Ch. 5 – November Rain

…And when your fears subside, and shadows still remain

I know that you can love me when there's no one left to blame

So never mind the darkness, we still can find a way

'Cause nothin' lasts forever, even cold November rain…

November Rain, Guns 'N Roses

…...

Warnings: explicit M/M multi-pairings, mild drug use

Acknowledgement to: Peter S Beagle and 'The Last Unicorn'; Taika Waititi and 'What We Do in the Shadows' for borrowed lines. Additional lyrics: 'Rocket Queen' by Guns 'N Roses

All works belong to their respective owners, save the concept of the AU. This work is for entertainment purposes only.

…...

2017 – Sacramento, November – GNR's 'Not in this Lifetime' tour

…and so the end begins…

Deep in his groove, his deft fingers strolling through a solo, Slash glanced up from under the protective curtain of curls, letting his thousand-yard stare roll over the teaming stadium crowd. A flash of pale hair bleached white by the stage lights' glare and icy blue eyes caught his attention, belonging to a young man standing calmly at the edge of the floor barrier, burning cigarette held in a smile that gave no fucks for smoking rules.

There was something familiar about the fan, bothersome enough to shake him out of his zone as the song progressed. Then the kid next to ice man turned his way, and he nearly tripped over his damn guitar as a recognition hit him square between the eyes.

Slash felt Axl's steadying hand on his shoulder, and he nodded in distracted thanks. Laughing sea-green eyes were locked on his, and memories of a wild night over a decade ago flooded his mind -the feel of a young man crafted like a Greek statue under his hands, smooth body a tight sheath around his dick- left him stunned and rock hard as he struggled to keep pace with the song.

Finishing a set of lines in the song, Axl slung an arm around Slash, leaning in to speak directly in his ear, swooping the mike dramatically out of pickup range with his far hand.

"You good, man? We could have Mel and Duff hash something out after this if you need a break."

Rolling into another short solo, the wild-haired man gave a slow shake before bending over the guitar in his hands, refocusing his eyes on the stage floor and cranking through with flourish. Axl gave him a quick squeeze before dancing off, smiling for the crowd as he launched into the last verse.

…...

Concert over, the large group made a slow path for backstage, smiling and happy, the wild energy of tonight's crowd leaving them all buzzing pleasantly. Axl chatted with Mel, praising her skills and quick pickup when Slash went wobbly near the end of the set list.

Slash rolled his eyes behind his shades, a smile twitching full lips.

"Shut it, old man. I didn't need any help."

Behind him, Duff snorted. "Really? From where I was it looked like you were stroking out. Sounded like it too."

"Eh, fuck you."

Axl chimed in, eyes bright with mischief. "Well, you know, performance issues. Bound to happen sooner or later…"

"All right motherfucker, you asked for it."

Slash slung an arm around Axl's neck, punching him in the back playfully, no real strength behind it. Axl squawked dramatically.

"HELP! You all saw it, he attacked me!"

"Sure did, elder abuse if ever I saw it."

"See…WHAT? Fuck you, Duff. Elder abuse my pasty white ass."

"I mean, sure…if that's what you're in to these days…"

Now everyone was laughing, Mel grabbing on to Frank's arm and pulling him along.

"Frank! Frannnkk! Get me out of here before I see something even brain bleach won't erase."

"As the lady requests." Frank chuckled deeply, letting the tiny blue-haired keyboardist drag him away.

"Chickens!" Axl called teasingly as the pair picked up their pace.

"Asshole!"

"That's 'Axl'."

"That's too much sausage is what that is. Get bent somewhere I'm not, brah!" Mel called out, leaning hard on Frank, nearly bent over with giggles.

As the gang separated to clean up and gather their stuff, Axl slung an arm around Slash, drawing the guitarist close.

"Seriously, man…you okay? Was it your heart again?"

Slash shook his head. "Nah, I'm good, Axl. Just someone in the crowd distracted me and I lost my footing. No worries."

Axl gave him an appraising look, like he was weighing the truth behind the words. Satisfied, the redhead chuckled, patting the guitarist on the back.

"Must have been seriously hot property to trip the mighty Slash during a song. Shoulda asked 'em back. Or did you?"

Slash laughed, shaking his curls as he pulled out of Axl's grip. "Not this time. Maybe at our next show."

"Whatever does it for ya. See you at the limo."

…...

The group met back up to climb into the waiting limo bus that took them to their hotel and the low-key madness that awaited in the after party suite.

The trip was quick enough, everyone making light talk at first. More than a few still ribbed Slash about his stumble, till he broke out receipts on all of them, setting the whole bus roaring, half in indignation and half in hysterics.

Arriving at the party, the band dispersed, looking for food and friends. Axl and Slash wound up sitting together, chowing down as crew and staff and VIPs all floated through, chatting them up.

There were even a few celebrities hanging around, some of the younger set basking in the notoriety of being in proximity to 'The Most Dangerous Band in the World'™ and hanging with musicians from the original lineup.

Axl sat drinking from a water bottle when someone caught his eye. The young man had short cropped blonde hair, a smirk and a stare that bordered on stalkerish, leaning casually against the far wall, a cigarette tucked behind his ear. He seemed oddly familiar, and it was more bothersome than it should have been that Axl couldn't place where he's seen him before.

A younger man joined the first, the two dressed similarly in deeply faded band shirts and ragged jeans. The sense of familiarity grew, a discord that was as unsettling as it was intriguing. As Axl sat pondering, Slash suddenly spat his drink, coughing a broad spray that hosed the coffee table the singer had just put his water down on.

Turning toward his friend, Axl laughed as he clapped the shaggy haired man on the back.

"Easy there, old man! Can you imagine the headlines if you died choking on red bull? You'd never live it down."

Slash coughed again, waving in the direction Axl had been looking.

"What is it?"

"Did you see them?"

"See who, Slash?"

"The two kids."

"I saw a couple of kids checking us out, yeah. What about it?"

Slash relaxed a little. "You did see them."

"Yeah, I guess. So?"

"I swear I …met those two before…" He looked uncomfortable, staring at his feet, one hand scratching idly at the opposite arm. "That was like twelve years ago though…"

"Twelve years, hmm? Blessed with baby faces I guess." Axl looked at Slash thoughtfully. "Did they do something to you?"

"Ah…" Slash sighed. "Yeah. They, we…did…" The guitarist still couldn't seem to meet Axl's gaze.

"Oh…like that, hmm?" The singer's eyes were bright with mirth. "Here I'd almost forgot you swung both ways…"

"Suck it, Rose."

Axl laughed out loud, then leaned in close to wild, dark curls. "Pretty sure that was my line most of the time…"

"Bastard."

"True. What's your point?

Slash just shrugged.

"Hey, easy there, Slasher, it's all good." Axl rubbed his friend's back gently.

Slash still seemed uneasy, scanning the crowd, the only tell the slight movement of his head, his eyes still hidden behind mirrored glasses. Axl watched him a moment.

"You wanna blow this place, maybe come up to my suite and hang for a while?"

Slash finally turned towards his friend. "Watch some TV maybe?"

Axl chuckled. "Yeah, I'm sure we can find you some big titty anime porn or something."

"Twisted fucker." Slash laughed. "Like I'm the only one rooting for the monsters when they bang."

Axl grinned wickedly, winking. "Come along, asshole."

…...

Duff meandered aimlessly for a while, chatting idly with a few of the rich and famous, discussing his books and financial column and making plans for interviews that might or might not actually happen. Talking with a producer, he found his mind wandering, scanning the room with half an eye.

A well-built man with waist length ebony hair caught his wandering eye, and something pushed at his memory. As if on cue, the youth turned, eyes locking on his, sly smile gracing delicate lips.

A memory burned through Duff, hitting him between the eyes and legs simultaneously. The tall blonde froze, can of sparkling water dropping from a slack grip to bounce and splash on the carpet at his feet.

Next to him, the producer made some kind of noise, but Duff was already on the move, tracking like a hound to find the youth that haunted his fevered dreams more than a decade ago. He stalked across the room, but there was no trace of bronze eyes or that midnight curtain of silk.

Making a circuit through the rooms, Duff had a fruitless search for the object of his fascination. What he did find was Axl and Slash, making their way through the crowds, waving but not stopping as they headed for the doors. He fell in line with them, talking as they walked down the hall.

"Where we headed?"

Axl grinned. "Away from here."

"Suits me."

The trio made it up to Axl's suite, sighing with relief as they flopped down in the sitting area. Duff and Slash sprawled over the couch, legs crossing over each other as they stretched out, while Axl commandeered an oversized chair to drape himself across.

Reaching out to grab the remote, he glanced at his friends.

"So, what'll it be? Sports? Boinking Babes? The latest tellanovella?"

"Well, I did want to know if Tina ever found out who the father was…"

Axl grabbed the pillow from behind his back, heaving it in Duff's general direction and cackling at the theatrical 'Oof' that followed.

"All right…sports or tits? I know Slash is 'up' for either."

"Fuck off, man, so are you."

"What's your call, Duffer?"

"I dunno, how 'bout a regular movie? We can always switch up later."

"If we must." Axl sighed dramatically. He started to flip through the channels, pausing as a furry Gary Oldman ravished a scantily clad redhead on a garden bench while Winona Ryder looked on.

"There's your tits for ya."

They all laugh, Axl lifting the clicker to move on when Slash grunted.

"Hey, leave it here. This is a good one."

"You would say that, Slasher." The singer rolled his eyes but settled back in the chair to get more comfortable.

"Hope we're not interrupting something important."

The trio whipped their heads around to find four young men making their way towards them from the direction of the balcony, all broad smiles as they arranged themselves behind the musicians.

Duff was stunned silent at the reappearance of his dark-haired obsession, hazel eyes locked on the rich earthy gaze of the young man leaning casually on the sofa back above him. Focused so intently, he missed the shaggy blonde that snuck up, throwing arms around him from behind and leaning over his shoulder.

"DUDE! That show was rockin'! YOW!"

The blood froze in Duff's veins, strangled noise escaping him, and Axl turned towards the pair, looking pensively at the two blondes. Duff pulled away frantically, earning a sad whine from the young man as he scrambled off the couch to stand between his friends, panting hard.

Axl put a steadying hand on Duff's leg. He and Slash sat up, the red head gazing back and forth at all the young men with concern.

"I know you. How do I know you?"

Duff piped up, voice shaky and rough. "It's not possible. You can't be the same kid, that was thirty years ago!"

Axl turned to look up at his friend just as the pale blonde he's seen earlier at the party started slow-clapping with heavy handed sarcasm.

"Nice to know somebody remembers the good old days. What about you, Red? You figured it out yet?"

Axl frowned, but Duff was speaking frantically. "You gotta tell me you remember – these guys were the bikers that helped us out at that beach gig!"

Slash had been quiet, staring at the youthful man with curly blonde hair. His interest was returned in spades, green eyes dancing, a mischievous smile gracing delicate lips.

Duff's exclamations drew his attention away, and he finally looked at the others. The sarcastic blonde he remembered very well, but the other two weren't as familiar. Then again, the likelihood he'd remember anybody he'd met briefly several decades ago, if Duff was right, was slim to none. He'd lost a lot of memories to the haze of heroin.

Axl stared at the pale blonde, face tight, hand on the arm of the chair gripping hard enough to turn his knuckles white.

"You – you keep showing up… David. Who the hell are you?"

David's grin was a little too toothy to look anything but wicked.

"You're a smart man, Axl. Don't you see what's going on?"

Axl shook his head, though his eyes never left David's. "You've been following us since our first gigs…you've barely changed at all."

Now all the young men were grinning, the look more predatory than friendly. The shaggy blonde plopped himself down next to Slash, making the guitarist flinch and jump.

"Aww…relax dude, I won't bite…yet."

Slash leaned away, tawny skin going ashen.

"Smooth as always, Paul." David drawled.

Axl snarled. "Stay away from him."

"Take it easy, Red. We're not here to hurt anyone."

"What do you mean? Who are you?"

David pouted comically, nodding towards the tv. "You really need it spelled out?"

The three men glanced for a moment at the tv, and the movie that was still playing. Gary Oldman was hugging Winona to his chest as she licked up a thin line of blood.

"No fucking way." Slash was the first to speak, eyes going wide.

The young men laughed.

"Fucking yes way, dude." Paul leaned back, lighting up fat joint.

He offered it around, Axl and his friends turning him down with faint shakes of their heads. Shrugging he took a deep pull, holding it for far longer than should be possible, slow, tense minutes ticking away as an amused smile grew wide across his face.

"Enough, Paul."

At David's admonition, he winked at Slash, blowing a thick and perfect smoke ring in Axl's direction, not even bothering to take another breath after.

The smoke broke over the redhead, the sweet scent heavy and cloying. Axl waved a hand to clear the air, breath coming in short pants as he struggled to make sense of things.

"Why are you here? What's the point of all this?"

David sauntered around the seating area to stand in front of the tv, thumbs hooked loosely in the front pockets of his well-worn jeans. He pulled a cigarette out of his shirt pocket, lighting up with an ornate silver lighter.

"Good questions, Red. I've grown rather fond of all of you over the years. Thought I'd extend a personal invitation to eternity."

Axl went even paler than normal, color draining from his face. "You can't be serious."

"This is one thing I never kid about, Red. Gotta be something special to join my boy band."

"No!... No. You talk like this is nothing. I don't even understand how it can be real!"

David gives the singer a very mild look as he exhales. The next moment, his face was demonic, eyes fiery gold rimmed with red, face contorted with sharp ridges, fangs showing long in a devilish smile.

Around the room, his gang shifted as well, chuckling at the sounds of distress coming from the aging musicians. Slash was stunned, images of a statuesque youth with soft lips wrapped around his dick warring with the ferocious look of the creature moving to stand over him now.

Axl was trembling, reaching for Duff as the tall blonde crumpled to his knees beside him, the both of them breathing raggedly. Caught like a deer in the headlights, Slash couldn't make himself move as Marko reached down, light fingers with razor blade nails running gently along the curve of his cheek.

"Don't be afraid of us. Be one of us."

Slash swallowed dryly, brain stuck in a loop, cycling between the memory of the youth's angelic face and the unbelievability of the truth that stared at him with sharp-toothed grin. A soothing sense of warmth blossomed in his mind, and he relaxed into it.

"Marko, no influencing our friends. They have to decide for themselves."

The warmth vanished, Marko's face going boyish again, looking embarrassed as he ducked his head at David's words, his hand dropping away. The guitarist reached out, taking hold of Marko's now soft and human appearing hand.

"You…really want me…us? To be like you?"

"SLASH? What are you doing?" Axl's voice was shrill with fear and hurt.

"We all want you. All of you." David confirmed. "Think of it - your music could span centuries."

"Easy for you to say." Axl turned, practically spitting harsh words at David. "What good is it to live forever when my voice is crapping out now? Shit's torn, nodules popping up every other year. What's the point? Who'd want to hear that forever?"

For once, the smirk slipped off David's face, and he strode over to Axl. Taking a knee, he reached out, cupping Axl's face, and the redhead was too shocked to pull away.

"Don't think I don't see your pain, that I don't know what fuels your nightmares." David's voice was soft and low. "This is a way out, a way forward to something better. Let me heal you. Injuries, illness, these things have no power over our kind."

Axl started to shake, hand lifting to rest over David's, peel it off his face. His eyes glistened, lowering from David's kindly gaze.

"Where have you been?" he hissed.

"I'm here now."

Axl barked out a cruel laugh. "And what good is it to me that you're here now? Where were you twenty years ago, ten years ago? How dare you, how dare you come to me now, when I am this?"

David put a hand on the singer's knee. "Oh, Axl. Age cannot wither what makes you magnificent."

Axl turned his head, moist and wary green eyes meeting calm, inviting blue. David slid his hand slowly up the man's thigh, smirking when Axl's eyebrows shot up.

"Besides," he drawled. "When you're a vampire, you become very sexy."

Axl gave him a skeptical look. "Really?"

David just lifted both hands, gesturing at himself as evidence. Axl snorted, rolling his eyes.

"Easy for you, maybe. Exactly how long have you been twenty?"

David grinned and winked, patting his leg and standing up. "Ask me later. We'll have plenty of time for sob stories." He extended a hand. "That is, if you'll join us? Don't keep me hanging, I don't ask just anybody."

Axl looked at David's hand, then looked over at his friends. "Slash?"

The wild-haired man glanced back, then around at the young men, finally turning back to Axl, running a hand up to push the hair out of his face.

"I dunno, man… I say we go for it. Together? Don't want to be the only old fart on the team."

The young-looking men around them burst into laughter. After a moment, David wiped at his eyes, still chuckling. "Ah, kids these days. You're too funny, short stop."

Slash made a face. "You gonna be calling me forever?"

"Perhaps."

"Ok, I'm out."

Axl blew a raspberry, taking David's hand and standing. "Pussy. If I can do it, so can you." Slash stuck his tongue out at him, but stood up as well. The redhead looked down at the tall blonde that still kneeled, staring up at them both with furrowed brow and mournful eyes.

"Duffer?"

The bassist shook his head. "I…I dunno man. I just…my wife, you know? We've been through so much together. I don't think I could stand to leave her behind, or the kids. I just…don't think I can do it. But I won't stop you, if that's what you want. I understand why you would."

Axl looked poleaxed, squatting down to put a hand on Duff's shoulder. "You sure, bud? It might seem like a good idea now, but you might have second thoughts when you're Jimmy Page's age."

Duff huffed out a sad chuckle. "You might be right. Maybe ask me again then, hmm?"

"You know I'm gonna hold you to that." Axl pulled his friend close, the two touching foreheads for a long moment.

"I hate to break up such a touching moment, but this is a bit of an issue. We don't like having humans know about us. It's pretty much a 'do or die' deal."

Axl turned towards David, shielding Duff with his body.

"You're not killing him. I'd rather die now then join you at the cost of his life."

Slash turned as well, now standing over the other two. "What he said."

David scowled as he looked over the trio, eyes flashing gold as the atmosphere turned thick with tension.

"Duff. Your friend's lives, and yours, depend on your answer. If we let you live, will you keep them, and their secret, safe, from now till you meet your end? Don't lie. I'll know."

Duff stood, pulling Axl up with him, then wrapping his arms around the singer and Slash. He looked David dead in the eye. "Their secret is safe with me, as long as I'm alive to keep it."

David smiled. "Well said." He clapped his hands together, the sharp crack making the three musicians jump a little, to the amusement of the vampires. "So, ready for eternity?"

Duff coughed into his hand. "Not to kill the moment, but…what are you gonna do for daylight shows? I'm guessing that's a real thing?"

Axl and Slash turned towards each other with 'Oh, shit' looks on their faces. They gave David troubled glances.

He smirked back. "Excellent question. Good thing you've got seasoned experts on hand to answer. It's been our experience that very few people bother to question the eccentric rich who never go out before sunset and spend their days chasing the sun, or in this case, the short winter days. Having a loyal human willing to cover any daytime problems is pretty damn useful too." He produced another cigarette from somewhere, lighting up and taking a long drag. "That work for you kids?"

Axl and Slash looked at each other, then back at Duff. His eyes were damp, but he gave them an encouraging smile.

They took deep, steadying breaths, turning toward David in unison. He smirked, walking to the middle of the room before turning back to face them, dropping the cigarette to grind it into the carpet.

"Slash." He beckoned, voice like silk over gravel.

The curly haired man shuddered, looking back at Axl for a moment, then stepping forward. Axl reached out, grabbing his friend's arm.

"I'll go first, if you want."

"Sorry Red. That's not your choice to make."

Axl frowned at the vampire, who just winked and held out his hand to the guitarist.

Slash took his hand, letting David draw him close. He could feel his heart beating like the bass in a speed metal song, breath turning shallow and fast.

"Relax, Slash." David stroked his cheek, light fingers trailing down a tawny neck, pulling a shiver from the mortal. "I've bitten you before, you know."

Slash's eyes went a little wide, but he nodded, the memory of dark purple hickeys that commemorated nights of bliss coming to easily to mind.

"I... I had a pacemaker put in a while back. That's not gonna screw anything up?"

David chuckled, cool breath ghosting over Slash's cheek.

"Not at all. Once you're all set, we can help you yank that sucker out. It'll be fun."

The guitarist gave a shaky smile, and David leaned in to capture his lips, gentle kiss turning deeper and more heated till Slash broke for breath, face flushed, heart beating fast for a different reason. He moaned softly as cool lips traced a path along his jaw and down his neck, the only hint that David had made his move the slight hitch in the mortal's breath as razor teeth sank in.

David curled strong arms around the guitarist, taking them slowly down to kneel on the floor. Long minutes pass before he lifted his head, no trace of blood save the slight red tinge to his lips.

Kissing Slash again, the human tasted the strong iron of his own blood on the tongue invading his mouth. This time David broke the kiss, bringing his own wrist to his lips to sink teeth in deep, tearing a wound that bubbled with dark blood, and he lifted it to Slash's mouth.

"Drink deep, and be one of us."

Slash was loose limbed, slightly dizzy as he held David's wrist weakly, the blood spilling past his full lips. As the warm, thick liquid slipped over his tongue, it seemed to burn a bright path, stronger than any whisky he'd ever had.

It flowed down his throat, into his stomach, like liquid lightning, and he was sure he was glowing. From his core the fire blasted outward, rippling under his skin, and he felt suddenly fierce and powerful, more alive than he'd been since he was a teenager, running wild on the streets of L.A.

The high was stronger, more empowering, more seductive than anything he'd ever had, and he tightened his grip on David's arm, rubbery limbs replaced with iron and steel cable. He drank deep, feeling his cock grow rock hard where it brushed against David's leg.

"Slash." The words were soft, but there was a hidden depth of command that pulled his eyes open to look up at David. The source of all that was good and bright in the world gazed down at him with soft blue eyes and gentle smirk. "That's enough now."

Slash whined, the font of heavenly manna pulling away, leaving him panting, wiping his face with his hand and licking off the last traces of that amazing substance. The white-hot fire banked slowly, becoming a steady burn that sat low in his groin, and he shifted, groaning when David's movements brushed against him again.

David rose, offering a hand to the newly born vampire. When Slash stood up tall, the rest of David's men cheered and hollered, moving in to offer back-cracking hugs, and in Marko's case, a deep-throated kiss, to the wild, happy catcalls of the others.

"Alright, boys. Take care of our new brother, and our esteemed guest."

David motioned at Duff, winking.

Paul was first to speak up. "How 'bout we crank up some tunes?"

Over general noise of loud discussion, the TV was turned off, and a phone docked to a speaker system. Duff put on a long playlist full of grinding guitars as David's gang started getting more comfortable.

Marko was the first to strip down, pressing himself into Slash as he pulled up the curly-haired man's shirt. Not to be outdone, Paul embraced his new brother from behind, nuzzling his shoulder and whispering in his ear.

"Always knew you were a wild ride. Can't wait to take you for a spin."

Paul's hands slid down low, caressing and squeezing gently, to Slash's very vocal delight. Meanwhile, a shirtless Dwayne curled around Duff's back, hands roaming high and low.

"I missed you, blondie."

He chuckled deep as the tall man moaned softly, leaning his head back on his shoulder.

Axl watched as the group got intimate, breath shallow and rapid. David appeared in front of him, placing a light hand on his shoulder, turning them toward the large, more private bedroom.

"Come on, Red. Got something special planned for the leader of the band."

Axl let himself get pulled along, though his eyes were a bit white rimmed. David rubbed his shoulder gently, breaking contact for a moment to close the door.

"Get comfortable, Red. We're gonna be a while."

Axl sat, somewhat reluctantly, taking off his boots. He watched David as the pale blonde removed his shirt, finally turning away with a ragged sigh.

Startling at the feel of hands on his thighs, Axl looked down to become locked in David's hungry gaze, the vampire suddenly completely naked, kneeling at his feet.

"It's alright, Red. I'm not gonna rush you. We'll walk through this nice and slow."

Axl sat frozen, lost in a sea of self-recrimination and uncertainty. Light hands found the hem of his t-shirt, lifting slowly and reaching around to pull it over Axl's head from behind.

"So delicate, so beautiful. Do you not remember how spectacular you are?"

Cool fingers ran over Axl's chest, sliding up to cradle his chin, run lightly over his scalp and through his hair.

Troubled green eyes gazed at reassuring blue, the vampire smiling kindly up at the mortal that sat aching and unsure. With gentle pressure, David guided Axl to stand, helping remove his jeans.

The two stood facing each other, Axl with his arms crossed loosely, eyes on anything but the pale and beautiful man smiling at him. He almost startled when David reached out, slowly embracing him, and he shuddered when their chests touched.

"Easy, Red. Look at me, talk to me. Tell me what you want, or at least what you don't."

Axl's eyes tracked up, to find David's gaze soft and inviting. He relaxed a little, unfolding his arms to curl hesitantly around the other man. The warmth of David's body was surprising after the nearly frosty touch of his fingers.

"For someone who makes a living making a hell of a lot of noise, you sure are being quiet." David cupped Axl's cheek, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "Gotta be something I can do to get a reaction."

A quick motion, and he was cupping Axl's cock, fingers curling around to massage with a firm grip. The singer gasped, clutching at David's back, eyes going wide then closing in pleasure, growing hard under the blonde's touch.

"Ah…fuck."

"He speaks at last."

David pulled his hand away, and Axl groaned.

"Bastard."

"Yes. Something we have in common." David shifted, hands gripping Axl's ass to pull their groins together, humming low in his chest as sensitive flesh connected, creating pleasant friction.

"Asshole…" Axl ground out, gasping. "Fuck you."

"Maybe, if you ask nice later." David leaned in, kissing a slow trail up Axl's neck to claim his lips, tilting away to smirk at the panting mortal. "How 'bout we get horizontal?"

Axl's eyes went a little wide, sure the vampire could hear the sudden pounding of his heart.

"Why does it trouble you?"

Axl frowned, shaking his head free from David's light touch. "It doesn't."

"You're a bad liar." Lips dipped to his collarbone, smiling against his skin. Axl shivered, feeling hands slide up his sides.

"Come, lay down with me, Red. I promise I won't bite…till you beg me to."

Breathing in sharply, Axl swallowed, looking at the bed behind him. David moved past him, pulling down the covers and climbing in.

Axl watched, eyes lingering on David's smooth form, blushing when David turned and caught him staring. The vampire patted the space next to him, grinning wide, and after a deep breath, Axl crawled in next to him.

David clearly enjoyed watching him get close and settle down. "You always this eager to get in bed? Good thing I'm immortal or I might pass away waiting for you."

Axl glared at him, David snickering and patting his knee. "Take it easy, princess. We both know how this is gonna end. Question is how much fun we can have getting there."

The blonde leaned across, gripping firmly on Axl's far arm and pulling till the human was draped across him, their chests touching, Axl's leg on top of his.

"Didn't think you were the shy type."

"I'm not."

David snorted. "So? Could've fooled me. Make a move, Red. You've got my full attention, or…you will, when you find your courage."

His hand snuck up to tweak a nipple, and Axl's eyes flashed at the challenge.

"Don't tell me what to do, asshole."

"Oh, Red." The blonde chucked darkly, cupping Axl's chin. "So much anger to hide all that fear."

Axl yanked his chin away. "I'm not scared of you."

David grabbed it back, forcing the man to look him in now fiery gold eyes. "You sure about that?"

The redhead's heart jumped, but he didn't flinch. "Yeah."

"Prove it."

With a snarl, Axl leaned in, meeting David's lips with ferocity, and the vampire smiled around the attempted attack, letting the mortal press him back into the pillow-cushioned headboard. When Axl started nipping along his neck and sliding a hand down his groin, he growled and flipped them, pinning the singer and taking a quick bite of his shoulder, lapping at the rich blood flowing from the small wound.

Feeling the vampire press him down, the singer bucked and pushed, nearly frantic as he felt David's hands wander down to grab his ass.

"Get off me!" Axl hissed, squirming against David's hold.

"Why? I'm comfortable, and you're too much fun."

Axl struggled harder, heart racing. David let his hand slide lower, fingers brushing taint and crevasse, and the man under him hit full-on blind panic, thrashing hard, the only sound strained grunting as he tried vainly to dislodge his tormentor.

David stayed put, an immovable object despite Axl's frenzied efforts, though his hold turned gentle. He watched with interest as the singer beneath him fought long-buried demons, tears flowing, breath and heart rate ratcheting up as nightmares consumed him.

Staring deep into white-rimmed, blank, eyes, David pushed lightly into the human's mind.

"Easy, little one, easy. This pain is old, a ghost long past. Let it go, come back to now."

A sense of soothing comfort washed through Axl, and slowly the fear diminished, letting him crawl free of its clutches. Calm blue eyes watched as the pain-filled fog in sea-green staring back started to dissipate.

Axl panted hard, almost hiccuping, and David rolled them both so they lay side by side. He opened arms in gentle invitation, and after a moment the singer dove into the welcoming embrace, shaking with restrained sobs.

Stroking Axl's back, David waited for this second wave of the storm to pass, whispering quiet words, laying soft kisses along a cheek nearly as pale as his. When Axl finally came up for air, breath evening out, eyes red-rimmed and swollen, the vampire hummed softly, wiping the last tears away.

The redhead glanced sheepishly at the mess he'd made of David's chest as he wiped his nose on his arm, suddenly glancing around for something to clean off with. The blonde reached over him, grabbing a handful of tissues, smiling as Axl wiped him clean before cleaning his own arm and nose.

"Sorry."

"Don't mention it, Red. Not the worst thing I've been covered in."

Axl paused, then huffed dryly. "Same."

He rolled onto his back, sighing loudly.

"Yes?"

"Didn't mean to kill the mood."

"You say that like I haven't been pushing your buttons all night long."

Axl turned a frown towards the vampire, who's amused gaze only made him grumble.

"You did, didn't you. Asshole."

David laughed. "Damn right. And I'll do it again, if I think you need it. Time to put this crap behind you and enjoy your new life. You learn shit like that after a few centuries or so."

Axl stared at him. "How old are you?"

"…chariots…"

The redhead's eyes went wide. "No way!"

David turned, giving him a very bland look.

Axl's brows nearly reached his hairline. "You've got to be fucking with me!"

The blonde's cool demeanor dissolved into a fit of laughter, Axl's gaze going squinty with annoyance, that shifted to rolling eyes and a smirk.

"You really are a bastard, you know."

"Never said I wasn't."

Placing a cool hand on Axl's cheek, he leaned in, smiling softly.

"Ready to take it once more, from the top?"

Axl frowned, concern flashing in his eyes. "I want to…but I'm not sure I can."

"I can help, if you'll let me?"

A crease grew between Axl's eyebrows, but he shrugged and nodded. A feeling of peace gently seeped into his mind, and he looked questioningly at David.

"Perks of being one of us. Just a bit of a block and a nudge. You'll learn how to do it for yourself after you change."

Axl gave a weak smile, leaning over to kiss the being that welcomed him, treated him with such care. David again rolled on top of him, and when the panic didn't come, the nightmares strangely absent, Axl relaxed and deepened the kiss.

Breaking for breath, he was nearly laughing with relief, wrapping arms tightly around the vampire and pulling him even closer. David growled merrily, playfully nipping along the singer's neck and shoulder before taking another quick bite, licking the shallow wound closed almost immediately.

Axl's breath hitched, and he pushed at David, who let himself be rolled so the redhead could lift up, lean over the pale blonde, hand skirting over cool, smooth flesh. David was smiling, but his eyes glinted with challenge, watching the singer with predatory focus.

Dropping down, Axl tasted skin with slow relish, fingers tracing a path for his tongue to follow as he inched down the bed. Coming even with David's hip, he licked teasingly around prominent bones, bottom teeth grazing hollows and swells, looking back up with a smirk the blonde with burning eyes matched.

He let his fingers drift over silken skin, watching it twitch and jump. A sharp growl had the redhead grinning madly before licking a long stripe up the vampire's dick. A cool hand carded through the singer's hair, encouraging, but not pushing.

Positioning himself between muscular legs, Axl glanced up to meet a soft, amused look. He blushed a little, cheek growing hot against the inside of David's thigh.

Drawing in a steadying breath, Axl put a hand under the other man's leg, bending it up for more access. Diving in, he started teasing, tasting, exploring with fingers and tongue, spurred on by the way David groaned and rolled under his touch.

Suddenly, he was captured, lifted, lain gently on his back on the bed, a pale and ghostly man mirroring his own efforts, with far more knowledge and intent. That wicked mouth was tender, taunting in turns, laying patterns of blossoming marks down Axl's neck, chest, belly, thighs, leaving the redhead moaning, writhing, hard and leaking with need.

David glanced up, pinned the mortal with fiery eyes and hungry grin, lifting both legs to bare intimate places to his ravenous assault. Axl nearly screamed as a tongue pushed in hard on sensitive nerves, whimpering as it withdrew, only to sob as a warm mouth wrapped itself around his dick, sinking down to the root, tight throat working evil magic as he thrashed in helpless ecstasy.

Axl could feel an immense wave building pressure in his groin, his body bowing in anticipation as he grabbed vainly at pillows, sheet, anything to ground him, give him something to cling to as his muscles started locking up. And then, all contact was gone, cool air making his cock twitch, not even the weight of David's body on the bed to reassure him he was not alone.

Panting out soft whines, he cracked open tightly scrunched eyes, looking around to see the vampire standing by the bedside, golden eyes staring as though mesmerized.

"Breathtaking."

David sat on the edge, hand snaking out to run lightly down Axl's body, the singer twitching, straining at the feel, intensely hard and longing for more. The pale blonde got up, moving once more between the redhead's legs, staring down with avid hunger.

He touched Axl, fingers slicked as they breached him with slow pressure till one by one, they slipped easily in, teasing nerves with whisper touches. Axl was reduced to a mewling, yearning mess, body heaving, craving release but unable to get more than the lightest caress.

"Axl."

A deep voice, thick as syrup, pulled at him, and the singer looked up at the achingly beautiful demon poised above him.

"Do you want me? All of me?"

Axl's throat was dry as the desert, taking far too much effort to croak out a hoarse 'yes'.

David's smile was incandescent. Entering Axl with patient gentleness, the mortal's legs bent up and hooked around, he sank down till they were fully joined, hips and groin slotted neatly together.

The singer keened, clenching and tossing, eyes rolling up as David's weight settled on him.

"Axl."

Softer yet rougher, the voice broke through him again, heavy with barely restrained longing.

Green eyes met gold without fear.

David reached up, slicing open a deep cut at the side of his neck. Bracing himself over Axl, he cupped the back of the singer's head, pulling him close.

"Drink, and be one of us."

Breathing in the scent of iron layered with sweet and smoky earth, Axl wrapped his arms around David, tilting up and placing his mouth over the wound. Fire dripped over his tongue and down his throat, so bright he nearly missed the sting of David's fangs sinking in to his own shoulder.

Axl's body shook, power exploding in his core, shooting through his limbs till he buzzed and sparked like a live wire. Wrapped around David, he clung fiercely, face buried in the crook of the vampire's neck, drinking deep the heady potion.

Stars burst behind the singer's eyes, kaleidoscope colors swirling, strains of melodies and lines of poetry coalescing and fading and rewriting themselves as the blaze of light poured through him. Dimly he felt David's teeth retract, warm lips pressing against his jaw.

"Axl. Enough."

Reluctantly, the redhead felt himself break away from the oozing wound, as though a hand had pulled him back, though David hadn't touched him. He stared with glazed eyes at the blonde, letting his lids droop as their lips met, exchanging the taste of each other.

Brilliant energy cooled and pooled, settling in Axl's groin with enough force to leave him gasping into David's mouth, rocking up and hovering on the brink of explosion. David smiled down, sliding his hips excruciatingly slowly back and forth, the singer quivering beneath him with pent up need, nails gripping his back hard enough to break skin.

A flash of devilish delight in ice blue eyes was the only warning before David began pounding Axl into the mattress, hips snapping with enough force to break lesser beings. Axl howled as rapture hit like a supernova, pulsing outward from behind his dick to flow like a tidal wave through him. The wave grew in strength, and he hit notes he hadn't in a decade, sustained pure and clear for long beats, till finally the euphoria started to ebb, and with long, moaning breaths he collapsed back on the bed.

"Still with me, Red?"

David's teasing voice pulled him back from his reverie. Axl nodded, opening his eyes blearily, still panting.

"Glad to hear it, Red. We haven't even hit the first verse…and this song's gonna last all…night…long…"

David's words were punctuated by rolling thrusts that wrung new sounds from Axl, that banked fire suddenly sparking to high flames, hungry dick hard and needy again. David started humming, hot lips and hard teeth driving bolts of lightning through the singer's body. Axl suddenly froze, amazement-turning-to-amusement in his voice as he addressed the man rolling balls deep into him.

"Are you…singing 'Rocket Queen'?"

David answered with a chuckle so deep Axl could feel it in his toes.

"You might be young, but honey you ain't naïve…"