#mary x stack

Red neon lights bled through the open door of a bar, cutting through the hazy streets, and the sign above buzzed slightly - flickering as if it had a life of its own.

Smoke's Place.

Strange name for a bar yet something about it pulled you in, beckoning for you to enter and have a drink or five. The neon from the sign painted over your brown skin and the black dress you wore in hues of crimson, it was as if you were covered in blood, a wave of eeriness shuddered down your spine. You should continue your walk, not bothering to entertain the idea of entering this hole-in-a-wall bar, but the need to find inspiration was stronger than your discernment.

Tossing the butt of your finished cigarette onto the wet cobblestone, you stepped on the flickering filter, crushing it with the bottom of your heel as you made your way towards the bar. Walking past the threshold your eyes scanned the red surroundings. The bar wasn't empty - yet it wasn't full either. A few patrons nestled within booths, nursing drinks and chatting amongst each other, others sat at the mahogany bar listening to the soft hum of music fluttering in the air.

Blues.

You always loved the sound of it. Slow, sweet, tender, and mournful. The kind of music that made you feel waves of emotions that you never knew you could feel. Feeling pleased with the sultry environment; you made your way towards the bar, slipping onto the red velvet stool you made eye contact with the bartender. He gave you a quick nod, signaling you to place your order.

A rum and coke.

He nodded again and moved with purpose as he started to make your drink. The soft yet melancholic melody caressed your ears as you rested your chin within the palm of your hand, you gazed blankly at the liquor bottles that lined up neatly behind the bartender, and the beat of isolation hung over you like an overbearing hug. You should be at home right now working, even if you came up with a half-assed and flimsy idea - it was better than nothing.

You were so wrapped up in your stressful thoughts that you didn't notice a pair of eyes lingering on you the moment you stepped foot into the bar. A woman sat across the room, legs crossed with a wine glass in hand. With a teasing smile she took a long sip from the glass and she stood up. Walking with long and seductive strides, her hips swaying without a care in the world, and without warning she sat right next to you. The sudden presence of her made you practically jump out of your skin.

She laughed at your action, amused that you looked scared - even if it was for a split second. With a sigh she took another sip from her wine glass, your eyes lingered on her movements. She was beautiful, she was gorgeous. Her dark brown hair fell loosely, framing her face as effortless brown waves stopped just below her jawline. Her skin was a pale olive hue, smooth and cool toned, as if she was sculpted out of stone and came to life. But you couldn't help but to look at the beauty mark that rested high on her cheek, slightly underneath her left eye.

Her eyes...

They watched you intensely without blinking. They were dark brown, a deep dark brown. Too deep. It felt like you were looking into a bottomless pit - as if she held the abyss within her gaze. There was something off about the stranger's flirty gaze, it made your skin rise in goosebumps, but you couldn't look away from her even if you tried too. The red neon lights made her brown irises shimmer, enhancing the mimicking of life within them.

"I ain't never seen you in here before," the woman said, tilting her head as her smooth southern accent filled your ears like music. "How you find this place?"

Leaning back slightly to create space between you and the woman you spoke: "I walked...Just stumbled across this place and needed a drink, is all."

A small yet pleased smile tugged at the woman's lips from your honest answer, her knee brushing gently against yours underneath the bar. You couldn't tell if it was an accident or deliberate - but you didn't pull away from the woman's touch - in fact you leaned back into it. Her gazed lingered a bit longer until she extended her hand towards you, palm up awaiting for yours to be placed within hers.

And you did.

"Name's Mary." She smiled. She asked you about your name, which you gladly told her. She repeated it slowly, dragging out each syllable in a singsong tone. What you didn't expect was her lips to press against the back of your hand, the kiss was careful and tender, a gasp of shock rushed out of your lungs from her actions.

Her lips were soft...Yet cold.

Pulling back, Mary's grasp on your hand didn't dissipate, in fact she held onto your hand as if you two were longtime lovers. You watched as she reached for her wine glass again, this time you really paid attention to what's really inside of the glass. At first you assumed that it was some kind of red wine - but the way the liquid clung onto the glass, how thick and dark it was - you knew that it wasn't alcohol. You also noticed each time she drank the canines within her mouth were sharper than the average.

The bartender placed your drink in front of you, and with a turn of his heel he went to serve the other patrons, with a shudder you reached for your drink. Mary's intense gaze made something within you bubble with nervousness, fear, and need. Without thinking you chugged the booze, not even taking sips like you planned on doing in the first place. Mary's eyes widen at your action and blurted out: "Whew, I hope you don't got work tomorrow mornin'."

"I work from home." You replied as you slammed the now empty glass down, the clinking of ice filled up the beat of silence that lingered between the two of you. Her interest were piqued at this leaning forward just enough to show off her cleavage to you she asked you what you do for work, which you simply stated that you were an author, you told her of the most recent novel you've written and her face lit up so damn quick you thought she saw Jesus himself.

"That's you? I knew I recognized that pretty face! Oh, I love your work...What're doin' here in Louisiana? I assume you'd be cruisin' on a yacht in the middle of the ocean!"

"No, no, no...That ain't my thing. I mean, I do enjoy vacations, but I prefer not to blow all my money on shit like that," you laugh at Mary's sudden excitement which earned a chuckle from her too. "I'm here for work actually; startin' a new book."

"What about?" She asks as she leaned in, scanning your features as if you were a painting that hung within the most prestigious museum. Her fingers traced small shapes over the back of your hand, and you could tell that her touch meant something more than just idle tracing.

"You tell me...I got no idea what yet. I hit a wall, nothin' really speaks to me anymore and everyone's expecting me to deliver but I...I got nothin' left to say." You mumbled and the same nagging feeling of stress rattled within your brain again. So much for drinking away that unbearable feeling. Mary's face twisted with sympathy as she soaked up the words you spoke. Even if she just met you moments ago, she felt like she knew you - she spent hours reading your books. It grounded her when she's reminded of how her life got flipped upside down, how she was damned here for the rest of her existence - force to live within the shadows and fest upon the living.

Your words were her salvation.

Something shifted inside Mary and her once sympathetic expression melted into that of mischief a light had flick behind her cold, bleak eyes. Leaning in closer, invading her personal space you noticed a sweet scent of her perfume. It was floral and fruity, her scent reminded you of a hot summer's day lounging on a beach gorging yourself on peaches and mangos. You inhaled her scent deeper this time but you noticed a metallic undertone - the undeniable scent of blood. The sickening smell clung within her hair yet it didn't bother you; It only made you more interested.

"Can you keep a secret?" Mary whispered. The question was heavy - almost strange. It was as if Mary was testing some sort of boundary you both shared that you had no clue about. A soft chuckle escaped your lips, your laugher tinged with discomfort and curiosity. Maybe it was your desperation of finding something to write about, maybe it was the alcohol numbing your inhibitions, or maybe it was the way Mary looked at you as if you were some sort of goddess?

Either way you knew you wanted to see where this goes.

"Yea'..." You whispered back, which earned a toothy grin from the woman. She down her last sip of 'wine' and placed the glass onto the bar, sitting up from the velvet stool. Her hand was still holding yours but her grip slightly tighten.

"C'mon, I wanna introduce you to someone," Mary spoke in a giddy tone, pulling you up from the stool. "I bet we can help you find that spark again. Your words bring be comfort - so think of this as me givin' back."

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Mary led you with determination and purpose, weaving through the bar's shadowed backend as if she'd done this a thousand times. Pushing open the door that read 'Staff Only' in bold lettering she cut through the narrow hallway that was cluttered to the brim with liquor bottles, cleaning supplies, and miscellaneous crates that stacked on top of each other haphazardly. Then came the stairs, narrow and wooden just like the hallway you were led to. With each step that you and Mary made the moans from the staircase echoed off of the tight walls that grazed your shoulders with each movement you made.

This was a bad idea.

Following a stranger, doesn't matter how pretty they were, in a part of a bar that clearly wasn't meant for the public sent a wave of doubt within your chest. You didn't even know what her intentions were - this could honestly be a setup of some sort. You were mentally kicking yourself for even entertaining this notion of being alone with her in the first place. But just as quickly as your fear of potentially being robbed and/or extorted filled your thoughts, they were soothed as Mary glanced back, her fingers interlocked with yours as she gave you a warm and reassuring smile. You could tell that smile was genuine, that or she was just a really good actress.

At the top of the staircase was a door, so plain and extremely well hidden. The lighting within the small hallway was dim and dark, you could barely see your hand without squinting your eyes and holding it close towards your face. Mary didn't knock; she just turned the knob and walked in the room like she belonged there.

She most likely did.

It was an office that clearly belonged the person that owned this place, framed certificates and liquor licenses hung onto the dark red walls quickly gave that away. But what truly caught your attention was the art. Afro-surrealist paintings, rich with vibrancy and textures your sure that the paintings would come to life. The brush work was bold and dream like, you also noticed a record player that rested between the paintings, this person was a big Sammie Moore fan that's for sure.

But the nice decor within the office didn't make you breathless, oh no it didn't. It was him that did that. He stood at the open balcony doors, tall with broad shoulders, just by how his expensive clothes hugged his frame you knew that the man had a strong build. A toothpick rested between his lips and he tilted his head towards you and Mary with lazy interest. The midnight sky held a dark velvet hue, mixed with the harsh red neon from the bar sign below, casting him in an intense yet ethereal light. His brown skin shimmered, you wanted to run your hands across his body, not out of lust. But because this man was just so damn handsome - you were sure this could possibly be a dream and you'd wake up drenched with sweat in your bed.

But this wasn't a dream...

He didn't move a first, just chewed slowly on the toothpick as his eyes narrowed at you and Mary, and those eyes. Deep brown just like Mary's and equally lifeless like hers too. Both of their eyes held nothing but had the answers to everything, you couldn't look away from them, and the stranger was the first one to break eye contact from you. Leaning off the open doors of the balcony, the man quickly stroked his moustache and goatee, both were neatly trimmed and taken care of. His dimples flashed when he finally spoke, and the booming sound of his voice made you flinch back into Mary's touch.

"What you want this time, girl?" The man asked, his question was directed at Mary. And without missing a beat he spoke again. "And who this?" His gaze now glued onto your form. You open and closed your mouth in quick successions, trying your best to find the words you wanted to say. But Mary spoke for you, she sang out your name with pride, the grip on your hand tighten as she did so.

Mary explained the reason of you being here: you were an author, her favorite one, and you needed help finding inspiration. The man shook his head, a sarcastic laugh rolling off his tongue as he looked between you and Mary, and a long yet intense pause lingered over the conversation. Looks were exchanged between the two and you were sure that they were communicating without speaking a single word - as if having a whole conversation within each others minds without you hearing a thing.

"You really are that bored...Or dumber than a bag of rocks."

"Fuck you, Stack. Don't talk all that hot shit with me just cause we got company around, you ain't impressin' nobody." Mary stepped closer to the man now known as 'Stack', her grasp on your hand disappearing as she wrapped her arms around herself. Stack raised an eyebrow at Mary's sudden energy shift, pulling the toothpick out of his mouth as she gave him a look that held something raw, something that you couldn't quite understand.

"This isn't some impulsive shit, okay?! This could help you - could help us!" Mary shouted, motioning to you without breaking the intense gaze she shared with Stack. "If we talk about it - if we can finally put it in words - we can move on. We don't gotta keep dancin' around it till somethin' happens to one of us."

"So, what? You wanna use her as some kinda couples therapist but with extra steps and shit?" Stack asked with an slightly amused grin plastered on his handsome features.

"She's a writer! She can do what we can't," Mary pleaded, her hands that were once rested on her hips held onto Stack's strong arms. She closed the distance between them, their body pressed firmly against each other. "She can carry it and shape this ugliness into somethin' beautiful. We've been holdin' onto this hurt for years, it's rottin' away at us, and you know it is..."

Silence followed Mary's pleas soon after, thick and drawn out, you could cut the tension with a knife. Your chest began to tighten and your throat dry, the buzz from the liquor you chugged quickly dissipated, and all that was left were your fried nerves. Stack stared at you, unmoving while Mary eyes flicked between you and Stack, her face twisting with desperation.

"We're vampires, ma." Stack dryly sighed out. No buildup, no dragged out drama, it was as if he confession to something mundane such as taking the last slice of pizza or something. His words of confession echoed through the thick air and you blinked. He must be joking, right? There's no such things as vampires - this had to be some sort of elaborate prank or some weird fetish the couple shares together.

Your mind stalled, went blank, and the once disbelief turned into strained humor. A low snort escaped your lips and your hand raced to cover your mouth in an attempt to hold in your laughter, but the chuckle grew into a cackle - laughter that couldn't be contain. The kind of laughter that a person has when something so absurd happens that your body short circuits.

"I-I'm so sorry ya'll," you breathed out between the fits of laughter. You slightly doubled over as the giggles grew more strained. "You're what now, vampires? And what am I a fairy or somethin'?"

But Mary didn't smile and neither did Stack. They both just watched you laugh with a straight face and you noticed that their serious demeanor didn't waver in the slightest. Your thunderous laughter slowed, then it died, you stood there in awkward silence now as you scanned their face to find some kind of humor within their look.

But there weren't any...They were serious.

Stack tilted his head slightly, so subtle that if you weren't paying attention you wouldn't have noticed. Mary's face was still, but her lips were parted ever so slightly, and her teeth already sharp became even sharper by the second. Their cold brown irises melted into something pale - something sinister. Stack's eyes resembled the icy moonlight that shimmered brightly with sliver while Mary's eyes where a blazingly bright copper - almost feline like in nature.

Their once casual presence changed, it felt like the already tense air was being thinned by the second, and it was harder to catch your breath. Stack's golden capped teeth were impossibly sharp, not just fangs but maws. He was like a wolf wearing human skin - a hunter that could easily kill you.

With pure instinct you jumped, your feet moved before you could even think, stumbling backwards only to crash into the hard leather chair behind you. The sudden collision sent you falling back into the seat, so ungraceful, so panicked. You tried to push yourself forward but it seemed like the chair itself was holding you in place, all you could do was grip the armrest for dear life. Your chest heaved in rapid successions, your breathing coming in going in jagged short bursts, and the thunderous heartbeat from your fear echoed through your entire being.

They just stood there watching your movements and their eyes glowing faintly through the dimmed light of the office. But the way that they looked at you didn't hold an ounce of malicious intent. No threat, no hunger, and no anger. Just waiting and curiosity, and somehow that made you more fearful than ever before. They could've easily killed you right here and right now.

But they didn't.

"It's alright, darlin'. We ain't gonna hurt you." Mary said softly, stepping forward from Stack to kneel down in front of you, leveling herself within your terrified gaze. You couldn't form the words you wanted to say, it was as if your voice was trapped within your body. Mary tilted her head to the side and her glowing vampiric eyes soften at your fearful expression.

"Remember what I asked you earlier? About you keepin' a secret?" A pause lingered over the conversation as Mary waited for you to answer her, with a gulp you nodded your head which earned you a wide smile from her. Kneeling up again she began to waltz around the room. "Well, darlin'. This is what I meant..."

The sound of her heels clicking softly against the wooden floor with each graceful step she took, stopping at a painting to run her fingers over the thick paint strokes. Popping her hip to the side she spoke again, this time in an attempt for you to understand her and Stack.

"We ain't monsters, you know...We just people who didn't die when we should've. People who've seen to much - done too much."

"Don't go romanticizing this shit, Mary. We vampires, cursed, the damned, end of story." Stack blurted out, leaning against his desk as he stared out the open balcony doors, playing with the lighter in his strong hands. The soft clicks from the lighter slightly cooled your nerves, and it seemed like Stack noticed this - which made him drag out the flicks from the lighter in an attempt to sooth you.

"We got stories, things we never spoke about out loud before. About what we lost, how we got here, and what we became..." Mary's voice dropped lower, more intimate as she waltz towards you again, her hand slowly placed on your shoulder. Her touch was soft and feather like, and she leaned down to face you. Her face was inches away from yours and you couldn't help but to gaze between her fierce eyes and kissable lips.

"You a writer, right? You can take someone's pain and turn it into somethin' worthwhile. In exchange of hearin' us out you'll have a story. A real story..." Mary whispered and her fingers slowly grazed the hot skin of your cheek, tracing your features with the pads of her index finger until she stopped at your jawline. "Somethin' raw, passionate, and deeper than some tired idea you could come up with on your own, no offence."

You nodded your head as the expression of awe danced across your face, Mary smiled at that and planted a soft kiss on your cheek before pulling away from you again. This time she stood in front of you, leaning on the opposite side of the desk that Stack rested on, his eyes never leaving the two of you, and you could see a small semblance of hunger and something else within his gaze.

"We got rules, though." It was Stack's turn to speak as Mary held up two fingers. "One: you can't use our real names, use aliases. Change some details if need be, can't have no one know it's us." Stack explained as Mary put down her middle finger, only her index finger was held up now. You nodded again but alas, that wasn't enough for Stack.

"Use your words."

"Y-Yes, I understand. Aliases only..."

A pause lingered and his eyes narrowed ever so slightly. But he spoke again - this time more firmly. "Two: you never talk about this shit to anyone, y'hear? Not your editor, not your publisher, hell not even a pet goldfish. No one. If they ask just say you made the shit up - say it's fiction. Because if you do..." He stopped flicking the lighter and stared directly into your eyes. "We ain't gon' be as polite the next time we see you."

A chill raced down your spine at Stack's heavy words. He didn't say it as a threat, there was no kind of violence or malice within his voice, yet that fact alone made you feel worse. It wasn't a threat nor a warning. It was a promise and if you fucked up in anyway, shape or form, the punishment would be your life. Mary put down her index finger, signaling to you that was the end of their rules. With a sweet smile she extended her hand out to you and without thinking you held onto hers, shaking her hand, sealing the deal you made.

What the hell have you gotten yourself into?

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A few days had past since your encounter with the vampiric couple, and during those days you've gathered enough courage to go through with their deal. Half of you thought about ditching Louisiana and forgetting about that weird night entirely, but the other half of you remembered Stack's words. It seemed like he had the power to find you even if you dropped off the face of the earth, the way he reminded you to keep your mouth shut gave you that impression.

With your purse sitting beside you on the velvet couch you stared at the couple across from you. They invited you into their home, a two story house that was tucked deep within Louisiana's bustling Bourbon Street, of course vampires like them would live amongst the most visited spot within New Orleans - they could feast on people in plain sight. Their shared home was expensive but not overly gaudy.

They had taste.

Their home smelled like sultry incense and aged wood with a slight undertone of bleach. It seemed like they always cleaned up, which made your gut twist with fear. They definitely 'ate' here frequently and it made you wonder just how many people they lured here - how many people were still looking for those poor souls. Candles burned low amongst the few dimly lit lamps, the flickering ember glow from the candles and lamps danced across the dark red walls within the living room you three resided in.

Bookshelves lined almost every corner of the living room, floor to ceiling dusty mahogany shelves towered over you, and books from different genres were packed tightly in the multiple bookcases. Your eyes danced over the neatly lined up hardcopies until they stopped on something familiar.

Your books.

Your whole series, lined up together on a high shelf, and the spines of the books seemed worn. A soft smile ghosted on your lips, Mary wasn't lying - she was a fan of your writing. You could tell those books were most likely read multiple times by her. A yellow notepad rested within your lap, a black pen held tightly between your fingers as your mind raced with caution and curiosity. You needed to find a balance, to ask them question without pissing them off and becoming a meal for them tonight.

Mary and Stack sat closely together on the couch opposite from you, her hand rested lazily on his thigh while Stack's arm draped around her shoulders in a way that felt natural - as if they've done this a hundred times over. You noticed that their outfits were vastly different from the night you've met them. Stack wore more jewelry - a large gold letter ring that read out '$TACK' and a multicolored Coogi sweatshirt. Mary ditched her dress with a pair of denim jeans and a black crop top and her hair was in a high ponytail.

Clearing your throat you rolled up the sleeves of your grey sweatshirt, and with three clicks of your pen you blurted out your first question: "So, let's start from the beginning...How were you two turned?"

Mary let out a soft breathy laugh, cutting through the tense conversation like a sharpen knife. "Straight to the meat and potatoes, huh?"

You blinked at Mary's comment quickly rushed out an apology, telling her that she can start wherever she wants within their story. Calmy she waved off your apology and with twinkling copper irises she spoke again. "It's fine, baby. But let's just start from the actual beginning; before all the blood and gore."

"We were childhood friends, me and Stack grew up in Mississippi together. Back when signs told you where to sit, what train you were allowed to ride. Jim Crow was hell - I don't miss that part of my childhood." Mary explained. Your writing on the thick notepad halted as your eyes met hers, questions flooded through your mind at her statements and without thinking you asked: "H-How was that possible? Ain't you--"

"White?" Mary finished, raising a well arched eyebrow. She went into detail about her background, how during those times the 'one drop rule' was still in place. Her grandfather was a biracial Black man which meant her mother lived around in a predominantly Black neighborhood. Her mother helped Stack's mother birth him and his twin, nursing the two of them when she ultimately passed away. Your writing halted again.

"You a twin?" You asked Stack, which he nodded his head confirming your question. "And where is he? Is he a--"

"Nah, he ain't like us...He gone." That was all he said and you could tell that topic was a touchy one for him. You asked Stack about his twin, tiptoeing over his death. His nickname was Smoke - now the name of the bar makes more sense. The more questions you asked about Stack's brother the more you sense his once guarded demeanor melt away. They were close, his brother was the oldest by only fifteen minutes, and he also picked out Smoke's clothes ever since they were kids. The older twin was more stoic, had stronger convections, and always protected Stack.

Even from their own father.

They were enlisted in the military together, after that they fled to Chicago and joined rival gangs, posing as the same man in an attempt to rob both sides blind. Your hand couldn't keep up with his words and without missing a beat you placed the notepad down on the coffee table that rest between them, digging in your purse to pull out a tape recorder. Stack's once prideful stories about him and his brother slowed, halting to a grinding stop as Mary's once casual gazed harden with worry.

"Nah, you can't record this. Not apart of our deal, ma." Stack said.

"I won't share this with anyone - I'll only use this as reference, I need to make sure I'm not missin' anything. I'll destroy them after, I promise." You reassured, but Stack only shook his head in disapproval.

"I'm older than your grandparents. I know better than to trust a promise like that. Tapes can get stolen, leaked, all that shit..." He leaned back into the sofa, his hold on Mary loosening slightly, leering at you with each word he spoke.

You stared in a slight annoyance at Stack words - but he was right. These tapes could somehow get stolen or lost, and you didn't want to risk that, your life was on the line after all. But recording their story was more potent that notes, it can capture their true feelings about the situations they've experienced - their inflections and pauses. It gave you some sort of access to the real them; the raw and ugly truth that'll slip out the more they spoke.

Mary eyes flicked between you and Stack, her free hand rested on his chest as she let out tired sigh before speaking. "Let's make a new deal. You can record...But you gotta keep those tapes here - with us." She smiled which earned a head shake of displeasure from her 'deal'.

"I can't do that, I need to replay them when I'm writin' - I can't memorize everything ya'll say. That's impossible..."

"We don't give a damn. Write faster if that's a problem for you." Stack shrugged, not giving you an ounce of sympathy at all. You rolled your eyes at his harsh words, he was starting to be an asshole, and even though he was a vampire you were biting your tongue - stopping yourself from cursing him clean out. You explained to them that writing their story would take some time, that it'll be a few months for a rough draft to be finished. Silence hung over the room like smog and then Mary sat up, as if she had the most brilliant idea on the planet.

"Stay with us! Live here until the rough draft is done, that way you can have access to the recordings and we can have a peace of mind." Mary smiled brightly, pleased with herself at the absurd idea of you moving in with them, she must have forgotten you only met them a few days ago. You blinked in disbelief and replied with: "No, not happenin'. I don't even know ya'll like that - I have all my stuff back at my apartment. My computer, clothes, everythin'."

"So? Bring 'em here. I'm a great host so think of this as a vacation. You know you ain't doin' nothin' else anyways..." Mary shrugged, snuggling against Stack as he chuckled at her idea.

"Damn, now we finna kidnap her too? This shit is comedy right here." Stack joked, his dimples prominent as ever as he stroked his facial hair, trying his best to stifle his laugher from his lover's actions. The look on your face only made his beautiful smile of amusement grow larger, his gold teeth shining within the dark ember light.

"You crazy? I'm not livin' in a house with two vampires I just met!" You shouted as your voice dripped with concern and annoyance. It was like talking to a brick wall with these two, once they made up their mind there was no changing it. Mary sighed as she pressed her face into the crook of Stack's neck.

"Then the tapes stay here, sorry darlin'. I just don't think leavin' you with them is a smart idea." She replied calmly. You cannot believe that she was strong arming you into staying with them, you lean back and tossed the tape recorder on the table. Your face twisting with aggravation and your expression only made the two smile more.

They seemed to both enjoy getting under your skin.

With half-lidded eyes and a cross of your arms you gave an answer.

"Fine...I'll stay."

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A few weeks passed ever since that night you agreed to stay with them, packing a duffle bag and a few suitcases with most of your belongings - not to mention the heavy box that contained your computer. Every night you'd stay up with them, writing down the stories they told you about their past, the tape recorder catching every word they spoke. Sometimes they'd laugh, sometimes they'd argue, and sometimes they'd fight back tears. When the sun came up you'd type away on your computer until sleep nipped at your eyes - staying with them ruined your sleep schedule.

You stayed in the guest room, just down the hallway from their room. And the thought of them being so close to you alarmed you greatly at first - you were too terrified to sleep for a few days. But what shocked you was how they treated you. They didn't look at you like a pest nor a meal, they treated you like a guest, like a long time friend. You often wake up to the smell of food - real food.

They'd cook you meals like gumbo and other soul food dishes that made your mouth water, anticipating dinner each time you ate their delicious cooking. The three of you would sit at the dinner table, listening to Blues as you ate, they 'ate' too. Mary would sip from her wine glass while Stack would sip from his, you never asked them were they got the blood from - you honestly weren't ready for their answer yet.

They started to ask you questions too. About your life, how you got into writing, what drives you, your failed relationships, and your likes and dislikes. You would answer them all with honesty and sometimes those innocent questions would turn risqué as the night went on. They'd ask when the last time you had sex, if you were interested in women, your favorite positions, and what was your type. At first you shut down those questions, but the more you got to know them, the more open you became.

There was no denying that you found Mary and Elias aka Stack attractive. And it seemed as if the feelings were mutual, often times they'd sit right next to you, Mary on your left while Elias was always on your right. When Mary would laugh she would place a hand on your thigh, leaving it there as she stared deeply into your eyes, her hand rubbing up and down your leg with each question you'd ask. Elias would drape his arm around your shoulder, pulling you in closer towards his strong frame, sometimes resting his head on top of yours as he remanence about his past.

The sexual tension between the three of you were growing by the second. You remember one night of accidently walking in on them fucking each other in the living room. You forgot your notes after the nightly interview, waltzing down the staircase only to freeze in your tracks at the sight of Mary's hands and right knee on the wooden coffee table, her back arched while Elias was behind her, bucking his hips into her as the raunchy wet sounds of her pussy swallowing his member echoed through the living room. Her breast bounced with each rock of his hips, both were fully nude, and your eyes met with Mary's.

An open mouth smile danced across her gorgeous features, her sharp fangs bare as her moans grew louder at the sight of you. Elias's hands held onto her hips firmly as he's once shut eyes open, he was staring at you too - neither one of them stopped there movements. In fact it seemed like they sped up their thrusting, the look in their eyes beckoned you to step closer, to join them.

You stood there with blown pupils, mouth hanging slack with shock, and without thinking you raced back upstairs and towards your bedroom. Arousal nipped at your loins at the sight, you wished you would've joined them that night, kicking yourself mentally for chickening out and retreating towards your room.

Pulling yourself out of those thoughts about the two, you sat across from Elias. It was just you and him tonight, Mary had left hours prior to manage the bar, something about shipments not arriving on time. The air was awkward between you and Elias, well awkward on your part, he seemed cooler than a cucumber not phase that you saw him having sex just last night. The tape recorder clicked on, its quiet whirring droning on within the background.

Elias told you about the night he was turned, how he open a Juke Joint with his twin brother, and how it all went to shit. He was turned by Mary who was bitten by some ancient vampire named Remmick, he was lured there from the music his little cousin Sammie played, now it made sense with all the Sammie Moore records he owned.

He talked about how it felt being connected to Remmick and the others who were turned - how he lost himself within the short madness he experienced, shame tugging on his face with each word he spoke. He explained that he was in a trance, listing to the orders that Remmick filled his mind with, and the only way he snapped out of it was seeing the death of Annie - his brother's lover.

"After all that shit went down, my brother locked me inside the Juke, he saved me from the sun..." He mumbled as he clenched his jaw, the bloodied memories tormented his mind greatly, you could tell by how he shuffled within his seat. "When the sun came down, I saw him. Saw what those sorry ass peckerwoods did to him...But he saved me again, one last time. The Klan showed up and he gunned them all down, killed every last one of 'em. He went out with a bang, my big brother." He finished as nothing but pride dripped within his tone.

"He sounds like a good man - a great man." You replied, which earned a nod of agreement from Elias. The tape recorder flashed a small red blinking light, signaling to you that it was still recording, silence fell over the both of you like a weighted blanket and without warning Elias sat up from the couch.

He moved with purpose as your eyes followed him, he reached a safe that was in the corner of the living room, nestled between a tall bookcase and the wall, he kneeled down and twisted the knob of the safe entering the combination. With a click the small door open and he rummaged inside, once he found what he was looking for he closed the door shut, spinning the knob to reset the lock. Walking back towards you he claimed a seat right next to you, not sitting on the couch across from you. You looked down at what he was holding and a gasp fell from your lips.

Dog tags, his brother's dog tags specifically.

The chain was long and rusted due to age and the tags were dull. But staring at them felt like a knife twisting at your gut, they were old, but something about them held so much beauty. Your hand move without thinking, reaching for the tags, but you stopped. Your fingers hovered over Elias's hands and your gazed met his.

"Can I?" You asked your voice soft and tender.

"Yea', yea you can..." He whispered back passing the rusted metal towards you, his grasp on the tags were so delicate, as if these tags were some sacred artifact. And honestly, they were. "Thank you, 'Lias." you said, his nickname that you gave him a few days ago rolled off your tongue so naturally, the sound of it made the butterflies in his stomach grow stronger. Your eyes scanned the tags, his brother's name piercing through the rusted metal.

Elijah Moore.

Of course their names would be similar and a soft smile tugged at your lips. A wave of inspiration crashed into you like a tsunami, you could practically feel the energy radiating off the the dog tags, resting your hands in your lap still holding the tags with respect your eyes locked onto Elias's tender gaze on you. The sensation of your heart racing beneath your ribs made your body tingle in raw need and you were suddenly aware with how close Elias was. He was close to you before, but Mary was always there, this was different now.

It was just the two of you.

Your lips were parted, painted in the same cherry red lipstick you'd always wore, but without thinking you licked your bottom lip nervously. That action earn Elias to look at your mouth his eyes were brown instead of his pale vampiric irises and you couldn't help but to be drawn into those deep abyss that were his eyes, just like the first night the two of you met. Slowly you leaned in and Elias didn't move, the feeling of his lips ghosting over yours made your skin prick up with goosebumps. Then finally, he closed the gap between the two of you.

The kiss was soft at first, it was as if the two of you were testing the waters. He tasted like tobacco, peppermint, with a subtle hint of iron and danger. You shouldn't be doing this, everything in your body told you to pull away, your nerves telling you that this was more trouble than its worth. But you just couldn't give a fuck anymore - you needed to feel his hands on you - and you needed to touch him. The once gentle kiss grew deeper as Elias pulled your closer towards his chest, pulling you in his lap as you rested the dog tags onto the couch. You were straddling him as your tongues danced across each other, desperately licking into each others mouth as a groan of pleasure ripped through you.

His strong hands that held onto your hips snaked their way up your sweatshirt, cupping your breast as his fingers traced the lace lining of your bra. Grinding yourself onto him your hands cupped his face, the feeling of his beard ticking the palms of your hands slightly, the kiss was passionate and his plump lips made your head spin in need. Pulling away his mouth was slightly covered in your red lipstick, but that didn't seem to bother him none. He reached for the hem of your sweatshirt, pulling it over your head with your help and his mouth attacked your breast, collar bone, and neck.

You held his face against your neck as you tossed your head back, the sensation of his lips suckling at the sensitive spot on your neck made you whimper out in pleasure. But like a crack of thunder realization ripped through your body. He's not yours, he's someone else's man. He belonged to Mary who invited you into her home, who trusted you with their secrets, their stories, their truth. Guilt bloomed within your gut as Elias continued to kiss at your neck and breast, his moans made you feel sick with shame.

"Elias, wait..." You whispered, pulling away slightly from him, but you were sitting in his lap.

"What's wrong?" He asked as he tried to kiss you again, but you dodged his lips. You swallowed as you avoided his needy gaze, you knew if you stared at him too long your convictions might crack.

"This ain't right..."

"It's 'ight. It's fine, ma. I promise."

"No, its not fine." You gasped rising from his lap as if he touch alone burned you. With shaky hands you reached for the tape recorder, pressing stop on the tiny machine, and the faint whirring sound died into awkward silence. You quickly gathered your things as Elias watched, slightly startled by your sudden change of demeanor. "This was a mistake, please forget about this." You begged, holding your sweatshirt close to your body, shielding your half nude frame from his intense gaze.

"Forget about what? You ain't did nothin' wrong, we ain't did nothin' wrong...I noticed the way you've been lookin' at me, we both know you want this." Elias reassured but you were already moving towards the steps, your socks making you glide a bit with each rushed and uneven steps you took. What's gotten into you? You weren't the kind of person to entertain anyone who was in a relationship - you've always hated cheaters. Always condemning the kind of person who would break their partner's trust in such a way.

But you were a kiss away from being the one thing you couldn't stand. Slamming your bedroom door shut your mind raced with worried thoughts about your actions. Was this book truly worth it? You could just tell them that this wasn't good idea, leaving all of your notes, recordings and even your computer in their possession and leave.

Half of you wished that you didn't pull away from him.

──⭒─⭑─⭒────⭒─⭑─⭒──

The tape recorder groaned out a small click and whirred as your thumb pressed the play button - again. Elias's soothing voice muffled from the tiny recorder, his southern accent was slightly static from the cheap device yet you could still feel that passion with each word he spoke. His words about his story, about his brother, and his life truly moved you. But now those tender words were tainted with guilt. A long static pause pushed from the tiny speaker and then unmistakable sounds of kisses, of groans, the quiet thud of your sweater dropping on the floor.

You winched at the noises, cursing yourself out within your head. Your thumb hit the stop button, followed by the rewind button, and lastly pressing play for the hundredth time. Listening to the same words Elias spoke, listening to the same pauses and cadences. You kept listening to the recording as some sick form of punishment or reminder of your transgression.

Sitting on the edge of your bed, the blue cotton nightgown you wore clung onto your slightly damp legs, you decided to take a bath after the kiss - hoping that the warm water and floral scented soap would wash away the betrayal. You thanked the gods above that your bathroom was connected to your bedroom, you haven't left your room in hours now. Mary had been home, you knew this as you heard shuffling from downstairs, and the sunrays that slipped past the thick curtains gave you the clue that she left the bar. Her and Elias always arrive home before the sun could catch them.

The smell of breakfast curled through the air, slipping underneath your door, and tickled your nose. The slight pain of hunger nipped within your stomach. The smell of grits, eggs, bacon, and pancakes with sweet syrup made your mouth water - and you knew that Mary cooked them just the way you liked it.

But you're not leaving your room anytime soon.

Pressing rewind on the tape recorder again, soft knocking reverberated through your room, making you jump in surprise. Your eyes glued onto the wooden door, widening like deer in the headlights. Maybe if you stayed quiet they'd cut their losses and leave you alone. But then another round of knocking came soon after, making you spit out a 'fuck' under your breath.

"I know you're up, it's me!" Mary sang out, her voice was bright, light, and lacked any hurt you might've suspected she had. But maybe it was a front to lure you out so she could sink her teeth into you for messing with her man. You didn't answer as you pressed pause on the tape recorder and tossing it onto the bed beside you, your wide eyes still lingering on the door.

"I made breakfast, I figured you would've joined us by now. We can still eat, though. Maybe in the sunroom? it's cloudy and the trees blocks out the sun..." Mary spoke calmly as soft chuckles escaped her lips after uttering the word 'sunroom', normally you would've made a joke about vampires even owning a house with such a room that they couldn't even enjoy. But you didn't say a word. A beat passed, no footsteps, Mary hadn't walked away.

Damn was this lady persistent...

With a loud and dramatic sigh Mary spoke again, her voice dripping with playful annoyance. "Come on, sweetpea. Don't make me come in and drag you out! You know I will..." She mumbled, dragging out the nickname she gave you days ago. Sweetpea, that was what she called you, and the nickname always made you feel fuzzy inside whenever she sang it out to you.

Standing up from the bed you shuffled towards the heavy door, reaching for the golden doorknob you twisted it reluctantly, opening the door to become face to face with Mary. She stoon there casually, her arms crossed over her chest while her hip popped out to the side, putting all her weight onto her right leg. She wore a silk soft pink robe that accentuated all of her curves, the silk stopping mid thigh while her brown hair was was wrapped in matching pink rollers.

Her face lit up when she saw you, her caring expression made your heart sank. "Finally!" She gasped out, leaning in slightly as her smile danced wider across her beautiful features. "I was seconds away from kickin' the door down."

You tried to smile at her casual demeanor, but you couldn't bring yourself to do it. Your gazed dropped to your bare feet, curling your toes nervously, and you hoped that the wooden floorboards would open up and swallow you from this awkward situation. Mary's cheerful expression shifted and her arms lowered to her sides, leaning on the door frame her eyes scanned your body.

"Hey," she whispered, her voice soft and full of concern. "What's wrong?"

"I kissed Elias..." You blurted out, it's best to just get it out the way than to drag it out. Your voice cracked with each syllable you choked out as your eyes clashed with Mary's brown irises. "I didn't mean to, it just happened. It was stupid, I-I feel awful I'm so sorry."

Mary stood there and her expression went flat, her plump lips forming a straight line. Then her eyebrows knitted together in confusion as if she was digesting your words, and without missing a beat a toothy grin was plastered on her face.

And she laughed.

Placing a hand over her chest her laugher grew, it was as if you just told her a joke, not the fact that you kissed her lover. You blinked at her in shock, confused and wondering if she heard you or lost her mind. "You laughin'?" You asked your hand still gripping the doorknob just in case she tried to charge at you, slamming the door in her face, it wouldn't do a damn thing but it gave you some comfort.

Mary waved her hand through the air, simulating swatting away smoke as she spoke in between fits of chuckles. "I-I'm sorry, sweetpea, haha! It's just--Damn, that's why you've locked ya self away in this room? Ya scared of big bad Mary?"

Her expression then shifted again, a teasing pout forming on her lips, tilting her head to the side. "Wait, wait...Did ya'll two--"

"No! No, never that. It was just a kiss, that's all."

"Shame. Was hopin' to hear more about ya'll. He's handsome, ain't he? Smart mouthed, passionate, and tough...It's the grills that do it for me. Is it the same for you?" She asked casually, which made you slightly reel back from her words. She wasn't upset that you kissed Elias. She was upset that you didn't go through with it. Your mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water - everyday that past these two always surprise you in the strangest of ways.

"But I--Ain't y'all together?" You questioned.

"We are." Mary replied, crossing her arms around her chest again, biting her lip as her eyes became half-lidded. Her gaze was unreadable to you now. Was she joking with you or was she flirting with you? It seemed like a mixture of both with something else lingering beneath the surface. Pushing herself from the doorframe Mary shot you a wink, turning on her heel as her hips swayed seductively with each step she took.

"Your breakfast is gettin' cold, darlin'. And I ain't gonna reheat no bacon."

──⭒─⭑─⭒────⭒─⭑─⭒──

Rain poured down steadily, turning the garden outside into a shimmering blur of greens, blues, and greys. Calming pitter patter of the raindrops beat against the screens and windows of the sunroom, the sound creating white noise that made the space you shared with Elias and Mary much more intimate. You sat between them at a small, mosaic round table, your plate was nearly finished save for a few more bites of grits.

Mary leaned back in the metal chair, her legs crossed as she twirled a cherry flavored candy in her mouth. Her tongue clicking and popping around the sweet as her eyes gazed up at the sheer roof, it was as if she was in a trance, deep in thought about something you weren't privy to. Your eyes lingered onto Mary for a split second before looking back down at your plate.

"I was wondering...Can ya'll eat? Like, human food?" You asked. Elias was the one to answer your question with a roll of his broad shoulders, his voice deep and rich with a southern drawl. "Only in moderation, eat too much an' we get sick, same with drinkin' from somebody with an illness."

Mary nodded at his words in agreement, the bright red candy bulging at the side of her cheek as she chimed in on the conversation. "I just like suckin' on sweet things - satisfies the craving...Sweetpea." She then looked at you, sending you a wink that made your cheeks tingle. Surly she was just talking about candy...Right? Clearing your throat, you wiped your face off with a napkin, inhaling the thick air before you spoke.

"I just wanted to say, to the both of you, I'm sorry for the kiss. For oversteppin' and makin' things messy..."

"We been messy way before you were even a thought, you ain't do nothin', ma." Elias said in a jesting tone, but you could tell he was sincere with his words. Even being graced with their forgiveness, your heart couldn't stop racing - not out of fear, but with something much more stronger. Much more passionate, much more needier. And it didn't help that Elias was sitting right next to you in nothing but low rise sweatpants and a gold chain, the Jesus piece resting against his bare chest. His muscles flexed with each shift he made, and the soft sheen of the cloudy skies illuminated his brown skin, making him shine within the grey atmosphere.

Elias was temptation in the flesh and Mary was the snake that beckoned you to take a bite.

"So, since we're on the topic of Elias kissin' up on our guest. I gotta know - how did she feel?" Mary purred, a mischievous smile danced across her face, you choked on your orange juice at her words. Coughing, your eyes landed on Elias, who seemed to be unfazed by Mary's question.

"She felt nice, real nice." He said simply. His strong hands scratched at the side of his face, fixing the stray hairs within his neatly trimmed beard. "She got the softest lips and she taste sweet...Like candy." Your breath was caught in your throat, they were talking about you as if you weren't even there. But the way that Elias spoke about kissing you and the way Mary's hips slightly rolled from him recalling the memory made your core tingle with desire, your pussy was clenching around nothing, you desperately needed to be touched and stroked.

And these two will gladly deliver.

The cherry flavored candy clicking loudly between Mary's fangs. "Well, ain't that just precious...But now I'm curious." Her voice was like velvet and she leaned forward towards you, eliminating the space between the two of you as her eyes flicked between your open mouth and hazy irises. "How do you taste, darlin'? You as sweet as my Stack says?"

Before you could even think about answering her, Mary plucked the bright red candy out of her mouth, and planted a heated kiss onto your lips. Her mouthed moved against yours with a feverish rhythm, demanding your attention more than asking, her lips were sweet but the kissed you shared with her wasn't. It was possession in its purest form, it was nasty, and it was passionate. She licked into your open mouth, swallowing the gasps that slipped past your lips as if she was starving for you. Her kiss was different from Elias - it was hungrier and she was in charge with how your lips and tongue moved against hers. Kissing Elias felt like dancing, kissing Mary felt like entering a fight that you didn't mind losing.

Your hands trembled slightly as you cupped Mary's face, trying and failing to steady her kisses, your eyes shut as you pulled yourself into Mary's embrace. Your breast laid flush onto hers, and the feeling of her nipples hardening and rubbing against yours made your head spin. Your heart was pounding wildly within your chest and your legs squeezed together tightly to ease the aching throb of your core. The cotton fabric of your nightgown was bunched on top of your pussy, and you rolled your hips against the rough fabric, your clit jumping at the sensation of the cotton pressing against it.

But it wasn't enough.

With heavy lidded eyes you gazed at Elias who just watched on with pure amusement, lazily slouched back with one arm hooked around the back of the metal chair. His mouth curled up into a mischievous grin that oozed with lust, his golden capped fangs shining brightly through the grey atmosphere within the sunroom. Those dimples, the same ones that you've been obsessed with the moment you saw him deepen as his smile grew, his eyes were locked onto yours as Mary skilled tongue massaged over yours - pulling yet another moan out of you.

Back away from the kiss, the string of saliva that connected your bottom lip with Mary's snapped, the thin spit clinging on your chin. You tried to lean in to kiss her again, but she pushed you away by your face, her hand gripping your jaw firmly which made your lips pucker in a pout.

"Uh, Uh girl. I'm the jealous type, focus on me, and only me unless we say somethin' otherwise." Mary tutted out in her normal sing song tone. You were caught between the scorching heat of Mary's attention and the intense weight of Elias's stare, you felt yourself unravel by the second. In the back of your mind, red flags and warning bells were firing off, but your lust was stronger than your inhibitions.

With the candy still within her fingers, Elias leaned forward, he was sitting behind you, and his mouth wrapped around Mary's delicate fingers. Licking them and savoring the artificially sweet cherry flavor that clung onto her pale olive skin, slowly he pulled his mouth away with a wet pop - the candy was gone, it was now in his mouth. Mary's fingers were slick with spit and slightly sticky from the candy, your breath hitched in your throat as she wiggled them in your face teasingly.

"Go on, Mary. Stop pickin' on her..." Elias spoke as he sucked on the hard sweet. A giggle fell from Mary's swollen lips and she whispered: "Pull up that nightdress for me, sweetpea. I wanna see that pussy weep." With a rushed nodding of your head you did as you were told, pulling up the fabric and bunching it around your waist, your bare sex exposed under the needy gaze of Mary and Elias. Her fingers that were slicked with Elias's spit reached down to stroke you, earning a whimper from your lips. It's been too long since you've been touched like this by another person, and it seems like your body realized this, you were already soaking.

"Shit, so fuckin' pretty...Pussy fat as hell, you've been hiding her under all them clothes, tragic." Mary whispered, biting her lip as she dragged her slicked fingers over your folds, pulling your wetness up towards your thumping clit. You squirmed under her touch, leaning back against Elias's strong chest. Instinctually you closed your thighs shut, which made Mary's hand that rested on your jaw land on your knee, prying your legs open as she dipped her ring and middle fingers between your wet pussy lips.

A strong arm wrapped around your waist, holding you firmly in place, while another was pressed between the soft mounds of your breasts. Elias's hand rested on your throat, not tight yet, but his grasp on your neck still held pressure. He could feel the fast paced pounding of your pulse under his calloused fingers, the feeling of it made him strain against his grey sweatpants, placing tender kisses on your cheek and the shell of your ear he whispered.

"You heard what she said, ma. Watch her stroke that pretty pussy, you ain't ready for me yet."

And your glassy eyes peered down at Mary trying your best, and failing, to ignore Elias's hot kisses on your skin. Mary's slim fingers rubbed tight circles on your sensitive bud, breaking the circular movements sporadically to rub your clit from side to side, earning a raunchy wet from your cunt. Mary gasp as she felt you grow wetter under her hand, your hips rolling to catch up with her mean strokes against your sex, and slowly her fingers crept down to your slick opening. She dug her nails into the soft skin of your knee, earning a painful mewl mixed with pleasure from you, and she chuckled as the tips of her fingers pressed inside of you.

She didn't push all the way in, only stopping at the second joint of her fingers until she pulled out of you, rubbing your clit again. Your face twisted in primal need as your hips bucked forward and your hands scratching at Elias's strong forearm that was wrapped tightly around your waist.

"Damn, you hear that? She's wetter than a fuckin' pool." Elias said against your ear as he watched Mary's fingers turn you out.

"Mhm, music to my ears. I wanna taste her, I wanna show her what you taught me, Stack..." Mary replied with her eyes locked onto his, as if asking him permission to continue giving you pleasure.

"Do it, ma. Put that tongue to work."

Then she lowered her head, slipping out of the chair she resided in, and slinked onto her knees. Propping your legs over her shoulders, her tongue slowly licked you from your aching core towards your bundle of nerves, fluttering her long eyelashes with each long stroke she made with her skillful tongue. Sucking on your clit as if it was the same piece of candy she held within her mouth moments prior. You grinded against her face, which made her flatten her tongue, allowing you to fuck yourself on the pink muscle.

Whimpers, whines, and groans rolled out of your mouth with each lick Mary had made over your soaking pussy. Her hands held onto your thighs, holding them open to make sure she truly tasted every inch of your sex. The hold that Elias had on your throat tighten, but the mild pain only added to the intense pleasure Mary was giving you. Elias whispered praises in your ear, telling you how good you're taking Mary's tongue, how pretty your moans sound, and how he couldn't wait to fuck you next.

"Oh, fuck. Y-yes, like that..." You sighed out, your voice fraying at the end of the sort sentence. Mary's soft lips wrapped around your clit before pulling away with a wet pop, her tongue now licking at you with fever, her tongue dragging figures across your dripping cunt.

And then it hit you.

She was spelling her name out with her tongue.

On your pussy.

Nasty. That was all you could muster to think and you loved it. You wondered what great deed you've done to end up being rubbed, licked, and sucked on by two beautiful people. The sharp feeling of Elias's fangs scratched the shell of your ear slightly, earning a shiver to race down your spine. Mary circled around your clit with her tongue faster, sliding in her fingers inside you again, this time she pressed them all the way in stopping at her knuckles. Your pussy squeezed around her nimble digits, her fingers making a scissoring motion inside your wet core, making you yelp out in pleasure.

Your hands that were once on Elias's forearm rested on Mary's neck, you tried your best not to grip at the rollers in her hair, your legs shaking around her head which earned a chuckle from Elias. He was enjoying the view greatly, he knew you were close, squeezing your neck to earn that fuzzy feeling that nipped at your brain. A breathy sob fell from your open mouth as your eyes shut tightly, holding your head back Elias's lips crashed onto yours, kissing you as your orgasm ripped through you. The cherry taste from the candy still in his mouth flooded your senses, his tongue pushing the hard candy past your plump lips, making you suck on the sweet in delight.

Mary pulled away from your spent pussy, her plump and swollen lips shiny and covered with your juices, but she swiped her tongue across her bottom lip shaking her head in approval at the taste of you. "You are sweet, baby. Stack wasn't lyin' - not one bit," she laughed as her fingers helped you ride out your orgasm, slowly fucking into your twitching pussy. "Such a sweet pussy, I'm glad I came up with that nickname for you. Sweetpea, it's fittin' for you."

Still trembling from reaching your climax, Mary lifted herself from the ground, planting a open mouth kiss onto yours. You could taste yourself on her lips as you deepened the kiss, holding her face as your tongues danced, you were getting use to her intense kisses. It was your turn to turn her into a moaning mess, gasping for air.

"Damn, nasty as fuck. She love the taste of her pussy on ya mouth, I like that, we ain't even have to train her to do this." Elias spoke with reverence as he watched the two of you makeout with each other, Mary hummed against your lips at his words, pleased to know that you weren't as uptight as you lead on to be. Her tongue fished for the candy that rested within your cheek, dragging it out of your mouth and into hers. Pulling her lips away from yours, Elias's squeezed your throat again, hard this time. Your eyes fluttered in pleasure as tears pricked within the corners, your mouth was open slack in an attempt to inhale a bit of air, but Mary hovered over your gasping mouth with puckered lips.

A thick string of drool slipped past her slicked wet mouth, landing right into yours, earning your eyes to roll back. The taste of artificial cherry and your pussy juice made your head spin, swallowing up her spit as if it was holy water, Mary bit her lip at the sight. She was happy that she saw you in the bar weeks ago, she knew you would be trouble, and she couldn't wait for you to ruin her and Elias during the rest of your stay here. Reaching for her silk robe, Mary slipped it off of her petite frame, letting the soft fabric hit the ground with a light thud. She stood in front of you and Elias naked, she wasn't wearing anything underneath.

"Both ya'll not wearin' any panties under your pajamas is drivin' me crazy," Elias sighed as his grip on your neck loosened, allowing you to catch your breath. "Ya'll planned this out?"

"Nah, baby. She just freaky as hell, just like me." Mary tutted out. Your eyes soaked up her nude body, toned and curved at just all the right places, it was as if her body was chiseled by master artists - a fucking Greek statue of a goddess coming to life. That's what she looked like, and your mouth watered at the thought of holding her in your arms. Elias noticed your staring and he smiled proudly.

"You like that, huh? She pretty ain't she? Go on, taste her too." Elias urged, helping you out of the chair you resided in, landing a smack against your ass with his strong hand as you sank onto the ground. A hiss escaped your lips from the action, but you still followed his orders, looking up at Mary with adoration. Your hands roamed her thighs, stopping at her waist to pull her closer towards you, making a gasp fall from her lips. Without missing a beat you latched your mouth onto her clit, your tongue lapping up her pussy like it was a delicacy. She was dripping, and the thought of her getting this wet just by eating you out made your loins burn with desire.

Rolling her hips Mary grinded her pussy against your tongue, you flatten it enough for her to use it to her liking, only stopping to suck at her swollen clit. Leaning back onto your knees you stared at her glistening sex, and with a pucker of your lips you spit onto her sensitive bud. A low and guttural moan escaped from Elias at the sight, he was shocked with how natural all of this was for you, as if you've done this with them a thousand times by now.

Mary cupped her breast, pinching her nipple as your fingers rubbed her clit, pressing down slightly with each stroke you gave. Sliding in a finger you began to fuck into her and her head whipped back with pleasure, attaching your mouth back onto her clit you began to suck harder, your finger pumping into her faster.

"So damn tight, your pussy is grippin' me...Swallowin' me, baby." You muttered against her wet cunt, your raunchy words earning desperate buck from her hips. Your sucking on her clit grew faster and you added another finger inside of her, Elias stood up from his chair now, walking towards Mary and placed a sloppy kiss onto her mouth. He held her face within his strong hands and she moaned into his mouth, his tongue licked past her lips, he was practically devouring her whimpers of pleasures. You, still on your knees watched in awe, sucking and rolling your tongue on her twitching clit.

Mary grabbed the back of your head, her breathing fast now, you could tell she was close with how her hips wildly grinded against your face. Elias sucked at her neck, leaving behind bright red hickeys, earning mewls of pleasure from her. Mary's legs began to shake uncontrollably, her weight slowly pressing against your mouth, and without warning she pulled your mouth away from her creamy wet sex. Her eyes rolled back as you watched her tremble above you and you licked up her juices off of your fingers with delight.

Elias broke away from the passionate kiss he shared with Mary, pulling you up from the hard floor of the sunroom, and in his tender embrace. Your lips crashed into his, fighting for dominance as Mary watched on in hunger, catching her breath as she came down from reaching her orgasm. Her lips were added in the intense makeout session, she was kissing you while you kissed Elias, and Elias was kissing her. All three of you were desperately trying to taste each other in the heated exchange of tongues.

With teeth bumping against each other and the taste of Mary's savory pussy juices on your mouth, you moaned with pleasure as she pushed the hard cherry flavored candy back into your mouth, the candy was now smaller than the last time you sucked on it. The sweetness of the candy still held the taste of you that made your head spin.

Mary's hands ripped at the collar of your nightgown, the sharp sound of tearing reverberated off of the screen walls within the sunroom, the cotton that once covered your body now hung loosely over your frame, you were nude now too. Elias pulled off the blue nightdress from your shoulders, goosebumps forming on your skin as the cool air hit your naked frame. The tattered nightgown fell onto the floor as Mary snaked behind you, placing kisses onto your neck and jaw, her hands roaming your body as if memorizing your every curve.

Pushing the plate that carried your breakfast onto the hard floor, the shattering sound of glass made you jump into Elias's arms, Mary sat onto the mosaic table. Stepping back into her embrace your swollen lips danced with Elias's, both of you humming into each others mouths at the sweet taste of Mary's pussy and the candy on your lips. Biting his bottom lip you pulled away from the kiss, leaning on Mary as her hands cupped your breast.

"That ain't fair, baby. We both naked and you got these sweats on..." You said as your hands traced down his toned body, feeling every dip and valley of his muscles, stopping at the waistband of his grey sweatpants. "She right, take those off." Mary chimed in, rolling your nipples between the digits of her fingers, the sharp yet pleasurable pain raced through your body and straight towards your needy pussy.

Without speaking a word Elias pulled his sweatpants off and your eyes widened.

"...'Lias." You whispered out his nickname at the sight of him, you were at a loss of words as your hazy eyes landed on his hard dick, and Mary laughed at your reaction. He was long, thick, and heavy. The veins pulsed down his girthy shaft and his dick curved a bit to the side, he was the biggest you've ever seen, and you're sure you'd be walking with a limp after this. You weren't sure he could fit inside of you and you clenched your legs together instinctually. It was as if Elias read your mind and he calmy stated: "Imma go slow until I know your pussy can handle me."

"And besides this won't be the last time he fucks you. Right, sweetpea? We'll make sure you get use to it." Mary reassured as she planted a soft kiss onto your cheek, twirling you around so you faced her. Elias held onto your waist, lifting you up into Mary's lap, you were straddling her now and she leaned back holding you in place. Her hands gripped your ass, spreading your cheeks apart as your hands rested behind her, your breasts pressed firmly on hers.

Mary's thighs were pressed on the back of yours, making sure to keep you steady, and the both of you looked over your shoulder at Elias. Slowly he rubbed his tip against your wet folds, the sensation made you shiver in anticipation. With a kiss on your shoulder Elias entered you, his face twisting in ecstasy at the feeling of your soft walls pulsating around his thick member.

"F-fuck, you feel too damn good, ma." He groaned, his hands held onto your hips, the feeling of your velvety wet pussy clenching against the veins on his cock almost made him come right then and there, catching his breath he pushed himself inside of you to the hilt. The feeling of his thick dick stretching you out made you whimper, tears that pricked at the corners of your eyes fell onto your warm cheeks, which made Mary lean forward to lick and kiss them away.

High pitched grunts fell from your lips with each mean thrust he made, and it didn't help that Mary held your ass cheeks open, his dick drilling into you deeper. Your legs were turning into jelly as he hit that sweet spot inside of your pussy. Sucking onto the candy in your mouth you tried your best to stifle your whimpers and cries, your face was covered in tears and spit as Mary lapped up your salty teardrops, humming out in bliss at the taste - she was enjoying seeing you come undone from Elias's dick pounding into you.

"Keep cryin', ma. Shit--You so fuckin' tight." Elias praised as his hand that was once holding the softness of your hip rested at the back of your neck, his calloused fingers pressing firmly around your neck, your heavy breathing becoming deliciously strained from the pressure. A creamy mess was quickly formed between you and Elias due to the friction and your wetness, the raunchy wet sound of his dick fucking into you was music to Mary's ears, her hand reached between your flushed bodies as she rubbed tight circles on your clit.

The metal legs of the small circle table scratched against the floor with each buck of Elias's hips. Your head went fuzzy again from the overbearing sensation of Mary's fingers playing with your pussy, Elias's dick fucking into your g spot, and his strong hand restricting your airflow that you didn't realize what you were whimpering out.

"Fuckin' break m-me!" You cried as Mary's hand moved with the speed of light. "Please, please, please..." The feeling of Elias's cock twiching inside of your pussy from your request made you back up into him, meeting his hips halfway with a lazily smile plastered onto your face.

"Fuck! You hear her, baby?" Mary asked, as she watched Elias's eyes roll to the back of his head, his mouth hanging open slack. "Why settle for a few months when we could have her forever?"

"I can fuck this pussy forever, d-damn. You like that sound of that, ma? Forever with us?" Elias muttered as his hips snapped into you sporadically. Your mind was clouded with lust and the desperate need to be released that you weren't fully grasping what they were talking about, only breathy sobs came from you.

But that was enough for Elias.

With one last long mean and nasty thrust his release crashed into him like a wave, finishing inside of you as his hips rocked into you with force, making your weight rest on Mary's chest. Your body trembling at the warm sensation of being filled to the brim with his seed, he was giving you his everything and the creamy mess of your wet sex mixed with his come froth between the two of you, dripping down towards Mary's soaking pussy.

The sensation of Elias pulling out of you slowly mixed with the skillful fingers of Mary stroking your clit made the knot within your stomach tightly wind up and snap. The burning hot feeling of your orgasm rattled through your bones, making you squirt all over the mosaic table, Elias's abdomen, and Mary's thighs and pussy. It was like a faucet that wouldn't stop and the candy that was in your mouth was crushed into tiny pieces from your teeth. Elias gave your core a playful smack with the shaft of his dick, soaking up your pussy juices that was now everywhere.

"You so messy, ma. So filthy..."

"Good job, sweetpea."

Your breathing was rapid and your body slick with sweat, it felt like you've been running a marathon, your body was so weak and fucked out. But the one fact about vampires that still amaze you rattled through your dickmatized thoughts: they had stamina. Mary's arms wrapped around your waist, earning your legs to wrap around her waist in the process, she guided the two of you on the soaked ground with the help of Elias.

"Ya'll gotta clean this up." Elias spoke casually, his dick still twitching from reaching his orgasm. Still within Mary's sweet embrace your trembling hand reached for Elias's girthy cock that was drenched in your wetness, your tongue dragging across the thick vein that raced towards the tip of his dick. Mary joined you, her tongue working at the base of his dick stopping to plant small kisses at his tip, your mouths and tongues bumping into each other.

Elias looked down at you two with a cocky smile, two beautiful women lapping up his dick would make any man fill with pride. With his hand tangled into your soft coils he raised up his other arm, flexing his bicep as a booming chuckle of pure gratification fell from his lips, you couldn't help but to roll your eyes at his arrogant display. Pulling your mouth away from his dick you placed a bite onto his v line, he hissed at the action, but his smile only grew wider.

Those fucking dimples will be the death of you.

Mary cupped your cheeks gently, turning your head to face her as she planted a soft and tender kiss onto your lips. This kiss wasn't primal like the others she gave - it was grounding. It seemed like she was making sure that you were okay, that you were still here. Breaking away from the kiss she rested her forehead onto yours, her beautiful deep brown eyes that you easily got lost in peered into yours.

"We're serious about out offer," she hummed out, biting her bottom lip as she wiped away the tearstains from your cheek. "We can do this forever, sweetpea. It's up to you, of course."

"I-I'll think about it." You mumbled, which earn a nod of understanding from her. Turning into a vampire was a daunting idea, being banished from the sun and having to survive off blood seemed like a burden that you weren't willing to comment to.

Yet.

"Good things come to those that wait; and we'll wait eternity for you, ma." It was Elias who said that. You and Mary lifted yourself from the ground, your arms slung around Elias's broad shoulders while Mary pressed against your backside, hugging you from behind. Your bodies tangled in the raw afterglow and your once foggy mind was set ablaze. Calling Elias and Mary your muse was an understatement of the century - they're your brilliance, your new found obsession, the passion behind each and every stroke of your pen. You didn't just feel inspired; you felt fulfilled.

You felt whole.

Smoke is 16 years old and huffs with every step. He takes deep and deliberate breaths that are shoved out between his teeth with every barefoot stomp over the Mississippi dirt. Stack groans every now and then when Smoke’s steps falter from his own weariness on the uneven ground and Stack’s bleeding head is jostled in the walk. They come to Monroe’s backyard but before they can go for the house, a 15 year old Mary bursts out the backdoor with her hands frantically waving for them to back into the treeline. 

“Mary?!” Smoke hisses tightly through a wince, speaking painfully stretches his swelling cheek. Mary startles as Smoke spits out blood from his busted lip between their feet. 

“Ya’ll pa, here!” Mary informs him. She gently tries to coax the oldest of them to set his brother down but Smoke shakes his head, tightening his grip on Stack’s legs.

“Stack needs help. Daddy kicked him all in his chest and down the steps. He landed on his face and ain’t get back up.”

“Shit…” Mary pauses to brush dirt off the side of Stack’s face. She frowns in thought, they all tense when Big Eli’s voice booms from Mary’s front porch. Ms. Monroe hollers for Mary and the pale girl bites her lip in thought. Her mama hollers again and Mary snaps her fingers in realization.

“I got it! Lets go Miss. Greenwood’s!”

“The VooDoo lady? Hell nah, someone gonna see and they gonna tell Unc Jeb, then he gonna tell Big Eli!”

“She is a medicine woman and she can do stitches and she lives far out! And is she ain’t there, we got Annie!

“Who the Hell is Annie?”

“Her granddaughter! Don’t worry she’s just as good too! Now C’mon before they get nosy ‘bout me.” Mary argues, waving Smoke to follow behind her. 

Mary leads them back down the hill and through the thicket to one of the less traveled dirt roads. It was easy to follow the pale of Mary’s waving hands and worried chatter in the coming night as the sun sank further down until the sky was barely purple-blue, fireflies blink ahead of them as cicadas rattle echo through the air.

Almost loud enough to drown out as Stack’s moans turn into wheeze-y and laborious pants.

Almost.

Smoke looks at Stack’s watch from his brother’s limp arm and huffs to find they had been walking for nearly 40 minutes. Mary is a speck of moon beam in front of them, like a worried lighting bug.

“Just gotta turn down the slope.” Mary says over her shoulder. 

Finally, they arrive at the shack cabin of Miss. Greenwood and Mary rattled the door with frantic knocks. Smoke had caught glimpses of the old woman every now and then but really only knew rumors about her. She had moved back home to Clarksdale just two years ago after her daughter died in Baton Rouge from consumption. If Smoke was being honest, he was scared to go to her for help.

But, he was scared of his brother dying more.

Fuck, he only had a few baker nickles on him. Nothing for the butcher, the pharmacy or the grocer. No way could he pay any kinda price for the care his brother may need.

The door swings open and instead of the round old woman with white colored plaits and a blind eye…. Elijah is pretty sure this is an actual angel. Through the beaded curtain that acts as a screen dorm is a girl.

 It was a girl his and Stack’s age, holding a kerosene lantern high so she could see them all in the coming night. Elijah can’t help but notice how her rich skin reflects back both the sliver of the early moonlight and the gold of the cloudy lantern. The girl is plump and soft looking, her hair in two puffs on the side with a cornrow front, her face full of apprehensive concern and her eyes….

Those coffee coals of hers stare deeply into Elijah’s eyes, like she’s reading his soul for a moment. 

“Annie! Is ya meemaw in? My friends need some help, bad.” Mary says as she points her thumb at the bloody twins. Annie finally turns her eyes to Mary and shakes her head with a sorry pout on her thick lips.

“Granny’s over at Pleasant, helpin’ deliver a baby. Whatchu need, what’s happening?”

“My brother’s hurt. Got beat and didn’t get up.” Smoke speaks up gruffly. He tenses a bit when Annie comes off her porch stairs with silent and strong steps. Once close to them, enough that Smoke gets a whiff of citrus and herbs off her, she examines Smoke. Annie’s fingers barely graze the swell of Smoke’s check before he winces back, making her finger tips brush the tender flesh of his busted lip instead. 

“Don’t worry ‘bout me, my brother!” Smoke insists with begging eyes. Annie nods, putting a hand on his shoulder for a moment before addressing Stack. Annie turns his head towards her and mutters in Yoruba under her breath at the sight of him. Annie steps closer and places her head on Stack’s back as her free hand pats on the side of his ribs. 

Smoke flinches hard, his hands have to grip into Stack’s jeans so he doesn’t shake as Stack howls in pain. Stack wheezes rattle through Smoke’s body like a ghost shoved through him. 

“Ribs and a head rattles forsur’. Bring ‘em in and put ‘em on the bed near the kitchen. Mary-girl go run to the pump and fill me a bucket with some water, then put that on the stove.” Annie instructs them all as she leads Smoke inside. Annie lights four more lanterns while Smoke eases Stack down to the bed and for the first time in nearly two hours Stack says something.

“ ‘Moke?” He rasps. 

Smoke swallows thickly, sitting himself besides Stack’s head and grasping his brother’s jittery hand with his own trembling fingers. Smoke’s resolve is the only thing keeping them both steady, he gently shakes his head as he wipes tears and blood off his brother’s face. Smoke is careful of the mass of bruises and swelling that reach all the way from Stack’s forehead, over his right eye and meshes over his nose and upper lip. 

“Easy, Stack. Easy, we gotcha some help.” Smoke informs him. Both twins wince as Smoke finds a dirty gash dragged back behind Stack’s ear.

“ Sh- sh- sh’ orry. Got..got…got ta running-g-g my ‘ip.” Stacks stutter as his eyes flutter and roll back in pain. It takes a long moment but he’s able to blink harshly, showing that blood has inked the white of his eye, red.

“Big Eli ain’t shit! Don’t you be sorry, just hold on man.”

“Pa’s j-j-jus-sta….” Stack trails out, closing his eyes instead and letting his head rest to the side as a wave of pain forcing him to breath with fast and shallow pants that barely let his lungs fill with enough air. Stack jerks up as he starts to cough and blood flicks off his busted lips. Smoke swears and holds Stack’s head up until the bout of coughing stops and he can weakly breath again.

“Get his shirt off then help him try and take a full breath. Slow down his breathin’.” Annie instructs as she finally comes over to them. She sets down a big jar of moonshine and a round tin case, she opens it to reveal vials of iodine, an ear trumpet, sewing needles, Cloverline salve, and huge rolls of bandages. 

“Water’s starting to bubble!” Mary hollers as she watches the pot of water on the high fire.

“Start counting to 200.” Annie tells as she helps Smoke undress Stack’s upper half. 

“Any of his teeth broke? Did he spit out blood?” Annie asks and Smoke creases his brows in thought.

“Nawh, all his teeth was there but I think he bit his tongue bad. His spit was red, he was droolin’ it earlier." 

“Shit,” Annie tuts “Liquor’s gonna shock him too much right now. Mary get me that light wood pipe and matches. It’s by that mint hanging to dry out back. You know how to smoke?” Annie asks, not even pausing to see the look of disbelief on Smoke’s face at the question. 

Oh… that right… she just met him. 

She ain’t something all knowing, of course she doesn't even know his name.

“Yeah.” Smoke nods as Mary hands him the pipe, then the matches and she goes back to her post at the pot. Muttering numbers under her breath, she had just reached the 60’s

“There’s reefer in there. Try not to take it in deep, Just get it puffed up and blow it in his face. That’s all the pain relief I can get ‘em right now. Do it.” Annie commands as she pours a little of the moonshine onto the ear trumpet and wipes it dry with a rag.

Smoke takes a deep pull off the pipe, trying his damndest to keep the smoke in his throat and mouth, but the skunk-like herb creeps further down into his chest. He coughs and lets his fist curl in frustration as the cloud goes above them (tobacco never did this shit!). Smoke takes another hit of the pipe, forcing his lungs to hold steady and quickly blows it out, aimed at Stack’s face. 

He takes another hit and blows it out. 

Takes another hit and blows it out. 

Takes another hit and blows it out.

Before he can drag on the pipe for a sixth time, Annie snatches it from him. Smoke swears he can feel every line of fingerprints on Ainne’s finger tips as they brush his hand. Smoke feels like he’s floating up and down as he watches Annie with her angel fingers wrap some kinda wet herb in a cheese cloth rag and carefully place it in Stack’s mouth, muffling his whimper of pain.

“You bouta green out, boy! I needa ya here, ya hear?” Annie tells Smoke, her words send the older twin crashing back into his body, before he can respond Mary shouts 200. Smoke heard sloshing and the tiny chant of ‘hot, hot, hot, hot’ until the voice echos away and suddenly there is a pot of warm water to the left of him. 

Annie softly grabs his wrists and leads Smoke’s hands to hold either side of Stack’s face who had become more docile and settled, his good and open eye a bit glazed with a coming high. 

“Do your best to keep him from buckin’. Okay, Sugar?” Annie instructs, Smoke stares at her plush hands on his hands, amazed at how still they were for once. Annie gives a soft chuckle and tips Smoke’s chin up, for him to look into her eyes. He blinks rapidly and tries to clear his daze just to get lost in the dark Mississippi night that is Annie’s eyes. 

“Smoke!” Mary tuts, pinching the meat of his arm. Elijah crashes back into his body again and takes his commands with a nodding grunt. Annie lets him go so she can kneel over and put the ear trumpet to Stack’s chest.

“Deep breath, Stack. C’mon.” Mary gently coaxes as she starts to gently wash the blood and dirt off him. Stack does as such with a whimpering wheeze. Annie listens to the other side and grimaces, she tentatively presses on his right side where his ribs are, starting at the bottom and going up. She gets to the eighth rib and they all wince as Stacks jolts and cries out. Smoke and Mary jump in to comfort him while Annie rubs laterally over the bone. 

“Weak, not broken.” Annie notes and continues to go up. They jolt again as she finds another spot, she sighs wearily and gives both brothers a sorry look. 

“Broken.”

For the next 30 minutes they work in a tense silence save for Stack’s occasional whimper or out cry. On his right, from his seventh to his fourth rib is broken, the rest bruised and his left shoulder is strained. 

“Sit him up.” 

Smoke does as such, getting behind Stack and pulling him up until he is mostly sat up and supported by Smoke holding his shoulders. Annie feels his back and notes where the backribs were injured. 

“Mary wash his back, then wash out his mouth. I gotta get something for the swelling and to numb him.” Annie says while she quickly gets up and busies herself gathering different herbs into a mortar bowl.

Mary moves to wash the dirt off his back and Smoke takes the other rag and coaxes Stack to let him squeeze water in his mouth to swish, then spit. He does it two more times before Stack’s head fatigues and he lets it flop Smoke’s shoulder with a shaky whine. 

“Eveything gonna be a’ight bro. I swear it, Eli ain’t shit. You-you just gotta  hol’ out. Alright?” Smoke encourages as he forces Stacks head back up and makes him clean his mouth again. 

Annie comes back, and finally Stack actually looks at her.

“You?” he puffs and Annie gives a comforting smile as she tips his head back.

“Annie Greenwood at your service, sorry to meet like this. Now can you open your mouth for me, I need you to swallow this.” she says gently and Stack’s swollen lip twitches with mirth. 

“Onna fir’ t date?”

Mary breaks out in pitchy chuckles as she shakes her head in disbelief and starts to clean blood off his neck. 

“You can’t have Annie, you got me.” Mary teases through the teary eyes and Stack gives a wheeze and twitch of his lip again. His hand clumsily grasps the front of Smoke’s shirt. 

“You ca’ get ‘Moke ‘den, Ann.” 

“Elias, what the fuck! Open your mouth for that medicine nigga!” Smoke scolds, warmth blooming under his brown. One foot in the grave and his idiot brother is still running his trap. 

Annie takes it in stride, barely hiding a chuckle behind her smile and shakes the power of crushed herbs into his mouth before guiding him to take a swallow of warm Valerian root tea. Stack smacks his lip in distaste.

“Grass?” he mumbles and Annie rolls her eyes. 

“Tumeric mostly, and some other things. The tea will help numb ya out and let you rest some while I treat you.” Annie explains gently as she guides Smoke to rest his brother back down, Mary slides in and pillows Stack’s head in her lap. Her hand rubbing his temple and muttering coos of comfort to him

“What’s next?” Smoke asks and Annie hums as she sets out more things from her kit. 

“Once he's down, imma rub him with the Cloverline, then we’ll wrap up his ribs and hopefully patch up the gashes he got.” Annie tells him. Smoke moves from Stack’s side to kneel next to Annie’s, looking over her shoulder at all the things sat out. He reaches for the jar of Cloverline and Annie stops him by bumping into his shoulder and shaking her head

“Don’t bother right now. Let’s worry about you.” Annie says as she studies his busted lip, swollen cheek and bloody elbow from where their father was able to get a backhand on Smoke and send him to the floor of their porch before kicking Stack down the steps of it. 

Smoke shakes his head and goes again but Annie stops him by snatching the jar from him and holding it behind her back. She straightens up her kneel so she can glare in his eye, it makes Smoke blink in surprise.

“You ain’t cleaning up shit if you still got dirty shoes. Take a moment…. Uh.. damn.. What’s yo’ name?”  Annie asks, her look of resistance growing bashful at realizing they were never introduced.  

Oh Lord, she had some strange (and cute) boy all in her granny’s house and didn’t know his name!

“Smoke.” Annie frowns her brow. 

“Ya mama named you Smoke?”

“My mama ain’t name me nothing, my name’s Smoke. Now give me that jar, girl, we gotta get Stack set.” Smoke said, tipping forward to try and snatch the jar back, Annie stretches her arm up and back. 

“Call me girl again, and imma call you mule!”

“Girl! Whoa!” Smoke tips forward too far, his equilibrium still thrown from his own exhaustion of the day and fading high from the reefer. Mary gasps as Soke collides forward into Annie then they both go down.

Stack blinks sleepily with a lazy turn of his head and whispers a chuckle at the scene. Mary cringes but keeps messaging his head as he starts to drool on her skirt. 

Smoke is staddled over Annie, his eyes widened in awkward surprise with trembling, clumsily placed arms on either side of her shoulders that keep him hovered over her. Annie blinks up at him with just as much surprise as well. Her arm holding the jar still stretched over her head and the other clutches the front of his shirt to further support him from falling on top of her. 

They breathe together for a moment, before Annie slowly starts to push up and Smoke follows her lead and leans back off of her. Once they were both up right and steady Smoke swallowed nervously and clutched the bottom of his shirt. 

“Sorry,” he said quickly. Annie just nods, too rattled for a retort.

“Uhh… Stack’s sleep.” Mary comments and it snaps Smoke’s attention. Sure enough his brother’s chest was gently rising up and down instead of the painful jolts of earlier. His face slack instead of twisted in pain. 

“Damn, you drug him?” Smoke tries to joke and Annie shrugs as she opens the Cloverline jar. 

“Of course, I did.” 

“Huh?”

“I said of course I did. Dem weak ass puff you blew on him wasn’t gonna numb him out much longer. He ain’t in any pain so he can start to rest and heal.” Annie explained simply, like Smoke just asked her the time. 

“Tolda she’s a medicine woman! Last time we had to give Stack my momma’s wine and he was all hungover the next day.” Mary says, she bites her lip in nervousness at the deadpanned glare Smoke sent her at Stack’s snore. 

“So all that mojo jojo potions and spells shit work? Gonna need true love’s kiss to wake him up or do he turn into a frog first?” Smoke says, feeling his senses come back to him. Just to lose them a moment later when Annie quickly jabs her knuckles into his side and makes him wheeze. Smoke turns sharply to address her after gathering his breath and gasps to find a gleaming and sharp pair of scissors held at his eye level. 

“It’s quiet time for you boy, you wanna a task so you can sit there and think? Unroll that,” Annie dropped the roll of bandage in his lap, her glare and scissors gleam never leaving his eyes, “You-a perfect match, unroll it enough to bind your chest three times and when ya done. Cut.” 

Mary tuts and shakes her head as Annie smoothly twirls the scissors on her fingertips so it spun and she could hand the handle to Smoke. The older of them huffed, making sure to glare and flare his nostrils but ultimately got up and walked to the corner to do as Annie commands. 

“Okay Mary, you take a handful of this and get his left rubbed down. I’ll take the right and then we’ll roll him and do his back the same way.” 

Later that night, Mary lays curled next to Stack on the mattress as he rests finally properly bandaged and stitched by Annie. Smoke sits on the steps of the house holding a cold cloth to his lip while Annie addresses his elbow. He breaths through the little flares of pain focusing on losing himself to the night instead as she cleans and wraps. The glittering stars, the shades of darkness in the moonlight, the cool breeze shifting leaves. Yet….the cicadas and frogs can’t out rattle the sorrow and fear of his thoughts. 

“You shakin’.” Annie says softly. There isn’t any pity or sad concern in her tone, she just whispered a fact and it makes Smoke swallow. 

“Yeah, I do that. I needa cig.” he tells her just as quietly and she hums.

“I can get ya that in a bit. Let me see your lip.” 

Smoke turns to her, handing her the cloth so he can clutch the straps of his overalls to hide the shakes. Annie tips his head toward the lamp light so she can investigate.

“Ain’t nothing but time and something cold healing that lip. Some aloe vera and yarrow mash would work on that cut. Keep ya face pretty.” Annie bites her lips in abruptly at the last comment of hers, her shoulders chasing up to her ears as she feels Smoke smirk under her fingertips. 

“Keep me pretty huh?”

“It prevents scarring is all I was tryna say!” she excuses, taking her hands back. She darts her eyes to the stars and Smoke still stares intently at the white of her eyes.

Smoke hums, “Is that gonna cost extra? I only got some bread nickels. Shit… I don’t know how imma pay ya back at all actually.”

“You ain’t gotta worry a-”

“Nah! I owe ya Annie Greenword, I ain’t now bum like Eli. I pay my dues and imma need you to know your worth.” Smoke insists. Annie sighs, closing her eyes. Smoke tilts his head as she says something in the tone of a prayer to the ground. The language from her lips sounds off but familiar, like when his auntie or lil Sammie would slip into tongues on Easter. 

“I ain’t know hoodoo people prayed. Doesn’t that make yall mouth hurt? My uncle’s a preacher. He’s always going on about rebukin’ and shit.”

“Prayer is an action anyone can do. My tongue don’t burn anymore than yours when I do it. Unless, you tryna tell me your God be setting yo teeth on fire?” Annie asks back and Smoke scoffs.

“I don’t talk to that nigga and he don’t ever say shit to me. So it’s nuthin’. Don’t need him or Lucy or ghosts.” Smoke tells her, he grips his hands into fist then shakes them out. 

“No offense.” he says after their silence became awkward. (Again!)

“So…. What's to believe in then? What makes you go on? Who can ya ask for help?” Annie asks and Smoke cringes as he can now hear pity from her

“My brother I guess…. That imma get back what I put in… I like being able to rest and shit be okay. So… I guess that’s what I believe in, something that’ll make shit okay.” 

“That’s something.” Annie whispers.

“Yeah, I guess.”

The both turn from each other and stare into the night, the quiet between them soft, resolved. Stack’s snore resonates behind him and Annie watches as Smoke relaxes another degree, like ice melting. 

“So… what I owe you, Annie?” Stacks says to the stars, the words make Annie settle back on her arms.

“What’s your name? Your real name? I’m Antonia.”

“I see…. I’m Elijah.”

“Elijah ...okay… so we’re even now.” Annie smiles, moonlight gleaming off her teeth and Smoke shakes his head with a soft grin of his busted lip.

“Nah we ain’t, but I’ll let it breath.”

---------------------------------

Smoke startles awake the next morning to a goat bleating from the doorway and Stack still snoring in his ear. Mary still sleeps, curled up in a chair diagonally from the two brothers wrapped in a quilt. The goat bleats again and Smoke blinks heavily as Annie shoos the animal on and goes back to her chores of feeding the chickens. 

Smoke snorts, wiping at his face as he gets up with a wobble, swearing to himself that the only thing ever going in his lungs again is tobacco and air. He shuffles to the porch and watches Annie for a quiet moment as she shakes out the last of sunflower seed to her chickens. 

“Mornin’” Annie greets, back still turned to him as she inspects the wire of the coop.

“Uh, Mornin’.” Smoke cringes as his voice croaks then cracks. Annie’s shoulder hitch with a small hidden chuckle but she continues on with her inspection. 

“My Grandma sent word. Said she ain’t gonna be back until this evening so y'all can rest up here for a bit longer.” Annie relays and Smoke hums. He shakes his fingers out as the craving of nicotine makes his lips dry. He pats his pocket and sighs in defeat to find nothing, he’s smoked the pre-roll Stack had made him before dinner the other night. All he had was some tobacco stuffed in an old Murray Pomade tin. 

“Uhm… you gotta pipe or something? An empty pipe?” 

Smoke finally makes his way down the steps and to Annie’s side. She curses under her breath to find that something had dug and pulled at the wire in the back, leaving it open. 

“Yeah I do. Damn, gonna have to run to the Chows sometime today.” 

“Oh! I can get some wire for ya, get it fixed. It can be part of my pay for what I owe ya.” Smoke negotiates and Annie chuckles with a shake of her head.

“I told ya, Eljiah! Your debt to me was your name.. Ya paid up, boy.”

“And I told you that ain’t no even! I ain’t a chump who can’t fix no coop, just gotta get a smoke and bite to eat real quick to get going. I’m pals with Bo and can getta deal on some new wire, some burlap too. I'll set a barrier an-” Annie crosses her arms but allows Smoke to ramble on and on about all the things he could fix or improve for her. He trails behind her as she does her chores; Annie wordlessly hands him sticks that had fallen in the yard from the wind. 

“Paw musta been awful hungry… he don’t usually hit ma face.” Stack mumbles as Smoke helps him wash and change his bandages while Mary snuck back home to get the brothers some fresh clothes. Stack winces but can’t help to keep poking at the cheek bruise and the underswelling of his black eye. He squints into the piece of mirror that Annie had reluctantly propped up at Stack’s insistence to see himself.

“Big Eli shouldn’t been hitting you at all!” Smoke grumbles as he forces Stack’s hand and arm up so he could start applying the Cloverline. 

“He was hungry and I knew better. You know I knew better than to go sneakin’ that big ass piece of chicken. He w-”

“Sush! Pa ain’t done shit but take the guitar down to Pleasantville. That nigga ain’t pick a bag in two weeks, he ain’t caught a fucking fish. He ain’t done nuthin’ but stank and play that raggedy ass guitar.” Smoke says, talking over Stack for once. 

“He made rent day tho, an-”

“Stop excusing that nigga!” Smoke ends up barking and the whole room winces. 

“Easy.” Annie tuts quietly from where she stirs a pot of grits on the stove. 

Both brothers give her matching side glances, then matching sighs of tension. Stack grunts in pain as breathing in so deeply hurts, he forces his breath through his teeth and lets his head fall forward to rest on Smoke’s shoulder in search of relief.

Smoke carefully rubs his brother’s back, “Sorry… it’s getting hot outside,” Smoke mutters and Stack give a shallow nod. 

“I know.” He mumbles before sitting back up and letting Smoke finish re-wrapping him in a sad silence. Once done, Smoke helps Stack get up and sit at the small dining table. Annie sets a dish of grits with a side of eggs and half a slice of ham in front of him, Stack smiles gratefully before giving a suspicious squint to the cut of tea she sets next to it.

“Once you finish your food, imma need you to drain that whole cup of tea.” Annie says and Stack hums.

“Will I atleast stay awake long enough for Mary to get back wit’ my clothes?” 

“Take ya time eating, Mr. Moore.” Annie tells him with a growing smirk and turns her back. 

Smoke shakes his head with a small grin as he takes a seat, Annie sets a dish of grits, ham, and eggs in front of him too. 

“Aw shit, you better lock up ya sugar bowl Ann.” Stack warns. Smoke gives an annoyed kiss of his teeth and twitch of his lip at his twin for letting his sweet tooth be announced. Annie shrugs and slides a little jar of sugar onto the table before settling with her own plate.

“I don’t need no sugar for some grits. Stack’s head still rattled.” Smoke insists.

“Not you lyin on me infront of me! Ann let me tell ya, this nigga makes brown rice white wit’ sugar anytime he can.” 

“No I don’t!”

“Yes you do!”

“No I-” Smoke trails off, letting his fist hit his thigh before relaxing as both brothers watch Annie sprinkle two large spoonfuls on her portion of grits before giving them a shallow stir.

“I like a little sweetness in the morning too. We had a rough night.” Annie explains before digging in. Stack just chuckles and shakes his head as he starts to eat as well. Smoke hums before helping himself to three spoonfuls of sugar and digging in. 

Soon Mary joins them, all finish breakfast and the girls go out back to give the brother privacy to get changed. Annie takes Mary down the way towards the berry bushes to collect blackberries. 

“So,” Annie starts, “ those are the twins you always talkin’ ‘bout.” 

Mary blushes a little and looks intently at the inner branches of the berry bush. 

“Yup. I usually stick more to Stack, when they get done pickin’ for the day. Stack takes me to run tricks on them crackas at the train station and pool hall. He even taught me how to pick a pocket! Smoke is all shy and shit, kinda boring but he’s cool. Real quiet like you be, sometimes. He likes fishin’ and playing cards, you can always find ‘em playing solitaire. He’s always reminding me to put on aloe vera if we out in the sun for too long, he's such a worry wart.” Mary rambles.

“ Solitaire? Seems like a pyramid or spades kinda guy.” Annie says and Mary tosses a bad berry to the side.

“He is, but he only partners wit Stack or Bo. He taught me all the rules but Stack taught me all the tricks on how to really order dem books!” Mary brags and Annie chuckles.

“Fishin huh?”

“Yeah, he’s the only one of us that can swim good. He got me to tread the water and float. Stack sinks like a hole inna boat! My poor fella.” 

“Oh! Stack is ya fella?” Annie grins and Mary giggles.

“Yeah, he just don’t know it yet. Imma do that love spell you taught me on him and we gonna fall in love and move all the way to Cali and have a wedding day parade.” Mary gushes. Annie has to bite her lip to avoid laughing in her friend’s face. She thinks over Mary words for a second and her brows furrowed in thought. 

“What love spell I teach you?” Annie asks with her hands on her hips and Mary goes bright red. The pale girl shoves a handful of berries in her mouth to avoid speaking but Annie continues drilling her with a wise look.

“Uhg!” Mary cringes as she swallows a sour berry and is forced to speak.

“Well you ain’t teach it to me yet! It’s that one ya granny was telling Daisy how to do about two months ago to put that lock on Mr. Lincoln’s son! The one spell made with her monthly blood! Soon as I start raggin’ you gotta teach me how to putta lock on Stack! That hussy Jo’Mae was all up on him at Cornbread’s birthday party last week and he was kissin’ her cheeks! So yo- dontcha laugh at me like that Annie!” Mary scolds as Annie has to grip the branch she was at and burst with giggles. 

“Girl I ain’t gonna teach you that shit!” she chuckles out and Mary let her basket fall to her feet

“Why not? We could each lock up our men wit it!” Mary bargains and Annie howls again, holding her gut and tearing with laughter.

“Sionsiere ni? You 15 Mary! You don’t even get monthly-es! The folks before ya finna be confused you sniffing around wit kinda offering.”

“I can find some then!” 

“Mary you ain’t finna steal some poor woman’s blood cloths over some nigga!”

“Elias ain’t any ole’ nigga! He’s mine! And you gotta help ya girl out Annie, we gonna be sister-in-laws. Think about it! I lead you to Smoke and you lock me to Stack!-”

“I ain’t worried ‘bout that boy! He done already got on my nerves all night and all morin’! 

“Don’t you play me Annie-girl! I heard you call him pretty last night!

“Tch! Girl that wasn-

“Now focus! Those two brothers are always at the hip, so we gonna have the same wedding day! So you gotta help me put the work on ‘em” 

Annie just shakes her head and wipes the berry juice off her fingers. “Sorry Lil Mary, but it’s a no. Besides, that ain’t the kinda root I want in my spirit. But…. I will say… you have a powerful will for manifesting, keep it up.” Annie states. She giggles again as she doges Mary pelting her with black berries. 

The two finish their picking and head back to Annie’s house. Stack is sitting in the rocking chair on the porch, head tilted back on a pillow and snoring sleep. Smoke stands at Annie chicken coop, shirt tied around his waist as he works to re-tie the salvageable wires back to the roof nails. Three hens peck at the ground under him curiously while Smoke has to occasionally glare down at the rooster that threatens to peck his shins.

“Boy! I thought I told you to leave my coop alone! I gotta go to Chows for supplies!” Annie scolds as she sets the basket in Mary’s hands. One hand goes to her hip and the other pokes his shoulder in scolding. Smoke waves off her words and bends down another wire to mold to the nails with a pair of pliers. 

“Girl hush! I told-ya Imma fix it! Now there is still good wire here, I’m tryna see what ya got to work with before I waste a trade wit Bo.” he mutters. Annie smacks her lips when the weak wire chips then falls to the ground instead of forming a new hook.

“See! The wire’s shit.” Annie points out as she grabs it from the ground before her rooster can inspect it. Smoke shakes his head and grabs it from her with a frown.

“Fine! C’mon, we going to the Chow’s.” Smoke grumbles and Annie gives him a wide eyed look.

“What?” 

Annie watches as Smoke marches away from the coop to the door, wrestling his shirt back on. Mary wiggles her eyebrows at Annie from her position sat at Stack’s feet and Annie throws a handful of grass at her as she follows after Smoke.  Before she can cross the threshold of her doorway, Smoke is handing her the messenger bag he’d seen Miss. Greenwood carried when he’d helped Bo unload the supply truck. 

“Now, how you know this was my bag?”

“Is it?”

Annie huffs, “It’s my granny’s. Mines the navy leather one,” she points to the thinner bag on the stand rack next to the doorway.

Smoke nods, “I’ll remember that,” he says as he trades the bags and steps towards her.

“Now, c’mon let’s get to the Chow’s. Ya said ya Granny ain’t getting in ‘til late right? I can getcha coop done by then. Be part of what I owe ya.” Smoke says. Annie lets out an exasperated sigh and rolls her eyes.

“Elijah, I done tol-”

“Aht Aht! What I tell-ya last night. A bull ain’t got nothing to the Moore Mule, girl. Here’s ya bag.” Smoke shuts down. Annie can only stare him down, her doe eyes full of disbelief at his audacity. 

Smoke holds the gaze firmly as he offers her the bag again, not dropping the gaze until she takes it with a quick sling over her shoulder. Smoke offers her his hand next.

“Mary! Lay a cold wet town on Stack for about 30 minutes. Then you gonna wake ‘im up Stack and give him some water and that second dose of tea. Cloverline on any of his complaints.” Annie instructs, her head barely turning in the lighter girl’s direction in favor of scanning Smoke’s hand. 

“Uhh, okay? How long ya’ll finna be?” Mary asks.

“Bout two hours." Smoke answers for them both and Mary nearly gasps.  

Annie just hums, she walks ahead and down her steps, ignoring his hand but leading them towards the road. Smoke stuff both into his pockets and gives Mary a curt nod.

“Don’t let him drown in drool, Lil Mary.”

“Oh, uh, okay?”

“Good.”

Mary watches in disbelief as the two older teens leave down the path. She watches until the back of them is lost to the haze of the heath and delta dust. With a huffing pout Mary settles into the chair next to the snoozing Stack, grabbing his hand and admiring the lines of his palms.

“Ain’t fair, she already got her man wrapped around her finger and mines snoring away!”

---

As the two young teens travel, Smoke makes sure to keep a step ahead and to the left of Annie. It allows her to still walk on the stable ground but not be out in the road or the first to confront if any trouble comes their way. Not a sound nor word is had between the two of them, besides the cicadas, birds, and the dirt crunching under their shoes, all was quiet.

Annie must admit, it’s a nice quiet to share with someone. Her granny would be huffing about the heat and the judgement of others at this point.

The last countryside marker before the edge of town is Mister Wilks covered wagon and mule. The resident forager that lives and sells from the cart, is a light skinned older fella who was all vinegar and made a strict living on sellin’ the wild onions, greens and mushrooms  he’d gathered from the thickets on the east side of the Anderson plantation. Annie would like to say she didn’t mind the mean ole coot at all, if it wasn’t for one thing about him.

His damn mutts. 

Wilks had two of them. A bulky boxer that usually minded the business of foxes and chicken more than anyone else, and a feisty redboned CoonDog, usually tied with braided leather to the back hitch on the wagon when not accompanying him to the thickets. 

Annie tenses at the sounds of tugging cord and harsh barking sounds of Wilks' coon dog. That thing hated everyone but Wilks and the boxer. In the heat of the day, Wilks rested inside while both dogs were tied to a large wheelbarrow under a tree next to the wagon with just a set of deer antlers and a bowl of water for entertainment.

The dog hadn’t even seen the two teens proper on the road and was already barking and lunging to get at them. Annie thinks of the frayed leather and twine acting as leash and the back of her neck hurts. Annie goes to warn about her bad feeling but Smoke has already moved. The muscular teen steps back from Annie to swoop down and grab a thick stick off the ground. 

Annie looks in awe as he tests the swing of it and comes back to her side, putting himself between her and the aggressive dog, then enclosing her under his arm. Smoke pauses them for a second to look her up and down before turning his attention to staring down the growling animal as they start to walk along again. Annie is blessed to be brown as the way Smoke’s heavy arm pressed on her back makes her all flustered. Annie’s head drops and she looks at her feet, praying that they won’t stumble because… maybe Mary was right… Smoke is awfully pretty.

 Smoke bumps her hip with his when he feels Annie’s steps become shy then taps the side of her chin with a finger. Annie jerks her head up to look at the side of his face as he continues to stare down Wilks yapping dog, the mutt continues to growl and snap but never truly lunges for them.  

“Don’t bow ya head in front of a mutt. It’ll think it can bite ya and you’ll yield if you do. Keep walkin’ how ya was and gon’ forward, we almost in town.”

Annie nods with a swallow and does as such. They go forward and make it past, the barks stopping abruptly once they are down a ways on the path. Smoke lets out a big sigh and turns his head forward, they get a few more steps before Annie’s neck aches again and she grip Smoke’s wrist hanging on her.

“Watch ya back!” She shrieks.

A snarl echoes behind them, the boxer was the one to pop his tie and charges with low growls for them. Annie backs away just as Smoke whirls around and shoves her behind him. With a brutal swing he connects the stick with the top of the dog's head, sending it dizzy but now truly angered. 

Smoke stays low and in between the dog and Annie, meeting each of the growl dog’s lunges with another successful swing. Annie scrambles forward and grabs a large rock off the ground in one hand and the other grabs a fistful of Smoke’s shirt in the back. Before he can holler or question her, Annie drags him with a jerk to the left. The dog’s teeth chop at air instead of mauling into Smoke’s shin how it originally intended to and Annie grunts as she pitches down the rock and lands with a thud on the boxer’s back. 

The dog yips in hurt defeat and bounds away from the two of them towards home, tail between its legs.

Smoke and Annie both heave for breath, both shake with the dump of adrenaline at the attack. Smoke tosses the stick aside and grabs Annie’s shoulder, he inspects it hands and arms first before looking over her face. 

Annie can’t help but grasp his wrists and  do the same. 

“You good?” Smoke pants and Annie nods.

“You, you?” she croaks and he nods.

They go still after another moment just trying to breath. However, the angry yells of Wilks, running stomps and more barking sound behind them and break their moment of reprieve.  Smoke swears, he turns his back to her and points a thumb to his back.

“C’mon!”

“Boy, you ain’t carryin’ me! I ain’t no stick!”

“We ain’t got time for this shit!”

Smoke whirls around and squat, “Elijah!” He wraps an arm around her hips and lifts with a slight grunt. He takes a moment to brace her legs to his chest with the other arm then takes off in his flour-bag carry of her. Annie yelps, her hands scrambles to grab the shoulder and back of his shirt as Smoke takes off in his flour-bag carry of her. 

She watches as Wilks and his non-injured dog race closer and closer to them. Annie closes her eyes tight and prays for strength to Smoke’s legs and for anything to obstruct their chasers. 

She opens her eyes to witness Wilks tripping over his own dog and hollers to beat it next. Smoke gains more speed and a firmier grip on her body.

All Annie can do now is close her eyes and pray she can handle this kinda ride. 

Five hours later, four dollars spent, three more rolls of bandages used, and a wild story told twice later; Annie has herself with one freshly repaired chicken coop. Annie nods as Mary helps Stack into his shoes, the twins and pale girl having to head to Mary’s house soon if they wanted to make it for supper. 

Annie walks out the house towards Smoke who firmly closes the new hatch door with a small smile of accomplishment. 

“ Elijah?” 

Smoke jumps a little at the sound of his name, but doesn’t let that smile fade. He may admit it later to his brother in the dead of the night but… Annie’s presence was starting to put a fuzzy and light feeling in his chest in a way that reminded him of that reefer weed from the night before. The fire in her eyes, the care in her voice, the way she wasn’t afraid to hold a blade up to him, the feeling of her soft and juicy skin pressed to his. Annie sure was something Smoke’s never encountered before and he hoped to have again.

“Antonia?”

“Here, you ought to wipe off before y’all move ‘round.” She hands him a dripping wet washcloth and with a nod he starts to wipe down his face and neck. Annie inspects his good work as he does so, letting her nails drag across the new wire and netting, she chuckles to find her rooster's approval with a cocky tut.

“This is a mighty fine coop, ‘Lijah. Oughta pay ya for something this nice.” she praises and Smoke shakes his head lightly with a puff of a laugh.

“Is that so?”

“Yea, name ya price,”

“Humph… how about, bangain’ up a knucklehead brother?”

Annie whistles sharply, “Elijah Moore, that’s a lowball bargain! You gonna have to up that price cus imma need you to know your worth.”  Annie smiles sweetly as that draws a real laugh out of him. Smoke settles himself against the side of the coop, washing his hands and looking Annie over. (She looked too pretty in this denim dress and white headscarf, her curls billowed like a halo out the top.) 

“...Well… hook me up wit breakfast again, it was pretty good. Ain’t had something that fillin’ in a while, it started my day.” Smoke compliments and Annie hums as she steps forward into his space.

“I think I can arrange it, catch ya at Hopson's witcha plate?”

“Nah, meet me at Sunflower.”

“Yeah, I can do that… let me see ya wrist.” 

Smoke does so without question. 

The pink of Annie’s tongue pokes out a tad between her lips as she ties a bracelet made of braided navy colored cord around Smoke’s wrist. Smoke can’t help but note it’s the same color as her satchel’s strap from earlier and that a turquoise bead from her necklace secures the knot of it. 

“That pays off some of your tab.” Smoke says and Annie smiles.

“And it adds to yours. I wanna go fishin’ next Sunday.” 

“ I gotta hidden spot on the creek, all trout in it. I’ll bring the poles, you bring the worms.” plans and Annie nods.

“That’ll cost you, Elijah.”

“You bargain hard, you may be too expensive for me.” Smoke jokes.

“Bring ya head my way and I’ll show ya how to pay it.”

And just like that, Annie and Elijah deal is sealed with a kiss.

_______________

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