He was beginning to feel a tiny bit better.
"Are you sure you're okay to do it? I'm not tired at all. And you can't try to feed him wolfsbane again. He'll just throw it up and make us start from square one again."
Hmm? That sounds like Bin... and no wonder I have a bitter taste in my mouth.
"I won't do it again and I can handle a sick dog. Give him here."
He felt himself being swapped over to Inkani's arms and happily snuggled in.
"See? He likes me more anyways," Inkani said with a haughty tone.
Bin just seemed to think that it was funny, because the man gave a quiet chuckle before responding.
"He definitely does. I think he's beginning to feel better but it will probably take a bit longer to be sure."
Inkani began to gently move his body back and forth, making Ilio curious as to what he was intending to do.
"You need to use your legs, too. I really can do it if you can't manage..." Bin said, a tiny hint of teasing in his otherwise serious voice.
Ilio felt Inkani's arms tighten around him slightly before relaxing as the man gave out a quiet sigh. He began moving a bit more, his actions seeming more focused.
I still don't understand what he's doing, though.
"That's it. Match the sway of the boat as best you can. That way he won't feel as nauseous," Bin said, making Ilio finally realize what they were doing.
"I think I got it. It really isn't much moving, but it's frustratingly-specific. If I don't focus I lose the rhythm immediately," Inkani said, his voice clearly a bit strained with his attention on his task.
"Alright, I'll leave him to you now then, boss. I'm going to go get some blood," Bin said as Ilio heard his near-silent footsteps walk away.
Things were quiet for quite some time after that, and as the cool wind rustled his hair and his stomach remained reasonably calm, Ilio couldn't help but drift back off to sleep.
Mmm?
Something smelled really good. His stomach didn't hesitate to grumble loudly, eager to inhale whatever it was.
"My little one is awake?"
Ilio moved a tiny bit, worried that he might bother Inkani if he did so too much.
Wait a minute... I'm not in his arms anymore.
He was a bit sad about that fact, but at least that allowed him to stretch out without worrying about being a bother. He even lifted his arms over his head and yawned widely as several bones cracked along his legs and back.
Such a good sleep.
He waited a few more moments before finally opening his eyes.
My vampire.
His mind was immediately more awake as he pushed himself up and was rewarded with a pat to his head for the effort. His body was still a little weak, but that was probably because he'd thrown up so much earlier.
"It's been three days, my problematic pup," Inkani said as he stood up, making Ilio quickly scurry from the bed and onto his own two feet.
He could feel his wolf just beneath the surface, likely confused as to why he had kept it at bay for so long when their mate was right in front of them. It, thankfully, wasn't as affected by the pull, or it would have shoved itself into control a long time ago. It was, however, definitely getting annoyed with being cooped up since it had been his main form for the majority of his life.
Soon. I'll try to let you out very soon, but just not yet. It's not safe.
His wolf didn't believe him, but he couldn't blame it. An alpha wolf not being safe? It was extremely unlikely and honestly a bit humorous.
"Let's go get some food in you, my ilio," Inkani said, snapping him out of his thoughts as he gladly accepted the hand that was being offered to him.
He had no idea where they were, but he'd take just about anywhere if it meant that they were no longer on that rocking ship.
Oh?
After being led down a long walkway, then through two double doors, Ilio began to hear voices. The farther they walked the louder they became.
His crew is here, too?
It made sense, but then that meant that they really did stop somewhere and get off the ship.
Before he could think much more into that fact Inkani led him up to a large door, then leaned forward and pulled it open. The previously raucous room immediately quieted as they walked along a filled table that stretched nearly as long as the room, itself.
There was only one seat left available at the very head of the table, and there were plenty of pirates eating standing up.
It must be for Inka...
Proving him correct, Inkani dropped down into that large seat as soon as they got close, then tugged him down to settle in his lap.
He definitely didn't mind!
The man seemed to pick up on his excitement because the arm that had settled around his waist tightened the slightest amount.
"Do not mind us, my friends. We are just going to join you for a meal," he said with a content smile.
Of course, most of the crewmen were only drinking blood or eating raw steaks, but a meal was a meal. And just like that, the volume in the room rose back to its former glory as the vampires went back to their conversations.
After a few minutes of relaxing against Inkani a little maidservant appeared before them and set down a few delicious-looking plates of food.
Smells good. Looks good.
He was just about to lean forward and grab one of the plates when he noticed Inkani's arm reaching past him to pick one up, then bring it back to him.
"Here, little one. Eat well today," he said as Ilio gladly took the offered food.
To his surprise, though, as he ate first one plate, then another, Inkani didn't even bother getting himself a glass of blood. After finishing up the last few bites of his third plate, Ilio turned a little in Inkani's lap and looked the slightest bit up at him.
His actions drew the man's attention away from a conversation he was having with another vampire situated to their left... which was perfectly fine with him.
"Sweet one, what do you need?"
Ilio licked his lips, a little nervous with so many people around them.
"U-um, you haven't eaten anything. Aren't you hungry, Inka?"
The man's eyes widened the slightest fraction as the sound within the room suddenly vanished in an instant, drawing Ilio's attention towards the other pirates.
They, too, were staring at him in return... but why?
Feeling a cold hand against the side of his face, Ilio gladly let Inkani guide his attention back to him. The man was smiling, but a small fang was now visibly poking out from beneath his upper lip, too.
So cute!
"I am hungry, Ilio. Let me have a little?" he said as he leaned his head down and nudged his nose into the crook of his neck.
I thought he wasn't going to feed off of me...
"Uh, boss? Is it safe to do that? You mentioned that he wasn't an omega. What if he's an alpha and can control you after you drink his blood?" one of his crewmen asked nervously.
Ilio felt Inkani's chuckle vibrate gently against where their body's touched.
"This little pup? An alpha?" he laughed again as he lifted his free hand to muss up some of Ilio's already-shaggy hair.
He really wasn't that little. Sure, he was scrawny, but he was only an inch or so shorter than Inkani, himself.
"Let me enjoy my meal. It's not like I'm getting a coat from him anytime soon, anyways," he said, a hint of frustration to his words as he returned his face to the crook of Ilio's neck.
At least he smells good.
Ilio felt his face warm and his heartbeat picked up its pace at hearing Inkani's words in his mind.
It's a good thing he likes me, too. I can hear his heartbeat speeding up with just this little bit of attention.
He really did. He liked him too much, no matter what Inkani thought of him return.
"Just relax, I'll be gentle," Inkani finally whispered before licking the warm skin of Ilio's neck.
Without thinking, Ilio gave a startled yelp and smacked his hand over that exact spot, giving Inkani barely enough time to lean away before he got smacked!
"What the hell?!" Inkani hissed, clearly angry that he'd been denied after seemingly having permission.
Ilio quickly hunched his shoulders and looked down as his entire face burned from embarrassment. He'd been fine with Inkani doting on him and claiming him as his wolf in front of the others, but feeding from him? He hadn't thought about it previously as anything that would make him nervous, but now that Inkani actually wanted to bite him, he didn't think he could manage if it were to happen in front of all of his men!
"You're really getting shy now? I'm not going to let them have any," Inkani said, clearly annoyed but trying to smooth over the situation so that he could eat.
His fangs were both extended and his words were slurring the slightest bit.
So cute...
But he couldn't do it. At least, not in front of everyone else.
"Let's go back to that room? I don't mind if you bite me there," he said, hopeful that he wouldn't have to put on a show.
He'd honestly never been bitten by a vampire, so he wasn't sure how he'd react. But either way, it felt like it might be an intimate thing, at least between mates, so he didn't want it to just happen with all of his crewman watching.
This damn dog...
"Are you done eating?" Inkani growled out, clearly trying to keep himself under control.
Ilio quickly nodded.
"Yes sir, it was good. Thank yâ" he was up and in the man's arms before he could even finish his sentence!
Inkani easily carried him out of the room, then down the halls they'd previously traversed and back into the little bedroom. The man paused after shutting the door, however, seemingly torn between where he wanted to put him down.
"Bed is fine. I might not be able to sit up well," Ilio said, secretly hoping that the man would listen to him. He wanted him in bed.
Inkani did as suggested and walked over to the bed, but instead of simply setting him down on it, he actually fell into it with him! His instincts immediately told him to struggle, and he had to put forth a lot of effort to calm his wolf, but after about two minutes of being pinned beneath the man he managed to relax enough to open his eyes.
Opening my eyes wasn't a good idea.
He couldn't manage to shut them again now, though.
Inkani was still leaning over him, their lower halves pressing together haphazardly, but that didn't bother Ilio in the least. In fact, he was more than happy with their current situation. The look in Inkani's eyes, especially... I like it. In fact, before the man leaning over him could change his mind about the situation, Ilio reached up and wrapped his arms around his neck gently but firmly.
He got an immediate growl in response, but he was getting used to the man's grumpy attitude.
Still mine.
Fighting back a grin, Ilio waited until Inkani was comfortable, then tilted his head back and to the side, allowing the man to return to the spot he'd previously vacated... the crook of his neck.
This time the man didn't bother going slow, which was honestly appreciated. He didn't mind feeding him, but he'd never been bitten by a vampire and wasn't sure how painful it would be.
Granted, he'd taken plenty of bites from wolves before, so if it was anything compared to those, he would probably be fine after a few moments of getting used to it.
Wait, why does my neck feel weird? Almost like it's numb?
Was Inkani doing that? Numbing the area he intended to bite?
It was a bit surprising, but as he thought about it, he realized that it had to be true. He could barely feel the man's tongue still lapping against his skin.
"I'm biting now."
Ilio blinked out of his thoughts right before he felt his body tense as Inkani's two razor-sharp fangs pierced his skin!
It... doesn't hurt at all?
Ilio quickly relaxed his body, letting his blood flow more freely for Inkani to drink. The man readjusted his fangs a little here and there, but for the most part he simply fed quietly, swallowing every few moments once his mouth was partially filled with blood.
Pretty soon Ilio was softly sifting his fingers through Inkani's hair, slowly but surely untangling it from the sloppily-tied length of fabric that had been holding it together.
He got a few warning grumbles for his efforts, but Inkani was clearly not willing to chastise more than that while eating.
His lips turned upward into a happy grin as he simply enjoyed his time with his vampire. He was also quite relieved that the man had let his guard down so much around him. Now, if things truly got out of hand, he could control his actions. Of course, he didn't want to have to do that, but if it would save his literal skin? He would.
Why does he taste so fucking good?
The man's words nearly had him bursting into a quiet fit of laughter, but he just barely managed to hold it in. He felt Inkani move a little bit afterward, then a little bit more a few moments later. Finally, he managed to retract his fangs and lift his head.
Their eyes met for the briefest of moments, Inkani's pitch black ones making Ilio's breath catch in his throat.
Uh, I feel a little dizzy.
He probably should have waited for his food to settle before feeding the man, but he doubted that Inkani would have wanted to wait again.
He looks really full. I fed him really well.
As if to prove his point, Inkani gave out a quiet hum of contentment, yawned with his fangs still partially extended, then fell to the side onto the blankets next to Ilio. The man was out cold not a moment later, snoring quietly with little smears of blood dotted across his lips.
Ilio didn't hesitate to move onto his side as a huge grin took over his face. Hmm?  Leaning forward, he gently licked the man's soft lips clean of blood. And, even though Inkani was definitely asleep, he still got a quiet grumble in response to his actions.
You're just a grumpy vampire, huh?
He grinned again, but then noticed something else he hadn't caught onto before. His smile fell a little as he reached over toward the man's face, but stopped himself at the last second before he could touch the dark circle beneath Inkani's right eye.
Did he... not sleep at all?
Deciding that he shouldn't poke at him anymore so that he could get some good rest, Ilio made himself comfortable where he lay... but couldn't manage to stop fidgeting. He rolled over four times, bit his nails for a while, then stuck his head beneath the extra pillow before finally returning his attention to Inkani.
The man had slept through all of his tossing and turning like a baby.
Hmm...
No longer able to help himself, Ilio inched his way closer again, then nudged himself beneath the man's arm until he was settled right up against Inkani's chest. He was just about to close his eyes when the arm he'd snuck beneath suddenly tightened around his middle at the same time a loud growl echoed around the room.
Ilio immediately tensed up, worried that he'd awoken Inkani and pushed him past his patience limit, but to his surprise, the man simply moved him around a bit in order to get himself more comfortable, much like one would a large pillow made for hugging, then fell right back to sleep.
He was left a little confused, and more than a bit stunned that he hadn't been thrown right off the bed for cuddling, so it took him a while to relax again. When he did finally calm down, however, he was all smiles as he closed his eyes. He wasn't exactly tired, but he was a little nauseous since he'd been fed from so soon after filling his own belly, so he decided to simply rest until his vampire awoke. And if he fell asleep during that time? He'd be more than okay with it.