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Scott Goldsmith has always been a man of high status. As such, being surrounded by people far beneath him in the ruins of an abandoned town was certainly an odd situation. A thick fog and those ominous beacons only made it more so. The fourteen strangers had elected to hunker down in Oakhurst. At this point, people had begun turning the aforementioned ruins into something livable. He’d partnered up with a nice girl named Shelby. Ideally, that could get him out of working on the house.
What it couldn’t get him out of was the frenzied yelling of one townsfolk, Avid. Somehow, he’d gotten it in his head that Scott was a vampire, a vampire of all things! It was almost cute how insistent he was on the matter. It had certainly been fun to play into. He was already quite jumpy, and that went double when it came to Scott.
Vampires obviously didn’t exist, but he had read more than enough novels about them. There was an undeniable allure to them. Their beauty, power, and ability to enjoy both eternally. All for the sacrifice of some spilled blood. He’d frequently seen worse done for far less. It’d be a tempting deal, were it offered to him. Imagine all that he could do with such power.
Though today, the shrieks of evil vampires had been grating on his nerves. He felt a headache threatening to take hold. Thankfully, an opportunity presented itself as Scott wandered the town. The enigmatic Doctor Legundo had been speaking to Ren and mentioned planning to head for more pale wood to complete his house. Perfect.
Scott took the opportunity to insert himself into the conversation quickly. “Alone? That doesn’t seem safe.” Legundo did not startle as Scott spoke from behind him. “Even without the vampires a certain someone keeps screaming about.” He scoffed. It was clear that there was something off about the local area, the townsfolk simply were divided on what that was.
“Aye,” added Ren. “These woods hold a great number of dangers.”
Legundo seemed to pause, considering something for a moment as he stared at Scott. Scott tilted his head slightly. The doctor wore a large coat, and his face was partially obscured from a combination of a face mask and eyepatch. Long hair was pulled back into a tight bun. Not to mention, a large scar ran across his face, peeking out beneath any coverings.
There was something about him, the way everything about him seemed perfectly reserved, restrained. Then there was that scar. He could tell there was something more to him, and Scott certainly wanted to know what that was.
“Hm. You’re right.” He finally agreed. He glanced up to the sky, checking the time. “Ren? Are you busy?”
“Sorry doctor. I’ve got work to do on me own place, dontcha know.”
Not letting another moment pass, Scott took his chance. “You know, I’m pretty good company.” Offered with a practiced smile.
It was clear that Scott would not have been his first choice. Far from it, but he’s who was there. “Fine.” As his visible eyebrow quirked upwards. “Do you have what you need?”
“Of course. Wouldn’t want to keep you waiting.” He didn’t need much anyways. He had no intention of helping to actually gather the wood. Just some time away from Avid. Getting to watch the doctor chop wood was a bonus, certainly a welcome one. He eyed the coat that hid away the doctor’s physique.
Legundo turned away. “Then let's get going.” He took the lead without any further confirmation. Scott had noticed that he likes to take initiative. He supposed he would follow along for now.
They had left the view of Oakhurst before Scott began conversation. “Bold choice, doc. Haven’t you heard? I’m the big bad vampire that’s lurking in the dark.” He leaned toward him as he continued his overdramatic mocking. “And all alone with you? Well, I may just have to take a bite.”
Legundo was not amused. He slightly increased his pace, just enough to put himself in front rather than walking side by side. “Avid’s ridiculous ramblings. Vampires don’t exist.” He certainly hoped no vampire would’ve been stupid enough to turn someone like Scott. In a perfect world, Scott would’ve dropped it there. The last thing he needed was a reminder of the ravenous hunger he felt all through his whole body. He took an unnecessary breath to calm the tingling in his fingertips.
He’d been hungry since this whole thing started. This was actually supposed to be a moment he could steal away for himself, feed on a bit of the local wildlife. That was until Scott showed up. Declining the company entirely would’ve been an odd look. Scott. It would’ve been much more odd for the doctor to return alone now. No luck there, no matter how tempting the noble made it.
Scott sighed. “Clearly. If it were anyone else I left with I’m sure we’d be hearing his panic all the way out here.” He then matched the other man’s pace. Legundo took the chance to glance over and size him up. Given Scott’s heels, it was close in height, but still not quite taller. Legundo certainly had more bulk to him. Not a surprise, that man probably hadn’t seen a day of actual labor before coming here. Even then, he’d been finding every opportunity to weasel his way out of helping.
Doctor Legundo did not like Scott Goldsmith in the slightest. The way this human carried himself above it all. Like nothing could truly touch him. It made him want nothing more than to drag him down, into the mud, purely to see the fear in his eyes. Unfortunately, he was looking to gain the town’s trust. He needed these recurring thoughts to settle in order to do that. “You don’t exactly help your case there.” He wasn’t happy about vampires being such a prominent topic. But honestly, so long as suspicion stayed away from himself it was fine.
“Now, where’s the fun in that?” He shot a grin at Legundo. This is when Scott took notice. The already stiff man seemed to be slightly more tense than before. Interesting. Was he this annoyed at Avid’s antics, or was there some other reason? Being a noble taught him to read into the smallest of expressions. It taught him how to handle things with tact. It taught him to know when it’s best to do away with such tact, in order to push for something deeper. “So you haven’t treated many vampires then?”
Legundo reminded himself to keep things light. Not let it show how much Scott gets under his skin. ‘You would be my first.’ He attempted to joke.
Quite obviously forced. The doctor seemed to be severely lacking when it came to giving a good performance. Was it truly the topic of vampires that had him wound up? Everything about him screamed restraint. Not just in this moment, he was always carefully measured. Everything from his voice, to his clothes, to his footsteps. “Don’t tell me his stories are actually getting to you.” He took a step closer, watching with keen interest.
Legundo stopped in his tracks. “No, but I've seen where that sort of hysteria can lead towns.” He warned.
He was certainly on to something. Scott just wasn’t sure what quite yet. “Enlighten me, dear doctor.” He now stood directly in front of the other man. Closer than most would deem appropriate.
He tilted his chin slightly upwards to look down at Scott. “Men tear each other apart far worse than any… imagined monster.”
That look right there. Scott could recognize malice bubbling violently just beneath the surface. He could tell there was something more to Legundo. Something ill fitted to the well meaning doctor he’s portrayed himself as. With a bit more prodding, he hoped to see exactly what that was for himself. “Then that's where you come in to stitch them back up?”
“I do everything I can to help.”
Scott rolled his eyes. “You’ve always been the ‘help’?” He leaned forward.
“What are you implying?” A cautious look.
“Simple curiosity.” He replied innocently.
“Curiostity killed the cat, Mr Goldsmith.”
“Oh, but the sweet satisfaction, dear doctor.” A light danced in his eyes as he stared back.
Legundo was glad his mask hid the way his lips curled into a snarl. It would be so easy. So easy to rip his throat out, and it would feel damn good. “We should go.” Each word with the impact of a pointed threat. He sidestepped Scott, intent on continuing down the path. Ideally, with the curious noble in one piece.
Close. He was so close to getting him to crack. He didn’t know the doctor well enough to know what that would even entail. Maybe he’d merely grumble and leave, maybe that would be the end of Scott Goldsmith. It was part of the fun, he was more interested in seeing which it would be than he was concerned for his own safety. He watched the doctor take a few paces before calling out. “No.” A grin snaked its way across his face.
Legundo didn’t dignify such a childish remark with a response. He stopped, yet didn’t turn back.
“I’m still curious about you.” Slow steps as he approached. “There’s something you’re hiding, and I’m dying to know.” He dragged a hand across Legundo’s shoulder as he came around in front of him. “What better time to ask?”
“I’m a doctor, here to help the sick.” He reminded him with a serious tone.
Scott leaned in closer, mischievous eyes glinting. “Is that so?” They stood close as he reached a hand over to pull down the doctor’s face mask. He had to get a good look at the other man. It revealed further scarring. He was certainly a handsome man, no reason for hiding a face like that. “Much better.” Eyes drifted down to his mouth. Bared teeth. Sharp canines. Almost… inhumanly sharp. His jaw went slack as the pieces clicked into place. Oh.
This was a problem. A serious one. Legundo hadn’t planned to reveal himself to anyone quite yet. Unfortunately, his secret was out. And to Scott of all people. He didn’t say a word, but grabbed Scott by the arms. The last thing he needed was this noble to get the bright idea to run. His options weren’t great. Turning was out of the question. He seemed much more like the sort that damned author was. The last thing any of this needed was more vampires like him. Killing him right here would have consequences back in Oakhurst. The only option left being to convince him to keep it a secret.
It was exceedingly rare for Scott to find himself at a loss for words, but being held firmly in place by a monster he’d thought purely fictional seemed to do the trick. “A vampire.” He finally breathed out. While he ran through about a hundred different things that he could continue with, none made their way past his lips. His heart pounded as a smile formed on his face. Not the beautiful one to get his way, nor the polite one to save face, or even the sly one he wore moments before. This was something that had come about much less intentionally. Filled with a mixture of nerves and excitement. He hadn’t even considered this a possibility.
Everything in his body was screaming to sink his fangs in. Legundo had him held there, completely helpless. There wasn’t even anyone to witness a gruesome sight. His hunger protested as he acted on none of the impulses clouding his mind. He studied Scott’s expression. Most humans would be screaming as if their life depended on it by now, but not him. If anything, he seemed weirdly fascinated by the situation. “I am a doctor.” He repeated, a warning to say nothing of this to the others. Consequences were clear by the way he tightened his grip on the other man.
Scott tilted his head. There was no telling what went through the other’s mind. He couldn’t be sure of the accuracy, given his sources were stories that had all been presented as fiction, but the doctor didn’t seem strong. Sure, clearly strong enough to overpower him, but when it came to vampirism that was apparently not a high bar. He quickly arrived at the idea to make himself useful. A survival tactic, make you being alive the most appealing option available. There was the chance for this to go wrong, for him to poke the bear just a little too much. A risk, but just imagined if it worked. His tone was careful, dipping a single toe in before an inevitable dive. “Then… are you hungry?”
It was a level of sheer audacity that caught Legundo off guard. The sudden offer didn’t make sense. It was suspicious, certainly he should’ve opted to hunt wild game instead. Unfortunately, his body was getting impatient. Blood, even seemingly being offered up to him. Why not take it? He eyed Scott with plenty of skepticism. “What’s your game here, Goldsmith?”
“Not all of it,” he clarified. “I’d much prefer to walk back to town with a still beating heart.” He put it out of his mind how tantalizing he’d considered the idea of being turned that very day. He didn’t know the intricacies of how vampires worked. It’d be far too hasty. “And this can stay our little secret.” Dropping into a quiet tone.
He shouldn’t agree. He released his hold on Scott, who rubbed his own shoulder with a wince. Surely, this human was playing to an angle. “You’re sure?” He wasn’t sure himself if he’d even be able to abide by a change of heart. To have the very thing he’d been fighting handed on a silver platter.
Scott’s smile had lost its nervousness. He’d found his out. It was pointless to try to consider how things would later progress, but this presumably made him a valuable asset. A slight nod.
Legundo moved to grab Scott’s wrist. Then pulled back fabric to reveal soft skin beneath. He had to remind himself of his need for self control. Stealing a glance toward Scott's face, he found the strangest expression yet. It was a twinge of disappointment. Disappointment out of everything? “What?” He spat.
His face became a look of innocence. “Nothing at all.” He considered carefully whether or not to add the next part. There wasn’t a reason that he could quite articulate for why he pushed on this, but he had regardless. “I should’ve expected such a clinical spot from you.”
Something in Scott’s tone deeply annoyed him, as if the other was challenging him. He scowled. He shouldn’t rise to something that simple, but this whole trip had been filled with Scott boldly going against what should’ve been logical choices. It was his turn. Purely to catch the noble off guard. Wrist still clutched, he pulled. Dragging Scott into his chest with a surprised yelp from the human.
He certainly hadn’t expected that so suddenly. A light flush dusted his face as he tried to remain composed. “I suppose ‘take me to dinner first’ doesn’t quite work when I am the dinner.” An attempt to diffuse any sort of feelings the closeness caused with a joke.
Legundo wasn’t amused, electing to completely ignore the comment. Instead he used his free hand to roughly loosen the top of Scott’s shirt, giving him easier access to his neck. He was eager to feed, something Scott certainly took notice of. He really was hungry.
“Careful doctor, a bloodstained mask wouldn’t look good.” He took plenty of joy in pointing such a fact out. It sat pulled down to his chin from earlier. With a fair bit of annoyance, he took the face mask off completely, stuffing it into a pocket. Come to think of it, couldn’t the doctor have stopped him before he’d revealed his secret? Avoid so much of this trouble. He spent a moment considering the idea that he himself had been played in some way without even realizing it.
Legundo wrapped his arm securely around Scott’s waist, having trapped him in place. He dipped his head down without hesitation until his fangs were nearly close enough to graze Scott’s neck. He paused just for a moment. “There is something severely wrong with you.” It was quiet, as if he worried about someone overhearing despite their secluded location. Before Scott could counter with his own retort, he felt fangs pierce his skin. He bit back a swear, shocked by the sharp pain. He writhed under the vampire’s grip. Legundo responded by holding tighter. Stay still. He didn’t have to make the process as painful as it was, his venom could’ve numbed it easily. In fact, it may have been unprofessional to withhold such a thing, but Scott had been getting on his nerves. He’d use this as his chance to relish in a bit of payback. He drank deeply, but kept himself keenly aware of how much he took. Following a dangerous thought, he allowed himself to entertain the idea of just continuing. Drinking until the last drop. Allowing himself to truly indulge. How bad would it be to return to Oakhurst alone? Say they were simply separated, an unfortunate accident. But that idea was just that, an idea. He’d keep to his word, and Scott would likely do the same. If he didn’t, Legundo may just get to follow through on that idea after all. Scott’s breathing was unsteady as his every instinct flared up to tell him he was in danger. That he needed to get away. The pain was at the forefront of his mind. He drowned in the feeling. Had he made a mistake? Was this going to be how he goes? Serious dizziness began to take hold. He slowly closed his eyes, reaching an arm onto the doctor to steady himself. Just a moment later the pain dulled, the vampire shifted. Was he done?
He startled as a tongue dragged across where he’d been bitten. Scott’s fingers curled at the sensation. “I didn’t take you for the greedy type, not wasting a drop.” He teased Legundo. The other grumbled something under his breath, before he led Scott to a nearby tree. There was a surprising gentleness as he released him into a sitting position,
Legundo used the new distance to shoot an annoyed look. “It’s for healing, especially on small wounds like those.” Omitting the fact that noble wasn’t wrong, if this situation was anything to go by. He had given in to his own greed when he accepted this proposal in the first place. Scott moved to stand, only to be stopped by a hand pressed firmly to his chest. “Don’t move. You should eat something, but rest will have to do for now.”
Scott tilted his head back. There was something truly interesting about Doctor Legundo’s dichotomy. This caring doctor act against the monster who’d just sunk his fangs into his neck. His interest in the man had admittedly only grown, going from a spark to a flame. Scott couldn’t say he hated the idea of ending up burned. Especially if it meant finding out more about the doctor. The other man had stood after a moment longer, looking out into the woods as if he were worried for someone else stumbling upon the scene. Scott studied his serious expression. If anything he felt understood even less about him now.
A grin crept onto Scott’s face. He couldn’t say where things would go from here, but a rising feeling in his chest told him it would be incredibly interesting. Good, he was worried he’d be just as bored out here. He’ll have to thank the doctor for fixing that.