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The moon is shining brightly tonight. Artem Wing walks without a care in the world, the chilly wind against his skin is something he is used to. The man looks up at the dark sky, his gaze full of longing and sadness. How many years have passed, he doesn’t know anymore. He wonders, how long can he keep living like this? Oh how he misses the sun. But this is not the time for that. It's been centuries since he last saw the sun and he doesn't even remember what the warmth felt like.
He shakes his head, and continues to walk. Artem then finally arrived at his destination, a bar hidden from sight just a little inside a small street. The bell above the door rings as he opens it, and he smiles politely at the bartender greeting him.
“Whiskey, please.”
The bartender prepares for his drink, and so Artem is left with the silence. He glances around the bar subtly, not many people are here as always. But that’s fine, since he likes it this way. He mutters a small ‘thank you’ when the bartender gives him his drink. Artem sips it, the whiskey leaving a burning sensation in his throat. It's been a while since he indulged himself like this. It might not be so bad, after all.
He is almost finished with his whiskey when he hears the bell rings. Curious, he turns his head slightly to see who came in. And there stands the most attractive man Artem had ever seen in a while. (He means in hundreds of years.) The light brown locks that seemed soft to touch paired with the boyish and refreshing face the newcomer has, it is needless to say that Artem Wing is enchanted.
He doesn't realize that he's been staring for too long that the man notices him.
Blue eyes meet coral, and Artem's blue ones widen slightly. The vampire averted his gaze, his cheeks showing a hint of red. He suddenly feels self-conscious when their eyes meet, and he strangely feels underdressed under that warm gaze. He doesn't know why he stared at him. Maybe it's because he's been touch starved for so long-- Artem stopped his thoughts, and asked the bartender for another glass. Before he can, though, The newcomer beats him to it.
"For two, please."
Artem felt like his world had come to a stop. He's sure there isn't anyone else near him, it couldn't be that this man is ordering for him, right? Right. He must've got a date here. He tucks his hair behind his ear, and averts his gaze somewhere else. This close, he can feel the warmth the man is radiating, and Artem asks himself, is this what the sun feels like?
Artem rubs his cold cheek, a habit he does whenever he feels awkward.
But then the man sits near him, (Near him, his heart repeated.) and suddenly the hundred-year-old vampire doesn't know what to do. He convinces himself that the seat near him is just the most comfortable one available, and tries to not let anyone notice that he’s sitting tensely on his seat.
"This seat isn't taken, right?"
Oh. Oh hell. The man's voice is endearing, and Artem can't help but want to hear more. Thankfully, he remembers that the man is asking him and quickly opens his mouth to answer.
He shakes his head before smiling at the man. "It's empty."
The man grins, and suddenly Artem is reminded of the sun and— he grips his seat tightly. You can't have a freaking panic attack now, Artem Wing, get a hold of yourself. He is sure his knuckles are turning white under the leather gloves he wears, and so he forces himself to breathe.
"My name is Luke Pearce. What about you?" The man—Luke asks, slightly leaning towards him. (Artem is glad he's not the only one feeling attracted.)
"Artem." He says, carefully leaving out his family name.
Thankfully, the sun-like man doesn’t pry any further, deciding to hum in response, smile still in place.
“Are you not from around here?” Artem tucks his hair behind his ear, genuine curiosity in his eyes.
“Mm. Just moved in a few weeks ago, how about you? You don’t look the part.”
Artem nods at the question, “Indeed, I am not from here. Although I’ve been living around these parts for as long as I can remember.”
“So anyway, Artem, why are you here alone? Ah, no, I didn’t mean it in a bad way, just-- you’re very… uh, attractive, I can’t believe you’re really alone.” Luke starts, his cheeks flushing as he stumbles his words.
Artem's eyes widened at the compliment, he hasn't been going out unless necessary lately, that the comment took him off guard. The vampire recovered from his surprise not long after, chuckling at the younger man's reddening face. Artem leans onto the counter, lazily sipping his drink.
"Hm, maybe it's because I was waiting for you to come." Artem teases, his smile gentle and his blue eyes are so captivating that Luke is afraid to become lost in them.
Luke can only smile sheepishly.
"Whatever the reason is, I'm glad you came alone." They clink their glasses together, the jazz music playing in the background setting the mood quite easily.
Artem's pake lips are still forming the same small smile, the night is still young and yet he could feel this to be one of the best nights of his long, long life. He takes another sip, the alcohol swimming around in his undead body leaving a pleasurable feeling.
He remembers being not too fond of alcohol when he was alive, because he would get drunk too quickly to actually enjoy the drink.
He also remembers a friend from back then, and the way the other's body radiates warmth, always picking his drunk self from bars he was forced to go to.
Artem Wing smiles at the surfacing memory, what happened with that boy, I wonder?
The old vampire shakes his head, glancing at his companion for the night. Luke's face is a bit red, but he could feel the younger man isn't quite drunk yet.
"Luke," He starts.
"Yeah?" Luke shows him that same bright smile, and oh how Artem longs to see it all night.
"Let's go somewhere else, after this." Artem whispers in Luke's ear, enjoying the way the man turns red. He leans his head on Luke's shoulder, humming in enjoyment.
He feels Luke stiffening beside him, before relaxing at the contact. Taking that as an agreement, Artem lets himself relax, almost completely depending on Luke to keep both of them upright. The night has just started.
A kiss. And two. And three.
Artem catches a breath he doesn't need to take, and moves to capture Luke's lips again, careful to not accidentally grazing the young man with his fangs. (Although there is no doubt that he is curious how this man who feels like the sun tastes like, it would be regrettable to turn Luke into yet another nameless body on dark alleyways, after all.)
Artem suppressed a shiver as Luke grabbed onto lower back, pushing them closer than before. The shorter man broke their kiss, out of breath. And yet his hand is still on where it was a minute ago, unmoving. Artem licks his lips in delight. Oh how he wants Luke to destroy him.
Artem pushes Luke on to the wall, bringing their clothed erections together. The sound coming out of Luke is downright sinful, and who was Artem Wing if not sin himself?
Both of them are panting now, and Artem repositions Luke’s hands lower. He shudders when he feels Luke’s hands squeezing his ass. Artem grinds down on the other man, arousal taking over. He tugs Luke towards the bed, miraculously managing to avoid bumping into anything.
Artem takes a glance at the clock. 8 PM. That’s plenty of time, Artem thinks, and for a moment Luke thought he saw Artem’s smile turned wistful. But before he could say anything, that expression disappeared from the other’s face. Ah, maybe he’s so gone with pleasure that he’s seeing things. (He was not.)
“Leaving so soon?” Artem stiffens when he feels a pair of arms on his waist, before realizing whose arms they are, the man eventually sighs in amusement.
“Don’t you have work to do, Mr. Vampire Hunter?”
The vampire turns around to face Luke, a sad smile on his pale lips.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you but even I don’t know where I could be killed. Your best bet is the sunlight, Xia Yan.”
Artem could see the way Luke’s jaw tightens at the mention of that name. He reaches out, his cold hands brushing against Luke’s warm cheeks. And it’s so easy to pretend that they’re just a pair of lovers reluctant to let go of each other. But reality is not so kind, is it not?
“If you want to kill me, please do it painlessly. That is my only wish, Xia Yan.”
Artem pulls his hand back, his blue eyes looking so lost that Luke almost wants to tell the older man that it will be alright, that they will be alright, and what do you mean kill you?
“I’m not here for that, Zuo Ran. Not at all.” Luke whispers, as if afraid that someone else might hear his confession.
“...So you do remember me.” The vampire hunter adds after a few seconds of fragile silence, both of them afraid to break it, as if it will ruin whatever this is between them.
“Only vaguely, I’m afraid.” Artem chuckles bitterly. “You’re not quite human yourself, aren’t you, Luke?” Why are you a vampire hunter now, is hanging above them, those blue eyes are looking at him as if staring into the deepest part of his heart, and gods be damned if Luke doesn’t want Artem to know.
“I was looking for you.” Artem looks like he wants to say something, but Luke is quick to continue his sentence. “I know, but they were the only ones that could lessen the pain when it’s… you know, so what choice could I have made, I wonder.” Luke is trying to not cry right here and there, holding back his tears as much as he could.
“Werewolf.” Artem lets out a breath he doesn’t realize he’s been holding.
Luke nods reluctantly, his arms unmoving around Artem's waist.
"You should go."
Artem raises an eyebrow at the younger man, ruffling the other's light brown hair lovingly.
"Chasing me out already?"
"No!" Luke's hold grew tighter, and he buried his face on Artem's shoulder. He doesn't want to be separated. But he, of all people, knows what kind of things the vampire hunters are capable of. He doesn't want Artem to get hurt… he knows that Artem is powerful, but could he still say that when the hunters are attacking him with all of their resources?
"I don't—" Luke's breath hitches, "I don't want to be separated again." His voice is growing smaller and smaller. "But what can we do?" He's crying now, and he doesn't have the strength to care.
"I will be fine. I promise. But they won't take so kindly to traitors, Xia Yan. We both… should go our separate ways."
"Zuo Ran."
Luke— no, Xia Yan whispers.
"I still love you."
Zuo Ran's eyes softened in an instant, as he pressed their lips together in one tender kiss.
"And I still too."
(Because for all the things he had forgotten when he was alive, he still remembers the boy with the warm smile, and how his chest tightens every time he sees him.)
And perhaps, perhaps, someday they could meet again. The vampire with the melancholic eyes as cold as the night, and the werewolf with the warmth of the sun.