...one must face his fears.
~<>~
Sebastian had certainly had enough time to think about his decision to pay Gideon a visit and could put off the confrontation no longer. With the trashy tabloid article folded none-too-neatly in his jacket pocket, Sebastian hurried inside the hotel. It was perfect, you see, for Sebastian didn't get off work this evening until sundown and poor Gideon was doomed to be a night crawler - so Sebastian should be catching him just as he was waking.
He hailed a bell boy and managed to find out what floor the ole' blood sucker was on. With each bell hat chimed his ascent in the lift, Sebastian's anger grew more in it's amount. He'd worked himself into a right frenzy by the time he reached Gideon's door. He heralded his arrival with the sharp rap, rap, rap of his knuckles against the door. Suddenly, Sebastian took a step back. What in the bloody hell was he doing? Even with his gift from Angela, Sebastian was in no way a match for a blood-crazed vampire in case this session should come to blows. Ahh well, no turning back now.
He was awake early, as was his usual, and sat watching the sun sink down behind the horizon in the vast silence of the great main room. The rapping at the door jarred him, and he glanced curiously across the room. Unusual to have callers at this point in the evening. He rose and crossed the room, clad in nothing but black pajama pants, his bare feet silent against the cold marble floors. He turned the knob and drew the door open, his face registering suprise and then suspicion as his eyes fell on Sebastian, who looked like he was wavering somewhere between fuming anger and nervousness. Gideon smiled dryly, his eyes not following the effort of his mouth. "Sebastian. To what do I owe this dubious honor?"
He'd been nervous, that is, until Gideon opened his mouth. Nervousness was replaced with more anger and disdain. "You know, the amount of bullshit that spews from your mouth is really quite remarkable."
"Really? I was of the same opinion of you, actually. What a coincidence. But seeing as how you've just obverved we have more than enough of the stuff here, how about you go peddle your wares elsewhere, hm?"
"Oh, but I can't leave yet, old friend." His words were like poison and a literal job to get beyond his teeth. Sebastian took a step forward, reaching into his jacket. "We've got something to discuss. I'd like to know where you get the notion that you have the right to even touch my wife, let alone kiss her." The clipped article was presented, but Sebastian knew full well Gideon wouldn't touch it.
Gideon's brows furrowed for an instant before a look of fustration and consternation came over his face. He reached out and grabbed the article - god the man had carefully clipped it out, what a madman - and scanned it. " You cannot be serious..."
"I don't normally read such trash, but a friend of mine had quite a ball showing it to me. I talked to Erin later that night and she confirmed it." Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly. "Where in the hell do you get off doing this all the time? Can't you get over the fact that you lost? She's not your little pet anymore and you cant just....do these kinds of things, Gideon." Surprisingly, Sebastian's words were not hateful, but actually close to conversational.
He shook his head in consternation and handed the article back to the man, lord knows he probably wanted to keep it for the'I loathe Gideon' scrapbook he was no doubt gleefully compilling in his spare time. Gideon pinched at the bridge of his nose, gathering himself for a moment before he looked up and gave Sebastian a withering glare. "That's exactly what that article is, De Vernon. Rubbish. I gave Erin a peck - A PECK. It was a greeting, nothing less. I suprised her and she overreacted, I appologized and she still had my hide for it. What's the point of you coming for what's left." He shifted in he doorway, arms spreading out, hands pressing against the doorframe. "Despite whatever lunacy you've cooked up in that brain of yours I have no designs on stealing Erin away from you for myself. Her and I are done. I've wanted nothing to do with her for a long time. You on the other hand..."
He left the door frame and stepped towards Bastian slowly, pale eyes glowering dangerously at the younger man. "You." He jabbed a finger hard in Bastian's chest in punctuation. "I'd be happier than a bloody clam if she'd leave you. You don't love her, not the way she deserves to be loved. You are a foolish, spiteful, selfish child, Sebastian, and you are ruining Erin a little more every damn day. For some reason that woman loves you... and you!" He flung his arms wide, his expression furious. "You doubt her and distrust her... you're never happy with her! Erin loves you. She loves you. And what do you give her in return? Accusations that she is unfaithful. Threats to leave her. Misery and solitude." He let his arms drop, the anger draining out of him slowly, replaced by something quite close to saddness. "You're a bloody fool, De Vernon. One of these days you are going to turn around and Erin won't be there anymore. And then, then you'll realize what real misery is."
Sebastian could care less about the article and he let it drop to the floor. A hand was lifted to rake through his hair, which was in great need of a trim, followed by an exasperated sigh. "A peck is still unnecessary when she loathes even the very air you breathe."
Anger rose again as Gideon jabbed at him, causing the wirey boy to plant one foot behind him. Other than that move, however, the boy stood his ground. Facial features grew grim throughout Gideon's tirade, but Sebastian remained silent until the older man was finished. It would be more than obvious that Sebastian was struggling with hiding his initial reaction - hurt - but even still his anger was paramount.
"You have no idea what it's like, do you? To have something real..." Sebastian chest caved as he expelled a waivering breath, only to take in another so he could continue. "I know that my wife deserves someone better than me, Gideon. Erin deserves the absolute best that the world can offer. And yet, Gideon, she chose to live the rest of her days with a silly longshoresman who gets angry and selfish and whatever else it was that you called me. Why? Because I do love her. More than I can even attempt to express. Yes, I have distrusted her and made accusations, all well within the bounds of warrant - because of my faults. I'm.... human.
"In a real relationship, people don't just make one mistake and then hate each other forever. We forgive each other. We lean on each other. We make every effort to build a strong foundation in our marriage. She isn't unhappy with me, Gideon, and she tells me that every morning.
"I know what a gift I have and there is nothing in this world that I'll allow to endanger that. I apologize if my actions were misguided, but they were in the service of someone whom I love and I'll do anything for her. She doesn't like you. She doesn't want to talk to you. She doesn't want you around. Leave my wife alone."
Gideon was ready to shake the man until his teeth rattled in his thick-skulled head. He restrained himself to a baleful glare, however. "You self-rightous idiot. You know I do hope Erin comes to her senses sooner rather than later. As for Erin, believe it or not, De Vernon she's her own person. She'll decide who she speaks to or wants around. But as far as I'm concerned you can both go rot." And with that he took a step back into the doorway and slammed shut the door between them.
A smirk lit Sebastian's face as the door slammed. Sure, a small battle - but he had won, at least, in his mind. With this out of the way, Sebastian felt somewhat confident that Gideon would leave them alone for a short amount of time. Enough, he hoped, to give Erin some time to breathe. Stepping back towards the lift, he reached up to rub at the spot Gideon jabbed. God, he loved Angela. There wouldn't even be a bruise.
~<>~
Sebastian had certainly had enough time to think about his decision to pay Gideon a visit and could put off the confrontation no longer. With the trashy tabloid article folded none-too-neatly in his jacket pocket, Sebastian hurried inside the hotel. It was perfect, you see, for Sebastian didn't get off work this evening until sundown and poor Gideon was doomed to be a night crawler - so Sebastian should be catching him just as he was waking.
He hailed a bell boy and managed to find out what floor the ole' blood sucker was on. With each bell hat chimed his ascent in the lift, Sebastian's anger grew more in it's amount. He'd worked himself into a right frenzy by the time he reached Gideon's door. He heralded his arrival with the sharp rap, rap, rap of his knuckles against the door. Suddenly, Sebastian took a step back. What in the bloody hell was he doing? Even with his gift from Angela, Sebastian was in no way a match for a blood-crazed vampire in case this session should come to blows. Ahh well, no turning back now.
He was awake early, as was his usual, and sat watching the sun sink down behind the horizon in the vast silence of the great main room. The rapping at the door jarred him, and he glanced curiously across the room. Unusual to have callers at this point in the evening. He rose and crossed the room, clad in nothing but black pajama pants, his bare feet silent against the cold marble floors. He turned the knob and drew the door open, his face registering suprise and then suspicion as his eyes fell on Sebastian, who looked like he was wavering somewhere between fuming anger and nervousness. Gideon smiled dryly, his eyes not following the effort of his mouth. "Sebastian. To what do I owe this dubious honor?"
He'd been nervous, that is, until Gideon opened his mouth. Nervousness was replaced with more anger and disdain. "You know, the amount of bullshit that spews from your mouth is really quite remarkable."
"Really? I was of the same opinion of you, actually. What a coincidence. But seeing as how you've just obverved we have more than enough of the stuff here, how about you go peddle your wares elsewhere, hm?"
"Oh, but I can't leave yet, old friend." His words were like poison and a literal job to get beyond his teeth. Sebastian took a step forward, reaching into his jacket. "We've got something to discuss. I'd like to know where you get the notion that you have the right to even touch my wife, let alone kiss her." The clipped article was presented, but Sebastian knew full well Gideon wouldn't touch it.
Gideon's brows furrowed for an instant before a look of fustration and consternation came over his face. He reached out and grabbed the article - god the man had carefully clipped it out, what a madman - and scanned it. " You cannot be serious..."
"I don't normally read such trash, but a friend of mine had quite a ball showing it to me. I talked to Erin later that night and she confirmed it." Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly. "Where in the hell do you get off doing this all the time? Can't you get over the fact that you lost? She's not your little pet anymore and you cant just....do these kinds of things, Gideon." Surprisingly, Sebastian's words were not hateful, but actually close to conversational.
He shook his head in consternation and handed the article back to the man, lord knows he probably wanted to keep it for the'I loathe Gideon' scrapbook he was no doubt gleefully compilling in his spare time. Gideon pinched at the bridge of his nose, gathering himself for a moment before he looked up and gave Sebastian a withering glare. "That's exactly what that article is, De Vernon. Rubbish. I gave Erin a peck - A PECK. It was a greeting, nothing less. I suprised her and she overreacted, I appologized and she still had my hide for it. What's the point of you coming for what's left." He shifted in he doorway, arms spreading out, hands pressing against the doorframe. "Despite whatever lunacy you've cooked up in that brain of yours I have no designs on stealing Erin away from you for myself. Her and I are done. I've wanted nothing to do with her for a long time. You on the other hand..."
He left the door frame and stepped towards Bastian slowly, pale eyes glowering dangerously at the younger man. "You." He jabbed a finger hard in Bastian's chest in punctuation. "I'd be happier than a bloody clam if she'd leave you. You don't love her, not the way she deserves to be loved. You are a foolish, spiteful, selfish child, Sebastian, and you are ruining Erin a little more every damn day. For some reason that woman loves you... and you!" He flung his arms wide, his expression furious. "You doubt her and distrust her... you're never happy with her! Erin loves you. She loves you. And what do you give her in return? Accusations that she is unfaithful. Threats to leave her. Misery and solitude." He let his arms drop, the anger draining out of him slowly, replaced by something quite close to saddness. "You're a bloody fool, De Vernon. One of these days you are going to turn around and Erin won't be there anymore. And then, then you'll realize what real misery is."
Sebastian could care less about the article and he let it drop to the floor. A hand was lifted to rake through his hair, which was in great need of a trim, followed by an exasperated sigh. "A peck is still unnecessary when she loathes even the very air you breathe."
Anger rose again as Gideon jabbed at him, causing the wirey boy to plant one foot behind him. Other than that move, however, the boy stood his ground. Facial features grew grim throughout Gideon's tirade, but Sebastian remained silent until the older man was finished. It would be more than obvious that Sebastian was struggling with hiding his initial reaction - hurt - but even still his anger was paramount.
"You have no idea what it's like, do you? To have something real..." Sebastian chest caved as he expelled a waivering breath, only to take in another so he could continue. "I know that my wife deserves someone better than me, Gideon. Erin deserves the absolute best that the world can offer. And yet, Gideon, she chose to live the rest of her days with a silly longshoresman who gets angry and selfish and whatever else it was that you called me. Why? Because I do love her. More than I can even attempt to express. Yes, I have distrusted her and made accusations, all well within the bounds of warrant - because of my faults. I'm.... human.
"In a real relationship, people don't just make one mistake and then hate each other forever. We forgive each other. We lean on each other. We make every effort to build a strong foundation in our marriage. She isn't unhappy with me, Gideon, and she tells me that every morning.
"I know what a gift I have and there is nothing in this world that I'll allow to endanger that. I apologize if my actions were misguided, but they were in the service of someone whom I love and I'll do anything for her. She doesn't like you. She doesn't want to talk to you. She doesn't want you around. Leave my wife alone."
Gideon was ready to shake the man until his teeth rattled in his thick-skulled head. He restrained himself to a baleful glare, however. "You self-rightous idiot. You know I do hope Erin comes to her senses sooner rather than later. As for Erin, believe it or not, De Vernon she's her own person. She'll decide who she speaks to or wants around. But as far as I'm concerned you can both go rot." And with that he took a step back into the doorway and slammed shut the door between them.
A smirk lit Sebastian's face as the door slammed. Sure, a small battle - but he had won, at least, in his mind. With this out of the way, Sebastian felt somewhat confident that Gideon would leave them alone for a short amount of time. Enough, he hoped, to give Erin some time to breathe. Stepping back towards the lift, he reached up to rub at the spot Gideon jabbed. God, he loved Angela. There wouldn't even be a bruise.