Victor trudges down the dungeons steps, watches the knight guard open the doors, and slides right in with a plate of food in his hands.
"Are you trying a different tactic?" The knight guard asked, nervously fiddling with the cell's keys as he opens the prison cell's doors, "is that why you've been scarily kind to the prionser, Your Highness?"
Victor sighs, rolling his red eyes and kicking the cell's door right in the knight guard's face.
Victor walks further into the large cell, this time, he meets Venice looking at him walking to his direction, his green eyes focused on Victor as he plots on his butt to sit and places the white plate on the ground.
"I saw what they feed you." Victor said, "I wouldn't eat that either. Try this."
Venice looks between Victor and his food before he laughs, letting out a soft, boisterous chuckle. Victor watches Venice with wide eyes, a soft blush hugging his pale cheeks while watching Venice smile.
"So you do have enough bravery to laugh while being chained up," Victor said, "Noted."
Victor scoots to the wall and leans against it, watching Venice as he slowly lifts up the small garnishes and treats on his plate and begins to eat, pausing in surprise before he quickly empties the plate.
"You have as much as a big appetite as your body exemplifies." Victor snickers. Venice turns to Victor, shyly looking up while offering a small, nervously grin. "Also noted."
Venice places the plate on the ground before looking, catches eyes with Victor as Victor swallows heavily, eyeing Venice's handsome face, his bulky body and thick pecs, his plump lips and his slim waist, and Victor shuts his eyes closed, confused with why he hears his heart plummet in his chest.
...
Victor pinches his nose, annoyed at his fiancé constantly bickering.
"Everyday for the past week you've disappeared during lunch time--one of the only times as of late we have together," Brilelle whines, "What is it on your schedule that's so important-."
Victor tries to block Brielle out by flipping through his documents, reading through mountains of paperwork in his office, but Brielle complains louder, throwing her fist in the air as she begins to yell. Ron scurries to Victor's side, awkwardly patting Victor's shoulder as Victor pinches his nose in irritation.
"I can't believe this!" Brielle whines, "I'll be sure to let your brother know how horrible you're treating his sister-in-law!"
"Yeah, do what you must." Victor calmly said, beckoning a finger at Ron. "Any news from my brother or father?"
"Yes," Ron said, beckoning a maid over who holds a silver plate with an envelope and a knife on it. "Koven sent a letter in this morning."
Victor sighs, reaching for the letter and the knife. He uses the knife to cut open the enevople before he throws the envelope awaye and reads the contents of the letter.
"The king should be back within the next few days." Victor said. "Koven will be moving ahead due to Venice's arrival, so he should be here shortly."
Victor frowns, confused with how suddenly frustrated he feels. He looks up to the clock in the corner, eyeing the arrow as it hits the 12 mark.
"I will be off." Victor said, standing up and placing his jacket on his shoulders. He grabs a packet of papers and takes one last sip of tea before he clears his throat. "If you have any more transgressions to address, please wait until Koven arrives."
Victor walks out his office, Ron nervously in toll as Brielle stands up, letting out a mountain of cusses aimed at Victor's back.
...
Venice looks over to Victor, watching the tall man as he quietly sits besides him, reading stacks of papers mindlessly, indulging in the comfortable silence they have amongst each other.
"Funny enough, maybe it's because you don't talk," Victor said, "but doing work in a cell never seemed to be on my bucket list. Yet, I surprisingly can get some work done without a crazy woman ranting in my ears."
Venice nods, peeking over Victor's shoulder to eye the paperwork in his hands, his eyes wandering around the words "tax."
"Ah," Victor said, "Those grimy old man won't get off my back about there stupid taxes. They believe that the more money you make, taxes shouldn't touch you. Nonsense."
Victor sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Maybe if I rephrase the solution, or maybe if I add to some sort of solution, I can finally dead this stupid issue. Yet, I can't seem to."
Venice taps Victor's shoulders, pointing to the words "tax" and "location."
"What?" Victor asked, raising an eyebrow. Venice points to the words again.
"Tax' by 'location?" Victor asked, watching Venice nod his head, "Tax by location? Tax by-."
Victor hurries to look over his stack of papers, scurrying to grab a leather pen by his side as he circles the words.
"We can tax by location…like by district." Victor said, "it's a less fancy word for it, but it may be the fairest way to go. Some districts live more frugal lifestyles, some more expensive, so by taxing by location, it's more so as if 'you chose to stay here, here's what you get.' That's-!"
Victor stands up, gripping the sheets of papers in his hands as he lets out a surprised scoff, turning to Venice with gleaming eyes.
"Thank you, Venice." The words leave his mouth way too easily. "Thank you."
Venice stops to stare at Victor's face, before his tan cheeks blossom with specs of red. He nods his head, offering a kind smile in return.
"Although I didn't even hear you say it," Victor said, "You surprisingly communicate well without words. No wonder they deem you a threat."
And it dawns on Victor, that he's chatting away, sitting side by side with one of the most ruthless tyrants in history like there simply chatting for tea, and said tyrant helped him with a Capitol issue, as if he doesn't have histories of hatred and disgust for Raia. Honestly, Victor is confused--why does he feel so comfortable with this dangerous man? Why is this man so kind, and not the bitter, ruthless foe he's been told he is? Why is Victor visiting this man every day with glee and expectation, when he should hate this man with his very being? Why does Victor feel so many emotions for this bulk of a man, instead of nothing, as he usually does? Why-?
"My brother will be coming back shortly." Victor said, watching Venice tense up again. "He will probably torture you for answers. Mock you. Do everything he can to ruin you."
Venice looks up, his face tired but his eyes knowing, and Victor heavily swallows, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I am not sure of you." Victor said. "Is this just an act? A fraudulent way to obtain my sympathy?"
Venice says nothing, causing Victor to tighten his grip on the papers in his hands.
"I do not know why I feel this," Victor said, "Tell me Venice, why do I feel this way?"
Venice looks up, shocked, his eyes locked into Victor's as Victor comes closer, his face inches from Venice.
"I can make a deal with you." Victor said, eyeing Venice's pink lips. "If you want to live a bit longer."
Venice opens his mouth, closes it, and looks at Victor in surprise, confused with how Victor suddenly wants to save him.
"If you desire it," Victor said, "Make a contract with me, Venice. And I will save you."
Victor takes Venice hands, rubbing his thumb on the man's hand as Victor kisses his palm, his red eyes glowing under the cell's dim light.
"Give me your blood." Victor quietly said, "and I will give you more time on this earth. What is your choice?"
Venice watches as Victor towers over him, his ruby eyes menacing, his pale skin and jet black hair a contrast to the golden light from above, his pearly, white teeth form into sharp, long fangs, and Venice doesn't shake in fear. Venice doesn't scream or cry out. Venice only takes Victor's pale cheek in his large hand, watching as Victor stretches his mouth before he digs his slim nose into Venice neck, kisses Venice's neck with his chapped, red lips, and runs his tongue on Venice's neck before he places his hands on Venice's waist and drags his teeth on Venice's bare neck.
"Yes." It's a deep, rich, silk voice that responds to Victor's pleas.
Victor sinks his teeth into Venice's neck, drawing out blood, shivering when Venice jolts and softly moans, and closes his eyes as Victor gulps down the beginning of a blossoming rose on his tongue.