“It does,” Luis agreed.
He could still feel Karim’s attention, but Luis set it aside and picked up his fork. Tonight’s dish was some sort of red sauce curry. He took a bite, and it practically melted on his tongue. Luis hummed in pleasure and allowed himself one glance up at Karim.
Karim’s fangs were just barely visible in the tilt of his mouth. He looked hungry.
“So, uh,” Luis swallowed and forced his eyes to somewhere safer–Julien. “What’s it feel like, biting someone?”
Julien’s head tilted just slightly, like he was weighing the question. “These days it’s a very pleasant experience, actually,” Julien said with a small smile. “The bars lack, perhaps, the intimacy of a… personal encounter, but there’s something to be said about the availability and straightforward consent with the donor program. It’s nice not to have to think about where the next meal is coming from, or how to negotiate one without scaring or traumatizing someone.”
Luis knew a small amount of vampire history, and prior to the coming out, getting a meal was a lot less… civil. He tried to imagine Julien doing anything like that, and failed.
“You said when you and Karim met, you had made a deal with a doctor?”
Julien nodded. “It was usually how I got along. We’re strong, fast, hard to kill in some ways. If you found someone reasonable, a trade could be made.”
“You didn’t answer his question,” Karim interjected. They both turned to him and he shrugged. “Luis asked what itfeels like.”
Luis had asked that, but the emphasis on the words made him flush.
“Oh, I suppose you’re right,” Julien said. His expression grew thoughtful. “It feels… good. Blood is… sweet. Rich. There are different flavors depending on chemical makeup. It doesn’t taste how it tasted when I was human, there’s a pleasure to it.”
His words were wandering, like a caress across the back of Luis’s neck.
“With the right person, it’s better than the best meal you’ve ever eaten as a human,” Karim said, tone low, almost seductive.
Luis’s lashes fluttered. “Oh,” he said.
“True,” Julien agreed. He was fingering his wine glass again, but his eyes were roving over Luis. “With the right person.”
##
In the living room after dinner, Luis took his usual seat, but for once Julien joined him on the couch. Karim was on cleanup today, so he was still in the kitchen.
“You can still change your mind,” Julien reminded him. “Now, or at any point in the future. Don’t let Karim bully you.”
Luis nodded. “I know. And he doesn’t, not really. He’s all bark and no bite.”
Julien smiled. “It’s nice you and Karim get along so well. He deserves to have more friends. More people that get him.”
Luis nodded. “I know how it is, trying to make friends and just… not connecting. I don’t really have any other friends except Cassie. I mean, and now you two.” He hoped that wasn’t being presumptuous.
“I’ve… also lacked for friends,” Julien admitted. “We moved here and I was so focused on the house and the business. Admittedly, because of Karim I haven’t much tried to meet new people. He’s the most precious thing to me, and I never want toput him in dangerous or in uncomfortable situations. But maybe that’s on me, using him as an excuse not to put myself out there either.”
Luis could relate to the sentiment.
“It’s okay,” Luis said. “We’ve both made new friends now, right?”
Julien’s head dipped and he smiled. “We have.” Julien reached and took his hand. Luis’s pulse spiked. “But Karim is right, I’ve been treating you like glass. Maybe I should try a little more trust. A bit more belief that you can speak for yourself if and when you need to. That’s what a friendship is, right? Equals.”
His hand was so much bigger than Luis’s. “Yeah,” Luis said. “I’m not glass, I’m not going to break if like, you mess up somehow.”
Julien inclined his head. “Karim is always telling me it’s my worst trait, how I worry us both into stagnation.”
God, Luis could relate. “Same. I mean, answering your job ad was kind of my way of trying something new, forcing myself out of my safe zone.”
“And how glad I am that you did,” Julien said with obvious happiness. “How glad I am that Karim talked me into it.”
“It was Karim’s idea?” Luis asked.
