Chapter Text
Tim, could not, as Brian soon found out, turn into a bat. Nor could he fly or have any issues when walking on hallowed ground. Garlic had no affect on him (he simply didn’t like Italian food) nor did he ever have to worry about bursting into flames upon touching a silver object. Several key elements of vampire lore proved to be inaccurate, though there were a few that Brian found to hold true.
For example, Tim had no reflection. Brian didn’t believe him at first, laughing and dismissing it as another unfounded myth before Tim walked him down to the bathrooms (as they shared one with a few guys in their hall) and pointed to the mirror above the sink. There stood Brian and a floating pair of jeans and a dark green flannel. He looked between the mirror and Tim a few times like he was watching a tennis game, going back and forth before finally wrapping his head around the fact that Tim really did have no reflection. (Brian figured this was probably why Tim’s hair was always so ruffled and unkempt. Or perhaps it was like that naturally…).
Tim didn’t explode when standing in direct sunlight, and to Brian’s dismay, he didn’t sparkle (though he did claim it was very easy for him to get sun burn and it lasted much longer. Prolonged exposure could result in death). Brian did ask about his sleeping habits and why he slept through the day then, but Tim avoided answering and vaguely replied that it had nothing to do with being a vampire. He explained it was just because he preferred to avoid other people and since he had the opportunity to take evening classes, he had no reason to be up during daylight hours. Brian felt that Tim’s introvert story wasn’t totally accurate (he suspected that he had depression) but he never pried further and Tim never truthfully told.
Brian also assumed Tim had to be centuries old and asked him what it would be like to see the years stretch on indefinitely. Tim replied to say he wondered what that would be like as well, before explaining that he had only been turned a few years ago. It shocked Brian to find out that Tim was just as new to the idea of being a vampire as he was, but it was almost comforting. It meant Tim understood modern references and had lived a life somewhat similar to Brian’s. It was even more relieving when Brian found out that he was actually older than Tim (but only by a few months).
Surprisingly, Tim didn’t seem very irritated with Brian’s frequent questions. If anything, he seemed to kind of enjoy them because Brian, as Tim so eloquently put it, “was really hot when he got excited”. Brian had no intentions of making it a regular thing between the two of them (really, he was just a curious person. He felt that he was acting as any person would in such a situation, eagerly taking in as much information as he could about his vampire boyfriend. He grinned. Boyfriend) but soon, they found themselves taking a small section of their day to address questions they had about each other (though they were mostly about Tim). Whatever remained unknown between them before had vanished, and they could each honestly answer nearly everything about the other.
Drinking blood was the one aspect of being a vampire that Tim didn’t enjoy talking about however. He would reassure Brian a million times over that he would never hurt him, that he would never take his blood. Brian didn’t need to hear Tim say it aloud as he already knew and felt perfectly comfortable and safe around Tim. He reminded Tim that every time Tim brought the topic up. Nonetheless, Tim continued to worry and stress about it, frequently telling Brian that their relationship was a very bad idea. So Brian tried to avoid that topic as often as possible, because it always left Tim in a reclusive and nervous sort of state afterwards.
A few weeks had passed since the night of their confessions, and not much had changed about their relationship status. They were comfortable cuddling now, and Brian would occasionally wake up to find Tim curled up in his bed with his face buried in his chest (it always made his heart flutter nervously and he wanted to squeeze and hold Tim closer, but he knew that Tim was sleeping and he didn’t want to accidentally wake him. Most times, Brian would just close his eyes and enjoy the bliss). But they hadn’t tried kissing again. Tim was very nervous and worried about it (he admitted that he wasn’t entirely in control of himself when he bit Brian’s lip. Everything was hazy for him, and he told Brian he was surprised he didn’t drain him right then and there) and Brian was perfectly okay with taking their time.
As the days progressed however, Brian noticed something was wrong with Tim. He became quieter, and was prone to snap at little things now, not acting in quite the same way. It was almost like Tim was avoiding Brian now, and he smoked almost a pack a day now (well, a pack a night). Brian could feel a barrier form between the two of them now, something he’d worked so hard to remove, and it genuinely scared him. Was Tim regretting his decision to go out with Brian? Did he not like him, was there something he was doing wrong? Brian was too scared to ask.
And then, not more than two months after, something happened to bring them closer than they had ever been.
Brian had his head on his book, nearly asleep, with his cheek smashed against the side of the page that rambled on and on about osmosis and diffusion. He should’ve been studying, as there was an exam tomorrow and he needed to ace it or else he risked bringing his grade down to a very low, but still passing, D-. But the only thing that was on his mind was Tim. Tim, and the way his hair curled at the end of his raven tips. Tim, and the way he smelled like pine needles and cigarette smoke. Tim, and the way he looked at Brian with those awfully beautiful and tragic eyes. It consumed him until the darker thoughts bubbled up again; why was he avoiding Brian?
He’d disappeared sometime yesterday night without notice and normally Brian would have been worried. But Tim had been doing this rather frequently as of late, leaving without warning and then reappearing in a few days time. Brian didn’t understand why and Tim would never tell him. His heart gave a low pang and he was very tempted to let out a sigh and moan his pathetic frustration, but fortunately he didn’t. Because that was when the door creaked open.
Brian sat up and directed his gaze to the disheveled man before him. The buttons on his shirt were done up wrong and the back of his hair was tufted up in disarray. Dark circles lined his eyes, which glowed a soft crimson color as they analyzed Brian from across the room. Something was terribly wrong.
"Tim? Are you alright? You look kind of… out of it…"
Tim stared at him blankly for a long moment, as if he hadn’t heard what Brian said. "What?"
Brian huffed, shutting his book and stretching as he got to his feet and walked across the floor. He shut the door quietly and let his gaze drift back to Tim, who was still staring at Brian with those round and melancholy eyes that told him Tim was terribly confused and lost.
In a gentle and forgiving tone, Brian repeated himself. "I asked if you were alri-"
"Brian."
"What?"
"Kiss me."
Brian was a little startled, blinking a few times and did a little laugh to follow, baffled. Not that he didn’t want to kiss Tim, it was simply so sudden and really, it was a drastic change from the feelings Tim was harboring before. Even now, his expression had solidified and the confusion and hesitance that was there had completely having vanished. Had Brian imagined Tim being so lost before, or had his mood really changed that suddenly?
He felt his cheeks flush as his mouth tried desperately to work, but it only fumbled out a dumb phrase. "I- I uh, what?"
Tim drew closer and bridged the gap between them, running a finger along Brian’s chest before pressing his palm to Brian and forcing him backwards. His back touched up against the wall and Tim smiled darkly, pressing his body up against his. Brian’s heart hammered furiously whilst Tim’s didn’t even beat, and the calm and somewhat serious expression on his face displayed that.
"Kiss me."
"I thought you said-"
"Look at me." Brian’s eyes fell on Tim’s, albeit reluctantly.
"You want this… don’t you?"
An overwhelming compulsion inside him wanted to scream yes, and he found he couldn’t break Tim’s gaze. Was this some other ability Tim forgot to mention, or was he simply that desperate for Tim? It was probably the latter of the two, but Brian didn’t want to admit how terribly in love he was for Tim just yet (they had just started dating after all).
"Y-yeah but, you-"
Tim’s finger pressed to Brian’s lips and shushed him (he knew something was definitely wrong now. Pushing him against the wall, pressing a finger to his lips? Tim was a shy, awkward sort of person. He would never be into such a display of dominance… though it’s not like Brian was going to stop him).
Brian’s eyes flashed in surprise as even more heat rushed to his face. Tim brought his mouth close to Brian’s ear and whispered, the hot breath on his skin leaving Brian to shudder. "Trust me."
Brian couldn’t clearly remember the next few seconds, still not sure if Tim was really here or if he was dreaming. Tim clarified that for him rather quickly, and soon Brian found himself locked in a heated embrace.
Tim’s lips were rough, chapped, though Brian wasn’t sure if they had always been like that or he had merely noticed this time. He forced his body on to Brian and simultaneously pinned him up against the wall, hands digging into the nape of his neck. He was certain his heart had stopped beating (or was it beating so fast that he couldn’t feel it anymore?). Brian, still stunned, found himself unconsciously kissing back, sweaty hands holding on to Tim and clinging as he tried not to appear as desperate as he was.
A soft gasp escaped him and Tim seemed to enjoy that, releasing Brian from the kiss to breathe and flash those pointed daggers at him in the dim lighting. His eyes were half lidded, but the crimson passion inside them could see straight through Brian and he knew that Tim could very well have him on his knees if he so pleased. His stomach churned guiltily at the thought.
Tim moved those broken lips along Brian’s jaw line, and then further, to a spot just above his collarbone. His neck quivered and pulsed in slight fear, but he trusted Tim and he was too caught up in the moment to really stop him. He wouldn’t, Brian thought. Right?
But Brian was wrong.
Tim dug his teeth deep into Brian’s neck, and the sharp pain finally shook Brian from his ignorant and forgiving stupor. His hands, which had rested lazily on Tim’s back, now dug into his shirt as he tensed. He didn’t push Tim away, nor did he stop him. What was wrong with him? Here he was, faced with the possibility of dying, and he couldn’t bring himself to force Tim away.
He could feel slick red fluid run along his neck and it nearly made him sick. Brian forced a few words out, but speaking only made it worse.
"T-Tim, y-urhg, you-"
Tim wasn’t listening, sucking harder at the wound. Brian couldn’t help but release a moan and squeeze his eyes shut. His heart hammered harder now at the realization that Tim was deaf to his cries, though he was sure being scared would only make this worse. A faster pulse meant a faster death in his case.
Some tiny, pathetic part of him whispered that the bite itself actually didn’t feel too bad. If he survived, he wouldn’t mind recreating the event, so long as Tim warned him prior and would respect his limits. Unlike now, where he wasn’t stopping, even as Brian brought his hands up Tim’s shoulders and feebly pushed, but Tim was much stronger.
A wave of exhaustion crashed over him and he felt his knees buckle as he leaned more on Tim for support, a shaky breath escaping him. A numbness crept into his fingertips and he struggled to get words past his lips again.
"Tim, p-pl-ahg-"
He bit down harder and Brian whimpered, eyes fluttering shut.
"P-please."
All at once Tim released him and Brian’s body slumped against him. The world was spinning in and out of his focus and he only heard Tim’s voice as though it were from a distance.
“Oh my god,” He pressed a hand to Brian’s still bleeding neck and applied a firm pressure. His usually cold and clammy fingers were warm, and they shook slightly as they slipped on the scarlet substance. "I-I didn’t mean to- oh Brian, oh god, I’m sorry!"
Brian thought he said "Don’t apologize" in reply, but what really came out of his mouth sounded like an incoherent moan. The room flashed again before his eyes and he felt himself falling further into Tim's arms, the world swallowed in darkness as he passed out.
The next thing Brian knew, he was lying on the bed with Tim shaking him slightly, calling his name. Tim’s eyes had returned to their normal chocolate shade, and his fangs had vanished. The only abnormal thing Brian noticed about him was the blood that covered his chin and hands. That was his, wasn’t it?
He spoke slowly, even as Tim apologized over and over. Words were hard to form, especially when he felt so tired. "It’s… fine. You’re okay. I’m okay. Sounds... pretty okay to me…"
Tim looked terribly relieved to hear Brian’s response, and almost broke a smile upon seeing he was alive. If Tim wasn’t so worried about him or so wrapped up in his own guilt, he might’ve laughed too at his words. "No, it’s not okay! You- I could’ve killed you! I knew I shouldn’t have- Brian?" Panic crept into his voice, "Brian!"
Brian’s eyes forced themselves open again and he stared up at Tim tiredly. "I’m fine..."
Tim shook his head, letting one hand run along Brian’s cheek. "No, you’re not. I can’t believe I- oh god, I’m sorry. I was starving, I couldn’t find a safe place to… to drink. And you were there and just so easy to… I’m so sorry, I-I promise it’ll never happen again, I-"
Brian cut him off, "Don’t. I kinda… liked it…"
Tim nearly choked. Both of them were confused at the statement (Brian was honestly surprised he said it aloud, and Tim was horrified Brian would even begin to feel that way). "What? No, you’re confused and probably delusional in this state… You don’t know what you’re saying-"
"No. I do."
Tim’s lip trembled before his expression hardened and he firmly replied, voice shaking. "You don’t know what you’re asking. You don’t want this, you don’t want me to… You need to rest. Think about this, and I…" Tim didn’t finish.
Brian blinked slowly, hyperaware of the low thump his heart gave in an effort to keep him conscious. "I want to… help you. I have blood. You… need it… makes sense, doesn’t it?"
"No, it most certainly does not-"
"Tim." Those mournful eyes stared back into Brian’s as he was silenced. "I trust you."
Tim’s expression was mingled with longing and regret. Brian knew he was still fighting the awful urge to bite into his neck once more, knew that he felt that they were better off without each other. "You shouldn’t. Oh god, you shouldn’t."
A soft whimper followed as he continued, voice laden thick with guilt. "At this rate, I might just be the death of you…"
Tim wasn’t wrong of course. But Brian really couldn’t see what was so bad about dying, especially if it was at the hands of someone he loved. Love. It was a funny thing, wasn’t it? Or perhaps it was just the endorphins thinking for him, as really, Brian would be willing to do anything for Tim right now. Everything was so numb, he felt that even death would merely be a minor hurdle for them to get over.
Just before he drifted off into unconsciousness, he muttered a quiet reply. One that he was sure Tim would be mad at, but it was one he had to say, because he was certain it was true. And it was one he was entirely alright with.
"You already are."