Past, Present and Future

[Demeter]

Ransom peered over his shoulder while he leaned over a table filled with English Daisy seedlings. He shook his head, the curtain of his red hair falling over his shoulder to hide his face. Nearly twenty five years after being rescued from Lorcaine and the members of the Magda clan that had survived the hostile take over and he was still looking of his shoulder. He was still in contact with some of the older Custoss, those who had been favored by his father, and they only wishes him the best. Those few Custoss had joined the ranks of the DeLorme Clan and were, the last time he'd talked to them, doing very well.

He was surviving. A thousand years of living one way could not be wiped out in half a century. He owed his life to the DeLorme Clan. It was because of them that he had his little apartment and this job. Here, as the caretaker for the plants out in the greenhouses and fields, he was allowed to spend his time away from the bustle of the main show room at the larger store of the nursery. He still wasn't that great with customers. And forget him even making deliveries to the store in town. The last time he'd down that, he'd nearly had a panic attack at all the people crushing in around him. He preferred the quiet of the staff only greenhouses.

Of course, he was expected at the anniversary party for Wrath and Cissa tonight. Cissa, who knew the truth, had already approached him and told him that if he needed to leave early, that was okay. She'd even thought ahead and set aside one of the spare bedrooms in case he needed to escape just for a few minutes. Just as he owed his life to the DeLorme family, he owed his sanity to Cissa and Wrath. They'd guided him through his first shaky experiences in the mortal realm. She'd helped him buy toilet paper and his first couch. He'd taught him how to drive a car and operate the microwave. And, of course, there was Kai.

Cissa and Wrath's adopted son knew nothering about the past. As such, he'd freely approached Ransom with demands to teach him about the plants. Kai, who'd treated him as only a child could treat someone. From showing him how to order pizza to telling him how to work the cash registar. He owed a lot to everyone. Which was why he was going to go back to his little apartment, shower and dress in the nicest clothing he owned and face an evening surrounded by family and coworkers.

After closing up the greenhouse, Ransom headed for his car, a compact little sedan in bright blue, and pointed it in the direction of his building. He lived in a queit neighborhood where people didn't trouble him. He pulled into the lot and parked the car. After checking his mail, nothing but bills, he went to his apartment and showered to wash the day's dirt away. He pulled back half his hair and dressed in a pair of slacks and a subdued dress shirt.

He left the building and drove to the main DeLorme house in town. Every single time he crossed the bridge to the big house on it's own island, Ransom wondered how he'd gotten to lucky to be taken in by this family. He parked his car, greeted Carmine as the blonde Custos tried to round up his grown children.

He wandered to the back and greeted the happy couple. They both seemed absolutely still in love with each other. And that, Ransom thought as he perused the food selection (no doubt cooked by that Lysander guy) was something he'd never have. Relationships were not his strong point. Ransom sighed, found a secluded spot and watched the people party. He grinned with Kai, fresh from some trip to do something or another with a large, landscaping account, breezed into the backyard and greeted his parents.

Kai was one of the few friends he had and he headed right over. He still didn't say much. He just moseyed up to Kai and stood behind him. "How was your trip?"

As Kai spoke, Ransom held back a sigh. He wasn't great at relationships because he couldn't get up the courage to say anything. And, if he did, he usually tripped over his own words. Those oh so important formative years were spent being handed to people. So, as Kai spoke about his trip and wishing he could bash people over the head with a shovel, Ransom grinned and kept his feelings about his employer's son to himself.

***

Cissa, ever the match maker, and sly as ever, watched as Ransom and Kai talked together. Her son was an idiot. Even a blind man could see that Ransom would lay down his life for Kai. Not that Ransom was going to do anything about it. She handed her champagne glass to her husband. "Hold this," she said before walking over to the two. She oh-so-casually shoved her son against Ransom, mentally praying that Ransom would forgive her for surprising him like this. People were always careful around him. Spooking him since the power limiters were removed usually led to sudden shocks.

Ransom yelped as Kai came flying at him. He caught the young man and very nearly whimpered. He had an armful of Kai and he didn't want the man to leave. He was doomed!

[Maira]

The people who claimed that nature, not nurture, determined what type of person a child would grow into would have been completely baffled when it came to Kai. His birth parents were feral vampires, part of a clan that went around randomly attacking innocents and turning them. By all rights he too should have grown into a mindless feral bloodsucker. Instead he was a softhearted, hardworking, honest young man. At least thats what Wrath thought of his adopted son as he watched him saunter across Darius's back yard, a bouqet of flowers in one hand and a gift bag in the other.

When Kai finished weaving through the rest of the family to reach his parents, he kissed his mother as he handed her the flowers, and then hugged Wrath as he handed over the gift bag. He chatted with them for a bit before turned to a familiar voice that asked him how his trip was. A winning smile just for Ransom, Kai turned and faced the older man and, knowing he didn't have to put on a fake smile for him, ranted about the idiots he'd had to deal with.

He was getting very involved in one particular story about deer eating the plants he'd ordered, when suddenly he was stumbling straight at Ransom. A soft "oof" escaped from Kai as his body slammed full up against Ransom's. Kai, like all of his father's other employees, had been warned not to startle Ransom years ago and when the other man yelped, he couldn't help but flinch. "I'm so sorry Ransom, I don't know what happened, please forgive me," he begged as he hurried to look around and see what idiot had knocked into him.

The only face that was even glancing in the direction of the two men was his mother's and she was trying very hard to make it seem like she was just casually looking around. One eyebrow crept up his forhead. What in the world was his mother up to?

Curious, Kai removed himself gently from Ransom's arms, apologized again for startling him, and then stalked across the yard to where his mother hand wandered off to. Never one to beat around the bush, Kai came right out and demanded, "Okay, you're acting awful suspcious Mom, why in the world would you shove me into Ransom?"

[Demeter]

Cissa gaved her son an innocent smile. "What ever do you mean, Kai?" she asked. When he just looked at her, Cissa sighed. She grabbed her son by the shoulders and turned him around to face Ransom. The Custos had shuffled into the shadows and had his back against a tree. He seemed to be looking everywhere but at them. With his closed off posture and the way he huddled against the tree, no one would approach him. "Kai," she said, "Would you, just this once, really look at Ransom. Notice how he is looking everywhere but at you. It's a very practiced move. He's been doing it since you came back from that awfully far away college you went to."

***
Ransom could feel the bark of the fir tree imprinting it's pattern against his back. As the number of people in the backyard increased, he pressed himself back against the tree. If he didn't stop, he'd be climbing up the tree to get away. Those last five hundred years as one of the Magda clan consorts (and that was the nicest way he could think to put it), a crowd this size would mean he'd be taken into a backroom by half a dozen people in a night. Here, surrounded by the DeLorme family and it's offshoots, all of which were strangely family-oriented to him, meant no one would touch him if he didn't want it. That was still a hard fact to get used to. He could see the few Custoss from the clan that had tranfered alligences milling around, acting as security. They'd stopped by, asked how he was doing and moved on. They'd remained loyal to Thanos and treated him with respect.

He almost wished that Kai would stop treating him with respect. Not that he'd ever admit that outloud. When Rune sidled up to him to ask if everything was all right, Ransom nodded and sent the Custos off to catch the two children toddleing towards the table with all the shiney wrapped presents.

***
Cissa, waiting for Kai to clue in, wrapped her arms around him. "He watches you, Kai, like your father watches me or how Lysander watches Dominic, how Zhara watches both Rune and Carma.. Wake up, Kai, and smell the roses. Ransom wants you," Cissa patted her son's shoulder and shoved him towards Ransom. "Gods above known that he'll never do anything about it but pine away in silence, so go do something about it."

[Maira]

He had always known that his mother was odd and the fact that she was now shoving him at Ransom just proved it. The man didn't like him the way she was implying, he couldn't. If he did he would have acted on it by now right? After all, if Ransom had truly been watching him since he came home from college nearly 10 years prior, the man had to have the willpower of a saint. He didn't know anybody that could -not- act on feelings for somebody else for 10 years. He sure couldn't and he'd gotten at least one black eye in the past to prove it...

He shook his head once to clear it then looked harder at Ransom. He didn't quite know what to think about what his mother said honestly. There was a chance that maybe she was right after all. If she was, then Kai had a lot of thinking to do. Until he did know one way or another though, Kai wasn't going to think on it too much right now.

Determined not to act any differently and tip Ransom off that something was up, Kai socialized on his way back to where the older man was pressed against a tree. Once he was close enough he could see that Ransom's nerves were about shot. New knowledge from his mother or no, he would have asked him, "Do you need to get out of here?"

[Demeter]

When Kai approached him and asked if he needed to leave, Ransom nodded and scrambled out of the backyard. He buzzed past the arriving guests, a few of the guards and into the front yard. He scooted into a little wooden grove to the side of the driveway and leaned against a old Oak tree. He sucked down one lungful of air after another. Kai, having followed him, was standing at the front of the grove. The man had never asked why Ransom’s nerves were constantly shot during large gatherings. Most people would be all be vibrating with curiosity to see someone his age acting as he did.

When one of the ancient guards strode past Kai, glaring at the vampire while he moved, Ransom shook his head. “I’m fine, Tomas. Just too many people. You know how I get.”

Tomas, who’d basically grown up with Ransom, grumbled. “If Lorcaine was still alive, I’d kill him,” he turned and glared at Kai. “This guy bugging you, Rannie?” he purposely used a childhood name for the hybrid while pointing at the vampire.

Ransom, sure that Kai had never seen him interact as such, not to mention the nickname, sighed. “I wish you wouldn’t call me that, Tomas. And Kai is fine. He’s saving me from the crowd.”

Tomas raised an eyebrow and studied the vampire. Rannie seemed to trust the vampire and Tomas, knowing the Halfling as well as did, could see that this Kai guy was more then just a friend to Ransom. “Hnn, you’d let me know if he became a problem, right?”

Ransom rolled his eyes but understood the sentiment. Tomas had saved him multiple times with Lorcaine’s rougher thugs had gotten a hold of him. “Yes, I’d let you or the others know. You should go back. I’ll be fine with Kai here.”

Tomas eyed the vampire. “Hurt him and you will be hunted down. Rannie, take care of yourself,” he left the grove, intent on telling the others about this vampire guy that Rannie was friendly around.

Ransom groaned and slid down the length of the Oak tree’s trunk to sit on the ground. “I really wish Tomas wouldn’t call me that. I’m no longer a child. He knows that,” he looked up at Kai, “Sorry that he said that to you. Tomas has always been one of my protectors. The others will probably issue their own special warnings now.”

Why couldn’t the man clue in? It took Tomas less then a minute to catch the hints. Then again, Tomas had been around for all the years of his life. He knew Ransom’s little habits and tells. If ten ancient Custoss issuing warnings of “hurt him and I’ll maim you” didn’t tell the man something, he’d go absolutely batty.

“I’m going to go make my excuses to your parents. I’ll see you tomorrow, won’t I?”
Ransom stood, playing the trailing ends of his hair. “You’ve got those new landscaping contracts and you need to select stock and it’s not like I ever leave the growing fields and greenhouses so you’d be bound to see me if you come out to see the stock. I’m going to see your parents now,” he scuttled out of the grove, blushing something fierce. He’d never said that much to Kai in one hour, let alone one sentence. He quickly found Wrath and Cissa, mumbled that he had to go. He wished the two a happy anniversary and a promise that gift was coming. It was still growing, that’s all.

When he headed towards his car, Ransom risked a glance at Kai. He blushed and ducked his head down.

[Maira]

Between the threats from the guard Tomas, and Ransom suddenly not being able to keep from blushing, Kai realized that his mother must be right. At least about the fact that as of right now Ransom had a thing for him. He still didn't believe that Ransom had liked him for the past 10 years though. That he would determine later once he managed to get the man to warm up to him. After all, now that he knew he was determined to at least see where things might go.

*****

It was early in the day when Kai showed up to the private nursery that supplied his father's landscaping business. He liked getting an early start for many reasons, but the main one was that it was quiet and peaceful. Kai liked most of the people that worked for his father and he was definitely a social creature, but there was just something soothing about being alone with growing plants early in the morning. For him it was a better way to start off the day than drinking a cup of coffee.

When he hopped out of his truck (which doubled as a work truck, business logo and all) he trudged across the gravel parking lot toward the greenhouses. He'd seen Ransom's car in the lot when he'd pulled in (the only car there so far) and he hadn't been able to help but smile. If he was going to get to the bottom of the Ransom thing the only way he'd be able to do that was if they were alone.

When he reached the front door to the office, he reached for his keys to unlock it but then he changed his mind. Ransom was likely already out tending the plants either in the greenhouses or the fields and if he wanted to take advantage of them being the only two around, he needed to do it soon. So, with a new plan blooming in his head, Kai left his keys in his pocket and wandered around to the back of the office where he'd be able to look for Ransom.

When he didn't see Ransom in the fields that left only the greenhouses so he started with the closest of the four. Finally he found him watering some new little seedlings and he leaned against the door frame casually to watch the man. Ransom really was an attractive man and Kai wanted to kick himself for not noticing before. The long red hair and fair skin looked a bit out of place in the dirty, humid greenhouse but that made him even more appealing.

When Ransom didn't seem to notice him right away, Kai just silently admired him for a few moments before he cleared his throat once and greeted the older man, "Morning Ransom." He waited until the angel noticed him before he pushed off the door frame and joined him inside the greenhouse.

[Demeter]

He planned to spend the day out in the feilds, pruning and shaping the trees growing in the designated Christmas fields, after seeing to the watering and feeding of the greenhouse plants. While most were on an automated system, he took delicate care of the seedlings. He spoke to the plants, asking them what music they'd like to listen to today. He'd turn on some Bach before leaving for the feilds. He'd been so wrapped up in his work that he didn't notice Kai until he heard his voice.

He swallowed the yelp but he wasn't able to stop the way he bumped into the table. He turned, back pressed against the edge. He dropped the well used watercan and smiled shyly. "Morning, Kai?" he wondered how fast he could get the vampire out of the green house. "Looking for stock? Most of the stuff in here isn't mature enough to brave the elements yet."

He wanted to run and hide. Last night, once he was safely locked into his apartment, he'd berated himself over and over again. He can't believe he said those things to Kai. And Tomas? He wanted to strangle the Custos. He edged along the table. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

[Maira]

He hadn't meant to scarle Ransom which was why he'd cleared his throat before he'd started talking and seeing the man jump and back into the table brought a small frown to Kai's mouth. "I'm sorry Ransom, I didn't mean to startle you," he said softly as Ransom slowly edged toward him and the exit from the greenhouse. Stepping aside to let Ransom pass, Kai watched the other man carefully for any signs of the previous night's pink cheeks.

Even as Ransom slipped past him and practically bolted for the fields, Kai couldn't see any sign of what he was looking for. Now he couldn't help but wonder if he had imagined it all or not. He kept a short distance between them as they walked but all the same Kai walked side by side with Ransom. He fished out his list from the same pocket he had his keys stashed in and handed it to Ransom as they reached the field.

"Everything I need is on this list. If you know we don't have something I'm open to suggestions on replacements or substitutions." The last item on the list, the one thing that Kai knew couldn't be grown in the fields or greenhouses, was: You and me to have dinner tonight? Hopefully he wouldn't freak Ransom out too badly. All he wanted to do was let the older man know he was interested in getting to know him better if nothing else.

[Demeter]

It wasn't shock or nerves that drove Ransom into the fields. It was sheer, mortal embarresment. The memory of last night, and the words that had spilled out of his mouth, caused him to hide in the fruit trees. Undoubtly, things were now awkward.

Ransom wanted to find something hard and bash his head against it. How could he have acted so stupidly? This was Kai; a man who could have anyone he wanted. Why would such a man want someone like Ransom? He still believed that he was worth very little. Oh, he knew that he was good-looking and skilled in the arts of courtship, flirting, and sex but only because he'd been trained in those things but he was a very uninteresting person for the most part.

When Kai caught up to him and handed over a list, Ransom forgot about mortal embarresment and thought about the stock on hand. He could have the hardy bushes and groundcover ready to go in an hour. He'd have to bring out the bobcat to supply the number of maple trees the client wanted but Ransom didn't mind. Sometimes, when he drove the Bobcat, Ransom pretended that Lorcaine was still alive and, when he plucked a tree or bush from the ground, that he was ripping him apart with the machine.

When he reached the last item on the list, Ransom tripped over his own feet. He stumbled into an old apple tree and stared at Kai. He licked suddenly dry lips. It seemed that Kai had picked up those hints after all. He stared at Kai, who stared back, and slowly nodded. When Kai smiled at him and said that he'd pick him up at seven, Ransom very nearly whimpered. He was going on a date, his very first, with Kai.

This could not be happening!

[Maira]

When Ransom tripped over something that Kai couldn't see and stumbled into one of the old apple trees, Kai reached out to steady him. The look that Ransom gave Kai was a little hard to interpret until Ransom finally started nodding. With a smile of his own, Kai happily informed Ransom that he'd pick him up at his apartment at 7pm and then he turned and walked back to his truck and the trailer he'd hooked up to it, and drove off for a nice long day of digging holes and planting stuff.

*****

While he loved spending quiet time with the plants in the morning to get his day going, he also loved getting up to his elbows in dirt while he planted things. His crew had long ago learned to to question why Kai hummed when he he worked but some of them joked that he was singing to the plants to help them grow. Wouldn't the humans just faint if they knew that was -exactly- what he was doing?

Anyway, his day had started out well and continued to go well all through the big job he was working on. By the time 5pm rolled around he and his crew were well ahead of schedule and he was happy with their progress. It didn't take long to pack up all the tools into the trucks and tuck in all of the unplanted greenery for the night with a good watering and then he too was in the truck and headed home. He needed to clean out his truck, shower, and then run to the grocery store before he picked up Ransom for their dinner.

*****

As he drove to Ransom's house, Kai couldn't help but keep peering into the bed of his truck. The brown tarp was covering a picnic basket he had filched from his mother on the way home. Instead of taking Ransom out to some restaurant or other public place where he would have to deal with the crowds he hated, he was taking him to a nature reserve that his father's Kindle frequented (but weren't using that night). It'd be quiet and they'd be surrounded by the plants that they both loved.

Finally, he spotted Ransom's apartment building and he pulled into the lot. After finding one of the few "guest" spots left he parked the truck and hopped out. The other thing that he'd been watching in the back was a box with some seedlings that he hoped Ransom would like. They were all in delicate little clay pots for now, but he had also supplied a bigger planter for when they got big enough. He also hadn't included the names of the plants, he wanted them to be a surprise, but he had included their care instructions. If Ransom was any sort of gardener, he would likely figure out before they were mature just what the plants were.

So, grabbing the box with the seedlings and planter in it, he quickly made his way to Ransom's door. He gave a swift knock and then waited, a happy half smile on his face as he hummed to the seedlings, picturing their new life with Ransom for them, encouraging them to grow and be healthy.

[Demeter]

Ransom was pretty sure that he was going to pass out. He sat in his living room, head dangling between his knees as he sucked down deep breaths, as he waited for Kai. Tonight just had to be perfect. He'd never been on a date. He knew how to flirt and so on but dating? Dating was something completely new.

Ransom moaned. He'd called his great-niece Faith over to help him prepare. She'd apparently got the information out of Kai about the destination, not that she'd told him anything. She'd just given him some basic pointers and told him what to wear. She'd even gone as fare as to style his hair. He couldn't hide behind the long, red locks now that she'd swept half of it back. He wasn't sure he could do this.

When someone, supposedly Kai, knocked on his door, Ransom jumped. He then stopped and calmly walked to do the door. He didn't want to appear to eager, right? He opened the door and shyly smiled at Kai. Faith had told him to invite Kai in, so Ransom scooted backwards to let the vampire in. When he received the box, Ransom peered in. He grinned when he saw the seedlings and scooted towards his kitchen. He had to perfect spot for them in his kitchen.

Once he was happy with the arrangement of the seedlings in the window over his sink, Ransom returned to the living room and smiled at Kai. "Thank you," he said. He glanced around, fidgeted with his hair and looked at Kai from beneath his eyelashes. "Um, well, should we get going? I want to know where we are going."

[Maira]

Kai hadn't minded giving Faith a bit of info on where he was taking Ransom. He knew his aunt was just looking out for Ransom. So, when Ransom asked where they were going, Kai couldn't help but look surprised. "Didn't Faith tell you?" he asked in return without answering. At the shake of Ransom's head, Kai smiled and answered, "You know my father is part Kindle right? Well, they aren't using the preserve that belongs to them and I thought you might enjoy getting out in nature away from crowds. Last night's party had to be more than enough for you, I know it was for me."

While he wasn't nearly as skittish around crowds, Kai did prefer quiet to rambunctious parties. He was quite the opposite of many of the "kids" of his generation in the family. So, naturally, he quite enjoyed being able to run free (or at least amble peacefully) through the nature preserve.

After a moment of silence, Kai asked worriedly, "You don't mind do you? I packed us a picnic and I know a place with a really great view that I was going to take you to." He really hoped that Ransom wouldn't back out now, getting ready for this date had put his own blossoming feelings full in the spotlight for Kai and he really didn't handle getting shot down very well. He'd likely be mopey for a couple weeks, and that was only if he didn't see Ransom at all. Seeing as how Ransom worked for Kai's father though, the mopey-ness might go on for months...

[Demeter]

Ransom enjoyed the ride out to the preserve. And he enjoyed the fact that Kai had taken his fear of crowds into account when planning things. He could only handle crowds every once in a while. And, whenever he was out in public, he was stared at. He'd always been one of the shyer ones. Misha, now he loved the spotlight. As did Nika. He absently wondered where the two Custoss were. He'd been on earth for close to thirty years and he still hadn't found the others.

Ransom sighed and decided to focus on the now rather then the then. He turned and looked at Kai from the corner of his eye. He all but wiggled in his seat. He hadn't hesitated when Kai told him about his plans. He'd been worried about having dinner in some fancy resturant but a preserve where it was just them and the trees would allow him to be himself.

Of course, this explained why Faith had told him why to wear a pair of jeans and sturdy boots. When they arrived at the park, Ransom scambled out of the truck and looked around. He lookeded at Kai over the hood of the vehicle and smiled at Kai. "This is wonderful. Thankyou, Kai!"

[Maira]

Kai had to admit that the reaction he got from Ransom at his choice of date venues was better than he expected and very gratifying. Softly, so as not to disturb the peace of the forest, Kai answered, "You're welcome Ransom." His smile was just as soft as his tone had been.

Reaching into the back of the truck, Kai pulled out the picnic basket and slipped it inside the cab. He had planned for them to take a short hike before dinner, get them both hungry so that when the mealtime finally came they'd both be more eager to relax and enjoy the food.

Once their dinner was secure in the cab of the truck and safe from curious squirrels and birds, Kai walked around the truck and gestured for Ransom to walk with him. "There is a gentle trail that I think you'll enjoy right over this way. Lets go for a walk and we'll break out dinner when we get back okay?" Aside from hoping to work up an appetite, Kai hoped that Ransom would be able to relax a bit. Kai was dying to touch the other man, if only to hold his hand, but he wouldn't even try unless he thought he wouldn't scare the wits out of the older man.

[Demeter]

Ransom bounced down the forest path, boots sliding along the carpet of pine needles. The sunlight, filtering down through the trees, was burning a bright amber coloring of a setting sun. Occassionally, he would glance back at Kai and smile at him. When they came to a small clearing overlooking a field of wildflowers, Ransom steered away from the path and stared out. "This place is wonderful, Kai. Its absolutely perfect."

Wrangling up the courage, Ransom walked over to Kai and placed a gentle, barely there, kiss on his cheek. Blushing, Ransom jumped back on the path. Instead of plowing ahead, he waited for Kai and he took the vampires hand and walked along with him. When they returned to the truck and Kai spread out the picnic dinner, Ransom sat next to the vampire instead of across from him. "Thank you for this. I would imagine that this is the best first date anyone could ever have."

[Maira]

Kai watched as Ransom seemed to morph into an almost completely different person, somebody who was relaxed and happy rather that somebody who was shy and scared. Apparently picking the nature reserve for their date had been a great idea. When they reached the clearing that overlooked a field of wildflowers Kai watched Ransom closely and was very happy at the reaction the view caused in the older man.

What happened next shocked Kai so much he nearly jerked away in surprise, Ransom kissed him on the cheek! As far as Kai could remember, that was the first time Ransom had touched him voluntarily. And for that first touch to be a kiss, not matter how soft and fleeting, just solidified that he really -really- wanted to get to know Ransom better. When he came out of his shock, he realized that Ransom was already back on the path but was waiting for him to join him. Not wanting to keep the other man waiting Kai hurried to join him. As he reached where Ransom was standing on the path, Kai got his wish. Ransom reached out and took his hand and held it the entire time they walked back to the truck.

Only after they had returned to the truck and Kai had spread out the picnic blanket and they were sitting rather close to each other did Kai give himself a minute to really think about the rest of the evening. His thoughts didn't get to go very far though because Ransom was thanking him for the evening. Smiling he answered, "I'm glad you've enjoyed yourself, you're welcome." Then, with a small laugh he hadded, "If it hadn't been for me catching my mother watching us funny yesterday after I got bumped into you, and then what she told me when I called her on it, I wouldn't have even thought to ask you on a date. I tend to live in my own little world a lot of the time and I miss cues that are obvious to everybody else so I just want to apologize for taking so long." Then he took Ransom's hand in both of his and brought it to his lips and kissed it gently. "I hope you'll accept my apology?"

[Demeter]

On the way back from the nature reserve, Ransom sat next to Kai on the bench seat of the truck. Even though it was an older model, the truck was an automatic transmission and that pleased Ransom to no end. He sat as close as he could with the outside of his left thigh pressing against the outside of Kai's right. They hands, fingers tangled together, rested against in the little dip created by their legs. When they pulled into the parkling lot of Ransom's building and parked, Ransom glanced around.

Several of the other residents were some of the men who'd been loyal to his father and had always seen Ransom as a little boy, no matter how old he was. He didn't want them to see Kai because that would lead to questions and threats against Kai if he hurt Ransom in any form. Ransom sighed and sagged back against the seat. He didn't see any of their cars. When Kai asked what was wrong, Ransom grinned. "Just checking to see that no one would see this."

Before Kai could say anything else, Ransom half-shifted on the bench seat and pressed a kiss to the vampire's lips. It wasn't anything special, just a chaste, closed mouth kiss that lasted for maybe ten seconds but he pulled away and thanked Kai for a wonderful time and could they do it again some time soon. Shortly after that, he was closing his front door after watching Kai drive away. And then he ran into the kitchen to play with his new plants.

The second date, a trip to a botanical garden, had been just as wonderful. There'd been very few people and Ransom had wandered to his heart's content. His good night kiss to Kai had lasted slightly longer, though this time he had gotten even closer. Shy he might have been around people but he didn't want to shock Kai with just how not shy he was with intimacy. He also just wasn't ready to tell Kai about that part of his life.

The third date, which was supposed to be a quiet afternoon back at the nature reserve, turned into a emergency landscaping project for a woman who happened to be a loyal customer at the garden shop. She wanted to impress the hell out of her mother-in-law and hadn't batted an eyelash at the cost of the last minute landscaping. Ransom had pitched in and helped with the hauling, digging, and planting. He even used a little of his magic to help the plants take root in their new homes and to flourish for the mother-in-laws visit. They'd had dinner with Kai's parents, a wonderfully relaxing time, and the good night kiss had been just a little hotter and a little longer.

The fourth date was that missed trip to the nature reserve. They'd hiked, dozed in the sun and cuddled on that trip. Ransom had learned what Kai had been doing at that far away college and he told Kai about some of the rose hybrids he was trying to create. That good night kiss had been just a little longer then the last.

The fifth date had been dinner at a quiet resturant. Ransom had been touched when he learned that Kai had called ahead and asked for a private booth to be reserved. And that both, with it's curved sides and wall of thriving plants had been a wonderfully relaxed spot for Ransom. Indeed, it had been perfect to relax Ransom before he'd launched his plan on Kai.

He'd been helping Wrath with a delivery of special plants to a costumer at the shop when he noticed the sales girl flirting with Kai. The flirting had gone right over his head but the girl was rather aggressive and that hadn't pleased Ransom. The thought of actually saying anything about it had caused his pulse to race, skin to flush and a sweat to break out along his brow. He'd have to show the girl that Kai was taken and that was going to take some work. Getting a hicky to stick to a vampire wasn't a walk in the park.

So that night, when Kai parked the truck in front of the apartment building, Ransom scooted towards the passenger door and motioned for Kai to scoot closer. When Kai was out from behind the wheel, Ransom had moved fast and plopped himself on Kai's lap and, while the poor man was in shock from the move, had the top few buttons of his dress shirt undone in a heartbeat. And then he'd fastened his mouth high on Kai's neck and bent his will towards marking the man as his.

Except his first attempt didn't get very far. He hadn't checked for his the cars of the others that night and before he could blink, Tomas had hauled him out of the car, grumbling something about people molesting Ransom. He'd slapped Tomas' hands away, said that he'd been doing the molesting and was perfectly fine before hauling himself back into the truck and locking the door. He knew that Tomas's actions had been out of protection and jealously. Ransom had someone to love and Tomas's someone, Misha, was still missing. He waited till Tomas had gone back to his apartment before crawling back into Kai's lap. He sighed at the fading bruise and sighed. "Now I have to start all over again," he muttered before bending his head and finding that sweet spot again. He purred when Kai got over his shock long enough to brush away Ransom's hair and return the favor. They'd sat in the that truck for a while, contently necking until Ransom was satified with the deep bruise on Kai's neck.

He'd even found an excuse to go by the shop the next day and smirk when the sales girl saw the very obvious bruise. He'd even gotten the joy of watching Wrath bemusedly blinking at both him and Kai and their matching marks.

And so went dates six, seven, eight and nine. Each one was to a place meant to keep Ransom from flipping out and each one ended in a intense kiss. On the tenth, which had been a slightly ridiculus but fun trip to a bowling alley, Ransom finally did it. He'd been perched on Kai's lap, one hand gripping the back of the seat and the other tanged in Kai's hair and Kai's hands gripping his ass. That kiss was hard and long. It was hot and fast and Ransom just couldn't get close enough. Then bench seat of the truck just wouldn't allow the the to get any closer. He pulled away, lips swollen and just slightly out of breath and nipped at Kai's jaw. "Come inside with me tonight," he whispered into Kai's ear, "stay with me tonight."

[Maira]

Dating Ransom was a quiet affair. Kai made a habit of taking him to low key places because he was hoping to ever so slowly get the other man used more people. He knew it was going to be a long process but he was patient, and Ransom was totally worth it. They had been averaging one date a week so by the time they'd reached their tenth date, they had been seeing each other for a couple months.

Now if he was going to be honest, Kai was no saint. He'd gotten rather hot and heavy with the people he'd dated in the past. The only thing he hadn't done was actually have sex. If his psuedo cousins ever found out most of them would probably look at him like he was an oddity of nature. It wasn't that he didn't want to have sex, gods knew he'd come close a couple of times, but something always stopped him. He had wanted to wait for the right person and somehow he had just always known that the people he was with in the past weren't who he was waiting for. When Ransom asked him to come inside and stay the night, Kai didn't hesitate at all. He'd known for weeks that Ransom was who he had been waiting for all these years.

Breathless and more than a bit shaky, Kai nodded and answered, "Of course." And with those two words the men separated and bolted out of the truck. Somehow they managed to keep the groping and kissing to a minimum on the way to Ransom's apartment. Once they were inside and the door was shut behind them though all restraint was lost. As Kai had no idea where the bedroom was, he just aimed Ransom toward the couch. When they reached Kai's destination he was surprised to find himself suddenly the one being pushed onto the couch and then Ransom was once again in his lap. Kai moaned as the other man pressed him back into the overstuffed piece of furniture, and then again when Ransom pressed his hips into Kai's.

Things progressed from there, hands and mouths of both men eagerly exploring the other. Only when Ransom's hands slipped between them and started tugging at Kai's zipper did Kai hesitate. He pulled back just a bit and looked Ransom in the eyes for a moment before telling him, "You will be my first." Then, while the other man sat there in shock, Kai pulled the him in for another kiss and then helped him get his zipper the rest of the way down.

[Demeter]

Thinking wasn't high on Ransom's list of things to do and when Kai confessed that Ransom would be his first, the hybrid's brain shut down. He'd never been anyone's first before. He pulled away and sat up, kneeling over Kai's waist. He stared down at the man, oddly touched by both the faint blush and the fact that he'd be the first to see Kai like this.

He leaned down, weight braced on his forearms and kissed him. "I'm honored and I think something like that calls for a little more then the couch." He scooped Kai up and, in a rare show of his strength, levered the both of them off the couch. With Kai doing his best to distract him, Ransom somehow got them into the bedroom. He kicked the door close and slowly, as to slide every part of Kai's body against his, lowered the vampire. He nuzzled Kai while running his thumbs around the waist band of the vampire's pants. "Got to tell you, it's been about 25 years since I've done this but I'll make it good, so good, for you, Kai."

He'd have to tell him the story later, letting the vampire know the whole of his sorid past but for now he'd focus all of his attention and his considerable inventory of tricks on Kai. He pushed Kai onto the bed and climbed up after him.

[Maira]

He hadn't been ready to be picked up off the couch and carried to Ransom's bedroom, after all he was a good couple inches taller than the other man and typically one just didn't pick up somebody bigger than themself and lug them around like it was nothing. Not sure he liked being picked up, Kai decided to make things difficult on Ransom and let his hands and lips continue to explore what they could reach of the other man's body.

Luckily they made it to the bedroom without any trouble and once Ransom set Kai down on his feet again, Kai looked down at Ransom as he promised to make this first experience a good one. Kai was just about to bend down and kiss Ransom into silence when suddenly he was pushed backwards onto the bed with Ransom following right behind.

*****

The wait had been worth it. His night with Ransom had been downright amazing. Even a week later, Kai was still a bit in awe of the other man's skills in the bedroom. He hadn't told anybody about their night together but his mother kept looking at him funny and he had a sneaky feeling she knew something big had happened. She may not have been his biological mother, but somehow the woman had always been ridiculously intuned to him. Finally, after he caught her staring at him for the third time during their weekly lunch he asked, "What? You've obvioiusly got something on your mind that you want to ask me, so what is it?"