Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kaeya, I’m waiting.

In the darkness and clawed hands caress Kaeya’s face, they’re cold.

‘Where?” is what Kaeya longs to ask, but he can’t seem to find his voice in this abyss of darkness.

“You know where,” A voice responds within Kaeya’s own head, it's disturbing yet enthralling. 

“I’ll be waiting,” The hands on his face retract and the voice in his head goes quiet.

“Wait,” Kaeya finally finds his voice, but it’s too late.

Kaeya’s eyes shoot open and he can see his own ceiling, in all its dusty glory. His hands go to his face, still feeling cold from those comforting claws. He swears that there is a slight sting on his cheek where a claw may have scratched. Shame he can’t use a mirror to check. 

The grandfather clock in his room finally chimes. 9:00 PM, he slept in. Diluc is going to be pissed, something about a meeting with Neuvillette he guesses. 

“Kaeya, I’m waiting”

“You know where” 

The voice still rings in his head, with less potency than when he was sleeping, but it’s still there. If only Kaeya actually knew where the voice was coming from, and where to find its owner. 

A sequence of knocks at his bedroom door shake him from his thoughts. “Kaeya? Are you ready to go?” He hears Diluc’s voice ask. 

“Uh totally! Just give me a moment!” Kaeya races out of bed and throws some nicer looking clothes on, he can practically hear Diluc sigh on the other side of the door. Kaeya quickly braids his hair and opens his door to see Diluc with an unamused expression plastered on his face. “You’re going to get wrinkles like that Diluc.”

“We don’t age Kaeya, that’s impossible,” Diluc rolls his eyes and hands Kaeya his cloak. Kaeya takes it and follows Diluc through the grand halls of the manor. “You look horrible, did you get any sleep?” Diluc asks as they start down the grand staircase that leads them to the entrance of the manor. 

“So rude Diluc, and for your information I slept like a baby,” Kaeya said cheerfully, although he did have to admit he did not feel refreshed in the slightest. His mind was running a mile a minute after that strange dream and voice was still running around his mind.

“Well at least cut your nails when we get back, you must have scratched yourself in your sleep last night,” Diluc said simply as he pushed the elaborate door open and started on his way towards the gate. 

Kaeya’s hand reaches up towards his face and runs his hand over his cheek where it still stung. So the scratch was actually there?

“Kaeya! Hurry up,” He heard his grumpy brother call out, clearly losing patience.

“Coming!”

Up above the pair of brothers sitting on the roof of the library was a pair of dead eyes carefully watching the duo.

“Kaeya, I’m waiting.”

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This meeting with the other vampires was completely useless. Ayato was clearly only there because his sister, Ayaka, cared a great deal about these meetings. Navia looked zoned out, Ningguang was absent due to business reasons, Rosaria was sharpening her daggers right next to Kaeya, and of course Diluc tried paying attention but he was soon going to zone out as well. 

“So therefore the blood pouches must be used sparingly,” Neuvillette announced to the group of uninterested vampires.

Wait, what? He really should’ve paid attention to this meeting. Kaeya sighs and looks toward the nearby window. The moon is high in the sky and the stars keep it company. From here Kaeya can see the library, it’s a marvelous structure, only second to Neuvillette’s castle. Turrets adorn all four corners of the building going up past the main roof. It’s at least seven floors not including the spacious attic that sits at the top. Then Kaeya finally sees it, floating at the top of a turret, a humanoid shape staring at him. 

Kaeya feels a chill rake through his body, it unfortunately does not go unnoticed by the other vampires in the room. 

“Kaeya,” The stern voice of Neuvillette grabs his attention away from the window. “Have you fed recently?” The lord vampire actually sounds concerned. Now that Kaeya thought about it, he was due for a feeding. 

“I do think I am due for a feeding soon, but I should be fine till we are finished here,” Kaeya said calmly, not wanting to bring anymore unwanted concern his way. 

“We are practically finished up here, so please take a blood packet and take a moment. You really shouldn’t play around with feedings,” So at Neuvillette’s command Kaeya got out of his seat and left the meeting room. As he made his way to the lounge room he snuck a look at every window on his way, seeing if perhaps the figure was still hanging around the library.

He eventually made it to the lounge and grabbed a blood packet that was stored in a nearby ice box and sunk his teeth into the pouch. Kaeya was finally up to feeding every six weeks. Diluc was at every three months and Ayato was at seven months. He felt like a baby sometimes among the other vampires. Technically he was still considered a fledgling, it was soon to be his blood moon, which marked him being a vampire 100 years. This meant he would no longer be a fledgling, and would be gifted the final ability of a vampire, the ability to see whole demons. Fledgling vampires can only see quick glimpses of them, full fledged vampires can see demons completely. Diluc’s bloodmoon was a couple decades ago. The most exciting part about his blood moon coming up is that his and Diluc’s father was returning to town a week before. 

Diluc’s father had found and adopted three year old Kaeya and raised him in the vampire village with permission from Neuvillette. Once Kaeya turned 23 he had begged his father’s and Neuvillette’s permission to turn him into a vampire. 

And now here he is, hearing voices, having creepy dreams, and being stalked by a (maybe?) demon. Just perfect. As he finished his blood packet he threw the plastic away, feeling the blood rejuvenate his senses and strength. Neuvillette wasn’t wrong, playing around with feedings is no joke. Without the blood a vampire will start to lose their speed, strength, and senses, leaving the vampire helpless against all other creatures. It’s why the vampire village is so secluded and tight knit, so that they are all protected. The only contacts they have are with the closest village, which is still 50 miles away, and they are the ones who donate blood so that the vampires can stay fed. Something about history and a treaty made it that way. 

As his thoughts started to come to a close, the room chilled. Now that was strange, he just fed so he shouldn’t be feeling chilled. He looked around and saw a window had opened and was letting a breeze in. He sighed annoyingly at his paranoia and went up to close the window. His hand rested on the window handle, but before he could pull the window down, a dark clawed hand reached from behind him and rested itself on Kaeya’s hand. Kaeya spun himself around fangs ready to sink into whatever threat was behind him, but when he had completely turned around there was… no one? 

‘Ok what the fuck,’ Kaeya thought to himself. This was getting out of hand. He ran through the halls of Neuvilette’s palace back to the meeting room. He composed himself before entering the room. Making sure he didn’t look like he was just scared shitless. He finally took a deep breath and opened the door. When he entered it looked like everyone was wrapping up and getting ready to leave. Diluc made eye contact with Kaeya, he must’ve seen right through Kaeya because his face was laced with concern. 

“I’ll be waiting,” The voice still echoed in his head, at this rate Kaeya was ready to cut open his own brain and find the source. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Are you alright Kaeya?” Diluc asked as they left Neuvillette’s palace.

“Yeah I’m fine, just need a good day's sleep,” Kaeya said in his normal carefree manner, Diluc clearly wasn’t buying it. 

“If you are stressed about your blood moon coming up, you can tell me,” Diluc looked at him again. “It’s a big moment, a day that signifies you becoming a full fledged vampire,” Diluc took a pause, his face turning more grim. “Although I do understand if you’re not excited, especially with what happened 100 years ago around this time,” That caused Kaeya to stop in his tracks. It’s not that Kaeya forgot, he was just choosing to not dwell on it. He has had 100 years to get over it, even though deep down he knows he isn’t.

“I’m over it, I promise. I’m excited for my blood moon,” Kaeya tried to sound as cheerful as he could.

“Kaeya, no one is asking you to ‘get over’ Ajax’s death,” And there it is, no more beating around the bush. It was such a silly thing. Kaeya had fallen in love at the age of 20 and never really fell out of it. 

“I know,” is all Kaeya said before he started to lead the way home. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Kaeya laid in his bed during the morning with his curtains closed tightly, his thoughts were dragged back to a place he knew too well. Back to Ajax, the day they met was such an ordinary one, the moon high in the sky, the river flowing, and Kaeya’s heart beating. 

103 years ago

Kaeya was angry. He was angry at his father, his brother, and even Neuvillette. 

“You are not ready yet Kaeya,” was all he was told that morning when he had asked to be turned. It was ridiculous. He was more than ready, he did all the studying and training that he could. What else was there to possibly do? He had decided to go for a walk around the river, the one place he could go to clear his head. No one would dare follow him, they are all too afraid of were-beasts to travel outside the designated vampire territory. But Kaeya still being mortal meant he could travel off those paths for the time being. 

No one else was ever here at this time of night, but tonight was different. Kaeya was frozen in place when he saw a boy his age being illuminated by the moonlight that reflected off of the river. He looked to be using the river to fish. It didn’t take long for the boy to notice Kaeya. 

“Hello there!” He greeted Kaeya with a wave. Kaeya stood still for a good couple seconds before awkwardly waving back. 

“Hi,” Kaeya responded, he made no moves to get any closer to the boy.

“Wanna join?” The boy asked.

“Depends, what are you doing?” Kaeya asked bluntly. The boy looked at him like he was crazy.

“Fishing, duh. Haven’t you fished before?” The boy asked, a teasing smile was creeping onto his face. Kaeya has eaten fish but has never been fishing, all the food Kaeya was imported from the allied village along with all the blood pouches. 

“No,” Kaeya answered, suddenly insecure about his lack of fishing experience.

“Well sit down, let me teach you,” The boy patted the ground next to him. Kaeya really should have turned around and ran. But he was bored, and a tad lonely, so he sat next to the boy. Now that he was closer he could see how the moon perfectly hit the boy’s cheekbones. The freckles that adorned added to his boyish charm. 

“So what’s your name?” Kaeya asked, trying to lift the awkward air.

“Ajax.”

Present

Kaeya’s blood moon was only a couple days away now, his father would be returning to the village tomorrow. Everyone else in the village seemed to be in a frenzy about it as well. Kaeya was the only one that wasn’t panicking. He knew blood moons were a rare occurrence since the vampire population was pretty small, but something was stopping him from being excited. 

100 years ago today, Ajax died.

As much as he tried to deny it, he was very much not over Ajax’s death. Would Ajax even like that Kaeya was now a vampire? Ajax had only ever known him as a mortal, sure he knew Kaeya was raised and lived among vampires, but still. It unnerved Kaeya that he would never get that answer. 

Would Ajax still love me?

“I never stopped,” The wind bellowed. Kaeya immediately stood up and grabbed the closest thing he could grab and chucked it at the wall. Turns out that thing happened to be some delicate vase. Glass shards decorated the floor beneath him. 

“Whatever or whoever is in my head,” Kaeya started. “I’ll only give you one warning,” He paused again, taking a deep breath. “Never use his voice, ever again.”

A couple hours later Kaeya sat by the river, he really shouldn’t be out here. He hasn’t dared venture this far off the path since he had been turned. In the hundred years since he has been here, it hasn’t changed much.

The moon was still high in the sky, the river was still flowing, but this time Kaeya’s heart was not beating. 

 Humans typically don’t come this far out for fear of the vampire village. It was honestly shocking that Ajax had ever been here in the first place. And other creatures still avoided this area close to the village unless they had a very specific reason for it. So any changes that were made were by nature itself. Kaeya could tell that the river seemed wider, but more shallow. Some trees have fallen and others have grown. The fish in the river are plentiful now that there is no more fisherman here to catch them. 

“At least someone benefits from the loss,” Kaeya said sarcastically to the fish that swim by.

“Kaeya,” That voice called out again, the voice was dark and deep, almost like an ocean he could sink into. “I’m waiting for you.”

“Please stop, I don't know who or where you are,” Kaeya pleaded out loud to the voice in his head. The air around him seemed to grow lighter and surround him, almost as if it was trying to comfort him. He covered his eyes with his hands and tried to block out his surroundings.

“Kaeya,” Kaeya flinched, the voice was so much clearer this time, like it had actually been spoken, and not just in his head. Kaeya removed his hands from his eyes, and looked around. No one was here. 

Then he looked down. 

Ajax’s reflection was right next to him in the river. His ginger hair was just as tousled as it always had been. Freckles still decorate his face. Eyes deep blue and that lip scar he had was all there. 

Kaeya couldn’t breath, he looked at his side again, no Ajax. He looked at the water, Ajax was here. 

Kaeya screamed. He backed away from the water, his back hitting a tree. Not wasting another moment, he got up and ran back to the village. Once at the entrance to the village, he finally took a moment to breathe.

It’s all in his head. Ajax is dead. Kaeya is just stressed about the blood moon. That’s it. 

Kaeya took a look at the library that fit so perfectly in the center of the village. No figure was floating above it this time. 

There was a hand on his shoulder. 

Correction, there was a clawed hand on his shoulder.

Kaeya hastily turned around only to see no one again. 

His breathing picked up. He suddenly felt like he was being watched, like every part of his body was on display. He felt like throwing up. 

“Kaeya” The voice was more stern this time.

“Please, no,” Kaeya tried to plead again. This was getting ridiculous, this voice, the clawed hands, the figure floating above the library. It has to be the work of this demon in the library. 

“Kaeya please listen” The voice asked.

“No!”

“Kaeya.”

“Kaeya!”

“Kaeya?”

“Kaeya.”

“Kaeya!”

“Kae-”

“Kaeya!” A sharp shout and someone gently grabbing him finally pulled him out of whatever spiral he was in. He looked up to see who it was.

“Dad?” Kaeya thought he was coming home tomorrow. He didn't spiral at the front gate for that long did he? 

“Kaeya, what happened? Are you ok?” His dad immediately started fussing over him, grabbing his face and checking for any injuries. Kaeya took note of how the voices left, and so did that comforting wind that had followed him from the river.

“I’m ok, just stressed,” Kaeya knew his dad was never going to believe it, but he really couldn’t stress his father out anymore. 

“Ok,” His father said, clearly not buying it. “Let’s head back to the manor, I bet your brother is waiting for you,” and with that Kaeya Ragnvindr and Crepus Ragnvindr walked back to the manor. “I bet you are wondering why I’m back a day early,” Crepus asked.

Oh good, so he didn’t spiral for a whole day, “Yes I am, sorry I’m a little out of it today.”

“Don’t worry Kaeya, I understand,” His father pulled him in for a hug. Kaeya immediately felt lighter, it was like he was still five years old, being coddled by his father. “My last meeting was canceled due to something about a were-best attack,” From there they talked about what has happened since Crepus has been gone, mostly about how grumpy Diluc has been. Kaeya left out anything about these weird occurrences. Not that he didn’t think his father would believe him. Just that Crepus does have a reputation for being quite protective of his sons, and if he found out a demon was bothering Kaeya, Kaeya just sighs at the image of Crepus burning the library down. 

Dinner was lively, well as lively as three vampires could be. And since vampires could not eat human food, but also didn’t need to feed every night, dinner really only consisted of them talking and teasing each other. This tradition had started back when Kaeya was a mortal child, and had to eat human food. Crepus didn’t want him to eat alone so he and Diluc kept him company while he ate. And since then it has just become a habit, even after Kaeya was turned.

Kaeya settled into his bed just as the sun was beginning to rise, curtains still tightly shut. All he could do was sigh. 

“I love you Ajax,” He whispered to the empty room. It didn’t take long for him to drift off to sleep. 

As Kaeya slept soundly, a figure with clawed hands, horns, ginger hair, and freckles gently kissed Kaeya’s cheek. And whispered, “I love you too Kaeya.”

Chapter Text

Kaeya knew what he was going to dream about, it was what he always dreamed about the day after Ajax died. 

102 years ago

Seeing Ajax was a daily occurrence at this rate. He was always doing something by the river, whether it was fishing, stargazing, or picking at the grass. Kaeya hated to admit how his feelings for the boy have changed and shifted in ways he didn’t quite understand. He knew seeing Ajax as a friend was a thing of the past. But there was no way he actually liked this boy. Right? He’s annoying, his nose is a little crooked, and his hair is always a mess. Kaeya hated how all those things he just listed were actually very charming. 

“Can I kiss you Kaeya?” 

“Huh?”

“I said can I kiss you?” Ajax asked again.

“Yeah I know what you said,” Kaeya was trying to stay calm, but failing miserably. His face felt flushed and his heart was thumping. “But you can’t just say things like that.”

“Why not?” Ajax asked without skipping a beat.

“Because, it might freak someone out,” Ajax’s face was slowly inching closer to his.

“Does it freak you out?” Ajax asked softly this time, reaching out to hold Kaeya’s hand, and Kaeya let him. This time Kaeya’s voice failed him, so he shook his head instead. “So Kaeya let me ask you again. Can I kiss you?” Instead of answering him, Kaeya just leaned in closer to Ajax and let their lips connect in a soft and delicate kiss. Ajax pushed more and deepened this kiss. All Kaeya could focus on was how safe he felt and how soft Ajax’s lips were. 

After they broke apart Ajax was the first to speak. “Still not freaked out?” 

“No, not at all,” Kaeya said with a smile.

“Good, because I’m going to be doing that a whole lot more now,” Ajax held Kaeya tighter to his own body. 

“I was hoping you’d say that,” Kaeya kissed him again, more deep and passionate than their first kiss. 

Present 

Kaeya awoke with a groan. It was finally the day. Kaeya’s blood moon. A day that consisted of celebration and gift giving. Kaeya was excited to finally see the demon that has been quite literally haunting his mind. Kaeya woke up to his room being infested by gifts of all different shapes and sizes. Some big and colorful, others small and dainty. Kaeya smiled to himself and cheerfully got out of bed. He slipped on his obnoxious slippers that Diluc had gotten him for his birthday last year. He did a quick brush of his hair before gracing the halls with his presence. He was immediately greeted by Adelinde, she was wearing all black, as is traditional for a blood moon. The entire village dresses in black except for the celebrated, who instead wears white and black robes until the official ceremony where he will change into extremely elaborate black robes. During his transformation day he wore all white robes until the ceremony where he changed into black and white robes. Symbolizing his full transformation from mortal to vampire. 

“Here are robes Master Kaeya,” She handed him a bundle of white and black cloth. He took it and thanked her. “Oh it’s not a problem at all Master Kaeya,” She paused before looking at him and smiling. “I just wanted to let you know that I am so proud of you Master Kaeya. I truly hope today goes as smoothly as possible,” Adelinde expressed. After a heartfelt moment between the two of them, it was finally time for Kaeya to get ready for the celebration. 

After a lot of hassle, the robes finally fit just right. A little snug around his waist, but loose around his arms. The robe went all the way down to the floor, a train behind him dragged on the floor as he walked. The final Adelinde had to do was place the hood on his head. When she did Kaeya was able to truly appreciate all the intricate details in the stitching and gems laced throughout the design. Adelinde signaled him to hold out his hands, so he did and watched her slip on the thin gloves that had no less detailing than the rest of his garb. 

After finally getting all his traditional robes on, it was time for him to go out and celebrate with the village, there would be music and gifts and blood pouches for everyone to partake in, except Kaeya, he couldn’t have any blood until the ceremony. He was accompanied by Diluc and his father. They made their way around town, greeting everybody that partook in celebrating Kaeya’s blood moon. Kaeya really tried to get into the festivities of the day, but it was hard when it felt like he was being watched. He kept glancing back up at the library, but he never saw anyone. It did not help the anxiety that twisted in his gut. 

Out of all the gifts he got, his favorite had to have been the one Diluc and Crepus got him. It was a photo album of his childhood, one he had never seen before. It showed off all his achievements that seemed so big at the time. When he had unwrapped it he had flipped through it quickly. He paused when he saw a photo of him and Ajax. Ajax’s hand was resting on Kaeya’s waist, and Kaeya’s hand was resting on Ajax’s shoulder. The photo was taken back during Kaeya’s 21st birthday. Ajax and Kaeya had only just recently gotten together at that point. So they still looked a little awkward being a couple. As Kaeya looked at the photo longer, he realized how charming and cute that awkwardness was. 

“I miss him,” Kaeya muttered out loud. His gaze lingers on the photo longer than it should have. 

“I know you do, but just know he is always with you,” Crepus brings Kaeya into a hug, Kaeya hugs his father tightly as he sets the photo album down. 

The other gifts he gets are all charming in their own right. Rosaria gets him an elaborate set of daggers to use as he pleases, the Kamisato’s give him some gorgeous pieces of jewelry, Navia gifts him a beautiful cloak, other villagers give him stuff such as new boots, a new pair of gloves, and even a new belt. His brother gives him a metal pouch to put blood pouches in for when he’s on the road, and his father gives him a pocket watch that specializes in keeping track when the sun is rising. “To make sure you stay safe,” His father explains. Kaeya listens and thanks everyone for the gifts. He also tries to ignore the clawed hand that is sneaking into his vision. It disappears before he can see the whole body, again.

“Kaeya,” a familiar stern voice calls out. Kaeya looks towards where Neuvillette stands, waiting. “It is time.”

Everyone follows Kaeya and Neuvillette to the ceremony hall, which is not far from Neuvillette’s palace. Everyone enters the hall and takes their seats quickly. Kaeya stands at the front and patiently waits for Neuvillette to start the process. 

It really isn't complicated. All Kaeya has to do is drink some of Neuvillette’s blood from a cup, then let Neuvillette give the ability to see demons, and finally put on his all black robes. 

Kaeya watches dutifully as Neuvillette takes a dagger and lines it up with his wrist, Neuvillette doesn’t even flinch as the dagger sinks into his skin. Kaeya watches as Neuvillette’s blood drips into the silver cup below, not one drop spilling. Neuvillette then grabs the cup and hands it to Kaeya, all the while saying a rehearsed chant that Kaeya does not pay attention to. 

“The fledgling may now drink,” At that command Kaeya lifts the cup to his lips and lets the cold blood fill his mouth, he makes sure to not let any spill onto the hit parts of his robe. After he has finished all the blood, Neuvillette takes the cup back and sets it down on the table behind him.

Now Neuvillette talks on and on about his journey and how Kaeya is about to be a ‘true’ vampire or something. Kaeya knows he really should be paying attention, but his eyes start scanning the audience. He sees Diluc and Crepus, both looking at Neuvillette and listening to his speech. Next he sees Rosaria doing the same thing he is, not paying attention. Navia is listening intently, as are the Kamisato’s. Kaeya then looks up slightly, looking at the ornate paintings on the ceiling. His eyes travel more and soon they land on another pair of eyes briefly. Eyes he recognized, deep blue eyes, Ajax’s eyes. Kaeya blinked hard, and then the eyes were gone. He felt like he was going to be sick. Now is not the time to be getting haunted. 

He chose the right time to pay attention, because Neuvillette was motioning for him to come forward. He stepped forward and bowed down, just like he had rehearsed the night before. Neuvillette was talking again, then his hands came up and rested on Kaeya’s head. Kaeya didn’t feel any different after Neuvillette motioned him to look up, but he could instantly see a difference. Ajax, or what looked like Ajax, was tucked behind a statue off-stage. Kaeya could see the clawed hands, the ones that have been tormenting him for the past two weeks. 

Ajax was a demon. 

Kaeya only stops his thought because Neuvillette had mentioned robes and that's when he remembered that there was one more part to this ceremony. Kaeya lets his robes slip off his shoulders, showing his all black long sleeve shirt and pants that he wore under. Someone comes up from behind and helps him slip on the all black robes that were the same as his previous ones, just all black. 

The rest of the ceremony is a blur, people try to talk to him after but he is too focused on trying to see Ajax. Unfortunately, however, the sun does not stop for anyone. So everyone must start going home so that no one gets caught in it. 

Once all three Ragnvindr’s make it home, Diluc and Crepus both start closing curtains and making sure no sunlight sneaks into the manor. 

“I’m going to go to bed,” Kaeya says despondently. Crepus just simply nods and hugs him. 

“I just want you to know that I am so unbelievably proud of you Kaeya,” Crepus says as he hugs his son even tighter. 

“Thank you Dad,” Kaeya tries to sound less confused than he feels. Kaeya leaves Crepus and Diluc to their own devices as he makes his way to his room. 

How on earth was Ajax there? 

Was Kaeya just going crazy?

He looked demonic.

Was Ajax a demon now?

No. 

Kaeya just needs to sleep.

Despite how much Kaeya tried to convince himself he didn’t see Ajax, he still couldn’t shake the image. Dark claws, dead eyes, and that stupid ginger hair. Kaeya felt sick. How on earth had Ajax even become a demon? All he knew about Ajax’s death was that the village had been attacked by a were-beast and they left no survivors. Kaeya had even gone to go see the carnage, he had still foolishly believed there would be a chance Ajax made it out. 

Maybe he had?

Ajax’s body was never discovered, but most just assumed he had been eaten whole by the beast. Kaeya had tried not to think about that fact too much over the years. 

“ Kaeya.”

Maybe Ajax wasn’t always mortal like Kaeya had assumed? Ajax never outright said he was mortal. 

“Kaeya.”

No. He had mortal blood. Kaeya knew that from the few times Ajax accidentally cut himself on a fishing hook. 

“ Kaeyaaaaa.”

Kaeya’s mouth started to water just at the thought of Ajax’s blood. It was the perfect shade of red. 

“Kaeya!”

Kaeya bet it would taste so good if he ever got the chance to try it. Oh Kaeya knows what he’s dreaming about tonight. 

“Kaeya!” The sudden shout jolted him out of his half asleep state. He immediately went on the offensive and used his vampire speed and strength to tackle whoever had scared him. Once he had pinned the intruder down onto the floor of his bedroom, he took a good look at his stalker.

“Recognize me yet? I mean I know I look a little strange since the last time we met,” It was Ajax. He was really here. He did have those clawed hands and dead eyes, but it was still undoubtedly Ajax. “Kaeya?” Kaeya had gone too long without saying anything. Kaeya couldn’t say anything. So he did the next best thing. He let himself fall into Ajax’s arms and finally kiss his love after 100 years apart. 

As much as Kaeya would have preferred to stay there for all of eternity kissing Ajax, he did need an explanation. “Ajax, what is going on?” Kaeya whispered, Ajax just smiled. 

“It’ll probably be more comfortable if we move to the bed,” Ajax whispered back. Kaeya could only roll his eyes at the innuendo. 

“I’m not having sex with you until you explain yourself,” Kaeya said bluntly, he almost wanted to laugh at the frown that made its way to Ajax’s face. 

“Ok ok, I do owe you at least that much,” Ajax and Kaeya both moved to the bed and sat down on the edge of it. 

Then Ajax finally started to explain everything. On the day Ajax’s village was attacked by a ruthless were-beast everyone had perished. That included Ajax. But that strange part is when the grim reaper made her appearance. She had led the souls to the other side, and left the phantoms that had refused to go. 

“So you were a phantom?” Kaeya asked.

“Yep, for about 90 years I walked around as a phantom,” Ajax admitted. Ajax didn’t seem to regret that choice based on his tone.

“Why?” Kaeya could not understand why he would rather roam the world as a phantom than just go see all his friends and family on the other side. 

“I wanted to see you,” Kaeya felt terrible now. “I didn’t know that the vampire village forbade phantoms, so it wasn’t my best idea. I stayed outside the front gate for so many years waiting for you, but you never left the village. I didn’t realize you had been turned into a vampire until a shipment came from the village nearby and I heard some other vampires talk about how your feedings were decreasing.” Kaeya wasn’t one to cry, but he was damn close. How could he have not known Ajax was just waiting outside the walls of the village.

“I’m so sorry Ajax,” Kaeya went back to every time he so much as thought of leaving the village for a stroll, but he never did.

“Kaeya, there is no way you could have known,” Ajax did not look at Kaeya with disdain or malice. His tone of voice was comforting in a way Kaeya couldn’t describe. “And besides, I doubt that time was easy for you either.” 

“So, how did this happen?” Kaeya gestures to all of Ajax’s new features.

“Looks good doesn’t it,” Ajax proceeds to flex his new features, there are the horns, claws, pointed ears that are similar to Kaeya’s. Oh yeah and not to mention the ginormous wings that are sprouting from Ajax’s back, they are similar to wings like that of a bird. They are covered in dark brown feathers, the only difference seems to be the spikes, that are the same material of his horns, that jut out of the top of the wings right where the wind naturally bends. 

Kaeya hated to admit it but, “Yeah it does.”

Ajax smiled and then kissed Kaeya on the cheek, “I knew you’d like it.” Ajax spent about five minuets just cover Kaeya in kisses. 

“Ajax!” Kaeya gets a word out between laughs. “You still need to explain how .”

“Oh, right,” Ajax took a quick moment to collect his thoughts. “While I was a phantom I came across a demon that was in the area. We made a deal. Then I overtook his body and fused it with mine. Simple.”

“No, not simple . Ajax what do you mean, you fused his body with yours?” Kaeya was going to strangle him.

“It’s just as it sounds. Then once that process was complete I came to find you, only to realize you couldn’t entirely see me until your blood moon thing,” Ajax somehow said all of that while still peppering Kaeya’s neck with kisses. 

“So that’s why you’ve been haunting me these past two weeks?” Kaeya tried to keep the conversation going, but it was clear that Ajax had no intention of talking.

“I didn’t mean to scare you, I just didn’t realize you couldn’t see me. I’m sorry about that,” Ajax took a break from ravaging Kaeya’s neck to look him in the eyes. 

“I’m just happy you’re back,” Kaeya pulls Ajax in even closer than he already was.

He was never going to let go ever again.

Kaeya forgot how freeing it was to lose yourself in passions and pleasure. He gripped the bedsheets until his knuckles turned white until Ajax entwined his hand with Kaeya’s. Kaeya’s other hand dug into Ajax’s back, leaving crescent moon indents in their wake. 

“Kaeya, look at me,” Ajax caught Kaeya’s eyes and didn’t dare break their contact. 

 “I love you,” they both said in unison.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning Kaeya awoke with no scary dreams or hallucinations, just his head resting on Ajax’s chest and Ajax’s hand combing through his hair. Kaeya felt sore all over, that’s what you get for not having sex for 100 years he supposes. But at the same time, he has never felt more complete. 

“I love you,” Kaeya whispered.

“I love you too,” Ajax kissed his forehead.

Now Ajax and Kaeya truly have forever to love each other.