Niclas Leggio

when a single finger trailed over the leather collar around his throat he couldn’t help the slight frown that pulled at his lips. because nic was right he’d been reduced to some slave, but if he would have known that before he took the grant and came to the island he wouldn’t have came. now that he was here and a semester in he felt obligated to stay. luka huffed at that statement. “only so much you can do?” he echoed, shaking his head faintly. “guess you better get creative then.” the boy said brazenly - already aware the man would go to great lengths for him. so there was no doubt in his mind he would find a way.

“i…expected you sooner.” luka eventually said. having to give credit to the vampire where it was deserved. he was persistent he’d give him that. oddly enough he found that charming in itself. “i’m - i’m just not ready to leave yet. i told you…i wanted to do m-more things that took me out of my comfort zone. going to school being one of them. i w-was homeschooled. my dad never let me go to - to the schools around phoenix.” at least nic was actively listening to him. whether or not he accepted it or not…well that ball was in his court.

“good,” luka narrowed his gaze, already knowing where this was going. the words whispered hotly against his ear, leaving shivers race down his spine that left him breathless for a moment. there was no denying the fact that he missed niclas too. he’d be lying if he said he hadn’t. “i dunno,” luka began, a hand stretching out to run over nic’s thigh. “i have this feeling that you’ve done a lot of no good things while you were looking for me.” luka was calming down now as he sunk into a different mindset. “lucky for you…” he leaned closer, and closer, lips brushing over the others. “its hot knowing how much you care.”  and luka was desperate for this kind of love and devotion.

               Niclas brushed off his little comment about “getting creative” with a discreet eye roll. He didn’t like to admit it, but Luka was his soft spot, the only person that could get this close to insulting him and walk away from it unscathed.  “You do realize I’m not your guard dog, right?” And even if he had been, no amount of “creativity” was ever going to change the fact that he was a guard and Luka was one of the slaves he was expected to keep in line. But it was best not to dwell on those things, especially when they soured his mood. 

               Instead, he guided Luka into the booth and onto his lap, an all-too-pleased smile on his face as he did so. “Is that supposed to be your way of saying you missed me, little one?” His expression tightened at the mention of the human’s father. After everything the boy had gone through with his dad, the last thing Nic had wanted was for Luka to feel trapped in the life they had together, but he was, despite all reasoning the human was the Niclas’ caged little bird. The vampire’s overprotective nature had gotten the best of him. “Wish you would’ve picked anywhere else,” he confessed. “But, you know, I respect your wishes. You’re my smart boy, you know how to keep your nose clean. Just... keep it that way, alright? Because if you get hurt, I’m gonna hurt someone. And then I’m probably gonna get hurt

“ Yes, sir. I’m Anderson.” He said with a smile.  “ It is a pleasure to meet you as well. And you don’t have to apologize, I didn’t mind it. I like being fed on and the vampire was very nice, a real gentleman.” He beamed. Anderson couldn’t remember the man that fed on him, for some reason, but he was kind and didn’t hurt him. He made it quite enjoyable.

“ Nic. I will remember that.” He said. “ Are you new around her, I don’t think I’ve seen you before.” He commented. “ Oh, he is kind of used to me being late from time to time. I think he purposely tells me to come in an hour early so when I get there I’m on time.”  

            “Is that right?” The corners of his mouth quirked up with an amused smile. It always pleased him to see his compulsion take root, he didn’t always get the satisfaction of seeing it at work. And even now, nearly three centuries later, he was still very much amazed when he did get the opportunity. “Good to know, Anderson.” The vampire made sure to utter his name, committing it to his own memory for the time being. This one in particular could be of use to him in the future. “Perhaps you’ll allow me the pleasure of using you myself one day.” Niclas stood from his seat.

            “I see. You’re a regular employee of the month, aren’t you?” Not that he really gave a shit, the kid wasn’t working for him. At least not yet. “Where do you work exactly?”

Josie nodded; she could sure relate to that.  Her entire existence for the longest time was her swindling people to give her anything she wanted - their prized possessions, their attention, their secrets.  She could respect the desire to keep affairs close to the chest, hidden from prying eyes.  “No, why should I?” she asked, with a little smirk.  “I’m never gonna see these people again after I leave, and I don’t really care how I appear to people on a broader scale.  I’m much more personal than that, we’ll say.”  Josie liked keeping people guessing, never knowing what side of her was the true side.  She laughed, shaking her head.  “Sounds about right, sounds like us.  And thanks, but no thanks.”

            “Optics,” came his quick reply. Perhaps too quickly, as if the answer should have been obvious. “It’s not really about what people think, or approval.” Because who cared about that? He was a vampire, powerful and immortal. People come and go, but he would be around until the oceans turn to dust. So long as he watched his back. “It’s about what you can make them think they know. But I don’t have to tell you that, it’s part of your whole djinn schtick, isn’t it?” He’d just learned to apply it the only way his kind could, through compulsion and artificial charm. “Does it? I guess now that you mention it — you do bear a striking resemblance. Shouldn’t come as a surprise that you’d be scary-hot too. Either way, my loss. Another time, maybe.”

there it was. those words he knew was coming. as much as he wanted to resist taking the other man’s hand in his, he reached for it. if only to relish in the familiarity. he has been homesick for quite some time now, and his home…was with nic. of course now he was comfortably seated next to the vampire, mulling over what he was going to respond with. “i’m not going home.” luka said, his voice tight, refusing to look up at the other. “i swear if you compel me–” luka cut himself off, jaw clenching. what could he really do if he compelled him? he couldn’t fight it, well not that he knew of. “i’m - i’m doing good here nic…on my own. you said i wasn’t safe or i couldn’t do it alone and - and i am. i’m fine.” luka turned towards him, back to his coworker so she couldn’t see the worry etched into his features. luka knew niclas wouldn’t hurt him, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t do what he needed to so he had everything go his way. “y-you’re ridiculous. tracking me down. i thought - i thought it was impossible t-to get information from this place.” luka stared at him and silently hated himself for thinking how amazing he looked. even in this shitty lighting. he never did quite understand what had nic so enamored with him.

”did you hear me?” luka asked softly. he really wanted to drive his point home. “i’m notleaving.” as screwed up as the dynamics were on this island and with some masters being overly rude and sadistic luka was doing okay. but now everything was going to change and he knew it. “now…i’m at work. and i-if you’re gonna cause a scene i’ll have to ask y-you to go.” luka tried to sound as threatening as possible but probably failed. 

            The muscles in his jaw clenched at Luka’s immediate refusal to come home. Niclas knew it wouldn’t be easy, that it’d take more coaxing than simply asking nicely, but goddamnit if it didn’t still infuriate him. “Doing good?” The vampire ran his finger across the collar on the boy’s neck. “This thing around your neck isn’t some kind of fashion statement. You’re a slave, Luka. This isn’t the same as me looking after you at Crimson King, there’s only so much I can do here to keep you safe.”

            The vampire scoffed, it’s like Luka had forgotten who he was talking to. Tracking, controlling, none of it was out of character for Niclas. “I’m insulted that you thought I’d go to anything but extreme lengths to find you.” To be with him again, to bring him home, and keep him safe. And the more he repeated that in his head, the more he realized what he was doing again. Which was pushing the human away. “Yeah, alright. I hear you. You don’t want to come home.” Same argument, different place.

            Defeated, for now, Nic gave in. “Relax, sparky. I’m not here to cause a scene.” Putting on a show, on the other hand, was an entirely different story. “Since you’re at work and all,” the words were a whisper against the shell of Luka’s ear. “What do you say we have some fun for old time’s sake? I’ve missed you dearly, little one.” 

You’re 𝒹𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓈

               With all your 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴

           You see me ＲＩＳＥ

After the slave had walked away, Sasha wondered if she would be able to just keep walking like nothing had happened. She was hardly smooth however, and her heart was pounding from hearing someone get compelled so easily. Just as she took a step, the vampire appeared in front of her in a flash and she gasped loudly. Sasha jumped back against the wall and looked up at him with wide, scared eyes.

“Oh um, I wasn’t - I didn’t mean to, I’m so sorry Sir. I just heard you compel that girl and saw you give her a bandage. That’s all, I’m sorry, I won’t say anything to anyone if you don’t want me to, I promise.” She was afraid she had made him angry and now he would compel her, and compulsion still scared her.

            He’d asked the question with every intention of catching the girl in a lie, and was pleasantly surprised when she hadn’t. Perhaps not the smartest thing to do, but certainly the honorable one. Maybe he wouldn’t compel this one after all. Time would tell.

            “Right,” Came his slightly skeptical reply, still weighing the pros and cons of letting this one go. “Well, on that we can agree. You shouldn’t say anything to anyone.” A polite suggestion, as opposed to the mental manipulation his kind was known for. “Look, I’m not gonna hurt you. But — I am curious to know what your thoughts are about what you saw.” 

            Slowly, so as not to startle the girl, the vampire lifted her chin until her eyes met his. Niclas’ next words were gentle, a stark contrast to what she’d witnessed mere moments ago. “Be honest, sweetheart,” he said. The kindness in his tone coming from a place of faith in his own abilities, and that she would not be able to resist the compulsion. 

Josie had walked in on this feeding not too long into it, by the looks of it.  But the two were so wrapped up in it all, that she couldn’t help but just sit and wait for them to be done, maybe to notice her.  It was interesting to watch, though, that’s for sure.  

“You really keep yourself prepared, huh?” she smirked, from where she was sitting at the lounge bar, glass of wine in hand with two high-heeled feet crossed at the ankles.  Josie took a sip and set it down on a coaster.  “Guess I can’t blame you.  Reputations mean a lot to you masters, huh?”  None of this was said in anything but casual conversation.  “I’d offer you some of mine, but I kinda need it.  Besides, isn’t djinn blood supposed to be spicy or something?  I’m usually the one drinking, not the one drank from.”

            Niclas turned his head slightly and cast a brief glance in her direction. Out of the corner of his eye he could just make out her blonde hair before he closed them. “I like to be discreet, there’s no reason to bring any unwanted attention to myself.” The way Niclas saw it, he benefitted very little from wreaking havoc and scaring the slaves. They were of no use to him if they didn’t trust him. Even if that trust was something he’d fabricated himself.

            “What, you telling me you don’t care about your reputation?” He asked, eyes still closed and head rested comfortably against the couch. “Wouldn’t know,” he stated plainly. “I’ve never fed from a djinn. Ones I used to know would have sooner driven a stake through my heart. In a real loving sorta way, that is. They had a funny way of showing affection.” Niclas opened his eyes and turned his head to face her. “You trying to be my first?”

Sasha turned to look when she heard a voice saying come here, but when she realized the man was speaking to the slave beside her. She watched a moment but when she realized the man was a vampire compelling the slave, she let out a small gasp and rushed to hide away from him around the corner. She listened a moment to hear what he was putting in the girl’s head and furrowed her brow in concern. Sasha couldn’t help but peer around the corner to see what he told her to put on, but breathed in relief that it was a bandage. She glanced at the man’s face to remind herself who to stay away from in the future, before she ducked back around the corner again.

            With the slave dismissed and properly taken care of, Niclas reclined back into the couch. While vampires didn’t sleep, every now and then, he did need to take some time for himself, to quiet his busy mind. Meditate. None of that legs crossed on the floor, ‘ohm-ing’ bullshit, just — closed eyes and relaxed mind. It helped — with his more unsavory moods. And boy, did he have plenty to be pissed about these days.

            Then something moved out of the corner of his eyes. Niclas didn’t move, he knew what he’d seen, eyes too keen for his mind to play tricks on. Someone was watching him. But he remained calm, concerned that any sudden movements could send them running. Not that it would get them very far. Closing his eyes, Niclas stilled his breathing, a habit he’d formed to make himself seem a little more human, and listened. A smile appeared on his lips when he caught what he was looking for, a heartbeat.

             With a sigh, Niclas rose from his seat, and in a blur of movement, darted in its direction. “Hello there, sweetheart.” He stepped closer, backing her further against the wall. “You weren’t eavesdropping, were you? What — did you see exactly?” What she saw, or didn’t see, didn’t actually matter. He’d make her forget most of it regardless. What he was interested in, was what she would say.

as usual luka was working the closing shift that evening. the business was dying down as closing neared, but they still had about an hour left in service and there was still a few vampires hanging around. luka sighed loudly when his coworker passed by him and said some hot guy in booth number twelve requested him. “why can’t they request you?” of course he was flattered and all but he was tired that night. “because i’m not as lucky as you.” she teased back, leaving luka’s lips quirk up some as he threw aside the towel he was cleaning with and headed over to the dimly lit area. though he could still make out a large figure.

“what can i do for you, big guy?” luka asked playfully as he approached the booth, stopping dead in his tracks as soon as he made out the face. no. no this wasn’t possible. he had to have been hallucinating or this was a trick of that djinn. “nic?” luka whispered out, shaking his head. “don’t tell me you…” luka cleared his throat, glancing over his shoulder at his coworker. “is this..real? so help m-me god nic–” luka pushed out. if he tried to say he was going home with him luka would flat out refuse. he was doing good here, and his grades were great. on one hand he was elated to see him, but on the other…well he left because of their argument and not for no reason. 

            It’d taken him more time to think of it than he cared to admit, looking for Luka at a blood bar, that is. Given the boy’s fondness for being fed on, Niclas was actually a little ashamed he hadn’t thought of it sooner. Though he couldn’t beat himself up too much over it, the last several months had left him in somewhat of a haze. Perhaps he’d over indulged in Luka’s absence. Regardless, he’d thought of it eventually, and helped himself to a booth in a dimly lit corner of the blood bar. 

            “Exotic Tastes, huh?” The vampire’s eyes roamed around the room, taking in the venue and searching for his little bird. It was no Crimson King, but he was sure Luka was getting his fix where he could take it these days. “Excuse me, darling.” Niclas reached out and seized the arm of a passing woman in uniform. “That boy over there, I’d like to request him.” She yanked her arm away and Nic quickly grabbed her again. “Perhaps I wasn’t clear,” He pulled her closer by the wrist. “Tell Luka Ramirez that the handsome gentleman in this booth has requested him. You’ll think I was nice and easy on the eyes, and you’ll be modestly envious of this missed opportunity for you.” He released her arm with a shove.

Anderson was on his way to work when he was summoned by a male vampire he never met, he didn’t mind being fed on, but he still winced when his fangs pierced his neck. Once the vampire was done he started to walk away, though pausing when he was called back.

He moved closer to the male until his mind went blank. He paused again before standing up straighter, taking the bandage from the vampire. “ Thank you, sir.” He said, before putting it on his neck. “ I was recently fed on and I forgot to cover up, my boss would not be happy with me if I’m bleeding all over the place.” He chuckled. “ I’m Anderson, nice to meet you.”  

            “Anderson.” Nic repeated the name, committing it to memory until such a time came that he no longer needed it. For now, this particular slave was of use to him, so he would play nice. “Don’t mention it. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Sorry that you - uh,” the vampire pointed to the slave’s now bandaged neck. “You got fed on.” And while he sounded sincere, he couldn’t have cared less either way, even if he hadn’t been the one doing the feeding. There were monsters far worse than him. As far as Niclas was concerned, Anderson had gotten off easy. 

            “Niclas.” The vampire leaned forward in his seat. “You can call me, Nic. Your boss gonna be mad if you’re late to work?”

Probably one of the only good things about the bikini dress code was that it was a good excuse to spend all day by the ocean or a pool and away from campus. She had spent all morning in the ocean working on some surfing and was headed back to the cells to shower when she heard a noise she had grown all too familiar with here on this damned island. It was the sound of someone struggling, their light cries and whimpers and pleas came one of the lounge rooms. Against her better judgement, she peaked into the room just in time to see the vampire compel his victim and send them on their way, Natalie stepped out of the way as she watched one of her fellow slaves walk out of the room in a daze, a look of pleasure and happiness on their face as they held the bandage to their neck like they were in a trance.

Stepping into the doorway, Natalie glared at the vampire, even though warning bells in her mind were telling her to leave the vampire alone, but she was felt with such a disgust and hatred for him. “Fucking classy act.” She snarled, glaring at the man like he was a monster. “They didn’t enjoy that, I heard them crying and begging you to stop, but no, as long as you get a tasty meal out of it, we are all disposable to you.” Natalie hated vampires and had her own trauma related to them.

            Niclas reached up to massage his temples, the sound of her voice like nails on a chalkboard, making it hard to think. Not because her voice was grating by any means, though her holier than thou attitude certainly was. Why was is always so hard for humans to mind their own business. “Like I give a shit what you think,” he groaned out. Usually, Niclas tried to be a little more tactful, a little charming, and disarming. It made for easier feeding and garnering trust. Though he’d found that snatch, eat, erase did the trick just as well.

            Niclas moved with astonishing speed, hand on her throat before he even really saw her face, pining Natalie against the wall behind her. “I fail to see how that’s any of your —” It took a moment, of thinking, of digging through nearly three centuries of memories before he finally grasped what he was looking for. He hadn’t recalled the sound of her voice, she hadn’t spoken much to him, Niclas had merely been a means to an end. But the face, the face he remembered. “Business,” he whispered, finishing his thought. “Well, I’ll be damned, you’re like a lingering cough, aren’t you?”