Trigger Warning: blood, slight gore

*

Note: You know, sometimes when I'm writing Marshall, I kind of have the tendency to do so in a way that paints him in a very human light. I'm big on fluff and soft scenes, especially when it comes to characters who have been through so much. I feel like when I do that, I put a bit of a dimmer on the fact that Marshall can, in fact, be extremely dangerous and scary. Which just makes him even cooler as a person to me. Get you a man that can do both. 😂

I've imagined the pack members having a similar reaction since Marshall doesn't act like a typical vampire. This chapter acts as a bit of a wakeup call to remind them that, yes, Marshall is still someone who hungers for blood and can get very territorial over his meals.

Sooooo, yeah. Enjoy!

Also: be mindful that this chapter will have some sexual undertones involved. It's nothing super explicit, but just so you know!

***

Marshall knew frustration all too well. He was no stranger to deep yearning and had a clear grasp of what it meant to ache for the things he craved. His mind had the habit of drifting toward dangerous, indulgent territory whenever the blood of an animal didn't quite cut it. When his appetite was teetering on the edge of being ravenous, temptation to drink from something, or someone, else was tantalizing. An almost constant burn made a home in his throat because his hunger was never truly satiated.

But then Paul changed everything.

Following the creation of their Forever Bond, he witnessed firsthand what it was like, how it felt, for a vampire to feed off of him. And the experience was actually...rather intimate. Being held down, scratched, and drained brought about a great sense of longing. Paul actually liked being in that position. He liked having his neck craned to the side to expose every engorged vein just waiting to be prodded at. He, honestly, found it to be a huge turn-on that his blood could make Marshall lose his composure in such a quick manner.

So, when realizing he could present himself as the ultimate, willing meal without things going too far, Paul gave the okay to be used as a main food source.

However and whenever Marshall wanted him.

All it took was a simple, "Take whatever you need from me" to awaken a feral creature.

To awaken an encompassing sense of greed which was normally stifled for the sake of not breaking any rules.

Marshall, of course, was fearful at first. He knew anything could happen in his hungered state, and he was afraid of accidentally taking too much. 

At the same time, though, that same hesitation led Paul to believe he was making the right call.

If Marshall was concerned about overindulging, he had enough mental clarity to not do so.

He had even proved how capable and strong he was the first time Paul willingly presented himself. Marshall was starving at the time, having not eaten for over a month following a temporary period of repulsion towards blood. Yet, with a reawakened appetite, all it took was a single push to release the tight hold he had on his husband's body.

Even when experiencing a delectable, addictive high, Marshall took his partner's feelings into account in order to keep him safe.

And if he could do it before, he could do it again. And again. And for the rest of eternity if given the chance.

Besides, who would Marshall be to deny his husband of such an earnest plea? The vampire was one to spoil his lover in many facets.

Why stop now?

*

Paul couldn't hold back a quiet laugh when being pressed up against a tree. A cold nose caressed his skin with tender delicacy. Hairs stood on end in response to a long, deep inhale taken directly above his external jugular vein. A shaky exhale morphed into a possessive growl. A daring lick painted a stripe of saliva from his collarbone all the way up to his jaw.

"Honey, maybe be a little careful where you're using your tongue."

"Why? I know you like it."

Paul visibly shivered. "I do. But you know what kind of effect you're having on me right now."

"Mm, that's true." Marshall nuzzled against his husband's neck, inebriation growing with each lengthy inhale. "Your heart is beating faster. Your hands are getting clammy and your fingers are starting to shake. Your skin is practically steaming, Tiger. I bet you're dying for me to rip you open. I certainly am."

Paul gulped. The hands wrapped around his husband's waist tightened.

A rapid thumping in his ears almost drowned out the sound of laughter coming from the Uley house a few yards away. Everyone was inside, so no one could see the position the couple were in. They weren't in a hidden spot, however; so if any of the house's occupants happened to walk outside for any reason, they'd have a front row seat to a rather private moment.

"Honey, darling, cutie pie-" Paul chuckled, air forcing its way through his clenched teeth, when playful laps of the tongue pressed a bit harder. "Babe, c'mon, we're gonna get caught. And while I know the idea doesn't really bother you, you'll get pissed if someone interrupts."

"I'd be more than pissed, actually. But...I- I can't help it, Tiger. You just- you smell so fucking good."

Smooth lips clamped down on heated skin. Unexpected suction against a sensitive area pulled a hushed groan out of Paul. He had to bite down on his bottom lip to keep other pleasured noises at bay. Still, it was getting increasingly difficult when extra heat started building at the spot Marshall was attacking.

Paul would definitely be sporting a dark hickey by the time they finally made it inside.

"I- aha- don't know why we didn't do this before leaving the house."

"I wasn't hungry then. I'm not even that hungry now. I just caught a whiff of you and..."

Marshall whimpered. He pulled himself back. A pair of dark shades perched atop his nose had ridden down enough to reveal a portion of his eyes. The usual golden hue of his irises were nowhere to be seen. Instead, a menacing, more predatory shade of scarlet revealed itself.

"Just a taste. Please. Just a little taste, sweetheart. I'll be quick. Promise."

A wavered voice instilled a hyperactive urgency within Paul. An instinctual desire to be claimed right then and there hit him with enough ferocity to make the world around him spin. His only grounding point was the solid grip he had on Marshall. It didn't keep him secured enough, though, to stop his keen awareness from floating up into the cosmos.

Giving Marshall permission to drink while in such close proximity to the pack was a risky move to make. They didn't know about the couple's arrangements. And even though Marshall would never hurt Paul intentionally, the wolves were practically hardwired to view a vampire mid-hunt as a threat. Seeing one of their own in the clutches of a starving, fang-baring creature would cause extreme chaos.

Now really wasn't the time to be doing this.

But a small voice of reason lost its power to an unhinged impulse to give; to please; to obey.

Paul swallowed to keep himself from drooling. "Okay. Okay- scoot this way, baby. Exactly, right behind this tree. We have to be fast, all right? Can you do that for me?"

"I can do anything for you, Tiger."

Marshall rose onto his toes to bring their lips together. An eager need to taste his partner gave him the courage to push his tongue outward to scour the inside of his husband's mouth. Smaller hands rushed up strong arms to weave themselves into short brunet hair. Slender fingers pulled a bundle of strands, eliciting Paul to separate their kiss with a gasp. A gentle nibble was given toward Marshall's chin. Soft grazes of teeth traveled down his throat, leading to a series of bites against a certain bonding mark.

With Paul now at a more accessible height, it was an opportune moment to imbibe.

Marshall traced over a visible blood vessel with the tip of his middle finger. Tiny goosebumps gave additional texture to each place he touched. Relaxed muscles were still hard when gingerly caressed.

A swift flick caused a blunt nail to slice open Paul's skin. The cut was deeper than anticipated, releasing a thin, steady flow in place of small beads of red rushing to the surface. 

A rich, sweet, somewhat earthy fragrance assaulted Marshall's nose, beckoning him to come closer.

Crazed chanting of feed, feed, feed belted out through his head. Saliva built up in his mouth at the prospect of drinking from a source meant for him. Rapid thumping forced Paul's blood to travel even faster throughout his body. His core temperature also heightened to ensure Marshall's meal stayed warm for every gulp he took.

Snarling, he darted forward to take what was his.

"I thought I caught your scents out here. What's taking you guys so lo-"

Paul was tugged away from the tree and shielded behind Marshall.

The vampire's stance widened. His torso curved inward. Fingers clenched, ready to gash into anything or anyone with the audacity to come forward. Out of instinct, he hissed as a first and final warning—openly showing off some more predatory traits toward an unwelcome party threatening his mealtime.

Jared froze in his spot on the porch steps. 

His gaze immediately darted to his best friend.

Paul brought up a hand to shield the blood trail stemming from his healed injury.

But no matter how rushed his actions were, nothing could erase such a strong, distinct smell.

"You didn't."

"It's none of your fucking business, Jared," Marshall snapped. "Leave it alone."

"Like hell I will!"

Jared turned around to go back into the house.

Marshall rushed after him, disappearing from sight.

"...Fuck," Paul mumbled to himself before running forward as well.

By the time he was inside, Marshall and Jared were standing close, fists balled at their sides, and seemingly ready to fight.

Everyone else watched on in silence.

"Hey- uh- let's take it down a notch, guys-"

"Take it down a notch?! You want me to calm down when he was about to-"

"It's none of your concern!"

Marshall took another confrontational step. In doing so, his shades slid down the bridge of his nose again—exposing his new eye color.

Jared's mouth fell open. "You- you've already done it, haven't you? Is that why you've been wearing those during our last couple of hangouts? To hide the fact that you've been feeding from Paul?!"

"WHAT?!"

The man in question brought up his free hand to pinch the bridge of his nose in annoyance. He spared a glance at the other pack members watching the ordeal from afar. A majority of them had faces full of disgust, mistrust, and disbelief. More than one person scooted their chair in another direction to keep from sitting so close.

Paul's own anger began to rise, especially when he noticed his imprint's startled expression.

"Jared. Back off."

"But-"

"Back. Off. Now."

"But you-"

"Jared."

Sam's authoritative tone was enough to separate the two. 

Marshall allowed himself to be pulled into a hug from behind. Soothing passes were made along the backs of his arms to get him to calm down. Kisses were pressed against his scalp to remind him that he was still in a safe place with his partner standing close. Purposeful secretion of pheromones from Paul, and the mark he embedded into his beloved, were successful in nullifying any raging instincts telling the vampire to remain guarded.

He could see through a clearer lens when truly understanding where he was and who he was with.

"Let me explain-"

"Oh, please do! Explain how you think it's okay for Marsh to go against the treaty this way-"

"He's not going against anything," Paul interrupted. "Look, we all know the treaty is void when it comes to Marshall. Even if it wasn't, the actual terms are that he can't bite anyone, and he hasn't. He's kept his promise of not going after normal humans to feed. I gave him permission to drink from me. Something that's been happening pretty much daily for the past couple of weeks. And, honestly, it's not that big of a deal. I trust him. We're being careful- albeit a little reckless, but whatever. He needs blood, and I'm willingly giving it to him. No one's getting hurt. No one's dying. So what's the problem?"

"The problem? The problem is you're letting a leech use you for blood-"

"Don't you dare call him that."

All eyes drifted toward Emily, her arms crossed over her chest and eyebrows scrunched together.

"Em-"

"No. How could you even think about making him feel bad about something that's natural to him? Like Paul said, their agreement is consensual. He's clearly fine, and he's been fine. If they've really been doing this as long as he said, then it really can't be that bad if Paul is able to walk around and act the same as he always has. You have no right to single out Marshall just because you disagree with his method of feeding. And you sure as hell don't get to make him feel like he doesn't belong here. He's worked too hard to get away from a family that didn't care to understand him. None of you are about to make him go through that again with us."

Everyone was too stunned to speak.

Emily wasn't one to curse—especially at people she held in high regard. Her swear certainly wasn't anything obscenely vulgar, but it was enough to show how upset she was on Marshall's behalf. 

Her genuine disappointment could be felt through an intimidating glare.

Sam blinked once. "You know what? Fair point."

"Yeah, totally agree."

"Not my relationship, not my business."

"You guys-" Jared's face grew red in agitation. "I'm- I'm not trying to make him feel the way those bastards did. But this is a dangerous situation-"

"A situation that has to do with someone who isn't you," Leah added with a frown. "Isn't it a good thing that Marshall is getting his necessities without actually harming or killing anything? So what if it's from Paul?"

"But- it- it's weird!"

"So? I'm weird, and you still love me," Paul countered with a nonchalant shrug. "Either way, weird or not, it wasn't cool for you to just out that to the entire room, asshole. We were waiting for a good time to let you guys know. We hadn't done so yet because we weren't sure how you all would've reacted. You deciding to do that was a lot similar to how Bella dropped the info about our imprint bond to the Cullens. That was extremely unnecessary."

Jared's tense shoulders dropped. He scratched at the back of his neck in minor embarrassment.

"I..." He sighed. "I didn't think about it like that. Freaking out definitely sounds a lot crueler when you put it into that perspective."

Paul turned his head, his voice softening when speaking to his husband. "And Marshmallow? I know you can't control certain instincts when you get so riled up, but you were being pretty aggressive outside. You know Jared wouldn't have done anything to hurt me."

Marshall deflated. His angered expression morphed into one of genuine guilt.

"I'm not trying to shame you, sweetheart. I'd never dream of it. Never in a million years. I just need you to understand where I'm coming from."

A light hum was given in response.

Scarlet eyes glanced between darker brown ones. "Sorry, Jare."

"I'm sorry too, Marsh."

Paul nodded in approval. "Can we hug it out and move on from this?"

Marshall was a bit hesitant to walk closer to his pack mate.

But Jared, seeing as he really did feel bad about the situation, tugged the vampire into a tight, apologetic embrace. "I really am sorry if I upset you."

"Me too."

The pair separated, offering small smiles to each other.

And thus, bygones were bygones.

"Paul, honey," Emily called out. "I can see you have blood on you. Was Marshall getting ready to eat before you guys came in?"

"Uh, yeah. Kind of."

"Mm. That's fine. We were about to start lunch too."

Proving her statement, Emily exited the kitchen with a wide plate full of homemade burgers. Each one was dressed with a sesame seed bun, ketchup, cheese, and a light portion of shredded lettuce. Extra condiments were grabbed for another platter holding a large portion of crinkle cut french fries.

"If you're hungry, Tiger, you should eat."

"Oh, no, don't worry about me, babe. I'd rather eat after. Y'know, red meat's good for blood loss." A teasing smirk crawled onto Paul's face. He leaned closer to his husband's ear and lowered his voice to a whisper. "You started this. And now I want you to finish it."

Marshall swallowed, taking a moment to fully remove his sunglasses. "...Em, can we borrow the guest room? I only need a moment."

She giggled while moving to sit down. "Have fun.~"

A single finger hooked under Paul's shirt collar.  A frisky laugh escaped him as he was guided to start walking down the hallway. An involuntary blush settled on his cheeks.

"You guys might want to turn the radio on!"