Chapter Text
Starvation. An ugly word that leads to even uglier impulses. Impulses Ike Eveland would much prefer to ignore, preferring to focus on what made him human as opposed to vampiric. Impulses that oft lead him to seeking distraction at one of his favorite places in the world. Zipping up his jacket Ike began the chilly walk down two blocks to the 24 hour library his city was blessed enough to have. At 3 am not many people would be there, thus no one would be there to tempt his mind with its more feral instincts. In movies vampires could hunt with ease and simply leave bodies mysteriously drained in the alleyways at random, but in real life things were much more difficult. Ike was definitely not looking to catch a case at this point in his life as the modern prison system was a lot more terrifying than it was 50-ish years ago that’s for certain.
The cold autumn air always helped Ike clear his mind, the sting of frost against his nose and the fogging of his poor, poor glasses always reminded him that despite being a Dhamphir he was still half human. Part of his body would always crave warmth to soothe his half-dead heartbeat. Part of him could always hide amongst the weary and the meak. The walk itself was brief with no pedestrians to maneuver around, leading him up the hallowed steps to the closest thing to a church he could enter. The sacred hall of learning.
Ike entered the library with a polite smile and wave to the nice Librarian he’d come to know as Shannon. “Good evening Ike. Nice and quiet for you tonight, I know you’re such a shy young man. Only about 3 others I’ve seen.” She chimed in her perky way though her voice was tinted with weariness. “Ah a busy night for you then~.” Ike teased in return before waving as he headed towards the young adult section. Right now he felt like indulging himself in something lighter, something that would pull his mind away from the nagging hunger in the pit of his belly.
It was one of those nights where he was keen to judge a book on it’s cover, curiously tugging out books halfway to see if the art caught his eye when he caught the smell of something sweet just around the corner from him. It wasn’t sweet like blood, nor was it sugary which made Ike all the more confused. Despite some part of him saying to leave it alone curiosity got the better of him. Oh, how he wished he’d stayed ignorant. Around the corner on the other side of the shelf was another person, his long dark hair pulled into a sleek ponytail and his arms on a surprising display for the middle of November. Purple eyes glanced over at him with a startled ‘whoa!’ breaking the silence, “Ah. Sorry I didn’t mean to startle you.” Ike apologized. “Ah no problem man. All you did was come around the corner, I’m the one who got jumpscared haha!” The stranger chimed in response. Ike couldn’t help but stare for a moment, The man before him was quite beautiful. Something about his grin was almost cat-like in its serenity. “... uh. Dude? You’re kinda…. Staring. You good?” Ike startled quickly a small blush forming on his cheeks, “Ah sorry I’m a bit tired. I didn’t mean to space out like that, I was just a bit distracted. Are you maybe wearing a perfume?” Ike asked, “Oh no, but you might be smelling my sachet. It’s supposed to bring me good luck with my studies. It’s lavender and bergamot.”
Ike gave a sweet smile in return, ah. That’s what he smelled. He was grateful the smell of the sachet was stronger than the smell of this pretty man’s blood. He really didn’t want to- Oh no. His stomach let out an embarrassing growl exactly as he tried to push his own thoughts away. “... It smells lovely. I was simply curious as to where the good smell had been coming from.” Ike said brushing past his embarrassing noise. “You liked it that much huh? Hey I have two of them actually. The temple said I’d find someone who’s meant to have it in an unexpected way. Here…” The stranger spoke, making Ike’s heart race as he ruffled through his pockets. “Oh no it’s ok I couldn’t-” “Nah man it’s fine. It was only like 2 bucks and it’s a kind thing to share with others. Especially someone in the library as late as me. You’re clearly needing some kinda luck if you’re out this late.” He spoke rather wisely for someone who didn’t look more than 21 at the most. “... I suppose you’re right. Thank you very much. I hope your sachet brings you luck too.” Ike responded, accepting the delicate purple sachet into his still too cold hands. “Thanks man. You too, have a good night.” The man said with another cheshire smile before waving and walking away. He was so sweet. He smelled so sweet. What a nice man, it made what Ike was about to do hurt all the worse.
Ike’s hunger was taking over his rational mind. He hated this fact of himself, but… Sometimes you just have to listen to your body. The food in his apartment could only hold him over so long. He needed this now.
Ike would use his influence on the human mind to plant a simple idea in the man’s head. One that he needed to leave through the back door right now. Surprisingly it seemed to work quite quickly, as the man started to walk that way directly. Ah… trusting, kind and susceptible to influence? It was almost too easy. A perverse thrill shivered through Ike’s spine as he thought about sinking his fangs into something warm for once. Ike allowed his instincts to overwrite his sense of morality for once, the gnawing sense of hunger was a very powerful motivator after all. The stranger paused in the middle of his stride, “Oh! I need to check out first, duh.” Spoken aloud to himself. A small detour, Ike could be patient as he slowly trailed behind.
“Ah! Only two books tonight Shu?” Shannon asked, moving to scan his books. “Ah yeah… I just get a weird feeling I'm needed at home right now. I’m gonna head out the side door since it’s closer.” “You and your feelings~, Alright have a goodnight and be safe out there. It’s cold!” “Will do Mrs. Wilson.”
Mrs? Huh. Ike didn’t actually know she was married before that. Good for her. And great for him that she was such a sweet woman that she took the time to remember the names of her regulars. It was so much easier to get into a victim’s head if you knew their name. Ike followed again as Shu made his way towards the shady side door out of the library, his anticipation growing with every step. The alleyway the side door led into was poorly lit and Ike happened to know the security camera out there had been broken for several years and was mainly left up for show.
“Oh man, she wasn’t kidding. Swear it wasn’t this cold when I first got here…” Shu mumbled to himself as he took a few steps into the alleyway. It wasn’t until they were in the darkest spot that he seemed to stop abruptly. “I know you’re there.” Shu spoke calmly, making Ike’s blood freeze on the spot. Had he been too weak to properly conceal his presence? Shit. This wasn’t great. “Come out here stranger. It’s ok. I know what you are.” Shu called, setting off several more alarm bells in Ike’s mind. What does he mean he knows? No one who knows a vampire is stalking them willingly walks into the darkest part of an alleyway after getting a weird feeling they definitely should go this way. Unless it was a kink thing, but even then that’s a very dangerous game to play for an orgasm. Ike remained still for a while, frozen in the shadows as he contemplated what to do. “... Listen. I know what you are, and I could tell you’re starving. I’ll let you have a quick bite if you promise not to hurt anyone else ok?” Shu offered shuffling the collar of his cold shoulder turtleneck down to reveal a scarred over set of old fang marks. Ah. He belonged to someone. That made more sense… Ike was on him in an instant, appearing from behind and pushing Shu up against the wall rather roughly. If this man knew what was happening and was offering him a free meal he really didn’t have it in him to say no right now. “... I’m not like others. This will hurt, I’m so sorry.” Ike mummered into Shu’s ear before his instincts completely took over. Large fangs were already revealing themselves as Ike starved at the pale flesh presented willingly before him. He felt his pupils slit as he took a deep breath before diving in.
Shu let out a weak grunt and remained surprisingly still for someone being fed on. Ike deduced he must be really used to this by now and was grateful for whatever deity had taken enough pity on him to send this perfect stranger his way. It wasn’t long before he stopped thinking entirely, too focused on his blessed meal. It was when he felt Shu fully start to lean into the wall that he stopped. Though he knew he was only half full, half full was still better than empty. Ike gasped against Shu’s neck, the hot breath sending tingles down the man’s spine as he regained his bearing.
“Ah… I didn’t even have to stop you? Dang man you’ve got some good self control.” Shu commented as he reached back to give Ike’s head an instinctive little pat. Ike felt himself melt into the touch immediately. Despite the chill of the area Shu’s hands were so… so very warm. “... Thank you.” Was all Ike could manage after a long bout of silence. He was still trying to process the fact he just got a willing meal, let alone a willing meal from a hot guy who was apparently already marked. It wasn’t often Vampires were willing to share their thralls so it sent a new chill of fear down his back over the thought of retribution. Shit. He really should’ve thought this through. Nothing is really free after all. “I. I’m sorry again. I really… You’ve done two kind things for me in one night. I’m sorry I repaid the kindness of the sachet with my fangs…” Ike offered, the guilt again starting to set in. Oof. This man was indeed nice enough to offer him a little charm and he was going to repay it with trauma. He really was a monster wasn’t he?
“Ah don’t worry about it. My sachet wasn’t really a random gift. Your eyes flickered when your stomach growled, did you notice that?” Shu noted with a smirk. “... I did not.” “Yeah I figured you didn’t. Anyways… I wanted to see what you would do. I figured if I gave you my sachet I’d still be able to smell you if you followed me out here and I was right.” Ike’s eyes widened with surprise. What a clever move, he was rather impressed and embarrassed to be outwitted so easily like that. “... I see. That’s a very smart move. I’m definitely keeping a note of that one…” Ike replied, burying his face into the crook of Shu’s neck with shyness. The action earned him a laugh from the human beneath him and another pet to the head. “It’s ok. It’s just a way to keep myself safe really. Not everyone is as kind a vampire as my masters but… I had a good feeling about you.”
Masters. Plural. Ok, maybe Ike wasn’t going to die immediately? Unless it was a couple who shared a thrall in which case he would die not only immediately but painfully. The thought sent another shiver down his spine. “Ah… I noticed that…” Ike admitted sheepishly, “Yeah I figured you would. It’s sorta hard to miss, but hey. Speaking of my masters, I think it’d be good for you to meet them.” Ah… There it was. The catch. If he was lucky maybe they’d just force him to serve them. Or maybe even just beat him up. If he was unlucky they’d abuse his Dhamphiric nature to drain every drop of human blood he had in his veins naturally and force him to feed, creating an infinitely refueling source of food for themselves. Suddenly he felt slightly nauseated. “... do I get a say in it?” Ike asked, his voice cracking despite his attempt to keep his composure.
“I mean… You don’t have to per say, but I'd recommend it considering your scent is now all over me. I mean… I can explain that I gave a bit of charity to a starving half-blood but there’s no guarantee they won’t want to come meet you anyways. They can be kinda… overprotective of me. I think it’s gonna go better if you just come with me so I can smooth things over first.” Shu explained making the dread in Ike’s stomach grow stronger. Oh what had he gotten himself into? Well. It seemed like he didn’t have much of a choice now. “... I. I suppose that will be better. Uh.. I’m Ike by the way, Ike Eveland.” “Nice to meet you, Mister Eveland~ Shu Yamino. Now could you maybe stop pressing me into the wall? This brick is starting to dig into my cheek.”