Beat

Chapter 3 A Meal

"Heyyheyyy!" Nox called out as she waved at the oncoming Leo and Adrian from the massive table.
"'Sup?" Theo asked in a much calmer voice.
"Hey you two," Leo said to his siblings and Adrian waved shyly and kept his gaze at the floor.
"You can look at us bro. We won't hurt you for it," Theo said to the the young man that was basically attached to Leo.
"Yeah, we won't bite you, promise! Well...actually I say that but....look regardless we do look pretty damn good. We're basically free eye-candy," Nox called out in an overly friendly but definitely braggy voice.
Despite this Adrian's eyes remained fixated on the floor, which made Leo gently squeeze Adrian's hand to let him know it's ok.
"They're a little odd but they won't hurt you. Well...Theo won't, with Nox it's 50/50," Leo said in an attempt to be funny but it had the unintentional effect of Adrian now electing to hide behind Leo.
"Oi! You're scaring him for no reason Leo!" Nox scolded.
"I was kidding Adrian. I apologize."
Adrian peaked out from behind Leo and his eyes went from Nox to Theo then back to Nox then back to the floor. Nox and Theo exchanged looks after which Theo simply sighed and shook his head whereas Nox snickered and then smirked as her eyes focused intently on Adrian.
"Here we go..." Theo muttered.
It took Leo a minute to realize why his siblings were reacting the way they were after Adrian had looked up, despite Adrian now looking at the floor again.
"I don't think him looking at you twice Nox means what you thought it meant," Leo stated but Nox shook her head.
"I'm not convinced...'sides Adrian is right here so let's just ask him shall we?" And before either Leo or Adrian could reply Nox was centimeters from Adrian's face with her eyes completely focused on him. Adrian immediately got behind Leo and his grip on Leo's hand became tight and tense and Leo nodded.
"See?"
"Too bad..." Nox muttered and by the time Adrian got done blinking she was back in her chair sitting down.
Adrian took a seat to left of Leo at the table so no one could sit next to him except Leo.
"You don't need permission Adrian, dig in," Leo said encouragingly as he took a bite of meat.
Adrian hesitantly reached for a salad and put some on his plate then picked up his fork and begun to eat.
He paused mid bite after the first bite was in his mouth and went wide eyed.
"Good right?" Nox asked after finishing a big bite and Adrian nodded and finished the bite then rapidly ate the rest of it, his starvation overtaking his desire to savor each bite.
"Easy easy. There's plenty and it's not going anywhere, take your time. It's okay," Leo said after he put a hand on Adrian's back.
Adrian sheepishly looked at Leo then the food.
"Sorry...." Adrian said after he swallowed a big bite.
"It's okay," Leo chuckled and pat Adrian on the back reassuringly then got back to his own food after which Theo and Nox subtly exchanged looks of surprise but continued on with their own meals as well.
"Sooooo...." Nox began 10 minutes later after everyone was full. "Where's the human gonna stay.....?"
"Not with me," Theo said then got up and left.
"I want him to stay with me..." Leo said firmly but trailed off, making Adrian realize there was obviously some kinda of obstacle with that course of action. "But...."
"Mom and dad?" Nox asked knowingly as she understood what the hold up was that Leo was thinking of and Leo nodded.
"Yeah."
"Yeah...Wait! I know! I'll keep him!" Nox said suddenly and to Adrian's surprise Leo nodded in agreement.
"That's the smartest choice actually. But Nox...don't hurt him. Okay? I mean it."
Nox waved dismissively but nodded.
"Yeah yeah. I'll keep him safe don't worry. But Leo...what's in it for me?"
Leo didn't look surprised by Nox's question which Adrian had kind of expected him to be. Leo took Adrian's hands in his own and looked at him which made Adrian look away.
"Adrian, will you agree to let her feed on you once a day in exchange for her keeping you safe for me."
Adrian went wide-eyed upon hearing Leo's request.
"Feed on me? Like suck my blood?" Adrian asked fearfully and Leo sighed but nodded.
"Yes. It doesn't hurt after the initial bite, and she will agree to not take more than she needs yes?" Leo said the last part to Nox but still while looking at Adrian.
"Nox will definitely agree to that," Nox said in reply in a giddy tone, obviously excited about the direction this conversation was heading in.
Adrian gulped after looking from Leo to Nox then back to Leo but nodded that he consented to the deal.
"But Leo can I make a request?" Adrian asked in a shy voice and blushed.
"Sure." Leo agreed trying to ease Adrian's worry but was very surprised when Adrian looked into his eyes and he saw a determined look.
"I...I'd like you to feed on me first, if that's ok?"
Leo blinked and his jaw dropped a bit clearly showing how surprised and caught off guard he was by Adrian's request.
"But why?" Leo asked after regaining most of his composure.
"Isn't feeding on a human like eating a meal for vampires?" Adrian asked and Leo nodded.
"Yes but...I still don't...."
"If I'm going to be a shared meal I want the person who has done the most for me to, and forgive the poor phrasing, get the first bite of me."
"I second that," Nox said from behind Leo with a massive grin on her face, clearly enjoying the show.
"Are you sure?" Leo asked and Adrian pulled down the shirt on his left side which clearly exposed his neck.
"I am. So please..." Adrian replied and tilted his head to the side to allow Leo better access.
"I'll try to be gentle but again this first part will hurt," Leo said as he leaned in and Adrian nodded.
"I understand."
Leo nodded and opened his mouth as he inched closer to Adrian's pale neck, his breath made Adrian shiver then Leo gently placed his large fangs onto Adrian's skin and wrapped his arms gently around Adrian to simultaneously try to comfort him but also hold him in place. Adrian took in a deep breath and Leo bit in making Adrian exhale. Leo did his best to take only what he really truly needed, to minimize the damage of the bite and blood loss...but Adrian's blood tasted so so soooo damn good. Adrian was no longer in pain but instead had relaxed and even moaned softly. Leo slowly withdrew from Adrian's flesh and put pressure on the wound with a napkin.
"You're okay right?" Leo asked after Adrian managed to catch his breath.
"Yeah. I'm good."
They both froze when they heard the sound of Nox's IPhone camera finish taking a picture. Leo glared at Nox where as Adrian was looking away and down at the floor as he held pressure on the puncture but was blushing furiously.
"What? He's apparently going to be important going forward and it was his first time being fed on. Like...bro how can I not?" Nox asked Leo as she slowly lowered her phone but Leo simply continued to glare at her.
"You only took the one photo though?" Leo asked clearly trying to calm down but still very upset.
Nox looked from her phone to her brother to Adrian then back to her brother.
"Yes I only have the one pic."
Leo exhaled slowly trying to accept that as a compromise.
"And 1 video of the whole thing...come on Adrian," Nox added very quickly then without warning ran to her room with her phone and Adrian then shut and locked the door behind her.