“I usually–” Now Luis was really sweating. “I mean, I just toss it usually. You could have it instead?”
“You don’t have to…” Julien trailed off, eyes drifting down to the bag. Luis was watching him so he didn’t miss the brief flash of what he thought might be hunger.
But could he convince Julien to take it? Luis looked to the door.
“You can come in,” he called.
The bedroom door opened and Karim strode in cautiously. Luis wondered how good vampire hearing was. Karim didn’t look surprised by the situation; his eyes took everything in with mild interest before sticking on Julien like he was waiting for marching orders.
Luis took a deep breath, projecting confidence he didn’t really feel. “I was just offering the blood to Julien. If you two want it, it’s yours. I usually just toss it.”
Karim looked at him assessingly. “This part of your treatment?”
“Yeah,” Luis said.
Karim nodded as he came closer to the bed. He looked at Luis inscrutably. “And how’re you feeling now?”
Confused at how not terrible this was all going, mostly. He didn’t say that. “Better. Thanks for bringing my kit.” When his stomach settled, he’d take his medication and hopefully be good for another two weeks.
“Was no problem,” Karim said.
“So,” Luis cleared his throat. Julien still hadn’t said anything. “Do you want it? I mean, there’s nothing wrong with it. My condition doesn’t make the blood bad.”
“That’s very generous…” Julien finally spoke, and was interrupted by Karim leaning down and snatching the bag up.
“Well alright, thanks then.” Karim had big, broad hands, and he squeezed gently at the soft, blood-filled bag as if testing it. He smiled at Luis, and his fangs had dropped. “Oh, it’s still warm.”
“Karim, we can’t,” Julien said.
“What? Why not?” Karim asked. “I’m still hungry from Friday. Our meal got cut short.”
That was true. Luis had messed up and they were going hungry for it. “You should have it, really,” Luis urged.
“See,” Karim said with clear enthusiasm, “he’s telling us we can.” His eyes went back to the bag, and now there was bright excitement in them. “I’m going to go have some now while it’s still warm. Thanks!”
Before Karim could move back toward the door, Julien reached out and snatched Karim’s hand. “We can’t take Luis’s blood.”
Karim raised a brow. “Why not? And I want a real reason, not a polite we’re-taking-our-time-with-him reason.”
Luis’s heart jumped. What?
But neither of them were paying him mind. A silent conversation passed between the two of them.
Finally, Karim said, “You worry too much,” with an affectionate roll of his eyes. “Luis is an adult, and everything’s good now, right? He did his treatment, so he can stay here for a little bit longer and rest up.”
Karim looked at him and Luis nodded quickly in agreement. “Yeah, I can stay. If it’s not too much trouble.”
Julien sighed heavily. “It’s no trouble at all for you to stay. We’d feel a lot better if you did, just to make sure you’re recovering.”
“Great. So, it’s settled.” Karim used his hand still in Julien’s to leverage the other man up and off the bed. “We’ll just leave Luis to rest now.” Karim had the bag of blood in one hand and Julien in the other.
He flashed another pleased smile in Luis’s direction, and those fangs with that mischievous smile hit Luis hard. Julien might be pretty, but he no longer understood why Karim didn’t get equally as many looks.
Karim smirked, like he could see all of it on his face. Luis stopped himself from tugging up the blankets and hiding.
“Text Jules if you need anything,” he said with a chuckle as they left.
The door clicked shut. Luis let out a whoosh of breath.
