The everyday monsters in our lives

She agreed and he felt as if he could somewhat relax again. Not that he wasnt worried for Cesare and wouldnt obsess over his condition until Sadie would eventually update him. He wouldnt think of anything else. They arrived at Churchill and he looked around at her question. “Yeah.” He replied in a timid voice. “You too Sadie.” He said in a saddened tone. Now that he was coming a bit to terms with being around vampyres, he had to admit that he missed her like never before. She stopped him from going and he looked at her. She stopped her question quick but seemed to collect herself and ask again. A small smile slowly spread on his lips and he just leaned over to hug her. “Yeah. Come by whenever you want.” He told her. He hugged her close for a moment before he kissed her hair and leaned back away. “Thank you for the ride.” He said before he got out. It probably wasnt that good for her to be in the sun even if the windows blocked most of the rays.

He walked home after that, pretty much just going straight to bed. When he woke up, it was with a shock, sitting up as he felt confused. He scoffed at himself, muttering about a nightmare before he went out to make himself a cup of coffee. He checked his phone every once in a while, but eventually he had to admit that he checked it more than he did anything else.

The updates were nice and kept him relatively in the loop to know how the vampyre was doing. When she began coming by, the first thought he had was that they just wouldnt work out. But as soon as they properly sat down, it was like they reverted right back to the bond they had had as kids. It was quite refreshing in all that had happened. Though when her cryptic message came through, he frowned a little but let her know that he was home. He had also been texting Joanna, back and forth rather casually. Over all did he start to feel like he was having a normal rhytmn again and though he had called in sick while he had been healing, he was consindering going back to take a couple of nights to get back into it, just before he got too comfortable with all the free time he had. Though for now did he prepare a kettle of water, even having a few vials cooled in the fridge for his sister. It was still odd but he was tolerating it somewhat now.

When Sadie arrived, they both had tea. Joe didnt often drink tea but oh the times he had pretended to like it just to make Sadie smile during a tea party. He maybe reverted back into a lot of things he used to do just to make his sister smile. But quite clearly was something wrong when she arrived. He listened to her explanation but the mention of a slumber made him frown a little confused. What did that even mean? He just listened and she explained it quite well after.
Only that it made his chest tighten once he realized. It was the worst that could have happened, wasnt it? She spoke of Joe’s dislike of the vampyres and he ran a hand through his hair. He wished he could agree with her but it had gotten complicated. It wasnt just black and white and the grey was mixed with all kinds of nuances. Her suggestion made him frown, looking down into his cup before he drew in a deep breath. “Yeah. Sure. Take me to him.” He said, getting up from his seat as he looked at her. Even if the other sires disliked him and what he meant to their creator, he wouldnt let it stop him now.

They got out and into the car and as there was a silence between them, Joe’s nerves began to grow. What would he be seeing when they got there? She seemed to be ahead, warning him that the vampyre wouldnt be looking the same. Joe didnt know what she meant by that but he would soon. He had forgotten how long the drive had been. But frankly, he had been crying for the most part the last time so good portions of that ride was stuffed into a box of forgetting. She explained more of the elder vampyre’s condition and Joe just quietly listened. When they arrived, did Joe have to wake up from falling asleep in the car. Seeing Martin greet them with anger, it wasnt really anything new at this point. Joe could understand the dismay he saw in everyone’s eyes. But it wasnt like they had wanted him to stay here either when he had been hurt. How could he win when neither things he could do was good enough?
Joe just decided to ignore the looks and follow his sister as they went up into the room. His eyes widened a little at the sight of the elder vampyre before he felt sick to his stomach. “Oh gods.” He muttered, lifting a hand to his mouth. He hadnt expected him to look so… dead. Even if he looked rather peaceful. He nodded at Sadie’s question before he swallowed hard and replied vocally. “Yes. I’ll call you.” He assured her. Though he doubted that he would have any meaningful impact.
When Sadie had gone, did he carefully move closer to the bed. He sat down on the bed and grabbed the vampyre’s hand that had held his the last time they saw each other. He was cold but Joe had figured he wouldnt be boiling warm in his current state. He softly ran a finger on his free hand over the back of the vampyre’s hand. “Everyone else but Sadie and you dislikes that I’m here. Which probably makes sense….” He spoke rather carefully, pausing to see if the vampyre even reacted. If he did, it was probably so subtle that human Joe missed it. “… I have realized that I am a bit of an ass.” He scoffed, holding the vampyre’s hand gently, looking down at their hands. “It was harder for me to adjust to all this… because I never knew if it was just a game you were playing to pass time. I guess I was just waiting for you to burst out laughing and mock me for giving in.” He said, before he sighed. “But now I dont know Cesare. You’ve never given me a reason to doubt you. But my body does it… all automatically.” He said, scoffing as he probably sounded rather dumb. He looked at him, then at their hands. He didnt know if he could just confess anything, because what if he was reaching him? He had to be careful with his, but he wouldnt lie either. “Sadie said that they had given you all kind of blood. But I guess not all.” He said, looking at his own arm before he chuckled. “I’m insane. But I cant lose you.” He then said, feeling the tears press on. He let go of the vampyre’s hand, rolling up his sleeve. First he tried to lift his arm to the vampyre’s mouth, just to see if that was how it worked. He frankly had no idea. Then he looked around, thinking that maybe he had to make the blood more accessible. He found a needle for the blood bags that he used, gritting his teeth in pain as he grunted softly. “Fuck…” he muttered, even if it was just a small cut, as good as you could make it with a sharp needle. He pressed on it to get some blood out. “Please work.” He pleaded, lifting the bloodied wrist to the vanpyre’s lips. His vampyre.

There was no reaction from the vampyre and that stung. He removed his wrist and sighed deeply just as he got a feeling that he was being watched. He frowned and turned to look at the man he had met at the bar. The words he spoke made the human clench his jaw in anger. Was he just here to mock him? He didnt call for help but remained by Cesare’s side. He saw the man remove the necklace, not quite understanding what had even happened. Had the vampyre used it for selfish gains?
The man looked at him and he just looked back, furrowing his brows at the words that were spoken. “It’s not that simple.” He hissed, switching between the silvery eyes that seemed so odd to him. He really didnt like how thie man was speaking to him, one bit. “You dont think I know that deep down? That I’m trying to change?” He asked, gritting his teeth as he started to feel so warm with anger. “What the hell do you know about it anyway? You talk about my life like you know all of it.” He felt tears press on, reaching out to grab Cesare’s hand, holding it so gentle even if he was fuming with anger. How could this stranger speak of it like it meant so little? Would he say that he could have been different if he had been the young one who had been beaten into submission day in and day out. Joe had seem the worst and ugly sides of vampyres, every day, because his father had made him. And while he saw that lack of humanity had his father been there to whisper poison in his ears. “.. Just make him come back. I’ll do anything.” He said, before his dark thoughts could take over.

The man spoke rather cryptic but it seemed to be a common theme with these older men. What realm was he speaking of? Joe didnt really dare to ask because he might not understand the answer anyway. The warning didnt deter Joe. “He is worth it.” He muttered, not caring for whatthe price would be. Even if it was one life for another. Joe would die anyway at some point. Cesare could live forever. The man came closer and kneeled down, the human looking at him a little puzzled. The sand made him shake his head as he tried to avoid it, but he soon enough fell back and was gone to sleep. Or was he? He couldnt really tell what feeling he had in his body. He had no control over his body and for a moment it felt like he was waiting for something but unsure even what.

And then everything changed. He was back home with his parents, sitting by the dinner table, it was morning. The sun was peaking through the windows but it looked fake. He couldnt quite describe it. His mother came by with a plate of food that she placed. His father was cleaning his gun. “We’ll go look for Sadie today.” He told Joe. Then the human remembered. This was kind of a memory. Not exactly, but it was. He wasnt little kid Benjamin who sat, sad that Sadie was gone. “You should go play with your friend.” His mother said, touching the back of his neck gently. Joe got up as if he was a puppett, leaving the table and going outside. He remembered this. He had found his friend deep in the forest. He went to look for him. But he wasnt in the spot he had been when it had actually happened. Frankly the more he looked, the less familiar everything seemed to look.

It was all very odd but he wasnt completely losing it as he sort of knew he was dreaming? Or was he? He felt as if but then again, you werent always aware of dreaming in dreams. He just felt a sort of calm towards things that would have freaked him out in the real world. When he saw Sadie, he smiled, watching her as she went about. When she began running, he frowned lightly and followed, but everything seemed to change. He watched her run off, the reminder stopping him from bolting right in her direction.
The woman approaching him made him frown a little surprised. Joanna? He felt her arms around him, listening to her whisper. Was he being tormented right now? This wasnt what he was looking for. And yet was it a reminder of what he wouldnt get if he chose to continue? “No. I’m sorry.” He said, looking at her with pained eyes. “I’m looking for someone else.” He told her before he looked around. “Where is he?” He muttered in a soft plea. He pulled free from her grip, almost stumbling over his own feet. “Cesare!” He called, clenching his jaw. No, he wouldnt stop until he found him. “Cesare!!!”

He pretty much tunnelvisioned the way as soon as he began running. Sure, some memories woke good feelings, others reminded him of the bad shit he had gone through. But none of it wouæd distract him from finding the vampyre, if that was even possible. And then there he was, in a meadow of some sort. Joe wrapped his arms around him, burying his face in his chest as he panted, but the exhaustion dissipated as if he had been standing still this whole time. He looked up as Cesare pulled away, feeling the warm hand touch him, it didnt feel normal but then again, nothing really felt normal in this place. He just looked at him, his eyes welling up a little as he could barely find his words. The whisper made him grasp around his clothes where he was hugging him, greeting his lips gladly. He closed his eyes and wanted to relish in the feeling until he pulled away. “No.” He muttered, breaking free as he shook his head. “I saw you on the bed. You’re in a slumber.” He reminded himself. And yet he placed a hand on the vampyre’s chest, feeling the heartbeat that was vibrating against his palm. “This is not how you’re supposed to be.” He muttered. It was all wrong. Even if it was what his mind seemed to have wanted all this time.

It just felt off. It didnt feel the same as it had before. And Joe didnt like it, not one bit. The confused question was well warranted, but it wasnt about that. He let him take his hand, but it just didnt feel as it was supposed to. Joe had gotten used to the vampyre as he was, even if it wasnt ideal. It was what felt normal. This now? The warm skin? He felt like someone else. Joe didnt want him to become a human for his sake. That was what his family would have wanted, what his whole damned hometown would have cheered and praised the vampyre for doing.
Joe felt a tear run down his cheek, watching as Cesare fell to his knees. The pleading made him shake his head. He looked down to see the cut on his wrist that he had made to try and feed the vampyre. Only this time was the cut way deeper and the blood just seemed to flow like it was being pushed out by force. “Just… open your mouth. Bite and drink.” He said in a saddened tone, having lifted the bleeding wrist to the human Cesare’s lips. “Please.” He begged, looking at him with pleading eyes.

He grit his teeth at the bite but it didnt hurt at first. The vampyre drank and he watched him until a sharp pain woke him up. He turned his head to watch how Cesare was drinking from his wrist now. The smell of blood made his stomach churn a little. He would never get used to it. But as the vampyre seemed to wake up, Joe exhaled in relief, letting himself relax as he let his face rest, hidden away in the mattress. The question made him chuckle as he shook his head, pushing himself back up as he looked at him. “You came back to me.” He just said, leaning in to wrap his arms around the vampyre, holding him close, burying his face in the nape of his neck.

He held him a little tight but surely he couldnt hurt a vampyre as a human. The tease made him scoff silently, though he couldnt really find it in him to even tell the vampyre to shut it. He was just so relieved to have him back. Not just for himself but for Sadie too. The whole family that the elder vampyre had created for himself. The apology made him shake his head, though he wasnt opting to move away. Even if the confession had caught him off guard completely in a way he had never expected, it was something they couldnt change.
The whisper made him tighten his grip a little, clutching onto him like he had in the dream. This was how it was supposed to feel. He eventually did loosen his grip on the vampyre, leaning away to look at him. His own face was all puffy and red from crying, but he looked at him and smiled softly.

The compliment made Joe roll his eyes a little. He wouldnt ever call himself cute but if the vampyre thought so, then he was free to believe it. He leaned into the cold touch, feeling how it was soothing his warm cheeks. The whisper made shivers run down his spine and the kisses on his skin felt good. When the vampyre pulled away, their eyes werent locked for long before their lips met again. He kissed him back, moving his hands to grasp his shirt around his sides. “Would you really change for me? Just like that?” He asked when the kiss had to break for him to breathe again. He didnt really like the prospect of it, so if the vampyre confirmed it, then he would shake his head. “I dont want you to change for me. I want you as you are.” He admitted. One of the sires downstairs had gotten too impatient with waiting. And no way did they believe that the human was doing their creator any good. So without a second thought did the sire go to the room, barging in to see how Cesare was sitting up, concious and aware. Joe of course let go of the vampyre in surprise, looking down, hiding his head away in the vampyre’s chest.