"I Consecrate my Soul to Thee" Witch/Demon AU

[zauberdecke]

[ There was a very specific reason why Essek was here at this moment.

All around him was gathered components, and within his hand he held chalk with which he was drawing the familiar pentagram that would assist in his mission. For his entire life, he had been gatekept, he came from a long line of witches, all of them female; the power passed down through matriarchal laws and blood-- from woman to woman.

However he was the black sheep, the one who had been given far more power than was comfortable for the bloodline in which it had been strictly locked up. Because of this, no female line could inherit and even right now etched into his chest was a binding spell that was unbreakable though oh, how he had tried. It had been placed there by he who he had been given in marriage to; locked until at which point a female was conceived which would then continue the line downward.

There was nothing more vengeful than a cat who had been caged, and right now Essek Thelyss was out for blood and perhaps even a healthy dose of revenge. There was that intrinsic longing for freedom to do what he wanted, not wanting to be bound by tradition to a familial coven who cared more about the line than him. He wanted to put a stop to it, perhaps even get this angry scar of a sigil on his chest removed, wanting night upon night of assault to end.

He did not care what he summoned, the only thing he wanted was for whatever power he could bid to rise to invoke retribution, to free him. Logically he knew that he would be entrusting his fate into the devil he did not know-- but at this point in time, that seemed far preferrable.

And that was how he had roped Alex into this. Someone who was well versed in the rituals if not well practiced; he could not do this alone because there was so much that could go wrong. Best to have two hands in it, even though he knew that it was not Alex's job to intervene but rather to 'watch' but he was desperate, and Alex knew how much he hated Adeen.

Desperate times called for desperate measures, and it was then that Essek finished the circle and then set his chalk down gently. ]

The circle is complete, the components are gathered.. it is time.

Comments

[internationalrelations]

Since forever. It's a service I offer, free of charge. You provide the sin, and I'll provide the synonyms.

[Oh he was pleased with himself for that pun too. Really, Henry ought to reconsider the smothering decision. It would save him years and years of this mouth. Alex only grinned at the look -- very stern, very sexy. He was learning lots of things about himself today apparently.

Like the fact that Henry kissing the top of his head and cuddling him thoroughly melted something in him. He wound his arms around the demon, pressing his face into his chest.]

You did something to my back... was that your mark?

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Henry paused in what he was doing enough to give Alex a deadpan look, which was not very affective unless the canopy of the bed was mirrored (which it was not). That was a terrible terrible joke and he wanted to push Alex out of bed just for that-- but the ground was hard and he did not want to do something like that right out the gate. He'd wait until they were somewhere that there was carpeting and not nameless debris scattered around.

The dramatic blue canopied bed with the large oaken frame could only do so much to protect one's pactkeeper. ]

Yes, it was your back-- but after that joke, I am almost inclined to yank it off you.

[ He groused, because he could. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Alex just laughed at the threat, lifting his head to nuzzle his way under Henry's jaw, leaving a kiss against his throat.]

Liar. You like me.

[He apparently was content and at ease enough to start ribbing a demon. That was fine, right? They were bound to one another, after all. Should he be more concerned that he'd essentially sold his soul for... well, he wasn't entirely certain. Yes, he'd been honest that he wanted to be more than a witness, more than a chronicler, wanted to actually exist in the world. To be what he was meant to be.

But in the end, well, maybe the simpler truth was that he'd signed away his soul for the sake of a pair of pretty blue eyes.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ If was no fair that Alex was so charming; a demon was supposed to be charming but Alex seemed to blow that out of the proverbial waters and well, Henry thought perhaps he should do better.

But his heart melted nevertheless at the cuddling; Alex may have sold his soul, but Henry has in retaliation lost his own heart.

So who was the bigger loser here. ] I suppose I do like you.

[internationalrelations]

[Now that he was getting his feet back under him -- metaphorically, really, given that he was fairly sure he'd be shaky-legged at best right now -- he was talking more, letting more of who he was shine through. Sorry, Henry. The fact that the demon found him charming was a personal blessing, really.

Alex was certainly enjoying the cuddling too. He was affectionate by nature, when he was allowed to be anyway. The Talamasca had a tendency to hold their members separate from so much of the world with the secrets it insisted they keep. But here was Henry, a secret that the Talamasca could not be allowed to know. Alex didn't know what they would do about it, but he wouldn't chance causing Henry trouble.

He wouldn't chance anything that would take the demon away from him.]

I knew it.

[Smug. And then, leaning in close, lips grazing Henry's earlobe he murmured, quiet and low, a secret for his demon.]

I like you, too.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ It felt warm, this admission of like-- because it wasn't just that. Henry knew it wasn't, he'd been quite simply enamored, fascinated by every move that Alex made, and he'd watched him for such a long time. And each word that Alex murmured seemed to fortify that enchantment; yes-- Henry was a simp for the other man though he would not admit it outright.

Best to keep some mysteries for the time being.

He would gladly be Alex's dirty little secret. ]

Well that is good, there is a saying that says 'familiarity breeds contempt' so I suppose that in time we may grow quite used to each other, I hope that we will still like each other after that. [ Or if push comes to shove, he may bite Alex-- who could say! ]

[internationalrelations]

[Alex had only just met Henry, but he felt familiar, like he'd been waiting to meet this man for his entire life, had dreamt of the shape of him, the feel of him. Something about Henry's voice echoed in the halls of his heart with an unmistakable feeling of home. He didn't know how that could be possible, but... well. However it was possible, it was real.

So Alex would welcome it.

He purse his lips.]

Nah. I'm charming as hell. And I grow on people. You'll like me even more.

[lordfuckleroy]

I will give you that, you are very charming.

[ And then with a wry smile that was aimed right at Alex, those blue eyes taking on an almost frivolous sparkle. ] And I have been alive for quite a while longer than you have-- I've seen the heyday of Elizabethan stage, you put classic bards to shame.

[ Well aside from the whole writing of the plays-- but oh yes, a natural born performer this one-- that was the truth. ] Then I look forward to liking you over and over, more and more.

[internationalrelations]

I... oh.

[The genuine compliment caught him off-guard, and he felt the heat rising in his face, a pleased flush. Was it his fault that he wanted Henry to think good things about him? The sparkle in those eyes did not help the flushing either. He was acting like some lovestruck smitten idiot.

So he did the only thing he could do, leaning up and catching Henry's lips with his own, kissing him like if he didn't kiss him at that exact moment the next moment might not come at all. It was still fine, wasn't it? He knew the pact was consummated now, knew he bore Henry's tramp stamp mark now, but he was hopeful that the sex and intimacy portion of this was more than just what had been required to formalize their deal.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Oh, oh.. oh--

He could get used to Alex kissing him just like that. The thing with Henry was that he was a sucker for a good kiss, and this happened to be elite; his mouth parted with welcoming as he could taste Alex's energy, his exhaustion and yes his happiness; it was almost akin to being drugged for him.

And it had been more than what was required, a demon did not have to necessarily have sex with their pactkeeper, though many often did. Henry was not one who had thought it was necessary-- but for Alex? Oh yes, he'd told a little lie (he was a Demon after all) by saying that it could not be complete without this consumation.

Truth there, because it could not be complete for them until they'd had sex. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Alex could get used to the kissing too. In fact he would very much like to get used to it. Starting right here and now, thank you. Those parted lips drew a soft, pleased sound that was mostly lost in the kiss. He let his tongue slip past, thrilling at the taste and the heat of it.

Making out was wonderful, actually. He would need to fit this into his daily schedule.]

You're...very good at this.

[Just telling it like it is.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ They were post-coitus and that was what Alex said? By the hells below, he was adorable-- he slowly pulled back and looked into the pleasure hummed eyes, saw the way the whiskey darkness glowed with inward fire. It was impossible not to touch him and so he did, running his fingers along a jawline fleetingly. ]

Kissing? Well there is a fine art to kissing, perhaps not as ancient as sexual intimacy but still it has been honed through ages.

[ Oh no, bust out the encyclopedia and history lesson. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Henry would find nothing but full encouragement for the touching, Alex leaning into that fleeting touch as if seeking to prolong it. His lips twitched into a smile, one that grew amused as Alex listened to Henry start going on a history lecture.]

Oh my god... how did I get the nerd demon?

[It was actually really endearing.]

So what you're telling me is you've got some experience.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ The nerd demon, how dare-- he looked like he was about ready to start on another lecture, though he did not-- not really. Mainly he wanted to make a point. ] I will have you know, Alex Claremont-Diaz, that the demon that came for your friend, he is a thousand times nerdier than even I.

[ Yeah, he threw Bren under the bus. That is what Demons did to their own, except thankfully this bus was made out of books and magical components and most magic nerds like Bren did not mind being hit by it. ]

But I have been alive for quite a while, I've seen many cultures born and destroyed so it's only reasonable that I retain some sort of information about it, think of how much you will learn while I am your demon? Do you not think that exciting? I could tell you things that even the Talamasca does not know about.

[ Come on Alex, weren't you even a little intrigued. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Alex only grinned at the indignation. Cute. Why was he sitting here entirely endeared by a demon and his unmistakable adorableness? How had that possibly happened? He couldn't hold a laugh in as Bren was indeed shoved in front of the nerd bus.]

Well, that probably isn't a bad thing. Essek's the biggest nerd I know.

[Like, sure, the drow looked like some flawless old money socialite model, yes, but total nerd.

...though his was a pot calling out a kettle, because Alex too was a complete and utter nerd, and as Henry continued speaking, his eyes widened briefly, clearly caught by the idea of knowledge on offer.]

Of course it's exciting. I want to know... everything. [There was a reason he was good at what he did in the Talamasca.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ They were laying there drowsed and yes, Henry could see the nerd within Alex, the one that was of course cloaked by a charming smile and sparkling eyes. But still a nerd, though maybe a more modern one. That was quite fine, Henry could live with that. ]

Then you shall know everything, I will put all the world's knowledge in your hand-- you will become a force to be reckoned with within the Talamasca, and your expertise will be renown. [ Because Henry said so, because he would manipulate the situation to make that the truth. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Alex wondered at the words, at being offered everything he'd dreamed of in the darkest secret recesses of his mind, at having things he'd not yet been brave enough to dream of offered by a voice that sounded like the sweetest sin the world had ever known. How was this truly happening?

He reached out to brush his fingertips along Henry's cheek, the strong jawline. No, he was certainly real, even if Alex was sure he looked like some dream made flesh. A tilt of his head.]

What about you? What do you want? What do you get out of this?

[lordfuckleroy]

[ That was after all a valid question, but that came with an equally simple answer.

With the tenderest of movements, he took up those fingertips just after they had crested over his jaw and then he brought them to his lips to brush them; the ardency there would hold such a force that it was almost impossible not to be robbed of breath. ] Why, I get you of course. Is that not enough?

[ It was enough.

Hadn't he told Alex how it would always be enough? Perhaps hard to believe but still there, it still existed as truth. ]

[internationalrelations]

[...so if Henry hadn't already bred him, that moment alone would have been enough to get him pregnant then and there. It took all the breath from his lungs, all right, and did something to his heart that he did not have a name for, but he knew for a fact that it would leave him changed forever.

Fuck.

It took him a moment to find his voice.]

I... is it?

[Because really, what was he? A decent Talamasca agent, yes. Some anonymous kid who'd always been held back -- had held himself back -- from the legacy of power that flowed through his family.]

Am I?

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Pregnant by words alone, that was rather powerful all told. He could hear the tenor at which Alex's voice dropped, the insecurity there that managed to bravado itself behind charm and ease-- and that felt like such a foreign state for the other man.

When all he wanted to do was lift him up and allow him to shine; he did not even need credit.

It was enough that he was in the background watching the mortal thrive. ]

You are powerful, through your blood runs the legacy of witches.. and your legacy should be protected; and I've chosen to protect you because you are that legacy. But that is not why I want you, I want you because the times I managed to spy on you-- I became enchanted.

[internationalrelations]

[Words and the kiss to his fingers. A lethal combination. One that Alex had no defense against. Who would?

Henry was right that the insecurity was something Alex only rarely allowed to be seen. It was always there, that lingering voice of doubt. Normally it was easy enough to brush it aside, to lean into the effortless bravado and charm that he wore like a custom-tailored suit. Both parts of him were genuine, even as diametrically opposed as they were.

And here was Henry, seeing him, all of him and saying words that made something in Alex ache so sweetly it was hard to remember to breathe. This wasn't what he'd ever expected a demon to be like. ...though the tidbit about Henry spying on him, taking an interest in him. Oh. Now that was interesting too.]

Enchanted, huh? Well... there's something we have in common.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Henry had been nearly instantly smitten, just as Bren had Essek. So much that the two of them had planned to divide and conquer, though neither of them wanted to conquer the other. It was one of those situation where they only served to enslave themselves to these beautiful men.

And Henry could find himself getting lost in those whiskey honey eyes, the flicker of charm that could barely be repressed, and yes even that smart mouth that he had heard, his Alex was not a 'go sweetly into the night' sort, that was for sure.

Smitten and mad about him, so deeply mad that it was not even funny-- he would commit atrocities for this man who looked into his eyes as if he bid the waves to crash against the shore. ]

I have always been a romantic [ A demon as a romantic? That was rather hilarious, but it was true in Henry's case ] and I believe that opposites attract, well-- you are the complete opposite of me, and you pose the moth and the flame conundrum in very real time.

[internationalrelations]

[Later, when things settled down, Bren would circle back to make certain that Henry's pact had been successful. They could high five about it. ...then Bren would remember himself and be properly deferential to the prince of the Hells for like thirty seconds before just gushing to him about how Essek was even more amazing in person.

Alex looked back at Henry. The thing was, this was quickly becoming a mirrored impulse. Alex wanted to please this demon, wanted to see those absurdly gorgeous lips smiling. For him.]

All the soul selling I've read about, I've never heard it described as romantic. [He quipped. But now another flush threatening.] You sort of are... really romantic though.

[All the posh poetic words, all the teasing temptations.] So do all your pactkeepers fall in love with you?

[Was he playing straight into the cliche, Henry? He just wanted to know. But he wouldn't let it stop him anyway.]

[lordfuckleroy]

Not that I can remember, maybe you are just easy?

[ Henry said with a raise of his brow though there was a chord of amusement there even as he settled in close. ] You are correct though, I tend toward the romantic-- even Dante's Inferno can be a love story if you spin it enough around.

[ Dark, but probably there was some truth within it. ] Why? Are you in love with me, Alex Sweetheart?

[internationalrelations]

Wow. Shut up. That's not what I said.

[But it was totally what he meant. And important to note that he also did not deny it. Even if Alex wasn't the type to believe in love at first sight. That was fairytale nonsense. Except they lived in a world of fairytales, didn't they? Maybe first sight wasn't what it was. Maybe it was first touch, the moment that had set the ground beneath his feet crumbling and Alex starting a fall that there would be no recovery from.]

You don't even have to spin it around that much, really. He's only guided through Hell in the first place at the intercession of his Beatrice.

[Maybe Alex was a hopeless romantic too, at heart.]