Chapter Text
The door to a small, cosy apartment at the top floor of a tenement house quietly creaked open. A shade obscured in shadow sneaked inside without a sound, his deep, brown eyes scanning the area. The apartment appeared silent, sunken in a sleepy atmosphere. The vampire sighed in relief, before proceeding to take off his coat and hang it on a rack. He welcomed this silence, even more so after a long day of work. Soon, they will be back in their nest, cuddling with the loves of their live, before slumping into a well earned nap. Nothing could beat this feeling. Having his partners' arms all around him, snuggling into them and feeling their scent all over them... The vampire left out a soft purr at the thought. When they first ended up here, things didn't seem like they would ever get better... But eventually, they did. Beyond what he dreamed for.
All of a sudden, the revenant was pulled into a soft hug from behind.
"Lou!" They gasped in surprise, immediately recognizing the narrow frame of their vampire lover. "I thought you were asleep..."
"I was waiting for you..." Louis's head leaned on Owen's shoulder as he pulled him closer. "I missed you..."
"I can imagine... You wouldn't last a day without me, would you?" The revenant snickered. However, seeing how quickly his partner's smile faded at that mention, he added "I- I mean... Sorry. I didn't mean it in a bad way. I also missed you." Owen whispered, before picking up Louis' hand and giving him a soft kiss on the knuckles.
The elder vampire smiled gently. Even if waiting for his partners to return home from work was pure torture, getting to reunite with them again more than made up for all the pain and loneliness. And almost made Louis forget just how awful things have become. It shouldn't be them, leaving their cosy apartment almost every day to make a living... He should be the one providing for them. But, alas, not everything was destined to go as he wished it to.
"I've got good news, though!" Louis' eyes lit up. Owen couldn't hold back a smile. Seeing his lover so excited was such a rare sight these days... And he cherished it every time.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes! Legs finally said yes!"
Owen's eyes widened, and he let out a whistle. He didn't expect to hear that anytime soon... And yet, it finally happened. Not that he wasn't happy. He was, more than he could express.
"About time..." He chuckled with amusement. "If he waited a bit longer, things could start getting a bit dangerous for him... So? You got into it already?"
"Actually... He wanted you to do this."
Owen's smile immediately disappeared.
"Me? Why me? I- I mean, sure, why not, but... Why not you...?"
"About time you're no longer a fledgling, huh?" Legundo suddenly emerged from their bedroom. Owen's smile returned. It wasn't often that Legs returned from work before him... For his age, the doctor was a hard worker. And the fact that he finally agreed... The revenant was still processing that. He approached his partner with a smirk.
"What happened to your 'I don't deserve eternity', doctor?"
"I still believe that," Legundo explained, avoiding eye contact for a moment. "But... Louis convinced me, I think. That if I accept your gift, even if only for some time... I can fix much more damage than I would if I stayed like this. And after I'm done repairing it-"
"Just say that it sucks to get old," Owen snickered. He had to interrupt Legundo at that point. If he didn't, the doctor would go on another self loathing tirade about how the only thing that was right for him was death. And that was not something Louis needed to hear. He already wasn't doing too well. He didn't need to think about something like this. "Fine, fine... Aren't you worried that getting turned by a revenant will do something to you, hm?"
"I don't. You can control yourself, Owen. You know I don't care what you are."
The revenant looked back at Louis. If he really convinced Legundo to finally give vampirism a go... That was really impressive. They approached their sire once more, before placing a little kiss on their forehead.
"How about we get to it, then?" He asked, looking at Legs as he took Louis in his arms. "You ready, doc?"
"About as I'll ever be..." Legs agreed with an awkward smile.
"Alright. To the nest, then."
A solicitously put together pile of blankets, quilts and pillows in the corner of their bedroom awaited them already. Most of the time, Louis occupied it whenever he was alone at home. Owen often joined him after returning from work. Legundo did so less often, especially in the recent years, as his age began catching up with him. Even with his fragmentary knowledge about vampires, Owen knew that if he waited a few more years, getting turned would pose a lot more risks. After all, the doctor was already past his sixties, and even though he was holding up well, he was still lacking to Legundo that Owen met all those years ago. The two vampires helped their partner settle in the nest. The only human among them was clearly a bit nervous, Owen could easily smell his worries. After kicking his shoes away, the revenant placed his hands on his shoulders and kneaded them gently.
"Breathe, doctor... It's going to be okay. We'll wait for you to wake up," they said in a calm tone.
"And once you wake up, everything will be better. I promise." Louis smiled, taking Legs' hand and squeezing it with a smile. "It'll be the end of that knee pain you've been telling me about..."
"At least for now," Owen teased, before adding "As long as you don't let yourself go as yours truly, everything will be alright."
"You trust us, right?"
"I trust you. I do." Legs took Louis' hand and kissed it gently. The old mayor of Oakhurst smiled gently. "Alright... I'll see you two on the other side, then."
"We'll be here." Owen whispered. His fangs clicked open, before sinking into the doctor's neck.
Legundo leaned into his partner's embrace, his body becoming more limp and cold the more of his blood was drained out. Louis watched over everything, making sure that Owen won't mess anything up. Surely, he won't, he's been a vampire for ten years at this point... But he's never turned anyone before. Louis already had some practice, he knew how much blood to drink, how much venom to inject. Owen didn't... He could only trust that the revenant would be careful.
"Slowly, Owen... Slowly..." He guided his partner, squeezing Legundo's hands a bit tighter as he loosened his grip on the vampire. "Just a little longer... Okay, that should be enough."
As if on command, Owen pulled out his fangs with a gasp. They licked off the blood off their lips and sighed, before slowly moving the doctor to lay down in the nest. Then, Owen placed himself between Legs and Louis, wrapping his arms around them both.
"That's better... I'll miss his blood," they admitted, smacking their lips to savor the taste. "The sour aftertaste is everything..."
Louis chuckled, snuggling closer to his partner.
"A blood connoisseur, aren'tcha?"
Owen squinted.
"A conie-what?"
"It means that you're always hungry," Louis teased him, before pulling his finger down his partner's chest and side.
"Sure, fine, you got me..." Owen sighed, snuggling closer to his beloved partner.
At this point, all that happened back in Oakhurst seemed to just be a bad dream, that only returned to Owen in his nightmares. The overwhelming heat surrounding him, the suffocating smell of smoke getting into his lungs, and the holy water getting splashed in his face... Even after years passed, he still had scars from that event. Burns on his face from the holy water, and from the flames that engulfed them, almost claiming his life. If it wasn't for Louis, Legundo and Morcant, everything would've been lost... But it wasn't. Even with how badly he messed up, he was given a second chance. A chance he was never going to pass out on.
Things changed. They were forced to move out. Morcant found them an apartment in a city far, far away from Oakhurst, where no one would be able to connect them back to that wretched town. Legundo was the first to find a job - wasn't that hard, considering his expertise in the medical field. Owen didn't expect to succeed as quickly as he did - luckily, the local carpenter was looking for an apprentice, and was really happy with taking in this strange, scarred, but resilient and hardworking lumberjack.
And Louis...
Owen opened his eyes, staring at his partner's profile. The events back at Oakhurst had clearly shaken him the most - even if now, he was trying his best to hide it still affected him. He wasn't able to find a job yet - unable to mention his earlier position in fear of being found out, it appeared as if he had no real experience. But even if he would be able to find something, he was not in the right mental state to work. Just as the pyre left Owen with physical scars, Louis had just as many mental scars. Seeing his lover at the stake, having all of the town turn against him, and then watching his own sire get claimed by the flames... It still haunted him. Having to drag Owen out of the fire and take him to safety. Seeing the townsfolk he cared for so deeply raise their weapon against them, call them monsters. And then, hearing the last scream of Scott Goldsmith, as he ended up as the one claimed by the pyre. Owen could tell that these memories were still painfully fresh. The vampire would often wake up in the middle of the night, screaming and crying in fear. He struggled to leave the apartment, getting anxious at the mere idea of stepping out into the street and having people see him in broad daylight. From a social butterfly, he turned into a withdrawn, quiet mess. And as much as Owen and Legundo accepted and supported him, Louis himself couldn't help but hate what he's become.
"Lou..." Owen whispered. His partner didn't move, just turned his eyes in their direction. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm... Fine," Their sire responded.
"Are you sure? I don't want you to hurt..."
"It's... It's okay, really. It's not like you can help me..."
"But I want to..." The revenant whimpered. "I'm sorry all of this happened, it's all my fault..."
"It's not... It's the fault of my sire. He brought it all on us... And on himself. I don't feel bad for him." Louis muttered, even though it was clear he didn't truly think that. Owen smiled gently. He could tell that Louis couldn't resent Scott, even after years of horrible abuse at his hands... How kind and loving would one have to be, to not completely hate someone after this? "Besides, it's been years. I'm over this."
"Are you really?"
"Yes." Louis finally turned to him, then placed his narrow, cold hand on Owen's face. It was so beautiful... Even with the burn wound from the holy water, inflicted by the fiends of Oakhurst. It covered most of his nose, eyelids and parts of his cheeks and forehead. Luckily, it didn't damage his eyes... But his sire still remembered how it hurt to see his fledgling in pain. When for weeks, talking or even moving his face hurt him. But he actually got over it... And Louis didn't, despite not being the one that almost got burned at the pyre. And for that, the old mayor of Oakhurst couldn't help but think of himself as a useless fool.
"I'm so happy we're here now..." Owen whispered, before placing a little kiss on Louis' cheek. "Even if this place is smaller than your house... It's nice, and cosy, and... Oh, would you look at that!" The revenant chuckled when suddenly, a tuxedo cat jumped up at the edge of the nest and looked down at them with her big, golden eyes. "The gang's all here!"
"Yeah... It's nice here..." Louis whispered, watching as the cat entered the nest and laid down on Legundo's chest. He then sighed. "I miss my piano..."
"I'll buy you a new one. I promise."
The elder vampire chuckled.
"Will you also move it up to the top floor?"
"Of course," Owen chuckled. "I know I don't look like I'm in a good shape, but working keeps me fit, y'know?"
Louis giggled, before placing his hand on Owen's chest. His smile quickly faded.
"Don't... Don't buy me a piano. I don't deserve it."
"You do. You deserve everything, Lou."
"How? I haven't found a job in the ten years we've been here. I can barely leave the house, and I-" He suddenly stopped, when tears overwhelmed him, almost making him break down. Louis whimpered and leaned into Owen's embrace. "I'm sorry, I... I don't think I'm over this yet."
"It's fine, Lou..." Owen whispered and hugged him tightly.
"But... It's unbecoming for a sire to be taken care of by their fledgling..."
"And it's unbecoming of a fledgling to leave their sire, when they clearly needed it." Owen responded sternly, then added after kissing Louis' cheek "You've got nothing to apologize for. You've been through so much... You deserve to take time to rest and recover."
"But... It's been ten years..."
"You said it yourself, time passes by quicker when you're an immortal vampire, didn't you?" Owen smiled. "It's fine. Even if you take a thousand years to get over it, I'll be here. And so will Legs, now."
"I'm worried, Owen... He said awful things about what he wants to do once he 'repays his damage'..."
"I won't let him, Lou." The revenant squeezed his sire's hands. He then smirked. "That was his mistake, to let me be his sire... I'm not letting this stupid old man die, you hear me? He makes us both happy. I'm making him stay, until he recognizes that he deserves it. And so do you."
The old mayor of Oakhurst sighed and looked up at Owen. His eyes were so full of love and pride, it seemed impossible to contain in his small body.
"Who are you, and what did you do to that little insecure vamp I turned?" He smirked.
"It's all thanks to you, Lou." Owen responded, before carefully pulling his partner into a loving kiss. It tasted just as wonderful as the thousands of kisses they exchanged in the past. No matter what Louis thought or said, Owen knew better... That he was worth it. He was worth all the effort. All the sleepless nights spent calming him down. All the long days at work, spend to earn enough to give him a comfortable life. All the fake smiles Owen had to put on when he wasn't at his best, that Louis helped to turn into real ones. Every difficulty Owen would go through if that meant seeing these beautiful, amber eyes sparkle with the same happiness and energy as they once did.
"I love you..."
"I love you too, Lou. More than anyone in the world."
"More than Legundo?" Louis snickered, his playfulness returning for just a moment.
"Well, he's my fledgling now, so... Let's call it even, okay?" Owen smirked, before sighing. "He's my... Fledgling... Wow. I didn't expect to ever say it. I didn't expect to ever have a fledgling..."
"Why not?"
"I don't know, I just... Didn't. Having fledglings is a big vampire thing, and I don't feel like that just yet..."
"Aren't you?" Louis giggled, poking his partner's side. He liked teasing his partner about how he got quite chubby in recent times. Not that he minded. He loved him like that. It made their cuddles even more wonderful.
"You know what I mean!" Owen laughed.
"It's fine, honey... I've got some experience. I'll help you guide him. Besides, it's Legs. He knows how to take care of himself."
"I hope so..." Owen sighed. He laid down on his back and turned the doctor's hand. It was very cold. "He's gonna wake up, right...?"
"He will, I promise. It might take some time... You took three days, due to your illness. He will probably not take as long... Though, he did take his sweet time to say yes."
"That he did..." Owen agreed, before giving his partner one more kiss. "Ugh, I need a nap... The work today was... A lot..."
"You're not overworking yourself, are you?"
"I don't think so... We just had a lot of orders lately. But we're doing just fine."
"You sure you don't want me to help...?"
"It's fine, Lou. I don't think your little hands would do well with a hammer or a chisel..." Owen snickered, before adding "I'll be fine. I promise."
"I trust you..."
Louis hugged his partner tightly, allowing himself to close his eyes and relax. If Owen said he was going to be fine... He could only trust him. At this point, there was nothing else really that he could do... Besides trust him. After all, his lover was an adult, he was going to be fine handling himself... If only his sire could say the same about himself...
When closing his eyes, Legundo worried that he wouldn't open them again. Even with all of his talk about wanting to be gone from this world after repaying his debt, there was still this deep rooted, primal fear of death, that loomed over him. So, when he finally opened his eyes again, he let out a deep sigh of relief.
He didn't feel many changes just yet. His mouth hurt a bit, likely from his teeth transforming. His hands were cold, but not in an unpleasant way. But the hunger was definitely the most noticeable. Right, he didn't think about this part... What if his old trauma manifested in his hunger, and he wouldn't be able to control himself? Maybe it was a mistake, to agree to this?
"Would you look at that, someone's up..." Owen's voice reached him. His sire was laying in the nest right next to him, with Louis's head on his chest. "Took you a while... How are ya, doctor?"
"I- I'm... I'm okay, I think. Just... Hungry," Legundo admitted, quite abashed by the confession.
"That's normal... I felt the same way when I first woke up." Owen explained, before gently laying Louis down in the nest, and then getting up. "Come on, Legs... Let's get you something. Your first bottle of blood, in this new life... Isn't it exciting?"
"Maybe..." Legs whispered. He turned to Louis, before pulling his hand over the old mayor's cheek. His claws haven't manifested yet, so there was no fear of accidentally scratching him.
So it was done... He made his choice, a choice he never expected himself to make. But it wasn't just about him. It was about them, too... Who knows? Maybe the realization that he was loved and cherished, would one day allow him to love himself, too...