《Thicker Than Water》


 Chapter 1

    Awari stood in the corner of the Silver Hall, chewing on the nail of his thumb as he watched his peers celebrate the loss of his throne. Awari groaned internally as Conrad sauntered up to him "Prince Awari- oh! Sorry I suppose it''s just Awari now."


    Awari stood up straighter and faced him with a glare. "It''s not like you to gloat, Conrad." Awari responded, sarcastically.


    Conrad''s smirk morphed quickly into a sneer. "I outrank now, put a little respect in your tone."


    "Are you here for a reason, Lord Conrad?" Awari flicked his long black hair over his shoulder in a motion that was meant to show confidence but instead revealed a sheen of sweat on his neck.


    Conrad bowed slightly at the waist and threw out his left arm. "I came to offer my condolences and a gift to soothe the pain you must be feeling."


    Awari narrowed his eyes, "How kind." Forced by etiquette, Awari gritted his teeth and turned fully to Conrad, bowing slightly. "I gratefully accept."


    Conrad grinned and stepped to the side to reveal the appearance of the human slave behind him. A beautiful human with snow white skin and hair and icy blue eyes. Conrad took the human''s shoulders and pushed him towards Awari. "I thought he''d be able to assist you when downsizing."


    The human stared up at Awari, unblinking. Awari bowed again to Conrad, "Thank you, Lord Conrad. Is there anything else you need from me?"


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    "Nothing at all, Awari." Conrad smiled.


    "Well then, I apologize but I must be off." Awari stated tersely, turning on his heel and marching out of the Silver Hall, dragging his new slave behind him.


    Once they were safely out of earshot of the people of the Silver Hall, Awari put a hand over his rapidly beating heart and sunk to the floor. "I need to sleep for a week now."


    *


    3 years later


    "Awari... Awari..." Kiaris gently called his master''s name, kneeling beside the velvet couch Awari was sprawled across, snoring loudly. With his ice blue eyes narrowing and a light sigh slipping through his lips, Kiaris brushed away Awari''s long black hair and brought his lips as near to Awari''s ear as he could without touching and called again softly, "Awari.."


    Awari jolted awake, slapping his ear, barely missing Kiaris''s face in the motion. He sat up, breathing quickly, his face flushing blood red. "I asked you not to wake me up like that."


    Kiaris stood up from his kneeling position, brushing the dust off his knee-high socks. "It''s the only way to wake you up." Kiaris folded his hands behind his back and smiled down at the squinting, barely-awake Awari.


    Awari ran his fingers through his hair, yawning. "What time is it?"


    He smoothed his hand over his wrinkled, white button-up with a disgusted look and a deep sigh before unbuttoning it, cuing Kiaris to run off for a change of clothes, calling his answer over his shoulder, "Nine."


    Awari hummed in understanding, shrugging his shirt off and taking the fresh one from Kiaris.


    As Awari buttoned the freshly pressed shirt, Kiaris ran to get his hairbrush. When the last button was buttoned he took a seat in front of the vanity, Kiaris standing behind him to brush through his waist length black hair, tying it into a low, loose ponytail.


    "Am I attending the event with you today?" Kiaris ran his fingers through Awari''s hair, absentmindedly.


    "If you wish."


    Kiaris smiled, "Then yes."


    Awari stood and turned to Kiaris, leaning down to kiss him. "Shall we be off then?"

 Chapter 2

    Awari nursed his drink at the edge of the party, playing the wall-flower as per usual. And Kiaris stood beside him, the small human dwarfed by Awari''s height, playing the quiet servant of a disgraced and anti-social noble.


    Awari leaned down to whisper in Kiaris''s ear, "Have I done my social duty yet?"


    "Another hour at least, my Lord." Kiaris whispered back.


    Awari groaned silently as he straightened his back and took another sip of the "chilled" blood in his glass. His lip curled back when the liquid touched it. Lukewarm.


    "Awari!" Conrad called over the soft music and quiet whispers, coming towards the pair. Awari''s eye twitched and he downed the glass of blood.


    "Lord Conrad. Pleasure to see you again." Awari forced a smile.


    Conrad''s scarlet eyes flicked from Awari to Kiaris and back again. "I see you still have my gift."


    I see you''re still rude, Awari barely bit back his words with the help of a gentle touch of Kiaris'' hand as he took his glass. "Yes well," Awari''s cold, slender fingers lingered on the glass, on Kiaris'' hand, before Awari folded his hands in front of him. "He is an excellent worker..." With a gentle voice he added, "And quite beautiful too."


    Kiaris bowed his head to hide the blush on his cheeks with his long, white hair. He moved gracefully away in order to find Awari a fresh glass.


    "What is our darling former queen doing these days with her newfound freedom?"


    Awari shifted on his feet, "You know my mother. She''s off travelling the world and forgetting to talk to her loving son. Haven''t heard from her in about a year." Awari smiled.


    "Do give her my regards when you next speak with her." Without waiting for a response, Conrad turned on his heel and left, disappearing into the crowded dance floor.


    Kiaris returned with a glass. "Conrad left already?"


    Awari continued to stare at the people milling about the dance floor, not reaching for the glass. "He''s up to something."


    Awari sighed, rubbing the crease between his eyebrows. "How much longer until I have fulfilled my social duty?"


    "You may leave. I''ll make your excuses."


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    Awari pulled his hand away from his face, "Really? It certainly hasn''t been an hour."


    Kiaris nodded, "It will be alright. Start heading home, I''ll be right behind you."


    "Oh thank fuck." Awari breathed out in relief, quickly heading for the exit.


    Awari took in a deep breath once he was outside. He took a few slow steps away from the hall then turned back to wait for Kiaris, a light smile on his face.


    "Lord Awari? Why are you out here?" Awari''s smile disappeared as he turned to the source of the voice.


    "Lord Elazar," Awari gave him a stiff nod, his mouth pulled tight, "Was on my way home. Stopped to enjoy the night air for a moment. Now if you''ll excuse me." He bowed again and turned to continue on. I''ll walk slowly, Kiaris should be able to catch up.


    "Leaving so soon?" Elazar asked, one of his hands dropping onto Awari''s shoulder, gently forcing him to turn back around.


    Awari''s jaw tightened, then he plastered a tired smile on his face, "Yes, well, I''m not feeling well so I wanted to go rest at home."


    Elazar tilted his head to the side, his dark, thick brows pinching together into an expression of concern. False. "You haven''t been feeling well a lot lately. Perhaps you should see a doctor."


    Awari took a step back, letting Elazar''s hand slide off, "I think I just need some rest but thank you for your concern. Now, please, excuse me."


    Elazar nodded, his expression relaxing into neutral indifference. He folded his hands behind his back, his loose, black robe pulling a little tighter. "Of course, rest well, Lord Awari."


    "Enjoy the party." Awari turned, this time determined not to stop for anything, and started walking on the stone road towards his home, head held high.


    Awari''s pointed ears twitched at the familiar sound of labored breath and soft, quick feet. Awari looked down at the red-faced Kiaris as he caught up to walk beside him.


    Kiaris wasn''t the only one that came up alongside Awari, "So this is the human you''ve managed to keep alive for 3 years?"Elazar took a tress of Kiaris'' white hair in his hand.


    "He''s a capable one." Awari said, resisting the urge to pull Kiaris close to him, away from Elazar. Instead he just glared at the hand entangled in white strands.


    "You must like him a lot. Before him you never seemed to have a human for longer than a month." Elazar slowly retracted his hand, letting Kiaris'' hair fall through his fingers like water.


    "He''s never given me a reason to throw him away." Awari''s eyes darted to the road, gazing desperately.


    "Pardon, I''ve been holding you back. Until next time, Lord Awari." Elazar lightly touched Kiaris'' shoulder before leaving.


    Awari held back his sigh of relief until he made it through his front door.


    "Would you like me to draw a bath?" Kiaris asked as Awari slid to the floor with a groan. Without an answer, Awari grabbed Kiaris'' wrist, pulling him down into his embrace. Awari buried his face in Kiaris'' long, thick, wavy hair, inhaling deeply.


    "Did Elazar scare you?" Awari asked, lips against the curve of Kiaris'' neck.


    Kiaris'' hands briefly gripped Awari''s shirt before letting go and wrapping his arms around his neck. "A little." Kiaris admitted, with shaky breath.


    "I''m sorry." Awari murmured, kissing his neck and pulling him in tighter, enveloping Kiaris'' smaller frame completely in his embrace.

 Chapter 3

    Awari stirred, turning over onto his back, throwing his arms out to search for the small form of his human in the large bed. When he couldn''t find him, he cracked open an eye and started to sit up. But before he could call out for Kiaris he felt the familiar weight and warm, softness of bare skin laid across his arm, before rolling over and pressing into his side. Awari relaxed back down into the soft mattress.


    Awari let out a soft sigh and rolled over, wrapping his limbs around Kiaris and pulling him closer. Kiaris pressed his lips to Awari''s sternum and Awari ran his fingers through his hair and down his back, curling tighter around him. Awari''s breath evened out and he almost drifted back to sleep when a shrill, loud bell echoed through the halls of Awari''s home.


    He groaned and clung tighter to his small human. Then the bell rang again. And again. Finally, Awari groaned and sat up, untangling his limbs from Kiaris. The bell rang again and Awari got out of bed and threw on a robe over his naked body.


    The bell rang another three times before Awari made it to the front door. On the other side of the door was a beautiful dark-skinned vampire with her knee length hair in dozens of little braids. "You! Where are your clothes!?" Niah barked, brushing past Awari into his home, "Get dressed! I won''t talk to you when you look like that." She sniffed, turning up her nose and crossing her arms.


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    Feeling wronged, Awari pouted behind her back and shut the door. ¡°Of course, Lady Niah.¡± Niah didn¡¯t wait for his words, marching through his halls as if it were her own home. As she made her way to the parlor, Awari returned to his bedroom.


    Kiaris bustled around the bedroom, wearing only his underwear, his long, white hair loose and unbound. He laid out clothes for Awari to change into on top of the bed, the sheets already pulled up and smoothed out.


    Kiaris pressed some undergarments into Awari''s arms, leaning into Awari''s chest tilting his chin up. With a small quirk of his lips, Awari dropped down to give Kiaris a peck on the lips. Kiaris pushed away after the short kiss, helping Awari dress quickly.


    After being dressed and having a brush dragged through his hair a few times, Awari left his room to speak with his mother''s right hand woman.


    Niah sat in the parlor, legs crossed, holding a delicate and steaming cup of tea. Where she got it, Awari had no clue, Kiaris was the only "servant". Niah set the cup down and uncrossed her legs, looking Awari up and down with a judgmental uptick of her eyebrow. Then she sighed and crossed her legs the opposite way, "You still look terrible, are you sure you''re Aurelia''s son?" She rested her cheek elegantly on her hand, closing her eyes, face twisting into a look of pity.


    "Quite sure." Awari laughed nervously.


    Niah''s eyes opened and she lazily looked Awari up and down again. She sighed once more, "No matter. Sit down. You make me nervous standing around like that. I have a message from Aurelia for you."

 Chapter 4

    Awari¡¯s back stiffened, ¡°What message does my esteemed mother have for me.¡±


    Niah narrowed her rich, rust colored eyes at Awari, searching for any sign of disrespect in his tone. Unsatisfied in her failed attempt to find anything to nitpick about him, she took a long sip from her teacup. She sighed and set the teacup down, folding her hands on her lap, evaluating Awari once more. Finding him lacking but unable to voice how she sighed once more and finally got down to business.


    ¡°Your mother thinks you have been lying in wait long enough. It¡¯s time you stepped back out onto the political scene. Connect with your mother¡¯s allies, find ways to get rid of her enemies, until enough of the court is behind you and she can retake the throne.¡±


    Awari  laughed darkly, pinching the bridge of his nose, ¡°And how does she suggest I do that? I¡¯m barely a lord anymore. With my background I have no right to participate in court. And with how closely Elazar¡¯s party is keeping an eye on me, even after 3 years, there¡¯s no way I can fraternize with court nobles without having my motives called into question.¡±


    ¡°There is an extremely simple way...¡± Niah sighed... again, picking her teacup up once more for another sip, frowning when she found it empty. ¡°I can¡¯t believe a brilliant woman like Aurelia gave birth to an idiot like you.¡±


    With his eye twitching, Awari prompted her to continue, ¡°Please, enlighten me.¡±


    Niah¡¯s dark red lips quirked up in a smile. She answered with a single, devastating word, ¡°Marriage.¡±


    With timing that was hard to classify as fortunate or unfortunate, Kiaris came into the parlour. Awari couldn¡¯t help but glance at him, his heart hurting. Looking back at Niah¡¯s somewhat smug face, Awari resolutely replied, ¡°No.¡±


    Niah held her teacup out in Kiaris¡¯s direction, ¡°Another cup, please. And more blood this time, Kiaris darling.¡±


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    Kiaris gingerly took the cup from Niah¡¯s hand and bowed, gliding away with small, quick steps, leaving without saying a single word.


    Niah held a hand out in front of her, inspecting her sharp, blood-red nails as she spoke. ¡°It¡¯s not that I dislike Kiaris, in fact I find him quite charming and much more sensible than you. But you can¡¯t hesitate to get properly married over an affair with a human man...¡±


    Kiaris returned and went to stand by Niah¡¯s chair, a steaming cup in his hands. When Niah reached out to take it, Kiaris spoke in a voice barely above a whisper, his head lowered, ¡°If you must pursue a political marriage I understand. Your mother¡¯s vision is more important than my personal feelings.¡±


    Niah nodded, her smug smile growing, ¡°See. Much more sensible than you.¡±


    Ignoring Niah, Awari reached out for Kiaris, half standing out of his chair in order to grab Kiaris¡¯s small, warm hand. He craned his neck in an attempt to look up at Kiaris¡¯s lowered face. Before he could find Kiaris¡¯s features behind the sheet of white hair, Kiaris darted forward, quick and playful as a little white rabbit, and planted a kiss on Awari¡¯s slightly open and unsuspecting lips.


    Kiaris smiled brightly at the surprised Awari, ¡°It¡¯s not like we¡¯ll be separated. I will set aside jealousy for the greater good.


    Awari sighed and slowly sat back down. He didn¡¯t let go of Kiaris¡¯s hand and thus pulled him closer as he lowered himself back down on the small couch. ¡°Kiaris isn¡¯t the only reason I said no, Lady Niah.¡± With one hand, Awari idly rubbed his thumb over Kiaris¡¯s knuckles. With the other, he massaged his temple. ¡°You overestimate my marriage prospects.¡± Awari closed his dark eyes tiredly, ¡°What good family would marry their daughters down to me. My position is powerless and unfavorable and my birth is cursed, my true father unknown.¡± He opened his eyes once more to look at Kiaris, ¡°And it¡¯s not like I could seduce a lady into marrying me for love. I have not the talents or charms for it, not even mentioning that my heart lies with a man.¡±


    ¡°You were a prince, Awari. All you need to do is convince them you will be one again.¡±


    Awari tore his eyes away from Kiaris to look at Niah, ¡°And how do you suggest I do that?¡±


    Niah took a long, slow sip, ¡°Well I can¡¯t do everything for you now, can I?¡± She set her cup down and stood up, ¡°I shall take my leave now.¡±

 Chapter 5

    Three years ago...


    Awari closed his eyes and put a hand over his rapidly beating heart, ¡°I need to sleep for a week now.¡± After giving himself a few minutes to calm down, Awari opened his eyes to meet the piercing blue eyes of the human he had been gifted as a consolation prize for losing his claim to the throne.


    The human that was far too close... and far too pretty...


    Awari jolted in surprise, pressing his back against the wall. The human had gotten his face within inches of Awari without Awari noticing. Strangely the human seemed to hold no fear nor even apprehension towards Awari, staring at him with only some slight puzzlement.


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    Awari couldn¡¯t smell a hint of nervous sweat on him, nor much of anything at all. Awari frowned, his dark brows furrowing as he leaned in to try and find his scent. His scent was much subtler than most humans; he smelled simple, light, and pure like a clear mountain stream.


    The puzzled human tilted his head slightly to the side, his long white hair sliding over his shoulder to fall across his soft, cute face, ¡°are you okay?¡±


    Awari raised his hand up and placed it on the human¡¯s cool, soft cheek, catching a few strands of his hair in his fingers. Awari¡¯s palm gently squished the human¡¯s cheek, forcing his eye partially shut. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± he asked in a whisper.


    The human put his hand over Awari¡¯s and answered, ¡°Kiaris.¡±

 Chapter 6

    A human slave placed Esme¡¯s delicate dressing gown and cinched her waist with the sash. She flipped her wavy, voluminous black hair out of her collar and elegantly took a seat at the stool in front of her vanity that her human slave girl pulled out with perfect timing.


    A male human hurried into the room, his head bowed. He lowered his head further as he got close to Esme and held out a thin stack of letters. With a roll of her eyes, Esme took the letters, scratching at the back of her slave¡¯s hand with her nails and drawing blood as she did so. ¡°More idiots thinking they are worthy of me, I assume.¡±


    She grabbed the bleeding hand of her slave and brought it to her mouth, licking and sucking at the wound as she scanned the names on the envelopes. She tossed them aside, one by one, until one of the names gave her pause. She stopped drinking for a moment, licking her lips, and murmured, ¡°well that is interesting.¡±


    *


    ¡°A-MA-LE-AH!¡± the Lord Beaco¡¯s voice bellowed.


    The called-for Amaleah pulled her head out from between her lover¡¯s thighs and pushed her fiery red bangs away from her face, mouth glistening. Her father threw open the door to her bedroom, startling her lover into snapping her legs shut. Amaleah lazily turned her head to her father without even wiping her mouth. She smiled and spoke with false sweetness, ¡°yes, Father?¡±


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    Face red with anger and embarrassment, he pointed a shaking finger at Amaleah, ¡°you have finally received a halfway decent marriage offer. Clean yourself up and stop embarrassing yourself.¡±


    Amaleah snorted and rolled her eyes, turning back to her lover. She sensually parted her lover¡¯s knees, causing her father to leave the room in a huff, slamming the door behind him.


    *


    The Lady Victoria stared down at the letter in her hands, her mind and heart tumultuous. A marriage offer for her daughter, from a man with a prestigious, if complicated, background. She never thought she¡¯d see the day.


    For a long time she was rooted to the armchair in her office, weighing the pros and cons. Finally, she stood.


    She opened the door into a brightly lit room. On the floor in the center of the room was a young-looking vampire, with dark skin and tight brown curls. She was surrounded by toys. An overturned dollhouse, scattered dolls that were destroyed and ugly, and building blocks, many of which had chips in their paint and bite marks in them. All ignored as she laid on the floor, doodling directly on the wood with a piece of chalk, a decapitated teddy bear tucked under her arm.


    Her mother, Lady Victoria, crouched down in front of her, ¡°Vivaria...?¡±


    Vivaria ignored her mother, her feet kicking back and forth in the air.


    Lady Victoria cleared her throat and tried again, ¡°Vivaria... how would you like to be a princess?¡±


    The chalk in Vivaria¡¯s hand stopped.

 Chapter 7

    It was 1 P.M. and the sun was high in the sky but Awari was wide awake, staring at the ceiling. He could feel dark circles forming under his eyes.


    An arm was slung across his abdomen and warm, delicate fingers dug into his ribs as Kiaris pulled himself closer, tucking himself into Awari¡¯s side. ¡°Go to sleep, my Lord.¡± He whispered against Awari¡¯s bare skin.


    Awari shuddered, feeling ticklish, thanks to Kiaris¡¯ breath and wavy white hair against his side. ¡°I cannot. I don¡¯t want tomorrow to come.¡±


    Kiaris lifted his head, resting it on Awari¡¯s chest, cheek smooshed against Awari¡¯s slender chest, and eyes looking up at Awari through long, pale lashes, ¡°tomorrow will come regardless. It¡¯ll be better if you sleep.¡±


    Awari rolled onto his side, throwing his leg over Kiaris¡¯ hips and pulling him into his tight embrace. Kiaris shimmied his hand underneath Awari to embrace him in return.


    Awari had Kiaris at the perfect forehead kissing position and he took full advantage of that fact, pressing his lips to Kiaris¡¯ forehead even as he responded, ¡°how can I sleep if I must betray you tomorrow?¡±


    Kiaris wiggled until he could get his hand up to cup Awari¡¯s cheek,¡± I already told you, it is not a betrayal if I know what you need to do and want you to do it.¡±


    *


    Three years ago...


    Awari stumbled home dizzyingly drunk, his long black coat only pulled onto one arm, his white shirt stained with something that could be red wine or blood and missing a button from the middle, and his shoes were on the wrong feet.


    He collapsed onto the floor only a few feet inside, his front door still hanging open. Kiaris appeared silently and out of nowhere, shutting the door and gently removing Awari¡¯s shoes and coat. Then with a grunt of effort, Kiaris lifted Awari¡¯s upper body, put his arm around his shoulders, and started dragging him towards the bedroom.


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    After being dragged for a few steps, Awari seemed to wake up. He turned his face towards Kiaris, burying his nose in the human¡¯s hair. Kiaris froze in his tracks as Awari pushed past the hair, lips to his neck, ¡°you smell delicious,¡± Awari muttered against tender vulnerable skin.


    ¡°Would you like to drink my blood?¡±


    In his drunkenness, Awari took the question as an invitation, sinking his teeth into Kiaris. Kiaris gasped, stumbling under Awari¡¯s weight until Awari was pressing him into the floor. Awari was roughly twice Kiaris¡¯ size and so he practically enveloped him when he laid on top. All Kiaris could see was black as Awari¡¯s long curtain of hair fell across his eyes. He could feel the blood leaving his body; the euphoric lightheadedness, the pleasurable pain, the slight chill in his fingertips and toes of being fed upon.


    Soon Kiaris was closing his eyes and drifting off... waking up to something hard rutting against his leg. Awari had unlatched from his neck and was cradling Kiaris¡¯ head to his shoulder, murmuring nonsense that Kiaris couldn¡¯t decipher.


    Kiaris put his hands on Awari¡¯s chest and gently pushed. Almost immediately Awari threw himself back from Kiaris, covering his bloody mouth and averting his gaze. After a beat of stillness, he mumbled, ¡° ¡®msorry.¡±


    Kiaris sat up and looked Awari up and down; he looked even more disheveled than before, his slightly pointed ears reddened and his eyes downturned like a scolded dog. And his dick was making a tent in his pants. He didn¡¯t move.


    Kiaris stood and slowly removed his underwear and tights as Awari stared with eyes widening....


    ... The next night, Kiaris awoke to Awari staring down at him, dark eyes wide and nervous. ¡°Are you ok?¡±


    Kiaris¡¯ instinct was to respond ¡¯yes¡¯ but the moment he opened his mouth he felt all the ways in which he was not ok. His entire lower body ached and his upper body was covered in bite marks, bruises, and scratches.


    His head pounded and his throat was so dry it felt raw. So instead of answering the question, he said, ¡°water.¡±


    Awari leapt up and disappeared, returning within a few minutes with a cup of water. He cupped the back of Kiaris¡¯ head and helped him drink. Kiaris didn¡¯t feel completely better with just one glass of water but he felt well enough to sit up.


    Awari got down on his hands and knees and prostrated himself, ¡°I¡¯m deeply sorry for last night, my behavior was unacceptable. Being drunk is no excuse for taking advantage of you. I know I asked you to stay for a while to avoid suspicion but I¡¯d understand ifi you wanted to take the escape route now...¡±


    Kiaris giggled, then reassured Awari in a hoarse voice, ¡°I was more than willing ... and I¡¯d love to stay... Maybe a bit more aftercare next time, though.¡±