No one had looked at an obligate predator's fangs the size of a man's thumb and called them adorable, until Emmrich, anyway. Hugh's face momentarily lost its blissed out expression, replaced with a look of being completely caught off guard. That shouldn't have surprised him; Emmrich had always been uniquely accepting of Hugh's situation, but Hugh was still getting used to it. Being looked at the way Emmrich did—cherished, cared for.
Then Emmrich was practically collapsed on top of him, and Hugh canted his head in another moan. It was strange how the first feeling that came to mind then was, of all things, safe. Hugh's hand moved from Emmrich's thigh to around his shoulders, craving and chasing that sensation. He wanted to keep feeling safe with Emmrich's slender body draped over his own.
"Emmrich, I'm—" Hugh's voice broke in a stuttering mess as he spilled inside the older man with a weak thrust of his hips and shuddering in hale that made his chest feel like it was flooded with ice water. He wanted his lover closer and drew him in, head trying to rise off the pillow with fangs coming dangerously close to the other's shoulder. "Emmrich, Emmrich— can I...?"
To be held in this moment was utter bliss. Hugh paid attention to what Emmrich needed, and here he was, getting all of it. He pressed his temple to Hugh's as the man stiffened and finished inside him. Before he could relax, though, came the question he had known would come before long.
"Of course," Emmrich said without hesitation. His earlier request about where was still something he wanted, but at the same time Hugh would have to stop holding him to comply, so he was torn. "Of course. You're so good for me, so good to me, so of course. But if, only if you want, could you bite somewhere erogenous? I want to feel that. But you can do that another time if you're weary now."
There. A reasonable compromise, and Emmrich stroked his fingers gently through Hugh's hair to emphasize how comfortable he was with all of this.
The sounds of both their hearts racing to the same thundering beat flooded Hugh's head, and for a moment, it was all he could hear. Blood rushed from his head along with what little energy he had left until Hugh was near delirious with bliss. Blunted nails scraped down Emmrich's back as they settled against one another.
Of course, Emmrich said. So readily and without a note of fear. Hugh's heart stuttered in his chest as a physical, jerking reminder of what falling in love was like. Hugh opened his mouth, the barest hint of fang brushing on Emmrich's shoulder — when Emmrich spoke again.
There was something that Hugh called, rather crudely, a post-nut clarity after even the most vigorous round of sex that tended to hit him with the force of a warhammer.
"What?" Hugh asked, craning his head back to look at Emmrich fully, brow arched. He thinks Emmrich said that word before, but at the time, Hugh had been too hard to really think of pay much attention. "Sorry, bite you...where, exactly?"
He felt the brace of Hugh's teeth on his shoulder and took a breath, forcing himself to relax, until Hugh pulled back. Emmrich blinked. He'd rather hoped to be surprised, but at least Hugh was considering his request.
"Over the hip, perhaps? Somewhere on my low abdomen that's not going to risk hitting anything important? Low on my pectoral muscle would also work." There were other places he loved to be touched, but most were very close to major arteries or veins. Those should be avoided, even with Hugh's near-magical ability to stop the bleeding.
"Somewhere you've traced your fingers and seen me shiver," he continued. There. Options. Possibility. They were right back to the thrill of potential, now.
Emmrich pulled back at the questions and statement, raising an eyebrow at Hugh.
"I said very clearly nowhere that would hit something important," he said slowly, sternly. "Over the hip, for instance," Emmrich continued, tracing where the femoral artery very much wasn't, "or low where, again, there's no danger." The tracing continued before he sat up, pulling away the rest of the way.
"I am an expert with anatomy, as has come up before. But if you must doubt me and treat me as a fool, then bite the normal spot and be done with it when you've had your fill." The mood was ruined, and he felt rather insulted.
"Had your fill—? Don't talk about the fact I need to bleed someone I care about as though I'm some unruly dog who needs a bone thrown to keep him in line!" The fangs on Hugh were extending past the bicuspids now, the way they did when he snarled at Myrna when she interrupted them. There was no masking the frustration in his voice, or the pain.
Softened and mutually finding the mood ruined, Hugh turned on his side and away from Emmrich.
"I'm not treating you like a fool, I have to be careful with these things. Do you have any idea how easy it is for one slip-up to happen? The damage I could do if I'm not careful?"
"I assumed you were competent, and you chose to do the opposite for me," Emmrich replied, voice still cold. This wasn't the first time Hugh had treated him like he knew nothing, and while with the Blight there was some reason for it, this was entirely different. If Hugh couldn't, didn't respect him, they had a massive issue beyond Hugh's constant projection of himself as a dog.
"And 'had your fill' has only, in my experience, been used to refer to people consuming something. I'm not the one who keeps visualizing you as a dog, unruly or otherwise. I do not know why you continuously insist on putting yourself down, but I have not taken part. Not once."
Emmrich got up when Hugh turned away. He headed for his small bathroom, leaving the door open as he cleaned himself up. Once finished he dampened another cloth, brought it out, and held it out for Hugh. Every step ached and he forced himself to ignore it. There was a day to get going, after all, and right now he was too hurt to dwell on something that otherwise would bring him joy.
"I am an expert in a few things, and very aware of how easily you could injure me seriously. I have extended faith on this front toward you. I ask that you return the favor in the future."
"That's me, incompetent and inconsiderate." Hugh knew he was kicking out because he felt hurt, but that wasn't Emmrich's fault; the man didn't deserve to walk on eggshells around him. The problem was that Hugh never could stop himself when he got on the defensive.
By the time Emmrich had left the bed, Hugh had turned on his side and emotionally withdrew, stewing in how he felt slighted while full-well knowing he was not the wounded party, not to this self-pitying degree. When the weight on the bed shifted as Emmrich returned, Hugh initially buried his head in the pillow.
"It's hard," Hugh whispered as he started to turn if just to grab the washcloth. "The last thing I want is to hurt you, and my control isn't perfect. I'm sorry."
"Then say that in the future rather than acting like I just asked you to rip my throat out." Washcloth handed off, Emmrich pulled out clothing for the day and started to get dressed. It was the full outfit today, because it felt almost like there was a war ahead... as if there hadn't already been a battle this morning. It made what was to come feel less promising.
His life now felt like a mix of unprecedented highs combined with devastating lows. He didn't want Hugh to leave, didn't want to lose him, and yet he had to wonder how long Hugh would stay. The only way he wanted Hugh to be like a dog was the way they were supposed to be loyal, but then again the Wardens had come first. Loyalty might backfire on Emmrich.
He finished dressing, pulling on his glove with a heavy, tired sigh. He was old. He felt it more now than ever. No matter how much he loved Hugh, he wasn't sure that it was going to be enough, not if the man couldn't even trust him with his own bodily autonomy.
Beyond a mumbled thanks, Hugh kept his mouth decidedly shut once he took the washcloth and sat back up. At this point, he knew if he argued back, things would be said that couldn't be taken back. His temper was well-known in the Warden's, but it wasn't anything Emmrich signed on for. He would keep a civil tongue in his head as much as he was able.
Maybe Hugh was simply being stubborn, or perhaps he worried that the boy who was barely holding on right now would wake up like him. Already uncertain of his future with the taint of the Blight in his blood, but straddled with this aggression that gnawed at Hugh like something caged and terrible. He didn't know what it was like to be a mage, but he doubted magic was anything like constantly something in constant need of being minded and stamped down. Would Hugh have to stay on and teach Akil how to handle vampirism if it came to that? Part of him hoped, selfishly, that Akil would need his presence so he could stay with Emmrich.
Hugh watched Emmrich dress in silence until he couldn't stand it anymore. Cautiously, Hugh rose from the bed and walked over to the older man.
"I'm sorry, really," Hugh began as he came up behind Emmrich and let his head fall against Emmrich's shoulder. Naked to Emmrich's dressed, he was warmed somewhat from bare skin pressed against fabric. "I feel as if I don't know what I'm doing half the time."
Emmrich reached behind himself to hold Hugh loosely around the waist and leaned back against him. He sighed.
"It is... complicated." His voice was gentle. "I've never been in a relationship with someone whose Order was as secretive and restrictive as my own, and yours seems to be even more so. There's politics at play as well. I've navigated Nevarran politics for decades, starting from the inside, and I do have some allies and friends." Not many close friends, that would just be Myrna and Vorgoth, but plenty of people were at least friendly with him and vice-versa.
"This can work, but I need you to have faith in me, my knowledge, and my abilities, as I have in you. Not to belabor the point. We simply need to be on the same page as more join the situation. I expect Miss Lutare to arrive shortly, and if my former student's duties allow he'll be here as well. We also expect the Wardens soon." The Wardens he's going to have to hide any feelings toward Hugh in front of, possibly the greatest challenge he's ever faced. "The whole of the situation is no longer in our hands. We can only do our best."
There was a tension Hugh hadn't realized he had been holding until Emmrich touched him. It wasn't the full embrace he craved, but it was contact. Hugh relaxed at the touch, comforted to know he hadn't yet driven away the only person he had truly gotten close to since his Joining. Maybe he was feeling a little melodramatic over a misunderstanding, but it was hard not to be when Emmrich truly was one of the only good things in his life.
"Complicated certainly describes things," Hugh huffed into Emmrich's shoulder. He didn't want to follow up by pointing out that this was also his first serious relationship at and instead focused on the real issue. "There's so much about the Wardens I can't tell you, and a lot of it is because I'm not high-ranking enough to know myself. It'll be difficult and there will be times I need to speak with the Wardens without the Watch present."
He ran his hand up Emmrich's side, not wanting to let go yet.
"At least what I can tell you is the Wardens have been vying for a foothold in Nevarra for a while now, and that will grant Akil certain privileges — he might not even have to leave Nevarra unless there's business in Weisshaupt."
Hugh couldn't promise anything, but what he did know was that the Wardens were as political as any large organization, which meant agendas. He had never been blind to that fact and wanted to tell Emmrich as much as he could.
"As for the rest, I'll...I'll try. For you. For us." He stepped away, still looking a little dispirited. "I should get dressed."
Emmrich caught Hugh's hand as he pulled away and brought it up for a kiss. "Get dressed, my beloved. Then we'll have breakfast. Challenges are always easier to face with food and company."
Friendly company, at least. Nevarra knew full well that the Wardens wanted a foothold there. It carried a risk, an armed force inside one's borders that weren't beholden to their rules, that could claim any time was a Blight and force recruitment, and that was primarily Fereldan and Orlesian. As Nevarra's ties were deeper with Tevinter than either of the other two at this point, it made the mages in charge of Nevarra nervous. That, and the fact that it was mages running the country at this point. They didn't want an Exalted March declared.
But there were other things to worry about too. Akil, for one. And if they wound up with more Darkspawn, then the citizens of Nevarra needed protection.
"A small fortress in Nevarra might be negotiable. It might require some checks and balances, but it's possible." Cost and risk could be weighed privately, among mages.
Emmrich began fixing the chains of his outfit in place before stopping. "Did you need to feed? I'm sorry. It slipped my mind."
When Emmrich kissed his hand, Hugh blushed and smiled with a bashful expression. Emmrich was a true romantic, and even the smallest of gestures made Hugh's heart lurch. He didn't want to give this man up for anything.
"Oh, I don't want to think what might happen if I leave this apartment on an empty stomach." Hugh was a lot of things — stubborn to a fault, apparently rather naive on relationships, but most importantly, a terror when hungry. He privately hoped Akil ate like a bird and wouldn't inherit the grumbling, larder-clearing appetite and associated attitude most Wardens did.
Hugh gathered his clothes and dressed with military quickness and efficiency. He wasn't giving Emmrich the cold shoulder; he really did just throw on his fatigues that quickly.
"It's not as though we'll plan on putting up a castle fortress overnight — we're many things, but even the First Warden isn't that ambitious. Nevarra's likely going to be dealing with a lot of visits to court, and the Watch might be guiding Warden mages to lower levels of the Necropolis." Hugh then risked it with a waggle to his brow before adding, "Plus, if any fortresses are going up in Nevarra, I'd want it to be small. Cozy with plenty of privacy for visits."
Then Emmrich asked him about blood, and a hungry look had crossed Hugh's expression like a shadow. His gaze flickered from Emmrich's neck, wrist, and anywhere else he could think of as a point to sink his teeth into.
"Well, maybe," His mouth was definitely watering. "Only, I guess my chance to bite somewhere egregious has passed."
Once Hugh was dressed Emmrich pulled the bedroom bell for breakfast to be delivered, having no doubt that Hugh leaving hungry would indeed be a disaster.
"Mm. I sincerely doubt Warden mages will be invited to view the lower levels of the Necropolis. Those are for the Watchers only. They will not understand the risks, nor the way it moves and shifts; it's unsafe in the extreme." That should be out there so it's not accidentally floated by Hugh as a possibility. Mages the world over wanted to delve into the depths, and were one and all refused.
"Akil would be the exception as he's familiar with the currents and rituals needed to survive the depths. But they aren't something that can simply be taught. They must be felt and lived within, and obviously housing a Warden group in the Necropolis would not be an option." Emmrich looked at Hugh with a smile that was a little hopeful. "A single Warden, however, who then they don't need to worry about feeding in any of the ways..."
The trailing off was deliberate, especially as Hugh's expression turned hungry. At the word mistake Emmrich raised an eyebrow.
"No. No, I believe that was precisely your objection, that you did not want to bite somewhere egregious." He removed his vest again, placing it carefully on the back of his armchair, before reopening the collar of his shirt and pulling the fabric off enough to bare his left shoulder where Hugh had previously bitten. "Behave yourself today and your chance of biting somewhere erogenous could return. But for now, here, love."
He held his right arm out for Hugh, inviting the man to come in close and be held while he fed.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," Hugh shrugged. "We aren't exactly clambering to go down that deep, and we'd only want to if somewhere up our alley was down there. Which would be a problem for everyone, really. Likely, Akil will have to get other Watchers to assist him in doing his job as both Watcher and Warden with us strictly as backup."
Hugh wasn't perturbed about his woeful lack of knowledge of anything concerning the Watch or the Necropolis. He wasn't altogether incurious, but he could go his whole life without being intimately familiar with anything subterranian. Emmrich was the only thing this far down beneath the earth that he was concerned with being intimately familiar with.
At Emmrich's gentle chiding, Hugh fought the urge to huff and roll his eyes. He thought the mistake in wording was funny, but right now, he knew not to push his luck. Especially not when he was practically salivating.
"Behave is a tall order when you stand there looking like that," Was all the warning Emmrich got before Hugh was on him. He wasn't rough, but Hugh was quick and insistent in how he drew Emmrich into his arms and pulled him close. As always, Hugh kissed Emmrich's shoulder first. However, feeling a bit bold, Hugh made sure to grab at Emmrich's arse just as the fangs pierced flesh.
It was a relief Hugh didn't push on the matter. Emmrich couldn't imagine the Necropolis being flexible on it, not with the dangers involved or the secrets lurking there, and if Hugh's mention of it had meant the Wardens had a dedicated interest, that could have boded poorly for the future. Very poorly.
And Emmrich was more than happy to move on from that particular topic and relax into Hugh's powerful hold. The kiss got a quiet, happy noise from him that turned into a moan as his ass was grabbed and his hips instinctively jerked forward. The bite stung as always, but it was easy to ignore.
"You do find behaving challenging, don't you," he teased warmly. His own hands deliberately moved up Hugh's back because they needed to eat breakfast and meet with whomever had arrived, and if he started grabbing Hugh's ass they weren't going to be leaving here for at least another hour. That didn't keep him from being fully pressed to his love as much as possible, though.
"Perhaps I should teach you by example later," Emmrich mused. His left hand went further up and he brushed his fingers through Hugh's hair. "I could behave for you. Potentially." He'd deliberately acted up previously, if he recalled correctly, taunting and teasing and knowing what buttons to push. It had been too fun to resist. "Allow you to call all of the shots. What do you think?"
Where it was considered Warden presence in the Necropolis, Hugh's only concern was protecting as many as possible from the threat of darkspawn. Anyone invested in preventing that or using it as an excuse to consolidate power was not his concern and only a hindrance. He had no inclination or reason to argue the point with Emmrich when they both wanted the best outcome possible.
Not that the problems of the near future were anywhere on Hugh's mind when Emmrich gasped so sweetly and rolled his hips so sinfully. Behind the older man's back, Hugh fisted the air triumphantly. This wasn't a runaway victory, but the way Emmrich reacted said he hadn't entirely upset the man. Hugh still had a chance; they still had a chance.
"You're not the first to tell me it's a problem of mine," Hugh said with a rakish and blood-stained smile when he pulled back after having his fill and licking the puncture wound clean. Then Emmrich went and promised him paradise on earth, and Hugh sucked in a breath.
"You would do that, let me see what kind of well-behaved sort of man you are?" Hugh ran his hands up Emmrich backside to his lower back. He wanted to kiss him so badly, but he didn't know if Emmrich would let him like this, not yet. "That's certainly one way to lead by example."
It would take work to hold a grudge against Hugh, and Emmrich loved Hugh. Why would he focus his energy there? Hugh licked the wound, making Emmrich shudder against him. They really needed to have a rinse station or something set up in the bedroom because he wanted so badly to kiss Hugh... but not enough to get a mouthful of blood.
"I would," he breathed out. It took effort, but Emmrich managed to close his eyes and take a slow breath to get a little back in control of himself. Emmrich cleared his throat as he opened them again.
"Tonight." His voice was only a little rough with want. He was a responsible adult and today demanded that he prove it. "Tonight I will. Help me bandage this for now, please? Then we breakfast, face the day, and after we return here so I can set a good example for you." Emmrich leaned in and kissed Hugh's cheek. "Though if you'll rinse your mouth out in the sink I think we can fit a kiss in between that and breakfast."
For a moment, Hugh looked as though he would let desire win out over reason and kiss Emmrich regardless. After a swaying forward with an almost possessed look in his eyes, Hugh relented, and Emmrich avoided a mouthful of his own blood. Something Hugh wondered if Emmrich grasped just how irresistible he was to the vampire.
With great reluctance, Hugh only nodded and stepped away. Parted, Hugh obediently did as he was asked.
Hugh returned shortly after with a cleaned face and bandages. He knew basic wound care by rote at this point and was efficient in how he dressed Emmrich's shoulder, despite the overwhelming urge to ravish him. At least when that was done, Hugh was free to take up the older man's offer of a kiss before breakfast.
"I intend to take you thoroughly apart tonight, and you'd be good to oblige." The kiss was sudden and devouring as Hugh wrapped his arms around Emmrich's waist and reeled him back in. His tongue plundered Emmrich's mouth with a renewed fervour, and by the time he relented, their mouths were pink and kiss-bruised. Again, the urge to throw the day away in bed came.
Emmrich's salvation from running late this morning came in the form of Hugh's stomach making an impatient rumbling sound. Hugh flushed as deeply as the blood that had been on his face as he stepped away. His stomach made a strong argument, even if Hugh wished it wasn't so loud about it.
"Food here yet?" Hugh asked meekly, rubbing the back of his reddened neck.
He loved the gentle bandaging that came after the bite. While he'd never enjoy the way he felt a little shaky, it meant a great deal that he could sustain Hugh, give this to him, and then be taken care of afterward. When Hugh had stepped away, Emmrich leaned against the bedpost for stability's sake. Then his love was returning with a look in his eye that Emmrich knew well.
Emmrich had only the briefest of moments to smirk before Hugh was upon him, hungry and eager, and Emmrich returned it. They had to eat, they had to be out of the room within the hour, but a little more indulgence would be all right. Likely.
Thankfully Hugh's stomach decided to interrupt them. Emmrich laughed as his love blushed, and leaned back in to kiss the man's cheek one more time before taking his hand and leading him out to the front room.
Manfred had already set out silverware and napkins to go with what the kitchen skeletons had delivered, and two pots steamed on coasters. He hissed happily at them both. Emmrich released Hugh's hand to come over and squeeze Manfred's briefly.
"Thank you as always, Manfred." He took a seat on the couch and pulled the tray that did not have meat onto his lap. Manfred settled into one of the chairs and rocked a little, swinging his legs.
"We're likely to have a lot of company in the next few days here." As Emmrich spoke, Manfred looked more excited. "Give them a little time to adjust to the skeletons and mummies wandering about, and then yes, you can start bringing tea. The more we can win some of them over, the better."
He'd gotten a sense of how the Wardens viewed the Necropolis from his visit to the fortress, and it hadn't been positive. They had to fight against that for Akil's sake, as well as for a chance to stay together. Any opening they could find, they would need to take. Emmrich started in on his breakfast, mind switching gears into a far more tactical mode than he'd previously shown.
A shame, Hugh thought, that they were chiefly here to address potential darkspawn beneath the Necropolis. A Warden's work was never done, but now Hugh was distinctly put out that he couldn't simply enjoy his time together with Emmrich. Duty called, but he wished that wasn't always the case.
Hugh's imagination briefly ran away from him. Thoughts of late summer mornings in some cottage somewhere quiet. Maybe Emmrich would like to do something with him when all was said and done, he thought. Surely, Emmrich was more for life in the Necropolis, but maybe Hugh could convince himself to take a vacation. Hugh had never been on a trip that wasn't Warden business before.
Then they were in the living room, and Manfred was hissing happily at them both. Reality reinserted itself, and Hugh had to dig himself out of daydreams of summer cottages. He thanked Manfred as he settled in next to Emmrich. Hugh was markedly less polite than Emmrich in terms of table manners and was digging in voraciously almost immediately.
"My Wardens are a flexible sort. The only thing I'll need to make sure they adjust to is minding their manners," Hugh said as he chewed around a mouthful of egg and toast. He nearly choked when he took too big of a bite before giving Emmrich a concerned look.
"You look like you've got a lot on your mind, love."
And not choking, he mentally added as Hugh nearly needed his assistance. It didn't bother him, the way Hugh ate like he was starving, but Emmrich did worry that it might lower him in the eyes of the Mourn Watch. They had an uphill battle to fight for approval. On the other hand, asking Hugh to be mindful of how he appeared could wound Hugh. Emmrich had decided to not say anything when Hugh spoke and prompted a wry smile.
"There's a great deal going on. Myrna will be very focused on the matter of Akil's future, and is already predisposed to disapprove of the Wardens due to that situation. The Wardens very clearly were not fond of the Mourn Watch from what I observed in your fortress. Vorgoth can be patient and fair, but many find them disconcerting and project on them. Meanwhile I care greatly for you and am worried for Akil so no one will trust anything I push for. The upcoming meeting could be very complicated, to put it mildly."
It was enough to diminish his appetite. "I would like to find a way to navigate this in a way that results in my fellow Watchers still having faith in me, and your fellow Wardens being flexible enough that our relationship can continue and you and Akil can both have something better than that fortress."
Not that anyone deserved to be out in the middle of nowhere, in a cold fortress. But Emmrich could only try to save so many. Perhaps that wasn't the best approach, considering his regrets regarding how he'd not done enough to help his fellow mages, but Emmrich didn't know how to do better without exhausting himself or breaking.
And in the interests of not being exhausted, Emmrich shook his head and continued eating.
Hugh continued to eat as Emmrich spoke, but was clearly listening intentionally even as he ate like a starving man. Likely, he would have to put up a front of better manners were they started working more closely with the Watch, but that wasn't his concern at the moment. Hugh knew he would have to play nice eventually and get the other Wardens to follow suit. Only this would be a joint effort between he and Emmrich.
"It won't be easy," Hugh agreed with a sigh after he finished eating. "The important thing now is not to burn any of those bridges, especially when the Wardens arrive. We'll both likely be playing peacekeepers on our respective sides."
Then Hugh reached out and gave Emmrich's knee a reassuring squeeze.
"Akil's a talented young lad, the Wardens won't throw him out in the middle of nowhere when he can still do so much good here, believe me." It would be a waste to send a young mage with his unique skills away out of hand. Akil wasn't a common foot soldier, not like Hugh.
As for us, don't worry, at most the other Wardens might be a bit cheeky."
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Then Emmrich was practically collapsed on top of him, and Hugh canted his head in another moan. It was strange how the first feeling that came to mind then was, of all things, safe. Hugh's hand moved from Emmrich's thigh to around his shoulders, craving and chasing that sensation. He wanted to keep feeling safe with Emmrich's slender body draped over his own.
"Emmrich, I'm—" Hugh's voice broke in a stuttering mess as he spilled inside the older man with a weak thrust of his hips and shuddering in hale that made his chest feel like it was flooded with ice water. He wanted his lover closer and drew him in, head trying to rise off the pillow with fangs coming dangerously close to the other's shoulder. "Emmrich, Emmrich— can I...?"
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"Of course," Emmrich said without hesitation. His earlier request about where was still something he wanted, but at the same time Hugh would have to stop holding him to comply, so he was torn. "Of course. You're so good for me, so good to me, so of course. But if, only if you want, could you bite somewhere erogenous? I want to feel that. But you can do that another time if you're weary now."
There. A reasonable compromise, and Emmrich stroked his fingers gently through Hugh's hair to emphasize how comfortable he was with all of this.
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Of course, Emmrich said. So readily and without a note of fear. Hugh's heart stuttered in his chest as a physical, jerking reminder of what falling in love was like. Hugh opened his mouth, the barest hint of fang brushing on Emmrich's shoulder — when Emmrich spoke again.
There was something that Hugh called, rather crudely, a post-nut clarity after even the most vigorous round of sex that tended to hit him with the force of a warhammer.
"What?" Hugh asked, craning his head back to look at Emmrich fully, brow arched. He thinks Emmrich said that word before, but at the time, Hugh had been too hard to really think of pay much attention. "Sorry, bite you...where, exactly?"
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"Over the hip, perhaps? Somewhere on my low abdomen that's not going to risk hitting anything important? Low on my pectoral muscle would also work." There were other places he loved to be touched, but most were very close to major arteries or veins. Those should be avoided, even with Hugh's near-magical ability to stop the bleeding.
"Somewhere you've traced your fingers and seen me shiver," he continued. There. Options. Possibility. They were right back to the thrill of potential, now.
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Hugh shot up and gripped Emmrich by the hand. so much was going on around them that they forgot what they were dealing with-th Blight.
"That's your femoral artery. You think I don't know that?"
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"I said very clearly nowhere that would hit something important," he said slowly, sternly. "Over the hip, for instance," Emmrich continued, tracing where the femoral artery very much wasn't, "or low where, again, there's no danger." The tracing continued before he sat up, pulling away the rest of the way.
"I am an expert with anatomy, as has come up before. But if you must doubt me and treat me as a fool, then bite the normal spot and be done with it when you've had your fill." The mood was ruined, and he felt rather insulted.
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Softened and mutually finding the mood ruined, Hugh turned on his side and away from Emmrich.
"I'm not treating you like a fool, I have to be careful with these things. Do you have any idea how easy it is for one slip-up to happen? The damage I could do if I'm not careful?"
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"And 'had your fill' has only, in my experience, been used to refer to people consuming something. I'm not the one who keeps visualizing you as a dog, unruly or otherwise. I do not know why you continuously insist on putting yourself down, but I have not taken part. Not once."
Emmrich got up when Hugh turned away. He headed for his small bathroom, leaving the door open as he cleaned himself up. Once finished he dampened another cloth, brought it out, and held it out for Hugh. Every step ached and he forced himself to ignore it. There was a day to get going, after all, and right now he was too hurt to dwell on something that otherwise would bring him joy.
"I am an expert in a few things, and very aware of how easily you could injure me seriously. I have extended faith on this front toward you. I ask that you return the favor in the future."
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By the time Emmrich had left the bed, Hugh had turned on his side and emotionally withdrew, stewing in how he felt slighted while full-well knowing he was not the wounded party, not to this self-pitying degree. When the weight on the bed shifted as Emmrich returned, Hugh initially buried his head in the pillow.
"It's hard," Hugh whispered as he started to turn if just to grab the washcloth. "The last thing I want is to hurt you, and my control isn't perfect. I'm sorry."
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His life now felt like a mix of unprecedented highs combined with devastating lows. He didn't want Hugh to leave, didn't want to lose him, and yet he had to wonder how long Hugh would stay. The only way he wanted Hugh to be like a dog was the way they were supposed to be loyal, but then again the Wardens had come first. Loyalty might backfire on Emmrich.
He finished dressing, pulling on his glove with a heavy, tired sigh. He was old. He felt it more now than ever. No matter how much he loved Hugh, he wasn't sure that it was going to be enough, not if the man couldn't even trust him with his own bodily autonomy.
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Maybe Hugh was simply being stubborn, or perhaps he worried that the boy who was barely holding on right now would wake up like him. Already uncertain of his future with the taint of the Blight in his blood, but straddled with this aggression that gnawed at Hugh like something caged and terrible. He didn't know what it was like to be a mage, but he doubted magic was anything like constantly something in constant need of being minded and stamped down. Would Hugh have to stay on and teach Akil how to handle vampirism if it came to that? Part of him hoped, selfishly, that Akil would need his presence so he could stay with Emmrich.
Hugh watched Emmrich dress in silence until he couldn't stand it anymore. Cautiously, Hugh rose from the bed and walked over to the older man.
"I'm sorry, really," Hugh began as he came up behind Emmrich and let his head fall against Emmrich's shoulder. Naked to Emmrich's dressed, he was warmed somewhat from bare skin pressed against fabric. "I feel as if I don't know what I'm doing half the time."
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"It is... complicated." His voice was gentle. "I've never been in a relationship with someone whose Order was as secretive and restrictive as my own, and yours seems to be even more so. There's politics at play as well. I've navigated Nevarran politics for decades, starting from the inside, and I do have some allies and friends." Not many close friends, that would just be Myrna and Vorgoth, but plenty of people were at least friendly with him and vice-versa.
"This can work, but I need you to have faith in me, my knowledge, and my abilities, as I have in you. Not to belabor the point. We simply need to be on the same page as more join the situation. I expect Miss Lutare to arrive shortly, and if my former student's duties allow he'll be here as well. We also expect the Wardens soon." The Wardens he's going to have to hide any feelings toward Hugh in front of, possibly the greatest challenge he's ever faced. "The whole of the situation is no longer in our hands. We can only do our best."
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"Complicated certainly describes things," Hugh huffed into Emmrich's shoulder. He didn't want to follow up by pointing out that this was also his first serious relationship at and instead focused on the real issue. "There's so much about the Wardens I can't tell you, and a lot of it is because I'm not high-ranking enough to know myself. It'll be difficult and there will be times I need to speak with the Wardens without the Watch present."
He ran his hand up Emmrich's side, not wanting to let go yet.
"At least what I can tell you is the Wardens have been vying for a foothold in Nevarra for a while now, and that will grant Akil certain privileges — he might not even have to leave Nevarra unless there's business in Weisshaupt."
Hugh couldn't promise anything, but what he did know was that the Wardens were as political as any large organization, which meant agendas. He had never been blind to that fact and wanted to tell Emmrich as much as he could.
"As for the rest, I'll...I'll try. For you. For us." He stepped away, still looking a little dispirited. "I should get dressed."
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Friendly company, at least. Nevarra knew full well that the Wardens wanted a foothold there. It carried a risk, an armed force inside one's borders that weren't beholden to their rules, that could claim any time was a Blight and force recruitment, and that was primarily Fereldan and Orlesian. As Nevarra's ties were deeper with Tevinter than either of the other two at this point, it made the mages in charge of Nevarra nervous. That, and the fact that it was mages running the country at this point. They didn't want an Exalted March declared.
But there were other things to worry about too. Akil, for one. And if they wound up with more Darkspawn, then the citizens of Nevarra needed protection.
"A small fortress in Nevarra might be negotiable. It might require some checks and balances, but it's possible." Cost and risk could be weighed privately, among mages.
Emmrich began fixing the chains of his outfit in place before stopping. "Did you need to feed? I'm sorry. It slipped my mind."
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"Oh, I don't want to think what might happen if I leave this apartment on an empty stomach." Hugh was a lot of things — stubborn to a fault, apparently rather naive on relationships, but most importantly, a terror when hungry. He privately hoped Akil ate like a bird and wouldn't inherit the grumbling, larder-clearing appetite and associated attitude most Wardens did.
Hugh gathered his clothes and dressed with military quickness and efficiency. He wasn't giving Emmrich the cold shoulder; he really did just throw on his fatigues that quickly.
"It's not as though we'll plan on putting up a castle fortress overnight — we're many things, but even the First Warden isn't that ambitious. Nevarra's likely going to be dealing with a lot of visits to court, and the Watch might be guiding Warden mages to lower levels of the Necropolis." Hugh then risked it with a waggle to his brow before adding, "Plus, if any fortresses are going up in Nevarra, I'd want it to be small. Cozy with plenty of privacy for visits."
Then Emmrich asked him about blood, and a hungry look had crossed Hugh's expression like a shadow. His gaze flickered from Emmrich's neck, wrist, and anywhere else he could think of as a point to sink his teeth into.
"Well, maybe," His mouth was definitely watering. "Only, I guess my chance to bite somewhere egregious has passed."
He blinked and his face flushed again.
"Wait, that wasn't the word."
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"Mm. I sincerely doubt Warden mages will be invited to view the lower levels of the Necropolis. Those are for the Watchers only. They will not understand the risks, nor the way it moves and shifts; it's unsafe in the extreme." That should be out there so it's not accidentally floated by Hugh as a possibility. Mages the world over wanted to delve into the depths, and were one and all refused.
"Akil would be the exception as he's familiar with the currents and rituals needed to survive the depths. But they aren't something that can simply be taught. They must be felt and lived within, and obviously housing a Warden group in the Necropolis would not be an option." Emmrich looked at Hugh with a smile that was a little hopeful. "A single Warden, however, who then they don't need to worry about feeding in any of the ways..."
The trailing off was deliberate, especially as Hugh's expression turned hungry. At the word mistake Emmrich raised an eyebrow.
"No. No, I believe that was precisely your objection, that you did not want to bite somewhere egregious." He removed his vest again, placing it carefully on the back of his armchair, before reopening the collar of his shirt and pulling the fabric off enough to bare his left shoulder where Hugh had previously bitten. "Behave yourself today and your chance of biting somewhere erogenous could return. But for now, here, love."
He held his right arm out for Hugh, inviting the man to come in close and be held while he fed.
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Hugh wasn't perturbed about his woeful lack of knowledge of anything concerning the Watch or the Necropolis. He wasn't altogether incurious, but he could go his whole life without being intimately familiar with anything subterranian. Emmrich was the only thing this far down beneath the earth that he was concerned with being intimately familiar with.
At Emmrich's gentle chiding, Hugh fought the urge to huff and roll his eyes. He thought the mistake in wording was funny, but right now, he knew not to push his luck. Especially not when he was practically salivating.
"Behave is a tall order when you stand there looking like that," Was all the warning Emmrich got before Hugh was on him. He wasn't rough, but Hugh was quick and insistent in how he drew Emmrich into his arms and pulled him close. As always, Hugh kissed Emmrich's shoulder first. However, feeling a bit bold, Hugh made sure to grab at Emmrich's arse just as the fangs pierced flesh.
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And Emmrich was more than happy to move on from that particular topic and relax into Hugh's powerful hold. The kiss got a quiet, happy noise from him that turned into a moan as his ass was grabbed and his hips instinctively jerked forward. The bite stung as always, but it was easy to ignore.
"You do find behaving challenging, don't you," he teased warmly. His own hands deliberately moved up Hugh's back because they needed to eat breakfast and meet with whomever had arrived, and if he started grabbing Hugh's ass they weren't going to be leaving here for at least another hour. That didn't keep him from being fully pressed to his love as much as possible, though.
"Perhaps I should teach you by example later," Emmrich mused. His left hand went further up and he brushed his fingers through Hugh's hair. "I could behave for you. Potentially." He'd deliberately acted up previously, if he recalled correctly, taunting and teasing and knowing what buttons to push. It had been too fun to resist. "Allow you to call all of the shots. What do you think?"
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Not that the problems of the near future were anywhere on Hugh's mind when Emmrich gasped so sweetly and rolled his hips so sinfully. Behind the older man's back, Hugh fisted the air triumphantly. This wasn't a runaway victory, but the way Emmrich reacted said he hadn't entirely upset the man. Hugh still had a chance; they still had a chance.
"You're not the first to tell me it's a problem of mine," Hugh said with a rakish and blood-stained smile when he pulled back after having his fill and licking the puncture wound clean. Then Emmrich went and promised him paradise on earth, and Hugh sucked in a breath.
"You would do that, let me see what kind of well-behaved sort of man you are?" Hugh ran his hands up Emmrich backside to his lower back. He wanted to kiss him so badly, but he didn't know if Emmrich would let him like this, not yet. "That's certainly one way to lead by example."
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"I would," he breathed out. It took effort, but Emmrich managed to close his eyes and take a slow breath to get a little back in control of himself. Emmrich cleared his throat as he opened them again.
"Tonight." His voice was only a little rough with want. He was a responsible adult and today demanded that he prove it. "Tonight I will. Help me bandage this for now, please? Then we breakfast, face the day, and after we return here so I can set a good example for you." Emmrich leaned in and kissed Hugh's cheek. "Though if you'll rinse your mouth out in the sink I think we can fit a kiss in between that and breakfast."
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With great reluctance, Hugh only nodded and stepped away. Parted, Hugh obediently did as he was asked.
Hugh returned shortly after with a cleaned face and bandages. He knew basic wound care by rote at this point and was efficient in how he dressed Emmrich's shoulder, despite the overwhelming urge to ravish him. At least when that was done, Hugh was free to take up the older man's offer of a kiss before breakfast.
"I intend to take you thoroughly apart tonight, and you'd be good to oblige." The kiss was sudden and devouring as Hugh wrapped his arms around Emmrich's waist and reeled him back in. His tongue plundered Emmrich's mouth with a renewed fervour, and by the time he relented, their mouths were pink and kiss-bruised. Again, the urge to throw the day away in bed came.
Emmrich's salvation from running late this morning came in the form of Hugh's stomach making an impatient rumbling sound. Hugh flushed as deeply as the blood that had been on his face as he stepped away. His stomach made a strong argument, even if Hugh wished it wasn't so loud about it.
"Food here yet?" Hugh asked meekly, rubbing the back of his reddened neck.
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Emmrich had only the briefest of moments to smirk before Hugh was upon him, hungry and eager, and Emmrich returned it. They had to eat, they had to be out of the room within the hour, but a little more indulgence would be all right. Likely.
Thankfully Hugh's stomach decided to interrupt them. Emmrich laughed as his love blushed, and leaned back in to kiss the man's cheek one more time before taking his hand and leading him out to the front room.
Manfred had already set out silverware and napkins to go with what the kitchen skeletons had delivered, and two pots steamed on coasters. He hissed happily at them both. Emmrich released Hugh's hand to come over and squeeze Manfred's briefly.
"Thank you as always, Manfred." He took a seat on the couch and pulled the tray that did not have meat onto his lap. Manfred settled into one of the chairs and rocked a little, swinging his legs.
"We're likely to have a lot of company in the next few days here." As Emmrich spoke, Manfred looked more excited. "Give them a little time to adjust to the skeletons and mummies wandering about, and then yes, you can start bringing tea. The more we can win some of them over, the better."
He'd gotten a sense of how the Wardens viewed the Necropolis from his visit to the fortress, and it hadn't been positive. They had to fight against that for Akil's sake, as well as for a chance to stay together. Any opening they could find, they would need to take. Emmrich started in on his breakfast, mind switching gears into a far more tactical mode than he'd previously shown.
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Hugh's imagination briefly ran away from him. Thoughts of late summer mornings in some cottage somewhere quiet. Maybe Emmrich would like to do something with him when all was said and done, he thought. Surely, Emmrich was more for life in the Necropolis, but maybe Hugh could convince himself to take a vacation. Hugh had never been on a trip that wasn't Warden business before.
Then they were in the living room, and Manfred was hissing happily at them both. Reality reinserted itself, and Hugh had to dig himself out of daydreams of summer cottages. He thanked Manfred as he settled in next to Emmrich. Hugh was markedly less polite than Emmrich in terms of table manners and was digging in voraciously almost immediately.
"My Wardens are a flexible sort. The only thing I'll need to make sure they adjust to is minding their manners," Hugh said as he chewed around a mouthful of egg and toast. He nearly choked when he took too big of a bite before giving Emmrich a concerned look.
"You look like you've got a lot on your mind, love."
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"There's a great deal going on. Myrna will be very focused on the matter of Akil's future, and is already predisposed to disapprove of the Wardens due to that situation. The Wardens very clearly were not fond of the Mourn Watch from what I observed in your fortress. Vorgoth can be patient and fair, but many find them disconcerting and project on them. Meanwhile I care greatly for you and am worried for Akil so no one will trust anything I push for. The upcoming meeting could be very complicated, to put it mildly."
It was enough to diminish his appetite. "I would like to find a way to navigate this in a way that results in my fellow Watchers still having faith in me, and your fellow Wardens being flexible enough that our relationship can continue and you and Akil can both have something better than that fortress."
Not that anyone deserved to be out in the middle of nowhere, in a cold fortress. But Emmrich could only try to save so many. Perhaps that wasn't the best approach, considering his regrets regarding how he'd not done enough to help his fellow mages, but Emmrich didn't know how to do better without exhausting himself or breaking.
And in the interests of not being exhausted, Emmrich shook his head and continued eating.
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"It won't be easy," Hugh agreed with a sigh after he finished eating. "The important thing now is not to burn any of those bridges, especially when the Wardens arrive. We'll both likely be playing peacekeepers on our respective sides."
Then Hugh reached out and gave Emmrich's knee a reassuring squeeze.
"Akil's a talented young lad, the Wardens won't throw him out in the middle of nowhere when he can still do so much good here, believe me." It would be a waste to send a young mage with his unique skills away out of hand. Akil wasn't a common foot soldier, not like Hugh.
As for us, don't worry, at most the other Wardens might be a bit cheeky."
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