Outside; nighttime; biting - Athelstan this time

[onceaviking]

The night air is cool.

Eric walks slowly with his hands in his pocket. He looks even paler in the dimness.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan still looks ashen, but clearly recovering. He wraps his arms around himself against the cold as they walk towards the gardens.

[onceaviking]

An arm might settle around his shoulders at some point.
To steer him.

It does little, however, against the cold.

[athelstanthescribe]

What little it does is to block the breeze from going down his neck.

"Where to?" he asks.

[onceaviking]

"The back of the garden," Eric says, leading him down the path.
"There's a bench there."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"And a measure of privacy."

[onceaviking]

"Yes," Eric says.

The garden is empty. Once they reach the bench, Eric lets Athelstan sit down, keeping a hand on his arm.
Then he settles down next to him, cold and quiet.

[athelstanthescribe]

He sits, propping his crutch against the bench, and looks at Eric for a moment before he offers his wrist.

[thewidewideworld]

There's a light step on the grass some distance off and the sound of a fast little heartbeat.

Sinric lingers in the shadows of treeline, staying back we'll enough not to be seen. He watches Athelstan settle himself and offer the vampire his wrist willingly.

[onceaviking]

Eric hears him.
Of course.

And ignores him.

He is inconsequential right now. He might go tattle of course, but he'll deal with that if he has to.

[athelstanthescribe]

If he does - which he won't - Athelstan will counter it with the truth that he consented.

"Drink", he urges quietly.

[onceaviking]

Eric opens his mouth and let's his fangs down.

Then he dips his head, as he cradles Athelstan's wrist gently in one large hand.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan tries hard to concentrate on the gentleness of that touch, and drive away the memory of the last time people were holding his wrists.

He nods, swallowing. "It's all right. Go on."

[onceaviking]

Eric looks up at him.
"You have to sit still, " he says.
"Maybe your neck will be better ...?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"...if you can only take a little from the neck." He takes his wrist back, cradling it in his lap. "You might be right."

[onceaviking]

"I can take as little or as much from anywhere as I want," Eric tells him as he slides an arm around his shoulders.
"Relax."

[athelstanthescribe]

He does try to relax, but it's a very forced relaxation. At least, he does manage to stop fidgeting.

[onceaviking]

Eric strokes the thin skin below his ear. Soothingly.

[athelstanthescribe]

He knows Eric is likely only doing it so he won't have to give up and not get his blood, but still the cool fingers there are oddly comforting.

He tips his head slowly away, baring his neck.

[onceaviking]

Eric makes a small pleased sound and moves in closer, nuzzling Athelstan's warm skin with his cold nose and just as cold lips.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric's breathing and the beat of his bird-like heart quicken at seeing Athelstan so intimate with Eric.

But he fears no violation in it, seeing clearly that Athelstan has been forced in no way.

He goes back the way he came on light feet, waiting by the back door for Athelstan to return.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan is still and calm, waiting for Eric to bite down.

[onceaviking]

He pauses - and then he bites down, tightening his grip a little on Athelstan.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan makes a small sound, but it's not of protest.

[onceaviking]

And Eric presses close, firm and cold and hungry.


But he drinks shallowly, and soon he is moving his mouth away again.

[athelstanthescribe]

The sensation was still there, and Athelstan's eyes drifted closed - but now they open again.

He considers how he feels, the touch of weakness without being harmful, and nods.

[onceaviking]

Eric bites down on his own tongue and then he - gently - laps at Athelstan's skin.

[athelstanthescribe]

He feels the bite wounds closing and pats briefly at Eric's hand by way of thanks without speaking.

[onceaviking]

Eric moves back a fraction

His mouth is red and wet.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan turns to look at him.

"It still feels good", he says quietly.

[onceaviking]

Eric parts his lips , offering blood.


And a kiss.

[athelstanthescribe]

He wasn't going to ask. But since it's offered - he leans up and kisses Eric, licking at the blood.

[onceaviking]

Eric makes a small, pleased sound and deepens the kiss.
Just a little.

Just to make sure he gets the blood.

Of course.

[athelstanthescribe]

Of course.

Athelstan returns it as deeply, anyway, taking what feeling he can get. (Though arousal is still elusive.)

[onceaviking]

Eric is cool and quiet, but his lips are supple.

[athelstanthescribe]

He continues the kiss as long as Eric allows it. Or as long as he can before taking a breath, if that comes first.

[onceaviking]

Eric is feeling generous tonight it seems.

Letting a huge hand rest on Athelstan's thigh.

[athelstanthescribe]

Eventually, reluctantly, Athelstan does have to pull away. Just a little.

[onceaviking]

Eric's face is calm and still and hard to read in the dim light.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I should - " He glances back towards the door and stills, seeing the little figure in the light cast from it. "How long has he been there?"

[onceaviking]

"From the moment you sat down," Eric replies, breezily.

[athelstanthescribe]

"But didn't interfere, just waited", he says with some relief, reaching for his crutch to have something to do with his hands. "Very well. I'll see you again soon, then, Eric."

It's a promise as well as a firm goodbye for the night.

[onceaviking]

"Maybe you will," Eric says, stretching his long legs out in front of him.

[athelstanthescribe]

"If you allow it", he says with a nod.

(He thinks Eric will, somehow.)

[onceaviking]

"You better go make sure that your little Byzantine eunuch doesn't die of fright, " Eric says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"He's stronger than that. I know that now." He pushes himself up. "Until the next time, then."

[onceaviking]

Eric doesn't say anything and he stays on the bench as Athelstan moves away.

[thewidewideworld]

{ooc: to here for Sinric and Athelstan?}