Home remedies

      “What’s gotten into you today?” asks Riko after Jean massages his lips yet again, getting distracted yet again.       “They hurt.” On some other day Jean would be embarrassed that his voice sounds so whiny, but now he doesn’t really care – he has more important things to focus on. Like the itching in his gums, for example. His fangs really want to come out, and only his willpower is stopping them.       It’s not because he’s hungry – he actually fed just an hour ago, courtesy of Kevin. The man’s blood filled him pleasantly and warmed him from the inside, as if he had drunk sunlight. All he wanted to do then was to curl up and sleep, but there were other things demanding his attention. Like helping Riko prepare for an interview.       Riko looks Jean over, his gaze calculating. The vampire tries not to squirm under the scrutiny. Then, before he can brace himself, Riko’s thumb is in his mouth, prying it open. Jean chokes and his eyes water, the feeling of having his tongue pressed down as uncomfortable as always.       This close to Riko’s skin, the battle to stay in control becomes harder. Just a small prick and he’d taste the delicious blood, the small droplets like the finest delicacy. But Jean knows better than to that. Instead, he focuses on the heat that seems to be radiating from the skin, a bit too hot to be considered normal.       ‘What is normal in our world, though,’ Jean thinks to himself with amusement.       Riko presses down on his gum, just next to his hidden fang, and the pain makes Jean whimper. He’s really close to losing control if he doesn’t feednow.       “They seem fine,” Riko says, giving a contemplative look to Jean. The thumb retracts, and the vampire licks his dry lips, the taste of Riko’s skin lingering on his tongue.       “I’m sorry,” Jean says, his voice strained. “I don’t know what’s happening.” He looks down at the floor and tries not to shuffle in place like a little kid awaiting scolding.       Riko hums, and then there’s a sound of drawers opening and closing, but Jean is afraid to look up. It’s foolish because it’s not like it will change anything that’s yet to happen.       Riko’s strong heartbeat gets closer, followed by the warmth. His body always runs just a tad hotter than anyone else’s, and it makes for an excellent pillow on days when he allows Jean to join him in bed.       “I have a solution,” Riko says, touching Jean’s cheek.       When the vampire opens his mouth to ask for an explanation, something hard presses into his mouth. The first thing that hits him is the coldness of it and a metallic taste that quickly spreads in his mouth. Buckles go around his head and are fastened, so that he can’t undo them by himself.       Jean makes a noise of confusion, and Riko only smiles. “Maybe you just need some more iron.” The man kisses his brow and flicks the earring that’s dangling from Jean’s ear – a present from him to show off his possession.       “Now that it’s taken care of,” Riko says, “we can go back to the important matters.” He gestures towards his hair that Jean has been combing before their short break.       Jean picks up the brush again and soon loses himself in the calming motions of going through the long strands.       The gag actually helps a little bit.