#gemsart

It was dark when Owen woke to the sound of bedsheets rustling. He had always been a light sleeper. The room was empty apart from him, he realized, as he blinked himself awake. Louis.. Where..? His still pathetically half asleep mind turned to the open window, blowing cool air through the drawn curtains in a summer breeze. Had he been kidnapped? Ever so quietly, picked up out of bed, hands clasped over his mouth, and dragged out of the window? It'd be meaningless to panic over nothing, he thinks, but he still has to check, to know- Owen moves to get out of bed when he hears footsteps.

It's Louis in the doorway, his form barely visible in the dark, but recognisable for how his soft white hair glowed in the feeble moonlight.

There's something in his hand, and Owen watches as he sets it down on the table, before lighting a candle. It's a cake, and an extravagant one at that..

Louis turns to him, now bathed in a warm glow that makes his hair shimmer.

"Happy birthday." He says, smiling.

Owen blinks. "What? My birthday celebration shouldn't be anywhere near now."

Louis laughs. "Your human birthday, yes. But this is your vampire birthday! Don't you think that's worth celebrating?"

It is, it is. It's more like a celebration of how Louis gave him the gift to live than it is a celebration of his technical undeath. A celebration of how Louis believed he was worth giving that gift to, even if he never earned it.

"Thank you." Is all he can say, with all the sincerity in his voice that only Louis would ever get to hear. Something special reserved just for him.

Louis sits next to him then, the bed sinking slightly with the added weight. He has a piece of cake cut on a delicate plate, sliver spoon in hand. It's covered in delicious looking icing that smells distinctly of blood.

"I got it made for you," he says, "And covered it in some animal blood to make it special. Here, let me.."

He sets the cake down carefully on the bed, and spoons a small portion, making sure to include his so called special blood icing. Owen watches with a small smile as Louis lifts the spoon to his mouth, so painfully fond.

It was indeed delicious, the taste of iron invigorating his senses even in such a small dose. Louis smiles brightly at him as if waiting eagerly for his reply.

"It's delicious!"

"Wonderful!!" Louis almost cheers. "Did you like the blood?"

"Yes.." Owen smiles, "A perfect addition to an otherwise plain cake."

He pushes the cake away slightly, and leans into Louis, placing a hand over his leg. Louis sets his own gently on top. It's cold as ice, and a comfort in the remaining warmth of summer air.

"I love you." Louis whispers.

Owen looked up and caught his gaze, smiling softly. Is this what it felt like to be loved?