Perique Blend stumbled along the path at the edge of Ponyville, barely able to lift her hooves. She was so tired. She should probably have simply gone home and collapsed into bed. Home was closer to her shop. Instead she’d come here, to the lane on the edge of Ponyville that led to Fleeting Flame’s little cottage.
The cottage was mostly dark, there was only a tiny flicker in one window, a single candle’s flame.
Perique smiled to see it. She would have worried if she’d found the house brightly lit. Fleeting Flame could see better in the dark than Perique herself could, and she was a thestral, with eyes perfectly suited to the night.
Alas, her chosen career meant she couldn’t be properly nocturnal. She’d been up most of the day, behind the counter of her little tobacco shop, selling sweet-scented blends to ponies of all sorts and chatting with her regulars. She was deeply satisfied with her job, yet it was always tiring, and some nights it was all she could do to stagger home and fall into bed.
Today, fortunately, hadn’t been that bad, but it had been tiring all the same, and she was glad to finally reach Flame’s doorstep. She lifted her hoof to knock, but the door swung open before she touched it.
“Hello there.”
A short, slender pegasus stallion with a black-and-white piebald coat stood in the doorway, blue eyes luminescent in the faint starlight. His smile showed a pair of small fangs, marking at least one part of who and what he was. He enjoyed wearing clothing as a bit of a hobby, a bit of a personal quirk, but tonight he wore nothing but his own fur and feathers.
Perique usually went unclad, so her warm brown coat was on display as always, membranous wings folded to her sides, ruddy mane and tail cascading freely in tumbled waves, and green, catlike eyes meeting Flame’s gaze with warmth, her own longer fangs showing as she smiled back. “Good evening.”
“You look tired. I’ve got the kettle on, there will be tea in a moment. Come on in.”
“That sounds delightful,” said Perique, stepping inside.
The cottage had only two rooms, so the front room was living room, kitchen, and study all in one. The walls were completely lined in bookshelves, covering everything except the kitchen nook and the windows that flanked the door. There were windows along two other walls, or there had been, but the shelves covered them now, sinking the room into perpetual gloom.
A single candle on a desk beside a pile of books, mirroring Flame’s own burning match cutie mark, was all that lit it now, though there was also a low glow from the stove, where a kettle sat, steam just beginning to curl from the spout. Perique took a chair at the kitchen table while Flame measured leaves into the teapot. The kettle whistled, but Perique only stayed where she was, happy to simply rest while Flame took care of her for a while.
Soon a steaming cup—earl bray by the scent of it—was set in front of her, rousing her from her half-doze. “Thank you,” she said, lifting her head and smiling.
“You’re welcome.” Flame had a cup of his own, which he sipped slowly. Despite the myths about ponies like him, Perique knew that he ate and drank just like any other pony. He merely also required a little something extra…
The pair sipped in silence for a time. It was a comfortable silence, for they were comfortable together. That comfort was a large part of why Perique came here. Tea—and most of the other things Flame had to offer—could be had in many places. Comfort and trust were rarer commodities, though, and ones she prized highly. Flame had turned off the stove, so the single flickering candle was the only light. Outside a gust of wind rattled the window, but it was warm inside, and Perique let out a long sigh, savoring the comfortable warmth of the tea, of the warm room, and of Flame’s quiet companionship.
“Long day?” asked Flame eventually.
“Indeed.”
“Customers giving you guff?”
Perique shrugged. “No more so than usual. Merely… It was a day, that’s all.” She yawned.
Flame drained the last of his cup and set it on the saucer. “My bed is yours, if you want it. And so am I, if you like.”
That got a snicker from Perique. “Most charming. But forgive me if I pass on any amorous activities tonight.”
Flame let out a snort of laughter. “I’d like to think I could be at least a little smoother if I was trying to seduce you. I was just offering a cuddle buddy. Consider me an extra pillow.”
Perique giggled. “I see.” Then she yawned again. “I think you’d make a fine pillow.”
Flame picked up the candle and carried it into his bedroom, which was just as crammed with books as the main room, though much smaller. The bed was modestly sized, just big enough for two, so long as they were friendly, and was a veritable nest of fuzzy blankets, quilts, and feather pillows.
Not needing a second invitation, Perique burrowed right in.
With a low chuckle, Flame followed her. He crawled under the blankets and snuggled up against Perique’s side. She shifted to cuddle with him, and eventually they ended up with his muzzle tucked against her chest, her chin atop his head. She was the taller of the two, so that position was comfortable for them both.
Perique heard Flame let out a long, contented sigh as he nestled in close. “I’m glad you came,” he murmured against her chest.
“As am I. ‘Tis most pleasant.” Perique was finally unwound enough to slip back into the old speech.
“Mmm. You smell good,” said Flame, drawing in a deep breath.
“I smell good?” Perique couldn’t help but giggle. “I suppose I shall take that as a compliment. Unless thou art saying I smell like thy dinner.”
“You smell like tobacco and pipe smoke. Like mare. Like you.” He licked the base of her neck and added, “A little like blood, but I fed yesterday. I’m not asking for food.”
Perique smiled and nuzzled the top of Flame’s head again. “Thou couldst, if thou so desirest. Feed, I mean. I never mind it.” She settled her forelegs more firmly around Flame, holding him close. Normally talk of feeding, of his bite, would excite her, send her into a submissive, prey-like mindset. But now she was so warm, so comfortable, that it was impossible to get worked up.
“Hmm…” Flame nuzzled at her neck again. Perique made a soft humming sound, holding Flame close. Flame gave a light nip. “Are you sure? I don’t need it. But…”
Perique giggled. “But?”
“But you’re irresistible. Delicious. Wonderful.” Flame nipped again, his small, very sharp fangs pricking through her fur.
“Ooo.” Perique felt a pleasant little shiver at the touch of Flame’s fangs. “Aye, I am most certain. I am pleased to please thee, Flame.”
“You do,” said Flame. He nuzzled the spot again, just at the base of Perique’s neck. She tipped her head back, welcoming him, and he nipped again, lightly. “You please me quite a lot,” he murmured, then bit down, sinking his fangs in hard and fast, trying to get the pain over with as swiftly as possible.
Perique gasped as Flame bit into her. Then she sighed, relaxing into it. The sting of pain from his fangs faded swiftly, and she could simply feel them, a sense of pressure against her neck.
They withdrew as Flame shifted slightly, and the pain flared again, a sharp double-sting as he began to suck at the bites. Perique tipped her head back just a bit further, letting him drink. He hummed, a gentle, muffled sound of pleasure, and sucked slowly, taking his time.
He rested there, forelegs wrapped around her, lips pressed to her neck, and Perique cradled him close too, drifting in a blissful haze until at some indistinct point she noticed that the sucking had changed to licks interspersed with soft kisses.
“Thank you,” murmured Flame softly.
“’Twas my pleasure,” replied Perique.
“You’re so good to me.” Flame kissed her neck again. “Just being here with you is so good. Not just because of this. Though you taste amazing.” He gave her neck another kiss. “But just…being able to really relax.”
“To trust,” said Perique gently, knowing just what he meant.
“Yes. To know you understand. To know I don’t have to hide anything. Not about my vampirism, not about my past, none of it.”
Perique nodded. “Aye. It is good to be seen.”
“To be seen without fear.” Flame planted yet another kiss against the side of Perique’s neck. “It’s a gift. So thank you for it, as well as for your blood.”
Perique felt a warm glow washing all through her, and though she knew Flame knew it already, and though it was sometimes very difficult to say, she couldn’t help but speak it. “I love you.”
She heard Flame’s little catch of breath, and he kissed her again, just where he’d bitten her, before replying, “I love you too.”
Author's Note
Once again brought to you by my lovely patrons on Patreon, who get early access to this sort of thing, along with other perks.
Also brought to you by Cynewulf, who owns the lovely Perique Blend, and who is definitely the best. <3
