Seth spent the majority of the next day checking the time. He still didn’t have a plan to confront Anri, and now, in the light of day, the idea of him being a vampire was absurd.
The thing with his finger, he had replayed it so many times in his head now that he wasn’t sure what even happened anymore. It had seemed so real at the time, but by the light of day…it was pretty silly. He was probably letting his imagination get the best of him.
Obviously Anri couldn’t be a vampire, because vampires weren’t real. Obviously he was letting his imagination get out of hand. But…that dream. So fucking hot. He touched himself through his jeans just thinking about Anri on his knees, his hair a tangled mess around Seth’s fingers.
He was done ignoring it. He wanted Anri, and he didn’t care that he was a man. He laughed ruefully at himself. There was no chance that Anri would return his desires. He needed to shut those feelings down, tuck them inside and smother them until they no longer burned. Yet…something inside of him hoped.
Now he was being stupid. This new obsession that he had with vampires, and with Anri, was totally unexpected. Anri was just mysterious and alluring. He needed to stop blaming that on Anri being a ‘vampire’. He needed to accept that he was attracted to Anri, and then he had to move on.
He had never been attracted to another man before, so this was all new territory. Of course he had seen gay porn around the internet, so the concepts and reality of a physical relationship between men was not foreign to him. And…he could wrap his head around why raw homosexuality could be hot, though it had never turned him on before. Not like his dream last night.
This attraction to Anri was exciting. Thrilling. New and shiny, and the things from the dream…they were something he longed to experience firsthand. Thinking about the dream, sent a wave of lust through his system. He wanted Anri.
Seth sighed aloud as he realized how deep he was getting.
He had spent the entire afternoon thinking of ways to get Anri to hang out with him outside of Kintsugi while also attempting to grade Lance’s Intro to American History exams. So far, he hadn’t come up with any realistic ideas, nor had he actually completed grading the exams.
He had finished his own semester just after lunch, his own last final submitted and the exams for his students graded and recorded. He just had to finish Lance’s exams and winter break would be officially underway. The idea of nearly a month without any school seemed both a blessing and a curse. He would have a ton of free time, which he longed to spend with Anri. Just hanging out with Anri. It sounded great.
He had to be careful. He wouldn’t push his carnal needs onto Anri. He couldn’t. He had to be around Anri, had to convince Anri to be friends. He couldn’t entertain any hope of Anri returning his desires. He couldn’t ever let him know how he felt.
He shook his head, trying to temporarily clear away thoughts of his bewitching bartender. His winter break wouldn’t begin until he finished Lance’s work. Lance owed him big time. He should have known that Lance would make him finish all of his end of semester stuff. There always seemed to be some type of family emergency that had Lance rushing home whenever deadlines approached. Seth rolled his eyes. He should have been used to it by now.
Focus. He needed to focus on grading these exams. Only…twenty seven more to go. Seth sighed heavily. It took all of his willpower to stay seated and continue grading. He was antsy, ready to go home and begin break. Ready to go see Anri tonight.
No, he chided himself, stay focused. No thinking about Anri.
Maybe he could take Anri out on a date over break. They could…Seth realized he was thinking about an actual relationship with Anri. How absurd. He wouldn’t force his desires on Anri. He would be cool. He could be cool.
No relationship. He needed to convince Anri to be friends with him. He needed to forget ever having that kind of relationship with Anri, because it was fiction. The dream was messing with his head, confusing fantasy and reality. Friends. He could do that. They could be friends.
The thought left a sour taste in his mouth.
Time crawled. Lance’s Intro to American History final exams were graded at the tempo of glacial erosion. Seth read twenty seven varying accounts of the operations of the underground railroad, with more than one student referring to it as an actual subway system which carried slaves to freedom in the north. One paper just said “too soon”.
The sun had set well before Seth entered the last exam score into the university gradebook system. With a final keystroke, his winter break officially began. He took a deep breath, expecting for something to feel different, but it felt the same as all of the ones he had taken before the end of the semester. He snorted at his own absurdity.
He went home and attempted to clean. When cleaning failed to distract him he tried napping, watching TV, reading and surfing the internet, all without much success. He tried not to think of Anri, tried not to play out every way the conversation would go tonight in his head. He checked the clock again for the millionth time that evening. Only eight. He didn’t want to arrive too early, to seem too desperate. He could get there at nine. He could wait. But it was Friday, the bar sure to be busy. Maybe he should wait until later to catch Anri at the end of his shift?
Frustrated and tired of waiting, he decided to just head out. It was still way too early to go to the bar and actually get to talk to Anri, but he was driving himself crazy. He was full to the brim with nervous energy. He was one of those big zoo cats just pacing his cell, waiting, waiting, waiting. He was driving himself crazy.
Twenty four minutes later he pushed open the door to the Kintsugi bar, the small bell over the door chiming gaily. He made a beeline for his normal seat, hesitating when he spotted Simone in the same spot she claimed when they met. She and Anri were talking quietly, but Anri seemed agitated. No, Seth decided, watching for a moment, Anri didn’t just seem agitated. He was clearly agitated.
Seth watched them from the doorway. They were both so deeply engaged in their conversation that neither of them noticed him. The other bartender, Red, nodded indifferently, which was exactly as much acknowledgement as he expected from her. Seth thought about sitting somewhere other than his normal seat, but he couldn’t. It was his spot. So what that he was a little territorial about it.
Anri looked up as he slid easily onto his usual barstool, shoving his backpack down the wall to the floor. Several emotions rapidly streamed across Anri’s face, most of them too quick to identify. His face then morphed into his tight, professional customer service smile. Tonight it looked extra forced. Seth’s heart dropped as the prospect of making friends seemed to be dwindling before him.
“Hello, Seth. The usual?” Anri asked stiffly, smoothing down his snappy looking black tuxedo vest. Seth admired how good he looked in his uniform until Anri looked back up at him
“Um, hey. I, um… sure?” Seth answered uncertainly, trying to make it not seem obvious he had been checking him out.
Simone looked over at Seth, smiling warmly. “Hi again!” she said cheerfully. She jumped up, leaning in as she gave him a semi-uncomfortable hug. She lingered for just a moment too long, her head resting on Seth’s shoulder. Seth stiffened, then when the hug didn’t end after a long uncomfortable three seconds, he pulled away. She smiled sweetly, patting him once on the shoulder congenially as she sat back down.
Had she just been smelling him? He could have sworn she had been smelling him. She looked over at Anri with a satisfied grin on her face.
Cracks formed in Anri’s fake customer smile. Seth could see anger dancing in Anri’s eyes. He could practically feel the animosity aimed at Simone. He turned to make Seth’s Irish coffee, his movements wooden and rigid.
Simone laughed and turned to face Seth, her bare knees pointing in his direction. Tonight her hair was braided, hanging over her shoulder like an accessory. Her ears were pierced from lobe to cartilage with chains connecting the piercings. Like yesterday, her hands were coated with silver rings. She wore a black drop top that drew attention to the tiny silver necklaces that fell between the folds and a dark colored skirt that fit tightly around her hips but flared out into pleats just above her knees.
She put her free hand up to Seth’s face and gently touched his lip ring. She didn’t actually touch him, but he jumped back in surprise and she pulled her hand back. “You’re so jumpy. You and Anri are both like cats today. Anri is a wet one, though.” She made a sour face. “I like facial jewelry. It can be so… intimate. You should come by, I’ll fix you up with something nice. I could custom make you something. Do you have any other piercings?”
Anri stormed back to the bar with Seth’s drink, setting it down heavily. He glared at his sister as he pushed the mug across the gold veined black bartop in Seth’s direction.
“Oh, Anri, lighten up!” Simone grumped. “I was just admiring Seth’s piercing. I think I’m going to make him something, what do you think? Maybe something with a ruby. Or a bloodstone?” She winked at Seth.
“Simone…” Anri warned threateningly.
“When’s your birthday, Seth?” Simone asked, ignoring Anri. He fumed, his angry face both scary and sexy. Sexy scary. Was that a thing? It was hot. Jesus, he needed to focus.
“Huh?” He asked Simone, distracted by Anri’s sexy-scary face. Trying to catch up with the conversation he asked “you make jewelry?” and then immediately felt stupid for asking.
With a dramatic flourish she pulled out a business card and slid it over the bar to Seth. “Yup. I’m a silversmith. I mostly sell stuff through my online shop, though I do have a little showcase in a local art shop,” she said proudly. “I could make you something really nice. When’s your birthday?”
Another patron called for Anri and he moved down the bar, turning back to glare at Simone and Anri as he went to work.
“March 20th,” he replied as he picked up the card, glancing at it distractedly. It read Simone N Rousseau, Silversmith in delicate, silvery cursive. There was a website link listed at the bottom of the card. He flipped it over and the back had a phone number in shiny, embossed red ink. There was a small red dot in the bottom of the card. It looked almost like a rogue drop of ink, a typo, except that it was enclosed within a thin red ring.
He leaned closer to inspect the symbol when Simone said, “Oh, that’s just too perfect!” It broke his concentration, and he distractedly slipped the card into his pocket for later examination. She continued on. “Bloodstone it is, then. It’s a birthstone for March you know? Oh, I can’t wait. I want to go now and get started. You don’t mind, do you? Will you wear it if I make it?” Her whole body tensed with anticipation, reminding him of a dog waiting for a treat, eager for permission.
“I don’t really remember bloodstone being a birthstone for March,” he replied carefully. Anri glared at them between customers. Each time it made him cringe. Each time it sent his heart into his throat.
“It’s not as common as aquamarine I’ll admit, but I really like it, especially for you. I think it would set off your eyes. Yup, for sure,” Simone nodded confidently. “I’m really good at knowing these kinds of things.”
“Did you make all the stuff you’re wearing?” Seth asked her, mildly interested. Even though Anri was glaring at every available opportunity, Seth enjoyed the attention.
“Yes, most of it, although some of it was from my mother. She taught me almost everything I know.” She looked down at her hands. Simone pointed to a particular ring on her left thumb. “This one,” she continued, “My mother made for my father. When he…” she paused, then shook her head and went on, “…well, she gave it to me when I graduated high school. Anri has our dad’s wedding ring but he never wears it. Said that he can’t wear jewelry with wet hands all night. He’s right, it would get all tarnished, so I convinced him to wear it on a chain. Even then, he hardly wears it.”
He was half listening, watching Anri out of the corner of his eye, trying not to make it look too obvious. Anri had finished up with the patron he was with and was storming back towards them. He could feel Anri’s anger moving before him like a wave as he rushed down the bar. “Simone!” Anri barked in a loud whisper.
“Relax Anni,” she replied easily. “I’m gonna make him a beautiful piece. Bloodstone.” She smiled wickedly at Anri, pointing to her lip in the same spot Seth was pierced. Seth raised an eyebrow at Simone’s nickname for Anri. She pronounced it Ahn-nee. It was adorable, but Seth made no comment. He was sure it would send Anri over the moon.
Anri took a deep breath, chased it with another, then a third for good measure. “Bloodstone, Simone? Really? What is wrong with you?”
“Waitaminute…” Seth interjected. “I can’t really afford anything custom. Isn’t that super expensive? Simone, thanks for the offer, but I’m just a poor graduate student,” he interjected in an attempt to cool down Anri. Or at least prevent him from exploding.
“Oh, that won’t do. Since you are friends with my dear Anni, it’ll be a gift from me. I get all excited and inspired sometimes and I just have to make something. In fact,” she continued, getting up and pulling on her coat, “I am going to go get it started right now. This is going to be fun! It’s not work if it’s fun,” she said, winking at Seth.
Anri bristled at Simone’s cheerful demeanor. “You! You’re…so frustrating! What if he doesn’t want a gift from a woman he’s met twice? Simone…” Anri growled in warning.
Seth put his hands up in defeat. “It’s fine, it’s okay. Thank you, Simone, I can never say no to a beautiful woman,” he acquiesced placatingly, trying to ease the tension.
If he thought Anri was bristly before, he was wrong. Anri didn’t just resemble a wet cat, he was one. Seth immediately regretted his comment and found himself backpedaling, “No, I’m not, I didn’t mean it like that. Thank you, Simone, but I don’t want to be any trouble. I’m sorry, Anri. I just…”
He thought Simone could tell she pushed him too far. “Oh, calm down, Anni. You’re at work. You can get back at me later. Anyway,” she turned to Seth, “I’m going to make it because I want to. If you don’t want it, I won’t be offended, so don’t worry.” She pushed in her barstool and threw a twenty dollar bill on the counter. “Anni, I’m sorry for messing with you at work.” She bowed just a little bit. “I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” She winked at him and turned to leave. “Bye Sethy!” she called over her shoulder. Anri watched her go and Seth could see a storm under his professional mask.
Anri opened his mouth, ready to say something, but then closed it, remaining silent. Seth looked at him sympathetically and shrugged. After a moment Anri’s anger melted into a tired resignation. He tried to look sympathetic.
“You guys seem… close?” he half asked. Anri leaned against the bar near him, and let out a deep breath, relaxing a bit. He said nothing in response, though.
Seth felt the need to fill the silence between them. “My siblings… well, we tolerated each other but we were never close like that. She obviously cares for you, even if the way she shows it is by annoying you.”
Anri appraised Seth from across the bar, saying nothing for a moment. Then he chuckled and said, “You’re really something. She’s like a force of nature. Is that how it went last night when you met her?”
“She told you?” He could feel his face burn. He was blushing! God, was he a teenager again?
“More like she gloated about it,” Anri grumbled, looking away.
Seth nodded, still avoiding looking at his barkeep. “She is very…” he considered his words carefully, worried he might accidentally reignite Anri’s temper, “forceful… in a conversation, that’s for sure. It’s cool that she makes jewelry, though.”
Without really thinking about it, Seth bit his lip, pulling his lip ring into his mouth, biting it between his teeth. He noticed Anri’s eyes lock onto his piercing. He smiled, biting it sensually, enjoying Anri’s attention. Anri turned his head away sharply when he realized Seth saw him staring. Was he blushing? It was hard to tell in the lighting. Seth hoped he was blushing. He felt blood redirect down to his member at the thought.
He mentally squashed his desire, sure that he was misinterpreting the situation. Friends. He was here to make friends with Anri. Simone had thrown him off balance. Anri was called away again and Seth was left with his thoughts.
Business picked up and Anri seemed too busy to chat, so Seth pulled out a book and attempted to read. His eyes followed Anri around the bar, though. If someone were to ask him what he had read, he would have been unable to recall. Eventually, he gave up all pretenses of reading and just watched Anri as he worked, talking with patrons, making drinks, cleaning up. Anri had relaxed, sinking into the flow of his work and settling into a comfortable rhythm. Seth enjoyed watching him, slowly nursing his drink and leaning on the bar, head resting in his hand.
Dreadfully Erotic 