Vampire Bite Aftercare
“The bite” has been capturing human imagination for centuries. It’s dark, sexy, alluring, and still terrifying. When people wonder about the bite, they wonder how anyone could possibly enjoy something so seemingly unpleasant. Less discussed than the bite, but just as important, are the prep and aftercare.
Before the bite, the vampire and his or her bitee agree on limits—how much blood the vamp can drink, will sex be included, and so forth. Some couples are safer and more conservative, and some like to push their limits. But, all couples agree on parameters. They also agree on a word or gesture in case the bitee gets overwhelmed and needs to stop.
Immediately before the bite, the vampire brushes his teeth. It is his job to make sure he is clean and his bitee is still prepared to be bitten. If the bitee ever seems nervous or tired, it’s the vampire’s responsibility to care for their needs. The bitee washes his or her neck, drinks some water, maybe eats a snack, and tries to relax.
For those who have never been bitten, the bite itself is an intense natural high, more so when sex is involved. Even with the mind fuzzed from endorphins and the toxin in the vamp’s fangs, it is hard to forget this vampire has your life in their hand (or mouth, technically.) They press close to your body; you feel that first prick of pain, the buzz of adrenaline, the faith you have in your partner, the burn of toxin as it starts to numb the pain and the dizziness sets in. Everything you feel blurs into an overwhelming buzz in your veins. You relax into the sensation, and the next time you blink open your eyes, you’re lying on a bed, your vamp is cleaning the puncture wounds in your neck (or wrist, or thigh, or foot, etc.) You don’t know how long you were out, but you know this vampire is going to take care of you.
That’s where the aftercare sets in. With an intense natural high comes a crash, the hangover to your night out, so to speak. Aftercare needs are specific to each person, and couples eventually figure out the routine that works best for them. In a typical aftercare routine, the vamp washes, disinfects, and bandages the bite mark while the bitee rests. The adrenaline crash leaves the bitee tired and trembling. The sudden blood loss makes them lightheaded and cold. The vampire brings their bitee Gatorade or some sort of snack to restore blood sugar. They either wrap the bitee in a blanket or tuck them into bed and stand by to make sure they recover without complication. Some couples work a warm bath and cuddling into their routine. Or watch a movie. Or eat, a lot. The vampire stays until the bitee wakes, and then gets them something to eat.
When the bitee has recovered enough to feel mentally and physically stable, they talk about anything that needs to be talked about. Some people get shaken emotionally and need reassurance that the vampire isn’t going to kill them. Some people just need to talk in order to sort out everything they’re feeling and recover. Some people don’t walk to talk at all and don’t like their vampire hovering over them.
Regardless, the bitee takes care of their body for a few days, mindful of the blood loss and emotional taxation. They may or may not want their vampire around, and the vampire may or may not feel a need to be included.
First timers to the bite are advised to let their vampire take care of them. Don’t be afraid to be honest about your needs. The bitee should take care of themselves, even if they know their fear isn’t logical or if they feel like a burden for being weakened. There’s no shame in being weakened by blood loss. Those who plan to be bitten should research blood loss and agree with their vampire on how involved he or she will be in the aftercare.
