Cory snapped his head, and Marcus dropped to his knees. Cory stepped back and nodded. “You're lucky,” he said softly and turned to go.
Luke followed him out. Three vampires had gathered just on the outside of the yard; they stood like deer in headlights. Luke stopped, though, just on the porch and shrugged off his jacket. Cory turned to look at him.
"You're naked,” Luke said.
Cory looked down. “Oh."
Luke gave his jacket over, and Cory shivered as though he'd just become aware of the chill in the air. “You're not entirely yourself."
Cory hesitated, jacket half on, and for a second he looked silly. He looked to where Luke was standing. “What?"
"You're not entirely yourself,” Luke repeated. “Are you?"
Cory shrugged the jacket all the way on and snapped his fingers. The blue flame was back, hovering just over his fingers. “No,” he said. “But I think I'm mostly me. I mean, I am me, but not like before."
"But the vortex is still inside."
"It is.” Cory crossed his arms. “And I feel the power from it."
Luke stepped off the porch. “And you're still ... you still love me."
"I saw you,” Cory said. “When it was in control. Luke, I know how you feel. I felt you, too. You did everything to save me. I felt that inside you. All you can do is believe me when I say I've always loved you. I'm sorry that you'll never know as concretely as I do how I feel about you."
"Okay."
"Okay?” Cory demanded. “That's all you have to say?"
Luke smiled, for the first time since all of this had happened. “I thought I didn't have to say much more than that."
Cory relaxed. “I suppose you don't.” He motioned to the vampires. “Things are changing here, Luke. The lines are open. It's going to attract more and more vampires to it, and you'll have to build your own family."
"You're the one who has all the power,” Luke said.
Cory touched his throat. “But I belong to you, so it's entirely your power. You have to believe that, too."
"You're asking me to take a lot on faith."
Cory kissed him. His chilly skin took Luke's warmth, and Luke led him the way to Marcus's car. He took the keys from Marcus's pet and told him to go find his master inside. The pet hesitated, still in the door way and Luke put Cory into the front seat before someone in one of the occasional passing cars called the cops about the naked man standing on the lawn in front of a historic restaurant.
Cory cranked up the heat and closed his eyes for the entire drive back. He put his head on Luke's shoulder, and Luke stroked his cheek. Once they were home he turned off the engine, closed the door behind him, and came around the car to help Cory out. “We're home,” Luke said.
Luke tried to step in, but was brought up short with Cory's arm over his shoulder. He'd forgotten that he'd revoked the invitation. Cory looked at him, pain on his face obvious, but only for a second. “You'll be welcome here for as long as you choose to stay."
"That sounds irrevocable,” Cory said softly.
"I intended it to be."
Cory swallowed. “You don't really intend to stay in the suburbs with all that's happening, do you?"
"It's a great house, Cory.” The argument was old and as comfortable as a good pair of boots. “And I need my fish pond."
Cory stepped inside. Luke peeled his jacket from Cory's shoulders and went into the sitting room. The fire was gas, something he'd always meant to change. It was worth it, though, at that moment to be able to turn it all the way on. Cory had disappeared, but only to go downstairs and bring up Luke's down comforter. He spread it out on the hardwood and then sprawled naked beside it. He let his legs fall open and put his hands out on his thighs.
Luke stripped off his clothes. Cory sat up on his elbows. He was so warm, but the blood was sluggish in his system. “I'm hungry. Luke, will you let me drink?"
"Of course,” Luke said. He began to kneel, but Cory stopped him with his hand.
"Let me,” Cory whispered.
Luke nodded, awkward on his feet in front of Cory, but Cory drew himself up on his knees. He put the palm of his hand on Luke's upper thigh. Luke felt the rush of blood, and it left him dizzy. “Would you like me to bite you here?” Cory asked.
Luke nodded. Cory sat up, bringing his lips to the spot where the femoral artery was closest to the skin. Luke's cock woke up, and so close to Cory's ear that Luke could feel the slight warmth Cory still had. Cory was completely ignoring it. “Cory, please."
Cory's lips were full, and they pulled back into a smile. He curled his tongue around his fang. “You don't want me to suck you off right now."
"I assure you, I do,” Luke said, and even tried to take Cory's head. But Cory darted away, sitting back on his heels.
Cory sucked on his fingers. He nudged Luke's legs further apart and ran his wet fingers up behind his testicles. Luke threw his head back, riding out the whole body tremble. “Can you feel it?” Cory asked.
"Oh, I feel it,” Luke managed.
Cory bit him, sharply, but pinched the skin rather than drawing blood. “That's not what I meant.” He sat up, off his heels, and took Luke's hands. He put them on his shoulders. “Feel."
For a moment, Luke couldn't move his concentration from how desperate his cock was. But Cory kept holding him, letting him relax. He didn't have to breathe, but he found himself inhaling. With every breath, he felt the power emerging from the ground. It crept up the ground water, through the hard clay, to the soil.
