Chapter Text
Drift worked quietly, she didn’t push, just gently fixed Shelby’s impulsive decision. Shelby felt lighter, for the first time since getting turned they were interacting with a human. Not just any human but Drift. Shelby’s friend.
“There.” Drift hummed, putting the dagger away, “Is that better?”
Shelby drew in a breath she didn’t need, “Yes, thank you, Drifty.”
Drift smiled, leaning back, hands supporting her upper half. They were sitting on the bed that took up most of the space in Shelby and Scott’s home. Shelby sat on the edge, hand running along the edge of their, now short, hair. She looked down at the ground, allowing their vision to be somewhat obscured by her thick rimmed glasses.
“Are you doing alright, Shelby?” Drift asked, “Did the Bigfoot hunt last night not go well?”
Well, wasn’t that the understatement of the century. Okay… What was Shelby supposed to say? Not only had it not gone well, but Shelby had been turned into a supernatural creature of the night! They didn’t blame Scott, he was likely hungry, she couldn’t imagine starving. But that also begged the question, were they starving? Everyone had arrived at the same times surely Scott had hunted. But Shelby shook her head, they trusted Scott, Scott was their friend.
“No, it went fine.” Shelby tried for a grin, “We didn’t find much, but there’s still so much that points to the supernatural in this town! I know for certain it’s real, Drifty.”
“Right.” Drift hummed, “And that led to you cutting your hair… Why? If I may ask, Shel, I don’t want to pressure you. I’m.. just worried.”
“Well.. ah… My- my hair is rather bright, kinda a beacon that would make the supernatural run if they saw! And since it’s.. ah- easy to see, the less of it, the better.” Shelby bit their tongue, an action she immediately regretted, as it rapidly reminded them that she now had fangs to worry about.
Drift tilted her head to the side, a concern look highlighted in her eyes.
“I’m okay, Drift, I promise.” Shelby mumbled, fingers twisting together, she could not meet Drift’s eyes again.
“I trust you.” She hummed, placing a soft hand on Shelby’s shoulder.
Shelby could not withhold the wince at the words she, themself, had spoken to Owen and Scott just last night. God, how had it only been a few hours since Shelby had been turned? It felt as if it were weeks ago.
She had to trust. They had to. Because if she didn’t everything would fall apart. Scott was their friend. He wanted to spend eternity with her, for God’s sake! He wouldn’t have turned them if he didn’t like her, he wouldn’t have dealt with them for so long if he didn’t like her! Scott was their friend, he was her friend. They trusted him. They did.
“But how was your night?” Shelby asked, trying for a grin.
Drift smiled, clearing seeing the shift in conversation, “Quiet, nothing really.”
“Not even more vampire talk from Avid?”
“No, he mellows out when there aren’t other people around.”
Silence wrapped around the two friends. Shelby fidgeted with her fingers, glancing around the quiet house. Home, it wasn’t just a house, it was Shelby’s home.
“Drift… I.. can I tell you something?” They hated lying to her, she hated lying to their friends.
“Go for it.”
“I.. am a vampire.”
Drift blinked, “… Okay.. you’re not joking, Avid was right?”
Shelby nodded, smiling awkwardly.
Another beat, “You got turned last night.” Drift pieced together, “That explains the shift in behavior and how set Scott was on letting you rest. I’m willing to bet Scott turned you, correct?”
Shelby blinked, her turn to be confused, it seemed, “I- yes, how did you—”
“Which means the Bigfoot hunt was likely a lie to get you out on your own. The one problem is Owen having gone with you, so… That would mean Owen is a vampire as well.”
Shelby laughed nervously, “How did you piece that together?”
“Simple context clues.” Drift shrugged, “Thank you for telling me, I know that wasn’t easy. Don’t worry, I’ll keep your secret.” She winked.
They smiled, a real one this time, displaying her fangs, “Thank you, Drifty!” They hugged the woman, “… Scott’s probably not gonna be super happy about this.”
“Your hair, or me knowing?”
“Both, probably the hair, more so.”