The once pitch black eyes were now a crystal clear, deep red, glowing softly. Like ruby red gemstones forged in the depths of the earth. He couldn't tell if it was from the fire or if they were emitting the light themselves. Either way, he looked much healthier than before. His face was no longer gaunt and sickly. Instead, his youthful grace had returned tenfold. Sharp features carved out the most beautiful man he'd ever met, far more than he seemed to have been before. How could he ever have a shred of resentment for this gentle man? Although he was just ravaged by him in his mindless state, he still felt like his wellbeing was put first. Well, aside from almost drinking too much but he really felt like that was a fluke. 

“I think the only reason you lost control was because you overdid it trying to save me. You made me promise not to be excessive, now I'm going to make you do the same thing,” Liam chided, extending his hand, pinky out. “From now on, no more hiding our needs or feelings from each other. And no more greeting death's door. Promise?”

Tears welled up in Arthur’s eyes. He didn't run away. He wanted to stay? Even after all of that? How could he be so lucky? He hooked his pinky into Liam’s and clasped down tightly. This pact, practically forged in blood, sweat and tears, was a bond he would never break. He would spend his life repaying the trust he was given so earnestly. He felt like he didn’t deserve a single ounce of the faith being given to him right now, but he was going to make sure that it would never be in vain. 

“I promise, Liam. I swear on my life. If I ever break this vow, I will pay with my life.”

Liam broke into laughter, “there’s no need to be that serious. I think both of us have had enough life threatening events for a week. I just need you to communicate with me, okay Mr. Dark Handsome and Mysterious? A little more transparency would go a long way I think.”

“I can do transparency. What do you want to know? Ask away and I’ll do my best to answer,” Arthur implored, resting his hand in the space between them. Unable to bear letting go, he now held Liam’s finger between his thumb and forefinger, petting them as he listened. 

Liam grew silent. He knew what he really wanted to ask but he didn’t know if he wanted to hear the answer. What if he got rejected? Yes, he was holding his hand right now but he was  just trying to comfort him. Should he just forget it and be thankful for what they have now? A blissful memory, cut short. But he really didn’t want to be living on a false hope forever, never knowing if he even had a chance. 

“The kisses, before you fed, were those real? Or was that just something that happens when you're hungry…” He couldn’t bear to look him in the eyes while he waited for his response. Every muscle in his body was taut like a bow string ready to fire. 

“When I lose control like that, I lose restraint over all my desires, not just the one to feed.”

He finally had the courage to look him in the eyes again. Liam gazed up through his lashes, face flushing when their eyes met once again. His whole body felt like it had been set ablaze. The flame of hope that had been dwindling inside him was rekindled to a roaring flame. 

“Then, that means, you have the desire to kiss me like that? It wasn’t fake?”

“No, it wasn’t fake. I’m sorry for forcing myself on you. I promise I’ll never do it again. I’ll never do anything you don’t want me to.”

“I never said I didn’t want it, you didn’t force me to do anything. Yes, you drank from me without permission but it’s not like I wouldn’t have said ‘yes’ if you had asked me,” Liam blurted out before his nerves could stop him. 

Arthur didn’t know what to say. Did he really know what he was offering? Blood wasn’t something someone should just give up so freely. Especially to someone like him. From someone like him. He shook his head.

“Liam, I couldn’t ask something like that of you. The blood in your veins is unlike that of regular humans. The power you possess should never fall into the hands of someone like me. When a vampyre consumes your blood, it’s not just a food source, it’s a temporary power boost. Many of my kind have held wielders of magic like cattle to supply their high. Your blood is like a drug to the vampyre. Never give yourself away like that, please. Not even to me.”

“You would never do something so deranged though. You are too kind to behave like that so don’t compare yourself to scum like them. If you had meals on a regular basis, then you wouldn’t push yourself to the point of starvation and lose control. Did you give up human blood altogether?”

“I had, yes. I saw many horrid things and I vowed to never stoop so low.”

“No wonder you were so hungry. Look, I’m not saying that you have to drink everyday but if you need to eat you should,” Liam berated. “It’s not like I'm giving it to you for no reason, you've been helping me with my powers and saved my life. Let me repay you somehow please?”

Arthur pinched the bridge of his nose as he contemplated Liam’s offer. It's true that he had been practically starving himself for years, getting by with the meisley scraps he collected when he helped heal the animals of his forest. He couldn't remember the last time he had real human blood, much less that of his caliber. He felt nearly back at full strength, but he didn't want to take advantage of him either. Liam was the first human he allowed himself to be close to in centuries. 

Up until now, he had been living a life of solitude, only having human interaction when absolutely necessary. Really, he only dealt with humans when he needed to collect more literature and he hadn't sought anything out in years. He genuinely wanted to form a healthy relationship for once and starting it like this just felt wrong. He wanted every moment to be done properly, never rushing or crossing a line that wasn't ready to be crossed. And here he was, skipping to damn near the finish line right off the bat. If Liam hadn't stopped him, and he had come to after the fact, he really wouldn't be able to live with himself. He was miserable enough as they stood now. 

“I really didn't mean for things to go this way. I wanted to take things slow with you, I really did,” Arthur finally said. 

“So, does this mean that you were wanting to be in a relationship, Arthur?,” Liam inquired, his heart felt like it was about to rupture. He had so many emotions welling up inside of him. The roller coaster he had been on now felt like it was creeping up to the final drop.

After a few moments, Arthur nodded his head while tightening his grip on Liam’s fingers.

“Well, it might be a little late for some things, but we can move more slowly. If I get too eager, just let me know and I’ll slow down,” Liam replied happily, slipping his fingers between Arthurs until they were fully intertwined. “I also wanted to be in a relationship with you so don’t stress over it please?”

Arthur squeezed his hand tightly, signaling that heard him but he probably was stressing over it anyway.

“Come, lay down with me for a bit. I think we both need to rest,” Liam said warmly, pulling Arthur with him as he flopped down into the covers. 

“But we need to get you cleaned up,” Arthur worried out loud, still bothered by how brutally he had attacked Liam before. 

“Shh, we can deal with that in the morning,” Liam said, pulling Arthur into his chest as he got comfortable on his side. Nuzzling his face into Arthurs hair, he took a deep breath in and out. “This is the first time I’ve ever felt so comfortable Arthur, thank you. I’ve never felt like I’ve had a safe place until now. I really hope you’ll feel the same way.”

 Arthur squeezed his arm around Liam in reply, burying his face even deeper into his chest. His life was also changing faster than he could keep up with, but right now that was fine. He just wanted to live in this moment with Liam, in his cozy underground bedroom, warm fire light dancing across their skin, hidden from the rest of the world. Safe and sound. Whatever happened tomorrow, they would face it then, together.  He was no longer alone. 

For the first time in longer than either of them could remember, they slept soundly through the night.