Umbria/Rosalie | 200/118 | F/F | Blood/Shadow | Vampire/Vampire

Mentions: Kiran (dir.) and Isolabella (ind.)

Umbria was kneeling beside the princess, also her daughter, which would be awkward to explain once she exposes herself. Ugh. She's thinking about the introduction now: "Hey, daughter. I was alive this whole time. Isn't unlife funny?" After saying those words, cue two stabbings from both Rosalie and Isolabella. Damn, those two are alike in so many ways it's scary. She could see the glares from the two and Bella's harsh words when she'll force her to the couch. Mind you, Umbria wouldn't mind the couch if it was comfortable. Sadly, it felt like concrete under the cheap fabric. Her unlive back is already cramping, "Bella. Please don't whoop my ass once I announce myself."

Rosalie turns her head slowly to face the stranger, "Bella? How do you know of my mothe-" She coughed up blood, and Umbria clamped her mouth shut. "Shut the Hell up, Umbria!" Telling herself to shut up mentally before glancing over to Kiran to see what he was doing.

"If this kills me, don't bury me deep I fucking hate small spaces, and if I have to claw my way free, it better be fucking worth my while."

Umbria was confused and somewhat interested in what Kiran was doing, and she couldn't help but grin when he winked at her. Yeah, she was on board whatever he was doing. "Hmm, I wonder what he's going to do." She says to herself, noticing Rosalie shuffling and her breathing starting to slow. "Alright, what's yo-" Her eyes widen in surprise when he cuts himself to shed blood and blinks a couple of times. Rosalie leaps towards the injured wrist, taking in his blood like a blood-starved beast. Umbria was too stunned to react instantly, but she snapped out of it and placed her hands on Rosalie's shoulders. She waits a decent amount of time before forcefully pulling the princess away from the human and wiping her lips clean from the blood using her thumb. Some of her wounds were healing, yet they didn't close fully. "Thanks, Kiran." She sighs in relief, only for it washes away in a split second. "Holy fuck, Kiran!" She sets the princess into a lying position on the floor and rushes to Kiran's side.

"My bad there, Kiran. I almost forgot that you're bleeding out." Chuckling nervously as the stress got to the Justicar. She places a loving hand on the man's cheek-something a mother would do with their ill child. "If I were to bury you, I'll make sure to give you a bathhouse with a nice radio to tune out our phobia." She brings her wrist to her mouth and tears it open with a forceful tug of her teeth. She was glad she didn't feel pain anymore, or you'll hear her hollering throughout this castle. Umbria brought her bleeding wrist close to the man's lips, pulling Kiran tight against her. "You'll be my child now, and I'll love you forever. Well," she clicked the roof of her mouth before continuing, "if you were to reawaken as a vampire, of course. Also, you know, not die forever." She opens his mouth, allowing her blood to drip into his mouth.

"To add, don't judge me if my blood isn't your taste. Who am I kidding? Humans don't even drink blood unless they're either wannabe vampires or crazed cannibals." Yes, she was rambling. It was the only way to soothe her energetic mind. Once done feeding the dying man, she heals her wounds and stands up. She dusts her hands together, examining the two severely injured folks beside her. Trying to figure out how to handle this. "Isolabella was always the one to form the plans for shit like this." She picks Kiran up and throws him on her shoulder, huffing at the additional weight on said shoulder. "Heavy bastard, eh?" Umbria walks over to the princess, grabs her by the cloak, and drags her down the hall to find an empty room.

"First step, find someone to remove the silver and tend to Rosalie's wounds. The second step, make sure she doesn't die. The third step, make sure Kiran doesn't die too, and he successfully converts into a vampire." She wasn't worried about what the other vampires thought and how they would react. She was afraid of Isolabella's fury and actions in this situation. Umbria (including Jayco) experienced it firsthand-something she doesn't want to go through ever again. Ah yes, she remembers that one time Jayco walked in while she and Bella were busy with other things.

Cue Isolabella shouting all sorts of slurs and threatening to kill Jayco while she (as in Vivienne) bursts out laughing with the addition of Bella smothering her with a pillow. Good times she had while she was Vivienne when your close encounter with death was due to your angry wife. A sign of a good, joyous marriage. Not to mention a lovely child who wanted to kill anything that moves. Man, she had some good (and concerning) times as Vivienne, and now she's curious to see if such events would occur. You know, events that don't lead to someone's death. How could an undead life involve so many people dying? Umbria's suspicions towards her mother grew, and a slight frown appeared on her face. "Maybe she has something to do with our recent bad luck."

Finding an empty room, she tossed Kiran and Rosalie onto the bed. Flexing her stiffened shoulder with a soft groan leaving her lips. "I'll go look for someone to help you, and after that, dig Kiran a grave." Muttering those instructions to herself, rubbing her hardened neck and eyes violet eyes lazily drifts to the side. Still, Umbria didn't feel comfortable leaving these two completely alone.

Jayco | ? | M | Harem | Shifter

Mentions: Garvin and Riskel (dir.)

The man's feral instincts radiate at the returned affection this stranger was giving. Riskel, much to his dismay, was pleased by such actions between the two men. Jayco's claws scratch the surface of man's skin once more, his blood was rushing, and his instincts were slamming into his mind hard. His emerald eyes had an intense glow like this affair was setting him on edge but in a decent (passionate) way. He was holding so much of himself back to not accidentally kill the man with the actions that he's used to doing with Suya. He finds this mere human a challenge for his beastly side, for he will be the first human he didn't attempt to kill on purpose.

"Ravage him, mortal. Devour him!"

Jayco rolls his eyes, "Calm yourself, Riskel. You're getting way too into it." He pulled him closer against his body, loving the warmth the living man was giving him, and he gave his neck another teasing nip. He could hear the man's heart beating fast, and much to Jayco's dismay, he felt welcomed. "Besides, I thought you hate actions such as this. You know, actions that don't involve massacring something."

"Oh, please. I may be your internal beast, but it doesn't mean I can't involve myself in moments like this. Tell me this," Riskel pauses for a dramatic effect, "who shall conquer who?"

"Do shut up, now. You're making this awk-" "hot? Steamy? Arousing?" Jayco interrupts him with an internal cough, "Disturbing. Now shut up and handle the backseat of our shared mind, will you?"

Riskel was finally quiet, and Jayco's unknowingly tensed body relaxed. "Excuse me, but I had to handle some issues within my head." There was no sense of falsity in his voice, and for whatever odd reason, he couldn't find himself lying to this stranger. His nose widens as he sharply inhales the stranger's scent when he gives the tip of his nose a love nip, then a kiss between the eyes. Jayco paused briefly in his actions. "You may seem like a dirty rat, but something about you is captivating." He was muttering to himself, yet these mutterings aren't one of a madman. Jayco places both hands on the other's cheeks, bringing his face closer to his own. Fiercely, the two locked eyes, noticing the longing deep in the stranger's eyes.

His thumbs twirl aimlessly on his grime-covered cheekbones.“My name doesn’t matter. It’s not important.” That's when a hardened frown crossed his eyebrows, sucking his lips to thin them in disappointment. "What'd you mean it doesn't matter?" He was growing angry, this time his claws dug deep into his flesh and caused him to bleed. "What'd you mean your name's not important? Are you planning to get me to admire you, then you suddenly vanish to torment me?" By the second, his anger rose, and he changed position to where he was pinning him to the couch. Instantly, his hands went to the other's throat, roughly squeezing it, but not tight enough to kill him.

He brings his face closer to the man's, "If you dare leave without saying anything. I'll kill you with the hands attached to my limbs," Jayco snapped, and his mind riddled with fear. His lips instantly crash onto the blood-gifter's, and his blood was boiling. Removing his hands from his neck, Jayco pulls away only by a few centimeters. "Don't, just, don't." Shaking his head, muttering a bunch of words to himself. He wasn't talking to Garvin-he was talking to himself to not cry in front of this outsider. "I thought I have issues. You're worse than me." Riskel snorted in amusement, but Jayco was feeling too vulnerable to speak. His fingers traced his neck, and his eyes were dim. He bends down to kiss his neck as if silently apologizing for the actions he caused him. "How can you not give me a name? Am I not interesting enough for you?" He inhales sharply, smelling blood. Humming again to soothe his nerves, Jayco lifts the shirt of the outsider to check out the injuries. Bending himself down and kissed the wounds he caused, enjoying the taste of his blood. "Hmm, I need to remember that you're human. Not a vampire." He watches his wounds heal before climbing off of him. This whole situation became uncomfortable, "I got carried away. It's best if we separate for now."

Jayco rubs his forehead, muttering to himself, "Just attend the damn party. I need a moment of isolation." He walks over to the bear. He grabs a clump of fur and drags it to the couch. The vampire avoids looking at the blood-gifter, focused on the bear he has in his grip. He removes a knife from his boot and starts carving the hide off the bear. Ignoring Riskel's taunting words in his head while focused on his task.

Eugene | 124+ | M | King | Golden Sun Class

Mentions: NPC Vampires and Open

Screams. Hearing them beg for mercy. Blood splattering against the ground.

That's all the noise entering the man's ears and with a sigh of annoyance leaving his bloodstained lips. His nose shook as he inhaled the fresh blood, his lips coiling into a wicked grin. His gloved fingers gently caress the neck of another, tickling their skin to relax their tense body. Stifled cries ruin his little moment, which causes the man to huff in feigned hurt. The tall man kneels in front of the other vampire, his green eye focused on the dirty, wet face of the man. Watching the tears roll down his grimy cheeks was an enjoyable sight, bringing an odd sensation filling his body. It made him shudder with pleasure. Seeing someone so weak and pitiful made him fill with unmatched glee. "Such a disgusting piece of filth." The tone of his voice exposes the fact that he's going through a sense of euphoria. Meanwhile, his undead blood is racing through his departed veins.

Watching the other vampire tremble in terror swarmed him with a sense of victory-a strong feeling of pride. He leans forward, bringing his lips close to the other, letting out a cold gust of wind from his lips. "Seeing you tremble makes me utmost," he pauses to twirl a thumb over the other cheeks, tilting his head down to maintain eye contact, "elated. However," his fingers roll down to his neck, "you're a Blue-Blood Kin." A strong sense of disappointment riddled his eye, his fingers wrapping around the throat of the other vampire, who quickly started to beg for mercy. He was quiet while he listened. A steady hum lingered in his throat. He was having too much fun toying with the vampire. The one-eyed man was enjoying the fact he was holding the other's freedom by the string, locking the vampire up like a songbird. A bird, he's starting to grow tired.

"I'll do anything! Please, don't kill me! I'll do anything you ask of me!" He begged the taller man. The other was quiet as he considered his options. The grip on his neck tightens, with his nails scratching the flesh of the other. The blood of the chained vampire starts to leak slowly, causing the one-eyed fellow to have a mischievous smile decorating his face. His tongue slides out of his mouth, gracing his tongue along the recent injuries. He felt the blood coat his tongue, but it was bitter-it's unpleasant to his tastebuds. He had never consumed a disgusting thing in his life until now. "Are Blue-Bloods this disgusting? I never consumed such a tasteless thing before." His tongue swishes around the interior of his mouth, trying to find another ounce of flavor within it.

He was ominously quiet. The entirety of his face dropped, then sighed in disgust, giving a shake of his head. "You're no good. You're disgusting. Horrible to my tastebuds." Insulting the weakened vampire to destroy his already lowered morale. "Why would I allow a vulgar Blue-Blood to serve under me? Allow such weak, incompetent blood to serve my ever-growing kingdom?" When the second vampire did not answer, his hand clenched once. A sickening snap pierced his ears. Silence greeted him, the feeling of death spreading within the dungeon's cell. The one still alive (partially) lets out a satisfied exhale, enjoying the utter silence within the room. His hand still gripping the broken neck, "Such a weak thing. Pathetic, yet cute." This time, his lips spread into a joyous smile. He did one swift motion with his hand, tossing the inanimated body carelessly into the corner of the room.

"Lord Eugene," a voice called out to him from the other side of the metal doors, "your precious bird wishes to speak with you." Hearing the news, Eugene saunters over to the door. He opens it with one swift kick, a loud thud echoing throughout the moldy dungeons. His eye went to the dungeon guard, who interrupted his moment of silence. He points an accusing finger at the helmeted vampire. "Disturb my peace again. I'll remove your fucking tongue." He storms off in the direction of the throne room, the vampires dashing to the sides to avoid his wrath. Shoving open the doors of the abandoned manor while muttering random words to soothe his anger. He could feel the fear radiate from the others, with Eugene grinning like a madman while absorbing their fears.

Finley Neil Blake | 526 | M | Gray-Demisexual Ambi | Low Lord(Hypnosis) | Mentions; Harper(Dir), Quill(NPC/Ind), Ava(Ind+Dir), Vivienne(Ind), Tatsuya(Ind), Other Vampires(Ind).

Meeting Outfit; https://postimg.cc/gallery/9j73117

--

When Harper took his hand and Finley helped them up, he assumed that would’ve been the end of their interaction. Anyone he associated himself with would have thanked him with a nod and left the room to go and continue their day. Then again, given that he had ended up having to personally remove them from his life… Maybe it wasn’t that common of a reaction.

--

Either way, it was safe to say that Finley at least hadn’t been expecting a hug from the blood gifter. At least they were careful enough to not get any more blood on their jacket. Their face buried in his shoulder as they mumbled out thanks to him.

--

Finley rolled his eyes and allowed them to pull away as they chuckled nervously. “I… uhh… thank you. I know you are probably just looking for blood and whatnot but… Jeez, this is really unprofessional of me… I don’t even know how he—”

--

And the poor mortal seemed to remember something because their laughter grew a bit. Finley raised an eyebrow, almost disinterestedly, glancing at the door for a quick moment before looking back at Harper as they hit their forehead with their hand. Finley was making sure not to stare at their eyes, despite the piercing color that so very easily stood out from the gray. He didn’t want to alarm the mortal, not when they were obviously pretty out of it already.

--

“I’m— I’m sorry you had to deal with that. Stupid fuckin’ me wasn’t thinking. Go figures, right? I don’t have much money, but I promise I will pay you back if I ruined your experience!”

--

And now they were insulting themself? The human was surely prone to self-loathing then, there was no doubt about that. The smack, the words- Perhaps some kind of survivor’s guilt based off of the situation with Quill? Or maybe it wa something that ran deeper than that and Quill had taken advantage of it? Frankly, that seemed more likely. They kept mentioning payment, money… They don’t have much money… Ah. That made sense now. Finley should probably reply before they think he is ignoring them and wants nothing to do with them.

--

Before he can speak though, he can smell another vampire coming near the door and within seconds, they’re coming in. Based on smell and appearance alone, Finley was fairly certain she was a shifter class. What was she doing all the way away from her group? This certainly wasn’t the shifters’ designated meeting spot. And sure, yes, it wasn’t his either but Finley found that he often couldn’t deal with the stupidity that others had before the actual meeting so he went off by himself to go and tidy up a bit. Like he’d been doing before this whole situation.

--

He took in the vampire’s appearance, quickly finding her to be from the Harem rank. Someone who outranked him, just as Harper technically did. Perfect. Just the type of idiot he was hoping to avoid. And by the way her pupils were dilated, well, she must be near feral! Wasn’t this just turning out to be a fine course of events? Ah. Sarcasm. What a wonderful thing.

--

“I really hope you don't plan on spending any valuable time with that human.” The pupils weren’t dilated anymore, now they were slitted like a snake. This certainly wasn’t good.

--

This was proven true when she grabbed Harper from behind and held them in back at the collarbone, arm slung around them. Her gaze locked onto him, and he could fully read what she was about to say within her grayed gaze.

--

“I think it would be in your best interest if you'd leave us be. I like to feed undisturbed.”

--

And hadn’t he just stopped this with Quill? Dear moons, the blood gifter was bound to have a heart attack and die of that before anyone left this room, if not die of blood loss.

--

Well, with a promise of payment Finley simply couldn’t let that happen. Plus, those blue eyes the only color he was capable of seeing were too… Well… They were too valuable to him. In a more, sentimental way, and it had been far too long since he’d done anything for a sentimental reason. So, he might as well as see.

--

He would rather hate to have to use his ability again though, so say something first, then see how thick the thread is, and then reinforce what he said with his ability. It would require less power, though he frankly had plenty to spare. He didn’t go around wasting it. Unlike she must’ve, given the look in her eyes that says that she had recently fed and yet was already so close to going feral yet again.

--

“I would, Lady Cadieux, but you see… That human is my blood gifter, and I rather don’t like to share with people that can’t keep themselves in control even when they’ve already fed. Go find someone who doesn’t mind, hm? There’s enough blood in here already, and I’d rather like to see if I can at least try and clean it up before the meeting. Which, by the way, perhaps you should go to? You’re quite the ways away from the other shifter class vampires.” His voice was indifferent throughout it all, apathetic and cold. Just like the gray that tarnishes his sight.

--

He allowed his pupils to go white again, and he quickly caught sight of her thread. It was about average, if not the tiniest bit thicker. For a high tier hypnosis class such as himself though? Such a thread could be taken ahold of with ease. So he slipped it on, his pupils going from white to a glowing silver, and he tugged ever so slightly to make sure it was a secure connection. Nothing the harem member would notice, of course, such an act could be dangerous. After making sure the hold was secure but hidden, nothing more than allowing him to subtly and indiscreetly push her towards listening.

--

“Could I perhaps suggest going back to your fellow shifter class? Or to one of the archdukes or duchesses? Or perhaps to one of the others in the harem? Surely any of them would be willing to lend you some blood, Lady Cadieux. That would solve everyone’s problem then, wouldn’t it now?”

--

Finley kept eye contact with the vampire, Lady Ava Cadieux, and waited for her to speak. To agree and listen. His side of the simple thread was certainly stable enough to warrant such a response to be reasonable. Times like this, being a high tier hypnosis class was definitely helpful.

Garvin | 21 | M | Brinsexual Ambi | Blood Gifter(Suya) | Mentions; Jayco(Dir), Suya(Ind), Devery(Ind), Other Vamps(Very Ind).

Meeting Outfit; https://postimg.cc/gallery/Fcn9LBj

--

The frown on Jayco’s face was enough to make him regret his words. Too late to take them back now. Besides, the truth was harsh sometimes. It was usually harsh.

--

“What'd you mean it doesn't matter?”

--

And great… The very topic Garvin didn’t want to think about. Ever. Damn, he should’ve used this time to go and hang out with Levy again. It’d been a while since he last saw or heard from him. The dude probably thought he was dead. Ha. As if. Not yet.

--

Apparently, he must’ve really upset Jayco, because the claws pierced skin. He didn’t flinch, he didn’t react. Ignoring the new circumstance of a vampire, it wasn’t the first time.

--

“What'd you mean your name's not important? Are you planning to get me to admire you, then you suddenly vanish to torment me?”

--

And then Jayco was pinning him to the couch, hand around his neck, not nearly tight enough to kill. Garvin wanted to explain, wanted this to be because of a different situation. Nothing he could say would be good enough, this wasn’t what he was used to. Though, to be fair, he wasn’t used to someone caring about his name.

--

“If you dare leave without saying anything, I'll kill you with the hands attached to my limbs.”

--

And though the words were violent, Jayco was instantly kissing him. Just as quickly though, the vampire was pulling away, muttering to himself.

--

Garvin was tempted to pull the vampire back, to clear his head of whatever it was that was causing him to be upset… It wasn’t his place though. And at this point? He was fairly certain it never would be. Jayco did kiss his neck again though, so at least there was that..? It didn’t mean anything.

-

“How can you not give me a name? Am I not interesting enough for you?”

--

And Garvin opened his mouth to speak, because no. That definitely wasn’t it. Other way around, dense shit. But none of that was exactly good to say, and frankly? Way too vulnerable for him. Plus, Jayco was licking the blood from his torso and that was definitely something Garvin hadn’t thought he’d experience. Ever. 10/10, he would totally recommend it.

--

Unfortunately, Jayco climbed off and away from him. Garvin sat up slowly, eyeing the vampire who was about as unstable as his financial state. Which was very. It almost caused him to snicker, despite the situation. Almost. He had more self-control than that. Besides, the look on Jayco’s face was a familiar one. The one that he was trying to avoid. Any moment now Jayco would be telling him to leave, to never come back, and Garvin would listen. Of fucking course he would, he wasn’t in the mood to die right now. Believe it or not.

--

“I got carried away. It's best if we separate for now.”

--

…For now? His eyebrows furrowed and he watched the vampire. For now? Not permanently? How was he even supposed to process that? His eyes stared, unsure of just how to continue. This wasn’t normal, nothing was really normal with him though. Or with Jayco. Jayco was coco- Ah, Coco! Total nickname material! Garvin snickered at the idea, momentarily forgetting about the situation through years of practice at deflecting.

--

Coco was walking towards the bear, speaking. “Just attend the damn party. I need a moment of isolation.” And then Coco was walking back over, sitting down on the couch and dragging the bear with him, carving the hide.

--

Garvin grabbed the bottle from earlier. Situation reinstated in his mind, where he definitely didn’t want it. He took a sip from it, and glanced at the vampire still carving. He might as well try to fix it now if he was being serious about the ‘for now’. What were the questions again?

--

Ah, yeah, his name. Why it isn’t important. Coco not being interesting or something. He gave a small, mirthless snort and took another sip. How was he even supposed to explain? Should he explain? Was it better to just leave and hope for the best? As if that would do anything. If he wanted anything, Garvin had to either steal it, lie for it, or work for it. And unfortunately, lying and stealing weren’t an option here.

--

He huffed, and got comfortable on the couch. If Coco wanted him out then he’d have to throw him, that was the one thing Garvin was sure about. He glanced around the room, took a sip, and picked up his signature grin.

--

“Ya know when someone’s got a secret an’ ya do everythin’ ya can ta get it from ‘em? Only ta find out ya didn’t really wanna know? Or that it’s not as cool a secret as ya thought?” He glanced at Coco before his gaze landed on the bottle and stayed there. It was easier that way. But hey, if he was going to look at it then he might as well as take another sip.

--

So before continuing, he did. Monty definitely wouldn’t be happy with him if he found out about any of this. Garvin would probably laugh when that happens. “My name’s like that. Wanted ta save ya the trouble of figurin’ out ya didn’t actually wanna know or care ‘bout it. Seriously though, Coco, I ain’t goin’ back in there for as long as fuckin’ possible. Place is a whole ass maze, I swear.”

--

Silence stretched after he finished. He shrugged, taking another sip, and then gave a breathy laugh. “If ya still wanna know though, my name’s Garvin, an’ it’s been a dream meetin’ ya.”

--

He paused, thinking about it. While Coco wouldn’t be dying anytime soon, wasn’t going to be forgotten when he did… Honorary members still existed- Like Levy, and he actually had a last name. So he grinned, amusement trickling into his voice. “Lookin’ forward ta seein’ more of ya, if ya actually meant the ‘for now’ jizz, Blank Slate.”

--

The amusement was gone from his grin at the last words, a mirthless one in its place. He could’ve sworn the blank, corroding tombstone patched onto the back of his jacket was burning a hole through him. Despite him knowing for a fact that it wasn’t on fire. He was quiet for a moment, before glancing at Coco and speaking again, his humor back in a quick second. It was the only thing he really had. “Hey, d’ya ever realize that the reason there’s more than one way ta apologize is ‘cause of funerals? Say ya sorry ta someone at one and ya fine, but that ya apologize? Hope ya can run, ‘cause no one’s happy. Least of all the guy ya killed.”

Harper Carnell | 21 | Genderfluid (she/him) | Pansexual Ambi | Blood-Gifter

M: Finley + Ava (dir)

Harper did not even notice the woman until she was practically right behind him. She wore much more expensive clothing than both the woman who fed off of him previously and his savior. Red hair was elegantly flowing with her step yet her pale blue eyes, that were similar to not only his own but to the man-in-white’s calm eyes, held no mercy and only malice that had slits for pupils. Harper could not help but shiver and tense under her eyes.

As soon as Harper glanced at the other man in search of an excuse, Harper found herself giving a short gasp for air as she was tugged back into the woman and found it a bit harder to breathe as her pale, icy hands wrapped around Harper’s throat. Squirming in her grasp to try to at least make herself a bit more comfortable, Harper just tried to be as submissive to the woman as possible in hopes that she would allow her hero, one of the few people she actually trusted in the moment, to stay.

Maybe it was not right to believe him as a savior though? Was it wrong to idolize someone she had just met? Harper could feel a strong else of deja-vu as a memory resurfaced in Harper’s brain.

~~~~~

“Look, I don’t have a lot of blood to give you right now,” Harper mumbled gently pushing the person’s chest away despite her hands being so weak from both the lack of blood and influx of alcohol that there was barely any force behind it. “Just go away already….”

“Hey now, do you really want to pass up having a fun time with me?~” they chuckled as a response, inching closer as if to either kiss Harper or spell the alcohol on her breath as they placed a hand on her waist and scooted their chair closer to hers. “Plus, you’re looking so tasty right now.” The vampire was salivating, drool practically seeping from the corner of their lips as their nails dug into her waist.

“Please, I really can’t—”

“Come on, it’ll be just a wittle nibble!~” The vampire grazed their canine teeth along Harper’s neck. “You won’t feel a—”

“Hey fleabag,” a man growled as he slammed his hand onto the bar table behind the vampire causing both the vampire and Harper to flinch, “they said to get lost.” The vampire tensed and his golden eyes became wide as the man lowered himself to his pointed triangle, dog-like ears before whispering in a husky and threatening voice. “Now scram before the pound needs to put down another runaway mutt.”

The vampire emitted a low grow deep within his throat as his ears were pinned back as far as they could go. The man just stood there, towering over him and glared. Finally giving a huff in defeat, the vampire slid off of the stool, chugged the rest of Harper’s drink, and slammed the stool to the ground before they scampered off with their tail tucked between their legs. The man shook his head and Harper just stared in amazement at him with wide, sparkling eyes. After sitting the stool back up, there was an awkward silence between the two as the man sat down next to Harper.

“I uhh—”

“Shifters, am I right?”

The man’s sudden comment threw off Harper so much that Harper could not help but burst into laughter.

“Did I say something wrong?” the man asked with a chuckle as Harper muffled his laughter with his hand but could not help but snort and laugh harder. “Hey, don’t laugh! I am trying to break the ice here!!”

“No, no you’re good! You just— I didn’t expect you to say that!” Harper giggled, still unable to contain himself. Harper looked away for a moment, glancing at the five empty glasses of beer as the man tilted his head and gave Harper a slightly worried expression, as Harper played with white strands of his hair before looking back at the man with an awkward smile. “That and I am probably just a liiiittle tipsy so everything is funny.”

“Yiiikes… that’s a lot of beer for someone so tiny.”

“Ouch.”

“No offense.”

“Well full offense taken,” Harper huffed with a playful grin as she scooted a bit closer to the man.

“Tell you what,” the man said, reaching into his back pocket and pulling out a wallet, his red eyes tracing Harper up and down as heat rose to her face from the attention, “I will pay for all your previous beers if you can ever find it in your heart to forgive me for calling you tiny.”

“Mhmmm… I think I still need more convincing…~”

“I’ll buy another beer for you, too?”

“You’ve got a deal then, pretty boy~” Harper cooed, his mind already buzzed and his thoughts becoming busy with thoughts on this stranger. The man signaled to the bartender and asked for more beer in a hushed voice. Harper could not help but drink in the features of the tall man— his savior. Though the man only told the canine vampire off and paid for his drinks, Harper was already looking at the man through rose colored glasses and not his realistic blue colored goggles and saw him as a hero. Naturally, Harper felt entirely indebted to him already. “Hey… uh… thanks. Thanks a lot. I owe you a lot for that… Look, I don’t have a lot of money, but I can—”

“No need to thank me,” he replied as he slid a beer to Harper who gladly took it. The man rested his chin on his palm and his elbow on the bar as he watched Harper. Maybe Harper was just looking through those rose glasses but Harper was sure he was watching Harper with a loving smile. “If you are willing to talk though, I would like to know why you’re drinking so many beers.”

Harper grumbled at the statement the man made as he began sipping the beer.

“Bad day?”

Harper started gulping down the beer.

“Asshole vampire?”

Harper started to chug the beer.

“Ex?”

Harper tilted her head back to get every last drop before slamming her glass on the bar table and gasped softly for air before wiping the corner of her mouth with the heel of her hand.

“Ex.”

There was an awkward silence.

“Well, your ex is missing out.”

“I’m sorry?” Harper mumbled, his heart beating faster in his chest from the little compliment. After removing those floral colored specters and looking back at the moment from the present, Harper now knew that when Quill had smiled in that moment, it was more scheming and sadistic, not genuine and gentle like the hero Harper was picturing.

“You're really funny—” Harper smiled like a dork as he twirled his hair— “so adorable—” Harper tried to hide himself in his hair as the man pulled Harper’s stool closer to his own— “and— my Goddess— you are stunning.” The man moved Harper’s hair out of his face as he stared into Harper blue eyes with his own blood colored ones, cupping Harper’s face in his hands. Harper was speechless as he just melted at his touch. “What’s your name, Gorgeous?~”

“Harper…,” Harper practically sighed her name as she was barely able to speak let alone say anything else.

“Harper? I like that name,” the man whispered as he drew closer to Harper, still holding Harper’s face in his hands as she melted into him like butter on roasting black cement. “My name’s Quill. What do you say we make your ex jealous and you come stay at my place for a little?~”

“Hell yeah…~” Harper replied in a trace that she would not have been able to break away from for over a year now.

~~~~~

“Lady and very gentle man, there is plenty of me to go around…!” Harper strained, hoping to ease the tension that she could feel rising in the room as she finally returned from the brief memory lane that was Harper’s first meeting of Quill before she began to date him. Memory aside, nothing was more important than making sure these two would not fight over Harper because that could only end in a mess like with one of Harper’s scars between his ribs. “No, need to get territorial or start drama over a human like me! Please…?”

Suddenly, the man spoke. With a calm tone and an assertive voice as he went so far as to claim that Harper was his blood-gifter, Harper could not help but relax a bit even as the woman’s hands were wrapped tightly around his throat. Harper could not help but smile brightly as he made sure to hang onto each word the man spewed like he was a pastor spreading the word of the Goddess and moons above. Harper did not know anything about this Lady Cadieux woman, but from what Harper could gather, the man-in-white did not like her much at all, treating her almost like how Harper treats his little siblings with cold anger barely restrained in his words, not the bubbling anger that boils up and burns those in the nearby vicinity but the cold, unsettling kind that sends others into shivers.

As the man’s pupils went white, Harper came to the realization that not only was this man using his powers to protect Harper once but twice. Harper watched in awe as his eyes sparkled with amazement. Harper’s smile pushed their eyes up so that it seemed her eyes were smiling too as she mouthed “thank you” as silently as possible.

...