lordsofgondor.com

Title: The Hunter’s Moon 3/9
Authors: sairalinde & anorienbean
Characters: Craig/David
Category: RPS AU
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Us.
Feedback: Yes, please to sairalinde@hornofgondor.com or Anorien.bean@gmail.com.
Warnings: Vampirism.
Disclaimer: This did not happen, no money was made from this story, and we are not in any way implying anything about the characters mentioned within.
Summary: A man in need of a miracle meets the most unlikely of saviors.

Chapters: 1-2 | 3-4 | 4-5 | 6-7 | 8-9

They toured the entire castle slowly, stopping several times to rest, as Craig thought up everything he could to keep David busy and with him for a while. Ian, in his usual efficient manner, had closed all the curtains in every room, but by the time they’d reached the east wing, it was well past dark anyway, and Craig had relaxed visibly. Despite all their precautions of dark curtains and covering the windows with layer after layer of thick cloth, a tiny ray of light sometimes managed to get into the house, and on a few occasions had burned Craig badly. They stood at the end of the hallway and Craig found, almost to his surprise, that after helping David up the last time, he’d simply forgotten to release his hand. Startled at himself, he did so at once and nodded toward the hallway. ” I guess you’ll be wanting to rest now,” he said reluctantly. “I’ll show you to your room and the room that we use as an extra office…but you can feel free to use whichever other rooms you want for anything. The entire east wing is yours for as long as you need it.”

The tour had been fascinating, tiring but fascinating and Craig’s ideas certainly were more than they’d originally discussed. The list was long, but God what an opportunity. The last time they had rested in one of the bedrooms and Craig had helped him to his feet, their hands had simply stayed clasped as they talked and walked from room to room. It felt…nice. Better than nice really and when they stopped at the hall that led to the room Craig had chosen for him, David regretted it when the other man released his hand. “I am tired….and again thank you for this opportunity. I honestly can’t wait to get started on the plans,” he said smiling tiredly.

Craig’s hand felt oddly chilly when David let go of it, and it was all he could do not to simply rest his arm around David’s waist to steady him. He looked as if he was literally ready to fall over. “Just use the buzzer on the wall behind the bed when you wake up in the morning, and Ian will send Elijah to you,” he said as he finally gave in and rested his hand on the small of David’s back, not trusting that he could walk down the rest of the hallway by himself and slowly began to move forward. “Lij will drive you to town, help you pack up, and make any arrangements you need. Also, if you give Ian a list of whatever you need in this office, he can send someone out for it.” They finally made it to the bedroom door and Craig felt oddly like he was bringing David home from a date…and
it was time for a good night kiss. But…that was absurd. “There’s a phone by the bed with an intercom. Press the red button if you need me. That’s my direct line. I can be here in no time at all.”

David nodded as Craig gave him instructions on the servants and how to contact them and him. They stood in front of the door for a few moments, feeling awkward and David nodded again. “I’ll try not to be a nuisance,” he whispered and then hoping to make the moment less awkward he reached out and took Craig’s hand again squeezing his fingers gently. “And yet again…thank you for this opportunity.”

Squeezing David’s hand on impulse, Craig nodded and let his other hand lift to run lightly over his forearm. “You’re welcome, David. I’m certainly going to enjoy working with you.” Here he was, wanting to kiss a *human* goodnight. Gods, his friends would never believe it…or, at the very least think he’d lost his mind for good this time. “Good night, David. Sleep well.” He managed to pull away without kissing the other man, but it wasn’t easy. Releasing his hand, he turned quickly on his heels and almost fled to his rooms, wondering what on earth had gotten in to him, and hoping he could only manage to stay out of trouble and not hurt David. Even if he was a Man, he seemed to be a good one…and good ones were very few and far between, of that Craig was certain.

David thought for a moment that Craig might kiss him, but instead the other man pulled away and wished him goodnight. He sighed softly and tried not to seem disappointed. “Good night, Craig,” he whispered as the man moved away from him, almost as if he needed to leave now or he’d not be able to. And maybe that might be the case? Feeling his tiredness wash over him again, David sighed and went into the room. It was as lovely as all the rest of the castle and as he stared at the bed where one of the servants had laid a blue silk robe, David smiled. At least he would have a bit of luxury before he left the world…and maybe if not a lover at least a friend.

~~~

The first few days at the estate were a little…strange. David wasn’t accustomed to having servants at all and seemed to get a lot of strange grins from the servants when he would try to do something for himself that they normally took care of.

Also he almost never saw his host during the day time hours, the estate was beautiful, but he never once saw Craig venture out into the gardens. But he did see him every evening, and they shared a meal together. It was one of the best business arrangements he’d ever made really. Living *at* the castle made his work so much easier and he seemed to feel a bit better, he was still weak but not having to travel to work just basically get out of bed and work on his plans right at the desk set up in his room or take a short walk to where the work was being done was easier on him.

After several more weeks he started to become accustomed to life in the castle though, even started becoming more used to the servants as well, and his dinner company each night that seemed to last into hours of just talking beside the fireplace was something he looked forward to. Craig was everything anyone could dream of. Gorgeous, rich, intelligent, with a wicked sense of humor, and something else…something David couldn’t place but he was drawn to him in a way he’d never felt drawn to any other in his life. He felt such…peace whenever the other man was near.

This day though he heard the workers arguing in the kitchen as he walked in. Sean was out taking a delivery of some supplies outside and the workers were arguing about the best way to move one of the carved pillars they’d discovered when the plaster was removed from the kitchen walls. It was gorgeous and David had asked that it be moved without being disassembled. He settled the argument but in doing so ended up physically helping the men do the work, something he knew he shouldn’t do. Even if he had felt somewhat better in the last few weeks he still couldn’t over do it, and moving the heavy stonework was way too much.

When Sean walked in he saw David’s normally pale face, flushed and covered with a sheen of sweat as he struggled for breath he nearly dropped a box of hardware he was carrying. “Christ, David…what are you doing? Why didn’t you call me?”

David struggled to answer and waved his hand at his friend. “Its ok…was just heavy…I’m fine,” he gasped.

“Yeah, you look fine,” his friend said taking David’s arm and leading him back to his room. “Why don’t you lay down or something…I’ll make sure they don’t destroy anything in the kitchen,” he suggested.

David merely let his friend lead him to his room and nodded. “Thanks.”

He was completely drained and though he was sweating, he felt a chill seeming to spread out through him. A hot bath would probably help, so he undressed and crawled into the large tub.

As everything happened upstairs, Craig was happily ensconced in his own little world down in the basement of the castle. He slept for a few hours every morning, then hurried to finish his work so he could spend time with David and linger over dinner. It surprised him, how much he looked forward to those hours with David. Though they’d never carried through with Craig’s invitation to do more than talk, Craig seemed to be thinking about it constantly. They’d begun to develop a real friendship, laughing and talking until late in the night every evening, and then when Craig could see that his guest was tiring, he would claim to be sleepy himself and escort David to his room.

They’d never even kissed, Craig made sure of that, still unable to believe he could really be *this* attracted to a human, so he always simply wished David a good night and headed back down to his chambers. He didn’t stay there of course. After giving David enough time to fall asleep, Craig would hunt in the forest behind the castle. He normally didn’t hunt or feed that often - usually only once or twice a week, but having David nearby made him restless, and he found himself going out every night, feeding on whatever he could find.

Finally closing down his laptop, Craig stood up, stretched, and dressed in a plain white shirt and clean jeans, happy as always to be heading toward his dinner date with David. Ian had already set the table with the first course, and Craig sat down, reading a book as he waited, slightly surprised that David wasn’t there yet.

He read for almost a quarter of an hour, then stood and paced the room. It wasn’t like David to be late. When Ian came in to ask if he should reheat the soup, Craig simply shook his head and headed toward the east wing, brushing off his offer to go look for David. He told Ian to simply leave all the food out, and he and David would help themselves. Ian nodded and gratefully headed back to his room as Craig disappeared down the hallway toward David’s room. He knocked several times, and got no answer, then tentatively opened the door calling out his friend’s name. Still nothing. The bathroom light was on, however, and the door was slightly ajar. He crossed the room quickly, still calling David’s name, his heart in his throat, every nerve in his body electrified. Something was definitely wrong….very wrong.

Sure enough, when he opened the door to the bathroom, he saw David there, in the bathtub, under water, eyes closed and not moving a muscle.

Craig was at his side a heartbeat later, sliding his arms under David and lifting him easily from the still-warm water. His body was completely limp and unresisting as Craig turned and laid him back on the floor, checking for a heartbeat, though he could already tell there was none. His fingertips were exquisitely sensitive to blood pulsing through their tiny veins and he knew even that wasn’t happening anymore. “Dammit, David, not yet, you’re not dying on me!” He tilted David’s head back, pinched his nose closed and blew into his mouth. Nothing. He repeated his actions, and then moved to lock both hands over his sternum. It seemed to take forever, breathing for him, compressing his heart, again and again, but it was no more than a few minutes. Finally, he felt David moving and turned his head to the side, where he could let the water from his lungs drain out of his mouth. Craig simply sat in the floor, holding him close, doing whatever he could to steady him as he coughed and gagged, speaking softly the whole time without even realizing it, telling David to hold on, to not give up, to just *breathe*.

David didn’t remember anything except being exhausted and crawling into the tub to try and ease the ache of his muscles. The next thing he remembered was darkness and then pain as his chest felt constricted when he awoke coughing in Craig’s arms on the cold marble tiles. It didn’t dawn on him at first what had happened, but he heard Craig’s voice telling him to not give up to breathe and he did. In great gulping, shuddering breaths.

His entire body was trembling and he clung to Craig as the realization hit him that he’d almost died…or maybe *had*. He was still so weak though and he *ached* everywhere at once it seemed and for a moment he realized he’d only been brought back by Craig and he could feel it was likely he wouldn’t remain this time either. “I’m…I’m so tired,” he murmured between shivers and gasps for breath. Looking up at Craig, surprised to see tears in his eyes, he smiled weakly and then slipped into unconsciousness again.

//He’s not going to last long.// It was all Craig could think as David looked up at him, and then slipped quietly away again. “No, David, you’re not *that* tired…not yet.” Without thinking, he supported his friend with one hand and balled his other into a fist, completely unaware of the tears streaming down his face, and smashed the floor-length mirror behind him. The glass shattered and he did the only thing he could do to help David. Gritting his teeth, he reached around David’s neck and gripped a long, jagged piece of glass, holding the tip against the wrist of his other arm. He dug in deep, watching as his own blood - the blood that would at least give David more time, more strength, more life, began to well around the gash and flow down his arm. Throwing the glass down, he propped David up against him and pressed his bleeding wrist against lips that were already turning blue. It was awkward, and not pretty, but dammit, he wasn’t going to let David go like this, not when he was the one person who could help him.

Tilting David’s neck back, Craig balled his fist so that the blood would flow down his throat, praying he wouldn’t choke on it. “Drink, David…swallow, just try…” He kept whispering softly, not even noticing that he was getting weaker and weaker as the blood continued to flow, only seeing that David still hadn’t moved and he’d likely waited too long. //Gods, why didn’t I tell him the truth…why didn’t I help him sooner??// “David, please…just swallow…”

Somehow, some way, David reacted to what Craig was doing. He was still unconscious, but suddenly his body seemed to react on its own. Swallowing the offer of life, David suddenly arched against the man holding him, drinking what, he didn’t know, but something that made him feel alive for the first time in so very long. He suckled, and licked at his own lips unaware that it was Craig’s *blood* that was giving him life again. He was still unconscious, but his body was wide-awake; aroused even.

Craig’s shoulders sagged in relief as he saw David’s throat move once, then again, then felt the pressing of his lips as he began to drink. “That’s it, David…that’s it…just keep going…” He watched as life and color seemed to flow into David’s body, already almost making him look like a new man. Even…Gods…he couldn’t help but notice that *all* of David’s body was responding. Had it been another time and place, Craig would have given anything to run his tongue over the rigid flesh that curved up from between David’s legs, to taste him on the back of his tongue, to…//Gods…he almost died and you’re wanting to…YES. I am. I’ve wanted to since the night I saw him.// Even as he argued with himself, Craig could feel his thoughts getting fuzzy and realized that within moments, he would be giving David too much of his blood…so much that it might kill them both.

He gently pulled his wrist away and wiped at the now red-stained lips with the pad of this thumb, suddenly too tired to move, knowing just how David felt moments ago, when he’d opened his eyes and whispered to him. Normally with an unearthly strength, there was now not enough energy in Craig’s body to even stand. With shaking hands, he wrapped a towel around his wrist and leaned back against the wall of the bathroom, and with nothing more than will power alone pulled David up against him to rest on his chest, mindless of his clothes that were now soaked with both water and blood. His head fell back against the wall and he closed his eyes, sighing softly as he too lost consciousness, still holding David close.

~~~

Hours later David awoke, feeling warm despite the fact he was laying on a cold floor. //Why am I on the floor?// Was the first thought in his mind. The next was what was keeping him warm, and why was he….wet? Then suddenly he remembered the bath, choking and coughing, Craig’s tears. He opened his eyes and looked at him. Craig was asleep, but it seemed…something was wrong. The mirror was broken…there as blood on Craig’s shirt. What the hell had happened? Then he realized how *good* he felt. It took him a moment to process that. He felt…really good, as he had years ago before he’d gotten sick. He took a deep breath and it didn’t rattle in his chest, his body didn’t ache…it…he felt stronger somehow. He blinked several times and reached out to touch Craig’s face gently. “What happened?” he whispered knowing the other man was still asleep. He carefully managed to get to his feet, avoiding broken glass, and imagined with as much water was on the floor that Craig had probably slipped and slammed into the long mirror.

David assumed he would end up just as before but he couldn’t leave Craig like this and it was so late he didn’t want to disturb the servants. So, carefully, as if Craig were the most precious thing in the entire world, David picked him up and carried him into the bedroom. Oddly enough the action didn’t tire him, didn’t even wind him and he wondered yet again why that was.

He stripped Craig slowly out of his wet and blood stained clothes, careful not to touch the towel wrapped around his hand. “I’m so sorry you hurt yourself to help me…I’m certain that’s what happened and I’m so sorry, Craig,” he whispered as he peeled off wet clothes, heedless of the fact he himself was naked and half aroused.

Vaguely aware that he was being moved, Craig tried to open his eyes, or make some sound, but try as he might, he couldn’t seem to do either. Rest…he needed a few more hours of rest, then he’d need to feed – a lot - that night, and he’d be fine. He was rarely ever cold, but with so little blood in his body, he began to shiver now that David was no longer leaning against him. Even that took too much effort however, and before he could even wish for a blanket, or, better yet, David back against him, he was lost in darkness once more.

David watched as Craig shivered and moved to take his clothes off even quicker…though he had to admit that he did pause once or twice just to admire the body of the man he’d wanted since the moment he’d first laid eyes on him. By the time he had Craig tucked into the bed, David was completely aroused just by the sight of his body and being able to touch him, even if it was just to move him. He wondered if he should dress the man in at least some boxers or something and then decided against it, they were adults. So David slipped into the bed beside Craig and pulled him into his arms. It felt good to take care of someone else for a change.

Still unable to move at all, but slightly aware of everything going on around him, Craig relaxed against David, sighing peacefully. Obviously, it had worked, and at least David had more time. The thought of how close David had actually come to dying only hours ago made Craig shiver again and he somehow managed to burrow closer, already wondering how he was going to explain David’s miraculous recovery if it was brought up. //Later…worry about that later. You need to get your strength back up, because you know he’ll need this again to keep going unless…// He cut that thought off. Feeding David would only help temporarily and after that he would still die. There was more than one way to die though, but there was no way Craig could even ask David about that. No, better to let him enjoy the extra time, maybe as friends and/or lovers, - and then let him go peacefully. //What if I don’t want to let him go…ever?//

David pressed a gentle kiss against Craig’s forehead as the other man snuggled closer as if seeking warmth. He was still baffled by why he felt so good after such an ordeal…he had drowned hadn’t he? It came to him in bits and pieces but he wasn’t sure what was real, and what was his imagination. Ever since he’d come to the castle he’d had somewhat fanciful dreams.

He held Craig for hours, not really sleeping himself which was odd, he usually could sleep no matter what when he’d been so tired like he had before his bath but tonight he couldn’t. So he held this man who had likely saved his life, and watched over his dreams. “I could fall in love so easily with you…in fact…I think I already am,” he whispered softly.

Craig, who was lost in a deep sleep, heard the whispered words with the tiny part of him that was always aware of his surroundings, the part of him that was always ready to feed, to hunt, to hide until his prey came into sight. The words made him smile until he remembered he didn’t even *like* humans. Ok, maybe David was all right for a friend, and even a lover for a while, but….*love*? He turned the thought over in his mind and realized that even though they’d never even kissed, the heartbreak he’d felt when he knew David was dead was enough to convince him that whatever they might share wouldn’t just be a casual relationship like all the ones he’d ever had before. //But once he finds out what you are…do you *really* think he’ll love you? Of course he won’t…so pretend you didn’t hear that and go on your merry way Craig…save you both some heartache.// All these thoughts went through his mind, yet Craig didn’t stir, this time simply wanting to relax, and not think about anything, but unable to stop.

David sighed softly as his hands roamed slowly over Craig’s back, holding him close and comforting him as much as he could. He didn’t know why Craig was so exhausted; it was as if their roles had reversed some way. Glancing at the clock on the wall he knew it would be sunrise soon and thought perhaps the early morning sunlight might do Craig some good. He knew he didn’t like the sun particularly, the castle was always so dark but it always helped David when he was so tired. Slowly he crawled out of bed, not to wake Craig, and went to the window. Every window was draped with heavy velvet curtains; layer upon layer of them it seemed and David paused for a moment before he began trying to get through the layers.

Ian was completely frantic as he checked each room of the castle looking for Craig. The first thing he’d noticed when he came into the kitchen that morning was that the food from the night before hadn’t been touched, and wondered if Craig hadn’t finally seduced David and simply took him down to his chambers for the night.

Things like that used to happen, but normally only with others of Craig’s kind but even Ian had been surprised to see Craig acting so friendly toward David. Still, his job was to protect Craig, not dictate who he took as a lover, so he’d decided not to interfere. When he went downstairs to see if his master needed anything, however, he was stunned to see that the bed hadn’t been slept in. His first thought was to head to David’s room just to make sure Craig was all right, but as he’d hurried up the stairs, he met Sean, who said David had been sick the night before and had turned in early.

If Craig were dead, Ian would know, of course, because he’d be dead too. Could one of the workmen have found out the truth about him and tried to kill him as they’d killed Tristan and almost everyone else that night? Ian remembered that night all too well. He’d been the servant of another vampire back then, and Craig had bought his service with blood, so if Craig died, everyone tied to him would die as well. Still…something wasn’t right. In his haste to find his master, he didn’t knock on David’s door, instead simply opening it and gaping as he watched David pulling at the curtain. He was by the bed, covering an unconscious Craig with the blanket just as the first ray of sunlight started to come into the room. “Are you trying to kill him!!!?” His words were all too loud even in the huge room and brought Elijah running from his room next door before David could even respond.

~~*~~

David jumped as Craig’s butler, Ian, burst into the room and threw a blanket over Craig standing protectively over the other man. “Excuse me? *K…KILL* him? God…I…I didn’t know,” he stammered as now the other servant had joined them and David felt like an idiot standing there in nothing at all with these two servants glaring at him, his hands finally released the curtains. He crossed to a small chair where his robe was and slid it on as Ian was picking Craig up from the bed. “Wait…I’m sorry, he never told me that the sunlight would…it’ll kill him?” David asked baffled. He knew the castle was always dark he *knew* that but hadn’t imagined it was for such a reason. Why have windows at all? He actually filed that thought in the back of his mind and moved toward them apologetically. “Please…I wasn’t trying to hurt him, I just didn’t know.”

Ian let Elijah tuck the blanket around Craig as he realized David was sincere. Of course David didn’t know…how could he? Craig didn’t trust humans, and he’d *never*, under any circumstance tell him the truth. But still…he *was* unconscious. As he noticed how healthy David looked, how his skin was no longer pale and his eyes seemed to shine, however, it made sense. Craig had given David his blood. He didn’t know what could have ever possessed him to do that, but Ian was almost certain that explained everything - David’s sudden good health, the towel around Craig’s arm, the way he was almost totally lifeless - he was in a healing sleep, and David must have thought a bit of sunlight would help. “I know you didn’t,” he said, his voice softening a bit both for David’s sake as well as Craig’s. “He’s just…sunlight hurts him. He’s…one might say…*allergic* to it.” He hefted Craig closer and nodded toward the door. “He needs to be back in his bedroom. And I have the sneaking suspicion that he wouldn’t mind having you there with him when he wakes up, if you’d care to come.”

David started to protest as they picked Craig up but then the older man invited him to go with them. “Please…I honestly didn’t know…he didn’t tell me. I…I’d never hurt him,” he said the last mostly to himself. He followed the others out of his room and down to the basement. He’d never gone down there before, it was Craig’s private domain and he’d never asked to invade it. Everyone was entitled to privacy but he had been curious…and with him feeling so much better it didn’t even wind him to go down the many stairs.

It was beautiful though, just like the rest of the castle what used to be a dungeon had been transformed into a beautiful living space and bookcases lined the walls from floor to ceiling, holding books that looked to be centuries old. Despite his worry for Craig he was awed by the room they were in. “Wow…” he murmured and caught Elijah smiling at him as they moved toward a chamber in the back of the long office/library type room. Though his momentary surprise from the grand room seemed to dissipate quickly when he looked over at Craig in Ian’s arms.

Ian could see the worry still on David’s face, and felt bad for his earlier outburst. “Here,” he said with a smile as he nodded toward Craig. “I think you look up to taking over from here. He’ll be fine in a few hours, if you just want to put him in bed and watch over him for a while. Unless…you’d rather I do it? Though…I dare say Craig had rather see you when he wakes up, rather than me…”

David rushed over to Ian and took Craig into his arms. “Thank you…I’ll take care of him…would…would you send down some food later for when he wakes up? He might be hungry,” he whispered and didn’t catch the odd look Elijah gave to Ian.

Ian bit back a grin as he nodded and put one hand on Elijah’s shoulder. “I’m sure he will be…I think you probably might be as well, so I’ll send plenty.”

For his part, Elijah hadn’t quite figured out what was wrong with Craig. He’d only served this master for a little less than a hundred years, but if Ian didn’t seem concerned, then neither would he. “I’ll bring extra red meat,” he piped up, earning himself an elbow in the ribs from Ian. “What? I just meant….”

“Yes…good day, then David,” Ian cut in smoothly. “Ring if you need me, but I’m sure you’ll both be fine.”

David smiled and pulled Craig a little closer, as the other man stirred a little in his arms. “I’ll ring if we need anything…and thank you,” he said sincerely. He turned and headed into Craig’s bedchamber smiling at how very richly decorated it was just as the rest of the castle. If he had the money Craig did he’d live in such luxury he thought vaguely as he laid him down on the beautiful bed. Craig stirred a little again and he pressed his lips to his forehead. “Rest…just get some rest,” he whispered, slipping off his robe and sliding into the bed next to Craig.

“Mmmmmm.” Craig loved the way David’s skin felt against him. He stretched out full length beside him and wrapped both arms around David’s neck, burying his face against warm skin, gasping only slightly when he brushed the cut on his arm over the blanket. It would heal in no time at all once Craig got his strength back, but for now it was still open and on the verge of bleeding. “Feels nice,” Craig whispered just before he fell back into a deep sleep again. “Thank you, David.”

When Craig moved against him and whispered he wasn’t entirely certain Craig knew it was David with him but then when he thanked him, said his *name* he felt his heart melt. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift even though he wasn’t feeling the extreme exhaustion he always did. In fact, he felt healthier than he had in years, which still baffled him completely. Whatever strange relapse he was having, he’d cherish it because he knew somehow that it wouldn’t last forever.

It was several hours later when Craig finally began to stir, most of the blood in his body having replenished itself while he slept. As always, before he opened is eyes, he held perfectly still and listened to everything around him, always half-expecting to find someone standing over him ready to kill him, or burn him, or open a window and turn him into nothing but a pile of ashes. All he heard, however, was the steady beat of a heart against his cheek, and warm skin pressed against him as now-strong arms held him close. //David. Finally.// Slowly, he opened his eyes and smiled. David looked like a new man, still too slender, but with color in his cheeks and the tension that Craig had always seen in his face nowhere to be found. He studied the man beside him silently, letting his fingertips run lightly over his skin, breathing a little harder when his hand came to the half-hard length that lay against David’s thigh. Unable to resist, he gave the warm flesh a gentle, tentative tug, then let his hand move back up to rest over his friend’s -and soon to be lover’s? - heart. “How are you feeling?” he whispered softly, as David stirred, not wanting to take anything for granted despite the fact that David had put them both in his bed naked.

David moaned softly as he felt Craig move against him and an adventuresome hand dance along the inside of his thigh and… “Mmm, good…great…seems you are too or do you always feel up your bed mates?” he teased as Craig looked up at him. His eyes still looked weary and David swallowed hard. “You worried me…what happened?”

Propping up on one arm, Craig regarded David seriously for a moment. David had said he was attracted to him, but they’d never *done* anything beyond forming a friendship, but he’d been worried? “*I* worried you? Do you know I found you underwater in the bathtub, not breathing, for all intents and purposes dead? You scared the hell out of me, David, and I don’t scare easily.” He let his fingers rub gently over David’s heart to soften his words. “So you tell me what happened first…tell me what you remember.”

David’s eyes widened slightly though he’d remembered bits and pieces, most of it was a blank for him. “I…I don’t remember much. I was in the kitchen and…well I helped with something I probably shouldn’t have and…well I was exhausted so I went to my room to take a nice long hot bath and…then…then I woke up and was on the floor in your arms and the mirror was broken and…there was blood on your shirt,” he explained. He didn’t realize how it had all come out in one long sentence as if he were a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar from the way Craig was looking at him.

Not sure whether to be disappointed or relieved that David didn’t remember what he’d done, Craig nodded and sighed. “And you’re feeling better now.” It was a statement rather then a question. He hoped he could avoid answering anything about the mirror or the cut on his arm, but wasn’t sure he’d be able to. “Well, I can’t say that I’m not happy to finally have you in my bed but *PLEASE* don’t do that to me again. Don’t do things you shouldn’t and don’t exhaust yourself and above all, please, please, please don’t go dying on me like that, all right?”

David stared at the other man for a moment, the concern in his eyes and voice touching him far more than anything anyone had ever said or done for him in his life. “I can’t promise I won’t die, Craig…you know that, but…I’ll be more careful,” he said softly and reached out to brush his fingers lightly against Craig’s cheek. “I don’t know how or even why but I do feel better than ever for some reason,” he said softly. “I’m sorry you got hurt trying to save me though.”

Craig smiled sadly, knowing David was right. //I can save you…but only in a way that you might not want to be saved.// “Don’t be.” Slowly, he turned his head to the side and kissed the palm of David’s hand. “Your lips were so cold,” he whispered as their gazes met once again. “You stopped breathing, and I breathed for you…and your lips were so cold.” He slid up in bed until they were face to face and lifted one hand to card his fingers through soft auburn hair. “Show me that they’re not cold anymore?”

Watching as Craig moved up in the bed beside him, David leaned into the gentle touch and found himself pulling his lover closer. “Thank you,” he whispered unsure if he was thanking Craig for saving him or allowing him to kiss those lips he’d dreamed of for weeks now. As his lips pressed against Craig’s he felt desire and heat flash through his entire body from just that simple touch. His body arched against his lover’s as his tongue slipped beyond yielding lips to taste and savor this incredible man he knew he had lost his heart to.

Moaning softly, Craig sucked on David’s tongue; licking at the warm, wet muscle as it explored his mouth so gently and thoroughly. God, he tasted incredible…more than incredible - but he didn’t have the words to describe it. He could feel their bodies moving almost of their own accord, sliding against each other, fitting together perfectly. Long minutes later, they pulled away for air, both breathless and flushed and more than a little aroused. “So, did you bring me down here to bed to just sleep beside me,” he managed as his lips moved over David’s neck, lightly nipping and sucking at every inch of skin he could reach, “or is this officially an acceptance of the invitation I extended to you on the first night you stayed here?”

Arching against his lover, David let his head drop back to allow Craig more access. “Yes…” he whispered as his hand slid down to wrap around the arousal trapped between them. “I’ve wanted you…so much,” he admitted softly. He’d wanted Craig so many times but he’d been so tired and he’d known he wouldn’t have been a good lover to Craig but now…now that he was feeling better somehow he didn’t want to lose this opportunity because what if tomorrow he awoke feeling the way he had just the day before? Or worse?

“You have me, then,” Craig whispered as he shifted his hips and ground their arousals together even as David’s hand moved over already aching flesh. “I’ve…um…taken care of business almost every night since you got here and came imagining you making love to me.” He caught the tip of David’s ear between his teeth and reached over to the bedside table for the small tube of lotion he’d been using on himself. “So will you please make love to me for real this time?”

David moaned and pulled Craig closer, rubbing his body against his lover’s. He pushed Craig back onto the bed, letting his body cover his lover’s as he kissed him deeply before dragging himself away from those perfect lips and kissing down his body. “You’re so beautiful, so perfect, the first night we met I couldn’t stop thinking about how gorgeous you were,” he whispered as he teased a peaked nipple before moving to offer the same to its twin.

“And here I was, thinking the same thing about you,” Craig murmured as his hand cradled the back of his lover’s head and he arched his hips up, loving the way David felt lying over him. “I know you didn’t believe me when I said it, but I wanted you even then.” His legs parted then locked around David’s waist as his hands did a bit of exploring on their own, lightly tugging at already peaked nipples. He arched back onto the pillow and moaned softly as David’s mouth moved over him. His wrist, which hadn’t yet healed completely, was forgotten as he pulled David closer and closer. He rarely let anyone take him, and never thought that when he did it would be a *human* of all things, but, God, he wanted David inside him. As he leaned up to kiss his lover again, he flipped the top off the lube and quickly slicked David’s fingers. “Hurry…we’ve both waited too long for this…”

David wouldn’t have believed Craig even now if he weren’t writhing beneath him, and clearly aroused. Dipping his head lower he brushed teasing kisses across Craig’s stomach and then moved up again to kiss those lips he couldn’t get enough of. When he felt Craig’s fingers slick his own he smiled against lush lips and nodded. “We have,” he whispered. It had been almost two years since he’d had sex and even pleasuring himself had stopped completely in the last six months because he simply hadn’t the energy, even if he had the desire. Now though, this day for some reason, after nearly dying he felt better than ever and God he was so hard he ached. He moved back enough between Craig’s legs to let his slick fingers slide down, teasing over his balls until he slipped further down, slicking around the tight entrance before gently dipping inside. He wouldn’t hurt Craig, but God he wanted him so much.

//You should tell him he’s making love to a vampire. He has the right to know.// The thought raced through Craig’s mind, then was pushed aside as he pressed his hips down, causing David’s finger to slide deep inside him, intent on keep from thinking *those* thoughts. //No…he wants *me*, nothing else matters.// He couldn’t seem to stop thinking. “God, I can’t believe how much I want you,” he murmured, barely catching himself from adding on “a human.” He leaned up; spread his legs wider, and kissed David again, surprised at the intensity of his need, which was met without hesitation from his lover. One hand slipped between them and he wrapped his fist around David’s length, tugging gently, wanting to have the heated flesh inside him *now*.

David moaned as Craig moved against him, driving his finger deeper inside the tight heat and he concentrated hard to keep from losing control as he felt the muscle tighten and release around the digit. As quickly as he could, he prepared his lover, both of them seemed to be at the very limits of their self-control but he refused to hurt Craig if he could help it. Within moments though he felt the tight muscles relax around his finger and added another, scissoring them to make sure he was well prepared. Drawing away again he moaned as Craig’s hand wrapped around him, letting him know just how impatient he was too. Moving over his lover, David positioned his leaking arousal against Craig and pushed slowly forward. “Oh God,” he breathed not having felt what it was like to be with anyone in so long and never feeling this *need* he felt with Craig. It was more than desire, more than passion and was as frightening as it was wonderful.

Craig’s entire upper body arched up off the bed as he was filled so completely. David’s cock was hard and thick and fit so perfectly inside him, Craig wondered how he’d ever enjoyed making love to anyone else before. But no, this was a passing thing, David would move on, would, in all likelihood succumb to his illness, would leave Craig behind in one manner or another. //He doesn’t have to.// God, the voice in his head never seemed to stop, but he found he liked this one better than the others. //He doesn’t *ever* have to die, not really…// His arms wound around David’s neck as he tilted his hips and took his lover in even deeper, moaning as he was impaled inch by delicious inch. Slowly, he lay back down against the bed and gazed up at David through half lidded eyes, lazily pulling at his own leaking length as it lay aching between them. “Please,” he murmured softly. “Take me.”

David shook, not from exhaustion but from sheer desire as he slowly sank inside his lover. Craig’s body opened to him, welcoming him into the velvet heat, and for the first time in his life David felt as if he were truly home. His eyes opened as he looked up into Craig’s eyes, having to hold back the words that threatened to spill from his lips so he leaned forward and kissed him deeply as his hips began to move. Shifting to hold himself up with one arm, something that simply wouldn’t have been possible just the day before, his free hand slid down Craig’s body and covered his lover’s, stroking him as his body began to move. Each thrust was met by Craig, and each thrust carried David closer to the edge. “So perfect,” he murmured as his lips brushed against his lover’s gently.

“Yes…” Craig paused as the head of David’s arousal brushed over his prostate, causing stars to dance behind his eyes, “you are.” As he looked up at his lover, he could feel a single, warm drop of fluid leak over his thumb and onto his stomach. He could come from this, he knew, from nothing more than feeling David move inside him, slow and deep and - Gods, yes, right there - so perfectly. Their fingers laced together over his own sex and though Craig tried to move slowly, he couldn’t…they could do this slowly later…right now, he just needed to lose himself inside this spell David had woven over him, and feel David lose himself as well. “Don’t stop, David…please don’t, don’t stop…”

Knowing he couldn’t stop if he wanted to, David just continued to move, thrusting deep into tight heat and knowing that he wouldn’t be able to hold on much longer. His hand moved faster with Craig’s, coaxing his lover to come with him as he thrust faster, his heart pounding in his chest, blood racing in his veins. //I love you.// The thought popped into his mind so suddenly that David was glad his lips were occupied or he’d have blurted the words aloud. //Too soon, you can’t tell someone the first time you have sex with them that you’re in love with them…even if it is true.// He felt Craig’s muscles tighten around him as he aimed again for his prostate and he cried out against his lover’s neck as his climax overtook him.

Craig was right behind him, his own seed spurting out onto his stomach and chest even as David’s release filled him. It seemed to be the longest orgasm of his life, yet it still didn’t last long enough. Something was happening to him, something he didn’t understand or ask for…and certainly didn’t expect. He was falling for David…falling hard. His free arm wrapped around his lover’s shoulders and his hips arched up off the bed with so much force, David’s body was lifted as well. He cried out as the last of his release was milked from him and began murmuring David’s name again and again. Slowly, he relaxed back on to the bed and closed his eyes, panting for air and holding David as close as he possibly could.

The force of their combined release was like nothing David had ever known. He shuddered as his lover came just seconds after him and held him tight. When Craig lay back against the bed, he kissed his neck and shoulder, whispering soft words of adoration but steering clear of saying he loved him. He sighed and snuggled closer, nibbling a little at warm skin. “I could get used to waking up like this,” he said softly, sadly because he doubted this sudden energy he had would last very long. //Then we should make love often before I can’t anymore.//

“Then why don’t you?” Craig’s lips moved against David’s temple and he pressed a kiss there. “Get used to waking up here, I mean? Move your things down here.” He didn’t give any thought to what he would tell David when he went out at night to feed, or how he would explain sleeping during the day rather than the night…he hadn’t given *anything* any thought, really, he just knew he didn’t want David to go back to sleeping at the other end of the house.

David leaned up to look at Craig seriously, still reeling from his orgasm and now this. “You…you really want that?” he asked softly knowing that Craig seemed to like his privacy. A part of him was unsure if he did that if he’d ever be able to leave, even if he did live to see the end of the work on the castle. He noticed a flicker of worry touch Craig’s eyes and he kissed him gently. “If you do,” he whispered, “then I would love that, //love you// very much in fact.”

Wrapping his legs around David’s so he wouldn’t move away, Craig scratched lightly at his lover’s back, thinking everything would work out…it had to, because he couldn’t *not* make love to David for as long as possible. “I want that, I want *you*,” he said softly, “to be my friend and my lover and my room mate and anything else you want to be.” Slowly he shifted his body and David’s until they were lying side by side. “For as long as you want to.” He didn’t state the obvious - ‘for as long as you ‘can’ - not wanting to remember how he’d found David only a few hours ago, lifeless and cold. //No…I’ll fix it. For as long as I can, for as long as he’ll let me…I’ll fix this.//

David smiled happily, feeling his heart leap in his chest. He gasped when they moved away from each other, his spent shaft slipping from within Craig as they settled next to each other. “I want that too,” he whispered kissing Craig gently. He couldn’t admit how much he wanted forever with Craig because it hurt too much to even think about. Of course he’d said before that no one gets forever, but just a normal lifetime…he wanted that with Craig. He rested his head against his lover’s shoulder and let his hand trail gently over warm skin. “I almost forgot,” he said leaning up. “If you’re hungry at all I think the servants brought some things down earlier.”

Craig kissed David again, holding him gently against him and wondering just how long he could keep David safe. “I’m sure they did…” He pressed David against the bed, nibbling at his chin and neck, reluctant to pull away. “I doubt they’ve brought anything sweeter than you, but…I’ll go check.”

David laughed softly as Craig moved over him and he pulled his lover closer for a moment before reluctantly letting him go. He leaned up on his elbow and watched as Craig slipped from the bed, enjoying the view thoroughly. His grin was still on his face when Craig returned with a tray laden with food. “There’s a lot there…I don’t think I’m hungry enough to finish all of it…maybe we should work on that?” he said teasingly as Craig set the tray next to the bed and he pulled his lover closer. “Does that sound like a plan to you?”.

Turning in David’s arms, Craig reached down and gently cupped his lover’s now softened sex. “I think I could definitely get into that plan.” He tugged at the still slick flesh and completely forgot about their dinner. “I think I could climb on top of you and *really* make you work up an appetite, if you’d be willing…”

David laughed even as he arched into his lover’s touch. “Oh…more than willing Lord Parker…much more than willing,” he whispered as they sank back onto the bed.

Craig and David made love again and sometime during the night, while his lover slept, Craig slipped outside and hunted, drinking only as much as he needed so he could hurry and get back to bed. He could keep David strong and healthy for only a limited amount of time, but he couldn’t keep doing it behind his back. //We need to talk. Soon.// As he finally fell asleep in their darkened room, he was still wondering what he was going to say.

TBC

Chapters: 1-2 | 3-4 | 4-5 | 6-7 | 8-9