Backgrounds

Ethan hadn't been lying when he'd said that for him sex and magic went together. He'd already been attracted to Rupert, but the power in the air, coursing over and through them both, intensified the attraction. About a block from his flat, he stopped walking. Rupert turned to see why, and Ethan reached out pulling the other man close, kissing him full on the lips. At first, Rupert stiffened, though he didn't try to pull away. He soon gave in to the power and the want coursing through him as well. In a moment it would be impossible to tell where one of them ended and the other began.

While Ethan had initiated the kiss, Rupert quickly became the aggressor. The kiss was harsh and deep, claiming. The power made every nerve ending super sensitized. Every thought it was erotic, every brush of a hand a sensual caress. Eventually they broke apart. The rain was still pouring down around them.

They walked the short distance back to the flat. Phillip had gone, unwilling to watch Ethan slip away from him. They thought about that only for a moment. When Ethan spoke his voice was heavy with power. It was almost a physical entity. It felt like warm silk ghosting across Rupert's flesh. "If you're going to be somewhere at 10, then we had better get your clothes dry. I'd loan you some of mine, but I don't think they would fit." There was humor in that last, but need, pure raw lust overrode that.

For his part Rupert merely nodded and began to strip off his wet clothes. Ethan, true to his word, put the wet clothing in his dryer before returning to Rupert's body.

Rupert was comfortable with his body, he always had been. And he wasn't unused to lust for men. It was neither being nude in Ethan's presence, nor the fact that he was about to experience sex with a man for the first time, that made him uncomfortable. Instead it was the intensity of the magic surrounding them. The air was so charged with it that the sensation was almost painful. He tried to draw some of his own power, back within himself. Ethan was immediately aware of the attempt. He stepped forward and kissed Rupert again. After a moment, he broke the kiss and spoke against his skin. "Don't fight the magic. Ride it." Rupert was hesitant for a moment longer, before giving into the need that was building inside him.

Rupert used his mouth on every bit of Ethan's exposed flesh. His hands frantically ripped at buttons, giving him more skin to devour. Ethan’s hands skimmed across the hard planes of Rupert's body, never still. They allowed the magic to course over and through them. Their actions guided by it.

The obstacle of Ethan's clothing was soon gone. Somehow, they ended up on the floor. Rupert claimed Ethan's mouth again before moving lower. He bruised Ethan's fair skin with his harsh movements, using tongue and teeth on Ethan's neck and collarbone. They moved against each other, the magic setting the rhythm of their bodies. When Ethan circled them both with his hand, Rupert knew that he wouldn't last long; everything was just too intense. Ethan slid his hand up and down their lengths. The feel of those slender fingers was too much for Rupert and he came, hard. Ethan followed a moment later.

The two of them lay tangled together on the floor for a few moments. They rode the last of the high the magic had provided together, gently caressing and kissing each other.

After a time they broke apart, each thoroughly sated. "That was amazing." Ethan spoke in the languid tones that he reserved for private conversation.

"Of course, it was magic." Rupert's own voice was just slightly sardonic as he answered.

Ethan just gave him a look that oozed sex, before replying. "I told you magic was about sex. We have to do this again sometime, the magic I mean. The sex is optional, though you seemed to enjoy it."

"Why would I work the magic, if I couldn't have the sex as well?" Rupert gave his own lust laden look. "I've got to get cleaned up." this last was spoken in a crisp no-nonsense tone.

"Bathroom's down the hall. Just where do you have to be at 10 anyway?"

"I told you, I'm looking for a band. The man at the music store assured me that the best place to do that was this club. So, off I go." Rupert got up and headed down the hall that Ethan had indicated the bathroom was on. He quickly showered, and then realized he didn't have his clothes. He went in search of them and instead found the kitchen. Ethan was searching through the refrigerator for something to eat. "There's not much here, and I'm famished." Ethan's regular public voice was now in use.

Rupert hadn't noticed his own hunger until Ethan mentioned his. "I'm hungry too. I've got a couple hours before I have to be at the club. We could find something."

"That sounds lovely, but I would say, you're a tad under dressed for most of the establishments I go to."

"Well, then someone had better get me my clothes. I didn't even see where you went with them."

Ethan retrieved Rupert's clothes and a short time later the two of them were a few blocks from the club that Rupert was supposed to go to, eating dinner. "So can I come?" Ethan asked.

"Where?"

"To watch you sing of course."

"Oh, that. I suppose. It doesn't bother me."

They finished their dinner in near silence. Rupert realized that he still knew almost nothing about this man. He only knew that Ethan had thought nothing of having sex with him tonight, though it was obvious that he had a relationship with Phillip. He knew that Deirdre had a low opinion of Ethan, and he knew that Ethan was powerful. That was it. He didn't know anything else. Maybe Deirdre was right, and he didn't have any business critiquing her choice of men.

Ethan was quiet simply because he didn't know what to say. He had never met anyone with the kind of power that Rupert had. If forced to say which of them was stronger, he would have to choose Rupert. The power was there, and there was so much of it. What he couldn't understand was the emotion that led it. He could feel the anger and the pain in Rupert's power, and he didn't know where it was coming from or why. It mystified him. He wanted access to this power, and he did truly enjoy the company of Rupert, but he wanted to know what drove him. He couldn't ask though, not yet anyway. Maybe he would learn if he just stayed around for long enough.

When they had finished eating, Ethan and Rupert walked the short distance to the club. The clerk at the music store had called and put Rupert on the list of performers. Rupert checked in with the owner and found that he would be one of the first to sing. He would have rather had a later spot, but would take what he could get. He and Ethan sat without speaking through four truly terrible acts.

It was finally Rupert's turn. He went up to the stage and quickly tuned his guitar. He didn't speak, just started playing, low melancholy notes, strung together. After a moment he began to sing, infusing his voice with magic and allowing the pain of his mother's death to bleed into it as well.

Starry, starry night

Paint your palette blue and gray

Look out on a summer's day

With eyes that know the darkness in my soul

Shadows on the hills

Sketch the trees and the daffodils

Catch the breeze and the winter chills

In colors on the snowy linen land

Now I understand what you tried to say to me

How you suffered for your sanity

How you tried to set them free

They would not listen they did not how

Perhaps they'll listen now

Starry, starry night

Flaming flowers that brightly blaze

Swirling clouds in violet haze

Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue

Colors changing hue

Morning fields of amber grain

Weathered faces lined in pain

Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand

Now I understand what you tried to say to me

How you suffered for your sanity

How you t to to set them free

They would not listen they did not how

Perhaps they'll listen now

For they could not love you

But still your love was true

And when no hope was left inside

On that starry, starry night

You took your life as lovers often do

But I could have told you Mother

This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you

Starry, starry night

Portraits hung in empty halls

Frameless heads on nameless walls

With eyes that watch the world and can't forget

Like the strangers that you've met

The ragged men in ragged clothes

The silver thorn of bloody rose

Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow

Now I think I know

What you tried to say to me

How you suffered for your sanity
ow yow you tried to set them free

They did not listen they're not listening still

Perhaps they never will

He had changed the lyric just slightly, from Don McLean's version, to reflect the fact that he was singing for his mother. The song also came out much harsher than the folksy ballad McLean sang. And the song seemed custom made for his voice. Everyone in the club had been captivated from the moment that the first note fell. His pain and anger were so very raw in his voice.

The final note from Rupert's guitar fell away in silence, and that silence held for a moment. Then the room exploded in applause. Rupert allowed himself one small smile. He was doing it, accomplishing his mother's dream of being on stage and being loved by the audience. It might not be thousands, but it was enough.

The club manager met him as he left the stage. "That was incredible. We’ve had a lot of great acts in here, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone inspire silence in this bunch before. I heard you’re looking for a band. I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that after tonight." The man gushed over the performance. It was like he thought this young man that kept his club popular. "I’ve got to get the next act set up. Stick around, have a drink."

The man was gone before Rupert could even get a thanks out. Ethan Rayne was quick to reach his side though. He felt him before he saw their power flaring to life. Ethan grabbed him and kissed him hard. Rupert just laughed and pulled him along to the bar.

"That was incredible, almost as good as our rainstorm." He spoke softly, his voice lightly touched with power.

"It was for my mother…" Before Rupert could finish his explanation, the two of them were accosted by a couple of rather large and quite drunk men.

"Looks like the singer’s a fairy. We don’t like them types in our bar, now do we Jerry?" The larger one spoke to his companion.

"Nah, they ought to stay in their own place. Ought to just run em all out of the city if you want my view." Jerry answered. "Now why don’t you boys get yourselves out of here, before we have to remove you?"

"I think I rather like it here. So, I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t you get out of here and go fuck yourselves?" Ethan answered back.

The larger man was enraged that he would be spoken to like that. He reached a hand out and grabbed Ethan, pulling him away from the bar. Ethan was strong for his size, but wasn’t a match for the much larger man. "Come on, I warned you."

"That you did, and now I’m warning you. Remove your hand from my friend, or I will hurt you." Rupert’s voice came out with icy control. If the men had been less drunk, they would have recognized the voice and the look in his eyes. They would have known that this was a fight they could not win.

Instead Jerry stepped forward and shoved Rupert, "Oh yeah. Why don’t you try it fairy boy."

Rupert was trained; he’d been training all of his life. He could take down bigger and stronger men than these two. When Jerry came towards him again, Rupert stepped out of the way and slammed one fist into the man’s face. He could feel bones splintering even as they connected. Rupert didn’t waste any time. He stepped forward and grabbed the other man’s wrist, twisting as he did so. "I believe I asked you to remove your hand from my friend." He spoke even as he heard the snap of breaking bones. The other man released his hold on Ethan and screamed, cradling his now broken wrist.

The manager and two other men came over and broke the fight up. Ethan and Rupert cooperated easily, having already won the battle. The manager spoke with the r twr two men for a short while before turning to Rupert. "Come with me, you need to get out of here." He turned and walked away without waiting for a response. Rupert grabbed Ethan’s arm and pulled him along, following the manager. They were led through some offices and backrooms and out a door. It wasn’t until they were outside that the man turned to speak with Rupert again. "I’ve got to ask you to leave and stay away for awhile anyway." He could see that Rupert was about to interrupt so he held up a hand and rushed on. "I know that you were provoked. Quite frankly, I’d been hoping that someone would do that for a long time. Unfortunately, their families have money; they also hold the note on this place. I can’t afford to lose the club. I have to put up with them. Give it a month or so, and they’ll have moved on to torture some new people, but for now, I’d get away from here. I’m sorry."

Rupert spoke in a cool calm voice, not betraying the slightest bit of lingering anger. "It’s alright; I understand where you’re coming from. They’ll be okay; I didn’t hurt either of them too badly. The one will have some bruises, and he needs his nose set. The other, well, I broke his wrist, but it’s a clean break. It’ll heal nicely. I won’t cause you any more trouble. Come on Ethan. We’re done here." Rupert walked away. The manager simply watched them walk away. He was sorry to lose the talent, but wasn’t sure he really wanted to deal with this cold young man again anyway.

The two of them made their way around the building. They were intercepted by a group of young men. "Excuse me; can I talk to you for just a moment?" A tall sandy-haired man spoke to them.

"That would of course depend on what you wanted to talk about." Ethan replied.

The other man laughed, but when he spoke again he was clearly addressing Rupert. "We heard you sing. I was wondering if you were looking for a band."

Rupert looked the group over. "You’re looking for a singer?"

"We are. I’m Darian. My brother used to sing with us, but he went off and got himself married. Chelle doesn’t let him "play like a child" anymore."

"Tell me a bit about the band." This would be good. Even getting kicked out of the club couldn’t kill the high that finding a band was giving Rupert.

"We’re Soaring. I’m the drummer. Christian plays bass and Micah here is a guitarist, plays a little piano when the occasion calls for it too. If you play an electric as well as you played that acoustic tonight, I’d say you’re just exactly what we’re looking for." Darian was smiling, but it was clear that this wasn’t a decision that he would take lightly.

"You’re not bothered by what happened in there then?" One last question and Rupert would be satisfied.

“Now wait a bit. Those guys deserved much worse. And as for your friend, well Christian and Micah have been together for almost four years now, so that’s not an issue."

"Sounds good. When can we get together?"

"Tomorrow, 3pm."

"That works for me. I’m Rupert Giles and this is Ethan Rayne."

"Great, do you know the Birdsong Record shop?"

"I do, I have a friend who works there."

"Okay, we’ll meet you there then. It’s a short walk to our place. I’ll be looking forward to it Rupert." Darian spoke with an easy confidence. He believed this to be a done deal.

"I’ll see you there." Rupert replied with the same confidence. He walked away with Ethan following closely behind. They walked in silence for a moment. Rupert stopped abruptly and turned to look at Ethan. "Today was…interesting. After I deal with the band tomorrow, I’d like to try some more magic." His voice had softened, both the harsh edge that was already creeping into and and the power were gone. He sounded almost tentative and a little shy.

Ethan smiled broadly, he had wondered for a moment if Rupert was having second thoughts regarding their involvement. "Of course. Deirdre should have my number, call when you’re finished doing band things. I can’t wait to see what we can do." Ethan reached a hand out, brushing a few stray hairs away from Rupert’s face. "We work well together. Goodnight." He leaned in and brushed his lips lightly against Rupert’s before drawing away. He didn’t wait for an answer; he simply turned and walked towards his own home.

Rupert quickly made his way back to Deirdre’s flat. When he walked in she was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking tea. "Well, you look as though your night went better than mine. Tell me about it?"