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[Giving her his wrist.]

Not really. Why?

I just thought it might be embarrassing. I kind of...

Mn, nevermind. If you're fine with it, then okay. [ Proceeding to dab some disinfectant on his wrist, gently so it won't sting much (not that he'll probably care). ]

[He doesn't seem to care, no.]

If I got embarrassed about such things, I'd be living in eternal shame.

Really. How many vampires do you have nibbling on you at any given time, exactly?

I meant being an embarrassingly pathetic person. You're the only vampire to settle for me so far.

[ She pauses for a second, not missing the irony that she wants to start fiercely defending him to himself, and realizing how futile that is. ]

Whatever you might think of yourself, I like you anyway. But to be clear, I don't settle. I'm here because I want to be. [ She says it gently, not a hint of defiance despite the piece of her that is very much indignant at the unintended implication. ]

Alright.

[That's enough for him, apparently.]

[ Unwrapping some bandages ]

Somehow I always expect you to argue more. Probably because in the same scenario, that's what I do.

I don't think I have the power to convince you of much anyway.

You're wrong about that. I may be headstrong, but I care what you think.

-- But if you're going to try and convince me that you're pathetic, you're probably right that it won't work. I meant in general.

That was what I was referring to, in this case.

[ Wrist bandage achieved, and now moving onto the next set of bites. She probably needs to work on her restraint, however good his reaction is. ]

Do you really want me to see you that way? [ A moot point perhaps because she isn't going to, but she's curious about his reasons for trying to convince her if he thought he had a shot at it. She never has figured out her own. ]

It's how most do.

That's not really what I asked.

It's what I've come to expect is all.

Still not what I asked. Am I going to have to insist on a yes or no answer? [ She's half playful here, but definitely not above insisting ]

[He hums, thoughtful.]

I suppose I don't really care either way. Whether or not you believe I'm pathetic, I'd still behave the same as now.

[ Not for the first time, not for the fiftieth time, she wishes he'd want better for himself. And also envies, a little, that he doesn't care how people see him. Her contradicting feelings about everything are world class migraine material. ]

Do you only do this to make me happy? [ She gestures vaguely around them to the mussed bed, the pile of discarded clothes, his bite marks. Being here with her at all. ] I know there's that piece of it, but -- do you get anything out of it?

[ She keeps patching him up and waits for an answer that will inevitably make her feel like she swallowed a brick and, also inevitably, strengthen her resolve to refuse to give up on him even so. ]

It's enjoyable for me, too.

[No hesitation there at least.]

That's a relief. [ at least she can be sure he isn't trying to spare her feelings, since he never has ] I'm a lot of unflattering things, but not quite selfish enough to be okay with you not enjoying it.

I wouldn't quite go that far, so don't worry too much.

[ She looks like she was about to say something, then stops and shakes her head. ]

Look up, I'll work on your neck. I really did a number on you this time.

[Tilting his head up for her.]

[ Cleaning and bandaging the punctures, then. And feeling not just some kind of way about the fact that she put them there, but all the kinds of ways. ]

I can call Venti to come fix you up if you want. [ Venti might (will assuredly) make fun of Aliza later, but not in a judgey way. ]

[And suddenly she was also from an RPGmaker game,

But he just smiles as gently as ever.]

I'll be alright.

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