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 Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2023 10:20 pm
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Initially Liri had planned to go to his own bed, but found himself unconsciously finding X's, instead. Still slightly trembling because of the near miss he'd just had, he turned the doorknob, fighting back tears. ********. It wasn't like this was the first time someone had done something to him, but he'd really hoped he was past that. That being in the band meant safety. Well, he was safe, only because 13 had been there. He didn't want to think about what might've happened if he hadn't been. But his scalp ached and he felt bruises in a number of places just from how hard the kat had grabbed him.
"X?" he said, his voice soft and kind of thready. He stifled a sob, and kind of hated himself for being so weak. He hadn't been the one clocked by the guy, or head butted. Just the idiot who had been out and about by himself. What had he been thinking? He couldn't move the grand piano to the stage by himself, so why even try? Near hysteria gripped him and he bit his lip. This really, really sucked. It put him right back on the street and at the mercy of whatever man wanted to -
He didn't want to think about that. A tear trailed down his cheek in spite of himself. It was an angry, bitter tear, and if there was a bit of fear mixed in, well. Gods, but he was stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. No drink in the world could erase what had happened. What could have happened. That he was so ******** helpless. He hated it so much, and yet he'd never been a scrapper. Raised in a gilded cage, he knew about as much about fighting as a baby bird did about flying. Which begged the question, why was he here?
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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2023 12:37 am
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X had been in the middle of plucking at his bass, practicing a few more complicated riffs, and jotting down a few various rhythms for future works when Liri walked in. His door was almost always unlocked, and the few times it wasn't were rare indeed. So it was with his usual lop-sided smile, he looked up to see who had come in.
Unfortunately, he didn't miss the strange tone in Delirium's voice, nor did he miss the scent of blood in the air. In fact, something seemed quite off about the delicate singer, and X's hackles couldn't help but raise. "What's wrong?" He asked, removing his guitar and setting it aside. The papers, pens, and materials that had been nearby were swept off the bed as he rose, moving over to the other.
His room was chaotically cluttered, but still liveable. As much as X bought nad purchased, he had few real attachments, and gave away or got rid of it all in equal turn. His room was absolutely trashed compared to Liri's meticulous space... but there was a warmth and coziness about it, all the same. His bed had plenty of pillows and blankets, even if there were a few pairs of handcuffs linked to the headboard. There were cigarettes, makeshift ashtrays, amid wine bottles and liquor jars. There were murals, beads, posters, tarot cards, pinned insects, random eclectic art, and crystals all hanging on the walls, as well as half-read books, various guitars, picks, and sheet music in various places. There was a fur rug on the floor, a couch in one corner, a loveseat in another, each with their own pillows and blankets, and more candles and incense than one could count. Despite all the clutter, the place was well-kept and quite clean.
He was messy, and chaotic, but he wasn't a complete pig. Besides which, he often had company enough... and he liked to keep his place in good shape for company.
Unfortunately, the company before him was clearly distressed. "Come here," he encouraged, bridging the distance between them. He wasted no time pulling Liri gently in, and made sure to shut the door behind him. Privacy seemed to be in order right now... though he couldn't for the life of him imagine what was wrong.
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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2023 1:01 am
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When X pulled him in, Liri found that he couldn't keep his feelings down. The first sob was hard, almost painful, but then he burrowed into X's chest and began to cry. All of the horrible feelings, the terror, the flashbacks... he let the emotions flow, because with X there he felt safe. "I... he..." He hated ugly crying, but he couldn't help it. "X, there was, if 13 hadn't been there..." The sobs shook his already trembling slim form, and he buried his face against the bassist's fur, weeping like a frightened child. If he'd been able to think about it, he would have been embarrassed, but as it was, he clung to X and wept.
"I was... trying... to move the... the piano," he started, struggling to get through it. "13 helped me, and that was, it was okay, but." ********. He could barely string the words together. "There was a fan. She was hiding, an' 13 took her out." His throat tightened, and he clung harder. "And then this guy, he grabbed me." His shoulder trembled, his body shook. He tried to go on, but somehow he couldn't quite get the words out the way he wanted to. "X, he... he... he was going to take me away. I don't..."
He tried to wipe his tears, but got his hand wet instead. "I got away, but he hurt me. Pulled my... my hair out." The vampire's scalp was still bleeding, truth be told. It wasn't like what had happened to 13, though. "13 kicked his butt." If 13... hadn't... "I was scared." He was scared. Right now. Even in X's arms, he was terrified. That guy could've gotten into his room. What would he have done if he'd been alone with him? Enclosed with him? He still didn't know what the guy had wanted, but he'd wanted it enough to put up a ferocious fight.
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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2023 9:36 pm
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X was absolutely stunned when Liri burrowed into him and started to cry. His hackles automatically rose, and he reached over to lock the door immediately. His smile had long since faded, and he felt his chest clench with immediate rage as well as concern. Something had happened, and he was ready to rip something, or someone to pieces.
"No, no, shhh, it's okay," he reassured, voice low. He wrapped his arms protectively around the winged singer, holding him close, stroking his hair, and doing all that he could to try to comfort the others shaking form. He was usually a laid back and easy-going fellow... but right now he had warring emotions struggling for control. Part of him wanted to get out there and hunt down the b*****d that caused Liri such distress... another part of him wanted to simply remain, and ensure Delirium was cared for. Thankfully, the latter won -- but that didn't mean his rage and temper weren't put on stand-by. Whether there was something, anything, forh im to do at this point he didn't know....
But action would be needed, eventually. He'd want 13's side of the story, as well as to thank him... and Pretty Boy would need to know, too. It was one thing to have exuberant fans sneak backstage or try to throw themselves at them -- but to point blank try to carry one off? That was ridiculous. Thanks the gods 13 had been there...
Honestly, X was speechless. He didn't know what to say, so he said nothing, just held Liri in his arms and let him cry. "Oh, Liri, baby," he spoke softly, worriedly. "You're safe now. You're safe here. Come on." He scooped the lithe singer up, carrying him over to his bed which was jammed in the corner of his room and farther from the door. "No one can get you, no one will hurt you," he assured, even as he looked Liri over to to assess the damage. He saw the blood on his cheek, and the chunk of hair that was missing. ********. What were they supposed to do about that?
They'd need to clean him up, at any rate -- but he'd worry about that after Liri was feeling more himself. He was a vampire, after all. The hair would at least grow back in time.
"Just cry it out," he encouraged, no judgment in his voice. He reached over and grabbed one of his discarded t-shirts, wiping softly at Liri's eyes and bloodied cheek.
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Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2023 9:59 pm
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The tears wouldn't stop. Liri hated that, but he couldn't help it. He made a brief protesting noise when X moved away for a moment just to grab a clean shirt. "I was so scared," he got out, clinging tightly to his bandmate and friend. It was pretty natural to go to X. X had always been the one who saved him from... bad things, in his past. Their habit of sleeping cozy in the same bed much of the time also reinforced the sense that the bassist was a safe harbor. PB would have been, too. He'd always been. But he'd autopiloted his way to X's door, in spite of himself.
"He... he... he..." He couldn't get the words out. With X trying to dry his tears, he bawled his eyes out like a frightened kid, alone and scared all over again. Like the kid Ecstasy had fished out of the gutter, pulled right out of something terrible. Something he wanted to forget forever. Something he couldn't forget, especially at times like this. His home life had been bad enough before all that, but living on the streets? There was a sort of anxious helplessness that came with that.
For all that he'd done his best to take care of himself, he'd never really succeeded. Not everyone had the same issues, but Liri? He'd been a little prince, pampered and used to the nicest things in life. Even if it had come with disapproval. Even if it had come with worse. He'd been safe, like a pretty bird in a cage, unaware that there was an entire sky out there. But this... oh, this took him back to the worst times.
But the man he was with, X, was the one bright spot from that time. "I d-don't... f-feel... safe," he gasped out, and pushed his head away from the shirt, so that he could hide against the other vampire. His chest was tight with fear, and it was so irrational. He knew he was safe. How could he not be safe? The door was locked and X was between him and the door. And yet, there he lay, shivering and afraid.
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Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2023 11:14 pm
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X held Liri and rocked him softly in his arms. He kept his grip tight, caressing the others back gently with his hands, ever careful of his colorful claws. He didn't say anything while Delirium shuddered and shook with fear in his arms, he just listened. The anger and rage that was building up within him was cast to the side -- it would do him no good now, and would not serve Liri in any fashion. Anger wasn't what was needed in this moment, though it would have its own time to reign. Right now, Liri needed reassurance and comfort.
"Of course you're scared, love," he spoke softly, leaning down to offer a tender kiss on the others head. He was careful to avoid the area where it had been torn, but he wanted to ensure the small misfit knew he was secure. "Nothing's going to harm you now. Just cry, let it out," he continued to encourage. His grip was as tight around Liri as he dared, though he soon let his plush tail curl around him as well. The more he cold hide Liri, the better.
"That b*****d'll pay," he growled, not wanting to frighten the singer, but also wanting him to know that X stood behind him. Whatever 13 had done to the fellow would be a kindness if X's claws ever caught the perpetrator. He'd make sure that creep would see daylight if he had his way.
After some time had passed, X reached down and scooped Liri up in his arms. Standing around wasn't doing any of them any good, and the other was having a time of it. He brought him to his private bath, which was yet another door between Liri and the outside world. "Let me draw you a bath," he suggested, still holding Liri, but bringing him over to a small loveseat in the corner. The room itself was cozy and cluttered, but clean, in typical X fashion -- there were unlit candles in various stages of melt, a whole wall of towels, washcloths, soaps, dyes, hair and fur products, colognes, scents, and accessories. There was also what looked to be a small mini-bar well within reach of the tub.
"Here," this time he did encourage Liri down, near the loveseat. He hurried over and poured him a glass of liquor. "Drink this, pet," he encouraged. "It might help your nerves." When wasn't alcohol the answer? If this didn't work, maybe a drag on a cigarette would do.
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:26 pm
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The hysteria had died down to an almost bearable level in X's arms. He hiccupped a little, trying to burrow all the more against his lover's side, but X wasn't having any of it. Well, he was holding him close and wrapping his tail around him, but X seemed to think that a change of scenery was in order. Maybe it was. "X..." he said, and then stopped, dissolving again into a fit of sobs. It had brought back far too many memories, all of them terrible. He was clinging onto the solidity of X's form, trying to force his mind and body to relax a little, now that his bandmate was here with him.
He was safe. There was no denying that. X would never let anything happen to anyone he cared about, and Liri was lucky enough to make the list. Even if X didn't say it in so many words, he knew their bond was pretty deep. The band was and had been tight. He'd known X before he'd joined the band. Back when he'd been a young vampire, just barely old enough to think he knew everything. He'd known nothing, but X... X had been there for him.
When X scooped him up, he gave a small, startled sound, but held on tightly. Then X brought him to his bathroom, and "W-Wait. I don't want... to be alone." Foolish though it might seem, even enjoying a bath or sitting down on that loveseat was a step further than he really wanted to go. But... with a sigh, he let himself be slid a little unwillingly to the loveseat. "Okay," he said, trying to calm himself enough to sip at the glass, just for X's benefit. It certainly wasn't for his own, he thought.
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Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2023 10:13 pm
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The more he focused on Liri, the more angry he became. He was used to crazed fans, he was used to them going at lengths to get their attention, a picture, a word; he was used to them flirting, he was used to them even trying to break in backstage -- generally speaking, they were harmless, and it didn't bother X in the least. But this...
This was something else, this had crossed boundaries that even X couldn't forgive. The life of stardom came with its own cost, but what happened to Delirium and 13 was inexcusable.
"Don't worry, babe, you won't be alone," he promised. He reached over to kiss Liri's head delicately -- avoiding the spot where the hair had been torn -- before moving over to the tub. It didn't take long for him to draw up the bath -- the water was ample warm, and he dug out some salts he'd had on hand. He might have been a party animal, but sometimes you needed to soak sore muscles after a wild performance, or during a bad hangover. Tonight, Liri could use them.
How could he make him feel safe?
While the water was filling up the tub, he made sure to lock the bathroom door as well, and lit a couple candles to help light up the room, as well as give it a softer ambience. "Did you need help getting undressed? I promise this will help," he assured. "I'll stay. I'll be right here." He could pour him drinks, could try tending his wound, and distract him...or just let him cry. Hell, if Liri wanted him to join him, he would. "Whatever you need," he assured softly.
Hopefully teh drink he'd handed him would help calm him down a little.
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2023 12:01 am
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Until tonight, Liri had never associated being in the band with something... bad. Now, though... now, he was struggling to feel safe knowing that at any point a fan might cross some boundaries. Telling himself it would be okay when he just did not feel okay didn't make it any easier. He took a gulp of the drink X had left with him... and then another. Another. Dimly, he heard X address him, and he glanced up, just in time for X's kiss to hit a little lower than he'd intended, landing on his forehead.
"I don't want to be alone," he reiterated, listening to what X said and yet somehow not entirely hearing it at the same time. "Can you... can we... can you..." He paused, taking a breath, and then a swig of the drink, "Can we take a bath together?" It was the only thing he could think of that might make him feel comfortable and safe. Just... chilling in a bath with his friend and lover. He wanted to clean off the skin crawling feeling he had, but he also wanted to hide in the warmth of the water, and couldn't decide which was most important.
If he kept drinking... he was probably going to get drunk. He couldn't stop picturing that awful scene and what it brought back. He didn't want to think about it, but it was almost all he could do. "X..." He paused, taking in a shaky breath. "Will you stay with me?" he begged, feeling like a foolish child, but unable to avoid glancing hopefully up at the taller vampire. Stiffly, he brought his hands up to his clothes and started trying to get them off. With fur underneath, it wasn't like he was ashamed, but his clothes were in a sorry state at the moment, and he was all too conscious of it.
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2023 12:57 am
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X didn't hesitate answering the request.
"Of course," he agreed. If that was what Liri wanted, then X was here for it. While he was known to be a slut supreme, that didn't mean he wasn't sweet, or didn't have tender feelings. The Graverobbers were his family, his home--and he loved each of them fiercely...even MJ, who was the newest member. Whatever they needed, whatever he could do for them, he would...
Or at least, he'd try.
Liri was no exception. He'd long known the singer, and had helped get him off the streets, as well as introduced him to Pretty Boy when they were in need of a singer. While they'd had their ups and downs, they were close, they were friends, and they were lovers. How many times had they crawled into one anothers bed, either for cuddles, or other things? His presence in Liri's life wasn't just for fun and games... in his hour of need, he'd be there, time and time and again. Just like he'd be there for him now.
Turning off the water to the tub, he checked it--hot but not unpleasant. Turning back to Liri, he didn't even ask--he just started to gently, carefully, help undress him. "I won't leave until you tell me to go," he promised, carefully, ever so carefully, stripping the other, cautious of his wounds.
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Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 12:09 pm
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Shellshocked, Liri stood shivering as X helped him out of his clothes. He tried to be helpful, but he was mostly useless and numb. "Why would he even come here?" he asked suddenly, when he was completely bare. Staring at the edge of the tub, he gathered his courage to step into it. When he succeeded at last, he sank deep into the water, until it was up over his head. He didn't need to breathe, so staying down there was very achievable. But... he didn't want to be alone, so he finally came back up to the surface, his hair floating on top of it, spilling out like a siren's.
"X..." He reached out, hoping that the other would join him. He needed the assurance, the comfort, of having his friend, bandmate, and lover near. Thankfully he'd been saved from whatever the worst of it might have been, and for that he was profoundly grateful to their roadie, but facing this was hard. It was everything he could do to mostly keep himself together. "Can you... can you come in?"
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