milliways_bar | (no subject)

He blinks.

"What?"

Alex headtables.

I kind of get off on pain, Nick... not a significant amount, obviously, but a little, like the biting, and the amount it takes to bruise, like my wrists...

Feardoubtapprehension echoes in the bloodlink.

And Nick's hands slide lovingly, carefully along the back of his head, petting and stroking.

Alex? I'm a vampire...that's...that sort of thing is sort of standard. We're a little too strong to...manage to make it through such things without a little pain. I've been...holding back because I didn't want to hurt you.

Lovecomfortunderstandinglustaffection echoes right back.

You don't have to worry about holding back, really... I've got a high pain threshold, higher than most people. And I do enjoy it. Other things too, but pain's a part of it.

Now a peering look.

Like what?

No judgement. Just curious.

Apprehensiondoubt still thrum in the bloodlink.

Like... well, do you remember some of the images I showed you last night? With me being restrained? That sort of thing. Games of domination, sometimes...

Love. Lust. Reassurance. Understanding. Love.

A roll of the eyes.

"Alex...I..."

Finally, a little frustrated, he gets up and moves to slide in on the other side of the booth, next to Alex, pulling him into a deep, possessive kiss.

Mine.

"Alex...why didn't you just...ask?"

"It's not exactly the sort of thing you talk about in Corus! And after everything that's happened, I thought..."

A sigh, and he's not looking at Nick.

Oh hell no.

Two fingers are under his chin, tilting his face up to meet Nick's eyes.

"Alex. Explain. Now."

Love you. Want this fixed.

Love. Caring. Understanding.

His voice is very soft.

"Roger was the first man I slept with. He was the one who introduced me to all of that sort of thing, the pain and the submission and everything."

He hesitates, biting his lip.

I thought maybe... maybe he fucked me up worse than I thought. Nobody else I've slept with has been like that.

He sighs.

Alex...it's a preference. Look at who you're talking to. Do you really think I, with the things I've done...am going to balk at a little something different in bed?

A soft kiss.

Besides, you're still able to enjoy sex, even without...all of that. Which is what makes it a preference, not...anything more than that. And if you like...we can experiment. See what works...with us.

He leans into Nick, sighing.

I'm an idiot sometimes, aren't I?

I do it more often.

Another soft kiss.

Bad kitten. Lots of nookie.

He leans up and deepens the kiss.

Love you.

Love you too.

A smile.

Forgive me for being silly and insecure?

If you'll forgive me for being silly and overworried...

He smiles and leans in for another kiss, this one slow and deep.

And even if you don't...

Love you, always and forever...

A squeak interrupts them as Ivanhoe appears, looking somewhat expectant. Alex sighs.

"All right, I suppose I should eat something about now. Could I get some beef and spinach stew and an apple please, little one?"

The rat squeaks again and scampers off.

He grins.

He's really adopted the two of us, hasn't he?

The words are accompanied by a nuzzle to Alex's ear, a light nibble, and a nip to the lobe.

"But it's good your eating. I worry when you don't."

"I was never not eating on purpose, really... except those few days, just after Anthy. I was kind of messed-up."

If you don't eat because you forgot or because it's on purpose or because the bar has been taken over by...by flying monkeys, God forbid, it still means no food went into your stomach...and I'll worry.

I know. I try to remember more. I don't like worrying you.

A kiss.

And I don't like pestering you.

It's not pestering. It'd be pestering me if it was something I didn't want to do.

He nuzzles into Nick, smiling.

Nick nuzzles him back, pulling away to kiss him on the lips quickly before going bak to nuzzling.

"I do notice, though...that you don't seem to have many preferences. You just sort of...eat. There's no...enjoyment to be found in the meal?