Snippets from 'Interesting Times'

AN: This chapter is mostly fluff, with a bit of knife/blood play and a dash of angst.


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I sit in the hushed darkness of my Bar, temporarily lost in thought as I sip my Blackberry Merlo, both thinking of and trying not to focus on many of the recent changes in my life...

Mainly the one that has left me alone in my own bar at 5pm on a Sunday... I have to Open in an hour... Late for a Sunday, But I don't have much choice lately... I could leave Julie to do it like normal, but I wanted the time to think about not thinking. You know? Focus on the mundane to distract myself from the rest of life.

Especially from all those changes... I don't regret a single decision, but I need to deal with my decisions in my own way...

I sip the red wine, trying to ignore the lure of the dark red shade of the wine and all the feelings the color incites, I savor the sharp notes from the merlo even as the syrupy texture of the blackberry makes me sigh. It is the ideal blend for me, sharp, flavorful with the after notes of blackberry hidden in a lovely syrup... It feels right, but is a bit to sweet to truly trick my body into forgetting it's new need.

So many changes... Finding out many truths of the world, and in finding, locating four individuals I have searched for for years.

Expecting the offer for something I have equally longed for, but not expecting the... I smile softly.

The Rather appreciated situation the lead to me acquiring the possibility of immortality... That offer that I had longed for. And with it, several also appreciated perks.

I snicker.

Oh, so very appreciated.

The night 'They' walked into my bar, I honestly could have died happy in that instant... But I didn't of course. We talked, I got drunk and passed out, woke up to them still there, went to share the evenings conversations that I could remember with my friend Julie.

Were of course we (meaning me) Decided to do a very silly thing... That led to me being bitten by Marko, and in turn in an attempt to save myself, as he was still lost in day sleep, I bit him. And without thinking, running purely on instinct, I drank his blood.

And not only did this cause me to become 'half-vampire', but it started a bond between us, due to the nature of our blood sharing, as well as my feelings during that instant. Had I not.... Heh... Enjoyed myself quite so much, we might have avoided such a bond.

But that was all well.

Sure there were some scuffles in the beginning, but those were resolved, boundary's were established, feelings were hurt but mended... And I was given the offer to attempt to change the bond... And we are still awaiting the results of that one.

But I am left with an over enthusiastic attachment to Marko, an interestingly passionate and fun friendship with Paul, me and David are, and likely will be for some time, on shaky terms... I don't think he likes my attitude toward him... But he just needs to learn or figure out my perks and personality traits, is all... Once he gets that we will be fine... In fact I think there's a bit of interesting potential there.

This leaves Dwayne... He's quiet, and I haven't figured out much about him... Hehe... Well, aside form the fact that I and nearly every other girl in the bar start panting over him when he walks in, anyway! (according to Paul, it's one of Dwayne's natural talents, he always had it, but when he became a vampire, the draw became something a bit more powerful) What I wouldn't give to figure him out! He seems to appreciate my odd collection of books, and it's fun to talk with him about them...

I smirk at my glass. Indeed...

I glance up at the clock, noting the time before walking over to the door with my glass and flipping the lock and propping open the door. I am startled by the sound of loud footsteps over by the bar and I jump with a snarl and look over.

"Woah, calm down... I thought you would have heard me... I figured I should check on you..." It's Julie, she holds her hands up defensively. "No need to freak! Now stop, you are freaking me out!" She sounds wary.

I look down at my glass, close my eyes and calm my nerves, when I open my eyes I feel calmer and I take a sip of my wine, in this instant I notice the droplets of wine on the back of my hand and the edge of the glass, and the drink catches in my throat and causes me to cough. I stagger over to a table and set the glass down, quickly wiping the back of my hand on my white jeans as I try to catch my breath.

"Candice, You gonna be ok, or do I need to go get one of the Boys?" Her tone is worried, and my focus is momentarily locked on the crimson stains on my jeans.

I look up, and my breath catches at how brilliantly gold her hair is, as well as all the other vibrant colors on the shelving behind the bar, neon greens seem to swim, pinks and blues dance in a strange pattern and catch my attention before I switch back to staring at Julie's hair, my gaze following her soft wavy hair down, across the curve of her cheek and jawline and down to her throat.

I have taken a few small steps toward her before I catch myself.

"Go.." I manage to rasp out, standing there is taking nearly all the willpower I have and it's causing me to shiver.

"Right..." She keeps her defensive pose as she slowly backs toward the doorway to the stairs.

I whimper as she steps out of sight and fall to my knees, exhausted and shivering from the work of restraining myself.

Aah, yes..... The only annoying part of my pending immortality... Bloodlust... Powerful, all consuming, Bloodlust... And the work required to fight it is getting worse every time it's triggered.

David says it shouldn't be this bad.

Paul disagrees.

He knows better.

Because he knows himself and he knows my type... I had this problem even before the Boys came along, before I took Marko's blood.

Bloodlust. I've always had it, but never 'needed' it, it was a powerful kink, an odd quirk... That now makes life a bitch.

I sigh deeply as I wait, digging my nails into my palms.

God, If only I could get the fuck over myself and just fucking kill someone already! Damn... Paul tells me the sharpness of the desire will fade then... Be more manageable, tolerable... Like his...

Huh... If I didn't know better, I would seriously wonder if it wasn't his blood I had shared that first time!

Then again... It sort of was... Indirectly...

I hear footsteps on the sidewalk outside the bar and I stagger to my feet, praying the entire time that the person walks by as I stagger toward the stairs.

What the fuck is taking them so long?!

I sigh in relief when the footsteps pass the doorway without pausing.

Sandals. Birkenstock's. Soft sound of leather and denim outside. Quiet. Hum of the heater kicking on. Footsteps again, upstairs this time.

This is getting tiresome, I stagger up the stairs, fighting for breath that I can't seem to catch properly, I fall to my knees in the hallway at the top of the stairs and look around. Julie peeks hesitantly around the corner at the end of the hall.

"I can't find them! They aren't in any of your rooms!" She sounds near panic. "What should I do now?!" I snarl under my breath.

"Stay the fuck away from me..." I dig my nail into the carpet under my knees. "Downstairs. Run the bar. The SECOND one of them gets back, send them to me... 'l be in my room..." My voice is a ragged stage whisper.

Julie nods and is gone from view, likely she Is going to use a fire escape and get downstairs and walk in through the unlocked front door. I stagger to my feet again and down the hall, leaning very heavily against the wall for support. Once to my door I pull the key from my pocket and unlock it, it takes several tries before I do, but I succeed and kick the door closed behind me, dropping the key at my feet as I collapse onto the couch, panting heavily.

"Oh, god... I'm not sure eternity with the most pleasurable company in the world even is worth this..."

I grope blindly beside the couch, trying to find a decorated glass bottle I know is there, within seconds I find and grab it, only to curse loudly for several minutes, crying silently as I notice the empty state of the bottle.

"DAMNIT!!!"

I set the bottle back down beside the couch and stagger to my feet, suddenly feeling more tired than I have in a while, I stagger over to my bed and flop down onto it bonelessly.

"Mmmm, down throw blanket..."

I curl myself around the black crushed velvet Down throw blanket, as an after thought I drag it and myself to the head of the bed and securely clasp a pair of heavy handcuffs found there that are securely bolted to the wall via a long length of chain, I had installed these here after waking up one early evening passed out in the hallway sprinkled with blood, I do this day don't know what happened!

After double checking the cuffs I let myself pass out curled around the blanket.

~~~


I'm awoken sometime later to a feather soft touch brushing my cheek softly, I purr and blink several times to clear the fuzzies from my vision, I am slightly puzzled, but secretly pleased, when it is Dwayne that comes into focus, he is laying beside me and curled in a smiler pose to me, he gives me an 'I'm innocent' look and hides a small fuzzy object behind his back.

"Mmm... Surprised to see you... Normally you are the last one home..." I sigh.

"Not tonight."

"Aah... What's up... And what's with the fuzziness?" I blink at him curiously, He shrugs.

"Later... First we should tend to you." He smirks. "Unless Julie was... Disturbed, over nothing." I sigh at his words, barely daring to hope that he will offer, opposed to waiting with me like normal.

"No..." I sigh. "It's getting worse... I really don't think I can fight it for much longer..." My voice catches.

"Then don't. Have one of us help you through your first night... Tomorrow night if you wanted." I sighs wistfully at his offer.

"But... I don't think David wants me to yet..." He shrugs at my thoughts as I voice them.

"It's not exactly up to him, now is it... You need what you need, don't be foolish on account of him not knowing you well enough yet... Trust me and Trust Paul." I look at him curiously and he smirks. "Paul knows what you are going through, because he went through the same...... Me? I've helped my fair share through it..." He nods at my thoughtful look.

"I suppose......" I murmur softly.

"Don't 'suppose' this is getting foolish!" He sounds amused in spite of his harsh tone. "Just agree and tomorrow night Me and Paul will take you out... It would be for the best." I ponder the idea before nodding hesitantly.

"Alright... But what if David is displeased? I truly hate it when he tries to 'put me in my place'." I snarl at the memory of the various times he has done such, Dwayne merely laughs.

"And you didn't stop to think that you might be able to stop him, hmm?" His tone makes the idea tempting, he leans forward and whispers to me. "Or maybe turn his game around on him? I know you have thought it... I know that look..." I blush and pull back from him, trying to look shocked, but unable to hide the small smirk, he just nods.

"Ok..." I blush a bit more. "Maybe I have... But I have thought many things about the idea... Overall I think it's time I found out. Tomorrow night sounds good." I nod.

"Good." He adjusts something behind him on the bed before taking off his jacket and draping it behind him on the bed.

I watch in silent appreciation as he removes his jacket, watching the light play across his skin as I once again praise the Powers That Be for his dislike for shirts. I apparently wasn't completely silent, I must have gasped quietly, as he smirks at me knowingly, and with that look it feels like the temperature went up in the room, I sit up to watch him better. Knowing he has my full undivided attention he shows off a bit, drawing out his small movements as he pulls a straight razor out of his jacket pocket and flicking it open, This time I know when I gasp, and he smirks before absently playing with the razor, lightly brushing it oner his wrists, and up his lusciously toned arms, leaving faint pink traces, but not yet drawing blood. My breath catches as I watch him play and I lean toward him slightly, my focus narrowing to follow the razor, waiting, wondering.

"If this is a game..." I pant, he smirks and traces the blade lightly over his lips.

"No..." He whispers against the blade.

I whine quietly as he licks the tip of the blade, there is a small flash of red and the sent of blood on his breath is suddenly the world to me, I keen low in my throat and fight to hold myself back, not knowing what his game is. He startles me by darting forward and grabbing me and pulling me close, he licks his lips, trailing bright droplets of blood across his lips, there is s split second as what is left of my restraint shreds and the next thing I know is the silky feel of his lips on mine and the flavor of his blood, bittersweet, like pennies soaked in sugar water. A small whimper escapes me as the flavor fades, I try to press the kiss, try to search out more, but he lightly pushes me back and starts tracing across his chest with the blade, it catches my attention enough that I watch.

"More?" I'm stunned by my quiet whisper, I don't think I could speak again if I actively tried!

Dwayne nods and then leans forward and kisses me lightly before pulling back, he doesn't even wince as he cuts a small slash over his heart, I watch in complete fascination for a second as his blood wells up and trails down his chest a few inches. The next thing I know I have shoved him onto his back, and straddled his hips, licking up the blood and purring, within minutes the relatively minor wound heals. I whimper and scratch lightly at his chest, he smirks up at me and then trails his hands up my legs to rest on my hips, were he digs his sharp claws in. I yelp in shock and pleasure and grind against him, digging my own claws into his sides, he hisses and arches his hips slightly and I grind against him more enthusiastically, he traces the blade up over his chest, leaving a faint few scratches were I lap up the few droplets of blood, he pauses briefly before dragging the blade lightly across a small spot on the side of his neck, only really drawing a few droplets of blood, but as he drops the blade I latch onto the spot, licking up what little blood I can get. When I move to pull back when the wound heals, he growls and winds his fingers in my hair with one hand, holding me there, I purr and lick questioningly at the spot, he shivers and digs his nails lightly into my scalp and into my hip. I sigh and grind against him, letting the bloodlust wash over me more completely, letting it change me, I trace the sharp points of my fangs lightly with the tip of my tongue, purring with pleasure before sinking them into his neck. He groans and thrusts against me as my fangs sink in, his hands trailing to both rest on my hips, were he digs his claws in and holds me pressed against him, at the pain from his claws, I purr and bite harder, lost in the euphoria of drinking his blood and the pleasure the friction of our jeans is giving me.

He sighs, his breath brushing lightly across the side of my neck, I growl and arch against him, running one hand up to tangle my fingers in his silky hair, the other hand I bring between us for a second and trace one of my sharp claws across my neck, drawing a small trail of blood, He takes the hint and sinks his fangs deep into my neck, I pull back from drinking from him for that moment and scream at the overwhelming pleasure/pain from his bite, the last and only thing to cross my mind as a warm fuzzy darkness fall over me is. 'Well... That's different...'

Once again, I wake up and blink away the fuzziness from my vision, I sit up and look around, Dwayne is sitting on the edge of the bed talking quietly to Paul, I stretch and Dwayne look over at me.

"Good, you woke up after only a few minutes..." Dwayne looks oddly meek. I grin and shake my head at him.

"Yah... But... Was it just me, or was that... different?" I raise an eyebrow with the question, Paul snickers and Dwayne just shakes his head.

"Different, she says! Different! Girl, certainly you can come up with a better description!" Paul laughs, Dwayne shoots him an annoyed look. I just feel confused in spite of this fuzzy amused feeling that won't go away.

"Ok...Overwhelming, mind blowing, life changing..." I smirk. "That good enough? Oh, wait, I forgot. Doubly Orgasmic." I nod. "I think that sounds about right." I can't help but feel I should be embarrassed by my words. Paul laughs louder and Dwayne smirks.

"That sounds better!" Paul nods and snickers.

"Point... Now, again I ask, why?"

"Talent." Dwayne smirks, I raise an eyebrow and shake my head in amusement.

"He's right, innate Talent... One of the few things I envy about him, much like that 'Make every chick in the Bar drool' ability, he also has the lovely talent wherein his bite amplifies what you both were feeling." Paul shrugs, I nod thoughtfully.

"Mmm-Hmm... Ok, were do I sign up?" I Smirk. "Because a twice a week dose of that might be damn fine!" I snicker and leer at Dwayne, he just smirks at me.

"Just ask..." Dwayne sits back, looking sexy and mysterious.

"And though he won't say it, keep whatever you were drinking earlier handy... He says it makes you taste like Blackberries." Paul grins at his friend and leans over to me and whispers. "Dwayne happens to love Blackberries..." I snicker at Paul's whisper, Dwayne smirks but pretends to huff and mutters something about 'giving away his secrets'.

I sit back and look at them thoughtfully, I smirk.

"So, do you guys share stories in your spare time, or do you stalk each other to learn each others abilities and talents?" I smirk wickedly as a thought occurs to me. "Or... Is it more first hand experience?" I trail off suggestively. Both of them blink at me in shock, I snicker, Dwayne once again looks mysterious but says nothing, Paul laughs loudly.

"I suppose you'll just have to figure that out..." Paul states between laughter. "I can't be sharing ALL our secrets!" I sigh and pout half-heartedly at him.

I pause, puzzled for a moment as I try to remember something.

"Oh, yah... What was with the fuzzy? You woke me up and said 'later' about it..." I blink at Dwayne curiously.

He smiles and taps Paul on the shoulder. "The fuzzy." Paul blinks at him.

"Oh, yah..." Paul pats his pockets and looks around thoughtfully.

"Were did you set it?" Dwayne looks annoyed, I am getting confused.

"Oh, yah!" Paul jumps up and wanders over to the couch.

Once there he picks something up, walks back over and hands it to Dwayne, hiding it from my curious view the entire time.

"You are making me overly curious! What?" I plead.

"Close your eyes..." Dwayne smirks.

I scowl and close my eyes, after a second I feel something soft placed in my lap.

"Ok..." Dwayne murmurs, I open my eyes and blink at him before looking down.

I gasp softly as my eyes meet those of a small blue eyed kitten, who's fur is white as snow, I carefully lift the kitten and nuzzle it's soft fur.

"Oh, it's so sweet and cute! Were did you get it?!" I coo at the kitten.

"Found it wandering around... Figured you'd like it." Dwayne seems pleased that I like the kitten, Paul laughs.

"And of course, the fact that he likes kittens but David would never let him keep one in the Cave has _nothing_ to do with it." Paul teases. I Look up at them in amusement, cuddling the kitten as I do.

"Well, reasoning aside." I smile. "Thank you! It's the cutest kitten ever!"

"I was going to keep it for a while to be safe... But since you agreed to tomorrow night, I figured it would be ok..." Dwayne trails off and I look at the kitten with concern.

"True... I wouldn't want the kitten to be in danger... But this should be ok." I grin. "Just more incentive to stick to the plan..."

Dwayne nods in agreement, Paul leans forward and swipes the kitten from me.

"Anyway, you should get dressed... some of your regular customers are waiting downstairs." Paul announces, ignoring my annoyed squeak at him stealing the kitten.

I nod and crawl off the bed, watching in amusement as Paul whispers something to the kitten and laughs, Dwayne shakes his head at this friend's behavior, I look amused as I grab some clothes from my closet, watching for a moment as Paul sets the small kitten on his shoulder.

"Me and the fluffball will be downstairs." Paul waves, and the kitten mews quietly.

I laugh and shake my head as they walk out with the kitten, a moment later I dart into the bathroom and change clothes before following them.


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