Behind his dimpled smile and sugary eyes lies a past of hardships. Zee lives aimlessly, hopping from job to job, unable to keep stable employment. But when he is invited to take a position at the prestigious Haven Hotel, Zee's life changes from a le...
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The drip of water in the sink echoed as Zee placed the back of his hand on Chawarin's skin. He leaned his arm over the backing of the sofa and pulled the white blanket over Chawarin’s shoulders. He glanced over Chawarin’s face, looking over his complexion.
“You’re still hot,” Zee said, “How are you feeling? Sick? Nauseous?”
Chawarin shook his head, “I felt better after my… injection. But I’m still—”
Zee put his hand on the side of Chawarin’s neck, “Still a little weak?”
He nodded and then slowly dipped his head onto Zee’s shoulders. Their knees were touching as they sat on the sofa, having migrated over after lunch. Zee tousled their feet as he slid his leg behind and under Chawarin’s. He bobbed their legs up and down as he felt Chawarin melt into his shoulder.
“Do you want to sleep?”
“Are you not tired of sleeping?” Chawarin asked.
A beat of silence happened and then they both glanced over to each other, giggling at how much sleep they had gotten in the last two days. As their voices died down and their laughter subsided, Zee leaned his head over Chawarin’s and ruffled both their hair as he rubbed his head.
Zee spoke up in the quiet, “Can I ask some questions?” He didn’t look down at Chawarin. He waited for an answer, then he continued, “If you don’t want to answer, you can stay silent. And I’ll move onto the next question. No questions asked.”
Chawarin nodded as his response and Zee inhaled sharply before beginning.
“Can you explain what marks are?” Zee asked cautiously, “It’s a word I’ve been hearing a lot of, and many people have been saying I’ve been marked. I don’t understand it.”
Chawarin sniffled before answering, “When a vampire marks someone, they are claiming their food partner.”
“Claiming? Like branding?”
“I guess. It’s a sign only other vampires can see. A marked human is off-limits for vampires other than the partner.”
“Off-limits?” Who makes sure that rule is followed? Zee thought to himself before he glanced down to Chawarin, “Is that why you told us to become partners? So others would think we were food partners?”
“Mm,” Chawarin affirmed, “I thought that would be enough. I thought Adisorn was after you because he wanted your blood. I guess I wasn’t necessarily wrong, but he wants your blood for different reasons…”
