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Staeve gently kissed his beloved vampire again. It slowly became quiet. Most of the guests had disappeared into their rooms by now. Only their closest friends and Staeve's sister were still socialising with them and letting the wedding evening draw to a close. Now to start the next morning. Dawn was already beginning to appear on the horizon. Amazingly, they had survived the drinks, food and cake.
Nita, who hadn't said anything for a while, finished her glass and clinked it on the table.
"So. Now that you two are absolutely inseparable, I want to know how you met." She looked at the fresh couple very penetratingly. "You simply introduced us to Astarion at some point, but never said a word about how you found each other." She looked at her brother challengingly.
The others looked up curiously.
"That's right. You never told us that." Shadowheart muttered. "There were little hints once that you met by coincidence. But there was never anything definite."
Nods of agreement now came from the others.
"I think so. You really owe it to us." Karlach grinned broadly.
Astarion and Staeve looked at each other for a moment. Then the vampire sighed and snuggled back into the half-drow's arms.
"Would you be so kind. I'm not good at telling stories." The pale figure said softly and gently intertwined their fingers so that their rings gently bumped against each other.
With a soft smile, Staeve kissed his vampire once more before making himself comfortable with him in his arms.
"All right, then. I think we can tell you the whole dilemma now." He laughed softly and cleared his throat.
"I'm not going to embellish anything. Everything was exactly like this."
~~~~
Staeve's eyes flitted wearily to the car's digital clock. Why had this meeting taken so long? Of course he knew why. There had been many important matters to discuss. That was what meetings like this were for.
Unfortunately, this also meant that it was now almost midnight and he still had to drive home.
Not really paying attention to the speed, the drow just wanted to get home and disappear under his duvet. He certainly didn't belong behind a steering wheel right now. He was too tired to drive. But it was no use. He had to get home.
All of a sudden, something banged against the windscreen out of nowhere.
Staeve's eyes widened in shock. He jerked the steering wheel round and slammed on the brakes without even thinking about it. The car spun on the road with screeching tyres. After almost a complete spin, it came to a halt. Fortunately, it had not overturned during the maneuver.
With his heart pounding wildly, the drow clutched the steering wheel and was completely beside himself. His trembling limbs were filled with terror and shock. His vision was almost black and the wild beating of his heart roared in his ears.
It took him quite a while to calm down and realize what had happened. His knees still weak, he stumbled out of the car and took a deep breath.
The cold air did his mind good. He was really waking up. Not just flooded with adrenalin, but really awake. However, he also felt a little sick when he realized that he had been more than a little lucky.
The way he had reacted in shock, he could just as easily have rolled over and ended up in a ditch. He felt slightly nauseous at the thought.
He closed his eyes for a moment and paused to take a deep breath.
Something had hit him on the windscreen. It's running through his head.
Shit. God damn it.
Did he really want to know what it had been and what condition it was in now.
An animal. That much he guessed.
He walked hesitantly along the side of the car, then peered at the windscreen.
Something quite large and white was lying in the center of the windscreen. Staeve hesitantly looked for traces of blood that would tell him how badly he had injured the animal. But he couldn't see anything red in the dim light.
It took some effort to look more closely at the animal. What was that, please? A white flying fox? A bat? From the head... Yes. A huge white bat. That's great. And he had run it over.
He hesitated again and tapped the animal carefully. Who knew whether it would bite.
At first, the white creature didn't move. But then it pulled up its wings. It tried. But it quickly relaxed one of them again, while it pulled the other close to itself. Then its head lifted. There was confusion on the animal's face. The red eyes did not seem to be able to focus fully. It pulled the moving wing slightly over its head and stayed still.
Staeve swallowed hard and waited. He had quite obviously injured the animal and with only one wing it could logically no longer fly.
After a while, the animal moved again. With a much clearer gaze this time, it looked straight at Staeve. He absently wondered whether bats even had good eyesight. ... It was all about echolocation.... No matter.
This bat was looking at him anyway.
"Hi." he said a little helplessly.
"Stay calm. You're hurt. I hit you with the car."
The half-drow had absolutely no idea if the animal got anything out of him talking to it. But it calmed him down himself.
"I guess I'll have to take you to an animal sanctuary. You won't get anywhere with that wing." He murmured softly.
The bat looked at him very closely. And not too enthusiastically. At least that's what it looked like.
Staeve sighed softly and took off his jacket made of thin, soft fabric. He placed it over the bat and carefully gathered it up, rolling it lightly into the jacket so that hopefully it wouldn't bite him and move too much with its injured wing.
Surprisingly, the bat only seemed to hiss quietly when he had to move its wing and was then very still.
Once the animal was well wrapped up, Staeve got back into the car and took a deep breath. He carefully kept the bat on his lap. The animal seemed to be doing quite well.
"Wildlife centre." He murmured and the bat hissed softly.
He looked at the animal in amazement and then searched on his mobile phone anyway. But there was nothing nearby. And everyone was closed. But now he needed someone to examine the animal.
While he was looking for a solution, he found a vet who was actually on call.
"OK. Then go there. I can't hand you in there. But at least I can get you treated." He explained to the bat as if it could understand what he was saying or know what he meant. No matter. It calmed his still fluttering mind.
The half-drow fastened his seatbelt and hesitated. He looked at the bundle of bats again and placed it carefully on the passenger seat. It didn't seem too enthusiastic. But it was safer this way. The last thing he wanted now was another accident.
He started the car and closed his eyes briefly. Collected himself. Breathed deeply to calm down.
The sat nav was quickly set. And he also made the short phone call to announce his arrival while still standing. Then he drove off.
It took him almost half an hour to get to the vet. When Staeve parked and checked on the bat, he was startled. It had its eyes closed. Full of worry, he lightly placed a hand on the bundle. But the eyes opened immediately.
He exhaled with relief and took the bat back into his arms and carried it to the vet.
As he entered, he was met by the gaze of an older woman, who adjusted her glasses slightly.
Staeve looked at her a little helplessly.
"Please. Can you just help the bat?" He asked in a clearly pleading tone.
She sighed and sat down at her computer. "I need your name."
"Staeve Brimstone."
"And your pet albino bat's?" She looked at him insistently, clearly emphasizing the pet.
The Drow looked at her for a moment, perplexed.
"Batsy?" It was the first thing that went through his mind.
She looked at him with a grin and raised an eyebrow slightly in amusement. Then she typed it in quickly.
For a moment, all that could hear was the clicking of the keys. Then she looked up again.
"Follow me, then."
The vet went ahead and Staeve followed her. He was really amazed at how carefully she handled the animal and how calm the bat was. It kept still during the x-ray and allowed itself to be treated completely. Occasionally it hissed softly when it was probably hurting too much.
"So. The good news is that your bat is perfectly healthy apart from its wing. The bad news is that it can't fly with it. The wing is broken."
She looked attentively at the Drow, who was looking rather worriedly at the white thing with the splinted wing.
"The second piece of not-so-good news is that even I can't tell you what kind of bat this is. So big and white. I've never heard of it before. You should take the animal to the nearest wildlife center when they open."
Staeve nodded and looked at the animal, which was looking at him with wide eyes.
"OK. Thank you very much," he mumbled and gathered the bat back into his jacket. It seemed to snuggle in easily and had no problem with it.
The vet looked at him a little puzzled.
"Well, at least the bat seems to like you." She smiled.
Staeve nodded and held the animal gently with one hand as he paid.
He thanked her again and said goodbye. Slowly, he walked back to the car and sighed softly. He just wanted to get home. At least the bat wasn't more seriously injured.
He looked at the perfectly content-looking, wrapped-up animal on his lap. It was nice to see one of them calm and balanced.
"Let's go home then. You'll probably be staying with me this night." Staeve explained and finally headed home. It wasn't that far now. Another half hour or so.
Relief and tiredness were written all over his face as he unlocked the door to his flat and let it close again behind him.
"Welcome to my kingdom." He murmured to the bat and looked around. He was reluctant to hang it on the curtain rail with its broken wing.
After a while, he found an empty shoe box. He rolled the animal out of the jacket and stuffed the jacket into the bottom of the box. As the whole thing didn't fit in, the sleeves were still hanging out of the box.
Staeve carefully placed the bat inside and lightly wrapped the sleeves around it.
The animal looked right up at him and he decided not to put a lid with holes over it, but to leave the box open like this. Then he put it on his bedside cabinet.
"Don't run away. I'll be right back." He said quietly and disappeared into the bathroom to take a quick shower.
When he returned, the first thing he did was check on the white animal. Rubbing his hair dry, he looked in the box.
The bat was still lying there, snuggled up under his sleeve. It had turned onto its back and was looking sleepily up at him. It's eyes seemed to widen slightly.
"Oh. Did I scare you? Sorry. Go back to sleep. I'm just going to sleep and tomorrow we'll see where you can stay."
Staeve took the towel away and swapped the one around his waist for a pair of pants. When he came back, he just collapsed into bed. He held onto the blanket and rolled over in bed with it, which rolled him into the blanket. As soon as he lay down, not unlike a burrito, he fell asleep. It had all been far too much.
When Staeve woke up the next morning, he stared at the ceiling. He had successfully slept through the morning and now he wondered what had been a dream yesterday and what had been real.
He had been at the meeting. Real.
He had been in a car accident and had only just got out of it. Real.
He had hit a large, white bat and had it stuck to his windscreen. Possible.
He had taken it to the vet. Also possible.
He had taken it home with him after the treatment. That was becoming implausible.
Staeve turned his head to the bedside cabinet.
He was being watched by a large, white bat peering over the edge of the box. Dream! Definitely a dream!
The Drow looked up at the ceiling again and somehow had the urge to pull his blanket back over him, when he looked back up at the box he looked back into the red eyes of the bat watching him. He stared back for a moment and collected himself. Pinched himself in the side. Ouch. Not a dream.
Slowly, he sat up. And sat down cross-legged facing the animal.
"You seem to be doing really well, apart from your wing," he murmured.
The bat tilted its head slightly and looked at him closely.
"Well." Then I should get dressed and take you to the wildlife center."
In the blink of an eye, the little white head had disappeared. Staeve looked after it in confusion. The bat had disappeared under his jacket sleeves.
"I would think you would understand me."
There was no response. Staeve rubbed his forehead lightly. He had probably hit his head yesterday after all. He quickly got dressed and picked up the box. The sooner he put the animal in knowing hands, the better.
But as he was about to leave the flat, the bat tried to get out of the box. Staeve just managed to catch it before it crashed to the floor.
"What are you doing? You need to be nursed back to health and then released back into the wild." He scolded quietly.
The bat wrapped its healthy wing tightly around its hand and clawed at it with its little feet.
Really confused, Staeve nudged the door with his foot so that it would close again. And he didn't stand halfway round the corridor looking so indecisive.
When the door clicked shut, the animal relaxed a little and stopped clawing so hard.
Perplexed, the Drow looked at the white bat and then offered it the box again. The animal looked at him for a moment. Then it climbed back and under the sleeves of the jacket.
Staeve rubbed his forehead. That was giving him a headache. How was he supposed to know how to look after a bat properly? He would try again tonight. Maybe it was because it was so bright outside.
He looked at the animal, which only looked up at him cautiously and otherwise hid as best it could.
"What have I got myself into again...?" He grumbled to himself and then went into the kitchen to make himself a snack. He also took the opportunity to offer the animal a little bit of everything. But whatever he held in front of the bat's nose, it turned its head away slightly.
No fruit, as the size suggested.
No meat, as the shape suggested.
A little helplessly, he grabbed his mobile phone while eating and somehow tried to find out what the animal might be all about.
He found out that large bats actually existed as pets. That fitted. But not that this one was white. It had to be Albion and worth a fortune. Anyway, it probably wasn't a wild animal after all.
He was so engrossed in reading that he wasn't paying attention when he cut open an apple and cut himself. Steave hissed softly and put his finger between his lips. What a bummer. Luckily the cut wasn't deep.
When his eyes fell on the bat, it looked at him intently. Believing it was hungry after all, he cut off a small piece of apple and held it out to it.
The animal caught its scent and pulled itself closer with its healthy wing, leaning over his hand. But then it turned its head away from the apple and licked the newly formed drop of blood instead.
Staeve stared at the animal as it rattled in his head. It was licking his blood.
He should have played the lottery.
That had been the biggest lucky shot of his life. And what had he got?
He had 'collected' a vampiric albino pet bat with his car.
He slowly pulled his hand away. Even now he didn't want to frighten the animal. But now the drow knew what it would eat, he could simply go to the nearest shop and get a pack of blood.
Given that the bat followed his hand, he should do that. It seemed to be hungry.
Staeve gently placed the white creature back in the box. He ate quickly and, after cleaning the wound very thoroughly, put a plaster on it.
Then the drow pondered. Should he leave the animal alone for so long? He couldn't take it with him. The bat hadn't wanted to go out earlier either. The only option was to leave it alone. The best thing to do was to put the box on the bed and close the bedroom door. That way it couldn't get into the whole flat.
For a moment, he pondered whether he could think of anything else, but it didn't get any better. So he took the box and the fluttering animal back into the bedroom and put it on the bed. Staeve knew from the vet that the bat was completely healthy. So it should be ok.... And if not, he had a good washing machine.
"You'll have to wait here. I'll get you something to eat... drink... whatever you want to call it." He grinned slightly as he spoke to the animal again, as if it understood him.
The bat looked at him and seemed to snuggle into the jacket it was still lying on.
With a slight shake of his head, Staeve left the room and closed the door behind him. If he had to go to a shop, he would check what he needed straight away and then hurry off to do some quick shopping. Despite his haste, he was on the road for almost an hour. To be on the safe side, he picked up two blood packs.
Staeve quietly put everything he needed into the cooler and only then checked on the bat.
As the drow slowly and carefully opened the door to the bedroom, he hoped very much that the animal was not directly behind it.
It wasn't there. And it was quickly found.
Completely baffled, Staeve looked at the white bat. It was now lying on his pillow. In the centre, lying on its belly. Enjoying the healthy wing stretched out completely. But that was not enough. His jacket lay like a blanket over the sleeping animal.
He looked at it for a moment. But the bat was fast asleep. It already looked cute. Staeve decided to let it sleep there and left the door open.
He quietly tidied up a little and then prepared something warm for the evening. He kept checking on the bat. But it was still sleeping soundly. It had obviously been very exhausted. He would soon see if and how he could feed it. If it didn't eat, he would have to give it away.
Even though he was beginning to admit that he thought it was kind of cute.
It was a beautiful, if stubborn, animal.
When Staeve had finished, he quietly went back into the bedroom and watched the bat for a moment. Then he carefully lifted a hand and lightly stroked the white head with one finger. The fur was really soft.
The open wing and the bat stretched slightly and it smacked softly. It wasn't until quite a while later that the red eyes opened a little. The animal clearly pressed itself against the gentle finger.
"So you like that." Staeve said with a smile. "You seem a little spoiled. Taking possession of my pillow and letting me cuddle you."
The bat looked up at him slightly but continued to let him cuddle it. Yes, the pleasure was clear to see.
Perhaps he should keep it after all. Staeve was a little lonely in this flat alone.
While he was scratching it, the bat stretched and enjoyed it. It stretched its head and wings. He also lightly scratched the animal's back. It made a little hump and came towards his finger. He continued with a slight smile, carefully used his whole hand and felt how the little body nestled into his touch.
After a while, he slowly withdrew his hand. The bat looked after him questioningly.
"We should eat something. I'm hungry and I'm sure you are too."
Now the animal was actually looking at him hungrily. Staeve now believed that it was a pet. It knew certain catchphrases and that was why it reacted so appropriately.
He carefully pulled the jacket away and lifted the bat into his arms. Staeve was very careful not to touch the injured wing too much.
Once he had it secure, with the animal leaning against his chest, he went back into the kitchen and looked around for somewhere to hang it. Apparently the animal wasn't as weak as he thought and was able to hold on to itself.
After pondering for a while, the drow took his kitchen roll from its designated holder by his small dining table. He gathered the bat back into his hands and held its feet against the now free pole. It immediately grabbed hold and he slowly released it so that it could hold itself.
Curious, the animal looked around and squeaked softly. The healthy wing wrapped around it and then watched the half-drow.
Staeve quickly fetched his food and one of the packs. ... OK, how was that? He didn't fancy blood stains everywhere.
"So...." The drow mused aloud as he took one step after another as described. The bat watched him very closely and seemed a little amused.
"First, attach the attached hose to the valve and let it in with a click."
It clicked softly.
"Then hang the booty on the hook. ... I wonder what kind of vampire hangs these parts up to then suck on the hose." He puffed softly, but grinned at the visualization.
"Then open the valve and take out the desired amount." ...
Staeve looked closely at the white animal. Climbing up the pole, it came closer to him and the blood bag.
"I don't think you'll be able to hold the tube on your own. Not even with your little thumb there." He said to the animal with a grin and gently nudged the wing outstretched towards him.
"I hold and you drink." Staeve took the end of the short tube and held it right in front of the bat's nose. It sniffed, but waited. It only wrapped its wing around his hand for more support.
Slowly, the Drow opened the valve a little and watched as the blood traveled through the transparent tube. When it reached the bat's nose, it immediately began to lick up the blood. Absolutely nothing went wrong. Staeve was really amazed and pleased that it worked so well.
He waited very patiently until the animal slowed down and seemed to stop. Then he closed the valve again. The bat licked off the last drops and then let him go again.
"You look full." Staeve grinned and quickly put the blood bag in the fridge and cleaned the tube. Then he sat down again. He gently scratched the white animal's fat little belly.
The bat didn't seem to mind. Quite the opposite. It relaxed and closed its eyes.
"You're really cuddly. Let me eat quickly too. Then let's see how I can cuddle you."
Despite his words, he ate slowly and quietly. There was nothing worse than having to wolf down something to eat.
Staeve cleaned up the kitchen and took a deep breath. Then he offered the bat a hand, wondering if it would come to him. And sure enough, it did, hanging on to his hand. Staeve grinned happily and took the animal back into the living room. He headed for his sofa to watch a little more television. He didn't want to sleep yet. After yesterday, it was good not to do anything at all today. And he wouldn't be doing much tomorrow either.
Staeve had completely forgotten that he had actually wanted to try one more time to take the bat to a care center. It had only taken a day and the fluffy bat had sneaked into his heart.
As he sat down comfortably, he collected the animal again and leant it against his chest to lightly scratch its head and back. At first, the animal must have been a little confused. But then it let itself sink against him and stretched out its wing again as it was cuddled.
"You need a name." Staeve murmured quietly as he searched for the last series he had watched.
"I registered you with Batsy at the vet."
One white ear flickered.
"Since I have no idea what name you actually have, I guess I'll stick with Batsy."
It puffed softly on his chest. But when Staeve looked down, the red eyes were closed in pleasure. It seemed to be OK, if he was understood in any way.
With that, he let the evening fall over him. And the next day wasn't characterized by too much activity either.
His biggest action was to call the vet to ask whether it was a male or female bat. The answer was an adult male. Oh well. Then he could really stay with Batsy.
Staeve thoroughly enjoyed the two days' rest. He would soon have enough work again
And he had to rearrange his schedule a little to feed the bat early.
After Batsy had tried to get into bed with Staeve on the second night and had fallen off the bedside cabinet, he now had his own pillow in bed to sleep on.
As Staeve wanted his jacket back, Batsy had been given a small, soft blanket to compensate. The bat seemed to agree. Since he had voluntarily let go of the jacket in exchange.
In fact, after a week with Batsy, Staeve was amazed at how well the animal fitted into his everyday life. He had had to change everything a little. But he didn't really have any more work to do.
It also turned out that Batsy slept through the whole day. Even though he always moved to Staeve's pillow.
After two more weeks, the two of them had found a routine for themselves.
Batsy was feeling much better and was also more active. But flying was still not possible with the splint.
Staeve had made another appointment with the vet. However, he had read that after resting for so long, a little training had to be done first.
As the Drow lay on his sofa, not really paying attention to the television, the thought crept in that Batsy would probably fly off. He would disappear and never come back.
With inner sadness, he gently cuddled Batsy, who was lying on his chest and dozing as he often did.
Yes, the animal felt very comfortable with him. But how the bat would feel about his freedom when he no longer needed the Drow, he didn't know. Perhaps he flew home.
Staeve had done a little research to see if a white bat was wanted. But nothing. Not a single report.
When he got up the next morning, he didn't feel like eating. He gave Batsy his breakfast and then he had to go. After work, he went to the vet.
Staeve was very quiet the whole day. He realized that Batsy couldn't fly away straight away. But the time was approaching faster than he would have liked.
He prepared the box again for the car journey, put Batsy's blanket inside and then collected the fluttering animal from the lamp, where he liked to hang out and watch everything.
"If everything's healed well, it'll come right off." He said and tapped the splint. Batsy sniffed curiously and nipped his finger.
The Drow grinned. "You're cheeky." He realized and scratched the bat's soft belly.
He carefully placed ihm in the box and Batsy snuggled into the blanket. Then they were ready to go.
The practice looked very different in the light. Staeve kept Batsy close to him and was glad that he didn't have to wait long for his appointment.
The examination was also quick. Splint off. X-ray, movement test. But everything was OK. When everything was finished, Batsy hung on Staeve's sleeve.
"You haven't given him away after all. Are you going to keep him?" The vet asked as she made the final entries on the computer.
Staeve looked a little concerned at the animal. "I would. But I don't know how he feels about it. Whether he'll stay as soon as he can fly."
She scrutinised him. "I understand. So you're not going to lock him up in the flat. In themselves, these animals are very capable of finding there home again. "
"Exactly, that's my concern." the Drow murmured softly.
She looked at him silently for a moment. His behavior towards the animal had changed considerably in the two weeks. Apart from the fact that the young man was now awake towards her. It was no longer pure concern for a wild animal. He seemed to have taken the bat very much to his heart. He kept cuddling and stroking it and the animal came towards him. It now clung to him with both wings and watched all his actions with alertness and curiosity.
They were clearly fond of each other. This was how the relationship between pet and owner should be. The Drow was incredibly attentive.
"I think Batsy is very fond of you. But in the end, he'll show you where he wants to go if you let him fly.' The doctor then explained.
Staeve nodded slightly and then gathered the bat in his hands to put it back in the box. And he did so without hesitation and snuggled into the blanket.
Together with his bat, Staeve left the treatment room and paid at the counter.
As he drove home, he thought, without meaning to, about what would happen if Batsy simply flew away. He would be really sad and depressed. Staeve had become incredibly attached to the animal and somehow he didn't even want to imagine being alone in the flat again.
Staeve should enjoy it while the bat was still there. Because he wouldn't lock it up when he could fly properly again.
They had a lovely evening at home. As always, with lots of cuddling before they went to bed.
Now able to spread both wings, Batsy lay flat on the pillow. Staeve had covered him up and watched him for a moment. Then he fell asleep too.
In the middle of the night, the bat opened his eyes and stared at the Drow, making sure he was asleep.
Then he climbed to the edge of the bed. Instead of falling off, his eyes lit up softly and he took on a different shape.
A long, slender figure now stood next to the bed. The still slightly glowing red eyes looked down at the Drow. Then he looked around the room a little, but stayed where he was.
Astarion decided to take a closer look tomorrow when Staeve was at work. Now that his arm had healed and the splint was no longer in his way, he knew how to walk freely again.
His gaze slid over the sleeping man again. This guy had simply run him over. And honestly, if he hadn't nursed him so lovingly, he would have demoted him to a meal, no matter how sexy the dark-skinned man was. And it would have been an excellent meal. The Drow's blood had been delicious... the little drop he'd tasted.
Astarion suppressed a low rumble of pleasure. It burned his fingertips to stroke Staeve through his loose hair. To touch his warm skin. The sensations were very different as a bat. Of course he felt the warmth the Drow radiated and enjoyed being cuddled. But he really wanted to feel Staeve beneath him.
The big question was how? Who knew how the Drow would face a real vampire.
He pondered how for a long time, but that didn't stop him from watching the other sleep for quite a while longer. When Staeve began to get restless, he changed shape again. He climbed back to the pillow and awkwardly pulled the blanket straight so that he could crawl under it.
Carefully, however, it was lifted up all at once and Staeve gently patted the pillow he had given 'Batsy'.
The bat didn't have to be asked and lay down comfortably on it, stretched out its wings and was then gently covered up.
"You slept restlessly too?" Staeve asked softly and scratched his head a little. "But don't take any flying lessons without me. Don't hurt yourself or get stuck somewhere." He continued to murmur, but the Drow was already falling asleep again. His eyes slowly slid shut and his hand came to rest on the flapping animal with slight pressure.
Astarion sighed softly and fell asleep again.
The morning was a consistent routine until Staeve did something he hadn't done before. He gave the bat a kiss on the head and gently tucked the animal in as usual.
Astarion looked up at him with wide eyes. The Drow smiled sheepishly and then walked off.
Lying there flat, the vampire stayed behind and was just as embarrassed. But he also realised how much it would hurt Staeve if he simply disappeared.
Perhaps he should just make it clear straight away? He liked playing with food, but this man was clearly worth more.
Pondering, Astarion let two hours pass and then got up. He looked around a little, but didn't touch anything. Apart from a photo with two siblings and one with a few friends, there wasn't much to see.
The typical worker. Lots of work, sporty balance and otherwise enjoying peace and quiet. But the vampire had already observed this over the last three weeks.
Since he had the chance, Astarion disappeared into the bathroom to take a shower and make his humanoid appearance presentable again. However, he left everything in such a way that his actions would not be noticed.
Afterwards, he picked up a book and read a little. He had really missed that too. When it was time, he went back into the bedroom and closed the door, then flopped a little awkwardly onto the bed. Okay, that really needed a bit of practice. And he should wait until he could fly better so he could escape quickly.
Once Staeve was back, it was business as usual, except that the Drow kept the bat much closer to him. Astarion snuggled up and enjoyed it. And even if it was strange, he was also grateful for the flying exercises Staeve did with him.
That night, Astarion sat down on the bed next to the Drow and looked at him thoughtfully. He slowly raised a hand and stroked his cheek lightly. The marvellous spots that adorned his entire skin.
He was very careful not to wake him. But it also seemed that his presence in this form did not cause the sleeping man any discomfort.
Astarion found it very difficult to gauge how Staeve would react when he learnt that he had a vampire next to him the whole time. Most people didn't find the idea too appealing. In addition, they shared a closeness that was quite familiar without Staeve knowing about it.
He withdrew his hand and decided not to delay any longer. As soon as he could fly, he would make it clear.
With that, he crawled back into bed as a bat and visibly went back to sleep.
During the days when Staeve was working, Astarion practiced flying. He had lost some of his strength and maneuverability during the long break. But with daily training, he made rapid progress.
In order to have more distance to fly, he decided to fly through the corridors and stairwells of the large block of flats. The sharp turns of the corridors were perfect for getting back into gear.
One day, he suddenly heard the sound of the lift. He just managed to slow down and turn the figure before the doors opened and he was standing right in front of Staeve.
The Drow looked at him in astonishment. It was almost impossible to take his eyes off the white-haired man.
As he stared back, neither of them noticed for a moment how time passed.
"Are you lost?" Staeve finally asked quietly, looking at him with a friendly smile.
Astarion felt like he wanted to melt. He swallowed hard and nodded slightly. That wasn't like him at all. But standing in front of the Drow so unprepared threw him off his game.
"I haven't been in the house long and I got lost again." He then explained. "The stairwell looks the same on every floor and I don't want to get in the lift."
Staeve grinned slightly. "I felt the same way at first. Even with a lift. Where do you have to go?"
"The 17th floor." Astarion swallowed. He knew exactly where he was and that it was one floor up.
"Then you have to go up one," explained Staeve kindly and let his gaze glide over the other, whom he liked very much. And not even the red eyes and sharp teeth of the high elven vampire bothered him.
"Thank you." Astarion still looked at him a little nervously. He had to get back right away. As quickly as he could. Staeve would go straight to 'Batsy'. The vampire smiled once more and disappeared into the stairwell. He immediately went to the nearest window and opened it. As a bat, he slipped through and flew to Staeve's bedroom window, which he had opened. Good job he'd had the foresight.
Staeve looked after the vampire in astonishment and sighed. What a pity. He would have liked to get to know him better and invite him for a drink. But he seemed to be in a hurry. Too bad. With that, he freed himself from his stupor and went to his flat.
He unlocked the door, comfortably took off his shoes and hung up his jacket. The work bag landed in its usual place and he went to the bedroom.
Astarion raced in as quickly as he could to the window and changed shape, closing the window again quickly but quietly. He then dropped onto the bed and became a bat again.
Just a few seconds later, Staeve opened the door and looked at the white animal lying stretched out on the bed.
"You look like you've done something stupid." He said with a laugh. He came over to Batsy and picked him up in his arms to cuddle him. The bat immediately snuggled up to him lightly.
Astarion was glad that his heart had stopped beating. It would have betrayed him. Betrayed the fact that he had done something stupid and betrayed the fact that closeness felt different this time.
Astarion had seen exactly how conscious Staeve had looked at him. The interest in his eyes. And under different circumstances, he probably would have liked to talk to him. ...
His interest in a high elven vampire probably made it even more complicated to sit on the sofa with him tomorrow and wait. He could fly. And he wouldn't wait any longer. That only made things worse.
In the evening, Astarion was able to remain calm. But after Staeve slept, the restlessness got worse.
He couldn't sleep. First he lay flat on his pillow as a bat for a good hour, staring into the darkness. Then he sat on the edge of the bed in human form and watched the sleeping half-drow. He memorised everything once more, assuming that things would not go so well tomorrow. It was a feeling and it made him uncomfortable.
It was a pity and if he had met him differently, he would probably have towed him away completely. Unfortunately, it was a little more complicated this way.
He let his fingers dance lightly over the spots on his shoulder. One last time. It didn't feel like it was going to end well.
He stayed that way through the night and even when Staeve's first alarm clock rang. The Drow never got up now. Astarion watched as he stretched and yawned.
But when it rang for the second time, he took the shape of the bat and plopped down on his pillow. And continued to watch him wake up.
Then it was business as usual. They had breakfast together and Staeve went to work.
Astarion took another good look round. He took the blanket and tucked it in. He drank another blood pack and then sat down on Staeve's sofa. He had left the bedroom door open and also opened a window.
Then he waited. Still and silent. His legs crossed, his eyes fixed on the door. He waited hour after hour.
The door opened with a soft click when Staeve came home. He scurried around as usual and then came into the living room.
His steps stopped in confusion when he saw the open door. He took a breath to call out for the bat when he saw the pale figure. Startled, he backed away, but then recognised him.
"You? What are you doing in my flat?" He asked.
Astarion looked at him calmly. He still didn't know what exactly to say.
"And why is the window open?" Staeve looked round again. "Where is he? Where is the bat? Are you his owner and have been sneaking around here looking for him?" Staeve's voice grew louder. What was this bloke thinking, just entering his flat?
"Did you send him home?" The Drow then added.
Astarion sighed. He could clearly see how upset Staeve was, even though he was holding back.
"Yes. 'Batsy' should start going home again after a good four weeks." Astarion looked at him vaguely at the words.
"And you snooty vampire decide that by breaking into my flat and letting him out of the window? Does he even know where he is? Can he manage such a long journey? ... And you! No sign for a month that he belongs to anyone, and now that he's healthy, you turn up." Staeve looked really irritated and lost his objective view and calm manner.
"Is that the vampire way? Let the others do it. You're old and immortal. When the dirty work is done, then repeat what was lost."
Astarion looked at him, hurt. He hadn't thought Staeve would attack his vampiric existence. It hurt him. He didn't quite know why it hurt him so much. But it hurt. Slowly, his features slipped away.
"It's all right. Stop pestering me with questions and hurling insults at me." He said and stood up, causing Staeve to flinch.
"I don't know if it's vampiric to let others do anything, Staeve. When I meet someone else, I ask them. ... 'Batsy' knows where he is. He knows how to get home. He also knows he can make the flight. And I'm really grateful for your help and care after you ran me over."
Astarion stared closely into his eyes and saw Staeve's features slowly slip away as the meaning of those words seeped into his mind.
"I thank you. But I'm leaving now. To stop making work for you as a snooty vampire."
Staeve stared at him, speechless. And even more so when the vampire changed shape and flew out of the window as the white bat.
Staeve stood alone in his flat and tried to come to terms with what had just happened. He looked into the bedroom. There was no bat and the little blanket was gone too.
Only slowly could he really understand everything. So he had run over a vampire. That's why 'Batsy' had understood him so well... and hadn't wanted to go to the animal rescue center. Now he was healthy, could fly and had decided to reveal himself....
Staeve slumped down on his sofa and buried his hands lightly in his hair. He was such an idiot. Now the bat was gone and so was the vampire he had liked so much before.
His ears perked up as he thought about how the bat had always lain on his chest and cuddled. Sometimes even when he hadn't been wearing a shirt. He'd just walked around in a towel in front of him and slept in a bed with him. He had slept in a bed with the vampire. The vampire had lain on his chest, cuddled up to him, had let himself be cuddled.
He had rubbed the bat's belly after the meal... The tips of Staeve's ears turned bright red.
... By all the gods.
Now the pale figure was gone because he had insulted him.
Staeve simply crawled into bed and called in sick the next day.
The Drow felt incredibly lonely. He was also very sorry for what he had said. It hadn't been justified. And he had seen clearly that these prejudices had been the point at which 'Batsy' had decided to disappear.
He sighed. Staeve didn't even know the vampire's name to apologize to him for his behavior.
After two days of fumbling around, he went back to work. After all, it was no use. There was no reason why the vampire would seek contact again.
Astarion stared out the window of his office over the city. He gasped softly as he realized he was looking back in the direction where the guy lived.
He had really enjoyed being there. And he had wished that maybe they could get to know each other properly afterwards. After the choice of words, however, his interest in that was clearly diminished.
Unfortunately, he was almost certain that Staeve had only reacted like that because of the stress of the situation. That made the drow's actions more understandable.
The vampire shook his head slightly and turned back to his desk. He had a company to run. He couldn't spend hours thinking about a Drow who might not have had such a good opinion of his kind.
A week passed. A month dragged by.
Astarion tried to put it behind him, even with the small blanket on his bedside table. He thought a lot about the fact that he had liked the Drow incredibly well. In the way he acted and thought, but also in the way he looked.
It had been nice not to be alone.
Staeve also went about his daily routine. He had put up a picture of the bat. It was stupid and kind of funny. But it was bearable. He was really lonely. And the feeling intensified when he thought about the fact that it had been a vampire and not just an animal that had sought his company.
He often fell asleep on the sofa when he didn't want to go to bed yet.
That day was no exception. When Staeve woke up, the television was still on. Some documentaries. He turned his head and only half listened. Solar technology. Hey, from his town. He picked up the remote control and was about to switch it off when a photo of the company's founder appeared, under whose leadership the company was still growing and producing innovative technology
Steave looked and fell off the sofa in shock. He stared at the picture and heard the name ringing in his ears.
Astarion Ancunín.
Head of Sunrise Industries.
He stared at the television, where the documentary continued to play.
For weeks he had been trying to find out who the vampire had been. And now that he was no longer looking, it jumped out at him.
Astarion Ancunín. Sonorous.
Staeve looked broodingly at the picture of the bat. It had been a month since he had flown away. Still. He wanted to try and he already knew how.
Tired, Astarion unlocked the door to his house. As always, he took off his shoes and hung up his jacket. He went straight to the kitchen and grabbed a drink and then went into the living room. He pulled his tie off his neck and then paused in every movement.
He perceived a strange odor in his house. But it was fundamentally familiar. His gaze glided searchingly through the darkness. He stopped at his very spacious couch.
As a creature of the night, he often refrained from switching on the light. Nevertheless, he could clearly see that someone was sitting there.
"How can I help?" He asked dryly, keeping his distance.
"I wanted to talk to you."
Astarion didn't need to think about who that voice belonged to.
"I see. Any more clichés I need to know about vampires?" He asked pointedly, looking directly at the other in the dark.
"No, not really."
"Then how can it be that you broke into my house? Especially as I probably need to replace my alarm system."
"It was a tough nut to crack. But I have some experience."
Astarion puffed softly. "Those words don't make you any more trustworthy."
"I just realized that, too." Staeve sounded a little amused but also apologetic.
The vampire scrutinized the other closely. He wasn't sure how much Staeve saw in the dark, but he wasn't willing to give him the benefit of light either.
"And so it took you a month to find me."
"Yes and no. At the beginning I searched and found nothing. A few days ago, a documentary about Sunrise Industries came on."
"I see. All right, Staeve, all banter to one side. Why are you sitting in my living room?" he asked directly. He still didn't know whether he should be happy or not.
"Why were you sitting in my living room?" The Drow asked a counter question.
One of Astarion's fine eyebrows raised. "Because I stayed with you for four weeks and wanted to talk to you about it." He answered anyway, so as not to bring the conversation to a standstill.
"That's why I'm sitting here. You stayed with me for four weeks. As a bat."
"Are you going to reproach me now? Do you want compensation because you know I'm a typical rich vampire? I didn't choose to be hit by you." Astarion's voice had become quiet and dark. Menacing.
Staeve swallowed slightly as the conversation went in the wrong direction. No more playing. This was about to go wrong.
"No." Declared the Drow in a firm, calm voice. He sat up straight and looked directly at the vampire. He might not have seen so well in the dark. But he could see the vampire's light-coloured form quite well.
"No. I don't want that. None of that." Staeve could see Astarion's shoulders slump slightly as he relaxed a little. But his gaze was still very serious.
"I must apologize to you." The Drow then continued. "I really offended you last time." He didn't elaborate on how overwhelmed he had been. It would be a justification, but not an apology for his words a month ago.
Astarion looked at him silently for a moment. "You're here to apologize?"
"Yes. No matter what the situation had been for me. I shouldn't have stereotyped you."
"I... am surprised." Astarion confessed and slowly stepped closer. He no longer had the aura to make Staeve his dinner.
The Drow looked up at him slightly and ventured a faint smile.
Moonlight shone into the room from outside, enveloping them in its silvery glow. They looked closely at each other.
"I miss 'Batsy'." Staeve murmured softly. "He was very cuddly."
Astarion sorted his thoughts for a moment. "It was very pleasant with you." He then replied honestly. "That's why I wanted to talk to you and didn't just disappear when I was able to fly and change shape again."
Staeve looked at him closely. The vampire looked lonely and sad for a moment.
"Thank you. It's just too bad I was too upset to let us get to know each other." He spoke softly. "I'm not upset today." He tried a charming grin and clearly let his eyes slide over the pale vampire, who he really liked.
Astarion smiled amusedly. "I see. So now we can talk." He explained quietly. "Or are you trying to tell me something else with that look of yours?"
Staeve continued to look up at him, looking him in the eye. Why not, actually. It was stupid. But not much different than if he had met him in a pub. He would definitely have tried to pick up the vampire.
So he shrugged his shoulders slightly. "Why not. You get to know each other in the process." He grinned slightly.
Now truly amused, the vampire looked at him with a grin that showed his fangs slightly.
"I see. So you get into my house, bypass my alarm system, apologize and dig at me in the next breath." He stated in summary.
He slowly stepped towards him and looked down at him. He raised a hand and slowly ran it through his long hair. Cuddled him, just as Staeve had always done.
"As much as I like the thought. I don't want to jump on you like a wild animal." He then explained softly and listened to the Drow's familiar purr.
"Don't you? We'd have a lot of fun."
"I'm sure we would. Be my guest and we'll see what the evening brings."
Staeve looked up at him and smiled with satisfaction. "I'd love to."
~~~~~
Everyone looked at the two of them in silence. Astarion was still cuddled up in Staeve's arms and hadn't said a word during the entire story. But there was an amused smile on his lips.
"It turned out that evening that Astarion is much better at cooking than I am." Staeve laughed softly.
"And you didn't jump on each other?" Gale asked doubtfully. Unfortunately for everyone, the two of them had a very active love life and each of them had stumbled into situations like this several times.
"After dinner." Astarion explained quietly, grumbling. "He was my dessert."
Gale cleared his throat, not doubting it for a second.
Nita stifled a laugh. She would tease the vampire later that he had been caught.
Kralach just laughed quietly. "That's another way to get your mate for life."
"An event to take home with you." Shadowheart grinned.
Astarion raised an eyebrow slightly.
Staeve laughed. "There, now you know." He sat up and then stood bluntly with Astarion in his arms. "And I will now carry my husband over the threshold and not let him out of the room again until tomorrow morning at the earliest."
He winked at them and held the slightly squirming vampire tightly, sauntering off with him.
The others looked after them. They raised their glasses to the young couple once more and went to sleep.