Edited 5/30/22.

A/N: This chapter contains mild swearing and implied sexual content.

***

Paul's body writhes in total ecstasy. Brown eyes cross for a moment before rolling back. Bright stars fill his vision. Broken moans escape him without any attempt being made at quieting his lewd noises.

He's only able to keep a clumsy grip on reality thanks to a pair of inviting lips slotting against his.

Firm hands hold him close, guiding his shaking body to lie down on the mattress beneath them. Ragged breaths are forced out. Every limb has been reduced to a trembling, sensitive, sweaty mess. Smooth skin has been brought to life by vibrant hickeys.

He aches in a way he never has before. And there's no shame in admitting it's an addictive sensation.

After a long moment, their shared kiss is released. Marshall falls back onto the mattress as well. They both chuckle. Pleased sighs resonate from both men immediately after.

The room—which was previously filled with loud grunts, moans, and whimpers—is now strikingly silent. Two sets of eyes observe the plain detail of the ceiling's design with neither person speaking. It's dark, except for an orange glow coming from the tall streetlight outside, its hue seeping in from a small parting in the curtains. Screeches from tires cruising along a wet street can be heard when cars pass by.

Even with the room being close to pitch blackness, both men can see each other clearly.

Despite hours of rigorous sex—with very few breaks in between—Marshall still looks like he just got out of a photo shoot. His dark waves are pushed back with the exception of a few stragglers framing his face. His lips are still pink and plump; they're not swollen from numerous kisses or hard grazes of teeth. Even though Paul sucked and bit and scratched with intense vigor, the vampire's skin remains free of any evidence of their copulation. Aside from the occasional twitch of a limb or shiver, Marshall looks like he could still go ten more rounds and not even mind.

Paul is jealous of his companion's physicality. But it's also extremely enticing.

"Don't look so serious, Tiger." Marshall presses another kiss to Paul's lips while propping himself up on one arm. "Most people tap out after the first round. You did a hell of a lot better. Almost had me tap out at one point."

"I've never had someone top me before. I've definitely been missing out."

"Never been topped myself."

"Oh, don't worry- I'll get you next time."

"Hm? So there's going to be a next time?" Marshall smirks.

"If you want there to be, yeah."

Paul looks over, and brown eyes meet black ones. He grins.

Despite flushed features and blown out pupils hinting at a sense of exhaustion, the wolf also feels like he could continue a bit more. He would say it's crazy, but neither male has had a partner who could keep up with their stamina before. Previous one night stands were fun, sure. They were hardly satisfying in all honesty though. If anything, it left both parties wanting more and unknowing of where to get it. That same mentality is out of the window now that they've slept together.

Marshall's smirk softens. Their scents have mixed because of their vicinity, and the vampire finds himself not minding the harsh smell of dog. He tilts his head to the side while chuckling. "Yeah, I think I want that."

Without warning, he climbs out of bed. Enhanced speed is used to run to the bathroom. A clean rag is grabbed from the small towel rack and is doused in warm water. Once it's wet enough, quick steps are taken back to the main room.

Paul blinks, and Marshall goes from lying beside him to sitting in between a pair of spread legs. Colds hands are delicate when moving to wipe.

"One night stand or not- aftercare is important."

"Such a gentleman." Paul sits back with both arms folding behind his head. "Can't say I mind though. After all that, I quite like being pampered."

A genuine laugh is given in response. "Yes, your highness."

The two fall into another bout of silence while they clean up. It's comforting.

Marshall changes out the rag a few times, gently running it over Paul's body. No nook or crevice is left untouched. Scratches and hickeys are already fading from the wolf's skin, but neither of them really mind. If anything, more defining marks could always be added later.

When the vampire excuses himself to take a shower, he's thoroughly surprised to see Paul still lying in bed afterward. Instead of leaving like he normally would with other quick fucks, the shifter simply basks in the euphoria of his afterglow.

That alone shows how their little encounter is something different in comparison to prior flings.

Both men redress themselves—their lower halves, at least—and settle back into bed. Marshall offers to buy pizza, which Paul accepts with little hesitation. They continue to make small talk until a steaming pepperoni pie is plopped on the bed in between them.

"Your tats are awesome, by the way," Paul notes. "Definitely didn't see them coming when I first looked at you."

"Bet you didn't see my tongue piercing coming either then." Blackened eyes glance down at tattooed forearms. "I got these back when I was still human. I was about sixteen when I got my first one- the blue wings on my back. My parents had a field day when that happened. My sister thought it was amusing though."

"How old are you?"

"A gentleman never tells," Marshall teases. "I was born in 1908 and 'died' in 1933. So physically I'm twenty five, but in reality I'm almost a century old."

"Twenty five, huh? Your parents must've been older when you transitioned then. I'm assuming you don't have any family left considering how long it's been? Aside from the other leeches, I guess."

"Actually, my younger sister was changed when I was, so she's still alive. If you looked at us, you probably wouldn't know right away that we were related because I look more like our dad, and she looks more like our mom. I've been told though, that the shape of our faces and noses give it away." Marshall intertwines his fingers in his lap. "What about you? Any family at home?"

"Not really, honestly. I have my pack mates-- which aren't really many in reality. It's me, the alpha, his wife who's human, and my other friend who's second in command. Aside from them, I don't really have family in the area. Mom and dad divorced when I was younger. She's somewhere in New York or some shit last I heard. And my old man's a hard ass who kicked me out at eighteen. I've been on my own ever since."

"No siblings or anything?"

"Nah, it's just me. I don't really mind- means the only person I have to worry about is myself."

Paul puts his slice of pizza down. He grabs a napkin and wipes his grease stained features clean. Eye contact is made again, but this time it's a little more tense. They stare quietly for a moment.

Though neither of them speak, it's clear that Paul is mulling over something in his head. Considering the evening's turn of events, Marshall can guess what it is.

"I meant what I said. If you really want this to be a thing, it can be. I don't necessarily mean, like, a relationship." Paul smirks, biting his lip. "But I think it's safe to say that the sex is mind blowing on both accounts."

"Yes, it is," Marshall agrees. "And yeah, I'm open to being friends with benefits. It'll save me the time of going to the bar to find a good lay every other day."

They share a laugh and continue talking.

The night passes with light, playful banter.

An orange hue from an electronic streetlight is replaced with the soft dim blue of a setting moon and rising sun. Paul finishes off the pizza and abandons the box on a corner table by the television. The pair keep their conversation going when they lie back down.

Smooth skin of their bare shoulders touch, but little attention is paid to the temperature difference. Marshall nods his head in response to Paul's animated gestures; and Paul smirks at the small lilt in Marshall's features whenever he changes topics. It's nice to be able to talk so openly with someone about anything and everything. Even despite their differences in species.

That topic, however, brings Paul to a certain point that needs to be addressed.

"Not to be a stickler, but I also meant what I said at the bar," he states, his tone becoming serious. "This is a dangerous game we're playing."

"I know it is. My family would flip if they found out I slept with you. For more than that reason though, I won't be telling them. It's normal for me to come home after my sexual escapades and say nothing about it. This time doesn't need to be any different."

"Can't say that it'll be the same for me, unfortunately," Paul admits. "Wolves in the same pack are able to hear each other's thoughts. All I have to do is think about us having sex while in my wolf form, and the whole pack will know about it. Other recent... developments... also make me have to tell the alpha."

"Other developments? Like?"

"Since you're a supernatural creature too, you should be good with weird. But I gotta say- this may take the cake in weird things that have gone on in your life." A brief pause is taken. "...Ever heard of an imprint?"