Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/4566969.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      終わりのセラフ_|_Owari_no_Seraph_|_Seraph_of_the_End
  Relationship:
      Hyakuya_Mikaela/Hyakuya_Yuuichirou, Hyakuya_Yuuichirou/Ichinose_Guren
  Character:
      Hyakuya_Yuuichirou, Hyakuya_Mikaela, Ichinose_Guren
  Additional Tags:
      mikayuu, gurenyuu, pet!yuu, vampire!mika, bastard!guren..., seriously
      guren_is_kind_of_a_dick, skin_market_theme, Dubious_Consent, underage
      yuu, Angst, Fluff, lots_of_fluff, pet_themes, Alternate_Universe, Abuse,
      mika_is_older_than_yuu, implied_feridmika, implied_non-con/rape
  Stats:
      Published: 2015-08-13 Updated: 2016-01-10 Chapters: 10/? Words: 79340
****** Cinnamon Roll ******
by KittehBoesternchen, KuroKitty_(HaleYes)
Summary
     In a world where vampires rule all and the human population is
     allowed community by the grace of the Queen alone, Mika, a vampire
     guard, is made to patrol the above markets to keep the Queen’s peace
     more often than he cares for.
     One day, Mika finds Yuu, a young human orphan that displeased his
     latest master and seems to be abandoned in the market’s less
     wholesome part.
     Against better judgment, Mika takes in the boy – both finally find a
     home in each other, but nothing ever stays this perfect, and with
     Mika’s noble Sire becoming aware of his stoic progeny’s unusual
     happiness, their home may be threatened and ripped apart right in
     front of their eyes.
     Yuu just wants a home and to be loved.
     Mika just wants to give that to him.
     Ferid doesn’t care for anything but his own amusement and finally,
     after centuries of struggling, breaking his willful child.
      
     --currently on hiatus--
Notes
     So sweet Hale and I kind of fell into this fandom...of course our
     first impulse was to rp about it, like we do over in the Kuroshitsuji
     fandom. The second impulse to make another fic out of it came very
     quickly, too, this is based on the rp we do on tumblr between
     leviheichouackerman (Yuu) and kittehbs (Guren and Mika) :D We hope
     you enjoy this - it doesn't have a lot of plot, but it has angst and
     feels and fluff and Yuu is too fucking cute for his own good. Follow
     us on tumblr for spoilers and cute pics and stuff ;)
     Love, kittehbs
***** Cinnamon *****
Guren didn’t even know anymore why he had bought the kid.
Oh, Yuu was lovely, no doubt. He had a wonderful bodyshape, one that would have
had the potential to grow into a slender, tall young man had he not been
deprived of basic nutrition his entire life, stunting his growth and making him
unusually petite for his age. Those expressive eyes, wide and the color of
emeralds and his creamy pale skin and dark chocolate hair. Guren supposed in a
different world, a different time, there might have been songs about his
beauty.
His spirit.
The brat couldn’t suck cock for shit.
Guren sighed, stroking his hand idly through the soft, messy hair as a
pleasantly wet mouth ineffectively suckled away between his legs, more oft than
not with teeth catching on his skin. He shifted, almost uncomfortable.
He had bought Yuu from an orphanage a few weeks ago. The 14-year-old hadn’t
been cheap, it had been dumb luck no one had snatched him up before - so he had
thought. Now he had a renitent little brat on his hands that was stubborn,
quick to rile in anger, sulky, and quite frankly no use. He wasn’t in it to
show Yuu off, after all; all he wanted was some pleasure with no questions
asked when he came home from work. That was too much to ask in return for a
warm home apparently.
Yuu could sense the others frustration, even as he hung from his thighs and
licked and sucked mindlessly at his hardness. Every correction that was hissed
at him was ignored, the boy had no interest really in improving his cock
sucking skills just to help the asshole get off faster. Granted, it would
result in a less sore jaw for Yuu if he got him to finish up quickly, but the
boy’s body had a numb, warm buzz and the pain he would later feel wasn’t in the
forefront of his mind.
Guren thought because he had brought him home from the orphanage that he was
entitled to things. That he could tell Yuu what to do and Yuu would just
comply. It was like he expected the boy to fawn all over him and fall into his
lap and onto his cock.
Yuu didn’t give a damn if he had a “home” now, it meant nothing to him. He was
just fine at the orphanage and this place was not his home.
He was only here between the others legs because he’d had no choice. If it were
up to him, he’d be back where he used to be.
But he felt too much like his mind was drifting and his body was floating to
object or fight with him. At least if he made the other cum he’d leave him
alone for a while.
“God, you’re useless,” Guren hissed, frustrated beyond belief with the way the
brat was acting. Granted, he had slipped him a bit of a drug with dinner just
to make him a little sweeter, but Yuu was acting thoroughly sluggish and not as
enthusiastic as Guren had expected.
Honestly, he’d have more fun with his own hands, but that would give the brat a
sense of superiority that Guren could not afford to let him have. He grasped
the soft jaw, cupping under his chin, and pried his mouth open wider. “Look at
me,” he directed him, taking his cock with his other hand and stroked it
firmly, trying to concentrate on the sight of Yuu’s wide open mouth and pink
tongue hovering just around the thick head.
The sight of those eyes undid him; he laid thick ropes onto the boy’s tongue
and, when Yuu jerked away, against his lips and chin with a groan.
Yuu wiped at his face with a snarl, fist collecting cum that he wiped on the
leg of Guren’s pants. He narrowed his eyes and glared up at the older male,
nails scraping against the floor.
He wanted to attack him, punch him in his stupid face for the way he treated
him, like he was just something to be used.
“I’m not useless, I just don’t like you,” the boy snapped, his arms too heavy
to hurl at the other.
“Maybe if you weren’t such an asshole you wouldn’t have to buy someone to suck
your dick.”
Yuu looked up at him, challenging him. He didn’t even care anymore. Guren hated
him. It wasn’t as though one more nasty comment was going to make any
difference. His life was already fucked. Hell, his legs felt so funny he
couldn’t even get up and walk away. Or run.
The tall man glared down at him, hand tightening on his face.“You little brat,”
he snarled back at Yuu, low and Angry. “Keep being defiant like that and I’ll
sell you to the vampire capital, see if you like being sucked dry.”
He hauled the boy up by his collar and all but tossed him into the armchair he
had just vacated, watching him sag into the cushion like a ragdoll even though
he was bristling. Maybe he had given him a bit too much, that wasn’t desirable.
Guren didn’t want a drug addict on his hands. “You will clean that up before
you go to bed.” He pointed at the droplets of cum drying on the ground.
Yuu’s lips twisted into a frown and he slumped into the chair, struggling to
wrap his own heavy arms around his body. Threatening to sell him to the
vampires was a low blow, something that made even more anger brew in the boy’s
gut. It was bad enough being used for sex, but now Guren was threatening to
have him further dehumanized, to the point of being treated like cattle.
They had lied to him at the orphanage. Told him they were all family. Said one
day someone would come and adopt him and he would have a new home and a new
family. Yuu had never believed any of it and bitterly thought about how right
he was. Guren hadn’t wanted a son, he’d wanted a…
“Why did you get me?” Yuu called to him, eyes full and wet, the drugs taking a
strong hold on him. “You didn’t want a son or a family, you don’t want to be my
father, why did you go there?”
Guren stopped and looked back. The boy looked pitiful; his eyes were glassy, he
was greyish pale. He sighed and walked back over, squatting down, taking his
chin though much more gently this time. “No, I don’t want to be your father.
What I thought I bought was a pet; I didn’t do my research about you and that
is my fault.”
He stroked messy bangs back, feeling unusually tender suddenly towards this
little thing. “You frustrate me so damned much when you won’t listen or make an
effort.”
Tears dripped down Yuu’s cheeks when he shut his eyes. He didn’t attempt to
move away from Guren’s gentle touch, though he didn’t enjoy it it, either.
“I don’t want to be a pet,” he choked out, his body curling up tighter around
itself. “They promised me a family. I thought… I thought you wanted to be my
father.”
He opened his eyes and tried to focus on Guren, his face crumpling. “I’m not an
animal!”
“They lied,” Guren sighed softly. He could relate to how Yuu felt, at least a
little bit… His own family hadn’t been what he had wanted either. “This isn’t
working out at all. I’m sorry.” He petted the soft cheek. “I can’t promise you
a family, but I can give you to someone other than me. Maybe you’ll have more
luck there.”
The orphanage surely wouldn’t take him back; they frowned upon that quite
harshly. Lucky he hadn’t told anyone yet that he had acquired the kid. No one
would know if he gave him to someone else. Scooping the boy up, he carried him
to Yuu’s bed and lay him down, tucking him in. “Sleep. Tomorrow’s another day.”
Yuu watched the man walk away, his lip trembling. So that was it; he was just
going to sell him to someone else. He had barely even lasted ten days with
Guren. He didn’t want to be there with the man, but he knew wherever he would
be going wouldn’t be an improvement.
He pulled the blanket over his head, body wracked with sobs. There was
something very, very wrong with him. He was sure of that now. His father had
hated him, his mother had thought he was so terrible she’d killed herself, the
orphanage was so desperate to get rid of him that they sold him to someone
whose intent had been to use him for sex and now even that man was looking to
unload him onto someone else. Even someone that only wanted to use him for his
body thought he was worthless.
He’d had a shred of hope when he first saw Guren, when they told him the man
wanted to bring him home. He’d never believed he’d have a family or anyone
would want him, but then there he had been. Standing there unlike anything Yuu
had expected or had been prepared for.
And he had run to him. He’d wrapped his arms around his waist and hugged him.
He clung to him and broke down and cried.
But the man hadn’t hugged him back. He hadn’t wanted to be his father. He
wasn’t going to pretend that he brought him home to try and raise him and love
him.
It was obvious to Yuu that he wasn’t worthy of any of it. Everyone else had
seemed to know it. It was about time he realized it, too.
They left the very next morning right after breakfast; Guren had been very nice
to him ever since he woke up, which was disconcerting and really out of
character for the tall man. They sat in the car next to each other quietly;
Guren didn’t attempt to make conversation.
The place he drove the boy to was a large market set in stone, a permanent one
that catered to all kinds of needs. Guren helped him from the car and kept a
hand on his shoulder as they walked into the market as if Yuu may bolt at any
moment; he even bought the boy some candy.
Something was definitely up.
Yuu couldn’t figure out Guren’s sudden change in attitude. Since he had gotten
him from the orphanage he hadn’t brought him out of his house, not even telling
a soul he had him let alone allowing anyone to see him. It was strange and
combined with how unusally kind he was being to him, Yuu felt a tremendous
amount of unease as they walked through the market.
Even though he was grateful for the candy, his stomach was so nervous he merely
stuffed it into his pocket for later. As much as Guren smiled at him and talked
to him in a pleasant tone, the firm grip he had on Yuu’s shoulder told the boy
that something wasn’t quite right.
“Here, sit down here,” the man told him, setting him down in a small cubicle
that were rowed along one path, with space enough for one person to sit. At
least the front was open; it wasn’t a cage. “Stay here, I need to talk to that
man.” Said it and was gone quick as a flash; Yuu was left in his little
cubicle, at least it was in the shade. Many people that were walking by gave
him curious looks, some more obvious than the others.
Yuu glanced around, losing sight of Guren quickly in the crowd of people. He
sunk back, his eyes widening and his stomach somersaulting. He had absolutely
no idea where he was, he was far from his new home, his old home, the
orphanage. It was a city he had never been to and fear began to creep into his
veins.
“S-sir?” He called out, cupping his hand over his mouth after he had said the
word. How could he call the man such a thing? Did he even want him to come
back?
He started to cry, hiding his mouth and nose with his hand, avoiding eye
contact with the people that stared.
Mika had patrolled the market for hours now…he was thirsty, cranky and much too
hot in the white uniform cloak he had to wear. As this market belonged to the
city that was basically run by the vampire community, there needed to be guards
here; this week, he’d drawn the short stick.
The tall blond slowly walked among the stands, blue eyes glancing left and
right impassively when they landed on the skin market boxes…there were few
young ones in there this time of day, business would pick up during the evening
hours, but one of them caught his eye.
He stepped close to the crying child and went to one knee to be level with him,
reaching out to touch the dark hair with a gloved hand. “Hey,” Mika murmured
gently, rubbing the messy locks lightly. “What’s wrong?” He couldn’t see a
handler anywhere that seemed to belong to the child…abandoning young pets was
an offense that he would have to follow up on.
Yuu opened his eyes and rubbed away tears to focus on Mika. He looked official,
like he was military of some kind based on his uniform. Probably someone very
important and high ranking judging by how detailed and ornate it was.
“I… I think I was left here,” Yuu said with a sniffle, wiping his nose with the
back of his hand. The wheels in his head began turning quickly. This just might
be his lucky day. The military would make sure he went to a new orphanage, one
that wouldn’t do something crooked like send him away with someone that wanted
him for selfish purposes. He wouldn’t have to go back to that man, either.
“I don’t think he’s coming back for me,” he said quietly, staring into the
blond’s large blue eyes. “He said I’m useless and he doesn’t want me anymore.
If you could just… please, I was in an orphanage before he got me and if I
could just go to a different one, if you could just help me sir, please.”
His eyes widened and filled with fresh tears. “I promise I’m not as bad as
everyone thinks I am.”
The boy was adorable; even crying and disheveled, Mika couldn’t deny the kid’s
beauty. He rose and picked them boy up, settling him into one arm as if he
didn't weigh a thing. “What’s your name, little one?” he asked, watching wide
green eyes spill over with fresh tears. With a sigh, he took a handkerchief
from his pocket and dabbed the cherubic cheeks. “There, don’t cry. It’ll be
alright.”
Mika had no idea if it would be, honestly… Protocol dictated him to find the
person that had left the boy here, give him a firm reprimand and give the
little pet back. He never really had stood on protocol though and at least the
person had left the little one in the market instead of by the side of the
road. Or drowned him, he had seen people do that before as well.
He rubbed the boy’s back lightly. “Are you sure they are not just talking to a
vendor, or some potential buyers?”
Yuu shook his head, grabbing onto the man’s white uniform with one tight fist,
the other wiping at his eyes. “No,” he said brokenly. “He hates me. Last night
he told me he was going to get rid of me. I knew something was strange when he
brought me here, he’d never brought me out of the house before. But, he just
took off. He said I’m completely useless.”
The boy dropped his head, long bangs hanging over his eyes. “He probably knows
that no one else would want me or buy me from him. No one wants me. This isn’t
the first time I’ve been gotten rid of.”
Yuu felt his heart seize up and new tears well up in his eyes when he thought
of living alone on the streets and how scary it would be. He had no money,
shelter or way to protect himself. He could find himself in a potentially dire
situation very quickly. Heaven knows he could already be in one, had the first
person to approach him not been military.
“I don’t want to be alone out here. Please, if you just take me to a different
orphanage, I promise I’ll be so good. I’ll make them want to keep me,” he
promised, lifting his head up and looking at the older male with large,
pleading eyes.
Mika frowned a little. The child was laying it on rather thick; he didn’t
believe the man that had owned him would just take off. The boy’s beauty alone
would have gotten him a pretty penny here. He turned his head when the boy
grasped him and leaned closer, about to reply when something hit him; the boy
smelled delicious.
Now he had had delicious blood before; Mika didn’t usually care if what he
drank was high quality or something special. He had been alive for a long time
and everything looked, tasted, smelled the same after a while. But this…his
pupils narrowed fragmentally and he dipped his head to the boy’s neck a little
further, inhaling. His fangs throbbed in reply. Mika swallowed. “If you’re
sure, little one,” he murmured, already moving away from the boxes with the boy
in his arms.
“What’s your name?, he asked the boy again, making sure to keep his fangs
firmly hidden behind his lips.
Yuu relaxed just slightly in the man’s arms; being taken away from the busy
marketplace and hopefully toward a new group home for orphaned children would
be a relief and an improvement on his situation - both now and prior to him
being dumped here. He’d actually preferred the orphanage to even living with
his parents.
“My name is Yuichiro Hyakuya,” he told the man, his tears beginning to slow as
he was carried away. “But, I like to be called Yuu.” He tilted his head and
looked over the tall blond. He was very handsome and nicely dressed. He
appeared to be someone very important.
“What’s your name? Are you a captain or something?” He asked, wiping his nose
with the back of his hand one last time, little body no longer convulsing with
sobs. “Your uniform is really cool.”
“Hyakuya…?” Now wasn’t that surprising. That was Mika’s last name, too. He
shifted the child a little to hold him more comfortably. “My name is Mika.” He
gave him the abbreviated version right away; Mikaela was laced with too many
bad memories for him. “It’s nice to meet you, Yuu.”
God, he smelled incredible. It took all his will power not just to take a sip
right then and there.
Yuu blushed slightly. It wasn’t his real last name and he had hoped the man
hadn’t noticed it, but by his reaction it seemed he recognized where Yuu, and
so many other children, had gotten it from. He didn’t want the man to think he
was a liar, but Yuu had come to feel it was more his name than the one he had
been given at birth.
He noticed the man, Mika, hadn’t answered his other questions and he bit into
his lip. Was he being rude or inappropriate by asking? It was genuine curiosity
and he had even complimented his nice uniform. Were you not supposed to ask
military officers their rank? Or had he insulted him? Was he higher ranked than
a captain?
“It’s nice to meet you, too, sir,” Yuu said quietly. “Are you taking me to an
orphanage or… do you have to take me to the base first?”
“Base?” Mika noticed he hadn’t answered the boy’s questions at all, too deep in
thought about that familiar last name. He gave the pretty child a small smile.
“I’m not military, little one.”
They were quite far from the boxes now, nearing the edge of the large market.
Mika’s shift was over soon, anyway. “I keep the queen’s peace.”
That was one way of saying it…it was what Mika preferred to think, anyway. When
he wasn’t set to patrolling the markets…which was a punishment anyway, he was
sure of it with how dull it was…he was stationed at the castle mostly. Very
rarely, he got to go squash a rebellion and there hadn’t been any wars for
years, so, yes, life was a little boring right now.
The way he told Yuu what he was doing was ambiguous…but the humans didn’t have
a queen, so it was obvious what he was.
“Th-the queen? You work for the queen?” Yuu’s eyes widened and his face went
pale, the weight of the others words hitting him hard. His body stiffened up
and he dropped his fist from Mika’s shirt, then pushed back against it, trying
to move himself away.
The abject terror the boy felt was worse than any panic he had ever
experienced, even worse than when Guren had first unzipped his pants in front
of him. This was a vampire, he could kill him in an instant - in fact that was
likely exactly what he was planning - and Yuu had willingly gone along with him
and left the safety of the crowds.
He had been foolish, thinking those humans milling about were more dangerous
than the man in the pristine uniform that had picked him up from the box.
“You can put me down now!” Yuu exclaimed, trying desperately to wiggle from
Mika’s grasp. “I think I was wrong, I think my Master is going to come back for
me. I… I was just telling stories. He wasn’t really leaving me. He just went to
get me a snack. He’s… he’s going to be looking for me… I need to go right now.”
Mika quirked a brow when the boy went stiff against him where he had clung to
him before. When Yuu began flailing and pushing at him, one of those little
hands almost hit him right in the face.
Stopping at the edge of the market, he shifted the boy to hold him at the
waist, little legs kicking futilely in the air, holding him at arms length to
keep from being hit or kicked. “Calm down,” he told him firmly. He didn’t
believe a word the boy said now. Yuu had seemed to be exaggerating about his
story before, but now he seemed frantic with fear to get away from him…because
Mika was a vampire. It confirmed his belief that Yuu came from a ‘free’ city.
“No one was calling your name. No one stopped us. If you were abandoned, it’s
my duty to find you a suitable place to stay.” He could understand the boy’s
panic, he really could… But he wouldn’t abandon the child in a market full of
possible predators. Honestly, Mika was probably the safest option Yuu had in
the blond’s opinion. He wasn’t really interested in murder, after all. Though
the struggles did intensify the boy’s delicious scent…and Yuu was behaving like
prey, which appealed to all of Mika’s predatory senses.
“I am not going to hurt you. I promise.”
“I wasn’t abandoned,” Yuu insisted, trying to twist in Mika’s arms and look
over his shoulder, desperate now to catch a glimpse of Guren. He would promise
him the world now if he’d just get him away from the vampire. “I made it all
up! You have to let me go, you’re stealing me!”
He hit his fisted palms into Mika’s chest, frantic now, whimpering at his
inability to move away, get his feet on the ground or escape. The vampire’s
grip on his was too strong, his body was rock solid beneath his pounding hands.
“I don’t want to go with you,” he howled, squeezing his eyes shut and shaking
his head. He was absolutely terrified, little body beginning to quiver
involuntarily even as he tried to fight and escape. Why had Guren left him that
way? He was completely alone, with no protection, not even a prayer of
survival. He’d let him get taken by a vampire, he’d left him to die.
“Please just leave me here, don’t take me to the other vampires, please!” Fresh
tears began to fall from the boy’s eyes again, little pink lip trembling, his
shoulders hunching up as the utter fear of where he may be taken now enveloped
him.
“Okay, I believe that is enough.” Mika frowned at the frantic little thing;
honestly, he had no idea how to deal with that. This was outright panic. He
really didn’t mean the child any harm. “Look, shh, be quiet, little one. It’s
okay. I’m not taking you to other vampires and I will not hurt you, alright?”
He lifted the boy a little so he could duck his head and try to catch his eyes.
“Please stop crying. Let’s look for your master, come on, we’ll make another
round over the market and see if we can find him, okay?”
Mika carefully squatted, sinking to one knee until Yuu’s feet touched the warm
ground; he kept a grip on his waist though so the kid wouldn’t flee from him.
That coupled with his scent would be enough to bring out the monster in the
tall blond, he had to be careful. “See? I’m not stealing you. Please don’t run
off. There are less than wholesome people here that would jump at the chance to
sell you to a brothel. Calm down.” He rubbed his thumbs along the heaving
little ribcage, trying to pet him as much as he could without letting him go.
Yuu stood frozen, trapped in his hideous web of lies. Guren wasn’t looking for
him, he knew that. If they did find him - by some miracle, he’d tell the
vampire to go ahead and keep him. He was shaking violently, his teeth clenched
shut and tears rolling down his cheeks.
Maybe if he promised to try, if he swore he would be a good pet, maybe Guren
would give him another chance. Sucking his dick would be better than being
sucked dry by a vampire and dying.
“M-my master went that way,” he said truthfully, pointing in the direction of a
row of fruit stands. Guren was probably long gone now, but there was still a
chance that perhaps he had gotten distracted and if they caught up with him,
Yuu could beg him to take him back.
He turned his head and looked at the vampire, directly into his eyes for the
first time since he had learned what he was. He really didn’t look unkind, but
he supposed that was part of the danger of vampires. They were predators, after
all.
“Alright, let’s see if we can find him.” Mika rose and offered the boy his hand
to take instead, keeping a close eye on him in case he would still bolt.
They went back into the market, which was still as crowded as it had been
earlier, his coat flapping around the child that walked next to him. “What does
your master look like?”
Yuu hesitantly took Mika’s hand, his small hand disappearing inside of the
older male’s. In the time he had been with Guren, the man hadn’t even held his
hand or done anything of that nature. Yuu was fairly certain this was more of
an act to keep him on a leash than a symbol of support, but it was better than
being carried off and gave him a small feeling of control.
“He’s um…” Yuu started, uncertain how to even begin to explain his likely
former master. “He’s tall. And he’s got dark brown hair. He was wearing a black
shirt and his name is Guren.” The boy paused and frowned. “I don’t know his
last name.”
Mika thought the boy would probably see better when riding in his arms, but he
wouldn’t suggest that again until he was sure Yuu had calmed down sufficiently.
Unfortunately, most men here had dark hair and were rather tall. And wearing
black. He sighed softly.
“Did he tell you he would be back?” Maybe it would be best if they went back to
the boxes. “Are you thirsty?” he asked the boy suddenly, looking down again.
Mika didn’t know how long the boy had been alone in the sun. And he had cried a
lot. He must be dehydrated.
Yuu looked at the Mika with surprise, not expecting a question like that from a
vampire. “Yes,” he said quietly, “I’m a little thirsty.” All of the crying and
gasping had left his throat dry and uncomfortable. Though it was the least of
his worries now that he had been abandoned by Guren and was at the mercy of a
vampire.
“He… he didn’t exactly say anything about when he would be back,” Yuu said
truthfully, though he knew he was in deep with all of his lies now. “I really
don’t know. It could be a while. I can wait for him on my own.”
“Well, I’m not leaving you alone in this place, so we’ll wait together I
suppose,” Mika said firmly, leading the boy over to the next stand and bought
him a fruit juice in a cup complete with straw and a top so he wouldn’t spill
it. “Here you go. Slowly, or you’ll be sick.” Humans were so curiously frail
creatures after all.
They wandered back to the boxes slowly, Mika again having taken the child’s
hand, keeping an eye out for the man Yuu had described. Someone matching that
description was actually near the boxes, talking to someone, face set in a deep
frown. “Is that him?”
Yuu had been so busy drinking his fruit juice he hadn’t even noticed Guren
until Mika pointed him out to him. The small boy gasped and smiled with relief,
tugging on Mika’s hand and pulling him toward the dark haired man. “Yes! Yes it
is, that’s my master!”
Yuu’s voice gave away his genuine surprise that Guren was there, that he had
come back to the boxes after all. He had been wrong about everything. And in
spite of how awful it had been with Guren, Yuu knew now that things would have
been a lot worse if his fears had been reality and Guren had truly abandoned
him here in the market. He was beyond lucky that the vampire had been willing
to turn back; Yuu thought that was probably a one in a million act of decency -
especially from a vampire.
He called out to Guren, waving his free arm wildly, not having been happier to
see the man since the first day they had met.
Mika followed, being tugged along by the small hand in his. He noticed that the
darkhaired man kept his frown when he looked at the small boy…not exactly the
kind of reaction one would associate with finding someone that was lost.
The boy’s master took two quick steps towards them, bristling with anger, and
only Mika’s quick snatching up the child into his arms saved Yuu from being
smacked across the face with unnecessary violence. “Where the hell have you run
off to,” the man snarled, reaching for the boy; only registering the other man
when Mika spoke, voice low and dark. “That will be enough.” He shifted Yuu so
the boy was shielded by his body, clinging to his side under this cloak.
Guren took one look at the blond man; a height with his, and in regalia that
clearly marked him as a vampire guard. He blanched, eyes flicking between Yuu
and the man. “What, now…do you want him? Fine. Have him. I’m not taking him
home. It’s either you or that one.” He pointed over his shoulder at the
heavyset man he had talked to, who was watching the darkhaired child with
obvious interest.
Yuu clung to Mika’s side after barely missing a crack across his face, peering
over at Guren, crestfallen. Had Mika let go of his hand when he saw Guren, he
would have run to him and latched onto him just as he had the day they met. It
was what he’d wanted to do. But, Guren really hadn’t come back for him. He’d
gone to find someone else to take him.
“I was gonna be good now,” Yuu shouted suddenly at the man, bright green eyes
filling again with angry, disappointed tears. “I thought you abandoned me! You
left me here and disappeared for a really long time!” He held onto Mika a bit
more tightly, rage quaking through his tiny body. “I went with Mika because I
thought I was alone and I was scared, but he brought me back to look for you
because I begged him to, because I was hoping I’d find you and would give me a
another chance to be what you wanted!”
Yuu turned and pressed his face into Mika’s shirt, a heavy sob making him buck
against the blond’s body. Guren was going to hit him and sell him. Maybe he was
better off being vampire food and ending it all tonight. Being with a human
would just prolong his misery.
“I can’t write you up for abandonment,” Mika told the man coldly, holding the
boy to him; honestly, making the little one so miserable was downright cruel.
And people thought he was the monster. “But I won’t give him back to you
either. Leave.”
He rubbed his hand up and down Yuu’s side and back soothingly, cradling him
close, glaring at the man with his cold blue eyes. Guren snarled, chancing
another look at the sobbing child…and decided it was too much trouble. He
turned and stalked away, not once turning back.
Mika growled before turning back to the boy clinging to him. “You’re better off
that way,” he murmured at him gently. “I’ll take you home with me until we
found a place for you. Alright?”
Yuu wasn’t sure what to say. The last thing in the world he thought he’d ever
agree to would be going home with a vampire, even if it did appear to be the
best option he had before him. He knew that to Mika, he was food, and the
vampire’s seemingly kind and helpful behavior could disappear rapidly once he
was alone with him in his home.
Still, the heavyset man lingered, his eyes fixed on Yuu - and it didn’t go
unnoticed by the boy. If he told Mika no, and Mika accepted that answer,
someone else was going to pick him right up and take him home. Someone that
might not even care enough to put on a pretense of kindness.
Someone that might hit him like Guren.
Yuu nodded, turning his head away from the other man watching them and hiding
his face in Mika’s shirt. No matter what he had agreed to, he felt as though he
couldn’t regret his decision. He knew what saying no would mean for him.
Mika rubbed the back of the boy’s head and gave the man a glower until the
human turned away, hesitantly. He had apparently been promised the boy, judging
from the disappointed expression on his face; maybe hoping Mika would set him
down and he could snatch him up without paying for him. Mika didn’t think so.
He carried the boy away slowly. The little one was still trembling, but Mika
couldn’t figure out if he was sad or angry; the man that had owned him surely
hadn’t shown him any kindness. He was aware Yuu was deathly afraid of him from
the moment he had realized a vampire had taken him from his box. “Let’s pick up
some food for you,” he murmured down at the child, Yuu still hiding his face in
his shirt. He could feel his shirt become a little damp - so he was still
crying. “What would you like to eat? I’m sure you’re hungry.” He could give the
boy water to drink, but Yuu would need something more substantial so he
wouldn’t be hungry. Maybe some bread….he eyed the next baker stand and
approached it. “Here, pick something.”
Yuu rolled his face against the vampire’s wet shirt so he could look where he
was pointing, keeping his forehead pressed against the older male. He
appreciated the kindness, even if the vampire was doing it for selfish reasons.
Yuu had been through a lot of terrible days in his life and this was just
another to add to the list, but that Mika was at least attempting to soften the
blow a little was appreciated. Even though he knew he was now vampire food.
“Can I have one of those?” Yuu asked, pointing to the cinnamon rolls. If he was
going to be sucked dry tonight, he might as well go for something that had
sugar and some flavor to enjoy for his last meal.
“Of course.” Mika motioned for three rolls instead and the woman behind the
stand hurried to comply. “Anything else? I don’t know when I’ll be out here
next to bring more real food in.” He also didn’t know if or when he could find
a suitable orphanage to take the boy; he had no idea how to care for a little
human. Many of his peers had human pets, he needed to ask them what wad
necessary for a human child to survive.
He kept his arm tight around the boy, fingers idly rubbing his side. Being an
orphan, Mika was sure Yuu’s short little life hadn’t been sunshine, but today
had probably been a low point.
Yuu never really had much of an opportunity to choose his own food. At the
orphanage he ate what was given and before that when he lived with his parents
he wasn’t asked for his input on meal planning. Mika was probably asking him
because, as a vampire, he didn’t know what humans ate. Or did he? Yuu really
had no idea. His primary education about vampires was to keep his distance and
avoid going into areas that were into their control. Yuu had been successful at
that until stupid Guren had come along and ruined his life even more.
“Um,” Yuu said quietly, giving a slight shrug and pointing at the baguettes.
“Those are good.”
If Mika was set on buying him this much food, maybe he wasn’t planning to kill
him or pass him along to another vampire that would tonight.
“Alright,” Mika nodded, getting some of those as well. The boy must be pretty
confused by now. The thought made him smile faintly; confusion was better than
crying by a long shot. He paid for the food and took the bag it was packed in,
wandering towards the exit of the market.
“Do you need anything else?” he asked the child kindly, looking down where Yuu
was still cuddled tightly against his chest. “Fruit?”
Yuu didn’t understand why the vampire had any interest in feeding him. He
wondered if maybe Mika thought his blood would taste bad and wanted to make
sure he ate well before he drained him. Yuu frowned deeply. It made sense.
After all, from what he had been told, vampires only thought of humans a
livestock.
Even still, Yuu was hungry and he knew this might be his last meal. He was
nearly resigned to his fate now, knowing he had nothing better to run to. If
nothing else, maybe this would be painful or violent like what a human that
their hands on him would be.
“I like fruit,” he said softly, his muscles tense with stress and fear but his
fight to pull away gone as he leaned against the vampire, clung to him, really.
“All kinds. Apples, bananas, berries, pears. I’d eat any of it.”
So Mika found himself puttering all over the market, the bags on his one free
arm piling up but not hindering his movement; vampires did have strength
superior to mortals after all.
If his peers were to see him now, they’d probably mock him for being too
softhearted.
Mika couldn’t find himself to care. Even though Yuu was tense, feeling the
small warm body clinging to him felt…rather nice, actually.
Yuu thought it was strange, being carried around by a vampire milling about the
market. Something so very ordinary, except for the fact that there was
absolutely nothing ordinary about doing such a thing with a vampire. Still, it
wouldn’t even be normal for Yuu to be doing this with a human, as no one had
ever had any interest in carrying him about and asking him to select different
foods.
No one in the market knew him and if it wasn’t for the oddity of a vampire
buying so much human food, Yuu figured most of them would be mistaking him for
Mika’s son. It was confusing, the way he held him close and bought him things.
He knew Mika was only being protective of him because he was his next meal, but
he was showing him more kindness and even affection than anyone else ever had.
Just that thought made the boy’s heart hurt. It figured the only one that had
ever treated him like he was worth anything was the one planning to eat him. At
least Guren had been wrong; he wasn’t completely worthless.
Mika, in fact, was fussing up a storm internally. It was like finding a cute
puppy in the street and having no clue what it needed, if he should get toys
right away, if he could keep it, if he even wanted to. He turned back into the
market twice after having left already because he had forgotten something that
seemed important while receiving no suggestions from the boy without having to
ask him. He hadn’t expected manners from an orphan, honestly.
Eventually he was sure he had everything for the boy to survive a few days…oh
gods, what if he died for some reason…and he turned towards the entrance to the
underground city of the vampire capital. He noticed Yuu pressed closer to him
the deeper they got into the bowels of the earth; the city was hewn into stone
mostly, a few large caverns dotted with huts and houses. Mika himself lived in
a modest little house that had an upper floor merely for sleeping with two
larger rooms below; once he had unlocked the door and closed it, he gently set
the boy down.
***** Nutmeg *****
Chapter Notes
     It is unbelievable how well the first chapter was received already.
     Thank you all for your support, we hope you keep enjoying this!
Yuu had fallen completely silent once Mika brought him into the underground,
hiding himself as much as possible inside the vampire’s white cloak. While he
wasn’t at all happy with where he might be heading, he didn’t want to be taken
by another vampire that would be particularly cruel. If it had to be this way,
at least Mika was treating him with some decency for his last night.
When the vampire finally set him down on the floor of the small stone home, Yuu
stood frozen for a few moments, quivering as he stared at the taller male.
Running still wasn’t an option, Yuu knew that, but he slinked away from the
vampire and curled up beneath a small table against the wall, pulling his legs
up to his chest. He knew that Mika could easily pull him from the spot, but he
was scared and it seemed like the safest place to hide even though he was still
in plain view.
Mika blinked as the boy backed away from him and hid. He followed slowly and
bent over to peek under the table. “Um, you know, there’s a bed up there if
you’re sleepy…you don’t have to lay under there.”
Maybe the kid had been made to sleep under furniture in the past so he wouldn’t
take up space…which was plain cruel. “Look, little one, you don’t have to be
scared. I won’t hurt you, I promise.” He squatted down, but he didn’t reach to
grasp him.
Yuu looked at the blond skeptically. He seemed nice enough, but the boy knew
exactly what he was and why he was brought him with him instead of another
orphanage. He might be telling the truth, maybe it didn’t hurt when they
drained the blood from humans; Yuu wasn’t sure.
“You’re a vampire,” Yuu said quietly, his back against the wall. “Maybe it
won’t hurt, but I’m scared and I really don’t want to die.” He wrapped his arms
tightly around his legs, shaking with fear in spite of the softness in his
voice. “I know why I’m here and why you stopped Guren from selling me to that
other man.”
Mika blinked at the child. “You think I…? Oh.” He shook his head with a light
smile, choppy blond locks feathering around his face. “No. No, I won’t eat
you.” He actually sat down on the floor in front of the table, a bit away from
the boy; he didn’t want to crowd him. “I stopped the sale because I can guess
what that man would have wanted from you.” He didn’t elaborate, but Yuu didn’t
seem so naive that he couldn’t guess the person’s intentions had been less than
wholesome.
The vampire smiled at the small boy again, very lightly, so he wouldn’t show
any fangs. Yuu was watching him warily, curled up under the table, but he
almost couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke that dark chocolate hair. “Come
out from under there. You have those pastries still, aren’t you hungry?”
Yuu considered what the man had said. Was it possible the vampire really had
done this out of true kindness because he knew the sort of abuse he would have
sustained at the hands of that man Guren was attempting to sell him off to? Yuu
didn’t know if vampires had morals or feelings for others, but he supposed it
could be possible. Maybe what Guren and the other man were up to was so
appalling even a vampire couldn’t stomach it.
He was hungry and hiding under the table, while giving him slight comfort, was
ultimately useless. He knew Mika could reach in and pull him out if he really
wanted to.
Slowly, Yuu crawled out from beneath the table on his hands and knees and sat
across from Mika, tiny hands fidgeting in his lap.
The vampire didn’t need to lie to him. Yuu was already in his home and at his
mercy. Maybe he really didn’t intend on hurting him.
Mike smiled so earnestly it couldn’t be faked when Yuu crawled out from under
the table. He straightened and brightened immediately; he didn’t touch him but
he wanted to reach out. Instead, he got up and went to their bags, finding the
little parcel filled with cinnamon rolls; they were so fragrant he could smell
them through the paper.
Sitting down again, this time a tiny smidgen closer to the boy, he held out the
parcel for him. “Here, eat. Please. You look hungry.”
Timidly, Yuu reached out for the roll. It looked delicious, better than
anything he’d had in a long time, and he couldn’t hide the desire from his
eyes. Guren hadn’t given him anything special until the candies he’d bought him
at the market earlier in the day. The orphanage never had treats and his
parents hadn’t had any interest in giving him special foods.
He took it from Mika, snatching his hand back and away from the vampire
quickly, bringing the roll to his mouth. His eyes slammed shut when the
sweetness hit his tongue and he moaned softly into the roll. He couldn’t recall
having something so delicious before. And Mika had bought him three.
Mika watched him with a smile curving his mouth until he noticed he was
hovering…and probably being annoying. He got up gingerly as not to spook the
child and went to put the groceries away in the cupboards that were set against
one wall of the lower level. He didn’t have use for them, really, so they were
mostly empty anyway.
He had to smile again at the pleased sounds Yuu made. Just too adorable. He
would need some more stuff for the boy, clothes and toys and blankets and…his
thoughts slammed to a halt. Was he actually considering keeping the boy? That
wasn’t like him.
Yuu’s manners weren’t exactly the best. He smacked while he ate and licked his
sugary lips and sucked on his fingers, eager for every sweet morsel. It was so
delicious he had almost forgotten he was sitting on the floor of a vampire’s
home, beneath the surface, in a city of monsters that saw him as a tasty meal.
When he finished it, he looked over at Mika putting the things they had bought
away and caught the vampire’s eyes. He might have had terrible table manners,
but he did have it in him to be polite when someone gave him a treat. And in
spite of Mika being a vampire, in fairness he hadn’t done anything but be kind
to him so far. It seemed rude not to be gracious at this point.
“Thank you,” the boy said quietly, trying to make his voice sound firm but
faltering.
Mika kept his smile as he listened to the hungry little noises. Too adorable.
Way too adorable. He would have to keep the kid hidden or there’d be kin at the
door trying to snatch him away within hours. “You’re very welcome, little one,”
he replied, turning back to him with a cloth he had wetted at the sink, coming
over and taking one of those little hands.
With infinite care, Mika stroked the wet wipe over Yuu’s fingers and palm,
cleaning away sugar and crumbs of flakey pastry and cinnamon. The back of the
boy’s hand was clasped in Mika’s larger one, the wipes stroking along his palm
and fingers, laying them flat and long before they would curl again when Mika
pulled the cloth away. After the second one, he gently took hold of Yuu’s chin,
flipped the cloth over, and wiped along his mouth and cheeks. Come to think of
it, the child could use a bath…there was dust in his hair and teartracks still
on his cheeks.
Yuu watched the older male with interest as he cleaned him up with such care,
his eyes wide and interested. It was truly bizarre, being treated with more
kindness and decency by a vampire than he ever had been by his own kind. If
anything he would have been scolded for allowing himself to get messy in the
first place and creating more trouble than he was worth. Mika didn’t seem to
mind though and it was strange and new.
“I’m sorry for making a mess,” he said, looking into the vampire’s bright blue
eyes while he wiped off his face. Mika’s touch was gentle and Yuu didn’t jerk
away, genuinely curious why a predator that already had him in his grasp would
even bother or go through the trouble to clean him up.
“It’s alright,” Mika said gently, wiping at one speck of cinnamon on Yuu’s
cheek in small circles. “I know all about making a mess while eating. It’s
hardly tidy.” He gave him a light smile. “You should take a bath before bed,
little one. Allow me?”
He held out his arms to the boy and getting no protest, lifted the warm little
thing up and against his chest as he rose, carrying him over to the adjoined
bathroom. Drawing a warm bath would take some time as the heater, which he
usually didn’t really need, would take a little to heat up enough water, but as
Mika himself enjoyed a bath every now and then, he knew it would make Yuu feel
better probably.
“I’ll see about finding you some clothing tomorrow; you can borrow some of mine
for tonight.”
Yuu held onto the front of Mika’s shirt and his eyes widened and then he
blinked with surprise. Mika was planning to get him clothing? He couldn’t
understand why the vampire would bother or go through that trouble. Was he
actually going to bring him to another orphanage and keep his word that he
wasn’t going to kill him?
The boy’s body relaxed a bit in Mika’s grasp. It really made no sense for the
vampire to put on so much pretense if he was going to drain him. Yuu was
already at his mercy and in his home. He could take his blood right now if he
wanted to and save himself a lot of trouble. As shocking as it was to the boy,
he was starting to believe Mika might actually be sincere.
“Okay,” he said quietly, some of his tension dissipating and his small body
leaning against the vampire’s chest. “Thank you, sir.”
“Mika,” he replied, smiling down at the boy when Yuu peered at him quizzically.
“Call me Mika. There’s no need for titles.” He reached up and stroked the back
of his curled finger against Yuu’s soft cheek as if petting a kitten, very
gently. Those green eyes that looked up at him were huge in the small face; he
could see why someone would buy this child on his looks alone.
He leaned over to start the water, watching it fill the tub for a moment before
turning away with Yuu on his arm still, setting him down on the counter next to
the sink so his legs dangled above the ground, and began working on taking his
clothes off, carefully and slowly as not to spook the boy.
Yuu flinched when the vampire began to undress him, his heart pounding as he
bit into his lip. In spite of how gentle Mika was with him, there was still
fear lurking in the back of his mind that he couldn’t quash. Having his clothes
removed made him feel even more vulnerable than he already knew he was and his
tiny frame began to tremble beneath the vampire’s slow moving hands.
He tried desperately to remind himself that Mika didn’t need to do this, didn’t
need to lie. That he could have drained him right inside the front door of that
had really been his intent. Still, as each inch of creamy skin was revealed,
the boy’s nerves prickled even more.
Mika didn’t stop even though Yuu was trembling finely; if he did now, the kid
would never get his bath. He peeled off the dusty shirt, blue eyes flickering
over the thin little body. Yuu had beautiful skin. It was flawless from what he
could see if a little grimey where it had been exposed to the air and dust of
the market.
“It will feel very nice,” he murmured, if only to say something, because the
tense silence between them and Yuu’s shivering were making him a little
nervous. He didn’t want the child to hide under furniture again. That spectacle
earlier had almost broken his heart.
Children weren’t supposed to live this way, not even livestock human ones.
There were humans in the city, of course, but they were kept better than the
orphans under human care. It was a travesty, really.
Yuu nodded, little hands twisting nervously in his lap, covering up his
nakedness. He wasn’t used to someone being nice to him, not even in an attempt
to use him for something. Guren hadn’t even been kind to him this way, even
though his only intent for having him was get something from him.
Still, he was wary and uncertain, the boy never really having had learned he
could trust anyone. In spite of his claims at the orphanage, he wanted to. When
he had set his eyes on Guren, his little heart leaped in his chest and he had
felt such relief he’d cried. But, again, he had been betrayed. It had made him
feel almost as though even having hope at all was just a dangerous thing.
Another way to have his heart smashed to bits all over again.
He wanted to believe that Mika was good and kind, but he’d never even met a
human that was. It was hard to think that a vampire of all things could be.
Mika turned away to test the water; deeming it warm enough but not too hot, he
shut off the stream and picked up the naked boy, setting him carefully into the
warm water. “There you go.”
He left Yuu for a moment to get some more soft, clean cloths, then returned to
kneel down next to the tub. He rolled up his sleeves and soaked a washcloth,
using it to wet Yuu’s hair, tirelessly scooping warm water from the tub and
pressing it out of the washcloth into Yuu’s hair until the dark locks lay black
and wet back against the boy’s head. The look made the child’s eyes look even
larger. “Look,” he said softly. “I’m really not going to eat you. I promise. I
just…” he trailed off, not sure how to explain it. “I just couldn’t watch how
these people were treating one of their own. And,” Mika added with a small
smile. “This place gets a little lonely, living here alone. Maybe you can keep
me some company?”
Yuu’s eyebrows shot up his forehead and he looked at the vampire quizzically.
So he’d actually felt badly for Yuu’s situation? No one ever had before. It was
surreal to think anyone would care, especially a vampire.
Granted, Yuu didn’t consider himself to be very good company at all, every
other person had gotten rid of him in the past. He was sure that even if Mika’s
intentions of having him there were non-violent, he would tire of him and grow
quickly to hate him just as everyone else always had.
“Okay,” the boy said softly, in spite of his insecurities. He might as well go
along with it and stay with the vampire while he was welcome. It would wear off
soon enough, Yuu knew that. No matter how good or agreeable he was, he always
ended up being cast away eventually.
His eyes dropped and he looked down at the soapy water, little shoulders
hunching up for a moment when he thought of Guren. Why couldn’t he have been
kind like this? If he hadn’t shoved his dick in his mouth as soon as he brought
him home, Yuu would have done his best to be good for him. He might have even
loved him.
And as much as Yuu wanted to feel relief that the vampire sounded so very
sincere in his promise that he wouldn’t eat him, he couldn’t shake the
knowledge that everything in his life thus far had been temporary and this
would be, too.
At least Mika didn’t seem to want that from him; he seemed perfectly happy just
having him around.
Mika gently took his face again when his hair was completely wet, took a
different, just as soft washcloth and wetted it, using it to go over Yuu’s face
again, not just chin and mouth but the rest as well, even his ears and neck.
Yuu’s skin was absolutely beautiful, he mused, creamy pale and as soft as it
looked, really.
It would be a simple thing to just slide his fangs into the tender spot between
Yuu’s neck and shoulder and…no.
No.
He would not betray the child’s budding trust like that. Mika could get blood
anywhere in the city, honestly, and he didn’t much care for it anymore either.
He had never been a connoisseur anyway, not as fussy as some of the nobles he
sometimes guarded for. Blood was nourishment and that was enough for him.
“If you want to go back to the orphanage at some point,” he murmured, rubbing
the back of Yuu’s neck in gentle circles, in a helpless attempt at self-defense
against the absolute cuteness of the boy’s face, “you will just have to tell
me. I won’t hold you against your will.”
Yuu swirled his fingers in the water, creating trails in the soapy liquid.
Mika’s touch was so gentle he’d never experienced anything quite like it. It
seemed to absorb all of his attention and make every nerve in his body awaken.
It was rather nice, really, to have someone treating him with care.
He had been touch starved most of his life, had gotten to the point where he
thought maybe it wasn’t needed. Then he had seen Guren and embraced him and
thought about how wonderful it would feel to be hugged. Of course, Guren didn’t
hug him and it was another punch in his already bruised heart.
But, Mika was treating him the way Guren should have. Was it really possible he
was better off with a vampire than a human? It was such a crazy thought, but as
Mika’s hands worked over his tired body so softly, he wondered it maybe it
wasn’t wrong.
“I’m sure you’ll take me at some point,” Yuu said, head down and eyes on the
water. “Everyone gets rid of me eventually.”
Mika hummed in reply before answering. “I don’t know what the future will be
like,” he said softly, taking one slender arm and rubbing that clean as well,
working his way down Yuu’s body methodically. “You know, there are some humans
in the city that live with the upper classes.” He didn’t want to make any
promises to the boy, not at this point - Mika figured there was a reason people
had shoved Yuu away after taking him in, but he supposed it was because they
didn’t expect such a little spitfire behind such an angelic face. Yuu looked so
innocent with his wide, green eyes and cherubic cheeks that one could easily
forget there was a personality inside the child that could quite well be jaded.
“They call them pets; they’re treated very fondly. Soft clothes and pillows,
toys, good food…it sounds boring, but they seem quite happy.”
The blond vampire didn’t even know why he told the boy that. It sounded like he
was planning to shove him off to a noble as soon as he could find one, which
wasn’t the case; in fact, he already guarded the little one quite fiercely. “I
mean, you’re easily pretty enough to be one. You don’t have to return to the
surface at all.”
Yuu frowned deeply, little face falling at the vampire’s words. Of course. Mika
was already thinking about who he could pawn him off to. He was going to go
from being a human’s pet to a vampire’s pet. The boy could only imagine where
he would end up when his vampire master grew tired of him. Were there other
monsters even worse?
“They’ll be angry with you,” Yuu said quietly, though he could feel his heart
breaking all over again. Mika was caring for him so he’d be in suitable
condition to sell to someone else. He really should have figured as much. How
he could still be so naive after everything he’d been through made him furious
with himself.
“You’ll have sold them a useless piece of garbage and they’ll want their money
back. Guren bought me to be his pet and I’m no good at it, it’s why he dumped
me off and tried to sell me.”
Yuu turned in the bath, wet, disappointed eyes on Mika. “You’re really better
off bringing me to an orphanage. They’re used to taking what no one else wants.
Nobles aren’t.”
Mika blinked at the child, canting his head a little. The boy seemed
disappointed with his suggestion.”Oh…no, little one, I’m not giving you to a
noble.”
He stroked one of the soft, now clean cheeks. “I’m just saying, it’s common
practice to keep humans for something other than blood. In case you were
wondering still if I wanted to eat you.” Mika trailed off, awkwardly. The look
on Yuu’s face tore at his heart, really. “You don’t have to worry, just relax
right now. You’re staying with me. I promise.”
He smiled lightly at him. “I never had a pet before, you know. I wouldn’t know
how a proper one would behave, so…you’ll have some freedom there. Okay? We’ll
figure it out together.” Mika cupped the child’s face in both his hands and
kissed his forehead, exposed with the way his hair was slicked back. He wanted
the child to stay here. With these few hours, he was already so protective over
him, he couldn’t even stop to wonder about it.
Yuu felt more surprised than the he thought he should be.
Mika wanted to keep him as pet. Just like Guren. Somewhere along the way, Yuu
had figured the only use a vampire would have for him would be as a meal. He
hadn’t thought that vampires would have the same kinds of urges human did. The
kind that Guren did.
At the very least, it made sense now to the boy. He knew why he was there and
why the vampire didn’t intend to kill him.
And as he sat in silence, staring at the vampire kneeling in front of him and
holding his face, he realized that now he could believe him. Mika definitely
didn’t want to kill him.
He chewed on his lip, considering his options. He could fight as he had with
Guren and he would either have the same result - be abandoned or sold to
someone else - or Mika would decide that his blood was the only useful thing
about him.
Mika seemed a lot nicer than Guren. Would he be stupid not to go along with
what the vampire wanted? At least he wanted to feed him good things and was
gentle and kind.
It was unlikely Yuu would find himself in a better situation if he told the
vampire he was no one’s pet.
His eyes fell away from Mika’s as he nodded his head, swallowing hard past a
large lump in his throat.
“Thank you,” Mika said with a light smile, stroking his thumbs along those
plush little cheeks. He couldn’t get over how soft they were, like the paw pads
of a kitten.
He understood how the child would be a little overwhelmed right now; it had
been a long day and it seemed Yuu wasn’t used to kindness at all. He wanted to
change that.
“I’m glad you don’t want to eat me,” Yuu admitted, letting the vampire hold and
pet his cheeks without struggling. Now that he knew what Mika’s intentions
were, he could see that his situation had actually slightly improved. He was
still, unfortunately, a pet. But, at least he seemed to have a nicer master
now, in spite of him being a vampire.
It was probably the best Yuu could hope for, really. A master that seemed like
a nicer person in general. Even if he was returned to an orphanage, there
wasn’t much doubt in Yuu’s mind he’d simply be sold as a pet again. No one
wanted to be hisfamily, that was for sure.
“You’re too cute to just eat,” Mika chuckled; with the tension between them
lifted slightly, he went on washing the boy with great care.
Once Yuu was clean and the water dirty, Mika bid him to stand so he could rinse
him, then wrap him in a big towel that was soft and fluffy and enveloped him
completely. Mika wrapped him up in it securely so he wouldn’t be cold. “Now
let’s see about clothes…”
He carried the dark-haired child over to the other room where he kept his
clothing, keeping him warm and secure on his arm.
Yuu was well aware now what his cuteness made him good for, even though he’d
been awful at it.
He rolled his face onto Mika’s shoulder, resting his cheek against it and
allowing the vampire to carry him around the small house. In spite of the
situation, it felt kind of nice to be bundled up in a soft towel and held.
And that was what Yuu couldn’t shake from his mind. He hated the thought of
being a pet, but he had a master now that wasn’t cruel. He would probably
regret it when he made this one want to get rid of him.
Mika stroked his head lightly as he searched for something that he could give
the boy; he finally decided on a long sleeved shirt that would reach the boy’s
knees at least and a pair of thick socks that he used for boots that were bit
too big. He went and set the boy down on the dinner table since it was a good
height and made sure he rubbed him down properly until he was dry and his hair
fluffy and mussed, then dressed him in the shirt. With each little button,
Yuu’s perfect skin was covered up and the socks covered him almost to the knee.
The sleeves were much too long and hung over his hands.
The sight made him smile again. “You look like a little ghost now,” he
chuckled, although there was considerably more color in Yuu’s cheeks than
before, a healthy flush to his face. Mika took one sleeve and began rolling it
up methodically so Yuu could still use his hands, no matter how adorable it
looked now.
Yuu held out his arm for Mika, allowing the vampire to roll up one sleeve, then
extending his other arm for him. He cocked his head as he watched the vampire
dressing him. Yuu had never seen someone smile so much in his company. Mika
seemed like he was…genuinely happy. Something no one ever was when they were
with Yuu.
It made the boy almost want to smile back at him.
No one had dressed him since he was a toddler. The way the vampire doted on
him, bathed him, carried him, dressed him… it seemed as though there was
sincere care behind it.
It seemed like Mika wanted to take care of him, regardless of if it was as a
pet.
It was more than Yuu had ever had.
Mika was smiling lightly to himself even though he didn’t realize it. He was a
social person, really, but lately he had lost interest in socializing, in turn
making him very lonely and broodish. Having someone around would be nice. And
carrying Yuu, who was warm and light and snuggly, added to his peace of mind.
When Yuu had use of his hands again, Mika leaned back to look him over. “It’ll
do for tonight,” he decided quietly. “Are you hungry? Thirsty?”
Yuu shook his head no, folding tiny hands into his lap. Yuu wasn’t even used to
being asked if he wanted something to eat or drink. He’d learned when he was
very young that he ate when food was given to him and not to ask for anything
otherwise. That same environment had carried over to both his time in the
orphanage and with Guren.
Mika was different, he seemed to actually want Yuu to be comfortable there
beneath the surface in his vampire abode.
The wide eyed boy was starting to think this was something he didn’t want to
mess up.
Mika left him sitting there for a moment and went to get a brush, returning to
the table with it in his hand. He stepped close to the boy and began to run the
brush through Yuu’s dark hair, detangling it carefully.
It wasn’t easy because the locks were wet but he went along with it slowly and
methodically, his free hand lightly cupping Yuu’s cheek to keep him steady.
“Tell me if it hurts.”
Yuu shut his eyes and leaned into the brushing. It didn’t hurt at all. It felt
rather nice, actually, like his scalp was being gently massaged. It was a new
sensation, one he’d never have known he’d enjoy, but he hummed ever so softly
and then let his plush little lips fall open, fingers twisting in the over-
sized shirt Mika had dressed him in.
“There we go,” Mika murmured quietly as not to spook the boy; Yuu was relaxing
bit by bit under the brushing, something Mika liked much better than the high
strung, panicked little thing he dealt with before the bath.
Yuu was tipping his face up and pressing his head into the smooth strokes and
looking so very adorable. He slid his hand to rub behind the boy’s ear gently,
too.
Mika could see the delicate skin of Yuu’s eyelids twitch as his eyes fluttered
even while closed. The boy flexed his feet and his toes curled. Being cared for
along with the gentle touch of the vampire felt lovely.
His head continued to move closer and closer to Mika as he brushed his hair
until it rested against the vampire’s solid body. He turned, cheek against
Mika’s stomach and his eyes shut. For Yuu, despite him being in the hands of a
vampire that considered him a pet, this felt soothing and luxurious.
No one had ever been so gentle with him before.
The slow gesture melted a part in Mika’s chest he didn’t know had been frozen
in the first place. The child was exhausted, that much was obvious. He put the
brush aside, Yuu’s hair almost dry by now, and picked him up again to rest
against him.
Mika didn’t have a problem with scaling the ladder that led to the upper floor
where Mika had put mattresses and pillows and blankets because he liked it
comfortable when he rested; now all that would benefit Yuu, as well. He set the
boy down, dragging pillows and blankets close and tucking him in. “Is that
comfortable?”
Yuu opened his eyes looked around the space, realizing that it must be where
Mika slept; his bedroom. He was confused for a moment, as when he lived with
Guren the older male had made it clear that Yuu was to sleep in his own room
and only come to his bedroom when he was told to.
There was only one reason Guren ever told Yuu to come to his bedroom.
The boy’s breathing picked up, heart pounding nervously in his his chest. He
was bad at this, Guren had told him that over and over. Once Mika saw it for
himself, he was probably going to be disappointed and get rid of him.
That thought put a sharp pain into Yuu’s chest. Mika was actually nice to him.
He didn’t want to be tossed away again.
He needed to do his best, try harder than he ever had before, if he really
wanted to stay here with someone that cared if he was hungry or comfortable.
The boy let out a breath that shuddered and sat up, scooting closer to the
vampire. He slid down low on the others body and timidly placed a hand on
Mika’s groin, unfastening the button of the vampire’s pants with his other. If
Mika saw he was trying, maybe he’d have patience with him.
His hand was caught in a larger one and pulled away from the vampire’s groin;
lookig up, Yuu could see that Mika seemed confused about what he was doing. The
vampire rubbed his thumb gently against the boy’s palm in the hand he held.
“Little one, what are you doing?”
Mika noticed it was a stupid question the moment he asked it. It was likely
that this was exactly what everyone else had gotten Yuu for and the realization
made his chest ache, especially coupled with the desperate, hopeless expression
on that cute face. He lifted the hand and kissed the back of it, sweetly. “Lay
down, cutie. It’s been a long day for you.” He settled in as well even though
he hadn’t changed out of most of his clothes yet and pulled the boy close to
hug him against himself, wrapping them in a warm cocoon of limbs and blankets.
“I don’t expect anything from you, Yuu,” he said quietly in the relative
darkness around them. “Just…don’t run away when I’m not here. The city could be
dangerous for you if you’re out on your own yet.”
Yuu’s body was stiff against Mika’s, the boy holding back tears as he pressed
his forehead against the others chest. He didn’t want to be tossed away again,
he wanted to show the vampire he could be useful and that he would try his best
to make him worth keeping.
Yuu had nothing else to give and he knew it.
He was a pet, as much as he disdained that label, and pets were supposed to use
their mouths to make their masters happy.
If Mika didn’t find a use for him, he’d have no reason to keep him.
The boy curled his fingers tightly into Mika’s shirt. Only a few hours earlier
he had wanted to run away from the vampire, but now he wanted to stay here with
the only person that had ever shown him even a lick of warmth or kindness.
Yuu shook his head against Mika’s shirt, tiny shoulders hunching up.
“I won’t run away,” the boy promised. “I don’t wanna run away.”
“And I don’t want you to leave,” he told the boy quietly, wrapping him up
safely and warm, hand rubbing up and down his narrow back.
“Sleep, little one. Just relax.”
Mika didn’t necessarily need sleep, but he did enjoy it every now and then, the
complete peace of his mind shutting down completely. With Yuu warm in his arms,
breathing and his steady heartbeat in Mika’s ear, it was even easier to come
down.
Yuu pressed closer to Mika, gripping his shirt so tightly into his little fists
that his knuckles were white. No one had ever held him or wanted to sleep with
him. It was comfortable and warm being in Mika’s arms, in the vampire’s bed.
As terrifying as the day had been and in spite of all the fear and unease he’d
had about being alone with a vampire beneath the surface in his home, he liked
this, this feeling.
He liked being held. Even if it was a vampire, someone wanted to hold him and
feed him and treat him with gentle care.
Yuu rubbed his face into Mika’s chest, his body tense with emotion. He was
going to be so good. He wasn’t going to get thrown away this time.
Mika set his lips against the boy’s warm forehead, still exposed from how his
hair was brushed back, nose in the dark locks. Washed and brushed dry, Yuu’s
hair was like dark silk, fragrant and soft. Mika wanted to rub his face all
over it.
He felt the boy fall asleep against him only by how his little fists relaxed;
the whole of the frail body fell slack, a comfortable weight against Mika’s
chest.
He watched the child, veritable, sweet prey for a long time, how beautiful that
relaxed face was, thick dark lashes feathering over cherub cheeks, soft lips
parted a little. Mika couldn’t help but thinking he had taken the boy just in
time; another master may have not cared about the child’s well being more than
how good it would feel to use that mouth without having to worry about teeth.
He scowled at the train of thought and shook his head; nothing bad would happen
to Yuu on his watch.
Anyone who tried would quickly find out just how ruthless Mika could be.
***** Vanilla *****
Chapter Notes
     Beware. This is so cute you might get cavities.
Yuu murmured incoherently, legs stretching out and body twisting as he slowly
began to wake. He had slept for quite some, utterly exhausted and more warm and
comfortable than he had ever been before.
He rubbed the sleep from his green eyes and slowly opened them, full
recollection of where he was and what he was coming back to him.
The vampire was beside him, right where he had been when Yuu had finally
drifted off the night before. The boy didn’t know if he had left his side or
not, he wasn’t even sure if vampires slept.
He opened his mouth to speak, but words failed him and he simply stared at the
older male, his lips parted and warm breaths escaping them.
Mika seemed to doze, at least; his handsome face was relaxed and calm, eyes
closed, his ashblonde hair a little mussed where he had slept on it. But the
vampire still had his arms around him pretty much the same position they had
been when they had gone to sleep, so it was safe to assume Mika hadn’t moved
much at all during the night.
As if sensing that Yuu was awake…though in fact only hearing the boy’s softly
rumbling tummy…Mika cracked open one eye, pupil wide and round for a moment
before it narrowed into the catlike slit it was usually in. “Mm…”
Yuu flinched slightly when he vampire opened up his eye. He’d been caught
staring at Mika and the other probably wasn’t going to be too thrilled about
that.
He slid back a bit, from Mika, just a few inches, then laid his head back onto
his pillow. Yuu pulled the blanket up over his shoulder so only his head peeked
out, staring timidly at the vampire beside him.
Mika gave him a light smile. “Hungry, huh?” he asked quietly, reaching out…and
tapping the tip of his index finger gently against Yuu’s nose, barely visible
over the blanket. “Did you sleep well, little one?”
Yuu’s eyes widened even more and he froze, staring at the man beside him with
wonder. Mika was still happy, still smiling. He was still talking to Yuu and
asking him questions like it mattered to him how the boy had slept. Things no
one else ever cared about before.
Yuu nodded his head quickly, then fisted up the blanket he was nearly hiding
beneath in his hands.
“… did you?” He asked politely in a quiet voice.
“Surprisingly, yes…” Mika replied amusedly, sitting up and stretching, the
blanket falling to pool in his lap. “I don’t sleep much usually..and when I do,
it’s rarely this good.” He gave the boy a smile. “You’re good company.”
Mika got up and merely jumped down from the sleeping floor instead of taking
the ladder, landing in a whisper. “Do you want another cinnamon roll for
breakfast? I think I can get milk somewhere, too.”
Yuu scrambled out of the blankets and peered over the edge of the loft. Mika
sure was agile. He’d never seen a human move quite like that before. It was
pretty fascinating. He wondered what kind of cool stuff the vampire might be
able to do outside with more space. He bet it would be awesome to watch.
“That would be good, thanks,” Yuu said, perking up slightly at the mention of
breakfast. He made his way to the ladder and carefully climbed down, socked
feet pattering across the floor toward Mika.
The vampire actually thought he was good company? That was a new one.
“You’re good company, too,” Yuu blurted out, then dropping his eyes away from
Mika’s. He was trying desperately to be polite, but he felt like he was
terrible at it.
Mika looked down at him and smiled; each smile around Yuu felt a little easier
than the last, as if he was practicing it. “Thank you,” he told the boy,
stroking his dark hair back.
He reached for the cupboard he had put all that food in and took down the bag
with the remaining cinnamon rolls, putting one on a plate along with an apple
and a pear. “Here you go.”
Yuu took the roll immediately and began eating it nearly as quickly as he had
the night before, stuffing the sticky bread into his mouth with less care for
his table manners than the growling in his stomach. He moved on immediately to
the apple once he had finished it, slowing down a bit and then glancing over at
Mika.
“Don’t you need breakfast?” He asked with a mouthful of apple, genuinely
curious.
Mika was watching him amusedly; Yuu probably had had to fight for food before
at the orphanage, which was a sad thought, but he was so adorable munching on
his breakfast Mika couldn’t help but smile.
“I do, eventually. I’ll head by the Center on my way to work to get some, don’t
worry.” He stroked over the soft dark hair again. “I’ll see about getting you
some entertainment too for while I’ll be gone.”
Yuu’s brows pressed together and he paused, swallowing his apple. He had,
somehow, forgotten that Mika would probably go to work considering that was how
Yuu had met him in the first place.
“What if someone comes while you’re gone?” He asked very seriously, little
mouth turning down into a worried frown. “Like a vampire or something?”
And wasn’t that a valid question… Mika canted his head, then squatted down to
be level with him and stroked his sticky little cheek. “I will lock the door. I
don’t get visitors usually…” But Yuu smelled delicious…what if someone broke
in?
Mika pondered. He could wrap Yuu up in clothes that hid his pulse points maybe.
Or hide him. But that wasn’t comfortable…
Any question Mika might have had as to whether he should worry about Yuu
running from him when he left could easily be countered by the nervous look on
the boys face at simply being left alone inside the house.
Indeed, the thought of running away wasn’t even on Yuu’s mind.
He stared back at Mika, uncertainty written all over his round little face. He
didn’t much like the idea of being alone beneath the surface at all.
“Should I hide?” Yuu asked, dead serious, eyes beginning to scan the room for a
good place.
Mika didn’t want to tell him he had to. He wanted the boy to feel safe,
comfortable, but he also couldn’t promise no one would follow their nose and
eat Yuu..not that he’d tell him that.
“If you feel scared or someone is trying to come in,” he told him, cupping his
small shoulders in his palms. “You go up and hide under the blankets. They
smell like me; they should mask your scent. Don’t make a sound and don’t move
and you should be fine. Okay?”
Yuu gave Mika a firm nod to show he understood the severity of what it would
mean if someone tried to get in. The truth was, the boy was terrified. In spite
of the improvements to his life due to Mika’s kindness, he was still in a
precarious situation. He was a human boy in a city full of vampires that would
be left alone for he didn’t even know how many hours.
“But, if that happened and you were here, you’d protect me, wouldn’t you?” He
asked Mika, the apple in his hand long forgotten as he watched the vampire
carefully for his response to his question.
“Little one, if anyone tried to get at you while I’m here, I would tear them
limb from limb for even thinking about it,” Mika told him just as seriously…
And he meant it, too. He probably needed to get Yuu a collar, one of those that
the other pets had with their master’s blood in the pendant so everyone would
know whom they belonged to.
He hated having to collar the child, honestly. Mika squeezed his little
shoulders and gave him a firm nod. “You’re very brave, Yuu. I feel safer with
you here already.”
Yuu set his half eaten apple down on the table. He was pretty brave. He’d
survived a whole lot and kept on going, no matter how hard things got for him.
And his life couldn’t get much more complicated than it was now being below the
surface.
“How long will you be gone?” Yuu asked, sticky little fingers creeping up to
touch the underside of Mika’s wrist.
Mika was positively delighted when Yuu touched him on his own free will. Sure,
the boy had clung to him before, but that had been a moment of crisis. And he
had flinched from him when they had been in bed, too. This was a big step.
“I will be gone about four hours, then I’ll come home. I may have to leave for
a bit more after that, but I’m coming to check up on you. Okay?” And then,
maybe he’d finally ask for that bit of vacation he had accumulated and never
taken.
“Will you help me get cleaned up before you go?” Yuu asked, sucking a sugary
lip into his mouth. He was, truthfully, fully capable of cleaning himself up.
But, now that he knew that Mika was leaving, his nerves were on end and wasn’t
liking the idea of being alone without the vampire that didn’t plan to eat him
at all.
It might have been a bit of stalling on the boy’s part. It also might have been
that he’d found a sense of comfort the night before with the way the vampire
had looked after him. Something he now found himself seeking out before he left
him for four years.
“Of course, once you’re done with breakfast.” In his opinion, the kid needed to
eat more. He handed him his apple back so he could finish it, then went to get
dressed for work. The thigh high boots were always a hassle so he sat down to
pull them on; once that was done, he held an arm out for Yuu and pulled the boy
onto his lap.
The soft washcloth made a new appearance, tenderly cleaning the boy’s pretty
face.
Yuu made no attempt to squirm from Mika’s lap, instead leaning against his
chest and allowing him to wipe down his face and hands. He wanted the vampire
to stay, to hang around the small house with him so he wouldn’t be there all
alone in this strange city. Mika was all Yuu knew, all he had now.
He thought that perhaps he should be relieved that the vampire was leaving, but
he wasn’t at all. It worried him and he didn’t like the feeling he had in his
stomach at all.
The boy rested his head against Mika’s chest, tiny hands balling up in the
vampire’s shirt. Yes, Yuu was very brave. But, he also didn’t really want Mika
to leave.
Mika cleaned him carefully, first his face, then his small hands; he noticed
they immediately went to his shirt again once when had released them. It was
endearing, really. “I’ll try to be back as soon as possible,” he told the boy
quietly. Once Yuu was clean, he wrapped his arms around him and held him close,
even dropping a kiss into his hair. “It won’t be long at all. I have some books
if you like reading.”
“Okay,” Yuu said softly, pressing his cheek against the vampire’s chest. He
refused to break down and beg the older male to stay, he would be fine on his
own and really, his mind was just getting the best of him. The other vampires
were probably going to be busy at work themselves, not trying to break into
houses to steal little humans to eat.
Mika hummed and cuddled him close when Yuu leaned in, nuzzling the soft hair.
It was so silky now that it was clean, shiny and soft as kitten fur; he liked
touching it very much. “Do you like reading? Or should I bring you back some
toys?”
Yuu turned his head up to look at Mika, still keeping it rested against the
others body, eyes lighting up a bit. “You could bring me toys?”
It wasn’t so much that Yuu didn’t enjoy reading, but he was far behind most
others his age from missing so much school. He did enjoy stories, but it was
difficult for him to get through books, especially any aimed for adults, on his
own.
But, he hadn’t had his own toys in a long time and even what he did have before
he went to the orphanage was sparse.
“I’d like toys…”
“I could,” Mika replied, smiling into the hopeful little face. “You’ll need to
tell me what you want, though, and I’ll try to find it.”
Some books aimed at a younger audience, perhaps, as well…come to think of it,
what he had here would probably bore the child. He wanted to spoil Yuu a
little, he realized. The boy deserved true pleasure, for once.
There was a twinkle of excitement in the boy’s eyes and he nearly smiled up at
Mika. He knew there was no need for the vampire to get him anything at all,
that he would offer to bring him back something the adults in Yuu’s life had
considered so useless made him warm up to Mika even more.
“I like plush animals and cars and babies and those blocks you can stick
together real good and build stuff…” Yuu explained, guesturing with his hands
as though he was sticking pieces together with his little dark eyebrows pressed
inward in concentration. “And I like miniature figures! They live in the city
you build, but even if you don’t have those blocks you can make cities out of
all kinds of stuff and then the people or animals, whatever you can use, they
all live there and they have their families and they do stuff, like whatever
you want them to…” Yuu trailed off, thinking about all the toys he’d seen and
wanted over the years.
It was probably the most the boy had spoken at once in weeks.
Oh, that was a lovely expression. And the stream of words coming out of that
pretty little mouth delighted Mika, as well. “I will see what I can get for
you,” he promised the boy and he meant it; Yuu was to be spoiled, he decided.
He gave him a light squeeze, then carefully set him down on his feet so he
could stand. “I will be back very soon.”
The happiness fell from Yuu’s face as soon as Mika set him down. He didn’t want
the vampire to go, but he was adamant he wouldn’t beg the other to stay. He
wasn’t weak and he didn’t want Mika to start thinking he was a burden.
Yuu nodded and took a step back to get out of the vampires way, hands twisting
together in front of him. “Okay,” he said softly, his shoulders hunching up
slightly. “Have… have a good day. Hope it goes quickly for you.”
Oh that face…Mika cupped it in both hands. “I will be back very soon. I
promise.” He fully intended to keep it, too.
Three hours later he abandoned his post a bit early and went to find toys for
his little one. Burdened with bags, he finally unlocked the door to his little
house just as the fourth hour had passed.
When Mika entered the house, it was silent, no Yuu to be found.
It wasn’t until a little head with mussed hair popped up from beneath all of
the blankets and pillows in the loft that he was able to spot the boy.
Yuu had peeked from beneath his fortress to make sure it was Mika before
showing himself, his eyes rimmed with red and a bit swollen.
It had been a confusing, difficult day for Yuu; one he didn’t quite understand.
The moment the vampire left he had felt very alone and scared. He was used to
those feelings, but they were so overwhelming he found himself hiding beneath
all of the blankets in the loft and crying. He continually wished for the
vampire to come back, which was so strange to him, that he’d want the man to
come back considering he was a vampire and he didn’t like the idea of being a
pet. He should have been embracing and celebrating his time alone, but he
couldn’t.
The boy slipped out of the blankets and down the ladder, walking over to Mika
and then firmly wrapping his arms around his waist and pressing his face into
the vampire’s stomach, despite all the bags in his hands.
Mika glanced around and called softly before he saw the mussed little head. He
was proud Yuu had listened to his advice, but he was very surprised to see him
with red eyes and smelling like he had been crying.
He put the bags down carefully and lifted Yuu into his arms, smiling a little
when those little arms immediately wrapped around his neck. “Miss me?” he
murmured into the soft dark hair, rubbing the boy’s back. “I hurried.”
Yuu wasn’t sure how to respond to the vampire or put how he felt into words.
Had he missed Mika? While it was a crazy thought, he felt incredibly relieved
that he had returned. Yuu didn’t even realize how tightly his arms were wrapped
around the vampire’s neck, he simply clung to him, eyes shut and his forehead
falling against Mika.
But, there was something gnawing in the back of Yuu’s mind; that this time when
he had hugged someone, he had been picked up and held. He didn’t stand there
stiffly like Guren had. Mika didn’t reject him.
Mika kissed the side of his head, carrying him over to the bench next to the
table to sit down with the boy on his lap. “I’m sorry I took so long, I’m sure
you were bored,” he murmured, hand rubbing up and down Yuu’s back.
“I brought you some of the things you said you liked. And more sweets.” He
didn’t even know why he had been so frantic to find everything Yuu wanted and
get back to him so quickly…but now that he was here, with the boy clinging to
him, he felt for the first time like coming home even though he had lived here
for a while yet.
Yuu hadn’t been bored, of course. He’d been too scared and panicked to be
concerned with not having entertainment. He felt so much better now that Mika
had returned, like the rocks in his stomach were all gone now.
He kept his face in the vampire’s neck, holding to him even more tightly than
he had before he had fallen asleep the night before, hands fisted up in his
clothing.
Yuu just barely processed that Mika had bought him things. It was something no
one else had ever done for him. The most he’d ever gotten were clothes and that
was only because they were considered a necessity. They were never anything
nice, just things to cover him up.
But Mika had bought him things and seemed pleased to see him.
It was new and strange and Yuu found that he kind of liked that someone seemed
to not see him as a complete burden.
Mika held the boy close and petted him lightly. Yuu smelled like tears, so he
gathered maybe the child had been scared half to death from being alone. He
rocked him lightly on his lap until Yuu had calmed down a bit.
“Did you hear?” He cupped Yuu’s chin and lifted his precious little face. “I
brought you some toys.”
There was both hope and disbelief in those bright green eyes. It all seemed
almost too good to be true.
“You really did?” Yuu asked, his voice a bit hoarse from crying beneath the
blankets. “For real?”
“Of course I did. I promised, didn’t I?” To be honest, Mika was actually really
excited to see what Yuu would think about what he brought him. He set Yuu down
onto his own feet and took his little hand, leading him over to the bags.
“There, look. All for you.”
He had procured some toys Yuu had asked for; the building blocks he had been so
excited about and some little figurines he could use to populate his city with,
as well as a plush bunny that was very soft.
Yuu’s face lit up when he looked into the bags. Mika had really meant it, he’d
brought him toys - brand new ones that had never been played with before and
weren’t stained, discolored or broken! He looked up from them to the vampire
and for the first time in a long time, he grinned. It was wide and bright and
it lit up the room.
“Wow! You got everything!”
Yuu reached into a bag, pulling out a large container filled with the blocks
that snapped together that he had longed for throughout most of his life. His
parents had said they were overpriced and unnecessary and the orphanage only
ever had donated toys. No one ever donated anything that were as cool as these.
“I’ve always wanted these!” He cried out, turning the bin around and around so
he could look at the labels and all the difference shiny plastic pieces that
would be insane. “This is so cool, I can make the most awesome stuff!”
He set it down and pulled out the figures, bouncing on the balls of his feet
with delight as he looked over the anthropomorphic animal people. “Look, their
clothes come off! You can change who wears what and make ‘em do all different
things and different jobs!”
His mouth was hanging open in an astonished smile and when he pulled out the
plush bunny he hugged it to his chest, eyes falling shut as his hips rocked
side to side. He’d never had anything so soft and cute to love before, it was
brown with long, fluffy fur and pink inside it’s ears and on its hands and feet
and sparkling green eyes that nearly matched his own.
He opened his eyes and smiled a bit shyly at the vampire, clinging to his bunny
a few steps away from him.
“Thank you so much for all of this, Mika,” he said quietly, little ears turning
pink. “I love everything.”
It was that smile that hit Mika and wouldn’t let him go again. He smiled in
return, watching the boy be excited about his new toys and was glad he had gone
to get new ones instead of asking some colleagues if they had any lying around
they didn’t need. It was a basic set for those blocks, really, but seeing Yuu
so happy it would have been easy to imagine they were the coolest set ever
made.
“Well, I got you some clothes too,” he chuckled, “but I suppose they’re not as
exciting. You can play on the floor or build something on the table….”
Actually, he’d rather have those blocks on the table where he couldn’t step
into them. That would hurt even him. “I’m glad you like them, Yuu.”
The boy stood still for a moment, then slowly approached the vampire, wrapping
his arms around him and giving him a tight hug.
“Thank you,” he said, fragile voice cracking with emotion. “For everything. You
didn’t have to do any of this. Thanks for being so good to me.”
He held onto Mika, rubbing his cheek against his shirt, keeping one arm around
him but bringing the other to his front so he could hold his bunny to his
chest. Another child might have forgotten all about Mika when there were new
toys to play with, but Yuu was so very grateful. That Mika had bought them to
begin with was even more exciting than the toys themselves.
Someone wanted to make him happy.
Mika looked down at the boy and found himself smiling.
Yuu was so lovely; not just because he was beautiful, even though he was. Mika
had found himself thinking about those expressive green eyes all day - and now
that they were warm and sparkling instead of shuttered and careful the sight of
them took his breath away. No, Yuu was also beautiful inside; spirited and so
excitable when he allowed himself to be. Mika was quite enchanted.
He lifted the boy into his arms again, complete with plushie bunny. “What do
you want to call him?” he asked, nodding towards the plushie pressed against
Yuu’s chest. “Every protector needs a name, you know. He’ll take care of you
when I’m not home.”
Yuu looked down at the bunny in his arms. He liked the idea of having a
companion to keep him company when Mika wasn’t there, even if he wasn’t alive.
“I’ll call him Cinnamon,” Yuu said, trying the name out. He liked the sound of
it and it gave him a warm, happy feeling, making him recall the delicious rolls
that Mika had bought for him.
He turned a bit in the vampire’s arms, wrapping his arm around his neck again
and hugging him.
“You’re really nice. Everyone told me that vampires are bad, but you’re nicer
to me than any humans ever were you know.”
Yuu hoped he didn’t insult Mika with what he told him, but he thought the
vampire should know he was seeing that maybe he’d rushed to judgment when he
shouldn’t have.
“I think I was wrong about you, is all. I mean, I’m sorry for how I acted
yesterday. I was just scared.”
“That’s a good name,” Mika decided and nodded. He hugged the boy back, leaning
his cheek against the soft, soft hair. “It’s alright, little one. I like
spoiling you.”
He didn’t want to let go of the boy, but Yuu was eyeing the building blocks and
he didn’t want to make the boy uncomfortable by holding on to him so long. He
could hold Yuu again when they went to bed; the thought made him almost giddy.
Mika put him down very carefully, brushing a kiss against Yuu’s forehead, right
between his sparkling eyes. “I think,” he said, pondering, “that because
vampires have need of your blood, your adults will tell you we’re potentially
dangerous. We’re not wild beasts, you know.”
“I can tell you’re not,” Yuu said simply, sitting down at the table and pulling
open his box of blocks, delighting as the bright colored pieces scattered
across the wood table. He was going to build a house for his figurines, first.
“I never met any vampires before you,” the boy explained, snapping different
pieces to a green base in the shape of a rectangle. All of his people would
live in one house for tonight. He kind of liked the idea of them all being
together like a big family.
“Everyone made vampires sound really bad, like if one finds you they’ll eat you
and you’ll die.” Yuu squinted his eyes and examined the outline of his house,
then nodded to himself and added a window piece. “But, humans have lied to me a
lot. About lots of things.” Yuu shrugged his little shoulders. “I guess I
shouldn’t be surprised they were wrong about you, too.”
This was nice, Mika decided. The soft snaps of Yuu’s blocks coming together
were soothing even. He went to the cupboards to ready Yuu’s dinner; his own, he
had gotten on the way home.
“Here you go.” Mika put a plate with the sandwich he had readied next to the
blocks on the table and went to get the boy a juice.
Yuu grinned at the sandwich, excited to have something a little more
substantial to eat and some meat as well. He took a big bite, feet swinging
happily as he sat at the table.
“If you don’t drain people, then how do you eat?” The boy asked with a mouthful
of food, his words muffled.
This was nice, Mika decided. The soft snaps of Yuu’s blocks coming together
were soothing even. He went to the cupboards to ready Yuu’s dinner; his own, he
had gotten on the way home.
Mika sat down across from him and smiled, putting his juice down for Yuu.
“There are humans that donate their blood for money, actually. It’s forbidden
to drink blood from a living source in the city; there are a few banks that we
go to for nourishment.” He watched those little fingers build the foundations
of a big house. Yuu would need more blocks for a whole city.
“So there’s no need to drain anyone, really.”
Mika could see the wheels turning in Yuu’s head as he chewed on his sandwich
thoughtfully. That sure did make a lot of sense. Hunting people would have to
be a pain and actually very annoying. It would follow that vampires, like
people, wanted the convenience of ready-made meals without any fuss.
“So, then, I really have nothing to be scared about? Being down here?” Yuu
asked, taking a long sip of his juice. The sugar tasted delightful on his
tongue. “No one’s gonna come grab me and take me so they can eat me when you’re
at work?”
“I am so sorry,” Mika sighed; he should have realized the child would be
terrified about being left alone. “I’ll try to think about a better
arrangement. I don’t want you to be alone and scared.”
Yuu shrugged. He had been alone and scared a lot. It was different this time,
though. “Well, I think maybe I just wanted you to be here, too. I felt bad when
you left.”
“I don’t want you to feel bad, Yuu,” Mika said tenderly, reaching to take his
hand. “I will make sure you don’t have to be scared again. I promise.”
When it was time for bed…after he had all but carried Yuu away from his half-
built city…Mika was delighted to find Yuu cuddling into him readily, clutching
his new bunny. “Sleep well,” he murmured, stroking his soft bangs back.
Oh, he was in such deep trouble with how deep his affection ran for this mortal
child.
***** Cardamom *****
Chapter Notes
     Extra long chapter in celebration of 300 kudos! You guys are awesome!
     Please enjoy this cavity inducing thing we're doing. Follow us on
     tumblr to see the awesome Mika icons HaleYes did! <3
Yuu was delighted the next morning when Mika told him was going to spend the
day at home. While he’d felt a little better about not being kidnapped to be
vampire food, he’d missed Mika being around the day before regardless and was
happy to have his company for the whole day.
In spite of the fact that Mika didn’t eat, he still joined Yuu for breakfast,
asking the boy what his favorite foods were and what he’d like him to bring
home for him the next time he was out. Yuu was beginning to smile when he
talked with Mika, their conversations starting to feel more easy, comfortable,
natural. He told him about how he loved scrambled eggs and peanut butter, among
other things. Mika seemed genuinely interested in what he liked and what he had
to say and Yuu was very pleased that.
After breakfast, Yuu helped Mika clear off the table, after he had washed off
Yuu’s hands and face, and the boy asked Mika if he minded if he played with his
blocks some more. He loved them.
Mika told him to have fun with a brush of his hand into his hair, so Yuu sat
quietly, snapping his blocks together with rapt concentration.
Mika was completely enamored with the child. He felt the soft hair under his
fingers before Yuu was gone, off to play with his blocks again, the bunny
sitting on the table next to him. He smiled; Yuu was too adorable. He hadn’t
known just how lonely he was, the blond vampire reflected as he tidied up
around the main room, every now and then stealing glances at the dark-haired
boy bent over his half-finished city.
He had just sat down in his armchair to read, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere,
when there was an insistent knock on his front door. Mika looked up,
frowning…who would actually bother to come by on his day off? It wasn’t as if
he usually spent time with his kin, or anyone really…anyone but Yuu, now.
Yuu’s head snapped up when he heard the knocking, turning wide eyes with a hint
of panic over to Mika. Thank goodness the vampire was home, he would have been
terrified if someone had come by while he was alone.
“Should I hide?” Yuu mouthed, his voice barely a whisper, shrinking at the
table right before Mika’s eyes. He might trust Mika not to eat him, but he was
still unsure about all of the others.
Mika shook his head at him and raised a hand for him to stay put at the table,
rising from the armchair smoothly and laying down his book. A second set of
knocks came, making him scowl. He brushed his fingers over Yuu’s head when he
passed the boy, yanking the door open.
What he saw made him scowl even harder. “What do you want,” he asked flatly,
looking up and down the vampire that stood in front of his door.
“Why, my dear one,” Ferid cooed, flipping his long lavender hair back. “Is that
a way to greet me?” Mika made sure to stay right in the doorway so the noble
wouldn’t think about coming in.
“It’s a way,” Mika replied without inflection. Ferid glanced around him. “And
there’s the darling thing! Why, Mika, my sweet, when I heard you acquired a
pet, I just had to come see for myself. Come here, little one, let me look at
you.”
Yuu stayed frozen at the table, unease washing over him as he stared at the
stranger calling to him. This man looked much more like a vampire than Mika,
his ears pointed and sharp unlike the others.
He had half a mind to run, though he knew he had nowhere to go and outrunning a
vampire was next to impossible. Still, the way that the purple haired male
stared at him made him tense with fear. It was almost as though he was eating
him with his eyes.
Yuu shifted his gaze to Mika, searching for a sign of what to do, if this
vampire was a danger to him or not. Mika didn’t seem to like him much, but they
also seemed familiar with each other by the way the other spoke to Mika.
“Yuu,” Mika said softly, eyes never leaving the noble, warily. “Come over here,
little one, it’s alright.”
It wasn’t alright. What he had worried about had come true; someone had found
out about Yuu. And if Ferid knew, it wouldn’t be long until the Queen knew, as
well. He would have to make Yuu being here with him official, he realized with
trepidation.
“This is Yuu,” he told Ferid when the boy had inched his way over, laying a
hand against the back of his head and urged him against his side. He knew he
was exuding aggression - something that could easily get him into trouble,
focused on a noble like this. He didn’t quite care.
“Ah, he is adorable! Wherever did you find him?” Ferid cooed, bending down to
look at the child’s face. “Such beautiful eyes. This is a rare treasure, Mika.”
He reached out to touch him - Mika stepped between them so the outstretched
fingers never reached the dark-haired child. Ferid didn’t lose a moment,
trailing his fingertips over Mika’s front instead, smirking. “Possessive. I
thought I’d never see the day that you actually cared about something.”
Yuu ducked behind Mika’s leg, clinging tightly to the fabric of his pants,
peeking out at the other vampire that stroked his fingers over Mika. Yuu didn’t
like it at all, eyes narrowing and a soft growl rumbling through his chest.
Maybe he was just a pet, maybe Mika didn’t even want him for the things Guren
did, but seeing someone else touch the only one that had ever shown him any
kindness or affection at all made Yuu feel angry in a way he could barely
understand.
“Well he does care about me so you can go away now,” the boy barked, his voice
firm and tinged with anger. He stepped out from behind Mika then, staring up at
the purple-haired vampire with his most threatening glare.
The strange vampire rose his fine brows down at the plucky little thing.
“Aren’t you feisty,” he chuckled, but he did draw his hand back. Mika reached
down to pick Yuu up, holding him against his chest and side securely. “You’ll
have your hands full with him, my lovely. Come find me when you had enough of
children.” He winked at the blond, who frowned and stepped back so he could
close the door behind the retreating noble.
“I’m sorry,” Mika murmured, leaning his forehead against Yuu’s soft dark hair.
“He’s a pompous bastard, but he is kind of my superior.” Not that he liked it.
Ferid had been hitting on him for ages now, he was used to it; seeing Yuu so
riled up about it was flattering, though.
Yuu glared at the door, even after it was shut, little body tense in Mika’s
arms. He didn’t like the other vampire at all or the way his presence had made
him feel.
The comment the vampire had made about Mika going to see him when he’d had
enough of children, meaning Yuu, was what made him the most upset.
After all, it had implied Mika would get tired of him and toss him aside just
like everyone else had.
The boy’s eyes dropped then and he frowned, body going slack as sadness bled
into his anger. Mika probably would tire of him. He was a handful, that purple-
haired vampire wasn’t the first to say that about him. And kind as Mika was
being to him, it wouldn’t last forever. It never did.
And Yuu’s only value to Mika was… what? Someone he needed to feed, clothe and
spend money on?
Even still, the other vampire didn’t need to rub the inevitable in his face. It
was rude.
“I don’t like him,” Yuu grumbled, eyes fixed on the floor. “He obviously likes
you, though.
Too Yuu’s surprise, Mika laughed, a soft chortle gusting into his hair. “No,
Yuu, he doesn’t like me,” he told him amusedly, stroking his cheek and carrying
him back over to the table. “He very much wants to fuck me, though…however
improbable that is.” He kissed Yuu’s temple and sat down on the bench, seating
him on his lap.
“I have to talk to you about something serious, little one.” He stroked his
thumb over the soft, round cheek. “I didn’t want to do this because I think
it’s disgraceful; but I’m afraid we’ll have to register you officially as a
pet.” Mika made a face. “You…you’ll have to wear a collar.” It was obvious the
blond didn’t like the thought of that.
Yuu’s lips were still twisted in a frown. Hearing the other vampire wanted Mika
that way didn’t make him feel any less awful at all. It made his stomach hurt.
He couldn’t pinpoint why it bothered him so much, just that it very much did.
“Oh,” he said quietly, brushing his hand over his neck. So now Yuu would have a
constant reminder of what he was and his place. Tangible evidence of how he had
no business concerning himself with what Mika might or not do with the other
vampire.
Still, he’d rather be Mika’s pet than anything else he’d ever been to anyone
else. It was better than even being his parents’ son.
“Okay,” he conceded, though he didn’t once look Mika in the eyes. He was torn.
He wanted to be Mika’s pet, but he didn’t all at the same time. It was all
terribly confusing and what kept his mouth shut was knowing that how he felt
about it didn’t really matter at all. If he spoke up, at the very least Mika
might just get rid of him, something Yuu didn’t want to happen.
“It would make you mine, officially,” Mika murmured, eyes closed, his face
still against the soft hair. Oh, Yuu smelled amazing. He nuzzled at him
tenderly. “It would be in the books that you belong to me, no one could reverse
that.”
He wanted that, Mika realized. He wanted Yuu to stay with him. He thoroughly
enjoyed the boy’s company, his hugs, the way he clung to him in their bed, the
delicious scent that came off him. Come to think of that, Yuu’s scent would
either become even harder to resist or he would get used to it…right now it
still made his fangs tingle. “I’m sorry, I know it’s a bad deal - being
property.” Mika knew all about being property. He didn’t want Yuu to be in the
same position he had been in so long ago, but here, with him, the boy was safer
than anywhere else in the world. “Please don’t be angry with me?”
Yuu looked down in his lap. “I’m not angry with you,” the boy said truthfully,
shrugging his shoulders. In spite of the circumstances, he preferred the idea
of being Mika’s over anything else. He would rather be something other than a
pet, but he didn’t know what that would really even be.
“I don’t understand the point of having a pet,” he said simply, little hands
twisting together in his lap. It was obvious vampires had the same urges humans
did, since Mika said the other vampire wanted to fuck him. But, Mika had pulled
him away when he’d tried to be useful in that way. The vampires drank donated
blood, so he didn’t need him for food. What was the point of having some little
human around the house that only cost money?
“I want to be here with you,” he said carefully, a bit of urgency suddenly
showing in his voice. He didn’t want Mika to think he didn’t want to be there.
“I just don’t understand why you’d want me.”
“I don’t think I can explain it,” Mika said after a moment of pondering. He
really couldn’t, not even to himself. Yuu made him feel better, but he didn’t
know why. He gave him delightful company, for one. “I just want you here with
me.”
He squeezed the boy gently, nuzzling at him to make him feel better too. “We
should go to the registration center right away, come to think of it.”
Registering Yuu as his would have several advantages; if he were to be stolen,
or even lost, the authorities would be able to return him to Mika. He’d be
safe, because he was officially a citizen of the capital. Everyone would know
they would have to answer to Mika if they made him feel bad or threatened him.
Mika dressed Yuu in some of the warmer clothes he had bought him, even putting
the little shoes onto his feet himself. “It’s a short trip, really.”
Yuu allowed Mika to put him in his new clothes, a dark grey hoodie lined in
hunter green with green stripes on the sleeves and jeans that were not hand-me-
downs and were soft and clean.
He had mixed feelings about leaving the small house that he’d just started
feeling comfortable and somewhat safe in. There were sure to be a lot of
vampires once they stepped out and even though Yuu knew that they got their
blood through donations, he was still wary of being around strangers. Mika had
been earning his trust, but the others had not.
“Okay,” Yuu said quietly, slipping his small hand into Mika’s. He didn’t want
to be far from him at all while they were walking through the capital.
Yuu looked absolutely adorable and Mika smiled down at him as he was done. The
clothes were new and just Yuu’s size, though the hoodie was a little big by
default, sleeves reaching the middle of the boy’s hands.
Mika took his hand as they left the house; the streets didn’t look much
different from those in human towns, maybe a little cleaner, and there were
lamps dotting the sidewalks that made the area bright as day was outside, if a
little more comfortable since the lamps weren’t glaring like the sun. Mika kept
him to the house side of the sidewalk as they went down the street. “It’s not
far,” he repeated, waving to one of his neighbors.
Yuu dipped behind Mika’s arm, watching curiously as the other vampire waved to
Mika and smiled at him as they passed. It was so very normal, common, it made
Yuu wonder if he was really wrong to be nervous and scared to be outside.
“Are vampires nice to humans?” He asked, craning him head to look up at Mika as
he walked quickly to keep up with the taller male’s longer strides.
“Well, in the capitol they don’t have a reason not to be,” Mika shrugged.
“Every human that is here is here for a reason and other vampires won’t usually
comment on that. Unless they’re a pompous asshole that won’t keep his nose out
of other people’s business,” he replied conversationally. “But Ferid, or nobles
in general are a special case, really. We won’t have much interaction with them
if we’re lucky.”
He smiled down at the boy clinging to his hand. “You don’t have to worry.”
“What other reasons are humans here?” Yuu asked curiously, still eyeing the
vampires they passed warily. He’d never really even gotten a clear answer why
he was here or staying with Mika, but had decided not to push it further or
continue questioning him. The last thing he wanted to do was convince Mika that
he shouldn’t want to have him, that he was useless. It was already one of his
deepest concerns that Mika would come to that conclusion on his own and he
certainly didn’t want to put that thought into his head.
“Work in the blood banks, or being pets. Or working in restaurants, really,
there are a lot of human waiters here, in the more upscale restaurants. The
beautiful ones only, obviously. Or…” He sighed. “Prostitution, really. But not
in this part of the city.”
“Oh.” None of those things sounded like very appealing reasons for humans to be
here, which was really what Yuu had suspected. He still didn’t have a grasp on
why vampires kept humans as pets. Guren had thought of him as a pet, too, but
he’d had wildly different expectations of him, it seemed.
“So, then, when vampires have humans as pets, do they think of us like humans
thinks of dogs and cats?”
It was beginning to make a slight bit to sense to Yuu now if that was correct.
He’d always wanted to have a pet so he’d have something cute to cuddle and love
that would keep him company, something that would love him back
unconditionally.
“Basically; for the higher classes, it’s about status too. You show your wealth
and capabilities keeping one or more humans. It’s for company, too…so, yes,
just like humans would with animals.” Mika smiled down at the boy. “Most pets
are very happy with their status, too. They have a warm home, they’re being
spoiled.” He shrugged. “Apparently it’s a good deal.”
In spite of Yuu’s aversion to the word pet and how dehumanizing it felt, he
couldn’t really argue that Mika hadn’t been spoiling him since he’d brought him
home. Indeed, Mika had been treating him better than anyone ever had in every
possible way. He was kinder, more attentive, more interested in his needs and
wants, gentle, caring, gave him good food, a warm bed, nice clothes and amazing
toys that were beyond anything he’d ever dreamed he would have for himself.
“I like keeping you company,” Yuu said, looking up at him. “You’re nice to be
around.”
“I like your company too,” Mika replied, smiling down at him. The trip down the
street was short, as Mika had promised, and the registration center was not
very crowded. Mika sat Yuu down on one of the chairs and, to the boy’s
surprise, pulled Cinnamon from his jacket to hand it to the boy. “Stay here for
a moment, I’ll be right back.”
He stroked Yuu’s head and went to get a form to fill out; as progressive as the
vampire society thought they were, even they couldn’t get around paperwork.
Mika returned with a clipboard and sat down next to Yuu to begin filling the
form, asking him questions about himself to fill in.
Yuu answered the questions as best he could. He didn’t know much about his
family history or if he had any living relatives. He didn’t even know his blood
type. Most of questions relating to health Yuu either said he didn’t know or
shrugged his shoulders.
He held Cinnamon in his lap, staring down at the clipboard as Mika filled it
out the best he could with the limited information Yuu could provide, kicking
his little feet that didn’t quite reach the floor yet.
Yuu perked up a bit when Mika asked him his date of birth, something he knew
the answer to, then slumped closer to the vampire when he saw others watching
them.
“They keep looking at us,” Yuu mumbled quietly, eyeing some of the vampires
that walked by. It made him uncomfortable.
Mika glanced at the boy as he scooted closer. A quick view of the room proved
Yuu right; there were some looking at them with varying degrees of interest. He
didn’t like it, but he wasn’t about to make a scene.
“Well, they’re probably jealous of Cinnamon,” he winked at him. “He gets to sit
in your lap after all.” Being nice to the boy was so easy…so fulfilling. “We’ll
be done soon and back home in no time.”
Yuu held his bunny a bit tighter, hiding his body as much as possible behind
Mika's arm. He told himself that they weren't as scary or dangerous as he had
been lead to believe, that they ate their fill of blood in an easy and
convenient way and he was really much too troublesome to consider for a snack.
Even still, the way so many of them stared at him made his skin crawl with
unease.
"Please hurry," he mumbled against Mika's sleeve, shrinking a bit when a tall,
pale blue-haired vampire locked his red eyes with his emerald ones.
"I will," Mika promised; the form was almost filled out and as soon as he was
done, he would take Yuu along when he handed it in. That seemed safer. He knew
the possibility of Yuu being eaten was close to zero, but he wouldn't put it
past some of those vampires here to try to approach the boy and Yuu wouldn't
like that.
He wrapped an arm around the child and pulled him close, looking up with an
annoyed air as someone stopped in front of them. "How much for him?"
For a moment, Mika was so stunned he didn't reply. He blinked his blue eyes
slowly. "Excuse me?"
The vampire rolled his eyes. "For the kid. How much do you want for him?" Mika
narrowed his eyes. "He's not for sale."
Yuu's mouth fell open, shocked for moment at how brazen the other vampire was.
He had a hint of fear run through him, having effectively been "sold" twice in
the past few weeks, and his head snapped to Mika. He stared up at the other,
who was focused on the vampire, wide eyed and concerned. Mika wouldn't even
consider it, would he?
The boy's stomach rolled with worry and tears stung the corners of his eyes.
He'd finally ended up someplace nice, with someone that didn't act like they
hated him; and now he could lose it all. He shook his head, wrapping his arms
around Mika's and pressing his cheek against his arm. Little fingers dug into
the vampire's shirt and Yuu glared up at the stranger, dark eyebrows pressed
together in his most ineffectively menacing way. He wanted to look like as much
trouble as he was, as horrible and terrible and worthless as everyone said he
was. Then the other vampire wouldn't have any interest in him.
"You don't want me, I'm bad!" Yuu spoke up, voice cracking with nerves as the
words burst from him quickly. "I'm no good, everyone says so, so just go away!"
Instead, the strange vampire's eyes lit with interest at the feisty little
thing, much like that man Ferid had looked at him when he had spoken up. By
now, Mika was glaring.
"You heard him," he told the other coldly. "Leave us alone. The boy is not for
sale."
"It's a matter of price," the vampire insisted. "A beauty like this...you could
be a rich man very quickly."
Mika's eyes flicked to Yuu pressed against his arm and clinging. The other was
right; washed and in new clothes and with soft, shiny hair, Yuu was
devastatingly beautiful and would only grow more so in the coming years. He
shook his head. "No, I'm not giving him away. Not now, not ever." He returned
his attention to the form he was filling, ignoring the other vampire until he
huffed and turned away...very aware that Yuu was still glaring like a riled up
kitten, Mika's arm and Cinnamon clutched tightly in his little hands.
Not ever. The words echoed in the boy's mind, bouncing around while he tried to
process them. Was it really true? Did Mika actually intend to keep him forever?
It seemed impossible to believe, but yet, Mika had passed up an opportunity to
be rid of him - and for a significant amount of money, too. The other vampire
had basically told him he could name his price and he has chosen Yuu.
Yuu slid beneath Mika's arm so it would drape over his small body and wrapped
his arms around the vampire's waist. He wasn't sure what to say, how to thank
Mika for keeping him when no one else had ever wanted to. That Mika had held
onto him before, it was different. He hadn't had an opportunity to easily sell
him. He hadn't had the temptation of money, either.
Now Yuu could see that Mika wanted to keep him. Even though Yuu couldn't
understand why he would, why anyone would, he did.
He nuzzled his against the vampire's stomach, curling close to his body and
shutting his eyes. He didn't want to look at the other vampires anymore. All he
cared to do was enjoy the feeling of being wanted. Mika found himself smiling
faintly as Yuu snuggled into him. He easily accomondated the small body against
his and into hthe bend of his arm, thumb idly rubbing the bend of his ribs
where his hand rested. He found it odd how easily he smiled nowadays; he
expected his cheeks to start hurting any day now since they hadn't had as much
workout in years.
Yuu was a little marvel, really. He was warm and snuggly and such an adorable
little thing. He liked caring for him very much.
When he was done with the form, he lifted Yuu into his arms and kept him and
Cinnamon close against himself; no, he wouldn't leave him sitting there. The
lady behind the counter smiled at them without greed in her eyes, asking nicely
if she could pet Yuu's bunny and tenderly stroking Cinnamon's head when he gave
his okay. So Mika wasn't an exception to being nice. "You can go back," she
told Mika and he nodded, carrying Yuu behind the counter and through a door,
along a hallway. "The doctor is going to take a look at you," he told him
quietly. "Just to make sure you're alright."
Yuu frowned at that, narrowing his eyes. He wasn't sick, he felt perfectly fine
physically. He'd never much liked going to doctors, it generally ended in him
getting stuck with a needle or some foul tasting medicine.
"I don't want any shots," the boy mumbled quietly, glowering at the nurses that
went past them as they walked down the hall. He had more than enough of them
before he was allowed to be around the other children in the orphanage. "I've
already had lots of them."
A doctor followed them nearly the moment they stepped into the exam room and
Yuu curled closer to Mika, gripping his shirt tightly. The doctor was a
commanding presence, tall with dark red eyes that focused on Yuu and didn't
glance away. The boy shrunk under his stare, slumping down so that his head
rested on Mika's shoulder with his forehead pressing into his neck. He didn't
like this place at all. The doctor waasn't exceptionally kind but he didn't
treat him unnecessarily cruel either; Yuu was allowed to stay in Mika's arms as
the tall male prodded and poked at him, looked into his ears and mouth and
finally nodded gruffly. "I suppose he doesn't want a blood sucker," he sighed,
apparently weary about checking over a human child, with a glance at the bright
red lollipops in a jar on his desk.
Mika smiled faintly when Yuu cuddled back into him and accepted a baggie of
vitamins the doctor handed him for Yuu to take so his bones would strengthen a
bit more and he wouldn't suffer from poor growth considering the shortage of
healthy food he had gone through for most of his life. The blond thanked the
doctor and they left, Yuu still in Mika's arms, leaving through the front foyer
quickly so Yuu wouldn't have to suffer any more indecent stares. "That wasn't
so bad, right?"
Yuu shrugged slightly, curling close to Mika so he could disappear against him.
He pulled his hood over his head and rested his forehead against the vampire's
neck, avoiding the stares of the others that they walked past. Blood banks or
not, the way he was looked at down here made him very uncomfortable and the
other vampire offering to buy him from Mika only made him less trusting, though
he knew from experience humans were no better.
"It wasn't so great, either," Yuu said quietly, fingers tracing over the
button's on Mika's shirt. "That jerk that came up to us really pissed me off,"
he mumbled, eyes downcast. "Who does that? It's so rude. Obviously I was there
with you..." He trailed off, then lifted his head to look at Mika. "Didn't you
say something about a collar? If I wore one, would people like that guy leave
us alone? I want everyone to know..."
Yuu went silent, his cheeks turning pink as Mika carried him through the busy
streets. He couldn't bring himself to finish his sentence, to tell Mika he
wanted to other vampires to know he belonged to him. It sounded ridiculous,
even in his own head.
"We can get you one if you want one," he murmured, idly rubbing his small back
over his hoodie. "It wasn't really polite, no, but it was to be expected...I'm
sorry, I probably should have warned you that this could happen."
Mika pondered, quiet for a while. "Yes, a collar would show very definitely
you're taken and off limits. The pendant will hold a drop of my blood so
everyone knows...." who you belong to was what he wanted to add, but he was
sure it would make Yuu uncomfortable to be owned. "So everyone knows you're
with me."
"Oh," Yuu said softly, slumping back against Mika's neck. It sounded like
somewhat of a solution to whatever had just occurred with the other vampire,
but now that Yuu had reminded Mika of it, he didn't want to press. If the
vampire really wanted to put a collar on him and make such an announcement to
all the others, he would.
Yuu was surprised at just how badly he wanted one - and not just to fend off
other vampires that meant to bother him. He wanted Mika to want everyone to
know he was keeping him. He didn't want to get thrown away again, he wanted so
terribly for this to last.
"So if I don't wear a collar, other vampires will offer you money for me?
That's to be expected?" Yuu asked, eyebrows pushing together in confusion.
"Can't they just go to the surface and find a human if they want one? Why
bother with me?"
"It can basically still happen if one is exceptionally rude, but generally, no,
no one will approach you if you wear one." The blond glanced at him with a
light smile. "You know, maybe we should get you one. You don't have to wear it
at home, of course; only when we go out. Is that alright?"
He chuckled softly, kissing the boy's forehead; affection in public now, Yuu
really brought out new sides to him. "They could. But they probably think
you're trained already, not to mention not all humans are as pretty as you
are...not many at all, in my opinion."
Yuu blinked rapidly, the kiss to his forehead making his stomach feel strange
and his cheeks burn. Mika was so much nicer to him than anyone else ever had
been, he wasn't used to the affection at all. That they were around other
people made it all the more strange for him. His parents and Guren had been
ashamed of him.
"I'm okay with it... with the collar," the boy said sheepishly, eyes darting
all around and away from Mika's gaze. "It doesn't sound like a bad idea..."
Yuu wasn't quite ready to admit that he wanted it, not even to himself.
"Trained for what?" the boy asked, cocking his head. "I thought vampires just
kept humans around like... to hang out with."
"Oh, there's...uh, there's more things pets are...ah, Yuu, this is not really a
good topic. We'll talk about it when you're older, okay?"
Mika really didn't want to tell Yuu that some humans were used for sex...or
worse. He knew of nobles that bought human slaves with a laissez-faire that
bordered on frivolous only to torture them to death; the young boy didn't need
to know that. Yuu had seen enough pain and misery, he didn't need that too.
The blond vampire shook his head to clear those dark thoughts. "Let's go pick
one out then, huh? There's a store right down the street."
"Okay," Yuu said, wrapping his arms a little more tightly around Mika's neck.
It was obvious to him now that there were a lot of similarities between humans
and vampires, probably more than either side wanted to admit - both thinking
they were superior to the other. It seemed their was something in both of their
nature that made them want to hurt those that were smaller than them, unable to
fight back or defend themselves.
Yuu lifted his head when Mika carried him into a small shop tucked away between
two larger ones. His hood fell down and he gave his head a slight shake to fix
his hair, emerald eyes scanning the place and taking in all that it had to
offer. It was quieter than the busy street outside, easing the boy's anxiety
some.
There were more than just collars on display. There were a lot of other items
that Yuu could only assume were for human pets, as quite a few were food
related, but many he couldn't identify as well. There was a wall with various
leather pieces, some things Yuu recognized as whips and riding crops, pieces of
leather attached to balls, leashes and chains.
He tensed in Mika's arms, heart racing at the thought of any of those items
being used on him. The vampires might call humans pets, but he was still very
much a person. He didn't want to be cuffed, whipped or kept on a leash.
Mika bypassed them all, carrying him to another section that was decorated
brighter, with child-themed things, obviously for younger pets. He cuddled Yuu
against himself; he didn't know what had happened to Yuu with his previous
owners, really, but the darkhaired man he had taken him from hadn't left a good
impression with him.
"Look," he told him gently, shifting the boy a little in his arms. Before them
was an assortment of collars in all kinds of materials, decorations, fabrics,
anything he could think of. "Pick one."
Yuu looked at the selection of collars, torn up about what to do. A part of him
wanted to tell Mika that he wasn't an animal, that putting a collar on him was
degrading and offensive. But, as he stared in silence at all of them on
display, he wanted one badly and he could barely understand the strength of his
desire to have something around his neck that said he belonged to Mika. Maybe
it was because it seemed more permanent than anything he'd ever had, it was
possible he was settling for something far beneath what he should, but Mika was
nicer to him than anyone else ever had been. If a collar meant that Mika
intended to keep him, he wanted one.
"I like that one," Yuu said, pointing to one made of a very soft looking grey
suede with a metal charm dangling in the front which was, the boy assumed, what
would hold Mika's blood. It was simple but looked official and appealed to
Yuu's desire for this all to be very real.
"That looks good," Mika agreed. The soft fabric would feel good against Yuu's
skin, not chafing or too tight around his tender neck. He reached out and took
it from the shelf, feeling it. "A good choice. Wanna try it on?"
He smiled lightly at the want in Yuu's eyes when he looked at the collar draped
over Mika's palm. The boy needed stability, he understood that. Mika set him
down on his feet and sank to one knee in front of him, gently fastening the
collar around his neck. It fit perfectly. Mika rubbed his thumb over the side
where it rested over Yuu's pulse point. "Look, there's a mirror over there."
Yuu turned to the mirror and walked over to it, looking at his reflection for
the first time since he'd dressed in the new clothes Mika had bought for him.
He looked really good, like he had someone that cared for him and gave him nice
clothes. He didn't look like an orphan, he looked like he mattered to someone.
The collar was comfortable and it fit him well, looking more like a cool
necklace that what Yuu pictured when he thought of such things as worn by dogs.
He rather liked how it looked on him, he didn't feel embarrassed at all - even
though he thought he probably should.
"I like it," Yuu admitted, turning back around to face the vampire standing
behind him. "Do... do you like it? Do you think it's a good one?"
Mika smiled down at him, impossibly tall from this angle and actually very
pretty with the light behind him. He nodded and brushed a hand through Yuu's
wild, soft hair. "I think it's perfect for you. Do you want it?" He glanced
around. "Do you want anything else?" Since blood was free nourishment, Mika had
quite a few of his wages saved up; buying Yuu pretty things, keeping him
clothed and fed barely made a dent. He could afford to spoil the child and he
really, really wanted to do that, too. There were toys here too, soft blankets,
pillows, plushies. Yuu was still clutching Cinnamon, which seemed to be his
favorite, but maybe he would like more; if Yuu wanted them, Mika would litter
his house with toys and soft things until he wouldn't be able to walk without
stumbling over something.
He wondered where this affection came from.
Yuu shifted uncomfortably on his feet. As he scanned the room he saw quite a
few things that were appealing, but he didn't want to push his luck with Mika.
The last thing he wanted was for the vampire to think he was demanding or
spoiled. After all, Mika had brought home so many toys and things for him
already, how could he possibly ask him for more?
Still, the vampire had asked, and as much as Yuu tried he couldn't peel his
eyes off of a set of blocks that would connect with the ones he had at home.
These were castle themed and came with soldiers and horses as well a book of
themed stories.
The boy bit into his lip and stepped forward, timidly taking Mika's hand and
pulling him over to where the set was displayed on a table.
"It's got a catapult that really works," he said quietly. "And you can make a
drawbridge and there's even a dragon!"
He looked up at Mika, his eyes wide with want.
"And it's got a book, too."
Mika lifted his brows as he was pulled over to the set. "That is really cool,"
he agreed. Well, of course he'd initially brought the wrong set - but he
figured with a basic set of blocks, he couldn't really go wrong. He was glad
Yuu was speaking up about what else he wanted, really, so he nodded. "We should
totally get that."
He picked up one of the sets stacked against the wall and showed it to Yuu; the
dragon on this one was black and green. "This one? Look, there's a princess,
too."
Yuu nodded sharply, looking up at Mika with bright eyes and a wide smile. He'd
always wanted toys like these and no one else had ever been willing or
interested in getting them for him.
"It's awesome! I can build a lair for the dragon with my other blocks and then
he can steal all the stuff from the castle and then they'll have to fight him!"
Very suddenly, Yuu wrapped his arms around Mika's waist and hugged him tightly.
He was so excited, so happy to have someone in his life that wanted to get him
such cool things, it made him feel more special than he could remember ever
feeling before.
"Thank you for this, for being so nice to me," he murmured, rubbing his cheek
against the vampire's shirt. "No one's ever cared if I was happy before."
The happy expression took Mika's breath right out of his chest. He picked Yuu
up, curling the small, warm body against himself and held him close. "I care if
you're happy," he murmured into the soft, fragrant hair, kissing the side of
the boy's head. "And you were so good at the doctor; you deserve a reward."
He tucked the boxed set of blocks under his arm and looked over the wall of
blocks again. "We're going to need a bigger house," he murmured, looking at all
the things Yuu could use to build a full country with; he should really have a
full room dedicated to Yuu's toys only where they could be build undisturbed.
It was the first time in Yuu's life he'd been brought to a toy store and
allowed to pick out something he wanted. It was a wonderful feeling, like he
was treasured by someone. He wrapped his arms around Mika's neck, lifting
himself slightly in the older male's arms so he could place one soft kiss on
his cheek, the boy's nose cool against the vampire's skin.
This was what he'd hoped for when he'd been introduced to Guren, that he would
feel wanted and liked. He'd felt so foolish for having any hope when he'd seen
him, being so jaded from his experience with his parents. He'd had no hope left
when Mika had picked him up from that box and upon finding out he was in the
arms of a vampire, he'd thought his life was over for good.
But, Mika was making him feel like maybe it wasn't all so hopeless after all.
Maybe someone really could want him around and like making him smile.
"I care if you're happy, too," Yuu said sincerely, nuzzling his forehead
against Mika's neck and resting his head on his shoulder. "I always want to be
good for you."
Mika blinked at the kiss; he could feel his cheeks warming. Yuu was just too
adorable. He couldn't even remember the last time he actually blushed.
The blond smiled and cuddled his lovely little pet close to himself, nabbing
something else from the shelf while Yuu wasn't looking. He planned to surprise
him with that.
Mika carried the boy over to the shelves filled with soft blankets and started
feeling them; quite suddenly, he had decided what he had of cushions and
blankets were neither warm enough nor soft enough for Yuu to be curled up in.
He found a blanket that was light green with dark green kitty paw prints on it,
soft as bunny down. "This, too," he decided and picked it up.
Yuu reached for the blanket and pulled it close to his chest over his bunny,
brushing his face against it and shutting his eyes. It was so much softer than
anything he'd ever had before. It felt like he was touching a cloud and it
delighted his senses to feel something so luxurious against his skin. He smiled
to himself, small body heaving out a pleased sigh against the vampire, relaxing
in Mika's hold.
"I love this," he murmured, his breath warm against the vampire's neck. "Do you
think it's big enough for both of us?"
Mika shrugged lightly as not so disturb his momentary rest. "We'll just have to
cuddle up real tight."
The thought delighted him, in fact; curling up with Yuu in a soft blanket
sounded a lot like heaven. He carried the boy and their shopping to the
register and smiled at the way the boy watched the blanket and his box set like
a hawk when he set it down for the young vampire male behind the counter to
ring it up. The moment Mika had paid, they were both back in Yuu's arms;
carrying all that was too much for Yuu to carry so Mika ended up having to
carry all of it: the shopping and Yuu.
He didn't mind, of course; the slight weight was no trouble at all for him.
Mika set the boy down the moment they were back home, but held on to the
shopping for a moment. "Before you go play, we need to set up that collar."
Yuu stood still, looking up at the vampire and tracing his fingers over the
charm that dangled from the grey suede collar that remained on his neck. It was
a peculiar thing, to set up a collar with blood instead of engraving it like
humans did, but Yuu supposed that they both served the same purpose - they told
others who the one wearing the collar belonged to.
Of course, that hadn't been what Mika had said and Yuu was very aware of that
fact. He'd said that the collar meant Yuu was with him; and whatever that meant
to Mika, Yuu couldn't be sure.
"You don't need any of my blood, do you?" Yuu asked cautiously, eyes wide and
curious on Mika's. He wasn't too keen on doing anything that would hurt, even
though he had wanted the collar.
"I just need a tiny drop," Mika said, sinking to one knee in front of the boy
and gently unclasping the collar from around his neck. "It won't hurt; we'll
prick your finger with my teeth, you'll barely feel it. I promise."
Quick, pale fingers undid a hidden clasp and the pendant came open with a soft
click, jutting outwards with a mouth much like a vial at the top, ready for
filling. "Look, like this." He lifted one of his own hands to his mouth and
parted his lips to expose one fang, pressing his fingertip against the
needlesharp point; a droplet of blood welled up immediately and was dropped
into the pendant. Mika licked his finger and the wound closed right up. "See?
Good as new."
Yuu watched with rapt fascination and slight worry as the wound on Mika's hand
healed right before his eyes. It was incredible, really, the way the opening
closed almost instantly - Yuu had never seen anything like it.
Still, he was hesitant, little hands drawn up in front of his chest
protectively as he gave Mika a wary stare.
"But, if you bite me with your fangs, won't I turn into a vampire?" He asked
cautiously, shoulders hunching up and making him appear even smaller in front
of the imposing vampire. He wanted the collar terribly, but not at the cost of
giving up being human.
"Is that the kind of horror stories people have told you?", Mika asked
amusedly, then shook his head. "No, little one, you won't turn into a vampire
from a prick to the finger. There are ways to turn humans, but they all require
a lot more time and effort than just a small bite."
One day, maybe he would tell the boy just what was needed to turn him...that
thought was actually pretty appealing, turning Yuu to stay with him forever. He
couldn't bear the thought of the boy leaving him, be it forcible or natural
ways.
He didn't want Yuu to die.
But that had time still...time for Yuu's mind and body to grow into their full
potential, he probably wouldn't appreciate being a child forever. Mika gave Yuu
a soft smile to reassure him.
Yuu worried his lip between his teeth. It all came down to whether he trusted
Mika or not. Yuu had never much trusted anyone, having learned from a very
young age that he couldn't depend on others and his feelings were of little
value to anyone. He'd been trampled on enough to know that people, and
presumably vampires as well, could be heartless and cruel. It would hurt him
terribly if Mika lied to him, but as he stood quietly and thought it over, he
realized he'd rather be lied to and turned into a vampire by Mika's nip at his
finger than be dumped away and onto someone else that didn't want him. Mika was
still the kindest by far of anyone he'd ever known and Yuu was willing to take
the chance that he was telling the truth, he didn't want to lose this. It was
already more than he'd ever had and likely more than he ever would elsewhere.
Mika seemed genuine, he seemed to want Yuu to be comfortable and happy. And the
more Yuu considered it, it made no logical sense for Mika to go through the
pretense of a collar with both of their blood if his intent was to turn him.
"Okay," Yuu said softly, very slowly, extending his arm and offering a shaking
index finger to the other. "Please don't let it hurt too bad."
The blond vampire gave him a smile that didn't expose his fangs and pulled him
into his arms to lean against him, cupping the tiny hand in his palm very
gently and brought it up to kiss the offered finger first. "I promise it won't
hurt."
He parted his lips and held the delicate little digit, allowing it to graze
against his fang. The prick was quick and almost painless due to how sharp
Mika's fang was, a tiny jolt of sensation that could have been from touching
the edge of one of his building blocks too. Blood welled and before he could
accidentally taste it Mika led Yuu's hand away and let the drop fall into the
pendant, quickly snapping it shut as their blood mingled inside. Mika braced
himself and quickly lapped over the pricked finger, trying not to taste too
much as he sealed the small wound; he didn't want to lose control, because Yuu
tasted as delicious as he smelled.
"There," he said, voice a little rougher than he was used to, fighting the
thrill of desire running through him; part of him wanted to tip Yuu's head
aside and tear into his tender neck. All he did, though, was clasp the collar
around his neck again gently. "There we go. Are you okay? That wasn't so bad,
right?"
Yuu shook his head slowly, small body feeling heavy in the vampire's arms that
he rested his slight weight against.
It hadn't hurt the boy; he'd felt a sensation, a prick, but it wasn't painful.
A flash of ice so cold it was hot had run through his body, from the tip of his
finger down to his toes. It was heavenly, making him warm up and relax; his
mind humming with pleasure and a desire, no - a need to be closer to the
vampire.
"Mika," he murmured, attempting to take a shaky step toward the others chest
but falling against it. It didn't matter much to Yuu, he'd wound up where he
wanted to be, even deeper in the vampire's embrace. He wrapped his arm around
Mika's body and gripped at the front of his shirt, twisting his fist into the
fabric to hold to him tightly as he pressed his face into his neck.
Yuu adored being close to him; strong, gentle arms enveloping his body in
protective warmth and the vampire's unique saccharine scent that was so
different from the musk of human men. He wanted to be held, to curl up and be
cradled against Mika.
"I don't want to play," he said quietly, nose and lips brushing the vampire's
sensitive skin as Yuu buried his face further into the others neck. He couldn't
explain the urge he had to be near the vampire, but his body felt like it had
turned to liquid in Mika's hands.
First, Mika thought the boy needed cuddles because the adrenaline that came
with the prospect of being bitten and pricked, so shortly after having been to
the doctor. He held him close and rubbed his back gently, feeling the little
body heat against his.
Then, it did hit him...the venom in his fangs, meant to make prey pliant and
willing, had entered Yuu's bloodstream even with that little, brief contact. As
tiny as Yuu was, it would be enough to make him clingy. Mika chuckled softly;
the kid would have a bit of a hangover once that episode was over.
The blond lifted his cuddly little pet into his arms and carried him over to
the armchair to snuggle them both into it, wrapping them up in the new soft
blanket. Yuu's nuzzling at his neck distracted him a few times, making his
hands falter before they tucked the blanket around them with renewed purpose.
His neck was his weak spot. Thank goodness almost no one knew.
He nestled Yuu up against him and nuzzled his hair gently; if the kid wanted
cuddles, he was all too happy to give them to him.
Yuu murmured the others name repeatedly, relishing in the hum of it on his
lips. It was so warm and cozy in the vampire's lap, with his new blanket
wrapped around both of their bodies, but for as comfortable as he was, he
couldn't sit still. If he could crawl closer still to Mika he would - and he
continued to try to do so.
"I like this," Yuu whispered, slick lips sliding over the skin of the others
neck. It was as though he was dreaming while awake, everything feeling so good
but yet not enough all at the same time. He couldn't explain it, why he wanted
Mika to hold him quite so terribly, but he didn't care about the reasons in
that moment. All that mattered was being held close and tight by the vampire
felt better than anything and Mika was indulging him.
"Please don't let go," the boy said so quietly that an ordinary human's ears
likely wouldn't be able to make out his plea. He couldn't possibly press
himself any more firmly against the vampire, but he tried, tiny body twisting
and squirming as he tried to inch his way closer.
It was incredibly endearing...Mika enjoyed this quite a lot. His hands found
warm skin under Yuu's clothes as he held him, stroking the tender expanse, warm
and silky and the boy made the sweetest sounds when he did this.
Mika smiled a little. "I'm not letting go, don't worry," he murmured into the
boy's ear as he dipped his head, warm, dry lips brushing over the delicate
whorls and curves. His palm smoothed up and down Yuu's flank, his hoodie
resting at his wrist but curled up like this, Yuu wouldn't be cold with a bit
of exposed skin.
He hadn't realized how much he had missed holding someone close against
himself, even if just for cuddling. His last lover had been a while ago and
even that hadn't been as pleasant, the embraces and kisses always a bit
awkward, a bit forced. This felt perfectly natural. "You're so adorable."
Yuu's face flushed at the compliment, never really have been told he was
adorable before in such a sincere and heartfelt way. That it came from someone
Yuu was rapidly growing attached to, that he respected, made it all the more
flattering. People had said he was beautiful before, but it was in a self
serving way, not an affectionate one.
He mewed at the way the vampire's fingers grazed so lightly and gently over his
sensitive skin, shivering and curling even closer.
"Thank you," the boy said quietly, fingers curling into Mika's long blond hair
to pull his face even closer to his own. "Thank you for not selling me to that
other vampire." He lifted himself in Mika's lap, the length of his body sliding
against the vampire's chest. Yuu kissed his cheek, lips lingering as he
breathed warmly against the other. "I want to stay here with you."
"I'll never sell you, Yuu," the blond promised him quietly; the slide of the
warm body against his stirred him somehow, made him feel more alive than
anything else had in his long life so far. The equally warm breath on his cheek
made him smile.
Mika used a hand to cup the precious little face that nuzzled at his, turning
his own to brush his lips very gently against Yuu's. It felt electric; it felt
very right. The kiss was very light and soft, he didn't want to overwhelm the
boy - even hyped up on his venom it could easily frighten Yuu and he didn't
want that.
"Mika," he whispered, a shiver running down the boy's spine as he threaded his
fingers through the others hair. No one had ever kissed him before and it had
made his stomach fill with butterflies at just how wonderful it felt - he felt
- to have the vampire's lips brush against his own. It was gentle and
affectionate and coupled with validating words and a promise that Yuu could
hold onto, that Mika wouldn't sell him to someone else.
"You said never," Yuu said so very softly, the words making his relaxed body
further melt against Mika's as he realized the weight of them. "You really want
to keep me?"
The boy closed the minimal space between their faces and pressed his own lips
into the vampire's, heavy lids falling shut as their noses brushed together.
"I do," Mika murmured back and found he did - he really, really did.
Arms tightening around the boy's slender body, he smiled lightly into the kiss
Yuu put on him, a little clumsy but so sweet it made his heart clench almost
painfully.
"I'm going to keep you, little one. I promise."
***** Cloves *****
Chapter Notes
     I am so sorry for the delay and I take full responsibility for it. I
     had a very busy time with last minute preparations for con (You can
     see, if you are interested, what shenanigans I have been up to on my
     FB cosplay page :3) and general stress at work, so rping has been
     slow.
     To make up for it, this is an extra long chapter full of angst,
     fluff, AND the first hints of smut! Enjoy! And happy Halloween
     month!!
     -Kitteh
Mika had held Yuu all night, petting him and murmuring to him in his soft,
smooth voice while Yuu had clung to him and squirmed against him, constantly
trying to press himself ever closer to the vampire. When the venom had slowly
started to work its way out of the boy's system, he'd slumped against Mika's
body and buried his face into his chest. The vampire had half expected him to
get up and move away, but he'd stayed in Mika's lap, pulling the blanket over
his shoulder and shutting his eyes. The vampire had watched in quiet wonder as
the tiny human drifted off to sleep in his embrace, right there in his
armchair. Yuu hadn't panicked or tried to run or shy away, just quietly curled
up against him and nuzzled his chest until he'd gone fully limp and nothing but
the sweet little sighs of a sleeping boy escaped his lips.
After that night, the boy appeared much more comfortable around Mika. The
vampire could pick him up and carry him easily, Yuu's body softening like a rag
doll when he lifted him into his arms. He would come to Mika on his own in the
late evening, approaching him in his armchair with a book and hopeful eyes that
the vampire couldn't turn away even if he'd wanted to. He would pull the boy
into his lap and read to him, the blanket tucked around their bodies and
Cinnamon in his pet's arms as he rested his head on his chest and hung on the
vampire's words. Some nights he would fall asleep right there and Mika would
carry him to the plush nest he'd made for them in the loft, propping the boy
close to him so he could smell his hair as he fell asleep himself.
Other times, they would climb up the ladder one after the other and talk in bed
while Mika combed his fingers against Yuu's scalp until the boy's eyes fell
shut and his face relaxed with sleep. It had been three weeks since Mika had
found Yuu at the market and he had fallen asleep in the armchair again. Mika
had sat there long after the boy had dozed off, tracing the tips of his fingers
over his delicate features in the soft light of the fire. When he had finally
carried Yuu to bed, the little human hadn't even stirred, simply hummed in his
sleep and smacked his lips in a truly adorable way before curling close to the
vampire beneath the blankets in their dark, warm little space.
The following morning Yuu had woken before Mika, an unusual event. It gave the
boy the opportunity to look at the other without him knowing, without any
embarrassment. Mika was both handsome and beautiful, with porcelain skin and
striking eyes. He looked quite a bit how Yuu imagined an angel would, minus the
fangs of course. Much like the vampire had the night before, Yuu reached out
cautiously and lightly trailed his fingers over the curves of Mika's face,
touching his lips with the pads of his fingers, the ones that had once touched
his own so tenderly. It had been a moment that had made his heart leap, but it
hadn't been repeated since that night. It was something Yuu found himself
thinking about almost daily; why it had happened and if it ever would again.
Usually, Mika would be awake before Yuu; due both to the fact that he actually
had to get up to go to work and because Yuu enjoyed being in their nest, even
if he couldn't sleep anymore. It was warm and soft and comfortable and it
smelled like them, a scent so comforting by now that Yuu felt sleepy if he just
got a whiff of it, body and mind relaxing.
Mika didn't react to the soft fingertips. His dark lashes fanned over high,
porcelain cheekbones, his ashblonde hair messy against the pillow, his lips
parted the slightest bit. Yuu could even see his fangs glinting behind his lips
if he squinted just right; something that didn't scare him anymore. The vampire
had only used them once on him and that hadn't been so scary, he had slept very
well that night and Mika had cuddled him so very patiently even. The larger,
warm hand rested on Yuu's flank, a reassuring weight against his body; Mika was
always touching him when they were close, always making sure Yuu was
comfortable and happy.
Mika didn't give Yuu any reason to feel scared of him; quite the opposite,
really. Yuu was learning to trust the vampire. Mika had shown him more
stability and care than anyone else ever had, even in the short period of time
that they had been living together. They had fallen into comfortable routines
and for the most part, Yuu's days were predictable. While Mika was at work, he
played quietly by himself and read some of the more simplistic books that the
vampire had acquired for him to keep him entertained. Being a pet, as it turned
out, was better than being a son or an orphan. Well, at least being Mika's pet
was. The vampire touched him often, like a human would a kitten, stroking his
sides, brushing his fingers through his hair, nuzzling against his head. It
felt lovely, to be doted on and touched so gently. Yuu would shiver when the
vampire ran the tips of his fingers up and down the insides of his arms or
would trace lazy circles on his back when they lay together in bed. It was all
so very comforting and made him feel warm all over, to the point that his
cheeks would flush a soft pink at Mika's ministrations.
Yuu watched as the vampire slept, splaying a small hand over the others cheek.
So often when Mika pet him his breath would seize and his chest would tighten
and he would anticipate the vampire kissing him again, but time and time again
it didn't happen and it confused the boy. He couldn't help but wonder if his
own kiss that he'd given Mika in return had somehow been bad or flawed, if
maybe the vampire hadn't liked it. He frowned, tracing the tip of his finger
over the pout of Mika's lower lip. He wondered if maybe he should be happy that
Mika hadn't kissed him again, hadn't pressed for the things Guren had wanted
from him or for what other humans or vampires would have.
Still, Yuu found himself wanting Mika to kiss him, wishing he would and feeling
disappointed when he didn't. When the vampire picked him up or smiled at him,
surprised him with a toy or pulled him into his lap, he felt butterflies in his
stomach and his little heart raced. If he was a bad kisser, practice would
probably help, though Yuu knew he'd never bring the subject up. If Mika didn't
want to kiss him, he didn't want to mention it. However, the vampire was sound
asleep and he would never know if Yuu brushed his lips against the others just
one more time, just to remind himself what it felt like. The boy took in a
shaky breath and leaned forward, pressing warm, wet lips against the others
slightly parted pair.
Mika had never said anything about their kiss; he seemed to have enjoyed it and
he hadn't pushed Yuu away afterwards like Guren had done whenever he had been
displeased with the young boy, rather he had held him all night and every night
since.
The blond vampire seemed very comfortable around him as well and it was
reciprocated. They had fallen into a nice routine; Mika would get up after
kissing Yuu's head, tucking him back in and going to fix Yuu's breakfast before
he'd leave for work, returning after a few hours in time for the next meal.
They played together, Mika read to him and praised his progress with Yuu's own
books. Being a pet was great so far.
Mika hummed softly when warm, soft lips pressed against his and curled his arms
around the boy cuddled up to him. His mind roused from sleep but only barely,
just enough to kiss back in kind, his own mouth idly massaging back against the
curiously questing one. He purred, lashes lifting just lightly to see Yuu's
face very close to his own; it made him smile into the kiss. The blond cupped
the back of Yuu's head and canted it gently before parting the brunet's lips
with his tongue to curl, for the first time, into the sweet, wet cavern of the
human boy's mouth. "Mm."
Yuu gripped onto the front of Mika's shirt, his heart skipping a beat as the
vampire reciprocated his kiss and deepened it so unexpectedly. It was a kiss
like Yuu had seen in movies, the sort two people did when they were desperately
in love, a type of kiss no one had ever given to Yuu. His eyes shut and he
shivered as his tongue brushed curiously against the vampire's. It felt both
lovely and overwhelming, stirring a strange feeling in his belly like his
stomach was doing somersaults.
The boy's nose brushed alongside of the vampire's and he tried to kiss him
back, wet, plush lips bumping clumsily against the others. He sighed then, a
light hum in his throat as he relaxed in Mika's embrace and let go of his
shirt. He drew his hand to the vampire's face, grazing it over his cheek and
threading his fingers into his hair. Mika was really kissing him, a true,
actual kiss, and Yuu's mind whirled with the meaning of it and what the
implications of it were.
Guren had never attempted to kiss him, never shown any interest in it at all.
To Yuu, a kiss like this was something beyond even simple affection and far
separate from the lustful purposes that Guren had brought him home for. But,
even attempting to consider such things was beyond his ability with Mika's
tongue massaging gently against his own.
Mika had him curled so close Yuu had to tip his head back to keep the kiss
going, pressed together chest to feet. The blond vampire hummed softly, teasing
the boy's tongue with gentle little licks and presses and smiled at how eagerly
the little one was trying to play along. He curled one of his hands into the
wild, silky dark hair to keep him right there, but never tugging to hurt. Mika
was well aware that he could snap the mortal child with less effort than it
took him to put on a jacket. He had to be careful with his delicate, fragile,
beautiful little pet, but Yuu seemed to enjoy the tight embrace and deeper
kiss. "Mm morning."
Yuu panted against Mika's lips, catching his breath as the other momentarily
broke their kiss. A chill ran down his spine at that gravelly sound of the
vampire’s voice vibrating against his kiss swollen mouth. He whimpered softly,
frozen in place, too self-conscious to open his eyes.
He wanted to lurch forward and encourage the other to devour him all over
again, but the small erection that had sprung up beneath his pajamas was
embarrassing. The boy rocked his hips back so that the lower half of his body
wouldn't press against Mika's, thoughts and questions racing through his mind
that he didn't have time to think over. "G-good morning," Yuu whispered, breath
hot against Mika's lips that his own brushed against as he spoke.
A loving hand petted his back and Mika smirked - the heat of that body and the
sudden repositioning told him all he needed to know. Willing to keep this
encounter rather vanilla for now, he didn't want to make the boy uncomfortable
after all, he merely nuzzled him gently, lips and noses brushing. "Did you
sleep well, little one?"
"Mmhmm," Yuu murmured, keeping his eyes shut and rubbing the side of his nose
affectionately against Mika's. Being kissed by Mika had made him feel warm all
over, not to mention relieved. He hadn't been sure if the vampire would ever
want to kiss him again, but he'd done it and Yuu had enjoyed it, even if it was
different, new and a little bit confusing. Yuu didn't know if it was a common
thing for vampires to kiss their pets that way, their culture being different
from humans. The boy was no expert, but he assumed it was something humans
didn't do with pets, as Guren hadn't.
"Did you?" Yuu asked shyly, his hand skimming down from Mika's hair to his neck
and then resting on his shoulder.
"I always sleep well when I'm next to you," Mika cooed back at the sweet little
thing, brushing his lips against Yuu's, featherlight with each word. He was
amused by how Yuu tried to squirm as close to him as possible without touching
the lower parts of their bodies; he remedied that by touching the small of his
back and tugging him back in.
Soft, small kisses were put against Yuu's soft, plush lips; oh, Mika enjoyed
that. His little pet was so very sweet, trying to kiss back, but the vampire
had drawn back each time before the boy had the chance to return the kiss.
Their bodies pressed firmly, Mika felt Yuu's small erection very keenly, pushed
up against his stomach.
"Ahh..." Yuu gasped into one of the vampire's kisses, ears turning bright red
as Mika pulled him flush against his body. He squirmed, trying to cant his
lower half away from the vampire but unable to with the way Mika had his arm
wrapped around his waist. The more he wiggled the more his small hardness
brushed and rubbed against Mika's stomach, only making his little problem
worse.
Mika's kisses were gentle and playful, his eager lips distracting Yuu away from
his embarrassment. The boy's hands twisted their way into Mika's hair and he
moaned sweetly, his mouth pliant and receptive to the vampire's. Each time the
others tongue brushed his own his stomach tightened and his toes curled.
He hadn't expected Mika to kiss him in that way, didn't know what it meant or
if it even meant anything at all to him. But, to Yuu, it was a very, very big
deal. He'd rapidly been growing attached to Mika since the vampire had taken
him in and he couldn't help but have hope that the kiss was a sign Mika really
liked him and enjoyed having him around; that his place there with the vampire
would be more permanent than he feared it would be.
The boy was delightful...somewhere in Mika's sleep fogged brain, one part of
himself protested this quite firmly. Yuu was so little still. He was likely to
be scared, uncomfortable or both after this.
Mika couldn't stop. Yuu hung at his lips, clinging to the ride and the blond
was in too deep, too comfortable, to stop now. The little brunet was warm and
soft and made the sweetest sounds; Mika shifted them gently so he could slide
on his thighs between the boy's, slowly but all the way up until it met his
little pet's body, giving him something to grind his tiny hardness against. He
desperately wanted to taste that, make Yuu mewl and squirm and cry out, but
that was surely pushing it.
The hand he had under Yuu's sleep shirt already smoothed up and down his side,
thumb snagging on one nipple.
Yuu squeaked out a tiny cry when Mika's thumb brushed his nipple, the spot more
sensitive to touch than Yuu had ever known before. In spite of his time with
Guren, he hadn't begun exploring his own body yet, learning what felt good. He
was getting quite a lesson at Mika's experienced hands, the way they traced
over his skin making him shiver and whimper into the vampire's delicious and
persistent kisses.
He shifted and his erection rubbed firmly against Mika's thigh, making stars
burst in his eyes and his tiny body shudder. It felt so good he could barely
believe it, even better than when Mika brushed his hair after his baths or
rubbed on his shoulders when they sat in his armchair.
"Mika!" Yuu gasped, little body twisting and only pressing himself harder
against the others. "I'm sorry, I can't make it go away," he mumbled into the
kisses, whimpering again as he ground himself against the vampire's thigh. He
was both embarrassed and desperate for the friction all at once, an awful
dilemma he didn't have the mind to think clearly about.
The vampire chuckled against his soft jawline, unable to help himself. "Don't
worry, sweetheart, I'll help you." God, he was adorable. But it reassured Mika,
as well - it was a sign that Yuu hadn't been abused quite so badly at the hands
of his former handlers. He swiped his thumb back and forth over the hardening
little nipple, massaging the tip with the slightest bit of pressure. "You are
so lovely, Yuu, so beautiful. I love seeing you like this."
His superior vision could make the best of Yuu's looks even in the dim light of
their sleeping area with the blankets mostly drawn over them; how sweetly his
cheeks were flushed, dampness clinging to his dark lashes, how plush his lips
were when there had been a few kisses. He pressed his own against them once
more just because he wanted to, licking the inside of Yuu's upper lip. "Go on,
just roll your hips. You'll be fine."
Yuu had been called beautiful by quite a few, though never in the way that Mika
had murmured it against his lips. There was a sincerity behind it that made his
heart race even faster; there was no one he wanted to think that of him more
than Mika. He wanted Mika to like him in every way possible, to think he was
wonderful and great and someone he wanted to hang onto forever. Each day Yuu
spent with him he adored the vampire more and grew further attached to him,
though it scared him that he was setting himself up to be hurt. It was
impossible for him not to latch onto Mika, to care for him like he never had
for anyone else - no one else had cared about Yuu before, it was only natural
that it was reciprocated by the young human.
He rolled his hips as Mika had suggested and moaned, his hardness rubbing
against the others thigh in a way that felt so amazing he had to bite down on
his lip mid-kiss to stifle a cry. Yuu grasped the front of Mika's shirt and let
out a high pitch whine, grinding against the other again, his small body
shaking with pleasure.
Mika absolutely adored the way the boy was grinding up against him. His hand
rested warmly cupped around his little ribs, thumb staying on one peaked
nipple. His eyes were fixed on Yuu's face as it grimaced and gasped and he bit
his lips around the pleasure that wanted to be voiced so badly.
"You are adorable," he purred, kissing along his jawline to his neck. His own
heart was pounding; caught up in lust, Yuu's delicious scent grew that much
stronger and more appealing even. His fangs throbbed in time with his erection
but he indulged only one of those parts...the one that wouldn't accidentally
suck the boy dry.
The blond vampire rolled his hips back against the dark-haired boy's, groaning
against his soft jaw. "Mmm."
"Oh!" Yuu gasped, his teeth letting go of his lower lip and his eyes flying
open for the first time. Mika was hard, too, rubbing himself against Yuu in the
same way the boy was to the vampire. For a moment, he was scared. The others
ample hardness was a reminder of the way Guren had used him, how demeaning and
awful it had been. He stayed frozen for a few moments before he realized how
very different this was. Yuu was enjoying it, he was hard, too. His body was
waking up and responding to Mika's touches, something that had never happened
in the short time he'd been with Guren. And he shouldn't be embarrassed he was
hard if Mika was, too, should he?
He rubbed himself against the vampire again, eyes falling shut and his breaths
shallow against Mika's mouth. He pawed at the vampire's chest, small squeaks
and whimpers escaping his lips.
Feeling the other rubbing against him, knowing that he might very well want Yuu
as much as he wanted Mika, made his entire body hum with pleasure.
"Is so good," Yuu rambled quietly, tiny body tensing up in the vampire's
embrace. He'd never felt better and he wanted Mika to know, to understand how
grateful he was. He wanted to be so good for Mika.
Mika's heart immediately felt lighter with those words; he had been a tad
worried this would overwhelm Yuu and he would destroy all the progress they had
made, tear apart how familiar they had become and how comfortable. Blissful as
this was, Mika would not endanger the quiet moments when they would curl up in
the armchair together and read a book, or play with Yuu's blocks, or cook a
meal. He wanted those moments more than just Yuu underneath him for a bit.
He kissed the open, mewling mouth again, down Yuu's throat until he could rub
his face against the absolute softness of the boy's skin stretching smooth and
flawless over the thin chest, lips brushing the formerly neglected nipple. His
palm smoothed down Yuu's side again until he could hold his hip and pull him in
tighter until both their needs could rub together through the soft fabric of
their sleep clothes. That he was bent most uncomfortably like this, the vampire
couldn't find himself to care about. Yuu was making the sweetest sounds,
eagerly taking all the blond gave him; that was worth any discomfort. "I'm glad
you like it," he murmured against the pink nub. "I do, too."
Yuu yelped as Mika's hardness slid against his own, nothing but their thin
sleep pants separating them. He could feel the heat from Mika's cock through
the fabric of his pants and he whined and arched his hips to meet the others
delicious rolls. It felt so overwhelmingly good that the boy didn't know if he
should push the other away or yank him even closer to him. His brain was
scrambled with pleasure and his overstimulated body shivered beneath the
vampire's, little hands gripping his shoulders and palms pressing hard into the
hollows of his collarbone.

"Mika, Mika, it's too good, this is..." he trailed off with a high pitched
moan, eyes flying open and his body stiffening and then shuddering in the
vampire's arms as he reached his first climax, though barely able to register
what it was. All he knew was that he felt too good, better than he ever had
before, like he was falling and flying all at once. He mewed, his shoulders
hunching as he pulled Mika down over his body and pressed his face into his
neck, panting warm breaths against the vampire's skin.
For a moment, he was confused at the wetness in his pants, a slight panic
washing over him as he came down from his high. "Oh god," Yuu squeaked,
thinking he'd somehow had an accident when he'd felt like he'd lost control of
his body. It wasn't until he thought of Guren and what he'd had to do for the
other that he realized just what had happened. "Oh god..."
Mika was more than a little confused by how Yuu reacted. He had imagined bliss,
yes, maybe embarrassment over coming so quickly - he hadn't expected the
absolute dread washing over the boy's pretty face. It did well to douse his own
still rampant desire into a small flame that was barely kindled, more worried
for his lovely pet's well-being.
"Is something wrong?" he asked the boy gently, reaching up to touch, then
stroke Yuu's soft cheek. He had been delighted how well Yuu had taken what he
had given him, how receptive he'd been, how warm and pliant. That he had hurt
him now in any way, physically or emotionally, was unbearable to the vampire.
He might as well have poured ice water down his pants. "Sweetheart, are you
alright?"
Yuu shook his head rapidly against Mika's neck, the thought of looking into the
others eyes at that moment absolutely unbearable. What had he just done? "I'm
sorry," the boy mumbled, tiny body curling up around Mika even though he had a
distinct desire to crawl under the blankets and hide that he couldn't bring
himself to follow through with. It was confusing, dirty and probably very
unbecoming of a pet. Yuu wasn't even sure why it had happened, it just did.
"I shouldn't have... I didn't know..." he rambled, wishing he could just
disappear. Even if he wanted to scramble away and be alone, Mika was on top of
him. There was no way he didn't know what Yuu had done. The last thing the boy
had wanted to do was mess anything up between them, he had come to like the
vampire so very much and he didn't want to disgust him or make him upset. Yuu
didn't know why it had happened, didn't know it could from being kissed, hadn't
ever really thought much about it. But, he felt awkward and strange and an
overwhelming sense of shame that he'd done something he shouldn't have.
"Little one," Mika cooed soothingly, shifting to the side and curling Yuu up
against him, kissing the top of his head. The poor little thing probably was
confused. "Don't apologize, sweetheart, it's okay. I'm sorry, too, for letting
it get so far, you're so not ready for this."
He held Yuu firmly against himself, dropping kisses into his hair and rubbing
his back. "I suppose you're too young for this still, I'm sorry. Please don't
be angry with me."
Mika could have smacked himself over the head, honestly. Yuu had had a less
than sheltered, cozy life, he probably had had all kinds of low-lives force
themselves on him...and now Mika was just as bad. "I didn't want to scare you."
"I'm not scared!" Yuu exclaimed with insistence, pulling himself away from
Mika's neck to look into his eyes. As soon as he did, his face turned red all
over again and he diverted his gaze to the vampire's shoulder. "I'm not angry,
it's nothing like that, I just..."
Yuu wished terribly there was a way to hide beneath the blankets while he
spoke. It was all so embarrassing and weird.
"I didn't know that... I mean if I knew that could happen, I would have tried
to stop it, I didn't mean to..." Yuu covered up his face with his hands. He
didn't know what to say, how to explain all of the things running through his
head. "I'd just... I wanted you to kiss me again, but you didn't. So, I..."
Yuu's fingers curled into his messy hair and he tugged on it. Damn it this was
hard. He wasn't even sure he understood why he'd felt so compelled to kiss Mika
to begin with. He had to know the vampire liked having him around, he'd been
spoiling him with toys, food and attention for weeks. "I don't know," he
mumbled, unable to look at the vampire.
"It's perfectly fine; it felt good, didn't it? You don't need to be
embarrassed," Mika murmured into the chocolate hair, rubbing the back of Yuu's
thin neck. "If you didn't like it, we don't have to do it again."
He would keep that promise too, if Yuu told him to, he realized. It made Mika a
little sad for the missed opportunity because his little pet was too enchanting
to keep his fingers from him - but maybe they really needed to wait until Yuu
was a little older. Or at least more trusting of his vampire guardian yet.
The blond smiled. "You wanted a kiss huh? Why didn't you say so?" He curled his
fingers under Yuu's chin and lifted his face. "If you want one, just ask. Or
take one, that's fine too."
Yuu's eyes darted up to Mika's and then away from them several times before he
huffed out a small sigh and shut them. He had so many confusing and conflicting
thoughts running through his head, verbalizing any of them before he was
certain he knew what he wanted to say seemed like a terrible idea, one that
could lead to making Mika angry of even worse, make the vampire want to get rid
of him. It had felt good and he'd enjoyed it, he knew that much. But he had a
nagging feeling of guilt as though he wasn't supposed to have, that he'd done
something bad or wrong.
Mika wasn't Guren, Mika wasn't even a human. Yuu felt so very different toward
him, he'd loved being touched and kissed by the vampire. He'd wanted that
attention, even if he hadn't realized just how much he did. He, naively, hadn't
realized what the kissing and touching would lead to and how his body would
respond - it never had before. It was overwhelming, trying to understand what
it meant and what the implications were, what it said about the attachment he'd
formed to Mika.
"I didn't ask for a kiss because I thought maybe I was bad at it and you didn't
want to kiss me," Yuu mumbled quietly. He was bad at everything, hell, his
existence was being a terrible disappointment, there was no reason to think
he'd be any good at kissing or that he'd be an appealing person to do it with.
"I just really wanted you to kiss me again, like you did that one time. It...
it felt good. I liked it. I liked this, too, I just..." Yuu opened his eyes and
searched Mika's as if the vampire held all the answers to his questions. "I
don't know how to be a good pet. I don't know how I'm supposed to be or feel
about any of this. I'm probably not supposed to want you to kiss me, am I? I
know you're a vampire and not a human, but Guren never kissed me and I never
wanted him to. But, he said I was his pet, too." Yuu shut his eyes again,
fighting the urge to pull away because he knew he'd regret it. "I'm trying to
be good, I really am. I just don't know how and I'm confused."
Mika hummed softly in contemplation to what the boy told him. Yuu was
insightful, more so than Mika had anticipated, even if he didn't have the
vocabulary to speak his feelings plainly. He kissed the boy's warm forehead.
"I never had a pet before," he told him quietly after a moment. "So I honestly
have no idea how you are supposed to feel or act. But I enjoy being around you
just the way you are, so for us, we're doing a good job, right? It doesn't
matter what other people think we should or shouldn't do."
Yuu felt wonderful in his arms, he realized quietly. He was warm and so
alive,Mika wanted to keep it that way at all costs. "And I didn't think you
were a bad kisser, honestly. A little inexperienced, but you know, experience
comes from practicing, not worrying about how to do it right." He curled the
boy closer. "We'll figure it out together."
Thinking about Yuu's past, all the other people that had put their expectations
onto him and discarded him when he had not delivered left a bad taste in his
mouth. Mika replaced it by licking Yuu's cheek, playfully.
"Ew, what are you doing?" Yuu chastised the vampire with a soft laugh, wiping
the side of his face with the back of his hand. "You got your spit on all over
me!" It was such an unexpected thing in what had been such a tense moment, but
Yuu couldn't help but grin devilishly at Mika. The boy lurched forward without
warning and lathed his own tongue across Mika's cheek, pressing it flat on the
vampire's smooth skin and purposely giving it the biggest, wettest lick he
could conjure up.
The boy pulled back with a pleased smile, grabbing onto Mika's wrists to hold
them away from his face - as though Mika couldn't very easily pull them away.
"Now you have to leave it there," Yuu announced with a snort, emerald eyes
sparkling playfully.
"Oh no!" Mika gasped, squirming gently as if trying to free himself while
making faces, but never dislodging Yuu's tiny hands around his
wrists...eventually turning his face into the pillow to wipe it. "Hah!"
He chuckled when Yuu pouted and pulled him in for another soft kiss, right on
the lips but rather chaste. "Little brat," he purred at him affectionately.
"Are you hungry? Do you want breakfast before I have to go?"
"Um," Yuu said with pause, a blush creeping over his cheeks. He thought he
ought to clean himself up and get changed before he ate and after what had
happened, it was something he definitely wanted to do alone. "I think maybe
I'll just eat some fruit later. I'm not really hungry right now..."
While he was much more comfortable alone in the house during the day than he
had been at first, Yuu still didn't like it when Mika left for work. He was
lonely when the vampire wasn't home, even with all of the toys he'd been
spoiling him with. They didn't compare to having Mika's company. Yuu had found
that he truly enjoyed the others presence, how he felt when Mika was there and
giving him his attention. No one had ever given Yuu their attention like Mika
did.
"Sucks you have to work," Yuu mumbled, in spite of his desire for a little
privacy so he didn't further embarrass himself.
Mika snickered. "Interesting choice of words to say to a vampire, Yuu." He
kissed the boy again, gently on the lips, and sat up. "I'll be home in no time,
don't worry. You can maybe build that new house we got the other day?" He
ruffled Yuu's already messy hair and got out of their bed to jump down from the
sleeping floor as he usually did, going about his day of dressing in his
uniform. The long, pure white cloak was clasped last. "Do I get a kiss
goodbye?"
Yuu peered at him from over the side of the loft, surprise showing all over his
face at Mika's question, his lips parted in a small 'o' shape. He liked kissing
Mika and he wanted to kiss him, wanted Mika to want him to kiss him especially,
but he was still bashful about it doing it. Especially without the darkness of
their little nest or the fog of sleep. The boy stayed frozen in place, trying
desperately to understand what his place with Mika really was as being his pet.
Kissing him goodbye, it seemed like something his mother would have done, had
his parents actually been happy.
Then again, it wasn't uncommon for dogs to follow their owners to the door and
greet them there when they came home.
"Yeah," Yuu said quietly, nodding his head and crawling over to the ladder to
climb down. He approached the vampire slowly, the stood in front of him, unsure
of what exactly he was supposed to do. Mika was much taller than him after all.
Yuu held his arms up, as if to ask Mika to pick him up, then lost his nerve and
wrapped his arms around the others waist and hugged him, pressing his face into
his stomach.
The boy's awkwardness was as adorable as it was unsettling...Mika smiled
lightly and leaned down instead of picking him up, kissing the top of his head.
"Have a good day, okay?" He stroked the soft dark hair a few times, then kissed
his cheek next.
He really didn't want to leave Yuu home alone, especially in such turmoil, but
he'd be in trouble if he was late for work again. "I'll be home soon. Do you
want me to come in for lunch?" It was a pain to commute back and forth really,
but he'd do it for the lovely young human.
Yuu nodded, unaware really of the trouble it was for Mika to come home at
lunch, otherwise he'd likely tell him not to. He tried his best not to be a
burden to the vampire, not to be a nuisance or make himself more trouble than
he was worth. Of course had Yuu understood the degree of which Mika went out of
his way to please him, perhaps he wouldn't be quite insecure with his position
in the vampire's life. As it was, Yuu assumed it was something Mika did
frequently anyway, though he hadn't put any thought into it or why the other
would come back for lunch when there was nothing in the house for him to eat -
besides little Yuu, of course.
The boy shifted his weight back and forth on his feet, then sucked in a sharp
breath and leaned forward, placing a quick peck on Mika's lips. "Um, I'll see
you later," Yuu said quickly, scratching at the back of his head as he diverted
his eyes from Mika's.
The beaming smile that spread over Mika's face was unlike the vampire himself
had experienced in the last few years when Yuu kissed him. "Yes, a few hours."
It was rough pulling himself away from the adorable little thing but now he
really had to hurry.
Yuu waved slightly to Mika and stood quietly near the door, watching him leave.
When the door shut, he considered it was probably very much like a pet to see
him off that way, to say goodbye at the door as he had with a kiss. It seemed
like something a puppy would do, though Yuu had never had the pleasure of
actually having one and knowing for sure.
Guren had never mentioned wanting Yuu to see him off or kiss him goodbye. He
didn't even wake Yuu in the mornings before he left for work. The most simple
explanation Yuu could come up with was that vampires had different expectations
of their pets, though what exactly those were still deeply confused him.
He went to the bathroom and cleaned himself up, deciding against a full bath
since Mika wasn't home. Yuu was perfectly capable of giving himself a bath and
had been doing so for years, but he had come to enjoy that time with Mika, the
way he gently massaged the soap against his scalp, wrapped him up tightly in a
towel, brushed his hair and helped him into warm pajamas. He was afraid if he
did something to disrupt that routine that it would stop, which was something
that made Yuu feel anxious just to think about.
It was embarrassing to clean up the mess he'd made in his sleep pants and he
was ashamed with himself that it had happened. No matter what Mika said, how
he'd tried to make him feel better, it probably wasn't normal for a pet to do
that. If anything, he was likely supposed to be making Mika do that, though the
vampire had turned him down the first night when he'd offered to service him
the way he had Guren and had never brought the subject up again.
The strangest part of it to Yuu was that it had happened at all. He'd never
felt that way before and it hadn't been why he'd kissed Mika, at least he
didn't think it had been. He'd kissed Mika because he'd liked how it made him
felt when Mika had kissed him, but he hadn't had any idea it could even lead to
what had happened.
Yuu changed into jeans and a green hoodie and got himself a bowl of cereal,
taking a seat at the breakfast table, absorbed with his thoughts, particularly
why he'd had such a powerful response to the contact he'd had with Mika.
Mika had not once made the kind of advances on him that Guren had and even the
kissing hadn't happened right away. It was likely Mika didn't even want him in
that way; if that was better or worse than his previous predicament, Yuu didn't
know.
Before it was even close to noon, the front door opened. No knock, no warning,
it just swung open and admitted inside the pale-haired vampire that had come by
before, the one that Mika didn't like. He put his hands on his hips and looked
around, flipping his long hair back. "Looks like a daycare in here, goodness.
How old are you, kid, like seven or something?"
Yuu lifted his head from where he'd been sitting on the floor building a house
with the blocks Mika had gotten him, eyes wide with both anger and fear. He
recognized the vampire immediately, he was hard to forget with his ridiculous
hair and garish clothes.
It made no sense that the vampire would come to eat him when there were other
sources of food, Yuu was confident with that now that he'd been living with
Mika for so long and he hadn't tried to drink his blood. Especially considering
that this guy was a royal, Yuu knew there had to be meals out there tastier
than him that he could easily get his hands on.
Yuu purposely thumbed over his collar to draw attention to it, showing that he
was registered and belonged to Mika by their own vampire rules. If this jerk
tried to take him from here, it would be stealing and he wanted to make sure
the other knew it.

"I'm not a kid and I'm not seven," Yuu snapped, standing up with his arms to
his sides and his hands balled up into little fists. "What are you doing here
anyway, don't you know how to knock?"
"Your master isn't home, I take it," Ferid smiled at the sassy little thing.
"How nicely you decorated the place with your toys. No wonder Mika prefers my
company during the day, you must be dreadfully boring."
The vampire noble paced the room slowly, looking at Yuu's city that took up
almost three fourths of the dining table by now. "Huh. That lacks class."
Yuu grit his teeth, eyes darkening as he glared at the vampire trespassing in
the place he was nearly beginning to think of as his home. He was defensive of
it, of this place where he felt happier and safer than he ever had, more cared
for as well.
"It looks good in here, Mika likes it this way, if he didn't he wouldn't keep
buying me stuff!" Yuu snapped, crossing his arms over his chest and staring
Ferid down.
"And I'm not boring at all!" Yuu was furious at the insult, thinking himself to
be a lot of terrible things, but certainly not boring or dull. "Mika likes me a
lot better than you. He only is around you probably ‘cause he has to be, but he
comes home to me."
"Late, I assume, and only after he's done with me," Ferid shrugged airily.
"Well...I suppose I will have to visit him on the topside. You know, the place
you'll never see again." The vampire wiggled his fingers at the boy in a wave.
"Bye, little angel."
What a sassy little thing. Ferid enjoyed toying with the boy very much, even
though he knew he'd be in trouble with Mika if the kid told on him - perfect.
Yuu's skin flushed rage and he stomped up behind Ferid, staring up at the jerk
that towered over him. He balled up a fist, hauling it back to punch the amused
vampire, only to stop himself at the last moment. If he wanted to make Mika
hate him, hitting a noble would probably do it. It would probably have
consequences for both of them if he followed through with it.
His face fell and his eyes shook, not liking the feeling of being defenseless
to the others insults at all. Every bone in his body wanted to hit the vampire
and hurt him the way his cutting words were wounding him, but he couldn't. Even
if he wouldn't be punished, he wasn't powerful enough to do anything but make
the vampire laugh at him.
"Mika doesn't even like you!" He shouted, voice heavy with emotion. "Go away!"
Tears began to fill Yuu's eyes, threatening to fall down his reddened cheeks.
He didn't like the thought of Mika spending time around this asshole at all and
it felt like he'd been stabbed in the heart when Ferid said that Mika preferred
being with him over Yuu. He knew exactly how Ferid felt about Mika, Mika had
told him that Ferid wanted to have sex with him as Yuu could have suspected by
their previous interaction. Had Mika been lying to Yuu? Was he interested in
doing that with Ferid?
"He doesn't need you cause he has me," Yuu said, though his words came out much
less certain than he'd wanted them to. Yuu knew he wasn't good for much, knew
Mika wasn't really interested in using him the way Guren had. Maybe Mika was
really doing those things with Ferid after all.
Yuu knew if it was true, he should probably be grateful, but instead he felt
angry and hurt.
Mika had been pretty cold towards the other vampire though and didn't seem to
like him at all...and the concept of having sex with someone precisely because
they hated each other went way over Yuu's little head.
Ferid smirked down at him, patting his wild hair. "Naw, never mind, little one.
Maybe he'll like you a bit more when you get older."
When Mika came home during his lunch break, Yuu was glaring at him and he
couldn't for the life of him imagine why. "Hey," he said carefully, approaching
the little one curled up in the armchair they usually read books together in.
"Are you okay?"
Yuu scowled, wrapping his arms tightly around himself and turning his head
away. He'd spent the better part of his morning terribly upset, trying to sort
through so many complicated emotions that he couldn't really understand. In
spite of the fact that he was a pet and it was none of his business what Mika
did, it made him feel furious to think of him spending time at all with Ferid,
let alone in the way that the other vampire had implied. Yuu had offered
himself to Mika the first night he was there and he'd rejected him. This
morning had probably been his chance to prove to Mika that he wouldn't be bad
at whatever it was that Ferid seemed to think he was better suited for and
hadn't gone very well at all.
Why he cared so much, why he wanted Mika to stay away from Ferid and spend his
time with him instead, he didn't really know. He simply wanted Mika all to
himself, in every way possible, he wanted to be needed and irreplaceable.
"Do you really think I'm boring?" Yuu asked, turning to Mika, a wounded look in
his eyes. "Because if you'd just told me, I would have done... well, I don't
know, whatever you wanted me to so I wasn't anymore!"
It all felt terribly unfair to Yuu. He'd been trying his best to be good, but
he didn't know how, and if Mika didn't tell him when he was doing something
wrong he would never get it right. "I'm your pet, doesn't that mean you're
supposed to tell me when I'm messing up? Shouldn't you be training me?" Yuu
grumbled, sinking lower into the chair and looking up at Mika through thick,
dark lashes. As much as he hated thinking of himself like a pet, he'd thought
it would at least mean that he'd be given corrections so he had a chance to do
better.
"Excuse me?" Mika blinked at the boy, putting the bag with the snacks he had
acquired on the market above as a treat for Yuu on the table and came over to
sink to a knee in front of him. "Yuu, why would I find you boring? What's this
about?"
The boy's body language clearly screamed back off, but he couldn't bring
himself to draw away. "Little one, I don't think you're boring. And you're not
messing up. I don't want to make you do things you don't want, though, and I
won't try to control your personality."
Mika was confused, honestly, and it showed on his face. "Please, don't look at
me like that. What happened to make you think I don't want to spend time with
you? I adore you, just the way you are. I wouldn't change any of it."
"But you'd rather be with that stupid noble vampire, wouldn't you? That's what
he said, you know. He said you only come back here when you're done with him
and that you like him more cause I'm boring and a child and I make your house
ugly." Yuu's diatribe lost most of it bite by the end, his voice softening and
exposing just how hurt he was. He loved spending time with Mika and he wanted
Mika to love spending time with him, too. But, no one liked having Yuu around,
it had been proven over and over.
"I never asked you for any of the toys, you can get rid of them if you hate how
they look here, I never had them before... I can live without them, I'm not
trying to ruin everything and make you hate being here," the boy explained,
eyes filling up with tears at even the thought of parting with all of his new
things. As much as he meant what he said, that he'd be willing to give them up
if Mika hated having them in the house, he loved them very much - especially
because they had been gifts from Mika.
"That stupid...." Mika blinked again, then his face darkened. "Ferid was here?"
Oh he would kill that bastard; antagonizing him was fine, he could live with
that, but coming to his house when no one was home to harrass Yuu was
unacceptable. He reached to pull Yuu into his arms, curling him tight against
his chest, his cloak falling around them softly.
"He lied, Yuu," Mika said softly, keeping his voice quiet so Yuu wouldn't hear
the absolute fury making his throat tight. "He lied because he's jealous I
actually enjoy spending time with someone...which is you, by the way, only
you." He stroked the soft dark hair. "I'm not getting rid of either you or your
toys, little one. He's a spiteful old bastard and I will rip his ears off for
making you sad."
Yuu buried his face in the crook of Mika's neck and sniffled against it, crying
softly, quietly. He was relieved that Mika didn't want to get rid of him or his
things, that he liked spending time with him. It had been a confusing day and
Yuu was at his limit emotionally, he simply didn't know how to deal with his
feelings or how to understand what anything meant for him.
"I just don't want you to get rid of me," Yuu admitted quietly, tears dripping
down Mika's neck. "I like being with you, I'm happy here, I don't even care if
I have to be a pet. I don't want you to get mad at me or bored of me, or like
someone better and not want me around anymore cause I'm in the way."
The boy wrapped his arms around Mika's neck, hugging him tightly, as if he was
going to actually let him go.
"Yuu...", Mika murmured, his heart breaking at the boy's tears. He didn't want
Yuu to be sad or insecure about his position here. "This is your home, little
one; I won't abandon you. Ever. I promise."
The vampire held the darkhaired boy close, rubbing his back until he had calmed
down. "Now, please tell me what happened...did you open the door?" Mika was
worried Yuu had forgotten about the rules they had agreed on; not opening the
door when Mika was out was possibly the most important one. Even with the
collar, Yuu wasn't completely safe here.
"I'd never open the door, you told me not to," Yuu sniffled against Mika's
neck, rubbing his face against his skin and taking in his familiar scent as he
began to calm in the vampire's arms. "Besides, I would have been too scared
to," he whispered with shame. As much as Yuu tried to put on a brave face, he
was still very much scared of living below the surface and the potential threat
that being around so many vampires was for him.
"He just burst right into the house and started saying mean things, making fun
of me," Yuu said quietly, clinging tightly to Mika. "Said the house looks like
a daycare and no wonder you like being with him better." He lifted his head,
looking into Mika's eyes with his red rimmed ones. "He said I must be
dreadfully boring and that you only come back here when you're done being with
him cause you have to." Yuu's eyes fell again, the other vampire's words having
cut him deeply, as he was so insecure and uncertain about his place with Mika.
"He said maybe when I grow up, you'll think I'm more interesting," the boy said
softly. "Then he called me a little angel and left, after he rubbed in my face
that he can go to the surface and I can't."
For Yuu's sake, Mika hid the absolute fury brewing in him at those words.
"Little one," the blond cooed, stroking and cuddling him; seeing the boy like
this broke his heart. "I don't like anyone as much as I like you, sweetheart.
He was lying. I don't even see him all that often while I'm working, I make a
point not to. He's unpleasant and I would not prefer him over you." He kissed
Yuu's warm forehead, the soft dark hair brushing his nose and tickling it. "You
don't have to be worried. I happen to think you're very interesting right now,
too, and I like seeing your toys around here; you live here too, after all."
Mika lifted Yuu's chin and gently wiped his tears from his cheeks. "Please
don't cry. I'll go and tell him he was way out of line; if he won't listen,
I'll have to tell the queen." He would like to not have to do that,
really...Krul would tease him mercilessly for getting so worked up over a
human, and Ferid was in line for the throne - far behind some others, truly,
but still royal. He might be overstepping his boundaries.
For Yuu, he would do it without a second thought.
"Why did he say those things?" Yuu asked, lips still turned down into a frown.
It seemed as though Ferid had only come by to mock him and hurt him and it was
a really lousy thing to do. It wasn't as though Yuu was the most secure person
out there or had very high self esteem. And even worse, he'd criticized him for
his youth, something that should have made him not pick on him in the first
place. "He asked me if I was seven. Is it really that bad having me around
because I'm not..."
Yuu looked away from Mika and over his shoulder. He was no longer crying, but
his heart was still heavy with sadness and shame. He knew that his company was
far from enjoyable, he'd been dumped away enough times to know there was
something wrong with him. His age, however, was something he had no control of
or hope of changing without time.
"I hope you don't think that just because I'm younger than you that I can't..."
Yuu's slight shoulders slumped forward. Maybe they all saw him as little, but
his feelings were just as real as anyone else. Whatever it was that he felt for
Mika, the attachment that he had toward him, it wasn't just because of his age
and Yuu was sure of that much. "I'm not a baby."
Mika rested his lips against the apple of Yuu's cheek when the boy turned his
head, closing his eyes to reign in his temper. Ferid had crossed the line and
this time, he wouldn't allow the noble to get away with it.
"It's wonderful having you around," Mika said against the flushed skin. "Even
if you were seven - which I know you're not. You're delightful and I adore you
very much." One of his hands rubbed Yuu's back steadily, slow, soothing
circles, the other arm was wrapped securely around his waist. "I didn' even
realize how lonely I was before you came along. It was dreadful. Now I actually
look forward to coming home." He peppered a few more kissed against Yuu's cheek
and temple. "Please don't cry. He won't bother you again."
He actually had to steel himself, standing in front of Ferid's manor a few
hours later; he had spend his lunch break consoling Yuu back into good spirits,
with treats and a puzzle he had picked up from a neighbor earlier. Now it was
late, he knew Ferid would be home - and he knew this would not go over easily.
Ferid would not simply back off.
Mika didn't bother knocking, just opening the door and going my scent, finding
the noble in one of the studies. "We have to talk."
"Oh, Mika, how nice of you to come by," Ferid gushed in an overly saccharine
tone, getting up from his velvet chaise and striding over to the blond. "Had I
known you were coming, I would have had a few extra treats delivered for you to
indulge in." The vampire grinned and closed the space between himself and Mika,
leaving him very little personal space. "However, I'm not one to be a poor host
and I don't mind sharing my little evening snack with such handsome company."
Ferid kept his eyes locked on Mika's angry ones, snapping his fingers and
beckoning an attractive human boy into the room wearing nothing more than a
purple collar that signified that he was property of the nobles. "His blood is
absolutely divine, one of my favorites."
Ferid patted hi thigh and the boy went to his side immediately, his eyes
downcast and completely silent. "Well then, since you're my guest, it would be
rude for me not to offer him to you first. Go on, have a taste..."
"That's not what I'm here for," Mika grit out, standing his ground as the other
invaded his personal space. The way Ferid spoke alone set his teeth on edge.
"You came to my house today and you chose to not only enter without permission,
but bully Yuu as well. You will not do so again."
He spoke firmly, but he knew that if Ferid chose to deny him that request,
there was literally nothing he could do about it; the noble got away with
feeding from the source, which was a well-known fact, he would get away with
antagonizing Mika's pet.
"If you come near him again-"
"You'll what? Kill me?" Ferid chuckled, putting his hand on the timid boy's
shoulder and shaking him as he laughed. "Oh, I'm sure you didn't come all the
way over here to threaten a noble in his own home! That would be incredibly
stupid."
Ferid suddenly pushed the boy aside, causing him to fall to the ground in a
heap and he stepped even closer to Mika until their chests touched. "And after
I was willing to ignore that you burst into my house uninvited, too. You seem
to have forgotten your manners."
"I was only dropping by to see you, you should be honored I was interested in
your company," Ferid said with a sly grin, brushing his thumb over Mika's chin.
"Haven't you grown bored of the little thing yet? Your house was an
embarrassment. I can't imagine you get much satisfaction from him."
Mika fought hard to stand his ground; he didn't want to be in physical contact
with Ferid in any way, but backing down would relay submission. He couldn't
have that.
"No, I won't kill you," he growled quietly. "But I'll do everything in my power
to make you miserable. You knew perfectly well what my schedules are. " Mika
jerked his chin away. "How I choose to have my house and my company are none of
your business. You came by to harrass the boy out of sheer cruelty, I won't
have you treating him like that."
He brushed the hand lingering near his face aside, blue eyes narrowed; Mika
resented nothing more than the few inches Ferid had on his height right now.
"Tsk, it wasn't cruelty at all," Ferid tossed his hair and frowned
dramatically. "I'm rather offended you think I'd be mean to the snot nosed
little brat for sport when all I was really doing was shedding some light on
the situation for him. You should be thanking me for showing him some
boundaries, my sweet Mika. You mustn't let your pet get confused about their
place."
Ferid brushed a hand into the side of Mika's hair, stroking his fingers along
his scalp as he tilted his head and smiled salaciously. "I know you're still
learning so I gave you a hand. Come to think of it, perhaps you should bring
the boy over here with you. Maybe I could teach you both a few things at the
same time. You'll find him much more satisfying when you bring him home."
Mika saw red that exact moment. He could deal with Ferid's blatant come-ons
against his person, he could ignore the flirting and the little touches even
though he would prefer the noble move on and find another victim honestly.
What he couldn't bear was the mere thought of Ferid laying his hands on Yuu.
He snarled, eyes flashing red and teeth bared, tackling the other vampire to
the ground. "You will nevercome near him again!" he growled down into Ferid's
mildly surprised face, grasping his shoulders and smacking him into the ground
for good measure, pinning the other with his own body.
The boy on the floor scrambled toward the wall, away from the vampires, and
Ferid was quiet for just a moment before his eyes began to twinkle and his
laughter filled the room once more. "My sweet Mika, such anger over a boy!
Don't tell me you've caught feelings for a mortal, that isn't what they're here
for."
Ferid relaxed beneath Mika, showing the slightly smaller vampire that he wasn't
threatened at all by his display of aggression. "He's a pet, a temporary
amusement and companion that you'll eventually tire of and replace with a cuter
new one. If not, then he'll die and you'll get a replacement, either way,
they're just a pet. He's no different than a goldfish," Ferid chuckled. "About
as useful as one with all those toys scattered around as well. Does he even
know how to satisfy you, Mika, because I must say I really don't mind having
you on top of me this way. I think I might enjoy you even more when you're
wound up this way."
"What Yuu and I have is none of your concern," Mika growled. Of course the
noble would talk about mortals like that; Ferid held no regard for anyone that
wouldn't help him along in his pursuit of the throne. Mika dreaded the day this
would actually happen.
"You will stop talking to me like this, as well, it disgusts me," Mika snarled
down, face twisted. He took his hands away and made to get up, only to be
pinned to the ground himself. "Let go of me, Ferid, I'm warning you." He
squirmed beneath the other vampire, pushing against him, though Ferid didn't
budge.
"You're still as beautiful as you were the day I met you, Mika," Ferid said,
his voice dropping low as he hovered effortlessly over the others body, keeping
him in place with ease in spite of how he struggled to get free. "But, a pretty
face is no excuse to speak to me with such blatant disrespect. I don't take
orders from you, Mika. I never will."
Ferid shoved Mika into the ground hard enough to make it hurt to make his point
and then stood, brushing off his fine clothing with the back of his gloved
hand.
"It seems to me that both you and your pet need to learn your place. If you
come by in this manner again, suspect I'll teach it to both of you."
The blond hissed in pain before he could stop himself; he was left to pick
himself up from the ground stiffly, his pride smarting more than his back.
"Find someone else to harrass," he muttered at the elder vampire with a growl,
but nothing more. Mika would have liked to pace his steps, not make it seem
like he was fleeing when he quickly left the manor but he wanted out as soon as
possible. He could feel the other watching him, almost all the way home.
Coming to the manor had been a mistake, he realized. Mika could suffer Ferid's
incessant teasing and flirting, but a malicious Ferid he wouldn't be able to
fend off. His stinging back was testament to that.
Now he could only hope Yuu wouldn't notice anything - he had to act natural.
It was later into the evening than Yuu had ever been alone in Mika's house and
with each passing minute the small human felt more uncomfortable and nervous.
He still didn't like being on his own during the day in the vampire city, but
he was learning that it was much worse at night. It didn't help that Yuu was
worried about Mika, knowing he'd gone off to have a confrontation with a noble.
Ferid was an ass and it seemed like a serious thing for Mika to speak up to
him. As much as Yuu appreciated that Mika did, it concerned him as well.
And as Yuu sat in front of the fire with his green blanket draped over his
head, he realized he was worried about Mika because he genuinely cared what
happened to him - and it was more than just because he was Yuu's caretaker. Yuu
liked Mika, he liked him a lot and thought he was a good man. He wanted him to
be both safe and happy.
Only one of those things was within Yuu's control, something he could try to
give Mika and that he resolved that he would. He'd do his best to make the
vampire happy because he liked him; he would do whatever it took.
Yuu's head snapped around when the door opened, his nerves still rattled from
Ferid's sudden appearance earlier. His eyes softened and he sighed with relief
when he say that Mika had returned. He couldn't remember being more pleased to
see him.
"Hey," the boy said, standing up to greet the other. He stood still for a
moment, dancing back and forth on his feet before rushing over to the vampire
and wrapping his arms around his waist as the blanket fell to his shoulders.
"I'm glad you're back," he murmured into Mika's stomach, pressing his face into
his shirt. Yuu had missed him and not just because he was scared to be alone.
He realized he wanted Mika around in general, he liked being with him.
Mika couldn't help the quiet grunt of pain when Yuu squeezed him so tightly. He
picked the boy up so he could cuddle into his chest instead, closing the door
with one hand, the other holding the boy securely. "Hey, little one. Sorry I'm
late." His blue eyes looked around the room; the fireplace was still going,
that was good, it wouldn't do for Yuu to be cold. There were traces of a snack
on the table next to Yuu's growing city and his soft blanket and Cinnamon in
front of the fire. Mika kissed the side of Yuu's head and carried him over to
their armchair, moving a little stiffly.
"It didn't go as well, but that was expected," he said, deciding to give Yuu a
brief report as he sat down and let the boy cuddle up in his lap. "He wasn't
pleased I told him to leave us alone but I think he got the point."
Yuu straddled Mika in the chair, hooking his arms around his shoulders and
resting his forehead in his neck. He was so happy Mika was back, more than he
thought he could even express. It was dangerous, allowing himself to be so
attached to someone, but it seemed the bond he felt toward the vampire was
becoming progressive stronger as the weeks wore on.
"Thank you for sticking up for me," Yuu said quietly, one hand falling down as
his fingers dragged over the others chest. It was the first time in his life
that anyone else had ever had his back. That Mika was willing to speak up for
him, possibly even to his own detriment, meant the world to Yuu. It made him
feel more special and supported than he ever had.
"Did you get in a fight?" Yuu asked, lifting his head and touching his warm,
sweaty palm to Mika's cheek. "You seem like you're in pain..."
Mika chuckled quietly, with a bitter note. "No, calling that a fight would be
calling Cinnamon a tiger...it wasn't very balanced. But don't worry. I'll stop
by the bank early tomorrow and it'll be fine." He turned his head and kissed
the soft little palm. "It won't hurt for long."
Frankly, his back was killing him. Ferid's smacking him into the stone floor
had shifted something that poked his muscles and lungs and while not fatal by a
long shot, it was intensely uncomfortable. "Did you have a good day
regardless?"
Yuu frowned slightly and shifted a bit in Mika's lap so he put less of his
weight on him, even though he was truly rather light in comparison to what the
vampire could easily handle. The truth was, he hadn't had a good day at all. It
had been wrought with confusion and complicated feelings that he couldn't fully
understand. He could see that Mika was stressed and in pain, and the last thing
he wanted to do was cause the other any additional stress.
It didn't escape Yuu that Mika had been injured because he'd confronted Ferid
for upsetting him. It was because Yuu had been so hurt by it that Mika had gone
off to tell him to stay away in the future. Really, had he been able to handle
his own feelings, been less emotional and angry, Mika wouldn't have gotten
injured.
"I'm sorry you got hurt," Yuu said quietly, brushing a hand into Mika's thick,
blond hair. He sucked his lower lip into his mouth, feeling as much angry at
Ferid for hurting Mika as he did upset with himself for fueling a fire that
wound up with Mika in pain.
"Is there something I can do to help? Get you some medicine or give you a back
rub?" The boy cocked his head, eyebrows knotted with concern. He hated that
Mika was in pain and he wanted to do anything he could to ease it. He felt, in
no small way, that he was responsible for it.
"I just wanna help you feel better, I know you went over there for me..." Yuu
whispered, shoulders slumping. He wished terribly that he hadn't been so quick
to anger, so accusatory of Mika. If only he'd been calm and pragmatic, things
wouldn't be the mess they were.
"Sweet thing," Mika cooed, cupping the lovely face and kissing that pouty mouth
very lightly. "Don't worry about me, I'll get some blood tomorrow and I'll be
fine." He cuddled Yuu close to himself and rubbed his cheek through the soft
dark hair. "It's well worth it if it keeps you safe." Being with Yuu brought
him an inexplicable sense of calm and peace that he didn't get anywhere else -
or with anyone.
Worse than his back though stung his pride. He had felt an honest flash of fear
when Ferid had smacked him into the floor; years of the noble's easy
camaraderie and inappropriate remarks laced with affection for his looks had
worn his guard down. He had forgotten that a progenitor would still be more
powerful than he was, even if he acted like that.
Yuu hadn't felt particularly unsafe when Ferid had shown up. Threatened, yes,
but in a different way than it seemed Mika was thinking. He wasn't sure if he
should have felt worried for his safety, if the other vampire really had
intentions of hurting him, and that confused the boy even more. Ferid had
seemed to regard him as a nuisance and a laughable matter more than anything
else.
He scanned the vampire's face carefully, staying quiet for several minutes
while he considered what he should say.
"You always keep me safe," Yuu said softly, the glow of the fire over his
shoulders making his hair glow and his eyes look an even darker shade of green.
"Since that first day, you've protected me. Even from the other humans."
Mika had done a lot for him, from the very beginning he'd put himself on the
line for Yuu. Sure, the boy hadn't seen it at first, but that was because his
head had been filled with so many terrible things about vampires, stereotypes
that Mika defied and proved were not always true. He'd been everything Yuu had
never had, a protector, a companion... a lover.
The boy blushed at the thought and turned his eyes away, swallowing thickly and
twisting his fists into his shirt. Whatever had happened between them earlier
that morning, to Yuu at the very least, it hadn't been through any sort of
obligation in his role as a pet. He'd wanted to kiss Mika because he'd loved
how it made his heart race and his stomach fill with butterflies. It had made
him feel more alive than anything else ever had. And everything that had come
after the kiss Yuu had initiated in bed, it had made both his body and his
heart feel good when it was happening. It wasn't until he started to wonder
what it all meant that he got confused. When it was happening, there was no
question in his mind that he wanted it, that he loved having Mika kiss him and
climb on top of him, wrap his strong arms around him and press his own need
against him. Yuu had felt so very wanted and like in that moment, he was all
that mattered to Mika, something he loved.
"Mika... I..." Yuu whispered, pausing as he took in a deep breath. He wasn't
sure what to say, how to tell him how he felt without messing things up or
potentially being rejected if the vampire didn't feel the same. No matter what
Yuu felt, he was still Mika's pet.
"I don't like seeing you in pain," the boy finally continued, lifting his eyes
to the vampire's. "If blood is what would help you feel better, you can have
some of mine." Yuu fumbled for Mika's hand and slipped his inside of it, giving
his thumb a squeeze. "I know you wouldn't take too much."
The boy's eyes shook and bit hard into his lip. He cared about Mika, he trusted
him.
He only hoped his offer could convey what he couldn't find the words to
express.
Mika’s head came up with a blink; if he had ever felt more like he had been
slapped with a fish, he couldn’t remember.
***** Ginger *****
Chapter Notes
     This is over 6k of words and it's all smut. And a bit of fluff. But
     mostly smut. I'm not even sorry for the lack of plot ;D
Mika's head came up with a blink; if he'd ever felt more like he had been
slapped with a fish, he couldn't remember.
"Yuu," he said tenderly, raising both hands to cup the precious face; it fit
into his palms perfectly, his fingertips brushing into the soft dark hair. "You
don't have to offer this, little one, although I'm flattered you would. I know
how uncomfortable it makes you." He opted for that word - uncomfortable -
instead of what had happened the last time he had bitten Yuu to put his blood
into the pendant around his neck. The boy had been insensate all night with a
dreadful hangover the next morning; not used to drinking from the source
either, Mika had failed to properly care for the kid. To his credit, he hadn't
known what would happen, really, all he had done was prick Yuu's finger with a
fang.
He kissed the boy's forehead, feeling the frown beneath his lips. Mika almost
smiled; the reaction didn't surprise him, Yuu was very firmly set in his
beliefs. If he thought Mika, the one that had taken him in and spoiled him with
gifts and affection for the last weeks, needed blood he would offer it.
Going to confront Ferid had been necessary, Mika realized. Not because he cared
for how stiff his back was becoming; no. Being reminded that he wasn't quite
indestructible was a sour thing on his pride. But it also reminded him that
Ferid did not want his friendship - he wanted his body, his submission, the
victory of breaking down the young guard enough to get him into bed. Mika had
no doubts that he would have been discarded the moment they were done, if that
were to happen. He would have to be very careful in the next few weeks.
Drawing back, Mika looked at Yuu's bright green eyes, so clear and innocent.
Yes, for Yuu's sake, he would swallow all his pride, pick all the fights. He
would offer up a thousand wounds if it meant the boy was safe.
The implications of that scared him.
Yuu didn't understand why Mika didn't want to drink his blood. If it would help
him feel better, Yuu felt giving it to the vampire only made sense. The other
gave Yuu everything he needed to life a comfortable life, it was only fair that
he should offer to do the same when the opportunity presented itself. Yuu knew
it was unlikely situations where he could be the one helping or caring for Mika
would come up often and he was grateful for everything the vampire did for him.
Reciprocity seemed like the best way to show how genuine his gratitude was.
"I don't care if it hurts, you know," Yuu said quietly, searching the vampire's
eyes. "If I was sick, you'd get me medicine, wouldn't you?" The boy asked,
cocking his head. With the way Mika fussed over making sure he ate well enough,
there wasn't any doubt in Yuu's mind that the vampire would worry over him if
he fell ill. Just the thought of made Yuu feel a little warmer inside. No one
had ever cared for him when he was sick and it had always made him fearful of
being sick because there was nothing worse than feeling ill and being
completely on your own.
"I'm not scared anymore," Yuu said firmly, puffing his chest slightly to prove
he was strong and brave. "If I can't kick his ass for hurting you, if my blood
will make you feel better..."
Crystalline blue looked back into his, Mika cocking his head lightly. Yuu
seemed determined to do this for him - and frankly, the taste of Yuu's blood,
fresh from the source, sounded much better than heading to the bank in the
morning. Especially if it meant he wouldn't have to quietly suffer all night.
"Of course I'd get you medicine," he said quietly, stroking the boy's bangs
back affectionately. "I'd do anything to make you better."
It felt pretty good to know Yuu would do the same for him, really. Like the
boy, Mika was used to relying on himself mostly; he had been made, so many many
years ago, and coveted for a while before his sire grew tired of his company.
Mika had been by himself for so long he had a bit of trouble getting used to
someone caring about him the way he did care about Yuu.
"I would like to drink from you," he admitted hesitantly after a moment. "But I
don't want you to regret that, you know? You're not livestock, Yuu. You
shouldn't have to."
Yuu smiled, a goofy grin full of teeth that made his eyes squint. "I know you
don't think of me likethat," he told the vampire with a slight chuckle. "If you
did, you'd have been taking my blood this whole time instead of going to that
place to get it."
Yuu had never seen the blood bank that Mika told him he went to in order to
eat, but he had quite an interesting idea of what it was like in his mind.
Vampires sitting at fancy tables being delivered blood in milkshake glasses
with twisty straws, or something. Yuu was sure it was probably at least a
little bit funny. While it still seemed to be a somewhat humane concept, it was
also a bizarre one to the boy.
"It's not about that at all," Yuu insisted, putting a small hand on Mika's
shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. "It's that I have something that I can
give you to make you feel better. Besides, you didn't even ask for it," Yuu
pointed out, his eyebrows lifting. "I offered. Because I don't like seeing you
in pain, especially when I know there's a way I can help make it not so bad."
"You'd do it for me," Yuu said quietly, his chin dropping so he looked up at
the vampire through his thick black lashes. Yuu knew that Mika would, he'd
insist. Yuu didn't feel any differently.
"How can I compete with that kind of logic," Mika sighed, though he had to
admit seeing Yuu grin at him like that made him feel all tingly inside. It was
a fierce kind of joy that he was able to make Yuu smile like that. "Fine, then.
I'll try to be careful."
Mika shifted them so Yuu could comfortably rest against his front while still
straddling him and slid his hands up his arms and shoulders so he could take
his collar off. Feeding from Yuu's wrist would probably be a smarter choice,
but he would have to hold the boy at armslength for that and he wanted to hold
him close. Nothing could be worse than Yuu being scared and not able to hold
onto him. The blond cupped the back of Yuu's head and tilted it to the side
gently, exposing the curve of his slender neck. His eyes fixed onto the pulse
beneath that thin skin, feeling his fangs throb in his mouth in sudden thirst.
He had been able to keep it at bay quite well for the longest time; Yuu still
smelled delicious, of course, but he didn't have the urge to pounce him anymore
like he had feared in the beginning.
A soft kiss was brushed against Yuu's cheek, his other arm coming around his
waist to hold him close, then his mouth slid over the soft line of the boy's
jaw onto his neck, the needle tips of his fangs drawn against the skin gently.
Mika waited for the quick intake of breath, then pierced the fluttering pulse
as quick as possible.
His eyes closed with the first spurt of blood on his tongue, a low groan
escaping him. Yuu was as delicious as he smelled - and drinking from the
source, usually forbidden in the city, made the act even more intimate with the
subtle hint of defiance.
It was so easy to forget how wretched he had felt the day after he had first
come into contact with Mika's fangs, the day he had gotten his collar. It was a
lot like being drunk, complete with the hangover the next day when the body
worked to replace the blood taken and dispel the natural drug that Mika
harbored in his fangs.
Mika sighed softly when he felt Yuu go slack; he hated drugging the kid, he
really did, but it was better than the instinctive panic that had come before.
He closed his eyes and concentrated on the slow, smooth pulls, Yuu's blood
filling him sip by sip. He could already feel his vertebrae pop back into their
proper position, the pressure on his lungs lifting. Soon after, his head
stopped aching, too.
It had been ages since Mika had fed from a warm, alive human being instead of a
warmed up plastic pouch; he could see why in older times his kind had done this
all the time, it felt addictive. Yuu was pliant in his arms, leaning against
him heavily with his slight weight and was almost purring in pleasure. When his
beloved pet sagged further with a groan, Mika steeled himself and pulled back;
he needed just enough to heal, after all, he didn't want to drain Yuu. His
tongue lapped over the small holes to seal them and catch any droplets
escaping, head whirring, his tongue smoothing over skin so soft he couldn't
stop. All sensation was amplified for that few, glorious moments; the way Yuu's
heart thudded against his chest, the small fingers idly pawing at his shirt,
the soft sighs of breath gusting against his shoulder.
"Mika," the boy whispered, tracing the tips of his fingers up and down the
others chest. He felt good in so many ways, not just from the effect of the
venom, but because he had done something important for Mika - who meant more to
Yuu than anyone ever had. He was pleased with himself, feeling like he was such
a good boy then, like he was proving himself to Mika and showing how the
vampire should keep him. He didn't ever want to leave the vampires arms, let
alone his life.
Slowly his fingers crept up to the vampire's neck and then into his hair,
tugging and twisting the long blond strands as Mika licked at his sensitive
neck. He couldn't get enough of it, of Mika's fluttering light kisses or his
slick tongue flicking against his skin. He felt sleepy but wound up all at
once, yearning for more of the others kisses and affection, unlikely to even
walk now he felt so heavy with the need to stay exactly where he was.
This had to make him a good pet, he'd done something selfless. Still, it didn't
feel like enough. Yuu didn't know if being the best pet a vampire could have
would make his place in his life permanent, which was what the boy so terribly
needed.
"I like that," Yuu admitted softly, shutting his eyes and allowing himself to
relish in the enjoyment all those soft kisses and licks gave him, the way it
made his stomach leap and shivers run up and down his spine.
Mika purred like a cat, a deep, steady rumbling in his chest as he held his
lovely pet close and kissed and nuzzled his neck. He was in a pleasant warm
haze and having Yuu to cuddle was only making it better still. He pressed soft
little kisses to the curve of Yuu's neck, following the line of his collarbone
out to his shoulder, unhurried, then back in until he nudged up beneath the
boy's chin. The little fingers in his hair made him shiver; Mika nudged at him
affectionately again before straightening so he could kiss the boy.
The hand that didn't still cup the back of Yuu's head, fingers splayed in the
messy, silky hair, brushed up beneath his hoodie to touch the soft, warm skin
underneath, trailing his fingertips up and down the delicate spine. His lips
were soft against the boy's eager mouth, his tongue soon dipping into the sweet
open cavern.
Mika felt blessed in that moment; the rush from feeding was making him feel
lighter than he had in a while, and the sacrifice that Yuu had willingly given
him warmed his heart for the boy. For someone who had been so desperately
scared of vampired in the beginning he had come such a long way; not only
letting Mika touch and bathe and coddle him, but also allowing him to feed, and
standing up for himself even against other vampires. He was proud of the little
one, fiercely so.
He had to smile when his soft, ticklish caresses made Yuu squirm, pressing the
boy's small hardness into his front. "You like that a lot, it seems," he
chuckled softly against Yuu's lower lip.
Yuu nodded enthusiastically, lower lip tucked between his teeth and a small
grin playing across his face. He adjusted himself in Mika's lap, wiggling
around as he straddled the vampire and placing his small, sweaty palms on the
others shoulders. "I feel good," the boy drawled, his head tipping heavily to
the side and exposing the area where the vampire had just fed, no longer
bleeding but still bearing the red marks of his fangs and a light bruise. His
body was tingling, desperate and hungry for contact and to be touched by the
other. He felt no shame at his own arousal as he had earlier that morning, too
comfortable and relaxed to care.
The boy rolled his hips forward, sucking in a breath at the friction the
movement made from the underside of his cock brushing over the stiff fabric of
Mika's clothes. He shivered, his fingers digging into the vampire's shoulders
and his plush, wet lips parting. It was even more wonderful than it had been
earlier, the venom making all of his pleasure sensors fire off and leaving the
boy reeling at just how amazing his body could be made to feel by the blond
sitting beneath him.
"You don't need to go to that place anymore," Yuu rambled, the words spilling
from his mouth as he rolled his hips again. "You can feed from me. I'm not
scared anymore. It feels good. So, so good..."
The boy was lost in his own pleasure, unable to focus anymore on Mika or
anything else. There could be an earthquake and Yuu would continue to squirm in
the vampire's lap with lidded eyes and his little cock rubbing against him.
Mika smiled in lazy amusement. Yuu was too adorable for his own good; when the
boy tipped his head aside, he lifted a hand and stroked the back of his curled
index finger against the sensitive spot he had bitten until Yuu mewled and
shivered. He tipped up his chin with the same finger and bent his head down to
kiss the sweet, parted lips. "My adorable little one," he cooed, pecking the
plush mouth a few times. "I'd drain you within days; we can't do this that
often."
He hummed to the squirming. Not having expected anything different, Mika wasn't
as worried as the first time this had happened - and frankly, he hadn't been
very worried then, either. Yuu had freaked out after but he had been sweet and
receptive while they were playing and the delicious blood he'd had, fresh from
the source with Yuu gasping and shivering under his fangs, was arousing him
more than he thought it would. Mika didn't even feel bad that he was the reason
Yuu was writhing against him so needily. Of course he'd be guilty once the
venom wore off and left the kid grumpy and with a headache; but that was
several hours in the future and he couldn't really be bothered right now.
Mika slipped his free hand beneath Yuu's hoodie and stroked the soft skin of
his side, smiling at how his beloved dark-haired pet immediately leaned into
his touch.
"But I like it," Yuu murmured, looping his arms around the vampire's neck and
lifting his bottom from his lap and brushing his hardness up Mika's stomach. He
rested his chin on his arm, his lips right at the blond's ear, breath hot and
warm as he whispered. "I like feeling like you want me and think I'm good." He
brushed his cheek against the others, humming and squeezing his arms around
Mika's neck a bit more tightly. "Nothing else has ever made me feel like this,
Mika."
The boy's words were sincere, though they held even more meaning to the brunet
than he even understood yet himself. He was desperate for Mika to want him, but
he didn't consciously understand in all the ways he meant it yet, still too
innocent even after his encounter with Guren to understand his own budding
desires and sexuality.
"If you can't all the time, then just when you can," the boy said softly,
pulling away from the vampire's ear and looking at him with hazy eyes. "I want
to give you everything I can, Mika. You make me feel so good and I wanna make
you feel good, too."
He pressed his slick lips against the vampire's, his mouth much more relaxed
and pliant than it had been earlier that morning. The boy was a much better
kisser when he wasn't plagued with insecurity or uncertainty about his
abilities, his little pink tongue slipping past Mika's like silk and whirling
softly into his mouth. Yuu could taste the metallic tang of his blood on the
others tongue and instead of being put off by it, it spurred him on. He twisted
his hands into the vampire's long blond hair and pulled him closer, exploring
his mouth and savoring his own unique flavor.
The little thing felt a surge of lust at that, the evidence that Mika had fed
from him overwhelming his senses and he moaned into his mouth, shifting again
and sitting his bottom on the vampire's arousal. He looked up at the vampire,
his mouth hanging open and lips pouted and kiss swollen, wet and shiny, tiny
shoulders heaving with each breath as his bright green eyes locked onto Mika's.
Mika hugged the boy tighter to himself with the nuzzle, rubbing his cheek back
against the curve of Yuu's face and his soft hair. He allowed himself to close
his eyes for a moment and was met with plush lips pressing against his own,
catching him unaware; the little brat was very skillfully seducing him and Yuu
didn't even notice it.
The thought made the vampire smile. "I didn't mean we wouldn't do it ever
again," he murmured against soft, heated skin, warm lips travelling down over
Yuu's jawline and the bitten side of his neck, teasing the sensitive bite
marks. They would stay for a while; the thought filled Mika with a deep, dark
urge to keep Yuu locked up inside where only he could see him and bite him
again and again until the boy was littered with his marks. He wanted to mark
Yuu as hisvery badly. The soft collar would cover up the marks he had made
today fully...while stroking the smooth suede leather over the little spots all
day.
Mika groaned, his hands grasping Yuu's hips when the boy's squirming became too
enterprising. "I do want you," he murmured against the curve of Yuu's neck,
drawing his tongue up the side to purr into the flushed little ear. "Very
badly. You're mine. I will never let you go." That might have been creepy in
any other situation; with both of them drugged off the act of feeding, Mika
didn't worry about scaring the boy or crowding him.
When Yuu's squirming became more insistent, the blond smiled, kissing his chin,
licking into the delicate hollow of his throat. "Let's do something about
this." His thumbs were rubbing circles into the dips underneath Yuu's small
hipbones, beneath his soft pants, feeling how warm the boy was, how vital...he
could practically taste Yuu's arousal on his tongue whenever he licked his
skin. "You want that, right? Feel good like this morning?" Only this time, he
would allow himself to play as well. Working with a raging hard-on hadn't been
fun and his comrades had been making fun of his stiff posture all morning; he
wasn't willing to go to sleep feeling frustrated either. Besides, Yuu would
probably be deep asleep before he could feel bad about what his body told him
it needed. Mika made quick work of inching Yuu's pants down, then flicking open
the buttons of his own. It would be the first time he'd have his dick out
around the boy; their cuddles had been close and intimate but always clothed,
and usually Mika bathed alone if he did.
The moment he could, he wrapped a hand around both his need and Yuu's, pressing
the heated lengths together and allowing himself a groan, hot breath gusting
over the boy's bitten skin. "You're being very, verygood, Yuu," he purred,
distracting the boy from any confused discomfort by kissing him again, trailing
his tongue along the inside of Yuu's upper lip.
Yuu gasped, bucking his hips forward, his body instinctively following along
with the vampire's ministrations that gave him such intense, immediate
pleasure. Mika was hard but his cock felt slick and smooth against his own,
infinitely better than the fabric of his pants. He lost himself for a few
moments, their delicate skin rubbing together in the most delicious way and the
boy's eyes shutting with bliss.
Oh, how he loved being told he was good. No one else had ever said so or ever
thought so. He wanted nothing more than to be good for Mika, his Mika, show him
that he was worth having and all the trouble that came along with keeping him.
"I am yours," Yuu whispered breathlessly, forcing his eyes half open so he
could look into Mika's. "I wear your collar; I wouldn't want to belong to
anyone else." Yuu had agreed to be his pet, after all. It had been a sacrifice
of his pride, but with the way Mika treated him, it was worth it to the boy. It
was better than anything he ever thought he could have.
He dropped his eyes to Mika's hand and he moaned, grabbing the vampire's
shoulder with one hand and clinging to it so he didn't fall. Mika's cock was so
much larger than his own, but it was beautiful, like silken warmth pressed
against him. Slowly, the boy dropped a hand, drawing it over to where the
vampire was slowly stroking them. There was a sparkling bead of precum on the
tip of Mika's cock that had caught Yuu's interest and curiously he swiped it up
with his finger and brought it up to his mouth, slipping it past his lips as he
looked back up at the vampire.
Yuu was quiet, rolling the vampire's essence over his tongue, his cheeks
beginning to flush with pink. "You taste good, too," he told Mika, licking over
his lips and dropping his hand to rest over top of Mika's fist, his small,
sweaty palm brushing the head of the vampire's cock with each stroke Mika made.
Mika made a strangled sound that was half purr and half groan; not only the
fact that Yuu was actually watching what he was doing to him but liking it and
not shying away, but also how eagerly he touched him as well, completely free
of inhibitions drove him a little mad.
His blue eyes, clouded with desire and the lingering pleasurable fog of feeding
watched that little hand, the boy's face as he contemplated his taste. The
vampire couldn't help but buck up into the small hand touching him, Yuu's own
cock vanished up in his palm almost completely so he had those fingers all to
himself for now. "Oh, Yuu..." he purred, a deep growl in his chest; Mika
grasped the boy's hand with his own free one and brought it up, drawing his
tongue up his palm like a cat in slow, meticulous strokes, enjoying their
mingled taste. He couldn't stop watching the boy either; how those beautiful
bright eyes went liquid and hazy with pleasure and the first tendrils of lust
curling through Yuu's young body, the way his cheeks flushed, how the moans and
mewls sounded spilling from parted, wet lips. "Mine...."
Yuu shivered, that word alone making him melt in the vampire's lap. He wanted
it, to be wanted and kept forever by the only one that had ever shown him any
kindness or affection.
He panted, Mika's tongue expertly tickling his hand. The pleasure the vampire
brought him with his hands and his mouth was enough to blow the boy's mind,
never knowing before that any touch could make him feel such ecstasy until he'd
belonged to Mika. Yuu wanted to make him feel good, too, show him that he was
capable of making him happy, that he was good enough to hold onto.
The boy pulled his hand from Mika's, bringing it down to the base of the
vampire's cock and wrapping his small fist around it. He slid up, tiny finger
tips dragging up the underside of his shaft and his thumb rubbing over the head
and gathering his slick into his hand as he went for another stroke. He could
be good at this, do it well for Mika, touch him how now he wanted the vampire
to touch him. It had been different before, when he didn't want to be touched
and didn't know what it was like to be so wound up and desperate for release.
Now he knew that if felt amazing to have his hardness wrapped up in Mika's
large hand, to rub and be rubbed against, to be worked up and worked over until
he came.
"Keep me, Mika," Yuu murmured, his novice hand working it's way up and down
Mika's length smoothly, a little pink tongue flicking over his lip as he
watched himself play with the vampire's cock in lust and venom drunk
concentration. "I don't ever want to go."
Mika groaned and dropped his forehead against Yuu's narrow shoulder the moment
he was gripped in that small, hot, damp hand. He pulled back his own lightly
from cupping both of them so Yuu had free reign over him, his own thumb running
up and down the boy's stiff little cock tenderly, albeit a little distracted.
"I'm not letting you go anywhere," he murmured, kissing the delicate collarbone
devotedly to keep himself from sinking his fangs into his little pet again; any
more would send Yuu from his comfortable haze into a deep nap, and Mika very
much wanted to finish this before the boy got any rest. "You're staying with
me, I adore you so much," the blond rambled against the soft skin; Yuu's slow,
concentrated pace brought him neatly out of his mind, shattering all the
carefully erected walls he had built to convince himself he didn't need this,
didn't need another being close to him...didn't need a companion. Didn't need
Yuu.
Mika needed Yuu very much, in fact.
He twitched when the little fingers stroked the slick crown, finding all the
weakest spots with such ease it was a little frightening. "You're good at
that," he murmured, kissing the marks he had left again. "Sogood. A little
firmer, there....mm." His free hand grasped onto Yuu's waist under his shirt,
the pad of a thumb brushing one small, peaked nipple. "Like that."
The boy mewed, pink nipple stiffening up like a pearl beneath Mika's thumb. All
of the focus he had went into stroking the vampire's cock, handling as though
it was his own that needed friction so badly he couldn't help but buck his hips
erratically into Mika's hand like a wound up little bunny. He tightened his
grasp, following his vampire's suggestions, reveling at the way he was able to
bring pleasure to someone he cared so deeply about.
The venom wiped away Yuu's inhibitions, the boy unafraid of voicing his
enjoyment with sharp gasps and soft moans. He didn't feel nervous or
embarrassed about playing so openly with the vampire's cock or wantonly rocking
into Mika's fist. Yuu felt amazing, both physically and emotionally, being told
he was good at jerking the other off raising his confidence and making his
movements more purposeful and bold.
Mika adored him, he'd said it and it was something Yuu could really hold onto,
that he would likely remember forever.
"I'd never try to leave," Yuu promised, fingers clinging to the shoulder of his
shirt as he rode the vampire's hand and bounced in his lap, his other hand so
wet with Mika's need that it was slipping clear off his cock as he stroked him.
"I want to be with you, Mika. I want this."
The boy wasn't entirely sure what it was he was promising, his mind too foggy
with venom. He wanted to be kept by Mika, to be adored by him, to be touched
and touch him and make each other feel good.
The display was mesmerizing; Yuu was all but bouncing on Mika's lap as if he
was impaled on cock already and loving it. The implications of it was making
Mika light headed - one day, he would have Yuu like that. Dependant on him,
wanting to please him, completely uninhibited in his pleasure. He shuddered
with more than just the physical pleasure.
"You're not leaving," he crooned at him, torn between watching Yuu's face and
burning into his mind how beautiful his eyes were in this exact moment and
wanting to see that tiny hand grasping him so boldly. With each pass, Yuu's
hand became wetter and glided up and down his need easier than the moment
before..."Look at me," Mika told his little pet and the moment those crystal
eyes snapped up to his, so obedient, so eager to please, Mika had to grit his
teeth because he didn't want to come just yet - not from Yuu merely looking at
him. Not before the boy had finished. His pride would never recover if he caved
in first. "You're so beautiful," he purred at Yuu though his teeth, bright
white fangs on display as he tried to hold himself back. His thumb strummed the
hard little nub a few more times, the other massaging the boy's little dick
with is whole fist, the slender head peeking from between his fingers swabbed
over tenderly, repeatedly.
The vampire bucked into the small hand the moment Yuu grasped him even tighter,
surging in to kiss him, deeply, his tongue licking into Yuu's mouth; ticklish
along the roof of it, stroking the small tongue inside, all but devouring that
sweet cavern.
Yuu moaned into the kiss, something that would have been much louder if it
wasn't muffled by the vampire's tongue. He grabbed for Mika's hair with his
free hand, pulling it sharply as his loose body stiffened up and he came in the
vampire's hand, thin, milky spunk coating his palm in rapid, forceful spurts.
He tried to call out Mika's name as he humped his fist and came undone,
tightening his own around the older male's larger cock. He wasn't embarrassed
this time, wasn't scared or confused what his body was doing or why. He came
because Mika touching him felt amazing, because he enjoyed it and had all but
begged for it. Because if he could, he was going to make Mika cum, too. He'd
show him just how good he made him feel and that he could return the favor.
The vampire swallowed those moans rolling over his tongue like ragged silk and
hummed in reply; the feeling of sudden slickness in his palm, the slender body
shuddering on his lap was almost enough to make him come undone as well. The
sudden tightening around his length did that; his eyes came open to bare slits,
blue fire burning through his lashes as he coated Yuu's little hand, all but
flooding it with thick, almost violent spurts - he had held back all day, after
all.
Mika pulled back with a soft kiss to Yuu's swollen lips and caught the boy when
he sagged, bonelessly and spent. Never minding the stains he would have to
scrub out of his uniform he cuddled Yuu against his chest and kissed his cheek,
his temple, the damp softness of the dark hair sticking to his forehead. The
vampire contemplated his slick hand; it was brought up to his mouth and cleaned
in long, thorough swipes of his tongue. "Mm." Everything about his beloved pet
was delicious, after all.
Yuu all but collapsed against Mika, his entire body going slack as he rode out
the aftershocks of his orgasm. It was even more powerful than it had been
earlier that morning, as though with more practice his body was learning just
what to do. Of course, it probably didn't hurt that he had expected it this
time and wasn't stricken with shame or panic as it occurred. Now, all Yuu felt
was bliss and contentment, and he curled his body as close to Mika's as he
could.
The body nuzzled his cheek against the vampire's chest, clinging loosely to the
fabric with his messy hand. He hummed, nearly purring, wanting nothing more
than to stay in Mika's arms, be close to him and held by him, feel his breath
in his hair and his hands brushing over his soft, sensitive skin. If it was
possible to weedle his way closer to the vampire, he would, so desperate as he
was to remain in his embrace.
One arm was firmly wrapped around his middle, Mika's hand resting on his side
under his hoodie and idly petting his soft skin. There was no sound but their
panting slowly coming to a rest, replaced by deep, relaxed breathing; Mika even
thought his head was reeling a little from the sheer burst of blind pleasure.
His muscles felt even more relaxed than they had after feeding, being so close
to Yuu just what he needed to unwind after this hellish day.
"You're so lovely," he purred at the boy over the quiet crackling of the
fireplace, kissing his head again. "So good." Mika couldn't help but wonder why
anyone would have given Yuu away, especially in the fashion it had happened;
yes, the kid was stubborn and quite fiery, but so, so pliant and sweet when
handled properly. "Are you sleepy? Wanna go to bed?"
Yuu nodded, though he made no movement to get up from Mika's lap, his small
body draped over him like a soft, warm blanket. He was tired, exhausted,
really, but his body was still buzzing with pleasure and he was too comfortable
to even consider attempting to pull himself away from the vampire.
No one else had ever told him he was good before. His entire life he'd been
treated like he was a curse, a burden, bad and evil. Yuu had never known what
it felt like to be wanted for longer than a few fleeting moments when he'd
first met Guren. But, Mika thought he was lovely and good. The vampire wasn't
angry or lecturing him about how useless he was. He wasn't even pushing him
away or dumping him off to go curl up alone.
When Mika asked him if he wanted to go to bed, Yuu knew it meant together. That
meant more to the boy than he even knew how to express.
Mika chuckled at the antics; he wouldn't have been surprised if he hadn't
gotten an answer at all. He shifted carefully, Yuu's head cushioned against his
shoulder, and gently inched the boy's pants up his body again where he had
shoved them down before so he wouldn't be cold.
The vampire rose and leapt up into their sleeping floor graceful as a cat,
barely even jostling his precious cargo. He curled up with the boy in their
bed, buried between pillows and blankets so Yuu wouuldn't be cold, the curve of
the boy's back nestled firmly against his front, pressed against the blond from
the back of his head to the soles of his socked feet. Mika thought it was
tragic, really; he had been noticing Yuu's odd little mannerisms of trying to
please him, even when the boy was playing with his beloved blocks or having a
snack or dozing, he'd always snap his attention back to Mika, whenever the
vampire moved, as if he was expecting Mika would tell him to do something. Yuu
was starved for attention and affection, that much was obvious, a bright kid
and quick to learn, ferocious when he believed in something - like when he had
stood up to a vampire noble that would have snapped him in half for sport if
Ferid had been in the mood for that. It pained Mika to see the child flinch
from things and situations that had left a bad taste from his past. "I love
you, Yuu," he murmured into the soft hair at the back of Yuu's neck. He had a
feeling the child needed to hear that, to know it - but Mika needed to say it
just as much.
Yuu was nearly asleep, but Mika's words gave the tired little thing a jolt of
life, emerald eyes flying open in the darkness of their loft. He had never had
that sentiment directed toward him, not even by his own parents, and it came as
a shock to the boy to hear it. Yuu didn't think he was likable, let alone
lovable, and he could barely believe that what he'd heard was true. It seemed
more likely that he had been dreaming or his mind was playing tricks on him.
But, Mika's breath in his hair and his lips brushing kisses against his scalp
was proof he'd really heard the vampire just tell him that he loved him.
He turned in Mika's embrace and reached up to touch the others cheek with
wonderment in the dark room. He could barely make out the vampire's face,
though he knew the other could see him perfectly well in the dark, the fire
downstairs only lightly the loft enough for Yuu to catch it sparkle off Mika's
eyes.
Yuu pulled his face toward him until their foreheads touched, keeping his small
hand on his cheek. He didn't want to ever forget this moment, what it felt like
to be loved by someone. The good in his life had always been fleeting and
temporary and he didn't want to take what he had with Mika for granted. It was
so unbelievably special to him.
"I love you, Mika," he whispered, eyes falling shut as the words he'd been
biting back finally tumbled past his lips. He cared for Mika more than he ever
had for anyone. He'd been afraid to think it, to even admit it to himself, too
resolved in thinking the feeling could never be mutual. "I'd do anything for
you, to make you happy."
The vampire was warm against him, pliantly letting his face he pulled until
their foreheads touched, a light smile on his mouth. He had made Yuu happy -
which made him happy in turn, even more so when the words were given back to
him. Mika kissed the soft little mouth gently, unhurried, without demand, hand
coming to cup Yuu's cheek in return, his thumb stroking under his chin. "I
would, too," he replied quietly - and he had, he had invoked the wrath of a
progenitor. Suddenly, he was very, very anxious for Yuu's safety.
Mika curled him closer, falling into their usual comfortable sleeping position,
his legs between Yuu's, his arms around the small, delicate body. "I don't ever
want to be without you."
***** Coriander *****
Chapter Notes
     Warning: This chapter contains copious amounts of Ferid being a
     creepy bastard. Women with heart conditions are advised not to look
     directly at Ferid being a creepy bastard.
     Also, this one is pure angst. All the way through. We're somewhat
     sorry, but this is what happens when you want some plot in your
     shameless fluff :D
     We took some liberties with the power dynamics between maker and
     progeny, and the noble that chose Mika; so their backstory has been
     altered a little to fit this story better.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
They fell into a comfortable rhythm like that - Mika would go to work, come
home with treats for Yuu, they would snuggle in front of the fire in their
comfortable armchair and every few days Yuu would demand to be bitten, all but
following Mika around like a little leech until Mika gave in and...well,
leeched him. It had become so common that Mika hadn't had to go to the center
to get his rations once in the past four months, something he greatly enjoyed
since the center hadn't ever been his favorite place; it felt too much like
being fed, like lining up like a mindless drone to stock on fuel to keep
working. He hated the detachedness of it.
Yuu though - Yuu was perfect. Warm and insistent and so sweet; drinking from
Yuu was intimacy and goodness and home. How he had survived without the boy all
his life was becoming more and more of a mystery to Mika, but then again, that
was what he had done - merely surviving, not living. Deep in his thoughts about
silky dark hair and bright green eyes sparkling with joy, what he would see and
feel once his shift was over and he came home, he almost ran into someone; a
vampire. A human, he would have sensed even without seeing them, the age-old
predatory instinct deeply ingrained in his being. Mika drew up short and
wrinkled his nose in vague distaste. "Lord Ferid," he acknowledged coldly,
making to skirt around the taller vampire to be on his way before the other
could offend him. And Ferid offended him by breathing already.
"Mika," Ferid purred, taking a step to place his body in front of the blond's
and block him from moving away. The irritation practically radiated off of the
young man and Ferid chuckled, tilting his head as he curled his fingers around
Mika's shoulder.
"I haven't seen you in a while, haven't you missed me?" He asked in amusement,
pursing his lips in mock thought. "Yes, I believe the last time I saw you was
when we had our little scuffle at my place several months ago."
Ferid chuckled to himself, lowering his voice and leaning in to brush his lips
near the other vampire's ear. "You know, I was beginning to worry that you were
avoiding me," he rasped. "I went by the bank to see when you were going to
feed, see if perhaps we could run into each other there, but they told me the
strangest thing..."
The elder vampire pulled back, smiling down at Mika like the cat that had
caught the canary. "They told me they hadn't seen you in nearly four months!
Such a long time, you'd starve without any blood. At first I worried you might
be dead," Ferid said with a short laugh. "But then I remembered that little
brat you were keeping with you. How scandalous, a goody two shoes like you,
breaking the law and drinking directly from the source! What would the
authorities think, I wonder?"
Mika had stiffened when Ferid had touched him; he hated it when the other would
take such liberties. Ferid's obsession with him had never been feasible to him.
Mika had come to realize that the noble seemed to be on his case more when he
openly resisted or spoke out against his treatment, it was more lowkey when he
didn't react at all - but it had never gone away ever since Mika had been made,
however unwilling he had been at that time. His blood ran ice-cold with the
other's words. "They must be wrong," he replied with numb lips, eyes wide in
terror - Mika had never been very good at lying and Ferid, of all people, knew
exactly what to look for when he wanted to call Mika out on it.
"It's none of your business," he said with vehemence, unable to hold himself
back from lashing out, from stepping back out of Ferid's reach. "None at all;
you do the same all the time, I have seen you do it, you go around bragging
about it. The authorities don't care a lick. It's not true, anyway." Oh, he was
in deep now, even to Mika's panicked mind it sounded very much like bullshit.
Mika didn't like nobles in theory, they inspired little more than distaste in
him with their frivolous behavior, but Ferid...Ferid took the cake in that
regard. "Stay away from me."
Ferid followed the blond as he backed away, his cape swirling behind him as he
gracefully leaped ahead of Mika's movements and cornered him against the ragged
brick of one of the buildings in the old, underground city. He'd always been
skilled at predicting the younger vampire's actions, still able to anticipate
his behavior like he was still the beautiful prey he had been when Ferid had
first found him so many years before.
"Oh Mika, darling," he drawled, running the back of his fingers over the
blond's soft cheek. "It's very much my business. As a noble, I'm allowed to
drink directly from humans, but you don't have such privileges." He slapped his
hand against Mika's cheek, then cupped it roughly with his hand. "I should turn
you in, you know. Someone in my position shouldn't turn a blind eye to his
progeny so willfully breaking the laws of our kind. They're there for a reason,
you know," Ferid said, rubbing the pad of his thumb over the others chin. "If
we let everyone feed from whatever little brat they liked, it would be chaos. I
can't allow it..."
"That's rich, coming from you," Mika snarled, yanking his head away from the
rough grasp and only managing in smacking the back of it into the wall he was
trapped against. He had quite enough; their century-long game of cat and mouse
had to come to a stop. "You made me do it before, several times, knowing full
well it was forbidden - you offered me your blood doll when I came to your
house! You trained me up to this yourself," he spat at the noble that had
chosen and turned him quite against his will, palm against Ferid's chest to
keep him off of him. Mika hated being cornered like this. He had left Ferid's
house as soon as he was old enough to go, strong enough to be on his own and
not fall prey to others of their kind, for this reason mostly. He knew Ferid
absolutely lovedit when he was able to get such a strong reaction out of Mika,
but this noble was threatening Yuu...again. "I'm not doing anything wrong." It
sounded weak even to his own ears.
"How dare you bring up the lovely gift I offered you," Ferid tsked, feigning
insult. "As a noble myself, I was simply offering to share with you. It was my
prerogative to do so. You have some nerve, throwing it in my face as though I
did something wrong when I was willing to allow you such a treat you wouldn't
otherwise be able to enjoy."
"I don't know what I'll do now," Ferid said with a hum, his hips locked against
Mika's to keep him against the wall. "As your Sire, the last thing I want to do
is report you, but you're giving me little choice." He smirked then, licking
over his lips purposely so catch Mika's attention.
"Maybe I could come up with some sort of story to keep the elders off your
trail if you shared the little brat with me."
The noble had the pleasure of seeing Mika's skyblue eyes go wide, pupils
narrowing into slits in absolute shock at the audacity of his request. The
younger vampire's struggling came to a complete stop as the situation lay
itself out clearly; as Mika's Sire, Ferid had all the right in the world to go
and take Yuu if he felt so inclined, for any reason he could come up with.
Sure, Mika could go to the council and complain, but then he'd have to relay
the story from beginning. As merely the progeny of a noble, he didn't actually
have the same rights as Ferid, who was not only a lot older than him but also
much closer to the throne. It didn't automatically make Mika a prince.
"No," he breathed, all rage knocked from him in that one moment. "No, you...you
can't. I won't. Yuu is mine." The blond narrowed his eyes suspiciously; Ferid
could have taken Yuu if he had really wanted him the day he had come by
unannounced, but he had chosen only to harrass him. "You're doing this to
punish me. Why?"
"So possessive of your precious angel," Ferid mocked, flipping his hair over
his shoulder. "Is he reallythat good in bed? I really wouldn't have takenthat
for your sort of thing, Mika. I thought you had a more... developed palette
when it came to such affairs."
"It's not punishment at all," the noble chuckled, shaking his head fondly.
Mika's glowering looks only encouraged his Sire. "If I really wanted to punish
you, I'd take the boy and make him my permanent pet; let you watch from the
sidelines for all eternity." He smirked, watching the blond's eyes widen with
amusement. "As it is, I have no interest in fucking the kid or keeping him
around to be my problem. I already have one headstrong fledgling, no need for
another," he mused.
"No, what I'd like is just a taste. See if the boy is really worth everything
you're risking just to sink your teeth into him."
Ferid stepped closer to Mika, grabbing his chin firmly and thumbing at his lip.
"Tell me, Mika, how does he act when you feed? Does he ask you to put your
hands on him, or do you do it on your own?"
"You don't know what you're talking about," Mika spat at the noble in his panic
- but of course Ferid knew, he knew very well. Many years ago Mika had been in
Yuu's position with the man holding him against the wall with such an
unforgiving grip, had been the one clamoring for affection and attention, had
thought Ferid would make everything better. Had sat on the noble's lap and
nuzzled and purred and pawed at him. I can't betray Yuu like Ferid did me.The
memories made him sick. "It's none of your damn business," he repeated in a
snarl, teeth gnashed tight, fangs fully on display.
"I won't give you even a view of him, much less a taste. Yuu is mine.You can't
have him." All his protective, possessive instincts were firing, rushing his
body in a heat. His hands curled in the front of Ferid's jacket, but instead of
pushing the noble away, he steadily pulled him closer. Some habits were hard to
break. "He's my home, Ferid, you can't take him from me. I won't let you touch
him. Even if I have to..." Mika stopped before he could dig his hole any
deeper. Admitting to his Sire that he was so closely attached to the boy had
been a mistake already; making threats or promises would do him even less favor
now. "Please."
"Oh Mika, I do love it when you beg," Ferid murmured, licking his lips and
smacking them. "It's been far too long since I've listened to you whine and
plead." He laughed shortly, entertained by Mika's obvious discomfort. "Does he
remind you of yourself? Writhing all over you and begging for your affection?"
He moved even closer to the blond, in spite of Mika having pulled him nearly
flush against his chest. As tense as the younger vampire was, primed to fight
for his precious princess, they both knew that an all-out battle between them
would likely end with Mika dead - if Ferid didn't decide to take mercy on his
misguided progeny at the end. Ferid was strong, could overpower him at any
moment and merely enjoyed the game of toying with the blond too much to use the
force he always had as an option.
"Do you like the control you have over the little brat? Does it make you feel
powerful, knowing he can't help but submit himself to you?" The taller vampire
leaned in his face nearing the blond's. "Have you taken advantage of your
position and fucked the little angel yet? Convinced yourself he really wanted
it so you could feel good about using everything his human body has to offer
you?"
"I might be distracted enough to forget about you feeding from the boy if you
came home with me," Ferid said suggestively, long fingers wrapping around
Mika's waist beneath his cape.
Everything Ferid said made him sick. There was a churning in his stomach that
he hadn't felt in ages, incredibly uncomfortable, and it got worse the closer
Ferid made to him, all but pinning him flush against the brick wall; blue eyes
stared into red, lips parting to reply, but none would come.
Was he using Yuu? Granted, the venom in his fangs made his prey pliant and
sweet, as intended by nature so it wouldn't flee, but Yuu did love him even if
he wasn't high, did he? Suddenly, Mika wasn't so sure anymore. "No," he said in
a small voice because it was the truth...if one bent the definitions of fucking
a little. "I wouldn't. I'm not like you." Although he completely was, he
realized; he had taken a human, had spoiled him, made him fall in love with
Mika, and now he was using him as a food source....and he had thought about
turning Yuu, too, when he was old enough.
He was entirely like Ferid. I'm using him. Although Mika really did love the
boy, and he was sure there wasn't an ounce of love inside Ferid; not for him,
not for anything but his entertainment. He grimaced at the words, couldn't hold
back a squirm when those hands tightened against his middle. "Fine," he replied
faintly, feeling sick. "If it means protecting Yuu...I'll come home with you."
"How romantic, you'd rather give me your body than that of your precious pet."
Ferid grinned devilishly, reaching into Mika's thick, blond hair and scraping
his fingernails against his scalp as the tendrils ran through his fingers. "Has
my Mika caught feelings for the little brat? Didn't I teach you better than
that? To fall for a human, let alone one so young..." He chuckled, shaking his
head. "I hope this isn't about me, trying to play out what you wished we had.
Pulling that kid into your twisted fantasies. I really should have guessed," he
said slyly, drawing his hand down his face and to his shoulder, giving it a
shove into the cool, brick wall. "To think, after all this time, you're still
not over what happened between us."
Ferid wrapped his arm around Mika's waist, suddenly yanking him away from the
wall and off balance, pulling him into the cobblestone street.
"Think of it as me doing you a favor, Mika," he said lowly, spiriting the
younger vampire toward his home. "You can pretend I love you tonight, then
maybe you'll let that poor kid go. Everything you have with him is an illusion;
he'll figure it out soon enough."
Mika grit his teeth at the cruel words tossed in his face; the memory was hazy
with age, but he had been as young as Yuu was now when Ferid had picked him up.
Not much older when he realized the vampire didn't care a lick for him besides
drinking and seeing Mika fall all over himself for the noble to love him. I'm
the same as him.
It wouldn't be long now until he took too much, or until Yuu grew bored in that
little house and tried to leave and he would chain the boy to himself as Ferid
had done to him - Yuu would resent him just the same, the same story played out
again with new actors. "You're wrong," he said, but his voice lacked heat,
letting himself be led away as pliant as a lamb to the slaughter, to let Ferid
take what he hadn't had the chance to fully possess before.
I'm the same.
It was dark when Mika came home; not that it wasn't always some semblance of
dark underground, but it was so late at night that even the streetlights had
died out by now. His superior vision made it easy to pick out his way home,
besides he knew it by heart; he could have found home with his eyes closed,
just his feet on the cobblestone of the street. He just hoped Yuu was asleep
already.
Mika hadn't been able to send word that he would be late, he hadn't even known
when Ferid would be done with him. His body could take it; the bites, the
abuse, the exhaustion but his heart was heavy with guilt mostly. He had done
exactly what Yuu had been scared about all this time. Granted, it had been to
protect his precious one - but Yuu was unlikely to see it that way, at least
not now. As quietly as he could, he turned the key in the lock and let himself
in.
"Mika!" The small brunet cried out as soon as the door opened and he saw the
other stepping into the house. The vampire was several hours late, much later
than he had ever been. He had always come home to Yuu long before the gaslights
had been shut off for the night in the streets; home in time to sit with Yuu
while he ate his supper, then bathe him and help him into his pajamas.
"I was worried something happened to you," the boy exclaimed, standing up from
where he'd been sitting in front of the fire, his green fuzzy blanket draped
over his shoulders and Cinnamon in his arms.
Yuu was well aware that Mika was a soldier and even though most days he did
boring things like patrolled the markets and made sure that the Queen's peace
was kept, there was always the possibility that there could be a scuffle. In
the event of any conflict, Mika would be right there, on the front lines,
putting himself at risk to be injured or even killed.
It was something that Yuu was able to push from his thoughts most of the time,
as Mika had always come home when he said he would and their routine had been
so comfortable and stable. But, tonight Yuu had been stricken with worry,
wondering if something terrible had happened to the other and terrified of him
never coming home. He had skipped dinner, believing if he waited long enough,
that the other wound return to him just as he always did. He had sat in limbo,
waiting by the fire, fraught with worry that he may have lost the only one that
had ever cared for him. The one Yuu loved more than he even knew was possible.
He ran over to the vampire, crashing into his body and wrapping his arms
tightly around his waist and burying his face into his stomach.
"I'm so glad you're back. I was so scared you'd been hurt or..." Yuu closed his
mouth, squeezing his eyes shut. It didn't matter, he wouldn't even say it. Mika
was safe, he hadn't been killed. Everything was going to be just fine. "I'm so
happy you're okay."
Mika winced when Yuu all but pounced him, body aching, especially so low. He
leaned down and picked the boy up, curling him against his chest instead,
burying his face in the soft dark hair so he wouldn't have to look at that
hopeful, relieved little face knowing he had betrayed the sweet boy. "I'm
home," he said softly in reply; he wasn't okay and he doubted he ever would be
again. The fear that he was using Yuu, the same as he had been used when he had
been young and impressionable, sat deeply inside him, fueled by Ferid's
taunting. It hadn't stopped, either, poison dripped into his ear in the parody
of a lover's tender whisper. He curled Yuu tighter against himself, feeling the
warm little body cling to him, alive, and safe. I love you so much.
"You didn't have to wait for me," Mika told the boy quietly, cupping the back
of his neck and kissing his forehead. "Did you have dinner? You must be
exhausted, come on." All he wanted was to curl up with Yuu in their bed - but
that wasn't safe anymore, was it. His home had been ripped from him once again,
even if Yuu was right here...Mika couldn't have him or he'd be as bad as Ferid.
A monster. I'm a monster.
He sat down in their armchair instead, Yuu sideways on his lap and wrapped in
his blanket like a little caterpillar, Mika content to inhale the warm scent of
his hair and skin, feel his heartbeat and how warm Yuu was. He couldn't shake
the feeling of betrayal, however.
"I was too worried about you to eat," Yuu said sincerely, having had no
appetite when the time for his dinner had come and gone without Mika being
home. "How could I be hungry when I thought something bad happened to you?" He
twisted in Mika's lap, wrapping his arms around the vampire's neck and clinging
to the back of his shirt. It felt so good to be back in Mika's arms again,
right where he knew that he was safe and loved. Even in his relief, he still
felt undertones of lingering fear, knowing now the feeling of not knowing if
Mika would come home.
He hugged the vampire tightly, his forehead pressed against his neck. He wanted
to tell Mika he had been so scared he was dead, that he was going to be all
alone again, but he didn't want to make him feel any more guilty than he
probably already did.
Yuu tilted his head, nuzzling his nose against Mika's neck and placing a soft,
wet kiss on the vampire's sensitive skin. "I missed you."
It was an understatement, really. Yuu had felt completely lost without Mika
home with him.
Mika shuddered softly, closing his eyes. Ferid had stayed clear of his neck,
fortunately, or any spot that could be seen with clothes in; his thighs had
taken the brunt of the noble's aggressive biting. He'd be healed soon enough,
but tonight he would have to be very careful if he didn't want Yuu to find out.
He didn't want to tell him; Mika knew it would upset the boy. He also knew he
was sowing contempt if he didn't tell him and Yuu found out one way or
another...and the next time Ferid was angry with him, there was nothing
stopping him from coming here and harassing Yuu with the facts. "I never wanted
to make you worry," he said softly, cheek pressed against the soft hair.
"I...what I did tonight, why I'm late..." He closed his blue eyes, swallowing.
"I did it to protect you. Please don't be angry with me."
I'm pleading for my pet's forgiveness. Ferid would never let me live this down.
His fingers curled gently into Yuu's dark hair, kissing the side of his head.
He couldn't even tell Yuu that nothing bad had happened - it would have been a
lie.
Yuu pulled back a bit, looking up at Mika with worry. He'd never heard the
other sound quite so distressed, and when Yuu looked into Mika's eyes the
vampire looked... broken. Something terrible had happened, Yuu could see it
written all over Mika's face. Whatever it was, that Mika was home meant whoever
had been trying to harm Yuu had lost. Or, so the boy hoped.
"What happened?" Yuu asked quietly, placing a small hand gently on Mika's
cheek. He looked so sad, Yuu wasn't sure what to do. He'd never really tried to
comfort anyone before, never been in a position where it would have been wanted
or warranted. "Was... was it Guren? Did he find you and tell you to give me
back to him?"
It was something Yuu hadn't thought about really, that technically, in the
human world he still could be considered Guren's property. The older man had
been so eager to get rid of him, Yuu hadn't thought much of him ever coming to
demand to have him back. But, the way Mika spoke, theguilton his face, Yuu
could think of nothing else.

"Did you kill him?" Yuu asked in a whisper. "If... if you did it... I wouldn't
be mad... I... I'd understand, Mika..."
"I didn't kill anyone," Mika replied tonelessly, cupping the small hand on his
face and kissing the soft palm, reverently. Yuu was his home. It was wrong to
burden him like this, he was so tiny, so young still. It couldn't be good for
him. "I don't want you to know; it's over, and it would only worry you and make
you sad. I don't want that."
That, and the crushing guilt was making his tongue heavy. The words wouldn't
come. They replayed cruelly inside his mind; I let my maker fuck me after
centuries of evading him or he would take you away,but he couldn't say it. His
throat tightened every time he tried. "Please don't worry about it, Yuu, I'm
fine, we're fine. I won't lose you." Mika curled his little pet close to
himself again, kissing his face, his neck, his hair, reassuring himself that
Yuu was indeed fine. "I just, I can't...I'll have to go to the bank again. I
can't take from you anymore." Not just because Ferid could find out; he
couldn't risk taking too much from Yuu and then having to turn him to evade
death. He couldn't let happen to Yuu what had been his fate, locked in the dark
for years, insane with thirst, being denied human blood and proper nourishment
so his body wouldn't stop growing. I won't let you break.
"What?" Yuu asked with shock, pushing back from Mika with his eyebrows
furrowed. No matter what had happened, he wanted to know about it, especially
considering it was clearly something significant that was terrible and would
make him angry and sad if he knew. He might have let it go if Mika had chosen
his words differently, if he hadn't made it so obvious that he'd done something
Yuu would be extremely upset about.
Whatever he had done, it meant Mika would no longer feed from him?
Yuu's relief twisted into anger, bright green eyes narrowing at the vampire.
"What do you mean you're going back to the bank? I don't want you to do that, I
liked the way things have been since you stopped!"
The small boy crossed his arms over his chest, positively glaring at Mika. He
knew that his focus should be on finding out what Mika had done, that he should
press until he caved, but at that moment Yuu felt so rejected he felt as though
the other had punched him in the stomach and knocked the wind from him. He
loved the times when Mika fed from him, how intimate and special it was. He
felt good, loved, happy in those nights and it wasn't something Yuu wanted to
stop. It was his special time with Mika, he was giving him what he needed to
live, sating his hunger, then they would give each other pleasure that left Yuu
feeling more attached to the vampire, more in love with him than ever each time
they fell asleep afterward. Yuu tangled up in Mika's arms, his body buzzing,
his mind light and his heart floating.
How could Mika take that away from him?
"It's illegal," he told him faintly, all but crumbling at Yuu's furious
expression. Mika didn't want Yuu to be angry with him; he couldn't emotionally
deal with it tonight. "It's been found out, they keep track of the times and
the rations and I haven't been there in four months. I can't, I..." He took a
deep breath to stop rambling. "I can't use you like this, Yuu, they could take
you away from me for this. I can't risk it. I can't lose you."
Mika reached to grasp Yuu's waist, needing to feel him, needing to know Yuu
still loved him. His body was aching, his mind exhausted from being taunted and
in so much fear all night that Ferid could change his mind, leave while Mika
was still recovering, get Yuu anyway and lock him up. "I don't care what
happens to me, I took my punishment, but you're innocent of this; it's my
fault, all of it, and I won't let you suffer for it. Please, Yuu."
Yuu squirmed away from Mika, the others words stoking his fear in a way he
didn't want to admit at that moment. So, the vampires had found out Mika was
feeding from him and had been planning to take him away. It was a chilling
prospect, one that sent terror to his core. What if they had come for him?
Where would they have taken him and what would have become of him? Would they
have used him for blood in the bank, given him to someone else to be their pet,
sent him back to the surface to try to survive on his own in the streets?
"What does it matter if you drink from me? I'm yours!" Yuu shouted, tears of
hurt and anger springing to the corners of his eyes. "You're not usingme, how
can you say it like that? Is that really how you thought of it?"
Yuu's face crumpled and he pushed himself out of Mika's lap, backing away from
him with his arms hugged around himself. No matter what, he was still just a
pet. Mika didn't see him as a lover or a boyfriend, he was a companion like an
animal. Of course Mika thought of it as using him when he drank from him, it
gave Yuu more of a purpose for being around.
"Go ahead and drink from your stupid vampire bank! I don't even care anymore!"
Yuu lied, rubbing his wet eyes angrily with the cuff of his hoodie. "I wouldn't
want you to do it again now anyway," he snapped, turning on his heel to face
the fire, his back to Mika. He wanted to understand, he wanted to make sense of
it, but the more he thought about it, the more it hurt. It had been so much
more to Yuu, something that he more than looked forward to - he craved it. He'd
become so addicted to the way he felt when he and Mika were together that way,
he had stopped worrying about things, stopped being skeptical and remembering
that he was no good, that he didn't deserve anything good, and anything that
ever felt like it might be was obviously a lie.
Mika didn't have enough strength to hold him back, and he didn't have the heart
to hold Yuu if the boy didn't want him to, either. He shouldn't feel this
exhausted; he had no idea how Ferid had gotten away with drinking so much of
his blood, the blood of another vampire, and not get sick. Be it nobility or
old age, he didn't know, but his strength had suffered from it; it simply
wasn't done. He could only sag back and watch how his beloved pet fretted
himself into a frenzy. "I don't want you to hate me," Mika said quietly after a
while, dread sinking deep into his core. "Yuu, please, all I'm doing, I do for
you; I love you."
He felt like a huge fake telling him that. Not because he didn't love Yuu, he
did, he loved the boy more than he thought he was capable of - because he had
gone and slept with another person when Yuu had told him explicitly before that
he didn't want that, that the thought alone hurt him. Mika had promisednot to
do it. He had let Yuu down. "I didn't think I was using you, I liked what we
did..." He blinked sluggishly; god, he was tired. Yuu's tantrum sapped more of
his strength. "I don't want you to think, one day, that I only kept you around
for feeding. I don't. I want you with me because you're wonderful, and you're
smart and you brighten my life so much..." His eyes were very heavy, Yuu's
shape in front of the fire was blurring. "I don't want you to hate me like I
hate him."
"I didn't think you were using me!" Yuu cried out, his shoulders hunching up as
a sob crept out. "Not since the beginning, not after I knew you and I trusted
you." It felt like it had been a million years since Mika had brought him home
with him, since Yuu hid beneath the side table and was afraid the vampire would
drain him or kill him. He trusted Mika with his life now, on every level,
knowing that he could give himself to the vampire and that he would be safe in
his hands. "I offered myself to you, because I love you and I trust you, Mika.
You never even asked, it was me. I wanted to do it, I still... I still want
to."
Yuu didn't want those times with Mika to end; it was far too special to him. He
wouldn't let it without a fight. He didn't care what the other vampires
thought, what their stupid laws were...
Not until Yuu turned around and looked at the vampire, slumped in his chair.
He'd never looked worse, not even after coming home after the fight, the first
night he had fed from Yuu after the boy had demanded it.
"Like you hate who, Mika?" Yuu asked, his voice dropping and his anger fading
to concern. The way Mika looked, so broken, it hurt his heart. "What did they
do to you? They hurt you, didn't they?"
Yuu took a few steps closer to Mika, pausing at his legs and placing a small
hand gently on the vampire's knee. "Tell me what happened, Mika? Please?"
"You really don't have to worry about that, Yuu, it's over...it's fine, now."
Mika reached out with both hands, wanting nothing more than to have Yuu in his
arms. "It will hurt you, and I don't want you to be hurt. You deserve so much,
Yuu, I don't want you to be sad every again."
He curled his arms around the boy once he was in his lap again, burying his
face in the soft hair. One of his arms wound tight around Yuu's waist, the
other hand cupping his head, wrapping himself around his precious angel. Mika
was quiet for a long moment, then sighed softly; he could basically feel Yuu
thrumming with impatience and the need to know. "The noble that came by so long
ago...Ferid," he murmured quietly, stroking Yuu's hair, more to calm himself
than the boy. "He's the one that turned me, a long, long time ago. We were very
close once, at least I thought so - but he didn't. I was entertainment to him."
God, it still hurt. So many years and the cruel words still stuck under his
skin like splinters, festering, poisoning him. "I was...I was nothing. When I
found out what he really felt about me, we got into a fight, and he drank...he
drank too much." Mika shuddered, the memories still fresh, still ingrained in
his mind. "But he didn't let me die, he turned me; I was your age."
Mika dropped his forehead against Yuu's shoulder, heart aching. He didn't want
Yuu to know; he wanted no one to know. "You're not a vampire until you drink
human blood; until then, your body still grows. But you're thirsty...so
thirsty." He could still feel it, the dryness of his throat, his nails breaking
against the wall, the excruciating pain of his body changing without
nourishment. "I left that home the moment I was strong enough." Mika brushed
his lips against Yuu's cheek, the soft, warm skin soothing him. "He found out,
he threatened to tell the elders, to take you away...I couldn't allow that. By
any means necessary, Yuu, I couldn't let that happen to you."
Yuu was silent, taking in Mika's words while the others warm breath ghosted
across his cheek. He had never thought much about how Mika had become a
vampire. In Yuu's young mind, Mika had just simply always been a vampire. The
boy hadn't considered it, really, if he thought Mika had been born that way or
bitten by someone else; who had done it and when it had happened. It hadn't
crossed Yuu's mind that once, Mika might have been a human boy just like him.
Yuu wasn't even sure just how old Mika was, as he looked to be no older than
his early twenties. That vampires, at some point, must stop aging was something
Yuu hadn't really processed. Mika simply just was, to Yuu.
So Mika had been with Ferid in some way, the other vampire's pet, possibly. It
made Yuu feel jealous and uneasy to even think about it, that they may have
lived together and at some point - perhaps very long ago - Mika had feelings
for Ferid. Probably a lot like how Yuu felt toward Mika.
Yuu didn't like that at all, even if Mika hated him now. He was sure that even
if he found out Mika never really cared about him at all, even if he hated Mika
and resented him for breaking his heart, there would always be a part of him
that loved him.
He couldn't push the images from his mind, of a younger Mika in that bastard's
lap, of them sharing the same kind of intimacy that Yuu had with Mika. What
Ferid had now, essentially, stolen away. No matter how tightly he shut his
eyes, he felt like he could see nothing else and he hated it.
"What did he do to you?" Yuu asked, his voice so quiet it was hard to get a
read on his emotion. "What did you do to him? Was there a fight?"
"No, there wasn't a fight." There hadn't even be the beginning of a fight; Mika
hadn't been able to protest at all, unless he had wanted to risk giving up Yuu.
"I...merely gave him what he had been after all that time." It felt crushing to
even admit it out loud, he couldn't even look at Yuu, hiding his face against
the boy's shoulder. "He won't bother us now; I have nothing more to give."
Besides Yuu. Yuu was all he had; he'd given up his life, his humanity, his
trust, his love. His pride, now. All Mika wanted was to go to bed and not come
out again until Ferid had forgotten all about him - but he knew that wouldn't
happen. He just hoped Yuu was still too young, too innocent to understand yet
what Mika had done tonight, because if he did understand, he was sure to be
disgusted. Mika knew he couldn't live with Yuu being disgusted by him.
"I won't do that to you, I won't be like that...I will keep you safe, Yuu. I
promise."
Yuu's blood ran cold and he shoved himself out of Mika's arms with all of his
strength, spilling onto the floor and scrambling to get up. He didn't want to
believe it, but Mika had just admitted it. The vampire had been clear that
Ferid had been wanting to fuck him for a long time and Mika had just said,
clear as day, that he had given Ferid what he wanted.
"So just like that, without even talking to me, you just... have sex with him?"
Yuu shook his head, angry and fury radiating from him.
"You don't want me to feel like you're using me for my blood, but you do that?"
The boy's arms flew through the air, tears rolling down his flushed cheeks.
"I'm so stupid for thinking you weren't using me for everything else! I'm just
a pet, this isn't... it's not like you're my boyfriend!" The word came out
broken; Yuu was embarrassed to even say it, say what he'd been pretending
because it gave him peace, but he was too angry to hold it in. "If you were,
you wouldn't have had sex with someone else, you... you would have at least
talked to me about it! We could have figured something out, I would have helped
you!"
Yuu backed away, twisting his hands into his dark hair. All night he had been
so scared, so worried something had happened to Mika and the whole time he'd
been having sex with someone else.
He wanted a dad, a boyfriend, someone to love him and for it to be real. But,
all he was was a pet. Mika loved him like someone loved their dog. He was a
cute companion to play with, but he wasn't anything to be taken too seriously.
Yuu rubbed his eyes, finding it impossible to even look at Mika. If only Guren
had loved him, had adopted him for the right reasons, he wouldn't even be here,
having his heart broken by a vampire.
Why wasn't he good enough? Why didn't anyone really love him or want him? What
was so terrible about him that everyone he opened himself up only crushed him?
"I can't do this," Yuu said suddenly, without even so much as looking Mika's
way, his anger at the injustice of everything in his life, of being hurt again,
it was all too much. "I said I'd be your pet because I thought I didn't have
any other choice, I thought it couldn't be worse than everything else that has
happened to me. But, I don't want to be your pet, I never did. I don't know
what I wanted in the beginning, a father?" Yuu snorted at that, shaking his
head. He'd actually believed that Guren could be his dad, but Mika, well... Yuu
had already been burned. "I know until a few minutes ago, I wanted to be your
boyfriend and I was stupid enough to think I was, even though I knew you
wouldn't say it. But, I'm not. I never was, I was just your pet. Well, not
anymore."
Yuu tugged at the suede collar he wore around his neck with their combined
blood and dropped it, the metal clattering against the wood floor in a sound of
cold finality.
The boy spun on his heel, not allowing himself to look back, to get sucked back
in to being no better than an animal kept for a vampire's amusement.
He didn't pause when he reached the door, couldn't bring himself to say
goodbye. He simply flung it open and ran out into the cold, darkness, racing
down the cobblestone street in no particular direction, the chilled air
stinging his lungs as he sobbed.
Mika, stunned by the rant and Yuu flinging the collar to the ground, stayed
behind, sagged in the armchair, staring at the open door with dread tightening
his chest.
I’m exactly like him.
Chapter End Notes
     We also decided not to include the FeridMika smut scene. (Brite
     decided that. Kitteh wanted to see that very, very badly. xD)
***** Cocoa *****
Chapter Notes
     Sssssoooooo...since there was so much pain in the last chapter we
     thought we'd update extra-fast and with an extra-long chapter :D This
     one is, again, basically Ferid-smut free. Yay?
See the end of the chapter for more notes
It was incredibly dark without the gaslights that usually lighted the streets.
Yuu's feet, socked only because he had fled their little house with no mind to
put proper clothing on, stumbled over the cobblestone of the streets, uneven
ground. More than once, he ran into an obstacle in his wild chase.
Mika had called out to him when he had been out of the door, voice breaking
with anguish - but he hadn't come after him. Usually the vampire was much
quicker than he was; the one time Yuu had thought he could play catch with Mika
on the ground floor of their home had proved that, Mika had snatched him up
within seconds. And usually, Mika wouldn't let him leave like this: alone, at
night, without shoes. Without a jacket. Mika usually cared more.
Yuu didn't know if he hadn't been found yet due to Mika honestly not caring
what happened to him - which seemed quite impossible, even if Mika had gone
spent half the night with that bastard. In a way, he had done this becausehe
cared that Yuu was safe. If that wasn't the case, maybe Mika was too injured to
come after him.
That opened a whole new can of worms.
Mika was alone, weakened enough that he couldn't even stop Yuu from getting off
his lap, and Yuu had left the door open. If anyone decided to go in now...Mika
would be all but defenseless. Just as he slowed to a stop, breathing hard and
wondering how he would get home quickly now with barely seeing anything, there
were voices coming closer; feminine ones, with the odd input of a male one.
They were heading into his direction.
Yuu frowned, snuffling through his pants and turning around. He had no idea
where he was, just knew that home was back in the direction he'd run from.
Home.
Yuu had never had one before, never felt like there was anyplace he could call
that. He'd never felt safe, protected and warm.
It was something he had found with Mika, something that he had grown so
attached to and loved deeply.
It only made the pain of what Yuu felt was a deep betrayal only worse.
He'd trusted Mika. He'd let down his walls and his guard and gave his fragile
heart to the vampire. Yuu wiped his eyes, standing in the cool, dark night. He
would have done anything for Mika, given him anything he'd wanted. He just
wanted to be loved.
The sound of others was coming closer and Yuu knew he had to make a decision
right then. It was either attempt to find the surface and start his life alone
up there, or go back to Mika and fight for what he'd thought they had; what Yuu
thought they could have. Scream at him until his ears bled for how he'd hurt
him and for how he was so much more than a pet.
The more Yuu thought about it, thought about Mika and how much it all mattered
to him, he knew he couldn't leave. He was angry and hurt, but he loved Mika,
even still. He couldn't hate him, no matter how much pain he was in. He needed
Mika in his life, needed to be in his arms again and fall asleep beside him.
If Mika had really wanted it, wanted to be with Ferid that way... would he have
looked so broken?
Fresh tears stung Yuu's eyes and pawed at them roughly with the heels of his
hands.
It had been like how Yuu'd felt when he was with Guren. Not like when he and
Mika were together and they were happy in each other’s arms. It had obviously
hurt Mika... a lot. He could barely move from the chair, he couldn't even get
up to chase after him.
Mika had been hurt, and Yuu had abandoned him.
He'd thought only of himself, of his own feelings and his own pain - never mind
the night of hell the man he claimed to love had been through at the hands of
someone he hated. That had beaten him up before. That taunted him and was rude
to both of them.
And Yuu had only made it worse.
He'd blamed Mika when he'd done something out of desperation to save him.
And Yuu had thought he couldn't possibly feel worse than when he'd run out of
the house.
It was a mistake, a huge mistake, but Yuu was going to make it right.
“What’s this?”
A hand grasped the back of his hoodie and lifted him clean off the ground,
socked feet swaying in the air. The voice that had spoken had been the male one
Yuu had heard faintly before; apparently he had stood in the same spot for a
while. "Oh," cooed one of the women, a hand touching his face and lightly
pinching his cheek. "Oh, look at the precious little thing. Are you lost,
little pet?" Vaguely, Yuu could make out the silhouettes of the people
surrounding him: two women, one taller than the other, and a tall man, the one
who held him in the air like a kitten would be picked up by the scruff of its
neck. Another hand petted through his wild hair. "Aw, Crowley, look how sweet
he is; and he's crying, can we keep him?"
The man chuckled good-naturedly as the two women fawned over Yuu in his grip.
"No, we can't have a pet. You'll get bored or Chess will accidentally kill him,
I don't want to deal with the paperwork."
"But he doesn't seem to belong to anyone," the shorter of the two women, Chess,
pouted, crossing her arms in front of her. "There doesn't have to be paperwork
if no one knows. He's not wearing a collar."
Yuu kicked his legs frantically, swinging a bit in the air as he was held up by
his collar. "Put me down!" He demanded, narrowing his eyes at the woman petting
his hair and swatting at her arms. They were vampires, of course they were, but
Yuu was safe - he belonged to Mika.
"I do so belong to someone!" Yuu shouted, twisting his little body, trying to
get out of the man's grip and leaving him completely unfazed by his movements.
"His name is Mika and I've got a collar, I just forgot to put it back on after
my bath!"
Yuu didn't like the sound of someone or something accidentally killing him,
this needed to end immediately so he could get home.
"You're right, you don't want me," Yuu said with a grunt as he twisted his head
to make eye contact with the man holding him up. "So just leave me be!"
In all the months he'd been with Mika, he'd never tried to leave the small
house alone. He'd rarely left at all, actually, but when he did it he was in
Mika's arms or holding the others hand, always close and secure. It would
figure the one time he'd foolishly run out alone, he'd run into trouble. It was
really just his luck.
"Where did you bath, then, that you're out here all alone," the man smiled at
him almost kindly. "What a mouthy little thing. I don't know any Mika, though."
"I remember that name from somewhere," said the blonde woman, completely
oblivious to Yuu's protests against her petting his unruly hair. "Didn't Lord
Bathory have someone like that around, a while ago?" This being vampires, 'a
while ago' was an ambiguous thing...it could have been weeks, or years. "He'd
know, then," piped up the shorter woman, the one so prone to accidentally
murdering apparently.
The trio made the quick decision to bring him to said man; Yuu was carried,
naturally, kicking and squirming still, until they entered a part of town that
was nicer by far than the one he lived in. The cobblestone wasn't quite so
uneven and the small houses to either side of the street receded gradually,
making way for manors hewn into stone, huge and ominous. To one of those manors
they went, knocking and being bid inside by a vampire servant.
When they entered the study, Yuu found, with dread sinking into his heart, that
vampires apparently had last names....
Lord Bathory was none other than the one man he had never wanted to see again.
Ferid smiled lightly as he rose from his armchair, red eyes intent on the
squirming human child. "What have we here? Good evening, Crowley, ladies. What
a pleasure to have you visit."
Yuu was all but frantic then, wiggling and flailing his arms to try to escape.
"Let go of me now!" Yuu growled, glaring at Ferid with pure hatred, his arms
swinging wildly in front of him and his hands balled up into fists. "You
bastard," He snarled at the noble, gritting his teeth but about as intimidating
as a kitten to a full grown vampire. "I should kill you for what you did to
Mika! You had no right!"
Yuu was furious, unable to get away from the other man's grasp, wanting
desperately to punch Ferid until his body went slack with exhaustion and all of
his rage had dissipated. He wanted to make him hurt, just like he'd made him
hurt, just like he'd made Mika hurt.
Ferid looked amused, even mild, but there was a glitter in his eyes that was
intimidating. "Kill me, hmm. That would be interesting."
"So do you want this?" Crowley asked, looking a little exasperated at the
child's fury. "The ladies wanted to keep him, but it kept blabbering about a
Mika, so I thought maybe you knew where it belonged?"
Eyes on Yuu, Ferid's smile widened. "Oh I know where he belongs. Yes, I'll take
him off your hands, thank you for bringing him." He reached out, ignoring the
way Yuu swatted and clawed at his arm, and grasped the scruff of his hoodie
where Crowley was holding him, his flailing body traded from one vampire to the
other without either wavering, as if handing a bag of groceries over. Yuu was
shaken with a quick jerk; Ferid brought him to the other side of the room,
where there was a small cage next to the lit fireplace. Stuffed inside, Yuu was
barely able to sit up, the metal bars uncomfortably hot from being so close to
the fire. "I will deal with you later," Ferid purred at him, closing and
locking the door. "Quiet, now. Don't be rude to the guests."
Yuu slammed his hands into the hot bars of the cage, eyebrows knotted in fury.
He wasn't going to stand for this, Ferid had no right to do a damn thing to
him. He knew he belonged to Mika! Mika had his collar and his records that were
filed that said just whose pet he was.

"Let me out of here you asshole!" The boy demanded, stinging his hands as he
banged on the metal door. Mika had set things right, they were all even now.
Ferid could just let him go, but of course not. He'd take the opportunity to
taunt and harass him like he always did. Well, Yuu wasn't going to have it this
time.
"I swear as soon as I get out of here I'm going to kick your ass!"
"He's a handful," Crowley said, his brows raised, while the two women cooed
behind him at how cute Yuu was apparently being in his young fury. "Are you
sure you want him?"
The other vampire smiled at him, looking just a little too excited. "Oh, I am
very sure. There is a point I have to prove to my poor, misled progeny; the
sweet little thing will make him see the truth and I will have finished a
lesson. Thank you, again."
The three took their leave, Yuu suddenly alone with the one vampire that was
very much able to kill him - he had all but drained Mika of all strength in the
course of a few hours, hurting Yuu would not be very hard for him. Ferid
sauntered over to the small cage, looking down amusedly with his hands on his
hips. "Were you trying to come here?" he asked, lifting one fine brow. "Get
revenge for your poor, pathetic master? You didn't strike me as a smart type
from the beginning. How bored poor Mika must be with you."
"Shut up!" Yuu growled, slamming his body into the cage door with as much force
as he could muster, hands reaching through the bars to try and get at the
vampire standing before him. "He's not pathetic, he's wonderful... he's a lot
better than you could ever be!" Yuu glowered, unable to get the cage door to
move even an inch with all of his strength.
"And you know what? He isn't bored of me at all, you're the one he hates," the
boy spat turning a nasty look to Ferid as his lips twisted in a snarl. "He
loves me and I love him, you're just jealous because nobody loves you! You
wanted to try to ruin what we have, but you can't! You don't have that kind of
power over us!"
"I believe you severely underestimate the power I have over your master," Ferid
replied, sinking to one knee so he could reach through the bars and grasp Yuu's
face, long nails cruelly digging into his soft round cheeks. "I madeMika,
little brat. He was mine and he will always be mine. It takes only a command
and he would gleefully murder even you." His thin lips curved into a smirk.
"Naturally, he'd be heartbroken about it later...he seems to like your
distraction. So tell me," he yanked Yuu's face closer to the bars, almost
against the heated metal. "Why would he let you go out, alone, without your
collar on? If he loves you so much?"
Yuu squirmed to pull his face away, unable to budge or break from the vampire's
clawing grasp. He did his best of push away the sudden sense of fear he felt,
his pride unwilling to allow Ferid to know he had gotten under his skin. Yuu
wasn't sure if it was true, that whoever made a vampire could make them do
things, but Yuu knew that in Mika's case it wasn't. Mika would never hurt him.
"He was sick and hurt from what you did him," Yuu hissed, his face so close to
the metal bars his cheeks felt uncomfortably warm. "I'd taken my collar off in
the bath... I was angry when I left and forgot it," he lied, setting his jaw.
The truth was none of Ferid's business. He'd be damned if he told him he ran
away, that what he'd done to Yuu had hurt him in more ways than the obvious.
"Left to do what," Ferid taunted with a grin, seeing right through the little
human. "You ran away, didn't you. Was it jealousy? Knowing precious Mika spent
the evening with me? Did he tell you how much he liked it, how loudly he moaned
my name? So desperate for my approval...it was quite delicious." He let go of
him, observing the red flush his grasp had put into those cheeks. "How
miraculous, that you found your way to me of all people. You know what; Mika
pleased me tonight." Insinuation was dripping from his voice. "I'll do him a
favor and train you to be a proper pet, one that knows its place. He'll be much
happier with you after."
Before Yuu could form a response, anger and hatred toward the vampire boiling
in his veins, the cage door was opened and the boy was yanked out by Ferid's
hand fisted into his hair. Yuu howled in pain, wriggling and twisting his body,
trying to pull the noble's hand from his hair.
"Stop it, you bastard, it hurts!" The boy yelled, tears beginning to well up in
his eyes despite his pride. It was painful, like patches of skin would be
ripped from his scalp by the vampire's unfamiliar strength.
"Tsk. Calling me names won't grant you any favors around here," Ferid said
smugly, dragging Yuu down a hallway lit with gas lights enclosed in beveled
glass that made ominous shadows dance along the walls. "I don't know if that
disrespect was overlooked by Mika, but I suppose that's why it's good you're
here to be properly trained. You were probably quite the burden with your bad
attitude."
The words hurt Yuu. The vampire was preying on his weakness of feeling
unwanted, unloved, and while Yuu was aware of it, due to his own insecurities
he was unable to brush the statements off without a care. He had been awful to
Mika before he'd left him. He'd confessed to Yuu that he'd been exploited by
Ferid and Yuu had chosen to lash out, blame him, hurt him even more.
Yuu could barely blame him if Mika never wanted to see him again. He wouldn't
much want to have anything to do with himself, either. He'd thrown away
everything they had together, what they had built, all in a fit of anger that
really wasn't Mika's fault at all.
"You can't keep me," Yuu said frantically, eyes widening as the vampire pulled
him deeper into the belly of his home. "I belong to Mika, I'm registered..."
"I'm his Sire, I'm nobility," Ferid said with amusement, stopping abruptly in
front of a bedroom and pulling the boy inside with him. "I could have taken you
at any time, if I'd so desired. However, I had no interest in you," he said
smugly, yanking Yuu's head so he could look down at the boy. "You're rather
unpleasant, have a loud mouth and zero discipline. I didn't want to make Mika's
problem my problem, but I suppose I'll do him the favor..."
The room looked like a bedroom, decorated in the same ornate style as the rest
of the house that Yuu had so far seen. He tried to shake his head, push away
from the vampire, but it was no use. "You don't want me, why bother to do this?
Just let me go!" Yuu demanded, his eyes glassy but filled with rage. "You're
crazy if you think I'll ever do what you want, I'd rather die!"
Ferid smirked, dropped Yuu to the floor in a heap and spun with a flourish
toward a chest of drawers, completely unaffected by the boy's words.
Yuu scrambled to his feet while the vampire dug through the drawers, grasping
the back of his sore head and rushing toward the wall furthest from Ferid. As
they were deep beneath the surface, the room had no windows; there was no
escape aside from the door beside the vampire. He knew that his only hope of
freedom was to make a run for it and hope that luck was on his side.
Of course, such things never panned out well for Yuu, and before he could even
reach the door, Ferid had already swooped in front of him and snatched him back
up into his arms.
"Now, now, I can't have you running away like that," Ferid said with a chuckle,
carrying the struggling boy to the plush bed and setting him down while
towering over him with his body and cape. "Your first lesson will be to stay
put and be quiet."
Ferid flipped the boy onto his stomach with ease, binding the boy's wrists
behind his back in black leather cuffs, restraining his movement as Yuu tried
to fight him off.
"Let me go now!" Yuu screamed, true panic and fear setting in as he realized
this was certainly not Ferid playing a game to mess with him and he had no way
to fight him off or escape. He kicked his legs as much as he could manage,
putting up the fight of his life to try and get the vampire off of his back.
"Don't do this to me, let me go," he shrieked, eyes going wide with horror as a
black ball gag was forced into his mouth and fastened behind his head.
"There, that should make you at least fractionally more desirable to be
around," Ferid said with a hum, picking Yuu up as though he was light as a
feather and dropping the terrified boy into his lap.
"Oh, I see now why Mika had chosen you," the vampire smirked, running a hand
through Yuu's hair and then grabbing the flinching boy's chin firmly. "You're
just a small, little thing. Just like he was when he stayed with me. I'm sure
he thought playing out our little dance with you would give him some closure,"
Ferid mused with a hum, "but, I'm inclined to think the way I spent the night
fucking him worked just as well for that purpose."
Yuu's eyes narrowed and filled with tears, his growl of anger muffled by the
ball in his mouth. He didn't want to think about what Ferid had done to Mika,
how he'd hurt him, how Yuu himself had then hurt him all over again. It was so
hard to imagine Mika being his age, living with Ferid, and Yuu didn't want to.
"You're nothing like him though," Ferid said, adding a tone of disappointment
to his voice. "He was such a sweet little thing. Always eager to please. He had
such a bright smile," the vampire grinned, wiggling Yuu's chin. "I never had to
use these on him," he said, giving the ball a little tap and making drool spill
from the holes and onto Yuu's hoodie.
"I'd come home from work and he'd crawl right into my lap, beg me to hold him
and kiss him," Ferid continued, moving his face closer to Yuu's and keeping his
menacing red eyes fixed on the boy's. "He'd ask me to feed from him and his
blood was as sweet as he was," Ferid said, licking over his lips. "He's still
delicious, even though he's been turned. I did well choosing him to be my
progeny, even if he is a bit more hard headed than I'd like. Something tells me
he is finally learning his place."
Ferid skimmed the tips of his fingers over the delicate skin of Yuu's neck and
the boy started to sob, fat tears rolling down his cheeks as drool dripped into
his lap.
"I'd drink from him and then he'd beg me to pleasure him, to let him pleasure
me," Ferid said fondly, leaning in to nuzzle his nose against the boy's neck as
his body stiffened in his lap. "Much like he did tonight," Ferid chuckled. "I
suppose some things never change, even after all these years."
"Will you beg me to love you like he did once I've tasted you, Yuu?" Ferid
asked, nipping teasingly at the boy's neck with his lips. "Will you squirm in
my lap and cum in your pants if I give in and touch you?"
Yuu shook his head, eyes slamming shut as sobs wracked his small body. He
didn't want Ferid to feed from him, let alone touch him. He knew the way it
made him feel when Mika did it, so warm and high and good. He was terrified of
what would happen to him if the other vampire bit him. If he lost control and
allowed Ferid to humiliate him.
"What will Mika think when I tell him how you begged me to touch you later? Do
you think he'll hate you and never want you back? Not even when you're good and
trained?"
Yuu growled and tried to scream, thrashing in one last show of restraint when
he felt the vampire's teeth sink into his flesh. For as many times as he'd
allowed - no, begged - Mika to drink from him, the bite from Ferid was of no
comparison. His venom was much stronger and Yuu's body fell limp almost
instantly, eyes opening slowly only to fall shut again, everything fading to
black as the monster took his fill.
Over the course of Yuu's time at the manor, the ball-gag firmly set between the
boy's teeth, his hands bound behind his back most of the day and night unless
Ferid wanted him to be free. The lessons were inconsistent and basic cruelty -
the first time Ferid fed from him, Yuu blacked out for hours afterwards, the
pleasure Mika's venom usually brought him amplified by how old Ferid was, how
powerful, too much for his young body to comprehend and deal with.
There was no one else. Yuu was kept in a room that wasn't even all that
uncomfortable, Mika's old bedroom by what Ferid had told him, and the noble was
the only one he saw over the four months it took until he finally saw Mika
again.
"I don't see why I'm here," Mika grouched when Ferid led him through the manor
he by now hated the look of even more than before; he had come when his maker
had called him, able to do very little but obey, but that didn't mean he wasn't
allowed to be salty about it. Mika moved slowly, he could see he was annoying
Ferid with the pace - he couldn't care less.
When Yuu had run out the door, he had tried his damnedest to follow him and had
all but fallen out of the armchair and onto the hard floor in the process. He
had made it out the door, still open, but not walking; one of his comrades had
found him come morning, passed out in the middle of the street, the collar
clutched in his hand, and had taken him to the blood bank to get his fill so he
could at least stand.
He hadn't gone back very often.
It was all disgusting. The blood was disgusting, not knowing where it came
from, that it wasn't Yuu. He hated the anonymity over the incredible intimacy
he'd had with the boy. So he had gone only when the thirst had been too great,
his strength sapped too much for him to do his job - his face was gaunt now,
fingers trembling. Mika didn't care anymore.
All that changed when he saw what Ferid had been trying to show him. In the
study, by the fire, sat Yuu. Bound and gagged and with his jewel eyes wide and
frightened; everything that had been numb before slammed into him all at the
same time, making him feel, making him hurt. He stopped, gasping Yuu's name,
darting forwards to pick him up and bring him home - and was cruelly snatched
back by the fluttering coat he wore, hard enough that he fell to the ground,
but Mika scrambled up immediately, straining against the grip Ferid took in his
hair, ash-blond tangling around deceptively slender fingers. "Let me go, let
me....Yuu!"
Yuu screamed around the gag when he saw Mika, his heart feeling as though it
exploded when he saw the man he thought he never would again. It had been four
long months in Ferid's sadistic prison, though he was relying on the vampire's
word as he no longer had a sense of time. There was no routine as there had
been with Mika, no three meals at the table or toys to play with. Yuu was kept
locked in the bedroom that once belonged to Mika, sometimes bound, gagged and
blindfolded when Ferid felt he was particularly deserving of punishment. He was
fed slop from a bowl on the floor like an animal, flavorless gruel that was not
much more than vitamin supplements - just what it took to keep him healthy
enough to live and produce blood for the vampire to feed from - there was no
effort put into giving him food that was enjoyable or tasted good.
Ferid had been rough with him when he fought back, the old bruises on his skin
surely telling the story that his lips could not. Each time Ferid bit him the
venom would grip the boy like the drug that it was and he would become placid
and docile in the vampire's arms.
Yuu preferred the times he passed out from the venom to the times he did not.
But now, standing before him, just too far out of reach was Mika.
And the boy started shaking, the reminder of his life when he'd been happy,
warm and safe rushing back to him like it had never left. He had been such a
fool to run away and leave Mika. He'd sworn he never leave the house, that he
understood the dangers, but Yuu really hadn't known how seriously he needed to
heed Mika's warnings until he'd fallen into Ferid's clutches.
Being with Ferid had made Yuu's time with Guren seem like heaven in comparison.
He tried to cry out for his former master, lover, whatever it was that Mika had
been to him. It was all so confusing to Yuu now, after his time with Ferid,
hearing stories of Mika's past that seemed to so closely mirror Yuu's present.
Yuu longed to run to Mika, wrap his arms around his waist and hug him like he
used to, but he was bound, unable to go to the man that he still very much
loved, regardless of everything that had happened between them and all the
questions Yuu still had.
Mika had been the only thing that had ever felt like home to Yuu, he wanted to
go home.
"Calm yourself, Mika," Ferid said with a short laugh, keeping a firm hold on
the younger vampire's cloak. "I won't have you putting your hands on my doll in
such a state. You could startle him and turn his blood bitter."
It was nonsense, foolish lore that they said as more of a joke than anything
serious, but Ferid managed to convey both sentiments well in his delivery.
"You can see he belongs to me now," Ferid said, motioning to Yuu who was naked
aside from the black leather collar around his neck, similar to the other blood
dolls Mika had seen in his estate over the years. "I've been training him well,
I thought you should come by and see his progress. As it turns out, he does
well with a firm hand."
Desperation turned to fury and Mika rounded on his Sire, teeth bared and fangs
lengthened and on full display, meant to intimidate, an instinct settled deep
into the more bestial part of his nature. "He does not belong to you," he
snarled, voice thick with contempt and rage. "He is mine and you had no
right..."
It was laughably pathetic to the older vampire, his little fledgling squirming
in his grasp in such a frenzy, yanking at the grip he had on his coat and hair
so he could get to the young human; at one point, he sank his teeth viciously
into Ferid's wrist, hitting the vein with precision, pumping blood splattering
his front; his hair, his face, the white of his uniform. Though Mika had
retained the cerulean blue of his eyes even after turning, something Ferid had
once praised as a beautiful flaw of nature, there was red bleeding in with the
blue now until Mika's eyes had the same color as Ferid's; fresh blood, savage
and furious. He managed to pull away only because the older vampire was
surprised by his attack but didn't get far - two steps into Yuu's direction,
arms stretched out to snatch him up and into the safety of his embrace, and
Mika met the floor.
As if downed by a boulder falling on top of him he screamed in desperation
through the pain of bones cracking with the impact, blood spilling from his
mouth when his jaw broke. Ferid's hands came down on his wrists, pinning him
with ridiculous ease, a mere squeeze of his slender fingers shattering the thin
bones. Mika still fought back, squirming and bucking to get free, get over to
Yuu, by any means necessary.
"Now, now," Ferid said, holding Mika down against the floor with ease. "You can
look with your eyes, not your hands," he chided, lifting Mika from the floor
with a fistful of his hair and dragging him toward one of the fanciful sofas.
"Look at you, getting yourself injured when I invited you over to witness my
progress with the precious princess. You've become so rude, Mika, really...
whatever happened to the sweet boy that once lived here with me?"
Ferid glided over to Yuu in an instant, pulling the trembling boy from the
floor and into his arms.
Yuu had never seen such violence in person, never witness a beating like what
he had just seen done to Mika. A regular human would have undoubtedly died from
the force of Ferid's blows and the sounds of cracking bones echoed into the
horrified boy's ears. He cried harder, trying to remove his wrists from their
confines so he could care for Mika, help him heal like he had before. Mika
needed him.
"Don't be frightened, little one," Ferid said with amusement, carrying Yuu to
the sofa opposite from where he'd set down Mika, holding the shaking boy firmly
in his lap. "Mika was foolish, he needed to be taught a lesson not to touch my
toys. You see, I'm still teaching him as well," the vampire chuckled. "My work
is never done."
"He'll be fine once he's had some blood, that was only a warning," Ferid said
calmly, whistling and causing another boy to materialize from one of the
bedrooms at his command. The red haired boy lacked the spirit and fight that
Yuu had, his head down as he stood beside Ferid and waited for his command. He
was collared and naked much like Yuu, but wasn't bound or gagged.
"My guest could use a little pick me up," Ferid said, nodding toward Mika with
a sly grin. "Go and tend to his needs."
"Yes, sir," the boy said quietly, walking toward Mika, his eyes on the floor.
Deposited on the couch like a ragdoll without much care, half on and half off
the cushions, Mika gritted his teeth against the waves of agony rendering him
all but useless, grimacing as he bled onto the fancy sofa. His eyes tracked
Ferid warily before settling on Yuu. "Don't touch him," he said hoarsely,
shifting to push himself up and crying out when he sagged back, weakly. "Don't
you dare touch him, Ferid, I will murder you."
His threats lacked potency. Mika could barely move, not with his ribs and
vertebrae cracked like they were, could only glare in offense when Ferid
offered him something of his own to drink. He should, he really should take the
offer, he needed the strength to save Yuu; but drinking in front of the boy,
from someone else, was something he couldn't do. Yuu would be hurt, he would be
offended, and Mika could think of nothing worse than make Yuu even more mad at
him. "Let him go." When Ferid's fangs sank into Yuu's neck and the dark-haired
boy gasped around his gag and closed his eyes Mika bit his tongue hard to not
scream his frustration.
Yuu whimpered, tears rolling down his cheeks and he tried to will his body to
resist Ferid's venom. He felt terrible, such horrendous guilt, being fed from
by another vampire while Mika watched. It was a betrayal, something that had
been so intimate between them and Yuu didn't want to give to anyone else but
the man he loved.
He could feel Mika's eyes on him, watching him and how his body gave in and
went slack for Ferid, the vampire's fingers petting his bare side and making
him shiver involuntary.
"That's it," Ferid murmured, lapping the blood the flowed from the puncture
wounds in the boy's neck, watchful of the amount of venom Yuu was dosed with.
Often, he didn't much mind when the boy blacked out for hours after his
feeding, it gave Ferid less trouble, after all. But, Mika was there and it
would be terribly rude to push the boy into unconsciousness while they had
company.
"No wonder you couldn't resist the temptation in feeding from him," Ferid mused
between laps at the boy's neck. "He's divine, maybe even more delicious than
you were when you were a sweet little thing."
The vampire flicked his thumb over one of Yuu's nipples and the boy moaned, his
eyes flicking over to Mika's and his cheeks turning deep red with shame.
"He reminds me so much of you, he's so... receptive after a little nibble."
It was the last straw Mika needed to push himself into action. His body
screamed at him, battered and weakened by weeks of deliberate starvation
brought on by grief, but seeing Yuu molested in that way...hearing him moan,
watching his face fall...was too much to take.
He noticed that Ferid pushed Yuu off of him when he pounced, right over the
delicate coffee table, tried to catch him before he hit the floor - and hit the
far wall after a moment of suspended weightlessness. The back of his head
cracked the window sill and he fell slack, only for a moment before he was up
again, fueled by absolute rage...and smacked down again.
Mika was no match for his Sire even fed and on his best day. Like this, it
didn't take long for him to lose consciousness, body crumbled in a veritable
heap. It would take a while for his bones to heal; there was not a single whole
one left.
Yuu screamed around the gag, the venom not powerful enough to block his pain
from being dumped onto the floor or the horror of Mika being assaulted so
brutally right in front of his eyes. After all this, Mika was still trying to
protect him, even though Yuu had turned his back on him and betrayed him,
letting himself become the ill-treated pet of another vampire - the one Mika
hated most.
Mika's beautiful blue eyes were red now, but the pain in them looked familiar
to Yuu. It wasn't much different from the night Yuu had left, when Mika had
been broken and desperate for his understanding and love.
The boy tried to tell him he was sorry, that he loved him and he'd find his way
back to him, but his words were obscured and muffled by the wretched ball gag
that made his jaw ache incessantly.
"That was quite a tantrum," Ferid said with a sigh and a toss of his hair. "Are
you done now?"
He stared down at Mika's body, looking displeased and bored. It simply wouldn't
do to have a half dead vampire bleeding out in his living room.
"Go fetch the servants," Ferid ordered the silent blood doll standing out of
the way and making himself invisible. The lower caste vampires that worked in
the noble's home were roomed in the same hallway as Ferid's toys. "Tell them to
bring him home and have him force fed blood until he has healed enough to give
me a proper apology. I won't stand for such disrespect."
He stepped onto Mika's hand, his boot crunching and cracking all the bones in
the blond's hand as he stood on top of it.
"This was your last chance, Mika," Ferid drawled, putting his hands on his
hips. "The next time you disrespect me will be the end."
He had thought it had been bad before, without Yuu, knowing nothing of his
beloved's fate, slacking off at work to search for him. Every night that he had
gone to bed alone had been fresh heartache for him.
This was even worse. There was one of Ferid's bland, silent servants that
stayed with him, feeding him bags of cold blood every few hours, nursing him
back to health in the parody of a loving caretaker. One by one his bones
healed, set themselves back together, the tears in his muscles easing...but the
pain lingered. The knowledge of where Yuu had been, what he must have been
through - something Mika knew very, very well - was worse than not knowing what
had happened to him. If Yuu had been taken in by anyone else, the shelters, the
center, even the blood banks wouldn't have been so horrible.
Even if Yuu had been dead it wouldn't be as bad as this.
Mika wiped the thought with a toss of his head, impatient to be able to get up.
He would get Yuu out of there - and fuck the capital, he wouldn't stay here.
He'd take Yuu and run.
It took a whole two weeks until Mika was able to get up without wavering or
falling. And he didn't waste a second more; the moment the servant had left he
did too, making preparations. Cinnamon went into a bag, tucked in with care, as
well as some of Yuu's beloved blocks - he wouldn't be able to take all of them,
most of the toys would have to stay behind. Clothing, dry snacks, two of Yuu's
favorite books; the bag was stashed outside the gates, hidden beneath rocks for
easy retrieval later.
When it was dark, Mika tried to calm his breathing, outside of Ferid's manor.
He knew how and where to get in, knew where Yuu was held. Actually getting in
wasn't even all that hard - Ferid was an arrogant bastard, his forte was
entertaining guests, there weren't many guards here. He didn't need any, they
were mostly for show; no one would dare attack a noble as ancient as he was,
not if they didn't want to die. Mika tried to suppress his presence as much as
he could, creeping through the large manor and picked the lock to his bedroom
door as he had done so many times when he was still living here.
"Yuu," he breathed, quietly closing the door behind himself and approached the
bound little frame on the bed, not even covered against the chill. "Yuu...shh,
I'm here. Not a sound."
Yuu was silent, eyes widening at the sound of the command that sounded so much
like Mika. He wasn't sure if he was dreaming, if the venom was beginning to
play tricks on his mind and he was hallucinating, hearing voices that weren't
there because he wanted to see Mika again so desperately.
The time since he had last seen Mika had been a nightmare for Yuu, one spent
crying so much his pillow was is a permanent state of dampness. He hadn't
expected for Mika to return after Ferid's threat, it having such a weight of
finality to it, and when Yuu rolled over on the bed in the direction of the
voice he was truly shocked to see Mika standing there before his bed.
His lips parted and he took in a shaky breath, his heart skipping a beat.
"Mika...Mika... y-you're really Mika," Yuu whispered in disbelief, wincing as
he involuntarily tried to reach out to touch him with one of the arms that was
bound behind his back and the leather digging painfully into his skin.
"Shh," Mika said again, one knee propping against the edge of the bed so he
could get at the boy. His fingers made quick work of the leather, the binds no
match for the strength of a vampire, and then he drew Yuu into his arms, close
against his chest, burying his face in his hair.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, brokenly. "I'm sorry I took so long...this mess is
all my fault. I'm sorry. I love you, Yuu, I never would have left you to this
if..." If he had been able to stand up to his Sire. If he hadn't come here in
the first place, all those months ago, if he hadn't thought Ferid would hold
himself to his word. "We're going away, we're going far away," he promised the
boy, rocking him lightly, his own lashes damp from tears clinging to them.
"Just you and me, screw all this, we're going to run away. To the country, no
one will find us, ever." Shaking hands petted Yuu's hair and skin, feeling how
cool he was, how tiny. "I will never let you go again."
Yuu shuddered with a sob he held in, small body bucking in Mika's arms as he
clung to him like the life line he was, that he always had been. It was real,
Mika was really here and he would never have to spend another night without his
arms wrapped securely around him. He had longed for this moment, to be held by
Mika again and hugged this way, the way Mika did with some much warmth and love
behind it.
After all the fighting Yuu had done during their separation, he wanted to break
down and cry himself into exhaustion in Mika's arms, but he knew he couldn't,
that he had to be strong for just a little longer.
"I love you, Mika, I'm so sorry for everything," Yuu whispered into Mika's ear,
tiny fingers twisting up into his blond locks. "I turned around and tried to
come back to you, I realized how wrong I was, but some man and two women
snatched me up and brought me here. I tried to fight him, Mika, I fought him
this whole time, that's why he keeps me tied up this way. I just wanted to come
home to you."
"I know, Yuu, I know, don't...shh...don't worry, you're mine," Mika whispered
back, curling him as close as possible, trying to warm him. Yuu was naked, the
room was cold; he hadn't thought of bringing clothing with him when he came
here. "Okay," he murmured, easing Yuu back gently and taking off the hoodie he
wore, leaving the clinging t-shirt he had on underneath - all dark, naturally,
perfect for sneaking. Mika pulled the hoodie over Yuu's head, gently helping
him into the much too large garment and had to smile a bit even; his hoodie
reached Yuu's knees, covering him well. He lifted Yuu into his arms when he
rose, so light, so tiny, and kissed his forehead. "You need to be very, very
quiet now, okay?" he asked, pulling the hood over Yuu's head and deep into his
face. "I'll take care of this. We're going out the next window, and then
through the west exit."
Mika talked mostly because he was nervous, to calm himself with the firm
determination that he had a plan, that it would work, that he and Yuu would
flee the vampire capital and no one would ever hurt Yuu again. He bundled the
boy close and peeked out of the door, left and right - no one there. Yuu's room
didn't have windows but the hallway did and Mika remembered how to open them
soundlessly as if he had never left this house. He murmured soft nothings to
Yuu to soothe the boy; it felt so good to have Yuu in his arms again after
almost half a year of tirelessly grieving, worrying, stages of convincing
himself that he would never see the boy again and fresh hope every time he
heard something his agonized mind interpreted as a hint to where Yuu was,
something he thought was a definite lead to what had happened to him. He closed
neither door nor window when the vaulted himself out and landed on the floor
two stories below as quiet and graceful as a cat.
Keeping to the shadows was easy in the middle of the night but the exits were
all lit as usual; it seemed deserted however. "Okay, Yuu," he told the boy,
crouching down behind the banister of the stairs that led to the foyer, cupping
Yuu's face. "We're going to make a run for it. There's no way we can sneak
through this, so hold onto me as tight as you can, okay? It's not far, the exit
is right over there." He looked at the little face, the large jewel eyes, and
felt a smile tug at his mouth, heart feeling lighter than it had in months. Yuu
was here. Yuu was fine, and in his arms, and they would be out of this hell
very soon. "I love you. Please trust me."
"I do trust you, Mika, more than anything" Yuu said with such passion for such
a small thing. It was true, Mika was the only one Yuu had ever trusted and he
trusted him fully. If he was ever going to have a chance at happiness again, it
would be by believing in Mika as he did before. Everything bad that had
happened was because Yuu's trust had been momentarily shaken and it had allowed
the evil to swoop in and hurt them both. But, Yuu was determined never to allow
that to happen again. He was given a second chance at a good life and he
wouldn't spoil it, wouldn't allow his faith in Mika to waiver even for a
moment.
"I love you. I never stopped. I promise I never will, either," Yuu said firmly,
placing a kiss on the vampire's cheek and locking his arms around his neck
tightly. "Take me home, wherever it is, it's where we can be together."
"Home is where you are," Mika replied warmly, folding his arms securely around
Yuu and lifting him up again, holding him securely; he glanced around the wide-
open space, feeling his nerves tremble with adrenaline and then made a dash for
it. His boots made sound on the hard floor that echoed through the vast hall
but he couldn't stop, he wouldn't, there was no way he could just stroll out of
here at this time with Yuu in his arms - he couldn't even imagine feigning
nonchalance.
His run was interrupted by a tall, slender figure appearing in front of him
seemingly out of thin air; Mika hissed and skidded to a stop. God damn it. Yuu
missing had been noticed.
"Mika, I'm so disappointed in you," Ferid said with a menacing grin, sadistic
red eyes trained on his progeny. "I know you'd try to take him back once you
saw him, but have you learned nothing of how to go unnoticed after all this
time? I'm almost embarrassed to have made you," he said, taking a menacingly
calm step closer to the blond.
"I believe I told you that you'd had your last chance to show proper,
respectful behavior." Ferid looked over at the boy clinging to Yuu, trembling
in the vampire's arms and trying desperately to be brave, though Ferid could
sense his fear and hear his heart pounding.
"Give me back the boy and I'll make your punishment a little less...
permanent." Ferid held out an arm for Yuu to be passed to him, watching Mika
with anticipation. "Don't let your pride get in the way, you'll regret it."
"You won't lay a hand on him again," Mika said, holding Yuu tighter against
himself. "I will not give him back to you." The blond kissed Yuu's hood-covered
head and set him down to crowd the small body behind his, to make a point, to
keep Yuu safe. "You can be embarrassed all you like, I'm not giving him back.
Ever. Let us through."
Ferid looked almost...gleeful. Mika grimaced in distaste; the noble had planned
this. Now that he thought about it, it shouldn't have been so easy to sneak
into the manor, break the locks, take Yuu without even be confronted about it.
Yuu's bedroom, what had been Mika's bedroom for a very long time, was at the
end of a usually very busy hallway; the servants lived there, the other blood
dolls. None of them were usually actually confined to their rooms like Yuu had
been. It had been too easy.
It had been a trap.
By the time Mika had processed what had occurred, that the only reason he was
able to get into the manor let alone his hands on Yuu was because Ferid had let
him, it was already too late. The elder vampire took that momentary distraction
to glide behind Yuu with the smoothness and speed of a ghost.
Yuu cried out Mika's name in a strangled scream, the cold night air sucking the
words from him as he fell silent, frozen.
There was a fraction of a second between Mika losing sight of his Sire and
Yuu's sound of pain. He turned, everything in slow motion: Ferid's grin, his
blade protruding from Yuu's chest, dripping red, Yuu's eyes so wide as they
looked up at him. A flash went through Mika, pure agony ripping apart his heart
and he really should have gone for Yuu, that was what every cell screamed at
him, take Yuu into his arms, soothe his pain, there was a hole in Yuu's chest,
but all he could think of was murder.
Leaping over the sagged little body he went straight for Ferid who had pulled
his sword from Yuu's back with a horrible sucking sound, catching the surprise
on his elfin face the fraction of a second before he grasped the noble by the
shoulders, fangs lengthened and sinking into his throat, hooking behind his
jugular. Blood sprayed onto Mika's face, into his hair when he jerked his head
back and tore out what he held between his teeth.
Ferid's eyes were wide and unseeing when Mika shoved him away, spitting out the
morsel in his mouth, his own heartbeat loud in his ears as he stared at the
crumbled form of his Sire. It was over. He was free. Naturally, a wound like
this wouldn't kill Ferid - he was too ancient to be snuffed out by this, it
would heal in its own time. He could of course decapitate him...
A soft sound behind him brought his train of thought to a complete stop. Mika
turned to see Yuu on the ground, still looking at him with those wide eyes; he
crouched down and pulled the boy gently into his arms, propping him into the
crook of one elbow, stroking his hair back with trembling fingers. "Yuu," he
breathed, even his voice was shaking, "Yuu...what....hey, sweetheart, look at
me. Look at me."
Yuu blinked, his pale lips parted in shock, one small, bloody hand twisting
into Mika's shirt. Everything moved in slow motion, his collapse to the ground,
Mika tearing at the throat of his Sire, it was as though Yuu was an outsider,
watching the scene play off a film reel. It wasn't until Mika pulled him into
his arms that the pain registered, the deep, searing pain of being skewered by
a blade wider than his arm. There was insatiable throbbing all around the wound
as he bled out on the cobblestone road and blood, so much blood.
"Mika," he whispered. "I... I finally have someone that loves me..."
Yuu tried his best to keep his eyes focused on Mika, to stay with him for as
long as he could. He'd finally found a family, someone that cared about him and
wanted him around and now it would all be over so soon. Everything was blurry,
from both his tears and the rapid blood loss, and ever so slowly, Yuu's eyes
fell shut.
As his body went limp in Mika's arms, Yuu felt a sense of relief. At least he'd
known what it felt like to be loved. Someone had thought he was good.
"No. No! Yuu, open your eyes, please, look at me," Mika pleaded, stroking the
dark hair back, trying desperately to staunch the flow. His fingers were dark
with Yuu's blood; suddenly he couldn't breathe. He had to do something, he-
Footsteps came closer in pounding rhythm; he hadassaulted a noble.If caught,
the guards would put him down immediately and there was nothing he could do for
Yuu if that happened. Under his trembling hands, Yuu's heart stuttered from its
usual smooth rhythm. There was shouting behind him.
In a split second decision, Mika snatched Yuu up into his arms and ran; crisp
cool air and dark night engulfed them as he broke through the gate into the
open field in front of the exit, leaving behind confusion and blood - so much
blood.
Chapter End Notes
     Uh oh. Sorry guys :(
***** Tarragon *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Several miles beyond the gate, mere minutes for Mika to spurt through, his eyes
had gotten used to the darkness of the night. The foyer hall had been so bright
it had been like plunging into pure inky darkness when he left it in a hurry,
with shouts behind him spurring him on as the guards found Ferid, who was
recognizable as a noble by his regalia alone even with the bloody ruin his neck
was and the gore splattered all over him.
The ambient light of the night, moon and stars and fireflies, was a welcome
relief from the glaring white of the exit hall. The moon was full, casting its
eerie, pale glow on the treeline of the forest he was skirting the edges of
until he was sure they weren't being followed.
In his arms, Yuu's breathing sounded faint and uneven, as if he was forcing
himself to draw a breath every now and then, but irregularly. With infinite
care, Mika crouched down inbetween bushes, just in case, and gently arranged
Yuu into the crook of his elbow instead of against his chest. The front of his
shirt was sticky with blood. "Yuu," he said tenderly, fingers brushing back the
hood, his unruly bangs, to look into the still little face. "Yuu..." In his
arms, Yuu's heart stopped beating.
Mika made a split second decision. Biting hard on his tongue, he cupped Yuu's
face up and tilted his head back so his mouth would be easy to open...and
kissed him, letting his blood drip into Yuu's mouth, onto his tongue, down his
throat. When the wound began closing, he bit it open again, desperate, feeding
the boy as much of his blood as he dared.
I never wanted to be like him , Mika thought, lips against Yuu's cold ones,
begging for a breath, a twitch, anything. This was his one chance to keep Yuu -
even though he had never actually talked to the boy about turning him, it had
always been in the back of his mind, selfishly hanging onto his thoughts every
time he noticed Yuu had grown, or his hair was longer. With Yuu, Mika had
regained a sense of time that had been lost to him after he had been turned
himself, a concept that seemed so abstract when there was no countdown to an
eventual end. Ferid had been forced to turn him to keep him from dying, too.
But unlike Mika wanted Yuu, Ferid had never wanted to keep him for eternity.
And Mika had hated being a vampire, having been forced into eternal life
without a say in the matter.
Yuu needed to stay with him, even if he was replaying the dance of his making,
just as his Sire had said. Yuu was home. Yuu was love and light and goodness,
cherished moments and exceptional sweetness that Mika had been missing without
ever knowing it. Yuu had to stay.
Mika drew back eventually, lashes and cheeks wet with tears and Yuu's lips
stained with his blood...but his beautiful eyes were still closed.
"Yuu...please." A broken whisper, the last plea he could offer, Mika lowered
his head to bury his face inside Yuu's hair while it would still smell like
him, while there was still a semblance of life left, and curled his beloved as
close as he could. "I love you."
It was just then that Mika heard the faintest moan from Yuu, so soft and weak
that if it wasn't for his extraordinarily sharp hearing he would have missed
it. The boy stirred ever so slightly in his arms, confused, tired eyes slowly
blinking open and reflecting the moonlight.
"Mika?" Yuu whispered, everything so blurry and hazy. The last thing he
remembered was being stabbed and Mika holding him as his eyelids got so heavy
he no longer had the strength to hold them open. Then, everything had gone
black.
"Where am I?" He asked quietly, wondering if he had died there on the
cobblestone path and found himself in a new world. "Is this Heaven?"
Mika went still around him. That voice skittered down his spine, putting him
into completely shock. He pulled back, looking down into Yuu's face - sleepy,
spattered with blood still, but definitely alive - and whimpered out a short
laugh. "Yuu," he said, lifting his arm to wipe his eyes with the back of his
wrist. "No...this isn't Heaven. Goodness, you scared me."
He curled Yuu close, as close as physically possible, feeling himself tremble
all over. "I thought I lost you, Yuu."
Yuu was too weak to cling to Mika like he wanted to, his arms too heavy to
embrace him tightly and refuse to let go. There was still a throbbing in his
gut where he had been stabbed, though the pain was not as sharp as it had been
before he'd blacked out. With each beat of his heart, his heated blood seemed
to pulse around the wound, and Yuu whimpered softly.
"Will I die?" Yuu asked, feeling a lump form in his throat. If he only had a
few moments to say goodbye, if he'd been given the gift of saying farewell to
Mika in peace, he wanted to know. But even the thought of it, of losing Mika,
of everything he'd ever wanted and needed being over so quickly sent pain to
his chest that hurt more than the bloody patch in his middle. "Can a doctor fix
me, if you hurry?" The boy's eyes filled with tears and he tilted his head
against Mika's. "I don't want this to be over."
"You already did," Mika said sadly, cupping his face with his free hand and
stroking the apple of his cheek with a thumb. "That doesn't mean it's over. Not
by a long shot." He leaned down to kiss Yuu's forehead, his nose, his lips.
"You and I will be together for eternity now."
Before Yuu could possibly protest Mika killing himself over him, Mika bit his
own lower lip again to make it bleed, a bit more blood would only speed the
process along. Once the wound was closed, the turning would begin and that part
was pain of unknown proportions. "I'll be with you," Mika's bloodied lips
whispered against his own. "We'll find a nice house out in the country and
we'll live, Yuu, we'll be so happy. Do you trust me?"
Yuu's eyes fluttered, staring up at Mika, skimming over his bloodied lip with
his brows wrought in confusion. "Of course I trust you, I'd do anything to be
with you, I don't want to lose you again but..." He squinted his eyes and shook
his head just slightly. "If I already died, how am I.."
The boy's lips parted slowly in realization, his eyes widening as he took in a
sharp breath. "Am I...?"
"Yes," the blond replied. "Well, not yet...um...I'm not an expert on how this
works, this is the first time I did something like this..." And the first time
he wanted to. The thought of Yuu being with him eternally was elating, even in
this situation. "The blood I gave you will take care of your wounds first,
that'll take a moment I guess, and then...I think you may need a bit
more...then it will turn you." Mika sighed, brushing his bangs back. "I'm
sorry, Yuu. I had wanted to talk to you about this when you were older,
because...well...I wanted this. I so wanted this. I just wanted you to
understand first what it meant, and..." He kissed the boy again, brief and
firm, cradled in the bushes as they were, a short moment of peace in each
other's arms. "I wish I could have given you a choice, Yuu. What I never had."
Yuu was stunned, quiet for a moment and passive and receptive to Mika's kisses
and nuzzling. Mika had been wanting to turn him to a vampire? The boy hadn't
had a clue. Once he'd gotten over his initial fear of Mika when they first met
and learned he was safe and didn't mean to harm him, the thought of anything of
that nature had completely left Yuu's mind. Once he understood he couldn't be
turned by a bite or the feedings, he didn't think much of it at all.
But, Mika had been thinking about it. And he'd thought that Yuu might say no,
or might be upset with him that he'd done it without giving him a choice.
Yuu wondered if he was supposed to be upset, even angry. By Mika's reaction it
seemed like he was supposed to be, with how apologetic he was being. But Yuu
didn't feel any of those things at all. He felt…loved.
"All I wanted was for you to keep me forever," Yuu said truthfully, brushing a
weak hand into the blond's hair. "How could I be upset with you for giving me
that?"
Mika let out a harsh sob that he had no clue wanted to get out. He clutched Yuu
closer, pressing their foreheads together, his body all but wrapped around the
tinier one. "I'm keeping you, I'll always keep you, you're mine. I'm yours. I
will never let you go again, Yuu, I promise."
The absolute innocence of this boy destroyed him, broke him down, built him
back up as a new person. Someone better. Someone worthy of keeping Yuu forever.
Yuu didn't even think about what it meant for him to be a vampire, labelled a
monster, forced into the society of Sanguinem. At least the last part they
wouldn't have to worry about if Mika could prevent it. "You and I, Yuu. It's
just you and me now."
His hand brushed up under the hoodie Yuu wore, feeling how warm his skin was,
not the icy cold it had been when Mika had thought Yuu was dead. He felt for
the wound, found it tender but mostly closed. "Okay, sweetheart, you need to
prepare now; this will hurt. I will be with you all the time even if you can't
see me." He remembered the pain of his own transition had been so intense he
couldn't see or hear for a while - one part of why he didn't want Yuu to have
to go through this. "You need to be brave, I will be here and we will come out
the other side fine. Okay?"
Yuu flinched, dreading having to go through any more pain after being stabbed
through his middle. He was already exhausted and using all of his resources
just to talk to Mika and stay focused. He didn't understand, never having asked
Mika about what it took to become a vampire and what it was like to be turned.
Indeed, it was only in the last few minutes of their very last night together
in their home before Yuu ran off to Hell that he'd learned that Mika had been
turned at all - and by whom. He'd never heard much of the details, not even on
Ferid's end, the noble very particular about what he shared with Yuu about his
past with Mika and the boy never knowing which things were true and which were
made up just to hurt his heart.
Even still, all of the pain in the world was worth it if it meant he got to
stay with Mika forever. That Mika wanted him forever was everything he ever
needed, he wouldn't give that up just because it would hurt.
"I'll be brave, I'll be okay," Yuu said, giving Mika a solemn nod. Saying the
words aloud seemed to help his confidence. "I won't ever doubt you again."
"Okay," Mika nodded and bit his tongue again, kissing Yuu after only a moment's
hesitation. What he really didn't expect was for Yuu to give a whimper...and
then black out immediately. Mika pulled back with a blink as Yuu fell slack in
his arms, but his heart beat and his nerves and muscles were twitching,
initiating the change. The blond sat back, cradling Yuu in his arms and watched
closely, waiting.
He had to loop back to get the back with Cinnamon and Yuu's toys and clothes
and snacks, he mused, but not tonight. The guards would be all up in a frenzy
with the assault on Ferid, swarming around the exits to catch whoever was
responsible. Maybe the squad that had come after the scuffle had even seen him.
He had to bring Yuu far away from all this toxin and ugliness, somewhere it was
only the two of them, where there was peace and goodness. Where Yuu could
grow...well, mentally. He had no idea how to keep Yuu from going insane without
nourishment, like he had been forced to. Looking down at the sleeping boy in
his arms, the little face grimaced in discomfort even in unconsciousness, he
figured he would have to think of something.
Mika busied himself with wiping the blood off of Yuu's face to pass the time;
the twitching and squirming got more intense and less so by phases...and then,
Yuu opened his eyes, brightly green, the pupils slitted in the same feline way
as Mika's own.
"Mika," Yuu murmured groggily, rubbing at his eye with his fist. The last thing
he remembered was Mika kissing him, then nothingness, though he seemed to have
a vague awareness that he had been in pain. His body ached and more than in
just his wounded area. It felt as though he'd had a lifetime of growing pains
occur rapidly, something that he felt deep into his bones. Even his teeth were
sore.

He moved to sit up slightly in Mika's lap, groaning and then placing his hand
on his side. He startled then, dark black lashes fluttering as he blinked
rapidly.
The wound had closed. The area where he'd been skewered with Ferid's sword
still hurt, but his skin had healed over. He was no longer bleeding - at least
not externally. His body had miraculously healed itself.
"Mika! It's healed, I'm all better now!" Yuu was positively glowing, eyes wide
with wonder. He laughed then, the first time in over four long months, his face
brightening just how Mika had remembered it. The boy grinned, revealing a set
of tiny fangs to Mika, altering the look of his smile, though it was no less
beautiful.
The blond stared in wonder at the little miracle on his lap; pain forgotten,
misery too, and as beautiful as a dream with that smile. "It is," he replied
faintly, keeping his arm around Yuu's waist in case this was a fluke, just so
Yuu wouldn't suddenly collapse and the light flee from him, or Mika would wake
up alone and in pain in his bed without him, or...
Yuu had fangs. "Let me see that," Mika said, cupping Yuu's face with one hand
and using his thumb to pull up the boy's upper lip; tiny, needle sharp fangs,
just a smidgen longer than his other teeth. Absolutely precious. "It worked. I
can't believe - it worked, Yuu." In a burst of relief, Mika all but wrapped
himself around the infant vampire, holding him tight and close. "Nothing will
separate us now," he murmured fervently into Yuu's hair, clutching him
possessively. "You're safe. You're free, Yuu, we're free."
Yuu nuzzled into Mika's chest, heaving a sigh of utter relief. He had been
through hell since he'd stepped out the door and turned his back on Mika. It
was the worst mistake he'd ever made and he would never allow himself to repeat
it.
"I'm so sorry, Mika," the boy said quietly, holding onto him about as tightly
as he could in his weakened and sore state. "I was so hurt and I wasn't
thinking clearly and it was a mistake. I know why you did it and I know it was
because you didn't want to lose me and I'm so sorry I left you the way I did. I
tried to come back to you, but they found me before I could and brought me to
him. I didn't regret it because I ended up someplace awful, I knew I'd made a
mistake when I thought about what it would be like to lose you."
Yuu pulled back, looking at the blond so very seriously, green eyes wide and
truthful.
"I'll never leave you again. I promise, we'll stay together." The boy's lips
parted and he was quiet for a moment, gazing at the one person that he'd longed
for all that time he was hidden away. "You're all I want. I wanted a family
because I wanted someone to care about me. I didn't ever expect it to happen
this way, but it's better than anything I ever knew existed."
"You're not the only one that made mistakes, little one," the blond told him
quietly, stroking his hair, his skin, anything he could reach with Yuu nestled
into his arms like he was. "I'm so sorry how all this turned out." Mika bent
his head and pressed his forehead to Yuu's, eyes closed, just holding him.
"We're okay, now. We'll go far away. I just have to go back to the gate one
more time - I brought Cinnamon." Mika had no idea where they would go now, but
he was sure wherever it was, if he wanted to stay away from any vampire
enclaves - and he did - he wouldn't be able to find a new Cinnamon for Yuu, or
any toys whatsoever. He had to go back for the bag he had packed. "I will be
very quick and I want you to stay here and be very quiet so no one finds you. I
will be back in no time."
Mika kissed the boy's forehead and gently set him down; he was pretty sure Yuu
wouldn't be cold, now, his body as it was now didn't react to such stimulus as
violently as his human body had. As long as Yuu stayed quiet as a bunny, no one
would be able to find him in this thicket. He still was glad he had also packed
Yuu's favorite blanket, if only because it was what they linked to home.
Yuu didn't like the idea of them being separated again - and so soon - and he
was about to protest but stopped himself. He wouldn't tell Mika he couldn't go,
but he would tell him he needed to stay safe.
"I don't want to lose you again, Mika," the boy whispered, wrapping his arms
around his body nervously. "If you think there's any risk of them seeing you,
just forget it. You're worth more to me than anything else."
The blond leaned down to kiss his face again, his forehead, his cheeks, ending
the series of soft lip presses at his mouth. "I will come back to you. I
promise, Yuu." Mika stroked his boy's hair back again and drew back; sprinting
back to the gate, even weakened by giving Yuu so much of his blood, was a lot
quicker without having to hold Yuu close and trying to staunch the blood
flowing from his chest and back. He just hoped if there was anyone around, they
wouldn't smell him; Mika approached the brightly lit gate with the wind in his
face just to be safe.
As expected, the gate was swarming with vampire guards. Like albino ants they
scurried around as Mika watched from afar, scaling the rough mountain wall as
quiet as a cat, melting into the darkness with his dark clothes. Naturally they
would be up in a tizzy about what happened to Ferid; as a noble, assaulting him
was punished by death. Even talking back to the ruling class was frowned upon.
Mika could only imagine what the queen would say; while her distaste for Ferid
Bathory was well-known, it was still on principle that she would have to punish
him. If they catch me.That was to be avoided at all costs.
Mika retrieved the bag he had hidden and tucked the strap firmly over his
shoulder, the bag itself clutched under his arm as he turned around and
quietly, so quietly climbed down again. At one point, he had to flatten himself
to the wall so he wouldn't be seen, his blond hair hidden behind a rock, when
two guards passed mere feet beneath him on patrol. He calmed his breathing and
squeezed his eyes shut; if he didn't make it back to Yuu, the boy was lost.
Yuu.How marvelous that he had not only survived the turning but without much
pain, too; and he was so beautiful besides. Mika found himself smiling as the
guards rounded back and vanished towards the gate; when they were far enough
away, he jumped the rest of the distance, agile as a cat, and sprinted back
towards the treeline.
Yuu was exactly where he had left him. A broad smile on his face, Mika all but
collapsed into their thicket, bag thumping to the ground. "Hey."
Yuu popped up immediately, throwing his arms around Mika's neck and squeezing
so very tightly. He'd been dead silent and terrified the entire time the other
had been gone; after all of their terrible luck over the previous four months
he was scared Mika would be captured and put to death.
"Do not leave me again like that," Yuu whispered firmly, his heart still
racing. He was less prepared to live without Mika now than he ever had been.
Not only did he know how empty he was without his other half, he was a newborn
vampire and didn't even have the slightest clue how to survive. There was
nothing that was worth the risk of them ever being separated again, and Yuu
wasn't willing to take any more chances. "Promise me you won't, Mika. I can't
lose you again."
"I won't leave your side again," he was very willing to agree, looping both
arms around the small body and squeezing him tightly. Mika pulled back before
Yuu seemed to be ready to though, to rummage through the bag. "I want you to
put some clean clothes on, Yuu," he said, pulling out a pair of jeans and a
hoodie that would actually fit Yuu - and fresh clothes for himself, too. He
would leave the bloodstained ones behind, like he was leaving their horrid past
behind. Mika wanted nothing to do with it anymore.
He would have liked it better if he could properly bathe Yuu before re-dressing
him but that couldn't be helped now; Mika wanted to be as far away from the
city as they could when the sun rose. The large, shredded, stiff with blood
hoodie that covered Yuu he took and merely ripped it down the front, no reason
to be gentle with the thing if it would just rot in this thicket that sheltered
them right now. "We'll find a stream to bathe in as soon as possible," Mika
murmured, helping Yuu get into the jeans first. "This will have to do for now."
He gave the boy a quick smile, kneeling in front of him, with Yuu's little
hands grasping his shoulders for balance. "Any idea where you want to go? The
sea? A forest? Where do you want to live?"
"It doesn't really matter, not as long as we're together," Yuu said quietly,
watching Mika carefully as he helped dress him. It was strange being reunited,
stirring up so many confusing feelings. Yuu felt as though they had been
separated for a lifetime yet also like he'd never left Mika's side all at the
same time. All he wanted was for things to be the way they were again, when he
felt safe and cared for.
"I want to be far away from people, anyone that could mess things up, I just
wanna be with you," the boy rambled, pain in his heart at how much Ferid had
tried to destroy what they had. Would Mika even feel the same about him,
knowing Ferid had put his hands on him and fed from him? Would it make what
they had shared with each other less special?
"If I never had to see anyone but you again forever I'd be happy," Yuu said
honestly, a small hand resting on Mika's shoulder. "I just wanna be as far away
from where we are as we can be."
"I will take you far away," Mika said, bundling Yuu up safely and warmly, the
last step was pulling the hood over Yuu's head. It wasn't necessary, if they
were spotted it would be by Mika's light hair, not Yuu's dark chocolate locks -
but Mika didn't think they would be seen now. He cupped Yuu's precious little
face; Yuu would already see better by now, even in the dark that surrounded
them, every sound amplified. Mika remembered how disconcerting it had been for
himself, able to hear every murmur, every whisper, every footstep. "We're going
to be together forever," he promised the boy, rising and slinging the bag over
his shoulder, then picking up Yuu and curling him close to his chest. "We'll go
south," he decided, turning into the direction and beginning to walk. His
stamina had been all but drained, with the desperate hunt for the bag and Yuu
taking so much of his blood. "You can nap if you want to, we'll be traveling a
while."
To have Yuu in his arms, whole and healthy - albeit vampiric - was a heady
sensation. Mika felt alive, better than he had in months. Being without Yuu had
been hell. He would never let the boy go again.
Sleep was far from Yuu's mind, but he rested his head on Mika's shoulder
anyway, his forehead warm against Mika's neck and the blond's pulse thrumming
peacefully against him. He had missed this more than he could ever express,
being held in Mika's arms and safe and warm. He'd cried so many nights alone,
bound and naked in the room Ferid kept him, longing to be home again and
nestled up beside Mika in their bed.
"I want to go so far away," Yuu said quietly, holding onto Mika's shirt and
allowing his eyes to shut. "I want to be where no one will ever recognize us,
where we can start over and forget all the bad things."
He could hear all of the sounds of the night so much more clearly; mice running
through the grass, the rustle of the leave, owls calling out. It was strange,
but also comforting. They would be able to hear it if someone were to try and
follow them or ambush them.
Mika settled into a comfortable speed; he was running, yes, but he wasn't
straining himself. Even drained as he was, he kept the pace for a good few
hours without problem before he had to rest. In his arms, Yuu had been quiet,
peaceful, and it had calmed him in return. He wasn't doubting that eventually,
someone would try to find them - his shifts would go by without him showing up,
he wouldn't stop by the bank to feed. They would connect his disappearing with
Ferid's assault, which was punishable by death even if it hadn't been lethal by
a long shot. They would be far, far away by then.
When morning came, they had passed the forest. Mika stopped at the edge and
watched the sky turn from blue to grey, to lavender, to molten gold when the
sun rose over the horizon. It was the first sunrise they saw as free beings -
neither Yuu nor Mika had ever been truly free before. Mika smiled and shifted
Yuu in his arms to look down at the sleeping little face; the boy had finally
fallen asleep a bit ago, but was already stirring again with the soothing
rhythm of Mika's running broken. "Look," he said quietly into the absolute
silence around them; as if the animals were holding their breath in the fragile
transition from night to day, the nocturnal ones having turned in, the diurnal
ones not yet awake. It was as if the two of them were the only ones on earth.
Mika shifted Yuu again to curl him even closer, kissing his wild dark hair.
Yuu's eyes fluttered open and for a moment, everything was hazy. He was
confused, unsure if he was dreaming and trying to remember what had happened
before he had fallen asleep.
"Mika..." the boy murmured, rubbing his eyes and yawning, the dampness of the
early morning making his face feel clammy, though he didn't feel cold in the
blond's arms. It came back to him slowly; how Mika had rescued him from Ferid's
house and the ensuing fight, that he had been stabbed and then turned.
Yuu brushed his hand over his belly, the area sore but nothing like one would
suspect after being skewered the way Yuu had been.
All of this was real. It wasn't another one of the dreams Yuu had of such a
rescue while in captivity that he would wake up from crying alone in his locked
room.
"Mika, I'm thirsty, did you bring water?" Yuu asked in a soft voice that was
rough with sleepiness. He needed a drink terribly - so much that he was already
considering how far they could be from a stream if Mika hadn't packed anything
in the bag he had fetched.
Mika's eyes flicked down to the boy in his arms; for a moment, no words came.
It was heartbreaking, really, that Yuu thought he could still have things like
water...or food, or candy, or pastries. He felt like a villain to have robbed
this small pleasure from him, but logically, Yuu would have died from that
wound. He wouldn't have been able to have pastries anymore, anyway.
"I didn't," he said quietly, curling Yuu close with one arm and stroking his
precious little face with the other. "Yuu, little one, the only thing we need
anymore is blood. No water." He cracked a half-smile to lighten the mood a bit,
the heaviness of their situation was pressing down on him firmly. "At least
that's free, right? Since I don't have a job anymore..."
In front of them stretched a wide meadow with irregular little bumps and curves
and small hills, the flowers still closed and wet with dew. One by own, small
brown balls of fluff popped up out of the holes hidden beneath the thick lush
grass; the field was inhabited by bunnies. "That might work..." Mika murmured,
glancing down at Cinnamon clutched in Yuu's arm with a wince. He couldn't let
Yuu have human blood. He couldn't starve him, either - he wouldn't be able to
take Yuu's suffering, and he didn't have a room to lock him in. If Yuu decided
to hate him for turning him at one point, Mika didn't want to add 'eternal
child' to his list of crimes; human blood would stop Yuu's growth immediately.
He set Yuu down onto his feet gently. "Wait here."
Slowly, Mika walked into the meadow, fractions at a time, like the predator he
was...and then struck, snatching up a squealing bunny by the scruff of its
neck.
Yuu's nose wrinkled, the serenity of waking up in Mika's arms in the early
sunrise immediately dashed by the others bizarre, cruel act.
"Mika, what are you doing?" Yuu hissed, attempting to keep his voice low as to
not draw any extra attention to them in case they were being followed, but his
tone and eyes frantic. "Let him go, you're gonna hurt him!"
Slowly, Yuu began to understand Mika's intent with the bunny and he rapidly
shook his head, clutching Cinnamon tightly to his chest.
"No. Mika, no. I'm not gonna do that, don't even ask!"
Yuu's entire face had fallen, the reality of that being turned meant more than
just little fangs and miraculous healing for him now.
"You can't really expect me to do this, do you? There has to be another way,"
the boy pleaded, watching the squirming bunny with dismay.
Mika took a knee in front of the boy, never minding the fact that his pants
were soaked through at the leg almost immediately by the damp ground. "Yuu,
come on...please, drink," he pleaded; the bunny had calmed in the grip though
was still breathing quickly and Yuu could heart that tiny heartbeat racing.
"Please. The thirst will not go away. If I let you drink human blood your body
will stop growing. You don't want to be tiny forever, do you?" Mika's blue eyes
were trained on his face worriedly. "Remember how good it felt when I bit you?
The bunny will not feel a bit of pain."
To entice the boy, even though it hurt him - Mika had a soft spot for small,
cuddly things, a reason why he liked Yuu - he made a small cut at the bunny's
neck with his nail; it didn't scream again, even with a few beads of blood
dribbling over Mika's finger. The smell reminded him that he needed to feed, as
well, and soon - his throat was parchment dry, drained from turning Yuu, he had
used up too much of his own blood. But Mika had been a vampire for a few
decades now, he could deal with thirst. Yuu, though, was a newborn and could
not and Mika would not let him suffer. "Please."
Yuu whimpered, the smell of fresh blood making the newly turned vampire wild
with lust. The need to feed was incredibly strong, more powerful than Yuu's
moral convictions or his guilt.
He lurched toward Mika and the bunny, grabbing onto the blond's hands that held
the small creature and pulling it roughly to his mouth. Yuu bit into the
rabbit's neck, trembling with desperate need, moaning lowly when the metallic
tang of blood hit his tongue.
It was truly disgusting, drinking the blood from a harmless, helpless rabbit
with a mouthful of fur, but Yuu couldn't control the urge he had to feed from
it. Tears of shame sprung to his eyes while he nursed the animal dry, its tense
body going limp in Mika's hands.
When it was over, much too quickly to sate Yuu's thirst, Mika gently pulled the
little body back and laid it to the ground, then pulled Yuu against himself,
embracing the trembling boy. "It's okay," he shushed him quietly, pressing
kisses into his hair. "It's okay, you'll be fine. Shh. I'm sorry." He knew he
had to get Yuu another and he knew the little one would cry; sires held a
bonding thread with their progeny, especially when one was freshly born, so
Mika felt every ounce of despair Yuu did, throbbing in his heart. "I'll find
another solution, Yuu, I promise, but I can't let you starve." Mika left the
boy standing there for only a brief second, dashing away using the last bit of
speed he could muster to lay the bunny's body in the woods for a predator to
find and have breakfast on at least to not waste the gift of the precious life
he had taken; in the same moment, he grasped another and held it to Yuu's
mouth, with his fingers between the tiny fangs and the little body.
"Now, Yuu, I want you to concentrate, okay...you can feel his life, hear his
heartbeat. You need to stop drinking before it slows. Can you do that?" With
the edge of his need taken off from the first morsel, he had no doubt Yuu would
be able to control himself. Any task he had set Yuu to before, from reading to
complex block buildings to helping fix his meals, the boy had outdone himself.
Yuu nodded, tears streaming down his cheeks as he sucked in shaky breaths. This
was terrible, but if he could feed from the rabbits without killing them, he
would feel considerably less terrible about doing it. After all, he had given
his own blood to Mika many times before with the understanding that the other
needed it to live and his body would produce more.
He fed slowly, less frantic now that the initial thirst had been sated, his
eyes drooping as he sniffled so he could concentrate on the life in his hands.
Mika was right - if he paid careful attention, he could focus on the rabbit's
heartbeat, feel as i's muscles began to go slack from his venom and blood loss.
Yuu forced himself to pull back, his lips red and messy.
"Good, very good," Mika praised him, his hand cupping his soft cheek, thumb
brushing the blood from his lips. "That was perfect. See, he's all relaxed
now." The bunny was close to asleep cupped in Yuu's hands, eyes half closed and
ears back; there was no panic from the little animal, only a sated kind of
bliss, a lot like Yuu had felt whenever Mika had fed from him. The moment Mika
took him from his hands and gently sat him down into the grass, the rabbit
yawned and stretched, slowly making his way back to his hole.
Mika had to smirk. There would be many baby bunnies come spring, he was sure.
"Are you still thirsty or is it bearable now?" He knew the thirst would never
really leave; it could be sated, dimmed, but it was always there. Mika was used
to it by now.
"I feel..." Yuu paused, searching for the right words. He was still thirsty,
though not ravenously so. It was more like a dull, nagging feeling that he
hadn't quite had enough - though Yuu wasn't really in the mood to have another
rabbit, either.
"I didn't really like it," the brunette admitted, shrugging his shoulders and
looking away from Mika. He didn't want to insult the other, understanding that
he'd been a vampire for much longer and was probably accustomed to such things,
but it had been strange and uncomfortable for Yuu.
"I felt desperate to drink from them, but it wasn't even like it tasted good. I
just... I didn't like feeling that way."
Yuu scratched at his hair, his little lip curling with displeasure. "I mean,
all those times you fed from me, it seemed like it was really nice for both of
us. I guess I just thought, I don't know, that this would be different."
"I actually haven't had animal blood before, Yuu...I wouldn't know," Mika told
him sympathetically. "I think it's different from drinking human
blood...although, you were the first person I drank directly from in a really
long time, and the blood bags back at the bank aren't all that pleasant,
either. It kind of sucks." He smirked at his own pun and lifted Yuu into his
arms again, kissing his cheek, and wiped a bit of fluff from his chin that was
stuck there by blood and tears.
Mika continued their journey around the meadow, not wanting to spook any more
fluffy little animals, and they marched for the remainder of the day - Yuu was
quiet, not quite giving him the silent treatment but close, lost in his own
head. By evening, they found the outskirts of a village and Mika's fangs
throbbed uncomfortably - his thirst was sapping the last bit of his strength by
now. He glanced around and spotted some wooden boards high up in a tree,
sparking an idea. With the last ounce of stamina he scaled the tree and set
down Yuu in the rickety little treehouse. "Yuu," he said gently, cupping the
boy's face; his long fingers were trembling. "I'm going to find some blood in
the village. I need you to be very quiet and stay here, okay? Don't move.
You're safe here and I will be back soon."
Yuu leaned back against the wall of the tree house, unsure really what Mika
meant. The thought of feeding from more bunnies - or even someone's pet -
filled the boy with absolute dread. He didn't wish to have been left to die,
but being a vampire was a lot more unpleasant that Yuu had ever thought it
would be.
"Yeah," Yuu said quietly, giving Mika a small nod. "I'll stay here. Just make
sure you're careful and you hurry back." The boy frowned, too tired to argue
but disappointed all the same. "I don't like you leaving me, Mika. After all
the stuff that has happened, I just..."
Yuu quieted, understanding that survival would mean they would occasionally
have to separate even if he hated it. "I just want to be with you and know
you're okay."
"I don't like leaving you, either," Mika replied, leaning in to kiss the boy's
forehead. "You don't have to worry...if you get scared, I will feel it, and
I'll race back. It will be quicker if I go alone though."
That, and he didn't want to drink when Yuu had to watch - or worse, have Yuu
break away from him and attack someone. His little progeny wasn't even twenty-
four hours old and while he usually trusted Yuu's judgment and character, his
thirst might be too much for him to overcome.
Mika clambered down the tree and slowly approached the village, masking his
presence. If there was vampire protection for this village, it wouldn't be
enough, but he didn't sense any other presences in return - maybe they were too
far away from any bigger cities. The vampire population usually didn't bother
with small, remote settlements, they were too much traveling to keep up with.
The blond snuck into the silent village, only the tavern still populated, which
was lucky - Mika snatched a man drunkenly weaving his way home and tugged him
into the darkness between two houses, quickly sinking his teeth into him. He
made a face, blood laced with alcohol truly was disgusting, but he felt his
guilt lift a little bit; at least Yuu didn't have to suffer disgusting
nourishment alone. The man would likely not remember what happened in the
morning, intoxicated as he was, and even if Mika felt a little dizzy when he
pulled away he could already feel the blood get absorbed into his cells,
fueling his metabolism, strengthening him.
He patted the man on the back and let him go, hopping up onto the roof of the
house, perching like a gargoyle one would usually rather see on the roofs of
castles. Mika glanced around the village; some fifty houses in total, a market
place, a spot of human life untouched by the vampire population. Somewhere
peaceful, simple. This was what he wanted for Yuu, he realized, to be able to
grow up in peace, without having to conform to vampire city standards, which he
himself found plain dumb as well. A life without livestock, or collars, or
creepy ancient assholes barging in and destroying their happiness out of
boredom. Mika figured he could either steal blood, which would make the
villagers suspicious eventually - or he could trade his abilities for
nourishment. If he could make a pact with a human village far removed from the
Queen's hand, trade blood for protection or work that his superior strength and
agility would make easier for them, then Yuu and he could have a good life.
They could make friends, even.
Mika smiled to himself lightly, shaking his head. It was more likely the
villagers would run, not used to vampire protection, and wouldn't that make him
as bad as the ones he had fled from? 'Keeping' a whole village? Yet, it seemed
to him the only way to survive. They couldn't live in the forest like monsters.
He hopped to the next roof, and the next, glad to feel his strength returning
so quickly. Roof became tree, and another, and another until he set down
lightly in the treehouse he had left Yuu in. "I'm back."
Yuu relaxed with relief when Mika appeared, the separation anxiety he felt now
each time that the other left his side powerful and distressing. He couldn't
bear the thought of losing Mika ever again. Strange as it was, now that he had
been turned he felt even more desperate to be near the other, as though a piece
of himself was missing when Mika had left.
"You need to stop leaving," Yuu said with a small huff, attempting to sound
cross though it mostly came out as concerned. As much as he knew they had to be
apart sometimes, it didn't mean that Yuu had to like it or that he wouldn't
complain about it.
As soon as Mika sat down, Yuu climbed into his lap clumsily, dragging Cinnamon
along with him and stuffing his head beneath Mika's chin rather firmly. He knew
that the other couldn't leave him while he rested if he was on top of him,
clinging to him with his fist firmly screwed up in the fabric of his shirt.
Yuu nuzzled his cheek against Mika's chest, shutting his eyes and curling
close. He didn't want to bring up the subject - lest Mika get any ideas - but
he was relieved that at the very least, the other hadn't returned with some
fluffy animal for Yuu to feed on. He'd already had more than enough of that,
and the thought of needing to do so for years filled the boy with a fair amount
of dread.
"Stay," Yuu mumbled, sighing with contentment at Mika's familiar scent. Even in
the tree house in the middle of a forest far away from anything familiar, Mika
still felt like home.
Mika didn't have one single problem with sitting down and having Yuu in his
lap. The last twenty-four hours had been a rollercoaster of emotion; dread,
horror, triumph, angst, soul-crushing despair when he thought Yuu would die in
his arms. He felt drained emotionally. Arms firmly settled around Yuu, he
rested his cheek on the soft dark hair for a nuzzle, then leaned it back
against the tree trunk behind him. Mika could see the stars from here,
glittering through the canopy of the trees. So far out in the countryside,
there were hundreds, thousands, millions of them. It was beautiful.
He was glad they didn't feel the cold as easily; it was chilly, but pressed
together like this it was more than bearable. "I'm sorry, Yuu," he murmured
quietly, hand idly stroking the boy's side. "I made you go through so much; I
was selfish. I wanted you all to myself and you suffered for it." Mika kissed
his head again. "I would do it again without even thinking about it, and I'm
sorry about that, too. Because I can't be without you."
"Don't be sorry," Yuu murmured with a slight shake of his head, his hair
brushing softly against Mika's neck. "I wouldn't wish away any of this. No
matter what happened, I still ended up here with you and that's all that
matters."
The boy shut his eyes tightly, recalling just how alone he had felt before Mika
had found him in the market.
"I'd go through everything all over again, too." Yuu knew he would. He would
deal with Guren and even Ferid again in a heartbeat just to be there right in
that moment in Mika's arms. "Being with you is worth it to me. You're what I
always wanted and didn't think I could ever have. You're my family, Mika. I'd
do anything to be with you."
Yuu's innocent, earnest words warmed Mika's heart. He cupped the boy's face and
tipped it up so he could peck his lips gently. "I love you, Yuu. You will never
be without me again."
Mika held the newborn vampire through the night; when the sun rose again, Yuu's
second sunrise of his new life, they left the treehouse and skirted the village
by half a mile. Mika let Yuu run for once, keeping his pace to keep an eye on
him. It was exhilarating to see the boy grin and try his new speed and stamina,
dodging trees with easy skill. Halfway around the settlement they came upon a
building; a small cottage, almost completely covered in ivy, the front door
half off its hinges - it was abandoned, there was no smell of humans around it
that Mika could detect. No one had been here in a long time.
The blond stopped and called for the boy, softly, needing no loud volume. "Hey,
what do you think," he asked when Yuu stopped by his side. "Wanna check it
out?"
Yuu's bright green eyes sparkled in the late morning sun that shined into the
small opening in the forest surrounding the cottage and he smiled, giving Mika
an approving, excited nod.
It was far away from everything, a bit run down and needing of some love, but
it was perfect.
It looked like home.
Chapter End Notes
     Soooo guys...I know we promised smut and I am sorry, but the chapter
     would have become WAY too long if we had included that, and we wanted
     to update in time for Christmas because you have been waiting so
     patiently.
     We wish you happy holidays, merry Christmas, or just a nice relaxing
     few days, whatever you may get to enjoy! We love each one of you
     very, very much and will send you all kinds of warm fuzzy feelings
     and thoughts (via SPACE! :D)
     [Also. If you keep track of the chapter titles, you probably noticed
     we chose spices usually used in baking. For this chapter...I chose a
     spice that goes well with bunny. I am not sorry. -Kitteh]
***** Lemon *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
The house turned out to be perfect.
It wasn't much different from the one Mika, and then Yuu too, had lived in in
the vampire city: there was a large ground floor and half of an upper one that
was currently littered with their clothes and Yuu's soft blanket, functioning
as a sleeping nest. It wasn't as comfortable as the one back home had been, but
Mika made sure he filled it with more soft things as time went on, ranging from
animals furs (Yuu had upped his snacks from bunnies to mostly deer, which were
easier to find and hunt and sated his thirst better - whenever he slipped in
his control, Mika carefully dried the animal's skin to make their bed warmer)
to pillowcases stuffed with dry moss (which he had stolen off laundry lines
from the close-by village - the pillowcases, not the moss). He planned to visit
the nearest larger city soon to acquire real pillows and blankets, and maybe
some more clothes with the cash he had managed to bring, but first, the
commotion about their escape had to die down. To be recognized in a bigger city
would be bad. The outhouse that belonged to the cottage was mostly in ruins,
but there was no need for that, anyway. The lower floor of their stone cottage
had an old sofa, an older table and a fireplace that stayed empty for now. Mika
didn't want to draw attention to the fact they had claimed the house as theirs;
while it seemed abandoned and far enough from the village not to rouse
suspicion, the last months had made him vaguely paranoid.
No one would take Yuu from him again.
The large, scratched table was almost always littered with Yuu's blocks or
puzzles, he still enjoyed those, although Mika didn't have to prepare snacks
anymore. In the evenings they curled up on the couch together and read the
books Mika had smuggled out.
This evening, Mika merely enjoyed the feeling of Yuu's body against his.
He was on his back on the couch, his head against the armrest, with Yuu dozing
atop him, his head on his shoulder and his small hands curled into his shirt.
Every breath pulled Yuu's warm scent into his nose, only slightly tinged with
copper now blood was his regular diet - Yuu was still Yuu. Through the window
across from him he could see the last light of the sun fading, the pink and
orange of the sunset fading into the soft purple and deep blue of early night.
For the first time in months, he felt truly at ease.
It wasn't until the sun had dipped below the tree-line that Yuu began to stir
on Mika's chest, his flushed cheeks damp with drool and his eyelids still heavy
with sleep. He yawned, tiny fangs shiny in the dim lighting like little pearls,
long, thick lashes fanning over his cheeks.
"I'm hungry," Yuu mumbled, groggily rubbing an eye with his fist. It was what
had woken him from his slumber, the urge to feed. It was so much less pleasant
than before he was turned, knowing it would mean going out into the cool damp
night while Mika searched for an animal for him to feed from. It didn't taste
good; it was nothing like the cinnamon rolls that Mika brought home for him in
what felt like forever ago. It was a gross, unnecessary thing that he had to do
to survive and keep himself from going mad, but there was no pleasure in it.
"I hate drinking animal blood, my mouth gets full of fur and it tastes bad," he
muttered, pouting at Mika as he sat up and straddled his lap on the couch.
"Plus, I don't want to go out there and I don't want you to leave."
Mika had to smile. Spoiled little thing.Not that he hadn't encouraged that ever
since Yuu had come to live with him. "I'm sorry," he said, because that was
what he always said when Yuu complained about his new life; he looked up at the
gorgeous boy on his lap and reached up to stroke his cheek. Yuu had possibly
grown even more beautiful with the turning - maybe that was his own biased
opinion only, though. The hand on Yuu's cheek pulled him in gently, curled
around the side of his face to tug him down atop Mika again so the older could
nuzzle his cheek into his hair. "It won't be much longer, little one. I
promise. The time passes much more quickly when you have eternity."
He could feel Yuu huffing against his neck...then grow still, his little body
tense. He blinked with the first brush of Yuu's mouth against his neck, the
first scratch of baby fangs over his skin.
"Mika," the little vampire rasped against his flesh, his breath damp and warm.
If only he could sate his thirst by feeding from the older vampire; if he could
thrive off him the way Mika had on his blood before he had turned. It had to be
infinitely better than a deer or a rabbit; much more intimate as well.
"Can I?" He asked with need, fangs scraping against Mika's neck and nipping at
the sensitive skin. "Maybe it'll help. Please?"
The desire to feed was powerful, and even though Mika was a vampire as well,
the thought of tasting his blood on this tongue was appealing - especially
after surviving solely off forest creatures.
"Please, Mika," he begged with a small pout, thin fingers walking up the older
male's belly and to his chest. "Then maybe we won't have to get up?"
Yuu's last argument was a pretty damn enticing one; Mika didn't want to get up,
at all, much too comfortable with Yuu cuddled against him like this. It
couldn't hurt, he figured, even if Yuu wouldn't be sustained completely by his
blood - he had used his blood to heal Yuu's injuries before after all and turn
him. It definitely couldn't harm him.
It sounded just a little endearing, too, Yuu's baby fangs in his skin. "Yeah,
go ahead." Mika canted his head a bit to make space for the boy's mouth,
reaching up to brush his ash-blond hair away from the side of his neck. He
shifted to accommodate Yuu sliding up in him so he could press his warm little
mouth to his skin, anticipating the sting of fangs - it had been so long since
he had been bitten, he barely remembered what it was like.
Yuu's heart was racing as he hovered over Mika's pulse point, the desire to
bite the other so so different from his desperate and shameful urges toward the
animals. There was something carnal about it, yes, but it was beyond any need
to sustain himself. No, Yuu remembered the euphoria he felt when Mika had fed
from him vividly; how he had craved it and begged for it. The way the venom
would make him wanton with lust and so very willing in the others lap. How
Mika's hands on his body felt better than anything else.
To think that he now had the power to make Mika feel such pleasure was a heady
thought indeed.
Yuu kissed at the thin layer of skin and then bit into his sire, curling his
body around Mika's side, one hand fisted into the older vampire's shirt and the
other his long blond hair.
He moaned, his eyes falling shut with pleasure. Mika tasted amazing and feeding
from him felt incredible.
Mika felt his lids droop over his eyes with the small prick of needle-sharp
fangs against his skin. He curled one arm more securely around Yuu's middle and
hummed; it didn't hurt, of course not, Yuu's fangs were too thin to do any harm
and besides - the last months had been painful enough. The way his little one
lapped at his skin and sucked was sending very pleasurable waves through his
body, gentle though, very comfortable. He could feel the skin around the
puncture marks numbing with Yuu's venom as it was intended and closed his eyes,
stroking a hand through the soft wild hair. "Mm."
The blond wasn't worried that Yuu would accidentally drain him; the thought was
ludicrous and made him smile lightly. Yuu's body was too small to take in such
large quantities and Mika noticed, with a small start, that he trusted Yuu.
Implicitly. He had done such a good job so far with his snacks, most of them
got away drowsy but alive, certainly more in control of himself than Mika had
been freshly turned. He couldn't kiss Yuu's hair like this as he wouldn't be
able to turn his head far enough without dislodging Yuu from his neck, but he
gently dragged his fingernails over Yuu's scalp and the back of his head to
offer his support.
Yuu murmured peacefully against Mika's neck, suckling slowly from him, for the
first time enjoying feeding since he had been turned and wanting to make it
last. He savored the flavor of his sire's blood, allowing it to roll over his
tongue and bath it crimson. He draws were slight, gentle, much like how Mika
had so carefully fed from him when he was human.
The older vampire's blood helped sate his hunger, but his desire for the other
had only increased. It wasn't all that different from when he'd felt Mika's
venom course through his veins and make him needy and desperate for the blond's
touch and affection. It was like a powerful aphrodisiac of sorts, making Yuu
forget completely about how he'd needed sustenance, the boy consumed now with
the need hardening beneath his pants that he couldn't help but grind into
Mika's side.
Oh, now that was a surprise. Mika smiled lightly to the insistence against him;
when Yuu drew his mouth away with a small gasp, droplets of blood still slowly
beading and rolling down Mika's neck, catching along his collarbone to finally
pool in the hollow of his throat, the elder vampire turned his face and kissed
the boy, all over his face. Gentle pecks that turned into a full kiss when he
reached Yuu's red-stained mouth, soft and pliant against his and Mika smiled,
cupping the back of Yuu's head to hold him close. "Did you like that?" he asked
him silkily, lips stroking Yuu's with the words, not even pulling back from
him.
His largest concern was Yuu maybe not being able to digest his blood anymore;
Mika could get used to Yuu's mouth at his neck, sustaining and caring for him
in a different way from before but still making sure Yuu got what he needed.
"Are you feeling alright?"
Yuu's jaw hung slack and he panted against Mika's mouth, emerald eyes glazed
over as he nodded. He felt much better than alright; he felt incredible. His
entire body was buzzing with eagerness to be touched, kissed, licked. He was
desperate for so much more - but it wasn't blood he was craving any longer.
"Didn't my bite, didn't it make you?" Yuu said in a breathy voice, small hand
traveling down to the crotch of Mika's pants to paw at the material. They were
a nuisance, all of the clothing they were was. They had never been completely
naked together and the thought of their heated skin touching, of their bodies
rubbing together like satin, it made the little vampire whimper with want.
"Aren't you feeling anything?" He asked with hazy confusion. Surely he had
venom just like Mika did, he'd seen its effects on the animals he'd fed from.
Mika was amused, to say the least. He hadn't even touched Yuu with his fangs
and the boy was acting as if he had pumped him full of his venom. It was
incredibly endearing. "Your bite...?" he asked, canting his head in question -
but when Yuu began to tug at his pants, Mika immediately knew what he meant.
"You mean if I'm affected by your venom?"
He couldn't help it - the chuckle burst from his mouth quicker than he could
stop it and he bit his lip when Yuu looked up at his face, a mix of indignation
and disappointment on his pretty features. "Oh, Yuu, no...I'm sorry, don't look
at me like that." He cupped Yuu's cheek and kissed his soft mouth, a series of
quick, firm pecks to reassure him. "You're so young...your venom will be
stronger when you're older, I promise." Now that the situation was clear, he
really felt bad for laughing at Yuu. He could entirely imagine how excited Yuu
probably had been, remembering how good it had felt when Mika had bitten him
back when he had been human, how wanton and helpless he had felt and how needy
to be touched - the thought of Mika suffering the same at little Yuu's fangs
had probably been a really nice, heady image. And he had ruined it by basically
being too old.
Yuu frowned against Mika's insistent lips, not kissing him back and drawing his
hand away from the others lap. Even now, without being the one fed from, Yuu
felt terribly wound up and needy for his lover's affection. That none of it had
affected Mika at all was disappointing. He had wanted to see Mika wanton and
hungry after his bite, wanted him to be as desperate for him as Yuu had been
for Mika.
It wasn't fair.
"You don't feel any different at all?" Yuu mumbled with dismay, pulling back to
look at Mika with wide, questioning eyes. "Maybe I need to bite you more?"
Mika actually had to bite his lips against the incredible innocence on Yuu's
face...even if it was flushed, a sheen of blood still clinging to his plush
mouth, and his eyes hazy with need. He sat up when Yuu scooted back from him
and caught him around the waist to put him right back where he belonged in
Mika's opinion - on his lap. "I'm not saying it didn't feel nice, sweetheart,"
he murmured with his face nuzzling Yuu's dark hair; Mika could feel how stiff
the boy was in his arms, pouting and disappointed with him. He couldn't help
but find it adorable, either way. "Look, I'm neither human nor am I freshly
turned, Yuu...you're just a few days old, in this life, your venom isn't strong
enough to affect me yet. It will be, one day, don't worry." An amused smile
curved his lips. "Did you want to make me come undone?", Mika asked, a teasing
lilt to his voice, poking Yuu's side gently.
"So what if I did," Yuu muttered with embarrassment, halfheartedly swatting
Mika's hand away from his side and turning his head away. All they really had
for entertainment was each other and it would have been fun to watch Mika at
his mercy and begging for his touch. Mika was always so in control; it would
have been interesting. And also maybe more than a little exciting.
"How long am I supposed to wait now? Like a hundred years?" Yuu said with a
pout. He really wasn't clear on exactly how old Mika really was. Appearance
wise, he looked to be no older than twenty, but from the things Mika and Ferid
had both said in passing, it seemed as though Mika had been around during the
previous century.
Yuu didn't want to have to wait that long to make Mika melt with desire for
him.
"Are you really that eager to see me like that?" Mika grinned, bending his head
to nip at the soft little ear that was pulling into a point already at the tip,
still looking more human than vampiric but would elongate into the distinctive
elfin shape very soon. "We don't need to wait for your venom to become more
potent. That's not what makes me want you."
At Yuu's quizzical glance back at him, Mika chuckled. "What, you think I don't
desire you?" Now this was a game he could get into; with a quick shift he
snatched Yuu up into his arms and leapt into their lofty bedroom in one fluid
motion. Yuu was pinned to the bedding they had managed to accumulate with his
blond sire hovering over him; in the relative darkness of the niche they had
made their nest in, Mika's eyes glinted almost like feline's where they looked
down at him, pupils slitted. "You're mine, Yuu," he murmured to the little
brunet, one hand holding himself aloft over the boy, the other grasping Yuu's
wrist and bringing up his hand to gently scrape his fangs over the thin skin of
his wrist. "Knowing that is much more arousing than your venom could ever get,
even if we wait a thousand years."
Yuu blushed deeply, tucking his chin down into his chest and watching the way
Mika played at his wrist with his fangs. He was embarrassed, of course, his
little tantrum for wanting the other to be ravenous over him so blatantly
exposed. But, the thrill and electricity that ran straight to his small
hardness at Mika's verbal claim and the way he blanketed him with his larger
body trumped any modesty the boy had left.
"Oh," Yuu breathed out, squirming under Mika, his needy little cock rubbing
against the crotch of his jeans as he shifted and lifted his hips. Maybe he
really was spoiled; he always wanted more.
"Bite me?" The boy asked quietly, smacking his lips when Mika's grazed against
his sensitive wrist. "Please, Mika, just a little..."
He wanted so much more.
Mika glanced down at him, from the corners of his eyes, busy nuzzling and
teasing the delicate skin. He rolled his tongue into Yuu's palm and stroked
along the curled middle finger. "I just fed you," he rumbled, nipping at his
fingertip. "I'm not too convinced I should take nourishment from you when I
just gave it." But he didn't have to actually drink, did he...and even if he
succumbed to Yuu's sweet blood, or even the memory of what it had tasted like
when Yuu had been human, he could always give it back to him. The thought of
Yuu's tiny fangs in his skin made him shiver. What Mika wanted was the same
that Yuu needed.
More.
He sat back, smiling at Yuu's small whine when his body-warmth left him, and
even let go of his hand...to grasp the hem of his own shirt and pull it up and
over his head, ash-blond hair feathering back into the artful tousle he kept
around his face and neck. Yuu had seen him naked before, of course, whenever
he'd pay attention to Mika changing into uniform or out of it, but come to
think of it...whenever their cuddles had taken a more heated turn, there had
been clothes between them still. Mika had felt more secure with them, actually,
knowing there was something of a barrier between them - something that
protected Yuu's tender, young body from the ravenous beast that lived beneath
the vampire's collected exterior. He had had the notion that he was still
protecting Yuu by refusing to go all out, coveting the little human's innocence
and keeping him whole and out of harm's way.
Mika didn't have to hold back anymore.
His pants went next, pulled off and taking his socks in the same motion. Yuu's
vampiric body, young as it was, was a lot more resilient than his human body
had been - especially now that he had been fed on his sire's blood. Mika could
already see the effect his blood had on the boy, looking past the haze of
arousal and seeing the pallor of Yuu's skin fade which had been brought by the
lack of proper nourishment of the animal blood he had been drinking, replaced
by the subtle porcelain glow that was inherent to healthy, well-fed vampires.
It took a load off his shoulders, really. Yuu wouldn't have to snack on bunnies
anymore, now.
When Mika was all bare, Yuu's clothes were next to go. He didn't want anything
between them anymore now that they were so close, fingers pulling at Yuu's
jeans and pulling off his hoodie; when Yuu's head was free of it, his arms
tangled in the soft fabric above his head Mika let go with a small, mischievous
smirk, eyes running down the pale little body. "Mm. Yes. Much better."
Yuu shivered, wrapping his arms over his body and then slinking a hand down to
cover his erection. It was terribly ineffective, his palm brushing against his
hardness only making the boy gasp and keen beneath his hovering sire. Even just
the slightest touch of his own hand made his little cock drool in anticipation.
It wasn't the first time Mika had seen him naked; he had given him baths after
all. But it was the first time that Yuu had been fully undressed around the
other and aroused; it was an entirely different situation.
Yuu whimpered, his own bare skin feeling as though it was magnetized to Mika's
for how wanting he was for their smooth bodies to crash against each other in
heated bliss. He was barely sure where he wanted it to go from there, far too
gone with lust to think through all of the possible ways they could bring each
other pleasure and just what his sire would choose to do with him.
He was beautiful and perfect; not a mark left on his body from when he'd been
stabbed. All pale skin and tiny pink nipples that had hardened when the cooler
air hit them. A shallow dip in his middle, his navel at the center of his still
plush belly, soft to the touch and tender.
Yuu blinked slowly, exhaling deep hot breaths as he slowly pulled his hand back
up his body and tucked it beneath his chin. It was an act of bravery, exposing
himself in such a way, on his back beneath the stronger vampire.
But, Yuu wasn't afraid.
It was a startling contrast to Mika's chiseled body atop his; the blond grinned
at the sudden picture of Yuu clinging to the last shreds of his modesty. He
took the boy's hand again, cupping the back of it with long fingers and lifted
it to lick his palm once more, tasting the sticky sweetness that clung to it.
"You're so needy, Yuu," he told him in a deep, throaty purr, pressing a kiss to
the center of his palm before he lay Yuu's hand next to his face, the small
fingers curled in against his palm. His mouth followed, brushing against the
side of Yuu's soft neck. "I like that."
Mika licked the fluttering pulse and lapped at the hollow of Yuu's throat,
making his way down the petite body, slowly. He took his time; neither of them
actually needed sleep, and it wasn't like they couldn't sleep in. The thought
of spending the morning napping and dozing and cuddling, all curled up with
each other, made him giddy. He lowered himself against Yuu, purring at the heat
that greeted him, the silky skin - Mika couldn't wait to sink his teeth into
Yuu again. He hadn't even realized how much he had missed it, feeling the
tender body give beneath his bite, the way Yuu would shudder and moan. The last
weeks had been too exhausting to even think of that. The elder vampire trailed
his mouth, soft and warm and moist, down one of Yuu's arms and up the ticklish
inside again to cross over onto his chest; one of the tiny pink nubs was next
to be attacked, strumming his lips over it until Yuu mewed. "I love you," Mika
murmured against the narrow chest, reaching to grasp the hand he had licked and
tangle their fingers.
"I... I love you, too," Yuu whispered, slinging a leg around Mika's waist and
rubbing his foot against the small of his back. The blond's lips on his body
felt like heaven after everything he had been through. He had almost forgotten
how soft and sweet Mika's kisses were and the way they would dance over his
skin leaving him always wanting more.
There was never a moment since they met when he didn't belong to Mika, even
though he hadn't realized it in the beginning. Now, thinking back to that day
in the busy market, he understood that something magical had happened between
them. Mika had wanted to care for him from the very start, before any kisses or
promises. Mika had wanted to give him a good life.
And now Mika was his sire, they were bound to each other for eternity. It was a
bond that could be twisted with hatred and complicated feelings of betrayal and
anger, or one that could be nourished into something powerful and beautiful.
Something that would be unbreakable and make them connected in a way that no
human pair ever could be.
"And I'm glad you turned me and that I'm yours. I wouldn't want to belong to
anyone else."
Mika hummed in agreement, giving the little nub a light nip before kissing a
line over to the second, dragging the flat of his tongue against it firmly
until it peaked as well. "You know," he said, almost conversationally. "I don't
think we should wear clothes at all anymore around the house." He gave Yuu a
boyish grin before sinking even lower, rubbing his face against the soft, flat
belly, fangs catching on the rim of Yuu's shallow navel. He had to shift to get
further down through the embrace of Yuu's slender legs, propping them over his
shoulders so he could nip at the inside of one thigh.
Thirst flared when he mouthed the silken skin; he wanted to bite Yuu, after
all. All thoughts of not taking from the just-fed fledgling went out the window
at the soft mew Yuu gave him when his fangs sank into the thick vein, his hand
curled around the outside of Yuu's thigh to hold it, soft ash-blond hair
brushing and tickling the boy's most sensitive parts, covering the cradle of
his hips with the long strands. It was absolute bliss. Yuu's blood was still
delicious, still Yuu,even if there was a hint of something that had not been
there before...Mika recognized it as his own blood, mingling with Yuu's in his
veins. For a moment, the blond was lightheaded - the thought that he was inside
Yuu in the most fundamental way, that he was what fed and fueled his little
progeny made his eyes slam shut and a shiver run down his spine. It was like
what he had felt when he had made a human Yuu food and the boy had hummed and
smacked his lips in enjoyment while eating - just a thousand times more potent.
Now they truly were entangled. Mine.
Yuu moaned brazenly, completely unashamed of the lewd, lustful sounds escaping
his throat. His sire, his Mika, was feeding from him again and it had been far
too long since the blond's venom had coursed so strongly through his veins. It
was more powerful than feeding from the older vampire, making all of his
muscles pliant and yielding to the vampire whose lips were so close to the only
hardness left on Yuu's body.
With each graze and tickle of the blond's hair, Yuu whimpered wantonly, lifting
small hands to curl into the long locks and tug at them gently. In all of their
time together, Mika had never fed from him this way. Yuu had thought with
naivety that there was no more intimate way to feed, but now with his sire
lapping against his inner thigh he knew there were so many things he had yet to
experience.
And he was thrilled at the prospect of doing all of it with Mika.
It didn't last long, even with the absolute bliss of being with Yuu this way
again Mika knew he couldn't take too much or he'd leave the kid as drained and
listless as he had been before feeding from Mika. He drew back with a long lick
against the puncture marks to staunch the bleeding and seal the small wounds
but he didn't yet pull away; his mouth, hot and damp, ghosted over Yuu's warm
skin, tasting every tremble, every shift - his cheek brushed against Yuu's cock
and he smiled at the whine he received in return, turning his attentions there
next; Mika curled his arms around Yuu's thighs, his skinny knees still resting
on his shoulders, and pressed his palms down on Yuu's narrow hips - and trailed
his tongue up the weeping little cock, slowly, like a cat cleaning a beloved
mate.
Yuu's hands were in his hair, his voice filled their new home, his taste was in
his mouth; Mika felt his heartbeat pick up. This was perfect. This was home.He
was so relieved, so filled with intermingling emotion, Mika wouldn't have been
surprised if he cried right now.
Yuu panted, his eyes widening and his jaw going slack with shock. Nothing had
ever felt better than Mika's tongue slowly dragging up his length, warm and
slick with his hot breath wet and ghosting over his hardness. He tugged
mindlessly on the blond's hair, his body shuddering with want as a large pearl
of pre-cum formed at the tip of his cock.
"Mika, don't stop," Yuu begged shamelessly, so caught up in the pleasure the
other was giving him that he didn't even care how he might come across in his
lust. It had been so long since he'd had Mika's hands on him, drawing out his
neediness and making him feel safe. Mika was the only one he could ever be
vulnerable with, and Yuu had nearly forgotten just how good that felt.
The blond rumbled wordlessly in reply - he wasn't planning to stop, not at all.
Yuu's taste was muddling his senses in the most pleasant way. Mika curled his
tongue around the head and lapped up the droplet with a deep hum. "So good,
Yuu," he purred, nuzzling him before licking at him again; his tongue curled
around the slender staff and maneuvered it into his mouth in the same motion,
easily sinking down over the full of him. His fingers were pawing against Yuu's
skin, unable to stop touching him, needing him close, closer still.
One of his hands smoothed up the boy's narrow waist to splay his palm over his
chest, the thin skin and delicate bones doing nothing to keep him from feeling
the boy's heartbeat, quick and delightfully strong. I love you so much.
The boy mewed, his head falling to the side and his chin resting against his
shoulder. He looked absolutely precious that way, pink lips wet and quivering,
dark eyebrows knotted together and his eyes screwed shut. Mika was the only one
that ever made him feel good in every way with his touch, gentle and loving,
unselfish and knowing. The blond could feel the boy's toes curling against his
back, his body unused to being manipulated in such a sensual and satisfying
way.
One hand dropped from Mika's hair, pawing at his shoulder and squeezing it, Yuu
needing to hold onto his lover so terribly in some way. It was amazing having
Mika's mouth wrapped around his cock, expertly sucking him off, but he still
wanted to hold onto to Mika, to be held by him; no matter how close they were
it just wasn't enough.
Mika groaned at the sight, the vibration fed right into the hard length in his
mouth. One of his fingers came close to one peaked, flushed nipple and strummed
across it, enjoying the way Yuu writhed and jerked with each caress. Lips firm
around the very base of Yuu's cock he began to build suction, harder and firmer
until Yuu cried out, his nails raking across Mika's shoulder, leaving faint
pink lines that paled moments later already, his body so quick at healing
again. His own hands felt up Yuu's soft skin - the one on his chest unknowingly
resting right over where the stab wound had been, as if still trying to protect
him from the long-healed injury.
The elder vampire pulled his mouth off, slowly, to flick his tongue against the
sensitive head; he wasn't surprised when heated wetness splashed into his mouth
a moment later, and against his lips when he drew back a little to watch the
spectacle. Mika purred; it was as sweet as his little one himself was. "Did you
like that?" he purred up, licking his lips and pressing a kiss against the
joint of where Yuu's inner thigh met his pelvis. "I did."
Yuu was a mess, overstimulated and spent, shivering beneath Mika as his muscles
twitched and spasmed. He nodded his head erratically, eyes finally opening to
hazily look upon his sire. Mika was so much more than that, though.
The brunet reached out his hands, grabbing for Mika with his fingers, needing
to feel him close and have his smooth, warm chest pressed against his own. He
could barely find words to speak, so deliciously sated, so he whined instead,
little lip pouting out as he pleaded for the closeness he craved.
Mika had to laugh at the boy's behavior, like a cute little puppy whining for
attention. The low, velvet sound smoothed over Yuu's thighs, up his belly as
Mika slid up easily, off of Yuu and to his side so he could curl the boy close
against himself; he even tugged one of the raided blankets over them so he
could cocoon his little lover in with himself - not that they needed the
warmth, but it felt nice anyway. Safe. Like home. Mika pressed a kiss against
Yuu's forehead, his arms firmly around the slender body. Blue eyes, only
recently returned to their original color after the intense time of bloodlust
he had experienced, closed when his own cock brushed Yuu's soft thighs...still
achingly hard. He had forgotten all about it while he had been pleasuring his
little love, but the need returned with a vengeance now. Mika groaned; Yuu's
shifting had trapped the length between his silky thighs and the blond couldn't
help but love it. He could feel every shift of Yuu's muscles, every little
thrum of his heartbeat where he was stuck.
"Mm, Yuu..." he murmured, lips running down his temple to his warm cheek to
groan against it as he gave a slight, experimental rock of his hips...oh, that
felt like heaven. His hand fell to the outside of Yuu's thigh, pressing it
closer to the other one, increasing the friction.
Yuu smirked lazily, catching on quickly and squeezing his thighs around Mika's
cock that were still wet with the others drool and his own cum. He bucked his
hips slightly, rocking against the blond until they found a rhythm where Mika
could thrust into the tightness between his legs without his heavy, slick
hardness slipping out.
He grasped the back of Mika's neck with one hand, the other around his body as
he tried to keep his lover as close as possible. It was perfection feeling his
hard muscles brush against his chest.
He had never been closer to Mika and Yuu's eyes flicked up at the thought,
catching Mika's with his own.
His sire's eyes were half closed, the barest glimmer of sapphire blue visible
between the thick, dark lashes, but they returned his gaze and held it; Mika's
lips were parted, the tips of his fangs barely visible. It was as close to
rapture as Yuu had ever seen his face, color flushing his porcelain cheeks and
panting softly - all because of Yuu, no one else made him feel and look this
way. He wasn't as vocal as Yuu was, but Mika was just as needy for his lover's
touch and that was a reassuring thought.
Mika groaned; his forehead touched Yuu's and his eyes fell shut. His hand slid
from Yuu's thigh to his hip, over onto the perky curve of his behind, and
grasped one cheek possessively; with a deep groan, he followed Yuu over the
edge, slicking the insides of his thighs. His grasp loosened but he didn't let
go completely, more kneading the soft flesh instead of holding it. "Mmm
fuck..."
Yuu's body went slack and he curled as close as he could to Mika, releasing his
hardness from the grip between his cum coated thighs and wrapping his leg
around his waist, pulling himself against the blond and brushing their
softening cocks together. He buried his face in Mika's neck, kissing the salty
skin and licking it at, teasing it playfully with his fangs but never breaking
his sire's skin.
"I love you, Mika," he murmured, wet lips rubbing and massaging his sensitive
skin. He had what he wanted, a home and someone that cared for him, that wanted
to spend his life with Yuu.
Considering their lives were eternal, it was more than Yuu could have ever
hoped for.
Mika actually purred. He was warm, sated, relaxed, and Yuu was nuzzling at him.
He rubbed his cheek against the soft, dark hair that seemed to be perpetually
mussed no matter how he brushed it and let his eyes slip closed, for a mere
moment letting his guard drop completely. The sounds of the night filtered in
again now that they weren't making noise anymore, owls calling to each other in
their haunting voices and predators of the night scurrying through the
underbrush. "I love you too," he replied, fingers playing against Yuu's
tailbone.
His little love was so tiny still. If he could, Mika would turn him completely
right now - the in-between of Yuu's existence was gnawing at him, it was an
uncertainty, and insecurity he didn’t like one bit. Like this, Yuu was
vulnerable, unable to reach his full potential, but he would grow still. Not
much, probably, there was only so much good care could do after Yuu had been
neglected all of his life, but a little at least. Mika kind of liked the idea
that Yuu would always be short and petite and adorable. It made carrying him
around much easier and more validated, and Mika loved nothing more than having
Yuu in his arms. "I'm going to introduce myself to the villagers, I think," he
said softly after a moment. "See if we can strike a deal with them somehow...I
don't want to steal blood." I don't want to be the monster in the woods."In the
daylight, too, not creepy or anything. What do you think? I just don't know
what we could offer them in return."
Yuu frowned at even the thought of Mika approaching humans, knowing full well
how vampires were perceived by them - he used to be one himself until recently,
after all. What would happen if they weren't open minded or accepting? Would
they come into the woods, chasing after him, threaten to behead them both and
burn down their cottage? It was a huge risk and one that Yuu wasn't quite sure
they should take.
They had finally found a place where he felt safe again and could be together.
"What if they don't want to make a deal with you?" Yuu asked quietly, pressing
his cheek against Mika's chest. "They might not take a vampire showing up too
well, you know. People are scared of vampires and if they think you're alone,
or you just have me, they might try to fight you off..."
"That's true," Mika sighed, raking a hand through Yuu's hair. "These people
seem ungoverned, they don't have a lot of experience with vampires, if at
all...we may have to move again." He winced when Yuu's bright eyes turned up to
him full of disappointment. "I know, it sucks. But we can't survive without
blood, you know? I think it's better to approach them with friendly intent than
to be the thing that comes to bite them in the night." He rubbed his thumb over
Yuu's plush cheek. "I just want you to have a safe home until you're old enough
to turn fully." He gave him a light smile. "Your sixteenth birthday is less
than a year away, that's not so much time, right? We could wander for a few
months, should they chase us away...but I'd like to know you're safe and cared
for until you're out of the in-between."
Mika dipped his chin to kiss Yuu's forehead. "Maybe I can offer them my
strength or something in return, they're bound to have some heavy lifting,
right? Don't worry. I'm sure they're reasonable once they see we mean them no
harm."
Yuu wrapped his arms tightly around Mika, staying quiet for once and keeping
his thoughts to himself. Yes, it was true that Mika needed blood to survive -
they both did in different ways. But, it seemed as though banking on the humans
returning Mika's kindness was a dangerous approach. It made a lot more sense to
Yuu for Mika to find some other way to feed, something covert that wouldn't let
on to the humans that there were vampires living in the woods near their
village.
He hoped that the other humans would be less afraid of Mika than he had when
he'd first realized he was being carried through the market by a vampire.
He hoped they'd give him a chance as Yuu had and see just how amazing Mika
truly was.
The blond petted over Yuu's head, down his back and up his spine again,
repeatedly until he felt Yuu sink against him a bit more heavily, having
dropped off to sleep. He didn't like this prospect one bit, but he refused to
be discouraged before even trying. The next morning, after a rather restless
night considering he always slept so well when Yuu was in his arms, he kissed
his sleepy little progeny goodbye. "I'll be back very soon," he told the boy
quietly - the same words he had spoken to him when he had left for work the
first day Yuu had come to stay with him, he realized. They had come full
circle; he just hoped this new home wouldn't end like the last one.
Donning clothes that would seem unthreatening, jeans and a hoodie, he made his
way to the village.
Chapter End Notes
     Uh oh, Mika...that may or may not work out well for you...
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      Rol_de_Canela by Ania13, KittehBoesternchen, KuroKitty_(HaleYes)
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