<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf">He was not going to get his security deposit back. The blood that dripped from the counter top to add to the pool that sucked into the carpets to stain a deeper shade of crimson was indication of that. Mr. Rogers was turned face down into the pool of his own gore by Ian's shoe as the heaving body of the doctor finally turned his attention away from the mess he had made of the landlord and to the young man who huddled naked and terrified behind the couch.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Only it was not Dr. Callaghan looking through the pair of golden enhanced eyes that reflected the light from the overhead fan that looped slowly overhead with a vague click as it rotated; the only sound that filled the stillness that permeated the apartment in those next moments. Slitted and wild, they were cold like a snake's and just as predatory as they scoped out the young man who reeked of fear and adrenaline. The lion's presence also thundered through his vein's enough for him to heave for breath. His fingers closed into fists, the claws that split his fingertips now digging into his palms and drawing blood. Every muscle was tensed and ready to spring at the next warm body in the room.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
But it was the snake's stillness that emanated from the muscle bound frame that glided forward in a wide arc, his eyes a hypnotizing force locked onto Dax's baby blues. The predator stopped mid step, however, as the man inside fought for control. A tremor slid up his spine and stood him up rigidly as his head shook to the side and the golden eyed stare squeezed close. The claws that bled his palms and added to the stains in his carpet dug even deeper. <i>He had to fight it. </i>The urge to sink fangs – any kind – into the young man's neck to <b>taste</b> the fear that poured off him like a sweet delicacy was too much, however.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Ian made a sound that was a cross between a snarl and a hiss once his eyes snapped back open, even more alien than before, to lock stares with Dax. Even more unnerving was when his jaw unhinged from their joints and his mouth gaped open, exposing a pair of pointed fangs that had pushed from his gums, tiny daggers tingling to puncture flesh. Although his face had not changed from the handsome doctor in the ER aside from his jaw, the golden stare of his eyes, and his eyes, the presence remained feral.<br/>
<br/>
Dax would hear the soft hiss that went on for miles through the air that separated them before he saw the man move with inhuman speed in an agile pounce. The poor boy wouldn't have the opportunity to move very far from the couch when Ian sprung into action, large hands enclosing around him in an embrace that might have been something <i>else </i>if it hadn't been for his arms that squeezed Dax's arms to his sides in the tackle. Strong thighs and legs corded in muscle pushed between the legs of the naked male to wrench them apart so that his knees could crush into Dax's thighs and pin him down. His jean clad pelvis pressed firmly against the naked skin of Dax's hard enough that the boy could feel the erection that punched against the fabric barrier.<br/>
<br/>
Only there was no sign of lust or desire in the terrifying stare that bore down into the other's face, despite the <i>blood</i>lust surged through his veins that caused his cock to pulse and grind. Another deadly hissed escaped from his throat and the snake's eyes shot down to the erratic thump of Dax's pulse in his throat. And then beast didn't hesitate after that. Venom dripping, he arced his neck back and forward with lightning speed to strike, the blow swift as his teeth punctured the side of the male's neck to the quick, pumping its poison into his veins and leaving behind something else entirely.<br/>
<br/>
~~~<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
The venom was not going to kill him and neither was any other part of the beast. Nearly, perhaps, but Dr. Hyde picked himself up and scrambled back to the surface of his own consciousness once the snake had withdrawn from the stilled body of the young man, even though the minutes had to tick away and the snake and lion both settled down once their prey no longer moved except for shallow breathing. Still, he remained on top of the naked form until his jaw popped back into place and the sound of the predators screaming in his head died down, leaving him shaking while orientation settled back in. He moved quickly after that – dragged himself up and scooped Daxon Ripley up like he weighed no more than a sack of potatoes.<br/>
<br/>
The journey back to Ian's apartment was anxiety ridden as the hazel turned gaze of the doctor kept checking the color on Dax's face as he was settled slumped forward in the passenger side seat. And even more so when he kicked his own door open with the young man tossed again in his grasp and settled down on his bed. The emergency first aid kit had the anti-venom he needed; a sign, perhaps, that this was not the first time that Mr. Jekyll the Snake had come out to play, nor the first accident that had occurred with him.<br/>
<br/>
So Daxon Ripley would not die on Ian's watch. What would happen to him might be far worse. He tucked the other male into his own bed once his first aid kit was put away and his vitals checked, the sheet and comforter pulled up to his chin to keep him warm. Grim faced, Ian gazed down at the unconscious features of the boy and reached down to trace calloused fingers across the other's brow before he pulled his hand back with a biting curse under his breath. Turning away, he stormed from his bedroom to open a beer – which turned into the entire six pack he had in his fridge.<br/>
<br/>
It wasn't until later than Ian prowled back into his bedroom, swaying from the booze, and pulled his shirt up and over his head mid stride to the bed. This was tossed into the corner of the room to be dealt with later. The leans that came next he dropped to his ankles and stepped out of them to leave them in a puddle on the floor. His shoes he left in his living room, which left him in nothing but his boxers by the time his knees hit the edge of the bed. The rest of him fell forward and rolled until he was on his back next to Dax, his arm over his eyes. It stayed there as darkness claimed him and in his drunken state, he succumbed to a fitful sleep.</span>