They stood in front of each other, and Raphael seemed to tower over Simon. Sure, there wasn't that much of a height difference, but still.
Simon was looking down at the ground, trying not to pass out from the nerves and the stress. Raphael was still eyeing him intensely.
And Simon knew he had to look up right about-
Now.
Simon fought the urge to not step back, because he was completely blown away. Their eyes met, and Simon swore that Raphael was staring straight into his soul. It was an intense look like none other Simon had ever felt, and he almost whimpered.
Raphael and him took a mutual step closer to each other, and another, until they were only millimeters away from each other, and Raphael slowly brought a hand up to the top of Simon's neck, resting the other on his shoulder.
Simon knew what came next-they'd bite each other in a specific part of the neck, marking them as each other's mates, a bond that remained forever - unless one of them was killed, of course.
Simon gulped, and slowly, tilted his neck all the way, feeling like a ticking time bomb, as he closed his eyes and gritted his teeth at the dinosaurs stomping around his stomach when he felt Raphael's - unnecessary - breath against his neck.
The elder's teeth sunk into his neck, and Simon had never felt more conflicted. It didn't hurt at all, but the sensation was - odd - to say the least. It felt good - no - it felt very good, to have Raphael drink from his blood, and it also sent a rush of desire through his body. And yet -
I'm just overthinking things, Simon thought to himself. But a new feeling came over him, an odd one. He felt - somewhat - objectified in a way. He now belonged to someone, he was a thing that could be owned. And that didn't feel all that right.
Though that didn't matter right now, because Raphael was pulling away, and it was Simon's turn to do the same.
This would be the only time the clan would see their leader submit himself in such a fashion.
He too, closed his eyes, and let Simon put his hands on his neck and shoulder, tilting his neck to expose it. Simon was shaking madly, but still brought his teeth down gently onto the soft flesh.
Blood exploded into his mouth, but it was strange. It didn't taste metallic, it wasn't bitter, or made him want to vomit. He felt Raphael tense beneath him and then relax, and he felt hands brush against his hips ever so slightly, tugging at his clothes. He pulled away, staring at the mark he had left behind.
He looked up at Raphael with wide eyes, but Raphael just turned to face the crowd of vampires, and Simon took the hint that he should do the same, and he was faced with both clans slowly bowing their heads down in respect, a sign of acceptance.
Raphael begun walking towards them, Simon followed, walking ever so slightly faster.
–
Raphael walked with determination, watching as everyone made way for them. He now knew where he was leading his new spouse, but was worried.
It wasn't like he'd never had sex before, that was not the case. But he had never had sex in such an important setting as this, and since he'd only exchanged two words with him, and didn't even know whether the guy had even had sex before.
He knew there were hormones racing through both their bloodstreams, since the bonding bite had a special effect. But still, if he did take advantage of that, it wouldn't be fair, because Simon wouldn't be one hundred percent conscious of what he was doing.
The stairs leading up to his room seemed to be less than the last time he went up there. He looked behind him to see whether Simon was keeping up. He was, though he was kind of fidgeting with his hands along the way.
Raphael swallowed when he pushed open the double doors that led to his bedroom.
He saw Simon stop for a moment right at the doorway, but then walked in.
–
Simon was sure he was about to have a mental breakdown.
The room was large - he was sure he could fit his bedroom, kitchen and part of his living room in here.
The bed was a four poster bed, and the wood was dark oak wood. The sheets were a greyish-black, just like the rest of the room, really. A thick, black curtain hung around the bed, making it a lot more intimate, though they were currently drawn. The walls were also dark grey, and the furniture and floor were also dark oak wood. A grey leather couch was on one side. It was simple, and yet it screamed fancy.
When the doors closed behind Simon, he knew he was screwed. Literally.
He did as he remembered he had to do, and silently walked over to the bed, sitting with his back facing Raphael, gulping and awaiting as his husband - that sounded so odd - stepped closer and closer. The bed dipped behind him, and he was sure he just exhuberated panic.
Hands were reaching for his clothes, and Simon was 98% certain he was about to vomit.
He didn't want this, not now, he wasn't ready -
His jacket was slipping off his shoulders and onto the floor. His shirt buttons were being undone, and it too, was being pulled off. Simon was hyperventilating, even though he didn't need to, it was just a natural response.
Raphael's hands left him for a moment and Simon was confused, and turned around to see him undoing his own shirt buttons, his jacket slipping to the floor.
Their naked torsos were pressed together as Raphael reached for Simon's belt buckle, his head resting in the crook of Simon's neck.
Simon was biting his lip so hard he was sure he'd pierced the skin by now, and he was shaking so badly he was sure Raphael could feel it.
Simon lifted his legs when his trousers were being pulled down his legs. He shifted his body so he was lying down on the bed on his stomach, and he could feel them, the tears welling up in his eyes.
He had never been much of a crier, not really. He didn't cry when he fell down as a kid and sprained his ankle and Clary had to half - carry, half - drag him home. He didn't cry when his dad passed away, he didn't cry when he was imprisoned in Idris.
And now tears were welling up in his eyes, and he wanted to cry because something quite so precious like his virginity was going to be ripped away from him, in a painful, definitely non-consensual way. He was not ready in any sense of the word, but still, he would not cry. Whilst Raphael undid his own trousers, he dried the tears in his eyes and sighed.
It'll be quick, he tried convincing himself. It'll be okay, people do this all the time.
He felt the bed dip again on either side of his legs, and the whole process of calming down made no more sense when he felt a hand on his back, trailing down to his Star Wars boxers (if he was getting married, he was doing it in style). He let out a small whimper, and then cursed under his breath and shut up completely and suddenly, letting the tears fall down his cheeks and wetting the bed soundlessly.
Raphael got off of Simon and instead chose to sit in front of him. "What's wrong?" He asked, moving Simon's hair out of his face.
Simon sat up slowly, taking Raphael's jacket that was strewn haphazardly on the side of the bed and putting it over his chest, covering up as much as possible.
The younger sniffled and used his thumb to clean his cheeks.
"Nothing's wrong." He lied.
Raphael gave him a 'No way' look, and arched his eyebrow. "Really? You were crying a minute ago."
Simon laughed dryly and looked down at the sheets, pulling at them with his hand. "Well spotted, Captain Obvious."
Raphael moved closer, which made Simon look up at him. "Tell me what's wrong."
Simon had a hunch he already knew what was wrong, but would rather Simon tell him himself.
"I'mnotready." Simon mumbled in one go.
"Excuse me?"
"I'mnotready."
Raphael sighed. "I'll never know unless you tell me properly."
"I'm not," Simon started, and closed his eyes. "I'm not ready."
He opened one eye to see Raphael frown.
"What are you not ready for? Sex?" He asked cautiously.
Simon limited himself to nodding and looking down at the sheets.
"Have you never had sex before?" Raphael asked again, and gained the same response.
"You know," He started, and Simon looked at him curiously. "We don't have to have sex if you don't want to. I don't mind."
The younger frowned in confusion. "What do you mean? But I thought the clans-"
Raphael whispered. "They don't have to know."
"But I thought that-" Simon argued, though Raphael interrupted him.
"No. It's not required. It is traditional, but not mandatory. It's fine."
Simon sighed in relief and giggled. "Thank G-"
He couldn't say it, and though he was sure Raphael noticed, the elder didn't say anything, so he let it slip for now.
"Do you have your stuff here?" Asked Raphael, getting off the bed and walking over to his closet.
Simon put a hand on his chin. "Um…I don't think so. I left my stuff back at home, and they'll be bringing my suitcase next week I think."
Raphael nodded, and tossed him a black shirt and yoga pants. Simon was amused by the fact that the vampire owned yoga pants, but said nothing and slipped the clothes on whilst Raphael wasn't facing him.
"It's almost sunrise," Simon mentioned. "Should I sleep on the couch, or the floor, or…?" He asked.
"What? You're sleeping in the bed. I'll sleep on the couch, it's fine." Raphael rushed.
"No, this is your bed! You should sleep in it."
"No, you sleep in it."
"No, it's yours, you sleep in it."
"You should."
"No, you should!"
"No."
"How about we both sleep in it?" Simon finally suggested. "I'll just take one side, you take the other, and as long as we don't kick or fight over the sheets, we'll be just fine."
"Are you sure?" Raphael worried. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable."
"I'll be okay."
And with that, they fell asleep, Simon on one side and Raphael on the other.
Simon watched Raphael fall asleep as the first rays of sunlight streamed in through the window.