I don't own V:tM or YA.


It had been a while since his small gang of happenstance allies last worked together, and Nate finally decided to bother with them again. The chore he accepted for them wasn't hard - simply taking care of some wayward neonates who forgot their place. In a way, it was even fun, to cut loose without much concern for the outcome. Thankfully, there were enough of the bastards to keep all three fighting Kindred entertained, but the fun only lasted until they regrouped.
Nate was spotless, as usual, as he once again stayed out of the fight. He greeted the three in their usual meeting place, a smug grin on his lips and Cassie sprawled over his lap.

"Ah, the warriors return victorious", he praised and held up a hand. None of the others seemed to care for his theatrics much.

"Why do we even keep him around?" Eli hissed.

"He has his uses." Kate purred soothingly before settling down on one of the worn-out couches that were dragged in at one point or another. "Or would you rather mingle with our city's night-society yourself?"

Eli muttered something, but Teddy hadn't the patience to even put up with any of that. He walked up to Nate, a look of disgust he bothered not to hide even a bit on his face.
"Here's your 'objective'", he huffed and threw a dust-covered cellphone to Nate.
Cassie yelped and tried to catch it, only to have Nate reach for it on his own when the girl almost fell.

"Clumsy baby", he purred and kissed her cheek before gazing upon his new acquisition.
"I had high hopes to speak to this thing's owner, but... I suppose it is impossible now."

A feral, satisfied smirk rose to Teddy's lips. Vampires weren't so easy to kill, but if one managed, all that remained was a pile of dust. It so happened Teddy found killing others of his kind to be easier than others did.
"You never told us to hold back."

"That I didn't", Nate laughed and pulled out a fat wad of bills from his pocket.
"Dear, if you will-"
Cassie took the money from him and brought it to Teddy, who took it without even glancing at the girl.
The display wasn't too well received.

"Materialistic rewards?!" Eli exclaimed and stared at Teddy, disdain evident in his eyes. The blond shrugged and pocketed the money.

"I don't get into your private business, Eli, don't go into mine."

"Why not?" Kate giggled. "Let's all wash our dirty laundry together! I'll bring my lingerie!"

"No one's interested in that!" Eli barked, making Kate scrunch her nose.

"You never want to have any fun..."

Ignoring her, Eli looked from Teddy to Nate.
"What's our reward, then? And please don't tell me we're getting paid."

Nate snorted.
"No, no. This was something minor between us, worry not. I know you think you have no use for money, Eli."

"Not your dirty cash, anyway."

"Do you accept credit, then?"

"Oh my god, get a room, you two!" Kate hollered with laughter. The tease was enough, at the very least, to get them talking business again. It was overall a desired effect, yet it meant they had a good reason to not pay her attention, and so no one noticed when Kate turned curiously to frown at some of the crates that littered the room. She learned to ignore the rodents that lived in the warehouse, but that one was just too big for her to ignore.
Too big to even be a rodent, in fact.

"We're not getting paid in dollars, Eli, relax." Nate reassured and nuzzled against Cassie's neck.
"Another favor-"

"From Maria Hill again?" Eli spat.

"She can be a valuable ally, Eli. You'd do well to keep such company."

"Company- she'd grind you under her heel without a second thought!"

"Which is why I keep giving her reasons not to."

Teddy pinched the bridge of his nose and turned away, leaving the two to their renewed bickering. He delivered the phone, and knew what he had to show for it, as well as accomplishing their 'mission'. He had nothing left to do there, and was ready to leave, only to stop and stare at Kate who was on her feet and looking - on edge. Kate was on edge. Why-

"Teddy", she called, and he instantly tensed. Something was off.

"Say. That... little friend of yours-" She couldn't help but purr the words, and the hunger in her voice made him feel worse.
"He doesn't know about this place, does he? So he wouldn't, say... be here, would he?"

The question made Teddy's insides turn into chilly knots, a sensation he had already forgotten many years ago.
"...no." He replied finally, but still looked around them with worry he tried to hide. "He wouldn't."

"In that case..." Kate interjected and blinked out of Teddy's view.

"AAAAH!"

All eyes turned to the figure Kate sent flying from behind the crates. Teddy recognized him even before the teen hit the floor - that was Billy, who somehow knew about their meeting place, who was there in his delicious-smelling self, and most importantly and urgently, had Kat aim three arrows at once at him.

"-You wouldn't mind I take care of this guy."

"WAI-" Teddy cried out, an instant after Kate left go of the arrows and sent them flying.

They never hit. All arrows remained suspended in mid-air, a foot away from Billy's body. The witch's eyes and left hand both glowed blue, a clear indication his magic was at work. The light faded soon enough and when it did, the arrows fell to the floor. Kate herself didn't move, a terrified expression only beginning to form on her face. Teddy realized then - she was frozen, but unfortunately for Billy - Kate wasn't the only one there.

"What did you do, trash?!" Eli screamed and grabbed Billy, pulling him into a head-lock. "Undo it or I'll tear you apart!"

Teddy knew first-hand that touching Billy when his powers were active could be quite hazardous to one's health. Unfortunately, he hadn't the time to warn Eli, who wasn't half as sturdy as Teddy was.
A pained, agonized scream filled the warehouse as the magical energies threw Eli back. Billy too was in pain and he fell to his knees, hand gripping at his chest. There wasn't even the coughing fit Teddy came to expect, just a weak wheezing sound as he struggled for breath.
Rather than his comrades, it was Billy Teddy was worried about, and he was about to go to him when someone- no, something - clung to his arm. He looked down to find Cassie, only to realize he stalled more than enough because of her already.

"My, you're a pretty thing, aren't you?" Nate cooed and kneeled next to Billy. His smile widened when Billy looked up and their eyes met.
"Ah, pretty eyes, too." Nate added and cupped Billy's chin. "But you're in pain." He whispered, even when nothing managed to leave Billy's mouth, not a sound, not even a breath. He couldn't look away, and Nate's sudden presence in his mind was too much for him to bear, leaving room only for numbness.
"Here, let me-" He leaned forward, fangs bared. "Oh, you smell deli-"

"Nate."

Cassie was on the floor where Teddy left her. He planted his hand on Nate's face, using the hold to thrust Nate back on the floor, as hard and far away as he could. A repulsing sound resonated through the hall once his head met the solid surface, followed closely by a loud shrill from Cassie as she rushed to Nate's side.
Teddy took a moment to appreciate his handiwork, knowing Nate at least wouldn't get up until Teddy took Billy and got out of there.

"Stay down, Eli", Teddy hissed at the sound of movement, and knew who the only one capable of that was. Eli growled and glared at him, but didn't move any more than he already did. He stared at Teddy, repulsed when he kneeled by Billy and picked him up gently, with care.

"You're betraying us for a pet?!" He demanded, only to be ignored. "You'll pay for this, Teddy!" Eli screamed, even though he still couldn't move properly. "I'll have you watch me suck him dry!"

It was the last Teddy heard as he dashed out, turning instantly to the sewers to throw them off their scent - because it was only a matter of time before they recovered, and when they did, Teddy wanted to be as far away as possible.