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"How is that?" Toujou Minato gave a final tug at the knot they'd tied and stood back, waiting for approval.
Natsume shifted uneasily, testing the security of the rope that was restraining his arms behind his back, ensuring it was going to stay that way.
"Hm, are you sure you can't make it any tighter?"
Minato rolled their eyes.
"Yes, I'm pretty sure. Honestly Natsume, I think you're being a bit paranoid here. All this seems a little, overkill." They gave Natsume a lighthearted smile. It was clear they weren't taking this nearly as seriously as he was. Or perhaps they were just trying to lighten the mood. Regardless, Natsume looked back at them with a determined expression.
"If it's to ensure your safety then I'm fine with coming off paranoid. I'd much rather do all this and have it have been for nothing, than to have done nothing and allow something bad to happen to you"
Minato's eyes flitted away, not allowing themself to get too caught off guard by Natsume's earnest response.
"Alright alright, if it makes you feel better then I won't press it. Besides, it's pretty cute to see you so concerned for me" They shot him a teasing smirk that definitely would have made his cheeks flush pink had he the blood in his veins to allow it.
Natsume Souichirou was a vampire. Or at least a halfling. He had been for just over eight decades, ever since...someone had turned him. It was a big blank in his memory, one he was still trying to piece together the mystery of. He didn’t know who had inflicted this wretched transformation on him and left him to awaken dazed and confused, entire decades missing from his mind and no hope of returning to the life he once knew. No, regardless of who’d done this to him he’d simply had to accept it and adapt. At the time he’d thought it as good as a death sentence, and fully expected the rest of his days to be ones of isolation and a lonely hunt for answers. But in the recent year he’d been fortunate enough to meet others that were willing to accept him. Friends that not only didn’t care about his condition but were eager to support him. It was more than Natsume ever could have even dared to let himself dream for. Toujou Minato was one such friend, and Natsume still couldn't grasp what he’d done to deserve such a person in his life.
Natsume shook away the fluster from the teens previous comment. "L-Let's just get this over with, alright? If you're ready, that is''
"As ready as I can be I guess" Saying that, they kneeled down in front of Natsume who was sitting on the floor, and held their hand out to his face.
Natsume hesitated, taking a few moments to accept that this was really happening and choke back his anxieties.
'It will be fine' he mentally reassured himself 'i can do this, it's going to be fine’
With that thought he leaned forward and bit the thickest part of Minato's palm. Natsume noticed the teen winced for the briefest of moments, but before he could begin to allow himself to feel guilty for it, an entirely different sensation washed over his mind. The moment the crimson liquid touched his tongue it was as if Natsume Souchiro's thoughts and body became disconnected. Almost in a haze he began sucking at the puncture wound, much more forcefully than he'd intended.
Intended? Was there something he'd intended to do? He wasn't sure, but he didn't care anymore. It was as if his surroundings had melted around him. All other senses; hearing, touch, sight, they didn't matter. All he could think about was the metallic taste in his mouth, that wonderful scent right below his nose.
"N-Natsume, is that enough?"
He thought he heard a voice distantly, but his mind didn't care. It had nothing to do with the blood. He kept drinking, with a greediness that only grew more frantic and primal the more seconds passed.
And then, there was a sudden sharp yank, and the source of his delicious meal was gone.
'No! I wasn't done yet! There was still more!' he craned forward, gasping and struggling with the rope that had him bound. Why was he being held back? The blood was still so close, if he could only break free-
He caught a glimpse of Toujou Minato's face, two mismatched eyes staring down at him filled with shock and...was that...fright?
All at once, Natsume Souichirou's mind crashed back into his body. The first thing he could feel as soon as he felt himself come back to his senses was guilt pounding him in waves.
The young vampire steadied his vision, panting and looking up at the terrified teen in front of him.
"N...Natsume?" The teen called out softly, as if calling out to a wounded animal. It made Natsume's stomach turn.
"H-hahh, g-gah..." He steadied his breathing, "Toujou Minato..! A-are you alright?!" He could feel the phantom pains almost like his cold heart was hammering against his chest.
"I'm... I'm fine, don't worry. See?" They smiled. That same wonderful smile that made warmth blossom in Natsume. He didn't deserve such a blessing.
"I-I shouldn't... I shouldn't have agreed to this, I'm so sorry... I-I only had a bit, and everything just- faded away..."
Natsume bit at his lip, ashamed as he savored the metallic taste that lingered in his mouth. He felt disgusting.
"There's no need to apologize, come on. You couldn't help it, right?"
Yes. Yes, of course he couldn't help it. Natsume Souichirou was a horrifying, disgusting monster. Something that shouldn't be seen or heard.
He didn't even realize there were tears escaping from his eyes until Minato pointed it out.
"H-hey, don't cry. Everything's alright, I promise."
They took a few steps closer, but immediately Natsume caught a whiff of that same delectable, addictive metallic scent. Sweeter than the sweetest of wines, ambrosia of the Devil.
He flinched, biting down at his lip as he steeled his resolve.
"Natsume..."
"No, n-no- it's not that." Natsume let out a sigh, looking away from the teen and their look of concern. He didn't deserve such kindness. "It's just... your hand. That smell..."
A few moments of silence. Minato understood, and nodded.
"Ah, alright. I'll go patch myself up first. Sit tight, okay? It won't take long, I'll be right back."
As Minato left the room, Natsume let out a sigh.
"...Even now, that smell still..." He let out a self deriding chuckle.
How could he fool himself, to think he could be anything human?