Watching Theo sleep might've been a tad creepy, but Vladimir couldn't help himself. Naturally he had reassured the Omega that he'd wake up again, that it was okay to sleep.

But still, watching Theo slowly breathe in and out whilst deeply asleep, made Vladimir slightly nervous. But he wouldn't dare harass his poor beloved with that titbit of information.

Theo needed sleep. Even though he had been unconscious for months, that didn't mean he was rested at all. Vlad resisted reaching out to trace the heavy bags underneath Theo's eyes before sighing softly to himself.

Asleep. Not unconscious.

It was extremely reassuring that Theo was asleep and Vlad couldn't help but smile at the adorable little noises the Omega made.

He had half a mind to gently touch the Omega's nose, to tease him softly just to see how he'd respond to the touch.

Vlad wanted to learn more about Theo. He wanted to learn everything. What was his favourite food? His favourite pastime?

Did he have a hobby? There were so many unanswered questions that Vladimir was dying to have the answer to.

Dying...

Now that Theo had awakened once more, a new problem reared its ugly head. Their bond had been established and reaffirmed much to Vladimir's elation.

But the burning in his throat was growing stronger by the day. Even though Vladimir stuffed himself to the point of choking, his body was no longer denying itself with what it wanted.

Blood.

Theo's blood.

"He's still too weak. I need to wait. And ask first." Vlad thought to himself, swallowing convulsively as his fingers tangled into his clothes.

He knew that. Rationally, he understood that Theo was far too weak to ask for a feeding.

Thirst isn't rational.

"Get my brother here." Vladimir spoke without looking at the guard, knowing his command would be followed instantly. He swallowed again before adding "And make sure I don't do anything stupid."

After all, he wouldn't be the first vampire in existence to lose control when extremely thirsty. Even with immaculate self-control, instincts and self-preservation would kick in at a certain threshold.

Vladimir was filled with appreciation when another bag of blood was presented to him. Even though it smelled absolutely disgusting, Vlad did his best to drain it fully.

The stench and flavour made him gag and retch a few times, trying to stomach the foul liquid. Pressing the back of his hand against his lips, nearly choking on the blood that prevented him from losing his sanity.

Alaric barely knocked on the door before entering, sighing as he looked at Vlad. Black hair sweeping behind him as he stomped closer and grabbed Vlad's hands between his.

"Colder to the touch, but not frigid." He hummed thoughtfully before reaching for Vlad's eyes, making the latter bat away his hands.

His brother glared down at him, ignoring Vladimir's own scowl before Alaric slowly bared his fangs on a barely audible hiss.

"Do you want to desiccate?" Alaric demanded with a trembling voice. Unable to contain the emotion in his voice as he stared down at his slowly dying sibling.

Vlad sighed before moving his long hair out of his face. "Get it over with then." He mumbled tiredly, no longer fighting against the inspective nudges as Alaric checked him up.

Desiccation was the one thing any vampire feared above all. They fed on blood because it replenished the blood within their own system.

The longer it took for them to feed, the staler their blood became until it was eventually fully consumed by the body.

And without any blood in a vampire body, they become the true monsters depicted in folklore. Demons with a never-ending thirst that would drain anything and everything.

Even their own Beloveds.

There was a serene silence in the air as Alaric fussed over him. Muttering and scoffing to himself with a shake of his head before sitting across from Vladimir.

When the man didn't speak, Vladimir heaved another sigh, scrubbing his hands over his face. "How bad is it?"

Alaric pursed his lips, slightly paler than usual as he responded, "Not as bad as I feared but your health is deteriorating. There's not enough oxygen in your system due to your blood growing stale. Either you feed, soon, or you'll need to go into a Deep Sleep to stave off the worst of it."

"Deep sleep will prevent me from aiding Theo. The doctor even said that a mate's touch improves his recovery." Vlad protested instantly, making Alaric throw his hands to the air in frustration and anger.

It was a reasonable solution. Shutting off all his organs and going into a deathlike slumber would certainly slow the consumption of his blood.

But it wouldn't stop it. And it would leave Vlad in an incredibly vulnerable state. Not to mention that he wouldn't be able to remain at Theo's side or be useful to his Beloved.

Vlad could feel it in his bones. An unnatural coldness that was slowly seeping in, contrasting sharply against the scorching heat in his throat.

He needed to feed. Soon.

While he didn't have any adverse effects from his lack of feedings, the first signs were already showing up. A perpetual tired look by the bags underneath his eyes, paler skin that was cooler than normal...

"At least your eyes aren't red." Alaric muttered with a sigh, making Vladimir chuckle slightly. Both of them could hear the unsaid "Yet." lingering in the air.

The vampire siblings looked up when a knock announced Elaine's arrival, who cleared her throat with a pointed look at Theo's bed.

"I could hear you guys bickering from outside." She scolded slightly, making both Vladimir and Alaric cringe as they glanced at the bed behind them. If she could hear them...

Tired eyes observed both of them as the Omega in the bed offered them both a shy smile. Making Vladimir sigh with regret and rub his hands over his face.

This was certainly not the way he wanted to announce his thirst to Theo!

But it seemed that his secret was already out in the open as the Omega's eyes flitted over his body. Lingering on his darker eyes and the barely perceptible tremble in his fingers.

"Is it true?"

Theo's voice feathered through his mind, caressing his awareness with such kindness, it made Vladimir nearly weep. Because even with all the horrible words thrown at Theo, the horrid treatment he had endured...

He was still such a kind and benevolent person. Vladimir could hear the intention behind such a simple question, could see the glint of determination within Theo's azure gaze.

Even now, still laying in a hospital bed and just barely managed to crawl out of Death's grasp... the boy was willing to offer his blood to Vladimir.

Once again, lowering his own self-worth in order to provide for others. And that was exactly what Vladimir didn't want to happen.

He didn't want Theo to sacrifice himself for Vlad's comfort. And yet watching those baby blues staring back at him, Vlad could only sigh.

"It's true." He responded out loud. If there was one thing that Vlad would refuse to do, it was to lie to his Beloved. Their relationship would be founded on truth and communication.

He wanted mutual trust, a genuine bond of respect and love. Not a sham of a relationship filled with hollow words and lies.

Alaric noticed their small interaction and sighed before turning to Theo. "I don't know how much you have heard of vampires, but normally we can sustain ourselves on any blood. Animal. Human. Shifter."

He sighed before Vlad spoke up, wanting to be the one to inform Theo of their situation. "As I've told your wolf and as you can feel yourself, we have a bond. We call it Beloved, wolves call it-"

"Mates."

The acknowledgement from Theo made Vlad shiver slightly, a smile slipping on his lips despite their current situation. "Indeed. When a vampire meets their Beloved, they are forever changed. Their entire being is altered to provide for their Beloved. Which also means-"

Vlad paused, struggling to provide any saliva to swallow past the sudden dryness in his mouth. Talking about his thirst only made him focus on it even more.

But Theo was smart enough to realise the unspoken truth. He smiled tiredly, eyes flitting between the two vampires and back to Elaine as the doctor cleared her throat.

"If I may give my professional opinion." She smiled down at Theo as she finished checking his vitals. "Normally I'd agree with Lord Vladimir; drawing large quantities of blood from a recovering patient is a high risk best to be avoided. If Theo were human."

They all blinked before Vlad released a sound stuck between a laugh and a sob. Even Alaric, with all his wisdom, had overlooked that simple fact.

And when he gave his brother a pointed look, the vampire had the decency to flush awkwardly. "I was stressed, okay?!"

"Aw, you do care." Vlad teased, smirking even as Alaric whacked him on the back of his head.

His older brother huffed with annoyance. "Honestly, I'm starting to feel sorry for Theo. Being stuck with you."

"Anyways-" Elaine interrupted their bickering before motioning towards Theo. "As werewolves, our regeneration is much higher than that of humans. Humans are fully recovered after 6 to 12 weeks when donating blood. For us however, it's 48 hours."

Vladimir was ashamed that he had forgotten that bit of information. Not because he had suffered for so long but because his Beloved is a werewolf.

Such a basic fact should be known and remembered. At the very least Vlad should show some interest in Theo and his kin, should remember such a thing.

A gentle hand rested on his shoulder, making Vlad appreciate his sibling as Alaric spoke up. "Your thirst is making you forget things Vlad. Don't blame yourself."

"Seems we were all forgetting some things." Vlad sighed before lowering himself back in his seat. He was drained, exhausted and starving.

"Instead of discussing whether or not Theo can provide me with blood, the most important thing to ask is if he wants to." Vlad pointed out as he stretched his long legs with a groan before smiling reassuringly at Theo when all attention turned to the Omega.

"But you're thirsty-"

The young omega paused when Vlad raised his hand to stop him. "Even if I'm thirsty, it is still your body. You are not an item or a food for me to grab whenever I please. You are your own person and have rights to your own thoughts and decisions."

That seemed like a hard and bitter pill to swallow for Theo. Vlad could feel the young man's upset, could see him swallow several times with difficulty.

Did nobody in this godforsaken pack ever give him an option? Just commanded him around and expected him to jump at their convenience?

He could feel his fangs lengthen at the very idea. Wanting to hiss and snarl like some cartoon depiction of a vampire at anyone who thought they could order Theo around.

When a slight snivel sounded from the bed, Vladimir pushed himself up on his feet despite trembling muscles. Landing on his knees beside Theo's bedside, gently reaching forwards to clasp the young man's hands in his own.

Being eye to eye with his beloved, watching a gentle flush spread over his jaws, made Vladimir's heart race a bit more. He offered Theo a tender smile, gently squeezing his cupped hands.

"Sweetheart, I want you to realise something. In this bond, this relationship, we're both equals. There's nobody more or less than the other and both of us are allowed to have their own ideas and ideals, our own opinions and thoughts." Vlad reassured, gently pressing a kiss against Theo's knuckles because he couldn't help himself.

Theo deserved and needed all the kindness and love the world had to offer. And Vlad was going to offer it to the Omega, and then some.

There was a flutter of emotion over their bond, a struggled inhale as Theo tried not to cry. Instead the young man took a few deep breaths while Vladimir waited, allowing the omega to inspect the bond.

To feel his genuine emotions and conviction on the matter. Because Vlad wasn't lying, wasn't providing hollow promises and pretty words in order to sway Theo.

He meant everything.

And he could feel Theo realise that. Could feel Theo's heart overflow with all the repressed emotions that Theo had stomped down over the years.

That the pack had squashed and stomped out, telling the poor Omega to man up.

"If we are equals-" Theo started, making Vlad snap to attention and give Theo's fingers a reassuring squeeze when he paused.

"We are."

"Then you help me. And I help you." Theo smiled, flushing brilliantly as he struggled to look at Vlad. Shyness and his need to make his point fighting with one another until shyness won and Theo averted his gaze.

It made Vlad smile as he chuckled, feeling a spark of amazement and happiness flood the bond as he nodded. "We've got each other's backs. Always."

Theo fidgeted, still incredibly weak and sore. But the soft smile that graced his face made Vlad smile along, feeling pretty damn proud of himself for being the reason behind that smile.

"How do you usually feed?"

Vlad blinked in surprise before thinking back to all the times he had fed. "Most of the times it's bagged and bought blood if we don't have time on our side. There are people who are paid to be fed upon but Feeders often build relationships with their clients which-" Vlad's nose curled at the memory.

And he let Theo see his own memories, just so the Omega wouldn't get the wrong idea. Feeders who got too clingy, who'd call and offer their blood with desperation, wanting their next fix.

After all, a vampire could make their bite as painful or exhilarating as they wanted. Some Feeders sought out a vampire's bite to experience that high, just as some would seek out drugs.

Even Theo, adorable innocent Theo, curled his cute button nose in disgust. Vlad chuckled at the sight before clearing his throat.

"I'm guessing you're asking more about the process." Vlad stated, gaining a shy nod before he continued, "If we feed directly from the source, we secrete a sedative in our saliva that numbs the area. All you'd feel would be a poke." Vlad demonstrated by gently squeezing against Theo's skin with barely any pressure.

"While I haven't experienced it myself, I've been told that the pheromones released during a consensual bite are exhilarating. Some even hold it in higher regards than a sexual high."

At that remark, Vlad had to bite his tongue as Theo flushed a beet red, the colour splotching over his throat and what was visible of his chest. Drawing Vlad's curiosity on exactly how far Theo blushed.

Instead of letting his mind wander, Vlad shook his head and smiled. A spark of excitement buzzing through his system as he was looking towards his very first feeding.

And Theo's very first conscious feeding as well.