The Night Before
Rated M for short dubious-con groping
…
Mina lay dreaming as the last rays of the sun bathing the cave entrance faded away. Lost in a pleasant haze, she reached out to the man leaning over her, arms encircling this strangely faceless but welcome figure. He nuzzled into the crook of her neck, softly mouthing flesh still tender even in her dreams. She sensed the person's head lifting, to feel his hands drifted down her torso, caressing at first, then moving to slip under the hem of her shorts, moving to roll and tease her clit and draw heat to her nether lips with gentle strokes.
The sudden rush of pleasure rolling through her, and an intrusive cough-like laugh, drew her instantly awake. She rose up with a jolt, forehead colliding forcefully with the very real and solid face of the person laying atop her. The cartilaginous crunch was quite loud.
"FUCK!" Paul pulled his hands free of her, moving to cradle his broken and bleeding nose.
Mina stared, a bit stunned at the sight. "Ow." She started rubbing at the pain in her forehead. Paul sat up, quickly standing and moving away, as Marko and Dwayne came over to him. Turning to look around, she heard David speak up.
"Mina. Do. Not. Move." Came his voice, soft and laced with threat.
Her eyes widened, heart speeding up as she saw him moving closer out of the corner of her eye. She opened her mouth slightly to lick dry lips.
"DO NOT."
Panting, she froze at the command as David bent over her, scowl on his face as he moved in. He kissed her then, very purposefully, lips and tongue working over her mouth and face, and she realized he was cleaning blood off her, albeit with far less warmth than he had the night before. She frowned slightly herself as she observed him, then glanced towards Paul, grunting as Dwayne's hand came off his nose. Dwayne licked the blood off his hand then, as Marko moved in to clean Paul's face much as David was doing with hers, though clearly with more relish.
David leaned up then, now smirking down at her. "All clear. I warned Paul it was a bad idea."
Blinking, she moved to sit up fully as he stood. She looked back and forth between David and Paul.
"Paul. Did you just…molest me… in my sleep…in front of everybody?" she blinked again, frowning.
He looked over at her sheepishly. "Um, yeah? You just smelled sooo good…I couldn't help myself."
Marko barked out a laugh. "Best laid plans, man." Now Paul just looked like a kicked puppy.
Sighing, Mina shook her head as she sat up properly on the couch. Opening her arms, she gestured at him to come closer.
"C'mere, Sunshine."
He smiled, coming over and kneeling into her embrace.
"You are an absolute idiot." She said fondly. "What were you thinking?"
"Hey! I'm not stupid." He stiffened, pulling back quickly, moving to get up. The air in the room was suddenly much cooler.
Mina's eyes got wide, and she quickly laid a light hand on his arm, her face now soft and serious.
"Paul, please, don't turn away. You're absolutely right. I'm sorry. You aren't stupid. You just misjudged how I'd react. That's easy to do. Please, don't go."
He turned to look at her warily.
"I was wrong to have said that. Please forgive me?" She said, smiling hopefully at him. Suddenly, his smile returned and he wrapped her in a tight hug. She giggled, gripping him back just as hard. "Safe to say you're a little crazy though, Sunshine?"
"Well, sure. You try hanging out with these guys for a while and see how that turns out." He huffed and released her, still smiling. "I'm sorry if I startled you."
"It's alright, it was most?... of a good idea, even if I'm the one left with a bruised forehead. Maybe wake me first, seduce second…somewhere a little more private?"
His smile turned wicked, moving to embrace her again. "Sounds great – how bout we give it a try now, just to see if really works?"
She took his face in her hands. "You devil. I think we have other things to do right now. Rain-check?"
"I'm holding you to that." He purred, waggling his eyebrows.
"Alright lovebirds, break it up, we're burning moonlight." David drawled, cutting through their banter.
Paul stood, offering a hand up to Mina. Dwayne had collected Laddie, helping him up the stairs of the entrance. David turned towards Star. "Come along." She frowned, but moved to join them.
Reaching the top of the cliff, Dwayne handed Laddie off to Paul.
"Whoohoo! You're with me, little dude!" Paul lifted Laddie up on his bike before hopping on himself.
Mina looked on a bit confused, till Dwayne hopped on his bike and held out his hand to her. Settling on, she slid her hands around, only to twitch a little as she felt the cool, smooth skin of Dwayne's muscular middle. He looked over his shoulder with a wicked smile. "Better hold on tighter than that." He started off with a lurch, which only made her grip tighter, and she blushed a little as she leaned closer to get a better hold, feeling his muscles bunch and shake as he chuckled.
Despite the fast start, he wound up at the back of the pack, Paul racing behind David as Laddie urged him to go faster.
"You did well with Paul." Dwayne said, turning just enough so she could hear him. "There's few things that bug him, but that's a major one."
Stretching up a bit to be closer to his ear as they rode, she continued, "I should have known better. I'd never want to hurt him, or leave him feeling like I think less of him. Is there anything I should be careful of with anyone else?"
"Just have to take your chances and find out."
"Etiquette roulette with vampires, eh? Just perfect."
Dwayne side-eyed her with humor, patting her hands with one of his own. Gunning the bike, he caught up to the rest, easily pacing Paul & Laddie, now that they were out on the road. "Hey, Grampa – eat my exhaust!" he hollered, passing them easily.
"It is so on, dude!" Paul yelled back, and Laddie whooped in glee.
Swerving around David and Star, the two bikes dueled one another for the lead right up to the beach area below the rides. Dwayne spun with a wide flourish, spraying sand as he brought the bike to a halt. Mina had tensed and ducked her head as the boardwalk platform loomed close, until she felt the bike still as Dwayne laughed.
"You drive like an old lady!" he crowed at Paul, who'd come in just behind him, turning quickly to avoid the sand spray from his brother's bike.
"You would know, you're riding with one!" Paul replied. Mina's head turned slowly to look at Paul, and his eyes widened a little, though his smile never dimmed.
"Looks like you just lost that rain-check, little man." She purred, smirking as realization hit and his face fell.
"Aww, man!"
"So whipped." teased Marko through the group's bond, and his brothers laughed as they gunned their bikes once more, taking off towards the steps and their usual parking spot on the main deck.
David waved to the group as they dismounted, and they gathered around him. Pulling out what was surely some of the cash Mina had given him, he pulled off a few twenties, handing them to Star and Mina.
"Stay with Laddie, away from the boardwalk for a while." He said, looking pointedly at Star. She swallowed, nodding acceptance. "And stay away from Michael." He commanded through the bond. If her face could have paled it would have. As it was, her eyes widened, and she nodded again, grabbing Laddie's hand.
"Mina, why don't you go get something to eat with Star and Laddie?"
Mina looked up at David, and around at his brothers. She too nodded, face solemn. "Enjoy your dinner."
David's grin was all teeth. "Oh, we will. Just waiting for Lover Boy to join us." Star looked quickly back at him, eyes wide before her face turned sad. Turning away, she pulled Laddie along with her away from the group.
"We'll let you know where to meet us later." David said, as Mina turned to follow Star. She waved at Paul before catching up to the pair.
Paul sighed, throwing a leg over the railing as he faced David. "So, we gonna have a chance, or are you keeping her to yourself?"
David lit a cigarette, and shrugged. "It's up to her. And I'm not the one that tried to turn a quick roll into a live sex show. Don't think she's that kind of girl, yet."
Dwayne snorted. "Seemed like a long night for a 'quick roll'."
David gave him a cool look. "Didn't say that's what I was doing."
"But you had her on your lap in front of everyone!" Paul whined. "How's that any different?"
"That was just testing the waters. Wasn't gonna dive in right there. I was right though, little lion's a hot spring when you get her going." He smirked at Paul.
"Dude, you're killing me. She's killing me. At this rate she'll be gone before I even get a chance!" Paul cradled his head despondently in his hands.
"Poor baby bro. If you ask nice I'll help you forget her." Marko leaned close, sliding a hand up Paul's thigh while nuzzling his ear.
Paul's head popped up, even as he threw an arm around Marko to squeeze him fondly. "She still bent on destruction? You gonna let her?"
David looked at him thoughtfully. "She's sure. I'm undecided. Comments?"
Paul piped up immediately. "Keep her! She's fun, and she fits in."
"With you, you mean." Marko said. "I haven't seen enough to say yes. Besides being a beautician and a babysitter bodyguard, she hasn't exactly done much. And she's still talking about saving us from dying – is that even real?"
"As always, the devil's advocate." David smiled warmly at Marko. "Dwayne?" he turned to address the tawny man. "Thoughts?"
Dwayne looked, if possible, more serious than usual. "Can't think of anyone who's found out what we are and just rolled with it, without acting like they deserved to join us. Don't think she'll be happy at being turned though. She doesn't want to live now, let alone forever – might take some work to change her mind."
"Fair point. Your concerns have been noted."
"Great – now can we talk about me getting laid again?"
"Paul, I admire your tenacity." David drawled. "Take that up with Mina."
Dwayne broke in "after me, baby bro." Marko started cackling.
"Aww, man!"
David chuckled. "And on that note, let's move on to tonight's main event."
Marko piped up "Got that covered. Paul and I scoped it last night. Beach blanket bingo."
David looked at Marko. "You're sure they'll be there?"
Marko laughed darkly. "Oh yeah. After running off your beach party, we tracked those losers all the way back to the rat's nest. They'll all be out by the woods tonight, even the injured one."
"Perfect. Paul, care to call it?"
"Hell yeah! Dibs on earless!"
Dwayne grumbled a little but let it go. After all, the surfer boy had hurt Mina more than Laddie. "I'll take the little one then."
David grinned. "Now that we've got that sorted, all we need is the man of the hour – and here he comes now." He took a drag on his cigarette.
Michael stormed up, pulling Marko out of the way before grabbing David's coat to shake him. "Where is she?"
David blew smoke into Michael's face, chuckling darkly. "Take it easy, Michael."
"Where's Star, David?"
David gave Michael a cold look, gripping the boy's jacket lapels tightly. "Michael, if you ever want to see Star again, you better come with us now." Letting go, he tapped Michael's chest as he turned towards the bikes.
…
Laddie reached out to Mina as he walked along with Star, and she let him grab her hand too. She looked down, smiling at him.
"So, how do you two feel about hamburgers and milkshakes?" Mina asked.
Star gave her a dry look, but Laddie piped up "Great!" He started pulling them out towards the diner they'd visited before. Mina looked over at Star and shrugged apologetically. Star just rolled her eyes and let Laddie drag them onward.
Sitting down in a booth, Laddie scrambled to the window, letting Star sit near the aisle, while Mina sat on the other side. The silence after the waitress took their orders was heavy, and Laddie turned toward the window, watching people walk past.
Mina looked over at Star. Gathering herself, she started talking.
"I admire your style, you always look so magical."
Star gave her a dark look. "Why don't you just leave. You know you still could." The words came out like a hiss.
Mina leaned away, sudden realization struck her. "Are you …jealous… of me? Because I'm not …like you?"
Star's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing.
"Star, if you really knew me, you wouldn't feel that way."
Star rolled her eyes, huffing in irritation. "You know nothing about how I feel. Go on and play the tramp for them. At least they're not bothering me anymore."
Mina gave her a sad look. "Star, what they do…it's not the same for them as it is for other boys."
"Whatever."
Their food arrived, and Mina poured some shake into a tall glass for Laddie before pouring her own. Star had only gotten some fries, and gave a side glance to Mina and Laddie's plates. Pretending not to notice, Mina put a straw into her milkshake, pushing it towards Star.
"Would you like some? I've got more than enough."
Star glared at her for a moment, but took the glass, turning her head and mumbling a "Thanks" very quietly. Pulling out another straw, Mina stuck it in the shake tin, raising it in something like a toast towards Star and Laddie. They all sat quietly for a while as they ate, but the atmosphere was a little lighter.
Laddie laughed, seemingly to himself, and Mina looked over at him. "What's so funny?"
He smiled at her. "I 'membered you stuck a fork in Paul's hand. That was awesome! I bet he'd try to steal your food again if he were here."
Star gave her an odd look as Mina laughed at Laddie's tale. "That was pretty funny, and you can be sure I'd fork him again if he tried!" She winked at Laddie, waving her fork for emphasis.
He piped up again, "Bet you wouldn't do that to David!"
"Oh, I don't know. I might try, but I'm sure he'd just catch it, probably just give me funny look."
Laddie giggled. "He's always doing that, like the way he looks at Star sometimes!"
Star looked a little alarmed. "Laddie, hush!"
Mina turned a soft look at Star. "I know it may not be what you want, but in his own way he does care for you."
Star gave her a cold look, defenses up again. "What he does is not caring or anything like it. How can you be so calm around them?! How can you stay when you don't have to?" Hissing again, she looked around, making sure they weren't attracting attention.
Mina sighed, leaning back in the booth slightly. "Star, I stay because I want to. I know I don't have much time left."
Star's face scrunched for a moment, eyes slitting as she tried to make sense of Mina's comment. Very softly she said, "You know what they're going to do…and you're OK with that?" She eyed Mina in shock.
Mina just shrugged sadly. "It really doesn't matter to me, I have nothing left to lose."
Star frowned, eating a few fries while staring at Mina. "Are you sick?"
"Well…yes."
Star pulled back. "So, you're just giving yourself to them?" She shook her head. "I'd rather jump off a cliff."
"I prefer this option."
"No wonder they like you. You're out of your mind."
Mina smiled sadly. "Pretty sure you're right about that."
Star looked away. "I'd leave if I could."
"I know. I understand why."
"How can you possibly understand?"
"I know I haven't been here long, but I have seen glimpses of how they really are, when they're not trying to blend in. It's something completely different. Completing that transition can't be easy."
"It's terrifying. It feels like I'm losing my soul. I never wanted to be like them!" Star looked ready to break down right there, head in her hands as she tried to avoid making a scene.
Mina sighed, reaching out to gently cover one of Star's hands with her own. "Would you like to go somewhere outside where we could talk more?" Star looked up, eyes wary, but she nodded. Sniffling, she picked up her napkin to dab her eyes and wipe her nose.
Mina turned to Laddie. "Did you want to go to the arcade again?"
"Yeah! Bet I can beat you at skee-ball!"
"I'm not sure that's a bet I want to make my little dude, but lead on anyway."
Laddie put his hands on Star's arm, pushing eagerly. "Come on Star! I want to go play!"
Star turned a sour look at Mina. "It'll give us more privacy. No one can listen in with all those bells and buzzers." Star nodded in acknowledgement. They got up, and Mina left a twenty on the table.
"It's okay to go to the arcade now, isn't it?" Mina asked Star as they walked.
Star's eyes drifted for a moment before she smiled tightly. "Yeah, they're gone." She dropped her head, hugging herself as moved along.
Mina eyed her. "Don't give up hope. Things might turn out OK."
Star shook her head. "I don't see how. David always gets what he wants in the end."
"Perhaps. But that doesn't mean everything turns out how he expects it to all the time. Michael might be stronger than he thinks."
"I wish I could believe that. It's the only thing that might keep me hanging on."
"I really admire you, Star. You've been through so much, and look how strong you are, how kind and brave despite it all. You probably feel like you're being dragged through hell, but I think if you can hold on a little longer, things really might get better." Star looked at Mina, face brightening slightly at the unexpectedly kind and hopeful words.
"Come on, guys, let's go play!"
Mina laughed and let Laddie grab her hand. "Easy there, buddy. We're coming." Looking at Star, she held out her other hand. Star paused a moment, then reached out, grasping Mina's hand with a cool one of her own, letting herself get pulled into the group and smiling at Laddie's enthusiasm as they stumbled into the arcade.
…..
Some time later the group wandered away from the games, Mina ruffling Laddie's hair as he held tightly to the plastic sword he'd won with his game tickets.
"Laddie, how'd you like to go get an elephant ear?"
"A what?" the little boy looked at her, face scrunched. Even Star gave her a strange look.
"You know, those giant fried cakes covered in sugar?"
Star frowned. "You mean a funnel cake?"
"Um…yeah! One of those. I feel like some junk food."
"Yes! Can we get corn dogs too?"
"You are a bottomless pit, aren't you?" Mina gave Laddie a quick side hug. "How 'bout you take us to whichever you want first?"
He laughed and grabbed her hand again, dragging her and Star toward a brightly lit booth that smelled heavily of burnt sugar and hot oil.
Paying the vendor, the three went to sit at a table, Laddie with his own giant cake while Mina and Star shared another. As the little boy lit in to his with gusto, Paul appeared at his side.
"Hey bud, you gonna eat all that?" he laughed, snatching a piece off before hopping away.
"Paul!" Laddie yelled happily. "Look at my sword!" he picked it up, waving it around and poking it at his big brother.
"Whoa, careful there!" Paul chuckled, "You could poke an eye out with that thing!" He winked over at Mina and Star. Mina smiled, shaking her head. Star started looking around.
"He's not here, Star." David said, walking up to them. "Looks like your stud's a dud." He took a long drag, finishing his cigarette and dropping it to the ground. "He ran home to mommy. Didn't even eat first."
Star's eyes went wide. "He didn't…" she stopped, shaking for a moment as hope lit her face.
David's eyes narrowed. "Guess you two have more in common than I thought. Go on, run to lover boy if that's what you want. You know how this is going to end."
Star sucked in breath for a moment, caution warring with eagerness on her face. "I can go?"
"Get out of here, run to him for all the good it will do." He sneered.
She turned to Mina, casting her a happy look that faltered slightly as she quickly got up from the table. Mina smiled encouragingly back at her.
David's cool voice cut in as she turned to leave. "Back at dawn, Cinderella. And not before." The order was unmistakable. She shivered as she nodded without really looking at him, then turned and disappeared into the crowds.
David turned to Mina. "You two seemed to be getting along well." He drawled, eyebrow raised.
Mina shrugged. "Why shouldn't we? She's doing the best she can with what she's got, just like I am. And she was desperately in need of someone to talk to."
"She should be coming to us for that." The hard edge in his words betrayed the bitterness he felt.
"Meaning no offense, but it's not exactly surprising a young girl might have difficulty discussing anything, especially something like this, with a bunch of horny old men."
"Whaddaya mean 'old'?" Paul said, laughing as he stole another chunk of sweet off Laddie's plate.
David looked at her, eyebrow high in amusement. "Doesn't seem to bother you much."
"I've had the benefit of having had a mostly decent life, and a serious relationship. He certainly wasn't as…mature…and I use that term loosely…" She looked pointedly at Paul, "as you lot but it's close enough. She's had nothing like that, going from one bad situation to another all her short life. I can't imagine why you'd think she'd just leap willingly into your arms when you know she's had bad experiences with men. Particularly after how you revealed what you'd done."
"She has been chatty, hasn't she?" David pulled out a cigarette, lighting up and taking a puff before speaking again. "Well, we didn't have a lot of say in the matter either."
"I had a feeling that was the case." She looked over at Laddie. "Little pitchers, hmm?" David nodded. Mina continued. "There's been a central cause to most of the tension I've sensed. 'It' doesn't seem to fit well with how the rest of you seem to get along."
"You've got that right. Not much we can do from our side though."
"Well, there might be an answer to that coming along. If I can make it work." She sighed, rubbing her face with her hands.
"Is that so? Care to say a little more?"
Mina shook her head. "Perhaps somewhere else." David nodded, glancing at the crowds as they passed the group by.
Mina looked over the other men. "Well, you all look a little…disheveled. Dinner put up a fight?"
Marko laughed darkly. "Not even a little. Just really enjoyed digging in, know what I mean?" He grinned wickedly at her before biting a gloved thumb, eyes glinting with restrained malice.
"I'm sure I don't." Mina countered smoothly. "I'm beginning to see why Dwayne goes shirtless though, considering you and Paul managed to lose yours somewhere."
"I really liked that shirt, too!" Paul complained. "Worth it though – your chew toy won't be bothering you or Laddie anymore." He grinned wickedly, winking at Mina.
Her eyes went a bit wide for a moment before she caught herself. "I see." Breathing deep, she turned a calm and serious face towards David, bowing her head slightly at him. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." He smirked, nodding back, before glancing over at Dwayne with a raised eyebrow. The darker man's eyes flashed with approval.
"Hey, chica – you know we take care of our own." Paul said, coming over to sit down between her and Laddie.
Dwayne came and sat down on the other side of her, as Paul grabbed a chunk of fried cake off Mina's plate, stuffing it in his mouth. Snorting at his manners, she tore a piece off herself, holding it out to Dwayne. Reaching out to hold her wrist, the darker man leaned in, carefully nipping at the piece till there was nothing left, only to gently lick her fingers clean of powdered sugar. Mina's eyes were locked on his, heart beating quicker and blush blooming in her cheeks as he took her sugar dusted thumb into his mouth, drawing blunt teeth slowly along the pad as he released it.
A childish giggle broke the tension, as all eyes turned to Laddie. "You look like Rudolph all over!" he said, laughing again, as Mina's face turned even redder.
Turning her head, she started to laugh too. "I'm sure I do, and it's all Dwayne's fault." She smacked him lightly on the chest with the back of her hand, and he caught it, smiling darkly at her. He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the knuckles with just a hint of tongue as he held her gaze again.
Breathing a bit raggedly, she withdrew her hand, finally breaking free from his thrall. She glanced down at her plate and paused. All that was left of her cake was a small chunk and a few crumbs. She glared up at Paul, who sat chewing with a Cheshire grin, shaking slightly with ill-contained laughter.
"Might as well take it all." Grumbling, she picked up the last piece and chucked it at Paul's face, only to have him snap it up from the air easily, laughing at her surprise. The rest of the gang broke in to laughter as well, with Laddie nearly falling of his chair. Mina was left shaking her head, trying not to laugh along with them.
"Animal." She teased, glare softening to fondness. Paul gave a short howl, startling passersby, and Laddie started laughing again.
"Well kids, this has been fun but it's time to blow this joint." The men moved in sync, gathering up Laddie and Mina and trailing David as he headed towards the bikes. Laddie was put on Marko's bike, as Dwayne put a light hand on Mina's back, directing her once again towards his bike.
She leaned forward as they rode off. "I feel like I'm missing something?"
Dwayne turned his head slightly, to give her a mischievous smirk. "No worries. You'll see."
