Passion is the very essence of life

The flush of her cheeks brought a sparkle to her eyes that made her look almost angelic. She was so beautiful it hurt to look at her sometimes and yet he was too mesmerized to look away. Her modesty made her even more attractive to him, her belief that she was plain and average endeared her to him; how could he not love her?!

Remus had to exercise an extreme amount of control over himself as she leaned over, the tips of their noses brushing ever so slightly. That small touch made him yearn for more, just a few inches forward and his lips could brush against hers. He yearned to do just that but his fear held him in check. He didn’t want to lose her friendship nor did he want to see the look of disgust that would cross her face if she ever found out what he was. No, better to live in ignorance and maintain the status quo. Better for both of them they stay friends.

Remus shrugged, a very satisfied smile on his face. “The only thing Filch ever catches is dandruff and grief. Besides I was incredibly careful and it was a genius plan. And I had nothing better to do.” He chuckled his eyes never leaving her face as she smiled back at him. If he could but keep that lovely smile on her face for eternity he would die a happy man. She was gorgeous without a doubt but that smile, it lit up his world.

He nearly whined when she dropped her hand but reigned in that reaction though just barely. Her question constricted his heart, making it difficult for him to breath for a few moments. If only he could tell her, just open his mouth and let the truth spill free. His fear of her rejection though held him in check instead a small chuckle rumbled out in it’s place.

“Of course. You’re presence always brightens my world. There would be no Remus without Charity.” Perhaps there was great bravery in the little truths people tell, even if his words were taken at face value how would a woman like her ever look twice at a man like him?

“Hey, keep it down. Say that too loud and people might get the wrong impression. I’m a cold blooded narcissistic killer remember?” Damon shot her his signature smirk while he made quick work of the remaining stakes in her body. He winced a little with each scream knowing full well how much it hurt and feeling for her, still they needed to come out. Once they were all out he paced away from her ignoring her last little teasing as he scanned the area making sure they were still alone.

He shot her a wink in response to her thanking him before heading back out to the car giving his previous meal a cursory glance on his way out. There were few people who knew him, really knew who he was, and even fewer that knew the intimate details of his past. Juliette was perhaps the only person he had ever confided in, she even knew some of the things he had done to keep Stefan safe and sane. Despite having seen his depths of darkness and depravity his sister still cared. And for that he would do anything for her.

“You know Stefan always looking for something to brood and complain about.” Even though he was out at the car he knew she could still hear him. His hands reached into the back seat grabbing the bag he had snagged from her car before zipping back into the house finding an empty bedroom that looked untouched. “Besides, I always thought blood made that old rug pop.” A rare and true smile touched his lips, a memory surfacing latently of Jules and Damon literally painting the rug with blood just to get a rise out of their brother. Both of them had fled to South Carolina laughing for that little stunt.

He gave her a dismissive shrug, his signature smirk back in place. “Well they won’t have much to find after I torch the place.” He’d already disposed of the other bodies but this place had too much blood to clean so torching it was their only option. “So what brought on this latest little killing spree? Break up with some boy and need a little release?” His tone was conversational though he was trying to pry a little. Given that Juliette leaned toward the ripper spectrum of the family blood tree he needed to make sure she was in control. She’d never flipped that switch but there was a first time for everything.

There was a guilty sort of pleasure in each and every little bit of contact he could steal from her. It might have been wrong or misplaced but he didn’t much care. Any chance he had of getting close to her he was going to take, fully expecting for her to one day announce she liked a guy or had a boyfriend or worse…..liked a guy her parents had picked for her. His mind kept telling him that last option was highly unlikely but when it came to love, the heart usually overrode all sense.

Remus was fairly certain she was sporting more bruises than just the ones on her face but without knowing where they were any spell he cast would be useless. Letting the matter drop he gave her a reassuring grin, closing his eyes as she ran her fingers through his messy hair. His whole body tingled at the contact, silently hoping she never removed that hand.

Being careful not to move lest she let her hand fall from her ministrations in his hair, Remus shrugged at her question. “Define better. Peeves through a holiday party for all the ghosts which went on for nearly a week. Ear plugs became everyone’s friend and Professor McGonagall even went so far as to enchant one of the empty classrooms as a haven to everyone. A few Slytherins ended up getting sick Christmas day from eating too much and Filch is still looking for the person who inexplicably turned Mrs. Norris red and green.” His grin turned mischievous as he adopted the air of someone completely innocent. To say the holiday had been a bit boring would be an understatement.

“No matter though. The halls are bright with your return.”  

Crossing the room his baby blue irises scanned over the ropes and stakes that had been brutally thrust into her body to hold her in place. Casting around he found a pair of gloves and slipped them over his hands, from the smell alone and the fact that none of Juliette’s wounds had healed everything had been soaked in vervane. Apparently they had known enough to soak the implements but not enough to ingest some. Idiots.

With the gloves firmly in place he began extracting her from the wall, a small smirk forming on his lips as he worked. “Perhaps it would please my starving little sister to know that there are in fact two other snacks in the back of my trunk.” He shot her a wink before yanking out a stake that had been lodged in her shoulder. His trip to the bar had yielded information as well as needing to dispose of two low life’s that fancied themselves vampire hunters as well. Instead of killing them in town though he had stowed them in the trunk for later.

A low chuckle rumbled out as she teased him back, using her laughter as a distraction as he yanked out four more stakes. “You keep telling yourself that little sister.” At last he had her free, his arm sweeping under the back of her legs to scoop her up so that he could carry her across the room, setting her gently down in a chair. “No. I told him you had texted me that you were at some party and would be late getting in. Then I made up some lame excuse about needing some fresh air so I naturally drove out to meet you and we partied till the break of dawn.”

Yanking the gloves off he grabbed the last hunter by the back of the neck and dragged him over to her. “Eat and get the last of the wood out. I brought you some spare clothes and has your car towed home. I’m gonna go grab the clothes and meet you upstairs. Might wanna wash the blood off before we head back, we both know how moody Stefan gets if you get blood on the carpet.”