A/N I'm sorry this is so late, I lost inspiration for this for a while, but I didn't forget about it. I hope some are still interested in it!
"It's getting near dawn, when lights close their tired eyes. I'll soon be with you, my love, to give you my dawn surprise."
"Are you sure you don't wish to have this meeting somewhere more-"
A Strix henchman turned to Tristan as he tried to find the right word to finish with, face scrunched up in contempt as his eyes skimmed the bar. He looked down at Tristan who was seated at a booth set furthest away from the central of the bar, nonchalantly eating his breakfast.
"...seemly?"
Tristan remained quiet for a moment, drawing out the silence as he thought of his response. The de Martel gave a small smile, quietly chuckling and shaking his head. The Strix henchman watched his leader, looking a little confused by Tristan's expression. Tristan's eyes lingered on his knife for a moment before he set it down, pushing away his plate. Tristan straightened in his chair, picking up a napkin with a flourish, looking up at his henchman with an almost affronted look.
"And be falsely accused of ruining his chance at stardom?"Tristan let out an almost amused chuckle as he picked up his glass and brought the rim to his mouth."You talk nonsense."
"It is well known how dramatic Ziah is and I will not hear the end of it if I ruin his moment."Tristan shook his head, speaking firmly, eyes daring the Strix member stood beside him to ask again, setting down his fork and wiping his mouth with a napkin before adding."Besides, i'll finally have a peaceful meeting without his incessant grousing."
The sound of laughing made Tristan's frown turn into a ghost of a smile and, bowing his head to hide the smile; the de Martel glanced at the small stage across the bar. Atop the stage, standing at 5'11 in his elegant clothing, dark hair styled in a swept back quiff and wearing his usual playful smile was Ziah. His singing had captured the attention of the patron apparently because the chattering had soon become non-existent.
The vampire sang with talent, startling some of the Strix henchmen that stood around possibly because Ziah rarely spoke to them let alone allowed them to get to know him. His presence was almost compelling, beguiling to those who was also entranced by his suggestive, slow gyratings in between his singing following the guitar
"I heard that, Tristan!"Ziah quickly said in between lyrics and music, eyes still closed but his smile remained, as if knowing full well that Tristan was shaking his head in slight embarrassment."I'll be with you darling soon; i'll be with you when the stars start falling."
Ziah's mouth curved up into a smile as he drew out the lyrics, seemingly holding back a laugh as Tristan looked around the bar with a curled upper lip. Tristan sighed as he shifted to get comfortable in his seat, instantly turning to meet Ziah's eyes when he felt his gaze on him, and Ziah raised an eyebrow when he witnessed Tristan fighting his own smile.
"I've been waiting so long to be where I'm going, in the sunshine of your love."
"Looks like you've already made yourself at home."
Smile falling instantly and looking somewhat petulant at the unwanted intrusion, Tristan looked away from the ridiculous but amusing scene at the sound of Patrick's voice. One of his youngest Strix members stood beside the table he was sat at, hands in front of him. He gave Tristan a polite smile, nodding to the vacant seat. The older vampire straightened, clearing his throat as he hid his smile, gesturing to the chair across from him.
"Yes, well, I thought that since we're to be here for a while, we'd sight see."Tristan responded, turning in his chair to face Patrick before he nodded in Ziah's direction."We visited a few delightful, decorous places until Ziah grew bored and led us to here."
As if making a point, Tristan waved at the bar with a less than pleased look but didn't carry on.
"You didn't refuse?"Patrick asked as he sat down, a small smile on his face as he did his best to hide his teasing tone."There are much better establishments in this city fitting to your tastes."
Despite the younger man attempting to hide his playful tone, Tristan had heard it. The elder vampire's eyes narrowed, his stare on the vampire turning darker but, instead of making a scene, he simply waved a hand.
Jaw tight, Tristan remained silent for a moment, eyes shifting to Ziah once more. Ziah's eyes fluttered open less than a second later and his dark orbs grew more vibrant as they met Tristan's and, cheeks flushed slightly, Ziah's smile broadened.
"When one is part of a pair, one has to compromise, Patrick. I had my food made by our personal chef and Ziah...well, you know how he likes to entertain."His gaze lingered on Ziah, lips curving up before he forced himself to remain straight faced as he turned back to Patrick."I think our time is better suited to you informing me how everything went with Marcel Gerard, don't you?."
Patrick heard the warning tone in his voice, and he simply nodded, pulling out the chair and sitting down. The male vampire waved at someone who came, took his dishes and walked off. Tristan gave a pleased sigh, offering a small smile, hands meeting in front of him.
"How did he respond to Aya?"
Patrick hesitated, turning and nodding over to Tristan's other half. Tristan's eyebrow quirked, it obvious that he was anything but impressed. Patrick had only been recruited in recent years, they'd noticed him after he'd stood triumphant against a vampire army several centuries older him solely because of his sharp intellect.
But despite his apparent intellect he seemed to yet to learn Tristan's unspoken rules—speaking out of turn.
"Isn't Ziah going to join us?"
"He's quite busy right now."Tristan sternly replied, loving smile gone and voice deadpan, hitting the table almost casually before giving a half amused smile when Patrick instantly removed his eyes from Ziah."He finds affairs like this utterly tedious. He would much prefer to croon to a bunch of drunkards."
And Ziah, who'd obviously heard Tristan's comment, clicked his tongue, the sound echoing throughout the bar. Tristan's eyebrow quirked once more, this time in amusement, turning his head, eyes seeking out Ziah.
"Forgive me, do you have something to say?"
His other half turned just in time to meet Tristan's gaze and his mouth curved up into a playful smile.
"I'm with you, my love, the light's shining through on you."Ziah raised his voice a little, dramatically gesturing to Tristan before he saluted the other vampire with a bow."Yes, I'm with you my love, it's the morning and just we two. I'll stay with you darling now, i'll stay with you till my seas are dried up..."
Tristan fought the urge to roll his eyes and smile, tutting more at himself before he looked back to Patrick who had watched the simple yet endearing exchange.
"You seem...inquisitive."Tristan feigned an interested look, tilting his head a little, far too calmly asking."Is something on your mind?"
"It is nothing."Patrick shook his head, attempting to open up the file in order to change the subject only for Tristan's hand to come down on top of his wrist, pinning his hand to the table."Sir..."
"Please, share your thoughts. You are, after all, one of us."Tristan quietly said, eyes keeping Patrick's gaze on him before he leaned back, hands meeting in front of him once more."I insist."
Patrick went quiet for a moment, carefully studying his leader, trying to decipher if Tristan was serious or testing him. One could never be sure, Tristan de Martel wore a flawless poker face to the point that many despised engaging in conversation with him because they never knew where they stood.
But, to those who took the time to observe rather than engage with Tristan de Martel, there were unspoken rules. Rules that kept heads on shoulders and rules that many lived by if they worked with Tristan.
Patrick knew those rules and despite that, curiosity got the better of Patrick.
"I've been working side by side with the both of you for a while now, and I still feel perplexed when I see you both together and how long you've lasted."Patrick quietly replied, attempting to keep his tone as respectful as he could, well aware of Tristan's reputation."You are so...dissimilar. It shouldn't work as-"
Patrick cut himself off, mind catching up with what he had said and his eyes widened. His leader's head snapped up, his eyes blank as he stared at Patrick, unsure of how to react. He didn't deny his statement because he was right. He and Ziah weren't alike, that was well known. Ziah was devil-may-care, carefree and empathetic while Tristan was solemn, obsessive and ruthless.
They weren't alike, but that was what made them the perfect match.
Tristan gave Ziah reason to fight, to stand up for himself. After his family had died, Tristan and Aurora had become Ziah's family. He'd found love through his family dying and that had given him reason to fight. They were what made him strong, and he would fight to his last breath for his family. They were what made him smile; they were his home.
Ziah was able to keep a light in Tristan, much like Aurora could, he was what kept Tristan warm, he kept alive the humane part of Tristan. Because of his lover and his sister, Tristan remained loving and caring; his ruthless nature didn't completely close him off.
They'd been doing that long before he became a vampire. And as the centuries passed, centuries of Aurora being repeatedly hospitalised, Tristan had grown more co-dependent, sometimes even cruel, but he'd never been able to let go of Ziah.
Ziah had wormed his way into Tristan and, for over a thousand years, had made Tristan's heart his home. He was embedded within the man so bad that Tristan would never be free of him. He wouldn't want to be; he couldn't imagine Ziah not being beside him.
He refused to merely entertain the thought of Ziah no longer being at his side.
Tristan was utterly lost without his sunshine.
Tristan's eyes flickered left and right, as if he were witnessing an argument.
"Mr. Tristan, I sincerely apolo-"
Tristan raised his head, uncharacteristically uneasy as his fingers tapped against the table, his eyes almost black as he loured at the younger vampire, the rest of his sentence being drowned out by the three words that had vexed him beyond belief.
"...if you wish, I will also apologize to Ziah-"
Despite internally yelling in frustration, the elder male vampire calmly stood. Then, without a pre-warning, Tristan swiftly swiped at the air with all his strength, the persistent chanting in his head ending the second Patrick's was forcefully extracted from his shoulders.
It did work.
"I'm with you my love, the lights shining through on you. Yes I'm with you, my love..."
The sounds of screams of horror caused Tristan to snap out of his thoughts and the vampire, frighteningly collected as usual, silently turned and watched as the people in the bar rushed around. The preciously relaxed atmosphere was now thick with horror as Tristan witnessed people backing away from his booth.
Tristan ignored the startled looks he got from his Strix soldiers and sat back down, unfazed by the headless body across from him.
"I have no tolerance for derision."Was Tristan's explanation before he waved at the bloody mess on the seat across from him."Ziah will be joining me in a moment and i'm sure this will put him off his food. Please get rid of it."
The Strix henchmen quickly nodded and complied with his order. They knew Tristan's ways, his short temper and his zero tolerance concerning disrespect and threats but, in their mind, Tristan was their saviour who stood against threats and did what he could to keep things in order no matter what.
Across the bar, on the stage, Ziah's eyes snapped open and he abruptly stopped singing once the smell of blood reached him. He quickly pieced together in his mind what had happened when he noticed the bloody scene in the booth.
"Was I off-key?"Ziah asked into the microphone as everyone rushed out in a hurry, their feared mumbles making him roll his eyes before he shook his head."I'll take that as a yes."
"Well, a reaction—good or bad—is something to be celebrated. My work here is done."He shrugged and took a step back, reaching one arm out with a smile."And, to prove I follow trends, I end my show with a mic drop."
Ziah bowed before dropping the microphone and leapt off of the small stage with a flourish. As the microphone clattered to the ground, a loud screeching sound following when the microphone landed beside the speaker and it made the people scream louder.
Ziah calmly made his way through the crowd of people rushing to get out, easily snapping the arm of someone who attempted to push past him to leave, only letting him go when he fell to his knees..
Stepping over his writhing victim, Ziah advanced upon the booth, shaking his head as Tristan offered him a small smile.
"Tristan, I was having a moment."
The de Martel waved off his Strix henchmen, his face softening the moment the pair were alone. Tristan's body language relaxed a little, taking hold of the folder Patrick had brought, shaking it off to rid of the blood that had splattered on the front.
Tristan's indifferent expression softened at the sight of Ziah ad the other vampire neared him."Did I ruin your performance, sunshine?"
Ziah bit the inside of his cheek to stop a smile growing at the term of endearment, hands meeting behind his back as he forced himself to remain stoic. Tristan cocked his head, eyes narrowing in amusement to which Ziah rolled his eyes at, mumbling underneath his breath about how arrogant Tristan was.
"I don't remember my audience asking for an additional performance. Especially a sanguinary one which, you already know, grants one a standing ovation."Ziah drawled with an exaggerated sigh, humming at a Strix henchman who'd cleaned the blood from his seat, before he sat down across from Tristan, pulling a disgusted face when he noticed the decapitated body being dragged off."Why do you feel the need to upstage me?"
"You should be feeling grateful, darling, I was defending your honor."Tristan lazily responded, pausing for a moment to let his eyes roam over Ziah in a somewhat overindulgent manner before he let out a breathy chuckle."In fact, you should be extremely grateful. Considering the many drunkards that were ogling you during your performance, the beheading of one imbecile is something to celebrate. If I were feeling a tad bit more annoyed, I would have spent my evening plucking their eyes out."
Before he could stop himself, Ziah let out a half-suppressed laugh to which Tristan raised an eyebrow at which only caused Ziah's snickers to turn into full blown laughter. He slumped forward, chin resting on his palm that was propped up on the table and Ziah attempted to hide his laughter behind his hand. It, however, didn't work because his shoulders started to shake as Tristan continued to stare at him with a solemn expression.
"Oh, damn it."Ziah petulantly huffed when he caught himself, frowning again when Tristan gave a ghost of a smug smile, though it was a glimmer over his face which would've missed anyone else's eye. Ziah fleetingly nodded at the bartender that came over with their drinks, taking a long sip before he tutted at his beloved."That was not at all funny, Tristan; you cannot rid of my indignation by being funny."
"I apologize but was essential to my cause."Tristan replied with a determined tone as he beckoned the bartender to bring them more drinks, eyes returning to the notes that had been written down."I have no tolerance for insolence and, since he seems to be reluctant to obey me, I will be forced to use other means. He may be useful."
"You walk a fine line, Tristan."Ziah sing songed with a shake of his head, tipping his glass at Tristan with a teasing smile."Your efforts at capture Marcel Gerard's attention seems eerily familiar to how you won my attention."
"Your amoral spectacles was also how you won my heart."Ziah whispered with a pensive expression, unable to suppress an enamoured smile when a glimmer of vibrancy that cracked through the forced vacancy in Tristan's eyes "Do you remember, Tristan?"
"How could I forget?"Tristan swiftly replied, voice soft his mouth curved up into a small, thoughtful smile, eyes pinned to Ziah's."Of course I remember."
"I know you do. Undoubtedly."Ziah quietly responded, looking down into his glass with a pensive smile before he cleared his throat, slowly raising his head."And, since your recent actions in your pursuit to obtain Marcel's attention make me think back to our past, I can't help but wonder if I should be jealous."
Tristan stared at his partner with a deadpan expression, smile gone from his face and his eyes narrowed. The look would've usually made one's blood run cold, but Ziah's smile just broadened, eyes watching Tristan in an almost fascinated manner. Instead, Ziah kept Tristan's gaze as he leaned back against the booth seat, arm folding across the back as he got comfortable.
"These petulant, preposterous statements are all because I 'upstaged' you, isn't it?"Tristan quietly asked, fingers running along the edge of the table before he casually picked up his steak knife, letting the steel brush along the wooden table, causing a sudden, shrill sound to follow."Is that why you are testing me, my darling?"
Ziah blinked several times, eyes skimming over Tristan's face before he feigned a winsome smile."I am?"
"Of course,"Tristan replied without hesitance, fingers still toying with his steak knife before he suddenly raised his hand in the air and brought the knife down, sinking it into the wooden table. The table shook and a large incision split in the wood, tarnishing the beautiful, dark table."You are aware that I do not take threats well, particularly if you are feeling threatened. Even foolish, illogical ones, which your claim was."
Ziah smiled charmingly at Tristan before offering a puzzled shrug."I don't know what you mean, my love."
Tristan tilted his head at Ziah, a smile threatening to curve at his mouth as the other man continued to feign innocence. Ziah quirked an eyebrow, the amusement in his eyes telling Tristan that he was well aware that he was trying not to smile. Tristan cleared his throat, forcing his indifferent expression
"Nonsense. You are well aware of my boundless adoration for you. The trail of bodies i've left behind present that."Tristan casually motioned to the headless body dumped in the corner, smiling smugly to himself before he pointed at Ziah."You simply enjoying testing me."
"The key to a long-lasting relationship is keeping one another on their toes, Tristan."Ziah defended himself without hesitance, eyes lingering on Tristan before he reached out and took hold of the knife. His fingers tapped against top of the embedded steak knife before he pulled it from the wood. Ziah then suddenly twirled the knife around his fingers and used it to point at Tristan."Besides, I wouldn't test you so often if you did not luxuriate in it."
Tristan met Ziah's eyes once more and, when Ziah raised his eyebrows once more, daring him to frown, he let his smile appear.
"Perhaps you could use your nefarious yet imaginative tactics to obtain a reaction from Marcel Gerard."Tristan casually suggested before he froze, eyes trailing over Ziah, smile turning somewhat proprietorial, his tone making Ziah simper."In a more menacing manner, of course, I would hate to have to behead Mr. Gerard before I give him the chance to join our ranks."
Nodding with a grin, Ziah held up his glass in a silent toast before he downed the rest of his drink.
"It'll be my pleasure; we need all the advantage we can get considering our predicament."He hummed to himself before, thoughts lingering on the reason they were in the city, his carefree smile faded to a deep frown, and the light in his eyes dimmed.
"And this threat to our lives?"
Ziah's tone was uneasy, seeming troubled at the thought of losing everything they'd built. Tristan shook his head, an upset frown on his face, his hazel eyes clouding as Zavi continued to fret silently.
"It's sorted, my darling."
Ziah observed Tristan's body language, shaking his head before he persisted."Tristan, this threat-"
"...is not going to betide."Tristan cut in with a resolute tone, hand reaching out and taking hold of Ziah's before he, guiding Ziah's hand, promptly stabbed the knife into the wood once more. The force behind the stab was much greater than the last and, in doing so, the wood split.
When Zavi remained silent Tristan suddenly straightened and his hand promptly reached out, taking firm hold of Ziah and, using his vampire speed, he yanked Ziah to his feet. Ziah happily complied with Tristan, easily leaning into him as the other man pulled him close.
Gripping tight onto the other vampire, one of Ziah's hands cupped the back of Tristan's neck, the hesitant in his stomach fading as Tristan consumed him in a secure embrace. Tristan's hand clasped Ziah's face firmly, inhaling sharply at the skin to skin contact.
"You, Aurora and I will see this through; i'll make sure of it."He made a sound of approval as Zavi's lips curved up into a smile when the pad of Tristan's thumb softly caressed his skin."And even if someone does threaten our survival I will slaughter them and any more that follow. Do you understand me?"
Tristan pulled back to meet Zavi's eyes, nodding when the other man mumbled a firm agreement of understanding. Zavi's smile only widened as the other man allowed himself to rest his head against Ziah's temple, breathing in contently.
"We will come out of this unscathed, i promise you..."Tristan murmured, his breathing labored as he tightly held onto the other vampire, pausing for a short moment. His eyes flickered over Ziah's face before he fondly smiled."my darling sunshine."