“You should rest.” Dallieh turned his head to look at Angel, who was improving, but still not well enough to function on his own, not tonight. He had no choice. All he could do was offer the remaining heat he had to that broken body to help it heal. By morning his temperature would mellow out and he wouldn’t even have that to give.

Slowly, deliberately he took off his shoes, then fidgeted with one of the chains on his pants. The metal was hard... the metal would hurt. He glanced back at Angel who watched him as he stood. He needed pants that had removable chains if he was going to do this again... his throat clenched. By morning, he would have burned through the extra blood entirely and would start to cool. There was no again. There was no coming back, not without... he had to turn away and hope that Angel hadn’t seen the look on his face. He didn’t think he would be able to say goodbye, especially not after... He would just have to leave and hope that somehow... somehow Angel would mend and be alright. He knew what would happen if he returned and he was cold. He knew what would happen if he lost control.

Dallieh undid his belt. He spooked at the sound of the chains hitting the hardwood beneath his feet, his muscles momentarily all bunching at once as though someone had shot a gun behind him and he hadn’t expected it. The sound had broken the stillness as if to announce that there was no way of turning back from any of the thoughts he’d just had or that he was once more baring himself to the man he could feel watch him. He wasn’t prepared for Angel’s hand upon his wrist, warm and fragile, insistent. He allowed himself to be pulled in and lay himself carefully on his back, gently arranging Angel in around him as he had the night before with his head tucked in against his chest so he could nuzzle against hair the color of ebony silk. He wished that kiss had really meant something, even as he knew it couldn't have: another regret. He hoped that Angel hadn’t noticed the expression he was sure he didn’t hide. He hoped that somehow he could be forgiven… for all of this. For the first time, Dallieh wished that he was warm and that he could offer comfort, instead of the dull ache that settled into his chest with his thoughts of the inevitable future. When Angel woke again... he would be alone.

There were so many things Angel tried to isolate.  So many things that felt different.  It kept him awake for long hours, just as silent as the one that held him close.  But eventually, his eyes drifted closed, and he slid down into the shadows of his mind.  One thought followed him into darkness.

He has no heartbeat...