Archive of Our Own

Silco’s fortress was impenetrable. An imposing manor standing proud against looming trees whose branches grasped out of the night like tentacles. Winding, dark corridors lit only by candlelight. Not to mention the mass of vampiric guards that secured every passage and entrance to the vampire lord’s home.

Of course, none of these things bothered Jinx as she swept down the halls, brushing past guards without a second glance. 

No one would question the lord's daughter, after all. 

Jinx could barely think as she burst out the front doors and into the night, swallowing air like she actually needed it. Her conversation with Sevika still rang in her head. 

“Don’t be stupid, kid,” Sevika had snapped, eyes full of pity despite her gruff tone. “You didn’t really think he found you by coincidence, did you?”

The night Jinx had become a vampire was still a blur to her in many ways, only amplified by the loss of her sister in the same night. Vampires, of course.

The attack was over so quickly. One moment her and Vi had been walking home, the next they were surrounded. Vi had tried to fight, of course. Her sister had always been the brave one.

It didn’t matter in the end. Fangs sank into Jinx’s throat and her life ended at the ripe age of twenty-two. 

Until she awoke in the manor, body aching even as new strength coursed through her and Jinx felt the bloodlust cloud her mind for the first time. 

She had been turned. A vampire. Immortal. 

Eternally twenty-two. 

Silco had comforted her then, speaking softly and offering condolences as he explained that he’d simply happened upon her weakened body after the attack, drawn in by the smell of blood. 

“You were near dead. It was the only way to help you,” he’d assured gently, gesturing for one of his men to get her clean clothing. 

“What about Vi?” Jinx had asked immediately, grasping his arm desperately as tears had clouded her vision. “Where's my sister?”

Silco had looked down then, averting her searching gaze and appearing solemn. “We were too late, I’m afraid. Your sister is gone.” 

She’d cried. Screamed, even. And he’d remained with her through all of it, making promises of new life and new family. An eternal family. One that death couldn’t take from her. 

Jinx believed it. What else did she have to believe in at that point? He cared for her. Loved her as his own child. She didn’t have to be alone. 

But it was all a lie . The conversation overheard from the Barons and the subsequent confirmation from Sevika had revealed his deception to her. 

They were nothing more than a meal, her and Vi. 

Silco’s goons had gotten restless on the journey home and he’d allowed them a pick of whatever tasty morsel they could catch on the street. Jinx was never meant to be anything more than a quick snack. Forgotten and abandoned in an alley as she rotted with the trash. 

Jinx still isn’t sure why that wasn’t her fate. Why it had to be Vi instead. Most of all, what Silco possibly could have seen in her to save her life. To make her anew. To make her family. 

Jinx shivered, pulling her cloak tighter around her as she stepped into the forest. It didn’t matter anymore. She couldn’t stay here. Wouldn’t stay here. 

A few decades ago, leaving would have been unthinkable. Silco was all she had. The only one who cared for her.

But that was before Jinx knew her ‘father’ had murdered the only person who ever truly loved her. For all his lessons about loyalty and honesty, he’d lied to her from the very start. Silco had promised family after destroying the only family she’d had. Jinx couldn’t forgive that. Eternity wasn’t long enough to heal that kind of betrayal. 

Still, leaving was the most terrifying thing she’s ever done. Almost worse than the pain of her transformation, of losing her sister. Her life . 

Jinx had never been on her own. She had been taken care of by a doting older sister in her mortal life and taken in by Silco in her undead one. Hell, Jinx had never even hunted. Silco always had the finest blood ready for her whenever she’d needed it. She’d never asked where it came from. Who it had come from. 

Now, the blood offered to her felt like poison. The remnants burned her from the inside, tossing around her stomach and making her sick. 

Jinx had nothing. Was nothing. 

Nothing but a name. One that wasn’t even truly hers. 

She was someone else in her mortal life, soft and kind. Silco had urged her to leave it all behind, to become fearsome and strong and bury the weaknesses of the human inside her. The one that craved her sister’s warm hugs and still dreamed of the tavern she’d grown up in. 

She’d done it. Erased herself and embraced the identity he carved for her - the creature that lurked in the shadows. The Jinx. The beloved daughter that could one day earn her first hunt. The one hidden away in the depths of his manor where no human could see the unnatural pink glow of her eyes and drive a stake through her wicked heart. 

Such mutations were rare, even to her kind. Most could hide them quite easily and most didn’t have one to begin with. They were lucky that way. 

Jinx was never lucky. 

She paused, spotting light in the distance. Her old village, of course. Jinx hadn’t seen it in fifty years. Not since the day she’d died. It would likely be unrecognizable to her now, so Jinx didn’t bother taking a peek and instead trudged in the opposite direction.

Jinx hadn’t the faintest clue where she was going or what she expected to find, but she continued on the dark path nonetheless. Anywhere was better than that cold manor, surrounded by lies and false promises.

She’d take the name he gave her and nothing else. His offer of a second chance was meaningless now, but she had a whole undead life to live. An eternity, if she did things right. 

Jinx didn’t need him to live it. Didn’t need anyone .

They’d only disappoint her. Leave her. Lie to her.

And as her old home faded into mist, Jinx vowed that no one would ever get close enough to hurt her again. If this is what having a family was meant to be, Jinx wanted no part of it ever again. No more death, no more betrayal. No more love . 

Jinx would be alone, as she was always meant to be. 

***

Ekko finished bandaging the man’s neck, dropping the bloodied cloth into the warm water to ring it out. He’d been lucky with this one, catching up to his target and finding her latest meal before it’d been too late. 

She never just killed them. No, she tore into them like they were animals and left them for dead in alleys. Death would be kind. Vampires were never kind.

“Did you see where it went?” He questioned quickly before the man could decide to leave. “The thing that attacked you?”

“It- she…it all happened so fast,” the man croaked, shaking his head in disbelief. “I-I thought she’d kill me. She had these eyes… it- it was like she wasn’t human.”

Ekko just nodded, patting the man on his back and sending him on his way. It would do him no good to try and explain the existence of vampires to him - either he’d call Ekko a madman or spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder. Ekko had seen the consequences of both and found that letting mortals come to their own conclusion - usually that their attack was the work of a raving lunatic - was far more merciful than the truth.  

He’d been tracking this particular creature for over a month without even a single sight of the demon herself, only the bloody trail of innocents she’d left in her wake. But Ekko knew he had her now; he’d been right on her tail before the attack and knew she couldn’t be far.

Ekko readied a stake as he stalked down the alley, eyes darting around to scan every nook and cranny of the narrow space.

Pink flashed in his periphery, a silhouette streaking past and into the abandoned building. Ekko cursed and followed the creature inside, tugging free his crossbow and nocking an arrow.  She would not evade him again. 

Movement again. Ekko fired. A shriek of pain followed as the arrow connected. A shot to her shoulder - not good enough. Not the heart. It wasn’t worth anything if she wasn’t dust. 

The vampire lunged at him, knocking the crossbow away before he could retrieve another arrow. Even as they fought, Ekko noted that that she appeared weak for a vampire. Stronger than any mortal certainly, but her movements were delayed and sluggish. If he could just get the upper hand-

The creature pounced and they both went down, struggling the whole way. He raised his stake only for her to pin his wrist down, his weapon skittering across the floor. 

It was then, pinned down and about to be her next meal, that Ekko saw his prey for the first time.

She was pale, even for a vampire. Skin like moonlight and long, flowing hair falling around her in blue waves. And those eyes. The ones that had haunted him from the moment the first victim had recalled their attacker. Unnaturally pink, nearly glowing in the dark and filled with hunger. 

Ekko writhed, straining against her grip and grasping desperately for the wooden stake just out of reach. Her fangs were bared, eyes boring into him and grip too tight to allow him any opportunity to survive. 

But she wasn’t doing anything. 

The arrow was still sticking out of her arm, leaking blood down her arm and soaking through the black fabric of her dress. Yet all she did was stare, breathing heavily and squeezing her eyes shut. 

Then, miraculously, she released him. 

The vampire reared away from, kicking the stake further away as she lifted herself off him and pulled the arrow free with a pained grunt. And then she was gone - disappearing back into the shadows she’d come from and leaving him there unharmed. Alive . 

Ekko scrambled for the stake, looking around wildly and bracing himself for whatever trick this was. Vampires weren’t merciful creatures. They didn’t just go around sparing people out of the goodness of their blackened hearts. She was toying with him. Playing with her food. That had to be it. 

Still, nothing came pouncing at him from the shadows. Not when he finally stood to leave nor when he stumbled home, head snapping to investigate every little sound he heard on the way. He checked every window ten times over when he finally arrived at the small cottage he called home, searching outside for movement before throwing the curtains closed and paced the house with a stake in hand. 

Ekko knew she couldn’t come in even if she wanted to, but that was a small comfort when the creature could be stalking him from outside. Watching. Waiting for him to grow paranoid and go looking for her. 

Except, the sun was rising. Inky blackness bleeding into a deep orange and offering safety from the creatures bound to the night. The vampire wasn’t here. Couldn’t be. 

Why spare him, then? If it wasn’t a game, what was it? 

Kindness? Mercy ? Vampires, as Ekko understood them, were incapable of either. He’d learned that much when they’d killed his parents and set him on this path. No, vampires knew nothing but bloodlust and cruelty. 

Which still begged the question: Why?

Ekko didn’t know. Couldn’t begin to fathom what the vampire wanted with him - if anything at all. 

But he was going to find out. 

***

Nearly a week passed before he picked up her trail again.

There were no new attacks, oddly enough that fact did little to comfort him. On the contrary, Ekko was growing increasingly unsettled whenever the vampire came to mind. He felt her eyes watching him even in daylight, taunting him for his failure to kill her. Reminding him that she’d spared him.

Ekko shook his head, clutching his stake tighter to his chest. He wouldn’t lose it again. Wouldn’t fail again. Whatever game she was playing, Ekko wouldn’t play along. He’d turn her to ashes before those pink eyes could give him doubt. 

He crept inside the old barn, eyes scanning for a flash of blue or streaks of pink. He couldn’t let her get the jump on him again. Find. Aim. Strike. Right in the heart. 

There. Blue in his periphery. 

He rounded on the creature, arm raised to strike-

She was unconscious, propped up against the wall and head lolling to the side. She was even paler than before, if it was possible. Skin so devoid of color it made the veins sprouting from her eyes appear even darker. 

Ekko swallowed, gripping the stake tighter. There was nowhere she could go. He’d tracked her in the day - there was no escape for her outside nor did she appear strong enough to fight. Ekko could drive the wood through her chest and he doubts she’d even stir in time to know what was happening. 

The vampire shifted, half lidded pink eyes rising weakly to face him. She regarded him with an unreadable expression, her eyes betraying an intense hunger.

She didn’t seem like such a monster now. She looked… tired. She stared at the stake in his grasp fearlessly, almost like she wanted him to end it. To end her . 

Then, she looked away. Her eyes closed again and she let her head droop onto her shoulder as her body sagged down the wall. Like she couldn’t bring herself to even care what he’d do to her. Like she didn’t want to watch it happen. To know when he’d strike.

She was ready to die, but too scared to face it. It was such a human response it made his hand tremble, the stake nearly sliding from his grasp. Her sorrow - her loneliness so intense he could almost feel it.

The stake clattered to the floor. 

He felt himself backing away even as his mind struggled to understand what he was doing. She startled just barely at the noise, slivers of pink peeking from behind her eyelids almost indifferently. She scoffed weakly and dropped her gaze. 

She’d die soon, even if he wasn’t the one to do it. It’d be impossible for her to feed in this state, weakened and starving and unable to even stand. He could just…leave her there. No fight, no risk. One less vampire in the world. One less creature to worry about.

But he couldn’t do it. Couldn’t leave her like this. 

Couldn’t kill her. Even if that was everything he’d taught himself to do. 

Ekko fumbled in his satchel, almost on autopilot. He tugged free the jar of animal blood he kept - bait for vampires if he was unable to track them on his own. He unscrewed the lid and tossed it to the side, grabbing gently onto her face and lifting her chin to tilt the blood into her mouth. 

She flinched, recoiling from him before the first drop hit her tongue and she succumbed, eyes shooting open and leaning closer as he fed her every last drop, careful to not let it slide down her chin.

She coughed as he pulled away, letting the empty jar drop from his hand. Some color had returned to her cheeks, though she was still remarkably pale. 

“Why?” She croaked out, her voice hearse and still weak. 

Ekko opened his mouth, but couldn’t conjure a reason. 

He swallowed, trying to regain some of his senses and act like the vampire hunter he was. Even if that choice of occupation no longer seemed the most appropriate for him considering the situation he’d found himself in. 

“Are you one of Silco’s?” He asked eventually. The vampire lord was infamous, sire or employer to most of the vampires in the region. His empire was vast and Ekko had dedicated himself to crippling every last bit of it. Every last vampire. Justice for every human they’d killed for him. 

She made a face at that. “Used to be.”

“And now you’re, what?” He questioned. “Rogue?”

That actually seemed to amuse her for some reason, mouth quirking even as she shifted weakly, “I’m sure he’d say I’m having a phase.”

“Some phase,” he scoffed, anger firing in him again at the reminder of who she was. What she was. “Ripping open humans and leaving them for dead when you’ve had your fill.” 

The vampire frowned, eyes shifting almost like she was feeling guilty. “I was hungry.”

“There’s ways to eat without killing people.”

“I didn’t kill anyone!” She shot back defensively, then hesitated. “I tried not to kill anyone.”

He sighed frustratedly, “You can’t hunt animals ?”

She pouted, muttering, “I can’t catch them.”

“You’re a vampire !”

“I never learned how to hunt!” She huffed, glaring up at him. “I can barely catch humans long enough to eat.”

“Oh, Silco getting negligent in his old age, huh?” He stood, crossing his arms defiantly. “Can't train his vampires anymore?”

“I stopped being one of his vampires seven years ago!” She stood too, though she had to lean on the wall for slight support. She glared at the cracks of sunlight peeking through the barn windows. “Can you go now?”

Ekko hesitated, not moving. “Why aren’t you with him anymore?”

“I could kill you,” was the only reply she offered. 

“I saved your life.”

“I spared you first!” She scoffed, looking offended, “We’re even as far as I’m concerned.”

“Why did you?” Ekko found himself asking. “Spare me?”

Her eyes remained downcast. “I told you, I’m not trying to kill anyone.”

“You’re going to die if you don’t learn to hunt,” Ekko reminded her, unsure why he even cared. 

“Isn’t that what you want?” She scowled, looking him up and down. “You’re a shitty hunter.”

“You’re a shitty vampire!”

She gasped, like it wasn’t entirely true, and threw the blood jar at him. He dodged it narrowly. “You take that back!”

“I bet you’re not even a hundred years old, are you?” He mocked. Vampires grew stronger with age and - lethal as she was - she was lacking in power. “What are you, twenty?”

“I’m twenty two!” She shot back, gesturing emphatically. “Plus like…sixty years!”

“No wonder you can’t hunt.” 

“What are you still doing here, anyway?” She grumbled, closing her eyes again. Like she didn’t want him to see them. “Only one of us can leave so just go.”

Truthfully, Ekko didn’t know why he was still here. Didn’t know why he was talking to her like a human when he knew she wasn’t. Everything he knew about vampires told him one would never let him get this close unless it was to rip his throat out. Yet here she was telling him to leave like it didn’t matter to her one way or the other.

Ekko hesitated, swallowing hard and looking away. “What will you do?”

“What?”

“You’re not feeding on humans anymore. I won’t let you.” 

She shifted uncomfortably, her voice quiet. “I’ve never had anything else.”

He motioned to the shattered jar on the floor. “That was pig blood. You’ll figure it out.”

“Easy for you to say,” she flopped back down on the floor, knees to her chest. “There’s a reason we prefer human blood. It’s not exactly easy to wean off of.”

The words left his mouth before he could second guess what the hell he was offering. 

“I could help you.”

“How?” She asked flatly, “Kill me?”

“No, I-” he should be saying yes. Should pick up his stake and drive it through her heart before she can stop him. “If getting you animal blood will keep you away from humans, then I’ll help you.”

She scoffed. “And I’m supposed to trust you?”

“You don’t have many options.”

“I don’t need your help.”

“What else will you do?” Ekko questioned. “Starve to death?”

She didn’t answer immediately, contemplating that as her gaze remained fixed on the floor.  Eventually she spoke. 

“What’s your plan?”

“I don’t know,” he said honestly, sticking his stake back in his satchel. “No more feeding on humans for one. Then you can learn to hunt.”

She stared at him. “Killing me would be easier.”

“Don’t tempt me,” Ekko shook his head, eyeing the sun still high in the sky. “I’m still a hunter. I don’t make a habit of helping vampires.”

“So why are you?” She sounded a bit curious, but mostly annoyed. Distrustful. 

“You don’t want to hurt anyone,” Ekko shifted uncomfortably. He really didn’t have a good reason. Just a feeling. Instinct. “Most vampires don’t care. That’s worth something to me.”

She shrugged listlessly, still huddled against the wall. “You shouldn’t be so trusting.”

“Probably not,” he agreed. “What’s your name?”

The slightest flash of pink as she looked up, only to immediately lower her gaze. “…Jinx.”

“Jinx,” he repeated, testing the name on his tongue. It didn’t feel bad at all. “I’m Ekko.”

“Are you gonna wait around here till nightfall, Ekko?” Jinx asked, watching light shift across the floor from the windows and sliding further into shadow. “It’s not like I’m going anywhere.”

Ekko considered that for a moment. He hadn’t thought  that far ahead if he was being honest. He couldn’t take her home. He’d abandoned any sense he’d gained as a hunter long ago, but that was a line he still could not cross. Inviting a vampire into his home - one he barely knew, at that - was even more foolish than giving her blood and offering her his help in the first place. 

Eventually, he nodded. “I’ll come back when it gets dark. If you promise not to run off before I arrive.”

Jinx made a sound, almost like a disbelieving chuckle, “As if I have anywhere else to go.”

It seemed like she meant it to be a joke, but there was something sad in it that gave Ekko pause. Vampires were not nearly as solitary as most people would believe. In fact, they often nested or traveled in groups. It’s part of what made Silco so powerful - his endless stream of goons and soldiers made it all that much harder to get to him. To cut off the serpent's head and topple his regime for good. 

The fact that Jinx didn’t have anyone… somehow it made Ekko all the more determined to help her. 

It wasn’t like he had anyone either.

“I’ll be back,” he promised, stepping towards the door and sliding it open. 

Jinx perked up suddenly, “Bring some blood?”

He raised an eyebrow. 

“…Animal blood?” She offered, then pouted. “I’m hungry.”

“That bloodlust thing is no joke, huh?” 

“Nope.”

“Alright,” a small smile formed on his face, against his will. “How do you feel about cow?”

“Blegh. ”

“Yeah, I should've guessed that.”

***

Jinx fumbled for the lid, tearing it off and draining the jar of the blood inside. She made a face at the taste, but hummed in satisfaction regardless. 

It’d been over a month of this routine so far and she was adjusting…well, not the worst. Though she often complained of the taste and there were more concerning moments where she stared at his neck like she wanted to tear it open, but those moments were beginning to become sparse. Or maybe she was just hiding it better. 

“Think you might wanna try hunting it for yourself one of these days?” He offered.

Jinx shrugged, trailing her finger along the top of the jar and gathering beads of blood on her finger. “It’s so much easier to make you do it.” 

“That’s only gonna work for so long,” Ekko warned her, looking up from the stake he was whittling. “You seriously never went hunting even once ? I figured Silco had a ‘everybody pitches in’ type operation.”

“He does ,” Jinx sighed, sucking the blood off her finger and reclining her head back against the wall. “I just…never had to. They brought it to me.”

“Brought it to you?” Ekko repeated skeptically. “What are you, the princess or something?”

Jinx hesitated a bit too long before responding. “No, of course not. That’s stupid.”

Ekko narrowed his eyes. She was hiding something. 

“Jinx-”

She stood abruptly, skirt twisting around her legs as she rushed to the barn door. “Are we going hunting or not?”

He followed after her quickly, snatching his satchel and pulling the crossbow free. She stood in the field, arms crossed impatiently as he caught up.

“Watch where you point that thing,” Jinx snarked, leaning away from him. “Go shoot a bunny or something.”

He pressed the bow into her hands. “No, you shoot the bunny.”

Jinx shook her head wildly, smacking it away. “I don’t wanna eat bunnies!”

“You’re the one who suggested it!”

The weeds shifted near them, something lurking in the grass and preparing to pounce. She shoved the crossbow into his hands. 

A wild poro sprung forth and sniffed the ground. Jinx shrieked and scrambled behind him. 

“What, never seen a poro before?” 

“A what?”

“Nevermind,” he gestured onwards into the field and woods beyond. “You’re not eating that. Let’s go.”

He pressed the crossbow into her hands as they trudged into the woods. It didn’t take long to find a deer frolicking in the distance. 

“Isn’t a crossbow cheating?” Jinx asked, obviously stalling. “I don’t think vampires use weapons.”

“Then go up and bite it.”

“I hate you.”

“Yeah, you’re a real ball of sunshine too.”

“ What did you just call me?” 

“Okay, not the best wording-”

Jinx groaned, aiming the crossbow and firing in the deers direction. Ekko was surprised it hadn’t run off already with all the noise they’d been making. And even more surprised when the arrow connected, the animal letting out a cry and collapsing instantly. 

“You’ve known how to use a crossbow this entire time?” Ekko said grumpily, snatching it away from her. 

“First time.” 

“You’re lying.”

“You make this seem so much harder,” Jinx rolled her eyes, skipping towards the wounded animal. “No wonder you suck at vampire hunting.”

“I do not-”

“Hello~” Jinx gestured to him then herself. “Hunter. Vampire. You suck. ”

“And you’re extremely uncooperative,” Ekko rolled his eyes, holding up his weapon. “Especially considering I’m holding a crossbow.”

Jinx knelt beside the deer. “Kill me after I eat.”

Ekko huffed out a small laugh and let the bow drop. Jinx stared at him. He raised an eyebrow. 

Jinx rolled her eyes and gestured at him. “Don’t watch me.”

Ekko raised his hands in surrender and turned to face the opposite way. “You’re the weirdest vampire I’ve ever met.”

Jinx brushed past him a moment later, laughing openly. “The only one you’ve met.” 

He followed after her, shaking his head in a way he’d never admit was starting to become fond. “ Semantics. ”

Jinx wiped some blood from her cheek and licked it off her finger, humming thoughtfully. “Better than that cow shit you keep bringing me.” 

“Sorry, your highness,” Ekko rolled his eyes. “I forgot you used to accept only the finest bloods.” 

Jinx bristled. “I hoped you’d forget about that.”

“You must’ve been pretty important,” Ekko continued lightheartedly and not noticing the way she was stiffening. “Are you secretly an heiress or something?”

“I was his daughter.”

Ekko froze, turning to face her but she kept her gaze on the ground. Her voice was hollow when spoke. 

“Adopted,” Jinx clarified, clenching her fist at her side. “He took me in after turning me.”

Ekko’s heart pounded as it all clicked into place. He felt like an idiot for not seeing it sooner. This wasn’t just any girl. It was Silco’s favorite. His chosen daughter. 

“Why did you leave?” Ekko found himself asking after a stretch of uncomfortable silence. 

“He’s a liar,” her voice shook with anger and she glanced up at him briefly, seeming to remember herself and pulling further away from him as she marched ahead. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“What happened?” Ekko tried to grab her wrist, but she wrenched it free and recoiled from him with a harsh glare. 

“None of your business.”

“Jinx-”

She stormed inside the barn and Ekko scrambled after her. Jinx rounded on him again, looking only more furious now that he wasn’t letting up.   

“Just drop it!” Jinx spat, the fight leaving her almost immediately as she turned away from, running a hand through her hair. “This was a mistake.” 

“A mistake? What-?”

“I don’t need your help,” Jinx murmured, shaking her head. “I never should’ve stayed here.”

“So, what?” Ekko said hotly, hurt and frustration mixing in his chest. “You’re just gonna go?”

“We’re not friends , Ekko!” Jinx cried, seeming almost regretful of that fact. “I didn’t need Silco. I don’t need you either.”

Ekko took a deep breath, trying to reel himself in despite the hurt he felt at the rejection. “I don’t know what he did, but I haven't done anything to betray you.”

“You will,” Jinx replied softly, her tone sad. “No one ever keeps their promises.” 

“You haven’t given me the chance to.” 

“I’m tired of pretending to believe that you will.”

“Then I’ll show you,” Ekko said firmly. He offered a hand out to her. Jinx stepped back, watching him warily. 

“What are you-?”

“You think we can’t trust each other?” He asked, tilting his head at her and catching her gaze. “That I’ll betray you? Then I at least deserve the chance to show you otherwise.”

Jinx shook her head. “The sunrise-”

“Not for a few more hours,” Ekko assured her. Gently, he took her hand. She flinched, but didn’t pull away this time. “Just trust me, okay? No tricks. I want to show you something.”

After a long pause, she nodded. Ekko smiled and led her back out of the barn and down the path away from the fields where they’d been hunting. She asked no questions as they walked, her eyes boring into him with every step. 

Eventually, they reached it. Home. 

Ekko walked ahead of her as she slowed, opening the door and stepping inside the threshold before turning back around to gesture her inside. 

Jinx stepped back. “You know I can’t.”

“Yes, you can,” Ekko said easily. “I invite you in.”

“You’re insane . I could-”

“Kill me?” Ekko raised a brow at her and she fell silent. “I could do the same. I guess we’ll just have to trust each other.”

“What does it matter if you have my trust?” Jinx questioned uncertaintly, eyes scanning his face for any sign of his intentions. 

“You may not consider me a friend, Jinx,” Ekko began before taking her hand and gently pulling her over the threshold. “But I’d like to consider you mine.”

Jinx shook her head in disbelief, almost laughing. “You’re supposed to kill people like me.”

“I know.”

Jinx deflated, shrinking in on herself. “I don’t know how to be your friend, Ekko.” 

Ekko smiled, shrugging it off. “Well, I’ve never been friends with a vampire before. I guess we’ll both have to figure it out as we go.”

Jinx moved about the room slowly, examining his books and the sparse furniture that held various knick knacks and projects. “It’s an upgrade from the barn.”

“I was hoping you’d say that,” Ekko laughed a bit sheepishly. “I thought you could stay here instead.”

Jinx regarded him, eyes flickering to his face to her surroundings and then back to him. “With you?”

“Friends don’t let friends live in barns,” Ekko offered a smile, extending a hand out. “So, friends?”

Jinx smiled a bit, hand slowly pulling away from where it was tucked against her chest and intertwining with his.

“Friends.” 

***

Living with Jinx was harder than Ekko had ever anticipated.

No, it wasn’t the blood she consumed nor was it her need to touch and mess with every item in her reach. Not even her endless snark or chaotic disorganization of the shared living space bothered him. He’d anticipated all of that. 

What Ekko hadn’t anticipated was how hard it would be to not look at her. Not to study or examine, but simply to admire.

He hadn’t allowed the thought to fester, squashing it down every time he’d felt that pull in his stomach. But Ekko couldn’t deny it anymore. Couldn’t hide from it. 

Jinx was beautiful. 

Her hair was a mesmerizing waterfall of blue he was growing increasingly tempted by and the recent discovery of tattoos along her arm did nothing to ease the feelings bubbling up in him. Above all that, of course, was her eyes.

They were bright and unnatural and screamed danger like nothing he’d ever seen. And he loved it. Loved the way they crinkled when she offered a rare smile. And the way she’d peek up at him with one eye whenever he was bustling around the house to see what he was up to. He loved the way they glowed, seemingly reactive to the emotions she was feeling. An aspect he’d only recently discovered, with the way she often hid her eyes from view. Like she’d been taught not to let anyone see. 

It only made him want to see them more. How could anyone tell her to hide something so beautiful? So unique? So… her.

Ekko wasn’t an idiot. He knew what these feelings meant. Just as much as he knew that it was foolish to allow himself to feel them. He was still, technically, a vampire hunter and Jinx was a vampire. Though it had never mattered to him less that she wasn’t human, Ekko was still acutely aware that his affections for her were something he never should have entertained for this long. 

Funnily enough, knowing he shouldn’t feel this way didn’t do anything to actually stop him from feeling it. 

“Jinx.”

She yelped, scrambling away from the blood jars she’d been sniffing around. “I wasn’t doing anything!”

“You just went hunting,” he reminded her as he cooked up the meat from her kill for himself.

Jinx pouted. “I’m hungry again.”

Ekko had always been more of a night owl, especially considering his profession. But since meeting Jinx, his days had evolved into lounging about for most of the daylight hours and properly starting his day in the hours between the sunset and sunrise. He’d read or paint or work on whatever project that could occupy him during her hunts and then he’d cook the leftovers she’d brought him. It was a decent system. One they’d fallen into fairly quickly. 

Ekko desperately tried not to view it as domestic . 

“Are all vampires as insatiable as you?” He wondered, bumping her shoulder as she brushed past him with her blood successfully secured. 

“Humans are more filling,” Jinx said matter of factly, then smirked and bat her eyelashes at him. “So if you want to help me out-”

“Drink your blood and stay away from my arteries,” Ekko chided, wagging a finger at her and hoping she didn’t catch on to just how unopposed he really was to the idea. 

It was wrong, Ekko was sure, to fantasize about such a thing. Unfortunately, that made it no less tempting. 

Jinx hummed mischievously. “Your loss.”

If only she knew how much he agreed with that sentiment. 

***

Ekko was just finishing up in the garden and toting in fresh vegetables to be washed when he heard the swearing. 

Jinx’s frustrated voice carried through the small house, followed by the sounds of fumbling and something falling on the floor. 

“Jinx?” He called out worriedly, rounding the corner and nearly dropping his vegetables at what he saw.

Jinx was fumbling with her corset, hands grasping behind her at the ties and swearing even more as her long hair continued to get in the way, tangling with the ribbon that tied the garment. Her skirt swished around her legs as she turned this way and that, tattoo rippling across her arm as it stretched behind her in an attempt to fix it. 

He set down the vegetables quickly, stumbling over himself a bit as he blushed and tried to turn away. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were-”

Jinx blew a strand of hair from her face, glaring at him in annoyance. “A little help here?”

“R-right!”

Ekko came up behind her a bit nervously and she dropped her hands, puffing out another annoyed breath. “Watch the hair, yeah?”

“Easier said than done,” Ekko remarked as he admired the absurdly long waves falling down her back. She’d tied it into a cute half up style, blue strands braided around her head like a crown with smaller braids woven throughout, the rest falling free. Ekko decided not to point out how much easier it would be to do this if she’d had the foresight to tie up her hair beforehand.

He worked carefully to detangle her hair, fixated on the way her hair caught the light as it slipped through his fingers. After minutes of silence and careful unthreading, he gently slid her long hair over her shoulder and focused on the half tied corset.

“Do you know what you’re doing?” Jinx asked as he scooped up the dangling ribbon and threaded it through an eyelet. 

“Well, I’ve never tied a corset before if that’s what you’re asking,” Ekko admitted, keeping his gaze focused and hands steady. “I can't imagine it’s that hard.”

“Yeah, bet you’ve never untied one either,” Jinx muttered, snickering a bit and making her shoulders shake. 

Instinctively, his hand braced against her waist to hold her still and she gasped ever so slightly, falling silent as he chided her softly. “Stay still, would you?”

Jinx hummed confirmation, though it came out slightly strained. Nevertheless, Ekko continued threading the ribbon - making an X pattern as he went and tightening the laces accordingly. 

He heard her gasp every so often, sharp intakes of breath when he tugged on the strings or when a hand grazed her shoulder. Ekko tried not to focus too much on it. To read into the charged energy that surrounded them. 

He neared the top of the corset and tied off the lacing into a bow, finding his eyes drawn to the curve of her exposed neck. Foolishly, he wondered how many she’d bitten. Wondered what it would feel like to be bitten. What it would feel like to be the one biting- 

“Why do vampires go for the neck?” Ekko blurted out, his hands shooting away from her and to his sides as she turned, giving him an inquisitive look. 

“You’re the hunter, aren’t you?” Jinx smirked, teasing him as she rested her arms low against her back. “You tell me.”

Ekko shrugged. “People aren’t smart enough to cover them up even after countless neck wound related deaths?”

Jinx laughed. “Well, you’re half right.”

She stepped closer, reaching up and pressing a finger against his neck. “It’s vulnerable. Easy to get to.” Jinx explained, biting her lip ever so slightly as her eyes locked onto the exposed skin. “Convenient, too. With all the arteries.  So much blood just waiting to be taken.”

“Ah, so it’s my fault for having veins.”

“If you don’t want to be sucked dry, stop making your blood so conveniently placed for vampire consumption.” 

Ekko rolled his eyes even as his heart thundered at the way she was looking at him. At the hand still against his neck. “Yeah, I’ll get right on that.”

Jinx chuckled lowly, fingers flexing around his neck before letting go. “Calm down, I’m not gonna bite you.”

“Uh, I am calm.”

Jinx tilted her head. “Your heart’s racing.”

Ekko frowned, pressing his own hand against his neck to feel the pulse. “You could feel that?”

“I can hear it.”

He paused, eyeing her warily. “You can hear my heartbeat?”

“Mhm. Very inconsiderate of you, in my opinion,” Jinx said breezily, arms swaying at her sides. “All that blood pumping and I don’t get to have any ? Tease.” 

Ekko smiled a bit at that, eyes falling on her throat and lifting his own hand against her pulse point. “Yours doesn’t beat anymore, does it?”

“No, it doesn’t,” Jinx said softly, watching him uncertainly. “I’m not really alive.”

“But you’re so warm,” Ekko whispered, tone awed and wistful as his hand curled against her neck.

Jinx seemed bewildered by that, pink eyes scanning his face as her eyebrows pinched together in wonder. “No, I’m not, Ekko,” she whispered, leaning into the warmth of his hand. “I’m cold. I’m always cold.”

“Not to me.”

His hand slid up to her cheek, his other hand following the motion and cupping her face while his thumbs softly grazed her skin. He’d never been close to her like this, touching for this long and feeling the way his skin burned at the contact. Ekko couldn’t look away from her eyes, wide and surprised and so beautiful. 

Ekko risked a step closer, her head tilting up in his grasp as he did so as she tried to keep her eyes on him. He smiled. 

“You’re perfect to me.”

They were so close now. Ekko wasn’t entirely certain when they’d gotten nearly nose to nose, but they were. He could feel his skin humming at the proximity, begging to come closer. To close that little gap. 

His eyes flickered down then back up. Jinx watched him, silent and unreadable but not moving away. Ekko leaned in, noses brushing and eyes fluttering closed as their lips ghosted against each other- 

Jinx turned her head to the side, recoiling like she’d been burned. “Don’t.”

“Why not?” Ekko asked, the desperation clear in his voice even to his own ears. Had he misread the situation that badly? Things had seemed so clear to him a moment ago. So certain that his feelings could be mutual. He’d felt content. 

Now, Ekko just felt cold. 

“Just…” Jinx trailed off for a moment, refusing to look at him as she kept her back firm against the wall. She wrapped her arms around herself and shook her head. “Just don’t .”

“I’m sorry,” Ekko’s voice felt hollow, fighting to keep the tears back even as they burned his eyes and threatened to spill over. He’d embarrassed himself enough already. “I thought…I don’t know what I thought.” 

She kept her eyes low as she pushed against the wall and towards the door, muttering. “I should go.”

“Jinx, wait! , ” Ekko begged, panic seizing him as she made to leave. He extended a hand, as if to stop her and she froze, still not facing him. “You- you don’t have to go. Please. Let’s just…just forget about it, okay?”

Jinx shook her head, voice quiet as she spoke. “I can’t.”

“I’m sorry,” Ekko said again. He felt like a fool, letting everything crumble around him just because he couldn’t keep his idiotic heart in check. Now he was losing her for good. “I shouldn’t have- I should’ve never thought that you would…”

He trailed off for a moment, chest tightening and face burning as he pushed the words out. “That you would want me.”

“I can’t ,” Jinx repeated, sounding almost desperate. 

Ekko could feel his heart breaking. “Can't stay?”

“Can’t want you!” Jinx whirled around to face him and tears of frustration welled up in her eyes as the words burst out of her, face crumbling as she looked at him. “You’re human , Ekko.”

“I don’t care about that.”

“I do!” Jinx cried, nearly trembling as she ran a hand through her hair. “You’re not like me, Ekko. You’re going to age and you’re going to die! I won’t.”

Ekko let the tears fall, the fight leaving him. “Then let me love you until I do.”

Jinx shook her head, eyes squeezing shut and hands running over her face. “ No. ”

“ Why?”

Her fists clenched, words bursting out of her almost angrily. “Because I’m not just gonna sit around and watch the man I love die!” Her voice broke halfway through, shrinking in on herself and choking out. “I won’t. ”

Ekko reached her before either of them had even properly processed her confession, sweeping her up in a hug that she seemed too drained to try and fight. His shoulders shook as he tried to pull himself together, whispering into her hair. “You love me?”

“Of course I love you, idiot,” she sobbed into his shoulder, managing to sound both angry and heartbroken at the same time. 

“Then stay. ”

She shook her head defiantly, beginning to pull away from him. “I can't lose you.”

Ekko grabbed her hand desperately, “Then don’t ,” he hesitated for a single moment as the thought came to him, knowing that it’d be impossible to take back once he uttered the words aloud. 

“Make me like you,” Ekko said finally, firm and determined as he met her eyes. “We’ll never have to lose each other again.”

It went against everything he knew. Every belief and decision that had defined him for his entire life. Vampires had taken his family and he’d sworn to end them all for it. But that was before her . Before he realized that he could feel like this about another person. About a vampire. 

Even if he never became one himself, he could never hunt again. He’d never be able to stop seeing her in every vampire he killed, wondering if they had a love waiting for them. If they were only trying to survive like she was. It would be hypocritical to continue on like that. He’d be nothing more than a fraud, tearing into vampires when he’d not only spared one, but had fallen in love with her. 

The life he’d had before was over. Whether he died or not, he’d stopped being that man a long time ago. He’d stopped being a hunter when he’d given her blood for the first time, softened by the anguish in her beautiful pink eyes. 

Jinx’s eyes widened in shock. “ Ekko .”

He cupped her face in his hands once again. “Make me a vampire,” he implored her, tracing freckles with his finger. “I want to be with you.”

Jinx shook her head in disbelief, trembling beneath his fingers. “You don’t mean that.”

“I do. ”

“You’re a vampire hunter,” she argued, eyes filled with doubt, like she didn’t believe him. Tears dropped onto his fingers as he held her. “You don’t want this, Ekko.”

“I want you ,” he brushed tears from her eyes, keeping their gazes locked together so she could see the conviction in every word. “If that means becoming a vampire, then do it. I’d gladly take eternity with you over a human life without you.”

Jinx hesitated, uncertainty clear in her gaze. “And what if you change your mind? You can’t take this back, Ekko.”

“I won’t,” Ekko promised, voice soft but firm. “I want this, Jinx.”

“You don’t know that,” Jinx whispered, hands reaching to mirror his own and cup his face. “I don’t want you to hate me.”

He tilted his head ever so slightly, pressing his lips against her hand in a soft kiss.“I could never hate you.”

Jinx softened considerably at that, but Ekko could still see her fear. “I could kill you,” she murmured anxiously. “I’ve never done it before. If I mess up-”

“You won’t,” Ekko soothed, wrapping her in another hug and holding her tight. “I trust you. With my life and my death.” 

She let out a noise between a cry and a laugh, punching his shoulder with no real force. “That’s not funny.”

“I could die a happy man right now, knowing that you love me,” Ekko admitted, tilting her head up to look at him. “But I want forever. And I’ll take any risk if it means I get to have it with you.”

Jinx stared at him, so many emotions swirling in her eyes he couldn’t begin to imagine what was going on in her head. She reached up again, caressing his cheek and letting her fingers graze against his dark hair. She hesitated just a moment longer.

“I’d have to feed on you,” she said eventually, nearly whispering with how soft her voice was.

Ekko nodded, steeling any lingering nerves and smiling. “Fine by me.”

“I don’t want to get carried away,” Jinx said worriedly. Ekko couldn’t blame her for that. He’d spent months helping her quit human blood, after all. And now he was basically offering himself up on a silver platter.

“I don’t mind a little blood loss,” he said lightly, trying to ease her tension. Jinx frowned at that and he sighed, reaching down and squeezing her hand. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”

Jinx considered that for a moment before nodding a bit shakily and motioning to the small bed in the corner. “You'll want to sit down.”

“Don’t get too much blood on the linens, okay?” 

Jinx scoffed in reply, rolling her eyes and shoving him lightly as he moved to sit down, making him fall straight on his back against the sheets. 

“Weren't you taught not to play with your food?” He snarked as he pulled himself up. 

Jinx didn’t reply immediately, climbing into his lap and effectively shutting him up. She braced her hands on his shoulders, fingers clawing into his shirt as she gave him a soft look. 

“You know you’re so much more than that, Ekko.”

She didn’t give him a chance to reply as she leaned forward and tilted her head down into the curve of his neck, lips pressing against his pulse point and pausing as if waiting. 

Ekko took a long breath, steeling himself and sliding a hand into her hair. “I’m ready.”

Ekko had imagined what it might feel like more times than he’d dare to admit, but nothing could have prepared him for the sensation that burned through him as fangs pierced his skin and he gasped, only to find no sound made its way out. The pain lessened ever so slightly as endorphins rushed through his system, mixing with the adrenaline and producing an intoxicating mix of pain and pleasure as she fed on him. 

Jinx was gasping against his neck, drinking with the desperation and fervor of someone who hadn’t eaten in weeks. Her fingers were digging into his skin, having torn small holes in his shirt where she’d rested her hands. She licked at his neck, savoring every drop and letting out a sound that, in Ekko’s slightly delirious state, he’d be certain was a moan. 

Ekko grunted weakly, feeling the strength slowly leaving his body. His heart seemed to slow, as did time itself. Everything around him faded until all he could feel was the fangs in his neck and the body pressed against him, everything muffled and blurry like he was underwater. 

His hand slid from her hair, fingers tugging lightly and making her jump. He vaguely felt her pull away, leaving a sharp and sticky sensation behind as blood seeped from the wound. 

Jinx hummed apologetically, gaining his attention as she lifted his head to look at him. “Hold on just a little longer, love,” Ekko wondered if he was hallucinating as she lifted a finger to her neck and, to his bewilderment, sliced her fingernail across her skin and left an angry red mark in its wake that slowly started to seep out a trail of blood. “Your turn.”

He had neither the time nor the strength to protest as she guided his mouth to her neck, urging him to drink from the wound. He obliged, using what little sense he had left to lick at the wound, tasting something warm and metallic as it trickled into his mouth. 

“Good boy,” Jinx murmured, his vision starting to go black even as she leaned her head back and bared more of her neck to him. A hand curled into his locs. “You can rest now.”

Ekko could give no response, slumping gratefully against her neck and letting everything fade away, lulled into nothingness by the gentle fingers carding through his hair and the soft humming of the girl they belonged to. 

***

Jinx felt sick.

It wasn’t his blood causing her nausea, of course. Ekko’s blood was actually the most delicious thing she’s tasted in her entire existence. It had been even harder than she’d imagined to tear herself away from it, that first drop of blood lighting her up like a fire and driving her wild with the desire to devour him whole. 

No, Jinx's unease was something far more crippling. The waiting. Not knowing if or when he’d wake up. Jinx hadn’t been kidding when she’d told him of her inexperience in siring a vampire. She’d barely been alive when it had happened to her, not even knowing the process of her own transformation until years later when one of Silco’s men, Marcus, was punished for siring vampires without the vampire lord’s authorization, as was required for any under Silco’s reign. 

The exchange of blood was crucial, the mixing of vampire and human blood ending with the slow fall into death’s embrace. Then the rebirth. Rising from a short lived grave to an undead eternity. 

Extremely morbid. And a little gross. But that was life. 

Well, it actually wasn’t. But it was the closest thing. 

Jinx wasn’t certain Ekko had gotten a good enough dose of her blood, considering her eagerness to suck him dry had left him a bit weaker than she was probably supposed to. Then again, Jinx hadn’t even been conscious to drink from her own sire, so she wasn’t exactly in the position to judge. 

Still, she was worried. Hours had passed with no change from the boy laid across the bed. She’d stayed with him for awhile, deluding herself into believing he was just sleeping, but time had made her restless and after a while it became impossible to ignore his increasingly cold body no matter how many blankets she wrapped him in.

It was temporary, Jinx knew. That didn’t make it any easier. 

She’d been pacing for the better part of two hours, sunrise had come and went forcing her to limit her anxiety to the confines of the small cottage they shared. Jinx felt like she was losing her mind.

She’d been over it so many times, paranoia rising in her and making her doubt he’d wake up at all. Had she done something wrong? Taken too much? Not given him enough? Had she killed the only person who’d made her feel truly loved since losing Vi?

It always came back to Vi, somehow.

Jinx often wondered if her sister would hate what she’d become. Look at her with disgust. Disappointment. If she’d drive a stake through her heart or wrap her in a hug and tell her it’d all be okay. 

She’d admitted as much to Ekko once. The first person she’d felt safe enough with to recall Vi. To admit the grief that still lingered. That broke her in the loneliest nights where all she wanted was to hide under the covers and wait for her sister to chase away their monsters. 

She remembered, vividly, the way he’d looked at her when it all spilled out. No pity or faux sympathy. Just understanding . 

“If your sisters anything like what you say,” He’d said, reassuring and warm as he always was. “Then I think she’d be proud of what you’ve become.”

“A blood sucking monster?” 

“You’re a lot of things, Jinx,” Ekko had smiled, shaking his head and gazing at her softly. “A monster has never been one of them.” 

Jinx still isn’t sure she believes him, but she’s grateful for it nonetheless. She just hopes she hadn’t killed the only person who’d had any faith in her. 

Just as the worry started to mount again, Jinx heard a deep gasp from the other side of the room, whirling around to see Ekko shoot straight up. 

Her jaw dropped.

His hair, previously a dark brown that had matched his eyes quite nicely, now shone a pure white. The bronze cuffs decorating his hair stood out against his locs even more now, his hair catching the candlelight and casting an almost angelic glow. 

That was one hell of a mutation.

Jinx snapped out of her stupor with some difficulty, rushing to his side as he blinked slowly, adjusting to everything around him. “ Ekko! ”

He focused on her, appearing disoriented for a moment before a slow smile spread across his features. “ Jinx. ”

“How do you feel?” Jinx fretted, scanning his face for any sign of discontent, though he seemed remarkably calm for someone who was no doubt feeling the first pangs of hunger. “Do you need anything?”

His hand reached out, fingers brushing over her skin gently as his hand caressed her face. His answer was soft, reverent. 

“ You. ”

He was pulling her in before she could even think to muster a response, grabbing her by the waist and crashing their lips together in a deep, longing kiss.

Jinx gasped against his mouth, surrendering immediately and leaning into the embrace fervently, fingers raking through his locs and tugging ever so slightly to push them even further together. 

“How is it you got even more beautiful while I was out?” he murmured against her lips, dragging his mouth down to nip at the small cut on her neck from earlier. It had already healed, now just a pale red mark he sucked on eagerly. 

“I’m not the one sporting a makeover,” she managed, voice strained and biting back whines as she tugged more insistently at his hair. “Quite the look.”

He hummed inquisitively and reluctantly released her. She dragged her fingers through his hair, helping him get a look at the color. Or lack thereof. 

“That’s…not what I was expecting,” Ekko said slowly, regarding her curiously. “Did that happen to you?”

Jinx rolled her eyes. “ No , pink is my natural eye color.”

“It suits you,” he commented idly, smirking as he traced his fingers across her face as if memorizing every detail. “What color were they back then?”

Jinx shrugged, hesitating only slightly. “Blue.”

Ekko hummed in thought, but didn’t dwell on that. Perhaps sensing she wasn’t interested in elaborating further on the topic. He gestured to his head. “You like it?”

Jinx grinned, adjusting in his lap purposefully. “I guess I could get used to it.”

Ekko leaned in again. It took everything in Jinx to deny him, leaning back ever so slightly and trying to appear stern. “You should eat something.”

“I’ll be fine,” he replied flippantly, pulling her closer and eyeing her like she would be his first meal. “I don’t want to waste a moment.”

Ekko pulled her in again, leaving no room for argument as he deepened the kiss immediately, exploring her mouth and drawing soft, needy sounds from her throat.

Breath wasn’t strictly necessary for either of them now. Jinx could honestly go like this for the rest of their eternal life and be content, but if this was what they’d be occupying the rest of the day - and night - with, then she’d much prefer he at least had a full stomach. 

Jinx separated from him again as his fingers began to tangle themselves in the lacing of her corset. He huffed in displeasure at the loss of contact, trying to chase her lips. She laughed. 

“We have forever,” Jinx reminded him, trailing kisses along his jaw even as she chided him. “Go eat something, won’t you?”

Ekko groaned, pressing a kiss to her cheek as he lifted her off of his lap, immediately intertwining their fingers. “If you insist.”

“I do ,” Jinx dragged him to where they kept the jars. “When did you get so bold anyways?”

Ekko examined the jars casually, taking everything in stride in a way Jinx couldn’t help but admire. She’d been a bit of a mess after turning, after all.

“Been wanting to do that for awhile, actually,” Ekko smiled mischievously, gathering blood on his finger and testing the taste by swiping it across his tongue. “Not much to feel shy about now that I’ve quite literally tasted you.”

“Don’t remind me,” Jinx whined lightheartedly, sipping at her blood with a dramatic sigh. “I’ll be dreaming about your blood for weeks , asshole.”

“Well, you know where to find it.” 

Jinx snorted at that, eyeing him as he drained the jar with far less cool than he’d been displaying. Though she was still mildly impressed by his restraint. 

When it came to hunger, that is. He didn’t seem too restrained about much else now. 

“Can vampires do that?” he asked her suddenly, eyebrows knit together in thought. “Feed on each other?”

“Oh, yeah,” Jinx replied breezily, shrugging. “It can’t permanently replace regular feeding, but it’ll still satisfy your hunger for a while.”

Ekko frowned, tilting his head. “Why don’t vampires do that more often? Would certainly help them keep a lower profile if they weren’t killing humans all the time.” 

“Still a hero of the people, I see.”

Ekko scoffed, grinning. “Shut up.”

“I’m serious !” Jinx continued, not serious at all. “Gonna be a vampire vampire hunter?” She paused, snorting. “How self loathing would you have to be to sign up for that gig?”

“A lot, I’d imagine,” Ekko agreed, then poked her side. “And you didn’t answer my question.”

“Question?” She echoed innocently, trying to look casual. 

“About vampires feeding on each other?”

“Ah, that,” Jinx hummed in an attempt at nonchalance. “It’s not really something you just…do.”

Ekko raised an eyebrow. 

“I mean, you don’t just walk up to any old vampire and use ‘em as a pick me up,” Jinx continued, feeling uncharacteristically shy. “It’s a thing.” 

“A thing ?” 

“An…” Jinx shrugged, waving a dismissive hand and looking away. “ Intimate thing.” 

“Ah,” Ekko remarked after a moment, his tone light even as she conveniently found anywhere else to look. “I see.”

“So,” he continued, turning and backing her up against the table, caging her in with his arms on either side of her. “You don’t want to bite me, then?”

Jinx swallowed hard, eyes drawn to his exposed neck. “I didn’t say that.”

“Then what are you saying?”

Jinx chuckled, hand trailing down his arm and grabbing onto his hand. She lifted it to her mouth, sucking the leftover blood off his finger from when he’d dipped it into the jar. 

“That I’m still hungry.” 

“Well, then.” Ekko scooped her up into his arms, lifting her easily with his newfound strength. Though she’s certain he could’ve done it even without. He turned his head to the side, his blood thrumming mesmerizingly under his skin and making her mouth water. 

“Let’s fix that, shall we?”  

***

200 years later

“This is going to end badly.”

Ekko huffed out a laugh, helping her up the stairs of the grand manor and weaving through other exquisitely dressed guests. “You said you wanted to dance.”

“I did,” Jinx agreed, sending him a glare as she adjusted the bun she’d pinned her hair into. “Somewhere humans couldn’t see me.”

He tugged her closer, stepping off to the side of the entrance and absentmindedly fixing the skirt of her black gown. “You’ve always wanted to attend one of these.”

Jinx frowned still. “They’ll see my eyes, Ekko.”

“They won’t,” Ekko promised. Jinx had learned long ago, even before they’d met, how to avoid eye contact. She rarely looked at people or even opened her eyes around people that weren’t him. He kissed her hand. “Just one dance? No one will see.”

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth and she allowed him to lead her inside. “Why do I let you convince me to do these things?”

“Because you love me,” he replied cheekily as they stepped into a glittering ballroom filled with chattering individuals, no doubt nobility striking deals to fill their pockets. Ekko paid no mind, leading her to the middle of the room where couples swayed to the quartet. 

Jinx smiled, keeping her eyes low until he brought her closer and intertwined their hands, putting his other on her waist.  They swayed to the music, her skirt swishing this way and that as they moved together. 

“See?” He murmured low enough that only she could hear, though it’s doubtful human ears could pick up anything over the music. “Nothing to worry about.”

Jinx hummed along, shifting closer and resting her head on his shoulder. “I suppose it’s kind of nice.”

“High praise coming from you.”

She laughed softly into his neck, her nose brushing along his throat as her mouth trailed along the skin.

“Jinx,” he warned, barely above a whisper. “Not now.”

She practically purred into his neck. “Hungry.” 

“What a surprise,” he mused, gently easing her away. Jinx had what could only be described as a truly insatiable bloodlust. No amount was enough for her, unless it was his own blood. It was the only thing that seemed to keep her content for a while. Ekko didn’t mind in the least, but the middle of a ballroom surrounded by humans was not the place for it. 

Jinx tilted her head to the side, baring her neck as loose tendrils of hair slid tantalizingly down the pale expanse of skin, covered only by a choker. “You can have some too.”

Now she was just being unfair. Ekko could resist her blood no easier than she could resist his.

He licked his lips hungrily and she smirked, pulling him out of the room and down a dark hallway. She pressed her back against the wall, dragging him in by his collar and placing an equally hungry kiss against his lips.

He gripped her waist, trailing his mouth down her jaw and to her neck to her obvious delight. He nipped at the skin, not quite biting and making her groan.

Jinx fumbled with her choker, tugging it off and grasping the back of his head to push his face into the curve of her neck. “Stop teasing and take it already.”

Ekko allowed his fangs to come out, biting into her with no further argument. Jinx gasped softly, head falling back as the pair slowly slid down the wall and onto the floor where he immediately pulled her into his lap. He sank further into her, groaning at the taste of her and lapping at the skin. 

Jinx squirmed restlessly in his hold, growing impatient and using the new position to lean down ever so slightly and sink her teeth into him at the same time. She clung to his jacket, bringing him ever closer as she fed greedily and allowing him to take just as much. The sounds of their mutual satisfaction rang out around them, miraculously not drawing attention from the partygoers. 

She tugged at his jacket again and Ekko felt something slip from his pocket, clattering against the floor and making him freeze. Shit . 

Jinx released him slowly, panting and swiping a finger over his wound to get another taste before scooping up the small box with her other hand. “What’ve you got there?”

He reached for it desperately, trying not to appear as panicked as he felt and letting out a nervous laugh. “It’s nothing, just-”

She popped it open.

A silvery, almost black ring lay in crushed velvet. The band curved around the top like vines, encasing a shimmering blue jewel in its center, cut into a diamond-like shape with smaller gems dotting the base and making it glitter in the candlelight that dimly lit the corridor they’d found themselves in. 

Jinx stared at it, eyes wide and surprised. Slowly, she lifted it from the case and examined it uncertainly. “Ekko…”

“Wasn’t exactly how I planned to give that to you,” Ekko laughed softly, sheepishly. He felt jittery as he watched her twirl it in her delicate fingers, scanning her face for any indication she didn’t like it. 

Jinx tilted her head thoughtfully, voice barely above a whisper. “How long have you had this?”

“Oh, you know,” Ekko coughed, dropping his gaze shyly. “A decade or…three.”

Jinx laughed unexpectedly, the delightful noise bubbling up from her throat and making him smile. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Ekko sighed, gently plucking the ring from her fingers to look at it. “I wasn’t sure if you- well, I know we can’t really get married-”

“On account of being dead and all,” Jinx huffed out a soft laugh. 

“ Right, ” Ekko grinned, taking his free hand and intertwining it with hers. “I wasn’t sure if it’d be enough.”

Jinx leaned forward, eyes misty, and sealed their lips together in a soft, sweet kiss. “It’s perfect .”

Hope soared in his chest. “Is that a yes?”

“I don’t know,” Jinx smiled mischievously. “You haven’t really asked me yet.”

Ekko rolled his eyes goodnaturedly, holding up the ring between them and gazing into her pretty pink eyes. “Jinx,” he began softly, pouring all his adoration into the words. “Will you marry me?”

She nearly toppled them both over with the way she pounced on him, peppering kisses everywhere she could reach and murmuring over and over again. “ Yes. Yes. Yes! ” Punctuating each one with an eager kiss.

Ekko laughed, catching her lips for a proper kiss and actually sending the pair toppling onto the floor in his excitement. He fumbled with the ring for a moment, breaking the kiss and finding her hand. 

Jinx watched as he lifted her hand from between them, sliding the ring onto her finger with reverence. It was a perfect fit, as he knew it would be. 

Jinx admired the ring, watching it glitter with every move of her hand and pressing another kiss to his lips, smiling softly. “Can I call you my husband now, then?”

“Only if I can call you my wife.”

Another kiss. Another giggle. “Please do.”

Ekko grinned, scooping her up in a bridal carry and relishing in the way her arms circled around his neck, bringing her closer. He carried her outside, tugging free a clump of blue flowers from the expensive looking garden and setting them in her lap, where she freed a hand from his neck to hold onto them. 

“A bouquet for the lady,” he hummed and pressed a kiss into her hair.

She laughed, pressing her nose against the flowers to smell the sweet scent. “How thoughtful.” She squirmed in his grasp, pressing her lips to his cheek. “I have to get you something.”

He smiled down at her, pink eyes sparkling in the night and a gorgeous smile on her face, showcasing that adorable tooth gap he loved. The ring sparkling on her finger where it was grasped around the flowers, almost as blue as her hair which was slowly coming free and sending strands of hair sliding down her cheekbones and onto her neck. 

“I have everything I need.”

***

20 years later

Jinx let out a sharp cry as a flame tipped arrow soared past her head and buried itself in a tree, clinging harder to Ekko as he grasped the reins, pushing the horse they’d stolen to go faster as distant shouts and galloping footsteps came ever closer. 

Vampire hunters had been cracking down on the region for months, striking down any that crossed their path without prejudice. They’d escaped them twice already, but that had only spurned them to hunt their prey with increasing ferocity. 

Ekko cursed as the horse seemed to go slower, tiring from what felt like hours of an endless chase. He pulled on the reins, bringing them to a stop and not hesitating a moment before jumping down and pulling Jinx with him, racing into the thick treeline and trying to gain distance. 

The hunters remained relentless, she could hear their voices shouting commands as they neared where the pair had dismounted. Jinx was fast, even for a vampire, but even she wouldn’t be able to outrun them on horseback for long. Her husband wouldn’t either, his abilities lying more in strength than agility. 

Ekko seemed to realize this as well, tugging her down behind a large rock for the pair to rest a moment. Jinx shook her head, grasping his hand fearfully. 

“Ekko, we have to-!”

“You remember where the barn is?” He interrupted urgently, hands brushing gently over her face and wiping away the dirt. 

“What-?” Jinx questioned, adrenaline coursing through her and making it difficult to focus. “Of course, I do. Why would I-?”

Jinx would never forget it, having spent the first months of their time together in that barn and learning how to control her urges and hunt animals. It was where he’d spared her life. It was, to Jinx, the beginning of everything. 

“Go there,” Ekko interrupted, peeking out and trying to see if the hunters were on their tail. “I’ll shake them and meet you there, alright?”

“No!” Jinx would have shouted it if not for the perilous situation, instead letting out a hoarse whisper and clinging to his jacket. “I’m not leaving you!”

“ Please ,” he nearly begged. “I’ll be right behind you, I promise. We’ll leave the country and they won’t be able to find us.”

“Then come with me!” Jinx cried, trembling and clinging to him like he may disappear. “We’ll hide there until they’re gone and then we can go!”

Ekko shook his head, “They’ll follow us. I’ll get them off our scent. You’re faster than me, you can make it before they realize we’ve split up.”

“They’ll kill you!”

He grasped her hands, pressing a kiss into her hair. “I’ll come back to you,” he swore, gaze full of desperation and love. “I need you to be safe, Jinx.”

“And I need you !” Jinx threw herself into his arms, curling around him and sobbing out. “Don’t make me leave you.”

“You have me,” he reassured gently. “You'll always have me. I’ll find you, you know I will.”

“Promise me,” she sniffed out, grabbing his face and forcing him to meet her eyes. “Promise me you’ll come back.”

“I promise ,” Ekko held tighter to her, holding her gaze. “I’ll meet you there and we’ll go somewhere new and-” he let out a soft laugh, squeezing her and taking her hand in his, looking down at the ring he’d put there. “And I’ll marry you for real. I don’t care how. Kidnap a priest, forge some papers. I’ll marry you again.”

Jinx crashed their lips together, the pair clinging to each other as their tears fell on each other's cheeks, mixing and becoming one. She held his face in her hands, trembling against him. “I’ll hold you to that.”

She stood slowly, trying to get her cries under control as she backed away. He watched her go, keeping their gazes locked for as long as she possibly could before she was forced to turn and race into the treeline. She covered her mouth as she sprinted through woodlands, stifling sobs and occasionally peeking behind her for any sign of him or their assailants.

The first burst of sunrise was starting to peek overhead as she stumbled into the barn, collapsing on the stone and curling up against the wall.

It was different than it once was. Two hundred years had altered it even as she stayed the same. It had been torn down, rebuilt, then torn and rebuilt again. It was still a barn, these lands likely owned by some farmer who she prayed wouldn’t find her there. 

She tried to remain calm as the daylight hours passed, knowing it’d be nightfall before Ekko could reach her. It terrified her, not knowing where he was or if he’d made it to shelter in time. They’d never spent a day apart since the day he’d first found her in this barn.

Darkness eventually fell, casting her in shadow as she pulled herself to her feet and paced about the small wooden enclosure. Any minute now. He’d burst in and throw his arms around her and they’d decide where to go. 

Hours passed, the moon high in the sky with stars twinkling around it. Then more hours, the moon slinking from its position and stars blinking out of existence as shades of orange and pink bled into the inky black of the night hours. 

She waited longer, peering through holes in the wood and risking the burn as she anticipated the end of another day.

It was alright. He was alright. Probably just had to go farther to lose them and was holed up somewhere nearby waiting for sunset to meet her. He’d be here soon. Jinx decided they’d leave on a boat. They had some coin. Enough to make the trip to the distant lands she’d heard of. Then they’d start anew. He’d put that ring on her finger one more time and this time they’d have silly paperwork to show off for their troubles.

Night came.

And it went. 

No explanation satisfied her now. How far could he have gone that nearly three days couldn’t bring him back to her? He’d promised to come back to her. 

Had he lied? Abandoned her? 

The thought made her sick. Ekko would never betray her. He loved her. That, Jinx was certain of.

She could fathom only one reason why he hadn’t come to her. The thought would’ve sent her last meal right back up if she’d had anything to eat since they’d separated. She hadn’t risked hunting in the night, fearful he would arrive and find she wasn’t there. So she’d waited and waited and waited . Hunger and nausea sent her stomach churning and she’d probably be crying now if she didn’t feel so fucking empty . 

She waited until the last possible moment, flinching and jumping up at every sound and searching the horizon for a flash of white hair. Strained her ears to hear him calling for her. 

The sun would rise in a few hours. Night would fall again. But Jinx had reached the point where she no longer believed he would come.

She stepped out of the barn, scanning the woods around her for something. Anything . Anything to prove her wrong. Convince her to wait just a little longer. Or send the hunters her way so she could meet the fate she could only imagine her lover had. 

Jinx found nothing but darkness. 

Everything felt fuzzy as she trekked the familiar path to their home, comforting herself with thoughts that maybe he’d gone there instead. Maybe he was holed up there hoping she’d realize he was waiting for her. 

She stepped inside, finding it dark and cold save for slivers of light peering through the curtains as the sun rose on another day. He wasn’t here. 

It was then that she finally cracked. 

Jinx crumpled to the floor, sobs wracked her body and she screamed til her voice was too raw to keep going. She didn’t move from that spot on the floor, curled up and cried softly and pleaded to whatever god was out there to bring him back to her. She received no answer. And no solace. 

She peeled herself off the floor as slivers of silvery moonlight replaced the golden streaks of sun. Should she check the barn again? What if she was worried for nothing? What if he came and didn’t find her?

Jinx pressed her fingers against her head, trying to block it all out. He wasn’t coming. He was never coming back. 

Jinx stood in the middle of that small cottage. The home they’d shared for two centuries, memories and laughter etched into its very foundation. And she accepted it. The undeniable, crippling truth that killed any feeling inside her quicker than even a stake to the heart could dream of. 

Her husband was dead.

Her love was gone. 

***

“ Jinx !”

Ekko burst through the barn doors, searching wildly for a flicker of blue. To feel her arms wrap around him and listen to her sweet, snarky voice scold him for keeping her waiting. 

He hadn’t meant to take so long. Nearly four nights passed before he could shake their pursuers entirely and avoid the sunlight that kept him from journeying to her quicker. 

“Jinx?” He called again, head snapping back and forth as he searched the barn. If his heart still beat, it would be bursting through his chest with how scared he felt now. She wasn’t here. 

He scanned the room for any sign she’d been there, breathing in to try and catch her scent. The smell of hay and various animals blocked out anything else. 

Ekko’s head fell into his hands as panic seized him. He’d taken too long, he knew that. He’d spent every second dreaming up countless ways to apologize and make up for it once he’d found her. 

But she was gone. Or she’d never been here at all. Ekko couldn’t decide which option scared him more. 

He would’ve sworn he’d kept all the hunters trained on him. That none had picked up her scent and followed her instead. Was he wrong? Had some small group escaped his notice, branching off and finding her despite his precautions?

Had Ekko told her to come here, unintentionally leading them right to her? Had she run out to meet him only to find them instead? 

Ekko slid down the wall, thoughts and fears running wild. It couldn’t be. She must have simply tired of waiting. Had assumed the worst and escaped before anyone could find her.

He couldn’t find any evidence for one or the other. Surely, she’d leave something just in case. A note or a scrap of clothing that would tell him she’d been there. That she was waiting for him. Surely, she wouldn’t truly believe he wasn’t coming back for her. 

He promised he would. Had he failed her? Had he broken his promise and broken her heart? 

Had he left her vulnerable to attack while he toiled about, certain he was protecting her? 

The fear was overwhelming. The uncertainty . He tried to latch onto something. Anything to prove she was out there somewhere. 

Maybe she hadn’t arrived yet. If it had taken him this long, maybe his wife was in a similar boat. Maybe she’d taken the longer way around and was on her way now. She’d burst in any second - there were still hours until sunrise. 

She would come. She would. 

Sunrise came and went. Night fell again. He waited. 

She would come. She’d know he was here. That he was okay. That he’d kept his promise. He could hold her and take her from this place and they’d run far from here. Somewhere nice. Like the distant lands she always joked of visiting. He’d marry her. He’d build her the prettiest house with the blue curtains she liked so much and they’d be together. 

Sunrise. Sunset. Ekko gripped his head in his hands and shook, breaking under the weight of his emotion. 

He stood for the first time since the previous day, steeling himself and trudging to their home. Jinx was waiting there. She must be. 

Ekko threw open the door and searched every crevice, calling her name. He inhaled her scent. It coated the air and calmed him for just a moment until he realized he didn’t see her. 

“Jinx?” He called, voice hoarse and desperate. Please. Please, don’t be gone .

The house was cold and empty. He stumbled around to their bed, rummaging through drawers and chests and searching for her belongings. 

They wouldn’t be there. They couldn’t be. Because surely she’d come here searching for him and had taken her things before leaving. They wouldn’t be here and that would mean that she had been. 

His hands grasped clothing, trinkets, none of them his. He pulled free a black garment. The dress she’d worn when she’d discovered the ring. The day they’d become husband and wife. 

She loved that dress. Why would she leave without the dress? Why would she leave without any of it?

His hands fisted into the fabric, burying his face in it and surrounding himself with the memory of her as he broke. 

He slumped against the wall, tears coating the dress as his entire body shook with sobs. He muttered to himself between cries. Praying and begging for an explanation. For her to walk through the door and reassure him that his darkest fear wasn’t coming true. That she wasn’t gone.

She never came. He cried until no more tears would come and then sobbed some more. He could hardly remember life before her. He didn’t want to imagine what life after her would be. It was never supposed to be something he had to worry about. 

Yet here he was, collapsed at the foot of their bed with her scent growing fainter by the second and choking him with the realization that he’d never smell it again. Would never hold her again. 

The dress slid from his grasp as his body went limp with grief. 

His wife was dead. 

His love was gone. 

***

Four hundred years. 

Down to the day.

Four hundred years since Jinx had lost him. Her husband. Her love. Ekko. 

Four hundred years since she’d foolishly decided she had to live for him. He’d always wanted her safe, after all. How could she give up when he’d sacrificed everything just so she could survive? 

Four hundred years of misery. Of loneliness. It should be easy for a vampire. Time always seemed to pass quicker when you didn’t have to worry about running out of it. 

But she felt every second. Every tick of the clock reminded her of what she’d had. Minutes become hours becoming days becoming years and still left with the memories of happiness that grew farther with each passing second. 

She thought it couldn’t get worse after three hundred. The anniversary of her loss where she’d been struck with the realization that she’d lived with her grief longer than she’d had him. 

Jinx hadn’t moved for weeks after, toying with the thought of letting herself starve and decay there in the shitty little abandoned house she’d holed up in because she didn’t care about herself enough to find an adequate living space. 

Four hundred years before she finally cracked. 

She hoped that he could find it in himself, wherever he was, to be proud of how long she’d tried to honor him. Hoped he could forgive her for what she was about to do.

Jinx hadn’t been prepared to spend a single day away from Ekko. Four hundred years was too much to bear. She wasn’t strong enough for it. 

She drove in silence from the airport, just as she’d sat in silence on the plane with her eyes glazed over. Jinx barely had to think as she maneuvered down streets and paths. Four hundred years couldn’t make her forget. Times changed. People changed. The landscape itself changed. But she would never forget. She knew the way, it was engraved in the useless, still heart in her chest. 

Jinx parked at the treeline, unable to go further on private property especially without a proper road. She trekked down the path, leather jacket doing little to protect her from the breeze that blew long strands of blue into her face. She couldn’t bring herself to care.

The barn was, as she guessed it would be, very different. 

It looked new. Fresh red paint and white trimming. It was taller, too. The fields and woods around it seemed thinner and Jinx could see glimpses of buildings through the treeline. Homes or perhaps factories of some sort to aid farm work in this new age of technology.

Luckily, the barn was empty at this time of night. The layout was different now, but if she focused hard enough she could almost envision how it used to be. The nearly rotting wood, the dirt floor. Brown eyes watching her from a distance and then fading away. Always fading away. He never stayed anymore. 

This was a fitting place to die. The beginning of everything. And now the end. 

She should’ve died there long ago, but he’d spared her. Had sparked some semblance of hope in her.

Then that hope had shattered in that same barn. Waiting and waiting and waiting until she couldn’t anymore. Until it had hurt too much to hope. 

Jinx’s boots thudded lightly against the hard dirt underneath her feet as she circled the inside of the barn. She hadn’t brought a stake, for obvious reasons. Any attempt to get that on a plane would ruin her chances of getting here in time. No, you could find wood anywhere. Didn’t even have to be very sharp. She was strong enough to dig it deep enough. One quick strike. Then it could finally be over. 

She wrapped her hand around the handle of a rake propped in the corner, examining it for a moment before snapping it off. That would do. 

It wasn’t a clean cut, jagged edges and slanted as the wood crumbled under her strength. It wasn’t pretty, but it would do the job. Jinx didn’t care about much else.

She took a long, shuddering breath as she closed her eyes. He’d always loved her eyes. Always told her she didn’t have to hide them from him. But she would have to disappoint him one more time. Jinx doesn’t think she can face this with the memory of him staring at her, begging her not to. 

Jinx lifted the makeshift stake, poised it against her heart. 

“ Jinx?”

Jinx stifled a sob, refusing to look. Of course she couldn’t escape it even with her eyes screwed shut. Of course his voice would haunt her even now. 

She ignored it, hand tightening around the wood and brushing against the ring on her left hand. She still wore it. She always would. It was the only possession she actually cared about. 

“ Jinx! ”

Her lips formed his name as she moved to plunge the stake in, wordless prayers lifting into the air as she begged some merciful deity to let this be enough. To let her see him again. 

Jinx let out a sharp gasp, but not from pain. Something gripped her hand, wrenching the stake free. She heard it clatter somewhere off to the side and her eyes burst open, trying to free herself from the grip of-

Ekko. 

He stood before her, as young and handsome as the day she’d lost him. He was dressed modernly like her, clothed in a rumpled t-shirt and jeans. His eyes were wild as he stared at her, tears beginning to stream down as his hand gripped hers in desperation.

But it wasn’t possible. He was dead. Ekko was dead.

A hallucination was her first thought. But they were touching. Illusions don’t touch, they only haunt. Only hurt from afar.

Jinx couldn’t comprehend it. Refused to believe it. No, no. It couldn’t be. All that time. All that misery - 

“Jinx…”His hand reached up hesitantly, trembling as it brushed against her cheek and nearly flinching when it made contact. “You- you’re alive.”

It couldn’t be. It wasn’t possible. And yet…

“ Ekko? ”

His voice was choked as he nodded, his face crumpling and hand curling against her cheek with renewed strength. “I-It’s me. It’s me, Jinx.”

A wounded, almost animalistic noise left her mouth and her knees gave out under her, hitting the floor as the dam broke and sobs forced their way out of her throat. 

He followed, nearly collapsing atop her as cries of his own joined hers. Hands gripped at each other's faces, arms, clothing. Searching again and again for something solid. For proof the other was still there. 

“You promised !” Jinx burst out, entire body trembling as blurry, tear stained eyes focused on him. “You promised to come back. Why didn’t you come back?!”

“I did!” He cried, burying his face in her hair and curling around her like he wanted to become one. “I couldn’t- I couldn’t find you. I thought-”

He broke off, making a pained noise as if he couldn’t bring himself to say it aloud. 

Jinx slumped against him, heaving as she forced the words out. “I thought you were dead. I waited and waited but you didn’t-”

Another choked sound and she gave up, gripping the front of his shirt so hard as she buried herself against his chest she thought she might rip it. 

It was quiet for a moment, save for the sounds of soft cries and sniffles as the pair attempted to pull themselves together. Everytime Jinx thought she was done, more wails seemed to force their way out of her. 

“It took me days to get back,” Ekko said finally, voice hollow and raw. “I finally made it and I- you weren't there. And I waited and I checked the house but you-”

“I did too,” Jinx swallowed hard, her voice cracking. “I waited. And I checked the house. I thought you weren’t coming back.”

“You didn’t take anything.”

The words surprised her, making her glance up as she sniffled again, brow furrowed. “What?”

“At the house,” Ekko sighed shakily, “Your stuff was all there. I thought- I thought if you’d been there you would’ve…”

Jinx collapsed back against his chest, another wail choking her throat as she put the pieces together. It hadn’t seemed important to her, then. Everything she owned stopped having any meaning when he wasn’t there to share it with her. To twirl her in her favorite dress and tell her how lovely she looked. Or gently comb her brush through her hair as he braided it in the morning. Everything was a memory. One she couldn’t stand to take with her. 

“I’m sorry,” she choked out. “I didn’t want a reminder. I didn’t think…I never thought you’d be there to look for me.”

He shushed her gently, shaking his head as trembling hands caressed her face. “It’s not your fault,” Ekko said, his voice firm even as it shook with emotion. “I took too long, I- I never should’ve…I should’ve been with you.” 

Jinx shook her head. “You protected me.”

“I broke my promise,” Ekko replied miserably, thumb brushing over her cheek even as his gaze dropped in shame.

“ No ,” Jinx insisted, grabbing onto his face and nearly hiccuping out another sob. “You're here. You came back.”

“Four hundred years too late.”

Jinx glanced at the discarded stake that had skittered across the floor. She felt sick. “And somehow right on time.” 

He followed her gaze, his expression so heartbroken it made her want to shrink. 

“Jinx…”

She put her face in her hands, too ashamed to look at him. “I couldn’t take it anymore!” She cried, squeezing her eyes shut as tears welled up again. “I tried. I tried so hard ! But it just hurt too much.”

Jinx shuddered, nails pressing against her skull. “I just wanted it to stop .”

“ Love ,” Ekko whispered and tugged gently at her hands. “Look at me.”

She did so reluctantly and he planted his hands on either side of her face, looking at her softly before pressing his lips against hers. 

Jinx melted into him, hands fisting into his shirt to bring him closer. It felt like fireworks were going off in her chest, making her head spin like only a first kiss after four lifetimes could.

The kiss persisted for a long time, but still not long enough as they separated slowly. She remained curled up in his lap, pressing her forehead to his in a desperate attempt to keep as much contact as possible. 

He brushed hair from her face, his touch tender and loving. “We’re gonna be fine now,” he promised, looking at her like she was something precious. He was the only person who’d ever made her feel so treasured. “We’re together now. We’ll stay together now.”

“Promise?”

“I promise ,” Ekko said instantly, his eyes filled with conviction. He smiled down at her hand after a moment. “Your ring.”

Jinx matched his smile, fingers running along the matching band she’d given him not long after he’d put that ring on her finger. “And yours.”

“I’ve never taken it off,” Ekko swore, clutching her hand and pressing a kiss to it. “Not once.”

“Me neither,” she traced his lips with her finger, a multitude of emotions swimming in her chest as reality slowly set in, reminding her that this was real . “It’s all I had left of you.”

Ekko’s mouth curved into a sad smile, pressing his lips against her finger before pulling her in for another soft, lingering kiss. 

“Not anymore.”

***

Ekko walked down the path off of the property, hand in hand with Jinx. 

It still felt unreal. Holding her, feeling her. Ekko feared that any second she’d evaporate into mist and leave him all alone. Jinx seemed to share the sentiment, judging by the way she’d remained tucked into his side and had her fingers gripped around his shirt as if keeping him there. 

His car wasn’t parked far from hers. Ekko honestly hadn’t paid the other car any mind when he’d arrived, assuming it belonged to either someone on the property or just a random person. He hadn’t expected to find its owner at the barn. Hadn’t ever anticipated the owner being his wife. 

He took the chance to examine her vehicle. A sleek dark blue, almost black sports car. Ekko raised an eyebrow, wondering what she’d done to afford such an expensive ride. “Nice car.”

Jinx tilted her head at the car, a mischievous look spreading across her face. “Oops.”

Ekko frowned, confused. “What?”

“Not my car.”

“What do you mean ‘not your car’?”

Jinx shrugged. “I stole it from the airport.”

“… Why ?”

“I didn’t want to rent one,” Jinx said flippantly, then frowned and looked down. “I didn’t really think I’d have to worry about it.”

It took considerable effort to not start crying again at that, if Ekko was being honest with himself. Walking in to find Jinx standing there had been a whirlwind of emotion. Seeing that stake in her hand even more so. Ekko didn’t think he could even begin to articulate how terrified he’d been. The fear that had shot through his veins as he knocked the stake from her hands, still processing the fact she was even alive when he’d had to intervene to ensure she stayed that way.

Ekko squeezed her hand, trying to get her mind off it. “So hot wiring cars is just something you can do now?”

“Oh, y’know,” she hummed lightly, perking up a bit. “I get bored.” 

Ekko laughed softly. “I remember. You still paint?” 

Jinx hesitated and Ekko realized too late this would be another heavy topic. He supposed most things would be now. Four hundred years to catch up on. Four lifetimes they’d spent apart. They’d have a lot to talk about. 

“No, not really,” she said eventually, then glanced at him. “You?”

Ekko shook his head, a bit guiltily. “No. Not in a while.”

Four hundred years to be exact. 

His art had stopped holding any real meaning once the inspiration behind it was gone. What was an artist without his muse? Without his passion?

She nodded, looking at him like she understood what he’d left unspoken. After a moment, she pointed at his car. “You didn’t steal that, did you?”

Ekko huffed out a surprised laugh. “No, it’s mine.”

“Good,” Jinx smiled a bit sheepishly. “We should probably ditch the other one.”

Ekko didn’t argue, fumbling in his pocket and unlocking the doors with his key. She slid in the front passenger seat and eyed him curiously. “Do you still live around here?”

“Yeah, I guess,” he started the car, backing out onto the road and trying to appear casual. “I’ve been in Paris.”

He could feel her eyes on him. “You never left the country?” she asked softly. 

Ekko swallowed hard, willing himself to keep it together. “Yeah, I…I never wanted to go too far.”

She nodded, eyes seeming a little unfocused. Ekko cleared his throat a bit awkwardly. “Where’ve you been? You said you flew here?”

Jinx hummed, leaning her head against the headrest and turning to look at him. “Yep. New York.”

He smirked a bit at that. “Always knew you were a big city girl.”

She laughed softly, eyes glittering ever so slightly. He’d missed that. “No one bothers you there.”

“Where else have you been?” Ekko inquired. She’d always talked of traveling, he hoped she’d been able to experience it even if he couldn’t be there with her. 

“Nowhere,” Jinx replied quietly. “I just stopped at the first place I found.”

He took a hand off the wheel, intertwining it with hers. She looked up at him. He smiled. “You and I will go some place,” Ekko promised. “Anywhere you want. We’ll travel the whole continent.”

Jinx smiled, fingers trailing across his knuckles. “I’d like that,” she focused on the road ahead. “Where are we going?”

“Not enough time till sunrise to get all the way back to Paris,” Ekko explained, turning onto a main road and off the dirt paths. “I have a hotel reservation booked already. It’s nice.”

Jinx was silent for a moment, her voice thoughtful and quiet when she spoke again. “You come here a lot?”

Ekko let out a long sigh, hand gripping the wheel a bit tighter. “Every year.”

“Oh.”

From his periphery, he saw her wiping at her eyes even as she tried to disguise the motion. Immediately, Ekko pulled off to the side of the road and reached out for her. “Hey, it’s okay.”

Jinx shook her head wildly, sniffling. “If I’d just come back sooner, we could’ve-”

He shushed her gently, brushing his hand soothingly through her hair. “We can’t change any of that,” Ekko told her, thumb swiping away stray tears from her cheeks. “We’re here now. Together. Nothing else matters.”

Jinx leaned into his hand, her eyes falling closed. “We lost so much time .”

“We’ll get it back,” Ekko whispered, leaning over and kissing her forehead. “We have an eternity to make up for it. And we will.”

His heart ached even as he said it. It hurt to think of all the time lost. The years spent without her. The grief. But it hurt even more to see her blame herself. He couldn’t stand watching her cry. He never could. 

There were years they could never get back. Pain that would probably stay with them forever. That was something unavoidable. But he had her back. Something that he couldn’t have imagined even in his wildest dreams. He wouldn’t waste a second. Every single one was precious.

Jinx sighed softly, nodding a bit as she nuzzled further into his hand. It was then that he noticed how tired she looked. She was slumped against the seat with obvious dark circles under her eyes. Her movements seemed sluggish, like she was drained of energy. Which was saying something for a vampire. 

“Why don't you sleep awhile?” 

“‘M fine,” she murmured, opening her eyes stubbornly. 

“Jinx,” he chided softly. “Get some rest. I’ll wake you when we get there.”

She opened her mouth to argue, then huffed out a breath and nodded reluctantly, letting her head lull against the seat as her eyes fell closed.

Slowly, he maneuvered back onto the road, glancing over at her every few minutes. She was asleep almost instantly, occasionally letting out soft noises in her sleep that made Ekko ache with the reminder of how long it's been since he heard them. Since they’d shared a bed. 

His skin thrummed with anticipation at the thought of getting to hold her again once they reached the hotel. Getting to fall asleep and know she’d be there when he woke. To feel her body pressed against his as she threw herself over him. The way she’d used to when she didn’t want him to get up. For the first time in four lifetimes, he wouldn’t be sleeping alone. 

He finally reached the hotel nearly an hour later, sliding into a parking spot and turning off the car before turning to Jinx and gently caressing her cheek to try and rouse her. 

“Wake up, love,” he called softly, watching her twitch as she began to stir. “We’re here.”

Jinx groaned a bit, blinking rapidly for a moment before focusing on him and letting out a long breath, like she was relieved. She seemed almost awed as she reached up and felt his hand against her face. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. 

“You’re still here.”

The words were so soft. So relieved that it almost made him cry on the spot. Instead, he gently unbuckled them both before leaning over and capturing her lips in a sweet kiss. 

“I’m not going anywhere ,” he reassured her as they broke apart. Jinx grinned and pressed her lips happily against his cheek before slowly getting out of the car.

Ekko followed, popping open the trunk and tugging out the single suitcase he’d brought and lacing their fingers together with his other hand. 

They checked in without issue, swiping the keycard against the lock and stepping inside their room moments later.

It was a simple single bed room, a bathroom off to the left and a chair tucked in the corner of the room by the bed. A TV was attached to the wall, floating above a wooden dresser. Ekko moved to the far side of the room, closing the curtains tightly as dawn broke over the horizon. 

Jinx slid off her jacket as she stepped inside the room, revealing the lacy black tank top she wore underneath. The straps were thin, one sliding down her shoulder as she tossed herself on the bed and spread her arms out. Her hair splayed around her like a crown. 

“I like the look,” he told her lightly, plopping down beside her and taking care to not accidentally lay on her hair. “It was corsets last time I saw you.” 

Jinx puffed out a breath, somewhere between a chuckle and a sigh. “I hear they’re making a comeback.”

Ekko hummed, tracing her tattoos with a featherlight touch that made her shiver. “Still. This suits you.”

Jinx turned her head, smiling a little before her gaze suddenly dropped unsubtly to his neck. She swallowed, gaze flicking away as she bit her lip. 

“Hungry?” He asked knowingly, the corners of his mouth ticking up in amusement. 

Jinx hesitated, stretching her arms above her head like she was trying to appear casual. “Pretty much always.”

“I remember.”

Ekko pulled himself up, sliding his hand down her wrist and gently tugging her with him. He turned her in his grasp, tucking her against him until her back met his front. He tilted her head to the side and slid her hair off her neck, staring at the pale expanse with growing hunger and desire. 

“Been a while,” Jinx murmured distractedly, shuddering when he pressed a kiss to the curve of her neck. “Why do you get to go first?”

“I was faster,” Ekko replied smugly, trailing his mouth down her throat and biting at her bare shoulder. Not with his fangs, though. It wasn’t for feeding, just for the enjoyment of hearing her gasp.

She fell further apart with every kiss and lavish of his tongue against her skin, melting into him more and more as she let out soft gasps and sighs. She lifted her arm up, reaching back to grasp his head, forcing him to stay there. Like he had any intention of leaving. 

He found her neck again, ripping off her choker indifferently and tossing it on the floor as his fangs finally sank into her. 

Jinx froze up for a moment, biting her lip to keep quiet. Then her body relaxed, slumping her head against his shoulder and pushing up against him desperately as he tasted her.

It was better than he remembered, groaning when the taste hit his tongue and burying his fangs into her with fervor. She was the most intoxicating thing he’d ever had the pleasure of devouring. He wanted every last drop. 

“My turn,” Jinx begged, trying to turn her head to the side to nip at his neck. He released her for just a moment, tutting disapprovingly as he swiped a finger over her wound and gathered her blood on it. He pressed it against her lips.

“Taste.”

She obliged, sucking the blood off his finger as he continued to feed. Jinx groaned at the taste, licking it up and whining hungrily when it was gone. Ekko chuckled, finally showing her some mercy. 

He released her, not even getting the chance to offer his neck before she pounced on him. His back hit the bed and fangs pierced his skin eagerly, her movements frantic and gasping in satisfaction as she finally fed.

Ekko ran his fingers over the wound he’d left, desperate for more as he pressed his bloodied hand to his mouth and lapped up more of her rich blood. The pair groaned in unison.

Dimly, Ekko realized they were probably staining the sheets with splatters of blood that would be very difficult to explain to housekeeping. But for the moment, he couldn’t think of much else besides keeping her taste fresh on his tongue while she enjoyed herself. 

Jinx eased off him, panting and licking her lips. Immediately, he crashed their lips together. Leftover blood mixed as they bit and licked at eachothers mouths feverishly. He pressed her gently against the mattress, hands trailing over the exposed skin of her stomach from where her top had ridden up. 

His lips found the spot moments later, pressing hot open mouthed kisses to her sternum and sliding down to her midriff. 

Her hands tugged at his hair, her back arching as she groaned softly. “I’ve missed you so much.”

He paused for a moment, finding her hand and squeezing it tightly. “I’ve missed you, too,” he murmured against her skin, voice tender despite the position. He pressed a soft kiss just below her belly button. “I have to ask you something.”

She arched an eyebrow, lifting herself to rest on her elbows and tilting her head worriedly. “What?”

His hand glided over hers, slipping off the ring he’d given her all those lifetimes ago and holding it up between them. A slow smile spread across her face as she caught on. 

“Marry me?”

Jinx leaned forward hurriedly, pressing a kiss to his lips and laughing. “As many times as you want.”

Ekko grinned and slipped it back on her finger, tackling her back down against the mattress as he hugged her tight, arms circling around her and lips pressing into her hair. 

“I love you.”

She pressed their foreheads together, fingers caressing his face gently. Her big, beautiful eyes sparkling as she looked at him. “I love you, too.”

They kissed again, seemingly unable to stay apart for more than a few moments. Tender, chaste kisses slowly turned frantic once more, hands wandering and grabbing with newfound urgency. 

He pinned her back against the mattress, hands gliding over the waistband of her dark pants. “Have I mentioned how much I love modern fashion?” He mused, finger sliding down and popping open the button, the zipper following soon after. “ So much easier to take off than corsets.”

Jinx smirked, hands curling into the sheets. “Pity. I liked watching you struggle.”

Ekko shrugged, tugging off the jeans and taking her undergarments with it. His hand squeezed her bare thigh and she gasped, eyes wide and hands fisting into the sheets in anticipation. “Fine by me,” Ekko hummed lowly, gaze transfixed on her as he tossed the clothing aside. “I get to watch you fall apart.”

Ekko lowered himself over her, spreading her legs apart to make room as he dipped his head between her legs and feasted upon her once more. 

***

5 years later 

Ekko stirred slowly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he awoke to the darkened room. He reached out blindly, searching for his wife but only finding rumpled covers. He focused for a moment, straining his ears to hear movement in the loft apartment they shared. Moments later, he heard her telltale humming as things clattered in the kitchen below. 

He’d mostly gotten over it. The fear of waking up and realizing it's all been a dream. That he’d never gotten her back. Some days were worse than others, even after five years of pure bliss. 

The apartment helped in that regard, the open floor plan making it easy to hear her padding about or see a flash of her blue hair as she pranced about in the main area of the apartment, their bedroom separated from the main floor by a spiral staircase that Jinx had fawned over during their apartment search. 

It was a tad pricier than some of the smaller places they’d looked at. Not to mention that it was practically in the heart of New York, but it wasn’t like they couldn’t afford it. Regular jobs were out of the question for obvious reasons, but the pair made more than enough off selling their art to live comfortably without having to brave the outside world in the daylight. 

Faintly, he could hear the splatter of paint and the clatter of brushes from below and realized that she must be finishing her latest piece. He pulled back the covers, stretching his arms over his head as he padded down the cold metal stairs to greet her. 

She was indeed hard at work, a canvas taking up most of the kitchen counter with art supplies taking up the rest save for two coffee mugs filled with a dark red liquid. 

Jinx grinned when she saw him, dropping her brush and flouncing over to kiss his cheek and press one of the mugs into his hand. “About time,” she teased. “You sleep like the dead.”

“We are the dead.”

Jinx waves a dismissive hand, returning to her creation. “Semantics.”

Ekko chuckled, bringing the mug to his lips and taking a long drink only to cough in surprise at the unexpected taste. It was blood, but there was something hot and bitter mixed in that Ekko couldn’t identify.

He cleared his throat, trying to get rid of the aftertaste as Jinx watched him with a raised brow, looking like the picture of innocence. Ekko didn’t believe it for a second. 

“What the hell is that?” He asked flatly, setting the mug down and inspecting hers, which looked much the same but was slightly lighter in color. 

“Blood!” Jinx said brightly, then smiled sheepishly. “And coffee.”

“Another experiment, I’m guessing?” He mused. It was a new fixation of hers, mixing blood with human food in increasingly strange concoctions to see if it would taste good. Ekko was more than happy to test all of them if it made her happy. 

Just…maybe with a bit more warning next time. 

“Yep!” She chirped, sniffing at his mug and making a face. “It’s better with the creamer.”

He took an experimental drink from her mug and grimaced slightly. The creamer certainly helped with the bitterness, but he’d still consider this one a food fail.

“I think I’ll stick to just blood in my blood,” Ekko replied lightly, setting the mug down and pressing a kiss to her head as he walked by to grab some from the fridge. 

Jinx hummed contentedly as she cleaned her brushes, the pair weaving around each other in the small kitchen space with practiced ease. Ekko found he quite enjoyed the small things like that. The accidental brushes as they pass each other. The ambient noises of clattering and footsteps as they moved about, in tune with each other completely. The domesticity of it all.

He took a long drag from his mug, now cleaned and replaced with proper blood and grinned as he watched her put away the supplies, the canvas still laid out to dry on the counter. He poked her cheek, which had something red smeared across it. 

“Is that paint or blood?” He questioned idly, smiling fondly when she patted her cheek in surprise to inspect the mysterious smudge. 

She hummed, bringing her finger - now also smeared with red - up to her lips and tasting it thoughtfully. Jinx nodded, turning to him with a deadpan expression. “Paint.” 

Ekko laughed loudly at that, ruffling her hair with a gentle hand. “I don’t think you’re supposed to ingest that.” 

“Most people aren’t s’posed to ingest blood either,” Jinx said matter of factly, snatching his mug and taking a sip. “I’m special .” 

Ekko stroked her cheek, smearing the paint even more as he kissed her gently and delighting in the way she smiled when he pulled back. 

“Yeah, you are.” 

***

Ekko hummed along to the music playing in his ears as he walked down the darkened streets of New York, one hand shoved in his pocket and the other clenched around bags of merchandise from an arts and crafts store and a bag holding containers of blood - courtesy of the local butcher who never asked too many questions.

His music glitched, pausing as a new noise blares through his earbuds - some French song that Jinx had set as his personal ringtone for her. A male and female voice crooning together in a duet as he fumbled to pull his phone free from his pocket.

Mais ma meilleure ennemie, c’est toi-  

He clicked the answer button, grinning as her voice crackled in his ears without so much as a greeting. 

“Buffy or Twilight?”

He raised a brow, though she couldn’t see it, letting out a surprised chuckle. “Hmm?”

“Vampire movie night!” Jinx explained, soft sounds of movement on the other end of the line as she prepared something. “Gotta honor our heritage.” 

“By watching inaccuracy filled monster flicks that we predate by like- a century?”

“ Exactly !”

“Buffy, then,” Ekko said seriously, turning a corner and seeing his apartment building come into view. “Gotta find out if she defeats The Master.”

Jinx scoffed over the line and Ekko could practically hear the responding eye roll. “Of course , she does.” Jinx insisted. “There’s like seven more seasons!”

“Hey, spoilers!”

Jinx’s laugh crackled in his ears as he stepped inside the building, pressing the elevator button with his elbow and riding up to his floor. “You think her and Angel are gonna last?” She asked conspiratorially, as if they were gossiping about real people. 

“A vampire and a vampire hunter?” He joked, a smile curving his lips as he unlocked the door and came face to face with his wife from her place in the kitchen. “That could never happen.”

She locked eyes with him, speaking deliberately into the speaker of her phone. “Gotta go, my husband’s here.”

Ekko smirked, unplugging the earbuds from his phone and stuffing them in his pocket as he lifted the speaker to his mouth and made an expression of faux offense. “Is he prettier than me?”

Jinx pranced over to him, hitting the end call button and hopping into his arms, kissing him firmly and smiling against his lips. “ Very. ” 

Ekko huffed out a laugh, pressing another kiss to her lips, then to her nose and cheek before carefully setting her back down. Her arms circled his neck. 

“How ya feel about blood and popcorn?”

“Sounds a bit like a biohazard.” 

The microwave beeped loudly. Jinx smiled mischievously, tugging him behind her as she went to retrieve the popped kernels. “We’ll just have to use a lot of seasoning,” Jinx reasoned, spilling the popcorn into a bowl and marinating it with warm blood. “It’ll be great.” 

“It looks better than the coffee,” Ekko complimented and she sent him a mock glare before plopping down on the couch, setting the bowl on the table as she scooped up the remote to begin the show. 

Ekko followed, reclining against the couch and pulling her gently against him. She curled into his side, clicking on the episode titled Prophecy Girl and brandished the bowl of popcorn at him with a grin. 

He obliged, plucking out a piece and stuffing it in his mouth. He hummed in thought and nodded. “You’ve done worse.”

Jinx gasped in offense, pouting even as she rested her head on his shoulder and snatched a few pieces to try for herself. Ekko held her tighter, letting the bowl rest precariously between them. 

And as the screen buffered, loading up the season finale with his girl relaxed against him and attempting to feed him more of her bizarre concoction, Ekko decided he couldn’t think of a better way to spend eternity.