Over the days that followed, as Sys grew stronger and they got to know each other, they danced around each other, not making eye contact, jumping whenever they inadvertently touched.
"You can't be hungry again. You say you don't eat every day, and then you start scoffing down everything in sight that can't run away, and some things that can."
Sys grinned. "I'm hungry," he said simply.
"Well, we're out of meat."
"Thatss okay. I'll hunt."
"I'm not keen on you doing that."
"Why?"
"I know we're pretty remote and there're no people around for miles but, if you were seen... And there's always the risk that the leak at the laboratory'll be found. If they track you here, you'd be helpless."
"I am never helplesss, Dee. Never."
"You were in there."
"No. Not even in there. When I really had to, I got free."
"Why did you wait?"
"My mind wassn't right."
"What do you mean?"
"When I came I wass hurt and frightened. I sslept and when I woke I wass ththere. At firsst it wassn't sso bad. Ththen they hurt me, but I wass... clouded and not th...thinking. When I realissed what wass happening, I knew I had to get out and I did."
"Simple as that."
"Not ssimple, Dee. I had to fight. I had to run with no clothess on. And then... ththen I wass ssomewhere elsss."
"My friends at the laboratory are not exactly what they seem. They have ways of transporting people large distances very quickly. I guess you ran into one of them, without realising. It must have been accidental, though, because they usually send people much closer to the house, and they didn't contact me to let me know you were coming. It was pure chance I found you."
"Ththere iss no chanss. It wass meant."
"So you say."
"I do. But I musst hunt. I am very hungry. My sstomach hurtss."
"Your stomach hurts? Are you okay?"
"Oh yess. Jusst hungry... I think." He frowned, then smiled brightly. "Yess, jusst hungry."
"Where will you hunt? What will you hunt?"
"Everywhere. Whatever I can. I will not be long. I will be back, very ssoon."
"Wait..." But it was too late, he'd gone, slipping out of the door, so fast Dee had no chance of stopping him, if he'd wanted to. Dee watched him go.
Sys had gained condition since coming to the cabin. In fact, although Dee would never have said so, his constant hunger had led to him putting on quite a bit of weight. The clothes Dee had given him, when he'd first got out of bed, were tight now. Dee smiled. That wasn't a bad thing. Sys had really been too slender. Now, he was the picture of health. He was sleek and sharp and strong; his eyes bright and his movements quick and smooth. Dee couldn't take his eyes off him.
And it wasn't just the way he looked. He was sweet and gentle, but rose to flaming passion at the slightest provocation. His anger was fast and furious, but short lived; his enthusiasm addictive and his sorrow deep and heartbreaking. He felt everything, so strongly and so deeply, that Dee couldn't help but get caught up in it...every time. Just thinking about it, he smiled and his heart fluttered. Hurrying to the door, his eyes scanned the snow. Nothing moved; there was no blue stain on the whiteness that surrounded him.
Back and forth he paced, from the kitchen to the doors, growing more and more stressed. He was making his third coffee, when he turned to find a grinning Sys in the kitchen doorway, three dead rabbits hanging from one fist and a handful of snakes from the other. From the blood at the corner of his lips, it looked as if he'd eaten the rest.
"Ssee? Told you I would be okay. It wass eassy."
"Are you sure you've got enough?"
"I ate ass much ass I could. That sshould ssee me ththrough for a few dayss."
"The way you eat, I doubt it."
Sys smiled, dropped the dead animals into the sink, and walked up to Dee, his hips swaying. Suddenly, Dee's heart started to pound in his chest. Licking his lips, he opened them to protest, but the look in Sys' eyes stopped him dead. He stood, his mouth opening and closing as Sys reached up to put his arms around his neck. Pressing his body against Dee's, Sys trapped him against the kitchen counter, as he kissed him deeply.
"Sys, no..."
"Ssh." Not giving Dee a chance to say another word, he pressed his lips again his, and his tongue forced its way between Dee's lips. With a sigh, Dee relaxed and let him in.
It was a kiss like nothing Dee had ever experienced before. Sys' body, pressed against his, was hard and strong and lithe. His tongue was... doing things that no human tongue has ever been capable of. His hands, buried in Dee's hair, were strong fingered and demanding, pulling his head in towards his lips. The sharp fangs grazed his lip. Hell. Even his smell, of sandalwood and musk, drove him crazy.
Dee whimpered, and let his hands rove over Sys' body. It was beautiful in every way. No, no he mustn't do this. His body was beginning to react in a predictable way, and it would soon be very clear to Sys just exactly how he was feeling, and how out of control he was. He mustn't; not without telling...
"Sys... Sys wait. There's something I have to..."
Before he could say another word, Sys pulled away and, with a gasp, bent double, with his arm across his stomach.
"Sys? Are you okay?"
Sys didn't answer, only groaned and hugged himself harder.
"Sys, I knew all this eating wasn't good for you. You're getting fat. No wonder you've upset your stomach."
