Okay, new vampire bride idea (what do you mean I already have like 3 shut up)
In this universe the vampire marriages/alliances are often international, and Damon is a British vampire lord who needs a Slovenian bride. Both Kris and Bojan are option. Kris is from an esteemed, noble family, well-raised, cultured, refined, beautiful. Bojan...is from more of a self-made, low nobility noble family who makes up for it by their service, and he's beautiful, charming, charismatic, talented...
well, Kris is chosen. His parents break it to him, as gently as they can. With reassurances that he'll be alright, these marriages are civilized these days.
"Is it final? They've made the decision?"
"More or less," Miha says. "They're having a final meeting yet, they obviously haven't announced it, but...they've made their decision. They were kind to let us know first."
The first thing Kris thinks - after all the terrible things he imagines - is Bojan. Not being able to ever see him again. That - he needs to tell him. He does, tears in his eyes, and his own horror is mirrored in Bojan's.
"I don't want to do this," Kris confesses, tears leaking down his cheeks. "I'm terrified."
Bojan takes him in his arms, holds him close, kisses the top of his head. "It'll all be alright," he says. "I promise." Kris knows Bojan can't promise that, but somehow he believes it when Bojan says it.
That night, Bojan goes to talk to the council. Zare, Tomi, a few others.
"You should send me in his place," he insists.
Zare looks down at him. "The Gustins are a noble family. Kris is smart, well-educated, well-mannered, attractive. He is the best choice. Why wouldn't we send him?"
"Precisely because of that," Bojan says. "We need Kris here. He'll be part of this council one day, and we need his intelligence, his planning, his competence. Lord Damon is a brand new lord, we don't need to give him our best, we should keep that for ourselves. Someone like me will do for him."
They seem to actually be considering this.
"Plus," he adds. "I'm better with people than he is. Better in social situations. I'm physically stronger, I can bear pain more easily, I'll be able to stand the feeding better. And I'm shorter than him, he might take an issue if the bride you send him towers over him."
All of which are compelling reasons, so they change their mind. They choose Bojan. Kris' parents tell him about it the next day, and, despite his relief, Kris feels a knot in his stomach. He knows why. He knows how.
He rushes to find Bojan, who's silently contemplating the flowers in the garden of his family's home. He looks beautiful in the morning sun, in profile, limmed in gold, and Kris is so, so in love, so devastated, and so angry.
"Why did you do it?" he demands.
Bojan turns to face him, looking defiant. He hadn't come to tell Kris about it because he knew Kris would find out, come to find him.
"Because I love you," he says simply.
"You - what?" Kris' whole world comes crashing down around his ears. He knows how he feels about Bojan, has felt for years, but he never imagined...
"You heard me. I love you, and I couldn't let you be forced into this."