Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood, Gideon, Sofia, Kids (Dario?)

[Samuel le Chevalier]

It wasn't a very Christian thing to do, throwing punches at other boys and brawling in the road, but Samuel taught his brother how to do it and he was proud when Gideon succeeded. Yes, their parents frowned on it, to a point. But Samuel thought it was necessary. Gideon had to grow up! He had to now how to defend himself, expecially being so different. Samuel had to teach him to be a man and please ladies and grow up strong. So Samuel did his best. It just so happened that out of everything Gideon was very, very good at throwing a punch.

Marcel's smile seemed to indicate that he knew how good Gideon could be as well. Samuel shared a grin with Marcel for a moment and nodded. Yes, Marcel was spindly. Clearly a coward in his day, Samuel thought. A man out for himself above all others. But he found Gideon and Gideon found him.

"Gideon is terribly loyal, isn't he? He'd take a bullet for the one he loved, hardly thinking on it at all... Yes, he did get himself into trouble when he was younger. Little boys were always happy to fight but when they got hurt and went limping home nursing their wounds their mothers would be so upset. Gideon... He didn't mean to hurt them so bad..."

Samuel always suspected that Gideon felt at least a little bad for hurting something. The first time he threw a punch, Samuel remembered he looked a little frightened by the power behind that fist. But fear and respect were nearly the same thing, weren't they? Gideon learned to respect that streength.

"I have to say, if you had even the slightest part in crafting that body of his, I'd kiss you just out of gratitude, boy."

Samuel sighed and halted, turning to Marcel whom he expected to halt just the same. His grin faded impressively quickly and he opened his mouth, wishing to tell Marcel that it just wasn't appropriate... But his mouth shut again just as soon and Samuel took a breath, merely staring at Marcel in the silence. He was handsome... A coward, practically related, but handsome. And they were all alone...

"I owe you an amount of gratitude as well, for saving my brother..." Samuel paused, hesitant, but decided to throw himself into the abyss. He looked bravely into Marcel's eyes. "One kiss of thanks. Between men."

[Marcel LaCroix]

Samuel was awfully cute when he was irritated, and Marcel considered letting him know - for his own benefit, of course - but he figured Samuel would probably do one of two things: leave, or deck him. Marcel was enjoying the younger man's conversation too much to want to run him off, and he doubted he could tolerate getting sucker-punched by Gideon's big brother and come out of it unscathed. So, he kept it to himself...in most situations, by far the wisest course. Though he expected some comment rivalling the look of irritation on his face, Samuel didn't say anything like that... What he said was much, much better, but awfully surprising!

"I owe you an amount of gratitude as well, for saving my brother... One kiss of thanks. Between men."

For a moment, Marcel just stared. And stared. And stared. Then...he threw his head back and burst out laughing. He laughed like he had when Samuel had come down from Sofia and Gideon's torture chamber, um, bedroom. He laughed until he was doubled over with an aching gut, and when he straightened, he was grinning from ear to giant ear with his eyes shining with mirth. A kiss between men? Oh, subtle Samuel de Chevalier, very subtle.

Without delay, Marcel then grasped Sam by the back of the neck and pressed his lips onto his, giving him the kind of gasp-worthy, passion-laced kiss that had felled the heart of many a prostitute. It only lasted a few seconds, but it seemed to stretch into days. He pulled away, still grinning and still holding Samuel. He backed away from the kiss, but not away from the man, remaining only inches away. "Sure you want just one, boy?" Marcel said teasingly. Sam was so funny...

[Samuel le Chevalier]

Samuel had been alive for centuries but he'd never really put himself "on the line," as people tended to say in Britain. For most of this long life he'd remained a closely-guarded individual with a scowl on his face and a strong fist ready to pummel anyone or anything that challenged him or tried to drag Samuel further out of his shell. Since finding Gideon so luckily in the middle of the street a lot of that had changed for Samuel. He was more open now, trying to explore this side of his sexuality that might actually give him someone to love or at least be close to. And wouldn't that be nice, having a friend or lover to relate to? To bring him further out of the dark Parisian basement in Samuel's mind?

Samuel thought so... and so he acted a little recklessly, putting enough trust in Marcel to suggest that the kiss might be appropriate. Just one, of course, but Samuel said it. In response, Marcel stared for what seemed like hours, making Samuel increasingly suspicious of what he was going to say, but in the end he didn't even speak at all. Marcel burst out laughing like it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard and Samuel's ears burned red. He ducked his face in rage and turned away from Marcel, starting to walk away from him. Samuel felt his fists tightening near his sides, wanting so very badly to wring the man's neck. He tricked him, did he? Said he wanted a kiss and now he thought it was hilarious...! What, Samuel wasn't handsome enough? Samuel was too funny? Samuel was awkward? Something. Something. Samuel raged silently as he stalked away, only interrupted by Marcel reaching and grabbing him around the neck, startling Samuel enough that he came willingly back around and collided with Marcel's lips.

It didn't last long but in the few seconds they had Samuel's face smoothed from its contorted state into something of enjoyment for just a moment. It wasn't bad. It was passionate and hot and Samuel sort of liked it. But when Marcel pulled away and Samuel saw him grinning like a fool it sort of ruined the effect.

"Sure you want just one, boy?"

After that display? Samuel was sure! And he wasn't 'boy' either. With his face twisting up into anger again, and Samuel so certain that he was being mocked, he drew back one of his clenched fists and struck Marcel hard in the cheek. A swift left hook that Samuel didn't hold back for. He really wanted to hurt Marcel for that moment in time and grumbled after his hand connected with the flesh, hardly aching. Samuel walked past Marcel, back toward the house.

"My name is 'Samuel,' not 'boy,' and I don't appreciate you laughing at me." Sometimes he and Gideon really were too alike. While Gideon might have taken the laughter, however, Samuel lashed out and punched Marcel. But if Gideon were going to lash out wouldn't he do the same? Additionally, as Samuel stalked away he really did stalk. It was a Knight family trait, the proficient stalking. With his shoulders around his ears and his face set into absolute fury he wasn't someone you wanted to step into the path of. 'I don't... do this. Ever. So... just... don't laugh."

[Marcel LaCroix]

Really, how did Samuel expect Marcel to not find this funny? He was just teasing... And Sam was so disarmingly sweet and charming and sensitive, that it was hard not to laugh, if only out of surprise. He was less laughing at Samuel than he was laughing at the fact that, really, he was an awful lot like his little brother - more than Marcel had ever suspected. Underneath the cocky Frenchman who had earlier been cursing and grumbling and playing with matches was a quieter, more thoughtful man who, shock of shocks!, could have his feelings hurt. Fancy that.

Marcel, of course, was infinitely less amused by the proceedings when Samuel suddenly whipped a fist into the side of his face. He doubled over, holding his jaw, with a sudden yelp of surprise...and, yes, a little bit of pain. Just a little...

"My name is 'Samuel,' not 'boy,' and I don't appreciate you laughing at me."

Oh, ow... Damn, that kid could hit! (Calling him "kid" wasn't really fair, not when he'd died only 5 or 7 human years younger than Marcel, but he seemed younger somehow, through his vibrant sort of energy.) Marcel stretched his jaw a little, hearing the bones crack. Ow. He looked furiously up at Sam, but his anger at this petty injustice was nothing compared to Sam's cold, grumbly expression as he stalked most effectively off toward the house. Staring in disbelief at the man's back, Marcel felt for a moment as though he were looking at his fledgling, snubbed and sad and just barely containing a low bubble of anger that threatened to rise. If it weren't for the lack of shocking white hair and skin...

"I don't...do this. Ever. So...just...don't laugh."

So, Marcel had really hurt his poor feelings, hadn't he? To his surprise, he actually felt a little...well, guilty. He never felt guilty! But there was something so raw and vulnerable in this man that he instinctively felt wasn't usually there, so obviously, he was really, terribly bothered by all this. Maybe it was the newfound homosexuality thing... Marcel had never been troubled by his fondness for men, personally, partly because it seemed natural enough to just want everyone, and he knew how it disgusted his father when Alain LaCroix heard rumors of his son courting...the wrong type. From Gideon's half-spoken little stories and hints about his own descent into the unwholesome sins of homosexuality (riiight), however, Marcel had gathered that it wasn't so easy for everyone... And after 300 years of enjoying women, well, that had to mess with someone's head.

Marcel couldn't help but wonder in the midst of all this - did this mean then that Samuel had enjoyed that little kiss?

He sighed and ran his fingers through his brown curls, a gesture Sam probably would have recognized if he was looking. "Oh, come on," he said, rolling his eyes. "Sorry, all right? Je suis tres desole, Samuel de Chevalier. I wasn't laughing at you, for Christ's sake... Jesus, has anyone ever told you you're just like your brother? Guess I know where he gets that from."

[Samuel le Chevalier]

Samuel was angry. Angry and embarrassed, but mostly embarrassed. He didn't know what he was doing with men but he was trying to make it all work somehow. Samuel thought kissing Marcel might have been worth it, just to add another notch to his bedpost, but Marcel had laughed at him. Whether intending to hurt Samuel's feelings or not, Marcel had done a damn good job of it and now Samuel was stalking away in the classic Knight fashion.

Behind him as he walked away, meaning to leave Marcel LaCroix in his dust where the man belonged, Samuel heard a sigh and then words that effectively said "Sorry" and, "I didn't mean it." Though of course they were delivered in a much more impetuous fashion. Marcel LaCroix, as Sofia had told him on more than occasion, could be a real bitch. It had always interested Samuel that she didn't use the term "bastard," but rather the feminine equivalent, and now he could see why.

"Je suis tres desole, Samuel de Chevalier. I wasn't laughing at you, for Christ's sake... Jesus, has anyone ever told you you're just like your brother? Guess I know where he gets that from."

Samuel's steps slowed until eventually he stopped and pursed his lips before spinning on the ball of one foot to stare at Marcel again through the blackness of the forest. To vampires, of course, it was merely a cloudy day.

"Gideon and I have more in common than you'd think." Try as he might to walk away, hearing Marcel compare Gideon and himself even in a bad way still made Samuel proud within his heart. Staring at the other Frenchman, Samuel sighed and stalked back toward Marcel, probing the other man's face with his eyes to be certain that he wasn't mocking him.

"It's Samuel le Chevalier. And I accept your apology." Reaching out for Marcel's shoulder, Samuel looked at his hand that seemed massive on the smaller man's body. He was just... slight, wasn't he? Marcel. Just a wimpy thing. With a big, big ego. "Kiss me again then. And don't laugh."

[Marcel LaCroix]

"Gideon and I have more in common than you'd think."

Despite the pride in Samuel's voice, that wasn't really a compliment. Gideon was a spineless, temperamental freak. Samuel, as far as Marcel could tell, was probably not, but seeing as that was what Marcel had suggested, he hadn't been expecting such pride. He was beginning to suppose that Gideon's big brother just saw something a little different in him...something most people didn't. Something even Marcel didn't, and he knew Gideon as well as anybody, if in a slightly different way. He did know, of course, that there were parts of Gideon that were meant to be loved, that were practically begging to be loved. He was a good man under all the filth he kept himself mired in. Marcel knew that. Sofia knew that.

Samuel grew up with the man... So of course he knew that. Marcel guessed it was probably a misguided insult after all.

"It's Samuel le Chevalier. And I accept your apology." Yep, there was that pride again... It was easy to believe in Samul as a military man. Perhaps bits and pieces of him were humble, but in the end, he was an officer, and he carried himself as such. "Kiss me again then. And don't laugh."

Marcel smirked. He couldn't help it. It was just such a funny question to see come out of his mouth. The smirk faded, though, so only its ghost seemed to cling to his face, and his eyes glinted with curiosity. Would he really...? There were an awful lot of people who would think this was a mistake, this kiss. Gideon, for one. Probably Sofia. Certainly Ginny. Oh, Ginny would kill him... Well, probably not. She might whine a little. Maybe deny him sex. She didn't have the backbone to kill him. This comfortably in mind, he drew a little closer and, without further ado, pressed his lips warmly to Samuel le Chevalier's.

[Samuel le Chevalier]

Marcel smirked at Samuel again but it didn't last. Perhaps he remembered Samuel's fist striking him in his face? Perhaps. The smirk faded and seriousness grew between them again. Only Marcel's eyes danced and Samuel had to admit, they were very handsome eyes. It was strange to imagine Gideon looking into these same eyes as well... But it was all different here and now, with them. Not with Gideon. Marcel was different now than he was before, Gideon was different now, and Samuel was hardly recognizeable in this aspect. He was a strong brutish sort of guy... But he wanted this. Another kiss.

Marcel drew closer and Samuel's hand on his shoulder smoothed over it, cupping it in a manner that, with a female, might have been endearing. Samuel didn't know what it meant with a man though, maybe nothing at all. Shorter than him, Marcel came closer for the kiss and Samuel ducked a little to meet him halfway, once again kissing Gideon's sire but with more thought this time. No panicking, no anger, no confusion, it was just a kiss. It was a good kiss too, very warm and comfortable. Very soft. Samuel enjoyed it, didn't he? He kissed Marcel back, wishing to deepen it, perhaps, but as soon as he became too zealous Samuel drew back and decided against it. No, that was over the line... But the kiss, just the way it had been, was perfect.

Samuel looked to Marcel with his hand still on the other man's shoulder and gave it a squeeze, even managing a brief, friendly smile. It faded slowly and Samuel's eyes were left with the warmth but no less of the sincerity.

"Let's walk back now."

[Marcel LaCroix]

The kiss was surprisingly...good. Not that Marcel expected it to be bad, but it was a whole lot better than he'd expected. And one thing he really hadn't expected... One thing he hadn't even considered... Kissing Samuel, feeling his lips and curling his fingers around the back of his strong neck and drawing close enough to feel his powerful chest against his, was a lot like kissing Gideon. He felt very like his little brother had, especially if Marcel closed his eyes and let himself just feel. He pressed a little harder, and he wanted nothing more than to deepen it, part his lips and invite the other man in, and for a moment there, it seemed Samuel wanted some of the same. Before that moment could turn into anything more, however, Samuel pulled away. Marcel tried not to look too disappointed, though he doubted somehow that it worked very well.

"Let's walk back now."

What? That was it? Okay, all things considered that was probably a good thing, but still. Damn! Gideon would be very upset if he knew. Sofia would probably just be a little disgusted. Ginny would be...hurt. Shit... Marcel hadn't thought much about Ginny that entire time, but now that he was, he almost felt bad, between leaving her alone and kissing Gideon's older brother. Sure, she was a clingy, needy, whiny little brat, but she was his clingy, needy, whiny little brat. Thinking of her made him feel a little calmer, and when he looked at Sam and grinned, there was no teasing or lust in it.

"Sounds like a plan," he said, and he gave Sam a good clap on the back then started off toward the house. His car was in the driveway. He'd probably leave about now, now that the children were asleep and Sofia and Gideon were either occupied or dead to the world - no pun intended. If Samuel wanted further company, he'd say something. Otherwise, Marcel felt his business here was done. At least for tonight.

[Samuel le Chevalier]

"Sounds like a plan."

Marcel smacked Samuel on the back like a man was expected to do. Perhaps they had just snuck away and kissed in the forest in the night. Perhaps Marcel was Gideon's sire and off-limits to Samuel in every conceivable way... But with a smack on the back they walked away from the kiss like soldiers trudging home from battle. Businesslike. Samuel liked that.

He walked beside Marcel in relative silence. The night was cool and beautiful, the man beside him handsome and French. But it was all over now... Just a kiss. A very good kiss.

Silence accompanied them for a long while with the noises of birds disturbed from their slumber by the men walking by and small creatures fleeing through the brush. It never ceased to astoud Samuel that other creatures could just tell they were a threat... The power of nature, yes? It was beautiful. But wild. Eventually though he felt compelled to speak though the words came slowly and unsurely in Samuel's throat.

"I enjoyed this evening..." Samuel announced when they reached the edge of the woods and were met again with the cleared expanse of Sofia and Gideon's property which was not, in all actuality, very large. He looked to Marcel beside him, pulled a smile and turned to walk backwards so as to face Marcel while, in theory, leaving him behind. After all, the Frenchman had driven here in his own vehicle. The children were asleep. And it was likely time to part ways...

"Bon nuit, Marcel LaCroix." Samuel wished him and backed up onto the porch, pausing there with his hands tucked casually into his pockets. "Please tell your Ginny that I said 'Hello.'"

With that, and a small growing pocket of guilt, Samuel turned and walked silently as he could into the house, shutting the door and locking it securely behind him.