A Hunter's Curse (Closed o/o with Nyx)

Nathaniel made a little chirp, but otherwise stayed asleep. His breathing was even and calm. No sign of distress. He naturally leaned in to her touch, wrapping an arm around her. Boy did he look pretty like this. His blond eyelashes looked like fallen snow, his hair a tangled nest. His chest was bare as he had taken off his dress shirt off during the night. Although, his chest had horrible scars.

Nathaniel stirred, looking up at Ember with his dazzling blue eyes. He gave her a kiss, holding onto her. “Good morning, love. Have a wonderful night of sleep?” He still seemed exhausted. “I thought maybe we could work on the nursery today.” He ran a hand through his messy hair, untangling his legs and sitting up slightly. “It would be nice to finish it before we meet our baby.” He paused, looking around. “And we need a small crib in our room.”

Nathaniel got up out of bed, dressing himself quickly before scooping up his wife. “Then let’s work on the nursery!” He put her down gently. “Unless you’d like some to eat. I don’t want you to starve.” He gently led her out of the room. The guards at their station left it, following Nathaniel and Ember steadily. Nathaniel walked Ember down stairs. “We can grab stuff out of the library.”

Nathaniel kissed the top of her head. “Yes, I know you have legs, but you’re so special to me. I don’t want you on your feet.” He walked down the stairs carefully, making sure not to fall or drop Ember down the stairs. He smiled. “Our little one has gotten demanding in the last four months. The little one will be worse at eight.” He reached the bottom of the stairs, carrying her to the dining room and setting her down in a chair gently. “Well good. I wasn’t about to let you go without eating. I had the cooks prepare you some food.”

Nathaniel threw his back as he laughed. He thought he silly. “Oh sweetheart. I have literally inhuman strength. I can lift cars and I can certainly carry you.” He waited for the maid to bring in Ember’s meal, thanking them as they did. “I’m a gentleman. What can I say?” He checked over everything, making sure it wasn’t poison. In turn, potentially poisoning himself. “Err, I requested a typical werewolf diet. Something you may have eaten long ago, yes? You need lots of strength.”

Nathaniel kissed her back. “No need to be self-conscious, dear. Now please eat. We have lot to do!” He stood protectively over her.

Nathaniel shook his head. “I’m not hungry. I don’t have to eat as often as you. I only feed every so often.” He looked down at his shoes and sighed. “I force myself to eat so you don’t feel— isolated.” He moved to sit next her, sinking into his chair.

Nathaniel nodded his head. “I know. I should have said something. But you cannot change the past.” Closing his eyes, he leaned back in the chair. His head hurt and he could feel the ache bang against his skull. It was quiet, peaceful. He liked it. “If you say so.” Nathaniel’s muscles relaxed as he pushed thoughts away.

Nathaniel opened his eyes and looked at her. "No. I just have a terrible headache. It's pounding against my skull, and it hurts." He supported his head with his hand, struggling to keep it up. "I don't know where it came from, but it's also making it hard for me to see."

Nathaniel held himself up the best he could, looking at her pleadingly. "No, please. I don't need her help. I'll be fine. I swear!" He stood up with her a little quickly. His vision started to gray, and he stumbled back into his seat.

Nathaniel screwed his eyes shut. “No dear, please. It’ll go away. Don’t make a big fuss.” He relaxed against his chair, trying to make the isolated throbbing stop. It didn’t stop that easily. He knew what was wrong. Vaguely. But he wasn’t about to tell. No, it would go away on its own.

Nathaniel looked at her for a brief moment. “She’s going to tell you it’s a migraine. She’s going to tell you we can’t go long periods without eating some sustenance in between periods of hunger. Then she’s going to ask you if you can supply some blood to help.” He paused. “And I am not about to use your blood. It feels wrong.” He put his palm to his head. Nathaniel wanted to throw up and just about gagged.

Nathaniel stared at the wall, his eyes glassy. “I won’t do it. Not with you. I’ve rarely fed on a person. Maybe a few times before this while out on trips.” He took a deep breath. “I am not one of those undead— vampiric creatures. Those only exist because of us. People thought we were those.” He hissed, pain throbbing through his head. He whined in pain. “You can’t force me.”

(Okie dokie! Goodnight!)

Nathaniel pouted, looking down at the floor as his vision went in and out. "I am healthy. There's nothing wrong with me, and it will go away." He looked up at her. "I am not going to force you to let me gather sustenance from your blood. No way." He leaned his head on her shoulder. He couldn't keep it up anymore. "You can force me all you want, but I will refuse."

Nathaniel didn’t want to eat, he didn’t want to drink. He found it stupid that one may need to take blood in between periods of hunger. Some demons ate small animals. “Ember, please. I just don’t want to hurt you.” He wrapped his arm around her. “But if you insist, then fine… but I swear the headache won’t hurt me.” He nestled into her. "But I'll do it for you."