Vlady knocked once before letting himself in. The Emperor's personal chamber was ornate but also practical, something that Vlady had always found intriguing. He'd asked Antalus about it once but he'd never found the answer entirely satisfying.

It didn't matter.

"Vlady, is that you?"

"Yes, my friend," Vlady replied as he leaned to tug off his boots. There was a place for them beside Antalus's own footwear, which Vlady noticed had not moved since the last time he'd visited for this purpose.

That had been the last time they'd spoken as well, as Vlady had gotten wrapped up in his research. But now, he needed to feed and Antalus had been correct; there was nothing quite like his blood.

Vlady had studied Antalus, from horns to tail, wings to the thick leathery soles of his clawed feet. It was an impressive form, one exceeded only by Antalus's other form. Vlady smiled at the thought of it, and also at the sound of Antalus's claws clicking on the smooth stone floor.

"Have you been walking around barefoot?" Vlady questioned as he straightened.

Antalus nodded. "It's comfortable. I like that. I don't need shoes."

Vlady supposed he also didn't, but he preferred them.

"You're right on schedule," Antalus continued. His smile seemed genuine and, like so many other times, Vlady wondered if it was somehow more than learned behavior.

He beckoned for Vlady to come close.

"Come be comfortable with me."

"That's why I'm here," Vlady replied. It was not just for Antalus's blood, though he was already fighting his desire. It was for the comfort of Antalus's presence and the lazy, content look that Antalus always gave him once he'd finished. It was for what sometimes came after in the name of further comfort and friendship. It was for all that Antalus was, really.

He wanted nothing more than to know that smile was genuine. He wanted Antalus's blood after. That desire alone had kept him buried in his research. It drove him and made him burn in ways he had never thought he was capable of, being what he was.

Vlady followed Antalus into his bedchamber before pausing to remove his jacket. When they'd first started, they'd kept to other rooms. But Antalus had a comfortable bed with blankets the color of his hair and he sprawled on it with an amusing abandon.

Only Vlady saw him like this, much like only Antalus saw him feed. They had been close before this. Now, they were so much more.

At least, to him they were.

Vlady climbed onto the bed and paused, letting his gaze linger on Antalus's skin. Much of it was covered in scales, and much of what wasn't was tough but still smooth to the touch. His neck was where his skin was thinnest, at least in this form.

"Research is progressing at the same pace as previous," Vlady said as Antalus's tail brushed against his leg. Vlady reached to stroke it with one hand, feeling familiar scales trail to the unique barbs of the tip.

"Good," Antalus replied. "But you aren't here to give me a report."

"No, I'm not."

"Then drink my blood," Antalus said. He tilted his head to one side, exposing more of his neck, and Vlady swallowed hard.

He'd once refused this, again and again. He'd once been afraid he'd somehow harm Antalus.

Antalus who gave him so much and protected him when he was vulnerable.

When they did this.

"As you wish."

Vlady settled into a familiar position beside Antalus before being drawn close by tail and wing and strong arm. Normally, feeding was not something intimate like this. It was quick, businesslike, taking only what he needed and moving on.

He did not hesitate to sink his fangs into Antalus's neck and he shivered at both the tiny hiss that escape Antalus and the rich, strong blood that quickly began flowing into his mouth. It was delicious, as it always was, and Vlady wondered, again, why he'd refused so many times.

He relaxed, comfortable and content as he continued with his meal. Antalus wound fingers into his hair, gently petting him in a way that normally would be somewhat embarrassing.

The Drayans knew what felt good, though. That was more than learned and mimicked emotion. That was what they were sharing. And someday, Vlady hoped, he would share so much more with Antalus.

Vlady drank until he felt full, mouthfuls of delicious coppery life, nourishing him and sating his hunger.

"Good, good..."

Antalus kept touching him even as Vlady pulled back, mouth and tongue over the punctures his fangs had left for just a few moments longer.

"Was that good, Vlady?"

"Yes," Vlady replied. He felt like he could spend a thousand years in Antalus's embrace. He would, given the opportunity. The time would come-

"You'll stay for awhile?"

Antalus's fingers found the buttons of Vlady's shirt and Vlady nodded against him.

"Yes."

He would give Antalus a Spirit.

He would make Antalus smile.

He would-

He would.