Disclaimer: Don't own anything, except for the rather strange and twisted plotline. It's getting more twisted by the minute…
A/N: A little note on the title. My usual way of naming a fic is to open the Latin dictionary on a random page and choose whatever word my finger lands on. Fortunately, fiducarius means "someone who is trusted" (masc.) and makes some sort of sense for this story. The chapter title is a work by Ovid, translated as "The Art of Loving." A gerund! A gerund! bashes muse unconscious
Viktor could tell that something had changed in Selene as she walked back into the room. Absently he wondered what had changed her, but his thoughts were overridden by concern and empathy. Something I have not felt for centuries. He rose and walked over to her, gently taking her by the shoulders. The urge to slide his fingers under Selene's chin and tilt her face upwards enough to kiss her was almost overpowering. Instinctively he fought against it, just as he had done when the need for human blood had threatened to rise. That thought provoked memories that had lurked in the baser depths of his mind for nearly one and a half millenia to spring into his mind's eye. It never mattered when Selene was there. The compulsion just stopped. He forced himself to speak, to anchor himself in the present. "What is wrong, my dear?"
After locking both doors, Selene approached Viktor. She tried to seem distant as a now familiar shiver snaked through her limbs. Selene could barely concentrate on her Sire's words, as if she were heaing them underwater. "I…" "I've just been kissed by a Lycan, raped, found out that Erika really likes me, and I feel like shit. Please help." That'll come out wonderfully. Oh, and I've decided that I like taking advantage of guys seven times my age. Mustn't forget that. The Death Dealer shook her head. "Every time something really shitty happens in my life you suddenly appear. It can't be coincidence." Oops.
In spite of himself, Viktor couldn't suppress the soft laugh that escaped his lips. "If you were anyone else, I'd be insulted." He watched her face as a smile inched its way across it, almost like smiling was something she had never known how to do. He raised a hand to her cheek to brush back the few strands of midnight-black hair that had fallen. No-one else would have noticed the shadow of a breath that wound its way around his fingers, yet it was as obvious to Viktor as the barest dilation of Selene's pupils and her slight trembling. Suddenly walking into the sunlight was a thousand times easier than removing his hand from her face. Slowly his hand slid down her face, self-control winning over emotion. Or was it? He could feel her jaw under his fingers, yet he was no closer to taking his hand away. Almost involuntarily, he slid his arm around her neck and pulled her closer. The sound of her heart beating, the feel of her trembling in his arms was intoxicating as his mouth closed on hers.
Selene closed her eyes, savouring the kiss. The kiss with Michael wasn't like this. Gently, Viktor's lips parted from hers. She stepped closer, their bodies pressing against each other. Her skin felt cold after centuries of losing it's warmth, but Selene felt like sunlight was burning her from the inside out. Viktor's lips left her own and travelled across her cheek to her ear. "Befor Kraven…interrupted us…" his voice trailed off as he kissed her ear. "Do you want to…continue?" he finished.
"I would have thought that was obvious," she said, grinning slightly, trying to disguise how much she felt. Her hands slid slowly down to his hips, tracing along the top of his trousers. He exhaled slowly, trying not to groan as her hands went lower. What does it take for you to become aroused! Viktor laughed sardonically and caressed down her neck to her abdomen in a fluid movemenr which made Selene moan. "I never thought I would hear that from you, Selene" He spoke her name with a dark emphasis that made her lower body clench. "I said that? I thought I had better control." Her Sire smirked. "Evidently not as good as mine."
"Prove it." Her tone was deadly serious. "Lie down."
Viktor allowed a smile to play upon his lips as he walked over to the bed and stretched out on his back. Selene the flirt! Well. Selene mirrored his casual steps, sitting close to his legs. "I was just wondering who you practised on," he grinned, "After all, I've lost count of the number of people drooling after you." Selene blinked. "You -" she trailed off, unable to think of a suitably acidic reply. "You are already losing," again that elusive smile flickered across Viktor's face, "Unless you hope insulting me will make me deal leniently with you?"
A sudden blinding pain as Kraven's fist collided with her skull. Selene gritted her teeth and endured it, shocked that she hadn't even noticed until he'd hit her. Her training took over - rolling to avoid his kick, Selene slammed one fist into Kraven's foot and the other into the back of his kneecap. She had the satisfaction of hearing him yell in pain before he collapsed on top of her. "Get the fuck off me Kraven!" She tried to twist out, but he had her pinned down too well. "I can't publicly punish my queen, but you won't be treated with leniently."
Selene snapped back into the present, blinking, trying to clear her head. "Selene?" Her eyes tracked Viktor's hand as he waved it in front of her face. She stared at his eyes uncertainly, unnerved by his own stare; as if he wasn't sure being in the same room was entirely safe. "I- I'm fine. I don't usually blank out like that."
"Tell me." The command hidden behind the soft, cajoling voice was like being shoved into an ice-crusted lake. No matter how much they cared for each other - lusted after each other – Viktor would still be an Elder before anything else. "Kraven and I agree on the first part of events, but after he pinned me on the floor, he decided to take what I would never offer him." Selene paused, concentrating on not breaking down like a coward. "He raped me and then had the audacity to lie about it in front of my face." Her eyes never left Vikor as he sat up, drawing her face towards him. "Will this be more fuel for your hatred," he remarked, "or will you let youself forget?"
"No." What if I did? What if I didn't see it when I closed my eyes? If I had some peace? "No. I can't brush it away." She hesitated, weariess creeping into her voice. "At least, not the thought. The detail…I want to forget, but that isn't possible." His hand reached out towards her, but she caught it, entwining her fingers into his. "Are you certain of that?" Viktor's ageless grey eyes caught hers. "Refuse Kraven's hold over you," she could barely hear his whisper, "Let me help you forget." He leaned into her, pulling her down, embracing her.