Vampire AU
Blood
Steve liked to think he had a handle on the whole vampire thing since he woke in that alleyway almost five years ago. Admittedly the waking up in an alleyway was nothing new, but the hypersensitivity was, as well as the new sharp teeth which would frequently cut into his bottom lip.
Some adjustment had been required, friends had to be informed of his new 'health issue,' then life continued on as normal, albeit reversed to how it was previously. Natasha still dragged him out drinking when she felt he was isolating himself, Darcy dropped in to watch whatever her latest TV obsession was, and Tony would crash on his couch whenever he felt overwhelmed. It was as normal a life as it could be.
The man was unconscious, slumped in an alleyway, as rain ran heavily over his exposed skin, pooling in fresh wounds. Steve stood there frozen, tiredness washed from his system as adrenaline began to take its place, Steve's heart still frozen in his chest. Taking a deep breath, the sachet of blood was in his hand almost before he realised what had happened, fangs piercing through the plastic and the metal hit his tongue.
Heat returned to his skin, his heart began to thump once more and the alcohol buzz drained from his system as he carefully jogged over to the man, gaze flickering around the alleyway for the cause of those devastating injuries.
"Hello? Can you hear me?"
The man rolled his eyes in his skull, open and staring and yet not seeing Steve, almost seeming to look through him. A low snarl left his lips, more animal than man, as he tried to scramble to his feet, pressing himself further away from Steve into the dark of the alley.
"I'm not gonna hurt you," Steve tried again, carefully crouching down and peering into the gloom.
"Won't go back," the man snarled, teeth bared as he glared down the alleyway past Steve.
"That's fine," Steve said immediately, "I've got a first aid kit in my car if you'd like, then you can go."
The man paused, staring directly at Steve for a long moment before letting out a bark like laugh.