teddy-byrne

[teddy-byrne]

Thomas Michael Shelby, OBE.

[teddy-byrne]

It was unlike Teddy to be anywhere other than The Shard on an evening such as this one -or any, to be fair. But he did find some enjoyment in scouring other places from time to time. Vicium, of course, was one of them. He didn't partake in the BDSM side of it but his taste for demon blood offered him plenty.

It was as he sat, entertained by the exchanges and people going back and forth, that he spotted the young witch not too far from there. Judging by the way he looked, Rei seemed... bothered. So much so that Teddy could not resist watching,with amusement, the way that he turned down someone's advances the second they got anywhere near. Not his, hopefully.

"Jeez. That bad, huh?" Byrne flicked an eyebrow in the man's direction and nodded towards the menu - a sign to order whatever it was he wanted. "Tell me, what's got you in such a mood?"

This week had turned out to be more stressful. Someone was definitely working their way through an arsonist streak, and everyone seemed on edge with every call after that video circulated. It left him tired, and tired meant irritable. He had even tried going on a date the night before, hoping seeing someone for the night would help but there had been a late night call that drag him into the fire station. Now, he was tired, irritable, and filled with pent up frustration. It was why he'd ended up at Vicium, needing a distraction.

"What do you want?" he growled, uninterested in the interruption. Interacting with people was the last thing he wanted. He needed to get drunk or something. "Unless you're buying my a drink, I'm not in the mood to talk."

@vievecorcitystarters

[teddy-byrne]

Of course their connection went way back. Teddy had no reason to doubt that but, annoyingly, his answer did not reveal that much on the nature of it. Did Luke listen to this demon? He had confided in him, so perhaps he did. Narrowing his eyes, the vampire paused with a tilt of his head. "Does anyone ever get over an addiction? It's under control and I am personally making sure it stays this way."

"Does Luke tell you everything? Are you two friends or something?"

Matthew noted the way the vampire's shoulders dropped at the mention of Luke's name and he found that very curious. Digging a little into this would be the perfect thing to get his mind off feeling so annoyed at this party.

"Luke and I have known each other since his early days as a demon." That Matthew accidentally turned him into one did not need to be said. "And he did tell me, yes," the fallen deity nodded in acknowledgement. "Has Gabriel gotten over his addiction? Getting addicted to vampire blood can be rather... nasty."

[teddy-byrne]

"Because.." Teddy sighed, frowing at the assumption Gabriel threw his way. "Because you don't know what kind of memories you're bringing back..and I know, and you know, what shit like that does to you. If I could forget about what happened during the war, don't you think I would, huh?" At least, he would leave the trauma of it behind and only remember the hard facts. Anything to move on once and for all.

"The glamor spell can only be broken if the vampire wills it or dies. With Izak gone, I don't see us having either option..so yeah. A deity might be able to help..but like I told you, they have to be powerful enough." At what cost, Teddy could not be sure of, but there was no way they wouldn't ask for something in return. A favor, perhaps. A debt that they would collect eventually. Either way, the vampire knew that he had to be smart about what happened next or Gabriel might decide to take care of the situation on his own.

Not standing yet, Teddy slid his hands down to his knees, and sighed.

"If he keeps digging, he'll eventually run into some serious problem, that's for sure." Byrne nodded, staring back as he thought about the best way to say what he wanted to say. "I can see you're committed, Gabriel...so, if there isn't anythin' I can say to convince you not to do this, let me help you? Please. We can't afford for this to end bad. I can look into his past at the bunny, see the extent of what we're dealing with and then, Isabelle -she can tell us the best way to handle this, from a professional's perspective."

There were second chances and then there was shutting your eyes to something that would never change. Gabe had known that the world of vampires was cold and selfish, drenched in loyalty to the inner circle, and he had known that Teddy was part of that world. Yet he couldn't help but think, even now, that Teddy was only protecting the vampire way of life because he didn't know anything else. If humans were being mistreated, it was because for hundreds of years that had been the order of things, and it was up to Gabe to show Teddy, to show all of them, that this order needed to change.

He let his arms fall to his sides and turned around to look at Teddy when the other asked. He didn't want them to fight, so he put all his effort into reigning in his anger and disappointment, but it was hard to cover the emotions entirely. "How is it not better for him to know what has happened to him? Huh? Tell me. Enlighten me, what's best for Louis? Because this sounds a lot like what's best for Izak." Shit, he was getting angry again. Gabe rubbed his forehead and tried to steer his thoughts back to something more constructive. He had to remember, he had to believe, that Teddy didn't want to hurt Louis.

"A deity? He would need a deity to restore his memory?" he finally asked in a calmer voice and glanced at Teddy. If that was true, then it wasn't much Teddy could have done, short of a coup against Izak, to help Louis. That calmed Gabe's racing thoughts and he remembered that he did know, not just one, but two deities. "I remember," he said with determination, eyes shining with purpose as he looked at Teddy, "That is why I have to help him. Because if I don't open this world to him, it's going to swallow him whole. This world doesn't just go away because our memories are taken, he's already finding his way back. I can't let him figure it out alone."

[teddy-byrne]

[teddy-byrne]

[teddy-byrne]

Teddy would have hoped for an easy conversation, some understanding, perhaps, but knowing Gabriel getting him to let go off this was going to be anything but possible. So yes, he did expect his response, but he had never known the redhead to not look him in the eye and he didn't like that. No, he didn't like that one bit. "Gabriel.." Teddy sighed, keeping his thoughts to himself for now. "Please, look at me." Shit, why couldn't he just listen, for once? Understand that this was bigger than them?

Byrne couldn't really find a fault in the man's argument. Izak had used him for the longest time, just like he had every other human and supernatural in his club for years on end. But Louis just happened to mean something more to the officer. "How do you know that's what's best for him, mh?" His brows lifted, his lips forming a thin line as Gabriel questioned whether he cared or not. "What do you think years of glamoring does to someone's brain? Not to mention, we would probably need a deity or someone powerful enough to undo it. Do you happen to know any, mh?" He certainly didn't. None that he trusted, of course. "Think about it, Gabriel. I'll agree that somethin' must be done...but you'd be opening up a whole world to him, with all the risks that come with it. You remember what that is like, don't you?"

The silence that followed Gabriel's words wasn't long, but it was long enough for the anticipation to almost kill him. He hoped desperately that he was wrong about vampires being involved, or at least that it wouldn't be the Roşu Clan, and most of all that Teddy had nothing to do with it. The uncertainty of it all hardened Gabe's face further, every muscle tensed even as Teddy sat down next to him.

You're not wrong. That was the first strike. The compulsion, Izak's name, that Teddy had known about it but didn't want to interfere - the words kept coming in like punches in a boxing cage, and Gabe felt like he couldn't breath anymore. He slowly shook his head, still holding his breath, still holding back every emotion until he was sure there wasn't any mistake. "No," he let out his breath only to pull it in sharply, disbelief coloring his voice, "No, it's not, it's very simple." Gabe bit his lip and looked away, trying not to let a storm of fury break out.

"He has been used, in every sense of that word, and then he's just erased and discarded like- like a fucking toy," he voice faded into a whisper as his throat tensed at having to speak the words. What had happened to Louis was a violation of his dignity and his human rights. At the very least he deserved to know what had happened to him. Gabe rose from the bed, arms crossed over his unbuttoned shirt, and growled, "Do you even care?"

[teddy-byrne]

Teddy looked at the man across from him with nothing short of love and appreciation, and raised one of his eyebrows. "You're saying you'd like to make this a regular occurrence?" No. This was definitely not the way the vampire spent his Sunday evenings but his extended lifespan and his position in the clan meant that he had probably seen more formal balls than Gabriel ever had. So yes, he did understand where he was coming from, and was quick to reassure him things would be fine.

Ah, the panic in his eyes was adorable. Taking his hand without saying another word, Byrne led the way to the dance floor and stood beside him, shoulder to shoulder. "First thing you want to do is relax that posture, Moore. You could hold a pen between those clenched shoulder blades." He said, playful again but never letting go off his hand. Seconds after, the music started and with it, their dance. The first steps were slow and to Teddy's mind, easy, but he made sure not to look away once. "It'll be fine, darling. Just let yourself go and I'll do all the work, yes? You're safe in my hands."

Hopefully, right? Teddy was very much aware of people in the crowd, but he still didn't pay them any mind, "I've been looking at dates for our trip, by the way. Early January, like we talked about.. how are things looking at work?"

Gabe huffed at Teddy's nonchalant reply, even though he knew it was a joke. "This might be like your usual Sunday evening, but for some of us, meaning me, it's the fanciest party of my life." He adjusted his jacket and brushed over it with a proud smirk. At first he had found the dress-code unbelievably stiff, but now that he had worn it for a couple of hours he really enjoyed it. Too bad that the style had fallen out of fashion long ago.

A giddy smile spread on his lips when Teddy asked him for a dance. It was on the one hand terrifying to go into the sea of dancers only to mess up and fall over someone, on the other hand it felt as the most romantic moment they'd had since their first kiss in the hot mountain spring. Of course he couldn't say no, and of course everything would be fine, Teddy would take care of him. But despite the sudden kick of confidence, his eyes still looked like they were asking 'Are you sure about this?'

"With pleasure," Gabe grinned and took Teddy's hand, letting him lead the way out on the dance floor. "I'll follow your lead. I trust you, just... Don't let go, or I might fall."

[teddy-byrne]

Teddy did not understand where he had gone wrong; if it was the apology or..the man's own upset that had prompted the annoyance, but he let it be, easily. Not for nothing, but the vampire was way more concerned about his interest in Gabriel or really, why he knew the real reason he'd been absent from the job a while back.

Ah, shit.

"So Luke told you, I see." Byrne mumbled as his shoulders dropped, "Yes. I know Holt. Who's he to you?"

Matthew elected to respond Teddy's apology with an annoyed huff. Who was this vampire to apologise in Izak's stead, even if he was distantly related to the man? Better to ignore it and move on.

So Matthew did not have the whole story about Gabe. Luke was right... He had done a pretty shit job at looking out for the human when Luke asked him to. Not that he was going to admit his shortcomings to Teddy. "We have a mutual friend. Do you know Lucas Holt?"

[teddy-byrne]

Teddy would have blistfully squeezed in a few more kisses but he could tell they were already getting some looks. Nevermind those, the vampire was happy to see his boyfriend's face. He reached up to caress his jaw with a light brush of his fingers and returned the smile, dark blue eyes sweeping over him. "It's always nice when someone notices the effort," the vampire said in a joking manner, still appreciative nonetheless. "You look dashing yourself..I did enjoy the absence of a shirt when we met in Oz but this is a really nice fit." It hugged his frame so well, especially his trousers.

Moving his hands to the male's hipbones, the Rosu vampire followed the officer's gaze to the other couples on the ballroom floor and understood what was meant by that. "Perhaps I can help with that, if you'll let me." It just so happened that the next dance was rather tame, easier..at least. Teddy smiled reassuringly and offered a hand, "Gabriel Moore. May I have the honor of this dance?"

The hundreds upon hundreds of lights played in Gabe's wide eyes. They were carefully following the movement of the dancers that moved in perfect coordination and grace over the floor. With the playful notes of the music it reminded him of a flock of exotic birds putting on a show. How could it be possible to move like that?

A familiar embrace, and a kiss that left his skin hot, woke him from his enchantement. He had almost forgotten that him and Teddy were supposed to meet up long ago, he had been so captivated by the dancers. "Hey you," Gabe mused and leaned back into the embrace, turning his head to give Teddy a kiss. "I wasn't sure before, but now I am, you look even better than when you were a fairy tale prince," he beamed at Teddy. He felt so lucky to be here with this man, whom happiness and a long-term relationship had only made even more handsome. They had gotten their happy ending in the fairy tale realm, but their story wasn't over, and tonight was another beginning of the rest of their days together.

"Me, on the other hand, I feel like I still have that fish tail. I don't think I can do that," he said in a half-worried voice and gestured and the dancing crowd.

[teddy-byrne]

Even if he wished he could offer more help than this, Teddy kept his resolve not to pry into Matt's business too much. Izak was still a big mystery to him, in many ways..but it was plainly obvious how much he meant to the other. "It's..hard to tell what he wants most of the time, to be fair..but I am sorry he did this to you."

Enjoying another sip from his drink, Byrne dried his lips with the back of his hand and turned another look to Matt. "..yes, he's with me..and no. I'm the one he called when it happened but I'm still trying to figure out who was behind it. How do you know about that?"

"Hmm..." Matthew tried his best not to react to the lack of news. Izak had essentially cut himself off from everyone after he disappeared and the fallen deity had to rely on some of his international contacts to get even a modicum of information about the ancient vampire's whereabouts. It seemed that Izak had told someone, at least, but that someone was not him.

"It's fine. He clearly doesn't want to talk to me..." he said, bitterness creeping into his voice as his heart ached at the confirmation that he had been abandoned. Again. It was time to change the subject..

"I see that you're here with Gabriel," the fallen deity commented, noting that the two had arrived at the party together. "You're not that vampire who got him hooked in vampire blood awhile back, are you?"

[teddy-byrne]

[teddy-byrne]

Teddy watched as the shadow carry the goblet towards them and reached for it, marvelling as it began to fill up. "And you don't even have to say it out loud -how impressive." he scoffed. Admittedly, the other's guess was not wrong. As he lifted the cup to his nostrils, Teddy picked up on the rich scent of demon blood and could not resist sampling it, his head tilting at the question he was asked next.

"All we know.." Meaning, of course, Vicente and he. "Is that he left for Europe again. He hasn't got in touch in a while, I'm afraid..Vicente might have a better understanding than I do." It was not often that Teddy felt like he shouldn't pry, particularly when he was under the impression that there was a lot more behind that casual questioning, but he figured it was best not to this time. "I'm sorry - I can probably pass on a message if you like..?"

With a gesture of Matthew's fingers, some shadows curled around an empty goblet on a nearby table to bring it over. Performing a service, however small, was a good distraction especially when it came to Teddy's question.

"I'm as good as I can be," he said as the shadow deposited the goblet into Teddy's hand. "These goblets conjure whatever drink you desire. I imagine it would be some sort of blood for you..." Matthew commented as he swallowed a mouthful of the wine in his own to brace himself for his own question. "Have you... Has your clan heard from your ex-leader lately?"

[teddy-byrne]

A Regency Christmas | Teddy x Gabe

The original plan had been to find each other back in half an hour. Settle their personal business and then enjoy the rest of their evening together. Unfortunately, it would seem they had both underestimated what a party and a room full of guests could do, especially in Vievecor City. By the time Teddy looked at his watch, worn out by the back and forth of casual conversation, a whole hour had gone by. Sixty whole minutes..and no sight of Gabriel anywhere.

How could he ever make up for it? Walking through the crowds gathering in that grand ballroom, the vampire looked everywhere until and found the man, standing ever so casually beside the christmas tree. Deciding not to waste a moment longer and definitely taking advantage of his vampiric skills, Teddy closed the distance and wrapped his arms around the human's chest and kissed his neck.

"Hope I'm not interrupting," Teddy whispered against the other's cheek, resuming his trail of kisses down his neck. "I'm sorry it's taken me a little longer than intended. Missed me?"

@gabe-moore

[teddy-byrne]

For once, Teddy Byrne was in a good place. Work had more or less settled after Izak's departure, and even though there were still matters to address, his relationship with the young officer was solid..and good. Really good. So yes, he could do a formal ball..see what those deities had in store for them.

Squeezing Gabriel's hand as they walked into the beautifully decorated manor, the vampire gave his partner a kiss and agreed to meeting him within a half hour as they'd both had their round of greetings to make. Well, to be fair..Gabe did. Teddy would just make sure the Rosus were all accounted for. No need for mysterious disappearances this time.

As he looked around, though, the blue eyed vampire was suprised to see someone else approach him. Matthew Alexander. Former priest in a dream, Izak's partner in the real world. What could he want? "Good evening, Mister Alexander." Byrne nodded respectfully. "That's very kind of you- How..have you been?"

queries | teddy & matthew

for: @teddy-byrne location: the dining room

Matthew truly felt like Ebenezer Scrooge whenever he came to these deity-organised parties. It did not help that he was still dealing with his most recent break-up with Izak, coupled with the realisation that he might not have very many friends anymore. It was a sad realisation that led him to make a beeline for the dining in Winterlight Manor where he swiped himself a festive goblet that magically filled itself with his favourite wine to get drunk with.

He was through his third glass and still not feeling the effects yet when he noticed a familiar vampire enter. It was Teddy, a Rosu clan vampire and one who was distantly related to Izak through siring. As far as Matthew could recall, Izak would be considered Teddy's grandsire.

The thoughts of Izak had the fallen deity's shoulders drooping once more, but he still made his way slowly across the room to the other man.

"Mister Byrne..." Matthew said in polite greeting. There would be no point in staying away. It was no surprise that Teddy would recognise him either, his relationship with Izak had not been a secret after all and neither was the fact that Izak was no longer around. "Can I get you a goblet of your own? They are quite ingenious."

[teddy-byrne]

[teddy-byrne]

Byrne had to make a conscious effort not to smile at the first sign that he'd manged to annoy Lucas. Then again, he also had to remind himself that was not what he wanted that evening, was it? "Oh, this?" he arched a brow as he lifted one of the two glasses and stared at it briefly. "This is just whiskey. Good quality whiskey, for a change. Wasn't sure what your drink of choice was." Gabriel doesn't speak about you very often, he thought..withholding again and delaying his answer on purpose.

Drinking a mouthful of whiskey from his glass, Teddy pressed it back on the table and leaned forward. "I wanted to reassure you that my intentions with Gabriel are sincere." he exhaled, pausing after a moment's silence. Getting this out wasn't easy. "I know that you don't like me..and it's no secret that I don't particularly like you either but we're both in his life and I think he would like for us to be civil to each other. In order for that to happen we must be willing to put our differences aside. So..I wanted to discuss a truce -maybe we can both look after him in our own ways. What do you say?"

Luke could practically see the ridges of his brain with how hard he eye-rolled at hearing Teddy's voice. Of all the people who could have bugged him, it just had to be Teddy. Mortal enemies weren't really Luke's thing, but if he had to pick somebody, it would be him. Considering Elijah was weirdly earning his way out of the top of Luke's shit list, Teddy had taken no time securing that spot. It had only started as a mild annoyance, but after everything with Gabe, he wouldn't trust him as far as he could throw the vampire.

He raised his eyebrow at Teddy's question, wondering what the vampire was getting at. If it was about wearing a get-along T-shirt for Gabe's sake his food was about to make a surprise guest appearance on his plate again. "You say you wanna talk and the first thing you do is insult my burger?" he questioned sarcastically, grabbing his beer to wash down his last bite. "Gotta say, Bryne, you're really not off to a good start," Luke chastised, leaning back in his chair. The demon looked at the two glasses before his eyes found Teddy's again. "And what's this supposed to be? Just for the record, I don't do chick-flick moments."