Work Text:
The taste of blood isn't new for Legundo.
His own blood, the blood of others. Blood deep in the trenches of his enemies, blood burst from the wounds of his patients. The taste is not welcome, but it was not new.
Blood from a kiss, however, is. Who knew, this late in life, he would still find new experiences? A kiss from a vampire, just after he drank from Legundo.
What an odd path the fates have put him upon. The doctor can still feel his blood pulsing just beneath thin scabs upon his neck, skin warm from Owen's breath, his tongue, his lips. Dazed and drunk from the experience, when Owen pulled away and the doctor saw the hungry glint in his predator's gaze, he couldn't hold back.
And now, here Legundo is, kissing Owen. He expected more fight, to be honest. But Owen seems just as surprised as he feels, mouth slack for just a moment before reciprocating. It's a gentle response, and a little bit awkward. Makes sense, given his history. Legundo only draws closer, falls deeper into the buzz. A thrill, like dodging artillery, tasting death on his lips.
A part of him wishes he could live in this moment forever. Forget the town, forget the coven, forget all of his past that brought him here, and just be his. His drink, his lover, his kiss. To feel rough, cracked lips on his and blood between his teeth, lurching towards the warmth a living body offers. Where only the forest sees their weakness, their desire.
But all good things come to an end. Eventually, though time has long since faded, his lungs ache for air, and Legundo is forced to pull away. Surprisingly, he's not the only one gasping for breath. That hungry glint in Owen's gaze has morphed, jaw slack and eyes searching to the point he almost looks…puppy-like? Hell, even his fangs, peeking out from parted lips, looked more like a kitten than a killer.
"That was…"
"Unexpected?" Legundo finishes, eyebrows raised. Perhaps it's the blood loss, or something in Owen's bite, but he's become enraptured in Owen. Unfortunately for the vampire, and whatever the intent is, Legundo's fixation is on more than just Owen himself.
Taking the chance, while Owen was disarmed, the doctor steps closer. The vampire takes notice, but doesn't back away. His posture speaks of confidence, but his words stutter from his lips. "Don't- don't think that kiss meant anything more-"
He doesn't get to finish his sentence. Scientific curiosity, mixed with an addled mind, drives Legundo to do the unthinkable. But when else, with who else, would he get the chance? He put his life between Owen's teeth, why not his fingers as well?
An indignant protest grumbles from his vampire, but when Owen tries to pull away, his resistance falters as Legundo holds firm, thumb pushing chapped lips wider. Allowing him to see the mark of the beast, the twin pairs of fangs where canines should be. Fascination replaces fear, and Legundo leans closer, just to get a better perspective.
The hiss from Owen was expected, but certainly not a threat. Legundo was gambling here, pushing their trust in one another to the extreme. Legundo holding a vampire by their teeth, and Owen close enough to tear the doctor apart. But it's a bet worth taking, for the knowledge he gains.
"Hush you, I'm not gonna do anything." He scolds, earning another rumble from the lumberjack. "I'm just curious."
"Di'n't ya 'arents wa'n ya a'out ku'iosity?" It's almost comical, hearing the fearsome creature of the night left to babble between Legundo's fingers. But his thirst for knowledge was stronger than Owen's thirst for violence.
Ignoring Owen's words, and the color growing on both men's cheeks, Legundo continues his examination. "Curved, possibly to maximize force upon breaking skin, but sharp enough to keep from tearing."
Just enough pressure, and Owen tilts his head back further. Like a good patient. A closer look, and Legundo notices pinprick sized gaps at the apex of his fangs. Too small to be where blood is siphoned, but too deep to be any sort of mistake or cavity. Venom? Would make sense, if disturbing to consider. What has it done to Legundo's body? Did Owen knowingly use the venom on him?
"So you break the skin and vein, then lap up the blood…" Would make sense, Legundo can't think of any other form of drinking for a mammalian. But he's a doctor, not a zoologist. It seems Owen's patience has run thin, the low growl getting stronger and teeth bared sharper. Legundo has pushed his luck far enough.
Retreating, his thumb brushes along Owen's lip, applying a pressure he doesn't quite notice, but forces Owen to tip his head. Their gazes meet. Heat and hunger burns hot in the vampire's gaze, but its different this time. A different kind, heady and hazy rather than sharp as a predator. When Legundo tries to speak, his voice is low and gravelly. "Thank you…for trusting me."
"It seems we both got what we desired… and then some." The blush on his cheeks was brighter than before, neither willing to mention the kiss in between each moment of trust. Something beyond trust, something they're not quite willing to name. Something that makes Legundo's aged heart beat like he's in the middle of a battle, his mind spin like he's three meads deep, and his lips ache like they've been burned off.
The taste of blood wasn't new to Legundo, but these feelings are.