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Dinner and Dessert

by Liz Howard

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           Alexander Lucard stood in an elegant half-slouch, gazing thoughtfully out of one of the windows in the great hall of his castle. Behind him, the long table was set for two, the place settings facing each other across the center.
           He sighed softly, thinking back over the past few months as he waited for Klaus to arrive.
           Klaus.
           Klaus Helsing.
           He allowed a smile to play over his fine lips. Klaus, the son, the pride and joy, of his latest Helsing adversary, Gustav, was coming to dine at the castle. The young man had been unsure at first -- it was one thing to rebel against one's father by associating with Lucard in business, or over lunch, but to meet with the man Gustav had devoted his life to destroying for an intimate dinner was quite another.
           As always, Lucard's timing had been perfect. Klaus had known him long enough to relax in his presence, but was still uncertain of himself around the blond vampire, and eager to keep the relationship going. So, when Lucard invited him to dine "at home," he had allowed the uncertainty to flicker only briefly in his dark eyes before accepting with studied nonchalance.
           And now he was on his way.
           Lucard didn't need to check the table to know it was set perfectly. All was ready.

           Klaus took a deep breath to steady himself as he drove up the winding road to Lucard's castle, and tried to ignore the nervousness creeping from the back of his mind. "Lucard invited me to dinner," he whispered. "That's all."
           After all, what harm could come from dinner?
           His mind immediately produced various images of all the things which could come from dinner. He thrust them away. Lucard was a centuries-old vampire. What could he see in a young human?
           Other than a meal, that is.
           Unbidden, memories of his father's lectures on the dangers of vampires rose in his mind. Remember, Klaus, vampires have the ability to gain your trust, your confidence, if you're not on your guard. They make you feel at ease, and then they strike! "Shut up, Dad," he muttered, and accelerated up the hill.
           Klaus parked in the courtyard, as instructed, and the huge doors opened before he knocked. As always, seeing Lucard filled him with a rush of awestruck envy. The man (no, vampire, he corrected himself) could wear anything with a complete air of elegance. This evening he had on a simple business suit, but he wore it like a tuxedo. Even though Klaus was wearing a suit as well, he immediately worried that he might be somehow underdressed.
           Lucard's welcoming smile dispelled his fears. "Klaus. It's good to see you. Please, come in."
           Klaus couldn't help smiling back, his heart pounding. "Thank you, Alexander. And thank you for the invitation."
           "I enjoy your company," Lucard said simply as he led his guest into the dining room. That was true, Lucard reflected. He did enjoy the boy's company. Far more than he'd ever expected to.

           Dinner had been wonderful, as always. Lucard's chef was the best in Europe, and had been under orders to do his best. The conversation had flowed easily over a variety of topics ranging from Shakespeare (Klaus had been reading up, Lucard noticed with a hidden smile, no doubt with the hope of impressing his much older companion) to cars. As they lingered over an after-dinner brandy, the conversation drifted to a halt. Lucard suddenly stood, and crossed to stand in front of the fireplace.
           "What is it?" Klaus asked softly, half afraid he'd done something wrong.
           Lucard paused, staring into the flames. Now? he asked himself silently. Yes, I think it has to be now... He turned back to Klaus, cradling his brandy snifter in a careless hand. "Klaus, much as I've enjoyed this evening, I don't think it was a good idea." Klaus started to say something, and Lucard held up a silencing hand. "Please, hear me out. By encouraging you to associate with me, I am forcing you to choose between me and your father. I ... do not think it is very fair to either of us."
           Klaus leapt into the breach as Lucard stopped speaking. "But what... what if I want to choose?" He set his glass down and stood up, facing Lucard.
           Careful... "Klaus..." Lucard murmured.
           "What if I... choose you?"
           With an ease born of centuries, Lucard set his glass on the mantel, and laid a gentle hand on Klaus' shoulder. "Are you sure?"
           "I'm sure."
           Lucard allowed himself to savor the moment, the firelight on his protege's skin, the full lips slightly parted with the thrill of the moment. He was inwardly surprised at how relieved he felt. How much does this boy really mean to me? The answer came immediately. More than I thought. In fact... he looked a little deeper, and was startled to find a smouldering of desire for the eager human before him. Not simply the lust for power, for something to hurt Gustav, but a need to see those innocent eyes closed in ecstasy.
           Klaus was almost afraid to breathe. He's not saying anything... what is he thinking? Then he saw something in Lucard's eyes he'd never allowed himself to hope for: a flicker of attraction. Please, don't let me be about to make a fool of myself... "Alexander?" The query brought Lucard out of his reverie.
           Lucard gave himself a mental shake. "Yes?"
           "I..." He could see the need in Klaus' eyes warring with the young man's uncertainty, smell the fear and lust rising from the human's body. "I want..."
           Lucard smiled. "I know." With that, he leaned forward to kiss him. Cautious at first, then more confident, Klaus returned the kiss, his arms sliding around Alexander's lithe frame to draw him closer. When they parted, Klaus was flushed and breathing fast. Still smiling, Lucard murmured, "I think somewhere else might be more appropriate for this." He led Klaus, who was still somewhat dazed, down one of the castle's many halls to his chamber. As Lucard closed the door behind them, Klaus took in the dark tapestries covering the stone walls, the heavy curtains over the window to block out the sun, and finally, the huge and comfortable-looking bed framed by lit candelabras. When Lucard soundlessly touched his shoulder, the human turned to face him, his surprise showing on his face.
           "What is it?" Lucard murmured. He smiled as realization dawned. "Were you expecting a coffin?" The abashed look in Klaus'eyes answered him, and he chuckled indulgently. "Oh, Klaus, you have so much to learn..." He leaned forward to capture Klaus' lips again, his delicate fingers working at Klaus' tie.
           It was soon apparent to Klaus just how much he had to learn from the blond creature who so tantalizingly removed both their suits and brushed sweetly light fingertips over his warm chest as they moved towards the bed. Leaning back into the satin-cased pillows, Klaus moaned as those cool lips traced chaotic patterns on his flushed skin, drawing an equally chaotic response from his pounding heart. Lucard traced his way down to Klaus' straining erection, planting gentle kisses around the base. When the younger man whimpered softly, Lucard looked up, one eyebrow raised. "Shall I stop?"
           Klaus gasped, "No, please..." and found himself almost delirious with pleasure. For the life of him, he couldn't describe what Lucard was doing, but he could feel everything with an amazing clarity. Lucard's caressing hands, the elegant lips moving softly, so softly around him.
           He felt himself nearing climax, and said something incomprehensible to warn Lucard. He felt the vampire nod in understanding, but rather than stopping, Alexander increased his attentions, and Klaus finally erupted, pulled under by the tides of crashing ecstasy which threatened to drown him.
           As Klaus recovered, Lucard crept back up the bed to lounge beside him. The vampire ran a single fingertip along Klaus' jawline, reveling in the feel of his skin, as Klaus' eyes slid shut, the human's head arching back in a primal gesture of submission as he bared his throat to that feather-light caress. With that same gentle touch, he traced the vein pulsing there, watching as the stimulation made the younger man's heartbeat race again. Lucard leaned forward and traced that same path with cool, light lips. Klaus groaned in protest when Lucard drew back to study him thoughtfully. Look at him, so young, so ripe... so beautiful. So full of potential. The vampire let his eyes wander over the human, taking in his fair hair, dark eyes...
           Klaus looked up at Lucard, whose skin glowed golden in the candlelight, and felt suddenly full of life. He wants me. Me.
           "Are you sure?" Those delicate fingers skimmed lightly down his chest.
           Klaus could barely speak through the haze of desire and warmth and adoration and joy that filled him. "Yes..."
           That was all it took. Lucard's head dipped again, his lips meeting Klaus' briefly before moving to his throat. There was a sudden flash of pain, and then ecstasy the like of which Klaus had never known. Nothing compared, not even the pleasure which had gone before. Red billows of animal pleasure enveloped him, and he dimly felt his arms wind around the vampire to hold him closer as his life was slowly drained away.

           When normalcy returned, Klaus slowly opened his eyes. Lucard was propped on one arm next to him, negligently wiping a drop of blood from the corner of his mouth. "I..." Klaus was at a loss for words.
           "You feel weak, don't you." The human nodded. "That will pass. Sleep now. And when you wake, it will be to the eternal night."
           Klaus held out a hand. "Stay... stay with me?"
           "Of course, my dear Klaus." Lucard gently wrapped the dying man in his arms. "Of course."
           As Klaus dozed, his heartbeat slowing, Lucard cradled his body. Mine. Finally. This sweet boy. He ran his eyes over him, taking in every detail with his vampiric senses: hair curling on his protege's chest, the perfectly smooth skin covering his sturdy frame, the dark blond hair in disarray. He brushed an unruly lock of hair away from Klaus' eyes, his fingers gentle. Finally, the soft pulse thumped to a stop, and Lucard smiled. Not long now. He will want to learn everything he can...
           And I've always loved teaching.