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Xiu would have been content to just have his forehead pressed against Lazarus in that one moment of quiet bliss but apparently the fire Sigel thought otherwise. Feeling the warmth of Lazarus’ strong fingers against his cheeks, Xiu stared in quiet surprise as Lazarus pressed in for a kiss. One on the lips this time. The white raevan flared his wings in reflex as their lips touched. It had been a long time ago since they had first...kissed like this but the feeling was the same. The tenderness, the gentleness...the subtle assertiveness on Lazarus’ part...it was all there...

It was only when the second prolonged kiss occurred that Xiu began to feel uncomfortable. The kiss this time had a certain urgency...insistency that he had not experienced before, with Lazarus’ lips locked firmly against his and the other’s hand keeping him in place. Xiu felt his body tensing as the kiss continued on for longer than was necessary. This...Lazarus was...not acting like himself! The final blow came when, steeped in his newfound passion (or was it lust?), Lazarus gently slid a hand into his robe, caressing the skin beneath with his warm fingers, touching him...

In an instant the white Sigel pulled free but not before accidentally grazing the Fire Sigel’s lips with his fangs. Staring at Lazarus in shock, Xiu could taste...blood on his lips. Red eyes snapped instantly to the Fire Sigel and Xiu watched as Lazarus gingerly touched his grazed lips, smearing that bright red blood around...

Lazarus looked shocked but the wound was not deep. It was only a superficial one and the blood would stop soon...

The blood...

Would stop...

Soon...

Slowly, as though driven by something other than mere thoughts, Xiu leaned in once more, eyes half lidded by the curious warming sensation that he was feeling now. Just...that tiny drop...had made him feel like he had swallowed liquid fire. It was as though all the heady drinks in the world had been combined into that one concentrated drop...

Xiu’s stomach growled. He had been kept close to starvation for a week and now, right in front of him, was fresh, red, blood.

The White Sigel began to close gap between them. White fingers gently brushed against those blood smeared lips as Xiu took in the scent of blood. It was drawing him in unlike that of which he had never felt before. Unlike the subtle taste of innocence which could be compared to that of a mild vanilla pudding; unlike the taste of human blood which could be likened to eating a mouthful of warm chocolate cake; Lazarus’ blood tasted of whiskey; hot fiery whiskey with all the flavours of passion thrown in. It was like having a full eight course dinner after a month on a deserted island. It was like being filled with strong ale after a gruelling hike in the snow. It was...

Pale lips pressed in against Lazarus’ warm one and Xiu gently suckled on the wound, eyes glazed with pleasure as he fed on blood that was not only not watered down but fresh from an open cut. The vitality of the liquid was invigorating and Xiu found himself licking yearningly along the wound, willing more blood to flow, purring contentedly when yet another drop of precious fluid passed through his lips.

Not enough...it was not enough...

The frantic struggling of the Fire Sigel as he sought to push Xiu away from him was beginning to irritate the White Sigel. It was already hard enough as it is to coerce those few drops of blood out of those already closing wounds but to struggle and protest like that, it was making hard for him to concentrate. Xiu gave a warning growl as he continued to cling on onto Lazarus’ lip hungrily but it was no use. Lazarus was panicking and the taste of panicked blood...was not good.

With a surge of frustration over Lazarus’ struggling, Xiu began weakening his prey; the initial intake of blood providing the stepping stone that he needed for his powers. It was not something that could be observed physically as it involved toying with the victim’s blood composition, making it unsuitable for them to fight back. Just a drop in oxygen levels here, an increase of various hormones there and you could...practically subdue anyone who was being troublesome.

And it was working too. Lazarus’ struggles were beginning to lessen and Xiu could see the confusion that raked across the Fire Sigel’s expression. Cupping Lazarus’ face, Xiu kissed the Fire Sigel’s lips one last time, tenderly, hungrily, needily... It felt good...to be the one actually calling the shots, to be the one in control.

Then as suddenly as it happened, the kiss ended and Xiu, with clawed fingers and desperate hunger, reached up and in one swift motion, tore Lazarus’ clothes away, revealing the tanned, healthy skin beneath. Red eyes glinted ravenously at the sight. Here...there would be so much more ...blood. Pressing Lazarus’ body close (despite Lazarus’ weak attempt at pulling away), Xiu began to feed...

The prey was weakening. Xiu could feel it as he slowly drained the other of his blood. The feel of the prey’s heart as it continued to pump futilely, the tensing of the muscles as their strength ebbed...It was all so exciting . Never before had he felt so alive...so strong...

A small slip of concentration occurred and before Xiu could fully comprehend what was happening he was shoved roughly back, his teeth tearing away at the flesh in which they were buried. With a pained grunt, the White Sigel felt the force of the shove slam him against a nearby table causing both the raevan and the table to be knocked over.

...

Groaning, the white Sigel slowly pulled himself up. There was something warm and limp in his mouth. Feeling nauseous, the White Sigel spat and stared in horror at the bloodied flesh that splattered onto the thick carpeting. Whose...

The sound of a pained groan could be heard close by and red eyes snapped to their location. What greeted the White Sigel was no less than a vision of nightmares. Lazarus was hurt, clutching at his shoulder where...blood was flowing freely from an open wound. Instantly the white Sigel felt sickened. That bloody flesh he had spat out, the sight of Lazarus in pain and bleeding. It did not take a rocket scientist to figure out what was the matter.

Lazarus! exclaimed Xiu with soundless horror as he hurried over. Lazarus!

Oh! How could he have let himself be taken over like this? How could he have...bitten Lazarus!

With a frantic motion Xiu shoved Lazarus’ hand away to reveal a ghastly wound. The bite so deep that it tore away the flesh revealing what Xiu realized with shocked horror was bone.

No! Stop!

The red blood, unbidden, was continuing to flow. A large pool of blood was beginning to form where the Fire Sigel lay groaning.

STOP!

The flow was slowing down but the sharp scent of iron lingered as Xiu pressed his hands against the open wound, willing the blood to stop. His rune glowed red as little by little, the flow slowed until finally, Lazarus wasn’t bleeding anymore. Pressing his face close to Lazarus’s chest as he threw his arms around the Fire Sigel, Xiu sobbed.

I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!

This was the sight that greeted the Doctor when he returned home from his cake shopping...

Xiu had been beside Lazarus the whole time that the Sigel had lain unconscious on the bed. It was terrible! What he had done. He had...hurt Lazarus! A soft sob that might have been a whimper escaped the White Sigel’s lips as he held Lazarus’ hand close. The Doctor had been horrified by the scene that greeted him when he returned home but had enough wits about his person to act swiftly. Lazarus had been promptly carried from the floor to his bed where the Doctor was already waiting with his first aid kit. The wound had needed stitching and Xiu cringed with guilt when he saw the Doctor’s expression. But Dr. Kyou had saved the questions for later as he quickly closed the wound up; not saying much until he was sure that the Fire Sigel would be safe.

After that, there was the questioning...

Xiu had sat through the whole ordeal with a bowed head. He had...lost himself, became the very monster that he had feared. He had...attacked Lazarus and... had only stopped because Lazarus had been strong enough to push him away. Since then, various horrifying outcomes had been playing on his mind. What if Lazarus hadn’t been able to push him away? What if it had been one of the Lab’s staff? What if it had been an innocent frei like LuLu or Xuelian or Vyn? Or...worse still, what if...it had been Hazeline?

Xiu’s mind reeled at the thought. No! Never Hazeline!

But deep inside, Xiu knew that...it had been only a matter of time if he had stayed with her. She had smelt of blood and he had been eyeing her. Wasn’t that the whole reason why he...moved to the Lab? He had thought that with capable people around, he would be safe from the monster in him.

Xiu stared at the pale figure of Lazarus on the bed and another stab of guilt shot through him. Even now he could smell the open wound beneath all that cotton and medication and he hated himself for it.

"Who's there...?"

Xiu blinked. Was...Lazarus conscious already? Gingerly the white Sigel reached out and clasps the Fire Sigel’s warm hand. Would Lazarus...still accept him? Would the Fire Sigel still be willing to talk to him? So many uncertainties raged within the White Sigel’s mind as he held Lazarus close but what was certain was that...if Lazarus would still have him, he would do all he can to make amends.

Xiu had expected Lazarus to be angrier but the fire Sigel had...merely looked tired...and in pain. Stone grey wings were pinned tightly against Xiu’s body as he held Lazarus’ fingers close. Xiu longed to ease Lazarus’s pain, even if it would be for a moment but the Doctor had been very clear about this. Xiu was not to use any of his blood related abilities. Not until there was a steady supply of blood to fuel his hunger. Any more attacks and the Doctor would be forced to use...extreme measures.

Xiu shuddered. He had seen the way that Dr. Kyou had easily subdued his...friend. There was a sort of seal involved and despite his strength, Lazarus had been powerless to attack the Doctor. Xiu did not want that to happen to him if he could help it.

Lazarus was giving his hand a gentle tug and Xiu found himself leaning over so that he could look into Lazarus’ face. The Firel Sigel looked calm but there was clearly something that was on his mind. Part of Xiu did not want to hear it but another part of him knew that...it was necessary. If any reconciliation was to be had, it had to start here. Before it was too late.

Red eyes watched Lazarus’ expression worriedly; looking for a clue as to what the Fire Sigel had to say.

Xiu could feel himself blushing at Lazarus’ words. It was...embarrassing to be found crying like this; especially because he was the one who had caused Lazarus to be in bed with an injury. And Lazarus was being so nice about it too. The Fire Sigel’s tone was not accusing and, if anything, Lazarus was concerned about him instead.

But Xiu had thought those thoughts too soon as Lazarus’ next question demanded that he make amends for the bite. Xiu flicked his wings worriedly. It was true though. He had attacked most of the lab staff but somehow the thought of biting into Zeke just...couldn’t be done. Not without a couple of neon lights at least. Zeke just did not seem...biteable in a normal setting...

Lazarus must have seen the distress in Xiu’s face as he quickly changed the subject by asking Xiu how he had tasted. This, is possible, made Xiu blushed even deeper before giving Lazarus a small nod. Yes...Lazarus had tasted good. Drinking his blood was like drinking liquid fire and the after effects of it...

Just thinking about it made Xiu...

No!

Grasping Lazarus’ hand, Xiu shook his head. He would not bite Lazarus despite how good the other tasted. It was...morally wrong and it made Lazarus look so...tired. Red eyes took in the fire sigel’s weakened features. It was obvious from Lazarus’ expression that he was hurting badly. If...it were possible to return all that he had taken...Xiu would, in an instant but this was not to be so. Gently stroking Lazarus’ forehead, Xiu rested his head on Lazarus’ good shoulder. It was good...this feeling...

In the current state that he was in, Xiu did not need a second prompting at Lazarus’ invitation. To the white Sigel’s mind, this was more than just a body contact. This was...

Trust

Despite all that had happened, Lazarus was still placing his trust on him and it would be in bad light if he were to decline on such weak grounds as behaviour and conduct. True, those things were important for the everyday functioning of the world but like the countless fel essences that Dr. Kyou kept stored away for the core of future raevans, the world needed some deviations from the norm once in a while.

Slowly and carefully (lest his hurt Lazarus even more) Xiu positioned himself beside Lazarus on the narrow bed. This was a first for the Sigel and Xiu was uncertain of what should be done next. He hadn’t had much body contact with anyone as a frei and the feeling of having someone this close to him was a new experience. It was true that there were hugs and hand shakings but those were merely formalities. This was...different...

Gingerly Xiu placed his head upon Lazarus’ shoulder once more. From this distance, the warm and slightly smoky smell of the firey Sigel was comforting. It brought to mind pictures of warm hearths and rustic rooms, things Xiu himself had never experienced but had read about in books. Folding his grey wings carefully behind him, Xiu stared at the Sigel whom he loved and yet had attacked in a violent display of bloodlust.

Raising his fingers gently over Lazarus’ wounds, Xiu closed his eyes. An image not unlike that of an enlarged map made of blood vessels came to mind. There were flows and swirls and changes of energy as Lazarus breathed; the very energy that he fed off. A form of...life energy that the blood he had so lusted after carried.

But there were disruptions to its flow. Here and there the patterns would be blocked, diverted and in some cases piled like mountains of rubble, impeding the flow of even more energy. Xiu frowned. This should never be. In his mind, there was a clear picture of how each and every line of energy should flow within the body.

Xiu’s rune glowed softly as the white Sigel traced over the wound in Lazarus’ shoulder. Where he could, he connected the flow, made the blood run again, lessen the pain caused by the disrupted flow.

Unlike all those previous times where he had merely willed a haphazard disruption to the flow in order to cause pain or to impede one’s movement, this required delicate concentration. There were parts where the flow had stopped completely and Xiu had to be content with that but where he could help...

Just a little more...

The white sigel’s head dropped gently against Lazarus’ shoulder as overcome with fatigue, Xiu had exhausted himself. A steady breathing from the white Sigel indicated that he was merely asleep; having not taken into consideration his own limitations.