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

[vaaris]

Good.

[ if he wasn't so pleasantly fuzzy, he'd probably ask himself if he should be saying this. but as it is? pagan pulls him closer, tangles their legs together, and everything feels so right and wonderful and lovely in the world that ajay forgets to censor all the dumb shit his mouth can conjure up. ] So it wouldn't be weird if I told you I kinda only want you to do that with me?

[vacabdication]

[ He laughs. But it's a quiet thing, warm against Ajay's skin.

He'd tried to prepare for this. Remembered that back when he ate, sometimes it was quite nice to have a bowl of simple congee rather than a rich meal. But if someone had come to him and told him he could choose to eat nothing but a king's banquet for the rest of his life, he wouldn't have been sad to say goodbye to the congee. He'll confirm later, when Ajay isn't dealing with the post-bite high and blood loss both, but for now? It's a lovely thought. He lifts Ajay's hand to his mouth, brushes a kiss against his knuckles. ]

Not at all. That's one adjustment it would be an absolute pleasure to make.

[vaaris]

[ ajay’s never been the jealous type. and this is a hell of a weird way to start, getting all twisted up in the idea of pagan doing that to someone else, but. it still sends a warm little current of pleasure through him, hearing the easy way pagan tells him he’d do it. like whatever ajay has is good enough to make it worth the effort.

he turns his head, making a pleased little sound when that lets him nuzzle up under pagan’s jaw. ]

Would it be like that if…? [ but he can’t quite get the rest of the question out. angles towards it a slightly different way, instead. ] I mean, Yuma Lau tried, once. Kind of seemed more like it was going to the be the stuff of nightmares than of wet dreams.

[vacabdication]

[ Pagan stiffens slightly at that name. Yuma had been his dearest friend and closest ally in life. A sister, really. The only person who'd persisted in seeking him out after he'd been turned. And once he'd fully realized that she would grow old and die before his eyes, he'd turned her too, unwilling to lose her. They'd built quite the reputation for themselves, known for a time as twin demons despite the fact that anyone with eyes could see they weren't twins - but then again, not many people who had seen them lived to tell the tale. But Pagan had outgrown that, and Yuma never had. She remains enchanted with the damage she can wreak upon a human body in a way that Pagan finds... distasteful.

Yuma Lau is his oldest friend, his staunchest ally, and his greatest mistake. ]

You did well to avoid it. All vampires can bring pleasure, if they choose to. Yuma... doesn't choose to very often, as I understand it.

[ But that's not quite what Ajay was asking, from the sound of the way he started the question. Even if Pagan is now somewhat preoccupied with the jealous spark he feels at the thought of anyone else biting Ajay. Perhaps a more detailed answer is in order, for Ajay's curiosity as well as Pagan's mood. ]

We can make it good for anyone. Whether they want it or not, I'm afraid to say. It's better when both parties are willing, better still when they're willing and genuinely attracted to one another. All our abilities grow with age and power, and I imagine this is no different. But for you...

I wanted it to be something special for you. You'll have to excuse the bragging, but it sounded like I managed. And it's very rarely that good for me.

[vaaris]

[ it’s a lot to turn over in his head, especially with a solid seventy-five percent of his brain cells still in a sizzling heap, but. ajay thinks he manages to pick out the most important bits.

stay far away from yuma lau? no problem there.

and whatever just happened? it was special. not just for him, but for pagan, and that seems to hold even more weight against all of pagan’s relative experience. it makes something bloom in ajay’s chest, pleased and warm, and he snuggles himself back into pagan with a sound that’s nearly a purr. ]

… so does that mean —? [ trailing off shyly for a long moment before finding the rest of his nerve. it shouldn’t be that hard to ask! they started off this whole thing by making out, and that has to mean something, right? but. ] I mean, if you just wanted this to be about… uh, feeding, I get it, but…

… if you wanted more than that, I’d be, uh. Cool? With that.

[ suave. ]

[vacabdication]

[ Oh

That was fast!

Not that it's a bad thing. It's long been a puzzle to Pagan that despite how brief mortal lives are, they spend a great deal of time fucking about when it comes to matters of the heart. Dithering over whether they should ask someone to be with them as if the embarrassment of being rejected would stay with them for the remainder of their inconsequential sixty or seventy years. It's easier for his kind, he thinks; if it's another vampire, you've got eternity to get over it. And if it's a human you'd better shake a fucking leg because before you know it, they're in the grave and you've missed your shot.

Still, it's a little entertaining that he's asking. Pagan really should have considered that Ajay had zero basis for comparison before he assumed that what just happened would be a sufficient declaration of Pagan's desires and affection. He doesn't roll out the psychic pleasure red carpet for snacks. ]

That would be [ and Ajay almost definitely doesn't need to see Pagan's face to know that he's grinning ] very cool.

[vaaris]

Shut up.

[ but he’s grinning, too. stupidly giddy, like he’s a teenager that just asked their crush out to prom instead of a full grown man propositioning an ancient (can pagan read minds?) and terrifying eldritch horror. ]

Before you make fun of my game, you should remember that it obviously worked on you, so.

[vacabdication]

Oh, it did. It did. I am completely and utterly smitten.

[ He's still grinning, but he means every word he says. Turns his face so he can pepper little kisses into Ajay's hair and breathe him in. How unique this boy is, how precious. He strokes a hand over Ajay's chest, enjoying the thump of his heart, the warmth of his skin, the swell of muscle at his pectorals. And it's genuinely idle exploration rather than any kind of ploy when he starts rubbing his thumb slowly over a nipple as he says: ]

You should move in. Let me make you my companion officially. Yuma and the Golden Path won't be particularly happy, and it would offer you a measure of protection.

But mostly because I want you to.

[vaaris]

[ oh.

it’s impossible not to notice that thumb pagan is using to tease his nipple, especially with his system still buzzing from the effects of whatever pagan just did to him. it’s why he can’t stop himself from squirming, even though he’s trying to keep his voice steady when he answers. ]

W-Wow. [ a little laugh. Do you ask everyone to move in after one dinner date, or?

[vacabdication]

Definitely or.

[ He should probably tone things down a little for this conversation. He doesn't. His thumb keep doing what it's doing, he keeps nosing little kisses into Ajay's hair, his leg stays twined around one of Ajay's. ]

Mortal lives are so brief. Blinking in and out, like fireflies. But you, Ajay - you're a meteor shower. Bright and beautiful. Can you blame me for not wanting to miss a moment?

[vaaris]

[ there’s a breathless little laugh, and maybe his next squirm ends up rocking right up against where pagan is still pressed up hard against him. ]

Did you just say you want to fuck me extra hard because I have an expiration date?

[vacabdication]

More or less.

[ It's a little ragged, because that press was delicious. But when he says more or less he definitely means more. To fuck, yes, to bring him all the pleasure his mortal shell can take, but to revel in him. To adore him. To bask in his presence, savoring every stammered question and nerdy laugh and sweet moment pressed against his fragile human skin.

To love him, and be loved in return.]

[vaaris]

So maybe, uh, we should relocate?

[ if ajay was suave, he would have gone with something more along the lines of take me to bed.

ajay is not suave. ]

[vacabdication]

Another excellent suggestion. Come on.

[ He presses one more kiss into Ajay's hair before nudging him up, intent on leading him away with their shirts and jackets still scattered on the floor.

There is a room in the palace specifically for fucking. It's precisely as overdone as one would expect a vampire's fuck-room to be, featuring large mirrors, adjustable lighting, and all sorts of toys, restraints and novel furnishings to cater to any whim.

That's not where Pagan takes Ajay. Pagan takes Ajay to his personal suite, directly to the bedroom. This is a room which, while still richly decorated, is far more focused on comfort. Silk pillows and plush bedding, rather than plugs and paddles and a st andrew's cross. If Pagan gave it a moment's thought he'd probably realize this was a good move as the latter runs the risk of giving Ajay a hell of a fright, but he doesn't. He wants to be here because it's a space that's his and his alone, the place he feels comfortable being vulnerable. Being himself. ]

Here we are. Do you need anything? [ and he smiles cheekily, recalling Ajay's blood drive joke. ] Fruit juice and a cookie, perhaps?

[vaaris]

[ it probably says a lot that ajay doesn’t even spare a passing thought for the fact that pagan is leading him half-naked through the palace. and maybe ajay would marvel at it, but all his attention is wrapped up hopelessly in pagan.

… is this some kind of vampire seduction magic? is there even a way to ask politely if it is? (and does he honestly care? probably not.)

but! here they are! and ajay is taking a second to take it all in, blinking around at the room in a way that makes it obvious he wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. ]

Oh, wow. You have a real bed in here. [ and then one of those stupid little snort-laughs. ] Y’know, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was gonna do if you tried to get me to do it in a coffin.

[vacabdication]

[ It should be embarrassing that Pagan's heart melts at the sound of that laugh. He's too busy experiencing the heart-melting to realise. ]

The coffin thing is mostly because they're lightproof and secure. The palace is secure and I can deal with small amounts of sunlight, so I won't be abandoning you to sleep alone. Unless you ask me to, of course, in which case I will demonstrate the horrifying extent to which an immortal being can sulk.

I do have a coffin though. For travel and drama purposes. I can show you sometime, if you'd like.

[vaaris]

Maybe showing me your coffin is more of a second date activity. Or, uh, third date? I’m kinda new to this.

[ but he’s finally done with his once-over of the bedroom, which means he can turn his full attention back to pagan. reaching out to snag his wrists and pull him closer, pressing a little kiss to the corner of his mouth. ] So, the whole… companion thing. Is there, uh… paperwork I’m supposed to sign? Or maybe a weird ceremony?

I mean, I guess I’m trying to figure out if you’re just asking me to hang out, or if this is like getting vampire-married.

[vacabdication]

Do you want a weird ceremony? I could arrange one.

[ He's mostly joking, but the idea does have a certain appeal. Images of Ajay with his eyes ringed in kohl, wearing little more than a whole lot of exotic-looking gold jewelry spring temptingly to mind. ]

It's... somewhere inbetween. Mostly the understanding between us that you won't let anyone else feed from you without my knowledge and permission - which I of course have already agreed to reciprocate, in a non-traditional but very self-serving display of my goodness and devotion. And the understanding by others that you are under my protection, and they can expect to be fucked up worse than they've ever been fucked up should any harm come to you.

Vampire-married would be if I turned you, which you've said you don't want. [ If he sounds casual about that, it's because he's confident that Ajay will change his mind. One day, perhaps with a streak of dashing silver in his hair and that sexy scruff turning salt-and-pepper, Ajay will realize how finite he is, and Pagan will make him eternal. Until then, he's happy to wait. ] And if you wish, ingesting a very small amount of my blood would form a sort of link between us. Enough that should you need me, you'd be able to call out to me with your mind across any distance. The downside to that is that I would be able to do the same to you, and I can't promise I wouldn't do it just because I want to see you with your shirt off but you're out on one of your little adventures.

[vaaris]

[ … oh! well, it’s a good thing he decided to ask before he just signed on the dotted line because pagan made him come harder than anyone else ever has. does that count as personal growth?

so he takes a seat on the edge of the bed, turning all that over in his head. ]want all of that? With me?

[ he’s just Some Guy, after all. ] I mean… what if you change your mind? Get bored of me, or something?

[vacabdication]

[ Oh, bless. Aside from the benefits of blood sharing, it's not much more than would happen anyway. Anyone who gave it 30 second of consideration would undertstand that harming Ajay would see them hogtied and fed to demonfish, Pagan would just be removing the need to consider it. But Pagan takes a seat on the bed next to Ajay, clasps one of his hands between his own. ]

Ajay, in just over forty years I'll be five hundred. And that seems a very short amount of time, to me. The chances of me growing bored with you before you die are vanishingly slim. And if you get bored of me, you're free to leave.

[ A gentle little pat to the back of his hand, reassuring. ]

I promise not to hunt you down and do anything monstrous, but I do not promise not to brood so hard about it that Gary pesters you to come back just to make his job less tedious.

[vaaris]

[ oh.

is it weird to think that’s… romantic? maybe he’s still buzzing from the feeding.

either way, he can’t resist the urge to lean forward and press their mouths together in a kiss, warm and slow.

and when he finally pulls away? he doesn’t go very far, smiling against pagan’s mouth. ] Well. Lucky for you, I think the chances of me getting bored of you are pretty slim, too. Guess that means we’re in it for the long haul, huh?

[vacabdication]

[ That kiss is delightful, and Pagan leans in to it with a smile, feeling very lucky indeed. ]

I can't tell you how happy that makes me.

[ And another kiss, since apparently Ajay isn't queasy about kissing Pagan on the mouth after Pagan has recently used it to drink Ajay's blood - which, in honesty, had been his only real concern about the whole affair. It's very difficult to dampen the urge to kiss Ajay, and running off to brush his teeth every time would become tedious very quickly. And since they're moving fast emotionally, there seems to be very little point in staying clothed. He lets go of Ajay's hand only to skate his touch down that deliciously toned body, and thumb open the button of Ajay's jeans. ]

[vaaris]

[ he’s grinning into that kiss, breaking it only so that he can scoot backwards on the bed and drag pagan with him. then he’s flopping back on the pillows, looking up at the vampire with a laugh glittering in his heavy-lidded eyes. ]

So, if it’s not quite vampire-married… does that mean we’re getting vampire-engaged?

[vacabdication]

Yes, I suppose we are.

[ His expression matches Ajay's, a smile curving his lips. It's a wonderful thought. A long engagement, so Ajay can deal with all the mortal things he wants to do, and then they'll be together forever.

There's still the matter of Ajay's jeans to deal with, though, so Pagan presses a warm kiss to his mouth and then tracks it downwards, mouthing over the soft skin low on Ajay's stomach as he works them open. When he peels them away (taking underwear with them to deposit on the floor - those'll need a wash) he sits back on his heels for a moment, eyes raking greedily over his bare form. ]

Well now. Just look at you.

[vaaris]

[ he arches up underneath pagan with a little sigh of pleasure as the older man trails those kisses downwards, one hand reaching up to tangle lazily in his hair. and there’s no shyness to be had when pagan works his pants loose and peels them away, but —

when he sits back like that, eyes taking in ajay as if he’s a lovely treasure pagan has just had the good fortune to acquire? it’s enough to make heat flush up into his cheeks, and he has to resist the urge to grab a pillow to cover up with. ]

Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s rude to stare? [ and now he’s trying to pull pagan close enough for another kiss, just so he can escape! ]