In his Grasp by Larkir

Soft strands of blonde hair were stuck to his face and neck as he awoke, half-caught in the nightmare he had just left. He was barely aware of the warm body against his own, though instantly he knew there were arms around him, arms that seemed to be trapping him, holding him fast. He tried to hold in his panic, to assess his surroundings as he had for his entire life, but this time, he failed.

His ability to cope weakened by the events of the past few days, he completely lost control. The bubble of sheer terror exploded in his chest and Kei immediately bolted, struggling against the smooth, muscular arms around him, kicking and clawing as he fought to get away. He didn't register that the action left bloody scratches along his companion's arms and chest, nor did he hear his name being called - he had to get up, get away.

As soon as he broke free he was tangled in the sheets and he ripped through them, wide-eyed fear completely unmasked as he fell out of the bed with the white cloth still half-wrapped about him. His legs were trapped by it but it didn't matter - he crawled to the furthest corner of the room, wedging himself into the dark space between the dresser and the wall as he fought against his panic. His efforts were quickly blown aside by his upset, and he failed to slow his raging heartbeat as it pounded in his ears, a nearly forgotten sound that only increased his irrational fear.

Kei drew heavy, gasping breaths, closing his eyes as he felt his fangs in his mouth and tasted blood on them. He had bitten his lip.

Suckling instinctively on the trickling wound as it healed over, the blonde clutched his knees close to his chest, trying to gain some semblance of sanity as he felt his gorge rise and his stomach rebel. It was only an instant later that his empty stomach tried to turn itself inside-out, making him gag as he heaved. He clutched his stomach, whimpering softly as he heard footsteps approaching.

"Kei -"

"Get away from me!" He didn't even recognise his own tone of voice as he stared shakily up at the older man, hardly noticing the dark hair, so unlike that of those who had hurt him. He didn't register the different build, the deeper voice, or even the kind features - the need to survive held precedence over logic. When the man leaned down near him, he hissed, needing no further thought as he lunged.

The sudden attack caught the other man by surprise, and Kei buried his teeth in the exposed neck, biting without finesse as his hands fisted in the dark robe his prey wore. He sucked greedily at the wound, grateful as he felt his instincts taking over and pushing his panic back, shoving it out of the equation as he closed his eyes. He let the taste of rich blood explode over his tongue, sliding back into his throat as the world slowly faded down to the flavour he craved so desperately...

He felt nothing as he continued to lap at the punctures; he didn't notice the change in his position as his victim moved, nor did he feel cool hands prying his own off the silk of the robe beneath him. All he tasted was blood, all he felt was blood...

Gradually the rush of crimson died down to a trickle and his eyes opened, the adrenaline beginning to course through his system again as he felt arms around his small form. As before, he could hear his heartbeat thudding in his ears; it was something he had taken for granted when he was alive, but now he used it to stay sane. Closing his eyes again and focusing on the steady rhythm, he took a deep breath and then sat up, trying to move away from his victim-turned-captor...

"Kei," a soft voice murmured and the blonde relaxed marginally, hearing no malice in it. "Calm down, I'm not going to hurt you..."

He knew who it was as soon as he let rationality come back into play.

It's Luka, it's just Luka...

Calming his breathing, he opened his eyes once more to meet the concerned gaze of his sire, mentor, and friend. He breathed a sigh of relief as reality began to reassert itself, slowly putting his nightmare to rest -

His nightmare. His memory.

Instantly he began to tremble, not fighting at all when Luka's arms tightened around him, holding him as he might hold a child. Soft, soothing words filled his ears and Kei let himself be held and comforted as the memories tried to reassert themselves. He remembered blood, so much blood... He remembered the cold blade of a knife tracing along his skin and the merciless smiles of the men who had attacked him, violated him. He could vividly recall the entire event, until Luka had found him, bringing his wrath down upon the men who dared attack Kei.

It had only been three days since he had learned what Luka truly was, since he had lost so much blood that he should have died.

Salty tears began to leak from his eyes and he bit his lip almost angrily. He had been weak before, he didn't want to be weak now, not when it was over...

"It's alright to cry," Luka breathed, picking him up and walking over to the bed they had recently vacated; the older man rocked him slowly as he swallowed hard, trying his best not to cry. "I know you're not a child, but you've been through more than any single life should have to."

Despite his friend's words, the blonde refused, breathing shallowly as a soft kiss was placed on his forehead. As Luka drew away he sighed heavily, imagining his pain was passing from his body with the exhalation. The thought helped fractionally, and he let himself relax a bit more, pulling away from Luka and moving to sit on the bed next to him.

Still calming down, Kei kept his knees pressed together even as he felt a gentle, calloused hand on his bare shoulder. He hung his head, letting the older man comb through the longer locks of blonde hair and then brush them to the sides, methodically kneading his tense shoulders in an attempt to make him relax while Luka moved behind him, sitting within arm's reach on the bed.

"I hate this," Kei finally muttered, his pride beginning to reassert itself as his terror faded away under Luka's skilled hands. "I hate being so weak..."

The calloused fingers stopped their work and Kei could hear the pain in his mentor's voice as he spoke.

"If I could take it from you, I would..."

The young vampire frowned, shaking his head. It was a strange thing to say, and coming from Luka, he knew it was meant honestly. He could hear the conviction in the man's voice in his next words:

"And you're not weak, Kei."

It earned a snort from the younger vampire - to him, his actions certainly didn't represent strength. The inability to protect himself on the streets wasn't strength... Curling in on himself as the thought passed through his mind again, he felt the cool hands skim along the bare skin of his back, smoothing over the tattooed wings there before resting on his shoulders. The blonde leaned back ever so slightly, letting himself accept the comfort as it was given.

"Come here."

Kei obeyed more out of habit than anything else, but he still moved back willingly, letting his mentor's arms wrap around him as he was placed to lean back against the man's chest. He felt protected as the strong arms held him close, and he let his eyes slip shut as the first lines of the song both of them knew by heart were softly whispered in the air.

"Yuugure ni... kimi to mita... orenji no... taiyou..." Kei let his head fall against Luka's shoulder, a contented peace gently falling over his soul as if draped there. "Nakisou na... kao o shite... eien no... sayonara..." It was a sad song, but it was a comfort to both of them and Kei yawned, fangs retracting as he was drawn into a haze of sleepiness. When oddly soft, gentle lips brushed against his cheek he sighed and turned his head, only wanting another moment of peace before he drifted back into his dreams. Luka's lips met his for only a moment, nothing but concern and easy affection in his actions as he pulled away and lowered Kei to rest on the bed, covering him with the sheets and blanket before moving to lay beside the younger vampire.

He watched over Kei until he had fallen asleep, and only then did he allow himself to follow, leaving a soft kiss on the blonde's cheek before drifting off along side him.