Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Barmond sort of felt bad that he was avoiding Hugo (again). It had been two nights since that day where Hugo had carried him into his room over his shoulder, in plain view of his pack. They had not spoken since they had parted the next evening.

Nothing in particular had happened since then. It just that Barmond was persuaded that this had all been a fluke. Him? Catching Hugo’s eye? Well wasn’t that some fancy joke. And even if it wasn’t, Barmond had liked their old way of interacting, with Hugo’s merciless teasing and Barmond’s heated responses. It looked a lot like the way he used to interact with the members of his clan. It was safe.

What did they even have? Were they former lovers now? Even the notion sounded absurd for the vampire. Former loves implied love. There was no such thing between them, just lust. Lust for blood. Lust for sex. It didn’t feel right. Urg, this was complicated. Barmond was going to have a headache.

Barmond preferred aiming for Jessica. Now that one was easier to figure out, and they also had already slept together. Granted, both had thought the other to be a human. It had been a fling at some tavern to pass the night. Barmond had come all over her ample blossom, covering her with his scent. A scent that had been picked up by Hugo himself the moment Jessica had returned to the nest.

Barmond would have remained undiscovered for a long time, he was sure, had he not made that one mistake.

The rest was history. Hugo had tracked him down, they had faced one another, Barmond had escaped the city only to be brought back by lord Ranphoros’ letter. Back into Hugo’s arms that was, even if those arms had shown themselves to be a lot kinder this time around.

And then this mess occurred.

Barmond needed a break. When he spotted Jessica alone in the dining hall, he walked over to her and started a chat. She had approached him differently ever since she had learned of his true nature as if she was... scared of him? If there was one person in the world Barmond didn’t want to scare, it was Jessica. Maybe this time around it would be different.

“Oh, I haven’t thanked you enough for your service the other day,” she suddenly said after they had gone over the formalities. “You were a big help.”

Oh. Barmond had already forgotten about that, but he was glad she had reminded him. He nodded eagerly. “It was nothing. Nothing at all, really,” he lied.

“I’m glad. That’s a very useful talent you have there, you know. Your saliva that is. I’ve heard that some vampires sell it, have you ever considered it?”

“Ah, sadly the healing properties don’t last very long. If you’d ever buy one it’s very likely that you just bought a bottle of spit.”

“Oh, well I suppose it makes sense. It was too good to be true. Bye Maggie!”

Maggie, Ranphoros’s single daughter, giggled profusely. Barmond thought that she was a tad too spoiled but just as lovely on the eye as her father. Other than that, he had no opinion of her. They had seldom talked.

“I’ll be right back,” said Maggie between two giggling fits. What in Goddess had gotten into her? She was even more hyper than usual. Maybe something was about to happen?

“I know,” said Jessica. She was also grinning wildly.

Barmond didn’t have a very good feeling about this. His sixth sense was telling him that he better get out of there, but then Jessica adjusted her cleavage suggestively. Barmond was that weak for boobs, sadly.

“What are you up to this dawn?” asked Jessica.

This was suddenly going unexpectedly well. Barmond cleared his throat and smiled at her in a way he hoped was charming. “Nothing really. I’ll simply be going back to my inn to spend the day there.” He almost asked if she cared to join. Almost.

“Sounds fascinating. Will you be working on some traps of yours, or doing some magic? It’s really amazing that you can do some magic. Usually vampires can’t do that at all.”

“Oh, it’s nothing at all really.” Barmond felt himself grow as red as his hair. “I can barely manage a few basic spells. When I say that I practice magic, it’s mostly small reparations and reinforcements to already existing enchantments. I recall you are much more fluent than I in magic. But if you would like, I can show you some tricks.”

“I would love to see,” said someone with a deep baritone voice. A heavy hand fell on Barmond’s shoulder. “I can’t do any magic at all.”

Barmond froze and turned white. He’d know that voice anywhere.

“Fancy meeting you here, Bar’,” said Hugo as he took a seat next to the vampire. “How have you been since I last saw you?”

“I’ve been, well, fine, yes, very fine, all dandy and sweet, you know, the usual.” Barmond was rambling. Hugo was smiling but his eyes were hard. Barmond knew he would mess up eventually, he just wouldn’t have guessed it would be so soon.

“I’m glad to hear that. Let’s step outside for a moment, shall we?”

Barmond wasn’t given an option in the matter. Using his hold on his shoulder, Hugo made him stand and walk out of the dining room. They passed a grinning Maggie on the way. Barmond knew what she had done and shot her a glare; the spoiled brat only giggled harder.

“So,” said Hugo once they were standing in the hallway. He had dropped all pretense of a smile. “Why are you avoiding me again?”

“I wasn’t avoiding you,” replied Barmond in a tone he hoped was nonchalant enough.

“Let me guess. Postponing until some unknown time in the future, was it?”

Barmond’s mouth dropped open. He had forgotten he had already used that line; that left him with nothing else to say. Rats.

Hugo sighed. “I just want to know if there is any problem between us. I’m going to be honest with you, Bar’, I fancy you.” He passed a hand in his hair, frustrated. “I’d like to know if you are going to break my heart as soon as possible so that I can drop the idea. So please, just be honest.”

Barmond was floored. This was brutal sincerity right there and so, so much more than what he expected. Seen under this angle, he had been a real ass. The problem was that now he was even more at loss as to what to say.

Hugo forced a small laugh. “A bee’s going to fly in if you keep this up.

Barmond snapped his mouth shut. The interruption gave him a little space to breathe and think.

“I... well, I don’t know,” he eventually said.

“Okay, let’s take this from the top,” replied Hugo. “Do you like me at all? Yes or no.”

“I— yes. Maybe not as much as you like me...” although it couldn’t be by much. It was just that Barmond was still getting used to the possibility that he was considered worthy in Hugo’s eyes. That alone was a lot to take in.

“So why were you avoiding me?”

“Because... I don’t really know. It’s all so sudden. I’m... and you are...”

Hugo blew through his nose. “I see. No, I wouldn’t be ashamed of you, Barmond, you don’t need to worry about not being enough or whatever that is. If anyone has anything to say about that, it’s not me.”

“It’s easy for you to say. Everyone loves you regardless of what you do.” His tone came out more bitter than what he had wanted it but it was too late to take it back.

A smile, a real one this time, tugged at the edge of Hugo’s mouth. “Barmond, are you jealous of me?”

“Jealous? Are you asking me if I would want to become a brute like you?” He turned his nose up on Hugo. “Never, not even if I lived a thousand years.”

Hugo chuckled.

“Don’t laugh! I said I am not jealous!”

“I believe you.” He didn’t. “But would you like if everyone was jealous of you instead?”

“Ah?” That was quite an interesting perspective. “I wouldn’t mind that.”

He knew that he had agreed to more than he could manage from the way Hugo smirked. He was grabbed before he could escape and carried back into the dining room. He would have screamed in protest if he wouldn’t have found himself the center of everyone’s attention. Instead, he blushed deeply.

Hugo was so, so dead the moment he got out of this situation.

Not that he was aware of that yet. He bought Hugo to a couch and sat him on his lap but facing the room. Why facing the room? And why was Jessica, along with some other succubus, coming over?

Barmond could guess where this was going and he didn’t like that one bit.

“Let me go this instant!” he demanded, hissing in the werewolf’s face. This idiot just grinned. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Something I promised the girls if they kept off you. But most importantly, it’s high time that someone did something to boost that confidence of yours, Bar’. If you would rather run away than risk being seen as below me then it’s time that I did something about it.”

“Not like that.” Barmond squired and turned red. He regretted having taken enough blood to blush earlier that night. Just this once, he should have come back to the nest starving.

“Of course like that. Look, everyone is looking at you know. They will want to be in your shoes any minute now.”

“Not me!” Barmond struggled (rather pointlessly) against Hugo’s hold. “I told you I’m not like that.”

“Then you can look at me,” said Jessica. She had moved closer to them. Her eyes shone so brightly, and she smelled so sweet. Barmond realized, too late, that she was using her lust-inducing powers on him. “I’d very much want to see. Am I allowed to?”

Barmond bit his lip. Heat was coiling in his stomach and he was powerless to stop it. If it was Jessica, yes, it excited him. It excited him almost as much as the fact that Hugo was going to do it to him. He didn’t know about all the others, but if he only looked at Jessica and pretended that she was the only one there...

“Get out of my head,” hissed Barmond. He didn’t make for a very convincing case when his voice quivered with desire but she obliged. The damage, however, was already done.

“It will serve the girls a lot if you did that for them,” said Hugo in his ear. The tickle of his breath made Barmond shiver. “Some of them never got to play with a vampire, with Ran’s ban on the city. Don’t you think it’s cruel to deny them this chance?”

“But... everyone else can see...” Barmond looked around. They certainly attracted quite a bit of attention. Some of those people he had never talked to.

“Trust me. They’d love to be in your shoes. Right girls?”

There was a round of giggles. This was the succubus’ girl club all right. Always nodding and clapping at whatever Hugo said. Urg. Barmond wanted them to look at him just like they looked at Hugo. Was it too much to ask?

“I think it’s settled then. Now, let’s start the lesson.”

“Oh Goddess,” groaned Barmond. There was no escaping this. He covered his face in shame.

“The first and last thing you need to know about a vampire is that it’s all about blood. They need it to survive like we need food, but stronger. They are absolutely obsessed with it. You are full of blood, so that’s already a point in your favor.” As he spoke, Hugo slipped a hand under Barmond’s shirt to stroke his stomach. The caress was soothing. “It’s also the first thing you are going to look for in a vampire. You are going to want to look if he had any colors on his cheek. The best test if is if he can blush.”

Hugo ceased his caresses and grabbed Barmond’s wrist to pull it away from his face. The vampire, as if to demonstrate, turned a beautiful shade of red. More people had gathered while he wasn’t looking and he could feel all of their gazes boring holes in his clothes.

“As you can see, Bar’ fed quite a lot before coming to the lesson,” said Hugo. “How considerate of you.”

“Shut up!” screamed the vampire. He didn’t even care if everyone could see that his fangs were out. “I never agreed to this!”

“Full-fledged vampires can and do blush on command. Bar’ still had a lot of human in him so he blushes when he’s flustered, just like the rest of us.”

“I’m not flustered!” Barmond tired his best to crawl out of Hugo’s hold but it was like struggling against silver bars. “I’m furious! What are you all looking at?” He hissed at the crowd.

“If a vampire is very pale, can’t blush or refuses to show you that they can, don’t approach them unless you trust them. They can be potentially dangerous and might have bad intentions when letting you close. They can’t get it up anyway when they are starving. Bar’ told me that useful little tidbit the other day.”

“Don’t tell them that!” Barmond covered his face again. He was so embarrassed. “I am going to kill you, Hugo, I really am!”

“No werewolf will be harmed in the process of making this course, don’t worry,” said Hugo to his public.

“You—“

But Barmond never got to call Hugo a dimwit troll with a turd for brain. Hugo, treacherously, had latched on his ear to nibble on it. The vampire’s breath stuttered and he squirmed, his already hot body getting even hotter. He forgot what he was going to say. For a second, he even forgot where he was. Hugo pulled him back against him. His pulse was strong and resonated through the vampire’s body, adding to the haze.

“Side note, not all vampires have sensitive ears,” said Hugo. “That’s just Barmond. I love the way he just falls quiet when you play with them.”

There was a round of chuckles. Barmond’s awareness suddenly snapped into focus.

“Don’t— don’t tell them that!” he protested. In vain, as usual.

“Let’s resume. One thing that does make them go wild is their fangs. Barmond, please be a dear and show them yours.”

“My fangs are none of their business,” muttered Barmond, making sure to keep his lips close together.

“Don’t make me beg for it,” said Hugo. His hand gently stroked up Barmond’s throat. “Please. They all want to see now.”

Barmond shook his head, but he could already feel his resolve weaken. It only worsened when Hugo kissed along his jaw, slowly, his beard making Barmond shiver with each touch. Bastard. He was playing unfair cards. It was easier to resist him when he was rough. Now he just felt safe and cared for. He didn’t want to feel safe and cared for. He was losing this.

Slowly, tentatively, he pulled his hands away and opened his mouth. But he did keep his eyes closed. Unpleasant memories of younglings from his clan mocking his fangs threatened to pour in but they were kept at bay with the way Hugo stroked his chest through his clothes.

“You’re doing so good,” he praised in a whisper, before adding for everyone to hear: “They push out over the other teeth when they are really hungry or aroused. It’s always a good idea to pay attention to them during kisses. Just mind the sharpness. Apart from that, they are as sensitive as their sex.”

Barmond bit his lip. “That’s not true—“ he said, before stopping himself.

“What was that?” asked Hugo. “I thought it was the case. You certainly seemed to like it when I would play with them.”

“It’s not that.” Barmond opened his eyes. Still too many damn people looking at him. He turned to Hugo and barely mustered the courage to whisper something in his ear.

“Ah, got it,” answered the werewolf. “Barmond said that how sensitive they are varies with how hungry the vampire is.”

“And then there is a peak...” Barmond’s voice caught in his throat. He couldn’t say it.

“... during sex. Which brings me to my next topic: they bite. I mean, that’s in itself is obvious.”

A few people laughed. Most seemed enraptured with the show, and how Hugo’s hand was slipping under Barmond’s shirt again. The latter found that in particular a little arousing. They did look like they were enjoying themselves.

“But,” continued to say Hugo, “they can bite down when they are a little too excited. It’s a risk you’ll have to take. Luckily for you, a vampire can’t be discreet about their biting for the life of them.” Hugo’s lips were over Barmond’s throat, nudging a spot over and over. “They will be breathing hard to get your scent, they will start licking and might even nibble on you.” Just as Hugo did between his words. Barmond squirmed. “But, when they bite, they do it fast. And hard.”

Hugo clambered down with all of his strength and Barmond felt his body blaze alive. He cried out in pain, in pleasure, and arched his back against Hugo. Blood rushed down to his dick so fast it left him light-headed. His dull nails dug in his thighs just to have something to hold on to.

People gasped at his reaction but Barmond suddenly found out that he didn’t mind as much. Let them watch. Let them watch as his pants tented and he hips moved with small, needy thrusts. Let them watched as he thrashed his head and gasped when Hugo made the pressure of his teeth vary on the bite. And when he let go and licked the mark, Barmond moaned loudly without a single care.

“Biting a vampire when they are in the right mood can have spectacular results,” said Hugo.

He didn’t have the leisure to say more. Barmond grabbed a handful of his hair and brought his mouth back to his neck. He needed more. Onlookers laughed but the only laugh that mattered was the one that ghosted over his skin, pouring out of Hugo’s lips.

“Stop talking to them,” said Barmond. “Too much talking. Let them get a vampire and ask for themselves.”

“Is that an order, Bar’?”

“It is.”

“Hmmm... I sort of like that, not going to lie. You growing all possessive on me, that is.” Hugo’s hand traveled higher, seeking out a nipple. When he found one, he pinched and pulled it.

“I’m not.”

“Whatever you say.”

Hugo kissed him before he could protest, not that he minded. His gentle touch on the vampire’s fangs felt amazing. Barmond’s dick only hardened further, making him whimper in need when it was still trapped. Hugo’s hand caressed up his thigh and palmed it.

He was so sweet with him now, and Barmond only wanted more of it. He knew that others were still watching. He hoped they envied him, envied his Hugo...

Okay, he’ll admit it. Maybe he was a tad possessive. He won’t be confessing it out loud any time soon though, that would be too much to ask. Instead, he gripped Hugo by the hair to deepen their kiss and ground his ass against his crotch. He was rewarded by a growing hardness.

What a fool he had been, avoiding a man like that, one that wanted him so much. Hugo’s soft groans against his lips were like sweet honey to Barmond. Had he even had a lover like that? No, he had not. He better hold on to that one as hard as he could. Maybe he could even fall in love.

He’d have to stop that nasty habit of mocking him though. That was really annoying.

“Oh, you saucy little minx,” muttered Hugo. He slipped his hand down Barmond’s breeches, eliciting a moan from the vampire. “Secretly, you like being shown off like that, don’t you?”

Barmond opened his eyes and took a quick look around. Some more most definitely still watching. Some others had gotten together and were starting to make out, following their example. He found that not being the only one made it easier, but the way a lot of them watched them as if they wanted to be in Barmond’s spot... Hugo was known to be a lover that gave, and gave, and gave. They envied him.

Barmond closed his eyes again and leaned his head back against Hugo’s shoulder. He was content just focusing on the hand in his clothes and its teasing touches for now.

“I need you...” said Barmond.

“I’ll make you scream.”

Barmond whimpered when the touch was drawn away from his body. He retaliated by rubbing against his hardness some more, pulling a few pleased grunts from Hugo, but that didn’t distract the werewolf from his new task. Eventually, the vampire opened his eyes to see that he was opening a small bottle of oil. Had someone given it to him just now?

Jessica was there, sitting on the couch with a smile. Her eyes bore into Barmond hungrily. This was a far cry from her usual sweet and almost demure self... she was, after all, a succubus. Not that Barmond minded her being there.

“Can I touch?” she asked.

“Yes,” said Hugo, turning himself so that they would face her a little more. “But he’s mine.”

The way he said it made the vampire in his arms shiver. Hugo's tone had been deep and menacing. There it was: the touch of danger that came with Hugo, that hid under that friendly facade, and it appeared while he was protective over him.

That turned Barmond on. Even more than what he already was, that was.

Jessica nodded and reached for Barmond’s shirt, lifting it, exposing his chest. Barmond whimpered when he felt her pulse add up to Hugo’s. The latter, feeling that he had competition, returned his hand to Barmond’s breeches, but this time to tangle with its opening. Barmond did the same with Hugo’s, even if trying to undo something in his state and without being able to look at it was quite the task.

Jessica purred and licked her lips as she stroked up Barmond’s chest slowly. She seemed content with just watching Hugo pull the vampire’s cock out to stroke it, making the vampire moan softly.

“Lift yourself up a bit for me, will you?” said Hugo.

Barmond obeyed him, pushing himself up against Hugo’s wide chest. A hand came under him and pressed to his entrance with oily fingers, massaging that place with small circles, teasing with the possibility of a breach. Barmond whimpered.

“Some more pro tips,” said Hugo to Jessica. “Vampires are always clean down there, as they don’t eat any physical food. And, if they don’t mind it, you can go all out on them because of how fast they heal.”

Barmond hissed. Hugo laughed when he heard.

“Although I think a certain someone is impatient,” added the werewolf.

Stupid idiot, thought Barmond. He dropped himself on that finger and Hugo let him with a short laugh. Yet he stayed still. Why did he stay still? Barmond had to fuck himself on his own now.

“Oh... you little lovebite,” gasped Hugo. He curled a finger inside the vampire, stroking that spot. “I love it when you go wild like that.”

Barmond moaned. Right then, when he had been on the verge of giving up, he found that he had managed to undo Hugo’s breeches. He reached inside and pulled him out to grind against him. Barmond felt a rare smile stretch his lips when he heard the werewolf gasp in surprise and moan close to his ear. Got him.

“You’re really making it hard to wait,” said Hugo as he pushed in a second finger. Barmond chuckled. “Oh, that’s it, you’re getting it the hard way.”

Suddenly Barmond lost both Hugo’s hands on him. His eyes shot open in surprise and he almost hissed, but then he was lifted effortlessly. With nothing to keep his mind off what was happening, he found himself go a deep red when he realized how exposed he was now. His breeches had slipped down to his knee and Hugo held him with his legs spread, showing off his nether regions to everyone that looked.

“Put me down!” he cried, furious. “What the fuck are you doing, Hugo?”

“Hush, hush lil lovebite.” Barmond hissed when he was called that. “Jess, could you please?”

Jessica nodded and grabbed the little oil bottle. She did something under Barmond without touching him. Barmond’s mind was too lust-infused to work correctly. He didn’t guess what she was doing until she backed away with a large grin.

And then Barmond was slammed down on Hugo’s perfectly oiled cock. He shouted. It burned, it rubbed just right, it was pleasure and pain combined in the best of way. Barmond threw his head back on Hugo’s shoulder and kept moaning as he felt himself adjust around this massive length inside of him. He was so full; it was just as good as it had been last time.

“He’s so loud,” said Jessica. She was back at stroking his chest. She must have been using some of her kind’s magic because her touch felt wonderful. “And tasty. I should have known that a mere mortal wouldn’t be so nourishing.”

Was she... feeding on them? Not that Barmond minded as long as she wasn’t too greedy.

“You couldn’t have known.” Hugo’s voice was low and labored. “There hadn’t been a vampire coming to Badiene since you were a little girl, when...”

“Hush. Now is not the time to talk about this.”

Barmond hissed at them both. So much talking and not enough fucking, he thought. He had had plenty of time to adjust, so he lifted himself only to drop again. Hugo’s cock at least felt good, rubbing on that throbbing spot deep inside – even if Hugo seemed to be more interested in talking than fucking right now.

Damn him.

He got some measure of revenge when he heard Hugo repress a low, surprised groan from his actions. Powerful, calloused hands came to circle Barmond’s waist and help him with what he was doing. That was more like it.

“Are you jealous I am talking to Jess, little lovebite?” purred Hugo.

“No!” lied Barmond.

Hugo laughed and nibbled at his throat. This made the vampire hope that he would bite it and he leaned into the touch, but the bastard was only teasing him with the possibility. As revenge, Barmond tightened his ass briefly.

“You’re really asking for me to pound you, don’t you?”

“Just do it!” cried Barmond. “I’m not some doll glass!”

Hugo wasn’t the only one that gasped when he cried out, but Barmond didn’t care anymore. He wasn’t into having a public, he decided. All he wanted was to have Hugo hold him down and fight against him. That was what felt right.

He had his wish. Barmond was shoved down into the couch before he could stop Hugo and felt the other thrust into him hard. His large hands were holding him down – as they should. And his cock was hitting that spot inside mercilessly, making Barmond scream and push back against him frantically. The couch creaked under their joined force.

“Harder,” begged Barmond. He reached under him to stoke himself as he spoke. “Harder, please.”

There was a grunt from somewhere above him and Hugo complied. Barmond’s arms almost gave in from the strength used on him and the vampire found himself with his face pressed against the couch’s backrest. Not that he cared. Each time he was thrust in like that, so savagely, he saw stars. He was somewhat aware that he was begging some more but the words were coming out of him incoherently. A haze fell on him. All that mattered was the cock pounding into him and the heavy breathing of the werewolf over him.

The urge to bite down made itself more and more intense. This time, Barmond’s hands weren’t tired. He shoved two fingers in his mouth to press down on those tender spots, muffling his moans as he did so. The small massages on his gums made him shiver. Pleasure shot down his spine with each change of pressure, adding to the heat that was already coiling in his stomach. He was coming closer—

Hugo grunted and pulled Barmond’s hand away from his mouth, only to replace it with his own fingers against his gum. Suddenly feeling a pulse there made the vampire go wild. He thrashed around, his hand gripping the couch’s cloth until his knuckles were white from the pressure.

Hugo only gave him one firm bite in the shoulder and Barmond came undone. He screamed as he came and locked down around Hugo, pushing back against him to take him as deep as possible. The werewolf let out a deep growl, one that reverberated in Barmond’s very bones, and came shortly after, riding his own orgasm out until he had shot everyone out in Barmond’s depth.

When he crashed over the vampire, the latter welcomed the grounding weight. He felt a little out, tired and still a little hazy; it occurred to him that Jessica might have had something to do with that. As if she had read his mind, she giggled softly and stood up.

Whatever. It had felt amazing. He just wanted to lay here for a while longer without a care in the world. He still had Hugo’s fingers in his mouth: his pulse against his fangs felt comforting.

Sadly, Barmond’s wish wasn’t to be.

“I hope you haven’t ruined the couch,” said a male voice. Barmond recognized it. It usually was suave and composed, but right now it couldn’t hide its owner’s annoyance.

He looked up to lord Ranphoros.

The incubus was a prime example of the sub-species of incubus called nobles. He was tall and intimidating, with horns that panned out on the side of his head and large, black feathery wings. His skin was a lovely shade of magenta, with a shimmer to it that made onlookers want to reach out and touch it. He did nothing to hide it too, save for a cloth tied around his hips. Barmond guessed that black was his favorite: when he wore clothes, he didn’t put on any other color.

“No, he hasn’t, Ran,” answered Hugo as he rolled off Barmond.

“Really?” The incubus leaned in to inspect the state of the couch. It was intact, save for being covered in Barmond’s come. “Fine. But don’t forget to clean it.”

“Ran, I don’t need you to breathe down my neck when I fuck a vampire,” said Hugo in a warning tone.

The lord narrowed his eyes at his second in command but dropped it quickly. When he walked away, his feathery tail twisted in annoyance.

“What’s up with him?” asked Barmond when he was out of earshot.

“Actually, I am not quite sure. He certainly has a problem with you and me being together, but it only started after I kissed you the first time.”

Barmond wasn’t too reassured by that. No one wanted to land themselves on the wrong side of an incubus as powerful as lord Ranphoros.

“Don’t be scared, I’ll protect you,” said Hugo as he ruffled his hair.

“I’m not scared,” hissed Barmond. He tried to swat the other’s hand away. “You mongrel. I don’t need your protection.”

Hugo laughed. “If you say so.”

“Why do you never believe me? I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself without having a babysitter looming over me like I’m some toddler—“

Hugo must have guessed that this rant was going to be a long one, so he pulled him in for a kiss and effectively gave Barmond’s mouth better things to do. The vampire stopped talking but he didn’t soften. He broke the kiss but was interrupted before he resumed.

“I think that you are more than capable of fending for yourself. The problem is that you might be too good at it, and one doesn’t simply attack Ran and gets away with it. Let me handle the man.”

That sounded unusually sensible for Hugo. Barmond accepted this answer with a disdainful snort and discreetly sank a little deeper in his arms.

“What do you think of Ranphoros?” asked Hugo.

“What... I think of him?” Barmond was a little taken aback by the questions, but he gave it a serious thought. From Hugo’s tone, he could guess that the werewolf was on to something. “He’s a capable leader. Full of charisma. Both smart and knowledgeable... I have to admit that I was a little surprised by him at first.”

“Surprised? In what way?”

“Well, he’s not... passionate. I would have expected an incubus out of all people to be a whole lot more demonstrative, especially when I compare him to his daughter... or any other succubus from the nest. The warm color only reinforces this impression.”

Hugo laughed. Barmond narrowed his eyes at him, not quite sure what to make of his reaction. What had he done this time?

“Don’t look at me like that,” said the werewolf with a kiss to his brow. “You’re spot-on. Ran used to be even more reckless than Maggie, and she still sneaks out in town without his permission at the first chance she gets. But I was more interested in how you felt about him. If you are attracted to him at all.”

Barmond blushed. Well, there had been a time where he had held lord Ranphoros in high regards... he certainly was seductive. Out of his league by miles for sure, but maybe it was best like that. He had an untouchable air about him. But Barmond would be lying if he said that his interest had not dropped since Hugo had made his interest in him clear. The werewolf’s passion turned him on.

And Barmond’s thoughts must have been visible on his face, for Hugo was starting to smirk as if he had just gotten a compliment. The vampire swatted him on the arm.

“Don’t flatter yourself too much, mutt, your only merit was that you distracted me too much so that I could think about anyone else.”

“That’s exactly what I had been hoping to do to your mind,” answered Hugo. “Distracted, huh? Ran must have sensed it. He’s not used to someone stealing his thunder.”

Barmond scoffed. “The moment I’ll get used to dealing with your horny ass I’ll be back to normal.”

“Then I’ll just have to never give you room to grow used to me? Challenge accepted.” Hugo stroked his stomach, leaning in for a kiss.

“That’s not what I meant! Let me go, you’re worth than an incubus—“ once again, Barmond was kissed into silence, only this time he allowed himself to indulge in the kiss. Hugo was an idiot, but it worked. It worked too well.

They made out where they laid, only taking a break to adjust their clothes and clean as Ranphoros had asked them to. Barmond felt fuzzy but too tired for a second round and so did Hugo, apparently. They were content with sitting with one another. Barmond barely protested when Hugo pulled him close.

“Did lord Ranphoros’ spouse get killed by a vampire?” suddenly asked Barmond.

Hugo chocked and looked at him with wide eyes. “Did your sire tell you that?”

Barmond snorted and smiled smugly. “I guessed it. It’s obvious, you know.”

“Not that obvious. You’re so smart.”

Barmond savored the compliments. It was damn time this mutt started to recognize his worth. His smile dropped when Hugo laughed and kissed his cheek.

“You really are unaware of how cute you are sometimes,” said the werewolf.

“For the last time,” hissed Barmond, “stop it with this cute thing! Kittens are cute, children are cute, but not vampires.”

“Whatever you say. Also, I’ll add puppies to the list of things that are cute, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course you would.”

“But yeah, to answer your question, that’s exactly what happened. A young vampire lost control while she was feeding on him. It happened so fast. Ran had his guts even faster, and then he banned all vampires from the city.” Hugo sighed. “And then he changed. For a while at least. Although I am starting to see the old him a lot more those days, but I guess it’s more subtle for people that don’t know him.”

“Sounds terrible,” said Barmond. “I didn’t know when I came here. I’m surprised he let me in at all.”

“He let you in because he had logical reasons to do so. Also, he knew that I would be keeping a close on you.” Hugo chuckled. "He knew about my intentions for you before you even noticed."

Barmond swatted him in on the arm for good measure. The werewolf went for revenge by kissing his ear until Barmond was squirming in his arms to get away.

“But more seriously,” said Hugo once he had stopped laughing, “I think that, rather than him having a problem with us because you’re a vampire, that he’s just lonely.” The werewolf sighed. “Even if the stubborn oaf refused to get over the death of his wife. I know that he loved her dearly, but she wouldn’t have wanted him to find someone else, even if it’s just for feeding properly. Incubus need the physical contact.”

“I thought he could feel on the orgies you guys had in the dining hall?” Barmond looked at a couple going at it on another couch. This sort of things happened a lot in the nest.

“Yes, but that’s not... It’s hard to explain. They still have a longing for companionship.” Hugo sighed. “I think that Jessica could explain it better than I do.”

“Not that I care for detailed explanations,” answered Barmond. “Yours is enough.” On top of that, Jessica was nowhere to be seen, and he was very comfortable right where he was. “The sun is going to rise soon.”

“Oh, then I best bring you to your room,” said Hugo.

“No thank you, I think I’ll find my way—Hugo, put me down this instant!”

But Hugo, this huge idiot, only laughed as he carried Barmond bridal style across the room. Everyone looked at them when he screamed, making the vampire go red in the face, but he wasn’t about to stop screaming.

Hugo didn't care.

He didn't even put him down when they were in the hallway but kept going. Barmond was not surprised to see that Hugo seemed to know the way to his room even when he had never been invited there. With him having planned for Barmond's coming with Ranphoros, there was even the possibility that he might have picked it out himself for Barmond. That would explain why it was so comfortable.

Hugo still surprised Barmond when he kissed him in front of the door. The vampire almost fought back, but then realized that he was too tired from all the sex and screaming (and feeding succubus) to care. He hissed a little, and Hugo took that as an invitation to invade his mouth but didn't go for the fangs this time.

"We're not doing anything more this dawn, I'm warning you," said Barmond.

"Hmm... Are you sure about that?" Hugo answered as he opened the door.

"Hugo, I'm serious."

"I know." He nudged him, before walking to drop him on the bed. "But can I stay?"

"Only if you behave."

Hugo grinned at him, hands on his hips, and Barmond had to look away not to blush because that would be embarrassing if he still did after all they had done together, but darn was he stupidly handsome. Hugo chuckled and went to close the door, and then he came back to Barmond, probably expected that they laid together to snuggle; he stopped in his tracks when he saw the vampire standing up.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm getting ready for the day." Wasn't that obvious? He couldn't sleep in his night clothes. It wasn't comfortable.

Hugo snorted when he pulled a nightgown out of a cabinet. Barmond sent him a dark look. What now?

"You are sleeping in this?" said Hugo.

"I sleep in whatever I want. If you don't like it, you can leave. Maybe then I can have my peace, and not be laughed at all the time."

"I think it's adorable."

Barmond tried staring at him with his eyes narrowed until he baulked, to see if he cared more about that than insults, but Hugo's big goofy smile only got wider. Stupid dog. Stupid idiot. Barmond wanted to kick him in the nuts.

He was too tired for this. With a sigh, he got rid of his clothes (he avoided looking at Hugo, who, he was sure, was devouring his naked form) and wore his nightgown, that he tied closer to his form at the waist with a string. He knew he was a busy sleeper, and he didn't like waking up in the morning with the lower rim riding his chest or, worst of all, naked.

"Oh god, it has embroidery," muttered Hugo. "Is that a rabbit?"

"It's a ferret, you idiot. It bites, not like a stupid rabbit. You're the rabbit."

"Are you a ferret, Barmond? I love ferrets. They are so cute when they are tame."

Barmond hid the ferret-shaped embroidery on the front of his nightgown with a hand. "No."

"And they have a nasty bite too. The more I think of it, the better it fits."

"I'm not a ferret."

"That's true. You're better. You're a Barmond."

Barmond was thrown for a loop by that compliment. He opened his mouth and searched, in vain, for a snappy reply. He found none.

"Barmonds are even cuter than ferrets."

"No."

Hugo started to laugh. Barmond tightened his fists, wondering if he should smack the idiot werewolf, then breathed in deeply and forced himself to relax. He would be the adult here and forgive and forget. After all, he was the smartest of the two. It wasn't Hugo's fault he had been hit on the head one too many times during a fight.

"How do you go to bed, anyway?" asked Barmond. "Since you obviously don't have any sort of dedicated clothes for that like a civilised person does."

"I go naked."

Barmond narrowed his eyes. "You are not going to get naked in my bed."

"Why not?" Oh, Barmond wanted to claw that smug slime off him. "Scared you would be unable to resist the urge to pounce on me if I did?"

"You are not getting naked. That's a final. My room, my rules."

"Fine. You win."

Hugo got up and started to remove his clothes. Barmond almost expected to get naked regardless but, in the end, Hugo remained in breeches. His bare, muscular chest was still too much skin, but Barmond was too tired to get in another fight over it.

Despite their recent bickering, Barmond didn't protest when he was pulled close against Hugo's chest as they laid down. Now that they had a pillow to share, he had become the little spoon. He didn't fight it. Trying to spoon Hugo instead felt like fifty shades of wrong. So he pulled up the cover over the both of them and settled down quietly.

He felt soft lips right where his neck met his shoulder. The sudden contact made him shiver and he squirmed. Hugo ignored that and continued, slowly making his way up to his ear.

"Hugo, stop."

"Why?"

"I'm trying to sleep."

"I'm not getting a goodnight kiss?"

"You don't deserve one."

"Then I'll continue."

Hugo went straight for the ear with his teeth.

"Oh Goddess-- Cheater! Don't do that." Barmond tried to get away from the other's biting, in vain. There was no escaping his hold on the squirming vampire. "F... All right, you get your kiss."

Of course, Hugo had to chuckle as his victors sank in. To shut him up, Barmond turned his head and kissed him on the lips. And then he turned his full body a little so that he could cup his cheek and deepen it. Hugo's laugh turned into a content hum as their tongues lazily caressed one another.

"Enough," said Barmon in a whisper. "Now we sleep."

But he didn't turn away, so Hugo peppered his face with small kisses. His beard tickled a little. He wouldn't let Barmond turn his back to him.

With a sigh, Barmond turned so that he would face him fully and threw a leg over Hugo's hips. Not that he wanted to. He was just making concessions so that the stupid wolf wouldn't bother him during the night.

Maybe.

But listening to Hugo's heartbeat was nice. He laid his head on his biceps, his forehead pressing against his chest, and closed his eyes. He fell asleep like that when the sun rose, his nose and dreams full of Hugo's scent.

He wouldn't admit it, but it had been a while since he had felt this happy.