Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

From the windows of your ramshackle home, all you could see was fields in every direction. Stretching out to the horizon, split only by the straight line of the dirt track road that ran along the side of your front porch. The odd cart or wanderer would sometimes pass by but, for the most part, you were alone.

Until he arrived.

At first, he was just a distant silhouette. A shadow in the night that stood so still he could have been a dream. You only saw him when sleep refused to take you, and even then you were too bleary eyed and tired to mind him much.

Then he came closer. Still just standing there. No longer just a dream. Watching. Waiting for something unnameable. You tried not to let it bother you. To shut him out with threadbare curtains and sleep away the unease. Just like every night before, he was gone by the morning. And just as before, you questioned if he had even been real in the first place.

You tucked him away in a corner of your mind. He was not real. He could not hurt you. Until one day, as soon as the sun sank out of sight, there was a knock at the door. A steady rhythm like a heartbeat. You knew it was him before you had even stood to answer. Bound by the politeness that had been beaten into you since childhood, you opened the door — leaving the chain on for your own peace of mind.

‘Can I help you?’ Through the narrow crack, you got your first proper look at the stranger.

There was an unsettling ageless quality about him. Yes, his face was weathered and painted with a shadow of dark stubble. But there was a glint in his eyes and a boyish set to his polite smile.

‘I’m sorry for disturbing you at this hour, miss, but I been walking all day. Any chance I could come inside, rest my legs for a minute? I’ll be outta your hair before you know it.’

The blatancy of the lie took you aback; it was so bold you almost believed it, almost doubted that he was the same figure that had been haunting you. His shoes were dusty and there was sweat on his brow. A convincing performance, if it was one.

‘Where are you headed to?’ He looked over his shoulder, rubbing the back of his neck at the same time to reveal a single gold band on his ring finger. The knowledge that he was seemingly married soothed your anxieties a little.

‘Just going town to town, looking for work. Heard there’s a mill hiring, thought I’d try my luck there.’ It was plausible. You wanted to trust him. But uncertainty gnawed at the back of your mind.

‘Next town’s a ways away. I can’t let you in though.’ You scrambled for a reason why. ‘My husband don’t take kindly to strangers.’ You kept your left hand, ringless and bare, tucked away behind the door. The man smiled.

‘Well, I wouldn’t want to upset your husband.’ The way he dragged out the word betrayed his disbelief. But he backed away, half-turning to head back down the porch stairs. ‘I hope you have a good night, miss.’ His foot had only hit the top step when guilt washed over you and you called out to him.

‘You can sit out here, if you want. The swing is plenty sturdy. I can bring you some water, if you like?’ You wouldn’t let him inside but you also wouldn’t let yourself betray your hospitality either. He turned back to you with a smile like the sun.

‘Well, that’s mighty kind of you, miss.’ The way he sprung back onto the porch didn’t look like a man exhausted by a day’s travel in the Mississippi heat. It didn’t matter. You couldn’t very well turn him away now. Not now he’d sat heavily on the seat and sent it swinging back and forth with his momentum.

‘Can I ask your name, sir?’

‘Remmick.’ A strange name. One you hadn’t heard before. You introduced yourself and he nodded, almost seeming unsurprised by the information. You paused there, letting yourself rest in the moment, proud of the way you had handled things, when he coughed. ‘I’m sorry to be a pain but, would you mind awfully getting that water you mentioned?’

‘Oh, not at all! Just one moment.’ You went back inside, filling a ceramic cup with water from the pitcher and bringing it back the door where you realised that you’d have to undo the chain to get out to him. Dread seeped into your gut. Dread that you ignored as you pulled the chain loose and opened the door fully. ‘Here’s that water!’

He had made himself comfortable on the swing, one arm hooked over the back, legs spread wide. The word inviting briefly flickered over your mind before you shook it away. ‘Yer a darling. Mind bringing it here?’ You made to step over the threshold when a cold breeze swept over you, forcing you to pause. You suddenly had a chilling feeling that if you walked outside to meet this man that it would be the last thing you ever did.

‘I don’t…’ You fumbled for an excuse. ‘I left my coat somewhere. I’ll just leave it here, alright?’ Before you could crouch down to place the cup on the wooden floor, he was stood in front of you. You hadn’t even seen him move. A trick from your tired mind. That was the only explanation.

‘No bother.’ He offered his hand. You stared at it, taking in his calloused fingers, his worn down nails, the rust coloured stain on his cuff. ‘Somethin’ the matter?’

You jolted out of your reverie. ‘Oh, no! Nothing at all. I’m sorry. Here.’ Despite the instincts screaming at you, you reached out into the night air, hand meeting his as he took the water from you. His fingers brushed yours and you shivered at the unnatural cold of his skin. As soon as he had taken the cup, you pulled your hand back close to your body, making sure every part of you remained in the house. You didn’t know why, but you figured that as long as that symbolic banner stood between the two of you, you would be safe. He glanced at your shaking hand and smiled again as though there was no offense or rudeness. As though it was exactly as he’d expected.

‘I’ll be gone in a minute. Don’t you worry about your husband, now. He’ll never even know I was here.’ You smiled stiffly and nodded.

‘Goodnight, Remmick. I hope you find what you’re looking for.’

‘Goodnight, miss.’

The door finally closed between you. You sunk to the floor, sitting with your back pressed against it, listening as he once again crossed to the swing, setting a gentle, steady rhythm with its creaking.

*

You didn’t realise you’d fallen asleep there until you woke up to sunlight streaming in. Listening for a moment to be sure that Remmick wasn’t still outside, you stood and unlocked the door to step out into the bright morning. The porch was empty. The swing still. Fields swaying in the breeze. All as it should be. All except the cup that sat on the porch railing. The cup that, when you inspected it, was still full. He hadn’t drunk a single drop. You tossed the water out onto the small crop patch you maintained and tried not to think about him. Hopefully it was over. Maybe you had passed whatever test he represented and now you would be allowed to continue your life as you had been. You clung to that hope as you passed the day, sweeping out the dust and letting fresh air flow through the house, breathing new life into it and you. By the time the sun was setting, you could almost believe it. But as you sat eating your dinner, you heard it again. The slow, steady creak of the porch swing. Too steady for it to have been caught by the wind. Too slow to not be on purpose. You didn’t have to look to know it was him. He hadn’t even knocked. Had simply taken the seat like it belonged to him. As much as the anger simmering inside of you wanted to confront him, the fear of what he wanted with you was stronger. So you let him sit. Finished your dinner as though your appetite hadn’t vanished, washed and dried the dishes, avoided looking out the window. Through it all, the incessant creaking. Back and forth, back and forth. Even when you climbed into bed and buried your head under your pillow you could still hear it echoing in your mind. Back and forth, back and forth, swaying you into a tormented sleep.

*

The next night, you were ready for him. Nerves steeled and anger settled into something tame and controlled. But he didn’t come. There were no footstep on the porch, no creak of the swing. The only sound was the whistling of the wind and the yipping of coyotes. Sleepless nights had left your body heavy with exhaustion and so, when you realised there was no fight to be had, you stumbled to bed where you tossed and turned for what felt like hours. Eventually giving up on any rest, you sat up, sweat trickling down your forehead, nightdress askew on your shoulders. The bed was too big. You thought briefly of your imagined husband, wondered about the idea of a man laying beside you, someone who could soothe your restless mind and bring it back to reality. It was a fruitless dream. You had chosen the life you lived for the freedom it afforded you, and any husband would take that freedom away. Frustrated, you flopped back onto the cushions, laying on your side to gaze out the window. A draft captured the curtains so that they danced. Air. You needed air. Sheets tossed aside, you stood and crossed to open the room to the night. The cool breeze kissed your flushed skin and you closed your eyes, sighing in bliss.

‘Well ain’t that a pretty sight.’

You yelped and threw yourself back, tripping on the bedframe and crashing to the floor with a thud and a groan of pain. There he stood. Remmick. Your ghost. Your tormentor. Leaning against the window sill as though he had any right to. You stumbled to your feet, tugging your dress back onto your shoulder and crossing your arms over your chest, hiding whatever the sweat-sheer fabric might expose.

‘Where’s your husband?’ He smiled knowingly. You balked at the question, but still went to lie as if it wasn’t completely obvious he’d been a fabrication.

‘He’s not—’

‘Real?’

‘Here.’ You finished forcefully. Remmick’s eyebrows raised and he chuckled.

‘I can see that. Has he ever been?’ Blue eyes dragged up and down your disheveled figure in a way that made you feel more exposed and vulnerable than if you’d actually been naked.

‘What do you want? No work at the mill?’ His smile cracked even wider at that.

‘No, no work for my kind.’

‘Your kind?’

‘My kind.’ He didn’t elaborate.

‘You need to go.’

‘I don’t need to do anything I don’t wish to. And I’m quite happy here.’ He paused, finger pressed against his lips as though deep in thought. ‘Though, I have to say, I think I’d be happier in there.’

‘You’re not coming in. Please, just… Just go.’ You tried to be assertive but fear forced an undisguisable waver into your voice.

‘And leave a sweet thing like you out here, all alone? Unprotected?’ He rested a hand on his chest. ‘As a gentleman, I simply couldn’t. The weight on my conscience would be unbearable.’ The smirk on his face was anything but gentlemanly. It was knowing and self-assured, as though he could see how the pieces were going to fall before they were even placed. ‘But I understand.’ He took a step back. ‘You take your time. You’ll let me in when you’re good and ready. Until then, I’ll be watching over you. You can rest easy.’ He nodded in farewell and shifted back into the shadows. As his silhouette vanished, you could swear you saw his eyes flash a chilling blood red.

You could still feel his gaze on you. Even when you slammed the window shut and pulled the curtains so hard they almost tore, the thought of his eyes pierced you deeper than any blade. And you knew that there would be no sleep for you that night.

Nor the next. Or the one after that. Each sunset brought on a fresh hell. Every time you tried to close your eyes you felt him there. Whether you were buried under your sheets or sprawled out on the worn sofa, no matter how tightly you closed the curtains or how you plastered the windows with faded sheets of newspaper, it was palpable.

You’d even tried making a nest of blankets in the closet — the only place you knew he couldn’t see you — but still you felt his presence like a weight on your shoulders. Sleep didn’t come easily and, when it did, it came in fits and stutters, exhaustion dragging you into an unsettled slumber broken by the vision of those glowing red eyes.

At least the daytime brought you some semblance of peace, even though you felt as though you were sleepwalking through your chores and rituals. You didn’t know what kind of creature he was but he only ever appeared at night. Thus, you surmised the sun deterred him enough to offer you some long hours of safety. You savoured the time where you could let your guard down and raise your face to the daylight, letting the warmth wash over you like a balm. It was the only thing that gave you strength.

You didn’t see him again for nearly a week. Again, you started to wonder, to hope that he had left, had moved on to torment some other poor soul. Still, you didn’t dare go out at night. There was nothing out there for you but risk and danger.

One night, you had almost managed to drift off curled up on the sofa, when you heard the porch creak. Just once. But it was enough to jolt you wide awake and alert — at least, as awake and alert as you could manage to be when you had only had a few hours of sleep across the past ten days. Then you heard it. A note being plucked. A second. The strumming of an instrument. A soft voice singing in a language you didn’t recognise. As if you were compelled, you rose from your seat in a trance, crossing to the door and opening it to let the music slip inside.

No part of you was surprised to see Remmick sitting there. Not on the swing this time, but on the steps themselves. He held a banjo in his hands. The way he played was gentle, almost pensive. You leaned against the doorway to listen, careful to keep yourself tucked inside. You didn’t understand what he was doing but you were safe in here, and if he was telling the truth he was patient enough not to try and force you to let him in. So you could listen. He didn’t react to your arrival but you got the sense that he knew you were watching. The song finished and the final chord hung in the air of the humid night.

‘You’re up late.’ He spoke without turning to look at you.

‘You know I can’t sleep.’ He glanced over his shoulder, a cheeky smile on his face that made you sigh in frustration. He was enjoying this. Was amused by your torment. ‘Play another one.’ The request was bold; maybe even stupid. But if you weren’t allowed sleep then you would allow yourself this.

‘How could I say no?’ He began to play again, quicker and flightier, singing in English now. The song told the story of a man in pursuit of a girl called Rosie and, as he sang, Remmick’s voice slipped from the Southern twang you had grown familiar with into an Irish brogue, clipped and crooning and so, so tempting. You slid down the door frame and sat yourself on the floor, fingers tapping against your thigh in time. Perhaps you were enjoying the music too much. Perhaps you were letting yourself fall somewhere you couldn't return from. But, for a brief, beautiful moment, you could pretend you were someone else. A woman being serenaded by a lovesick caller. It was a pretty picture.

Too soon, Remmick closed the song with two hard, fast strums.

‘I liked that one.’ You murmured.

‘Hoped you would. It’s an ol’ favourite.’ His voice was back to normal now. Normal to you at least. ‘So,’ he turned towards you, ‘you gonna let me in now?’ You shook your head. ‘Shame. Well, I won’t keep you up.’ He went to stand.

‘Wait.’ The word slipped from your mouth before you could stop it. His movement froze. ‘Don’t go.’

‘I gotta admit, you’re confusing me a little here.’

‘If you’re sat here playing, I don’t have to wonder where you are. Don’t have to keep half an eye on every window.’ The tension in your brain and body had already begun to dwindle while you had been sat there. ‘Keep playing. Please.’

Your plea seemed to soften something in him. Remmick sat back down and plucked a few stray notes, considering what to play next. His hands drew your gaze. Still he wore that ring, though you suspected it was as false as your own invented husband. His fingers were nimble on the neck of the instrument, delicate and strong and precise all at the same time. You had to bite the inside of your cheek to keep your mind from wandering to untoward places as you watched them dance. The next song was slower again. Remmick sang gently about a lonely bird, torn from its home by a storm. The lyrics painted a vivid picture of sprawling fields and ancient forests, of sweet birdsong and howling winds. Under the hypnotic effect of his voice, you felt yourself starting to drift off, eyelids slumping closed of their own accord. You held off sleep as long as you could, listening closely, digging your nails into your palms, but then your head dropped and you couldn’t control the sudden fall into slumber.

*

The warmth of sunlight on your face woke you, and you found yourself in the same place you had fallen asleep. For the first time in days you actually felt rested. You had slept right in front of him and nothing had happened. Standing on shaky legs, you stretched, easing the sleep from your stiff joints and relishing in the feeling. A voice in your head berated you for being so reckless. But he hadn’t touched you. Hadn’t mocked you. Had simply played. Perhaps your fear was unfounded. It had been so long since anyone had existed in your life for more than a few short minutes. And here was a man who only wanted to keep you safe. To play you to sleep. To watch over you in the night where dark things prowled. Next time he asked, you decided, you would let him in.

*

But when you saw him next, that thought was driven from your mind faster than you could blink. You had stood on the porch to watch the sun set and hadn’t retreated inside even when darkness had washed over the land. He was out there. Waiting. Maybe he already had his sights on you. Left and right and left again, you swept your eyes across the tableau before you. No sign of him. No sign of anyone or anything but for the glow of fireflies and the snuffling of some creature.

Half an hour passed, an hour. Then you saw him. Emerging from the fields. Sauntering towards the house like he had all the time in the world until he caught sight of you standing there and ground to a halt. He almost seemed shocked. A shameful smile started to spread on your face until your eyes adjusted to the darkness and you saw the truth of him for the first time. Eyes gleaming red. Nails like jagged claws. Blood. So much blood, coating his face as though he had been drowning in it. Poured down his front. Dark and sticky and fresh. You froze. Then you ran. In the two short steps it took you to get from the railing through your open front door, he somehow crossed the impossible distance to the porch and lunged for you. You screamed as his claws caught on a strand of your hair, tearing it from your head as you fell forwards into safety. On hands and knees, you scrambled away from him, tears falling down your cheeks. You refused to look. Refused to see the gore and horror up close and in brutal reality.

‘Hey, hey! Calm down!’ He spoke to you firmly but gently as though you were a spooked horse. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.’ You didn’t move. Couldn’t; your limbs were shaking too badly. ‘I didn’t want you to run. Couldn’t help myself when you did.’ Your stomach lurched. ‘Hey, it’s okay. I’m here. I’m right here.’ The soothing words only incited more terror into you. Curling up on the floor, you sobbed, trying to drown out the sound of Remmick hushing you. ‘You can cry. You should. You’ve had a real scare. And it’s my fault, I know that. But I’m not going anywhere until you sit up and show me you’re alright.’ The tears felt like they lasted forever and then some. They only ended when you were sure you had wrung every ounce of liquid from your body and even then you could barely move except to hiccup, trying to get your breathing under control. Remmick was still there. You didn’t think he had moved the entire time. ‘Ya’ with me now?’ Trembling arms pushed you up to lean against the leg of a dining chair, clinging to it like it could protect you. ‘You gotta look at me. I gotta see your face.’ The faux sympathy sickened you. Worse, it almost convinced you. Sure that he wouldn’t leave until you obeyed, you turned your face to where he knelt before the doorway.

He had shed his overshirt and wiped the blood from his face, clearing up the worst of the mess, though there was still some caught in his smile lines and staining his teeth, as well as soaking the edges of the exposed white undershirt. Your eyes caught on his arms, tracing the shape of them, the soft flow of muscle and vein before jerking back up to his face and those eyes that had returned to blue.

‘I really didn’t mean to… I thought you’d be inside. You’re always inside.’

‘It’s my porch.’ You stuttered. ‘I’m allowed to be on my porch.’

‘I know, I know.’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘But you haven’t been. I was gonna clean up. Didn’t even plan on you seeing me, I swear it.’

‘What are you? Who— who’s blood was that?’

‘That’s—  It doesn’t matter—‘

‘It does! Remmick, it really does!’ In spite of everything, when you said his name he smiled.

‘If I tell you, will you calm down?’

‘I ain’t promising that.’

‘Fine. I’m…’ He didn’t seem to know how to put the answer into words, chewing on his lip like a naughty schoolboy. ‘I’m a vampire, alright?’

‘A vampire.’

‘Yes.’

‘Vampires aren’t real.’

‘Oh, trust me, I’m as real as anyone else is. Maybe even more.’

The reality of it all fell upon you like a ton of bricks. It made sense. Of course it did. The night time visits, the force that kept him from entering your home, the blood. ‘You’re going to kill me.’

He shook his head slowly, gaze fixed on your flushed and tear-stained face. ‘Oh no, darlin’, I was never going to kill you. I told you, I’m here to protect you. To save you. I know how lonely you are, how out of place you feel no matter where you go; that’s why you had to come all the way out here where no one could make you feel so wrong inside. But there’s a place for you. That’s what I offer. Fellowship. A home. Love.’

‘You can’t— Vampires can’t love.’

‘Who told you that? Immortality without love? I don’t know anyone who’d suffer it.’

‘Fine. That doesn’t mean you love me. How could you? You don’t know me!’

‘But I do. I see you, clearer than anyone else ever has. Your kindness. Your generosity. Your bravery.’ Bravery. You could be brave. Using the chair for leverage, you stood, and Remmick stood with you. ‘Good. That’s good. I’m glad you—’

‘Goodnight Remmick.’ You turned and walked away, urging yourself not to run even when he called after you, holding on tight to that sliver of courage that had manifested from his words until the closet door was closed behind you and you could collapse into the safety of the darkness. The front door was still open but he couldn’t get in. It didn’t matter though. You were trapped. The nearest house was more than a day’s travel, and even if you made it you would simply be damning them to a worser fate than yours. A vampire, a real, flesh and blood vampire had you in its sights, and it wasn’t going to let you go.

*

Three nights passed without any sign of Remmick. They passed without any sleep either. You were tired. So tired. More tired than you knew a person could be. You barely had the strength to drag yourself through the necessities of eating and drinking and bathing, let alone the list of chores that piled higher and higher and higher. It couldn’t go on like this. You had hoped to make it out by getting through but there was no light at the end of the tunnel; simply a brick wall mortared with blood.

One morning, you stepped outside to find a bouquet of wildflowers. There was no note but you didn’t need one to know who they were from. Pressing them to your nose, you inhaled the sweet scent. In another life, it would have been a sweet gesture. In this one, it felt like they had been left on your grave. You couldn’t give in. It couldn’t all have been for nothing. But you weren’t living. Even if your heart was still beating and blood was still flowing through your veins, he had stolen your life from you. You refused to hide away any longer. It was a beautiful day. The most beautiful in a long time. Clear blue skies stretching out forever. The sun, bright and warm, but not sweltering. Crops dancing in the soothing breeze. Flowers in bloom.

A beautiful day worth enjoying.

The swing was solid beneath you. You pushed off gently with one foot, setting it swaying back and forth. You only intended to spend an hour or so there. Letting the sunlight renew you and give you fresh strength as it made its lazy way across the sky and down towards the horizon. But by the time the sunset was lighting the sky ablaze in reds and purples, you had rocked yourself into a peaceful sleep, flowers still held tight in your hand.

*

The swing was still moving when you woke up to the darkness of night and Remmick sitting beside you. Panic jolted through you but your body was frozen. You could only look and take him in even as you wanted so badly to flee, as you berated yourself for your foolishness. There was no blood this time. No terror. He looked just the same as he had that first night he had stepped onto your porch and introduced himself to you. He wasn’t watching you. His gaze was pointed into the distance, eyes far away and pensive. He had slung an arm over the back of the seat. It was almost close enough to touch, but not quite.

‘I didn’t mean to…’ You didn’t need to finish the sentence. You and he both understood. You supposed it was inevitable now. ‘Will it hurt?’ You cringed at how small your voice sounded.

‘It’ll hurt. It’ll hurt like you’ve never felt before. And then? Freedom like you’ve never imagined it.’ Now he looked at you, eyes wide and almost pleading. ‘I won’t give it to you if you’re not ready. I know you weren’t waiting here for me.’ He almost sounded disappointed. ‘I’ve got all the time in the world, sweet thing.’

You found a strange comfort in his words. You weren’t ready. You both knew it.

‘I think I’d like to go back inside. Can I? Can I go in?’

Remmick sighed, looking you up and down with a dark and wanting gaze. ‘I won’t stop you. But I want one thing before you go.’

‘What?’

‘A kiss. Just a kiss and I swear, I will not move from this spot.’

Warmth blossomed in your chest. Suddenly, you saw him in a whole new light. Not a distant shadow, but a solid, tangible being only inches away from you. Not your tormentor. Your protector. A guardian in the night. You shouldn’t have trusted him, but you did. You had to. He hadn’t touched you. He could have easily killed you as you slept and you would have never even known about it. He had just sat and waited patiently. And it had been so long since you had been kissed. Since you had been wanted. You reached for him and pressed a shaking hand to his cheek. The skin was cold beneath your touch. His eyes fluttered shut at the contact and he released a shaking breath.

‘One kiss?’

‘One kiss.’ He nodded. Hesitant but determined, you leaned in, his arm brushing against yours before you pressed your lips to his in a chaste kiss.

You were surprised first at how soft they were, second by how gentle he was with you. A strong hand rested against your upper arm, not forcing you closer but holding you steady. Remmick pulled away first, releasing you, allowing you your promised freedom.

You didn’t want it. You wanted him.

Heart pounding, you pulled Remmick back into you by his suspenders, lips capturing his once more. The bouquet of flowers fell to the floor and were immediately forgotten. He groaned in surprise but reacted quickly, his other hand coming to rest on your hip. The pressure of it sent shockwaves through your body and you practically purred against him. A restrained but animalistic growl tore its way out of his mouth. You should have been frightened by the sound, but instead it sent a rush of heat straight to your core. He gently tipped your head back to deepen the kiss, tongue brushing against your lips, begging for access that you gladly gave. It was wet and messy and intense and you needed more. He was being so soft, so careful with you, as though you might break under his touch. You hadn’t endured the month of sleepless nights and constant alertness just to be handled like some fragile thing.

‘Please…’ You pulled back, a thick string of spit suspended between your lips. ‘Please, Remmick, I need… I need more.’

‘More, huh?’ He groaned. ‘I can give you more, darling.’ His grip tightened and in a single swift move he had pulled you up to straddle his lap, the sudden movement setting the swing in motion again. You instantly felt how hard he was, a relentless pressure between your legs. Remmick rolled his hips upwards to grind against your most sensitive spot. The sensation was overwhelming and all-encompassing, collapsing you into his shoulder with a ragged moan. ‘I know, I know.’ One hand released you to drag along your clothed knee. Even though the sensation was dulled by the fabric between you and him it still sent goosebumps across your skin.

‘Don’t stop.’ The words felt so desperate but you didn’t care. Every possible scrap of pleasure was yours to demand and devour.

‘Up.’ Remmick patted your hip and you practically flinched in confusion. Had you done something wrong?

‘What?’

‘I said, up.’ He growled, forcing you to your feet on unsteady legs. Before you could react he had reached under your skirts, tugging down your damp underwear and helping you step out of them. He paused to tuck them into his pocket before yanking you back down on top of him. Now you could feel the rough fabric of his trousers, harsh against your skin and strained tight over his dick. Once you were settled, his mouth returned to yours and his hand went back to your knee, this time slipping under the fabric of your skirt and dancing across your skin to make you shiver into him. His other hand made its way to your chest, gently caressing your breast before squeezing harshly. You yelped and he swallowed the sound like it was better than air. Nimble fingers twisted expertly at your nipple through your dress until you were whimpering and pleading for him to touch you. ‘What’s that? Ya need to speak up, darlin’.’

‘You bastard.’ That earned a sharp pull on your nipple that had you howling pathetically up at the moon. ‘Fuck. Please, touch me.’

‘I thought I was.’

‘You know what I mean. Touch me there.’

‘And where’s that?’ You groaned at his obstinance. Anger began to simmer inside you until he whispered in your ear. ‘Show me where.’

He was cruel. You had expected that. But you hadn’t expected cruelty to taste so sweet. Fumbling with your skirts, your hand delved between your legs to your soaking cunt. Your wetness was audible and you would have been embarrassed if the relief of your fingers swirling around your clit didn’t feel so damn good, your head falling back in a silent gasp of pleasure.

Remmick swore and kissed you again, all teeth and spit and bestial noises. The hand that was on your knee shifted higher and traced circles on the soft skin of your thighs, sending tingling waves through your body that quickly grew into a crescendo. Your own hand moved faster, building the pressure against your clit until it was almost unbearable, that familiar knot deep inside growing tighter and tighter. Remmick’s hips began to buck, pushing your hand into you with a relentless rhythm that had you gasping. ‘You gonna come for me? Make a fuckin’ mess?’ You nodded frantically. ‘Use your words.’

‘Yes, yes, I’m gonna— fuck, I’m—’ Your sentence collapsed as your orgasm washed over you, making you incapable of any noise but desperate, desperate whines. Remmick buried his face in your neck and began to kiss and suck at the join between it and your shoulder, all as his hips continued rising and falling. Your vision grew hazy, your mind blissed out and your body exhausted. But it wasn’t over yet. Remmick’s hand that had been so attentive on your legs grabbed at your hand, pulling it out into the cool night air.

‘Open.’ Your mouth dropped obediently and he pressed your fingers against your tongue, making you feel the sticky sweetness of your juices. Without instruction you sucked on them, dragging your tongue along your skin like you were starving. Remmick groaned at the sight. When you were done, he pulled your hand away and kissed you, so soft and sweet it confused you. ‘You good?’ You nodded. ‘Need to hear you say it.’

‘I’m good. I…’ You sighed, chest rising and falling in time with his. ‘Need more. Need you.’ You dropped your hand to his bulge and squeezed, enjoying the hiss that escaped his mouth.

‘You’ll have me. You’ve got me.’ Hurried hands practically tore open his trousers and you felt him brush up against you, hard and pulsing and hot. With his hands on your hips to steady you, you rose up, guiding him to notch against your opening. Only then did you feel how thick he was and a brief rush of trepidation washed over you. ‘Go slow.’ You nodded, lowering yourself down and gasping at the way you stretched around him. Clinging to his shoulders, you eased him deeper, shifting gradually until all you could feel was the press of him inside you, until you were settled flush against him. He gave you a second to adjust before he rolled his hips again, eliciting harmonious moans from the both of you. Together, you set a slow and steady pace, relishing in every drag of him against your walls. Foreheads pressed together and breath intermingled as the pleasant agony sang through your body. The rhythm began to build, both of you chasing the high you so desperately wanted, the swinging of the seat creating a strange momentum between you that felt so impossibly good. Remmick’s hands caught under your thighs and shifted you forward, chest pressing against his, and the new angle had noises you didn’t know you could make tumbling from your lips, his swollen head pressing against that fleshy spot deep inside you to send electric shocks of pleasure through every limb. He pressed his face against your chest, inhaling deeply. Your hands tangled in his dark hair and pulled him in even closer as he left kisses along the fabric, licking as though he could somehow get inside, teeth dragging against the seams desperately. But, to his credit, he restrained himself from tearing the fabric. Instead, he channeled that into you, picking up speed until he was pounding upwards and you were falling apart in his grip. Somehow not satisfied with the state he had you in, he lifted one hand to your shoulder and pushed you back, the other hand on your thigh grounding you so that you were bent backwards in a curve that let him hit deeper than you knew he existed. You caught a glimpse of his eyes and your heart stuttered at the sight of that vivid glowing red peeking out from under hooded eyelids. Drool poured from his gaping mouth, coating his chin and shirt. You felt the stickiness of it on your own chest. Behind his lips, his crooked teeth had transformed into jagged fangs that gnashed at the air. But you were far too gone to be afraid. On the contrary, the sight of them forced the pressure that had been slowly-building into a sudden and overwhelming peak and you were screaming into the night as pleasure consumed you. With a few more sloppy thrusts you heard Remmick choke and felt the heat of him spilling inside you. His hips kept moving as he came and you matched him, dragging out your own orgasm as you moved against him, your cunt pulsing in time with him as he spent himself. As the aftermath washed over you, you fell limp in his arms and he held you close. ‘Fuck.’ Remmick laughed. Gentle hands brushed your dishevelled hair from your face and he pressed a sweet kiss to your temple.

‘You’re a confusing man, Remmick.’ You mumbled into his shirt.

‘You’re one to talk.’ He helped you sit up and you flinched at the sensation of his softening cock still inside you. Blue eyes, not red, looked up at you in reverence. ‘“Just a kiss”?’
 
You shrugged, laughing at yourself, at the situation you had found yourself in. ‘It was a very pleasant kiss.’ Shaking hands cradled his face, exploring his jaw and throat, mapping the territory as though you were claiming it.

‘I gathered.’ He twitched and you gasped at the sensation, making him grin with ordinary teeth. ‘Does this change things?’

You shook your head and his smile faded. ‘Not tonight.’ Not never. ‘I want more days, Remmick. I want the sun. I want to live my life before I throw it away.’

‘I’ll wait. I’ll watch over you and I’ll wait. You just call my name and I’ll be here.’ His nose brushed against yours in a gesture that felt almost too intimate. ‘Whatever you need. A song. This—’ Another insufferable thrust of his hips that had you keening. ‘A conversation. And when you’re ready, you say the word.’ You believed him and you were glad for it.

‘I think I’d like to go to bed now.’ He nodded, pulling out of you slowly which invoked another gasp when you felt his cum trickling out of you. With inhuman strength he helped you stand on your shaking legs, supporting you to the door that would divide you. ‘Goodnight, Remmick.’ You hesitated, mind wandering to visions of him lying beside you in bed, of his hands on your body, his steady breathing next to yours. But you couldn’t go that far. Couldn’t let go of the single defense you knew you had. Instead, you placed a gentle kiss on his cheek and stepped inside. He kept his hands on you as long as he could before the barrier came between you.

‘Goodnight, darlin’. Sweet dreams.’

You slept sounder that night than you ever had, with a pleasant ache between your legs and a newfound sense of peace settled over your mind.

Out there, in the darkness, Remmick watched over the solitary house, cursing his softness and hoping that your acceptance would come sooner rather than later. A wolf howled into the night, too close for comfort. Remmick’s head snapped in the direction, form shifting into something truer, sharper, deadlier. He would feed tonight and he would keep you safe. The only threat you would ever have to contend with again would be him.

Chapter Text

Dawn came slowly and gently. The light of the rising sun crept through your window and up your bed; as it reached your face, your eyelids fluttered open to welcome the morning. Sleep clung to you, trying to drag you back under, but as you yawned and stretched your aching muscles, you were glad to be awake. Glad to be alive. You had slept more soundly than you could remember ever having slept in your life and, for once, you were ready to meet the day.

When you swung your legs over the side of the bed, the ache in your thighs deepened and memories of the night before came rushing back to you with a gasp. Remmick sitting beside you on the swing. Your hand on his face. His hands on your hips. Lips pressing against lips, pressing against your jaw, your chest, your neck.

Your hand flew to the spot that you knew he had bitten and pain shot through you. You leapt for the mirror. There it was, right at the junction of your throat and shoulder: a red mark so dark it was almost black, blooming across your skin like spilled wine. Pushing through the pain, you tested the skin for any breaks and were relieved to find he hadn’t actually punctured the skin. Once the moment of panic was over, you realised that the warmth of the sun on your skin should have been evidence enough that Remmick hadn’t turned you. Even with your flesh between his teeth he hadn’t broken your trust. You suddenly regretted the way you had treated him before, the distance you had kept when he had been little other than gentlemanly. But you had been justified. No matter what happened, you had to remember that. You couldn’t forget the monster that lay under the veneer of politeness. The one that watched you as you slept. That came to your door covered in someone else’s blood. Whose blood had that been? Who had died to feed the creature you had found yourself bound to, had found yourself growing affection for? Those chapped lips that had kissed you so softly hid jagged fangs that could easily tear you to shreds. And he wanted you dead. He wanted to make you like him, which meant he wanted you dead. The idea was somewhat less romantic in the stark light of day than it had been in the darkness of night. But nobody had ever made you feel the way he did. Not just physically, though every time you thought about the previous night heat flooded to your core. But the way he looked at you, like you were the only light in the world. He made you feel cherished. There was no other word for it. You never wanted to lose that feeling. And if having it forever meant dying, then it would be worth it.

Just not quite yet.

Even with the strain on your body, you felt like you were floating through the day. Now that you were well-rested, you could get back on top of the jobs you had fallen behind on. In just a few hours you had thrown every shutter and door open, swept the floors, cleaned the windows, washed the dishes. You couldn’t remember the last time that you had been so productive and you relished the feeling. But the whole time you worked, you had half your mind on the approaching evening and on Remmick’s return. Once the sun had finally vanished and the sky had darkened, you sat out on the porch step and waited. A slight fear still lingered in your heart, but the want that you felt was far stronger. The moon rose slowly behind you, starting to wane. Stars twinkled down on you like a thousand watchful eyes. Though you were alone, you weren’t lonely. How could you be? Even if Remmick wasn’t here, you could still feel him on your skin, in your muscles. That was the only thing that kept your anxiety at bay as you waited. But when hours had passed and he had not appeared, you stung with disappointment. Eventually you gave up on your watch, heading back inside to your empty house.

Your body was still sore — hardly helped by your work that day — so you decided to draw yourself a bath. It was no easy task to carry and heat enough water to fill the deep tub, but as you slipped your body into the steaming water and inhaled the aroma of the oils you had poured, it was all worth it. You leaned back until you were immersed up to your shoulders and you could feel the tension you held releasing with the soothing heat. Closing your eyes, you exhaled and let yourself drift away.

A low whistle snapped your eyes open and you yelped at the sight of Remmick leaning against the windowframe, his blue eyes taking in the scene before him appreciatively. Frozen for a moment, fixed in his piercing gaze, you suddenly became conscious of your naked body. You lurched forward, wrapping your arms around you knees and hugging them tight against your chest to hide what you both knew he had already seen. Remmick huffed slightly at the loss but you merely tightened your grip. Yes, he might have already been inside you, but that had been spontaneous, a moment in time fuelled by raw instinct and heat. This was different. This was quiet and vulnerable. Soft and exposed. Silence hung between the two of you as he examined the scene before him.

‘Evenin’,’ was all he said.

‘Evening.’ A moment of quiet as you drew slow, steady breaths to try to calm the racing of your heart. Knowing what he was, you were sure he knew just how fast it was beating. There were a thousand things you could have said, wanted to say, but you could only pick one: ‘How long have you been there?’

‘Not long. I swear it.’ Perhaps surprisingly, you believed him.

‘Wasn’t sure if you were coming tonight.’ A breeze across your damp skin made you shiver. ‘Wasn’t sure if you were coming back at all.’ It was absurd; having this conversation so casually when you were sitting there naked and he had an unmistakeable string of drool dangling from the side of his mouth.

‘Sorry, darlin’. Had to attend to some business.’

‘What kind of business?’

‘I think you know.’

‘Feeding?’ The word felt unfamiliar in your mouth. The context unnatural. Remmick winced at it.

‘Sounds so crass when you say it like that. Besides, wasn’t so sure if you’d be wanting to see me after…’

‘After what?’ Everything you said felt stiff and awkward. You had known how to be around him when you were afraid of him, when he was some unknown entity out there in the shadows. Now, it was different. Now, he stood there in the flickering candlelight, head ducked in what almost looked like embarrassment, a flush on his cheeks. ‘Are you blushing?’ You almost laughed.

‘Am I?’ Remmick pressed a hand to his warmed cheek. ‘Y’know, I didn’t think I could.’

‘Never thought I could make the big bad vampire blush.’

Remmick tilted his head. ‘Now, I really don’t think I’m all that bad.’

You shook your head with a soft smile. ‘Not so bad at all.’

He shuffled where he stood, one arm pressed to the window frame like was trying to lean closer, though you both knew he couldn’t. ‘You’re alrigh’ though? I didn’t hurt you?’

‘I don’t know if I’d say that. Feels like I’ve been trampled by every herd of cattle from here to the state line. And then there’s this…’ You tilted your head and lowered your knees enough to expose the vicious bruise that had blossomed across your skin, gesturing to it with the hand that wasn’t clinging to your legs. ‘You could do with watching those teeth of yours.’

‘My apologies.’ Remmick didn’t look anywhere near apologetic. In fact, he looked downright proud of the mark he had left on you, of the promise it represented.

‘Thank you.’ You traced a finger distractedly along the aching skin and didn’t miss the way that Remmick’s eyes followed the movement with a hungry glint to them. Testing his response, you let your hand slip under the water suggestively, though you did nothing but lay it against the base of the tub. The drool on Remmick’s lips seemed to thicken before your very eyes. ‘Interesting.’

‘What you’re doing, right now? That’s cruel. You’re being cruel.’ He groaned.

‘You bit me. Haven’t I earned a little cruelty?’ You loosened the grip you held on your legs, just slightly — not enough to expose anything, but enough to suggest that you might.

‘Sure you have. Just didn’t think you had it in ya’.’

‘There’s a lot you have to learn about me, Remmick.’

‘I look forward to it.’ It was your turn to blush at the certainty of his words. Your movement stilled and you turned your head away, your brazen moment vanishing with a wave of self-consciousness.

‘So, you just gonna stand there watching me all night?’

‘I think so. Water’s gotta get cold at some point. Unless you’d like to let me in?’

‘Not yet. I quite like you out there. Matter of fact, I think you like it too.’

‘Like it when you’re out here with me.’ He couldn’t hide the grumble in his voice.

‘Thought you were a patient man?’ Remmick nodded. A voice in your head screamed at you to stop. A louder one wanted to see how far you could push him. Besides, you were in need of a bath. No need to let his presence stop you from cleaning yourself. ‘Then prove it.’ He cocked his head at you, a questioning look in his eyes. You answered by reaching for your washcloth and bar of soap, lathering them together before beginning to rub the soapy material across your body. Your movements left a trail of suds across the curve of your spine, the slope of your shoulders, the rise of your collarbones. Remmick’s eyes followed your every movement with that gleam of hunger you had grown familiar with, his jaw clenched so tightly you could see the muscle twitching under his skin.

‘I told ya’: you’re a cruel lady.’ You hummed in response. The desperation in his voice lit a fire inside you and you were hungry to hear more, extending one leg in a lazy, cat-like stretch that drew a desperate groan from the watching vampire. Your newfound confidence baffled you but Remmick’s reactions pushed you to keep going. A shiver ran down your spine as you circled your breast with the cloth, the rough fabric against your nipple sending a pleasant tingling sensation through your body. The leg still bent to your chest fell to the side, exposing you completely under the murky water. Remmick swore and you heard the distinctive metal rattle of his belt buckle being undone. A shaky gasp escaped your lips and your eyes fluttered close to picture what he might be doing. To picture him freeing his cock, already hard and leaking, his hand tightening around it and stroking it slowly. You wondered what he might look like, flushed red with stolen blood. You had felt the thickness of it but imagining was different. Drool was gathering in your mouth at the thought of how he would taste with your lips wrapped around him. The vision moved in time with the lewd sounds you could hear from the window, sounds of slick flesh and Remmick grunting as he stroked himself slowly. ‘Don’t you stop now,’ he muttered through gritted teeth. He was right — distracted by him, your own hands had become idle. You dropped the cloth and it sank to your side. Eyelids drooping with lust, you didn’t hesitate to press your fingers against your aching bud, immediately drawing a desperate whine. ‘Fuck, yes. Just like that.’ Remmick’s voice urged you on, your other hand falling to your breast and squeezing harshly at the tender flesh. With your thumb still circling the bundle of nerves at your peak, you slid your fingers down to your opening and sunk two inside, a throttled groaning forcing its way out of your throat at the pleasant ache as your cunt stretched around them. Remmick’s voice and movements stuttered, then picked up the pace with an intensity you hadn’t thought possible. You began to thrust and curl your fingers, trying to match his tempo. You imagined it was him inside you, his hands scorching your body, his hot breath against your skin as he pulled you closer and closer to your climax. You hoped he was doing the same. As your fingers thrust in a steady rhythm, your mind started to wander, worry creeping in. Instinctively, a hand rose to settle around your throat — not gripping, not cutting off your air supply, but pressing softly, an insistent pressure that grounded your mind and sent chords of aching pleasure through your body. Your thumb pressed softly to the bruise and you gasped at the jolts of agonising delight that shot across your skin. Remmick swore in a language you didn’t recognise and you heard something crunch. Eyes flying open, you saw that the window frame had cracked under his grip. As always, his eyes were locked on you, but now they were a blaze of red. It should have frightened you. But, with a final curl of your fingers, it pushed you over the edge into a climax just as intense as the one he had given you last night, if not more. Your body seized, water splashing over the sides of the tub, and all you could speak was his name in short, gasping breaths. Through the ringing in your ears you heard Remmick moan your name into the night like wolf howling at the moon.

Your body loosened and you sank into the water, energy spent. Remmick’s breathing came out in huffs and puffs, stroking himself through the end of his own orgasm. So consumed by your own pleasure, you had missed the moment he came. Disappointing. But there was always next time. You giggled at the thought, too dazed to restrain the sound. Remmick flinched. ‘No, I- I’m not laughing at you. I was just-’ You sighed, gulping in deep breaths of air to replenish your wrung out lungs. ‘Just a thought.’ He examined you cautiously and you prayed he believed you.

‘And what thought would that be?’ Seemingly reassured, he gave you a sly look.

‘Maybe I’ll tell you later. If you’re good.’ This wasn’t a side of you that you’d ever seen before. Without even doing anything, Remmick already seemed to have transformed you into something new. Or maybe this version of yourself had always been lurking under the surface. Maybe he was just the match that lit the waiting tinder.

‘I’m always good, sweetheart.’

‘Liar.’ He grinned. He lifted his hand into view and your heart skipped a beat at the sight of it still streaked in his cum. When he went to wipe it on his shirt, you called out:

‘Wait!’ Remmick narrowed his eyes and you cursed your impulsiveness. ‘Never mind.’

‘Nuh uh. None of that.’ You looked away shyly, a fresh blush colouring your cheeks. ‘What is it?’

‘Just thought it’d be a shame to ruin that nice shirt of yours.’

‘Oh yeah? What’s your suggestion then?’

‘Turn around.’

‘Seriously?’

‘Seriously!’ Once again, the heat of the moment had passed and your inconsistent sense of modesty had returned. Remmick muttered a complaint but obeyed. You clambered from the tub inelegantly and grabbed the waiting towel from the counter, wrapping it around your body tightly before approaching the window. ‘You can look now.’ Remmick turned back and his eyes darkened, immediately fixing on the bare skin of your shoulders still dew-dropped with water. Steeling your courage, you reached a hand over the sill — out of your domain and into his. He let you take his wrist without comment, gaze following your movement as your body followed to lean out into the night, the cool night air now a balm against your lust-warm skin. Before you could think too long and retreat, you dragged your tongue along Remmick’s palm, tasting the saltiness of his cum, cleaning his skin as best you could. His breath caught in his throat as he watched you lap at his hand, as your lips wrapped around his thumb and sucked.

‘You’re gonna be the death of me,’ he groaned. You smiled around him before releasing him with a pop.

‘I thought it was going to be the other way ‘round,’ you teased.

‘Oh no, darlin’.’ He murmured. ‘I’ll kill you once, sure. But I think, after that, you’ll kill me every day for the rest of our immortality. And I will thank you for it every time.’ His hand tightening on yours, he suddenly yanked you forward and captured your lips in his. You yelped at the sudden movement but the sound was swallowed by his mouth. The brief panic fled your body and you submitted to the warmth of his touch, his tongue pushing into your mouth and tasting himself. One hand still clinging to the towel and the other trapped by his grip meant you couldn’t touch him as you wanted to. Your teeth snagged on his lip and he hissed. He kissed you until you had no more breath left to give and you were forced to pull away or else risk becoming dizzy. Remmick looked at you enraptured, eyes shimmering, lips parted and panting for air that he didn’t need. ‘Come outside?’

You nodded. ‘Let me dress. I’ll only be a few minutes. Don’t go anywhere.’

Ignoring Remmick’s muttered comment about you not needing to worry yourself with clothes, you hurried from the room. It took you maybe five minutes to dry yourself before slipping on a nightdress and draping a shawl across your shoulders. Outside, Remmick was pacing. Or perhaps prowling was the more apt word.

‘You’ll wear a new path if you carry on like that.’ His head snapped up at the sound of your voice. You blinked and he was stood in front of you, covering the distance at an impossible speed that had you starting backwards in surprise. Strong hands caught you by the waist before you could stumble and instead pulled you close to his chest.

‘I’ve got you.’

‘Yes, you do.’ The words were little more than a breath; all the air had been knocked from you at the closeness of his body. Instinctively, you draped your arms around his shoulders, pulling him impossibly closer. Now that you were settled on your feet and against him, Remmick’s hands loosened just enough to let them drag across your skin, exploring the planes of your body under the thin fabric of your dress. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to let him touch you like that. ‘What happens now?’ You hadn’t intended to ask the question out loud; it was far more for you than it was for him. But he’d heard it now and there was a soft smile on his face.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Just…’ The words to express yourself didn’t come easily. Even as you went to speak, your mouth felt clumsy. ‘You are what you are. I know what you want.’

‘I’m not sure—’

‘Please don’t interrupt me.’ He clicked his tongue and nodded in apology. ‘You want me. I want you.’ A tightening across his chest. ‘It sounds so simple. But I don’t know what that means.’

‘It means whatever you need it to.’ Remmick’s voice was a low, comforting purr that hummed through your body. ‘If you know what you want, that’s all that matters. You take your time. I’m here. I’ll never be far.’ His lips brushed your temple, your cheek, your jaw, kisses trailing down the column of your neck before pressing lightly against the bruise he had left there. There was a thrum of pain that twisted itself into a strange reflection of pleasure.

‘What if I change my mind?’ Even as you said it, you knew you wouldn’t. But the way Remmick stilled against you made you glad you asked.

‘Then I’ll move on.’ His words were stilted, spoken through gritted teeth. ‘I’ll leave you be. But trust that I won’t be glad for it. And I won’t go unless I’m sure that you’re sure.’ Another kiss pressed against your thrumming pulse, this one firmer, followed by an impulsive drag of his teeth that made you gasp.

‘Don’t go.’ You whispered, clinging to him.

‘Not going anywhere.’ Still wrapped up in each other, Remmick pulled you down to sit on the porch steps, curling your body around his. He kept his face tucked against the crook of your neck, breathing in your scent, lips brushing the sensitive skin with every rise and fall of your chest. ‘Just want to be close to you.’

The two of you stayed there in that soft silence, punctuated by gentle conversation, until sunlight began to bloom on the horizon and Remmick had to reluctantly drag himself away — not without pressing last lingering kisses against your knuckles, your eyelashes, everywhere he could reach. You watched him vanish into the fields and only then felt the lack of sleep hit you. But you didn’t regret it. How could you?

*

You and Remmick spent the next few weeks in that same pattern. He wasn’t there every night but, whenever he returned, he always did it with sincere apology for his absence. You stole away hours of the night together in gentle companionship. Listening to him play old songs that seemed to transport him to a different time and place. Wandering as far down the road as the night would allow. Laying with him in the grass where only the stars could see you. You never went as far as you had that first night on the swing; you feared that you would lose yourself in the moment and give up everything in a haze of bliss. But that didn’t stop you from exploring each other in different ways, hands and mouths discovering, basking in the pleasure you brought each other. Remmick never pushed. Sometimes he seemed even more hesitant than you.

You and Remmick spent the next few weeks in that same pattern. He wasn’t there every night but, whenever he returned, he always did it with sincere apology for his absence. You stole away hours of the night together in gentle companionship. Listening to him play old songs that seemed to transport him to a different time and place. Wandering as far down the road as the night would allow. Laying with him in the grass where only the stars could see you. You never went as far as you had that first night on the swing; you feared that you would lose yourself in the moment and give up everything in a haze of bliss. But that didn’t stop you from exploring each other in different ways, hands and mouths discovering, basking in the pleasure you brought each other. Remmick never pushed. Sometimes he seemed even more hesitant than you.

One night, the two of you lay entangled on the swing, Remmick pushing you back and forth gently with one foot as you dozed on his shoulder. His hand stroked your hair softly while he hummed nameless tunes. You could feel the vibrations coming from him like the purring of a cat. Seeking out more, you let your head slip down to rest directly on his chest. The sensation was stronger there, but there was something else you noticed.

‘Remmick?’

‘Mhm?’

‘You don’t have a heartbeat?’

Remmick sighed. ‘Nope. Not right now, at least.’ You sat up straighter with a questioning look. ‘When I’ve eaten, it’ll beat then. But not for long.’

‘Strange.’

‘I’m dead, sweetheart.’ He shrugged. Slow and hesitant, you pressed a hand to his chest, feeling for the absence. It was unusual, yes. But something about it made him even more solid under your touch. A statue carved from marble. ‘Is it a problem for you?’

‘If no heartbeat was where I drew the line…’ You yawned and nuzzled back into his embrace. ‘Well, that would be very odd.’

Over time, the daylight that you had loved so much became a resentful thing. You slept in late and spent the days waiting for night. Slowly but surely, you were becoming accustomed to the idea of a life in darkness, if only to have Remmick by your side through it all.

*

The road had been quiet recently, which is why you were surprised when a cart appeared in the distance. It was late in the day and you were outside bringing in the dry laundry from the line. It had been a sweltering day and even the sunset couldn’t offer any reprieve. Focused on the task at hand, you thought little of the approaching vehicle. But a wave of dread hit you when you heard the loud and rough voices of four men. You could see them distinctly now. And from where you were stood, at the side of the house, they could certainly see you.

Do not panic, you told yourself as you started to hurry along the line. Your careful folds became rushed bundles, clothes tossed into the basket haphazardly. You must not run. You couldn’t let them see you as something to be chased. As steadily as you could with your shaking hands, you picked up the basket with its rumpled clothing, rested it on your hip and set a slow pace to the front door as the cart drew to a stop. A voice called from behind you.

‘‘Scuse me, miss?’ Your step quickened, just slightly, your heart pounding at the sound of feed thudding to the ground. ‘Just a moment, if you will!’ You grabbed for the handle but the relief you had dared to hope for vanished when a strong arm darted between you and the door, blocking your entrance. It was an older man, roughened by the weather and travelling, looking down at you with yellowed eyes and a smile made up of more gaps than teeth.

‘May I help you?’ You bristled.

‘I’m sorry for any offense we may have caused, my travelling companions and I. It’s just that it’s awful hot out here and, well, we certainly didn’t bring enough water for the journey,’ He laughed awkwardly.

‘Use the pump all you like.’

‘Very kind of you.’ He didn’t move his arm. ‘I know it’s presumptuous of us, but if you had anything to eat, we’d be plenty grateful.’

Afraid of what might happen if you said no, you nodded. ‘Don’t have much, but I’ll see what I can find. You sort yourself out with that water now.’ Thankfully, this time he stepped away. You didn’t fail to notice the rise and fall of his gaze across your body. Opening the door, you quickly closed it behind you. Thoughts only on getting rid of the men, you hurried to the kitchen, tearing through the cabinets for some bread and butter, perhaps even some dried meat; anything that would satisfy and send them on their way. So focused on making sandwiches, you didn’t hear the door behind you creaking open.

‘Nice place you’ve got here.’ You gripped the kitchen knife and span round to face the intruder. ‘You live out here all on your lonesome?’

‘No. My husband… He’ll be here soon.’ It felt less like a lie than the last time you had said it. Now, it wasn’t a faceless figure with a ghostlike touch that you pictured. It was Remmick. Remmick with his crooked smile and sparkling eyes and his vow to protect you. You just had to make it to sunset. It wouldn’t be one of those nights he didn’t show up. He would be here. He had to be.

The man scoffed. ‘No ring on that finger.’ You hid your hand behind your back but it was too late. ‘Y’know, I think the young lady’s lying to us, Paul.’

‘Think you’re right, Jerry.’ A voice called from the back of the house. It belonged to another one of the men, presumably Paul, who sauntered into the room. ‘Only one side of the bed been slept in. No men’s clothes in the wardrobe either. It’s just her.’ A shiver ran down your spine at the thought of this stranger digging through your things. Jerry held open the door and the other two men walked in like they owned the place.

‘What do you want?’ You shifted to keep them all in view. The sky beyond the window was tinged with pink.

‘Just what I said: some food, some water, a place to rest. Maybe a little companionship.’ This time, he leered at  you unabashedly, eyes growing dark and predatory.

‘You won’t find any of that here. Take your boys and leave.’

‘You gonna make us?’ You and he both knew you couldn’t.

‘Trust me. He’ll be back soon. You do anything to me, you’ll regret it.’

He sniffed. ‘Cute.’ In the blink of an eye, he was rushing you. Knife in hand, you swung wildly at him. It sliced through his shirt but didn’t make contact with skin. He grabbed your forearm and pushed it away easily, overpowering you. One hand lost, you clawed at him with the other, raking your nails across his stubbled cheek. That drew blood. He swore and back-handed you before grabbing your hair, tugging harshly. Pain shot through your scalp and you kicked out, your knee landing solidly between his legs. Grunting, he released you, dropping to his knees. You darted for the still open door, hoping that you could lose yourself in the fields. But you’d forgotten the other three men. After standing back from the initial scuffle, they lunged for you. One wrapped his arms around your waist and lifted you off your feet before throwing you back to the floor. Your head slammed hard against the wooden boards, launching you into a dizzy haze. A hand gripped your hair, pulling you up before slamming your face back down. Pain exploded with a crunch of bone. You could taste blood. Hands pulled at your shoulders and you flailed your limbs wildly, your elbow impacting into something hard. The hands released you and you started to scramble at your feet. But a hand yanked at your ankle. The joint popped and you crashed back to the ground with a scream. Leg shrieking, you reached out desperately, trying to drag yourself forward. You only made it a few inches before a boot came down on your fingers and you felt them snap. That was when you gave up on yelling and started to sob. Hands around your ankles sparking even more pain, dragging you backwards. You lashed out weakly and received a solid kick to your ribs.

‘Please…’ The word could barely make its way around the bubbling blood that coated your tongue and lips. Exhausted from the brief but brutal fight, you fell limp as you were lifted from the floor and tossed unceremoniously into a chair. Rope — who knows where they found that — was bound around your wrists and ankles. It was pointless really. You couldn’t have moved if you’d tried. It was dark now. Or maybe it was just your conscious fading. They spoke around you, muffled words you couldn’t make sense of. There was sounds of movement. Of cupboards being opened. Furniture being shifted. Laughter. Hands dragging across your skin. Hands tugging at your dress. Hands undoing buttons despite your mumbled protests. Hands pulling the fabric down to expose your shoulders and trap your arms even more.

A solemn knock at the door.

One of them swore. They began to move faster, one man dragging the chair and you back out of sight. Another knock. This one heavier. More insistent.

‘Somebody fucking answer it. And keep her quiet.’ A wad of soiled fabric was shoved into your mouth and secured with another wrapped around your head.

The door opened again. Amidst the rushing in your ears, a familiar drawl came cutting through.

‘Evenin’, sir. Any chance I could come in for a moment? I been walkin’ all day.’ You could have wept. All you had in you was a whimper that was muffled by the makeshift gag. Two hands pressed down on your shoulders to keep you still.

‘No. Get lost.’

‘Sir, I really only need a minute. A sip of water and I’ll be right on my way.’ The tension in his voice was palpable. There was only so much Southern charm that could cover the rage simmering underneath. But that rage was powerless if he was trapped outside. You just needed them to let you go for a moment. To speak the words loud enough for him to hear. With your last reserves of energy, you began to thrash again, the legs of the chair banging against the floor.

‘Stop fucking moving or we’ll kill him too,’ the man holding you hissed in your ear.

‘Ya’ got some kind of problem in there?’ Remmick chuckled awkwardly.

‘Nothing we can’t handle. I told you, get out of here.’

‘Respectfully, I don’t think I can do that.’ You continued to struggle, twisting left and right. One of the hands on your shoulder released you to brandish a knife in your face. Fear lanced through you but the momentary freedom was enough for you to throw yourself and the chair at the ground and into Remmick’s view. His eyes widened at the sight of you; you dreaded to think what kind of state you were in.

‘Fucking bitch.’ Once again, you were dragged to your feet, this time with the knife to your throat. Cold metal pressed against the vulnerable flesh and you inhaled sharply through your nose.

‘Let her go.’ Remmick growled.

‘This ain’t none of your business.’

‘I think you’ll find it is.’ Jerry hadn’t clocked the red glow of Remmick’s eyes.

‘Four of us, one of you buddy. Do the maths.’ His eyes darted across the men, fixating on the one holding you. You watched in despair as his shoulders fell.

‘Alright. Alright, I got it.’ He lifted his hands in surrender. ‘I’ll be on my way. But just… Please, let me say goodbye.’

‘What?’

‘You’re gonna kill the woman I love? I’d like to hear her voice one last time.’ Your heart stuttered at his words. He’d spoken of love before and you hadn’t believed him capable. But the rawness in his voice was convincing. Convincing enough for you and convincing enough for your captors.

‘Fuck— Fine. Paul?’ A ragged nail scratched your cheek before the gag was torn away. You spat the stale taste from your mouth and fixed your eyes on Remmick.

‘You gonna say it now?’ Even in this situation, he managed to tilt his mouth into that stupid smirk. But there was no glee behind his eyes. Nothing but a cold and violent hunger.

You coughed once, twice. Sucked in as much air as you could to rasp those two long-awaited words: ‘Come in.’

Remmick took his time. The glow in his eyes brightened from that of a lone candle to an endless inferno. With a sickening crack, his fingers shifted and stretched into claws; jagged teeth forced their way out of his mouth. Jerry stumbled backwards, mouth falling into a horrified gape: ‘Oh Lord—’

‘No Lord here. Just me.’ Remmick took a single slow step over the threshold as if he half-expected it to still push him away. When his foot landed inside for the first time, he cracked his neck and smiled broadly, mouth overflowing with drool and exposing crowded fangs. ‘Sorry I’m late, darlin’. But I’m home now.’

The world turned red.

Remmick lashed out with his claws before Jerry could even think to move. He dragged him close and sunk his teeth into his neck, rending flesh from bone, tearing at arteries and tendons like they meant nothing. Jerry tried to scream but he had no vocal chords to do so. Drenched in blood, Remmick took a hold of the man’s head and twisted. Twisted until his neck snapped. Twisted until his muscles ripped. Twisted until his body fell and his head remained in Remmick’s hands.

‘Who’s next?’ He tossed the head in the direction of the other men and they scattered, the one holding you throwing you to the ground for another burst of all too familiar pain. They were fast. But they weren’t fast enough.

Remmick tore through them like a scythe through grass. You couldn’t see them — your face pressed against the floor and your body too weak to move — but you could hear the violence. The screams. Could feel the thud of bodies falling. The spray of blood against your skin. It was all over as soon as it had begun. Then there were hands on your wrists, untying the rope and soothing the friction burns on your skin. He did the same to your bruised ankles before turning you over. You blinked through the blood and tears to look up at the only face you ever wanted to see again. The monster was gone; only the man remained with those panicked blue eyes and the blood of other men coating his face.

‘I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I should have been here sooner.’ He cradled your broken body in his arms and pulled you into his lap. Shaking hands tugged at your torn clothes, pulling your dress back onto your shoulders to hide the exposed skin.

‘The sun…’ You whispered. He nodded. You tried to reach up to touch his face but the agony of it made you cry out. Remmick hushed you softly. 

‘Shh. Don’t try to move.’

‘Am I going to die?’ You gasped at the sharp stab of your ribs as you spoke.

‘Don’t worry about that.’

‘I’m not —’ You coughed painfully. ‘I’m not worried.’ The filter between your mind and mouth must have been broken in the beating. It was like thoughts had barely passed by before they were spilling from your lips. ‘It’d be easier…’

‘What would be easier, sweet thing?’

‘Sayin’ yes. Letting go.’ Remmick kissed his teeth and looked your body up and down. Crushed fingers. Cracked ribs. Twisted ankle. Broken nose. Countless bruises. All things that could heal with time. He tilted his head and focused his senses. Even though your breathing was ragged, your lungs were strong. Your heartbeat was steady. You could live through this.

But you had given him the answer already. And even when he’d been alive, no one had ever accused Remmick of being a good man.

He grit his teeth and nodded. ‘You’re right. There’s not much time.’ He gently caressed your bruised face, pushing back your sweat-soaked hair. ‘Are you sure? It’s going to hurt.’

You nodded as much as you could. ‘Everything hurts. I just want it over. I just want you.’ Tears spilled down your cheeks and he kissed them away softly. Normally, he would have bitten into your neck. Quick and easy. But he wanted to see your face as the life faded from it and you were reborn. So he raised your wrist up to his mouth, pressing a gentle kiss to the steady thrum of your pulse before wrapping his lips around the soft flesh and biting. Your blood burst against his tongue like the juice of the sweetest berries. The sound of you whimpering made him groan into the bite and he knew you could feel him stirring under your back. His tongue lapped at you fervently, lips sucking and jaw twitching. Through it all, his eyes never left your face. He reveled in the soft sounds that slipped from your parted lips, in the fluttering your eyelids, in the release of all the tension and pain you’d been carrying. The slow rise and fall of your chest as you took your last breaths. Something almost like bliss appearing in your eyes before the light started to fade. If he kept going, you would awaken as a thrall. He didn’t want that. Didn’t want you to lose your spirit to the hivemind. He would have you by his side, not at his feet. With your forearm still latched between his teeth, he drew a claw across his wrist and pressed the cut to your parted lips.

Yes, it hurt. But Remmick’s bite was a mere drop in the ocean of agony you already felt. In fact, it was almost a relief to have something so sharp, so precise to focus on in the moment. The haze across your mind deepened into an almost pleasant fog. Remmick groaned above you and you felt the chill of his skin against your lips, then warm liquid flowing against your tongue like syrup. It was metallic and sweet and you gulped at it greedily with energy you didn’t know you had. You had expected to feel empty as your blood was being drained. Instead, your body flooded with heat even as your vision grew darker. Satiated, you fell back into Remmick, his blood trickling from the corner of your mouth. Your heart beat once. Twice. Then stilled for the last time.

Remmick watched you die with your blood dripping down his chin and a smile on his face.

And then, he waited.