Notes:
Sorry for the long wait! From now on, I’m switching from Ronald to Ronaldo. I’ve had to autocorrect everything to Ronald, and it’s making writing difficult when I keep thinking about Ronald McDonald lol. I’ll go back and change it in earlier chapters.
Also, if you haven’t seen Kur0’s amazing fanart of Mihai on Chapter 4, go back and take a look!
CW: Needles (used for phlebotomy)
Draluc and Mihai made their way into the cold Shin Yokohama air, walking brusquely. Mihai had picked a hotel not too far from where Draluc lived, so that it would make their feeding sessions easier.
As lively as their conversation had been in the apartment, the walk had been comfortably silent, the two of them simply enjoying the view of the city and its lively residents. They arrived at the hotel, and walked through its grand entrance. The receptionist at the front smiled and bowed politely. When she raised her head to actually identify the guests, she couldn’t hide her shock.
As an avid fan of the Ronaldo War Chronicles, she recognized this particular vampire easily!
“He’s with me” Mihai said, taking out a keycard to show that he had already checked in at the hotel.
The receptionist nodded, composing herself, and motioned towards the elevators. “Please enjoy your stay, sirs.”
Draluc and Mihai walked into the elevator. Meanwhile, she sneakily took out her phone, and started rapidly typing on Twitter.
When they got into the elevator, Mihai pressed the button for the top floor.
[A luxury suite?] Draluc questioned.
Mihai shrugged. [Your dad insisted! And I’m not the one paying so why not, y’know?]
When they arrived at their floor, they walked down a gleaming hallway, and stopped at a set of ornate double doors. The taller man swiped his keycard for the room, and opened the double doors to reveal a lavish living room, with hallways leading off into other additional rooms.
[I guess your family assumed I would be staying here for quite a while.] Mihai said with a wink.
Draluc rolled his eyes. The vampire walked into the room and plopped himself on the comfiest looking double-seat sofa.
[Let me get equipment, I’ll be right back!] the human said, before scurrying off to the master bedroom somewhere down the hallway. Mihai returned with a red phlebotomy box, a sharps container, and a pack of latex gloves, and alcohol wipes.
Draluc observed as the other man laid the phlebotomy equipment out on the coffee table, and then smiled. “I thought you were going to let me feed from you directly?” He chided in Japanese.
Mihai returned a devious smile. “I’d be happy to let you do so, but I think I’m not the one you want to be sinking your fangs into?”
Draluc had the slightest dusting of blood in his cheeks, before frowning. “I don’t think that’s happening anytime soon.”
Mihai sighed, taking off the suit jacket and dress shirt that he had on, leaving only a white, clean tank top. He put on a clean pair of latex gloves, then tore open a small square alcohol wipe, using it on the inside of his left arm, right above his elbow at a nice thick vein. He then reached for a butterfly needle, relaxing his arm before inserting the needle methodically. He held the needle in place with his right hand, nodding to Draluc. Fresh, red blood bubbled into the long thin tube.
Draluc, experienced in the procedure, grabbed the small plastic vials in the box, and attached them to the valve on the other end of the long tube attached to the needle. When one vial finished, he disconnected it and replaced it with another. The first 2 vials filled up quickly, blood spurting into the rounded end of the tube.
The third vial filled up at a moderate pace, rushing in smoothly like a waterfall.
The blood filled the fourth vial much slower. Mihai opened up his left fist in order to let the blood in his arm drain a little faster. Blood trickled in gently.
“How many should we do?” Draluc asked.
“I think 5 vials should be good for today.”
Draluc nodded, connecting the last vial.
Once the last vial was full, Draluc disconnected it and placed it next to the other full tubes. Mihai removed the needle from his arm and deposited it into a conspicuous red container meant for sharps. He then quickly grabbed gauze and held it firmly against his wound.
Draluc sat there, still, staring down at one of the tubes in his hand. If it was anyone else in that room, they might have thought that the vampire was being pensive, deep in thought. But Mihai knew better. Even though he wasn’t as old as Draluc, he had known him for a good portion of his own life, and had gotten used to deciphering his microexpressions when he was hiding anything that was troubling him.
Draluc had a wistful sadness in his eyes, unable to hide his longing.
Mihai couldn’t bear seeing his friend in such a sorry state. “Is there a reason why you haven’t told him?”
Draluc sighed once more, screwing open the cap to the tube, and taking a small sip. The warmth of the blood filled him with tenderness. He felt like he was going to dust at this rate if he drank it as fast as his hunger compelled him to, so he held back. He took the tiniest sips possible.
“Do you know how Ronaldo and I met?”
Mihai nodded.
“Then you know how that boorish, stupid fool would never entertain the possibility. He’s too painfully straight, and the reason we’re both currently living together was a mere whim of mine.” Draluc said. “It’s not like he particularly asked me to stay.”
“On top of all those reasons, I don’t want to ruin what we currently have.” the vampire said, with a wistful smile. “Grandfather reminded me once, to take care of my human friends. That includes you too, of course. But you can imagine how unbearably awkward it would be, if I told him that I had feelings for him and he didn’t return them!”
“I would never recover from the embarrassment! I’d definitely want to leave the city, if not the country! Goodbye Japan, Welcome Home Draluc!”
The brown haired man struggled to keep his expression straight, a laugh breaking through his serious face. [You didn’t consider what would happen if he did like you back?]
[Of course I did! And I found that highly unlikely! That breast-obsessed gorilla? Interested in me? I would like to know what exactly it is that everyone is smoking, that they’re so convinced he likes me!] Draluc exclaimed.
Mihai couldn’t keep it in any longer, his laugh growing into a deep, belly shaking guffaw.
Draluc pouted, sipping his blood vial in between glares at his friend.
After a good few minutes of continuous laughter, Mihai finally gathered himself, stomach muscles aching from the workout they just got.
[I am one hundred percent certain that he likes you, and I’ve only known him for a couple hours.] the human said, taping down the gauze to his arm. [In fact, I can prove it. I’ll bet you my limited edition signed copy of Dragon Quest 11.]
Draluc’s eyes widened. Mihai loved that game, it was his favorite. He had played that game at least 3 different times, each playthrough at least 100 hours long. [You’re joking.]
[I’m not.] Mihai smirked. [Your poor boyfriend will have his neck ravaged by the time I’m done]
[What’s in it for you?] the vampire asked. Draluc didn’t really want his friend’s prized possession, but he now understood how serious he was being.
[I want the special edition DQ Vintendo Switch, when I inevitably win. They’re hard to find, but I’m sure you could acquire one with your publishing connections.]
Draluc facepalmed, but held his right hand out. Mihai reciprocated the handshake.
End Notes:
My DQ agenda is showing, and that’s okay. Go play DQ11S!