Vices and Maces

Chapter 74: Prinxiety Lovers Will Enjoy This

CW: blood, refusing to feed (blood), vampire feeding

Even though Roman wanted Virgil to rest, he was thankful that he was coming into the office lately. He was close by and safe, and Roman knew this. He didn't want him to disappear again, and Janus must feel the same way since they practically never leave his side.

It's been a few days now, and Virgil has come up with a few designs that Roman is having some other engineers try. For those who are fire resistant, ceramic plates with fire crystals mixed in would be good to put in bullet proof vests. That way ice crystals and lasers would have less of an effect. Then Cecil figured making vests that are fire proof would also be good, especially for those who aren't fire resistant.

Virgil has seemed to adjust to Cecil's energy. According to Kayden, he still can't believe he gets to work with the Doctor Noble. It's a good thing for Virgil, a good confidence boost. He seems more relaxed too.

Roman... hasn't eaten yet. Remus has been trying to get him to, but he always came up with an excuse or just ignored him. Obviously he can't do that forever, especially since his headaches are getting worse and he's getting lightheaded when he stands up too fast or for too long. But he really didn't want to feed on blood again.

It must be obvious because Patton and several others have been trying to convince him to feed. He knows he can't ignore this any longer, he's been getting weaker and it's starting to affect his day to day life. But... with Virgil and Janus living with them, it was hard to convince himself to drink with them there. So he would have to go to the blood bank.

Honestly he didn't want to get out of bed, much less drive. However there was a knock on his door and he didn't want to be seen laying in bed so he got up, ignoring the dizziness, and ran his hands through his hair to push the curls back. They were usually hidden by the gel, Remus's curly hair was more obvious than his.

Opening the door, he saw Virgil standing there. The bruising on his cheek had gone down thankfully, but it's going to take longer for his wing and ribs to heal.

"Hey, I was just checking on you because- well uh, no one has seen you up yet. There's breakfast downstairs," Virgil told him.

"Oh, thank you, I'll be down in a moment," Roman replied.

"Are you okay? You've been really pale these last few days."

"I'm fine, I promise."

Virgil frowned, though he stayed in the doorway so Roman couldn't close the door. "You haven't been eating, have you? Blood I mean."

"It's fine, I can go a month without blood, there's no need to worry." He turned to go to his closet.

"Roman." Virgil followed. "You really should get some blood. Do you store any here? I don't mind-"

"No, I didn't bring any blood to this house. We're just renting this one out."

"Right... Janus told me. Then we can go to the blood bank on the drive to the office."

Roman leaned on the doorway to the closet. "I'll be fine, you don't need to worry about me."

"It looks like you can barely even walk." Virgil hesitantly grabbed his arm, keeping his grip loose. "Maybe Remus can head to the blood bank to get something for you?"

"I don't-" Roman growled out, before stopping to calm himself. "I don't like feeding in front of others. I don't like it even when I'm near others, especially those I know. It's... gross and I hate it." Even just talking about it with someone made Roman feel sick.

"I don't think it's gross. I mean, most people eat meat, and that comes from a living animal. How is that any different? Besides, the blood at the blood bank is willingly given. If you were vegan or vegetarian, that would be a different story, but I know you're not."