AU: (Un)comfortable [Jackson, Vamps]

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryphon didn't like risking walking around by himself in the coven, even now. He knew there were rules everyone had to follow, including the one that involved the fact that imprinted humans were basically untouchable by anyone other than their other half (and by Rue, but he seemed to surpass all the rules here), but that didn't stop him being uncomfortable when he was looked at by some of the younger vampires. Some people wouldn't know or be able to control themselves, after all, and he hated that risk. So he generally stayed inside, except occasionally when the Sun was out, because he knew he was basically safe to go outside the coven a little without the risk of being hurt - what idiot demon would come out in the sunlight for him? And anyway, if he didn't leave his room ninety-five percent of the time, he couldn't risk breaking the majority of rules that came with being a 'pet' in this coven. Complete respect for vampires, following orders, no eye contact, no speaking out of place, it was all ridiculous. He knew some of the particularly prejudiced vampires didn't even like humans using furniture, Finn being one of those. He had never said so directly, but he remembered being sat in the library whilst Kodi milled around, and Finn had come in, seen him, and within a second he thudded on the floor, because the chair had moved somehow. It definitely wasn't a coincidence.

His butt still hurt from that.

Anyway, Kodi was off doing something, and Gryph was lying on their bed, picking at the sheets, seeing as his lover had no such prejudices as the rest of the demons here, and let him do what he wanted on their own time. He had just woken up from a nap, since it was currently deep into the night and Gryphon's body clock occasional gave out on him at these times, especially since he struggled to get to sleep most of the time, because he would do what he was doing now. He watched the door nervously, wondering if anyone would come in and do... something. He just constantly had this paranoia that there would always be someone out there to get him in this coven, even when Kodi was there to try and protect him. Somedays he regretted coming here, but... it was for the best, after all. He was kept fed and hydrated. It was better than struggling with starvation, and the dangers of hunters on the outside.

[Deleted]

Heh heh heh….new humans were always fun to play with. But what about the rules, you ask? What rules? Jackson didn’t know any! And besides, he hadn’t broken any of them! If Kodi wants him to keep his ‘hands’ off of his human, then so be it! Jackson didn’t need his hands to have his fun.

But Kodi didn’t need to know that. And neither did his human…what was his name? Giff? Geoff? Jeff? Fiffy? Whatever, it didn’t matter, it was a stupid name anyway.

Jackson was here to see Kodi, not Fifi. After all, he’d asked the young-looking vampire for assistance in learning the ‘vampire ways’(OooOOoooo!!) and since Master Rue gave the go ahead, Jackson had prepared a whole curriculum for the baby vamp. First order of business: How To Take Care Of Your Human.

This was gonna be good.

Jackson slipped down the outer wall of the house, swiftly and silently, and landed upon the sill just outside the new member(s)’ bedroom. Humph….the human was there, but…where was Kodi? Oh, well. May as well have some fun while Fievel sat there, waiting oh-so-anxiously for his master to return. There might have been a small sound when he pushed open the window, but his footsteps were as silent as the dead(ha, see what I did there?). He crept up behind the human, delicately crawling across the firm bedding, and floated his chin just above the human’s shoulder.

“Whatchu looking at, Jeffy?” he said loudly.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

If Gryphon wasn't so worried about being in danger, he would have left to find Kodi by now, but it was daunting. He knew he could easily get lost, because this place was so big, and asking for help wouldn't happen, unless he ran into a coven human, since they were actually nice to him. They were in similar situations after all. But anyway, there was no risk if you avoided the danger, so he would wait.

Gryph didn't like that Kodi felt the need to get help from the vampire called Jackson, for whatever reason. To show respect, or because he needed it, or whatever. He didn't like many of these vampires anyway, but the older ones, like Jackson and Finn, just put him too on edge. He didn't want anything to do with them - and you shouldn't even get him started on Rue. That master of the coven was worrying in too many ways.

Caught up in his own thoughts, Gryphon didn't hear the occasional noise or two coming from the approaching vampire. He was focused on thinking to pass the time and ignore his emotions, and he was focusing on the door, waiting to sense Kodi or hear an intruder of some sort so he could hide (somehow), but he was looking in the wrong direction. So when Jackson finally spoke, Gryph jolted violently and yelped in shock, rapidly looking at the face near to his before curling away and hiding his face in his arms, shaking and breathing heavily and too fast. Nopenopenopenopenope... it took him a while to catch his breath and calm the small panic that was shaking his body before he rolled over slightly and looked at the face that had scared him, showing a kind of weak annoyance in an attempt to cover up how dumb he felt, "Why did you do that?" He asked accusingly, "And it's Gryphon, not..." What had he said, Jeffy? What the hell...

"Kodi isn't here." He informed, as if that wasn't already obvious, "If you want him, he's in the library." And with that, he tugged his sheets over him and curled up again, hoping Jackson would now just leave.

[Deleted]

Yup, everything went exactly as planned. Just look at that human, cowering over a little thing like Jackson. As if this adorable little face could hurt anybody(actually, it could)! Jackson sat back on his knees and held his stomach, giggle-fitting so hard he was about to fall over. He almost didn’t notice when the human finally composed himself and presented his question.

“Fine, fine, Gryphy or whatever, right? That’s what Kodi calls you, I think, excuse me for not remembering the name of a silly human." As for the question...Jackson leaned forward on his hands until he was in ‘Gryphon’s’ face again. “And because it’s fun, why else? You humans are so easy to scare, it’s not like I was gonna eatcha or anything.” Even Jackson knew better than to do that, despite how much he was(and planned on) messing with Kodi’s human. Master Rue wouldn’t be happy if he found out the little vampire went against the rules, for any reason. But again, that didn’t bar Jackson from playing with him in other ways. “It’s okay, I can wait for him.” And entertain myself until then.

The human curled himself away and Jackson almost took offense at that. “Hey, hey! Don’t be like that!” he said, bouncing up to his feet and bounding to floor on the other side of the bed. The side the human was facing. Jackson knelt down, trying to get a good look at his face. “You used to be a hunter, didn’t you? Why so scaaared then? You must not have been a very good one, if you ended up as Kodi’s personal bloodbag.” Jackson poked the lump beneath the sheets. Still not technically touching.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Oh, because an over four-hundred (at least) year old vampire wasn't something to be frightened about, when Gryph didn't have the senses to notice before that he was there. No, yeah, Gryphon was being a total wimp. Totally.

At the sound of the affectionate pet name coming so blankly from Jackson's mouth, Gryph scowled, almost accurately copying one of the growls Kodi would make when he was angry. That name was something personal. "When you think you'll be chewed on if you step outside, it's hard to be calm." He said bluntly, grumpy. "And it's Gryphon, or Gryph. Hell, call me a derogatory name if you really want, but you don't call me Gryphy." Otherwise the name used to comfort him and show empathy would become tainted, and Gryph didn't want that.

The winged man didn't understand why Jackson wouldn't just leave. Okay, maybe he was entertaining because of how easily he got annoyed or panicky or surprised or upset at the moment, but Gryph wanted to be left alone. Was that so hard? At the protests, he said nothing, and when he saw eyes on his face, Gryphon pulled the sheets up higher, and listened, scowling. Jackson's last sentence made him flare up badly though, and he harshly pulled the sheets down to glare at him, "I am not just a bloodbag to Kodi. I'm his mate, boyfriend, lover, whatever the fuck else along those lines, but I am not just disposable." With that, his vision dipped and he folded his arms under the bedcovers, "I was a good hunter. You don't know any of what happened between us." But Gryphon didn't like Jackson enough to give him the details. "Just being a hunter doesn't make you invincible, and I haven't got anything to defend myself with. Being scared is natural." And horrible, but nature.

Where was Kodi? Gryph curled up even more, hiding his face, secretly trying to tell his vampire to come back. It probably wouldn't work, but... worth a try?

[Deleted]

“Hmmmm…..well you haven’t been chewed on yet, now have yo—“ Jackson stopped mid-sentence as he took a second to look over the human. The human who was actually well littered in nibbles and whatnot…well, his neck was at least, so Jackson could only conclude the rest of him was as well. “Woooow,” he said with fascination, moving in even more to inspect those bite marks, and completely ignoring Gryph’s grumpy words. “Kodi’s sure got an appetite, huh, Jiffy?” Apparently, he moved on with the names.

Jackson pulled back slightly when the human pulled himself even deeper under the covers. “Hey~” he protested. Jackson was just having some fun, he didn’t have to be such a pouty-poop about it.

Jackson rolled his eyes at all that pathetic sappy stuff he was rattling off, though. “Yeah, yeah….you guys are imprinted, right?” It took a bit, but Jackson finally sensed the ‘bond’ the two had. It made him sick. Or…. Jackson smiled. “Y’know, I like to to that with my humans too, right? Like, make them think I love them or something. That they’re special. Brings them some comfort, y’know?” He snickered. “Makes them more obedient and willing to do…things for me. So even if they should be scared…” Jackson grinned. “I make them think there’s nothing wrong and that they’re the only one for me.” It was all too sweet, that this human thought he actually mattered to someone.

Jackson stood up and dusted off his knees. “Though, honestly, I’m impressed a kid a young as Kodi’s figured out how to do it already. He’s gonna make a great vampire one day. Maybe even as great as me.” Not Master Rue though. Jackson laughed again.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryphon shuffled back nervously as Jackson edged closer, realising what he would have seen and shifting the covers just enough to try and cover his neck. He wasn't ashamed by the bites that dotted his body in an irregular pattern - in fact, he was fond of them, really - and he found him rubbing his thumb over a few on his wrist, as if it would help him communicate with Kodi better or some such nonsense. "I don't mind it." Gryph replied, even though he realised Jackson wasn't saying anything about the human's well-being. "He likes the taste." Well, of course he did. He was a vampire, after all. Gryph ignored the odd naming.

The older vampire's went completely over Gryphon's head. He did not care if he was upsetting him.

"Yes, we are." Gryph confirmed. He was proud of the fact. Pretty intensely proud. But then Jackson, this demon, began rattling off this... this nonsense, and Gryphon didn't want to hear it, but he found himself slowly peeking out in morbid curiosity, because it sounded familiar, but... Kodi wouldn't, not even as a vampire. It was too innocent, when he had realised, too honest. Surely, he would know if something was amiss... or maybe he wouldn't. No, no, he.... Gryph couldn't start thinking like that. Because he did matter, surely he did...? Kodi wouldn't lie to him like that, would he? And where was he anyway? Was this really not working, trying to catch his attention through the imprint? Gryphon kept trying anyway, even as he fell vulnerable to the verbal manipulation from his current company.

The avian man winced at the laugh, watching Jackson stand, "...I knew Kodi before he was turned. We were lovers." He said in a delicate, soft voice, "He wouldn't do something so cruel to me. He does care." The conviction in his words was only half there, "He loves me. He always has." Gryphon curled up as much as he could, into the fetal position, before looking up at Jackson, "Just because you're heartless doesn't mean everyone else in the world is."

[Deleted]

“D’awww…isn’t that just so vomit-worthy-ingly sweet?” he mocked. Fifi liked being bitten~

Of course he did. He was imprinted. That was one of the mind-manipulation effects of it that made their food more willing to be food for vampires. If used just right, it could be like a drug for them, making them so desperate and yearning for their master’s fangs to pierce into their skin. They’d be lost in it’s euphoria right up until the moment they died….

Boooooorrrriiiiiing~

Jackson liked to see them scared and hear them whimper though the whole meal, so he purposely disabled that effect as it pleased him.

The human kept talking, going on about something like ‘love’ and whatnot….man he sure was dull when he talked like this. “Uh-huh…how sure are you about that?” he said, now bored with the human’s stupidity. Jackson rested his cheek in his hand and cleaned one of his fangs with his tongue. “Don’t you know anything about imprints? No? Of course not.” He snorted in amusement. “For all you know, silly little human, Kodi just went in there and mucked up with your memories so you’d think you were past lovers. It’s not all that hard to do. He probably just saw you and thought you smelled pretty sweet. One bite, a little bit of ‘magic’ and bam,” he slapped his hands together and smiled, “you suddenly got a whooole history together.” It probably wasn’t true, but it was more amusing this way, having the human spin his head around in doubts.

It was working too. And Jackson couldn’t have been more pleased. He leaned down and met their eyes together. “It’s soooo easy to manipulate you humans. Care for a demonstration?” Jackson snapped his fingers between the two, though it was just for show. The moment their eyes met, Jackson had him ensnared. “There’s a party waiting for you outside the door there. Go say ‘hello’ to your new friends.” Jackson had to keep himself from laughing, this was just too funny.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryphon didn't respond to the rude voice from Jackson, no more than scowling as much as he had been doing anyway. He couldn't help the pleasure that came with giving Kodi his blood. He knew that other vampire's bites (he was thinking about Rue taking his blood here) weren't as sweet in feeling. Foreign bites hurt a lot more. It probably helped that Kodi was usually more gentle too. Sometimes.

Gryph's love for Kodi was real. He could swear, it wasn't... it couldn't be something fake, fabricated from lying memories. It was too strong for that, their bond was too strong, it couldn't be... "He imprinted on me by accident. He wouldn't trick me like that." The human continued to speak quietly. "He can be cruel to others, but not... not me. Kodi treats me right." It really couldn't all be a lie... could it? Gryphon despised these doubts he was trying to fight against, only because they were a possibility, and he hated that.

When their eyes met, Gryph felt weird, but he didn't look away, eyes slightly teary. He wanted to, though, it was almost like... he wasn't allowed to look away now until told to. He tilted his head and flinched slightly at the click, before listening to the instructions given with a quick nod. It was like his body was working without his own permission, but he was oddly okay with that. The winged man slowly got up and headed towards the door, turning the handle and stepping out into the corridor, where he was met with a small number of demons like the one he had just left behind. At first, he just looked blankly forward, even as one or two began to approach and lick their lips at the smell of sweet blood.

And then he snapped out of it and yelled in surprise and panic, as his body ceased to function, stumbling back again the closed door behind him and sliding down to the ground, curled up in a ball.

KODI, PLEASE, PLEASE, HELP ME! His mind screamed as he silently begged for the help he felt too incapacitated to give himself. There wasn't any true danger, but that didn't stop the panic building within the poor human.

[Deleted]

“Uh-huh, and what proof of that do you got? Anything? A picture? A letter? Or maybe some sort of trinket Kodi told you was important to the both of you?” He chuckled to himself, as the ways one could ‘prove’ their history were endless. “Maybe a ‘shared’ memory? Of something…..intimate.” Jackson was pacing around in front of the human now. He continued. Yes, he loved to hear the sound of his own voice. “Yeah, whatever. Lotsa vampires treat their humans “right”. Some actually think it’s a good idea to keep one around for as long as possible rather than running through a bunch.” Like Jackson. He never understood the sentiment of holding onto one human. Maybe there was some sort of emotional bond there? Like the kind between a human and a dog. Anything was possible!

Of course Jackson was just bullshitting the human. But he didn’t have to know that. And it wasn’t like it wasn’t possible either. Sheesh, both of these noobs, both Kodi and his pet, were so ignorant it was actually painful to watch sometimes. Yes, the imprint was strong. It was a strong bond that could be used for controlling(or looking after) your human in a number of ways. Jackson knew this not only because it was his specialty – mind control techniques, imprint manipulation – but also because he was similarly bonded to his Master. Right now, it seemed like these two were only using it as some sort of “non-superficial” proof of their “love” or whatever(gag!), which…. honestly, that could be dangerous for both of them. If Kodi didn’t know how to use it effectively, then this Gryphon human could just as easily become his greatest weakness.

Case in point, how easily the human complied with Jackson’s commands. Jackson cackled at the scream he heard from the other side of the door. He was still laughing when the human barreled back into the room and slammed the door behind him. Jackson stepped closer to the cowering human and tilted his head. “You didn’t pee yourself, didja?” Humans were so funny, losing control of their bodies when they were terrified.

The vampire’s amused smirk shifted into a look of condescension. “Y’know….if your so-called ‘bond’ was really so strong and precious, I shouldn’t have been able to do that. You get it now?” Jackson squatted down in front of the human. “Or do you need another demonstration?” Regardless, should the human carelessly look into his eyes again, Jackson would catch him and offer another command. Something ridiculous. “You should scrape and yodel around the room like a turkey,” he’d say with an innocent smile. Fooling around with this human was a great way to pass the time…but Kodi ought show up quickly before Jackson got bored with him.

[Deleted]

The best thing (one of the only good things, really) about this place was the library. There were tons of books in it, most of them incredibly old but somehow well-taken care of, so many that Kodi was sure he could spend a good portion of his eternal life within it, just reading. Well, maybe not as much time as he anticipated. He'd quickly learned that through his vampirical transition, he'd developed a quite useful knack for reading very (very) quickly, and retaining practically everything he read. It was amazing, especially since somehow his brain never seemed to get full of the information he gathered.

What he hated was leaving Gryphon alone. He'd just take some books back to his room with him, but apparently it wasn't aloud, because he could be 'stealing' them. Hmph. Whatever the case, it irked Kodi immensely. He would have brought Gryphon with him, then, but then the boy would have to sit uncomfortably on the floor, and be surrounded by other vampires in the vast place, and just... Neither of them liked it.

So he sighed and went by himself, managing to get somewhat lost in the books, but always maintaining that thread of connection between them. At the first hint of danger, Kodi would be sprinting back to his lover. So when that sudden fear did come, Kodi jolted to attention, shoved the book back into place, and darted towards the exit. When the thoughts became more frantic, he sent back a simple response. I'm coming.

When he reached the door to his room, he flung it open, already hackled up and hissing and growling at whatever was threatening his lover. "Get the fuck away before I-"

Kodi saw who it was, and the threat died in his throat. Fuck. What was Jackson doing in here? ".... You're scaring him," he accused, going over to Gryphon and pulling him into his cold embrace. Kodi nestled his fingers in the boy's hair to hold him against his chest as he looked uncertainly at the older vampire. ".... It's okay, love, he won't hurt you," he murmured, still matching gazes with the bratty-looking guy. "Right?" Even though the threat had been left out, his eyes still smoldered angrily.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryphon fiddled with his fingers sadly as Jackson drilled on about his beliefs about this situation. The human curled up a little more, "...I had to leave everything behind." He had brought his silver ring with him at first, one Kodi had had as well, but no longer had, for obvious reasons, but after one accidental touch, Gryph had gotten rid of the ring. He couldn't keep it if it would do more harm than good, so he had no physical evidence; but, "I remember everything, though." Gryphon didn't want to listen at all. Jackson spoke lies, lies... plausible lies, but they were lies, surely? "Kodi isn't like you. He isn't like.... a-any of you." Gryph would have smiled if he wasn't so uncertain, "He's special."

The winged man cherished that imprint like it was a wedding bond, because... well, for him and Kodi, that was what it was, really. It was even better than that, actually, the connection was something deeper. And Kodi wouldn't use it to mess with him. Hopefully.

As Jackson came closer, Gryphon curled up tighter, like a chain reaction. He just wanted him to go away, as his breaths pumped in and out rapidly and his heart beat too fast, and he could feel his body battling itself in his confusion and it hurt, it hurt, why couldn't he be left alone? He didn't respond at first, because he was too focused on those two words in his head.

I'm coming.

Gryph shook his head slightly, coughing out a dry sob. No, the imprint was there, and it was strong, Jackson was just... old. And that meant he was talented, so he could do... stuff. Gryphon only looked up for a second to contradict his words, "You're lying." He said simply, making the mistake of meeting with Jackson's eyes. He was about to act on his command (very shakily), when the door suddenly opened (sadly, not aiding Gryph's current panic at all), but he felt a small relief as soon as he confirmed who it was. He continued to whimper and shudder as Kodi brought him into his embrace, resting against the vampire, wishing he could be consoled quicker. He struggled to form words by this point, and hid his face in Kodi's neck, grabbing tightly onto his shirt and occasionally whimpering out his lover's name softly. He didn't want to be left alone ever again.

[Deleted]

Had he made his point by now? Jackson sure as hell hoped so, this scraping and whining act was starting to get old, along with all that “he loves me, he loves me not” sappy bullshit. Jackson rolled his eyes, bored with having to explain it again. “Uh-huh, and do you really think you’d realize he wasn’t who he seemed if he didn’t want you to? That’s how much control,” or lack of it, “he has over your thoughts, your emotions, right down to your memories….you wouldn’t even know the difference if he suddenly decided that the whole ‘lover’ role was tiresome, and just used you as a convenient bag of blood like everyone else. And he’d make you perfectly fine with that too.” It was probably pretty terrifying, to not be certain what was real and what wasn’t. Probably. Jackson had never experienced a mind fuck like that, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to anytime soon.

Well, whatever, it was fun to watch, especially when this human’s reactions kept going so over the top! “You can say that….it doesn’t make what I said any less true,” he said. Jackson could see the utter reluctance and despair in his eyes as the next command was given. Like he knew it was coming, but he couldn’t for the life of him stop it. Poor little human~

If Kodi had been just a few seconds later, then he would have burst in to see his ‘beloved’ waddling around like an animal like it was perfectly normal. Jackson sighed sharply in his disappointment and rolled his eyes again at the mushy scene that unfolded before him. Ugh, gag, for serious, could this get any sappier?

“Not my fault he scares so easily. I never even touched him, and he’s scrambling around like a finicky little mouse!” The whimpering was starting to get annoying though and the brat-vampire shook his head. If it wasn’t a result of Jackson specifically torturing his food, then it just got on his nerves. “Kodiiiii,” he whined. “Calm your human already, he’s being a nuisance.” He looked over to the young vampire with his usual stuck-up glare. “Or don’t you know how to do that?”

[Deleted]

Kodi almost wished that it was a vampire the same age as him or younger that he was going to find in the room, so that he could teach the demon a thing or two, but then again, younger vampires had less control, so it was possible he would have gotten hurt…. And as far as he could tell, Jackson hadn’t actually harmed his lover, just scared him immensely. Even though his own cold heart was still, he felt Gryphon’s pounding as if it were his own. He was even breathing hard, despite the fact that his lungs didn’t need the air.

“Shhh…” he tried to calm the human, rubbing up and down his back between his wings soothingly. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. You’re okay.” The broken sounds coming from the boy’s throat made Kodi’s blood boil; he hated that there was nothing he could really do about it. “I won’t leave you alone again. I promise.” It had been a stupid thing to do in the first place.

He turned his attention back to Jackson, trying to keep a biting tone out of his voice and only partially succeeding. “It’s not his fault he’s scared, he’s surrounded by predators,” he said coolly. “I would be terrified too, even if one didn’t touch me.” Kodi brushed his thumb over a couple of the scattered bite marks he’d left on Gryphon’s neck and shoulder, and tried to ignore the band of shadow around his throat. At least those had pleasured the human…

He looked up again when Jackson spoke, and scowled slightly. “… Of course I know how,” he retorted. “I just don’t like warping his emotions unless I have to.” Kodi kissed Gryphon’s forehead and nudged his chin up enough so that he was looking into his eyes. “…. Sweetheart, do you want me to help calm you down?” he murmured, ignoring whatever gagging noises Jackson was likely making.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Kodi wouldn't just use him as a bloodbag, he loved him too much, s-surely... "H-He's respectful. He wouldn't do any of that." Not that Gryphon would know... if he was doing or planning any of this or not... no, he.... Gryphon shook his head, "He might be able to control me but he doesn't. He cares." And that was that. Maybe.

Gryph was so glad for the interruption, even if it made his heart beat even faster at first. He was here, now, it would be okay. Because if Gryphon struggled to protect himself, Kodi would pick up the slack. He cared. He knew he cared, he wouldn't act like this if he didn't. He took Kodi's words as gospel, loosening his tense muscles slightly at the gentle touches and curling even more into his vampire. At the promise, Gryph nuzzled into Kodi's neck, as a silent way of confirming that that was what he wanted. If he could, he didn't want to leave Kodi's side. It was too dangerous.

Gryphon shook his head against Kodi's shoulder when Jackson spoke, because it was as if he was saying Gryph had been conjuring something out of nothing this whole time, and that wasn't true. Despite his shakiness, he managed to follow the conversation, just about, and was glad that Kodi understood so well. And his neck... well, it might have been sore in one or two places, but it was probably calming by now. He couldn't help scratching at that band sometimes. Gryph wished he could simply peel it off and throw it away, but instead he was constantly reminded that he wasn't just Kodi's, and that felt wrong.

Gryphon ignored the back and forth between the two of them about his behaviour, hiding deeper in Kodi's cold, yet comforting embrace, until he was nudged and caressed into looking up. He was still shivering and whimpering slightly, his eyes damp. And as much as he usually despised the idea of being forcefully manipulated emotionally... he asked. And he hated being panicky more than anything currently, so he nodded weakly in response, voice cracking slightly as he said "Ye-eah.", looking back into the eyes of his lover. "Please." He really didn't want to start crying but he could end up going down that route if he wasn't calm soon.