"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]

[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.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Oh there was a pleased purr to Henry's voice even as he inched closer. ] A man who knows his classics, that is very very sexy. [ Yes, speak dry british allegorical texts to him, Alex-- that was absolutely the way to his heart, it was hard not to run his fingertip up and down the other man's arm, it was almost a flirtatious gesture. ]

Is it too soon in the relationship to propose kinky Dante's Inferno roleplay?

[ This was a serious question, Alex-- do not dare laugh. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Yeah, okay. He was totally going to laugh at that, but even with the laughter his eyes hard clearly sparked in interest. Hard not to when Henry fucking purred for him. Even if it was because he was being a nerd again.

Look, yeah, that was sexy, okay? Alex wasn't going to pretend otherwise.

His hand ran up along Henry's side, up and over his chest, to trace along his collarbone. His gaze flicks from watching his fingers as they moved over that porcelain skin, looking at Henry through a dark fringe of eyelashes.]

I mean I've been waiting for you to bring it up all night. What took you so long?

[lordfuckleroy]

[ There were other re-enactments from classic literature that he would also like to try, so do not get him started on that, because he will jump on that bandwagon in something that probably should not be kinky (like War and Peace) though he could tell the playful sarcasm in Alex's voice even before he saw the sparkle in those irrepressible blue eyes. ]

You do not bring up these sorts of things until you have, as the cool kids say, lock it down.

[ Generally that was a fifth date thing? Maybe? Most people wait until much longer to form a commitment, but then Henry as a demon worked swiftly and decisively. This was exactly what this was, a swift and decisive conquest and now they were stuck with each other.

No escape, he was not going to tell Alex that there was an exit to a pact-- better to keep that totally in the dark and then pretend not knowing anything in case the War and Peace naughty roleplay got to be too much. ]

[internationalrelations]

Oh wow, the cool kids.

[Alex summoned a very serious expression, nodding at Henry thoughtfully. His hand settled against his demon's chest.]

Tell me more about what these cool kids are saying.

[Because that was utterly adorable if you asked Alex. ...he was not going to argue that they had indeed locked it down. They were bonded now, held together by pact and promise. He'd sold his soul to the prettiest face he'd ever seen, and he couldn't drum up a single ounce of regret about it.]

[lordfuckleroy]

Are you patronizing me?

[ There was a mock look of indignation on his face, though it was only mock and then he proceeded into scold mode, which could be sexy. He allowed himself a little push of Alex, closer toward being toppled out of that bed. ] I will sic my three-headed puppy on you, Alex Claremont-Diaz.

[ That was a promise and a threat even as he threateningly started to roll his way against the side to further his cause, because you know hell hath no fury like a Prince piqued. ]

[internationalrelations]

I would never patronize such a big scary demon.

[Still as serious as he could manage, but brown eyes were sparkling, like bourbon catching the light. He let himself be shoved though, the laughter escaping. Why was a demon cute? How did that even work?

....oh wait hang on.]

You have a puppy? [With three heads?] That's his name? ..their names?

[lordfuckleroy]

Would you though?

[ He does not believe this but those cute brown eyes much like a puppy managed to hold him enraptured and then he slowly moves closer so that he could peer into those eyes; they were like chocolate, like dark agate, and yes even bourbon and he could've drowned in their warmth.

For a moment, he forgot that there was a question being asked of him. ]

Their names are Ziggy, Jareth and David.

[ Let's see if Alex could connect the dots between all of them. ]

[internationalrelations]

...well. Maybe a little.

[A smile stretched over his lips, wide and utterly unapologetic. He was a brat, Henry, and as he was growing more and more comfortable in his demon's presence, more of that was coming to the surface.

He was distracted from quipping any further to blink at the demon.]

...

[He narrowed his eyes.] Are you a Bowie fan?

[Full of surprises this Henry.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Well it would be obvious, to another Bowie fan.. except there was a bit of a smile that curved over Henry's mouth and perhaps it was because of the surprise that he was invariably going to drop right down on Alex.

Be prepared to have your mind blown. ]

Who do you think the King of the Hells is, Alex?

[ Well that was just lobbed out there for all and sundry to hear, but mainly for Alex to hear. ] Do you even thing that someone such as him could possess mere mortal powers?

[internationalrelations]

No. No fucking way.

[A pause and a moment as he stared at Henry as if he could puzzle out if he was being messed with by the demon. But he wasn't getting that vibe.]

...okay, no yeah, that makes sense actually. So that's pretty fucking cool.

[Except well, that brought up another question, now didn't it?] Did you seriously name your puppy after your boss?

[Henry you nerd. Alex was just beaming at him through all of this.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Okay so Henry was a simp for Bowie's music-- back when Bowie was on earth, he was a simp for all of the music and went to the concerts, all but snorted them up his nose. He scratched his chin lightly as he considered the implications. ] Well, he never had a problem with it-- he considers it a compliment.

[ And then he moves to cuddle right up against Alex, a sparkle to his eyes that seemed to linger like star just beneath the surface. ] But it is true, there are often times that demons grow bored and head to earth to wander, enjoying a taste of mortality, I did that during the Elizabethan Era.

[internationalrelations]

Huh. I guess that makes sense. Living that long, it must really get boring if you don't find something to keep you occupied.

[Was he this demon's latest distraction? Something he was enjoying a taste of? Alex supposed that wasn't so bad, if that what this was. He would just do his best to keep Henry's interest as long as he could manage.]

How long has it been since you've poked your head up here then?

[Because Alex could show him a good time, if he wanted. A whole new world, so to speak.]