Herbert was unaccustomedly ill at ease when Daniel entered his office, straightening papers that were already in neat piles again and again. "Professor?" Daniel asked, when the plump man did nothing but stare at his face for several minutes.

He shook himself. "I am sorry, my boy. I was only lost in my thoughts. Do you remember our patron from the last expedition?"

Daniel did all too well, some sort of Prussian baron that had decided to dabble in archeology. An exceedingly tall man, with silver hair and a chilly gaze. Daniel could still remember the weight of those unnatural eyes upon him and had to repress a shudder.

"Vaguely. Baron von Brennenburg was it not?"

"He prefers Alexander, but yes. He seemed rather…taken by you."

Daniel started, surprised. There had been a small soiree before the expedition had left for Algeria. Of course the baron, being their chief patron, had been in attendance. The old man had not spoken a word to Daniel the entire evening, even when Herbert had introduced his promising protégée. Alexander's eyes had only darted to his face and then away, dismissive. Then they had returned to his face, a keen interest now dancing in them. Since he still had not spoken a word, Daniel had shifted from foot to foot before making his excuses and leaving. He did not have to look behind him to know that the baron had stared after.

"I had not noticed. His attitude towards me was rather cool, I had thought."

Herbert snorted and mumbled something about Daniel's naiveté.

"Is he pulling the funding, sir?"

"What? No. Well, he won't unless we give in to a small request of his."

"And that would be?"

Herbert sighed, the tips of his impressive mustaches seeming to droop. "You."

Which was how Daniel found himself in a carriage on his way to Brennenburg. His stomach was twisted up in knots, not only from the darkness that pressed against the walls outside, but also in trepidation of meeting the baron once again.

Herbert had not wanted to send him. Had vowed to go himself to give Alexander the reports he wanted, but Daniel had pointed out that they dearly needed the money for the next excavation season and Alexander had been very firm that it had to be Daniel and Daniel alone.

Herbert had given him the letter the baron had written and Daniel took it from his pocket and scanned the lines he knew by heart. The baron did not even know his name, only referring to him as "Herbert's boy". It went a long way to explain the air that had hung around Herbert as he saw Daniel off, like a worried father sending his impoverished daughter off to be married. Fairy-tales often began that way, didn't they? Then, remembering what horrors oft transpired in most fairy-tales, he firmly pushed the thought from his mind.

The carriage pulled into the castle's courtyard and Daniel stepped out of it, the hand he used to clutch the door shaking ever so slightly. Brennenburg loomed out of the darkness like something from every penny dreadful he had ever read. He gulped and took a step backwards, wanting to flee back into the carriage and request to be taken back to that small town they had passed. When his calf hit the step, the doors of the castle opened, casting a cheery glow upon the courtyard.

"Ah, there you are! Come in out of the cold. No, leave your luggage. The servants will attend to it."

Daniel was taken aback. The cheery man who was ushering him inside was nothing like the brooding man he had met in London!

"Thank you, my lord. I am sorry for the late hour of my-"

But the baron waved away his words. "Nonsense. It is my custom to be awake far later than this. Though I would have had you come earlier so that I might have had the pleasure of your company for dinner."

He smiled and it looked a thing practiced. It did not reach his eyes, which were flicking over Daniel's face as if searching for something.

"Actually, I have not yet supped…" He regretted saying it as soon as the baron's face clouded.

"That imbecile of a driver did not stop to give you dinner? I will have words with him on the morrow."

"Never mind it," Daniel quickly said. "My appetite is a small thing to begin with and I am glad I could reach you as soon as I could."

That brought a natural smile to the baron's thin lips. "Come with me to my study. I will have the servants bring up some tea for us and a small meal for you."

"Oh, I do not wish to-" The baron's hand found its way to the small of Daniel's back and propelled him up the stairs. "I mean thank you."

The meal was conducted in awkward silence. The baron never took his eyes from Daniel, watching each morsel intently as Daniel skewered it on his fork and brought it to his lips. Then the baron's hellish eyes would linger there upon his lips. When Daniel licked a bit of grease off his mouth there was a soft sound from his host; was it a growl or a moan? Daniel put down his utensils, his appetite abandoning him.

"Thank you for the meal, but I am afraid that I am rather fatigued. If I may retire to my rooms and we may discuss our business in the morning…"

A smile split the baron's face and Daniel was momentarily distracted by how white his teeth were. Were his canines the slightest bit too prominent? "I have been the victim of your country's tedious rules of courtesy and propriety more times than I care to recount. Of course the one time I would like inbred manners to compel an Englishman to stay longer by my side, I have found one that seems bereft of them."

"I do not mean to be rude, my lord, and am sorry if I offend, but I really am very…" A yawn interrupted him. He covered his mouth and hoped his blush was not apparent in the light of the flames.

The baron's smile widened more and yes, his canines were indeed prominent and slightly pointed. "Then I shall not keep you from your bed." He rose to his feet in a graceful motion. When Daniel tried to follow suit though, his knees buckled and he barely caught himself on the table in time. The baron's strong hands were on his shoulders. "Are you all right?" His breath tickled Daniel's ear. Daniel closed his eyes and tried to will the world to quit swaying.

"Sit back down. I shall summon the servants and make sure your room is in order."

Daniel nodded and rested his head upon his knees. Soon the baron was back and crouched by his side. "I am terribly sorry. It seems that your rooms will not be ready until the morrow. My sincerest apologies."

"Am I to sleep by your hearth then?" He could not keep the sarcasm from his voice and bit his lip. He was feeling more poorly then he had thought.

The baron chuckled, again puffs of air against his ear let Daniel know that the old man was too close once more. "I do not treat my honored guests so poorly. You will have my bed tonight." Daniel was pulled to his feet, weak protests falling from his lips.

The sheets felt cool against his heated flesh. He buried his face into the plump pillow and would have been asleep in seconds if the baron's deep voice had not roused him. "Do you Englishmen sleep in your clothes? Your manners have already been too boorish this evening."

"I cannot…" Daniel struggled against the sheets trying to pull his shirt off, forgetting he had to unbutton it first.

Warm, throaty laughter and then skillful hands were plucking at his garments, ridding him of them. The night air on his body felt good and he snuggled against the sheets once more. He had forgotten that he still had an audience until a calloused hand ran down his spine. "But where will you sleep?" He finally thought to ask. Silence met him. He had almost fallen asleep when he felt Alexander crawl over him. As he drifted off, he had the oddest impression that the baron was smelling his hair, his breath warm and wet against the back of Daniel's neck.

It was a nice dream Daniel had that night, a happy change from the nightmares that usually caused him to toss and turn and even awaken with a cry upon his lips. He dreamt he was in a glen somewhere, trees encircling it and a pregnant moon casting her glow upon all. He had felt safe, secure, maybe for the first time in his life. A creature rutted up behind him, crawling on its belly to press firmly against his back. Hot breath snuffled his hair and he smiled. There was no cause for alarm; the moon would not allow harm to come to him this night. So thinking, he turned and buried his face in soft fur. A muzzle moved across his forehead, sharp teeth skimming his flesh. Wolf, his sleepy mind supplied and he reached up and clutched the mane of silver fur and curled up tighter against it.

The sunlight that met his eyes when they finally fluttered open made him groan. He raised a hand to shield himself and thought very hard on pulling the blankets over his head and falling back asleep.

"Good morning." The voice was low and amused with the slightest hint of a growl underlying it. Daniel knew that voice. He frowned. He did not like the owner of that voice over much. He lowered his hand and let it rest over his chest. The sunlight was still harsh, but tolerable on his second attempt. He blinked away the tears that sprang up. "So sensitive," the voice tsked, a rough thumb scrubbed at his cheek. Daniel batted it away and moved as far to the edge of the bed as he could without falling off.

"Sir, why are you in bed with me?"

A flash of teeth and Daniel was reminded how sharp they were. There had been teeth in his dream last night as well… He pushed that thought firmly away. "Do you not remember last night? You were overly fatigued and I offered you my bed."

"Yes, I do remember that." His head ached. It was reminiscent of the one time he attempted to drink a spirit stronger than wine. But he had had no strong drink last night. "What is the time, my lord?"

"Half past ten."

"You let me sleep so late!"

Again, that disquieting smile and a soft chuckle. "You made entirely too pretty a picture to disturb."

Daniel flushed and pulled the blankets around himself more tightly. "I would like my clothes back."

"The servants have taken them to be cleaned."

"And you did not think to have them supply me with fresh ones from my luggage?"

"I did think on it." Long fingers played with a strand of Daniel's hair. Daniel grabbed his wrist to stop him.

"Your manners are deplorable, my lord."

"I would prefer you to call me by my given name."

"Alexander, then." That seemed to please the baron, for he smiled as he stood to walk over to the armoire.

"I apologize for my servants' lack of forethought."

And not for your own perversions?Daniel thought bitterly.

Alexander pulled out a white shirt and held it out to him. "I can offer you this though. Unless you wish to walk to your rooms in the nude. I would not mind, but the halls do get chilly this time of year."

"You are a beast!"

That earned him a hearty laugh. He waved the shirt a bit, meaning for Daniel to rise from bed and take it. Daniel only watched him sullenly.

Alexander relented and walked back to the bed, his pace slow, swaggering slightly. He dropped the garment on Daniel's chest. "Thank you." Daniel threw it on and crawled out of the bed. He regretted it instantly for the floor was cold. Alexander's shirt fell almost mid-thigh on him. Not being a diminutive man, he was taken aback. He stole a glance over at Alexander as he pretended to be overly concerned with making sure of the buttons.

The baron was as unnaturally tall as Daniel had remembered from their previous meeting. Though his silver hair bespoke him to be of advanced years, his physique seemed to make a lie of his age. His shoulders were broad and his back straight, unbowed by the years. The chest that Daniel could see through the gap in his dressing gown also was not what one would expect from an old man; it was as muscled as a man twenty years his junior. Daniel realized his hands were frozen in place and he was staring at the baron. He blushed and turned away.

"You may admire me as much as you desire. I have nothing to be ashamed of. Do you think contrary?" He let the dressing gown fall from his shoulders and Daniel took a step back. His arms were tight cords of muscle; his whole frame was lean and the wealth of scars that decorated it lent him a deadly air. That body did not belong to an old gent of the aristocracy who spent his time on studies and philanthropy. It belonged to a man who was a hunter or a warrior. But these were no longer the times of knights or gladiators and as to how he could have become so scarred... Daniel was suddenly frightened.

"I think I shall find the guest chambers now." He put his hand on the door to open it, but Alexander moved faster than thought, placing his own palm flat upon it to hold it closed.

"I do not wish you to go like this. We were starting off so well."

"My lor- Alexander. I do not know what you speak of, but I do find you right on one point: this castle is indeed chill. I would like to find my wardrobe and get more properly attired for the day."

Alexander did not relent though. Instead he leaned over Daniel and nuzzled the soft hairs of his temple. The baron's heat, his very scent, were most overpowering. It reminded Daniel too much of his dream, of the creature he had shared his slumber with under the moon. "Do not leave me afraid. Do not fear me, not you."

"I have no idea of what you are saying!" He forced cheer into his voice that he did not feel. "Me, fear our patron? Whatever would make you think so?" The tear that ran down his cheek and the tremble of his hand gave him away.

"The smell of you," was the growled reply. A quick lap of rough tongue to steal his single tear off his cheek and then he was released. Daniel threw open the door and escaped.

He wandered down the halls for a good half hour before he realized that he had no idea where his rooms lay. Alexander had the decency to remember this and sent a servant to find him.

His guest rooms were lovely. A whole three rooms to himself! Daniel spun around the receiving chamber, taking in the elaborate furnishings, the wealth of books that lined the walls. The maid did not conceal her smile very well. "I will tell his lordship that you like your rooms," she said in heavily accented English, a twinkle in her eye.

Daniel stuttered out a request not to tell her lordship anything, but she was already through the door in a swirl of skirts. Daniel sighed. His bedroom was even more extravagant than the sitting room. The plump pillows on the bed looked ever so inviting, as did his clothing he could see hanging in the open armoire. In the end though he drifted back to the sitting room's many bookshelves.

Alexander found him two hours later, long legs draped over the arm of a padded chair and a heavy tome spread out on his lap.

Daniel looked up at him with wide eyes. The baron was also surprised, but it faded into fond amusement. "I gathered you were happy with the arrangements."

"I am. A pity they were not ready last night." He turned back to his book, hoping the baron would leave him soon.

"It was inexcusable." Alexander walked further into the room and Daniel's stomach roiled. "You left my company this morning under false pretense."

"Did I?" Daniel remembered the baron over him, almost pressing him against the door. Remembered how for one mad moment that he had almost wanted it. He flipped a page though he could no longer focus on the words.

"You said you wished to get dressed, but here I find you still as you left me." Fingers skimmed over a bare thigh.

Daniel yelped and sat up. "Did you wish to speak with me on some matter? If not I would like to finish this-"

"I came to seek your company. It is rare to have visitors at Brennenburg. It is a lovely day and I thought we could have a turn around the grounds, a picnic outside for lunch."

"I…" It was on Daniel's lips to refuse, but Herbert's worried eyes flashed through his mind. He had come here for a purpose: to secure their money for the next season's excavations. If he antagonized their patron too much it surely would damage Alexander's good will towards them. "I will need to dress." He rose and took a step toward his room. Alexander did likewise. Daniel paused. "St-stay here if you please. I will be as fast as I can."

With a great show of reluctance, Alexander sat in the chair that Daniel had left. He relaxed into it immediately and Daniel wondered if the baron was luxuriating in the warmth that Daniel had left behind. What an unsettling thought.

The castle did not look so foreboding in the daylight hours and Daniel found that he actually enjoyed taking a tour of the grounds. The gardens were lovely and so were the surrounding forests from what little Daniel saw of them. Daniel would have enjoyed it more if the baron had not been so…attentive.

Alexander loomed over Daniel the entire walk, always walking close enough that Daniel could feel the heat that seemed to radiate off the man. No matter how Daniel fidgeted or changed his pace, Alexander could not be shaken.

"Let us go into the woods for a bit," Alexander said at length, long fingers encircling Daniel's upper arm.

Daniel frowned at the path the baron was pointing at, the thought that no one would hear his cries for help in the woods flitting through his mind. "Surely the gardens would be more pleasant," he ventured. "Are there not dangerous beasts that hunt in the forests of Prussia?"

Alexander laughed long and hard. When he finally had control of himself again, he wiped a tear from his eye and threw an arm around Daniel's shoulders. "There is no cause for worry if you stick to the paths and walk them during the day. Besides, no creature will dare come near you." He leaned in close and rumbled into Daniel's ear, "For you will be with the most fearsome beast that these lands have to offer."

Daniel would have bolted if the baron had not had such a tight hold on him.

They procured a basket from the kitchens which Alexander insisted on carrying. Daniel was only too happy to have the older man burdened with the heavy basket. The bulk of it ensured that he had to keep at least a pace from Daniel at all times.

They walked in silence for a while, Daniel enjoying the day and trying to ignore the fact that Alexander was enjoying the sight of him. Finally when he could not bear the weight of that amber gaze any longer he placed a hand on the baron's shoulder-the muscle that moved under his fingers!-and pointed out a nice clearing where they might have their meal.

The baron had frozen instantly at Daniel's touch, his eyes growing even more intense. Daniel let his hand drop hastily away and stumbled through the underbrush, not looking to see if Alexander followed. The baron's trek through the brush was soundless and when Daniel finally did turn a small gasp escaped him for he did not expect Alexander to be right behind him. He stumbled back a few paces and tried to regain his composure as Alexander fought not to laugh.

"It is very peaceful here," Daniel remarked, sitting down by a fallen tree so he could lean against it. He looked across the small clearing and his fingers twitched to practice his sketching.

"And the rest of my lands, my estate, how do you find them?" Alexander also sat down with his back against the tree, close enough that his sleeve brushed against Daniel's. Daniel flushed but did not move away; he could not offend the baron when they were in dire need of his funding.

"They are…suitable."

"Suitable." Alexander raised an eyebrow. "For what, pray tell?"

"They match their lord," Daniel snapped, then he remembered himself. "There are pockets of unexpected beauty though. Your gardens are marvelous."

"I am afraid I have made you prejudiced against Brennenburg. Allow me to give you a proper tour of the castle at some time. It also hides beauty within it." He began to pull their lunch from the basket and Daniel found himself famished.

The baron only picked at his food, forgoing his meal to watch Daniel eat with an unsettling focus. The same as last night, Daniel remembered with a small shudder. Daniel chose to ignore his patron and tucked into his meal with proper English enthusiasm. At length Alexander chuckled and placed a strand of Daniel's hair behind his ear. His fingers then trailed down Daniel's cheek. Daniel jerked away. "You have such an impressive appetite for one so…slender."

"Thin, you mean." Daniel shrugged. "I am not usually so gluttonous. I often forget to eat when I am engrossed with my studies, so I try to make up for it when I have the leisure."

Alexander's eyes gleamed. "You want proper care, someone to look after you-"

Daniel snorted. "You sound like Herbert. He is always nagging me to take a wife." His voice trailed off as he remembered Herbert seeing him off to Prussia, the worried father sending his daughter off to wed above her station... Daniel hastily took another bite of chicken.

"The castle boasts an excellent library. Several in fact."

Daniel paused in his eating. "Truly?"

"Perhaps I can show you when we get back…If you are interested."

Daniel had to bite back his eager affirmative. Instead, he gave a small nod. Alexander chuckled and leaned back against the tree, his arm stretching out along it, almost draping over Daniel's shoulders. When the food was gone, Daniel found himself dozing off.

He awoke with a jolt to find the baron's arm had fallen around his shoulders and the man nuzzling his neck. "You smell wonderful."

"Th-thank you." Daniel attempted to push Alexander away, but it was like trying to move a mountain. "Sir, this is most improper."

"You Englishmen and your useless sense of decency! Usually when there are no prying eyes you conveniently forget you have it."

"We forget we have it when the attentions are welcome. My lord!" Alexander had nipped at Daniel's collarbone. Daniel dug his fingernails into the baron's broad shoulders but all that elicited was a sound not unlike a purr.

Alexander raised his face to Daniel's. Their noses brushed and the heated expression in the man's eyes made Daniel forget to breathe. There was something half wild in them, half wild and utterly adoring. "And are my attentions so unwelcome?" he said, his already deep voice so low it was almost a growl. Fingers trailed up Daniel's thigh to rest on his hipbone, a thumb rubbing the too pronounced hollow.

Daniel grabbed the baron's wrist to keep him from moving further down but in so doing also kept Alexander practically pressed against him.

"I did not come here for this," he whispered.

Alexander tilted his head. There was a slight smile on his lips and he began to lean forward. "Did you not?" His lips brushed Daniel's.

Daniel's eyes closed and he almost tilted his head as well, almost gave in…when the implications of what Alexander had said hit him. Years of running from his father and the schoolyard bullies gave him the agility to slip under the baron's arms and scramble to his feet.

"I did not come here to…to…sell myself to you! I came to ensure funding for the next excavation year, I came at your request!"

"And why did you think I wanted you, you silly boy? Stimulating conversation?" The baron's voice was dry and though he was smiling, too much of his teeth were showing; it was practically a snarl.

"I…I…" Daniel sputtered, taking a step back.

Alexander's eyes gleamed. "I would advise you to walk back to the castle, Daniel." Daniel hated how the baron lingered over his name, practically sung it out. "If you break into a run I will find it very hard not to give chase."

"And what if you caught me, my lord?"

His smile widened, showing how sharp his teeth were. "Then I would just have to eat you."

It was not quite a whimper that escaped Daniel. When he turned back to Brennenburg, he made sure to keep his pace even though it was a bit faster than his want. Alexander's disquieting laugh was the only thing that chased him.

X

This is a prompt for the Amnesia Kink Meme. Can you guess what the prompt was? XD