𝔪𝔬𝔯𝔦𝔯 𝔢𝔰 𝔳𝔦𝔳𝔦𝔯

Mercy hadn’t quite anticipated anything like this happening. For things to spiral this far. And while she couldn’t deny that she had played her own part in it, somehow she still found herself bewildered by the way the night had unfolded, from offering him her blood to heal him, to offering him shelter, to eventually sparking something that had burned completely out of control.

Though, in her own words, it had felt less like an inferno and more like a volcano erupting. A rather fitting innuendo, honestly.

Regardless, she hadn’t stayed awake much longer after that eruption finally came to pass. Eventually, sleep had claimed her, only for her to awaken sometime later to the sound of a loud crack echoing outside.

Not fireworks, not gunshots, thunder.

Violent rain poured beyond the windows while thunder rolled through the sky, and somehow she had always found storms comforting. Though this time, the sound did little to soothe her sensitive body. The bite marks still lingered faintly across her skin, though he had at least been generous enough to heal most of them.

Well… most. Not the one at her thigh. And somehow she had a very good feeling that omission had been intentional, his own little way of marking territory, perhaps.

Slowly, she sat up, still curled beneath the fluffy pink blanket she had wrapped around the two of them before eventually falling asleep on the couch. Yet when she looked around the living room, he was nowhere to be seen.

Which confused her more than she wanted to admit. Maybe she had gotten her hopes up. People often assumed she was the kind of girl who thrived on one-night flings and fleeting thrills, but the truth was far more complicated. Mercy craved connection—something deep and genuine. She felt lonely more often than she liked to acknowledge, and for her, intimacy had always been expressed through touch.

This had been no different. Even if she barely knew him. Hell, she didn’t know him at all, honestly. Slowly, she wrapped the blanket tighter around herself like a makeshift dress before standing up, part of her wondering if he had simply vanished into the night while it was still dark outside. Another part of her, however, felt something closer to worry.

Because if he had left, then she couldn’t exactly stop him from running straight into those hunters again. Her first instinct was to check the veranda in the backyard. Likely finally having that cigarette. And so she stepped outside.

When she finally spotted him there, she felt an almost embarrassing flicker of relief, though she didn’t openly show it. She was fairly certain she looked a mess anyway; her hair slightly tangled, her body still marked by the night before, and the blanket wrapped around her certainly wasn’t helping her dignity much either.

“I thought you had vanished into the night…” she said softly, her voice still rough with sleep. A faint glance toward the neighboring house followed.

“I do hope the neighbor is asleep, because if he sees this, he’s absolutely going to assume a whole lot of things,” she added dryly. “Which… fair enough, honestly. I mean, this is quite a lot.” Moving over to one of the outdoor sofas, expensive ones imported from Sweden and decorated with carefully handcrafted pillows, she sat down slowly.

“I’m actually hungry now,” she mused quietly before quickly adding, “For food, that is.” Then, after a brief pause, she looked back at him with the faintest hint of amusement in her eyes. “You did forget to heal one of the bite marks, by the way,” she pointed out.

“Are you aware of that?”

The rain was really coming down now. It was relaxing to watch and listen to, a peaceful comedown after what could only be described as a rollercoaster of a night. He felt content; at peace, satiated. But the uncertainty of the post coital bliss soon descended upon him once the fog of passion had lifted from his eyes.

How would this … work? Either he was a genius for getting cosy with the enemy, or an idiot with a death wish. Maybe both. He lit up the cigarette that hung listlessly from his lips. Shoulders sagged slightly as he let out a relaxed sigh that carried a small cloud of smoke. Maybe she wouldn’t want it to work, maybe she preferred it to be something that was never spoken of again. But as he recalled their earlier conversation about her not really being a ‘one night’ kinda girl, he began to more carefully consider how a more intimate relationship could work between them.

Visions of their tryst flashed through his mind, preventing him from concentrating on anything else. A feeling swelled in his chest which he couldn’t name, or rather, didn’t want to. He tried to suppress it, along with the smile that flickered across his lips, with another drag of his cigarette.

Her voice startled him. Shouldn’t have - he should have sensed her. Too relaxed. He needed to sharpen his senses.

“ Nah … I’m a lot of things, but I’m not a total asshole. I’m still here, for better or worse. ” He wore a lopsided smile as he turned to face her. He offered the cigarette to her and his gaze swept over her … looking utterly dishevelled and somehow even more beautiful and ravishing than usual. He liked her like this … natural, vulnerable, but not in a ‘easy target for a vampire’ way, more of a ‘I just want to hold you close’ way. He chuckled faintly at her concerns over the neighbour.

“ Let him assume, it’ll give him something exciting to focus on. Or do you think he’ll tell the whole neighbourhood? Maybe that wouldn’t be ideal given that hunters are still lurking in the area. ”

And they most definitely were. Their presence never fully vanished, a nagging feeling that still loomed in the air, albeit distantly. Luis knew it was only a matter of time before they found him, he just hoped that being here with Mercy was an unlikely enough scenario to not prompt a search. “ You okay, anyway? I didn’t hurt you did I? ” He remained standing while Mercy sat down, his golden eyes still watching and silently admiring her.

“ I can try and cook something for you if you like. I can’t guarantee it will be good because I can’t taste it, and I also can’t guarantee I won’t burn down your kitchen. But I can whip up a decent huevos con chorizo … probably. ” He said ambiguously and with a playful grin.

Ah yes, the bite mark. That bite mark. The very specific place that he’d so deeply enjoyed drinking from and definitely didn’t intend as a mark of his territory. “ Oh, did I? ” He raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance, “ whoops … must have slipped my mind. I can heal it if you really want me to, or you can keep it as a memento. I’ll leave it up to you.”

Luis reached the end of his cigarette, and once he’d stubbed it out and disposed of it in the nearest ashtray, he suddenly became hyper aware of his now unoccupied hands. He put them in his pockets and his attention was drawn back to the heavy rain spattering on the ground. “ So … what now? ” Luis asked, as if it were that simple. He continued by going on to discuss his temporary sleeping arrangements, but they both knew that wasn’t at all what he was getting at. What now between us? Is this a thing now - unspoken or otherwise? You tasted delicious, can I have seconds?

“ I mean, like … are you gonna let me crash here for a few days until the heat dies down on me? The hunters I mean, not— never mind. But I feel like I’m safer here. I know they’re out there, still. I can feel them. Probably broken into my apartment by now to look for me, and I can only imagine how they’ve trashed my home… I swear if they’ve even thought about touching my piano I’ll rip their fucking heads off. ”

He is young and terrified and on top of the world that seemed to overwhelm him to have accidentally crossed paths with two feuding vampires. Her hunger gnawed at her, a coiling beast deep inside that demanded blood on her maw and she could not stop, she would not stop until she was victorious, she could not stop. The other vampire's head was pulled clean off, Ysabeau drained her opponent dry and ate her heart and now...now the fight had ended she heard the worried heart of a young one.

All this fighting, a whole room demolished and not a spec of blood on Ysabeau's dress. She took out her handkerchief and wiped the corner of her mouth, her long delicate fingers fixed her hairpin and in the broken window she looked at her reflection finding herself presentable.

"It is alright young one, you can come out now. No one will hurt you" Ysabeau spoke and Luis would never know that she had guarded him from many others that wished him harm. "Come to me, Luis I shall not hurt you. I am sorry you had to witness me like this-" Young. Frightened. Weakened by starvation. She had been watching his steps for weeks keeping others from preying on him but tonight the other vampire had been strong and she was forced to reveal herself.

"I am sorry about your piano" In the heat of the fight it was difficult to direct it away from Luis' only comfort in his existence. "It is such a shame, I have been enjoying your midnight melodies" She so loved art, and specially music.

She was usually so cold and reserved but he, he was so alone and she so wanted to protect him. Poor child, this affliction did not come easy for him. "I can teach you...if you want. If you come with me, and be a gift to my home with your music, I can teach you how to be one of us."

Is this what I’ve become?

He didn’t want this. Never asked for this. Was he more afraid of being the next victim, or more afraid that he would be capable of such things himself? He wasn’t certain. Crimson spattered on the wooden floor close to where he’d attempted to hide underneath the piano. The scent of it was maddening and his insides roiled with hunger. His fangs abruptly dropped, aching. Body begging him to satiate it, but fear enforced his refusal.

Too naïve to understand that his presence would be detected, regardless of how well (or badly) he’d hidden himself.

Her voice was almost ethereal as it lilted through the still air, and it distracted him from the pain of his stomach trying to eat itself. He felt compelled to follow the sound.

Come to me.

His arms trembled as he crawled from his hiding space. His gaze lifted in both fear and awe of her … unsure if he trusted her words, but didn’t see any other options available. This was a lifeline. A key to survival. This was his life now, whether he liked it or not.

Shakily, he rose to his feet, though he could barely feel his own legs as they seemed to root to the spot. His gaze fell, and he couldn’t quite bring himself to look at the state of the piano … it could be cleaned and restored, hopefully. His pale eyes flickered at her words of praise, and he felt the tension ease from his shoulders a little. How long had she been following him? Listening to his music …?

“ ¿Te gusta? ” He asked timidly, and a long pause followed. Once again, his options were limited. Go, or suffer starvation in the most brutally agonising way possible. Dwelling on the events that had led him here would not help his situation. He released a shaky sigh and nodded, once.

“ … S-si … yes, I will go with you … ” -please don’t hurt me- “ … but, my piano … ”

He finally turned to inspect the damage. He was confident it could be repaired, but he absolutely wouldn’t be without it. He couldn’t fathom how to even exist without it, it was all he had left of his humanity and he’d cling to it with his last dying breath if he had to.

“ Will you help me repair it? I know I am asking for a lot … but it’s all I’ve got-” He paused, abruptly cut off by pangs of starvation shredding him from the inside. Enough of this. “ I will play for you every single night. ” He lowered his head as if bowing to her, hoping it would distract from the way his arm hugged his empty stomach. “ Please … take me with you. Teach me how to exist this way and I’ll do anything you ask of me. ”

Venera seemed somewhat amused now. He was a little sassy, which was a good indication that things were going to be fun, or so she thought.

“Now, now, that is a bit of an insult. Surely I don’t exactly fit in with the hunters… do I? I don’t think hunters would be that accepting of me, seeing how witches and hunters have a long-standing history… Ah, witch trials… such a pure example of men brutalizing women… a shame, honestly.” Had she just willingly exposed herself as a witch? Of course. To Venera, she didn’t care to keep up the illusion of being a normal girl. She simply was not normal, nor did she ever desire for those around her to think she was.

“I am not a hunter. I am merely an observer here tonight, and, goddess, what perfect timing, considering you decided to sink your teeth into him…”

The target was no use to them now. Even if he was still alive, there was no point in offering him up.

“What a mess you made…”

“Aren’t you full of fire? Such strong words for a little vampire far away from his coffin.” She sounded amused as she took a step closer.

“Are you certain, though? Did no one tell you to come here? Because I don’t know whether I believe you… but I suppose I will take your word for now.” She spoke as she took another step closer. “Kill you? Now, why would I do that? What would I gain by killing you? I highly doubt the goddess would take that as a proper offering. You’re undead, out of touch with the mortal realm, and no longer a part of nature… there is no purpose nor gain here if I were to kill you. So no, I am not going to try.” But she certainly could, if she tried hard enough. She wasn’t exactly some newly found witch. “You almost make it sound like you want me to start doing something… I wasn’t aware you had some kind of curious kink…” she mused, before, with a mere movement of her finger, the winds picked up.

“Are you sure you want to bark up this particular tree, though? Because while it is true that forbidden fruits are certainly sweeter… the ways to obtain them are often proven to be painful, if not just deadly…” Another step closer. “Although, your little feeding frenzy did fumble the night, so perhaps there should be a proper consequence for that.”

An advantage maybe? A means to save his skin if this situation took a turn for the worse? He observed her carefully, scrutinising every movement while he took slow, measured drags of his cigarette.

“ No need to be so condescending. Little vampires can still bite, y’know. ” He said with a sharp undertone, “ You can believe whatever the hell you want. If that’s the truth that I’m telling you or whatever you’ve decided, then that’s up to you. But I don’t answer to anybody. Including witches. ”

Maybe it would have been easier to just lie. Make something up and send the witches on a wild goose chase … though it likely would have resulted in him being hunted down and tortured beyond his comprehension.

His instinct told him to step back as she approached, but he was stubborn and remained defiant. He stood his ground, straightening his back and adopting a more haughty stance as if to challenge.

“ I dunno … I mean, you seem pissed off with me, for reasons I was apparently blissfully unaware of. ” He shrugged, “ I’m used to other creatures and supernaturals trying to kill me at any opportunity, so just call it a gut reaction. ”

Oh, she was powerful. He felt the surge in the air by her command, which was either a perfectly timed coincidence or an indication of her ability to control the elements. His bravado faltered for a moment. He put the mask back up quickly, but not quick enough. This time, he did step back when she stepped closer, until his back hit the wall.

“ What can I say … I like a challenge. ” His voice lowered, adopting an edge of danger that attempted to exert himself as a threat. But it was unlikely to have any effect. “ Like I said … I don’t know anything about your plans for the night or whatever. I just got hungry. Because I’m a vampire, and that’s what I do. Not my problem. Whatever ‘consequence’ you have in mind, either get it over with or at least show me a good time first. I’m a busy man, y’know. ”

“My homeland has changed a great deal since my exile,” she said softly. “Its name is not even the same anymore… let alone its beliefs. Where witches were once revered, they are now feared, looked upon as something dark, something unnatural.” A faint, almost melancholic smile touched her lips. “But I suppose that is the nature of things. Time moves forward… and with it, people, culture, meaning. Everything shifts.” Her gaze lingered on him. “Still… culture is something deeply personal. Something meant to be cherished. And perhaps… preserved. Passed on to someone worthy of carrying it forward.” Her fingers intertwined with his, guiding his hand upward until it rested gently against her chest, where her heartbeat, faint, but present, echoed beneath his touch. “You are… someone worthy,” she murmured, her voice soft, yet certain. “You make me feel… you make me want. You make me desire in ways I have not allowed myself to in a very long time.” Her eyes held his. “You make me wish to be seen… rather than linger in the shadows. And for that… I intend to honor you.” Slowly, she released his hand, though her gaze never left his. “One day,” she continued, her tone returning to something slightly more composed, though still intimate, “I will show you my collection… my grimoires… the dark objects and artifacts I have crafted over the centuries…. There is much I could teach you.” Her gaze lingered on him, thoughtful.

“It is not out of line, Luis,” she said softly, a faint smile touching her lips. “In fact… I would very much like for you to come with me to Italy. It would do you good, I think. To be away from this place… from the hunters, from the noise, from all that lingers here. Umbria offers something different. Peace. Beauty. A slower kind of existence. The sun, perhaps, is the least appealing part of it… but even so, I find myself longing to return.” Her expression softened just slightly. “You would love the gardens,” she added, almost fondly. “I have always had a… talent for tending to them. There is something grounding about it.” There was a subtle invitation woven into her words, unspoken, but present. “I do not imagine I will remain here for very long,” she continued. “Whether I continue to travel… or finally return home, I have yet to decide. But I would not mind having you as company. And I will say this… the hunters there are far less abundant. And those who do exist…” she tilted her head slightly, amused, “taste far richer. Almost like fine wine. A noticeable improvement compared to the… rather unpleasant flavor of the ones here.”

At the mention of Mexico, her expression brightened with recognition.

“Mexico…” she repeated, thoughtful. “Yes, I have been there. Though it has been a very long time.” Her gaze drifted, recalling distant memories. “I arrived first in Cabo San Lucas… and from there, I found myself further along the coast, Barra de Navidad, if I recall correctly. I have always had a weakness for coastal places. There is something about the sea… the air… it lingers with you. I did not stay long,” she admitted. “The companion I had at the time insisted on taking me elsewhere. She was from Brazil, and she wished to show me every place she had ever loved.”

A faint chuckle.

“So… I followed.” Her eyes returned to him. “But perhaps you could do the same for me,” she said gently. “Show me the places that matter to you.”

A step closer.

“Your home. Your memories… I would like that.”

Medina’s gaze drifted over the park as they walked, quietly taking in the details most would overlook, the arrangement of the flowerbeds, the health of the trees, the subtle way nature settled into itself when left undisturbed. Of course she noticed. She had meant it when she spoke of her gardens. Tending to them had always been one of the few things that grounded her, one of the rare spaces where she allowed herself to be gentle, to be patient… to simply be. And now, as they walked here, there was a similar softness in her attention. At his question, however, that softness shifted.

Just slightly.

“I was close with her,” she said, her voice quieter now. “Very close. I had a brother as well, once,” she added. “He was kind. Protective in his own way… though he never truly understood me.” A faint, almost distant smile touched her lips. “He was not a witch. Or perhaps he could have been… but in those times, such things were not for men to explore. Magic belonged to the women. At least… that was how it was decided. Times were very different then.” She let the thought linger, though it was clear she had no intention of delving much deeper into it. Instead, her attention shifted back to him.

“You truly do not know what became of them?” she asked, her tone softer now, more curious than judging. “Did you run from them… or were you taken from them?” There was no accusation in her voice, only quiet understanding. “Not that I would fault you,” she added gently. “Circumstances have a way of deciding such things for us.” A brief silence settled between them as she considered his words.

“Family…” she murmured, almost to herself, “is rarely simple. It can be a source of great comfort… or something far more complicated… Often both.”

When they stepped inside, Medina’s curiosity was immediate and unguarded.

Her gaze moved slowly across the space, taking in every detail, the stark contrast of black and white, the richness of the dark wood beneath her feet, the quiet intimacy of it all. It was not her usual style, no… but there was something undeniably him about it. And that alone made it appealing.

“What a lovely place…” she hummed softly, her voice carrying genuine approval as she stepped further in. For a moment, she allowed herself to settle, until her attention was inevitably drawn elsewhere.

The piano.

As though pulled by instinct, she rose again, drifting toward it with quiet fascination, her fingers hovering just above its polished surface without quite touching.

“And what a beautiful instrument…” she murmured, almost to herself. “It never ceases to amaze me, the kind of devotion it takes to truly master something like this.” Her gaze flickered back to him, softer now. “It is rare… and rather special. Though then again… you are rather special yourself.” There was a brief pause before she finally allowed herself to sit, though her eyes lingered on the piano just a moment longer.

“A glass of wine sounds perfect,” she added lightly, her tone turning playful once more. “Especially if it comes with a performance.” A subtle glint of anticipation crossed her expression. Then, after a moment, her curiosity shifted again.

“Tell me…” she began, tilting her head slightly as she studied him, “have you ever invited another vampire into this space? You mentioned before that most you encounter are not particularly… welcoming, or eager for company. I suppose that is often the case, especially among the older ones. Always guarded… always watching.” She leaned back slightly, one leg crossing over the other. “Though I imagine I would fall into that category as well,” she added with a faint smile. “Even if I would argue I am not quite that old. I have encountered those who have lived well beyond a thousand years… and sometimes I wonder if the weight of it all eventually reshapes them. The loneliness… the blood… the centuries. Though, if I am being honest… I do not often find myself enjoying the company of other vampires either. So perhaps we simply share that sentiment.”

Another beat passed before her curiosity deepened.

“What about other creatures?” she asked, her tone light but inquisitive. “Have you encountered anything beyond our kind?”

" I would dearly love to go with you to Italy. In fact, I’ll go anywhere you want me to. I’ve never felt such a strong desire and bond like this before … there’s no way I’m letting you go back without me. " His lips formed a grin, his tone almost teasing though he was deadly serious. " You'd like to go to Mexico? I could take you ... though it's been a long time since I was back there. I don't know if I'll be able to actually ... go near my old home. Maybe I should. Maybe it would close a painful chapter of my life. But if you were by my side, maybe it wouldn't be so bad ... I feel like a stronger and better person when I'm with you. "

He paused. Maybe that sentiment was a little too strong. A faint, sheepish chuckle passed through his lips and he was relieved to change the subject.

He listened with a sympathetic ear as Medina spoke of her siblings. He wanted to ask her what happened to them, but the shift in the air between them made it seem apparent that she wasn't willing to divulge any further into it. He let it go, though he hoped she realised that he'd be happy to listen to her talk about it when she felt comfortable to do so.

" No ... I don't know for certain. I have my assumptions. Rumours were spread around the town about my parents being sentenced to death for their 'heretic sons that were corrupted by black magic'. My brother's body was never found, to my knowledge. For all I know he's a vampire as well, out there somewhere. " He laughed to himself under his breath, knowing such a thing would be impossible. But there was always a niggling doubt in the back of his mind that he was still alive. Somewhere, somehow.

" ... I ran from my home. I left the manor, and I hid myself away. At the time, I thought it was for my parents' safety. I was terrified of what I was becoming, I didn't understand the hunger and the urges I was feeling. My brother is a different story, but ... I don't think that's something I can go into right now. " He forced a faint smile, " Anyway ... yeah. My family was definitely ... complicated. You're not wrong there. "

Having Medina in his home felt surreal, for sure. But it was a welcome feeling ... like she was always meant to be here.

If his heart could still beat, it would have skipped when she said that. He almost swooned - being called special by a beautiful woman happened rarely to never. His smile was akin to a Cheshire cat, his gaze unmoving from her and the way she gracefully and elegantly moved around his space.

" You can sit beside me at the piano, if you'd like. " He suggested as he walked towards the minibar to open one of the many bottles of Malbec, which he carefully decanted into two wine glasses.

" In the past, yeah, once or twice. I don't really have what you'd call 'vampire friends' though. Maybe brief affairs, but ... I dunno, I rarely feel comfortable letting other vampires into my personal space. I realise the irony of discussing this with another vampire sitting in my personal space. " He chuckled, " But you're right. Vampires are typically territorial and possessive creatures, by nature. It's rare to have amicable friendships with them. Or ... maybe I'm wrong and I'm actually the problem. "

Luis handed Medina a glass of wine, and then took his seat at the piano, resting his own glass carefully on the top.

" I have ... " He paused to drag his fingers along the ivories, " I've met Succubi, Reapers, Werewolves ... all sorts. Creatures I didn't even know existed. And they all walk among us ... it's funny isn't it? How many different worlds coexist without us even realising it. How about you? You're older and more well travelled than I am, you must have met your fair share of supernaturals as well, no? "

Luis sipped his wine and gestured for Medina to join him by his side at the piano. " I wrote this piece completely inspired by you, and the night we first met under the blood moon. I hope you like it, mi diosa ... "

Fire would kill a vampire but the spirit of Amel was persistent that if the ashes were not scattered it was possible for a vampire to come back. It would take strong vampiric blood poured over the ashes to bring even a semblance of life back to said vampire and a long, gruelling recovery that made Nicolas long for death all over again. It was not a blink into death and blink into life, no it was years of drudgery and misery of half existence and he would have much rather have stayed dead! It wasn't Lestat that brought him back that was for certain, he woke up in ashes, in a burned down theatre that he found out burned a century prior.

Maybe it was not him who ever had popped a vein open tried to resurrect.

As a vampire he could be nearly unperceivable by mortals and dodging security was easy enough when you could move faster than the mortal eye could catch. Melancholic music caught his ear and like a siren song it lured him, he thought he could simply slip in and remain in the shadows and listen to the pianist play...but had not expected the pianist to be another vampire, by the time Nicolas sensed him it was too late and the other sensed him too.

Shit. "I mean you no harm-" And he felt like a complete idiot because the other vampire might mean him harm. Vampires did not get along easily, being vastly territorial creatures.

The charred, hollow rooms were a far cry from the beautiful manor he'd once lived in. Remembering everything that had been lost - including his own humanity and mortality, provoked him to play more con brio.

How long had he been sitting at this piano, playing the same lament which evolved into something bigger and deeper each time? The piano was all he had left. Sometimes he cursed the fire for not taking him with the rest of the building.

Still starving. His senses were muted because of it, but that didn't stop him detecting another presence. He didn't stop playing, but he became acutely aware that he was being watched.

His gaze snapped up. A figure in the shadows invisible to the human eye, but the two vampires seemed to sniff each other's true identity out at the same time. His fingers paused on the ivories, and the notes faded out into a quiet echo.

" Wait- "

Luis rose to his feet. Instinct told him to be more cautious around a stranger - especially another vampire with unknown motives - but he was the first person to speak to him in maybe years. He almost needed to remember how to. " Por favor, no te vayas. "

He raised both hands as if to say he had no intention to harm him. Though, he could probably tell that Luis' aura was not as strong as it should be, and he was by no means the typical vampire that roamed the nights. Too naïve? Maybe. More that he was just achingly lonely.

" It's been a long time since i've seen or spoken to anyone. I can play more for you, if you like it ... ? "

His hand squeezed tighter, had Luis been mortal his fingers would have left marks, slowly hips would roll to push against that stubborn puckered muscle to force it to accommodate his tip, maybe in moments like these Luis would be grateful that Daniel was merely average in size and girth and as a little bit of him claimed Luis he let go of his cock to replace with with the vampire's instead, lazy languid pumps to distract him from the invasion. "You are doing so well, Amorcito....such a good boy." he purred in Luis' ear and toyed with his earlobe with his teeth, swatted his shell with his tongue.

"There you go...fuck...oh my God you are so tight you are going to kill me" it felt so restrictive, it made Daniel moan so gutturally, panting against vampiric skin sending little stray hairs flying. He too would stay still for just a little to allow Luis to get used to him, to accommodate him and then firm but presice snaps of hips would bounce the pianist on his lap, his pumps on Luis' cock matching the rhythm.

“ Mmh … Am I? Am I your good boy? ” Luis asked, his tone almost pleading, “ I want to do well for you … only you, mi tesoro … Say it again. ”

Luis released a shaky breath that transitioned into a low groan, his hips instinctively bucking against the movement of Daniel’s hand as he took full control of his pleasure. He allowed him, keeping the inner predator in shackles tonight in place of being obedient and pliant for him.

His words of praise were welcomed, and prompted him to hum in approval, though even his tongue caressing his earlobe wasn’t enough to distract him from the jolt of pain that rippled through him as Daniel began to push inside.

“ Oh, fu- ” Luis gasped but the words died in his throat as the delicious blend of pain and pleasure coalesced and overtook all other senses. All that mattered was the two of them, and the rest of the world could dissolve into nothingness for all he cared. The pain soon subsided, allowing their blissful union to be enjoyed without limits. He appreciated Daniel’s patience with his body adjusting to him, and he wouldn’t have even minded just staying like this awhile - so content, so full. So in lov-

“ Don’t act like you don’t love how tight I am, ” he panted with a growing smirk, but it was quickly wiped off his face when Daniel set the pace. And oh god he knew exactly how to angle himself to drive him into a frenzy.

“ I think about you too … everything about you. I look at your pictures, I listen to your tapes so I can hear you talk … I’m fucking crazy about you, Danny ... ”

A sharp gasp followed when those mischievous fingers suddenly pinched his nipple; a sensation that sent a jolt directly south and made him twitch in his lover’s hand. Oh. fuck.

Paired with the steepened angle that had Daniel hitting his prostate with merciless accuracy, he was going to unravel far too quickly. He turned his head back as far as he could, seeking Daniel’s lips to kiss him feverishly, letting him absorb the pleasured sounds that unspooled from his throat.

Mercy didn’t answer him immediately, because the truth was, he wasn’t entirely wrong.

Though she wasn’t fully certain whether her hesitation had anything to do with him specifically, or with the deeper meaning behind all of this, behind what he represented to her. Because the undead had always fascinated her in some strange way. Maybe because when it came to actual death… that was what terrified her. Not so much her own death, she had long since accepted that she likely wasn’t destined for a long, peaceful life.

No.

What truly frightened her was losing the people around her. Watching them disappear while she remained powerless to stop it. And somewhere deep down, she knew there was a way around that. Because in her mind, immortality had once started to sound less like a curse and more like an escape. A way to never lose the people she loved.

Which wasn’t healthy. She knew that.Death was part of life. She embodied that truth every day as a Slayer… and yet, some part of her still rejected it.

That was probably why her vampire ex had gotten into her head so easily. Why he had understood her fears so quickly. Why he had offered her exactly what she secretly wanted to hear, that he could turn her, turn her family too, preserve them forever, so long as she accepted the same “gift.”

And for a time… she had actually entertained the idea. Until she realized it had all been manipulation. But Luis didn’t feel like that. If anything, he seemed more straightforward than her ex had ever been. Though he was just as skilled at reading her silences, which either meant vampires were naturally good at it, or she simply wasn’t nearly as unreadable as she liked to think she was.

“So…” she began slowly, her gaze lingering on him, “essentially what you’re saying is that you want us to be… friends with slightly more than just benefits? Though honestly, I’m not even sure if that’s the correct label for whatever this is.” She tilted her head slightly. “Or is this your very dramatic attempt at manifesting some kind of enemies-to-lovers experience now?” Her tone remained teasing, though softer than before. “Though,” she added lightly, “I’m also not entirely sure you’d actually enjoy that in practice. I’m rather demanding.”

She seemed genuinely puzzled by that assumption, that she would simply end him if pressure were placed on her shoulders hard enough.

“It’s clear you don’t know me that well,” she said quietly, though there was no bite to it this time. “I wouldn’t kill you just because I was put in a position where others expected me to.” Her gaze held his steadily now. “I don’t kill unless there’s an actual reason for it,” she continued. “And I don’t think you are a monster. A monster, to me, would be that vampire who goes around feeding on newborns,” she said, her tone sharpening faintly at the thought. “A monster is someone who commits horrific acts purely out of malice… because they enjoy it. You don’t strike me as someone like that.”

“Then again,” she admitted, “I also don’t know you nearly as well as I probably should.” There was honesty in that.

“But believe me when I say this,” she added softly. “If I choose not to kill someone who is, by nature, supposed to be my enemy… then there must be some part of me that believes they deserve the chance to prove themselves.” Her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer.

“Though,” she said more quietly now, “I’m not so sure whether you believe that. Whether you believe you’re actually worthy of being given that chance.”

But as deep as the conversation had become, it was painfully clear that none of it had lessened the tension simmering between them. If anything, it had only fed it, until now, when it finally reached its breaking point after she had been bold enough to offer him her wrist. Only… it quickly became obvious that wasn’t the place he truly wanted. And while part of her initially thought to protest, to stop him before things spiraled further, she didn’t. Not really.

If anything, the moment his fangs sank into the delicate skin of her neck, she melted into it far too easily. A sharp, painful groan escaped her first, quickly dissolving into something softer, something dangerously close to pleasure, as her eyes fluttered shut. Her nails pressed into his back instinctively while another breathless sound left her lips, the burning sensation flooding through her body in waves. The rush of it all, the heat, the ache, the intoxicating pull of danger, was enough to make her surrender to her own temptations for once.

And even though she knew she shouldn’t be doing this, shouldn’t be allowing him to feed from her so freely, she didn’t want him to stop. Not when every pulse of blood leaving her veins only seemed to pull them closer together. Rather than pushing him away, she moved against him instead, her hand sliding up to his face before pulling him toward her, not in anger, but in want.

The kiss came suddenly, the metallic sweetness of her own blood lingered between them, staining the moment with something almost sinful, yet somehow she didn’t recoil from it. Maybe she should have. Maybe any sensible Slayer would have. But Mercy had long since stopped pretending she was entirely sensible. And truthfully… this wasn’t even the first time she had entertained the idea of blood play, of the strange intimacy that came with it. It did make her wonder, however, whether he intended for her to drink from him in return. Not to turn her, she doubted that, but because she knew enough by now to understand that, for vampires, blood was never just blood.

Eventually, she broke the kiss herself, slowly pulling back, her breathing uneven. Her lips and chin still carried traces of crimson, though she seemed almost unconcerned by it now. Her fingers lingered briefly against his jaw before she finally spoke, her voice low and velvet-soft.

“There now…” she murmured. “Better?”

His fingers wrapped around her neck. Gently, applying only the slightest amount of pressure to stop her from moving. For her own sake really … he didn’t want to accidentally rip her throat open with his fangs. He continued to kiss where he’d bitten, as if to savour the taste, though his mood had most certainly dipped to lust now that the blood was starting to take effect. “ I like a demanding woman. Try me. ”

He wanted to believe her, but he knew what the vampire hunters were like. They played dirty and he knew they were willing to do anything to get rid of him, including slandering him to the extent that every hunter and slayer in the region wouldn’t rest until he was dead. If Mercy’s watcher demanded his death, he struggled to believe that he’d survive the confrontation.

Her words were soothing though. Luis hadn’t realised how badly he needed to hear them. If she didn’t believe him to be a monster, that was good enough for him. Though right now, with her blood in his veins heightening his senses and primal instincts kicking in hard, he kind of felt like one.

Until she kissed him. The aftertaste of her blood on his tongue was replaced by the taste of her, and his body sang hymns of resonance in response. The tension shattered and he felt the warmth of her aura envelope him.

He kissed her back feverishly, tasting her lips, her tongue, her neck, her lips again. Little gasps of pleasure shared between them as they discovered each other.

Mercy pulled away. Luis almost whined in protest. The sight of her like this - breathing erratically, pupils blown and rivulets of her own blood trickling from her lips - from him - it was enough to stir something carnal deep inside him. Holy fuck.

“ Yeah … ” he said breathily, “ Much better. I’m not done yet, though. ”

His hand slid beneath her top, fingers brushing across her navel and stomach. He felt her tense as he touched sensitive skin, and he pushed the boundary a little further by dipping just teasingly beneath her waistband. His voice lowered an octave, dripping with desire, “ Still hungry … but not just for your blood. ”

He kissed her again. Not content with just a taste, he needed more of her. He needed everything. He needed to taste and feel her, to feel whole, even if just for one night.

No. Not just one night. Her blood was a part of him now, she wasn’t going to get rid of him so easily. He could see himself being quite at home here.

“You are rather ambitious, I will give you that,” she replied, her tone smooth, almost amused. “Would you have preferred for me to leave you where you were? Or to put an end to your suffering in a far more permanent way?” She tilted her head slightly before continuing. “I merely saw someone in need, so I provided the necessary help. There were no lust-driven motivations there.” She set her glass down carefully, though the faint look in her eyes suggested the conversation itself still entertained her more than she probably wanted to admit.

“However,” she added, “I will say that you wearing my ex’s clothes has opened up a whole different rabbit hole of thoughts.” A brief pause. “But that does raise the question,” she continued, her tone turning slightly more thoughtful beneath the teasing edge, “‘Does she want me, or does she want what I represent in this moment?’” A faint, smug smile tugged at her lips. “I mean… I’d certainly be asking myself that if the roles were reversed.”

Another small shrug.

“Then again, I wouldn’t exactly be in that situation to begin with.” She leaned back slightly, studying him. “And you make it sound as though you weren’t testing your luck in trying to get invited inside,” she pointed out lightly. “I was merely extending the olive branch…” A small pause.

“…Perhaps.” But she wasn’t willing to let go just yet, especially not now that the tension between them had finally started to burn hotter. “In the thighs?” she echoed softly, tilting her head ever so slightly. “Such an interesting place to get bitten… especially if one were kind enough to move a little higher afterward…” A faint smirk tugged at her lips.

“Though, of course,” she added smoothly, “not with fangs.” Her tone remained cryptic, teasing in that deliberate way she seemed to excel at. “But I’ve come to appreciate different places as well,” she continued, her voice lowering slightly. “Though they do tend to be a little more… intense.” She moved just a fraction closer then, enough to make the moment feel more intimate, as if she were about to share a secret. “My ever-so-loving ex had a tendency to bite around the chest area,” she murmured. “Let’s just say he was quite the multitasker… very talented at finding particularly sensitive spots.” But she left the details there.

“Why?” she asked lightly, her gaze holding his. “Are you curious about the things I like? Or the things I desire? And if you are… why?” she continued. “Do you actually intend to indulge those desires? Those fantasies?” Her tone carried a playful purr now as she gently lifted his chin between her fingers. “Would you really do that if I asked you to?” Another brief pause before a soft giggle escaped her. “No… don’t answer that,” she added lightly. “I already know the answer.” Her finger brushed softly against his lips before she spoke again. “But are you sure this isn’t just the blood making you feel these things?” she asked, her expression shifting slightly, becoming more thoughtful beneath the teasing. “I’m not really someone who enjoys short-lived things. I don’t care much for one-night situations.” Her gaze lingered on him carefully. “So the real question is… what exactly are your motives here?” And just as easily as she had touched him, she let go.

“Do you fantasize about what it would be like to have me as your own little personal blood bag?” she asked, arching a brow slightly. “Or is this about safety? Do you think I’ll keep those nasty hunters away if I become personally invested enough?” A small shrug followed. “Because the thing is… I can’t exactly hold your hand forever,” she added. “Even if I wanted to. Like I mentioned before, the whole immortal-versus-mortal factor would ruin that fantasy pretty quickly… unless you expect me to still be protecting you while leaning on a walker.” There was something quieter beneath that statement, something heavier, but she brushed past it before it could settle.

“Or…” she continued, her gaze sharpening just slightly, “is this simply a forbidden fruit situation?” A faint smile followed. “Wanting something you know you probably shouldn’t.” But even then, Mercy didn’t fully pull away. If anything, she seemed to grow bolder with the tension rather than retreat from it.

Slowly, she stepped closer again, though this time it was her arm she extended toward him, her wrist offered deliberately as she pushed the silk sleeve higher, exposing more skin beneath the warm lighting.

“If you want to sink your teeth into it that badly…” she murmured, her gaze fixed on him, unwavering now, “then do it. I dare you.” But even in the invitation there was still that unmistakable edge to her tone, that reminder that she was never entirely surrendering control. “Though,” she added softly, almost teasingly, “if you decide to take a little too much…” Her eyes flickered briefly toward his fangs before returning to his gaze. “…I highly doubt you’re going to enjoy the aftermath of that.”

His fingertips skittered over her thigh. Daring to move higher. “ Exactly. And you know … I am a gentleman, despite what you may think of me. I’d be more than happy to oblige. Of course, not with fangs. Other parts of me are far better suited for that. ”

He instinctively leaned closer with her, holding a breath he didn’t need to take. “ Give me the opportunity and I’ll find those places too … ” he said, trying not to allow himself to get distracted from the mental image of biting and sipping from her chest.

“ Of course I’m curious. Pleasure in intimacy is mutual … why else would I want to know? Because I want to show you that I’m not just a blood thirsty monster, and that I’m committed to making you feel as amazing as you make me feel when your blood rushes through me. Think of it as … returning the favour, in a way. ”

He said it as if he was doing her a favour, when actually, he just wanted her. “ Ask me to, and I’ll do anything you want, princess. ” He grinned at her next comment, “ Too late. ”

He maintained his gaze with her eyes, even when her finger was brushing over his lip. Hunger continued to gnaw at him - he was ravenous by now.

“ That sounds to me like you want this to be a recurring thing. Don’t worry, I can come back and grant you your fantasies and pleasures any time you want. ” His grin broadened, “ I don’t have motives. I just want to enjoy what I can from this immortal life I never wanted. If that means I get to escape grim reality with you, then I’m all for it. ”

Truthfully, Luis was a little stung by her comments, though he did understand why she’d be suspicious of his motives. He let out a short breathy laugh, incredulously, “ Believe it or not, I’m not just using you for personal gain. I’ve been able to look after myself for two centuries, I just got unlucky tonight. I don’t need my hand held. Can’t a man just enjoy the company of a beautiful woman without being questioned if he has ulterior motives? ”

He hesitated. “ I don’t expect you to stand by me. I know it’s forbidden, we’re on different sides, I get it. And … yeah that does make it more exciting, I admit … but I also know that if fate - as cruel as she is - put you in a position where I was captured by hunters or slayers, and you had to choose between killing me or betraying your people, that you wouldn’t hesitate to erase my existence from the planet. There’s not much in life that I still get any joy out of, so perhaps tonight I just want to remember how to feel something. ”

But then, even now, she surprised him. She could have kicked him out and left him for the hunters, but she actually … offered.

He watched her wrist. The rhythm of her pulse, beating ever so slightly quicker than before, a dulcet thrum in his ears that drowned out everything else. Including rational thought. The luxurious burn of her blood flooding his parched throat was all he could think of. He was almost certain her blood, her scent, her heat - they all perfectly resonated with him. His.

Luis reached for her wrist and grasped it gently. His aching fangs were sharp and ready as he lifted it to his lips, but it wasn’t her wrist that he wanted. He kissed it gently, feeling the pulse against his lips. His dark gaze flickered up to her eyes and he chose to risk everything for an opportunity. She’d given him permission. More or less.

He heard her warnings, but didn’t respond. Instead he lunged for her neck. A relieved and satisfied groan rumbled in his throat as his fangs buried deep, and he pushed her back into the sofa as he drank. And gods, it was even more divine for the second course. He wouldn’t take a lot from her, just enough to chase the high and satisfy the craving … but still he waited for a knife to the gut. Her blood flooded his veins and rushed through his ears, heat plummeting south as he felt a surge of euphoria. All senses sharpened and invigorated, he felt alive again. He could get used to this.

He healed the wound with a kiss, but he didn’t pull back. Continued to taste the skin of her neck with fervent kisses, still waiting for that knife to slice his chest open, but urgent need fuelled by the tension between them made it impossible to resist her any longer.