milliways_bar | (no subject)

"Why eat alone when you can have company? Even if it is company like me."

He sips his tea, putting his book down.

"How are you?"

"I happen to think that you're fine company, Alex."

He smiles.

"And I'm just fine. How have you been?"

A slight chuckle.

"Do you want the complete truth or the censored version?"

Richard smirks and sips his tea.

"Oh, always the complete truth, good sir knight."

Alex smirks.

"Did you happen to see Nick looking a little flustered last night?"

"Aye, he came downstairs to get supper for you and blood for himself. Seemed a bit rushed."

Another smirk.

"I found out the advantages of the bloodlink last night... made for a very interesting night."

Finger-shaped bruises may be visible around his wrist, if Richard happens to look that way.

Richard grins wickedly.

"Oh, do tell. I'm always looking for new ways to use the link with Amadeo. How long have you been bonded to Nick?"

"The bloodlink itself, just yesterday. There was... I'd had nightmares."

He shakes his head, looking away and sipping his tea.

"Anyway, I think it made him more willing to let go, since he'd be able to tell if I wanted him to stop, through the link. I don't think he entirely trusts me to do what's good for me."

He smiles.

"Congratulations. I've had mine with Amadeo for a couple of months now. Best thing we've ever done."

He grins knowingly.

"Yes, it's easier to know your partner's limits when they're right there for you too."

He laughs softly.

"I've got no idea what Nick's limits are, frankly. Well, some things I know not to talk about, but... I don't know. It's complicated, and I'm not entirely used to this whole thing."

He grins.

"In a week's time you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. Just be careful that it doesn't break."

He frowns. "How do they break? I'm sorry, I've -- I've really got almost no idea about vampires, still. Nick's told me some stuff, but... well, like I said, I'm not used to this."

"They break if you ever stop feeding from one another. Or if even one of you stops feeding. It has to go both ways."

He sighs and sips his tea.

"We had the link pretty much from the beginning." he smiles softly, "Apparently Amadeo wanted to claim me right away, so he started feeding me in return within our first week together." He laughs now. "Told me it was to keep my energy levels up, although I suppose that is a partial truth. Then a couple of months ago, I had to go back to London for a few days....and a few days is too long." He takes a deep breath and pours himself more tea and stares down at his cup. "I woke up from a nightmare one morning, and he was gone. I couldn't feel him or hear him, or talk to him anymore."

He winces.

"That sounds awful. I'm glad you're okay now."

A soft laugh.

"Nick's all about keeping my energy levels up. Him and Ivanhoe don't let me come down here without pestering me to eat something. As for stopping... I don't think we will."

"I get the smame thing. From the rats, Amadeo, David, and Gil. They'll feed me five times a day if I let them."

He nods.

"We're fine now. He did something a few days after I got back, when the link wasn't coming back as fast as we wanted. He doesn't think it will break again, but it's not something I want to field-test."

"I'd imagine not. It's... I like it being there."

He shakes his head. "I get it from Nick, Ivanhoe, Thom and Alanna. Even if I just order tea, they stick something solid there as well, or iron supplements or something like that. I half suspect they want me to get out of shape so I can't fight anymore."

He laughs.

"Gil keeps trying to invent new liver and spinach dishes for me. Guess it's nice to know they care."

He munches his toast, and as if on cue, Jeremy pops up with a plate of eggs. He rolls his eyes, pats the rattie, and eats the eggs.

"The link will get stronger over time. You'll be able to feel and know more of each other. Distance can stretch it though. If one of you is in Milliways and the other is not, then it will be stretched very thin. It will be difficult to use, but you'll still be able to feel one another."

"I can't leave, except if Nick wants to take me to Toronto. If I open the door myself..."

He trails off.

"Let's just say it's a place I don't really want to go back to. I've told Nick that if the time ever comes that he has to leave Milliways, I'll go with him. My home's wherever he is, now."

He nods.

"I understand. I never plan to go live in London Below ever again. My home is with Amadeo in New Orleans or here in Milliways now."

"Considering my options are here, wherever Nick is or the Black God's realm... more to the point, I don't want to be away from Nick."

"Can't blame you for that. Nick's a good bloke."

"Mmm. He is. Not many would put up with me and my assorted issues. He's... beyond anything I thought I deserved."

And that may just be a sappy smile. Awwww.

He smiles too.

"We all have issues, Alex. I'm sure that Nick thinks you're well worth them."

"I know. I'm still getting that through my head. It might take a while, we knights tend to be a stubborn bunch."