"And we're done," Kieran said softly, his fingers lightly trailing in Jack's hair. "How are you feeling?"

"That was... I still feel woozy. Like, damn fucking good buzz, but… Clearer." Jack sat up and wrapped his hands around the back of his neck as he tilted his head side to side, enjoying the light wooziness. He reminded himself that head fucking was to be reserved for really bad nights.

"Most thralls walk it off for an hour. Sometimes, they get picked up for public drunkenness," Kieran explained with a pointed smile, "but most sit down and wait it out."

Jack ignored the look and slight jab. "Huh. Yeah. This is nice." Sure, he felt a little dumb for resorting to getting his head messed around with, especially given his past experiences. And he couldn't help but feel like he said something he shouldn't have while he was under. He frowned and stared at his lap as he went over everything he said.

And then he remembered it.

Clear as day, just as promised. "I… Um. I said I love you." He looked at Kieran in apprehension. The blank stare was not reassuring in the least.

"You did," Kieran replied with a neutral nod.

"I, uh… So that's out there." Jack was detached from the revelation. It mattered, but he could let the thought go for once. He didn't feel the need to hyper analyze it or its delivery. Even if he fucked up, the world moved on. It was said and done, and it wasn't like he was lying. If anything, he didn't have to hype himself up to say it in the future. It was a positive that he could hold onto for once.

"You can take it back, and we'll pretend it never happened," Kieran offered, his tone quiet and careful.

"Too late." Jack slumped back and waved his hand at the ceiling. "I shoulda known I'd say something stupid. I hope I didn't scare you off." He glanced over and squinted at Kieran. He was pretty sure it would take a lot to scare off a vampire. Maybe a sewer zombie.

"I love you, too, my sweet siren," Kieran said. He smiled as he leaned in close to place a soft kiss on Jack's cheek.

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Jack blinked. The corner of his mouth tugged upward as his stomach did a small somersault. "Okay." Way to drop the ball. But he said it first, so he was probably forgiven for being awkward. He was still too floaty to care.

"Tá grá agam duit," Kieran said before pulling Jack into deep kiss.

The words sounded familiar. "That's pretty. You said it earlier. What is it?"

"Of course you were awake." Kieran looked away uncomfortably. "It's Irish."

Jack watched in delight as Kieran blushed. He wanted to see more. "Irish is a language?" he asked with a wide grin.

Kieran closed his eyes and slowly sighed. He looked over with a forced smile. "Gaelic?"

"I could make so many gay jokes right now," Jack replied. He may as well embrace his awkward stupidity. No point in hiding what Kieran had already gotten himself into. If he was going to find sugary cereal in the pantry, then he had every right to be an awkward little shit in retaliation.

Kieran rolled his eyes and shook his head, but he wasn't able to hide his fondness for Jack. "Would you like to sleep in my bed tonight?"

The offer wasn't a complete damper to Jack's mood. "Um. Next step stuff?"

It wasn't like he hadn't fallen asleep curled up against Kieran before, so did it count as more of a half step? Did it qualify as a compromise? He got to get high off mind fucking, and Kieran would get a cuddle buddy in return. Did it count as a compromise if he wanted to be the cuddle buddy? Did he even really want to, or was he still riding the agreeable high of enthrallment?

"You may keep your taser on the nightstand." It was a thoughtful offer delivered with a teasing smile.

Jack sighed and shook his head. "Kinda wondering if it's reliable. Sure, it worked on Augie, but that mighta just been surprise." He paused and rubbed at his elbow in thought. "I think I used it on a guy when Farragut got me, but nothing happened."

Kieran frowned. "Thralls can be forced to disregard pain and natural reactions. To do so is against the rules."

Kieran's distaste raised Jack's spirits just a bit. As did the whole concept of Vampire Rules. He hoped they were as stupid as they sounded. "Benoit said you follow the rules. What kinda rules are we talking about?"

"It's not as chivalrous as you might think." Kieran gave a tilted smile. "Don't get caught, and don't do anything to ruin it for everyone else."

"Don't do what Farragut did," Jack said, filling in the blanks.

image [https://i.imgur.com/eZY0YUq.png]