Healing isn't always easy | Eden

He looked at him as his face was cupped, and he already knew the answer when he looked at those sad eyes. Honestly he was disappointed. Not just in the situation but in himself. He had given Eden reason to doubt, and he leaned in to kiss his lips gently. Nothing crazy, just a small peck as he wanted to comfort him. "Alright," he just said against his cold lips, feeling his own heart break a little. He hated to be apart from him, hated that they were even in this situation. "I'll let you go on your own, but only if we set an agreed time by which you should be home," that was a fair enough thing to need, right? If Eden wasn't back by then, then Romeo would know to seek him out and help him, even if Eden refused, it was what he needed. "Also, set up a neutral spot for you to meet .. publicly .. that way they can't try anything to hurt you," Romeo was worried and it was so clear. he just wanted them to be safe about this whole ordeal.

Romeo was happy that Eden could agree to those terms, though he could easily sense there was still something worrying him. It was strange, because usually he almost knew what the vampyre was going to say based on his emotions, but this time around he was rather surprised. Not that he showed it, he wasn't worried and he nodded. He truly couldn't deny the vampyre what he needed. "Can we do it in the bed?" He asked, mostly because he wanted both of them to be comfortable. And not only that, he wasn't sure how much strength he would have to keep standing. Leaning in he kissed his lips, smiling as he just loved him so much. Still holding on to his shirt he pulled him with him into the bedroom, slowly starting to make out with him. It wasn't overboard or crazy, simply sampling each other's lips, making him moan softly. He was looking to get his blood pumping and being close to Eden made that happen. The faster his blood was running through him, the easier it would also be for him to rejuvenate and recover. "My husband," he murmured against his slightly heated lips, moving onto the bed, pulling him with him. "Ah .. cazzo .. bite me please." Speaking only in soft and needy tones, wanting to make this easier on both of them. He wanted Eden to know that he gladly consented to this, that he was willing to do anything and everything he could to make him strong.

"Don't tempt me like this," his breath already hasty as his hands moved up and into his hair, his fingers entangling themselves with the beautifully soft strands. He pressed himself a little closer, if that was even possible right now, opening his mouth to let their tongues meet. There was few things in life better than this. Frankly he didn't have the energy for much else than this, especially not if the vampyre was to drink from him, but this was just as good. Just as intimate. The fact that Eden was in a hurry did make him feel more relaxed. Maybe it was because he just needed him close for a little while, cementing their relationship. It was like this that he could truly feel all of the emotions that Eden felt for him. Maybe that was why he liked it so much. The vampyre sorta let loose, or at least looser than he usually was, and it made it possible for him to see deeper glimmers of the feelings they shared for one another.
He groaned softly, feeling how he was getting turned on, but he wasn't really getting firm. Sometimes that was a struggle for him. Sure, he had been lucky the few times he had been with Eden, but his struggles with eating had caused some trouble for him before. "You can feel me .. under my shirt .. carefully," he spoke, trying to catch his breath between kisses and licks. He was obviously still insecure, but the way Eden felt when he touched him like that was encouraging to say the least.

Romeo's cheeks flared up in an instant feeling just how much it seemed his husband longed for him as well. It was sort of a boost to his self-esteem which felt nice. "I'll always long for you," he admitted. Yeah, nothing could keep him from wanting him it seemed. As the hand moved up under his shirt his muscles tensed up, gritting his teeth as he felt so sensitive there, but most of it came from his head. His body just wasn't too trusting of touch in such an area where he felt self-conscious. But he trusted Eden, trusted that he wouldn't do anything without his consent. So as the hand began brushing slowly up and down he tensed up. "J-just keep it s-still," he pleaded. It felt like too much. The cold hands were incredibly nice, but he still had that mental wall he had to climb over to truly enjoy it. Though he knew Eden liked to feel him, and he liked feeling what the vampyre felt. He would be alright if he moved his hand around, as long as he held it in the same spot for a while before moving on, just letting his body know that this was safe. That he was in good hands - literally.

"You are," he sighed softly, his cheeks all flared up in red as he felt so needy for him. It was just hard to ignore the chemistry between them. They moved almost like magnets, constantly adjusting to the other's field of magnetism. He had never in his life felt anything like it, so was it really that strange that he felt a constant craving for him? Not if you asked the lycan, that was for sure. The sweet words and gentle touches made him feel like jelly beneath the vampyre. It was just so good, and yet he knew it couldn't go further than this. Not for a while at least. He felt absolutely hopeless and pained by that fact. "I love you too," he muttered against his lips, moaning softly for each touch as pleasant thrills moved down his spine.
He knew that his husband was struggling. It was so clear to see and feel. Frankly it would've been wise to just get it over with, but Romeo appreciated the time they spent just warming up to it. "It's alright," he muttered in a tender tone, running his hands up and down his back in a soothing motion. Funny how it was him who was to be bitten, and yet it was the vampyre who had to do the biting. "I want you to do this .. not because you need it, but because I need you to be strong for the both of us," he whispered, kissing his nose gently. He wasn't afraid. If anything he felt a little relieved that Eden finally accepted his need for the lycan's blood. "Ideally, we wouldn't have to do this .. but I am determined to grow stronger for you .. and we'll figure out a way .. we always do."

No it didn't make it easier, but they would have to make do for now. He felt safe with Eden, even if it could be a little scary when he wasn't really too strong yet. Part of him just wished he could heal magically over night and become strong again, but sadly that was only wishful thinking. The touches continued for a little bit before the vampyre decided where he would bite, and Romeo simply agreed, not being too picky. At least he would get to see the act, which calmed him a lot. His hand was taken and his arm held in place, yet it didn't feel forced. The apology was so sincere but Romeo just shook his head no, his free hand moving up to caress the cold cheek. "It's not too bad .. at least it might make me more sleepy," he said, wanting to stay positive. If he got some rest, then his body could more easily heal. "But before you go, could you cover me up nicely with the duvet?" A simple request, and one that his husband no doubt wanted to honor, because the more his heat stayed close to his body, the easier it was going to get healing up.
As the teeth finally pierced his skin he grit his teeth shortly before the venom spread. He felt it move slowly through him, paralyzing him and yet he was awfully aware. However he wasn't scared, he just looked at the man he loved before he had to close his eyes. The loss of blood was hard on him, especially since he was still rather weak, but he would manage. He had to manage. Because his love could not face what came next without his strength. He wished he had said something, a more encouraging thing perhaps, but it was better to just get it over with so that Eden didn't have to pain himself for longer than necessary. Romeo simply fell asleep, his body going limp as he drifted off into the unknown of his unconsciousness.

Romeo slept for a while, just recovering from the loss of blood, but he did wake up eventually, albeit rather tired. He decided to put on some warmer clothes, mostly because there would be a worker over to check on him. Seeing the note he was a bit worried as he looked at the clock. How much time had passed? And when was it that Eden had left? It all felt a little hazy to him, so he figured he would wait until after the visit to go out. Though sitting at the table, planning food and habits he felt so sick and tired of it. Impatient to go out and find Eden. He had pulled his sleeves down over the wrapping, but it must've shown as his arm moved around. The question made him frown. Yeah, he had hurt himself before but this was different. He opted to lie, just to keep Eden's secret safe. "Had an accident with a fork, and it poked through my skin," he just said. He wasn't the best liar, but he was convincing. "It wasn't too bad, but it did give my husband quite the scare," his lips pulled up in a slight smile.
Just mentioning Eden he felt worried. Looking to the clock he frowned. No, there had been too much time passed since he left for it to be just an hour. "I'm awfully sorry, but I have to meet with him out in the city .. the exercises about trying food in public are hard, but I felt brave when I got up, so he's gone out to find the perfect spot," he said. Another lie, but all the drama they had went through wasn't meant to be shared. He looked down, playing with a loose string on his sweater, "I'm just very happy to be home."

Romeo felt like them being here wasn't what he needed right now. He was far too distracted by the clock that just seemed to tick on and on, and every second he felt more and more dread building up because Eden wasn't walking through that door. They had planned two days, and it was more than enough for him to start on, humming and nodding at the suggesting of him going out to see his husband. The lady remained and he just shook his head no politely. "But thanks, it shouldn't be a far walk," he told her, not wanting to involve her if anything bad had happened.
When she had left, he picked up his phone trying to call Eden, leaving a voicemail if he didn't answer. "Babe, where are you?" He felt almost desperate to know, "I don't know how long you've been gone, but it's way more than an hour." Gods he felt so lost. He wondered if perhaps he could check the vampyre's location, hoping there was at least something he could work his way from.

Romeo of course followed the leads, all the way from the location, to the strange blood and up into the building. He was trying to be aware of everything, but honestly his body was just a bit of a mess right now. His mind feeling hazy and maybe that was why when Eden stepped out he could hardly recognize him. He stabilized himself against a wall, the blood smell hitting him and he felt scared. That was when his eyes really started to focus on his husband, and seeing the flushed cheeks and the way he was panting he could hardly believe what he saw. "E-Eden?" He asked rather carefully. It looked like him, but not really. Though as soon as their eyes would meet he knew it was him, hurrying over to him, trying to help him not collapse on the floor. "Eden .. wha-what happened?" He asked so confused that he felt his head was pounding from it all. He wasn't truly recovered from the bite earlier but it was better. "What's going on?" He pleaded, hoping that his husband had some answers. The vampyre - though maybe not a vampyre anymore - felt warm. Not quite lycan temperature, but a temperature definitely.

It felt surreal. Like something out of a lucid dream that made no sense. The hands that cupped his face felt almost unfamiliar. No stark cold, but tempered instead. He wasn't sure how he felt about it, but he knew it was Eden by looking at him. Though even that felt strange, because not only did he feel different, he also sounded different. The way he breathed with the intention of air filling his lungs. And then there was the almost silent thumping of something. He reached out, touching his husband's chest gently, and right there under his ribs was a well beating heart. It was weak, but it was there. The man he loved quickly turned things around but Romeo shook his head. Now he felt a little happy that he had stocked on more clothes, taking off his sweater and helping it on the .. former vampyre? He wasn't sure what to call him, so he opted just to say his name and title in his head. "We need to get you home .. this is too strange, my love, you have a beating heart," he said in a worried tone. Sure, a beating heart was normal for him, but for Eden it was way out of left field. He moved his hand up to touch his that was still on his face. "I don't know what's going on .. but you're not dressed for the weather .. and you're getting cold. "

That was right, he shouldn't, but he was. And while it was all a shock to Romeo, it perhaps hadn't really registered yet. Well it had, but not enough to hit him out of course. The mention of Kareema made him grit his teeth. Was this her work? Had she been doing something to fuck with them? "First priority is to get home," he just said. He had to be logical here, because Eden was clearly much beside himself. The details didn't matter as of right now. What mattered was that he was alive, and maybe eben more alive than he had ever been. Somehow Romeo managed to get a taxi, helping Eden into it and he followed.
Saying the address he moved to sit closer to the man he loved, "let me at least do my part," he muttered, wrapping an arm around him. His heat would warm him in no time. Lucky for them the drive wasn't far, and Romeo paid with a tip before getting out, helping Eden if he needed it. Sure, the lycan was still rather weak, but he was still stronger than a human on a bad day.
Up the elevator and into their apartment, he aided him into the bathroom where he filled the tub with a pleasantly warm water. Helping him undress, his hands were shaking, feeling scared and nervous about what was going on, but he somehow powered through it. Helping Eden into the bathtub he just helped him, emptying a cup where their toothbrushes were into the sink, and using the cup to get water into Eden's hair. It would warm him up slowly. The whole time he just tried to do his best in comforting the man he loved, the man he had sworn to love through it all. "Are you hurt anywhere?" He asked, quite clearly concerned and even scared, but he tried not to let it intervene with what he was doing.

If the man he loved felt weird, then it wasn't a far off remark that the lycan felt equally as weird. It was just so strange seeing how his body was reacting, being able to see his skin move and react to temperature. "Well at least you look cute with red cheeks," he said, trying to cheer things up a little, even if it was weird. Romeo still loved him, but there was just something off about it all, but that was a given, right? Who wouldn't be weirded out by their partner suddenly changing like this? Perhaps it would've been different if it had been from human to vampyre, but then again it was still quite the change. "Does the water feel nice? It's not too warm, right?" He then asked, clearly a bit concerned. He liked hot and steamy baths, and Eden had never had a problem with that fact as he had always been cold as ice. Now he felt more human, and the lycan was unsure how to go about that. He wondered if perhaps he should try and soothe him with a kiss, but the fear of Eden maybe disliking that now kept him from it. Instead he focused on taking care of him, making sure all of the gunk was washed from his hair and that his face was nice and clean. His hands moved careful, trying not to startle him or make him feel uncomfortable. "Is there anything you need?" He then asked, feeling an alarm go off in his back pocket with his phone. He pulled it out and sighed. It was time for him to eat. He dreaded that, and the fact that Eden wasn't even himself made him feel even less hungry.

He needed to think and the lycan just nodded. He felt a little tired, but that was mainly because of the fact he hadn't had too much to eat today. His body didn't really have a lot to work with. The specialists wanted him to try and eat every four hours or so, but he was scared enough of eating once or twice a day. He sighed, closing his eyes a little to rest them as he felt the steam around him. It actually felt nice just to sit there. The mention of going back to what he did remember made him hum, slowly opening his eyes. "You left our apartment .. where did you go then?" He asked, because they had to start somewhere, and for Romeo it would be easier if they just started from the beginning.