More vamp fic
“Nate, get DOWN!” Eliot screamed as he tackled the older man. Gunshots rang out and bullet holes appeared where Nate had been standing, and with Eliot’s help he got into the elevator.
Chaos was everywhere in the Bourdeau Compound. The Russian Vampires had come to reclaim their weapon, the 10,000 year old vampire Imari, and they weren’t taking no for an answer. An emergency, which by now everyone knew had been planned, had lured Stacy Bourdeau and several other elders out of the compound and clear across the country. Nate and Hardison had been visiting Eliot. Not checking up on him, just visiting, when the first gunshots rang out.
Eliot’s fist slammed into the control panel and the elevator began moving. “They’re after the providers. Kill the providers and the vamps have to start from scratch. Half of them won’t be able to wait until new ones are trained.”
“What do we do?”
Eliot closed his eyes and thought. He could feel Imari’s hunger nudging at him, but he ruthlessly pushed it away. Anger was the resulting emotion from the vampire but Eliot didn’t care. Couldn’t care if he wanted to help. “The stronger vamps are gone. It’s just the providers with about a dozen or so under 100 years old. They can’t stand this kind of fight.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“We’re going down to Imari’s room. What I’m going to do is get him hungry. What you’re going to do is let me lock you into one of the enclosures so he can’t hurt you.”
“From what you’ve told us he’s already hungry.” The sarcasm was evident in Nate’s voice.
“He’s like a horse. Get him riled up and he’ll follow you anywhere to get what he wants. Give him some fresh blood, tease him a little and then take off so he follows me. Get him up to the main floor with the bad guys and let him have a buffet.”
“Vampires can’t feed off of each other. Can they?”
“If they’re old enough they can. And Imari, he’s old.”
The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Eliot stepped out and headed down a long corridor lit by florescent bulbs, punching in a code at a locked door. It opened for him and together, he and Nate stepped through.
The entire area was stark white with three large glass cubes in the center of the room. In front of the cubes was a desk that had a computer. In the center cube, Imari was strapped down to a metal frame, his arms at his sides. He had a mouth guard on, but instead of a leather strap over his eyes there was a black silk scarf. The scarf was the only color in the area, everything else was white.
“Okay, in you go.” Without waiting for a reply, Eliot pushed Nate into one of the cubes and pulled the door shut. He tried to lock it but was unsuccessful. He was about to see if there was a code in the computer when Hardison’s voice came over the intercom.
“I’m in the vault with the rest of the providers. Man, this family’s goin’ down.”
“Not if I can help it. Alec, can you get into the security system?”
“How the hell you think I know you just shoved Nate in a cell?”
Eliot grinned. “I need you to open Imari’s enclosure.”
“No!” It was Dave’s voice. “Eliot, you can’t let him out.”
“He’s the only chance we’ve got.”
“There’s no way you could possibly feed him enough to get his strength back.”
The lock on the enclosure beeped twice and the led light went green. Eliot could hear Dave bellowing in rage at Hardison but knew it was mostly show. Not like anything could be done now anyway, right?
Eliot took a deep breath and let it out slowly, focusing his mind. While not telepathic, the link he had with Imari was empathic. He had to show Imari he was afraid. He wasn’t, not really, but he was concerned. And somehow, he had to get Imari to realize there was food waiting on the ground floor.
Lots of food.
He stepped into the enclosure, leaving the door open. His voice was soft as if he were talking to a frightened horse. His rational mind said he should be the one who’s frightened…good thing Eliot wasn’t a rational man.
“Imari, can you hear me? You awake there darlin’?”
The feeling was irritation at the words. Imari wasn’t up to par, but he absolutely didn’t like being treated like a woman, physically or verbally. It penetrated through the fog of hunger like a knife and Eliot couldn’t help but chuckle.
He closed his eyes and concentrated on what he’d seen, the younger vamps and providers shot down within the blink of an eye, the fair skinned man that Imari knew so well barking out orders. The concern for his friends when he saw Alec running, bullets flying behind him as Dave yanked him into the vault. The scent of blood and the sound of screams, the sour tang of fear. He thought of it all and let his emotions flow freely through the connection he shared with this creature.
Rage answered his request. Disbelief that the fair skinned man would be so bold was Imari’s main reaction, then hate. Hate so dark that it made Eliot gasp and open his eyes. He swallowed thickly, and then knew what he had to do. He only hoped he could keep Imari in check.
“Eliot, this is insane!” Nate yelled. His words had no effect. Eliot reached up and untied the silk around Imari’s eyes, looking into the pink gaze without fear. He carefully unclasped the mouth guard and pulled it away gently so as not to hurt the fangs that he knew were distended and ready. His eyes never left Imari’s as he removed the restraints from his wrists and ankles.
In the next instant, Eliot was slammed violently against the glass enclosure and the wind was knocked right out of him. The sound coming from Imari’s mouth was a cross between a guttural shriek and a deep moan, and long boney fingers shoved Eliot’s head to the side. Teeth were poised at his neck, ready to penetrate when all movement stopped.
Nathan watched the attack in horror, the sight of the emaciated vampire not at all pleasant. He was sure the monster was going to break Eliot’s neck, and Eliot wouldn’t stop him. He had been taught not to. When Imari stepped away from Eliot, Nate held his breath.
Someplace in the back of his mind, Imari knew that he would kill this boy in front of him if he fed. But something powerful was scaring his boy, and he wouldn’t be able to protect him without feeding. The snarl that curled his lip bought him time to think, not that he could do much of that in his current state.
But, Fate is a kind mistress to those that have suffered more than their share, and over his boy’s shoulder two men appeared through the door. They had guns in their hands, but that didn’t bother Imari. They were walking right up toward him, saying something that his distressed mind couldn’t quite comprehend. What he could comprehend however was they were vampires.
Vampires who had just fed.
His hand went to his boy’s shoulder and he pulled him from the wall and flung him away from the danger, not bothering to think he could have easily hurt him. The younger of the two was within arm’s reach now, and he was brandishing some type of restraint. Imari wasn’t in the mood for games, and he certainly wasn’t in the mood to be restrained.
A long arm, thin and boney yet still powerful shot out, grabbing the vampire by his shoulder and yanking him close. The grin on Imari’s face was frightening even to those that knew him, but the man in his arms wouldn’t have to look at it for long. Fangs penetrated skin, ripped through tendons and pierced the artery they sought, thereby beginning a lovely river of nourishment for a poor, famished soul.
As Imari fed, he was aware of something hitting his body. No matter. He would tend to that after his first meal. His first of many meals….
*_*_*
“Christ…” Dave whispered.
Hardison looked up at Dave and then back at the screen. The bullets from the second gunman were going into Imari’s body, creating holes the size of half dollars. Just as each hole was created, the bulled was pushed out of Imari’s body and the wound healed. As Imari fed, it was like watching someone suck all the juice out of a juice pouch. The skin wrapped around the victim’s bones and he looked…drained. And maybe that was a damn good description. When Imari threw the first one down, the second one howled in terror and tried to get away. Imari, while nowhere near full strength, had a little get up and go and easily caught up with the escapee and sank his fangs in.
“I thought he wouldn’t eat from anyone other than Eliot?” Alec’s voice was a whisper.
“Eliot must have found a way to tell Imari what’s happening. Imari’s probably protecting Eliot.”
“Protecting him. By feeding on vampires.”
Dave shrugged. “He’s eliminating the threat and keeping Eliot safe. It’s what a vampire does for their provider.”
*_*_*
Imari threw the second corpse aside and growled, looking for more. His boy had ventured outside of the glass box and Imari gave him a sparing glance. Then, he noticed the creature in the other box.
Oh he looked tasty…older, more refined. He smelled of yeast and rye and hops, a lovely blend of alcohol and beneath it, the scent of fear. Imari began to stalk toward Nathan’s enclosure.
“No!” the boy yelled, placing himself between Imari and the door to the enclosure. Imari scowled and shoved the boy aside. He moved easily and then, Imari had the door open and was stepping inside.
The boy was quick, managing to get to the treat before Imari could. Imari growled this time, a clear sign for his boy to step aside. It had no effect, which made Imari bare his sharp teeth and lower his head between his shoulders.
“No.” It was said firmly this time, no hint of panic or questioning. Imari scowled and hissed at his boy, but it had no effect. “No.”
Long fingers flexed. His second meal had been stronger than the first, and as a result he had a bit more strength than anticipated. He could easily push the boy away and have his way with the treat and considered doing just that.
“No.” The voice was softer now. A request. Not a question really, but a request. Imari considered this, halting all movement.
His boy had been the one to free him from that box. Had taken the horrible straps away from his face and had allowed him a bit of freedom. True, he hadn’t known what he had done, who he had released, but the time shortly after his eyes being uncovered had shown Imari that his boy had a good soul. If his boy was so adamant about Imari not feeding from this one…there must have been a reason.
Still not able to speak, Imari gave the boy a questioning look. ‘Tell me why’ it must have said because the boy spoke something other than ‘No’.
“He’s my friend.”
*_*_*
Nathan hadn’t moved, hadn’t even dared to breathe when that thing noticed him for the first time. Seeing him fling Eliot aside with such ease made him pray that his death would be short and merciful, and he wanted to tell Eliot to not blame himself.
Then he watched the exchange between the two of them. The growling beast and the unnaturally calm and confident Eliot faced off what seemed like forever, but the end result was Imari straightening up, huffing as if he was very put out and pouting. The vampire was pouting.
Eliot just chuckled and approached him, hands reaching out and gently patting the blood stained chest. There was a sound almost like affection in Eliot’s voice when next he spoke.
“There’s lots more for you upstairs. C’mon, I’ll show you.”
Imari cast one last longing look at Nate over his shoulder, the followed along obediently.
Nate stayed a few paces behind the duo as he went to join them.
*_*_*
Hours had passed since Imari stepped off of the elevator and began feeding. Eliot and Nathan had raced along corridors and made it to the vault, being yanked inside by Dave and Alec. Two dozen or so providers were inside, each looking nervous and afraid. Then, they waited.
Outside, vampires were fighting each other. Excited by the scent of so much blood, the younger ones made the mistake of feeding off of older creatures. When that happens, the younger vampire goes insane. It’s the just the nature of the beast, and Imari mourns each family member he has to kill. There aren’t many, really, but it’s enough to make him pause after each meal to say a small word of prayer. He might look like a monster, but he isn’t one.
Not really anyway.
He lost track of time, so lost was he in the euphoria of eating freely. On more than one occasion he ripped off pieces of flesh with his bare hands and sucked the blood from the meat in his excitement. He roamed over the grounds, finding and killing each and every one that didn’t belong there.
He remembered some faces, remembered some of the artwork his eyes had wandered over and some of the languages he’d heard down in his cell, so he know who he was with. He was home again, among friends who would care for him if he became ill, or ones who would search for him as they had been for so long. And they had provided him with a boy.
‘Man’ his mind corrected him. This one is a man, sure of himself and powerful in his own way. David had been teaching him the ways of a provider and the boy had learned well. No, the man had learned well.
He stood tall, tossing aside the last of the intruders and licked his lips. His hunger wasn’t only appeased, it was satisfied. He wouldn’t have need of food for quite a while. But why let that stop him? His provider was available to him after all.
‘No, not yet. I will frighten him.’ The thought made him frown, but it somehow rang true. He would have to get to know his boy before tasting him and laying claim to him. But only after he’d become…himself.
He could feel his mind becoming active once again, the fresh blood in his body restoring simple abilities such as logical thought and the ability to tell left from right, up from down. His speech would need work since he hadn’t used his voice in at least 200 years, maybe more, and undoubtedly he’d sound like something from another time.
This, actually, is exactly what he was. He made his way back to the house and toward the vault. The door was open and people were beginning to emerge. A tall dark creature noticed him first and yelped.
*_*_*
“Lookout, he’s back!” Hardison yelled, ducking back into the vault.
Everyone else stood frozen, just staring at the vampire in front of them.
His body now had a normal shape, ribs hidden by flesh and his cheeks weren’t sunken in. His hair was still matted since nobody had been able to get close enough to him, and he would need a bath…maybe two to get all the blood off, but he didn’t look like a holocaust victim anymore.
Eliot thought he looked beautiful, even with the blood. He separated himself from the group of people and looked into Imari’s eyes. He let the relief he felt be known and smiled at the way Imari’s head tilted curiously. Dave’s voice disrupted his train of thought.
“Eliot…why don’t you take Imari to the grotto and get him cleaned up. I’ll get clean up going and then we’ll get Imari settled into his own room.”
“He’s sharing my room.” It wasn’t a request.
“I don’t think-“
“He’s sharing my room.”
Dave was a big man, standing 6’6” tall, and yet Imari was bigger than him. Stronger as well, and when Eliot had to repeat himself, Imari let it be known that what his provider wanted, he got. He stepped toward Dave with a menacing growl and a possessive hand around Eliot’s wrist.
Without Stacy or the other Elders, David wouldn’t be able to keep Imari in check if he wanted to, oh, say rip his head off…
“Very well then. I’ll have someone switch out the bed to a king.” He smirked at Eliot. “I’m sure you’ll want to be as close as possible to him.”
“I do, actually.” With a final glare at Dave, Eliot took Imari’s blood coated hand and led him away.
Dave sighed and looked at Nathan. “You had to let him open the box, didn’t you?”
~end~
Chaos was everywhere in the Bourdeau Compound. The Russian Vampires had come to reclaim their weapon, the 10,000 year old vampire Imari, and they weren’t taking no for an answer. An emergency, which by now everyone knew had been planned, had lured Stacy Bourdeau and several other elders out of the compound and clear across the country. Nate and Hardison had been visiting Eliot. Not checking up on him, just visiting, when the first gunshots rang out.
Eliot’s fist slammed into the control panel and the elevator began moving. “They’re after the providers. Kill the providers and the vamps have to start from scratch. Half of them won’t be able to wait until new ones are trained.”
“What do we do?”
Eliot closed his eyes and thought. He could feel Imari’s hunger nudging at him, but he ruthlessly pushed it away. Anger was the resulting emotion from the vampire but Eliot didn’t care. Couldn’t care if he wanted to help. “The stronger vamps are gone. It’s just the providers with about a dozen or so under 100 years old. They can’t stand this kind of fight.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“We’re going down to Imari’s room. What I’m going to do is get him hungry. What you’re going to do is let me lock you into one of the enclosures so he can’t hurt you.”
“From what you’ve told us he’s already hungry.” The sarcasm was evident in Nate’s voice.
“He’s like a horse. Get him riled up and he’ll follow you anywhere to get what he wants. Give him some fresh blood, tease him a little and then take off so he follows me. Get him up to the main floor with the bad guys and let him have a buffet.”
“Vampires can’t feed off of each other. Can they?”
“If they’re old enough they can. And Imari, he’s old.”
The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Eliot stepped out and headed down a long corridor lit by florescent bulbs, punching in a code at a locked door. It opened for him and together, he and Nate stepped through.
The entire area was stark white with three large glass cubes in the center of the room. In front of the cubes was a desk that had a computer. In the center cube, Imari was strapped down to a metal frame, his arms at his sides. He had a mouth guard on, but instead of a leather strap over his eyes there was a black silk scarf. The scarf was the only color in the area, everything else was white.
“Okay, in you go.” Without waiting for a reply, Eliot pushed Nate into one of the cubes and pulled the door shut. He tried to lock it but was unsuccessful. He was about to see if there was a code in the computer when Hardison’s voice came over the intercom.
“I’m in the vault with the rest of the providers. Man, this family’s goin’ down.”
“Not if I can help it. Alec, can you get into the security system?”
“How the hell you think I know you just shoved Nate in a cell?”
Eliot grinned. “I need you to open Imari’s enclosure.”
“No!” It was Dave’s voice. “Eliot, you can’t let him out.”
“He’s the only chance we’ve got.”
“There’s no way you could possibly feed him enough to get his strength back.”
The lock on the enclosure beeped twice and the led light went green. Eliot could hear Dave bellowing in rage at Hardison but knew it was mostly show. Not like anything could be done now anyway, right?
Eliot took a deep breath and let it out slowly, focusing his mind. While not telepathic, the link he had with Imari was empathic. He had to show Imari he was afraid. He wasn’t, not really, but he was concerned. And somehow, he had to get Imari to realize there was food waiting on the ground floor.
Lots of food.
He stepped into the enclosure, leaving the door open. His voice was soft as if he were talking to a frightened horse. His rational mind said he should be the one who’s frightened…good thing Eliot wasn’t a rational man.
“Imari, can you hear me? You awake there darlin’?”
The feeling was irritation at the words. Imari wasn’t up to par, but he absolutely didn’t like being treated like a woman, physically or verbally. It penetrated through the fog of hunger like a knife and Eliot couldn’t help but chuckle.
He closed his eyes and concentrated on what he’d seen, the younger vamps and providers shot down within the blink of an eye, the fair skinned man that Imari knew so well barking out orders. The concern for his friends when he saw Alec running, bullets flying behind him as Dave yanked him into the vault. The scent of blood and the sound of screams, the sour tang of fear. He thought of it all and let his emotions flow freely through the connection he shared with this creature.
Rage answered his request. Disbelief that the fair skinned man would be so bold was Imari’s main reaction, then hate. Hate so dark that it made Eliot gasp and open his eyes. He swallowed thickly, and then knew what he had to do. He only hoped he could keep Imari in check.
“Eliot, this is insane!” Nate yelled. His words had no effect. Eliot reached up and untied the silk around Imari’s eyes, looking into the pink gaze without fear. He carefully unclasped the mouth guard and pulled it away gently so as not to hurt the fangs that he knew were distended and ready. His eyes never left Imari’s as he removed the restraints from his wrists and ankles.
In the next instant, Eliot was slammed violently against the glass enclosure and the wind was knocked right out of him. The sound coming from Imari’s mouth was a cross between a guttural shriek and a deep moan, and long boney fingers shoved Eliot’s head to the side. Teeth were poised at his neck, ready to penetrate when all movement stopped.
Nathan watched the attack in horror, the sight of the emaciated vampire not at all pleasant. He was sure the monster was going to break Eliot’s neck, and Eliot wouldn’t stop him. He had been taught not to. When Imari stepped away from Eliot, Nate held his breath.
Someplace in the back of his mind, Imari knew that he would kill this boy in front of him if he fed. But something powerful was scaring his boy, and he wouldn’t be able to protect him without feeding. The snarl that curled his lip bought him time to think, not that he could do much of that in his current state.
But, Fate is a kind mistress to those that have suffered more than their share, and over his boy’s shoulder two men appeared through the door. They had guns in their hands, but that didn’t bother Imari. They were walking right up toward him, saying something that his distressed mind couldn’t quite comprehend. What he could comprehend however was they were vampires.
Vampires who had just fed.
His hand went to his boy’s shoulder and he pulled him from the wall and flung him away from the danger, not bothering to think he could have easily hurt him. The younger of the two was within arm’s reach now, and he was brandishing some type of restraint. Imari wasn’t in the mood for games, and he certainly wasn’t in the mood to be restrained.
A long arm, thin and boney yet still powerful shot out, grabbing the vampire by his shoulder and yanking him close. The grin on Imari’s face was frightening even to those that knew him, but the man in his arms wouldn’t have to look at it for long. Fangs penetrated skin, ripped through tendons and pierced the artery they sought, thereby beginning a lovely river of nourishment for a poor, famished soul.
As Imari fed, he was aware of something hitting his body. No matter. He would tend to that after his first meal. His first of many meals….
*_*_*
“Christ…” Dave whispered.
Hardison looked up at Dave and then back at the screen. The bullets from the second gunman were going into Imari’s body, creating holes the size of half dollars. Just as each hole was created, the bulled was pushed out of Imari’s body and the wound healed. As Imari fed, it was like watching someone suck all the juice out of a juice pouch. The skin wrapped around the victim’s bones and he looked…drained. And maybe that was a damn good description. When Imari threw the first one down, the second one howled in terror and tried to get away. Imari, while nowhere near full strength, had a little get up and go and easily caught up with the escapee and sank his fangs in.
“I thought he wouldn’t eat from anyone other than Eliot?” Alec’s voice was a whisper.
“Eliot must have found a way to tell Imari what’s happening. Imari’s probably protecting Eliot.”
“Protecting him. By feeding on vampires.”
Dave shrugged. “He’s eliminating the threat and keeping Eliot safe. It’s what a vampire does for their provider.”
*_*_*
Imari threw the second corpse aside and growled, looking for more. His boy had ventured outside of the glass box and Imari gave him a sparing glance. Then, he noticed the creature in the other box.
Oh he looked tasty…older, more refined. He smelled of yeast and rye and hops, a lovely blend of alcohol and beneath it, the scent of fear. Imari began to stalk toward Nathan’s enclosure.
“No!” the boy yelled, placing himself between Imari and the door to the enclosure. Imari scowled and shoved the boy aside. He moved easily and then, Imari had the door open and was stepping inside.
The boy was quick, managing to get to the treat before Imari could. Imari growled this time, a clear sign for his boy to step aside. It had no effect, which made Imari bare his sharp teeth and lower his head between his shoulders.
“No.” It was said firmly this time, no hint of panic or questioning. Imari scowled and hissed at his boy, but it had no effect. “No.”
Long fingers flexed. His second meal had been stronger than the first, and as a result he had a bit more strength than anticipated. He could easily push the boy away and have his way with the treat and considered doing just that.
“No.” The voice was softer now. A request. Not a question really, but a request. Imari considered this, halting all movement.
His boy had been the one to free him from that box. Had taken the horrible straps away from his face and had allowed him a bit of freedom. True, he hadn’t known what he had done, who he had released, but the time shortly after his eyes being uncovered had shown Imari that his boy had a good soul. If his boy was so adamant about Imari not feeding from this one…there must have been a reason.
Still not able to speak, Imari gave the boy a questioning look. ‘Tell me why’ it must have said because the boy spoke something other than ‘No’.
“He’s my friend.”
*_*_*
Nathan hadn’t moved, hadn’t even dared to breathe when that thing noticed him for the first time. Seeing him fling Eliot aside with such ease made him pray that his death would be short and merciful, and he wanted to tell Eliot to not blame himself.
Then he watched the exchange between the two of them. The growling beast and the unnaturally calm and confident Eliot faced off what seemed like forever, but the end result was Imari straightening up, huffing as if he was very put out and pouting. The vampire was pouting.
Eliot just chuckled and approached him, hands reaching out and gently patting the blood stained chest. There was a sound almost like affection in Eliot’s voice when next he spoke.
“There’s lots more for you upstairs. C’mon, I’ll show you.”
Imari cast one last longing look at Nate over his shoulder, the followed along obediently.
Nate stayed a few paces behind the duo as he went to join them.
*_*_*
Hours had passed since Imari stepped off of the elevator and began feeding. Eliot and Nathan had raced along corridors and made it to the vault, being yanked inside by Dave and Alec. Two dozen or so providers were inside, each looking nervous and afraid. Then, they waited.
Outside, vampires were fighting each other. Excited by the scent of so much blood, the younger ones made the mistake of feeding off of older creatures. When that happens, the younger vampire goes insane. It’s the just the nature of the beast, and Imari mourns each family member he has to kill. There aren’t many, really, but it’s enough to make him pause after each meal to say a small word of prayer. He might look like a monster, but he isn’t one.
Not really anyway.
He lost track of time, so lost was he in the euphoria of eating freely. On more than one occasion he ripped off pieces of flesh with his bare hands and sucked the blood from the meat in his excitement. He roamed over the grounds, finding and killing each and every one that didn’t belong there.
He remembered some faces, remembered some of the artwork his eyes had wandered over and some of the languages he’d heard down in his cell, so he know who he was with. He was home again, among friends who would care for him if he became ill, or ones who would search for him as they had been for so long. And they had provided him with a boy.
‘Man’ his mind corrected him. This one is a man, sure of himself and powerful in his own way. David had been teaching him the ways of a provider and the boy had learned well. No, the man had learned well.
He stood tall, tossing aside the last of the intruders and licked his lips. His hunger wasn’t only appeased, it was satisfied. He wouldn’t have need of food for quite a while. But why let that stop him? His provider was available to him after all.
‘No, not yet. I will frighten him.’ The thought made him frown, but it somehow rang true. He would have to get to know his boy before tasting him and laying claim to him. But only after he’d become…himself.
He could feel his mind becoming active once again, the fresh blood in his body restoring simple abilities such as logical thought and the ability to tell left from right, up from down. His speech would need work since he hadn’t used his voice in at least 200 years, maybe more, and undoubtedly he’d sound like something from another time.
This, actually, is exactly what he was. He made his way back to the house and toward the vault. The door was open and people were beginning to emerge. A tall dark creature noticed him first and yelped.
*_*_*
“Lookout, he’s back!” Hardison yelled, ducking back into the vault.
Everyone else stood frozen, just staring at the vampire in front of them.
His body now had a normal shape, ribs hidden by flesh and his cheeks weren’t sunken in. His hair was still matted since nobody had been able to get close enough to him, and he would need a bath…maybe two to get all the blood off, but he didn’t look like a holocaust victim anymore.
Eliot thought he looked beautiful, even with the blood. He separated himself from the group of people and looked into Imari’s eyes. He let the relief he felt be known and smiled at the way Imari’s head tilted curiously. Dave’s voice disrupted his train of thought.
“Eliot…why don’t you take Imari to the grotto and get him cleaned up. I’ll get clean up going and then we’ll get Imari settled into his own room.”
“He’s sharing my room.” It wasn’t a request.
“I don’t think-“
“He’s sharing my room.”
Dave was a big man, standing 6’6” tall, and yet Imari was bigger than him. Stronger as well, and when Eliot had to repeat himself, Imari let it be known that what his provider wanted, he got. He stepped toward Dave with a menacing growl and a possessive hand around Eliot’s wrist.
Without Stacy or the other Elders, David wouldn’t be able to keep Imari in check if he wanted to, oh, say rip his head off…
“Very well then. I’ll have someone switch out the bed to a king.” He smirked at Eliot. “I’m sure you’ll want to be as close as possible to him.”
“I do, actually.” With a final glare at Dave, Eliot took Imari’s blood coated hand and led him away.
Dave sighed and looked at Nathan. “You had to let him open the box, didn’t you?”
~end~