Vex paused as his mouse hovered over a pair of sky blue speedos with a heart shaped tail dip. He took a few moments to idly amuse himself by imagining presenting Ciel with them. He wanted to know exactly what shade, from sakura blossom to damson jam, that the other man would turn.

Given Ciel’s skin tone the shade of powder blue would probably actually look quite good. Vex’s mind helpfully supplied him with an image of Ciel wearing the swimwear and nothing else, damp azure hair plastered against blushing cheeks, the tight fit of the Lycra over –

Vex jumped as a window loudly thudded shut somewhere in the building. He glanced up to see that it had begun to rain quite heavily, plump raindrops splattering across the glass panes.

Vex's gaze flickered back down to the revealing swimwear as he reluctantly decided it would probably be wise not to provoke Ciel any further.

Recently, the other man had been growing even more prickly and defensive about every little thing, Vex wondered if it was the hormones? Just yesterday Vex had idly teased Ciel about so diligently polishing his one pair of shoes only to find himself having to dodge said polish tin as it hurtled through the air.

Instead, Vex chose a pair of modest swimming trunks in the same cornflower shade along with a selection of warm winter sweaters and a large, padded coat.

He had been tempted to peruse the more modern, designer styles, but in the end figured Ciel would be more comfortable in his usual style of clunky knits and grandpa cardigans.

After that, Vex re-ordered a selection of ointments for Ciel’s skin along with another batch of pregnancy vitamins and a large grocery order of dried ingredients and energy bars to take with them on the trip.

A day later, when the clothes arrived, Vex knew he was likely to get an earful as the swimming trunks were a hell of a lot shorter than they had looked on the website. However, when he had passed them casually over to Ciel that evening he had simply received a tight nod of thanks.

“I’m going out tonight,” Vex stated, shucking off his t-shirt and changing into a black silk shirt that had an iridescent sheen to match his obsidian horns. Some of the gold gilding on the tips was starting to flake off, letting Vex know he needed to redo the ornamentation.

“Fine,” Ciel replied distractedly. The other man was sat cross legged on his bed in his pyjamas reading a book whose title Vex couldn’t quite make out. For some reason, Ciel’s complete disinterest was slightly irksome.

“Just going to suck the blood of innocent virgins,” Vex continued “maybe conduct some ritual sacrifices.”

“Is that Dr. Yuma’s assignment?” Ciel asked as Vex jerked his head up to scrutinise whether or not the other man was making a joke.

“What’s so interesting in that book anyway?” Vex huffed, striding over to snatch the undoubtedly mind-numbingly boring tome from Ciel’s hands.

“Hey!” Ciel protested angrily and Vex couldn’t help but be slightly satisfied to finally get a rise out of him.

Vex turned the book to read the title, feeling himself hot under the collar when he realised it was a parenting guide book.

“Give it back,” Ciel snapped, grabbing the book back before Vex even had a chance to return it. “Have fun with your innocent virgins,” Ciel muttered, sliding up off his bed and stalking over into the bathroom where he closed the door with a resounding click.

“Fuck,” Vex muttered before shaking his head. Nights out with Kane and the rest of his friends were always good at clearing his head and putting things into perspective so perhaps it was just what he needed.

***

The club was hot and sweaty, sticky skin and stickier floors. The lights were dim and atmospheric and the new establishment owners had obviously decided they needed a catchy theme as all the lampshades were currently draped with black lace.

Faux stone gothic gargoyles embedded in the walls now bubbled blood-red liquor from their fanged mouths into waiting basins housing pyramids of goblets.

“I kind of like it,” Kane announced, scanning the décor critically. “Although I think they might share the same interior designer with my aunt Aconita.”

“Let’s get some vodka for the table,” Bracks clapped both Kane and Vex on the shoulder as he came up behind them followed by Namrah and about fifteen other final year students. “A Nebuchadnezzar?”

“To start with yeah,” Kane agreed.

“To start with?” Vex snorted, “How long are you planning on staying out?”

“Um, all night?” Bracks cocked his head with a frown. “You suddenly got a bedtime or something Vex?”

“Whatever,” Vex laughed, shrugging his friend’s hand off and gesturing for them all to wander over to a section of reserved tables, the legs of which were carved into gnarled clawed feet.

“Hello Vex,” Kieran Ng slid into the booth next to Vex with a sultry smile. There were glinting silver chains wrapped around Kieran’s lapis horns, split and feathered in their shape like small antlers.

His jeans, Vex had already inadvertently noticed, were boasting a triangular slit rather than the usual tailored tail dip. This allowed not only for Kieran’s mercury polished tail to swish freely but also a tantalizing glimpse of the top of his ass crack, pert cheeks lifted upwards by sinfully tight denim.

Kieran’s copper hair looked darker today, shining in the lamplight of the club and his grey eyes were fixed heatedly on Vex.

“Kieran,” Vex replied with a smile. “Enjoying yourself?”

“Not enough, not yet,” Kieran licked his lips before another member of their party appeared with a tray of glowing shots, passing them along.

“Ugh,” Kieran laughed after downing his, making sure his head was tipped right back to expose the gulping column of his throat, “What the hell was that?”

“Jezebel Jizz,” Kane replied cheerfully. “I’m serious,” he held up his hands innocently, “that’s the name of the shot.”

“Hey, could I get your opinion on something?” Kieran asked, leaning forwards into Vex’s space.

“Sure,” Vex nodded, willing himself to relax and hoping that Bracks would hurry up with the vodka.

“So it’s for my page,” Kieran announced, pulling out his phone, “I’ve been sponsored by a lingerie company,” he paused for emphasis as Vex wondered if he should offer some sort of congratulations. He guessed it was pretty impressive by how smug Kieran looked. Then again, Vex wasn’t surprised - Kieran was the absolute ideal type, his heart-shaped face such a perfect blend of innocence and mischief.

“Which one do you think I should post?” Kieran asked, holding the screen up so Vex could see a photo in which the other man was clad in a baby pink bralet and panties. Delicate ruching graced his sun-kissed skin whilst trailing vines of bubblegum flowers twisted up his leg.

Kieran’s tail of course was well highlighted, twirling around his body in a sinuous curve, the venomous barbs flicked out and curled, like a frame around the bulge in the underwear.

Vex smirked automatically, moving to down his own shot and ignoring the acrid taste as he took in the image in all its glory.

“So this was the rose and thorns theme,” Kieran announced, looking very pleased at whatever he had seen in Vex’s reaction. “And the next one is more of a beach vibe.”

Kieran thumbed the screen to move on to the second photo. In this image the lingerie was slightly more revealing and Vex shifted tightly in his seat. Kieran was turned away from the camera and only wearing bright-summery blue lace panties that were nudged to one side by his tail, which was rising upwards and wrapped around the cone of a melting blue ice cream.

Great creamy drips had splashed across Kieran’s buttocks where he was kneeling in the sand. The other demon’s head was angled back into view and he was giving the camera a salacious wink.

Vex couldn’t help but notice that the shade of blue was only slightly darker than the swimming trunks he had bought for Ciel.

“So, which one?” Kieran asked expectantly.

“What’s the brand?” Vex asked.

“Oh – it’s Forbidden Fruit,” Kieran replied. Vex pulled out his phone and looked up the company, noticing that they currently had a sale on.

“Are…are you thinking of ordering some?” Kieran asked, his voice sounding confused.

“I like the blue –“ Vex began before snapping his mouth shut. What exactly had he been going to say? In fact, what on earth was he even doing?

He stared back down at his phone. Vex’s fingers had moved without him really processing his thoughts, already looking to see if they did swimwear in a size he knew damn well wasn’t Kieran’s. But why?

“Oh!” Kieran smiled, his expression relaxing and turning sultry again. “Well you know, the company actually let me keep all the outfits I modeled, if you wanted to see them in person that is.”

“Sounds good,” Vex replied quickly to cover his mistake. He feigned his best fanged smile before pocketing his phone and standing up. “I’m just going to the bathroom.”

Once safely ensconced in a not too foul smelling cubicle Vex groaned, bringing his hands up to his face. He didn’t understand what the hell was going on with him.

He had been considering Kieran for a while now, drawing out the playful game for as long as possible so as to maximize the enjoyment of the payoff. It was pretty clear Kieran liked to have fun and Vex had always considered himself much of the same.

But for some reason there was just no thrill anymore, in fact every time Vex looked at other demons it just seemed dull.  

Vex frowned as he pushed his lips together, feeling them to be slightly chapped. He drew out his phone again and sent off a message to Ciel before he could think better of it.

I ordered some new skin ointments that arrived today, they’re in the bathroom cupboard. Let me know which ones work.

There was no reply so Vex guessed the other man must have already gone to bed. Half of Vex strangely wished he too was comfortably tucked up back in his bed listening to Ciel’s infuriating snores rather than holed up in some club bathroom.

“Vex?”

Vex looked up at the sound of Kane’s voice and pushed open the door.

“Hey,” Vex nodded, wandering over to the taps and washing his hands.

“Did you see Kieran’s photos?” Kane asked quickly, his voice in a rush.

“Yeah,” Vex laughed, unsurprised that Kieran hadn’t only just asked for his opinion.

“Holy shit,” Kane whistled, “what I wouldn’t give to be married to someone like Kieran.”

“Married?” Vex raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” Kane snorted, looking uncharacteristically bashful. “Come on man, can’t you imagine having someone like that waiting for you at home?”

“If you think Kieran will ever be ‘waiting at home’, you’re an idiot,” Vex laughed.

“Fair,” Kane grinned, “but I’d be happy to be the one waiting, either way would work.”

“Why don’t you talk to him them?” Vex asked, it was unlike Kane to ever be shy or show restraint. Especially as the other man knew he was traditionally handsome, gleaming fangs, dark skin, tall stature, blood red twined horns and not to mention the Lazero name which would surely go down well with someone like Kieran.

“I thought you wanted him,” Kane blinked, looking slightly confused. “You’ve been flirting with Kieran for ages.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve both gone after the same person,” Vex snorted before pausing. “Wait, did you think I was looking for something serious?”

“Weren’t you?” Kane asked, looking comically hopeful.

“No,” Vex sighed, realizing he meant it, “Plus I think Kieran just wants some fun. Honestly Kane, go for it.” For some strange reason Vex felt a wave of relief.

Vex’s phone vibrated in his pocket a second later and he quickly pulled it out.

Thank you. I was worried about running out.

Another message came though a moment after that.

The jasmine one seems to help.

“What are you smiling about?” Kane asked as Vex looked back up.

“Nothing,” Vex cleared his throat. “It’s just some medicine for Ciel.”

“Ciel huh?” Kane grinned.

“Not tonight Kane,” Vex growled warningly. “Tonight I just want to get drunk with my friends.”

“Deal,” Kane nodded with a wide smile. “How about being my wingman then?”

“Deal,” Vex replied.