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A/N: you guys might hate me after this one lol this chapter has a lot going on in it, and is one of the longest chapters i've written. please keep in mind that this story will have a happy ending. i'm not that cruel. hope you enjoy, let me know what you think, and i'll see you for the second to last chapter next week :)
story description / ao3 link
trigger warning: ANGST, oh god… the angst, cursing, kidnapping, everything gets explained, mentions of: blood drinking, manipulation/vampire powers, fighting, slight gore (because of wounds and blood), lots of crying, surprise ending, ….death
word count: 8040
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The Southside had grown to be way more than quiet; they were unmoving. While this alone would have put The North on high alert, with the added information Eddie told them, it was all systems go to protect Dan now. No matter the cost.
Dan felt like he was between a rock and a hard place. He was scared, to say the least, at what was to come. But he also knew, in a weird way, he could help. Somehow, he was a shield. He was able to protect Phil, Pete, and Celeste and all they needed to be was around him. Maybe that ability could extend to others... somehow. He just didn't know how.
It had been over a week since Eddie killed himself. And every day, the tension of the war grew higher and higher. His stomach churned at the thought of Dmitri's plans. It was obvious something was coming, but Dan wasn't sure what. And Phil couldn't see into the future either. Because Dmitri never stayed on one path, he couldn't narrow down his next move.
But suddenly, one day, two advisors to Dmitri asked to meet on his behalf. They wanted a truce. Or at least some form of peace. Phil was willing to listen, but Dan had to be as far away as possible. So, he was barricaded into the apartment. Phil left half of his court there, wanting all of them to protect Dan. Dan thought that was a bit overkill, but understood why Phil wanted it that way.
He had been gone for a few hours, when Dan got a phone call. It was from Ashlee, who he hadn't seen in a couple weeks at this point.
“God, it's been so long. When are you coming back to work?” She exhaled dramatically.
He hummed, “I'm not sure. Things aren't... great around here right now.”
“Phil's being nice to you, right?” She questioned.
“Of course. Of course.” Dan bit back a smile, “Actually, we've grown really close since the last time you saw me.”
“That's good.” She giggled, “So, crazy idea on my part, but do you think you'd be able to sneak out again?”
Dan shook his head even though she couldn’t see him. “No. I can't, Ashlee.”
“Why not? Don't you want to have another run around the town before Phil comes back?” She asked, slyly.
“As much as I would love to get some air outside of this apartment, it's just not safe right now.” He admitted, leaning against the kitchen counter.
“I really think you should, Dan. It would be good for you. For me. I miss you.” Ashlee sounded like she was frowning.
“I miss you too, Ash. I'm sure when things cool down, we can hang out again. I promise.” He replied.
“I think we should hang out tonight.” She repeated.
He huffed, “I can't. I'm sorry.”
“No, Dan. I don't think you understand. We need to hang out tonight. Like right now.” She insisted, her voice lowering nervously.
“But I can't.” Dan furrowed his brow, her tone confusing him, “Is something wrong?”
“No! No, of course not! I-I just think it would be best if you... come outside. Now,” she swallowed hard, stammering. “I'm actually waiting outside your apartment.”
His heart dropped, his voice just above a whisper, “Ashlee... is someone in the car with you?”
She let out a scared laugh, “Um... uh. I-I can't-”
There was russelling in the background, Ashlee's voice muffled through the phone before coming back. But it wasn't her this time.
“Hello, Dan. I think you know who this is.” Dmitri spoke.
Dan felt his body freeze at the sound of his voice. He'd only heard him speak twice ever, but he could recognize it anywhere.
“Dmitri.” He uttered.
“Right. So, me and Ash are just sitting outside of Phil’s apartment right now. And I think both of us would really appreciate it if you came downstairs and went out with us. Well, with me. Ash is gonna be a bit busy later, so she can't hang. But she's nice enough to drive us.” He turned away from the phone, “Aren't you so nice, Ashlee?”
“Please don't hurt her.” He inhaled sharply.
“I won't, as long as you come outside. And don't worry about those pesky bodyguards Phil has out there for you.” Dmitri snickered, “They've been taken care of.”
Dan grabbed a piece of paper off of Phil's desk, writing out a message for him quickly. “Did you really need to do all of this just to get my attention?”
“Of course. I mean, you're obviously very special to me. Why not make some grand gestures like this?” He remarked.
“Kidnapping my friend? How classy of you.” Dan growled.
“Hmm, well, if you don't get down here in two minutes, it won't be kidnapping any longer. It'll be killing. So, if I were you, I'd pick up the pace!” Dmitri yelled, hanging up a second later.
Dan slipped shoes on, racing out the door and down the hallway to the stairs of the apartment. He passed an apartment door that was open, and inside he could see all of Phil's court, frozen and staring at the ceiling. They almost looked like mannequins the way they were petrified.
At least Dmitri hadn't killed them all.
He went down the stairs, his heart pounding in his ears. He could only hope that Phil would know he's in danger, and that he would see the note he left.
Dmitri is taking me. Follow Ashlee. Love you. Fuck fate.
Dan stepped out into the crisp air of London, noticing Ashlee's car straight away. Dmitri was standing on the outside of it, leaning against it nonchalantly. He smiled at Dan, opening the backseat car door for him.
“Get in.” He commanded.
Dan glared. “Let her go.”
“I will, once you get in.” His smile continued, not reaching his eyes.
Dmitri closed the distance between him and Dan in a flash, pulling him along to the car. “Where are you taking me?”
“Out. I think it's time you see my place for a change.” Dmitri gripped the back of Dan's neck, shoving him into the back seat hastily. Dan stumbled in, looking at Ashlee.
He sat up, touching her arm. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
“No. God, do you really think that low of me?” Dmitri scoffed. “Tell him, Ashlee. Tell him exactly what I've done to you.”
“He found me outside of my house, and told me to get in my car and take him to you. He's been very kind, apart from saying he plans to rip my throat out if I scream. Then he said to call you and ask to come outside. And now, we are going to his house.” Her voice was almost robotic, her hands white knuckling the steering wheel. “Please fasten your seatbelt, Dan.”
“Jesus Christ…” Dan whispered, falling back against his seat.
“Not many have called me that.” Dmitri joked.
Dan scowled, his heart banging in his chest. “You're disgusting. A monster.”
“I'll show you a monster if you don't shut the fuck up, Daniel.” Dmitri turned to Ashlee, “Drive.”
Ash sped off, following Dmitri's directions along the way. He occasionally would look back at Dan, giving him a once over and a grin, before turning back to the road. Ash was stiff in her seat, listening to Dmitri's every word like her life depended on it.
Because it did.
Dan felt hot in his seat, the breeze from the cracked window giving him chills. He wanted to throw up, he wanted to scream, he wanted to strangle Dmitri and tear his face off. But the fear that raced through his veins made it impossible. Plus, he didn't know what Dmitri had up his sleeve. God only knows what he told Ashlee to do to herself if he stepped out of line.
So he stayed frozen, quiet, in his seat. Anger building higher and higher in his chest.
He got lucky when he killed Kayla so long ago. He wasn't sure if he could fight Dmitri and win. Or live.
They arrived at Dmitri's house after what felt like an eternity in the car. It was a big, white mansion. It stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the other houses that they had passed by. It was obvious that he had had this built especially for him. He truly was a loser through and through.
Dmitri stepped out of the car, sighing deeply as he did. He opened Dan's car door again, waiting for him to come out. Dan slid out of the car, staring down Dmitri as he did. He only grinned back, closing the car door quickly.
“You were a very good boy, Daniel. Followed all of my directions to a T, even though I can't control you. Good job.” He cooed.
Dan blinked. “You're talking to me like I'm a dog.”
“And if I ask, you'll bark for me like one. Or I'll rip her throat out,” he shrugged. Then he tapped the glass of the passenger window. “Sweetheart, roll down the window for me.”
Ashlee did, looking up at him. “Yes?”
“You're free to go, okay? You can head home and go back to doing whatever you were in the middle of. My apologies for scaring you like that, I just needed a ride.” Dmitri beamed brightly, jesting. “And those bloody cabs anymore just cost an arm and a leg, you know?”
She chuckled nervously, “Right.”
“However, if you could do one more thing for me.” His tone lowered, darkening. “If Phil finds you and asks where Dan is... cut your tongue out. Go now.”
“No! No! Ashlee!” Dan screamed, trying to grab her car door before she could drive off. Dmitri held him tightly, Dan's arms flailing against his chest. Dan watched in horror as Ashlee drove away, Dmitri laughing right in his ear.
“How pitiful, really.” He snorted.
“You said you wouldn't hurt her if I listened!” Dan shouted, his chest heaving with shallow breaths.
“You did! Now, it will be Phil that ends up hurting her if he asks where you are.” Dmitri stated, an evil expression crossing his face.
“Let go of me, don't touch me!” Dan fought against Dmitri's hold, punching him hard in the face and chest. Dmitri was unmoving.
The world blurred around Dan for a second, wind gushing past him. They were suddenly inside the mansion, somewhere in a big living room. Dmitri dropped him on the floor, the hard marble bruising his bones as he fell to his knees.
“You're doing all this freaking out when you know Phil isn't gonna ask Ashlee where you went. Obviously he'll see you're gone and know it's me and that you're here.” He shook his head, “Don't be ridiculous, Daniel.”
Dan slowly stood up, his eyes narrowing. “The truce meeting was all a set up, wasn't it?”
“Of course. Why the fuck would I want a truce to a war I'm winning?” he sassed. “Not to mention, I have tons more humans I can change on this side just to keep up with the little that Phil has left. I could do this for eons.”
Dan shook his head, looking away from him. He gazed around the room, and noticed the gaudy furniture. “Your house is ugly. You should focus more on your interior design rather than war.”
“What, let me guess, you think everything in here should be black? How original.” He rolled his eyes. He pointed at the two dining room chairs awkwardly placed in the middle of the room. “You can sit down, you know. I don't plan on biting you.”
“I'll stand, thanks.” He grunted.
Dmitri blinked, glaring at Dan. It was the first time Dmitri actually looked upset at Dan, he noted. Another flash of movement, and Dan was forced into a chair, his hands tied behind his back. He gasped, feeling the binds tightly around his wrists. He shook against them, but nothing budged. “God, you can't take no for an answer.”
He patted his shoulder condescendingly, “‘No’ hasn't been in my vocabulary for a long time, babe.”
Dmitri moseyed over to his bar cart, making a drink for himself. Dan watched him, his eyes like daggers at the back of his skull. Dmitri finally sat down across from Dan, taking a sip of his drink. “Mmm, a whiskey sour. My new favorite. Not as good as when you made it, though.”
“What the fuck do you want from me?” Dan spat.
“Can't we just hang out? I thought we could be friends.” Dmitri pouted.
He snarled, “I'd rather die than be your friend.”
“Hmm, that can be arranged,” his face dropped, before turning back into a smirk. “But that's not why you're here. I made my intentions very clear the first time we met. The whole point of this war has been for the same exact reason: I just want you to join my side. Be in my court.”
“I don't-” Dan started.
Dmitri raised his hand, stopping him. “Now before you answer, I think there are some things you need to know. I don't just want you to be in my court, I want you to be my second in command. That's pretty huge. You would basically be like the Queen of South London.”
He jeered. “No thanks. I'm good. Besides, weren't your second in command Alec and Mike?”
“Yeah, but they've... moved onto greener pastures.” He sighed, taking another sip of his drink.
He leaned forward in his seat, accusingly. “Eddie told me you killed them the night after they attacked me.”
Dmitri cocked his head, “And where's Eddie now?”
Dan pressed his shoulders back into the chair, “You know what happened to him.”
“Damn, that sucks. He was a good kid, you know. Came here begging to be killed, but then found a new purpose in life. But at least he got his wish, thanks to Phil.” He laughed coldly, “At this rate, Phil's gonna be just like me with how many people he's killed.”
“Phil is nothing like you, you fucking piece of shit!” Dan screeched.
“Sticks and stones, Daniel. I'm five hundred years old, my dear. Your words do not hurt me.” He hummed, “But let me guess, Eddie spilled all of my secrets to you guys and now you think you know everything about me.”
“He told us everything. The way you have to control everyone around you just to make them stay.” Dan narrowed his gaze, staring into Dmitri’s eyes. “How badly does it hurt that no one actually likes you in reality? Does it make you feel better about your shitty life when you force them to do what you want?”
Dmitri clicked his tongue against his teeth, raising to his feet. He grabbed a cloth napkin off of the bar cart, wrapping it around Dan's head and covering his mouth. He tied it tightly, firmly muffling Dan.
“Much better. You do a lot of talking for someone who is cursed to die. And by the way, I know about that thanks to your little witch friend.” He took a long swig from his drink, finishing it off. “She put up a good fight. Literally stabbed me in the back before trying to get away. Tough cookie that one is. Was.”
Dan fought back against his binds and gag, eyes wide with rage.
“Let me just say my piece, and then maybe I'll ungag you so you can respond.”
Dmitri sat back down in front of Dan. He lounged back in his seat, spreading his legs leisurely. He looked around, a contemplative look on his face. “Okay, now, where to begin?”
Dan rolled his eyes, wishing he could tell Dmitri to shut the fuck up.
“I don't fully remember how or when I was turned. But I do remember my maker. He was... An amazing being. Truly remarkable. Unlike anyone I had ever met before. And he believed in me, deeply. He saw a great in me I didn't see in myself when I was human. That's why he changed me in the first place. He knew I could be something bigger than just human.” He smiled sincerely, “And he was right. He trained me, helped me strengthen my powers. It was insane the abilities I had so early on because of him. I truly can't thank him enough for what he did for me.”
Dmitri crossed his leg over his lap, taking a deep breath. “Unfortunately for him, for us really, there was a war that broke out. And he died in battle. I had fought with him, so the moment he passed, I knew. I saw it. And... the smell of his blood... I just couldn't get it out of my brain. And I was so hungry at the time - it's hard drinking blood in the middle of a war without getting caught. So, I had some of his. And I just kept going. I drank it all, sucked him dry until he looked mummified. It was quite the feat, honestly.”
Dan winced, looking away from Dmitri's eyes.
“Sorry for the mental image, but it's the truth,” he frowned. “It was the power I felt afterwards that really caught me off guard. Human blood is great. Don't get me wrong. It makes you feel rejuvenated. Alive, the whole nine yards. But vampire blood? It's like a drug. It makes you feel unlike anything else on the planet. And when you've been alive for so many years, anything that makes you feel something new... you need to hold onto it.”
“Once I learned that vampire blood did that, I just knew I had to keep going. Push farther, see if it was true for all vamps or just your maker. So, I started making vampires.” He stood up lazily, laughing to himself. “Something my maker would have been completely against. He wasn't for making more vampires than necessary. He only created me because he wanted a companion. He saw us as demons that should do their best to repent for being such. A lot of self-hatred on his part, if you ask me. Personally, becoming a vampire was the best thing that could have ever happened to me, and I’m not ashamed of it. I finally was able to love myself, once I was turned.”
Dmitri stepped towards Dan, tilting his chin up towards him, "Which is why I think you would make an excellent vampire. You deserve to like yourself too, Daniel."
Dan pulled his head back, groaning against the gag. He tugged at his binds, trying to free himself to no avail.
“Where was I? Oh, right. Making vampires. I started doing that. It was nice at first, but it seemed like a lot of the vamps I made didn't want to stick around. They wanted to go off and live their own lives without me, which was deeply annoying,” he huffed. “So, I would make them, kill them, and repeat the cycle once they started boring me. But slowly over time, I started to realize I didn't have to kill anymore. Suddenly, the powers I had that worked on humans... started working on vampires too. And I never saw a vampire that could do that; control other vampires. I knew my maker believed me to be special, but I didn't think I could be this special.”
He walked around Dan, placing his hands on his shoulders. He pressed in just hard enough to almost hurt. “So, I set my sights on London. And at the time, balls and soirees were all the rage. Which was fantastic: meet tons of new people, see who was the most interesting, turn them, and force them to stick around with me. My hope was to slowly grow a den, because courts weren't really a thing yet. And I figured this would be the perfect place to start.”
He finally let go, slowly stepping in front of Dan. “Plus, there was a lot of extra humans to feed from. Especially at night. It was so fun to go hunting at night back then. I miss being able to do that, you know.”
Dan cursed at Dmitri, glaring at him. He couldn't have been more disgusted with him if he tried.
Or so he hoped.
“I will say, the one downside to being able to control everyone is you don't get pushback. Sometimes, I liked the chase. The push and pull of breaking someone's mind to my will. It was so fun to watch the light drain from someone's eyes as they lost control. And I just couldn't get that anymore with how strong I was.” Dmitri paced back and forth in front of Dan idly, his tone sad. “Life became sort of boring, even with the change of scenery and the fresh hunting ground to feast upon. But one night... something amazing happened.”
Dan glanced up at Dmitri, whose eyes were already waiting for him.
“I was at some ball at this big estate, scoping out a new target. I wasn't sure if I wanted to turn someone, drink, or hook up. Because even back then, the DLs were pretty hard to come by. And eventually, I saw this one guy there. He was incredibly handsome. Dare I say, one of the most attractive in the room. Dark hair, dark eyes, tall. The works.” He looked away, almost bashfully. “Girls swarmed him at the beginning of the ball, asking for a dance. And I think he danced with one or two, before declining the rest. And while I was watching him, I saw that someone else was watching him. Another man.”
Dan furrowed his brow. All he could hope for was that Dmitri would stop talking. But something about the way he was speaking made Dan's ears perk up.
“It was quite obvious that this man that was watching my man clearly had a thing for him as well. And the moment he left the dance floor, they were just conjoined at the hip, hugging the walls of the ballroom together. I was so fascinated by the both of them. Because it was obvious something was going on there, and they were just terrible at hiding it,” he chuckled. “So I asked around, and nobody really knew them that well. Just that they were both from well off families and were unmarried. Which was sort of shocking, given their ages. They were in their mid thirties with no wives? And in society? How odd.”
A smile crept along Dmitri's lips, a snicker falling a moment later. “The next time I saw them, I just knew I had to ask. At the very least, I needed to have my chance with the handsome one. So, I was able to corner him away from everyone, away from his partner. And I straight up said to him 'I know what you are. And I'm that too. Let's get to know each other better.'”
Dmitri suddenly let out a humorless laugh. “And the funniest thing happened… “He said 'no' to me. Something I hadn't heard in over 300 years at the time.”
The room grew cold against Dan’s skin as Dmitri's eyes widened, a crazed stare deep within them, just pooling under the surface. Dan couldn’t help but suck in a breath. “That was my first mistake, I believe. Not realizing that this man was just as special as I, in a way. My maker always said my ego would be the death of me. I didn't want to believe him, but I think he was almost right.”
“I couldn't help but fixate my time on this guy after that. I stalked him during the day, and at night I saw where he would go off to with his lover. It was odd to me, because I was able to control his lover just fine.” He assured, amusingly, “Didn't make him do anything too crazy, but like... I did force him to dance with a girl that I knew fancied him deeply. Told him to show affection to her too. That, not gonna lie, was hilarious to watch. Because my man... oh boy, did he get jealous.”
Dan's heart sped up in his chest, an uneasy feeling settling deep within his bones.
“But as the season dragged on, I realized that the more time they spent together, the harder it was for me to control his lover. It truly was unlike anything I had seen before. It infuriated me to no end. I was losing... to a human. Impossible,” he whispered, anger dripping from the single word. “I think the rage that bubbled up inside of me just spilled over one night, and I made the decision that I needed to make this man mine, finally. So, I followed them home, down a secluded side street after a ball - because they liked walking back to his place at night rather than taking a carriage. Less conspicuous, I assume. I watched them act all giggly, stopping to kiss in the shadows of buildings or behind walls away from passerbys. It was cute, in a nauseating way.”
He grew closer to Dan, his face a mere couple inches from his own. Dan's breath came out in shallow gulps. His story... it all sounded familiar.
“And I went for it. I figured, kill the lover, turn the other. Easy.” Dmitri's face twisted furiously, “But it wasn't. Somehow, I fucked up at the last second... and killed the wrong one. The one I wanted. The one I had my sights on for months.”
He leaned in, his eyes boring into Dan’s. “You.”
Dan's heart was in his throat, his body frigid in dread. He cried out against the gag, shaking in his chair and binds.
“That was the only time I had ever fucked up, you know. I was so angry. All I could think was 'I proved my maker wrong. I'm not made for greatness.'” His movements grew manic, his eyes wide. “I was so furious and Phil was just screaming his head off like a little bitch that I decided fuck it, let me just change him instead. Who cares? I already fucked up one thing, might as well fuck up the other.”
Dmitri slumped down in his seat, exhaling an annoyed breath. “I left London not too long after that. Completely ashamed of myself. The one thing my maker taught me was to learn from my mistakes, so I took that to heart. I practiced everywhere I went after that, reliving the moment over and over again. Trying to see where I went wrong. Because this, truly, was the royalist of fuck ups I ever made. I mean, you were right there! And somehow I thought you were Phil. And vice versa. Genuinely, ruined me for like a solid hundred years. Honestly, in a way, it's your and Phil's fault I killed so many people. I couldn't stop myself from replaying that memory over and over again every time I went somewhere new.”
Tears welled up in Dan's eyes, his chest aching painfully. His arms felt weak, his hands starting to lose circulation.
“A lot of time passed, and I had finally stopped killing. I had made a name for myself out here, becoming King of South London. It was great, I had a court of my own. And I had plans to take over and have all of London under my feet. That definitely would have been one way to get back at the city I fucked up in.” He laughed, leaning back in his chair. “Then one day, out of nowhere, I saw you. You were a lot younger than you were, are. You must have only been in uni or so. Maybe just out of it? Not sure.”
“I knew it wasn't you from all those years ago, but a version of you. A doppelgänger of some sort, maybe. So, I did my usual, and stalked. Kept tabs on you, followed you around when I could. Because I needed to know if you still had those... shielding powers that you had all those years ago.” He cocked his head, teasingly. “It was hard to tell, because you weirdly avoided vampires. Which is rich, coming from someone that wanted to die to them.”
Dan narrowed his eyes at Dmitri, biting the gag harshly.
“Finding out that not only you were alive, but Phil was too, was shocking to my very core. I didn't think Phil survived after all these years. And to think, he became my opposing King? Crazy. I didn't think he had it in him... to live. Without you.” He gave a small smirk, his tone mocking. “The way he cried when you died, you could really tell he was in love.”
Dan lurched forward in his chair, snarling against the gag. Dmitri chuckled, pushing Dan back into the chair with one finger.
“Down dog, I was just teasing. I definitely underestimated Phil, if it makes you feel any better. He took out a whole den of vampires like it was nothing before they could kill you. So I knew I had to get stronger. I had been slacking for years, only occasionally drinking vamp blood. But now I knew, I had to get back down to business. Really hone in on the vamp creating and blood drinking. So I did just that for a couple years.” His voice sharpened, focusing his eyes off in the distance as he remembered. “I was ready to attack Phil, until Eddie told me about you working in North London. He saw you in a vision, meeting Phil. So, I told Alec and Mike to bring you to me. Maybe then I could fix what I did wrong all those years ago with a lot less bloodshed.”
Dmitri stood up, walking towards the bar cart. He grabbed a glass bottle at the bottom of the cart, a deep brownish red liquid inside. He poured a glass of it, taking a sip hastily.
“Those dumb motherfuckers just had to try to bite you, instead. I wanted them to bring you to me. Hell, I was even nice enough to not use my powers on them, because at that point I basically had them brainwashed to do what I wanted without it. Not to mention, they were so starved, they couldn't really disobey me anyway. But your blood... was just too much for them. But I guess you can tell what happened to them.” He shook his glass at Dan. “Cheers, to those idiots.”
Dmitri downed his drink, turning back to Dan. “I still didn't have proof of the shielding abilities you have. Just that vamp powers didn't work on you. It wasn't until the night the war began that I knew you were just like you were all those years ago. I tried using my powers on Phil, and they didn't work. Tried it on the other two too, and again... nothing.”
He strutted up to Dan, grabbing his face and twisting it upwards to look at him. “I have wanted you for two hundred years. You have plagued me in ways no one else has. I desire you deeply, and at the same time, you annoy me greatly. To be honest, if I still had my humanity, I think I would love you.”
He held Dan's face a bit longer, his grip tightening until Dan let out a whimper in pain. He let go, tugging the gag out of Dan's mouth and letting it stay around his neck. Then Dmitri sat back down, gazing at Dan almost longingly.
“I'm going to make you an offer, Daniel. If you join my side, I'll leave Phil alone. And I promise to not turn another human. Just you, and that's all I need. Hell, for an added bonus, I'll even give up my kingdom in exchange for you. Let Phil take over and run London. Make it the peaceful utopia he thinks he could. And you and I could go somewhere else. Far away. Secluded.” He bit his lower lip, “It would be nice, I think.”
Dan swallowed any saliva in his mouth, his voice coming out hoarse. “I don't make deals with devils.”
“See, I would believe that if I didn't know you were cursed,” he pointed. “You're destined to die, and all because you're with Phil. It would make so much more sense for you to just be with me instead. The both of you can go on living, separately of course. And you won't be chased down by fate or destiny. Neither of those things affect me.”
Dan retorted. “You think so? That's pretty arrogant.”
“I'm a God amongst the living and dead, able to control both at my whim. Why would I believe in such a simple thing?” he sneered, scoffing. “Besides, fated partners sounds like some romcom bullshit. I'm surprised someone as cynical as you would believe in it.”
He shook his head. “It doesn't matter to me if I'm fated to Phil or not. I chose him. Forever.”
“But think of what I can do for you, Daniel.” Dmitri dropped to his knees in front of him, his hands cupping Dan’s thighs. “There's a period of time when a vampire is turned, the first year or so, that they don't have powers or abilities. So, you’ll be like everyone else. And my powers will work on you. I’ll be able to help you.”
Dan leaned as far back in his chair as he could, raising an eyebrow at Dmitri. “Help me?”
“I can turn your emotions off. Your humanity. Or, I can make you permanently happy. Happy in a way that Phil never could. Wouldn't it be nice to be unburdened from it all? You won't have to feel heartbreak or sadness anymore.” Dmitri pressed a single finger into Dan’s chest, staring up into his eyes. “I know the kid that tried to kill himself is still in there, and wouldn't it be nice to just let that boy... live, for once? Unleashed? You'll never feel like a loser again. You’ll never care what anyone thinks about you ever again. Your friends, your family, strangers... none of it will matter. The pain of other's words and emotions, they'll be gone from your life forever. Isn't that what you want? Peace? Ease? If you let me turn you, I'll do that.”
Dan gritted his teeth, rage building inside of him. “No. Don't act like you know who I am.”
“I think I do-” He began.
“You don't!” Dan yelled, cutting him off. He shoved Dmitri’s touch off of him as best he could, “It might suck being in my own head sometimes, but if it meant being heartless like you... if it meant living life without Phil... I'd rather die.”
“Hmm. Pity.” He stood up quickly, brushing himself off before locking his eyes with Dan’s again. HIs voice was tense, biting. “You know, that voice in your head is right, Daniel. Phil will never truly love you. I mean, just wait until you're turned. When you become a monster... What will he think of you then? What if you accidentally kill someone? You think the kind, innocent Phil will see you the same after that? What if you change over the centuries of being together? Who's gonna love you then when everyone else is gone and Phil's done with you? Will he accept the real you? I don't think you know him well enough to answer that.”
“I do.” He fumed.
He shrugged, almost sounding bored. “Whatever makes you feel better, babe. Because even if you become the biggest monster known to mankind, I would still want you.”
Dan scowled, “You don't know me.”
“If only that were true…” He smiled, then shoved the gag back into Dan’s mouth.
The front doors to the mansion slammed opened, the hinges giving way; wood splintering off. Phil stomped through the broken doors, his eyes searching, until landing on Dmitri and Dan. Dmitri spun to the noise, laughing. “Phil! So nice of you to show up, finally. Did you ask Ashlee for directions?”
Phil was covered in blood, his eyes glowing red and fangs bared as he stepped towards them. “No need. Your court members did a lot more talking once all that was left of them was a torso.”
“You took off their limbs?” He gasped, “How medieval of you.”
“Let Dan go, Dmitri. This is between the two of us.” Phil barked.
“You have no idea how incorrect that is,” he chuckled darkly. “How about this? You let me have Dan, or you die.”
“Listen to me, Dmitri. I actually have an offer for you that you might want more than Dan.” He stated, taking another step closer to them.
Dmitri pressed, “Which is?”
“My court. And all of London.” Phil paused, taking a deep breath, “And me.”
He hummed, nodding his head. “Continue.”
“I will offer up my court, and you can have all of London as your kingdom - something you have clearly wanted since I became King of the Northside. And... you can have me.” He offered.
Dmitri crossed his arms, “What makes you think I want you?”
“Eddie was a psychic. You were using him to see into the future, to see other's thoughts and plans. I am twice as strong as he was. I'll be able to help you any time you want. You can plan for the future and never be wrong again about anything. You can take me as prisoner instead.” Phil explained.
Dan yelled against his gag, shaking his head furiously at Phil. Phil's eyes softened at Dan, before looking back up at Dmitri.
“Hmm... you do have a point. Not to mention, that little shit told me you wouldn't even fight for Dan.” He groaned an exhale, “I had this all planned out... and now things have changed. I'm getting really sick of change.”
“Exactly. I won't ever lie to you about what the future holds. As long as you let Dan go.” Phil uttered.
Dmitri turned his gaze to Dan, his hand running through his hair gently. His touch iced Dan to his core, his body trembling in anger and fear.
“How about... no.”
Dmitri suddenly lunged at Phil, teeth gnashing and eyes fiery red. They began to fight so fast it was hard for Dan to see. The crack of each hit against one another was like thunder, booming off the walls of the mansion. Dan tried to watch as he fought against his binds, shaking violently in his chair. He was able to force the gag out, a loud groan releasing as he did so.
“Hit his back! Gwen stabbed him!” He shrieked at Phil.
Phil listened, driving a stake into Dmitri's lower back. He roared out in pain, his body convulsing against the weapon. His movements became more frenzied, his hands punching and clawing at Phil somehow harder than before. He sunk his teeth into Phil's shoulder, ripping out a huge chunk of flesh. Phil cried out in pain, but kept fighting.
Dmitri unlodged the stake from his back, forcefully stabbing it towards Phil's ribcage. Phil dodged multiple times, running away in a flash from Dmitri. But Dmitri was faster, catching him quickly with an arm around his neck. He squeezed his neck as he pushed the stake into Phil’s lower chest, jamming it higher and higher up.
Dan could hear Phil's ribs break with each push forward by Dmitri. He was finally able to get a look at Phil, and he looked worse for wear than Dmitri. He was bleeding from his shoulder, his clothes soaked in a mix of his blood and others. His body was scratched and beaten, and the fear in his eyes as the stake rose higher made Dan's heart stop.
He was watching Phil die and there was nothing he could do about it.
“Stop!” Dan screamed, tears streaming down his face, “Please stop!!”
Dmitri's crazed smirk widened at Dan's plea. “Aww, what's the matter, Daniel? Don't like watching your lover die? This is how it was always supposed to be!”
“I'll do it! I'll do what you want. You can have me instead, just let Phil live.” He begged, “Please!
“No, Dan! Don't fucking say that!” Phil panted.
A gurgled cry left Phil’s mouth, terror etched into his face as Dmitri shoved the stake deeper into his chest. It was mere inches away from his heart, the tip just grazing the beating organ. Phil gripped Dmitri’s hand with everything in him, doing his best to stop him. “I would be careful with my next word, Phil. If you move an inch too far, this stake will go straight through your heart.”
“Dmitri, listen to me. I'll do it. You can change me. I'll join your court.” Dan sobbed, “Just don't kill him, please.”
He dropped Phil to the floor, whose chest heaved with pained breaths as he held the stake in his hand, making sure it didn't move forward anymore. Dmitri stalked over to Dan, smiling softly at him. He wiped his tears from his cheeks roughly, cupping his face and turning it towards him. “I knew you would come around.”
Dan held back the burn of bile rising in his throat from Dmitri’s touch, “Let me say goodbye to him. That's all I ask.”
He rolled his eyes, nodding his head. “Sure. Whatever.”
Dmitri reached around and broke Dan's binds, pushing him forward. Dan crawled to Phil hastily, his hands touching his skin in an instant; soothing Phil.
“W-What do you need from me, Phil?” Dan asked, searching Phil’s face.
Phil’s eyes fluttered in pain, “Take it out. I-I can't.”
“Okay.” Dan wrapped his hands around the stake, yanking it out of Phil's chest. The wound gushed blood, covering Dan's clothes and hands as he pressed into the wound to stop it.
“Fuck! God, it hurts.” Phil bellowed, wincing harshly.
“You'll heal, okay? It's gonna be fine. You're gonna be better in no time.” Dan reassured, pressing with all of his weight into the wound to stop the bleeding.
Phil’s lower lip quivered, his voice only slightly above a whisper. “This wasn't how it was supposed to go.”
“I know. But it's okay.” Dan tried to smile, “You get to live and so will I.”
“But with him? As his slave or whatever he wants? That's not a life.” Phil grunted, his hand holding Dan’s to his chest.
“I can't let you die.” Dan murmured, lamenting.
He shook his head pathetically, “This isn't fair. We had so much more time.”
“And maybe we will.” He laughed bitterly, “Maybe in another life.”
Phil weeped, “But I wanted it to be this one.”
“Me too.” Dan agreed, tears staining his cheeks.
Dmitri deadpanned, “Tick tock, love birds. I don't have all day.”
Dan ignored Dmitri's words, his forehead resting against Phil's. “I love you. I have always loved you, and I will continue to even when I'm gone.”
Phil’s fingers laced around the back of Dan’s neck, keeping him as close as possible. “I've always loved you, too.”
“I promise you... I will find you again. I'll come back to you, in this life or the next. We will always find each other.” He promised, croaking, “It's destiny.”
“Dan, please.” He quaked.
The hands grasping Phil trembled, “You were the best thing that ever happened to me. I loved every second we spent together.”
“Even the fighting?” Phil questioned, an ounce of humor in his tone.
“Especially the fighting.” Dan giggled, before letting out a choked sob. “There will never be a moment that goes by that I won't be thinking of you, you got me?”
Phil nodded, his body shuddering. “I will fight for you until my last breath, Dan. We will be together again. I promise you.”
Dan squeezed his eyes shut, tears streaming down his cheeks and onto Phil's body. “I love you, Phil.”
He said it like a prayer. “I love you, Dan.”
“Alright, that's enough.” Dmitri stomped over, grabbing Dan by the back of the shirt and yanking him upwards onto his feet. He wrapped his arm around Dan tightly, pushing him into his body. Dan tried to separate from Dmitri, but his hold was too strong.
Phil's eyes suddenly turned white, his pupils completely gone. His body convulsed for a moment, his mouth falling open into a silent gasp.
“Phil? Phil, what's wrong?!” Dan asked in a panic, trying to step towards him. Dmitri stared down at Phil, confused and bothered.
Phil came to a second later, his eyes finding Dmitri's face. His mouth contorted into a smile, a laugh escaping his lips. It rose into a cackle, pained and maniacal.
“What the hell are you laughing at, Lester?” Dmitri groaned.
When he finally stopped, he flinched in pain, before chuckling again. “Oh, Dmitri. Your future is looking... pretty bad.”
“That was you... having a vision?” He stepped towards him, Dan still in his hold. “What did you see?”
He smirked devilishly, “Oh, nothing. Nothing you would want to know about. You already declined my offer, so it doesn't matter.”
Dmitri shoved Dan off, dropping down to the floor and gripping Phil's shirt. “Say what you saw or I’ll kill you now.”
“I saw you turning Dan. And sure, for a while, you get the upper hand on him. Control him how you want, make him 'love you' and obey. But that only gets you about a month or so. Much shorter than the time you’re expecting.” Phil grinned mischievously. “Then... when his powers come in, you're fucked.”
“What?” He hissed.
“He's stronger than you in every way possible. Your powers are no match for his. You die a pathetic loser, begging and crying out to... some guy named Ezekias.” Phil informed, his icy blue eyes somehow the coldest they’ve ever been.
Dmitri stepped back, standing upright and rigid. Dan could see the despair in his eyes at that name. It was like he saw a ghost from the moment that name left Phil's lips. “H-how do you-?”
“Your maker, huh?” Phil guessed. “How would he feel about you now, Dmitri? Father wouldn't be too proud, now would he?”
“You know nothing about him!” Dmitri thundered.
“I imagine your maker didn't see you dying in such a pitiful way, though. You barely make it to the end of this year if you leave this house with Dan.” He jeered.
Dmitri suddenly looked panicked, his eyes searching around the room. He stumbled back, his heart racing and his hands clenching and unclenching nervously against his side. “I didn't plan for this. I didn't think I could lose. I can't lose!” Dmitri belted.
He raced to the bar cart, and threw it against the wall; the glass and cart shattering into hundreds of pieces. Alcohol and vampire blood stained the walls.
His eyes found Dan's, and he flashed over to him, gripping his neck and lifting him high enough that he had to stand on his tip toes. “You! You have been the bane of my existence since the moment I laid eyes on you two hundred years ago!”
Dan dug his nails into Dmitri's hand, trying to loosen his grip.
“The both of you have caused me nothing but grief for over half of my life. All I wanted was you, and now you're the reason I die? Fuck no. I won't die like some worthless human,” he seethed. “I am a god amongst men. Death and fate cannot touch me!”
Dmitri glared into Dan's eyes, giving a quick glance over at Phil, before turning back to Dan. He gave him a once over, licking his lips.
“Such a shame. I had so many plans for you and I.” He exhaled a hard breath, “Thank you, Phil. I appreciate your insight into my future.”
Dan drifted his eyes to Phil, his vision fading, blackening. He tried to give him a reassuring look, letting him know it would all be okay. Phil’s face was contorted in distress as he gazed upon Dan.
And then with a quick squeeze, Dmitri snapped Dan's neck.
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A/N: hey guys, long time no see. is it weird for me to say it feels like it's been forever since i last posted even though it's not?? idk why but this past week went by so slowly. not that i'm complaining, it was just... odd. also HOLY SHIT i cannot believe we are getting very close to the end of this story. three more chapters guys !!! hope you enjoy this one. it's quite angsty. lmk what you think and i'll see you in the next one.
story description / ao3 link
trigger warning: ANGST, kidnapping/surrendering (not any of the main characters), chained/tied up, cursing, mentions of: torture, vampire bites, vampire blood drinking, suicide, dmitri truly is a monster CONFIRMED, manipulation, death, lots of lore drops
word count: 4452
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A couple days had passed since Dan's interaction with Gwen. Phil had somehow found time to go to her and get his soul read, only for her to see no curse on his soul either. Which only led her to believe that maybe it was fate that Dan was destined to die.
He couldn't believe that. And wouldn't. For the sake of his own sanity and out of pure stubbornness. The one good thing in his life wasn't going to be taken away from him, no matter what anyone else said.
And the war was still raging on, which helped him forget about his fated troubles. But the attacks began to slow; which only made North London vamps, and Dan, anxious.
What was Dmitri planning? What was coming next?
~\/~\/~
Dan was awoken one night to the shaking of the bed, his mind immediately going into a panic as his eyes adjusted to the dark.
Pete stood at the end of it, looking at him with wide eyes. “Someone surrendered from Dmitri's court. He's willing to talk.”
Dan blinked, still waking up. “Oh... why are you-”
“I figured you would want to know what he has to say, instead of being filled in on it later.” He stated.
Dan paused, then nodded as he jumped out of bed quickly. He got dressed and followed Pete. They went to the basement of the building, something Dan hadn't ever done before. Underground, tucked away, was an interrogation room of sorts. A little window on the door was the only way to see inside. All that was in the room was an overhead light, a metal chair, and a man. A vampire. Chained up.
He looked young, not much older than 22. He was bruised, sweating, and dirty. His entire body was covered in vampire bites, making Dan's stomach churn. If these were the ones Dan could see, he could only imagine how many more were only noticeable by vampire eyes.
The man also looked starved; sickly and pale even for a vampire. His gaze, distraught. Dan chewed his bottom lip, almost feeling bad for the kid.
Phil narrowed his eyes as he saw Dan, “Pete, why would you grab Dan? I told you specifically to stay with him and make sure he's safe.”
“Dan needs to hear this just as much as you do, Phil. Besides, the bastard's tied up. He can't attack him.” Pete argued.
Phil thought about it for a moment, nodding slightly. “I guess you're right.” He turned to Dan, “If for even a second I think he's going to attack... you're gone. You hear me?”
“Yes, your majesty.” Dan smirked.
Phil was not amused. “I'm serious, Daniel.”
“And I'm serious too, Phil.” Dan leaned in, whispering low enough for only Phil to hear, “Fuck fate.”
He bit back a smile, then turned to the interrogation door. “Alright, let's go in.”
Pete pushed it open, and Phil walked in first, followed by Celeste and Dan. Pete shut and locked it behind him a second later.
The man sitting in the chair raised his head, his eyes snaking over everyone. “Thank you for not killing me, King Phil. King Dmitri would not have been so kind if it was the other way around.”
Phil warned, crossing his arms. “I wouldn't be thanking me yet. What's your name?”
“Eddie.” He replied.
“Why exactly did you want to be surrendered?” Celeste asked.
“Because I have important information about Dmitri that I bet you would be willing to hear out... in exchange for my safety.” Eddie offered.
“Your safety?” Phil repeated.
“I was Dmitri's... blood bag. As he so lovingly called me,” he smiled bitterly. “And I know a lot because of it.”
Pete rolled his eyes. “Lemme guess, and he turned you accidentally, throwing you out to the wolves.”
“No. I escaped from his home. And I've been a vampire since the moment I joined his court. And that was about two years ago.” He corrected.
A heavy silence filled the room, minds reeling at Eddie’s words. Phil stared at the vamp with contempt in his eyes. He didn’t speak, however.
Celeste sighed, “But... that doesn't-”
“He drinks vampire blood.” Eddie interjected, his eyes staying on Phil.
Pete pffted, snickering, “Yeah, okay.”
“You don't believe me? Look at the bite marks all over me! These are just the ones he left visible.” He barked, pulling at his chains and snapping at Pete.
Phil blinked, his eyes dancing across the man's skin. Dan watched him, curiously. Phil’s expression confirmed his suspicion of more bites underneath. He had found it odd, since the beginning, how many people of Dmitri's court had visible bite marks. He had always thought that maybe it was a pledge to Dmitri, a mark of loyalty. He never realized it could be much more than that.
“I will tell you everything I know. I have nothing to lose at this point.” Eddie’s pleading eyes landed on Phil again. “But in return, I ask you not to ask the one thing you want to know, King Phil.”
He raised an eyebrow at him. “And what is that?”
“Don't ask the one thing Dmitri swears he knows. The question you've wanted answered since you were turned.” Eddie’s voice trembled.
His face contorted in annoyance, but he nodded in agreement. “Alright. Speak.”
“You need to know that Dmitri is not someone you should underestimate. He is a lot more powerful than he lets on.” The man took a deep breath, leaning forward, his voice low, “He can control vampires.”
“Fuck off. That's impossible.” Pete quipped.
“It's not! It's because he drinks vampire blood.” Eddie exclaimed.
“Do vampires do that?” Dan mumbled, leaning towards Cel.
She shook her head, “Sparingly, sure. But for the most part it's not necessary.”
“Hundreds of years ago, Dmitri killed his maker. He never went into detail as to why or how, but he killed him and drank his blood. And he found out that vampire blood makes vampires stronger.” Eddie revealed.
Pete scoffed, “Vamps can't live off of vampire blood. That's like the number one rule of vampirism.”
Eddie glared, “Did I say he lives off of it? No. He drinks human blood, like any other vampire. But he drinks from his own kind - his own court - more often than not. And starves the rest of us.”
“What benefit does he have by starving you?” Phil questioned.
“We're weak, and can't fight back. And we're easier to manipulate,” he hissed. “And the more he drinks from us, the stronger he is, meaning the stronger his powers are. Vampire blood makes us stronger. Human blood sustains us, keeps us alive. That's what he learned by killing his maker.”
“Why the hell did he tell you this? You're not even high up in his court.” Celeste challenged.
“I was chained in his room for years. I was his main source of vampire blood when no one else was around. He would get bored and just... tell me shit.” He laughed dryly. “Half the time I thought he was lying to me, until I felt him use his powers on me.”
“What did he make you do?” Phil asked, his voice low.
He spat, teeth gnashing. “He made me bow to him. Like a servant. Call myself his 'willing slave'. …Among many other things. He's a fucking freak of nature.”
Celeste held back a wince, but continued. “So, everyone in his court drinks vampire blood?”
“When we're allowed to, yes. He keeps us starved, ravenous. At least the main people in his court. But the ones fighting on the field, those are newbies. The ones that haven't had anything but human blood. They're easier to kill because their powers haven't come in. And easier to control. Expendable.” He huffed, “He makes his court go out and make new vampires. That's the only way a lot of us get human blood.”
“Why doesn't most of his court just leave then, if they are being starved?” Pete pushed.
“They can't. He controls everyone with an iron grip. He's constantly manipulating everyone with his abilities. Imagine wanting to drink blood but being forced to starve yourself,” Eddie growled. “And only if you listen and do what he wants, regardless of if you want it or not, then you'll get blood.”
“How long does his power stay?” Phil inquired.
“Depending on how weak the vampire is... could be days. But it's mostly just a few hours. Twenty-four at most.” He informed.
Pete leaned into Phil, whispering. “This sounds like bullshit to me.”
“It's not!” Eddie’s frantic eyes landed on Dan. “The night Alec and Mike attacked you, he didn't plan for that to happen. He told them to bring you to him, and drink from anyone that gets in their way. But when they got there, your blood was too much for them. And they were so hungry.... they couldn't control themselves.”
“They were going to kill me. They used their powers on Ashlee and then on me. That doesn't exactly sound that out of the ordinary.” Dan deadpanned, hiding his nerves.
His mouth twisted into an almost smile, “That was a test. He wanted to know if you were immune.”
Phil’s voice sharpened, stepping closer to Eddie. “How the hell did he know that?”
“He's been stalking you for a long time, Dan. Long before Phil was in the picture. When they got back to him about you, they had hoped he would let them feed. But he heard they tried to drink from you.” Eddie uttered, “He killed them that night.”
Pete scowled. “What? Those are his two right hand men. He just... killed them willy-nilly?”
“Would explain why we haven’t seen them for most of the war.” Cel mumbled.
“I don't think you understand how obsessed he is with Dan,” he gave a cold glare to Pete, before narrowing his eyes on Dan again. “He's been stalking you since you moved to London. But the night after Phil drank from you the first time, he broke into your apartment. Any time you've been out of this flat, he's been following you.”
“That's ridiculous. He would have been seen by any of our court.” Pete scoffed.
“Don't you get it?! He manipulates everyone! He can control other vampires! That includes the people in this court.” Eddie lowered his head shamefully. “A-And... I've been helping him. I'm psychic. I can see where you're going, what decisions you make. That's how he's able to follow you around without being seen.”
Dan's stomach was in knots, his mouth dry. He murmured, “He's right.”
Phil whipped his head around to Dan. “What?”
His heart pounded in his chest loudly, heaving as he remembered. “The night after you fed from me, the first time. I came home and things were... moved around in my apartment. I thought that maybe I was going crazy or something. But the shirt... it had blood on it. It was moved to the bottom of my hamper when it was on top. I didn't think…”
“That's how he was able to sneak in and leave the head here. He doesn't need a mole in the court when he can just make everyone forget he was here in the first place.” Cel spoke, her eyes widening.
“He's wanted you to be a part of his court for years now. He wants vampires with strong powers in his court, because he believes it will make him stronger when he feeds from them.” Eddie leaned forward, as much as the chains would allow, as he stared at Dan. “You have no idea how badly he wants you.”
“Because he's immune.”
“Because he makes others immune.”
There was a beat of silence before Pete chimed in, “What the fuck are you-”
“Aren't you curious as to why the three of you haven't been controlled by him? Wouldn't it make sense to manipulate any of you to bring Dan to him?” Eddie chuckled darkly, “It would make his life a whole lot easier if he could do that!”
Phil’s lips were in a tight line. “But he can't.”
His eyes moved from person to person as he answered. “The moment you drank Dan's blood, you basically became immune yourself. And the two of you, because you're constantly around him as his bodyguards, he can't control you either. It's like there's a... shield around you that encompasses anyone you're close to.”
“Gwen described it that way too. A shield. That's why she couldn't see as deep as she usually could.” Dan mumbled, chewing on his lower lip.
“He tried to force you to agree to let Daniel go the night the war began. But you were able to block his powers. He was so angry when he came home.” Eddie winced at the memory, “He almost tore my neck out, not only because I didn't see it coming, but because my blood wasn't strong enough to pry inside your mind.”
“How many humans has he turned for this war?” Phil queried.
“Hundreds. He won't stop until he gets Dan. And anyone in his court that tries to go against him just becomes fodder.” Eddie frowned.
He pressed. “How many actually want this war to happen?”
“Almost none. The one girl that attacked Dan, her name was Kayla. She was one of his groupies, loved him even without the control. But she was upset he had been so preoccupied with this war, and his constant talks about Dan, that she grew jealous. Said she planned to leave his court and go to your side.” His face twisted in disgust. “He told her to prove her love for him by attacking Dan and bringing him back to the South side. But he added that if Dan gets the upper hand, let him kill her.”
Dan thought back over the fight, and it suddenly dawned on him how much weaker she acted right before he was able to kill her. How wide her eyes were... with fear... with anger.
“Not a single vampire has ever been able to escape his control?” Celeste asked, crossing her arms tightly.
“He doesn't let anyone leave. When he turns you, he kills off your immediate family, so you have no one else to go to. So you're stuck with him and forced to do his bidding.” He gulped, his eyes glistening. “I wouldn't wish his control on my worst enemy. It's pure torture.”
“How were you able to escape, then? If he's so strong and powerful.” Pete sassed.
He glanced at Phil, “He was in a bit of a feeding frenzy the other night after finding out you were alive and survived the car accident. I was able to hide and drink from one of the few vamps in the court he didn't almost drain. I've been in hiding ever since. It was only today I finally got caught, luckily from you guys.”
Pete turned to Phil, sighing. “Are we sure he's telling the truth? What if this fucker is just making up shit?”
“You don't have to believe me, but I'm telling the truth. I'm dead either way, so what do I got to lose?” Eddie argued, exhausted.
Phil replied, ice dripping from his tone. “Your life, if you’re lying.”
“You think that matters to me? I went to him because I wanted to be mercy killed. And instead he turned me, hoping my powers would be interesting. And they were, and so he's kept me chained up in his bedroom for two fucking years!” He screeched, thrashing at his binds.
The shrill of his voice made Dan's ears ring, his body growing hot with fear. He reached out for Phil's hand, holding it tightly.
Eddie calmed down, shrinking back into his seat. “Heed my warning, King Phil. If you don't turn Dan soon, he's dead meat. Because Dmitri won't stop until he has him. The least you can do is make him strong enough to fight against him.”
Phil blinked. “What do you want?”
“Let me stay here. Let me join your court,” he pleaded. “I have nowhere else to go. I have no friends or family. My human life is dead and gone, and my vampire one will be soon too if you release me back to Dmitri. I think he was planning to kill me anyway. My powers are getting worse by the day because I'm being starved to death. And since I'm basically useless to him... I might as well be dead.”
Phil remained silent, looking the battered vamp over. His cold eyes stayed stoic, his face unflinching.
Eddie swallowed hard, exhaling a shallow breath, “Please, King Phil! I will serve you loyally. I promise nothing I told you was a lie. You need to listen to me! You and Dan are in grave danger!”
Celeste and Pete stared at Phil, waiting for his answer. Dan could tell from the look on his face what it was going to be.
“No. I cannot trust you. If what you say is true, Dmitri could have sent you here just to sneak in and capture Dan.” Phil glared at Eddie, “And I will not take that risk over a life I don't know.”
Eddie dropped his head, his shoulders drooping. Then, they began to shake, with a slow laugh. He grew louder, suddenly. Almost a cackle; one that did not reach his eyes. He seemed drained, void of any and all emotions and strength. Tears stained his cheeks, from sadness or insanity - Dan couldn't tell.
When he finally calmed down, he looked at Phil vacantly. “Well, before you let me go back... don't you want to know the one thing Dmitri knows? The one thing he dangled in front of you in exchange for Dan? Ask me, I know it. He told me it.”
“You told me not to ask.” He remarked.
Eddie shrugged. “It's my last piece of leverage.”
“Okay…” Phil cleared his throat. “Who's the person that turned me? That killed me and Dan all those years ago?”
Eddie's eyes slammed shut, only to open crimson and angry. He fought against his chains, heaving and snarling. Pete and Celeste blocked Dan into a corner, protecting him from Eddie's violent moves. Phil watched, his own blood colored eyes glaring, fangs sharp as knives. Eddie’s bones began to snap and crack under the chains, breaking them so he could escape easier. He cried out in pain, but kept going until he was almost free. His hand broke the leg of the chair he was chained to, gripping it like a weapon. The chair toppled over, causing Eddie to be completely freed. Phil lunged at him, ready to attack him. Eddie ducked, standing up with the leg in hand. But instead of aiming for Phil, he aimed for himself. Eddie took the blunt end and stabbed it into himself brutally, gasping a sharp breath. Dan covered his mouth, backing himself further into the corner.
Nobody moved for a second, staring at Eddie in shock. He dug the makeshift stake deeper into his chest, eventually falling to the floor. Phil grabbed him, holding him awkwardly as his eyes searched the young man's face.
Eddie leaned up towards Phil, a pained smile resting on it. Tears brimmed his eyes, an almost silent ‘thank you’ being exchanged between them. His face suddenly contorted, his lip quivering as he whispered his final breath.
"Don't let him win."
He slumped over in Phil's arms, his body turning cold and grey.
Dan trembled as he stared at the dead man in Phil's arms. He blinked back tears he didn't know he shed, his body aching with fear and anxiety.
~\/~\/~
It wasn't until the early morning sun peaked through the blinds that Dan realized he somehow had fallen asleep after coming back to their apartment. He turned over in bed, noticing Phil's side was cold and abandoned. He remembered him getting into bed with him, but he must not have stayed that long.
Dan shuffled into the living room, finding Phil seated on the sofa, looking over papers on the coffee table. He glanced up at Dan as he walked in, humming a low 'hello'.
“Have you slept?” He yawned.
He uttered back, “No. I couldn't... really do it. Sorry I left you alone.”
“It's alright. I figured you wouldn't be too far from me after,” Dan breathed, “All that.”
Phil nodded curtly, running his fingers through his hair. “I don't know if I did the right thing.”
“What? About Eddie?” He shook his head, sitting down next to Phil, “You didn't know what was going to happen. I don't think any of us could have guessed.”
“It must have been Dmitri. He probably knew that if Eddie were to escape he would tell us everything.” He cursed, lowering his head. “Fuck, this is bad.”
“I think you did the right thing. There was no way of knowing if Eddie was trustworthy, just because he spilled Dmitri's secrets.” Dan reassured, rubbing his hand over Phil’s back.
“But he was just a kid, you know? You and him could have easily been in the same position and I just... said no.” His face contorted, “I had plans to release him back to Dmitri. I feel terrible.”
“You didn't know, Phil. You can't beat yourself up about it too much.” He consoled.
“I was worried he might have been manipulated to kill you if he were to stay. Or that having him stay would up Dmitri's ante. I just didn't want you to be in danger but now some poor kid who didn't want any of this died and it’s my fault.” Phil swallowed hard, his voice shaking.
Dan turned Phil’s head gently, making sure to look into his eyes. “It's not. It's Dmitri's. We're just lucky that Eddie was able to break free and decided to tell us everything.”
He shuddered a breath, “How are you, after all of this? How are you feeling?”
“Well... not great. For lack of a better word.” He let out a humorless laugh.
“Why didn't you tell me about him sneaking into your apartment?” Phil asked, changing the subject.
“I didn't think someone snuck in. I thought I was just going crazy after 48 hours of insane shit happening to me. But now knowing he was inside my home... I don't think I ever want to go back there. And not to mention…” Dan’s voice trailed off.
Phil urged. “What?”
“Every time I've been out, I've felt like eyes were on me. I always chalked it up to sneaking around or just other vamps. Or even you. But now I'm wondering... if it was him. Just lurking in the shadows.” A shiver ran down Dan’s spine. “I just don't get why he's obsessed with me. Or how he knew I was immune.”
“I don't know. All of this information has added a lot of context but has left more questions.” He exhaled, “He can control vampires.”
“That's terrifying.” He commented.
“It is. Dan... can I be honest, for a moment?” Phil’s eyes landed on Dan’s again.
Dan nodded. “Of course.”
“I'm really scared now,” he admitted. “This throws a wrench into anything I had planned to protect you. What if... if-”
“Don't. You don't have to say it.” He murmured, knowing.
Phil placed his head on Dan's shoulder, breathing in his scent. “I can't lose you.”
“You won't.”
“I might.”
“You... might. But we gotta fight.” Dan pushed Phil off of him, his eyes intense. “We can't give up now. You hear me?”
Phil agreed with a nod, brushing a tear away from his cheek.
Dan glanced down at the coffee table, swallowing the lump in his throat. “What are you looking at anyway? What's all this?”
“Eddie got me thinking about my maker. The one I've been after since the night I was turned.” He stated.
“You really want to find him, huh?” He mused.
“Now more than ever.” Phil huffed, “If I could kill him and drink his blood, maybe I can defeat Dmitri.”
“If what Eddie said was true.” Dan argued lightly.
He frowned, “It seems like everything he said was true.”
Dan gazed down at the papers, looking them over quickly. “Are these... maps?”
“Many decades ago, I started searching for my maker. I mean, I've always been on the hunt for him, but this is when I started using modern means to do so.” He began, “I started way back on the night we were attacked. The papers didn't report our deaths, but the following night, one more person was killed - same way as you. And then London went quiet for years. I followed this monster up and through Europe over the decades. It's the same M.O. across every crime. And I can tell it's him because he has a calling card.”
“Which is?” He pressed.
“He tears out the throats of his victims. But he doesn't bleed them dry.” Phil answered.
Dan scrunched his face. “How... unvampire-like.”
“Exactly. It's odd. Usually two people go missing at the same time, except only one body is found after 24 hours. And the other isn't found dead until much later. Like he's keeping them alive.” He disclosed.
He deadpanned sharply. “Until he grows bored and kills them.”
“That. Or... he's trying to relive the night he killed us.” Phil guessed.
“One dies that night, the other dies later.” Dan muttered.
He added, “I think he also turns one of them, and kills the other while they're human. Just like how we died.”
“How many has he killed?” He questioned.
“Since our deaths? Hundreds.” Phil hissed. “He's a full blown serial killer.”
“If only you could find him. Has he been... active?” Dan queried.
He shook his head. “No. Not for a couple decades now. He's quieted down a lot. It stopped somewhere in Northern England back in the 90s. Since then... nothing.”
“Maybe he died. Or was killed.” He hoped.
Phil inhaled. “Fingers crossed.”
Dan placed his hand on Phil’s knee, giving it a squeeze. “Well, even if you can't find your maker, I believe in you. You'll defeat Dmitri. He's not gonna win.”
Phil's arms wrapped tightly around Dan suddenly, pulling him in close. “You have no idea how badly I want to run away with you right now. Hide you out in a cabin and keep you safe.”
“Sounds lovely.” He hummed back sadly.
“Secluded... just the two of us.” He whispered.
Dan breathed, pulling back. “Like heaven.”
“Don't leave me.” Phil whimpered, pressing his forehead into Dan’s.
He swallowed, “I won't. Never again.”
Phil pressed his lips firmly to Dan's, kissing him until their bodies shook. He pulled away breathlessly, “Fuck fate.”
A/N: i was thinking of just posting this tomorrow, but fuck it. might as well post it tonight in case i'm exhausted tomorrow and end up sleeping the night away after i come home from work lol thank you for all the love on the last chapter, glad you guys liked it. let me know what you think of this one and i'll see you guys next week for another. byeeeeee ! :)
story description / ao3 link
trigger warning: magical powers, cursing, soul exploring???, angst, mentions of: suicide, murder, manipulation, a heartfelt ending with a touch of sadness
word count: 4366
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A couple days had passed since Phil had come home from the hospital. Dan and Phil hadn't left the apartment at all, or the bed for that matter. Celeste and Pete had taken over war general duties for the time being, giving Phil some much needed rest.
When Phil finally decided to jump back into his king duties, Cel had informed Dan that the witch she knew was open to helping him figure out the curse.
They drove for a while, long into the countryside of England. When they finally reached the location, it was a small thatched roof house. Almost in the middle of nowhere.
“So, what is she like?” Dan asked, staring up at her house through the window.
“Her name is Gwendolyn and I've known her for about thirty years. She’s nice, if not a little bit blunt.” Celeste stated.
“Do witches age like vampires?” He questioned.
She shrugged, “They age slower than humans, that's for sure.”
Dan slid out of the car, waiting for Celeste. “What’s the plan to figure out the curse?”
“She has been trained in the art of soul reading for many years now. And I think her being able to do that might explain what's going on. She’ll be able to see inside you and read what’s there. And that’s where the curse should be.” She remarked, closing her car door.
“You think it's attached to my soul?” He muttered, “Didn't even know I had one.”
“Everyone does, Daniel.” She blinked, walking up the pathway to Gwendolyn’s front door.
“Eh, probably not Dmitri.” He bit back, following her.
She glanced at him, frowning. “Sadly, he does. That's the worst of it. He has a soul and is still able to do all of the bad shit he does.”
Cel took a deep breath, knocking on the front door softly. Dan looked her over, scrunching his face. “Are you... nervous?”
“What? No. No. I'm... not nervous at all.” She squeaked out, glaring at him.
It took Dan a second, then he snickered under his breath. “You've dated her.”
“If by date you mean been in love with her for thirty years, then yes.” She murmured.
The door swung open to reveal a tall woman. She had beautiful red hair, tied up in a bun, and was wearing dark, comfy clothes. Her velvet, floor length duster almost sparkled in the sunlight. She smiled, “Why, hello there Celeste.”
“Hi… Gwendolyn.” She responded.
They looked at each other, eyes fixated. Dan cleared his throat after a minute, feeling a bit awkward. She blinked rapidly, looking over at Dan finally. “Hi. Sorry. You must be Dan.”
He nodded, “Yep.”
“Come on in.” She beckoned.
Dan followed her into her house. It was very cozy, a nice herbal smell of tea in the air. The natural light poured in from the windows, making the dark wood of the furniture seem brighter than it was. He walked with her until they were in the kitchen. She turned around, leaning against her counter and giving Dan a once over.
“I can already tell you got something... funky going on with your soul.” She raised her hand politely, “No offense.”
He pursed his hips, “I don't think I've ever had someone say that to me. And none taken… I guess.”
Gwendolyn hummed. “Well, not many people can read souls like I can. Not many witches can either.”
“She's a generational soul reader.” Cel added, nudging Dan.
“My grandma's grandma knew how to read and from there, it's been passed down to every woman in my family.” She grinned.
“So... you know what you're doing.” He breathed.
“Exactly. There's no need to worry, Daniel. You're safe here.” She assured.
His eyes lowered, his honest feelings brewing over. “I don't really feel like I'm safe anywhere, anymore.”
Gwen gave Cel a look, and she mouthed 'Dmitri'. She rolled her eyes, “That fucker can't get to you here. I have a barrier around my home. Only people I accept in can enter. Humans, vamps, witches - the list goes on.”
“Is he able to manipulate you like he can humans?” He inquired, his voice worried.
She grimaced. “I would never let him get that close to me. And no.”
Dan's shoulders relaxed, a low exhale escaping his mouth. “Oh. That's good. Maybe we should hide out here next time.”
Her face twisted sadly, “You and everyone else would be coming here, unfortunately. And I'm just not much of a host.”
“She's very nomadic. Constantly on the move.” Cel lowered her voice, a slight annoyance in it. “Hard to pin down.”
“I don't like commitment.” She turned her head, almost glaring at her. They said no words, having a conversation with their eyes.
“Neither do I.” Dan commented, trying to ease whatever tension was going on between them.
Celeste snorted suddenly at him. He didn’t find the humor in his statement. She smirked, “What? I just think it’s... never mind.”
Gwen held back an eyeroll before gazing back at Dan. “Okay, so... for this ritual, you have to allow me inside your mind. It's the quickest way to reach your soul.”
“Alright. How do I-” He began.
“You have to give me just a pin drop of blood,” she informed, cutting him off. “I'll say my incantation, and then I should be able to reach inside of your mind and then eventually your soul. It might feel weird, from what I've been told.”
“I don't even know what that would feel like.” He chewed his bottom lip.
“I've had people tell me it's like being in a room and feeling eyes on you even though you're alone. Paranoia. An eeriness. Sometimes it can hurt, but only if I push too far - which I don't plan on doing. You just have to remember it's me there. No one else can come in while I'm exploring.” She explained.
He swallowed, nodding his head. “Sounds easy enough.”
She pulled out a chair for Dan to sit in, leaning on the back of it. “The thing is... if you let me inside, I see everything. Even when I don't pry. Are you willing to let me see that? The things you don't talk about. The things you keep to only yourself. I know for a lot of people that scares them off entirely. Understandably so. You basically become an open book.”
Dan sat in the chair, his heart speeding up at her words. He mulled it over in his mind, and eventually agreed. “I need to know what's going on. I need to know how to stop this curse. And if this is the only way to do it... open me up, I guess.”
She beamed, “Okay. Great. I promise I don't plan to be in there too long. It's exhausting for me as it is for you.”
She went to the counter, grabbing a small little pin. Stepping back towards Dan, she held out her palm. Dan placed his hand inside of it, and she pricked his finger with a swipe. He almost didn't feel it.
She took the drop of blood to a page sitting on her counter, placing it on the paper. Dan watched her as she closed her eyes, clasping her hands together. The flame of the candle next to her grew brighter as she began her incantation low, almost unintelligible. He sat back in his chair, eyes fixated on the flame. It crackled and fizzled loudly, almost roaring. She stopped suddenly, taking the paper and lighting it with the flame. She held it as it burned, until finally it was a tiny piece. She dropped it into a pot next to her, smoldering it out. And once she did, the candle blew out on its own.
She inhaled, “Alright. We're ready to begin.”
She gave Dan a kind smile as she walked towards him. “I have to touch you to get inside your mind. Is that alright?”
“Yeah. Go for it.” He answered.
She nodded, going around him and stopping just behind his back. Her hands lightly cupped the top of his head, her voice low as she spoke. “Close your eyes for me.”
Dan listened, shutting his eyes. He took a deep breath in unison with Gwen, and suddenly he felt the world around him go quiet.
She wasn't wrong about the feeling of someone watching; it was ever present as she explored his mind and soul. It almost felt like a loss of control, like his mind was being pulled taut by strings he couldn't see. It made his vision feel blurry, even behind closed eyes.
“Hmm. Interesting.” She whispered.
“What?” Celeste queried.
“I've done hundreds of soul readings, but this one is gonna be a bit of a doozy.” She gazed down at Dan, “Something is off with your soul, that's for sure.”
“You see something?” He replied, not sure if he really wanted the truth.
She furrowed her brow, “Yes, but that's not what I'm talking about. I almost can't get a full read on everything. Like, things have been left intentionally blank.”
“What does that mean?” Dan asked, his face mirroring her expression.
“It's like you're blocking me from seeing everything. Like... a shield.” She uttered.
He repeated, “A shield?”
“Exactly. It's very odd. Extremely so, especially in humans. Maybe it's tied to your ability to block vampires out.” Gwen surmised.
“Can you see anything?” Dan mumbled.
Her hands tightened their hold on Dan's dome, a light hum leaving her throat. “I'll see what I can find.”
Dan breathed awkwardly, his eyes fluttering as he felt her explore deeper. Now, it felt like someone was scratching inside his skull, making it hard for him to think. His spine tingled uncomfortably as she dug, his back almost stiffening in pain.
“Woah.” She gasped.
Cel leaned forward from across the kitchen island. “What is it?”
“You definitely have something connected to your soul.” She revealed to him.
His heart skipped a beat, “Is it the curse?”
“It doesn't feel like it. This feels separate to that. Like an attachment.” Gwen guessed.
His eyes widened, “Attachment?”
“I can't fully see, and I'm afraid if I keep pushing I could harm you. But what I can tell is that it's not originally a part of you.” She breathed, furrowing her brow, “It's like... something extra.”
“Is it bad?” He pushed.
“No. It's just... not yours. Well, it is yours. Your soul is tangled around it, but it didn’t come from you.” She mumbled, “If that makes sense.”
He hissed, “Go farther.”
“Are you sure?” She questioned, looking at him with concern.
“Yes.”
Dan's hold on the armrests of the chair tightened, his body tense from what was to come. He suddenly could hear an intense ringing in his ears, high and vibrating. He winced, trying his best not to yell out in pain. He felt lightheaded, like he could faint any second. His body was growing numb, his lungs squeezing to find air.
Gwen removed her hand, cupping his shoulder sweetly, “I'm done, I'm done. Sorry, love. I didn't mean to push that hard.”
He squeezed his eyes hard, still holding the armrests tightly. “I-it's okay. I asked for it. I just feel... sick.”
“Get him some water, Cel.” She motioned.
Celeste nodded, rushing over to the sink to fetch a glass.
Gwen met Dan’s gaze, giving a soft smile. “Well, if it's any consultation, your mind and soul are a tough cookie to crack. The shield you have is a blessing for those that try to get inside because they ain't touching nothing.”
He frowned, “Except that that means you couldn't either.”
“Unfortunately, yes. But I can tell you what I did see.” She replied, glancing at Celeste as she handed Dan the cup.
He took a sip of water, waiting for her to continue.
“You do have some form of attachment to your soul. It's not bad or evil, and it's not the curse. If anything, I didn’t even see any signs of there being one on you, which is odd. And probably means I would have to read Phil to get a better understanding of what’s going on.” She looked him over, “And judging by that face, that’s not what you wanted to hear.”
“No. I guess. It’s just…” he huffed. “What does that mean about all of this, then? Why does Phil see me die every time we get together?”
“It could be the curse is on him. Or…” her voice dropped to a sadder tone. “It’s just simply fate.”
Dan scowled at the floor. “But we’re meant to be together, right? So, why would fate bring us together just to kill me?”
“I can’t fully answer that for you. But,” she exhaled quietly, “Not everything fated is meant to be positive.”
He sighed, “Anything else? Did you see anything inside that points us into a direction that gets rid of the curse? Because I refuse to believe this is fate.”
“No. But, if I had to guess, if this really is a curse… it would have followed you two from your past life together. Which means if it is to be fulfilled, it would end this go around.” Gwen admitted.
“And what? Phil has to wait for a whole other lifetime to be with me peacefully?” He groaned, standing up, “Fucking Christ.”
“Wait, wait.” Cel stopped him, placing a hand on his arm. “If it followed you from your past life, or followed Phil, maybe it has something to do with how you guys died. Maybe it was created by the vampire that killed you.”
He raised his eyebrow, “Can curses be created by non witches?”
“Not every curse is created by witches. If someone is evil enough and wishes hard enough, yes.” She mentioned, “Sometimes it's just completely unintentional.”
“So someone might have hated Phil enough to curse him and I into this next life? And that’s why I keep dying in his visions?”
“Possibly, yes. If it is a curse, and not fate.”
“Maybe Phil remembers something.” Cel suggested.
He nodded, “I'll have to ask.”
“Dan. I can’t confirm if you have a curse on you or not. It’s not there, from what I could see. But there is a part of me that believes it’s connected to Phil. Because…” Gwen was hesitant before she continued. “I can see on your soul you were supposed to die.”
Celeste deadpanned, “He’s had about four different times in the past couple months he almost did-”
“No. This is older than that. I would say... a few years ago. You were supposed to die, or came very close to death.” Her eyes softened as she looked at Dan, “Do you know what that might be from?”
Dan knew, and from the look in Gwen's eyes, she did too. He bit his lower lip, looking down at the floor. “I have an idea.”
“Well, that time... you came very close to death's door. Technically, it's how you were supposed to die. But something changed.” She added, “Someone intervened.”
“And you think this thing that intervened can do so again?” He hoped.
“I do. But I can’t guarantee anything. Especially if this ends up being fate and not a curse.” She remarked, wistfully.
He shook his head. “It can’t be fate. It just… can’t.”
“I'm sorry, Dan. I wish there was more I could do,” she apologized. “I didn't know how difficult it would be to get inside your mind.”
He half-heartedly smiled. “I appreciate it, Gwen. Thank you.”
She grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze. “Fated mates are very rare. You and Phil are meant to be together. I believe that no matter what happens, you will find your way back to each other. Hold on to that. And fight for it, if you must.”
~\/~\/~
Dan couldn't help but feel exhausted on the ride back to Phil's apartment. He had hoped this ritual would explain everything, and find a cure to the curse. Instead, he now had more questions than answers.
He wasn't upset at Gwen, since she genuinely seemed to want to help. But the situation just made him more agitated the longer he thought about it. It felt like a waste of time.
He didn't care, however. He wasn't going to let this… thing win. He would fight this curse, or fate itself, with his bare hands if he had to.
When he stumbled into the apartment, his heart melted at the sight of Phil, asleep on the couch.
He strode quietly to him, softly smiling as he gazed over his form. He lowered himself onto Phil, pulling him close to his body. Phil's arms wrapped around Dan instinctually, pressing him into his chest.
“You alright, Danny?” Phil murmured.
He sighed deeply, “Now that I'm here, yeah.”
“What did Gwen say?” He asked, pushing his cheek onto Dan’s head.
“Nothing that's going to help us. She said I have something attached to my soul. And she didn’t see a curse inside of me. It might be in you, instead.” He informed.
Phil’s face contorted. “Oh. Well, that’s… concerning.”
“She doesn't think it's bad, the attachment. So, I guess that's a positive.” He then recalled, “She also said I was supposed to die a couple years ago.”
He perked up, his voice troubled. “You were? What changed?”
“'Someone intervened'. Her words.” Dan stated.
He squeezed him closer. “Well, thank God they did.”
“Yeah…”
Dan laid there, listening to Phil's heartbeat. His mind went quiet for a moment, reeling back over everything that was said.
He had shared a lot of his life with Phil over the short course of knowing him. But there was one major part he never talked about. And Gwen saw it. She knew what it was. And it ate away at him, weirdly, that she knew and Phil didn’t. And now knowing it was when he was supposed to die… he felt the need to tell him. Right here. Right now.
He sat up, needing to speak before the flood gates opened. “I knew what she was talking about. How I was supposed to die.”
He scanned his face slowly, “Really?”
“It was back when I failed out of uni. I-um, had just moved back home. And I just felt like such a failure, in every aspect,” he stammered, nerves suddenly making his tongue way a thousand pounds. “My family was fighting a lot, I was struggling with who I was and what I wanted to do, and I just couldn't take much more of it. I felt truly alone. And I kinda was.”
“So, what happened?” Phil pressed.
“I had read online about mercy killings.” His heart froze as he said the words outloud, Phil’s eyes widening just slightly. “Vampires had only been known to the public for a year and I was fascinated by them. Me and everyone else. And I was reading on some forum about mercy killings and how certain vampires offered them for those that wanted it. And I just figured... if I was gone, life would be easier. For everyone. Including me.”
“Dan…” He breathed.
“So, I found out about a den in London that was offering it. And I planned it out. Even scoped them out the night before to be sure. And they were. I saw them, all hanging out in this old abandoned building. They looked so... unassuming,” he laughed coldly. “It was odd, in a funny way. Like, ‘these are the vamps that are going to kill me. And they look like a bunch of normies.’ And my family just thought I was job hunting.”
“What changed?” Phil uttered.
“I went there the next day, ready to die... and they were all dead. When I got there, the police had sectioned it off, and there were just multiple bodies laying around, covered. Thankfully.” He continued, “I heard on the news later it was the whole den that got murdered by another vamp. It was the first time London had to deal with major vamp-on-vamp violence.
“Did you go looking for other dens?” He inquired.
“No. I weirdly took this as a sign that maybe I shouldn't kill myself. That maybe things would turn around.” His voice lowered with each word, his eyes unable to look at Phil’s.
They sat in silence for a moment, listening to each other's breathing. Dan wanted to know, so badly, what was going through Phil's mind. Was he upset? Disappointed? Mad? The quiet was getting to him. He looked so lost in thought…
Phil's hand cupped Dan's jaw, his thumb caressing his skin softly. “You have no idea how happy I am that you're here.”
He leaned down, their foreheads touching, “I feel the same way. I can't believe I would have missed this.”
Their lips met in a gentle kiss, a trembling breath leaving Dan's throat. Phil’s fingers twitched along his jaw, pulling him back for a split second.
“I need to tell you something. I think I know what intervened.”
“What?” Dan asked, kissing his lips again desperately.
Phil’s voice shook as he kissed Dan back. “Me. It was me.”
The air felt sucked out of Dan’s lungs. He sat up slowly, his eyes snaking over Phil's face. He blinked, “How?”
“It was before I was King,” he started. “There was this one den of vampires that were just the absolute worst. Mean, nasty, unempathic. Truly monsters. They made it really hard to live on this side of London. And at the time, we didn't have a King so there was no way to keep any vamp in line, other than the human police which... were already not the best at their job. A lot of us just ignored them and warned humans to steer clear.”
It suddenly clicked in Dan’s mind. “…Celeste told me this story. I asked her the night after you fed from me how you became king. But what happened?”
“I was out walking. And I found their hang out spot. And for some reason, I sat there, just out of sight, and listened to them. They started talking about mercy killings. I hadn't heard of that before, so I was confused. And the way they just... spoke about taking human life…” Phil’s face twisted repulsively. “It makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about it even now. The thing is, they outright joked about it. They enjoyed lying to them, just to keep them alive for their own sick amusement. They saw humans as beneath them. It was so disgusting to hear.”
Dan's stomach dropped, his mind reeling; the images of that being what waited for him that day. “What did you do?”
“I had plans to just call the police, get them arrested, and tell them what I heard. Mercy killings are just murder, so it's not exactly like what they did was lawful. But then they said something about having plans for the next human that asked to be killed. How he was coming tomorrow. It was dark, whatever the plans were. I don't really remember them now.” His voice grew cold, almost distant. “I just know something came over me, like this rage. This anger I've never experienced before. It started in my chest, I remember that. And I knew I had a vision, but then it's all blank from there. I think my humanity just turned off for a moment, and in that time period, I blacked out and came to with all of them dead.”
He choked, “Phil…”
“I had never killed another vampire before, let alone a whole den. I anonymously called the police and then ran. I hid out at home for what felt like months. I was so ashamed of what I had done because that was completely unlike me.” His eyes were wide with anxiety, reliving it in his mind. “But then suddenly, vampires from all over were coming to me, thanking me for getting rid of them. That they had caused harm for decades in London, had killed countless humans, and everyone had been too scared to kill them because of how strong they were. So many of them wanted to know how I did it, and I couldn't even explain to them what came over me. I think, technically, it was a blood lust. But it was much darker than that.”
“But you came out of it. And you only killed them. You didn't harm anyone else. If anything, you saved more people killing them.” Dan argued.
“It didn't feel like that at the time. I felt a lot of guilt because I thought 'They were human once. Killing them makes me no better than them.' But what was done was done.” Phil bit his lip, looking up at Dan finally, “And then a couple weeks later, I started having visions about you.”
Dan's eyebrows rose, his face softening. “Really?”
“It was just glimpses of you. And at first I thought that maybe it was from the past or a different timeline. But then I saw you, clear as day, working at a bar Cel and I used to go to before I became King.” He grinned, “Hudson's.”
He gaped at Phil, “That was my first job out here. I got it right after I moved out.”
He nodded, biting back a smile. “I saw a vision of you there. And then I knew you were alive again. That I somehow found you, 200 years later.”
Dan slid his hand up to Phil's face, rubbing his cheek softly with his thumb. He hummed low in his chest, “Even before you met me, you saved me.”
His face dropped, his eyes darkening. “And now I'm gonna be the reason you die.”
“No. I'm not dying,” he refused. “What did I tell you last time?”
“Fuck fate.”
“One hundred percent. It's you and me until the end, you hear me?”
Their lips met in a bruising kiss, chests heaving. Dan's tongue found Phil's, snaking across; tasting each other. Phil exhaled, a low whine leaving his throat.
He ripped his lips away, shuddering, “I love you.”
Dan pressed his forehead against Phil's, closing his eyes tight. “I love you too.”
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A/N: you ever have those weeks where it feels like everything is happening all at once? like everything, for some reason, all has to be done THIS WEEK? i'm having that moment rn. but luckily for yall, i took time out of my weirdly busy schedule and finally finished up this chapter. this one is a doozy, emotionally and length wise (surprise! it's my longest chapter fic ever) and it was honestly a lot of fun to write on my breaks at work lol hope you guys enjoy and lmk what you think !! see you next week for the next chapter :)
Dan woke up in a panic, a reoccurrence that had happened for multiple nights now. His eyes searched his room in the dark, trying to get his bearings. He took harsh breaths, his heartbeat echoing in his ears.
It had been two weeks since the accident. He had been counting down the days to now.
He was finally able to go see Phil.
Phil didn't die that fateful night two weeks back. He did, however, almost. Vampires were blessed, or cursed - depending on who you asked - with immortality. But their bodies were still human, so they weren't completely invincible. If they got hit by a car going sixty miles an hour, their insides were going to turn to jello, just like they would if they were human.
And that's what had happened to Phil. His limbs were broken, his insides mush. Technically, he should have died. But the one thing that saved him... was Dan's blood.
Since he had it in his system, his body was able to cling onto that one little bit to stay alive. He was in a coma, and had to be monitored heavily. And be given blood daily to regain his strength. But he was alive.
However, Dan wasn't allowed to see him. Celeste had told Dan Phil looked terrible, basically that of a corpse. And seeing that image was not something he needed ingrained in his memory. God knows the crash was enough of nightmare fuel to last him the rest of his life. So, he had to wait to see a healed version of Phil. And Cel had given him this date, two weeks after said crash, as the first day he could see him. That he should look better by now.
He had even woken up a few days prior. So things must have turned out well, Dan hoped.
He just wanted to hear Phil's voice. To know he was alright. That's all that mattered to Dan.
That, and killing Dmitri.
Dan wasn't a violent person. In fact, he hated violence. Even when he was bullied as a child he never fought back physically. But the rage that was inside of him now was unlike anything he had felt before. Because everyone knew that Phil's almost death was because of Dmitri and this stupid war.
The human that had caused the crash, when he finally came to, had no recollection of it. All he was able to repeat was "He made me do it." for hours after until finally Dmitri's powers had lifted from him.
Everyone knew Dmitri was an older vamp. Not many vampires made it to 500 years old. But no one knew how strong he could be. Because sure, vampires could control humans in the moment. But hours after? That was unheard of. Now, Dan didn't know who he could trust. Because at any moment, like a sleeper agent, a person could be activated to kill him or Phil. And that terrified him.
Because he couldn't lose Phil. Not now, not ever.
He hated to admit it, but it took Phil almost dying in his arms for him to realize he loved him. He was so worried about the destiny of it all that he never stopped to think about what he actually felt.
Dan was okay with the idea of himself dying. As fucked up as that sounded, he had accepted it a long time ago. Even tried to speed up the process a few times in his life long before he met Phil. He could accept that there would come a time that if he and Phil got together, he would have to leave him behind. Shuffle off this mortal coil, etcetera. But he never imagined it the other way around. Oh God, how could he be so stupid? So blind?
A world without Phil was just not a world he wanted to be a part of.
But he was lucky, for once in his life. Phil wasn't taken from him. And he had no intentions of ever leaving Phil again.
~\/~\/~
Dan paced around the apartment for what felt like hours, waiting for Cel’s call letting him know when he could see Phil. He wasn't sure where they were even keeping him. Probably at a hospital not too far away that specialized in vampires, if he thought about it. But that didn't matter; he just wanted to see him.
Eventually he called Celeste himself, demanding to know any updates on Phil.
“He's doing okay. It really helps that you've been allowing us to give some of your blood to him too.” She let out a relieved laugh, “I swear, it's like a miracle cure.”
“That's great. When is he coming home? Or when can I see him?” Dan asked, bluntly.
“Soon. Probably tomorrow.” She guessed.
His face dropped, “You said today.”
She sighed, “I know. But I'm just not sure Phil's ready to see anyone yet. He only woke up-”
“Four days ago, I know,” he interrupted. “But you said he looks better. And that he's mostly healed. Why can't I see him?”
“It's just not time yet. I'm sorry, Dan,” she apologized. “I know you want to see him but I just don't think it's the right time.”
“Cel, I just want to see him. I don't care what he looks like, if he has a limb hanging off his body, or he's bruised all over. It's been two weeks and the last time I saw him I thought he was fucking dead.” He shuddered a breath, tears forming. “Please. I love him. I need to tell him that.”
“I know, Daniel. Tomorrow. I mean it. You'll see him. One way or another.” She promised.
“You're right. Because if you don't let me see him, I'll go to every hospital near this apartment until I find him.” He argued, anger filling his chest.
“That's not gonna help the situation, Dan.” She stated.
“Oh okay, I'll just offer myself up to Dmitri. Will that speed up the fucking process?” He sassed.
She huffed. “Don't be ridiculous.”
“Then you better take me fucking seriously.” Dan ended the phone call, throwing his phone onto the couch roughly. He exhaled a loud grunt, his chest heaving. He shouldn't have talked to Celeste like that, he knew.
But God. He just missed Phil.
~\/~\/~
Dan wasn't sure when he fell asleep, but he must have dozed off on the couch at some point. The tv was still on, flickering away on some random show he put on. He slowly sat up, his face swollen and stained with tears. Some still fresh. He didn't even remember crying. But that had become a recurring thing too.
“You talk a lot in your sleep, you know.”
Dan's body froze, the voice making his heart skip. Part of him thought for just a moment, he had finally lost it. He was hearing Phil's voice even when he wasn't here.
“I think you might have eyes in the back of your head. You said there was a man in the room when I came in.” He giggled, “Kind of creepy, Daniel.”
Dan spun to the voice. Phil leaned against the kitchen counter, looking out into the living room. His eyes were soft, his smile softer.
“Phil... Are you real?” He quivered.
“Yeah. At least, I would hope so.” He tapped his body all over, nodding. “Yep, pretty real.”
“When…” Dan uttered.
“Well, when I heard you were threatening to offer yourself to Dmitri just to see me, I figured it was time for me to come home, regardless of how I was feeling.” Phil answered.
“Are you better?” He asked, looking him over.
“Yeah. I sort of told them to feed me as much blood as possible to heal me faster. Even though, of course, nothing compares to yours. And surprisingly, there were a lot of donors at the hospital.” He mused, “I've come to the realization O positive isn't as good as O negative.”
He nodded meekly, his eyes never leaving Phil; too afraid he would disappear. “Cel told me my blood was helping a lot.”
“It was. I just figured, desperate times, desperate measures.” He swallowed, “You're not the only one that wanted me home.”
Dan wasn't sure when he stood up and walked to Phil, but suddenly he was in front of him. His eyes were brimming with tears, his gaze unable to leave Phil's face. He looked... normal. Like he did before. Like the night of.
Dan closed the space, wrapping his arms tightly around Phil. He breathed Phil in, his scent hitting Dan's nose like a tidal wave. He felt himself relax into the embrace. And then the tears just poured from his eyes. Phil's arm held Dan, his voice cooing him gently as he cried on his shoulder.
“I thought you died.” He whimpered.
Phil breathed, “I thought I did too.”
Dan pulled back, still gripping him, “What the fuck even happened? H-How-”
“I saw the car coming. And then I realized that the vision I had at the club - the lights, cold, all of it - was a car crash. That's what I saw,” he explained. “And all I could think was you weren't gonna make it. So I just... pushed you out of the way.”
“You could have gotten out of the way too. Why didn't you, you idiot?” He cried dramatically, smacking his chest pathetically.
“I just needed to be sure you were safe. I wasn't sure how fast the car was coming. And then it all went dark. I know I pushed you hard.” He cupped his face, his eyes searching Dan’s. “Are you okay?”
“You're really gonna ask that?” Dan choked, and Phil nodded his head. “I got scrapped up a bit. But I'm fine. God, you're the one who's insides turned to soup and you're asking me if I'm fine. You big, dumb idiot…”
“A big, dumb idiot would have just stood there. I'm, at the very least, a big, smart idiot.” He grinned.
“Whatever you say.” He exhaled, cracking a smile.
Phil’s voice lowered, his eyes looking away. “You know, it wasn't the only time I've had visions like that.”
“What do you mean?” Dan inquired.
“The night you snuck out, I didn't stalk you. I saw a vision of you getting attacked in the alley. The night Dmitri's lover came for you, I saw it too. That's how I knew to go to your bar.” He took a deep breath, shaking his head, “It's like ever since we met I see every time you're in trouble. But I keep showing up too late. I didn't want this time to be like that.”
“You saved me. I'm okay. But next time, if there ever is a next time, save yourself too.” He stated.
He agreed. “Okay, I'll try.”
“No try. You have to. Otherwise, you are a big, dumb idiot.” He rebutted lightly.
“I'll be smart next time. I promise.” Phil said, sweetly.
Dan rested his forehead against Phil's, his hands cupping Phil's face. He closed his eyes, breathing in time with Phil.
“Dan…” He whispered.
He hummed back, “Hmm?”
Phil leaned in, his lips an inch away. “Can I kiss you?”
“Don't ask. Ever again.” Dan rubbed his nose with Phil's. “It's always yes.”
Phil nodded, biting his bottom lip. He closed the gap, their lips connecting. For the first time in weeks, Dan's world felt calm. It all grew quiet in his ears, the only sound was the softest whimper he let out as Phil pressed into him.
The kiss was warm and sensual. A low eagerness building as their bodies melted into one another. Dan's hands tightened their hold on Phil's jaw, one slithering into his hair and tugging on his locks. Phil's mouth opened wider with a gasp, Dan's tongue taking control of the kiss.
Dan pulled Phil backwards with him, resting his body against the kitchen counter. He wasn't sure his knees were strong enough to keep him up. The way Phil sighed around his tongue made his head spin, his whole body a lightening rod. His heart banged in his ribcage, begging to be heard.
“I love you.” Dan murmured, breaking the kiss.
Phil froze, his hands twitched against Dan's hips. He swallowed, “I think we should go to bed. I'm still exhausted from... all of it.”
“Yeah, of course. Let's get you to bed.” He pulled back, tugging Phil’s arm gently.
“You're joining me, right?” Phil squeezed Dan's hand.
“If you want me to.” He teased.
He playfully scoffed, “Two weeks without you near was too much.”
Dan smiled, dropping his head bashfully. Phil kissed his cheek, pulling him towards his bedroom.
~\/~\/~
Dan slept well for the first time in weeks. He woke up in Phil's embrace, his arms draped over his form sleepily. Phil's breath was fanning across the back of Dan's neck, causing goosebumps to raise along the skin of his neck and shoulders.
He enjoyed having Phil this close. He was so happy he was home.
But this tiny voice in the back of his mind muttered something low. Something he wished he could ignore.
He didn't say 'I love you' back.
Dan tried to rationalize it. Maybe he didn't hear him. Maybe Phil wasn't the type to say 'I love you'. Maybe he wasn't ready to say it back.
Or maybe... he didn't love me.
But there was no way he didn't love him. Right? How could he say he had waited 200 years for Dan to come back to him, only to not love him? That wouldn't make a lick of sense.
Dan shook his head, erasing the thought. Phil literally just came home from the hospital after basically being a corpse for two weeks. Maybe give him 24 hours to say it back, Daniel.
He snuggled back into Phil's arm, his back pressing against his chest. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep again.
~\/~\/~
It had been 24 hours and Phil hadn't said it back.
Dan felt crazy, like a clingy girlfriend or something. How could he feel this insane over someone he only just confessed his feelings for? It didn't make sense to him.
He had waited, hoping Phil at some point during the day would say it back. Dan even said it again to him, this time full on and to his face. No way of ignoring it, and Phil just... nodded. Went back to making his lunch.
Dan was too dumbfounded to say anything back. And Phil ended up bringing up some other topic of conversation, and they both got lost in that for a while.
But now it was eating away at him. As he sat across from him on the sofa, watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Dan figured it was only right to let Phil choose what to watch tonight, given he had been gone for so long. And almost died. And literally did all of that to save Dan.
And also because Dan loved him and wanted him to watch whatever he wanted.
Which is why he was slowly growing annoyed more and more by the second. He just wanted confirmation one way or the other. If Phil wasn't ready to say it, that's fine. But at least... acknowledge it. Say something! Anything! Literally a single word would be better than the ongoing thoughts that were running miles in Dan's brain, all pointing to a deep, fundamental truth he had felt since childhood.
You're unlovable. Even Phil can't love you, and he waited for you. You're such a disappointment to him, he can't even pretend to like you back.
“Dan... you good?” Phil’s voice sounded.
Dan turned to Phil, breaking out of his spiral. “What? Yeah. I'm fine.”
“You sure? You just looked... so lost in thought there.” He questioned, raising an eyebrow at him.
“No, I'm okay. Just thinking.” He assured.
“Okay.” Phil turned back to the TV.
Dan tried his best to just… wait it out. Let the feeling pass. But he couldn’t. He had to know for sure.
“I love you.” He spoke, sincerely.
Phil blinked, keeping his eyes on the tv. His Adam's apple bobbed with a hard swallow.
“Did you hear me? I said I love you.” Dan repeated.
“Yeah. I heard you.” His lips were in a tight, thin line.
He paused, “Are you going to... say it back?”
Phil inhaled, “Dan.”
“If you aren't ready to say it, that's fine. I just feel like I'm going a bit crazy because you've been ignoring it every time I say it.” Dan fully turned to face Phil, his mouth moving a mile a second.
He furrowed his brow, “Dan, I just-”
Dan continued. “Like I know it might be a lot for me to just spring on you, but I just needed you to know that I do love you and I just-”
He tried to interject, “Please. Let me-”
Dan barely took a breath between words. “Wanted to be sure that you actually acknowledge me saying it because it just seems like you keep ignoring me every time and I don't know what's wron-!”
“Dan!” Phil exclaimed. He huffed out a sound, sliding off of the couch. “Enough.”
Dan narrowed his gaze, confused. “Why are you upset? Is it because I said-”
“No. I'm not upset that you said it.” Phil sighed, rubbing his eyes as he stood in front of him. “Look, we've gone through a lot of traumatic shit within the last couple weeks. You almost died, twice. And I basically died. And I just think…”
“What?” He urged.
“You don't mean it,” he looked defeated. “You're just saying it because you've been under an incredible amount of stress in such a short time and you just haven't processed any of it right and-”
“Phil.” He cut him off, his face hardening.
He snapped. “What? Am I wrong?”
Dan glared, standing up. “Yes. Completely.”
“So you haven't experienced trauma on the daily for the past couple weeks? It's all been smooth sailing for you?” He jeered, putting space between them.
“No. No. You're right about that. But you're wrong about why I'm saying I love you.” He argued.
“Maybe give it a day or two, yeah?” Phil shrugged, “See how you feel next week and maybe then we'll see if you still feel that way about me.”
Dan was unmoving. “I'm still gonna love you in a week's time, Phil. What are you on about?”
“You have fought against this, tooth and nail. And now you just... love me?” His face twisted in frustration. “It just came to you miraculously, on your own volition?”
“Yes. I think I always knew I loved you, I just wasn't ready to-” Dan began.
Phil winced. Winced. “Dan. Just stop. Stop saying it.”
“Why? Why is it so hard for you to accept that I feel this way? Isn't this what you wanted? Isn't this what you waited 200 years for?” He didn’t like how desperate his voice sounded as he spoke.
“Yes! Of course it is!” He exploded. “I have wanted you to say that every second of every day since the moment you walked into my apartment, but... how can I believe it now?”
His heart ached, his voice lowering. “Do you think I'm lying?”
“No, not lying. But... What if you were right about it? About... fate. Destiny. Whatever the fuck it is.” He groaned, his lower lip quivering. “It brought you to me, sure. But what if it's forcing you to love me just because we're 'destined' to be together and end with you dying? What if, in reality, you have no choice in this matter and you're being forced to love someone you don't actually like at all. I wouldn't... I wouldn't want that for anyone, but especially you.” He lowered his head, swallowing hard. “You deserve to have a choice. You deserve... to live a life without me in it. All I've done is brought chaos into yours. You've almost died far too many times since meeting me. It all points to the same fucking ending and I just can't. I don't want you here if it truly ends with you dying. You have to want to be here.”
“And you think I don't want to be here?” Dan asked.
“Isn't that how you've felt all this time? It's why you snuck out in the first place. It's why you've begged to go to work, of all places, just to not be around me.” Phil hissed.
It was Dan who lowered his gaze this time. “It's true that I don't like having my choices made for me. I won't deny that.”
“Exactly.” He shot back, bitingly.
“But. That doesn't mean I don't want to be here. I could have left. For two weeks, you were gone. I could have ran. I could have left and never came back. But I stayed. I stayed because I wanted to. Because I wanted to see you. Because I needed to see you. I needed to see you again so I could tell you I love you.” He confessed.
He rolled his eyes as he ran a hand through his hair. “Dan, please.”
“Listen to me, Phil. Since the moment I met you, I've felt this... pull towards you. I hated admitting it, especially when I found out about the curse. But it was always there. That’s why I tried to stay away. Not because I didn’t like you, but because I liked you too much. It was all so intense and fast. And as I got to know you, I slowly started to fall for you more. You have treated me like no other person ever has. You care about me, genuinely. You're sweet and kind and so intelligent. And probably one of the funniest people I know.” Dan stepped closer, his eyes boring into Phil’s. “And being with you... physically, is unlike anything I've ever felt before. I crave to be around you, as often as possible. I want to be around you, as often as possible.”
Phil bit his trembling lip, remaining quiet.
“When I thought you died, I felt like I lost a part of myself. And it suddenly dawned on me, while I held your body in my arms, that I never got to tell you how I felt. How I finally felt like I belonged, how I finally felt loved by someone. How I finally felt seen. For the first time in my life, I wanted to live. I've never felt more alive than with you.” He choked back a cry deep within his throat. “But you were gone. And I just felt so broken. That's how I know I love you. Because I can't imagine going on for the rest of my life without you in it.”
Phil’s eyes stung with tears. “But that's the thing, Dan. You're gonna die. All because you met me. Because you love me.”
“No. I won't allow that to happen. And neither will you.” Dan said, determined.
He let out a humorless laugh. “C'mon. It's destiny.”
“Look how many times I almost died. You stopped every single one. If I have to fight every single day to stay alive just to be with you, I'll do it. Because that is truly what I want. I want to spend every single day with you, even if it kills me.” He insisted.
He shuddered a breath. “You're signing your death wish loving me.”
He shrugged back, “I know. But what else am I supposed to do? Not love you?”
“Leave. Run as fast as you can. Go, before it's too late.” He suggested, sincerely.
“It is too late, unfortunately.” Dan smiled, “Besides, living on the edge is kind of fun. Minus the constant string of almost deaths.”
Phil’s head dropped, “I don't know if I can take losing you again.”
Dan grabbed his hands, pulling him close. “Then don't. Fuck fate. I'm not allowing myself to die, and I know you won't allow that to happen either. I'm gonna be around you so long you'll get sick of me.”
“Not possible.” He shook his head, giving Dan a once over. “Is this really what you want?”
“Absolutely. I love you.” He responded, like it was the easiest thing in the world.
Phil finally let the tears shed, “Fuck, I love you too. I've been waiting 200 years to say that to you.”
Dan wiped them away, locking his eyes with his once more. “That's a lot of time to make up for. How about we start... tonight?”
Phil's eyes darkened, his head nodding devilishly. He leaned in, giving Dan a feverous kiss. Dan melted into him, his arms wrapping around him tightly. He had just begun to nibble on Phil's lip when he pulled away. “I have to ask you something first.”
“What?” He queried.
“Tonight... Can I mark you? Permanently?” Phil asked.
Dan inhaled sharply. “Wouldn't that mean-?”
“If you don't want to be turned, that's fine. I know it's a lot to ask out of the blue.” He remarked, “But I figured, if you plan to stick around for a long time, you're gonna need to be immortal to do that.”
He mused, “That's true.”
“I have no plans to turn you, not unless you want it. But a permanent mark means you will be turned, eventually.” He reiterated.
“I know.” Dan murmured.
Phil stammered, “A-and if you don't want that, that's okay. You can say no, I don't mi-”
“You can... mark me.” He swallowed hard, his body racing with pleasure, “Permanently.”
He bit his lip, “Are you sure?”
Dan hummed, closing his eyes tightly. “I want to be yours. And I want you to be mine... forever.”
Phil pressed his forehead against Dan's, a low groan rumbling in his chest. “Daniel…”
He couldn't help but mewl, pressing himself into Phil's body. “I love when you say my name like that.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Dan?”
“Mhmm?”
“I need you to fuck me. Right. Now.” Phil growled.
Dan slammed his lips onto Phil's, moaning into the kiss. Phil's arms wrapped around Dan firmly, and suddenly a gush of wind hit Dan's back. They were no longer in the living room. Phil had moved them to his bedroom in a flash, never stopping the kiss.
He pushed Dan down onto the bed, climbing on top of him instantly. Dan's mouth fell open, a dark chuckle escaping his lips.
“You're so eager.” He smirked.
He exhaled a laugh, “You try waiting hundreds of years for your lover and see how calm you are in bed.”
“You're not gonna last longer than two seconds, by that logic.” Dan raised an eyebrow at him.
Phil teased, “If you're good enough, maybe.”
“Is that a challenge?” He whispered, huskily.
“Only if you're up for it.” Phil's hand slid down Dan's body, cupping his hardening length through his pants. “I guess that's a yes.”
Dan stifled a moan, his eyes fluttering at Phil's motion. His hips moved involuntarily, rubbing up against Phil's hand. “F-Fuck, Phil.”
He nipped along Dan's jaw, a playful grin resting on his lips. “Already so hard for me, we haven't even done anything.”
“Kissing you just really gets me going, I guess.” Dan choked out a laugh, pressing his head back against the pillow. He stared up at Phil, his hand sliding down between Phil's legs. He slithered his hand inside of his pants, grasping Phil's fully erect cock. “This all for me too?”
Phil's head fell into Dan's neck, a whine slipping from his lips. “Y-Yes, Dan. Need you so bad.”
Dan pushed Phil over with his other hand, getting on top of him. “Let me make you feel good. Please?”
Dan had already began to lower himself before Phil could answer. His hands rested softly on Phil's hips, waiting for approval. He stared up at Phil with pleading eyes drowning in lust.
Phil nodded, biting his lip; Dan's gaze leaving him speechless. Dan yanked Phil's pants down, leaving his underwear on for the moment. Phil pulled his shirt off, suddenly feeling extremely exposed.
He gripped the shoulders of Dan's shirt, pulling at it. “Off.”
Dan smirked up at him, listening to him a second later. Phil stared down at Dan's back, his eyes snaking over the freckles and moles that adorned his skin.
Dan's lips found Phil's stomach, kissing and licking at the soft skin. Dan had wanted to do this for so long, to see Phil like this: naked and hard for him. Aching for him. And as the closer he grew to Phil's cock, his mouth watered. If he didn't taste him soon, he would need to be put down like a rabid dog.
He nipped at Phil's hips, just above his underwear. Phil sucked in a breath, biting back a grin. His fingers massaged along Dan's shoulders, nails digging into his forearms as he finally began to pull his underwear down.
Dan slid it off Phil's legs, tossing it behind him with their other discarded clothes. Phil's dick slapped against his stomach, the tip red and leaking; begging for attention.
Dan took in every detail of Phil's member. His hand wrapped around the base of it, giving it a few soft tugs.
“Oh, fuck Daniel. I-I don't think I'm gonna last that long tonight.” He gripped the blanket underneath him, “Your hands already feel too good.”
“Well good thing we have eternity to do this over and over again.”
Dan jerked him a few more times, before finally bringing his lips to the leaking head. He licked around the tip, allowing Phil's taste to linger on his tongue. Phil watched, frozen in pleasure, as Dan sank down on his cock. He took him inch by inch, his eyes locking with Phil's the deeper he went.
Phil threw his head back against the pillow, his fingers lacing into Dan's soft hair. He cursed, adjusting his hips so he could gently thrust into Dan's mouth. Dan caught on, however; he placed his hands on Phil's hips, pushing him down into the mattress. He bobbed his head in a steady rhythm, Phil barely able to move.
“Fuck yes, Dan. So good.” Phil's voice was just above a whisper, “So good to me.”
Dan moaned around Phil's cock, the praise rushing straight to his own dick. He was leaking precum inside his own underwear, the sticky sensation arousing him more. He rutted against the mattress pathetically, needing any kind of friction he could get.
He popped his mouth off of Phil, replacing it with his hand. His mouth lowered, licking and sucking on Phil's balls. Phil's hips snapped, his mouth falling open in a surprised gasp. He watched Dan with half-lidded eyes.
Dan sped up his motions, his hand squeezing lightly around Phil. His lips wrapped around Phil's cock again, taking him deeper. Phil's back arched at the feeling, his eyes rolling up into his head.
Dan pressed down on Phil's abs, making sure he couldn't buck up into his mouth. He wanted to be the one to fuck Phil's cock with his mouth and make him come. Even though, the idea of Phil facefucking him did sound incredibly hot. But not now. He wanted to prove to Phil how much he wanted him, how much he needed him, how much he loved him.
He hollowed out his cheeks, sucking Phil harder and harder with each bob of his head. He could feel Phil hitting the back of his throat, almost gagging around him.
The noises from both of them were so obscene, it made Dan leak more and more. Phil tugged on Dan's hair, whimpering as he tried to fuck into Dan's mouth.
“Fuck! 'm coming, Dan! Yessss!” Phil mewled, his breath hitching in his throat as he exploded into Dan's mouth. Dan swallowed around Phil's member, taking as much of his cum as he could. He stared up at Phil with glistening eyes, watching as he unraveled. What a beautiful sight to behold.
Once Phil was finished, Dan slowly slid him out of his mouth. He gave little licks to the softening head, smiling mischievously as Phil's body jolted from the overstimulation.
Phil glared down at him playfully, Dan finally noticing that his eyes were red, his fangs just peeking out from behind his upper lip. He crawled up to Phil, his eyes searching his face. “Does that always happen when you...?”
“What?” Phil's tongue licked his lips, suddenly feeling his fangs. “Oh! Sorry. Um, I don't think so…”
“It's okay. I like the whole vamp look. It'd be pretty dumb if I didn't find it hot.” He snickered.
Phil blinked, “You like when I look like this?”
“One hundred percent.” Dan confirmed.
Phil purred. “You're a freak.”
He nudged him with his nose. “Just for you.”
“Good. I don't want to share.” He replied.
“Me neither.”
They smiled at each other, a glow settling into their skins. Phil leaned up and caught Dan's lips. It was a slow kiss, sensual. Dan's body pressed into Phil's, his hard on digging into his hip.
“Mmm. You poor thing. You're so hard.” Phil teased, his hand slithering between the two of them and finding Dan's bulge.
Dan hissed, burying his face in Phil's neck. He couldn't help but grind his crotch against his hand, needily.
Phil pulled at Dan's pants, sliding his hand in and finally touching Dan's aching cock. “Fuuuck. You're so wet and hard for me.”
Dan found Phil's lips, kissing him deeply. Phil stroked his length slowly, their tongues lapping at each other. Dan finally pulled back a moment later, his eyes as dark as night.
“On your stomach.”
Phil's eyes widened, his body following Dan's command. Dan kneeled on the bed, pulling his pants and underwear off finally. His cock sprang free, the cool air around it making his body almost shiver. Phil watched Dan over his shoulder, his eyes dancing over his lower half.
Before Dan could ask, Phil reached over and grabbed lube out of his night stand. He handed it to Dan, settling back down on the mattress.
Dan lubed up his fingers, lowering himself closer to Phil. He kissed along his spine, making sure to give an extra kiss to the beauty marks that decorated Phil's skin. Phil let out a soft giggle when Dan finally sunk to the base of his spine. He spread his legs, giving Dan more access.
Dan rested his one hand on Phil's hip, the other slowly tracing the sensitive skin of Phil's hole. Dan's movements were gentle, slowly easing himself into Phil.
Phil moaned into the pillow, his back arching at Dan's teasing motions. Dan guided a finger into Phil's hole, stretching him out. He worked his digit in and out of Phil, pressing closer and closer to his prostate.
“Gimme more.”
Dan raised an eyebrow, kissing his hip. “Patience, your majesty.”
As Dan added a second finger, Phil could feel himself growing hard against the mattress. He wiggled his hips, trying to get some relief, but it wasn't enough. Dan reveled at the feeling of Phil around his fingers. He could only imagine how good he would feel around his cock.
Phil whined desperately, “Moreee.”
Dan snickered, adding a third finger. “This what you want?”
Phil fucked back against Dan's fingers, panting. “Yeahhh.”
Dan watched Phil, mesmerized by the way his hole took his fingers. His dick was knocking up against his stomach, begging for any attention. He raised himself back up the mattress, his mouth right by Phil's ear. “You ready for me?”
“Fuck yes, Dan. Please.” He pleaded.
Dan glided his fingers out of Phil, grabbing the lube and squirting more into his hand. He slathered his cock in it, jerking himself off until he felt covered in it. He angled his hips, lining himself up. Phil was looking over his shoulder at Dan, waiting.
Dan eased in, Phil's body taking him slowly inch by inch. He felt like a siren was going off inside of him, his mind reeling with pleasure and Phil. He sank deeper, until he was finally buried completely inside of him.
He stayed there for a moment, just breathing. They both took deep breaths, Phil's body shuddering under Dan.
“You okay?” He muttered, rubbing his hips.
Phil nodded, biting his lip harshly. “You just feel so fucking good.”
Dan lowered his head to Phil's neck, kissing along his shoulders. He pulled out of Phil, leaving just his tip inside, until pushing back in.
They found the perfect rhythm quickly. Phil bucked back in time to meet Dan's thrusts, his ass beginning to slap against him. Dan wanted Phil even closer to him, somehow. He snaked his hand under Phil, wrapping an arm across his chest and pressing his back to Dan's front. Phil gripped the pillows in front of him, keening.
His voice shook with each thrust, “Just. Like. That. Yeaaa.”
“Feels good, Phil? Am I making you feel good?” Dan grunted.
“Mhmmm, so good. Fucking amazing.” Phil nodded, panting. “Go faster.”
“Yeah?” Dan picked up his pace, the sound of their bodies slamming against each other echoing off the walls. “Want it like this?”
Phil grinned mindlessly, his eyes rolling. “Christ, Dan!”
Dan pressed his mouth against Phil's ear, breathing heavily into it. His hips rocketed back and forth like a piston, Phil taking him deeper each time.
“Lift your hips for me.” Dan commanded, his free hand sliding down Phil's side.
Phil did, and suddenly Dan's hand found his abandoned cock, throbbing for attention against the mattress. Phil whined, throwing his head back against Dan's shoulder.
“D-Dan, f-f-fuck.” Phil sputtered out, breathless.
A guttural sound fell from Dan’s lips. “Fuck my hand. Use me. Make yourself feel good.”
Dan watched Phil pound into his hand and back onto his dick, his whole body feeling like it was on fire. He growled, biting Phil's shoulder.
The air in the room was growing hotter by the second. Their bodies were slick with sweat, the bed dampening beneath them. The walls echoed with their depraved moans and cries, the snap of their hips like a hasty metronome.
Neither Dan or Phil wanted this to end. Hours could pass with them just like this, tangled together in the sexiest way, and they would be content.
“'m getting close. Want you to come with me.” Phil lowered his voice, hungrily. “Please.”
Dan buried his head in between Phil's shoulder blades, pushing his forehead against his back. He nodded desperately, bucking into Phil faster and faster.
Phil's hole squeezed around Dan, and he swore he almost blacked out from the sensation. A high pitched sob escaped his lips. He gripped Phil's cock in response, Phil's breath hitching at the action.
His movements became messy, his mouthing falling open in a silent cry. Dan licked along his neck, asking him if he was going to come. Phil couldn't say anything, his body just bouncing between Dan's hand and dick. Phil shakily raised his hand behind him, his fingers finding Dan's hair. He tugged harshly, forcing Dan's head into the crease of his neck and shoulder.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! Dan! I-I-” He wailed.
“Do it. Come for me.” He growled. “I'm right there too!”
Phil's mouth found Dan's ear; his voice an animalistic sound. “Fucking fill me, Dan. Come!”
Dan exploded in ecstasy a second later. He slammed into Phil repeatedly, his body stiffening as he shot his load deep inside of him. Phil squeezed around him, his cock coming all over Dan’s hand. They pushed against each other firmly, their bodies shaking in unison as they orgasmed. Nonsense fell from their lips, a blend of curses and each other's names.
They collapsed onto the bed, Dan rolling off of Phil. He eased out of him slowly, not wanting to hurt him. They laid close to one another, still catching their breaths after their incredible highs. Phil eventually rolled over, looking at Dan. His face was flushed, his lips plump, and hair a mess. He imagined he looked the same way as Phil.
Phil placed a hand lightly on Dan's forearm, stroking it affectionately. “You alright?”
Dan nodded lazily, smiling softly. “Yeah. You?”
“Never been better.”
Phil shimmied closer, pressing a kiss to the tip of Dan's nose. He giggled, closing his eyes. He placed a hand gently on Phil's hip, rubbing little circles into it with his thumb.
They stayed silent for a while, basking in the afterglow. Occasionally they would give each other a peck, breaking apart with tender grins.
Phil was the first to speak. “Do you still want me to mark you permanently?”
“Yeah. Can we do it tonight or did I wear you out?” Dan questioned, teasingly.
“I could go for another round, Howell.” Phil scowled, lightheartedly.
He rolled his eyes. “Sure you can.”
Phil sat up and straddled Dan's lap. “There is something you need to know about the permanent mark, though.”
“What's that?” He inquired.
“We have to drink each other's blood at the same time. It doesn't have to be a lot, just a little bit.” He admitted.
“Oh. Okay, sure.” Dan sat up underneath him. “How are we to do-?”
Phil reached over to the nightstand, pulling out a letter opener. It was sharp, sparkling in the light of the room. “I figured I could give myself a little nick, and you could drink from it.”
Dan nodded, watching Phil curiously. Phil raised the letter opener to his neck, poking his skin. A little cut formed, a little drop of blood spilling from it and dripping towards his collarbone.
“From your neck, really?” he questioned. “You could have just bitten your wrist like they do in the movies.”
“You’re gonna have to get used to drinking blood from necks. Might as well start with me.” He stated, his eyes mischievous.
Dan exhaled, deadpanning. “Whatever you say.”
Phil cupped the back of Dan's head, pulling him towards him. In a second, his eyes changed to their crimson hues again, his fangs noticeable. He leaned in, giving him a quick kiss on the lips. Dan lowered his head, kissing down Phil's neck before reaching the cut.
Phil whispered low, “Ready? Three. Two. One.”
Dan's mouth latched onto Phil's neck, as Phil plunged his fangs deep into Dan. Dan gasped against Phil, the bite feeling deeper than any bite before.
As Phil's blood flowed into his mouth, he felt this sensation race through him. His heart began to race, his eyes fluttering as his spine tingled. He kept drinking, soft moans falling from his lips as he did. It almost felt like his body was building up to a mini orgasm. It was overwhelming, but amazing. He was so distracted by the pleasure, he didn't realize how much Phil was taking from him.
He felt a crescendo hit, his body shaking with ecstasy as he whined and drank Phil's blood more.
Phil pulled back a moment later, his mouth stained red. His eyes were just as crimson, the hunger in them making Dan's heart skip a beat. He leaned forward, lips almost brushing. “You're mine, forever now.”
“And you're mine.” He stared, eyes wide with love and euphoria.
Phil beamed, “Thank God.”
Dan laughed, pulling Phil into a tight embrace. His body shifted slowly back into a laying position, Phil's head resting on Dan's chest.
Their eyes locked as Dan played with Phil's hair. “I love you.”
Phil’s smile remained, as he relaxed into Dan. His voice was just above as whisper as he spoke. “I've waited so long to hear you say that to me. I never got to hear it before you died.”
He furrowed his brow. “Really? We didn't say it to each other back then?”
“We were both too scared, I think.” He frowned.
“Then I have a lot of time to make up for.” Dan answered.
“We can start with forever.” Phil suggested.
He hummed, “Sounds good to me.”
Phil kissed across his collarbone, up to his jaw and then his lips. He went to pull back, only for Dan's hand to hold his face against his own. The kiss was slow and sensual, their tongues only getting a little taste of one another.
Finally, Phil was able to pull back, taking a deep breath. He rubbed his nose against Dan's, sighing. “I love you too.”
every song dnp have sung on tour together is a kind of love song if you think about it. and also. i am fucking terrified of what kind of love song they are going to choose to end their collaboratively gay tour with
Sam and Colby need to post more frequently 😭 1 video a month is still not enough 🥲
sorry for the late reply anon ! tumblr didn't tell me i had an ask.
but yes, i agree. the lack of posting is kind of why i've moved away from them for the most part. i love them dearly, and always will. but like... it's hard to be into a content creator if i can count on one hand how many times they upload during a fiscal quarter lol
like i get it to a point, and i've gone on about it ad nauseum for years now, but like... idk what they expect to happen. sure the subs keep going up, but the fandom at large is basically nonexistent now bc they don't interact with us and they barely post.
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