[Though Liem keeps his expression neutral when Matt confirms his suspicion, that little smile as he says “just helping out” makes concern carve a frown between his brows. Somehow, this is worse than him accidentally stumbling on some deviance of Matt’s sex life. It cleaves too uncomfortably close to the other times he has made Liem worry about his willingness to let others harm him, to view pieces of himself as expendable in service to other goals.

(And yes, maybe Liem is that way too—but this isn’t about him.)

Refusing to concede to that obviously deliberate casual tone, Liem sheathes his dagger so his left hand can join his right, folding Matt’s warmer hand between them.]

No vampire here needs you to let them prey on you—and I don’t want to bring you somewhere dangerous if you’re still unwell because of it.