Work Text:
To live as he does is to live a life of quiet solitude.
Neuvillette has walked this earth for many years, living amongst humans in peace. As the times change, so too, must he adapt to them, or risk being exposed for the creature of the night he is.
In the past, there were those who would scorn him, or brandish stakes in fear of what he was. In this world, however, Neuvillette's come to realize he's not the only one living with this particular 'condition', and that under the right circumstances, for the right price, arrangements can be made. Every month without fail, he pays a discreet visit to the blood bank, and returns home with several bags of donated blood to tuck away in the refrigerator. Clinical, detached - just the way he likes it. Gone are the barbaric days of feeding off unsuspecting victims, or draining the blood of prisoners on death row. Things are so much simpler like this.
That being said, it is a dull form of sustenance at best. Blood tastes best fresh from the source, after all. No amount of warming it up will make it taste any better after it's been sitting in storage in a plastic bag for goodness knows how long. Having survived this long, Neuvillette's come to consider himself an afficionado of sorts when it comes to the taste of blood, and while he certainly doesn't miss feeding off of vile criminals sentenced to die, he has to admit even their blood tasted richer than this.
With the assistance of Sigewinne, a fellow immortal who's dedicated her life to the healing arts, Neuvillette has a room set up in his home purely for the extraction of blood from those willing to donate. Of course, all applicants are subjected to thorough screening and medical background checks beforehand - while he can't exactly die by normal means, the donor's health does drastically affect the taste, so it's necessary. Sigewinne teaches him how to insert the iv drip, how to set everything up so he can handle it himself without her help, though there's a worried look in her eyes. They've known each other for centuries, and while her blood can't sustain him, she's been the closest thing Neuvillette can truly call a friend.
"You really should try and settle down with someone," she frets, just as he's about to see her off at the door. Neuvillette's smile is weary, carrying the weight of a thousand years' loneliness.
"You've said that for the past few hundred years," he replies, and Sigewinne huffs, crossing her arms.
"And you've never listened! I just think it would be good for you to have a friend other than me, even if..." she trails off quietly, "they won't live as long as we will."
Such is the bane of an immortal's life. Cursed with longevity, doomed to watch everyone they've ever loved taken from them by the merciless grasp of time. Sigewinne knows how keenly the loss cuts, having experienced it herself, but she is younger than Neuvillette and not quite yet as jaded yet. It's easier for Neuvillette to close himself off, to keep to himself, instead of risking having his tender heart torn back open every few decades. Sigewinne's exasperated sigh snaps him from his thoughts, her expression resigned, but fond.
"Alright. Just... take care, okay? If you need anything, you know you can call on me."
Neuvillette smiles, this time with more warmth in it. "Of course. You have my thanks, Sigewinne."
He's met many humans over the course of this life, but he has to admit, interacting with them in this particular sort of setting makes for some very interesting experiences. Neuvillette had expected those in need of a quick buck to volunteer, certainly, but the age ranges are wider than expected, and he's admittedly a little worried about some of them. The ones who pass the background checks are invited to his home to talk, before they get to the actual process of extracting the blood. Once that's done, Neuvillette allows them some time to recover from the lightheadedness, offers them refreshments and then sends them on their way home.
It is, all in all, a much better solution than drinking blood that's had plastic leaching into it from its time in storage. This way, the blood is relatively fresh, stored in glass bottles in the fridge to maintain the flavor. Neuvillette categorizes them by flavor and blood type, careful to ensure each bottle is labelled correctly.
In its own way, one could call it an experiment, seeing to what extent various factors influence the taste of one's blood. Those whose diets comprise mainly of red meats tend to have a richer, more savoury flavor, whereas people whose diets consists more of fruits and vegetables tend to have a lighter, almost refreshing taste. Bottles of blood line his fridge shelves in a rather morbid display and Neuvillette settles, content with the knowledge that he no longer has any real need of anything else.
Until the day he pours himself a glass of blood from a new bottle, tilts it to his lips, and tastes liquid ambrosia.
Years of managing his own finances and businesses have taught Neuvillette to always be meticulous. It is a simple enough thing to track down the owner of the blood in the bottle, based off the records he'd compiled beforehand. The face of a sweet, unassuming young man with blonde hair and amber eyes stares back at him from Neuvillette's computer screen, and with trembling hands, Neuvillette reaches for his phone.
His name is Aether.
He's a traveller, passing through town on his way. Neuvillette remembers asking him about his travels, the question framed as a polite inquiry, but he's never forgotten the profound sadness in the young man's eyes as he answered.
"I'm looking for my sister," he'd replied, and Neuvillette had wisely chosen not to pry further, only wishing him luck.
There is nothing out of the ordinary within Aether's records. Nothing to suggest why his blood should taste quite so intoxicating to Neuvillette, who has lived for centuries and dined on countless others - from young to old, the rich and the poor. As far as he and Sigewinne can tell, Aether is simply the average young man with an healthy constitution, but that alone does not explain anything. Neuvillette considers asking him about it, but discards the idea almost immediately. How does one go about asking such a thing without arousing suspicion in the first place?
Instead, all he does is reach out to Aether, and send a very politely worded, open invitation to return if he should ever wish to sell his blood again, for it proved to be very useful. Neuvillette carefully omits the exact details as to how it was useful, and watches the little blue tick appear underneath his message: read.
'Thanks for the offer,' reads Aether's reply message. 'But I'm afraid I won't be in town for another few years, at least, so... we'll see.'
Disappointment, too, is a flavor Neuvillette is accustomed to. It's bitter on the tongue, tastes like ashes at the back of his throat, but he swallows it down in favor of a last message wishing Aether well, before forcing himself to forget about it. He is but one human in the sea of millions of others, and surely - surely, Neuvillette will find another.
He does not.
There have been others before Aether whose blood had tasted pleasant - a warm, rich accompaniment to pair with a book on a cold, rainy day. Compared to Aether's, however, they all seem to pale in comparison - too dull, too watery, too bitter, too strong of an aftertaste. Neuvillette goes so far as to seek out others with the same blood type and physical characteristics as Aether, hoping to replicate the results, but nothing. No matter how hard he tries, none can even hope to come close. It's rather vexing, and while Neuvillette can certainly survive just fine on regular human blood, a part of him still yearns hopelessly for a taste of that same elixir once more.
Years pass. Neuvillette finds himself drawn to the same contact in his phone list, but he refrains. Aether is a wanderer with a mission, and it would be beyond rude of him to impose his selfish desires on the man purely for his own sake. Still, he does reach out on New Year's to wish him well, and to inquire about his search, exchanging polite greetings instead of what Neuvillette really wants to ask him.
Come back to me.
No mortal has ever made him feel this way. It's almost terrifying, how much impact this one man alone has on Neuvillette. It's a desire for blood, yes, but beyond that, there's just something about Aether that draws him in like a moth to a flame. Sigewinne teasingly suggests that he might be Neuvillette's soulmate, which makes him huff, but the thought lingers in his mind long after she's departed.
Humans are quick to wither, compared to his endlessly long lifespan. Neuvillette's carefully kept himself apart from the rest of the human population at large, closed off the walls to his heart to avoid getting attached. It doesn't stop Aether from sending him the occasional travel photo, or Neuvillette from asking how his day went. Try as he might, Aether's gentle smile still lingers in his thoughts, until the day his phone lights up with a new message from the man himself.
'I'm back in town,' it reads. 'Would you like to meet me somewhere so we can catch up?'
'Catch up', he says, as if they're old friends. Neuvillette's not quite sure what they are. Somewhere along the way, they'd gone from exchanging the occasional text message to talking on the regular online, connected by the internet across thousands of miles. It's the first time he's ever spoken to someone else at length outside of work, but he's honestly enjoying himself far more than he ever expected to.
They end up at a quiet cafe, seated across from each other with steaming cups of tea in hand. It doesn't do much for Neuvillette, who's always preferred the subtle flavors found in human blood, but it's pleasantly warm nonetheless. Aether barely looks a day older than when they first met, with the same bright smile Neuvillette remembered him having five years ago.
Settling into small talk with Aether feels almost natural, despite the fact that Neuvillette's never had a human friend to talk to like this. Even so, it makes something in Neuvillette ache, knowing this will likely be the only time in years he'll get to see Aether again, considering his travels.
"Are you still searching for your sister?" he asks, hands wrapped around his cup of tea. Aether seems to light up like the sun itself at the question, much to his surprise.
"I found her, actually. It's been really good to see her again - turns out she was travelling the world, just like me, so we kept missing each other." A short, rueful laugh bubbles out of Aether as he scratches his head. "It's kind of funny, that we ended up crossing paths by pure coincidence. But we're back in contact, so... I guess I don't really have to keep travelling the world looking for her, anymore."
Something akin to hope flares in Neuvillette's chest, but he tamps down his excitement before it can show too clearly on his face. "I'm glad for you," he says instead, and that much is genuine. "So, what do you plan to do next?"
Aether pauses. "I... don't know, actually. I've been travelling for years, but maybe it's time I picked a place to settle down and get a proper job? Aether's eyebrows raise, clearly intrigued. "You're still doing that? I'd have thought you'd have found enough willing donors to tide you over."
Neuvillette clears his throat, somewhat embarrassed. In hindsight, perhaps this is a conversation he should have saved for a more private location, but it's too late now. "Your blood was most... useful for my needs," he replies, uncertain how much more he can say without giving himself away. "I'd be willing to discuss contractual terms, if you're open to a more long-term arrangement."
Aether's brows only raise even higher still. "You're willing to go that far for my blood specifically? What about it is so special to you, exactly?"
He's said too much. Instantly, Neuvillette's lips thin, pressed taut. "I cannot say. But the offer stands, regardless, though I would never force you into anything."
The other man regards him with a strangely thoughtful gaze, before finishing the rest of his tea and gesturing for Neuvillette to do the same. "I think," Aether suggests, "we should discuss the rest of this somewhere quieter. Is that alright, Neuvillette?"
What is Aether playing at? Any normal person would have likely backed off if they'd found his offer too intrusive, but something in Aether's voice suggests there's more to it than that. Neuvillette barely tastes the tea in his cup as he drains it, before getting up to follow the younger man out of the cafe. Does Aether suspect what he is? Does he know the truth behind Neuvillette's offer?
"Shall we discuss this at my home, then?" Neuvillette manages to ask, uncertain how long he can withstand the suspense. Aether simply smiles and inclines his head, indicating for Neuvillette to lead the way.
"Sure."
"So," begins Aether, seated on the plush couch in Neuvillette's living room. "About your offer. I don't mind selling my blood to you."
Well. That's one thing out of the way. It does little to ease the worry lodged tight in Neuvillette's chest, though. He's done this for years, and few people have questioned why exactly he's looking for human blood, so long as he paid them enough. Aether regards him with yet another strange look that borders on pity, which bewilders Neuvillette even further.
"You don't have to hide it from me, you know," Aether says gently, and if Neuvillette's heart still beat, it would have stopped in that instant. As it is, he's frozen to the spot, cold dread creeping up his spine. "I've known what you are for awhile, now."
"How?" Neuvillette rasps, almost swaying on his feet. Sigewinne's warned him about this happening, but still, he hadn't actually ever expected to be confronted so blatantly. Even more confusing is Aether's agreement to his earlier proposal - if he knows, then why would he not run? It's impossible to imagine a human being so comfortable with the knowledge of what Neuvillette is, much less agreeing to sell his blood to a vampire.
"When you've lived as long as I have, you start to see the signs easily enough," answers Aether, and no knowledge has ever shaken Neuvillette like this before. His head is spinning wildly, a thousand thoughts swirling within a maelstrom of emotions, too complicated to pick out one by one. What does that even mean? Surely he can't be serious. Aether reaches out to take both of Neuvillette's hands in his own, and that little touch helps ground him somewhat, pulls him back from his spiralling thoughts.
"It's okay," Aether assures him, squeezing Neuvillette's hands. "I know it's a lot to take in. You couldn't have known without me telling you, and I'm sorry I kept quiet about it for so long."
"You," Neuvillette starts, still reeling from the shock, "are an immortal?"
Aether's gaze never once wavers. "Yes."
"And you are aware I am a vampire."
"Yes."
"You do not fear what I am?"
Aether tilts his head to the side. "Why would I? I've lived through centuries, as I'm sure you have. I know about vampires, and more importantly, I know you would never hurt me."
Such blind trust is beyond Neuvillette's ability to comprehend. "How do you know that?" he asks, almost afraid of the answer.
"You said it yourself earlier," Aether points out. "That you'd never force me into anything I didn't want. Besides, I'd like to think several centuries worth of befriending humans has made me a pretty good judge of character overall." There is no trace of hesitation in his voice, only strong, sure certainty. It's almost too much for Neuvillette, who's spent his life deliberately keeping himself apart from most of mankind at large, too fearful of losing more than his heart can handle.
"You're sure about this?" is what he asks instead, purely out of disbelief that he's hearing Aether right. "Even knowing what I am, you're still willing to sell your blood to me? Besides, why would you entrust me with such a valuable secret of your own? What possible benefit could you stand to gain from it?"
Aether studies him for a long moment. "Because," he begins, gold eyes softer than Neuvillette has ever seen them, "I thought you were lonely."
It's such a quiet, simple truth, but it hits hard. Neuvillette's chest feels too tight, his throat squeezed shut by emotion. How could he possibly know? "I..." he starts, before the swelling lump in his throat forces him to swallow hard, wet heat prickling at the edges of his vision. "I suppose I am."
Then there's a pair of arms wrapping around him, Neuvillette freezing as Aether pulls him into a warm hug. The only one who's ever hugged him like this in the recent past is Sigewinne, and she's so tiny it feels like he's hugging a child. Aether, however, is taller than she is, and broader. When Neuvillette buries his head in Aether's chest, he can hear the steady, reassuring thump of his heartbeat through his shirt. "Thank you," Neuvillette croaks, not trusting himself to look up at Aether just yet. "For trusting me."
Aether hums quietly. "I know what it's like, to feel like you're all alone in this world," he murmurs, and Neuvillette can feel his arms tightening around him. "I didn't want you to have to bear that sort of pain any longer, if I could help it."
For the first time in centuries, Neuvillette allows himself to hope. "Then, will you be staying here, instead of travelling elsewhere to settle down?" he asks, as soon as he can bring himself to pull away from Aether's embrace.
Aether's lips curve upwards, amused. "Well, I did say I'd be willing to keep selling you my blood. I'd have to stay in town to do that, or travelling back and forth every time's going to be inconvenient."
Neuvillette supposes he has a point. "Do you already have lodgings in the area?"
"Not yet," Aether admits. "Still looking, but... well, I'm running low on money at the moment, and I don't have a job yet, so..."
"If you'd like," Neuvillette offers, "you can stay here until you get a stable source of income."
For the first time since they've met, he's treated to the sight of Aether being stunned into speechlessness. It takes several long moments for the younger man to close his mouth, blinking in astonishment. "Are... are you sure? I promise, I can pay you back once I get a proper job, so if you're serious about letting me stay..."
"I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't serious," Neuvillette says simply.
It had been impulse, admittedly. A selfish desire to keep this strangely charming man close, to better observe him as Neuvillette has observed humans over the past few centuries. But Aether is no ordinary human, and perhaps that's what makes all the difference to him - he can't bear to let Aether slip away from him again, knowing they have far more in common than he could have ever dreamed of. If Aether trusts him enough with his secret, as he has kept Neuvillette's, surely that has to count for something.
Admittedly, Neuvillette's home is not equipped for two, having housed only one occupant for years. No matter. He has a spare room, and the money to furnish it within the week. When he finally shows Aether into the finished room, he's holding his breath, almost afraid Aether won't find it to his liking, even though he's the one offering to let the man stay.
"Is it... is this alright?" Neuvillette inquires, before Aether turns to him with eyes that are practically sparkling.
"It's perfect," Aether breathes, taking a brief step towards Neuvillette with his arms outstretched - as if for a hug - before apparently deciding against it and letting his arms drop back to their sides, though the happy smile remains. "Thank you. I promise I'll find some way to pay you back for all this, someday."
Neuvillette shakes his head. "I am in no urgent need of recompense. I'm simply happy to be of help to you, as... as a friend."
Friends. That's... the right word for it, right? Neuvillette still finds human emotions frustratingly complex, relationships even more so. He has not had a friend for years, aside from Sigewinne, who's more like a daughter to him at this point. To crave human connection is something Neuvillette has denied himself of for years, out of fear of being hurt, but seeing as Aether is not cursed with the burden of a short-life, surely it can't hurt?
Working out living arrangements with someone else, as it turns out, is more complicated than it seems. Aether likes to be out and about, often with friends - human ones. Some he introduces to Neuvillette in passing, though Neuvillette at most greets them with awkward cordiality. Then there's the matter of Neuvillette's blood donors and when they stop by - which to Aether's credit, he takes marvelously well. Still, the taste of human blood has rather lost its appeal when compared to the liquid ambrosia Neuvillette had tasted years ago, even more so considering he quite literally has the source of it walking around in his home. Aether catches him frowning at his glass one evening, vaguely dissatisfied with the contents within.
"What's wrong?" Aether asks. "Does that batch taste off or something?"
Neuvillette wrinkles his nose, unsure how to word it delicately. "It... is rather bitter," he admits, swirling the dark red liquid around in the bottom of the glass. "The aftertaste doesn't do it any favors, either. I must check the details of the donor later."
Aether laughs, the sound bright and clear. "You talk about it like you're tasting wine," he remarks, clearly amused.
Neuvillette tilts his glass, considering. "Wine and blood have their similarities, true. There are dozens of various flavor profiles to each, and I've generally pinned down my personal preferences by now. Still, there are times when it doesn't taste as it should, for various external reasons."
It's a rather morbid topic, and not one Neuvillette expected to ever be discussing with anyone else, but then again, Aether seems fine with it. For some reason, there's an oddly thoughtful look on his expression as he glances from Neuvillette to the glass in his hands. "I guess that's a pity," he says at last, before turning away to return to his room, "seems like a shame to have paid so much for something you don't like the taste of."
He doesn't pay the remark too much mind until the next month, when he's going through the list of potential candidates and Aether knocks on his office door. Startled, Neuvillette waves him in.
"I was just thinking," Aether begins, "what if I paid you back with my blood?"
Neuvillette's fingers cease typing on the keyboard. "Sorry?"
"I mean, you're already paying me for my blood every month," Aether points out. "I just thought it might be more convenient. My blood in exchange for you letting me live here. Then you wouldn't have to do all that extra work of looking for people to buy blood from."
Neuvillette wets his lips, uncertain how to respond. Reacting too eagerly would surely be off-putting. He can hardly admit that he's craved Aether's blood for years, and that it tastes nothing short of divine to him. Even for an immortal, that... doesn't quite sound right. "Do you... not want me to compensate you for the blood? I offered my home as a sign of our friendship, not because I wanted you to feel obligated to return the favor."
It's Aether's turn to be somewhat lost for words, shaking his head. "It's not that! I mean yes, the money's useful, but i just thought you'd appreciate saving the time and effort of finding other donors when I'm right here and willing. Like I said, I'm working on getting a job eventually, so you don't have to worry about covering my expenses." He pauses, before realization seems to strike him. "Ah, unless... you don't like my blood that much?"
He does. He craves it on a daily basis, has to avert his eyes from Aether's exposed nape purely because of the temptation it brings - something Neuvillette's not felt since the earliest days of his turning. "I do like it," he admits, though his voice is hoarser than he'd have liked it to be. Are his cheeks even capable of growing warm? Somehow, they certainly feel warm. "I... thought it might sound strange to comment on it, or make you feel uncomfortable, so I never mentioned it, but yes, I very much enjoy your blood."
Aether beams, clearly delighted. "Then that works out, doesn't it? I let you have my blood, you let me stay here until I land a proper job. Is that alright with you?"
Somehow, the thought of Aether leaving once he's found something suitable sits ill with Neuvillette, but he can hardly bring that up without overstepping boundaries. It would be wrong of him to tie this bird down, not when he's clearly accustomed to his independence and capable of handling himself. Better to watch him fly, and marvel at his beauty in the open skies above, while Neuvillette remains alone, as he always has.
But he doesn't know how to voice this nameless emotion surging within his chest, so instead Neuvillette simply forces himself to smile back at Aether.
"We have a deal."
Given that Aether's taken on the responsibility of being his primary source of blood, this also means Neuvillette is responsible for taking care of his health, to ensure the best quality product. Calling it that feels so needlessly crude, but he cannot deny he enjoys watching Aether's eyes light up when he brings home a particularly appetising meal. Sometimes he'll surprise the young man with a little treat here and there - chocolates from top-tier chocolatiers, a small cake from a famous bakery - and watch as Aether's smile brightens, the only sun Neuvillette would crave to be bathed in.
They settle into this strange, but not unwelcome familiarity. While Neuvillette busies himself with work, Aether takes care of the house for him on top of his job search. When Neuvillette comes home after a long day at the office, Aether is always there to greet him - usually with a steaming mug of fragrant tea, or better yet, a fresh glass of his blood. It is a strange feeling, to not return to a silent, empty home, but instead warm words and a warmer smile, but Neuvillette finds he could certainly get used to this. Having been alone for the better part of his long life, having someone who fully understands his true nature is a blessing Neuvillette never expected to have.
They'll talk over dinner about Aether's travels, about Neuvillette's life up to this point. It's fascinating, seeing where their lives have overlapped in the past centuries, even without them having known it. It's difficult to reminisce about something that happened half a millennia ago without getting strange looks from people, but Aether's perfectly understanding, shares his own experiences in turn. Aether tells him about the countless friends he's made along the way, how sometimes he'll go back to visit their descendants just to see how they're doing. In exchange, Neuvillette tells him about the ever-shifting ways of the world he's observed, how he's had to move here and there to avoid being seen as suspicious - there's only so long one can live in one place while appearing eternally in his thirties, after all.
Without either of them realizing it, they've built quite the comfortable existence around each other, a status quo Neuvillette is extremely reluctant to give up on. But change is a part of life, and undead as he may be, Neuvillette is no exception to the rule.
"I found a job," Aether declares one night after dinner, when they're both seated on the couch, enjoying the rest of their evening.
"Oh?"
"It's for a travel agency. They wanted someone who's had experience travelling as a sales agent." Aether's enthusiasm is contagious, Neuvillette can't stop himself from smiling despite the flicker of trepidation in his chest - does this mean their current arrangement will come to an end here? "They just got back to me with the interview results and said they'd be thrilled to have me. I start next week. Isn't that great?"
"It's wonderful," Neuvillette agrees. "I have every confidence you will do well there."
He should be happier. It's a great success, to have found a job so well-suited to Aether's strengths. Deep down, however, he can't help the tug of his heartstrings, because surely this means Aether will want to move out and get his own place.
As if sensing his misgivings, Aether pauses, uncertainty flitting across his expression. "There's something else I want to ask, actually."
Neuvillette's chest squeezes tight, though he forces his face to remain carefully neutral. This is it, then. Aether will likely want his help searching for a new place to stay.
"Yes?"
Aether's eyes are darting everywhere, looking at everything but Neuvillette. It does little to help the growing dread sinking deeper into his gut, braced for rejection as he is. "I was wondering," he begins, soft and hesitant, "if you'd be willing to let me keep staying here."
Time stops in that instant, Neuvillette so stunned he can hardly believe what he's just heard. He wants to stay? Aether must take his silence for hesitation, because he's quick to raise his hands and add, "only if you're willing! I'd be happy to pay rent if you need me to-"
"No need," Neuvillette manages to get out, still reeling from the unexpected proposal. In the course of the months Aether has been here, it never once occurred to him that the other might wish to continue living together. He'd opened the cage door willingly, and the bird had not flown away, but instead chosen to settle on his shoulder. "You are more than welcome to stay, at no cost whatsoever."
Aether sputters, gold eyes wide with shock. "You're- you really don't mind? I was worried you might think it selfish, but... truth is, I really like living here with you, and I'd miss you if I moved out elsewhere. Are you sure you're really okay with me staying here?"
"Of course," Neuvillette replies instantly, without a moment's hesitation. "Your presence here has made life much more enjoyable." He hesitates, uncertain how best to word these complex feelings swirling about in his chest. "If I may be honest, I... was rather hoping you would stay."
"Oh, Neuvillette," Aether breathes, and it's the first time Neuvillette's ever heard him say his name like that. It sends butterflies racing through him, an almost giddy sense of joy filling his chest with so much warmth he could almost cry. Before he realizes it, Aether's wrapped his arms around him in a hug, and Neuvillette nearly freezes, though he does close his arms around the smaller man eventually. In his arms, Aether feels so tiny, yet so impossibly warm that Neuvillette can't bring himself to let go. It feels right, like this is how things should be.
Little by little, things change in their household of two. New decorations appear occasionally - a sunflower in a vase by the window, a little statuette of a pair of angels sitting together on the shelf. Sometimes Neuvillette comes home to the sound of Aether singing in a language he vaguely recognizes from long ago. Sometimes Aether comes home to Neuvillette fussing over the best place for the sunflowers to be, or with a new little trinket for Neuvillette, because "it reminded me of you".
With the threat of impending separation averted, they settle back into their shared life with ease, find time to do more things together. As it turns out, being an immortal with a habit for hoarding things comes in handy when it comes to finding old movies from eras gone by to watch, and they'll huddle on the couch with mugs of hot chocolate - Aether likes the taste, though Neuvillette still finds it a bit too sweet for his liking. Nothing quite compares to the taste of Aether's blood, in any case, and it's all the more apparent now that he's essentially gained access to the direct source. It's during one of these nights that Aether catches him staring just a moment too long at his nape, exposed in the oversized shirt he'd borrowed from Neuvillette.
"You know, I wouldn't mind if you bit me directly," he suggests, which nearly makes Neuvillette choke on his mouthful of hot chocolate.
"You- I'm sorry?" He's thought about it, for certain, but actually taking that step feels... ominous. Like he's crossing a line, and there's no going back from it. Aether regards him with nothing but utmost trust, one hand reaching up to touch the side of his neck. As if drawn to it by a magnetic force, Neuvillette's eyes follow suit, only dropping once he realizes what he's doing. "You... are asking me to feed off you?"
"It's not that different from drinking it from a glass, isn't it?" Aether points out. "Wouldn't it taste better fresh, in any case? I've seen the way you've been looking at me, you know. I can tell you want to."
As if in response, Neuvillette's tongue darts out to flick over his lips, wetting them nervously. "I have considered it," he begins somewhat awkwardly, attempting to disguise his own trepidation at the unexpected offer. "I simply am not used to feeding directly off of my... donors. It's very... intimate."
Aether's amber gaze is warm, with a spark of interest that Neuvillette never noticed before. "Intimate, huh?" he murmurs, almost teasingly, and Neuvillette shivers. "I can't say I mind if it's you. I trust you, and I know you'd never hurt me."
It is in moments like these that Neuvillette has to remind himself that Aether is very much not human, has lived through so much more and so much worse than anything Neuvillette could ever bring himself to do to him. Just the thought of it has his mouth watering, his fangs aching to sink themselves into the pale, milky flesh of Aether's neck. He wants to run his tongue over that skin to feel if it's as soft as it looks. Judging from Aether's muffled little laugh, some of those thoughts have clearly made themselves plain from the look on his own face.
Before he can withdraw out of shame, Aether catches hold of his hand and yanks him forward. They'd been sitting close to each other to begin with, but now Neuvillette is scant inches from the bare expanse of Aether's neck, can smell the fresh citrus of his shampoo. Underneath, his pulse races, just barely perceptible to Neuvillette's enhanced senses. Neuvillette inhales sharply, suddenly overwhelmed by the desire to taste for himself what emotions might be running through Aether's blood in that very moment.
"Go on," Aether breathes, and it is all the encouragement he needs.
Neuvillette presses a gentle kiss to Aether's neck, before he sinks his fangs into the soft, delicate flesh. Just like before, the taste of Aether's blood is nothing short of intoxicating, sweeter and richer than any human's. This time, however, Neuvillette can taste Aether's desire, a smoky aftertaste that lingers long after he swallows the first mouthful. It thrums through his veins, along with a sense of affectionate warmth that sends tingles down his spine. One sip, and Neuvillette's hopelessly hooked - nothing can compare to what it's like to taste this ambrosia straight from the source, he could spend the whole day lapping at Aether's throat if it meant getting to drink more.
Beneath him, Aether makes a quiet noise - of pain or pleasure, it's impossible to tell. His fingers tighten their grip on Neuvillette's shirt, which pulls him out of his reverie just enough to withdraw out of concern, blood still dripping down his chin. Like this, Aether looks beautiful, cheeks flushed and eyes dark with want, lips ever so slightly parted. The sight stirs something long dormant in Neuvillette, an urge he has not felt since centuries ago.
He wants to kiss Aether senseless. Instead, he asks, "did I hurt you?"
Without another word, Aether drags him down into a hungry kiss.
It feels like heaven. Like sin. Like he's drowning and Aether is the only thing keeping him afloat. Aether's lips are softer than he could have ever imagined, hands weaving themselves through Neuvillette's hair to pull him closer. He tastes like the hot chocolate he'd been drinking, and combined with the lingering aftertaste of the man's blood, it's enough to have Neuvillette addicted. Aether kisses Neuvillette like he's in love with him, and Neuvillette has never been so enthralled by such a thought until now.
By the time they part, Aether's lips are swollen, flushed a delectable rose pink. It makes Neuvillette want to kiss him again, but he refrains, instead focusing on asking a more important question, namely: "How long have you been waiting to do that?"
"For awhile," Aether responds breathlessly, staring up at him. "I just wasn't sure if you were ready."
"I certainly didn't expect it," Neuvillette admits, one hand drifting to tuck a stray lock of blond hair neatly behind Aether's ear. "It has been a long time since anyone has stirred such desires in me. You are truly special, in every sense of the word."
Aether's laugh is clear and bright as a bell - he could listen to it forever. "High praise, coming from someone who's lived for, what, several hundred years? Still," he pauses, cupping Neuvillette's cheek with one hand, "that means a lot to me. I've travelled round the world for years without really feeling the need to settle down, but you... you make me want to stay."
Neuvillette closes his eyes, comforted by the warmth of Aether's hand on his cheek. "Then stay. My home is yours, for as long as you wish."
Aether chuckles. "That's a long time to be offering such a thing, you know. What if you change your mind?"
"I won't."
A pause, before the other man utters a helpless little laugh and draws him close, arms wrapped tight around Neuvillette. "Then I'll stay," Aether murmurs, "for as long as you will have me."
For years, Neuvillette has been content with his solitary existence - to accept that he will likely never know the joy of being fully understood. Part of him feared to love, knowing that to love a mortal is to lose them to the ravages of time. Here, however, with Aether in his arms, he is finally complete, in a way he'd never even realized he could be. Neuvillette buries his head in the crook of the smaller man's neck, breathes in long and slow.
Home suddenly doesn't feel so empty anymore.