Author: yeknodelttil
Show: Young Dracula
Rating: K+
Genre: Romance
Pairing: Vlad/Erin
Disclaimer: I don't own Young Dracula. This is purely for the enjoyment of its fans, created by a fan.
Summary: SEQUEL TO GREY INBETWEEN. Returning to the school after dealing with Vlad's evil side together, Vlad and Erin soon find themselves caught up in a web of deception from all sides – including their own. Vlad/Erin.
A/N: Thank you to all those who read and reviewed the prequel 'Grey Inbetween'. I'm going to try and post two chapters everyday.
This is the only continuation of 'Grey Inbetween' I'm planning to do at the moment. I have promised to do a YD fic set 10 years into the future, I've got an idea but at the moment its still in the early planning stages.YEKNODELTTILYEKNODELTTIL
Chapter 1: Home
Erin's question rang in his ears, he wasn't entirely sure what his answer would be.
The sight of Garside Grange in front of him stirred the feelings of dread in his stomach.
He didn't want to go back to the life of everyone else's expectations but he knew he had no real choice in the matter. The time he'd spent with Erin and Robin was the only time he actually could do what he wanted to without the fear of being cut down.
Erin gazed up at him, she could sense his hesitation. He didn't fear going inside he just didn't want to have to go backwards in his life.
"We can stay away another night." Erin spoke quietly.
There was no way to guarantee they would escape the slayers this time, the safest place for them would be the school.
Vlad shook his head slowly. "I'm ready."
He glanced up at the sky, dawn would be breaking soon. He'd lost track of time being pursued by slayers and vampires alike.
The couple slowly made their way across the ground, using the grass as a path as they didn't want to wake or alert anyone to their presence at the school until they were ready. The damp grass bend and twisted as they walked on it, soaking the bottoms of their jeans making them heavy.
Vlad slowly placed a hand on the large oak doors before gently pushing one of them open. He didn't even need to use a fraction of the strength he'd used before, not that his strength had matched a breather's before anyway.
Erin winced as she felt the squeak the door made fill her down to the bones, scrunching up her eyes and hoping it would be over soon.
Vlad let out a grunt as the sound affected his sensitive ears, as soon as the door was open far enough he gestured for Erin to go first before following her through.
The pair walked under the archway and looked up from where they stood as the reflected light glinted of the diamond shaped green glass, held in place by centuries old grey lead.
They slowly made their way across the cobbles taking care not to slip on the smooth surface. In silence they reached the door that would lead them to their quarters.
YEKNODELTTILYEKNODELTTIL
He wasn't sure how he felt when he saw his room again; his eyes were immediately drawn to the metal coffin in the centre of the room.
Vlad grabbed the rucksack from where he'd dropped it behind the door and quickly worked at unpacking it. He didn't know if anyone would come into his room in an attempt to try and find him again so he wanted to get this done as quickly as possible.
Vlad slowly placed his belongings back into his wardrobe, the quietness surrounding him. He wasn't used to the quiet any longer, over the last week and a bit he'd grown used to hearing the birds and the wind whistling through the trees, the gentle rustling of the tent canvas and the soft sound of Erin breathing. He couldn't stand the silence.
He grabbed a clean dark button down shirt, almost identical to the one he was wearing and a darker pair of jeans and slipped them on.
He stood slowly and crept around to Erin's room. He didn't bother to knock he didn't want to draw any other vampire's attention to them being in there.
YEKNODELTTILYEKNODELTTIL
"VLAD!" Erin cried as he stepped into her room, she yanked the curtains closed before the burning could begin as he stepped directly into the sunbeam.
"Why were the curtain's open?" He quizzed quietly.
"I think someone thought they could get rid of me if they left them open." Erin explained, giving the tattered curtain an extremely dirty look. "You okay?" She asked him suddenly.
"Yeah." He answered automatically; Erin tipped her head not fully believing him.
Erin sniffled slightly, wrinkling her nose as she did so. Vlad gave her a curious glance. "Its just the dust in here, Vlad." He relaxed; she couldn't catch a cold as her life depended on it. Vampires didn't get colds.
Erin folded her arms, waiting for his answer from their previous conversation, knowing full well that Vlad had tried to distract her.
Vlad rolled his eyes slightly, "It's too quiet." He finally admitted to her. Erin nodded she knew exactly what he meant.
Erin traced the dark bags under his eyes; neither of them had gotten enough sleep over the last few days. On cue she cave a small yawn before giving him an apologetic look.
"You're tired." He noted.
"You too." She answered stubbornly. Vlad didn't protest he simply nodded. He glanced back towards his room, he didn't really want to leave her or chance meeting anyone else. He'd rather surprise them and not the other way round.
An idea came to Erin seeing how reluctant he was to leave; she didn't want him to go either. She was used to sleeping with him next to her now.
She reached into the red rucksack she'd placed at the end of the coffin.
Erin pulled out the sleeping bags, showing them to Vlad. Vlad nodded, completely agreeing with her idea. It wouldn't be the same as camping before but they'd both feel more comfortable together.
No one would disturb them in her room, she doubted they had been in once to search for her and that's when they'd opened her curtains to catch her unawares in the long beams of sunlight as soon as she entered the room. This time there were three contenders for who wanted her dead.
Erin kicked her shoes off quickly; Vlad copied her actions mentally locking the door with a click. Erin glared at him for not doing it manually. Vlad gave her a small shrug.
She peeled off her jumper before settling into the zipped together sleeping bags on the floor. The floor was hard but no more harder than the coffin she was forced to sleep in. She hated that thing – it might be different if it was more comfortable or even had a pillow in it.
Vlad rolled his sleeve up his arms before climbing into the – now giant – sleeping bag. He immediately settled on his back. He couldn't sleep on his side anymore since being in a coffin. Erin rolled herself until she rested her head on his chest, draping her arm over his stomach. Vlad automatically curled his arm around her holding her to him.
Within moments they were both fast asleep, they could deal with Vlad's family later.
YEKNODELTTILYEKNODELTTIL
The throne room was eerily quiet and Erin wondered how long they could go without letting the other vampires know that they were back. She was surprised that no one had noticed them yet, especially Bertrand – he was slipping.
Erin handed Vlad the cup of soy blood, she was used to seeing him drink it now. He smiled at her widely.
Erin took her place next to him, curling into him slightly. She brought her knees up and under her, sipping at her own goblet of water. The warmth of the school had made her throat dry and saw, it was warmer than usual she noted but it could be because Wolfie needed a warmer temperature than the vampires to stay healthy.
The rise in temperature had made her feel a lot warmer, she shrugged out of Vlad's leather jacket (which she'd grabbed when they'd left her room) and handed it back to him. Vlad rested it against the back of the sofa they were sitting on.
Vlad quickly drained his goblet of soy blood, opening his mouth to speak.
"I didn't lose him." That was the first comment that interrupted them. They both turned in the direction of the sound, to Erin it was muffled as it had to travel through the closed door but to Vlad it was crystal clear.
Vlad stood slowly, he knew they'd be in here at some point but he didn't expect them to be in there now – it was the middle of the night for a start.
Erin followed his actions dropping her goblet to the floor, making sure that it couldn't be kicked over before grabbing it again and drinking the remaining water from it she didn't want to tip anyone off that she didn't drink soy blood unless she had to. Vlad quickly squeezed Erin's hand, as long as they didn't find out what she was and what she used to be they were fine.
"So he just vanished into thin air?" The comment from the Count was full of sarcasm as he addressed Bertrand.
"He'll come back." There was uncertainty in that statement and Erin glanced up at Vlad who seemed to be preparing himself to face his clan.
"The text in the book needs to appear, we've already had one visit from Ramanga we don't want another one!"
Vlad let out a low hiss at the mention of the book, as far as he was concerned he didn't care if it never filled but he had promised Erin that he'd see if there was a cure in there for Ryan. He'd seen Ryan for himself and pitied what he was going through. It wasn't something he'd wish on anyone but he was still angry that Ryan had made Erin do all the hard work; he wasn't exactly looking for a cure himself.
"Maybe he eloped with the half fang?" A softer voice spoke quietly. Suspiciously there was no hint of malice in her voice; Erin and Vlad shared a confused look.
They heard the footsteps come to an abrupt stop, "That is not funny Ingrid." Then they started up again, silence reigned for about three seconds. "I want him found."
Ingrid spoke again, "Maybe he doesn't want to be found." She was being annoyingly friendly and helpful – alarm bells started ringing in Vlad and Erin's heads.
"Ingrid!" Another hiss was sent her way this time from Bertrand.
The handle on the door slowly creaked downwards and Erin mentally prepared herself. Forcing herself to calm down.
The door slowly squeaked open, a beam of artificial light illuminating the room directly where Vlad and Erin now stood.
Three voices exclaimed together, eyes wide and jaws dropped. "Vlad?"
YEKNODELTTILYEKNODELTTIL
Each vampire noted how much taller Vlad stood as he was closely scrutinised by them all. His hair was different too, his fringe as now swept to his left (Erin had liked it that way and it had stuck). Vlad gazed at them with confidence in his eyes.
This wasn't the same unsure, unlife hating vampire that had left, instead a more content and confident vampire stood in his place.
The Count narrowed his eyes at his son. "Where have you been?" His concern for his son came out in that statement, he didn't want to seem too 'loving' it wasn't in a vampire's nature.
"Not important." He didn't miss the way their eyes all twitched as he answered but he didn't care that was private between him, Erin and Robin.
"Hunting?" Bertrand tried to see how far Vlad had changed.
"I've been sorting this thing out." Vlad told him with a slight smile towards Erin.
For the first time everyone seemed to notice Erin in the room, her timely appearance could only mean one thing…
"The half fang's been with you?" The Count blinked furiously as he spoke, thunder crackling in the background.
He sniffed at Erin; they'd forgotten that she had no stasis spray left. Erin's heart jumped to her throat and Vlad tried to keep the fear from his face. He wasn't going to lose her.
The Count drew back a disgusted look on his face. He looked at Erin before looking at his son, disappointment written all across his face.
"I can explain…" Vlad began.
TBC
A/N: Thanks for reading.
