Marquise sat on the edge of the giant carved bathing tub that had been installed in the floor on the lower level of Vrasje's home. He'd thought his master's fancy bathing tub had been impressive, but this one was easily three times its size!

There were also no humans around, so he felt a lot more comfortable not having to worry about guarding against his larger wolf. 

He's been doing surprisingly well since meeting Vrasje, thankfully.

"I'm going to run upstairs and grab some things. Wait here for me please," Vrasje said, drawing Marquise's attention toward him. 

He quickly nodded his agreement, then returned his attention to the water slowly rising in the carved tub. It soon reached his feet, and thanks to whoever had prepared the room for them, it was already beginning to warm up due to the pans of hot coal settled beneath it. 

This is going to be nice. 

Marquise kicked his muddy feet in the water and watched as the particles of dirt drifted off his skin. 

Hmm? 

The pump had stopped. 

Looking over his shoulder, he noted that the door was still shut. Closing his eyes, he focused on trying to pinpoint Vrasje within the house, and was a bit surprised to sense that he was still upstairs. 

I guess I'll do it. It seems simple enough. 

And it was. He easily got the pump going again, then sat down next to it and reached over to run his dirty fingers through the gently flowing water. They, too, came clean after just a short amount of time. 

Holding that hand in front of him, he calmly brought his other still-dirty one up to settle beside it. 

Such a difference a little water can make...

Smiling, he used his clean hand to wipe his dirty one, thus removing the soil from it, too, before rinsing them both. 

Maybe it really is this simple. 

He sat there for quite a while, pumping the water every time it stopped until the tub ended up completely full. And yet...

Looking over his shoulder again, Marquise frowned at the closed door. 

I guess I'll just bathe by myself. 

Glancing around the area, he located a small container of soap that must have been left by one of the servants. Getting up, he walked over and checked the contents. 

They all smell pretty good. I'll just borrow a little of the liquid one. 

Taking the small container, he walked back over to the pool and, finally, slid completely into it. 

Oh man, this feels great. 

Especially after having been covered in cold mud. Since no one was around to watch him, Marquise happily dipped under the water and swam around the large bathing pool. 

He surfaced by the far wall after a few moments, then shook out his now-soaking mop of dark hair with a dopey grin on his face. 

I wanna howl...

He hadn't had such an urge in a long time. 

Wait a second...

Swimming over to the edge where he left the soap, Marquise settled on a ledge, then focused internally. 

I knew it. You little brat. 

Alphas rarely howled, since theirs was the most important signal to their pack. It was extremely unprofessional for an alpha to howl without dire importance, because it would call all of his packmates to him without fail.

He didn't have a pack anymore, anyways, so what good was his howl?  

Garlic perked up in his mind.

Why are you so determined to stay stuck to me? Aren't you your own wolf? he asked it, a little frustrated that the need to howl was still building within him, no matter how hard he tried to push it back. 

He heard a little huff in his mind, then let that sound unintentionally slip through his lips.

You!

Grumbling under his breath, Marquise got busy cleaning himself with a handful of the barrowed soap. It smelled a bit like roses, but wasn't very strong. 

Once his hair was nice and soapy, he began working on scrubbing off his body. He even got between his toes after getting up out of the water, and every other nook and cranny he could find. 

Darn it, how can there be mud in these places? 

Next time Pepper decided to take a mud bath with their master, he was going to have to stay and get scrubbed up himself! 

A quiet yet-audible sigh slipped from his lips as he began to feel anxious. 

You stop it. I should not have to repeat myself. I'm not howling. 

Besides, what good was it anymore, anyways? Who would it attract besides, maybe, Vras—"You brat! I don't need to call him down here. I can clean my own body!" he growled, getting frustrated now. 

He wasn't as against the man being in his personal space as he had been, but that didn't mean that he wanted to specifically call him back downstairs to scrub mud out of his bare ass!

Though this has been the first bath I think I've actually taken by myself since Taru picked me up. 

The thought had him grinning immediately... then frowning. Then scowling. He was about to reprimand the pup again and try to peal it away from his own thoughts when he suddenly tilted his head back and closed his eye. He just-barely managed to keep the howl from coming out, but it took a lot of effort! 

A wave of frustration swam over him, making Marquise roll his eyes as he quickly slipped back into the warm water to rinse off. 

"This is my body, too. I don't have to call for him whenever you want me to."

Ducking under the water, Marquise quickly scrubbed the soap from his hair, then ran his hands over his body a few times to remove any excess left on his skin.  

When he finally surfaced again he could barely feel Garlic's presence. 

About time you gave up. 

He hadn't wanted to be mean to the pup, but pushing him into a relationship wasn't fair. Swimming over to the edge, Marquise lifted his arms up out of the water and crossed them before resting his chin there. 

It wasn't that he was completely against the man being his mate, but he definitely wouldn't have been on board with their rough kiss last night if Garlic hadn't nudged him into it. 

Frustrated, he tilted his head and began to lick at the moisture on his left arm to try and calm himself down a little bit. He was so engrossed in grooming himself that he didn't even notice when someone came in, then knelt down beside him. 

The only thing that snapped him out of his worry, and made him jump a little, was when Vrasje settled a hand against his damp hair. 

"Hey sweetheart," the man said quietly as he got into a sitting position. 

When Marquise slowly looked up, Vrasje let his hand fall away from his hair, but instead of going back to his side it redirected as he scooted closer to the edge of the water and slid his legs in. As he dropped down onto the little ledge that Marquise was kneeling on, he took Marquise's left hand in his own, making him turn to face him as he slid back into the water, too. 

"What are you doing?" he asked as the vampire gently ran his free hand over the spot that he'd licked... a little too much. It was angrily red, but it wasn't that big of a deal. 

"It'll heal," he said as he tried to withdraw his arm. 

Vrasje refused to release it, earning a scowl. 

"Why did you get in the bath, anyways? You still have your clothing on," Marquise said with a frustrated tone to his voice. 

Vrasje looked down at the water, blushed, then quickly looked away. 

"I apologize for taking so long to return. I was speaking with one of my patrols."

Hmph, ignoring my question. 

He would let it slide, though, because now he was curious what had held up the vampire. 

"Werewolves?" he asked, already figuring that they were the most likely reason for the man's delay in returning. 

 Vrasje nodded. 

"A new pack is trying to move in near the sea. They slipped past my scouts and are already only a few miles away. It won't be a safe situation if they come any closer." 

Marquise pursed his lips, then licked them as he felt the man finally release his arm. 

"You're going to intercept them?" he asked, hoping, just the slightest bit, that the man didn't have to go. 

Vrasje gave him a slightly lopsided smile. 

"I sent two of my men out to confront them. They are ordered to withdraw if the pack tries to attack. At that point, I will go myself," he said, making Marquise relax the slightest bit. 

Of course, he knew that the pack would likely attack. He'd rarely come across friendly wolves. Even his own hadn't been the easiest to transition to living like humans. He'd even had to leave some behind in the forest, though it had hurt him greatly to abandon them.  

"Let me come with you," he said without an ounce of hesitation. 

Unfortunately, Vrasje replied immediately afterward. 

"No."

Marquise bristled, but before he could complain that he was perfectly capable of going, and it would probably help to have a werewolf there to help communicate, Vrasje pulled him into his arms. The abrupt movement had water sloshing over the edge of the tub, but neither of them paid it any mind. 

"I know that having you there would definitely help, but I can't put you in such danger. You know as well as I do that wild wolves are not easy to deal with. If I brought you it c—" a faint sniffing sound took over abruptly, followed by a quiet growl. 

Uh...? 

Before Marquise could question the man's strange actions Vrasje had released him and was up and out of the water, stomping toward something that he must have brought in with him when he'd returned. Once he picked it up, he turned back around and brought the bag over. 

"What is that?" Marquise asked as he moved to lean his arms on the edge of the pool again. 

Vrasje sat down and settled his legs over the edge again, but instead of slipping into the water, he set the bag aside and grabbed the hem of his soaked shirt. A moment later and it was being tugged up and over his head. 

He couldn't look away. 

In fact, he was so entranced, partially because of the little pup now suddenly pressing against his mind, that he didn't even notice the man reaching into the bag. A moment later and Vrasje's strong hands were working soap into his already-washed hair!

"Wh-what are you doing?!" Marquise squeaked as he tried to swat the man's hands away!

To his surprise, Vrasje suddenly grabbed his hair so tightly that he immediately stopped struggling and winced slightly. The man must have noticed his discomfort because he immediately relaxed his hold, then gently continued working the new shampoo into his hair. 

"I'm sorry, I overreacted," Vrasje said, his words slurring slightly because his fangs were fully extended. 

I totally get that you overreacted, my head still hurts a little, but I have no idea why. 

"You smelled like someone else. That rose soap belongs to one of my vampiric servants..." Vrasje mumbled, now looking quite remorseful. 

Oh. 

Well, the reaction kind of made sense then, but still. 

"You know that I'm not interested in other people," he said, earning Vrasje's attention as the man looked back up at him. 

What is that grin for? What are you thinking you stubborn vampire? 

"I'm thinking that my sweet wolf likes me a whole lot." 

Marquise rolled his eye but didn't bother replying. Instead, he turned and slipped back into the water, then ducked beneath the surface to rinse the new soap out of his hair. 

He finished that task faster than he'd intended, then surfaced and wiped at his eye. When he looked back toward Vrasje, he noticed the man staring at him. 

Well, that wasn't much of a surprise. 

"Not going to wash up? You have some mud on you, too," he said, his words an indirect invitation to join him. 

Vrasje seemed to contemplate his words for a moment before his attention appeared to turn inward. 

Is he getting another message about the wolves? 

Marquise swam closer and stood on his tiptoes, waiting. The longer the man remained silent the more anxious he grew. It didn't help that Garlic was making him fidget, either. 

When Vrasje finally snapped back to himself and looked down at him, Marquise tilted his head slightly. 

"They aren't withdrawing but they aren't attacking, either," he said, making Marquise furrow his brow for a moment before climbing out of the water and sitting before the other man. 

"So... do you plan to go?" he asked as he leaned closer. 

Vrasje thought for only a moment before giving a slight nod. 

"Yeah, I think I should." 

Marquise jumped up at the same time Vrasje stood, making the man give him a suspicious look.  

"I'm coming with you!" Marquise stated without an ounce of hesitation. 

Unfortunately, Vrasje didn't look ready to backdown, either. He'd expected as much, though. Before the other man could decline again, Marquise stepped forward and leaned up just enough to press his lips against his vampire's. 

The man immediately fell silent, clearly stunned. 

He hadn't really wanted to have to resort to doing such a thing, but for some reason he just felt like he needed to go with him to meet those wolves. 

You are being extremely stubborn about this, Vrasje finally replied within his mind, not daring to break their kiss to answer with his mouth. 

Marquise smirked against his lips as he felt the man's hands slide down his damp body before settling on his hips. The kiss lasted for quite some time since neither of them were willing to submit to the other, but Marquise eventually won when he nudged one of his legs between the other man's, making him gasp and lose just enough of his focus for Marquise to take over. 

Before he realized how far he was pushing the situation, however, Marquise had Vrasje pinned on the floor again with his fangs buried in his throat.   

Garlic...

Retracting his fangs once he realized what he was doing, Marquise quickly sat up on Vrasje's chest and wiped the man's blood from his lips as he tried to catch his breath. 

Darn you, my heart's racing and I'm hard. 

It didn't help that Vrasje had a solid grip on his right thigh, either. 

He expected Garlic's excitement to surge through his system at that moment, but when he felt a calm, steady interest instead, he swallowed nervously. 

Pepper...?

Marquise felt the wolf moving just beneath his skin. It almost seemed like it was getting more comfortable instead of trying to come out. 

What are you doing? 

He snapped out of his thoughts as Vrasje slowly sat up, making him slide backwards until he was settled in the man's lap and their mouths were pressed together again. 

I like this vampire, Pepper replied.  

Marquise winced as he felt Vrasje nip at his lip enough to draw blood, but instead of growling like he thought he would, his body decided that a moan was the more logical response. He was just about to lift his hands up to delve into the man's long hair when Vrasje suddenly leaned away, allowing him to clear his thoughts enough to quickly lower his hands back down again. 

"As much as I'd love to spend the night with you, love, I need to go," Vrasje said, his words sounding quite strained. That was probably because Marquise could feel something beneath him within the man's pants that seemed quite strained, too. 

He quickly scurried off the man's lap and grabbed a nearby towel to wrap around his waist before giving his face a few smacks to try and clear his perverted mind. He heard an annoyed grumble in the back of his mind in response before Pepper's presence disappeared completely. 

Thank god. 

Noticing movement by the door, Marquise looked over and immediately ran after Vrasje! 

"Hey, I'm coming too!" he grumbled as he finally caught up to the man's long strides. 

Vrasje only spared him a brief glance before blurring up the stairs.

Think you're getting away so easily?!

Marquise focused on his vampiric half and immediately blurred forward to slam right into the steps with a rather pathetic yelp!

Ow... geez. That definitely didn't go as planned. 

Before he could shake off the shock of the impact he was being lifted into familiar arms and carried up the stairs. By the time they were back in Vrasje's room he had come back to his senses... and was quite embarrassed. 

Vrasje settled him on the bed, then blurred around the room getting dressed in a matter of mere moments. When his form finally stopped in front of him again he was fully clothed in a pair of loose black pants, black boots, and a form-fitting tank top that made it hard to look anywhere else. His hair had also been pulled up into a messy bun, likely to keep it out of his face in case there was a fight, but...

Marquise stood from the bed and walked behind the man as he reached up to undo the tie holding his hair. 

"This won't do," he mumbled to himself as he gently combed out the long strands with his fingers, then carefully twisted it up into a more reasonable look. 

It was still kept out of his face, but it looked more like a high ponytail now rather than a sloppy bun. 

Once done, Vrasje turned around with a calm smile and leaned in for a quick kiss. Marquise turned his head at just the right time, making the vampire hesitate a mere inch away from him. 

When Vrasje straightened back up, Marquise looked back at him. 

"I'm coming, too." 

Vrasje didn't look happy with his stubborn determination, but after a full minute stare-down, he gave a long, stressed sigh before walking over to a solid wood armoire and swinging the double doors to it open. When he stepped aside and looked back at him expectantly, Marquise hurried forward. 

Holy... where had all of these clothes come from?!

"Get dressed. You have five minutes to meet me downstairs or I'll leave you here... with guards," Vrasje said right before he walked out the door, making Marquise grin with excitement as he yanked down an easy outfit and got ready in two minutes flat! 

He hopped out of the room as he tugged on his second boot, then ran down the hall with a decent limp as he straightened his long-coat on his shoulders. 

His feet paused at the tall staircase, but he wasn't deterred. Instead of walking down it with his limp, he hopped up onto the railing and easily rode it all the way to the bottom floor. He was just getting ready for the fast landing when Vrasje suddenly appeared at the bottom and easily scooped him into his arms as he slid from the railing. 

The man didn't look impressed as he stared down at him, but Marquise could only grin up at him. 

"Three minutes, yeah?" he asked, making Vrasje roll his eyes before turning and carrying him right out into the night without a single word more.