#and hormones sent him into a bloodthirsty rampage

[apomaro-mellow]

Part A

Eddie had Steve pressed against the bed post as he devoured his mouth. And Steve absolutely felt like he was being consumed. It was all tongues and teeth and the way Eddie's hands with fisting around his waist, his clothes would be on the floor soon if they didn't stop. But Steve didn't want it to end either, so he let it go on for a little longer. He even let his own hands wander down, playing with the hem of Eddie's pants as if he'd let it get that far.

Then Steve turned away from the kiss, which only made Eddie press his lips to his jaw and neck.

"It's time", Steve reminded him.

"Just one more", Eddie breathed out, letting his teeth drag against his skin.

Steve didn't feel his fangs though, so it was clear he was trying to show some restraint. Still, it was clear he was intent on marking up Steve in all ways that he could. They'd already fucked this morning so he was sure he carried Eddie's scent for all creatures it mattered to. Today he wasn't wearing the blue he had arrived in but in clothes that were more on Eddie's brand, decked out in black and silver.

And now he was going to have bite marks.

"You could just piss on my leg for how subtle you're being. Or get me round with child. Maybe they'll get the idea then."

"Don't tempt me, precious", Eddie grinned. "One deal, one spell and you'll be carrying my spawn." He tried not to show how much the idea thrilled him but perhaps he revealed his hand, letting his fingers press against Steve's belly.

Steve rolled his eyes but he loved it. He loved how much Eddie wanted him and needed the world to know he was spoken for in all the ways that mattered.

They untangled long enough to leave their room and go outside to say their goodbyes while the last of his things were loaded into the carriage.

"I'll be back before you know it", Steve said while Eddie was endlessly kissing his hand.

"Do you plan on sneaking back inside? Because that's the only way you'll be back before I know it. I'm going to be watching the road, darling."

Steve felt like his heart might burst. "You do remember you have a kingdom to run, don't you?"

"What? This old place?", Eddie gestured to the towering castle.

"If I hear you're ignoring your duties while I'm gone, I'm leaving you for Gareth."

"But ignoring my duties is completely fine when I'm doing it with you?"

"Well I'm more important", Steve smiled. "You said so yourself."

"Stronger than all my armies combined", Eddie nodded. "More beautiful than the crystal caves. Resourceful and witty beyond compare." With each declaration he pulled Steve somehow even closer until he was whispering only to him. "And a body that was made to be loved and fucked by me."

Then they were kissing again and Steve couldn't remember why he was leaving again. Someone was clearing their throat and this time Eddie was the responsible one who pulled away.

"The sooner you go, the sooner you'll be back."

Steve nodded and finally began to move away from him. He backed away, eyes never leaving Eddie even as he walked backward into the carriage's side. He scooted until he found the footman's hand and lifted into the carriage, still looking at his love.

"Why doesn't this thing have a back window?", Steve mused to himself as the carriage departed, taking him away from Eddie.

Eddie wasn't faring much better, standing on the steps as Steve started off for his old kingdom. He was returning for the shortest amount of time possible to officially renounce his claim to the throne. Word had already spread that the queen was with child and they didn't want anything in the way of their future ascension.

Steve had already put his parents behind him. To get it on paper seemed rather tedious, especially since the document could have been sent to acquire his signature. But perhaps it was his father tugging the leash one last time before he completely disowned his first born.

While riding in the carriage, Steve kept himself occupied with daydreams. Maybe he would find a way to sneak back home and surprise Eddie. Instead of Eddie welcoming him, it could be the other way around. Steve would already be in bed, opening himself up for Eddie to slide right in....

The jolt of a sudden stop brought Steve out of his thoughts. They'd been traveling for a few hours, so a resting stop made sense, but why so suddenly. He waited for either the driver to report something, or continue. When neither happened, he shifted the curtain open slightly to get a peek.

Highwaymen. Of course.

They made him get out and while they did, he assessed the situation. One had a knife on him while the other searched the carriage for valuables. Steve stood with his hands up while it happened. He could take two. Once he got the knife it would be easy. Especially if the driver got off his ass to help.

Seeing an opening, Steve took it and went on the offensive, wrestling the knife away and twisting an arm behind their back, point to their throat now.

Before he could make any demands, an arrow grazed his arm. Enough to cut and be annoying bloody but not much else. That it until he felt a strange burning in the cut. He should've suspected they might have an archer. And if he did, he would've suspected the poison arrows. He felt his body get heavy before falling to the ground.

"We're about to come into a lot of money, boys."

Steve's last thought before blacking out was that he should've just sent his parents a letter.

------------------

When he came to, he found that he was in a very nice sitting room. The chair he was placed upon had a very nice cushion. It was only the rope around his arms and the fact he didn't know where he was the soured the luxury of it.

"The king's little pet, in my humble abode. Who would have thought." A voice sounded from behind Steve and came around to sit in the chair across from him.

Steve tested his restraints. "How did I get here?"

"Some petty thieves got lucky. Thought you were the average noble. But it is very clear just looking at you-" He stood and nudged Steve's jaw, showing more of his neck and the bite marks there. Steve squirmed out of his hold. "-belong to King Edward. So they sold you to me. And if you really are His Majesty's favorite, he'll pay a handsome price for you."

He sat back in his chair and Steve looked at him like he was an idiot. This buffoon was going to try and ransom a king. A king! The only reason Eddie's own similar gambit didn't work was because Steve's father cared little. If anyone tried this with Eddie, he would have them publicly executed. If not, tortured, then executed.

Once again, Steve looked around with his eyes and weighed his options. A middle aged man amid opulent furniture. A lord of some kind. But not a very smart one. Still, he was bound to have some men on the property acting as guards. People who would capture him if he got loose.

He could let the ransom happen. Eddie would move the earth (literally) to get to him. This whole place would be covered in blood and fire.

Then again, Steve could save Eddie the trip.

"You don't think I'll escape?", he asked. "You didn't even tie my legs down." He kicked them lightly to illustrate his point.

"I'm not a brute. And you're royalty, you know how this goes. Be a good boy and you'll be back with your master in no time. And I'll be all the more richer for it."

"Well that sounds really, really boring", Steve said, slouching a little. "Couldn't we find so~me way to entertain ourselves in the meantime?" He let the tip of his boot nudge the other man's foot.

It got him a smirk in return, but not quite for the reason he wanted.

"I know better than to lie with the devil's plaything." He stood and leaned over Steve. "Your tricks won't work on m-uuNK!"

A grunt, a whimper, a whine from Steve boot hitting him squarely in the groin.

"I have more than one trick."

He got to his feet and with just a bit of shimmying, was able to get the ropes off. They really didn't think much of him at all. Or Eddie for that matter. He went to a window first only to find that it was too dark to try and scale the wall, especially on an unfamiliar building.

Out the front door it is.

Dispatching the first guard wasn't easy with only a rope in hand to suffocate him with but Steve was able to get a sword off him. After that it was child's play. Steve had two advantages: one, if they wanted Eddie's money then they had to keep him alive. And two, somehow even with blood splattered on him, they were still treating him like an untrained child.

It was only the last one (was it the 8th or the 9th?) that truly took him seriously and made Steve work for his escape. And he did manage a few slashes across his chest before falling upon Steve's sword.

By the time he made it back to Eddie's castle on a horse stolen by his captors, he was exhausted. The gates were opened to him but not without confusion.

Word traveled ahead at his return and Eddie practically materialized at the bottom of the stairs to meet him. He could smell that most of the blood on Steve wasn't his but that didn't make him any happier.

Eddie cupped his face. "Who did this to you?"

"Didn't get his name before kicking him in the balls."

"That would make this the second time you've been kidnapped in less than a year, gorgeous."

"I'm just a magnet for dangerous men, I guess", Steve shrugged. "Now carry me to the bath."

Eddie picked him up with ease and started up the stairs. "You've denied me the right of defending your honor AND releasing my righteous fury, you know that, right?" Eddie already knew the people responsible were more than likely dead.

Steve grinned as he drew circles on Eddie's chest. "Guess you'll have to put that energy elsewhere. Any ideas?"

Part C