Refreshed and alert enough to enjoy the arm wrapped around his waist and nose pressed into his neck, Jack awoke in blissful warmth. There had been no nightmares and no waking up to every little noise. He was fully rested.

And in someone else's bed. The Break Up Bed.

So much for his moment of bliss.

Kieran was pressed fully against his back, breathing slow and deep.

And just like that, all the anxiety and weight of the world came crashing down around him. Should he move? Wake Kieran up? Sneak out and act like nothing happened? Grab his phone from the night stand and text Tara while he panicked?

"It's much too early to fret, sweet thing," Kieran mumbled into Jack's neck.

Or Kieran could wake up on his own and make Jack wonder just how long he'd been awake. His spiraling thoughts took another turn. Did the undead function differently than normal humans? Did he really want to know the ins and outs of vampire anatomy? How long did fresh blood last? How much did it do? How often was it needed?

"If this happens again, am I gonna wake up with morning wood pushing into my back?" He winced and hissed a curse at his stupid mouth. He was rewarded with a tighter hug and Kieran's suppressed laughter. It was a nice feeling that softened the edge of his embarrassment.

"How's about I let that be a surprise?"

Jack hoped that translated to "no," even if the awkwardness should be on Kieran's end, not his own.

"Do you, uh, need to open up?" he asked. He frowned at his wording. He already met his opening up quota last night. He didn't need to inadvertently pop open another can of worms. "The store. Not like heart to heart. I'm not trying to kick you outta your own bed or anything."

"I open the store later after feeding. If I open at all. There's a notice on the door." Kieran snuggled closer against Jack and managed to wiggle his other arm beneath Jack's side. "Inventory or some such."

Jack didn't remember seeing a sign. Then again, why would he be looking for one? Did Kieran post it the day before he went out or after he got back? How far ahead did he plan on sucking people's blood? "So drinking blood doesn't energize you? It's not like a big hit of coffee?"

"Perhaps if I were to feed on a morning crowd," Kieran replied. "I would say I'm slightly hungover without the usual side effects."

Hungover and clingy. Jack ran his fingers over the arms crossing his stomach. There was a grounding comfort to be found in Kieran's arms, and he smiled. "You went after drunks."

Kieran hummed in agreement. "I believe it was a bachelorette party. One of them may have been under the influence of something else."

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Jack rolled his eyes and looked over his shoulder. In the low light peeking through the sides of the curtains, he could just make out Kieran's grin. "Druggie."

"Second hand," Kieran clarified with an air of indignity. "I don't believe it counts in the grand scheme of things."

Jack relaxed back against the pillow and laced his fingers through Kieran's. He sighed as soft kisses were placed along the shell of his ear. "Apparently, drugs fuck up my blood. Like ecstasy. I found out the hard way."

Kieran's kisses stopped, and Jack regretted mentioning it.

"I'm sorry you had to find out in such a way, my sweet," Kieran whispered. "If you have any other questions, I'll do my best to answer them. I knew someone else with blood like yours. He was constantly under the influence of one substance or another." His tone turned lighter as he continued. "It made for an interesting Prohibition."

"Yeah?"

"He died several times over and took up moonshining. It was a profitable business." Kieran trailed kisses down to Jack's neck, and he paused to breathe in deeply. "Moreso than selling imports and antiques."

A brief hint of disappointment ran through Jack. From the sound of it, being turned into a vampire wouldn't change his blood. Not that such a revelation would apply to him. "Criminal."

"Never convicted for moonshining."

"Mind fucker."

"Mmm. I'm told I'm rather good at it," Kieran said and he nipped at Jack's ear.

Jack giggled and lightly pushed Kieran away. "Don't say it like that!"

Kieran unwound his arms from Jack's middle and sat up with a look of concern. "Was that too much?"

"I, uh, no? I'm okay?" Jack rolled onto his back to meet Kieran's gaze and shrugged. "Just don't slobber on my ear, and we're good. I can… I like kissing. Cuddling. Some touches. That far. Further, and I just…"

He sighed and stared up at the ceiling. It was his first real and invested relationship. He was already over the first couple hurdles - as well as a few he hadn't signed up for. Kieran deserved to know where the line was without accidentally crossing it.

"I lose interest. I get bored. I'm sorry. I can't fake being into sex." He made the mistake of looking over at Kieran. He wanted things to work out. He chewed on his lip and looked away. "If you really, really wanted to go at it, I guess we could try something? If I'm allowed to not pay attention and not really participate. And you keep your…stuff to yourself." He frowned and covered his face with his hands. "That sounds so much worse. I'm sorry. It's just not fun for me. Other people's…stuff on me, in me, just no thanks. I don't like feeling wet with other people's sweat and spit and cum and just yuck. Sorry."

"No need to apologize, my sweet," Kieran said. "So everything that would lead up to sex would be fine? Just shy of serious foreplay?"

Jack's brows furrowed in thought. He was fine with cuddles, kisses, and caresses. They were the reassurance of another person in his life caring about him and wanting to be there. "I guess? Without groping? Why?" What did he just sign up for? Could he take it back if it proved to be too much?

Kieran smiled mischievously, and Jack narrowed his eyes, tension already beginning to build. In a moment, Kieran was above him, hands on either side of his head. He froze, eyes wide. He flinched when Kieran dipped down and kissed the side of his mouth before pushing away and getting out of bed.

Jack stared at the ceiling, clueless as to how he should feel. "You're an asshole!"

"An asshole who's loved," Kieran shot back with a loving smile.

Jack's breath caught, and he couldn't disagree. Already, he was melting under that smile that held just a hint of cockiness.

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