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“What are you doing here?!”
Shadow could not contain the mixture of panic and shock that oozed out of his voice, wide eyes trained on the last person he wanted to see at this very moment.
“Looking for you.” Vio replied, flat.
Shadow could not take his eyes off Vio even if he wanted to, focused on the way he stands beneath the light of the lamppost like an apparition, his usually pale cheeks reddened with the cold around them. The late winter air has chilled him until his ears, nose and cheeks matched each other with a rosy shade, a sign of his mortality. Shadow could not compare, the blood in his veins having drained and leaving him unable to blush. Still he wore a heavy cloak just like Vio, wanting to blend with the living crowd as best he can.
“You shouldn’t have come.” Shadow finally manages to pry his dry lips apart to say as Vio closes the distance between them with even strides.
“And why not?” Vio is right in front of him now, staring at him through pale lashes that push stray snowflakes from his face. “You expect me to just accept a vague text like that and not demand an explanation?”
A pause. “Sort of?” He knew his ‘we gotta break up, it was fun but bye’ text wasn’t very eloquent, but it's way more than he’s done for past lovers so…
“You expected wrong then.” Vio’s eyes narrow at him, arms crossed over his chest and pushing his dark purple scarf further up his face.
Shadow knows underneath it lies the necklace that’s been protecting him for years, the necklace he can’t remove lest his hands be burned to a crisp. Vio said it's something his mother gave him, his treasure, he probably doesn’t know it’s what’s kept monsters from targeting him his entire life. He hopes that little thing keeps his most prized treasure safe…
“I think we’ve known each other long enough for me to know you’re going through something.” Vio sounds almost unsure.
Shadow swallows through the dryness of his throat at that, averting his eyes, “Some people wouldn’t consider five years to be that long.”
Instead of receiving a snarky reply, Shadow feels soft fingers cradle his jaw, turning him back towards Vio to see his beloved giving him that gentle look that no one else gets to see. He knew he should pull away, tell Vio he doesn’t care, that he doesn’t know anything about him… but none of that is true.
So Shadow does the stupidest thing and instead leans into the touch, placing a hand over Vio’s comparatively warm one and planting a kiss on the palm of it. He doesn’t want to lose this, he wants to hold as close as possible, bask in this warmth and never let go… But he can’t imagine anything worse than being the reason Vio gets hurt.
“I can’t stay…” Shadow whispers finally, licking his teeth behind his lips to distract himself from the sweet aroma Vio always seemed to carry with him.
“Why? What’s going on?” Vio is searching his face for answers, Shadow wishes he could hand them over.
“Please Vio… just go home.” He doesn’t know how long he has before they find him.
“I won’t leave you like this.” Vio frowns, stubborn as always.
Shadow shakes his head and finally pries himself from Vio’s grip, “I’m leaving Vio, you can’t stop me.” He almost hesitates when he sees the flash of pain in Vio’s eyes, but he persists. “But for what it’s worth… it was nice seeing you one last time.”
A second of silence passes, in which Vio’s icy gaze falters, shifting from thought to thought, probably searching for a way to convince Shadow to say if he had to guess… But he’s made up his mind, it’s for the best. He finds the strength to turn away, hands balled into tight fists with tension.
“If this is about your secret Shadow… I already know.”
Shadow’s gaze whips back faster than it should, forgetting to hold back his speed in favor of staring at Vio. Words catch in his throat, dying out before he can utter them, because there’s no way Vio means what he thinks he means right?
“Secret? I dunno what you’re talkin’ about.” He tries to smile it off, but he knows his initial reaction won’t get past Vio’s radar.
“What you are, Shadow.” Vio takes hold of his hand once more, “I know you’re not human, I know what you do during some nights… and I still love you just as much.”
“I–“ Shadow fumbles, knees weak for the first time in decades probably, “How…?”
Vio rewards his honesty with the ghost of a smile, “You weren’t the only one who was worried about Zelda that night and decided to catch up to her… I saw what you did to the man that had been following her…”
Shadow is sure his nonexistent blood runs cold at that, the memory of that meal springing forth with vivid detail. He had been particularly violent that night, making sure the guy had known exactly why he’d been picked out, why he tore his throat apart before drinking his blood. It was not his finest moment, but the thought of Zelda falling victim to whatever this guy had planned had driven him to that low point.
And yet…
And yet Vio was still holding his hand, still getting near him and even begging him to stay.
What did I ever do to deserve him?
“Vio I– why?” Is all he can ask, his hands close to trembling.
“Because I know you’re not a monster, vampire or not.” Vio steps into Shadow’s space, hand on his chest. “I love you, Shadow.”
Goddesses above, how could he ever leave him? He knows he should, but he’s not sure that he could go back to a life without Vio now that he has him…
Shadow finds himself leaning in, hand on the back of Vio’s head, intending to close the offending gap between them. He almost makes it, until he hears something chilling:
“How touching.”
That voice seems to almost stop time in its place, gluing Shadow’s feet to the ground he stands on. He knows he has to turn around and face it, but he’s terrified to see what else he’d find if he turns around. However when he sees Vio move to get a good look at the person behind him Shadow finds the strength to act. He grabs Vio’s shoulders and keeps him still, and he’s sure he must look shaken, for Vio’s lavender eyes widen, absolutely taken aback by his reaction.
“Now now, don’t hide him, Shadow. I want to see the human you’ve managed to attach yourself to.”
Those words are laced with poison, Shadow has heard that tone enough to know that if he’s not careful Vio will be killed before he even realizes what’s happening. He can’t fight, not when they’re probably surrounded and he hasn’t fed in days… and running will only make it worse.
Think Shadow, think! You can’t let Vio get hurt!
“Very funny, Vaati.” Shadow grits out, still facing Vio.
“You still remember my name, I’m flattered.”
Shadow can hear footsteps approach, a single pair, but that means nothing; Ganon’s spawn are only noticed when they want to be. It takes a few very tense seconds, but when the footsteps sound like they’re exactly to his right, Shadow finally turns his head, crimson eyes glowering at the new arrival.
But Vaati is looking at Vio, who’s regained his usual calm front and is staring at Vaati with equal intensity. The blonde doesn’t speak however, which Shadow is thankful for, Vaati is not known for his patience towards humans, which is what he thinks Vio is at the moment. Not to mention that if he heard their entire conversation then…
“Gone for only a few decades and already you’ve exposed our secret I see.” Vaati says, looking at Shadow from his peripheral.
“As if you haven’t let your disguise slip before.” Shadow snaps back, right hand falling from Vio’s shoulder to better face his fellow spawn, though his left still holds Vio’s arm tight enough to send a message.
“Even if I had, at least I had the sense to kill the person before they could finish their sentence.” Vaati smooths down a few wrinkles in his shirt, a taunt.
The senior vampire doesn’t perceive Shadow as a threat at all, and as much as it grates on his pride he has to admit he’s in no condition to fight another non-human, not right now.
“Not all of us have a stick up our ass like you do.”
Vaati merely hums, “Is that it? I thought perhaps you’d just grown soft for this walking blood bag.” He gestures towards Vio, who presses himself closer to Shadow.
Shadow himself offers no reply to that, lying won’t change a thing at this point. He’ll probably have to fight his way out and hope Vio’s protection necklace is strong enough to keep the rest of the vampires…
“Ah!”
Vio’s cry from behind him has Shadow taking his eyes off Vaati for the first time since he arrived, catching the tail end of magic bouncing off Vio’s protective barrier. It was like watching a bullet ricochet off a metal surface, black and purple sparks bouncing off an invisible barrier curled around Vio’s head. The blond flinches back from the impact, but thankfully remains unharmed, turning his head to find the source of the spell to his left.
“Quite the strong barrier you have, human.” Comes a voice from the shadows, the owner revealing themself to be none other than Veran.
The sorceress turned vampire walks slowly into the light of a neighboring post, hand still raised with the last remaining sparks of her failed spell. Shadow bared his fangs at her, pulling Vio even closer to keep her out of Veran’s line of sight. He knows well her mastery of mind control, and he’s sure that were it not for Vio’s pendant then his lover would be under her thrall.
“Oh? A magic barrier?” Vaati speaks from behind them still. “Seems like I misunderstood you Shadow, is there perhaps a reason you’ve chosen this human after all?”
“Don’t come any closer!” Shadow growls at both sorcerers, nails turning to claws.
“I wouldn’t get any funny ideas if I were you.”
A third voice makes Shadow’s hands twitch, because from behind Veran walks out Onox, because of course he does! The bitch never goes anywhere without her stupid guard dog.
The largest of the four vampires smirks directly at Shadow, hands clenched into tight fists at his side, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Everything seems to go from bad to worse, because there’s absolutely no way he can fight all three of them off, especially not Onox, who’s always been one of Ganon’s physically strongest spawns. Still he won’t just hand Vio over, they’ll have to kill him first…
“Onox, handle the brat, but don’t kill him. Lord Ganon wants him back alive.” Vaati waves a lazy hand at Shadow.
Onox scoffs, “I don’t take orders from you, I was gonna do that anyways.”
“Shadow…” Vio says softly behind him, clinging to his coat.
“I’m so sorry Vio…” is all he offers before Onox is on him.
The larger vampire throws the first punch, knocking Shadow aside and away from Vio’s touch. The blonde gasps at the display of sheer speed Onox provides, stepping back in alarm as Shadow hits the ground a few terrible feet away.
“No!” Shadow yells, attempting to get up only for Onox to land directly on top of him, one hand on his neck and knee digging painfully into his side.
“You just sit there, you’re lucky your only punishment for abandoning Lord Ganon is watching your little boy toy die.” Onox laughs.
“F-Fuck you!” Shadow coughs out, mustering all his strength to tear at his arm, but the larger vampire doesn’t even flinch.
“Now then, let’s see what you’re hiding.”
Vaati’s voice pulls Shadow’s attention back to the remaining two spawns, who close in on Vio, magic sparking at their fingertips.
He watches in horror as Vio gasps, spells deflecting off his barrier left and right. Nothing gets through, but still Vio backs away, wanting to keep distance from himself and the two vampires.
“Very impressive, none of my spells will even dent it.” Veran praises, eyes scanning Vio’s frame.
“Indeed, however…”
Vaati doesn’t finish his sentence, instead opting for closing the space between him and his prey in one clean stride. His hand closes around Vio’s throat, lifting him a few inches off the ground as the blond struggles with vain attempts to free himself.
“No! Let him go!” Shadow manages to weakly choke out, only for Onox to press down on his neck harder.
“As I thought,” Vaati searches Vio’s body, taking a good look, “Shadow was able to touch you without problem, so it seems that although the barrier can keep magical attacks out it does nothing against physical threats.”
Veran steps up next to Vaati, completely unbothered by Vio’s flaining and gasps for air. “Odd, seems like an awful waste if it’s meant for protection… unless.”
She then grabs Vio’s scarf and tears it right off, exposing the bright silver necklace lying beneath. The sorceress takes it into her hands, turning it in her fingers before pulling. The moment she attempts to rip the pendant off however a spark suddenly flies around them, white and purple decorating the spot Veran’s fingers touch the delicate ornament.
The vampire barely reacts however, pulling her charred fingers away with a scowl. “Quite the strong seal as well.”
Vaati wasted no time letting go of Vio, letting him fall to his knees as furious coughs wrack his body. The blond places his hands on the ground, but is only allowed a few seconds of rest before Vaati grabs his hair and pulls him upwards until they’re face to face.
“Take the necklace off.” He orders, twisting the blonde locks in his hands painfully hard.
Vio raches up towards Vaati’s hands, once again failing to pry the vampire’s fingers off. His face contorts in pain, but otherwise gives nothing. He simply stares directly into Vaati’s eyes, glaring daggers with an air of defiance.
“Fine, we’ll do this the hard way.” Vaati grabs Vio’s collar and easily tosses him into the wall of the nearest building.
Vio hits the wall with a solid thud, gasping in pain as he bounces off the surface and lands on the ground. He lays on his side for a second before he attempts to push himself up, shaking with the strain.
“No! Fuck!” Shadow cries, doubling his escape efforts, but Onox holds strong. “Vio!”
“I won’t ask again.” Vaati stands over Vio’s fallen form. “Take the necklace off, unless you want your precious Shadow getting hurt?”
At those words Vio’s gaze snaps up, looking directly past Vaati and towards Shadow, who still lays under Onox’s oppressive weight. The largest vampire chuckles as he catches Vio’s eyes, tightening his grip until Shadow has to close his eyes to fight off the pain.
“You better hurry up blood bag, or I’ll snap his head right off his shoulders.” Onox threatens.
Shadow hears nothing from Vio for a moment, and he can almost relax as he realizes Vio doesn’t intend to do as Vaati says. However all of that is cut off as Onox grabs his shoulder and suddenly begins to pull at his neck.
This mother fucker really wants to rip my head off!
Shadow bites back a scream as best he can, but when his neck suddenly snaps it's like stars explode behind his eyes, white hot pain shooting down his entire spine. He knows that had he not been undead he’d be dead right now, and as it stands he doubts he’ll be able to get up until his neck vertebrae reattaches itself to his skull.
“No! Stop!” Vio shouts, and Shadow finally opens his eyes, blurry vision focusing on his lover’s mortified expression.
“Fine I’ll take it off! Just…” Vio swallows, hand reaching towards his pendant, “Please stop.”
“Hurry it up then.” Veran sneers, arms crossed over her chest.
Vio won’t waste any more time it seems, pulling the necklace over his neck in one swift motion, eyes still on Shadow.
The effect is instant. Shadow feels and smells the enchanting aura of a pure blooded witch for the first time in a good while. It hits him like a freight train, and he knows it hits the others as well, for Onox’s grip on his chest falters. Even Vaati tenses from where he still stands over Vio, fingers tapping on the side of his leg.
“So this is what you were trying to keep to yourself, huh Shadow?” Veran laughs, elation coating her voice.
“I’ll say, a gift like this is sure to get you back on Lord Ganon’s good side.” Vaati comments, hand on his chin.
“I wish I could eat him myself.” Onox licks his lips, “Smells better than anything I’ve ever had before.”
“Calm yourself Onox, you know Lord Ganon’s orders.” Vaati glares, “He’ll decide whether this one goes in with the rest of the livestock or if he’ll be turned.”
Then he turns back towards Vio, who still sits on his knees. “Though seeing as the blood that flows through him is so pure… I can see him becoming both.”