[Azrael] You Don't Have To Love Me And Let's Get High Awhile
Azrael had gotten a two-room suite in Atlantic City after having breakfast with Ebony. It was only appropriate, then, that after sleeping the rest of the day away that he gave Eden a call. She'd said she wanted to spar, after all.
"You wanted me to call. Did you still want to get together?"
"Oh... right... um... will you let me beat you up and cry if I want to? And promise not to tell anyone if I do?
Azrael chuckled over the phone, "Am I allowed to fight back?"
Eden came by in the early evening, dressed for activity in a sport shorts and a sports bra. As he opened the door, she could see that Azrael was barefoot, but otherwise dressed normally in black jeans and a black t-shirt. She also noticed as she entered that he'd already moved furniture out of the way to give them room. Ever the hospital host, he'd offered her a drink. Despite not normally being a drinker, she'd accepted.
"She left me, ya know that?"
Azrael mixed up two gin & tonics. "Yeah, she told me."
"Wow she's passing word on quick."
Azrael handed her the drink. "It wasn't like that. She was drunk and sad. Wanted to talk."
"What's she got to be sad about..." It wasn't a question.
"She knows she hurt you."
"She can go do whatever she wants now." Not really under her breath, she muttered, "Not like she wasn't before..." She turned to look at him. "Did you sleep with her while we were together?
Azrael raised both eyebrows. He wasn't expecting the question, though he immediately realized he should have. He looked into her eyes and told her the truth.
"No." He then thought to add, "Nor after." He then explained that they'd gone to breakfast, though he somehow didn't think to mention it was earlier the same day.
She smelled the drink and looked at him skeptically. Eden puts the glass to her lips and downed it without stopping, wrinkling her face at the taste. Azrael couldn't help but smile. "Guess I made that one too weak."
"For what it's worth, she never seemed interested in me."
"I was willing to...well..." She trailed off, laughed and shook her head, holding her glass out. "One more, then we spar?"
Azrael took the glass and mixed up two more. He then realized he hadn't finished his first one and did so. "Willin' t'what?"
"Go against my better judgement," she murmered. "I don't want to talk about it."
He apologized for asking as he brought her the second G&T. She took it and sipped. "Gah." She licked her lips; this one was stronger than the last.
"Nest time, I'll just make margaritas."
She walked to the large window overlooking the city. "I don't have a penis."
"I can tell," Azrael grinned. "Lucky for me, I like boys, girls, and even those in between."
"I've never been attracted to guys. Sure, I can tell good looking ones from not so much, but meh." She shrugged, took another sip. Eden closed her eyes and laughed a little. "Never compormise your principles for someone else's sake...no matter who they are."
"And yet, relationships gotta have some compromise t'function." he replied.
"Yeah, well, this was going to be a big one." She sighed. "I told her that I would let a male into our
bed...so that I could share that part of her life with her."
"You must've really loved her."
"What's so great about it...?"
"What's that?" He wasn't sure what she was talking about.
"Penis." she replied quickly. "That she'd leave me for it." Eden downed the rest of her drink
Azrael smiled. "It has a certain je ne sais quoi."
"Can I beat you up now?" She turned and set her glass down.
He took off his shirt and they got down to it. Unlike last time, this wasn't playful. She was here to learn, yes, but also to get her aggression out. Hurt and angry, she threw punches and kicks, learning a few basics on how to tweak bones and break holds. She was faster than him, but she didn't have any training to erally capitalize on it. As time wore on, though, they both landed enough blows to know he'd have a few bruises in the morning and so would she.
When she charged at him, he knew it was over. There were tears in her eyes. He sidestepped her easily and grappled her from behind. Frustrated, she flailed about, forgetting things she'd been taught earlier. He told her they were done. She went into the other room and sat down on the bed.
He walked to the bar. "'Nother drink?"
She nodded.
"Somethin' different?"
"Don't care."
He mixed up a blender full of frozen daiquiris and poured two, brought them over. She accepted the glass and took a sip. "Better."
"Glad you like it. Rum drinks are my favorite." Azrael sat on the bed, up against the pillows. "You bring something to change into?"
She shook her head. "No...why would I?"
"Sweat."
Eden looked down at herself. She was flushed and had perspired a bit. "Wasn't thinking about it. You have an extra shirt?"
"And jeans if you want them. Both are probably a little big on you, though."
"I'll just take a shirt."
Azrael stood, grabbed a shirt from the closet and tossed it at her. She grabbed it and took a long sip of the daiquiri.
"Don't suppose you'd want to shower first," he asked
"Sounds good." She headed off to the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, she emerged, wearing underwear and the shirt, her hair towel dried.
"Lookin' good, chere."
"I feel clean." She picked up her drink and finished it.
"'Nother drink?"
"I don't know, sure. Why the hell not?"
Azrael walked over and took her glass as she sat down on the bed and picked up the remote. She seemed completely comfortable, but it wasn't clear to him if that was normal for her or if it was because she was gradually getting drunk. Either way, he didn't mind looking.
At the bar, he poured to more glasses and came back, sipping his. Eden took hers with a quick "thanks," but didn't look up from the TV. She turned on Comedy Central.
"Think I could use a shower myself." Azrael sniffed himself and dragged a finger across his slightly wet chest. "Be right out."
As he walked to the bathroom, Azrael began shedding his pants with the ease of someone who was comfortable being naked in front of people. He was pretty sure she wasn't watching anyway. He dropped them outside the door (which he didn't bother to close all the way) and started his shower.
Roughly five minutes later, he emerged wrapped in a towel while she laughed at whatever it was she had on TV. He sat on the opposite side of the bed from her, finished the rest of his drink, and laid down.
"You're more'n welcome to crash, of course."
"You have one bed," she said, still watching the screen.
"That's true. Either we can share it, one of us can take the couch, or I can get the room next door."
She finally looked at him. "Ok...we can share. Nut you keep your 1/2 the bed."
He raised his right hand in a Scout salute, "I will keep to my half of the bed," He smirked and then added
"You, however, can go wherever you want."
Azrael sat up. "'Nother drink or are you ready for water?"
"Water," Eden replied. She climbed under the covers.
"You got it." Azrael stood, collected their glasses and returned to the bar for the last time. He filled a big pitcher with water and ice and brought it back with a new pair of glasses. He placed them both on her nightstand, poured and left the pitcher. Eden immediately took her glass and sipped.
Azrael walked over to his side of the bed and set his glass down. He removed the towel and got into bed.
"You should do your best to finish that pitcher; make sure you don't get hungover."
Eden didn't respond. Her eyes were locked on the TV and she curled up on her side, drinking water. Quiet. Distant.
Azrael never liked like uncomfortable silences. "Penny for your thoughts?"
Eden briefly looked over and then turned back to the screen. "Hmm? Oh, just kinda relaxing. Sorry."
"S'cool. Just want you to be comfortable. Hope I haven't screwed that up."
Eden shrugged. She wasn't really paying attention.
"I can't say that part of me isn't curious to know why it's so great...why it's so important that it's more important then me."
Azrael shifted in the bed. "I can show you...but from what she said, she didn't leave you because she wanted a man."
Now she looked at him. "It's the only thing I couldn't give her."
"I don't think it's about what you had to give," he said. "It's just that her love for you wasn't romantic. More...familial." He shrugged and added, "According to her."
"She was sleeping with me. How does that turn into family ties?" Eden was clearly annoyed, now.
"I don't know."
She turned away from him, resting on her side.
Azrael wrapped himself up in the sheet a bit. "If you want a hug, I'm...covered." He wasn't going to press his naked body directly against hers without a clear invitation.
"I could take a hug," she said quietly.
"Well, c'mere. I'm stuck on this side of the bed, remember?" The jester in him couldn't help trying to lighten the mood.
Eden scooted back up against his chest. Azrael wrapped his arms around her and gave her good squeeze. She tensed, but didn't try to get away from him.
"Why are you volunteering to screw me when you know there is a very good chance I won't enjoy it?"
"Well, firstly, because it's about you, not my ego. Secondly, and I don't mean to toot my own horn here, but I think there's also a decent chance that you will." Azrael shrugged. "You may not want to ever do it again and I certainly don't expect to convert you, but you'll have at least one orgasm before we're done."
"Sure, I guess."
Azrael chuckled. "I'm fortunate enough to just be sleeping alongside you."
That made her laugh, finally. "Right! You'd rather have someone else here and we both know it."
He responded seriously. "That doesn't make you any less beautiful or pleasant to be curled up next to."
She nestled into the curve of his body and he gave her another squeeze. "I don't like sleeping alone," she said.
"Me neither." It was probably the most honest thing he'd said to anyone in months. He kissed the back of her neck. She twitched. "Sorry."
"It's ok.", she replied. "How do we start this...?"
Azrael smiled again. "Same way you normally would, honestly. With only a few obvious adjustments."
"Show me?"
It started with caressing, massaging, nuzzling. She turned towards him and they began kissing. Not enthusiastic at first, she began to get more comfortable with it. The alcohol helped. Licking, sucking, biting followed and he began to go through his repertoire, he kissed his way down her chest and stomach. He paused at her underwear and she began pulling him back upward.
"I know what that's like," she whispered. "I want to know what male is like."
"Are you ready?"
Eden tensed at that, then nodded.
Azrael decided he wanted a bit more insurance and laid on top of her, kissing her again and rubbing his erection against her crotch, making sure she was prepared for him. He could feel her heart racing against him. He reached over to the nightstand for a condom, but she stopped him.
"We don't need that."
He tossed it away, knowing what she meant. Nearly every mage he'd every slept with used some sort of magical contraception, either in addition to or instead of condoms or pills. Slowly, he penetrated her.
It was awkward at first, primarily for her; Azrael merely tried to adjust to keep her comfortable. They quickly found a rhythm and Azrael's naturat talent took over. Maintaining a consistent pace, he worked to hit her g-spot with each thrust. She gasped, straining against him and trying to pull him closer. He fell on her again, attacking her lips, neck, and breasts.
Eventually, it became clear that while she was enjoying herself, fucking alone wasn't going to bring her to orgasm. Azrael knew it was time to free up a hand.
It was only after she came, crying out and pulsing beneath him that he let himself to the same. He thrust into her one final time and shuddered, holding her tightly.
Relaxing, finally, Eden looked at him and blushed. Azrael smiled back at her, his blue left eye twinkling.
He laid down next to her as she curled up, beginning to drift off. "You have to promise me you won't tell Ebony. Or anyone who'll tell her." Azrael promised.
He watched her for a while as she fell asleep.
He'd considered the likelihood that Ebony might make a move on him. She was the one who'd encouraged him and Camael to get together, after all. He'd written Eden off as a possibility, though, as she'd hadn't flirted with him at all that night. Not unless you counted the wrestling and that seemed more like a ploy to make Ebony jealous.
Azrael turned, reached for his laptop and turned it on. He made flight reservations.
Later, curled up next to Eden, Azrael slept deeply and dreamed.
"You wanted me to call. Did you still want to get together?"
"Oh... right... um... will you let me beat you up and cry if I want to? And promise not to tell anyone if I do?
Azrael chuckled over the phone, "Am I allowed to fight back?"
Eden came by in the early evening, dressed for activity in a sport shorts and a sports bra. As he opened the door, she could see that Azrael was barefoot, but otherwise dressed normally in black jeans and a black t-shirt. She also noticed as she entered that he'd already moved furniture out of the way to give them room. Ever the hospital host, he'd offered her a drink. Despite not normally being a drinker, she'd accepted.
"She left me, ya know that?"
Azrael mixed up two gin & tonics. "Yeah, she told me."
"Wow she's passing word on quick."
Azrael handed her the drink. "It wasn't like that. She was drunk and sad. Wanted to talk."
"What's she got to be sad about..." It wasn't a question.
"She knows she hurt you."
"She can go do whatever she wants now." Not really under her breath, she muttered, "Not like she wasn't before..." She turned to look at him. "Did you sleep with her while we were together?
Azrael raised both eyebrows. He wasn't expecting the question, though he immediately realized he should have. He looked into her eyes and told her the truth.
"No." He then thought to add, "Nor after." He then explained that they'd gone to breakfast, though he somehow didn't think to mention it was earlier the same day.
She smelled the drink and looked at him skeptically. Eden puts the glass to her lips and downed it without stopping, wrinkling her face at the taste. Azrael couldn't help but smile. "Guess I made that one too weak."
"For what it's worth, she never seemed interested in me."
"I was willing to...well..." She trailed off, laughed and shook her head, holding her glass out. "One more, then we spar?"
Azrael took the glass and mixed up two more. He then realized he hadn't finished his first one and did so. "Willin' t'what?"
"Go against my better judgement," she murmered. "I don't want to talk about it."
He apologized for asking as he brought her the second G&T. She took it and sipped. "Gah." She licked her lips; this one was stronger than the last.
"Nest time, I'll just make margaritas."
She walked to the large window overlooking the city. "I don't have a penis."
"I can tell," Azrael grinned. "Lucky for me, I like boys, girls, and even those in between."
"I've never been attracted to guys. Sure, I can tell good looking ones from not so much, but meh." She shrugged, took another sip. Eden closed her eyes and laughed a little. "Never compormise your principles for someone else's sake...no matter who they are."
"And yet, relationships gotta have some compromise t'function." he replied.
"Yeah, well, this was going to be a big one." She sighed. "I told her that I would let a male into our
bed...so that I could share that part of her life with her."
"You must've really loved her."
"What's so great about it...?"
"What's that?" He wasn't sure what she was talking about.
"Penis." she replied quickly. "That she'd leave me for it." Eden downed the rest of her drink
Azrael smiled. "It has a certain je ne sais quoi."
"Can I beat you up now?" She turned and set her glass down.
He took off his shirt and they got down to it. Unlike last time, this wasn't playful. She was here to learn, yes, but also to get her aggression out. Hurt and angry, she threw punches and kicks, learning a few basics on how to tweak bones and break holds. She was faster than him, but she didn't have any training to erally capitalize on it. As time wore on, though, they both landed enough blows to know he'd have a few bruises in the morning and so would she.
When she charged at him, he knew it was over. There were tears in her eyes. He sidestepped her easily and grappled her from behind. Frustrated, she flailed about, forgetting things she'd been taught earlier. He told her they were done. She went into the other room and sat down on the bed.
He walked to the bar. "'Nother drink?"
She nodded.
"Somethin' different?"
"Don't care."
He mixed up a blender full of frozen daiquiris and poured two, brought them over. She accepted the glass and took a sip. "Better."
"Glad you like it. Rum drinks are my favorite." Azrael sat on the bed, up against the pillows. "You bring something to change into?"
She shook her head. "No...why would I?"
"Sweat."
Eden looked down at herself. She was flushed and had perspired a bit. "Wasn't thinking about it. You have an extra shirt?"
"And jeans if you want them. Both are probably a little big on you, though."
"I'll just take a shirt."
Azrael stood, grabbed a shirt from the closet and tossed it at her. She grabbed it and took a long sip of the daiquiri.
"Don't suppose you'd want to shower first," he asked
"Sounds good." She headed off to the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, she emerged, wearing underwear and the shirt, her hair towel dried.
"Lookin' good, chere."
"I feel clean." She picked up her drink and finished it.
"'Nother drink?"
"I don't know, sure. Why the hell not?"
Azrael walked over and took her glass as she sat down on the bed and picked up the remote. She seemed completely comfortable, but it wasn't clear to him if that was normal for her or if it was because she was gradually getting drunk. Either way, he didn't mind looking.
At the bar, he poured to more glasses and came back, sipping his. Eden took hers with a quick "thanks," but didn't look up from the TV. She turned on Comedy Central.
"Think I could use a shower myself." Azrael sniffed himself and dragged a finger across his slightly wet chest. "Be right out."
As he walked to the bathroom, Azrael began shedding his pants with the ease of someone who was comfortable being naked in front of people. He was pretty sure she wasn't watching anyway. He dropped them outside the door (which he didn't bother to close all the way) and started his shower.
Roughly five minutes later, he emerged wrapped in a towel while she laughed at whatever it was she had on TV. He sat on the opposite side of the bed from her, finished the rest of his drink, and laid down.
"You're more'n welcome to crash, of course."
"You have one bed," she said, still watching the screen.
"That's true. Either we can share it, one of us can take the couch, or I can get the room next door."
She finally looked at him. "Ok...we can share. Nut you keep your 1/2 the bed."
He raised his right hand in a Scout salute, "I will keep to my half of the bed," He smirked and then added
"You, however, can go wherever you want."
Azrael sat up. "'Nother drink or are you ready for water?"
"Water," Eden replied. She climbed under the covers.
"You got it." Azrael stood, collected their glasses and returned to the bar for the last time. He filled a big pitcher with water and ice and brought it back with a new pair of glasses. He placed them both on her nightstand, poured and left the pitcher. Eden immediately took her glass and sipped.
Azrael walked over to his side of the bed and set his glass down. He removed the towel and got into bed.
"You should do your best to finish that pitcher; make sure you don't get hungover."
Eden didn't respond. Her eyes were locked on the TV and she curled up on her side, drinking water. Quiet. Distant.
Azrael never liked like uncomfortable silences. "Penny for your thoughts?"
Eden briefly looked over and then turned back to the screen. "Hmm? Oh, just kinda relaxing. Sorry."
"S'cool. Just want you to be comfortable. Hope I haven't screwed that up."
Eden shrugged. She wasn't really paying attention.
"I can't say that part of me isn't curious to know why it's so great...why it's so important that it's more important then me."
Azrael shifted in the bed. "I can show you...but from what she said, she didn't leave you because she wanted a man."
Now she looked at him. "It's the only thing I couldn't give her."
"I don't think it's about what you had to give," he said. "It's just that her love for you wasn't romantic. More...familial." He shrugged and added, "According to her."
"She was sleeping with me. How does that turn into family ties?" Eden was clearly annoyed, now.
"I don't know."
She turned away from him, resting on her side.
Azrael wrapped himself up in the sheet a bit. "If you want a hug, I'm...covered." He wasn't going to press his naked body directly against hers without a clear invitation.
"I could take a hug," she said quietly.
"Well, c'mere. I'm stuck on this side of the bed, remember?" The jester in him couldn't help trying to lighten the mood.
Eden scooted back up against his chest. Azrael wrapped his arms around her and gave her good squeeze. She tensed, but didn't try to get away from him.
"Why are you volunteering to screw me when you know there is a very good chance I won't enjoy it?"
"Well, firstly, because it's about you, not my ego. Secondly, and I don't mean to toot my own horn here, but I think there's also a decent chance that you will." Azrael shrugged. "You may not want to ever do it again and I certainly don't expect to convert you, but you'll have at least one orgasm before we're done."
"Sure, I guess."
Azrael chuckled. "I'm fortunate enough to just be sleeping alongside you."
That made her laugh, finally. "Right! You'd rather have someone else here and we both know it."
He responded seriously. "That doesn't make you any less beautiful or pleasant to be curled up next to."
She nestled into the curve of his body and he gave her another squeeze. "I don't like sleeping alone," she said.
"Me neither." It was probably the most honest thing he'd said to anyone in months. He kissed the back of her neck. She twitched. "Sorry."
"It's ok.", she replied. "How do we start this...?"
Azrael smiled again. "Same way you normally would, honestly. With only a few obvious adjustments."
"Show me?"
It started with caressing, massaging, nuzzling. She turned towards him and they began kissing. Not enthusiastic at first, she began to get more comfortable with it. The alcohol helped. Licking, sucking, biting followed and he began to go through his repertoire, he kissed his way down her chest and stomach. He paused at her underwear and she began pulling him back upward.
"I know what that's like," she whispered. "I want to know what male is like."
"Are you ready?"
Eden tensed at that, then nodded.
Azrael decided he wanted a bit more insurance and laid on top of her, kissing her again and rubbing his erection against her crotch, making sure she was prepared for him. He could feel her heart racing against him. He reached over to the nightstand for a condom, but she stopped him.
"We don't need that."
He tossed it away, knowing what she meant. Nearly every mage he'd every slept with used some sort of magical contraception, either in addition to or instead of condoms or pills. Slowly, he penetrated her.
It was awkward at first, primarily for her; Azrael merely tried to adjust to keep her comfortable. They quickly found a rhythm and Azrael's naturat talent took over. Maintaining a consistent pace, he worked to hit her g-spot with each thrust. She gasped, straining against him and trying to pull him closer. He fell on her again, attacking her lips, neck, and breasts.
Eventually, it became clear that while she was enjoying herself, fucking alone wasn't going to bring her to orgasm. Azrael knew it was time to free up a hand.
It was only after she came, crying out and pulsing beneath him that he let himself to the same. He thrust into her one final time and shuddered, holding her tightly.
Relaxing, finally, Eden looked at him and blushed. Azrael smiled back at her, his blue left eye twinkling.
He laid down next to her as she curled up, beginning to drift off. "You have to promise me you won't tell Ebony. Or anyone who'll tell her." Azrael promised.
He watched her for a while as she fell asleep.
He'd considered the likelihood that Ebony might make a move on him. She was the one who'd encouraged him and Camael to get together, after all. He'd written Eden off as a possibility, though, as she'd hadn't flirted with him at all that night. Not unless you counted the wrestling and that seemed more like a ploy to make Ebony jealous.
Azrael turned, reached for his laptop and turned it on. He made flight reservations.
Later, curled up next to Eden, Azrael slept deeply and dreamed.