"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]

[In his arms, Bren, currently kitty-Caleb was nuzzling under Essek's chin and purring as if he was the happiest creature in the world just because the drow was holding him. When Adeen spoke though, his ears went flat and he bared his teeth in a deliberate hiss.

Cold fish. Say that again, Adeen. Caleb would make sure that there was no chance Adeen would ever father any offspring. On the spot real time neutering courtesy of Dr. Bren. But for now he just stayed in Essek's arms glowering in all his feline might at the genuinely awful man.]

--

[Alex didn't really know what to make of that sort of love and care being directed at him so openly, so freely. So earnestly. There was no doubt in his heart that Henry meant every word, down to the syllable.]

No choice, huh? Guess so... but I'm pretty fucking pleased about that.

[He leaned into Henry, shutting his eyes and just soaking up the feeling of being held for a moment.]

All right. Snack time. And then dessert.

[zauberdecke]

"I hate that cat, you should get rid of it." [ Adeen muttered as he was the recipient of a valid and highly legitimate hiss-fest. ] "I can buy you something far more preferable."

[ That only caused Essek's arms to tighten around Caleb-kitty, and he allowed himself a sneer-- with the cold from his voice being ultimately felt. Oh no, that was untenable and Essek would tell him exactly how much. ] Oh, I promise you-- Caleb has far prettier manners than you ever will. Also, no-- I want him and no other cat will do; he is correct in finding you despicable. It is a sentiment shared by myself.

[ Adeen's eyes flashed and he stepped forward a few paces but then remembered that Essek was pregnant. ] "If I catch him outside of your rooms, I will drown him"

And if I catch you inside my rooms again while I am pregnant, I will stab you so we will be even. [ Came Essek's crisp reply ]

--

[ Something strong pulsed through Henry at the vulnerability; he loved arguing with this man but also there was something that required protecting about him too-- his fragile mortality, the way that it covered him. But there was idealism too-- he would've made a crusader or a knight on a journey, that fire that burned through him. He wanted to encourage those dreams all the while blanketing him in a protective cloak. ] Dessert will be all you can eat.

[ A mischievious glimmer. ] But the cheese toast is pretty good, I remember the days when we used tongs for it, and then the toast would fall into the fire if you were not careful, modern convenience is pretty handy.

[ And because he had to warm him. ] the cheese may be a little hot so don't take too big of a bite until you are sure, I am not responsible for burned mouth roofs.

[internationalrelations]

[Another hiss at Adeen like Caleb knew what he was saying. Because he did. And he was really behaving very well not scratching Adeen's eyes out right now. He deserved praise and treats for such good behavior.

A softer, trill of a meow and he headbutted his way right under Essek's chin, going back to purring for him.

Adeen could go get fucked. Essek had after all set the boundary that would buy them time to plot escape and revenge and freedom. The breathing room that their unborn child would afford them, a blessing even before they came into the world.]

--

[The vulnerable side of Alex was not one that he showed many people. Nora had seen small glimpses of it now and again, but other than that? Nope. Alex Claremont-Diaz presented himself as supremely confident and decisive, as if he didn't have the capacity for self-doubt -- which was bullshit, of course. He was a human disaster making life up as he went along, always battling the feeling of being a contradictory mess of too much and somehow still not good enough.

He lifted his head from where he'd been tucked with a quick snort of a laugh.]

Fair enough. I'll blow on it.

[And he would indeed dig into the provided cheese toast, albeit with a cautious first nibble to make sure he wouldn't scorch his mouth.]

You're gonna have some too, right?

[zauberdecke]

What a good boy.. [ Essek crooned as he pressed his lips against the soft fur just between Caleb's ears, then he looked up at Adeen and his own gaze was insolent and narrowed. ] I think that it is time that you left, and you are not permitted in my room to at which point the child is born.

[ the child, not his-- ]

"I will tell your mother of the joyous occasion in the morning." [ And then Adeen was gone with a slam of the door, at which point Essek very carefully placed Caleb on the bed though with a stroke against the spine for good measure. ] What an unmitigated bastard.

--

Of course, this is my fatal weakness.. cheese toast. [ Henry said as he bit right into it, and it all but melted. The salt of the butter seemed to pair perfectly with the cheese and it melted. the edges carmelizing and crisp while the center was ooey and gooey. A perfect pairing indeed. ]

There is a great deal of cheese toast in hell.. [ Henry confided conspirationally ]

[internationalrelations]

[More purring, Caleb-kitty eating it up entirely, especially since it seemed to annoy Adeen.

And then Essek's hubsand was gone and Bren took a moment to stretch, very feline and languid, lifting up with an arch along the stroke of that hand. Yes, good, as much of that as Essek would like to do.

Now that they were alone though, Bren shifted back to his usual form, humanoid but with the horns and tail that marked him as a demon of the infernal depths. A gesture of his hand at the door and the latch was thrown just in case Adeen decided to try his luck in coming back. Nope, none of that.]

He is a waste of air that could be breathed by other people.

--

I'm learning a lot about demons.

[Alex teased, in between bites. Look, this was delicious, and he was hungrier than he'd expected to be. He munched quite happily, watching Henry with a smile tugging at his lips even as he was chewing.]

Thanks. For cooking. For getting me home... for rescuing me in the first place.

[And it had been a rescue.]

[zauberdecke]

He is, but hopefully not for long. [ Essek said as he sat down on the edge of the bed and softly reached for Bren's hand though there was a hint of shyness there. For all that he had been hard and cold, that seemed to melt away and left Bren with an Essek who was vulnerable and soft.

It was because he had just discovered emotions, especially after their interlude in the shower. ] I will ward the door but I will buy some items to masquerade my powers as I do not want him to know that I have them back--

[ Essek had not been joking that Adeen had not been welcome, they both knew that. ] He thinks I have given him what he wants so...

--

I would do this for you gladly because you are my Pactkeeper. [ Henry said as they munched in a way most companionable. He had one arm around Henry's waist, and the the other holding the cheese toast. There was a domesticity here that he liked quite a bit, it felt warm and inviting. It felt like home.

Perhaps Alex was his home. Now wasn't that a beautiful thought. ]

You know, we shall have to figure out a way for you to take me to work.. undetected.

[ The Talamascans were quite clever, all things told. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Bren reached out to meet Essek's hands, to tangle their fingers together properly. He lifted their joined hands to his lips where he could press a soft kiss to the back of Essek's knuckles.]

Let him think it, ja? It will keep him busy basking in his unearned smugness.

[The child Essk was carrying would never have any connection to Adeen. It was theirs, Bren's and Essek's, entirely and only.]

--

[Alex liked it too, how domestic and easy it was to be with him. How warm and comfortable. It did feel like home, more than it ever had when it was only Alex living here on his own.]

Undetected is going to be tough. That's... literally all we do is detect. Any ideas?

[Because my boyfriend is meeting me for lunch would only get them so much time for Henry to be around.]

[zauberdecke]

[ It was such a wondering thing that the statement caused him to press his palm against his own abdomen, to feel anything. Unfortunately at this point he did not physically sense anything but he could feel something and it wasn't just their lovemaking in the shower. He kept his hand there for a few moments and then looked up at Bren. ] I am glad that this is yours.. it would be untenable otherwise.

--

Mmmmmmm.. well I had pondered masquerading as a nerd however I think that there is at least someone in the Talamasca that has demon-sense. [ He finished his toast and then he uncorked the water, so that he could take a drink and then he passed it to Alex-- hydrate yourself, you cutie, he thought as he looked at Alex's profile.

The mother of his child. Oh yes, he was feeling rather prideful himself. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Bren couldn't help himself, setting his hand atop Essek's where it rested on his stomach. There was something melting and achingly affectionate in blue eyes as he looked at the drow, at the mother of his child, his pactkeeper.]

I am honored that it is mine. [And then, his voice dropping to a murmur, he leaned close.] Here... can you feel it?

[A gentle pulse of his own magic, sent to wash over Essek, and that little pearl clearly liked it, a soft and fluttering answer of a magic that was equal parts Bren's and Essek's, silently singing in greeting.] She likes it.

[...he got girl vibes, okay?]

--

Nerd wouldn't involve much pretending for you.

[Just saying. He took the offered water, a long sip before he set it down. Hands free, he turned to face Henry, considering.]

You've got a point though. Anyone looking for something demonic might clock you. Unless you were really good at shielding.

[A thoughtful tilt of his head as he let his eyes roam over Henry's face.]

...there might be an artifact that could help. [The wheels in his head were turning. He was, after all, oblivious to Henry preening about having knocked him up, oblivious to the whole knocked up thing entirely. He'd probably find out eventually?? Maybe??]

[zauberdecke]

[ It was only natural to settle back into the circle of Bren's arms as he pressed his palm there, there was a fizzy feeling inside almost as if he was drinking some sort of carbonated beverage-- and then a push of magical energy, small and dainty but with a little bit of insistance. A soft almost pleased gasp escaped from Essek's lips as he felt it and then he said almost wonderingly. ] She seems as if she will be very talented with magic, I can feel it.

[ Oh this was theirs.. She was theirs and he let out a choked sound, perhaps that was the emotions speaking. ] We have to protect her future, Bren.. we have to make it so that she does not grow up here.. in this world.

[ They had to make a better one for her.. they had to ]

--

[ Henry considered it as he watched Alex drink, a nod of approval and then he thought about it. ] Do they have relics of shielding in the Talamasca Safehouse? [ Was he thinking of perhaps planning a heist? Oh no of course not-- not him with his beautifully blue innocent eyes.

Please tell him all you know, and Henry may tell Alex that he was successfully knocked up through demonic origins. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Bren smiled, hiding the expression in a gentle nuzzle against Essek's neck. His hand lingered there, resting against his abdomen, thrilling at the feeling of having Essek in his arms, and feeling the small fluttery magic of their unborn child.]

She is your daughter. There is no doubt she will take to the arcane like a fish to water.

[Ah but those words, he nodded.]

She will not. She will grow up somewhere far from here. Somewhere where she will know only freedom and love, where she will be able to live the life she wishes.

--

We do, yeah. There's one in particular that could work, I think. It's a medallion, from the twelfth century...

[Alex was totally planning a heist, if it meant that it would keep Henry safe from prying eyes.]

They can't find out about you. They'd try to lock you up and study you.

[Or worse they'd find Henry a threat to be neutralized, and Alex couldn't bear thinking about that option at all.]

[zauberdecke]

[ For their child, Essek desperately wanted her to know freedom and not having to worry about if she is consecuted or not. Honestly, that was one of those things that should never be forced upon a child, although Essek looked up at Bren then and his brows furrowed a little bit as he considered his next words carefully. ]

You know magic too.. do you not?

[ He knew that Bren had alluded to as such but he did not know the full story of Bren's mortal life except that it was something that he did not like to speak of. ] I think it is a combination of both of our bloods that will run through her.

--

[ Oh, how to breach this subject. It was the sort of subject that could go so many different ways and so he decided to say this conversationally. ] I always thought that it was rather interesting that you are the blood of witches, in the Talamasca. Did they seek you out? [ He rather had a feeling that they did.

To study him as well, perhaps working there was their version of locking Alex up and studying him. ]

Have you had any magic evidence itself?

[internationalrelations]

I do, ja.

[Bren answered quietly. His arms tightened around Essek in response to those words.] It is. She is ours, a piece of each of us.

[Something that Bren never expected he'd be lucky enough to have. Not after the mistakes he'd made. But then, Essek had half asked the question, hadn't he? Had opened the door to Bren talking about who he had been once.]

I was a wizard, you know. A reasonably capable one.

--

[Alex looked surprised at the question, but he nodded.]

Yeah, I was recruited out of university. They said that they'd watched my family for generations, before the magic in our blood went dormant.

[What Alex did not know, though, was that it was not entirely dormant. He had indeed had magic evidence itself. It had flowed through him as naturally as the blood in his veins and the breath in his lungs when he was a child, a second nature that would have grown -- if it had not been deliberately suppressed and the memory of it locked even deeper away.

So when Henry asked that question, he started to shake his head, though Henry might notice the unpleasant frizzle of a ward, of something that did not want to be looked at, a stabbing pain that jolted through Alex's head and turned his attention from probing deeper into himself.]

No, nope. Just a boring, normal guy from an old family.

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek had expected this, that he had been a capable wizard. It clung to him just underneath the surface like a ripple of energy that could not be contained into a mere human. But, there were cautionary tales that existed and Essek looked off toward the mirror where the two of them were reflected..

Where he could clock the Demon's expression. ]

Did you choose to become a demon, Bren?

--

[ That, Henry did not buy whatsoever-- for if Alex hadn't had latent magic ability, he would not have gotten pregnant. Only a Witch of strong blood could get pregnant, moreso for a male. ]

Well Alex, I have something to tell you and it may recondition your mind to align-- there is one thing that all Witches share, a certain fertility.. especially when it comes to Demons.

[ Oh please don't be stupid, Alex.

He was trying to throw you a bone here. ]

[internationalrelations]

Ah... not exactly. I was... misled.

[To put it mildly. Used and treated as a sacrifice for a man he thought was his mentor to obtain more power. Bren did not meet Essek's gaze in the mirror. His eyes were cast somewhere farther away, in distance as well as time, an old memory that brought an almost wistful, sad cast to his expression.]

But I am responsible for my sins and my choices, regardless. This fate is of my own making.

--

[Henry was welcome to throw Alex a bone any time. Always welcome. But this particular bone had gone straight over his head. One could, charitably, blame the drugs. But it was probably more honest to say it was just Alex, mind racing in the wrong direction to understand something subtly alluded to.

A tilt of his head, a very confused-but-eager-puppy sort of gesture.]

Yeah? So like... that's why you found me in the first place? Because of that?

[So close. So far. He was trying, really.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek knew that hubris could hit wizards; the strive for power at all costs. If Essek had been free, perhaps he would have gone that route but instead the thing that he sought the most was freedom from the fate that had been aligned for him. His fingertips rested on Bren's hand, the same one that was curved over his navel.

And he squeezed softly. ] How old were you?

--

Well, Demons are naturally drawn to Witches-- it is because they tend to go together like bread and butter.

[ Or peanut butter and jelly as generational differences will notate. ] Demons tend to find witches easy to impregnant. [ Okay so he was throwing the bone a little bit lower, one step closer and he would probably all but shove the bone in Alex's mouth. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Bren shifted the hand beneath Essek's, enough that he could turn it and tangle their fingers together. It gave him something to focus on too, the way their fingers laced together, the softness of lavender skin as he stroked his thumb along the back of Essek's palm. It was lifetimes ago, ages and sometimes it still felt dangerously close, wounds raw and never properly healed.]

Seventeen. Young and foolish, ja? But old enough to have known better.

[Or so he told himself again and again.]

--

That makes sense. There are stories in the family, of ancestors making pacts with demons. ...didn't always end well, I guess. I think I got lucky in the demon lottery.

[Nabbed himself a nerd who actually seemed to care about him. Love him, even. And whom he had gone and fallen for in turn, and here they were.

Also Alex was looking at Henry with big dark brown doe eyes that betrayed no hint of realization to what Henry was getting at here. At all.]

What really? ...Is this your way of telling me you've got a breeding kink, baby? Because, like, I'm totally down. But I'm pretty sure you'll be trying a really long time. Hope you've got some stamina. [Because he totally can't get pregnant Henry. Clearly.]

[zauberdecke]

I am really no expert on behavior that is conceivably morally good or bad, however I think that at seventeen years of age, one has not been alive for long enough to be an expert on good behavior, especially when one is exerting influence on you based on position and power. [ Essek could use one example and that was his mother who had pressed her expectations upon him and he tried his hardest to live up to them.. only to be placed here in a position where he had little power. ]

It is natural to want approval, and to be told that you are doing a good job.. that you are fulfilling expectations. In such way I think that can be used against one.

--

[ Clearly this was not going in the way that Henry expected. But then there really was no easy way to destroy closely-held expectations and so he knew he was going to have to walk across this much like one would a minefield. ]

So.. about that.

[ Okay, guess it was time to shove the bone in the mouth. ] You are.. breeding.

[ Questions could come later, now it was time for facts. ] You are currently pregnant and it is mine, however you are only able to get pregnant by a demon. [ I.E him. ]

[internationalrelations]

That is, I think, more forgiving than I deserve.

[Bren murmured, softly, leaning close to punctuate the words with a gentle kiss to Essek's cheek. He loved this man, all of him, and he was grateful to be met with this sort of kindness and not immediate judgment or condemnation for the path that had led to him losing his humanity.]

The man who led me down this path is a monster. I am not the only one who he manipulated. I will never forgive him.

[There was an edge to his voice as he spoke about this unnamed monster. That edged melted away entirely when he continued.]

But I am... well. If I had not become a demon, I would never have met you. For the many many things in my life that I regret, having the chance to know you... I would not change the path that led me here.

--

[Henry was an old man, demonically so, so he likely did not appreciate just how perfect an impression of the shocked pikachu meme Alex was currently doing, lips parted in a confused O while he tried to figure out if he should attempt making words. ...he would of course. He was a talker.

Though right now he was failing at talking.]

What do you mean I'm-- [Pause. Purse lips. Try again.] But I'm a man, so-- [No wait, Henry covered that piece. Okay. Hang on.] I can't actually be-- [Nope. Apparently he can be. Let him blue screen for a moment.]

I'm... oh god. Okay. [Don't freak out don't freak out don't freak out.]

[zauberdecke]

[ And yet here was Bren all soft and loving to the child in his womb, could feel the tenderness that radiated from him. That was not someone who had lost his humanity, that was someone who kept it close yet buried inside and shielded from others.

It felt similar to how he felt, hiding his own vulnerabilities because he feared getting hurt by others. He felt Bren stroke his lavender skin, a soft and almost hypnotic touch. ] People like that should never be forgiven.. no matter what he did, if he hurt you then you do not owe him any sort of kindness. [ And perhaps even more quietly. ] This child will know your softness... our softness.

--

[ You were 100 percent right, Henry did not understand the shocked pikachu meme but the expression still was somewhat comical enough that he smiled almost a bit ruefully. ] I can assure you, it is not normal for most men, only male witches and only those who take on pacts with demons.

[ He wasn't sure if he should break out the hand puppets and talk about the in's and outs of Alex's biology. ] You are.. and soon you shall have mood swings and strange cravings for... things that you would not normally expect.

[ Like Pickles and Ice cream and Madarin Orange Pizza. ]

[internationalrelations]

[They were both men who had to keep their softer pieces buried deep after what life had given them. Maybe Bren was surprised that his own still existed. Maybe he shouldn't have been. With Essek, after all, his heart had taken up residence on his sleeve. He wore the affection he held for the drow quite openly.

And for their baby. And hearing Essek call out that softness in him, in both of them. He couldn't help a smile.]

She will. She will know that she is loved, that she has been loved before she took her first breaths.

--

...yeah, so that wasn't in Mom's birds-and-bees PowerPoint.

[He couldn't help it, a laugh, almost delirious, slipped from his lips. It should be impossible. It sounded impossible. But he'd sold his soul to a demon. He'd been very thoroughly fucked by said demon, on more than one occasion and now.

Now he was pregnant.]

How strange are we talking? Am I going to want to drink the blood of my enemies or something?

[What are the kind of cravings one gets when one is a demon's baby mama? Oh god okay. Continue not to freak out, Alex. Doing good. Totally doing good.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Very tenderly did Essek lean his head against Bren's neck, enjoying the moment here and counting on the fact that Adeen would make himself scarce from his rooms. But well, if he didn't-- Essek was not above stabbing him for real. He took a soft breath and then he leaned in close. ] She will, she will be very loved.

[ And he could feel himself starting to slip off into a somewhat dreamscape though he would pull Bren down with him into that sleep.. if he could. ] I meant it.. when I said that I...

--

No, just the standard cravings I've read about in books, pickles with ice cream sort of deal. I am sure that blood would just give you indigestion. And honestly, I did not know about it to be honest until Bren had told me congratulations while we were at the club, and then he said that you were pregnant; I honestly hadn't noticed.

[ And then in a tone that was somewhat softer. ] I will go out and get you ice cream if you ever need it.

[internationalrelations]

[Bren resettled his arms around his pactkeeper. The way that Essek was so at ease with him, so willing to be close and indulge in cuddling and closeness and just simple soft affectionate moments, it was the greatest gift he could have been given.

Well, that and the family they'd accidentally made.

He turned his head to press a kiss through Essek's hair.]

I love you too, Schatz. I always will.

--

[Bren knew? And wait, Henry didn't know? So then, had this not been intentional? Though that opened up another series of questions. Alex was trying to hold it together, but he was teetering on the verge of a panic attack here with all this new information -- about his own damn biology even.

It was Alex's turn to go quiet.]

So this wasn't... you didn't... [Why was he suddenly so bad at talking?] Are you okay with this... with me?

[zauberdecke]

[ He always would, that felt like such a gift. It also felt unconditional, he did not have to do anything except be himself-- it had felt strange and first and yet here he was basking in this closeness and with someone who did not ask for more from him than his time and attention. He would likely be applauded by his mother, told that he was a good boy.

And he would fake smile and nod while realizing that they did not mean anything in the scheme of things and that Bren would help him enact his revenge and then they would leave together to start a new life that was uncomplicated. ]

---

[ The moment that Henry sensed a panic attack, he wrapped his arms around Alex and pulled him closer and tighter, resting his cheek against Alex's while he considered this. Closeness was good, probably would help to ease a little bit of that panic. ]

I did not know, it was true. I had even forgotten that there was a possibility, but I am not disappointed in it, the farthest thing ever.. though what matters is if you would like to have this child. We have options if you do not and ultimately this is what makes you comfortable.

[ a great many demons would want the child to the detriment of anything else, because it meant marrying human and demon. But Henry realized that the child meant nothing if Alex did not want it as well. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Bren would make a point to be with Essek for the eventual encounter with his mother -- though whether that would be in cat-shape or some other disguise, he did not know yet. But he would not leave him alone for it.

For now though, another kiss through that soft white hair.]

Rest, my treasure.

--

[Alex melted into that embrace, taking a moment to try to ground himself with the feeling of those arms around him. He clung to Henry in turn. Closeness was good, especially for Alex whose greatest anxieties were tangled up in fears of abandonment.

He took a few breaths, soft and steadying.

And there was Henry, still there, still holding him, giving Alex the choice once again.]

We made it together, right? Our ... baby.

[Oh god he said it, it's real now.]

How could I not want that? With you. [He was down bad, Henry. It had happened so fast. And the little life that had been kindled beyond all logic within him, he could already feel a surge of protectiveness over it, obvious perhaps in the way that his hand moved to shift and settle against his abdomen at the mention of having options.]