Merrick (shadowsremain) wrote in shadowlands_ic, @ 2017-06-29 19:53:00 |
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Entry tags: | gabriel allen, merrick |
Who: Merrick and Gabriel
What: On the djinn's 24 hours a week out of the Institute, a first meeting leads to more
Where: Osiris Club and nearby hotel
When: 1888 June 28th
Ratings/warnings: Adult themes
The Osiris Club. Merrick hadn’t found time since their capture and further enslavement to return. But they did pass along correspondence to continue their membership along with monetary dues if necessary. Eager to have some measured leisure, the djinn shifted into their female form - a medium-height, slender, alabaster-skinned, ebony-haired, a tiny bit of gaunt. They wore black half-heels and a long black dress that hovered just above the ground. Black lace covered her arms, shoulders, upper back, and chest. Their hair was pulled into a bun. Proper manners.
Moving among the crowd and sure to avoid any unnecessary physical contact, Merrick made it to the Osiris Club and was allowed entrance.
One thing Gabriel appreciated endlessly about the supernatural pockets of space in London was their constancy -- while the city around him grew by leaps and bounds, the familiar dark wood paneling, thick carpets, and hushed environment of the Osiris Club was a welcome balm -- and while his role as a gentleman in mundane society required all sorts of care, here, he knew he was being recognized for his stature not just as someone pretending to be a man, but as a demon of some standing -- where his nature could be recognized and even somewhat respected, where his preferences could be openly expressed, and where his line of business was an asset, not a mark of shame to be hidden.
He checked his stick, hat, and coat at the front, just after a rather stunning beauty he didn’t recognize; he hurried more than usual to give himself time to catch up to her. “Why hello,” he said before they both reached the grand staircase, giving her a bit of a bow and a friendly grin. “I do believe I’d remember seeing you here before, madame -- you do make quite an impression. Gabriel Allen. Entirely pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Another thing he appreciated endlessly about the Osiris -- none of the demands of form, of waiting to be introduced, no concerns of propriety regarding women requiring a chaperone -- the freedom of the place was a breath of fresh air.
Merrick loved the Osiris, one of the few places they had found to be relaxed to a point, but also respectful. The owners and management knew of their form-changing, and kept a good verification system. Here they could curl up in a corner and be among similar people, yet none of their own.
Then they slowed to a stop at the grand staircase when the tall, dark, and strong-seeming man bowed and spoke. Merrick subtly looked Gabriel over. A soft smile spread across their lips and nodded in return. “Thank you.” The djinn kept their eye on the man, reading him and pushing back their paranoia and fear. The Osiris was strict in their membership. So if this handsome gentleman was allowed in - then trust was already at the foundation. Then they offered Gabriel their right hand palm down. “Hello. Merrick.”
Gabriel took the proffered hand in his, and immediately felt an electric, thrumming surge, making his eyebrow raise as he smoothly brought the slim long fingers to his lips and kissed the knuckles gently, catching the woman’s smoke-lined eyes as he did so.
He was used to a certain crowd at the Osiris -- yes, there were a reasonable number of vampires (they were drawn to the exclusivity, of course), and a smattering of his own people with the funds and standing to have membership, but odds were high that he’d be more likely to encounter someone he’d be naturally drawn to -- and he’d had his fair share of conquests there over the years.
But this -- this was seductive, enticing, a sort of energy he hadn’t felt before, an energy that surrounded the mysterious woman, an energy he could taste, and he looked at her, really looked at her, curious, intrigued, and immediately, irresistibly attracted.
“Hello,” he repeated, before realizing he was still holding her slim hand in his, and released it gracefully after squeezing it lightly. “Merrick,” he said, rolling the name around and enjoying the sound it made. “How lovely. I would absolutely adore the opportunity to buy you a drink, if you’re so inclined,” he said, looking over at her, tipping his head and offering his elbow, his voice a low thrum, but his posture relaxed enough to let her gracefully turn him down if she wasn’t in the mood.
God, he hoped she was in the mood.
Trust - something the djinn had a difficult time as of late. But how would one live if they could not trust anyone. There were a couple of people in the city they did trust. And this Gabriel Allen seemed like another they could perhaps. Merrick took in the sensations of Gabriel taking their hand and kissing it. Being enslaved to a vessel put a damper on some of their abilities. Sensing beyond the mundane human’s five was cut off.
Gabriel seemed quite handsome and kind-seeming. Lovely. Yet Merrick had to tell themselves to relax. Then they smiled at Gabriel’s repeated greeting, remaining still and poised at the continued hold on their hand, the squeeze, and release. Waiting a breath to listen and watch at the offered elbow. Curious and wanting to enjoy this new person, Merrick nodded, “I would like that.” Yet they kindly disregarded the offered elbow for now.
Gabriel nodded, his hand shifting smoothly to his back as the two climbed the staircase, his eyes occasionally shifting to look over to the woman at his side. “What brings you to the Osiris tonight?” He asked, interested.
Placing a hand on the bannister, Merrick climbed the staircase alongside Gabriel. They looked over at him from time to time while making sure not to catch the bottom of their dress under their shoes. “Recreation, relaxation. And to catch up with any news of the day. I’ve been away for a little while.”
It would make sense that the woman had been away -- that certainly explained his not catching a glimpse of her before. “A worthy premise. I’d certainly be willing to lend a hand for all three,” he replied, a bit of a laugh in his voice as they arrived at the top of the stairs. “Where would you prefer?” He asked her, pausing solicitously. “A booth by the bar, two of those lovely leather chairs in the main sitting room…” He trailed off, not wanting to presume that she’d want to take advantage of one of the more private sitting rooms upstairs, but certainly not leaving the possibility off the table.
The Osiris had a variety of additional amenities -- a gymnasium, two swimming pools (saltwater and fresh), and a sauna all housed in the basement, as well as a rather impressive reading room, a smoking room, and a restaurant that served a variety of tastes. He wondered how long she planned on spending there, whether she was in town to visit or returning to familiar grounds, and he had to hold back the questions eagerly bubbling to the surface -- despite his interest, he could sense from her slight hesitance that it was best to let her lead this particular dance.
There was no overly eager pushing towards something or the other, pressing for information or sterile visual examinations with his eyes. Merrick was thankful for that and his respect. “Let us start with a booth by the bar.” They smiled softly. The djinn was comfortable with that bit of closeness for now. Perhaps if the evening proved friendly, perhaps more. They were going to let things develop as they would.
That soft smile made Gabriel’s stomach swoop, as did the word start, and he grinned by way of reply as they placed their orders and settled in a corner booth. Gabriel made a point of taking a seat first -- it was a little breach of manners, but it’d let his partner determine just how close she wanted to be, and he looked up at her, all slender pale angles, flashing eyes, and black lace, his expression frank and appreciative.
“Well,” he said, swallowing a little, “What sort of news are you curious about hearing? I’ll do my best to fill in the gaps.”
Nodding to the barkeep, Merrick continued over to the booth. They watched Gabriel take a seat first. There was more than one way to interpret, but with how the djinn had read the man so far - it was kind action. Letting the smile fade just a hair, Merrick sat down with hand’s reach but with enough room to move away and/or escape. Their expression was of comfort and curiosity. There was a glimmer of hope for a new confidant.
“Anything of note. Nothing frivolous like affairs with the royals or something like that. Meaningful things. And if there is little news, perhaps anything about you.” Merrick thought they’d pour a little bit of forwardness just to get more information about Gabriel.
“Mmm, a tall order,” Gabriel replied thoughtfully, leaning his chin on his hand and looking over at her. “How far back do you want to go? I’ve been in town for a good century now, give or take. London specific? The Empire? Should I toss Europe into the mix for good measure?” His questions were light and playful.
“And as far as I’m concerned… well. I run a rather successful business, I do my best to keep current with the goings-on about town, and I endlessly appreciate beauty in all forms and living life to the fullest.” He grinned. “Fair warning, I have a reputation as a thoroughly unrepentant flirt, but only if that’s something you’d enjoy.”
He figured that would certainly give Merrick all the hints she’d need as to his nature -- seeing as how he found her endlessly intriguing, he figured it was best to start off honestly.
“London specific will do for now - the last ten years. Many things repeat themselves.” Merrick smiled softly. They were not going to show their hand of just how old or how long they had been out of the loop. Not yet.
Their eyebrows rose as Gabriel described himself. That made total sense now. Being out of said loop made one lose grip of the facets of certain beings. No wonder Gabriel was starting to grow on them at such a brisk pace. Please don’t be fooling me if you’re an Institute man.
“It may be something I enjoy. It sounds like you are doing well for yourself despite the pitfalls and pitchforks that litter society.”
“Ah,” Gabriel replied, pleased, “it can be a challenge given the degree of discretion required, but for all their rules, I’ve found Englishmen and women these days more than make up for it once they’re behind closed doors.” He grinned and winked a little. “There’s a scientist in Vienna who calls it ‘repression,’ and I’m inclined to agree with the man.”
The drinks arrived, and Gabriel gave an appreciative nod to the waiter before taking a sip of his Scotch. “As far as the last ten years are concerned… hm. Well, keeping it local, we’ve seen a regular boom in electric lights -- I’m sure you’ve seen them along the Thames, and the illuminations at Blackpool really are something. They’ve finally started letting women in University of London on equal footing, and at Oxford as well…” his daughter, Leah had been able to take advantage of that development. He racked his brain. “That nasty business with the werewolves and vampires reached a boiling point back in ‘80 at the Battle of Cornwall -- Victoria, Mab, and Titania intervened, there’s a treaty in place at the moment, and it’s just as tenuous as you’d imagine. There’s a rather lovely Natural History Museum now in London, all sorts of additional bridges and airship and train lines cropping up nearly everywhere you look, Gilbert and Sullivan had a cracking hit with Pirates of Penzance, and we had a Golden Jubilee where the Queen celebrated the fiftieth year of her rather illustrious reign. There was also a rather large riot at Trafalgar Square last year -- worker’s rights or somesuch.”
He took a sip of his drink, and leaned a fraction closer to Merrick. “That’s what comes to mind at the moment. I’m sure I could go on, if there was more specific ground you wanted covered,” he added, his voice quiet and familiar, his expression warm.
It had been so very long since Merrick had been around Gabriel’s kind. The hazards of their situation (even before the Institute) brought uncertainty of surroundings and people. “Mm, I would agree as well. Times do change and repeat I’ve found.”
Merrick took up their own glass of Scotch and took a small sip. Good tasting.
“Very...progressive.” They nodded and then blinked at the werewolf, vampire, and fae situation during the Battle of Cornwall. Even if such societies went through waves of unrest and rest, it was still concerning to hear. “The last ten years sound quite eventful.”
Taking another sip of their drink, they noticed Gabriel’s fraction-more leaning towards them. His voice was getting to them, making them feel comfortable, safe and what could amount to a home. The djinn leaned against the booth, a posture unbecoming to a ‘woman’ in this day and age. “Anything you would think I’d like to know - city or more personal?” They asked, looking over at Gabriel.
It wasn’t the djinn was afraid of danger. But how would one live without courage to take risks?
Gabriel grinned softly. “I like a woman who likes her Scotch,” he replied, resting his hand between them on the booth’s seat in invitation -- not quite touching his seat partner. “Mmmm, what else,” he added, swirling his drink in his free hand. “I have a daughter whom I adore, and a grown son who’s gallivanting around Europe somewhere, I love the opera, I’m very generous to my friends, and I find you utterly exquisite.” He exhaled, looking up at her through his eyelashes at the line of her cheekbones, her beautiful swan-like neck, her expressive eyes languid and careful and slightly sad. She looked like a dancer -- a slender, ethereal beauty, and her style of clothes was refreshingly simple and spare.
He cleared his throat. “In the interest of honesty, that business I own is a high-end brothel,” he said, his voice dropping. “A safe place for people like me to make a living. Would you find that shocking?”
It was a risk, telling her -- but most regulars at the Osiris Club knew anyways, and she’d soaked up every crumb he’d told her earlier -- she seemed hungry for any tidbit he could give her, and he found himself wanting very badly to indulge her.
“‘Exquisite’? Such a lovely compliment.” Merrick smiled softly about liking Scotch. Why bother with a lighter drink in such a lovely environment. Then they blinked at Gabriel’s honesty. This wasn’t expected so early in the acquaintance. “No, not shocking at all.” The djinn replied and turned slightly more to face the incubus. “It must be liberating to own a business where your people can making a living of their own choice.” Living vicariously through listening to others’ stories was how Merrick lives outside of the letters between them and Caspian, and the one twenty-four hour period every week.
Besides the ticking of the geas in Merrick’s mind, the djinn had an debate of wanting physical affection but detesting anything uninvited.
“It is,” Gabriel replied, catching her eyes with his, and holding them, steadily. “Choice matters very much to my sort. It’s at the heart of all we do.” He could see hesitancy in those brilliant eyes, in the careful way she held herself, never quite relaxing, and while he wanted nothing more than to sink against her and whisper promises of pleasures in her ear, kissing that gorgeous neck, brushing his fingers against her thigh, he held back, keeping his hand a hair away from her.
It also hadn’t escaped him that while he’d been talking at length about himself, she’d avoided disclosing anything but her name, and the fact that she’d been away for awhile.
The mystery of her made her even more intriguing. “I fear exquisite is entirely inadequate,” he said, quietly. “You defy description.”
Hesitancy, caution - Merrick’s go-to tools for the last fifty years. They wanted to trust Gabriel, wanting to take a risk with him. It hurt to be torn between not wanting to be touched and wanting the affection. The djinn always held sadness and also anger.
“It sounds lovely be so free.” Merrick breathed and took another sip of their Scotch. The alcohol often relaxed them. Then came a blunt question. “May I be blunt in my questions, please?” Gabriel oozed sex appeal and the sheer notion of safety and warmth.
“God yes,” Gabriel sighed, looking over at her, his heart beating faster and his gaze a fraction hungrier. “Whatever you want. Please, ask away. I’d welcome it.”
The slight shift in tension was delicious -- ripe with possibilities he could practically taste.
The want of control and trust was high on Merrick’s priorities. Freedom was just below.
“Are you starved for energy?” Merrick asked. Trust test. How could anyone be just so eager to compliment. Lack of self-confidence externalized from fifty years being objectified and needs ignored.
Gabriel shook his head. “I tend to keep enough regular lovers to more than satisfy, so that I never have to depend on any one source, or worry about taking more than is warranted.” He smiled, quickly. “Believe me, while I would deeply appreciate the chance to get to know you better, I don’t need to feed at the moment, and am capable of practicing restraint and denial should you prefer a more platonic companion for the evening.”
He paused, looking over at her. “Once again, in the spirit of absolute honesty, I must admit, I find your energy quite compelling, and I’m drawn to it. But I have my fair share of friends and acquaintances who aren’t lovers, and I respect their preferences.”
Merrick searched Gabriel’s face as they listened to him speak. Good, not starved. But the moth to the flame situation. At least he was disciplined. They liked the respect. If the djinn didn’t have such thick emotional armor, their forehead would be against Gabriel’s strong shoulder and curled up close.
“To offer a bit of honesty,” Merrick spoke, their volume lowered. “I have not received much kind physical contact, affection in many years.” Their face revealed no true sadness or anger - distanced. But their eyes were often windows to vistas of their soul. And yet, they did not want pity.
“Thank you for your confidence,” Gabriel replied, quietly, his expression softening from its earlier hunger to something a little less predatory and eager. He’d seen a great deal in his many years in London, wandering the streets, keeping an eye on his flock -- the wide range of cruelties people were capable of, and the trials so many endured. “I’ll be sure to keep it close.”
“...If you tell me what you need, what you want, I’ll do what I can to provide it,” he said, softly. “Whatever it is. Heaven knows, I can spend hours talking about nothing in particular if that’s what you’re in the mood for, and keep it at that.” He looked at her. “I think you’ll find I take direction quite well,” he added, a little playfully, a tease in his voice, “and I very much like pleasing whoever I’m with, however they’d prefer to be pleased.”
“Thank you,” Merrick believed, feeling a bit more comfortable. It was difficult to find those whom they could trust and were not Institute. Those people were like the rats only worse.
“I would not think of objectifying you, degrading you to a mere tool, Gabriel,” Merrick spoke as one hand pressed down on the space of the seat between them. The corners of their mouth tugged at little at the tease. “I want to feel...like anyone else but cared for and valued as a person.” The djinn laid out, skirting the geas. Merrick inched closer and leaned in - their eyes holding Gabriel’s. “Please,” they breathed and pressed their lips against the incubus’s left cheek.
“Of course,” Gabriel murmured, his heart clenching a little in his chest, “of course you do.”
He exhaled slowly, Merrick’s light, tentative touch delicate and electric at the same time, and he leaned towards the feel of her lips against him, carefully keeping his hands to himself for the time being. “I’ve found,” he said, low and soft, “that for some lovers, those with specific boundaries, or needs, when they tell me what they would like, when I choose to follow their lead of my own free will, it can be quite…” he swallowed. “Quite enjoyable for me, as well as for them,” he continued. “An exercise in trust, as it were. The farthest thing from degrading I can think of.”
He met her gaze steadily. “Would you care to instruct me, my dear? I’m entirely in your hands.” He paused. “Or would you rather I ask your permission as we go?”
Merrick nodded, breathing. “It is a pull of the two. I do not want to stint what we shall engage in. In an ideal world, I’d like to follow each others’ lead. But…,” the djinn breathed again. “...I don’t want to fall out of comfort.” Arms around them would be too much right now. “An exercise in trust, yes.”
Taking another generous sip of their Scotch, Merrick lead back against the booth wall. “I find you quite handsome, honestly. May we start with kissing?”
“Please. Yes. Where would you like my hands?” He murmured, leaning towards her, biting his lip, his mouth hovering close to her ear in a low rumble. “Might I kiss that beautiful neck of yours?” He continued, “or would you prefer I simply continue drinking it in with my eyes? Either way, it’s a veritable feast.” He grinned slowly.
“Please, keep your hands,” Merrick spoke quite bluntly. “Yes, you may kiss my neck. May I touch your face?” They asked as they began to tilt their head to one side, their eyes on the incubus. All Merrick wanted was to pleasantly drown in sensation. But they could hurt someone just by reflex.
“That’d be lovely,” he replied, placing his hands on the table as he nuzzled Merrick’s neck and kissed the delicate skin there, sighing with pleasure. “I’ve been thinking about doing this since I first laid eyes on you,” he said, his lips brushing against her neck as he spoke. “Utterly glorious,” he murmured. He inhaled her scent at that sweet juncture where her neck met her jaw, and then caught her eye once more, pausing in invitation, waiting to see what she’d want to do in return.
Merrick sighed likewise with pleasure at Gabriel’s nuzzling their neck. They reached up and caressed the incubus’s cheek with one hand - feeling the fuzziness of his beard and the line of his jaw. Their posture changed, back arching just slightly at Gabriel’s lips against their neck. “So is that my best feature,” they breathed. Merrick was a hair-trigger when it came to affection or physical contact. When it was good - it was good. But when it was painful, it was annoying to excruciating. And Gabriel’s lips were amazing. When their eyes met once more, Merrick breathed, “More, please. Hands are welcomed.” They edged over so their legs touched and leaned over for a moment to nuzzle his nose.
“One of many,” Gabriel replied, his return gaze a little unfocused. He reached up a hand to brush a thumb feather-light over those glorious cheekbones, gently caressing her jaw as he leaned over to kiss her on the lips softly. “My dear Merrick,” he replied quietly as they parted, “Might you be amenable to a touch more privacy?” He smiled softly. “If you’d rather we stay here, I’d be fine with that too,” he added, resting his forehead briefly against hers.
A soft, barely audible moan rumbled in Merrick’s throat as Gabriel kissed their lips. Each touch was lovely, without a grain of sterile probing or insensitive objectification. Affection. Blinking slowly, Merrick pressed a soft kiss to Gabriel after he spoke. “I am quite amenable.” Closing their eyes, the djinn breathed softly but a little quicker at their foreheads resting against one another. “Show me the way.” Their voice was a little darker with the faint beginnings of arousal - a hair-trigger.
Gabriel shuddered a little, moved by the tension of restraint layered over the curl of passion he could taste -- rich and deep and beyond powerful. “The private sitting rooms upstairs offer some opportunities,” he said, his voice low, “and there’s a rather nice hotel next-door,” he added, winding his fingers through hers loosely and running a thumb over her hand, his gaze heated.
Merrick kept their body from the waist down still, not wanting to seem too needy, but they were. The trust was increasing. The djinn moved their fingers along Gabriel’s as they looked into his eyes. That low voice had such a lovely vibration. Hair-trigger starved want for this. And why not keep options wide open. “Would it,” Merrick whispered, “...be too un-repressed in our progression to want to go to that nice hotel?” They wanted more and hopefully would not be burned if Gabriel was not the right person to trust in such intercourse.
He chuckled, pleased. “I don’t know if that’s possible,” he replied, softly, kissing her cheek. “You delightful creature,” he whispered, “you humble me thoroughly.” He paused, catching her eye. “I’m following your lead tonight, my dear,” he said, his expression slipping into something more serious. “If you tell me you’d rather not, at any time, for any reason, I’ll abide by it.”
Merrick was aware of customs, rules, protocols of this society and hoped Gabriel thought of them as respectable still and not one that would just have relations just anyone. “Shh,” Merrick whispered and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for your courtesy,” they nodded. Finishing the drink, they slipped out of the booth - pulling Gabriel along and depositing money on the table. “Please take me to the hotel.”
It was a matter of minutes to walk next door -- arm in arm this time -- and sign in under assumed names -- ‘Mr and Mrs Abernathy.’ Gabriel’s heart was singing the entire time, and once the door closed to their room -- a nicely appointed bed with curtains, a few upholstered chairs, and a thick, luxurious carpet, he took off his coat and jacket, laying them over the back of one of the chairs, and turned to her in his shirt and waistcoat, his pulse racing.
Telegraphing his intentions, he reached gently for her hand and raised it to his cheek, and then gently kissed the palm. “Now that we’re here,” he murmured, meeting her eyes with his, “where would you like me, my dear Merrick?”
Engaging in ‘normal’ activities and interacting as if human or anyone other person on the Earth, Merrick was smiling and almost glowing. Resting a hand on Gabriel’s arm, the djinn followed and stayed close. And a real room with a bed - not put together by the fiends at the Institute. No wall of glass for the same fiends to gaze and press their noses up against it like a zoo. They walked over to one of the tall posters of the bed, took off their shoes, and turned to watch Gabriel.
Sensitive to touch, they smiled at the touch and kiss. “Yes, we are,” Merrick grinned. “Here, please,” they added and pulled him towards them to close the distance. Merrick tilted their face up to look at Gabriel before tip-toeing press their lips against his.
Gabriel hummed with happiness, his hands resting lightly on Merrick’s back. “Lovely,” he murmured before kissing her again, lingering sweetly, “just lovely.”
“May I take down your hair?” He whispered in her ear, before kissing at her neck softly. “I want to run my fingers through it, and see you wanton.”
Tiny pin-pricks of nerves on Merrick’s back rippled slightly under Gabriel’s hands. They smiled.
“Hmm? All right,” Merrick breathed as their fingers moved to Gabriel’s waist coat.
Gabriel’s fingers were clever and gentle, and he continued to lean down to nuzzle Merrick’s neck and jaw as he removed her hair pins, rewarding her for each one freed with a light kiss. Her hair was dark and full in his hands when the proper bun was finally released, and he ran his fingers through her hair gently, smiling at the sight. “One of the more erotic sights I can think of,” he murmured, “a beautiful woman with her hair down and flowing. Mercy.”
He kissed her on the lips then, hands cupping her face gently, his fingers nestling in her freed hair.
Long-lost concepts, actions were something that Merrick cherished and often thought would be decades more till they felt it again. Their fingers gently unbuttoned Gabriel’s waistcoat, grinning at each kiss and removal of a hair pin. Then the sensation of the incubus’s fingers in their hair. With care and grace. Not cold examination. “Simple pleasures.”
Merrick kissed him back, their hands slowly slipping underneath the waistcoat to touch his shirt. “Would it be erotic as well to unfasten my dress?”
“Incredibly,” Gabriel replied, softly, and he moved behind her to begin unbuttoning her dress, his fingers sure. He started by moving her fall of hair over one shoulder, and kissing gently at the exposed back of her neck.
He’d suspected from her silhouette and ease of movement at the Osiris club, as well as the softness he’d felt when resting his hands on her waist moments earlier that she was quite simply attired -- daring for the time, but not unheard of for the Club, and easily enough hidden under a coat for propriety’s sake while walking out and about, and his breath caught as he saw the simple shift exposed underneath as he unbuttoned her dress, with nothing else between her and the world.
“Merrick,” he said, his voice low as he shifted her partially unbuttoned dress to expose a bare shoulder. He leaned down to kiss it. “How lovely. You surprise me at every turn.”
Merrick often went against the world’s rules. But the last half-century proved to instill caution. The air hitting their bare shoulder made them shiver a little. Being disrobed often foretold an examination by the Institute (either superficial or extensive). So the djinn had to remind themselves that tonight’s circumstance was okay. Musculature and pale skin there, the scars hidden from anyone’s view.
“Thank you,” they whispered as they pulled at their sleeves to further the removal of their dress. This is how one disrobed - of their own choice, towards a goal they wanted, with respect.
He could feel her hesitancy, the warmth of her ardor cooled somewhat, and he kissed her on her shoulder again, pausing for a moment before continuing to unbutton the rest of her simple dress. “Beautiful,” he murmured as the dress finally fell away and she emerged in her linen shift, slim and pale and lovely, with a vulnerability that made his chest ache.
He touched her lightly. “My turn?” He asked, voice low.
Reaching up, Merrick ran a hand through Gabriel’s hair at the kiss. Then they stepped out of the dress and laid it over the back of the chair with their coat. Compliments of lovely nature were hard to take, but they did.
“Yes, your turn,” they replied as they gently urged the waistcoat off his shoulders and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Possibilities were running through their mind, wanting to just be free to engage, but also cautious. The Scotch was kicking a little more, they hoped.
Gabriel let the waistcoat fall to the floor and began working at the buttons of his shirt, smiling down at her. Laughing a little, once he’d finished, he let his shirt slip off one shoulder for her. “Only fair,” he said, playfully, looking over at her.
“Yes, only fair,” Merrick smiled up at him as they watched the ridding of the waistcoat and unbuttoning of the shirt. That exposed section of skin and muscle. They tiptoed and pressed a kiss to Gabriel’s shoulder. Then the djinn pulled back to gently push the shirt off the incubus’s other shoulder and then carefully undid his cuffs.
The shirt was soon off, and added to the pile on the back of his chair. He looked over at her, his expression soft as he touched her cheek gently, brushing his other hand against her hip, the two of them nearly dancing to music only they could hear.
He loved stripping away all the layers he and his lovers carried about them to reveal honesty and simplicity beneath -- the trust and care it took to show what was so very rarely seen by anyone else. He leaned down to nestle his head against her neck and shoulder, sighing softly. “Tell me, Merrick,” he murmured, his mouth brushing against her as he spoke, his hands now resting lightly on her back, “how do you like being made love to?”
The dance that followed was a delicious tension between passion and restraint, a tender negotiation of what might bring the greatest pleasure and what might be a step too far -- Merrick expressed a preference for sitting upright throughout, for one, and Gabriel took great care to telegraph what he did with his hands. That care contrasted with the bone-shaking, visceral thrall of Merrick’s need and power crashing against Gabriel’s hunger for it, a whirlwind that left them both breathless and trembling in the immediate aftermath as they wrapped around one another on the bed.
“Merrick,” he sighed, finally, looking up at her, his pupils blown. “Merrick, you glorious creature.” He kissed her gently, cupping her face with his hands.
Merrick’s head fell forward, their face in the incubus’s hair. They lifted their head a little bit and looked into Gabriel’s eyes. Those words. Merrick kissed him back - lips parted, welcoming his tongue if wanted. “Thank you. Thank you...please...thank you, Gabriel,” the djinn rasped.
There was no adequate response to that but to kiss her again, and thoroughly, his lover’s open mouth an invitation he gladly took. Their kiss deepened, a sweet echo of the passion they’d just engaged in, their tongues dancing together, that spark of attraction and lust ever-present, and he sighed, nuzzling at her delectable neck when they finally came up for air.
“I believe we’ve covered the recreation portion of your evening,” he said, smiling, peppering his words with light kisses along the length of her neck. “Although I’d certainly be up for more,” he added, teasing a little. “You are utterly delicious, after all.”
Looking up at her, he chuckled a little, a low rumble deep in his chest. “What else might we do to help you relax, my dearest? That was the third thing on your list, after all.” He rubbed his cheek against hers. “What would you like most?”
Merrick smiled against the kiss, stroking Gabriel’s tongue with their own. The softness after such tension was refreshing to the djinn. They nuzzled the incubus’s hair as their neck was attended to again.
“Thank you,” the djinn echoed once more, not wanting to say too much since what their physical intercourse was more than enough for them to communicate. “Hmm? Relax, yes. Would it be alright if we sat in one of those chairs, me in your lap. More recreation perhaps later, but for now...just resting against each other in a chair and perhaps...a story.”
“Yes. Please. Lovely. Would you like me to carry you?” Gabriel murmured. “I would sweep you in my arms and whisk you over there, if I knew you’d like it,” he added, rubbing his nose against the delicious curve of her collarbone and kissing at the hollow there.
Merrick breathed at the mental image of being whisked over. It mildly ticked a trigger - a memory of being forcibly carried to the surgical theatre for examinations and testing. Suppressing a shiver, Merrick stilled for a moment. “Not this time. Let’s make our way,” they offered instead as they gently circled their arms around Gabriel’s shoulders in a very light and loose embrace.
He nodded, kissing her lightly, and the two soon managed to find themselves curled up together on a chair, Gabriel’s arms loosely resting on her slim hips, hers circled sweetly around his neck.
“Now,” he said, kissing her on the nose fondly. “Would you like to tell me a story, or listen to one?” He grinned, looking up at her, still floating high off of her energy -- the sort of high he didn’t tend to feel unless multiple partners were involved. The last time he could remember feeling this satiated, he’d been at a rather spectacularly hedonistic orgy in Paris.
Still in their shift, Merrick felt loose and light in Gabriel’s lap with their head resting on his shoulder. “Listen to one,” the djinn whispered. Sitting in a comfy chair calmed Merrick. And perhaps they could do something they did very little in their cage in the Institute - sleep.
The mood was a slow, languid one, so rather than trotting out his more scandalous stories of conquests and lovers, he talked about his childhood in France, growing up in the countryside with his beloved mother and learning the ways of the world from her, petting Merrick gently as he did so.
He wondered about the nature of his mysterious lover as his voice meandered in a low soothing murmur. Her energy was unparalleled, and she had been shockingly scarce on personal details -- only that she’d been out of town for awhile, and a few other bits and pieces -- but those few crumbs combined with her demeanor spoke volumes; the degree of caution with which she carried herself even in the middle of their throes of passion, while at the same time, expressing such obvious desire for care and affection -- affection too long withheld -- it made his chest ache to think that this magnificent little dancer could be so poorly treated.
She had membership at the Osiris Club, which was yet another mystery -- especially given her clear history of ill treatment and her simple, unorthodox dress. He knew better than to guess her age, and whether her eyes were ancient with years or grief was hard to say. Was she a particularly powerful Sidhe? Or a dragon, perhaps? He’d been with a handful of those creatures over the centuries, and something about the way she moved made him wonder if she took an alternate form from time to time.
He kept up a steady narrative, telling her about breaking his arm falling out of a tree while stealing pears from the neighbor, riding a horse for the very first time, and the endless mischief a bright boy could get up to if he grew up with an indulgent succubus for a mother and the freedom to roam.
Sitting in Gabriel’s lap, they rested their head against the incubus’s shoulder. Merrick listened, gently holding Gabriel’s arm. This was peaceful and comforting. And Gabriel’s voice...so soothing.
Yes, little information. It was better and easier for now. Damn geas.
Listening to Gabriel’s story, Merrick slowly let their eyes closed as sleep tugged at them. They felt safe.
He could notice her nodding off, and smiled softly as her head dropped onto his shoulder and her breathing deepened. Nestling against her hair, breathing in her scent, he couldn’t help but drift away himself for a little while, the coziness of the chair and the sweetness of her curled against him all too peaceful.
Hours passed and Merrick slept deeply for more than a few minutes in one night. The security and calm the djinn felt in Gabriel’s lap was an oasis for them. But as the sun began to rise off the horizon - Merrick stirred, not flinching or waking with fright. Lifting their head, they realized where they were and who with. It was a trauma-tick to assess the situation every time they woke.
Their twenty four hours of free time were quickly coming to an end. Time to get dressed and leave. A pity. Gently stroking Gabriel’s chest with their hand, Merrick lightly nuzzled his nose before carefully climbing out of the incubus’s lap.
Gabriel stirred, his legs prickling at the sudden light weight that’d been shifted off of them, and he yawned and stretched, looking over at Merrick sleepily. “Mmm. Figures we’d fall asleep on the chair, right next to a perfectly good bed,” he said, yawning a little and smiling up at her. “Would you care to switch to the bed for a little while before I order up some breakfast?”
“I happen to like the chair.” Merrick confessed a truth. “Mm, I would like to, but sadly I must go,” they added with a frown tugging at their lips as they smoothed their shift.
“So soon?” Gabriel murmured, his body complaining a bit at sleeping while seated. “Here,” he said, laughing a little as he stood on legs that were a touch wobbly, stumbling a bit as he pulled on his drawers. “Let me at least… damn it all,” he said, as he grabbed the leg of the chair to steady himself. “Let me at least help you get dressed.”
He managed to get his drawers on with a little more fumbling, still a little sleepy and uncoordinated. “May I see you again? Soon? Tonight, even?” He asked, looking over at her.
Warring with themselves not to frown outwardly, Merrick reached over to help steady Gabriel. “Sadly yes,” they spoke. The djinn would have liked to stay longer, but the rules were rules and they had consequences for them.
They looked up at him, their raven hair slightly tossed as it cascaded over their shoulders. “Yes, you may. Not tonight. I will not be in the city for a few days. But leave me a note at the Osiris?” Mystery was rolling in.
“Of course,” he replied, leaning over to kiss her gently, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “Consider it done. I’d like that. Very much.” He smiled at her light touch on his back and arm.
“Well,” he said, pleased at the possibility of seeing her again in a few days. “If you step into your frock, I’ll help you button. And I can’t admit to being quite as good at putting up hair as I am taking down, but I can hand you hairpins.”
For all the bluster and stubbornness Merrick displayed when studied under glass at the Institute, they would like to be able to be vulnerable of their own choice. The djinn kissed Gabriel in return - breathing in his scent and soaking up the moment. “Good,” they grinned.
“Thank you,” Merrick nodded and let go of Gabriel to get their dress and step into it with their back to the incubus. “Perhaps practice with my hair would bring you to admitting it.” Merrick smirked.
“Mmm, would you like me to try my level best, then?” he grinned, sweeping the fall of her hair over one shoulder gently as he buttoned up her dress. “I could, if you’d like,” he added, kissing the back of her neck as his fingers went to work on her buttons.
Nowadays, he was used to having to navigate through a tangle of corsets, corset-covers, pantaloons, garters, and petticoats; Merrick’s simple dress reminded him of that glorious span around the turn of the century where ladies wore simple flowing gowns, and light linen corsets if any -- her style was refreshing and fitting, given her slim figure.
“There,” he murmured, smoothing the black lace that fell prettily over her shoulders.
“That’s all I ask,” the djinn smiled as they turned their head to watch Gabriel out of the corner of their eye. They sighed softly at the kiss.
Perhaps if Merrick was going to somewhere overly formal - a ball, party, then they would put on all of the foundation garments and contraptions. But otherwise - why bother? There was a hint of the djinn’s free spirit and rebelliousness peaking out.
“Thank you,” they smiled. Merrick retrieved their hairpins and walked back over to Gabriel. “I know you’ll do fine. Simple bun.”
As his little dancer settled gracefully back into the chair they’d just roused themselves out of, Gabriel put the pins in his mouth and gently ran his fingers through her hair before coiling it and beginning to stick in pins to secure it.
His late wife, Victoria, Leah’s mother, used to enjoy it when he brushed her hair in the evenings -- a thick, golden mane Leah’d inherited -- and she’d tried (laughing uproariously the entire time) to train him to help her put it up, but a simple bun was at the limits of his skills with women’s hair.
The memory made him smile a little as he smoothed Merrick’s hair gently, tucking in a stray tuft with the last of the hairpins. “It won’t bear a close examination, I’m afraid,” he remarked, “but it should stand up to a light breeze and a bit of walking. I hope.”
It felt so good for someone to touch their hair out of simple living instead of dehumanizing examination. Simple pleasures Merrick took in were of many things they remembered during the six days they were confined.
“Mmm, it will do beautifully,” Merrick smiled and slowly turned around in the chair. Then they pushed up to press a kiss against Gabriel’s lips. “Thank you,” they whispered as they pulled away.
He sighed at the light touch, looking down at her. “Must you leave?” He asked, knowing she had one foot out the door. Sighing, he shook his head. “Apologies,” he said, resting a hand lightly on her shoulder. “I just… well. I’ll just have to look forward to seeing you in a few days,” he said, wondering whether she was telling him the truth -- whether he’d ever see her again, or whether she’d leave his life just as mysteriously as she’d entered it.
“Is there anything else I might do for you before you go?” He finally managed softly. “Anything at all?”
Merrick sighed, knowing they would have liked to stay longer as well. “No need to apologize. I look forward to it as well,” they echoed. Truth be told - the future was ever uncertain.
Climbing out of the chair and stepping close to Gabriel. Merrick smiled softly. “A gentle embrace perhaps?”
“Of course,” Gabriel replied, wrapping her in his arms, careful to keep his hold on her loose enough so that she wouldn’t feel uncomfortable, and kissing her sweetly for making such a dear request. “I’m so very glad I ran into you,” he murmured, leaning down to rest his head against her shoulder. “I’m so very glad you took a chance on me,” he added, his voice quiet and muffled as the two swayed slightly, “and that I might have the chance to see you again,” he finished, sighing into her neck.
Gently, Merrick wrapped their long thin arms around Gabriel’s shoulders. Their fingers lightly ran through the hair near the nape of his neck. They kissed him back, utterly happy with simple and quiet moments like this. Bittersweet. “I am as well,” they echoed. And they cupped the back of the incubus’s head as he rested his head on their shoulder. “I’m glad. Thank you for being true.” They sighed softly as they smoothed Gabriel’s hair. “I hope it is soon.”