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Chapter Text

“Nova!” I turned around and saw Ray sauntering over to me, big smirk painted on his lips.

“Ray,” I sighed, “Can't you see I'm busy?”

He looked down at me. I was sitting at my desk, sketching. How this doofus got a key to my room, I don't know. Do I wanna know? No. Don't care enough.

“I know you're busy, but your father sent me.”
I sighed. My dad? Of course. He does want me to marry him when I'm “of age.” Whatever that means.

“Why exactly?” I asked, not bothering to hide the annoyance in my tone.

He shrugged, “To see my soon-to-be spouse, I guess."

I rolled my eyes. Soon-to-be? Yeah right. I'm older than him, not like he's waiting for me. Mr. Bigshot Ray is only 15, thank you very much.

“So, whatcha sketching, babe?"

“Ok, first, not your babe,” I replied, “And second, nothing.”

He gave me a look, “Hmm.”

I closed my sketchbook, “Nothing at all.”

“Yeah, okay, Nova.”

“Look, can you leave? I... have things to do.”

“Sure, princess. Have fun with your beauty sleep,” he rolled his eyes and walked out.

I opened my sketchbook up again, flipping through the pages. Almost all of them were him. Him as in the boy I see when I close my eyes. The boy with the red and black hair. The boy who has... fangs.

I said it. He's a Vampire. Why do I have visions of this guy? I dunno. Not like I'll ever meet him.
I closed my sketchbook and stood up, walking to my closet. As the daughter of the Commander, I got to live in the palace.

So, by closet, I mean giant walk-in storage room that happens to house all my clothes.

I sighed again, looking around.

Hoodie, hoodie, where's my favorite hoodie?

I dug around the hundred hangers till I found the soft white one I like. It was around the time that everyone went to sleep around here in Sunnyside (which is crazy, because it's SO bright out that I can't tell when it's day or when it's night.)
I put the hoodie on, and pulled the hood up.

Here we go, Nova. You can do this.

I snuck out of the palace and through the town. Ran to the edge. Then I stopped. Took a deep breath. And stepped through the weird force field thingy.

I was hit by this bright orange light. The sun was... going down? I turned around. Sunnyside never had the sun go down like that. It was beautiful.

I watched the sky for a few more seconds, before the bolting through the meadow I was met with. It feels so wonderful. It's getting... colder? God, I loved it.

I turned around and stared at the Sunnyside, which was growing smaller by the second. I was still walking backwards. That is, until I bumped into something.

Chapter Text

“Victor!”

I looked up from my boots and saw Vera running towards me.

“Where the hell are you going?” She demanded, coming to a stop.

I looked around, “Uh... nowhere?”

“You little- you're leaving, aren't you?”

“What?” I fake scoffed, “No, of course not! I would... I would never leave Shadyside!”

She muttered something that sounded like a specific horned animal and a swear after it.

“Victor, you know you can't leave! The Eldress would murder you!”

“She can't,” I smirked, “My Aunt would never.”

Vera scowled, “Don't make me do this.”

“Vera, come on, please. Just this once. And when I come back, I'll give my all to Shadyside. Just... I'll never leave again,” I pleaded, “I just wanna... want to see the sun once. Please.”

She sighed. Waited a beat. Then:

“I can't keep covering for you. Just this once.”

I hugged her, “Oh my God, I love you. Well, not like that, but you get what I mean. Thank you thank you than-”

“I can't breathe, Victor.”

I let go of her, “Sorry. Thank you, Vera. I'll be back before everyone wakes up.”

“You better,” was all she said, and then she shoved me. “Go, you bafoon, before I change my mind.”

I ran, pulling my hood up. God, was I happy to have a friend like Vera. 19-year-old Vera, my non-biological big sister. I went to the edge of town, staying quiet so I didn't wake anyone. I stopped. Took a deep breath. Then stepped through the weird always-night shield thing. Whatever. I was blinded by orange. The first thought I had was “Am I exploding? Burning?” since I always thought that once a Vampire was in the sun, it would, like, perish us. But, wow. Just wow. It's so warm and nice.

I closed my eyes and angled my face up to the sky, which was growing darker slowly. I then looked back at Shadyside. Started backing up, watching it get smaller. 

God, it was so nice. It was warm and orange and pretty and did I say warm? 

I was just about to flop down in the grass and stare at the darkening sky when I felt by back hit something.

Chapter Text

I reached over my shoulder and grabbed what I ran into. I swung it over my shoulder, only to see it was a... person?

They were now lying on the ground in front of me, groaning in pain.

“Holy sh- are you ok?” I knelt down to help them up.

“Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, but what the hell?

They turned, and I saw it was a he. The he.

His eyes searched my face. With some kind of shock. After about three seconds, he jumped back, realizing.

”DAYWALKER!“ He screamed, ”HELP!!!“

While he was yelling, I saw his teeth. Fangs.

”VAMPIRE!“ I yelled in unison.

Then we looked at each other.

”Okay, why are you here?“ I asked.

”Uh, me? I'm here to see the sun!“ he answered, exasperated.

”So you're not a Vampire spy?“ I asked.

”What?!“ he looked offended, ”No! I thought YOU were a Daywalker spy, going to Shadyside to plot our murder!“

I sneered, ”The hell?!“

”What?!“ he started standing up. 

”I would never! You're the one who sucks blood using those fangs of yours!“

”I do not! That's just- EWW! You're the one who eats soap so your insides will be shiny!“

”What?! Eww! No! They are naturally shiny!“

”You threw me!“ 

”REFLEXES!“

He glared, ”Daywalker.“

I scowled, ”Vampire.“

”Daywalker!“

”Vampire!“

”DAYWALKER!“

”VAMPIRE!“

We both waited a beat.

”This argument is getting nowhere,“ I said.

”No shit,“ he replied.

”State your name,“ I ordered.

”You state yours,“ he fired back.

”Fine. Nova. And yours?“

”Victor,“ he held out his hand. I didn't take it.

”Ok, I have something kinda crazy to say.“

”So do I,“ Victor answered.

”Okay, here goes. I've been having... visions? Of you.“

”That is crazy because, me too!“

”That can't be true.“

”Well, it is, Daywalker.“

”Nova,“ I correct. 

Victor grins, ”You know, I could bring you back to Shadyside. Have you put in the dungeons and tortured until the Daywalkers agree that us Vampires are the best.“

”Hmm,“ I tilted my head, ”You don't got the guts.“

”I got the guts for a lotta things, Nova,“ he scoffed. 

”Oh yeah? Prove it.“

He looked down, then up, then to the left. Then he gave me a look. Then he sighed, ”God, why do you Daywalkers gotta be so... UGH!“

”You're an ass, Victor,“ I said, walking away. Back towards Sunnyside. It was almost dark. Then I'd have seen the stars and life would be complete.

”Wait!“

I turned around. Stared at him. Victor's eyes bore into mine.

”Will you...“ he trailed off, ”Will you come back tomorrow? I'll... I'll come back here. To this meadow.“

”... Why, Victor?“

”I dunno. All I do know is that I wanna see you again. And... preferably where I'm not on the ground in pain.“

I laughed. ”Fine. But only so I can study your actions to learn more about your kind.“

”Ouch,“ he smirked, ”Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow, Nova.“

”See you tomorrow, asshole.“

I ran off, only glancing back once. But that was enough to catch his grin. 

If only Ray could see me now.

Chapter Text

I was just heading back to the palace when Vera cornered me.

“Why are you smiling like an idiot?”

“I am not smiling like an idiot,” I defended, “I am smiling like a guy who just saw the sun for the first time and she's the prettiest thing ever.”

Vera cocked an eyebrow, “'She'?”

“Uh, yeah. Mrs. Sun,” I covered.

Vera laughed, “God, less than an hour of sunlight and it's made you delusional.”

“Vera, Vera, Vera,” I cringed internally because I know what I'm about to ask is going to make her very very very mad. “I need you to... cover for me again.”

“WHAT?! You said this was the first and last time!”

“Yeah, but I need to go back!”

“Why?!”

“I..”

“You met a girl!”

I blushed. I felt myself blush. God.

“Oh. My. God. Is she cute? Hot? Se-”

“Vera!”

She laughed. I was so glad it's always dark here in Shadyside because damn, I know I'm blushing hard.

“Wait... Vampires don't leave Shadyside.”

Oh, shit. 

“That means...”

Vera gave me a look, “What is she?”

“She's a...”

“Human?”

I had to hold in my sigh of relief, “Yeah, yeah, a human.”

“Good. Because for a second there, I thought she was a Daywalker or something.”

“Nope,” I gritted my teeth in a smile, “Not at all.”

Vera sighed, “My little baby's growing up so fast. Sneaking out, falling in love, having se-”

“THAT'S ENOUGH!”

She laughed, “Oh, you poor thing. Still single and depressed and emotionally unavailable.”

I rolled my eyes and walked away.

Nova. Yeah. Wonder how that sounds with my last name. Nova Cruorem. Hmm... Yeah, I'm so dead.

Chapter Text

The next day, I snuck back out. As I said I would. I'm walking through the meadow, watching the dark sky.

I don't even realize there's someone behind me until I feel arms around my waist.

“Holy sh- Victor!”

He laughed, “Aww, did I scare you, Daywalker?”

“Let go of me, you jackass!”

“You like calling me names that have the word 'ass' in them, huh?”

I rolled my eyes, “Let go.”

“You're not fun,” he said, releasing my waist.

“Never claimed to be,” I smirked over my shoulder.

He groaned and flopped down in the grass, “Why do I even bother?”

I sat next to him, leaning on my palms. I hummed a little. He looked up at me.

“You've never seen the night sky before?” he asked.

“Not since yesterday, no.”

He smiled, “First time I saw the sun.”

I laughed.

“Uh, Nova?”

I looked at him. He had pretty eyes.

“Yes, Victor?”

“I... I've seen you before. In my dreams. I... I have proof. I've drawn you hundreds of times.”

“Yeah, you said so yesterday. After I said the same.”

“Yeah, but why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do we have visions of each other?”

I shrugged. Couldn't answer that. Always asked myself why I dreamed of the Vampire boy.

“Look, I know we're different and all-” 

“No kidding,” he said, deadpan.

“-But I think we could... work our differences out. You know. Be... friends.”

“As a friend, could I respectfully kiss you?”

“The fuck?!” I glared.

“What?” he shrugged, “Not my fault you're my dream girl... Literally. You've haunted my dreams since I was 3.”

I gave him a look. His only response was:

“That's not a no.”

“You little-”

I tackled him and pinned him down.

“Ha.”

He laughed, “You're on top of me.”

“Yes. Strategic vantage point. Best position for ground-n-pound.”

“Oh my God, you're the hottest girl I've ever met.”

I felt my neck heat up. I glared.

“What? You're sitting on me, threatening to punch my face into the dirt!”

“Masochist,” I muttered, standing up.

He groaned, “Why'd you have to move?”

I laughed, “Come on, Vampire. Up and at 'em.”

He sighed and stood up.

“Can you really make wind?” I asked after a few minutes of us walking.

“Yeah,” he answered, “It's chill.”

“Can you... can you show me?”

He grinned. And then Victor's eyes start to glow. A faint breeze stirs around him. He extends his hands, his fingers splayed, and a swirling vortex of air begins to for at his command. 

“Wow.”

He looks at me, stopping his little magic show. “Impressed?”

I laughed. 

“I have an odd question,” he said, looking deep into my eyes.

“Yeah?”

“How would you feel about, I dunno, dating a Vampire? In secret, I mean.”

“Why, you got someone in mind?” I teased.

“Come on, Nova, it could be great. We could sneak out every night, kiss under the moonlight and you can punch my nose into oblivion and we could be happily free for a few hours!”

“There's no way! My dad-”

“Doesn't have to know,” Victor interrupted, “Just us. You and me. And the meadow.”

I looked at him. He looked... kinda scared. Like a no would break him. But also... confident, like he already knew my answer.

“If I say yes, you're not allowed to kiss me.”

“Oh, I'm so gonna kiss you.”

“Fine.”

He grabbed my waist and pulled me into him, his lips meeting mine. He tasted like blood fruit tarts and chocolate cake. Something I wouldn't have wanted together yet now want to call my favorite. 

His lips moved against mine softly, yet deeply, like he knew exactly what he wanted but didn't wanna rush it. 

When he pulled away, his eyes stared into mine.

“Well then,” I choked out, my voice breathless.

“Well then indeed,” he grinned.

“I'll see you tomorrow, dumbass.”

“See you tomorrow, Nova.“

He kissed me one last time, and then disappeared into the night.

Chapter Text

I got about a week before people started questioning where I went at night. It was getting harder for Vera to cover for me. Especially when I came back with swollen lips and messy hair.

By they, I mean Vargas and his small band of elite soldiers. My Aunt recruited them to "protect" Shadyside. Mhm, sure, Auntie Eldress. 

I snuck out again, grinning when I saw Nova staring at the sunset.

“Well, well, well,” I grinned, coming up behind her, “Don't you look ravishing tonight.”

She blushed, “Ok then, Vampire. Chill.”

“No, really. You look so good, it makes me wanna bite you. Bite you until you beg for me to stop... or keep going.”

“Oh my God, Victor!” she punched my shoulder. Hard. Worth it.

“Oh, come on, it's not my fault I want to leave marks all over that pretty skin of yours. Just imagine how pretty my bite marks would be on this neck.” I ran a finger down the side of her neck gently.

“You're such a Vampire!” she scowled.

“Is my Daywalker princess getting all flustered?”

“I am not above punching you, Victor. I will ground-n-pound you this time.”

God, I loved it when she threatened me. 

I laughed. 

“So, what do you wanna do today?” Nova asked.

“I have a proposal,” I replied.

“A little too early for that, don't you think, Victor?”

I glared, but kept talking. “I was thinking... do you wanna see Shadyside?”

“Tonight?”

“Yeah!” I grinned, grabbing her arm, ready to pull her, “It's nice. I think you'll like it.”

Nova thought for a moment. I could almost hear her thoughts. “Yes, I'd love to see the town where my illegal boyfriend lives. But I could risk being seen and then captured and possibly start a war. No, not possibly. Definitely.” 

“Come on, it won't be that bad,” I started pulling her by her arm. 

----/------

When we got to Shadyside, I led her to the shadows. It was dark, yeah, but even darker when we're stinking through alleyways.

“Is it daytime or nighttime here?” she whispered in my ear. I had to bite my tongue to pretend that it didn't do anything to my imagination.

“Night,” I said like it was obvious.

“How do you wake up? There's no light!”

I shrugged, “Come on, Nova.”

I kept pulling her. She kept her hood up with her free hand. 

“You dress like a Daywalker,” I mumbled into her ear.

“I am one?”

“If you're seen, they'll spot you immediately. Take off your hoodie.”

She narrowed her eyes, “That was fast.”

“Just do it, Nova.”

She rolled her eyes but didn't protest. I took off my jacket and put it on her. A little big, but it covered her bracelet. Aka, dead giveaway for a Daywalker. 

“Victor!”

I knew that voice. Vera. I grabbed the hood of my jacket (which was now on Nova) and yanked it over her head.

“Oh my God, is this the girl you've been sneaking out for?!”

“Say it a little louder, Vera,” I rolled my eyes, “Don't think they heard you in Sunnyside.”

“Who's this?” Nova whispered.

“Uh, this is Vera. My best friend,” I answered.

“Oh! Victor's told me a lot about you!” she grinned. All the teeth.

“Wish I could say the same. All Victor's told me is that you're a human!” Vera answered.

“That's me!” Nova side-eyed me, “The human.”

“So, what brings you to Shadyside on this fine night?” Vera asked. 

“Victor dragged me,” Nova answered, deadpan. “Literally.”

“I did not!” I defended, my voice going up an octave or two, “I was strategically pulling you!”

Vera laughed, “Where you draggin' her, Victor, the palace?”

“Why the hell would I take her there?”

“Because your bedroom is there,” Vera smirked. Nova blushed. I felt my own cheeks heat up as well.

“Ok, let's go, my very human secret girlfriend,” I said, turning around and pulling Nova behind me, “Better get you out of here before your very human father realizes you're out past your very human curfew.”

“Wait!” Vera called, “I didn't catch your name?”

“N-”

“Natalie,” I interrupted, “Her very human name is Natalie.”

Nova glared.

Once we were out of Shadyside, Nova shoved me.

“Natalie?”

“Ok, so you want to risk Vera learning your name, and your face, and possibly running into her LOOKING like a Daywalker and realizing?”

“I...” she looked down, “Didn't think about that.”

“Admit it: You need me.”

“Tell anyone and I will light you on fire in your sleep.”

Noted. 

“So, Imma head back now. Ray is... probably suspecting.”

I smiled. God. Only a week in and I think I've already fallen head over fangs for this girl.

“Come here,” I whispered.

She took a step closer. I cupped her cheeks and stared into her hazel eyes. Her pretty eyes.

“If it wasn't clear, I'm gonna kiss you now, ok?”

Her lips parted just slightly. If that wasn't a yes, then I don't know what is.

I pressed my lips to hers. Nova. My Daywalker. The girl I should be ashamed to be with. There's a law, old as Vampire kind:

Have any sort of relation with a Daywalker, and you'll be defanged.

Defanging is a Vampire's worst nightmare. It's painful and they don't grow back. Without the fangs, you lose everything. The ability to control wind. Social status. And, most importantly, the ability to eat blood fruit. And without that, well... you die.

But God, Nova made me want that. Want to be defanged just to be with her. Maybe she's right. Maybe I am a masochist.

I pulled away and leaned my forehead against hers.

“Nova?” I whispered.

“Yes, Victor?” she replied, voice low.

“I'd do anything to protect you,” I closed my eyes.

She breathed out. I felt it fan across my face softly, like a windstorm made by hundreds of tiny Vampires.

“Why?” she asked after a few moments.

“Because, Nova,” I brought my head up to look into her eyes, “You're everything to me.”

And I meant it.

Every. Damn. Word.

Chapter Text

I snuck back into Sunnyside and ran right into Ray. Literally.

“Where the hell were you?” he whisper-yelled.

“Out,” I answered, walking past him.

“Nuh-uh. You're not leaving until I get answers,” he said, grabbing my wrist.

“Nothing,” I scowled.

“Why are your lips so puffy?”

I flinched. Right. That.

“I... kissed a cactus?”

“Who is he?”

“Who's... who?”

“Him. I've seen your sketchbook, Nova. The boy you draw? Is that him?”

I opened my mouth to reply, but Ray cut me off.

“He's not one of us, is he?”

“Even if there was a he - which there isn't - it'd be none of your business, Ray.”

“It kind of is. I'm your soon-to-be betrothed, Nova. Think of your people. Your father. Would he approve?”

No. Not at all. 

“Why does it matter? He doesn't approve of anything.”

Ray doesn't have a comeback for that one. He just sighs and walks off.

----/------

When I got back to the palace, I looked down at myself. Victor gave me back my hoodie before we parted ways, and I gave him back his jacket. Kinda sad. Wanted to keep it. Maybe sleep in it, wear it when I'm sad, because it smells like him and he makes me happy. 

Note to self: ask Victor to bring an extra jacket of his so I'll be able to have one. He won't mind. 

I sat down and started braiding my hair. Victor. God, what have I become? There's a rule all Daywalkers know:

If you so much as speak to a Vampire without it being an argument, you'll be burned alive in front of the whole village. 

It's kinda sad. Victor isn't scary and he doesn't want my blood. He told me that no Vampire wants blood at all. Just blood fruit.

I look out the window. It's so bright. I've spent every 'night' in actual night with Victor out in the meadow for the past week. I almost forgot that the sun never sets here in Sunnyside. 

God, he makes me smile. Victor Cruorem, the only Vampire in history to want a Daywalker. 

I closed my eyes and saw him. Not my usual daydream. But... another vision.

“Nova!”

He looked up and screamed my name again. Victor was being held back by two of these big Vampire guys, who were both wearing leather jackets and combat boots.

“Let her go!”

“Sorry, Victor, but that's not possible. The Eldress won't be happy to hear her nephew and supposed next leader is sitting in a meadow, pillow talking up a Daywalker,” this other guy - also Vampire, but better style than the other two holding Victor back - said.

“She hasn't done anything, let her go!”

“You'll be defanged for this, for sure, but I'm sure the Eldress will make you watch the torture of your little daybie.”

“She is not a 'daybie', Vargas. She's the daughter of Commander Bright! Taking her will declare war immediately!”

I struggled, trying to get out of the two guys holding me hostage's grip. Wasn't working. 

I gasped. The vision ended.

Defanged? Vampires remove the fangs of their own kind?

I can't imagine Victor going through that. But then;

“I'd do anything to protect you.” 

Victor... he knows. He knows if anyone finds out, he's going to lose his fangs. Is that bad? I have to find out.

----/------

The next day, I found my father in the war room, standing above a model of Sunnyside. Every detail perfect and accurate. 

“Father?”

“Nova!” he didn't look up, “What do you need?”

“I need to ask you a question.”

“Get on with it. I have a meeting.”

“When a Vampire gets defanged, what happens?”

“... Nova, how do you know what that means?”

“Well, 'de' is a simple prefix meaning take out and 'fang'-”

“Where did you hear it?”

“In... a book.”

My dad sighed. “Well, when a Vampire's fangs are removed, they lose all power. Socially, physically, and emotionally. Then they can't eat blood fruit, causing them to die.”

I gasped. That could happen to Victor? My Victor? 

“How often does that happen?”

“Whenever a Vampire commits treason. I don't know. Hundred something years or whatever. I haven't spoken to their Eldress in years. Last time I did was before you were born. She wanted to expand. That's the last time we went to war.”

“What counts as treason in Shadyside?”

“Stealing from the Eldress, killing someone, and... talking to a Daywalker.”

I swallowed hard. I'm a Daywalker. Victor is not.

“Thanks, Father.”

“Yeah yeah. Now, don't you have things to do? Off you go.”

I walked out of the war room, knowing tonight would be the hardest night of my life.

Chapter Text

I snuck back out, excited to see Nova again. She makes me feel like I'm more than just a Vampire who's supposed to lead them all one day. But when I got the the meadow, I saw her sitting in the grass, head in her hands.

“Nova?” I knelt down next to her.

She looked up, “You're early.”

“Yeah. Couldn't wait to see you. What's wrong?”

She let out a shaky breath, “I'm sorry, Victor.”

“Sorry for what?”

“Sorry for what I'm about to do,” she whispered.

I searched her eyes. She looked like she had been crying. I reached out and wiped her eye with my thumb. “Hey, it's ok. Don't worry. Whatever happened, we'll get through it together, ok?”

She shook her head, “Not this time, Victor.”

Her voice was kinda raspy. She was definitely crying before.

“I don't understand.”

She didn't meet my eyes. I felt a pang in my heart. My insides clenched. I knew what she was going to say. Just by her eyes.

“No no no no no, Nova, don't do this. We're ok! Better than ok! You don't have to-”

“I'm not going to the cause of your death, Victor,” she murmured, standing up.

“You're not going to kill me, Nova. Maybe just break my nose, but I don't mind!” I stood up as well.

“You could be defanged for being with me.”

I froze. How does she know what that is? The only Daywalker who knows is the Commander, since their leader is always invited to watch a defanging. That's how it is.

“No, Nova, that... no, don't think about that.”

“How can I not, Victor? You're going to die just for being with me!”

I kissed her quickly, hoping that she'd realize that I don't even care. I just want her. Not my social status or my fangs or even my life. Just my Daywalker. “Come on, Nova. You know that they'll never find us!”

She shook her head again, “I can't do that to you.”

“You're able to threaten to burn me alive while I'm sleeping, but you won't let me love you because I might die?”

“Yes!” she exclaimed, “It's different because you know I'd never actually- did you say love?”

I froze. Blushed. Regretted every life choice I've ever made.

“It doesn't matter. You're leaving me, aren't you?”

“I...”

Nova thought for a moment. 

“I think I love you too,” she mumbled, “And that's why I have to leave you.”

“That's not how that works!”

“I love you enough to do this to keep you safe, Victor!”

“I don't want to be safe! I just want you!”

“I wouldn't be able to forgive myself!”

“Nova, come on!”

I felt tears roll down my face. She couldn't leave me. She couldn't. I needed her. I felt pathetic.

“Please don't cry, Victor,” she pleaded, “This is hard enough for me. I can't second-guess this.”

“Start second-guessing! I need you, Nova! I know we've only known each other for like, two weeks, but let me tell you this. Every day, all I can even think of is the night to come. This fucking meadow! Stay with me, Nova, please. We can run! There's a whole world out there! Where there's no Daywalkers or Vampires or civil wars. Just us!”

“Victor...”

I kissed her. Hard and deep and a confession in itself. Tears kept spilling from my eyes. They started mingling with hers. I couldn't tell who was crying anymore. 

“If this is our last kiss,” I murmured between kisses, “You better make it good. Would hate to end our relationship on a bad note.”

I backed her up a few steps and pinned her to the truck of that tree we sat in on the third night. That's the day she told me that she's technically engaged to some dumbass named Ray. Whatever. He's not me. 

She gasped. I swallowed the sound.

“Mine,” I said against her lips. 

Her hands grabbed the collar of my jacket. She yanked me closer. I complied happily, my lips pressing to hers harder.

“Tell me you don't want this,” I nipped at her bottom lip, careful of my fangs. I didn't want to pierce the skin.

“Victor,” she gasped.

“Tell me,” I said in a voice so low it sounded like a growl, “To pull away.”

She breathed out my name again. God, that sounded so nice. 

“Say it again,” I scowled. God, I didn't want her to leave me. Maybe that's why I was kissing her out of anger. 

Nova didn't kiss me like she was saying goodbye. She kissed me like we'd done it a hundred times and were going to do it a thousand more. And that's what I wanted. To kiss her every night and tell her that she's all I need. Because it's true.

Then she pulled away.

“I-”

I chased her lips and kissed her again, cutting her off.

“Please, Nova,” I whispered, lips not leaving hers, “Don't walk away. I don't bite.”

My hands buried themselves in her hair. She pulled me closer. 

That's right. You need me. 

----/------

Then she left. We stopped making out like the world was ending and she whispered another “I'm sorry” and then she left

 I slunk against the tree and put my head in my hands. 

Why does the world have to be so hard? 

I wondered that if I sat long enough, maybe she'd turn around and run into my arms. Be mine again. But I knew deep down that Nova wasn't coming back. I sighed, biting back tears. Why did I have to be a Vampire and she a Daywalker? Why?

Then I heard a bloodcurdling scream coming from the way Nova had walked. Coming from the path back to Sunnyside.

Nova.

Chapter Text

I was walking back to Sunnyside, biting my lip so I didn't cry. My hands were shoved deep in my pockets, and my eyes were down on the ground.

You did the right thing, Nova. Don't overthink this.

I heard someone come behind me. I immediately thought it was Victor, and I sighed, turning around, not looking up.

“Victor, I know that you don't want me to le-”

I looked up and stopped. 

That's not Victor.

It was the guy from my vision. The one Victor had called "Vargas".

“Well, well, well. If it isn't the Daywalker princess whom our Victor cares so much about.”

“Who the hell are you?” I asked.

“Captain Vargas of the Protectors of the Vampire Empire.”

“... You need a better name.”

“Yeah, we know. We're working on it,” he rolled his eyes, “But back to the kidnapping.”

“Kidnapping?!”

“Yes! What part of the uninvited audience, the ominous evil voice, and me saying 'if it isn't the Daywalker Victor cares so much about' didn't make sense?!” 

I felt a hand grab my wrist, and the fingers gripped it too tightly. I screamed out in pain. 

“Let go of me, you bastard!”

Vargas walked over to me, tilting my chin up with his pointer finger, “Well, you are rather pretty. Maybe that's why Victor kept sneaking out. Vampires aren't really fond of being playthings. But Daywalkers-”

“She's not a plaything.”

I looked past Vargas's shoulder. Victor was standing there, arms crossed, scowling.

“Now let my Daywalker go.”

Vargas laughed, “Aww, you know I can't do that, Victor.”

“I said,” his eyes started glowing, and wind started to spiral around him slowly, “Let. Her. Go.”

“You'll be defanged for this, Victor,” Vargas responded.

The wind around Victor swirled faster. I felt it blowing my hair around.

“Victor!” I cried as the guy behind me's hand tightened on my wrists.

“Don't touch my Daywalker,” Victor growled.

Vargas couldn't stand straight in the wind. Then I saw another Vampire coming up behind Victor, holding a fat stick in his hand like a club. 

“Victor!” I screamed again, louder this time, “Behind you!”

Victor went to turn around, but then the stick slammed down on his head. He went unconscious, falling to the ground.

“No!” I cried.

I tried to light a fire, but my bracelet was... missing? The Lightstone inside makes it possible for me to make fire! Where the hell is it?!

Then Vargas held up his hand. The guy behind me threw him something. Vargas caught it, and held it up for me to see. My bracelet.

“Looking for this, Bright?”

“Give it back,” I sneered.

I felt a sharp pain in my skull.

Then the world went black.

Chapter Text

When I woke up, I was lying in a cell. My skull throbbed. My vision was blurry. I sat up and held my head in my hands. God, it hurt.

Then I looked up. I saw Nova was lying unconscious in the cell next to me. There were bars separating us.

“Nova!” I stood, running to the bars. Good lord, my head hurt. But I didn't care.

She didn't move. At first, I thought they killed her. My memory was fuzzy. I just remember hearing her scream. In pain. And then I saw Vargas. And then I saw black.

Wow. Such a vivid stroll down memory lane. 

Then she rolled over an inch, winced, and her hands went to her head.

“Oww,” she murmured in pain.

“Nova!”

She opened her eyes, which were previously squinted shut, and looked across her cell and into mine.

“Victor?” she whispered.

“It's me, Nova,” I soothed, “You're ok.”

“Where are we?” she started to sit up. She didn't deserve to be here. In this Vampire Dungeon cell, far from Sunnyside.

She stood up, but wobbled, clutching her head.

“I can barely see,” she confessed. 

“Relax, my love. I'm... going to figure this out.”

“They're going to kill me,” she whispered, sitting back down.

“No! Don't think that. If they killed anyone, it'd be me, since I'm the one who committed treason, an-”

“My father,” she mumbled, interrupting me, “Is going to light me on fire.”

“... Why?”

“For being with you, obviously,” Nova clutched her skull tighter.

“Holy shit, Nova! Why didn't you tell me how much danger you were in?!”

“Because I love you!”

So... not past tense. That's a plus, I guess. 

“I don't wanna die, Victor,” she started to cry, wincing at every tear. It must've hurt like hell. My heart ached at the sight of her in pain, but now is fully in depression now that she's both crying and in pain.

“You're not going to,” I tried to sound reassuring, though I didn't feel it, “Not on my watch.”

She looked up, “Why are you so far away?”

“Different cells, baby,” I looked around, clutching the bars separating me from my whole heart (which was Nova, if that wasn't clear.)

“That's a new one,” she chuckled a little, biting her lip in pain. She looked like she regretted laughing. 

“What?”

“You called me 'baby',” she answered, “That's new.”

I smiled. Even in these scenarios, Nova could still make me smile.

Then I heard the door open. Not to my cell. That'd be stupid. But to the dungeons.

Vargas and his minions (read: buff baffoons) strolled in like they owned the place. Vargas at the front, the other four in pairs behind him.

“Well, well, well. Look who finally got knocked down a peg. Or 50,” Vargas smirked, walking up to my cell. His hands were behind his back like he was hiding something, and his lips were in a smirk.

“Vargas, let her go,” I sneered, “You have me. You can kill me, for all I care. I don't give any actual fucks. But let Nova go.”

“Why would I do that when the Eldress already agreed that she can watch your defanging and then be executed directly after? That way you have to watch her die.”

My Aunt agreed to WHAT. 

“I request an audience with the Eldress.”

“Prisoners don't really get 'audiences' with the leader of Shadyside, Victor. They don't get requests at all, really.”

“She needs medical attention, Vargas! Look at her!”

Nova winced at the level of my voice. I immediately lowered it, “At least get her a medic. She might not survive till the execution if her condition is bad enough.”

Vargas took a look at Nova. She wasn't really listening to the conversation. She was just sitting on the edge of her shitty cell bed, head in her hands, biting her lip so she didn't start crying. He sighed.

“Fine. A medic. That it?”

“I'd like to speak to my aunt. She can come down here, you can take me up there; I don't care. Let me speak to her.”

He looked back at his squad. They were standing in a uniformed line, arms crossed, eyes unforgiving. He sighed again.

“I'll see what I can do.”

“Thank you, Vargas. If only your soul was as kind as your last two recent actions.”

“Don't push it, Cruorem,” he bared his teeth, showing off his fangs, “I still have two of these. You won't be able to say the same in a few days.”

I glanced back at Nova.

“One last thing.”

“You're asking an awful lot of favors for a guy who is to be defanged.”

“Let me in her cell. I won't escape. Just let me help her. Please. I can't- I can't watch her like this. In pain.”

Vargas moved his hands from behind his back. He was holding a key. He held it up to the keyhole of my cell, looking at me.

“You're a good guy, Victor. I don't want you do be defanged. But this is the way it is.”

“I know,” I nodded. Then (whisper-yelling, becuase NOVA): “Wait. You don't want me to be defanged?!”

“Of course not,” Vargas replied, eyeing me like I was stupid, “You and I have been friends since we were like, 5. Not good ones, but friends. And, although loyal to the crown, I'm loyal to my friends.”

“We could change that. I mean, I think I could forgive you for hitting my girlfriend and knocking her unconscious.”

“You could?”

“Yeah. Under certain conditions.”

“Which are?”

“One: You talk to my aunt about me talking to her.”

“Done.”

“Two: You try to see what you can do about stopping the execution of Nova.”

“... Not you?”

“I don't give a shit about me. It's Nova I care about.”

“Noted.”

“And, Three: You talk to a Daywalker named Ray. He'll come looking for Nova. And if you don't tell him what happened, he's going to tell Commander Bright of the Daywalkers and then we'll have war.”

“So you want me to commit treason to protect your chick from the consequences of committing treason?”

I glared. Vargas shut up.

“Do we have a deal?” I held my hand out through the bars.

He looked at it. Took a deep breath. And then shook it. “Deal.”

Then Vargas unlocked my cell. I stepped out. He turned and unlocked Nova's, then opened it. He motioned for me to go in.

I basically ran inside. “Nova, baby, I'm here now. It's okay now.”

She looked up at me. She searched my face like she couldn't see me. At first, I thought it was the dim lighting (we're in a Vampire dungeon, people. It's dark), but then I remembered what she said. “I can barely see.” Right.

I cupped her cheeks lightly, “You're okay now. We're gonna be just fine.”

“Why are you lying?” she whispered, “I know I'm going to die. I know you're going to die. We're all going to die.”

I sighed. Brushed my lips against her forehead, “I know, my love. I know.”

I know.

Chapter Text

When I woke up, I couldn't tell what time it was. Or what day it is, for that matter. All I knew was that Victor was holding me like I was going to break, it was dark as shit in this dungeon, and that my head was pounding. Or a word worse than pounding. I couldn't really think of one. Thinking hurt.

Then I heard footsteps. They sounded too loud. My head ached.

I must've made a noise of pain or discomfort or whatever, because Victor wrapped his arms around me tighter and whispered, “Hey, shh, it's ok,” into my ear softly, lips brushing my shoulder not long after.

I slammed my eyes shut as the footsteps got louder. Someone - multiple someones - were coming. 

Then the cell door unlocked.

“Miss Bright?”

I looked up. My vision was blurry, but an older guy was standing in front of me. Late 40s, early 50s. I think he was wearing glasses? As I said: BLURRY VISION.

“Keep your voice down,” Victor whispered to the man, “Sounds give her headaches.”

I think the man nodded. He knelt in front of me, placing his bag on the floor next to him.

“I need you to tell me where it hurts and how much, ok?” he whispered. I breathed out, mumbling an agreement.

He pressed two fingers to my cheek. I didn't react. He moved up to my forehead. I winced.

“A little,” I answered.

He nodded, moving up to the top of my head. I let out what I think was a interjection/whimper. Victor's arms tightened around me. The man moved his hand, now digging in his bag.

“Can you see?” he asked while he kept searching for who-knows-what in his bag.

“Not really,” I replied softly, “Blurry.”

He made a “mhmm” sound and nodded.

“What about ringing in the ears?”

“No.”

He picked something up. Squinted at it. Then put it back. Why the hell was it so dark in this goddamned cell?

“What about balance?”

“She can't stand without wobbling,” Victor answered. 

The man nodded, stood up, and walked out of the cell. I heard faint whispering.

“Hey,” Victor whispered, “You okay?”

“Just peachy,” I replied, “My head hurts, I'm going to die, my boyfriend is going to die, and to top it off, I can't even see. 5 stars. The lighting is perfect. Photoshoot worthy. Would come back again.”

He chuckled at my sarcasm, “You're still the same, I see.”

The man walked back in, Var-whatever on his tail.

“So, it seems Miss Bright has a major concussion,” the man said quietly.

“When does it pass?” Victor whispered.

“Either a few days to a few weeks. It depends. I don't have the proper equipment to treat it completely. I would recommend rest-”

“We ain't leaving this dungeon anytime soon,” Victor glared.

“-And I'm going to leave some medicine with Captain Vargas. Twice a day. Once when she wakes up and once before she goes to bed.”

Victor nodded. I just sighed. Concussion smushion. Whatever. I wanted to get out, not die with a headache. But you know, we can't all get what we want. Then life would be too easy.

Victor pressed a soft kiss to my neck, causing me to immediately relax. He's here. He's okay (for now). 

For now.

Chapter Text

What I think was 7 days later, Nova was fine. Or, fine in a sense of she could see (if we're pretending she can see in this dark hellhole), and she didn't get migraines anytime someone so much as whispered. I would say she was doing great. But, alas. Not possible.

Nova had become somewhat depressed. Couldn't really blame her; she is going to die. But I don't think she's worried about that. To be completely honest, she was more worried about me being defanged.

“Victor?”

I looked up from the rock - or other, equally as hard object - I was staring at and hummed.

“I wanna see the sun before I die.”

“What?”

“I wanna die in the sun. It's where I belong. I don't know how Vampires stay in these dark conditions. I can't see my own hand if it's in front of my effing face.”

I laughed. I could see her just fine. I never thought about how well Daywalkers could see in the dark before Nova. 

I kissed her shoulder softly, “If this dungeon didn't echo, I'd make sure you saw me. All of me.”

Nova blushed (yes, I could see that. Thank you very much) and I grinned. 

“You're unhinged for a 16-year-old Vampire.”

“There's other words,” I smirked, “Hot, toned, alluring, charismatic, tempting, seducti-”

“You need to relax,” She deadpanned, “We're not doing anything anytime soon.”

I frowned, “You wound me.”

Nova looked out the bars to the cell.

“Can you ask Vargas to bring me a torch? Or a lantern? Or... something that brings light?”

I looked at her. She didn't look scared, persay, just... sad. Like without light, she had no light.

“Whatever you need, my love.”

“How can you be so,” she paused for a moment, thinking, “Flirtatious at a time like this?”

“At a time like what? I'm going to die, you're going to die, and on top of all that, I'm going to die WITHOUT swollen lips. Not fun.”

I pouted, causing Nova to laugh. 

“You don't get to be cute right now.”

“I can be cute whenever I wanna be cute.”

She rolled her eyes, opening her mouth to fire back. But Vargas opened the cell door.

Where did he come from? 

“Victor,” was all he said. I stood up, kissed Nova on the forehead, and followed.

“Your Aunt agrees to speak to you.”

“I have one last request,” I nodded, ignoring the very exciting news.

“Yes?”

“Bring some damn light to this place. My Daywalker has never been out of the sun for this long. She can't take it.”

“Chill out, Victor. I already got something for her.”

“You did?”

He nodded, pulling something out of his pocket. A bracelet. A Lightsone bracelet. 

“You're giving it back... why?”

“Because it's hers?”

“But she can create fire and escape and doesn't that go against your entire plan?”

“The Eldress's plan. Look, why are you protesting? It's like you WANNA stay down here.”

I glared and held my hand out. He dropped the bracelet in my palm. It was more like a cuff. It was gold, with a red glowing Lightstone. Nova used to wear it every day; as most Daywalkers do.

“Thanks,” I mumbled to Vargas.

“No problem,” he nodded, “Just... give it to her. Ok? Oh, and say Ray knows. He... wasn't very happy to hear his fiancé was taken. And even more pressed at the fact that his fiancé is dating a Vampire. Or dating anyone, to be honest.”

I laughed. Poor Ray. So single, and not ready to mingle. 

“Oh, and before you go. I...” Vargas looked around and leaned in an inch, his voice dropping, “Have a plan.”

“Oh?”

“Let me tell you.”

----/------

I walked back to the cell after talking with Vargas, which he had left open like he knew Nova wouldn't leave. She's afraid of the dark, even if she doesn't look it. By dark, I mean scary unlit dungeons that twist and weave and make no sense. She wouldn't venture out in the dark.

I sat down next to her while Vargas relocked the cell door.

“Hey, I have a surprise for you,” I smiled.

“Hmm?”

“Hold out your hand. I would say close your eyes, but I have a feeling that it wouldn't make much of a difference.”

“You would be correct,” she held her hand out. I grabbed her wrist and pulled the hand in my direction, because she had stuck it the exact opposite. Blind as a bat, that girl was.

I placed the Lightstone bracelet in her hand. She gasped. The light it gave off was faint, but she could immediately tell what it was.

“My bracelet,” she breathed.

I helped her put it on, and it glew three times more. Daywalkers and Lightstones go together like blood fruit and trees.

“Oh my God, Victor. I absolutely love you right now.”

“Let's be real. You love me ALL the time.”

“Shut up and kiss me.”

So I did. It was soft and hard and gentle and rough and so, so, so perfect. I missed kissing Nova.

Once we pulled away (far too fast, in my opinion), she held out her hand. A beautiful little ball of fire appeared above her palm. It was warm and bright and so very Nova.

“Wow.”

She looked up at me, the fire fading, “What?”

“I've never seen you make fire. It's the,” I winked, “Hottest thing I've ever seen.”

She blushed, “You need help.”

I laughed. Nova looked so pretty when she blushed.

Don't worry, Nova. It'll be ok. I promise.

And then the cell door opened.

Chapter Text

Daywalkers and fire just go together. Like the sun and the sky. Like the beach and the sea. Like-

“You and me,” Victor interrupted my thoughts with a sly grin.

“Me and you what?”

“Can run!” he said like it was obvious, “You can literally melt the bars and we can run! Vargas wouldn't stop us!”

“I don't know where I'd be going,” I eyed Victor, “Do you?”

“... No,” he blushed a little. It was low-key adorable. 

“Then how do you presume we 'run'?”

“I dunno,” he looked into my eyes, “All I know is I didn't live enough life for me to die.”

“What didn't you get to do that you wanted to?”

“Love you longer,” he said simply. 

Now I was blushing.

The bar/door thingy opened, and in walked an older lady. She was dressed like one can only describe as: Vampire Slay Queen.

“Aunt Eldress,” Victor says, stifling.

“Oh, if it isn't the Daywalker girl who my nephew seems to have fallen head over fangs for,” she said.

I glared, “I'll have you know that I am not just any Daywalker. My father-”

“I know who your father is, Ms. Bright.”

I froze. Victor - who was sitting next to me, placed his hand on my thigh protectively.

“I just came to tell you that your executions have been moved to this afternoon.”

“There's afternoons here? Funny. I don't remember ever seeing enough light to tell what time of day it was,” I deadpanned.

“You'll learn to keep your mouth shut if you have any intention of living past 4 o'clock,” the Eldress snapped.

I clenched my fist, but Victor squeezed my leg once. Relax. I'm here. 

“And you,” she eyed Victor like he was a disease, “I expected more from my nephew. From the future leader of Shadyside.”

Victor looked down. Not in shame. His eyes didn't have any of that in them. They looked... angry. I could almost hear his thoughts:

I don't give two fucks what you think. I made my choice. And my choice is Nova. 

“Victor, you're to be defanged, then the girl is to be burned. After you watch her suffer, then we'll see if I feel like killing you or letting you die on your own. You know, suffer without blood fruit.”

I scowled. Victor just bowed his head, closing his eyes. His hand tightened on my leg. He was obviously trying not to lose it.

And then the Eldress walked out.

----/------

That afternoon (or night, as I'm calling it, since it's dark as fuck out here), Victor and I were being escorted out of the dungeons by Vargas and his crew. Vargas looked pained. Whatever.

Once we got to the square, they tied me to a stake with the perfect view of where Vargas was tying Victor to a chair. Next to the chair was a table. On the table was a pair of pliers. For his fangs.

Victor didn't even try to move.

All four of Vargas's goons started putting wood around the wooden pole I was tied to. For the fire to be lit and scorch me to death. Fun. 

Victor looked up at me. To my surprise, he didn't look like I'd expected. He smirked. And winked. Winked. Who in their right mind would wink when they're about to go through the most painful thing they're ever going to experience?

Then the crowds formed. I looked around. In a sea of Vampires, I saw one Daywalker. My father. Standing next to the Eldress.

He looked up at me with an expression I couldn't read. One part of him looked sad. Like he didn't want his daughter to die. The other parts? They all looked cold. “You deserve this,” his eyes said. 

“Now!” the Eldress's voice boomed over the mumbling Vampires, “We are here to witness the defanging of Victor Cruorem! 'Why' you may ask? Well, he was secretly dating that Daywalker girl!”

The people gasped and looked my way.

“Your future leader no more!”

The crowd cheered. The Eldress turned to Vargas, “You do the honors. Prove that you can be Shadyside's true next leader.”

Vargas visibly trembled. Then he walked over to where Victor was.

He mumbled what looked like an, “I'm sorry.”

Victor nodded solemnly.

Vargas then picked up the pliers and held them up in the air. The crowd burst into cheers again.

He held them to Victor's mouth. Victor opened his lips just enough for them to take out so said fangs. They caught the moonlight faintly.

Vargas closed the pliers on Victor's left fang. The closest to me. He didn't pull yet. Paused. Blinked a few times. 

Then smoke shrouded both of them. The smoke cleared after a few seconds, and Victor was gone. The ropes were pooled around the chair, and Vargas was standing there, shocked. The pliers were still in his hands.

I looked over at the Vampire guard next to me.

“What just happened?”

“I- I'm not totally sure. I wasn't alive for the last defanging. It was hundreds of years ago. No one actually knows what happens when a Vampire's fangs are pulled. The last one to be defanged was... well, special. That's why they survived for a few more weeks, until the blood fruit's nutrients ran dry. But... Victor... is that how defanging can kill a normal Vampire?”

I gasped. My Victor was dead?

“Yes!” the Eldress said to Shadyside, “Victor Cruorem is dead!”

They all rooted for her again. 

I sneered. The next thing I knew, the ropes tying me down were on fire. And the stake was turning to ash. I was... burning it?

That couldn't be true. They had taken my bracelet before so I COULDN'T escape. What the...?

I didn't stop to think. I broke free.

“Hey! Stop! You there!”

I scowled at Vargas, “You!”

“Me?” he looked around, scared.

“Yes, you! You killed him!”

“I-”

I hurled a fireball at him, “You motherfucking asshole!”

Vargas screamed (like a little girl, if we're being honest) and jumped behind the table like it'd save him. The fire just barely missed him. Dammit.

“Stop her! Get her now!” the Eldress barked at her guards. They started to run at me. I rolled my eyes.

“Come any closer and I'll show you what it means to cross a Daywalker,” I spit, fire forming in my hands. Without the Lightstone bracelet.

Half of them backed off, froze, or ran like cowards. The other half? Either inched closer or swarmed in.

I felt the warmth from my hands rush through my entire body, reaching down to the ground. It spread like a locked missile; going to each and every one of the soldiers. 

I could hear Victor's soft voice in my head. “Don't do this. It's ok. You're fine without me.” But I knew better. Yeah, right. Fine without him.

I pursed my lips and watched one of the soldiers turn to ashes. Literally. The fire I created was blue. I could feel it radiating off of everything. It was glorious. To see everyone who'd hurt my Victor cry out in pain. Some of them were screaming. Some of them were crying. All of them were dying.

After I'd 'cooled down', I'd killed at least 50 guards. Well. Didn't think I'd ever cross Mass Murder off my bucket list.

But inside, it didn't make me feel any better. I started running before they could catch me. I caught my father's eye as I ran. He smiled softly. I could read that expression perfectly. That's his 'you showed them who's boss' face.

The Eldress was screaming at people to run after me. But no one followed. I'd become a psychopathic killer. Who in their right mind would follow a psychopathic killer?

But there was still a piece of my heart missing. Scratch that; my whole heart. Without Victor, I was nothing. I needed him.

And now he's gone.

Chapter Text

Alright, alright, alright. I know what you're thinking. “Victor's dead and he let his girlfriend become a killer of like 50 people and now what?”. Well, my friends, you would be wrong.

See, yes, I did let Nova kill those guards. One, because it was literally the hottest thing I'd ever seen. Two, because I couldn't stop her yet. And three, I had just faked my death. I couldn't just... COME BACK. That's not how that works.

Yes, I faked my death. Wanna know how I did it?

First, Vargas has come up with the plan a day earlier. He had told me directly after he gave me Nova's bracelet. 

Secondly, the pliers. Those pliers weren't just for fang pulling. No, they were for a multitude of other things. Their jaws also functioned as scissors to cut the knot in the rope. The rope that tied me to the chair. And they also were loaded with dry ice in the handles. So, with the press of a button that looks like a screw on the bottom of the left handle, you could omit fake fog... stuff. I don't actually know/care how to describe it. Back to my escape.

Third, while we were covered, Vargas would use the pliers to cut the knot that held the ropes up. When he tied me to that chair, he made sure it was a knot easily cut. Or else the plan wouldnt work. 

Fourth, I ran. I ran and watched as my girlfriend swore at Vargas, and lit fire to basically the whole Shadyside square. It was so hot (pun intended).

My beautiful escape. My glorious plan. Why did I fake my death? Well, that's quite easy. 

I didn't wanna die. I didn't wanna die. And, oh, did I mention I didn't want to die?

And I know what you're thinking. I left Nova to die on her own and blah blah blah. Wrong again.

I knew Nova would get mad. I knew she'd escape. I just... didn't anticipate the homicide. Oops.

Chapter Text

I was sitting on a log in the middle of some dark woods. Somewhere in Shadyside, I'm sure. Bloodfruit was growing on the trees. I'm guessing it was the Vampires' orchard. 

I was crying. My Victor was gone. I heard footsteps behind me, and I didn't look up.

“I'm sorry for killing everyone. If you're here to arrest me, just do it quick. I'll-”

“Well, if it isn't Natalie.”

I looked up and over my shoulder. It was the girl Victor was best friends with. Vera.

“I...”

She sat next to me, “So. You're a homicidal murderer now.”

I huffed a chuckle. God.

“So, Natalie, why don't we talk about how you're not human.”

“Why are you here?”

“Because they killed my best friend. And, frankly, you're a magical Daywalker who doesn't need a Lightstone to cause an explosion. Victor would be impressed.”

I held my head in my hands. Why'd they have to take him from me? 

More steps behind us. I sighed, looking up. It was Ray.

“Ray?” I whispered.

“Hey, Nova,” he smiled a little.

“Why...”

“I called in a few friends,” someone from behind a tree said. Their voice was familiar.

They stepped out. Vargas.

“You little sh-”

Vera held me back, “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Pause for a second, Nova. Why don't you hear what he has to say?”

“I'm sorry, Nova. I know you probably hate me-”

“I do.”

“-But if Victor meant anything to you, you'll at least hear me out.”

I sighed again. Victor meant the world to me. I suppose it couldn't hurt to listen to his killer.

“Victor-”

“Hey, y'all! I miss anything important?”

That voice...

I gasped, turning back around. Victor was standing there, grinning like he'd just won the world's biggest prize.

“Victor?” I breathed softly.

“Yeah, it's me,” he grinned. 

I stood up and reached a finger out to his shoulder. It didn't go through him. He... was alive.

“You asshole!” I punched his chest, “What the hell?!”

He made a noise that sounded like he was in pain, but that quickly blended into laughter.

“You didn't think I'd leave you alone for long, did you? You can't even be trusted for a few minutes. How many people did you incinerate again?”

I glared, and he pulled me into his arms. He buried his face in my neck and let out a long breath.

“I love you, Nova,” he murmured. Just for me to hear.

“Even when I go killing people out of anger?” I whispered back.

“Especially then,” he smiled. I could feel it against my skin. 

I caught Vera's eye. She was smiling. Like she couldn't believe Victor was still alive either.

After Victor finally let go of me, he looked at Vera, too.

“So,” she said.

“So,” he replied.

“You died.”

“I died.”

“And now you're back,” Vera cocked an eyebrow.

“And now I'm back,” Victor responded.

Vera smirked, and Victor grinned. Best friends for sure.

I looked at Ray. He was smiling at me.

“So,” he walked over to me, “Seems I was right.”

“About what?”

“Him,” he nodded at Victor. “That's the boy in your sketchbook.”

I smiled sheepishly. That was enough answer for Ray.

“I'll be the first Daywalker to support this relationship.”

“... you're not mad?”

“No,” he crossed his arms (not out of anger or anything. Just... crossed), “Why would I be? You obviously love him.”

I blushed, “That obvious?”

He just grinned.

“Nova?”

I looked to my right. Vargas was standing there, hands in his pockets, looking quite scared.

“I just wanted to apologize-”

“It's ok, Vargas. I... I'm gonna work on my anger management.”

He laughed, his figure becoming visibly less tense. I guess I wasn't so scary when I wasn't swear-screaming and hurling flaming balls of fire at him.

I looked back at Victor. He was talking to Vera, arms crossed in a mock offense gesture, his face pure joy. Victor told me once that he was worried about his friendship with Vera. He didn't know if she'd accept the two of us together. Now look at her.

----/------

I was on a walk by myself after a little while. I needed to clear my head. Reflect on the manslaughter I had done today.

“Why do you walk so fast?”

I didn't have to look up to know it was Victor. He had obviously followed me.

“I don't walk fast, you're just slow.”

He caught my wrist and gently tugged me to him.

“I missed you,” he said.

“You saw me like, two hours ago.”

“But I haven't really kissed you in like, days.”

I laughed. Of course.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me flush against him, “You know, I heard dating a murderer is quite dangerous.”

I let my head fall onto his shoulder, “I didn't mean it. I regret it a lot, actually.”

“It's ok, I still love you. Even with your poor emotional stability.”

“My boyfriend had died!”

“Fake died,” he grinned. All teeth. I could see his fangs. Both of them were still there.

And then we were kissing. He pinned me to one of the blood fruit trees and pressed his hips foward.

“I missed you,” he mumbled again, this time against my lips. 

My hands went up to his hair and threaded through it. It was soft, softer than I remembered from the meadow. It feels like an eternity since it was just Victor, me, and the meadow. God.

He nipped softly at my bottom lip and pulled it. That dragged a gasp out of me. Victor must've liked that sound, because he pressed even closer. It was almost like he wanted to mold himself into me.

“Victor,” I breathed. He kissed me harder.

“Do you know how fucking attractive you were when you were when you were lighting people on fire?” he growled, “It's not even fair.”

“I-”

He interrupted by kissing me even harder. He pressed his hips closer, if that was even possible.

“I want-”

“Victor? Nova? You guys might wanna see this...”

Victor groaned and pulled away, looking back the way we came. Vera was standing there, holdng a bloodfruit in her hands.

“What is it, Vera,” Victor said, voice monotone (it didn't even come off as a question), “Can't you see we're busy.”

“It's the bloodfruit. It's... dying.”

Chapter Text

I looked around. All the trees were withering before my eyes. I couldn't believe it. The fruit was turning brown and just... dying.

“The hell?” Nova muttered, turning in a 360, taking it all in.

“Ray was hungry, so Vargas went to pull one down. He handed it to me, and I cut it open. And...” Vera showed us the two halves of the blood fruit, “This is what was inside.”

It was brown instead of red. It looked all crinkled and gross and dead.

“Holy..” Nova trailed off. 

I poked the left one with my index finger. It flattened beneath my fingertip. It even made a weird squelching noise.

“Eww,” I wiped my finger on my jacket, “What the hell happened to it?”

“Vera!”

Vargas was running toward us. 

“What is it?” Vera said, looking over her shoulder.

“We tried three other blood fruits from three different trees. They're all the same!” he cried.

“Shadyside's in danger,” Vera whispered. Her voice's volume went up, “I need to go!”

“Vera, wait!” I called. She was already running at full speed.

“My mom- my brothers- I need to go!”

“Nova!” Ray was running over to us, too, “Do you think Sunnyside's orchard looks the same?”

Nova's face went from surprise to fear. She shoved Ray, “You need to go and make sure everyone's okay!”

“Yes, ma'am!” Ray said as he ran off. 

Nova massaged the right side of her temple, “Oh, shit. Shitshitshitshitshi-”

I grabbed her hand and laced my fingers with hers. She stopped saying "shit" like it was a sport and looked up at me. 

“You're okay,” I whispered, “Shadyside and Sunnyside will be fine. We'll figure this out.”

“How? I'm a fugitive and you're supposed to be dead!”

“Vargas, Vera, and Ray aren't. You and I can just... stay behind the scenes. The masterminds of the plan.”

She nodded softly.

“Vargas!” I called, letting go of Nova's hand. I looked around. He was... nowhere to be seen.

“Vargas?” I tried again.

Then I heard footsteps.

I turned around. Vargas was running.

“There's a tree left! One with fruit!” he yelled.

“Where?” Nova asked.

“That way!” he pointed at a small clearing. Just as he said, there was a tree (you could see it if you squinted hard enough) right there. With living blood fruit growing on it.

“Holy...” I'm pretty sure my mouth was slack. The moonlight caught the tree perfectly, and it was basically glowing. 

“Victor...” Nova looked at me, “I don't think that's a good idea.”

She read my mind. I was thinking about eating one. Love.

“Why? Look how absolutely divine they look!”

“'Divine'? I don't think so. Victor, come on. It's basically bleeding trouble.”

“But-”

“No buts. It's final. No blood fruit. Besides, if that's ALL the blood fruit that's left, shouldn't we share it with Ray, Vera, and Vargas?”

I sighed, “Yeah, you're right.”

She smiled at me.

I glanced back at the tree. It looked unreal. All bright and glowing and just... not like a normal piece of wood should. Maybe Nova was right. And besides, we definitely had to save some for the others.

----/------

Turns out, I was no good at waiting. Vargas had run off to report to the Eldress about how his 'search' had run dry. Nova and I were sitting slumped against a tree trunk.

“So,” I said, my hand inching closer to hers, “Whatcha wanna do?”

“I dunno, relax? I'm kinda tired,” she answered, eyes on the sky.

I looped my pinky with hers, “You sure about that?”

“What do you have in mind?” she looked at me.

“Well, I was kinda hoping we could finish what was happening before the whole bloodfruit thing.”

“You mean making out?”

“Precisely.”

She laughed. I swear, that was my favorite sound in the world. I leaned over and captured her mouth with mine. Soft this time. Like she was something fragile that had somehow been entrusted to me. My free hand came up and rested just under her jaw, slightly tilting it up. 

“My love,” I breathed when she pulled away. Just to breathe. Look in my eyes. And then she kissed me again.

If you'd told me a month ago that'd I'd be head over fangs for a Daywalker, I would've laughed in your face and then probably strangle you. Now?

I could never go back.

Chapter Text

About a week later, the Vampire Eldress had given up on trying to find me. The energy was running low with everyone, thanks to the blood fruit shortage. So... good for me, I guess? Mostly bad, though.

Victor hadn't even had the energy to make out with me. Cue the shuddering. That's a very scary thought.

Vera came by every what I would assume is night. I lost track of time. Why the actual fuck is it always night here? 

I looked up at the sky. The stars were pretty. Too bad I didn't have the strength to keep my eyes open for long enough. 

“Hide!”

I looked up with tired eyes and saw Ray running past me. Behind him were two guards. Vampire guards.

I hadn't seen Ray in a few days. The guards ran right past me, which was nice. I had no clue where Victor was, but I felt someone start pulling me into the bushes.

“Here,” Vera said, shoving a blood fruit into my mouth. I swear, I almost choked.

“The hell?” I mumbled with a full mouth.

“SHHH!” Vera glared. I felt my energy immediately pick up. God, finally.

“Where the hell is Victor?” I whispered, peering between the leaves.

“No clue. He ran in,” Vera said, “And he said 'Let's play Hide and Seek!' and then he ran off again. I hid here, and then Ray was running from some guards. I suppose 'Hide and Seek' was keywords for 'GUARDS COMING, RUN AND HIDE'.”

I rolled my eyes. Victor, that idiot.

Vera crawled out from under the bush and ran. I sighed. Alone, again. 

I then heard the leaves rustle. I froze. 

“There's my absolute favorite girl on earth,” I heard from behind me. 

“Victor!” I glared.

“What? It's not my fault that I've been touch starved, kiss starved, and love starved for the past 6½ days!”

Before I could protest, he had me pinned beneath him.

“Victor, we're supposed to be hiding from people who wanna arrest us.”

“You better be quiet, then,” he murmured, leaning in real close. His body weight settled over mine. And then his lips were on mine.

I tried for about two seconds to protest, but then gave in. He tasted so good.

My hands buried themselves in his hair and tugged. He bit my lip in an effort to push down the groan threatening to escape. But his fangs digging into my lip only made me gasp and arch into him, causing that groan to slither its way out anyway. 

“God, Nova,” was all he said, and then he devoured my lips again. His head tilted and his tongue pushed past my lips. I greedily complied.

His hands were next to my head in the grass, keeping him from pressing his entire weight down on me. But they twitched a little, like they were itching to touch skin. His hands always did have a mind of their own.

I was about 3 seconds away from letting Victor completely ravage me when someone else entered the brush (for some unknown reason, all Shadyside bushes are hollow on the inside. Maybe squirrels mate inside). Victor pulled away first, looking up and groaning in annoyance. Vargas was there.

“Bro, find another plant to hide in. Can't you see we're very busy?” Victor glared.

“Busy having sex,” mumbled Vargas. Victor's head snapped up.

“You're just jealous you have no one to do,” he snapped.

Vargas's eyes widened. Before he could fire back, Vera entered the bush. It was starting to get tight in here. Victor made no effort to get off me.

“Why are you arguing over getting laid? I can hear you 20 feet away! The Eldress's guards can probably, too!”

“Where's Ray?” I asked. Victor gave me a funny look that looked a lot like jealousy. I smirked up at him. 

“Hiding in a hollow tree trunk,” Vera answered.

“How did they find us?”

“Someone,” Victor glared at Vargas, “Wasn't careful enough when he snuck back out. His guards thought he was going to find you. So they followed.”

I rolled my eyes. Of course. What else would I expect. “Well, Ray better get here soon. I need to talk with him.”

Victor pressed his hips down, obviously trying to make a point that he is the only guy I need to be talking to. I bit my lip so I didn't let out some most likely embarrassing noise. Victor smirked down at me smugly.

“Okay, I'm out,” Vargas declared, crawling out of the bush, “I don't need to see this.”

“Have fun,” Victor sing-songed.

Vargas rolled his eyes and left. Vera gave us a look that read: Behave yourself. To be honest, it looked more like she was glaring at Victor, not me. He shrugged in response, unfazed. Still, Victor made no effort to move off of me. 

Vera lasted about 10 minutes. And then she left, saying she had to see if the guards had left. Victor laughed.

“Alone at last, my Daywalker,” he licked his lips.

“Victor, don't you dare-” 

He flipped us so I was on top. I yelped involuntarily.

“Victor! You jackass!” I whisper-yelled.

He laughed and started kissing my neck. 

“I might have a new appreciation for bushes,” he murmured against my skin.

“Oh my God,” I rolled my eyes.

“What? They make sure no one gets to see my Daywalker become a complete moaning mess over me.”

“I am not a moani- OH, VICTOR!” I gasped as he bit down on my neck. Soft, but his fangs poking just enough for the pleasure to seep through.

“Sure you're not,” he smirked, “You better be quiet. They might hear us. And might I remind you that there is a reward for your head.”

I glared at him. God, Victor was the only person who could act like this and not get burned alive. 

Good God, you'd think I was going soft. Which I wasn't. Like- at all.

I think.

Chapter Text

Just when you think everything is going well, it's ripped out from under you. One second, you're making out with your extremely hot girlfriend inside a bush, and the next your face is being pounded into the ground by someone who isn't that hot girl. 

The man who was currently punching my nose into oblivion had found Nova and I in that goddamn bush. He went through multiple emotions in a few seconds, and then decided to pause on Anger. Good God. 

He wasn't thrilled to find Nova Bright, murderer of 50-something people, in that shrub. He also wasn't too happy to see Victor Cruorem (pronounced dead) there, either. He had yanked both of us out of the bush and then gave us a piece of his mind. Or, in my case, a piece of his fist.

I was taking the pounding pretty well, imagining it was Nova instead. Then the dude went limp over me. I looked up and saw Nova, eyes unforgiving, and her hand outstretched. So said hand was holding a fireball. I smirked up at her. She had killed yet another man.

“Well,” I said. 

She glared, helping me get the guy off me. All I did was grin.

“You would've done the same thing,” she mumbled. 

“I would,” I admitted. Why wouldn't I? If someone was hurting Nova, I'd have no hesitation tearing that person apart with my bare hands and fangs.

“He won't be telling anyone about us anytime soon.”

I laughed, standing up. 

“You look like shit,” she stated.

“Excuse me,” I said, mock offended, “I can pull off any look. And that includes a bloody nose.”

Nova just rolled her eyes and grabbed my hand, pulling me behind her.

“We need to find Vera. She'll know what to do.”

I let Nova pull me through the shadows. The blood fruit still looked dead. Depressing, isn't it?

Once we reached Vera, Nova let go of me. Vera's reaction was the same as Nova's, just more disgust. 

“You look like shit,” she said. Nova smirked at me. I glared. 

“As I told Nova; I can pull off any look.”

After a while, Vera finally had my nose look and feel a bit better. I don't know what she did. I was too busy imagining Nova being the one punching my nose instead of the random dude (who's now dead). All I know is it didn't hurt anymore and Nova wasn't giving me funny looks. 

“What the hell even happened to you, Victor?” Vera asked. 

“Long story. Let's just say someone who wasn't very attractive gave me my dream. From the WRONG person, I'll have you know,” I pouted.

“He got punched in the face,” Nova said, noticing Vera's confused face. Her expression twisted to trying not to laugh.

“You know, cuddles would make me feel better,” I leaned my head closer to Nova's, rather annoyingly, might I add.

“No,” was all she said. She leaned down to relace her shoe. 

“Please?”

She didn't look up.

“Pweeeeeeaaaaase?” I held the word out, sounding like a toddler (emphasis on the 'pw' part). 

She looked up and side-eyed me. Hey, I'd take that, too. I ain't picky. 

“I don't know what you see in this dark, Nova,” Vera shook her head, pulling a cloth out of her pocket, “Here, put this on your nose.”

“You know, when my nose heals, you can ruin it again, Nova,” I grinned, “It'd make all of this worth it.”

Nova bit her lip, trying not to laugh. “You have an odd kink for being hurt, you know that?”

I smiled proudly at her, “Yup!”

“There's a term for that, actually. It's called 'masochistic'.”

I looked up. Ray was jogging over to us.

“Oh, shit, you finally get served, Victor?” 

“Not by anyone I would have liked,” I muttered.

Nova finally burst out laughing. “Oh my God, Victor, stop!”

“What? It's true. That middle-aged Vampire man was not as hot as my Daywalker,” I smirked at her. 

“Remind me never to fall in love,” Vera murmured. Ray laughed. I opened my mouth to reply when lightning struck. Nova jumped into my arms. There was a scorch mark next to where she was just standing. Nova was breathing hard, hands clutching my jacket. My hands instinctively flew to her waist. 

“You're okay, Nova. It's all good,” I soothed. 

Ray leaned down. "Hey, look; it's got a funny shape.“

”Mr. Sunshine might be right,“ Vera squatted down next to the mark, tracing it with her finger. She yanked it back, ”Oww! That's hot!“

I looked down at it. It was a shape. It was like two figure eights were made into a plus. And under it, the word "Gather" was written.

”Gather? Where do we gather? Who do we gather?“ Nova asked.

”I dunno, baby,“ I whispered, ”I really don't know.“

Chapter Text

I didn't really sleep that night. I kept thinking about that word. Gather. It was written so obvious, with that odd symbol above it. 

Victor was asleep next to me, head on my shoulder. 

I thought for a few more minutes. I shifted against the tree trunk. Victor groaned.

“Nova, stop moving.” His voice was rough from sleep. He grabbed my sleeve softly, just holding. Grounding himself.

My mind went back to the execution. I never did get my bracelet back. Oh well. I remembered what the one guard had said. That the last Vampire to be defanged was special. I pondered about that.

What could have been special? Was he born with only one fang? A child? Maybe-

I heard a rustle from the bushes over to the left. I glanced up. Ray was walking over to me.

“Ray?” I whispered.

“Who else would it be?” he smiled a little, though it didn't reach his eyes. 

“What's wrong?”

“It's Sunnyside,” he murmured, sitting down next to me. Victor pushed his head into the crook of my neck, his breath ghosting against my skin. “The bloodfruit... it's...”

I frowned. Just as I'd feared. Dreaded. 

“How... how is everyone?”

“Fine. We'd harvested last week, so everyone still has their reserves. They have enough to last maybe a month- if that.”

I closed my eyes. No. This can't be happening.

Ray reached out and grabbed my hand, placing something in it. It was a piece of paper wrapped around a small object. “I was told to give this to you.”

I opened it, careful not to move too much. It was my mother's necklace. The paper around it? A note from my father.

My loving daughter,

     I know Ray knows where you are. He spends most of the evening hours missing, and come's back very early. Then he sleeps for hours on end during the working day. So I asked him to give you this. 

     I know Victor is alive. If he'd really perished, wouldn't we still have the fang? How is he? Tell him I said hello. Also: you have my blessing. I don't mind that you're with a Vampire. I just wish you'd told me sooner. There's something you should know.

     You mother isn't a Daywalker. She's not one of us. I would've accepted you and Victor because of this. Your mother was a nymph. She was a spirit of the water that I'd met on my partol outside of Sunnyside when I was your age. I'd fallen in love quickly, and we were soon married in secret. Pregnant with you a month or so later. Your mother and I agreed that once you were born, we'd come clean, and she'd live with me in Sunnyside. But she didn't survive the pregnancy. You were all that was left.

     You're beautiful, and I see your mother in you every single day. Especially at the execution. She would've killed thousands for me. And, good God, Nova, you did that. 56 casualties. The Eldress wasn't happy. I was so proud. There's no need for you to apologize or feel guilty. But I need you to know.

     The bloodfruit is dying. Please, Nova, fix it for us. You're out in the open. I'm sure you've found a clue of some sort. The necklace will lead you to the orchard. That's where I met your mother, and she made it to be a tracker. You'll find the answer there. 

                                           Love,

                                             Your father,

                                                 Commander Bright

I looked up at Ray. He just smiled softly. “I'll leave you to sleep now, Nova.”

He stood up, looked at me, and walked away. I looked back down at Victor. His face was twisted with sleep, all solemn and still. 

“Victor,” I whispered.

“Yes, my love?” he muttered back, breathing out. The breath went across my neck like a windstorm. 

“I know where we have to go. Where we have to gather,” I replied.

He woke up fast. Victor was sitting up straight, awake as ever.

“You do?” his voice had no sleep left in it. 

I nodded, “The old orchard.”

He jumped up and ran. 

“Vera! We have to go to the-” he tripped on a rock, falling face first into the grass. He just burst out laughing. I couldn't help but follow suit. I walked over, helping him up. He took my hand.

Victor kissed my cheek and ran off again. I heard a humming from behind me, and I looked back. The glowing tree was there. The one with the bloodfruit still perfect on it. It was mesmerizing, in a sense. I felt the humming in my ears as I stared. It was drawing me in. I shook my head. I was so sleep-deprived that I was delusional now. Isn't that just lovely?

Lovely, indeed. Just peachy.

The humming stayed in the back of my mind. I felt drowsy immediately. 

“Nova!”

I felt my eyes close. I reopened them, but my vision was blurry. Then they were closed again. I swayed and started to fall over. I felt arms catch me, and then I was out cold.