The Tangled Web He Weaves

A/N: This story has been festering in my mind for a while now, and I really want to get it down on paper...or rather my computer's writing program. I'll admit that my writing style can see some improvement and any and all feedback is greatly appreciated. I would love to hear back from all of you. I've been trying to flesh out these characters for a little while now, so I hope their personalities shine through for you to be able to love them as much as I do. Now, without further adieu, here is chapter 1.

Chapter 1: Blood or Cum (The Incubus' Guide For A Courteous Host)

Having brought his luggage into the spare room, Ryo headed to the kitchen table led by a groggy-looking Talon. Glistening liquid drops from Talon’s still-dripping hair trailed down a pale neck and into the white, dampened towel draped about his shoulders.

“My roommate Bay shouldn’t be back for another week, so you can use his room ‘til he gets back. I know this place isn’t much, but make yourself at home; my house is your house.” Talon said to conclude the tour of the two bedroom loft.

Ryo glanced around briefly, his expression unreadable. His scrutinizing gaze rested momentarily on Talon, who stiffened under the intense stare.

‘Oh god, he hates the place, that’s what it is!’ Talon felt his smile becoming taut. ‘He hasn’t said anything because he hates it here already! But what’s wrong with the place? It doesn’t smell, I mean, I just took out the garbage this morning--

“Hey, thanks,” Ryo’s smooth voice interrupted his thoughts, and Talon was able to relax some as Ryo seated himself at the table. He suddenly found interest in the day-old newspaper that lay abandoned on the tabletop, and began skimming aimlessly through it.

“No problem,” was Talon’s slightly delayed response, his eyes taking in the young man seated in his kitchen. His long platinum colored hair cascaded down his back and shone as though constructed from strands of pearl. His aesthetic face with a full sculpted mouth and heavy lidded eyes communicated a sort of languid beauty about him. His eyes were almond shaped, and gold -- too gold to be human. Also in his possession were a milk-and-honey tanned complexion and a tall and well-toned physique. And together, these features would merge to create a being that could be considered desirable to most; the incubus and spider-demon who was Ryo Satanachia.

“Er, you do sleep on a bed, don’t you?” Talon felt compelled to ask.

The demon didn’t glance up, now making a mess of the flyers on the table.
“You mean instead of a web? I’ll tell you what, just this once I’ll make an exception.” Ryo said with a laugh. “Hey, did you know they’re having a sale on shoes? I want new high-tops.”

“I…didn’t know.” was Talon’s response.

After all this time, that was all Ryo had to offer conversationally. High-tops. Those must have been some real special sneakers.

The kitchenette was opened ended to the living room, and Talon strode to the sofa and collapsed into it, sinking until he was melded completely. He decided that he wouldn’t question Ryo about what he had been up to for the past year, whether Ryo wanted to tell him or not was his own prerogative. Closing his eyes, Talon laid back to bask in the warmth of the summer sun that penetrated the large window and spilled across his face.

“One more thing,” Ryo’s smooth voice pierced the air.

“Mmm hmm?” Talon murmured listlessly.

“I need protein, three times daily.” The demon continued. “That won’t be a problem, will it?”

With heavy limbs, Talon pulled himself up into a sitting position, and cracked one eye opened to regard the other.

“Then, after I buy the groceries today you can help yourself to whatever’s in the fridge. I’ll even make sure to pick up sandwich meat just for you. How’s bologna?” Talon said fluffing the water from unnaturally pale blue hair. Ryo was watching the young man carefully, his chin resting in his palm.

“No, no, it’s not quite like that.” Ryo said, his gaze lowering under a fan of lashes to the newspaper once again. “I need live protein.”

Talon turned fully towards Ryo now, who at this point wore an amused smile. Still not quite comprehending, he waited for Ryo to explain.

Ryo continued now sliding a finger across the smooth paper’s surface, “Blood or cum, it’s your choice.”

The words took longer than usual to register in Talon's mind. The usually quick-witted male found himself dumb in the face of this question. While half of his brain tried to come up with a response, the other half was busy trying to think of alternatives to what the incubus had said. Talon would have asked Ryo to repeat it, but didn't only because he feared he had heard correctly.

“E…E-Excuse me?!” Talon cried out inarticulately, he almost fell off the sofa. Talon’s dark eyes were wide, round as marbles. Ryo glanced up at him, and frowned at Talon’s expression.

“I kinda thought you’d figure that I’d be taking protein from you, it’s not such a big deal.” Ryo’s lips lifted into a devious smile, his voice suddenly dropping into an oddly suggestive tone. “It can be something we’ll both enjoy.”

This new voice Ryo had adopted was enough to send a zing straight down Talon’s spine--and his pants for that matter. He was quiet for what seemed like eternity, staring fish-eyed in slack-jawed disbelief at the other boy who matched his gaze with an utterly composed expression.

“So, what’s it gonna be?” Ryo said evenly.

‘What the hell is he going on about?’ Talon screamed mentally. His mind felt as though it were set to crash any moment now.

“Wait, h-hold a second! The only thing I agreed to was letting you stay the week in my apartment.” Talon said finally managing to find his voice.

“You know,” said Ryo, again appearing disappointed to some degree. “Doesn’t a courteous host usually provide lodging and food for their guest?”

“…I-I dunno,” said Talon, flustered. “I guess but—

“Well there you go, problem solved!” Ryo said simply, returning to his good humour again. His tone suddenly became business-like. “So, blood or cum?”

Talon could hardly believe how overt Ryo was on the matter, and despite himself he found that a strange heat was slowly enveloping him, he grabbed the towel from round his shoulders and blotted his face with it. Unthinkingly, he blurted out. “Blood…. Anyway, I’ve got to go out for a bit.”

“But I just got here.” Ryo started up. “Where are you—“

“Groceries.” Was Talon’s one-worded response, without sparing the demon another glance, he swept past Ryo and was at the front door in an instant. His hand twisted the doorknob that felt cold as ice in comparison to his heated up flesh, and he pulled the door open. Just as he passed through the doorway he heard Ryo’s voice from the kitchen.

“You’ll be back by noon, right?”

“Noon, Sure.” Talon said hastily, before letting the door close on its own accord behind him.


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A/N: A bit slow at first, no? Don't worry, the chapters to come will be much more satisfying. Please feel free to leave a review :)