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Aaron hadn't been planning to offer himself as a blood bag tonight, partner or not. Eventually, perhaps, but things so often liked to take a turn on them all.
They had received a harried call asking for an extraction and some backup because Kevin was out for the count with an injury. So Andrew and Aaron regrouped, both having split off to cover more ground, and were around the corner in minutes.
Nicky, it seemed, had also forgotten to mention the new face hanging around them when they drew up to the scene.
Aaron only spared a momentary glance at the newcomer—long enough to catch sight of tousled auburn hair, blue eyes, and a scarred face—before he was kneeling in front of Kevin, hands reaching out and eyes automatically looking him over to see where he was hurt.
Not that the deep gash in his forearm was particularly difficult to notice. It definitely wouldn't heal on its own for a while, Aaron knew. Vampires' healing factors were good, but it wouldn't help them out of a tight spot.
"You need blood," he said, already taking off his glove and pushing his sleeve up. Only to pause when Kevin made a protesting noise.
"Unless…?" Aaron trailed off, a brow slightly ticking up. He had half a mind to glance back at Andrew to see if he had stepped forward instead. "I didn't realize you wanted to gamble."
Kevin still bore a frown. "We'll both be vulnerable."
"What do you think this is for, Day?" he scoffed, patting the strap of his crossbow holster.
Then, Aaron continued, his voice dipping low enough to betray his seriousness, "I know it's the first time I'm offering to do this, but it's either this or we take our chances to get you back home."
He kept his gaze turned away when he spoke, his fingers fidgeting with the cuff of his sleeve. He didn't know what sort of expression Kevin had now, but when a scarred hand touched his, Aaron chanced a look. It was entirely too comforting, trusting, for where they were. It made him relax, his shoulders dropping from how he had tensed them unknowingly, and when Kevin nodded, he nodded back, a short, firm motion.
Part of Aaron heard Andrew tell Nicky to clear out of the area and to take the new face with him. The rest of Aaron's attention, however, had narrowed down to the feeling of Kevin hesitantly, but carefully, taking his arm in his free hand.
There had been a sharp pinprick as Kevin's fangs sunk into his wrist. A brief tugging sensation as his blood was drawn. Then, the warmth set in. Shit, people really weren't kidding when they said how good it felt. It was intoxicating. It wouldn't be unfathomable for someone to get lost in the blissful sensation of the tidal flood of endorphins if they were ill-prepared.
He could only imagine how heady of a rush it was for Kevin. Later, he would ask and Kevin would say it was rich like aged wine, that his blood in particular had a savoriness to it, but still fundamentally Aaron.
(He would also fervently deny the way his heart seemed to skip a beat at that.)
Kevin, to his credit, had only made a soft, muffled noise and tried to pull Aaron closer, another burst of warmth lighting up his system like a fireworks show.
Aaron bit his lip and gave into the urge to gently card his hand through soft black hair. His hand was shaking a bit, a distant part of his mind noted. But he really couldn't care less. Not when the prickling evening chill that had nipped at his body earlier and the knowledge of Andrew's stoic and watchful presence some odd meters away faded to the background. All of him was attuned to the vampire kneeling before him like Kevin was his north star, and he just a wandering soul.
Aaron lost track of time after that.
He snapped back to himself when Kevin licked the puncture wounds closed—was he imagining just how slow that was?—and caught Aaron's gaze with his own when he pulled back. The only signs that pointed to him feeding were his mouth stained blood-red, and when Aaron managed to look away from Kevin's intense look, the skin of his forearm was smooth again.
Aaron was more than slightly grateful that the darkness of the evening night hid how red his ears had become. Though, that didn't do much with a vampire (let alone one who was also the object of his affections) right before him. From Andrew's gaze, then.
"Good?" he checked as he adjusted his sleeve, and stood up when Kevin confirmed.
"Let's get back, then."
The next time Kevin fed from him again was right before their dinner night a couple weeks later.
It was a quick affair. Both Kevin feeding and the dinner. Though Kevin was the only one to linger after the others bade Aaron a good night under the pretense of helping put everything away.
Aaron, of course, didn't mind the added company.
They fell into an easy rhythm like they had perfected it over time. Occasionally, whenever they had to pass by the other, Kevin lightly touched his lower back, Aaron returning the favor with a touch to his forearm. Plates and dishes were handed off and promptly picked up and tucked away again on the drying rack. It was a simple dance, each side moving harmoniously to the other's tune, but altogether soothing in its simplicity and tranquility.
When Kevin set the last glass and the hand towel aside, Aaron heard him come up from behind before feeling arms winding their way across his stomach in a hug. "Can't keep your hands to yourself," Aaron muttered, even as he relaxed in the gentle embrace.
"Can't help it," Kevin murmured, then kissed the top of his head, almost nuzzling his hair. "You look gorgeous tonight."
Aaron could feel his ears starting to grow hot, but he managed to calmly dry his hands before he turned around. Kevin's arms immediately loosened their grip at the shift in position.
Aaron gave Kevin a once-over. "You don't look too bad yourself."
Kevin chuckled, then pressed a quick kiss to his forehead. "Thanks, babe."
Aaron smirked, caught his mouth in a proper kiss, then lightly patted Kevin's chest a few times. "Stay for a bit? We can watch some TV."
They moved to the couch at Kevin's assent. He turned the TV on to some show, but they didn't pay much attention to the announcer's voice when Aaron curled up against Kevin's side, automatically resting his head on top of his shoulder and Kevin's head settling on top of his.
They laid there for a while, content to take each other in and trading kisses and light comments every now and then.
Finally, once the clock read half past ten, they were slow to pull away and sit up as the TV still quietly ran on in the background. Kevin's thumb gently brushed against his cheek one last time before he drew his hand back.
"I should go," he murmured.
Aaron's heart lurched, and he snatched at Kevin's hand—though he would later deny the haste—and pressed closer. "Stay? Instead? Just for the night."
He could feel Kevin's hesitation, no doubt wondering if he really meant it given their slow progression of things, but he softened and gave way after Aaron laced their fingers together and pressed another kiss to his lips.
"Alright," he whispered. "Just for tonight."
Kevin moved in a week later.
Living with Kevin was easy despite all of the vampire's habits. Feeding him, even easier now that he knew what to expect.
That didn't mean getting Kevin to do so was smooth sailings all of the time.
"Don't be an idiot," he interrupted with a bite to his tone.
Kevin paused, taken aback.
Aaron closed his eyes and breathed out. In all the years he knew Kevin, fed him, and loved him for most of it, the vampire could still be a right piece of work. But, he wouldn't have him any other way. A beat later, Aaron fixed Kevin with a level stare, but his tone had gentled. "If I didn't want to, I wouldn't have offered."
Kevin's gaze searched his face, looking for any hints of hesitation or exhaustion, or even for any sign that Aaron wasn't of sound mind.
Aaron let him; let his expression remain placid and for another minute to tick by before Kevin slowly nodded.
The onset of endorphins was quick as it always was. The pool of heat sloshing in his gut even quicker. Aaron's head thumped back against the cupboard, a groan spilling out from his lips, unbidden, before he cut himself off, biting his lip. He didn't think he could ever get used to this feeling. Not when each and every time, something was always just a little bit different from the last.
When he eventually dragged his gaze down and away from the ceiling, he studied the vampire before him. Kevin always looked a picture when he was feeding. But this? Kevin leaning over him, a hand at Aaron's hip, the other hand cradling his forearm as if it were worth something to cherish, all the while sporting an expression that carried the sweet hints of bliss and relief that made Aaron want to pull him in even closer; keep him there until Kevin was never left wanting again.
Kevin's eyes fluttered open, and the tenderness of his gaze that he settled upon Aaron made him swear he could feel his knees weaken if he hadn't already had the bright idea to perch on their countertop.
Aaron reached out and thumbed across his cheek, reverent. With the warm lighting of the fairy lights strung up behind him, bracketing his figure in an ethereal glow—as if he could be anything else other than a creature fated to roam the night—Aaron thought that Kevin Day was going to be the death of him. Or undeath, rather, if he chose to.
For now, though, he was content with having this.
Kevin's voice carried down the hall. "I hope you come up with something better than where we were on our last date."
Aaron grinned to himself and shot a quick text off to Andrew before he set his phone aside on the nightstand, and flopped back against the pillows. Just in time for Kevin to come back into the room with an amused curl to his pretty mouth.
"Like you take me to the most romantic of places," Aaron said pointedly.
"That was one time, Minyard. I refuse to shoulder the blame alone." Kevin walked over to the other side of the bed, Aaron's eyes following him. Then, he cast him a smug look. "Besides, you weren't complaining."
He could feel himself flushing at the reminder, and despite his best efforts in trying to pass it off, Kevin chuckled, took his hand and pressed a kiss to his knuckles before he tugged him closer to properly kiss him.
Receiving such blatant adoration always took Aaron's breath away. He still didn't think he was deserving of such unwavering devotion, even if Kevin would gladly reaffirm it until the message stuck. Because even after everything, Kevin Day never was one to do anything in halves.
As his fingers played with the short hairs at the back of his neck, he hummed happily when Kevin leaned in to kiss him again. He dared a nip on his lower lip, and caught Kevin's slow grin starting to spread just before he pulled back.
"As much as I'd like to continue, we have to be up early tomorrow, babe."
Aaron huffed. "Like the others are going to show up right on the dot."
All he got was a fond look in return before Kevin pressed a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth. Aaron felt his lips quirk up despite himself.
"Tomorrow, then," Kevin promised as he settled in on his side of the bed, book in hand.
By now, the snow was gently falling outside, a blur of white against the dark backdrop of the night sky. With a quiet click, the bedside lamp flickered to life, the only source of light in their room—and also one that accented the fine edges of Kevin's features.
Aaron pressed further against his side, burying his face in the crook of his neck. Breathed in. Out. Let the smell of his sandalwood shampoo swirl around him, filling his lungs up, until it seemed to settle something deep within him that had been unknowingly just a notch out of place.
The warm weight of Kevin's arm settling across his waist was but a silent comfort, reassuring in the way that promised many more tranquil nights like this one.
Tomorrow, they would make their way to Wymack's and Abby's early to help them prepare for the influx of people in the afternoon. But, tonight was just for them.