#I swear if this man ended up being allergic to garlic after he was turned he would have a meltdown

[melogranoinsanguinato]

{ garlic }

Leave an object for my muse | anon

“Grazie mille! What a nice surprise. I was actually almost out, so thank you for saving me a trip to the market. You’re too kind, stranger.”

[quietmyfearswith]

girl at home ; andy barber x fem!reader ; 1/3

status — completed series

word count — 4,830 words

warnings — few swear words, a bit of defending jacobs spoilers, not compliant with book/show ending, fluff?? bit of angst???

pairing — andy barber x fem!reader

a/n — lmao i lied this comes first then in a few i’ll post the final part of public’s eye. if someone reads this pls tell me what youd be more interested in, august walker or steve rogers social media au

masterlist | series masterlist

After proving Jacob’s innocence Andy imagined things would have been smooth-sailing from there. He was wrong.

Laurie asked for a divorce; citing how their marriage was built on a lie and that it was time to be truthful to themselves and to Jacob. They both also agreed that it wasn’t just working anymore, but on Andy’s part he was more than willing to try harder for it to work, but didn't want to push it. He accepted her wishes and didn’t fight for full custody over Jacob — he was more than content with spending weekends and certain holidays with his son. They both moved out of their Newton house and revealed to Andy how they were both relocating to Bakersfield in California; the lawyer being partially surprised with how far they were moving, but ultimately remembered how she had some family members over there.

Before their departure, Andy and Jacob got to bond one last time and somehow their conversation shifted to how the former had no plans of selling the house and moving somewhere else. “Don’t you think you’d be too lonely?”

The blunt question did get Andy thinking but he shrugged it off, “Maybe? I just don’t see myself living anywhere else, I guess.”

Nodding, the boy looked out the window as the Audi drove by. His eyes scanned a big red sign that read “For Rent” and suddenly gave him the idea as he turned to his father, “Or you could put a room up for rent?”

Hitting the brakes smoothly as there was a red light, he turned to his son and looked at him with his eyebrows furrowed, “What?” 

“Green light,” Jacob informed and Andy nodded as he released his foot off the brake and continued the way home, “Advertise my room, or the spare one, for rent. That way, you know, you won’t really be alone.”

Pursing his lips together, Andy thought about it for a while. Would anyone even one to live there? With him? He didn’t want to seem like he was rejecting his son’s idea or make him feel like he was a fool for coming up with that one so he just found himself nodding, “Sounds like a great idea, pal.”

And when they were back at home, Jacob insisted he help his dad place an advertisement online for the availability of the spare bedroom across Jacob’s. Even though he thought it was a foolish idea, Andy just went along with it for two reasons — one, he just wanted to go along with what his son wanted and make him somewhat happy. And the second one being he was absolutely positive no one would want to live here.

It was a deal too good to be true; surely there had to be a catch? $500 a month for a room that was fully furnished? Maybe the house was just ugly? Or perhaps the room wasn’t really how it was pictured? Either way Y/N found herself messaging the house owner, Andy Barber, and let her know she was interested in checking the place out.

Pulling up in front of the house, Y/N let out a long whistle as she marveled at how the exterior of the house was well-groomed and clean. Exiting her car, she made her way to the front door and rang the doorbell and leaned by one of the columns as she took in the quiet ambiance of the neighborhood. Hearing the door creak upon, she turned around and smiled, “Hi! Are you Andy Barber?”

The bearded man was dressed in a simple ragged t-shirt and a pair of sweats; and despite the impression that he had just woken up, she thought that he had this cute boyish charm to him. “Yeah that’s me, you must be Y/N?” He offered his hand out for a shake, one which the girl enthusiastically shook. 

As they both unclasped their hands Y/N wondered, “Is it a bad time? I can come back later,” Her question had him chuckling and she felt her heart warm with how relaxed he looked as he shook his head, “It’s not a bad time, this is just how I normally look.”

He stepped aside so she could come in and take a tour of the house. As Y/N was being shown around the house, she could not prevent her jaw from dropping from how cozy, elegant, and complete everything looked.

“And if you choose to, this is where you’ll be staying,” Andy opened the room to the spare bedroom and led her inside and allowed her to take a look around. It had a bed, a dresser and wardrobe, mirror, a reading chair, and a study desk paired with an office chair.

Turning to the man, “So what’s the catch?” Her question caught him off guard and folded his arms as he tilted his head to the side, “The catch?”

She nodded and looked at him as if she had the telepathic abilities to let him know what she was thinking, “You know, the reason why the rent’s so cheap? Is this house haunted? Do you actually have a rat infestation problem?”

As Andy threw his head back laughing at her suggestions, he couldn’t remember the last time he was this carefree. “No catch,” he explained once he calmed down from laughing and sat down on the reading chair, “Not haunted or rat infestation, really. Just I don’t know,” he struggled to look for the right words as he placed his hands on his thighs and rubbed them, “Put a room up for rent just so I wouldn’t get lonely.”

Y/N leaned by the office desk that was beside the chair Andy was sitting on as she spoke, “Well I liked the place so much; I’m guessing that means you won’t have to be alone?”

Looking up at her Andy smiled, “That’s great then, let me get the spare house key for you.” 

“I hope I don’t seem too fast or what, but I hope you don’t mind if I move my things up already? I have all my belongings in the car.”

Andy nodded, “Oh no worries about it, let me help you get your stuff.”

For the next couple of hours, Y/N settled her things around the room. She placed her clothes on the dresser and wardrobe. Settled her pictures and other stationery items on the desk. Attaching the house keys to the keychain she had which contained her keys and skipped her way down the stairs. 

Seeing how Andy was by his office area she asked, “Oh by the way I forgot to ask, are you allergic to something?”

“Planning to kill me already huh?” He joked as he looked at her pointedly to which she rolled her eyes at, “No, dummy. I was planning on cooking dinner.”

“Nope, not allergic to anything,” he clarified and she smiled and waved goodbye. Looking at her retreating form, Andy shook his head as he took note of how silly his new roommate was. He buried himself with preparing his things for office as Y/N went around to explore her new neighborhood’s grocery store.

Dozing off in the bedroom, Andy woke up once a savory and aromatic smell hit his nostrils. Rubbing off the sleep in his eyes, he sat up and glanced at the clock on his bedside table and took note of how it was already 5:30 in the evening. Slept longer than I thought I would, he thought to himself as he left the comfort of his bedroom and headed to see the source of the fantastic smell.

Upon reaching the kitchen he was greeted with the sight of Y/N moving around the kitchen, “What’s all this commotion about?”

Stopping her movements from stirring the pot, she smiled, “Cooking dinner; made carbonara,” she pointed to the pot she was currently attending to, “Baked some garlic bread,” she pointed to the pyrex container which had a few loaves of bread in it, “And some chicken tenders as well, because I was craving.”

Nodding, he grabbed a chicken tender and took a bite of it to which she gasped, “Andy! Couldn’t even wait a few more minutes!” The taller man could only sheepishly smile with his mouth full of chicken, “Sorry ‘bout that, want me to set the table?”

“Please do. Oh and I noticed you had a certain beer in the fridge so I hope you don’t mind I bought you a pack?” As she mentioned that he did see a new, unopened pack next to the single beer he had left inside the fridge. “Thanks for that; red wine your poison?” He inquired since he noticed a wine bottle he surely never bought. Seeing her nod, he asked if she wanted a glass to which she said yes to. In the next few minutes a comfortable silence engulfed them as they both were focused on preparing their first meal together. 

Once everything was put in place they both sat across each other, Y/N placed her hands under her chin and looked at Andy with an excited look in her eyes, the man raised his brow at her, asking her nonverbally what she was looking at him for. “Go ahead, try it,” she softly encouraged him to which he nodded and swirled his fork around the pasta which the white sauce had already clung into and opened his mouth to taste.

“It’s good,” he complimented her as he swallowed, “Better than anything I’ve eaten in the past few months.” She clapped her hands and started to eat as well. “I was surprised to see your lack of groceries.”

He waited until his mouth was empty from eating the garlic bread she had before explaining, “Don’t really cook a lot; survived off takeout recently.” Despite having her mouth full with a tender, a loud shock was emitted from the woman across and Andy lightly cuckold at how adorable her reaction was. 

“Lucky for you, I love to cook so you won’t be filling yourself up with that junk,” she assured him as she drank from her glass of wine. Setting his fork down he looked at her skeptical, “What brings you to Newton anyway?”

Her hands tore the garlic bread as she gulped down her drink, “Just finished college then found a job here so there’s that.”

“Which program did you take?” He wondered; not knowing if it was his curiosity about someone living in his house or it was the lawyer in him couldn’t help but question everything.

“Took a few years off after high school to know what I really wanted to do; then just took a two year course,” she further explained as she told him which degree she chose. Somehow her answer just had Andy even more interested so he pried, “Why not get a full degree?”

She shrugged her shoulders, “Didn’t want to waste four years of my life.” 

“Would four years really be wasted if you spent it studying something you’re interested in?” he retorted back as he took a swig of his beer.

“Touché,” she acknowledged as she gobbled some pasta, “But I don’t know, I just feel like the time I’m spending on studying would be better spent if I was actually doing something I want. Get a job I wanna do. Visit every state in the country. Get a house with a pool. You know, just do things that make me happy without having any regrets”

As she listed off the things she desired in life, a solemn expression graced Andy’s face. Her perspective did make him think about how he lived his own life as well. Perhaps how there were certain choices that did make him happy and somehow there were regrets lingering in his mind. “And have you done any of those?”

“Well obviously I don’t have a house,” she joked as she waved her hand around Andy’s home, “But I did get a job here that I think I’ll enjoy, an 8-5 kind,” she paused for a while to gulp down more of the red wine she bought, “What about you?”

“What about me “ he questioned back as he looked at her with furrowed eyebrows. She rolled her eyes jokingly, “What’s your story, I guess? What brought you here in Newton?”

Her naivety had him questioning whether or not she knew the whole ordeal that his family went through; but he spared her of the full details, maybe next time or once he felt like he could fully trust her he’d tell her everything. “Had family here with me, but not anymore,” her eyes widened in shock with what he revealed but he was quick to reassure her, “I'm divorced now, ex-wife has full custody of our son. Used to be an assistant district attorney, now I’m just in private practice for civil litigation cases.”

Somehow, Andy felt a weight unload once he told her about him. Though granted it wasn’t the whole thing, but having someone to talk did make him feel lighter, more human. Y/N, on the other hand, felt amazed with how Andy chose to carry on despite what he’s been through. She got the feeling there was more to it than what he let on; and pity was not what she felt but more of feeling happy with how he did not give up and instead keep on going.

Holding her glass she raised it, “Here’s to new beginnings and being single then,” she toasted. Smiling, he raised his beer bottle and brought it to touch against her glass, “To new beginnings and being single.” The two then proceeded to finish the rest of their meal in silence.

The sun was shining bright that Monday morning and Andy woke up early to head down to their basement and do his morning exercise. Thirty minutes into it, he could sense that Y/N had woken up not only due to her footsteps he heard, but also because he could smell something delicious coming from the kitchen.

As he finished his workout, he headed up to his room to take a quick shower and dress up for his work. Granted it might have been too early to do all those but the smell of the food and the company of which he’d be eating breakfast enticed him to do so. Heading down, he was dressed in his full lawyer gear, minus the jacket, and smiled as he saw Y/N eating the rest of her pancakes by the breakfast bar.

“Morning Andy,” she greeted him, “There’s a fresh pot of coffee if you’d like,” she pointed to where she had just gotten a cup for herself as well. “Thank you,” he then moved to get himself a cup and once he did he took note of a plate that had a couple of pancakes, eggs, and bacon.

Pointing to it he accused her, “It’s as if you want me to waste the workout I just did huh.” She threw her head back in laughter at what he said while shaking his head to tell him that it wasn’t her intention. Glancing down on her wrist watch she mumbled a soft, “Shit,” upon noticing the time. Stacking her mug on the plate she moved to the sink where Andy grabbed the cutlery and utensils from her, “Let me do it and go ahead.”

Placing a hand on his forearm — in which they both felt relaxed and warm at their first touch — she thanked him for doing so and grabbed her bag that she placed on the couch. “Good luck on your first day,” Andy called out as he began munching on his own food. She yelled a quick thanks and see you as she closed the door behind her. Staring down on his plate, he smiled again upon seeing how the food in his plate resembled a smiley face; She really is something, he thought to himself.

The rest of the week flew by and both Andy and Y/N spent the week almost doing everything together. The former would wake up early and get his workout down; and sometime during the 45 minutes he’d spend on the basement the latter would take that time to prepare herself for the day ahead as well as the most important meal for their day. And if there were leftovers from the night before or that she had made too much for breakfast and was able to whip it into something for lunch, then she packed those not only for her, but for Andy as well.

And their routine together did not just stop there it bled into the night as well. Where it was always Y/N who came home first. After taking a bath either she’d start cooking supper or she would clean around the house a little — she noticed how Andy’s office area was frequently messy and she did her best to fix the mess without being too intrusive about it. She never step foot in his room, wanting him to have his privacy, but from what she could see he kept it organized despite having a few trash here and there, so she didn’t really loiter in that area of the house.

In hindsight, Y/N didn’t have to cook and clean for Andy. But with how low her rent was she felt that it was only fair to do so. Plus there was a part of her that somehow liked being around him, having someone to talk to about everything and anything they both could think of. There was never really a dull conversation between them.

Friday night arrived and instead of cooking another meal Y/N decided to get a pizza, wings, and another pack of beer for Andy. As she was in the liquor portion of the grocery she bumped into one of their neighbors, Joan RIfkin, whom she also recognized as one of the friends of her workmate.

“Y/N, right?” the woman asked as she looked at her with concern. “Yeah, that’s me. We met through Emily, when you helped her get to work,” Y/N recalled, both for her and Joan.

“Is it true that you live with Andy?” her question had Y/N wondering, how the hell did she know that? Despite that thought she nodded, “Room was cheap so I thought why not?”

Her nervous chuckle could not ease the tension between the two ladies; especially when Joan gave her a stern look as she warned her, “Be careful, okay? The Barber’s caused quite a ruckus and Andy is quite unpredictable.”

As Joan walked away while pushing her cart, Y/N was left confused and conflicted. The new information presented to her, though it was vague, left her puzzled about whether or not it was true. She was also unsure about the need to clarify with Andy what she has just been told.

Once his car was parked in the garage, Andy loosened his tie and entered the house. What greeted him was not the sight of Y/N cooking but her sitting on the couch while scrolling through her phone. Placed in the coffee table was a pizza box, his usual beer, a glass of wine, and box of chicken wings as well as a couple of paper plates.

“Didn’t feel like cooking today huh?” he jeered as he placed a hand on his hip, the other hand holding his briefcase for work. Diverting her eyes from her phone to the man in front she grinned at him, “No, but I felt like having pizza. Maybe we could watch a movie while eating?”

“Yeah sure, I’ll go change quickly,” he told her and she nodded. Andy then went up the stairs, taking two steps at a time to do so. Somehow there was this part of him that was incredibly excited at the thought of being physically close with Y/N. but he just shook his head at the thought and claimed that he was just excited to unwind the week’s stress with food, beer, and a movie.

Heading down after he dressed in more comfortable clothes he asked, “Alright, what are we watching?” Y/N shrugged as she moved to open the box of pizza, “Want a slice?” Andy nodded as he grabbed the remote and thanked her, “You heard about the hippie who burnt his mouth on the pizza?”

While holding a pizza slice of her own she looked at him and tilted her head to the side, her face being a combination of confusion and curiosity, one that Andy found charming. The bearded man had his face in faux seriousness as he continued, “He ate it before it was considered cool.”

Upon realizing the joke, Y/N let out a few giggles — real giggles, Any took note. “Okay not gonna lie, that was good,” she took a bite, “ Haven’t heard that one before.” Saying that made Andy feel proud, somehow his lame dad jokes made this brilliant woman laugh. “You wanna watch Ferris Bueller's Day Off?”

She nodded at his suggestion, “Yeah why not? Haven’t watched that in a while.” And so they both began to watch it as they ate and drank.

As they watched the film their occasional laughs were the only sound emitted from the two. As Andy was grabbing for a few slices or chicken wings, he found himself scooting closer beside Y/N, who didn’t really mind it and instead found having him close was comforting. The wartm that seeped past his clothed thigh and on to her bare skin as she was only wearing shorts made her feel safe. And somehow Andy’s arm found itself draped across the couch, almost touching Y/N’s shoulders, his fingers almost touching her. When she did move to drink her wine her skin touched the tips of his fingers rested on her shoulders and Andy who drank some of his beer as well looked alarmed.

“I’m sorry, I can move away if you’d like,” he said as he began to remove his hand from where it was comfortable in her shoulder. “No, it’s fine,” she assured him a little too quickly, “I mean, I don’t really mind. I’m not the type of person who hates hugging so I don’t really mind at all.”

She couldn’t prevent herself from physically cringing with what she said and how stupid it must have soounded like; but the man beside her didn’t think so based on his eyes crinkled in laughter. His arm then dropped from being on her shoulders and settled itself on her waist and pulled him as close as they could be sitting beside, “Well I hope you won’t mind if I do this then?”

She felt herself flutter with how smooth the man was and just silently assured him by placing her head against his shoulder, both turning their attention back to the movie.

As the end credits rolled, they both were full and were just now finishing up the last of the drinks. Y/N fiddled with her fingers as she had an internal debate about whether or not she should bring up her conversation with Joan earlier.

“You alright, Y/N?” Andy noticed how her actions might have indicated how she was nervous, a complete opposite to how she was earlier. Setting down his empty bottle on the coffee table, he turned to her and grasped both her hands in his, loving the feel of her soft hands against his calloused ones.

“It’s just, there’s something I need to ask,” she sighed and looked up at the ceiling as if it would have helped her say it better, “No, not really ask, but tell you. I don't know.” Her hesitation and uncertainty was something Andy easily sensed and he did his best to calm her down by rubbing their hands together and telling her she could tell him anything.

“So after work, I headed to the grocery to grab your beer, right? Then I saw Joan there, I don’t know her surname though. Anyway, she warned me to be careful of you because you’re unpredictable and that your family had caused a ruckus?” She ended her encounter with the woman by looking up at Andy, and the latter was surprised that there was no disgust in her tone and facial expressions; but more of worry? As if she was worried that rumors were spreading around about him and his family.

He stopped rubbing her hands and instead settled with fiddling with them, “I think it’s best if you found out now,” he began before taking a deep breath, “Almost two years ago, Ben Rifkin, a fourteen year old boy, died. At the time I was the assistant district attorney and was assigned to investigate. When fingerprints of my son, Jacob, were found in the body everyone assumed he did it.”

“Did he?” Y/N question when she noticed it took Andy sometime to continue with his story. Shaking his head no he picked up where he left off the story, “He didn’t, his fingerprints were there because he just saw the body, panicked and didn’t call the police. A man who had a record for groping and stalking kids did it. But Joan, Ben’s mom was still convinced that Jacob had something to do with her son’s death even after it was proved that he didn’t.”

“I’m sorry about that Andy, she has no right to name you and your family those things,” Y/N was quick to comfort him. But he only chuckled sadly, “Does she not?” She could feel that there was more Andy wanted to say so she remained silent, “During the trial and investigation, they were fully convinced Jacob did it because of me, of my father.”

He said those three words with so much hate and disdain, “My estranged father, rather, he raped and killed some student many years ago. Now he’s serving a life sentence for it. They claimed that I had this murder gene and somehow Jacob got it too, hence why he killed Ben.”

After hearing his explanation, Y/N now understood why Joan claimed Andy was unpredictable. She also empathize with the mother who lost her son and understood why she felt this indifference towards the Barbers; but she still believed that maybe Joan would someday accept that the what they’ve been believing — that Jacob had any involvement for her son’s death — is nothing but mere suspicion that was proved false.

“I mean, I understand why she holds this sort of grudge against you or your family,” Andy’s heart dropped at what Y/N said and loosened his grip on her hands, prepared to hear her say how she wanted to leave his house that somewhat felt like home ever since she came, “But it’ll take time for her to accept the truth and disregard the suspicion she had. I believe in what you say and do think that you are harmless.”

Her statement had Andy looking up from where he was staring at their hands and looked up at her with relief in his face, “What?” He could not help but sound meek as he asked so; but he felt the opposite, he felt empowered and invincible upon knowing that there was someone on his side for once.

Deciding to do something risky, Y/N leaned forward to plant a gentle and comforting kiss on Andy’s forehead, “What happened to Joan’s son was horrible, yes. But if you say, and an investigation says your son had nothing to do with it, then I believe it. And murder gene? The only thing that a gene can pass down to us is sickness,” she joked, hoping to lighten up the atmosphere and was pleased to see how Andy laughed softly at it,”You’re not what your father did, okay? The only way to define you is through what you say, think, and do.”

Andy smiled as he stared at her lovingly, “And if I think and tell you that you’re such a beautiful person, inside and out, and that it's been great having you here live with me?” She laughed as she rested her cheek against her hand and sassed at him, “I’d call bullshit ‘cause you probably used that line with your wife.”

He just rolled his eyes as he moved her around so she could comfortably lay her head against his chest as he wrapped his muscular arms around her frame. “Well then I’m just gonna have to do my best to prove it to you the entire time you’re here then.”

Turning her head so she could face him, “Well joke’s on you, I plan to be here for quite a long time.” The butterflies in Andy’s stomach then went wild at what she said, but his composure allowed him to answer back with, “I don’t mind that at all, honey.”

Laying a kiss on her forehead, he then teased her about the grin she had on her face and two then talked the rest of the night away.

part two

[headoverjojo]

Here we are here we are! Halloween special!! Firs of all, an immense thank you to @estellea who has been my beta-reader and whose support, advices and suggestions made this all possible! I mean, in general without her support I would have given up like months ago and more or less half of what I write and draw is basically out thanks to her constant support even when I’m horrendously down to the point that everyone would just be disgusted. She’s more a sister than a friend and really I’d never be thankful enough for everything she did and still does. Now let’s post it, I’m getting emotional-

You can read it also on AO3! 

Of course, feedbacks are always appreciated 💖

The Secret Life of Vampire in Neapolis’ Suburbs

There was one thing that Abbacchio detested more than Giorno and sunlight. Abbacchio hated with all his heart when things changed, especially when they changed for the bad. And that change was really, really bad.

As every evening, Fugo came to wake him up, after checking if the sun was already disappeared. He had always been the first one to wake up, since that crazy month when Giorno, damn half-vampire Giorno, had vampirized them all. Well, almost everyone; Mista managed to come out alive and without the two small dots on his neck which all the others had. And he managed to because he was already a night creature, a werewolf, to be precise. He was now living a chill life with his pack, but he still came to see them every day; they were his best friends, after all!

After knocking at Abbacchio’s bedroom door, Fugo went to check if Narancia was already awake, jumping with a screech when the boy hopped from the side, howling sharply like a banshee. Narancia’s loud laughters echoed in the old house, while Fugo was grasping at the ceiling as his life -or, better, non-life- depended by it. As soon as Fugo recollected himself, he jumped back on the floor, roaring and running behind Narancia, who was already running and flying at very fast speed, still laughing. Bruno just sighed, when the two flashed in front of him, and went straight to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Breakfast was a quick affair, now that they all could eat just one type of food, but this didn’t mean that it should have been always the same boring thing. There were original ways to prepare blood-based dishes, you know. By now, Bruno was specialized in preparing blood gelee, blood puddings, blood marmalade… he had found out to be very creative, in the kitchen. A good thing, as he was stuck with a group of teenagers difficult to satisfy.

He sighed, when Abbacchio’s roaring scoldings joined Narancia’s loud laughs and Fugo’s screams. The same thing, every single evening…

“You all, drop the crap and come to have breakfast, immediately!” his voice, unnaturally loud, boomed in the house -one the benefits from being a vampire, he supposed- and, in few seconds, Narancia and Fugo flew down, in their bat shape, still bickering and crying. Bruno sighed again, while Abbacchio, livid as always, and Giorno, still with his curlers on, came down as well.

“Narancia, Fugo, just human shape when we’re having meals.” Bruno reminded and, with a pop, the two transformed back to their original form, Fugo still grumbling and Narancia still chuckling. Bruno frowned, however, noticing that one of the seats was empty.

“Where’s Trish?” he asked, looking around. Everyone lifted their heads, sniffing at the air, but there wasn’t any trace of Trish, even of her smell. They all, immediately, grew worried: she hadn’t been out during daytime, had she?!

“Narancia, Fugo, you check the north area; Giorno, go at Mista’s and search in the east and south area with him and his pack; Abbacchio, we’ll check the ovest area. Let’s go!” with a loud poof, they all changed their shape and with a vigorous flap of wings, five big bats flew outside, searching for the lost member of their clan.

--

After hours of researches, they found nothing. Trish was nowhere to be found; even Mista and his buddies didn’t find any trace of her. Wasn’t she…? No, it couldn’t be. Trish loved to live, even if it was a peculiar life. Right…?

Just when sunrise was approaching the group headed home, defeated. Where was she…?

“Ah, finally you’re here! Where the hell have you been?! And what about your phones? C’mon guys, I get you’re gangsters and yadda yadda, but you’re modern gangsters!” Trish’s limpid voice reached their ears the right moment they entered in the house and the boys flew -literally- to her, scaring the hell out of her.

“What the-”

“Trish! Trish, you’re fine! Thank goodness, we thought you were dust, by now!” Narancia hugged her tightly, sniffling, to Trish’s utter surprise. What…?

“Guys, are you alright? Are you drunk? Why should I have turned into dust? And what the hell is wrong with this house, there’s so much chaos! Didn’t we have a housekeeper? Where is she?” she fired a bunch of questions, putting her fists on her hips, imposing. Everyone looked at each other, before looking back at her.

“Well, we had a housekeeper, if you remember, until someone decided that she was a good snack.” everyone eyed at Narancia, who just scoffed. “And since then, we never had one. You know… to avoid unwanted attentions.” Fugo explained, crossing his arms. Trish was as pale as a ghost and, at the same time, completely taken aback. Again, what?

“A snack?” she hoped to have heard or interpreted in the wrong way. Since when Narancia was a cannibal? And still, what about that dust thing?

“Yeah, He sucked her dry, poor Concetta.” Giorno sighed, closing his eyes. Trish’s empty gaze said everything about how much she was understanding about that situation. Now, that was weird. Why was Trish acting so weirdly? It almost seemed like she didn’t even remember that she was a vampire!

“Anyway, Trish, why are you asking? I mean, you know it. It happened little after, uh, Christmas 2004.” Narancia observer, shrugging. At Trish’s astonished silence, the group began to grow really worried. What was wrong with her?

“Trish… Trish, dear, do you remember it, right? About our housekeeper, about Mista’s pack, the explosive 2010 new year’s Eve, when Giorno woke up, at the end of 2001, and bit us all turning us into vampires?” Bruno asked, softly. Trish took a seat and that was her only answer.

--

“But how could it happen?” Abbacchio pondered, swirling a burgundy red liquid in a crystal glass. Fugo sighed, taking a sip from his own mug -a customized cup with “Edward Cullen’s a bottom” printed on-, pensive.

“Insolation.” he declared, claiming everyone’s attention. Giorno frowned, perplexed, and, so, Fugo proceeded to explain.

“Giorno, you’re just half-vampire, so you don’t count. We all know that sun can kill us, right? But yesterday it wasn’t sunny. It was cloudy. What if the daylight was enough to damage her, to, like, provoke an amnesia, but not enough to kill her? This would explain why she doesn’t remember anything about being a vampire but why she still knows where we live.” he gulped down the blood in his mug like a shot of coffee, sighing.

“We have to remind her about the whole vampire thing. We have to show her how we usually live and just hope it unlocks her memories.” he concluded, with a nod. Bruno passed a hand through his hair, leaning on the back of the seat.

“This is going to be a mess.” he muttered, already tired.

And, oh, he was right.

--

Trish had troubles to believe to the whole “we’re vampires and we’re in 2019!” story. First of all, weren’t vampires killed by sun, garlic, ash sticks and crosses? How could vampires live in Italy, that was full of all of them? Hell, Neapolis was the city of the sun, there were crosses and churches everywhere and don’t make her start with garlic!

“It’s actually pretty inaccurate. A vampire would die of garlic just if they’re already allergic to it, but it’s the same as peanuts or strawberries; crosses don’t hurt us, it was a bullshit invented to fight the fear; same as ash sticks. Our heart is already dead, stabbing it wouldn’t damage us at all. See.” Giorno explained, turning to his right side, the right moment when Narancia, launching himself from upstairs, screaming a loud “Leroyyyyyy Jenkiiiiinssss!” with an ash stick in his hand, landed on Abbacchio, playfully stabbing him in his heart. Before Trish could scream in horror, however, Abbacchio turned to the boy still on his back, completely ignoring the stick in his chest.

“It’s the third fucking coat you ruin, brat!” he roared, trying to shrug him off his back, while Narancia was laughing loudly.

“The Wednesday Ambush.” Giorno murmured, quietly watching Narancia transforming into a bat and flying away, immediately followed by a bigger and angry bat. On the floor, just a small puddle of blood and the stick signaled that something had happened.

“Why?” Trish exhaled, perplexed. Giorno shrugged, going to pick a cloth and bleach.

“‘Cause that’s how our life is. There’s not so much to do at night, even if we’re still in Passione, somehow. After years we came to a sort of routine.” the young man explained, while washing the blood away.

“Even social networks become boring, after a while.” Fugo added, while walking from the kitchen to the living room with a glittered mug filled with blood in his hands. The sight, the smell of it, were enough to make Trish’s throat hoarse and arid, as blood was the only thing that could alleviate that dryness. Giorno’s sharp eyes noticed how Trish cupped, for a second, her throat, and, after putting away the stained cloth and the bleach, he invited Trish to follow him to the living room, where Fugo was browsing on his phone while sipping his warm blood.

“Mind if we join you, Fugo?” Giorno asked, polite. Fugo too immediately noticed how Trish was acting and nodded, making place for them on the sofa.

“I swear, if Bruno sends another video of kittens in the group chat I’m going to screech.” Fugo grumbled, deleting the umpteenth video of kittens. Giorno huffed a small laugh, eyeing how Trish was staring at the cup.

“You would screech anyway.” he said, taking the cup from Fugo’s hand and taking a sip, before putting it back. Fugo hummed a “Fair point”, scrolling down the chat, before turning to Trish.

“Do you want a sip?” he offered her the cup, with a small smile. Trish gulped, feeling her throat pulsing. She wanted it…

“But… how do you drink it? You just… swallow it down?” the boys brightened at her question. She was finally getting accustomed again!

“Not exactly. You have to pull your fangs out.” Fugo started, showing her how to do it. He curled back his upper lip and, by doing so, his canines elongated to the point to be good fangs. Trish stared at it, shocked. Woah…

“And then you drink like this.” Fugo proceeded to show her how to drink and Trish could see that, even if it seemed that he was drinking normally, he was, in fact, sucking the blood through his fangs.

“All clear? Do you want to try?”he offered her his cup, that Trish took a bit hesitantly. This was so absurd…

However, when she bared her teeth like Fugo did, she felt her fangs emerging and she immediately sank them in the cup, sloppily sucking the blood up, feeling an immediate relief. Sweet nice…

Fugo and Giorno looked at her drinking, feeling relief washing over them. She was acting right…

Their Trish was coming back!

--

“Uh? Are we going out tonight? Where?” Trish crunched her bloody lollipop, making Bruno smile. She had always loved to crunch it… it was funny, she always said. And, also, it was the proof that her memories were, slowly but steadily, coming back.

“Yes. We’re going to meet with Mista in front of Castel dell’Ovo.” he confirmed, fixing the pins on the top of his head. His and the others’ style hadn’t changed much from those wild first months of 2001; it was a bit excessive, at the time, but now? Now they would have been the stars of the Milan Fashion Week.

“Sounds fun.” Trish threw the stick, perfectly aiming at the trash bin at the other side of the room, exulting, with Narancia, Fugo and Giorno, when she centered it. Bruno huffed a laugh, hearing Abbacchio’s muttered “Brats”; even if Leone always acted as a grumpy and gloomy old man, Bruno knew that he was really fond of the boys. He was just like this! And it also suited pretty well his vampire nature.

“Alright, kids, let’s go.” Abbacchio exhorted, getting up and putting on his dark coat stuffed and decorated with synthetic fur. Trish couldn’t help but to hide a grin, while putting on her own coat, black with pink decorations; Abbacchio was really suited to be a fashion vampire.

Trish never had so much fun, or, at least, for what she remembered. The sidewalk was a perfect catwalk and, oh, they were so at ease on it. By now, they had learned to ignore people’s gazes on them, on their clothes, flawless style; having so much time meant to have the chance to refine things like style even to the smallest detail and it showed. Noticing that Trish wasn’t really at ease, however, they squared protectively around her, chatting with her to distract her. It was way better…

“Ah, here you are! I was starting to worry, y’annow!” Mista exclaimed, exiting from a bakery with a small package in his hands. Trish couldn’t help but to smile: Mista too was always the same, always wearing that ridiculous bean hat and with his belly exposed even in the middle of the winter. Maybe his werewolf nature helped him to be always warm?

“Trish, dear!! It’s such a relief to see you!” he went straight to hug her, making her wheeze. Just Mista could make a creature who didn’t need to breath wheeze! She laughed a little, patting his back, content, huffing when he released her.

“So, Mista? Plans for the night?” Mista chuckled, showing the small bag he was holding. Trish sniffed something sweet, maybe whipped cream? And strawberries too…

“I have to feed the puppies, I’m in charge tonight. I’m about to throw a little party at my house, y’all are invited! C’mon!” he exhorted, gesturing to follow him, walking backside for a little, before turning to the right direction and taking Giorno under his arm, grinning. Giorno let him do what he wanted, rolling his eyes, but with a smile. He was his best friend, after all!

It didn’t take long to come to Mista’s house. The inside was dimly lighted by few appliques and Trish immediately sniffed a strong fur scent. That was the unmistakable house of a werecreature.

“Yo, Formaggio! Guess what I got?” Mista called, taking off his bean hat, freeing his unruly brown curls. Trish had always wondered how could so many curls stay hidden inside such a hat.

“What, blood-suckers?” the assassin appeared from the living room, waving at the group. Trish immediately tensed, ready to fight; why was a member of the Squadra Esecuzioni at Mista’s house?! And why no one was worried about it?!

Mista, noticing her worry and discomfort, smiled, reassuring.

“Trish, relax. He’s my cousin! More or less. We’re like… third grade cousins from mom’s side, yeah, Formaggio? Oh, also, I’ve got cake!” he laughed at Formaggio’s “Wohoo!” and passed him the cake. “Anyway, my family is big. I’m related to half Naples, in a way or another! And Formaggio happened to inherit the weregenes too, but he’s a werecat, not a werewolf. It’s the same as being werewolf, but, instead of howling to the moon, he spits fur balls.” Mista headed to the living room, where Formaggio was unwrapping a beautiful strawberry and whipped cream cake, Mista’s favourite. Trish looked around, curious, seeing that the whole room was decorated as for a party. There were balloons, garlands, food and blood for them… he really was about to throw a party!

“Are they here?! Can we eat now?!” a pack of kids of various ages, from five to fourteen, ran into the room with a loud rumble, immediately going to Mista and Formaggio. The younger man huffed, immediately picking up the cake and lifting it above his head, out of the kids’ reach.

“Not everyone’s here, we still miss uncle, so keep down those dirty paws!” he replied, while the puppies immediately pouted at his words. Seeing the sheer magnitude of disbelief on Trish’s face, Formaggio hurried to explain that mess.

“Those are our little cousins from the countryside. It’s easier to host them here, so they can go to school here in Naples.” he said, putting in line the kids, from the tallest to the smallest.

“Michelangelo, Vittorina, Ciro, Domenico, Agata and Carlo. Puppies, say hello to the blood-suckers.” Formaggio grinned when the kids chanted obediently a “Good evening, blood-suckers”, making Mista and the whole vampiric clan roll their eyes in sync.

“Who’s the last guest, Mista?” Bruno asked, curious. He started to feel cold shivers running down his spine when he saw Mista’s grin.

It was the grin that anticipated troubles.

“Oh, someone you already know.” he said, right before the doll bell rang. Mista trotted to open the door, leaving the group full of doubts and of an unspoken dread that was transformed into reality when they heard the voice that boomed from the doorsteps.

“Mista, you invited the vampires too? What a pleasure! We hadn’t seen for years! Since 2010 New Year’s Eve, right? What a party!” A tall man made his entrance in the room, laughing when the puppies sprinted to go dangling from his arms and neck, chewing at everything they could reach. Trish observed with stupor the man, his medium-long blonde hair, his cowboy hat… no, well, his entire cowboy attire. He seemed popped straight up from a western.

“Uncle Hol, do you remember Trish? She lost her memory, so I was thinking that maybe we could throw a little party like that year, yeah? It’d help her!” Mista explained, lively, while the others’ faces dropped in a second. Oh, no, no, he couldn’t be serious…

“Mista, you want to replay the 2010 explosive New Year’s Eve? The Big Kaboom?” Fugo exhaled, shocked. Mista’s grin was the only answer they needed.

“Oh, you can bet it, Fugo.” by the others’ faces, Trish got that the Big Kaboom hadn’t been something so good. Maybe she should have been scared?

“If this time things go beyond control, I don’t want to get involved.” Bruno muttered, with a big breath, ready, more or less, to face the Big Kaboom 2.0.

If it would have been useful to help Trish to completely regain her memories, then let the house explode, he thought.

[thelittlestcheshire]

Self Para ( Open House 2.0 )

To say Ches was at her limit with Chad currently was an understatement, if she didn’t ditch him and stay away from him soon, she was going to lose it. After his little fit during the activity, and everything else that had gone on today, if she didn’t go someplace nobody could mention Callie and Chad were looking for her or ‘oh it’s your turn to watch him,’ at this point all her attempts to not hurt him like she was tempted to would be in vain. As she walked through the halls with him and tried her best to tune him out, she was brainstorming less violent ways to deal with him. As much as she wanted to knock him out, tie him up, and run away - Dom had a point. As much as she hated to admit it, Chad was a child. A child that reminded her oh too much of her brother, but a child nonetheless.

Then she notices the cart next to the janitor closet. The man is nowhere in sight as she notices the glint of metal keys resting on the cart as they approach, an idea actually clicks. Maybe she couldn’t tie him up and run away, but she could lock him up and flee the scene. Sure, she’d still get into trouble, but at least she wouldn’t get a lawsuit on top of whatever Luxor would give her. “And you got a touchdown?” She questions, pretending she’s actually interested in the story he’s telling as she sneaks the keys off the cart. “That’s so cool, actually kinda hot.” She winks at him, even as the thought of Chad being considered hot by anyone makes her want to vomit all over his shiny black shoes. “So hot, in fact, I have a challenge for you, babe. If you win, I’ll let you kiss me.”

That gets Chad’s attention, much to her annoyance. “Why do we even have to do the challenge? I’m the best, you know I’m going to win.” He boasts. The smile Ches gives him is sickly sweet as she tries to hide all the disgust in her tone.

“Sure, but girls like a chase, and when a girl is happy, they give better kisses. I’m sure you’ll fly right through it, but appearances, appearances.”

“What’s the challenge?” There’s a glint in his eyes that feels oh so familiar, between living with Jamie for years and seeing her own reflection in the mirror. A tiger stalking their prey, but this time, Chad wasn’t a cat. He was the mouse.  “We’re going to play hide and seek.” She explains as she starts to move the cart a bit more out of the way. “You go into here to count, starting only after I shut the door, and after you count to 60 you use everything you’ve learned on today’s tour to come and find me. If you find me before the hour is up, you get a kiss. If you don’t, well, does it matter what happens if you don’t? We both know you will!” She tells him as she unlocks the door.

“That’s all? I’ll find you in no time!” Chad grins as he walks into the room, “now run along - the sooner you leave, the sooner I get my kiss!” He doesn’t need to tell her twice, because she shuts the door once she can hear him start to count, she’s locking the door behind her and darting off. She waits till she’s near the exit to ditch the keys, tossing them in the trash before she starts heading in the direction of the student parking lot.

Maybe she’d go grab herself a pizza, possibly drop by the mall for a little and pick up some more perfume if she had the time. Until the administration noticed her missing, she was going to take all the self-care time she could sneak herself. After dealing with Chad, she’d earned it.

----------------------------------------

She was about finished with eating what she could of the pizza she ordered when her phone starts to ring. “Ches’s Pizza Delivery Service, may I take your order?” She answers with a laugh, expecting it to be her Logan yelling at her about the school calling again or her roommate asking her where the fuck she was when she hears who’s actually on the other end of the line.

“Ches, quick question, why am I one of your emergency contacts?” Zander seems surprised, honestly, for a moment Ches actually has to pause to think about her emergency contact form. Logan was her primary - listed under her father, her father’s office was filled in the mother slot in case they ‘couldn’t reach him on his cell phone, always call that first’, and Emmett was her first option if nobody could reach a parent. Between the three of them, she never thought there’d actually be a chance nobody would answer the phone. She’d just used it as a throwaway slot, honestly, after all, it wasn’t like she had anyone else who’d care if you called them for an emergency once you went through the first three contacts anyway. What could her grandparents do from Paris? They were about 6 hours ahead of NY, late enough in the day you wouldn’t be able to get ahold of them without waking them up.

“I figured you wouldn’t mind because you’re already Balo’s and I never thought someone would need to call the last person on the list? Now, you didn’t answer my question about pizza. If it factors in any way, the delivery driver is really cute. I’d order one just to see her. ”

“No, I don’t want a pizza. I do want to know why I got dragged into the office asking if I knew where you went apparently since we’re so close I’m your emergency contact you must have told me all about your plans of locking your kid in the janitors closet, which by the way, you taking the keys with you made getting him out a bit harder than it had to be.” He got dragged into the office to ask about her whereabouts? Well, that wasn’t a part of the plan.  “You should have told me you added me to your updated list, Ches. It would have been a good thing to mention, especially since the only thing I could tell someone about your medical history is ‘deathly allergic to tuna.’”

“Fine, I’ll bring you back some knots though just because I love you!” She gets up to walk over to the counter, moving her phone off her ear when she reaches it. “Can I order a dozen garlic knots too? To go, this time, please!” She’s already pulling out her card to pay when she hears Zander groan on the other line.

“For fuck's sake, Ches. Do you even realize how much trouble you’re in right now? You locked a kid in the fucking closet.”

“Oh, I knew that before I even did it but I figured hurting him would be worse, so I left before I got to that point. Plus, it’s not like I actually took the keys off-campus. I tossed them in the bin near the exit closest to the student parking lot, it seemed like a good place to ditch them.”

“You threw out the janitor’s keys? Hailey, I swear to god-” She can hear him moving on the other end of the line, the frustration clear in his voice as he calls her by her first name. Before she can even point out how rude that was, he’s speaking again. “I can’t believe you dragged me into this. Now I've gotta go fish keys out of the trash.”

“You don’t have to do anything.” She reminds him as she sits down at the table to wait for the garlic knots, starting to close the pizza box with one hand as she talks. “Just because you know where they are doesn’t mean you have to bring them back for me.”

“Oh, I’m not bringing them back for you. I’m meeting you in the student parking lot and you’re returning them yourself. What kind of pizza did you get?”

“Hawaiian, why?” After all, he just said he didn’t want pizza, so surely it didn’t matter what kind of pizza she had run off to go eat.

“Because I didn’t expect I was going to have to dumpster drive to ensure you only get detention, I’ve changed my mind. Knowing you, you have leftovers and I want a few slices to go with my knots, finish up and meet me in the parking lot. And no, finishing up doesn’t include a mall trip so don’t even try it.” He knew her too well, that was apparent as a smile cracks on his lips.

“You know, you’re actually kinda sexy when you’re laying down the law, Zan. You should do it more often.” She teases him, wagging her eyebrows as if he could actually see her messing with him at the moment. “Are you sure you don’t want me to try to hook you up with one of my friends? I bet-”

“Goodbye, Ches. I’ll see you when you get back.” He sounds amused at least before the call ends with a click. She sighs, looking at the time. At least she’d gotten about an hour without Chad before she got a phone call asking where she had run off to. There was no way of twisting what she said in a way she’d have to kiss Chad.

That was a relief.

----------------------------------------

Zander indeed was waiting for Ches when she pulled back into the parking lot and parked her car. “Well, hello Mr. Driskell, fancy running into you.” She jokes as she gets out of the car, “food’s in the passenger seat. You’ve got the goods?” She holds her hand out for the janitor closet’s key, curling her fingers around them as he drops them into her hand.

“You’re lucky I need you for Shakespearean Studies’ group projects, Ches. I can’t believe I had to dig through the trash for keys.”

“I’m lucky you like garlic knots, you mean.” She jokes, handing him her car keys. “Make sure she’s locked when you’re done, I’ll find you to get them back later. I’m off to return these.” She dangles the janitor’s keys, letting the clinking fill the air. “Thanks for saving my ass, I owe you one, Zan.” She doesn’t wait for a response before she darts off. Maybe she was in trouble, but she had to admit, if she didn’t return the keys she’d probably be in even deeper shit then she was to start off with. She doesn’t stop to talk to anyone, just heads straight to the office. “I came to drop these off and receive the verdict for my punishment.” She tells the secretary, before the person at the desk can even call into the office, however, she hears an oh too familiar voice.

“Miss Elswood, I assume Mr. Driskell was able to get a hold of you. Come into my office.”

She takes a deep breath before she turns to follow them into the office to hear what her punishment would be.

----------------------------------------

Icarus (Zan 🙈): So how long are you in the slammer for, Chessie? Ches: Week in detention, and I’m probably gonna have people watching me for the rest of the day to make sure I’m not locking Chad in any more closets or something worse. I think I”m gonna just be good, quiet, and peacefully serve my time, pretty sure I got off lucky after the key thing. LOL

And with that, she puts her phone back into her bag, takes a deep breath, and goes back into the fray.

[ikonislife]

No Matter What.

-Donghyuk x Reader

-Fluff, Romance, Vampire au, Vampire!Donghyuk

-Donghyuk prepares himself to reveal his most well kept secret to the love of his life but how will the conversation goes…

-Here’s a drabble nobody asked for while I delay the 10 posts everyone wants me to finish (:  I was inspired by a post I saw, which I will post a screenshot of at the end of the post. Read it before if you want to follow my train of thought or after if you’re curious. Or not at all, I don’t care (:

Also it’s not yet been proofread so I apologize any mistake.

“Y-You’re a what now?” A shiver shoots down your spine and you could feel the last drop of your blood curdle in fear. Instinctively, you back away from the man you had called yours for the good part of a year and a half. A sharp stab tears your heart watching the hurt in his eyes radiate from your reaction to him simply reaching out for your hands, something he always did not matter time of day.

“Please, love. I don’t mean you any harm.” Donghyuk whimpers out and you want nothing more to run over and encase him in your arms but your coward human nature wouldn’t let you.

“Say it again. I thought I heard you sa-” you bit your lips to stop the preposterous sentence from ending. “What?!”

“Baby, please…” He begs and with all his might hope to god you’d just forget the bomb he just dropped on you and go back to the nice dinner you were both having.

“NO! SAY IT!” You hadn’t intended to be so loud but somewhere in between convincing yourself you had heard wrong and the guilt of reacting in such horrid manner when he entrust you with his deepest secret, if what he said was true.

“I’m a vampire.” There he said it again, this time without the nervous wavering in his voice but rather calm and collect.

“You’re really not fucking with me… You’re completely serious.” You stammer, dinner push aside as you feel the souring of acid reflux traveling upward inside. You stand up, not wanting your body natural reaction to anxiety of vomiting everywhere to send the man of your heart the wrong message. At least you attempted to stand up until the blurring of the world and blanking of your own mind sending you tumbling in your spot, grasping blindly at the chair that had been supporting your weight for balance. Even before your synapses could even begin to release the neuron in your brain to make sense of what was happening, those comforting arms, that familiar scent were already catching you in his hold. Donghyuk whispers small reassuring words as he pulls you close into his chest, holding on tight because if he didn’t, he was sure you’ll pull away from him forever. You clutch onto his waist and it makes him smile to see you weren’t scare of him nor were you disgust at what he is. Your desperate touch remains the same as they were despite flinching away just a few moments ago.

“Let’s go lay down, hmm? Rest a bit. I swear I don’t even need to lay with you or, or be in the same room. Just let me wait in the living room so I know you’re okay.” His hands rubbing your shoulder gently, making you feel so small in his embrace, even more now that you had a small taste of his … power. Such a weird thing to say, your boyfriend has powers.

“I just stood up too fast, Donghyuk. I’m fine. You worry too much.” You grumble but that does nothing against your ever attentive man. Donghyuk would’ve carry you into the bedroom if he had his way but right now, he doesn’t want to scare you. He needs for you to know he’s the same as ever.  Tucking you in, he pulls the soft grey cashmere blanket over your body before hesitantly pressing a kiss onto your forehead. Normally, this would be when he crawls in right next to you but instead, with a sadden gaze he turns away and begin for the living room. For a split second you let him walk away before deciding against it reaching out to his hand. Donghyuk gasps when he felt your small hand in his, grasping on so tightly he nearly cry that you still wants him close. Happily obliging to his princess request, he peels back the cover and let himself sinks into the softness of the satin sheet and your warmth. He wraps his arm around your waist, face nuzzling deep in the crook of your neck. He loves cuddling with you, it’s the one thing he would never be busy for as you both snuggle close to each other in complete silent but today, today if he doesn’t say anything in the next second it’d be too late.

“Are you mad, baby?” Donghyuk tests the water, wondering if you’re just letting him close by fear or by love. 

“No, I’m not.” You reply curtly, pulling his arm tighter around your body.

“Are you scare?”

“No, I’m not… Just confuse.” You sigh, unsure of how to begin the process of understanding it all. A day ago if someone had told you your dear boyfriend is some immortal force of the supernatural world, you’d laugh until you pass out. Now, judging by the way he got from one side of the table to catching you neatly in his arms almost instantaneous, he’s a force to be reckon with. 

“I’m sorry I lied to you for so long… I just couldn’t bring myself to tell you because i know, I know once you learned the truth, there would be nothing to stop you from leaving me. I’ve never love another woman like you before, from the first moment I set eyes on you till now, all I want was to be near you and to know you want that to. Right now it’s not time for me to be selfish anymore and I’d understand if you feel betrayed, if you want to leave me…” Donghyuk tries his best to keep his emotion under wrap but how could he when matters of heart are at hands. He didn’t want him crying to affect your decision, to cloud your judgement but alas the tiny kitten liked sniffle couldn’t be stop. You push his arm off your body and he could feel his heart fragmenting. Yet against all his prediction, you roll around to face him with your hands around his cheeks.

“Kim Donghyuk, I’ve never once said I would leave you. So stop being so stupid and say stupid things. I told you I’m not mad nor am I scare. Look me in the eyes right now and tell me, use those bat instinct of yours and tell me… Am I afraid?” He couldn’t help but chuckle at your strange reference to bat because quite honestly he hadn’t seen one since he was a child exploring caves for fun so many moons ago. You feel your bang being brush away from your forehead delicately before those beautiful eyes stare straight at yours without any hesitation.

“No” He smiles at his own answer.

“What do you see then…” You ask again, wanting nothing more to reassure him that there is no doubt within you.

“Love.” He presses a soft kiss on your lips before whispering softly again. “I love you so much.” 

“I love you, Donghyuk. I just have a lot of questions. I mean one second you’re just some rich dude I tried to con for a good life…” You pinch his cheeks and watch his eyes widen at the thought you can still joke at this second.

“Yah! How can you say you love me and something that crazy in one sentence.” He retorts, fighting off your teasing hands. You giggle, crawling closer in his embrace. “In all seriousness though, I- thank you, baby.”

“For what? I haven’t done anything.”

“For not turning away, for being with me.” 

He kisses you and it felt like the first time you kissed. There was a mixture of nervousness mix in with that gut churning, stomach full of butterflies feeling of being so close to someone you love. There was always something there that hold him back. You had thought it was because the different walks of life that you belong to, he a man of intellectual while you grew up on hard work. You had met when he was guest lecturing at a seminar you attended for work. From the first moment his piercing gaze met yours, your heart melted. It didn’t take long for you to fully submit to his love and by the 3rd month of being together, you both had said many “I love you”.

“I have so many questions.” 

“Ask away, baby. Anything you want.” He strokes your cheek, eyes so focus it seems they’re relearning your features in a different light.

“I don’t even know where to begin… Uhm, we took so many pictures together. I thought vampires aren’t suppose to show up in pictures?” You felt a bit stupid asking but Donghyuk goes against everything you’ve read about what vampires are suppose to be like. 

“It’s not that camera can’t capture us. If you simply look through the lense, of course we appear. Back in the day, when we develop photos, they use a process that involves silver thus eliminating us vamps out of photos.” A small kiss finds itself on your nose as he admires the way you’re listening so intently, so eager to learn. “Before you ask, same with mirror. Back then mirrors were made with silver, now they’re made with aluminum backing.”

“So silver still hurt you then?” You speak up suddenly, almost scaring the poor man.

“Yes, it does. However the sun doesn’t as I suspect that will be your next question. The original vampires were somewhat allergic to the sun but evolution process and what not, we can still have beach day whenever you want.” He answers then smiles bright when you mumble “mental note to throw all my silver jewelry away.” You shy away in embarrassment when you meet his eyes but your curiosity got the better of you.

“What about garlic. I love garlic and you always make me garlic steak. So it’s not poison to you then.”  

“That, back when we were still being hunted, our ancestors and yours made a peace treaty between our kinds. To convince the human of letting us assimilate, the ancestors agreed on a white lie, a sort of insurance policy to assure that there was nothing to worry about. So they told everyone garlic would hurt us as not everyone could afford to keep silver to protect themselves. It was a mean to ease in the treaty but somehow it took on a crazy life of its own. Honestly, my father told me they’d just pretend to faint or cry in pain whenever a human try to use garlic on him and his friends.” 

“But wouldn’t that bite them in the ass if there was evil vampires? Are there evil vampires?” You postulate, so excited in all the new information that you sit up, hands clasp together in anticipation.

“I never said it was smart. Of course there’s evil just as there’re criminals amongst normal human. We did have incidents of course, there was outrage but it died quick after the elders set up a knight force for lacks of a better term that keeps the rogue ones in check.” Donghyuk had also slowly rising from his spot, pulling you into his laps as you leans into his chest. “Anything else, love?”

“Oh my God. Do you go out each night when I fall asleep and like steal blood?” You yelp out loudly, this whole time, you bonded with Donghyuk over the amazing food he cooked and the food adventures you both take. Early on in the relationship, he had suggested twice a month, you both would go on a food date to a completely random restaurant, something out of both your comfort zones. Never once did you have someone to love food as much as you do, perhaps even more that was willingly open to try absolutely everything and anything. Donghyuk silenced for a second then burst out in laughter that rumbles your body.

“What do you think I am, love? I’m a vampire, not some sort of blood thief. Yes, I don’t sleep at night but I still stay next to you or do work in the office. Your imagination is too wild, little lady.” You could feel your cheeks burst out with heat and steam puffing out of your ears from embarrassment. You hadn’t exactly intended for those thought to come to light, let alone have Donghyuk heard it. “Modern vampires still rely on blood but not in the same manner old vampires did. We have big tech labs and corporations that manufacture blood that serve the same function without us having to kill poor animals. Of course there was a big uproar and a small faction of vampires that went rogue but the elders took care of it fast.” Sensing your mortification creeping up still, Donghyuk does what he does best and pressing kisses all along your cheek to sooth your heart. “Trust me when I say our food adventures and all the time we cooked and ate together, it was all real. I can still taste just as human do, enjoy the food you made me just as you enjoy mine. But survival wise, I still have to get nutrient from blood.” As if reading your mind, Donghyuk ended your worries even before you could voice it. You whisper a soft understanding “ah” before settling in, tearing your brain apart for any other queries. 

“So that time…” You muse suddenly and watch as Donghyuk bites his lips in a strange expression you couldn’t decipher. 

“I- About that. I did use my power to push you out of the way of that oncoming motorcycle. I couldn’t let you get hurt and honestly it didn’t hurt me that bad, or at all actually…” Donghyuk hesitantly recalling the event that if he had to pin point a place and time he had solidified your relationship, it was then. You had just gotten out on lunch break while he was already sipping an espresso from the cafe across the street. He knew exactly when and where you’d appear from so he waited, and waited until he saw you skipped your way down the cobblestone sidewalk. You were just in uniform, black slack and white blouse just as every other girl in the company but there’s something so lovely, so graceful about you. You were swaying gently side to side waiting for the green blinking man to appear when his eyes met yours and felt a gush of wind knocking him off his feet when you cracked a bright smile. You waved, then proceed to step onto the empty street as the blinking man signaled it was your turn except… Donghyuk could hear it. 

The revving of engine, screeching of rubber against the hot asphalt intensifying with every second. You couldn’t of course and it made sense now when you think about it with his power granting him extraordinary hearing. Before you could make sense of the situation, your body already hit the ground yet it was Donghyuk that took most of the impact as his body flung forward. You clambered off of the hot floor as you watch the motorcycle tear off into the distant without a second thought for the lifeless Donghyuk laying just a few feet away. You screamed, you didn’t know how long you screamed for but you just wanted for the man who just saved your life to open his eyes. His forehead bloody, clothes tattered but he still mumbled making sure you were alright. You blanked as he motioned to the cellphone in his pocket. You pulled him into your embrace before dialing the name he sluggishly pointed at. Not even five minutes later, a black car with a strange plate and near black tinted window pulled up and whisked you both away to a hospital you’ve never heard of. They took him away for how long you didn’t know but when the gentle nurse shook you awake, Donghyuk was already in his private room resting. You settled in, watching as the spikes of his EKG run across the screen. He slept for the rest of the night and when you awaken, a blanket draped over your curled up body in the chair right next to his bed, Donghyuk pressing a kiss to your forehead. He jerked away in fear and embarrassment. He was so adorable, to a point where you couldn’t help but giggled before grasping onto his hand. The rest of the week was spent that way. Despite being the one in the hospital bed, he was more concerned about the scratches on your arms and legs.

“So, you weren’t hurt?” 

“I-I was originally but we healed fast. I was already healed by that morning when i stole that kiss from you.” He sighed, fearful that the most wonderful week that helped bloom your mere crush into a full blown bloom of love was all a lie. “Please don’t be mad. I had no choice, I couldn’t let you know that I healed at a rate 100 times faster than human does. That and…” His voice trailed off, making you shift in your seat in anticipation.

“And…?”

“And I really wanted you for myself. I watched you for so long through all the speech I made, the classes I taught and I just want a chance to be close to you. I wanted to be selfish even if it was just a lie. I wanted, needed the attention you gave me. Please don’t be mad.” He turns you around gently with both hands on your shoulders, he peers into your eyes, trying to figure out if there was any sign of regret but instead, you smile to ease his worries.

“I love you, Donghyuk. It still doesn’t change the fact that you saved my life. You got hurt trying to protect me. I don’t care if you heal in a second or a year, I would’ve taken care of you just the same.” You dive into his arms to reassure him nothing had change, nothing will change.

“Any more questions?”

“How old are you?” You ask and hear a small knowing sigh.

“I knew that was coming. In term of vampire age, I’m still young, I guess I’d be consider the same as my human age. In term of human years, I’m somewhere in the 400.” He sighs once again as you eyes widen in shock, a small gasp escapes your lips simultaneously as the poking and prodding of your finger on his face begins.

“Woah, you’re like super old. I can’t believe it… I’m into old rich dude. Don’t worry, you’re still handsome. Hold up!”

“What, what is it?” Donghyuk had gotten into the rhythm of your conversation by now to suspect your sudden halt is anything bad.

“How many girls have you been with… and is that why you’re so good in the bedding department.” You wink teasingly, dragging your index lazily from his chest down his abs before getting caught squarely in his hand. 

“Okay missy, that’s good enough questions for tonight. Yes, I’ve dated many women but not in that way. Out of everyone, only a few ever really accepted me as I am. Back then, even with the integration of our species, love between the two kinds weren’t exactly welcome so for the good of the people I love, I gave up. I hurt a lot of people I cared for and it had been over a hundred years since I fell so deeply in love with anyone. Had it not been for that accident, I-”

“You would’ve never made a move on me…” You sigh onto his lips, head falling onto his shoulder almost dejectedly at the thought of a life without Donghyuk. The delight in learning about a whole new world suddenly being purged from your mind as the gut wrenching thought of the most wonderful man in the world sitting alone in this house with no one to share even just a simple meal with but the ghost of his past loves. 

“Baby… Believe me when I say this. I do not regret anything that had happened between us. I wanted to so many time to tell you but I didn’t want to hurt you. All my past relationship had either ended in heartbreak or something even worse that I couldn’t imagine putting you through the same thing. Even if it’s the modern day, even if half human half vampire baby aren’t anything new. I just couldn’t risk putting you through so much pain.” He lifts your chin up to view the face of the person he holds dear in his heart, the most important person in his life. A frown breaks on his soft lips as he realize the twinkles in your eyes weren’t the usual kind but tears. 

“I love you, Donghyuk. If you’d let me, I want to be with you till the day I die… When I, how would that work? I, I don’t want you to be alone again…” Panic stricken your mind as the thought of you aging while your ever ethereal boyfriend remains the same. The thought of him having to watch you die, bury you, going back to that life of having no one to love, it kills you.

“I’m not immortal, baby, my lifespan is just longer. Don’t worry about that part for now, okay? We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

“How could I not. I don’t care if I die but I don’t want you to watch me die. I don’t want to leave you, all alone in this giant cold place…” A sob passes your lips and Donghyuk shushes you with soft stroke to your hair. 

“If you must know, my mother is human. My father is well over, God, I don’t even know how old he is anymore. they’re still living well and healthy into their 10 billionth year of marriage now. We have ways, but that’s story for another day. For now, just let the new information sink in.” Donghyuk pets your cheeks as he would always when you’re upset, a little trick he discovered early on that could still your nervous heart. His lips latch onto yours needfully as you cling onto his body, never wanting to let go. You both lay down, bodies flushing tight together letting the gentle pitter patter of fresh rain outside lull you both to sleep.

“Promise me there’s a way because I think I want to be with you for all eternity. Promise me, Donghyuk.” 

“I promise.” Donghyuk could feel his heart erratic from the thought that he too might be able to find forever love and happiness just as his parents did, still do. He didn’t think it was possible but the past two years of knowing you alone made the hundred years of loneliness before then so worth the wait. Watching the smile blooming so brightly on your sleepy features from his promise eases his weary mind as he laid there holding you in his arms, pressing soft kisses on your face just as he would every night when you sleep. For now, just knowing you want him just as much as he does you, willing to let him cuddle you tight even with the revelation of his hidden self awakening, pushing your relationship into a new light is good enough. Whatever happens now, Donghyuk trust you’ll always be in his corner, no more will he be lonely.

So I saw this post on facebook and I thought, why not? Let’s write something about this.