tall and an unseelie fae,” he explained, holding up his hand to signify Kiaan’s height. 

purchase | wicek & barry

“Thank you,” Barry’s fingers squeezed themselves around Wicek’s in return and he felt a huge sense of relief when his master told him that he would grant him his freedom. And all Barry had to do was ask. “Good!” he said with a wide smile when Wicek promised to come for weekly dinners. It gave them all something to look forward to each week as well and that was all that mattered.

“Oh, Wicek…” the spirit breathed when Wicek’s words washing over him. “You’ve done so much for me too,” he smiled, because Barry did not wish to think about where he might have ended up had the strigoi not claimed him all those months ago. Barry did not blame Wicek for his untimely demise either because who would have guessed that an invasion would happen? The slave stood up from his seat to close the distance between them before enveloping Wicek in his arms. “I’ll miss you too, but that’s what the dinners are for, yeah?” he whispered into his master’s ear. “This isn’t goodbye…”

-

Truly, this was the least that Wicek could do for Barry. For the hardship the spirit had suffered and for all the friendship and companionship that Barry had given him. That was invaluable to the strigoi and if he could pay him back with his freedom, he was glad to be able to give it to him. To Wicek, this was inevitable. He knew there would be a day where he requested this so it didn’t blindside him. It was was easier to let him go, knowing that he would be in the town and that they could still see each other. 

“I probably could have done more.” That was something he would have to think about later. This was a good moment for the spirit and he didn’t need to ruin it. He stood as he saw Barry stand and easily wrapped his arms around him in return. He felt those same emotions well up, both happiness and sadness at the same time. “I know, it’s not goodbye at all,” he agreed. Giving the man one last squeeze he pulled back. “You start packing and I’ll go start the paperwork. Plus, I’m sure you want to let your friend’s know.”  Wicek would need a moment to collect himself but he wanted Barry to enjoy this moment.

“Oh…you can keep petting them if you want, it felt nice”. Mathias leaned forward a bit so Wicek didn’t have to reach far. “Yeah, it’s my new place. I live upstairs too. I uh…I own this place, which is a little weird to say”. He looked around the cafe, feeling a sense of pride swell in him. “About a month ago. H-Heinrich had to go back to Germany, and he couldn’t take me with him…s-so he made me a villager”. 

-

“Thank you,” he breathed with a soft smile. With permission given, the strigoi reached out for the ears again, gently patting them like he would an actual cat. They were so soft and distracting that it took him a moment to realise he should be listening to Mathias as well. “That’s exciting,” he murmured. Did he know this already? It felt like new news but Wicek rarely ventured out to find these kinds of things out. Taking a moment to look around, he noticed the little touches that made it feel like it belonged to the necromancer. “Oh, I’m sorry. That’s both good news and bad luck at the same time,” he said with a frown, knowing how much the boy loved his master.