Damon
I have another quirk for you.

Raha
…ok, get it out of your system, asshole .

Damon
I mean… I'll get to that, brother, eventually /smirk/ But ATM, I'm quite serious. After your slip, I did a brief Q&A about the lair. With Callie and Shtola, too. And I got some curious results.

Raha
Which are?

Damon
For one, apparently, no one before puberty was afflicted by your Expression. Accounting for other species of Others, too. Adult Seekers – predictably – took it, like previous times, as Bast's blessing upon them (you know how they are xD). Out of your rescues, Ares said the adults were a tad shell-shocked, but when explained the circumstances, they seemed to take it in stride. Of Others, only the unicorn was afflicted, and – I quote – you're asked to keep your Expression to yourself. When I discussed that with Calliope, I found that other than the initial surprise, she could shield against your 'slip.' Moreover, she and Shtola confirmed that the sexual-based Expressions never affected those not 'recipient' to it (which I'm taking as: too young/asexual/etc).

Raha
Thank god. So that's the 'quirk' you meant?

Damon
Partially. Another thing is that I forgot to tell you that Callie is actually Bastet's firstborn. The first Allag, basically, and – get this – apparently, there's a good chance that we're descendants of one of her sisters. This is quite important because, obviously, the so-called first generation is a tad different than their descendants. I'm somewhat tempted to call them the prototype of the Allag – if better. If I'm getting it right, that's part of the reason why Callie was cursed by Moros – since He had the idea to make her his trophy wife when Allag was the brand new, shiny thing.

Raha
…asshole .

Damon
Yeah, not going to argue that, if you might want to be careful with outright insulting the Primordials out loud, bro. We have enough on our hands without the potential curses. But what I've been getting at is the fact that the first generation were those who were the first 'blessed,' yeah? The true, literal children of Bast, if it makes my point easier to understand.

Raha
Okay, I get that, but what's that supposed to change? Or do you mean that their later descendants' 'blessings' became diluted?

Damon
That's what I think, yeah. Opportunistically speaking, I think that's why Bast picked Callie for Fenrir. Or, to be more precise: She would likely picked any Allag available from that first generation, but due to her circumstances, Calliope's the only one from it who didn't end up mated. Plus, as an apology, apparently, Nox gave Bast a carte blanche in picking a soulmate for her. In normal circumstances, the whole thing wouldn't be possible – Callie's words – because Fen's a god, and those by definition can't Soul-Bond (Like: at all, and it has something to do with their nature). Though technically, he's a demigod, but I'm really not clear on where the Giants fit in all of that. According to the mythos, the Giants should be the literal children of Gaia, the Primordial Goddess of the Earth. I might ask him about that the next time he shows up. If he does, I mean.

Raha
What's that supposed to mean? What happened after… you know?

Damon
He bolted xD Like how you described yesterday. I didn't see it myself – being 'distracted' at the time – but Callie said he went through something that looked like a hole in reality. Also, something I intend to ask about.

Raha
Bolted? :/ And how she took it?

Damon
I mean… What do you think? You spoke with her, R xD Short, but still. That girl is a freaking ray of sunshine, and after the initial surprise, she decided it was a good thing. You know, that – again, I quote – apparently she thinks that Fenrir needed a moment to process the news, and she's adorably optimistic/determined that the next time he shows up, she would do her best to make a better impression.

Raha
But do you think he's going to show up?

Damon
Honestly? I don't know. This whole deal between Loki and Bast is a variable I know very little about, brother. Or about Loki, in general. I mean, I know what humans believe about Him, but I'm not SUPER clear on what exactly is true. Between the old Norse myths – that you know tended to be really gory and such – and His more modern versions…? One option is that He might take offense to Bastet's 'tweak' in their deal and decide to pull out. Objectively speaking? If He was interested in the hybrid of the frost wolf and the Allag? Well, is Fenris actually a frost wolf is out in the open, right? And if our theory about the Allag is anywhere near the truth and we're, in fact, some sort of a demi-primordials? IDK how it's going to turn out, okay? All I can say is that it all depends on Fen, right? So time will tell.

Raha
Okay, so we wait to see if he's going to show up again and go from there, then?

Damon
Pretty much, yeah. We have two weeks before we are going back to school, right? Other than those lessons from him, I planned to focus on further improvements to the lair. Plus, I am still waiting for word from Hythlodaeus after I sent him some stuff to prove our existence.

Raha
Ok. Ares's free, btw? We had this idea with Sen to pick his brain about whatever our Other guests may need during their stay. If they're staying, that is.

Damon
For now, I guess? So far, I know he was too distracted to contact the Others in search of your rescues' families. That's why he was so surprised by Fenris showing up. Gabriel told me that Raphael is MIA, and while he sent the other Pyre home yesterday evening, he is apparently not in a position to address the upper echelon of the Coalition. So, I have no idea what to expect, but I'll tell Ares about your idea and let you know what he says. For now, I'll try to dig out any available info about that biker guy we saw with Fenris. 'Abaddon' rings a bell, and if I'm guessing correctly… Well, let's say that having an 'in' into that particular 'pantheon' might come in handy, brother.

Raha
An in? Do you mean as if in: if Fenris shows up?

Damon
Correct. So for now let's say that tomorrow we'll go there at the same time and hope for the best. But… do try to better manage your needs, OK?

Raha
Fuck off .

Damon
:D


Since Bastet expected it, she merely raised her eyebrows expectantly when Loki materialized inside her audience hall, giving her an unreadable look as he took in her relaxed pose. She leaned against the jeweled armrest of her throne, running her nails around her favorite ruby set on top of it while, in turn, giving the God of Mischief a slight smirk.

"I see you expected me," he drawled, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he folded his arms over his chest.

"Of course," she purred, then her smirk widened. "If I also expected a tribute in gratitude for my generosity, Loki."

"Generosity?" he repeated, still with that unreadable expression in his dark green eyes. "Might I remind you, Bastet, that the deal was about uniting our interests, yes? I offered my son's protection and knowledge… Not his dick," he stated crudely, and his eyes hardened like emeralds. Cold and angry – which she also expected. A very, very few who knew Loki realized his weakness for his cursed son.

"That was, however, before I had a full picture… didn't I?" she drawled in reply, setting one leg on top of the other. "A knowledge that now I know you were privy to when offering that deal. And after consulting the whole thing with Nox, Mother Night agreed that considering my children's nature… Well, when allowed to pick, I'm not going to settle for a lesser-than-perfect match for them. And you should consider it as a mark of my… appreciation for our long friendship that I chose my firstborn for your firstborn, yes?" she added and bit back an impulse to laugh when he froze, and his eyes widened considerably even as his face was still set in a blasé expression. "Or did Fenrir not mention that tidbit?"

"I didn't speak with my son about that yet," Loki replied coldly though his stance relaxed a little while his arms dropped to his sides. He hesitated briefly, if knowing him, she could see the gears behind his eyes turning furiously. She waited patiently to let all the implications sink in, holding his stare until he sighed and ran his fingers through his hair with frustration. "Okay… cut the crap, Bast. What is that you want?"

"What I always wanted, Loki," she chuckled, tapping her nails against the ruby rhythmically. "If, in this case, the matter of achieving that is simple. So happened that Fenrir was the perfect match for my beautiful Calliope – a daughter of mine that waited for her mate the longest out of my children. One, I was allowed to pick a mate for, as it also happened – by a favor owed. So, you are wrong in assuming – that I know you did – that I wish to use Fenrir for simple breeding. Nox, upon my request, woven their match into Her tapestry of fate – and you're going to be pleased with results, Loki," she added, then laughed softly at his doubtful expression. "Oh, my… You're forgetting I do not thrive on mischief like you do, my friend."

He was silent for a long moment, processing, and again she waited patiently. She allowed herself another smirk, knowing how this conversation would go before he set foot within these halls. Finally, he sagged visibly, and his expression grew slightly more sincere.

"You know his curse, Bast," he said softer.

"I do," she nodded in agreement, then leaned back and folded her hands in her lap. "You, however, miss one… crucial information, Loki. I will not ask who from Nox's court informed you of my… tweak to our deal, as it hardly matters. What they – surely – wouldn't think to add was that I wouldn't do so without beforehand consulting my visions. And when I did, I saw a possible future to pass if I did what I did. Do you wish to know what I had seen?" she asked, waited again, and smirked when after a moment, he nodded reluctantly.

And just like in her vision of this conversation, when she told him, she wasn't surprised he swiftly came to see her point.


Jess closed the door leading to her home's backyard as quietly as possible, then, with a sigh, settled down on the short stairs going off the wooden patio while carefully balancing the hot cup in her hands. It was well past midnight, and other than cicadas and occasional hooting coming from a nearby forest, the silence of the starlit garden felt soothing.

A reason why this was her favorite time of the day. And keeping the steaming cup between her hands, even the slight chill typical for November wasn't a deterrent when she smiled, looking up at the round silver plate of the moon surrounded by bright constellations.

After delivering Calliope in Damon's hands, she and Alisaie still managed to get to school on a good time, in the end missing only the first two lessons. Normally, it probably wouldn't be a big deal… if, for the whole next hour, Gina wouldn't make loud, snide comments toward her besties about how normally people date in the evenings and not mornings. Nothing creative or original on her part, honestly, but Jess would be a fucking liar if she wouldn't admit that she was pretty blown away when it ended quite abruptly with visibly pissed-off Alisaie shutting up the cheerleader with a brazen smirk as she accused her of being jealous. The way Gina spluttered and grew completely red with fury still made her grin toward the moon, disturbing her blowing at the hot cinnamon tea in her favorite mug.

Her family – which counted her mom, dad, and currently absent older brother, Ravi – was used to her nightly habits far more than the stupid grin plastered on her face when she came home. When she shrugged off their questions about the reason behind it with a short and broad story of what happened, she could see relief in her father's eyes and wasn't that surprised when her mom demanded that she should invite Alisaie for dinner this weekend. Initially, they were pretty iffy about her friendship with the 'new girl,' knowing it would spark the old gossip – as it did – but she could see them warming up to the idea as time passed. They were one of the very few who believed her side of the story back then – not that it mattered, as the rest of the townsfolk called them biased.

Ravi, her two year older brother who left the town for college in the nearest big city, used to get into trouble over the whole thing, too. And since he was supposed to visit this weekend… Well, perhaps she should ask Alisaie to come over and introduce them – so that he would stop getting pissed about her lack of friends.

Most of all, she should be in bed already to not sleep in again… but she was honestly too wired for it. Almost giddy, in a way, and after starting on an essay they've been assigned for next week, she cut it short, unable to focus. Not even any of her books seemed able to keep her attention for long, so finally, after a quick shower and knowing her parents were long in bed, she made the tea and snuck out to think.

In a short time – a month basically – her whole life turned upside down, but she couldn't help feeling sort of blessed with it. Or maybe it was this sort of weird sense that the biggest changes were yet to come that was making her somewhat twitchy?

Last year she decided that after high school, she would follow her brother's example with her further education, but she didn't plan to leave Gatesville for long. She wanted to become a journalist – of sorts – and ever since she made that decision about her future, she was committed to the idea of one day getting a job in the town's newspaper. Started on it, even working there throughout summer vacation – even if that was nothing more than sorting papers and making coffee for the current boss/only reporter of the News.

With as little as ever happened here, the newspaper was extremely superficial, focusing on gossip and speculation, with most townspeople following it and using it mostly for ads. By the end of summer, Nate Berreson, the owner and said only reporter, let her write a tiny essay when one day he had a free column on the last page – and she, obviously using a pseudonym, wrote a short piece about the shapeshifters, knowing the general misconceptions about them running rampant about the town. Using mostly the old stories found online from the time of their emergence – and ironically perhaps – the rare interviews with the leaders of Miqo'te, she tried to make it as accurate as possible to what they then shared about their kind…

…and probably her 'boss' was most surprised when that article actually became extremely popular and a talk on everyone's lips for the next few weeks. She was quite proud of it, even if no one but Damon figured out that she wrote it – because not only she used the materials she previously borrowed him, but later during one of their chats, he congratulated her on a good piece. A high praise coming from him, and even if she did ask him to keep the fact that she wrote it to himself, the whole thing cemented her wish to one day make it her job: reporting on the supernatural. And because Damon was so nice about it, now he was probably the only one who knew about her blog about the subject.

Like a huge number of people all around the world, she never believed that the Miqo'te were the only other sentient species out there. It just didn't make sense in her opinion, and like many others online, she used her blog to speculate which myth and legends could be more than superstition and fantasy.

And, like Damon so embarrassingly stated on that meet-up, a huge part of her posts focused on vampire lore – from the old Dracula to 'shiny' Twilight and everything in between. And considering the extremely wide variety of mythos all over the world that in one way or another related to 'bloodsucking,' she used to be pretty darn sure there had to be more to that than just a legend.

Knowing she was right all along, however, didn't change the fact that the apparent representative of said creature… well, pissed her off.

She didn't even know why Gabriel was so aggravating… No, a lie – and perhaps only here, alone and staring at the moon as she sipped cooling drink – she could admit to herself that ever since she laid her eyes on him in front of that golden gate… she was 'annoyed' because she knew that a guy like that was sooo out of her league it made her instant interest absurd.

At first, she told herself that she was intrigued by a seeming ease with which the 'human' stated that he was invited to a lair of shapeshifters – when it was so unheard of otherwise. Then Damon called him a 'Pyre' but wouldn't elaborate on what that was supposed to mean, only giving her a weird look when she asked. Then, once they joined the celebration, and she got distracted by the whole thing… she barely noticed Gabriel following her across the crowd of 'dressed-up' shapeshifters up to the moment he dragged her out of there… and as pissed as she was initially, when shaken Alisaie and sheepish Themis rejoined them in that golden-plated corridor, and she understood the why of it… she was mostly too embarrassed to apologize and thank Gabriel for what he did before she could see more than she signed up for.

Considering that she was still a virgin… she really rather not see what went down in that cavern after Gabriel so unceremoniously pulled her out of there – even if later, the whole thing made her imagination run rampant.

She never even dated anyone, a given with her reputation in town. With most believing she liked girls, which guy would ask her out? And the one time she dared to do it herself – two years ago, asking out one of her brother's friends… it completely blew up in her face. Danny, Ravi's best and oldest friend, who was a handsome guy by then, with brown eyes and blue eyes, pretty much laughed in her face, then leered that he let her know if his girlfriend (she didn't know about) was interested in a threesome – a comment her brother walked right into. And considering that Ravi knew that she had a crush on his best friend for years – and after that whole situation with Gina – to say he got pissed was an understatement.

She still felt bad about being the reason behind their argument over it ending in a fistfight and a rare need for the Sherrif's intervention after her brother nearly beat the life out of Danny for some of his following comments. She really did, but at the same time… she was so fucking grateful that her brother chose her over his best friend – no matter how much he later shrugged it off as it being proof that Danny was never his friend in the first place if he could say and believe things like… what he did about her. Ravi even laughed later that spending a night in town's jail to 'cooldown' gave him a 'bad boy' reputation that made him popular with girls – and fit his aesthetic. Not that he ever needed help with getting girls to like him – with most falling over themselves to get his attention anyway.

Jess smiled involuntarily, remembering how their dad reacted to the whole thing. Even while Sherrif Waters pulled her brother off his friend and cuffed him among the gathering crowd of onlookers lured in by the noise in front of their home, their dad clapped Ravi's shoulder and loudly told him how proud he was of his son doing what he and their mom raised him to do: protect his younger sister. She probably never loved her family more than in that moment, too… no matter how much shit she was getting later in school from Gina and her cronies about it.

Gina - who fucking knew about her crush and yet tried…

"Evening, spitfire," the sudden, out-of-nowhere voice breaking the silence made her look up from her mug just in time to see a familiar blonde pretty much step off the air right in front of her home's patio. She startled for a moment simply staring at the way starlight made Gabriel's blonde hair shine, and that's likely why she didn't scowl as she should have when he grinned that smug grin of his, then without asking permission dropped to sit on the stairs next to her… far too close for her liking. Surprisingly, he didn't wear his usual long coat, apparently exchanging it for a black hoodie and jeans that made him look quite a bit younger. Not that he looked old in general, as by appearance alone, she would place his age somewhere in the early twenties, but he had this… air of maturity that now – knowing what he was – made more sense. "Fancy to see you out this late," he said, stretching his legs in front of him and crossing them at his ankles.

"You can fly?" she blurted out the first thing that came to mind, then groaned internally at her tone – far too excitable – and cleared her throat awkwardly, slightly shifting away from him as she narrowed her eyes, swearing in thought at the way her face heated up and at the lack of her makeup. "I mean… What are you doing here?"

"I was bored," he said with far too much amusement as his eyes – dark for the lack of light other than stars above them – seemed to get her face even hotter as they trailed over her face. "And yeah… I can fly. I like to, especially when I'm feeling restless. Why…? Feeling like reliving the 'Interview with a vampire,' Jess?" his grin turned wicked when she snorted at that involuntarily, then tried to cover it with a cough.

"Smartass," she shot back with a theatrical roll of her eyes, tightening her hands around the still-warm mug in her hands. She felt almost naked without the shield of her heavy makeup, so she looked up at the sky again, refusing to acknowledge that… he smelled really freaking nice. Like the previous times, whenever he was in the vicinity and close enough for her nose to pick it up, she wondered what sort of cologne he was using because… wow. It was so… sinful, was the only word that came to mind as she resisted the temptation of taking a deeper breath of it. Musky yet sweet, the scent was nearly as intriguing as the heat he seemed to radiate… Did he move closer, or I'm imagining things? "Shouldn't you… you know, hunt or something?"

"Who says I'm not?" he chuckled, the sound low and… yeah, a tad too close for comfort as he moved his arms to brace his left behind him… them as he turned sideways toward her and hot breath fanned her ear. "Nervous, darling? I can hear your heartbeat, and it's getting pretty… wild."

…for all the fucking wrong reasons.

"Really?" she strived for a neutral tone despite the way her heart decided to jump in her throat when she turned her head intending to glare him down… to the way her mouth grew completely dry at how actually close he was, that wicked grin in place while he leaned in and dragged the tip of his nose over her cheek. "What… Umm… Aren't you a tad… close?" she muttered, willing herself to lean away or… do something instead of freezing like a deer caught in the headlights.

That's probably how the poor animal felt, dumbstruck and unable to move, maybe even with its heartbeat going as mad as hers did when her mug was pulled from between her palms and set down on her free side before a big, hot hand wrapped around her face, making it grow even hotter than should be possible.

"You know you look downright edible without all that paint," he breathed, dragging his thumb over her lower lip, and his already dark eyes darkened even more when Jess gasped when it pressed delicately against the corner of her mouth.

"What do you t-think you're doing?" she finally managed, blinking and trying to lean away. His hand moved over to her neck, keeping her in place.

"Sating my curiosity, Jess… I can't help but wonder if you'll taste as good as you smell," he nearly growled that out, and if possible, her pulse sped up even more, making her dizzy as she gasped again, involuntarily taking a deep gulp of his delicious scent. Her eyes were wide as saucers when he tilted her head just right, and a moment later, he took her mouth in a kiss that downright melted her brain.

Took was the keyword because as soon as her lips parted under the pressure of his, he dove in as if he was starving for it, his hand threading into her hair and keeping her in place while his taste tore a little whimper from her throat. Her hands shot up and fisted in the material of his hoodie, but instead of pushing him away as she should, the way he groaned sent a violent shudder down her spine, making her fingers tighten, pulling him closer. Not that he needed it, coaxing her tongue to play until she hesitantly returned the kiss, electing another throaty sound that vibrated in her mouth before going right to her head.

It was hot, devouring contact of their lips very fucking far from what she ever imagined her first kiss to be, but soon she lost herself in his flavor, barely registering when her hands by themselves decided to go up and exchange their desperate grip in the black material for the silk of golden strands. Her head felt stuffed with cotton and, at the same time, so full of her heartbeat, she didn't even think to protest when his hands wrapped around her hips and he pulled her in his lap. Her world narrowed down to the little hungry sounds he was making - feeding the fire in her blood with them - and to the hard press of his body against her front as he coaxed her to straddle his waist and pulled her closer… not that she needed that coaxing by then, too focused on earning more and more of those mesmerizing, tasty sounds.

Even the hard pressure of his erection between her legs, through the separating them materials, didn't unnerve her as much as it probably should… No, instead, it made her press into him harder, tightening her knees around his hips when that made him utter an absolutely maddening whimper. Made his hand seem to shake as they pushed under the hem of her sweater, splaying on her back and keeping her close. His other hand, still wrapped in her hair, relaxed to wrap around her neck, then drifted over the thick material and curled possessively around her breast, making her whimper in turn when it sent a jolt of electricity from it straight between her legs. The pressure of his thumb rubbing tight circles around her nipple had her rub against him, loving the sparks that shot up her spine with the friction.

Loving how desperate his sounds grew, how that hand from her back went south and wrapped over her ass, pushing her hips into a rhythm that seemed to elect more and more of those throaty growls to fill her mouth.

Her lungs burned with the need for air, but when she pulled back with a gasp, panting harshly, Gabriel downright whined, chasing her mouth until she hid them against his throat, taking deep gulps of night air laced with his sinfully sweet scent, thick and musky around them. Even then, she couldn't resist making him make more of those hypnotic sounds, rolling against his hard body to the rhythm of his raspy growls in her ear.

"Knew you would be a tease, darling," he groaned, so hoarsely he was barely coherent and Jess giggled involuntarily at his petulant tone, then moaned brokenly when he pulled her against him harder, surging up as his hand tightened around her breast. She awkwardly shoved her hands under his hoodie, gasping and digging her nails into the hot skin at his lower back as the heat coiled low in her belly, stoked up mercilessly when his lips closed and sucked at the junction of her neck and shoulder, sure to leave a mark. "Fucking perfect," he rasped by her skin and set to another spot, making her gasp.

"Are you… giving me h-hick…?" she trailed off to a moan, ready to burst into thousands of little pieces as the pressure grew hot and heady. A painful sensation of emptiness seemed to settle between her legs, making her whimper as she pressed into his harder, searching for relief and forgetting her indignation when he chuckled breathlessly, then groaned like a wounded animal.

Then, before she knew what happened, he shifted, and suddenly she was under his weight, pinned down by it to the wooden planks of the patio's deck. Her nails scored a trail up his back under the material, digging for purchase around his shoulder blades as his mouth found her again, more aggressive and demanding than before. So hungry she couldn't resist giving in, whimpering under his lips when rocked into her, harder, faster… Setting her insides on fire as her legs wrapped around his hips on instinct, pushing back against his increasingly desperate thrusts.

Soon nothing mattered but the lips trying to consume her, vibrating with their needy sounds. The hard press of his body, the play of the muscles under her palms as they scrambled over the overheated skin. The rush of blood in her ears was broken only by his growls and groans until stars bloomed under her closed eyelids. Gabriel swallowed her moan and braced above her, his quick and hot breath fanning her face as she clung to him, shuddering as wave after wave of heat rolled through her body.

"So gorgeous," he rasped, thick voice a strange mix of amusement and awe. Slightly distorted in a way that, despite her fiery blush, made her peer through her lashes. And freeze, staring as she fought to catch her breath and gather her bearings. Made more difficult as he kept rolling over her, slowly now and with premeditation extending her high.

He grinned seeing her stupefied gaze, showing off a pretty intimidating set of fangs… but even that didn't work to make her able to look away from his eyes and the starlit abyss they seemed to turn into, even more stunning against the backdrop of the matching sight behind him. No pupils, irises, or whites from before but an endless depth of eternal darkness filled with flickering lights that seemed to draw her in, so mesmerizing that she barely noticed freeing her hand to wrap it around his neck, pulling him closer while that abyss seemed to call her. Just like the night sky always did, luring her out to stare at the dark and light tapestry of the heavens.

"What…?" she breathed in awe, trying to wrap her head around what she was seeing, and flinched with an involuntarily glare when Gabriel chuckled playfully and closed his eyes, cutting off their pull. He stilled completely, then exhaled loudly and sagged against her, soon laughing a tad helplessly as he buried his face against her throat.

Considering what he was, that should be more unnerving, but as his heat and scent surrounded her, and his still quick, hot breath fanned her skin, while her body still felt nearly melted and shook with rocking her tremors… his weight seemed reassuring, grounding her as she tried to make sense of what had happened.

And as it sank in while both of their breaths gradually slowed down, Jess's face felt ready to burn away with mortification. She dropped her hands to rest on the deck around her shoulders, biting her bruised lower lip as she wondered what she should do now.

Yet, as embarrassed as she felt, at the same time as she stared at the sky above his shoulder when he tilted his head and pressed a kiss under her ear, she found she couldn't bring herself to regret it. It felt like a dream – like fantasy conjured among the deepest night – as she closed her eyes and wondered if she simply drifted off somewhere between her musing and soon she would wake up, alone and then freaking out about the gutter her consciousness decided to dive into.

But as more sweet and soothing kisses trailed over her jaw, then stopped at the corner of her mouth as the weight above her shifted, when she dared to open her eyes, Gabriel smiled at her with a strangely vulnerable yet at the same time almost… adoring look in his once more… well, more human-looking dark eyes.

"Freaked out?" he asked suspiciously as those eyes trailed over her face. "It does tend to happen when I get… excited," he wiggled his blonde eyebrows meaningfully, and though her face grew hotter… she snorted a little, embarrassing giggle and promptly smacked her hand over her mouth. "Aww… adorable," he chuckled, and her face grew impossibly hotter as she attempted to cover that stupid sound with a glare.

He laughed softly, then rose on his elbows, caught her hands, and, lacing their fingers, pinned hers above her head on the deck. Then he kissed her again, but this time in a sweet and delicate caress that made her lips tingle, and his taste linger after he raised his head.

"You're so cute, my spitfire," he nearly purred, and she blinked slowly, trying to get her uncooperative brain to… well, cooperate or at least just… work. She flinched, realizing that her legs were still wrapped around his waist, and she dropped them, turning her face away from the amused sparks in his eyes and that wicked tilt of his bruised lips.

What do you even say in this sort of situation? She had some vague idea that she should perhaps get angry – or at least pretend to be – but at the same time, as her mind struggled with the images and sensations of the last few minutes… Her face only grew hotter as she realized that she felt… flattered in some weird way.

All the way throughout this encounter, he seemed to really want her. She didn't have much experience, but he kissed her like he couldn't get enough, and the noises he made… Thinking about it made her close her eyes and nearly whimper with embarrassment at the new wave of arousal, making her squirm under his weight. His fingers tightened around hers, and then his quiet growl rumbled by her cheek as his hands pushed hers higher, making her arch with the movement and his chest press against her breasts, the pressure sending a tremor through her core.

That was also something… intriguing. That he wasn't pulling back, apologizing… or something. No, instead, he seemed content to stay like this, or – like the growing pressure between her legs suggested… do more, the way he shifted above her, rubbing against her as his lips trailed over her cheek, heading toward her mouth again.

…until the sudden burst of light under her eyelids made her scowl, and as suddenly, his weight was gone to the sound of the door between the patio and her home being pushed open.

"Jess?" her father's gruff voice, hoarse with sleep, made her shift her head to look above her head, her face blazing only hotter at the sight of his frown. "You're still out? It's almost two, baby, you're going to sleep in again."

"Ah…" confused, she frowned and was about to sit up when movement caught her gaze. When her dad went out on the patio, stretching out his hand to help her up, behind his head and straight up in the air above them, Gabriel waved at her with a silly, cheeky grin, and she had to bite her lips not to burst into hysterical laughter. "…I guess I drifted off," she tried to sound neutral and not look up when her father pulled her up to her feet.

"It's getting colder at night, Jess. You better not get sick because of this silly habit," Dad grumbled, then shook his head and headed back inside as she moved to pick up her forgotten, still half-full mug. When the door closed behind him, she didn't even have time to look up before Gabriel was standing right in front of her, wrapping his hot hands around her face.

"Goodnight, Jess," he breathed against her lips, intoxicating her with another sweet, lingering kiss she couldn't help but melt into with a dreamy sigh. "See you tomorrow, same time…?" he asked, pulling back only a breath and his dark eyes so intense on hers, she licked her lips nervously, nodding almost involuntarily within his grip as his taste lingered on the tongue. "Good girl," he growled softly and kissed her again, then turned her around and, with another cheeky grin, delicately nudged her toward the door. "Sleep well, darling."

"I…" she swallowed thickly, then exhaled shakily and, tightening her hand around the mug, hesitated a little, shy smile in return. "Goodnight, Gabriel," she whispered and, for a moment, was almost certain that his eyes briefly shifted to that starlit abyss before he groaned, shook his head… and was gone, shooting up toward the sky at the speed that was… really something inhumane. Gone before she even had the time to look up, she blinked owlishly toward the bright plate of the faraway moon, then sighed and went inside.

Even heading to her bedroom, she wondered if she didn't dream up the whole thing. But as her lips still seemed to tingle with that last kiss, she couldn't help but grin like an idiot.