Archive of Our Own ^beta

The last year had been a wild one for Noah, having flashed before his eyes, speeding away without waiting for him to keep up. Now finals were around the corner, which meant the prospect of graduation, which also meant the possibility of moving away from friends and family, that was if he was accepted into the university he'd dreamt of attending since second grade. Yet another stressor not so helpfully adding to his already lengthy list of things to worry excessively about.

Although none of these compared to the revelation that the guy who'd frequented Noah's dreams for the past few months had turned out to be some blood sucking, life draining supernatural being.

The same person he'd shared sneaky glances with in Chemistry class, the same person he'd unintentionally brush shoulders with in the hallway, that same person who'd secretly been picking off and hunting their fellow peers. All the while Noah had been gradually becoming smitten with him.

However, the most frightening thing was after all of this, the guy would continue to appear in the back of Noah's mind when he lay in his bed at night, occupying his unconscious thoughts. And although he'd fight the allegations, he often found his mind wandering to a hooked nose and double conditioned hair even in his waking moments.

Noah hadn't believed it at first, or more accurately simply hadn't wanted to. He'd actually thought they had slowly became acquaintances, dare he say friends even.

Alas, all good things must come to an end because believe it or not, once becoming aware of the fact his little boy crush had a voracious appetite for the blood that ran through his very veins, it sort of tainted his view of the guy.

Ever since the night that quite literally changed Noah’s entire understanding of the world as he knew it, he’d kept a keen eye out for Alejandro. From that day, his investigating began. He'd spend any class with him simply staring, observing any minuscule movement, more than he usually would have anyway.

With the knowledge he now acquired, he noticed things about the other he originally hadn't, or didn't think much of. The way Alejandro's shoulders remained completely idle for concerning periods of time when he thought no one was watching. When he'd run a hand through his hair, lifting it to reveal the abnormal point of his ears, although that was nothing compared to his flashy canines.

Yes, a wild year indeed.

It was now late October, the day of halloween. His graduating class had an epic farewell party planned that Friday night. Majority of people wouldn't be available come Christmas time so this spooky holiday was the perfect occasion. Noah had almost said no as halloween wasn't exactly his mojo, he’d never been a believer of ghosts, ghouls, or anything superstitious. Up until now at least. Ever since he had, he'd made an oath to never let Alejandro skate on by Scott free.

Admittedly, something that started as a subconscious habit grew into something close to an obsession, yet Noah's investigating was so very far from over. And so, when he caught wind that Alejandro was the one who graciously offered to hold the evening festivities at his humble abode (yeah, he really said that), then so be it, Noah would be there.

However not without a plan.

He currently stood in a foreign bathroom, staring himself down in a large, slightly toothpaste spattered mirror. Excited chatter could be heard outside through the thin walls of the apartment. He looked himself up and down, eyes trailing from where a stupid pointed hat stood upright on his head, to the obnoxious, eye straining blue robe that hung loosely from his frame, pooling around his feet. The worst part was the wiry, synthetic beard that scratched at Noah's cheeks.

He knew he looked positively atrocious, however it wasn't without reason. By covering himself up as much as possible, he hoped his identity would be concealed from any hunting eyes. He went to exit the bathroom, any more staring would simply depress himself. He backtracked however, snatching the crappy plastic staff that leant against the basin he'd almost forgotten. Sure, the staff wasn't exactly necessary, but it was a means of protecting himself on the off chance he found a pair of teeth sunken into his jugular.

Although he guessed there wouldn't be much saving him then. Noah shuddered.

It had taken a few moments for him to be noticed as he stood in the vacant doorway. The room quickly quietened, gazes snapping to look at Noah's get up.

"Wow! Noah that's very..." Gwen, the renowned goth of Noah's school scratched at her temple, coming up blank.

"Creative!" A voice covered for Gwen's silence. Noah wasn't surprised it had been Bridgette to come to the rescue, she was too nice for her own good.

Everyone else simply offered awkward smiles, nodding along with what had been said.

Noah rolled his eyes, he knew his outfit didn't exactly fit the vibe of the evening, simply glancing around at the choice of clothing of the other's told as much. Gwen had taken tonight as an opportunity to show off her new corset, most likely from hot topic. Bridgette wore a silky green dress accompanied by a set of translucent fairy wings. Noah blinked in surprise when he caught sight of Izzy's costume, which didn't really look like a costume, more like a murder scene with the way blood covered almost every inch of her. Noah hoped it was fake.

Even Courtney, the self acclaimed prized pupil, or as everyone else calls her the uptight wannabe councillor, was wearing a witches hat paired with an ebony dress that clung onto her hip appraisingly, a slit ran through the fabric to reveal a tanned thigh.

Thankfully however, Owen would always have his back. He sported a bright orange, rotund pumpkin costume which Noah guessed limited his already compromised mobility significantly. At least he wouldn't be the only one to look a fool.

"We should get going, it's almost 6:00pm," Eva grunted. She refused to wear a 'stupid costume', instead deciding on her usual sporting attire.

Murmurs of agreement filled the room, Izzy launched herself towards where the keys rested atop a nearby counter.

"I'll drive!" she exclaimed. "I've always loved bumper cars."

Courtney stormed over to snatch them out of Izzy's hand, she grimaced as the contaminated keys painted her hand red. "Absolutely not, and you can sit in the trunk! I will not allow my leather seats to be tarnished by your bloodiness."

"Oooh, VIP seats! Fun!"

Noah snorted. "Or we could strap you to the top of the car, I've heard that seat has a killer view."

Izzy's features lit up instantaneously, "Good thinking Noah! Anyone got rope?"

The other's shared a look before simply ignoring her, heading for the front door. An unlucky Eva was left to corral Izzy out of the house which quickly backfired when Izzy forced a hockey mask onto the other's head before engulfing her in a hug. When Izzy pulled away, Eva's entire front was covered in fake blood.

"Now you have a costume!" Even Izzy's expression faltered when Eva cracked her knuckles, snarling at the ginger.

That was his cue to leave.

The group of teens piled into Courtney's dirt splattered SUV. Gwen called shotgun, throwing herself into the passenger seat adjacent to Courtney. Noah was cramped in next to Owen, who took up two seats opposed to one, leaving the rest of the group to squash themselves into the three back seats. Izzy begrudgingly agreed to sit in the back, mainly for legal reasons.

Noah wasn't well acquainted with a lot of the people in the group, but a free ride was a free ride. Not like he could ask his mother to drop him off, for all she knew Noah was currently at Owen's house for a sleepover. She'd never let him to some rowdy house party where cheap booze was certainly present. Not like Noah himself wanted to go, but he had a moral obligation, expose the vampire in their midst.

They'd pulled into a parking spot on a curb outside the gates of Alejandro's property, Noah took note of a few young children pattering around in their overly intricate halloween costumes, this neighbourhood really was a snob show. A few parents took note of Izzy's state, shoving their children to the opposite side of the street with a look of condescension.

Their group unloaded from the car, leaving Noah yanking at Owen's arm who'd gotten himself wedged in the car door. After almost getting crushed, a near miss, Noah and the rest of the group started up the windy gravel path leading to the Burromuerto residence. Before Noah made it even two steps, Courtney held an arm out that prevented Noah from traversing any further.

"The others are too nice to say anything, and I mean this with no ill intent," Courtney trailed off, Noah could tell from her excessively formal rambling it was just going to be an overly cushioned insult.

"Just spit it out Courtney."

She huffed, a tinge of agitation evident. "Lose the beard and staff, if not for your dignity then mine."

Noah frowned, looking at his staff and fiddling with the twist of his beard. "I'll lose the staff, but the beard stays."

"Fine."

Noah flicked at the crappy plastic, if it'd been real wood perhaps it would work in place of a stake. Maybe he wasn't as prepared as he initially thought. Too late now, he threw it in the back seat of Courtney's car.

They eventually caught up with the rest of the group, who had their necks craned backwards as they stared awestruck at the sheer size of Alejandro's manor. It was unlike anything he'd seen, more extravagant than those stupid house hunting for millionaires shows that would drone on in the background while his family ate dinner.

"Humble abode my ass." Noah scoffed. Was this guy purposefully a privileged jerk or did it just come naturally?

Bridgette stepped forward from the group once they reached the front door step, grabbing ahold of the door knocker before rapping it against the polished mahogany. The group stood in silence for a few moments, before a crackling sounded beside the door.

"I have my hands full at the moment but the door is unlocked, please see yourselves inside!"

Noah sighed a breath of relief, he wasn't sure he was ready to properly face him yet.

Bridgette walked ahead of the group, twisting the handle before pushing it open. She looked over her shoulder and shrugged, making her way inside. Noah didn't allow Owen more than a foot of personal space as they piled into the grand foyer.

There was already an impressive crowd that danced and swayed with the halloween themed music blaring through the area. With such an enormous space Noah had hoped it wouldn't be so crowded, of course that was just wishful thinking.

Noah took a moment to sink in his surroundings, focusing majorly on every possible exit in case of an emergency. It proved to be quite difficult, due to the countless arched doorways that lead every which way.

Everything was absolutely pristine, from the low hung, shimmering crystal chandelier that provided only a dim glow, to the tall and chiselled pillars sprouting from the glossed marble floor. Noah had to admit he was impressed, it certainly wasn't an environment he initially presumed a spawn of vampires would reside in. It lacked a few coffins, brick walls, chains strung around the place, even the odd body bag here and there.

The only peculiar thing he'd noticed as of yet was how dark the room was despite the fact it was at least a couple hours until sundown. Shockingly tall panes of windows that stretched along the walls of the mansion were completely obscured by velvet curtains.

Seems Alejandro doesn't handle his UV very well.

"This just called me poor in like, how many languages are there in the world?" Gwen was forced to yell for the others to hear.

Bridgette nodded vehemently. "Right? I knew the Burromuertos were loaded but this is just..."

"Unreal! One would have to work a dozen life times to earn this much money." Courtney's jaw hung slightly agape.

Courtney had not a clue just how spot on she was.

Owen nudged Noah in the side with an elbow. "Do you think their toilet paper is made of gold?"

"I wouldn't be surprised, but I bet their toilet water is of the spring kind," Noah spoke in a mocking tone, emphasising the already nasally undertones of his voice.

"Good one little buddy!" Owen wheezed at Noah's comment, letting out a few snorts.

Courtney raised an eyebrow. "You guys are so immature."

"No no, they ask great questions, we must investigate!" Izzy grabbed ahold of Owen and Eva's arms, pulling them along to the nearest room which in turn, lead Noah trailing swiftly behind, panicked at the thought of being left by his lonesome.

They didn't get far when the sudden sound of a throat clearing stopped them in their tracks. Turning around, Noah observed Alejandro merely a few feet away. Noah subconsciously stepped to disappear behind Owen.

"I apologise, but I must ask that you refrain from wandering, I can't have people getting lost," He smiled, "A safety precaution."

"Absolutely, we are so sorry about them!" Courtney's words ran into each other as she rushed to explain for them.

Alejandro's eye creased in annoyance, it would be easy to misconceive them as smile lines, but Noah knew better. "It is fine, they did not know."

He then turned his attention to the three girls who stood seperate from them, offering a sickeningly sweet smirk. "Love the costumes, you ladies look exquisite."

Noah noticed how Courtney tugged at Gwen's shirt, a subtle flustered snort followed. "Why thank you, Al."

Bridgette tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear as she offered a polite smile, a light blush dusting her cheeks.

Gwen rolled her eyes in a playful manner. "Hey I totally dig the corset, Alejandro."

Noah perked up at Gwen's words, peering from behind Owen as he gave Alejandro a once over. He adorned a loosely fit, ruffled white blouse that was tucked in. The fabric poured over an expensive looking leather corset which accentuated a pair of perfectly ironed slacks.

"What are you supposed to be?" Bridgette inquired.

Noah thought it was quite obvious, he couldn't believe the sheer audacity of the guy, he was-

"A vampire." Alejandro grinned, a menacing glint in his eyes.

"Oh, really?" Gwen spoke, unsure.

Alejandro simply nodded. "Perhaps this may make it more obvious."

He stood idle for a few moments, leaving the group confused, and Noah terrified. Then in one absurdly fast movement, he launched himself at the trio, clawed hands reaching out as if to snatch them. Noah paled when he observed Alejandro's face, contorted into a viscous expression with sharp, pearly fangs bared as he hissed at the girls.

Each of them let out a startled squeal, cowering as they grabbed a hold of each other. Noah expected to witness bloodshed, but Alejandro halted just before them, his crazed expression turning into smug satisfaction. Courtney opened her tightly shut eyes, before breaking out into a fit of giggles, Bridgette and Gwen following moments after.

"Not cool man, that scared the shit out of me!" Gwen gasped, punching at Alejandro's shoulder.

Alejandro shrugged, joining in in their laughter, a low chuckle shook his shoulders.

Izzy left Owen and Noah's sides, bounding up to Alejandro. Noah left his hiding spot to reach for Izzy's hand, he couldn't let her too close after that circus stunt. He grasped thin air however, Izzy having already made her way up to the spaniard. She leaned close to Alejandro's face, who seemed fairly unbothered, save the slight twitch of his eye.

"Coool, those things are so realistic!" Alejandro's fangs stuck out of his closed smile, Izzy tilted her head to get a better look.

Courtney grabbed ahold of Izzy's shoulder, yanking her backwards. "Alright I think that's enough!" she spoke with a forced laugh.

Alejandro looked as though he wanted to say something, yet his mouth stayed tightly shut, lips pursed. He looked Izzy's bloodied self up and down, face unreadable. Not to Noah however.

Enticing, isn't it Alejandro?  Noah snarled from where he remained hidden, fists clenched at his sides.

Alejandro blinked. 'Anyhow, I won't hold you up any longer. Please enjoy the party.' He stepped to the side, gesturing to the now bouncing crowd."

Gwen whooped before disappearing into said crowd, Bridgette and Courtney giggled as they followed behind her.

Noah followed his friends as they scurried to the centre of the room, passing right by Alejandro. His fake smile remained, until he caught a glimpse of Noah. His head tilted slightly, grin faltering as his eyebrows scrunched where they met at the bridge of his nose. Noah simply kept his head down, scampering along with Owen. He let out a breath once out of Alejandro's vicinity, he hadn't noticed it was Noah yet, looks like he wasn't wearing this atrocity for nothing.

His relief was short lived however, he'd almost forgotten just how much he hated parties, the crowd aspect of them especially. Once he entered the mosh pit he may have been saved from being eaten alive by Alejandro, but was now at risk of death by suffocation. Sweaty bodies pushed and shoved, jostling Noah around. He grimaced, bringing a hand up to pinch his nose.

"Come on Noah, you look like someone's just spat in your face." Eva yelled into Noah's ear where she stood beside him, Noah wasn't certain someone hadn't. "Have some fun for once!"

"How is this fun for anyone?" Noah sneered incredulously, his voice coming out tinny from the hand that still had ahold of his nose.

Eva paused her fist pumping, crossing her arms over her chest, "I think what you need is a drink, loosen up a bit!" Her smirk widened.

Peering over a nearby shoulder, Noah observed a plastic cup of red slosh, something that certainly didn't look appealing. Noah was certain Alejandro had a ginormous wine cellar tucked away somewhere, but a party was a party he guessed.

Noah's gaze snapped back towards Eva when he felt her hand encircle his wrist. She begun marching through the crowd, dragging Noah behind as he unceremoniously trampled on numerous sets of feet, earning shouts of annoyance. People continued to bump into Eva yet her confident stance remained unfaltering, people simply bouncing off of her. She really was a force to be reckoned with.

Noah felt a tinge of worry in the pit of his stomach, he felt guilty for leaving Owen and Izzy. Although they were most likely safer stuck in the mass of people, as long as they didn't go wandering off like they were told not to.

Finally, Eva and Noah breached past the sea of people. They now stood in a significantly less crowded space, directly in front of an open door frame. From where Noah stood the room appeared to be the kitchen, a completely redundant room. Eva let go of Noah's wrist, leaving him to walk for himself.

Entering into the room, Noah and Eva made their way towards the island situated in the very centre of the kitchen. Several stray, plastic cups littered the surface, which was made sticky by the alcohol spilt on the speckled countertops. Eva reached for a couple clean cups, shoving one at Noah. He leaned over the massive, intricately detailed chalice that contained bubbling and putrid smelling liquid.

"What is even in this?" Noah murmured to himself.

Eva's gaze drifted to a stranger who was stumbling around the room, slurring his words as he attempted to hit on a nearby pillar. Eva let out a laugh. "Not sure, but I want whatever he's having."

"What happened to your gross protein shakes you made me drink because they were 'healthy'?" Noah lifted an eyebrow, surprised by Eva's eagerness.

"It's our last year Noah, give me a break." She huffed, pouring a hefty serving of whatever-the-fuck into her cup. When she was done, she snatched Noah's cup and did just the same, this time with a little less alcohol.

"Sure but that doesn't mean I want to get black out drunk, seems like a pretty bummer way to end the year." Noah stared at the cup held out to him.

Eva sighed, placing the cup onto the counter when Noah refused to take it. She then leant against it, her eyes flittering around the room.

"Look, I just think you need..." she trailed off, expression awkward as she tried to find her words. "A little bit of confidence."

Noah's head reeled back, eyebrows knitting together. Definitely not what he thought she was going to say.

"Confidence?" he repeated.

Eva shrugged, rubbing at the nape of her neck. "It's just that you've been a bit... Obsessed?"

Noah offered a blank stare, confused.

Eva huffed, irritated. "Alejandro! You won't shut the hell up about him it's hard to watch, get some of this in your system and go for it!"

Noah quite literally froze, only blinking as he tried to process what he'd just heard as the cogs in his brain churned laboriously. Then it hit him like a freight train.

"What?" he seethed, "You think I like him? Have you not heard a single thing I've been saying these past months?"

"Noah-"

"You were the one to hate him first, you even warned me about Alejandro when him and I were still... friends." Noah swallowed the lump in his throat, a sudden and very un-welcomed wave of gloom washing over him.

"I still don't like him, but Owen and Izzy made me talk some sense into you!" she grunted. "I mean, the only reason you came was because of Alejandro!" she finished, incredulously.

"Yeah, well maybe because he's trying to eat you!"

Is what Noah wanted to say, but he remained silent. He'd never actually told his friends about Alejandro being a vampire, the only place that would get him is a high security psych ward. Instead, he'd tried to warn people in a less clinically insane way. He'd gone around behind Alejandro's back to warn others that he was a dangerous person, which he was, he was only trying to save his friends from being eaten. Was that so bad?

He didn't think so, not until word had gotten around to Alejandro. The face of absolute betrayal he directed at Noah in the hallway was jarring, it held a sense of vulnerability Noah had only witnessed from the other just once before, months ago.

It was Noah's last period of the day, he had his chin resting in a palm as his eyes drooped, struggling to keep themselves open. His algebra teacher had wanted to give them a 'treat', displaying some sort of documentary film onto the whiteboard, a monotone voice droning on about something Noah could care less about. The gloomy weather outside left the classroom in shadows, the soft rhythmic tempo of rain pattered against the school's roof which made it near impossible to keep awake. Noah's head jostled when it slipped from his palm.

Looking up again, he lazily glanced around the room, all he saw for rows were bored faces. Instinctually, his eyes locked onto a particular point in the room, where he knew Alejandro sat. Almost immediately, Alejandro's eyes snapped to meet Noah's, brown meeting green.

Noah felt himself smile, he turned to the front of the classroom to ensure their teacher was unaware of his antics. Fortunately, the man sat mere feet away from the screen, enthralled by the process of a frogs evolution, honestly get a life.

He then swivelled himself to better face Alejandro, whose eyes were still trained on his, stare unfaltering. Noah jabbed a thumb in the direction of the white board, then adjusted an imaginary length of rope around his neck, 'tying' it before tugging it above his head, sticking his tongue out along with a fake gag.

Noah awaited the other's reaction, which was generally a snort of laughter or an amused smile, but none came. Noah frowned slightly as his eyebrows knit together.

Are you good? Noah mouthed for Alejandro to see, the former's gaze lingered on Noah's lips, then swiftly flitted down to his neck.

From there, Alejandro's gaze was intense as his hands tightened their grip on the sides of his wooden desk, knuckles beginning to pale. Alejandro forcefully whipped his head back up to meet Noah's questioning gaze. Noah was baffled.

Eventually, Alejandro offered a pathetic half smile, then glued his eyes to the desk in front of him.

"Okay?" Noah muttered to himself, turning to face the front.

Noah fought the urge to look back and instead rested his chin in his hand once again, although this time his mind kept busy with an array of questions, fatigue no longer an issue.

The shriek of the bell sounded half an hour later, waking the students who had opted to nap through class, groggy as they stretched before shoving papers in bags. All but one, Alejandro practically bound out of his chair, almost tipping it over as it screeched along the tiled floor. Then he was gone, the classroom door left swinging closed.

Noah narrowed his eyes, snatching his belongings from his desk and jogging out the room. Once he exited, he looked both ways down the hallway, catching a fleeting glimpse of Alejandro's silky hair rounding a corner. Immediately he set off, running down the halls, he didn't go to this much effort for a lot of people.

As he turned the corner he fell into a swift walk to keep as quiet as possible. Then a classroom door swung open in front of him, forcing him to a sudden halt. Dozens of kids poured from classroom doors, sweeping Noah along with the current of teenagers. Noah grunted, pushing at restless students wanting to get home. He stood on his toes, scanning the crowd for a familiar head of hair.

There he was.

Noah caught sight of him, weaving through the crowd all the whilst keeping his eyes trained on the back of Alejandro's head. Fortunately, the crowd seemed to stunt Alejandro also, he slowed to politely manoeuvre through the mass of students.

Noah was getting closer, he continued his march. If he reached out now he could practically touch him.

Until a force yanked him backwards, he stumbled, losing sight of Alejandro. He jumped upwards, yet still no sight of the spaniard. Noah then spun around to face the person who'd hauled him back.

"What?" he snapped.

Courtney, who had been the one to grab ahold of Noah, sported an offended look.

"I was going to ask where you were going, forget about the council meeting we have?" She rested her hands atop of her hips. "Unless you want to be a flake and get kicked off, see if I care!"

She whipped around, disappearing into the crowd also. Noah groaned, planting a palm against his forehead. He had forgotten. Shoulders hunched forward, he trudged back into the depths of the school, with just one more futile glance over his shoulder.

-

Almost three hours later was when Noah finally exited the student council room, he could have sworn his ears began to ring during the meeting. Hours of Heather yapping your ear off generally had that effect.

He made a beeline for the school's exit, thumbing at his phone as he went. The screen lit up, his stale inbox showed only a few fresh notifications.

Big-O: dont forget ur meeting!!!!!! also new italian restaurant in town wanna go??? :D

Noah snorted, swiping the message away, he'd reply later.

Iron woman: Give me the math homework.

Noah raised a brow, swiping.

Ma: I can't pick yiu up today your sister's soccer practice went until late, sorry love.

Ma: You*

Ma: Darn phone.

Noah groaned, head hanging back as he stopped in his tracks, right before the school's exit. The light pattering of rain had since turned to harsh and heavy downpour. He checked the time: 5:48pm. The last possible bus was long gone, guess he'd have to walk.

He checked his bag.

And without an umbrella apparently, how lovely.

Noah clutched onto his sweater, tightening it around himself as he set off on his very cold journey home. He passed by familiar streets, making an effort to avoid the occasional puddle. At some stage, Noah noticed a car nearing in the distance, he was forced to hold a hand in front of his face as the headlights blinded him. The car continued to speed closer, a few too many kilometres over the speed limit.

Noah squinted his eyes, staring the car down. "Don't. You dare."

Noah held both arms up, shielding himself as the car passed him by. It drove through a deep puddle that sent a wall of water crashing over Noah, soaking him further. He let out a shout of annoyance, forced to continue his route home with now soggy socks. Until he passed by a certain alleyway.

He peered down the slot between two buildings, engulfed in darkness. It was a shortcut he'd take with his friends a while back, one where cars wouldn't drench him. In theory it was stupid, he'd watched enough horror films to know how this went down.

However, as he stood in the pouring rain, wringing out his fully soaked through hair as more thunderclouds rolled over he couldn't bring himself to care. He cautiously stepped into the fairly narrow alleyway, steeling frequent looks over his shoulder as he traversed further. It was practically pitch black, but the building's overhangs at least provided a brief reprieve from the atrocious weather.

He passed by an adjoining alleyway, the ominous darkness caused a shudder to wrack his body, Noah would say it was simply the cold. He subconsciously pick up his pace as he observed the faint light at the end of his alleyway, a wave of relief washed over him, along with the icy rain water.

Then Noah heard an almost silent clacking, one that seemed to mimic his own steps. When Noah slowed, the clacking slowed, and when he sped up? So did the clacking. He finally paused, standing idle metres from the exit. He strained his ears, yet heard nothing. Finally he turned around, only to be met with nothing but a disconcerting hum. Even as he squinted all his eyes could discern were dark, blotchy shadows. Noah physically rolled his shoulders back, as if that would shake the anxiety coursing through his body.

He shoved his head down, taking one last stride out of the alleyway. His foot breached the darkness and crossed into the light emitted from the streetlights. He didn't get any further than that as a set of seemingly clawed hands gripped onto his shoulders, nails digging through his many layers as he was hauled backwards. Noah tried to scream, however the hand now clamped around his mouth prevented even a peep from escaping. Noah was then being dragged, treated as a rag doll as he kicked and throttled his limbs about. The light slowly dimmed as he was taken further away.

Tears stung at his eyes, obscuring his already compromised vision. He was thrusted against a wall, the rough brick texture scratched at the nape of his neck. He willed himself to run, at least try to, yet all his feet could do was clumsily slip on the mossy cement below. A forearm was shoved against Noah's chest, winding him as he was pinned further against the wall. Then a hand tugged at his hair, yanking his head back to leave his neck completely exposed. Noah's chest heaved rapidly, throat constricting as he gulped in laboured breaths of air.

Noah could hear laboured breaths, heavy and hoarse that seemed to emit from the face looming menacingly beside his neck, a nose nestled underneath his jaw.

Noah winced, eyes screwing shut before a sniff was heard, and then another. Suddenly, the force that wedged him against the side of the building released its hold on Noah, a swift shuffling followed. Noah blinked rapidly, his eyes refusing to adjust to the darkness. His hands were splayed against the brick either side of him, cowering against wall to create as much distance as possible.

"Noah?" A voice bellowed incredulously. A familiar voice.

Noah squinted at the figure in front of him, slowly unblurring. The first thing Noah took notice of was the horrified green eyes staring right through him.

"Alejandro?" Noah heaved out, taking deep breaths through his nostrils as he attempted to compose himself. It was just Alejandro.

Alejandro took a step towards Noah, hands latching at his upper arms. "What are you doing here?"

His irritated tone caught Noah off guard, who immediately snarled in disdain, the adrenaline swiftly turning to rage.

"What am I doing here?" Noah questioned, exasperated. "What are you doing here? And what was up with the attempted kidnapping- murder- whatever the hell that was!"

Noah shook himself from Alejandro's grasp, rubbing at his now sore shoulders.

Alejandro having stood closer, his features became clearer. Noah's eyes widened as he observed the other's skin closely. His eyes appeared vacant, not entirely there. Surrounding them evident, blackened veins branched out from his eyelids, stretching down his cheekbones. 

"Okay Alejandro I don't mean to alarm you, but something totally freaky and definitely not normal is going on with your eyes." Noah gestured a vague hand towards the other's face.

In a second, Alejandro whipped out a bedazzled pocket mirror, the glass cracked slightly. Noah would normally have laughed but didn't, given their predicament. Alejandro peered at himself and Noah watched in concern as he let out a stressed shout, rubbing and clawing at his eyelids.

When the blackened lines remained he simply slapped a hand over his eye, the other shaky as it carded through his hair. Noah’s eyebrows shot up at the other’s action, abnormally pointed ears revealed as the hair was displaced.

"Yeah, I'm calling an ambulance." Noah's eyes frantically darted around him, finally spotting his now drenched backpack lying discarded in a puddle on the pavement.

He crouched down, hurriedly unzipping it before retrieving his soaked phone. Noah repeatedly pressed the home button, yet the screen remained blank.

"Shit," Noah grunted. “Alejandro my phone's hosed, we need to drive you-"

Noah paused his rambling when he stood up to turn around, one less person in the alleyway.

"Alejandro?" Noah cupped his hands around his mouth, projecting his voice. "Al?"

No voice or sign of movement emerged from the alley, Noah peered around the corner where the illuminated exit shone promisingly, he then looked back into the darkness.

Noah snarled, he was getting really sick of chasing Alejandro around, especially in a dark, dingy crevice in the walls. He angrily stomped a foot, before pushing himself from the corner as he began sprinting through the labyrinth of stark bricks tagged with now running paint.

He continued to call out to Alejandro, the action made redundant by the pouring rain muffling his yells. Noah huffed, his lungs beginning to burn, he was not cut out for this. He stopped just short of a final opening in the walls, leaning over himself, hands rested on his knees as he heaved for air. He almost turned back when he heard a faint shout, sounding aggressive.

Noah lifted his head up, gulping to aid his dried throat. He pressed himself against a wall to his right, slowly creeping forward. He poked his head around a corner he presumed the ruckus was coming from. This time he saw two figures, one he instantly recognised to be Alejandro, the other he was unsure.

Spotting a large dumpster that resided further down the alleyway, Noah carefully scampered to seek refuge behind the bulky hiding spot. Now with his back against the grimy surface, he peered his head to observe the scene unfolding in front of him.

Now closer, the second figure seemed to be an older man, looking a lot like some junkie.

"What's wrong with you, freak?" The man growled at Alejandro, although his stance seemed flighty, unsure.

Alejandro's silhouette remained eerily still however, silent as he observed the other. Then he lunged forward, pushing at the other's chest, who stumbled a few steps back. The man didn't take it well, a clicking noise sounded as a sharp blade revealed itself from a pocket knife. Noah jolted, as if he was the one threatened with a knife. Alejandro on the other hand appeared unfased, going as far as taking a confident step forward. The man's eyes bulged at Alejandro's advances, he let out a yell before pouncing at Alejandro.

Noah felt himself wanted to scream, instantly throwing himself back behind the dumpster. There were noises of a struggle, synchronised shouting. Then Noah heard the sound of metal clattering against the ground beside him. Whipping his head around, he observed the same pocket knife, lying just a foot away, silver glistening as it caught a glimpse of the moon's shine. Noah let out a shuddered breath.

A splatter of blood painted the knife, gradually being washed away as it turned the water surrounding crimson.

It was the silence which ensued that left Noah terrified, alone with the rushing of blood in his ears. Yet he couldn't stop himself from looking once more.

Alejandro stood victorious, figure hovering over the man who sat cowering against the wall, leaving him to wallow in Alejandro's shadow. The man winced, holding onto a gash carved into his tricep, the blood seeping through the cracks of his fingers, dripping where it became one with the rain. Alejandro shoulder's drew upwards as he inhaled greatly, then lunged at the man, an agonising scream ripped from the other's throat as Alejandro chomped into the base of the man's neck.

Noah stood frozen, staring dumbly as bile burnt at his throat. He couldn't stay here.

Noah clambered to his feet, taking tentative steps towards the exit, not daring to turn his back. Noah felt the ground beneath his feet grow uneven when his foot lost balance as he trod on something. He fell backwards, grunting in pain.

Alejandro's head whipped upwards, pointed ears at work as he listened out. He swivelled his head towards Noah, immediately releasing the man's collar, his figure became lax as it hunched against the wall. Alejandro rose abruptly, striding over towards Noah.

Noah caught sight of the knife from earlier, the something he had tripped on. Immediately he lunged for it, shaky hands fiddled with the mechanics until the blade retracted. Noah scrambled, hauling himself up as Alejandro reached him. He hunched over while holding onto the blade, jutting it towards Alejandro's figure.

Alejandro lifted his hands, eyes staring down the weapon pointed to his chest, although his eyes lacked any fear, simply sorrow as his gaze slowly met with who was wielding it.

"Noah, please just let me explain." Alejandro began in that sickly soothing voice, the one Noah would pretend to be peeved at when it would call his name. "Put the knife down."

Noah sobbed, he wanted so desperately to listen, hear out what he has to say at the way Alejandro's eyes softened when he spoke. Noah shook his head however, backing further away from him. Alejandro looked pained, vulnerable. His eyes seemed to glaze over. Noah took it as opportunity to run, get the hell out of there. He broke out into a sprint, head whipping over his shoulder to ensure he wasn't being followed. He passed by his belongings, now forgotten as he stormed out into the street. He ran the rest of the way home, not stopping once, trying not to leave the murder scene, but that ghost of Alejandro's expression in the past.

Noah blinked, no longer in the dim alleyway, but staring down at the cheap booze he held in his hand. Looking up, he noticed Eva's absence, no longer by his side. In fact, in the time Noah had spent zoned out everyone who was once in the room had filed out, Noah standing in the centre by his lonesome. Maybe Eva wasn't totally off the mark after all.

Loud shouting and jeering was heard from the next room over, it shook Noah from his internal stupor.

Whatever, so what if Eva was right? The obsession part, not the liking, just to clarify. It didn't change a thing, Alejandro was still a vampire, and Noah was still set on exposing him. He was, of course he was. All he needed was some hard evidence and a bit of luck. Noah pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a defeated sigh. Scratch that, a shit ton of luck.

He had to start somewhere.

The foyer was somehow more crowded than it was before, and significantly louder, and smelt a whole lot more rank, and just overall looked an extremely unpleasant time. He'd just sneak around the crowd ideally unnoticed and start his search then.

Keeping his head bowed Noah crept around the mass of people, peering through irregular gaps in the crowd in search of a set of poisonous eyes. Although he probably should have paid more attention to where he was placing his feet.

Noah bumped into a barricade, the contents of his cup spilling over the sides.

"Eugh, you have got to be kidding me!" Someone Noah didn't entirely recognise stuck a tongue out in disgust. Glancing down, it seemed Noah had misplaced his drink as it now drenched the stranger's white shirt.

Noah grimaced, that would not be easy to get out.

The woman looked back at Noah, a dangerous stare directed at him. "Watch it, Gandalf!"

Noah scoffed. "It's Dumbledore."

He blinked at his own words. Yeah that wasn't exactly the point, and he really needed to learn when to shut up.

The girl snarled at him, shoving a manicured palm against his chest. The push itself lacked any real force, the real problem was the excess of fabric his shoes entangled in, causing him to fall backwards. He probably deserved that.

Immediately he was engulfed by the crowd, landing himself in the same hell he'd been in not so long ago. He attempted to calm himself, make his way out but the more he fought against the crowd he more he was banged around. He really missed Eva's presence now. He began to panic, there's no way he'd survive this crowd without her. He glued his eyes to the floor, desperately trying to map out a free path as he attempted to shove his way towards an opening.

Although after getting bumped especially harshly and being sent hurtling to the ground it was becoming increasingly obvious that wasn't going to work. The music was as loud as ever and Noah found it increasingly difficult to get his bearings together. He tried getting up but was pushed down once more, this was getting ridiculous.

Noah was now on all fours, quite literally crawling through a sea of people, not his proudest moment. He gagged when his left hand landed in a puddle of unknown that smelt suspiciously like cheap bear. He lifted his arm, baggy sleeves dampened by the liquid. Yuck.

He wasn't entirely sure how long he'd been trampled on for, but Noah's eyes lit up when he caught sight of a familiar looking set of sneakers. He launched himself at them, grabbing ahold of the shoes. Carefully he propped himself up off the floor, using the person as leverage.

After finally heaving himself up, he glanced down to brush himself off, head feeling dizzy. "Owen you have no idea how happy-"

"Do I look like an Owen to you, freak?" A voice unknown to him snarled.

Noah slowly looked back up, eyes meeting a man that towered over him, broad chest puffed out in anger. Definitely not Owen. So he'd just gripped onto some random at a trashy party, this night was just getting progressively worse.

He chuckled nervously. "Sorry about that."

"Beat it."

"Yeah no, good idea, was just doing that." Patting a hand against the guys chest as he went to slip away.

Then he was pulled to the side by another force.

"Noah what are you doing?" Gwen threw a protective arm around his shoulders, acting as a barrier between Noah and the guy he'd peeved off, "Appreciate the confidence little guy but that one is way too big and scary for you."

Noah raised a brow.

"What she said, and where are your weirdo friends?" Courtney looked Noah up and down. "You've just proven you're not exactly well equiped for a crowd like this."

Noah was noticing a theme, expression grumpy. "Speaking of crowds, what's everyone so hyped up about?" Noah quizzed, leading away from the jabs made at his height.

Gwen's hand that still rested atop his shoulder pointed a finger to a particular section in the mass of teens, Noah's eyes followed. In the middle of the dance floor was none other than Alejandro, his stupidly smug expression growing wider as the people around him praised and egged him on. His eyes drifted to a person beside Alejandro, a familiar, irritating ravenette adorning a crimson, tight fitted dress, something Noah doubted was a coincidence. She also sported a pair of red plastic horns.

Courtney piped up from beside him. "Heather as the devil, how fitting." She snorted lazily at her own comment.

She seemed overtly aggressive, more than she usually was anyway. Noah blamed it on the plastic cup of toxic she held close to her, suddenly the way Gwen leant heavy against Noah's side made a bit more sense. They were drunk.

Noah rolled his eyes, then returned them where they had been locked on Alejandro's confident figure, now floating around the dance floor with Heather in tow. His steps were purposeful and confident all the while being graceful. His movements were fast, hair swaying with each step, frilly sleeves accentuated his already angelic flicks of his arm as he spun Heather in place, Noah admired how his hips gyrated in sync with the music's tempo. Even Heather, known for her unwavering stubbornness and passion of expressing her 'distaste' towards Alejandro appeared enthralled, eyes dazed as she followed Alejandro's lead in quick succession.

Noah rubbed at the bridge of his nose, he really needed a drink. He reached for Courtney's cup, her protests groggy and unthreatening. She too seemed lost in Alejandro's performance, in fact, everyone did. Looking back at Alejandro was Noah's first mistake, now unable to tear his gaze from him. Alarm bells alerted in Noah's distant thoughts, their insistent blaring threatened to push their way to forefront of his mind. All the sirens washed away when Alejandro's previously angelic eyelashes that rested shut against his cheek snapped open, making immediate contact with Noah's own.

It was the tart liquid which flooded his tastebuds that snapped him from his trance, he spluttered and coughed at the sensation that burnt his throat. The taste was downright awful, perhaps worse than he'd originally anticipated.

"Yeah, you can have this back." Noah slotted the cup into Courtney's free hand, using the back of his to wipe any residue 'drink' from his lips.

He was tempted to look back up, incredibly so, but the blaring lights that finally occupied his logical thoughts told him that was not a good idea. He pushed and shoved at people, who were much more susceptible to his efforts, not fighting back. Their distraction was the perfect opportunity.

Noah ascended the grand staircase with fistfuls of his robe, holding it up off the ground to prevent any tumbling. He reached the top, immediately overwhelmed by the sheer amount of possible routes laid out before him. Navigating Alejandro's palace would not an easy feat, the dozens of doorways made Noah feel so very lost and the lengthy hallways caused his head to reel.

Noah peered at a nearby clock that looked to be some ancient relic, he had time. He started off towards the closest hallway to his right, he had to start somewhere.

The silence was nothing short of uncomfortable, Noah's brain playing tricks on him, he could of sworn he'd heard shuffling behind him just now. Picking up his pace he swiftly reached a lonely door at the end of a desolate hallway.

Noah pressed the tips of his fingers against the wood, giving it a weak push. He half expected a cross bow to fire from inside his room, or a spike covered mace to come hurtling towards him from seemingly nowhere. Still having his head attached to his shoulders, Noah took it as a promising sign, scampering into the room before carefully clicking the door shut behind him. He immediately noticed the absence of lighting in the room, much like the rest of the house. Noah flicked the switch upwards yet the room remained in shadows. Right, almost forgot he was in a house of Heliophobes.

Noah was forced to sneak to the centre of the room, the only section illuminated by the moon's light which poured in from two glass doors. Upon closer inspection, he noticed it lead to a balcony that hung over the side of the mansion, intricate cobble walls surrounded. The sheer extravagance of the room was a dead give away that it belonged to Alejandro.

He was surprised to see a bed to his right, which he only found after banging a hip against the frame, ouch. He manoeuvred around to the side of the mattress, splaying his palms across the silky sheets, revelling in the luxurious texture. Noah sighed in contentment, he legitimately considered just taking the coverings and leaving, it's not like Alejandro needed them anyways. From what he'd read, vampires were both diurnal and nocturnal. It was quite frankly insulting they'd waste such materials.

Realising he was getting way too worked up about linen, Noah proceeded with his ransacking. He left pristinely fluffed pillows upturned, previously organised drawers cluttered and open, he even went as far as blunting Alejandro's perfectly sharpened pencils. That last one wasn't really warranted, mostly out of spite, but Noah got a kick out of it. Unfortunately however, he was yet to find anything pointing to the blazingly obvious fact that Alejandro was undead. Noah wasn't exactly sure what evidence would do the trick, perhaps a stray blood bag tucked away in a cabinet. On second thought, Noah would truly prefer not to come across that. He hadn't lost all hope however, as a lonely door resided in a corner of Alejandro's room, Noah guessed it was the bathroom.

After one final sweep of his room, he approached the bathroom door. Hanging on the back was Alejandro's beloved leather jacket, the one that everyone seemed to love, or more accurately loved to see on him. Noah thought it made him look a character that popped straight from the movie Greece, whether that was a good or bad thing in Noah's opinion, he wouldn't say. It was worth a shot though, he shoved his hands in the pockets, rummaging around. His fingers came in contact with something, something warm.

Noah grimaced as he pulled out the mysterious object, immediately he was relieved it wasn't a sack of blood. he brought it closer to his face for inspection. It looked to be some sort of pouch, and as Noah fiddled with it in his hand, he felt it was filled with dozens of small beads. It didn't take long to recognise what they were, hand warmers, Noah would use them religiously in the cooler months of the year. His eyebrows shot up in realisation, Alejandro had always bragged that his body ran boiling hot, something about his pure latin blood. Yet another cover up, this guy was good.

Noah pushed the door open, continuing his search. He guessed right as he now stood in a granite tiled bathroom, which lacked the comfort of light the previous room had. Noah dug around in his pant pocket underneath his robe, retrieving his phone. He turned on flashlight, although weak it provided at least some comfort. Noah approached the basin, opening a few nearby draws and in one of them laid a lighter, which he gratefully picked up. There were a few stray candles resting atop of the basin and other cleared surfaces, Noah presumed this was their primary source of lighting.

After lighting each candle ablaze, the room was now heaps more manageable, he let out a breath of relief. Noah leant against the bathroom counter, hands placed upon the granite tiling that were chilling to the touch. He dragged a hand over his face, rubbing at the bridge of his nose as he did so. What had he gotten himself into?

He stared blankly into a mirror that took up majority of the wall, peering at his lonely reflection before the empty expanse of the bathroom.

"I believe I mentioned earlier this place was off limits," a disembodied voice whispered, right into Noah's ear.

Noah's heart seized, stomach dropped, the whole shabang. He screamed, whipping himself around which most definitely gave him whiplash. An amused face was now inches from his own as Noah clutched at his chest, fabric balling in his fists. It was Alejandro, and funnily enough, that revelation helped his body relax, ridding the adrenaline insisting Noah should run. He took a deep breath, attempting to calm the drilling of his heart.

"You are okay, now?"

Noah shook his head, before pushing the other away from himself. After the initial shock wore off, Noah realised something. He whipped his head around, boggled eyes stared incredulous at his reflection that seemingly stood alone in the mirror. He then turned back around, Alejandro still standing there, smug as ever. He glanced back at the mirror, no Alejandro.

Now that is trippy.

"Why so shocked, Noah? Our kind do not possess reflections. Vampires 101." Alejandro chuckled. "I thought you'd have known."

Noah was insulted, of course he'd read every piece of literature that had even the slightest undertones of vampirism, which now he mentioned wasn't exactly a flex. The point is-

"Wait, what?" Noah blurted out, before coughing into his fist in an attempt to alter the recognisability of his voice. "What did you just call me?"

"By your name, I believe," Alejandro stated simply, inspecting his razors for nails, before peering at Noah from over them. A feigned expression of pity painted his features. "Oh Noah, you didn't think your saddening attempts at deceiving me would actually work?"

It was true Noah hadn't been banking on his outfit for total anonymity, but he still felt really stupid right about now. Something Alejandro always had a knack for, acting as though everyone was below him. Which was true to an extent, if you were referring to the food chain. A startling fact to remember when Alejandro strode back over to him, fangs sharp and menacing.

“It's insulting you thought this get up would fool me,” Alejandro tutted, tongue clicking at the roof of his mouth. "Especially with how tacky it is!" he emphasised, lifting at Noah's arm and prodding at the baggy sleeves as he if were critiquing some failed fashion project. He then discarded the robe, reaching out to grab ahold of Noah's fake beard. In one swift movement, he pulled it back until the overstretched elastic bands warbled at the effort, then let go, the elastic slapping at Noah's face.

"Ow!" Noah reeled back, rubbing at his face. "What the hell?"

Alejandro stifled a laugh, before continuing. “I don't have to see you to know who you are.”

Alejandro took a hefty whiff of the air around Noah.

"You reek."

Noah had a funny feeling Alejandro wasn't referring to his cologne.

Alejandro gripped tightly at Noah's wrist, yanking it forwards. Anything amusing that had come from Alejandro's comical villain monologue had since vanished, the atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically. Noah's body became frigid, his free hand gripped tightly at the overhang of the countertop behind him. He found himself pressing further against the barrier as Alejandro's eyes slowly narrowed in on him, the sage of his eyes becoming increasingly threatening as they turned to slits.

He lifted Noah's hand further to his face without any effort, Noah's muscles unwillingly compliant. Alejandro pressed Noah's open palm against his own cheek, subtly gliding it along the side of his face. The skin beneath Noah's palm felt soft against his course hand, the smallest amount of stubble tickled his fingertips. Noah could only watch on in horror, not being able to find it in himself to pull away. For whatever reason.

"Did you know there's an artery in the wrist that leads directly... to your heart?" Alejandro asks, his voice husky as he placed a thumb against the inside of Noah's wrist, pressing at a certain point allowing a faint yet rapid pulse thrum underneath his appendage. Noah did know that, learnt it in biology years ago, yet in that moment he couldn't quite recall.

Noah gulped as he witnessed Alejandro hesitantly remove Noah's hand from his face, this time bringing it closer towards his mouth. He glanced at Noah's wrist, wetting his lips. "It wouldn't be hard you know?"

Noah swallowed in an attempt to relieve the dryness of his throat. "To what?" It came out croaky.

"I think you know, Noah." A sardonic smile tugged at Alejandro's lips.

And just like that, Alejandro inched Noah's hand closer to his mouth, his gaze unwavering. Noah wondered if he screamed for help would anyone hear him? Doubtful, and Noah knew it wasn't anyones fault but his own. He'd left the party, the only place he was safe, wandered around this maze of a house like a lab rat stuck in some labyrinth, playing right into the hands of the very reason he'd willingly walked into this mess for. And now he'd never be heard from or seen again, save the missing person posters plastered around his town by his mourning family and friends.

Good going, Noah.

Alejandro parted his lips, baring his fangs. A cruel trick of the light provided a patronising gleam to his canines, now inches away from Noah's skin. He couldn't look, he turned his head to burrow into his shoulder, screwing his eyes shut until vibrant, abstract patterns replaced the darkness behind closed eyelids. He'd been expecting a sharp incision to pierce at his wrist, be met with oozing crimson. Alejandro was taking his sweet time and it was torture, he grit his teeth in anticipation.

The sensation that came however was soft, warm. Noah's eyes snapped open, darting to face the other only to witness Alejandro laying a long, wet kiss atop of Noah’s wrist. A few moments of staring went by until Noah caught up with the ridiculousness of the situation.

“Dude, gross!” Noah's face contorted into a grimace at the sensation of saliva coating his wrist. He yanked it back towards himself, something he should have done a while ago.

Alejandro let his head fall back as he watched Noah obsessively rub his hand off on his gown, laughter erupting from him. Noah's face bloomed red as he stood, arms across his chest with the sound of Alejandro's haughty snorts and chuckles echoing throughout the bathroom, mocking him.

"Ay dios! That was just fantastic, you never disappoint, mi amigo!" Alejandro hollered, composed and gentlemanly charisma no where in sight.

"Bite me." He immediately froze at his very poor choice of wording.

Alejandro noticed too, a light chuckle left his lips. "Well, if you insist." He reached out for Noah's hand once more.

No, he was not going through Alejandro's stupid theatrics again.

"Not. A chance." He prodded a finger at the other's puffed out chest, "Go find someone else's blood to feast on, leech."

He stormed towards the door, hell bent on getting out of there, ideally intact. Alejandro's presence looming behind him was difficult to shake however, especially when he grasped onto Noah's shoulder just before he reached the door of his room.

"Going already?" The previously smug smirk turned nervous wasn't lost on Noah. "You haven't yet found any incriminating evidence, I doubt a couple measly hand warmers will do you very well, amigo." Alejandro added swiftly.

"You want me to expose you?"

Now he was just reaching for straws, desperate for Noah to stay. Alejandro already had his chance at eating him but it was evident he wasn't done playing with his food.

"Wait! Just." Alejandro pivoted around Noah, pushing at his shoulders as he guided him further into the room, "Won't you stay? For me?" he finished whilst fluttering his eyelashes a few too many times than necessary. Ah yes, when all else fails, seduce the opponent. Now that was the Alejandro he knew.

Noah huffed a breath of amusement from his nose, this guy really was a loser at heart, no shame. He supposed he could entertain him, just this once. "I don't know, you know how much of a party animal I am, I'd hate to be MIA at the biggest party of the year."

Noticing Noah's lift in mood, the creases of insecurity on his forehead disappeared, a reassured smile broke out. "Oh, you drive a hard bargain!" He easily played along with Noah's total bullshitting.

"Perhaps I can interest you in some..." Alejandro trailed off as he retrieved his trusty leather jacket from the back of the bathroom door. "Some complimentary hand warmers?"

Noah's hands were very cold.

Giving in, Noah snatched the leather jacket out of Alejandro's hands. He stared down at the smooth leather laid in his palms, then back at Alejandro, who stared at him with a hopeful expression. He then removed his robe, revealing his white undershirt he never seemed to part with, and finally rid himself of the tacky beard before shrugging on the jacket.

"The whole jacket? That was not apart of the deal, mi amor."

"I think you can live with that."

"Live with it I shall." Alejandro directed a warm smile at the other.

Noah's heart fluttered. Call him stupid, or just blinded by misplaced trust, but maybe Noah could pretend things were the way used to be, even for just one night.

Alejandro smirked, looking triumphant. He took long strides backwards, approaching the double doors leading to the balcony. Dramatically, he turned to face them, throwing them open with pizazz only he attained. As he stepped out into the chilling night's breeze it was as if the wind understood, carrying his hair with the direction of the breeze, flowing graciously over his shoulder.

Noah only rolled his eyes at the other's tendency to overdo things. Until Alejandro planted a boot atop the cobblestone barrier, lunging himself upwards so he stood balancing over the side of the building.

"Alejandro what the hell are you doing?" It was difficult to disguise the concern in Noah's voice.

Alejandro failed to respond, simply grinning at the other before he leaned back, diving headfirst upside down from the balcony.

Noah bound over to the balcony, heart in his throat. "Alejandro?" He shouted frantically, planting his palms against the harsh cobble as he threw his upper body over the safety wall to look where Alejandro had fallen. No Alejandro was in sight however.

"So, you do care for me?"

Noah startled, shooting upwards from where he leant over the railing before craning his head upwards to be met with a perfectly imperfect hooked nose brushing against his own. He gaped up at the other, whose hair cascaded down around his face and acted as curtains surrounding Noah's own, allowing him to see Alejandro and Alejandro only. He wondered if the vampire blinked now, would Noah feel the fluttering against his own skin. It was a nice thought, but there were more pressing issues at the moment.

"You're flying." Noah uttered dumbly.

"An acute observation, amigo." Alejandro grinned, shifting his position from where he'd been hanging upside down much like a bat, how ironic.

He now was situated in front of Noah, levitating on his stomach, cradling his jaw in his palms and subtly swinging his legs like some sort of school girl.

His smile grew crooked. "Avoiding the question, are we?"

"What?" Noah sounded distraught as he rubbed at his temples, his ingenious mind finally having met its match, brain lagging behind slightly at the newfound information. He let out a a huff as he realised. "That I care for you? You practically plummeted to your death for all I knew, anyone would have reacted the same."

"I do not know, you appeared quite frazzled." Alejandro reached a hand out, thumbing at the lines of concern that creased Noah's forehead until his expression grew lax, "See? You were worried for me."

Noah swatted the other's hand away. "That's different, you just stress me out."

"Stress, a synonym for worry. Checkmate."

"Touché," Noah scoffed.

It was silent for a moment. Then Alejandro extended an elegant hand outwards as an offering for Noah, fingers adorning bulky and tacky rings. Noah found his gaze drift to a vacant ring finger.

"Shall we, mi amigo?"

Noah lifted his brows in surprise, Alejandro's husky voice prying his stare away from the other's tanned hand. Noah tilted his head slightly in apprehension, eyes interrogating Alejandro.

"Shall we what?" Noah had to be sure, Alejandro's words were sketchy at best. Yet he found himself already slotting his own palm against the other's.

Alejandro immediately laced their fingers together, offering a light squeeze. "Must you always so skeptical?"

"Given your track record, I would be stupid not to--" Noah was promptly cut off as his feet were lifted off the ground. "--Alejandro!"

When he glanced down he observed Alejandro's backyard, the freshly mowed grass a very, very high fall from where he was suspended in the air, the only thing preventing his untimely death being an individual he had insulted and called a leech mere minutes prior. Perhaps Noah was stupid after all.

The greenery bellow appeared to move with the chilling breeze whipping at Noah's hair, the sensation pricking at his cheeks. The sight was daunting, Noah's stomach growing heavy and his head feeling dizzy. In one swift movement that was purely brought on by survival instincts, Noah latched his other hand onto his only life support and hauled himself upwards. The two jostled in the air for a moment, Alejandro caught off guard as Noah tightly wrapped his arms around the nape of his neck, face buried into the nook underneath his ear. 

Alejandro's hair tickled at Noah's nose, but at that moment he really didn't mind. He inhaled deeply, feeling suddenly short of breath. Yep, definitely double conditioned.

Noah felt the reverberations of Alejandro's hearty chuckle that soon followed. "Not a fan of heights?"

Noah let out a huff, the hairs on Alejandro's neck stood upright following the action, Noah just vaguely noticing the subtle shiver of Alejandro's shoulders.

"Not particularly, how could you tell?" Noah's monotone voice muffled as he spoke into the other's shirt.

"Hmm," Alejandro hummed, lips quirking upwards, "A lucky guess."

He then shifted them, arms hooking underneath Noah's back and knees who's arms still remained tight around Alejandro.

"You can open your eyes, I won't let you go," Alejandro soothed, "I promise."

And like that, they glided through as one, the whistling as they traversed the night sky the only thing to be heard.

They'd been in the air for quite some time, as when Alejandro eventually planted his feet atop a quiet rooftop Noah was unable to spot Alejandro's mansion in the distance. Alejandro released his hold on Noah, who stepped onto the concrete, feet alarmingly close to the edge. Noah allowed a smile to appear, he'd be lying if he said he hadn't enjoyed that.

Alejandro appeared to be thinking the same thought, until his stare hardened, flashy smile morphed to a coy grin. he inched closer to Noah who subconsciously stepped back ever so slightly, his heel now hanging over the edge of the building. Suspicion laced his features as he eyes Alejandro, stare flicking to the Spaniard's hand as he brought it between them. After a moment he lightly shoved at Noah's chest, eyes squinting with amusement.

Noah squawked, arms flailing as the slight force was enough to throw off his centre of balance. However Alejandro reached out just in time, a strong hand gripping at the front of Noah's shirt, who instinctively scrambled to grasp at Alejandro's arm.

"Noah, do you trust me?" Alejandro quizzed.

The former threw his head over his shoulder frantically, peering down at another shorter rooftop just below them.

"Given the situation..." Noah rambled, letting out a nervous chuckle. "I'd say no."

Alejandro nodded along vehemently. "How about we change that?"

Given Alejandro's proposal, the last thing Noah had expected was the vampire to completely let go of him, sending him hurtling towards a not so soft landing. He was pretty sure Alejandro would catch him, but he was cutting it close. Noah let out a nervous shout, body turning over mid air so he was staring down the ground swiftly approaching. Yeah, he was cutting it really close. 

As if summoned, Noah was plucked out of the air, his free falling ceased as Alejandro scooped him into his arms. His expression was bright and wild, staring into Noah's eyes with one's that seemed to glisten. 

"How about now?" The excitement in Alejandro's eyes was almost endearing.

Noah took a deep breath in, stomach finally settling as Alejandro properly landed them in the centre of the smaller building. His stomach had been through too much tonight, from the toxic waste that certainly burnt at his insides to the excessive amount of free falling.

"Given you just threw me off a building, I probably should trust you less." Noah panted slightly, still yet to catch his breath.

"So you do trust me?"

"Don't push it."

Alejandro stared at a point behind Noah's head, scratching at his soul patch for a moment. He then shrugged his shoulders before trodding off to the edge of the building. Despite what had literally just happened, Noah found himself following the other.

The spaniard plopped himself down while his feet dangled over the lip of the structure. Noah did the same, leaving about a metre between the two. They were left in sweet silence for a moment, the still active and dancing wind blowing their hair askew. Noah drummed his fingers against the stone, something reminiscent of his favourite song. He was acutely aware of Alejandro swivelling his head to observe the other, his nose scrunched up at the distance separating the two.

"So..." Alejandro not so subtly scooted closer towards him. "Did you enjoy yourself tonight?"

Noah shook his head fondly at the insecurity interlaced within Alejandro's words. "It was certainly an experience."

The silence that ensued made it very hard for Noah to keep his eyes from rolling, that answer clearing not the one Alejandro had hoped for.

"Yes, I enjoyed myself." Noah caved. "If you don't count the 3 near death experiences."

"It was a trust fall, a human tradition I believe." He prodded at his chin with an index finger innocently.

"Don't pull the vampire card on me, you know thats not how they work."

"But I did catch you, no?"

"What an act of service, how will I ever repay you?"

"Always so sarcastic, mi alma."

Noah sent him a curious glance, eyes searching Alejandro's features.

"Mi alma? That's a new one, what's it mean?"

Alejandro let out a laugh, hair encasing his face as he leaned forward slightly as though to create a boundary between the two. Noah wondered if he should have asked.

"Mi alma, how would you say it in English.." Alejandro looked upwards, bicep flexing as he reached a hand up to rid the hair from his face. Noah's gaze followed the action, eventually landing on the other's expression of contemplation.

"It means my soul," he stated.

"Soul," Noah repeated, words quiet as they left his lips. "Why soul?"

Alejandro cleared his throat, facing slightly away from the other. Noah saw this as his turn to shift closer, further closing the gap between them. Alejandro hesitantly looked back, obviously noticing their closer proximity which seemed to be all he needed to give in.

"I don't exactly have a soul," he started carefully, "So you may as well be it."

They stared at each other, Alejandro's expression somber and Noah's soft. Moving passed how horrifically sappy that just sounded, it was a lot for Noah to take in, the implications of those words causing a war of conflict in his head, a fight between whether to stay or flee. Noah's long lasting commitment issues making an appearance, however a feeling that went deeper than that, a carnal desire that might be just enough to convince himself to inch forward the last couple centimetres that would leave them flush against one another. Decision inconclusive, he opted to stay put. A regretful action, or rather inaction, but it was better than running away screaming he supposed.

"I like that name." Noah let out, expression apathetic.

Alejandro quickly looked to observe the other. "You do?"

Noah ducked his head slightly, nodding. "Yeah," he breathed out.

It felt almost like a confession, and maybe it was.

Alejandro placed a hand atop of Noah's which was beginning to grow clammy. Nervous and roaming eyes finally locked, making contact with the other pair. It was Alejandro who finally closed that damned gap between the two boys, arm wrapping around Noah to draw him in closer.

Noah's lungs failed him suddenly, he resorted to manual breathing, his body too caught up to gasp in needed oxygen. He was beginning to feel light headed, the closeness of their lips a horrible tease. From their proximity, Noah could make out a faint line carved into the other's lip, presumably a scar. Now that he thought about it, to unintentionally bite your lip as a vampire held much graver consequences. 

Alejandro's tongue swept across his bottom lip that now glistened in the moon's light, and suddenly Noah really wanted Alejandro to do the same thing to him. He latched a hand onto Alejandro's shoulder, face leaning closer. Their nose bumped together a moment, awkwardly. A soft smile graced Alejandro's perfect lips, before he adjusted the angle of his face ever so slightly, lips parting as he returned Noah's advances.

Slowly, agonisingly slow they moved towards each other, until a frigid hand snaked up to caress Noah's neck, the freezing temperature eliciting a flinch from the smaller. However subtle it may have been, Alejandro noticed, his smile turning into a frown.

Noah wanted to push the other off the building when Alejandro pulled away, that good for nothing gap between them returning. Noah let out an irritated growl.

"I know." Alejandro glanced guiltily back towards the other. "I am sorry I can not keep you warm."

Noah shook his head harshly as he delve his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket to retrieve the forgotten hand warmers before rubbing them together, a comforting sensation of warmth a result of the friction. He then reached out and clamped them around Alejandro's hands, holding them tightly through the hand warmers.

"You're ridiculous," Noah huffed, "I'd have killed you by now if it were physically possible."

His lips then found Alejandro's that felt soft against his own weathered ones, courtesy of the cold. The gap finally gone for good because Noah didn't think he could ever pull away now. Alejandro's reaction was instantaneous, hands pulling away to instead leave feathery touches against the other's skin, indecisive as they struggled to touch all of Noah all at once, goosebumps proof of where Alejandro's hands previously roamed. His grip occasionally clutching onto the other's attire then shifting to the scruff of his neck, toying with silky hair before burying his fingers into the other's scalp. Noah let out a content sigh through his nose, eyelashes fluttering as he leaned his head back to chase that euphoric feeling which forced Alejandro to accomodate to their new position, leaning over Noah's now arched figure. The hand warmers were long forgotten, likely thrown over board. 

Noah flung his legs back from where they previously hung over the building just to be trapped as Alejandro opted to straddling the shorter, thighs grounding Noah as they lay nestled into his sides. A  lack of any warmth caused Noah to grasp at the other, clumsily yanking at his shirt to press his chest flush against his own despite the impossibility of any warmth coming from the action. However the burn provided by the insistent thrumming under Noah's skin would soon become too much if Alejandro kept kissing him like that.

Without separating from the other, Alejandro trailed a sloppy kiss downwards, outlining a path from Noah's now prettily swollen lips to then mouth at the underside of his jaw before finally halting at his neck. He parted from the other's warm skin, Alejandro's sole source of heat. Hovering over Noah's neck he closed his eyes before inhaling Noah's smell, his free hand cupping the nape of Noah's neck, barricading him in.

He could see the way Noah's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed nervously, his movements had stilled but he was yet to push Alejandro away, not that he ever would. The slight grazing of Alejandro's canines against his skin sent a shot straight down his spine, a tingle that threatened to rack his whole body. The spaniard remained in place there, tenderly brushing away the hair that guarded Noah's neck. He screwed his eyes shut, teeth clamped harshly together before he huffed, attacking Noah's neck, yet keeping his skin in tact.

Lips feeling vacant for way too long, Noah pinched Alejandro's jaw, carefully lifting it upwards before connecting their lips once again. It was weird for Noah to only be able to hear his own huffs and gasps for air amongst the otherwise silent scene atop the rooftop, but it was hard not to with the way Alejandro grazed his lip with his tongue, deepening the kiss when Noah pulled his head in further. 

Noah was forced to break away when his lungs began to sting at the lack of air, which proved to be a struggle as Alejandro was insistent at diving back straight away. Noah held a hand against Alejandro's chest, preventing him from catching his lips once again.

"Give me a second," Noah heaved, "I've still gotta breath, remember?" 

Alejandro blinked, still completely composed, aside from the ruffled hair and swollen lips. "Ah, I forgot."

Noah scoffed. "How thoughtful."

Alejandro playfully rolled his eyes. "You weren't complaining a moment ago."

"Didn't really give me a chance to, guess I'll have to add breathing exercises to my make-out prep for next time."

"Next time, hm?" Alejandro leaned in closer, their noses touching as to shove his smug expression in the other's face. Noah opted to looking away, an embarrassing red colouring his face.

Alejandro mindlessly lifted a hand atop Noah's head, sharp nails carding through his hair. "We should probably go, you will become unwell if we remain in the cold for much longer."

Alejandro helped Noah up, effortlessly hauling him upwards. "Up for another fly?" He grinned at Noah sheepishly.

"As long as you don't drop me." Noah raised a brow, unimpressed.

"Mhm!"

"Alejandro."

"Sure thing!"

"Alejandro."

"I am only messing with you." Alejandro smiled fondly. "I promise."

Alejandro then planted his hands firmly against Noah's hips, nimble fingers hooking themselves through the hoops of the other's pants before yanking him towards himself, meeting his lips for a chaste kiss. "Hold on tight."