Finally, after so much emotional struggle, I get to finish this! Just hope it doesn't feel too rushed, but this was meant to be a short fic.

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MENTIONS OF PAST SEXUAL ASSAULT, TERMINAL ILLNESS, PERIOD-TYPICAL RACISM, ACEPHOBIA, AND SEXUAL CONTENT!

"The baron did what?" Niffty dropped the stack of pots and pans she'd been carrying.

Tina knelt down to help pick them up. "Asked me to be his mate."

The maid stared at her agape as she crouched. "I knew he was enamored with you, but I didn't think he'd move that fast!"

"Well, he did."

Instead of taking all the pots and pans back into her arms, Niffty set them on the kitchen counter. "So, what did you say?"

"That it was too soon." Tina put her pile on the counter too.

"But why? You're obviously soulmates!"

Tina opened the cupboard. "I mean I admire him too, but I'm not exactly ready for marriage yet. Especially when marrying him means becoming a vampire."

"That's fair." Niffty began returning the pots and pans to the cupboard. "But you still agreed to enter a courtship, right?"

"Well…" Tina blushed. "See, what happened was, uh…"

"Hey, I won't tell anyone." Niffty zipped her mouth closed. "This conversation is strictly woman-to-woman."

Tina sighed. "We started kissing. A lot."

Niffty squealed. "Is he a good kisser?"

"Insanely good. But then things got much more…intimate and…" Tina bit her lip. "I think…I think I pushed him too far. He ran off in the middle of things and I ain't seen him for three days."

Gasping, Niffty covered her mouth. "You didn't….proposition him, did you?"

Tina winced. "Kinda?"

Niffty smacked her forehead. "Sweet Jesus, don't you know you're not supposed to engage in any penetrative action until the wedding night? Or at the very least the third date?"

"Well since he proposed to me—"

"Marriage and sex are two different things!" Niffty held up two fingers. "One lasts forever, while the other only lasts for a few minutes. But if you're not careful, it could become forever."

"I know, but I thought since vampires don't reproduce, there wouldn't be any problem with—"

"Wouldn't be any problem?" Niffty paced around the kitchen, shaking her head. "She thought there wouldn't be any problem. Kuso, lady, who taught you the rules of courtship?"

Tina was afraid to answer, as she didn't usually see the maid this angry. Not to mention the only other relationship she'd been in hadn't been the best model.

"Romance isn't just about the sex, you know?" Niffty said. "Especially for someone like the baron."

"Whaddya mean?" Tina asked. "Are vampires not allowed to have sex or something?"

She thought that strange with the erotic nature of blood-drinking.

"Him being a vampire is inconsequential," Niffty said. "You remember how I said he never really talks about women or men in a romantic manner? You're pretty much his first love."

Tina's eyes widened. "Ya mean…he's never gotten…close to anyone before?"

Niffty shook her head. "Not emotionally, nor, I'm guessing, physically."

"So, he's a virgin?"

Niffty nodded. "More so than Mary."

Putting a hand to her head, Tina tried to process this. "But…he's a hundred years old. And a man."

"So?" Niffty shrugged. "Not all men are playboys."

"He's told ya this?"

"He doesn't have to. If he's never had a love before you, it's perfectly obvious."

"But he's so…so…"

"Charming and handsome? Sure, but if he were really into physical pleasures, don't you think he would've made a move on you, or Hell even me, sooner?"

"Fuck." Tina plopped down on a stool and buried her face in her hands. "No wonder he's been avoidin' me. He must think I'm such a slut right now."

"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself." Niffty bent down and placed a hand on Tina's shoulder. "So, you got a little excited. We can't always control our feelings."

"That's what I said." Tina took a fistful of hair. "And yet he tried to tell me it was too much and I didn't listen. Shit, I'm a hypocrite."

"It's not too late to make things right." Niffty took her hands. "I'm sure if you just talk it out with the baron, he'll forgive you."

"After an ugly thing like that?"

"Hey, no relationship is without a few disagreements. If the two of you are willing to move forward from this, you're gonna have to resolve your problems now before they get any worse."

Tina sighed. "Only if he's willin' to show his face."

"I simply can't understand her," Alastor said as he paced Husk's room. "She refuses my proposal, and then suggests that we make love right away! Are all women so wanton that they'll spread their legs after the first date?"

"You know I ain't your psychiatrist, right?" Husk groaned as he sipped his bottle.

"Naturally, I ran out of there the first chance I got."

The groundskeeper spat out his drink. "Hold on. Go back a bit. You declared your undying love to this girl, proposed to her, kissed her to the point where you woke up your dick, had her spreading her legs for ya, and you just fucking left?"

"Well what was I supposed to do?" Alastor stopped and faced him. "We're not married! It would've been ungentlemanly to proceed!"

Husk dragged his hand down his face. "Look, when a person you actually plan to court propositions ya, you either say yes, or no. You don't just leave."

"Well, uh…" Alastor tapped his fingers together. "If I had stayed, she might've used…other means to convince me."

"Boss, you're a vampire. It's not like she would've been able to force ya into it. Did you at least explain your reasons? I mean the girl's probably confused as fuck that you would ask her to marry you, but not be willing to fuck you."

Alastor blinked. "If I laid with her out of wedlock, I would appear insincere."

"There." Husk pointed. "That's all ya had to say. But saying nothing is just gonna make her think she did something wrong. Or that you're just playing sick games with her."

"I would never do that."

"Then tell her that. Jesus." Husk shook his head. "The two of you are like fucking children."

The next hour was spent with Alastor searching the manor for Tina. At the same time, Tina was searching for Alastor. As a result, the kept missing each other.

When he was in her bedroom, she was in his. When he was in the parlor, she was in the library.

When he was in the library, she was in the parlor.

It wasn't until she was on her way to the music room, and he was on his way to the kitchen, that they finally met in the hallway.

"Ah, there you are!" Alastor sighed in relief. "I've been looking everywhere for you, darling!"

"I've been lookin' for you." Tina leaned on the wall to catch her breath. "Why's your house so fuckin' big?"

"Come." He took her hand. "We have much to discuss."

He led her back to the parlor, where a tea set, and a plate of cookies were laid out for Tina. Alastor stoked the fire before joining her on the divan.

"First off," he said, "I believe I owe you an apology."

"No." Tina set down her teacup. "I'm the one who should be apologizing. After all, I'm the one who was pushin' for ya to sleep with me after callin' ya out for movin' too fast."

"No, no." He shook his head. "I was the one who bailed on you during an intimate moment. Again."

"You had every right to say no to what was happening, Al. I should've listened. You did nothing wrong."

"But I did. It was wrong of me not to explain…everything to you."

Tina leaned forward. "Whaddya mean?"

Alastor winced. "I'm…not a normal man, Tina."

She titled her head. "No offense, Al, but I kinda knew that before I came here."

"This has nothing to do with me being a vampire." He turned towards the fireplace. "I'm talking about before, when I was human. You see, the reason I acted so," he said, glancing downwards, "hesitant towards your advances is because I'm…"

He sighed. "There's not really a word for it. My father called it 'impotence,' but as you have witnessed, there is nothing wrong with my…sexual organs. However, even when I was a young man, I hadn't experienced any desires for…physical pleasure."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't know how to explain it. But I didn't think much of women. I wasn't even aware it was a problem until the day my father sent one of the slave girls to my room to…make a man out of me."

Tina's jaw dropped. She wanted to say she hadn't thought Alastor's father could get any more disgusting. But if she interrupted his story now, he might not be able to get through it.

"Don't worry," Alastor said. "I didn't touch her. The poor girl was more frightened than I was. I only told Father I did so he'd leave me alone about it. But then he started inviting young ladies over, daughters of other plantation owners with hefty dowries. Although most of them were quite beautiful, neither of them attracted me.

"Years went by, and my father kept pressing me to marry, that it was my duty as his only son to produce an heir. All I could think about was how he'd come to have me, and the price my mother paid. I vowed never to put a woman through that kind of cruelty, and, to spite my father, that I would never have children. Well, I needn't worry about the latter anymore."

He looked away, as far from Tina as possible, so she wouldn't see his smile crumble. "It's not that I don't find you attractive, Tina. On the contrary, I think you're the most beautiful creature I've ever laid eyes on. Aside from that, you have such a charming wit, an opinionated mind, and a fearless disposition. Not to mention that when I'm with you, I feel more human than I've ever been."

Tears welled up in Tina's eyes at this passionate, sincere declaration. Still, she remained quiet so he could continue.

"But when you propositioned me, I…" He hung his head. "I couldn't do it. My body may have been ready, but my heart certainly wasn't."

His hand went to his throat. "And it also reminded me of…the last woman who propositioned me."

Tina's cheeks flushed with a burst of petty jealousy.

"Do you remember when I told you of the night I was changed? Of the lady vampire named Rosie?"

The jealousy melted into dread of where he was going with this.

"Well," Alastor said, unbuttoning his collar, "I left out a few…details."

He turned back to her and opened his shirt. The sight of his chest might've been a sensual display, if it weren't for the scars.

His surprisingly muscular chest was decorated with teeth marks. Similar to the puncture wounds in Tina's neck, only she could see all thirty-two teeth in every mark. As if the vampire who bit him had meant to plunge her entire jaw into his skin.

With how many scars there were, Tina found it hard to believe they were just from one vampire.

"Rosie did not only mean to change me," Alastor said. "She meant for me to be her mate."

"But why?" Tina whispered. "Why all this?"

He shrugged. "To show affection? To mark her territory? I do not know. I was too weak to ask. Too weak to…fight."

He buttoned his shirt back up, but continued to stare at the location of the scars. "To her credit, she stayed away from my member. I suppose she realized I wasn't aroused. Still, she…she didn't stop at my throat. And I was so determined to die that I didn't care what she was doing to me. It wasn't until she made me drink of her blood that I realized her true intentions."

Alastor shut his eyes. "I…let her stay at the manor for a while. Just long enough for her to teach me the ways of vampires. I'd gotten stronger, but still, she persisted. Some days she'd creep into my room and try to seduce me. I'd always refuse."

His quivering lips twisted into a sadistic smirk. "Until one day. I let her get close. Let her think I was giving in. Then I took her head in my hands, snapped it right off her shoulders, and tossed it and her body into the fire."

Tina released the air she'd been holding in, and said nothing for a long while.

"Too gruesome?" Alastor asked.

She shook her head. "I only wish I could've done something like that to Ethan."

"I could help you with that. However, it might be difficult getting him alone, as vampires cannot enter another's home without permission. I never kill outside the bayou unless provoked, as you've seen, lest I risk discovery."

Tina plopped her face into her hands. "You must hate me."

"Hate you?" He scoffed. "Darling, I could never hate you."

"To think I pushed ya like that, when I was also traumatized. That I almost did what he—"

"Tina." Alastor laid a hand on her shoulder. "You didn't know. And that is my fault, for running out on you without explaining first."

She sniffed. "I wouldn't've kept going, ya know."

"I know."

"And it definitely wasn't the right time, but you…you seemed like ya wanted it, and you were serious 'bout proposin' to me that I thought…" She sighed. "I've never known real love, Al. Just the physical stuff. That's no excuse, I know, but… I didn't wanna force ya into anything uncomfortable. I just wanted to feel closer to you. As close as I could be without givin' up my humanity. I guess I was so thrown off that you were actually askin' my consent that I forgot…I needed to ask for yours as well. Can you forgive me?"

Alastor took his face in her hands and gave a soft, adoring smile. "Only if you'll forgive me, mon amour."

Tina matched his smile. "There's nothing to forgive."

He pressed his forehead to hers. "Thank you."

"Although," she said, "if you're not gonna change me yet, and ya don't want us makin' love, what do ya want us to do?"

"Maybe one day, once we're married, I'll decide to do everything with you. But for now, I'd rather just enjoy you."

Tina pulled back with a raised eyebrow. "What exactly do ya mean by 'enjoy?'"

He chuckled. "Meaning I'm happy simply being in your presence, being able to touch you, to hold you, to…kiss you. If you'll allow me, that is."

She hummed. "I think I'd be okay with that."

And then he gave her a kiss, unlike any she'd ever received from a man. Tender, loving, like he was promising himself to her, rather than commanding that she promise herself to him.

No, there was nothing forceful about any of this. His hold on her face was gentle, allowing her to slip away if she so wished. For once, Tina was able to kiss a man without feeling trapped, or obligated to reciprocate.

And Alastor, for the first time since his mother died, felt truly wanted.

She broke the kiss momentarily to ask, "Ya thirsty tonight?"

His eyes popped open. "I… It has been a few days…"

"Well," Tina said, unbuttoning her collar, "we can't have ya starvin' now, can we?"

To her surprise, Alastor cringed. "Are you certain? Because I don't think I can proceed if we start to feel…"

He couldn't even say it.

"If we do," she said with a coy smirk, "there are other ways we can please each other, without going all the way."

"Like what?"

She whispered in his ear. Her list of propositions caused him to gulp.

"Um, I'm not sure I can do all of that at the moment."

"Just givin' ya options. I'll be fine with whatever ya pick." She laid back down on the divan. "For now, just do what feels comfortable."

Then she exposed her neck for him, though he didn't go for it right away. First, he crouched down and planted another kiss on her lips, his hands caressing her shoulders. She opened her mouth and tried to enter his with her tongue, but he did not oblige. Instead, he moved his mouth from hers to her throat.

Still, he did not bite. Not yet. He wanted to give his beloved some of what she wanted, before taking what he wanted.

After all, their previous encounters had been solely for his benefit. It was time he returned the favor, at least somewhat.

As Alastor continued to kiss her neck, he mentally went over Tina's list of intimate activities, trying to pinpoint something he might also enjoy.

The idea of touching her flower sounded too intrusive. But perhaps, there were other places he could touch.

Testing the waters, he slid his hand down her side, feeling her curves. Realizing he was still wearing gloves, he promptly removed them. He returned one hand to her shoulder, the other tentatively fingering the hem of her skirt.

Alastor's mother would scold him for such forwardness. But Tina's moans urged him to keep going.

He reached inside and touched her thigh. Though it was covered by her pantyhose, he could feel her warmth. Tina gasped at his cold touch, her back arching to bring their bodies closer.

The fondling was a bit awkward to him, but she seemed to be enjoying herself. So he gave her thigh a gentle squeeze as he opened his jaw.

She didn't even feel the fangs pierce her skin.

In the months that followed, Alastor and Tina's relationship progressed beautifully. They returned to their usual chats and activities, except now they had become more intimate, emotionally, and physically.

The most physical they got was during their feedings, but on occasion, they would steal kisses from each other. Some nights, they would curl up by the fire and he would hold her until she fell asleep.

He also took her into town more often, ignoring the frequent stares. They'd been stopped a few times by the police, but then Alastor warded them off by showing his fake ID that indicated he was of African descent. Hypnosis was used as a last resort.

Everything was wonderful, until one day, about a year after Tina had arrived at the manor, that Alastor started noticing a change in her.

It was just another one of their feedings. They had yet to go all the way, but Alastor had started growing more comfortable with their acts of physical intimacy. Tina was wearing her red silk nightgown, while he had his shirt open for her to feel his chest.

As he was about to bite her neck, a dark patch on her shoulder caught his eye.

"Oh, dear." He drew back. "I wasn't too rough just now, was I?"

"Hmm?" Tina sat up. "Whaddya mean? You're always so gentle, you'd think I was made of glass."

"Then where did that come from?" He pointed to her shoulder.

She glanced at the bruise. "Oh. I don't know. Must've happened when I bumped into the kitchen doorframe earlier today."

Alastor's eyes searched her body. "Did you bump your knee and elbow as well?"

She shrugged. "Accidents happen."

That didn't make him any less concerned.

"Al, no one's hurtin' me." She cupped his face. "You, Husk and Niffty are the only ones I spend any time with. I've just had a few slipups, that's all." She laid back down and craned her neck. "Now drink up, before the mood's as dead as you."

Trying to rid himself of his worry, Alastor obeyed. But the moment her blood hit his tongue, he tensed.

"What's wrong?" Tina asked.

He removed his mouth from her throat. "You taste…different."

"Different how?"

"I'm…not sure." He crawled off her. "Tina, I think there's something wrong with your blood."

Scowling, she sat back up. "What, my blood suddenly not good enough for ya?"

"No, no!" He held up a hand. "I simply mean that your blood tastes…less healthy than before."

She scoffed. "I ain't smoked nor drank all year."

"You look a little thin. Have you not been eating well?"

"I'm eatin' just fine!" She crossed her arms. "Why you gettin' on my case about my weight?"

"I'm not, I…" Alastor sighed. "Apologies. Perhaps my indulgences are finally starting to affect your health." He climbed off the bed. "I'll give you some time to heal."

It disappointed Tina that he was, once again, leaving in the middle of an intimate moment. But she knew he was right that losing blood on such a regular basis was bound to catch up to her sooner or later. On the other hand, her blood was the only thing he physically desired from her. And she wondered what would happen to their relationship if that desire disappeared.

Weeks went by, and Alastor still refused to partake in her. But it had less to do with the taste of her blood, and more with the fact that Tina seemed to be growing weaker.

Every time he saw her, there were dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn't been sleeping. And he'd find a new bruise somewhere on her person. He'd pointed it out so often that she'd started to wear dresses with longer skirts and sleeves.

Then one night, as they were chatting by the fire, Tina suddenly dropped her teacup.

"Are you alright?" Alastor rushed over to her side, eyeing the ceramic shards surrounded by a fresh stain on the carpet. "The tea didn't burn you, did it?"

"I'm…" Tina put a hand to her head. "I'm fine."

He touched her hand, then recoiled as if he himself had been burned. Then he placed the back of his palm against her forehead.

"You're warm," he whispered.

"Ain't I always warm to you?"

"No, darling, you're really warm. I think you might have a fever."

"Don't you fuss over me." She waved him off and attempted to stand. "You're over…react…"

She fell forward. Alastor caught her.

"That's it," he said. "I'm sending for a doctor."

The doctor didn't arrive until late afternoon.

Alastor, wearing his tinted glasses, paced outside Tina's room. Husk leaned against the wall, drinking from a bottle. Niffty busied herself with dusting the portraits.

When the doctor emerged, everyone dropped what they were doing.

"How is she, Doctor?" Alastor asked. "Is it serious?"

The doctor sighed. "I'm afraid your… What relation did you say she was to you?"

The baron hesitated, but settled on the nearest truth. "We…we were planning to marry."

The doctor shook his head. "Then I am sorry to tell you this, but your fiancée has…leukemia."

Alastor's grin vanished. Husk cursed under his breath.

"What's leukemia?" Niffty asked.

"Cancer," Husk said.

Alastor didn't even bother trying to recover his smile. "How…how can you be sure? Wouldn't you need an x-ray to diagnose cancer?"

"I've seen enough cases to recognize leukemia symptoms," the doctor said. "The bruises, the fever, the loss in weight. It's no doubt cancer of the blood."

The baron felt as if he were sick himself. "What…what might have caused this?"

"Who knows?" The doctor shrugged. "There is so little we know about cancer. It is not contagious, so neither of you should worry about catching it."

"It wouldn't…it wouldn't have been caused by blood loss, would it?"

"Why? Has she had a transfusion recently? Cancer can be passed through another's blood."

"No, but…" Alastor rubbed the back of his neck. "She did…cut herself some time ago."

"I did see scars on her back. Which reminds me. There was a pair of puncture wounds I could not explain. Your fiancée said she was bitten by a bat?"

Under normal circumstances, Alastor would've chuckled at his beloved's clever fib. "Yes. Could…could that have caused it?"

The doctor shook his head. "If the bat was rabid, it might've sickened her, but the wound isn't even infected."

"Is there a way to fix Tina?" Niffty asked, clutching her duster.

"There are treatments available, but I'm afraid there is no guaranteed cure."

Alastor looked as if he were about to cry. "How…how long does she have, doctor?"

"A few months, at best. It is difficult to determine how far the cancer's progressed without an x-ray. She might've been carrying it for a year and not have realized it."

"I should've realized it," Alastor murmured.

"Do not blame yourself, Mr. Bruneau," the doctor said. "I've been in the medical practice for decades, and I can assure you that illnesses like these cannot be prevented. If your fiancée wishes to fight it, I could recommend you to a hospital for radiation therapy, but it will be expensive."

The baron snorted. "What hospital would treat her?"

The doctor opened his mouth, but found it a tough question to answer.

"May I see her?"

The doctor nodded and stepped aside. "I've done all I can here. Call me once you've decided how you'd like to proceed."

Alastor waited for the doctor to leave before entering Tina's room. She lay in her bed, wearing the same defeated look as when she'd first come to him.

"Hey," she muttered.

"Hey." He sat on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"I was just told I'm gonna die. How do ya think I'm feeling?" She forced a laugh. "Ain't it funny? I come here hopin' to be slaughtered by a vampire, only for cancer to get me a year later."

Her laughs turned into sobs. Alastor opened his arms, and Tina sat up to embrace him.

"Shh." He stroked her hair. "It's alright, my love."

"It's not alright." She sniffed. "I don't wanna die, Al. Not anymore. I've just started living. It's not fair."

"I know, dear." He kissed the top of her head. "The doctor says we could try radiation therapy."

"Nuh-uh. I don't trust them white doctors. They couldn't save my mama, I doubt they'll even bother tryin' to save me."

Alastor stopped stroking her. "Well, if that's your position on the matter, darling, I know of one cure. Guaranteed to prolong your lifespan, indefinitely."

Tina pulled away and looked up at him. "You think…you think it's time?"

"What better time?" He cupped her face. "You haven't much left." His fingers trailed down to the puncture wounds in her throat. "Just say the word, mon amour, and I'll put an end to your suffering."

She gulped. "You…you sure you want me like this?"

"Tina, I wanted you the moment I laid eyes on you. Perhaps not always in the same sense, but yes, I'm more than ready to make you mine." He pressed his forehead to hers. "We can take care of the legalities later, but if you will have me, I can claim you now."

He waited for her answer, but all she did was glance anxiously at the door.

"I can send Niffty and Husker away, so we can have more privacy."

Tina still said nothing.

"My love? Is something the matter?"

"I…" She pushed gently against his chest. "Can I think about it?"

Alastor blinked. "Can you think about it?" He released his hold on her. "Are you jesting right now?"

"Al, I—"

He jumped off the bed, his eyes narrowing at her. "You're on death's door, I just offered you an escape, and you need time to think about it?" He scoffed. "Do you mean to tell me you can't decide between an eternal life with me, and a long, torturous death?"

"It's not like that." Tina reached for him. "It's just a…really big decision. I need to consider—"

"What's there to consider?" He threw his hands in the air. "You said you wanted to live, didn't you?"

"Can ya really call this living, Al?" She gestured to him. "Ya said so yourself ya barely feel alive."

"I did, yes. But then you came along." His expression became solemn as he placed a hand over his chest. "This heart hasn't beat in seventy years. Yet when I'm with you, Tina, it feels warmer and fuller than it ever did in life. What does it matter if we have to stay clear of the sun, survive on blood, take a few lives? All we need is each other."

Alastor stretched out his hand. "I'll give you everything I have, Tina. I'll treasure you, guard you, fight for you, make love to you as often as you'd like. All I ask in return is that you stay by my side, as my partner and mate. I'm offering you an eternity of happiness and love. Isn't that enough?"

Tina opened her mouth, but hesitated. It honestly hurt him that the answer wasn't obvious to her.

"Fine." He smoothed out his jacket. "Take all the time you need. But let me remind you that that time is very limited."

Then he stormed out the door, slamming it behind him. Tina burst into tears all over again.

Sick of lying in bed, Tina decided to sit outside on a bench facing the garden. While Niffty went inside to fetch some tea, Tina watched Husk as he harvested lettuce.

"Normally I wouldn't ask," Husk called to her, "but ya wanna tell me what you and the boss were arguing about?"

Tina tightened her shawl around her body. "I'm dying, Husk. He's a vampire who's madly in love with me. What do ya think we were arguing about?"

Husk shook his head as he tossed a head of lettuce into a wheelbarrow. "You know, kid, most people would leap at the chance for immortality. Especially in your condition."

"And you? If Al offered ya the same thing, would ya take it?"

"For the baron, no fucking way." He was silent a moment as he squatted to the ground. "But let me tell you this, kid. Not everyone gets to be with the person they love. At least, not as much as they'd like to. So they be with them in whatever way they can. And if I were given the chance to be with someone I loved for the rest of my life…"

He trailed off.

"You talkin' 'bout Anthony?" Tina asked.

Husk cast a sideways glare. "You tell him I said this mush, I'll fucking kill you."

"I'm dyin' anyway, what've I got to lose?"

"If that's the case, why won't ya let Alastor change ya?"

She shifted in her seat. "It's just that…our whole relationship was formed on the basis of him wantin' my blood. Once I'm a vampire, he won't be drinkin' my blood anymore. So what if…he loses interest in me?"

Husk turned to her. "That's bullshit."

"Excuse me?"

"Kid." He stood. "Did it ever occur to you that the baron wants you to be a vampire, because he doesn't want you to feel like his fucking blood bag? Yeah, he used to go on and on about how he was only interested in your blood, but shouldn't his proposal be proof that his feelings have changed? He wants you for a partner, not a meal. If you're both vampires, he won't have any power over you. The only reason he hasn't changed you yet is because he fucking respects your wishes, and you're an idiot to think he'll lose interest just because he's not sucking your blood anymore."

Tina looked down at her feet.

"I'm not gonna tell ya what to do," he said. "But if you really love him and wanna be with him, you shouldn't let anything stop ya. Not even yourself."

As Husk returned to his crop, Tina contemplated his words, and gazed up at the sunny blue sky.

This might be the last time she'd get to enjoy a day like this.

That evening, Alastor came to Tina's room with a tray and covered dish.

"Niffty said you wanted some of my jambalaya tonight," he said as he set it on her lap. "I hope it's alright that I'm serving it."

"Of course," Tina said. "I wanted a talk with you."

"And I, with you." He sat on the edge of the bed. "If it seemed like I was forcing you earlier, I apologize. This is your decision to make, and I shouldn't have—"

"I'm ready."

Alastor blinked. "What?"

"After this." She uncovered the dish. "This won't taste the same after I become a vampire, will it?"

"It won't, but… Why the sudden change of mind?"

Tina picked up her fork and began to eat. "First of all, the reason I was so apprehensive before was that…I was scared. Not of being a vampire, but that since you would no longer be drinkin' my blood, you might grow tired of me after a while. Just as Ethan grew tired of me."

"Oh, darling, never." He laid his hand on her covered knee. "I could never grow tired of you. I mean I won't pretend our union will be without problems, but not enough to destroy my love for you."

"But we're closest when you drink from me, since you won't…" She blushed. "I've never been valued for anything other than my body, Al. Sorry if that makes me doubtful."

"Ah, Tina." He shook his head. "When will you understand that I've kept you alive all this time, not because I want your blood, but because I want you?

"I want to fall asleep in your arms every morning, and wake up in them every evening. I want us to hunt together in the bayou. I want us to slay those who would defy us. I want to continue to face this cruel existence with you at my side, so that it will no longer feel so cruel.

"Tina, I want you, because I do not think I can tolerate this world without you."

She put down her fork, her eyes filling with tears. "You mean it, then? If I asked ya to change me right now, would ya do it?"

He nodded. "And when you're ready, we can find a minister to officiate our wedding. It'll be small, but we'll have less trouble with the law if our union were on paper."

"Will they even allow it? Since ya look white?"

"My papers show my true heritage now. The State of Louisiana would only have a problem if you were white. But even then," he said, taking her hand, "we could always go somewhere else. Somewhere with more open minds. Somewhere no one will cringe at seeing us together. And hey, we have all eternity. Perhaps someday, a love like ours won't be so peculiar, and we wouldn't feel like we had to hide."

Tina thought of Husker and Anthony, and if there could ever be a future where they wouldn't have to hide either.

"Not gonna lie," she said with a smirk. "I'd really like to see a day like that. Or night. When people can just be who they are, and love who they want."

Alastor leaned forward. "Would you like to see it all with me?"

The moment her eyes locked onto his, and she saw the pure love radiating from them, her heart pounded with the utmost certainty.

"Even if the future is horrible," she said, "I want to face it all with you."

He closed his eyes with a sigh. "You don't know how happy it is for me to hear you say that, darling."

As Tina finished her last real meal, they discussed the process of the change. What needed to be done, and the affairs they would have to settle afterwards.

Most importantly, they discussed their consummation.

"We needn't do it tonight," Alastor said. "You might be…exhausted from the change. And I will not have you in a semiconscious state."

"But if I'm not exhausted," Tina said, "if I'm still…excited, would ya be up for it?"

He bit his lip. "I won't lie to you. I'm not certain. I suppose we'll only truly know when the moment comes. But if you are ready, and I am not, you will not hate me for it, will you?"

She shook her head. "We should both be up for our first time. Not just one of us."

"Then would you mind if I made a few suggestions to…set the mood?"

"Like what?"

He asked her to put on her red silk nightgown, the one he admired the most. While she changed, he kept his back turned to her as he placed a record on the gramophone in the corner, and played slow, romantic jazz.

Taking a big gulp, Alastor removed his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt. Even if they couldn't get that far tonight, he needed his chest uncovered. Besides, he didn't want to stain his clothes and anger Niffty again.

Once his shirt was off, he faced Tina. She stared at his bare chest, but said nothing of the scars, as she was sporting quite a few herself.

Like a dark prince out of a Gothic romance, Alastor scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed, as he'd done many times before. But they knew this time was different. They would be going to bed as a vampire and a human, and leave it as two vampire mates.

He laid her down and perched himself over her. "Last chance to back out, mon amour. I won't blame you for it. The vampire life may be a long one, but it isn't as easy as I make it to be."

She reached up and touched his cheek. "When is any life ever easy?"

"Then let us do this properly." He brought her hand from his face to his chest, right over his un-beating heart. "I, Alastor Bruneau, take thee, Tina, as my one and only mate, to love, honor, and protect, until the end of time."

She smiled. "And I, Tina Davis, take thee as my husband, to love, honor, and protect, until the end of time. Or until one of us turns to dust. Whichever comes first."

He chuckled. "I mean it, too. I'm yours now, darling. For as long as you'll have me."

"And I'm yours." She pulled him down for a kiss. "Don't make me regret this."

"If I do, feel free to drive a stake into my heart. Oh, I almost forgot."

Out of his pants pocket, he pulled out a ring. Instead of the traditional diamond, the black band held a ruby.

"How long have ya had that?" Tina asked.

"A while." Alastor slid the ring onto her finger. "And with this ring, I will be wed."

She took his face in her hands. "You may now kiss the bride."

And so he did, taking great care, so as not to bruise her any further. She was not strong yet enough to feel the full force of his desire.

"Please," she whispered against his lips. "We've stalled this long enough, don't ya think?"

"So eager, little lamb." He moved his mouth to her throat. "To be running with the wolves."

He nipped her neck, running his fingers through her hair as he began to drink from her one last time.

Alastor didn't stop after one pint. For the transformation to work, he would have to keep going until there was not enough to pump her heart. Sure enough, he could feel her heartbeat slowing, her grip on him weakening.

Yet it was all painless to Tina, as the loss of blood made her forget the ache in her bones.

Just as she was about to pass out, Alastor pulled away and sat up, holding her steady in his arms. He then brought one claw up to his chest, and dug into his skin, creating a small slit. Cradling her head, he guided her towards the dripping cut.

"Your turn."

It would be so easy for her to refuse. To lie down, and let the anemia put her to rest.

But death didn't sound so welcoming to Tina anymore. Not since this vampire, this man, had taken her in, and made her feel like her life had value.

Above all, he'd given her the will to live.

Tina inched forward, and closed her lips around the slit in Alastor's chest. Warm, sticky blood entered her mouth. It tasted bitter, but with every second she sucked, she felt stronger.

She snaked her arms around his neck, her legs encircling his waist. Alastor held her head in place, his other hand stroking her back. He watched as the bruises on her arms and legs started to fade.

"Keep going, my love," he whispered. "Keep going until there isn't a shred of pain left in your body."

Then Tina's hips rolled upwards, and Alastor stiffened at the friction between their abdomens.

This was it. The transformation was nearly complete, and she was regaining her senses. And it seemed like she wasn't going to be too tired to consummate.

The thought still unnerved him. What if he disappointed her with his lack of experience? What if he didn't enjoy it?

However, he was so overcome with emotion at becoming one with his beloved, that he didn't feel so scared anymore. A part of him was curious, another yearning to show gratitude. For a year, she'd given him what he wanted. It was only fair he do the same for her.

To indicate his acceptance, Alastor squeezed her bare thigh. She moaned and pulled her legs around him so tightly that if he hadn't been a vampire, she might've snapped his spine.

Then that blasted thing that annoyed him so poked through his trousers. This time, he did not react in horror. No, he would not go and take care of it himself.

He would leave that task to his new mate.

"I'm ready now, dear," he said. "If you're up for it. Though I must remind you that I am inexperienced in—GAH!"

Alastor cried out as he was suddenly flipped over. The mattress squeaked as he was pinned down to the bed, a strong pair of legs straddling his hips.

He looked up and was met with two, gorgeous red eyes, accompanied by a smiling set of blood-stained fangs.

"It's about time I was on top," Tina said, "don't ya think?"

Alastor had not thought it possible for his cheeks to hold such a grin, without any force. "You've never looked more beautiful, mon épouse."

He sat up to recapture her lips, mixing his blood with hers. There were no protests as she opened his trousers.

The baron was more than happy to let his new baroness take the lead on this one. For now they were true equals. In power, and in desire.

"Remind me why we're driving through the bayou at this hour?" Caroline Léon asked her husband.

"Because Baron Bruneau invited us for dinner," said Ethan Léon. "Getting on alright, Jones?"

Their chauffeur looked around. "I've never been out here so late, sir. It's getting very dark."

"I don't think we should've come at all," Caroline said.

"The baron's letter said he has some business to discuss," Ethan said. "In these hard times, we could use any business that's offered. Especially with how much you spend on clothes."

"That man scares me." Caroline scowled. "And I don't trust that new wife of his."

"You have nothing to worry about, Caroline."

"I'm not stupid. I know you and that wretched Tina had something going on before we were engaged. If she's the only reason we're here—"

"Not this again." Ethan rolled his eyes. "Why you gotta be so damn jealous, Caroline?"

"How can I not be, when we're about to dine with your former mistress?"

"Who is now married to one of the most powerful men in New Orleans."

Caroline scoffed. "Still can't imagine how that nigger was able to pull it off. Aren't mixed marriages illegal in Louisiana?"

"To be fair," said the chauffeur, "we don't quite know if it's mixed, as no one's ever seen the baron."

"All the more reason we shouldn't be dealing with them if they're both niggers."

"These business matters don't concern you," Ethan said. "So shut your trap before I—"

Suddenly, the chauffeur swerved the automobile off the road and crashed into a tree. The passengers jolted forward, Ethan hitting his head, but not hard enough to knock him out.

"Jones, what the hell?"

"I'm sorry, sir," Jones said. "But there was a deer in the road. Came out of nowhere. I was trying not to hit it."

Caroline huffed as she sat up and fluffed her hair. "Who cares about a stupid—?"

A bat swooped down and snapped at her curls. She shrieked and waved her hands to shoo it away.

"What is it?" Ethan said.

"A bat!" Caroline leaped out of the car. "It tried to bite me!"

"Oh, please." Ethan huffed as he followed her. "Bats don't bite people. Not even vampire bats, and you don't see those around here anyway."

Jones went to try the crank on the car. "It's no good, sir. The motor's dead."

"So we have to walk through the swamp now?" Caroline hung her head back. "What a fine mess you've gotten us into, Ethan!"

Ethan groaned. "For the love of all things holy, woman, will you shut up?!"

"Don't turn this on me! I never wanted to come out here in the first place!"

"So it's my fault that Jones didn't want to hit a deer?"

"It is your fault that you want us to check up on your old whore!"

"I told you this has nothing to do with—"

Ethan didn't get to finish the argument as he was tackled by a dark figure. Before Caroline could scream, a clawed hand clamped over her mouth.

"Dear me," said the baron's voice. "While your wife is indeed lovely, Mr. Léon, I dare say that I got the better prize."

Tina laughed, her red eyes glowing in the dark as she pinned Ethan to the ground. He struggled, but she was much too strong for him now.

"I should almost thank you for tossing my darling Tina aside," Alastor said. "Otherwise, I would've never had the chance to meet her."

The chauffeur ran to get help.

"Wait."

Alastor held out his hand and Jones stopped in his tracks. The baron twirled his finger, and the chauffeur turned back round. Alastor looked him directly in the eye and indicated for him to come closer.

"I have no quarrel with you, my good man," Alastor said. "So do run along back to town, go to the police station, and tell them that you crashed the car in the bayou, and that your dear master and mistress were attacked by a bear, and that you were helpless to save them."

Staring blankly back at the baron, Jones nodded and broke into a run.

"Jones, what are you doing?" Ethan cried. "Come back here, you coward!"

"Don't waste your breath, Ethan." Tina ripped his collar open. "After all, accidents happen in the bayou. Every night."

She leaned in and licked his neck. Alastor's smile shrank.

"I know you're only teasing him, precious," he said, "but I confess, I do not like seeing you in that position with another man."

Tina glanced at him, focusing on the placement of his arm across Caroline's torso. "Funnily enough, I don't like seeing you in that position with another woman."

"Hmm." He looked down at Caroline, whose eyes were wide in terror. "I suppose you're right." He sniffed her neck, ignoring her whimpers. "She doesn't smell quite as tasty as you. Too much perfume."

Tina showed off her fangs as she grinned. "Wanna trade?"

What, did you think I was going to go into full detail of their consummation? I'm still a nervous ace, for crying out loud. Just hope you understand that I still did not change Alastor's sexuality for smut. In this case he just did it to please his partner, and wanted to do it at the right moment.

Well, that's the end of my Halloween special. At least I got it done before Christmas. If you like this OC ship, check out my other "Hazbin Hotel" fics. They explore Alastor's asexuality much deeper.