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blametheeditor · 12 days ago

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The Little Things

The title of 'best friend' is a daunting one to live up to. Especially when it feels like you're worlds apart despite always being within grabbing range, in more ways than one.

Content Warnings: Cursing. Mentions of dehumanization. Mentions of death. Self-deprecating thoughts

I blame Jeremy _________________________

Jeremy stares at the room stretched out before him from where he stands just outside the kitchen.

A year ago he would never be caught standing out in the open. Even though he’s standing right next to the wall with an escape exit only a foot away, he wouldn’t risk staying in a spot where there’s no shadow covering him, no ledge sitting above his head to keep him out of sight. Not only is it dangerous, there wouldn’t be a reason.

When he’s small enough for something like carpet fibers to be cumbersome to walk over, he can’t say he really wants to be reminded of his size. Would rather stay inside the walls where it’s impossible to be constantly bombarded by items ten times his size. Stay where it’s warm, and safe, and he doesn’t think about just how miniscule he is compared to the rest of the world.

Because on the best of days, he’s only terrified of his safety. On the worse of days, he realizes he’s nothing but a pest to be squashed without a second thought.

This isn’t a year ago, though. Which means despite his instincts screaming at him to get back inside the walls, to get out of sight and hide, Jeremy stubbornly stands away from the cabinet’s ledge offering cover in order to get a proper view.

The living room is massive. The ceiling is so high above him he gets dizzy if he looks at it for too long, therefore any texture it possesses completely impossible to make out. The four walls stretch to reach the incomprehensible height, with the ones standing opposite of him seeming to become washed out and unfocused when he looks at them. The carpet floor stretches on for miles, the individual fibers becoming hazy to his eyes the farther away he looks. The opening of a hallway looms in the background like a foreboding creature that could form any shape at any moment.

It’s the furniture, the items that manage to fill such an incomprehensibly large space, that are the true culprits that make him feel insignificant. The TV stand that stands a mile high with the TV itself adding another mile to the already foreboding height, the remote that controls it too big to carry. The couch that’s too far away and therefore too blurry to make out proper details casts a long shadow, promising proper shelter and items aplenty to collect.

The picture wouldn’t be complete without a human, though. What better way to show just how small he really is than to simply have the being such items were created for sitting among its collection.

Even as the human lies on the couch, eyes closed as they sleep, it’s all that’s needed to put everything in perspective. That the TV is no where near the right height for proper viewing. That the couch isn’t big enough to stretch out to their full size. That the ceiling and hallway can be reached either by jumping up, or taking a few steps.

Jeremy is able to be walked toward and grabbed effortlessly.

A year ago that would have terrified him more than anything. Now, he’s wishing this particular human was awake and spotted him already instead of slumbering away.

Sighing, Jeremy grabs the strap of his bag before taking a tentative step away from the wall. Because it would be quicker cutting straight across rather than following the wall all the way around. But habits die hard, and despite knowing for a fact there is only one human, it’s hard to willingly walk completely out in the open. With every step he takes, he’s bombarded with thoughts of stomping shoes, grabbing hands, falling objects, but he stubbornly continues on.

Trying to focus on something else, Jeremy finds himself staring at the human. A towering being he should be running away from, not walking toward.

He will admit, humans are terrifying. They’re loud enough to hurt his ears without even trying, always needing to cover his ears if one starts yelling even if they’re in another room. They are capable of effortlessly pinning him down with a single finger, most of their digits longer than he is tall and always significantly stronger, not to mention too heavy to move even when there’s no force being applied.

They also don’t enjoy having uninvited guests around, especially by creatures small enough to be crushed by shoe, a category borrowers unfortunately fall into.

Jeremy also meets the arbitrary requirements of being a pest or a pet. Pets are anything easy to tame or control if the former isn’t possible. If a borrower isn’t willing to do tricks or behave, there’s always putting them inside a cage to keep. Truthfully, it seems like a fate worse than being viewed as a pest. To have his borrowing habits of taking crumbs of food and collecting forgotten items seen as a crime punishable by death, he would take that over being treated as a mindless animal for the rest of his life.

...or would he? Both fates are terrifying, but would he really rather be squashed like a bug like he didn’t have any thoughts or feelings, or be locked in a cage and have his wants and desires disregarded in favor of being able to hold and pet him against his will?

A shiver runs up his spine as Jeremy shakes his head to physically get rid of the disturbing choice. One he never wants to have to face. One that, ultimately, wouldn’t be his choice to make.

That actually makes all of this so much worse. The fact that if he had a preference for his fate if he’s ever seen by the wrong human, ever caught, he wouldn’t be asked. Wouldn’t be treated as someone with thoughts and feelings, but as a creature or object who’s will holds no bearing on what the one with all the power wants.

The overwhelming fear and dread gripping his heart has Jeremy freezing the moment he steps into the looming shadow the couch creates. Finds himself tilting his head back to see the monolith of a human still slumbering away before looking straight ahead at the welcoming darkness offering safety and protection.

Once again, it’s a slap in the face seeing just how insignificant he is. That he finds comfort in hiding somewhere completely out of sight, and no one would know he was there. Not a human or another borrower as long as there’s no reason to look underneath. Something he should be glad about because that means he’s safe from being seen. Yet it also makes him want to curl into a ball knowing he doesn’t matter.

Jeremy quickly digs into his bag to grab his climbing hook. Doesn’t let himself linger on the fact it’s tightly woven thread tied to a paperclip, both items a human would barely notice if they went missing and so inconsequential they’re continuously dropped and tossed away without a second thought. Forces himself to focus on throwing his hook up directly above him to catch it on the seam of the couch, aiming so he doesn’t accidentally hit the fingers hanging over the edge.

He gets it on the first try, and the moment he feels confident his hook won’t fall after giving a few tugs he’s quickly climbing up the thread, not letting the twitching fingers distract him.

Hauling himself on top of the cushion, Jeremy squeaks as a warm breath ruffles his hair, glaring at the oblivious human softly snoring. Fixing his curls, he carefully steps away from the edge, inadvertently putting him even closer to the towering being. Closer to the hand that could grab him at any moment.

He has to admit he’s always been a bit fascinated by humans. They look exactly like borrowers, just on a much bigger scale. The five fingers on a hand are familiar, but they seem to be an entirely different entity at such a larger size. The face is like looking into a mirror, and yet it almost feels like the expressions made on such a scale are imitations rather than real emotions.

He’s always wanted to get a closer look. It’s interesting interacting with a much larger version of someone like you. He didn’t dare test his luck walking up to an unknown human, though, even if they were asleep. The possibility of being caught always kept him far away.

Tearing his eyes away from the monumental chest rising and falling with every breath, Jeremy looks at the hand sitting beside him. Takes a few silent steps closer until he can reach out and nudge the thumb.

“M-Mike?”

The steady breathing pauses, as if asking a question. Then an eye bigger than Jeremy’s head carefully opens, looking around to find who’s demanding its attention. The moment the borrower’s spotted, the held breath releases as a smirk appears.

“Hey, Jerber. What’s up?”

Jeremy hesitates, unsure what to say. On one hand, his instincts are screaming at him to run and get as far away as possible before the human gets the chance to grab him. On the other, he just realized he woke a human up from their nap for reassurance.

Suddenly feeling guilty and worried that Mike will be upset for getting woken up for seemingly no reason, he physically backpedals. Squeaks when he finds himself tripping over the very thumb he nudged to gain attention, freezing when his back hits another finger as his legs lie over the thumb, trapped.

The human tilts his massive head, opening both eyes as the smirk turns into a grin bigger than he is. “Did you want to join my nap, or do you want to fuck shit up?”

Jeremy stares up at his best friend with hopeful eyes. “The s-second one?”

The grin only grows wider, not a single hint of anger for having his nap cut short all because someone smaller than his hand wanted attention. “Hell yeah. Want to start with food?”

Jeremy straightens at the offer. “C-Can you make an omelet?”

“Omelet it is,” Mike agrees. Easily. As if the person making such a request isn’t small enough to have their voice drowned out by a heavy sigh. And yet he’s carefully sitting up, all intents and purposes to make food someone else declared him to make despite most likely not feeling hungry, at least not enough to have woken up himself.

It’s only then as the human begins to properly tower over him does Jeremy realize what that means for him. Before he think about how he can safely run to his hook with such a catastrophic being moving around, the hand surrounding him begins to move on its own accord. Elicits a squeak of panic as the finger at his back curls around his chest, the thumb forcing his legs closer as he’s then picked up, the feeling over vertigo stealing his voice away.

When it finally returns, Jeremy’s softly shrieking as the hand tilts back, making him fall for a breathless second until he’s tumbling into the massive palm. Instinctively he curls into a ball, the overwhelming fear of falling off the hand holding him making him tremble. He is all too familiar with just how tall humans are and how the counters he consistently scales only come up to half their height. It’s still dizzyingly high, and at least then he has a way to safely get down, not to mention it never moves.

Sitting inside a hand of someone who could decide to drop him without warning, or who could trip from a misplaced step, there’s nothing Jeremy could do to save himself from such a fatal fall. Nothing he could do to stop the hand from turning against him to pet his hair, pinch his limbs, squeeze him mercilessly.

It’s a terrifying thought that someone has that much power over him. But he’ll never be afraid of Mike possessing it. There’s just moments when the borrower’s fear of the what ifs rears its head and becomes impossible to ignore.

“Here, Jerber.”

The borrower in question immediately uncurls to see his hook being offered, pinched between two fingertips that would be impossible to take anything away by force. As he quickly sits up to accept his single most important tool for survival, it’s released into his grasp without any issues.

“Th-Thank you.”

The human smirks. “Anytime, asshole.”

Jeremy doesn’t cower as Mike stands up, though his stomach flips from yet another drastic change in height. This time, he properly sits up to see the living room from a human’s perspective. Watches as the trek that took him several minutes to cross all while stumbling as the carpet fibers attempted to loop around his shoes is completed within seconds by ten effortless steps.

He feels the tug of insignificance. The sharp pain of being inconsequential. Feels his shoulders droop with the weight of the realization that if the human had woke up on his own and walked to the kitchen before the borrower reached the couch, Jeremy could have been crushed without Mike realizing what happened until several hours later.

At the horrific thought, Jeremy’s hands clench tightly shut, making him jump when he realizes he’s holding something. Looking down, he sees its his hook. A paperclip that are useless to humans except for one very specific purpose and even then are always overlooked.

But Mike had taken the time to look for it and return it to its rightful owner. Even though it’s technically a stolen item. Even though the human was confused why it was needed the first time he was shown it. Even though they’re only going to the kitchen and Mike can carry Jeremy wherever the borrower wants to go afterwards.

Not insignificant. Just...severely outmatched.

“Have you tried hashbrowns yet?” Mike rumbles as he lumbers into the kitchen. Instead of putting Jeremy down first, the human moves to collect the ingredients needed for the food.

Before the borrower can respond, the fridge is opening, earning a squeak as a wave of cold air washes over him. He immediately ducks behind the curled fingers, attempting to hide to keep what little body heat he has. “M-M-Mike!”

The human laughs at his plight, but at least the hand is held closer to the towering being’s stomach to offer warmth. “Sorry, I forgot you didn’t fuck with the fridge.”

“It’s too c-cold,” Jeremy huffs, glaring as he sees containers big enough to seal him inside of being set on the counter one by one. “D-Do humans need it to be that cold?”

“I’m not a shitty mechanic,” Mike shrugs as he straightens up. Jeremy can’t help a sigh of relief as the fridge door is closed, only to go rigid as the handle above the fridge is grabbed, unable to hold back a scream of genuine terror as the freezer is opened.

Mike takes pity on him and closes his hand into a fist before a freezing chill reaches the borrower. It’s only a few seconds if being left in the dark and listening to something big, heavy, and frozen getting dropped onto the counter. The hand then opens after the distinct sound of the freezer door shutting, the human looking amused despite Jeremy’s scathing glare.

“Why d-does your hot food have to be c-c-cold first?” he demands, not for the first time.

“No fucking clue,” Mike grins. “I just know shit goes bad when it’s not in the fridge if I’m not cooking it. So do you want to supervise from my shoulder, or man the counter?”

“Sh-Shoulder,” Jeremy replies, unsurprised when the hand immediately lifts up to his preferred spot. No deciding Mike would actually prefer it if he stays on the counter, no proclaiming there never should have been a choice in the first place. Just patiently waiting until Jeremy has climbed up to sit next to Mike’s neck for warmth and stability.

Once he gives the confirmation he’s set, Mike takes his hand away before carefully squatting down to grab two pans from the cabinet to place them on the stove. Far too used to the motions now, Jeremy’s eyes only clench shut when the human stands back up, opening them again to see butter getting put into one before eggs are cracked into a bowl.

“Sorry for crashing when I got home,” Mike apologizes. “Long fucking shift, and Phone Guy needed help moving shit. I didn’t see you out when I got home, so I waited for you on the couch, but then I fell asleep like an asshole.”

“N-No need to apologize!” Jeremy frantically reassures, a pain of guilt hitting him at the realization Mike assumed he woke the human up because he wasn’t greeted. “You said you had to go in early. I kn-kn-knew you’d be tired when you got back.”

Tired, but still checked where he walked to make sure Jeremy wasn’t crushed. Still wanted to say hi to the borrower like he usually does.

“Still a dick move,” Mike says, carefully shrugging his shoulder so Jeremy is thrown into his neck, leaving the borrower slightly dazed and therefore unable to give a rebuttal. “Find anything good while borrowing?”

There’s not a hint of disgust saying the word, no hint of judgement that Jeremy routinely takes lost or forgotten items. Doesn’t see it as something to despise despite anything being ‘borrowed’ most likely the human’s own things.

“A f-few things,” Jeremy murmurs. “H-Hey, uh, Mike?”

“Hm?” shakes him to his core, a simple hum powerful enough to drown out his words effortlessly.

“A-Am I a nuisance?”

The human’s head tilts, and Jeremy can perfectly picture a look of confusion. “No, am I?”

Jeremy sputters as the question is suddenly turned toward him. “No! Absolutely n-not!”

“Thank fuck, I was a little worried there,” Mike grins, his head turned just enough for the borrower on his shoulder to catch the edge of it. “Cause if you think you’re a nuisance, then I must be a goddamn nightmare.”

For a moment, Jeremy stares down at the finished omelet being put onto a plate, the pan being moved away so something he’s only vaguely familiar with can be pulled closer to properly season and cook, his mouth opening and closely as he tries to find the right words.

The only ones that come is “You’re a nuisance?’

“Hell yeah I am,” is said with unmistakable pride. “Phone Guy says I take years off his life. Douche Bag can’t stand being in the same room with me, and Sitches won’t admit it, but the poor bastard’s getting tired stitching my ass up every week. But I’m constantly grabbing your ass, stomping after you and touching your shit without permission. I don’t know how you stand me, Jerber, even when I make you food. Shitty food I know tastes like ass because I sure as hell can’t taste it.”

Mike...Mike thought he’s a nuisance? To Jeremy? All because the human holds him or grabs his things? Thought Jeremy takes his food offerings out of obligation rather than gratitude?

“B-But you’re human,” Jeremy breathes, looking up at what little he can see of Mike’s face as he desperately tries to see their friendship from the other’s point of view.

“Exactly, I’m an asshole,” does nothing to clarify his confusion. “And yet you keep coming back despite knowing what you have to deal with.”

And suddenly, it clicks. Mike doesn’t see the food, and being careful where he steps, and treating Jeremy as a person as a way to make the borrower want to keep coming back, it’s done out of respect. That this isn’t a luxury Jeremy should be grateful to have, but a standard to be met because they’re friends. And if Jeremy suddenly decided to move to another apartment down the wall or a house far away, Mike wouldn’t be upset because his rouse didn’t work, but because he would miss the borrower.

Jeremy would miss Mike too.

Straightening up, Jeremy shoves at the human’s neck for attention. “Y-You’re not a nuisance.”

“Neither are you, Jerber.”

With it being stated so matter of fact, he can't help but agree.

Leaning forward with interest as the food from the second pan is put onto the plate, the borrower points to it even though he can’t be seen at this angle. “What’s that?”

“Hashbrowns,” Mike replies. “They give a good crunch, but Been A Dick says they’re good. I think you’ll like them.”

“What are they m-made of?”

“The bag says...potato. You trying a piece?”

“Yes please.”

“Hell yeah. We’ll eat on the couch and put on a movie, deal?”

Jeremy climbs into the offered hand, crouching down when it carefully moves in front of Mike’s face to not fall over on the unsteady surface. Stares up at the human waiting for his word before going anywhere. The word that will be listened to even if he asks to take his share and eat inside the walls. Even though the hand holding him could put him inside a cage and never be let back out.

The borrower nods his head excitedly. “D-Deal."

#this was definitely the story I was working on finishing at the start of week #yes sir no total rewrites here!#but I do blame Jeremy #this is all his fault!#but I hope ya'll like it!#a bit of a tone shift from the usual shenanigans #and hopefully a good one #hope ya'll have a good weekend!#thanks for stopping by!#FNAF bois #g/t #giant #tiny #BTE writing #The Little Things #cw #content warning

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blametheeditor · 17 days ago

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Jeremy huffs as he attempts to drag a pen three times his size behind him. It'd be easier to move if he could roll it, but that means taking apart the pen to remove the piece that stops it from rolling forever. Sometimes it's helpful, but in this case it makes getting it to his room even more of a chore.

He'd rather take it apart once he's safely inside his room, though, meaning after taking a breath, Jeremy hefts the pen into his arms, yanking it forward. The pen doesn't move, however, the borrower falling onto his stomach with a squeak.

Quickly sitting up to see what it got caught on. Sees it's been caught by fingers pinching the other end and making it impossible for him to continue dragging it across the ground by strength alone.

Looking up to see the human watching him with pure amusement, Jeremy can't help glaring. "M-Mike! I'm trying to get this home!"

Mike smirks. "Sorry, Jerber, I'm gonna need this one back."

"Why?"

"It's Phone Guy's favorite one."

The borrower hesitates at the proclamation. Looks down at the pen he rightfully borrowed. "Can we t-t-trade?"

Immediately the towering human offers another pen. It's not as lavish, and it’ll be hard to take apart, but he really only needed the ink. At least for now. “You take this shitty one for now until we find a better one.”

“Deal!”

#check in #and the winner for this week’s story #Borrower Jeremy!#with a twist!!#not the Mike part there’s a better twist #…..that I just realized was stolen from Borrower James #…..it’ll be fiiiiiine #full disclosure it’s not FINISHED finished as of now #but I like where it’s going so we should be in the clear #hopefully it’ll be a nice reset #if anything there WILL be borrowers #that’s a promise!#also there is an ask that I am going FERAL over #it deserves LOVE though so it may take a minute!#but I love it so much!!!!#I am SO EXCITED!!!!#I hope ya’ll have a good week!#cw #content warning

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blametheeditor · 22 days ago

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There is only one thing in this world that genuinely upsets Eggs, and that’s people calling mechanical parts and tools either by the wrong name or as ‘thingamajig’ and ‘whatchamacallit’.

#they couldn't tell if he was genuinely upset or doing a bit when it first happened #it's canon now

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blametheeditor · 24 days ago

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“Have you seen Fritz?”

“You lost it?”

At the sound of familiar, angry, booming voices, the teenager in question forces himself to wake up. Because despite how much he was enjoying his nap, there’s one thing you never do, and that’s ignoring David. Especially when the business man is angry.

Opening his eyes, Fritz blinks in confusion at the sight of some kind of fabric over his head. The last thing he remembered was falling asleep on David’s desk. So either Eggs is pulling a prank on him, or someone dropped something on him and made it impossible for James to find him.

“I’m here!” Fritz calls as he quickly stands up with the intent on trying to find a way out from underneath the fabric. As soon as he takes a step, though, he goes tumbling with a yelp.

“-leave it to you to lose a vamp-“

“Wait, did you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

Fritz shakes his head as he carefully sits up, finally realizing he’s no longer standing on a desk. This is seeming more like Eggs bribed someone to help him make a scavenger hunt where Fritz is the prize, and less like David accidentally set a paper on top of him and completely forgot he was there.

Suddenly, the fabric is pulled away, making Fritz cover his eyes from the blinding light before rapidly blinking to see it was James who managed to find him first, the doctor towering over him.

The teenager gives a sheepish smile as he waves, hoping he’ll get the chance to tell his side of the story before David lectures him on ‘disappearing’. Right as he opens his mouth, he catches sight of James’ hand, the doctor holding a knife. And behind him, David’s tucking away a gun.

Fritz has never seen a weapon before, especially not one bigger than him. Has never seen James or David holding one. Can’t help feel a shiver of fear racing up his spine. “J-J-James?”

The doctor’s emotionless expression turns into one of worry as the towering being kneels down. “Are you okay?”

“I-I’m okay,” the teenager says, guilty for ever being scared of James, even if the doctor’s holding a knife. “Um…wh-why are you holding a knife?”

“That’s the least of your worries,” David snaps, making Fritz wince as he prepares for a lecture. “Why are you tiny?”

Fritz is suddenly very, very confused. Stares up at the two looking down at him like they’ve never seen him before. “I’ve, uh, always been tiny?”

#check in #ya’ll think you’ve seen self indulgent?#then I present you characters switching places in different universes #now THAT’S self indulgent #it’s either this or vampires being able to turn into bats #you can take the world out of the g/t #but you can’t take g/t out of the world #anyways I was thinking about it so I threw it as a check in cause that’s what it’s for!#but no story this week!!#I needed a bit of a break from March #which was ALL the Editor’s fault and there will most likely NEVER be an explanation for it #I’ve got quite a few ideas for what I want to write for next week!#but. um….don’t get mad……but the Editor may or may not have introduced me to CoD #…………let’s hope Borrower Jeremy wins before Squad Guards do #hope ya’ll have a good week!#cw #content warning

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blametheeditor · 29 days ago

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hi! Wondering if you have any plans to make a cookie run g/t oneshot? I recently got into the fandom but there are a lot of g/t moment not to mention the beast cookies.

Hi! So, full disclosure, I wasn't really aware of Cookie Run before your ask. I had heard a little bit about the game, but I hadn't realized there was g/t moments!

I was intrigued, so I downloaded the game, played a little bit, and oh my fruit it is so charming. And there's so much g/t in just the first few story lines! Sufficed to say, I am a fan, and my life is a little brighter knowing this exists. Thank you Anon for telling me about it!

As a token of my appreciation, I am now planning a Cookie Run oneshot! But...I do have a few questions. Would you mind if I used characters I'm familiar with from a different fandom, but I keep the story within the world of Cookie Run? Or, would you like me to try and keep everything lore accurate for the story?

Either one you prefer, I've got ideas, and I'm excited to see if you like what I've got!

#thank you for the ask Anon!#seriously that game is so charming #I love the concept!#and there's so much detail!!#my favorite part is when you tap on one of the cookies and move them around at the camp #and they look so surprised as they're dangled!#respectfully!! I promise I handle my tinies with the utmost respect!#...while dangling them #do I give off Cookie Run enjoyer vibes?#because you hit me right on the head thinking I would also enjoy this fandom #but I'm excited!!#ask

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blametheeditor · 1 month ago

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Day 31 | "I thought I taught you better"

Pilot Episode | First | Previous

Killing vampires. Keeping one as a ward. The life of a hunter.

Content Warnings: Cursing. Minor character deaths. On screen deaths. Blood and gore. Violence. Use of weapons, including guns and knives. Kidnapping. Dehumanization. Addressing someone as 'it' and 'thing'. Darker themes and tone.

__________________________________

“Next time I’m doing the talking.”

“And you’ll what, threaten the information out of them?”

“It’s better then whatever the hell that was!”

Fritz grins as he follows behind James and David, hoping he can use ‘out of sight out of mind’ to stay out of the argument for as long as possible. As much as he loves watching the two argue, he learned the hard way that he will be a participant one way or another, and the two do not hold back on using psychology warfare.

The last time he sided with James, David claimed a full 12 hour long training session was solely because he thought it would be beneficial for Fritz. The last time he sided with David, James sent him on a goose chase trying to find his homework that had gotten ‘misplaced’ before magically appearing in the truck’s glove compartment.

Fritz has had to legitimately think about the pros and cons when it comes to picking a side no matter who he actually thinks is in the right. He tends to pick James considering David only really makes his training sessions either more difficult. It’s the shorter of the two who scares him the most, always a lot more creative in getting Fritz back for not supporting James. There was even a few terrifying weeks when he had to sleep with one eye open or else wake up in the bed closest to the door and the curtains wide open so the sub shone directly on him.

He doesn’t mind it. Has had to constantly look over his shoulder for the past month, but believe it or not he genuinely enjoys it. Because it means David doesn’t hate him, and James doesn’t regret letting Fritz continue to travel with them.

“What kind of excuse is ‘he’s his son’!”

“Not every kid looks exactly like their parents, David.”

“That is not what I’m upset about and you know it!”

Okay, now Fritz has to chime in even though he will guaranteed get into trouble in the form of revoking his invitation into David’s room.

Just as he opens his mouth to join in teasing David, an arm suddenly wraps around his shoulders, stopping him from walking and forcing him to huff in surprise.

“There you are,” greets an unfamiliar voice Fritz is confident he’s never heard before, though there’s no mistaking the sound of a smile. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

Before Fritz realizes what’s happening, in one fluid motion he’s turned around so he’s being led back the way they came.

Stunned by what just happened, he looks up to see who’s acting like he knows them, only to nearly trip from overwhelming terror. He’s only able to stay standing because of the hand gripping his shoulder as he’s forced to continue walking. Walking further and further away from James and David’s voices.

“Sorry for the intrusion,” the vampire smiles, flashing their fangs. “A bit rude of me swooping in like that.”

Despite the apology, Fritz isn’t let go as he’s led down the sidewalk. Which is bad, very bad. He doesn’t have any silver on him, but even if he did it’s currently daylight. Good news for him because not even a vampire will attack with so many witnesses around, but bad news for the hunters who also won’t for the same reasons.

That’s even if David and James even noticed he’s not following them anymore. Fritz has never wondered off before, so he doesn’t know if they’ll be too focused on the argument to realize, or if they would’ve heard the vampire speak and turned to see what happened.

What is he supposed to do? Should he screech for James and hope the vampire assumes he’s calling for his coven out of surprise? Should he try to run? What if he corners himself? What if they realize he smells like a hunter?

“Trust me, I know practicing how to hunt humans is something all fledglings need to do,” the vampire says in a casual tone, almost seeming flippant. Like Fritz actually does know them and they’re just here to give him support and advice. “However, you do not want to mess with those particular humans. I don’t know if your coven told you about hunters, but you should know those two would’ve killed you even if you weren’t going to feed on them.”

Fritz tries not to look so afraid. He’s a vampire, and before the coven smelling silver on him, he was never attacked by another vampire. Questioned why he wasn’t with his own coven, shoved around for being in the way, but no one’s ever been aggressive toward him. This particular one even seems to genuinely be friendly and only grabbed him for his own safety.

Which he’ll admit is incredibly ironic. Rather than feeling safe with someone just like him, he feels nothing but the terror he’s supposed to have regarding hunters. Hunters he can only hope are following him.

“Now don’t feel bad for not realizing they weren’t normal humans,” the vampire reassures, either oblivious to Fritz’s fear or mistaking it at the reveal he would’ve been killed if he was anyone else. “Not a lot of covens keep silver around to help teach fledglings, but hey! Real world experience is the best way to learn!”

Fritz finds himself slowly relaxing the longer the other talks. He doesn’t completely drop his guard, he’s waiting for the moment the vampire finally realize he has had plenty encounters with silver, but he can’t help himself from wanting to trust another vampire. The arm around his shoulder is protective, and from their point of view, they just saved a fledgling from getting brutally killed by hunters despite them being strangers. It reminds him of something James would’ve done.

“The names Eggs by the way.”

“M-My names Fritz.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Fritz!” Eggs grins. The taller vampire then leans in closer, forcing Fritz too hold his breath to keep from panicking. “Now, not to alarm you, but the two hunters you were stalking have been following us.”

Fritz tries to hide his relief. “R-Really? What, um...what should we do?”

“I think we should get the jump on them,” Eggs smirks. “What do you say?”

No, this is bad. Going somewhere dark and quiet would make it easier for James and David to kill the vampire without worrying about anyone seeing, but that means the vampire will be able to ambush them, with Fritz stuck in the middle of it all.

“Didn’t you say they’d kill us?” Fritz murmurs. “Wouldn’t it be better if we split up and ran?”

Eggs laughs. “Well where’s the fun in that! Come on, it’ll be a good teaching lesson! I promise you won’t get hurt.”

Before Fritz can think of something to say, they’re turning into a narrow alleyway. As Eggs’ arm drops away from his shoulders, he’s torn between feeling relieved and wishing to have the comforting presence back. Neither wins as dread settles over him at the sight of the vampire stretching their arms up as they roll their head, clearly preparing for a fight.

The moment James steps around the corner, hand reaching into his suit jacket, Eggs winks at Fritz. “Watch and learn!”

“Wait!”

His yell is ignored as the vampire steps forward, catching James’ arm as the hunter swipes with his knife. James quickly grabs for his gun with his other hand, only for Eggs to beat him to it, grabbing the weapon and tossing it out of reach, not even flinching from his skin burning after touching silver.

Suddenly, a hand grabs Fritz’s arm as he gently shoved behind David, the taller hunter stepping forward as he trains his gun on the vampire.

The only problem is Eggs quickly twisting James’ arm, the hunter hissing in pain as he’s spun around to be used as a living shield. “You wouldn’t want to shoot your partner, would you?”

“Bold of you to assume I haven’t been looking for an excuse to,” David growls, making Fritz screech softly alarm at the threat.

The tall hunter doesn’t give any indication he heard or understood the plea to not shoot James, but Eggs’ eyes have suddenly gone wide as the vampire looks from Fritz, to David, back to Fritz before landing on James. Then a giant smile stretches across their face.

“Holy shit, you’re with him!”

Everything freezes at the exclamation that sounds amazed rather than angry. And then James let go.

David fires the moment he has a shot, but Eggs already ducked out of the way, holding his hands out to form a t. “Hold on, time out. Yellow card to the hunters for firing during a temporary truce.”

“A what?” David snaps, and Fritz is unsure which part of the sentence the hunter is asking about.

“You got a yellow card! Get a red and you’re in timeout for an hour,” Eggs proclaims. “Now I’ve got questions. First off, who’s fledgling is that?”

James and David share a look. “Sorry, what?”

“Who’s fledgling is that?” Eggs repeats, gesturing toward Fritz still hiding behind David. “Do one of you answer when he calls, or does his coven lend him out to hunters on the weekends?”

“I answer,” James responds hesitantly, his hand wanting to reach for another weapon, but looking unsure. Even David’s lowered his gun, though he pointedly pushes Fritz further behind him. “Why?”

Eggs beams. “Are you serious? A hunter adopted a fledgling! I am dying to know everything!”

“Everything?” James asks.

“Everything,” the vampire confirms. “Are you hungry? I know the best restaurant in town where we can eat and talk, it’ll be my treat!”

David immediately shakes his head as James looks up at him. “Absolutely not.”

“Oh come on,” Eggs pouts. “We’ll be in a public space with multiple witnesses. What’s the worse that can happen?”

The tall hunter only gives a fierce glare. When James looks at Fritz who, try as he might, can’t help wanting to talk to a vampire who would rather talk wih them then fight. Since they’ll be answering questions, maybe Eggs won’t mind answering some of theirs in return.

James nods in agreement to talk, making David growl lowly as Eggs immediately begins to lead them out of the alleyway.

“This is going to be so much fun!”

#and that's 31!#thank you all for tolerating my shenenigans #I know this didn't have any g/t #nor did it have any FNAF #but I hope you enjoyed reading!#or at least didn't mind all of these popping up!#this was fun though #I learned a lot about trying to keep the word count to 2000 or else #I got to mess with jumping around when telling a story #this was good practice!#thank you for letting me indulge #now back to our regularly scheduled programming!#Day 31 | “I thought I taught you better”#[ ] 2025 #FNAF bois #BTE writing #Vampire AU #cw #content warning

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blametheeditor · 1 month ago

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Day 30 | Redeemed

Pilot Episode | First | Previous | Next

Killing vampires. Keeping one as a ward. The life of a hunter.

__________________________________

“I did what?”

James feels his heart twist as Fritz covers his mouth in horror after his pleading screech almost begging them to say it isn’t true. That the kid was no better than the monsters he’s training to help kill.

Of course James doesn’t see it that way. Neither does David, and if David isn’t holding something like this over Fritz’s head, then they can all take it as confirmation Fritz isn’t a killer. Not now, not ever.

Be he understands the panic, the fear. Being told you not only drank someone’s blood, but you don’t even remember such a thing happening, that would terrify even James. All it does is confirm all of Fritz’s worse fears. To the kid, this means it’s only a matter of time until he snaps and rips their throats open.

“Fritz,” James begins gently, wanting to do nothing more than to pull the poor kid into a hug. But the moment he takes a step forward, the trembling vampire takes a step back. Not out of fear for suddenly getting attacked with a silver knife, out of fear of possibly hurting them. “We didn’t tell you this to scare you. We told you this because you deserved to know.”

“It also wouldn’t do you any good keeping it a secret,” David adds as he looms over Fritz with his arms crossed. Not the most comforting picture, but definitely a familiar one. It makes this conversation almost feel like just another training session. “We don’t know if you feeding on human blood means that’s all you can have moving forward, or if it’s going to effect you in some other way.”

Fritz blinks back tears as he looks between them. When he finally speaks, his hand continues to hide his fangs from view. “L-L-Like what?”

David glances down at James, rolling his eyes at the scowl that warns to not scare the kid more than he already is. “I’m not a vamp, you tell us. Notice anything different?”

Fritz looks between them a few times as if there are visible differences he’s evaluating. After a long minute, the vampire drops his shaking hand away from his mouth as he shakes his head. “I...I-I don’t think so.”

James had said they won’t need to worry David when the taller commented about a potential change in appetite. Fritz hadn’t necessarily been conscious when he fed on James’ offered blood, but the vampire hadn’t even gotten close to draining him to the point where he would need to be checked into the hospital. He was dizzy from blood loss, and David had to carry him to the truck, but he was only missing about a pint. Not a quarter, not half, just enough for Fritz’s injury to heal before the vampire stopped.

Obviously they don’t know the reason why that, even while unconscious, Fritz didn’t drink more than he needed despite being completely drained and therefore starving. Maybe it’s because James has been claimed as part of his coven and something told him to be careful. Maybe it’s the fact that helping others rather than hurting them is such a core part of him that he subconsciously couldn’t take more out of worry he’d cause harm. Or maybe James’ blood was so unappetizing he really could only drink as much as he needed out of pure necessity.

Whatever the reason, they didn’t need to force Fritz to let go of his arm. That alone was enough for James to know that, even if it turned out the vampire would go feral, there would be just enough control not to blindly attack other for their blood.

He doesn’t blame David being cautious, though. He appreciates the taller holding himself back from asking for specifics and full on interrogating Fritz. At least until the kid is ready for it. For now David accepts the response. Especially considering that James has yet to have his neck bitten into even though Fritz admitted he needs to properly feed.

“If anything changes, let us know immediately,” David growls, though it’s more stern then angry. Fritz seems to understand it’s said out of wariness, nodding his head quickly without flinching. “And if you’re too scared to tell me, then tell James.”

As Fritz looks at him with unfaltering trust, James feels nothing except despair.

He nearly got Fritz killed. He left David for dead. He doesn’t deserve anyone’s trust.

“Aside from that,” James says, unable to swallow a sudden lump in his throat. “How do you feel?”

Fritz glances at David nervously before looking down at his hands. “I need to feed. But I’m not craving human blood! I don’t, um, feel a pull toward you.”

The hunter takes a deep breath. “How about hunting?”

“Hunting vampires?” Fritz checks. “I still feel a little weak, but if you need my help I’m pretty sure I’ll feel a lot better once I feed.”

James is a monster for ever asking if Fritz wanted to become a hunter.

“Hypothetically,” James begins softly. Forces himself to meet the kid’s eyes even though he wants to hang his head in shame. “What if you didn’t have to hunt vampires anymore?”

A look of confusion appears on Fritz’s face. “Like, you retire?”

David can’t hold back a snort at that, but James only has eyes for Fritz only looking even more confused. “More so if, hypothetically, there was a way for you to stop hunting vampires completely. Where, if you’d like, you could still help David and I, but you’re not on the road with us or going into nests.”

“Helping from the sidelines,” David adds.

Fritz seems frozen for a moment. “H-How would I do that?”

“I have a friend,” the hunter says. “He would be able watch over you and make sure no hunters ever bother you, though not including David and I. You could stay with him, and he can either help you figure out how to live a normal life, or you can help him find cases to send our way.”

“...oh.” The vampire is silent for a long moment. “So, hypothetically, I-I could go back to school?”

Jams smiles. “If that’s what you want to do.”

Instead of excitement, maybe even a horrified realization he actually doesn’t want to go back to school, Fritz looks like his entire world is collapsing. “What if I want to stay with you?”

James wants to ask why. Wants to ask how Fritz can even stand being in the same room as him. Wants to demand how he still has Fritz’s trust despite the fact he should never have earned in the first place.

He should say staying with him isn’t a choice. This isn’t the life for a teenager who has had his mortality taken away from him. For someone who came to the very person trained to kill him for help, to nearly being killed once again in the name of saving people, Fritz deserves more than this. Has more than earned a home that isn’t an old truck that could break down at any moment, and someone to care for him who won’t watch his back after sending him to his own death.

James opens his mouth to say no. What comes out is “Why?”

“Because you’re my coven,” Fritz almost pleads. “You’re the only family I’ve ever had.”

Not ever wanted, not ever known, had.

There’s no stopping him from pulling Fritz into a hug. “If you stay with me, you’re benched until further notice.”

“Okay,” the vampire easily agrees as he clings to James. “I’ll help from the sidelines.”

“And you’d be okay doing that indefinitely?”

“As long as I’m with you.”

“And you don’t mind David staying around?” James asks.

“Just because you won’t be hunting doesn’t mean you won’t be training,” the mentioned hunter announces.

Fritz shakes his head. “I’ll lift all the trees he wants me to.”

James pulls away to hold Fritz by the shoulders at arm’s length. Searches for any sign of fear, anger, hesitation. All he sees is a kid genuinely happy to be along for the ride, even though it’s given him a permanent scar on his neck to match the one on James’ arm.

“I mean it,” James growls. “No more hunts. You can help us research and gather info, but you’re staying in the truck or motel while David and I are hunting.”

Fritz nods once. “Okay.”

A selfish part of him is glad Fritz is staying. He would’ve driven for several days straight in order to visit every weekend, but it wouldn’t have been the same. And even though he’s failed Fritz once already, he always would’ve been worried for the kid’s safety. If James couldn’t save him when they were only yards apart, then he certainly won’t be able to from several states away.

He is never letting Fritz out of his sight again. Won’t let another vampire within a mile of the kid if he can help it.

“We’re signing you up for online classes, though.”

Fritz sputters. “Wha- why!”

James smirks. “It was David’s idea, not mine.”

“Sure, throw me under the bus,” the taller grumbles as he grabs his duffle bag.

“I could make it a real one,” the shorter offers.

“I would gladly take it,” David says before tossing the truck keys over to Fritz, the vampire catching them purely from reflex. “Since you’re not hunting, you’re driving so I can finally get some sleep.”

Fritz perks up as James carefully hides his grin. Keeping his laughter at bay knowing what’s about to come, he follows the other two out of the motel room and to the truck. He tosses his own duffle into the back as the others climb into the truck, pausing at the open passenger door to watch the show.

The moment David spots his smile, Fritz moves the entire bench forward so his feet can reach the pedals, turning a demand for what’s so funny into a yell of confused rage as the tall hunter's legs are suddenly crushed against the dashboard.

“What the hell!” David demands, and James doesn’t try to hold back his laughter. “How short are you!”

Fritz winces. “Five foot four.”

James snickers as David aggressively shoves the bench back far enough he can unfold his legs to climb out of the truck. He then rips the back door open, slamming it shut behind him after throwing the duffels into the front.

“What, David, legs too long?”

“Shut up,” the taller snaps, disappearing from sight as he lies down across the backseat. Glancing over, James grins at the sight of David looking just as scrunched as he did when Fritz moved the seat. “Not my fault you got a runt for a vamp.”

He wisely doesn’t say anything, silently climbing into the truck before moving the seat to where the shortest needs it to be.

The best part is Fritz fighting to keep a smile off his face and failing. “So which way are we headed?”

When David doesn’t offer a response, James nods toward where the sun is rising. “Let’s head west. Hopefully we’ll beat the sun to the next town.”

Fritz quickly turns them out of the parking lot, stopping at a crossroad to read the signs before turning down the highway heading west.

“Thanks for letting me stay, James.”

The hunter sighs through his nose. “I wanted you to. I just don’t want you to get hurt.

“I know,” the vampire replies. “That’s why I wanted to stay.”

James stretches out so he can follow David's lead in getting an hour of sleep. "You can also tell me if you change your mind."

Fritz bumps a knee against his leg. "That's never gonna happen."

#it's still totally the 30th #Day 30 | Redeemed #[ ] 2025 #FNAF bois #BTE writing #Vampire AU #cw #content warning

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blametheeditor · 1 month ago

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Day 29 | Nostalgia

Pilot Episode | First | Previous | Next

Killing vampires. Keeping one as a ward. The life of a hunter.

__________________________________

Fritz wakes up screaming.

He remembers the offhanded comment of him smelling like silver. The feeling of someone kicking his legs out from under him as he fell onto the hard floor. The desperation as he tried to rip away from grabbing hands, the terror of fangs latching onto his neck.

He screams again, pleading for his coven to run they’re going to kill him-!

“Fritz?”

The vampire in question goes deathly still at the familiar voice, nearly hissing in pain as a hand almost hot to the touch grabs his arm. When he finally realizes his eyes are closed, he pauses from fear before opening them.

There’s no vampire telling him he’s going to wish the hunters had killed him first. He’s not surrounded by an abandoned building with freezing floors and echoing hallways. He’s lying on a bed in a motel room, James staring down at him with concern.

His coven didn’t leave him to die.

“J-James?”

In response, the hunter seems to melt from relief before pulling him into a hug. Fritz immediately returns it, gasping in worry when James groans in pain, ashamed he forgot just how strong he really is. But instead of teasing him for the mistake or giving a gentle reminder of his strength, James only hugs him even tighter.

Fritz selfishly, but gently this time, hugs James close as he tries to absorb the hunter’s body heat. Closes his eyes as he listens to the beating heart slowly calming back down. Carefully grabs a fistful of James’ shirt in a silent plea not to leave when it seems like they’re about to break away.

It doesn’t happen, though. Instead the bed dips down from someone else sitting on the edge, promptly Fritz to open an eye at the smell of silver.

David watches him closely, the tall hunter idling twisting a knife in his hand. “How do you feel?”

Fritz clings to James in fear at the realization he doesn’t know how he got to the motel. He remembers getting attacked, trying to yell for help, and then...nothing. He simply woke up here, and yet he has a feeling he was never supposed to wake up.

Somehow hearing his thoughts, or maybe the hunter is just trying to comfort him, James manages to hug him even tighter. “I-I, I think I feel okay? I, um, I don’t really remember what happened.”

David raises an eyebrow. “You don’t remember anything?”

“I remember the vampires realizing I was with you,” Fritz murmurs, staring down at the odd pattern sewn onto the comforter. “I remember them grabbing me, pinning me down, and then, then...”

Fritz stares through the bed as the memory of the fangs on his neck draining him surges forward. He can even feel every drop of blood being taken away as if it’s happening all over again. And instead of a frozen feeling so cold it burns like when he had first been turned, he felt empty. Hollow. Void of something he desperately needed, and yet there was no way for him to get it back.

It was as if he was dead, but forced to continue existing as nothing more than a vacant corpse. Unable to feel. Unable to move. Waiting for the moment when everything would go blissfully silent, and yet it never came.

“Fritz,” is said at the same time fingers snap in front of his face.

The vampire screeches, suddenly afraid and confused, not able to remember where he is or what’s happening. He freezes when a garbled screech replies back directly beside him. Then the feeling of warmth begins to seep back into him, the sound of someone’s heartbeat climbing back down to a steady tempo bringing him back to the present.

Fritz attempts to hide from David’s narrowed eyes and furrowed brow. “I’m s-sorry I-”

“It’s okay,” the taller hunter attempts to soothe, something that scares him more than anything. “You don’t need to force yourself to remember. We just need to make sure you’re feeling okay.”

“Are you okay?” James whispers.

Fritz curls around the hunter, missing how David tenses. “I’m okay.”

James properly scoops Fritz into his arms as he lies on the bed and leans against the headboard, the vampire unable to help a rumble at the feeling of comfort and safety.

But while James seems satisfied with his answer, David looks skeptical. “Do you feel hungry at all?”

Fritz hesitates at the emphasis on ‘hungry’, an uneasy feeling that he missed something important crawling up his spine. “Uh, no, n-not really.”

David looks above his head at James. Whatever the hunter seems to relay by expressions alone, the taller hunter sighs before standing up, putting the silver knife away. Then he reaches toward Fritz who can’t help watching with wide eyes, unsure what’s about to happen.

Out of everything, he didn’t expect David to put a hand on his head in order to ruffle his hair. The hunter then smirks at the bewildered look. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Fritz mouth opens and closes silently for a moment. “You too?”

David rolls his eyes, walking across the room to grab the truck keys. “I’m grabbing us food, don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.”

“You don’t have to worry about us,” James says, curling around Fritz as the vampire’s rumble grows louder.

David doesn’t reply back, walking out the door and locking it behind him. With the curtains drawn, they can’t see the tall hunter walking away, but they do hear the truck start up before gravel crunches beneath the wheels.

Fritz looks up to see James watching him. “Are you okay?”

“I am,” the hunter reassures, holding him close like he could disappear at any moment. “I am now that you are.”

Fritz wants to ask what happened. He knows that if he does, James will tell him even if he doesn’t want to talk about it right now. The hunter also won’t hide anything from him, including whatever is making David tense.

He can ask later, though. For now, he hugs James close.

That’s when he realizes something. “Um, James?”

“What?”

“Aren’t you cold?”

Fritz’s nose wrinkles in confusion when James only curls around him even tighter. “Oh no you don’t. You’re not getting out of this hug anytime soon.”

“No, I don’t want you to stop!” the vampire quickly explains. “I just realized I'm stealing all your body heat.”

James raises an eyebrow. “Your point?”

A smile tugs on Fritz’s mouth. “Does this mean I can steal it whenever I want?”

The hunter snorts. “I never said you couldn’t. Last I checked, I use you as a pillow in the truck constantly.”

Fritz...doesn’t have a comeback for that. Actually, he’s only just now realizing James has never flinched from him despite most people commenting on just how cold his touch is. David’s even described him as being a sentient ice cube.

There’s a lot of things James does that makes him feel human. Like wrestling with him. Asking if he wants anything from the diner. Ruffling his hair and threatening to put him in the truck bed.

“Hey James?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks.”

The hunter sighs long and hard. “You shouldn’t be thanking me, Fritz.”

“...I think I should,” the vampire replies, looking up to see James watching him with a haunting look of regret.

“I didn’t get there in time.”

Somehow, Fritz knows James isn’t only talking about their last hunt. They never really talked about when they first met. Those first few months were terrifying, and there had been times when Fritz thought it would never get better. That he would always be afraid, and James would always be watching him like a monster about to snap at any moment.

Even once James started finding his blunders in trying to figure out how to be a vampire to be more entertaining than threatening, they never really did talk about that night. Not until Fritz was asked if he missed being human. If he was angry about the fact James was supposed to be there, was the one who should have stopped him from being turned, and he failed.

Fritz wasn’t angry, still isn’t. And, honestly, he doesn’t mind being a vampire.

Don’t get him wrong, there’s things he does miss about being human. Like being able to stand in the sun for more than five minutes without getting burned, and being able to feel warm instead of being constantly cold. Not having to worry about his strength, being able to eat pizza and milkshakes. And the one thing he misses the most is feeling his own heart beating.

He didn’t have someone like James, though. Didn’t have someone who genuinely cared about him. Who would be worried if he suddenly disappeared, who reassured him he wasn’t unwanted. Someone who would carry him out of the truck if he fell asleep and never yelled at him when on their nerves. And, as much as David yells at him, he knows the tall hunter also cares in his own way.

Being a hunter is terrifying, though. Sometimes Fritz is too scared to fall asleep knowing something or someone will try to kill him. Sometimes he’s scared of himself and what he’s capable of. And sometimes, he does find himself thinking about his life if he was never turned.

But then he remembers James’ promise to protect him. David teaching him how to do the same for others.

He wouldn’t trade that to be human again.

“Neither did David,” Fritz says softly. “I don’t blame either of you.”

“Maybe you should,” James muses, his voice tight.

In response, the vampire curls into a ball as he closes his eyes. “Sorry, James, can’t get rid of me that easily.”

The hunter gives a huff of laughter. “Is that a challenge, vamp?”

“Only if you want it to be, hunter.”

With James’ arms already curled around him, the hunter resorts to attempting to crush him in a silent proclamation Fritz won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. “Well then I guess we’re stuck with each other.”

Fritz smirks. “What about David?”

James huffs. “We'll let him stick around as long as he’s useful.”

“I’m telling him you said that.”

“Traitor.”

#see he’s fine!!#they’re all fine!!#I didn’t lie I swear!!!#Day 29 | Nostalgia #[ ] 2025 #FNAF bois #BTE writing #Vampire AU #cw #content warning

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blametheeditor · 1 month ago

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Day 28 | Nasty Party

Pilot Episode | First | Previous | Next

Killing vampires. Keeping one as a ward. The life of a hunter.

Content Warnings: Major character with a near fatal injury. Cursing. Minor character deaths. On screen deaths. Blood and gore. Violence. Use of weapons, including guns and knives. Kidnapping. Dehumanization. Addressing someone as 'it' and 'thing'. Darker themes and tone.

__________________________________

"Something’s wrong.”

David sits up from where he was slouching against the truck. “What do you mean something’s wrong.”

“Something’s wrong,” James emphasizes. With no other explanation, he grabs his gun and machete before jogging toward the building looming before them.

David has no choice but to follow, grumbling under his breath as he runs to catch up. “It’s a big building, it’d take the vamp more than five minutes to scout out the place.”

“But he said he would be back to report in five,” James counters. There’s no hiding the panic in his voice, no stopping the look of genuine fear. “Fritz wouldn’t be late unless there was a reason to be.”

David forces himself to bite his tongue. He can’t help feeling like James is simply being overprotective of the vampire, especially considering is the first time they’ve ever sent it in first to gather information and report back so they can properly make a plan of attack. On one hand, it’ll be invaluable to know exactly how many vampires there are, where they will be, and if there’s anyone who needs help out of the building. On the other, there is a chance something goes wrong.

He genuinely thinks that because this is the first time it’s gone into a nest completely alone, James is assuming the worse. But it’s not his hunt, and it’s not his vampire, meaning he silently follows after James through the side door.

Not even a second after it shuts behind them, James shouts as something lunges at him in the darkness. David raises his machete, only to have a powerful hand catch his wrist as something hisses directly beside his ear.

Before the vampire has a chance to bite him, he presses the barrel of his gun against its chest, shooting it in the heart from point blank range as it screams in pain. The moment his hand is freed he brings down his machete to cut its head off.

Shoving the body away, he plunges the weapon into the back of the vampire pinning James down, the shorter using the diversion to cut its head off with his own weapon. At the sound of tens of vampires screeching from the next room, they ready themselves.

Well, David prepares to have a dozen vampires coming to attack them all at once. James decides to shove him toward the nearest hallway where the horrifying sounds have yet to invade.

“Find him.”

David barely manages to catch James’ arm before he’s sprinting to his own death. “Don’t be a dumbass, we need to stick together.”

For all of their sakes. It’s clear something has happened to the vampire if the nest had someone waiting to get the jump on them. But whatever happened, if they all want to get out of here alive, then James can’t throw himself into the middle of an unwinnable fight. As indifferent as David normally is, he understands the rage of knowing one of your own is in trouble. But if they want to help the vampire, then they need to keep their heads.

He sees James coming to the same conclusion. Watches as the shorter battles between acting on logic or anger.

Unfortunately, anger wins, meaning James yanks his arm away as he quickly jumps out of David’s reach. Turns to where the cacophony of terrifying screeches is gradually getting louder with a dark look promising death.

“Go.”

David curses as James runs straight toward certain death, turning down a smaller hallway that’s completely silent. As stupid as it is splitting up, he knows exactly what James’ plan is, and if he doesn’t play his part then it will be all for nothing. So he quickly begins to check rooms and listen for any sounds of a familiar voice calling for help, swallowing his anger for the time being.

He just hopes James doesn’t get himself killed so David can properly yell at the shorter. In fact, he’ll make sure to tell Scott so the older man can give a proper lecture.

With almost silent footsteps, David navigates through the building. Every room turns out to be completely empty with no signs of being disturbed. Every now and then he hears a gunshot and yelling, but it disappears just as quickly as it comes.

It’s only when he finds the stairs to the basement does he finally find signs of other vampires. He even hears voices drifting up to him as he quietly descends.

“Do you think he was a pet of sorts?”

“Had to be. He was pretty well fed considering he smelled like a hunter.”

Shit.

“Think he was a relat-?”

David cuts the question off midsentence by plunging a knife into the vampire’s throat. He shoots the second one before he fully realizes what was happening, cutting its head off before turning back to the first one choking on its blood as he finishes the job.

So they realized the vampire smelled like a hunter. He hadn’t even thought about that being a possibility, but he’s never had to think like a vampire before. He’ll have to tell James-

The hunter freezes as he walks into the room at the bottom of the stairs. Feels the blood drain from his face when he finally realizes what exactly lies on the ground in front of him.

Oh no...

It’s James’ vampire, lying completely still in a rather painful looking position, throat slit.

It looks like it’s dead. David has seen the vampire sleep, saw how it didn’t breathe and almost seem like he was going into a coma. He always seemed peaceful, though. Never resembled a reanimated corpse unlike he does now.

David knows better. The vampire is still alive, but only barely.

...he should kill Fritz.

It would be a merciful kill. To drain a vampire completely of blood is to do nothing more than make it suffer. Hunters use it in order to get information if it’s impossible to get from anywhere else. Vampires use it to keep others in line or else end up with a similar fate. It’s a cruel thing to do to ensure it’s in agonizing pain until someone finally kills it.

David’s never seen a vampire recover from being drained. There’s never been a reason to. And for all he knows, Fritz could turn out to be feral if they somehow managed to revive him.

He should kill Fritz. Put the vampire out of his misery, in more ways than one.

David slowly walks closer to the still form. Kneels down beside the teenager who never should’ve been here in the first place. Who never would have known vampires existed if they had gotten there in time.

James was selfish asking Fritz to become a hunter. It’s a life filled with nothing but pain, and death, and sorrow. A hunter will either die a painful death after suffering for a lifetime, or they’ll live long enough to realize it’s not a life worth living. It only makes it worse being the very thing you’re trained to kill.

The best thing James could have done for Fritz was killing him on the spot. David should do what should’ve been done at the very beginning.

And yet, as he reaches for the vampire, it’s without any weapon or silver item. Gently, carefully, David scoops Fritz into his arms. Slowly stands up to turn back to the stairs.

He needs to find James. Hopes the shorter hunter hasn’t managed to get himself killed. David won’t be finding a way to revive a vampire on his own.

As he silently walks through the building, holding Fritz close and careful not to jostle the vampire with his movements, he realizes it’s eerily silent. No screeches from vampires calling to each other or demanding for blood. No yells of a hunter cutting down everything that steps in his way. It’s quiet save for the sound of his own footsteps as David makes his way in the direction James had ran.

When he finally finds the hunter, James is standing in the center of a room filled with headless vampires, covered head to toe in blood as his chest heaves from exertion. As he turns at hearing footsteps, he nearly collapses to the ground in relief at seeing Fritz, only for it to turn into devastated horror.

And then a knife is being raised toward David. “Did you-”

“I found him like this,” David murmurs, unafraid of the weapon. “Apparently he smelled like a hunter.”

Realization seems to pierce James through the heart as he staggers back a step. But it quickly turns into a forward motion as James races over, throwing his weapons to the ground along with his blood soaked jacket. Just before it hits the ground, a sleeve is used to wipe the blood off his right arm, and a clean knife is plucked from a pocket.

“James,” David warns, knowing exactly what the shorter is planning to do. “We need-”

“No,” James snaps, either unable to or not wanting to control his rage as he cuts his arm. The moment blood begins to spill, he holds the cut over Fritz’s mouth. “I’m not letting him die.”

Before David can say anything, the vampire’s head snaps up, sinking his fangs into James’ arm. The shorter doesn’t so much as flinch, and the taller does nothing to try and rip them apart. Instead he slowly begins to kneel down, forcing James to follow until they’re both sitting on the ground.

“James,” David begins. “We need a plan.”

“We’re not killing him,” James growls.

“I never said anything about killing,” the taller softly snaps, trying to hold back his anger. “Just that we need a plan.”

It takes a moment for his words to register, the blinding anger finally fading from James as he blinks in confusion. “About what?”

“Oh I don’t know,” David grumbles. “Maybe how we get him to unclasp so he doesn’t drain you completely? And what about if he goes feral, do you know any nonlethal ways for keeping a vampire contained?”

“I, you-” James stares for a moment uncomprehendingly. “You’re really going to help me.”

Yes, he is. Because Fritz is their responsibility. Got turned because they got their too little too late. Was nearly killed tonight because they thought it would be a good idea sending him into a nest alone despite holding silver every day.

If David isn’t strong enough to kill what they created, then it’s his job to make sure it doesn’t hurt anyone else.

And maybe he doesn’t mind watching James lose in a wrestling match over random nonsense.

“Only if you actually have a way to unlatch him before he kills you,” David says, unable to help a shiver at the blank look in Fritz’s eye as he feeds, seemingly completely unaware of his surroundings. Most likely doesn’t even know who’s blood he’s drinking, or even that he’s feeding at all. “He can stay as long as he doesn’t kill anyone.”

James passes over his knife. “If I start loosing too much blood, press this against his neck. Hopefully the pain will make him flinch and let go.”

“And if that doesn’t work?”

“I don’t think we’ll need it,” James murmurs, looking down at his arm looking significantly paler than before, refusing to elaborate further.

David doesn’t push the subject. Simply gets comfortable against a wall, letting James lean against him as the shorter trembles from a combination of exhaustion, blood loss, and relief.

“Thank you for not killing him.”

I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

#HE’S FINE #he’s hurt but he’s fine!!#they’re all fine!!#he’s fine!!!!#Day 28 | Nasty Party #[ ] 2025 #FNAF bois #aaaaaand I just realised I had forgotten a tag #FRUIT #BTE writing #Vampire AU #cw #content warning

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blametheeditor · 1 month ago

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Day 27 | Lending A Hand

Pilot Episode | First | Previous | Next

Killing vampires. Keeping one as a ward. The life of a hunter.

__________________________________

Scott frowns down at the map he has laid out in front of him. Because despite the fact computers, and subsequently the internet has become the best way to access information, he has yet to find something better than a paper map and pins to help him keep track of everything.

He can look up how many miles are between two different cities, but he can’t leave a note with someone’s name on it to remind him which hunter is working the case. He can easily access articles of the peculiar cause of death for several people being ‘significant blood loss’, but he can’t highlight a trail connecting towns together to recognize a pattern. He can receive an immediate message that a freelance hunter has located a nest, but he can’t take one glance to see if there is anyone in the area that would be able to help.

In some cases, he misses the days when hunting was much simpler. In almost every other, he’s grateful for such advancements. It means less deaths, more lives being saved.

And more than enough opportunities for someone to give him a heart attack when, despite being able to send him a text in seconds, they prefer to have him find out they’re still alive going based on a credit card charge for breakfast the next morning.

But at least physical maps aren’t completely obsolete. He has not only one for the entire country, but dozens more for every state and city. One’s that strictly show the geography, others nothing except highways. He doesn’t actively try to damage any of them, but after a year of poking pins and having coffee spilt, they inevitably get replaced.

The one in front of him for Washington seems to be on its last legs, especially as he places yet another pin in Seattle, the gloomy weather and large population making it a hotspot for vampires. At least he has one pin there that never moves from there, but it can’t leave the city if a nest simply passes through, meaning several pins are added and taken away almost constantly. And it looks like he’ll need to put yet another one as his string follows a highway straight to the city directly from a smaller town.

Reaching for his phone, Scott looks over the rest of the state to see who might be close by, barely even looking at his screen when it suddenly begins ringing before answering.

“Hello, hello.”

“Hey, Scott.”

The man’s heart nearly skips a beat as he checks the caller ID before putting the phone against his ear. “James?”

“Yeah, boss,” the familiar voice replies, and even though it’s almost been a year, he can perfectly picture the hunter’s smile. “It’s me.”

“Oh thank God you’re alive,” Scott breathes in relief.

“Who did you think was using my credit cards?” James asks, his amusement plain as day.

Scott immediately scowls as he walks over to his desk, sitting down with a huff. “Think about it from my perspective. David suddenly starts hunting you down across the entire country, and I’m left with nothing except to think either a vampire is impersonating you, or you did something bad enough for David to decide he’s going to kill you the moment he caught up to you.”

“Well you were closer on your second guess.”

Scott hesitates. Checks the ID a second time to confirm that, yes, James is calling him via David’s phone. “You haven’t killed David, have you?”

“Like he would’ve succeeded,” David growls, sounding a few feet away from the receiver.

“Again, from my perspective, you essentially vanished after you stopped using your credit card.”

Just like James had for a few solid months before his trail started up again, only this time via credit cards under his aliases. The moment Scott realized what was happening was when he finally realized the young hunter wanted nothing to do with the organization. Wanted nothing to do with them considering neither he nor David got so much as a text saying he quit. The last note he left made it sound like he would be back to hunting the next day, not that he was going to disappear.

Scott was just thankful that, even though James knew how to disappear completely so it seemed like he never existed, he decided not to change his aliases. Told Scott and David that he was still alive in his own way.

They would’ve preferred a phone call. They’re also still waiting on an explanation. But Scott will never demand for one, not in the fear James would be too ashamed or scared to contact them if he really needed help.

That’s why he was extremely concerned when David seemed to be following in his mentor’s path. Had Scott praying he wasn’t going to lose both hunters forever. And this time, he might not ever know if they were still alive or had gotten killed on a hunt.

“We actually wanted to talk to you about that,” James begins, and Scott doesn’t dare breathe in the fear of giving the hunter a reason to hang up. “I think you noticed I got rid of all my previous aliases and replaced them with new ones.”

He had. That same day, he ran a program to track down every single transaction from the cities David was staying at before finding any names that appeared more than once in the hopes he could find one that was seemingly following David in different towns. He managed to find exactly one match. And the name just so happens to have bought a room at a motel right before James called.

“And I know David had all but demanded you watch for anything with the one linked to my truck.”

“I hadn’t demanded,” the tall hunter growls.

“And I also know that you noticed that we were appearing in the same towns together, specifically ones where you sent David to for a case,” James continues.

Scott had also realized that when the cities finally overlapped between each name, David suddenly asked for a hunt rather than reporting he found one in the town they had presumed James would be.

“Suffice to say, you’ve known we’ve been tag teaming cases for a while now.”

It’s not accusatory, just stating the facts. “I have known, yes.”

“And you didn’t send any other hunters to investigate?”

Scott raises an eyebrow. “For what? To tell me everything I already know?”

The line is silent for a long moment until David speaks up. “What do you know?”

That his hunters assumed he would report them. That once it became clear David was actively hunting with someone who quit in the middle of a mission and effectively lost every possible chance of staying with the organization after he vanished completely without an explanation, that Scott would go to the higher ups in order to terminate David’s access. Meaning no more travel expenses completely covered, no more being sent active cases, no more being able to call someone either for help on a hunt or information about where a vampire’s trail is leading to.

As much as a stickler Scott is regarding protocol, he has yet to even have James officially terminated as a hunter of the organization. If the hunter hasn’t thrown away his credit card or phone, they are still ready to be used with Scott having safeguards in place where a flag won’t raise if either is swiped or dialed.

He also knows that they both assume he is genuinely upset with them.

He’s not upset, though. Just thoroughly disappointed.

“I need you two to listen very carefully,” Scott says. “I don’t care if either of you suddenly get turned. The only thing I care about is the fact you two aren’t dead. If one of you do get turned, then I will ensure you are never within the same state as another hunter and work on researching without telling anyone at the top. But I need you to tell me. Not just disappear without a trace and make me assume the worse happened. I might berate you for being stupid, but I will never make you figure things out on your own. If you’re in trouble, tell me.”

“Don’t you have to report everything?” James asks hesitantly.

“I was also supposed to terminate your status as a hunter and revoke all of your privileges as well as set a bounty on your head so you can be properly discharged,” Scott huffs. “And yet you could use your credit card at any time.”

“I’m sorry, you were supposed to set a bounty on him?” David demands.

“To make sure there wasn’t a reason why he suddenly ran.” Scott hesitates. “He’s not a vampire, is he?”

“No, I’m not,” James reassures. The hunter then pauses, as if he wants to say something before softly sighing. “What would’ve happened if I was?”

A shiver runs down Scott’s spine. “Nothing pleasant. Let’s just say you’d wish they just sent someone to cut your head off.”

“Fuck,” David hisses.

“You swear you’re not a vampire?”

“I swear,” James promises, a hint of a smile in his voice. “And neither is David, promise. We just...had a moral dilemma.”

Scott doesn’t ask, all too aware of what that could mean. Ranging from finding someone too little too late and being faced with the gruesome task of killing them after they were turned. He has never once given instructions on what to do in such a scenario, but considering what the organization does to the vampires it decides to keep rather than kill, death would be a mercy.

“If another one happens, whatever you do, don't report it to the organization.”

James and David share a look at that, glancing down at Fritz peacefully sleeping between them, blissfully unaware of the conversation going on over his head. Of the one that had confirmed James’ fear of what could happen if anyone else knew about him.

“So, about us being in the same town at the same time,” James begins.

“I never told anyone about David tracking you down,” Scott says, trying to sound reassuring. “No one else knows your new aliases, and I don’t intend to update your records.”

“So it doesn’t look like we’re traveling together?”

“It only looks like David has vanished for a few weeks, now.”

James shrugs to say it sounds like they’re covered. If David starts using his cards again, no one will find it suspicious. Scott won’t send another hunter to figure out why they were suddenly being secretive about their movements.

The taller is only half convinced. “What’s the catch?”

Scott sighs long and hard over the phone. “Look, for whatever reason you started hunting James down, for whatever reason James disappeared, neither of you have to explain. I expect an apology as well as both of you calling me every other day, but you don’t have to explain anything. Not unless you feel like you’re in over your heads.”

James snorts as David rolls his eyes. “I’m not apologizing.”

“I'm sorry, Scott,” James says softly, refusing to look over at the feeling of eyes boring into his skull. “I appreciate everything you’ve done.”

“You can always call me if you need help for anything.”

The hunter looks back down at Fritz. “I’ll keep that in mind. We’ll talk to you later, Scott.”

“I expect a call tomorrow or else I’m hunting you both down.”

That manages to earn a smile. But once he hangs up the phone, he looks over at David staring at the road, jaw clenched and knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel.

“I’m sorry, David.”

The taller glares at the rising moon. “About time.”

“...rock, paper, scissors on who gets turned just to give Scott a heart attack?”

“Oh no,” David growls with an accusatory point. “It’s your vampire, meaning if it’s turning anyone, it’s turning you.”

James shrugs. “I won’t lie, being a vampire doesn’t sound half bad.”

“Up until I tell Scott you asked to get turned.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.”

#Scott superiority #carrying for his hunters while being thoroughly disappointed in their decisions #including getting turned for the sake of messing with him #and yes James will do it #Day 27 | Lending A Hand #[ ] 2025 #BTE writing #Vampire AU #cw #content warning

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blametheeditor · 1 month ago

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Day 26 | Teaching Moment

Pilot Episode | First | Previous | Next

Killing vampires. Keeping one as a ward. The life of a hunter.

__________________________________

David doesn’t say a word as the vampire grits its teeth against the pain from holding silver for so long. He simply watches as it aims at the target before firing the weapon it holds.

He doesn’t immediately see if it’s finally hit the bullseye several yards away, instead focusing on the vampire who finally hisses from pain. Rather than dropping the gun to earn immediate relief, however, the weapon is gently wrapped up in a rag. Only then do both of them look at the target and register James excited yells.

“You hit it!”

“I, I did?” the vampire asks in slight disbelief. Once it fully processes what’s being said, a wide fanged smile stretches across its face. “I did!”

David narrows his eyes at the bullseye to see where exactly the bullet hit. And while it’s true the target hadn’t been missed, it couldn’t be any farther away from the center. Yet James is celebrating despite it being clear they have a long road ahead of them until the vampire can properly use a gun on a hunt.

”It doesn’t count until you’ve hit the bullseye ten times in a row. Again.”

“I told you you could do it!” James cheers.

David only raises an eyebrow as the vampire turns to him, its excited smile vanishing when it notices he isn’t impressed by the simple accomplishment of finally hitting the target after weeks of training.

“I, um...d-did I do good?” it asks.

“You’re still letting the pain effect your aim,” David begins. “Not to mention you flinch before the recoil even hits. Again.”

“You’ve got this, Fritz!” James calls.

David bites his tongue from yelling at the shorter for giving praise when it hasn’t done anything to properly earn it. But he doesn’t want to effect the vampire already taking aim. He takes note of needing to correct it on its stance, on how it grips the gun like it’ll suddenly disappear. Bad habits they need to end now or else it will always hit the target slightly to the left. Something they can’t afford when it comes to shooting a moving target who wants to rip your throat out.

”You’re making stupid mistakes. Just do what I tell you to.”

The vampire shoots another bullet, this time getting a little closer to the center.

“Again,” David commands before it can lower the gun, watching as it tenses up from the pain as it obediently fires once more. “Again.”

The third bullet ends up being a lot higher than the others. Scowling, David waits as the vampire painfully gasps as it quickly wraps a rag around the gun.

“Nice job, Fritz!”

“It was sloppy,” David growls lowly, taking the vampire’s attention away from James attempting to congratulate it on a mediocre performance at best. “I know it’s painful, but you can’t be tense while you’re shooting. Not to mention you failed to check your stance.”

He almost misses it, the vampire suddenly slumping as the hopeful look disappears. Honestly, he shouldn’t care. He’s not its friend, and it hasn’t done anything to earn a single ‘good job’ from it. It take fire more than a few bullets at a time, has only just recently been able to even hit the target, and it hasn’t been able to uproot a single tree without damaging it meaning they can’t move onto hand-to-hand combat or else risk James getting crushed to death or his bones pulverized.

“But,” James suddenly cuts in, appearing beside David after jogging over to interrupt their lesson. “He hit the target. I say he’s earned an early release and a burger as a reward.”

The vampire looks up at them with puppy eyes. “Have I?”

David wants to say no, it hasn’t. It took the vampire two weeks just to be able to fire a gun, and then another to actually hit the target. In David’s eyes, the vampire is nearly untrainable. It doesn’t matter if it never complains and immediately obeys every command he gives, it constantly fails to meet his expectations that, to be perfectly honest, are incredibly lower than most hunters, including James.

One look at James expectant look, however, and he’s forced to give a long sigh. “Fine, go give it a reward. I’ll meet you back here.”

The barely contained joy at his assent inexplicably turns into hurt, David admittedly fascinated as he watches the vampire act as though he spoke his thoughts of it being a disappointment out loud.

It reacts on pure instinct as James suddenly tosses it the keys to the truck with a smile. “Mind going on ahead and starting it up for me?”

With a solemn nod, the vampire walks away, managing to do a perfect impression of a kicked puppy getting sent away by its own.

David doesn’t have time to worry about its feelings, though, not when James is giving him a look of ‘I’m not angry, just disappointed’. He swears, the shorter learned it from Scott. “What did I do this time?”

“You didn’t think him hitting the target was impressive?”

“Please,” the taller snarls. “I need it to at minimum hit the center of the bullseye. Hitting the outer ring is barely an accomplishment.”

“Maybe to you,” James muses. “But to him, even holding the gun long enough to fire it is an accomplishment.”

“Well it should hold itself to a higher standard.”

“You mean an impossible one?”

”Why can’t you be more like your brother?”

David glares down at James. “What exactly are you wanting from me?”

“I want you to realize that even though he’s not excelling in his training,” James murmurs. “He’s trying. Working a lot harder than either of us have ever had to. Being able to shoot a vamp in the heart while it’s running and being able to cut its head off in one swipe isn’t easy, but at least our weapons don’t burn our hands and our strength doesn’t terrify us to the point we’re worried we’ll accidentally kill someone with one wrong move.”

This is coming from someone who constantly berated David for not making sure he had a full bottle of holy water. For not checking over his shoulder constantly. For nearly letting himself get killed because he was more focused on the person he was leading out of the sewers then on any vampires chasing him down.

“Why are you giving it such special treatment?” David asks, and although he wanted it to sound like an accusation, it comes out more like a plea than anything.

He hates how James immediately softens. “Not special treatment, the treatment he deserves. He doesn’t deserve to be treated like a solider, none of us do.”

David forces himself to scoff. “I think you’ve gone soft.”

“I wish I did sooner,” James shrugs. “I was tougher on you then you deserved. You weren’t the partner I let get killed on a hunt.”

That pulls David up short. He wasn’t exactly told why there was a sudden opening to have the James Stiller as his mentor, and James never brought it up. The most they ever spoke about were their grievances against the other. Nothing about what it’s like being raised as a hunter essentially from birth, and never about their previous hunting partners and why they both needed a new one.

David shakes his head. “We’re talking about the vamp, James.”

The shorter smiles. “You know he looks up to you.”

“Looks up to me?” the taller demands. “I was trying to kill it for over a month.”

“And yet you’re here now, teaching him how to properly use his strength, helping him be able to hold one of our weapons, and he doesn’t want to let you down.”

“You’re a dumbass.”

“And he genuinely cares about what you think,” James counters. “You saying a simple halfhearted ‘good job’ would mean the world to him. So would joining us in our celebration burgers.”

David glares down at the person trying to encourage him to give a vampire a pat on the back for doing the bare minimum of what’s required of a hunter. Who just reminded him he’s training something they’re supposed to kill, not traveling cross country with while helping it become tolerant of silver, the only known material that can actually harm it.

They shouldn’t be training it. It shouldn’t be alive period. Yet two nights ago, even if he had gone alone to help another hunter clear a nest, he would’ve have said a word about James protecting a vampire to let someone else do the dirty work.

He’s not attached. He’s in too deep to be able to end it without severe consequences. The moment he kills the vampire is the moment James hunts him down to cut his own head off.

“Fine,” David huffs. “Only because I haven’t had breakfast.”

Not to see the vampire light up as he opens the driver’s door, demanding it move aside for him to drive. Not to hear it excitedly talk about how it thinks it might finally be getting the hang of its strength. Not to watch it squabble with James like they’re siblings instead of a deadly monster challenging a hunter that’s trained to kill it.

No, he does it to silence the voice claiming he’ll never be a proper hunter.

“You did well today,” David says, meeting wide eyes as the vampire’s mouth drops open slightly in surprise. “But I’ll be expecting you to hit the target every time from now on, understood?”

He doesn’t flinch as it flashes its fangs from overwhelming joy. “Yes, sir!”

”I’m proud of you, David.”

#Fritz has earned a 'good job' dang it #Day 26 | Teaching Moment #[ ] 2025 #BTE writing #Vampire AU #cw #content warning

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blametheeditor · 1 month ago

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Day 25 | "Don't leave me"

Pilot Episode | First | Previous | Next

Killing vampires. Keeping one as a ward. The life of a hunter.

__________________________________

Fritz sits up to properly see over the top of the seat from where he sits in the back, looking between James and David seeming a lot more tense than usual.

Not that he can blame them. He remembers all too clearly his first run-in with another hunter who wasn’t James. At least it all worked out in the end, said hunter who wanted to kill Fritz without a second thought now comfortable enough to let a vampire sit behind him while he’s driving.

But there had been a few too many close calls getting to this point. And even though they’ve officially become ‘acquaintances’, David’s words not his, Fritz is still viewed as a threat.

To be perfectly honest, Fritz is legitimately afraid of what could happen if another hunter finds out about him. Someone who doesn’t have a past with James and therefore no reason to trust what he has to say. David had been absolutely terrifying when he was hunting them down. What if they find someone even more stubborn? Who calls other hunters so several people come after them?

“It’s not too late for us to go with Plan B,” James says, jolting Fritz out of his thoughts to look at the hunter he trusts implicitly. Sputters when he realizes the sun is shinning directly on his face, ducking down slightly in the hopes he hadn’t managed to get a sunburn.

When he pops back up, this time with his jacket hood covering his face, James is watching him with concern. “N-N-No, it’s okay. David might need your help.”

“No I won’t,” the taller hunter huffs. “Riley is a dumbass, but not enough to get us both killed.”

“I’ve heard about her a few times,” James adds. “She’s a hunter that can handle herself. She’s also a smart one for taking the precaution of calling for backup after realizing she’s outnumbered.”

“Still an idiot for not immediately realizing a body count of twenty people in one night meant a nest of fifty vamps.”

Fritz tenses up at the number of suspected vampires, unable to help a worried trill at the thought of anyone having to eradicate such a large coven. One of that size only means a powerful coven head. One that might have even turned people recently.

James offers a smile. “David and I once found a coven of a hundred vamps. It took us several days and chasing those that were left across state lines, but we managed it.”

“A hundred?” the teenager breathes in horror. Not just from imagining two hunters having to fight an army of vampires, but also from the thought of just how difficult it would’ve been to keep track of so many coven members. His instincts hate it whenever James is too far away to smell or hear. He can’t imagine how impossible it’d be trying to rein in the overwhelming need to keep a hundred people as close as possible.

“Thankfully we’ve never encountered one that large since, but if just the two of us were able to take care of it, then two hunters can take care of fifty.”

For a moment, Fritz almost lets himself be selfish. It’s one thing letting his coven member out of sight while they’re in the middle of a hunt, because if James needs help, Fritz will come running to the hunter’s side. But it’s another thinking his coven member might be hurt, but he would have no way of knowing or have the ability to come help.

Of course he knows James is capable of protecting himself. The hunter has even protected himself, Fritz, and people who were taken from their homes all at once. If Fritz is being perfectly honest with himself, James has a lot less to worry about if the vampire wasn’t there on hunts. Hasn’t really had a true hunting partner for over half a year until David came along.

And yet something is telling Fritz not to let the hunter help on the hunt. Wants to ask James to stay behind with him at the motel. To take the offer that ensures he won’t be left alone worrying about something going wrong.

...but then there’s only two hunters against fifty vampires. David will only have one person watching his back. Riley wasn’t expecting two people to come help her with the nest, but more is always better when facing off tens of monsters that all want to kill you for your blood.

Fritz shakes his head slowly, looking down at the floorboard in shame. “No, y-you should go.”

There’s a long moment of silence. When he dares to chance a look back up, expecting annoyance, he’s surprised to see a gentle and understanding smile before it morphs into a smirk. “You sure you won’t miss me too much?”

A smile tugs on Fritz’s mouth. “No, I think I’ll enjoy finally having some time away from you.”

James reaches over the seat, grabbing Fritz’s hood to yank it over his face, earning a yelp as he attempts to get out of reach. “Admit it, I’m a delight to have around.”

“I think I prefer David over you.”

The teenager grins before screeching as James puts a boot on the dashboard in order to twist over the back of the seat, making a grab for Fritz desperately trying to duck away. “Take that back!”

“Make me!”

With a soft curse, James properly stands up on the seat as he tries to yank Fritz out of the small space in the floorboard behind the driver’s seat. “Oh I’m going you make you, alright!”

“Hey,” David suddenly snaps, effortlessly cutting off Fritz’s squeal of laughter when he’s nearly pulled out of his safe space. “Do I have to separate you two?”

James glares down at Fritz’s frozen figure, not loosening his fistful of jacket he managed to grab during the scuffle. “No. I need him to admit he prefers me over you.”

“I think you should!” the vampire calls. “Put James in the truck bed!”

With a war cry, said hunter launches himself into the back of the truck, Fritz screaming as he’s than yanked up onto the seat and straight into a headlock. Any attempt to wriggle his way out of it stops the moment a hand in set on his head. Looking up, James gives a wide smile.

“Say it.”

“James, mercy!”

“Say it!”

Fritz stares up at the hunter with wide eyes. “I prefer David.”

With that, James ruffles his hair mercilessly as he pleads for freedom. When he is finally let go, it’s only after his hair is messed up beyond fixing even with a hairbrush. Something the hunter looks thoroughly proud of as the vampire pouts.

“I hate you.”

“You deserved it,” James fires back.

“Are you two done yet?” David demands, making Fritz wince at the realization they were fighting while the tall hunter was driving. And yet, when their eyes meet in the rearview mirror, there’s barely any anger. Mostly amusement.

Before Fritz can really think about it, James is suddenly leaning against him, the vampire sputtering as he’s gently pressed against the door as the hunter closes his eyes. “Yep, we’re done. Wake me up when we get into town.”

David’s eyes roll in the mirror, but he doesn’t object or demand James climb back to the front seat. Only focuses back on the road, glancing every now and then back at Fritz.

And Fritz, he can’t help but give a low rumble as he gets comfortable, his own eyes closing.

“Cat behavior,” James whispers.

“You’re lucky I like you,” Fritz whispers back.

“More than David?” the hunter probes.

“Yes,” the vampire huffs.

“I knew it.”

#James will always be the favorite #sorry not sorry David #Day 25 | “Don't leave me”#[ ] 2025 #BTE writing #Vampire AU #cw #content warning

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blametheeditor · 1 month ago

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Day 24 | Sickness

Pilot Episode | First | Previous | Next

Killing vampires. Keeping one as a ward. The life of a hunter.

Content Warnings: Mentions of illness. Cursing. Minor character deaths. On screen deaths. Blood and gore. Violence. Use of weapons, including guns and knives. Kidnapping. Dehumanization. Addressing someone as 'it' and 'thing'. Darker themes and tone.

__________________________________

“You’re sick.”

“What?” David growls, immediately defensive as he glares down at James. “I’m not sick.”

“You’re not yelling at Fritz even though he’s only pretending to be lifting the tree.”

Fritz squawks with a look of betrayal for being outed to David. But as the kid prepares for a lecture, he’s only given a scoff. “I don’t have to yell at it every time it sneaks in a break.”

“You’re definitely sick,” James muses. “Which means it’s only a matter of time before I catch it. So what is it this time? A cold, fever, the flu?”

David growls lowly. “A fever.”

“Wait,” Fritz says as he steps away from the tree, looking between the two hunters with concern. “You guys are sick? Like sick sick?”

“Hey!” David snaps, effectively making the kid jump. “I didn’t say to stop, move to another tree.”

“David’s currently sick,” James tells the vampire as he immediately obeys the command, this time with no attempt to sneak in a short break. “I’m not, but I’ll catch it soon.”

“Oh,” Fritz grunts from his effort in trying to uproot the tree his arms are currently wrapped around. “Should we...stay in town?”

James doesn’t even try to argue as David immediately replies with a “No. We’ll be fine.”

The shorter can’t help a soft snort. “Have you taken medicine at least?”

“Of course I did,” David grumbles under his breath. “I don’t need you to act like my mother.”

“Not trying to,” James replies evenly. “Just making sure my hunting partner is good to go.”

The taller rolls his eyes before glaring at Fritz. “What did I say about lifting with your arms!”

“Sorry!”

“It’s no wonder you still can’t uproot a tree without breaking it,” David growls as he stalks over to correct Fritz’s form.

Despite the claim of being ‘fine’, David decides to end training early, something Fritz is all too happy about. It takes the taller hunter all of five seconds to realize what exactly he’s done when the vampire immediately uses his freedom and spare energy to sprint back to the motel, in which he freezes in place as if physically struck by the horror of it all.

“It’s not going to be able to shut up, is it?”

James grins. “Nope.”

To be perfectly honest, James has been waiting for this kind of opportunity. Fritz and David might be more familiar with each other, and therefore the vampire doesn’t always stay silent while the hunter has refrained from making intentionally hurtful comments. But Fritz isn’t as outspoken when it’s just him and James, and David has yet to completely refrain from snapping to interrupt their conversations.

But just like how James is all too familiar with how he only has another 24 hours before he gets a fever of his own, he also knows that even though David is just as good at hunting even when he has the flu, the taller hunter is much more tolerant whenever he’s sick. Meaning James is going to use it to his advantage.

The moment everything is packed in the truck after David took more medicine for his fever before tossing James the bottle to take some as well, Fritz gets elbowed in the stomach. “Think you’ll get sick?”

The kid looks his right to David leaning against the door as he immediately begins to doze off, then to his left to James turning the truck toward the highway. “Can vampires get sick?”

The hunter shrugs. “I’ve never encountered one before.”

Fritz’s nose wrinkles as he thinks it over for a moment. “I don’t think we can. Well, not in the same way. I think they would have to feed on someone who’s sick to catch a virus.”

James lifts his arm with a smirk. “Want to test that theory?”

“As if I’d ever want your blood,” Fritz huffs with a grin. “You don’t even smell good enough to eat.”

“Excuse you, numerous vamps have complimented me on the taste of my blood thank you very much.”

“I think they were lying,” the vampire waves. “Didn’t want to make you feel bad.”

“I disagree, I think you’re just trying to hurt my feelings.”

“I agree with the vamp,” David quietly joins in. “On the scale of desirable blood, I think yours is at the very bottom.”

Fritz jumps at David’s voice, the kid’s head snapping around to see the taller hunter’s eyes are still closed. From the look of it, it seems like he had completely forgotten there was a third passenger, or maybe he thought David was asleep.

When Fritz finally turns back to him, the kid is tense, looking unsure what to do.

James snorts. “Like your blood would be anymore desirable, David.”

“It would be,” the other hunter huffs. “The rarer the better.”

“You don’t think a universal donor would be just as rare?”

“Please. Just because that’s what humans use for everything doesn’t make it something vampires crave.”

James looks down at Fritz, the poor kid unable to decide whether to be amused by the conversation, or to be genuinely confused such a conversation is even possible. “You’ll have to tell us which one is better once you move onto human blood.”

Fritz’s jaw drops open before looking back at David who has yet to either yell about them talking about such a subject with a vampire, or simply snap they’re ending it there. “Um-m...sure?”

“A hundred it prefers AB-,” David murmurs.

“Taking the motel room while Fritz and I take your hotel room he prefers O-.”

“Deal.”

“...what if I prefer neither?” Fritz asks hesitantly.

James and David share a look. “What do you want?”

A fanged smirk appears. “You two are banished to the truck bed on the drive of my choosing.”

David’s eyes close again as he sighs. “Fine.”

“Deal,” James grins. “You’ve been holding onto that for a while, haven’t you?”

“Ever since you tried banishing me to the back seat after I did all the work changing the tire,” Fritz grins.

“All the work?” James demands with a scowl. “I was the one who actually changed it.”

“And you wouldn’t have been able to if I wasn’t there!”

“I’m sorry,” David chimes in as he opens one eye, missing Fritz wince from once again forgetting about their third passenger. “What the hell happened?”

The vampire straightens up when it becomes clear he’s the one being addressed. “One time while we were driving-!”

By the time James pulls into the motel of the next town, Fritz is still filling David in on everything he’s missed for over half a year. Not once has the kid been interrupted, not by James, and not by the person who on any other day would’ve snapped for silence hours ago.

He knows David was most likely asleep for a majority of it. But the taller managed to time waking up just in time to hear the end of one story before prompting Fritz with another.

“-and then James came up with the worse excuse to be holding a flamethrower-”

“Nope,” David murmurs as he sits up, shaking his head. “Thank fuck we made it to town, because I did not want to hear the end of that story.”

James watches Fritz carefully at the proclamation. But rather than the vampire wilting at the reaction, he only wears a sheepish smile. “I blame James.”

“Woah do not blame that one on me,” said hunter scowls. “You had just as much fault as I did.”

“Holy shit are we there yet?” David growls.

James quickly turns into a parking spot next to the motel lobby. “We’re here.”

“Finally.” The taller hunter begins to climb out of the truck, only to almost immediately trip. He would’ve fallen into the asphalt if Fritz didn’t grab his arm.

There’s no thank you for the save, but David doesn’t attempt to rip his arm away. “Are you okay, Mr. Harrison?”

“I’m fine,” loses its bite as James quickly sidles up next to the taller hunter to press the back of his hand against a forehead burning with fever.

“I think you’re going to be sitting this hunt out, David. Fritz, would you mind helping him?”

“I don’t need help,” David attempts to protest. Goes so far as to try and follow James toward the lobby.

But between the fever making him weak and a vampire more worried about his safety than his pride, David’s forced to stay by the truck. And when he tries to bat Fritz away once James announces their room numbers, he ends up getting fireman carried. Something James has to fight not to laugh at the sight of a five foot four teenager effortlessly carrying a six foot two hunter.

After the vampire carefully places his burden on the bed, David blinks a few times as Fritz wrings his hands nervously. “Did it just carry me?”

“I-I did.”

James smirks at this being one of the greatest days of his life. “And he’ll pin you to your bed if you try to work on the case instead of getting proper rest.”

Fritz sputters in the attempt to say he would never do that, only to be cut off by David rolling his eyes as he turns on his side, eyes already closed with the intent to fall asleep. “Just...come back here once you have info. I’m still hunting.”

“We can do that,” James smiles.

He gently takes David’s duffle away from Fritz, setting it down in a corner before grabbing a water bottle and one of the rags they clean their weapons with, the ladder in which he passes over to Fritz with a soft ‘soak this in cool water’.

Cracking open the bottle, James sets it on the nightstand within David’s reach. Accepts the now wet rag to put on the back of David’s neck who’s eyes barely flutter.

“Will he be okay?” Fritz whispers.

“He’ll be fine,” James promises just as quietly, ruffling the kid’s hair as he motions to the door. “Come on, we’ve got work to do.”

“...I kind of prefer it when he’s sick.”

“Me too.”

#look it's a lot of energy to be anrgy!#you can't blame David for being off his game while he's sick #James and Fritz will be getting an earfull after this though #Day 24 | Sickness #[ ] 2025 #BTE writing #Vampire AU #cw #content warning

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blametheeditor · 1 month ago

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Day 23 | Hand-Written Notes

Pilot Episode | First | Previous | Next

Killing vampires. Keeping one as a ward. The life of a hunter.

Content Warnings: Breaking and entering. Gambling. Cursing. Minor character deaths. On screen deaths. Blood and gore. Violence. Use of weapons, including guns and knives. Kidnapping. Dehumanization. Addressing someone as 'it' and 'thing'. Darker themes and tone.

__________________________________

The first thing David notices after waking up is a small note sitting on the hotel nightstand next to his bed.

Guess who just duplicated his first room key

“James.”

“Morning, David.”

Said hunter attempts to glare through the phone at James’ rather amused tone. “Can you please explain why you broke into my room?”

“I was teaching Fritz how to duplicate room keys,” and David nearly ends the call so he can have this conversation face to face. He can’t exactly punch James through the screen.

“So you had it break into mine?”

“I’ll admit yours was the easiest to swipe,” James replies a bit too nonchalantly in David’s opinion. “And considering how concerned you are about Fritz’s training, I thought you wouldn’t mind if we borrowed your room keys for it.”

So that’s why his keys have been going missing for the past week. At first David thought we was somehow leaving it behind in the room. When it happened the second time, though, he knew something was wrong, be it a hole in his wallet or someone trying to sneak into his room for one reason or another. When he brought it up to James, the shorter had simply shrugged and mentioned karma, a response that ensured David didn’t dare bring it up again.

It turns out James has been actively teaching a vampire how to break into hotel rooms. Decided the best time to try the duplicate key is when the hunter is sleeping, because he knows for a fact he would’ve seen the note before falling asleep.

David doesn’t know what he should be more upset about, the fact that a vampire managed to sneak into his room while he was sleeping, or the fact that James betrayed him. “This was low even for you.”

“I promise he didn’t even step foot into your room,” James attempts to placate as David turns the phone on speaker before tossing it onto the bed so he can get dressed. “I also might have left out the part where I swiped your card instead of you willingly handing it over for the sake of training when he asked if you minded.”

“What kind of training involves breaking into my room?” David snaps. “When we agreed to switch off days, I thought you would actually be teaching it something useful. Not use it as an excuse to torture me.”

“I know you never did any hunting outside of the organization,” James begins, the shorter sounding somber. “But if you’re a freelance hunter, there’s certain things you need to know. Like how to commit credit card fraud and never get caught.”

David pauses in finishing the knot for his tie. “Just how many cards have you burned through?”

“More then I care to remember.”

“You know this does nothing to help your argument,” David huffs. “You keep calling it a kid and yet you’re wanting it to commit tax fraud and identity theft.”

The phone is silent for a moment. Long enough for him to take it off speaker with his packed duffle slung over a shoulder. “He can’t go back to having a normal life. And if he’s not with us, then another hunter will kill him.”

“Have you thought about telling Scott?”

“No,” is said with so much anger David can’t help a jolt. “You will never breathe so much as a word to him about Fritz.”

Well isn’t this a surprise. As much as David genuinely hates the man, James had never once said anything bad about their superior. And yet there is real venom in James’ voice.

“I haven’t even said you’re helping me on hunts,” David reassures. “But I know why I hate him. What has he done to you?”

“It’s not about me, it’s about Fritz.”

“You’re afraid he’ll want it dead?”

“I think he’d be given a worse fate,” James murmurs. “So we’ll stick with sleeping in motels and praying to a god that doesn’t exist that Buffy never breaks down.”

Despite the sorrow in the hunter’s voice and the promise of a truly haunting thought that is refused to be spoken, David can’t help latching onto the last part. “Who the hell is Buffy?”

“The truck,” and there’s a distinct smile in James’ voice. “Every car needs a name.”

David pinches the bridge of his nose. “Don’t tell me-”

“That it’s from ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’?” the shorter chuckles. “Fitting, right?”

“You’re a dumbass.”

“Hey don’t blame me, Fritz is the one who came up with it.”

“Then you’re both dumbasses,” David growls as he tosses his replacement room key onto the counter before walking through the automatic doors. Glares when he spots the truck ready to drive to the next town, hanging up his phone as he yanks the passenger side open.

He pauses at the sight of the vampire leaning against James, its eyes closed and chest completely still to show it’s sleeping.

“He was practicing holding silver all night,” is all that’s offered.

David places his bag in the footwell. “Will we need to stop so it can feed again?”

“Most likely.” James offers a bag covered in grease. “We made sure to get your breakfast, though.”

“Coffee?”

“In the holder. Where is Scott sending you this time?”

David doesn’t immediately answer, glaring at the innocently raised eyebrows. “We’re going East. But if I ever find another note inside my room again, there will be hell to pay.”

He didn’t find a note in his room. Instead, he found a post it note on his gun.

Guess who can hold silver for a full minute now

He sputtered when he saw one stuck to his forehead after the rare moment he managed to fall asleep leaning against the truck’s passenger door while James drove.

Guess who thinks he’s a better deer hunter than me

He even found one inside his wallet in which he carefully counted all of his money and cards, only to find a crudely made fake ID for ‘David Harrison’ who’s height is five foot even with the age of a hundred and thirty.

Guess who made his first fake ID

David should’ve taken that last one as a warning. Because if the vampire knows how to make a fake ID, then a credit card wouldn’t be far behind. But James had yet to give a smug look before saying ‘this one’s on us’ before having the vampire pay for their meal, which had David assuming they weren’t that far into so called ‘training’.

That was, until he received a knock on the door. Not the one leading out of his hotel room, the one that connects his to the suit next door.

David narrows his eyes, a hand reaching for his gun as he waits for it to be forcibly opened despite the lock. After a minute there’s another polite knock.

Confused, he carefully approaches the door. Slowly opens it with his gun held at the ready.

An audible groan escapes when he sees the vampire offering a small wave as James wears the stupidest grin imaginable.

“Guess who successfully committed credit card fraud.”

“And you used it to buy the room directly next to mine?” David demands.

“We wanted to surprise you,” James smiles, completely ignoring his glare as the vampire winces from his reaction being the exact opposite of what you want from a surprise. “And if you had taken any longer answering the door, we would’ve surprised you with his lockpicking skills, too.”

“It can what?”

“I-I wouldn’t have done it, Mr. Harrison,” the vampire quickly reassures. “It’s only for if we need to get somewhere a vampire went, nothing else!”

David is tempted on slamming the door, locking it, and then shoving a chair against it so it’s impossible to open. But then he catches James’ pointed look toward the vampire who is failing terribly at trying not to show just how desperate it is for acknowledgement.

��Credit card fraud?”

The vampire hesitates before nervously wringing its hands. “James tried teaching me how to play poker, but it, uh, d-didn’t go so well.”

David sighs through his nose. “Well this is more impressive then hustling someone at poker. You know to cover your tracks?”

“Yes sir! We won’t stay at the same hotel again, and I’ll make sure all three of our aliases won’t meet up again in the same town.”

James was right, David never hunted on his own where these sorts of skills were needed. He remembers his family needing to take such precautions, but he was never part of it. Has never thought about needing to be completely untraceable when the organization has people for dealing with law enforcement, public relations, and making sure its hunters always have their travel expenses covered.

It had never crossed his mind that Scott could be using this information to confirm he’s traveling with James.

David raises an eyebrow. “Just how bad is ‘didn’t go so well’?”

“I, uh, don’t have a poker face,” the vampire admits.

“Let’s see if we can’t manage to get something out of it.”

It seems to understand what he wants, perking up before running further into the room to find the deck James was teaching with. The other raises an eyebrow. “Something wrong?”

“Depends,” David murmurs. “We need to talk about Scott.”

#they let David worry about training with weapons #and James'll worry about training in the art of identity theft and credit card fraud #and since James watches all of David's training sessions #it's only fair he finds a way to let David be part of Fritz's accomplishments #it was either this or framing David for the fire they started a week back #Day 23 | Hand-Written Notes #[ ] 2025 #BTE writing #Vampire AU #cw #content warning

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