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Chapter Text

Tony often wonders what's the worst thing of the shitty situation they are currently in, and it's indeed a tricky question. The arrival of vampires caused a lot of shit, but what was the worst of it?

The answer depends on the person, actually. Some people would say the worst is that humanity is clearly not strong enough to face the vampires, so they now feel vulnerable and incapable of protecting their families if they're unfortunate enough to be under attack.

Others would say the worst is that vampires dominate most of the globe now, and that the cruelest of them are used to organizing human trafficking or selling human slaves to allow the vampires who want it to possess their own “blood bag”, as they like to call them.

But that's not the worst, for Tony.

The worst is that vampires believe they're superior to them: they think humans are their belongings, some vulgar weak preys they can feed on whenever they feel like it. Humans are just seen as meals, incapable of being dangerous.

Tony had been the first to prove them wrong.

Well, technically, he had not been the first man to resist against the Vampires Invasion, but Tony is one of the first to really damage those monsters with his own weapons and technology. He's called a hunter, meaning a human who can vie to vampires, who decides to fight them.

He's a hunter like the rest of the Avengers.

Nobody knows how vampires arrived on Earth. There is no solid explanation. Vampires most likely just came out of nowhere, many, many years ago. They have many names: Night Creatures, Creatures of the Moon, vampires...

Tony, or even his great-great-great grandfather weren't even born when the first vampires appeared and began to spread like wildfire. They had brought destruction wherever they went, leaving corpses behind them.

Sadly, humanity's first reaction had not been fighting back or defending themselves to preserve their species, but fear and desperation. Tony can't totally blame them for being panicked.

Vampires are indeed terrifying. They're faster, stronger and smarter than humans, and the most terrifying element about them is that nobody knows where they're from, so almost all suggestions and hypothesis are subject to approval, even the oddest.

Some say they come from the Dark, that they're demons, that they're the children of the Devil, others claim that they're living dead, that they're cursed, toxic, or literally the living representation of Evil...

For years, people had thought vampires were flawless. They had spent most of their time running from vampires instead of trying to find a way to fight them, that's why vampires so easily gained ground and began to dominate cities, and the human race in general.

That didn't take them a lot of effort, in fact, and they quickly became numerous, to such a point that today the town, where Tony and the rest of the Avengers live in, is one of the last cities that's still led by humans. That's rare, nowadays.

And Tony has to work harder if he wants to keep it that way.

“When was the last time you've eaten, Tony? You know... Gulping down real food, ” Clint's voice interrupts his gloomy thoughts, as the archer enters the lab and approaches him.

Tony doesn't even have to turn around to know that Clint holds a plate in his hand, and has a look of disapproval on his face. God, he almost looks and sounds like Steve, and one Steve is enough.

“Honestly?” Tony nonchalantly shrugs, as if it doesn't matter. “I have no idea. The sun will go down soon, we have to be ready.”

“Alright,” Clint signs, but he doesn't insist. “I'm your personal waiter then, you should feel honoured: Pasta.”

Tony has to admit the plate smells delicious, and his stomach starts to rumble. He's hungry. He sends a shining grin at Barton as he takes the plate. “Thanks, Legolas.”

Clint stays quiet for a time, letting Tony the time to enjoy his meal as he takes a few bites, but he soon finds out the way to carry on his reproach. “Tony, you need to take care of yourself, or-”

“Don't you have more interesting things to talk about?” Tony stubbornly interrupts him, and the message is clear: he doesn't want this conversation to continue.

“Alright...” Clint gives up, and he changes the subject. “You've got something for me, then?”

Tony smirked. He can talk about his weapons, and they both know it. “Maybe... I don't know if you deserve them, though. I hope you were a good boy...”

Clint lifts an eyebrow. “I've just brought you a delicious plate...”

“Fair enough,” Tony grins. “I'm feeling generous today, anyway. Thirty more for you, ” By saying that, Tony opens a large drawer, and retrieves the new arrows he's just finished making.

He hands them to Clint.

Now gathered in the archer's hand, Tony watches these sharp arrows with pride. These were his creation, he has even carved his initials into them. He had always been doing that, actually, despite the team's multiple reproaches about it.

Yes, he knows that it's mostly his ego talking, that it's a provocation, but he can't help it: he wants these bloody bloodsucker bastards to know that somewhere, a mere human being is able to defy them and endanger them.

Most of the vampires already know who he is and how he looks, but he doesn't really care. He had accepted to be a target a long time ago, the second he had decided to fight those demons instead of kowtow like most of the humans.

Tony had always been a fighter, and he had never believed that vampires were invincible. He knew vampires could bleed. And if a creature can bleed, it means it can be killed.

The point had been to figure out how they could be killed.

And thankfully, time and intensive research, little by little, revealed their weaknesses, or at least some of them, such as the fact that they are weaker in full sunlight, and that some specific weapons are able to harm them, and even kill them if they're plunged into their frozen, still heart.

The kind of weapons doesn't matter. It can be arrows, knives or stakes, but the material is important; the only weapons that can endanger a vampire are made of ash tree or aspen, just like the arrows he has given to Clint.

The second Tony had been certain of how effective these weapons were, his personal lab had been totally dedicated to the creation and the distribution of these specific weapons throughout the city, and that hasn't changed ever since.

That's their town's most precious means of defense against those monsters, so Tony cherishes them.

“They're lighter...” Barton notices, looking at his new arrows for a time before carefully stuffing them in his quiver.

“Yep,” Tony nods. “They'll be faster this way, and don't worry,” He winks. “They're still solid.”

“I don't doubt it,” The archer smiles. He knows how talented Tony is. “Ready for tonight?”

“Born ready,” Tony wriggles his eyebrows. “I'm Iron Man, remember? Also known as ''The Fighter Against The Dark'', ''The Light in the Dark'', but my favorite is definitely ''The Savior of Human Race''. I like how that sounds. It totally fits me, in fact. These people got it right,” Well, he is just saving his city for now, but that's something.

They both start laughing, despite how nervous they actually are, deep inside. The Avengers had always been acting during the night to chase vampires away from their city, because that was when the demons would loom by to feed themselves.

Yes, even if the town is constantly protected by the Avengers, it doesn't prevent small groups of vampires from coming here. The oldest vampires are able to get through Tony's protective shield around the city. The older a vampire is, the more powerful and strong he becomes.

Clint opens his mouth, but he doesn't have the time to say a word, as another voice, more serious than theirs, cuts him off. “You deserve all of these titles, Tony...”

That's Steve Rogers, alias Captain America, one of the Avengers' best recruit.

“Oh my god, Cap,” Tony pretends to gape, pressing his hand against his chest in mock shock. “Have you just complimented me or was it a dream? Please, tell me it was not a dream!”

A tiny smile crosses Steve's face. “Don't get used to it.”

“Too late.”

Steve is right, though.

It was Tony who brought hope in this small, isolated town. It was Tony who managed to protect people and to give them the opportunity to fight back, thanks to all of his created weapons. And thanks to the Avengers, who have the mission to protect the city, people feel safer.

However, even though he's done a lot for his town, Tony wants to do more.

A part of him wants to be able to distribute his weapons all over the world, in order to give the entire human population the opportunity to defend themselves against this dreadful threat, but another part of him, far more lucid than the other, knows it is an utopic wish.

The world is in chaos, mostly dominated by vampires, and Tony doesn't have enough resources to expend his weapons throughout the whole world. He knows he has to just protect his town and its population for now, and that's already a lot of work.

“Where's your sword, Cap?” Clint asks, leaning nonchalantly against the wall.

Steve calmly corrects him, for the thousandth time perhaps. “It's a shield.”

“Yeah, but you use it to cut heads off, so it's more a round sword than a shield...” Barton sneers.

Decapitation is the other efficient way of killing a vampire, and it's Steve's speciality. He doesn't like decapitating people, even if they're technically not people anymore, only heartless monsters, but his quick shield, when he's thrown, manages to cut through the air, so cutting heads off is easy for him.

Steve's attention was back to Tony, and he frowns, with his typical I-am-so-disappointed-in-you look. “You do not look good, Tony...” Steve's voice is still calm, polite and gentle. No rudeness or vulgarity, as always.

Tony rolls his eyes. “You're so nice to me, Cap.”

“Well, he was nice... He could've said you look like crap,” Barton comments with a smirk, but Steve stays serious, as usual, and his worried eyes are still on Tony. “You kept working on the preparation, didn't you?”

“Bingo,” Tony says, and he points at them. “By the way, you two need your injection,” The product in question is a sort of vaccine Tony had been working on for mounths. Basically, it would make your blood toxic for the vampires who tries to drink it; your blood would be undrinkable.

However, this preparation, even if it's a genius idea, has many problems, the worst of them being that it doesn't last long, which means that even if you inject it, you are not protected forever.

It usually stays in one's blood a few days, and then it is needed to inject it again. Tony has to find a way to make it permanent.

“What's the matter with it?” Steve frowns, and even Clint becomes serious. They all know this product could be the big chance to save humanity: indeed, if the humans' blood becomes undrinkable, the vampires wouldn't have any reason to attack mortals, and they would die in the process.

Vampires need blood to stay ''alive'', after all.

“The... ''vaccine'' is fine, actually.”

“But?” Clint asks.

Tony rubs his face tiredly. “But I need to make it permanent and I need to modify it to suit all people's blood. We don't all have the same blood, between blood group-”

“So, you think there'll be bodies who would reject the injection...” Steve warily guesses, and Tony doesn't blame him for being mentally tired. It's frustrating to have a solution at your fingertips, but not efficient enough to make a difference.

For now.

“Yes. And-”

“Guys?” Natasha's voice comes out of their connected earpieces. They all shut their mouth and look at each other with a sense of gravity. They know what it means.

Natasha has spotted vampires.

Some vampires are here.

“What do you see, Natasha?” Tony calmly asks, even though his blood is literally boiling inside his veins.

Natasha, alias Black Widow, is most of the time the Avengers's scout, meaning she's constantly covering the city to spot vampires during the night. To spot them efficiently, she uses her technological watch that can detect a heartbeat.

After all, all of the vampires are dead, so their heart doesn't beat.

She had refused the injection the second Tony had suggested her. She had said that she's supposed to go unnoticed, and vampires would smell that her blood is different if she accepts the injection, and that would alarm them. This means her blood is always drinkable, contrary to the other members of the team.

Tony respects her deeply for that.

That's brave of her.

“Seven assholes, near the city hall,” Natasha quietly says, seething with anger. “They've spotted their snack already: it's a woman and a little child, probably hers. They're in black but one of them is wearing a green hood. We've already met them: it's Mordo and some of his followers. You guys need to kick their asses once and for all. I can interv-”

“Natasha,” Clint firmly shakes his head, worry clear in his voice. “You can't go alone, you don't stand a chance against them.”

“You've always underestimated me-”

“Are you sure they're alone?” Steve hastily interrupts her, and they hear her sigh. “I can't be 100% sure, but there's no one except them. We have to act.”

Steve's features are twisted in worry, and it doesn't help. Tony knows Captain America is cautious and careful, so he must be afraid of a possible trap.

And to be honest, it's possible.

“These bloody bloodsuckers think that here is their personal restaurant...” Natasha snaps. “We need to stop them, guys.”

“You have to wait for us, Nat,” Clint demands, but the second they hear a short but sharp chuckle, they know Black Widow won't obey. That's not surprising. “I've got guns, I can shoot them... I won't miss.”

“Bullets don't kill vampires,” Steve argues.

“I know,” They can hear Nat's smug smile in her voice. “but I do think that getting shot in the knee would be painful enough to make them bellow.”

Tony can't help the tiny smile dancing on his lips, but Steve does not seem amused in the least. He thoughtfully rubs his chin, narrowing his eyes. “They've come a few times in the past, and they've never killed-”

“So what?” Tony grits his teeth. “Just because Mordo and his followers don't kill their fucking meal, it means they're friendly?”

Steve blinks, a little taken aback by Tony's harsh reaction, but he still replies with a calm tone. “That's not what I said.”

“I hope so. I don't care if they kill or not: human beings are not bloody meals.”

“Yep, I agree with Tony,” Natasha says. “And I never thought I would actually say that sentence.”

“Didn't you consider the fact that it can be a trap?” Steve finally expresses his fear, sounding a little annoyed. “Vampires know we are here, they know we will intervene and Mordo has already fought us before. Tony, we're a threat to them.”

“Oh, it's probably a trap,” Tony coldly replies. “But I don't give a shit, they need to be stopped, ” Before the group can react, Tony walks towards his armor, and he announces. “Suit up, guys! We're going to kick Dracula's ass.”

OoO

“Please,” The blond woman is more sobbing than talking at this point, but it doesn't seem to shake Mordo. The vampire keeps holding her firmly by seizing her arms, his face illegible and cold. He's far stronger than a mere mortal, so her pathetic struggles don't even make him budge.

He manages to pin her against a wall and she's totally at his mercy, but he stays still. He doesn't lay a hand on her, and he doesn't bite her neck.

Not yet.

He has to wait.

Wait till they arrive.

He remembers how difficult it had been just to wait.

Mordo is one of the oldest vampires in existence, and he had learned many years ago how to put his blood thirst under control. It had been hard, very hard at first, but he had gotten help, at a place called Kamar-Taj.

The Ancient One, his former mentor, had helped him to channel his strong impulses, to live with his demons.

He's not the only one who's suffered, though. Practically every single vampire who wants to control himself must learn painfully how not to be driven by his thirst for blood.

And Mordo, with time and patience, has succeeded. Now, he can wait, be calm and collected, instead of throwing himself on his prey like a wild, starved beast to suck blood, and tearing throats apart.

Thinking of the Ancient One makes his throat suddenly dry. Her betrayal is still hard to accept.

“Oh my god, please...”

“Shh...” Mordo tries to soothe her. He doesn't want her to be terrified. “Stop crying, it's going to be OK. I'm not going to kill you. I'm just going to feed myself,” He's not lying. Mordo is many things, but he's not cruel with innocent people.

He doesn't kill his preys unless he has to. He only kills if it's necessary or by revenge, but humans, for the most part, are harmless and have done nothing to him. He actually needs humans to keep living, so why killing them? It would be a total waste.

Without human blood, a vampire perishes.

“No... No...” Of course, she doesn't seem to believe him.

Great.

Mordo forces himself not to roll his eyes. “You need to relax, it's not a big deal. You have to see that like... collecting,” This seems to calm her down a bit, because she most likely didn't expect this.

Mordo carries on. “When you take a piece of fruit from a tree for example, you don't destroy or kill the tree, you just take from it to feed yourself, it accepts to give you what you need. It's in the natural order of things. That's exactly what I'm doing right now.”

The woman stays silent for a moment, gaping, but when she sees one of Mordo's followers bringing her child closer, she starts panicking again, and she yells. “No! My child, my child, he's... not him, not my child, oh please-”

“We're not going to hurt your child,” Mordo snaps. He casts a warning glance at his followers, and he orders them. “And we're not going to use him.”

One of his followers tilts his head to the side, obviously confused by this demand. “Master?”

“He's too young,” Mordo explains. “If one of us tries to feed on him, he probably wouldn't survive the blood loss,” His tone turns into something darker. “So, nobody touches the kid, even if you want to. Got it?”

“Yes, Master,” They all agrees, bowing respectfully at him. His followers are far younger than him, but not stupid. That's good.

Mordo nods.

“But with due respect, Master,” One of them says with a shaking voice, glancing at the woman. “I thought we were not supposed to feed ourselves tonight, but to wait for the A-”

“I know that,” Mordo lifts an eyebrow, grinning a little at the woman. “But that doesn't mean I can't have a little snack,” He half-opens his mouth and let his fangs lengthen for all to see.

The woman's eyes widen in fear, and she swallows, her entire body shaking. “What... What are you... waiting for...?” She manages to stammer.

And then, the tiny grin widens on Mordo's cold face. It promises violence. “We're waiting for the Avengers.”

Chapter Text

Mordo wastes no time. The second he finishes his sentence, he widely opens his mouth, bringing his long fangs out. Ignoring the woman's terrified shriek, he pierces her neck just where the flesh is tender and he drinks.

He vaguely hears a strangled gasp and a moan of pain from his victim, but he doesn't care. Her futile struggles and her panicked sobs don't stop him either. He feels her blood filling his mouth, and he closes his brown eyes, allowing himself to ignore his surroundings just for a short time and he enjoys this.

Nothing matters when he's drinking blood. The world around him fades away and he only focuses on the delicious, unique taste of human blood inside his mouth that overwhelms all his senses and his thoughts.

It becomes his only reason of living.

He's careful not to cause unnecessary pain, and not to tear the woman's throat apart with his teeth. He needs the woman alive. He also doesn't let blood coming out of his mouth and dribbling down his chin as he drinks.

Only brainless, wild vampires drink blood that way.

He's so engrossed that the alarming voice of one of his followers seems far away, so it takes him longer than necessary to react. “Master!”

With an annoyed growl, Mordo withdraws his teeth from his prey's neck, and turns around to glare at his follower who had dared to interrupt him. He's about to ask him harshly what's happening, but a sudden gunshot cuts him off.

The gunshot is followed by a cry of pain, and Mordo sees one of his followers – the one who was holding the kid – drop to his knees, his both hands pressed against his knee. He sees, at the corner of the eye, the woman's child running towards his savior while heavily sobbing.

Mordo can't help but rolling his eyes at this dramatic entrance, but a part of him, the savage and dark one, is thrilled by the Avengers's arrival.

The party can begin...

“Hello, boys!” A self-assured, feigned joyful female voice breaks the silence, as the kid takes refuge behind her legs. “Oh, sorry, am I interrupting something?”

Mordo smirks at the red-haired woman in front of them. He admits deep down that he's impressed by her guts: she's just a mere mortal, and he can smell that her blood is not protected. She's vulnerable, and they all know that mere guns are not enough to stop a vampire.

Yet, she proudly stands, ready to fight them and protect the child. She quickly moves her head down to the boy, and meets his terrified eyes.

“Run,” She whispers to him, and she gives him a quick, reassuring smile. “We'll take care of your mum.”

The child hesitates for a second, but he ends up obeying. The vampires don't make a move to catch him, and they can feel the blond woman's relief: she believes her son is safe.

“You know...” Mordo purrs, slowly using his thumb to wipe away a drop of blood from his bottom lip. “It's rude to interrupt someone's meal...”

The woman – Natasha, that's her name – firmly points her gun at him, and her hands don't shake. She lets disgust twist her beautiful features as Mordo keeps the woman near him. “It's also rude to eat a person's neck without asking permission, Mordo... Didn't you get the memo last time? We don't want you here.”

“Oh, it's quite obvious.”

The vampire who's been shot manages to pull the bullet out of his knee with a groan of pain, and he lets the gunshot wound close by itself, gritting his teeth and glaring up at Natasha.

Black Widow isn't shocked, but it's still a strange sight: the wound magically closes itself and disappears as if it never existed. Then, the vampire stands up.

Natasha holds his gaze defiantly, but she still hopes the rest of the Avengers will come soon. She won't live for long otherwise.

“Where are your friends?” Mordo asks innocently.

Natasha forces a laugh. “Oh, they're boys. Always late...”

“I see...” Mordo grins. “Well, it would be a shame if they're too late to help you, wouldn't it?”

The second he says his threat, two of his followers throw themselves at Natasha. With her human, but still very efficient, reflexes, she manages to shoot at one of them in the belly despite his inhuman rapidity, stopping him in his tracks, but the second one reaches her and violently grasps her hair.

She can't help but yelp as her head is violently being thrown back, but before the vampire decides to snap her neck or drink her blood, a sharp arrow goes through the attacker's hand, making him let go of her.

Clint has arrived.

“Don't touch her, freak!” Clint angrily shouts.

He shoots another arrow, this time aiming at the vampire's heart. The creature easily dodges it, and he bares his teeth at him. The arrow is still stuck in the palm of his hand.

He's about to attack the archer, but Steve Rogers is now standing between them and he hits him with his shield, making the vampire stumble back a few steps. Thanks to the super soldier serum, Steve's strength is close to vampires'.

While Rogers is pushing the monster back, Clint helps Natasha getting up and he checks if she's OK. He gives her an arrow she can use as a dagger.

Mordo has been quietly watching their arrival, smile on the lips. Everything goes as plan, that's good.

Now, his target needs to arrive, and then he'll have the revenge he's waited for so long.

He'll finally make Iron Man pay for all of his friends he has killed.

Mordo had been patient. He's been coming here a few times with some of his followers, pretending to come here to find a human. He knew the Avengers – and consequently Tony Stark – were living here, and he knew they would intervene and try to chase him away from their territory.

His true purpose had not been to seek blood, but to see the Avengers's mode of attack and strategies, to be able to create the best trap afterwards.

And it looks like he'll succeed.

Mordo feels the blond woman move near him, trying to run away to join her son, but he easily stops her by grabbing her neck.

The three Avengers continue fighting, but the vampires surround them, baring their teeth. They're trapped. The moment the Avengers believe they're lost, an explosion sound draws everyone's attention, and they breathe easier.

Tony is here.

Tony Stark, in his red and gold armor, flies at full speed towards them. Elevated, he stretches his arm in front of him, and fires at the vampires surrounding the three Avengers to disperse them.

The contents of his fires are toxic for vampires. They're made with the same component as the preparation, the ''vaccine'' that's currently coursing through his veins, and through Clint's and Steve's. It can't kill vampires, but it's painful and unpleasant for them.

Four vampires are touched by Tony's fires, and they end up screaming. They put their hands on their face as their flesh burns, and they send a desperate look to Mordo, silently begging him to help them.

Mordo grits his teeth. He can't stand to see his friends suffer, especially because of Tony Stark who've brought enough destruction already. It takes one glance at his intact followers for them to understand what Mordo wants them to do.

He needs Tony on the ground and not in the air, otherwise he won't be vulnerable.

The followers hasten to join him and they take over, grasping the woman's arms to prevent her from leaving, letting Mordo attack.

Mordo looks at Tony flying, and he gathers speed. He's so fast he can't be seen by humans, but it doesn't prevent Tony from trying to aim at him and firing.

Mordo avoids the fires. He knows that if he's hit, he would be too injured to put Tony down, and his vengeance would fall through.

When he's close enough, he jumps in the air. Understanding what Mordo wants to do, Tony's eyes widen and he tries to soar to be out of reach, but it's too late.

The vampire manages to grasp his armoured foot, and with incredible strength and despite Tony's fire power, Mordo pulls down and he manages to bring Iron Man down with him.

Tony drops hard to the ground, and he grits his teeth to prevent a groan of pain from coming out. He feels Mordo trying to straddle him to keep him still on the ground, but Tony doesn't let him.

He takes a stake from the forearm of his armor, and he tries to stab Mordo in the heart.

The vampire stops Tony's hand holding the stake a few centimeters away from his chest by taking his wrist, and he squeezes, making Tony let go of the weapon that goes a few meters away from them.

Tony curses.

Damn it!

Mordo smirks, but Tony recovers quickly and he suddenly aims at Mordo's belly.

And then he fires at full blast.

The vampire doubles over, and Tony takes advantage of that. With the help of his strong armour, he kicks the vampire away from him. Mordo stumbles a few steps back. His hands are pressed against his stomach, and his face is twisted by pain.

Tony breathes easier for a second, but at the corner of the eye, he sees movement, and his heart almost skips a beat. Another vampire is rushing towards him, all claws out.

Tony sees Steve throwing his shield towards him to stop the monster, but he misses the vampire's head.

Tony doesn't think. He gets back on his feet and he rushes towards the stake on the ground. It's only a few meters away. He can do it, he can be fast enough.

Please, make him reach the weapon before the vampire gets to him...

He throws himself at the stake with a cry, as he hears the vampire getting closer and closer to him. The second Tony's hand grasps the weapon, he brandishes it in front of him like a protective shield and closes his eyes.

He doesn't even have to move further. The vampire, by throwing himself at him, impales himself on the stake. Right in the heart.

The vampire gapes, his face close to Tony's. He tries to take the weapon out of his chest, but it's too late. His heart is stabbed. His veins slowly become black, and his usually pale skin turns green.

The vampire falls to the ground, and he doesn't move anymore. Tony stands up with shaking legs, and he takes a few steps back to join the other Avengers, trying to calm down his breathing.

The vampire is dead.

“No!” Mordo yells, and he feels his eyes burning, but he forces himself to repress his tears.

He is seething with anger. He feels his hands shake, and the savage part of him wants to massacre, to cause a dirty, memorable blood bath.

Not yet... He forces himself to calm down. He will have his revenge, that's why he came here after all, but he has to stay collected and calm.

And then, he runs. The Avengers fear that he's going to attack them, but Mordo doesn't seem to care about them for now. He rushes towards the vampire's corpse, kneels down near him, and he closes the dead body's eyes.

Mordo barely notices that none of the Avengers try to stop him or attack again.

All of them, vampires and Avengers, are frozen in place, as if time stopped. The Avengers seem to respect Mordo's grief, even Tony himself. It's hard to tell in his case though, because his helmet covers his face.

Maybe they let him because they all already lived that pain, or maybe because they're too stunned to react. Indeed, the Avengers probably don't expect vampires to grief.

“For how long...” Mordo whispers, and his voice sounds hoarse, almost broken. “For how long will you bring death, Tony Stark?” He stands up, and glares at Tony. “You've killed so many of my kind that I can't even keep a list of your murders. Most of them were dear to me...”

He points at his follower's dead body, and he shouts. “He was a good man!”

“Good man, my ass!” Tony clenches his fists. He doesn't believe what he's hearing: he's the murder, now? “I've just killed a monster who was attacking me!”

Mordo's heart hurts. His follower wanted to protect him...

“Oh, and you want to keep a list?” Tony continues. “That sounds fun, could you also list all the human vampires killed without even a second thought? It will keep you busy for a long time.”

Mordo's rage prevents him from understanding the man in front of him. Stark has to pay, has to suffer.

He doesn't want to kill Iron Man, death would be too merciful. He had thought for a long time about what could be the worst to live for a proud man like Tony, and he knows exactly what he has to do.

Mordo chuckles darkly. “You hate vampires because you think they kill without thinking, and yet that's exactly what you do: you murder without thinking about who you're killing,” He growls. “You're not better than the vampires you hate, Iron Man.”

This casts a chill. No one speaks for a moment, even Tony stays silent. It's hard to tell what Tony is thinking of, as his face can't be seen, but Mordo's sure he's hit a nerve.

“That's enough playing,” Natasha hisses, and Mordo can't stop his wild smirk. “At least, we agree on something, Hunter.”

Without warning, Mordo rushes towards the sobbing woman, and he takes her by the throat, cutting her air off. Her feet don't touch the ground anymore. “Don't move!” Mordo shouts and all of the Avengers freezes and look at him with fear.

They know Mordo's capable of killing her, especially when he's that furious. Now, he doesn't care who's going to get hurt. “Don't you dare move a muscle, or I cut her throat!”

Mordo exults. He knows he's won, he knows he's got the advantage.

“Well, well, well...” He mocks, baring his teeth. “It seems we have reached an impasse.”

OoO

“And then he says to me, If I'm so incompetent as you say, maybe it's because I have a terrible teacher,” Stephen forces a laugh to show how stupid he thinks this reply is. “Do you believe that? It's my fault now if he's not able to follow my orders-”

“Stephen...” Wong interrupts him with his usual blasé tone. He enjoys the silence that follows his speaking in the library, and he continues when he's sure he's got Stephen's attention. “My head is making enough racket without your help.”

He massages his temple, wincing at his headache.

It seems to shut Stephen up for a short moment, and Wong carries on, opening two books of his office. “Translation: I don't care about your quarrels with Peter. It must be the third of the week, anyway.”

“The fourth, actually...” Stephen mutters under his breath. He crosses his arms against his chest and he sighs.

That simple act of sighing would've looked weird if they were not in Kamar-Taj. Indeed, vampires don't breathe, so they don't need to sigh, but at Kamar-Taj, most vampires keep their human reflexes, such as sighing when they are bored, sad or relieved.

Vampires of Kamar-Taj are not very liked by other vampires, especially extremists who want to sever all ties to their past life as a human, because they don't want to be associated with mere human beings who are ''inferior'' to them.

Yet, every single vampire used to be human. A vampire is actually a human who's been turned into a vampire by another vampire, and some of them truly want to forget that.

That's pathetic.

“I'm just... annoyed,” Stephen continues, rubbing his face with his shaking hands full of scars. “Peter's made a lot of progress lately, he has managed to control himself more than once in the past few weeks, but... It's still fresh and new for him... He can easily relapse.”

Wong softens. “You're not annoyed. You're just worried about him, that's different,” Stephen sends him an indignant look, and Wong forces himself not to roll his eyes.

Stephen doesn't like being told that he cares about people, even when it's obvious. He prefers to be seen as a cold, uncaring asshole, and Wong doesn't know why. Despite their recurrent arguments, Peter and Stephen share a strong bond, nobody can say otherwise.

“Look, Stephen...” Wong tries to reassure him, even though he understands his apprehension. “Peter's fight against his blood thirst is far from being over, but he's on the right track. The kid's strong, and he has you by his side to help him, so he'll be fine.”

“Yeah, maybe...” Stephen doesn't really sound convinced, but his features are less tensed than before.

Wong purses his lips, and he closes his books. “He's lucky to have you, you know... Most of us didn't have the chance to have someone by our side at the beginning of our... transformation.”

Stephen can't hide his surprise. Wong's not used to giving compliments, after all. A half-smile crosses Wong's usually still face, and he turns around to put his books away on the shelves. “You take your role very seriously, Stephen. It's good, and rather cute if I'm being honest.”

Stephen narrows his blue eyes. “What's that supposed to mean?”

Wong stops what he's doing in favor of looking his friend straight in the eye. “You care about him.”

“I don't...” Stephen scowls. “I'm his Transformer, it's perfectly normal that I help him, it has nothing to do with attachment.”

The librarian just lifts an eyebrow.

To turn a human into a vampire, the human in question must die and have some vampire blood in his veins at the moment he kicks the bucket. The turned humans are called ''Transformed'', and they have their own ''Transformer'', meaning the vampire who shared his blood with them to turn them.

The Transformer and his Transformed share a specific bond, because they have the same blood. If they see each other a lot, the bond grows: They can feel each other's emotions, and for the strongest of them, they can influence each other's emotions, feelings, and even thoughts.

Most of the time, it's the Transformed who's manipulated.

However, having such a strong bond growing is very rare, because most of vampires hate their Transformers and do their best to run from them. But it's not the case with Peter and Stephen. The second Stephen turned Peter into a vampire, he stayed by his side and showed his wish to help him, and Peter accepted him.

Stephen feels responsible for him, but there's more than that. He cares about the kid, and Peter sees him as the father he never had. They've known each other for years.

That's why their bond is that strong.

“Really?” Wong replies. “Most of the Transformers don't give a shit about their Transformed, and you know that. I mean: Did you get help from yours?”

It's a rhetorical question, Wong knows how merciless Stephen's Transformer is.

Oh, he doesn't know who he is, so it's a supposition, but a supposition he's practically sure of. After all, Stephen never talks about his Transformer or about his past, and his silence is enough to understand that Stephen does his best to forget.

And seeing Stephen flinch only reinforces Wong's supposition. Stephen's Transformer must have been a monster with him.

Wong hates knowing that.

“Let's talk about something else,” Stephen clears his throat, and he suddenly put a photography on Wong's office. The impact's been harsh, despite Stephen's fragile, shaking hands. “Were you aware of this?”

Judging by the tone of his deep voice, he already knows the answer, and it doesn't please him. Wong barely gives the image a glance. He knows very well what this is about.

The picture in question shows a slave-market, photographed from above. We can see a huge stage made of wood in the center where all the humans are presented and exposed. They are a dozen.

A massive crowd of vampires, in front of the stage, looks at the humans like their future properties.

All of it is organized by a strange man in front of the crowd, surely a vampire as well. He's really skinny, and his ashen pallor makes him ugly and almost disfigured.

Wong knows who that is, but he doesn't share his knowledge with Stephen: he's called Ebony Maw, one of Mordo's acquaintance since he has left Kamar-Taj.

The human slaves look a terrible sight. Weak, deathly pale for the most part, they are firmly tied up, their hands cuffed above their head. They're shirtless, so we can clearly see their dirty and bloody torso full of bite marks and cuts.

If they're shirtless, it's because it allows the vampires who're interested to taste a few of them, to choose the slave, their future personal "blood bag", they prefer. Indeed, human beings don't taste the same.

“Where did you get that?” Wong asks.

“That's not the point, Wong,” Stephen frowns. “But if you truly want to know, I've got contacts, even out of Kamar-Taj... This picture was taken two days ago, and my contact said to me that this is happening every night, at the same place.”

Wong says with a calm voice, although he's disgusted by what he sees in this picture. “There's nothing new here... I've heard that more and more slave-markets become established... It's alarming, but nothing new.”

Stephen's jaw clenches, and his eyes hardens into anger. “And it didn't occur to you to just... I don't know, share this detail to us?”

Of course, Stephen would be indignant about it, and the librarian couldn't blame him. “This image has been taken a few kilometers away from Kamar-Taj," Stephen explains." And it is said there are two more slave markets, near this one...”

“You must focus on Kamar-Taj, not what's happening in the rest of the world.”

Stephen growls. “Who cares about Kamar-Taj when this is happening?! We have to do something about it.”

Wong almost chokes. “We?”

“Yes. I refuse to stay here, twiddling my thumbs, whereas this is happening.”

Wong hears the stubbornness in Stephen's tone, and that doesn't reassure him at all.

“Look at them, Wong; they're reduced to slaves, and they're sold! They're beaten, famished, tortured, and treated as properties just to satisfy vampire's selfish desires. Humans are not inferior, and they do not deserve that... Nothing deserves this treatment... It's barbaric.”

Stephen can't help but think about Mordo, and his heart squeezes. He's sure Mordo would've approved this if he knew. Well, maybe he already knows that's happening...

Maybe he wouldn't approved the unhuman life conditions of the slaves, but he's always defended the idea that humans are made to be vampires' meals. It's in the ''natural order'': just like the antelope must be eaten by the lion, vampires must feed on humans.

It's the food chain, according to him.

“I know it's barbaric,” Wong purses his lips. “But we have to-”

He can't finish his sentence, because a timid, but curious voice interrupts him from behind. “What's barbaric?”

They both turn around, and they face without surprise Peter Parker, smiling shyly at them at the entrance of the library. Stephen quickly hides the photo from the kid's sharp eyes, putting it inside his pocket.

Seeing all eyes on him makes Peter blush and he's now nervous. Stephen feels his frozen heart melt in fondness. The kid's adorable. It's impressive how a dead teenager is more alive than some humans who are still breathing.

“Oh! Err...” Peter stammers. “Hello, and no! I was not listening to your conversation in secret at all, I'm just passing by, and...”

“Why did you come here?” Stephen asks, but he doesn't sound annoyed.

Instead of responding, Peter gently touches his chest near his heart, and the answer is quite obvious: He felt that Stephen was upset, so he decided to come and see if everything was OK. Of course, he doesn't know why Stephen is upset, and it's better that way.

Peter doesn't need to know about this... human trafficking.

That doesn't explain why he's hiding something behind his back, Stephen suddenly realizes. “As touching as it is, what are you hiding?” He asks, intrigued.

Peter blinks. “Oh!” He says, as if he had forgotten he's been carrying something. As Stephen rolls his eyes, the kid shyly holds a blood bag out to Stephen. “For you, Grandpa. Peace offering. And I know it's been a while since you've eaten, so...”

Stephen almost fails to hide his fond smile.

That's kind of Peter.

He takes the blood bag from the kid, and opens it. He starts drinking it, closing his eyelids. Stephen feels his fangs lengthen.

He takes another sip and effortlessly stops, giving it back to Peter, as if he's been drinking mere syrup. The teenager doesn't say anything and accept the blood bag back, but he's still impressed with how easily Stephen controls himself.

He hopes he'll manage to do the same and be as nonchalant with human blood as Stephen, one day.

“Try to take only three sips of the blood bag,” Stephen demands. “Slowly. OK?”

“Slowly, I know,” Peter rolls his eyes, but he still smiles. Contrary to Stephen, he doesn't mind showing his emotions. “You've already said that to me a million times. You ramble... You're getting old, aren't you?”

Wong smiles, as the kid chuckles at his own joke. Then, Peter becomes serious again under Stephen's cold and serious gaze, and he stares at his mentor with unsure eyes. He's not sure he can do it.

Three sips...

“You can do it, Peter,” Stephen says, reading the uncertainty and the fear on the teenager's face. “Remember what I've said; slowly, calmly, without haste.”

Peter nods. He takes a deep breath, perfectly knowing he doesn't need it, but it helps him focus. He starts drinking, carefully following Stephen's command.

Slowly, calmly, without haste.

Slowly, calmly, without haste.

He mustn't be controlled by his thirst, he must be the one who controls it. He must focus. It's hard, but it's feasible. Three sips. God, it's not enough. It's not enough. It's not enough...

“Peter, stop.”

Stephen's deep and firm voice is enough to snap him back to reality, and Peter manages, not without difficulty, to take the blood bag away from his mouth. He gasps for breath, winces and trembles a little, as Stephen hastens to take the blood bag from Peter's hand to put it out of reach just in case.

Peter closes his eyes, and breathes for a time to calm himself, and Stephen lets him. All vampires have their own technique to fight against their thirst: Some like running for hours, others like Peter, prefer breathing like a human, forcing air inside their usually empty lungs.

Little by little, Peter stops breathing, meaning he's calmer, and his fangs retreats.

“I did it,” Peter's small voice is so full of joy that Stephen himself smiles a little. “Yes, you did. That's good, kid.”

Peter crosses his arms, and now that he's fully recovered from his little breakdown, he makes a face. “I'm not a kid anymore, Grandpa. I'm 19.”

Stephen decides there's nothing wrong with a little bit of teasing. “True,” He purrs, smirking almost nastily. “But you still look like a 14 year old teen, a cute little kid with a squeaky voice who can't even frighten a kitten.”

A vampire keeps the same appearance they had the moment they died, and Peter died when he was 14, so he'll always keep this appearance.

Peter narrows his eyes, but he's not angry. He knows it's just teasing and Stephen's way of having fun. “Oh, really?”

As Stephen nods with a smug grin, the kid playfully smirks, and he suddenly throws himself at his mentor with a feigned angry cry. Not prepared by this disloyal attack, Stephen loses his balance and they both fall on the ground.

Peter is laughing, but even if Stephen is obviously having fun as much as Peter's, he's not laughing or smiling. He just silently fights back, trying to dominate the kid and wrestle him down on his back, but it's not that easy.

Indeed, the kid isn't really strong, but he's far more agile than any vampires of Kamar-Taj, that's why it's difficult to defeat him. Peter is careful not to hurt Stephen's hands, though. He knows they're fragile, and Stephen appreciates it.

“No fighting in the library!” Wong yells, sounding totally fed up, but his annoyed shout is mostly covered by the kid's laugh and the noises they make with their struggle.

Suddenly, Stephen is brought down hard on his back. The lower part of his body is blocked by the kid's legs, and his wrists are held as well. He can't move anymore. Peter's thriumphant face stands above his own. “I won, grandpa!”

“Not at all,” This time, Stephen can't prevent an amused smile from crossing his face, just briefly. “I just let you win, kiddo, I didn't even struggle,” Peter chuckles. He puts his legs away and straightens, allowing Stephen to move again.

His mentor continues. “I didn't want to give you a whipping; you would've cried about it for days.”

“Sure,” Peter grins from ear to ear. “Keep telling yourself that, I won't burst your bubble. I'm just better than you, that's all.”

Stephen viciously tackles the kid, making him violently crash to the ground. Any mere human who would've fell this hard would've been suffering from a head injury. But of course, Peter's far more resistant than mortals.

“What were you saying?” Stephen teases with a smug tone, getting up and taking the kid's hand to get him back on his feet.

“Err, nothing,” Peter blinks. “You're better than me... That's what I wanted to say, it was a slip of the tongue.”

Stephen shakes his head with a smile, and Peter recovers quickly. He glances at Stephen's pocket, and before the adult can react, he steals the picture from him.

“Peter!” Stephen protests, but it's too late.

“What is it?” Peter asks maliciously, but as his eyes lay on the picture, he quickly loses his smile. “Oh...” Disgust colors his features, and he winces. “Oh my god...”

“Yeah...” Stephen sadly confirms, but before he can develop, Wong intervenes coldly, talking to Peter. “Your wonderful teacher over here wants to play the hero and free the humans. You know, on his own, that's not crazy at all...”

Wong crosses his arms and glances sternly at him. “Please, Peter; convince him that it's a shitty idea, maybe he'll listen to you.”

Peter doesn't say anything for a while. He's looking at the picture, frowning darkly at it, and when he finally looks up, he asks Stephen with his usual gentle tone, although he sounds serious, which is quite unusual. “Where is this happening?”

“This one is near Kamar-Taj,” Stephen answers. “I can totally go on foot.”

Peter nods, and then he asks Stephen with a hopeful face. “Can I go with you?”

“Are you two serious?” Wong asks, exasperated, but the two of them totally ignore him. God, there's not a good one in the lot...

Stephen doesn't refuse immediately, but he doesn't seem thrilled by this proposition either. “Peter... It'll be dangerous.”

Peter isn't offended, he likes Stephen's protective side, but that doesn't mean he will give up easily. “Yeah, precisely! It's dangerous, so if you're stuck and surrounded by enemies, in a super dangerous situation, I'll be here to help you.”

Stephen opens his mouth, but the teenager carries on. “And we should bring more vampires with us, we can't free the humans alone.”

“Better and better...” Wong rubs his eyes, but he's still ignored.

“Peter-”

“Look,” Peter firmly interrupts his mentor. “I have powers, OK? I need to use them to do good things, and freeing innocent people from sadist bastards, that's a good thing. I can help, please just let me help, let me do something!”

“''Powers''? Really?” Stephen raises an eyebrow, almost amused. “We're not superheroes, Peter, we're vampires. We're cursed,” God, if only he could see the world with innocent eyes like Peter, it would be wonderful.

Peter shrugs. “I know that, but who cares? We're strong, fast, and we can totally do a lot with these abilities. I can help.”

“And could you share your plan?” Wong asks with sarcasm. “Oh, that's right! You can't because you don't have a solid plan at all! You just want to rush into things...”

The pair finally pays him attention, and when they look at each other again, they share a knowing look and a quick smile, and Wong knows he's just lost against these two.

“We'll think of something on the way...” Stephen smirks, and Peter nods with excitation. He's glad Stephen accepts him to come.

“Stephen,” Wong hisses through clenched teeth. “Are you kidding me-”

“I'm going to see if other vampires want to come with us,” Stephen announces nonchalantly, and he walks towards the exit, followed closely by Peter.

“Stephen!” Wong snaps. “You must tell the Ancient One what you are planning, and she won't agree!”

“I don't care,” Stephen doesn't even turn around or stop to answer his friend. “I'm free and I'm a grown-up, Wong. I don't need the Ancient One's permission to do something that has literally nothing to do with Kamar-Taj.”

Wong almost tears his hair out. Stephen has a good heart, but he's also stubborn and defiant. He doesn't care about the rules when they don't please him. But despite his disobedient and daring nature, the Ancient One trusts him.

Wong tries to reason with him, although he knows it's almost impossible. “Your action can have dreadful consequences on Kamar-Taj-”

This time, Stephen loses his patience. He glares at Wong, and he slowly bares his teeth. “So what?! We decide... not to do anything? Like fucking cowards?” Stephen's not screaming, but his voice shakes with repressed anger.

Wong wisely stays silent.

Even Peter doesn't intervene.

“What's Kamar-Taj's philosophy again, Wong?” Stephen carries on, bitter and almost scornful. “I'll tell you what our motto is, because I believe you've forgotten it: ''Every life matters, and must be treated with the importance it deserves. As a vampire, a cursed being, a Night Creature, I'll treat mortals as my equals. I'll treat animals as my equals, and I'll treat my fellows as my equal.'' Staying hidden in our safe little cocoon and ignoring what's bothering us is not treating humans as equal and honoring the importance of life. It's the opposite, in fact.”

With that, Stephen slams the door behind his back, letting Wong alone in the silence of the library and his messed-up thoughts.

Chapter Text

“Well, well, well... It seems we have reached an impasse.”

The Avengers look at each other with an apprehension they fail to hide. It's obvious that their confidence is gone. All that's left is the terrible feeling of being trapped, of having no option available.

Mordo is smart. He stands just behind the woman, so she covers most of his body. He's out of reach, and his followers surround him protectively, which means that even if the Hunters manage to hurt him or kill him with a lucky shot, the other vampires would murder the woman themselves.

Tony starts to admit that Steve was right and that he should have thought more before rushing headlong into danger. It was obviously a trap, and now, they're in the middle of it.

Great...

Mordo doesn't say more. He just quietly stares at the Hunters in front of him with a cruel glee, and he lets them react. Hearing the woman's panicked sobs and gasps for breath makes it even worse.

It's Tony who pulls himself together first and he does something he rarely does. He retracts his helmet, revealing his furious expression. “Really, Mordo?” He snaps. “You lecture me, and the next second, you make a death threat against an innocent person?”

Mordo narrows his eyes. He admits Iron Man is not wrong, but he sweeps aside Tony's words. “The end justifies the means, Stark. You know that better than anyone. Besides, if you do as I say, nobody will die.”

It's disturbing to hear the vampire's voice being that calm whereas he is almost crushing the woman's throat with his bare hand.

Tony forces himself not to think about that. The woman is going to survive, she can't die... She's a mother, and her kid, who managed to run away, doesn't deserve to live without his mum.

Tony knows how painful it is.

He swallows with difficulty, but his voice stays firm despite his fear. “What do you want?”

“It's simple,” Mordo says. He looks at Tony's friends and he dryly points at them with his chin. “I want your friends to get out of there.”

Well, they didn't expect this...

Clint and Steve gape, and even if Natasha has a better control over her emotions, she still frowns, proving that she's as taken aback as her friends. They don't dare to look at Tony. He's Mordo's real target, they understand that now.

This thought is terrifying.

Tony feels a cold fear clenching his stomach, but he still manages to force a joke through his lips. “Oh, you want a one-to-one meeting with me, Mordo? Great, I've got a groupie.”

“Wait a minute...” Steve darkly says to the vampire, clearly hesitant. “It doesn't make any sense: you let us go, except for Tony... Why?”

Mordo looks at Captain America.

His dark eyes are still full of scorn, but it seems that there is less rage than when he's looking at Tony. Even his voice is calmer. “I haven't planned to kill you yet, Hunter. You and the other Avengers are a threat to my race, and you'll have to be eliminated if you decide to keep killing, but all in good time... Right now, you're not my priority.”

Stark is his priority. First of all, he's far more dangerous than the other Avengers, because he's the one who makes deadly weapons and who's working on this... vaccine that makes blood undrinkable. He has to be stopped, and now is his best chance.

However, if Mordo is being totally honest with himself, he mostly came here for revenge; it's Tony who murdered some of his friends, not the other Avengers. For the moment, they don't interest him.

“We're not going to abandon Tony, you filthy beast!” Clint hisses through clenched teeth.

This support warms Tony's heart, even though that doesn't reassure him. No matter how supportive and caring his team is, he knows he's screwed.

Mordo isn't disturbed by the archer's harsh tone. He calmly raises an eyebrow at him, almost mocking. “That's touching, really... But you seem to miss the point here... If you don't leave, I'll kill her, and then, who knows...” His mouth curved. “We may massacre all of you. Do you really want that?”

Natasha coldly asks. “And how do we know that you won't kill her in both cases?”

“I keep my word,” The worse is that Mordo doesn't seem to lie. “If you decide to leave, you can take the woman with you. I have nothing against her... She doesn't deserve my cruelty. Stark, however...”

“Yeah, we got it, you can't stand me...” Tony snaps.

Mordo stares at Iron Man, and he sneers. “The Savior of Human Race...” He growls as if it was the worst insult of all time. “That's how you're called here, Stark, isn't it? Then prove it. Save this poor, defenceless mother from the savage monster that I am.”

Tony clenches his fists. He can feel his body shake with rage. For a short moment, he forgets that Mordo has the woman's life in his hands and that he can kill her if something displeases him. He insults him. “Bastard...”

Mordo's face doesn't budge, and he asks. “Do you know what I hate the most about you, Stark?” He doesn't expect Tony to answer or to try to guess, so he quickly carries on. “You only fight vampires out of arrogance.”

Tony frowns. “Arrogance?”

“Yes,” Mordo scornfully confirms. “You struggle because your stupid pride can't accept the simple fact that you're inferior, smaller.”

“Humans are not inferior-” Tony starts to protest, but Mordo growls and he interrupts him angrily. “Yes, they are! And there's nothing wrong with that! Nothing degrading! You see that as a humiliating thing, but it's not!”

“Oh, really?!” Tony raises his voice without realising it. “Oh, sorry, I didn't know that being considered as a fucking meal and as an inferior, smaller being was a compliment!”

Mordo bites his lower lip with frustration, but when he replies, the Avengers can't deny the fact that he truly believes in what he says. “Almost every species living on this planet is inferior or superior to another in terms of strength or... something else. It's not an insult, it is natural, and it has to be accepted. Vampires are superior because they're stronger and faster than mortals, so you are preys.”

Then, he points at Tony. “But mortals are superior to other species. That's how it works, that's how Nature works, some species are stronger or weaker than others! But you're so arrogant that you don't stand this idea, to such an extent that you make your blood undrinkable, and you want to eradicate all vampires. That's pathetic.”

“Are you that ignorant?!” Tony doesn't mean to yell, but he's too furious to care. “Humans are massacred, even reduced to slaves in some towns, and you say the problem is my pride?!”

Mordo calms down a little. He loosens his grip a bit to allow the woman to breathe easier. “At least, we agree on something, Stark...”

The Avengers can't hide their surprise. They don't expect Mordo to agree with them about the vampires' cruelty. “Vampires mustn't kill humans, and there are a few of us who don't understand that and are unnecessarily cruel, I admit it. They're wrong.”

“''A few''...” Tony bitterly sneers at Mordo. “I'd say more like the majority... Or all of them.”

Mordo wearily shakes his head. “It's useless talking to you...”

Tony coldly lifts an eyebrow. “We agree again, vampire...”

Mordo bares his teeth. “I've been patient enough,” He brutally tightens his grip on the woman, who gasps and starts sobbing again, and he puts pressure on them. “So, what's going to happen now? It's up to you.”

Tony looks at the terrified blond woman – the mother – and he's made his decision. He can't let a mother die.

He doesn't look at the other Avengers when he demands. “Do it. Leave me, guys.”

As he expected, the team doesn't agree with him at all. Steve is the first one to protest. “Tony, don't...” He rasps. “We need you here, there can be another way-”

“Leave and don't come back,” Tony harshly interrupts him, looking at him in the eye to show him that he doesn't regret his choice and that they won't make him change his mind. “Take the woman with you, and try to find her son as well,” He manages to wink at him. “And keep protecting our city.”

He's proud of himself: his voice hasn't shaken.

The Avengers hesitate, and they seem broken-hearted. Tony can't blame them, it's hard to abandon one of them, especially when they know Tony will be at Mordo's mercy and that they won't be able to help him, if they respect the deal.

They've been fighting together for years, so they've grown good friends.

“Ticktock...” Mordo snaps, meaning he won't stay patient for long. It's only a matter of seconds before he kills the woman.

“OK!” Steve yells, and his face is painfully twisted by sadness and hatred. He gives up. That breaks him, but that's what he does. He doesn't even look at the other Avengers. “We're leaving.”

“Steve...” Natasha starts protesting, almost with a begging tone, but Captain America cuts her off. “We don't have the choice, Nat.”

“That's wise,” Mordo purrs, and with a scornful smile, he violently lets go of the woman, and throws her to the floor. “Take her and leave. Be careful: if you try something stupid now, we kill her, and if you come back before we finish with your friend-”

“They won't come back,” As Tony says that, it's obvious that it's a hidden order. He demands the Avengers not to come back, not to cause more problems.

It's his fault if they're here, after all; Steve had tried to warn him that it could be a dangerous trap, but that didn't stop Tony. Now, if he could save the woman's life and the Avengers's at the same time, he would do it.

He has to make up for his mistake.

The second the woman is free, Steve rushes towards her, and he effortlessly gathers her shaking body into his arm. He sends one last look at Tony, one broken look, and he reluctantly takes a few steps back, followed by the other Avengers.

They know they have to leave. They have to respect Tony's sacrifice.

Tony tries to send them a reassuring smile, but what comes out is more like a tense grimace. He still manages to firmly nod at them, to tell them without words that it's going to be OK.

They have to leave, even if it's painful.

And they do.

They end up leaving.

As soon as they're alone, Mordo's followers surround Iron Man, and they watch their surroundings at the same time, to be sure that the Avengers don't come back.

Tony takes a deep, quivering breath, and he forces his breathing to relax. He feels like a defenceless, trapped prey ready to be shred to pieces.

Oh, he will fight Mordo and his followers as long as he still can. He won't go down without a fight, but he knows that there are too many vampires. He doesn't stand a chance against so many of them. Yes, he's arrogant, but he knows when he's no match.

He looks at Mordo, his chin proudly up. “So... What's going to happen now?”

Mordo smiles. He admits that Iron Man has guts. He respects that. “I'd thought about it for a long time.”

“I'm flattered,” Even Tony's sarcasm attempt feels flat.

“I had thought about killing you,” Mordo carries on. “But death would be too easy and... not really satisfactory,” The fact that Mordo won't end his life doesn't relieve Tony at all. He's sure he would prefer death to whatever Mordo has planned.

“Turning you into a vampire was my second idea: you hate us so much that being one of us would be real torture, that's for sure, but you could kill yourself, and that's not my purpose... You need to learn a lesson, Stark. You need to remember that you are meant to be vampires' meal.”

Tony clenches his teeth, but he holds his tongue, this time. He just glares at his enemy and waits still he ends his monologue.

“And for that...” Mordo's face twists in a savage pleasure as he spreads his arms. “To remind you what your place is, what could be better than being a vampire's blood bag?”

Tony's heart skips a beat. It feels like the entire world collapses around him, because he knows what Mordo is implying, and the simple thought makes him shudder.

No, please...

“No...” Tony can't help but whisper, totally horrified. His defiant nature has just vanished. He is about to take a few steps back, but he's trapped, surrounded by Mordo's followers.

He can't go anywhere.

Mordo calmly continues. “A friend of mine, Ebony Maw, would love to have you among the slaves he sells... I'm sure you'll be a wonderful slave, Stark.”

Tony doesn't want to hear more.

He doesn't think anymore. Pure adrenaline and survival instinct take over. He's not going to be a slave! He's not going to be sold! He's not going to belong to a bloody vampire!

His repulsor hot and ready to fire, he fires in the dark, trying to cause as much damage as he can, even if the vampire manage to dodge most of his fires. He's not hopeful; he knows the Avengers won't come to save him, because he ordered them not to, and he knows he doesn't stand a chance.

He doesn't know if he actually manages to hurt some vampires in his struggle – he must have, because he hears multiple cries of pain that don't come from his mouth – and he continues without a single break, even if he knows he's outnumbered.

Even when his armor is little by little damaged and ruined, he keeps fighting.

Even when he's brought to the ground by multiples hands, he keeps fighting.

He is only stopped when two violent blows on the back of his neck knock him out, and when darkness envelops him.

OoO

“God, that's a terrible plan...”

Peter turns his head towards Stephen in surprise. He isn't annoyed by his mentor's intervention, he just doesn't expect him to intervene as soon as they're about to put the plan into action.

“And you tell me this now? When everything's in place and when the slave-market is going to begin?”

Stephen purses his lips, and he doesn't answer.

The few vampires of Kamar-Taj who had accepted to help them are already in place and ready to act. Unnoticed, they discreetly surround the huge stage where the slave-market is being organised.

Stephen and Peter, for their part, are still far from the stage, and they plan to join it as soon as the human slaves are shown and presented. Being far allows them to speak without being heard by the already present vampires who, of course, have an extended range of hearing.

They're hidden by the vegetation and the trees, and they have a large view of the empty stage. A massive crowd of vampires in front of it already starts to form, and it gets bigger and bigger.

It will begin soon...

The crowd seethes with impatience, and Stephen can almost feel the strong excitation hanging in the air. He notices that there are lots of vampires, far more than what shows the picture.

Of course, selling human slaves can be... exciting for those who want a ''blood bag'' always at their disposal, and it had always attracted lots of vampires, but this far?

Why are there far more people than usual?

Have they missed something?

Stephen shakes his head to clear his thoughts. He must stay focused, he assumes this is not important right now. They know what they have to do: for the time being, they must get lost in the crowd and pretend to be potential buyers.

Stephen doesn't want to say it out loud, but he's anxious, and Peter can feel Stephen's nervousness through their bond as if it was his own. Thankfully, he doesn't know why Stephen is that nervous, even if it's easy to guess.

Oh, their bond is strong enough to permit them to read each other's mind, but since the beginning, they've always been clear on a few basic rules to respect privacy.

Stephen had always categorically refused to have someone else in his mind, even Peter, so neither of the two can read the other's mind unless he agrees, or influence, or compell the other.

Stephen has no right to take control of Peter and make him do what he wants, and vice verca.

It's been Stephen who had insisted on these rules, to put Peter in confidence and to point out the red lines.

Peter had never asked, but he is smart enough to understand that if Stephen is that categorical about mind reading, it's because he must have experienced it, and it must have been... unpleasant.

Maybe he had been controlled as well, who knows...

Stephen is mysterious and aloof after all. He never talks about his past, so everything is conceivable.

Stephen just allows the feeling connection because it's vague and imprecise. He knows he's not exposed. They are always feeling each other's emotions, it became a part of them. However, the bond goes deeper than just sharing feelings: one could force the other to feel what he wants, but they don't do it either, except if it's impossible to avoid.

Stephen sighs. He is still determined to free the humans, of course, but having Peter with him prevents him from being confident and focused on what he must do.

What if it goes wrong, somehow? What if Peter's hurt, or worse?

“It's too late now, we can't go back,” Peter says with a gentle tone. Then, with an amused smile, he pretends to sulk. “You only say the plan is terrible because that was my idea, anyway.”

Stephen appreciates the kid's attempt to calm him down with his usual light humor, but this doesn't work. He still feels a knot in his stomach. “And you say I'm always making everything about me... You rub off on me, kiddo.”

Peter's smile widens and lights up his pale face, which Stephen doesn't really understand. He's not supposed to be funny or to make people smile...

“True.”

Thinking the conversation is over, Peter turns around, showing his back to Stephen, and he is about to approach the vampire crowd, but Stephen doesn't let him.

Not yet.

He must clarify a few things before going.

“Peter...” He says, and without thinking, he grasps the kid's arm to stop him.

He hasn't been violent at all, but Peter flinches, and when he faces his mentor, a glimmer of fear crosses his eyes. It quickly disappears when Stephen lets go of him and when the teenager understands it's just Stephen, and that no one is going to hurt him.

The adult curses at himself. He wants to apologize, but no words come out of his mouth. God, he knows the kid has trouble with physical contact...

Stephen is not a tactile person, so they actually never confront this problem, and when they fight for fun or for training, they touch, yes, but it's not a problem because Peter is not unprepared: he knows the context, and he expects physical contact.

He can't be surprised by it.

“Sorry...” Peter whispers, shamefully looking down.

Stephen is not a tender person, but seeing Peter's shameful expression softens him. It's not the kid's fault if he had suffered in the past and if it keeps haunting him.

He understands him, he knows what it's like to live with a trauma.

With a harsh frown, he gently taps below the kid's chin to force him to look at him, and he coldly says. “Don't apologize when you have nothing to be sorry for.”

He sees the kid's nervous features relax and a grateful smile slowly comes across his face. Stephen clears his throat. They must go back to the important subject. “Anyway, we must be serious about this mission... It's not a game or training, this is real life. Will you obey me out there?”

Peter frowns. “What do you mean?”

Stephen purses his lips, and he forces his voice to be stern. “If I demand you to run without turning back, to go to safety and abandon everyone behind you... Would you do as I say?”

Peter blinks, taken aback. Sadly for him, he's a terrible liar, he's always been. “Err... Yes, sure, I would obey you,” God, his voice shakes so much that it's obvious he doesn't believe a word of what he's just said.

He must be honest with himself: he wouldn't be able to give up on Stephen or another vampire of Kamar-Taj if they're in danger. And Stephen knows it too, that's why he broached the subject in the first place.

Peter can feel his mentor's annoyance and frustration.

Stephen rolls his eyes, and his voice drips with sarcasm. “You couldn't have sounded more convincing, kiddo...”

Peter winces, but he stubbornly crosses his arms against his chest. “Look, I don't know why you're wasting time with this, I'm not stupid. I know it won't be easy-peasy, but I'll be careful, we'll all be careful, and if one of us is in danger, the other will come to the rescue...”

“That's so reassuring,” Stephen mutters under his breath. Peter can't help but roll his eyes. God, his mentor can be so grumpy, sometimes...

“Why are you that nervous, anyway? You were the most determined on this mission...”

Stephen seems embarrassed. He looks down and he pretends to be fascinated by his hands.

Peter smiles. “Oh, maybe it's because you're worried about me? That's cute, I've always known your soft little heart loves me.”

It's mostly teasing, but Peter knows Stephen truly cares. He just plays the insensible, rude jerk to protect himself and to push people away.

This time, his mentor chuckles and some of his tension leave his shoulders. Cracking a joke finally pays off, Peter is proud of himself.

“In your dreams, kiddo...”

Peter grins. “Vampires don't sleep, Grandpa.”

Stephen's face doesn't budge, it stays cold and illegible, and he rolls his eyes. “You think you're clever, don't you?”

Peter nods with a big smile, and he opens his mouth to reply, but he stops himself when he hears a dull noise. They both look at each other with apprehension.

It's the sound that indicates that the slave-market is going to begin.

The crowd of vampires immediately gets agitated, and they show great enthusiasm: the duo hears their excited shouting, and the vampires whistles. That intensifies when the same man as the one from the picture – the organizer with a disfigured face – appears and comes on the stage.

It's time for them to join the party...

“So...” Peter looks at Stephen with determination. He seems more reassured than his mentor. “Are you ready?”

Stephen scowls. “Why are you asking, except because you enjoy talking for talking's sake?”

Anyone else would've been offended by this rude answer, but the teenager is used to it, so he lightly teases. “Talking with you is always such a pleasure, Grandpa.”

They share a quick smile, and they both head for the stage.

They join the crowd quickly, and they're clearing themselves a path through it to be up front when a mocking, venomous voice behind their back says. “Well, well, well... Look what we have here: Two vampires of Kamar-Taj, the disgrace of our race ”

They stop.

Great, they've been recognized, probably because of their clothes... It's weird, though; very few vampires know the clothes of Kamar-Taj and are able to recognize it, that's why they didn't bother to get changed.

Stephen quickly sends a glance at Peter to silently order him not to get involved. They're vampires of Kamar-Taj after all. They don't have a great reputation, so it can quickly become inflamed.

And Stephen thought he only had to worry about the mission...

He calmly turns around to face the vampire in front of him, keeping a cold and illegible expression. The first thing he notices is that many vampires had anxiously moved to the right to let the vampire who talked to them through, so he must be known to be dangerous.

Great.

Stephen doesn't know him, that's the second thought he has when he sees his face, but something about him is familiar, and it disturbs him. And then his eyes lay on the vampire's forehead. He recognizes the symbol carved in the middle.

It feels like a strong punch in the guts.

It's Dormammu's symbol.

This is one of Dormammu's Transformed. One of Dormammu's servant and soldier.

Stephen does his best to keep his face neutral, but inside him, something breaks, and panic starts to inflate in his chest. He can feel his legs shake and almost give way beneath his weight.

No...

God, what if he recognizes him, somehow? What if he already knows who he is and Dormammu sent him to look for him? What if-

His mind brutally stops racing as he feels something that isn't his trying to soothe him and to suppress his overwhelming panic. He quickly understands that it comes from Peter through their bond, and he accepts what the kid gives to him.

He clings to Peter's rash of calmness as though his life depends on it. Normally, the kid doesn't have the right to influence Stephen's feelings, but this time, it is accepted, otherwise the vampire in front of him would notice he's agitated, and it would look suspicious.

“I'm Kaecilius...” The vampire in question purrs.

He vaguely glances at the curious vampires who noticed them and who had approached them to hear what they're saying. Of course, seeing one of Dormammu's soldier face to face with a vampire of Kamar-Taj, this doesn't happen every day.

It's enough to be a fine distraction while waiting for the human slaves to be shown.

Kaecilius – that's his name – asks, almost with distrust. “What are you doing here?”

It takes more time than necessary for his voice to reach Stephen's ears, but he finally manages to pull himself together thanks to Peter.

He feels the kid's confusion. Of course, Peter doesn't understand why Stephen started to panic that much at the sight of a vampire.

Stephen subtly puts himself between his interlocutor and the kid. “What is it to you?” Stephen internally winces: he didn't want his voice to sound this harsh.

Kaecilius shrugs. “I'm just curious.”

“No,” Stephen rolls his eyes. He knows he should go away from Dormammu's servant and focus on his mission, but his sharp tongue moves by itself. He hates Dormammu and everything that is related to him. “You just want to piss me off by asking me stupid questions... And you're a grown-up, you can find out by yourself: why do we usually go to a slave market in your opinion...?”

Kaecilius knows he is mocking, but he answers the question anyway. “To buy a mortal.”

“Congratulations,” Stephen sneers, sarcastic. “You're far more intelligent than you look.”

The vampires watching them start whispering. They probably don't expect a mere vampire to be defiant towards one of Dormammu's servants. Dormammu is dreaded after all, and his army, maybe even more.

Kaecilius raises his eyebrows at Stephen. He doesn't bother to hide his surprise at that daring tone, and he narrows his eyes, suspiciously. “You? A filthy vampire of Kamar-Taj want to possess a human slave? So, you have finally decided to act as a real vampire, then?”

Stephen gives him a fake smile, and he replies with a dangerous, calm voice. “Why not? I'm tired of blood bags.”

Kaecilius's face is twisted by disgust and scorn. “You know... I've heard a lot of things about Kamar-Taj and its vampires living there... Some of the rumors are funny. Others... not so much.”

A young vampire listening to them shyly intervenes. “What's Kamar-Taj...?”

“Oh, you don't know what it is?” Kaecilius answers, his tone far more polite than with Stephen, which is comprehensible: Kamar-Taj is considered to be the main enemy of Dormammu and his army.

God, Stephen almost regrets coming here, but he couldn't possibly know that one of Dormammu's soldiers would come here, to this vulgar slave-market among many...

“It's a city where vampires and humans live peacefully together...” Kaecilius explains. “And if vampires want to feed themselves, they must drink blood bags...”

A few vampires start to sneer, others seem outraged. Stephen can't help but roll his eyes, and Kaecilius continues with a cruel smile. “Yes, you heard well... The humans of Kamar-Taj donate their blood for the vampires, that's so humiliating for our race,” He glares at Stephen. “We are meant to dominate, not to depend on humans' charity.”

Kaecilius sneers. “Do you blow the humans too? Just to know.”

Laughs and sniggers go all over the crowd.

Stephen clenches his fists and he controls himself not to rip Kaecilius's head off. God, Dormammu's servants are the worst: All they want is to dominate the entire world, and expand Dormammu's control.

They don't mind killing or torturing to achieve their goal.

Stephen opens his mouth, but it's Peter who replies with venom, to everyone's surprise. “Mind your own business and fuck off!”

This doesn't please Kaecilius at all. His features twists with anger, and he grabs Peter's collar. “How dare you, brat! You talk to the soldier of the Great Dormammu!”

The second Kaecilius touches Peter, Stephen sees red. No one lays a hand on the kid, especially not one of Dormammu's filthy rats.

As Kaecilius is distracted with the kid, ready to strike, Stephen brutally takes him by the throat. With his skillful hand, despite its fragility, he manages to squeeze so strongly that it becomes unbearable for Kaecilius who's forced to let go of Peter to defend himself.

Stephen, almost effortlessly, kicks Kaecilius's foot to make him lose his balance, and at the same time, with his hand still around his throat, he throws him away.

It's been so fast, precise and powerful that Kaecilius flies and falls to the ground meters away.

Stephen doesn't even notice the deathly silence that follows his attack. He's focused on Dormammu's servant.

They can almost hear a pin drop.

Every vampire that has followed the scene since the beginning are frozen in place and they look at Stephen with widened eyes full of fear. Even Peter is stunned, and his mouth drops open.

“You try to touch the kid again and I rip your head off,” Stephen coldly growls at Kaecilius, who gets up with difficulty, glaring at him with a burning, pure rage.

Stephen doesn't care about it, he easily holds his gaze. He had seen worse. He manages to hide a grimace of pain as he feels his hand protest.

He doesn't take his sharp eyes off Kaecilius as he gently takes Peter's arms to make him move. “Let's go, kid.”

They quickly move away. They rush at the front to be close to the stage, as they're supposed to do according to their plan. They quickly go back unnoticed into the crowd, even if Stephen knows it won't be over with Kaecilius.

He'll try to seek revenge, or he'll alert his Master. Stephen knows he's in deep trouble, but he'll take care of it later.

All in good time.

He feels the kid's curiosity through their bond, and he's clearly struggling to keep himself from asking questions. Stephen rolls his eyes, and he says with his usual deep, drawling voice. “OK, kiddo. Talk, you're dying to.”

“We agreed that we were not supposed to get noticed, Grandpa...” Peter whispers.

“He started it!” Stephen scowls, and Peter smiles, rather amused. “Who's the kid now... ?”

His mentor doesn't say anything for a while, and then a tiny smile crosses his face. “Touché,” Peter keeps smiling for a second, but then he becomes serious, and when he talks, he's cautious, clearly hesitant. “Stephen... How did you do that?”

“Do what?” Stephen plays dumb, but he knows what bothers the kid.

“You've just beaten one of Dormammu's soldiers! Like that,” Peter snaps his fingers to show how fast it was, and he lowers his voice so that only his mentor could hear what he says. “They're known to be unbeatable! They're trained by Dormammu himself without a break for decades, and you... You defeated him so easily! Legend says that only Dormammu's soldiers can defeat themselves-”

Peter brutally stops, as if he has just thought of something. “Are you Dormammu's Transformed...?” He whispers. He doesn't sound like himself. It's clear that he doesn't believe it. Not really.

Stephen wishes the earth would swallow him up.

It's a question, and the kid has his answer when Stephen looks down. It's clearer than any words, and besides, Peter can feel his shame. Peter's mouth drops open, again.

Stephen is terrified, incapable of saying or doing anything. He expects to feel disgust or even hatred and rejection from the kid, but that's not what Peter feels, much to his surprise.

The teenager is dumbfounded, and a little hurt, but not disgusted. Maybe he wanted Stephen to tell him, instead of discovering it.

“We'll talk about this later,” Stephen rasps, his eyes silently pleading him to understand. “We have a mission to accomplish, the humans will be here any minute now! I'll explain. I promise, but not now.”

“This is why you never talk about your past...”

“Please, Peter,” This time, Stephen is really begging, and it's so rare that it's enough for the kid to pull himself together and nod.

They don't talk for a moment, silently watching the still empty stage. Stephen knows the kid is still thinking about Dormammu though, and how could he not? It's a shocking revelation, after all: his mentor is the Transformed of Kamar-Taj's main enemy.

It's hard to put this aside and stay focused.

Stephen lets him think. He doesn't influence his judgment. When Peter talks again with a shy tone, his voice gets his usual warmth back. “Stephen... This doesn't change anything, you know...”

“Later, Peter,” Stephen snaps.

He doesn't want to hear that, because it can't be true.

He's Dormammu's Transformed, it's enough to be hated and rejected. He has kept the secret for decades. Only the Ancient One knew.

Being far from Dormammu allows him to lose the ugly symbol Kaecilius has, carved into his forehead, because it's a symbol of allegiance, and Stephen betrayed Dormammu a long time ago.

He had thought that nothing could betray him. Naively, he had thought that his past was behind him, that Dormammu wouldn't be able to find him, and that no one would be able to know his secret.

He's been wrong.

And now, he'll probably loose Peter.

Stephen's gloomy thoughts are interrupted when finally, the human slaves are being brought onstage. He forces himself to focus on his task.

The crowd goes wild with joy and excitement, and Peter finds this disgusting: Vampires are happy to see poor chained humans, ready to be purchased like animals. It's inconceivable.

Something is not how it is supposed to do, though. Indeed, all the human slaves must be placed in a straight line, all at the same level. It's how they were placed in the different pictures they've seen, actually.

But this time, one of the human slaves is in front, clearly highlighted.

It's a man, and he's still dressed, contrary to the other human slaves who are already bare-chested. His hands are tightly tied up above his head, and he's bruised. Even if his head is dropped, his chin pressed against his chest, Stephen can see a trickle of blood running out of his nose.

Sweating, his body shakes a little, and Stephen doesn't know if it's because of stress and fear, or because of exhaustion. If he looks closely, he can see the mortal glaring at the crowd. Deep down, Stephen is impressed: it takes guts to do that.

Most of the humans in his position would've wet themselves and would've cried and begged, and no one could blame them.

Peter and Stephen share a confused look.

What's special about him?

The organizer – the disfigured vampire – approaches the man with a cruel smile. He violently grasps his brown hair, and he yanks his head back so that everyone can clearly see the man's bruised face.

“My dear comrades...” The vampire starts his speech. His soothing voice is bone-chilling and it is heard by everyone. The crowd immediately falls silent. “I'm Ebony Maw, for those who don't know me. Hear me... Tonight is a special night, my friends. You have the privilege of seeing the ultimate enemy of our race, and he's now brought to his knees for all to see, willing to serve us and be the worthless slave every mortal is supposed to be.”

Ebony Maw holds out his mangled hand towards the crowd, who's hanging on his every word. “One of you, my friends, will have the chance to possess him, and I'm not going to lie: the price will be high for him...”

This doesn't seem to bother the present vampires in the least. They almost drool.

“That's a personal request, of course...” Ebony Maw continues, baring his teeth. “But I hope that this insolent, little mortal won't be treated with mercy.”

The crowd laughs, and they stop as soon as Ebony Maw raises his hand. “You probably don't recognize him, and it's normal. He's usually flying in a gold and red armor-”

Someone in the crowd boos, while another spits on the floor. This doesn't offend Ebony Maw in the least. That's quite the opposite in fact, as he gives them a disturbing grin. “His real name is Anthony Stark, but he's known as... Iron Man.”

Chapter Text

Tony's blood has never been sucked.

It can sound trivial, but that's a thing Tony has always been proud of, especially as he's living in a world mostly dominated by vampires. With this particularity, he feels unique, out of the ordinary, just as a Hunter should be in his opinion.

He doesn't know how it feels like, actually. Having the soft skin of your neck pierced by sharp teeth, forced to feel your enemy suck your blood for his own pleasure must be really painful, frightening and humiliating.

The worst is that you can't do anything about it, but praying that it will be over soon. You're totally at the vampire's mercy.

Well, now I'm going to find out how it feels like... Tony thinks, and this simple thought makes him feel nauseous.

The shackles bounding his wrists dig into his flesh, and the cold of the night attacks his skin. It's not the worst, though. All eyes are glued to his trapped, shaking and bound form on the stage, and these vampires' gleeful and merciless looks promise suffering and revenge.

Tony is nothing but a enticing and annoying candy that needs to learn a lesson.

He can't run away from this madness, or even defend himself: no matter how hard he pulls on his shackles, he can't break free. His attempts seem to amuse the crowd a lot, in fact. He can't even move his head to look away, as Ebony Maw holds it in place by grasping his hair.

He's forced to watch, forced to stay here for all to see, forced to be humiliated.

Pure hatred boils in his veins. He wants to destroy his ties holding him in place and behead them all, starting with Ebony Maw.

He tries to calm down his heavy breathing as he thinks of a plan to escape, even if he knows, deep down, that he's lost. No one is going to save him.

He has to grit his teeth.

And of course, Ebony Maw's revealing that he's Iron Man makes the crowd react.

“That's Iron Man...?” A confused, but rather excited, voice asks. “It is said that he murdered more vampires by himself than the entire mankind...”

Oh, you'll be next! Tony roars in his mind, glaring.

“Isn't his blood supposed to be undrinkable?” Another vampire says.

Ebony Maw firms up his grip, so his hold becomes painful.

Tony barely manages to hold back a groan of pain, as his torturer answers with a honeyed voice. “You're correct, my friend... With the exception that his blood being undrinkable is not permanent; this... disgusting vaccine in his blood is efficient, but it doesn't stay forever. It needs to be re-injected often... His blood is now at your disposal,” Tony hates the fact that this is true: his blood is not protected anymore...

The vampires all are delighted; a buzz of excitement and approval builds up.

“It's time for tasting, then!” A vampire from the crowd yells, provoking laughs and excited shouts around him. Ebony Maw, with his usual collected face, nods. “Indeed, it is time.”

Tony's eyes burn with repressed tears. Before he can continue to feel sorry for himself and pray that it will stop, Ebony Maw takes his dirty shirt, and he tears it into strips, making Tony shirtless.

“Now,” Ebony Maw whispers in his ear, and Tony can't help but shudder. His enemy grins at the level of his discomfort. “I assume that this is your first time, mortal...?”

“Go fuck yourself,” Tony hisses through clenched teeth, which seems to amuse Ebony Maw a lot. Tony can't even hear himself properly: His heart loudly pounds in his chest.

“That's a yes, then..." Ebony Maw easily guesses. He quickly licks Tony's neck, chuckling when he feels the human shudder again and try to get away from him. “Don't worry; I'll make your first time unforgivable.”

Tony doesn't have the strength to reply or fight back. He just looks ahead, ignoring the vampire next to him the best he can. He tries to stay aloof, but he can't prevent himself from sighing of relief as soon as Ebony Maw lets go of him and takes a few steps away. He relaxes and breathes easier.

“Now...” Ebony Maw addresses the whole crowd again, a cruel smirk dancing on his lips. “I'm sure many of you are interested... Who wants to taste this little mortal first?”

“I'm sure he's tasteful!” A vampire shouts, causing cruel laughs and giggles. “He smells delicious!”

Suddenly, brouhaha shoots up, to such an extent that Tony can't even hear what they're saying. He just knows that the vampires start to argue and get agitated, within an inch of fighting each other.

Tony could have been flattered to see so many vampires ready to fight each other only to taste him first, but right now, he's just terrified. He struggles against his restraints again, without success.

Ebony Maw doesn't seem disturbed by this sudden violence. His face stays emotionless, but he calmly raises his hand to appease and stop the crowd. He doesn't want any wounded, otherwise his reputation would be damaged. “Oh, my friends, don't fight for so little, there'll be room for everyone-”

“I want to be the first!” A deep and self-assured voice intervenes and could be heard over the brouhaha. It freezes all of them.

“I want to be the first to taste him.”

OoO

“I want to be the first to taste him.”

Stephen is surprised by his own words. That's not really according to plan, but he doesn't regret it: Seeing these bloody vampires fight like beasts just to be the first who will torture this poor human was the last straw. He couldn't help himself, he had to intervene.

He does his best to ignore Peter's surprised and alarming look. The kid even tries to grasp his arm to stop him, but he dodges him without a glance.

No one dares to talk as Stephen goes on stage in full view of everybody, except for a few discreet whispers. The crowd immediately recognizes him for being the one who gave Kaecilius a whipping, so no one protests.

Stephen smirks. Maybe this fight with Kaecilius has its purpose, after all...

He looks around to have a clear look of his surroundings. Four vampires – four “guards” – are situated in every corner of the stage. Stephen is not surprised: he knows there is security. These slave markets are big events, after all.

He'll have to take care of them in priority, with the help of Peter and his allies. They're close to the mortals, and they are trained to act if something goes wrong.

Speaking of the other human slaves behind Tony, they seem relieved not to be the center of attention. It can seem cruel, because another human suffers in their place, but Stephen understands them: as long as Stark draws the attention, the vampires ignore them and they are not going to hurt them.

It's a normal reaction.

He then turns his head towards Ebony Maw and he meets his intrigued gaze. Stephen keeps his face illegible, but deep down, he winces: it's not a good sigh when you attract Ebony Maw's attention...

This vampire is deadly dangerous, and far older than Stephen, which means that he's stronger. If Stephen gets involved in a fight with Ebony Maw, despite Dormammu's intensive training, he doesn't stand a chance.

And if you add Kaecilius into the equation...

Tony stops struggling in favor of looking up at the newcomer, a knot in his chest.

He has to say that he's surprised; this one doesn't look like the countless vampires he had fought in the past, but Tony knows better. Behind this clean appearance, there are details that show what kind of monster he is.

First of all, he is deadly pale. It actually highlights his beautiful blue eyes and his sunken cheeks, contrasting with his dark, messy hair. To add insult to injury, Tony sees that his chest doesn't move, and that his nostrils don't flare.

So yes, he's a vampire.

However, despite these unpleasant sighs, he is good-looking, Tony can't say otherwise. He is well-dressed, clean, and he looks more like a civilized human being than the wild beast he's supposed to be.

Mordo, for example, is elegant, just like this newcomer, that's true, but Tony sees the wild beast in his brown eyes, the hatred...

In this vampire's eyes, there is nothing.

One small detail catches Tony's attention: The vampire's hands are totally ruined, and they shake. Large scars cover his hands and fingers.

Tony knows that if vampires are injured, their wound would close itself and would not let any trace, unless ash tree or aspen are used against them. So, it can be concluded that this vampire had his hands ruined when he was still a mortal.

Intriguing...

“You are...?” Ebony Maw asks with his usual purring tone.

“Stephen,” The vampire says without even looking at him. Instead, he glances at the crowd and he asks with confidence. “Does that bother someone if I'm the first...?” Only silence answers him. “Nothing? That's so nice of you.”

He looks at Ebony Maw and smiles at him. “Can I...?”

“Please, do,” Ebony Maw politely says, even if he's a little distrustful, Stephen can see it. He comes close to him, and whispers. “Don't spare him, Stephen. We want to hear him scream, but don't break him. Not while he's still for sale, at least.”

Stephen's jaw clenches, and he doesn't reply. He slowly approaches the bound human. Tony's eyes widen in fear, even if he does his best to hide it.

As Stephen is just a step from him, Tony snarls and he spits at the vampire's feet.

Stephen calmly glances at the spittle on the ground near his feet, and he raises an eyebrow at Tony. “Charming...” He almost sounds amused, which angers the human even more.

“Stay away from me, freak!” He roars, glaring at him.

Stephen rolls his eyes and he comes even closer to Tony, to such an extent that their chest brush. Stephen can feel Tony's heavy breathing on his face, and Tony feels the coldness emanating from the vampire's body.

Being that close can be a form of psychological torture in order to frighten Tony even more, but Stephen has a hidden, different goal: He wants to hide the human, basically act like a protected shild between Tony and the crowd.

And it works: the crowd is too excited to notice that they don't see the mortal anymore. They just see Stephen's back.

“If you only knew how many times mortals had told me that...” Stephen says, lowering his voice in a whisper to keep their conversation private. “Not very original, for the great Hunter you are supposed to be...”

Tony glares at him. If looks could kill... “I swear, you touch me, I-”

“What...?” Stephen calmly interrupts him. “You kill me? That already happened to me, and even though I'm not really a big fan of it, it's not that terrifying when you've already lived it...”

Tony is a little confused. This vampire has access to his skin: He can bite him at any time, no one would stop him, not even him, but he doesn't move. He doesn't hurt him and he prefers to chat.

That's... weird.

“Oh, but you'll stay dead this time, trust me.”

Stephen smiles. “I have no doubt...”

He quickly looks around him to check no one is getting suspicious, and he carries on with a low voice. “Look, I'd love to continue this lovely conversation, but I don't have time. I need you to trust me.”

Tony can't help it: he bursts out laughing. A bitter and nervous laugh. “Me? Trust a vampire? You're funny for a living cadaver.”

The vampire's cold expression finally cracks. Annoyance colors his features. Expecting violence, Tony almost stops breathing, but Stephen shakes his head, and he gently whispers. “I understand you... I know how terrifying it is, Anthony. I know how you feel: you're terrified, so you dig your heels in and you refuse to listen to anyone.”

Despite his soft tone, Tony's eyes burn with anger. How dare he?! He wants to strike the vampire in front of him, but his shackles keep him from doing that. “You don't know squat!”

“I do know...” Stephen frowns. Tony detects no lie in his voice. “I was human once, just like you. And I was at... vampires' mercy as well. Just like you.”

Well, he had been at Dormammu's mercy, which is a bit different, and ten times worse. That's the kind of memory Stephen dearly wants to forget and pretend it never happened, in fact, but seeing this hunter in a similar position makes him remember.

He remembers burning houses, broken sobs and the terrified screams around him as Dormammu's army was wrecking their village.

All the humans living there had been captured, including Stephen. He remembers being confused, just like the rest of them. Indeed, they thought that the vampires would feed on them and kill them. So, why do they keep them alive?

They quickly understood what their purpose were, the second they were brought in front of Dormammu himself: Dormammu wanted to recruit, for his army.

His shaking hands tied behind his back, Stephen had been forcefully brought to his knees at Dormammu's feet, like everybody else. He doesn't know how long he stayed in this position, but it took time.

Dormammu stood in front of the humans one by one, to see if one of them could have the potential to become one of his soldiers. He didn't talk, didn't ask any questions, and didn't ask the human's opinion.

He just... stared, and if he was not convinced, he would feed on the human who failed to pass his test, and he would kill him.

Plain and simple.

Then, it's been Stephen's turn.

Dormammu's harsh fingers took his chin and he raised his head to force him to look up. Meeting these cold, purple, burning eyes staring at him with attention is the most terrifying thing Stephen has even lived, but at that moment, his pride prevented him from being submissive and trembling with fear.

He glared at Dormammu, and he spat at him.

Smack in the face.

At that moment, he thought he would die. He vaguely remembers Dormammu's soldiers growling and ready to throw themselves at him to make him pay, but Dormammu calmly raised his hand to make them stop.

He wiped his face with his hand, and he smiled. A satisfied, cruel grin.

He took Stephen's chin between his long fingers again, and he stroked his lower lip with his thumb, with a mock tenderness. “So much fire...” Dormammu softly whispered, and his deep and rumbling voice vibrated inside Stephen.

Then, Dormammu brought out his pointed and long fangs.

Stephen thought, a knot in his chest, that Dormammu would pierce his neck and suck his blood to death, but the vampire just bit his own wrist, drawing blood.

Stephen blinks, and he shakes his head to be back in the present. “Anyway! The point I'm trying to make is that... They made my life a living hell. I'd be stupid to treat you the same. It would be illogical, don't you think?”

Tony sneers. “Vampires kill humans and see them as inferior beings, even though they used to be human themselves. Beasts like you aren't logical!”

Stephen purses his lips. “What I'm trying to say is that I understand your fear, but you have nothing to fear from me. I'm not going to hurt you, and if you do as I say, you'll be fine,” His voice is sincere, but it is hard for Tony to believe him and be reassured by these words.

Stephen knows it. “Look...” He points at the other slaves with his chin. “You see the human slaves behind you?” Tony can't see them technically, but he still nods, clearly distrustful.

Stephen continues. “You can save them. We can save them, but for that, you need to trust me and do as I tell you.”

Tony narrows his eyes. “And what do you want me to do, exactly?”

Stephen doesn't use words to answer. Instead, he takes a small bottle from his pocket. Tony vaguely sees a weird, yellow liquid inside this bottle, and after the vampire has been certain no one sees what he's doing, he quickly slips it into Tony's pocket.

Stephen ignores the human's confused and questioning look, and he whispers in Tony's ears. “You must throw it on the ground. Hard. Just in front of you," As Tony frowns, Stephen smirks and he gently winks at him. "Trust me, Anthony.”

Stephen doesn't wait for Tony's confirmation.

He takes a step back, and he turns his head towards Ebony Maw, his deep voice loud and proud. “Oh, and didn't you forget something...?”

Ebony Maw blinks, and he cocks his head to the side. “I beg your pardon?” With that, the four guards start to stir and approach the center of the stage. They must feel that something's wrong.

“Oh, I don't know...” Stephen draws closer to Tony, playing nonchalant. “That's just a thought, but maybe we could... ask his permission first, before tasting him...?”

A surprised silence follows his question, and Stephen chuckles, although his expression is not amused in the least. It's twisted with anger and disgust. “Oh, that didn't cross your mind? Oops...” He points at Ebony Maw. “You may be old, but you're still dumb, that's sad.”

Ebony Maw's face darkens, and he hisses. “Don't move-”

“Oh, am I in trouble?” Stephen pretends to be bothered. “So sorry, I didn't mean to offend you! Well, OK, maybe a little-” Before the guards can throw themselves at him to arrest him, he gets a hold of Tony's shackles, and he destroys them effortlessly, with his mere strength.

Tony is free... He's as dumbfounded as the vampires.

“Now!” Stephen yells.

Now that Stephen has the attention of the guards and of Ebony Maw, Peter goes on the stage without being stopped, and he rushes towards the other human slaves to free them. Their allies surrounding the crowd, at the same time, all throw their own yellow bottles on the ground. A thick, yellow and repulsive smoke gets out of the broken bottles, spreads through the air, and it covers most of the crowd.

The vampires start to cover their eyes with their hands, and they seem in pain.

And in the blink of an eye, it's chaos.

Chapter Text

Tony’s pride hates to admit it, but his brain is not fast enough to really understand what is happening.

In the twinkling of an eye, his hands are freed from the shackles, and before he can try to do something such as running away even though it’s pointless, the intriguing vampire that have just freed him – Stephen, that’s his name – presses his hands against his bare chest and he pushes him away.

Tony can tell the vampire’s been careful with his strength, and he appreciates the effort, but the thing is that he’s still a vampire, far stronger than mortals. That’s why Tony is suddenly off the ground.

He hits the ground hard a few meters away from the stage.

He grits his teeth to prevent a moan, but he can feel that his body painfully protests because of the impact. The skin of his kneel is burning. He doesn’t need to glance at it to know that he is bleeding. Being shirtless doesn’t help. He feels the cold beating his vulnerable flesh.

Great, that won’t attract the vampires at all... Speaking of vampires, Tony gets up and he looks around him.

He can just see that there is a weird yellow smoke spreading in the air, reducing his field of vision. He squints. Lots of vampires are on their knees, moaning and covering their face with their hands, but it seems harmless for mortals.

Tony easily deduces that the vampires are in this poor state because of that weird smoke they have been breathing. What the hell is it, anyway? However, not all of them are touched.

Him being in the middle of vampires is a scary thing. Oh, he had already been in the middle of vampires multiple times, facing them, fighting them, whether he was alone or with the rest of the Avengers. But back then, he was wearing his armor, had his blood protected by his serum, and he had weapons that could hurt and kill those beasts.

He could make a difference. Now, he is vulnerable.

He has to get away. Quickly. However, things don’t really go as planned... Three vampires quickly notice him. His heart almost freezes and he curses under his breath. He is about to run, but it’s too late. They have already encircled him.

Tony clenches his fists and he tries to suppress the panic squeezing his stomach, but it’s hard, knowing he’s just a weak prey in the middle of wolves which want nothing more than flaying him alive.

“Well, well, well… The Great and Deadly Iron Man is not so deadly now, is he?” One of them sneers, while the others start to chuckle. “Look at him. So weak, so scared, just like all mortals. That’s why you’re meant to serve us.”

Tony can feel his blood boil in rage, but he refuses to answer. He’d rather think. God, think, think. What can he do? Suddenly, it crosses his mind: that vampire – Stephen – has given to him this weird yellow liquid in a bottle when he was still bound.

It’s in his pocket.

Tony can’t believe it: he’s about to listen to a vampire and even worse: trust a vampire. He’s sure Captain America would roll on the floor laughing if he could see him. But right now, he is desperate. And it’s most likely the only solution he has in mind to stay alive.

As quickly as he can, he grabs the little bottle, and as the vampires are busy laughing at him, they don’t react. They do not expect a prisoner of Ebony Maw to be armed, after all.

“Go to hell, you freak!” Tony yells angrily, as he throws as violently as he can the bottle on the ground in front of him. It breaks, thankfully. Then, the same yellow and thick smoke escapes from the broken glass, and it blows up in the vampires’ faces.

They scream and fall on the ground. Tony doesn’t stay here enjoying the show. He starts to run, but he doesn’t really know where he should go. It’s hard to think when chaos is around you. He catches a glimpse of trees nearby.

A forest. There is a forest, he can hide there!

He runs as fast as he can, trying to avoid the vampires who are still standing and not affected by the yellow smoke. For a brief second – a terrible second – he starts to hope. He starts to think that maybe he can survive this, and reach the forest unharmed.

He is so into his escape that he doesn’t even spot a vampire who obviously have just come out of nowhere. The beast rushes towards the Hunter and he hits him like a cannonball to make him lose his balance.

Tony is stunned by the violence of the impact. He falls on the ground like a doll. He has no longer control over his limbs. Pain overwhelms his senses as he is pinned on the ground.

He is pretty sure his shoulder is dislocated. God, it hurts like hell. He can’t even move. His vision clouds, and he moans in pain, closing his eyes. No, he can’t pass out! If he passes out, he’s dead.

He hardly opens his eyes, and he sees a figure being on top of him. A strong hand suddenly grabs his throat and squeezes.

Tony gasps for breath and tries to struggle, taking hold of the strong hand strangling him, but it’s pointless. Black spots color his vision, and he can almost feel his heart explode out of panic. He is about to pass out when the deadly pressure around his throat suddenly disappears.

He is too busy taking deep breaths to fill up his empty lungs to understand what’s going on. His vision slowly comes back to normal, and with a cry of pain, he rolls to the side and leans on his good forearm. Shit, he’s really hurt.

“Stay away from him,” he hears a young voice near him growl.

A very young voice.

Tony squints and he finally gets to see a teenager just in front of him. It looks like he's 13 or 14 years, and his body language screams that he is ready to fight. It takes a moment for Tony to understand that this kid protects him.

What the hell?

“Do you know who you’re protecting, you idiot child?!” The vampire facing the teenager hisses, showing his teeth, and mostly his pointy fangs. He almost drools, and his red eyes burn with hatred. It’s terrifying. “This bastard has killed vampires. He’s killed our brothers and sisters, without mercy! He would behead you if he had the chance.”

The teenager turns his head to glance at Tony, to check if he is alive. Tony gapes. It’s hard to believe what he’s seeing: this child is a vampire.

He has never seen a vampire being a child or a teenager.

He’s pale, his nostrils don’t flare, and his eyes are a bit red. Yes, he’s a vampire. It’s disturbing to see such young features being twisted by… by what, exactly? Savagery?

A child is supposed to be innocent and sweet, not a wild beast groaning and showing his teeth. God, this day is getting weirder and weirder.

The kid focuses on the vampire threatening him, and he groans. His determination doesn’t seem to falter. “Last warning. You get out of here or I kick your ass,” How can a high-pitched voice be so menacing...?

Tony doesn’t have the time to be surprised by the kid’s confidence. The vampire that previously attacked him growls and immediately throws himself at the child.

Tony surprises himself to hold his breath, as if he was scared for the child. It’s ridiculous. He would never care for a vampire. Even a child who obviously tries to save you...? A disturbing and vicious voice whispers inside his head, but he quickly ignores it.

The kid avoids the other vampire’s blows. In fact, he is so agile that it seems to be easy for him. He lowers, moves forwards or backwards, and sometimes dedicates himself to more creative acrobatics. It’s beautiful to see him fight.

Suddenly, the kid takes hold of the vampire’s fist, and he twists it just slightly. The three of them all hear a ‘’crack’’, and the vampire starts yelling in pain. The kid has just broken his wrist.

Rather than being affected, the child kicks him in the stomach, snakes behind his prey, and he breaks his neck. It is not lethal for vampires. He didn’t kill him.

The child doesn’t even give his enemy a glance as he falls on the ground. He rushes towards Tony, who can’t help but flinch. The teenager notices it, and he freezes. He raises his hands in front of him. “Hey, it’s OK...” His voice is gentle.

It’s so weird that Tony just gapes and blinks like an idiot.

“I’m not going to hurt you. I’m Peter Parker by the way, and… Oh no, it’s not an important information right now, sorry. Er, you must follow me!” As he sees that Tony doesn’t react and stays frozen on the ground, he frowns. His gentle and young eyes shine in worry, and it’s not right.

A vampire’s eyes do not express worry. Especially not for a mortal.

“Er… Hello? Are you OK?” Peter snaps his fingers a few times and he raises an amused eyebrow. “God, Stephen has never told me human brains were that slow...”

Is he… joking?

This… joke or this insult, Tony can’t really tell, is enough for Tony to pull himself together. He shakes his head and he asks with a wince. “Who the hell are you?!”

The Hunter quickly notices that this kid – Peter Parker, that’s his name, and it sounds so… normal – is dressed the same way as Stephen. They must come from the same… clan. A clan of vampires that helps mortals.

That doesn’t make any sense.

Peter gives Tony a bright smile, obviously relieved to see the mortal react. “I’m with Stephen. It’s OK,” He approaches him, and as Tony doesn’t show any sigh of fear or distrust this time, he extends a hand to him and helps him getting up.

Tony hates his shaking legs right now, because it’s difficult for him to keep standing, especially as his shoulder hurts like hell.

Peter’s eyes scan him quickly, and he winces. “You’re hurt,” his eyes stays longer than necessary on Tony’s blood coloring his trousers, and the Hunter tenses. The kid suddenly stops staring at Tony’s blood, and he shakes his head. “I’m sorry… Er, I’m not a doctor, but you will be healed at Kamar-Taj, don’t worry. You’re going to be OK.”

He takes off his jacket, and he gives it to Tony, who’s still shirtless. He now notices that he’s shaking like a leaf, but he doesn’t really know if it’s because of the cold or the shock. Probably both.

“Put this on, it’s freezing out here,” Peter gives him a gentle smile, and Tony accepts the gift with gratitude, even though he doesn’t actually thank the kid. The jacket doesn’t fit him, but he still puts it on his good shoulder, desperate for warmth.

He doesn’t notice the kid keeps talking. “Well, I don’t feel the cold so I don’t know how it’s like now, but I assume it’s freezing…” He clears his throat. That’s so… human. “Anyway. A doctor will take care of you at Kamar-Taj as I was saying, but we need to move now!”

“… Kamar-Taj?” Tony frowns.

Peter doesn’t answer. He offers his hand, and the Hunter takes it. Without even thinking about it. Peter wraps a strong arm around Tony’s waist to hold up most of his weight and they start moving.

Tony lets out a sign of relief, and he starts following Peter, who quickly clears his path through all of the vampires fighting. Tony spots others vampires dressed like Peter in the chaos, whether joining Peter and acting like a shield, or continuing fighting some vampires around them.

Finally, Tony sees the light at the end of the tunnel: he sees the group of humans reunited near the forest, protected by vampires dressed like Peter. The humans are clearly shocked. Some of them bleed and are injured, others sob and hug each other, but they seem fine overall.

He and Peter quickly join them. The vampires quickly reunite and start talking, while going deep into the forest, but Tony doesn’t hear them for a time. He just follows them, clinging to Peter as if his life depends on it. He’s like the rest of the mortals: desperate to leave this place.

“Where’s Stephen?!” The sudden worried voice of Peter alerts Tony, and he gives his attention to the kid. The group stops. Only Peter seems really worried. He’s wide-eyed, agitated, and the other vampires wince and look around them rather pointlessly.

One of them says. “We don’t know, Peter. We thought he was with you…”

“No,” Peter’s shaking voice answers. It’s weird how suddenly, his voice matches his appearance, that is to say a teenager. A teenager that is now afraid and worried. He gently lets go of Tony. “He told me to leave him to go protect the mortals. And to leave as soon as we’re reunited. I haven’t seen him since then.”

Tony bites his lower lip. He doesn’t say a word, probably because he’s too tired, but it’s not a good sigh. Stephen is probably dead… He should be thrilled, because one vampire is probably down, but strangely, he doesn’t feel that way.

“We… We need to search for him!” Peter stammers, and it’s obvious that he starts to panic. “We can’t abandon him! He needs our-”

The kid never finishes his sentence.

“C’mon, kiddo...” A drawling and deep voice interrupts him, and everyone almost jumps in surprise. It’s Stephen’s. Nobody heard him, even the vampires. That’s not reassuring to know that Stephen is a vampire who is able to move silently…

“Going back to the battlefield for one person? Really…?” Stephen finally appears, obviously out of nowhere and Tony feels that this annoying aspect of vampires will quickly piss him off. “I thought I had trained you better than that.”

“Grandpa…” Peter whispers, relief relaxing his every muscles. He rushes towards Stephen so fast that Tony’s human eyes don’t perceive the movement. The kid hugs Stephen, who also puts his arms around him.

Tony blinks. It’s… cute. What the fuck is that? Since when have vampires been hugging and caring for others...?

Peter squeezes his eyes shut, and he whispers. “You scared me.”

Stephen feels his throat tighten, even though he does his best not to show that he’s touched. He’s relieved to see the kid unharmed, actually. He allows himself to bury his face into the kid’s neck for one second. A tiny second, enjoying the moment before taking a step back and letting go of the kid.

A smirk touches his lips. “Oh please, it takes more than four pathetic guards to kill me.”

“Is Ebony Maw eliminated?” One of the vampires ask.

Stephen purses his lips. “No.”

He doesn’t say more, and the vampires know better than trying to press him. Stephen looks behind the kid, and he is glad to see all the humans being here, clearly frightened, but alive. That’s all that matters.

He then stares at Anthony, who is clearly in bad shape.

“You look like crap,” Stephen says without going soft. He does not only say that because his tongue can be cruel if he wants to. Tony really looks like crap. He’s lost a lot of blood…

“Not really my fault...” Tony mumbles with glassy eyes. His voice is flat, and he is hugging himself as if he tries to protect himself with his arms. Well, with only one arm, considering how one of his shoulders is dislocated. He’s clearly shaken up. “I don’t want to follow you… I-”

“And where would you go?” Stephen replies, clearly annoyed this time. “You want to go hiking in the forest? You’d be dead in hours if you’re lucky or taken back by the lovely vampires who want to sell you.”

“Stephen…” Peter intervenes. “Easy...”

Stephen softens up in spite of himself. The kid has the gift to bring the best part of himself and make him less of a cold fish. He sighs. “We’ll heal you, Anthony. You have nothing to fear from us as I’ve already told you. And I think that fact was clear when we saved your ass...”

It could’ve been a bit gentler, but he did his best. Peter proudly smiles at him, and he stays silent.

Tony purses his lips, and he weakly nods. “OK…” He staggers. Stephen quickly joins him, and he puts one hand on the mortal’s good shoulder to stabilize him.

“But who are you…?” Tony whispers, clearly lost and confused. Stephen can’t really blame him.

“Your ally,” Stephen answers, gentler than before. “Or your worst enemy if you attempt to hurt one of my people, or your murderer if you try to hurt the kid,” His voice becomes far more menacing. Tony can’t help but shudder. He feels Stephen is not a vampire you can mess with.

“Understood, Iron Man...?” Stephen insists.

Tony just nods. Stephen knows Tony would not be a threat in such a state, but he’s Iron Man after all. His reputation is enough not to underestimate him. “Oh and please don’t pass out. I don’t want to carry you, that would be embarrassing...”

Of course, the mortal passes out seconds later. Stephen has seen it coming, that’s why he just rolls his eyes and gently catches Tony before he hits the ground. Honestly it’s pretty impressive how Tony has stayed conscious for so long despite his injuries.

He’s a solid one.

“He needs medical care, like most of them,” Stephen claims, effortlessly caring Tony. “Let’s move. To Kamar-Taj.”

OoO

“My Lord…” Kaecilius whispers, trying not to show his fear in his voice even though it’s pointless. The bond he shares with his Transformer prevents him from having a single thought or émotion kept private.

If he still tries to hide it, it’s for his own pride. As he arrives near Dormammu, he bows and he drops to his knees, lowering his head.

Dormammu takes his time and he stares at him, feeling the fear of his servant through their bond. He enjoys causing fear. That means he is respected. He doesn’t move for a long time. He’s patient. Nobody knows when he’s going to react or how he is going to react.

“You were supposed to bring mortals here, my Servant,” Dormammu’s cold voice fills the room. “I needed more soldiers… But by the way you’re quivering, I guess it didn’t go as planned.”

Kaecilius closes his eyes and he swallows hard. “I’m sorry, my Lord, I failed you-”

Dormammu calmly speaks. “Let me be the judge for that… What happened?”

“Kamar-Taj…” Kaecilius finally says. “Vampires from Kamar-Taj intervened and they freed the slaves. They were organized, and we couldn’t stop them.”

“Of course…” Dormammu doesn’t sound angry or frustrated. Just weary. “Kamar-Taj and the Ancient One are still a problem. They threaten my expansion. I should have eliminated them a long time ago, when I still could. It is not only your mistake, my Servant. It’s also mine.”

Kaecilius is not that surprised: Dormammu can be cruel and terrifying, but he’s never been unfair. He’s always punished his servants – his transformed – when they are at fault. “My Lord...”

“You can go, Kaecilius…”

The vampire is about to obey, but something crosses his mind. “There is still one thing, my Lord...” Dormammu doesn’t react. He doesn’t seem interested in the least, he doesn’t even look at him. He seems lost in his thoughts.

It’s hard for Kaecilius to continue. “I met someone… A vampire from Kamar-Taj... Suspicious. We fought and-”

“Do you think I care about your quarrels?” Dormammu sounds very annoyed now.

“He fought very well-”

“That’s not surprising…” Dormammu says. “The Ancient One is a competent fighter: she must have trained some of them, even though she likes to think she’s not like me… Are you really still here just to tell me how mediocre your skills are?”

“No…” Kaecilius shakes his head. “He was fighting like us.”

This seems to draw Dormammu’s attention this time. He finally looks at his Servant, and he asks very slowly. “What do you mean by that?”

Kaecilius knows he has to choose his next words carefully. The symbol on his forehead seems to burn his skin. “He had the same technique as mine, and your other Transformed’s. I’ve recognized some of the movements you taught me a long time ago. It’s as if… you were the one that trained him, my Lord,” Kaecilius stops, and he dares to ask the question he has had in mind since the beginning. “Could he be the one? The Traitor?”

Dormammu stays quiet for a moment. “His hands...” His voice sounds weird; in a rush. It’s quite unusual for an old vampire, usually so composed and calm. “How were they?”

“They were shaking. Full of scars.”

A long silence takes over. The kind of silence that is so suffocating that Kaecilius would not dare to breathe if he was still human.

“You can go now, Kaecilius.” Dormammu finally says, with an illegible tone. “Thank you for your report.”

Kaecilius doesn’t need to be said twice. He bows one last time, and goes out of the room, leaving Dormammu alone. The old vampire rubs his face with his hand, and he chuckles darkly.

“Stephen… He is at Kamar-Taj...” Dormammu laughs.

A crazy and bitter laugh.

Chapter Text

As soon as Tony regains consciousness, he doesn’t even bother to look around him. He tries to move, to act, like the fighter he is, but his limbs don’t obey his commands. He doesn’t know if it’s because he’s too weak or because he’s held back.

The idea of being bound and helpless emerging from his chaotic thoughts doesn’t help. He tries to calm down his breathing although it's hard. He can feel that he is lying on something soft and warm. Probably a bed…

He carefully opens his eyes. A faint light blinds him. He squints and tries to reach out to protect his eyes, but a firm hand catches his wrist and it stops him. Firm, and yet so fragile at the same time.

“Don’t move,” This voice… It rings a bell to him… Deep, drawling, and scathing. That’s the vampire’s. Stephen’s. The one that threatened him. Great.

Tony’s stomach clenches and his mouth is suddenly dry. He doesn’t like the idea of being weak with a vampire near him. Well, he hates the mere idea of just being with a vampire in the same room without his armor. He feels a pang of remorse: his armor has obviously been destroyed by now.

He forces himself to take a deep breath and he looks around him. Slowly, and on the alert.

He’s in a bedroom, and as he deduced, lying on a comfortable and huge bed. His chest is covered by a red blanket to keep him warm, and Tony appreciates it. His dislocated shoulder has been put back on and put in a sling. It’s not painful anymore. Actually, he feels a lot better, despite the context.

The bedroom is quite empty, but there are still enough furniture occupying the room to know that someone lives here. He notices that thick curtains stop the light from entering completely. Maybe it’s Stephen’s room? No, can’t be.

It seems… normal. Maybe he’s being an idiot, but Tony has always imagined vampires’ rooms with chains and dark coffins. Well, it might be a bit cliche, even for the Hunter.

Stephen sits on a white stool with wheels near him. He seems in good form. The faint light of the room emphasizes his pale and wan complexion, his high cheekbones, but also the pure blue of his eyes.

Those eyes are staring at him right now, which makes Tony unconformable. They are not gentle though. They’re icy. Actually, Stephen gives him such an annoyed glare that Tony thinks of keeping a low profile for one tiny second, but that’s not how he works.

The vampire finally stops looking at him to resume what he’s been doing. He comes closer, and most importantly, near his bleeding knee, put on a cushion. In fact, droplets of Tony's blood roll onto Stephen’s shaking fingers as the vampire gently swabs his open wound.

Tony gapes, and he holds his breath. He expects a blow, an attack, or Stephen's pointy teeth suddenly piercing his flesh, but none of that happens. Stephen’s face is calm, as if he doesn’t even notice that human blood soaks his fingers.

“How… How are you doing that?!”

Tony’s wounded leg weakly wriggles, trying to get away from the vampire to be out of reach, but Stephen just wraps his other hand around Tony’s calf to keep it still. He doesn’t hurt him. He just holds it.

His hand is cold. It gives the Hunter goose bumps.

“Doing what?”

Tony rolls his eyes as he tries not to show his fear and anxiety. He hates the vampire’s inured tone. “Well, I could answer “playing dumb” because that’s what you’re doing right now, but that’s not it. My…” he clears his throat. “My blood on your fingers…”

“Ah…” Stephen’s smile is acid, and he dryly replies. “You’re asking me how is that possible that I haven’t snapped and ripped your throat apart with my teeth yet?”

Tony doesn’t speak for a moment. He doesn’t know if he should laugh or run away. Was it a joke or a threat? Actually, Stephen doesn’t make a single threatening move and his face doesn’t show any sign of hostility.

He’s just focused on Tony’s injury, sometimes wiping his bloody fingers with a white towel. Tony calms down despite himself. He has to admit that for now, he has not been treated badly or unfairly. He’s still on the alert, of course, but he lets himself being healed.

He can’t do much, actually.

For now.

Tony still glares at the vampire, trying to communicate his entire disgust through his glare. He winces as Stephen puts disinfectant on his wound. It stings. God, it will have to be stitched up. Stephen looks at him. He has beautiful eyes. “You’re scared.”

“Fuck you,” Tony can’t help it. It just comes out. He hates that kind of comments. It sounds like a beast that can feel when his prey is afraid.

“The Great Iron Man is scared…” The vampire darkly teases. “You want to take refuge behind… Wait, how do you call yourselves? The Avengers?” Stephen shakes his head as if it’s the worst name he has ever heard. “What a shitty name.”

Tony is taken aback for a second; he’s surprised that Stephen knows about his team. He didn't know the Avengers were famous. What’s more, this acid comment is offending, of course, but it sounds human. It seems like something Tony himself would say. He loves throwing offending comments at people after all.

A vampire is a beast, it’s not supposed to be sarcastic. It’s weird; between that and the hug Stephen and the kid shared, Tony wonders what he is missing here. Why do these vampires seem to behave like humans?

Vampires are not humans. Every vampire Tony has met and fought have always rejected their human part and have always seen humans as weak and inferior. So why would Tony see them as human? They’re not.

They’re Creatures of the Night. They’re monsters and contrary to nature. A dead man must stay dead. Full stop.

Tony ignores this thought as anger burns his stomach. “Do you know why we’re called that way?” He groans.

“Nope… And I don’t really care, actually.”

Tony glares at him. OK, this vampire is a dickhead. “Because we all have someone or something to avenge. Someone or something that have been taken from us because of monsters like you.”

Stephen’s features tense. “Monsters like me…” he repeats, clearly bitter. “You mean, the kind of monster that would save your ass…?”

Tony narrows his eyes. “I’m sure I’m missing something… You wouldn’t save me freely… What do you want? What are you going to do to me once I’m healed and well? Using me as a blood bag? Torturing me for information about the Avengers?”

Stephen openly laughs, which is even weirder. “You really think I give a shit what your pathetic team does in your town in the middle of nowhere?”

Tony is slightly reassured: the vampire doesn’t seem to know about the arms trafficking. Indeed, the Hunter wants to spread his weapons and his serum – well, once it is ready – to protect the entire population. He has already started, but it would be easier if he wasn’t here.

Captive.

But is he really a prisoner, though?

“Well, you seem to know we exist…”

Stephen rolls his eyes. “Yes, we all do. A group of mortals fighting vampires who happen not to fail doesn’t pass unnoticed…” Then, he shakes his head and he sighs. He… he has sighed. Just like a mortal. “The point I’m trying to make is that you don’t have to be afraid. I’ve already told you that. I don’t want anything from you, Hunter. I just want you to keep quiet.”

“You’re really funny, you know that? I don’t know what this fucking place is, I don’t know where I am, I’m still hurt, and… Your buddies could attack me and I wouldn’t even be able to protect-”

“They won’t attack you,” Stephen sternly interrupts him, as if this thought is unbearable. He clearly thinks highly of his “people”. He carries on. “And if that can reassure you, I didn’t know you would be on that slave market… I wasn’t trying to save you in particular, Hunter, but to save the human slaves. Humans who needed help and protection.”

That’s the spirit of Kamar-Taj: protecting the weak, seeing them as their equal, and giving them a shelter. Stephen has always respected and loved this place for this, even though some of them living here have clearly forgotten about it.

Tony looks down and he swallows. He doesn’t really know what he is allowed to say and what he is not allowed to say. Maybe if he crosses a line, he’ll be hurt? Killed? He can’t trust anyone here, especially not Stephen.

Yet, he’s not known to be at loss for words. “That’s touching, but it’s hard to believe vampires would just help humans…”

Stephen stares at him. He doesn’t seem to be offended, but he still whispers. “For someone who dedicates his life fighting vampires, you do not seem to know us very well...”

Tony darkly chuckles. “Oh trust me, I know them…” In his voice, he injects all the bitterness, anger and hatred he has gathered through the years. Vampires have attacked his city, his home. They have destroyed his world. Massacred his people and his friends. His family.

He knows exactly how cruel they are.

“Oh I see that…” Stephen raises an eyebrow, but his voice is not that cold. He does not sound scornful this time. “We’re just monsters, killers, bloodthirsty parasites... Fun fact: what’s happening in your town in the middle of nowhere is not necessarily happening everywhere else…”

Tony shakes his head. He is not ready for this conversation. He doesn’t want to talk to a vampire about his profession, or about what vampires do to humans. He can’t deny the fact that Stephen has some nerve though. “You haven’t answered my first question.”

“Maybe because it’s a boring question?”

Tony ignores him and he glances at his wounded knee. “Every vampire I have… met told me it was impossible to resist their blood thirst. It’s stronger than them. They never get a break, and it’s constant torture. They would… kill the entire earth just to have access to one single drop of blood,” he closes his eyes for a second.

He remembers some of the vampires he has fought, who seemed in so much pain. They were trembling, crawling, some were even sobbing, desperate for blood. Some couldn’t even fight him. He almost pitied them, at that moment. Almost.

Tony continues. “And you can… just heal me, clean up my wound that obviously bleeds a lot, and be… Like… Chilled out?”

Stephen is silent for a moment, but he ends up saying. “Practice.”

“Who trained you?” Tony frowns, confused. He didn’t know vampires could control their blood thirst. It seems so unreal. He doesn’t really know why he is curious about it, actually. He shouldn’t care. “You were trained here? At K… Kamar-Taj?”

“Kamar-Taj is a place where humans and vampires live together,” Stephen explains, and he ignores Tony’s eyes widening. “You will be able to see it once you’re healed. It welcomes humans who need protection, and vampires who are lost, victim of their blood thirst. Most of the time, they come here because they’re sick and tired of all of this… Because they’re alone… Because they want to stop hurting people-”

“Oh, really?” Tony says, but Stephen ignores him and continues. “They can get some help here to learn how to control themselves. But to really answer your question, Anthony…” He sighs. “I haven’t learned here. My Transformer taught me… A Transformer is-”

“Please, I know what a Transformer is…” Tony clenches his teeth. He’s not that ignorant. “It’s a son of a bitch who turns innocent people into monsters like him.”

Stephen doesn’t know why, but he smiles. He likes Tony's guts. “Well, the “son of a bitch” trained me… He… He hated incompetence. He hated seeing his Transformed being weak and controlled by their thirst. With him, you had to learn quickly if you wanted to survive. So I learned. I learned the hard way.”

He sounds weird now. Usually, his voice is firm, confident, and annoyingly drawling. Now, he seems to struggle to find the right words.

“The hard way?” Tony asks, but as he sees Stephen’s face darkening, he backs down and raises a hand. “OK… Sensitive subject, got it.”

Stephen seems to relax, and he gives him a tiny little smile. “I appreciate it,” he gets up, and he claims. “Don’t move and stay here. Christine will come to stitch your wound up,” his deep voice is firm again. “Try to run and I kill you.”

“Where’s the “we’re not all monsters and killers” narrative now?”

“I just don’t want you to ruin my work,” Stephen hisses, pointing at Tony’s wounded knee. Then, he walks towards the door, probably ready to leave the room, but Tony hasn’t done with his questions yet. He should shut up, and let that damn vampire get out and be as far away from him as possible, but for some reason, he needs to know. “You know who I am…” he whispers. “I’m a Hunter. You know what I’ve done… You know that if the roles were reversed, I would've killed you. How could you still help me?”

Stephen freezes. Then, he sighs and he recites. “Into whatsoever houses I enter, I will enter to help the sick, and I will abstain from all intentional wrong-doing and harm.”

Tony raises his eyebrows. “The Hippocratic oath, really? That’s sexy.”

Stephen turns around and he purses his lips. “I’m a doctor, Anthony,” A sudden bitter smile spreads across his face. “Well, some vampires here would say that I used to be a doctor, but that’s not how I want to think… I was a doctor as a human, and I don’t see why I should stop being one as a Creature of the Night. Which means that I have to heal, whether the sick person is a good or a bad man according to my own standards.”

Tony nods. It does make sense, but something bothers him. When he sees a vampire, he doesn’t think of the life he used to have. However, now, he is forced to take that into consideration. That… vampire in front of him was human. A doctor. He used to be normal, like him. That’s weird to imagine.

Tony rolls his eyes and he smirks. “Roughly speaking, you can’t stand me, but you still help me because you assume a doctor should heal everyone.”

Stephen smiles. This time, it’s not acid. It’s a sincerely amused smile. It’s a strange sight. “Pretty much.”

“So… A doctor? You know that’s not really reassuring? I mean, let’s imagine you were born in Middle Age and were a doctor at that time; bloodletting is not an appealing thing to me...”

Stephen rolls his eyes and he snorts. “I’m not that old, thank you.”

Tony doesn’t even realize he starts to drop his guard, and he almost jumps when the door brutally opens. A woman enters, and she immediately crosses her arms and glares at Stephen. She looks like she is ready to haul him over the coals. Who the hell is she?

“You’re a complete moron.”

Stephen smiles. “Hello, Christine.”

Then, it hits Tony; she is human. She is breathing, and she is not deadly pale. Instinctively, Tony’s eyes scan her skin to check if there are teeth marks. There is none. Which means that no vampire has fed on her. Yet.

What the hell? How can a mortal speak to a vampire like that? Doesn’t she know that he would be able to break her neck with a single finger? Even if the said finger shakes and is clearly fragile.

Speaking of which, Tony can’t help but look at Stephen’s ruined hands again. What happened? Who did that to him and why? Was it an accident or was it deliberate?

Tony blinks. God, he can’t believe it: he is curious about Stephen’s past. He shouldn’t care. All he should care about is recover and find a way to run and join the Avengers.

“Don’t “hello Christine” me!” Christine frowns. “You know I hate it when you do that! How could you just go save the humans on your own without backup?!”

“Technically, I wasn’t alone-”

“You could’ve been hurt, and Peter too!”

Stephen stays calm, which seems to piss the woman off even more. He just asks. “Have you seen the mortals?”

Christine sighs and she softens up despite herself. She purses her lips and she quickly nods. “Yes, I have,” he voice is less dry.

“Then, you know why I did that.”

Christine rolls her eyes. “You have such a big heart,” she grins as Stephen’s face tenses and she carries on. “They’re fine, by the way.”

She finally glances at Tony, and she raises an eyebrow. “So, he’s Tony Stark?” Her voice is neutral. Too neutral. As if she doesn’t really like him.

Tony is confused. A mortal is not supposed to dislike another. They should be united, fighting together against a common enemy. That’s what gathered the Avengers years ago. The more Tony learns about this place and its inhabitants, the less he believes it. But Tony's biggest weakness is that he's always been curious.

“Yep,” Stephen nods. “Can you stitch him up for me?”

“Sure…” she accepts. Then, a huge, impish smile spreads across her face, and she takes a blood bag out of her coat. “You must be hungry,” she holds it out to the vampire, and she completely misses the look on Tony’s face. His jaw drops.

A blood bag…?

Tony has always assumed that all vampires love to pierce their victim’s neck to suck their blood, first of all, because it’s the most efficient way to drink as much blood as possible, but also because it’s a way of establishing their authority. They make people understand that they’re in charge, that they’re dominant.

Drinking blood through a blood bag should feel like a humiliation…

Yet, Stephen takes it, naturally, but he narrows his eyes. He must expect some kind of trick.

“That’s nice of you,” he stares at the blood bag, “Whose blood is that?” He takes a quick sip, and he winces. Tony doesn’t know how to react, but he has to admit that it’s hilarious. It’s the kind of face you make when you eat something you hate, like eating a lemon. “That’s Elena’s…You know I hate her blood, I’ve already told you that. It tastes… disgusting.”

Christine pretends to feel sorry. “Oops… Stop being an idiot and maybe I’ll remember next time,” she doesn’t wait for Stephen’s reaction. “Now, get out of here.”

Stephen rolls his eyes, but he still obeys. He is about to leave, but Tony must say one last thing. He clears his throat and he asks. “Could you thank the kid for me? … Peter?”

Stephen doesn’t even hide his surprise, and Tony can’t blame him for that. He purses his lips, struggles to keep eye contact, and he whispers. “He saved me… I wouldn’t be here without him. Say him thanks.”

Yes, even Tony is surprised of himself.

Stephen doesn’t answer.

He just leaves the room, letting Christine and Tony together.

OoO

“You’re avoiding me, Grandpa,” Peter’s voice is not disapproving. It’s gentle and calm, as usual. His tone is reassuring, and it helps Stephen to stay where he is.

Running away is tempting, but Stephen refuses to lower himself by doing that. He promised the kid that they would talk after the rescue was over. Now, it is over. He has no right to run away and break his promise.

The kid is still. He turns his back on Stephen. He is near a patio door, admiring the view of the green forest below, and the sunset. Stephen doesn’t need to look at Peter’s face to know that his expression is calm and peaceful. Here’s the most secluded room of Kamar-Taj. Peter likes coming here, especially when he wants to think and appease his heart.

A heart that is not beating anymore.

“What makes you say that?” Stephen carefully answers, slowly joining him.

Peter waits till his Transformer is next to him to explain. “Normally, when we go back from a mission, you let some human doctors take care of the rescued, or you go to the Ancient One. But surprise surprise, this time, you locked yourself in a room with a human to heal him, you didn’t want me to go with you, and it happens right after I learned that Dorm...”

“Shut up,” Stephen grumbles, closing his eyes. Walls have ears. “Don’t talk that loud, stupid kid.”

Peter tenses. He looks around him even though they’re alone. He winces, showing that he is sorry, but he doesn’t insist. “So, no one knows here…” He deduces, not really surprised. He feels the strained atmosphere. Fear radiates from Stephen in all direction.

It comes inside of the kid’s chest and it squeezes his heart.

Peter massages his own chest. Their bond is too efficient, sometimes. He wishes Stephen could feel Peter’s own emotions as well, but the adult is too troubled. He probably doesn’t even think of reaching out.

“Stephen, I can’t force you to do anything,” Peter says, and then he makes a face. The kind of face that precedes a long tirade, Stephen knows it. “Well, technically I could, through our bond, although I’m not suicidal enough to try it and you said years ago that, well I mean that I understood that-”

“Kiddo, you’re rambling again,” Stephen interrupts him again, but it’s not dry. He crosses his arms against his chest and keeps his eyes on the forest. “Straight to the point.”

“We have to talk about it. We have to clear the air… We can’t act as if nothing happened.”

Stephen’s lips shape a bitter smile. “That’s what I’ve done for most of my life…”

Peter looks at him, and he huffs. “Yeah and that didn’t really help you.”

“What does that mean?”

Stephen’s voice turns slightly dangerous, but Peter does not back down. He has never been afraid of Stephen, that won’t happen now. “It means I can feel you’re afraid right now. You’re terrified. It’s painful,” Stephen notices now that the kid has been massaging his chest for a time, near his heart. Right where he receives Stephen’s emotions.

The Transformer winces, and he takes a deep breath to calm down his fear. He doesn’t want the kid to suffer because of him. He manages to hinder their strong bond, not enough to break it or cut it – he would never cut their bond, that’s too precious – but just enough for the kid to breathe.

“Sorry,” Stephen whispers.

Peter doesn’t seem to care. “If you’re afraid of what I might ask, don’t be. I won’t ask you anything,” He doesn’t miss the surprised look on Stephen’s face, and he continues. “Don’t get me wrong, Grandpa. I’m curious. I want to know. I want to know who you were before… before Dormammu happened. I want to know what he’s done to you… How you betrayed him and joined Kamar-Taj… But…”

The kid purses his lips. “I can feel how painful it is to you and I don’t want to know about your past… like this. You don’t want to talk about it, that’s obvious, and I respect your privacy. You will tell me only if you want to tell me and if you’re ready. Not because I want it.”

Stephen is speechless for a second. The kid is young, and he looks even younger. Yet, he’s smart and wise. Stephen would never tell it out loud, but he’s so proud of the kid. So grateful to have him as his Transformed. However, these sweet words – as wise and gentle as they are – are not enough to completely appease his fears and insecurities. Hearing Peter calling him “grandpa” is a consolation, but he’s still cautious.

Stephen doesn’t want to hope. Hope is cruel.

The kid can leave him. He will, probably.

“Then, if you’re not going to ask questions about it… What do you want us to talk about?”

Peter keeps looking at him. His eyes – so full of life and innocent most of the time – are sad. The seriousness of the conversation could be read on his face. “You’re still afraid… You’re not only anxious about the questions I may have… You’re afraid that I might leave, aren’t you?”

Stephen hates this. He hates being so … easily decipherable. The armor he has built around him for years has one purpose: protect himself. He never wants people to read his weaknesses again. Dormammu had entered. Against his will.

He doesn’t want that to happen again.

But that’s not Dormammu… A gentle voice whispers inside his head. It’s Peter. It’s OK.

“That would be logical… I wouldn’t blame you if you decided to leave me.” Stephen manages to say, despite his dry throat. He closes his eyes. He hates how his voice sounds. Vulnerable. Sad. Afraid.

Peter glances at him. He knows that Stephen wants to be seen as cold and insensible. He actually acts that way, all the time. But he’s not. He’s never been. He cares.

“No,” Peter firmly shakes his head. “Grandpa, I’m not stupid. I’ve always known that your past was dark, or that your Transformer was a dickhead. The way you never talked about it, the way your mood could change all of a sudden when I asked questions… The only thing that changes is that now… I know his name.”

That’s too much. “That changes everything, stupid kid. Now, you know I’m a monster,” he doesn’t know if he’s angry at the kid or at himself.

Peter stays calm. That’s his strength: Stephen is impulsive and bad-tempered, grumpy, even, whereas Peter is calm and measured. Full of life.

“No,” he calmly corrects him. “I know that your Transformer is a monster.”

“That’s the same thing,” Stephen croaks. “I’m his creation, Peter,” His voice quivers, and he grits his teeth.

Peter stares at him, and it’s impossible for Stephen to read his face. He seems that he is thinking. But thinking of what?

Then, the kid’s face lights up, and he moves. He catches Stephen’s wrist, and waits for a second. Stephen doesn’t resist, so the kid, reassured, continues. He slowly steers Stephen’s hand towards his chest, near his heart. Of course, Stephen doesn’t feel a beating. Peter’s dead. Peter presses Stephen’s hand on his chest.

“There,” Peter firmly declares. He sounds proud of himself. “That’s our bond. That’s where I’ve been feeling you for years now,” he quickly chuckles. “And trust me, it’s no pleasure cruise. It’s exhausting.”

Stephen can’t help but smile a bit. Just a bit. “I’m offended.”

“You’re a pain in the ass,” Peter teases with a smirk, but he quickly becomes serious. “But I’ve never felt something that could make me hate you or make me run away. I’ve never felt something dark or cruel,” He lets go of Stephen’s wrist, but Stephen keeps his hand pressed against Peter’s chest. It’s his way of keeping the bond, even though it’s technically still here. “A monster would never feel the way you do. A monster would never be ready to risk his life to save humans he doesn’t even know… A monster would never save a lost kid the way you saved me.”

There is a silence between the duo. Stephen doesn’t know what to say, but Peter is patient. He lets his Transformer come to terms with what he’s just said, and as he sees that Stephen is unable to speak, he affirms. “Grandpa, I know you.”

“You don’t,” Stephen weakly denies. He can’t help it.

However, luckily for him, Peter learned from him: he can be stubborn as well. “I do. I don’t know when or where you were born, who your friends or family were. I don’t know what Dormammu did to you. Who you were or what you did when you were trained by him. But that’s not what matters. What matters is what you have in here…” He points at Stephen’s chest. “And luckily for you, this… I feel it everyday. It’s a part of me.”

Stephen has now lost all his confidence. His protective armor falters, and his deep insecurities become visible on his features. He slowly lowers his hand down and he looks down. “I…” he stammers.

Peter sighs, but he understands. “It’s hard for you to believe that I might think what I said. But tell me, Grandpa. Am I lying?” Stephen knows what he is asking; he is asking Stephen to use their bond. To feel what Peter feels. And his Transformer obeys. He closes his eyes, and he reaches out until he can feel Peter.

“No,” Stephen says, after some time. “You’re not lying,” His voice betrays his surprise and his gratitude. Peter gently smiles at him and he seems content.

“He…” Stephen doesn’t need to explain; they both know that “he” refers to Dormammu. It’s just hard for Stephen to say his name. “He has always said to me that people would leave me… As soon as they knew who I was,” he sounds breathless, but this time, he doesn't care.

Peter’s face twists. He seems angry, but his voice stays calm and measured when he answers. “Well, that was bullshit. I’m not leaving,” he nudges him with a smile. “I still need your lessons. And our quarrels. And your icy glare when I’m not listening.”

Stephen laughs. He doesn’t thank the kid, but he nods at him. Peter knows that means the same thing. The adult slowly pulls himself together, and his confident mask that have cracked earlier comes back in shape on his face. Peter's mentor clears his throat, and the confident and cold Stephen is back. He changes the subject, and Peter lets him. He’s satisfied with their conversation. “Anthony thanks you by the way. For saving him.”

Peter’s eyes widens, and a huge, excited smile spreads across his face. “Really? Is he OK, though?”

Stephen nods. “I'm the one who healed him, of course he's OK," Peter rolls his eyes. "He seems to tolerate you,” not that Stephen blames him. Peter is trustful. “If you don’t mind… Could you take care of him once he’s healed? Show him Kamar-Taj, for example?”

“Sure, but…” Peter asks worryingly. “What are we going to do with him…?”

Peter knows he’s Iron Man, a deadly Hunter. He doesn’t think Tony could hurt them or be a threat, but he will probably want to leave as soon as possible. They’ll have to think of something, to protect Kamar-Taj, even though the Hunter doesn’t know where it is. Hunters must not come at Kamar-Taj.

And to be honest, Peter is a little afraid of what the Council might say or decide. Will they want… Tony dead? To suppress a threat? Peter is sure Stephen wouldn’t let that happen, nor Wong.

“I don’t know…” Stephen answers. “I actually need to talk to the Ancient One and the Council. Do you have something else to share with me?”

Peter opens his mouth, but he closes it and thinks. He wants to tell his Transformer that, lately, and especially with their little rescue mission, it has been… difficult to resist his blood thirst. Seeing Tony’s blood on his clothes… It smelt good. He almost derailed, Peter had felt it.

However, Stephen is troubled now. He has lived enough already. He’s stressed, busy, and Peter doesn’t want to be a burden. So, he just shakes his head and forces a shining smile on his face, “Nope. All good.”

He will control his blood thirst.

It’s all fine.

Chapter Text

“How are you feeling?” Peter asks Tony as soon as he enters Stephen’s bedroom and closes the door behind his back. He stays at the doorway, putting a certain distance between Tony and him.

It must be the kid’s strategy to make the mortal feel at ease. It’s smart. Blunt and obvious, but smart. And it works.

“I’m OK,” Tony is surprised to know that it’s the truth. His leg is now stitched up and it doesn’t hurt anymore. Christine has made sure of that by giving to him painkillers and anti-inflammatory. She had stayed slightly cold and detached with her patient, but she had done her job well.

It is not easy to walk properly for now, but he can still move to a lesser extent. His shoulder is now maintained by a solid plaster cast, so he only has one available arm. He knows that it could have been worse, so he doesn’t complain.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Peter offers him a sunny smile, and Tony can’t help it: he shyly smiles back at him. It seems that it is easier to talk to the kid than to Stephen. The child has indeed the strange gift to make people feel comfortable. It’s pleasing, but Tony’s distrust is still here.

It’s so tempting to forget the fact that that child is a vampire, but Tony knows better. Sure, Peter looks like a cute kid, but he has red eyes and a wan complexion, and he is capable of breaking his body in half if he wished to do so.

He has probably killed.

And actually, there’s a terrifying image haunting Tony’s mind: Peter’s predatory and hungry eyes looking at his blood soaking his clothes. When he was injured. It didn’t last long, but it was enough. Enough to know that for a brief second, the kid wanted to drink his blood. That single thought makes him shudder.

“What do you want?” Tony’s voice is not dry.

It’s just a question.

Peter looks around him, frowning a little bit and he says. “Aren’t you tired of being here? Would you want to go out a little bit? Walk?”

As Tony distrustfully narrows his eyes and gives no answer, the kid glances at his wounded leg and he chuckles. “Well, walk as long as your fragile leg allows you to.”

Tony raises his eyebrows; this kid likes being teasing, it seems. It’s not unpleasant. Tony surprises himself to appreciate the kid’s company. He shouldn’t. He should spend his time staying far away from the vampires, and think of how he could escape.

He is meant to fight them, not spend time with them and hang out for a while. He is a Hunter for God’s sake. What’s more, it could be a stratagem; making him go out of this room, and taking him to an unknown place where he could be beaten and killed.

Well, if Tony is being honest with himself, he doesn’t really believe that. He doesn’t think the kid will hurt him. Not willingly, though. He still coldly refuses. “No thanks. I prefer staying here.”

Peter’s reaction is surprising, to say the least. His rejection hurts, genuinely hurts. Well, it’s not hard to read the kid in fact; it seems that Peter’s face has always been openly sharing his emotions to the rest of the world.

Great, now it appears that Tony managed to hurt a vampire’s feelings. It’s so weird. He shouldn’t feel guilty, but seeing the kid’s face being so openly disappointed and sad makes him feel… something.

Peter actually acts like a kid, a normal child who is disappointed because an adult refused his request. But he's not a normal child! God, this place really plays with his mind.

“I understand,” the vampire’s lips manage to shape a sincere smile. “I don’t blame you for being distrustful. You want to isolate, to protect yourself from us,” he is totally right, but Tony doesn’t like his tone. He sounds understanding and kind.

It shouldn’t be a tone coming out of a vampire’s mouth.

Peter sighs, and that’s a sight Tony will never get used to it. “Look. I’m not asking you to go out for hours. Just walk a little bit to stretch your legs and see Kamar-Taj. We’ll go back here as soon as you ask me to. It must be boring to stay here all day.”

It is.

Tony opens his mouth to send him packing, but he stops. Wait a minute… Going with the kid to see Kamar-Taj… It could be really useful if he wants to escape. He actually needs to know how this place works, how it looks, where are its weaknesses, its exits, its less frequented rooms…

It seems that luck is on his side.

Peter keeps talking. He is talkative. “To be honest, Stephen asked me to show you Kamar-Taj. And…” Tony is suddenly annoyed and his jaw clenches. The simple mention of Stephen is enough to get on his nerves. He interrupts the kid with no particular kindness. “And you always obey like a good little dog…?”

He makes no effort to hide his disdain.

Peter shrugs, and he remains calm, despite Tony’s cruel words. That’s the major difference between him and Stephen. The older vampire would have lashed out, and be as cruel as Tony, but not Peter. He is comprehensive. He even smiles, although his eyes seem to suggest that he is a bit hurt. “He’s my Transformer. Of course I obey him… Well, not always, but that’s a mere detail.”

Tony grimaces. He is disgusted. Yes, he now has another reason to hate Stephen. This bastard transformed a poor kid into a vampire. A child! What kind of monster would transform a child…?

Tony hates vampires in general, but he would be an idiot if he believed that being a vampire was awesome and not without consequences. It is a burden, a malediction. He’s seen too many desperate vampires, desperate to be killed, once and for all, and be free from all of this…

What is surprising however is the gentle tone Peter uses. It doesn’t seem to bother him. In fact, for what Tony has seen so far, Stephen and him seem to be pretty close. That’s weird, again.

His thoughts are interrupted as Peter continues with a calm voice. “But I’m a little bit bored! Kamar-Taj is annoying for that. That’s why I like going out and sometimes, kick some vampires’ asses to save humans from slave trafficking,” his eyes suddenly widen, as if he was afraid of having said an enormity. “Er, not that I wanted mortals to live hell like you did. Nope! Not at all. Anyway, it can be fun to make you visit! I want it!”

He sounds excited. Like an innocent child would be.

Tony sighs, and he finally forces himself to move and sit on the bed, not without a little wince. It feels good to straighten up. He has the feeling of being an equal, not quite as vulnerable as he used to be laying down. Well, he knows that’s just an illusion, that he stays a prey no matter what, but he needs it.

“Fine.”

Peter’s face lights up, and a sunny and pleased smile appears. It’s a cute and heartwarming sight, Tony can’t pretend otherwise. He wonders how Peter can act like that around him, knowing he is a Hunter.

After all, Tony could have killed some of his friends, it was not a bit of a stretch to consider it.

Quickly, Peter grabs a thick overcoat as Tony manages to get up, and he hands it over to him. “Put this on.”

Tony obeys without a word of protest, but he is confused. It doesn’t seem to be freezing out there, so… why? Yet, another thought comes into his mind. A much more disturbing one: this coat is thick and large. It covers most of his body, and his neck.

It would be perfect to… hide his scent.

As if fate wants to prove him right, as soon as he has put it on, the kid’s eyes gleam. Relief, that’s what Tony sees in these red eyes. This coat is just a way to hide his scent. Indeed, as long as Peter can’t smell his blood, he isn’t tempted. His thirst becomes bearable and easier to control.

Tony clears his throat, and he needs all his willpower to move his legs and follow the kid. He has to follow him, to see Kamar-Taj. To escape later on. To run away from this place.

OoO

“You’re slow, old man,” Peter freely laughs as he comes back near Tony who struggles to walk and avoid the multiple holes, rocks and roots at the same time. He almost stumbles but he grads hold of a branch to keep his balance. Not without a frustrated groan.

Damn root.

Tony appreciates the fact that the kid joins him and decides to stay with him. Indeed, the kid is fast and agile. He could go on without him. Actually, he is the most agile vampire Tony has ever met. For more than ten minutes, he had just jumped, moved all around, climbed trees and grabbed hold of branches, laughing, as Tony struggled to follow.

A real human dynamo.

He also seems to know this pathway by heart.

It is adorable, Tony can’t say otherwise.

“That’s unfair!” the Hunter grumbles, sounding grumpy. “And I thought we would visit Kamar-Taj, not walking through a hostile forest…” He moves his hand in front of his face as a noisy fly starts to fly around his head.

“It’s not hostile,” Peter rolls his eyes. “And we have just arrived.”

“Arrived?” Tony raises an eyebrow, looking around him and seeing only trees, vines and bushes, as far as the eye can see. The Creature of the Night just smiles at him and he doesn’t answer. Instead, with his usual gracefulness, he effortlessly jumps, pressing his feet on a trunk and using one hand to hold on branches.

Tony gives him a confused look, and the kid just reaches out.

The message is clear. This time, Peter won’t climb up alone. He wants Tony to go up with him. The mortal can’t help but chuckle at that idea. Silly Peter. He crosses his arms, shaking his head. That’s out of the question. “Nope. You’re completely crazy.”

“Is Iron Man afraid of height?” Peter teases, but his face quickly becomes serious. “Trust me, I won’t let you fall,” He sounds sincere.

Tony hesitates.

It’s not that he’s afraid of height. It’s that, up here, he’ll be even more vulnerable. This time, he will have to rely on a vampire rather than on his technology. He will have to trust a vampire again. He has already done it with Stephen. It turns out that he has been right to trust him – this time – but it doesn’t mean he will be right again.

Tony rolls his eyes. “I thought vampires’ sight was supposed to be sharp. Maybe you’re unaware, but I have a wounded leg and a plaster cast, kid… I’m not in good shape to climb!”

“Do you want to see Kamar-Taj or not?” Peter asks, but he doesn’t sound irritated nor affected by Tony’s biting irony. He is really patient with him.

Tony bits his lower lip, but he sighs. Peter has actually saved his life back there. He had done it because he had wanted it. And he indeed wanted to see Kamar-Taj. His escape depended on it.

Fine…

“If you make me fall, kid, I’ll be very angry and I’ll kick your ass,” he grumbles, trying to sound menacing. As he takes Peter’s firm hand, the kid laughs. “Oh, I’m so scared… Before you manage to kick my ass, you’ll have to catch me, old man.”

Tony smiles at the teasing. It just comes.

The kid nods, his face suddenly serious and focused. He slowly starts to climb, supporting most of Tony’s weight. That’s why it is not hard for the Hunter to go up, leaning his feet on solid branches, and even if they would break, Peter would always be here to catch him before he could fall.

The tree is huge, though. It takes them a moment to reach the top. As they both stop, Tony is the only one who’s breathless, but his body and his injuries don’t hurt. That’s good.

The kid just randomly sits on a thick branch, inviting Tony to do the same, and he nonchalantly starts to wipe dust away from his hands.

Tony clumsily sits, not at ease, especially as he only has one arm to help him. He finally looks around him and he gapes. He could see Kamar-Taj, finally. He could see the entire place where he’s been welcomed.

This place that seems so unreal.

Well, it exists.

It is smaller than he would have thought; surrounded by trees, it is divided into two parts, separated by a huge circular courtyard, even though some buildings and footbridges seem to link the two. He narrows his eyes, raises his hand to protect his eyes from the sun.

He can see lots of people walking, chatting with each other. He can hear laughs. It has so much… color and life. It still looks a bit unreal, if he compares it with the shitty city he’s been living for most of his life.

Before he could try to analyze it a bit further, Peter speaks. “Impressed?” He smiles at him, and his smile widens as he sees Tony’s expression.

“Two parts…” Tony whispers. “One for humans, the other for vampires?”

Peter nods. “They’re not really different. Just… The human part has a kitchen, a dining room, and bigger bedrooms,” he doesn’t explain more, but Tony doesn’t mind.

He is relaxed, and he has completely dropped his guard without even realizing it. He has tried his best not to, but he failed. He loves that. He loves that view.

It’s beautiful.

Actually, for most of his life, he had just been focused on weapons, on fights and protection. Fighting vampires, creating a serum to protect mortals, fighting vampires. Over and over again. Just surviving and nothing else.

Being on top of a tree, seeing Kamar-Taj… It triggers something in him, something similar to hope.

He ignores that strange feeling for now. He stops looking at Kamar-Taj, and he focuses on Peter. He can’t help it, he’s curious. “How old are you, actually?”

Peter looks at him weirdly, and Tony could swear that for a second, he looked uncomfortable. “You know…” Peter clears his throat. “It’s rude to ask a vampire’s age. It’s kinda taboo.”

“Oh…” Tony bits his lips, almost feeling bad, even though it doesn’t make any sense to him.

“I’m 19,” Peter still answers, and Tony is a bit relieved. Yes, it is true that Peter doesn’t look like a 19 year old man: he looks way younger, but it’s not that disturbing. It would have been far worse if he was actually older than that, like… older than Tony, for example.

The kid continues with a serene voice, looking at himself. “But I’ll be forever stuck in a 14 year old kid’s body. Because I was 14 when I was transformed,” Tony can’t help but shudder. He doesn’t like the kid’s tone. It’s so… nonchalant, casual and natural.

As if nothing about all of that disturbed him.

Being a kid and a Creature of the Night is not supposed to be normal…

“How could you be so… serene about all of this?” Tony dares. “About… being a vampire?” He doesn’t want to be rude. He just doesn’t understand. And Tony hates being lost.

Peter doesn’t seem offended, even though Tony could see that he starts to get nervous. He bits his lips and he carefully thinks of his choice of words. “Why wouldn’t I be? Being a vampire… It can be troublesome but it also gave me so much more. I’ve gained more than I’ve lost… And I guess I’ve accepted it, a long time ago”

“You’ve accepted it…” Tony blankly repeats, not believing it. It’s impossible.

He doesn’t know why, but he starts to be… angry. Angry at the kid, at this unfair situation generally speaking. Peter doesn’t deserve to be a vampire! “Being a vampire is a burden. A curse. He… He destroyed your life by turning you into that, don’t you see that?!”

His voice becomes more aggressive, and at that moment, by seeing Peter’s look, he knows he has crossed a line. The kid’s eyes turn cold, hostile, even. He frowns. “You talk a lot for someone who knows nothing,” His voice is sharp. Severe. “You know nothing about me, nothing. You have no right to tell me how I should behave.”

Tony deserves this.

The vampire is right. Tony has no right to judge his life and how he manages to handle it. He is arrogant and he can be a dickhead, but he knows when he’s gone too far. He lowers his gaze. “You’re right. I’m sorry,” he has never thought he would apologize to a vampire, but here we are. “It’s just…”

Tony is speechless, which is rare for him. His sincere frustration seems to soften Peter up, and he offers some mercy. “You want to understand why I accepted it…? How is that possible? Because I wanted it. It was my choice to become a vampire, not Stephen’s. I asked him to turn me into a vampire. He didn’t force me.”

Tony gapes.

Peter sighs, and he stops looking at Tony. By avoiding his gaze, he tells Tony that he’s now clearly vulnerable. That they go into a sensitive subject. He blankly looks in front of him, as if he was lost in a memory. A painful one, judging by his tensed features. “In fact, I was lucky. It’s a luxury to have a choice. Lots of us didn’t get it.”

“How… How could you want it…?” Tony asks, trying to sound smoothing, and not judging. He has always thought that the only possible event that could turn somebody into a vampire was merciless and dangerous vampires hanging around who happen to attack people randomly and change them, out of cruelty or just because they’re bored.

It seems he is ignorant for a lot of things concerning vampires… As soon as this thought crosses his mind, he blinks and he shakes his head. That’s stupid of him. He knows them!

“I was dying,” Peter weakly answers, lowering his gaze. His face now reflects his vulnerabilities, his weaknesses. He looks like a human. However, for once, Tony is not relieved to see that. “I was 14 and I was dying.”

Tony’s chest hurts. “What happened?”

Peter stays silent for a second. “Remember when I told you I’ve gained more than I’ve lost? This is true, but the main reason behind that is because… I had nothing as a human. No friends, no family…” he stops, frowning bitterly. “Well, technically, I had parents, but…” he shakes his head, and Tony is almost afraid to know the rest of the story. “They weren’t nice.”

Tony clears his throat and he gently asks. “Were you… Mistreated?”

“Yes,” Peter’s jaw clenches, and he starts to hug himself with his arms, trying to protect himself, it seems. He is traumatized, Tony easily notices it, and he doesn’t like any of that. He would do anything to stop the kid from looking so miserable.

He doesn’t even know why. For the first time, he forgets that the child in front of him is a vampire. He just sees a vulnerable and innocent kid. A kid that suffered because life was cruel.

“I do realize now that I was mistreated. But Not then. I thought it was normal… One slap, not having any food, more beating… But one day, it came too far.”

He rubs his face with shaking hands. “One day, it came too far,” he tiredly repeats. “They were so furious. They..." he stops, closes his eyes. "I don't even remember why. But... They went at me and they set upon me. At that moment, I didn’t know what I had, but Stephen told me afterwards that I had a pierced lung, because of broken ribs. I was dying. They… my parents panicked and they left me. They ran away from the house.”

“You were left alone?” Tony whispers, painfully. Those people were monsters. How could they have done this to an innocent child?

“Yes. I didn’t even realize they left, at that moment. I was just…”

Peter closes his eyes, and he remembers it perfectly: the pain. Overwhelming, unbearable. He couldn’t see, couldn’t think. He couldn’t even stop the hot tears from running down his cheeks, couldn’t even realize that he was sobbing – from pain or from distress, he would never know – that he struggled to breathe.

He had seemed to him that it lasted forever, but in fact, the two vampires quickly came to join him.

Mordo and Stephen.

Peter still doesn’t know why they were near his house that day, but he knows why they came up to him: they had heard the sobs, the weak screams of a dying boy crying out for help, and of course, they had smelt his blood.

He remembers Mordo’s horrified face looking down at him, his hand covering his mouth. It’s still blurry, but he remembers. He was urging Stephen to do something, screaming words Peter couldn’t understand. Stephen had never looked at Mordo, not once.

He kept looking at the kid, and as a doctor, he immediately knelt near him. “Hang on, kid!” His deep voice had been clear and collected. That had been empty words, Peter knows it now, but it had been enough to reassure the boy back then. Because he was not alone anymore.

Stephen had started to examine him, but he had quickly stopped. Too quickly. Because he understood that he couldn’t do anything. He had known it just by hearing the kid’s broken breathing and seeing the ugly bruises coloring Peter’s chest.

It was simply too late. Stephen had turned towards Mordo, and he had just shaken his head, jaw clenched.

Peter had refused this. He had refused to die. It was so unfair! He had been so afraid of dying. So young. With a cry of pain, he had managed to grab Stephen’s forearm with surprising strength, and he had begged him. Begged him over and over to save him. To prevent him from dying.

Stephen’s blue eyes had sadly looked at him, but then something had happened. As if he had just made an important decision.

He had taken his words into consideration, that day. Peter will forever be grateful for that. He had not ignored these words because they came from a frightened and desperate kid. He had not abandoned him.

Peter remembers Stephen’s hand gently covering his forehead, probably to calm him down. His hand had been cold. So cold. Peter remembers that too.

“There is one solution.”

“What are you doing, Stephen?!” Mordo violently intervened, but he was ignored. Stephen looked at the kid intently, and he slowly let his pointy fangs go out and be visible. Even in such a poor state, Peter had understood.

He was a vampire.

They were both vampires.

Surprisingly enough, he had not been scared. He was already dying, after all.

“If you drink my blood, you’ll live,” Peter was about to accept right away, but Stephen was not done. He had shaken his head as he sternly finished his explanation. “You’ll live, but you will have to pay the price. I will help you, but you’ll have to pay the price.”

Peter had understood. He had understood what Stephen was suggesting. Peter was going to die anyway, but if he had Stephen’s blood within his system, he could come back to life.

As a vampire.

He had read in Stephen’s eyes the price he will have to pay if he accepted; the pain of being a vampire, of being immortal, of being at the mercy of their blood lust and innate impulse. He had told him, with just a silent and broken look, all the sufferings he would have to endure. The burden he will have to bear, forever.

Peter had wanted to pay the price, though. He had begged again. Had begged to be saved.

“Stephen, you’re crazy! It’s just a kid!” Stephen ignored Mordo once again, quickly bringing his wrist close to his mouth. “He doesn’t know what he’s doing!”

“He does,” Stephen firmly claimed. He had bit his wrist, looking at his own blood running down his forearm. Gently, he had taken the kid’s body to move it closer to him, and he had slipped his other hand under his neck, to raise his head a little.

“You can always say no,” Peter had not answered. He had just tried to reach out to take Stephen’s wrist, trying to move it closer to his mouth so he could drink. “Alright”, Stephen nodded. “Kid, it’s going to taste disgusting. But it’s going to be OK.”

And, then he had gently pressed his wrist against Peter's lips, and the kid drunk. Not a lot, but Stephen hadn’t lied, it indeed tasted disgusting. He had almost gagged and vomited. But he had forced himself to drink, repeating Stephen’s gentle words over and over inside his head to encourage himself to keep going.

It’s going to be OK.

It’s going to be OK.

Then, he had become motionless, exhausted, some drops of blood running down his chin. He was still alive, though. A pierced lung caused a painful and slow death. A long agony. That’s why Stephen had intervened again. He firmly cupped the kid’s cheeks, and he told the kid. “Just look at me. You’re not alone and you’re going to be OK.”

Peter had looked up, even though his vision was blurry. He was not alone, and this mere thought had allowed his fear to reduce. And then, suddenly, it was over. The pain, the agony. It was all over, and darkness had enveloped him.

“He… He killed you?” Tony brutally interrupts his monologue. Peter blinks, and he looks at Tony, who seem horrified by the story he has just told him. He couldn’t blame him. “Yes. Stephen broke my neck. He offered me a painless death. And then, when I woke up, I was at Kamar-Taj,” Peter smiles fondly at that memory. “And Stephen was there.”

There was a long silence between the two of them. “I’m sorry,” Tony didn’t know what else to say. It was too painful. “You didn’t deserve that.”

Peter appreciates these kind words. "I know what you think of us,” his voice is calm and collected this time. “You hate us, and I can’t blame you. I’m sure you have your reasons. Some vampires must have destroyed your life. And you don’t deserve that either. But you see: I’ve been treated kindly… only by vampires. They’re the one who helped me, who valued me, who… loved me and gave me a home. They’re my family. Stephen is.”

Tony doesn’t say anything. He doesn't know what to do with these new information. He doesn't have time to cogitate though. Because suddenly, Peter’s eyes are bright, alert, and he quickly gets up. His muscles are tensed, ready to act. He could hear something Tony couldn't. “What’s happening?”

“We have to go back to Kamar-Taj,” Peter tells him, nervously looking down at him. “The Council wants us to join them.”

Chapter Text

When Peter told Tony that they needed to go back to Kamar-Taj, he sounded way too dramatic and fearful, compared to what’s happening right now. The Hunter had expected being thrown in a prison cell or thrown in the middle of cold vampires in a sort of trial that would decide his lot.

But it’s not what is happening.

Right now, he is unharmed and free. He has been brought to a mysterious and cloistered room, alone. He doesn’t know why this detail bothers him so much: he has expected Peter or at least Stephen to be with him. He is ridiculous! He doesn’t need them.

The room in which he is standing right now is well illuminated, and weird symbols and graffities adorn the walls. He frowns. He would like to know what they mean. He doesn’t know if it’s because of his curiosity, or because of his wish to understand in order to destroy the vampires living here. Maybe there is the answer in these symbols...

“Anthony Stark… It is a pleasure to finally meet you,” He is facing a woman, that seemed to come out of nowhere. A strange woman that shows a calm expression.

She gives him an odd smile, a smile that seems to mean nothing and everything at once. It is weird to look at her because she looks physically fragile. Her skin is deadly pale – far paler than most vampires – and wrinkled, her bald head makes her look like she is ill, and she is not muscular. Her body is small and thin.

However, there is something in her gentle eyes, a glint of something dangerous. And he feels something around her, something that bothers him and paralyzes his members. The air is thicker, harder to breathe around her. Yes, she is powerful. Probably the most powerful vampire here.

“Tea?”

Still polite and friendly.

Tony refuses to move. He doesn’t even look at the cup she is holding in her hands. His chin up, he glares at her. He won’t let her see how intimidating she is. “You have an advantage. You know who I am, but I don’t know who you are.”

The woman blinks, as the tiny smile stays on her lips. “Anthony Stark,” she sighs, as sweet and slow as before, but it sounds more like a disappointed and tired reprimand now. “You see every interaction with us as a conflict, as a merciless war in which you must get the upper hand to survive. You see yourself as a prey, but you are not, I can assure you. No one will harm you here.”

He wants to believe her. He truly wants to. But he ends up laughing bitterly and shaking his head. “I’m not stupid, you know? I’m a Hunter, a threat to your lovely town, and I’m part of the Avengers,” he points a finger at her. “You don’t know if you must keep me alive or kill me, if you must lock me up here or let me go. We’re here to discuss my lot… Sorry for not being super at ease!”

His aggressive tone doesn’t seem to bother her. It seems that nothing can shake her. So unsettling. He hates vampires so much.

“I didn’t bring you here for that,” she shakes her head too, although her body stays stiff and motionless. So odd. She must be so old. “Again, you are wrong.”

She doesn’t seem to lie. Who is this woman, anyway? And before he knows it, Tony opens his mouth to vocalize his thoughts. “Who the fuck are you?”

She lets out an elegant chuckle, and she slowly spreads her arms. “How rude of me… It is true that I didn’t introduce myself. You can call me the Ancient One. I’m the ruler of Kamar-Taj.”

Oh… So, she is behind this strange place? He doesn’t know why, but this mere revelation makes him soften up. He shouldn’t, but the more he sees this place, the more he likes it.

The Ancient One starts to walk towards him, and she nods. “You can have a seat if you want.”

“Thanks, I’m fine standing,” she smiles again, and his jaw clenches. He can read her now, and he knows what she is thinking of: he is again on the defensive. He sees himself as a prey. Yes, she is not wrong.

The woman nods, and she accepts his wish without trouble. She starts talking, with her usual slow and reassuring tone. “You can be sure of one thing: we are not going to kill you or get rid of you. Why would I hurt an ally?”

“An… Ally?” Tony stammers. He thinks he hasn’t heard well, but as her expression stays nice and polite, he starts laughing. This place is so crazy. “You’re senile, you know that? I’m Iron Man. You must know my name. I’m part of the Avengers. We’re not friends! And my real friends, they are looking for me! And they’ll probably find that place!”

“And do you want that?” she replies with the same tone, as if she doesn’t even considerate his words. As he frowns and gapes, speechless, she repeats her question. “Do you want them to come here and shatter Kamar-Taj?”

“Yes,” he doesn’t know why, but this mere word tastes bitter in his mouth.

Again, she smiles, and that can mean lots of things, but Tony can see that she doesn’t believe him. Jesus, she is weird to look at. It is hard to confront her, because she gives the impression of knowing everything about Tony, even things Tony doesn’t even know himself.

Suddenly, her features become tight, and she sighs. This time, the mask seems to crack and she looks more tired than him. “But you indeed have a point. Your friends are loyal to you, and they will learn where you are, eventually. They’re competent.”

Tony doesn’t say anything, distrustful, but he has to admit that he is glad to see a vampire not being scornful. She seems not to underestimate them, or make fun of them. Does she think that humans can be competent too? Even... equal?

“However…” she carries on, looking down. “If they come here, even with the noble goal of saving their friend, they will bring chaos and war…” she doesn’t seem to want that. “I’m a leader, I have to do everything I can to prevent war. There is no such thing as winners in war. Only pain, death and destruction.”

He agrees with her. Deep down. But he doesn’t like her way of avoiding the main subject. He feels that she wants to ask him something. This pep talk has a purpose, a price, and he knows what it is. He is not dumb, and he doesn’t care about sweet words. “C’mon. Tell me what you want.”

“I would like you to help me,” she finally answers. “Make sure that the Avengers don’t come here to attack us. Only you can convince them.”

Tony’s lips form a bitter smile. He doesn’t know why, but he feels disappointment squeezing his chest. He shouldn’t. “That’s why you're keeping me alive…”

“No,” she answers, bluntly.

“Why would I do that? Why would I help you?”

The Ancient One’s eyes are so comprehensive and kind… Who the hell is she? And why is she behaving this way near him? “You would not help me. You would save your friends, yourself and lots of humans here. The humans living here could suffer. They’re part of my people too. And your friends could be hurt if they attack us.”

“Is that a threat?” Tony groans.

“No. That’s just the truth, as painful as it is,” she replies, colder this time. “Pain is inevitable in war; as a ruler, I must protect my people. You understand that. And I will not hesitate to defend my town if the Avengers come here to bring chaos. I want to avoid a pointless war between Kamar-Taj and the Avengers. Don’t you?”

He does. It is true that he is not unharmed. And this Kamar-Taj… It seems genuine and he doesn’t want that to be destroyed. Besides… Peter has been nice to him, and he loves that place. That place gave him a family. That’s what he said.

“So what?” he rolls his eyes, forcing his usual arrogance to protect himself. “You want me to contact them, and tell them I’m super happy here? Oh hey Captain America! I’m being held hostage, I can be eaten at any moment, but don’t come! Stay where you are and let me rot here! Why? Well, I went hiking with a vampire-kid, yes a child can be a vampire, and it was so dope!”

“You are an intelligent man. Yet, so foolish when blinded by anger,” her voice becomes hard, and he is satisfied. Finally, he seems to meet the real her, the ruthless and immortal Creature of the Night. “You are not being held hostage. I’m suggesting that we work together.”

“You want to work with Hunters?”

“Fighting people who have the same goal is stupid,” she explains with an odd smile. “In fact, we share the same purpose… Your main desire is to protect mankind, which is a noble goal. Someone who protects and values the life of others can’t be my enemy. He can be my ally. My friend,” she presses her fragile hand against her chest. “I want to protect innocent lives too. And we have a common enemy.”

God, she is not lying. Tony has never believed this would happen, but he is interested. He is not totally convinced, but his curiosity wants to know more. “Oh, really?”

She nods, and she looks down again. Her voice is smaller when she asks. “What do you know of Dormammu?”

Who the hell is that?

“Not much…” he starts to lie, but as she raises an eyebrow, her gentle eyes sparkling in amusement, he sighs, and he rubs the back of his head. “Okay, I don’t know who that is. But looking at your constipated expression right now, I’m guessing he is not your bestie…”

Right now, she seems more vulnerable, more tired.

“It’s normal not to know about his name, but whatever you know it or not, you probably fought him, indirectly,” she says, impersonal. “Your technology to fight vampires… It’s very impressive, and it could be very useful to me. And to you,” her last sentence ends up in a whisper. A hopeful, but somehow broken, whisper. “It could be useful to all of us.”

Ah, so she is interested in his weapons… He should be flattered, but instead, it gives him the creeps. She seems to be a powerful vampire. She could kick his ass if she wanted to, effortlessly. Why would she need his help? A mortal’s help?

It means that the threat of Dormammu is stronger than them. And there is something else. “Why would you trust me?” It is a real question. He doesn’t understand. If he were a vampire, he wouldn’t trust Tony Stark. “I’m a Hunter.”

“Hunter…” she smiles, as if to say that he is the stupidest person alive. It's offending. “One single word to describe oneself is quite reductive, don’t you think? All I can say is that... It happened once, in the past. A long, long time ago. I faced an... untrustful man... Yet, I chose to trust him and accept him here. It ended up being the best decision I have ever made. I'm ready to do it again.”

Tony raises an eyebrow. “Who’s that ‘’untrustful person’’?”

“You know him,” she stays vague, and Tony has to think for a second. He only knows two vampires in this place: Peter and Stephen. Peter, untrustful? He is the opposite. And he is a young vampire. So, there is only one other solution.

“That’s Stephen."

She doesn’t answer. That’s a yes. Why was he untrustful? What has he done? God stop it! He really needs to stop being interested in Stephen Strange.

Tony rubs his face, and he does something he would have never thought he would do. He shows his weaknesses to a vampire. “I’m lost, to be honest. All of this shit… It’s too big. I’ve been a Hunter protecting my city for decades, and now…” he can’t finish.

“You’re discovering how big and more complicated our world really is…” she ends the sentence for him, with a kind voice, a kind voice that helps him. He doesn’t dig his heels in. He just nods. She is simply correct.

Tony sighs, and he is trying to think. He must understand more. “Are you telling me this Dormdabu, or whatever that is, is responsible for all the bad stuffs vampires did and are still currently doing…?” He is skeptical, and her sadly shaking his head destroys his tiny hope.

No, there is no magic solution: killing the big villain will not end everything.

“No… Vampires were humans, Stark. You must never forget that. That means that they inherited mankind’s flaws: greed, cruelty, rage… I’m not saying vampires are perfect. They’re not. Just like mortals aren’t. But Dormammu… He is your true enemy. And he is mine.”

“Why?” he asks.

“He is a big figure among vampires. He is listened to and admired, but also hated and feared. He truly hates humans, but he sees vampires as a tool. He is ready to do everything to achieve his goals. He has managed to recruit lots of vampires. Vampires can be manipulated and vulnerable. Some really believe in Dormammu’s ideas, but others… Others join him because they have no other choice. He is the one who organized most of the slave trades, for example.”

Tony’s hands clench in fists. Rage burns his stomach, and his mouth is too dry to answer. He wants to kill that son of a bitch. And Mordo. He has not forgotten about that one.

“I’m going to be honest with you, Stark,” she continues, and she seems to let her flaws reflect on her face too. That helps Tony. Her expression twists in pain and worry. “I’m scared. I’m scared of him. He is powerful, and we need to be united if we want to survive him and defeat him. Vampires and mortals being divided is helping him and only him. It does not help the humans you're protecting, nor the vampires. We could stop him. That is why I’m willing to collaborate with you. With all the humans who desire to.”

“My enemies are vampires,” he hisses through clenched teeth, stubborn, although he hates the fact that the simple and trivial statement he has said and believed in for most of his life started to sound wrong.

“Oh, really?” The Ancient One raises an eyebrow. “Do you often go hiking with your enemies?”

Touché. She indeed has a point. “Peter is different…” he groans, voice dry. “He is nice.”

“But still a Creature of the Night.”

Tony ignores her last comment. He sighs, and he winces. “I can contact the Avengers and tell them not to invade Kamar-Taj… In fact, you’re right: it’s pointless to fight. I’m not mistreated, I’m not in danger. They need to stay in the city and protect it, that’s better this way. And this place seems…”

“This place seems…?” she says, a satisfied smile abording her lips.

He doesn’t answer. He glares at her. “I’ll do it, okay? I’ll just need something to contact them.”

She nods, satisfied and she accepts without trouble. “I will give you that.”

“But…” he pursues his lips, and he hugs himself with his good arm. “For the other stuffs, Dormammu and all, I…”

“Just think about it,” she sounds so kind and empathetic. She must know how shaken he is. All his plans seem to be thrown into disorder. “I give you some time, Stark. Meanwhile, you can stay here for as long as you want. You are my guest. And of course, you can have access to the library. Everything about the history of Kamar-Taj and Dormammu is in here.”

Tony just nods, grateful. He doesn’t have the strength to speak.

OoO

As soon as Tony gets out of the room, his thoughts totally disrupted, he bumps into Stephen, who seemed to be waiting for him. Great. That's the last person he wanted to see! His back is leaning against the wall, and his arms are crossed. As he sees him, he approaches the hunter. “She is hard to deal with, isn’t she?” he says, a little smirk on his lips. “You look like you’ve just eaten a lemon.”

Tony doesn’t have the time for that. He would love to use his bitter and rude tongue to fight back, but right now, all he wants is thinking… and being alone. “I need to be alone…”

He expects Stephen to be a pain in the ass, but the vampire nods in comprehension. He stops walking, and he lets Tony go away, but the Hunter doesn't move. Stephen raises an eyebrow, probably confused, but Tony doesn’t care.

He needs to know. “Why are you here?” god, he tried to sound neutral and impersonal, but his voice is still too aggressive.

“I was not waiting for you, don’t worry,” Stephen rolls his eyes, as arrogant as usual. “I’m here to talk to her. To debrief.”

That’s curious. Debrief what? Is it… about Dormammu? His curious and noisy thoughts are cut short as Stephen asks, voice carefully neutral. “Do you know where Peter is? I thought he was with you.”

It is too neutral not to be suspicious. As Tony frowns, he could swear that the vampire looks concerned. Is he? But why? Surely the kid can walk around and do what he wants. He’s 19, after all. That makes Tony nervous, despite himself. Stephen’s worry turns to be very contagious.

“I don’t know,” he is not lying. “He left me to the Ancient One and he just walked away. Why? Do you think I did something to him?” He sounds on the defensive again.

Stephen doesn’t answer. His blue eyes just move down and they focus on Tony’s thick coat. They look at it for too long. Far too long. His face darkens for a moment, a deep frown wrinkling his forehead, and he winces. However, he doesn’t say anything for a time. “Did he give you that?”

Tony nods, carefully. Stephen’s face tries to stay neutral, but Tony can see that he takes the blow. “How was he, when he was with you?”

“He was fine, I swear,” Tony doesn’t lie, but he doesn’t feel any better, because he doesn’t know how exactly a vampire is supposed to act. Maybe the kid hid something bad from him, how can he know?

Tony carries on, as he sees that Stephen isn't satisfied. And this time, he cannot blame him. “We went in the forest, and we talked. He told me how he died…”

Stephen blinks, and his eyes widen a little bit in surprise as he looks up. “He did?”

Tony nods, grave. “He told me you saved him… His… parents if I can call them that way… Are they alive?” He doesn’t know why he wants to know that, but deep down, he hopes that they’re dead. He doesn’t want them to endanger the kid, even though right now, he is stronger than them.

“No, they’re not,” Stephen’s voice is cold. Impersonal.

“Did you kill them?”

That wouldn’t surprise the Hunter if the answer was affirmative.

Stephen shakes his head. “They were killed, but I’m not their murderer… Mordo killed them. I tried to stop him, but he killed them.”

Tony’s body tenses. He hasn’t expected to hear that name. “Mordo?”

Stephen just nods. “Seeing a little kid suffocating and dying made him angry. Very angry,” his answer sounds detached, and Tony knows why: he is worried about the kid for some reason, so he must be thinking. Try to find where the kid can be. Then, he takes a deep breath, and he closes his eyes. What the hell?

Tony opens his mouth, and closes it, but before he can speak, something weird happens. Stephen’s face totally changes and twists. His trembling hand moves up to touch his chest, right where his non beating heart is and he gasps. He shuts his eyes close as if he was in pain.

Tony’s eyes widen, and before he knows it, he grabs Stephen’s arm to stabilize him. “What is it? Are you okay?”

Stephen shakes his head, and he just mumbles. “Peter… His… His bloodlust!”

He opens his eyes again as Tony raises his eyebrows, totally confused. His beautiful blue eyes, that used to be so cold and scornful with Tony, now shine in worry. He is scared. What’s happening?

“Is he okay?” Tony doesn’t understand what is happening, but that’s the first question that can come into his mind. He really hopes the kid is okay. He wishes he could understand!

Stephen doesn’t answer. He takes a deep breath, and he stands up straight. He gets rid of Tony’s hand still on his arm, not rudely, just firmly, and he rubs his face with his hands. He seems so tired right now. “I know where he is.”

Chapter Text

“God, why do you follow me?” Stephen snaps at Tony struggling to keep up, but the vampire being annoyed at him is the least of the Hunter’s concerns. It’s the norm for him.

So, he ignores this cutting comment and keeps walking near the vampire.

He is grateful of one thing: Stephen walks very quickly, but he still lets Tony catch up with him. Even though he is grumpy and unpleasant, as usual, he lets Tony go with him. If he wanted to walk faster or just run, he would adopt an unreachable speed for Tony and his slow human legs.

The vampire is anxious, and he seems impatient to arrive where he wants to go. As they pass some people coming the other way, Stephen shoves a few of them without giving them a glance. Tony knows he is worried about Peter, so it’s even worse.

No, the worst is that Stephen stayed silent despite Tony’s multiple questions.

The Hunter has no idea what is happening, and he is scared. Because Stephen is too anxious.

Tony remembers that Stephen has just asked him a question, and he answers with venom. “I want to make sure that Peter is fine!”

He tries not to sound out of breath, but god, Stephen has stamina. And his arm being still injured doesn’t help.

The vampire quickly glances at him with disbelief, and he narrows his eyes, distrustful. “You? You’re worried, about Peter?”

“Maybe,” Tony says, clenching his teeth, and he can’t take it anymore. While walking quickly with Stephen, he grabs Stephen’s shoulder and he asks, frustrated. “What’s happening, for God’s sake? And what did you do with your… chest thing?”

That’s the weirdest part, the one he cannot take out of his mind. The way Stephen’s hand pressed hard against his chest and the way his features twisted in horror and pain in the blink of an eye… It seemed like he was invaded by something, outside of him. Odd.

Stephen gets rid of Tony’s hand with a dry movement of the shoulder, but he still answers. “Simply put, the transformed and the transformer share a special bond in which they can feel each other emotions and state of mind. And right now, what I’m feeling from Peter is bad, really bad.”

He has talked so fast that it is difficult for Tony to keep up. “And what’s going on?” he stammers. “Where are we going?”

He is so busy walking with Stephen that he doesn’t even realize that the vampire has stopped walking. He looks around him to check that there is no one, and with a deep sigh, Stephen opens one door, and he enters.

Tony follows him, and what he sees in front of him makes him hold his breath.

They are in a dark little room that Tony has never seen before, and it is full of… trunks. They’re thick, big and black. It doesn’t take long for the Hunter to know what’s the container: those trunks have blood bags in.

That’s the place in which they keep all the blood bags, to feed the vampires of Kamar-Taj.

However, there is one trunk that is wide open. And Peter is here, on his knees near it, surrounded by lots of blood bags on the ground. Some are ripped apart and empty, others still intact, and Peter is…

“Drinking” blood is not the fitting term. It is too soft. He is tearing a blood bag apart with his teeth, trying to get as much blood as he can like a maniac. Blood is dripping from his chin, his fingers are slippery, and his clothes are ruined and red. Some drops of blood can be found on his noise and forehead.

Tony looks down, and on the ground, a small pool of blood is forming under the boy’s knees.

Tony freezes completely, horrified.

Peter’s red eyes are wide open and his teeth are pointy now. He almost looks like a mindless beast. Almost. Because they can both see tears running down his cheeks. They can hear his broken sobs.

That’s one of the worst view Tony has ever had to watch. He can see the internal conflict that’s happening in the boy’s mind.

We have the monster, the strong bloodlust that forces the other part to rip this poor blood bag open to drink and drink again, and we have Peter, the boy who’s trying to resist, who can still be here.

“Stay behind.”

Tony flinches. He has forgotten that Stephen was there next to him. And he nods, being obedient this time. Stephen’s serious tone is enough for him to obey without a word of protest. It’s clear that Peter is not himself right now.

He could try to hurt Tony, even though the Hunter is still wearing this thick coat, to mask the smell of blood.

“Peter…”

Stephen’s voice is genuinely gentle when he calls the boy’s name.

That surprises Tony to hear such a kind tone coming from Stephen’s mouth. The vampire slowly approaches the kid, without any abrupt gesture, as if he is afraid that Peter will take flight.

He most likely won’t, though. He is on his knees, and he is shaking so much that Tony isn’t even sure he would be able to be on his feet right now. He looks up at Stephen with huge, teary and terrified eyes, and he truly looks like a kid now, if we ignore the blood dripping from his chin and staining his clothes.

Tony feels it, this time.

Pity. Clenching his guts. And horror. And sadness too, crushing the inside of his throat and making it painful to swallow. This view pains him a lot, and he knows why. It’s not any vampire here. It’s Peter, and he suffers. He can see it.

He is seeing a young kid being trapped and destroyed by a curse that’s bigger than him.

Stephen crouches down just in front of him, to be close to him. He doesn’t care that his knees end up in the pool of blood. His face is gentle. There is no frown, no disdain, no disappointment. It doesn’t change the fact that Peter looks down and refuses to look at his mentor.

“Can you hear me, Peter?”

The trembling of his body doesn’t ease, but he nods. Okay, so Peter is still there. He slowly pulls himself together.

He is so shameful; everyone can see it before he opens his mouth. “I’m… I’m sorry…” he stammers, and it is hard for him to talk through the sobs. His voice trembles. “I’m so… so sorry, Stephen…”

“I know,” Stephen answers, gently. He doesn’t seem mad at all. Slowly, he grabs the blood bag Peter is holding, and after being sure that the kid won’t resist, he drops it away.

The older vampire quickly rubs his chest, and Tony knows why this time: he must feel pain because of their bond.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Stephen asks with a normal voice. He doesn’t reprimand the kid. He just wants to understand, and his kind tone helps Peter to relax a bit and answer.

“I… You…” he sniffs, his arms coming to hug himself. “You seemed shaken up by all that happened, and…”

He doesn’t finish, as another sob makes his whole body jerk.

Stephen doesn’t need to hear the rest. He sighs, and he shakes his head. The kid stayed silent because he didn’t want to bother his Transformer.

“I’m… sorry…” Peter says again, and he uses one of his sleeves to dry his cheeks, but it’s pointless. Other tears, so silent and cruel, quickly run down his cheeks again. “What… What have I done?!”

He sounds so revolted and disgusted in himself. His red eyes seem more lucid, less glassy, and he looks around him. His eyes fall on all the ripped blood bags.

“Easy…” Stephen says, his tone becoming firmer. “It’s okay. It’s not the end of the world, stupid kid,” the ghost of a smile appears on his lips. Fond. “They’re just blood bags…”

It’s true that now that Tony thinks about it, it could be a lot worse. Looking at Peter’s relapse is heartbreaking and intimidating, but at least, Peter didn’t attack humans. That’s good, considering the circumstances.

Peter doesn’t seem to hear him. “I couldnt't control it, I... I had to... to drink!” he says through clenched teeth, and he is crying again. He blames himself, and it crushes Tony’s heart.

“I thought I could control it, but I… I…” it is difficult for the boy to talk.

“And you will control it, one day. You just cracked, that's okay,” Stephen claims, firm.

Peter shakes his head, and he closes his eyes. His arms are still hugging himself, like a protection. His body shrivels. “I’m a failure! I will never manage to… to…”

And something curious happens, something Tony can’t explain. Stephen’s hands suddenly come to cup the kid’s face and force him to look at him. And then, Peter’s eyes widen, and he tries to resist, and look away, but somehow, he can’t. He seems aspirated by Stephen’s eyes.

“No…” Peter mumbles. “No…”

The kid struggles, weakly, but Stephen’s hold is too strong. His eyes seem different, more… piercing and invading. And slowly, Peter’s sobs calm down. He stops crying, and the tense features of his face relax little by little. He seems to have lost self-control and free will, and instead, relaxation and calmness take over.

Tony frowns. It’s as if he has been drugged, because this change seems… forced upon him. It does not seem natural. What’s going on?

Peter’s eyes end up closed, and then he just… loses consciousness. His body becomes limp and weak. Stephen easily catches him, probably because he has anticipated the kid passing out and he looks at the sleeping boy for a moment.

Why… Why is Peter asleep?

“What have you done?” Tony asks, totally lost. Stephen totally ignores him. Only Peter seems to exist right now. And slowly, he leans and kisses his forehead, warmly.

Tony doesn’t move, fascinated by what’s happening before his eyes. He blinks and then, he hears footsteps coming in their direction. There are four guys rushing towards them, probably because they saw what was happening with Peter.

Or… they smelt the pool of blood on the floor, and the open trunk.

They enter the room, and Tony doesn’t even have to look at them to know it. They’re vampires. He feels uneasiness immediately clenching his stomach, and he regrets not having his armor with him. Funny, when he is with Peter or even with Stephen to a lesser extent, he is not that afraid.

One of them just glare at the kid, and they don’t need an explanation to know what happened. “God, the brat almost drunk everything!” he growls.

Both Tony and Stephen glare at the newcomer, but that’s Stephen who replies.

“We’ll get fresh supplies,” he says, without amiability.

His tone is dry and dangerous, and Tony is on his side, for once. They see a kid in tears having a relapse and they don’t seem to care. They care about their own interests.

Assholes.

“Easy for you to say!” the vampire hisses back. “I’m thirsty! Now, I have nothing left! Look at this mess!” he points at Stephen. “You’re supposed to control that kid and look what he’s doing now! You’re doing a very good job, pal!”

Tony’s mouth opens before he can stop himself. “Hey, asshole! The kid is new at this! Instead of thinking of your selfish and ugly ass, why don’t you try some compassion instead?”

The vampire looks at him in surprise. And anger slowly twists his features. “Watch your tone, human!”

“Or else you’ll do what?” Tony hisses, eyes burning. He is not afraid. And he misses kicking vampires’ ass.

Stephen suddenly gets up, carrying the unconscious kid in his arms. He comes near the newcomer that was growling at Tony, and Stephen shows his teeth. “If you’re that thirsty, why don’t you lick the floor with your tongue? It’ll give us a break, and at least the floor will be clean.”

Tony has the feeling that if the vampire replies, he is dead. Stephen is ready to rip his head off right now. And the other vampire seems to share the same idea, because he doesn’t speak again and he even takes a step back.

Stephen glares at him for a second, and completely ignores him. He looks at Tony and declares. “He needs to see Christine.”

OoO

It happens fast.

Christine is immediately warned, and she tells them that she will be here soon. Stephen has settled Peter in his own bed, covering his cold body with blankets and staying near him.

Tony and Stephen don’t share a word, but this time, the tense atmosphere has nothing to do with a quarrel. They both think of Peter, and what they have just seen. Tony is shocked, whereas Stephen probably feels guilty. He is the Transformer, after all.

And now, they are waiting for Christine.

Meanwhile, Tony clears his throat, and he asks, a bit shy. “Is this… usual, for vampires?”

He already knows the answer, but Stephen answers anyway, dry. “Yes, especially at the beginning. It gets better, with time and practice.”

Tony nods, and their conversation is cut short because Christine has just arrived, carrying lots of syringes and tins. Tony has no idea what their utility is, but he doesn’t ask.

She puts them aside, and she comes near Stephen to put a comforting hand on his shoulder. She doesn’t need words to know what the vampire is feeling. She doesn’t use empty words either, instead saying. “I take care of him, Stephen… You can go.”

“Wait… Don’t we stay with him?” Tony can’t help but ask, and Christine looks at him as if she has not realized he was there. She blinks, tilts her head to the side. She is probably surprised seeing him here, but she offers an answer anyway. “Peter is suffering from a blood crisis, that’s how we call it here. When he wakes up, he’ll be… angry, and very tired. So, he’ll need quietness He’ll need to be alone.”

“I’ll go see him as soon as you tell me,” Stephen says, soft, and she nods at him, but quite absently. She is already near Peter, looking down at him sadly.

Tony doesn’t move, so that’s Stephen who grabs his arm to force him to follow him outside of the bedroom. His hold is not hard or painful, just firm. As they’re both outside, after Stephen has closed the door behind his back, Tony sighs. “So, we can’t do anything for now…”

“No.”

Stephen’s voice is cold. Cutting. He doesn’t want to talk about it. He is withdrawn now.

Tony nods. And suddenly, he wants to stop thinking about Peter’s “blood crisis”. It’s painful, and quite terrifying. And he is doing what he’s always been doing when he wants to run away from a problem that tortures him.

He wants to learn and read. “The Ancient told me Kamar-Taj had a library…" it suddenly comes back to him. That's what he wanted to do before the... incident with Peter happened. "Can you go with me and show me where it is?”

Stephen glances at him in surprise and Tony can’t blame him. That’s a major change of attitude. That’s how Tony is. He’ll get used to it.

The vampire accepts, and he starts walking. He doesn’t even look behind his shoulder to check if the human is following him.

OoO

“Oh, Stephen, It’s you…” Wong welcomes Stephen with his usual bored tone. He is as warm as ever, which means never. Wong looks at Tony for a time, surprised to see the mortal here, in the Kamar-Taj library, and he nods at him. “So, you’re Tony Stark…”

Neutral.

Wong’s eyes go to Stephen again. He doesn’t even wait for Tony to answer. A sharp smile appears on his bored face, and he teases the other vampire. “Enjoy being his babysitter?”

“I’m not his babysitter,” Stephen replies right away, but with a calm and deep voice, and at the same time, Tony protests with an offended tone. “He is not my babysitter!”

“Right…” Wong looks at them and he rolls his eyes, completely bored. “What can I do for you?”

Stephen looks at Tony, waiting for an answer. Indeed, the Hunter hasn’t told him what he was looking for. The Hunter doesn’t know if what he is about to say will be accepted or not, but he tries anyway. He has guts.

He clears his throat, and says, voice firm. “I want to read every book you have on Dormammu.”

Wong blinks, and doesn’t react. Stephen’s eyes widen a bit, and he frowns. Tony hastens to explain. “I talked with the Ancient One, and she told me you had this at the library…” His voice becomes a bit more hesitant, now.

“The Ancient One told you…” Wong nods, and without another word, he leaves the pair and goes in the multiple shelves. He totally disappears. There are lots of books, and Tony already has in mind a pile of books on a table that he will be reading for days and days.

However, reality is often disappointing. Because as Wong comes back, he gives him… one book. One tiny little book. Tony can’t help but chuckle a bit. “That’s… all?”

He is even suspicious. Maybe this Wong hid the most important books, not wanting to share so much knowledge with a mortal, and a Hunter additionally.

However, Wong’s face stays jaded, and he nods, cold. “Yes. Enjoy your book.”

Tony can hear some sarcasm in his tone, but he ignores it. He nods at Wong to thank him, and he goes to the nearest table, the book in hands. Okay, so they don’t seem to know a lot about this Dormammu. That’s reassuring… He starts to understand why the Ancient One is so desperate to have more help.

He opens the book and starts reading the first page. He is already immersed in the book. Okay, that first paragraph is about… the first vampires ever. They were three… They are called the Three. How original. Oh, they were called the Vishanti too. Weird name.

He is surprised that there is… nothing more. The first vampire appeared a long time ago, and they seemed to have appeared… for no reason, out of nowhere. Tony can read three names: Agamotto, Hoggoth and Oshtur. It is also written that they stayed hidden in forests and mountains for centuries.

He is leafing through the book for a few minutes, and sees that when it finally deals with Dormammu, it is as empty. Even worse. There is no picture, no drawing of his face or his body. It is said that he appeared a long time ago too. He possibly belongs to the second generation of vampires.

So, he was transformed by one of the Three. Which one? It is unknown.

Tony frowns, disgusted as he sees vague and unprecise drawing of pillaged villages. Roofs on fire, supplies destroyed, people running and crying out…

Dormammu has been doing this for centuries, it seems: invading villages, destroying houses and supplies, and he… has always classified the poor inhabitants. He would transform some, to build his army, and he would… feed on others and kill them afterwards.

Plain and simple.

In fact, those information come from vague testimonies… from people lucky enough to survive, or just by word of mouth.

“Okay, so what are you doing, exactly?”

Stephen’s voice makes him flinch. He has forgotten that the vampire was still there. His tone is dry and suspicious, but Tony doesn’t answer him.

Instead, he points at the empty chair in front of him and he says in the most natural way. “I want you to stay.”

Stephen raises an eyebrow, and he mocks him. “Oh, how cute. Can’t you go without me now?”

“No,” Tony glares at the vampire, but he doesn’t go further. He doesn’t have the time for another quarrel. “I need to know everything on this Dormammu. That’s why I asked you to stay with me. You’re his Transformed, right?”

And then, Stephen’s entire body freezes. Tony almost feels guilty and he bits down his lower lip. He could have used more tact, but he truly has no time. His mind is racing, and he needs to know more, right now. The book is in front of him, and it's painfully empty. Now is the time.

He is not really pleased, because he feels like he has the reaction that the Ancient One predicted and wanted. He hates being her puppet, but he can’t help it. This Dormammu is a threat to mankind, and Tony is a hunter. What's more, this distraction is very good to forget about Peter’s blood crisis.

Stephen’s eyes are wide open, and he stammers, shaking his head. “How… How?”

He looks like Tony has just slapped him.

“Oh, I didn’t know,” Tony shrugs. “It was just a mere theory, but your reaction confirmed it. If you want to know how I got this theory, the way you didn’t want to talk about your Transformer… You are deeply traumatized, so it means that he was a big asshole. Well, there are lots of assholes, but then, there is the conversation with the Ancient One. She didn’t tell me anything, but she… implied… She said you were untrustful… So, I thought that maybe it had something to do with Dormammu, and I guess I was right. And here, I see that he transformed people for them to be soldiers, and I saw that you knew very well how to fight, so…”

He sees that Stephen’s hands clench into fists, and Tony clears his throat. He raises both hands to show that he doesn’t want to attack. “Look, I get that you don’t want to talk about it, personal, painful, sensible, blah, blah, blah… That’s a song I know very well. So, I suggest you something. A sort of deal. We talk about Dormammu, but not once I mention you. You don’t have to talk about your experience in particular. I’m not going to ask anything about that, because that’s none of my concerns. We’d keep that conversation neutral, and basic. What do you say about that?”

Stephen blinks, and he doesn’t answer right away. He keeps staring at Tony as if he is waiting for the human to reveal his trap. There is no trap, though. Tony really needs to know, and if they have to work together, so be it.

Mankind is more important than Tony’s feelings. He has to bring a scientific approach right now. Curiosity and judgement will come later.

“I don’t know…” Stephen says, hesitant, and Tony knows that he is not hesitant to piss him off. He seems vulnerable and fragile here, and that’s a weird sight. A sight that Tony starts to… enjoy. Not because he is cruel and wants Stephen to suffer, but because those flaws make the vampire more human, and less of an asshole.

The Hunter sighs, and he presses his hand against his chest. “You have my word that I won’t ask you delicate questions… If I do, you can leave the library. I just want to know more about Dormammu, that’s all. Because the Ancient One..." he stops, hesitant. "God, I don't know what she did to me, but she wants me to know, I'm sure of it!”

He is not lying, and Stephen begins to understand it, because he ends up sitting down on the chair in front of Tony, and he folds his arms. Tony doesn’t have the time to smile, satisfied, because Stephen scowls.

His body is so tense.

“Why do you want to know, anyway?” His tone is dry, but he sounds more nervous. “What did the Ancient One tell you?”

Tony wants to calm the atmosphere, so he uses his best weapon: sarcasm and humor. He takes the same tone he would use to talk to an ignorant and naïve little child. “Okay, it can be hard for you to understand, so I’m gonna try to be precise… One, he’s a vampire. Two, he’s been killing humans for centuries. And three, I’m a Hunter who dedicates his life hunting down vampires to protect humans!” he taps his temple. “Got it, or do you need more help?”

Stephen glares at him, but his shoulders relax a little bit. This dry exchange between them is the usual, so that must help him. Good. “So, you want to kill him,” he shakes his head, eyes hard and cold. “You’re completely crazy.”

Tony shrugs. “I’ve been fighting stronger creatures than me my whole life. He is not different.”

He is glad he sounds nonchalant. Deep down, fear twists his guts. It is just the beginning, now. He needs to know more about him right now, and... we'll see about the rest later.

Stephen lets out a huff. “Careful, Stark. Your arrogance will be your downfall…”

“And why do you care?” Tony fights back, looking up at the vampire. Stephen doesn’t answer, so Tony is proud. He has won their little argument.

He becomes quickly serious, though. “Look, it’s just to talk, to know what you know about him, and maybe… find a weakness!”

Stephen doesn’t share his enthusiasm, but he still accepted to help him. He doesn’t protest to destroy the human’s hopes. He sighs again, and he shakes his head. “I’ve already told the Ancient One everything I know about him… What do you want to know?” he raises an eyebrow. “You want to know how he looks like? He has purple eyes and pointy teeth, I’m sure it’ll help you.”

Tony rolls his eyes at Stephen’s sarcastic tone, and his smile is acid. “God, if you’re not being a smart ass for like one second, you die?”

“I can’t die.”

“Not funny…” Tony changes the subject. He needs to focus now. Stop playing with Stephen! “So, what I get is: he is a baddy, a son of a bitch, and a powerful one… He is… the most powerful vampire ever, correct?”

Stephen purses his lips. He clears his throat. “Yes, we can say that.”

His voice is too neutral. He really tries to control his tone. Tony doesn’t know what to feel about this, but that view makes him hate Dormammu even more. He can really feel trauma here. What did he do to him?

But also, as he looks at Stephen in front of him, he sees… a soldier. He probably did so many horrible things while he was Dormammu’s pet… How many people did he kill? How many innocent people?

Stop, Tony. Now, be scientific and cold.

“But he is not the oldest vampires ever…” Tony says, frowning. Indeed, it is written that the Three were even older.

Stephen rubs his face with one of his trembling hand, showing his tiredness, but his answer is longer than what Tony expected. “Technically, it is not because a vampire is older that he is more powerful. In fact, a vampire can most likely be more powerful if he is older, but because he gained more experience and he has an advantage: more time to train and know how to fight… but, technically, he is not magically stronger because he is old.”

“Right…” Tony nods, his big brain racing and trying to solve the puzzle. “And he likes power, or that’s what he claims…”

Stephen nods, dry. “Correct.”

It seems that Tony’s short and simple questions help him relax and answer more easily. Yes, Tony didn’t lie. No personal question.

“And for centuries, he’s been pillaged lots of villages, to recruit soldiers and drink blood…” Tony sums up with a quiet voice, as if he is talking to himself.

Stephen rolls his eyes, and Tony knows that he is going to mock him before he opens his mouth. “Congratulations, Tony, you know how to read.”

“Where does he come from? What do you know of his past?”

Stephen frowns. He is thinking for a while. “It’s known that he belongs to the second generation of vampires. So, he’s been transformed by one of the Three… We don’t know which one and why.”

Tony frowns, confused. That’s basically the information he has just read. Doesn’t he know more...? “Why?” he repeats Stephen’s last word.

“Like you’ve probably already read, the first vampires in existence never interacted with humans, never fed on them… They stayed hidden in forests and mountains, living their lives on their own, where no human life could be found.”

His voice seems to insist on that point, like saying “see, Stark? The first vampires weren’t the monsters you think they were!”

Tony doesn’t answer. He just thinks, and lets Stephen continue. He vaguely notices that this current conversation is the politest one they’ve ever had. That’s progress.

“We don’t know what brought them to him and why they transformed him…” Stephen concludes, with a nonchalant shrug, but it is clearly forced.

Tony nods. Okay, he needs to add this other mystery that needs to be solved to the list. He knows that if there is an event that is unclear and unscripted, it’s not because nothing happened. It’s because some people didn’t want these events to be known…

That’s interesting.

The Hunter is leafing through the book again, and then he stops and points at this weird drawing. “What about this?”

Stephen’s eyes follow Tony’s index, and his jaw clenches. Yes, he has gritted his teeth. In fact, this drawing rings a bell to Tony. “It is Dormammu’s symbol, graved in his servants’ forehead…” Stephen’s voice is not above a whisper.

Tony can’t stop his eyes from looking at Stephen’s own forehead.

He sees that Stephen’s hands clench into fists, but he doesn’t seem to be annoyed or mad. He rolls his eyes, but his mouth shapes a grimace. “I know that you won’t ask because that’s not part of our deal, but you’re dying to ask, so go ahead.”

So harsh.

Tony doesn’t need to hear that twice. “Why don’t you have it? Do you hide it with make up or something?” It’s pure curiosity, he has to admit it.

Stephen shakes his head. “I don’t quite know,” he doesn’t lie. “I still have it, I think... But it…” his fingers go touch his forehead, as if to check if he can only feel his skin. “It just disappeared the moment I left his ranks.”

“Mmmh…” Tony bits his lower lip, which means that he is thinking. His eyes go on the book again, and then up to stare at Stephen. “There is something that bothers me…”

“Yes, murders and pillages can bother some people, from time to time…” This time, Stephen’s voice is too rude. His patience is slowly fading away. Yes, this conversation has been going on for far too long, to him. It's clear that he would want to be anywhere but here.

Tony can’t blame him, that’s why he doesn’t use his tongue to attack him. He decides to ignore his cutting comment and he stays polite. “I’m not talking about that… Why is there a symbol? It is not graved, it is like… magical? Right? You said it disappeared!”

Stephen’s tone is cutting. “Magic doesn’t exist.”

Well, that’s debatable.

Like… Vampires do exist, and they’re strange and mysterious creatures. Their bare existence contradicts the fundamental laws of nature, so if one day humanity finds out that magic exists, will it be that surprising?

“But I don’t see other symbols like this…” Tony continues, stubborn. He needs to make Stephen see. “Do you have a symbol shared with Peter or something?”

Tony can’t help but wince a little bit. He thinks of Peter for a time… No, focus.

Stephen purses his lips. “No.”

That’s what Tony wanted to hear, so he smiles, pleased. “That confirms my suspicions; This Dormammu… He is not like the other vampires. He is different, which means that he was built different. He was created different,” he can’t help but sound a bit excited now. He is sure he has something, something they can exploit. “What if that’s the reason of his behavior?”

“There is no reason…” Stephen hisses through clenched teeth, clearly annoyed. “He likes power, he likes drinking blood, so he does this. Full stop.”

Tony shakes his head. “You said he was stronger than all other vampires… There is this symbol, the mystery behind his origins. He has purple eyes, while the other vampires have normal eyes, and he’s been doing the same thing for centuries…” he opens his arms. “Don’t you see that there is something not quite right?”

Shephen rolls his eyes and he mutters a grumpy remark under his breath, but Tony can see that his blue eyes are interested. He seems to consider what Tony has to say.

So, Tony ignores him and he argues. “He’s been claiming that he likes power, that he sees humans as beneath him, blah blah blah. What if his army has another purpose?”

“Why do you think this whole thing hides something in the first place?” Stephen asks, and he sounds frustrated and tired. Not mean. Just tired. “Why do you think there has to be a reason? He is cruel, and he likes destruction. That’s all we need to know.”

Tony looks at Stephen for a while. His voice has no venom when he whispers. “It’s normal if you think that. Dormammu has abused you, so you don’t want to think about him too much. You want to detach yourself from him.”

Stephen glares at him, and he immediately shows his teeth. It seems unconscious. Yes, he hates talking about that, especially as Tony is this blunt. And strangely, Tony is not afraid. He knows the vampire will not hurt him.

He says, gentler. “What I’m saying is that you’re not objective, and that’s fine, I’m not either when it comes to vampires…”

Tony doesn’t even understand what he is saying. It strikes him right after he’s pronounced it. It is the first time he is saying that he may not know everything about vampires. It’s a huge step for him, but he decides to ignore it for now.

“My point is that everyone has a weakness… Humans thought for centuries that vampires were invincible, and they were wrong. I proved them wrong. It can be the same with Dormammu!” Stephen has calmed down a bit.

An idea comes to Tony, and he strokes his chin. “Dormammu is special… Do you think he needs special… blood?”

Stephen frowns. “I don’t know…”

Tony struggles not to be disappointed, but he doesn’t give up.

Tony points down at the page. “It’s written here: he classified the humans he encountered every single time…”

Stephen nods, cold. “Yes. For him, there are humans that can be turned into vampires to serve him, while the others are a little snack. He needs good soldiers, and food. That’s all.”

Again, his voice is really cold here. Impersonal. He struggles to detach himself from what he’d probably lived himself. It must have been terrifying… The village drawn that can be seen inside the book could represent any village Dormammu has attacked, including… Stephen’s.

Tony’s voice is gentle when he says. “But what if it’s not it? What if there's more?”

“What do you mean?”

“What if he feeds on the humans he can feed on, and he transforms the one he cannot?”

Stephen blinks. “It’s just a theory…” His voice is not mocking, this time, though. He really considers the Hunter’s hypothesis.

This encourages Tony, who nods with excitement. “I know it’s just a theory, and I have no proof of that, just suspicion… But he is not a regular vampire, and what keeps a vampire alive is the blood he is drinking, so… What if he needs a special kind of blood? Bloods are different, right?”

“In taste, yes, but…”

“That’s a start!” Tony interrupts him. He doesn’t want to hear a “but”.

He can’t stop Tony now. The Hunter is rambling. “We need to know how he was transformed, but I see no mention of that in those books… It means that it's important! Maybe, there are unknown written traces… Or, maybe there is a vampire old enough to know more? Old enough to have lived it?”

Stephen looks at the human for a time, and he shakes his head. He answers, though. “There’s Ebony Maw. I think he can be old enough.”

This name gives Tony the creeps, and he winces. God, why him? He remembers the vampire’s cruel little eyes. Stephen doesn’t say a word, but he sees that Tony is troubled, so he carries on, answering the questions Tony doesn’t have the strength to ask.

“But he is a good ally of Dormammu. Not his servant, his ally,” Stephen says. “There is a big difference. You cannot just knock on his door and ask him about Dormammu’s past.”

Tony nods. Okay, that’s still a start. When he looks up at Stephen, he sees that the vampire looks at him intensely.

“What?” Tony frowns.

“Nothing,” the vampire shrugs, but his eyes are still curious. Yes, he probably discovers that part of Tony, the... engineer. “It’s just… odd to see you so involved, whereas you didn’t even know about Dormammu two hours ago…”

Tony shrugs as well, and he doesn’t answer. He reads the book again and again, and the pair stays silent for the rest of the afternoon.

Chapter Text

The second Ebony Maw sees Dormammu and his flaming, purple eyes, the vampire bows respectfully, but a tiny arrogant smile can still be found on his hideous face.

Ebony Maw is so old his skin is almost gray. His teeth have never been white, it seems. He doesn’t care about his appearance, though.

He guesses he has been beautiful at the beginning of his life… It was a long time ago, though. He is still more elegant than Dormammu, though. And it is not that hard: that vampire only knows one color: black. Boring.

“Dormammu… It is nice to see you again, my old friend,” he says, voice honeyed.

Dormammu doesn’t answer, but Ebony Maw is not offended. Dormammu rarely speaks. If he does, it is either to ask you a favor, scold you, give you an order, or threaten you. In fact, he is more tolerable when he is quiet.

Ebony Maw walks through the huge room, throwing disgusting looks at the dusty, black sculptures and statues decorating Dormammu’s rather empty castle. The castle is so big and black people call it the “Dark Dimension”. What a ridiculous name for such an insignificant and poorly-taste place.

“No offense, Dormammu, but… your room leaves a lot to be desired…” Ebony Maw says lightly.

Lots of things can be said about Ebony Maw: lack of decorum is not one of them. The vampire is always impeccable. He never raises his voice, even when he is fighting and destroying bodies, his moves are fluid.

Dormammu hands him a glass of blood, and the vampire happily sips it. The second his lips touch the glass though, a scream of pain echoes and breaks the silence between the two Creatures of the Night.

Ebony Maw doesn’t flinch. He wonders where that howl comes from, probably from the dungeons, located underground. That scream must come from one of Dormammu’s followers.

A incompetent one that deserved punishment, probably.

Ebony Maw winces in disgust.

Dormammu sees that reaction and says with a mocking tone. “I thought you liked screams of pain… Legends say only one thing can trigger a smile from you: people howling.”

Finally, he speaks.

“Did you go soft over time, Ebony Maw?”

Yes, Dormamu is definitively more tolerable when he shuts up. Ebony Maw’s wince disappears, but the disgust remains. People used to call him “The Bloody Scream Creator” at one time of his life, when he spent most of his time torturing people.

What an awful name that was… He prefers Ebony Maw. He is not bloody. He is calculated and calm. Being a torturer doesn’t mean you are bloody.

To be fair, he doesn’t even remember his real name.

“I love hearing yells and screams…” he hisses through clenched teeth. “But not when I’m drinking.”

Dormammu just nods. He says. “You know why I called you.”

Okay, he loses no time this time. Fun.

“I talked to Mordo as you required…” Ebony Maw says. “He refuses.”

Dormammu stays calm. That's unfortunate. Ebony Maw likes it when the old vampire loses it. It’s rare, but when it happens, it is so entertaining.

And in fact, that mission was crucial: Dormammu has asked him to talk to Mordo and convince him to join him, to fight the Ancient One, Dormmamu’s oldest enemy.

It is said that Mordo left Kamar-Taj a long time ago, disgusted by the Ancient One’s methods. No one knows what truly happened between them.

Mordo is not talkative.

“That’s not surprising…” Dormammu whispers calmly with a deep voice. Ebony Maw struggles not to roll his eyes.

C’mon, be angry. Kill one of your followers. That would be fun.

“But having Mordo as an ally would have been an advantage…” Dormammu says.

“Especially as the Ancient One already has a source of information…” Ebony Maw keeps his voice honeyed, but of course, the mocking is here underneath.

Yes, Ebony Maw is haughty, and he has every right to be. Having one of your strongest followers betray you and go straight to your oldest enemy… ? That’s a story that’s not boring, at least.

Hilarious.

What’s the name of the Traitor? Stephen Strange?

Dormammu doesn’t like his cutting remark, but he doesn’t want to start a fight between them, so he doesn’t lash out. His purple eyes seem to burn right now, a literal fire consuming everything it touches.

If one of his soldiers had been the target of that stare, they would have probably burst into tears. Ebony Maw just struggles not to laugh.

“Indeed she has…” Dormammu pauses. “Very clever of her.”

Ebony Maw is not surprised to hear some respect in Dormammu’s tone. He has always respected the Ancient One.

And then, the respect is gone as Dormammu growls. “Stephen Strange… He must have told her everything he knew about me…”

Which is why Dormammu wants Mordo so badly: the vampire stayed by the Ancient One’s side for centuries. He knows more about her plans than anyone else. But sadly, he doesn’t like Dormammu and his methods.

He is boring.

Well, except when he calls Ebony Maw to take revenge on Iron Man.

That’s not boring.

Dormammu suddenly looks at Ebony Maw with curiosity. “You saw him…”

“Stephen?” Ebony Maw chuckles, and he finishes drinking the rest of his glass of blood down in one. He loves feeling his pointed teeth brushing his tongue.

“I did, yes. At the slave market… He is arrogant. Annoying. But of course, I didn’t kill him… I assumed you would want to do it yourself.”

Dormammu nods calmly. “You assumed very well.”

Ebony Maw has lots of questions banging inside his mind, but he keeps his mouth shut. One of them is: why choose a man with ruined hands as one of your soldiers?

“He seems to do well…” Ebony Maw teases cruelly, a smirk dancing on his lips. “A lovely Kamar-Taj servant… And a lovely bare and smooth forehead...”

Dormammu glares at him. If looks could kill...

“What about you?" Dormammu hisses like a snake. "What about your quest?”

Ebony Maw’s smug smile leaves his face. That’s right: he needs Dormammu for that, unfortunately. Finding Hoggoth. One of the Three.

“Not concluant for now,” Ebony Maw admits with difficulty.

“Oh, really? That's unfortunate…”

Anything can be heard in Dormammu’s tone but compassion. He laughs at him, and Ebony Maw can’t blame him: he guesses he deserves it after what he’s told about Strange.

That’s the problem with Dormammu: they both belong to the second generation of vampires, the Three being the first.

Ebony Maw can manipulate him, but so can Dormammu. They’re on equal terms. But Dormammu has something Maw doesn’t: information.

Knowledge.

He told him for a long time that he could help him find Hoggoth. But the thing is that nothing is free in this world.

Hoggoth.

Ebony Maw’s brother.

His Transformer.

If he wants information, he has to please Dormammu. And of course, that damn Mordo doesn't want to join him.

“I will tell you this…” Dormammu says slowly. The slowness is deliberate. Just to piss Ebony Maw off. “Your brother is still alive, and the last time he’s been seen… He was at Kamar-Taj.”

Ebony Maw stays calm, but he struggles this time. It is supposed to be second nature to him.

“If you lie…” he hisses through clenched teeth, his mangled and long fingers squeezing the empty glass with more strength than necessary.

He would love having Dormammu at his mercy and torturing him until he reveals what he wants to know. Until he begs, too.

That is one of the reasons why Ebony Maw is such a good and precise torturer: he has always wanted information. From the second he has been transformed.

The thing with Dormammu is that he is as powerful as him.

Dormammu’s eyes narrow and he chuckles. It is deep and cruel.

“I’m not lying… If you want to find your brother and kill him, Kamar-Taj has to fall… We have that in common. I want Kamar-Taj to fall, and you need that fall to achieve your goal. So…”

The dark vampire approaches Ebony Maw, and his piercing eyes are too cold now.

“Bring me Mordo and convince him. And I’ll tell you everything else… I’ll give you the people at Kamar-Taj you need to find your Transformer.”

Ebony Maw doesn’t answer this time.

He just nods, even though there are lots of perverse and wicked thoughts involving Dormammu obsessing him right now.

OoO

The second Peter hears a soft knock on the door, he expects Stephen to open it and enter. His stomach squeezes in fear and he holds the breath he doesn’t need anymore.

“Yes?”

God, his voice sounds pathetic and weak.

He is surprised to see Tony’s face instead, even though the surprise is not as intense as it is supposed to be. That’s the problem with a blood crisis: emotions tend to be blander.

And he guesses he is still under the influence of Stephen’s bond that forced him to stay calm.

Tiredness and exhaustion assault his body and prevent him from moving. He is lying down on a bed, and he guesses he must be as pale as a ghost.

Ironic.

“Hey…” the Hunter says gently as he enters and closes the door behind him. He is wearing another coat. A thick one. He doesn’t smell anything, and that reassures the kid.

It is hard for him to look him in the eye.

“How did you manage to come here?”

Tony moves his hand to sweep his words away. “I had to bargain with Christine. She is stubborn, god… Anyway, not important. How are you feeling?”

His tone sounds casual, but he doesn’t walk towards the bed.

Peter would have loved rambling right now. But guilt, the blood crisis, and fear prevents him from doing that. It is weird to see Tony this way: worried.

For a tiny second, he thought the hunter was here to kill him, to finish him off, after what he’s seen.

The hunter doesn’t move though.

“Could be worse…” Peter rasps weakly. And then, he looks at Tony with big, teary eyes as he asks. “Stephen doesn’t want to see me, does he?”

He understands. His Transformer must be so disappointed. All the hard work, all his training sessions… for nothing. A failure.

The hunter blinks and tilts his head to the side. He seems surprised.

“He does, kid… But the Ancient One called him, so he asked me to check on you…” Tony lowers his eyes, and he seems uncomfortable. “And I wanted to come here anyway.”

Peter weakly frowns. “Why?” he doesn’t understand why Tony is here, with him. “You saw what I did.”

The human sighs. He looks tired too, but for different reasons. Then, he forces a tired smile onto his face and shrugs. “Well, those were just blood bags… Nothing that serious… You only ruined your clothes, kid…”

Does he try to convince Peter or himself?

Peter doesn’t answer. He swallows, and it is horrible. His throat is so dry. It feels like his tongue has turned into stone.

“Nothing that serious…” he repeats, bitter. “Of course it is…”

Then, Tony walks closer to him and sits down at the end of the bed. His eyes are gentler than what Peter is used to seeing. It seems like Tony drops his arrogant mask for once.

“Stephen is not mad at you, kid. No one is, except fucking idiots that need a punch in the face.”

This sudden vulgarity in Tony’s speech is so Tony that Peter can’t help but smile a bit.

“I’m here because…” Tony stops. “I wanted to check on you.”

“I don’t get it…” Peter says weakly, frowning. He is not mad though. He is too exhausted to be mad at anyone. “You saw that… It must have been terrifying…”

A strange expression comes across Tony’s face, but it is too sudden. Peter doesn’t know what that means.

“Let’s say there are more lovely sights out there, like hot women and shirtless men…” Tony says, sarcastic, but his tone is not rude. It is a poor attempt at humor.

“But… you know, what I saw…” he loses his smile. “It was not as awful as what I’ve experienced with some humans.”

Peter’s frown deepens. What is his goal here? Comfort him?

“What do you mean?”

Tony rubs the back of his neck. Then, he says. “You know, what you have, this… blood thirst, it is not that different from what humans can experience.”

Peter blinks like an idiot, and he doesn’t know what to say. He has not expected that comparaison. Tony comes up and tells him that he acts like a human?

The human develops calmly as Peter is confused. “Do you know how my father died?”

Well, that’s a change of subject.

“Vampires?” Peter whispers with sad eyes.

Tony smiles and he shakes his head. He lowers his eyes a bit and they become glassy, as if he is lost and trapped inside a memory. A painful one.

“No… Other people that I loved were killed by vampires, but my father… alcohol killed him.”

Peter understands. “He was an alcoholic...”

He doesn’t know why Tony shares that intimate detail. Well, Peter had done it first, when he told Tony about his meeting with Stephen.

Tony nods, grave. “He was. He fought for years against that kind of addiction. He had victories and failures, long moments of abstinence and relapses…”

Peter doesn’t say anything but he starts to see the parallel Tony is drawing: he treats his blood thirst like alcoholism. It is not stupid, it is just that Peter never saw it that way.

“The moment he truly lost was when he drank too much…” Tony takes a deep breath. “It killed him. My point is that… What happened today was not a failure, it was not you making a backwards step…”

Peter can’t help but laugh helplessly. “What was it, then?”

“It’s just fighting an addiction…” Tony shrugs, as if it is perfectly obvious. Right now, he is talking as a scientist, not as a grieving son who lost his dad. “Fighting an addiction is not, and has never been, linear. It’s a mix of failures and victories. One relapse doesn’t mean that everything is over, on the contrary: moments like this allow you to understand what went wrong… You learn from them, do things differently, and when you do, you become stronger.”

Peter looks at Tony, and he sniffs. He didn’t know that he had started crying silently.

He wipes his wet cheeks and says. “But… I’m not stronger right now…”

Tony smiles, but it is a sad smile. A soft one too. “You gave in for one tiny moment, but you were still strong enough not to attack anyone. You were still strong enough to drink blood bags, and understand what you were doing… You were still strong enough to be lucid about it. That’s the opposite of a failure. To me, it’s a sign that you’re on the right track. And I’m sure Stephen thinks that too.”

Peter blinks, and he doesn’t say anything. He needs time to process what happened, and Tony’s words. He needs to be alone.

And luckily, Tony understands this as if he has read his mind. He gets up and smiles down at him. “Get some rest. Stephen will be there soon.”

He turns around but Peter stops him. “Tony?”

The hunter turns his head towards him, raising an eyebrow.

“Thank you.”

Tony smiles softly, and he leaves the room without a word.

Chapter Text

“Basically, I think Stark had a point about Dormammu…”

It is hard to say that, but Stephen Strange can’t back down now. He has said it, and the Ancient One, although her frozen features give nothing away, looks at him with attention.

The two vampires are alone, and they are debriefing, as usual, but this time, the atmosphere is a bit different: Stephen is actually more talkative, as he relates the long conversation he shared with the hunter at the library with… enthusiasm, almost.

The Ancient One smiles a bit.

“Hard words to pronounce, isn’t that right, Stephen? Is it because it was my idea to involve Tony Stark or just because you have to admit that Tony Stark had a good idea?”

“Both, I guess…” Stephen growls, and he strokes his goatee with his shaking fingers. “Ebony Maw must have answers… He is as old as Dormammu…”

He clears his throat and gathers all his bravery to say. “I have to talk to him.”

The Ancient One’s eyes darken a bit, and the air becomes thicker, even though none of them actually breathe it.

“Don’t you think you’re a bit too fast?” she asks with a honeyed voice, but the warning is there, poisoning each word.

She takes a sip of her tea, whereas Stephen barely touches his cup.

“We both know that Ebony Maw is Dormammu’s ally…” she carries on. “What makes you think he will listen to you and bring you the answers you need?”

Stephen winces and he nods. She has a point.

“He is his ally, true… But Ebony Maw is not a wimp. He has his own purposes. He can make his own choices, and betray whoever he wants. Dormammu or…”

“Or you…” the Ancient one says, coldly.

“Which is why I must be ready to give him what he wants if I want answers…”

Stephen doesn’t know what happened exactly, but Tony’s words in the library touched something in him. He is still as pessimistic as usual, but there is something warming up his chest.

Hope, that’s what it is. Weak and dangerous, but still present.

Tony has been so motivated about all of his theories that Stephen catches himself hoping and believing that maybe, just maybe… the hunter may be right.

Dormammu could be defeated…

God, Stark’s craziness is contagious, it seems…

“I strongly advise you to think about it,” the Ancient One warns him.

“Alright…” Stephen narrows his eyes insolently as he feigns reflection for a second. “Done, I thought about it. I’m going to meet him.”

He turns around, ready to leave this suffocating room and join Peter to check on the kid, but the Ancient One has other plans.

And no one contradicts the Ancient One’s plan.

She moves in front of him and presses her long hand against his chest to stop him. She has done this calmly, without any haste, but Stephen stops and he feels his chest hurt a bit, as if a hand pierced his chest and squeezed his pointless lungs.

“If you’re so prompt to meet him, why do you even ask me for permission?”

“I’m not asking for permission,” Stephen hisses through clenched teeth, on the verge of showing his teeth. “I’m telling you what I’m doing to keep you aware, because I know that if your little informers see me with Ebony Maw and report it to you, you will think I betrayed you, and who knows what you would do to me…”

The Ancient One smiles, but it is not gentle nor sad. She is not offended in the least, but she still pretends to be gentle and sweet.

“Do you think I’m that cruel, Stephen?”

She doesn’t drop the act that easily.

“Yes,” Stephen bluntly answers. “You would treat me the same way as Dormammu.”

It is blunt and rather harsh, but Stephen doesn’t hate the Ancient One. He even respects her a lot, and let’s be honest, she has been the one who taught him the most, the one who gave him shelter when he had nothing else, the one who gave him purpose again.

But… she has never shown true kindness towards him, not really.

He doesn’t think the Ancient One is incapable of being nice. She can show mercy and gentleness.

Just… It is more complicated for him.

“You say I’m the same as him…” the Ancient One speaks slowly, as usual, but Stephen knows he has touched a nerve. Otherwise, she wouldn’t argue that much. “I’m confused; was Dormammu willing to welcome a former enemy in his ranks?”

That’s a low blow.

Stephen lets out a bitter laugh, even though there is nothing funny here. “Don’t pretend you did this by charity… You only welcomed me at Kamar-Taj because I was useful to you. You use people as pawns, for your own purposes. You’re exactly the same as Dormammu, the difference is that he doesn’t bother playing nice…”

He glances at the cup of tea he is still holding and he says sarscatiscally. “And your tea tastes way better.”

“My own purposes?”

She is playing dumb.

“Your known purpose is to kill Dormammu, everyone knows it. But I know that you have other purposes too, otherwise Mordo wouldn’t have left.”

Mordo has his flaws, but he is not stupid, and definitevily not impulsive or intrepid: that’s Stephen’s speciality. If the vampire decided to leave this place - which is a strong decision - it is because he learned something dark… really dark.

The Ancient One narrows her eyes dangerously, but Stephen holds her glare. He is used to killing looks such as these. He can take it.

Suddenly, as if all tensions have been sucked up away from the air of the room, she smiles and she asks with humor. “Why are you so hostile today?”

“I had a rough day, for starters…” Stephen growls.

He thinks of Peter, and he lowers his eyes a bit. He hopes the hunter can smooth the kid’s worries, but deep down, Stephen is not that worried.

He has seen Tony’s eyes when he asked him to go check on the kid.

Tony has been… determined. He wanted to see the kid, not because he was told to do so, but because he wanted it. Maybe the hunter truly cares about the kid.

Stephen doesn’t know why, but he catches himself liking Tony's eyes more and more. They are so full of life, of passion, of dedication, especially when he has an idea he finds brilliant.

His eyes are like a huge book of adventure.

Thinking of Stark…

Stephen pulls himself together and brings his attention back to the Ancient One.

“You’re using Stark the same way you use me…” Stephen says. Not that she is wrong for doing that. It is a rather clever strategy. “ “Which is why I wanted to bring this issue up…”

The Ancient One raises an eyebrow. “You’re defending Tony Stark, now?”

“Now him…” Stephen shows his teeths this time, and he clenches his fists. “I want you to stay away from Peter.”

It is probably madness to defy the Ancient One like that, but he doesn’t care. He would fight anyone for Peter. Anyone. He would go for anything.

Genuine surprise crosses the Ancient One’s face and she asks with a slight frown.

“What does your Transformed have to do with all of that?”

She doesn’t even glance at Stephen’s clenched fists.

She is as calm and unbothered as ever.

“The only reason you do not use him yet is because he is still weak. He is still struggling. But I know that the second he will be strong enough, you will try to manipulate him, shape him… You want soldiers, but Peter won’t be one of your puppets. I won’t let you.”

The Ancient One walks closer to him, and she growls as well. “You won’t let me?” she teases him. “What will you do, Stephen?”

Anyone in front of the old vampire would have backed down or begged for mercy.

Stephen grins with disgust. “Don’t underestimate me… You’re far stronger than me, but I’ve managed to mislead Dormammu. I can do it again with you.”

Stephen walks around her while making sure to shove her.

“Stephen…” she says a bit more gently, but suddenly, her eyes widen and she winces. Her hand comes to stroke her forehead and her features twist in pain.

Stephen stops and frowns, confused.

“Something…” she stammers. “Something is wrong…”

“What?” Stephen almost barks, his nerves being tested right now. He doesn’t have time for that, he needs to see Peter…

The Ancient One closes her eyes and she seems to be in deep meditation for a few seconds, and then her eyes snap open and she looks really surprised.

“Mordo… Mordo is here!”

OoO

“So, what did I say, kid?” Tony is proud of himself, and he wants everyone to know.

Well, he wants Peter to know.

The kid chuckles a bit. It is weak, but sincere. “Okay, you were right… Happy?”

“Sure I am…” Tony nods as they both look in front of them in silence.

The green and brown forest is so huge that it can be seen for miles around. It is peaceful, and Tony knows that Peter’s better senses allow him to have a better understanding of this state of nature.

Peter can hear the birds sing, see the details of the barks, listen to the wind making the leaves rock and dance slowly and majestically.

It has been Tony’s idea to make the kid get some fresh air, and he doesn’t regret it. He had been ready to leave the kid’s room, and at the last moment, he turned around and asked Peter if he wanted to go out.

Peter grumbled at the beginning, just like a kid would do, and then he accepted. The duo decided to reach the top of a hill out of Kamar-Taj to have a better view.

This time, Peter was too weak to make them climb a tree.

Tony is now wearing a thick coat not to disturb the kid’s senses still affected by his blood crisis, but he would be lying if he said that he didn’t feel comfortable. A vicious voice whispers to him that if he feels comfortable around Peter, it is because the young vampire is now weakened.

It is true that Peter’s face is twisted by tiredness, dark circles under his eyes. And the hunter noticed that Peter’s moves are slower, as if his movements were restrained.

But he knows that’s not entirely true.

Peter’s presence smooths him, brings simplicity and authenticity. He likes it.

Suddenly, the kid closes his eyes and smiles a bit. “It does feel good… Thank you.”

“You’re welcome…” Tony grins, and then he brings his attention back to the forest. He bites his lower lip. He wants to talk to the kid about certain things but he doesn’t know how to begin.

The genius wants to laugh: he is trying to be tactful. God, this place really messes up with his mind.

Oh, fuck it.

“What’s the deal with the I-touch-my-chest–bond-thing between you and Stephen?”

Peter’s red eyes widen a bit. Surprise takes over exhaustion, and he chuckles. As he sees that Tony doesn’t apologize or back down, the kid sighs - again, such a weird sight - and he lowers his eyes.

“What did Stephen tell you?”

“Not much…” Tony growls, annoyed. “The Transformed and the Transformer share a bond and they can feel each other’s emotions. Full stop.”

Peter calmly smiles. There is something gentle in his smile, that lights up his entire face. “Basically, yeah, it’s like that. The closer you are to your Transformer, the stronger the bond is.”

Well, shit.

“Isn’t it…” Tony winces, as he is trying to find the right words.

“Strange to feel another person’s feelings?” Peter casually completes Tony’s silent thoughts, and the hunter just nods, curious. He can’t help it.

He is curious, and of course, he has another purpose.

“Not really…” Peter answers the question. “At first, it had been odd, but Stephen had brought barriers right away. We have strict rules… So, in a way, at the beginning, I barely noticed he was there, with me. But little by little, he opened up to me, and now I can feel his emotions a bit better…”

“I mean…” Tony asks, the scientific side of him taking over. “Can you… hear your Transformer’s thoughts if you focus? Can you see some images from his conscience, from… his past, maybe?”

Peter slightly frowns, and he shakes his head, to Tony’s disappointment.

“Nope. Why? Why do you ask?”

Tony opens his mouth to feign innocence, but something in Peter’s eyes stops him. The kid feels that something deep worries the hunter, and maybe… Maybe Peter deserves to know the truth.

Tony sighs and he mumbles. “I guess you know who Stephen’s Transformer is?”

Stephen is not really talkative, but if someone has to know, Tony bets it has to be Peter. These two are close, after all.

Peter suddenly turns around to face him and he almost makes the hunter jump. God, a hunter doesn’t flinch, Stark!

Peter’s hands grab Tony’s shoulders and he asks with round eyes. “You know who it is?!”

Tony swallows his saliva with difficulty, but he doesn’t have any other choice now.

“Yes.”

“How?” Peter stammers, completely lost. He looks completely speechless, it would almost be comical if the situation was not that serious. “Did he tell you?”

He chuckles a bit, still astonished. “You two are growing much closer than what I expected…”

Tony winces in disgust and he points a finger at Peter’s face. “Plase, don’t say that, you’re insulting me…”

The kid rolls his eyes, unimpressed, and Tony hastens to explain. “No one told me… I understood it,” he grins with arrogance. “Only a genius could see it, but… that’s a piece of luck, I’m a genius.”

“What’s the point of this interrogation?”

Tony purses his lips. “I want to know more about Dormammu, and I thought that I could use Strange’s bond with Dormammu to-”

“There is no bond,” comes Peter’s answer.

Harsh and dry.

Tony opens his mouth, but the kid doesn’t let him. He is the one who points a finger at his face this time, eyes hard.

“I don’t know where this sudden passion for Dormammu comes from, and I don’t blame you for that. But,” the kid growls, as his voice becomes more dangerous. “Hear me out, don’t use Stephen.”

“Why not?” Tony asks, confused, which seems to piss off the vampire even more.

“First, it is painful for Stephen, and he deserves peace. It is his past and his alone. And second of all, the connection between a Transformed and a Transformer is not powerful enough to give you the information that you need. It is not telepathy.”

“I know it may sound cold, but-”

“There is no “but”,” Peter interrupts him harshly. “You want to fight Dormammu? Great, that’s awesome. That doesn’t mean it gives you the right to be a complete asshole.”

Tony would never admit it, but Peter’s words touch something in him. He knows that he is a scientist, and that a part of his job is to be… obsessed with his work and theories, obsessed with his goal.

The end justifies the means.

It actually helped him a lot in the past decades: he developed a weapon network, found vampires’ weaknesses, designed one of the first lethal weapons etc. He got his hands dirty, but the results were there.

Tony is the type of person who spends his entire time on a subject. There is no middle ground. It’s everything or nothing, with the hunter.

But maybe the kid is right… Maybe it is cruel to use Stephen’s former bond with Dormammu…

He clears his throat and says. “Look, Peter…”

He will never be able to finish his sentence. because suddenly, Peter’s annoyance disappears, to make way to a sudden fear.

His eyes widen, he looks around and turns his head from side to side, and his nostrils flare, like a young doe that suddenly smelt a predator.

Suddenly, he yells. “Tony, watch out!”

And he throws himself at the hunter, shielding his body with his own and tackling him to the ground.

Tony doesn’t understand what’s happening. He is now lying underneath the kid, whose face twists in pain. Pain? What’s happening? The hunter wriggles to get free, but Peter’s shaking hand comes to grab his shirt.

“No…” he weakly whispers. “You must… stay here and…” he is not strong enough to end his warning.

And then, now that he sees Peter’s hand, he sees… blood. Peter is bleeding. A big gash notches Peter’s side and he becomes even paler. Peter’s lips become almost blue.

What hurt him? He can’t see shit because of the blood flowing out.

And why… Why doesn’t he heal? Probably because he is weakened by his blood crisis…

“Peter!” Tony yells too, worry and panic inflaming his nerves.

And then, before Tony can wiggle free and give Peter assistance, he hears another, high-pitched voice, close to them.

“What the hell, Peter?!”

He knows that voice.

And hearing that simple voice gives him goose bumps. His entire body freezes. He doesn’t even need to look up to know who is with them now.

Mordo.

What the hell is he doing here? And why did he attack Peter?

Well, no. Now that Tony can see Mordo’s horrified face while looking down at the kid, he understands that Mordo never intended to hurt the kid. His target was Tony, but the kid threw himself at the hunter to protect him.

Peter moans in pain, but he manages to lean on his forearm. “I ask you the same… thing… Mordo… You… You really went for it…”

The vampire’s attention goes to Tony, and his eyes darken. “You…” Mordo spits with disgust. If looks could kill…

What the hell is he doing here? And… how does he know that he is here, at Kamar-Taj?”

“So, it’s true?!” Mordo growls dangerously, on the verge of losing it completely. His voice is so loud it seems to vibrate in the air. He doesn’t seem to talk to the kid. Just himself.

“Ebony Maw wasn’t lying… Kamar-Taj welcomed a Hunter?!”

It sounds more like a roar than a scream.

None of them answer, and as soon as Tony thinks that he is definitively screwed - he doesn’t wear his armor, he is not armed and Peter can’t save him a second time - Mordo suddenly vanishes: he is no longer in Tony’s field of vision.

Tony blinks, gaping, and he soon understands that Mordo has not vanished. He has just been… pushed and shoved and dragged away by an invisible force. It is so fast that Tony can only distinguish dust flying around and the holes Mordo’s body produces on the way.

Finally, the vampire lands on his side so far away from the duo that Tony has to squint to see him.

And then, Stephen appears right in front of the pair, fists clenched and growling, baring his teeth. He has been so fast it seemed his feet slided on the ground.

Mordo laboriously gets back on his feet. Tony understands: the mysterious force has just been Stephen all along, but he has just run so fast Tony’s eyes could not see him.

Stephen quickly glances behind him, to check on Peter.

He frowns worryingly.

“Kiddo?!” he just asks.

The kid is almost back on his feet too, but he is still shaking, and the gash is still too big. Well, no, it’s not a gash. It’s something else, now that Tony has a better view of the injury.

It is as if… a hand came and tore his side off.

God, Mordo is a beast.

“Fi… fine,” Peter mumbles, but he is still too pale. “I’ll… I’ll need blood, I think… To heal properly… And I assure you it’s not a strategy to get more blood and...”

“I know, stupid kid,” Stephen growls almost harshly, but Tony knows he is not furious at the kid. He turns around to look at Mordo.

Tony can’t see his face, but he assumes he must show his teeth now.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t just rip your head off, Mordo,” Stephen barks. He sounds like an animal, too, this time.

Mordo runs fast to join Stephen and get closer to them, but he keeps a certain distance. “I didn’t want to harm the kid!” he screams and spreads his arms open. “I didn’t know he would just… cover the Hunter’s body!”

So, yes. The target was Tony.

This doesn’t seem to smooth Stephen at all. He stands firm in front of the pair, protecting Peter and Tony in the process. Mordo seems as stubborn as he is, though. He doesn’t run away, and he even positions himself to fight.

Tony curses under his breath.

Well, they’re all fucked now.