Work Text:
[Sanguinary bats:
[A type of mammal that loves to feast on the blood of living mammals. It transmits a disease via its bites, Vampyroa, which is extremely effective on humanoid species. The disease usually takes place a week after the bite is made, and the affected grows sharp fangs and an unnatural bloodlust. There is no immediate cure for Vampyroa, however, Vampyroa often goes away after about a week within experiencing symptoms. Those who have caught the disease are advised to stay in rooms of their own, and to only consume water and red meat. Giving in to their bloodlust is ill-advised, yet drinking blood from another humanoid species does not transmit the disease or have any consequences apart from those that come with general exposure to foreign blood/blood loss on the victim ’s side. In fact, the imbibing of another’s blood will sate the “vampyr” for up to a day.]
You gently push open the door to Dan Heng’s room.
It has been a week since the bat attack, and although the Astral Express crew had been prepared not to let any of the bats come into close contact with them, Dan Heng unfortunately suffered a single bite. The rest of the week from then on was spent in anxious anticipation of the “turning,” as March 7th referred to it. Dan Heng, upset by her constant use of that word, shut himself into his room entirely, only allowing you, his wife, in.
Last night, the symptoms had started to appear, as Dan Heng woke you up in a cold sweat. When you flicked the lamp on, you saw that his eyes glowed a soft red, and his canine teeth were longer than usual. He told you to sleep in another room, not wanting to put you in danger of himself. You refused, but he insisted upon it, so you let yourself be moved into another room.
Now you turn up at his door with a steak, prepared rare, and a glass of water.
“Dan Heng,” you say. “It’s me.”
“Don’t come in,” you hear him command, his voice husky.
“Too late,” you say, pushing the door open further with your foot.
You thought you had prepared yourself for seeing him, but your eyes widen at the scene laid before you.
In the dark room, you can make out Dan Heng curling on his mattress, in Vidyadhara form. It’s clear that his turning is affecting his internal balance, causing him to shift into his dragon self. His clothes are shrugging off of him, as though he was trying to shed them, exposing his skin. His long dark hair curls around him in strands and ribbons, framing his face, as he gazes blankly towards the ceiling, panting.
His eyes meet yours, and you see something else within them.
“Here’s your breakfast, Dan,” you say, setting the meat and water on his desk.
“Thank you.” Dan Heng speaks as though he’s holding back. “Now leave.”
“…Okay.”
You leave his room before he has a chance to pounce on you.
After that, Dan Heng insists on having anyone else but you deliver his next meals, so you reluctantly let Welt and Himeko deliver his lunch and dinner. At night, you peek into his room.
“Don’t come in,” he says, sensing your presence. He’s sitting in bed with a book, a single dimly lit lamp giving him only enough light to read. The rest of the room is shrouded in darkness.
“I miss you,” you say. He pauses, putting his book down and looking up at you.
“I miss you too,” he says, his tone gentle and soft.
“Why won’t you let me come to you?” you ask.
“I don’t want to hurt you. I’d never forgive myself if I did.”
You linger in the doorway for a few moments more, then make up your mind.
“There’s nothing that can keep me from you,” you say, walking into the room towards him.
Immediately he grows tense, and you can see his fangs peeking through his lips.
“Don’t come any closer,” he says, but you get on the bed next to him and wrap your arms around his chest.
“I don’t care. I wanna be here.” You shove your face into his side, savoring his warmth.
He growls, a rumble deep in his chest you haven’t heard before. When you look up at him, his eyes and horns are glowing, his eyes red.
“If you stay at my side like this, I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to hold myself back, darling.”
“What will happen if you don’t?” you ask.
“To put it simply… your blood looks tantalizing.” Dan Heng licks his lips. You gulp, feeling blood rush to your cheeks. “It’s hard enough for me to hold myself back from everyone else, but you…you entice me like no other.”
Dan Heng breathes softly, his gaze on you heated. “You know…it might be better if you let me drink from you.” Immediately, he puts a hand on his mouth and turns away, as though horrified at what he said. “I’m sorry. Forget I said anything.”
“What do you mean?” you ask, intrigued.
“If I drink blood from someone,” Dan Heng says, his horns gently illuminating the walls a soft blue, “my hunger would be sated for about a day.”
There’s a pause as you consider this information.
“So, you’re saying that I would be helping you by letting you drink my blood.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t—”
“I’ll do it.”
Dan Heng widens his eyes at you, and you can see a dark hunger gleaming within them.
“You would?”
“Yes. It’s not like you need to drink all my blood, right…?”
“No, no, I don’t require that much.” Dan Heng reaches for you, then stops himself. “I can’t.”
“You can. I give you permission.” You take his hand in yours and he grips onto it almost painfully. “Besides, I’m a little curious.”
“Curious?”
“As to how it would feel.” You grin at him. “I mean. It would probably feel similar to all the other times you sank your teeth into my neck.”
Dan Heng is too focused on your neck to notice the innuendo you made. He runs his tongue against his fangs as he drills holes into you with his eyes, looking a bit dazed.
“So, you’ll let me?” he asks after a pause. “You’re sure about this?”
“Yes.” You bare your neck to him with a smile.
Dan Heng’s reaction is instant, one arm wrapping around your chest to pull you closer, while his other hand comes up to grip your neck, steadying it. He brings his face close to your neck, pauses for a moment, then begins licking it. You shudder at the sensation, preparing yourself for what comes next.
Then, delicately, ever so gently, he buries his face into your neck and sinks his teeth in, the twin points sharp enough that you only felt a twinge of pain. You could feel as blood pooled out of you and onto his waiting tongue, constantly lapping and picking up any wayward droplets.
The act feels intimate in a way you had yet to encounter, and your eyelids flutter at the sensation of teeth and muscle working together. You wrap your arms around his body, one hand cradling the back of his head as he drinks from you like a man starved. And then, almost as soon as he had started, he pulls away, giving your neck a few last licks before the puncture holes are sealed. You notice the look in his eyes are clearer now, and he looks a little healthier than when you found him.
“Do you feel better now?” you ask.
“Much, much better.” Dan Heng sighs, a sound of relief and contentment.
“I hope this doesn’t give you a taste for blood after your sickness wears off,” you say, and giggle at the look of horror on his face. “Don’t worry, that’s not a side effect you have to worry about. Welt told me about it.”
Dan Heng looks at you, narrowing his eyes.
“You…knew. About the blood drinking.” he says, realization dawning in his eyes.
“Well…I can’t say it wasn’t my intention tonight to get you to quench your thirst off me.” You grin, having been caught.
“Wh-why—” Dan Heng starts, then stops himself. “Nevermind, I know why. You’re a masochist.”
“I just wanted to make you feel better!” you protest.
Dan Heng gazes into your eyes, his stern expression melting into a gentle smile.
“I know.”
“The masochism might have played a teensy weensy little part in my decision as well.”
“I know.”
“I love you.” You wrap your arms around him and bury your face in his chest.
“I love you too,” he says, stroking your head gently. “Always.”
“We will be doing this until you’re cured, by the way,” you say.
“Not if I have any say about it,” Dan Heng huffs.
“You don’t,” you say, smiling.
Your dragon husband lets out a resigned breath, but you can tell he’s relieved by how far you’re willing to go for him.