Alex shook his head, cupping Alastor's face with his hands, "What are you talking about? That stupid liquid did something to you, Al. I'm here to save you. We can-"
"Save me?" Alastor's lips curled into a.. cold smile and it wasn't right..
There was no relief, no gratitude, only an unsettling amusement.
"I'm not the one who needs saving, Alex.."
Alex's breath caught in his throat. His instincts screamed at him to back away, but he didn't. He knew this was the vampire's doing and he wouldn't abandon his Alastor, no matter what.
"This is not you, Al.." Alex whispered, his voice soft yet firm despite the unease coiling in his gut.
Then Alastor got up on his feet and it was then Alex saw it - the subtle shift in the air around him, a darkness that seemed to cling to his figure, swirling like a living thing.
Alastor's fingers twitched at his sides, his nails sharper than they should have been. He stepped closer to Alex, eyes locked on him with that eerie, predatory gleam.
"Why are you still here?" Alastor asked, each step slow and measured, as though he were stalking prey. "You should leave. I'm different now."
"No..." Alex shook his head, standing up as well. "You're still you. Whatever's happened, we'll fix it. Fuck that asshole. We'll figure it out together."
Alastor chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down Alex's spine. "Fix it? Oh, Alex... there's nothing to fix. This is who I am now." His eyes narrowed, glowing brighter. "I am finally stronger, finally more powerful and useful."
Alex clenched his fists and placed his hands on Alastor's shoulders. "You were already strong, powerful and not-useless, Al! This version of you is.. is not you. This isn't you talking. Whatever that serum did to you-"
"You think this was forced on me?" Alastor interrupted, tilting his head, his feral smile growing wider. "No... I chose this. I embraced it."
Alex just stared at him. There was no way he would believe that.
"That's not true."
"But it is." Alastor purred, his icy fingers wrapping around Alex's wrist with a possessive grip. "And now... you're in danger, Alex."
"I know.." Alex's voice was barely a whisper as his other hand gently reached up to Alastor's cheek.
But Alastor suddenly leaned forward, sinking his fangs into Alex's palm. Alex flinched, pain flickering through him, but he didn't pull away.
Aiden, standing nearby, smirked with amusement as he watched Alex's defiance, smirked.
But still Alex didn't pull away, and just stared at Alastor. "Al.."
Alastor's eyes glinted with something dark, almost primal, as he raised his head, licking the crimson droplets from Alex's hand.. "Your blood.." he whispered, looking straight into Alex's eyes. "This scent.. Your heartbeat.. It's so alive.. and so tempting."
Alex's hand trembled yet he reached up, his fingers trembling as they caressed Alastor's cheek. "I know..."
Alastor narrowed his eyes and without warning, his grip tightened, pulling Alex closer.
In one swift motion, he sank his fangs into Alex's neck, drinking his blood deeply as he moaned in satisfaction.
Alex clenched his teeth, stifling a grunt, while his fingers ran through Alastor's hair, dizziness beginning to cloud his vision. "Al..."
The sensation of his blood being drawn was painful and terrifying, he even felt his knees weakening beneath him.
Alastor slowly traced his tongue over the bite mark, savoring the last drop before sinking his fangs in once more.
Alex inhaled a shaky breath, his hand instinctively tightening in Alastor's hair before his touch softened and he caressed Alastor's scalp despite his own trembling body. "It's... it's okay..."
Alastor growled, pressing his fangs deeper, savoring every beat of Alex's pulse against his lips.
"You are more foolish than I thought you were, Alex.." Aiden hummed in amusement while watching from being seated on a gravestone.
Ignoring Aiden, Alex swallowed, his eyes fluttering shut, and his hands moved to gently stroke Alastor's back. "Take your time... it's okay.. I know you are there.."
Alastor felt a sudden pang of emotion in his chest, his eyes flickered for a split second and he pulled away immediately. "Stay away from me!"
Aiden's smirk faltered.
"Al.." Alex whispered in a steady voice, though his heart was pounding so hard. "It's okay.."
Something flickered agan in Alastor's expression. Something familiar. But it was fleeting.
His eyes darkened once more, and he stepped back, hands clenched into fists at his sides, as if struggling against himself.
"Stop being an idiot, and get out of here!"
"No, I won't!" Alex said firmly and cupped Alastor's face in his hands. "I know you are still here, Al! I know you are.."
"Stay away from me!" He pushed him away. "It's stronger than you think! It's stronger than me!"
Alex stumbled but quickly regained balance, his gaze unwavering. Then he took a step forward, his voice soft but firm. "I am right here, Al.. You don't need to fight this alone.. Come back to me.."
Alastor shook his head, stepping back, his eyes flashing red. "No.. Stay away. You will regret this.."
"I won't.." Alex replied softly, "I'm not going anywhere.. I am here for you, Al.. and I know you're still in there. Fight it.. for me.." His hands reached out to Alastor's face, looking into his eyes with tenderness, love, concern and pain.
Alastor's breath hitched, his fists unclenching slightly as he stared at Alex, the red in his eyes flickering like a flame struggling against the wind. For a moment, the intensity of his gaze softened, as if he were wrestling against the darkness within him.
His hand trembled, almost reaching out to Alex, before he clenched it tightly again.
Alex took Alastor's hand in his and pressed a gentle kiss on his knuckles before whispering, "I love you.."
Alastor's gaze dropped to where Alex's lips brushed his knuckles, and he felt a warmth spreading through him. As he raised his head to look at Alex, tears rolled down his cheeks. His red eyes finally returned back to the vibrant golden and purple hues of his heterochromic eyes.
But Aiden rolled his eyes, crossing his arms with a frustrated sigh. "Pathetic. If you want to regain yourself, Alice, you'll need more than a mortal's devotion."
But Alex shot him a cold glare while wiping Alastor's tears with his thumbs. "Then maybe he doesn't need you at all, Aiden. He deserves to be loved like everyone does."
Focusing back on Alastor, Alex kissed his tears away while interlocking his fingers with Alastor's. "I knew you could fight it, Al.."
Alastor sniffled and looked up at Alex, his voice breaking like a child's. "But I am not safe for you, Alex.. I will hurt you.."
Something flickered in Alex's mind and he chuckled while wrapping an arm around Alastor. "Remember the cheesy, romantic video that Jake made us watch in class? The one that said :
❝If you are pain, I'd love to get hurt.❞
And we laughed our asses off, thinking it was the corniest, masochistic thing ever. But now, I think I know what that line really meant.."
"You.." Alastor looked at Alex in disbelief before a soft laugh bubbled from his chest. "You are unbelievable! Making me laugh even now.."
"Maybe." Alex smirked, his thumb tracing gentle circles over Alastor's hand. "But you're worth it."
Alastor chuckled once more and threw his arms around Alex's neck, looking up at him with the same, warm smile. "You are so stubborn.."
"Oh yeah?" He whispered while rubbing Alastor's back and buried his face against his shoulder as tears of relief welled up in his eyes. His tough demeanor slipping off. "I had to be.."
Alastor's expression softened further and he caressed Alex's head while hugging him tightly as he whispered while closing his eyes, "Thank you.."
Alex sniffled and hugged him tighter, whispering against his shoulder. "Dammit.."
"You were more terrified than me, weren't you..?" Alastor continued to caress Alex's head who sniffled and tightened the hug. But then his gaze flickered over to Alex's bleeding hand and neck, feeling another pang of guilt.
"This is ridiculous.." Aiden sighed, glaring at the two. "..But I guess the serum didn't go to waste."
But this time.. Alastor looked at him with no fear but a smirk. "Fuck. You."
Aiden raised a brow, some part of him was amused. "Watch your words there.."
Alex chuckled.
"Fuck. You." Alastor repeated before laughing a little. "Gosh, I always wanted to say that at your face. You traumatized me enough."
Aiden sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I guess it's time to bid goodbyes now.."Alastor and Alex looked at Aiden with annoyance and anger. "Planning another evil scheme of yours?"
Aiden leaned against the willow tree, shaking his head, his expression unwavering. "I mean it this time."