~*To Keep A Promise*~
Part Two: Kiss of the Vampire
Spoilers: Spoilers for the end game since this takes place in and after Vulcanus's epilogue.
Characters: "Vulcanus", Valvatorez
Summary: She had just invited a Vampire to drink her blood…and no, she wasn't scared at all.
~*X*~
Silence hung between them, thick and foreboding, like an ominous cloud.
Valvatorez was processing her words with a stupefied expression on his face. The red slits of his pupils seemed awfully small compared to how large the whites of his eyes had grown.
"Did…You hear me, Mr. Vampire?"
Blink. "I…heard you." Valvatorez made a face, glancing at her from the corners of his eyes. "How is it that you have known the depths of true fear, and yet you still invite me to partake of your blood? What is the matter with you?" He sounded exasperated, but she thought she detected affection in his tone.
Artina smiled somewhat wryly. "You often say I should fear demons, but I see no reason to." At his raised eyebrows, she continued. "I've made such wonderful demon friends…and you…"
"Artina…" Valvatorez sighed. "So you've really felt fear, hmm? The fear of losing…"
"The fear of losing you," she repeated steadily. "Is the most terrifying thing I have ever felt."
His eyes had been averted from hers, but now they slowly made their way back to her face. "What a strange human you are…" He threw his cape open. "So be it! I shall drink your blood, Artina…Does that frighten you?"
Her heart was thudding in her chest but she just shook her head.
Valvatorez faltered for a moment before resuming his usual dramatic way of speaking. "I could easily take too much and leave you a withered corpse! Does that frighten you?"
"No, Mr. Vampire. I trust you not to kill me." The very idea was so ridiculous that even as she spoke the words, she could hear the laughter in her voice. Valvatorez? Hurting her? Nah.
"But…I haven't promised not to hurt you."
"I trust you." She took a hesitant step closer. "I'm sure all the angels in Celestia will think I'm crazy for it, but I do."
"Speaking of which," Valvatorez deadpanned. "How will Celestia as a whole react to your time in the Netherworld? You're not here with the blessings of the Seraph, are you?"
"No," she admitted. Artina's wings drooped. "There's…There's a decent chance that, if word gets out to the right people…I'll end up Fallen."
He snorted. "You? A demon? Don't make me laugh. The very idea is prosperous! They couldn't make you Fall if they tried!"
"Mr. Vampire…!"
"As if there is anything rotten about your soul…" Valvatorez actually looked insulted.
She took this opportunity to step even nearer. "Well, I don't know. My Lady Archangel was a Fallen Angel once…"
"Archangel Flonne? Whatever for?"
"I'm not entirely sure…But she seems to know an awful lot about demons, and her eyes get all misty sometimes…" Artina took in a few deep breaths to clear her head and calm her heart before meeting Valvatorez's eyes. "But we've gotten off subject, haven't we, Mr. Vampire? You've fulfilled your promise. So please…"
Valvatorez seemed startled once he realized how close she had gotten. They were almost touching, her eyes searching his. She had never been afraid of those blazing, slitted red pupils. She almost wanted to giggle, because amongst other things, she could smell the faint scent of sardines hanging around him. Of course…
"You're a strange human…" He repeated, eyes slipping closed.
"Was it hard for you? Four hundred years without any blood…? The loss of your power…Was my entire fault…"
"Please, don't blame yourself. It was mine, for failing to protect you." He swiftly went on, not giving her time to respond. "Now then! If you insist that my promise has been fulfilled, it is time that you uphold your end of the bargain."
She nodded as Valvatorez moved closer and lowered his head. Instinctively, she put her hands on his shoulders, lightly gripping them as she shut her eyes. Her entire body tensed up against her will.
She could sense his amusement. "Are you afraid after all?"
"I'm not scared," she said, proud of the fact that her voice didn't have any hitches in it.
"Hmph. Very well…"
Artina felt his lips brush her neck, mindful of her black choker with the pink flower on it. She felt a sharp prick against her skin, but his fangs weren't burrowing in yet. He was just…frozen. She could feel his breathing against her skin, and she tentatively moved one of her hands so that it was over his heart. He stiffened, and she felt his pulse speed up.
"Relax," she murmured. "It's all right, Mr. Vampire…"
He didn't say anything, though he made a noncommittal noise which could either be interpreted as "I'm fine" or "No freaking hell it's not fine". She wasn't particularly certain.
Valvatorez took in a deep breath. She wondered if his eyes had closed as well. Then…
Artina gasped, even though she hadn't meant to, as she felt his teeth sink into his neck. He stopped for a second before continuing on, and despite the fact that she had been preparing for some pain, she didn't feel a thing. It was like the whole area around her throat had become numb. Regardless, her nails dug into his shoulder, his heart jumping beneath her palm.
…She was beginning to fell a tiny bit lightheaded. Okay, a lot lightheaded. Valvatorez abruptly pulled back, catching her as she stumbled to the side.
"Artina! Are you all right?"
She put her hand on her head. "Fine…" She had felt something warm and wet before he had retreated. She touched her neck, but there was nothing there but two dark scars.
"…Vampire saliva," Valvatorez remarked. "It has the ability to seal small wounds like…"
"Like bite marks," she finished. She gave him a shaky smile. "Don't forget, I said that you have to drink my blood for now on…That way, you don't have to hurt anyone else…"
He sighed, and she was hyper-aware of the fact that he was still holding her in his arms from when she had staggered. "…I don't want to hurt you, either…"
"It didn't hurt. I'm fine, see?" Artina straightened herself, stretching her snowy white wings out for emphasis.
"Regardless, you're looking a little pale." With a flourish, he pulled a sardine of all things from the inside of his cape and offered it to her. "Here, eat this, and regain your strength."
She stared at it for a moment, and then with a faint snicker she reached out and took the fish from him.
Valvatorez didn't say anything until she had taken a tiny bite to satisfy him. "…Thank you, Artina." He looked away.
"No, thank you…Hehe, my Mr. Weirdo."
Author's Note: I'm sorry! Next one won't be ValxArtina I promise. XD That aside...I actually don't think he would suck her blood, or else the post-game would be real easy with his Tyrant powers. Lol. But it made for an interesting one-shot, I think. Next time will likely involve Emizel and Axel. Thanks for the favorites everybody! Also these will probably vary in length, next one might be longer...
