Nightmares end

He wakes on top of his bed sheets. A childish laugh echoes out in the hallway, blonde eyebrows come together as he slides out of bed following the sound. Bare feet glide out into the doorway and into the elevator, the doors slide closed behind him. He turns to select a floor, finding his destination to be pre-determined. The glowing ‘J’ flickers off and the sliding doors open allowing the scent of fresh blood to flood into the small space. His fangs elongate instinctively as he breathes in deeply. Licking his lips he follows the smell to the first door, he pauses outside the mostly closed door listening to quiet but, familiar laughter resonating inside the room. Interested he pushes the door open, his jaw drops in horror at the sight before him. Grey glazed eyes stare up at him from the floor, he manages to wrench his gaze to the boy kneeling over the bloody mess that used to be Nikolas’ chest. He immediately recognised the vibrant orange-red hair of the child.
His voice trembles. “Romeo? What have you done?”
The child’s sea green eyes gleam in the hallway light as he turns to face the vampire, clenched in his right hand is a wide, bloody knife. The incubus stands and steps in his direction, a smile lighting up his cherubic features, “I’ve made it so we can play together.”

Blue eyes snap open and the vampire bolts upright in bed, a horror filled cry escaping the back of his throat. The sound dies out and he sits still. The image of Nikolas’ corpse still imprinted in his mind, as it fades his blue irises dart around his surroundings slowly recognising the closed curtains that surround his double bed. Instinctively he reaches out to his side, feeling for his sleeping partner. Panic rises, his hand doesn’t feel any contact with a sleeping body.
The older vampire frowns when Nikolas leaves their shared bedroom, his pyjamas bundled in his arms.
“Aren’t you going to stay with me?” he asks, stopping him in the doorway. Allan should have anticipated his next words.
“I think it’s best that we keep our distance for a little while.”
A familiar ache returns to his chest. “How long is a little while?”
The response is a slight shrug of his shoulders before continuing down the corridor to the spare room.
He takes a deep breath to calm himself before sliding toward the hanging fabric to his left. Since the night of their return to Limbo, Allan had been having bad dreams and each day he had abstained from interrupting his partners’ sleep, fearing that he would make the distance grow. Pushing the velvet curtains back he sleepily stumbles toward the closed door, once in the corridor he feels along the wall continuing to the spare room. The vividity of the daymare driving away the tiredness trying to claim him.
Finally reaching the last door on the left he plunges the handle down and eases into the room. His eyes adjust to the gloom, fixing on the unmoving rise under the duvet. Bare feet quickly pad toward the bed instinctively seeking comfort from the images plaguing his mind. There is a brief pause and sigh of relief before he is crawling under the thick covers, his thin arms wrap around the other sleeping vampires’ waist. Within moments he was back to sleep, a slight smile decorating his features as he slept.      

***  

The first thing he becomes aware of as he wakes is a constricting feeling around his waist. A poking sensation between his shoulder blades joins the constricting feel. Groaning he slowly blinks his eyes open, silver irises slide down to stare at a pair of pale arms. Confusion clouds his mind momentarily as he brings his own hands up to free himself from the body-hugging prison. A quiet whimper resounds from behind him and the grip around him tightens. An eye twitches in irritation as he tugs at Allan’s arms. Somewhere in the back of his mind he feels something dark begin to respond to his rising frustration. He stops his current actions and relaxes against his partner trying to discourage the feeling spreading in the back of his mind. Happiness overrides his initial frustration forcing the dark feeling to recede, leaving him to enjoy the loving embrace.  
Eventually Allan shifts and releases his hold, allowing him to sit up. Glancing down he watches as the older man yawns and leans up on his elbows. Nikolas calmly slides out from under the covers and approaches the folded clothes on top of the dresser. Half way through dressing the older man speaks, his words are hesitant and timid, “I’m sorry. I know you want space it’s just I… had trouble sleeping yesterday.”
Worry blooms and is almost instantly suppressed as he finishes buttoning up his bone white shirt. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
Not bothering with his dark grey jacket he slides his socked feet into worn sandshoes before exiting the room. The closed elevator doors grow larger in his field of vision. Jabbing the button he taps his one foot impatiently, listening to the whirs and inner-workings of the pulleys as they move up and down the building.  
“I’ll see you downstairs then,” the blonde man calls as the bell pings.
He lifts a hand to shoulder height acknowledging that he had heard Allan before stepping into the small space and selecting the dining floor.
A buzzing sensation started in his stomach as his hand hovered over the selection panel, by the time the doors opened again the sensation had developed into a churning feeling that was making its way up his spine. His throat has suddenly become bone dry, making it hard for him to swallow. Trying to get the rising thirst under control, he saunters out of opening doors and toward the humming rectangular boxes to the right of the floor. Different shaped auras lit up the few guests seated around the table, his gaze locks with the one eyed teens’ as he passes. A shiver of irritation crawls up his spine at the knowing grin plastered on the slightly round cheeks.
The radiating glow from around the Will-o-wisp fades as he begins to speak, “Does Nikolas want to know something interesting?”
His eye twitches at the older beings’ teasing tone, “Can it wait a few seconds?”
A thoughtful look develops in Gelus’ eye as he taps his chin with one finger, “Gelus supposes so. Why is Nikolas so grumpy this evening?”
He grips the fridge handle and yanks the door open, not bothering to grace the boy with an answer.  
‘Calm, just stay calm and take it one day at a time,’ he repeats internally, attempting to keep the demon at bay.
Retrieving his four bags for breakfast he slides the door closed and turns to place them on the table. The bell dings and he instinctively turns his head to see the arrival, thinking it would be Allan. It was not the blonde vampire that stepped out. Any idea of calm soon flew out the window as Vyvian stepped onto the floor closely accompanied by a voluptuous red haired woman. Sea green eyes lock with his as they peek out from behind the new guest.
The one eyed boy mock sighs with irritation, “Drat there goes Gelus’ news.”
Sharpened claws dig into the plastic in his grasp as infuriated silver eyes fix on the glowing boy next to him. The dark feeling pulsates and grows slowly, claiming his mind as he bares his elongated fangs at the Will-o-wisp. “How long have you known?”
Gelus’ smile grows a little wider. “A night or two, Gelus wasn’t sure if Nikolas wanted to know.”
His free hand twitches and curls into a fist, the claws elongate until they are digging painfully into his palm.
A quiet whisper in the back of his head shocks him, shattering his haze of anger. ‘Kill him.’
Shaking his head he turns away from the dining table and shuffles toward the bench.
Ignoring the advance of footfalls he pulls a tall glass from the cupboard at his head height. After he’d finished the first two bags someone clears their throat behind him.
Licking the last of the blood from his lips he turns to face the woman who had just stepped out of the elevator.
“Can I help you Miss?..” he asks politely, making sure not to look her directly in the eye.
“Joy,” she smiles pleasantly, “I don’t mean to be rude, but are you Nikolas?”
He nods slowly, unsure where the conversation was heading.
Lush lips pull back into a smile, “I thought so, my little Romeo told me so much about you and Allan.”
“I hope he enjoyed his time with us,” he answers quickly, trying to reach the end of the conversation.
A few strands of red hair come loose as she nods her head enthusiastically.
“He enjoyed it so much we decided to stay over one night,” she gushes, glancing down at Romeo who was hidden by the counter height.
“That’s great,” he comments, forcing a smile. “If you need anything don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Actually I was wondering if you could show us to our room.”  
He feels his smile waver, “Of course not, would you like me to show you now?”
Her gaze shifts to the counter behind him a small frown settles on her features, “Not right this second, we can wait.”
He half turns back to the bench following her gaze to the two full bags of blood still resting on the counter, “Romeo never mentioned that you were a vampire as well.”
“He isn’t mama, I watched him eat actual food,” the unseen boy protests.
Flashes of the night he was changed run through his mind, “I was recently attacked and in turn changed.”
He notices delicate eyebrows raise a slightly as her smile lessens.
The guests behind them continue to chatter, Nikolas turns fully and reaches for the third bag, using his claws to tear an opening in the flimsy plastic.
“We’ll wait for you to finish your meal then,” Romeo’s mother states, he hears her heels drag in the carpet as she turns her back to him, “Come and sit down at the table Romeo.”
Shoes slap against the linoleum floor and an enticing heart beat approaches from behind. Vyvian appears in his peripheral vision as he brings the third glass of blood to his lips. His eyes slide over to her and he sees a feline shaped glow radiating millimetres from her skin.
He swallows a few mouthfuls before lowering it to the counter. “Can I help you Vyvian?”
“Are you going to tell Allan that they’re here?”
Before he could give his answer the bell for the elevator echoes around the chatter of the guests.
“He’s about to find out,” Nikolas mutters, lifting the glass.
‘3, 2, 1…’
“Allan!”
The rest of the glass quickly disappeared and the fourth bag was being poured. His gaze slides back to Vyvian who was watching the scene behind him, a worried frown etched on her face. The fourth glass is quickly drained and he rinses the glass in the sink.
‘It’s just one night. One night,’ he reminds himself, swivelling to face the rest of the floor.
An ache begins to settle in his heart at the sight of Romeo clinging to one of Allan’s arms. His eyes flicker to Allan’s expression, he notices that his partners’ smile is strained and doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
Relief washes through him as Vy tugs on his shirt sleeve. He turns his gaze down and raises an eyebrow at the young woman.
“I can help Allan with Romeo, if you want,” she offers, turning her head in Allan’s direction.
“It’s not up to me,” he replies evenly, striding toward the curvy woman who was smiling at her son.
A tight smile stretches across his face as he stops next to the woman. “I can take you up to your room now if you want.”
Her return smile is dazzling, “That’s good, Romeo we have to go now.”
The boy whines, the noise grates against Nikolas’ sensitive ears. “I don’t want to go mama. I want to stay down here with Brother Allan.”
“I’m sure Allan has things he needs to do,” the woman frowns.
Vyvian steps in before Nikolas can speak, “Allan and I can look after Romeo while Nikolas shows you to your room.”
Romeo’s mother hesitates before nodding and turning to face Nikolas, “Can you show me where our room is?”
“Of course,” Nikolas nods and gestures toward the elevator, “After you.”
Joy giggles and links her arm with Nikolas’, walking with him toward the elevator.

***

Vyvian watches Allan’s reaction as Romeo’s mother walked with Nikolas to the lift. A delicate pink eyebrow raises slightly as his smile turns into a hard line, his gaze trained on their linked arms.
“Something wrong Allan?”
He doesn’t respond until the pair had departed. “No, it’s nothing.”
“Allan, I want to play,” Romeo pouts, tugging on his arm.
She watches as the strained smile returns, “I have to have my breakfast first.”
“After?” he grins.
The vampire nods and pulls his arm free of the child’s grasp. “Of course.”
She reaches out and grabs Romeo’s arm before he can follow Allan to the fridge. He frowns at her and looks her in the eye. Vy manages to break eye-contact before her mind is completely fogged with thoughts of the boy.
“How about we go and sit at the table while Allan has his breakfast?” she suggests, tugging him toward the very long hard surface in front of her.
The boy huffs and slumps in a chair, crossing his arms. She takes the seat next to him, glancing down the table at the other guests. Combinations of claws and patterned skin move through the air as some get into their topic of conversation. Feathers or fur raise in agitation when they bump each other, but no words are spoken. A tugging of her shirt hem draws her attention to the boy on her opposite side.
“Is Allan upset with me?” he asks cautiously.
Her answer is slow and hesitant. “No.”
“Did Nikolas upset him again?” he frowns, a thoughtful look developing in his eye.
It takes all her strength to not snap in irritation at the child, instead she chooses to shrug her shoulders.
Allan soon joins them and the trio shuffle to the lift. The doors roll open, Joy steps out without Nikolas.
Vyvian chooses to ask the question written on Allan’s face, “Where’s Nikolas?”
Her perfectly sculpted eyebrows come together, “He excused himself… I think he mentioned something about a gym?”
“He went there a lot when I stayed too,” Romeo pipes in.
Confusion settles on Allan’s features and he turns his blue eyes down to Romeo, “He did?”
The incubus nods his head.
“I never knew he used the gym,” the vampire frowns.
The voluptuous woman clears her throat, turning Vy’s attention from the confused vampire. “Where were you three heading?”
A small smile crosses the were-cats’ features as an idea pops into her mind. “We’re going to the library.”
“We are?” Both Allan and Romeo asks simultaneously.
Her smile widens as she nods and guides them both into the open elevator.
“Sounds like fun,” the red haired woman smiles, stepping out as they step in.
The doors were soon closed and the lift on its way up the building.
Vy bites at her lip nervously before finally turning to face Allan. The warmly dressed man raises an eyebrow at her.
“How come you didn’t know Nikolas uses the gym?”
“I suppose he went during the day when I was asleep,” he shrugs.
Romeo tugs at Allan’s sleeve, “He also went there after all the arguments too.”
Vyvian watches as his fists clench at his sides, “All of them? Even when Marcus was here?”
Vyvian fixes her gaze on the panel of buttons, “He did excuse himself a couple times. We thought he was going to try and fix things.”
The elevator doors slide open, revealing the red carpet that lined most of the other floors.
“Look we’re here,” she states, forcing enthusiasm into her tone.
Romeo tugs Allan out of the elevator, following her down to the door on the left.
She swings the library door open and turns back to the trailing pair, noticing that Allan was staring intently at the closed door opposite her. The ever so faint sound of chains creaking meets her ears. Vyvian watches blue eyes glance between Romeo, the open door and the closed door. Making the decision easier for him, she reaches out and snags the incubus’ free hand.
“Come on Romeo, let’s go.”
The boy resists her tugs, “What about Allan?”
She hears a click and squeak, “I’ll be there in a minute.”
When she turns back the door is slightly ajar and Romeo is still tugging to try and follow him.
The corners of her mouth turn down as she continues to pull him into the book filled room.
“Stop pulling,” she growls, managing to get him past the doorway, “he’ll be back in a second.”
His tugging becomes more insistent as he whines, “I want to stay with Allan!”
“He’s…”
A wave of dizziness washes through her, starting at the hand she is holding the boy with. Romeo easily pulls away and races through the gym door. Growling under her breath the were cat staggers after him ‘bloody brat’.
She saunters through the nauseating stench of stale sweat, eventually catching up to the boy who was peering around some equipment near the boxing bags. Quiet conversation reaches her delicate ears, “You’ve been distant ever since we got back and it me it’s killing me Nikolas…”
Respect of privacy and curiosity war inside her, the latter eventually winning out. Vy is soon leaning over Romeo, trying to hear the entire conversation.
Allan continues. “If you don’t feel that way about me anymore I understand I just…”
“It’s not that,” Nikolas interrupts, she can hear the underlying pain in his words.
“Then what is it?” his partner exclaims, the words bouncing off the walls.
“Complicated. Very complicated.”
A frustrated sigh fills the void between the necromancers’ words. “Try and explain.”
She imagines Nikolas running a hand through his hair, a gesture she thinks he picked up from the doctor. “Do you remember what I told you about the link between the notes and myself?”
“You said that they put the soul of one inside you,” Allan pauses, “and that it was supposed to slowly merge with your own, to make you one of them.”
“And while I was alive it was supposed to stay dormant so we would merge without it devouring my soul.”
“Did you turning into a vampire affect that?” Allan questions, worry heavy in his voice.
Bitterness laces the younger vampires’ words. “Dying apparently ‘woke it up’ so now it is constantly trying to take over my soul and claim this body for itself.”
“It can’t do that!”
Vyvian winces at the loud protest, instinctively covering her ears.
“It can and will if I don’t watch how I feel and react to different people and… situations.”
Moments tick by before Allan responds, “But I can help with that, if you’ll let me.”
It’s at that moment that the incubus chooses to step around the corner, “But what about play time?”
Sandshoes shift on the mat around the corner. Vy groans and steps around the corner, glaring at the top of Romeo’s head.
“You’re only here for one night Romeo,” Allan states, his pitch slightly higher than normal.
Vy watches as his head bobs up and down, “yeah, but we might come back.”
“Why not just live here?” she hears Nikolas grumble under his breath.
“I was going to ask mama to get Allan to come live with us.”
Vy dared to remove her eyes from the red head to see the pairs’ reaction. Nikolas’ face was stoic, his bandaged hands fists by his side. Allan’s blue eyes dart between the boy and young man standing just behind him. Surprise and worry mixed in their depths.
The young boy continues, “Mama says you can come live with us and she’ll pay you to watch me while she goes to work.”
Nikolas speaks before Allan can answer, “That may be good for you Allan.”
Vy’s jaw drops and her eyes widen at the nineteen year old.
Allan swivels around in a blur of motion, “What!?”
“I don’t want to risk harming you if I become unstable,” he explains, “plus you enjoyed entertaining him when he was here last. It’ll be a much better life for you there than here.”
Vyvian detects low notes of pain in the following words, “It wouldn’t be a life without you in it.”
Allan’s arms sneak around his partners’ waist and pull him closer, Vy feels her cheeks start to warm as she turns away from them.
While her back is turned she hears Allan whisper in a barely audible tone, “I need you to live Nikolas.”
Quiet sniffling fills the small space, the were cat glances down at the boy in front of her.
A frown of concern tugs at her features as she crouches down to his level. “What’s wrong Romeo?”
“I-I wanted Al-llan to sstay wi-ith me,” he hiccups as twin tear tracks make their way down his face.
The young woman bites on her lip, trying to find words to try and soothe the boy. ‘This is why I don’t deal with children.’
“Sometimes, we don’t always get what we want,” she says slowly, rubbing his shoulder reassuringly “and sometimes we do.”