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It was snowing. Badly. Wisps of ice and rain clouded Owen’s vision as he tried to continue on. His human form didn't give off body heat but could feel temperatures so he was stuck shivering and weak.The castle was pretty near but he was more close to town than anything. And he knew for a fact no one there would willingly give him a respite. Except perhaps the doc but he was too tired to deal with his ‘I can fix you’ bullcrap..He was too tired to sneak in even if he could, all his shaking would certainly alert someone to his presence.
He saw a small hollow in a tree and while peering inside he could confirm nothing was living in there. His body started to change to a bat randomly and so he flew haphazardly into the tree’s shelter to try to find refuge from the biting cold.
~~~
Abolish had his lantern strung over his shoulder and a heavy woolen coat smothering him. A good thing too, the chill was so deep in his bones he felt like one of those vampires.
How would they be feeling in the cold?
Scott would definitely try to keep everyone inside the castle and keep them warm, Shelby and Pyro would follow his lead and Owen, well Owen was a bit of a mystery.
Sure the vampire hated humans and was very hostile to most he was more passive around Abolish. Perhaps he liked Abolish’s quiet nature or it was something else but he supposed Owen wouldn't mill around the castle for so long.
Perhaps he would be seen antagonising the doc or scaring Elle.
It doesn't really matter to him.
Or it didn't until a small squeak caught his ear amongst the howling wind. A tree with a jagged hollow was making a suspicious amount of sound. Probably an animal who couldn't properly escape the slicing wind, he might have to check on it and if the frost damage was bad he would take it to Pearl. She was good with animals.
If he was lucky it was a stray bird or bat.
If he was unlucky it was a vampire.
The answer was clear as when he approached the tree a little brown furrball raced into the crook of his neck. It didn't bite him though and just sat there soaking in his warmth.
Little known fact about vampires, when they get too cold they involuntarily shift to bat form and start seeking heat. Or just start shutting down in the snow or wherever they were stuck. Then eventually freezing to death and coming back slightly colder.
Luckily this one got very lucky with Abolish’s curiosity burdening him with them.
He tried to use his gloved hands to pull the little one away from his neck where vampires love to feed and into maybe his pocket but they just wouldn't budge. He stood there for 2 solid minutes before realising he was burning the precious hour he had left before the sun left them and the snowstorm became even more deadly.
He sighed, watched as his breath came out foggy, and started his half-hour trek back to town.
~~~
Owen was very confused. Why would Abolish simply give up on trying to pry him away from heat. The confusion however was quickly stifled by another wave of cold washing over him and making his very bones chill. Not just metaphorically either, his entire body was the coldest it had been since the grave he had dug for himself and slept in for 200 years. He shuddered again, not from the frigid conditions he faced but from the awful memories that just insisted on being remembered now.
Now, when he was at the complete mercy of one of the most dangerous members on Oakhurst. A dangerous man that was now… hovering his hand over Owen so the wind didn't whip at his fur so much? And not even touching him because he knew how adverse Owen seemed to physical touch?
This man was so incredibly strange. Kind, it seemed, but strange nonetheless.
~~~
Abolish had seen the town’s light against the hail and frost somehow and managed to work his way through the now metre of snow that had collected. The town’s walls were abandoned, nobody held the post of guard for now. Makes sense, most had hunkered down in the tavern and planned to stay there till the storm passed. The vampires wouldn't dare attack them now. Most could be heard inside there, drinking and laughing away their woes. Except Cleo, Pearl and himself. The former two always liked quiet nights with each other.
Good thing too, he probably wouldn't be able to get away with tending to a probably frostbitted vampire in the tavern and surrounded by vampire hunters and haters.
He trudged through the snow and had to take his hand away from the bat to wrench the door open and hurried inside. He could feel the breath of warm air that came from inside and was careful to not waste it.
He slammed the door accidentally, the wind catching it and throwing it back to its frame when the two were inside.
The bat slowly uncurled from the tight ball they kept themself in and ripped themself to the other side of the room, as far away from Abolish as they could manage.
He sighed once again and walked over to the fireplace that lay in between them. He had grabbed a couple logs from next to it and thrown them on, lighting it with his lantern and blowing on it as the flames filled to life.
Then he took off his overshirt and coat so he was plainly in a pair of black pants and a white top.
He went to the makeshift couch, which was really a pile of blankets and pillows with enough structural integrity to hold his weight, and dragged the thing as close to the fire as possible.
“Y’know we aren't going to get anywhere if you stay hidden in the corner.”
The bat flinched at his words and hissed at him. Ok rude.
“I might even let you have some of my blood if you stop freezing yourself to death.”
The bat didn't move but when he looked back towards the fire to watch its crackles and pops of pure heat he heard a shuffle behind him and next to the fire was a small bat that had their wings fully extended to catch as much heat as possible.
Abolish giggled slightly at the content expression on their face and got a very angry hiss in return.
He already knew this wasn't Shelby from the levels of aggression shown and now he could get a better look at this vampire’s bat form.
It had a brown coat and looked like an indiana bat. Don't question why Abolish knew what kind of bat they were instantly, it was a part of his training.
It also ruled out Scott who had the form of an albino flying fox. He was dramatic even in his most inconspicuous form.
So that was between Owen and Pyro now. While he was pretty sure Pyro would have warmed up to him by now, or at least would try to communicate by now he wasn't sure.
While his gut told him it was Owen he shouldn't rule Pyro out just yet. So he asked a question.
“Owen?”
At his name the bat spun around and hissed further, trying to scare him off. Yeah this was Owen.
Abolish got off the semi-couch and sunk down so he was sitting on the floor but leaning on the mass of cushions.
His legs were crossed and close to the fire and Owen. The bat looked at him with the most angry eyes he had ever seen and went back to warming himself. While keeping a close eye on what Abolish would do next.
It's what he was wondering too.
He did say that Owen could have some of his blood but still, was he really comfortable with that? The vampire would love to suck him dry and leave the body but would he really do that after the kindness he had shown?
~~~
Owen was still waiting on Abolish’s end of the deal where he would get some blood for not killing himself by freezing. He understood the reluctance at him drinking from Abolish but that did not mean not upholding his end of the deal.
Was the big bad vampire hunter scared?
Maybe, he might have been too if the position were swapped. A dangerously unpredictable vampire in your home, with no way to properly escape and offering your blood to them? Gotta admit that was somewhat terrifying.
Owen started to go towards Abolish for him to uphold the deal.
~~~
Owen was cautiously walking towards Abolish and he knew he fucked up. He obviously wanted some blood and with his speed he must have been very hungry.
He exhaled nervously and instantly pulled his act together. He had to be fearless right now. He always was so why was the thought of Owen drinking his blood so daunting to him? It wasn't in theory but right now it was enough to rattle the facade of seriousness that Abolish maintained.
He extended his wrist to the bat but he ignored it and instead looked hungrily at his neck. With a few beats of his wings he was at Abolish’s neck and yet wasn't biting down. Was he waiting for permission!?
Strange but as always Owen was so unpredictable he kept him on his toes at all times, even in his own home.
“Just don't take too much.” he grumbled and with a small squeak the bat bit down.
He was so grateful for the intense numbing feeling that came from vampire spit and only felt Owen’s furry body on his neck, not his two sharp fangs.
Another fun fact about vampires that was even less known then the previous one, if a vampire consumes too much blood in bat form they instantly shift to human form. He seriously doubted even Scott knowing that one.
And Owen had definitely taken a bit too much blood for his current body.
Abolish thought he didn't even realise when he started to shift back and then his numb brain realised the position they were in. Owen’s face was pressed to the crook of his neck with his fangs still deep in his neck and he was lying on top of Abolish, with his chest pressed to his and legs lying on his own. He resisted the urge to put an arm around the shorter vampire laying on him and instead chose to lie there as if nothing had changed.
Owen had only now opened his eyes and gasped as they locked eyes with each other for a moment that seemed to stretch on for an eternity, then he clambered away from Abolish hurriedly.
[Why did he miss him already?]
“Uhhm uhh, T-thank you.” Owen stuttered out a thanks for the blood while the other man could see the blood that was consumed used to fuel his furious blushing from ear to ear. He was also blushing but it could be chalked up the level
“It’s fine, but for the future if you eat too much for your bat body to handle you will immediately switch to human form.”
“Oh ok.”
They stared at each other for a moment longer before he asked another question.
“Why did you save me?”
“Wha?” the hunter said dazedly and slurred, numbing venom still coursing through his system.
“I may have given you too much venom… but you heard me. Why would you save me and not just leave me there? What kind of favour are you trying to Abolish?” his voice changed into an accusation at that last bit.
[His name sounded right on the vampire’s tongue.]
~~~
The last rays of sun were gone now and replaced with the empty and harsh abyss of ice and desolation as not a single sound could be heard other than the crying gale.
“None but, may I have a look at your hands? You have a very high chance of frostbite.”
“Vampires can't get frostbite, dumbass.” but nevertheless he let the hunter hold his hands and inspect them. The warmth from his hands was almost enough to shake the vivid memory of him and Abolish pressed so close together. His eyes wandered and while trying to escape the other man’s gaze his eyes landed on his neck, now sporting two still bleeding fang bites. The only person who ever wanted to get close to him was Louis, and even then he and Abolish wasn’t even willing! Clearly the other man didn't want him so close at all.
Even if he wanted him that close once again.
When Abolish released his hands he immediately licked his thumb and pressed it to the two small wounds to stop the bleeding.
Abolish stared at him stunned for a moment and Owen began to panic internally if he did something wrong before the shock left his eyes and they started to droop with sleep and whatever drug was in his venom.
“The storm won't let up anytime soon and with the time I wanna go to bed. I need to sleep off the venom.”
He tried to stand up but didn't even get to his full height before starting to tip over.
Owen lunged up to grab him and steady the man, grimacing. He had tried to give him more venom so it wouldn't hurt so much but that much with so much blood loss was in hindsight, a terrible idea.
“Come on, let's get you to bed.” he said softly and started guiding him along. The warmth of the guy so close once again made him blush once again but they were quickly halted when Abolish’s head lolled onto his shoulder. From his breathing the vampire could tell he was fast asleep. Owen sighed and scooped him up in a bridal carry to bring him to his room.
They eventually reached his bedroom and Owen quietly walked over and laid Abolish down on the bed.
He tried to stand up again but something caught his sleeve and he was stopped. It was the hunter, still clinging to his shirt and muttering something along the lines of ‘stay’.
Owen was absolutely torn. One side of him traitorously leapt at the opportunity to be so close to him again but the other was wary. Why would the hunter want him here again, even if he wasn't making a ton of sense right now.
But the look on Abolish’s face when he said it again was enough for Owen.
‘Fuck it’ he thought. ‘If it’s a mistake I’ll know in the morning’.
It didn't make it any easier for him to try to leave when he sat down on the bed, a bit away from Abolish so he could take his shoes off. He was just finished when he felt an arm wrap around his waist and he slowly turned his head to face the man.
Abolish seemed none the wiser to his little stunt that he pulled and Owen took a deep and unnecessary breath before turning to face the sleeping man and pulling the covers up around him.
The hand that hugged his waist only got tighter as Abolish shifted closer and closer towards him. The other arm was now draped over Owen’s neck and was pulling him closer. The panic he felt was unlike any other he had felt in a long time as he realised Abolish was laying his head on his own neck.
Their positions were very reminiscent of how they were just earlier, only now Owen didn't shy away as much.
His world started to fade to black as sleep finally came to save him from this awkward situation.
Owen had never gotten to bed so quickly and without nightmares.
~~~
Abolish had woken up to his face pressed against something slightly lukewarm. He tried to move his arms but they were wrapped around that same something as well. He tried to get up but he was being hugged into staying here. He had less of a headache then the night before and. Wait what the hell happened last night.
The bat was Owen and then he drank his blood and gave him too much venom so he was a staggering mess. Then his memory faded to black after Owen had caught him before he fell and started to guide him towards his room.
Which is where he was now but what he lay on didn't feel like his mattress. How he remembered this was beyond him but it felt like Owen.
“Oh are you awake?”
He didn't make a sound. His heartbeat was racing and his world was spinning. One of the arms that was holding him went to brush his hair out of his eyes and when he tilted his head up he saw Owen’s worried eyes staring at him.
“Are you ok?”
Oh.
Oh.
No he was not because Abolish realised in those red eyes that had seen more bloodshed than happy moments he knew those were the eyes he wanted to spend eternity staring into.
Because Abolish Veylocke was in love with Owen the vampiric lumberjack. And for some stupid reason he didn't mind at all.