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Hunger was thankfully no longer a major issue for Astarion. He's learned, over the years, what his limits were. However, sometimes it wasn't a pang of famished need that struck him, more of an odd craving. Some people just tasted better than others. And currently, he was after something simple yet complex. Gone were his days of prowling bars and clubs for a taste of youthful decadence. His palate had grown refined. Nowadays he craved the rich comforts of a decent life fuelled by good food and usually a good book. Ironically, to find such a snack, Astarion was going to have to go to the mall.
Dressing rather nicely, too nicely really - he knew how to draw the attention he wanted - he set off to the mall. His car was in the garage, the door automatic so he could drive out in the sunshine and not burn. Beautiful thing, tinted windows, an excellent invention. He could get from his home to the mall's underground parking without a hitch and take the lift to the shopping area with not a lick of sunlight to touch his skin. Prowling through the main area, he contemplated just what flavour he truly wanted. Something refined, aged but not old, perhaps, if he had to put it in human terms, Astarion was after the hand-fed, organic wagyu beef of mankind.
One shop was more likely than most to have what he wanted. A slightly more upmarket clothes shop that offered the most awful outfits known to humanity. It catered to a fascinating demographic of those who had a smidge more cash than those balancing along the poverty line but not well-off enough to be able to afford anything better than mall clothes. Sure enough, there, among the knee high display tables stood the perfect specimen, a deliciously plump morsel picking out the most hideous items of clothing, likely for some terribly boring holiday. Perfect.
"Oh dear, no…no, no,no. Why are you picking that up? No, put that back right this instant," he called as he walked over, working hard to hide his delight at how confused the man looked.
"Pardon?"
The man smelled of the musty, cloying scent of used books, a hollow scent echoed through him so reminiscent of a church yet it didn't sting Astarion's delicate nose. Probably the library then, just as cavernous but much much less holy. He was everything Astarion was craving.
"Trust me, darling. That is a big mistake. With your colouring? It's going to wash out that gorgeous skin of yours." Clicking his tongue, he gave the man a long, lustful look. Yes, he was ideal. He stepped in closer and scooped up the clothes in the man's arms, leaving him flustered and confused. That was going to leave a delicious fizz to his blood and Astarion had to work hard not to lean in for a nibble then and there. "You really have no idea what you're doing, do you?"
"I'm sorry, do you work here? I don't understand."
This man couldn't get any better. Astarion simply laughed and casually tossed the clothes back onto the display without a care for where they actually came from. He presented his hand for a kiss and internally snickered at the awkward handshake attempt he got instead.
"My name's Astarion. But you can call me the virtuous hero that saved you from whatever event those were for."
"I'm going on holiday. I need something appropriate for the hot climate. Oh, and Gale. I mean, my name is Gale Dekarios. It's nice to meet you Astarion…"
"Ancunín, the pleasure is all mine, darling." The man was going on holiday so nobody was going to miss him for a little while yet, if at all. Honestly, the man all but screamed 'lonely' which was as good as begging Astarion to have him as a snack. "Come with me, dear, we'll get you fixed up nicely."
The cover of altruism never failed. Sure, the shop Astarion was leading Gale to did sell better clothes but they also had better changing rooms. And by 'better clothes' Astarion wasn't thinking about quality or Gale's comfort. No, they sold clothes that were going to make Gale look divine in Astarion's eyes and make biting him so much easier. But Astarion didn't stop having fun on the way to said shop. At the escalator, he made Gale brush past him and revelled in the flustered blush. Standing closer than socially acceptable meant he got to enjoy the budding richness of his blood as it rushed to his cheeks. And, if his nose is to be believed, lower south too. Then Gale had to find his backbone and teased right back, goading Astarion to prove his talents in finding the right outfits for people and suddenly his meal has gone from mouthwateringly promising to unmissable. Astarion needed him and needed him instantly.
Sweeping into the shop, Astarion made a beeline for what he wanted to see Gale in. Shorts that put his thighs on display and a skimpy vest-top that exposed his arms, shoulders and neck perfectly. Quivering with excitement, Astarion pushed clothes into Gale's arms. When the man tried to pick out a size too big, he was quick to put a stop to that, relished in touching the man's warm wrist that was so full of delicious life. He was a feast for all sense and Astarion was positively starving. Rather than ruin the fun of the chase and bite him then and there, Astarion gently bullied Gale into the changing rooms.
The wait was taking an age. Judging by the sounds, Gale had tried on the outfit and was planning on not showing off Astarion's hard work. That just wasn't fair.
"You sure are taking your time to reveal the look, darling."
Hearing the thudding of Gale's heart was gratifying but also frustrating. Astarion wanted to bare his fangs and sink them into his meal already.
"You want me to go out there?"
Might as well prod him into the invitation. Astarion held his smug grin in check as he replied, "Would you prefer I come inside?"
"I, um. Hold on."
The sweet, precious man that Gale was, he audibly rushed to put the outfit back on before stepping out. Or rather, he tried to but Astarion had artfully draped himself against the frame, eyes dark with anticipation. It was laughably easy to step into the cubicle, crowding against Gale with dark eyes. The door swung shut behind Astarion. Finally, they were alone together at last. Even better, Gale was already half hard from just this. Getting as close as possible, Astarion tried to catch Gale's eyes but the man had gone all shy and dipped his head. Endearing, if a little frustrating but it wasn't something Astarion couldn't work with. Before he could hook a finger under Gale's chin, the man turned away and faced the mirror. Fuck. Astarion had no reflection and he didn't miss the way Gale's eyes widened a little when he searched for him. But rather than pale and quiver in fright, a dark smile creased Gale's eyes.
"Finally."
Alarm bells rang in Astarion's mind. He glanced at the bench in the changing room. Barely hidden under the pile of clothes was a wooden stake. The smell of old book and hollow, hallowed space was the library, Astarion was certain of that but now he knew exactly which area of it Gale had been in - the restricted section in the basement. He hadn't found himself the perfect snack, he'd walked into a trap.
Trying to play innocent, Astarion widened his eyes and stepped back, the door was hard against him.
"Darling?"
"Do you know how long I've been hunting you? The number of hours and days I've wasted in this mall, wearing awful outfits and picking out even worse ones? You have quite the reputation."
Oh dear. Astarion internally winced and chided himself for getting complacent, maybe even a little greedy. It was just his luck to catch the attention of a hunter. Fuck, bugger and all the other expletives his panicked brain wasn't capable of conjuring up.
"I'm sure we can come to some kind of agreement," he simpered, ready to offer anything. Opposite him, Gale smiled.
"That's quite what I was hoping for too."
"Oh! Phew! I am so glad to hear that. Tell me, darling, what did you have in mind?"
The lips against his were a little shy but demanding nonetheless. Astarion melted into it, let himself be kissed senseless, in fact, he would have gone as far as saying that he was near enough devoured by the kiss.
Pulling back, Gale's eyes were dark, his cock hard where it pressed against Astarion's thigh.
"Continue as you usually would. You've got some phenomenal reviews from your 'victims' if you must know."
On one hand, that was hot as fuck and Astarion was glad to do as planned. On the other hand he was ecstatic that he seemingly had fans from previous encounters. Enough so that it garnered the attention of someone as sexy as Gale. He surged forward to kiss him again, fangs sharp against a plump lower lip. He moaned and sucked noisily at the beads of blood that welled up.
From outside, a voice piped up.
"I think someone's eating in there!"
Pulling apart, Astarion watched as Gale panted, eyes closed and swaying in to kiss again before processing what was just said. Eyes meeting, they snickered. Leaning in, breath soft against his ear, Astarion whispered, "Gale, let's go back to my place."
To his unending delight, Gale nodded, voice low and strained.
"Yes, yes let's."
He grabbed the clothes from the side and the stake clattered to the ground. Only, now that Astarion looked again, it was no stake at all, just the shoulder of an old clothes hanger. A small giggled worked its way out of his throat. This was going to be a feast to remember.