Work Text:
“You’re such an idiot! A fucking idiot!” Alex’s voice was a raw, panicked edge.
“Thanks, Alex,” Reggie chuckled, the sound thin and strained. “You’re really making me feel better right now, dude.”
“What the hell happened?” Julie’s voice hitched, her eyes wide with a dismay that mirrored the spreading crimson on the floor. Her shop, usually a haven of warm light and instrument hums, now reeked of fear and fresh blood.
Reggie was bleeding, his torn green t-shirt revealing an ugly, jagged bite on the left side of his stomach.
Alex’s hands, trembling, pressed the ruined fabric against the wound, attempting to staunch the flow. “Sorry, Jules,” he breathed out, not looking away from Reggie’s injury. “I-I didn’t know where else to go. He needs help.”
Julie inhaled sharply, a loud, ragged gasp, and dropped to her knees. She was in her pajamas, a detail Reggie fleetingly registered and felt a pang of guilt about. But then, he watched her shoulders square, her jaw set with a familiar resolve. She was always their anchor. Still, a chill of dread crept into his weakening body as he saw the dawning horror in her eyes as she took in the bite, the unmistakable mark of a werewolf.
“Reg…” she whispered, her voice trembling. Her gaze darted to Alex. “Alex…”
“I know!” Alex exclaimed, his own voice cracking with a frantic uncertainty. “I-I don’t know what to do.”
Reggie reached for his best friend’s hand, mustering every ounce of his rapidly draining strength. He doubted his feeble grip made any difference, but Alex’s alarmed blue eyes, glistening with unshed tears, locked onto his.
Then, Alex turned to Julie, desperation etched on his face. “Julie, what do we do?!”
She stared, her mouth agape, shaking her head silently. Julie, their brilliant witch, their steadfast anchor in every perilous situation... She always had the answers. Always. But not today.
“We were ambushed by werewolves,” Alex struggled to explain, as if detailing the horror would somehow conjure a solution for Julie. “We fought back, but one of them… And Reggie, that idiot , thought he could take him!” His eyes, a piercing mix of anger and grief, fixated on the burning inferno that was the werewolf bite.
Reggie wouldn’t give voice to the agony, but it consumed him from the inside out. “How much time do I have?” he asked instead, each word an agonizing effort. Damn it, werewolf venom spread fast. Who knew?
Werewolf bites were basically a death sentence for vampires. Julie had taught them that ages ago, when the first werewolf in years had appeared in their town. Thankfully, that one had turned out to be a friend. But there were others, those who harbored an ancient, senseless hatred for vampires, just as some vampires despised werewolves. It was a centuries-old rivalry, a stupid, unending war. But unfortunately, as a young vampire of only five years, Reggie knew he couldn't change history, especially not like this.
Julie’s eyes widened, a flicker of shock replaced by fierce determination. Her gaze hardened, her lips pressed into a thin line. She rose abruptly, her hands clenching into tight fists, as if physically channeling her resolve.
“You’re not dying,” she declared, her voice firm with unwavering conviction.
With that, she bolted from the room, her footsteps echoing through the shop as she vanished into the back.
She returned moments later, a silver pendant gleaming in her hand, catching the dim light. Reggie’s gaze snagged on the delicate engraving–an ‘M’? – but his attention was swiftly pulled away as Julie knelt once more, her face etched with renewed purpose. She pressed the cold metal against Reggie’s wound, and he hissed, a sharp sting reminding him of his vulnerability.
“What are you doing?” Alex questioned, his brow furrowed in confusion.
“Just trust me,” Julie urged, her voice a mix of urgency and reassurance. She pulled the necklace away, its exquisite beauty marred by the crimson of Reggie’s blood.
Julie rose, striding purposefully towards the counter of her shop. With a swift motion, she retrieved her notebook, tore out a page, and scribbled something with a pen. Turning to face them, she cast one last apprehensive glance at Reggie, then opened her hands, palms up, towards the ceiling. In one hand, the pendant; in the other, the paper. Closing her eyes, she began to chant, words so ancient and cryptic that even in less dire circumstances, Reggie’s mind would struggle to comprehend them.
Suddenly, the paper in her left hand burst into flames, vanishing completely, leaving only a faint wisp of smoke.
“Whoa, what was that?” Reggie managed, his awe cut short by a hacking cough.
Alex winced visibly, tightening his grip on Reggie's arm with his free hand, applying pressure to the wound. “Don’t talk. Conserve your strength.”
“I’ll be alright,” Reggie tried to reassure, a feeble smile playing on his lips.
His attempt fell flat. Alex’s worried expression remained unchanged. He glanced at Julie, concern etched deeply on his face. “Julie?”
“Sent a message,” she answered Reggie’s unspoken question, opening her eyes to assess his fading state. The devastation on her face mirrored the look she wore when that one time her favorite character had died in that TV series she cherished.
“To whom?” Alex inquired, still frowning.
She moistened her lips, silent for a moment. Then, her phone rang. Julie snatched it up with a haste Reggie had never witnessed, answering immediately.
“So, you received my message,” she said in lieu of greeting, her voice unwavering. Yet, Reggie, so attuned to her, detected a subtle tremor.
“What is the meaning of this, little witch?” An unfamiliar voice, clear and resonant, spoke from the other end. Reggie’s vampire hearing easily caught every word. He didn’t recognize it, and from the confusion on Alex’s face, neither did Alex. Julie, however, seemed to know this person.
As she stared down at Reggie, her expression became unreadable. “I have a vampire friend who has been bitten by a werewolf.”
“How unfortunate,” the stranger replied after a beat, his voice impassive, devoid of concern. Reggie was too weak to take offense.
Julie’s eyes narrowed, her nostrils flaring. “Your blood can help him.” Reggie couldn’t make sense of it, but he felt Alex tense beside him. Maybe Alex knew?
“It’s possible,” the man replied absently, after another pause. “But remind me, little witch, why should I care?”
Reggie braced for Julie’s impatience or anger, but was taken aback when he witnessed her dark smile. It was a look he’d never seen before. “You owe me,” she retorted confidently, leaving little room for negotiation. “And if that’s not enough to motivate you to help, know that I’ve connected you to him. If he dies, you die too.” Her fingers tightened around the blood-stained necklace. A heavy silence hung on the other end, and Julie seemed content with that. “So… you better act quickly and find me at the address I’ve sent you, Luke.” With that, she calmly hung up and placed her phone on the counter.
“Who’s Luke?” Reggie broke the tense silence.
Before Julie could respond, Alex, looking shocked and tormented, interjected, “Don’t tell me it’s who I think it is, Julie…”
“It’s alright,” Julie swiftly replied, her eyes pleading with Alex for trust. “Just trust me.”
“If Luke Mikaelson is involved,” Alex gulped, shaking his head, “I don’t think we can say the situation is fine.”
Julie glared at him, then pointed at Reggie. “He’s dying! The situation is far from fine, Alex. Drastic situations call for drastic measures, and Luke Mikaelson is that measure.”
Alex chewed on his lip, scowling, but he didn’t argue further. Julie was right, and he knew it. Still, he clearly disliked the method, though Reggie had no idea what that method entailed. Or who it involved.
“Hello, I’m dying,” he chimed in, managing a weak wave of his left hand. “So, can someone explain?”
“You’re not going to die,” Julie repeated, her tone more confident this time. Alex stayed silent, still pressing his hands against Reggie’s wound. Reggie loved him so much. If he was going to die, he should probably tell Alex how much he meant to him.
“Hey, ‘Lex, I love you.”
Alex snorted softly, his breath trembling, and gently pressed his hands against Reggie’s wounds, making the injured vampire wince. “Stop it. You’ll be fine,” he whispered, his penetrating gaze seeing right through Reggie’s fading facade. “But I love you too.”
“Love you, Julie,” Reggie added, needing her to know his gratitude.
Julie’s hardened expression softened, a faint smile playing on her lips. Despite the gravity, there was a hint of amusement in her eyes, overshadowed by genuine affection. “Love you too, Reg. I’m going to prepare something to ease the pain and slow down the venom, alright?”
Reggie hummed absently, his eyelids heavy with exhaustion.
“Alex...” Julie called urgently, her voice laced with concern, jolting Reggie awake. He forced his eyes open, finding Julie’s worried gaze fixed on him, despite her attempts at reassurance. “Don’t let him fall asleep. Whatever it takes,” she implored before vanishing into the kitchen.
Alex exhaled shakily, his body shifting on the floor. “Okay…” he whispered, gently withdrawing his hands from Reggie’s wound and cupping his head instead. “Come on, Reg, here we go,” he murmured, carefully lifting Reggie’s head and cradling it in his lap. Reggie winced slightly at the movement, his eyes squeezed shut.
“Everything hurts,” he groaned, the confession heavy with pain, his eyelids still closed.
Alex’s fingers pressed into Reggie’s cheeks as he gently shook him. Reggie looked unnaturally pale, almost gray, with traces of blood on his face from Alex’s touch.
Alex’s other hand returned to the wound, applying pressure to stem the bleeding. “I know,” he whispered, his voice quivering with an underlying fear. “I’m sorry,” he continued, trying to maintain a steady tone, but Reggie could hear the constant tremor. “Just hold on, okay?”
“I really don’t like werewolves,” Reggie pouted and muttered. “Except Willie. He’s okay.”
A faint, surprised chuckle escaped Alex’s lips. His gaze lingered on Reggie, filled with curiosity. “Yeah, I guess he is.”
Oh, that reminded Reggie. “I’m happy for you, guys,” he managed, despite his weakened state.
Alex tensed beneath him. “Happy…?” he questioned, his voice a mix of confusion and concern.
Reggie snorted, the sound strange and weak. He was too feeble to care. “I know you’re together,” he clarified, a small smile playing on his lips. He tried to pat Alex’s leg but ended up hitting himself in the head instead.
Alex quickly caught his hand, intertwining their fingers. “And here I thought we were being subtle,” he said, a soft, amused huff escaping him.
“Mmh, no,” Reggie replied, smiling to himself. Fatigue threatened to pull him into slumber, but he knew Alex wouldn’t allow it. And rightly so, he supposed.
Julie returned moments later, kneeling beside Reggie’s head. Without prompting, Alex raised his head, and she brought a cup to Reggie’s lips. He grimaced at the cold beverage but managed to drink it all, albeit with difficulty and a hint of disgust.
“So… Are you gonna tell me who Luke Mikaelson is?” Reggie inquired after clearing his throat. Curiosity was one of his defining traits, and even teetering on the edge of death, he had an insatiable desire to know. Especially if this person was supposedly his only hope.
Julie sighed, looking like she wanted to talk about anything else but this guy. But she obliged Reggie. “He’s an Original vampire.”
Reggie frowned. “An Original?” The self-title was self-explanatory, but he’d never heard the term before. At least, he didn’t think he had. He tried to rack his brain, but the pounding in his head made it feel as if it would explode.
“Luke is among the foremost vampires,” Julie elucidated. “Together with his siblings, they were the pioneering humans to be transformed into vampires, courtesy of a spell woven by their mother—a powerful witch. Gripped by fear of losing her children, she beseeched the forces of nature and delved into the depths of dark magic… And so the first vampires came into existence, borne from her creation. They became known as the Original vampires, a legacy born of maternal love and supernatural power.”
Reggie’s brow furrowed as he struggled to articulate, his frustration mounting. “S-S-so, you’re saying Luke’s blood c-can s-save me? B-Because h-he’s one of t-the o-originals?”
Julie pondered momentarily, her lips caught between her teeth. Whether it was Reggie’s impaired speech or another concern, he couldn’t discern. “Not precisely. Luke possesses a unique lineage,” she continued. “While his mother was the witch I mentioned earlier, his father was a werewolf. Consequently, when he underwent the transformation into a vampire, he inherited traits from both species, making him a rare amalgamation of vampire and werewolf.”
“People call him ‘The Hybrid’,” Alex murmured, his voice barely audible, a deep frown etched on his face. “Lukas Mikaelson, the hybrid.”
Though Julie appeared disapproving of the title, she refrained from voicing her discontent, resuming her explanation. But Reggie sensed an untold depth to Luke—Lukas—Mikaelson’s story, an uncharted territory waiting to be unveiled. “It is Luke’s werewolf heritage that renders his blood so extraordinary. It possesses the power to cure you.”
“That is… Good,” Reggie drawled out in a hushed tone, trembling from a sudden drop in temperature—or perhaps it was just his own unease. “Y-Yeah, that would be fantastic…”
“What would truly be fantastic is if he were here right now,” Alex murmured, his fingers gently combing through Reggie’s hair. The sensation sent a comforting shiver down Reggie’s spine, blissfully unaware of Julie’s piercing glare directed at Alex for his comment.
In a serendipitous response to Alex’s wish, resounding knocks reverberated through the room, jolting everyone alert. Julie sprang up, instinctively preparing herself. Casting a fleeting glance at Reggie, she approached the entrance with a steadying breath, swiftly unlocking it and swinging it open.
Reggie wasn’t sure what to expect Luke Mikaelson to look like. When Julie had recounted the story, Reggie had conjured an image of a tall, bearded man with piercing green eyes—an unmistakable hybrid. Of course, Reggie had no real notion of what a typical hybrid appearance entailed.
But the reality standing in Julie’s doorway was a far cry from his imagination. Luke certainly wasn’t tall—if anything, he appeared only slightly taller than Reggie himself, around the same age as Reggie and Alex. Julie, despite her youthful and beautiful appearance due to a spell, was actually quite old—a detail Reggie had yet to fully grasp despite their time together. According to Julie, Luke was even older than her, yet he resembled an ordinary young man in his twenties.
With shoulder-length, tousled brown hair, Luke had an oddly sun-kissed complexion for a vampire, even in the shadowy night. His face boasted an impeccable flawlessness, devoid of any blemishes, except for a slight furrow between his eyebrows, accentuated by the scowl he currently wore. As he opened his mouth to speak, Reggie couldn’t help but fixate on his thin, pursed lips.
“I don’t appreciate being summoned through threats, little witch.” His voice possessed an enchanting quality that made Reggie question his own sanity. Nevertheless, it was an undeniably pleasant voice.
Alex appeared far from comfortable, tense beneath Reggie, clearly unsettled by the imposing presence of the vampire. Because Luke emanated an air of grandeur and intimidation as his intense gaze fixed upon Julie, leaving Reggie to wonder how she managed to remain composed. If he were in her shoes, Reggie knew he would be fidgeting uncontrollably under such scrutiny.
Julie responded calmly, her tone laced with another dark smile as she retorted, “What can I say? A girl must do what she must do. The Mikaelsons are not renowned for their purely altruistic actions, are they?” Her words carried unspoken implications, which Luke seemed to comprehend perfectly.
A derisive grin curved his lips, and for a brief moment, his eyes flickered towards Reggie, causing an unexpected warmth to surge within him. “Is that your little friend, then?” Luke inquired, raising a disinterested eyebrow in Julie’s direction.
She nodded, taking a step back. “Come on in, then,” she said. There was no visible fear in her eyes as she welcomed the Original vampire into her shop. Reggie gathered that Julie and Luke had some history, though it seemed to have soured. Luke referred to her as 'little witch,' but there was no trace of affection in his tone. That's how Luke was trying to play it, at least.
“Alex,” Julie said to the blonde vampire, extending her hand towards him. “It’s okay, let him.”
Reggie blinked and gazed up at Alex, who was fixated on Luke with narrowed eyes, enveloping Reggie in an embrace as if shielding him from harm. This tender gesture filled Reggie’s heart with warmth, but he lacked the energy to muster a playful remark or any words at all.
Reluctantly, Alex complied and gingerly lifted Reggie’s head from his lap, gently placing it against the cool surface of Julie’s shop floor.
Reggie winced and instinctively closed his eyes, anticipating the pain. His eyes snapped open when he felt a feather-light touch brushing against his tummy—the bite.
Startled, Reggie shuddered, his mouth falling open in a silent gasp. Luke knelt beside him, his head tilted to the side as he calmly observed the wound. His hand hovered just above Reggie’s skin, and Reggie couldn’t help but notice his intriguing hazel eyes.
Reggie had never seen eyes of that color before. They suited Luke perfectly.
Their gazes locked, and Reggie held his breath, unsure of what would happen next. Luke maintained unbroken eye contact as he brought his own wrist to his mouth, biting down on his skin.
That was when the realization hit Reggie: Luke intended to offer his blood.
While Reggie had consumed blood before, he had never drunk from another vampire or werewolf, except for that first time—a memory he preferred not to dwell on. In recent years, Reggie had been content with feeding from blood bags alone.
But Luke didn’t give him time to adjust to the idea or process it mentally, because, suddenly, Luke pressed his wrist against Reggie’s trembling lips.
Reggie’s eyes fluttered shut as he suppressed a muffled sound, swallowed by Luke’s wrist. The sensation carried no embarrassment for him—he was beyond such concerns as Luke’s blood surged into his mouth, an incredible taste that caused his fangs to instinctively descend, puncturing Luke’s skin in response and allowing a flood of crimson goodness to fill his eager mouth.
The Original, unaffected by the intrusion, gazed down at Reggie with an impassive yet intense stare.
Reggie, unable to hold eye contact, closed his eyes, succumbing to his insatiable hunger.
God, Luke’s blood was more than good—it was exquisite . With each swallow, Reggie could sense his strength returning, the venom of the werewolf fading away as Luke’s life force coursed through him. The experience was indescribable, a visceral pleasure that consumed him entirely. It was as if he had transcended his surroundings, drifting away from his current reality.
“ Luke! ” a voice rang out, not in panic or fear, but in pure delight, laughter echoing through the air.
Reggie opened his eyes, his consciousness struggling to grasp the situation. He didn’t know how he had landed there, but he found himself standing in the heart of a labyrinthine hedge maze, surrounded by a hushed ambiance that muted even the sound of trickling water from a nearby fountain. The only audible presence was the voices…
“Found you, little witch!” the words echoed through the stillness, accompanied by gleeful tones.
Reggie’s gaze swirled, captivated by the sight just a few feet away—a strangely familiar pair.
Lukas Mikaelson held Julie Molina from behind, his arms enveloping her waist. Julie donned a long white dress, adorned with intricate golden patterns. The sun bathed them in its warm glow, yet nothing outshone the radiant smile gracing Julie’s face. In the five years Reggie had known her, he had witnessed her smile countless times, but never with such exuberance.
Julie glanced over her shoulder, mischief dancing in her eyes as she locked gazes with the vampire behind her. Despite his grip still ensnaring her, Julie displayed no sign of discontent. “Did you truly find me, or did I willingly surrender to your embrace, my dearest?” she playfully taunted.
Luke returned her broad smile, his eyes mirroring the adoration he held for her. Without uttering a word, he spun the girl in his arms, his hands delicately resting on the back of her dress, drawing her closer to him. “However fate conspired, having you in my embrace is all that truly matters,” his voice resounded with a tender, almost reverent tone.
Reggie’s senses dulled, rendering him oblivious to Julie’s response as the world around him blurred into obscurity. Time seemed to accelerate at a dizzying pace, and a series of fragmented memories flickered before his eyes. Some involved Julie, while others featured unfamiliar faces. However, in every single one, Luke played a prominent role—the central figure in these peculiar recollections.
They were the memories of the hybrid, Reggie realized.
Suddenly, Reggie snapped back to reality, his eyes widening abruptly as he comprehended that Luke had withdrawn his wrist from Reggie’s mouth.
The stoic facade that had defined Luke was gone. Instead, his gaze fixed upon Reggie, his eyes wide with astonishment and confusion, mirroring Reggie’s own state. Although Reggie didn’t know Luke Mikaelson well, he detected a hint of fear in his eyes, the fear of being exposed in such an unexpected manner. Clearly, none of this was intended to occur.
With a swiftness, Luke rose to his feet, causing Reggie to wonder if he had employed vampire speed. Luke’s eyes remained locked onto Reggie’s, and the furrows on his brow lingered a moment longer before he shook his head.
In an instant, the impassive Lukas Mikaelson had returned, his true self concealed once again.
“Thank you for saving him, Luke.”
Luke’s gaze disconnected from Reggie’s and fixed upon Julie’s, his eyes lingering for a moment before he approached her slowly, akin to a predator closing in on its prey. But Julie remained unfazed by his presence.
“I’ll have it back,” he coolly stated, extending his hand. The stark contrast between this interaction and the glimpse Reggie had caught of Luke’s thoughts intrigued him. In that momentary insight, Luke had exuded warmth as he’d held Julie, his eyes filled with affection.
Although Reggie couldn’t comprehend the specifics of Luke’s request, Julie apparently did. A profound silence enveloped them as they exchanged a prolonged, wordless gaze. Reggie thought he detected a hint of remorse flicker across Julie’s eyes before she reluctantly opened her closed hand, allowing the necklace to drop into Luke’s awaiting palm.
The original vampire didn’t express gratitude, merely prolonging his gaze on Julie for a few more seconds, his expression inscrutable, before he pivoted towards the exit. As his eyes briefly darted towards Alex, narrowed with intensity, they swiftly reconnected with Reggie’s once again.
Reggie held his breath, captivated by Luke’s penetrating stare, unable to discern the emotions concealed within his enigmatic countenance.
And then, in the blink of an eye, Lukas Mikaelson vanished, leaving Reggie astounded and breathless.
“Jules, what was that necklace?”
Reggie’s question hung in the air, causing Julie’s hand to freeze mid-motion as she ran her fingers through his hair.
They were now settled in the backroom, Reggie’s head resting comfortably in Julie’s lap, her feet propped on the small coffee table. Upstairs, the faint sound of Alex showering provided a rhythmic backdrop to the otherwise comfortable silence, a tranquility Reggie’s curiosity had just shattered.
“It belonged to Luke,” Julie finally answered, her voice barely a whisper, as if she didn't want to disturb the fragile peace.
Reggie instantly regretted asking. He knew some questions were better left unspoken, but his insatiable curiosity often won out.
“He gave it to me a long time ago,” she continued, a faint hint of nostalgia lacing her words.
Reggie couldn’t help but wonder if it was given to her on the same day they’d shared laughter in that maze.
“So… You and Luke?” he blurted out, unable to rein in his thoughts. He tried to decipher the emotions flickering across Julie’s face, but she was a master at concealment, much like Luke. Reggie realized they must have had years of practice guarding their feelings.
“We go way back,” she confessed, her fingers gently gliding over his scalp. “He wasn’t always like this.” Her voice wavered, a subtle hesitation before she continued. “He… He used to be caring. Kind. Free-spirited.”
Reggie could vividly imagine it: Luke, his face lit with laughter, gazing at Julie with pure joy. And perhaps something more.
“You loved him,” he murmured softly, his words escaping without filter once again.
Julie’s gaze dropped to Reggie in her lap, her hand still once more. She looked melancholic, lost in memories of her time with Luke. Reggie could almost see the mementos she held close, playing in her mind like a bittersweet slideshow. Their significance could only be immense.
“As I said, it was a long time ago.”
Somehow, Reggie sensed the conversation had reached its natural conclusion for the night. Julie wasn't ready to delve deeper.
“Well, because of your history with him…” he spoke slowly. “You saved my life. Thank you, Julie.”
Reggie didn't bring up the flashbacks—Alex came downstairs at that moment anyway—but his mind remained haunted by what had transpired. He pondered, almost yearned, for the chance to see Luke again after tonight. For an instant, he even entertained the thought of willingly being bitten by a werewolf once more, though he figured Alex and Julie would probably let him perish for his foolishness and recklessness this time.
Nonetheless, he stowed away his curiosity, his longing for knowledge, deep within the recesses of his mind. As he’d mentioned, curiosity was one of his defining traits, and Lukas Mikaelson was a captivating enigma, waiting for Reggie to unravel and explore.
Perhaps another day, he mused.