Chapter Text
The bird sings as the sun embraces him. It was the reason why a smile was already painted on his face despite not opening his eyes yet. Aside from the sun, another source of warmth was wrapped around him. As he felt it, his heart thumped and the blood it pumps warms his body.
“Hi,” the person beside him said.
Warm lips then pressed on his neck, then travelled behind his ears. He giggled as the kiss tickled him, but the man grabbed his hand softly and kissed his wrist.
“Good morning,” Eli said,
“A wonderful morning,” Daemon answered as he wrapped his body around Eli and placed his head on the latter’s chest.
Eli is used to it. How Daemon kisses him softly, making him feel his love physically. Most especially this, Daemon placing his ear on his chest to hear his beating heart. At first, he was startled, but as Daemon said, he just finds comfort with Eli’s warmth and his beating heart.
Daemon sat on their bed, fixing his hair. Unconsciously, Eli was staring at Daemon. He cannot believe that an art is sitting beside him.
“I’ll make us breakfast,” Daemon said,
“I’ll come with you,” Eli said, “I’ll help!”
But Daemon raised an eyebrow with that, “Help? Really?” he said.
Eli pouted, disappointed that Daemon does not believe that he would really help. Instead of being intimidated, the older chuckled, finding what Eli had done cute .
“You’re so mean, Monmon,” Eli said, using the special endearment he made to get the older’s side.
“I know what you’re doing, Aelius,” Daemon said, “Just stay in bed; sleep more and I’ll do the work.”
The younger can no longer do anything but do as the other says. Besides, he admits that he still feels a little bit sleepy. He lay down again, wrapping himself with the warm and thick blanket of their soft bed. He sniffed it, the comforting smell of both their scents invaded his senses.
Daemon helped him to cover himself with the blanket. He knows that the younger really loves the feeling of being wrapped either by his embrace or by the blanket with his scent.
Aelius closed his eyes. Before dozing off, he felt Daemon’s lips on his forehead.
“Sleep for a while, my love,”
As he was engulfed by sleep, a familiar dream had come along his way. He remembers clearly, as if it just happened yesterday.
The day his life had changed .
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He was walking alone carrying a heavy basket. His parents had asked him to buy their supplies for the day. Usually, it was his mother doing that while his father was off to work on their farm. But that day, his mother felt unwell. Being the good son that he is, he volunteered to do it himself.
His mother was hesitant, because Eli rarely leaves their village. When his parents are not around, he’s usually the one taking care of their house. Sometimes, they divide the peaches that they harvested so that half of it will be sold by his mother to a nearby village, while Eli would sell it to their village.
However, that day, Eli has no choice but to do it. It is not that Eli is timid, his parents just loved to baby him as their only son. But through helping them, Eli showed that he’s responsible and can take care of them too.
He diligently chose good products to take home. He even added some extra ingredients as he plans to make a soup for his mother later using the money he had kept by selling a part of their neighbors harvest.
When he stepped into their village, the atmosphere was different compared to when he left that morning. The usual loud village with a lot of people haggling in the market, the children playing, the young girls giggling, all gone .
He doesn’t know if it was the wind, but a chill ran throughout his body. It was all silent .
A deafening silence .
“Hello?” Eli called, but true to himself, he’s not even expecting an answer. It was just a mask to hide and overpower the frightening turmoil inside him.
He took a step and flinched when a dried leaf cracked beneath his feet. It was simple, but the sound seemed to not only echo on the emptiness but also reverberate inside him. Then he felt it .
He hears it at first, a growl . When he looked, he immediately saw the source. It was one of the villagers, a familiar face for Eli. But at that moment, it seemed that the person was different. His eyes are black as ink and his teeth are now sharp with fangs.
A vampire .
Eli immediately noticed the bite on the man’s neck. It was still fresh, which means that the man is a hatchling , a freshly made vampire.
He heard some stories, but only as horror stories made for kids so that they would come home in time and avoid staying out late at night. He did not expect that a character from the children’s horror stories would actually be in front of him.
Whispers had already spread in their village months ago. There is some news that other villages have reported a vampire attack. It seems to be like an epidemic, an epidemic that no one can survive . Some gossip that he had received tells him that no one lived after these villages were attacked.
It started with one hatchling. Great hunger would take over as they transform into a vampire. They wouldn’t care who it is, as long as they will be fed with blood . When they satisfy their hunger, they will turn other villagers into a vampire. It repeats the process until no one is left .
Measuring his survival, Eli thinks that he is more likely to be devoured than be turned based on how hungry the vampire in front of him looked. But he refused to accept his fate.
Eli took a step back, trying to go away as far as possible without startling the vampire. But the vampire’s eyes are on him. Despite being scared, he held eye contact and never tried to cut it. He took a step, another, and another. He didn’t even notice but he hasn’t breath for a while now.
But it was not enough.
The vampire suddenly ran towards his direction. Eli couldn’t stop himself but he screamed and ran for his life. Damn with the things he had bought, he left them as he ran away from the vampire following him. But the vampire was fast and it immediately catched up behind him.
His legs are now aching as he ran at full speed with all his might. He’s not a runner. Even as a kid, he hated running. But it was not the time to hate it. He has to run away. He has to save himself .
But unlucky fate must be on his side. The vampire immediately caught him and grabbed him by the shoulders. They fell on the ground and Eli felt a sting on his back. When he looked in front of him, the vampire was already glaring at his neck, the pulse point where blood flows.
The vampire bared his fangs, ready to bite. Eli closed his eyes, accepting what was about to happen to him. He tried not to breathe, he tried not to move as he waited for the fangs to puncture him. But it never came.
Eli slowly opened his eyes, and was shocked with what was in front of him. The vampire was bleeding from his mouth. He looked below and saw the reason. A silver blade was pierced on the vampire’s chest, straight on his heart.
Silver, the only metal that can end a vampire’s life. The vampire dropped dead beside him, revealing a dark shadow holding the sword that saved him. But the sun was blinding him, hiding the face of his savior.
Eli adjusted his eyes, trying to block the sun rays. Then, he saw it, the face of salvation.
His pale face and cold eyes are contradicting the sun behind him. His dark clothing seems to not fit the bright light and vibrant color of the trees and flowers around them. A thorn standing amongst the flowers.
But the oddness of the person was not what caught Eli’s attention. It was his eyes . Don’t get him wrong, there was nothing wrong with the person’s eyes, it’s just that, it seems to contain something. The stranger’s eyes seem to want to connect to him. It seems to want to see through his soul.
“Thank you,” Eli managed to say. The stranger finally blinked, finally awakened from his daydream. He immediately laid his hand, offering help for Eli to stand up. The latter immediately accepted it, but he felt something more . But Eli feigned ignorance, it must have been his imagination.
Because why would he feel a tingle and familiarity where their skin had met?
When he stood up, he now closely could see the details on the stranger’s face. From his dark eyes, his snow–soft skin, the stars on his face, his lips .
“ Sol ,”
Eli tilted his head, figuring out if it was his imagination or he really heard something.
“What?” Eli said, “T– thank you for saving me,” he said when the man did not answer.
“I’m Aelius, by the way. I owe you my life .”
“Aelius,” the stranger said, his name rolling beautifully on his mouth.
“Yes!” Eli beamed, “But you can also call me Eli.”
Why does it seem that the stranger was about to cry ? Aelius can see his glistening eyes, seeing through inside him.
“Daemon,” the stranger uttered,
“ Daemon ,” Eli whispered, the name smoothly gliding on his tongue, as if he had spoken that word a long time ago.
He felt a strong grip on his hand and realized he was still holding the other’s hand. But it was not a strong grip intended to harm him, it was a grip intended to hold him , to secure him .
“I need to go to our house, my mother is there,” Eli said, he was about to run towards where their house is, but a hand made him stop.
“They are gone,” said a cold voice.
Eli looked around and saw Daemon holding his hand, still firm but soft.
“No,” Eli said, shaking his head, not believing someone he just met, “I just need to get there and get my mother. Then, I will go to our farm to get my father. It wouldn’t take long,”
“Aelius,” Daemon called softly, “ No one’s left in this village, ”
“No!” Aelius bellowed, tears now falling in his cheek, “I have to get to them, I can’t leave them!”
As he was about to take another step, Daemon wrapped his arms around him. Eli was startled at first, but the warmth that immediately wrapped around him soothed the ache he doesn’t know where is originating. All he knows, it is safe .
The thought of what Daemon said really struck his heart in a painful manner he did not know he would feel. Just imagining the pain his parents had suffered, if he’s there, he could have run with his mother. Guilt gnawed in him and it escaped through his painful sobs.
“I’ll take you home ,” Daemon whispered in his ears, arms still wrapped around him.
But where is home when it is here?
Eli was not sure what had happened, all he knows is that he's now in a mansion . He felt the coldness of the floors and walls touching his skin. Inside, there are furniture, ornaments, even paintings. But the overall ambience of it was empty , dead .
Daemon’s hand is still wrapped around his, guiding him inside.
He brought him to an empty room. Despite it being empty, it felt familiar , comfortable . He did not have to, but Daemon assisted him to lay in bed. He was still in shock, given what had happened. They might not have all the riches, but for Eli, he already had everything, given that he had kind and loving parents.
That night, Eli cried himself to sleep. It continued up until his eyes no longer had tears to shed. Until his heart felt numb and tired enough from pain.
“Who are you?” someone called behind him.
A few days later, Eli decided to come out of the room Daemon had given him. He was also planning to leave but before that, he wanted to repay the older by helping in his mansion. He also does not want to be rude so he’ll wait for him to come home and say his goodbye.
He was in the kitchen, trying to cook something for breakfast. But his actions were halted when an unfamiliar voice spoke behind him. Eli turned, looking at the young man standing in front of him. Based on his first look, his age was not far from his. But if he’s honest, the first thing that he noticed was its sharp eyes that resembled a cat. However, it does not look like the cat he pets in their village. If he’s to describe it, the cat is hostile .
“Hi,” Eli timidly said,
“Are you an intruder? Are you stealing food?” the man asked, already taking a step forward causing Eli to step backward,
“No,” Eli answered, defending himself, “I was about to cook–”
“Cook?” the man said, “ Who are you ?” he added, looking intently in his eyes. Eli felt a cold wind kissing his skin. He shivered with its coldness but even before he held himself to feel warm, the cold immediately was gone. He looked around, frowning, as if he would know the source of the wind he felt. But as he roamed his eyes, it landed on the young man in front of him; previously hostile, now eyes are round and questioning his existence.
“Miles,” a cold voice called near the door of the kitchen.
“Daemon?” the other said, looking at Daemon behind them.
Before he answered, footsteps are now echoing towards them, reaching Eli’s ear and it tickles him uncomfortably. The silence was so loud that the tiniest sound made him feel deaf.
No one was talking, but the tension was evident .
A gasp . A small breath made Eli look up to where it came from. His eyes met with another male, now standing behind Daemon. All their eyes are on him now, making him uncomfortable even more.
“Who is this?” the male behind Daemon asked,
“This is Aelius,” Daemon introduced,
“Aelius?” the man with eyes similar to a cat said,
“You can also call me Eli, though. It is shorter,” Eli said, sounding awkward as he’s not used to with this kind of attention.
“Miles?” Daemon called. Miles did not answer but the two looked at each other, as if their eyes were communicating. Eli observed; no words were spoken but he swore he saw Daemon’s eyes shifted.
Relief.
Assurance.
That’s what Eli saw in his eyes. He was about to speak but he was suddenly engulfed in someone’s arms.
“Uh–” Eli was about to speak, but he heard sniffles in his ear.
“I don’t care about your name, what’s important is you’re here,”
“Asher,” Daemon called, pertaining to the guy hugging Eli, “Let him breathe,”
Asher immediately removed his arms around Eli and hid his face while wiping his tears.
“Wipe your snot, idiot,” Miles said,
“Shut up,” Asher bit back,
“Since we’re all here, I’m going to announce that he’ll stay with us starting today,” Daemon said,
“What?” Eli said, bewildered, “No, uhm– I was actually about to tell you that I am to leave,”
Daemon’s forehead crinkled from what he heard. “What?” he said,
“I appreciate your help and hospitality but I think it should end here.” Eli said, “I might have already extended my stay,”
“What? No! What do you mean by that?” Asher said, which startled Eli,
“Ash, calm down, will you?” Miles said, “Eli, I know you just met me but we have no problem with you staying here. In fact, we are happy if you’ll stay here,”
“I appreciate your kindness, but I insist.” Eli said firmly,
“It is dangerous out there,” Daemon suddenly said, “It is safer here,”
Eli looked at him, eyes soft with a sad smile. “ I know ,” he answered, knowing how cruel the outside world is; remembering now that he had lost everything .
“Besides, my parents need a proper burial,” Eli said, “I have to get them,”
“You’re going back to your village?” Daemon asked, forehead even more creased,
“Yes,” Eli said confidently,
“You know how dangerous that is,”
“But I have to,”
“Are you trying to kill yourself?” Daemon said, sounding a bit more irritated.
“I am not,”
“I’ll get them myself,” Daemon suggested,
“What?” Eli said, “You said it yourself, it’s dangerous,”
“But you know how capable I am more than you,” Daemon said a bit harshly causing Eli to wince hearing the truth.
Daemon’s heavy footsteps echoed in the whole kitchen as he walked out of it. Silence engulfed them all when it was only the three of them left in that place. Eli released a heavy breath that he did not know he was holding. But it was not the only thing that has come out from him.
Eli’s now a sobbing mess. His legs gave up as he slumped on the floor crying. Miles was fast to catch him so he would not hurt himself. “Let me take you to your room,” Miles said, lifting Eli off the floor with ease.
When they arrived at where Eli was staying, his sobs had not subsided. There were times that he would stop, but there would be sudden bursts.
He was no longer crying about what he had heard. He was now crying because of the things he thought he should have done that day. The things he shouldn’t have done. Every minuscule detail he thinks of, he scrutinizes it. Even one of those small things. Maybe if he had or hadn’t done that, things would have turned different .
“Why am I so weak?” Eli said in between his sobs, “Maybe— maybe if I were stronger, I could have saved my parents,”
“You are not weak, Eli,” Miles said, comforting the other,
“Daemon is just harsh,” Ash said, “I should have punched him,”
“You’re not helping,” Miles said, irritated. His attention immediately went back to Eli who had now stopped crying. When he looked at the latter, he was looking at Ash standing in front of them, seemingly stopping himself from laughing.
“You’re kind of funny,” Eli said,
Ash immediately whipped his head towards Eli, confused to what he had said. But instead of answering, Eli just laughed wholeheartedly causing the two people around him even more confused. But either way, they felt relieved hearing that laugh.
“I made you laugh,” Ash said, sounding a bit proud. A smile now forming on his lips.
When he calmed down, Eli’s face suddenly fell back to being serious. He released a deep sigh and looked at the two people in front of him. He looked directly in their eyes, trying to see something . When he felt it, he spoke.
“Daemon is a good person, isn’t he?” Eli asked, more of said , as he knows deep inside him that he is right.
Miles and Asher looked at each other. Weighing the question together with their thoughts. “He is stubborn,” Miles started, “He’s a hard-headed guy and doesn’t listen to what we say. But he’s just misunderstood. People fear him but there’s nothing to fear. Daemon is just Daemon . He’s a bit awkward, especially with new people, but if you give him a chance–”
“Your life will be ruined,” Ash interrupted,
“Asher!” Miles reprimanded,
“What?! I’m just saying,” Asher said, shrugging as if to prove his point.
“I swear I could punch you right now,”
“That is not what I meant, okay!” Asher said, trying to defend himself, “Daemon might look like that, but he’s annoying. Like, he would bother you with the smallest of things. He doesn’t look like it, but he teases me a lot. He’s ruining my life. So, Eli, save yourself,”
It earned a laugh from Eli, sounding like an angel was singing on their ears, and relief to finally see him laughing now.
“You should not listen to him, Eli. Ignore him with all your heart. I beg you,” Miles said, palm already on his face.
The next morning, Eli woke up early and decided to come downstairs to prepare a meal. The mansion was fully enclosed, but he could feel the cold breeze coming from the outside. He opened some of the windows, allowing light to enter. The golden rays immediately touched the floors inside and the smell of morning breeze invaded his lungs.
He checked the fridge, unfortunately, it was empty .
“These people,” Eli sighed.
He checked the cupboards, trying to look for something to cook, but he still failed. Defeated, Eli decided to go out of the house to buy something.
He opened the wooden door to the kitchen, making his way out through the garden. However, he was about to step outside when something hindered him. His head bumped on something hard, causing him to hold on to it, as if it would ease his pain.
“Where are you going?”
Eli looked up, still groaning, and saw Daemon’s face looking down on him. His face is a mixture of worry and annoyance, if that is possible.
“I am going out,” Eli said firmly.
“No, you are not,” Daemon answered,
“I was about to cook breakfast. But you don’t have anything in your pantry. I have to go check on a nearby town to buy something,”
“You are not to go out.”
“Why would I listen–”
“I need to show you something.”
It was not Daemon’s eagerness that caught Eli’s attention. It was Daemon’s persistence— the feeling that what he was about to show him is important. Without any words, Eli followed.
Daemon led him to the deeper part of the forest near the mansion. The rustling of dried leaves reaches his ear as they walk along the cleared path. The silence was peaceful, the chirping of birds, the sound of the water flowing, and the smell of the forest dew invaded his system.
Eli’s smile is bright. He totally enjoys his surroundings as its colors burst in his eyes. Some flowers happily live on this side of the forest. He took a mental note to visit this place again sometime.
His happy internal monologue was suddenly interrupted when the man in front of him halted. Lucky enough, Eli immediately saw it, making him pause before he bumped the older.
“I did my best to look for them,” Daemon started, “I looked for every house. And then I saw this,”
Daemon extended his arms, showing Eli something. Eli frowned for a second and looked at what Daemon was holding. His eyes immediately widen upon recognition. His heart clenched, seemingly stopped beating for a millisecond.
A picture .
Not just a picture, but a family picture of him and his parents. He knows it by heart, because it was the very same picture that you’ll see when they enter their house. It is the one placed near the door, a reminder of who lives in that home and a reminder of who you’ll come home to.
Eli reached for it, and when the tip of the paper touched his fingertips, warm tears started flooding. When he lifted his gaze, he saw it. Two bodies covered in white blankets. His breath was stuck in his throat as it sank into him what that meant.
“Mom and Dad,” Eli whispered, eyes blurry with tears.
Aelius ran like his life depended on it. He ran towards where the bodies were placed. His knees dropped as he reached them, a sob stuck in his throat. Hesitant, Eli reached for the edge of the blanket, pulling enough courage to see it with his own eyes.
As he pulled it, it revealed the faces of the people he loved the most. The people who raised him, the people who had loved him more than he had asked for. The face of comfort, the faces of love. His parents .
If he were to ask for something, it is for them to have felt peace before everything had happened. But remembering the situation back then, he knew it was impossible. He just thanked the heavens that he still has what remains of them.
“I’m sorry,” Eli whispered, rain pouring from his eyes, “I shouldn’t have left,”
“I’m so sorry,” he said as he sobbed. His cries are now louder than what nature sounds, or was it that nature fell silent for his grief?
“Where did you found my father?” Eli asked, remembering that his father was out too at their farm,
“Beside her,” Daemon asked, voice a little careful, “I found him holding a dagger. I guess he fought,”
That made Eli cry even more. He knows his father, he knows that his father would do everything to protect their small family. Even with his last breath, he did what he had promised his family. Eli thought, if he were just there, if he were just with them, maybe he could have helped .
Holding a shovel, Daemon put more soil to where they buried the bodies. Meanwhile, Eli was seated, mind flying but the eyes focused on the soil, hands clasping flowers he had picked from where they previously walked.
Eli sniffed, trying to keep the remnants of his crying within himself. Daemon looked at the younger sympathetically. He placed the shovel to the nearest tree and stood beside where the younger was seated.
“Were they good to you?” Daemon asked out of nowhere,
Eli heaved a sigh before answering, remembering every memory he had with his parents— from the earliest up to the most recent. “More than I ever asked for,” he answered.
Daemon nodded, acknowledging his answer, “That’s all I needed to know.”
He walked towards where they were put to rest and laid the flower he had gathered. Several stones surrounded the grave they made, Eli gathered them for a reminder of where exactly they were laid. He took another smooth rock and a sharp one. He then carved the names of his parents to commemorate them.
After he did so, he stood beside Daemon, still staring at his parents’ grave. Moments of silence had surrounded them, and the birds had now continued singing along the whispers of the wind and tree leaves dancing.
“You’re not that bad like I guessed,” Eli suddenly said,
Daemon chuckled, a bit startled by the younger’s comment. “Why? Have you already made me your villain?”
“Hmmm,” Eli said, thinking, “Not really. But the way you look? It’s like you don’t want to be disturbed.”
“I did not say that thinking you are evil , I said that out of confirmation that beneath your facade, you are you ,” Eli added,
“You can stay in the mansion,” Daemon said,
Eli looked back at him incredulously, “Why would you do that?”
“I know it’s just been days, but Miles and Ash already made you their friend. If you leave, where would you go? How about them? How about your parents here?”
Eli sighed, pondering what the other had said. “Did you just use my parents’ corpse to keep me here?”
“Am I really that bad in your mind?” Daemon retorted, causing Eli to chuckle,
“Well, I’m kinda liking it here,” Eli said, looking around him, “If I am to stay, at least allow me to do things for everyone of you. I can also work at the nearest village,”
“You should stay here,” Daemon said, a bit abruptly upon hearing what Eli had said, “I-I mean— we don’t know what happens outside. It is dangerous and it is much safer here,”
Eli smiled fondly, appreciating the older’s concern.
“ Monmon ,”
Daemon was quick to turn his head towards Eli. He saw how bright the latter’s smile was as he uttered the name.
“W-what?” Daemon stuttered, a bit stunned from what he had heard.
“It is cute when you’re being caught off guard. But do you know that your name sounds a bit morbid?” Eli said,
“I get that a lot,”
“Your whole front, it is Daemon for everybody. But when I see through you, that name seem to suite you more,”
“Can I call you Monmon ?” Eli said, voice sounds like he’s pleading.
Daemon stared at Eli’s twinkling eyes. He seems to be so captivated by it that he cannot form any words in his mind. If he spoke, he was sure that what would come out would be all gibberish and nonsense. If he continues to stare, he knows he will be devoured.
But he let it happen .
“Yes,” Daemon answered, “Only you can call me that,”
Months have passed as Eli stayed with them. Through those months, he learned their origin.
A found family . Daemon, Miles, and Asher are all orphans who decided to stick together as a family. They don’t know where they came from, all they know is that they found each other and they are the family they are looking for.
Within those moments, something more had bloomed . Daemon is annoyed, a concept too familiar for Miles and Asher, but Eli seems to thrive on it. Every time Eli calls him “Monmon”, he heaves a deep sigh. It seemed that he was regretting his decision to allow the younger one to call him that. But his day seems to be incomplete when he doesn’t hear that name coming from a familiar voice.
One night, Eli woke up in the middle of the night. He looked around and noticed that it was still dark, but he was parched. He pulled his blanket, and his feet reached the floor. He walked towards the staircase and reached the kitchen to grab some glass of water.
When he was about to go back upstairs, he heard the front door. He halted his steps, heart pounding against his chest. He carefully walked towards the front door to see who opened it. His eyes caught a glimpse of a dark figure. His nervousness escalated as he looked at the figure. But the moonlight seeping through the window made him at ease.
It was Daemon.
“Monmon,” Eli called as he immediately ran towards the older. Daemon was startled, evident by how his eyes widened as he saw the younger running towards him. When Eli reached the latter, it was then that he saw his state. His cloak was covered with blood .
“What happened? Are you hurt?” Eli said, panic evident from his voice. He grabbed Daemon’s arm to see the blood in it, checking if there was a wound needed to be tended, but Daemon retracted his arms.
“I’m okay,” he answered, “It was not mine.”
Questions circled Eli’s head. But he set them all aside when he remembered how he was saved by Daemon. He remembered how Daemon looked that day. Maybe, Eli assumed, that it was also one of those nights that Daemon encountered a hatchling. The latter was about to leave, but Eli immediately stopped him. “We still need to check if you’re really okay.”
“I’m–” Daemon started, but the younger was persistent.
Eli immediately grabbed a dampened cloth and pulled Daemon’s arm towards him. He glides the cloth to clean the blood on it. “You still have to take care of yourself,” Eli said,
“I don’t know what your business is outside this mansion. But whatever you are doing outside, I hope you mind about yourself. Keep yourself safe because someone is waiting for you here,”
Silence engulfed them both, and through that silence, Eli realized what had happened. He suddenly stopped whatever he was doing when he realized the meaning behind the words he had said. His eyes were wide as he looked up to see Daemon’s reaction. Eli doesn’t know what to feel when he sees the questioning look on his face; his head tilted and his eyebrows knitted. He doesn’t know if he should feel ashamed or relieved.
“I–I mean, y–your friends are waiting for you. Yes! Miles and Ash are waiting for you. Well, that includes me, but you know. They are both more important to you, aren’t they? You are important to them too. I am not saying you’re not important to me, because yes, you are but–” Eli said so fast to the point that he needed to gasp air to breathe, “I’m blabbering, aren’t I?
Daemon chuckled, amused by the younger, “I understand what you’re saying,” he said, “I’ll be careful from now on,”
That night, under the cold gaze of the moon, Daemon felt something he had never known he’d feel again. Something foreign, something unexpected. Warmth . He felt warm against his chest as he watched Aelius tend to him. He felt warmth inside him as he looked at Aelius' smile trying to comfort him.
Warmth after the countless winter he had been.
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“ Monmon , can you pass me the butter?”
The clanking of utensils resonates inside the dining area as they enjoy their breakfast. Daemon was busy putting some pancakes on a plate and placing some butter on them. The very same butter that Asher was asking for.
“Monmon–”
“Since when did I permit you to call me that?” Daemon said, eyes throwing daggers towards his friend,
Asher scoffed, “Yeah, right. That endearment was only for your Eli,”
“You’re so hissy, I still wonder how Eli said yes to you,” he added
A loud sound echoed, which caught Daemon’s attention, and he looked at the source. He saw Miles’ hand in the air, at an angle that made it look like it already landed on Ash’s head. His assumptions were confirmed when Ash spoke.
“Ouch! What was that for?!” Ash said, rubbing the place where Miles had hit him,
“That is for how dumb your mouth is,” Miles said, chewing on the bread he had prepared himself.
“This is abuse,” Ash said, poking angrily at the pancakes on his plate and placed them inside his mouth to chew.
“Don’t be so dramatic,” Miles retorted, “Where’s Eli, by the way?”
“I am sure he’s at their bed because someone here wants to treat Eli like a porcelain doll, as if he cannot do anything on his own,”
“I am neither denying nor admitting to that,” Daemon said,
“What’s the commotion all about?” a soft voice said coming from the doorway.
“Why are you here? I told you I’d bring you breakfast,” Daemon said, taking large strides towards Eli, who’s now at the door of the kitchen and still wearing his sleepwear. Like a clockwork, Daemon lifted Eli’s chin up towards him and he left a kiss on his forehead, making the latter giggle.
“You treat Eli like a baby,” Miles said, shaking his head with a smirk present on his face.
“He is his baby,” Ash retorted.
“ Monmon , you know I can move on my own, right?” Eli said, walking towards Daemon. “Besides, I want to eat breakfast with all of you,” he added, leaving a kiss on the older’s cheek.
“Ugh,” Ash said, fake puking, “Disgusting love birds,”
Eli’s usual routine is to tend the mansion. He doesn’t know why, but the three of his housemates are strongly against getting someone to help them. It was his first question when he arrived at the place. Because if he’s going to be honest, the whole mansion was a mess .
Luckily, they are all ready to help. When Eli arrived, he had seen some cobwebs and dust all over the place, so that was his first project. When he checked the kitchen, it was eerily empty . The plates and kitchen tools are half clean for they all have dust, seemingly not ever used.
“We usually eat outside ,” Miles answered,
When the whole mansion was cleaned, it was his time to finally see through the vast garden. He took care of the present flora around the area, trimmed the shrubs, and watered the other plants. When he was done, he cut some flowers carefully and laid them to where his parents were buried.
“My condolences to you, Aelius,” Ash said. It was one of the days when the latter helped him with the garden. Asher was a bit shocked at first, but when Eli told him the tale, he understood.
Before the sun set, when he was about to call them for dinner, there were many times that he caught the three of them talking inside the study room. Most of the time, the door was locked , so he had no other choice but to knock, but he was not heard. Unfortunately, when he leaned his head towards the door to hear something, he heard nothing .
Until one time, in a similar scenario, Eli was about to call them, but this time, the door was left open . Being curious, he peeked, and he saw the three of them talking with Daemon leaning on the table, arms folded, as if deep in thought. On the other hand, Miles and Asher occupied the adjacent sofa chairs across each other.
“Aren’t you tired, Daemon?” it was Miles speaking, “You’ve been doing this for a century . When will you stop?”
Century ? Eli asked himself. What does that even mean?
“Why would I get tired when I am doing this for his sake?” Daemon answered, anger evident in his voice, “They all should pay for what they have done,”
“But he’s here now. What else are you fighting for?” Ash said,
“ Justice ,” Daemon said, “And a declaration that they can no longer, never ,take him away from me anymore,”
“What would he think if he knew ? Have you ever thought about that, Daemon?” Miles said frustratingly,
“He will understand–”
“Are you sure?” Miles, “For the time that we all had been together, you saw how pure his heart is. Do you really think he’ll understand?”
“Besides, have you ever thought about the gravity of what you had done to him ?”
Questions enter Eli’s mind as he hears the conversation. He cannot understand anything they have been saying. But one emotion was prevailing inside him, anxiety .
They had not been direct, they might have been talking about someone else, but why does he feel that it was about him ? A name was never mentioned, but why does it feel like his name was at the tip of their tongues?
What did they mean by century? Why does it seem that Daemon is angry? What is he fighting for? Who is he fighting? Why does he need justice? What did his Monmon do?
“Aelius,”
His reverie was cut when he heard his name being called. When he looked up, he saw Asher already in front of him and all of their eyes on him.
“How long have you been there?” Asher inquired,
“I–I was just about to call you for supper,” Eli said, a bit stammering,
“We’ll sure to follow,” Miles said, “Ash, go with Eli. I just have something to tell Daemon. This will be fast, I promise,”
“Have you seen Monmon?”
Eli woke up that morning without Daemon beside him. However, the older did not fail to leave him something so he would not wake up worrying. A flower was placed beside him in replacement to where Daemon was supposed to be. Daemon also left a note. The letters are written in cursive. Classy and sharp, a distinctive characteristic of Daemon’s penmanship which Eli adores so much.
You are my sun, the gentle light of the harsh world. I love you, my Aelius. The note said.
“No,” Miles answered, “Ash?”
“Not really,” Ash answered, busy with the toy puzzle Eli bought when he went to a nearby village to buy their stock.
“Well, Daemon sometimes does that, isn’t he? He comes out early in the morning,” Miles explained,
“But no one still have told me what he does ,”
The drop of a needle might be louder as all of them fell silent.
Everyone seemed to stop at that moment, it seemed that the question was not a question but a bomb . A revelation that has to be addressed. But no one wants to speak .
“Anyways, I’m going out. We’re running out of ingredients,” Eli said, already making his way towards the door.
“Where are you going to buy?” Miles asked,
“To the town northeast,” Eli answered, “I heard there is a festival, so I think there are a lot of stuff they sell,”
Eli was startled when Ash suddenly stood up and was now in front of him. “Can we reschedule? I can survive with the ramyeon remaining on the kitchen cabinet,” the latter said,
“We are also out of ramyeon,” Eli said,
“What?!” Ash said, “Who stole my ramyeon stash?!”
“It is only you who eats that,” Miles retorted, “Are you sure you have to do it today? We can buy some other time. As you said, today’s a festival, there might be a lot of people there.”
“Yes, I am sure. Besides, isn’t that the point? Festivals are to enjoy and interact with other people,”
“Are you sick of us already?” Ash said, a bit dramatically,
“No, silly,” Eli said, reaching the top of Ash’s head to ruffle it even though the latter was taller,
“If you insist, then we must go with you,” Miles said,
“Great!” Eli beamed, “It will be more fun!”
The colorful streets blinded them. As they stroll, there are no corners where color does not exist. The colors are more vibrant as the sun hits them. But aside from that, Eli’s smile was similar to the colors around him. Glowing .
There were a lot of people on the streets. It seems that all of the people residing there are outside to celebrate the said festival, but they are no longer surprised by that. This town was the nearest to the kingdom's castle .
The festival they are celebrating was actually the foundation of the kingdom they are in. All of its residents know its history. From a small town and a heroic deed, it expanded to accommodate its people. Their crowned prince, Prince Luther, was said to be the one to facilitate the current occasion.
“Where do you want to go first?” Asher asked,
“Hmmm,” Eli said, rubbing his chin to indicate he’s thinking, “Maybe we should visit the stalls, and buy what we need when they have it. We can enjoy looking and exploring the place while we buy what we need back at the house,”
“We should be vigilant. There are a lot of people, and we don’t know any of them. We should all stay together,” Miles said,
This prompted Eli to come closer to Miles, which is also what Ash did. The three of them walked together, making sure that no one would be separated as they walked towards the tide of people. As they pass by, they see a lot of trinkets being sold together with the vegetables and fruits by other stalls.
The trio enjoyed what they were doing. Their hands are now occupied with the vegetables and fruits they had bought for their home . As what Eli had said, it is all they need. But the three of them refused to go back home as they still wanted to explore the village.
Eli walks beside his friends, making sure he was not too far away from them as he scans the stalls. Suddenly, his feet had stopped before his mind could have reacted. He was captivated.
The ruby glistened as it caught his attention. He cannot seem to get his eyes away from the ring where it was neatly placed. Its color is bold , fiery , and bloody . His feet seem to no longer be his as he steps forward towards the ring, as if it were calling for him.
Eli picked it up and held it close. He tried it on his ring finger and it fit , as if it were his .
“How much for this?” Eli asked the old lady,
“Ah! You have a good eye, young man. That’s five silvers,” the old lady answered,
“Five?!” Eli gasped, “I don’t think I can buy this,” he added as he reached for his ring finger to remove it. However, the old lady responded.
“That suits you, young man. Are you sure you don’t want that? It fits you perfectly. Like it was already yours ,”
Eli shook his head, “I don’t think I can afford it, but thank you for letting me try it.” he said.
“How about three silvers?”
Eli thinks. It was not that bad. A beautiful gem for only three silvers? It is not that bad. He decided that he would buy it. He reached for his pocket and immediately gave the old lady his payment. The latter smiled widely, but softly, at him.
“Thank you, young lad,” she said, “May it help you towards your journey ,”
He smiled and stepped back to go back to his friends but when he looked around, they were gone . Eli panicked; it slipped his mind that he did not ask his friends to wait for him. Now they are gone and nowhere to be found.
“Where should I look for them?” Eli asked himself.
He placed the ring on his ring finger as he paced towards where they were previously heading. He looked around him to see familiar figures that might lead him to Miles and Asher, but there were none. The people are not even diminishing, making it hard for his eyes to sort each people. But there were no signs of either one.
Eli sighed, defeated, somehow blaming himself for being caught up with the ruby ring now placed on his finger. He raised his arm, back of the hand facing him as he looked at the ruby glistening on his finger. He cannot deny, the ruby ring was ethereal . And it looks good on him.
He put it down and looked up to look for his friends again, but he saw something. No. Someone . He saw someone familiar, and it caught his attention.
“Monmon?” Eli whispered to himself,
He was hesitant, but he knows Daemon. He knows what he looks like, the way he stands, and his demeanor. He might be wrong, but he felt that his instincts when it comes to Daemon are always right.
So he follows .
The road he’s taking has fewer people, given the fact that it is already far from the main road where people gather to sell their goods. He was not actually sure, but he follows Daemon where he goes. To be honest, the latter was so fast, making it hard for Eli to follow where Daemon had turned. Aside from that, the houses are built near each other, creating small streets.
On his last turn, he halted, he confirmed it, it was Daemon. A smile spread on his face as he was about to step out to talk to his boyfriend. But what happened next made him stop, eyes wide in shock.
Daemon grabbed a man by his neck. Eli saw how the man struggled on Daemon’s grasp. Why? Eli does not understand. Maybe the man did something to Daemon, but wasn’t it too much?
But it was not all of it .
Daemon lifted his other hand. Eli thought he was about to hit the man, so he took another step to stop him. But he froze, as a sword materialized on Daemon’s hand. Out of thin air, an icicle-like silver sword appeared in his hand. The very same sword he used to save him. Eli cannot fathom how Daemon can do such things, but he must have underestimated everything as he watched Daemon stab the sword towards the man he was holding.
Eli gasped, palm covering his mouth to not make a noise. He saw how the sword pierced through the man’s body, his blood oozing and flowing on the sword. But what happened next made Aelius’ knees go weak.
Daemon bit the man’s neck .
Eli’s blood turned cold as he watched Daemon drinking the man’s blood. Of all things, he did not expect this about Daemon. When Daemon removed his clutches on the man, Eli watched as the lifeless body of the man lay on the dirty ground. A few moments later, the man’s body started to twitch until he stood up. When Eli saw the man’s face, it put a nail on his suspicion.
A hatchling .
He doesn’t realize, but tears are already streaming down his face, making his eyesight blurry. He watched as the man ran towards the town, probably looking for its victims to kill. Meanwhile, Daemon was there, watching with a satisfied grin. Seemingly happy with his art while blood was still dripping on his mouth.
Daemon is a vampire .
Aelius walks himself through what had happened that day, and it breaks his heart to know where Daemon, his Monmon , fits in all that. Daemon was the vampire that bit the person who wrecked havoc in his village. He’s the reason why his parents are now dead .
But why? Eli frustratingly asked himself.
Why did Daemon save him that day? Why did Daemon have not let him die? He even accepted him at their home. So why? And if all, Aelius saw nothing but goodness on Daemon. He was well taken care of, he was loved . Eli was sure that what he felt was real .
He is sure that Daemon loves him . But why?
Questions circle around his head, making him dizzy. All these questions cannot be answered by him alone. He needs to ask Daemon himself. But now, Eli was not sure if he could face Daemon, because all he could feel was resentment , confusion, betrayal .
He was about to step back but when he lifted his head, it was at the same moment Daemon’s eye caught him. Eli clearly saw how life was taken from Daemon’s eyes as he realized that he was there, watching him. The smirk of satisfaction painted on his face easily melted when he realized that Eli had seen everything.
“Aelius,” Daemon muttered. He was about to go towards Eli, but the latter immediately ran, not wanting to talk to him.
Eli turned around to walk away, but he felt something on his back. Suddenly, a cloth was placed on his face, and he inhaled a liquid that made him dizzy. He fought, but he was getting weak, making it easier for him to be dragged away.
He knew he was mad , but he screamed for Daemon’s name even though it was muffled because of the cloth.
It was too late .
Eli felt his eyes fall close. Then, nothing follows but void.