Darkness loomed everywhere around Yuuri. It filled every nook and cranny of his consciousness as he floated about weightlessly. It was eerily quiet, but he was strangely comfortable in the familiar-feeling darkness. The space was so devoid of sound that it seemed almost deafening. Was there such a thing as deafening silence? What a perfect contradiction.
He drifted around contentedly in the void, not really thinking or feeling much. His body was blissfully numb, the pressures and stresses of daily life unable to touch him in this space. The longer he stayed, the more content he became with staying. He felt himself getting incredibly cozy in the space and growing more complacent about it with each passing second.
Suddenly, a red glow began emanating from a far-flung corner of the void. At first, he paid it no mind. It seemed much less interesting than the euphoria that was enveloping him snugly like a blanket. The light, however, would not be ignored. It grew brighter still, filling an entire section of the void with its glow. He turned his head to stare at it now, unable to avoid it any longer. When it began to pulse, it set off something deep inside him. His heart lurched in his chest and began pounding in rhythm with the red light. He was instantly filled with an overwhelming need to find the source of the light and just knew that he had to reach it.
He fully turned his body toward the light and willed himself forward. As he got closer to it, he noticed that it was actually two individual red lights. Faster, faster, he had to get there faster. Their fiery crimson glow completely filled and consumed his thoughts, and he wondered how he'd ever even dared to ignore them in the first place. As he drew closer to their source, he felt his body heating up. Then, without warning, his veins seemed to fill with lava and he felt as if he was melting from the inside. He felt no pain, however, only all-encompassing heat.
The twin red lights pulled greedily at him now, and he imagined himself a fledgling star being drawn into the inescapable orbit of a gas giant. He knew that he was about to be consumed and cannibalized by it, but couldn't bring himself to care. He closed his eyes and smiled, opening his arms wide as the redness swallowed him whole.
Yuuri's eyelids fluttered erratically as he struggled to open his eyes. It felt like there were lead weights pushing down on them, which made the process that much more challenging. Once his eyes were finally open, he tried to figure out where he was. This proved to be difficult, as his thoughts were trapped in a foggy haze, and he was feeling rather disoriented. He thought that he might get more information if he looked around, and tried to sit up. It was an action he came to immediately regret. His muscles were clenched taut, and his whole body hurt. He thought better of getting up and settled back down on the bed instead, groaning as he sank into the soft mattress. He'd barely closed his eyes when a sudden gust of air rushed past him. His eyes flew open again in surprise, and he was momentarily stunned to find Viktor seemingly materialize out of thin air in front of him.
"Yuuuuuuri! You're awake!"
That's right, he was in currently Viktor's bed…in Viktor's room…in Viktor's stupendous Gothic mansion. And the reason his body hurt all over was that he'd taken Viktor's…
The memories from the night before came crashing down on him like a ton of bricks, and he nearly burst into flames on the spot from the embarrassment that suddenly welled up inside him. He looked away, ashamed, and unable to meet Viktor's gaze any longer. The more he thought about the sounds and actions from the night before, the hotter he burned. And, mere seconds before he managed to incinerate himself out of existence, a strong pair of arms was wrapping him up in a cool and calming embrace.
"I'm so relieved that you're awake. I was so worried about you."
Yuuri's body immediately relaxed in Viktor's hold, and all his distress was instantly forgotten. He didn't quite understand what was going on, but there was something in Viktor's voice that made him set aside his pain, sit up, and take notice. He brought a hand up to stroke the man's silvery silky strands and rested his chin on the nearest shoulder. Viktor needed comforting for some reason, and so he freely gave him all that he could. They stayed like that for a while, content to simply be in each other's arms.
When Viktor pulled away, he fixed Yuuri with such an intense gaze that it took his breath away. Those icy-blue eyes seemed to cut right through him, and he felt as if Viktor was looking right into his very soul. Yuuri could only stare, captivated, and mesmerized by the intense beauty of their depths. A dreamy little sigh pushed its way past his lips just then, causing them to part slightly on its way out. He saw Viktor's gaze lower to his lips, and a split second later, found himself on his back with his wrists pinned to the bed, and being kissed absolutely senseless. Viktor's lips moved expertly over his own, and he moaned wantonly as a tongue slipped indecently past them. The vampire's lips were like a cooling balm on his feverish flesh, and he found his body eagerly responding to the onslaught.
Yuuri writhed and squirmed beneath Viktor, aching for more of his body to be in contact with that of his lover's. He moved to spread his legs wider in order to give Viktor's more room but was stopped dead in his tracks by an incredibly sharp stab of pain. He cried out, the act forcing his lips to separate from Viktor's. Cool hands were immediately cupping his face, and two cerulean concern-filled eyes stared questioningly into his own.
"Yuuri, what's wrong? Where does it hurt?"
The young man took a few deep breaths as he tried to calm himself and work through the pain. A few moments later, he was finally able to breathe normally enough to speak.
"A-ah…my…um…is a bit…ah…sore from the…uhm…last night..."
Despite the cryptic reply, understanding quickly dawned on the silver-haired vampire's face. He immediately pushed himself off Yuuri and walked over to the foot of the bed. He grabbed hold of the bedsheets and yanked at them, fully pulling them off his lover's body as well as the bed.
The young human was caught off-guard by the sudden gesture, the surprise clearly evident in his voice when he spoke.
"V-Viktor! What are you doing?"
"Forgive me for not noticing earlier, my dearest Yuuri. I should have immediately checked your body for strain once you were awake. I have failed you as a lover."
Yuuri didn't quite understand what was going on and was feeling rather confused. What in the world is Viktor talking about? He tried to sit up so he could ask just that, but another sudden stab of pain had him flat on his back again in a second. He then felt Viktor's cool hands on his hips just before he was pulled down the length of the bed, his legs left hanging over the edge.
"Aaaah-aaah! Viktor! What the…?"
"Yuuri, please relax. I am simply going to inspect your body for damage."
Viktor grabbed Yuuri's ankles and picked both of the young man's feet up and off the floor. He knelt down on the floor between Yuuri's legs and then lifted them up and over his shoulders, bringing his face mere inches away from Yuuri's most private places. Instantly mortified, Yuuri struggled to bring his legs back down so he could back-crawl away from the highly embarrassing situation. Viktor, however, held fast.
"Yuuri, there is no need to be ashamed. I am your lover now. I already know the most secret recesses of your beautiful body."
Yuuri trembled from the force of his bashfulness, blushing from the roots of his hair right down to the tip of his toes. He found himself utterly unable to look Viktor in the eye and lifted his hands instinctively to cover his face. He honestly did not know how the hell he was going to survive such nuclear levels of embarrassment.
Viktor, meanwhile, was busy with 'the inspection'. He leaned in even closer, and his sharp vision easily picked up on the tiny tears. No wonder Yuuri is in pain! He hung his head low and chided himself for not having had more restraint. Not only had he yet again taken too much blood from Yuuri, but had also harmed him physically. The small amount of blood he'd given him the night before must have been just enough to restore his red blood cells, but not enough to act on the other damages that had been inflicted on his body. He had to right this wrong.
He lightly ran his tongue over one of his fangs, causing a small gash to open on its surface and blood to ooze out. He then lifted his head back up and ran his tongue slowly and deliberately over Yuuri's puckered flesh.
Yuuri had been so preoccupied with his own torment that he had not picked up on Viktor's intentions. When he felt the cool tongue on his sullied flesh, he bolted upright, just about jumping out of his own skin.
"Eeeeee-ahhhhh! N-no! N-not th-there!"
Viktor tilted his head up and looked at his lover's face from his position in between the young man's legs. His mouth formed an adorable heart shape, and he smiled winsomely up at him.
"Yuuuuuuuri, I am trying really hard to take care of you here. Are you going to cooperate, or am I going to have to tie you up?"
Yuuri was immediately hit with a barrage of images featuring him all tied up and at Viktor's complete mercy. Much to his chagrin, his traitorous body eagerly responded, and a certain part of him twitched to life. Viktor's smile grew quite lascivious just then, and Yuuri was once more left feeling like cornered prey. Viktor tapped pensively at his mouth with his index finger, clearly enjoying the turn of events.
"Hmm. Perhaps I should just go ahead and tie you up anyway. You know…as a precautionary measure…"
"No, no, no, no! It's fine! I-I-I'll be good, I-I promise!"
Viktor let out a dramatic and exaggerated sigh. He pouted prettily and looked genuinely disappointed.
"Alright. We'll save the tying up for another day, then. As long as I have your word that you'll let me take care of you."
Yuuri gulped audibly before nodding slowly at his vampire lover. Satisfied that he'd have Yuuri's full cooperation from now on, Viktor returned to the task at hand. He nicked his tongue on a fang once more and resumed licking Yuuri's orifice. Yuuri lay back down on the bed, stared blankly at the ceiling, and tried his best not to squirm. He was so embarrassed that he felt as if he would burst into flames any second. He tried to keep his mind blank, and not think about how disgusted Viktor must be feeling right now, having his tongue on…that.
The licking went on and on, and after a while, he grew accustomed to the sensation and was finally able to relax. The tongue no longer felt intrusive, it actually felt soothing and pleasant. He also noticed that his pain had decreased significantly. When the licking finally stopped, Yuuri assumed that Viktor was finally done and that that'd be the end of it. He was totally unprepared for Viktor's next move.
Viktor, finally satisfied that he had fully tended to the outer rim, decided to take things to the next level. He wrapped his lips around Yuuri's entrance and plunged his tongue deep inside. Above him on the bed, Yuuri screamed as his back arched fully off the bed. Viktor smiled to himself and then doubled down on his actions, setting out to draw as many of Yuuri's screams as possible. The young human's cries of pleasure were pure music to his ears. He carried on with his assault, thrusting his tongue in and out of Yuuri's hole. The young man up on the bed moaned, writhed, and whimpered, his continuous cries increasing in pitch with each subsequent penetration.
Yuuri was in heaven, or hell…he couldn't really decide. To say that he was turned on beyond belief at the moment was an understatement. To say that he was also confused as hell as to why he was so turned on at the moment was an even bigger understatement. He had never thought…never ever imagined…that such a part of his body could bring him so much pleasure. His hands flew to Viktor's silvery locks, and he clawed and pulled at them, too lost in his pursuit of gratification to spare a thought to Viktor's potential discomfort.
Viktor, meanwhile, closed his eyes and moaned, fully reveling in the stinging sensation of Yuuri's hands pulling at his hair. He wasn't worried about having his hair ripped out, any hair lost would get immediately replaced by his automatic healing abilities. A few moments later, he realized that Yuuri was rapidly reaching his limit. The young man thrashed desperately up on the bed, a constant cascade of cries streaming from his throat. Viktor could see the young man's muscles tightening up and his toes beginning to curl. He reached up with a free hand and grabbed hold of Yuuri's hardened flesh, pumping it as his tongue thrust mercilessly in and out of him. Not long after, Yuuri went over the edge, screaming his release and coating both his stomach and Viktor's hand in the process.
While Yuuri lay dazed and panting on the bed, Viktor languidly licked his fingers clean before moving on to do the same to Yuuri's stomach. The taste of Yuuri's seed was delectably unique, and he found himself instantly addicted. The young man now carried his scent, marked by their lovemaking from the night before. It filled him with pride and set off a deep possessiveness within him. Mine. Yuuri is MINE, now.
While most vampires were mindless sex beasts who wanted nothing more than to rut a human into the ground, he had purposely remained celibate after becoming one. He thought that the practice was distasteful, and had refused to allow himself to stoop so low. He was not innocent by any means, he'd had his fair share of lovers as a human. But after becoming a vampire, he'd wanted nothing to do with humans or his own kind, preferring a life of isolated solitude instead. He'd had Makkachin for companionship, he hadn't needed anyone else. Yuuri had changed all that when he had unwittingly wandered into his territory. It had happened only a short while ago, but he strangely felt as if he'd known the young human for much longer.
He walked up to the side of the bed and sat down next to his lover, reaching out to brush the sweat-soaked locks back and away from his face. He traced a thumb along Yuuri's cheek, pausing to examine the young human's delicate features. The human in question opened his eyes to look up at him, his mahogany orbs still slightly unfocused as he came down from the sexual high.
"How are you feeling now, my dear?"
Yuuri smiled at him, a genuine gesture that surely would have taken his breath away had he still been capable of holding breath.
"I feel…amazing. Thank you, you didn't have to…you know…do that."
Viktor returned the smile and shook his head as he caressed the young man's face.
"It was my pleasure as much as it was yours. You have my word that it was of no inconvenience or discomfort to me, young one. I thoroughly enjoyed taking care of your needs."
Yuuri's cheeks grew flushed, and Viktor practically groaned at the thought of all the blood that was rushing to the skin's surface. Yuuri had awakened an insatiable bloodlust within him and knew that he would have to address the important matter as soon as possible. But first, he wanted to make sure that his lover was well-taken care of. He stood up and then bent down to scoop Yuuri into his arms. There was no protest from the young man this time, and he instead wrapped his arms around Viktor's neck, nuzzling in close. This greatly pleased the vampire, and he could not help but reward the gesture with a gentle kiss to Yuuri's forehead.
"Let us bathe now, my dear. That way, you'll be washed up and ready for breakfast."
At the mention of food, Yuuri's stomach growled loudly, causing the vampire to chuckle in amusement and the blush on the young man's cheeks to deepen.
"Right. Let's not keep your stomach waiting for any longer than it has to then, shall we?"
Viktor had Yuuri set the temperature of the bathwater, given that he couldn't accurately gauge it on his own. Once they were both fully immersed, he then spread his legs and motioned for Yuuri to come sit between them. The young man blushed deliciously at the request and smiled demurely as he took the offered seat. Viktor took his time soaping up the young man's back, kneading the sore muscles until they became putty under his hands. Yuuri fully relaxed under his attentive care, and the sounds he made alternated between breathy sighs of satisfaction and little moans of appreciation.
Next, Viktor tipped Yuuri's head back and poured water onto his hair, making sure it was nice and wet. He squeezed some fragrance-free shampoo onto Yuuri's hair and massaged the young man's scalp with his fingers until a thick lather had formed. Yuuri's eyes fluttered closed, and by the time Viktor had made it to the conditioner, the young man's back was flush against his chest and his head was resting on his cool alabaster shoulder. He rinsed Yuuri's hair carefully, ensuring that no water trickled down onto his face. He soaped up his hands and smiled deviously as his inner predator eyed the defenseless prey before him. He wrapped his arms around his lover and placed his soapy palms on the young one's concave stomach. Slowly, he began to spread the soap around, working his way up Yuuri's torso until he reached the young man's rosy nipples.
As he ran his hands slowly and deliberately over them, they immediately hardened. Yuuri gasped, and the young man's back arched slightly off his chest. Viktor leaned in close and gently brushed his lips over Yuuri's left earlobe, sending a ripple of little shivers racing down the young one's svelte body.
"Mmmm, you always react so readily to my touch, my dear. It's as if your body was made for it."
Viktor made repeated passes over the pebbled buds, each one garnering him a bigger reaction. He then dipped his hands lower, bringing them tantalizingly close to Yuuri's engorged flesh, but pulling away each time just before he reached it, the tips of his clawed fingers lightly ghosting the ebony nest of curls. Yuuri squirmed helplessly in his hold as he desperately tried to push into Viktor's hands, but Viktor held fast. He would not let up until his lover was begging for it.
The sounds of splashing water filled the room, joining Yuuri's moans and cries in a symphony of sound at the hands of a master conductor. Viktor closed his eyes and forcefully inhaled Yuuri's scent. It filled every nook and cranny of his brain and flooded his senses. He was severely aroused by this point as well but vowed to put Yuuri's pleasure before his own.
Yuuri's body was on fire. He was painfully hard, the result of the continuous torture he'd been enduring at Viktor's hands. His mouth was dry, and he was feeling breathless from crying out so much. He needed…wanted more than what Viktor was currently giving him. He just didn't know how to ask for it.
"Viktor…please…please…"
Viktor smiled, he finally had Yuuri right where he wanted him.
"Please? Please…what, Yuuri?"
Yuuri groaned in frustration, he was not in the mood for games. At a loss for what else to do, he grabbed onto Viktor's thighs and rolled his hips back and against the hardness he knew was there. He heard a sharp hiss from behind him and had a mini celebration in his mind as he felt the man's nails dig into the flesh of his waist. Feeling emboldened by his small victory, he ventured another hip roll. Viktor's grip on his waist tightened further still, and a deep rumble reverberated in the tiled room.
"You play a dangerous game, young one. Riling up a ravenous beast has some very serious consequences."
Yuuri turned his upper body so that he could fully face the vampire behind him.
"Then I guess I'll just have to take responsibility for it."
Yuuri closed his eyes and leaned in, tentatively brushing his lips against Viktor's.
A hungry growl sounded in Yuuri's ears, and his eyes immediately snapped open at the sound. He was met with a glowing garnet-colored pair of orbs staring ardently back at him. The young man swallowed thickly; his mouth suddenly bone-dry. He knew that look. He was in for it now.
Viktor rose to his feet, taking Yuuri up with him. He walked them to the edge of the tub and pushed on Yuuri's back until the young man was bent over the edge. Yuuri felt the tip of Viktor's arousal pushing up against his entrance and braced himself for pain that mercifully never came. Yuuri whimpered and shook as Viktor filled him slowly, gradually, inch by punishing inch, until he was buried deep within him. Being entered from behind set off completely new and different sensations within him, and his knees trembled with the effort of holding himself up.
Viktor's hands roamed freely all along Yuuri's back, tracing every dip and curve from shoulder to shoulder, and from the nape of his neck right down to the dimples just above his shapely butt. Viktor recalled that they were called Apollo holes in men, and mused at how Yuuri's body reminded him of the countless Greek sculptures he'd seen of the god of the same name. His hands came to rest on Yuuri's hips as he pulled back until he was nearly out and then pushed back in slowly and deliberately.
Yuuri's mouth dropped open, and a strangled cry bubbled up from the back of his throat. Viktor was buried so deep inside him, and the sensation of being filled to the brim was almost too much for him to bear. The muscles of his inner walls clenched and spasmed around the intrusion, and he could hear Viktor grunting and gasping behind him as he endured the onslaught.
Once his muscles finally ceased contracting, Yuuri let out a slow sigh of relief. Every little tic had caused a matching twinge and pang of pleasure in his abdomen, and he was more than ready to have Viktor moving again. The ancient vampire, for his part, seemed to have realized this as well and pulled all the way out before pushing back in just as slowly as before. Viktor's deliberate thrusting drew out the feeling of being penetrated to the max, and Yuuri closed his eyes and moaned at the delicious sensation. Viktor plunged leisurely into him, infinitely deeper and deeper. It seemed as if he would never bottom out.
Viktor carried on this way for endless minutes, exerting insane amounts of self-control as he tortured Yuuri with his deliberate love-making. But Yuuri had a deeper itch that he needed scratched, and as great as it felt, he needed more. There was a place deep inside him that Viktor kept just barely brushing up against with each stroke, igniting little sparks of euphoria as he did so. Irritatingly, Yuuri's vampire lover always pulled back at the last possible second, leaving him bereft of the pleasure that he sought. Yuuri whimpered in frustration as each thrust gave him just the slightest taste of what he desperately craved, but kept it tantalizingly out of reach. He opened his mouth once more, fully expecting to produce yet another cry of exasperation.
"HARDER!"
Yuuri had only a fleeting moment to realize what had actually come out of his mouth, for Viktor plowed ruthlessly into him just then, and his mind went blank from the searing pleasure. Viktor did not give Yuuri a chance to recover, snapping his hips once more, and plunging deeper into his lover than ever before. Yuuri cried out, a mix of surprise, ecstasy, and relief at finally having that neglected part of him being given the attention it craved. The silver-haired vampire leaned forward, his lips lightly brushing Yuuri's ears once more as his buttery smooth voice filled the young man's senses.
"Good, Yuuri. Very good. Just tell me how you want it. I'll give you whatever you need, and more."
Yuuri shook and trembled at the sound of Viktor's deep and hypnotic voice. His whole body had been converted into an instrument of pleasure, and his mind had space for little else. As Viktor rammed him repeatedly from behind, he could feel something scorching hot building up within his very core. Still, it wasn't enough, he needed more…had to have more.
"F-f-faster!"
Viktor immediately complied with his human lover's wishes, picking up speed as he plunged into his waiting heat. Yuuri's mouth and eyes hung wide open as each viciously delectable thrust was punctuated by a resounding "ah!". All that the young Japanese man could do was hold on to the edge of the tub and ride out each jarring assault. Viktor was actively hitting that spot with each stroke now, and Yuuri practically oozed contentment from every pore. Precum flowed freely from the tip of his engorged flesh, dribbling out and splashing down into the water and around the edges of the tub.
It wasn't long before Yuuri reached the threshold of what he could take, and thick ribbons of cum spewed forth from him as he screamed, painting the walls of the bathroom wall with his release. As his weak and wobbly knees finally gave out on him, he found himself wrapped up in a refreshingly cool pair of arms and pulled back into a sitting position. Viktor gently ran his fingers through Yuuri's hair, whispering soothing nonsense words as the young man drifted peacefully into unconsciousness.
Yuuri awoke, back in Viktor's bed, to a bevy of enticing smells. His empty stomach clenched painfully, and the room filled with a resounding growl that never seemed to end. He suddenly felt some wetness on the side of his face and was quite embarrassed to discover that he had apparently drooled on himself in his sleep. Viktor entered the room just then, carrying a tray that appeared to be laden with food. Yuuri sat up, eyes twinkling with anticipation as he beheld the veritable feast Viktor had brought him.
"Dearest Yuuri, your nutrition has been deemed seriously, and unacceptably inadequate. I have prepared you a meal that is designed to help you regain your strength and deliver appropriate levels of nourishment."
Yuuri's eyes grew as wide as saucers as they came to rest on a sizeable steaming bowl of some sort of meaty stew. There was also something that appeared to be made of potatoes, some fresh fruit, mixed vegetables, and an entire pot of tea.
"Viktor, it all looks…and smells amazing! I'm so incredibly touched. I don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say a thing, dear Yuuri. The best way to thank me is by finishing every single last bite of food I have brought you. It would please me greatly to watch you enjoy the food that I have prepared for you."
Yuuri's stomach growled again just then, and the young man blushed prettily with embarrassment. Viktor smiled handsomely as he carefully set the tray down on Yuuri's lap.
"In the large bowl, there is wild rabbit stew with forest mushrooms, thyme, and parsnips. These here are called draniki, and they're a kind of Russian potato pancake. They are accompanied by some sour cream I made from homemade goat's cheese."
Yuuri looked on ravenously as Viktor carried on introducing the dishes. He was trying to be patient and give his 'chef' the platform he deserved, but it was getting harder and harder by the second.
"The vegetable dish consists of roasted winter squash, carrots, and sweet potato. The fruit is freshly-picked apples, bilberries, lingonberries, and blackberries tossed in cinnamon and honey. I also have a small quail in the oven right now if you still feel like you need something more. Please enjoy."
Without a second to waste, Yuuri picked up the spoon, said a quick "ittadakimasu", and dove right into the stew. He fished around in the bowl until he had a little sample of every component on his spoon. As he took his first bite, he practically moaned when the delicious flavors exploded on his tongue and the thick warm stew filled his mouth. The mushrooms were soft and hearty, and the nutty-sweet parsnips still retained some of their crunch. The different textures in the dish completely heightened and enhanced it.
He closed his eyes and chewed carefully, fully appreciating every tasty component and how they all came together. The rabbit meat was very interesting. Yuuri had never had rabbit meat before, and so it was a completely new experience for him. If he had to compare rabbit to something, it was like an earthier and meatier version of chicken. When he opened his eyes again, he found Viktor watching him intently from his seat at the foot of the bed.
"Is the stew to your liking, Yuuri?"
Yuuri picked up the cloth napkin and dabbed gently at the corners of his mouth before letting out a contented sigh.
"It's absolutely amazing, Viktor. You're a pretty fantastic cook for someone who can't even eat what he makes."
Viktor's face lit up with that killer smile of his, briefly making Yuuri's pulse race.
"My enjoyment comes not from the act of cooking, but from seeing you enjoy the food that I have made."
"Well, rest assured, I am most definitely enjoying your cooking. I'm suddenly really grateful that a centuries-old vampire is able to make full use of YouTube and the internet."
Viktor threw his head back just then and laughed, the act causing his Adam's apple to bob up and down in the column of his alabaster throat. Yuuri watched, completely mesmerized, suddenly filled with a completely different kind of hunger. When Viktor lowered his head once more, a glint of red flashed briefly in his eyes as he fixed Yuuri with a sultry stare.
"If you carry on openly displaying your desire for me like that, I won't be able to restrain myself."
Yuuri swallowed thickly as he nodded. As much as he enjoyed Viktor's 'attacks of lust', he also knew that he needed to eat and that his body needed time to properly recover. He shifted his attention back down to his tray and decided to give the draniki a try. He first dipped his spoon into the goat's cheese sour cream and discovered that it was tart and creamy like regular sour cream, but a bit more earthy. If there was one thing that he'd learned about Russians, is that they loved their 'smetana', or sour cream. They liked to put it on just about everything. This version was rather close to the real deal.
He grabbed one of the draniki and broke off a piece, delighting in the loud crunch sound it made as he did so. He dipped it in the sour cream and took a bite.
"Mhhhhmmmmmm!"
Viktor smiled as he saw the look of pure delight come over Yuuri's face. It was so strange, smiling so naturally as if he'd always done so. Truth be told, it had been centuries since he'd last smiled. He'd just never had anything to smile about. But he had a newfound purpose now. Making Yuuri happy had become his own source of happiness. The young human had breathed new life and meaning into his mundane and stale existence.
Yuuri savored his way through the entire meal, not stopping until he'd eaten the very last lingonberry and licked off all the honey from his fingers. When Viktor came to take the empty tray away, Yuuri sank back into the nest of pillows behind him, and happily patted his full belly.
"Thank you so much, Viktor. That was the most absolutely amazing meal I have ever had. I am so full right now. I don't think I can move."
"Wonderful! That means I won't have to worry about you running off while I go clean up, then."
Yuuri began to chuckle but then thought better of it as his overstuffed stomach threatened to eject its contents.
"Oh, I don't think you'll have to worry about that."
Yuuri ventured a cheeky little wink at his vampire lover and was rather pleased when it had the desired effect. Viktor groaned in frustration as he ran a hand roughly through his hair.
"Yuuri Katsuki, you are going to be the re-death of me."
Viktor took his time cleaning things up in the kitchen, opting to do things at 'human' speed so that Yuuri would have some time to process all the food he'd eaten. He took the quail out of the oven and set it on the counter to cool. He would quarter it later before refrigerating it. He had spooked it out of a bush during his hunt earlier and decided on a whim to add it to his haul. He had then investigated the bush it had come from, and been doubly lucky to find a nest nearly overflowing with eggs. He'd taken those as well. He would just reheat the quail later and serve it with its eggs for dinner.
Once the kitchen had been returned to its pristine state, he began making his way back up to the bedroom. He could hear the young human's slow and steady heartbeat from the base of the grand staircase and immediately knew that he was sleeping. As much as he wanted to let his lover rest, there'd be plenty of time for that later. He had something very important to discuss with him, and it could wait no longer.
When he walked into the room, he was immediately struck by the beauty of the scene. Yuuri lay comfortably on his back, arms akimbo on silk sheets that were pushed down to his narrow hips. His naked torso was fully exposed, and his head was turned slightly to the side. His tousled midnight locks rested messily upon his forehead, falling haphazardly over his eyes. Yuuri's chest rose and fell rhythmically with each breath, and Viktor allowed his eyes to roam the expanse of healthily glowing skin. The young human was no longer pale, and Viktor felt an overwhelming sense of relief. He walked over to the bed and knelt down next to his sleeping lover. It pained him to disturb such a picturesque display of allure, but it was a necessary evil.
He first tried calling Yuuri's name, but after a few attempts, it hadn't produced any results. He reached out and gently stroked the young one's cheek, finding it rather amusing when Yuuri subconsciously scrunched his nose up and instinctively tried to squirm away from the cold touch. Undaunted, he placed both hands on his lover's stomach and called out his name once more.
Yuuri's stomach muscles shuddered and twitched, and he grumbled away adorably in his native Japanese.
"寒い。 なんでこんなに寒いの？"
"Yuuri. Wake up, my dear. I need you awake now."
Seeming to finally have become aware of his name being called, the young man's eyes slowly fluttered open. He was a bit dazed and disoriented at first, but quickly became aware of Viktor's presence. He pushed himself up into a sitting position and tried rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he yawned.
"Viktor? What time is it? How long have I been asleep?"
"It's only mid-afternoon. You've been asleep for just over an hour."
Yuuri nodded numbly as he combed the hair out of his eyes with his fingers as yet another, rather large, yawn overtook him. Satisfied that the youngling was awake and ready, he stood up and walked over to the large desk in the corner of the room, and retrieved the cedar box. As he walked back over to the bed, he saw that Yuuri had noticed the box and had become very alert.
"Viktor, what…?"
The ancient vampire brought a finger up to his lips, gesturing for silence. Yuuri nodded once and patiently waited for Viktor to speak.
"There is something very serious that we must discuss, my dear. And I am going to need you to listen very carefully to what I have to tell you. Now that we have become lovers, you carry the scent of a vampire on you. And not just any vampire, but one of the oldest, and therefore more powerful, ones in existence. I'm afraid that this has unfortunately made you a bit of an irresistible target."
Yuuri listened raptly, nodding silently in acknowledgment.
"The human world is positively crawling with supernatural beings, but humans are generally unaware of their presence. Most of the time, they prefer to live out of sight in the shadows, but there are those who actively seek out humans as, among other reasons, a source of food."
Viktor popped the latch mechanism on the exquisitely carved chest and then pushed the lid open. As Yuuri craned his neck, he was able to catch a glimpse of an embroidered golden velvet satchel nestled in a sea of red velvet cloth. Viktor pulled his gloves from his pockets and slipped them on, fastening them snugly against his wrists. He then loosened the drawstring on the satchel and reached in.
Yuuri watched with bated breath as a shimmering metallic object was removed from the satchel. Viktor placed the luxurious pouch back into the box and gingerly held the object in the palm of his hand. The Japanese man's eyes grew wide with awe as he took in what appeared to be a rather elegant piece of jewelry. There were so many different shapes, materials, colors, textures, and symbols on it that it made his head spin. Yuuri just stared at it, struggling to take everything in.
"This is a talisman of protection, Yuuri. It is given by a vampire to the one he has chosen to protect."
Yuuri gasped. He had just come across one of these not too long ago.
"Oh! That's what Christophe has! Christophe runs La Petite Mort au Chocolat. It's this new patisserie on campus. It was a really pretty silver talisman, and it had a red stone at the center of it. He said his lover gave it to him. Someone named Baron…or maybe Bert…Ben…?"
"Bernard?"
Yuuri nodded vigorously as Viktor said the name.
"That's it! Christophe said his name was Bernard! Do you know him?"
Viktor nodded as he set the talisman down on the bed between them.
"I am aware of who Bernard is, yes. The leaders of our kin's European Council hold a mass gathering once a year as a means to check up on one another and to discuss any important matters that may have come up. That's the only place I've ever seen him."
Yuuri was blown away. There was a European vampire council? Did that mean there were councils for other continents? They had a meeting every year? Things were a lot more organized than he had first imagined them to be.
"What do you know about Bernard? Is he…one of the good ones, like you?"
Viktor smiled at the young human. His innocence and naïveté were truly charming.
"There are no good ones, Yuuri. Deep down, we're all just blood-driven beasts. We simply act according to the ways that best serve our own interests. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but there is no morality at all behind our decisions."
Yuuri shook his head as he looked directly into the eyes of the vampire across from him.
"You may say that, and even go as far as to actually believe it, but I know better. You're no mindless beast, Viktor. There's good in you, I'm living proof."
Viktor reached across the space between them and took hold of one of Yuuri's hands with both of his own. He then brought it up to his lips and placed a gentle kiss upon it.
"You are much too kind, dearest. Your faith in me may yet serve to save my soul."
Viktor released Yuuri's hand and then tapped absentmindedly at his lips with an index finger as he seemed to contemplate something.
"If I recall correctly, his full name is Bernard Arnaud des Champs Baudelaire and he was a Prince du Sang in France around the 1700s. He was killed and turned by one of the outlaw vampire syndicates at the time. Probably in the hopes of using his royal connections to advance their agenda."
Yuuri was shocked. Bernard was just slightly younger than Viktor. More than anything, he was surprised at how prevalent vampires seemed to be in society. Just how many of them were actually out there?
"So 'Christophe' is the name of his lover, is it? I remember that he registered his talisman at a gathering from about ten years ago. Talismans are quite rare, you see, and their activation must be officially filed with the council. They are awarded to only the most trustworthy of vampires, as their power could easily be misappropriated if placed in the wrong hands. I believe that there are less than 50 in existence."
Yuuri looked down at the talisman shimmering alluringly on the red silk sheets. It was a positively stunning work of craftmanship and looked nothing like the one Christophe had. It was much more complex, luxurious, and detailed.
"The one Christophe has is very different from this one. His is quite…simple…in comparison. Are they all so drastically diverse?"
"Nearly all the talismans that have been produced by the council were cast from the same mold and generally resemble one another. In rare cases, a few custom pieces have also been made, and they're generally nearly impossible to get."
Viktor's sapphire-colored eyes hardened just then, and he smiled ruefully as he glared down at the piece.
"Getting your hands on one of these special pieces is not so hard, however, if you happen to have a connection or two within the council. Connections with guilty consciences, per se. You see, I'd been offered talismans before, but always refused them. I didn't see the point in having one, as I didn't think that I'd ever be in a situation in which I'd need it. When the council informed me that it was mandatory for me to be issued one on my 500th year, I decided to make a special request."
Viktor reached down and took the talisman back into his hand, holding it out on his upturned palm for Yuuri's inspection.
"The main body of the talisman is made from zinc-aluminum, an alloy that combines the protective properties of both metals. This winged cross here is made of silver, a metal known to ward off vampires and werewolves. This is why I put my gloves on before handling it. The inlaid hollow chamber is made of ruby and garnet that have been crushed and mixed together to form a powerful new hybrid gemstone."
Yuuri looked on in awe as he took in every detailed feature. He realized that he actually recognized quite a few of the symbols that were engraved on it, and quickly figured out that every single one of the talisman's many elements had a specific purpose. He reached out with an index finger and traced the pattern of the cut on the ruby-garnet chamber. It stood out to him for some reason. It was too perfect, too geometrical to be a mere coincidence.
"The cut on this stone, it means something, doesn't it?"
Viktor nodded eagerly at the young man sitting across from him. Yuuri had a very keen intellect and always managed to find some way to impress him with his knowledge.
"That's a very sharp eye you've got there, Yuuri. The cut forms the 'tree of life' symbol. It's a kind of hierarchical connector between the physical world, the unseen, and the void. It brings all the elements in the talisman together."
"Please, tell me about the others."
Viktor cleared his throat and puffed out his chest with pride. He had painstakingly planned every single aspect of this talisman, and it pleased him greatly that Yuuri was interested in it and wanted to know more.
"The power of magic is all around us, my dear. But not the kind of magic that has been romanticized and sensationalized by humans over the ages. I refer to the natural magic found in the earthly elements, metals, and gems. There is also great magic and power contained in symbols. This is called apotropaic magic, and is practiced by hanging symbols outside of and around the home, or worn on the person for protection."
Yuuri was quite familiar with the power of symbols, of course. Japanese culture was rife with it. He hadn't, however, known that it actually had a name. Viktor carried on with his lecture, and Yuuri listened attentively.
"The central circular plate is made of gold, a metal famous for keeping the supernatural at bay. The circle is also quite powerful on its own, having no beginning and no end, looping endlessly for eternity, and propagating the magical properties of the gold."
Yuuri hummed in appreciation, impressed by how Viktor had thoroughly thought of a way to bring the protective elements together and connect them to one another. It was sheer cunning and genius.
"The circular tube just behind the cross is made with fused silica glass and contains holy water so ancient and potent that it can only be handled by a virgin human priestess. One drop is enough to cause any supernatural being to burst into flames and be instantly reduced to ashes."
The young man gasped, suddenly aware that the talisman was not only the most powerful item of protection that he had ever come across, it was also a very deadly weapon.
"If you look closely, the circular shape of the glass and the cross in the middle also serve to create yet another powerful symbol; the star cross."
Yuuri perked up at the mention of the star cross. It was definitely a symbol that he was familiar with. It was first documented in Neolithic times and often featured in architecture through the ages. It was mostly associated with the Wicca and represents the sun, and the cycle of the four seasons.
"There are other symbols of protection on the talisman as well. I tried to compile as many different samples from as many diverse cultures and civilizations as possible. Many people managed to get things right, and I believe that it's pure hubris for any one given civilization to believe that they have a monopoly on protection against evil."
The young human nodded in agreement. 'Evil' is considered a problem that affects all humans, and therefore immediately applies to all humans across all races, regions, and eras. Many symbols used in the western world today have their origins in ancient, and often far-flung civilizations.
"Tell me Yuuri, how many of them do you recognize?"
Viktor held the talisman out to him, and Yuuri carefully took it into his hands for the first time. It was surprisingly light and much less heavy than he'd been expecting. He turned it over in his hands, his eyes hungrily taking in all the details. After thoroughly examining it for a few minutes, he cleared his throat and looked up at Viktor.
"First, I'd like to say that this is an absolutely sensational work of functional art. I commend you for designing something so utterly incredible. There are symbols here from a variety of crucial ancient civilizations and your attention to detail is truly astounding. You managed to combine all the countless elements seamlessly."
Viktor brought a hand up to his chest and dipped his head in acknowledgment. He was feeling quite pleased that Yuuri appreciated his efforts.
"That being said, I think that I recognize quite a few things here. I believe that this here is the evil eye. The white and blue concentric circles and the black 'pupil' are a dead giveaway. Isn't it interesting? How an evil eye is meant to protect you from other evil eyes? It's the ultimate an eye for an eye mentality."
Yuuri ran his thumb over the evil eye symbol before moving on to the next one that he knew; the pentagram. For the next half hour, Viktor and Yuuri had a very enlightening conversation about all the intricate symbols carved on the talisman and their respective meanings. There were quite a few that he hadn't been familiar with, and Viktor had been more than happy to tell him about them.
Yuuri was absolutely amazed at how Viktor had managed to incorporate Egyptian, Arabic, Native American, Pagan, Christian, and even Norse symbols of protection into one talisman. There was the Eye of Horus, the SA symbol, the hand of Khamsa, Arrows of Protection, and the Helm of Awe. He had truly managed to unite all the symbols into one all-encompassing protective object.
Viktor then pointed to the chain, the only item they hadn't yet discussed.
"And finally, the chain is made of iron, which is known to repel evil spirits, and is also..."
"…another kind of circle!"
Viktor brought his hands together, clapping in delight as he flashed Yuuri yet another one of those heartbreaker smiles of his in the process.
"Bravo, Yuuri! I absolutely adore your rapier wit!"
The young Japanese man blushed, feeling rather pleased with Viktor's praise despite himself.
"Yuuri, I wish to give this talisman to you, as a sign of my devotion to you and the protection of your well-being. Do you accept?"
Yuuri blushed even harder. Oh my god, it sounds like a marriage proposal!
The young human nodded, looking up shyly at his vampire lover through his thick lashes.
"Yes, I do. I accept."
The talisman seemed to come alive just then. It emitted a powerful pulse, and Yuuri was so surprised that he almost dropped it.
"What the…?!"
"Be calm, my dear. This is simply the talisman telling us that it has acknowledged our promise and has been activated."
Yuuri stared down at the magical marvel in his hand. It had pulsed only once and then immediately settled into a gentle, nearly imperceptible thrum.
"I'm going to need you to help me with the next part since it involves touching the cross. If you look carefully, you will see a small little cap that you can unscrew."
Yuuri brought the talisman up to his face and squinted as he searched the cross. It appeared that there was a narrow channel at the top of the cross that led to the gemstone chamber. He quickly found the cap and did as Viktor had asked.
"Good. Now, I am going to need you to hold the talisman upright for me. I am going to drip some of my blood into it. There will be another reaction from the talisman, so do not be alarmed."
Yuuri nodded and then held the talisman upright, using both hands for extra stability.
Viktor removed the glove covering his right hand and brought it up until it was hovering mere millimeters above the talisman. Yuuri chanced a glance up at Viktor's face and saw discomfort showing clearly on his visage. Being that close to such powerful magic was definitely having an effect on him.
Viktor pricked the tip of his index finger and Yuuri watched, transfixed, as a drop of blood welled up and then dropped into the gemstone chamber. The talisman reacted instantly, pulsing yet again and then glowing a bright crimson red. Viktor then began chanting something in a foreign language he did not recognize, his low and melodic voice wrapping around Yuuri like a warm blanket. The chanting continued and Viktor dropped four more drops of blood into the talisman. Finally, the chanting stopped, and Yuuri snapped out of his trance.
"It's your turn now, Yuuri. You must also contribute your blood to the talisman. Once it mixes with mine, the ritual will be complete."
As Viktor reached out to take the talisman from him, he yanked his hands back, shocked that the man would try to do something so reckless.
"Viktor…no! It's going to hurt you!"
The vampire in question was momentarily taken aback, having someone show genuine concern for his well-being was still very much a novelty to him. His eyes softened as they roamed the young human's facial features. Yuuri was like an open book, his every thought and emotion clearly visible on his expressive face. He knew then that his instincts about the young human had been correct, and that he was right to want to protect the warmth Yuuri had brought into his life. He reached out and gently cupped Yuuri's cheek with his hand, running his thumb along the prominent cheekbone as he spoke.
"Your concern for me truly fills me with joy, dearest, but I assure you that I am in no danger. The talisman has accepted me as its master, and I will be able to handle it now without any harm coming to me."
Yuuri was skeptical, but went ahead and held out the talisman for Viktor. Sure enough, the vampire was able to pick the artifact up with his bare hands and was wholly unaffected by the magic that had been certain to vaporize him on the spot just mere moments ago. Viktor took one of Yuuri's hands into his own and turned it over, placing a kiss at the center of the upturned palm.
"You must add your blood to the talisman now, my dear. Forgive me, but I must inflict some minor pain and discomfort upon you now."
Yuuri mumbled his consent distractedly, temporarily preoccupied with the feel of Viktor's cool lips on his palm. He was quickly brought back to his senses by the prick of pain he felt as Viktor's claw punctured his flesh. Viktor began chanting in the strange language again and Yuuri watched as five drops of his blood joined those of Viktor's already inside. Nothing happened at first, and Yuuri began to worry that something had gone wrong. But then the talisman began glowing a beautifully rich mulberry color and the air around them crackled with magical energy.
The glow eventually died down, and when Yuuri looked down at the talisman, he was surprised to find that the gemstone chamber containing their blood had completely sealed itself off and had melded with the surrounding silver from the cross.
"The opening, it's gone!"
"Yes, Yuuri, that's right. Our blood is safe in there now. It won't be able to be removed or tampered with."
Viktor held the talisman up by the iron chain and then placed it over Yuuri's head, pleased when it settled perfectly in his suprasternal notch as if it had always belonged there.
"You must never take this off, my dear. To do so would immediately render you defenseless against any supernatural being wishing to bring you harm. You may think that everything will be fine if you take it off for just a few minutes while you take a shower, but you'd be wrong. There is always someone lying in wait, just biding their time until the perfect opportunity presents itself."
The young human looked down at the talisman, its shininess a bit out of place against his pale skin. He had never worn any kind of jewelry before, and suddenly having something around his neck was an altogether novel sensation.
"As powerful as this talisman is against the occult, there is one monster that it cannot protect you against."
Yuuri's head snapped up and he looked at Viktor in disbelief. There existed a being that the talisman couldn't vanquish?
"I'm speaking, of course, of humans, Yuuri. There are many ruthless creatures out there in the world, my dear, and humans are at the top of the list. The things that humans do to one another surpass those that even some of the crueler ones will not do. Please keep this in mind at all times."
Despite the dire warnings, he was happy that Viktor cared about his safety and had given him such an exceptional gift. But he was actually even happier that it was something that Viktor had given him personally. He would have been just as ecstatic with a second-hand coffee mug, as long as it had come from Viktor. His lips parted, exposing a shiny white grin.
"Thank you, Viktor. I am so, so very grateful."
Viktor held out his hand and Yuuri readily took it. The ancient vampire stood up, and the young human followed suit.
"I would move entire mountains with my bare hands if it made you happy and kept you safe, my dear. A talisman is a mere trifle by comparison."
Yuuri bashfully brought Viktor's hand to his mouth, coyly brushing the cool flesh of his knuckles with his lips. The silver-haired vampire closed his eyes and shuddered. Yuuri's lips felt like pure fire against his skin, and he had to fight to keep his beast from springing forth and claiming that heat once more.
"It's not a 'mere trifle' to me. I will cherish it forever and protect it with my life."
The rest of that momentous weekend passed quietly and without incident. Yuuri was delighted to be able to try the quail that Viktor had cooked for him, and then had the great fortune of being sent home with the mountain load of leftovers. They would certainly serve to garner him some major brownie points with Phichit. The young Thai man had wanted to spend the weekend with him and he had just taken off first thing Saturday morning without a word. It was just the peace offering he needed.
Viktor had escorted him back to his bike that Sunday night and Yuuri had been once again in awe of the incredible beauty of the Russian wilderness. The autumn air was crisp and the sky was so clear that he could see just about every major celestial body the vault of heaven had to offer. They made plans to see each other again the following weekend, and Viktor had sent him on his way after an absolutely toe-curling kiss.
Yuuri rode back to the dorm on a cloud of pure happiness that night. He was still in utter disbelief over how different his life had become after just one fateful encounter. He could have never guessed that studying abroad would cause his life to take such a dramatic turn. He had literally gone from being a nerdy loner virgin to the lover of one of the most powerful vampires in existence overnight. To say that he was experiencing entirely new levels of adventure and excitement did not do his current situation enough justice.
When Yuuri got home that night, Phichit was already in bed. He was not surprised, his roommate always preferred to go to bed early on Sunday nights. He put all the leftovers in the fridge and wrote a message on the whiteboard for Phichit letting him know to help himself to as much as he wanted. He went into his room and stripped off all his clothes. Although he had bathed with Viktor earlier, he still liked to shower before going to bed. For him, there was no greater feeling than going to bed all warm and clean.
As he pulled his shirt over his head, a flash of silver caught his attention. His eye settled on the talisman around his neck, and his mouth immediately formed into a smile. He brought a hand up to it and ran his fingers lovingly along the cool metal surface, tracing the outline of the magical symbols along the outer ring. It felt quite comfortable and natural against his skin, but more importantly, it was almost as if he could feel Viktor's presence emanating from it. It was incredibly soothing and assuring like Viktor was always there with him now. He would exercise great caution with the talisman, taking care to always keep it hidden under his clothes while he was at school. Something this flashy was bound to attract attention, and that is the last thing he wanted.
He took his shower, put on a freshly laundered pair of pajamas, and then crawled into bed. It wasn't long before he was fast asleep, and enjoyed the first full dreamless night since his life had changed forever. _
Symbols on the talisman, their meaning, and additional information.
document/d/1bS-KzIC-20sP0xSYy7UY9vY-5uTUwt7xcCbEkoY_z6A/edit?usp=sharing
_Terminology_
寒い。 なんでこんなに寒いの？ (Samui. Nande kon'na ni samui no?) – Cold. Why is it so damn cold?
Baudelaire - Pronounced as Boh-deh-lair, this French surname means 'small sword', or 'dagger'.
Prince du Sang (prince of the blood) – a remote, legitimate male-line descendant of a king of France