the bloodlust's a clusterfuck

[vacabdication]

[ Pagan Min has existed for 458 years, and been dead for 437 of them. And in all that time, he’s never quite got the hang of resisting temptation.

He’s having the fucking devil of a time resisting Ajay.

They’ve been carving out a sort of friendship in the time since Ajay apparently decided against making Pagan’s death final – heart staked, head cut off, pieces left in the sun to burn to ash and all that jazz. Pagan has managed to shuffle his undeniable attraction to the man into the background of that, and the desire to taste him goes neatly with it. Ajay isn’t food. But the more time they spend with one another the louder his desire becomes, all of it twined together. Sex, blood, companionship. And it certainly doesn’t bloody help matters that he’s by now fairly sure that Ajay is curious.

Pagan had got a whiff of it the first time his staff had brought him some volunteers when Ajay was in the room. Pagan had called for dinner for Ajay, and they’d brought up platters of more food than one man even of Ajay’s appetite could hope to eat alone, along with three attractive young hopefuls. Pagan had dismissed them with a wave of his hand and one – a young man who Pagan has not fed from previously but is aware has been angling for a spot for some time – exploded into protest that it wasn’t fair. There was a bit of a kerfuffle about that, gasps and an outburst of sharp Kyrati from the attendants, but Pagan had seen the look on Ajay’s face. Relief that Pagan wouldn’t be feeding in front of him all threaded through with an interest in just how piqued the young man had been. Pagan won’t read Ajay’s mind – a minor courtesy – but he hadn’t needed to.

It presents itself again when Ajay drops in unannounced one day. Pagan has just finished feeding, and the woman who offered her blood is clearly in a state similar to post-coital bliss. A willing bite doesn’t always result in orgasm, but Pagan thinks it’s only polite to provide given that’s what most of them seem to expect. Ajay enters the room just as Pagan is healing her bite wound and giving her a fond pat on the hand, and he can hear the way Ajay’s pulse ticks slightly upward when the woman sleepily croons thank you, thank you before the attendants guide her away on wobbly legs. Pagan has never been the sort to derive any pleasure from forcing the issue and that had tempered his want, but knowing that Ajay is wondering about it sets him aflame.

Tonight, they’re tucked up on a couch in Pagan’s library, poring over an old vampire-hunting text the way a pair of friends might choose to watch a shitty horror film together. Pagan running a finger along the page saying no, no, that’s absolute fucking bollocks and Ajay laughing his sweet husky laugh and being mostly careful only to stare at Pagan when Pagan isn’t staring back. It’s a delight to find the attraction is mutual, and Pagan is carefully trying to select the right time to accidentally meet Ajay’s warm gaze in the hopes of advancing matters when there’s a bloody knock on the door.

Dinnertime. Of course. Pagan is regrettably sharp with his no thank you, not now (the last thing he wants to do in the middle of this tentative almost-courtship is remind Ajay Ghale, son of the Golden Path’s most famous vampire killers, that Pagan is a blood-drinking monster) before he catches himself and turns to Ajay. ]

But what about you, my boy? Have you eaten? I’ll have something brought up, anything you like.

Comments

[vacabdication]

[ There it is. Fuck, but it's charming. ]

It can wait. I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable. [ Which is half the truth. And then there's the much more pertinent fact, exacerbated now by the warm flush of blood in Ajay's handsome face. ] It's not too dissimilar from regular eating, you know. Ever been to a restaurant just itching to try their signature dish only to find it's off the menu, and everything else seems disappointing in comparison?

[ And it would be. Monica Bellucci could show up stuffed to the gills with raspberries and dark chocolate, and it'd taste like ash with Ajay blushing and fidgeting in the room. He doesn't need to feed, but the small gathering at the door have been polite enough compared to some recent events that he favours them with a smile as he reaffirms his delclinature. ]

Perhaps later.

[vaaris]

[ huh. that's...

his mouth ends up blurting out the question before his brain gets the chance to catch up. ]

What, you mean you have... a favorite person here to... feed on?

[ if that's the case, it's weird that he hadn't noticed. in fact, has he ever even seen pagan feed on the same person twice so far? ]

[vacabdication]

Not... quite. Different people for different moods, really.

[ There's one older woman on staff who actually has been a favourite of his recently with the mood he's been in, mostly because she shows up, natters about her grandchildren as Pagan feeds, and then leaves. Doesn't seem to get off on it at all; in fact, Pagan's quite certain she does it out of some kind of misguided maternal instinct, the way an older workmate might scold you for getting skinny after breakup and send you home with a casserole. It's completely daft of her, and very comforting. ]

Perhaps it's more not being able to get a table at the restuarant at all.

[ He's never been subtle, but the most he offers here is a flash of fanged grin. ]

[vaaris]

[ there's a reason ajay has been able to survive so many near misses with death, attacks from the local wildlife, headlong crashes as part of sacred kyrati driving customs -- his skull is really, really thick.

unfortunately for pagan: ]

What, seriously? Someone around here isn't signing up for your... uh, blood drive? [ is that... the right term? ] It kinda seemed like you had the whole place tripping over themselves to do it.

[vacabdication]

[ Blood drive! That makes Pagan laugh quietly, crinkling his eyes at the corners. Ajay does that to him often enough that it's a good thing Pagan can't actually develop wrinkles; just another thing that makes Ajay so damn attractive. ]

Well. To be fair, I've never asked. But as you can see, I'm somewhat spoiled. I'm unaccustomed to having to do so. It seems gauche, really. Why ask and risk making someone worry that there will be consequences [ delivered in the most dire, dramatic fashion he can manage ] for saying no when I'm perfectly well-catered for?

[vaaris]

[ oh. ugh. all it takes is that quiet little laugh for his heart to do something embarrassing and fluttery, enough for him to break off eye contact abruptly.

still! they're too close to the question that's been burning at the back of his mind for weeks to back down now. if he drops it here, it'll probably never get answered, and he'll be back to ending up on sites that sell sparkly dildos you can stick in your freezer. ]

... I've never really been able to figure out why they all wanna do it, though. I mean, do they get some kind of bonus check after?

[vacabdication]

No. [ He actually shakes his head, a gesture he was never particularly prone to even when he was human. This calls for emphasis, though. ] Odd as I'm aware this must sound, I don't want to be fucking exploitative. People here are pornographically poor, as you've seen. If they need money, they can come and work for me, no blood necessary. And to be perfectly honest with you, it would take a little of the shine out of having so many willing donors, as you put it, to know they were doing it for cash.

[ And this time when he smiles all the warm-eyed warmth of his laughter before is replaced with heat. He can't help it. He's laying bait but Ajay's the one with the power here, and something about that is delicious. ]

Most of them do it because it feels good.

[vaaris]

[ here's the thing: despite their shared past and despite the time they've spent together so far, ajay still don't know pagan that well. at least, not well enough to tell the guy what immediately seems obvious.

so there's an awkward, pregnant pause, and then ajay finally lifts a hand to rub at the back of his neck. ]

... yeah, I'm sure that's what they tell you.

[vacabdication]

[ That gesture is very telling. It's cute, really, though Pagan at lease has the sense not to say so out loud right this second. He shrugs a single shoulder, smiles. ]

I'll concede they may have other reasons I'm not aware of. They might be hoping to ingratiate themselves, or hoping I'll turn them. Perhaps one or two of them are playing a very long game and planning to take poison before dinner some night to soften me up for the Golden Path.

But it does feel good. I've done it myself. More than the one obvious time, that is.

[vaaris]

[ ajay blinks. and... he can't help the way his gaze flicks downward, catching on pagan's smile and the little flash it gives him of those fangs. but just as quickly, he jerks his eyes away again, blushing like he's been caught trying to sneak a peek at something indecent. ]

I don't really get -- ... how can it feel good when you're chewing on someone's neck.

[vacabdication]

[ Pagan laughs again, warm and genuine. It's the combination of that shy little glance and the phrasing, but he's not laughing at Ajay. Not really. Mostly he's laughing at himself. When powerful vampires fall for mortals they fall for artists, poets, musicians - the people who make an indelible mark on the world, creating beauty that resounds for generations. And here he is, utterly bewitched by a boy whose main talents are being gorgeous, a suprising aptitude for vampire slaying, and making Pagan laugh. ]

It's hardly chewing. Perhaps I should have fed in front of you after all, just for the education.

My theory is that it's an evolutionary adaptation. If our only options to feed were to kill or make a new vampire, we'd run out of humans eventually. Our fangs [ and by way of illustration he curls his lip a little, taps at one of his own with a fingertip ] are very sharp. The wounds are tidy, if done with care. Done cold, it's probably no worse than getting a peircing with a big needle, for example. But we can make it pleasant. At the low end, it's relaxing. Turned up a little... well. It's not uncommon for people to come. That's something I try to enquire about beforehand.

[vaaris]

[ ... well.

it's not like ajay has been totally oblivious to the tension between them, and he's pretty sure pagan hasn't been either. and now? the guy is sitting here telling him that he can make people come with just his teeth and his magical vampire powers. it's impossible for ajay to keep the resulting flush out of his face, and he immediately breaks away from looking at pagan's fangs and roots his gaze firmly on the carpet instead. ]

... oh.

I don't -- Uh, I mean -- ... I guess I'm kinda glad you didn't just start, uh, getting people off in front of me? [ his mouth has officially run off without his permission. ]

[vacabdication]

And here you thought I was being prim.

[ He's grinning. It can't be helped. ]

It's not that way with all of them. Some of my staff prefer it at the lower end. It's like... having a nice cup of tea with a friend, I suppose. Dinner for me, a spot of magically-enhanced chilling out for them. For some unknown reason I tend to get the rowdy lot volunteering when you're around.

[ Unknown his arse. He's never asked, but... ]

I imagine they're thinking the scenery would enhance the experience.

[vaaris]

[ well, fuck. if ajay had any hope of getting that stupid blush under control, it sure as hell isn't happening now. and he can't help but look back up into pagan's face, searching for any sign that he's kidding. ]

Wait, what --

... you're fucking with me.

[vacabdication]

I most certainly am fucking not.

[ Was that too far? He's embarrassed the boy. Nothing to do but brazen it out, now. ]

You're very attractive, and these people are risk-takers by nature. I have a reputation of being good to them now, but when I first arrived they must have been weighing up the risk of me killing them against the opportunity for an exciting new way to nut.

Ajay, there's something very charmingly naïve about the fact that you seem to be less shocked by the fact that they'll let a scary monster drink their blood because it gets them off than you are by the fact that some of them might like to look at a handsome man while it happens, and have him look at them.

[ And probably some of them are hoping that he'll decide to join in, sure, but if this embarrassed Ajay then bringing that up is right out of the fucking question. ]

[vaaris]

I —

[ okay, pagan might… have a point? but still! he’s been around these people for weeks, now! how’s he supposed to keep making eye contact with them now that he has to wonder whether or not they were one of the ones asking pagan if —

he jerks his gaze right back down again, flushed pink all the way up to the tips of his ears. ]

… that’s… I mean, it’s just — [ and then a little exhale of (very overwhelmed!) laughter, because his brain is short-circuiting. ]

[vacabdication]

A lot?

[ It's still faintly amused, but kind. It is a lot, if you're not already embroiled in the lifestyle. It's very hard to keep from being suggestive when Ajay is blushing so prettily, but he can try! For Ajay, he'll try. ]

And now you know why I've never fed while you were present. I'm a horrible little man, but not so much of one I'd let you be roped into that without being fully informed.

Of course, now that you know, if you find yourself thinking that sounds like a grand old time all you have to do is say the word.

[ He did try. Briefly. ]

[vaaris]

[ something clicks into place in his overheated brain. one piece, and then another, and then another. and then his eyes snap back up to pagan's face, wide and suddenly understanding. ]

Wait, are you -- ... I'm the restaurant you were talking about?

[vacabdication]

[ Pagan presses his lips together.

Of all the bloody times for Ajay's obliviousness to drop away, it picks now? He composes himself, takes a breath, hazards a smile. ]

You've got quite the sense of timing, my boy. I'd gotten so caught up in the conversation I'd forgotten I made that little zinger.

I must be very clear, I have no expectations. But I've enjoyed our little flirtation, and I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about it.

[ Has he ever. The thought of Ajay clutched close, the taste of him hot and enlivening over Pagan's tongue, filling him up. Letting that little push of the mind flow back into him, bringing him pleasure. The sound of Ajay moaning against him -

He's thought about it a lot. ]

[vaaris]

[ almost immediately, his eyes drop right back down to the floor. and this time there's a long silence as ajay lets all of that sink in, chewing idly at one corner of his lip.

but with all of it out in the open... well. it's not like pagan is the only one who's thought about it. at first, it was the idea of pagan stealing him away and feeding from him by force, and tangled up in the fear was an embarrassing, confusing sort of desire. but the more time they've spent together? it was easy for the fantasy to start shifting into something consensual, to imagine himself swooning into pagan's arms like the damsel in some b-grade horror flick. he hadn't even known, then, that it was supposed to feel good -- there was just something about the idea of the possessiveness of the gesture, something intimate and dangerous and forbidden --

he shifts a little in his seat. and then, quietly: ] ... I guess I've thought about it too. Once or twice.

[vacabdication]

[ Oh, thank fuck. ]

Thank you for telling me. I was starting to feel like a bit of a lech.

[ Of course, now that's out in the open - ]

There's something about you that captivates me, Ajay. You're fucking gorgeous, of course, but you're unlike anyone I've ever known. A complex man, I think, but it makes me happy to be around you in the most gloriously uncomplicated way.

[vaaris]

[ what kind of flirting is that!! it's not like he's never been hit on before, never been called hot, but this? it's a string of compliments all delivered so earnestly that they make ajay's whole face burn, ducking his chin down like he can escape from them if he just shells up like a turtle.

... and okay, maybe it's not all bad, maybe he even likes hearing it, but still. ]

I, uh -- ... thanks? You're, um... I mean, I like hanging out with you, too. [ it tumbles out flat and hideously awkward compared to what pagan just laid on him. ] Sorry, fuck, that came out lame. I'm not really good at -- ... uh, this.

[vacabdication]

You're perfection.

[ It's honest, but he's smiling as he says it. Would Ajay feel like he was being mocked if Pagan explained that lameness is part of the appeal? He's so used to people putting on a front for him - seductive or brave or aggressive, they're all the same flavour of artificial. But Ajay is real with him, and it's irresistable.

Of course, there's that deepening blush, too. Blood isn't always about sex, just as he said, but seeing it paint Ajay's handsome face that charming pink when Pagan is already attracted to him - it's exciting. Pagan shifts slightly, wets his lips with the tip of his tongue. He'll have to ease off or he's going to get a hard-on, and with the way Ajay keeps looking him in the eye and then shyly dropping his gaze there is definitely a non-zero chance of him noticing. Still, it's important to him that Ajay knows he's not making fun. ]

There aren't a lot of people who are comfortable just being themselves around me, Ajay. I do hope my little mating dance there isn't going to change that for you.

[vaaris]

[ mating dance.

that kind of implies pagan's hoping to get a hell of a lot more out of this little flirtation than just the chance to snack on ajay, right? and sure, okay, maybe that was obvious! but those two little words just bring it home all over again, and --

... ugh. he's gotta change topics here before his face combusts. ]

Uh, hey, so. If I let you... y'know. It's not going to make me a vampire, right? I mean, no offense, but I'm okay just being a human.

[vacabdication]

No, no. It's a bit more complicated than that.

[ Well, that does the trick. It's a sobering thought. Being reminded that Ajay as he is - beautiful and complicated and sweet - is so very impermanent. Sad, but it deflates Pagan's rising ardor enough for him to feel a bit less like he's going to pop a boner and send Ajay running for the hills. ]

I would have to drink all of your blood, and then feed you mine. It's not something that happens accidentally. Otherwise there'd be vampires all over the bloody place, and as a general rule we're far too dramatic for that to be appealing.