The rain fell heavy and hard, making the blackness beyond the glass doors and balcony of Arthur's bedchamber somehow feel even darker and more foreboding. Arthur had finished everything he'd needed to for the day, but he hadn't yet settled to sleep. Instead, he thought over the day and week, and everything else he'd been working on or was waiting for. There was nearly too much, but he knew he could do it. Already, he'd sent Guinevere off to assist Galahad in Cornwall, and Siegfried and Eris were managing Hessen without trouble. Bedivere kept the castle town secure, and Lancelot-

Arthur smiled at the thought of his dear Lancelot, off investigating the war to the far east. He knew Lancelot would return a hero, and he would be met as such. More a hero, Arthur supposed.

He was so deep in thought that he did not immediately hear the gentle knocking at his bedchamber door. It was only when his name was called, cautiously, that he realized he had a guest who had been let past the guards and through his suite despite the time.

There was only one man it could be. Perhaps the guards hadn't noticed him at all.

"Enter," Arthur said quickly.

The dark shadow who slipped in and stood before him was quiet and near-expressionless, though quickly he knelt before his king.

Arthur frowned. Though he had been the one to order Osric off on his last mission, and this was obviously the time for Osric to come to him, he had somehow not expected his dear vampire guard to have fallen victim to the relentless downpour.

"Your Majesty..."

"You're soaking wet," Arthur interjected before glancing around to see what he could offer. There were always extra blankets around, but towels would- No, there were likely some in the storage off the side of his study. He was always finding new things shoved in there, stockpiled by enthusiastic maids and likely also his predecessors. His own father had set up far too much in advance. Likely, a pile of towels would somehow also be his doing from years in the past.

"Stay right there," Arthur continued as he walked around Osric and out of the room. His study still had lamps burning, magic made by Merlin to provide cool light throughout the night, and he grabbed one from a side-table to take with him.

There were towels along with blankets and other bedding, clothing Arthur had never bothered investigating, and toys and games there certainly wasn't time for. Some night, he would teach Gawain a strategy game or two, but that would have to wait.

Juggling the towels and lamp, at least until he could return the lamp to where it belonged, Arthur made his way back to his bedchamber. Osric knelt where Arthur had left him, looking somehow more forlorn and bedraggled than even a moment before.

"I wish only to report success, milord, and I'll take my leave."

"No," Arthur replied, though inwardly he was relieved. Osric had been sent to eliminate a particularly troublesome demon. That alone meant he could rest easier. "You're soaking wet."

"It can't harm me," Osric reminded Arthur. "There is no need for you to worry about my condition."

"That is for me to decide." Arthur dumped the towels onto his bed and grabbed the first one. Osric's hair would be first, long and dripping and as black as the night. Osric shivered ever so slightly when Arthur first touched him, gathering wet hair from where it pooled on the carpet into the towel in his hands.

But Osric also did not pull away, allowing Arthur to work over his hair until the towel was too damp to do anything useful. Then he grabbed another and began again.

"I do not deserve this."

Arthur shook his head. "I have no way to publicly acknowledge and reward your deeds, so at least allow me to show a bit of appreciation now, when we are alone."

He expected Osric to say he needed no rewards, but instead there was silence. The rain somehow fell harder as Arthur went to fetch a comb. But Osric's armor would be a hindrance and had to go, as well as the soaked underlayer beneath.

"Your armor. Take it off." Arthur would offer assistance except he was sure he'd make the entire process slower. Osric knew ever clasp and buckle, however, and without comment he began removing it, piece after piece of black metal forming a small pile beside him. He pulled off his boots as well, and when finished he stared at Arthur for a moment before kneeling again.

"I do not entirely understand..."

Arthur wanted to say that he didn't, either, but instead he just took another towel from the bed and wrapped it around Osric's shoulders before he moved to tackle the tangles in Osric's hair.

It was the wrong season for a fire in the bedchamber's hearth, despite the pouring rain, and even the ashes had been swept away with nothing replacing them. Arthur sighed and gestured at the hem of Osric's undershirt.

"All of it off," Arthur said, softer. Osric had to have traveled straight from wherever he'd holed up during the day, not caring about the rain. Even if Osric was a vampire, there was no need to leave him soaked. Not when he was so diligent with his service.

"It would be inappropriate," Osric finally objected.

"Only if I say it is, and I have no intention to," Arthur replied. Instead he set the comb aside and reached for the hem of Osric's undershirt, kneeling as well on the damp carpet.

"Please, Your Majesty, consider what you're doing." There was an edge to Osric's plea and as Arthur looked at his dark guard, he realized one other thing about Osric's journey to the moment.

He had not fed.

Arthur had a hungry, damp vampire before him and he had his hands on cool skin, halfway through tugging a tight, soaked shirt away. Osric was already indulging him because he would not do otherwise, but he was smartly giving a warning that made Arthur feel like he was playing with fire.

Perhaps it would not be so bad to burn.

"If you are in need, take what you desire from me," Arthur said, his face close enough to Osric's to see a wave of emotions pass across Osric's face before hunger settled in. "But finish undressing first."

"If you are sure, Your Majesty."

Arthur had done enough research to understand that one bite now and then wouldn't harm anybody. He could let Osric feed without fear of being turned as long as it was not done too often. He would not admit that he'd been intrigued by the idea and had planned on making the offer if this exact situation ever occurred.

Arthur certainly had not expected it to happen so quickly, but he was in no way opposed.

"Yes," Arthur replied. He was a little surprised when Osric finished pulling off his own shirt and then reached to tug away his lower underlayers as well. Before he could do more than reach for another towel to allow Osric a bit of modesty, he was in Osric's arms and then on the bed, with Osric above him, long damp black hair hanging over him like the still-tied bed-curtains.

A gasp escaped his lips as he caught his breath, but then Arthur reached to pull Osric closer, not push him away. There was silence, aside from the rain and his own breaths. Osric simply nodded and reached to unbutton the top buttons of Arthur's nightshirt and bare pale skin.

"If you are ready, Your Majesty..."

Osric's fangs were visible now, in the light from the magic-lamps scattered around the room. Arthur wanted to run his thumb over them to see if they were as sharp as they looked but he knew he'd find out soon enough.

"I am, Osric, my dark knight," Arthur said softly. He was suddenly unsure which of them was indulging the other, though it mattered little. Osric simply nodded and then leaned down to bite.

Arthur couldn't help a groan as Osric's fangs sank into his neck. It was not a bad pain, somehow, instead just a strange and warm sting. He buried a hand in Osric's hair and murmured that he was fine, fine, and Osric could take what he needed.

Osric shifted against him, moaning in return, and Arthur smiled. He would gladly give this to Osric, for all that Osric did and had done in the past. It was nothing, not when it felt strangely good. Osric pressed closer and Arthur kept stroking his wet hair and reveling in the sensation. He had not entirely expected the rest of his body to react quite as it was, but it was not truly a surprise. Not when Osric was the one on top of him.

It was almost disappointing when Osric finally pulled his fangs free even if Osric's tongue kept gently lapping at the wound for a moment longer.

And even when Osric moved from the wound entirely, Arthur kept his hand in Osric's hair. There was no need for Osric to leave him just yet.

"Was that enough?" Arthur questioned.

"Yes," Osric replied against Arthur's neck before kissing below the wound. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Just call me 'Arthur' tonight." Arthur was unsure how far to let things proceed, or if he even wanted to think about stopping. He had a naked, sated vampire on top of him, a hand in his hair and no great desire to let go.

"If you are sure, Your- Arthur," Osric replied before kissing him again, this time on the jaw. Arthur brought his other hand to rest on Osric's shoulder.

"I do not start things that I do not intend to finish." He was mostly sure of that. Osric's mouth on his a moment later assured him of the rest.

Arthur slid the hand he had on Osric's shoulder lower, over the cool muscle of Osric's back. He kissed Osric, surprised not to taste much of his own blood. He kissed Osric and was surprised to not find more the tiniest points on Osric's teeth as his tongue pressed into Osric's mouth.

In turn, Osric shifted again, hunting the buttons of Arthur's nightshirt. Arthur supposed it unfair, yes, to keep Osric naked when he was still clothed. He broke the kiss and nudged Osric up.

"Let me," he said, untangling his hand from Osric's hair and instead working his buttons quickly. His pants, at least, had only a tie, and for sleep, he wore nothing beneath. His desire was impressively obvious and for a moment, Arthur wondered if Osric was even capable of what he was suddenly anticipating.

He glanced to Osric and sucked in his breath. Sitting back on his heels, Osric was breathtaking. He was well-built and obviously strong, even before he'd been turned. His black hair hung down over him, still-tangled but drying. And to Arthur's relief, he was very much aroused.

"Only after I feed," Osric said softly, answering the unspoken question.

Arthur nodded and finished undressing, tossing his nightshirt and pants off the edge of the bed before reaching to his bedside table for a jar of the cream he knew very well had many uses.

"Here," he said as he offered it to Osric. And then Osric was on him again, making his head spin. He tried to touch Osric everywhere, exploring the strength of Osric's body even as Osric pulled away, kissing lower and down Arthur's body before settling between Arthur's legs.

There had always been something captivating about Osric. Arthur had always enjoyed their brief interactions. He'd wondered, certainly, as he'd studied what little was written on vampires and inquired to Merlin, oh-

Osric took Arthur's cock into his mouth and Arthur groaned, closing his eyes for just a moment before propping himself up to watch. Osric's hair half-obscured his face and his closed eyes and dark lashes. But Arthur could see his cock in Osric's mouth and feel the faint warmth as Osric sucked on him.

He parted his legs when Osric nudged him with the hand not currently wrapped around the base of his cock, long fingers holding him even as Osric took him in all the way again and again.

Arthur moaned, wondering how he was ever supposed to hold on or if he was expected to at all. He felt Osric's fingers against him and closed his eyes, falling back against the pillow as Osric pressed into him. It was a slow penetration, countering how close to the edge Osric's mouth was pulling him.

Arthur reached to gather a bit of Osric's hair in his fingers. He ached to comb his hands through it but was sure he currently lacked the focus to do more than curl it into his fist.

Osric's tongue kept doing things, and more than once, Arthur felt the tiniest points of Osric's fangs. That, alone, threatened to undo him. The fingers inside, pressing farther and stroking, quickly became too much.

"Osric-" Arthur managed no further warning before the tension and pleasure that had been building since Osric's fangs first pierced his skin exploded within him and he came in Osric's mouth with hard, shuddering shakes.

Arthur was surprised, as he gasped for breath, that Osric still held him, licking away his orgasm, though Osric had pulled his fingers back.

"When you are ready, Your- When you are ready, Arthur," Osric said as he finally lifted his head to let his dark eyes meet Arthur's crimson gaze.

"I'm ready," Arthur replied, convincing himself in the process. He knew what he wanted, though he wasn't sure he was at all ready for what Osric was offering.

Osric did not hesitate to position himself, and Arthur spread his legs farther to accommodate. He felt Osric's cock against him, hard, and reminded himself to relax as Osric pressed slowly into him. Arthur could not entirely bite back a moan, not that he wanted to. He heard Osric's gasp in response, and once in, he paused.

Arthur tried to tell Osric he was good, but the words came out a mess. Osric moved anyway, building up a slow rhythm as he settled over Arthur, damp hair pouring over him again. Arthur met each thrust as best he could, enjoying the small sparks of pleasure pouring back into his body. His cock slowly responded in kind, hardening as Arthur wound his hands into Osric's hair again.

He was not sure how long they moved together. The rain kept falling outside, at times louder than their voices and the sounds of their bodies. Osric reached a hand between them, after a point, stroking Arthur's cock in the same rhythm as his own thrusts.

It was only when Osric began to move faster that Arthur felt his own release again begin to threaten. He reached with one of his own hands to wrap around Osric's and help stroke his own cock. Osric thrust even harder and faster, making the bed creak beneath his movements. Arthur moaned, managing nothing but Osric's name as his orgasm washed over him and his hot white semen spilled over their paired hands.

Osric was not far behind him, finishing with a soft cry and hard thrusts that possibly, Arthur thought, shook the entire room.

This time, when Osric kissed him, Arthur could feel his fangs. He kept kissing Osric, though, desperate to keep him close until finally, they both needed to move.

There was a moment of silence with Osric and Arthur staring at one another. Osric looked away first-

"I should..."

"Stay," Arthur said quickly. "It's late."

"If you're certain."

"Yes." He would not send Osric off, not after that. And it was late, and the rain was still falling...

Slowly, Arthur crawled from the bed to grab one of the discarded towels. He wiped himself clean and then turned to hand it to Osric.

"I need to do one more thing," Arthur said as he turned from the bed and padded over to his bedchamber door.

Just outside, where he'd left it on a side-table, the magic lamp he'd taken with him to find the towels still burned bright. Arthur picked it up and walked it over to the edge of a desk, in a spot that would tell any maid or other visitor that he was not to be disturbed.

And from there, he returned, making his way to first close the layers of curtains of the glass doors to his balcony. When he was sure of those, and with Osric's dark gaze on him, Arthur then made his way around the bed, untying the bed-curtains and making sure they would block any light the balcony curtains might let past.

Only then did Arthur climb back into the bed, into near-darkness, and Osric pulling him close.

"Stay," Arthur said softly, reaching to drag the blankets up over the both of them.

"Yes, Arthur," Osric replied.

Osric's lips brushed his and Arthur shivered.

The rain kept falling.