lordsofgondor.com

Title: The Hunter’s Moon 7/9
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 had decided that the next new moon they would go through with the plan. Craig had spoken to Ian, and explained the situation. Though his servant didn’t like the idea, he did say that he would help in any way he could. Craig asked him to purchase Dragon’s Blood for the turning so that David could have it in his system prior to that night, and since the moon was already waning they had only twenty-eight more days to prepare. The herb wasn’t as silly as it sounded; he’d explained to David when he saw his lover bite his lip and his eyes sparkle for a moment. Craig had explained the resin came from a real tree that grows only in Malaysia and was difficult to come by, but would make the process safer. They could do without it but their chances of a full cure were almost assured if they had the rare herb. Otherwise, David could just turn into a sick vampire. After David got over the initial humor of the name of the herb, he understood that Craig was only trying to be safe.

So Ian searched for the herb, and finally managed to find it through an online retailer that he could trust. But the order was delayed. Greatly delayed and with only two short days before the new moon, Ian dreaded his conversation with his master.

Craig was in his library when Ian entered the lower rooms. For the first time in all his years as Craig’s servant he felt nervous speaking to him. “My lord…I…I have some bad news,” he began.

Craig sat down the book he’d been reading and smiled up at Ian. He’d never been happier in his life now that he had David, and he found himself smiling quite often these days. Even the thought of bad news didn’t dampen his spirits, because, whatever it was, they could work it out. They *did* have an eternity, after all. “No, Ian, it can’t be that bad. If someone’s broken something, then just buy a new one, or if someone’s selling something door to door, go ahead and buy it so they’ll leave us alone. What else is there that could go wrong?”

Ian closed his eyes as Craig asked his question and took a deep breath. Craig had never been as happy as he’d seen him with David and it pained him to give him this news. “The…the order will not arrive by the new moon,” he said speaking softly.

The smile on Craig’s face was gone immediately and his face flushed. His hands, which had been lightly holding the book he was reading, curled around the thick wooden arms of the chair and tightened so hard, the dark oak began to splinter and disintegrate under the pressure. “What?” His voice was low, deadly, and he didn’t even bother keeping the fury out of his gaze. “I asked you to get *one* thing Ian. ONE thing. And you wait until *NOW* to tell me you can’t even do that?”

“I was assured it would arrive by today, but they contacted me this morning and said that the shipment was going to be delayed again…I…truly believed it would have arrived by today as they said it would but then…I’m sorry. I am sorry, my lord. I…I can try another avenue perhaps. I…just couldn’t…” his words trailed off as Craig stood up, seeing his eyes glowing with rage for the first time in a century. Ian took a step backwards involuntarily, for the first time in many years fearing what his master was.

A change came over Craig’s face as he realized what this would mean. It was too risky to change David without the Dragon’s Blood, but he didn’t think his lover could wait until the next new moon. His fury knew no bounds and for the first time in his life as a vampire, he thought he could kill without a second thought. His body seemed to grow taller, his features harder, and his eyes, normally a dark, sparkling blue, turned black with murderous rage. “You’ve had it easy for centuries,” he ground out as he took another step toward Ian, not even noticing the dozens of splinters dug deep into his palms and fingers. “I’ve been good to you, I’ve never hurt you, and I’ve never fed off you.” Another step and his hands were on Ian’s shoulders, lifting him high into the air and pressing him back against the wall. “You useless old fool! If David dies - really *dies* because of you, I will make your life like a living hell, have no doubt about that. In fact, I don’t even see why I shouldn’t just end it right now…and put you out of your misery!”

Ian’s eyes grew wider as Craig advanced on him and he couldn’t possibly have fled before he was lifted and pressed bodily against the wall. He couldn’t swallow for the lump of fear balled in his throat and he simply hung in Craig’s arms limply against the wall. Tears were streaming down his face, because he hadn’t meant for this to happen. Yes, he’d been worried about the plan, worried that something would go wrong but certainly not THIS. “Please,” he murmured softly unsure what he was asking for and knowing every word his master spoke was true. He had never been hurt, always provided for in all these years. And if David died, it had occurred to Ian that Craig might be so despondent he would do something rash like race out into the sunlight himself and end not only his life but Ian’s and all the other servants too.

David had been in his office just on the other side of the wall from Craig’s and heard his lover’s voice he thought and then heard a loud thump. “What the hell?” he murmured as he walked to the other room. When he entered though, he stood with his mouth dropped open for a moment. Craig’s servant, Ian, was several feet off the floor and Craig was holding him there with a look on his face that truly frightened David. “Craig! What’s going on?” he asked finally finding his voice.

Even as David spoke, Craig’s fangs began to grow. He was completely lost in his anger, a red veil of pure rage covering his eyes, not even seeing Ian’s tears or hearing his words. His fingers tightened on his servant’s arms, bruising him easily. He hissed and felt his fangs grow to full size; unaware that David was even in the room. “You don’t know how much I love him…and this is *nothing* compared to how you’ll see me if something happens to him. I have no reason to live without him, and by the Gods, I will take you and your family, and everyone you’ve ever cared about with me, when I do….do you understand me, you fool?”

Ian nodded unable to answer audibly through his fear. He’d never seen Craig so angry in all his years, he’d known who he worked for, known what he was and whom he belonged to but had never seen him this way.

“Craig!” David yelled finally moving into the room and reaching out but not touching his lover for fear of what might happen if he did. “Love, please…what is it?” he asked softly and looked at Ian who looked at him pleadingly. “What’s going on?” he whispered again, trying not to fear the transformation in his lover, but feeling his hands shaking.

David’s voice finally penetrated Craig’s anger and he realized how this must look. Gods, he’d been ready to kill Ian! He looked at his lover, and his face cleared at once, and he felt nothing but shame that David had witnessed this other, rarely seen side of him. He lowered Ian to the floor, but with a look ordered him not to leave and turned away. “He didn’t get the Dragon’s Blood,” he said softly, his anger slowly melting into fear for David’s life and his heart aching at what this could mean. His mind cleared and even as he spoke, his fangs withdrew and his features softened back into the face David knew and loved. “The one thing I asked him to do…and he didn’t do it…”

David watched in morbid fascination as Craig’s face changed, his fangs //Good Lord fangs!// retracted, and he lowered Ian to the floor and released him. David looked at the older man for a moment to make sure he wasn’t going to collapse or something, before moving closer to Craig. Rubbing his hand over his face, David shook his head for a moment. They needed the herb for the transformation yes, but he’d researched it himself out of curiosity and knew you couldn’t just walk in the local drug store and get a bottle. “He didn’t…or couldn’t? There is a difference,” he said softly.

“It doesn’t matter!” Craig’s voice was louder than he meant it to be as he looked up at David and immediately felt even more ashamed. He wanted to hold David, but seriously doubted David would want that after what he’d just seen. He lowered his voice and wiped at his eyes in frustration. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m just scared. Scared that we’re back to the beginning, and I’m going to lose you all over again, just when I thought everything would be all right.”

Ian blinked as David questioned his master. The man was defending him? When it was his life on the line? He swallowed hard and bowed his head, feeling even worse for his failure and promising himself, he would find some way to fix all of this.

David flinched a little when Craig shouted but he didn’t back away. Instead he moved forward and pulled his lover into his arms. “Shhh, I know…but hurting Ian isn’t going to solve this…we…we can just try again,” he whispered. In truth, he was disappointed and scared, just as scared as Craig was but he had to believe that it could still work. That they could try again later. His strength from the last time he’d drank Craig’s blood hadn’t run out yet though he was starting to grow weaker each day. They would probably have to do it again before the next new moon but that would give them time. Hell they could send one of the servants TO Malaysia if they had to in order to retrieve the damn drug.

Gratefully collapsing into David’s embrace, Craig clung to him as if his life depended on it…and in some ways it did. The very fact that David was still willing to touch him after seeing Craig change before his very eyes proved how much love he had in him, and how much strength. “Will…will you be all right until then?” He’d forgotten that Ian was in the room, and simply buried his face against David’s neck and closed his eyes as he spoke. “Honestly?”

“I’ll try my best, love,” he whispered. David knew there was no way he could control his illness but if stubbornness could work, he’d damn well try. His arms tightened around his lover and he simply held him. “We’ll figure something out,” he whispered.

Ian cleared his throat as he finally managed to stop shaking and wiped at the tears that were drying on his face. He felt truly horrible for being the cause of their missing the opportunity this time. But just two days? He realized he’d been a fool to continue to wait but he’d been assured the shipment would come…he should have known better than to trust that. “My lords,” he said addressing both men, the first time ever addressing David as such but he was mated to Craig now. He’d seen the marks on their hands. “I wish to fix this if I can,” he said softly.

Craig looked up, almost startled to realize that Ian was still in the room, though he kept his arms firmly around his lover. “Just go, Ian,” he said hoarsely. “I’ll do it myself. I should have taken care of it myself in the first place.”

Ian swallowed hard and looked down sadly knowing that Craig probably wouldn’t have any better luck than he had in obtaining the herb. “I am sorry, my lord,” he whispered and started to turn for the door but then paused. “If…if it will be any help at all, there are plenty of servants to care for anything master David would wish…he should perhaps take to full bed rest, conserve all the energy he can.”

David looked up at Ian, surprised at the way he’d address *him* as a lord as well and then realized that as Craig’s mate he would share the title. It felt strange for a moment and then he sighed softly. He didn’t like bed rest. At all. Period. But…Ian had a point. Hell, knock him out and let him sleep till the next moon phase if that’s what it would take! “He has a point…” he whispered when he saw Craig looking at the old servant with annoyance.

Sighing, knowing that Ian was right, Craig relented and nodded in Ian’s direction. “If he’s going to be on bed rest, then so will I, because I’m *not* leaving him,” he said, moving to stand beside his lover, and keeping one arm around his waist. “So find me that herb, Ian. I’m at your mercy…please, just find me that herb.” He leaned back against the table behind him and gently pulled David closer, thinking that every ounce of energy he could conserve might mean the difference between life and death. “And…” He took a deep breath, and rested his head on David’s shoulder as he looked up at Ian. “I’m sorry for…well, for almost killing you, Ian. I can’t promise a different outcome if you don’t get the herb by the next new moon, but I *am* sorry for today.”

“If I have to fly there myself I’ll get it for you, master. I…I was foolish to have just taken for granted their promises on the delivery,” he said inclining his head. “I do understand your anger…I…I just had hoped to never witness it again. Once a century seems to be too soon for my old bones,” Ian said smiling tentatively and heading for the stairs. “To bed with you both then, I’ll send down everything you need…” his words trailed off as he ascended the stairs.

David looked at Craig and smiled slightly. “I think once a century of seeing that will do me too, love,” he grinned. “You’ve quite the um…temper.” He stepped back and took Craig’s hand in his, noticing for the first time the splinters. “What did you do to yourself, love?” he asked looking at the chair with the cracked arms and back at the wood imbedded in Craig’s hand. “We’ll rest right after we fix this. Deal?”

“Deal.” Craig had the grace to blush at his unusual display of temper, but nodded and let David fuss over him. If nothing else, it would distract them both from their fear and worry. “I don’t think I’ve ever been that mad before, and…I kind of destroyed the chair, I think.” He smiled and shook his head, still looking rather sheepish. “I’m sorry, baby. I just kind of lost my mind there for a few minutes. Though, I must say I don’t think there’s anyone in the entire world that would have approached me like you did. I love that you knew I wouldn’t hurt you. You’re the only one that could have calmed me down, you know. You just saved his life.”

David led Craig into the bathroom and retrieved the tweezers as he sat down on the edge of the large tub and had Craig settle in his lap. “No. You aren’t a murderer, Craig. I don’t think you’d have killed him even if I hadn’t come in…he’d be hurt but I don’t think you’d have killed him,” he said softly as he set to work carefully extracting the splinters from his love’s palm. “Though, if tables were turned I’d have been angry too…but it isn’t his fault. I did look up this Dragon’s Blood stuff, it isn’t like he can just walk into the local druggists and get it,” he said softly. “It’ll all turn out though, it has to, love.”

“I won’t let you go,” Craig said softly as he watched each splinter being pulled from his flesh. “I’ve waited for hundreds of years to find you, and I simply won’t let you go. You can drink a few more times between now and then, and keep up your strength, and…and by the time the new moon comes back around, you’ll be fine. We’ll follow through with our plans and live happily every after.”

David smiled and looked up at his lover. “We will,” he whispered and kissed Craig tenderly. The kiss was soft and loving and after a moment they drew apart again, and David rested his forehead against Craig’s. “I love you,” he said smiling and leaning back to regard his lover. He’d been frightening earlier, but he was also commanding…sexy as well. After a moment he set back to work removing splinters, and kissed his lover’s hand gently when he removed the last one. He knew that Craig wouldn’t need any sort of antibiotic or anything of that sort, but he found himself reaching for it in the medicine cabinet next to them and then laughing at himself. “Sorry…didn’t think,” he grinned.

Craig contented himself with watching David’s beloved face as he concentrated on each splinter, wondering what he was thinking, wondering if the Fates indeed granted ‘happily ever after’ to his kind, and finally laughing softly as his lover reached for the ointment. He laughed softly. “I don’t mind. Go ahead. I like to feel you touching me.”

Grinning, David went ahead and opened the small tube of ointment. “Well in that case,” he whispered gently dabbing the greasy substance on each little wound. Thankfully they’d not really bled, except one of them and already it had stopped. “Next time you decide to destroy a chair…go for a plastic or metal one,” he teased as he finished his task knowing that nothing in the entire castle was made of either material.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Craig said as he stood and held out his now slick hand to his lover. “Maybe I’ll order a few just for that purpose.” His face turned serious as he saw that David was already looking tired again. “Now…bed rest, for us both. We’ll relax and talk and snuggle and watch movies and surf the net for the next 4 weeks. That is…*if* you don’t mind having me next to you all day and all night until then.”

David laughed and stood up, taking Craig’s hand and almost laughing again at how slick and sticky it felt from the ointment. They certainly made a pair, he thought to himself as he walked with his lover back to the bedroom. “Bed rest sounds good to me,” he said softly. He was tired. Each day he’d felt his strength ebb and he knew that now especially he’d need to conserve as much energy as he could. Though being in bed with Craig might not be conducive of that, he thought as he looked at his beautiful lover.

~~*~~

The next week passed with them in bed, but even so David still became weak and before the seventh day he’d had to ask his lover to help him with his blood again. He hoped that that would be the last time though, that it would be enough until the next new moon.

The Dragon’s Blood finally arrived as well. Ian brought it down to them immediately and David began taking the red powder. It tasted horrible and the first time he drank it in a tea he was sick most of the evening afterwards, but it was expected.

What wasn’t expected though was that the newest infusion of Craig’s blood hadn’t lasted as it had before and within only a week he began to grow weak. After the second week he was nearly as exhausted as he was before.

Ian had been constantly in and out of their room, and when he noticed the scars on Craig’s arm he decided to make a suggestion. He wasn’t sure if they would agree, but…it seemed to be the only way. An IV, a slow drip if you will, of Craig’s blood to David might just help him hold out long enough, and be less exhausting on Craig, and less stressful for them both.

The problem was…Craig wouldn’t be able to leave at all to feed. So that is when Ian made his offer. He offered his own blood to sustain his master for the first time in centuries.

Craig, looking pale and exhausted, had started to protest and remind Ian that he *never* drank humans’ blood and that when he turned David, that was the only exception he planned on making. But David was so weak and in so much pain, Craig couldn’t even hold his hand anymore. He ended up slipping his fingers underneath his lover’s and holding them perfectly still, afraid to touch him anywhere else for fear of causing him to hurt even more. “Yes,” he whispered, noticing that David hadn’t even opened his eyes at the sound of Ian’s voice. “Yes to the IV, and yes, to your blood, if you’re sure. I won’t take it from you against your will, but I’m not planning on leaving him alone even if I could.” He reached out and placed his free hand on the old servant’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “Thank you, my old friend. I will never forget your kindness, and I truly hope you have forgiven me for my behavior in the library a few weeks ago.”

“Pardon me for being so bold, but my lord, if I had not forgiven you, I would not have offered,” Ian said smiling kindly and patting Craig’s hand gently. Ian slipped from the room quietly and returned with the items he’d purchased at the medical supply store earlier that day when he’d thought of the idea. “Let’s get you both comfortable, first…and please wake him, I don’t wish to poke needles in someone unconscious, and I’m sure he’d rather wake to your face than mine,” he said softly and waited for Craig to wake David as he prepared everything.

Craig smiled fondly at Ian and simply nodded before slipping his hand out from beneath David’s and moving closer, careful not to jar him or touch him just yet. He stopped when his lips were mere inches from his lover’s ear and tried to smile, though he had long since stopped smiling when David wasn’t looking, knowing that each hour that passed brought them one step closer to the new moon that might possibly be coming too late to help them. “Baby?” He pressed a feather kiss to David’s temple and waited for him to stir. “Wake up for me, just for a few minutes, love. We’re going to try something different and see if we can’t make you feel better.”

David felt the soft kiss and smiled slightly as he heard his lover talking to him. Slowly his eyes fluttered open and he smiled again as he looked into those blue eyes he adored. “I’m sorry I fell asleep again,” he whispered. It seemed that was all he could do anymore, but he didn’t want to ask Craig for his blood again. He only needed to hold out for a little more than a week…but he was just so tired. He heard Ian in the bathroom and saw him walk back into the room and smile kindly at him. “What’s going on?” he asked when he saw the servant slip on rubber gloves and slid up in the bed slightly. He moaned as the ache in his body increased with the action but pushed himself up the rest of the way until he was leaned against the headboard.

Craig winced as David moaned, and wished there was some way he could help him. He propped himself up against the headboard beside David. “Ian had an idea…he’s going to start an IV directly from me to you, so you’ll get a regular infusion of my blood. We’re thinking that might help. It might not make you feel a lot better, but at least it can keep you from feeling worse, we hope.”

David’s eyes widened as Craig described their plan and looked at Ian for a moment and then back at Craig. “Do…you think it’ll work? But…what will you do to feed?” he asked softly. It sounded like it could possibly work; at the least possibly keep him alive until the new moon.

Craig looked down for a moment, hoping David understood that what he was going to do wasn’t something he planned on getting used to. “I…Ian is going to let me feed from him,” he said softly. “I’ll only take what I need, and then…we’ll figure something out after that.”

David was completely shocked and looked from one man to the other for a moment as he tried to take in the plans that were made while he’d been asleep.

Ian smiled encouragingly at him though. “I trust Craig will only take a pint or two, no worse than donating blood…in fact…practically the same thing,” he said hoping to help alleviate the worries for both men. Craig he knew didn’t like the idea but had resigned himself to the fact that this was the best.

Nodding as Ian’s words got through to him David smiled tentatively. “You’ll owe him orange juice and Oreo’s then,” he said hoping to remove the worried look in Craig’s eyes.

Chuckling softly, Craig agreed, and then looked up at Ian in all seriousness. “I’ll owe him everything,” he said quietly, though there was no one else in the room but Ian and David. “Even his freedom, if he wants it.”

Ian’s hands trembled for a moment as he connected plastic tubing and he looked up. He had no need of freedom, but he appreciated his offer. “The freedom to continue to serve you is all that I ask for,” he said softly before moving to the side of the bed. “Now you two won’t be able to move very much…” he explained as he pulled up a chair next to the bed with his foot.

David swallowed hard as Ian spoke and knew that the servant loved Craig as a very dear friend. He tried not to eye the needle, never being a big fan of the things, instead focusing his gaze on Craig. “This will work you know,” he whispered as he saw just how worried his lover was.

Craig kept his gaze locked with David’s as he carefully slid his hand underneath his free one, grateful for David’s trying to make him feel better as well as Ian’s devotion to them both. “Yes, it *will* work.” His words were firm and heartfelt. They’d come too far to end it here; only a few days away from the ritual that would let them spend eternity side by side. “And you, my darling, well be stuck with me…in our bed, in our house, in our gardens…everywhere, doing everything, you’ll have me with you. Are you sure you’re up for that?”

“Always, love,” David whispered softly. They kept their eyes on one another, talking softly, as Ian worked to start the IV that might help give David a better chance of lasting until the new moon.

When he was finished, Ian sat back and rolled the gloves off his hands. “Perhaps that will help,” he said softly and then explained to Craig how to clamp and unconnect himself for when he wished to feed if he did desire to move away from David to do so.

“Thank you, Ian,” Craig said, watching and listening to the instructions before gazing back up at his lover. He looked a little better already, though still weak and exhausted. “You’re ok, sweetheart? ”

“Yeah…I actually feel a little better already. Don’t hurt as much as before,” David said softly. It wasn’t the way it was when he drank from Craig, the instant, immediate almost miraculous effect but more of a slow feeling of peace moving throughout his body. “Thank you, Ian…and you, love,” he whispered as he raised his hand that was simply too weak before to caress his lover’s cheek.

Turning his head to press his lips to David’s palm, Craig smiled and closed his eyes, enjoying touching his lover again like this. “Don’t thank me,” he said softly. “I’m being purely selfish, and wanting to be with you every minute of every day.” Ian left the room, murmuring that he would be back in a moment and Craig’s eyes turned serious. He wasn’t sure how long David would feel up to talking, and he didn’t want to waste his energy, but they did need to figure out a thing or two. “What are you going to do with the business? And…about Sean? He won’t cause a problem will he? I mean…thinking you’re dead and all…?”

“I’ve been trying to decide, if I can pay off my debts I’ll leave the business to him, but…if I can’t I don’t want to leave him with a business on the brink of bankruptcy,” David said softly. He hadn’t wanted to have this conversation with Craig, he didn’t *want* to use his lover’s money but it would take every cent that Craig had paid him for the work they’d already completed plus some to get the debts paid. “And…Sean…I’m having a hard time lying to him about my death but I don’t know any other way. I…I mean vampires aren’t a discussion a couple of friends have, ya know? It isn’t like I can tell what his reaction would be.”

“No,” Craig agreed. “Vampires aren’t something you can just bring up. But as far as the money - I know you don’t want to use mine. You’ve never said anything, but I can see it in your eyes. What I want you to realize…” Craig gently entwined their fingers and gave David’s the most tender of caresses, “is that you and I are married, bonded, mated…however you want to say it. We share everything, from our hope and heartaches to our houses, and books …and money. You and I, *we’re* millionaires a few hundred times over, and if you want to leave Sean the business, it’s a matter of pushing a few buttons on the laptop to do so.”

David shook his head as Craig said that his money was also David’s. “I…I can’t ask that though. I can’t, maybe if we’d met before I was so sick, but…I dunno. It doesn’t seem right, you’re already giving me so much,” he whispered. He wasn’t afraid that Craig thought that was why he loved him, of course that wasn’t true or the marks wouldn’t have appeared so they both knew their love was completely pure but still. It seemed on principle alone he should handle his past debts himself. “I’ll figure something out.”

“Baby, please.” Craig’s voice was soft, and he didn’t want to spend one moment of their precious time arguing. “Do this for me…share everything with me, not just what you think you *should*.” He leaned his head back against the headboard; now feeling a bit tired himself as the blood drained from his body. “If you won’t do it for me, do it for Sean, or the rest of your employees.”

Sighing softly, David thought about Craig’s words, thought about the fact that many of his employees had families to feed. It truly wasn’t an easy decision to make, but after the last few weeks he hadn’t been able to figure out a way to pay *all* of the bills with what he’d made from his last project before Craig’s and what he’d done at the castle so far. “All right,” he whispered softly. “We can work out a plan to balance the books before I…I uh ‘move on’,” he said as a way to keep Craig from wincing. The last time he said ‘die’ his lover had looked so incredibly sad that he’d tried to put it in other terms.

Craig leaned over and pressed his lips lightly over David’s. “Thank you. We’ll pay off the business and the hospital bills and everything else, so you can stop worrying your gorgeous little head about money…just remember we’re incredibly rich, sweetheart. And once we make it past the new moon, we’ll never have to worry about anything again.”

Returning the gentle kiss David smiled. “Yes, love,” he whispered. He did still feel he shouldn’t use Craig’s money but as his lover said they were mates now…he’d need to get used to that.

Before they said another word though, they heard Ian coming down the stairs again. “How is everyone?” he asked as he entered and saw how pale Craig looked. He was typically pale, but not like this.

“We’re fine.” Craig’s smile was a bit forced but he wasn’t going to let David see how tired *he* was. Right now his lover needed him to be strong, and that’s exactly what he planned on being. “Of course, I’m holding hands with the most handsome man in the world, so why wouldn’t I be?” He wondered if Ian had come back to let him feed….and sincerely hoped so. Though he still wasn’t too keen on feeding off a human, it was definitely preferable to leaving David’s side for the few hours it would take him to hunt. Ian’s blood wouldn’t be nearly enough though. //One thing at a time. Just go slow and see if he offers again.//

Ian shook his head thinking Craig didn’t look very fine. “I think perhaps you may need…to feed, my lord,” he said softly.

David looked up at Ian and then at Craig, noticing how tired his lover looked. “You should…love…you look pale,” he whispered knowing that he needed to let Craig know that he wasn’t bothered by this. It was strange yes…but he wasn’t put off by it.

Before Craig could say a word, there was another knock on the door and he saw Ian smile. He called for his guest to enter…and was shocked to see his entire household staff standing on the other side of the door. Elijah and Karl stood up front, smiling nervously. “We know Ian won’t be enough,” Elijah said as he looked around the richly decorated bed chambers and wondered what it would be like to be Craig’s lover. His master only had eyes for David of course, but it was nice to fantasize…well, about either of them. Or both. “So we’re all here when you need more.” He dared to make a rather poor joke, though his face flamed as he said it. “After all you *are* eating for two now…”

Craig burst into laughter and bowed his head in Elijah’s direction. “Indeed I am, and thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You’ll never know how much this means to me.” Ian sat down on the side of the bed and Craig looked at him in surprise. “I can’t…I mean…David shouldn’t see this…” He started, carefully releasing his lover’s hand and stammering. “Not yet anyway, I mean…”

David looked across the room to the doorway and saw all of the servants gathered there and smiled. Then when Elijah made his joke David burst into a fit of laughter himself, he hadn’t laughed that hard in days and it felt damn good, especially seeing Craig laughing as well. “Thank you,” he said to everyone and then shook his head when Craig said he shouldn’t see. “No, love…it’s alright.”

Craig looked doubtful, but wasn’t too keen on the idea of leaving David’s side anyway. Besides, maybe his lover needed to see this, to make sure he could live this kind of life. Gods, Craig hoped he could, hoped so with all his heart. “You’re sure?” When David nodded, Craig watched as Ian tugged at his collar and exposed his neck. It had been too long since he’d fed, and he remembered that the vampires of old used to drink nothing *but* human blood…which was why they were hated so fiercely. “I know you’ve done this before with others Ian,” he said softly, “so I suppose you know it’ll hurt.” Ian nodded and Craig threaded his fingers back with David’s again as he moved closer to Ian. The closer he got to the pulsing blood, the longer his fangs became, stopping only when they were full and sharp enough to tear through flesh. He paused, then felt the reassuring warmth of David’s hand in his own and felt Ian hold his breath in anticipation. “I’m sorry, Ian,” he murmured as he closed his eyes, praying that David wouldn’t hate him for this, or be afraid, and sank his teeth deep into his servant’s neck. He began to feed at once, sighing as the warmth of Ian’s blood filled his mouth and flowed down his throat, giving him strength, much as his own blood gave to the man he loved.

David didn’t move away, even as he saw Craig’s fangs elongate and grow right before his eyes, and he simply squeezed his lover’s hand gently. He was probably as nervous as Ian looked, he thought, and sucked in a deep breath when he saw Ian tense, and then strangely didn’t fight, just submitted, almost melting against Craig. It…was almost erotic, and David had to swallow hard and bite back a small stab of jealousy that made him feel even more bizarre. He looked up and saw the others still standing in the doorway and realized they were all sensing the same things he was. At least he didn’t feel so uncomfortable.

It was always a struggle not to go to far, no matter what Craig was feeding on. He remembered when Tristan had turned him, the initial burning pain on the side of his neck, and then the way he’d given himself to the vampire, ready to do anything he asked. That’s exactly what Ian was doing now, giving himself over completely, and Craig had no doubt that if he wanted to drain his ‘victim’ completely, Ian would let him. He drank for less than two minutes, and already, color was coming back into his cheeks. //Just a little more…just another minute….No. NO.// He pulled way quickly, eyes wide and his lips stained with blood as he reached for the small towel Ian had thought to bring along and pressed it against the wound. “Thank you,” he said in a hoarse voice. “I think that’s plenty for now, at least from you.” Licking at his lips, he turned slowly to David and watched his face for any signs of disgust. “You’re all right? You look…uncomfortable, sweetheart. Was it….that bad?”

“I’m…I’m good,” David said blinking a little. “I…it wasn’t *bad*…I…I’d rather not explain with an audience,” he said feeling his face color. He looked up at Ian who smiled at him slightly, despite looking suddenly very tired. At that moment Karl and Elijah approached, Elijah helped Ian to his feet and Karl took his place on the side of the bed.

Craig nodded and waited for Karl to push his hair aside to expose his neck. With another squeeze of David’s hand, Craig sank his fangs into the other man’s neck and closed his eyes, drinking again, knowing Karl could stand to lose a bit more than Ian. This should be enough for him tonight, and if all the servants were truly willing to do this, Craig wouldn’t have to leave David’s side at all until after David had been turned. He only hoped the steady infusion of his own blood was enough to sustain his lover until then. As Karl slumped against him and moaned softly, Craig supported him with one arm and drank as much as he dared. When he pulled away, Karl almost seemed disappointed, but smiled sleepily and stood on unsteady feet as Elijah placed a towel against his neck and guided him toward the door way. “Thank you again,” Craig said, still completely stunned that the staff that had moved with him, followed him, lived by his blood would make such a sacrifice for him and David. “I’ll…I’ll need more tomorrow, but I think we’ll both be fine for tonight…”

“We’ll see you first thing in the morning,” Elijah beamed as he tried to keep Karl upright. “I’ll make a schedule and…”

“Yes, come, Elijah,” Ian managed, shaking his head at the young man and laughing despite the lightheaded feeling that was still making it hard to think. “Good night, my Lords. Sleep well, and, as always, ring if you need us. Any of us…for anything.”

The sense of jealousy seemed to grow a little more when Karl sank against Craig, but David chalked that up to seeing Craig’s lips pressed against a man who was years younger than him and quite handsome. Though at the same time he felt himself start to become aroused and finally drug his eyes away from the sight before him. Ian’s eyes twinkled as he looked back at David as if knowing exactly what he felt. He swallowed hard and soon Craig pulled away and Elijah moved to help Karl get up. He wished them goodnight and waited until the door closed behind them before he looked at Craig again. “Do you feel better?” he asked softly and shifted a bit to hide the fact it had aroused him.

“Much,” Craig answered honestly as he leaned back against the headboard, keeping their hands clasped for both the contact and to assure them both that neither would forget the IV and rip it out. “Now…tell me what’s wrong. You hated seeing it, didn’t you? It made you wonder if a life with me is worth having to live like that…”

David shook his head. “No…no it isn’t that at all,” he said softly and felt his cheeks color again. “I…have you ever witnessed it?”

“Yes, back when I lived with other vamp….oh.” Craig suddenly remembered how it felt to *see* a feeding, rather than be a part of it, and certainly, David had seen both Ian and Karl fall against him. He moved closer and used his free hand to brush a lock of hair behind his lover’s ear. “It’s erotic, isn’t it? Just the intimacy, the giving of oneself to another. I’m sorry, I should have thought. When the…well, technically, *victim* gets bitten, it hurts…a lot. And then, to keep them from struggling, a vampire can naturally secrete an enzyme that replaces the pain with pleasure. That way, the victim won’t fight, and risk tearing out his vein as the vampire feeds. I guess…I guess I just forgot. When…I can’t believe I’m saying this, but when I feed from you, I’m sure I’ll be aroused, because I’m in love with you. But with them…it was really no different than feeding off an animal, because I don’t see them that way.” Resting his head on David’s shoulder, he smiled, loving the spark of what he now knew was jealousy that had briefly sparkled in David’s eyes. “After this…no more humans, please. They taste rather bitter when you’ve gotten used to wild game. Besides…I don’t think I want to see *any* human falling against you like that. I’d feel the same way you’re feeling right now…*very unhappy*.”

David nodded when Craig asked about it being erotic. “It…it didn’t bother me as much with Ian…perhaps because he’s been so kind and I…I know him better than the others but I must admit…Karl…made me extremely jealous. And…and what bothered me was…well…” his words trailed off and he took Craig’s other hand and pressed it against the arousal that now lay hard against his stomach. “That…made me a bit uncomfortable especially with the others standing there in the doorway because I have a sneaking suspicion they had similar reactions.”

Craig’s fingers closed over the hard flesh beneath the sheets and he gave it a gentle squeeze. “Oh, love, if you were stronger, I’d take care of that right now,” he murmured, nuzzling against David’s neck. He could feel the blood pulsing through the arteries and veins just beneath the skin, and licked at the warmth, though not letting his fangs extend. David tasted warm and wonderful. No matter how sick or weak he felt, Craig always loved the way his lover’s skin tasted against his tongue and mouth. “I’m sure they did have very similar reactions. I think next time, we’ll have a smaller audience, and ….well, I can go into another room to feed. Or get a very large, fluffy pillow to put in your lap if you’d rather I stay here.”

Gasping as Craig’s fingers wrapped around him, David’s hips moved slightly, though they both knew he wasn’t strong enough to do anything about it. “A pillow works,” David laughed softly and nuzzled against Craig’s neck in return. “And at least now…judging by the looks on Ian and Karl’s faces, at least I don’t have to fear it will hurt when the time comes,” he said softly. In truth he had been afraid of it being painful, but after witnessing it…he wasn’t afraid anymore.

Sighing happily, Craig tilted his neck back and closed his eyes, offering David easier access. “Then we’re all set,” he murmured. “We’ll have a pillow ready, and neither of us will be afraid, because it’s *going* to work.” He slowly slid down in bed and helped David to do the same. “I’ve missed holding you close. Are you up to a bit of snuggling tonight, or are you still in too much pain?”

David’s body still ached a bit but not like before, now it merely felt as if he had the flu, it wasn’t like before where his *hair* even hurt it seemed. “I’m up for snuggling, love,” he whispered pressing his lips to Craig’s neck. His body moved closer to his lover’s and he shifted against him a little as he drew in a deep breath and felt his body relax a little.

Craig pressed a kiss to his lover’s forehead and carefully wrapped both arms around him. “Just a few more days, baby, then you’ll be better again…just a few more days.” He’d been counting down the days, and hours, in his mind for weeks now, though he didn’t want David to know that. Simply *knowing* how many hours lay before them seemed to make them last longer, and Dave had more than enough on his mind already. “I love you, David. And no matter what I’ll be with you, either in this world or the next.”

“In *this* world, Craig,” David whispered softly. “I love you too, but it *will* work…we’ll make it work.” He pulled Craig as close as he could and closed his eyes, trying his best not to think about what will happen if they ran out of time. They wouldn’t. He had to believe in that.

“You’re right…in *this* world.” Craig’s hands moved over David’s back, thankful to be able to touch him again, relishing every brush of skin against his fingertips. “Why would the Fates have worked so hard to put us together if they weren’t going to let it work?” He grinned and pulled back just enough to look into his lover’s eyes. “I have a confession to make. All that work I said I wanted done after you repaired the storm damage?” Worrying his bottom lip to keep from laughing out loud, he waited for David to nod before he continued. “I just wanted you to stay. I have *no* idea what I was asking for, and honestly…I was going to do a little damage of my own to some of the rooms just so you’d be able to fix them. Now if that isn’t love at first sight, I don’t know what is…I was going to destroy my house for you!”

David began to giggle and then laugh harder as Craig spoke and he kissed him impulsively. “I love you,” he said laughing. “Even though I’m laughing…I know you are completely serious,” he said smiling happily. “I think the Fates are just testing us…nothing worth having comes easy and all that,” he added pressing a kiss against grinning lips.

Craig deepened the kiss for only a moment, contenting himself with the knowledge that soon, in just a little over a week, they would be able to do this for hours on end and not worry about making David tired. “Yes…and all that,” he smiled as he pulled his lover closer. “Now you, my bewitching architect, need to sleep. After next week, I’m going to make sure you don’t get much sleep at all….I plan on using this bed for *much* more interesting pastimes, if you don’t have any objections.”

“Oh, you get no objections from me, my lord,” David whispered, snuggling closer and closing his eyes. “Just hold me, love, and in a few more days, we’ll have forever,” he added as his fatigue finally began to overtake him.

“Forever,” Craig whispered, making sure their IV lines weren’t tangled and would pull away. He rarely got any sleep these days, always too busy watching David sleep, or simply listening to his heartbeat or the sound of his breathing, and he knew this night would be no different. “Good night, sweetheart. I love you.”

“Love you too,” David murmured already slipping into oblivion though safe in his lover’s arms. He prayed that what they had done would keep him alive long enough to give them a real chance. He’d been angry with himself so many times, wishing that his own body weren’t fighting against them every step of the way…wishing that the disease he had would just miraculously go away…but he knew they were wasted thoughts. The only real miracle he had to hold on to — was Craig.
TBC

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