Hey There,
Hello again! Quogan-quoters and fellow Halloween Harpes! It is time AGAIN for another chapter of complete craziness. And I'm so thrilled you're here for it. Also HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! Never a better time for a little more love in this world! I'm also thrilled this chapter did not take as long as the one before it! Thanks again for taking a chance on this nutty storyline and coming along for the ride. I hope it's worth the wait. Let's get started!
Special thanks to the few of you who favorited this story. Or placed it on your Story Alert list. Also special thanks to the few of you who have placed me as an authoress on your favorite author's list or author's alert. It's high praise that I hope I'm still living up to. Bless you!
Special thanks to my reviewers: {my friend} AwkwardGurl05 (Yep! This story was the first thing to get us talking back and forth. And YES! Your first review is stamped October 31st. I said to myself back then, I like this girl! LoL! Having no idea the kindred spirit I'd just found. Yes, it has been a little bit now. But I could have never expected such a friendship either, and such a kinship to be found. I have a very hard time making friends even in the best of circumstances. And posting this story, I was SO nervous. It's so strange and different compared to all the other ones I've written - or anyone else has for Quogan. And I still feel nervous each time I add to it. Cause I still find it so strange, and I penned it. LoL! Even when I sent that first PM to you, I was just as nervous all over again. A total wreck, but I was brave, and did it anyways. Hoping so much to make you feel welcome during your come back. Again, I had no idea things would go the way they have. But I count myself so lucky and so blessed to have you as a friend! I know I say it all the time but it's never been more true. Yes, I am always here for some Addams Family and Wenclair love too. I hear season two is in the making as well and CAN'T wait. Oh the things I'm already hoping for and thinking up for that bunch in the new season. Oh my stars! If we met at a con… fangirl down! LoL! That would be AMAZING! Seriously, that would make my life. And YES! I'm a full believer of ghosts, the afterlife and I'm even a bit of an empath. Most of my family are non-believers[thank GOD Mom and sis believe], but it's not fairy tales, or make-believe it is real. So I've seen some things that have convinced me beyond a shadow of a doubt too. YES GIRL! We gotta share some of that stuff sometime too. I LOVE that stuff! I'm so game anytime you wanna chat about that stuff too. Oh my goodness, you and your grandpa sound like me and mine. He sends me little signs and stuff like that too. That's so cool! Yes! They are watching over us, and they've got a funny way of letting us know and it sounds like he was letting you know. That's SO COOL! I have listen to that song now too and that's so cool how you think of him when you hear it. He was one cool dude, your grandpa! Aww! That's so cool that you have a little santa that sings that song! You were clearly meant to have that santa too! It's so cool how the universe works like that sometimes! I would have been in tear too, just over how cool that is. I bet you he was at your wedding, I bet he couldn't miss it. AWWW! The song played! OH gosh, I'm crying now just reading that! AWW! I'm not crying, you're crying. This is why all of my family call me 'the soft touch.' A nostalgic movie, a good birthday card, that Christmas commercial that featured Frankenstein played by Brad Garrett singing Christmas Caroles. ALL make me cry! Whoo! Pulling it together, You are lucky to have Ivan, but he is also SOOOOOOOO lucky to have you. I know he is! I know he'll agree with me too! LoL! You guys are just perfect together! With Karma! Oh! You've got an Urban dictionary too? All my friends used to pick on me for being such a dweeb with mine! LoL! Yes! That last chapter WAS supposed to go up on your birthday with the other story I started. But it took a little longer to sound right… so, hopefully it was a nice surprise even if it was MUCH later than I meant it to be. Sorry again! Yes, ABOUT ch. 5, Yeah, Logan admitted it! HAHA! And you know he was trying to make Quinn jealous LONG before they were a thing. He is a flirt at heart, can't help it. And in this fic it's totally hindering Quinn noticing a THING. She thinks he's just like that with everyone. But I think you'll start to see in this one, It's getting pointed out to her that 'NOPE!' It's not as commonplace as she thinks… and EVERYONE'S coming out of the wood work to tell Quinn, sure he's flirt… but it's different with you!' Yes! I did have some fun bringing back that drag race situation. Mostly I've just always been intrigued by how PISSED Logan looks when Quinn shows up with Chase's ride. And I've secretly always wanted to take a crack at that situation. And we'd been talking about it too… winkwink happy b-day to you and Matt Underwood! Hope you enjoyed it and this update! I'm still working on your next letter, but it is coming! Hope you're having a GREAT day! Take Care and Much Love!), and {my friend} Rose-Aki (So glad to hear from you girl! Hope this reaches you, and brings a smile to your face. Thank you so much for taking the time to not only read but to review as well! You really are the best! Yes, Logan really can't handle it when Quinn's outta his sight. And this version of Quinn so needs that little bit of overprotectiveness [okay, all of them need it but this one's a special case. Giving up on love till she meets him]. I agree! And you totally got exactly what I was trying to say. When real Quinn's words broke through to him, right before he gave up. Even as he kept sleeping. Their love really does reach them, even at this distance. God bless you! Yes, they got things back on track and Brody had to wreck things for them all over again. But thank you for saying the struggle for Logan is so tough because of that love too! Because again, that was exactly what I was hoping to shine a spot light on… you know before Brody gets some just desserts. That's gotta go down too! But Seriously! Hope you're having a GREAT day! Hope you're still kicking butt, getting plenty of sunshine and only the BEST vibes, dear girl! Take Care and Much Love!)
Standard disclaimers apply - I do not own Zoey 101, Zoey 102, Nickelodeon, MTV or any of the MANY trademarked things mentioned in this chapter. I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own twisted amusement. Most will be returned unharmed… no guarantees on Miles Brody in this chappie. You'll see what I mean, winkwink!
Dedicated to Guest Nina! For being a friend, inspiration, and always encouraging me to embrace those spicier storylines! God bless you and this one's for you!
Enjoy!
"Monster Movie Mayhem"
Chapter 6 - First BITTEN, Twice Shy!
(Dream Quinn's Perspective)
It's seems so very strange now, thinking back on how normal everything was. At the beginning of the daylight hours on this day. I had FINALLY cleared the air with Count Dracula. After a few agonizing weeks of not talking to one another and missing my new friend terribly.
While I was dressing and readying myself for bed; I couldn't stop thinking about all of the things I wanted to share with him. From my personal gains, and losses, these passed days and weeks. Even if I wanted to talk more about what he's been up to. Because that seemed even more chat-worthy than my shop talk.
Since all of this weirdness hindered all of our exchanges. Bringing them to a dead stop, pretty much. I had so many things that I wanted his take on or opinion about… I wanted to talk about the race he'd competed in, against Chase the Mummy. Dracula had done so well too… You know? Before Chase utilized my turbo boosters and won by a landslide… even if Chase also lost total control of his craft once the turbo sequence was in full array. Even if Drac abandoned his craft, turned into a bat and sped for the finish line and STILL lost… I really wanted to hear all about that from his side (I already knew Chase's version of the events and Michael's as he was getting with Lisa as well.)
The point is Chase asked me to help him 'win' and I did. 'Nough said.
I was particularly interested in all of the matchmaking Drac had been part of. Throughout the castle, with monsters and beings of all different spectrums. I had so many questions about how he knew who was perfect for who? Even when these pairs were obscure and not natural choices for one another. Was it intuition he was investing in? Or was it simple science? Provoking his outlandish choices. Defying breeds, race, even nature at times. But he was outmatching Lola-vira hand over fist and she was so happy with the match he'd helped her ace. She didn't even CARE! Or Notice! And Lola-vira isn't known for missing much.
But… I also couldn't stop thinking about that little kiss, he'd stolen at my door. I say little, but it had felt BIG! I had no idea how much I'd missed that… how much I'd been missing him doing that, even though he's been right in front of me, he just wasn't talking to me. But that kiss clued me in, unforgettably and undeniably… I'd even missed that affection he always showers me in. And have to keep telling myself is a vampire thing… nothing to set your heart on.
The current Count Dracula really has become one of my best friends… I was so glad to be spending more time with him that day. And SO happy that he understood things, better than Miles Brody had tried to make me believe (the HACK!). That Dracula truly respected my wishes and we could be just two friends hanging out during the daylight hours. When he was hiding from the sun and I was taking some much-needed rest too…
It's exactly as I'd hoped. Brody was full of the usual excrement, even making his eyes appear that discerning shade of brown exactly. He was that loaded with crap!
While Dracula was… well, my friend through and through. And even if his eyes were also brown… it was a very different shade. Completely different feel whenever our eyes met…
Sure, it's a little weird to kiss a friend that way. I acknowledge that, even knowing it's a vampire thing. And he is their king for a reason, but honestly. If they all felt like that last one had. I wouldn't mind, I would welcome it… in perfect honesty, I'd missed those exchanges with him as much as his presence and conversation.
As I'd changed outta my scrubs and labwear. I did gussy up a little, letting my hair down. The worst of my concerns had been trying to get my face to look a little less… unkept. I had been trying to wipe at the black goo that's always forms under my eyes. Trying to make it look more presentable. Everyone always thinks I've gotten too carried away with my makeup. They always freak out when I explain this is merely a side effect of my fall into clinical insanity. That I've never used eyeliner in my life. My tears are always pitch black too, if I cry, since I went crazy too…
Which, of course, means there's something ELSE very wrong with me. I've just learned to live with all of those… let's call them "quirks." And since I have no plans to share my life with anyone. No one else is expected or required to accept them. So it works out nicely.
I dabbed and wiped till it looked a little more intentional. But there was no way I could ever appear even close to normal. I just wanted to look 'okay'… for him. Just okay and that was taking a lot of work but then I was afraid of appearing like I was trying too hard. So I chose my plainest cotton robe that was black. Overtop of my most modest nightgown which was also black. If I'd worn anything even the least bit beautiful. Drac could get the wrong idea, and he was always commenting on my color choices too. So, I was really trying to send a message here. A missive of NOT trying… even if I had a little… don't tell anyone.
But that understanding not only lost all of it's spark, quickly. But it became completely insignificant when my preparations were raided. By a panicked pack of ghosts headed by Stacey, the Bridal ghost. Who was the most panicked of them all. Warning me that some poor monster needed my professional help as a doctor.
So I pulled my lab coat back on, over my robe and nightgown. And asked her, "What seems to be the problem, ghosts and ghostesses?"
"Doc! DOC! It's Count Dracula! He's been attacked!" Stacey freaked while more female ghouls came through the doors and windows with the same news. The males came too but they were covering their eyes. In case I was still indecent… who said monsters can't be gentlemen when they want to be?
"Drac? Are you kidding? I was just with him, minutes ago. He was perfectly fine." I hoped they were all wrong. Who could be that brazen or stupid to provoke the vampire king? Every vampire on the planet would be coming for whoever it was, for sure… and I knew they wouldn't be the only ones.
But Lola-vira yelled out to me over all of the chaos. "It was Brody, doc! He left Drac's room full of a cursed smoke-"
Cursed smoke? Didn't she mean cloud or plumb? Last I checked Brody wasn't a witch? And didn't have a death wish. But then again he did take my Lydia and she's still suffering the repercussions of his antics and can't speak because of them… So maybe he really does want to go out with a BANG. I simply misread all the signs.
Stacey specified, "Vampeen Plumb, to be exact. Have you ever dealt with it?"
"No, but I have heard from the old timers that dealt with it when it was first invented," I said before I realized. "Brody left some of that for Drac? To what? Trigger him into a hysteria? Make him miserable? What sinister plot has he unleashed now?"
Dark fairy Nicole flew right up to my face and explained in her teeny voice. "The devices Brody used, to fill the Count's room with this stuff; are being looked over by all dark magic experts. Along with Drac's stores for synthetic blood, because Brody mentioned tampering with them too. Drac has been hiding a slew of symptoms, as Brody has been plotting this attack for ages… Well, our dark magic experts who don't have to shy away from the sunlight are looking into it. But they'll need your scientific expertise as well, Doc. Brody isn't known for his witchcraft after all. He's more scientific like you."
I told all gathered beings, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
But when we arrived on the scene, which happened to be the hallway leading to the dungeons. I could hear the rattling chains and the sounds of Drac fighting the WHOLE discussion with the experts. The witches and other gathered esteemed dark magic experts all agreed unanimously. This plumb had been created in a lab, then cursed by a witch in Brody's possession. A surprisingly STRONG incantation too, designed for one purpose, and one purpose only.
To remind me of Dracula's monster side, Like I could ever forget it.
It was all set to trigger Dracula, so he would bite a person for the first time in hundreds of years. Probably more like thousands if I were to sit and do the math. But that could all WAIT and Drac couldn't! My poor friend was putting himself through an insane amount of pain and suffering right now, just resisting like he is. And I know he was doing it all for me, just like I knew he needed the quickest remedy possible… even if that meant puncturing my poor little throat.
What's all so much more conniving is that as Nicole had hinted. Even Drac's stores of synthetic blood had all been tampered with to make Drac that much more susceptible to this plumb as well. Which was bound to have left him clinically depressed, and color-blind at the very least. Why wouldn't he have shared such things with me? If he was experiencing such tribulations?
And all of this had been designed very specifically in it's intent. It was made so that the ONLY relief Dracula can EVER find won't come from just drinking someone's blood either. Or the rest of the synthetic supply he had prepared in his chambers… No, no. Brody had it designed to trigger Drac for only one being's blood.
My blood.
Mine specifically.
The hack! The QUACK! This was LOW! Even for scumsuckers like him! This just seemed utterly despicable.
Stacey explained in more detail, "I overheard Brody owning up to his handy work, and monologuing to Drac the plumb was working it's way into his body. But I was really hoping we could find some other solution. One where Drac didn't have to risk hurting you. I even promised Drac we would think of something before the smoke finished settling into his systems and he went completely ravenous…. Isn't there SOME other way? To lift this curse and not risk the doc's life?"
Lola-vira even added to this, "The last ghoul in this castle Logan could ever want to hurt would be the doc. He's gotta be way more than a little freaked, even before the endless thirst hit him."
"Who?" I asked, even if I had a feeling about just who this 'Logan' was, already.
"What?" Lola-vira asked looking around. "Why's everyone looking at me like that?"
Vince asked her quietly, "Sweetie? Who's Logan?"
"Oh! That was Drac's name before he was King and had to give it up. I would still be calling him that, if 'Malcolm' Logan's father and creator hadn't jumped down my throat about it being disrespectful. All Vampire Kings have to be addressed as 'Count Dracula.' The ENTIRE time their on the throne, but the retired ones all make up a Guild that protects the current King. Ohh! Someone get me former King Malcolm or Chauncy via porthole… I bet they would just LOVE to know what's going on."
'Logan'... That was his name before he was King? But then Drac let out a terrible miserable sound. Reminding us all of his struggles and I had to refocus my attention.
I (Quinn) asked Stacey, "Had they used sliver chains to keep him at bay."
And all monsters involved concurred, that was the only reason I wasn't getting bitten right now. Logan's out of his mind with thirst and could bite me without even realizing it. Or meaning to, he has no control of himself at all. If he wasn't being restrained, I could have a target on my neck.
The ones who were the least panicked about this whole thing. Were the other vampires in our residence. At first we thought it was disloyalty to a new ruler. But it turns out that they all seemed to believe the same thing. That not only would I not mind getting bitten by their king.
Yeah, really. They all kept winking at me and calling me lucky too. What the actual HELL does that mean? Lucky to be drained of all of my blood… Tiny Nicole had shrugged unhelpfully. "It is a romantical way to go, ya know? Much better than being staked to death like they all will eventually be."
Zoey let her know, "Not helping Nicole!"
The little fairy realized, "Oh no, I guess it doesn't help. Sorry Dr. Quinn!"
But none of the regular vampires seemed to think my life was even in any danger either. They all said, "His Majesty's feelings (for me) have been so marked and noticeable to everyone. From the moment he saw me, that his free will - will never let him really hurt you. Even in this crazed state of mind…He'll fight it, and overcome it. He won't take anything more than he needs to free himself from the curse."
Marked feelings? Since the moment he saw me? I thought that all sounded too romantic to be about me… I kept looking behind me for who they could be really talking to. It couldn't be me, but it was me.
They also shared how they all thought Drac had those kinds of feelings for me. No matter how I kept justifying it as a 'vampire thing' to a room FULL of vampires. All of the other monsters were even more convinced he liked me that way. No matter how I tried to tell them differently. They were as convinced as Brody had been, and that's how this whole mess got started.
But just to put me completely at ease, before I went into Logan's room. To sort this all out, once and for all I was put on a quick porthole call with the former Dracula. Lola-vira had been bringing up to speed on this attack to their current ruler. The biological father and creator to the current vampire king, who insisted on me calling him "Malcolm." Instead of "your highness." Even if I still feel like calling the former king of vampires by his first name was very informal and wrong.
'Malcolm' was almost as kind, charismatic and clever as his son. The family resemblance was undeniable, and the retired king expressed, "Even cursed plumb-induced hysteria is no match for the titan will of my son, doctor. He's not going to want to drink you dry! No! He's gonna only take what he absolutely needs from you. Then he'll most likely go to sleep. After fighting the temptation this long, he'll probably have no strength left till nightfall or perhaps even the following evening. Then he might oversleep slightly not rising till later in the night than average. He would never hurt you unnecessarily, and wouldn't dream of biting you if this hadn't occurred and nessatiated things."
Which did give me some relief, even if I was still apprehensive. About him needing to bite me at all. Another vampire named 'Chauncy,' who somehow appeared to be both vampire and butler. He was introduced as a 'lifelong friend to Dracula's father' as well, all in one. Chauncy added to Malcolm's assessments. Saying, "He's a lot of things, but sadistic isn't one of them, doctor. Count Dracula will only drink about a pint at most. Perhaps a little more, since he hasn't tasted human blood in so long. And even after your own transformation, however mysterious it is. You still have humanlike blood in your veins. He'll take no more than you would give to your own physician on a routine health scan. Then he'll sleep off the rest of the dark magic, and you should not doddle or hang around him while he's sleeping it off."
Malcolm perked up and advised, "Yes! Have some monsters nearby. Strong ones who can extract you from the room. In case you forget you need to leave it. That kind of darkness could harm you as he's getting rid of it, and you were to stay with him. We monsters can all never be too careful around those darker magics even when their demands are met."
Which was true! All monsters are naturally vulnerable to the darker arts. But all the vampires I talked with seemed convinced. I could forget that I need to leave after he's drank his fill… What was that about? Was he gonna hang on to me? Was he gonna make it difficult for me to leave him? That tidbit had set off a whole new set of questions in my mind. That I did ask and specify to them too and both vampires explained to me. In great detail and with no small amount of patience, that there are a number of different reactions. Humans and humanlike beings could experience during a vampire's bite. They all would depend on how compatible we were as… well, they listed many factors to me but 'friends' was all I heard. Even if these vampires had both been more focused on compatibility from a romantic standpoint. Just like the other vampires I spoke with.
I'd ignored it, because I just KNEW that could never be a factor between me and this friend… A king and a living, breathing, scientific mistake like me…I thought they were just being hopeful… but I was the one who was foolish in the end. I can acknowledge that now. But I really did think that Malcolm just wanted his son to find love and he was ONLY thinking of that probability. That Chauncy too, was that laser-focused on that possibility… no other.
I didn't know Drac had talked about me to both men and they knew about me before this moment. And they already had their eyes on me as a potential match for Drac. I still had no clue about ANY of that in that moment. I was only focused on helping my friend… I doubt I would have paid them any mind even if I had been more properly clued in.
But both men had gone out of their way, to prepare me. For what I would be facing, with Drac. As well as how they would be retaliating for their king on Brody. Even though the sun was out, even though they should have to at least wait till nightfall. They were teleporting to Halloweentown the moment they'd hung up with me. It is one of the only places the sun can shine and NOT hurt a vampire. The whole group going was ALL retired vampire kings all related to the current Dracula too. But they were also a hidden guard that protected the current king… and they would not go easy on Miles no matter how he begged for mercy. They'd promised me to set free his entire living collection too… they even promised to give proper burial to the parts that were no longer living too. So, those happy conclusions carried me bravely forward.
By the time that I was finally walking into Drac's door. I think we'd thought of everything. But my stomach was still in knots at the prospect of him actually biting me… I still felt like I didn't know what to expect and a person like me. NEVER likes walking into situations blindly.
James and Vince were waiting just outside of his door. To extract me in case I needed help untangling Drac from his chains or in case he had trouble letting me go. I really did not buy those warnings that I could EVER be the one who forgot I needed to leave. I really thought Drac being uncooperative would be the only reason I could struggle leaving at that point.
And when I'd stepped into his room, I really thought that my focus needed to only be on Drac. And it probably should have been, but Brody appeared on the wall again via porthole and greeted me in a muted glee. "Doctor Quinn? Well, you're the last person I would have expected to see walking into this room. Even if you have taken the Hippocratic oath, I can't figure out if you're brave or recklessly stupid… but I guess we'll see."
I told him, "I hope there is a very small place for you in Hell, Brody. Someplace teeny tiny, and where you'll belong to someone who keeps you up on a high shelf." I let him know.
He ignored my barb and said, "Since no one is wise enough to figure out what has happened here. I'll tell you-"
While I fired back, "No, I'm well aware of what's going on here. My sources overheard your speech you gave to Dracula before. I'm surprised you have the balls to show your face right now. Even through porthole after what you've tried to do to both me and Logan. So, color us both a little shocked."
He was about to feed me a load of bull, but I cut him off mid-speel. Telling him to, "Cut the crap, Brody. Say what you're gonna say. I have work to do thanks to you. So quit wasting my time, fooling around."
So he said, "Your gifts and knowledge are both wasted on these subpar beings. If you come to me now, and promise to be mine. For a time, at the very least. I will gladly provide the antidote and allow the Count his freedom without any harm befalling your precious throat. And if this offer isn't tempting enough, just know I'll find some other way to make you mine in the end… some way where you'll have even less say over your answer. Because everything I want always has a way of becoming mine in the end… as you well know. And I've wanted you for some time now… Even if your origins are a mystery. Even to me."
I was frank and told him, "I would rather have my head slammed and sandwiched between this coffin and it's lid everyday. Than to ever belong to anyone… least of all YOU. So leave me alone, so I can fix what you have done. And if you think this attack on the current KING of vampires isn't gonna have it's own set of painful repercussions. You're about to realize how wrong you were." I hinted as I could see the group of older vampires all sneaking up behind him and surrounding him before he could retort with more garbage.
Oh! The panic in his voice and written all of over his pudgy splotchy face. MAGIC! The only thing that could have made it better. Would have been if Drac was in his right mind, and had been able to see it. And wasn't still wuthering in pain somewhere in the spacious room. He was still nowhere to be found.
Once Brody was entirely surrounded in vampires and without a prayer. I said, "Miles Brody, I'd like to introduce you to the RDG also known as the Retired Dracula's Guild headed up by none other than current Dracula's father. Thank you, again, Sir Malcolm." Then I thanked all present vampires in sight for their "Quick attention to this attack on their king and efforts to avenge his pain. Malcolm promised to come tell me "personally' all that happened once they were through with Brody. But I think it's safe to say Brody won't be bothering any of us for a while… if ever. I hope that's the lesson he learns today.
The porthole closed with Bordy's shrill screams of agony echoing through our castle. HAHA! I wasn't the only monster laughing at that beautiful sound. But then I remembered, my poor friend "Drac!" And I was back to searching the room for wherever he'd ended up stashing himself.
I found him hiding himself into one of his portable walk-in closet doors. He was even holding on to the door. Not letting me open it. His voice was demonically deep as he kept shouting through the door. "Get out of here Quinn! I mean it!"
"No!" I said tugging on the door. Even putting all my weight behind some of those tugs. But the door wouldn't even budge. I forgot how strong vampires are.
So I'd had to ask Wolfman Vince and Jamestein, to come help me get him out of there. I couldn't help him if he keeps shutting me out like this. Even both of the strongest guys here visibly struggled against him too.
Not gonna lie… it was just a little warmer in that room after that. Seeing him give such a fight and win it a few times too. But when he won, even when he was free of all sliver. He didn't once come at me, he threw himself back inside of the walk-in closet door. And went back to holding up inside of it while he was holding the door closed. The only way Vince and James got him out of there was taking the door off of its hinges. Prying him out and making it where his wardrobe was no longer an option. They tied it closed in sliver chains. Logan made a break for his coffin. But I was sitting on top of it, he growled at me, but he locked himself down to that spot in front of me and still didn't attack. I told Vince and James, "Thank you boys, I'll take it from here."
And James made a point of telling me, "We're just outside if you need us." Before him and Vince disappeared.
Drac's irises of his eyes were bright red and glowing. His fangs were extended and I could tell he was trying to pop them back in. But they were stuck till he's bitten me and the curse was over. His voice was a demonic rumble, that boomed loudly as he asked. "WHY - ARE - YOU - HERE?" Imagine that being said around those impressively long canines.
I should have been scared, I should have been terrified. But I just wasn't… somehow. And I tried to say, "I'm a doctor, of course, I want to help-"
But he tried to tell me "LEAVE! GET - OUT!" But he'd also said, "YOU'RE - THE - LAST - PERSON - WHO - CAN - HELP - ME!"
I corrected him, "Drac, don't lie. You know I'm the ONLY one who can help you right now-"
"NO!" He insisted, even though it was taking everything he had. To keep him glued to that spot. He struggled more, "I'm not even taking a CHANCE with you. There's got to be another way."
"There's no other way, everyone says so. Even your father, Malcolm-"
"QUINN!" His voice was loud but his tone was pleading, "I can't… okay."
Then I slowly climbed down off the top of his coffin, and pulled him into a hug. I prepared myself for the pressure and pain of his bite… but he just hugged me and he whispered in my ear. "I can't take the chance of hurting you like that." Even though his voice was still a demonic rumbling noise… he'd said that so heartbrokenly tender.
I asked him, "Have you really been depressed and color blind all of this time? Why didn't you tell me you experienced such things?"
He said, "I thought I was just lonely."
My heart just shattered for him, "No, Miles tampered with you blood supply… How were you noticing all of my nightgowns and the colors in my lab if you were colorblind?"
"You and the lab you built were the only colored things I saw. Everything else was black and white." He explained.
How could he hide this? How could he not mention it before now? He really does have a stubbornness, doesn't he? I saw that it was exactly as I had suspected. He's hidden all of this. And even though I keep telling him he needs to bite me. He's not going to help himself and do that. So I was going to have to take matters into my own hands. He wouldn't even attempt this otherwise…
So I exclaimed, "Oh for heaven's sake!" Then I pierced my wrist on his fangs and kept it there forcing him to sip at the teeny amount of blood that came from the tiny holes… I needed him to STOP resisting, to stop restraining, and to just let go. And I hoped this could tempt him enough to make him bite me.
I had been taught in monster medical school, that vampire's eyes are the porthole into their needs. While he was drinking his eyes had turned totally black. Like they should, as he slurped and sucked. I kept watching his eyes, like I was trained to. Knowing they would let me know when he was truly okay again. His words wouldn't be truthful, till then.
But when the tiny taste of blood stopped, coming out of the poor location choice. I hoped the taste had enticed him enough. He needed to bite me, really bite me for the magical side of this whole thing to be fulfilled.
I glanced at his eyes again, to see if by chance this had been enough blood. But no, as soon as his eyes weren't black from feeding anymore. They were back to being red instead of his normal chocolate eye color. They weren't glowing as brightly red anymore, but he NEEDED to bite me. I knew that.
So I hugged him and just kept begging him. "Just bite me, Logan… Do what you need to to feel better… I know you won't take more than you need… and I know you can stop. You won't hurt me… I know."
"What?" His voice wasn't demonic for a second there.
He made me face him and he asked, "What did you just call me?"
"Oh? Sorry. That was your name before you were king, wasn't it? Logan?"
He nodded yes.
"I didn't mean to use it, I meant to ask first-"
"No, I've been wanting to tell you… but things got so weird. And you… You've been-" He just stopped mid-thought and started kissing me. Like he had at my door earlier. While our lips were still connected. He picked me up and carried me over to the bed and sat me down on it's edge. He sat down in front on me on his knees. He buried his head into my shoulder. "I've been dying for you to call me by my real name for ages. But I didn't want to freak you out. Or make you think I'm trying to push you to be more familiar than you wanna to be. It's been too long since I've heard it."
I said, "No, you're my friend and I like your name. It suits you almost as well as King of the Vampires."
He was still trying his damnest to resist, even after whetting his appetite. Saying, "I won't- I can't risk it…"
So I flirted and asked him, "Why? Don't taste good?"
He was so quick saying, "No-no, that's not- you taste…" His head came up and he leaned our foreheads together now. As he said, "Baby, you taste better than heaven. Better than sunshine, when I almost forgot what sunshine's even like. No! It's just I can't… I'll lose control." He swore hugging me tightly.
But I pushed him to sit on the ground, and hugged his face to my neck. And told him, "I know I can trust you. And you can find the will to stop… I know you will. You're my best friend, Logan. Please, let me help you."
I felt him nuzzle my neck and I knew he was finally getting ready to bite. I kept assuring and encouraging him to do it.
But in truth… I had no idea that him biting me would feel like it did.
It didn't hurt, it didn't even feel weird it just felt… GOOD!
Like the sinful kinda good too, that left me holding on to him for dear life. And him squeezing me back just as tightly. I wanted him to do it again, I was asking to be bitten again and again. He drank away and took just what he'd needed. And when he looked at me again his eyes were back to their normal brown hue.
But instead of going, like I probably should have. We tumbled to the floor together and made out on the floor laying flat till Vince and James came and got me. They had to pull me outta there as the black magic swirled about the ceiling. Leaving Dracula because it's intent had been met on all sides.
I knew that I'd needed to leave before this, and I thought Logan would have been the one to fight that… I'd been logical and clinical about my whole approach. But once he'd actually sank his teeth into me. He wasn't the only one set off a bit wild. I was fighting off both of these very strong monsters. Wanting only to remain with Logan, even a minute longer.
Back in my lab and still stewing after being dragged away. ALL I could think about was how Logan had kissed me that last time and told me to "Go." As out of it as he should have been he even knew it was dangerous for me to stay too. Around all of that darkness, that could harm me as it finished burning off of him.
Because I'm almost certain as he was dozing off, he'd said, "Go, it's not safe…I love you."
And those words kept repeating in my head… in his voice…
"...I love you…"
"...I love you…"
I tried to disregard this, chalk it up as plumb-induced madness and hysteria. I even re-read all of the possible symptoms in my monster medical library. Reading the list of possible side effects of the plumb…
But still my reasoning felt just as sound afterward…Even when I looked up the possible after-effects (in Logan's case once the dark magic side was fulfilled), it included sleepiness, fatigue, loss of consciousness, even comatose for unspecific amounts of time. That varies monster to monster are all possibilities. Along with vivid dreams or total blackout, no memory of actions, location, or happenings while under the plumb's influence and depression.
But the earth-shattering part of this had been that… the idea. Him loving me, wasn't nearly as crazy or unfathomable as it had been. Before he'd sank his fangs into me.
So I tried to reason that this too… had to be a side effect on my end. After experiencing a vampire's bite. Which I don't think I've ever experienced before.
So determined to disillusion myself, I also looked into the after-effects of a vampire's bite. Infatuation was a possibility, so were feelings of love or being in love. But I don't remember any of my other parts of these books ever being this unhelpful before on the treatment of one's wounds. Not only were all of the symptoms and possibilities vague. However there were no treatment suggestions for the bites left on the victim(s). It just said "The biter may choose to heal or leave marks where they please. Bite marks can indicate claims to blood contracts, blood debts, blood oaths, and staking claims in relationships or ownership over slaves," is also a possibility.
I feel like I have more questions than I started with!
I had to have other vampires explain to me later. "Only the biter can heal their own bites left behind." So if I wanted these bites gone… I needed to wait for Dracula to reawaken to 'hopefully' heal these marks when he woke up. That most vampires heal the bites as they happen, but he must have been out of his head and fell asleep before he could."
But even stranger… I kinda like them. Even if I am wearing a scarf to conceal them all from plain sight. They still don't hurt, they still somehow feel good. And if I move it, or anything brushes them. It sends the best thrills down my back, arms, even sometimes my legs.
But you know… I'm not nearly as worried about whether they stay or go. I'm more concerned about Drac and how he's feeling. If he really is going to be perfectly well after this. All of my research confirmed Malcolm's logic. Only a vampire with extraordinary self-control and stubborn will could have resisted me so long. Even without restraints… Dracula could have very well hurt himself in the process. Just resisting as long as he did.
I've walked to his door like six times since I was dragged out of there. I've had all forms of monsters shooing me away from it too. And even though I returned to my tower and tried to sleep a little… I was too restless… my mind couldn't let me stop thinking about everything.
And… I STILL missed him… SO much! It was a little scary…
And I couldn't help but ponder, what if ALL of these feelings were all Brody's doing. What if Dracula wakes up and realizes I'm not all that great? And wonders what he ever saw in me… as a friend, of course… like I've said many times before. Anything else is completely inconceivable.
But that too terrified me because he really has become one of my best friends… and I was scared of losing that too. I couldn't help it.
The moment sundown was officially, the RDG (Retired Dracula Guild) arrived. Headed by Malcolm and Chauncy. Who both were even more charming and helpful in person. The other kings traveling with them were magnificent and majestic too. Former King Rowan had even made himself at home in a corner of my laboratory (I understand that he was Logan's science-obsessed grandfather he's spoke of often). Queen Lillian even made herself at home amongst the witches, enjoying their premonitions and spa treatments.
Even though the guild was an impressive and massive group of beings. I ended up talking mostly to four mentioned by name of these new arriving monsters more than anyone else. The others appeared to be enjoying the party to the fullest. And enjoyed learning how to communicate with Lydia as well. Who was already handling Queen-treatment very well too.
That was when I discovered, I had been a topic of conversation. Between all of these monsters since Dracula had mentioned meeting me. And he'd had nothing but glowing things to say about me since. Even after all of this time of distancing and not seeing as much of each other. I tried to tell myself that this too, could have all been due to Brody messing with Drac… but I still hoped with all my heart that I was wrong.
The more these vampires were interested in me… the more I pieced together. They were all thinking Drac was interest in me was as a potential mate. And there was a time, the night before these tedious daylight hours, in fact. Where I would have laughed and told them that they were crazy. That there was no way on God's green EARTH Drac could have those kinds of feelings for me. And that I wasn't made for such relationships, I KNEW I wasn't.
But I could see it now… I could fathom possibly falling for him, and vise versa now.
It doesn't even seem hard anymore… and it didn't seem as unlikely as it once had to me.
Somehow… It could be the bites talking, even the side effects. I don't know or care…
I know, that doesn't mean anything. And I'm really trying to not read anything into it.
Trying with all of my might… but my might has never felt this feeble or weak…
I'll only know once I see him after all of this and talk to him normally.
But I won't know anything till he wakes up. Which could be tonight… or could be days from now. I had no way of knowing, even in all the tricks I knew and equipment surrounding me.
Luckily, for me though. The freedom of ALL of Brody's living collections left a lot of injured, cursed and sickly beings left in need of my attention. So I had lots to keep me occupied and Lola-vira had to have the witches conjure up an entire new tower and wing of rooms to accommodate all of these guests. But we all happily welcomed and treated everyone who showed up.
But none of these cases stood out to me like the newly freed Raphael-stein's plea. James' fellow Frankenstein creation brother I'd met when Lydia was taken away from me. Had come to me all devastated with the PERFECT distraction for me. To keep me occupied while I was anxiously waiting for Dracula's return.
Raph-stein had explained that right before Brody had gotten raided by RDG. When Miles had been feeling pretty good about his big trap finally happening. The lunatic had taken a sledgehammer to the body of Raph's possible mate we'd been trying to create. The one I'd been working with him to bring to life all of those hours in his lab. Just because Miles couldn't get her to live. He'd thrown her away and gave up on her. Telling Raph-stein it was "no use," and "He'd make Dr. Quinn come up with a better design, once I was his." That this one was "far too flawed and erratic." But that's really just because she wasn't a stick or pin-up style body.
But Raph had salvaged all of her pieces from the garbage the best he could. Before he came here to Lola-vira's castle with the rest of his party. We were able to quickly clean and toss all of her into all of the right places before they lost all usability. And since I had so many useful beings in the lab at the time… it all went by super fast. So I was working my tail off trying to persevere this second female creation. That had nearly been destroyed by Dr. Brody.
And I could already start to pinpoint what needed to be done. To try and bring her to life as well. Needless to say, I had plenty to keep my mind distracted.
Once all of her parts were accounted for and properly stored for another lightning storm. I was finally able to ask Raph, "Had he come up with a name for this female yet?" Because he had been still thinking about it when I had talked to him last. And I really wanted to start talking to her and willing her into being the way we had Lydia. By talking to her, reading to her and including her even before she was here.
Manifesting that, and He'd shared, "I had it picked out that first day with you, in my mind. But Bordy hated my choice, and wouldn't let me use it. He kept changing it, never liked her having any name."
"I thought as much," I'd nodded. Before asking, "What have you been calling her in your mind all this time." I even wondered if I was remembering the first one he'd said correctly.
Turns out I was, "Mona. Her name is Mona… 'Mo' for short and... I always pictured her to be a fighter... like me."
I hope I assured him, "She's strong and vital… she still has a chance because you wouldn't give up on her. We'll get her a new brain and even stronger heart then the walnut-sized one Brody gave her. I'll do everything I can to bring her to life."
And he'd been so grateful he hugged me... I knew I'd liked this monster too. So glad I didn't let Kelly the reaper slice him when we'd met.
So now James, like me, was spliting his attention. Between Lydia, Raph and caring for Mona. Raph had all of these scuffs and nicks too, that needed looking after. When Lydia officially met Raph, he told her, "I'm James' brother, so I'm yours too. We patchworks gotta stick together, there aren't that many of us left."
And she started signing him as 'big brother,' adorably after that.
She watched James and me taking care of Raph and kept trying to do anything she could to help. Putting pillows under his head and arms. Smacking him and warning him to behave if he didn't listen to us. It had all been so fun. Watching all of these patchwork people already acting like family to one another. And it was a tear-inducing notion. To be any part of that faction… or real family.
But even with all of this to keep my mind preoccupied… I could still hear Drac's voice in the back of my mind.
Still saying, "I love you…" and my heart would skip a beat…
And even though it made no logical sense. Because I knew I wasn't meant for such entanglements… I still hoped some part of that was true… and he would still be my friend if nothing else after this…
((Logan's Dream Perspective))
When I came to, after the black out and the brain fog lifted. There was a hazy bunch of memories lingering that I thought for sure I'd dreamed… no way they could be real. Where I'd bitten Quinn and we'd both enjoyed it… and when I say enjoy… I mean… like the only other time I've enjoyed being with her that much. Had been in real life, and when we'd been alone, together. And not here in this monster life we're being forced to live right now.
Seriously, the only time I've felt like that with her. Had been when we'd been really making love together. Biting her and drinking her blood had felt that AMAZING! In that dream within a dream… But it couldn't have happened, that can't be what bitting someone is actually like for a vampire... no WAY!
But when I woke up, in my four-poster bed and not my coffin… that was red flag number one.
Number two was the technicolor surroundings that have been black and white till just now. It was like that first colored scene in Munchkin Land in the Wizard of Oz. Where even as you're watching Dorothy walk around in shock. You can't believe so many colors are all in one place either. That should have been the BIGGEST red flag.
But then I noticed Chanucy and my Dad were both chatting quietly together. As they waited for me to come around. You might think this should be the worst warning of all. But I didn't, because I knew they'd find a reason to be here eventually… before this was all over with.
I'm more amazed it hasn't happened before now.
I let them both know I was awake with a stage cough and clearing of my throat. That sent both men flying back into my direction. Chauncy doing his best to not seem relieved or bothered. While my Dad hugged me and throwing all of his acting skills to the wind.
"SON!" He said in my ear, "So glad you're back! And SO glad to finally be here! And see the good doctor for myself. She's so much more than all of your boasting conveyed. She's rarity, a queen in the making if I ever saw one. Or like Lola-vira said, 'A real gem!' She's on to something there."
All I could say is, "I told you I was serious about her. But please don't say anything around her about this, Dad-" He waved me off, so i had to stress. "She can't know how I feel yet, it could ruin everything."
But Dad was already waving me off more claiming, "Chauncy warned me, her rumors are true. And she's not interested in romantic entanglements… not yet anyways. But you wouldn't be a true Dracula of our bloodline if you couldn't change her mind about that. Your dedication and commitment will surely win her over. I've never known a Count in our whole family to match your will or determination once it's revved, my boy. I know you'll win her over in no time… and I promise not to say a word to provoke this any sooner. I will let you resume your own brand of magic on her. It appears to be working too, she seems just as gone on you as you are on her right now."
Then he'd turned to Chauncy and asked, "Don't you agree, Chauncy?"
And Chauncy nodded, looking like it hurt him to say anything. But he'd even said, "Without a doubt. I have been observing the situation for sometime now." I knew they'd been keeping eyes on us. Probably using other bats to pull that off. "And the doctor was never more apparent in her feelings than she has been since this happend to his majesty."
"Wait now, HOLD UP!" I said fully awake and aware now. "What do you MEAN? By her feelings have never been more apparent? What even happened? I blacked out-"
"Hmm, really?" Chauncy asked me. Like that time there was a broken lamp and I kept saying I hadn't done it. But I was the only one who COULD have done it (I was only seven). But the tone was unforgettable. He knew something convicting me that even I didn't.
He asked point blank, "So none of your memories entail the two of you entangled on the floor together? None of them include her encouraging you to do what you need to do to feel better? And none of them were of her pleading with you to bite her more once you started?"
Oh my GOD! That was all memories and not dreams? HOLY SH*T!
And Chauncy was spying when that was happening?
I don't know which part of that was worse!
Chauncy chose to reveal the worst part now, "If you don't recall those events, I'll bet you also don't recall whispering to her that you 'loved her?' Before the Wolf-child and Frankenstein creature had to both drag her away from you?
Yep! That was the worst! I told Chauncy, "I didn't!"
"Yes, you did, your highness." He told me first before he tried to comfort me. "But the woman downstairs doesn't seem nearly as freaked by this declaration. As it would have made her another time… you may be even able to claim temporary insanity if you wish to ditch any repercussions… but I think you'll find her warming to the idea of possibly being with you now more than any other time."
And my dad felt the need to tack on, "And I couldn't be more thrilled with your choice. REALLY! She's just too perfect for you, your match in every way, son. You CAN'T let her get away."
And I said out loud, "I gotta go, I gotta see her."
And they both had to remind me to be cool, to take my time. AND to spiff up a bit before I see her. Dad also warned me that I should probably arrange for a healing session with 'the poor girl.' Because she's wearing a scarf like I'd forgotten to heal ANY of my handy work to her throat.
Chauncy reminded me, "Your work with the other pairs as well has made this all possible. Don't forget if you want to secure her, you'll need to not forget about your friends, and making sure that they're still happily situated too. Or it's a no-go."
But I knew that, I had even been keeping that up really good. While things weren't so great between Quinn and me.
So I started running through what I could say, what I should say and what I would say in my mind. When I saw her again, as both Dad and Chauncy helped me spiffed up to a Dracula-level party and a meet-up with the girl of my dreams… cause that is exactly what Quinn is… literally.
(Back to Dream Quinn's Perspective)
But right around midnight, was when I'd just finished explaining everything I had done to King Rowan. Along with all I still needed to do and all of the prep 'Mo' would need before we attempted another rebirth. Which he was all for staying and witnessing now. If Logan wasn't my new best friend I would swear the Rowan was my favorite vampire... but the current Drac's still reigning over that top spot.
This would be 'Mo's fourth try according to Raph-stein. Thank goodness I'd managed to finish before the clock struck twelve. Because not only was midnight the bewitching hour. Where the party reached it's peak fun times outside my labs each night.
But that was the MOMENT Logan walked into my lab and snuck up beyond me soundlessly. He does this all the time seemingly to come from sheer shadows. Appearing out of the thin air. But when I felt his breath on my ear and his voice say, "Good evening."
I'd JUMPED outta my skin. And magically turned into a bumbling, stuttering MESS of no use to ANYONE.
"Drac! Yo-yo-You're Back!" I'd smiled, and he'd smirked back at me much cooler.
I'd been saying all this time. That I wouldn't know what to think or how to act till I saw him. So I was looking and so was he. And my first impression was that he was as baffled as I was. And nervous too… he just did a much better job of keeping these thoughts concealed than I ever could. Must be another blasted Vampire trait or something.
Former King Rowan had stepped forward to slap his grandson on the back, and embrace him with one arm. Drac had laughed and accepted this warmly, thanking Rowan 'for coming."
Rowan had cutely said, "Are you kidding, Lillian and I wouldn't miss this for the world. She's at the party outside, you know? Getting her palms read again by Dana, you know how she loves her insights."
Eyeing me, Logan said to Rowan, "I know I saw her, Dad and Chauncy before I came here. But I really need to talk to the doc, right now Pops."
He'd laughed and said "Say no more." Rowan had pat us both on our shoulders excusing himself. But don't ask me what the excuse was, the moment our eyes were locked on each other. The rest of the world was rushing by us in an intangible blur, I couldn't comprehend. All I could see and hear was him.
And he'd asked me, like it was all he'd been thinking this whole time. "How are you? Are you hurt? Are you okay?" He sounded so worried and like he's still being hard on himself.
Even as I assured him that I was "Perfectly alright."
He questioned it asking, "Really? You're certain that you're not just saying that to make me feel better?"
"Yes, I really am fine, Count-"
"Logan." He corrected. "Could you call me that, please?"
"Isn't it disrespectful? Around so many vampires." I'd questioned.
"Who care?" He asked in true Dracula style.
"I do! I don't want to make a bad impression." I ended up saying.
He explained, "No, Dad just though Lola-vira was disrespectful… he likes you. Seriously."
"Okay, sure, sorry again it slipped out before I could ask you if it was okay." I'd apologized again.
But he said, like he had when he was crazed, "I'd been wanting to tell you about that since I met you. But I didn't want to freak you out."
"I know." I'd said.
As he'd lightly fingered my scarf and said, "I don't remember this being here before."
"Because it wasn't," I'd shrugged, regaining some of my natural decorum. Even if only a minuscule portion of it.
He'd reached for my hand next and flipped it over to investigate whether or not his bites were all still there. When he noticed that even that bite hadn't been healed, he ran his finger along the altered flesh on my wrist and asked outright. "Did I heal any of the bites at all? Or are all of them still on you?"
"I don't really know… I've consulted my textbooks and asked around how these wounds heal. But I've never encountered more vagueness around any other monster-inflicted wound. Not even werewolf bites, which can be transferable, were this evasive to tack down."
He asked in a soft voice, "Will you let me look?"
I let him know, "You may."
And he gently untied my scarf so carefully, it made my heart hurt. It had been so difficult keeping my breathing and pulse normal too, as he looked for himself. And he'd gasped at the sight of his own handywork on my shoulders, neck, and even one bite on the underside of my face. And he was apologizing over and over as he leaned his head against mine. "I never meant to hurt you, this is exactly why I didn't want to do this. I knew I'd just lose it after tasting your blood even more."
No amount of telling him, "You didn't hurt me at all." was heard. He was too busy beating himself up about every single mark, bruise or indentation. I had to grab him and kiss him to make him stop. It was the only thing that worked… and after that last time we'd been making out on the floor… It lingered much longer than it probably should have.
But it wasn't till he was so quiet, after that kiss that I could stress. "I kinda liked it… I could even say… I enjoyed getting bitten by you. It felt good."
"Seriously?" He couldn't believe me.
So I asked him, "Do you remember any of it? Or did you completely blackout?"
"I don't know." He tried to explain, "I don't know if what I remember is real or a dream."
I shared, blushing like mad, "Because when you were biting me. I was kinda begging you to keep biting me, and I had to be dragged away form you. Even though I'd gone in there KNOWING that I eventually would need to leave you while that toxic magic exited your body."
"I didn't dream that?" He asked.
And I confirmed, "No, you didn't."
And he'd said, "Okay… but you've gotta let me heal these bites-"
"Really? Cause I really don't mind them all that much, I even kinda like them." I'd had to say.
He'd grinned so big as I was asking. "Can't I keep maybe one or half of one?"
"No, because I wasn't able to think and I made all of these way too obvious and out in the open. If I'd been in my right mind, I could have made you one to keep that you could hide better. That only you knew about. But these are all way too obvious. You've gotta let me heal these-"
"Only if you promise to make me a new one I can hide and keep." I'd extended my hand, for him to shake on it.
And he'd taken it and said, "Fine, but when the sun rises, meet me in my room and I'll take care of these first."
"Wait - wait - wait a minute." I caught him by his cape. "Why aren't you taking care of these right here and right now? This is where I treat everybody, if they're so terrible and need to be healed? Why are you slating it for so much later?"
He warned me, "Because you thought it was good getting those bites. Wait till you feel when I heal them." He'd teased.
I'd asked him, in a softer tone, "Seriously, what are you gonna be doing to them?"
He rolled up the sleeve on my right arm and rolled his tongue over the fang marks on my wrist. Just before the nicest sensation hit me all over. When I looked down at the place on my wrist, the bite was gone like it'd never been there. And he'd whispered, "Imagine that over and over again, as I tackle these worse bites… you'll want us to be alone… trust me."
"Okay, color me convinced." I'd agreed, "See you after sunrise for sure."
But before he'd left he'd kissed me and I'd kissed back. We'd lingered again, and laughed, teased and tormented one another to the point we were both a mess. And he said, "Or we could just go now. I can talk to my family anytime."
"No, no," I made myself say. "They've come so far and done so much today for both of us. Go hang out with them… Go now, I'm trying to convince myself right now, more than you."
He'd pulled me into a last slow kiss and now I was pushing him and telling him to "Go!" But I was thinking, 'before I can't resist and we end up in your coffin with the lid locked tight.'
I kept telling myself, that this temptation was only a side efffect talking. The feelings leftover from Dracula's bite, infatuation, nothing more. But I have never been so intent on any sunrise before this one… Not in all of my afterlife, or the life before it! I was excited, elated for this healing session… and whatever followed. And the guilt, the shame I always felt before now. Whenever moments with the Count had gone a little wild… were just gone.
It took all of my focus to STAY focused on all of the things I needed to finalize. Before I left the lab for those daylight hours. Lydia's lessons, Raph's wound treatments and of course, Mo's monitoring. Which Vince had volunteered to help James with. He'd been helping out so much around the labs, I didn't even need to explain too much for him to know what needed doing.
When the sun began to light the horizon enough to lighten the navy skies to a cobalt shade. I'd stepped out of the labs and headed to my room again to ready for bed. I though Dracula would be rushing for his room. But he caught me before I went inside mine to tease. "I promise tonight won't be nearly as dramatic, and weird."
"We can hope," I'd teased back as he took my hand. "Don't you need to hurry?"
"I do, but can you do me a favor please?" He'd asked.
Since he's the one healing me in this session, I figured it was the least I can do. I asked, "What do you want?"
He whispered, "Even though I can see colors again and you're not the only color I'm seeing anymore. Can you please… PLEASE never wear that drab black number to bed again?"
I was laughing so hard, "Even in cursed plumb-induced hysteria you noticed that? Saw what I was wearing?"
"You wear the colors so much better, even white would have been better than that black cotton thing-"
"Well, since someone was biting me, both that dress and robe were left holey and bloodstained."
"YES!" He'd said first before correcting himself. "I mean, I'm terribly sorry and will gladly replace anything you need. But please, ANY color or silk thing you've got… no cotton or black PLEASE."
The word please is a superpower for this being. "All-RIGHT! I'll wear one of my colored ones. With a colored robe and I'm putting my hair out of the way-"
"Leave it down." He'd requested in a persuasive tone.
"Nope, you asked for one favor, and it's the colors. Besides, I have way too much hair, it would be all in your way-"
"Trust me, it wouldn't. It's Vampire thing."
"Are you sure? Cause an awful lot of 'vampire things,' you tell me about. Are turning out to be 'just Logan-things.' lately."
"This isn't." He assured with the BIGGEST smile. "I gotta run, but please. Hair down, colors, no cotton, and for God sakes-"
"Don't eat any garlic?" I tried to tease him.
He'd said, "That too but… don't keep me waiting too long either."
"I'll just be a sec." I assured as he was forced to speed back to his room. By the quickly arriving sun.
I made quick work of my preparations, before racing to his door too. I think I even ran for a portion of that trip. And when I'd knocked, he'd said. "This had better be the doc!"
I answered back immediately, "What are ya gonna do if i'm not?!"
His door bearly opened, his arms shot outta the teeniest crack and I was somehow inside in a blink. The room was completely dark except for a lit fireplace and a few scatterings of lit candles. I was completely cocooned in his arms and cape by the next blink and he'd said in the sexiest tone I've ever heard spoken, "What took you so long?"
I defended, "I wasn't even fifteen minutes."
"Maybe, but even a minute was too long." And he'd unfairly started kissing me while he was again untying the scarf still covering the bites. And slipping my arms outta the robe too. I kept trying to talk but he was not letting me get any words out. He kept kissing me and teasing me till we were somehow back to me sitting on the edge of the bed. The lighting was much better there then where I'd come in.
But that first moment he wasn't kissing me, I'd hugged him tight and confessed. "There was a big part of me that was afraid that when you woke up today. You wouldn't still like me this much."
"Why?!" He'd asked sounding truly shocked.
And I explained my reasoning, "Because everything seemed to be Bordy's doing. Brody's design. Especially since you said I was the only colored thing you saw. There were a few heartstopping times I considered that all of this… whatever this is between us, could be just another part of his cruel trap."
"That was heartstopping for you?" Logan asked, and it was his turn to confess. "I thought I've just been bothering you this whole time. So much that I thought today's whole thing was icing on the cake. I thought you'd want nothing to do with me after I'd hurt you like this." He'd said brushing a curled finger down my wounds that made me shiver.
I assured him, "You didn't hurt me at all, not a bit. I still wouldn't mind keeping one of these… or all of them-"
"No," He'd grinned, "I was in a very bad place when I did this to you. I couldn't bear it if you were to scar. You've gotta let me heal them, but like I said, this can feel better than being bitten. So just in case, I'd rather be alone while we find out."
"Better than being bitten," I'd repeated and the words had come out wistful. "There's better than that?"
"Yep," He'd said with such confidence.
When I asked him, "What could be better than that?"
And he'd stage coughed, before saying, "Well, I can think of one thing that's definitely better."
When I asked, "What?" His eyebrows went up and down and I laughed cause I realized what he meant. Clearly he was insinuating sex is better than being bitten. And while I'd laughed I'd said, "Well, I honestly wouldn't know about that."
"Trust me then, it is." He'd again said so plainly. I'd just laughed, I didn't know how else to react. Even though I'd dated Mark a very long time, and he'd had no shortage of that kind of activity during that time. None of it had been with me. Not even once, and the closest I'd ever had to anything like that, had been today during him biting me. And now he warns that healing those bites could feel even better.
My knees were weak and my hands were shaking, just thinking about that, but I was excited. And like always, he went out of his way to not only explain things. But make sure that I was comfortable and felt safe with him… this was exactly why I couldn't have been afraid of him earlier today. Why I knew he couldn't hurt me even when he was growling in my face. I knew this person, was still in there and still protecting me, even when hurt him so much to resist.
As he'd warned, from the moment he began, to the end of his treatment. I was seeing stars, in the best way. He healed every little bit of today's evidence, with his warm tongue, and had held me tightly as he had earlier. Usually when we're together, alone, and sharing anything like this… I always have this nagging voice in the back of my head. Telling me I don't deserve to be this happy. That this person is just a freind, because I wasn't made to love anyone.
But today that voice was silent, and I'd just savored my time with him. And listened to him instead… As he'd talked me through everything. When he'd finished healing everything. He'd announced he was done, right before he gave me this really long kiss. That had been so indulgent he apologized at the end.
Saying, "Sorry… I just ran out of throat to heal and I really don't want to be finished yet."
"Then don't be." I'd suggested, before pulling his smiling face to mine and initiated the next several kisses. He drew the curtains of the four poster bed around us. When he could speak again he asked, "Can I rest here with you today, just till nightfall. Like I wanted to yesterday?"
And I'd said, "I'd like that too, but are you sure you're okay outside of your coffin? We can move if you-"
"We're fine here, I'd like to stay here... and no windows so, we're safe." He'd assured.
As we rested, as we talked, and finally caught up like we should have yesterday. As we made out and snuggled whenever the mood hit one of us or both of us…
It still felt like love wasn't so impossible for me as I've thought. Even with all of the bites gone and healed, even looking at him. Knowing I could never deserve someone this wonderful. Not even if I can save Mo for Raph and help her live… But for the first time in centuries… I hoped I was wrong about that. And that I could love this vampire… even just for a little bit.
That's All Folks!
Well, for this chapter anyways, but don't fret, more will be posted soon. I have started it and I'm hoping to be able to post more soon! Please let me know what you thought. I would love to hear from you, if you have the time. Thank you to anyone reading this right now! Hope you're having a SPOOKTACULAR day! Take Care and Much Love!
~DarcyBeDippy85!