Disclaimer: I don't own anything CSI:Miami and I am not making any profits off of this story. It all belongs to the CBS and whatnot, please don't sue and please don't be offended by the language or situations the characters find themselves in.
. Author's Note: Please try listening to " Henry & Anne Conceive a Son" from The Tudors Season 2 soundtrack while reading the part where Ryan starts to turn. There will be a little star that will indicate when.
Chapter 4:
The Turning
.
It had grown completely dark over the city of Miami. The city had come alive with bright lights and people who had better things to do than sleep. From where he sat behind the wheel of his car Ryan Wolfe drove towards the more quiet parts of the city, ignoring the gaudiness and the temptation of the city nightlife. He knew where he was supposed to be. He had left the small beach and drove off as fast as he was allowed towards a familiar destination.
He pulled out of the highway and ducked onto the quiet neighborhood streets, slowing down as he made his way towards the tall white apartment complex that had more or less become home to him. He pulled up in front of the building and parked. Ryan got out and made his way towards the front doors pf the main building of the complex. He stepped through them into the building and was about to fish out the keys he'd been given to open the security door when a low buzz filled the air.
Smiling softly, Ryan pushed the door open and made his way through the lobby to the elevators. As he waited for one of the elevators to arrive, Ryan's thoughts went to the person he was here to see, the person who had turned his whole life upside down in a single night with an act only thought possible in movies. He thought of amber eyes turning a glowing golden yellow. An easy smile that exposed long, sharp canine teeth, and most of all he thought of how unafraid all of this made him feel now.
He saw only the man he loved, he saw just Eric Delko.
A soft chime brought Ryan out of his thoughts. Taking a deep breath Ryan stepped into the elevator after the door slid open. He pressed the button for the ninth floor and waited. The elevator door slid shut with another soft chime and then the lift was moving. On the ride up Ryan felt his heart start to pound loudly inside his chest with excitement. The beat reverberated through his ears as he watched the floor number steadily increase til they finally came to a stop on the number nine.
The elevator came to a soft stop and the door slid open. Ryan swallowed back a small wave a nervousness and stepped out into the hallway. He turned and faced the apartment door that stood at the very end of the hallway and started walking towards it. As he closed the distance between himself and the door Eric's voice from memory echoed through his mind.
It was 1833 that I was turned
I've walked this earth as a blood-drinker for over 175 years
Seen and gone through many things
All of it pales to nothing when compared to these last five months
When ever I'm with you, I am more happy than I have been in any other time in my immortal life
I've fallen in love with you Ryan Wolfe
I love you Ryan
But the words quickly faded back into memory as Ryan found himself standing before the apartment door at the very end of the hall. Ryan's pounding heart suddenly calmed down to a steady normal beat. The door wasn't flying open like it did so many times before. So Ryan reached out and gripped the door knob and turned it to test it. The door was unlocked leading to Ryan realizing he was being expected. Ryan licked suddenly dry lips and turned the knob fully before pushing on the door.
It swung away to reveal Eric Delko's dimly lit apartment. Hardly any of the lights were on and those that were illuminated the place in a soft golden hue. Ryan stepped over the threshold into the apartment and shut the door behind him. He walked further in and looked around, searching for his lover.
The apartment was eerily silent, seemingly empty.
Ryan knew better, he knew full well that the Vampire was here somewhere. The curtains hanging over the glass sliding doors to the balcony suddenly billowed up in a breeze that entered from outside. It startled Ryan a little bit but he saw that the door to the balcony had been left wide open. Curious to see is Eric was out there Ryan cautiously walked towards the open door and stepped through it out onto the balcony.
It was empty, no sign of Eric just the cool night air softly swirling around Ryan.
The young man couldn't help but feel a little crest fallen because he really wanted his lover to reveal himself.
With a soft sigh Ryan turned around to head back into the apartment and keep looking for Eric. Instead, when he turned around he came face to face with the elusive vampire himself.
Eric stood before his mortal lover wearing nothing but a pair of baggy black sweat pants and a knowing look in his deep amber eyes. The lovers stood there facing each other, simply staring for the better part of an eternity, taking in the sight of each other. Then Eric broke the silent impasse and made the first move. Staying completely silent the vampire slowly raised his hand and held it out to Ryan palm up. Ryan took a moment to look at the offered hand before he reached out and placed his hand into Eric's. As one their hands closed around each other tightly. Then Eric started to slowly pull Ryan too him. Ryan gave no resistance to the vampire and went willingly. They stood now with their hands still clasped together and only inches separating them.
Still without uttering a single sound Eric turned and slowly walked over the balcony threshold into the apartment. Ryan let Eric lead him through the apartment and down the familiar hallway. As they walked Ryan squeezed Eric's hand a little more tightly knowing that these were among his final minutes left as a mortal man. His response was Eric firmly squeezing his hand back as they reached the door to Eric's bedroom at the very end of the hall.
Eric opened the door and pulled Ryan in after him. They stood facing each other at the foot of Eric's bed.
Eric let go of Ryan's hand and reached up to gently cup Ryan's cheek. Ryan leaned into the touch and looked up at Eric as he finally spoke.
" Eric I-" He began when Eric lightly placed the soft pad of his thumb against Ryan's lips and shook his head lightly, silencing him.
The Eric was stepping forward and gently wrapping his arms around the younger man. Ryan instinctively wrapped his won arms around Eric's waits and buried his face into the junction where the vampire's neck met his shoulder. The Lovers held onto each other with a fierce, silent need, as though their very lived depended on not letting go. But for Eric, his life really was depending on not letting go the the young man he held in his arms.
Eric's lips grazed Ryan's ears as he finally spoke.
" You're ready. I can feel it, I've felt it all day. You're gonna become mine, completely mine. Forever." He whispered.
Ryan nodded against Eric's shoulder and whispered.
" Take me Eric, please. I need you, I-"
Ryan's words were silenced as Eric captured his mouth in a deep, probing kiss. With a low moan Ryan surrendered himself fully to Eric and kissed the vampire back with the desperate passion and deep love he could feel coursing though him. Without breaking away from Ryan, Eric sought out the buttons of Ryan's baggy white shirt. The buttons were undone with a fluid efficiency and Eric was hurriedly slipping the fabric off of the younger man's shoulder and then off his arms. It fell forgotten to the floor. Eric and Ryan kept kissing each other feverishly while their hands sought out each others shirtless bodies.
Then Eric felt the beast in him slowly come out. With and inhuman growl he pulled away from Ryan's mouth and seized the younger man by his upper arms. Ryan let out a small cry of surprise as his feet left the ground and then he was flung sideways. Ryan's cry of shock ended with a grunt as he land hard on top of Eric's bed. He bounced lightly because of the force with which he had landed and came to rest on his side. He didn't even have a second to gather his whits before Eric was on him. Ryan stared up at Eric with wide eyes as the vampire loomed over him with his eyes glowing golden yellow and filled with hunger.
Ryan tried and failed to get his breathing under control but he couldn't calm down and stop panting no matter how hard he tried. Ryan lay as still as he could and waited to see what Eric was planning to do. Second later Ryan found himself completely naked with his jeans discarded on the floor and an equally nude Eric Delko straddling him and holding a small vile of clear liquid in his hand.
" What's that?" Asked Ryan softly, already feeling his body responding to having a naked Eric Delko straddling him.
" This is a little something a friend of mine whipped up for me when I told her about you. She said this would help you relax and... It's help ease the pain that will come once you've started to turn." Explained Eric.
" Will it hurt a lot?" Asked Ryan as he reached out and ran one of his hands up Eric's bare thigh. Eric smiled down at Ryan with tenderness both at what had just been asked and the intimate touch before he grew serious and answered.
" Yes, it's gonna hurt. It's your body dying after all. But it will only be for a little while. And don't be afraid, I'll be here with you through all of it." Said Eric.
Ryan found himself smiling at Eric's words as he spoke.
" You're never gonna let go of me after this?" he asked teasingly.
Eric shook his head and replied with a single word.
" Nope."
Then the vampire was climbing off of Ryan and kneeling between the younger man's parted thighs. He leered down at the mortal and spoke.
" Now that's enough talking out of you." Rumbled Eric as he pulled the stopper off of the vile and tipped some of the clear mystery liquid into his palm. From what Ryan could tell the liquid seemed to be some kind of oil. He watched as Eric set the vile down on the bedside table and then sat back. The vampire rubbed his palms together til they were well coated and glistening. With hunger radiating off of him in waves, Eric made his his move. Ryan cried out loudly as hot and well slicked hands started roughly kneading his chest and abdomen. Ryan's eyes fluttered shut as he groaned deep and low while his body arched magnificently into Eric's hands.
Eric grinned in savage glee as he loud noises of pleasure from Ryan filled his ears. He watched as Ryan writhed beneath him helplessly, his hands clawing at the sheets and the clutching at the pillows beneath his head. This torturous ecstasy went on till Ryan was all but incoherent and his body was fully stimulated. With a low growl Eric hooked a hand around the side of Ryan's neck and yanked the younger man upright.
Ryan barely had time to vaguely try and understand what was going on before his mouth was being roughly and thoroughly claimed by Eric. A warm pleasurable sensation started to spread over Ryan's skin as he wrapped his arms around Eric. The oil like substance the Vampire had rubbed all over him had started working, heightening the already smoldering passions swirling around inside the Lovers. The Vampire and his mortal soon sank back down onto the bed and let the fire take over and consume them.
Ryan cried out loudly as Eric finally entered him. With their bodies joined the started moving. Breathy moans, harsh gasps, and soft cries filled the bedroom. The noises of pained pleasure grew louder and louder with each minute that passed until they were full on screams of impending climax.
" ERIC!" Screamed Ryan as he whole body arched into Eric's and went rigid as release came over him.
Eric gritted his teeth as he felt Ryan's short fingernails dig into his back. He ignored the throbbing ache in his canines and continued thrusting fast and hard into the body of his mortal til he felt a tingling sensation at the base of his spine. Then with a final two thrusts Eric felt his own control shatter.
" RYAN!" Screamed Eric as he too went rigid with release. They stayed that way for many long moments before both Ryan and Eric's bodies went slack. Ryan fell back onto the bed completely limp with Eric falling on top of him heavily a few seconds later. The two lovers laid there is a boneless panting heap of post coital bliss. Ryan let his eyes fall shut and simply breathed as he felt Eric's solid weight on top of him. Eric lay cradled by Ryan's body and let the euphoria wash over him while still feeling the tell tale ache of his canines. The lovers laid like that for many long minutes.
As the euphoria started to fade, Ryan felt himself grow very calm while at the same time Eric felt himself grow suddenly and ferociously ravenous. Now he could not ignore the ache of his teeth and his nature. Eric suddenly pushed himself up onto his elbows and looked down at Ryan. Ryan eyes fluttered open and stared up at Eric. As they stared at each other mortal and Vampire both understood... that it was now time.
Without saying a word Ryan reached up and gently cupped Eric's cheek. Eric leaned into the touch and then leaned down and pressed his lips to Ryan's in a gentle kiss, a silent apology for what was going to happen. Ryan kissed Eric back just as gently in acceptance and wrapped his arms around the Vampire's neck. When they broke the kiss their faces remained close, just inches apart. Eric opened his mouth and exposed his teeth.
Ryan watched as Eric's canine teeth elongated and sharpened into wicked looking fangs before his eyes. The younger man felt no fear, only a sense of deep peace. A soft loving smile spread across Ryan's lips. Then he closed his eyes and slowly turned his head o the side, exposing his neck to the vampire in full surrender. With a loud growl Eric let the beast in him take over.
He lunged forward and buried his face into the mortal's neck. Ryan cried out as he felt razor sharp fangs pierce his skin and sink in deep. Eric made a deep noise of pleasure as Ryan's blood rapidly filled his mouth. When he swallowed this first mouthful it felt like he had taken the first step into paradise. Ryan gasped and arched into Eric as he felt the vampire drink deeply from him. Ryan's blood was like the waters of a fountain seemingly endless as it kept flooding into Eric's mouth after each gulp he already swallowed down. Ryan was in a dazed state of euphoria as Eric kept drinking. But after several long minutes the feelings of pleasure started to fade as Ryan began to reach dangerous amounts of blood loss.
" Oh God, it's happening." Thought Ryan as he tightly held on to Eric and fought tooth and nail against his body's instincts to fight against the Vampire in an effort to stay alive. His heart was beating furiously and in doing so it was making Ryan bleed out faster. Eric kept on drinking. Ryan groaned softly as he felt his body start to go numb, a few minutes later his hands were sliding off of Eric's neck and falling boneless at his sides on the bed. Everything around him started to grow hazy as his grip on consciousness began to rapidly diminish. Eric felt Ryan's body grow limp beneath him. A few minutes later the seemingly endless flow of blood that had been flooding his mouth slowly turned into a sluggish trickle that the vampire had to lap at to get anything more from.
With a muffled cry, Eric pulled himself away from the neck he'd been feeding off of like a starving man. He gasped loudly as his fangs came loose from Ryan's flesh. Eric let the euphoria of being completely sated wash over him for a moment before he stared down at his lover. All feelings of euphoria instantly vanished from Eric and were replaced with urgent terror the moment his eyes fell on his lover.
His now dying lover.
The color had completely vanished from Ryan's skin leaving it a chalky white. His eyes were glazed and unfocused beneath half open lids. The mortal's chest heaved convulsively as he struggled to draw in breath through colorless lips. He made choked off sounds as he desperately held on to the barest threads that were left of his mortal life. The bite marks to his neck still trickled blood sluggishly.
Acting quickly Eric dove in and sought out Ryan's neck, this time using his tongue to heal his lover's neck wounds. As Ryan's neck healed itself through Eric's ministrations, the vampire hauled his dying lover up and cradled him to his chest.
" Hold on, just please hold on for me." Pleaded Eric softly. Knowing that he had to move fast for both their sakes, Eric brought the wrist of his free hand to his blood strained mouth and promptly sank his fangs in deep. He ignored the tangy taste of his own blood and quickly drew his now bleeding wrist away from his mouth and held it over Ryan's parted lips. A few drops of Eric's blood fell into Ryan's mouth. Ryan weakly tried to turn away, making a small noise of protest. In his state he was confused and dangerously weakened, not realizing that Eric's blood was the only thing that could save him now.
" You have to drink Ryan. Please drink for me, my love." Urged Eric. These words seemed to reach Ryan through the haze of impending death. He slowly opened his mouth further and let the drops of Eric's blood fall into his mouth. Then knowing that Ryan needed more than the mere drops he was getting, Eric lowered his wrist and pressed it firmly to Ryan's mouth. Ryan let out a muffled gasp as Eric's blood flooded into his mouth. His body was too weak to give any resistance. When the blood fill his mouth completely Ryan had no choice but to swallow the thick red liquid. This first mouthful was like fire as it burned it's way down Ryan's throat and it spread through out the rest of his being.
Ryan's body suddenly started to desperately crave more the the Vampire's blood. Eric gasped and then moaned loudly as he felt Ryan latch onto his wrist and start to drink in earnest. Ryan felt the numbness start to leave his limbs with each mouthful of Eric's blood he slowly drank down. With a sudden burst of strength he had no idea where it came from, Ryan reached up and gripped Eric's wrist with his hands.
To Ryan, Eric's blood tasted like rich, thick molasses with a hint of saltiness laced in. It was like water to a man who'd been wandering the dessert for days. Ryan couldn't get enough as he suckled at Eric's wrist.
For his part Eric made no complaints as he let Ryan drink from him. The more blood his still mortal lover got the better in his book.
But after a few long minutes had passed, Ryan suddenly jerk violently and tore himself away from Eric's wrist with a wheezing gasp and actually broke free of the vampires grasp, ending up falling back onto his side on the bed. With a plaintiff cry Ryan curled up into the fetal position and started to convulse with terrifying severity. Eric gave himself a moment to swipe his tongue over his damaged wrist but didn't pause to watch it heal as he immediately went to his lover.
The transformation had begun.*
Eric was gentle but firm as he uncurled Ryan from the human ball he'd turned into and held him down on the bed as violent tremors wracked through him mercilessly.
" OH... GOD... ER-ERIC IT HURTS!" Cried Ryan with a small sob.
Eric felt slightly helpless as he watched his lover in so much pain. Then he caught sight of the vile of clear liquid still standing on the bedside table where he had left it. He quickly grabbed it up and then man-handled Ryan onto his front and poured a hearty dose of the oil onto his pale back. Ryan cried out as another spike of terrible pain lanced through him. Then he vaguely felt warmth spread across his back and then hands starting to rub and knead at his seizing muscles. It made the pain lessen but did not make it go away all together. Ryan took what ever comfort he could from Eric's hands but the pain was immense.
His body was dying. And there was nothing that could be done except bare it.
Then Ryan let out a chocked off sputter as he suddenly couldn't breath. He gasped and tried to take in air but his lungs seemed to have stopped working all together. He distantly felt Eric haul him up off the bed and into his arms. Terrified because of what was happening and unable to say anything, Ryan simply wrapped his arms tightly around Eric and held on, all the while still gasping for breath that simply wouldn't come. His now tear filled eyes darted around the room frantically in fear as he felt himself die.
Eric felt his own heart shattering as he held his lover, who was now slowly suffocating to death. The Vampire just kept on telling himself that this was necessary, that Ryan needed to go through death before he could enter immortality.
So he just held on to Ryan as the younger man slowly died in his arms.
Ryan felt the corners of his vision slowly start to grow black. His gasping became weaker, quieter as the tension started to leave his body.
Then all at once everything ceased. Ryan's vision went black, his muscles lost all tension, and his heart stopped beating.
Eric gasped himself in quiet grief as Ryan went suddenly and totally limp in his arms. He stared down at his lover and felt tears well in his golden eyes as he took in Ryan's blank feature and his now glazed and unseeing hazel green eyes that stared off at nothing. Eric gently cupped Ryan's cheek, then leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Ryan's lightly parted lips. They were still warm, but kiss him back. Eric drew back and resisted the urge to dissolve into despair, he needed to stay strong even though he felt like he himself was slowly dying. He lightly closed Ryan's unseeing eyes and held the young man close, tucking his head under his chin. Eric pressed a kiss to Ryan's short, light brown hair and started light rocking them back and forth.
Now all he could do was wait and pray that his beloved would return to him reborn.
The minutes went by, feeling like full hours to Eric. Ryan was lax and completely still in his arms. There were no signs of life from the younger man.
" Ryan please, come back to me. I need you." Whispered Eric as he rested his cheek to the crown of Ryan's head.
A few more agonizing minutes passed by and then without any warning Ryan jerked so violently and forcefully Eric lost his grip on him. Eric fell backwards and thankfully landed on the bed. But his eyes were glued to the form of his lover.
Ryan looked as though a thousand volts of electricity were passing through him he was thrashing and convulsing about so much.
Then just as quickly as he had started moving, Ryan fell still and lay on his back eagle spread.
Ryan's lips suddenly parted and he gasped loudly. Then his eyes were flying open and he was arching almost clear off the bed.
After the loud gasp, an earth shattering roar rippled through Ryan's throat and out his open mouth.
" AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Eric watched in wide-eyed awe as Ryan's eyes started to change as he screamed.
They slowly mutated from their normal hazel-green into a supernatural icy cobalt blue. And as he screamed further, Ryan's opened mouth revealed canine teeth slowly elongating into the signature razor sharp fangs that what he was transforming into were known for.
Eric felt relief crash over him with the force of a typhoon as he watched Ryan transform before his very eyes.
Then Ryan's body collapsed onto the bed and he lay there panting heavily, eyes still blue and fangs still protruding from his gums.
Eric was instantly at Ryan's side, hauling him back up into his arms and holding him close. Ryan stared up at the Vampire in silent confusion.
" Welcome to eternity Ryan." Sighed Eric with a joyful smile.
His response was Ryan's pale eyes rolling up into the back of his head as the newly born vampire lost consciousness and hung listless in Eric's arms. The utter exhaustion of the ordeal he had just gone through taking full hold of him.
Eric laughed despite himself and simply held Ryan close.
Eric had turned his mortal lover into an eternal being of the night like himself.
It was no longer a vampire and his chosen mortal.
Now they were both Vampires ready to spend the rest of eternity together.