His expression softened. He wanted to kiss him again, to embrace him,but instead glanced down to his own clasped hands.

“Thank you.”

“I thought—“

They were past that. He shook his head with a hint of a smile.

“You haven’t yet.”

“Do I…?” He was being too obvious again. Slowing his movements, he calmed himself and simply studied the man beside him.

Should he open up? He was never very good at masking his feelings.

“I am afraid of losing you—your friendship. Of being alone again.” He shrugged dismissively.

Quickly looking back with a gasp, “oh, I wouldn’t do that without asking! Not only is it rude, but it’s… a violation.”

“How else would I kiss you,” he answered flippantly and looked away for something to distract them from this topic. Books, herbs, sharp equipment…

“But it wasn’t the flames you tensed at. It was me, my closeness to you. How can you love me when you don’t even want me to be near you?”

He stopped short. There it was. his fear spoken aloud. Oh dear. How to cover this up.

He smiled and changed the subject. “My arm feels better! Thank you.”

// or, you have some idea lol

“They fear the pain you will cause. But your purpose and intention is good.” He muttered like a scolded child.

His eyes lowered to his arm, now mostly healed with a patch of pink where blisters were minutes before.

“I won’t put myself in harm’s way. You have my word on that.”

The ancient vampire was so desperate to feel something. Warmth. Touch. To know that he was loved.

He held his lips pressed against the warm touch of Josef’s for just a moment before reluctantly pulling back.

The blue of his eyes had a touch of lavender to them when they opened.

“You’re afraid of me.”