Feminine Woes

Jean-Claude entered his rooms a mere two hours before dawn, the police having delayed him, as well as the chaos at the club. Dieu... as much as he wanted Edward, sleep sounded great...

Edward, bored of waiting had drifted off to sleep hours before Jean-Claude returned.

Tired, and unwilling to sleep in his clothing on this night, Jean-Claude stripped and crawled into bed, cuddling up to Edward's soft warmth.

Edward awoke long enough to realize who it was and went back to sleep.

Purring comfortably, the vampire sighed, and let himself fall into the world of dreams.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next evening, Edward woke of and found himself alone. The light to the bathroom was on. Quietly, he got out of bed and opened the door a bit.

Jean-Claude lay in the tub, lounged comfortably against the marble, his eyes closed as Bach played softly in the back ground. Candles were lit around the tub.

Edward, still naked from last night, opened the door the rest of the way. "Hey." He said softly, memories of the previous night swimming to the surface.

"Bon soir, Petite Morte." Jean-Claude murmured, though he didn't turn or open his eyes. Some part of him felt that surely Edward regretted the night before.

He walked across the cold tile to site on the edge of the tub. "Is everyone ok?"

"Oui. Asher must buy a new shirt, as his now has a hole where a bullet passed through the sleeve, but.. he was luckily not hit." Opening his eyes, he looked at Edward, the already dark blue deepening to midnight.

Edward met his gaze. He noticed the change in color. "I'm glad everyone made it out alive. I may kill people, but not for a shitty reason like I don't like who or what they are."

"Oui. I know." Jean-Claude smiled slightly. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah." He said simply.

"Bon." Closing his eyes, Jean-Claude relaxed against the side of the tub once more.

Edward slipped into the other side of the bathtub.

Jean-Claude's eyes shot open once more. "What are you doing?"

"Enjoying the water." He said grumpily.

"Testy, Edward? Is there something wrong?"

"You seemed shocked that I got in is all." Edward looked away from him.

"I was merely recalling when I got into your bath... I clearly assumed wrong. Je suis desole."

He felt his face grow hot. "I...was still...resisting you."

Jean-Claude's eyes trailed over Edward's supple form. "And you aren't now?"

"Not as much." Edward said.

The soudre de sang laughed. "True, Edward, true."

"What do you want from me?"

"What you will give me, Petite Morte. I want nothing from you that isn't given. Remember what I said about kisses."

He nodded and moved across the bath to him. He kissed him briefly.

Jean-Claude kissed him back, then licked his lips. "Merci."

"You're welcome." Edward sank deeper into the water.

"Shy?"

"No."

"Then what, Edward?" Jean-Claude stretched in the warmth of the water, his back arching.

"I...just really enjoyed last night." He said.

"As did I." The vampire smiled. "It is a night that is most memorable, and one I shall remember frequently."

"I guess I should learn to knock." Edward said as he moved out of the water a bit.

"Non, not if that will be your reaction." Jean-Claude smiled. "Perhaps I should have pleasured myself in the bath. What would your reaction have been then, Edward?"

"I was caught off guard, ok?" He mumbled. The sight ok Jean-Claude naked had sent a warmth through his whole body.

Edward's body language was closed, reserved and clearly not in the mood to respond to Jean-Claude's flirting, though he seemed annoyed if he didn't. The vampire sighed, standing and letting the water drip from his body. "I suppose. However, I fear I must ready myself for work."

Edward's gaze was immediately drawn to his lovely body. "Work. Right."

Jean-Claude turned, leaning for a towel, droplets of water leaving teasing trails down his back.

"So how is work?" Edward asked, his eyes tracing the scars on Jean-Claude's back.

"It is stressful, Edward. It appears that someone thought that they could kill me after Asher. It wasn't just an attack on the club, but an attack on moi." The vampire shrugged, wrapping the towel around his lean hips.

Edward got out of the tub. "You were in danger."

"No more so than usual."

He grabbed a towel, now very close to Jean-Claude. Edward stepped closer and kissed Jean-Claude.

He jumped, staring wide-eyed at the assassin. He simply could not figure out what Edward wanted- he was hot and cold, then hot once more. "What was that for?"

"I... do want this Jean-Claude. It's just hard sometimes to wrap my mind around the whole thing." He grabbed another towel so he could dry his hair.

Jean-Claude sighed, pushing a hand through his hair. "I know."

"I'm sorry that I'm kind of jerking you around."

He shook his head. "Never mind, Edward." Ignoring the water still dripping from his body, Jean-Claude moved to dress.

"It's not fair to you." Edward followed him. "So I'm leaving."

"Leaving?" The vampire stilled, the turned slowly.

"There's nothing you can do for me and like I said it's not fair to you to be so on and off." He shrugged. "So I'm going home."

Jean-Claude stared at Edward, his face emotionless. Inside, he was a jumbled mess. Edward had never told him that he was going to be in a loving relationship... it was an assumption, a foolish one. "If that is what you wish, Morte, but you are welcome to stay."

"I can't stay here, Jean-Claude. I don't belong here." Edward laughed bitterly. "How can you want Death among your people?"

"Have you harmed any of mine who did not do something to deserve it?" Jean-Claude glared. "I'd have killed you, the moment you stepped into my office had you earned my ire. Do not think me so naive otherwise. Oui, you are Death, but I've known a million of you in my lifetime, Edward. Do you see me as the type to let such a deed go unpunished should you have killed someone I believed was worth living? Saving?"

He met his gaze. Jean-Claude sounded angry. "What's wrong Jean-Claude?"

"Tell me, Death- why do you think I want you? Why do you think I keep trying to be with you?" He fisted his hands.

"I don't know." Edward said.

"Guess."

"I don't now, okay?" He headed into Jean-Claude's room to grab his robe.

Jean-Claude just shook his head. "Come back when you figure it out." His tone resigned, he turned to the door, thinking to go to Asher.

Edward headed to his room, with the robe wrapped around him. He quickly dressed and packed his things.

Pausing in the doorway with melancholy eyes, Jean-Claude slowly moved down the hall towards Asher, to his friend who knew heart break all too well. He ignored the fact that he wore only a towel. It simply did not matter.

Asher opened the door for him when he knocked. "Mon ami, what is the matter?"

He looked at Asher's cravat. "I have a confession, Asher..."

He stepped aside so that Jean-Claude could enter. "You know you can tell me anything."

"Terry... Mon Ami..." Jean-Claude sat on the blonde's couch, "She..."

Asher raised an eyebrow. "What about her?"

"She is Edward... she is Death." The Master of the City leaned forward, placing his head in his hands.

"Death? But...she's...a woman." He said clearly confused.

"Oui. He was cursed, Asher, by an angry witch."

"So Death has been among us for a month and a half and you did not tell me." Asher bit off.

"Non." Jean-Claude murmured into his hands. "I did not..."

"Why not?" He sat down on his bed. "Why lie to me?"

"He asked that I did not." Sighing, Jean-Claude looked at his friend, sorrow in his gaze. "I am sorry, Mon Ami... I had hoped..."

"Had hoped he would be with you?" Asher had know that Jean-Claude had some sort of odd attraction to the assassin.

"Oui." He shook his head. "It matters not. He is leaving." Jean-Claude looked at Asher. "I am sorry. I should have known better."

"Then why don't you tell him how you feel, Jean-Claude?" He said to him. "Tell him you want him to stay."

"I do not wish him to feel obligated." He shrugged. "And he should know..."

Asher gave him a look. "You of all people should know how dense some people are."

"Then you tell him! I-" Jean-Claude sighed, rubbing his face. "I am afraid..."

He put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I am never seen you like this before."

"Mon Ami... He is unlike any other that I have loved..." He looked up at Asher, forlorn.

"Then tell him this. You must be brave and face him. Perhaps, he too is afraid."

"Death, afraid?"

"Oui, I am sure if I was suddenly a woman I would be lost and confused. But most of all, scared." Asher kissed his forehead. "Go talk to him."

Jean-Claude hugged his friend closely. "You love my Pomme well this night, Mon Ami... Bon soir." He turned for the door.

"Did you set us up, Jean-Claude?" Asher smiled at him.

"Oui... and I hope you enjoy it." He winked, then left the room, hurrying back to his own, lest he miss the assassin.

"I shall." Asher called after him.

Edward had his bags on the bed. He made sure he had everything and was just about to leave.

"Edward-" Jean-Claude paused in the door, the towel slipping as he stopped, not able to take the sudden acceleration and deceleration of the vampire. "Don't leave."

He turned to look at the Master of the City. "Why not? Something happen?"

"Oui." Jean-Claude froze, swallowing. Merde. He had... merde.

"What happened? One of your people cross a line?" He turned back to his stuff.

"None... Not them, Edward... moi... me." The Master of the City looked down.

"You killed someone?" Edward asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Non." Jean-Claude shook his head. "I... Je t'aime, Edward."

He stared at the vampire for a second. He knew what those words meant. He'd heard them whispered to Anita. "A vampire in love with Death."

Staring at Edward, feeling as if he'd bared himself to someone with a machete, Jean-Claude nodded slowly. "Oui... I love you."

"I can't afford those feelings Jean-Claude. And, frankly, I don't deserve anyone's love. People who love me don't last very long." Edward turned his back to the vampire so he could grab his bag. "I'm sorry, Jean-Claude."

Jean-Claude looked away, "You're always welcome here, Death, should you need something. I hope that you find your way back to your true form." Turning slowly, he left the room.

He set his bags down, sighing. He took out his wallet and took out a very worn picture. It was of a lovely girl with bright eyes and a cheerful smile. A girl he'd gotten killed. He shook his head and put the picture back. For him, it was a reminder not to get involved, but he was far beyond involved. He was in love with another man. "I'm sorry, Vivien. I have to break my promise." He went to Jean-Claude's room.

The vampire sat on his couch, his face in his hands and his curls spilling forward. His eyes were dry, but the bleeding in his heart substituted the tears he refused to cry. Non, he had not had to stab himself- Death had done that for him with his words.

He squeezed his eyes shut, then looked at the painting that hung over his fireplace. Julianna in her beauty, Asher... Clearly, he was not meant to love... to be loved... he didn't deserve it. Never again, would he love. He was tired of the pain, and tired of trying.

Standing, he moved to get dressed, selecting an all black outfit. There was work to do.

Edward opened the door, not bothering to knock. "Jean-Claude, sit down." He told him. "We need to talk."

"I did not hear a 'please', Edward." He ignored the assassin, buttoning his shirt.

"Please." He said, hand on his hip. "Will you please sit down?"

Sighing, Jean-Claude looked at the human, sitting down on the bed. The raven color of his curls and clothing made him look even paler than normal, even more beautiful. He waited for Edward to speak.

Edward took a deep breath. "When I was younger, I was in love. I was careless and got her killed. I swore that I would distract myself from everyone so I didn't hurt anyone again. But then you got under my skin." He looked away. "I love you too, Jean-Claude."

He looked down, shaking his head. "Non... you don't." Jean-Claude stood, moving to his vanity, and looking in the mirror. Slowly, he began fixing his hair.

He went to him and wrapped his arms around him. "I do love you. It's just hard for me. It's been a long time since I loved."

Jean-Claude closed his eyes, gripping the edge of the vanity. Emotion burned at his eyes, and he shook. "You mistake gratitude for... for love, Edward..." His voice shook.

"I know what it is, Jean-Claude. I have not felt it for years, but I know what it is." Edward buried his face in Jean-Claude's back.

His shoulders shook, and Jean-Claude cursed himself as tears finally slipped down his cheeks. Unable to speak, he placed a hand on Edward's. Dieu...

He squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry I was so quick with my words earlier."

Jean-Claude looked up, meeting Edward's gaze in the mirror. He felt broken, and yet, with Edward's 'I love you's, his heart swelled to portions that boggled the mind. He hurt, and yet he was happy. "Non... I expected it..."

"I should have been gentler with my words. I am a jerk and I know it." Edward looked away from the mirror. "Are you going somewhere? If you were I'm sorry for holding you up."

"Non!" Jean-Claude turned, facing the assassin. "I mean, I was... going to the club, but... I did not... I hadn't planned... I... merde." He sighed.

He looked up at Jean-Claude. He hated being a woman. He was a lot shorter and always had to look up to everyone. "Then stay with me..."

Jean-Claude smiled at the request, smoothing Edward's hair. "Oui." He paused. "Did you not used to be taller than me?"

Edward scowled at him. "Yes, I was taller than you."

"Do not scowl so, Mon Morte... you will get wrinkles, non?" The vampire glanced over his shoulder and sighed. "I must wash my face." He was splotchy, his eyes red from his tears.

He let him go so he could go into the bathroom.

Edward looked in the mirror. He remembered how heartbroken he'd felt when Vivien had died. It was that loss that had made him so cold and heartbroken. And losing Jean-Claude... it felt much the same. He put a hand over his heart. Woman seemed like such fragile creatures.

Jean-Claude paused in the doorway, watching Edward, unsure of what.... and where they were in this... relationship now.

Edward looked over at him and smiled. He was stuck as a woman. No one knew he was Death now. He was free to love who he wanted.

"Do you know how lovely you are when you smile?" Jean-Claude stepped closer. "I do not believe I ever saw you smile as a man..." He paused, frowning. Dieu, but he wished that he had...

"I didn't have anything to smile about when I was a man." He said softly.

"Mon Morte..." Jean-Claude moved, hugging him to him. "I want you to know... that this is not a sudden development... this attraction. It did not start when you turned into a woman..."

"I know you like guys, so I kind of figured that." He took in his scent. Jean-Claude always smelled so good.

"Are you smelling me?" He laughed softly, looking down at the assassin.

Edward looked away. "Of course not."

"Your blush gives you away, sweet Death..." Jean-Claude ached to kiss him, but did not want to mess up as so fragile a stage.

He kissed Jean-Claude. "I know it does. You just smell so good."

"Merci." He leaned down, sniffing along Edward's neck. "As do you..."

A soft moan escaped his lips.

Jean-Claude stilled. "Mon Petite Morte... I..."

"You what?" Edward looked up at him, wondering why he was suddenly still.

Jean-Claude's erection throbbed heavily in his leather pants, nearly touching Edward. "Do not make such noises... they're... merde."

He moved closer, brushing against Jean-Claude. "Why? Do they make you want me even more?"

"Edward..." He moaned the name, burying his face in the soft skin of the blonde's neck.

"Jack." He said pressing closer to Jean-Claude.

Jean-Claude blinked. "...Jack?"

"It's my real name." He his face in Jean-Claude's chest.

Jean-Claude smiled, tilting Jack's face up to his own. "And how did you come to be called 'Edward' then, my love?"

"Edward was a friend of mine. It seemed like a good idea when I took it as my name." He shrugged.

"Well then, Jack..." The vampire softened the J so that it sounded like the J in his own name. "You will have to forgive me if I slip sometimes, but I shall do my best to call you your own name..."

Edward smiled. "I don't mind. I'm so used to Edward, I doubt I'll answer to Jack now." He pressed his lips against Jean-Claude's.

He purred, letting Edward lead in the kiss, though he was relieved that his love wouldn't demand that he learn a new name.

He ran a hand up Jean-Claude's back. He wanted him so badly.

"Mon Morte..." Jean-Claude threw caution out the window, deepening the kiss, pulling Edward's soft form closer to him.

Edward could feel Jean-Claude pressed against his stomach. He moaned into the vampire's mouth. Shit, he wanted him now.

Trailing kisses down Edward's jaw, he licked a line along his neck, sucking softly on the sweet skin.

"I want you to be my first man, Jean-Claude." He whispered.

Jean-Claude shivered at the sound of his voice. "Now?" Dieu, si vous plait... he needed him...

"Yes, right now." Edward rubbed his palm over Jean-Claude's crotch.

"Sacre merde, Edward!" Jean-Claude groaned, pushing into his hand.

"I want you." He moaned into Jean-Claude's neck.

"You have me..." He picked up Edward's slim form, carrying him to the bed.

Edward kissed him, sliding his tongue carefully into Jean-Claude's mouth.

Laying down on the bed with Edward over him, Jean-Claude kissed him back, sucking on his tongue.

He returned the kiss shifting so that he rubbed against him.

Jean-Claude growled at the feeling, slipping his hands to cup the full breasts pressed against him, toying with his nipples.

Edward moaned pushing against him harder. "I want you naked now, Jean-Claude."

"Then undress me..." He quickly removed Edward's shirt, noting the lace bra. "I hadn't expected something so feminine, Mon Morte..."

"Hey, you're the one who gave me the clothes." He pulled Jean-Claude's shirt open. He bent his head down to his chest and took his nipple into his mouth.

He cried out, arching up into the hot warmth of Edward's mouth. "Please..."

"Please what?" Edward began to undo Jean-Claude's pants.

"You are a tease..." Jean-Claude pulled Edward so that he could reach him, tugging the lace cups down below his breasts and sucking a nipple into his mouth.

"I am not." He moaned. He slipped a hand inside of Jean-Claude's pants. "Still too many clothes..."

Groaning, Jean-Claude struggled to keep his fangs to himself as he rolled Edward's nipple carefully between his teeth.

Edward pushed his down on the bed. He undid his bra and tossed it aside, then he removed his pants leaving him in only underwear.

"Dieu..." Jean-Claude licked his lips, wanting to taste him. "Edward..."

"You're pants are in the way." He growled as he pushed the leather pants off of his hips.

Catching the assassin's hands in his own, Jean-Claude met his gaze. "You are rushing, Mon Morte..."

"You're going too slow." Edward challenged as he cupped Jean-Claude in his hand. He felt odd stroking another man.

"Merde!" Jean-Claude swore, then moved, pinning him to the bed. "It is my turn, Edward."

"Then take your turn." He half purred.

Meeting Edward's gaze with hot eyes, Jean-Claude leaned down, flicking his tongue over the blonde's swollen nipple, then pulled it into his mouth. Slipping a hand down his belly, he cupped him through the panties, rubbing in slow circles.

Edward pushed up against Jean-Claude's hand. He moaned, wanting more, wanting Jean-Claude.

Slowly, Jean-Claude kissed his way down Edward's body, slipping the panties off, then spreading the assassin's thighs to look at his wetness. "Dieu, you are lovely..."

He squirmed under his gaze, not used to being looked at that way. "Please Jean-Claude. I want you."

Dipping his head, Jean-Claude licked the wetness before him, purring at the taste, though he could not help but wish that Edward was in his true form.

Edward gasped. Damn, women were just as sensitive as men. "I want you... inside me."

Licking downwards, Jean-Claude entered him with his tongue, then licked up over the turgid nub.

He jerked. "Shit..." He looked down at Jean-Claude.

He flicked it with his tongue, determined to bring Edward to climax, hard and fast... and then again.

Edward bit his lip. Jean-Claude brought him screaming. As a man he was never this vocal.

Licking his lips, Jean-Claude kissed along Edward's soft thigh. "Vocal, Mon Morte..."

"Shut...up..." He managed. He couldn't seem to get enough air to his lungs and he knew the reason why. Jean-Claude was that damn good.

"Shut up and...? Something else I should do with my mouth?" Jean-Claude dipped his tongue into Edward's navel.

"No, but I can think of something else I want buried inside of me." Edward growled at him.

Jean-Claude smiled, rolling onto his back. "So needful? Then take me..."

Edward mounted him quickly. "Fine, I shall." He slowly lowered himself onto Jean-Claude. He flinched as he felt something give way inside of him.

Jean-Claude grabbed Edward's hips. "Still, Edward... it seems your body was innocent. Let yourself adjust." Gently, he cupped the blonde's breast, teasing it to distract him.

"Hey, as a woman I was a virgin." He bit his lip. He was having sex with another man, riding another man.

"Oui... you were. Kiss me, if you'll still have me, Mon Morte..."

Edward covered Jean-Claude's mouth with his own as he began to ride him.

The vampire moaned, his hips moving in time with Edward's, slipping a hand down to caress his clitoris and ensure his climax.

Edward threw his head back as he rode him. So this is what sex felt like for a woman. Jean-Claude filled him so completely.

"Dieu... Edward..." Jean-Claude murmured naughty nothings to the assassin, groaning at his tightness.

He rode him hard, trying to make Jean-Claude cry out when he came buried inside of him.

"Come for me, Edward... let me feel you around me..." Jean-Claude growled, his voice husky.

Edward let go as he came, moaning his name.

Thrusting hard up into him, Jean-Claude hoarsely shouted Edward's name, his hips bucking.

Edward dug his nails in Jean-Claude's arms.

"Yes..." He groaned, slowly coming down, stroking Edward's body.

He smiled at him. "Well...that was amazing."

Jean-Claude laughed softly. "Oui, Mon Amour... tres magnifique..."

Edward kissed him again before laid down next to him.

Trailing soft fingers over Edward's form, Jean-Claude purred. "Je t'adore..."

He smiled at him. "I love you."

Kissing him softly, Jean-Claude smiled back. "I love you as well, Edward." Gently he rested his head on his chest.

Edward drifted off to sleep.

Slowly, Jean-Claude did as well.