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Death never suited someone so poorly as it did Teruki Hanazawa.
Striking blond hair was never meant to be dyed with his own blood, never meant to be torn from his head from ferocious monsters.
Blue eyes as deep as the ocean was never meant to be corrupted with spidering reds, the blood mixing with his irises until it poisoned them purple.
And his smile…
Teru didn’t so much as twitch in his arms. Even after the bite, even after Shigeo infected him with his own death to save him, Teru failed to give him a sign, any sign, that he was alive.
Breathing didn’t mean living. It didn't mean anything if Teru continued to stare past him, eyes gazing into a realm he was too close to entering only moments ago.
So Shigeo did the only thing he could do in the moment, lifting him from his place of death to a warm, waiting bath, one Shigeo drew for him as he lay in his own blood. Filth and death didn't suit him, Teru always one to keep himself clean and presentable. His past self would have gagged at the state he was in now.
A lump formed in his throat, eyes burning with unshed tears as he realized he may never see that Teru again. Those eyes would never be that bright, vibrant blue, his skin would never have that sun kissed tint, his heart would never flutter as strongly as before.
A shaky breath left Shigeo as he carried Teru's living corpse to the small washroom next to the hot spring, pouring warm water over his bloodstained body, watching as the red never truly washed away, spilling onto the floors below.
It dawned on Shigeo that he never learned how Teru took care of his hair, blond strands now soaked with water sitting heavy on his head. He wish he could have asked him how when he was…
… he'd live. He would live and he could ask him then, memorizing every detail, every step to groom it to that shiny blond it once was. What he knew now would have to do, carful hands deeply massaging his scalp and combing through soft locks with his shaking fingers, diluting the stark reds.
Yet despite his best effort to bring life back to him, death was cursed to watch as his Teru continued to stare into nothing, eyes distant and wide, breathing mechanically as oxygen pushed what little blood he had through his body, heart slow and unsteady.
Shigeo hoped that was okay. He wouldn't know. He had never turned anyone before.
The last drop of blood was washed away by one more cup of warm water, Shigeo gently placing it on the floor with a clack before cupping Teru’s face, something Teru liked to do to him in the past. It always calmed him, brought him out of a poor mood when the monster within wouldn’t leave him be.
He could only hope Teru felt it somewhere, hoped that the Teru he knew and loved would return to this husk he had created.
Shigeo gave the smallest of kisses to a pale forehead before lifting his frighteningly light body, cradling it, and heading to the bath.
First foot in, warmth spreading from the tips of his toes throughout his exhausted body, a welcoming force encouraging him to rest.
How could he rest until Teru was better?
The water parted for him, letting him sink deeper and deeper into that much needed heat, cleaning him of the past hours of death and mourning.
Another step, and Teru reached that essential peace, the first waters reaching freezing skin, Shigeo watching him with bated breath.
A twitch, the body in his arms responding to the warmth with a trapped sigh.
Thank goodness… he was still with him. Somewhere deep within this body, the Teru he knew was there, even if he was simply buried.
Further he walked into the water, and further did Teru relax, each bit of warmth that caressed his skin drawing him to rest, eyes no longer wide as eyelids grew heavy.
There they settled, words of comfort pouring out of Shigeo's mouth as he guided Teru to rest on his chest, his fledgling unable to do anything but be guided by his sire.
"Just a little bit, Teru," he murmured, shifting to grab a cup full of blood, guiding it to his quivering lips. "Just a little, and then you can sleep."
He tipped it back, raw life hitting the new fledgling’s tongue and entering his mouth in a steady trickle. Teru drank, throat bobbing up and down with every swallow he could manage.
"That's it,” he said breathlessly, a tear tricking down his cheek. His voice only cracked more as he encouraged him, praising him for each swallow managed. “You're doing so well. Just a little more."
A whine stabbed Shigeo's heart, Teru waking the smallest bit, failing to fight against the cup forced against his lips.
"I know,” he sobbed. “It's not good, I know. I’m sorry… I’m so sorry Teru. You're almost done. Just a little more."
Another whine, another swallow, and the final drop of blood slid down his throat, new life sitting comfortably in his belly.
The cup was forgotten, Shigeo letting it drop on the edge of the bath with a clatter that echoed throughout the room, turning his attention to what really mattered. His fledgling rested his head on Shigeo's chest, the vampire lord watching as Teru's rose and fell, pace growing from deathly slow to that of restful sleep.
Teru parted his lips, a slow wheeze deflating his chest. He tried again, another breath entering his lungs. "Shi…?"
Shigeo responded with a gentle shush, combing gentle fingers through clean blond hair, burying his head in it, a comfort for both Teru and himself. "Rest."
The little fight the new born fledgling had left at that command, following it with ease as limbs returned to their limp state, falling into his sires embrace.
Only then did Shigeo openly. Only after Teru was carried to the world of dreams did he let himself fall apart, strong arms clutching his body close to his chest, sensitive ears listening for each and every heartbeat, each and every breath that his fledgling, that his Teru, drew into his body.
They were far from safety, stories of fledglings losing themselves without proper care plaguing his mind, a future that could become a reality should he fail.
He already failed Teru once.
He would not do so again.