#modern fluff

( @captainshadowhunter625 owns officer Fuego )

Centuries passed, and it was a surreal ride as they watched the world rapidly change; humans building both wonderful and horrific things. Most of the crew had gone their separate ways long ago, but certainly not for good. They would have an annual reunion every summer, at Moss and Fuego’s house. Clever mortal inventions like social media and cellular devices, allowed the crew to keep in touch year round.

Fuego’s handsome, eager face had stayed the same, from the day he had been Turned by his beloved Capitan, to the present. Moss hadn’t lost any of his looks or charm either. They snuggled on the couch in their pajamas, listening to the rain and watching Netflix. While they could binge a TV show, they could not, most unfortunately, binge on humans. The modern world brought many complications for vampires.

Nicholas was especially disheartened. They got their deliveries from a vampire owned blood bank, but it was not the same as chowing down on LIVE prey...Moss itched to sink his fangs into something. It was risky of course. To do so, meant the possibility of being recorded. Only way to truly feel like a trip back to the good old days, was to visit a state or national park and pick off a hiker or two. Sighing, he played with Fuego’s hair.

“What do you want to do after this?”

Fuego stretched contentedly with a smile.

“Nothing. Here is perfect! I have you, this house, my job....I don’t want anything else!”

Moss nuzzled him, and Fuego could sense some restlessness in his husband. He kissed him on the lips, poking his nose.

“Nicholas, what is the matter?”

Moss shook his head.

“Eh...nothing much....”

Fuego wriggled upright, curling his arms about the other vampire.

“What? Tell me.”

“Oh....I was just thinking about the fun we used to have! We didn’t have to be afraid of some pathetic mortal catching us on camera. We could eat who we pleased....REAL food....not this packaged, refrigerated stuff...I haven’t been able to be my old self in YEARS....and I miss it...”

Fuego laughed, switching off the TV.

“I miss it too! Remember that time when we took an entire frathouse party!”

Moss’s eyes lit up.

“I do! That was hilarious! They went all “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” on us and tried using sticks to fend us off! Ahhahaha.....pero....that was 2006....”

He slumped against the couch, staring at the ceiling. 

“The weather’s supposed to be clear this weekend! I have it off to! We could, I dunno, go see if any lone hikers are about!”

His husband grinned, pulling him in closer and covering him with kisses.

“I like the way you think!”

Later that week.....

They took Fuego’s fire engine red corvette, reveling in the pleasant sun and speeding like demons. Sonoma County was no Spain, but they enjoyed it for all it had to offer.

Unsuspecting victims and all.

They arrived, Fuego placing the parking pass and hopping out with Moss. They stretched and inhaled deeply, laughing. Out here, away from the bustle of the cities and towns, where the air was fresher and the noise of the modern world was dim, is where they felt truly back to the good old days. And it was bonus the park rangers were vampires.

Small backpacks in hand, they pretended to hike, taking to a lesser used trail. A few cars were in the lot, and they hoped to nab at least one individual. Or perhaps come across a homeless encampment. But those mortals tended to taste on the bland side, unless they were properly nourished.

A few hours of hiking and picture taking, they had yet to see a lone hiker, but managed to stumble across a few tents of slumbering humans. The smell of wickedness was strong; these were violent people, and they were living in the park illegally. Didn’t subsist on garbage either....perfect.

Moss and Fuego went from tent to tent like the legends of old; ensuring their prey did not wake until it was too late. The people had firearms, and the last things the pair of deadly hunters needed, was for a bunch of shots to boom out across the park. 

Sated, they went about shredding and destroying some of the encampment, along with the bodies; making it seem more like an animal attack. The rangers could handle the details. Cleaning themselves up, the deadly pair departed; resuming their human facades and acting casually innocent.

(For @capitanarmandosalazar  )

The late summer was searing and vicious. Henry swore under his breath as Armando parked; only managing to find a smidgen of shade. He was shocked the tires weren’t melting into the lot itself.

“Hell exists. And we have found it.”

“Henry, do not be so dramatic. Just a heat wave, not the fiery depths of El Diablo. If you prefer, you may stay here and whine to the dumpster over yonder.”

Turner stuck his tongue out and proceeded to pour water on his face. Armando rolled his eyes and left to run a few errands. The windows were down, and Henry willed for a gust of wind to appear, anything to make him feel better. Something did happen, but it was not a gust of wind. He felt his eyes go out of focus, then they cleared again.

His mind seemed freer, and more fluid. Major concerns fell away and Henry wanted to simply play and explore. But he couldn’t get out of the car, and the temperature was becoming unbearable despite the open windows. Henry’s head grew heavy and he fell into a dizzying darkness.

Sometime later, Armando returned, opening the driver’s door.

“Henry, I got you-” he dropped the bag of groceries. A young child was slumped over in adult Henry’s place, a bit of vomit around his mouth. The captain cried out, pouring cold water on his head and blasting the ac. He floored it out of the lot and raced home. 

Going to a hospital was out of the question. What if Henry experienced another age shift and became an adult before their very eyes? What would they do to him?? Cradling Turner with great care, Salazar charged into his home, slamming the door shut and turning on all of the fans and ac switches he could find. 

Laying Henry on a blanket and pillow surrounded by ice packs, he moved the biggest fan before him. The child was stirring thank God, but he hadn’t done much else. Armando shut all of the curtains, and dimmed the lights; removing any possible extra heat source. Henry blinked and whimpered as Salazar laid a hand on his forehead.

“Chico, do not worry....I am here for you, always.”

A few glasses of cold juice later, Turner was pulling himself up, closer to the source of the breeze.

“Captain!” he exclaimed happily, albeit in a slight haze.

Armando hugged him lightly, not wishing to aggravate his temperature.

“Si. Feeling better?”

Henry shrugged, rubbing his eyes.

“Don’t know yet....ice cream?”

Armando huffed, ruffling his hair.

“Of course...but don’t let it spoil your dinner.”

The child made a sweet, wide eyed face, and Salazar sensed his resolve fading.

“Alright, alright! Ice cream for dinner. But early to bed. I  don’t want to take chances.”

Henry squealed with eagerness and joy, tackle hugging the captain.