CHAPTER SEVEN

November 11, 2009

Steve had only disappeared for a day, but he could hardly believe that he was walking back inside the Authority headquarters in this state. He was the great Reverend Newlin after all and should never be seen beneath a layer of dirt.

Any television spot could prove that he was never anything less than stellar, so how was it that he could behave so remarkably different when the cameras were off? It was clear that he needed a constant camera shoved in his face in order to retain some semblance of control.

Steve tried his best to plaster on a smile as he dusted himself off. The composure in which he did it was as if he was brushing off a mere speck of lint. But in actuality, he had spent the day buried in the dank soils of New Orleans and the filth was still painfully evident in the cotton weave of his cable knit sweater.

And since the stubborn dirt was there to stay, Steve gave up and dropped his hand.

Then he squinted. It was not sunlight that irritated his eyes now, but something worse. The energy smart lights illuminated the building and Steve couldn't help but remember, and regret, what happened after Salome had left him…

After his short meeting with Salome, Steve immediately fled. The Guardian made him realized that he had come to depend too much on a vampire whose commitment to him was impossible.

While Steve rarely thought of his human life, his mind had suddenly drifted into a dark abyss swallowed by thoughts of his former wife. It seemed foolish now, but as he pondered over past miseries, his sorrows had only reaffirmed the hell he was forced to wander through now, (even if that hell was presently illuminated by big fluorescent lights…).

There was a reason that he and Sarah had vowed before the Lord 'till death do us part.' The ties of loyalty and devotion were severed as soon as the heart stopped beating. While it did allow him to escape his disastrous relationship with Sarah, it still cast him out into a dark, lonely hole. A hole that could never be brightened no matter what sort of light bulbs was used.

That was why vampires were forever condemned to walk in the shadows and never, ever see the light of day. A dead man was incapable of sharing his life with another. They were solitary creatures, after all, who fed on violence and hate and treachery. Those were the very notions of vampires that Steve used to preach, yet he easily forgot them all.

Shaking that fact aside, Steve chewed his lower lip and hesitantly marched back inside the Authority headquarters. He smoothed back his hair, but there was really no way to hide his drunken night of blood-feasting and savagery.

It had only been a couple of humans to be honest. Five or ten at the most. The quality didn't matter, since he already had hep D, but the fresh blood flushed out whatever was left of the vitamins he took the night before. It made his eyes too sensitive for the office lights.

While it had been well over twenty-four hours since Steve's last dose of vitamin D, it was the least of his concerns now. Most of his aches had returned anyways. Steve had been too tired and sore and weak to drag himself home, so he had to bury himself away for the day.

And it was remarkably challenging to find a plot of land in New Orleans that didn't already have a dead body squirreled away inside.

At least Steve proved that he was capable of spending the night alone while he was at his weakest. There was only one person who could argue with that…

"Well, I hope you enjoyed your last night of freedom," Russell greeted as he accessed Steve Newlin's questionable state.

Steve jumped back and stared at the older vampire. His hopes of sneaking in unnoticed were shattered. He cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair, only to have some dirt crumble in his fingers. "H-how much do you know?"

There was a brief snort. "Everyone knows everything."

Steve rubbed his sore wrists. "But h-how?"

"There isn't an inch in this city that isn't monitored by video surveillance," Russell stated plainly while Steve frowned. "I had the unfortunate pleasure of waiting for you all night in your chamber. You never returned from your 'oh, so' important meeting with Salome."

Steve's mouth hung agape before he suddenly remembered to smile.

"Y-you mean… you waited? You actually waited? For me?"

"I waited all night," Russell repeated assertively. "I should have known Salome would never keep you that long. I'm sure this was some sort of ploy to get my attention after I said you were too sick to go out and feed."

"No, it wasn't that! It was—"

Since Steve stopped short, Russell raised his brows expectantly. "Yes?"

Steve felt a wave of nervous energy sweep through him, so he bit his lip and dropped his gaze. He couldn't quite put into words what happened last night that caused him to be swallowed by his own self-doubt, or even if a vampire as eternal as Russell Edgington could understand such a fault.

Russell heaved a gruff sigh, but carried on with the conversation, "Like I said before, I am a man of my word." He then held out his hand. "And I have my suspicions that you forgotten about yours while you were out on your fruitless endeavor."

Steve's smile withered into a frown at the sight of Russell's outstretched hand. He had to wonder how such a simple gesture could be so devastating. It shouldn't have been so hard to part with Jason's duct tape, but as Steve stared at the expectant demand, he decided that it was a task easier said than done.

"You can't have it!" Steve announced and tried to straighten his ruined sweater with confidence. "I've hidden it where no one else will ever find it."

Russell let his hand drop. "No matter. I'm not interested in picking up after your trash anyways."

There was a bitterness to the ancient vampire's voice that made Steve lower his head. He had let Russell down and he was protecting garbage. He was thankful that the energy efficient light bulbs flickered to hide the worst of his shame, but he knew the night could only get worse.

His suspicions were confirmed when he felt an arm snaked around his waist. He immediately jumped back.

"Russell!" he creaked and tried to catch the ancient vampire's speedy hands. "What are you doing?!"

Russell had caught hold of a loose strand from Steven's sweater. He vamp sped around the baby vampire, unraveling the argyle pattern and leaving Steve dizzy.

"You see this?" he asked holding up a limp piece of string.

"Yeah, that's my sweater!"

"A sick baby vampire can be as easily undone as this sweater!" Russell scolded as he proceeded to twirl the younger vampire around by the strand of yarn. "And yet you still show a complete and utter disregard to all my concerns?"

"Okay! I got it!" Steve assured with a high-pitched shout. He tried frantically to save the last of his dirty sweater. He may never have been the forefront of fashion, but he had come to think of his sweaters as a recognizable part of his trademark.

"No, you don't 'got it'," Russell said as he tossed aside the pile of yarn.

Steve shrugged sadly and tied a knot in his sweater so it wouldn't unravel further. "I'm sorry."

Russell groaned. "That's the problem. I accepted your apology the first night when I should have asserted some degree of control. How on earth do I plan to keep you safe when you don't even listen? I am responsible for you; I won't be responsible for your death. Not as long as I can help it."

"But nothing happened—" Steve tried to say, but someone else wanted the ancient vampire's attention, too.

"Russell?" Salome called as she walked past the front desk. "Are you coming?"

"Oh, certainly, my dear," he feigned a smile and caught up to the Guardian.

That's when Steve's eyes locked onto Russell. Russell Edgington was not the sort of vampire who simply followed orders. He rarely even acknowledged when there was someone else in the room!

Desperate not to be left behind, Steve chased after Russell. Unfortunately, he did not expect the sanctum doors to slam shut within an inch of his face.

Steve tried to strangle the small cry of panic in his throat, but it didn't work. His only chance now was to turn towards Chelsea for some assistance.

"I'm sorry, Reverend Newlin," she shrugged sympathetically from behind her desk. "I can't let you through." She did try her best to brighten his mood with a smile. "However, I can offer you a seat while you wait. All our magazines are up-to-date."

That was an extremely small condolence, so Steve threw himself down into a chair and contemplated the unfairness of the situation. He should at least be able to explain his actions, even if he didn't have any answers.

"Oh, dear lord…" he whimpered softly, but knew Chelsea could still hear him. "They're talking about me, aren't they?"

All Chelsea could offer was a small smile. "I really don't know, Reverend."

"Of course they are…!" Steve mumbled as he continued to sink lower into his chair. "What else could they be talking about?" He moaned pathetically because that was the only thing he could do other than wait. His clenched stomach was surely not something all vampires felt. Dread was supposed to be left for humanity while he was supposed to be all-powerful. He turned out to be very wrong…

It seemed almost immediately that the doors to the sanctum slid open, so Steve wasted no time to leap out of his seat. Unfortunately, Salome was the first thing that he saw. He waited in dreadful anticipation as the Guardian slowly made her way towards him.

Salome clasped her hands together as if they were meeting under more pleasant circumstances.

"Reverend Newlin," she greeted. "We are lucky that your conduct last night is only a small blip on the radar. Next time, we may not be as fortunate."

"I'm sorry, Guardian," Steve answered hastily. "Really, I am!"

She offered a compassionate nod. "I do not wish to confuse you, Reverend. We fully support your activities, but it was your judgment and timing that concerns us. We are all eager to enslave humanity, but humans still outnumber us a thousand to one. We have to be more mindful if we want all vampires to benefit." The smile she shot him now was full of condescension. "As it stands, we want the American people to believe human terrorists are behind the Tru Blood bombings. That is a difficult feat when the face of the AVL is out slaughtering the human race."

"Please don't shut me out," Steve pleaded. "I can turn this all around. I have a face the people trust, that's why you recruited me!"

"You don't have to worry about that. We got this in time, so this can all be swept under the carpet." She paused momentarily and looked over her shoulder at Russell. "However, we want to make sure this never happens again."

"It won't!"

"Steve…" Salome took another pause as if she regretted what she was about to say. "I know that I've known you longest, but Russell's knows you the closest. He convinced me that only he can make a lasting impression on you."

At the word 'convinced,' Steve looked more closely at Salome. Her hair was tousled and swept into knots. The pendant of Lilith was twisted and hanging at her back, and the collar of her dress was lopsided as if she were knocked about. Apparently, convincing Salome turned into a physical brawl and Steve couldn't be quite sure if it was a good thing.

Steve's eyes darted at Russell. His matured, ancient face was blank, which was not promising. All he could think about was Russell's previous promise to him and Steve was not eager to face a trip over anyone's knees.

"I don't think that's necessary," Steve laughed nervously at Salome.

However, Russell naturally shot forward. He was suddenly beside Steve, taking him by the elbow and leading him away.

"I believe the Guardian said all she needs to say," Russell said to Steve before he spoke to Salome, "I'll take it from here."

Steve tried to argue, but he was soon escorted into the elevator. He quickly learned that elevators were painfully slow compared to the speed of vampires.

Steve stood in dreadful silence inside the lift. While Russell didn't move so much as an inch or utter a single word, Steve was still drowned by the silent waves of his displeasure.

"What exactly are you mad about?" Steve asked softly as he played with the loose strand on his sweater.

"You mean you don't know?"

Steve shook his head.

"Don't worry," Russell answered simply. "We'll discuss that momentarily."

Steve lowered his eyes again. He did, in fact, know. He just didn't see why Russell would care. "Salome said you would leave a lasting impression."

"Oh, I intend to."

Steve winced. He already knew he didn't want the answer to his next question. "Meaning?"

"We'll wait until we're in your chamber."

Steve shot him a desperate look. He couldn't last the suspense of walking down the hallway not having his dreadful thoughts confirmed.

So, Russell sighed. "There's a reason you've hunted only in groups. You are a public figure, so you are a known enemy to anyone who opposes the vampire movement. A vampire of your stature should never be out alone at a time like this, especially one so young and so sick."

"And?"

"And," Russell continued grudgingly, "a vampire so dear to me should never put himself in danger. That's reason enough. It doesn't matter if nothing happened, it's what could have happened. You're not strong enough to be playing such games."

"D-did you say dear?"

"Yes!" Russell hissed, losing patience before settling himself. "But don't you worry. I am confident that a trip over my knee will finally teach you what is required of a young baby vampire."

That was a horrible announcement, so Steve could only cast him a wide-eyed look before the elevator doors slid open. The expression went unnoticed since Russell resumed his hold on Steve's elbow and ushered him back to his chamber.

"Wait!" Steve shrieked as he was propelled down the hallway and into his room. He had missed a couple of Authority meetings. Correction – he had missed all the Authority meetings – but he was sure he would have received some sort of memo if corporal punishment was on the agenda.

"Russell, baby," Steve continued once inside. "Does everyone know? They couldn't of agreed to this! This does not sound like Authority!"

"No, you are right, they do not know of this." Russell said as he pushed Steve in front of him and let go of his arm. "I do not live by Authority's rules. Never have and never will. I only live by my own."

Steve raised his eyebrows. "And me?"

"You live by my rules, too." Russell chewed his cheek as he examined the baby vampire before him. "We are men of honor, right, Steve? You did agree to accept my protection and guidance, I couldn't have imagined that?"

Steve fumbled for a moment. "Well, yeah, but—"

"I said I would treat you like my own progeny, so we will deal with this as if we were maker and child. The Authority had no part in this decision. I merely convinced them to let me handle it. They have no idea what we're up to and I guarantee it's better than losing your position at the AVL. I'm sure you'd rather be uncomfortable for a few moments than be permanently disposed of."

Unfortunately, Steve knew exactly what Russell meant when he said disposed. He was Nan Flanagan's replacement and could be dismissed the very same way.

Therefore, Steve understood why the Authority would be so upset. He represented the AVL and he just made a public fool of himself. However, Russell was very clear that he operated differently from the Authority.

"Wait! You said you'd tell me what you were mad about it!" Steve asked when Russell sat before him on the coffee table. "You know, besides the vitamins and all… I mean, I'll take them eventually, but… besides that?"

"Besides the vitamins…" Russell considered thoughtfully. "Like I said, it's all the 'might have's' that concern me. I don't think you realize how vulnerable hep D makes a younger vampire. At what time did you finally bury yourself? Did the early sun singe your skin?"

Steve hid his hand when Russell reached for it. It wouldn't have made a difference anyways. He had already healed, but Russell seemed to have an instinctual foresight.

"I promised I would help you transition into this life, but I didn't realize to what degree," Russell scoffed.

Steve tried to adjust the collar of his ruined sweater. "That could happen to anybody."

"Not to Reverend Newlin, it can't," the ancient vampire corrected resolutely. "I am surprised a man of your position is able to slip out without a guard or two. You shouldn't take any risks while your reflexes are impaired and, apparently, your judgment as well."

Steve flinched. His face stung with embarrassment knowing that he made poor judgment calls way before he contracted hep D. But it went further back than that. He was even floundering back when he was a human being.

"I wish I had been your maker so I could always tell whenever you are in danger," Russell continued, somewhat softer now after seeing his expression. "Unfortunately, that is not the case. I believe I mentioned to you previously how important honesty is to a relationship such as ours. I don't ever want to be placed in a situation where I feel can't protect you. I don't ever want to feel powerless when it comes to the one person I love."

Steve felt his throat clench. Russell sounded nothing like the ancient vampire Salome inferred. Bored wasn't a word to describe the former king. Mad, obsessive, and prone to overreaction were a few choice words, as well as surprisingly devoted.

"You're taking this a bit personally, aren't you?"

"Well," Russell let out a sigh as his eyes traced over his beloved treasure. "Personal quarrels should be dealt with promptly and directly."

He then reached out for Steve.

"Wait!" Steve pushed the older hands away. "Aren't you gonna ask me if I feel sore?" He pouted slightly as he rubbed his wrist. He was still sick, after all, and desperate for any distraction.

Russell looked unamused, but eventually snorted a laugh. "No. If you don't feel sore now, you will in a moment."

Steve didn't have time to process that statement because Russell moved so fast that he was just a blurry haze. Before Steve could register that someone had moved, his fly was unfastened and his slacks fell to the floor. He quickly gasped and tried to cover himself by frantically tugging down his sweater, but Russell, unfortunately, had unraveled an important inch of thread earlier.

With Steve being bare from the waist down and Russell sitting dangerously close in front of him, the idea of spanking became very real.

While Steve Newlin was never at a loss for the proper response on any television appearance, he was stumbling at that moment. It was dreadfully clear that he did not know how to react to the shock of the looming misfortune he now faced.

"But, Russell…" Steve struggled for the right words. He couldn't lose his pants and his dignity as his older lover spanked him across the knee. He was the dashing young vampire on TV. He was supposed to be faultless in Russell's eyes. "You've… never… spoken to be like this before!"

Sensing his immediate unease, Russell stood up and cupped Steve's face in a touchingly protective manner.

"You were abandoned so young," Russell sighed. "Barely four months old and no maker to guide you. Most baby vampires don't make it past their first year. I can't stand to think where that leaves you."

Russell heaved another thoughtful sigh. "I offered you my care and protection."

Steve could never forget that phrase. Russell had said it so many times that he felt foolish for ever listening to Salome in the first place. Immortality definitely took its toll on the older vampires, that was certain, but nature was a strong force, too. Steve thought dead men didn't have a life to commit to someone, but he was beginning to see that everything he had thought about vampires were wrong. It was only instinctual for a vampire to have a guardian and since Steve's maker was long gone, he needed someone to be close to.

Steve thought again about the legends surrounding Russell Edgington. But of all his tales concerning violence and destruction, it was only fueled by his overprotective side. Russell rarely let anyone inside his inner circle, but once they were there – they were there to stay. The ancient vampire would make sure of that.

Since Steve was crouching slightly to keep his sweater in place, he met Russell eye to eye. Russell may not have been a tall man, but his hazel eyes were firm and unyielding. He had a face worthy of being hammered onto ancient coins, and probably was at some point. He was everything a seasoned warrior should be.

Putting modesty aside, Steve let go of his sweater and started to rub the forearms that were reaching up to cup his face. He could feel the hidden warrior strength in Russell's arms. The most dangerous and powerful vampire was in Steve's arms and bestowing a very special gift. Of all the vampires in all the world, Russell's attention was only focused on one. It was not only the attention Steve wanted, but the care he wanted, too.

Steve smiled. In essence, Russell's power became his power. There was not a creature in this world that could touch him as long as he remained beside Russell. All the destruction and chaos Russell was capable of was at his disposal. Since becoming a vampire, he learned about a supernatural hierarchy, but Russell was the only one with any true influence. They may not have been linked by blood, but they had a bond that would surely be recognized by any other vampire.

Steve's smile was all the response that Russell needed. With stunning speed, he again took Steve Newlin by surprise and before the younger vampire knew what was happening, he was stretched across Russell Edgington's knees.

"Oh, god," Steve tried to say, but it was an embarrassing squeak from his clenched throat. Russell was really going to go through with this. "Oh, dear god…!"

Appearances had played a huge role in Steve's life for 31 years, and now he was bent over a vampire's knees and his backside was horribly exposed. He considered briefly reaching back and trying to pull his sweater down to maintain at least a couple more inches of dignity, but Russell had already pushed his sweater out of the way and fastened one hand on his hip. With his knitted sweater bunched to his shoulders and his pants down around his ankles, his entire body was bare to the cool night air. Steve didn't think it was possible, but the rush of humiliation filling his veins made his face feel warm.

"I intend to keep you safe," Russell promised as his hand flexed around Steve's hip. "When you cannot trust your own judgment, at least know you can count on mine."

Steve knew he could agree to that because he never, ever wanted to deal with hep D again. He felt Russell lift his hand and he squeezed his eyes shut in horrible anticipation, but there was no preparing for the intensity and speed behind the older vampire's swats. It did take several moments for the sting to actually build up, but once it did, the strength he had admired in Russell suddenly lost its appeal. The force of the former king's displeasure exploded in fiery succession on his backside.

"Your attitude towards hep D was worrisome to begin with, but your actions last night were thoughtless and inexcusable," Russell scolded as his hand continued to come down hard on his backside.

Steve clenched his teeth and tried not to make a sound. The crash of Russell's hand smacking down on his exposed skin was surprisingly sharp. He desperately wanted to twist his poor backside out of aim, but Russell's rough hand on his hip kept him efficiently in place.

Steve was a brand new baby vampire, so he was still awestruck by all its advantages including his supernatural healing. But Russell spanked with such frightful thoroughness that the sting was unyielding.

"Russell!" Steve called out as he felt the blood push against his shut eyelids. "Russell! Baby! ST-OP! I'll take the vitamins! I'll listen – to everything this time!"

There was a momentary halt. Steve sniffled, but he recognized it for what it was – the calm before the storm. The swats may have stilled, but the silence was still painfully ominous. Steve's backside was so sore from the spanking, but it was slowly letting up which was a slight relief. He wanted to dig his fists into something for a small distraction against the discomfort and the excruciating silence, but there was nothing below him but tiles.

"It's too late for that; it won't get you out of the spanking I promised you," Russell said, his voice heavy with insisting sternness. "This is so unlike you. You've hung on my every word. I cannot comprehend why you would suddenly disregard everything I say. Especially after my warning."

"P-please, Russsssell," Steve whimpered. He couldn't answer that thought. Salome had made him question his relationship with Russell, but that was too humiliating to bring up just yet.

Russell sighed. "I should have done this before. None of this would have happened. As soon you drank from human livestock, I should have tossed you over my knee." Russell scowled and let the silence linger for a moment longer before he resumed the spanking and continuously landed swat after swat on the baby vampire's backside. "Refusing vitamins," he snorted. "It was bad enough that you contracted hep D, but then you refused any treatment for it."

"I'm ss-sorrry!" Steve choked. "P-please! I said I was sss-sorrry."

"You knew what I was capable of," Russell answered simply and paused again to rub the red skin. "I am being appallingly lenient. I should have set firmer guidelines to keep you safe. Your newfound strength and vitality have made you forget that you still have weaknesses. Far more than any vampire since you are just a baby."

Steve cringed at the asperity in the older vampire's voice. Oh, god was all he could think. He knew Russell was about to resume the spanking. He fought to brace himself, but it was too difficult to draw a complete breath. Oh, god, he thought again. Russell was right. He was far too new a vampire if he still had the temptation to breath.

"If it were up to me," Russell began quietly, "you wouldn't have any weaknesses. I forget sometimes that you are so young. So many baby vampires are staked so easily – I won't let the true death happen to you."

Steve knew this moment was fleeting. Russell had paused to caress his sore skin, but he knew the gentler touches wouldn't last long.

"B-babycakes…?" Steve whispered softly, with whatever breath he had left in his dead body. He hoped using a loving nickname would prolong the short break.

"Ahh, that's right," Russell murmured proudly at the pet name. He rested his hand on the sore backside stretched across his lap. "We got so close in such short a time," he acknowledged. "The last time I saw you naked, which was coincidentally also the first time, was under more pleasant circumstances."

Russell's hand did not move now. It just lay still on the tender skin, but the observation sent a shiver down Steve's spine. Russell had showed him the sensational pleasures of being a vampire, but this was by far the most vulnerable position he was ever in. He squirmed beneath Russell's hand, embarrassed that his actions were the cause of this not-so-pleasant circumstance.

"I suppose this is moving all too fast for you," Russell stated quietly as he watched the baby vampire relax for a moment.

"Mmm…" Steve considered shakily. His position may have been awkward, but he had a place in Russell's life. He finally belonged with someone. "Baby... I'm r-right where I should be."

Russell slid his palm over the redden cheeks again. "Well, you're going to find yourself in this position a lot if these are the sort of judgments you plan to make."

"No, I… I just meant here. Here with you."

Russell's hand trailed a moment longer on Steve's skin. "Hmmm… If only you had stayed in your chambers," he murmured thoughtfully.

With his awkward squirming, Steve didn't notice Russell raise his hand again. Instead, he felt the force of its burn once his hand landed with astounding accuracy. It was lower this time. Right on the crease between his cheek and thigh, where his skin was most sensitive. It sent a jolt of pain that pricked at his eyes. The swiftness of the swats made it difficult to focus on Russell's painfully slow words,

"I don't suggest you draw this out because it only makes matters worse."

Steve found himself instantly agreeing. During their brief pause, Steve's skin had started to heal. Once the spanking resumed, Russell rekindled the sting in his backside. It was an awkward position over Russell's knees. Steve was considerably taller, so every time he kicked out at an especially evil swat, he felt like he would tumble over. He knew Russell's hand on his hip would keep him tightly in place, but it also meant it kept him vulnerable to the dreadful spanks.

"You entering my life was a welcomed surprise, make no mistake," Russell said with determination. "But by aligning with me you made yourself a target to anyone who holds a grudge against me. From any human, vampire, or other supernaturals out there. Following my directives is imperative to your survival."

Oww! and ahhh!was all that Steve could say for each swat. It embarrassed him to be scolded as well as being spanked, but he could dig through the lecture to hear what he needed to hear. Russell chose him. Russell wanted him. It may have left him gasping and gulping, but he could still appreciate the extreme measures Russell would take to keep him safe.

"I cannot risk losing you, too."

That last statement sounded distressed. Steve couldn't be too sure since the sting in his backside was so fierce that his concentration couldn't be reined. Ultimately, he decided that Russell did sound ruffled. More than ruffled, in fact. The older vampire wasn't disappointed at all. He was worried at the thought he could lose his most precious asset.

A rush of deep awareness surged through Steve. Russell couldn't lose him. That would be his demise. It was a thought that had been smoldering deep inside him for nights, but this was the confirmation he needed.

"R-Russell, please! It was…"

"It was what?" Russell stopped out of curiosity.

"...Salome, Ohhh…"

Russell raised an eyebrow. His voice sounded both surprised and annoyed. "Yes, what about her?"

Steve sniffled and grabbed onto Russell's ankle. "M-My meeting… w-with her…"

Steve cringed when Russell tapped his backside with his fingertip.

"Very well," Russell sighed. "What of it?"

Steve squeezed Russell's ankle tighter. "I just… wanted more. Sss-something closer to love…"

Russell sounded insulted. "I thought my feelings were clear!"

Steve sniffed again. "They were! I mean, they are, but S-salome said… ohhh, I don't even know! I didn't want you with me because you were bored. I j-just… I wanted to mean something! To you, that is. I wanted to be something. To you! Don't I mean anything to you?!"

Steve felt Russell relax beneath him, but he only made a small sound of acknowledgment. "Ahhh..."

"Russssell?!"

Steve waited with severe eagerness as Russell silently rapped his fingers against his sore skin again. He flinched at every tap.

"See," Russell began firmly, "you wouldn't be in this position if you had just come to me first."

Steve strangled back a sob. "I've come to that conclusion, too."

"Steve…" Russell said quietly and tried to soothe his skin with his calloused hand. "I've lived far too long, as some would say, but… you've given me an overwhelming sense of purpose that I never thought I'd regain."

There was a short silence and Steve could do no more than blink as the sting continued to radiate from his backside. He really did give meaning to Russell's life the same way that Russell gave meaning to his. It was more than he could ever hope for.

It was clear that the spanking stopped completely, much to Steve's relief, but he was still shuddering across Russell's knee from the shock and distress of such a punishment. However, he was slowly steadying himself as Russell's punishing hand was now at his back and rubbing his exhausted muscles.

It was such an oddly comforting and gentle gesture. It was nearly worth suffering the sting of the spanking just to feel the luxury of his good graces again. At that moment, Steve felt strangely secure and safe in Russell's hold. It was just the two of them. No more disappointment. No more dangers. No one else dared to creep in Russell's shadow. Steve was not familiar with the warm feelings that were thrumming through him at that moment, so he chose to experience it in stunned wonder. This was what Russell meant when he offered him his care and protection.

Steve stayed in that position across Russell's lap for a few minutes longer before he finally felt the older vampire shift beneath him.

Steve was helped to his feet and Russell pulled his pants up with far more care than he took ripping them down. Steve understood why because no matter how slowly Russell pulled them up, the snug fabric was still harsh against his punished skin.

Everything was nearly back to normal, except for the unrelenting throb in his backside and a warmth in his chest. Steve desperately wanted to reach behind himself and rub out some of the sting, but Russell had taken his hands. He didn't notice the ache so much as Russell began kissing each knuckle. He didn't know how that could possibly soothe him, but it did and when Russell was done Steve found himself staring at the older hands that were holding his.

The older vampire had the hands of an ancient conqueror. Calloused and battle-scarred, they revealed Russell's hidden strength. These were the commanding hands that spilt their fair share of blood for 3000 years, and Steve realized with great pride that these were the hands that would be guiding and protecting him. He was all alone when he was made vampire, but his whole future was set because he fell in love with a man who loved him back.

Russell must have realized that Steve was studying his hands because he turned the younger hands over in his and gently began to rub the palms with his thumbs. Steve didn't know how mesmerized he was by the gesture until a drop of blood landed on his wrist and tore his gaze away.

"Oh…" Steve stammered as the blood kept raining down over their hands. He didn't realize when he had started to cry, but the red mess was now pooling down his cheeks and everywhere else.

"Oh," he said again and dropped Russell's hands so he could wipe away some of the tears. "I guess I'm just like a rainstorm." He laughed nervously as he gestured at the tears that had fallen on Russell as well. "Can't land on one roof."

Steve watched as another tear landed on the puddle of blood on the floor. "They s-say a constant drip can eat through stone. I guess it's a good thing these floor tiles are linoleum."

Russell smiled at the younger vampire's adorably awkward statements. He took Steve's chin between his forefinger and thumb and looked at the glistening crimson tears. This baby vampire was remarkably, beautifully, and extraordinarily resilient.

"I didn't know there would be this much blood," Steve said when he caught Russell's eye.

"Aww, I know, kiddo," Russell said as he smeared some of the blood off Steve's face.

"I haven't cried like this since the night I was turned," Steve said with a small smile to see what sympathy a statement like that would gain him.

"Such a brave boy," Russell praised as he rubbed more blood into his cheek. "I wish I could have been there for you."

"You're here now."

That was enough of a thought to make Steve smile even if Russell hadn't been smiling back. The older vampire's focus was mostly on wiping the blood away from Steve's face, but since he wasn't making any actual progress, he was merely coating his hands in Steve's tears.

The room fell silent except for a few lingering droplets on tile. After an evening of fine dining, and once their victims had stopped screaming and begging of course, he and Russell often enjoyed the rest of their night alone and in peace. But since their relationship just entered a new phase, Steve would do his best to fill the quiet. So, he cleared his throat and began,

"For my entire human life, I was afraid to look into the darkness," Steve said while trying to hold Russell's hand, but the blood had made everything slippery. "In my haste to be a man of God and help lost souls, I shunned an entire race of folks who truly were lost souls. It misled me to think that my time on this earth was limited because I only walked where the light shone, but without that blinding light—"

Steve stopped as soon as he felt Russell's finger on his lips. There was no more need for sputtered sermons between vampires, but there was one thing Russell could clarify.

"You haven't lost the light," Russell said. "There are ways to capture it. In fact, if a vampire possesses enough wit, he can hold the sun in the palm of his hand."

Russell pulled his hand away and Steve whispered gleefully, "Yeah?"

"And the vampire who captures it can share it with whomever he chooses." Russell then tapped Steve's nose in case he couldn't tell that he meant him.

Steve lowered his head with a bashful smile, slightly embarrassed at his genuine enthusiasm that was about to explode. Sunlight was Russell's greatest ambition, so Steve knew this wasn't a hollow statement said in the moment only to comfort him. The older vampire had already made his commitment to Steve painfully clear, but the sun was a promise Russell had made to himself long ago and was one that he now shared with Steve.

A promise that was as unbreakable as Russell Edgington himself.

THE END.