[Bren did not hesitate to lean into that touch at his cheek, ever seeking out affection. He kept hold of Essek's other hand in his even after his lips had finished their act of devotion to that hand. He looked back into those precious gem eyes, fighting to keep the breath in his lungs before it was stolen from him fully by just how beautiful this man was.]

I will always return to you, always find you, so long as you want me.

[And therein lay all his anxiety and fears, bundled up into a creature with blood-stained claws and wicked teeth, an abomination of a beast that was the natural enemy of the vampire who stood in front of him. And Bren knew he was worse than most, the sins of his first few transformation etched in indelible invisible scars in his mind and his heart.

Essek deserved to know, but Bren wondered if he could survive watching the vampire recoil from him in disgust or disdain.]

You have been so kind to me, have given me a home, returned the better part of my soul when I had not even known it was gone. And I have kept a secret from you. Because I am a coward and too selfish to want to lose the way you look at me, as if I am someone worth seeing.