Work Text:
They lived in a world where the leading cause of deaths weren’t car accidents or murders carried out in cold blood, but were instead vampire attacks.
They were sneaky little bastards; they hid in the dark, covered up, hid their fangs and masqueraded as your closest neighbour, and when the time was right, when their hunger preceded their own self-control, their fangs would sink deep into your neck, sucking you dry of your blood before you even had the chance to fight back.
Of course, there were ways to fight back against these horrid creatures, and so long as the conditions were right, for example, if you locked your doors at night and only went outside underneath the protection of the blazing sun up above, then you'd probably stand a chance against them. But it wouldn't last forever. Eventually, you'd be forced into a situation where you had to come faced to face with a vampire, or you could find yourself manipulated and toyed by one.
Especially by that vampire.
There were many a tale, depicting the clearest picture of sirens luring sailors from their boats and into their alluring clutches, only to be pulled down into the bottomless vats of the sea and dragged down to where there was no hope of them ever returning.
Her style of claiming her victims were similar to that of those aforementioned sirens; her voice was harmonious and so sickeningly sweet it was addictive -- some went insane after one night of hearing her voice, because when she stopped singing, they wanted more.
Her name was Columbina, and she was, if not, the most feared vampire in all of history. Schools, as early as elementary, taught safety lessons centred around her -- that is how feared she was by humanity.
But hope wasn't lost for them -- heavens no. Though humanity caused destruction and despair for the world they inhabited with a graze of their selfish fingers, they also had to be commended for the way they adapted to situations and were able to advance technologically.
"Vampire Hunters" were their names, and much like the title suggested, these chosen few were deemed with the honoured task of protecting their kind from these vicious creatures; armed with guns and all of the equipment one could possibly dream of, as well as all of the information pertaining to vampires, these humans were the frontlines they had against vampires.
To be bestowed with the title of "Vampire Hunter" was one that was revered highly; many a young children dreamed of such a day in which they'd receive a benevolent title.
Such was the human, Sandrone, who was the greatest Vampire Hunters in the ranks that humanity had ever seen. Her mind and wit were no match for human nor vampire, making her an irreplaceable part of the team. Not only was she skilled with any and all firearms, but her intelligence rivalled most; even in the most daring and hopeless of situations, Sandrone would always find a way out.
And her kill count? There was a reason her name sent shudders down the spines of the entire vampire populace.
Except for one, of course.
Of course, on the outside, Sandrone and Columbina were sworn enemies. The most dangerous vampire up against the most technical and intelligent vampire hunter? Of course they would have bad blood for each other!
Books, articles, plays, and films were made around the two of them.
But behind closed doors? They couldn't be further from the truth.
--~*~--
There was a tap at the window; Sandrone rolled over in her bed, too tired from the events of the day to bother checking who or what it was. She brushed it off as merely being the wind throwing a tantrum, or a stray bird colliding with the glass -- but she knew that didn't make sense. The wind was calm and still that frosty night, and most of the wildlife had already bid farewell to the outside world as they resigned themself to sleep.
The tap continued, it was rhythmic in its motions.
Tap, tap tap, tap, tap tap.
Sandrone rolled over, hiding her face in her red, velvety pillows.
Tap, tap tap, tap, tap tap.
Maybe if she ignored it, it would finally go away?
Tap, tap tap, tap, tap tap.
Ugh, never mind.
She tore the duvet off her bed, her feet making contact with the cool glossy floor as she involuntarily shivered - winter was as unforgiving as ever it seemed.
As her eyes adjusted to the surroundings of her bedroom, her eyebrows jumped in surprise.
"C-Columbina?!" Sandrone hurried to the window, holding her nightgown up in her hands as to not trip over them as she unlocked the window and pulled it up. The vampire before her smiled, her fangs glistening in the light of the moon.
"You noticed me; I was getting cold out here." She tried forcing her way into Sandrone's bedroom, but was promptly stopped by the aforementioned woman. She had a scowl on her face.
"What are you doing here? You could get caught." Sandrone huffed.
"Aww, is that worry I detect in your voice?"
"My musket is in close proximity; I could just kill you right here and now."
Columbina giggled, not heeding Sandrone's weak warning whatsoever as she slipped in through the window, brushing down her clothes as she looked around. "Your room is so nice -- thanks for letting me in."
The hunter guffawed, "you let yourself in." Sandrone plopped herself on her bed, carefully stalking the movements of the vampire as she surveyed her room. Her eyes never left the silhouette of the beautiful vampire; she couldn't believe she was letting this happen.
Instead of doing her bestowed job and eliminating humanity's greatest threat, Sandrone betrayed her own kind and principles for her heart, for she couldn't kill Columbina.
Deep inside, she was in love with her.
She never knew if Columbina reciprocated such feelings, but she could only hope so. If Columbina hadn't killed her already, when she had plenty of chances too, surely that meant Columbina felt something for the hunter, right?
That's what she believed anyways; it's what she hoped for, even if it seemed futile.
"You never answered my question." Sandrone began. "Why are you here? We could get caught."
"How exciting."
"Uh, how not exciting, you mean." Sandrone stood up from her bed, marching over to where the vampire stood as she grabbed her chin. "I'm really sticking my neck out for you here. If we're found like this, you'd be killed on the spot and I'd most likely face capital punishment and be publicly executed!"
"I'm so thrilled you care so deeply about me." Columbina grinned; Sandrone finally registered how close their lips were together, but she made no effort to pull away. Columbina noticed, traipsing a soft hand and slinking it loosely around Sandrone's wrist. The hunter's breath hitched.
"But on the flipside, if I were to bring your cold, lifeless, body to the authorities, well..." Sandrone smirked, rubbing her thumb against the base of Columbina's chin teasingly, "I'd be venerated as a hero well past my dying days, so maybe I should just kill you now...?"
"Oh, Sandrone..."
Sandrone ignored the way her stomach did a flip, and the way all of the saliva in her mouth had dried up. Curse that vampire.
"I know you'd never do that."
"And how can you be so sure, hm?"
"Because," Columbina's hands slipped into Sandrone's, closing over the surface of them as she pushed herself closer to Sandrone, "you haven't killed me yet."
Her face flushed five different shades of red as she stuttered over her words, fighting to find the correct words to defend herself with. Her eyebrows furrowed and her hands closed tightly over Columbina's. "What's stopping me from killing you now, huh? You're in my bedroom, in a high-security building on one of the top floors; I could kill you easily right here and now."
"Then do it." She whispered, leaning close into Sandrone's face.
Sandrone scowled. How dare she challenge her? She truly had no idea what she was capable of! There was a reason Sandrone was one of the most feared hunters of all time! When it came to vampires, Sandrone showed no mercy -- making sure that their deaths were as quick but painful as possible; if she so pleased, she could have Columbina killed in an instant!
And yet, she felt that 'strong' resolve pulsating through her veins slowly dissipate, as her grip on Columbina's hands loosened.
Curse her beating heart, and curse that darned vampire! She'd show her one day!
"Ugh, it would...be too easy to kill you here and now; I'd at least want it to be a proper and fair fight."
"Is that so? Oh well, I was really looking forward to seeing what the so-called 'fearsome hunter' was capable of." She finally pulled away, letting go of Sandrone's hands as she faced the window, eyes getting lost in the mesmerising glow of the moon. She hummed.
"Oh, and to answer your previous question, I came to visit you, Sandrone."
"Why? It's the middle of the night." Sandrone crossed her arms, leaning her body against the sturdy frame of her canopy bed, her eyebrows knotting.
The vampire turned around sharply, a hungry smile on her face. "To see you."
"See me? What could you possibly want?"
Columbina stepped forward, her feet dancing along the floor as she drank in the unchanged expression of Sandrone; no matter how hard Columbina tried, she couldn't intimidate Sandrone like she could the others.
She fascinated her.
"You."
"M-Me...?!" Sandrone was flabbergasted, and a little concerned. That could mean one of two things, and one of them guaranteed a certain, painful death. "If you think I'm going to let you kill me that easily, you're sorely mistaken."
Her hands flew to her right pocket, a place she always kept a small, sharp dagger just in case of any invasions -- like a time like this. Columbina's eyes fell down to her hand, eyes travelling back to Sandrone's glowing blue eyes as she shook her head, a sincere smile on her face.
"Not like that." She began, placing a tentative hand on Sandrone's quickly flushing face, "like this."
Gently, and slowly so that Sandrone still had some time to pull away in case she didn't want this, Columbina guided Sandrone's lips to her, pressing them tightly together. Sandrone's eyes widened; the beat to her heart quickening as her body felt weak and unstable -- as if it would buckle and bend beneath her at any moment.
Was this really happening? Her so-called sworn enemy, was kissing her, in the dead of night?
Now she hoped no one would walk in, especially when her thoughts started to turn to something unsavoury.
After a while, Columbina pulled away, licking the sweet taste of Sandrone's saliva from her lips.
"That's all I wanted." She stepped away, heading towards the window as she lifted it open. Columbina turned her head around, "good night, Sandrone," before looking back down at the ground beneath her.
Sandrone didn't know what was going on with her body, but it was as if it had a mind of its own. She knew how horrendous of a scandal this would be if word of what was about to happen were to get out, but she didn't care; she'd thrown her life to the sticking place long ago since she'd allowed Columbina into her personal life, and she wasn't about to get cold feet now.
Before Columbina could jump off, Sandrone's fingers were already outstretched and wrapped tightly around Columbina's slim and pale wrist, and with a powerful tug, launched both her and Sandrone backward, the grand and fluffy bed catching the two of them.
She knew she had caught Columbina off guard, judging the way her mouth was slightly agape and her uncovered eye was wide-open; Sandrone smirked to herself.
"Don't go yet." She whispered, still unsure of how she'd let herself get wrapped up into this situation. "I..."
Sandrone bit her lip, her heart screaming at her to get the words off of her chest and her mind yelling at her to push this vampire off of her!
"Oh, what the hell!" Before Sandrone could fully register what she was doing, she'd already shoved Columbina's faced down onto hers, colliding their lips into a fierce battle.
She ignored the voice of reason telling her how stupid this all was, how risky it was to make out with the country's -- no, the world's most wanted criminal -- but Sandrone didn't care. Sandrone was pretending that this was the last time she'd ever get the pleasure of seeing Columbina, and so with her false imagination plaguing her mind, she'd leave Columbina with a final parting gift she'd never forget.
When they weren't kissing, they were sucking in deep, shallow breaths of fresh air to ready themselves to go back to kissing passionately. Sandrone felt Columbina's hand travel to the back of her head, pulling it in closer to deepen their already deep kisses.
Sandrone felt her mind turn to mush; the 'fearsome hunter' known for her never-ending supply of intelligence had been reduced to a besotted woman desperate for more of the vampire's affection, and there was nothing she could do about. Her heart had won over the opinion of her brain, who, instead of protesting like it was before, was now singing out the same name as her heart.
She wanted Columbina -- no, needed Columbina, even more than the blood in her veins.
Her eyes trailed back to Columbina's; they shined brightly in her eyes and made her gulp -- she couldn't handle such an angelic sight.
How ironic of her to think that, to think of a deadly vampire -- something tantamount to a demon -- was just as angelic as one of heaven's trusted envoys.
Sandrone shuddered, feeling Columbina's lips trail down her face and down to her neck, leaving soft marks of adoration peppered on the surface of her skin.
And then she saw it, through her half-lidded eyes, she saw Columbina smile as her fangs came into the fray. Sandrone frowned, regaining some of her common sense.
"Don't."
"I promise I won't kill you." Columbina whined, leaning her head next to Sandrone's neck. She rolled her eyes.
"If anyone saw a bite mark on my neck, I'd be questioned. Besides, they'd assume I'd been bested by a wretched vampire."
"But haven't you?"
Sandrone paused.
She's right. By letting Columbina, a vampire, into her bed, and in control of her and the feelings she was experiencing, hadn't she technically been bested by Columbina?
Sandrone huffed in discontentment; she'd have to admit defeat to her sworn enemy, wouldn't she?
"That..." Sandrone curled her fist, "may be true, but in the same vein, haven't you been technically bested by me?" She sat up, propping herself on her elbows as she eyed Columbina with a look of approval.
"I got you, haven't I? I, Sandrone, was able to leave the Columbina, the scariest Vampire, unable to resist me?" Sandrone brushed Columbina's cheek with her hand, smirking at her with pleasure.
Columbina toiled with the idea proposed by Sandrone, but not after long, she hummed in agreement.
"I suppose you aren't wrong."
"So it's a draw, then?"
Columbina smiled. "It's a draw."
Sandrone smirked, leaning closer to Columbina as their lips met once again. Columbina pinned Sandrone back against the bed, hovering over her as she gently grabbed the sides of her face.
Sandrone didn't want this night to end, she wanted so desperately to stay like this, underneath Columbina receiving such sweet kisses.
Despite being a vampire who lured in people with her hauntingly beautiful voice and tantalising looks, Columbina was sweet and gentle -- something she wasn't expecting. She'd half expected Columbina to pounce on the chance she had and be rid of her greatest threat right then and there.
But Sandrone should've known by the way Columbina only snuck into her room for a kiss and one kiss only; she didn't want Sandrone's body or to feel empowered over her -- she just wanted Sandrone -- innocently, too.
Her kisses lacked any lustful intent, and the way she held Sandrone in her arms fell nothing short of gentle and careful. She could sense a hesitance in her actions, scared of going too far and freaking out Sandrone.
The only person in the world who wanted Sandrone for Sandrone, was her supposed sworn enemy.
Tears brimmed to her eyes, worrying Columbina as she stopped in her movements immediately, moving back and looking down at Sandrone with fear in her eye.
"A-Are you okay? Did I--"
"No, Columbina," Sandrone smiled, reaching above and cupping the vampire's cheek with her hand, "you're fine."
"Then why are you crying?"
"They're good tears."
"Tears can be good?"
That's right, she was a vampire; she experienced the world completely differently compared to Sandrone. The complexities of human emotion completely evaded her mind.
Oh well, looks like Sandrone would be the one to explain it to her.
"I'm crying because I'm happy."
"You're...happy?" Breathed Columbina; Sandrone nodded affirmingly.
"We're supposed to be enemies, and yet, you treat me better than anyone else."
"You don't idolise me, or worship me, or make me out to be some esteemed hero. To you, I'm just Sandrone."
Sandrone pressed a soft kiss to the tip of Columbina's nose, a thankful smile on her face. Columbina wiped away the stray tears running down Sandrone's face.
"Thank you, Columbina."
"..."
Columbina didn't say anything immediately, her face knitting into an expression of pensiveness. Sandrone was worried she'd said the wrong thing, until Columbina smiled back.
"You too, Sandrone. When I'm with you, I'm not this horrifying beast that everyone is scared of. I'm just Columbina."
"But...don't you like killing humans?"
"I do. But it hurts to be called a monster sometimes."
"You do see why people would call you a beast, though?"
"I'm just hungry, and besides, you like killing vampires."
"Only because you're killing us!" Sandrone sat up; Columbina frowned.
"Killing sounds harsh, how about, 'borrowing your blood for a little bit'? It sounds nicer."
"'it sounds nicer?' Do you hear yourself?" Sandrone huffed, pulling away from Columbina as the vampire unsaddled herself from Sandrone's lap. "Ugh, I can't believe I just made out with a vampire."
"Why do you so sound disappointed? You just said you were happy before?"
Sandrone sent her a sideways glare, "yeah, well, just forget I said all that. I've been suddenly reminded of the person you are, and I've decided I don't want you kissing all over me."
"But you were liking it."
"Wasn't."
"Was."
"Shut up, Columbina!" She tossed a pillow at her face. Columbina giggled.
"You're so shy, Sandrone, that's what I like about you."
Her heart caught in her throat; did she really just say that?
Was this her way of making Sandrone go back on her word and continue their intimate moment? In all honesty, she really did want to continue with it -- her body was far too warm and mind too active for her to go back to sleep, but she couldn't admit that now.
But looking at how flawless Columbina looked in the glow of the quiet night, the way her hair perfectly framed her perfect face, the way her clothes hugged her body; Sandrone felt like a fool for wanting more, but she couldn't ignore her heart.
She huffed, once again, she was losing a raging war against her own mind.
"Hmph..."
Columbina turned her head to the side.
Sandrone pulled down the curtains at her bed and collided against the surface of her mattress, shyly beckoning Columbina back over as she readjusted the collar of her nightgown to reveal her clavicle. Columbina's eyes widened as she licked her lips. Sandrone tutted.
"No biting. Y-You got that?"
Columbina nodded, eyes eagerly raking over the exposed skin.
"If you bite, I'll kill you -- for real."
"I understand."
"...A-Alright." Sandrone rested her head to the side, feeling Columbina straddle her hips as her body leaned closer and closer, until she could feel Columbina's hot breath against her chest. Sandrone braced herself for the horrid feeling of betrayal, but instead...
She sucked in a breath through her teeth, arms wrapping around Columbina's head as she pulled her in closer.
Sandrone could feel the swelling on her clavicle as she involuntarily twitched.
Columbina was as gentle and poised as ever, even while giving her mortal enemy a hickey.
Sandrone felt Columbina's hand slither its way to her mouth, clamping over it to prevent any unwanted noises from coming out -- which was a smart move on Columbina's part; the last thing they wanted was for someone to barge in on them.
After more kissing, Sandrone turned the whole game on its head by grabbing onto Columbina’s exposed shoulders and flipping her over, now being the one on top. This caught the vampire off guard; she was mid-kiss when her beautiful view of Sandrone was suddenly flipped over and was now perched on her hips with a flustered but confident expression on her face.
Sandrone looked down into her eyes, her breath heavy as she brushed a lock of hair that draped over her shoulder back behind her ear; Sandrone couldn’t believe that she had the most dangerous — yet most enticingly beautiful and carefully curated painting for an appearance right below her, chest rising up and down slowly and soft, glossy lips parted. It felt like a dream that was too good to be true; a dream that should’ve remained at just that — a dream.
A soft hand traced its way to Columbina’s flushed cheeks, stroking gingerly over the surface as she held it gently in her hands. Her thumb found its way to her mouth, slipping through the gates and entering the wet environment of her mouth; she brushed her thumb against Columbina's sharp fangs -- purposefully not dwelling on the several hundred men and women she had sucked dry to nothingness with those fangs of hers.
To die like that -- to die by Columbina's fangs...
If you had proposed such a sentiment to her in her early days of hunting the treacherous vampire, she would have vehemently sworn up and down that she'd never let something as shameful as that happen.
But now, as Sandrone felt her body act on its own and start kissing Columbina relentlessly, if you'd asked her that now, she'd hesitate to answer.
"S-Sandrone..." Muttered Columbina through broken kisses; Sandrone hushed her with more passionate kisses.
"Not now." She reprimanded, but when Columbina clamped a hand over Sandrone's lips, she immediately stopped -- pulling back and resting on her hips. Her hands rested on either side of Columbina's body as the vampire retracted her hand, taking a deep breath.
"Perhaps we shouldn't."
"Why's that?" Sandrone harrumphed.
"Daylight will be breaking soon; your little humans will start waking up and might hear us."
"Like I care -- they can hear for all I care."
Sandrone was letting her desires cloud her usually succinctly sweet sound judgement; Sandrone really would care if they heard, because it would call for their immediate executions.
But Columbina's eye widened, a glimpse of something in her eyes that didn't fail to make Sandrone's heart race even more than before. Columbina nodded, her hand drifting to the back of Sandrone's hair as she held it delicately in her grasp, playing with the strands before holding the back of Sandrone's head and practically crashing it down into her lips -- catching Sandrone horrendously off guard.
But not unwilling.
Their kisses grew stronger and more desperate, and soon enough, both of them were thinking the same thing.
"Sandrone?"
"Columbina."
"Are you sure?"
"I've never been more sure."
"What if--"
"Shhh." Sandrone lowered herself onto the bed, pressing her back against her duvet as her fingers itched their way to the covers, clenching them tightly as she swallowed the last of her anxieties and let herself be.
Columbina sat up, draping her body across Sandrone's chest with her lower half remaining on the bed; she brought a finger to Sandrone's nose, booping her nose lightly.
"Just before we do anything, remember that I'm still a vampire and you're just a human. And we're both girls."
"I'd rather get hung for being caught fraternising with you because you're a deadly vampire than be hung because you're a girl."
"Really?" Columbina's eyes jumped in surprise. "And why's that?"
Sandrone took Columbina's hands into hers, luring her in closer so she was by her hips. "Because then I'd be punished for doing something actually wrong, instead of doing something natural."
Columbina smiled, an expression of what Sandrone could only explain as a sight she'd fight tooth and nail to protect. For a split second, she wanted to betray everything she'd ever believed in and do anything to ensure the woman on-top of her was completely protected from the world.
But she was a human, and she was a vampire. They were diametrically opposed to one another -- they couldn't be one.
But maybe for tonight they could, as Sandrone felt Columbina's hands travel to the hem of her nightgown and slowly underneath, Sandrone felt nothing but complete desire and satisfaction.
Sandrone wanted Columbina, even if she'd have to die for it.
...
Columbina's hands died on Sandrone's bare thighs as the shriek of a woman echoed from the now wide-open door to Sandrone's bedroom. Initially, Sandrone was surprised at how the woman could even see the two of them -- she'd pulled the curtains to her bed, hadn't she? But one glance to her nightstand littered with candles told her everything she needed to know.
Oh, that's right. Shadows.
The two of them knew what was happening, but to any stranger who had the misfortune of barging in on the two of them would think that Columbina had used the chance while Sandrone was peacefully sleeping her the comfort of her bedroom to launch a surprise attack and ruthlessly suck her blood dry.
Sandrone silently thanked whatever deity was looking out for them -- if anyone knew the truth, they'd surely be dead.
She threw Columbina off of her and onto the bed, clambering on-top of her as she tried to land a punch. Columbina wrapped her legs around Sandrone's waist and -- with a lot of force -- flipped around to pin Sandrone to the bed, her hands flying to her neck. The woman who had shrieked earlier came running over, pulling open the curtains to see Sandrone shoving Columbina off and yelling as she reached for her musket, training it on Columbina's fleeing form. The woman who barged in cowered behind Sandrone, as Columbina dashed to the window and dodged Sandrone's bullet by a mere fraction; she jumped out of the window.
Sandrone sighed.
"Oh, Miss Sandrone, are you alright?" The sweet older woman turned to her, looking her over for any signs of injuries. "You look very disheveled."
Sandrone's face flushed. "O-oh, yes. She just...uh, caught me by surprise, is all. But it won't happen again!"
"You look very red, are you sick, Miss Sandrone? It's not like you to get caught off guard like that."
Sandrone gulped, not fighting as the woman pressed the back of her hand against Sandrone's burning forehead. The woman tsked, "Looks like you've got a fever, go lie down."
She rolled her eyes; ever since she'd come to live in the castle that oversaw the entire kingdom to provide extra aid and safety to the royal family -- as well be protected by the guards -- the house servants and maid doted over her like a child. It was better to oblige than protest, however, so Sandrone took her seat on her very messed up bed, her hand rubbing against the surface of the bed as she fought to keep the warmth from Columbina's body in her sheets.
Her eyes drifted to the window, in which a certain, familiar vampire blew her a kiss before waving slowly, skipping away and singing into the moonlight.
Sandrone shut her eyes tight, keeeping her body close and firm as she sighed shakily.
"I can't believe I almost made love to my sworn enemy." She murmured.
"What was that?"
"Nothing." Sandrone answered, quickly. She could never let a scandal like this get out.
Her heart ached for Columbina, and her body cried out for the feeling of hers next to it, pressed together and fusing into one. She felt annoyed and unfulfilled, but there wasn't anything she could do about it now -- especially since the only person who could've freed her from this somewhat tortuous state had already departed.
Maybe next time.