*-*-*-*-*-*-*-Multiverse Mysteries-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
-*-*-*-*-*-*-40'sDetectiveNoir-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Chapter 12:
The Start Of Something New
{*~********~*~********~*} *-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-* {*~********~*~********~*}Oh thank god it's done.
It was a lot, he has no idea how poor Albert is going to cope with all of this but at least they got answers for him. Not one's he wanted, or ever imagined…but answers nonetheless. He's gonna have a lot of work to get past this.
Magnus had called Ruth, filled her in on the details that he could, told her how much guilt Albert was carrying from this. Apparently she was going to call on him in a day or so, see how he's coping, if there's anything she can do to help. That's good…it should help. With any luck Leo and Ruth can help fill in a bit more for him, help him gain a bit of closure. He really did hope the man found some relief, it was a huge burden Paul put on him.
They're done with this. Case is solved, murderer is caught and Alec's in the clear. They're done with this…
Which means thankfully HE's done with HIM.
Oh my stars he's made it through and he's kept his sanity…well…for the most part. There were far too many close calls, definitely too many slip-ups but whatever, he's done, he made it. All that's left is a little bit of paper work and he's good. Done with the case. Done with the insanity. Done with the worryingly powerful, annoyingly flirty, should-be-utterly-terrifying, stupidly appealing, damn near intoxicating, FAR too addicting demon.
They're back at the club now; him, Raphael, Magnus, Alec, Izzy and Kevin, setting around, taking a breather, just kind of decompressing after the case…
Well they are.
He's sitting on the other side of the club in a corner going over the paperwork from the case. Since he's new to the department he offered to handle it (thereby giving him a convenient out for the whole post case revelry outing.) Alec tried to wave him off but he was insistent…he'd also tried to get Simon to just let it set till the next day but yet again he was insistent.
Simon knew they were trying to help…make him feel included. It really was sweet- something that under near any other circumstanced would make him totally elated. He knows he can come off as a bit odd, a bit too hyper…just in general a bit too 'much'. It was quite refreshing having people who seemed to genuinely like his company.
However right now that was about the furthest thing from what he needed. He needed distance…he needed clarity… needed space to breathe and refocus and get his head on straight. He needed to get away from the far too appealing demon with the dizzying draw and sparkly eye thing and that growly, hum sound that he feels clear down to his toes.
He tried to get them to just go without him but then Magnus decided to dig in right alongside Alec, refusing to leave him to his own devices, saying they wouldn't leave until he did. Oh my stars and he thought Alec was stubborn! Magnus basically just planted himself on the corner of Simon's desk and refused to leave until Simon agreed to go with them. He didn't know if Magnus had somehow convinced himself that Simon was some type of workaholic, was just that determined to get him to join in, or if he was still trying to do the whole matchmaker type thing but regardless the guy was a damn pitbull when he latched onto something and so here he is…
Setting in a gay club/demon den doing paperwork.
O-okay he might see where Magnus could have got the whole 'workaholic' thing.
He's NOT…well…okay he can be…but he's not generally quite to the 'bringing paperwork to a night club' level. But it's not like he can very well tell Magnus exactly why he's so hesitant to go with them...and so here they are- Magnus, Alec, Izzy, Kevin and Raphael settled around a large, comfortable table, chatting, laughing and joking…
And him here…in a kinda dark, secluded corner, tucked behind a few fake ferns, hunched over a stack of paperwork hoping they'll get distracted and just forget he was ever here so he can quietly slip out and go home to his near guaranteed freak out about the events of the last two days…(god not even two days…like twelve hours. How can he go so far off the rails in such a short time?).
He's trying to make himself take a step back, distance himself. He needs to. All throughout the case he was getting too comfortable…it was far too easy. At the club…at the Gala…in Raphael's bedroom (and hell if THAT thought doesn't make him blush clear to his ears).
He was getting too close.
FAR too close.
It's no mystery why. Raphael's nothing like he thought. I mean it is Raphael FREAKING Santiago; largely thought to be the single most powerful, most dangerous demonic threat in existence. He was basically the warlock equivalent of the freaking boogeyman.
When Magnus mentioned his name Simon's heart had all but stopped- life practically flashing before his eyes. Even in his worst nightmares he never imagined coming face to face with THE Raphael Santiago. He didn't know how the hell he was unlucky enough to end here but he knew what he was likely to be facing; Terror, cruelty, anger, viciousness and spite, a total lack of compassion or empathy.
He was flat out expecting a monster.
He was…well…not 'prepared' exactly for that but all but resigned to facing the absolute worst of the worst. A being without so much as a glimpse of humanity or heart or anything even remotely good…a being that was little more than the physical embodiment of cold cruelty and sharp, vicious anger.
He was prepared for that.
But...oh my stars…he was not prepared for the reality that was Raphael FREAKING Santiago.
He was not prepared for charming, flirty, funny, playful. He wasn't prepared for oddly compassionate, deep and startlingly protective. He wasn't prepared for a snarky, sarcastic, teasing, worryingly beautiful guy who got his references and humor. He wasn't prepared for that thrilling spark and those gorgeous flickering eyes and that dizzying heat and the single most devastatingly beautiful smile he's ever seen.
He wasn't expecting to genuinely like the guy, but damnit he does…
Far too much already.
And that scares the hell out of him.
That's dangerous- unbelievably dangerous. Raphael- the Demon-he reminds himself- he…he's like a honey trap; enticing and magnetic, luring you in, getting you to drop your guard, with the gorgeous face and playful smirk and flirty little comments and warm, pretty chuckles, and that dizzying growly hum type sound that sends a shiver down Simon's spine and make his knees weak- the one he feels clear down to his toes.
It's far too easy to forget just who he is, WHAT he is.
Simon's done it far too much already, and he can't allow himself to get caught up in that. He can't. He's far too easy to get close to…far too easy to get trapped…If anything Kevin's proof of that. They don't seem romantic but the guy looks at Raphael like he hung the moon.
Simon doesn't know the story there; Raphael said he's known the man since he was fifteen…that might explain the connection but even so, Simon doesn't even know how it's actually possible.
Anything he's ever seen said a Demon taking a Warlock as a Minion is fatal to the warlock. Clearly there's some loophole as Kevin's well…alive…but that just goes to show the kind of power Raphael wields.
Going into this he could never imagine how humans could so easily be taken in by Demons- but hell after less than two days with the man…
Y-yeah… he can see how it happens…
He understands all too well.
The man is addicting.
Unsettlingly so.
Simon can't seem to help his gaze from drifting, eyes shifting up, over to Raphael, slipping over the gorgeous features, perfectly styled deep brown hair, the dizzyingly bright smirk and unfathomably dark, glittering eyes.
Oh my stars he's so beautiful.
He can't quite keep in a slightly dreamy sigh. And of course, as always, Raphael catches it, perking up at the tiny sound, glancing over, meeting Simon's gaze. He smirks, eyes flickering black, that impish little sparkle shimmering bright. His eyebrow quirks in amusement, flashing a flirty little wink.
Simon fails, bumping the table, knocking the paperwork off, sending it scattering. He groans, silently cursing himself, blushing, stooping down to gather it up. He startles at a shadow falling over him, catching someone moving, ducking down beside him to help, expecting Alec or maybe Magnus.
"Thanks, sorry I'm really not this clumsy normally jus-…oh…" He trails off, seeing who's next to him.
Raphael smirks teasingly, tilting his head.
"Just what?"
Simon huffs faintly, giving him a sarcastic look.
"You are such an ass…"
Raphael chuckled, quirking his eyebrow, holding the paper work up in emphasis, setting it back on the table.
"Well that's not very nice…especially when I came all the way over here to help you. See, I'm helping and you're calling me names…doesn't seem very 'protector of humanity-ish'. And we've been getting along so very well." he flashed a teasing smile, holding out the last couple pieces of paperwork, making a show of stacking it neatly on the table. Simon glares.
"Yeah…thanks. Clearly you're the epitome of altruism."
"Devilishly charming too, don't really like to brag much though."
Simon scoffed, rolling his eyes. Raphael smirked, gracefully standing, extending his hand to help Simon up, challengingly quirking his eyebrow. Simon quirked his eyebrow right back, not about to back down, reaching up, taking his hand. Raphael's eyes flicker, an impressed little spark in the brilliant dark depths, Simon pretends it doesn't make his breath catch or his pulse pick up but there's no hiding reactions from a demon.
Raphael's eyes flicker black, glittering bright and excited. He tugs, pulling Simon to his feet with no effort whatsoever. Simon comes up a little too fast, ending up barely an inch from Raphael, practically pressed against him. Raphael catches him, hands coming to rest on his arm steadying him, squeezing gently, fingers lightly trail down, grazing like a caress.
Simon feels himself flush, knees going weak, subconsciously catching Raphael's arm, steadying himself, swaying even closer, head spinning. Simon swallows, glancing up, catching Raphael's eyes. Raphael blinks, gaze flickering from Simon's eyes down to his hand on Raphael's arm before shifting back, eyes flickering black, quirking his eyebrow in a playful, near impish smirk.
Simon startles faintly, quickly pulling away from the demon, unable to help flushing even more, hoping his glare offsets the bright pink creeping from his cheeks clear up to his ears…
Going by Raphael's soft- unfairly appealing- chuckle it doesn't.
Damn demon.
Damn, stupidly attractive demon.
Simon huffs, giving his best unimpressed look, shaking his head exasperatedly.
"You are SUCH an ass."
Raphael chuckled, shrugging, moving close to his side, casually slipping his arm around Simon's shoulders, squeezing, leaning in close enough his lips brush Simon's ear with every word, he can literally FEEL the smile. It sends a dizzying, electric buzz clear to Simon's toes.
"Never said I wasn't…Doesn't seem to be stopping you from looking."
Simon flushed brightly, trying to fight down the worryingly pleasurable little shiver that slips down his spine, unable to help glancing over. Raphael smirked, flashing a quick, playful wink, hand on his shoulder sliding down, squeezing, nodding over towards the others.
"Now come on, we both know you can snap your fingers and have that paperwork done, stop using it as an excuse to be anti-social…If I have to endure the revelry and jubilation then so do you."
Simon couldn't help a slight laugh.
"You mean that's not your thing? I'm shocked. You seem so cheerful and personable."
Raphael's eyes flickered in surprise, smiling, giving a faint shrug.
"I can be…in the right company."
He leans in a bit more, eyes shifting black, glimmering crimson. Simon swallowed, feeling giddy and slightly punch-drunk under that gaze, mindfully clamping his jaw shut tightly to keep in any embarrassing sounds those eyes this close caused, (Damnit! That should be scary and intimidating…not…umm…not that…)
Simon catches the little smirk, the bright, excited spark in those inky black eyes.
Ugh…and of course he caught it…
Stupid demon super senses.
He embarrasses himself enough with just the usual flailing and random babbling that slips out of his mouth too fast for him to keep track of damnit. He really doesn't need the addition of demon reading to the mix…
Well…can't really do a hell of a lot about that…
At least the case is over and he can get back to his normal, non-stupidly attractive demon life. He didn't know if it was just a byproduct of the Demon's power or if it was something else but there was a pull there unlike anything he's ever felt. It's dangerously addicting…far too tempting, too exciting, too enticing…
It was just far too much.
He wanted to protect the humans and as pretty as it sounded he really didn't buy Raphael's whole 'altruistic Demon' spiel. He knows the guy's up to something (It's Raphael FREAKING Santiago after all). He should stay close, find an in, a weakness, some way to figure out what he's actually up to and stop him…he really should.
But he's not.
Despite near insurmountable evidence to the contrary he did have the tiniest shred of self-preservation instincts…
And it's pretty clear by now if he wants to keep them he needs to get very far away from the disturbingly appealing, unfairly magnetic, worryingly addictive Demon as quick as his flailing, uncoordinated little warlock legs can carry him.
There's just far too much of a pull there. The man- the DEMON he tries to remind himself- gets to him more than anyone he has ever met- more than he ever would have imagined anyone could so quickly.
He almost wants to convince himself it's a spell…
Has tried more than a few times…
But he knows it's not.
It kinda scares him just how much he wants it to be. For there to be a reason for this pull, this dizzying electric thrill. For there to be a logic, a cause beyond his control, an explanation…
An excuse to justify it…
Or give in to it.
Oh…crap…
Y-yeah…no question-humans are on their own with this one.
It's just too damn much.
Blake's traveling for the next year, when she gets back he'll fill her in, let her take a run at this. She's easily the most powerful warlock he knows and the only 'reaction' someone's getting out of her is the pissed off- possibly electrified version.
Simon is not Blake…
Simon's not some kickass maverick warlock who plays by their own rules wielding powers that even make the elders twitchy. Simon is a flaily, chattery, twenty five year old warlock just shy of six months into his Descoperire.
This Raphael thing is just so very far beyond his capacities…
There is no defense to that level of gorgeousness.
And it's not just the looks!
If it was just that the guy was stupidly beautiful that'd be one thing but it's not…it's SO not.
Yeah the guy's gorgeous but that's not even half his appeal. He's smart, tenacious, complicated… terrifying but in an oddly electrifying way. He's personality is more magnetic than the damn stupidly gorgeous looks could ever possibly be.
He's charming and brazen and witty; unsettlingly funny with a quick, sharp, sarcastic sense of humor that totally catches Simon by surprise- throw him off, makes him forget who he's talking to. It's so very easy to get caught up, fall in with the man. There's a spark there, a pull that's electric and dizzying and entirely too appealing.
Simon may be stubborn as hell and sometime foolhardily reckless but he's not stupid…he knows his limits, knows his weaknesses…
And Raphael Santiago has absolutely shot straight to the top of that list.
He knows when he's beat, when something is too much, when to call it, throw in the towel and retreat in order to preserve the little traces of sanity and self-preservation he actually possess.
And this is it.
Thank god the case is done and he can move on and forget this insanity.
Simon shrugs as best as he can, trying to ignore his embarrassment and just power through, mindfully ignoring Raphael's arm around his shoulders, how very close he was, and the pleasant, oh so inviting warmth radiating all along his right side, seemingly coaxing him to just turn into it, settle in and tune out the rest of the world…
Hmm…
Well…I m…
Simon startles faintly, taking a quick, slightly gasping breath coming back to himself, shaking his head, pulling away a bit, reaching up brushing his hair back, glancing away trying to center himself again.
Yeah no question- humans were on their own with this one- he needed to get the hell away from the Man (DEMON) fast before he did something that made his usual embarrassment and ridiculousness seem downright sane.
He swallowed, going for a careless shrug but missing it by a mile, hazarding a glance over,
"Guess I can join in for a bit…it is a pretty big deal, I'm glad we managed to solve the case."
Raphael gave a slight huff of a laugh, nodding.
"You and me both. I do try to stay above the human idiocy and drama but I'm not gonna lie, these kind of issues REALLY tests my resolve."
Simon nodded quickly.
"You're telling me. Really hoping we don't have too many more like it. Don't know how many cases of poison oak can actually be written off as pure coincidence…"
Raphael chuckled shrugging.
"Hey they're unobservant and obtuse in their beliefs, stands to reason they'll be in other aspects too…maybe they're clumsy or simply too stupid and ignorant to register something as a danger before it's too late."
Simon couldn't help a slight laugh, glancing over.
Raphael's looking towards the others, eyes settling on Magnus laughing and smiling, chattering on, gesturing animatedly with the others. There's something odd in Raphael's gaze. It's distant, flickering with a complicated mess of emotions that Simon can't even begin to sort out. Simon's not sure what it is but he has the distinct feeling he's intruding on something. He quickly pulls his gaze from Raphael's eyes shifting instead over the rest of his striking profile.
Damnit…demon magnetism or not that level of gorgeousness really was just thoroughly unfair.
And this close up it was just SO much worse…
Simon's breath catches, heart rate picking up, feeling slightly breathless and near lightheaded.
Of course Raphael catches it, His eyes flicker, shifting his gaze from Magnus back over to Simon, a flash of something before it's gone shifting to that annoyingly appealing, overly confident, slightly impish sparkle, quirking his eyebrow.
Simon huffs rolling his eyes, ignoring the blush creeping back into his cheeks, shaking his head.
"You really are an ass…"
Raphael chuckles, squeezing his shoulder.
"True, but don't worry, with us working together you'll get used to it in no time."
Simon flailed.
"Working together? W-what do you mean? The case is done…that means so are we."
Raphael gave a soft, kind of dizzying chuckle, eyes flickering black, glimmering crimson, shaking his head.
"Oh…we are most definitely not done, not even close. We really did work quite well together…I don't get that too often- apparently some find me rather abrasive-"
Simon snorted, rolling his eyes.
"You don't say?"
Raphael flashed a playful smirk.
"I know, hard to believe, right? Nevertheless that seems to be many a person's view on it…and that is where you come in.
You see Simon it is becoming clearer and clearer to me that I really need a detective I can depend on…and that would be you…"
"What!?"
Simon flailed, squeaking faintly, before startling at his volume, looking over at the other's, trying to think up an explanation for the two humans. Raphael waved him off.
"Not to worry, Alec and Magnus can't hear, no explanation necessary. I did a shielding spell on my way over here…though with those two I'm not really sure it's necessary so long as they're setting together I doubt much of anything else even registers…
Still best to be sure."
Simon flailed again, swallowing, shaking his head, brushing his hair back, scrambling to make sense of this in his confused, stupidly attractive demon addled brain, but coming up blank. He shook his head again looking back at Raphael with wide, slightly panicked eyes, scrambling for an out.
"What do you mean 'It's me?!' It's not me, it is SO not me! I'm playing detective- you even said so yourself! Pointed it out near every chance you got back at Eugene's office. My credentials aren't even real…I'm SO not the detective for you."
Raphael chuckled, shaking his head, holding a finger up.
"Actually I stopped that pretty quickly, I would have stopped sooner but…well…honestly your reaction was far too appealing to give up on so soon. Your detective credentials may be fake but your detective skills are not, and that is what counts. You ARE a real detective and a damn good one at that. You are brave, very clever, resourceful and fiercely determined. You are exactly what I need."
"I-w-what…I don't…" He shook his head, flailing slightly.
"I- o-okay thank you, really that's extremely flattering but I'm really not the detective for you…"
"Yes you are."
"Am not!"
"Are too."
"N-"
"Y-"
Simon groaned, rolling his eyes.
"Oh my god seriously, what are you twelve? Stop that!"
Raphael chuckled, shrugging, giving a playful smile.
"Hey, you started it; I just followed your lead. And yes you are…you just proved as much."
Simon flailed.
"HOW the hell did I do that?!"
Raphael laughed, gesturing towards him.
"Right there, you did it again."
"H-"
Raphael smiled, squeezing his arm.
"Simon you have been arguing and snapping back at me all day. You don't back down and you're not intimidated…you don't let a setback or a case of nerves stop you, rather you just plow right on ahead regardless of what's standing in your way. That's what I need. Someone brave, stubborn and tenacious. Someone willing to speak up when something isn't right, regardless of who it is they're speaking up to, or what consequences it may bring about."
Simon failed animatedly.
"That's not bravery, that's my inability to shut up! That is SO not intentional. That's just my mouth running faster than my brain can keep up. I talk so much I annoy myself sometimes! Trust me, you don't want that."
Raphael laughed, shrugging.
"I don't know, I might. Seems pretty entertaining."
Simon shook his head.
"Only for like the first couple days-after that it gets real old real fast."
Raphael shrugged.
"Well then I'll only have myself to blame."
"No Bu-"
Raphael sighed, shaking his head.
"Simon, we can keep going round on this all you want but it's gonna end the same place. I need a Detective in the SBPD. Someone smart, tenacious, brave and above all else someone I can actually stand to work with…
Someone I know I can trust to tell it like it is and who isn't gonna just tell me what I want to hear because they're afraid of how I'll react.
That is you."
Simon flailed.
"Bu-"
"Look Simon, I'm not gonna lie, I like you. That's why I'm going this route as opposed to a more circuitous way."
Simon blinked, giving a disbelieving laugh and flippant wave.
"This is when you LIKE a person?! How the hell do you act when you don't?"
Raphael tilted his head, quirking his eyebrow expectantly. Simon held his hand up, animatedly waving, quickly shaking his head.
"Wait- yeah, I know, I just heard it too, stupid question, happier not knowing, moving on. You really think this is the easiest way to get someone to work for you?"
Raphael shrugged.
"On the contrary this is probably by far the most difficult. I have many other, far quicker, more effective ways to convince someone-
Intimidation, confusion, trickery, bribery, flirting…seduction," He paused, glancing over, eyes flickering black, crimson aura shimmering, gaze slipping from Simon's eyes down, lingering on his lips, eye's glittering dark and bright, giving that soft growly hum sound that Simon feels clear down to his toes.
He swallows, inhaling sharply, lightly shaking his head, gaze slipping back up again meeting Simon's gaze, head tilting.
"The last one in particular seems VERY tempting…" he reached up, finger lightly trailing over Simon's cheek.
Simon gulped, shivering faintly, unconsciously leaning into the touch, giving a soft, barely audible whimpering sound. Raphael swallowed, blinking, eyes sparking with something that makes Simon's heart race and leaves him lightheaded, giddy and breathless. His eyes flicker down again, giving that low, soft growly hum, leaning in a bit before seemingly catching himself, pulling back, blinking a few times. He blinks, the teasing, impish little spark back in those stupidly pretty black eyes, giving a slight shrug and that damnable smirk.
"However I am choosing to forego the tricks and ploys and just go with honesty. We are going to be working together- most likely for quite some time. Like it or not that is just how it is."
Simon blinked, feeling a bit fuzzy headed and punch-drunk from the shift, trying to get his head on the insanity at hand and not the sparkling black eyes and that dizzying look and that damn growly sound...
"A-and what? I have no say in this whatsoever?"
Raphael glanced over, giving a slight shrug.
"I…could let you think you do…but…honestly? Not really, no." he squeezed his shoulder, flashing a slight smile, beginning to tug him back over to the others.
"But if it makes you feel any better it's really nothing untoward. Keeping an eye out for supernatural issues on cases, being sure cases like this that ignorant, bigoted humans decide should be swept under the rug aren't, and see that if- or rather when- Mags gets in over his head on something I find out before it's too late."
Simon froze, pulling Raphael to a stop as well, holding his arm out to block him. Raphael blinked in confusion, looking at his arm then shifting back up to Simon's face, quirking his eyebrow.
Simon tilted his head, holding up a finger.
"That's it?"
Raphael shrugged.
"Well, yeah…"
Simon blinked several times, shaking his head in disbelief, beginning to open his mouth before pausing, pointing over at the other's again, Raphael waved him off.
"Still up, you're good…"
"Oh good…" Simon said in an overly cheerful, entirely fake tone before rounding on him, standing right in front of him, mere inches away.
"WHAT THE HELL MAN?!"
Raphael blinked in surprise.
"W-"
Simon shook his head.
"Oh don't even 'what' me, you know DAMN good and well 'what'!
All the buildup, all the drama, all the cocky smirking and flickering eyeing and flirty intimidate-y what-the-hell-ever-y crap and 'oh this is just gonna happen so you have to deal with it' supervillianny dramatics and all you want is for me to do the same damn thing I had planned on doing the entire time?!
Are you freaking kidding me with this? I even said that's WHY I wanted to go into detective work in the first place. I don't know what makes me angrier; this idiocy or you clearly not listening to a damn word I said…"
Raphael shook his head, eyes sparkling bright with humor and a touch of mischief, leaning in excitedly.
"Well if it's the second option then we're good. I actually was listening, I remembered you saying that- it really is a good plan. However you're new, and inexperienced and while you will get better and stronger-probably quite quickly- right now you could probably use some backup with a bit more…umm…firepower?" he smirked, a glimmer of inky black flames flickering to life, dancing up his arms and over his shoulders.
Simon actually groaned, rolling not only his eyes but his entire head.
"Oh my god… You did not just say that. You did not just do that…And here I thought Magnus was the overdramatic one.
No wonder why you two get along!"
Raphael laughed, holding his hands up.
"Now just cal-"
"Do not finish that sentence, or I swear I'll-"
Raphael leaned in, eyes flickering bright and excited, head tilting in that odd, kind of hypnotic animalistic way.
"You'll what?"
Simon glared, standing his ground, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. Raphael's eyes shift to inky black, shimmering crimson aura shining brighter than he's seen before. He leans in a little more, eyes flickering down to Simon's lips, lingering, giving a soft hum, biting lightly at his own lip before moving up again, meeting his gaze, eyes sparking even brighter. Simon feels his heartbeat pick up, the adrenalin rush of his anger slipping to something else, an excited, electric thrill that runs clear down to his toes.
God…what's wrong with him? He's going toe to toe with Raphael FREAKING Santiago. The single most feared demon known to exist. He is less than two inches in front of Simon, eyes glimmering bright, every ounce of his focus on Simon, power absolutely radiating off him…
By all logic Simon should be terrified…
He should want to run…
Run as far and fast as he can…
Should want to get as far away as possible…
That is NOT what he wants…
Not even close…
Oh…crap.
Simon takes a deep, startling gasp of a breath, jumping faintly, taking a large step back, shaking his head, coming back to himself. He brushes his hair back, swallowing a few times, glancing away, trying to get his voice to work, not even bothering to try to hide the bright flush he knows is creeping up his cheeks, beginning to tinge his ears…
What's the point trying to hide one outward reaction?
Damn demon senses catch everything.
Every hitch in his breath, every up tic of his heart. Every. Last. One.
He closed his eyes, shaking his head, taking another deep breath, before looking back at Raphael, glaring, pointing.
"You are a jackass and a total drama queen, and a jackass a few more times because with you it most definitely bears repeating. And I know damn good and well you're doing that on purpose so knock it off…
Now I really need to talk to someone other than you- anyone other than you so drop the spell."
Raphael shrugged, black eyes shifting over him, flicker of a smirk gracing his annoyingly gorgeous lips.
"You sure you don't want to wait a few more minutes? You are blushing rather brightly…"
Simon huffed, giving a sarcastic look and a flippant wave.
"Well I do that a lot- if I put up a shielding spell every time I blushed or embarrassed myself I'd be reported missing.
Drop the damn spell."
Raphael gave a low chuckle but shrugged, snapping his fingers, the sounds of the bar coming back into jarring focus.
"…and the damn anti-social mongoose too!" Magnus finished with a dramatic wave, the rest of the group bursting out in riotous laughter.
Simon winced, hand startling to his ear, Raphael chuckled nodding quickly, resting his hand on Simon's shoulder conspiringly leaning in, flashing a near friendly smile.
"You know I love him but Mags could really use a volume button…sometimes I use a touch of a spell for just that reason." He paused, tilting his head, beginning to raise his hand.
"If you want I c-"
Simon raised his hand, snapping his fingers, a shimmering green spark gleaming, the volume instantly leveling out, an iridescent green pulse radiating out over the entirety of the club, the humans wouldn't see it but the other's would. His eyes flash gold, a glimmer of electric green around the edge of the iris. Simon leans in a bit, just as close as Raphael had before, locking eyes with him, giving a slight shrug, eyes sparking brighter.
"Actually? This I got.
Thanks for the offer though."
Raphael's eyes widened faintly, flickering black, mouth slightly open.
Simon turned, shrugging, flashing a small smirk of his own before turning his back on Raphael, making his way casually to the table, not daring to glance back. He slipped around the table, taking the seat between Magnus and Kevin, smiling, slipping seamlessly into the conversation, only then daring to chance a glance over at Raphael…
Who was still standing where he left him.
As he looked on Raphael seemed to startle a bit, giving a surprised laugh, shaking his head, turning to the table. He made his way over, glancing at the others, flashing a smile, asking a few questions to get the conversation going again, prompting Magnus into some other crazy, attention grabbing story, ensuring all the other's focus was on Magnus, before settling back a bit, eyes shifting from Magnus over to Simon.
Oooh…crap…
His eyes are deep inky black, the odd, glimmering crimson aura shining bright. His gaze is sharp, bright and excited, verging on predatory, and every last ounce of his focus is centered on Simon.
It should be terrifying, should make him want to run, make him panic or flail or squeak…
It should scare him…
It does not.
Simon's breath catches, heart stopping before kicking up triple time. He feels lightheaded and breathless and almost like he's had too much to drink even though he hasn't even touched a drop yet.
It's a dangerous feeling…
And already worryingly addictive.
He swallowed, mindfully clamping his mouth shut to avoid any embarrassing sounds. As always the damn demon catches it right off the bat, eyes glimmering brighter, head tilting in that odd, hypnotic way, resting his elbows on the table, leaning in.
That look would send any warlock with half a brain or the least bit of self-preservation scrambling back.
Simon shifts, leaning in closer, meeting his gaze unflinchingly, irises flashing gold and electric green.
{*~********~*~********~*} *-Magnus-*-Magnus-*-Magnus-*-Magnus-*-Magnus-* {*~********~*~********~*}Okay…
Okay…just relax, take it easy. Alec is coming over for a drink…just a drink, that's all, no pressure. You're just relaxing after a stressful case, giving each other a chance to breathe and talk about a kind of sensitive topic away from prying eyes and nosy, judgmental co-workers. He's probably not even thinking about the kiss right now. He probably just wants to vent, maybe make doubly sure you're not gonna accidently out him around the station. Stands to reason, you're not exactly subtle…like at all…he's got to be a bit nervous you might accidently let something slip- you wouldn't, but there's no way he could really know that.
Besides he just barely even admitted it…he's probably just relieved to have someone he can finally really talk about it with. It has to be a real burden keeping all this to himself. You have Raph and all the people at Chaos to chat with and let off steam, what does he have? For heaven's sake he didn't even know there WAS a gay club in town- I mean yeah, not like they want a lot of cops hanging around there, that's just asking for trouble but even so. And that's not even getting into the whole Izzy thing. That's a whole other can of worms. He needs support, right now. He needs a friend and a shoulder to lean on, he does not need to have someone jump him the second they get him alone…
No matter how appealing the idea is…
Hmm…well…I mean…He WAS kinda asking about your type in the car...at least I'm pretty sure that's what he was going for. And they did kinda have a moment type thing…he thinks…and he wasn't exactly shy back in the records room…Mmm…that kiss…damn,
And that was ALL Alec. He wasn't expecting that, actually he'd expected a flat out refusal, or maybe at most a shy, awkward peck. There was nothing shy or awkward about what he got. He most definitely was not expecting a kiss that left him desperate, breathless and weak kneed.
Mmm…
It was without a doubt the wildest kiss of his life; desperate, forceful without being overpowering, hungry, just on the good side of too much.
Again…Damn…
He had no clue just a kiss could do that to him…
If just a kiss did that what would it be like i-
No.
Stop…deep breath, calm down…
Think about baseball or something.
Just cool it for a minute…
You're getting ahead of yourself,
One admittedly hot- mind numbingly hot - kiss and an agreement to a drink does not mean he's ready to jump into bed. The kiss was a spur of the moment thing, a reckless, impulsive move. He didn't have a chance to second guess it or really think it through. Okay, yeah he went for the kiss, in a BIG way…but that doesn't mean he'll be like that all the time.
The kiss was a knee jerk reaction; it was all instinct and passion, a total loss of control (A really freaking awesome loss of control). It was amazing but it could've been an isolated thing. I mean it's Alec. Head Detective Alexander Gidion Lightwood, son of Chief Lightwood; he's about as closeted as they come. And true for someone like that the chance at acting out some of those pent up desires could be liberating and exciting, but they could also be pretty daunting.
It really was a LOT to deal with. And yeah, he didn't seem overly freaked out about it today but everything happened so fast he wouldn't of had time to freak out…though he has now.
Hopefully it's not about that.
But it probably isn't anything like that. I mean he hasn't acted any different during the case; maybe a bit less confrontational, a little less snarky, but that's kind of to be expected. You now know he's gay, and he knows you know. That's a pretty big adjustment. It stood to reason he'd be kind of unsure how to act around you.
It'll be fine…that's why you're having the drinks; to get all this straightened out and make sure he knows he can trust you with this. That's it. This is drinks to help with a hard day and a likely stressful conversation. This was not drinks to get someone into bed.
Hmm…
Maybe drinks weren't a good idea…
Maybe they should have coffee instead?
Drinks were good for relaxing and helping with harder, tense conversations but they also lowered inhibitions and kind of boosted the chance of doing something you might not otherwise do…
Things that you might regret once you sober up.
Ugh…
He definitely doesn't want that.
I mean yeah he wants 'that'; really badly. But not that way. The absolute last thing he wanted was for Alec to think he tricked him into his bed. He wasn't that kind of guy and he'd hate for Alec to think he was.
A-and…okay he may sort of think that already. Hell, earlier today he pretty much blackmailed Alec into kissing him- on camera no less, in order to give him still more blackmail material…which was a real jerk move come to think of it. Not that he ever thought the guy would actually agree to it- it was a complete bluff- but that was beside the point. He asked for the picture…he had the picture…and Alec knew he had the picture.
Oookay…that…yeah…that may be kinda hard to come back from.
Not that Alec seemed to mind the kiss, quite the opposite, but still it kinda painted him in a bad light. Though Alec did agree to come back to his place for a drink so he couldn't think Magnus was that bad.
Well…unless since the case is done he wants to get the picture back to be sure Magnus doesn't use it to blackmail him…
Oh crap…he may have really screwed this up.
He's so twisted up on this he has no clue what the hell is going on right now.
Are they coming back to his place to vent about the case? To fool around (Yes, please)? Because it's just a thing colleagues in law enforcement do after a tough case? To assure Alec that despite his own openness he is more than capable of keeping someone else's sexuality a secret? Because Alec thinks he's a creepy jerk who now has an incriminating photo of him?
Really he's good with any but the last one…
He's rooting for option B but really any but creepy blackmailing jerk is alright in his book.
Alright, he doesn't know where the hell this is going, but it's too late to question it now, they're at his door. He just has to go with it, follow Alec's lead, and hope it's not the creepy blackmailer option.
He pulled his key out, reaching up, unlocking the door, pushing it open, holding it for Alec to go through. He flashed a slight smile, slipping past Magnus into the apartment, glancing around curiously.
"Hmm…really nice place."
Magnus swallowed, flashing a slightly nervous smile,
"I'm rather fond of it."
Oh that was just stupid…really…get it together...
Magnus took a deep, calming breath, turning back to the door, twisting the lock, trying to keep his mind from spiraling yet again.
Okay…
It's fine…
You're fine…
Just play it low key and slow, follow his lead…
Ju-
Magnus's inner pep talk/ beratement is cut off, startling as Alec catches his free hand, pulling him back around, pinning him firmly against the door. He pressed closer, giving a soft growling noise, eagerly nipping at Magnus's lower lip before diving in for a deep, dizzying kiss.
Ooh…okay…s-so this works…
Option B it is…
This works VERY well…
Magnus whimpered, reaching up, trailing up Alec's arms and back over his neck and up further, catching in Alec's hair, tugging him closer. Alec moaned, hand sliding down his back, pulling him flush against him.
Hmm…damn…that's just…Mmm…
Magnus groaned, deepening the kiss, playfully battling for control. Alec made that sexy growling sound again, pressing even closer, one hand drifting up, cupping his jaw, tilting his head just so, other hand at Magnus's back slipping lower, squeezing, causing Magnus to jump slightly, before absolutely melting against him.
Mmm…Clearly Alec knew exactly what he wanted; Magnus was good with letting him take control…
Like REALLY good with it…
Damn…especially when he did that…
Finally when air became necessary he broke the kiss, gasping slightly, breath coming quick and ragged. Alec was breathing just as labored, trying to catch his breath yet seemingly unable to pull away. He hummed softly, nuzzling against Magnus's cheek, trailing down along the underside of his jaw, kissing and nipping. Magnus gave a sharp surprised moan, unable to help arching against him, slipping his arm around Alec's neck, trying to steady himself, legs once again feeling like jelly.
"S-so…I take it that's a no to the drinks?" he mumbled, unable to help it,
Alec paused, pulling back slightly. Magnus couldn't quite fight down a rather desperate whimper, arm tightening around Alec's neck, not wanting him to get too far.
Alec smiled faintly at that, bumping his nose against Magnus's before pulling back just enough to look Magnus in the eye, quirking his eyebrow. His gaze slipped from Magnus's eyes down to his lips, lingering before moving back up. He reached up, tucking a bit of Magnus's hair behind his ear, trailing over his jaw, thumb pressing lightly at a spot he'd been nipping at, causing Magnus to hiss faintly, leaning into the touch.
Alec swallowed, eyes darkening at the reaction, leaning back in a bit, but stopping himself, clearly just barely holding back. He tilted his head, eyes flickering, just the faintest bit of uncertainty in his gaze, once again meeting Magnus's eyes,
"Do you need a drink for this?"
Magnus swallowed, shaking his head,
"W-well…no…I don't. But you know, I thought you might need one."
Alec shook his head, finally leaning back in, nuzzling against Magnus's neck, giving a soft rumbling chuckle right against his skin that Magnus felt all the way down to his toes. Magnus gasped, hand tightening in Alec's hair, tugging him closer, arching against him again. Alec hummed in approval, hand trailing down Magnus's back, catching, pulling him close, trailing light, soft kisses along Magnus's jaw, making his way up to his earlobe, nipping lightly,
"Magnus I don't need a drink…I need you."
Magnus couldn't help another far too desperate whimper, but he really didn't care about that…not right now,
"I th-think it's pretty obvious you have me gorgeous."
Alec made that rumbling chuckle again, right against Magnus's neck. Magnus gasped, tilting his head, eagerly pulling him in closer. Alec hummed in approval, reaching up unfastening a couple buttons on Magnus's shirt, trailing down, nipping sharply at his collarbone, hands trailing down Magnus's arms, catching Magnus's hands, interlacing their fingers, lifting his hands, pressing them back against the door. Magnus moaned, squeezing his hands, leaning back again giving Alec more access. He groaned, kissing and nipping sharply at Magnus's neck, he stopped on Magnus's collarbone again, sucking sharply, most definitely leaving a mark. Magnus whimpered, arching.
Damn…Alec was absolutely driving him wild
He couldn't seem to help it. The man seemed to know every button he had, and hell if he wasn't set on hitting every last one.
Alec moaned moving a little bit away from that spot, trailing back up Magnus's neck, once more capturing his mouth in a deep, frantic, absolutely toe curling kiss before suddenly pulling back. Magnus groaned impatiently, arching against him, trying to tug him back in, but Alec chuckled, keeping the distance between them.
Magnus huffed faintly, opened his eyes, glaring emphatically, tugging at his hands, trying to pull him back in again, to get him back to what he was doing. Alec just smirked, giving a soft, playfully teasing chuckle, shaking his head.
Magnus groaned impatiently.
"Damnit, don't be such a tease, get back here!"
Alec chuckled, tugging Magnus away from the door, nodding towards the open bedroom on the other side of the living room.
"Mmm…I'd love to, but we should probably move this into the bedroom, don't you think?"
Magnus shrugged, squeezing his hands, tugging him close again, slipping his arms around his neck,
"I don't know…I'm kinda good with right here…"
Alec chuckled, leaning in giving him a slow, deep kiss, beginning to move backwards towards the bedroom,
"Mmm…yeah…I get that, and maybe another time…" he paused for another, deeper kiss, pulling back just enough for breath,
"Definitely another time…but this is the first time…and I have been fantasizing about you for nearly two years, I want it to be worth the wait."
Magnus gave a surprised laugh, eyes widening faintly,
"Well in that case anything you want detective."
Alec's eyes darkened again, pulling Magnus in for a dizzying kiss, leaving Magnus breathless and clutching at his shoulders. They reached the room; Alec's back colliding with the wall beside the door. Magnus was on him in a second, turning the tables, pressing him back, tugging him down into a deep, hungry, near bruising kiss before pulling back pausing to nip sharply at Alec's lower lip, drawing a thready, desperate whimper from Alec.
Mmm…oh…that was lovely…
Definitely needed to hear that pretty sound again,
Magnus leaned in again, brushing his lips against Alec's, just the softest touch before pulling back just a breath away,
"Two years of fantasies hmm? My, that is a lot to catch up on."
Alec swallowed, tugging him closer, hands resting low on his back,
"It is…you know…tomorrow is my day off."
Magnus smirked,
"Oh, is that so?"
Alec nodded,
Magnus leaned in, nipping at his neck, chuckling right against his skin, causing Alec to shiver, hands tightening, pulling him in more. Magnus pulled back, just enough to meet his eyes, quirking his eyebrow,
"Hmm…well isn't that lucky? Tomorrow's my day off too."
Alec tilted his head,
"Don't you write your articles from home anyways?"
Magnus rolled his eyes,
"We have a whole sexy banter thing going here, don't mess it up with logic."
Alec blushed faintly,
"Right…So…we have an entire day off tomorrow…any plans?"
Magnus smirked, running his hands down Alec's arms, catching his hands, nodding towards the bedroom door,
"Oh most definitely…think you're the only one who's been fantasizing for the last two years?"
Alec blinked in surprise,
"Y-you…yeah?"
Magnus chuckled, nodding eagerly, leaning in nipping lightly at his earlobe,
"Mmm…absolutely, detective."
Alec groaned, pulling him in for a deep, passionate kiss, eagerly tugging him into the bed room, kicking the door closed behind them.
{*~********~*~********~*} *-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-* {*~********~*~********~*}Oooh crap…what the hell is he doing?
He is baiting- practically teasing a demon. A DEMON….and not just any 'demon'; Raphael FREAKING Santiago. Largely thought to be the single most powerful, biggest demonic threat in existence. And he's baiting the guy, teasing, snarking, pushing, arguing…going toe to toe with him…and loving every freaking second of it.
He is to the point he is wistfully hoping that he's in fact under the demon's spell...somehow compelled or coerced…that it's not just him…not just them…that he's somehow being influenced by things beyond his control. Some evil, manipulative way beyond his level of magic type explanation for the magnetism, the heat, the dizzying pull of the man (the DEMON) that seems to touch him on a level unlike anything he's ever experienced…anything he's ever imagined.
He wants a reason behind his visceral reaction to the demon. A justification…an excuse for it.
Not a way to get out of it…
Not a way to stop it…
A way to justify him NOT fighting it…Not resisting…
A way to allow himself to just give in to it…
Oh my stars, he is SO much more screwed here than he ever imagined.
T-this…god…this is just too much…
Far too much.
He cannot deal with this alone. He needs help…And much as he hates to admit it there's only one option.
God, he wishes there was another option.
He takes a deep, groaning breath, shaking his head, rubbing agitatedly at his face, feeling his stomach tighten into a knot, the unsettled, edgy, queasy feeling that always accompanied near any encounter with the man.
God he didn't want to have to do this…he wished he could call Blake but she's unreachable for over a year. He doesn't want to do this. He never wanted to talk to that smarmy, clingy, pushy, skin-crawly creep again, but he's the most powerful warlock living in their coven…
And Simon knows he'll help him…
Be all too eager to…
Ugh…god he wished Blake was here…
But she's not…and he's desperate.
He groans again, settling his spell book on the nightstand, gaze shifting over the spell once more before giving a slight nod. He takes a deep breath, turning to face the little mirror hung on the back of the door, relaxing his shoulders, focusing his power and energy, quietly whispering the words to the Golire vizualizare spell. He steps forward, raising his hand, the power shifting and flickering at the tip of his fingers drawing an array of symbols, glyphs and sigils across the surface, they glow, flicker and flash. The surface of the mirror begins to shift and ripple, a rolling, shimmering, flickering smoke pulsing, undulating and churning taking up the entire surface.
After a few moments the smoke begins dissipate, the image clears, focusing, revealing a man with sharp features, overly slick blonde hair, deep green eyes and a creepily over-confident smirk.
The expression changes when the man registers who it is, look shifting to something surprised, near eager and far too leery for Simon's liking,
"Hello Cel destinat… What a wonderful surprise."
Simon fights off a shiver at the term of 'endearment', giving a hopefully not overly fake smile and a slight bit of a half wave, wrapping his arms around himself, shrugging, self-consciously.
"Yeah…umm…Hey Dax…so…I really need your help, I think I'm kinda in over my head with something…"
He grins, eyes flashing fire orange, blazing yellow flickering about the edges, gaze slipping over Simon, grin widening more…Simon just barely fights off the repulsed quiver that slips down his spine at that look.
"Of course, Cel destinat…you know I'd do anything for you."
{*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*} The End*** ***For Now {*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*}{*~********~*~********~*}Cel destinat - My intended one
Golire vizualizare- Clear view
Wow that went WAAAY longer than I intended, over 100k words- really wasn't planning that but we had a LOT to get in here. As I've said in the chapter notes of every chapter (And quite a few of the notes for the other verses) this is my absolute favorite universe. This one really has ran away with my mind- I have over 70 pages of notes- everything from random bits of dialogue, vague ideas for scenes, to near entire chapter sections worked out. Story 10 I have worked out near scene for scene (20 pages of notes are just for that story).
As I said at the beginning this verse is likely going to be the darkest. With this time period and this specific group of people that's near unavoidable (I literally threw in DEMONS in order to be able to work the possibility of a happy ending in…kinda sums it up right there). I said coming into this that I won't really be able to get myself to historically accurate levels so far as the homophobia, racism and the like is concerned. I'm thinking it's gonna feel closer to the 60's in that aspect…still not like good but where you're inching towards a veneer of civility and at to a point where blatant, outright hatred towards entire swaths of the population was seen as maybe not totally acceptable…at least on the surface.
It's still not gonna be a picnic but it's better than it actually was (Hey we have magic, demons and warlocks- coulda pushed society forward a bit quicker.)
Izzy's gonna play a larger part in this verse than in a lot of them- I think she more than deserves a few good strong storylines. I already love Divya and Kevin- expect them to show up a lot.
I'm not gonna lie- this verse is gonna be a lot…
But I promise it will be SO worth it.
I really adore it and can't wait to really get into the series.
We have a LOT of kinda intense storylines coming, entirely new, unique histories and backstories for both demon and warlock society (I have a separate document just with the mythos for the two groups…yeah I'm in over my head with this one…I have no regrets whatsoever).
There's SO much to come here- tons of twists and turns, a lot of action, a lot of drama, probably more than a few tears, and a good strong dose of fluff and humor to balance it all out.
We have everything and then some. I really hope you all love it as much as I do.
As with all the 1st stories of the various verses I want to give you all a hint what we have coming but don't want to toss in too many spoilers. I've settled on the story titles- it's a bit different here as they're actually also some of the chapter titles from this story but at least it might give you an idea what we have coming.
Upcoming Stories2.The Start Of Something New-
3.Rules Or Right-
4. Dates, Drinks And Demon Deals-
Than Meets The Eye-
A Soft Touch-
So Straight-Laced-
8. Devil In The Blue Dress-
Is A Tricky Thing-
10, Meeting Your Destiny-
Alright I know that doesn't really tell you a lot about what we have coming but trust me we have a lot. This is going to be kind of crazy, probably way too in-depth, really intense, really captivating and totally unique.
I really can't wait to see where all we end up.
I have a couple chapters to finish in verses 2 and 8 and then we're onto the next round. (I already have the 1st half of the chapter written for this one…that's probably gonna be a running theme with this verse.)
Thank you all so much for reading and commenting it really does make my day.
You all are amazing!
-*-*-*-*-*-*-40'sDetectiveNoir-*-*-*-*-*-*-
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