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One year. One year since that fateful day, he could still remember the fear in your face as he held that knife to your face. He still remembers how your hair covered your face, how your fangs shined in the moonlight, tears falling down your face. How you were begging him to live, to see another day. Sometimes he wished he had just killed you, but just the thought of having your blood in his hands now is disgusting to him.
It has been one goddamn year since he heard any sounds from the basement, one year since he had a talk with you, and one year without your smile. Perhaps he was going crazy, but he could still hear footsteps from that guest room and yet every time he opened the door, he would only find a hollow room. The clothes he left for you back then were still in that closet, he refused to move it. If he closed his eyes and took in his surroundings, he could still smell your lingering scent. You had a particular way of smelling, but no matter how much you cleaned yourself, the smell of animal blood still lingered.
After the killing of Lord Luther, one year ago, the Hunter Society became even more anxious about vampires. They were afraid they would start to use guns and even create covens again. Speculation of the vampire who had killed him quickly became maniac superstitions and he just watched it all unfold. Carnivon didn’t need to speak, he wouldn’t. The vampire was back in the basement back in those days, they looked at him with even less trust than when they had arrived. They looked at his every move as if he were to be the one who would suck the blood of their body. He tried to reassure them, to make them understand that he wouldn’t dare to hurt them— perhaps because that would be like hurting himself— but they didn’t seem totally convinced.
In those weeks, things had become more tense in the manor, more than they had been before. Wren was furious for still allowing you to stay, he didn’t see the point of saving them. “They’re just another vampire, why should I risk my entire life and family for them!?” He had tears in his eyes, but he wouldn’t let them fall. Carnivon knew he was being selfish, too selfish for his own good. He understood Wren’s every single world, he was right. Yet, for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to get rid of you. Not when you were so vulnerable, but something told him that even if you weren’t, he still wouldn't have been able to let go of you. Carnivon couldn't say anything back to Wren that night, he didn’t find the words to explain what he was doing because at its truest form, it was nonsensical.
Wren ended up leaving when he couldn't answer, Hawk followed after him and promised that she would help calm him down. He knew that Hawk had a similar feeling to Wren, that same hatred, but who could blame them? Carnivon just stood there for a few minutes and sighed. He would go to Wren later, trying to talk to him now will only make things worse and he couldn't afford that at the moment. He should probably tell you about the plan he had to keep it on the down low, at least to keep you on the loop of the situation and as well as to give you a talk for that day. He was surprised you hadn’t gone insane with how much time you were alone, although your sanity wasn’t that saved.
You were rather sour after having to go back to the basement again, after finally having a decent room, he could pretty much guess you weren’t thrilled to go back to a cold floor and smell of moisture. Carnivon wanted to try for you to talk with Wren and Hawk, but Wren has been adamant to want nothing to do with you and Hawk kept silent. She looked the most interested and compassionate towards you, perhaps it’s because you already showed her that you were different. Carnivon was now in front of the door that separated you and him, it’s always been that way, something always in the way from truly knowing you. He began to doubt whether he should tell you anything, you were still shaken up, should he just come another time? …. God, he was a fool. Since when did the Ruby Hunter come to care so much for a single vampire? The thing he swore to kill, he now wants to take with his own two hands and touch so tenderly.
He opened the door and went downstairs, all he could hear was how the sound of his steps were echoing through the basement. Then he saw you, staring at the wall on your right, however, you seemed to be daydreaming. He couldn’t really blame you in the ways you chose to keep yourself entertained, or sane, he would probably go insane if he were in a dark place like this as well. Perhaps he should bring you books next time, at least then you would be putting your attention somewhere else that wasn’t the walls that kept reminding you of who you were. He should call you out first, you were so intense in your thoughts, you didn’t even hear him come in.
“Good afternoon..”, you didn’t look at him, but he could tell you had heard him.
You sighed, “afternoon Carnivon,” you still didn’t face him. It irked him a bit, but he knew you were stubborn in your own ways. If you didn't want to look at him, then you simply wouldn’t. Carnivon tried to think of any reason you would be so upset today, but the better question is what wouldn’t make you upset? Alone in a basement with only the same company of one person would make anyone cranky, especially after getting a taste of a better life. He sighed, maybe he could bring you the gramophone, that seemed to cheer you up a little bit
. “Do you wish fo-”
“Why….?” you asked, interrupting his question completely. You looked at him exhausted and tired, but he could also see guilt in your eyes. You seemed to be pleading for something, something he couldn't or didn’t want to give you. He saw you stand up, even with your mostly healed wounds, he could tell you were struggling to stay on your feet. It had barely been three days since it started regenerating, but he guessed that the reason you struggled more was because you didn’t walk around much, which led to your pretty weak leg after a few days of resting. Perhaps he should take you on a walk in the manor, maybe that’ll help ease more of your pain and perhaps even get you in a better mood.
“Don’t stand up, you still need to heal,” you decided not to listen to him and just clinged to the wall for support though. He could give you his hand, but you both knew you wouldn’t take it. There was much more to be done first before he ever got that kind of trust again, and even if he didn’t say it outloud, he missed your smile. That part stinged the most, the fact that your eyes look at him with worry instead of care.
There was dead silence, one that spoke much louder than words. It showed the uncertainty and broken trusts, a cry far louder than you have ever made. You decided to speak, finally breaking that thin string between you and him. “Why do you continue to keep me here?” Carnivon would tell you that’s a stupid question, perhaps in another time, he would have been truthful with you. To grab your hands with a tenderness only reserved for you and tell you he keeps you here because he cares for you, because he wants you by his side. Maybe he would even hug you and reassure you by whispering sweet things in your ear. If things have just gone differently, if he had never become a vampire hunter and you stayed in the tavern with your brother. Maybe you would have met in one of his travels, talking in broad daylight, maybe he would even get to meet your brother. That was only a nice fleeting thought, nothing more. Instead, they’re here chained to a basement, cursed to never be human again. He, himself, is cursed with seeing them suffer. For a moment, it thoroughly did feel that he was much more than just a killer. He was made to be a hunter, he didn't know how to grab your hands if it wasn’t for cutting them apart, he did not know what to whisper to your ears other than threats to end your life.
“Look, I-” He didn't know what to say, or if there was anything that he could say that would erase that melancholy look off your face. He could see bloody tears forming in your eyes, you didn’t make sounds, just crying a few tears. Perhaps it was a feeling of disappointment that bloomed in your chest day because he couldn’t say anything that day. If he had just fought a little harder to convince you, if he had just said anything, maybe he wouldn’t have an empty room with an unused closet.
“I understand…. you don’t have to say anything, but-” you stopped yourself and swallowed your own saliva. Nothing would have ever prepared him for what you were going to say next, for what you were going to do after that day.
“You should just let me go, Lord Carnivon, I do not want to continue putting your family at risk. I just-... I just don’t think it’s a good idea for me to stay.”
It felt as if the world was crumbling apart, his throat felt like he had a knot and he gripped his own hands making his knuckles white. Letting you go? That was the reasonable choice, the choice that would stop putting danger into his manor that would keep his name and his kids’ name clean, perhaps you would find somewhere better to stay. It was the right choice, and yet, he couldn't bring himself to even think of you not being here. You had plagued every aspect of his life, your talks with him soothed him, your smile felt like a warm feeling to his chest. You were like a disease that continued to consume him at every moment, and yet, he didn’t want to take the bitter medicine. He didn’t know what this feeling was, he couldn’t put a name to it back then, but he knew he needed you and that was the part. He needed you to feel human, to feel anything that wasn't only a hunter. The fact that you had said “Lord Carnivon” only deepened the wound more, you only called him that for two days of knowing him. After that it was just Carnivon, and later on it was Marcel. One of the few people who ever called him that.
He took a step forward, perhaps he looked mad because you looked like you wanted to take a step back, but couldn't. “Don’t be stupid, you’re in no condition to leave. Now, sit down, please.” Just like he always did, he would ignore your pleas. No matter how much it hurt him, he didn’t take action to this one single request. You just looked at the floor in silence for a few minutes, and then sighed, there was a hint in your eyes of something he could not decipher back then. Only now did he realize they were determined, there was a determination to get out no matter what.
You looked back at him, and sat down on the floor. You patted the ground right beside you, a way of asking him to sit with you. “Would you indulge, even if it’s just for one second?” Carnivon felt odd by the change of emotions of his companion, but he was too exhausted to actually think about it. He sat down on the floor right beside them, he looked at them, just like they did with him.
Both of you sat there in silence, none of you didn’t have to say anything. Just a quiet moment between two souls who were completely lost. Two souls with different end goals, one of them just didn’t know it yet. You told him stories of back at the tavern, not much about your brother, but more funny stories of amusing and annoying customers you had during your time as a human. Part of him knew it was to cheer him up, which was weird, because it should be him who should assure you that everything would be alright. But it seems as if you were one step ahead, you always were. He decided to share some of his stories as well when he was a kid, before he cursed himself to the life of a hunter. For a moment, you both existed as equals, both children from Adam and Eve trying to survive in a world doomed by its own beings. Hearing your stories made him wish you both had met much earlier in life, if he had met someone as compassionate as you, would things have turned out differently? Would he have not been alone for so long?
Carnivon knew that the “ifs” didn’t matter. Everything was said and done, life couldn’t be changed. Part of him is grateful, you have given him a new perspective of the world. You had proven him wrong, when many had failed, but he didn’t know if it was worth your suffering. He wondered what went through your mind when you were telling him those stories, you had already chosen your fate that night. You gave him a part of your very being, your soul, for exchange for the loneliness you would put on him. That night sitting with you, he had paid every detail to what you have said, even now he could probably say it word for word. He felt your own fingers brush his own, and he invited the feeling, allowing you to come closer. It has always been you who made the first move, you who gave him unconditional warmth with your own cold embrace.
“You should go”, you told him. “I can hear Wren’s and Hawk’s footsteps coming close. You should go talk to them.” It was for the best that he did, leaving things in the air between him and Wren would only make things worse. Wren didn’t have to like you,he just had to be civil about it and promise to not tell anyone else about you. Carnivon knew Wren wouldn’t rat out on him, but he just had to make sure.
He stood up and cleaned some of the dust off his pants, dear God, this floor needed some cleaning. “I should get going, thank you for the talk today and for still trying to show mercy even to those who harm you. I’ll see you tomorrow, alright?”
You smiled at him in the softest way possible, and nodded your head. “See you tomorrow, Marcel, have a good night and thank you for coming to help me that night. I appreciate everything.” You waved your hand goodbye to him, and he waved back before starting to go to the stairs to get out of the basement. He was blind to the decision you had made that day, he wished he had caught on sooner, if he wasn’t so busy like always.
The next week went alright, he only met you twice during that time, mostly because he was busy with both work from the Hunter Society and his estate. The time he did meet you though, you looked out of it, like you didn’t exist in the first place. You were compliant with everything he did, each conversation felt one sided. It felt wrong, terribly so, but he didn’t bother to ask. He didn’t think he deserved to ask you, not after that happened. If you wished to tell him what was on your mind, you would do so, right? In each of your talks, you would always smile at him. However, that smile was anything but reassuring to him. Carnivon knew your smiles, he knew your expressions, the ones that made him laugh with you and those that made his heart ache. This damn smile felt like a sorry for something, like you were warning him of something. Thinking about it now, it was probably the pity you felt for him. When it came to you, he was absolutely blind. The one thing he couldn’t predict or truly understand. If he had just asked you in those two days, if he had only said those three words, maybe he wouldn’t be suffering the fate he is now.
That same weekend, he had to attend Luther's funeral held by the society, if it were up to him he wouldn’t have gone that day. He wasn’t a fan of going to funerals, even less the man he killed with his own two hands. He could still hear the shotgun, Luther calling him a traitor. It felt disgusting, however, he didn't know if he would take back his actions. Maybe that was the part that was truly terrifying. He has not only killed vampires, but humans as well, and all for a selfish reason. Was he really any better than those who he had pierced a stake on their heart? Carnivon kept his composure, he couldn’t slip the act for even a second, especially with Barnably here. Hawk and Wren were here as well since they were both part of the society and his own apprentice, they talked with some of the hunters as well. However, he could tell they were tense as well. They all knew one single mistake could be the next step to their graves.
You were left completely alone that night, he trusted you enough to leave you be. He told you the last time you met, and you didn’t react to it much. He was going to have Hawk stay with you with the excuse she was sick, however, you refused and told him that it would be seen as disrespectful if she didn’t go. Barnably already had his eyes on them, he didn’t need other hunters keeping an eye on him as well. After some convincing, he decided to let you stay in the manor alone. Thinking about it now, you weren't usually one to argue, but you were trying hard to convince him to let you stay by yourself. He was put off by it, but he guessed you just wanted to be alone with no prying eyes. Being in a house full of people who know how to specifically kill you at any time isn’t a place to relax or rest.
When the event was done, Carnivon and his apprentices went back home, it took a good two hours to get back. The moment he opened the entrance door, something felt off, but they couldn’t put a finger on it. Wren and Hawk said their goodnights and retired for that night each going to their respective rooms. Carnivon decided to go to the basement and have one last talk before heading to bed himself, as he got closer, he found it odd that it was completely quiet. Usually they would be doing something at this hour, whether that was play music or read. There was always a sound that told him that they were there, alive and well. He felt his heart beat faster, this didn’t feel right. He still saw the lock on the basement and grabbed the key to undo it. He pushed the door and started walking down, the room felt colder than usual. No matter how farther he continued to go, he still only heard silence. Carnivon called out your name, but there was no answer.
There was this sense of dread he felt, one he hadn’t felt in a very long time. He stopped his steps, which were only a few stairs before arriving at the room you were in. Carnivon decided to call your name again, but no one answered. At that moment, Carnivon sped through the stairs and arrived at your room, however, only an abandoned room stood in place. He felt his soul drop, his eyes scanned around the room for even a trace of you. Your clothes he gave you were folded on the bed and an envelope seemed to be on top. His breath was shaky, he felt tears threatening to spill from his eyes. No, no, no no no no no no no. This can’t be happening, not now, not ever. For a moment, he was grounded on the flor he was in. If he took a step forward, he would accept that you were gone. He would have to accept there will be no longer a you, there won’t be anyone who he could talk to. He didn't want to move because there was simply no way you had just… For better or worse, his body reacted on instinct as it kept walking against his own will. Now he was in front of your bed that had your clothes folded and an envelope.
After a good wash and some much help from Hawk, your clothes from before you met Carnivon were rescued. They weren’t looking brand new, but you refused to throw them out. He had let you keep them, although he never saw you use them. You mostly wore the clothes he had given you. But now, those same clothes were folded on the bed you slept in. He just looked at the envelope, refusing to open it. You couldn’t be gone, you just couldn’t! You had to be playing some sick twisted joke at him, you were probably just hiding somewhere. You couldn’t just leave him this place like it was NOTHING. His irrational side got the better of him, it always does when it comes to you, and went running outside of the basement and started opening any room of the house to find you because you couldn’t just have disappeared, not by your own will, right?
In his desperate and pathetic attempt at trying to find you, he screamed your name as he opened each door. Of course, you were never in any of those rooms, he knew what had happened, but he couldn’t admit it. With all his screaming, he woke up Wren and Hawk and they both came running to him. “Sir, is everything okay??” Said Hawk, a worried look on her face. Carnivon doubted for a moment if he should tell them, if he should put his worries on them so selfishly as he already has. Would he give them his own pain to share the tears that were a second from falling away?
Carnivon tried to keep his composure calm, to act as if he wasn’t breaking inside little by little. He knew that there wasn’t much of his pride left when it came to you, many things dulled just by your mere presence. You had the kind of power to suck everything he is, perhaps that was part of your vampiric essence. He tried to make his voice sound as calm as he could, for the trembles to not be as strong. He knew the next things he would utter would completely destroy him, even a stake at his own heart would be less of a punishment. “They’re gone.” That’s all he could say, that’s all he needed to say. They understood what he meant, their faces said when words weren’t there.
Hawk looked at him with horror, a hint of sadness to her expression. She had grown fond of the vampire, even if their conversation was brief. She saw good in the vampire, just like Carnivon. Wren on the other hand didn’t look as shocked, but still there seemed to be a hint of anger? Melancholy in his eyes? Carnivon couldn’t really tell. There was a moment of silence, they all knew what this meant and what it implied for the future. You had left, which meant that the Hunter Society could get to you and kill you without a single thought. Or perhaps even worse, they could get information out of you and tell them about the events that happened in this house. He didn’t know which one was worse. “I’ll go look outside, maybe they’re still in the forest!” Hawk said as she went to her bedroom to get changed, Wren just looked at her as she went running.
“I’ll go talk to her. It is-… it isn’t wise for any of us to be out this late.” Wren left immediately after saying that. He was right. It would do more harm than good to go and look for you, it may even lead to him or anyone getting hurt. As much as his mind told him to look at every corner of the world, he couldn’t bring himself to put anyone in danger. Not when he already feels like he lost a part of his soul, but that was a thought between him and the devil himself. He took a breath in and out, as much as he hated to, he had to calm himself down. He couldn’t leave both of his children alone, not now or ever. Carnivon remembered the envelope left in your bed, perhaps the only thing left by you other than the clothes you wore. So with a heavy heart, he went back to the basement.
It was weird, Carnivon felt as if he had walked into a completely different place when he entered your…. the room. Just a few days ago, he felt a sense of warmth in this room, his heart would skip a beat every time he got close to your bed. Every step he took on that stairs made him even more excited to see you, and as time went on, the more he wanted to see you. He wanted longer conversations with you, he wanted to see you smile more, for your fangs to shine from the light. He wanted to be closer to you. Now, it only felt cold and dull. The stairs seemed like they went on forever, a never ending journey to absolutely nowhere. There was still an essence of you, but it just seemed to mock him of what he had lost. Was he so careless this past few weeks to the point where you left? He thought you and him were getting better, closer, but it seemed this world has played him again. Now he was in front of your bed, it was tidy up nicely as if you had never even existed in the first place, and that thought haunted him more than he would like to admit. He grabbed the envelope gently as it was made of porcelain, Carnivon made sure there wasn’t a single crease or rip when he opened it because it was one of the few things that proved your existence.
Inside was a letter, it wasn’t too long or too short. A simple letter that made his hands tremble as he grabbed it. He felt his throat forming a knot, felt the tears starting to form again. However, he had to pull himself together because this may be the last message he will ever have from them. And so with a heavy heart, he started to read the content of said message.
“Dear Marcel,
If you’re reading this, it most likely means I have left the manor completely. I don’t know if this was for better or worse, but this letter isn’t about my own worries. I just want to say that I’m so sorry for everything, Marcel, for the pain and exhaustion I have induced on you by being by your side. I still remember the first day we met, the mercy you gave me was the best thing I could have ever received. You let me see the world from another perspective, you let me into your world and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Forgive me for leaving you, if it wasn't for Barnably, the Hunter Society, and for everything that surrounds us, I would have liked to stay a little longer. When you told me you needed me that day, it was the day I realized I needed you as well. I remember that, even though my heart is dead, I felt it beat the faster you looked at me. Do not ever believe I did not care for you just because I left, I did this for you and those who you care for. It broke my heart everyday seeing the tension grow and just the thought of putting you in danger put me on edge. I wish for you to have a better life, whether that be staying in the Hunter Society or living a more normal life. I know whatever choice you make won’t be easy, so I hope for the best.
I know this may be selfish of my part, to leave without telling you, but I know there simply wasn’t any other way. I love you, Marcel, I have for a while now. I don’t regret meeting you, even if it meant being turned into this. I would take this fate over and over if it meant being with you once again, I don’t care if I knew our meeting was fleeting, I would still choose you. Another part of me wishes we had met long before this, long before I turned into a vampire. Perhaps we could have met at the tavern, talk about life, and go out with you during the day. To show you around the place with no fear of who might hurt us, to be able to hold you closer.
No matter how much I want you, I should let you go. It would be selfish of me to seal your fate by being by my side, you have people who depend and need you. I hope you find someone better, even if it would hurt me, I just want to see you happy. I know you’re not the happiest where you are right now, so I wish for you to meet someone who will care for you the way I wish I could have cared for you. Know that you’ll always be in my heart, dear. Thank you for everything, thank you for showing me what love feels like. Even if you don’t feel the same way, this is the least I can do for you. Live well, love.
Ps. Tell Wren and Hawk I’ll miss them as well, please take good care of them as you have.
With love, your vampire.”
Carnivon couldn’t hold it in anymore, tears started to fall down his eyes. The last time he had cried was when his family had died, and even though you were dead, that same pain was in his chest once again. He put the letter close to his chest and a hand in his face as he continued to cry. He didn't wish for anybody to see in this state, but he couldn’t stop the tears even if he wanted to.The only thing he could ask himself is why.. Just why? Why did you leave him here to fend with his own feelings? It felt as if his soul was being ripped from him and was broken until it became nothing but dust. Even if the light of the room was the same, it felt so much dimmer without you. It was as if you lit up the room just by your mere existence, and now that was gone, leaving him in complete darkness to be swallowed whole. He called out for your name one last time, although it sounded more like a prayer, a last call to you. He knew it was in vain, and yet he hoped you would answer his weeps, that you would suddenly appear in the room and that you had just left to get something. That this was all just some sick dream. However, he knew God had abandoned him the day he saw his decaying family.
He doesn’t know how long he spent in that hell hole, but all of the sudden he was opening his eyes as he heard the chirp of the birds. He realized he had fallen asleep while crying for you, dammit, he needs to keep himself together. He sighed and stood up from the bed, finally deciding he should get out of this place before he indulged in his own pity party any longer. He went to the kitchen to get a glass of water, only to see Hawk and Wren eating breakfast. He tries to keep appearances and tells them good morning, but he sees how they look at him with pity. It was like that for a few days, looking at him with pity because they both knew what he had lost and that he may never be the same again. A hope was blown away the moment you left that house, the moment you left him. For the longest time he wondered what he should do, he wanted to respect your wishes and let you do whatever god knows what. However, a part of him wanted to look after you, to search out for the one his heart beats. He never did though, perhaps it was to honor you or maybe he was too much of a coward to see what had become of you.
With that, a whole year went by. A whole year without your presence and your kind horrendous eyes. Your laughter still rings in his ears from time to time, and he was really tired out, he could feel the touch of your fingers and claws in his arms. Every time he went on a mission, he would hope that it would be you he was assigned to find. That maybe just like the day you both met, he would meet you at random. And yet, he was also glad that it wasn’t you who he saw. That would mean you have still kept your promise, that you didn’t eat humans and you kept your humanity in the deepest part of you. Seeing you with human blood in your face and fangs, your eyes full of blood lust made him absolutely sick. All he can do is hope that you are okay, that you have found a new home and are making your life as best as you could. Although sometimes the thought of you holding someone the way he wanted to hold you, made his heart drop to his stomach, he would never admit to that.
Now he was here on another mission, winter time finally hitting as snow was falling to the ground. He was told about a vampire who had taken the life of many in the village, and he was here to make sure to end them. He was in the middle of a forest, trying his best to find any clues of where the vampire could be. A few people in town told him that the vampire usually stayed outside of the village, kind of a territory of his own. Since you left, all the vampires he met haven’t shown him that there were others like you, it made him lose that small spark you had set in his chest. He guessed this one was no different, just another vampire that killed others out of greed. Carnivon may have been a little too deep in his own thoughts because from one moment to another a pair of claws got too close to his face. Thankfully, he had managed to move quick enough to dodge the attack. It seems as though his target came to him, how lucky.
The vampire growled at him, he seemed to be a man in his forties and was a bit taller than him, he could manage though. He went running straight to Carnivon ready to attack, and was able to get some scratches before Carnivon got to hit him back. He grabbed his wooden stake, and pinned the vampire to the ground. The snow didn’t make it any easier, as Carnivon tried to go for the heart, the vampire was able to move fast enough and grab the wooden stake for himself. It was so fast, that Carnivon didn't have time to react, and got his own stake pierced to his right leg. Well this day can’t get any worse! He tries to get up, but it seems to be in vain, he takes out his gun and shoots the vampire to get him down, although the best blow he got was in the vampire’s arms. He is trying to see a way to get the upper hand, anything that could get him out of this winning, but with his leg screwed, he knew he couldn’t get that far. The vampire, even with his weakened arms, went running to do the final blow, but suddenly stopped.
There was someone in between him and the vampire, a figure with a winter coat that had a hood which hid their face from him. Although whatever was in front of him because the vampire he was supposed to kill looked even more confused at what he was looking at. The hooded person went closer to the vampire and whispered something he couldn't hear at all. Carnivon grabbed his second knife just in case the hooded thing tried anything on him, but they seemed too busy trying to tell the vampire man something. “And why the hell would I do that!?” The man looked completely outraged by whatever the other person had tried to propose, almost offended by just uttering some kind of deal. The hooded thing, which he will most likely believe is a supernatural being, said absolutely nothing. They just grabbed the vampire’s bloody hands, which was probably their way of communicating that it was that man’s last chance. The vampire just scowled at them, “just get out of my way! You have nothing to do between my meal and me!”
There was silence, the hooded person just took a step back and showed their hands, which had gloves on them. They set their hand up and showed three fingers to the man in front of them, “three”.. They said it in such a low tone that it was barely hearable, but Carnuvon did hear a bit of what they said, although he didn’t understand what they meant. He swears something about them sounded familiar, like he had heard it before somewhere. When he looked back at the vampire man, the blood sucker looked a bit worried. He looked at the hooded person more than Carnivon, almost with a hint of hesitation to his actions.
He seemed to have made up his mind though, “I ain’t scared of your little threats! Get the hell out of my way!” The vampire tried to shove the person, but they didn't budge at all. With their other hand, they threw a needle at the vampire’s leg and immediately fell. He screamed in pain and a sort of green color started to spread in the leg that was pierced by the sharp, seamlessly useless, needle. The figure only looked unamused, and Carnivon felt a sense of dread through his bones. Whatever they had done, whatever they were, they were able to combat other supernaturals with one a single tiny pierce and perhaps that was even scarier than the vampire who tried to suck his blood out of his body.
“Two.” The figure took one of their fingers down and that’s the moment that Carnivon noticed they were counting. They were warning the man of something, and if it wasn’t done in whatever time they were counting to, something he may not want to see will happen. Carnivon suddenly found the energy to run for his life, the adrenaline was finally getting to him. Whatever was in front of him wasn’t up to any good, and he needed to kill it as it would be even as much as the vampire who was screaming of pain. He was starting to build up energy to get up, but he needed to find the perfect time. He could get them with his knife, especially since they aren’t putting much attention to him at the moment.
Surprisingly, the vampire didn't back down. He went to attack the person with the cloak again, the man showing his fangs. The cloak person kicked the man before he could even get close to them, although he did manage to scratch one of their arms, blood falling out of the wound. The figure with the coat hissed in pain but it was so faint that only Carnivon could hear it because he was close, they kept their composure though. They put one more finger down, “one”. The unknown figure put their hand down and started to head towards the vampire, who already looked quite beat up. The vampire man was finally backing down, a terrified look on his face as if he was seeing the reaper himself, honestly it almost seemed the case. He had blood all over his nose and body, his infected leg didn’t react any longer so he was dragging himself with his only functional leg. It was a truly pathetic site for a vampire, many of them would rather die with honor, but I guess that didn’t matter when the devil itself seemed to be following you until your last moments.
“Forgive me! Forgive me! Please just spare me!” For a moment the cloaked figure stopped. They looked hesitant for a moment, perhaps of the consequences that would lead from this event. They moved their head to look at him, although the snow and cloak did not help to see who they were, then they looked back at the vampire man. In a matter of seconds, they took out a gun and shot for the man’s heart. The sound of bullets and screaming could be heard for about a few minutes until it finally stopped and the man finally fell to the floor. A bunch of bullets hit both in the man's neck and chest, his eyes wide open out of the shock and pain. The sight of the vampire’s decaying body was nothing but grotesque, but that wasn’t the worst part, it was the fact that they had a gun, one that could kill vampires specifically. At that moment, Carnivon knew he had to make his move, it was this chance or never. As the cloaked person went down to their knees, close to the dead body’s face, he got up and started running towards them. The person was facing him backwards, but he put his knife to their neck, close enough where they could bleed even if he couldn’t see it. Their body tensed, but they didn’t seem afraid.
“What are you?” Carnivon asked with bitterness in his tone. The thing seemed unfazed, they began to move their hands to the dead man’s face. “Do not move, you beast!” He pushed the knife closer to their neck, and the thing choked a bit. Now he could see the blood in the knife, however, the thing didn’t seem to fight back. This encounter, this situation, it felt familiar. There was something about the way they grabbed his hand with the knife that threatened their life, their touch was hard enough to not let him budge but it was also soft. They sighed, almost as if they saw this coming, this was getting weird. “What are you doing! Do not act dumb around me, mons-“
“Shhhhhhh!”… did… did they just SHUSH HIM!? Carnivon was absolutely silenced, he didn’t even know what to say back. In his many years of hunting, he had never seen someone act so childish and the fact that it worked made it even worse. Since the thing saw that it worked, they went back to the dead man and with their unused hand, they closed his eyes and fixed him up. They tidied up the man's hair and got the blood off his face with the best of their abilities. What kind of sick morals did this creature have? Sure they made the man look the most humane he could in his decaying form, but they were literally the one that killed him. The thing had let go of Carnivon’s hand and he managed to take a few steps away from them. He was complexed by the situation, he knew he had to kill them and that he didn’t hesitate. But they were strange, they defended him, they didn’t harm the other vampire until they attacked first, they wiped the blood of the one who tried to harm them. It almost reminded him of-
“You haven’t changed a single bit, Lord Carnivon, have you?” No, no, no. It couldn’t be, it can’t be. That voice, that voice he hadn’t heard from over a year. The person, in the most melodramatic way ever, decided to take their hood. They finally looked at him, you looked at him. Your hair was a bit messy from the hood, your gloves covered in blood, but you still had that warmth smile of yours. There was a small touch of melancholy to your expression, but you still brought him warmth despite the cold night. He had to be dreaming, this can’t be real. He must be truly going crazy after you left to imagine you in the middle of his mission, sure he had slept in the basement more times that he could count and he had come into the room and asked questions like you were still there, but this was another level of insanity. However, this felt so real, he could feel his leg starting to feel pain again, he felt the bruises finally on his skin, the crunching snow as his feet took another step.
“You…” was all he could say. Carnivon went straight to them and held them in his arms tight as if they were to turn into dust the moment he let them go. He felt their cloak, the coldness of their body, he laid his head in between their neck and collarbone. He felt some of their hair tickle their face, it all felt so real. This was the last straw, after looking for just a trace of them this year that had become a hell, he finally saw you. Even with the blood in your hands, all he cared about was that you were here at this moment. You grew stiff, after all, it was very uncommon for you both to be affectionate when you still were in the basement. At best it was slightly brushing his hands with yours or carrying you in bridal style back to his house when you were injured. Carnivon being in your arms and initiating it was extremely odd, it was even more weird when tears started to weep. He felt as if he was drawing throughout the time you both have been apart, he tried to act as normal as possible, but your presence still lingered in the basement. “I’m so sorry” was all he could say over and over again like a prayer, to apologize for his treatment, for his recklessness, for all he had ever done wrong.
You hugged him back, your cold body giving him a warmth feeling, as if a spark had lit up again. The sound of an owl filling the silence, the moon at its peak. It truly felt like a fantasy only those who live in fairytale books get to experience, sadly, neither he or you had that luck. For now though, he can pretend the world isn’t burning, he can pretend that you never left. He can only apologize and hope you will forgive him, that you will listen to his chants and come to him. Coming back to you to the manor is what makes it home for him, to have your smell of blood in the room, to have your look at him with hope. “Don’t apologize, Carnivon, it’s…. It’s fine.” It really wasn’t, he left you like a jewelry in that same old box every time he finished his interview. He knew that now that finally felt you again, the flowers in his gardens have bloomed once more, for what they have been missing finally came back. And you? You don’t think you ever felt this warm in a long time, as if your dead heart beats when it’s not supposed to. You’re not meant to love or miss, and yet, you’re here.
It lasted a few minutes more, the white owl still watching the scenery of two lovers who were never destined, however, a new animal had joined him. A bat had sat right new to the owl, their red eyes piercing into the animal. They both looked at each other and then back at the couple. Carnivon had finally calmed down, he still sniffled but he was now more embarrassed of the scene he had just put a few seconds ago. “Does your leg hurt?” His vamp-… you asked him. Your eyes looked so genuine at him, even after all this time, they still had that spark. He didn’t know whether to act and just pretend his leg wasn’t screaming for help or not, but his shaking leg gave it away. Although even if he did lie, he had a feeling you would be able to tell, you had that power over him.
“Ummmm… yeah…,” he looked away from your face, ashamed at his confession. You barely saw him in any weakened state when you still lived in his home, so after not only not seeing him for so long and seeing him basically beaten off his ass, it was a bit embarrassing. You chuckled a bit, and even though you were laughing at him, it was the most enticing sound he had heard in years. It was idiotic, but it felt as though his life became more vibrant for some reason.
“I guessed much. There’s a cave a few minutes away, which is still much closer than a town that can help you heal. I’ll heal you there with some herbs I have, okay?” He noticed the bag you had in your shoulder, it was inside your cloak, so he guessed that’s why he didn’t see it at first.
Taking his arms, you make him put his weight on you. “Don’t worry, the walk won’t be long.” So that’s how you and him ended up in a cave in the middle of nowhere, a fire was right besides the both of you, and he was sitting down while you were checking his leg. You had washed the blood off your hands before looking at what you were dealing with, you had also grabbed some oils and herbs he didn’t recognize. He knew he should trust you, not after not knowing who you turned into after a whole year, but your touch was as gentle as it could be that he wanted to trust you. Your eyebrows frowned with how much you were concentrating, you did that back when he met you, one of the small things that made you look so sincere. “I’m going to have to touch the wound, okay? It’s going to hurt but I need to know how deep the wound is and if it has any infections.” This was going to hurt like a bitch, he just closed his eyes and nodded his head as a way to tell you to go ahead.
The real kicker was that you didn’t have to touch him that hard for it to be painful, he hissed as you saw his wounds but he did not move. Sure it hurt like hell, but he had been in worse rodeos when it came to vampires before. You stopped after a few minutes more, “sorry, I needed to get a good look at what I am dealing with. The good thing is that even though you lost quite some blood, the wound isn’t as deep as it seems. Also no sign of infections which means you will be right as rain in a few days after I patch you up.”
“Just.. do what you have to do.” You just nodded your head and began working on his injury. He swears you’re making this ten times more painful than it actually has to be, because in god’s name he feels he is being taken to hell and back with how much the oil and herbs are burning in his skin. Perhaps you’re trying to disinfect the skin or the reaction of an unknown chemical to his body, but it hurts like you’re trying to purify his soul. He looks the other way, not like he couldn’t take the sight of some petty wound, but rather he was just embarrassed of making a fuss over some minor thing. After a few minutes, you had finished patching up his legs and had put some bandages to keep the oils together while his leg healed. You looked for the rest of his legs for any deeper wounds that could be seen, but it was only that leg the vampire had messed up more compared to his other minor injuries.
“You’ll be okay, just change to clean bandages everyday and put this in the wound,” you gave him a small bottle with oil that smelled similarly to the one in his leg right now. “If you do that, the process of healing will go much faster.” You finally let go and went for the bowl with warm water to wash your hands off.
“Thank you..” He wanted to say much more than that, but should he? The tension could be felt from miles away, the need to tell you what he had wanted you to know for so long was eating him up alive.
“Your welcome, it was pure coincidence I got there just in time.”
You know what? Fuck it, he will regret this later anyways. “Do.. Do you feed on people?” That’s definitely not how he wanted to come out as.You looked at him displeased, like he thought you were able to do such a grotesque act. “I mean- I haven’t seen you in so long and people can change and-”
“I do not take people’s blood, Marcel, never had and I’m not planning on starting anytime soon. Just because I left the mansion doesn't mean I became a savage all of the sudden.” You sighed and looked back the the bowl, no less water than it had before. You were… well trying to look at your reflection for the most part. Of course, it was blurry for you, but to him you looked just as ravish-... the same as when he last saw you. You had taken your cloak to heal him, now you had far better clothes than what he presumes you left with. Now he just feels bad, you come and patch him up, and here he is asking whether you had eaten people, like he didn’t know you at all.
He looks at you once more, admiring you as if you were the sun. “I’m sorry… You take care of me, and yet I still am so untrustful of you.” He paused for a moment, perhaps he was just being a fool, but he will always be one when it comes to you. “Thank you, sweet thing, for patching me up.” He took a deep breath in and out. “This doesn’t feel real, seeing you like this. You haven’t changed a bit since the last time I saw you.”
You only chuckle, “yeah, I think that comes with the packet of being a vampire. It’s also unreal for me to see you as well, it’s quite interesting to see you in this position. I can’t really wrap around my head that you are here in front of me, looking at me like you always have.”
Both of you shared a mutual silence, but this one did not feel awkward or uncomfortable. “So… How has life been treating you?” Carnivon would be lying if he said he didn’t want to know every detail of your life since you went away. Have you been out of trouble? Where did you travel? Have you met new people? Too many questions, and he didn’t want to seem as desperate as he already showed to be.
“Well… life has been alright I suppose.” You looked at the fire, and sighed, only to look back at him with worrying eyes. Perhaps you were afraid of what he would think of you now, and he didn’t blame you for thinking that. “After I ran away, I ran to the South, places like Texas or Mississippi. Although I haven’t really settled in one place after leaving the manor. I bumped into hunters from time to time, it's inevitable when they're the ones preying on you, but I managed to leave them unharmed for the most part. I also met less kinder vampires, now those were times where I thought it might be my end, but I either ran away… or you know… killed them.” You looked regretful, and he understood. Taking the lives of others, even for survival, was never an easy task. Although the look of fear you had when you told him that was the confusing part, he had killed many vampires before and after meeting you, and yet you think he’ll judge you for killing some vampires for good reason? He isn’t that much of a hypocrite.
“I do not blame you, I have killed many vampires in my own life. You did what you had to survive, it’s all that matters in your type of life.”
“I guess so.. Still, it never gets easier to take a life. I usually try to give any vampire a chance, like the one you gave me that day, some take it and others don’t. I.. I have also killed humans.” You didn’t look at him when saying that, ashamed of your actions.
“Why?”
“... I had no choice. Some of them are hunters, but others are just normal people who try to act like they can kill vampires. I try to convince them, but some don’t budge. When the gun is this close to ending my life, I have killed them. I’m sorry.”
Carnivon didn't know how to feel about this. Since you had killed people, he should technically kill you. It was in his code, even if it was for survival, you still spilled the blood of “innocent”. And yet, he didn't feel like you deserve that fate, never you. You have been through so much, hell and back, and yet you still stand strong. You didn’t try to feed on his blood or attack him, you kept your head high like you always had. You were still you, and that was the worst part. He couldn’t just make you some evil villain, that you had changed for the worse, that would make everything so much easier. You still had that horrible smile and those fearful eyes, he hated you… or at least that’s what he wanted to feel when it came to you. Instead, he felt his heart heavy as your head was down, he wished he could take your struggles away.
“You don’t have to apologize, being here is all that matters. Sure it may not ever justify all of your actions, but you’re still here, living. Maybe that’s the best we all ever got in this life.”
You had this shocked look at him, although he was even surprised by what he just said. He was breaking every single code he had promised to follow, everything he had ever upheld. At least when you were in the basement, he could make the excuse that you weren’t hurting anyone, therefore he wasn’t breaking any of the Hunter Society’s rules. But he couldn’t do that now, and he was still willing to hold you in his arms, to touch your hands, to play with your hair. You were still human to him, the most human you had ever been and he loved you for that…. He what? Loved you..? That’s absurd, his mind must be really tired.
“Thank you, Marcel.”
After saying that, you went to grab a bowl from your bag and a container that when moved sounded like slooshing around, so he guessed there was some type of liquid in it. When you poured it onto the bowl, it looked like some type of soup came out, it looked like it had chicken and vegetables in it. You put it close to the fire, your hands almost touch the fire which made him panic a bit. You were trying to warm up some soup.. For what he didn’t know exactly. Unless this was some blood induced soup, which he doubted by the lack of iron or red in the liquid, it didn’t make sense to make soup you wouldn't really enjoy. Sure, you could eat any type of human food, however it will taste blander than usual and it wouldn't satisfy your actual needs. Unless you made it to feel more human, this just seemed straight up odd to him. Well that was until you pointed the bowl of soup at him to grab it, with a spoon already inside. Wait, were you given it to him?.. Well yes, you were basically putting the bowl in his hands, but why?
“Here, I’ll help you keep your energy, grab it before it gets cold.” He put his hands on the bowl, which wasn’t super hot on the surface, mostly because you had put a towel on the sides of the bowl to keep him from burning his hands. It felt warm, the complete opposite of what was outside this cave. He pulled the bowl close to his face, feeling the steam in his skin, and then he smelled it. Sure, you were the one giving him the soup, but he was still a bit suspicious of what could be in it. It was a habit he built from years of being a hunter, never trust what anyone gives you. For better or worse, the supper didn't seem to have any weird or odd smells that would make him distrust your meal. You also kept looking at him, waiting for him to taste your food, and it would hurt him more than he would like to admit if he saw your face of disappointment.
Carnivon took a deep breath in and out, he really hopes he doesn’t regret this. It was you, right? What was there to be afraid of? He bragged about a spoonful of the supper and put it in his mouth.. Only for it surprisingly to taste really good. It’s not like he ever doubted your abilities on cooking, he never allowed you to cook back in the house, not that he found a reason to. Maybe he was just really hungry today, or maybe the food was just that good, because he started eating with more confidence. Whatever doubts he had suddenly faded away, one of your many charms that worked on him every time. You smiled back at him, finally relaxing once you realized he enjoyed what you had prepared. Then he heard something open, you had two containers in your lap. One of the containers was transparent, and what was inside was obviously water, you pushed it to his side for him to drink. The second container was the one he heard being opened, a wine bottle, the green tint of the glass bottle made him unable to see what it was. However, he could guess what it was, the smell said what words didn't.
You realized that he looked tense again. “It’s animal blood. I gathered some yesterday, although there was some leftover.” You both awkwardly at each other for a moment. “If you mind, I can just drink it la-”
“No, it’s fine.” Who was he of all people to deny you a meal? To deny you the only source of food you could ever have? Sure it would never truly satisfy you, but it would keep you alive. That’s the best you could do. It was weird because even after such a long time, he still trusted your word.
“Well.. thank you.”
Both of you continued to eat in silence, only the sounds of the wind could be heard. A hunter and a vampire sharing a meal together, sitting beside each other like equals would be outrageous to society. Two children of the same god coming together to feast one last time, for after this moment, betrayal and blood will be shed once more. Carnivon never liked blood, it stuck everywhere and it never seemed to truly leave. In his dreams or far away memories, blood will always be there. A color so vibrant at first, but the more you leave it be, the more rotten it is. Blood is something that he will live with his whole life, he was born covered in it and he would probably die covered in it as well. He cannot live without it, but perhaps he wished he had never seen the sight of it. What would become of him if his family never died? Would he have just been stuck as a lord without knowing the cruelty of this world. Perhaps staying blind is even worse than knowing the truth. He looked at you for a moment– you had a napkin in your face after finishing eating your own meal –, living a lie for so long was something that still made his skin crawl. If he had killed you the night you both met, he would have just stayed in his old ways.
Carnivon finished his soup, it was better than he would like to admit. It had a bit more seasoning than what he usually eats, but god, this was definitely in one of the top ten dishes he had in a while. It’s not like he is picky, food is food to him. Yet, your soup made him want to continue eating what you had to offer. A vampire, someone who could no longer get to cherish the taste of fruits and seasonings, being able to make such exquisite foods forms something as basic as soups, truly ironic at its core. His body felt warm, as if he felt the sunlight right in front of him, welcoming him with the comfort of a new day. “Sweething-” He really needed to stop using that nickname, but it felt so natural, like you were the one meant to hear his soft tone and gentle touches.
“Yes?” The way you looked at him made his heart start to beat faster. He was used to the feeling, he had almost stumbled with death too many times, but this was different. The simple sight of you made him feel hot like there was a fire that only burned by your side. A fire that would one day explode into chaos, it was only a matter of time until that happened. His heart felt soft, it was still afraid of you, not because you would kill him, but because of the power you held in him.
He was going to ask the one thing that would either break or mend whatever was left between the two of you. “Why did you leave that night..?” His throat felt tight just by thinking of that night.
“I-....” You didn’t look at him, you looked ashamed or perhaps sorry for what you had done. He would wait for an answer though, even if an eternity had to pass, he would stay here with you just here the reason why. For his mind has spent so many nights wondering what he could have done to avoid it, what did he have to give to you to stay with him… a lifetime if he was truly greedy. You took one deep breath before finally telling him.
“I thought it was for the best, Marcel…. I knew that if I st-... kept being there, it would bring you, Wren, and Hawk even more issues. I couldn’t fathom the idea of any of you being hurt because of me.. I knew you wanted that to, but you were too scared to tell m-”
“I never wanted you gone. Not before nor now.” What foolish thoughts you had. Him wanting you gone? Not even in his worst nightmares would he ever wish that. But were you really foolish? When he had made no effort to remind you how much you mattered to him? “If you felt that way– if you still feel that way– I’m sorry. The last thing I meant to do is to make you believe your life didn’t matter, not when it mattered to me more than anything else.”
You looked shocked, like you weren’t expecting an answer that was so obvious. If he had wanted you gone, he would have just let Barnaby go into the basement. He would have let Luther kill you. He would have let you escape with no regard for your basement. He wouldn't have given you the clothes of his parents. Yet he did, he trusted you with every little piece of his heart. Even if both of your trust was as fine fragile as glass, he felt the need to show you everything he was. That is why he was here in the first palace, asking you why you left, and making sure now that you never ever think that he would want you gone. Not when his tears and dreams have said otherwise.
“... Did you care for me?”
He didn't even think of his answer, it was by instinct that he got closer to you, and said, “yes.”
For that was all that had to be said, only three simple letters would define what he felt for you. For he never doubted his answer, for his caring for you went beyond what he thought he would ever be able to feel. You were here now, breathing and living, that’s the best he could have ever asked for. You were still you, even if you now had killed some people, you still held that same care to even those that hurt you. You were so forgiving, and that’s something he could never understand. However, he was grateful that you chose to forgive him for almost killing you, for keeping you trapped in a hell of a basement, for everything he had done. You still looked at him as if he was human, as if he was still worth caring even though he was nothing but a killer. He wonders if you cared for the same way he cared for you, if you felt the same way when you brushed hands, if you felt the same warmth when you both hugged. Marcel starts to feel a bit livid, perhaps it’s the feeling you brought within him, but he felt even hotter now that he was closer to you. But who would he feel this way about if not you?
“Do you care for me as well, sweething?”
One breath in, one breath out. “Yes.. I care for you so much more than you would ever know, Marcel. For all I have done at this point, for everything that has become of me, has been because-.....” You stopped talking, but he felt the need to push for more. He needed more of you, he was always greedy when it came to you. The whole world could be burning, and yet he wouldn’t do a single thing about it, as long as he had you by his side. That was all he needed. But, now so close to you, now that this is the real deal. Would he be able to say what he really feels, he could write poem after poem of your beauty, the way your kindness is unconditional, the way your fangs shine brighter than the stars themselves when you begin to laugh, that your humanity lives even when there has been nothing but sorrow in your life. However, all that could be expressed with only three words, eight easy letters. The act of doing it is so simple and yet it feels his tongue tied when he tries to tell you.
You got closer to him this time, he felt as though you were seeing every part of him. It felt as if he were naked in front of you, only for your eyes to see him at his weakest form. Every single imperfection thrown into the table without him even realizing, and perhaps the worst part, is that he didn't mind it as long as it was you. Always you. “Is there something you want to tell me?” You almost whispered to him, there was this tone of unsureness and curiosity. Your red eyes looked at his blue eyes, waiting for something, and this time he thinks he knows what it is. Such simple words and yet they have never held so much meaning until this very moment. He was no better than Eve, for this moment, he would indulge in human's truest sin.
“Sweething… I-... I love you.” That was the last straw for you, closing the space between the two of you, your lips touching his. With both of his arms he grabbed your waist and held you even closer, deepening the kiss even further. He could feel your breath in his own mouth as if you were giving him the air he needed to continue living. You put your hands behind his head, tugging his hair a little. You seemed just as desperate for this as he was, for a kiss wouldn’t be enough to truly express what you both wanted, it wouldn’t ever be enough. It seems that if you could you would eat him alive, you didn’t want his blood or his life, you simply wanted a moment where you two were human with a desire so sinful you both would be punished for an eternity. Even though the moment seemed to last hours, it only lasted about a couple seconds. You pushed away first, searching for the air that filled your lungs and not just your heart. Carnivon panted a bit more than usual, sure he was inexperienced in anything that came with romance, but he shouldn't be this breathless.
Both of you still held each other, the wood cracking from the fire could still be heard. You looked absolutely shocked, he was surprised as well, he didn’t think he would ever utter those words to someone in his entire life. Love. Something powerful and so fragile, and it was all because of your smiles and your kindness, all because he decided he wanted to be a person that night and spared your life. He felt his whole body get warmer as if he was coming down with a fever, but he didn’t feel sick, just very light. Was the cold weather finally getting to him? He took one breath in and out, for his breathing was the only real proof that you were here now. That you were more than just a memory.
“I love you as well, dear.”If he wasn’t already red, he definitely felt his cheeks turning the color of your eyes. It was one thing to kiss you, but for you to tell him you felt the same way. Those three silly words hold the same feeling of winning a one chance lottery. This almost felt like a dream, if it wasn’t for the fact that he could feel himself breathing in and out, perhaps he would have believed this was only an illusion. It wouldn't be the first or the last it had happened. What will happen now? Will both of you just part ways? Will he be able to convince you to come back? Even if he hasn’t said anything, he can already imagine both of you going back to the manor. Perhaps now he could make a plan where both of you could live in peace. After you went away, one of his fellow friends told him about Canada’s new policies with supernaturals. He spent days wondering that if he had just know a little earlier, would you have come with him to a better life?
Carnivon felt his eyes starting to get heavy, and you started to hug him. It was odd, it felt both wrong and yet so right. He is panicking, but the way your arms are holding him, bringing a comfort he had lost a long time ago. “Marcel..” He hears you calling him. However, every time you say something, it feels as if your voice is getting farther away from him. He calls out your name too, for that’s all he can do. He feels your hands go through his white locks, so gentle as if he was made of porcelain. You treat him like an angel of the heavens, like his hands aren’t filled with blood every night. “It’ll be already, love, just let yourself rest.” Rest? When can he continue talking to you and being by your side? His heart wishes to have more time with you, but it seems as if his body has betrayed him once again. For all he feels now is warmth and tiredness, for sleep will take him once again, just like it always has. He hears your last words, although they turn out to be incomprehensible for he had already closed his eyes when you started talking. Now, only will you and the moon know his trusest wish.
When he finally opens his eyes again, there is no cave or extinguished fire. Carnivon finds himself in his bed, new bandages in his arms, and the birds chirping for the new day. Instead of your arms, all he feels is the cold sheets and soreness all over his body. Had you come back with him? What happened to you? Even with all of his injuries, he stood up almost immediately and like a maniac, ran to the basement. Perhaps you had come back, maybe you were waiting in the basement until night hit, and maybe this aching feeling in his chest would all be just a false sign. When he finally reached the end of the basement, it was completely empty. There was no you, there was no sign of activity in the room. He felt a fool, he is a fool, but that has always been the truth since it came to you. He felt tears trying to slip from his eyes, however he heard someone call him, it was Wren.
Wren went running down the stairs. “Sir! What are you doing standing up when your wounds are still fresh??” Oh right, his wounds. Wren manages to get him to his room, but when leaving the basement, he looks back just one more time hoping that you were there. Of course, he found nothing but an empty, cold, place. He was back to bed, he couldn’t really protest with either Hawk and Wren, somehow they always won.
“How did you find me, Wren?”
Hawk and Wren looked at each other, thinking of what they should say. “We found laying on the front door, sir,” replied Hawk, maybe because she knew that Hawk wouldn’t be the best one to lie at this moment. It was truly just a small lie, perhaps because the truth would hurt more, Hawk knew that of all people. For she herself was shocked when she heard that knock on the door, and even more when the person who she thought of as death was standing right in front of her with her lord in their arms.
“Did you see anybody else by any chance?”
“No, it was just you when we found you. However, you did have this in your hands.” Hawk said before going to one of his drawers and reaching out for something. She did promise she would give this to him, a small price for bringing her lord safe she supposed. She put in his hands a small trinket. A gold ring with a small ruby gem, there was something written inside of the jewelry. ‘Your vampire’. Carnivon began to cry, even if he was in front of his children, he simply couldn’t hold back anymore. It had all felt so real, it had all been so real. He knew your visit would be short, and yet he could hope to keep you longer. Sure he was safe once more, but his heart stayed in the place he met you, in the place he told you his true feelings. Hope is the only thing he could when it came to you, it’s the one thing you continue to give him. You were his demise, but he would accept that with open arms if it meant being by your side for as long as he could. For if it’s not you who he would match this ring with, than who else would it be? He had barriers that kept him safe for years, and yet you just come one day and destroy everything he built.
As he continued to weep, the sun shined as bright as it could. The morning sun made sure the birds sang for the broken lovers, but with the groups of chirping birds, however, there was something else. The white owl that had seen him in that forest was now standing, watching Carnivon’s tear hit the gold ring. The only difference is that now the owl didn’t have their bat companion around. For the odd bat had to part ways before the sun came up, even if the owl wanted it to stay, the bat had its own business. However there was a promise to meet once more, for how long they would be apart was unknown, but they would meet again someday and fly in the sky with freedom. Until that day came, the owl would have to wait, watching the man’s tears spill from his face, for the owl could not express the same sorrow.