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“Sir,” Al Haitham said, placing the tray at Kaveh’s desk. “your tea.” He took the black kettle and poured piping hot tea into the teacup.
“Thank you, Al Haitham,” Kaveh said, blowing on the tea before taking a sip. “I have a request for you.” Al Haitham’s shoulders tensed, but he nodded nonetheless. “I have ordered blood bags from Amsterdam. I would like for you to retrieve them for me. There will be a delivery this evening, please see to them and make sure it has not been intercepted. Will you do that for me?”
Al Haitham stepped back. A hand traveled to his heart, clutching the fabric of his top. Blood bags? Kaveh hasn’t used blood bags since he agreed to be Kaveh’s source of nutrition. Was it true that vampires were so cruel? How could Kaveh replace him so suddenly?
“..Sir…” he said, his voice shaking. “Do you no longer need my service? Am I not enough?”
Kaveh winced. He knew Al Haitham would feel hurt.
“I…” the vampire began. “I cannot bring myself to drink from you again. Not after what happened last week.”
***
“Sir, please,” Al Haitham begged, trying to pull away. “I believe that is enough!” Kaveh held Al Haitham closer, drinking out of his neck. He snaked his arm around Al Haitham’s waist, using his free hand to hold Al Haitham’s head. Al Haitham’s grip on Kaveh tightened as he trembled. He opened his mouth to speak, but he felt his vision blur. Kaveh only let go when he felt Al Haitham go limp in his arms.
“Al Haitham? Al Haitham?” He shook his servant to no avail. “Oh no. Oh, no no no no no..what have I done?! What have I done?!”
He placed Al Haitham in his bed, watching his pale, sickly face. Even in faint, Al Haitham was as lovely and delicate as a rose in bloom. Kaveh traced his face with his hand, running his fingers along Al Haitham’s hollowed cheeks.
“My dear…I am so sorry. My dove…” He took his handkerchief and dabbed away at the tears in his eyes. “I cannot drink from you again. I never will. I cannot do this to you once more.”
***
“Kaveh,” Al Haitham called, gazing at him with fondness. “Please do not be so worried. I am alive and well, and you were starving.”
“No!” Kaveh exclaimed, eliciting a slight gasp from Al Haitham. Kaveh cleared his throat. “No. I cannot. Please, Al Haitham…I cannot. I cannot hurt you again.”
“Sir-”
“I CANNOT!!” Kaveh’s eyes welled with tears.
“Sir…you do know that I know you would never hurt me, right? You may be a vampire, but you are no cruel being. You protect me in a way that no one ever has. I feel safe with you; even when you drink from me. Allow me to be of your assistance, Kaveh.”
Kaveh stared at Al Haitham. “..Do you really trust me that much?” Al Haitham smiled softly in response.
“Yes, Kaveh, I do.” He came closer to Kaveh, wrapping his arms around him and burying his head into Kaveh’s chest. The vampire held him close, pressing a kiss to his hair, making sure his fangs didn’t make an appearance where it was unnecessary.
“My dove, you are too kind. I love you so…” Kaveh whispered, almost reverent. Al Haitham chuckled.
“Your tea is getting cold.”