A/N: This chapter is a collection of reader submitted prompts that jump around moments in time based on the requested idea.

Proximity

Prompt: Mr. Quinlan teaches you how to shoot.

No, hold it like this.

Quinlan placed his hands over yours to adjust your grip slightly. He was standing behind you, pressed up against your back. It made it very hard for you to concentrate. Contrary to popular belief, vampires weren't cold at all, with body temperatures actually higher than normal humans. The warmth from his chest made you shiver involuntarily, and you swallowed hard, hoping he hadn't noticed. Of course, given your tendency with luck, he did.

Are you alright?

His question is complimented by a quiet vampire growl. You had grown quite fond of that sound, maybe even to the point of adoration. Hearing it only made your nerves worse, though. "Yeah… I'm fine," you replied. He peered over your shoulder and you turned your head away from him, trying to hide the flush in your cheeks. If he saw your reaction, he didn't say anything. You eventually relaxed as the lesson drew to a close, growing more certain that he hadn't caught on.

The way he trailed his hand from your waist down the side of your hip before turning to leave made you think twice about your conclusion. It was a good thing he was already walking away when you looked at him in shock, or he would have definitely seen your blush that time.

Night Terrors

Prompt: Mr. Quinlan comforts you after having nightmares about strigoi.

You woke up screaming, your heart racing as you fought to free yourself from the tangled sheets. In the brief moment that you were consumed by panic from your nightmare, in an impressive display of speed, Quinlan had reached your side from the other half of the room. He firmly covered your mouth with one hand to muffle your screams.

Calm yourself.

You initially struggled against him, but he wrapped his free arm around you and held you still. After a few seconds, the comfort you always felt in his presence and the warmth from his body melted away the terror. As you relaxed, he removed his hand from your mouth and you took a moment to catch your breath. It was good that he was a quick thinker. You might have accidentally alerted enemies to your presence if he had not acted as fast as he did.

Another nightmare?

"Yeah… it was pretty bad this time," you answered in a weak tone, "It wasn't just the usual vampires… the Master was there too… and…" you paused, remembering the horrible dream and the crushing despair, "You were dead. The Master… he had…" you choked up and stopped, wiping your eyes, trying hard not to cry. Even though it had just been a nightmare and not real, it still tore at your heart. You never ever wanted to see Quinlan like that, dream or reality. During the time you had been talking, he had sat down on the bed next to you.

There is no reason to worry. As long as you are with me, I will keep you safe.

His words were true. Quinlan had always protected you during the year you had been with him in this new world, where the sun rarely shone and the Master's vampire minions walked about freely. Even considering the handful of close calls, he had never let harm befall you. Leaning into him, you voiced your concern. "What about you?" He smiled slightly, running a hand through your hair in a comforting gesture.

I have survived countless attacks from the Master and his strain. Nothing will happen to me.

"Promise?" you mumbled, unable to let go of your worry that he might get hurt or worse somehow, but willing to take his word for it.

I promise.

You bit your lip, hesitating briefly before asking, "Would you stay with me?" Part of you dreaded a refusal, but the moment was too perfect to not ask. To your joy, Quinlan inclined his head, silently accepting your request. He laid back on the bed and you carefully joined him, resting your head on his shoulder. The black light armor he wore wasn't the most comfortable pillow, but you didn't care at all, more than happy to just enjoy his company.

He curled an arm around your waist, his thumb tracing circles through your clothes. A smile spread across your face and you closed your eyes, loving the occasional growly purr that rumbled in his chest. You had never directly talked about your feelings with him, being too shy to bring the topic up. You spent a lot of time wondering if he knew or not, especially given the whole vampire telepathy thing, and more importantly if he felt the same way, but moments like this only made you think that he did. Well, you hoped that he did. Maybe you could ask him to join you more often. It was really nice falling asleep cuddled up with him, warm and safe.

Close Call

Prompt: Mr. Quinlan's reaction to when you almost get hurt by a vampire.

Now and then you tended to have really bad luck. Unfortunately, when fighting against vampires that could infect you with just a nick of their stingers or splash of their worm infested blood, having a stroke of poor luck meant game over for you. Such was nearly the case one night when you were out with Quinlan exterminating a horde of the Master's minions in an old church.

Right as you were dodging a stinger, your foot slipped on something on the floor and you fell hard on your shoulder. You bit back a yelp and immediately rolled to the side, barely dodging another one shot at you by a second vampire. It was an extremely close miss and you felt the whoosh of air from the attack. You swore loudly and kicked with your feet, pushing yourself backwards away from the pair of strigoi.

They came after you, trying to grab you while withdrawing their stingers for a followup attack. You hit a wall, unable to put any more distance between you and the enemy vampires. Desperate and afraid, you swung wildly with your silver sword in a panic, but missed. Right as they prepared to strike again, Quinlan came out of nowhere and tore into them like a beast, slamming them to the ground and crushing their skulls with his boot. He ensured they were completely dead by decapitating their already mangled heads.

You tried to calm your harsh panting, your heart racing from the battle. If you hadn't rolled the way you did, that stinger would have hit you. Quinlan knelt in front of you and grabbed your shoulders while thoroughly inspecting you for any wounds. You winced as a flare of pain shot through the arm you had landed on. He noticed your reaction and eased up on his tight grip, and you realized how worried he looked. "They didn't get me," you assured him. He took another moment to look you over until he was satisfied you had not been infected.

What happened?

"I slipped…" you answered, feeling really guilty when he frowned. "I'm sorry, it was a mistake. It won't happen again. I hope you're not mad… I mean, I don't want you to leave me behind because of this…" He sighed, the sound mixed with a vampiric growl.

I am not angry, only worried. You need to be far more careful. If you are ever turned, I would have to kill you. Do not put me in that position.

While his tone was sharp, you knew he only wanted the best for you. The thought of him having to destroy you if you ever became infected made your chest burn. "I know. I'm really sorry. I promise I'll do better," you said, "I would never want to force you to have to do that…" You trailed off as he leaned close and touched his lips to your forehead, almost like he was nuzzling you. A fierce blush spread across your cheeks at the intimate contact, because it was technically a kiss, something you fantasized a lot about. What he said next made your heart pound intensely.

Keep your word. I don't want to lose you.