Holier Than Thou

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad's eyes glowed uneasily at Atul's reaction. "We will stay here," he said quietly.

[Emora Deen]

Atul's jaw tightened, his body stiffened. "I'd really prefer it if you didn't," the king muttered, staring at the floor. He stepped away to where a long elegant robe lay draped across a wooden chair. He drew it around his shoulders.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad's expression went paler than normal. He wanted to stay. He wanted to embrace his friend.

Instead, he said "Very well." He gripped Tenele's hand, and began to bolt from the room.

[Emora Deen]

Atul didn't watch Vlad leave, he stared out at the night and waited until he heard the door close. He gave a heavy sigh, and plopped down on his large empty bed in his large empty room.

Outside the door Tenele followed behind Vlad, staring at the back of his head with a very perplexed expression. "We should apologise," Tenele told him, tugging on his hand. "He didn't mean to hurt me. He didn't know my back was hurting. He was excited and happy we were there, even if we tricked him..."

[Soran Nightblade]

"I know," Vlad whispered. "I know. Perhaps you should go back. I'm... not sure I should."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele narrowed her eyes. "Me?" she muttered, tilting her head. "I didn't try to break his neck... I know you were just trying to protect me, Vlad... but its Atul. I think we should both go back."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad felt himself nod, but he didn't feel nearly as ready as his legs seemed to be as he slowly stopped and turned point back toward Atul's room. He could barely think. He needed to be back in that room, and everything inside him was begging not to do it.

"Okay," he murmured to himself as he walked toward Atul's room. He was gripping Tenele's hand like a liferaft as he knocked on the door.

[Emora Deen]

Atul glanced to the door. He sighed, waving a hand. The blue sparks flickered around the nob and the door flowed open. Tenele peeked around Vlad to where Atul sat on his bed, peering at him through the sheer curtains that surrounded him. Tenele shoved on Vlad's back to push him into the room. Atul stood up slowly and stepped through the curtain, standing on the edge of the podium that his bed sat on.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad stared at his friend and lover, and tried to avoid fleeing the room. He sucked at apologies. He was abysmal at them. But he wanted to stay here. He couldn't stand the look on his friend's face. "Atul..." he muttered. He walked toward the king carefully.

[Emora Deen]

Atul rubbed the red ring around his neck, glancing back at the floor. "I bound my soul to you to protect her," he muttered to the vampire, glancing up at Tenele. "I've shared a bed with you... I'd never intentionally hurt her, or you." It hurt to be treated like some common man, some unimportant acquaintance after they'd shared so much together.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad sucked back his pride like bad medicine. "I know," he breathed. "I know!" He closed the distance between them and pulled the man against him, wrapping him in a tight hug. "You are important to me. Please forgive me. I don't understand what's wrong with me." He kissed Atul's neck just below his ear. It might have been a sexual gesture from most people, but from Vlad, it was a sign of intimacy.

He forced himself to say everything that came to his mind and not let himself hesitate. "You've done so much for us, but that's not why we're with you. We... I care for you. Please," he whispered, "Don't let me ruin this."

[Emora Deen]

Atul responded by wrapping his arms tightly around Vlad and pulling him close. "I know. I understand. Its okay," he told Vlad, accepting of his apology. His eyes glanced over his friends shoulder and to Tenele, who was smiling from where she stood in the doorway.

[Soran Nightblade]

Relief cut through the vampire's senses, hot enough to burn his throat. He had to get these emotions under control. He leaned his head back and pressed his lips to Atul's. The kiss started out chaste, but urgency soon opened the vampire's mouth deeper against his. His hands kneaded into Atul's muscled sides possessively.

[Emora Deen]

Atul kissed back, sliding his hands up Vlad's back until one hand cupped the back of his head. He drew back slowly, giving Vlad's lips a gentle peck before he pressed his forehead to the cool skin of the vampires.

Tenele stepped slowly up behind them, not wanting to interrupt to sweet moment between the two of them. She clasped her hands behind her back and waited for the two of them to finish.

[Soran Nightblade]

"I'm an ass," Vlad whispered, holding on to the warmth of Atul's forehead against his. "And I want to stay here tonight."