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He handed the water to Grayson while he used the towel to clean the young man’s front off. Grayson laughed, telling him it tickled, but not batting his hands away. Then Grayson was sliding under the covers, leaving a space for him.

“Your blood was better than the wine,” Ryder said.

Better than anything.

“Oh? That’s good, right?” Grayson asked.

“Yes.” And no. “But that just means I need to take extra special care. You did want to see me as a wolf, didn’t you?”

Grayson’s eyes widened. “You’re going to--”

“Shift and sleep with you as a wolf so I don’t…” drain you dry, “... snack on you.”

“We mustn’t have that. I’d want to be awake for that.” Grayson touched the already healing fang marks on his neck.

“Indeed. So… would you like a furry companion in the bed or on the floor?” Ryder asked.

“In the bed! I bet you’re fluffy.” Grayson grinned.

“Yes, well, maybe a little.” Ryder blushed. “Good night, Grayson.”

“Ah, goodnight.” Grayson didn’t take his eyes off of him.

Ryder set down the towel and then he shifted into his wolf form. Grayson gasped and leaned forward. His eyes were huge. Ryder knew the form that he cut. He was a gray wolf with black and white markings. He was also huge. Bigger than a normal wolf by far. If he stood up on his hind legs he could place his front pants on Grayson’s shoulders and be eye to eye with the young man.

With a smile curling his lips, Grayson patted the bed beside him as if Ryder really were a wild animal he was trying to lure near. Ryder lightly jumped up onto the bed. Grayson’s mouth opened wide and then he surged towards Ryder and threw his arms around his wolf neck.

“Oh, my God! You’re amazing! You’re beautiful! Ryder… Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” Grayson asked.

His hands ran all along Ryder’s glossy coat. Grayson kissed his snout and his head between his flickering ears. The petting and the kissing was rather enjoyable. He had never let anyone do this. He settled down beside Grayson. The young man laid down too and pulled the covers over both of them. He put a protective paw around Grayson’s shoulders. Grayson buried his head into Ryder’s fur.

He felt the warm breaths from the young man even out as he fell into sleep. Ryder’s eyes took longer to slide shut. His mind was replaying the vision and then stopping on that moment where he had lost himself and hoped and feared he had taken too much blood from Grayson.

This is insane what I am doing.

Yet Ryder did not wish to stop or leave.

Finally, his eyes slid shut and he fell asleep and dreamed of flying with Grayson.