Can life really be this good? Is Kol allowed to be this happy? His first thought is no. It's not that he doesn't want to be happy, it's just a feeling that something will happen to drag him back to reality. Maybe Kol's just being morbid. It's a little bit of an adjustment, being here with Jeremy, after centuries of wallowing in the macabre.

"Do you ever want to drink my blood?" What a thing to ask. Especially while Kol's sitting on the couch with Jeremy straddling him. Doesn't Jeremy know you should never tickle a sleeping dragon?

"No," Kol answers honestly. Jeremy pouts, now what's Kol said wrong? He thought Jeremy would be pleased with that answer.

"Aren't I yummy enough?" Jeremy says adorably. With lightning speed Kol grabs Jeremy and flips them over so Jeremy's pressed beneath him.

"Oh you're plenty yummy enough," Kol says before capturing Jeremy's mouth in a hungry kiss. When Kol pulls back Jeremy asks, "why don't you want my blood?"

"Blood's food Jeremy," Kol explains, "and for a predator food is anything that's weaker or submissive. You can't be food and an equal." How can Kol put this so Jeremy will understand? "You wouldn't marry a steak would you?" Jeremy takes a moment to consider this and Kol's sure he's made his point.

"Marry?" Jeremy says, feigning innocence. Oh for God's sake, that is what Jeremy would take out of all that.

"You know what I mean," Kol says with exasperation. And since Jeremy's brought up the subject of blood, Kol's got something he wants to ask Jeremy. Kol sits up and pulls Jeremy up so he's doing the same. This is serious and Kol can't really be expected to concentrate with Jeremy lying beneath him.

"Will you take some of my blood?" Kol needs Jeremy to do this, he can't lose him and the world is a dangerous place, especially for a mortal. That endearing frown settles itself on Jeremy's face and Kol goes on to explain. "It's just a precaution. In case anything should happen to you."

"Why?" Brat. Is Jeremy really going to make Kol say it?

"Because I-," Kol begins, but pauses to rephrase. "You're important to me."

If the smile on Jeremy's face is anything to go by, Kol hasn't screwed this up too badly. Jeremy pulls Kol close and kisses him. When the kiss ends Jeremy stays so close that Kol can feel Jeremy's lips moving against his own as Jeremy asks, "when?"

"Now, if you're ready," Kol answers, moving back enough so he can see Jeremy's face.

"I'm ready," Jeremy says but Kol wants to make sure.

"I want you to understand what this means if something does happen to you. It means you'll need to feed on blood and that you'll live forever."

"I do understand," Jeremy says, eyes full of sincerity, "it means we'll be together forever."

Kol leans in close, so his lips are almost touching Jeremy's when he whispers, "forever is a very long time." Kol bites his tongue, letting his mouth fill with blood.

"I hope so," are Jeremy's last words before Kol kisses Jeremy, allowing the red liquid to flow from his mouth into Jeremy's. Jeremy drinks it down eagerly. Kol's caught in the sensations; the feel of Jeremy's seeking mouth on his; the thrill of Jeremy's tongue sweeping over the open wound on his own tongue; the taste of his blood mingling with the taste of Jeremy. As he shares this gift with Jeremy, Kol's on the verge of something profound. But he loses the thought because what could be more important than what's happening here and now?

xxx

"About last night," Jeremy says, "I don't want to be a vampire." Jeremy says it like he's scared Kol won't want him anymore. He looks to Kol for reassurance which Kol is happy to provide. Kol wraps his arms around Jeremy who buries his face in Kol's chest. Kol murmurs to Jeremy, "I know darling, I know." Jeremy pulls back so he can look at Kol.

"You do?" he asks with surprise.

"Of course I do," Kol says, pulling Jeremy as close as possible and holding on tight. For a long time vampires have bought nothing but fear and pain and heartbreak into Jeremy's life.

Deep, deep down Kol knows that Jeremy becoming a vampire is an inevitability if they want to stay together but for now he doesn't listen to that thought, it could be years before that happens. Right now, in this moment, it's not important. What's important is that Jeremy's happy.

AN: Sorry, I couldn't resist putting a Harry Potter reference in there. Thanks for reading.