#vampfic

Yet, when he turned back to the others, they were long gone. He's alone in the middle school hallway, the vines of the Upside Down seeming to shift towards him in small increments.

There's a chirping noise.

He flinches, almost tripping with how fast he turns. He raises his bat again. It takes a moment for him to realise that nothing is coming at him. Instead, a familiar face slowly peaks out from the main doors.

"Eddie?" Steve isn't sure his eyes aren't playing tricks on him.

The chirping noise- it's Eddie making that noise. He looks… curious. A little excited. Something about him seeming oddly childlike.

"Eddie, man, what-" Steve cautiously takes a few steps towards him. Eddie seems to brighten up, chirping again, before darting out of sight. "Eddie?!"

He quickly jogs to the doors, cautiously peaking his head out. There's another chirp, Eddie crouched at the corner of the building. When Steve tries to slowly walk over to him, he just as slowly stands up straight. He backs up, carefully. Glances behind him, then looking back to Steve. He's leading Steve somewhere.

A trap? No. Something in Steves gut knows that, whatever Eddie is, he's safe. Something about the way he almost bounces in childlike excitement whilst huddling close to the darker areas, hiding… something… its so genuine.

Eddie leads him into the closes house. Steve isn't sure who's it is but he is sure that whoever lived here didn't leave it like this.

There's pillows and duvets and blankets all piled carefully in the living room, furniture moved to form a nest. Eddie is perched in a corner and, with no shadows left to hide in, Steve can finally see that the dark shadows that followed him aren't shadows. They're wings. Wings that twitch under his attention, curling outwards when Eddie tilts his head.

"This is… safe? You're safe here?" Steve finally asks.

Eddie perks up again, making a different chirping noise. It sounds almost… happier? Pleased? His wings twitch too, taking up more space and fluttering.

Steve carefully puts his bat down, leaning it on the wall just next to the doorway. Eddie only glances at it, focused more on Steve as he steps further into the room. He's careful with what he touches, not wanting to ruin anything unstable.

Eddie makes another chirp, carefully moving out the corner. He stops, hesitating at some points. It takes Steve a moment that he's waiting for a reaction from him, some sort of signal.

"It's ok, man," Steve tries. He slowly steps a little closer. "Eddie?"

He slowly holds a hand out, palm up. He glances from Steve to his hand, giving him a pleading look until, uncertainly, Steve takes his hand.

Eddie gently tugs him over to the big pile of blankets and duvets, pulling Steve so hes stood in a specific spot. He pushes Steve before he can ask, sending him into the pile. There covers are thick and piled high enough that his landing is soft.

Eddie chirps a little anxiously when Steve yelps though. Gently and nervously touches his arm, relaxing when Steve huffs a little laugh.

"Could've asked, man," Steve complains. He frowns when Eddie shuffles away, crouching in the doorway. "Uh... what are you doing? Eddie? Do you even understand me?"

Eddie turns to glance at him, frowning when he sees Steve sat upright. He makes some more chirping noises at him.

"Come on, Eds, give me something to work with."

Eddie bounces up, looking like he's had an idea. He disappears around the corner for a moment, something creaking then banging. Eddie comes back in a second later looking pleased.

He gently pushes Steve onto his back, shuffling around before laying down too. He manhandles Steve onto his side, curling up behind him, arms curling around his waist and shifting so he can cocoon them both in his wings.

Steve stays frozen for a moment. But Eddie nuzzles into his neck, chirping quietly. He gently rubs circles on Steve's arm, clearly trying to be comforting.

It's comfortable though. Warm. It feels safe too, hidden away. And, whilst Eddie doesn't seem able to talk, he seems happy to listen. Does little things, makes little noises, doing his best to encourage Steve to keep talking.

It's almost easy, a couple hours later, to fall asleep.

He's confused when he wakes up slowly, feeling warm and comfortable. None of the usual exhaustion or nightmares. He feels safe.

Arms tighten on his waist, body trying to press closer even though they are already fully pressed up to Steves back. A sleepy snuffle, a yawn.

Steve turns, slowly and carefully. He's still half asleep, which is probably the only reason he doesn't yell or anything. It takes him a moment, still half asleep, to remember the previous night.

"Eddie?" Steve mumbles, rubbing at one of his eyes.

Eddie blinks awake slowly, smiles small and soft when he sees Steve.

Steve laughs a little. "Yeah, it's good to see you too."

Eddie grins, leaning forward to press their foreheads together for a moment. He looks pleased, fingers coming up to brush the pink in Steve's cheek.

He grimaces a moment later, face scrunching up in pain.

"Eddie?! What is it? What do you need? Eddie? Shit, can you... show me or something?"

He chirps quietly, a little sad. He gently grabs Steve's hand, pulls Steve's wrist to his mouth. He's trying to say something, but Steve can't quite figure out what exactly. He's giving Steve a look that tells him that, whatever it is, it's important.

"Uh... yeah? Ok?"

Eddie chirps again, a little apologetic. He shifts so his mouth hovers at the back of his forearm, away from his veins. Then, he bites.

Steve hisses at the pinch, instinctively trying to pull away, but Eddie holds tight. He only takes a few sips of his blood before pulling back, rubbing the spit into the bite almost absentmindedly.

by Holmesianlove

Chapter 13: Heroic Deeds

Sherlock stirred, hearing voices, as consciousness started to tickle at his senses. He felt something strange, placed into his hand and Mycroft’s tired voice.  “Brother, I don't know what you did to deserve it. But I am... somehow happy for you. I am impressed actually. I’m pleased you have finally found... peace.” 

Sherlock groaned as he came to. “Did I...?” He slowly opened his eyes. “Did I imagine it? I heard voices. Did you have company? I heard you speaking to someone. I thought I heard… John? I was clearly dreaming.” He shook his head as he started to lift himself up in the bed. 

“No, he was here,” Mycroft replied simply. 

Sherlock froze, halfway to sitting. “He… was here? How? You let him in?”

“He couldn't be stopped. I tried my best. It was quite a scene. He had been drinking and he was drawing attention down on the street but he couldn’t be held back. He stormed up here. It was quite… romantic actually,” he teased. “He had to be by your side. Then he…” 

Sherlock sat up more stiffly. “But then he saw…” 

Mycroft nodded. “He knows everything, Sherlock.” 

“Brother…”

“He knows everything.”

Sherlock closed his eyes sadly and nodded. “Of course. So he left, then.” 

“Well, no. Not quite. He... He knows everything, and as a doctor, he wanted to cure you, at first. And... when I explained that he could not… He... sat by your bed for three days. So I let him read your journals. I felt perhaps it was time, Sherlock. You’ve been toying with him,” Mycroft scolded.

Sherlock’s eyes lifted angrily but he said nothing.

“He took it surprisingly well. I’ll give him credit for that. We had a frank discussion and I explained that a fish and a lion cannot make a life together…”

“Oh wonderful. You quoted parables at him?” Sherlock rolled his eyes and lifted the paper from his hand. “And what is this, then?”

“He left a note for you it seems. He said… to tell you… Oh something about… loving you back… In any case he has gone on a fool's errand. I suspect… or so he thinks… he has decided the only course of action is… to join you.” He sighed heavily.

“I hope you told him the only course of action was to leave me?” Sherlock said angrily. He opened the note hastily and ran his eyes over the letter, the colour draining from his face.

“You know him better than I. Do you think that's going to be possible?” Mycroft asked sweetly. “After he’s read your journals and knows your thoughts on the matter?”

Sherlock leapt from the bed immediately, looking for clothing.

“Sherlock, you're not well enough yet.”

“Mycroft, think what you will about him, and the suitability of the situation but you can't possibly have just let him leave here to go out onto the streets to… to…?” 

“It’s done, brother. He's already out.” 

“For god‘s sake, you idiot! Help me dress then!” Sherlock shouted in frustration, struggling to get his pants on. 

“Sherlock, you're not strong enough.” 

“Brother, please, you cannot let him do this. If you will not help me, then at least dress me, and I will find him myself. If he’s lucky he will walk the streets like a fool. If he’s unlucky you know what they’ll do to him and I shall never forgive you for it. It will be on your head.”

After much bickering and a quick change of clothing they were in a carriage barrelling through the streets of London trying to locate Watson. Where was one to find an insane doctor on a mission to die or be transformed by crazed vampires? They would rip him to shreds.

“Stop! Wait! I can hear him!” Sherlock finally cried out, Watson’s voice coming into his range of hearing. “I can smell him close too.” He closed his eyes and could sense Watson’s voice as Mycroft had the driver stop the carriage.

"Come and get me. I know who you are! I know who all of you are! Sherlock Holmes won't do it. But I'm anyone’s for the taking. So come on then…Do it! Find me and take me. Make me one of you!” 

His voice sounded hoarse from shouting. Sherlock’s chest ached with fear. He needed to protect Watson. He was furious that he had been compromised and unable to protect him like he usually did.

“It’s that way!” Sherlock pointed. Mycroft redirected the carriage and off they went again. By the time they found him, and leapt from the carriage, there was a group circling Watson, already attacking him.

Thankfully they hadn’t bitten him yet but he was surrounded by four of them, pulling and scratching at him, and it took both brothers to fight them off in quite a battle. They had managed to cause some damage already, clearly enjoying toying with Watson first. Holmes rushed to him first, grabbing Watson into his arms. He was bleeding and sweaty, his eyes wild from the attack. They both were in fact now.

“What in god’s name were you trying to do?!” Holmes growled angrily, his eyes and nostrils flaring. 

“You wouldn't have me, so…”

“Doctor Watson…”

“You can’t even do it… Even now you still won’t call me by my name. And yet I couldn't live without you, so I had to do something. So here I am. If you won't have me, then let them take me… let me die because… I don't want to live without you anymore. I was going crazy without you.” Watson closed his eyes, weak and defeated.

“Where is all this coming from?” Holmes asked, confused.

“Don't you know…?” Watson frowned, hissing as the pain started to finally make itself known. The look on his face was ashen. “I've always admired you since the first day we were introduced. I've always found you… alluring. I just didn't understand why. And now I understand, it's only made it worse. I only want you more. I've always loved you.” 

“I can't. I can't do that to you. It's not a life that you want, Watson.” 

“I want a life with you, and if you're going to live forever…” He sighed. “Were you really just going to let me go? You really don't need me?”

“Of course I need you,” Holmes scoffed angrily. 

“But you don't want me to be there for the rest of your life?” 

“Of course I do, but not like this. I don't want you to go through this. My life is complicated and it’s not as glamorous as your novels make it sound. I promise you that.” 

“Well, how else is it going to happen? You have an opportunity here to give me what you have, and then we can live this life together, the way we both want it. I knew. I knew you cared for me. I knew it.” Watson smiled, weakly, closing his eyes again for a moment.

“I just can't do that to you,” Holmes said quietly.

“Well, I was trying to let someone else do it to me and you… you stopped it… You ruined everything. If you'd have just let them keep going, I would have been one of you. And you could have…”

“Is that really what you want?” Holmes’ brow creased in confusion.

Watson reached up, placing a hand beside those beautiful eyes he loved. He lifted himself up and kissed Holmes gently and surprised him. “Of course it is. It's what I've always wanted, just to be everything to you. Make me one of you or finish the job and let me die.” 

“You're a fool. You're a fool, Watson,” Holmes scoffed, completely annoyed. 

“It’s your fault. I will not... be with anyone else. You're the only one for me. And if you are to be afflicted for the rest of your life, then I will be afflicted, too, so that we may be together. I may be completely mad, but it’s what I want.” 

“You are mad. It is true. I cannot argue with you upon that point.” 

“You have given me that madness. For I am in love, with the most beautiful creature, to walk the earth. Sherlock Holmes, you may refuse to drain my blood, but you have drained my very soul.” 

“I love you too,” he replied. 

Watson collapsed against him and Holmes sank deeper to the ground, weakened by the battle and the whole exchange. 

Mycroft rushed forward, pulling them both into his carriage. “Back to Baker Street at once,” he announced, and the carriage rushed through the London streets again, returning them home.

The link to AO3

A huge thank you to @helloliriels for the stunning cover art created for #FTH2026

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It's almost too easy. This specific human is so tired, seeming to drag itself around its house. Only sustaining itself because other humans come and force it to do so. It is weak. Despite it's size and the warnings from the Hive, this one will be a kill he knows he will not enjoy. There's no sport to it.

The window isn't locked. There's no alarms or traps. He slides in with no trouble, no resistance.

And there it is. Laying in bed, asleep, not stirring at his quiet footsteps. It is curled up in a tight ball, arms wrapped around itself, making it look almost small. It is completely vulnerable. An easy kill.

But it feels wrong. The idea of killing this human, now that he's here...

His Master has no problems with killing his creations. He won't hesitate to kill Kas either. He has to kill this human, or he will be killed himself. His survival instincts burn strong and bright.

His hand is gentle when he reaches out to brush its hair back, pushing the stray strands away from its eyes. It doesn't wake, but it does shfit in its sleep. It seems to almost seek out the warmth from his hands, trying to turn its head to press against him.

He can't help but wonder why it is left on its own. Can't help but wonder how stupid the other humans must be to leave this one behind, to not see how important this one is. He wonders if they realize how vulnerable it is.

This time, when he reaches out, he touches its skin. A finger on its arm, feeling the heat of its skin and the steady thrum of its heartbeat.

It hums, eyes slowly blinking open.

He should leave. He needs to leave. He has to kill it. He cannot let it wake properly. It will kill him, try to at least, forcing him to finally go through with his Masters command.

"Eddie?" Its voice cracks, sounds so sad and desperate, confused. There's a shine of building liquid in its eyes. It doesn't try to hurt him, grabs his top, holds him there. "Is this- are you real? Are you really here?"

He blinks at it for a moment. "Yes."

It laughs, a sound that is such a horrible mix between relieved and distressed. It lifts himself up, throws his arms around... him? He hugs him tight, hands clutching at the back of his top.

"I'm not..." He tries, but he cannot find the words. He waits until he pulls back from the hug, so he can look him in the eyes. "I am not... right."

He scoffs at him, something about his grin tickling at something in his head. "Well, yeah, obviously. You were dead, dude."

"I was dead?"

But that's not right, is it? He doesn't remember being alive long enough to have died. Although, the more he thinks about it, the more his head aches. It feels like theres something on the edge of his thoughts.

"Yeah. Fuck, I don't even care how you're back. Dustins gonna be so happy to see you again."

"Dustin... Henderson?" He leans back, staring at the wall.

He sits up, finally looking concerned. Not as panicked as he should be though. "What do you remember?"

"Dustin was... crying?"

He isn't sure where the thought came from. He knows it to be real though. A kid, holding him as best he could, crying over Eddie. Over him.

His head hurts. Being near Steve is only making it worse.

"Woah, hey, where are you going?"

"I can't... be here. Not safe."

"You are, you're safe here, I'm not about to let you get hurt again."

"You are not safe." He gently pries Steves hand off his wrist.

"I can take care of myself."

Eddie snorts, rolling his eyes. "You can't even feed yourself. Just... give me some time to get my head right, ok? This is all... a lot. And I was about to kill you in your sleep."

"Ok," Steve winces, looks a little ashamed. "Good point. But where else can you go? I have plenty of space. Parents aren't coming back any time soon either. You'll be safe here."

"But what if I-"

"No, nope. Don't give me any bullshit excuses. If you have somewhere safe that you would rather go to, that's fine. If not, you're staying here."

"I have somewhere safe I can go."

"Really? Where?"

Shit. "Uh... Skull Rock?"

"Doesn't exist anymore. Looks like you're stuck here."

It's not the worst place to be stuck, he reasons. It's better than going back to his little hidey-hole in the Upside Down. Especially because Steve puts a jumper on and cooks him some food. He doesn't bother putting pants on, confidently walking around in his boxers.

... Not that Eddie is looking or anything.

The food tastes horrible. Wrong. But Eddie forces himself to eat all of it, hiding his grimaces. Even though it tastes foul, it leaves him feeling a lot better. Full, healthier. More grounded to reality.

His house has two spare rooms. They're so clinical, neat and put together. They're worse than Steves room, which looked more like a nightmare than a bedroom.

Eddie tells Steve as much.

"Thanks," Steve glares. "But unless you want to sleep on the sofa, you need to pick a room."

"I'm stealing yours. It's the only one that doesn't look like bleach."

"Hilarious."

Eddie immediately follows him as he heads back towards his room. "I'll sleep on the floor? Come on, those rooms are horrible. I've seen better bedrooms in school."

"You're not sleeping on the floor." Steve climbs into bed, shuffling to make room and patting the space next to him. "Come on. Stay on your side."

"Sure, sure."

Eddie doesn't sleep anymore. He doesn't tell Steve that. It's nice to curl up, warm and comfortable. It's nice to have someone else there. It's nice to have Steve there.

He wishes he could say he's surprised at how quickly and how easily Steve falls asleep. But it's as nice as it is worrying. Steve still feels comfortable and safe with him, even though Eddie tried to explain that Vecna had something to do with his return and his change.

A small update on the new chapter. I've got some good and some bad news. I'll start with the bad one, that sadly the next chapter is going to take about two weeks and more this time as well. The good news is that my midterms are ending next week, meaning I'll start getting my life back and most likely will get back to my regular posting which is one chapter a week.

New chapter --> Goodbyes

new chapter --> Undead Feelings  (????? please do not ask me how i come up with these because i just don't know and i'm sorry)