Despite being the middle of the night all it had only taken was a charming smile to get the key to Spud's room off the front desk clerk, the closer he got to his bonded the more he felt his mood improving. Opening the door he quietly dropped his bag and shed his jacket and tie, the dimness of the room no hindrance in picking out Spud's slim frame all but lost in the in the massive amounts of bedding. Kicking off his shoes his eyes trailed along the smaller man's exposed skin, breath hissing out at the scattered clusters of bruising running down his back.
Giving into the fierce need to feel his bonded's living, breathing body under his he carelessly dropped the rest of his clothes and tugged the duvet out of the way. Lowering himself until he was pressed against soft warm skin he nuzzled into the nape of Spud's neck, breathing in the scent that still had the power to drive him nuts he hardened instantly at the sleepy way Spud shifted under him. The corner of his mind screaming to keep his distance was locked away and ignored by the bond's overwhelming need.
Dragged out of a peaceful sleep by a warm weight pinning him to the bed Spud first thought was he was dreaming, the familiar feel of Ethan's large dick pressed against his ass tended to feature quite heavily in his dreams. Pushing back he huffed in disappointment when firm fingers gripped his hips and held him still, shuddering as teeth clamped down on the back of his neck it was the voice rumbling past his ear that woke him up fully, startled joy flaring out into their bond before he could suppress it.
"If you don't stop wiggling tiger I'm going to forget you were just released from prison," growling Ethan closed his eyes and simply breathed for a second, never had his self-control been so tested. His other half was urging him to claim what was his and only the tangled knot of anger held him back from ripping off the last layer of clothes between them.
"Sir?" Voice rough with sleep Spud twisted around in the limited space between the bed and the larger body above him. Reaching out he dragged his fingers down the familiar slope of Ethan's nose, huffing out a laugh as teeth nipped at his fingers in passing, "it's really you. You're here," petting along the strong muscles in Ethan's arms he let out a slow breath, relaxing under the bigger man's reassuring weight the dread that had knotted up his insides for days finally letting go.
Unable to resist any longer Ethan kissed the smiling curve of Spud's mouth, sighing into his bonded's hum of pleasure it didn't take long for his bloodlust to rise, stunning him in its ferocity. It had barely been five days since he'd last fed yet it felt like years had passed since he'd tasted his bonded's blood. Breaking the kiss he spared a second to enjoy Spud's grumble, heat flaring out at the demanding fingers tugging at his hair. Flattening his tongue against the rapid beat of Spud's pulse he lapped at the delicate skin, shuddering at his bonded's desperate plea, "Sir, please." It was the please cracked his control, burying his fangs in Spud's neck so fast the smaller man's body jerked in pain before melting under him.
Drifting on the tide of sweet lassitude as the blood left his body Spud summoned the energy to wrap his arms around Ethan's waist, lazily stroking the long sleek muscles under his fingers. At least in these moments he felt like nothing could ever come between them and he whined in disappointment when the bigger man lifted his head much too soon and rolled to the side. The sudden chill woke him up to how thirsty he was and how much he needed to visit the bathroom, shaking off the usual desire to just go to sleep he slid out of bed, only managing to take a step before his knees buckled, dizziness sweeping over him in a hot wave. Blinking and dimly aware Ethan was speaking he clutched the strong arms holding him up.
"Dammit Spud, are you okay?" Repeating the question Ethan shifted his grip to the back of Spud's neck and shook him slightly, worry deepening at the glazed look in his too wide blue eyes. His bonded's heart rate was a little too slow for his liking and while he had taken more blood than he'd intended it wasn't enough to explain the way he'd all but fainted.
"I'm fine Sir," his worry wasn't improved by Spud's slurred response and he swiftly swept the smaller man up in his arms and carried him back to bed. Grabbing a bottle of orange juice out of the mini fridge he forced Spud to drink, pleased to see his colour improve almost instantly.
Brushing back a drooping lock of hair from Spud's forehead Ethan couldn't hide his concern, "feel better now?"
"Yes," rubbing a hand over his face Spud met Ethan's worried gaze, "sorry Sir, I think it's just because I haven't eaten in a while and then you ..." rubbing his fingers over the thin material of his pajama pants he couldn't stop his voice from fading in awkwardness.
Straightening up Ethan glared even though he knew Spud wouldn't be able to see it clearly in the dim room, "exactly how long has it been since you last ate?" God knows he should have expected Spud to forget to take care of himself.
"Uhh, since after Rhyno got released," wincing at Ethan's irritated growl he released a breath as the other man rifled through the mini fridge and tossed him a pack of peanuts. Tearing into the bag Spud practically moaned as the salty taste burst on his tongue, not even Ethan's amused chuckle enough to make him slow down. By the time the bag was empty he was feeling much better, the dull throbbing headache he'd been ignoring for days finally fading.
Nudging the half-empty bottle of orange juice back in Spud's hand Ethan glanced over at the clock, "it's a bit too early to order room service, a full meal will have to wait a few hours."
Stifling a yawn Spud finished the bottle and tossed it in the garbage, "it's okay Sir, I'm good for now." Standing he paused long enough to make sure there wouldn't be a repeat, flashing a smile in Ethan's general direction when the bigger man hovered by his elbow. "I really am fine Sir."
"You need more food and sleep," correcting his bonded Ethan made a show of sliding back into bed, patting the space next to him his fangs tingled when Spud's heart picked up its pace. "Hurry back tiger, I'm in the mood for a nap."
"Yes, Sir," swallowing heavily at the clear invitation Spud hurried to the washroom and took care of business. Brushing his teeth with a fraction of the care he normally took he blinked at his pale reflection in the mirror, attention caught by the purpling mark on his neck. It wasn't often Ethan left his bite mark to heal on its own, brushing a thumb against it he stifled a moan at the dizzyingly twist of pain and pleasure from even that slight pressure. "Bloody hell," digging his fingers into the cool marble he breathed until his body calmed enough to walk without shuffling.
Making his way through the darkened room Spud slid into bed, tiredness sweeping over him as Ethan dragged him closer and wrapped a heavy arm around his waist. Reveling in the feeling of complete safety he was on the verge of sleep when cool fingers tip toed delicately along the bruising on his side.
"I thought you weren't hurt?" Careful to keep the rage out of his voice and his touch gentle Ethan traced the edges of the ragged bruise, the pattern telling him someone had shoved Spud repeatedly into something. Unbidden the memory of the man who had taken to staring at them came to mind, it wasn't hard to imagine what a man like that would have wanted from Spud. Small, attractive and dressed in a ridiculous leopard print suit he must have seemed like an easy target once Rhyno had been released. Between the guilt of leaving his bonded behind and the fear something serious may have happened it was easy to justify tapping into his power, slipping into Spud's mind with an ease that had his pulse jumping.
"Some guy shoved me against a sink," slurring Spud pressed back into the larger body behind him, attention narrowing to the comforting rumble of Ethan's voice.
"Is shoving you all this guy did baby?" Pressing his lips to the delicate skin under Spud's ear Ethan closed his eyes, savoring the instinctive way the other man shifted to give him more room even as he couldn't resist deepening his control, every part of him thrilled at how completely his bonded surrendered to his power.
Shuddering Spud fought the tide of exhaustion, answer spilling out, "he … he put his hand down my pants before I could stop him." Dimly aware he hadn't meant to share that detail he was lost to the blaze of fire as a large hand slid under his pants to firmly curl around his dick. The grip so possessive he swore and arched into Ethan's hand, it had been so long since the other man had touched him and he desperately wanted more, "E ... Ethan, please …"
"God baby," biting through his lip in the effort not to move his hand Ethan was painfully aware he was taking advantage of the situation. But no matter what his mind was telling him he couldn't let go yet, not when the rage at the idea of another man touching what was his had him teetering on the edge of control. Taking a frantic moment to soothe his other half's wild need to claim he did the only thing he could think of, delicately easing the edges of Spud's mind towards sleep, "sleep now." Despite the order he felt a contrary pang of disappointment when the smaller man sighed and relaxed back against him.
"Yes, Sir," mumbling Spud barely managed to curl his fingers around the bigger man's wrist before the dark tide of exhaustion rolled over him, the comforting thrum of Ethan's pulse following him into sleep.
Closing his eyes Ethan concentrated on calming his rage, breathing in and out slowly until he was once again in control. Releasing his grip one finger at a time his lips quirked as Spud grumbled even in the depths of sleep. The small sound alleviated some of his guilt at touching the other man without permission and he settled in to keep watch, grateful that at least the rage at what he'd let happen had pushed aside the need to keep his distance.
