When Merlin finally opened his eyes, he experienced a surreal moment of uncertainty. He sat bolt upright in bed, disappointed at the idea that it had all just been a dream, and then noticed that he'd bothered to put pants on and grinned. With that settled, he lay down, burrowing into the pillow for a few minutes more until the annoying whine of his bedside alarm broke through the sorcerer's attempts at rest. "Fuck," he muttered, slamming his hand down on the device before he finally managed to pry himself from the bed's warm embrace. A short burst of stumbling around in the kitchenette in the corner to pour some cereal and microwave a cup of coffee followed, and Merlin finally plopped down at the same table that served as his desk and catch-all to eat while he waited for Arthur to stir as well.

Arthur woke to find himself safely ensconced in Merlin's closet. He had been almost afraid to open his eyes out of fear of finding that last night had been nothing more than an elaborate dream. Sitting up, he brushed a hand through his shaggy hair and gave himself the luxury of a nice, long stretch. Then he ventured out and felt another massive wave of relief finding Merlin waiting for him. "Mornin'," he started, only to frown and correct himself, "Erm, I mean... Night." After all these centuries he still couldn't get used to that. He took a seat at the table and flashed an uncertain smile. "Did you sleep well?"

"Better, actually," Merlin agreed, unable to keep himself from smiling at the man. Somehow even after sleeping all night in a closet, Arthur managed to look put together. It struck Merlin belatedly that he probably looked like what he was - a bachelor who'd just dragged himself out of bed and hadn't even bothered to transition from pajama pants to proper clothes yet. "There's more True Blood in the fridge. Have to see about getting a microwave. I hear it's a lot less, y'know, disgusting all warmed up." He followed the statement with another massive bite of Captain Crunch and wondered when and if it would ever stop feeling surreal to see Arthur sitting in his grungey apartment.

"You'd think with all their technological marvels they might have invented something that actually tasted good," Arthur groused as he straightened from the table and rummaged around in the refrigerator for a bottle. He was fairly starving, and being close to Merlin again did not help matters. He popped a True Blood open and grimaced as the fluid hit his tongue. "I'll go and get us some money tonight," he declared, anything to take his mind off the foul mixture sliding down his throat. "Then we can start looking for a place for both of us." Arthur sat back down, his fingers tracing the outline of the bottle. He smiled, finding himself gazing at Merlin again. "I still can't believe it. That you're really here... I mean back, with me."

Merlin supposed he should have protested the supposition that he'd be alright with moving on Arthur's dime, but he honestly didn't care. He hated the place himself, and he really couldn't see Arthur putting up with it. And then there was the thought of them getting a place together. It wouldn't be like before, him living halfway across a castle from Arthur. At most they'd be across the hall from one another. He flushed and stood. "Uh, gotta get ready," he explained, scrounging up a clean pair of jeans and a button-down shirt that was only partially wadded up in a drawer of the dresser. The structure swayed ominously as Merlin darted into the bathroom but didn't topple over. As he dressed, Merlin reminded himself firmly that he had assured Arthur not ten hours before that he was still the same person. That meant being friendly, maybe a little sarcastic, but definitely did NOT include flirting or drooling or fawning. "Right," he muttered, looking at his reflection and taking a moment to try and tame hair that had grown just a bit too long to be tamable anymore. Eventually he couldn't come up with any excuses to delay and shuffled out to the other room to smile at Arthur. "Wanna come? To the bar, I mean. Bit more welcoming when it's open."

Arthur caught himself staring far too long at Merlin while the other man readied himself for work. If it were possible, Merlin was even more beautiful than he remembered. His fangs itched with temptation, and Arthur downed even more of the loathsome True Blood in an effort to sate his hunger. "How about if I meet you there later?" he offered. "I really want to see about procuring some funds for us." Arthur decided not to mention the possibility of finding someone to feed upon. That synthetic rubbish wasn't helping in the slightest; if he could drink real warm blood, then maybe he could prevent the deplorable act of launching himself at Merlin's throat. "Do you mind? I won't be gone long, I promise."

"Yeah, 'course," Merlin answered, breezy despite the fact that he hated letting Arthur out of his sight. It was patently ridiculous given the fact that the former king was obviously capable of taking care of himself. He would have been long dead otherwise, vampire or not. He repressed a random urge to kiss the man good-bye and settled on a brief wave instead. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do," he challenged before shoving his hands in his pockets and starting off for work.

Securing the funds for a larger place had been relatively easy, especially with his fortune scattered at all points around the globe. All the time he was away from Merlin, Arthur ached to be with him again. Deep down a part of him feared that Merlin would simply vanish again, and he would be alone and empty... Shaking such thoughts from his head, Arthur felt the clawing hunger for blood returning which no bottle of True Blood could ever hope to satisfy. //Merlin...// It was tempting, dangerously tempting to want the other man. Even with magic shielding Merlin's scent, the sorcerer's blood sang out to him to taste. //No, I can't...// Before he even realized he was there, Arthur found himself at the Last Drop where a line stretched outside of mortals and vampires anxious for entry. He shivered like a drug addict, knowing he would have to find someone to feed upon before he saw Merlin and did something he would regret.

Gillan had been in line for what felt like forever. He just needed... god, he didn't even really need to get inside. He wanted to get in, yes, but only so that he could find someone to come back outside with again. The blond bit his lip as he thought of finally satisfying the aching hunger to be taken again. He let out a sigh and leaned back against the building. All at once, he felt eyes on him, a prickling sensation on the back of his neck. When he raised his eyelids once again, there was an achingly beautiful vampire standing not three feet away from him. His heart pounded with sudden hope, and he stood up, pushing away from the wall. "You look like you could use some company," he ventured.

Arthur could have happily lunged and devoured the tempting mortal dangling in front of him like a carrot. Unfortunately, ever since the Great Revelation, there were rules to follow if he did not want the True Death upon him. "Too right," he agreed, his eyes raking over him. "Would you like to go someplace a little more... private?" Whoever had chosen this particular location for the bar had done so wisely. There were many dark, secluded alleys to choose from. As Arthur drew closer to his willing prey, the scent of the mortal's boiling blood overwhelmed him and his fangs appeared unbidden.

//That hot and an accent?// The young man felt his knees go weak. "Please," Gill agreed without the slightest hesitation. The danger didn't bother him. It was what he wanted. He felt nothing but excitement as he slipped out of the line. There were more than a few jealous eyes on him as he moved in closer to Arthur and walked with the man to an alleyway not far from the bar itself. "You can have anything you want," he assured. Part of him hoped that the strange vampire wanted more than just to feed, but even if he didn't, it was definitely going to be a good night.

"Are you sure about that?" Arthur reached out to brush his fingers across the mortal's cheek. Flushed with warmth and ripe for the picking, the boy probably had no idea just how much danger he was truly in. "I'm starving," he purred, leaning in closer and inhaling his scent. Arthur drew himself back, pressing him against the cool bricks of the building. The mortal was lovely, not as beautiful as Merlin but the experience would not be unpleasant in the least. "Tell me your name? I'm Arthur." Manners were something that had never left the former king even as he began to press hungry kisses to the boy's jawline.

The boy let out a soft moan. "Gill... I'm Gill." Just the touch of the vampire's lips had his jeans feeling a size too tight. "Meant what I said. I'm not scared." His hips jerked involuntarily against Arthur's. "I want it... need it so bad..."

Fang bangers were the new junkies, Arthur had quickly come to learn. Being taken by a vampire was how they received their high. He had not encountered that many because he preferred to hunt his prey. But, he couldn't deny himself when one was as willing as Gill. He groaned as he felt the mortal's insistent arousal, and Arthur's vampire instincts had long ago abolished any mortality or guilt he might have felt over indulging himself. His lips brushed Gill's throat while his hands worked to open the mortal's tight jeans. Arthur's fingers disappeared inside and curled around his scorching hot length. "I want you, too," he whispered, his fangs dangerously close to piercing Gill's skin.

Gill shuddered as the gorgeous man touched him. "You can have all of me." If something happened, would it really matter? His mother was too drunk most of the time to have any idea whether he was there or not. If he went missing she probably wouldn't even care except for not having someone to go buy her cigarettes. Someday it would probably happen. Gill knew that. He'd accepted it a long time before. Maybe someone would take a liking to him, want him more than once, even give him a clean bed to sleep in sometimes. Maybe he'd just die. Gill just wanted to enjoy the moments left to him, to feel every last bit of pleasure he could wrench from a world that seemed far too cruel most of the time. One pale hand raised and fisted in Arthur's hair, drawing him forward. "Take it," he pleaded.

With a suddenness Arthur was certain took Gill by surprise, he twisted the mortal around and tugged off his jeans and underwear. He wet his fingers and pressed them inside of Gill's firm, round backside without preamble. For someone who had probably been taken by more vampires than even Arthur could imagine, Gill was surprisingly tight. Sensing that the boy thrived on pain, Arthur wasted little time in preparing the way. He fished his arousal from his own trousers, then launched himself forward, burying himself fully inside the grasping heat of Gill's body. At the same time his fangs pierced the soft flesh of Gill's throat, and Arthur groaned as a river of delicious blood flowed into his mouth.

Gill stifled his cry of pleasure by biting into his own arm. It hurt. The tearing pain made black spots swim in front of his vision. It was perfect. He thrust back to take every last inch as Arthur's cock as the vampire tore into his throat. "Yes... yes... oh, god..." Gill was desperate already. It was quick and hot and dirty and exactly what he'd needed. The venom or whatever it was that came along with the bite flowed through Gill, turning pain into the most exquisite pleasure.

Arthur thrust fast and ferociously into the clenching heat of Gill's willing body. He drank down the mortal's life essence, tasting the intense desire Gill felt to be taken and claimed. Holding him tightly against him, Arthur himself was desperate to have both his lust and hunger sated. He couldn't face Merlin again with these feelings raging through him. Since being turned so long ago, he had never feared harming anyone as much as he did Merlin. He stroked Gill in time with his thrusts, gulping down the crimson tide which flowed from the mortal's throat.

It took no time at all for Gillan to gasp out his release, cum spattering against the dirty wall in front of them while Arthur's teeth held him in place and the man's cock drove into him hard and fast. The boy shuddered and twitched despite these restrictions as he felt the first taste of real peace he'd had in weeks. He had no words to express how perfect it was being fucked to climax by the vampire while the man drained him until he was lightheaded, so he kept silent save for whimpers and moans he simply couldn't hold back.

"I'll keep that in mind." Arthur was kind enough to pull Gill's pants back up, and then readjusted his own. "Will you... be alright?" He frowned, concerned he had taken too much despite the mortal having willingly offered himself. His attuned senses could barely detected a heartbeat, and without stopping to think twice, Arthur pierced his wrist with his fangs and offered Gill his blood. Perhaps it was due to his guilt over having used the boy as a means to sate his desire for Merlin, but the former ruler of Camelot retained a semblance of his humanity and he couldn't very well allow the boy to collapse in a dark alley. "Drink," he urged.

Gill just stared at the vampire for a moment, uncertain. None of the men he'd been with before had ever seemed to care if they left him bleeding and shaken in an alley. The teen gave himself a moment, buttoning his jeans up again, and then leaned forward. The taste on his tongue was strange and sweet. It reminded him of red wine more than of blood, something rich and sharp, almost exotic. Gill let out a soft groan as he felt renewed strength suffusing him, the blood doing its work quickly to perk up his flagging heartbeat and tired body.

Arthur watched carefully as Gill drank his offering. Giving his blood was an act Arthur did not take lightly. He'd realized a long time ago how powerful his essence could, and what effect it had on mortals. Whether he liked it or not, he would be bound to Gill now. But, Arthur decided, maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing... If he needed to sate his desires as a way of not harming Merlin, and Gill was offering himself willingly... "You should be feeling much stronger now," he murmured, finding himself rather fascinated with how Gill’s lips closed over his wrist.

Gill drew back, taking the words as a gentle urging that he'd had enough. His dark eyes were wide as he gazed back at the vampire. "Anytime you want me..." The words trailed off, but they both knew what came after. He was Arthur's whenever the man wanted him, needed him. If he'd thought for a moment that Arthur would accept, he'd have offered to go with him at once, to be available at the man's side.

"Take care," Arthur said, leaning forward to press a gallant kiss to the side of Gill's mouth. He felt as if he could face Merlin now without completely losing control. A part of him hated having to use another mortal to achieve this, but Arthur simply had had no other choice. Departing the alley, he made his way back around to the front of the club where most of the long line had dispersed. He vaguely noted an attractive Asian man leaning against the wall as he ducked inside.

The night air was brisk but not unpleasant, and Merlin felt good as he readied the bar for the night. He nodded his hellos to the manager as the man made his way into the back office. Soon enough the doors were open and customers began to trickle in. Spotting a familiar face, Merlin gestured almost frantically for Blaine to come over. He'd hoped that things turned out as well as he suspected when sending Kurt over the night before."So?"

Blaine grinned like a bona fide idiot as he approached Merlin. "I owe you big time," he replied as he leaned against the bar. "Best night of my life, and that's no exaggeration." He kept glancing over his shoulder, surreptitiously searching the room for the first sign of Kurt. Of course, Blaine would smell him long before he ever stepped into the club. But, he couldn't stop himself from looking. "How about you? Something happen?" Blaine noted a distinct change in Merlin. "I don't think I've ever seen you smile so much."

"Arthur... he's... it's nuts, but he's here. He's back. He's fine." Merlin couldn't stop smiling. He hadn't bothered to explain even a vague version of his situation to many people, but he'd offered Blaine at least some of the highlights of his lost love - one-sided though it was - and he was glad now to have someone to share that with. "Well, I mean, he's, uh, he's a vampire, but he's good. Fine. Here," Merlin repeated, still sounding completely giddy. "It's brilliant. And I'm so glad it was good with you and Kurt. Knew it would be. I knew the two of you'd hit it right off." //Because I've seen you do it before.// "Should we be expecting you to sod off and get married in Vegas or something soon?"

Blaine's dark eyes grew wide as saucers. "Really?" He could barely believe it. "That's wonderful! Is he here? Arthur, I mean?" He took time out from scanning the crowd for Kurt to see if he could locate the mythical Arthur he'd heard so much about. When he didn't find anyone who matched his description, Blaine felt deflated as he also failed to spot Kurt. It worried him slightly. After last night there was no doubt that Kurt was most definitely his. Only, being mortal, Kurt had a mortal life and rules to live by. If he was unable to make it to the bar tonight, Blaine realized he would be absolutely crushed. And that new-found feeling of overwhelming passion shocked him radically.

"Not yet. He's supposed to come later." Merlin was visibly excited by the prospect. He thrummed with energy, cleaning, chatting and pouring drinks in tandem without showing any signs of slowing. "I'm sure Kurt'll come." Given how visibly besotted Blaine was, Merlin couldn't imagine that Kurt wasn't feeling the very same way. Merlin read a flicker of something in the vampire's dark eyes and reached across the bar to poke him in the chest. "Y'don't have anything to worry about. You don't. Honestly."

Blaine eyed Merlin suspiciously. "You say that like you know something," he pointed out. Ever since he'd first met Merlin, the bartender had a knack for saying things with hidden meanings that usually turned out to come true. He smiled and shook his head, adding, "Whatever gives you all this insight, I'll never doubt it again. Kurt, he's... well, he's perfect." Blaine fairly glowed as he talked about him. "It's crazy, I know it sounds that way, but... I feel like I've been waiting my whole life to meet him."

"You have been," Merlin answered simply. He hadn't given away all his secrets to Blaine, but he rather enjoyed playing the part of enigmatic sage sometimes. "Just didn't know it till you found him. God, it's brilliant, though! Arthur and Kurt showing up in the same night... it's like things are finally going right." Merlin could almost feel a change in the air, one he hoped meant that life could only get better and better. "D'you feel it?"

Arthur froze in the entrance of the Last Drop. His eyes blazed and every muscle in his body tensed as he spotted the other vampire being much too friendly with Merlin. His fangs appeared unbidden, and it took every ounce of his willpower not to launch himself across the room and tear the perceived interloper's throat out. He stared daggers at Blaine as he slowly approached, interrupting with barely concealed jealousy, "And who is this?"

Merlin was oblivious to the gleam of anger in Arthur's eyes, too blinded by his own pleasure at the opportunity to introduce the pair to one another. "Arthur! This is Blaine. Blaine, this is Arthur." He was grinning like an idiot and couldn't even bring himself to care. He was so happy he could have burst. "I've... uh, talked about you a bit," he admitted sheepishly to Arthur, shrugging and running a hand through his hair to smooth it only to leave the whole mess looking worse than ever.

"Nice to meet you, Arthur," Blaine started only to tense at the palpable jealous anger radiating off the older vampire. "I... I've heard a lot about you." He snatched his hand away from Merlin's shoulder as if it were silver. Merlin probably couldn't sense Arthur's rage, but Blaine's vampiric abilities made him privy to other vampire's feelings. "I'm just waiting for my date," he clarified, offering Arthur an uneasy smile. "I think I'll leave you two alone." Reaching for the bottle of True Blood Merlin had served to him, Blaine skulked off to his usual table.

Arthur turned to Merlin, his jaw set. "You and he seem... close. Is he a friend of yours... or something more?" He was completely unaware of his accusatory tone, only that the sight of another vampire touching Merlin had nearly set him off into a killing frenzy.

Blithely misinterpreting Arthur's jealousy as something else entirely, Merlin rolled his eyes. "Just because I'm gay doesn't mean I date every guy I know. Bloody hell... He's a friend. He works here. Sings." Merlin nodded toward the small stage tucked in next to the DJ booth. "That's all. Told you, I don't pick guys up at work. Often," he added, half-muttering the word as if Arthur might somehow miss it that way.

"I'd hope you'd be smart enough not to date a vampire," Arthur stated, still furious over the scene he'd walked in on. "Especially considering what you are," he added in a lowered tone. Frustrated more with himself than anything else, Arthur threw his hands in the air before resting them on his hips. "If you're that keen, I don't know why you even bother with all those spells." Storming away, he pushed his way through the crowd and back out into the night.

Merlin stared after the man, mouth hanging slightly open until someone down at the end of the bar snapped that he was taking too long and he remembered that he was actually supposed to be making a Long Island Iced Tea. //What the hell was that?// He was lost. He knew that he'd missing something. That was obvious. But somewhere between missing something and having the vaguest clue what he missed, there were a few links that weren't there. "Uh, right, on it," Merlin assured the rather mortal waiting. His gaze kept straying to the door, and as soon as the drink was passed off, he bolted for it, hoping to catch Arthur and get him back inside before he walked any farther than down the street.

Arthur raged as he stormed out into the night, furious with himself over his blatant jealousy over someone else touching Merlin. He hadn't wanted Merlin to ever know about his true feelings, and how they had been unshackled from his royal duties and stubborn pride when Mordred transformed him into a vampire. Never able to admit his love for Merlin before, he quickly found that he was still covering his emotions with bluster. //That hasn't changed,// he noted, clenching his fists reflexively. Even with the spells covering Merlin's scent, Arthur could still detect his presence. Knowing that Merlin was running after him only made things worse. Already he could feel the hunger returning, his desire for his former servant returning ten-fold.

When Merlin called the man's name, he didn't so much as turn. For a moment he considered running after Arthur, but it seemed that even after all these years, the man was painfully stubborn. //Fine. If that's how he wants to be about it, fine.// Merlin took a deep breath and turned on his heel, fairly slamming the door open as he re-entered the bar. He worked with his head down, seething and hurt and barely aware of his surroundings.