"No worries," Rowan said with a smirk. "I'll not skewer his ego."
He rested his head back against the couch, feet stretched out in front of him. Rolling his eyes at Eiryk he just laughed. It was good to see his friend and on and off partner in love, real love, at last. He couldn't remember ever seeing this sort of contentment in Eiryk before and it was nice.
"Whenever you want, name the time," Rowan said to Alex. "We'll see how you do."
Alex's profession made him tilt his head. "I thought yoga was for old ladies and fat people." He said it without shame. "You can look like that doing yoga?"
Now he was impressed, moreso when Alexander turned to Eiryk and humorously, frankly put him in his place.
Reunion (Private)
Rowan could swear Liefde was getting all wavy and blurry. He'd been on shift for nearly 48 hours thanks to two other doctors calling out sick. Fortunately there were no windows in the interior of the hospital; none that he allowed himself to go near anyhow. He hadn't dared nap however, for fear that someone would try to wake him and discover him comatose and unwakeable. So he was staggering back to his apartment at Liefde now, feeling tired but glad to be home.
His white lab coat had been left at the hospital; he hated it anyway and only wore it so people wouldn't assume he was a nurse and expect him to clean up all kinds of vile messes. So, stethoscope around his neck, he was finally dragging his feet into the towers, black scrubs wrinkled and in slight disarray, until he reached an elevator and slipped inside the door before it went up.
Not really noticing the people in it already Rowan leaned against one wall and tipped his head back, closing his eyes and sighing after punching the button for his floor.
Rowan Murphy
13 years ago
Eiryk
13 years ago
"Should I talk about how hot your flexibility is or did we want to save that for just us?"
Eiryk muttered at Alex, but careful to keep his voice low rather than flaunt or flirt too badly. He'd already gotten smacked down the once tonight, he did not want a repeat.
It was almost scary how fast he had settled into a relationship with Alex, a real on not just an affair but honest to god love. He never even thought to question Alex's faithfulness... maybe the level of trust as a little sudden and a little frightening but it also felt right. He returned the soft almost innocent kiss with a smile and true enjoyment.
"You love it."
Eiryk just rolled his eyes at Rowan's comment about his ego he was too busy being enamored of Alex to really dispute it. Dragging his attention back to the conversation.
"You didn't bring any one with you this go round did you?"
Rowan hadn't mentioned that, but some times you didn't think of it right off the bat.
Eiryk muttered at Alex, but careful to keep his voice low rather than flaunt or flirt too badly. He'd already gotten smacked down the once tonight, he did not want a repeat.
It was almost scary how fast he had settled into a relationship with Alex, a real on not just an affair but honest to god love. He never even thought to question Alex's faithfulness... maybe the level of trust as a little sudden and a little frightening but it also felt right. He returned the soft almost innocent kiss with a smile and true enjoyment.
"You love it."
Eiryk just rolled his eyes at Rowan's comment about his ego he was too busy being enamored of Alex to really dispute it. Dragging his attention back to the conversation.
"You didn't bring any one with you this go round did you?"
Rowan hadn't mentioned that, but some times you didn't think of it right off the bat.
Alex Aristos
13 years ago
"I don't know," Alex said. "Maybe a Sunday sometime? That's my only free day right now."
He looked at Eiryk with a question, knowing that any such lessons would intrude on their scant time together. Well, maybe it wasn't entirely scant but it wasn't as much as they wanted. Alex pledged that time to Eiryk first and foremost and if Eiryk wanted it all to himself Alex wouldn't argue.
Rowan's reaction to Alexander's profession wasn't uncommon. "Yeah. I do, anyhow," he said with a modest shrug. "It takes work. Tell you what, you show me how to skewer someone and I'll show you how to twist yourself into a pretzel."
Alex nudged Eiryk and sighed softly at him, laughing at how insatiable he was. "Later," he said with a grin. And then, "Yeah. I do, but I love you more. It's just a fringe benefit that you aren't some fat hairy redneck from the Ozarks."
He looked at Eiryk with a question, knowing that any such lessons would intrude on their scant time together. Well, maybe it wasn't entirely scant but it wasn't as much as they wanted. Alex pledged that time to Eiryk first and foremost and if Eiryk wanted it all to himself Alex wouldn't argue.
Rowan's reaction to Alexander's profession wasn't uncommon. "Yeah. I do, anyhow," he said with a modest shrug. "It takes work. Tell you what, you show me how to skewer someone and I'll show you how to twist yourself into a pretzel."
Alex nudged Eiryk and sighed softly at him, laughing at how insatiable he was. "Later," he said with a grin. And then, "Yeah. I do, but I love you more. It's just a fringe benefit that you aren't some fat hairy redneck from the Ozarks."
Rowan Murphy
13 years ago
Rowan nodded at Alexander. "Yeah, all right. Sunday works. The gym here at Liefde is plenty big enough."
He was all for learning something new, and if Alex felt better trading lesson for lesson Rowan was fine with it too.
Sipping at his coffee again Rowan shook his head briefly at Eiryk. "No. Just me this time. I haven't had a familiar in years. Just haven't found anyone appealing."
Story of his life the last few decades. Centuries maybe. Rowan had lost track. He'd had numerous affairs and one night stands with a variety of folks because he enjoyed it. But when it came to forging a lasting relationship, whether with a familiar or anyone else, Rowan had been suffering from a dry spell.
Alex's quip to Eiryk made Rowan inhale his coffee as he tried to envision the vain Viking fitting Alexander's description. For a long minute he choked and spluttered, glad he didn't really need to breathe.
He was all for learning something new, and if Alex felt better trading lesson for lesson Rowan was fine with it too.
Sipping at his coffee again Rowan shook his head briefly at Eiryk. "No. Just me this time. I haven't had a familiar in years. Just haven't found anyone appealing."
Story of his life the last few decades. Centuries maybe. Rowan had lost track. He'd had numerous affairs and one night stands with a variety of folks because he enjoyed it. But when it came to forging a lasting relationship, whether with a familiar or anyone else, Rowan had been suffering from a dry spell.
Alex's quip to Eiryk made Rowan inhale his coffee as he tried to envision the vain Viking fitting Alexander's description. For a long minute he choked and spluttered, glad he didn't really need to breathe.
Eiryk
13 years ago
Eiryk absently nodded. He'd probably come with if Alex and Rowan were going to do lessons. He could use some yoga pointers and some rapier refresher so he'd be along either way. At least he would be if Alex wanted him to be. He wasn't so clingy as to be suffocating.
His smile was warm, slow and seductive when Alex said 'later'. Oh there would be a few more later things too. He chuckled, there was almost no sound, but doubtless Alex could feel it in his chest. The smile melted into a frown when Eiryk realized that Rowan didn't have any one with him.
It was one of those I'm in love so every one should be moments. Eiryk tried to think who they could set Rowan up with. The only name he came up with was Pak, but she seemed to be seeing some one. Not knowing how serious it was he half considered it for a moment or two.
"Hmmm... that is a shame. Are we trying to fix that or are you good?"
His smile was warm, slow and seductive when Alex said 'later'. Oh there would be a few more later things too. He chuckled, there was almost no sound, but doubtless Alex could feel it in his chest. The smile melted into a frown when Eiryk realized that Rowan didn't have any one with him.
It was one of those I'm in love so every one should be moments. Eiryk tried to think who they could set Rowan up with. The only name he came up with was Pak, but she seemed to be seeing some one. Not knowing how serious it was he half considered it for a moment or two.
"Hmmm... that is a shame. Are we trying to fix that or are you good?"
Alex Aristos
13 years ago
Alex smiled at Rowan and relaxed back into Eiryk's arms. This was cozy, having casual company, chatting like no one here was a stranger. He always felt at home at Eiryk's. He sort of regretted moving out. Sort of. Eiryk hadn't invited him to stay forever; just while his building was being repaired. Besides, Alex thought it was important to maintain his own space since he'd worked so hard to obtain it. Still... he missed stupid simple things like having Eiryk's things next to his on the bathroom counter. Sure, Eiryk had stuff at Alex's apartment but it didn't feel the same.
He listened to Rowan's response to Eiryk and tilted his head curiously. Rowan didn't seem to mind answering questions. Eiryk didn't either. Maybe Alexander should ask them now while they were all relaxed and enjoying themselves.
"What do you look for in a familiar?"
He listened to Rowan's response to Eiryk and tilted his head curiously. Rowan didn't seem to mind answering questions. Eiryk didn't either. Maybe Alexander should ask them now while they were all relaxed and enjoying themselves.
"What do you look for in a familiar?"
Rowan Murphy
13 years ago
The focus in the room was suddenly on him and Rowan didn't mind in the least. He enjoyed a good spotlight. In this case, however, he didn't have a good answer to either man.
He shrugged at Eiryk. "I don't know. I..." He tried to nail down his feelings on the subject. Was he opposed to having a serious relationship? No, not really. "I guess I just hadn't given it much thought."
Rowan was a big fan of the one night stand lately. He had always been more of a lover than a fighter. Sometime in the last few centuries that had become habit and he hadn't really bothered to find a more permanent arrangement. He didn't really see the need. Obviously it worked for Eiryk, but then, his boyfriend had a limited shelf life.
Addressing said boyfriend Rowan shrugged again. "It depends," he said. "A familiar is useful for more than one thing so it's always good to have someone who's skilled in whatever task you might find useful. It's different for everyone. I like personality myself. If I'm going to be stuck to someone I have to get along with them."
He shrugged at Eiryk. "I don't know. I..." He tried to nail down his feelings on the subject. Was he opposed to having a serious relationship? No, not really. "I guess I just hadn't given it much thought."
Rowan was a big fan of the one night stand lately. He had always been more of a lover than a fighter. Sometime in the last few centuries that had become habit and he hadn't really bothered to find a more permanent arrangement. He didn't really see the need. Obviously it worked for Eiryk, but then, his boyfriend had a limited shelf life.
Addressing said boyfriend Rowan shrugged again. "It depends," he said. "A familiar is useful for more than one thing so it's always good to have someone who's skilled in whatever task you might find useful. It's different for everyone. I like personality myself. If I'm going to be stuck to someone I have to get along with them."
Eiryk
13 years ago
Eiryk cocked his head at his old friend and tried to suss out exactly what was going on in that head of his. He couldn't tell, it looked like maybe Rowan was a bit confused about it too. Eiryk echoed the shrug.
"You keep me posted."
It wasn't like he was going to pressure Rowan one way or another. Long term relationships could be tricky as a vampire. Long term, after all, took on a whole new meaning. It was a little different with Alex, although Eiryk didn't like to think about that.
Alex asked his question in a round about way and Eiryk felt a bit guilty for not having filled him all the way in. They had been together long enough, they were committed enough that Alex did need more information and it looked like he was in a receptive mood.
"A familiar helps out with daylight errands most of the time. If we feed from some one three nights in a row there is a bond that develops. The familiar looses a little bit of themselves and helps to take care of their vampire and we do what we can to take care of them too. The bond is different for everyone... sometimes it is... stronger than others."
Eiryk had seen some familiars that were in -bad- shape, believing themselves cursed or doomed, some totally wrapped up in the vampire in question. He couldn't understand keeping someone shackled like that, he would have released a familiar with that kind of bond. And that was part of the reason he never even considered taking Alex as a familiar.
"You keep me posted."
It wasn't like he was going to pressure Rowan one way or another. Long term relationships could be tricky as a vampire. Long term, after all, took on a whole new meaning. It was a little different with Alex, although Eiryk didn't like to think about that.
Alex asked his question in a round about way and Eiryk felt a bit guilty for not having filled him all the way in. They had been together long enough, they were committed enough that Alex did need more information and it looked like he was in a receptive mood.
"A familiar helps out with daylight errands most of the time. If we feed from some one three nights in a row there is a bond that develops. The familiar looses a little bit of themselves and helps to take care of their vampire and we do what we can to take care of them too. The bond is different for everyone... sometimes it is... stronger than others."
Eiryk had seen some familiars that were in -bad- shape, believing themselves cursed or doomed, some totally wrapped up in the vampire in question. He couldn't understand keeping someone shackled like that, he would have released a familiar with that kind of bond. And that was part of the reason he never even considered taking Alex as a familiar.
Alex Aristos
13 years ago
Alexander listened as both Rowan and Eiryk supplied him with a description of what they meant by familiar. It didn't sound horrible until Eiryk mentioned losing himself. He glanced at Rowan and then raised his eyebrows at Eiryk.
"Is that why you don't bite me that often?"
He felt himself growing red when he said it. It seemed like a personal sort of thing to be asking in front of Eiryk's friend and, well, former lover. He shifted on the couch so he wasn't leaning against Eiryk but looking at him.
"But... I'll take care of you, Eiryk. You know that. What do you need me to do for you during the day?"
Was he missing out on something important? Alex didn't want to lose himself but if Eiryk needed him, he wanted to do what he could for him.
"Is that why you don't bite me that often?"
He felt himself growing red when he said it. It seemed like a personal sort of thing to be asking in front of Eiryk's friend and, well, former lover. He shifted on the couch so he wasn't leaning against Eiryk but looking at him.
"But... I'll take care of you, Eiryk. You know that. What do you need me to do for you during the day?"
Was he missing out on something important? Alex didn't want to lose himself but if Eiryk needed him, he wanted to do what he could for him.
Rowan Murphy
13 years ago
Rowan turned his head away from what appeared to be a somewhat intimate conversation. He didn't have much route to excuse himself to so he focused on his mostly empty coffee mug. They hadn't turned on the TV so he couldn't distract himself that way.
Settling his head back he turned his thoughts to Eiryk's words. Was he looking for someone? Meh. Maybe. He was all about enjoying life, and that didn't necessarily mean he had to be with someone. In fact maybe it would be better to stay happily single.
Long story short, he guessed it probably didn't matter either way. He would find someone when he found someone. He couldn't deny there was a tiny bit of disappointment to find Eiryk attached and maybe also a small smidgen of jealousy. Not that Eiryk was so happy of course, but maybe because Rowan was lacking.
Nah. He was fine either way.
In the process of considering this while Eiryk and Alexander had their soft side conversation, Rowan made the very great mistake of closing his eyes. Somewhere in the five seconds it took him to fall asleep he thought, "Oh shit. Now I've gone and done it," but the words faded very quickly into his memory and he was dead to the world on Eiryk Jensen's very comfortable leather sofa.
Settling his head back he turned his thoughts to Eiryk's words. Was he looking for someone? Meh. Maybe. He was all about enjoying life, and that didn't necessarily mean he had to be with someone. In fact maybe it would be better to stay happily single.
Long story short, he guessed it probably didn't matter either way. He would find someone when he found someone. He couldn't deny there was a tiny bit of disappointment to find Eiryk attached and maybe also a small smidgen of jealousy. Not that Eiryk was so happy of course, but maybe because Rowan was lacking.
Nah. He was fine either way.
In the process of considering this while Eiryk and Alexander had their soft side conversation, Rowan made the very great mistake of closing his eyes. Somewhere in the five seconds it took him to fall asleep he thought, "Oh shit. Now I've gone and done it," but the words faded very quickly into his memory and he was dead to the world on Eiryk Jensen's very comfortable leather sofa.
Eiryk
13 years ago
Eiryk nodded solemnly. He'd wondered if Alex was bothered by his hunting and feeding else where. Even now that Alex had a reason Eiryk still wondered.
"I don't want that kind of help from you. I want you to be you, that's all I need. So, yes I'm careful."
He kissed Alex's cheek softly, sweetly. He didn't know exactly what Alex was feeling or thinking, but he did worry. He grinned a little.
"I don't have a familiar now, I don't want one or, thanks to Nachton being 24/7 and the internet, I don't need one. And you take care of me more than you know."
If nothing else Alex was a master of catching thing and jerking him out of the way but there was much more too it. Things Eiryk couldn't begin to articulate and didn't even try.
Having almost forgotten Rowan's presence he leaned in for a more intimate kiss but something caught his eye, probably a little movement from the sofa. It looked like Rowan was out. He settled for a quick peck instead.
"He's out. You know not all vampires sleep like we do..."
Eiryk mused aloud and wandered off to look for a blanket and a less pretty, more comfortable pillow. He'd shove Rowan into a more relaxing position once he had those.
"Probably just should have just made it up as a bed when he was in the shower."
He muttered from inside a closet.
"I don't want that kind of help from you. I want you to be you, that's all I need. So, yes I'm careful."
He kissed Alex's cheek softly, sweetly. He didn't know exactly what Alex was feeling or thinking, but he did worry. He grinned a little.
"I don't have a familiar now, I don't want one or, thanks to Nachton being 24/7 and the internet, I don't need one. And you take care of me more than you know."
If nothing else Alex was a master of catching thing and jerking him out of the way but there was much more too it. Things Eiryk couldn't begin to articulate and didn't even try.
Having almost forgotten Rowan's presence he leaned in for a more intimate kiss but something caught his eye, probably a little movement from the sofa. It looked like Rowan was out. He settled for a quick peck instead.
"He's out. You know not all vampires sleep like we do..."
Eiryk mused aloud and wandered off to look for a blanket and a less pretty, more comfortable pillow. He'd shove Rowan into a more relaxing position once he had those.
"Probably just should have just made it up as a bed when he was in the shower."
He muttered from inside a closet.
Alex Aristos
13 years ago
Alex frowned at Eiryk, listening to him with a skeptical expression on his face. When his boyfriend finished he cast a glance at Rowan, who was quiet on the sofa and said in a hushed voice to Eiryk, "Okay I get you. But I should be able to feed you. Don't I get to make that choice? You don't have to, every night."
He crossed his arms stubbornly. Why shouldn't he provide for his boyfriend whenever he could? Eiryk was his love, after all.
When said boyfriend pointed out their visitor was fast asleep Alex turned and looked. He chuckled at Eiryk's words. "So I don't have to worry about waking him up either, huh?"
He raised his brows at Eiryk as he disappeared into his... their? bedroom. Standing, he caught Rowan's arm as it began to slide from its precarious resting spot on the edge of the couch and deftly caught his three-quarters empty coffee mug before it could spill. Months of living around Eiryk had made such maneuvers commonplace for Alex.
He looked down at Rowan curiously. Like Eiryk's, Rowan's face gave away nothing of what he was. He looked peaceful and completely normal asleep, with the exception that Alex knew from what Eiryk told him that the towers could probably burn down around them both and they'd hardly bat an eyelash.
Well, he supposed that's where he came in handy. He didn't get what all this vampire shit was about. It seemed to him like there were too many drawbacks to make it worthwhile. And Marie wanted this?
Something for everyone, he supposed.
He crossed his arms stubbornly. Why shouldn't he provide for his boyfriend whenever he could? Eiryk was his love, after all.
When said boyfriend pointed out their visitor was fast asleep Alex turned and looked. He chuckled at Eiryk's words. "So I don't have to worry about waking him up either, huh?"
He raised his brows at Eiryk as he disappeared into his... their? bedroom. Standing, he caught Rowan's arm as it began to slide from its precarious resting spot on the edge of the couch and deftly caught his three-quarters empty coffee mug before it could spill. Months of living around Eiryk had made such maneuvers commonplace for Alex.
He looked down at Rowan curiously. Like Eiryk's, Rowan's face gave away nothing of what he was. He looked peaceful and completely normal asleep, with the exception that Alex knew from what Eiryk told him that the towers could probably burn down around them both and they'd hardly bat an eyelash.
Well, he supposed that's where he came in handy. He didn't get what all this vampire shit was about. It seemed to him like there were too many drawbacks to make it worthwhile. And Marie wanted this?
Something for everyone, he supposed.
Eiryk
13 years ago
Eiryk cocked his head at Alex. He didn't disagree with that statement. He did eat more often than strictly necessary, he didn't need to eat every night and he would much rather nibble on Alex.
"I probably am being too careful, but if that is what you want we can do that."
He might start keeping a supply for emergencies. Eiryk could be a bit paranoid, and if Alex became his regular meal, well he wasn't going to risk a familiar bond. It shouldn't be difficult logistics though. No matter what little reservations Eiryk might have he had quickly, easily and sincerely agreed with Alex. That was just how it would be from now on.
As he half shoved Rowan around and half tucked him in he frowned a bit.
"I'm sorry."
Eiryk hadn't even considered that his hunting and feeding might be hurtful to Alex.
"I probably am being too careful, but if that is what you want we can do that."
He might start keeping a supply for emergencies. Eiryk could be a bit paranoid, and if Alex became his regular meal, well he wasn't going to risk a familiar bond. It shouldn't be difficult logistics though. No matter what little reservations Eiryk might have he had quickly, easily and sincerely agreed with Alex. That was just how it would be from now on.
As he half shoved Rowan around and half tucked him in he frowned a bit.
"I'm sorry."
Eiryk hadn't even considered that his hunting and feeding might be hurtful to Alex.
Alex Aristos
13 years ago
Alex raised one eyebrow at Eiryk, taking the pillow from him and easing Rowan's head onto it gently, the way he would have done for Eiryk.
"Sorry for what? Of course I'd rather be the only one you're biting."
Maybe there was a small amount of self interest there; Eiryk's bite was intoxicating and sexy. Alex didn't like the idea that someone else felt that way. So not only would he be happy to provide for Eiryk but he'd also be saving someone else from that... right?
"Is one person enough for you?" Eiryk never seemed to take a lot from him. He seemed like a pretty efficient blood-sucking machine. Was just Alex enough to sustain him?
Alex waited until Eiryk seemed satisfied with his tucking in and then turned off the lights, leaving only the little night light Eiryk had let him plug in for illumination. Smiling at his boyfriend he looked toward the bedroom.
"What do you think... early to bed for us both?"
His eyes were warm and his smile full of invitation. They normally stayed up a little later, and maybe, without fear of waking Rowan, they would be back out to the living room to watch a movie, but Alexander suspected Eiryk had the same thing on his mind, and it wasn't movie watching.
"Sorry for what? Of course I'd rather be the only one you're biting."
Maybe there was a small amount of self interest there; Eiryk's bite was intoxicating and sexy. Alex didn't like the idea that someone else felt that way. So not only would he be happy to provide for Eiryk but he'd also be saving someone else from that... right?
"Is one person enough for you?" Eiryk never seemed to take a lot from him. He seemed like a pretty efficient blood-sucking machine. Was just Alex enough to sustain him?
Alex waited until Eiryk seemed satisfied with his tucking in and then turned off the lights, leaving only the little night light Eiryk had let him plug in for illumination. Smiling at his boyfriend he looked toward the bedroom.
"What do you think... early to bed for us both?"
His eyes were warm and his smile full of invitation. They normally stayed up a little later, and maybe, without fear of waking Rowan, they would be back out to the living room to watch a movie, but Alexander suspected Eiryk had the same thing on his mind, and it wasn't movie watching.
Eiryk
13 years ago
"I'm sorry I didn't think to ask. With you it is special, it is different... eating out is just something you do. I should have thought about it."
It hadn't really occurred to Eiryk that his feeding on some one else would upset Alex. It should have though and he felt bad about that. After all, their bites were... well it wasn't unpleasant there was a reason humans frequented the House of Pain.
He crossed the room and kissed Alex on the forehead, holding him close.
"If it is you... yes. I think so. I've never tried before, but I think so."
Maybe a few hundred years ago it wouldn't have, but he was old enough that it should be OK and still not risk a bond.
He was pondering that when he caught the smile on Alex's face. Oh they were -so- working out details later.
"Early to bed, early to rise..."
There was no mistaking the innuendo in Eiryk's voice. They didn't waste any more time in disappearing into the bedroom and making good on those promises.
((OOC... everyone out))
It hadn't really occurred to Eiryk that his feeding on some one else would upset Alex. It should have though and he felt bad about that. After all, their bites were... well it wasn't unpleasant there was a reason humans frequented the House of Pain.
He crossed the room and kissed Alex on the forehead, holding him close.
"If it is you... yes. I think so. I've never tried before, but I think so."
Maybe a few hundred years ago it wouldn't have, but he was old enough that it should be OK and still not risk a bond.
He was pondering that when he caught the smile on Alex's face. Oh they were -so- working out details later.
"Early to bed, early to rise..."
There was no mistaking the innuendo in Eiryk's voice. They didn't waste any more time in disappearing into the bedroom and making good on those promises.
((OOC... everyone out))