#halloween request

They met you in an alley, one night. The rich inheritor to some firm or another, cornered by a bunch of no-good (tasty) thugs.

Contrary to most people, you didn't run when Venom beat the shit out of, and promptly ate the heads off of your assailants. You were... Surprisingly open-minded? Eddie found that Venom liked you, and he'd be lying if your understanding of their situation wasn't refreshing. It was nice having someone other than his ex, or Ms. Chen to talk to about this sort of thing.

But when you hit them up to be a bodyguard to a freakin' Halloween party, of all places? He was hesitant, at first. But rent and groceries were kind of expensive... And you were offering quite a bit.

So, they took the offer. They met you, once again, in an alley.

The ground shook softly as Venom landed nearby. His maw stretched into an eerie grin as you gasped in shock before realizing just who it was.

"Oh! You're here!" You sighed with a relived smile, adjusting the little witch hat on your head, "I was starting to get worried."

"Yes, well... we wanted a snack so we grabbed some... fast-food on the way in." Venom replied with his deep, rumbly voice.

"Please tell me you cleaned up before you came here." You replied, scrunching your nose rather cutely.

"Of course, we aren't savages." Venom snorted, crossing his arms over his broad chest and staring down at you; almost offended you would suggest he wouldn't clean himself of the evidence.

"Oh... Well, good." You said in reply, "Did you guys pick out a costume?"

Venom frowned--pouted, really, before rocking his head from side to side. "Eddie said costumes are dumb."

The way he stretched out the last word reminded you of a petulant child mocking their parent, and it made you smile.

"So... I guess you're going as you?" You suggested.

Venom's opalescent eyes widened for a moment, like he hadn't thought of that. As he opened his mouth, a part of his face peeled back and Eddie's own face appeared; and he did not look thrilled.

"No--"

"Yes!"

You couldn't help the giggle that came from your lips as they argued back and forth. But eventually, the symbiote wins out in the end.

And so, that's how you walk into the club, arm-in-arm with Venom.

It shocked people, to say the least, but in some cases, when people got too close, Eddie and Venom were great at pretending he was some sort of expensive, animatronic suit. A few people even stopped for some photos!

The party was a droll thing at first, slow and boring, even for a rented nightclub. But a lot of these people were friend of your parents--very few really knew how to actually have fun. Even the younger people they paid to be with for the evening seemed bored out of their skulls.

That was, until Venom had hopped on stage. He had managed to load the DJ performing into playing something a little more lively--to "get the blood pumping". Apparently, nobody but you got the morbid joke.

His ploy worked, and people began to go down to the dance floor. Well... the ones young enough to avoid breaking a hip, anyways. The older ones complained about the music tastes, but your parents, the hosts of the party, clapped Venom on the shoulder and thanked him for saving the evening.

As you all sat down to enjoy cocktails, you explained that you'd hired him as your bodyguard. When asked what had happened to your primary one, you explained that after he left you alone long enough to get robbed the night you first met Venom, you decided it was a good change of pace and protection. Your parents wholeheartedly agreed.

However, neither of you were prepared for when your dad shook Venom's hand and asked the dreaded question:

"So... Are you interested in dating our daughter?"

You wanted to die on the spot.

Your heart sunk upon reading the name that appeared on your parchment after tapping it once with your wand as instructed, the small segment of paper slowly revealing his name in beautiful calligraphy.

You'd locked eyes either him upon looking up after your discovery, seeing that he was already gazing at you from across the hall, a stupidly wide grin on his face which was ominous in itself. You averted your gaze and sighed loudly, unfazed whether he was watching or not and turned to search through the crowd for Tobias.

Your heart sunk even further when you spotted him smiling down at Loretta Cornhill, a pretty ravenclaw girl who he'd clearly been partnered with. Lucky bitch.

How was it fair that she got Tobias whilst you were stuck with the school's resident trouble maker, or at least one half of that title? Halloween would most certainly not be your favourite holiday that year, or any following if it reminded you of this debacle.

Though the Weasley twins were infamous at Hogwarts and often loud enough to be heard the other side of the castle, pinning them down was harder than domesticating a wild chupacabra. It was nearly impossible to schedule in a time that worked for both of you to discuss what you were going to do, as much as you didn't want to sit down with him at all. Between Quidditch, practices, homework, extracurriculars and his detentions, it was hard to find the time to get together.

"All costumes should avoid offensive, violent or objectionable content. Any attempt of mockery regarding imitation of teachers or students alike will not be tolerated.

All costumes should not promote discrimination nor hatred relating to race, religion or any other identity markers.

All costumes should be of an appropriate length and coverage with no sexually suggestive content.

Your creativity is encouraged and prize will be awarded to the couple showing the most creativity, cohesive planning and initiative.

Anyone acting not in accordance to these rules will be escorted out of the celebrations and disciplinary actions will be taken."

You'd read the page aloud, reacquainting yourself with the parameters of the brief. You'd managed to secure the divination classroom for an hour after classes had finished and you wouldn't waste a minute, hoping to be done and out of here as soon as possible. It was your second meeting with Fred, the first one being an unmitigated disaster. Fred, as before, seemed to have other plans and determined to drag out your sessions. He was fidgeting with everything in sight, seemingly not paying attention and doing everything in his power other than focusing on the task at hand. It should have been a simple task: go over the instructions, refer to the brief and choose something relating to your category. You'd take charge if you had to, you knew his family wasn't the most well off and you didn't care about fairness in that sense. But just as the time before, the only thing he'd bought to the table were silly jokes and unhelpful comments.

"I'm not going as a ghost this year, but you can still get under my sheets," he grinned, taking a seat beside you, a little close for comfort. You ignored his words, trying to think of options, though you were running a blank. Nothing seemed good enough for what you wanted, and the ones you did think about didn't exactly translate to a matching costume with Fred.

"If we can't decide on a costume tonight, I can just go as your boyfriend?"

"Can you please just work with me for once? No jokes, no fucking around. I need to look nice this time and I don't want any more stupid suggestions of owls and magical creatures when our assignment is Magical Artifacts!" The frustration was clear upon your face and in your voice. You were sick of Fred's silly jokes and him deflecting actual work. 

"Why is this so important to you?" He says, suddenly much more level headed than before. You're suddenly acutely aware of how close he's sat to you, your shoulders practically touching.

"I'm trying to get Tobias' attention. It's my last shot, but he'll never look at me," you say honestly, no longer caring about keeping your little secret. The very thought bothered you more than you'd care to admit and you couldn't even look at Fred for how pathetic you seemed.

"Then he's an idiot."

You look at Fred after hearing his quietly spoken words and he's looking directly back at you, a sincerity in his eyes that you'd hardly even seen before. You give him a thankful half-smile, your frown disappearing before your eyes drift away from his, butterflies suddenly fluttering in your stomach.

Much to your surprise, your meetings with Fred after that were actually enjoyable, so much so that you looked forward to them more than anything. After your little heart to heart, Fred had actually sat and worked out a plan with you on what you were going to do. What was supposed to be a quick task actually turned into a night of sneaking back to your common rooms after hours because you'd stayed there talking all night.

It was strange to admit but you'd seen Fred in a different light, his softness and sweetness coming through. A natural flit and a wit as sharp as a whip, he made you laugh constantly. Your blooming friendship didn't end the minute you walked out of the divination classroom, much to your surprise, but instead seemed to traverse all the usual inter-house issues. A glance and a smile across the great hall, notes thrown (usually at your head), jokes told in passing and the occasional arm thrown across your shoulder when he'd walk you to your next class. You found yourself seeking him out every time you stepped into the great hall or between classes, hoping to catch a glimpse of his vibrant hair amongst the crowds, or usually above them thanks to his height.

During your fourth meeting, a few weeks before the ball to finalise a few things, did you make the earth shattering realisation that you may have taken too much of a liking to Fred. It came after an off handed comment from him about dressing you in green, Slytherin colours to impress Tobias. You'd frowned, wandering who the hell he was talking about. It was then that you'd realised that it wasn't Tobias you were hoping to impress but instead the fire haired boy that had been grinning at you. You played it off well, pretending not to hear him the first time and then chuckled along with him when he's repeated his words. You barely slept that night, your brain overthinking everything.

Did Fred like you back? It was hard to tell. He was a natural jokester and flirt, his wicked grin and sparkling eyes hardly reserved just for you but he was affectionate and touchy, much more so than you'd noticed him be with others. Though your eyes sought him in the great hall multiple times a day, there was always a high chance that he was already looking your way. Did that mean he was trying to catch glimpses of you too?

"You know, I think we're actually going to win that prize," Fred says during your last meeting, the dress fitting if you will. You'd worked tirelessly on your costume, thoughts of it even intercepting your dreams now, much like something else in the room.

"Well of course we will, clearly the best pair," you say from behind a makeshift curtain as you hoist the rather large dress up over your body.

"How's George getting on with Averill Perregrine?"

"Bloody awful apparently, they've barely decided on anything yet," Fred says with a laugh, recounting his twin's struggles with a Hufflepuff girl in your year.

"But there's only a week to go!" You say with wide eyes, poking your head through the curtain, which Fred laughs at.

"I know, told him he'll be going as an enchanted black bin bag if they don't get a move on. Anyway, you ready?" He asks, gesturing with his head towards your dress.

"Uhh yeah, I may need a little help."

"Too many cauldron cakes?"

He swerved when you threw the nearest book at his head, laughing and commenting on your surprisingly good aim as you stepped out of the curtain.

You waited anxiously for him to say anything but he didn't, his eyes fixed upon your dress. You turned around, offering your bare back to him in the hopes that he would fix up your corset for you. After a few moments of blankness, he seemed to bounce back and with warm and shaky fingers that crept along the curve of your back, he eventually fastened your dress.

"What do you think?" You'd asked him nervously, suddenly acutely aware of the fact you were both alone in the empty classroom.

"I don't think I'm thinking right now," he'd said in a dazed fashion and when you called him out to stop joking, he'd fallen surprisingly silent with no regular comeback.

"So how's things going with the Weasley boy?" Zoe asked as you walked to your first class.

"Good, everything is pretty much sorted now," you say with a smile, thankful that there was very little left to do to finish your costumes.

"Oh tell the truth! It's been hell hasn't it? I don't know how you can work with him, he'd drive me insane! She laughed with a shake of her head but you didn't reciprocate. Only weeks ago you'd have agreed and laughed along but now you felt purely defensive of her words. Much to your constant surprise, Fred had been an amazing partner. He didn't always focus and jokes sprouted from him more often than a clock ticked but he was kind and surprisingly efficient in his work.

"Ladies," you heard a male voice say from beside you as you walked through the courtyard. You turned to see Tobias jogging to catch up with you.

"Ready for the Halloween bash tomorrow night?"

Zoe melts a little at his proximity, shyly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and giggling girlishly. You however, felt no flutters or nervousness for the first time around him, noticing how little he affected you in general. Instead you noticed how spotty his face was, had it always been like this? He had little straggles of hair erupting from his chin and a single black hair protruding from the top of his nose. Fred didn't have that, his face was perfectly smooth except for the freckles dotted around his cheeks and over his nose, though not perfectly symmetrical as you'd found he had more freckles in his left side. You cringed as Zoe tried to get her words out around him, talking excitedly about the ball as her words jumbled and overlapped. You zoned out for just a moment, long enough for your eyes to wander across the courtyard until you spotted what you'd hoped to see. Fred. He was already looking in your direction but his piercing eyes weren't fixed on you but rather looking directly past you. He was frowning, brows pulled together and his eyes were squinting at whoever he was looking at, clearly displeased. You turned away, focusing your attention back onto Tobias and Zoe, only to tell them to excuse you.

You walked over to Fred and George who were sat at one of the benches, their briefcase open like a market stall for passers by to peruse.

"You're gonna have to do better than that, buskers usually sing or something for their money," you say cheekily, gesturing to the open briefcase in front of them. George mockingly glared at you before smiling whilst Fred beamed up at you, apparently having dropped his mood. You squealed as two strong arms suddenly pulled you down, landing on Fred's lap.

"No spaces left sorry," he shrugs, clearly not sorry.

"Could have just moved the briefcase," you mumble, fighting off the blush that was threatening to spill over your cheeks at being sat in Fred's lap.

"Sacrilege!"

"Blasphemy!" George added.

You shook your head, smiling to yourself as you peered into the briefcase to see what they had left, seeing an array of coins in the little pouch and very few products left except for a few skiving snack box bits.

"You've hardly got anything left! Everything's sold already? That's amazing!" You beam, so happy that their inventions were selling so well.

"Well you see, if a pretty little Slytherin didn't occupy most of my evenings, not to mention my dreams, I'd have time to restock."

"Shove off Weasley," you bit back, nudging him in the gut with your elbow, even though your smile showed your lack of actual annoyance.

"Won't your boyfriend be jealous you're sat on another bloke's lap?" George asks you, raising his eyebrow, a nod of his head in the direction you came. Tobias.

"Shove off other Weasley," you snark, trying to hide your true (recently discovered) feelings on the matter. "Not like I had a choice, this big brute came and swiped me out of thin air."

"Knocked you off your feet more like," Fred corrects with a smug look.

"I'm gonna be late for class," you say with a roll of your eyes whilst trying to stand, only to be firmly locked into place by Fred's arms.

"Ah, you'll have to pay a token to pass I'm afraid."

"Oh yeah and what would that be?"

He comically puckers his lips for a kiss and you scoff whilst George laughs. You nudge him again, harder this time and he sputters whilst you climb off him, reaching into your pocket to pull out a galleon before chucking it into their briefcase.

"Next time I expect a song."

The Great Hall looked absolutely mesmerising for the Halloween Boo Ball. The whole room had an eerie atmosphere illuminated only by candlelight and hundreds of glowing Jack O'Lanterns that levitated just below the ceiling. The magical ceiling had been enchanted to look like a dark forest, an endless abyss with ominous blue hues and eerie branches that swayed and furled and bats flying intermittently throughout the scene. The long tables had been moved aside now placed against the walls and replaced by a dance floor, the house tables covered in black tablecloths and decorated with more candles and large cauldrons overflowing with treats. From toffee apples to cauldron cakes and giant lollipops there were sweet treats everywhere. In the centre of the raised platform usually reserved for the teachers table sat a giant glass pumpkin filled to the brim with orange coloured punch that bubbled with effervescence, a giant ladle enchanted to stir and pour as students approached with empty goblets.

The large room smelled of fragrant pumpkin spice mixed with a sweet marshmallow-like scent. It was addictive, the perfect scent of Halloween memories that evoked warmth and coziness with a spooky undertone.

There was music pouring out but it was indecipherable where it was coming from exactly. Instrumental and somewhat eerily beautiful with a choral line behind it, as magical and ethereal as the room looked.

"Hey boo-tiful."

You twirled around towards the voice that had interrupted your wonder-filled gaze. Fred.

"It's scary how good you look tonight," he smirks, eyes sparkling both naturally and from the twinkling of the candle light around you. His red hair was glowing like a fire; bathed in the warm light, looking even more vibrant than usual.

"How long have you been working on that one?" You snark, smiling up at him. He simply winks, his eyes roaming your figure shamelessly just as you do the same to him.

"You look incredible," he says somewhat breathlessly, his cheeks heating up just a little.

"You too weasley," you smile, "you look practically eerie-sistable."

His laugh seems to echo through the hall, your own smile beaming at him as he laughs at your awful joke. You smile at each other, simply enjoying the moment. He really does look incredible, the intricate robes fitting like a glove and complimenting his hair so wonderfully. You're amazed that you actually pulled it off, your hard work clearly paying off.

You spot George in the distance with Averill, looking as miserable as sin in his black robes with a giant bat affixed to his hair. You nudge Fred, gesturing for him to look as well and he laughs both at his brother's obvious misery and awful costume.

"We've smoked the lot of them, first place for us baby."

Baby. That was new.

"Don't look now, your boyfriend's just arrived," he teases. You can't help but follow his line of sight, watching Tobias and Loretta arriving together arm in arm. They look great together, clearly very happy and in matching costumes that you can tell are crafted to look like two Phoenixes entwined. It's like the final nail in the coffin for wavering your feelings, seeing how happy they looked together. The surprising thing was that you felt nothing, no sadness and no jealously, you were genuinely happy for them.

"Eh, let her have him," you said with a shrug, turning back to Fred. His eyebrows shoot up, disappearing past his hairline in surprise, his eyes suddenly sparkling with an emotion you could hardly place.

"Thought you were mad on him?" He asks, his eyes fixed on yours. You shrug again, adjusting your dress slightly at the sudden intensity of his gaze.

"Guess I moved on," you say absently, the weight of your words not going unnoticed. "Plus, kind of a hard to fancy a boy dressed as a giant bird."

Fred snorts and throws his arm around your shoulder, more brazen than ever.

"Well luckily for you, I'll be your date for the night. Which reminds me... Trick or treat."

"What?" You ask with a frown.

"Save the candy, the sweetest treat would be a kiss," he grins, wiggling his eyebrows. You groan at another terrible line, shoving your face into his tone covered chest but find yourself chuckling regardless.

You can feel the movement of his chest as he laughs, briefly holding you tighter to him. 

"Well I don't know what the trick is but you look a treat," he grins goofily again once you re-emerge from his robes.

"Are you done Weasley?" You ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Never," he grins. "Come on gourd-geous." He takes you by the hand towards the giant pumpkin punch bowl and reaches for two empty goblets from the table, waiting for the ladle to fill the glasses before handing one to you. It's sweet pumpkin juice, tasty and perfect.

You look around at the scene before you, seeing the array of costumes and bodies you had begun to dance as the music picked up. You could see Zoe in the middle of the dance floor with her date and a few of your other friends who seemed to display the full spectrum of enjoyment with some looking utterly miserable whilst others looked like they were having a night they would never forget. You had to admit that the inter-house bonding had been an interesting test, to see so many people mixing that would never have thought to talk to each other beyond sharing class notes. You spotted Tobias and Loretta huddled together in the far corner, both sipping from the same goblet and clearly flirting, though it didn't bother you in the slightest. You caught sight of George once again, stumbling around on the dance floor looking like he'd been forced to be there, trying desperately to hold on to the flapping bat on his head that kept obstructing his view and causing him to stumble.

"Well you know," Fred says from beside you, making you jump slightly at the sudden noise. "That skeleton over there wanted to ask for your hand to dance, but he didn't have the guts, so I'm asking instead," he beams as he holds out his hand for you to take. You laugh at the awful joke, throwing your head back at how funny you'd found it and placed your hand in his expectantly.

You didn't know how long you were both on the dance floor, twirling and spinning through the songs and bouncing around like idiots when something really upbeat came on. You'd danced with your friends and giggled throughout it all. You'd even stolen George for a dance, laughing so hard that you'd had to bend at the waist thanks to the god awful bat on his head that seemed intent on suffocating or at least blinding him by the end of the night. Fred had stolen you back in style, wanting to keep you close at all times, swooping in and lighting you high up in the air as he spun around, making you squeal in delight.

A slow song followed and your eyes closed when Fred's hand wrapped around your waist, the sheer size of his large hands covering most of your waist to your hip. It was incredibly intimate, a sudden shift in atmosphere as most of the pairs decided against slow dancing together.

"You really do look incredible, no jokes this time," he says as you move in perfect synchronisation, your arms around his neck as his circle your waist, swaying gently to the music. You look up at him and give him a little shy smile, suddenly feeling the weight of your feelings and unspoken words. You'd been cowardly with Tobias, never having told him your feelings and you were thankful for that now. But you wouldn't repeat that with Fred.

"Fred," you begin to say, trying to gather up the courage to tell him how you feel but he cuts you off.

"I know, I'm just a Weasley and you're well- you, but I'd never be able to live with myself if I let you slip away at the end of the night without telling you how I feel. And since bird boy is out of the picture, perhaps there's hope for me."

It's strange seeing Fred shy, his full bottom lip being pulled in by his teeth, a pink blush spreading across his cheeks.

"Bird boy is most definitely out of the picture," you say, laughing again at the way you'd seen him dancing earlier, as if the giant feathers weren't enough of a turn off. "And I may have a confession."

"Go on," he says sounding somewhat nervous. You can hardly keep the smile off your face as you look at him, knowing what you were about to say.

"I finished the costumes two weeks ago, the last two fittings were just so I could spent more time with you."

His face is a picture and you wish more than anything that you could capture his expression in that moment.

"You little trickster!" He says whilst laughing, grabbing hold of your waist and pulling you even tighter to him, pausing the dancing completely. You giggle, attempting surrender but it's pointless.

"I knew your dress didn't look any different! And believe me, I'd memorised every inch of it."

"Idiot," you say, giving him a nudge with your elbow where you could reach. You bite your lip, unsure of how to go on, knowing that it was now or never.

"It's you Fred, I realised ages ago that my feeling for Tobias had gone and I knew it was because I'd fallen for you."

There's a brief silence that falls between you both as you simply stare at each other, your words repeating over and over in your mind. Though it lasts only a few seconds, it seems to drag on for ages, your anxiety increasing as you hope your words land as intended. Fred seems to snap out of his daze and his eyes begin wandering over your face before landing on your lips. It's like time stands still as he begins to lean down, your heart pounding as you raise your head, trying to meet in the middle.

His lips press gently against yours and you're certain that fireworks are erupting somewhere but everything else is drowned out. His lips are softer than you'd even imagined and you're weak to resist as you kiss him back with a growing intensity. He tastes like pumpkin juice and Fred, a delicious mix you hoped you'd be able to savour. His touch on your waist seems to tingle through the fabric of your dress and you're suddenly hyper aware of your hands on his shoulders. It's short but perfect as you both pull away slightly breathless, knowing that the teachers would be on to you if you lingered any longer.

The smile he flashes you as his eyes open will be forged into your memory forever, the adoration and the sweetness so plain to see. You'd bared your soul to him and he'd given you a soft place to land.

"Want to grab a drink?"

"Need to cool off Weasley?" You raise your eyebrow, goading him with a smirk. Now it was your turn to tease him. He clears his throat and sends you a warning glare before taking your hand in his and leading you over to the unoccupied corner, pressing a kiss to your forehead as he goes to fetch some drinks. You take a moment to compose yourself, feeling on top of the world in that moment. Had you really just been kissed by Fred Weasley? Your body hummed with the thought, your lips still tingling from his kiss. He returned with the drinks after only a few moments but instead of handing yours directly to you, he held it above your head out of reach.

"Ah, going to need a token again I'm afraid," he teases, calling back to your moment yesterday.

"Sorry I'm all out of galleons, gave my last one to two tramps yesterday." You can hardly get your words out from laughing so much, seeing that he was struggling not to laugh along with you, feigning outrage at your words.

"How about this?" You say, shifting closer to him and placing your hands on his chest as your body slides against his. Feeling emboldened, you lean in and capture his lips, kissing him feverishly as he scrambles to kiss back whilst still holding the two glasses above his head. You can tell he's annoyed at not being able to reach out and touch you but he's gotten himself in this predicament.

"Is that some candy in your pocket or are you happy to see me?" You turn your head to the side and smile seductively up at him, watching the way his eyes widen and his lips part at your words.

"Now who's playing games," he smirks, handing you your drink as he recovers, raising the goblet to his lips.

"I forgot my broom, can I ride you instead?"

He spits out his punch, thankfully spraying it in another direction from where you stand. He's coughing and spluttering but all you can do is laugh harder. You can hardly breathe for laughing so hard, enjoying out-joking the unsuspecting prankster.

"Oh you're trouble," he says, placing down his wasted goblet behind you as he leans over and whispers in your ear so only you could hear.

"I don't know... Will you let me Slyther-in?"

"Now I know you've been working on that one!" You say with an accusatory finger pointing at his chest. He laughs and nods, reaching out for you again.

As the night draws on, you realise that this might be the best night of your life. Who would have thought that the secret to all of this would have been Fred bloody Weasley.

Dumbledore takes to the podium to announce the Hogwarts ghosts yearly show in honour of St Nicholas' deathday celebration and you share a look with Fred which he mirrors.

"Do you want to slip away?" He asks, reaching to okay with the sash on your dress.

"Anything to avoid nearly headless nick's monologues."

"Or the bloody baron's rendition of 'ode to Helena."

"Lead the way weasley," you say without hesitation, wanting nothing more than to be alone with Fred.

"Wait! We'll miss the contest!" you say suddenly as he leads you out the main doors.

"Don't care, already got my prize."

A new nightclub. With its dim lighting, dark corners and smoky atmosphere; it was easy to lurk unnoticed when needed. The perfect place to hide in the shadows and not have to acknowledge the people around you. But that wasn’t always the case; as Rhea was about to find out.

Callus fingers gripped tightly around the crystal that housed rich amber liquid as Rhea’s sapphire gaze scanned the vicinity of her table, her spine pressing firmly into the cushion of her booth as she exhaled a disgruntled sign from her nostrils. It had been days since she had fed, she hadn’t had a moment alone since getting on the plane to work a few days prior and things were getting desperate. The ache in her gums had become excruciating and she wasn’t entirely sure how she was keeping it together.

The bar was packed to the nines with belligerent men who’s only goal was to fuck anything that moved, the occasional sober loser who’d lost a bet and been deemed the designated driver and a hand full of bachelorette parties filled with overly drunk females just looking for an excuse to make out with a stranger. It wasn’t like she was short for something to snack on, but her shimmering hues traveled the entire perimeter of the bar and she saw nothing but a mass of unappetizing obstacles that stood in her way of feeding on what she truly desired.

You didn’t like going out in public; in fact you would much rather be at home with a book and a large glass of red wine than crammed into a tiny nightclub with a ocean of complete strangers and yet here you were. Standing in the smoke pit of the only decent place to drink in town as your best friend Hanna puffed grey smoke from her lips like a chimney.

“Look either you stop acting like I ruined your night, or you don’t, but either way we are getting shit faced. Got it? You owe me.”

Inhaling another long pull from the white stick perched within her fingers till her lungs were full, you waited patiently for the recoil of smoke to cloud the sky before you and for her to speak again. She wasn’t wrong, you did owe her but you didn’t ever expect her to cash in on it.

“I made out with half the girl’s in the sorority to get you in, so suck it up and show them that your were fucking worth it.”

An impish cackle parted Hanna lip’s as slender fingers moved forward to offer the cigarette in your direction, her perfectly manicured brows arch skyward as she gives you a swift up and down. You didn’t want to change yourself to fit in at school, but she was unfortunately right. If you wanted to fit in, you had to follow the rules.

Swallowing a small pool of saliva that had pooled on your tongue, you reach out and generously accept the cigarette into your own grasp. Just one puff, that's all you needed to do to prove yourself and after that you’d never have to smoke again. With a nervous palm, you press the small burning stick between your lips and inhale a violent breath. The heated smoke hitting the back of your throat as you instantly fought back the desire to cough.

“Fuck.”

You choke out as the gust of smog fell from your lips, the corners of cat eyed wings beginning to water as you swiftly handed back the worst decision you’d ever made. That was definitely the last time you’d do that. Giving yourself a few moments to regain your strength, you stand back upright and flash your best friend a concerned smile.

“Yeah, not a fan of that.”

You groaned before pressing your lips in a firm line, a strange tingle in your throat burning as if you’d swallowed hot coals. How was it that so many of your friends could smoke like a chimney and never suffer from such a burn? Not even ice water could soothe the fire in your throat.

You had always wished for Hanna’s confidence; ever since you were kids she had always been the social butterfly and you’d hidden yourself away indoors with your books and your stories. While boys had captivated her, fantasy had captivated you. Losing yourself in a world where anything was possible.

“And you made out with half the girl’s in the sorority because you wanted to, it had nothing to do with me and you know it.”

A small harmonious laugh parted your lips and you glanced down at the outfit you’d been forced into for the night. It hadn’t been your first choice; hell it wouldn’t have been your one hundredth choice but unfortunately, you didn’t get a choice in the matter.

“Did you have to pick something so–”

You pause for a moment, your slender fingers pulling at the hem in an attempt to make the dress seem longer, desperately trying to pull it past your knees.

“Sexy?”

Your best friend replied, not letting you finish your own sentence for fear of already knowing the answer. You’d put up a good fight as she basically painted it on you earlier that night, but you clearly weren't strong enough to save yourself from a night dressed like a dominatrix.

“I was going to say short.”

You snip, still attempting the impossible with the last two inches of your dress. You were already beginning to stress of the dribbling males that would be hanging off your every word and you hadn’t even stepped inside yet. Surely this was taking ‘you owe me one’ a little too far?

“You can’t complain, the dark red goes so well with your milky skin tone and your dark hair. You look like the damsel in distress from your vampire romance novel.”

A soft pink flush comes to your cheeks as your best friend brings up your secret shame that to this day you wish you hadn’t told her about, your heart rate dropping slightly as you compared the imagery in your head. In your mind, you looked nothing like the main female human within your stories. She was delicate like a flower, as sweet as honey and as beautiful as a sunset. You were none of those things.

“Are you done? I just want to get this over with.”

Darting your crystal gaze in the direction of the almost burn out stick, you raise your eyebrows in question and motion towards the nightclub entrance with an eager bob of your head.

“Let's go.”

- - - - -

The sweet smell of dry rose mixed with a delicate musk hit Rhea’s nostrils before you’d even set foot in the bar; the second the door opened she was drowned in your floral aroma. The small hairs that lay across her neck standing on end as her fingers tightened, the crystal glass beneath her fingertips creaking under the pressure. It was as if every smell that plagued the bar had disappeared and all that was left was you. You were tantalizing and she had to have you.

“Tequilaaaaa.”

You made it eight steps. You’d been in the bar less than ten seconds and you already wanted to leave. Your nose crinkled as you lean away from the overly loud female, keeping your line of sight on the bar. The faster you got to the alcohol the better and at least you could still have your red wine.

Sliding your palms across the slick bar top; for a split second you forget what you're wearing and lean forward on the bar to gain the bartender's attention, the cool breeze of passers by alerting you of your exposed ass cheeks as you snap back up to standing position. To the naked eye, it would have been missed, gone unnoticed by everyone and you would have gotten away with it. But a split second for humans could be stretched for hours by a vampire; it was a skill that came hand in hand with their inhuman speed.

The whites of Rhea’s eyes darkened slightly as she stared at you from her booth in the corner of the night club, the tips of her fingers turning pure white as she gripped even tighter to the tumbler in her palm. The snow white mounds peeking out from beneath rich crimson fabric had Rhea’s desire for you to increase. There was something primal deep within her that flipped like a switch the second she’d layed eyes on you, the pain in her gums and the burning under her skin like thousands of tiny matches had been lit against her already sensitive flesh. The cheeky peek at what your body looked like out of your dress had Rhea’s plump lip rolling beneath blunt pearly whites, her free palm moving from the booth before her to drag back through slicked back jet black hair.

You were like a magnet; drawing Rhea in, captivating her every sense by doing nothing but exist in the same space as her. The stale smell of old beer and wet cigarettes no longer existed in her nostrils, all she could smell was rose; sweet and fresh. It was the most beautiful smell she’d ever come across and she couldn’t wait to get her teeth into it. Quite literally.

“I’ll have a glass of red, sixteen ounces please.”

“And four shots of tequila!”

Your bestie screamed as you attempted to order your drink, her entire form bumping into you as she crashed into your side with a loud groan. You’d had a few shots before leaving the sorority house and it was becoming very clear to you what kind of drunk you’d be looking after tonight, your forearm wrapping around the shorter female's waist swiftly in hopes to keep her upright.

“Two. And a glass of water please.”

You took a worried look over in your best friend's direction as she held onto your frame, returning your focus swiftly to the bartender as he too watched over your companion with concerned hues. You had more friend’s coming, you wouldn’t have to take care of her yourself all night, but what were you supposed to do before the other arrived?

Slender fingers winding around the stem of your wine glass, your glistening hues scanning around the vicinity as you took a seat at the bar with your inebriated counterpart in tow. Why had you agreed to come out tonight? Why couldn’t have been you washing your hair? Gently crossing one toned leg over the other, you leant back against the bar to rest upon the ledge. You didn’t intend to stay out all night, but a couple of hours out of the house couldn’t be that bad right? Maybe something exciting would happen to you for once.

Rhea’s grip around her beverage had yet to relax, her entire fingers starting to lose color as she continued to hold tightly onto the tumbler. The clear glass beneath her pressure had begun to crack, hairline fractures scattering across the smooth surface as she finally retracted her palm in enough time to save herself from shattered glass littering her flesh.

She couldn’t take her eyes off you, not even for a second. The way your dark curls fell about your shoulders, your exposed collarbones and the plunge of your perked breasts, the way your chest rose and fell with each breath you took. You had her captivated in ways that she’d never experienced before and no matter how long it took, she was going to get a taste of you.

“Drink the water, please.”

Small whimpers fell from Hanna's lips as you tried to hold the tall glass of clear liquid against them, your manicured brows knitting together as she reluctantly sipped at the refreshing liquid you so desperately wanted her to drink. She just needed to balance out what she was consuming, one glass of water per alcoholic beverage and you'd have her back on her feet in no time.

“I wanna daaaance.”

Hanna whined, her face turning away from the glass as you lowered it back down to the bar top with a soft exhale of air. Of course she wanted to dance and of course she couldn’t wait for the remainder of your group to arrive. This was supposed to be a simple night out, but it seems that reality had other plans.

Gently taking hold of her wrist, you pull Hanna in your direction and force her to look at you, her glimmering emerald hues cloaked in a pleading expression as she pouted flush lips. You couldn’t say no to her; it was the reason you were out of the house to begin with, but you weren’t a great dancer and if you could avoid it you would.

“How about you finish your water first, huh?”

Another elongated whine fell from Hanna’s lips as her faux pout grew more dramatic, her head shaking side to side with enough gusto to have her long blonde curls hit you in the face. God she was annoying, but over the years you’d gotten used to her stubborn demeanor and her ability to get you on board with whatever she wanted. It didn’t come as a surprise when all she had to do was bat her lashes and everyone would be fawning over her within seconds.

Rolling your eyes counterclockwise as you finish off the last of your wine, you slide the empty glass back towards the bartender and push off your barstool with an exasperated groan. Dancing wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but having the entire bar’s watchful gaze on you as your shapely body moved in a dress that wouldn’t even fit a Malibu barbie was another thing. Pulling the hem of your dress down once more as you tried your best to cover more of your exposed flesh, you finally give up and grasp tightly around the fragile bones of Hanna’s wrists.

“Rule one. You stay upright.”

Yanking Hanna from her bar stool and on to her feet, you lock your crystal gaze with her own. Sure you were probably wasting your breath, but it didn’t hurt to try and get through to her.

“Rule two. Keep your hands off the strangers.”

You could see the excitement growing on Hanna’s face as she realized you were giving in to her request, her energy level practically boiling beneath her skin as she began to bounce in place. Maybe letting her burn off some energy before everyone else arrived would make your evening a little more bearable.

Loosening your hold on Hanna’s wrist only slightly so she didn’t run off towards the dance floor without you, you grasp at the half empty glass of water to have a final attempt at getting her to drink it.

“Finish your water and then we can dance, I promise.”

Watching you closely as you encouraged your friend to down the remainder of her water, Rhea couldn’t help the devilish smirk that claimed her full lips. Your statuesque physique continued to tempt her as she inhaled yet another full breath of your intoxicating scent, the sharp pain in her gums becoming unbearable as she licked a plump tongue across pearly whites. It was clear to her that you wouldn’t be alone any time soon, but she was willing to wait. You were the only person she saw in a sea of bodies and if meant waiting all night to satisfy herself with the rich elixir of your blood, then so be it.

The warmth of the dance floor was definitely off putting, hot and sweaty bodies writhing against each other as the heavy base of the music thumped in your ears. But as your body swayed back against Hanna’s and her lengthy fingers held tightly onto your hip bones, you had to admit to yourself that maybe you were having a good time. It wasn’t public knowledge that you preferred the touch of a beautiful woman to that of a dribbling puppy dog male, but as the delicate touches of Hanna’s fingertips danced against your flesh you couldn’t help the soft whimper that parted your lips.

The harmonious noise of your soft mews flooded Rhea’s earcannels; even with the heavy bass drop, your sounds were all she could hear as she continued to watch you from the corner booth, her darkened hues burning into your slender form as she carefully finished her stiff drink for the fractured glass. Selective hearing was a perk of being undead, focusing on what she wanted to hear and ignoring everything else around her like it didn’t exist. All she saw was you, all she heard was you and all she wanted was you.

“I’ll drink it really slow. Pleeease.”

Hanna whined as she rested her chin down against your shoulder, the warmth of her breath cascading across your skin as she begged you for yet another drink. Your milky flesh pimpling beneath the air that parted her lips as she gently trailed her fingertips up and down the length of your forearm, you let heavy lashes close for a few moments while you contemplated her question. It was no surprise to you that her touch was coursing such a reaction. How were you supposed to stay calm when a beautiful woman had her hands on you? Exuding a small sigh as you turn on stiletto clad feet, you open your eyes to look upon Hanna with a concerned expression.

You didn't want to be the reason she wasn’t having fun.

“Fine. But you drink it really slowly.”

Hanna squealed with excitement as once more she began to bounce in place, her slender fingers gripping tightly around your wrist as she dragged your statuesque form back in the direction of the bar with nothing but joy in her eyes.

You couldn’t begin to understand why girls loved drinking and being out in such crowded places while they did it. What was so appealing about the atmosphere the two of you currently found yourself in? Sweaty bodies, loud music and– A large lump formed in your throat and your mind went blank as your glistening gaze locked onto the most beautiful woman you'd ever seen leaning against the edge of the bar as you approached. Her jet black hair slicked back and away from her perfectly chiseled jaw, her plump lips coated in a burnt red paint, a midnight black suit hugging her muscular form perfectly and a litter of silver rings adorning her lengthy fingers as she stared intently at the bartender who stood motionless in front of her.

“Hi!”

Hanna yelled over the base of the music as the two of you reached the bar top, her emerald hues flitting over to the mysterious stranger as you stood in silence at her side. You weren’t one to talk to people you didn’t know; especially when they looked the way she did. Swatting at Hanna’s upper arm to gain her attention, you raise your brows in a concerned expression before shaking your head gently back and forth.

“Don’t bother people you don't know, Han. I’m sorry.”

Glancing over in the direction of the lady in black, you swallow nervously as her shimmering sapphire hues lock with your gaze. Her eyes were like crystal pools, instantly captivating you and pulling you into their hypnotic state with ease.

Leaning back only slightly on her stool as to peer around Hanna’s form to give you a un-noticeable up and down, Rhea licked her plump tongue slowly over her throbbing gums as an eat shit smirk claimed crimson lips.

“No complaints here.”

Rhea chortled softly. The pads of her fingers coiling around the new crystal glass of amber liquid as she slowly brought it up to her lips, not once breaking the hypnotic connection the two of you shared as she gulped back a mouthful of the burning liquor.

You could feel the color of your cheeks shift, even with the multicolored lights that flashed through the otherwise dimly lit bar you were certain Rhea noticed as she turned her attention back to the bartender who remained motionless in front of her. He hadn’t once looked away; as if he was in a trance, captivated by her movements.

“Glass of red and a fruity cocktail, am I right?”

You could see Rhea as she peeked over at you from her peripherals, the eat shit grin returning to her perfect lips as she took another long sip from her beverage. How did she know what you were drinking? Had she been watching you?

Bobbing your head in a slow motion, you couldn’t help the little smile that tugged the corners of your lips. You should be concerned, right? A complete stranger had been watching you, for how long you weren’t even sure and in any normal circumstance you’d be grabbing your things and heading for the door, but there was something about this woman that made you want to stay. Something about her that had your subconscious spinning and you couldn’t quite put your finger on it.

“So what’s with the whole dark and mysterious look you’ve got going on, mysterious stranger? It’s kinda creepy.”

Your mouth fell agape at Hanna’s words, a sudden wave of panic washing over you as you tugged a few strands of her golden hair causing her to whine at the pain.

“What?”

She snipped, turning her gaze back towards you as she rubbed the sore spot on her scalp. She could be so obtuse sometimes and it often led to unwanted confrontation that you had to resolve. With a ‘what the fuck’ expression upon your features, you step around her petite frame to sandwich yourself between her and Rhea as concern once more claimed your face.

“I really am sorry about her.”

Turning your back on Hanna as she continued to rub at her scalp, you faced Rhea head on with an apologetic smile. You didn’t find her attire creep, in fact the darkness of her clothing and depth to her make up made her most captivating feature pop. Her sapphire gaze was truly the most beautiful thing you’d ever seen, looking into her eyes brought a warmth to your demeanor that you only felt when you lost yourself in your books.

“She doesn’t have a filter and will find pretty much anything to keep herself entertained.”

Rhea didn’t say a word as she leant back on her stool to peek over at Hanna with a raised brow, a small chortle releasing from her chest as she sat back to rest her elbow against the bar.

“I can see.”

Your manicured brow arches in confusion as you take in Rhea’s words, turning back on high heels to find Hanna tongue deep in a complete stranger. The beverage she was supposed to drink ‘slowly’ empty on the bar top alongside two empty shot glasses. Expelling a soft gust of air from your nostrils, you roll your eyes counterclockwise and return your attention to Rhea as she sits sipping her liquor in silence.

“So much for girls' night.”

You grumble as slender fingers wind round the stem of your wine glass, slowly bringing the glass to your lips before swallowing a mouthful of the crimson liquid in one big gulp. You’d expected nothing less from Hanna, she was known for finding anyone or anything to make out with but you didn’t expect it to happen before you had other friends to keep your attention occupied.

Staring down at the last bit of wine as you swirled it round and round in the glass, you exhaled a small sigh before knocking your head back to consume the sweet liquid. The sound of Rhea clearing her throat pulling you back to reality as you placed the empty glass back onto the bartop. You hadn’t noticed her watching you, her dark gaze burning into your milky flesh as you’d dwelled in self pity over losing your friend to some random stranger with a skilled tongue.

“Can I get you another glass of wine?”

Your plush lips curved into an impish simper as your tongue played with each pitfall of your back teeth. You weren’t one to have drinks with a stranger, especially with someone as devilishly attractive as the female in your current company, but what harm would it do to be adventurous. Live on the wild side for once like the heroine in your new novel.

Sliding the empty glass in the direction of the awaiting bartender, you crinkle your nose in contemplation. Maybe you should order something other than wine. You were planning to live on the edge a little, so why not spice up every part of your evening?

“You know what, surprise me.”

- - - - -

The pad of Rhea’s finger danced softly against your neck as she swiped the loose strand of chestnut curls over your shoulder, your exposed flesh causing the heat in her esophagus to rage like wildfire. The steady thrum of your heartbeat like heavy drums in her ear canal as you sipped the fruity beverage she'd chosen for you, blissfully unaware of her staring once more. She could smell the sweetness of your blood as it moved through your veins, pulsing at the sweet spot in your throat like a beckon that kept drawing her in. She couldn’t help herself, everything about you was like torture.

It was a stupid idea for her to be this close to you when she hadn’t fed, one wrong move and she’d be left with quite the mess to clean up and compulsion wouldn’t be an option in a place this busy. She knew she was weak, the lack of human blood always led to dwindling power and one feed wouldn’t be enough to pull her back to full strength. But as Hanna had wandered off into the night with her new found plaything, Rhea had invited you back to her booth with open arms. She wanted to be alone with you, to not let anyone else have you. Your scent had intoxicated every fiber of her being and even with the fire that raged in her gums she couldn’t convince herself to walk away.

“It’s not as easy as I thought it would be, ya know, I've been writing for years but I'm still finding myself with too many sleepless nights when it comes to my current work.”

You weren’t sure why Rhea had become so invested in what it was you did outside of the four walls you both found yourselves in, but as you spoke about your current endeavors with school and the challenges they were bringing you; you couldn’t help the smile that tugged at your lips. Most people found your creative writing to be boring and often changed the subject to something else whenever you brought them up, but Rhea was hanging off your every word like it was the most exciting thing she’d ever heard in her life. Her piercing gaze fixated on your lips as you spoke, her palm resting beside your thigh on the cushioned seat you shared and her plump lips curved into a devilish simper. She was eating up every single word that you said, which only encouraged you to keep going.

“Fantasy isn’t everyone's cup of tea and I often have to deal with immature frat boys calling me geeky names but when I open my mind up to the world of the supernatural, I can lose myself in a reality more exciting than my own.”

One of Rhea’s brows arched skyward at your mention of the supernatural, the corner of her lip inching into a playful smirk as she took a long sip from her crystal tumbler before setting it down beside your empty glass. So you were a girl who thrived on the suspicion of creatures that didn’t always take human form, how convenient for her.

In a move that would go unseen to the human eye, Rhea shifted her palm to rest down against the exposed flesh of your thigh. The tips of her fingers toying playfully with the hem of your tiny dress as she leant in to press the flush of her lower lip against your ear. She could hear the increase of your heartbeat before you could realize its speed, the pad of her thumb catching the sensitive part between your legs only causing the sound to grow louder.

“Supernatural you say.”

Rhea’s blunt teeth caught the shell of your ear as she spoke, her lips moving painfully slowly as she began to press a soft kiss to the crook of your neck. You’d never had someone make a move so quickly after nerding out about school, but the delicateness of Rhea’s actions had you melting under her touch. A soft mew parting your lips as you tried to remain focused on your breath. You couldn’t let on how desirable Rhea made you feel, you barely knew each other.

The blood pumping beneath Rhea’s lips had her free palm gripping tightly at her empty glass, her subconscious trying its best to focus on not ripping out your throat and not the strength she was using.

“Are you actually interested, Miss Ripley? Or are you just acting interested to get in my panties?”

Your head lulled to the side in attempts to beckon Rhea closer, your thighs parting only slightly to tempt her playful hands as her fingers continued to toy with your dress. This wasn’t you. Not normally, but there was something about Rhea that had your mind reeling. She made it hard for you to focus, it was like she had an aura that played with your senses and clouded your brain.

You felt Rhea’s lips morphe into an eat shit smirk against your skin as she nipped sharply against your pulse point, the strength behind each nip leaving purple marks in their wake. Your own lips pressing into a harsh line as you fought back a plethora of pleasurable moans that threatened to break free, your head tilting back against the cushioned wall behind you as your fingertips gripped the edge of the booth.

You were hidden away from eighty percent of the bar in your corner booth, the patrons all too focused on each other to pay your little endeavors any attention. You could whimper and moan all you wanted, the music was far too loud for anyone to hear. She could use you like a rag doll and no one would be the wiser.

“What if I said both?”

You could feel the flush of Rhea’s lips move against your collarbone as she spoke, the sharp nips against your flesh pausing for only a few seconds as she addressed your question, quickly resuming once she was done. You couldn’t begin to imagine what your throat looked like as Rhea’s skilled lips continued their magic, your fingers only gripping harder at the booths ledge as you held in your breath to calm your desire.

There was no way that you’d found someone who not only showed interest in you but also in your work. They weren’t often a thing that came hand in hand and a part of you was beginning to doubt yourself. This had to be a set up. Your friends were just playing some sick joke on you and Rhea was just attractive bait to lure you into a trap.

“Is it wrong for me to say I don’t believe you?”

You probably should have kept your mouth shut, but once you had an idea in your head, you had to act on it.

The burning sensation of Rhea’s kiss as they marked your skin stopped suddenly, her sapphire gaze retracting to meet your questioning own as the corners of her lips twitched into a devilish simper.

“Come now kitten, what kind of a woman do you take me for? Lying to you just so I can get you out of your dress? I should be offended.”

You couldn’t stop the sudden increase of your heart rate as Rhea’s little pet name caught you off guard, the plush of your lower lip rolling tightly between pearly whites as you kept your gaze locked with hers. You couldn’t think of what to say. She didn't seem offended, the unbelievably desirable smirk remained plastered on her lips as the pad of her thumb once more found itself dancing against the soft skin of your inner thigh. She wasn’t backing down, not even slightly and if she still wanted you, she could still have you.

You could feel the lump resurfacing in your throat as Rhea’s sapphire hues burnt into your own, the devilish glare within them pulling you further and further into her web as her plump tongue coaxed over her painted lips. She was staring at you like a hungry lioness stalking her prey and with each passing second your cravings for her lips back on your skin grew stronger. What had this woman done to you?

With a swift motion you barely noticed, Rhea’s fingertips from her free palm moved to sweep back the dark curls that clung to your shoulder, pushing them down your spine to reveal the soft curve of your shoulderbone to her wandering gaze. She’d not looked away from you for most of the night and yet there was so much more of your slender form she wanted to see.

Pressing her heated kiss back down against the hollow of your collarbone, you can’t help but expel the soft mews that had been clinging to your lungs. Even the slightest of touches; be it fingers or lips, had you reveling in desire. Every part of you screaming for her touch as you leant into the passion of her aura.

Without a word, your thighs parted once more. Your entire body was begging for her to take it as her own and the longer she made you wait, the harder it became to keep yourself contained. You didn’t usually beg for someone to be this close to you. On your usual Saturday nights, you were wrapped in a blanket with your laptop, writing your novel and wishing your life could be as exciting as the heroines you wrote about. Falling in love with supernatural beings, learning about a whole new world and chasing dreams that didn’t exist in a human’s reality.

Chewing at the plush of your lower lip, you let heavy lids fall closed. The sensations of Rhea’s lips moving effortlessly against your jugular vein had your heart racing, the heavy thrum like music as it played in her ears. The pain beneath her gums raged; growing more intense by the second as her fingertips pressed into the creamy flesh of your upper thigh. She wanted you and you wanted her, it was clear to you both where this night could end.

A small wince echoes from your chest as your blunt teeth punctured the top layer of skin upon your lower lip, the rich taste of copper coating your tongue as Rhea’s entire form went rigid. She could smell the blood as it pooled from the injury you inflicted on yourself, causing the depths of her gaze to darken. The smell flooded her nostrils as she held herself still against your neck, keeping her features away from your gaze as the tips of her canines began to ache. Her control was weak, the lack of human blood over the last few days had left her with no power left to curb her desires. She could feel the monstrous rage that came hand in hand with feeding off a fresh vein boiling under her skin, the tips of her fingers pressing into your thigh enough to leave purple blemishes beneath the tips.

“Rhea?”

Your tone was laced with question as you spoke her name, concern flooding your features as you pulled away from her heated lips that still held their place against your throat. Your head craning to the side in attempts to look upon her motionless form, you swallowed nervously as your gaze fell upon the unexpected. The depth of Rhea’s eyes caused the air in your lungs to catch, your throat growing tight as a lump in your windpipe kept you from breathing out even a single breath. Was it a trick of the lighting? Were the shadows playing tricks on you?

Sucking the blood that had pooled on your lower lip into your mouth, you force out a stammered breath. It had to be your mind, it was playing tricks on you. There was no way that what you were witnessing was true. It couldn’t be. But as your mind played back over the night's events, your heart rate began to increase once more; only this time you had other things on your mind.

You hadn’t seen Rhea once since entering the nightclub and yet all of a sudden, there she was. Making herself a part of your night without even trying. Her dark demeanor and captivating eyes, her beauty and enticing persona. It was as if she’d been written to be perfect by your own mind. You played back each and every moment of the night as Rhea simply watched you, the black glaze to her once sapphire hues somehow still so captivating as you pieced things together. The stranger that had caught Hanna’s attention so quickly, the speed behind some of Rhea’s actions along with the ones that seemed to go unnoticed until they didn’t, her obsession with the soft spot of your pulse point and her ability to bruise your flesh with almost no effort. She was strong and fast. It wasn’t real, It couldn’t be.

It would only take a moment for Rhea to make you compliant, to get what she truly needed from you, but as she watched the light in your eyes flicker with excitement— only for a second, she doubted herself. You didn’t seem scared, in fact the complete opposite. Why didn't you run? It was clear you knew something no one else did and yet you hadn’t made one move for the exit.

Stretching out your palm to trace a singular finger over the arch of Rhea’s perfectly chiseled cheekbone, you swallowed back the lump in your throat with one thing on your mind. If this was real, if you were sat in the presence of something no one else believed in, then you would dive into the reality with both feet. Watching as the depth of her gaze shifted back to the bight blue you’d fallen so deeply for, you drop your hold on her features and grasp tightly at Rhea’s palm that sat on the table beside her empty glass.

“Come with me, Mami and I'll give you what you need.”

Giving Rhea’s hand a gentle tug as you slid from the booth and encouraged her to follow, you couldn’t help the impish glimmer that flickered in your eyes. If this moment was going to play out how you imagined, you needed a little more privacy.

- - - - -

The arch of your spine slammed against the reflective glass of the full length bathroom mirror as Rhea pressed against your slender form with all she had, the heat of her kiss against your jugular once more as you pawed at her shoulders in attempt to remove the suit jacket that clung to her torso. You could feel the hunger resonating out of Rhea’s form, her blunt nails puncturing the soft flesh of your thigh as she pulled your leg up to her waist. She was starved and as the moment between you grew hotter and hotter, it became harder and harder for Rhea to remain focused. Your pounding heartbeat didn’t exactly help the situation either.

“Why aren’t you afraid of me?”

Rhea practically moaned as she wound her lengthy fingers into the mass of your chestnut curls, her palm tugging down to expose more of your milky throat for her to ravish with her purple marks.

“Because I know where this goes.”

You whine as Rhea scatters a brand new chain of bruises around your neck, her palm moving you head like a puppet as she moves from one side of your throat to the other.

“I’ve written this story.”

Rhea’s interest peaked as you unknowingly gave away a part of the story you had yet to talk about. The question being which supernatural it was you wrote about. Trailing the tip of her nose up the left side of your jugular, across the perfect angle of your jaw and slowly up to your right ear, she gently sucked the lobe between her devilish lips before whispering softly against your ear.

“Then tell me Kitten, how does our story go?”

Were you about to quote your own book?

Use lines you’d written with the intention of never truly being said.

The warmth of Rhea’s breath against your ear makes your lids flutter, your fingers moving to toy with the first button of her slightly opened shirt as you turn your head slightly to find her oceanic hues. They were your words, you had written them, so why couldn’t you speak them? Popping the first button of Rhea’s shirt and swiftly moving to the second one, you lick across your front teeth before using the tip of your nose to bump her chin enough for you to find her ear.

You needed the right inflection, to commit to the part if you wanted it to work out and fuck did you want it to work out. Pressing a scatter of heated kisses along the perfect angle of Rhea’s jawline, you nipped playfully at her earlobe for letting out your words in a whisper.

“Take my body as your own, sinking your teeth deep into my skin; show me no mercy.”

Your voice dripped with desire as you popped yet another button on Rhea’s shirt, the pads of your fingers dancing across the skin as you exposed it to your gaze. Taking to the next button as you pressed a warm kiss to the corner of her jaw.

“Rip out everything mentally and let it explode physically.”

The whites of Rhea’s gaze began to grow dark as your words played with her hunger, tugging at the strings like torture. Your ravenous lips pressing another few kisses across her jawline.

“Grab hold of me, thrust and tear me chaotically, spilling your rage all over me.”

Finally reaching the last of the buttons on Rhea’s shirt, you pull the tails free from the leather belt that kept them at bay to expose her bare breasts to the air of the smoky bathroom.

“Hate me, love me, destroy me.”

Shifting your lips to peck repeatedly at Rhea’s own in hopes she would simply take you; there and then, you hike up your free leg to eagerly wind them both around her waist. Her weight against your form as you were pressed back into the mirror kept your bodyweight up, your hips grinding down against her own in attempts to get comfy.

Pulling at your hair and yanking your head back and away from her, you watch as Rhea’s lips morphed into a eat shit smirk. You watched in awe as the depth to her glazed eyes became darker, the grin upon her face peeling back to reveal elongated canines that almost glimmered in the bathroom lighting.

Vampire. Your subconscious screamed as you chewed playfully at your lower lip, your present mind not once thinking of the danger you could be in and ignoring the desire any normal human would have to run.

“Use me. Claim me.”

You uttered as your palms slid into the small of Rhea’s back, your slightly pointed nails pressing into her flesh as you slowly clawed them up her spine before winding them into her onyx tendrils. It took less than a second for Rhea’s palm that held tightly onto your thigh to snap up around your throat, her callus fingers tightening instantly to restrict the air escaping your lungs as she licked hungrily across her pointed fangs.

“Make me your plaything and fuck me, mia regina.”

(“ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʟᴀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰᴜᴄᴋ ᴍᴇ, ᴍʏ Qᴜᴇᴇɴ.”)

Rhea’s tongue clicks against the roof of her mouth as your fluent Italian flooded her ears, a shallow growl vibrating in her chest as she snapped her lips back against the shell of your ear.

“Oh dolce Gattino, ho intenzione di farlo.”

(“ᴏʜ ꜱᴡᴇᴇᴛ ᴋɪᴛᴛᴇɴ, ɪ ᴘʟᴀɴ ᴛᴏ.”)

Each moment with Rhea was like you’d planned it, every detail of the night following that of your own imagination as she returned your foreign language without effort. Smoothing her thumb over the vein on your pulse point, she slacked off the hold she had on your throat just enough to allow you breath. Her heated breath washed over your ear as she continued to speak.

“Perché da ora in poi sei mio. Solo mio.”

(“ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ɴᴏᴡ ᴏɴ, ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ᴍɪɴᴇ. ᴏɴʟʏ ᴍɪɴᴇ.”)

You could feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end as Rhea’s flawless Italian continued to drive itself into your consciousness, your heavy lids fluttering closed as her muscular form pulled you against her chest to relocate you to the sinks ledge. You couldn’t believe what was happening to you, about to be ravished beyond your wildest dreams by a walker of the night.

You couldn’t bring your gaze away from Rhea’s bare chest as her knee pushed itself between your own, driving your thighs apart enough for her to slide into the space she'd created with a devilish chortle. The darkness of her gaze continued to deepen, the vice-like grip around your throat tightening once more as she tilted your head back to have you look up at her with widened eyes. You could still breathe, but as Rhea’s fingertips pressed into the sides of your jugular you prayed to the heavens that she’d squeeze tighter. That she’d pull you into a new euphoria and heighten the desire that pooled between your legs.

“Only yours.”

You whimpered as the crushing sensation in your windpipe trapped the sound within its walls. Rhea was driving you crazy, each passing second pulling you further into a daydream as your palm moved to trace your fingertips over the wigs that spread over her sternum. Your blunt teeth gripping the flush of your lower lip as you took in every detail of the intricate tattoo, fracturing the delicate skin once more as the pressure became more intense. You could taste the blood as it bubbled to the surface once more, the coppery taste coating your taste buds as your fingers dropped from their soft touches to Rhea’s skin.

“I’m sor–”

You didn’t have the time to finish your apology before Rhea’s hunger found the soft plush of your lip, the heavy tug of her pulling the blood clean from the cut causing a delicate moan to vibrate from your chest as your fingertips gripped around the sinks ledge. She’d fought back every desire you’d thrown at her. Your scent, the heavy thrum of your heartbeat every time she’d touched you, but as the warm elixir of your life’s essence washed over her tongue, Rhea broke. She was done holding back, you’d given all the permission she needed to take you as her own and fuck was she about to take advantage of it.

The grip around your throat disappeared without you even realizing, both Rhea’s palms finding your hips to pull your ass forward. The hem of your crimson dress hitching higher up your thighs to expose more of your creamy flesh as Rhea’s darkened gaze simply watched in pleasure, her flush lips curving into her signature eat shit smirk as her tongue slid over elongated fangs. She wanted to taste every part of you, feel every part of you beneath her lips.

Tracing the pads of her fingers over the expanse of your soft thigh with one palm, Rhea craned your head slightly to press a scatter of kisses along your collarbone and up the column of your neck. The sharp points of her teeth catching your flesh every so often had you reeling, your legs twitching slightly as you felt the gentle touches of Rhea’s lengthy fingers trace between your thighs and ever closer to the heated core. The lace that shielded your wetness from her eager fingertips growing damper as Rhea’s released a deep moan against your earlobe.

“Take all of me Mami, please.”

You begged, swallowing a large ball of saliva as it pooled on your tongue.

“Take my body. My mind. My soul.”

You could feel the chuckle that parted Rhea’s lips as she moved her kiss back down your throat. You couldn’t even begin to imagine what damage she’d done to your milky skin by this point, but as your flesh burned beneath each hungry kiss, you let your mind wonder.

The sensation of skilled fingertips pulling aside your soaked panties and sliding between your slick folds yanked you from your subconscious, an unexpected moan parting your lips as Rhea slowly circled your sensitive bundle of nerves with her thumb. Your spine slowly arching forward with each new sensation, you chewed at the uncut side of your lip to suppress your whimpers.

“Non nascondermi il tuo piacere, Gattina. Lascia che ti ascolti.”

(“ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ʜɪᴅᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴜʀᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴍᴇ, ᴋɪᴛᴛᴇɴ. ʟᴇᴛ ᴍᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀ ʏᴏᴜ.”)

Rhea uttered against your skin as she slowly swiped her finger up and down the slit of your folds, pressing the tip against your entrance as she dragged sharp points across your shoulder. She wanted to give you pleasure before she took some for herself, but as the heat behind her gums burned, she contemplated how much longer she could hold back before she’d be forced to line her esophagus with your sweet nectar.

“Sì, Mami.”

(“ʏᴇꜱ, ᴍᴀᴍɪ.”)

You whined as the tip of Rhea’s finger at your entrance caused your back to arch and your thighs to twitch, another heavy moan falling from your lips as she slowly began to insert her finger between your tight walls.

You still couldn’t believe what you were doing. Rhea could kill you if she so desired and yet you’d played into her web perfectly. She had you wound around her finger so tightly, in more than one sense and as she added an additional finger to the warmth of your core you couldn’t help yourself but call out her name.

Your thick lashes fluttered closed as Rhea’s palm cupped around the back of your neck, pulling your features forward to capture your lips with her own. A small wince echoing in your throat as her pointed teeth caught the small slice you’d caused but she didn’t seem to care as her tongue pushed past the barrier and began to explore your mouth, her fingers diving further into your wetness as she began to curl them against your sweet spot.

“Fuck.”

You purred, as Rhea’s kiss disappeared. Your lids snapping open as you felt the tips of her fangs drag against your pulse point. Was she about to feed off you? You were surprised that it hadn’t already happened. Vampires were written with a take what they want attitude, feed and move on. Rhea had already tasted your blood once and with that you’d expected her to rip into you like a wild animal, drain your life's essence and disappear into the night as if she never existed.

Tilting your head slightly to allow Rhea as much room as she needed for her feed, you close your eyes tightly. Would it hurt? You had no idea, but you had no intention of denying her. You could hear your heartbeat in your own ears and could only imagine what it was doing to her. The heavy thrum pounding out a perfect rhythm as you swallowed unknowingly out of nerves.

“Scared, Kitten?”

The dominance in Rhea’s voice had your fingertips gripping the countertop in seconds, your hips twitching forward against her palm as her two fingers continued to pump in and out of your slick walls without a sign of stopping. You weren’t scared, the complete opposite in fact; but you couldn’t bring yourself to form a sentence and instead a plethora of moans took the place of your words as her fingers curled perfectly against your sweet spot with each thrust. The chuckle that parted Rhea’s lips was almost evil as it vibrated in her throat, her heated kiss pressing once more against your jugular before her gaze pulled back to witness your tightly closed lids and monstrous grip upon the sink.

Slowing the rhythm of her thrusts only slightly with hopes of getting a reaction, Rhea’s painted lips curved into her signature smirk as your lashes fluttered and you lids peeled open. The darkness behind her gaze was still very present, the points of her teeth sharper than ever and yet she still hadn’t taken you as her latest blood bag. Why?

“I'm not scared of you.”

You stammered through labored breath.

“Prends-moi, brise-moi, s'il te plaît.”

(“ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ, ʙʀᴇᴀᴋ ᴍᴇ, ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ.”)

Once more Rhea’s lips peeled back in an almost demonic grin. Each time you saw the sharpness of her fangs it caused your heart to swoon, pulling you deeper and deeper into your own fantasies. Craving them to puncture your flesh and drag you into euphoria.

“As you wish”

Was all Rhea uttered as her rhythmic pulse against your core returned to its fast pace. You could feel the band in your abdomen tightening with each pump of her fingers, your head lulling back against the mirror as the fingertips from her free hand moved to sweep the hair back from your shoulders.

Was she about to give in? Were you finally about to experience what only the characters in your novel felt as an attractive female fed from you?

You could feel your peak approaching, each passing second Rhea pleasured your core pulling you closer and closer to the edge. You wanted her now, more than you had all night. Ever since the moment you realized what she was and what she could do to you, all you could think about was her sharp fangs plunging into your flesh and the euphoric state being connected with someone in such an intimate moment would bring.

Releasing the sink ledge and stretching out your palm in search of Rhea’s perfectly chiseled jawline, you traced your thumb against her smooth skin before cupping the nap of her neck. You didn’t want to be pushy, but you were losing your patience with the amount of time it was taking to feel her lips against your skin and with your pleasure soring, it was now or never.

Chewing at your punctured lip as you fought back the pleasured moans Rhea’s fingers pulled from your chest, your hips eagerly bucking against her. You couldn’t form words as she continued to bury her fingers third knuckle deep into your tight core, your chest beginning to rise and fall in labored pants as they forced their way out of your lungs.

“P-pl-please, Mami.”

You begged, your nails pressing into Rhea’s neck as you greedily rode her palm.

“Please.”

The word was barely air; let alone sound and would have gone unnoticed to anyone else. But as the sound of pleasured begging flooded Rhea’s eardrums, she followed your wordless request and leant forward to once more ravage your flesh. She could not only see the pleasure in your face, but feel it. She knew how to pull you over the edge and it wasn’t with her master finger skills.

Scrapping her sharp teeth over the pulsing point beneath your jugular, Rhea slowly wound her free palm around the length of your neck, her lengthy fingers coiling like a snake around the fragile column before snapping it to the left, exposing the long vein line to her aching gums. You’d begged her for it. For her to take you. Break you. Destroy you. Increasing the pace of her thrusts into your tight walls, you can't help but whimper as Rhea’s palm tightens around your neck and restricts your ability to breath.

“Last chance, Kitten. Sure you don’t want to run?”

Rhea uttered against your skin, the vibration of your pulse beneath her lips driving her insane as she licked the flat of her tongue across your jugular vein. You couldn’t answer her and she knew that, the constriction she had around your throat was almost cutting you dry and all you could manage was to gently bob your head in response to her question. You definitely didn’t want to run, you wanted to cum.

With a few more pulses of Rhea’s skilled fingers into your desperate core, you couldn’t hold back again longer. The band in your stomach wound so tight that you could feel tears behind your lids as you teetered on the edge of release. The sweet taste of your climax hitting like a tidal wave as the sudden sensation of pointed fangs punctured the supple flesh of your throat.

“Oh my… god… fuck!”

You panted as your own grip on Rhea’s neck tightened, your fingertips winding into onyx locks to hold her in place as your high crashed through you like a train. It was completely indescribable and yet it all felt right. You’d chosen to entertain Rhea in her little games all night long and your reward had been worth the wait.

As the warm elixir of your blood coated Rhea’s tongue and down her esophagus her entire form shifted, the energy she’d been lacking returning and her strength increasing ten fold.

Releasing your throat so as to not hurt you, Rhea’s palm slipped to your hip as you rode out your wave against her palm. The counter beneath you became slick with your wetness as she continued her pace with ease, pumping in and out to keep you on your high as long as possible. Feeding was euphoric on its own terms, but as your body trembled beneath her touch Rhea clued in to just how she was making you feel.

Your blood was rich and almost sweet, coating every inch of Rhea’s mouth as she continued to guzzle down the crimson liquid. Her eyes growing darker and darker with each mouth full. She’d never had a problem controlling herself when she was feeding, only inflicting injury on those who’d found themselves on the wrong end of a fight. But there was something about your life’s essence that caught her by surprise, her stomach filling but her desire only growing stronger.

“R-Rhea.”

You stammered. Your grip on her neck falling slack as your mind became fuzzy and your strength to hold on grew weak. The sensations you began to feel swirling in your subconscious as you contemplated letting her finish. ‘It will kill you!’ One side of your mind screamed. ‘But you don’t want to lose this feeling.’ Shouted the other, the two sides arguing causing the brain fog to expand as you whimpered softly. You’d never felt a sensation quite like having Rhea feed from you, the pull of blood leaving your body mixed with that of your mind clouding had you almost floating. Flying above everything as she suckled the life from within your form.

It was as if Rhea knew she needed to stop, the soft sting at your jugular disappearing instantly as she pulled free from your skin. A coat of crimson plastered over her smeared lips as she swallowed back her mouths contents to speak.

“Hey Kitten, talk to me. You doing okay?”

You could hear Rhea’s words and yet somehow still couldn’t answer her. Your high had already fallen, your mind clearing slightly as her muffled words fought to be heard, but with your vision still blurred and your mind still buzzing, you swallowed back with the little strength you had. A sharp wince pulling from your chest as the pain in your throat became noticeable.

“I’m fine.”

You slurred as the soft tips of Rhea’s fingers slid around your chin, her sapphire gaze returning once more as she pulled herself back to human looking status and turned your limp neck to have you face her. The pad of her thumb grazing over your cheekbone as she curiously examined your features. Physically you looked fine, her manicured brow becoming arched as she continued to search your expression.

“I’m fine.”

You repeated, this time a lot more assertive, as a cheeky grin claiming Rhea’s lips. Her palm still cradled around your chin and supporting your head, she couldn’t help the small chortle that vibrated in her chest.

“So it was just that good, huh?”

Rhea’s brow arched slightly as she licked her plush tongue over crimson stained lips, cleaning up every last drop of your blood that stained her kiss as you watched her closely. You could see the tiny shift in her ocean gaze as your blood cleansed her palate, your own lip rolling beneath your lips in you held in a small whimper.

“Better than the books.”

You uttered, a small laugh muffling in your mouth as you held your lips tightly with your teeth. Of course you had no idea what it would truly feel like, your imagination not even beginning to create such imagery as you’d written such a moment. Being with a vampire was supposed to be fantasy.

Rhea chuckled softly as she smoothed her thumb over the punctures left by her fangs, a small stinging sensation shooting up your spine as her pressure against the open wound increased slightly. Your lips falling lax as delicate moan pushed passed them, the same pleasure you’d felt as she fed from you bubbling to the surface.

“I’ve got one last treat for you, Kitten.”

Your eyes widen slightly as you begin to play off what else she could possibly do for you, hers sapphire hues keeping you very captivated as you hum a delicate tone.

“What else could you possibly have prepared for me, Mami?”

You purr as a singular finger lifting to trail over the perfect curve of Rhea’s jawline, your tongue coaxing over your lower lip as thick lashes flutter slightly. You’d known each other less than a few hours and yet somehow you’d found yourself willing to do anything in order to keep her around.

Watching you intently, Rhea’s lips curve into an impish smirk, her palm dropping from your cheek and moving to the supple plush of her lips in a fluid motion. The darkness in her gaze glimmering back to the surface, only for a few seconds as she ripped open the cluster of veins in her wrist.

“One, I can’t let you walk out of here with that.”

Rhea’s gaze flicked to the wound upon your neck and then swiftly back to her wrist as a small pool of blood formed against her skin. Sapphire pools rising up to meet your gaze with an almost protective smirk.

“And two, you're mine now, remember and I’m not done claiming you yet.”

Blood bonding. Was she serious? You didn’t expect to ever see Rhea again after tonight, but if you knew anything about the supposed existence of blood bonding between supernaturals you’d never be able to leave her side again. A sires bond, linked to each other no matter how far apart the world tried to pull you.

“You’re asking me to—”

Your words trail off quickly, your crystal gaze still locked with Rhea’s as your tongue pushes through your lips. You were definitely curious, did a vampire's blood taste different to your own? But could you take the risk of locking this woman into your life forever?

“No.”

The tone in Rhea’s voice dropped, the authoritative demeanor she now held making the words that fell from her lips a clear order.

“I’m telling you to.”

You swallow nervously, certain you’d obey her before you’d even fully processed the request as you sit up right on the sink ledge and adjust the hem of your dress. You didn’t even want to think what your hair looked like as you pulled a palm through the sweaty tangles, coughing lightly to clear your throat as you took one last moment to breathe.

“Do you trust me?”

It was strange to you how Rhea could almost play two completely different people, the dominance of her darker self and concern of her human form playing hand in hand as she spoke to you. The demanding attitude from before instantly replaced with protectiveness as she sensed your nerves.

Bringing both of your palms to hold them together in her lap as you looked down at twitching fingers, you inhaled one last breath before and focused on steadying your heart as you looked up in search of Rhea’s gaze. Looking into the depths of her eyes was calming, like looking out and the ocean and you knew if you could find her pools all would be okay.

The warmth behind Rhea’s gaze as you found it was the most comforting it had been all night, all the darkness within her almost melting away as she waited for your answer. She couldn’t let you leave the bathroom with such a disaster upon your throat, but she didn’t want to force anything on you unless she had too.

“I trust you.”

You finally uttered. Your words weren’t loud but they were loud enough for Rhea to hear as she took a small step closer to you, positioning herself perfectly between your thighs as her free palm cradled your neck.

You could almost smell the richness of Rhea’s blood as you wrapped both your palms around her wrist, your mouth unexpectedly flooding with saliva as you took in the sight before you. It was now or never, you wanted this moment to mean something. You wanted to show her that you’d felt something between you that you were willing to bond together and not have this moment be ruined by her forcing it all on you.

“Feed me and make me yours.”

You whisper, an impish grin claiming your lips as you coated blunt teeth with your tongue and lean gently against Rhea’s palm.

“Forever.”

- - - - -

“Oh my god, it’s gorgeous.” You whispered to yourself while looking out of your car window. Malakai was driving, and chuckled at your excitement. The large hotel you were meant to watch over for the winter stood tall, a blanket of early snow covering it.

“Glad you like it, don’t want to get board of it.”

“I don’t think it would be possible for me to not want to be here.” As you pulled up, the large gate around the hotel closed behind you.

**********

You jumped slightly as the door slammed shut. Once again, you had a huge fight with Malakai. What had started as once in a while had become daily. You couldn’t under what was wrong, and any time you tried he would cut you off and storm away.

You stood up, setting your book down to go check on him. You started wandering, trying to find your husband in the large hotel. Eventually you found yourself walking towards the ballroom, and you could hear a quiet voice.

“It’s fucking annoying. Why does she think I’m not ok?”

You frowned, unsure of who Malakai could possibly be talking to. As quietly as you could, you peaked into the room. You could see Malakai’s back, but you were sure no one else was in the room.

“No… not yet. It’s not that bed.” You frowned, trying to understand what he was talking about.

“What do you mean?” Before he could turn around you hid behind the wall, your hand flying over to cover your mouth. You listened as he got closer, but he didn’t leave the room. “No one is here. Maybe you are the one going crazy, not me.”

***********

It had been a week since that moment, and you couldn’t stop thinking about it. What wasn’t that bad? What was he contemplating doing? The worst part was, you didn’t think Malakai had even noticed your absence. When he had once noticed if you were late to bed by thirty seconds, but now that you had moved to a different room he didn’t seem to care.

You had called for a car to come pick you up the next morning. You were terrified of the man that had once made you feel so safe, and you had no intention in staying here much longer. You were shoving stuff into a bag, positive you were forgetting stuff. But you didn’t want to take longer then you had too.

It was almost one in the morning when you finished, closing the suitcase. You stood in the fancy room, unsure of what to do. Laying down made you feel not only unsafe, and you never could really sleep. While standing there the sound of foot steps entered your ears, slowly getting louder and louder.

“Y/nnnnn,” you heard the voice of your husband call out. It was the first thing he had said to you in days. You didn’t move as the door to the room opened and you saw your husband standing there, covered in blood. Your eyes widened, but you really didn’t know how to respond. “There you are love,”

“W-what is that?” You stuttered, taking a careful step back.

“What, this?” He looked down as if surprised you would even ask. “Oh, the landscaper tried sticking his nose where it shouldn’t have been. So I got rid of him.”

Without realizing it you had backed up all the way to the other side of the room, your back hitting the wall. Malakai had continued to walk closer to you, but stoped when his foot hit something. He looked down, seeing the bag you had packed.

“What the hell is this?!” He reached down, pulling a knife you hadn’t noticed out and stabbing the bag, ripping it apart. The content was thrown all over the room as he angrily looked through it. “Your leaving me?!”

“Malakai,” you started but he quickly but you off by walking up to trap you against the wall. He slammed the knife into the wall next to your head, causing you to let out a scream.

“I defended you!” He yelled. “I told him! I told him you weren’t like that. That you were worth keeping!”

“I’m sorry!” You whaled, tears flowing freely from your eyes. You had never been so afraid of Malakai, and you had no idea what he was going to do. “I won’t leave, I’ll stay. I promise!” You sobbed.

“I’ll make sure you don’t ever leave,” he mumbled. Before you could react he ripped the knife out of the wall and brought it to your chest. “Don’t fucking move.” He started bringing the knife down, cutting through your shirt and bra. Once he pulled them away he dragged you to the bed and threw you down on it. “Take your skirt off.”

You carefully removed the clothing, your eyes not leaving the knife in his hand. Once it was off he was on top of you, holding you down on the bed.

“She looks beautiful hu? This so why I didn’t want to get rid of her.” Although he was talking, he seemed to not be there. As though somewhere else. His eyes didn’t leave you as the knife slid down your skin, making you whine in pain. The knife left a trail of crimson blood as you moved down between your breast and down to your underwear, cutting through the cloth to leave you naked.

“No. I could never share,” he mumbled, standing up to take his clothes off.

“M-Malakai?” Your voice seemed to pull him back into the moment.

“Stay still,” he pointed the knife at you as he rid himself of the last bit of clothing. He got back into the bed, his dick completely hard as he lined it up to your entrance. “This gonna feel so good.” With that he thrust quickly into you. You opened your mouth to scream, having not fucked Malakai in weeks, but he wrapped his hand over your face.

“Shut the fuck up.” He continued to thrust into you, using your body like it was just a toy. As much as you wanted to hate this, your body recognized the feeling of his dick in you.

As he continued to fuck you, you could feel yourself getting closer to the edge. “So scared and yet I can feel you wanting to cum. Should I let her cum?” He turned to someone who wasn’t there, and after a moment he nodded and reached down to rub tight circles on your clit.

Although your mouth was covered you still screamed as you went over the edge.

“Shit,” He groaned, feeling you tighten around him. “Gonna fuck a kid into you. Then you really can’t leave.” You could barely comprehend his words as he thrust as far into you as possible, spilling his seed into you.

While he was coming down from his high you reached over and found the knife he left. In desperation you took the handle into your grasp and quickly stabbed it up into his eyes.

“Fuck!” He screamed, falling off of you while grabbing at his eye. You tried to get away, but you felt a hand grip your ankle and pull you back. “You bitch!” You looked up at Malakai, seeing nothing but blood where is left eye should be. He grabbed a handful of your hair and started dragging you towards the window. “You really fucked up this time.”

You kicked and screamed as he opened the window. They may be enough snow to cushion your fall, but you were naked. Frost bite would kill you quickly.

“No! Stop!” You screamed as he lifted you up and basically threw you before slamming the window shut.

You had managed to get a hold of the ledge, but it was slippery and cold. Your entire body was shaking, and within 30 seconds you slipped, plunging to the cold below you.

**********

“Name?”

“Y/n Black.”

“Age?”

“Your/age”

“Who Are you visiting?”

“Malakai Black.”

“Reason?”

You hesitated at this, causing the man to look up at you from the computer he was typing on. Three months. It had been three months since that awful night. The only reason you hadn’t died was because the car meant to pick you up had arrived not long after you had fallen. You still could t believe you were here, the institute Malakai had been locked in the entire time.

“Recreational,” you mumbled. The man typed a few more things before printing something and handing it to you. A visitors badge.

“That man right there will take you to the room to speak to him.” And with that he closed the small gap in the bullet proof glass that surrounded him.

“Come along.” You quickly followed the security guard, listening to his words carefully.

“You will not be in the Same room as him. A wall will be there along with a window made of a similar type of glass you just saw. If we believe you shouldn’t be in there, we will remove you. If you want him taken away, tell us,” he stoped outside of a door, making you turn to look at him. “And do not, touch the glass.”

You were let into the room, and you saw Malakai through the glass just like they said. He was in a fully white outfit, and handcuffed to the bed he was sitting on. His eye was also wrapped, still healing from your attack.

“Hello sweet bird. I’ve missed you.” His words cut deep, but you refused to react. Instead you sat down to look at him. “To What do I owe the honor?”

“Malakai I came to tell you two things. First; I’m divorcing you. His eyes handed a bit, but you didn’t let it stop and. “And I’m pregnant.” You glanced up when he had started to laugh, which confused you. You watched as he started to laugh more and more, and it sounded so much like his laugh that night. You jumped up, and the door to the room slammed open.

“Come on.” The guard barked at you while two other people went in to restrain Malakai.

Oct 29th: Fright-night —(Percy Jackson xGN!Reader)

This is the first party you host at camp. It was exciting, adult life wasn’t at all what you were expecting but it was the little things in life what made it worth it. Like getting absolutely hammered with your friends at a Halloween party.

Everyone’s here, the place is packed with people and you try and converse with all of them, you lost sight of Percy after you went to refill your cup, but you find him soon enough talking with a slightly older guy that’s wearing a sort of fisherman outfit.

“There you are!” You exclaim, the music is a little loud and you should take care of that, but it’s a secondary thought as soon as you take a better look to the guy in front of Percy. “Wait, wait— Don’t tell me,” You examine their disguise and laugh. “Are you Poseidon?”

The guy smiles at you and nods, but before he can even speak you talk again.

“Oh, you’re in big trouble, sir!” You reply jokingly. “Percy, hold my cup—”

“Er... Y/N—”

You step forward and flick the man’s forehead sharply, Percy looks at your flushed cheeks in alarm. 

“How dare you being such a jerk to Odysseus?” You scowl playfully. “He’s my favourite hero– no, it’s fine I’m almost done,” You giggle when Percy tries to stop you. “You sir, have lots of explaining to do! Come forward and speak!”

“Y/N, this is my dad,” Percy speaks urgently.

“Yeah, I know,” You grin, then look back at the other guy. “It’s a great costume, dude, usually people just dresses like a weird pirate merman with a trident and call it a day— looks like you did your reseach!”

“I mean he’s my dad for real,” Percy's eyes are so wide that it makes you realize your mistake. 

“W-What?” You squeak. “Oh my gods—oh shit— Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“You didn’t give me a chance!”

“Oh gods, I’m so sorry— I was joking!”

You stammer and trip over frantic apologies, but Poseidon laughs it off, knowing you meant no harm.

“No worries, young Y/L/N,” His eyes wrinkle the same way Percy’s do when he smiles, now that you think about it how didn’t you realize this was his real father? They’re so alike! “Although I’d recommend you to slow down with the drinking, I believe Ares is around and he doesn’t have a good sense of humor.”

“Ah, right,” You grab your drink from Percy’s hand but hesitate before placing it on the table. “Yeah, maybe it’s for the best. Sorry again.”

The God chuckles and shakes his head, then looks at his son. 

“I see what you meant when you said Y/N’s one in a million, kid.”

Percy blushes again but plays it cool, he puts an arm around your shoulders. 

“Usually Y/N’s jokes are far better, though, you’ll have to excuse the lazy humor.”

“Hey, I think my joke was pretty funny!”

“That’s ‘cause you’re drunk.”

"Am not. I can prove it to you right now, let’s go outside—”

“I’m not letting you anywhere near a sword tonight.”

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