Dermot walked briskly, but silently to the bar a few blocks from the house. Pierce walked enthusiastically beside him, still slightly awe struck. He was young, foolish. Cyrus and Elspeth, being older and therefore more wise, knew better, and walked a good two meters behind. Elspeth grasped Cyrus' hand fretfully. Cyrus glanced across at her, whispering. "It'll be alright." He squeezed her hand supportively.
She forced a smile and let her gaze fall again on Pierce and Dermot.

Dermot finally acknowledged Pierce's adoring gaze with a quick glance and a small smile. Pierce grinned back. He loved Dermot's attention, absolutely craved it, and that one simple glimpse had quickened him like nothing else. Now that he knew he had Dermot's attention, he had to ask. "What was it like?"
Cyrus nearly passed out. Elspeth nearly grabbed Pierce by the throat. Dermot merely smiled. "What was it like killing him?" He shook his head slightly, his smile broadening into a grin. "So curious. So young." He wrapped his arm around Pierce's waist and leaned into his ear. "So beautiful." Dermot's soft, seductive voice sent shivers down Pierce's spine. Dermot nipped playfully at Pierce's neck, and glanced quickly back at Elspeth and Cyrus. He smiled at the shocked expressions on their faces.

Cyrus grinned suddenly. Elspeth poked him in the ribs. "What?"
He rubbed at his side. "Ow." He looked at her disapprovingly, though still smiled slightly. "He's only playing, don't worry."
"How can he be acting like that after all that's happened?"
Cyrus shrugged. "It's Dermot. If you can get Pierce away from him later, I'll talk to him."
Elspeth hugged his arm tightly. "Thankyou."
"Not a problem."
Catching sight of a meaningful glance from Dermot, Cyrus pulled Elspeth along quicker. "Come on, how about we go get a table."
Elspeth frowned. "Are you sure we should leave Dermot alone with Pierce?"
Cyrus hid a smile. "Oh, I think he'll be fine."

Pierce frowned slightly as Cyrus and Elspeth passed them.
Cyrus called over his shoulder that they were going ahead to get a table. Pierce settled back in Dermot's embrace.
Dermot stole a peek at Pierce before flicking his tongue into his ear. Pierce's eyes went wide momentarily and Dermot laughed softly. Pierce turned to look at him. "You have no idea what that does to me, do you?"
Dermot smiled. "I have every idea what it does, and maybe a few more."
Pierce met his eyes, all pretence and guises suddenly gone.
Dermot smiled sweetly, and a little sadly, as Pierce sent the tender images to him. Yes, he was going to miss this one very dearly.
Pierce kissed him suddenly and fully and Dermot found himself nearly drowning in what was Pierce. They stumbled into a dark side street, Dermot's fingers lost in Pierce's dirty, yet soft tresses. Pierce pulled him against a wall. "I want you to drink from me."
"Pierce..." Dermot found he couldn't speak, couldn't even begin to think of a way to say no. The creature before him was so innocent, and he knew that really, he wanted to do it. He avoided eye contact with Pierce when he finally continued. "Only if you drink from me, join with me."
Pierce's bottom lip trembled slightly. He slowly bent his head to rest his lips against Dermot's neck. Dermot did the same, allowing himself to taste Pierce's skin. Simultaneously they bit each other; mind, body and soul melding.

Dermot found himself nearly weeping at the beauty of Pierce and the act. When it was over, he was. Tears streamed his cheeks as he buried his face in Pierce's shoulder. Pierce pulled him up, whispering soothing words as he kissed away the tears. Dermot was beginning to wonder if he could follow through with his intentions. Could he really leave this one behind? Could he leave any of them behind? "Pierce, know that no matter what happens I love all of you."
Pierce smiled slightly, still caught slightly in the swoon. "We know that, Dermot. We could never forget." He felt Dermot take him into his arms, and they stood for a few minutes in silence. When his head had cleared, Pierce gently pulled away. "We'd better go. They'll be missing us."
Dermot nodded and they continued walking to the bar.

When they entered, Dermot saw Cyrus and Elspeth at a table in the centre of the crowded bar. Elspeth smiled and waved at them innocently, as if they wouldn't have seen her otherwise. A knowing and slightly smug smile played on Cyrus' lips. It broadened when a drunken woman in a pink cocktail dress made a pass at Pierce, and Dermot placed an arm around him possessively. Pierce smiled before taking a seat beside Elspeth, clutching Dermot's hand loosely. He smiled at Dermot then began chatting with Elspeth.
Went for a bit of rough and tumble, did we?
Dermot smiled wryly, hearing Cyrus' voice in his head. He glanced up at Cyrus, responding in his own silent voice. You could hardly call it that, but yes.
What does he taste like?
Dermot's eyes widened a little, in surprise. You mean you've never drunk from him?!
Would I ask if I had?
Dermot smiled faintly. He tasted... beautiful, young. Almost mortal.
Cyrus met his eyes. Did you join?
Dermot looked away from Cyrus, answering the question as clearly as if he had spoken.

Pierce looked at Dermot, his smile fading. He quickly glanced at Cyrus, seeing the peevish expression present. They were in silent conversation, and he had a feeling it had something to do with him. He gazed at Cyrus, interrupting the conversation with his own thought. Cyrus, leave him alone.
Cyrus frowned as he looked up at Pierce.
Pierce smiled. Don't be jealous...
I'm not jealous.
Oh you bloody well are. Look, I asked him, okay? Don't start thinking he loves you any less. He loves us all equally and always.
I know, I just thought...
Pierce smiled. That you might be able to replace Kit, and I might be stopping you?
Cyrus' cheeks flushed slightly.

Excuse me!
The three of them turned to face a rather annoyed Elspeth.
"Could you at least have the decency to speak aloud? It's not like I can't hear you anyway."
"We were trying to sort it out silently." Cyrus said quietly.
Elspeth folded her arms across her chest. "Men. You're all the same. Right, Cyrus you're jealous because Dermot joined with Pierce and you were hoping that Dermot would turn his attentions back to you now that Kit has passed on." She held up a hand to Dermot, seeing him blink in surprise and start to question Cyrus. "Which is not to say that he was being selfish and has no sympathy for what's happened."
Dermot settled back in his chair, satisfied by her reassurance.


"Now," Elspeth continued. "Pierce is upset that Cyrus is jealous, but he's also a little too cocky because he's just drunk his master's blood." She shot Pierce a look. "Finally Dermot's upset because Cyrus is upset and wishes we could all just get it through our thick skulls that he treats us equally." She took a deep breath. "Now that that's all out in the open, this matter is settled and for the love of God would you all start acting your age."
It started as a smirk on Pierce's face and ended up as raucous laughter on all of their behalf, that drew almost everyone else's attention.
Dermot managed to choke out a sentence. "And how exactly is a six-hundred-year-old supposed to act?"
Elspeth hushed them. "Quiet. People are staring."

"I could make them stare more..." He raised his eyebrows, still smiling slightly as his grey eyes glittered mischievously.
Elspeth glared at him good-naturedly. "How?"
Dermot's smile broadened. "Cyrus my darling, would you care to dance?"
Cyrus grinned. "Why of course, my dear. What a splendid idea." He rested his chin on his hand as he and Dermot turned to face Elspeth.
"No." She shook her head.
"Oh, why not?" Dermot feigned hurt.
"No. This is a straight bar, Dermot." Elspeth shook her finger at him.
"Oh, what are they going to do? Pierce, you don't think it matters do you?"
Pierce shook his head.
"Pierce doesn't think it matters, Elspeth."
She threw her hands up in resignation. "Fine. Get us thrown out, see if I care."

With that Dermot stood up, took Cyrus' hand and drew him to the tiny dance floor. As if the whole thing had been planned, and the thought had crossed Elspeth's mind, a slow song began to play and Dermot and Cyrus had their fun. Indeed their performance did turn heads, caused a few snide remarks, and even made one disgusted couple get up and leave. She only wished she could read what Dermot was thinking. After her display of telepathic ability before he was blocking her out very well. However, seeing his head dip to Cyrus' neck told her clearly enough what was going on.

Pierce turned to her after a while. "He's acting strange, isn't he?"
Elspeth looked at Pierce for a long time before answering, perhaps looking for some trace of jealousy or resentment, of which she found none. "Yes, he is."
"It's his defence mechanism, I think. He's trying to forget what's happened. But I don't know if it's working. He's showing us a good time, but in the back of his head the memories of Kit and Evelyn are just gnawing at him. He should be taking time out to get over them, but he's not and if he's not careful it's just going to hit him and nothing will be able to stop his fall." He frowned. "I just wish I knew exactly what was going on within him!"
Elspeth covered his hand with her own. "Don't worry, I intend to find out."

Dermot pulled away from Cyrus' neck briefly, smiling. "I'd forgotten how good you taste."
Cyrus couldn't help a faint smile. "And is it better than Pierce? Or am I not mortal enough?"
Dermot silenced him with a finger on the lips and mouthed one word that made Cyrus almost go weak at the knees; 'join'.
Cyrus obeyed without hesitation, and once again he knew the bliss that was joining with your maker. As the song ended, Cyrus drew away kissing Dermot softly. Before they had the chance to return to the table, Elspeth was by Dermot's side.
"Do you mind if I cut in?"
Cyrus smiled. "Not at all my fair lady. I should think it will confuse the other patrons all the more." He half glided back to the table, sitting down next to Pierce.

"Wipe that smirk off your face." Pierce scolded him lightly.
"I can't help it."
Pierce's own smile faded a little. "Don't you think it's a little odd that he's acting like this though? I mean sure, don't live in the past, but this is a little absurd."
The thought sobered Cyrus up. "It is a little off."
They watched Dermot spin a laughing Elspeth round in circles, before she collapsed against him. He guided her head to his neck as he let his go to hers.
Cyrus smiled slightly. "He's letting the blood flow too freely. Something's up."
"I thought it might have been his way of dealing with it, but I'm not so sure."
"I think that's part of it, but there's something deeper..." He blinked as he got a flash of an image in his mind. It went too fast for him to analyse it, but as he glanced up he realised Dermot was looking directly at him. Dermot's glassy eyes soon darted away, but Cyrus still felt the implications and a chill passed through him. All was not well.

Elspeth gasped for breath against his chest, the last of the blood making it's way down her throat. She'd almost forgotten what it was like. Almost. Dermot drew her back to the table, helping her into her chair. She couldn't help thinking that he must be exhausted. He'd just shared blood with the three of them... She shifted uneasily in her chair. The mood had seemed to change suddenly. Joy and passion no longer hung in the air about them, and she began to worry. The occasional wary glances Dermot gave Cyrus were not helping. She realised Pierce sensed it too. Cyrus gave her a quick look from behind a few locks of blonde hair and she knew what she had to do.

She tugged gently on Pierce's arm and purred softly into his ear. "Oh Pierce, sweetie, I've just seen one who would be perfect for us! Come help me seduce him." She looked longingly into his eyes.
Dermot smiled slightly. Elspeth was quite capable of single-handedly seducing everyone in this bar. Of course, Pierce couldn't resist and followed her to their proposed victim. Cyrus gazed at Dermot respectfully, but also a little fearfully. Dermot took Cyrus' hands and kissed them.
"Are you okay Dermot?"
Dermot smiled, nodded once, and squeezed Cyrus' hands reassuringly. "I want you to stop worrying about me, and start having a little more fun. Evelyn's gone, so for now we have no worries."


Cyrus nodded. "But are you okay?" He withdrew his hands and pressed his palm to Dermot's chest. He saw a mere glimpse of the turmoil and emotions within Dermot, but it was more than enough, and pulled his hand away.
Dermot avoided eye contact with Cyrus, watching Pierce and Elspeth instead. Cyrus allowed this for a moment, but grew impatient. He placed a hand on Dermot's cheek and pulled him back, catching his gaze. He smiled sympathetically. "Dermot I know what it's like to lose someone you love."
A faint smile played on Dermot's lips. He knew Cyrus was talking about him. Dermot and Cyrus had already been close when Dermot had been taken. Cyrus had taken the disappearance and supposed death hard. Two years after he had ‘died', Dermot requested that Cyrus be brought over. So he had been.

"Dermot...?" Cyrus' voice brought Dermot back to the present.
Dermot smiled at him warmly. "Yes dearest?"
"Why do you have to pretend that there's not a thing wrong with you, when really you're ready to breakdown?" Cyrus sat back in his chair.
Dermot gazed at him thoughtfully. "Because if I let myself believe anything else, I will breakdown, I will lose control and you may well find yourself scraping my ashes off the floor." He folded his arms across his chest.
Cyrus frowned disapprovingly. "Charming."

"Let me have my delusions and all is well." He gazed deeply into Cyrus eyes. "All is well, Cyrus. There is no need to worry."
Cyrus' face went blank as Dermot spoke to him, but returned to a normal expression when Dermot broke their eye contact.

"Now," He said, taking Cyrus' hands again. "Go and find yourself a mortal, or two, foolish, or game enough to take you home."
Cyrus grinned impishly. "I have a better idea. Why don't we find ourselves a playmate to take home? How about a young man with a nice tight arse and a big-"
"Shh." Dermot silenced him, but still a faint smile played on his lips. "I'm not in the mood I'm afraid. I want to be alone tonight. Make sure Elspeth and Pierce know this."
Cyrus nodded slowly, not liking the way this was going. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
Dermot grinned. "I'm not going to do anything drastic. Go, play with the mortals, and have a good time."

Cyrus thought this over for a moment. Even if he wanted to stop Dermot, he couldn't. Maybe Pierce's explanation was right, Dermot was just protecting himself and he wanted time. Yes, he'd merely been thrown off by a fleeting image. Probably something he'd picked up from a mortal, nothing more. He smiled slightly to himself. All was well. Or at least it would be, once this had all settled down, and the past put behind them. He stood, quickly and inconspicuously kissing Dermot. Dermot squeezed Cyrus' hand before he walked away. He whispered under his breath. "Take care, love." Which was rather like telling a tiger to take care while hunting mice. He smiled sadly as he watched Cyrus sit down with Elspeth and Pierce, and listened in to their conversation.

"What happened to ‘Mr Perfect'?" Cyrus looked at Elspeth curiously.
"Turned out to be a dud." Pierce sighed, blowing cigarette smoke into Elspeth's face.

Elspeth shrugged innocently.
Cyrus traced his finger around the rim of a glass. "He wants to be alone tonight."
Elspeth crossed her arms. "Is that a good idea?"
Pierce brought his gaze from the woman in the tight pink cocktail dress, and looked back at Elspeth. "Fuck it. It's his house, he can do what he wants."
"It's a little more serious than that, Pierce." Elspeth looked at him crossly.
Pierce rolled his eyes. "Oh come on. Give the guy a break. He barely had time to get over Kit, then he fucks up Evelyn. Of course he's going to want some time to himself! If he wants it, I say we give it to him."

Cyrus raised his eyebrows. "Pierce is right. He needs time to mourn them both. He's been putting it off, and he's finally realised. If it's time he needs why shouldn't he have it?"
Elspeth nodded reluctantly. "Okay."
"So, where are we going tonight?" Cyrus leaned back in his chair.
Pierce glanced back at the woman in pink.
Cyrus shook his head. "Pierce, I think not. That is more our style." He gestured to a Gothic couple sitting in a corner.
Pierce nodded. "Nice tits."
Cyrus leaned in and placed a hand on Pierce's leg. "Do you ever think about anything else?"
Pierce eyed him wistfully, taking Cyrus' hand. "Do you?"
Elspeth laughed quietly. "Jesus! Wherever we're going we need to go soon. The Goth couple?"
"Fine." Cyrus and Pierce answered in unison.

Dermot smiled at them as they made their way to the booth. He supposed he should go and find his own victims. He slowly got up from the table and wandered outside. He cast a final glance at them through the window. He smiled sadly. How he would miss them. He forced himself to look away, and began to walk down a side street. He could smell three of them down here, and the drugs that they inhaled into their lungs. He smiled, momentarily forgetting his darling trio. Fresh, warm blood; enough for two. How perfect.