Page 32 of To Fall for a Dragon

“I don’t think you can do that.” Hakko brought Poe’s bloody hand to his mouth to kiss it. He frowned in disgust before dropping it. “Shower?”

“Hakko, you don’t understand.” Poe pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. He was so tired and achy. The idea of doing anything made him sink lower into his fears.

“Having his blood on you fucking terrified me,” Hakko retorted. “The sight of it worries me to no end.”

“The fact that it’s in me is the problem, not the dried-up bit!” Poe snapped. “Dammit, Hakko. Listen.”

“I am, and I think we will both feel better if we wash him off you,” Hakko said. “Not how I wanted our first shower to go, but needs must.”

“Hakko,” Poe groaned as Hakko bullied him back into standing. Hakko pulled him to the small bathroom and undressed Poe in a swift manner. They both eyed the borrowed suit with disgust.

“I’ll buy Ethan a new one, I guess.” Hakko gathered the remnants and left.

Poe stepped into the shower room, naked and exposed. He twisted the spigot and watched as steam filled the air. Maybe having a shower would refresh him and give him a clearer idea as to their next steps.

Hakko peeked in and smiled before joining Poe. He was big in every way, something Poe was uncomfortable with, but Hakko made it okay.

Hakko guided him under the hot spray. He curled around Poe, protecting him from the needle spray. It was then that Poe realized how scared Hakko was. Every move had been for Poe’s benefit. His hands trembled as Hakko scrubbed Poe’s hair.

“What happens?” Hakko asked in the stillness.

“It fights me. It tries to entangle me into thinking like he does,” Poe whispered to the tile wall. It was so much easier that way than seeing Hakko’s reactions. “It whispered that if I give in…”

“You won’t, will you?” Hakko asked, hushed. Poe wanted to take offense, but Hakko understood what the demon was capable of.

“I’ll try.” Which was the honest truth. The worms in his head slithered and amplified his own dark opinions, encouraging Poe to believe he wasn’t worth the effort, and that Hakko was using him.

“It’s all I can ask,” Hakko whispered, kissing Poe on top of his head. His affection was toned down as he cleaned the stains off Poe. He nudged Poe’s chin and wiped away the last of Hastur from his skin. “You’ll say something if you get too overwhelmed?”

“I’ll try,” Poe repeated. He ducked his head and allowed hot water to ease the tense muscles in his neck. A damp kiss startled him, and Poe jerked his head away. “Shit, Hakko.”

“It was there,” Hakko teased as he twisted Poe around until they faced each other. “I would like to kiss you.”

“Now? It’s not—” Poe complained, but Hakko’s kiss was soft and heated. He framed Poe’s face with his big hands, and the fine tremors still had a grip on Hakko. Poe held the trembling wrists and sank into Hakko’s kiss. He offered his heart in the moment, knowing Hakko would protect him. Poe lifted himself onto his toes and returned Hakko’s kiss, telling Hakko he believed in everything Hakko did. He accepted Hakko into his world.

Hakko slid his hand along Poe’s jaw and gently grasped the back of his head to change the angle of the kiss. He might have towered over Poe, and his size was twice that, but Hakko never used his body to intimidate. He always sheltered others, and Poe adored that.

He could admit it to himself. Hakko’s generosity, his acceptance, and his shows of affection had warmed Poe up to the point where he was sure he had a place here in Granite, in Hakko’s arms.

Poe curled an arm around Hakko’s neck and brought Hakko to his level so he could show him how much he wanted this. He traced the tip of his tongue along the seam of Hakko’s lips as his nails scratched the back of Hakko’s neck.

Hakko moaned, allowing Poe the chance to explore. Their tongues sinuously slid against the other, sending shivers down Poe’s spine. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment. Here and now was what mattered.

His stomach cramped as Hastur’s blood revolted, but the pain and the tendrils reluctantly lessened, allowing Poe to embrace Hakko. As the kiss continued, and Poe accepted Hakko’s teasing licks, his mind cleared. Mostly. His head was full of Hakko’s taste and Hakko’s touch as he stroked and massaged the muscles of Poe’s back.

Poe looped his arms around Hakko’s neck and squeaked when Hakko lifted him and pressed him against the cool tile. The mix of hot and cold, gentle kisses and dominating touches aroused Poe and made him ache in ways he’d never experienced.

Every sexual encounter he had before Hakko was hurried and offered just physical gratification and sometimes not even that.

Whatever Hakko did was so much more. It gave Poe a chance to explore his own emotions, ones he'd hidden deep inside, never thinking he’d be able to feel them again.

“Hakko,” he whispered as he rested his head against Hakko’s shoulder, lust and need overwhelming him. Poe eyed the throbbing artery in Hakko’s neck and, for the first time ever, wished to bite it. He salivated as he envisioned chomping down on Hakko’s neck. The idea of taking blood from Hakko aroused him more than Hakko’s slippery touch along the sensitive cleft of his ass. Poe nuzzled the spot, licking it and tasting Hakko. He held back from his desires because he wasn’t an asshole. Poe sucked hard on the skin, though, bringing blood up to form a mark on Hakko’s throat. It was the closest he’d get without biting.

Hakko never said anything as he turned off the taps. He dropped his arm and allowed Poe to slide along his front, his erection thick and heated against Poe’s belly.

He captured Poe’s mouth with an aggression Poe didn’t recognize. His tongue swept inside, and he squeezed Poe’s ass. His thumb pressed hard against the tight muscle of his entrance. They continued to kiss in the cooling bathroom, and Hakko grew bolder with his touch, both with his hand and his mouth. Hakko broke away with a gasp and grabbed a towel. Hakko opened his mouth to say something but shook his head instead.

“What, Hakko?” Curiosity got the better of Poe. He shivered as he stood dripping in the bathroom.

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