#ascott

When Avid had first suggested the idea, Scott had been faintly amused at the prospect. He’d thought it nothing more than a fun little thing to indulge in; it would serve as a good chance to get out of the castle, and if it would please the other, it was worth the small bit of effort Scott would have to put in. But now, hearing his love’s heartbeat thunder in his chest in a mix of fear and excitement, seeing the other sprint across the ground like his life depends on it – he had to admit it was exhilarating, and Scott was ever the more glad he’d agreed. He hadn’t thought his little toy would be into being hunted for fun, though he has faced many interesting surprises from the other since he’d decided to keep him around, and this perhaps wasn’t even the oddest one. He hums out a small tune as he chases after the other, purposely keeping his pace slow enough to not catch up but fast enough to never lose sight of his prey. He wants this fun to last, after all, so there’s no harm in drawing it out a bit. Gosh, how long has it been since he felt the thrill of the chase? Since he could hear the broken breathing of his prey, see the tremble of their legs as they weakened from exhaustion, his own body only being strengthened by the adrenaline? Perhaps not very long, but he will admit to himself that he can’t quite recall a chase as fun as this one. He wouldn’t say it out loud, of course, since it would be telling Avid he thinks his presence makes things more enjoyable, and he can’t have Avid thinking he actually cares about him; especially when he looks so cute vying for Scott’s attention.

Though Scott supposes the other does look cute most of the time, like right now with the moon illuminating his fluffy brown hair, turning it almost silver. It reminds Scott somewhat of a lamb. A little lost lamb, running through the woods, with no hope of escape from the sharp fangs itching to take hold and not let go. Weak and tired and so alone, with only his hunter to keep him company. Scott smiles at the thought; this is turning out to be a much more entertaining activity than he had originally imagined. “Oh, Avid~ We both know how this will end, so why not make it easier on the both of us and stop running?” His voice rings out across the silent forest, and he relishes in the rapid increase he can hear in the already pounding heartbeat.

It’s almost unbelievably easy to get the other worked up and scared. So simple, and yet rewarding all the same. The smell of blood drifts over to him stronger, and he almost lets out a huff when he realizes why. Avid really should be more careful; letting himself get hurt stands as a beacon, alerting other vampires of his presence. Well, it’s a good thing no one is stupid enough to steal Scott’s prey. “Then again, you always did love to put up a fight. No matter, after all, it’s much more fun for me this way,” he says after a moment, watching the other stumble at the words. Scott’s eyes narrow when he sees Avid trip, locked onto the very moment he realizes the little hunter won’t be able to right himself in time. His muscles tense and he darts forward with all the speed he hadn’t used earlier, reaching his side in less than a second. His arm wraps around Avid’s waist, stopping his fall just in time.

He feels as Avid relaxes for a moment before he tenses again, and he has to stop himself from chuckling at the reaction.

Instead he leans in and whispers against the other’s ear, “Careful, little lamb. You could have gotten that pretty face of yours all dirty.”

He moves Avid’s back against a tree and pins him there. He can see the thin gleam of sweat on Avid’s face, feels his pulse thunder through his skin. They’ve done enough running for today, he thinks. After all, it wouldn’t be any fun if his human fainted from exhaustion, being as weak as he is and all. “Looks like I caught you, my little lamb.” He moves his free hand up to hold Avid’s face, smiling as he notices the way the other subconsciously leans into the touch, probably not even aware himself that he’s doing it. “I deserve a prize for winning this little chase, don’t you think?” Scott watches the other swallow, eyes following the movement under his wraps. Scott deftly removes the fabric, letting it fall to the ground beside them. He leans close and breathes a puff of air across the other’s neck, taking joy in the hitching of breath the action elicits. “And I have the perfect idea for what that could be.” He drags his fangs along the exposed flesh, letting out a chuckle at the whimper that follows, and the subtle head tilt that provides him easy access to Avid’s soft skin. “Cute,” he whispers, before sinking his fangs in. Avid’s blood tastes sweet; not like candy would, no, Avid’s blood is sweet like a memory of forgotten times resurfacing. It’s sweet like moonlit flower fields, wild and untamed. It’s sweet like the sight of the other, broken and afraid before him. He relishes in the feeling the blood gives him, and in turn lets some of his own emotions flow through the bite, taking but giving in an expression of gratitude he would never admit to out loud. He retracts his fangs from the bite and licks the wound dry, healing it as he does. After all, blood is such a pain to get out of clothing, and it would be such a waste of food. Scott grins at the unfocused gaze of the other, his arm moving to snake around Avid’s waist as his other hand forces the human to look up at him. “You know, this is probably one of your most endearing traits,” Scott murmurs, as he pushes his fingers down lightly over the bite marks.

The pressure causes Avid to let out a whine, and the sound is like music to his ears, soft and sweet and pathetic in the most endearing way. “How easy you break.” Scott leans closer, watching as Avid’s eyes widen. “What are you–” He places a finger over Avid’s mouth, cutting off his sentence.

“I’ve gotten my prize already, but you didn’t fight back during the bite. Good behavior like that deserves a reward too, don’t you agree?”

Scott watches the other swallow nervously, clearly trying to work up the might to speak properly. “What could you possibly give me?” The question makes him chuckle. “You and I both know the answer to that, little lamb.” It’s true. They both know exactly what Avid wants from Scott, what he craves.

He’s always tried to hide his desires, probably seeing them as foolish and wrong, to yearn for something of that manner. But Scott’s nothing if not observant, able to pick up little details he can use to pry others apart and spill their horrid truths to the world if he chooses. Instead, he uses that knowledge to taunt and tease, finding the reactions to those much more entertaining than pure anger and betrayal directed his way.

Especially when Avid, surprisingly, responds with, “Maybe, but why don’t you tell me?” There’s enough strength in his voice that it shocks Scott for a moment, to think the other still holds that much courage underneath his shaky exterior.

“My, I didn’t know you had it in you. I’ll admit, confidence looks good on you, little lamb.” Scott runs his thumb over Avid’s lower lip, smiling at the way the red creeps up the other’s face and how his body freezes. “But you look much better like this.” Part of him wants to tease the other longer, and he definitely could, but he wasn’t lying when he said he thinks Avid deserves a treat. And Scott knows he’ll savour giving the treat just as much. He leans towards Avid, leaving only a few inches separating them. “You want to know what your reward is?” He watches in amusement as Avid blinks a few times, before finally seeming to process his words and nodding. Scott leans in further, until their noses touch, voice a whisper when he speaks, “Well then, why don’t I show you?”

He presses his lips against Avid’s, almost smiling from the way the other instantly reacts and kisses back. It’s soft, somewhat hesitant, and oh so fragile, in a way only Avid could make feel so delightful. It feels like cornering your prey, sharp teeth bared and ready to lunge for the final blow, watching as it accepts its fate. But it feels like mercy, too, sparing its life and gaining its devotion, knowing with time it will eventually let its guard down. And when that guard is lowered, you can sweep in for the final blow. Scott tugs at Avid’s hair, eliciting a gasp from the other which Scot uses to his advantage to deepen the kiss. He can taste the faint flavor of ash in Avid’s mouth, so he lets his fangs bite down, light enough not to be noticed, and laps up the sweet taste of blood that flows into his mouth. It tastes like saccharine and submission. It tastes like a promise.

As always, huge thanks to my beta @completely-sane-scientist for all his help and support in making these stories!

Summary:

‎Scott had been alive long enough for the map of his heart to have been redrawn a dozen times, cities rising and falling, fashions of cruelty and grace coming into and out of style. He had slept for six centuries and woken to centuries more, a library of names he did not keep. Love had always been a rumor he studied with clinical interest; attachment was tidy, transactional, brief. When he had cared, it had always been the kind of care that could be traded away.

‎So he was not built for surprises.