fijisan

[gaiuskamilah]

this was so very self-indulgent for me, person known for never leaving their emo phase

no text ver under the cut

[rainesenator]

"you too, my queen?"

"you lived too long."

really really late birthday gift for jam @gaiuskamilah !!! love u bestie!!! and i love divorce 💜🧛🏽‍♂🧛🏾‍♀

[vampirkit]

Kamilah about Gaius Turning her

[puredoesnotmeankind]

I am not immune to toxic couples who are unhealthily obsessed each other actually and bring out the worst in each other. In fact, I am particularly susceptible to them<33

[deadcellmate]

The Blood Queen & Her King

Summary: A mysterious stranger changes the course of a nomarch's life forever. Word Count: 3,536 Rating: Mature Pairing: Gaius Augustine x Kamilah Sayeed Content Notes: Canon typical violence. Read it on AO3 It was as though he wanted it to hurt, wanted her to earn whatever it was he claimed he was going to give her.

Kamilah feared Gaius when she first met him, hated the arrogant glimmer in his eyes, wanted nothing more than to plunge a dagger deep into his chest. She had plunged a dagger deep into his chest, relishing in the way the crimson liquid spilled at his feet, into the sand, onto her dress, staining it. 

Pity it hadn’t been enough. It didn’t stop him from grabbing her by the wrists, sharp, elongated teeth tearing into her neck. She hadn’t remembered screaming—though she was certain she had. But it didn’t matter. His hand clasped over her mouth, and he drank. It was pain unlike anything she’d ever experienced before, hot knives sinking into tender flesh. It didn’t subside. It was as though he wanted it to hurt, wanted her to earn whatever it was he claimed he was going to give her. 

I don’t want it, she wanted to yell. There is nothing you could give me that will help me reach what I truly want.

What she truly wanted was for her brother to come back. Deep in her bones, with every Roman army she took down, every fleet she attacked, that was what she was working towards. She cognitively understood that was impossible, illogical, so she was willing to try to settle for thousands of dead Romans at her feet. She meant it when she said she would not stop until she no longer drew breath; most likely, Marc Antony would whisper into her cousin’s ear to have her executed as a traitor in order to stop her. If he hadn’t come along, that was how it was going to end. 

She’d been told the story of Helen of Troy a few times when she was a child. She didn’t care for it, but as she began to lose consciousness, either from the pain or the blood loss, as she heard the sound of soldier’s feet thundering against the sand,  she thought of it again. How many ships would they launch to avenge her? How many ships would he launch if she tried to escape from his grasp?

//

Gaius brought Kamilah a gift when she woke up. He presented it to her after the worst of the shock had worn off, when she was no longer focused on the tangy, sweet, metallic taste lingering in the back of her throat, the newfound length of her canines, the hunger boiling inside of her. 

She was too weak to fight him when he helped her out of the hole he’d dug for her in the desert sand, too weak to struggle against his grasp as he carried her back to her tent and set her on her feet. And worst of all, she was too hungry to react when she saw the Roman soldier chained to the chair, his mouth gagged, hatred and fury in his eyes, struggling against his bonds.

“As I promised,” Gaius said. “A gift for you.”

“One of your own men?”

“Octavian won’t miss him.” Gaius said. “And who am I to deny you such a simple pleasure?” 

He didn’t have to tell her what she needed to do, what the soldier was for. She already understood, from the way the hunger turned into an ache, a demand, the way she felt her canines elongate again. She was upon the soldier before she even understood what she was doing, her fangs ripping into his throat. He must have screamed, but she didn't hear it. The taste of his blood in her mouth was better than the sweetest fruits, the finest wines. Nothing could compare to it. 

But then, when the soldier slumped forward in the chair, dead and depleted, reality hit her. She’d killed plenty of roman soldiers, but never in such a grotesque way. She’d never enjoyed it the way she enjoyed this. She was scared, not because of what she had done, but because what she knew she was going to do: she would kill like this again. She would enjoy it immensely. And may the gods help whoever tried to stop her.

Kamilah tackled Gaius, hands wrapped around his throat, squeezing as hard as she could. “What did you do to me?” She demanded. She was startled by how desperate and ragged and scared her voice sounded. “What did you do to me?!” 

She wished she could kill him. She tried to, squeezing down on his windpipe, hoping brute force would finally get the job done. Despite the sound of bones breaking, despite the fact that she was choking him harder than she’d ever choked anybody in her life, it didn’t matter. Because all he did was laugh. 

“I made you better. Stronger.”

“You made me into a demon. Like you!” 

His eyes glowed a deep, bloody red. “I made you into a god.” He grabbed her by the shoulders, easily pushing her off of him. He got back onto his feet, cracking his neck back into place. 

“A god of blood.” 

“Look me in the eye and tell me you didn’t enjoy draining the life out of that soldier.” Gaius said. He looked down at her, knowing full well she couldn’t. When she didn’t answer, he smiled.  “You’re scared. Angry. Confused. I understand.”

He knelt down in front of her. “But I chose you for a reason. I need someone like you.” He ran his thumb along her jaw. She jerked away from him. 

“Don’t touch me.” 

“Apologies, my queen.”

“And don’t call me that.” 

Gaius laughed. “I like you already.” 

//

Centuries later, when people asked her about it, Kamilah framed it as a sort of amusing story. The story of two perfectly matched people who had no idea what they’d come across yet. Centuries after that, long after Gaius was gone, she’d be at a business dinner or something of the sort attended by humans where there was always at least one happily married couple. Inevitably, the story of how the two of them got together would come up. It always made her heart thaw and ache, not because she was particularly prone to get emotional over that sort of thing, but because of how much it reminded her of the way she used to talk about him, which deeply alarmed her. 

The story of their love began with a deal. Kamilah didn’t want to be anywhere near Gaius. She wanted to run as far away as she could. She’d take her chances out in the desert. No, she’d feast upon the Romans, making her way all the way to their capitol, making the streets run red with blood. Gaius had other plans for her, of course.

She tried to point out the obvious to get him to let her go: she was a nomarch. Her men were all dead. People would go looking for her. Not to mention, she had no desire to go anywhere with Gaius. So, what do you intend to do? She demanded. Force me by your side until you break me?

“You reject what I have to offer before you you’ve experienced it.” Gaius replied. 

“I don’t want what you have to offer.” 

“You don’t want power? You don’t want to be respected?”

“I am respected.” 

“You’d be a vizier if not for your sex.” Gaius said. “Egypt still wouldn’t have been able to defeat the Romans under your counsel, but you wouldn’t be part of such a humiliating loss.”

“How dare you.”

“You don’t hold a deep love for your nation. You seek vengeance.” Gaius continued. “And I can give that to you.” 

“Not when you fight for the Romans, you can’t.” 

Gaius shook his head. “I don’t fight in human conflicts because I believe in their causes. I fight for my security. And as it stands, the Roman empire has offered me comforts that the Egyptians refused. But I’ve no true loyalty to their soldiers.”

Gaius let out a breath, moving away from Kamilah. “I know how it feels to lose somebody who means the world to you. Somebody who you can’t live without. And I take it that is what’s happened to you.” 

“You don’t know the first thing about me.” 

“Sorrow sings in your blood.” Gaius replied. “You seek to destroy those who destroyed whoever you lost.” He turned back to Kamilah. “I will give you what you want if you will give me what I want.”

“And what is it that you want?” 

“As I’ve said. A queen. Somebody by my side. Somebody who can fight alongside me. Somebody who can help me enact my vision of the world.”

“I’ve no interest in sharing a bed with you.”

“I never said that.” Gaius said. “But I’m not finished. I can give you what you want if you stand beside me. We can look for whoever took the person you love. You can do whatever it is you wish with him.”

“You’re trying to trick me.” 

“And what makes you so sure of that?”

“It’s an empty promise.” Kamilah said. “It’s a promise of searching, not of finding.”

“I don’t intend to trick you.” 

“And why should I believe that?” Kamilah said.

“You don’t have a choice.”

“I always do.” 

“Then what will satisfy you?”

“A month.” Kamilah said, surprised by her certainty. “I will be by your side for a month. You will find me the man who killed my brother. If you can’t, I will leave, and you won’t stop me.”

“And if I do?” 

Kamilah let out a breath. “Then I will be your queen.” 

“Then you have a deal.”

//

It only took two weeks to find the man who killed Lysimachus. Perhaps Gaius was motivated to prove a point. Perhaps he only made the initial proposal because he knew it was a promise he could easily deliver. 

Lysimachus had been a general, which meant that his death was news amongst the Romans. It was a victory that a cunning and strategic man had been disposed of. The man that killed him boasted about it, which meant that he had a name, a face, a location. They expected he’d be in Alexandria, which would have complicated things, but no, he was stationed in an outpost several miles outside of the city, among a fleet of men holding off on as many Egyptian soldiers as they could. 

They dragged him out of his bed, deeper into the desert. He fought the entire way there, screaming and begging, tears running down his face, all whyareyoudoingthisimaninnocentmanimjustoneofoctavianssoldiersletmego.

Kamilah didn’t dignify it with a response. She always thought if she ever had the chance to kill the man who killed Lysimachus, she would tell him about the person whose life he snuffed out, how she grieved, how everything she’d done since then was building up to this moment. 

But this man no longer seemed like a being who changed her life. He was pathetic, ordinary. His entire life had been building up to this moment, the moment that she would kill him, and he was too stupid to realize it. 

She tore into his neck, blood splattering, making no attempt to preserve his life for any longer than necessary. She drank eagerly, hungrily as he thrashed against her. She bit harder into his flesh, tearing out his throat with her teeth, not caring that he would bleed out in less than a minute because of what she’d done. She didn’t want to give him a quick death, but she’d given him a painful death. And that was enough. 

When she was finished, she looked over at Gaius, who sat atop a dune, a smile on his face. Kamilah noticed that he smiled a lot in the last two weeks, but there were seemingly infinite reasons as to why he smiled. Sometimes, it was out of arrogance, of knowing he’d bested someone. Other times, it was out of thinly veiled annoyance. Other times, it was out of amusement. 

But this was out of pride. Proud of the creature he’d created. Proud of  being right about Kamilah. Proud of what they’d pulled off in two weeks.

Proud that he’d won. 

//

For the first three decades they shared together, they were partners, not lovers. He was her king, she was his queen, but what that really meant was that she was his second in command. His other progenies turned to her authority in Gaius’s absence. His other progenies bowed to both of them. 

They grew close. Of course they did. As time passed, she began to develop a fondness for Gaius she hadn’t expected. He was quick witted and sharp-tongued, charming when he needed to be. 

It was odd, the things he did that she found endearing. The way he’d always let her make the first kill, the way he began to select people to feed on based on what he discerned to be her taste, the way he was almost loving towards his victims, the way he told stories of battle, the way it changed depending on who he was talking to. He was braggadocios with most of his progeny. With her, he was detailed, once he figured out that she was more interested in strategy than glory. 

In the beginning, he was vague about his past, about who he was before he became what he was. But slowly, he began to reveal more and more about himself. Gaius told her the story of the one before him, the Goddess and Mother of All Vampires, Rheya. She’d been taken from him just as Lysimachus had been taken from Kamilah. He never wanted to discuss how it happened. He preferred to focus on her life, on who she was. 

“She was a force of nature.” Gaius told her once. “Not unlike you.” 

“Is that why you chose me? Because I remind you of her?”

“In a way.” Gaius said. “But it’s different. I stand beside you. I bowed before her.”

She knew it was something she couldn’t possibly understand, and she didn’t try to. From the way he described Rheya, she wasn’t his goddess the way Kamilah was his queen. Rheya was quite literally a goddess. Kamilah was never going to compete with that, and there was no reason to try. Though, part of her wondered why that had been her instinct, why the more he spoke of Rheya, the more she felt twinges of jealousy rearing their head. 

She wasn’t expecting the fondness she had for him to grow into something else entirely. It crept up on her in the right at the very end of their first thirty years together. 

They were back in the Roman empire. What began as a brief stint in Pompeii that ended in a hundred people dead and countless others whispering stories about demons cloaked in beauty who only came out at night festered into owing Tiberius several favors, which included assisting him in his conquest of Bohemia. 

Thirty years ago, Kamilah would have refused. She would have run, deal with Gaius be damned. But things had changed. She viewed human conflicts similarly to Gaius now; it wasn't about what was right. It was about what would guarantee their survival. An allegiance with the Roman Empire meant they could do whatever they pleased on most of the continent. 

Besides, Kamilah missed it. She was a skilled tactician as a human. With Gaius’s charisma and strength and her strategy, Bohemia would be Tiberius’s in no time. 

In the beginning, it was victory after victory. This was where she truly learned how to fight. Gaius gifted her with a set of daggers and taught her how to use them. They fought back to back on the battlefield, covered in the blood of their enemies. She often found herself taken with his visage in the moonlight, the glimmer in his eyes as he played with his prey. There was a strange part of her that almost wished he’d look at her like that—

It was a distraction, and she began to consciously pay as little attention to Gaius as possible when they fought alongside each other, save for the occasional glance in his direction to make sure he didn’t need backup. He never did. It was an excuse, really.  Kamilah knew that. 

Their only drawback was a group of Bohemians that kept slipping out of Gaius and Kamilah’s grasp. Their strategy was similar to that of Kamilah’s when she fought the Romans thirty years before. When they struck Roman fleets, they took no prisoners. They attacked supply drops, taking whatever they could for themselves. They moved constantly. They had an advantage that Kamilah didn’t all of those years ago: they were used to being outside, used to the elements. Unlike the Roman soldiers, they could endure the worst of nature’s ills, which was just as well, because it was the middle of winter. 

But she would destroy them, if only to prove that even they couldn’t best the roman empire. 

The idea came to Kamilah after she’d attempted to Turn a Roman soldier who was a particularly skilled fighter, an asset to their conquest. He’d been run through with a spear and was already dead by the time Kamilah found him. The Turning didn’t take. She had to stake him as soon as he emerged from the ground, his skin grey and cracked, his teeth long and jagged, his eyes glowing a sickly red. 

Gaius told her it happened sometimes. It wasn’t her fault. 

“But what happened to him?” 

“Turning a dead person is risky.” Gaius said. “Wait too long, they’ll emerge broken and hungry, shells of what they once were. All they’ll want to do is drink blood—any blood. Vampire or human.”

“But you could…” Kamilah trailed off. “You could do it intentionally. Couldn’t you?”

“What are you getting at?” 

“That one fleet…they’re tricky, slippery. We’ve spent weeks trying to get rid of them. But maybe we’ve been going about it all wrong.”

“Have we?”

“They’re trying to tire us out. Don’t you think? But if we…” 

“A surprise attack is a redundant suggestion, my queen.”

Kamilah rolled her eyes. “Not quite. We have to keep them in one place. Contained. Which means we need to create the illusion that we’ve given up. They’re going to overpower the other soldiers if we strike. But if we…if we made more of those things, set them lose on wherever they’ve settled…” 

“We’ll get rid of them.” Gaius finished. 

“And sunlight will take care of the rest.” 

He took her hand. 

“I love the way you think. Have I ever told you that, my queen?”

Kamilah smirked. “Plenty of times, my king.”

“Then I apologize for the redundancy. But I love the way you think.” 

The Romans didn’t ask questions when Gaius gave the order to gather as many of their dead as possible after a battle in which they’d nearly been overpowered. They hauled the bodies around in a caravan for a week, all the while trying to lull their target into a false sense of security. Kamilah and Gaius tracked them down to a village deep into Bohemia, far from where the Bohemians and the Romans waged most of their battles.

“It’s perfect.” Gaius said. “We’ll strike tomorrow night.”

And so, they returned to the bodies they gathered, doing the disgusting work of Turning fifty dead men. They buried them in the woods by the village in the cover of darkness. They waited, exhuming them and getting out of their way, watching as these feral vampires headed straight in the direction of fresh, human blood. 

It was a beautiful sight to behold, the chaos of it all. They sat atop a hill, Kamilah’s head resting against Gaius’s shoulder, watching as the ferals tore the village apart, watching as a fire broke out in the chaos, watching as not a single human was left away, watching as Rome’s victory over Bohemia was secured right before their very eyes. 

Gaius took Kamilah’s hand. “I never had any doubts about you.” He said. “But now, I’m certain. We were always meant to cross paths. I was always supposed to find you.” 

Kamilah rolled her eyes, mostly out of habit. “Are you going to tell me we were written in the stars?” 

“You mock me, but you know I’m right.” He gestured at the burning village below him. “You’re cunning in a way that I am not. We need each other. Or rather, I need you.” He laughed. “At this point, I’d be concerned if you switched allegiances. You might actually be able to beat me at my own game.” 

“You needn’t concern yourself with that.” Kamilah said. 

“I shouldn’t?”

“I find myself growing more and more devoted to you with each breath I draw.” 

“Do you, now?”

Before she could stop herself, she closed off the space between them, pressing her lips against his. He responded in kind, pulling her closer. He smiled against her mouth.

“Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting for you to do that?” He murmured.

“I think I can guess.” 

As the village below them burned, they were wrapped up in their own world, enveloped in one another. And just as much as he was hers, Kamilah realized, she was his.

[kinda-iconic]

Bloodbound: The Return sneak peek

The following is an extract from Chapter 1, which is currently a 'work in progress' as it were. It feels like forever since I have been able to focus long enough to write, but now that I am on holiday...

Please do let me know if you wish to be tagged!

The silence lingers far longer than Amy can take, for a heaviness settles within her stomach. She draws closer to Adrian’s side, trying to find solace in his familiar presence. As if by instinct, he wraps a protective arm around her shoulders, pressing a tender kiss to the top of her head.

“Stay behind me,” he whispers into her hair, his voice soft and comforting, “you’ll be alright.”

She nods faintly.

Elizabeth turns to address them, her expression stoic and unreadable, as if any sign of emotion had been doused the moment that she stepped over the threshold, like water to a flame. She eyes the group warily, a silent warning passing between them.

“I do not know how he will respond to this visit,” she pauses, unsure, “but whatever happens... you’ll be safe with the townsfolk.”

“You seem to underestimate the chaos and destruction that a vampire of his age and calibre can cause,” Gaius counters, folding his arms across his chest, “Moretti crushed rebellions with a flick of his wrist. He would rip out your heart before you can even process a coherent thought."

“I am aware as to what that man can do.”

“Are you, though?” Gaius quirks a brow, clearly unconvinced, “I fought alongside him for decades-”

“And I served him for nearly two centuries. I think I know more about him than you ever will.”

Kamilah snorts, covering her mouth with her hand as she attempts to stifle her laughter.

[dutifullynuttywitch]

Redemption is a Perpetual Journey

Series: Bloodbound

Pairing: Kamilah Sayeed x Gaius Augustine

Rating: Mature (angst)

Word count: 1,491

A little birthday gift for the amazing @thosehallowedhalls ! Based on a chat we had... and because you have made me see our dear Gaius in a new forgiving light 🤭 I hope you have an amazing day - you deserve happiness and all good things! I'm so glad I met you, Caro 🌺🎉

The year is 3024.

The world had transformed beyond recognition.

Vast expanses of the earth had become unliveable, forcing its inhabitants to shelter in massive city-states.

The city of Novopolis had risen from the ruins of New York during the times of upheaval.

It sprawls beneath a massive shimmering dome, its skyscrapers reaching for the artificial sky like thousands of jagged steel fingers.

The domes were built centuries ago, consequence of the ozone layer’s depletion. Humankind in its hubris having failed to reverse the climate crisis. This development had been convenient for the vampires who could now walk in the daylight amongst humans, cyborgs and all manner of supernatural beings.

Kamilah Sayeed lands smoothly in a forested park on the outskirts of the glittering, fast-paced city.

A tap on her smartwatch, the lightweight wings disappear into her outfit.

She takes in her surrounding with a sharp glance. Smoothing her sleek dress. The digitally-enhanced fabric changes to align with her desired look – an elegantly dark don’t fuck with me style that makes her feel powerful, in control.

Today, she needs to be in control.

A thousand years had passed since they had defeated the original vampire, the Goddess Rheya. Since that fateful conversation with her sire, her on-and-off lover for nearly two thousand years.

******

2024

“Kamilah… in Japan… you said one good deed doesn’t undo all the evil I’ve caused. How many do you think it would take… to call me friend?”

“Come talk to me in a thousand years. I’ll let you know what I think then.”

“A thousand years…” he smiles wryly, “I suppose I could give it a try.”

*****

Gaius Augustine had been true to his oath.

The vampire had spent the past millennia wandering the known world, hunting down criminals and supernatural villains without reprieve. He seemed to have kept mostly to himself, not staying anywhere long enough to build attachments. Only leaving a trail of whispers of his exploits across continents.

Avoiding all contact with other vampires, anyone from his old life.

That was fine by her.

Kamilah had not wanted to see him. She remained angry at how he had degraded her, corrupted her into becoming a killing machine for thousands of years. But more so, Kamilah was furious at how she had let herself be seduced by his charisma, his allure. Allowed him to tempt her into following his murderous inclinations for so long. No, it would be disingenuous to lay all the blame at her maker’s feet.

And there was the issue of Rheya. Gaius had said she was not completely to blame for his behaviour, though she had locked away his empathy, his ability to feel guilt. How would their lives have turned out without her toxic influence?

At least, the pain had dulled over the centuries.

She had begun to forgive herself.

As for Gaius, she would see.

Kamilah takes a deep breath, composing herself.

The elegant vampire sets off at a leisurely pace, strolling beneath the shade of tall trees.

She heads towards a massive wooden bridge crossing a stream. A vestige of New York. Nothing made of wood was created anymore, the few surviving forests too precious to misuse so.

Kamilah crosses paths with humans, faes and other mystical beings. Most now have artificial limbs and enhancements thanks to growing advancements in biohacking.

Lily would have thrived in this environment.

Kamilah vividly remembers the vibrant, energetic young woman who had sacrificed her life to help defeat Rheya. Lily’s contagious positivity and selflessness had managed to thaw her heart a little.

The other members of their ragtag crew – Adrian, Amy, Jax, Seraphine, Nikhil – also held a soft spot, though each had followed their own paths over the centuries.

“Kamilah.”

Gaius’s soft whisper jolts the woman from her musings.

“A thousand years apart, and yet here we stand.”

He stops a few feet from her, movements uncertain.

Quickly calming her heartbeat, Kamilah takes in his appearance.

Physically, he had changed little. Those same handsome, sharp features. That charming, deviously seductive smile. That ageless face.

Though a constellation of new scars told a story, centuries of rough living. His blue eyes now held a certain melancholy.

“I’ve missed you.”

He smiles tentatively, his angular face softening slightly.

Kamilah remains silent. Observing him.

Attempting to process the chaos of emotions churning deep within her.

Together, they had danced, loved, hated and fought through epochs, their passion always an unbreakable thread. But now, after so many centuries apart, he felt like a stranger to her.

Kamilah’s gaze turns away, sweeping over the cityscape.

“Novopolis. A monument to human resilience. And yet, it lacks the wild beauty of our old world.”

They lean against the worn bridge, staring out at the jagged skyscrapers. Letting the sunlight warm their exposed skin. The dome above them hums softly, shielding them from the toxic atmosphere beyond.

“That is does. I miss the vast forests of old. How one had to spend months hidden on cramped ships to travel between continents. Spend weeks on horseback, traversing vast fields and woodlands, our bodies stiff with the harsh journeys. I had never felt more alive. Now, everything feels fast-paced, ephemeral.”

“Except us. We remain constant through all of it, unchanged.”

“Are we truly unchanged?”

Gaius asks, turning to her, gazing into her eyes intently. As if her response meant everything to him. Could perhaps redeem him.

Kamilah returns his gaze. Silent. Her face an undecipherable mask.

The man sighs.

“I have done my best to atone for my past deeds. Though it can never erase all the harm I’ve brought this world, I dare hope that somewhere down the line, I… I will begin to hate myself less. And perhaps, so will you…”

Those last few words are whispered. A confession to himself, to her.

Kamilah’s gaze finally softens. The tension eases from her shoulders.

“Gaius, for the longest time I have blamed you for our bloody rampage across Europe. For nearly destroying New York. Killing Amy, and countless others. Truth be told, I have my share of misdeeds to atone for. I am still working on forgiving myself."

Gaius takes her hands in his, willing her to look at him.

“My dear, you have always been the greater one. My moral compass. I will forever regret not heeding your advice during my darkest moments. Gods if I could take it all back…”

“But we can’t. We can only move forward.”

Those hands. Kamilah shivers unwillingly at the familiar warmth, as a surge of memories overwhelm her senses. Oh, how these hands had caressed her so tenderly, sensually for centuries. Traced every curve of her body, memorized her intimately, elicited a range of pleasure and emotions that no other being – man or woman – had been able to match since. How these same hands had also threatened her, hurt her and her loved ones. Caused her uncountable grief and sorrow.

What were they to her now?

He notices the conflicting emotions flashing across her exquisite face and steps closer, sliding his hands up, caressing her arms, shoulders, wanting to ease her pain. Somehow.

On impulse, Kamilah reaches out, tracing his cheek with the tips of her fingers. Such familiar features. That soft skin, so warm.

He closes his eyes, leaning into her delicate touch. The shadow of a smile dances on the corners of his lips.

“Gaius, will we ever find peace?”

He opens his eyes, locking onto hers. A mix of emotions flickering in those endless pools. Sadness, self-loathing, tenderness… and hope.

“Perhaps. Perhaps… we can attempt to continue our journeys of atonement together?”

Kamilah closes her eyes at that, leaning her head on his shoulder.

Gaius gathers her into his arms tenderly. She buries her face into the crook of his neck and breathes in his familiar scent, hints of leather and earthy notes. Allowing herself to be vulnerable for a moment.

Just a moment.

As the city buzzes in the distance, Kamilah whispers against his warm skin, regretfully.

“I am not certain I am ready for that.”

Gaius holds her tighter, unable to let her go just yet. He nods his understanding into her obsidian hair, bending towards her ear to murmur

“I have waited a thousand years to see you again. For you, my queen, I will wait a thousand more.”

[choicesfandomappreciation]

Secret Pal Exchange—December 2023

Thank you to everyone who participated this year to make the Secret Pal event a success! You helped spread joy and cheer in our fandom. Thank you for making this place one where we can come, feel safe, and enjoy talking about our fave pixel people. I hope you the rest of the year is kind to you and that 2024 brings you nothing but goodness! 💛

Missed this event? There will be another Secret Pal event in February!

Alphabetical by user name of the giftee Please let me know if you see any errors or any links that are wrong

❤️ To: @a-cloud-for-dreams 💚 From: @hydn-jpg

Trystan x MC Art

❤️ To: @aallotarenunelma 💚 From: @lilyoffandoms

Saini / Immortal Desires MC Moodboard + Art

❤️ To: @abelflints 💚 From: @totojo2

Tyril Starfury Art

❤️ To: @cadybear420 💚 From: @tveitertotwrites

Moving (fic) Aiden and Evie are moving out of their home and onto the next chapter of their life.

❤️ To: @cariantha 💚 From: @peonierose

Ethan x MC Art

❤️ To: @hydn-jpg 💚 From: @noesapphic

Partner (fic) Joaquin takes Zach to a salacious escapade to Vermont. Needless to say, it will be a memorable trip.

❤️ To: @inlocusmads 💚 From: @rosepetals1

Multiple Pairings Moodboard/Aesthetics

❤️ To: @jerzwriter 💚 From: @stars-are-within-me

Introduction Cookies (fic) There is a new case to solve and Trystan has a surprise for Carolina. Angels (fic) The gang goes ice skating. Airports (fic) It's time for Carolina to return home just in time for New Year's and the gang goes to pick her up. Everything should go according to plan,right?

❤️ To: @ladylamrian 💚 From: @peonyblossom

Nik Ryder x Alex Moodboard

❤️ To: @lilyoffandoms 💚 From: @a-cloud-for-dreams

Tyril x Maiele Moodboard + Video Edit

❤️ To: @lovealexhunt / storyofmychoices💚 From: @moominofthevalley

Daenarya Moodboard

❤️ To: @moominofthevalley 💚 From: @inlocusmads

Interborough Loops (fic) Emily puts her feelings to words after taking a leap of faith - something she'd not consider doing if it weren't for watching the people around her. However, Trystan isn't a huge fan of words.

❤️ To: @noesapphic 💚 From: @cariantha

Tyril x MC x Nia Art

❤️ To: @oh-so-youre-a-nerd 💚 From: @aallotarenunelma

By My Side (fic) : Aerin x MC

❤️ To: @peonierose 💚 From: @ladylamrian

Bryce x MC Icons + Drabble

❤️ To: @peonyblossom 💚 From: @lovealexhunt /@storyofmychoices

A Cozy Christmas (fic + moodboard) Ethan, Sydney, and Caramel spent a cozy Christmas at home.

❤️ To: @rosepetals1 💚 From: @tessa-liam

Mal x MC Edit

❤️ To: @stars-are-within-me 💚 From: @cadybear420

Multiple Pairing Character Edits

❤️ To: @talasintahan 💚 From: @oh-so-youre-a-nerd

Kamilah, Gaius, Adrian Art

❤️ To: @tessa-liam 💚 From: @talasintahan / @gaiuskamilah

Liam x MC Art

❤️ To: @totojo2 💚 From: @abelflints

Eiko x MC Edit (MOTY)

❤️ To: @tveitertotwrites 💚 From: @zealouscanonindeer

AME Aesthetic/Moodboard RCD Aesthetic/Moodboard

❤️ To: @zealouscanonindeer 💚 From: @jerzwriter

A Tall Order (fic + art) It's a snowy lunch break at Edenbrook.

[choicesficwriterscreations]

CFWC F/AotW - Mar 24 - 30, 2024

✒️ = Fanfic | 📱= Text Fics/Edits | 🎨 = Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+ 🏳️‍🌈 = LGBTQIA

AMERICAS MOST ELIGIBLE

Bianca Sandoval x MC Fanart 🎨by @lilyoffandoms

BLADES OF LIGHT AND SHADOW

Birth ✒️| Tyril Starfury x F!human!MC - @petalouda85

Blades MC Fanart 🎨🏳️‍🌈 by @oh-so-youre-a-nerd

I Trusted You 🎨| Aerin Valleros x F!human!MC - @erixadraws

Tyril Starfury x F!human!MC Fanart 🎨 by @lilyoffandoms for @petalouda85

BLOODBOUND

Be An Amazing Mother ✒️| Adrian Raines x MC - @stanathanxoox

Gaius Augustine Fanart 🎨by @gaiuskamilah

Kamilah Sayeed Fanart 🎨 by @gaiuskamilah

CRIMES OF PASSION

Gridlocked ✒️| m!Trystan Thorne x F!MC - @inlocusmads

Hidden Romance ✒️| m!Trystan Thorne x F!MC - @storyofmychoices

Home ✒️| m!Trystan Thorne x F!MC - @thosehallowedhalls

Lofi Beats To Supress Your Anxiety To ✒️| m!Trystan Thorne x F!MC - @inlocusmads

So Was it Honestly the Best? ✒️🏳️‍🌈| m!Trystan Thorne x MC - @choices-ceri

IMMORTAL DESIRES

Incident in the Ghostland (Chapter 8) ✒️Ⓜ️| Cassius Harlow x Gabe Adalhard - @dreamscapingsblog

IT LIVES ANTHOLOGY

Andy Kang Fanart 🎨 by @artbyalz

Noah Marshall Fanart 🎨by @payroo

Noah Marshall x MC Fanart 🎨🏳️‍🌈by @payroo

NIGHTBOUND

Peacock Princess ✒️| Nik Ryder x F!MC - @ladylamrian

OPEN HEART

Complete Open Heart F/AotW List

THE PRINCESS SWAP

Main Characters Fanart 🎨by @lilyoffandoms

RED CARPET DIARIES

Thomas Hunt x F!OC Fanart 🎨by @/artbyainna (IG) (C: @storyofmychoices)

THE ROYAL ROMANCE

The DeFacto Queen (Series) ✒️Ⓜ️| Liam Rys x MC, Drake Walker x MC - @angelasscribbles Chapter 5: Come Together

Capitulo 3: Adios New York ✒️| Liam Rys x F!MC - @belencha77

Capitulo 4: Bienvenidos a Cordonia ✒️| Liam Rys x F!MC - @belencha77

Capitulo 5: Noche Especial✒️| Liam Rys x F!MC - @belencha77

Once Upon a Time, Book 1. Ch. 1 (Part 7) ✒️| Liam Rys, Drake Walker, etc. - @fadingreveries

WAKE THE DEAD

Close Call ✒️| Troy Hassan x F!MC - @dutifullynuttywitch

CROSSOVER FICS

Bloodbound/Open Heart

Immortal Desires / Open Heart

The Meeting ✒️| Original Characters - @ezekielbhandarivalleros

Immortal Desires/Murder at Homecoming

Murder at Homecoming: Harlow Part 4 ✒️| Cassius Harlow x MaH F!MC - @korgbelmont

Murder at Homecoming: Harlow Part 5 ✒️| Cassius Harlow x MaH F!MC - @korgbelmont

Murder at Homecoming: Harlow Part 6 - Finale ✒️| Cassius Harlow x MaH F!MC - @korgbelmont

[mynotsohealthyobsession]

Disembodied Part 3/8

Warning: Mention of death // Angst // Fluff

Pairings: Adrian Raines X MC // Nik Ryder X MC

Words: 1.348

Part 1 is here and part 2 over here!

As always, tags in the reblog!

"Adrian." Amy called him, a tiny smile creeping the corners of her lips. He observed her for an instant, almost as if he could see beyond Alex's face. "It's so good to see you." A week had passed and every fiber of her body was missing him. 

"Excuse me but I don't believe we have met before." 

"I know this is going to sound crazy. Insane actually. But I swear it's true." He was looking at her with a cold analytical stare. It was intense and piercing. It reminded her of her first interview with him so many months ago. "I'm Amy." He stood stoic as ever. "Amy Miller. As in Amy Miller your, well, I was going to say assistant but I think that's not totally adequate." 

"I think you mistook me for someone else," Adrian said, politely, turning on his heels, and heading to Raines Corp.'s front door.

"I had a free minute. Is this the  candidate?" Adrian stood, turning to observe her once more. "To Nicole's annoyance, you interviewed me. You told me a story about a genie and a man. You hired me on the spot."

"That's not conclusive."

"You saved Lily for me. That night we kissed for the first time in the rooftop restaurant." 

"You'll have to excuse my skepticism–"

"You told me about Charles and Eleanor." Amy took a hesitant step towards him. "You talked about them in your cabin when Vega set you up. We were with Kamilah. But we spent the night together alone and you said you would always be there for me." 

"How did you–"

"You have a silver locket with Charles' drawing. It's the most important thing to you. You risked coming here with me to take it out of the safe before the fight with Gaius when you destroyed your labs. And after I stabbed Gaius and he attacked me back, you ran to me and held me." As the memories filled her heart with both pain and warmth, the emotion cut off her words. She blinked, trying to contain her tears, touching her chest unconsciously. "I died in your arms." 

"Amy?" Adrian looked into her eyes, almost like he was expecting to recognize her soul. "How can it be you?" She took a step forward and before she expected it, Adrian had dropped his briefcase and was hugging her. For the first time in the last week and even trapped inside this strange body, she felt like herself. His warmth and his hand on her head, putting that perfect amount of pressure so typical of him, calming her nerves. Amy closed her eyes; letting the feeling spread. "I knew there was something off. It was your appearance but it wasn't you." 

"You really noticed it?"

"Of course I did." She hugged him back, taking a deep breath. They stood like that for a while, ignoring the curious looks of the people walking past and the destroyed city around them. Finally, he gently pulled back from her, attentively observing her 'new' face. "What happened, Amy?" 

"I don't know, I… I remember the fight against Gaius and then I woke up under the sun in New Orleans looking, well… Like this." His hands cupped her face, eyebrows furrowing with sorrow and concern. "Do you really believe me?" 

"I do." 

"Even with all the craziness?"

"Even with it." Amy focused on his eyes, that calm stare that always comforted her. "After all, we are getting good with craziness, don't you think?" She softly chuckled before becoming serious again. 

"I have been so worried and scared, I woke up alone and none of you were around and I thought that Gaius–"

"We are all fine, Amy. I promise." 

"I just… I missed you." She whispered.

"I missed you too." Adrian took a deep breath, leaning his forehead down with his eyes closed. “There are so many things I need to say to you. So much to ask you. I–”

"Sorry to cut off short such a cute encounter…" Nik's sarcastic voice said as he walked to them. Instinctively, at the sight of his bow, Adrian stood in front of her. Amy smiled to herself, remembering the first time he had protected her like this in Priya's fashion show. "...But I need to see if Alex is okay, Amy." 

"I know, I know." She sighed and Adrian turned to her. 

"What is going on, Amy? Who is he?" He asked her, suspiciously. 

"Nik Ryder, Adrian Raines." Both men eyed each other. "You said it was my appearance? So, my body is here?" Amy asked Adrian. 

"Seems like it." Nik took a step to the door but Adrian extended his arm, stopping him. "I still don't know who you are." Nik watched him clearly mad. "Until Amy explains everything, a nighthunter will not come into my building." 

"Then you do know who I am," Nik smirked, smuggling. 

"No. I just know your type." He replied, coldly, his stare stopping in all and each of the weapons that Nik was carrying with him.

"Now listen, bloodsucker…" Adrian narrowed his eyes at that term and stood his whole high, looking more intimidating than ever. "...I don't have time for this. I will come in with or without your 'permission'." 

"Nik, cut it out." Amy said angrily, rolling her eyes. "Adrian, Nik is Alex's friend. The girl this body belongs to. We think that if I'm in her body–"

"--She is in yours." Adrian finished her sentence and Amy nodded. "Seems plausible." 

"Okay then." Nik headed to the front door again but Adrian stopped him once more. "What game are you playing, Raines?!" 

"I trust what Amy says without doubt but, before this, she doesn't know who you are." He was calm but firm, his body was taut, ready to take any course of action that was necessary. "Alex has to corroborate who you are. I'm not risking Amy's soul or body in the hands of a nighthunter." Amy smiled at him, gently squeezing his arm. 

"I could say the same about you." Nik's voice was more similar to a snarl than actual words, however, Adrian kept his composure. 

"I concur. That's why Amy is going to talk with Alex alone. Do you agree?" Nik simply nodded so Adrian turned back to her. “In that case.” He gave her the elevator key. “She’s in the guest penthouse. We will be waiting here." 

"Okay."

"If you need me, call for me. I will hear you." He gently touched her cheek, searching her eyes like he was still trying to see beyond her features. "Take your time." He planted a small kiss on her forehead. 

“Amy.” She whirled to Nik. “Tell Alex I'm waiting for her too.”

"I will." Amy took a deep breath and headed to the crystal doors, feeling her stomach twisting around anxiously. As she walked inside the building everything felt familiar but at the same time so different. Maybe it was because this strange face was reflected in all the glass instead of hers. The metallic doors were replaced by the wood ones that belong to the penthouse. Amy stood there, thinking about what she was about to find on the other side. To see herself like that, out of her body, was a scary thought without a doubt. And there was no way to know how Alex would react. If it was Alex at all. The seconds passed until she gathered the courage to lift her hand and ring the doorbell. She heard steps getting closer and closer as her heart sped up uncontrollably. 

“Who is it?”

“Um, sorry to bother you but Adrian sent me here.” Even though it wasn't entirely the truth, it would be easier than saying who she truly was. It was a chat to have face-to-face, not with a door between them. 

“That’s weird, he didn’t mention anything about someone coming–” Amy held a gasp when her own image swung open the door and the other woman looked at her dumbstruck, clearly not expecting the vision she had in front of her. “What the…?”

[gaiuskamilah]

bloodbound book 1 / the tragedy of julius caesar, william shakespeare

[blackandblueandstars]

Kamilah's Journal: Coming to America, Pt1

TRIGGER WARNING: Discusses non-consensual relations.

Requested by @galaxyside-0 - hope you like it. There will be a Part 2.

We are going to a new world. Gaius is ecstatic, it is hard not to feel the same way. His link to me, it almost puts our emotions in sync.

He says things will be different, in this new land. That we will call the shots. We've boarded a boat, and already I feel claustrophobic.

Gaius and I make rounds, mingling with the mortals. He intoduces me as his wife, and I only speak when spoken to. We need to win them over, to own this new land. Gaius befriended the captains, and brought extra provisions to share with the other travelers.

The journey is said to take 6 weeks, but Gaius says this can be prolonged by weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

There are other women passengers, though they don't pay me much attention.

One of the captain's name is William. He gives me a bad feeling. His eyes linger on me. He doesn't even try to hide his interest.

I mentioned it to Gaius, but he laughed it off. "Relax, my Queen. I will not let anyone else touch you." His cheshire smile made my stomach weak.

Later -

There are a few other vampires who joined us. I feel I can be myself with them, instead of this subordinate that the mortal men expect.

Privacy is hard to come by. We are all tightly packed, it makes me anxious. Some days I think about diving over the edge, taking the whole of the ocean for myself.

The ocean and I have a lot in common, I think. We are both dark and dangerous, and our might is unparalleled. There is a restlessness to it, as well. A restlessness that matches my soul. If I still have a soul, that is.

A few weeks in-

The weather has been less than pleasant, extending our trip. I do not know how long we'll be, but the mood has shifted. Illness has taken some passengers, their bodies gifted to the sea. Gaius has determined to turn things around for his new thralls, throwing a party to lift their spirits.

I am sitting alone under the stars, now, as Gaius parties. The men are rambunctious and lewd. It's disheartening that they will run our new world, but to hear Gaius tell it, they will simply be puppets, and we the masters.

There is a woman, crying in the dark. Were it not for my heightened senses, I wouldn't hear her. The men are far too loud and self-involved, drowning her out.

I cannot help myself, I am drawn to her.

She is almost completely hidden from sight. I kneeled before her, taking her hand. "Who has hurt you?" I asked.

She sniffled, looking away. "It is nothing," she replied. I could see the distrust in her eyes.

"You can trust me," I promised her. "Please, let me help."

She finally met my eyes, lip quivering. "My husband was taken by illness, and I fear I will not have enough food with the extended voyage. I went to the captain, to see if anything could be done..." she trails off, fresh tears springing from her eyes.

"What is it?" I asked.

"He said that we could work something out, but the type of trade he has in mind... Oh, he spoke of such unsavory things. My poor husband would roll over in his watery grave. But if I do not... If I do not do as he asks, I fear I will starve to death. I'm sorry for troubling you with this, for disrupting your party. I just, I've never felt so alone as I do now."

I frowned at the woman, disgusted with the captain's demands.

"Tell me, which captain did you speak with?"

"Captain William," the woman replies.

Of course.

"My husband has brought extra rations. I will see to it that you get some." I responded, helping the woman to her feet.

"Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!"

"It is my pleasure," I assured her. "Women should not be subject to such horrors merely to survive."

The woman smiled at me, tears still streaming down her face, before releasing my hand and walking back to her cabin.

I returned to the party, waiting for a moment with Gaius, where I told him about the favors Captain William was demanding. Where I expected anger or disgust, I saw Gaius's eyes light up. He raised his hand to his chin, as if in thought.

"William is very powerful, he has a lot of influence. It would greatly distress our relationship with him to threaten him."

My eyes widened in shock. "You aren't seriously suggesting that we leave her to him?" I asked.

"No," Gaius replied. "Merely that we may need to bring something to the table. And I have just the idea."

"What's that?" I retorted.

"You," he stared at me.

"Me?" I asked, my mouth dry.

"Yes. William hasn't been able to take his eyes off you. I can convince him to release the woman. But you must take her place, my Queen."

"But... But you said you wouldn't let anyone touch me..." I fumbled the words, trying to wrap my head around his ask.

"And I wouldn't. No one will lay a hand on you, against your will. But you want this, don't you? It would thrill me greatly to see you with another man, this man, using your gorgeous body to consolidate power." I looked at his eyes, bright red. I felt his excitement.

"I don't know.." I whispered, already feeling the agreement on my lips.

"Very well, I'll let the woman know..."

"No," I interrupted, eyes downcast. "I'll do it."

"How delightful," Gaius responded.

Tag list: @h-doodles @scarlet-letter-a0114 @idkbutkamilah @lightning-fury @galaxyside-0 @blogsupitssam

[vampirkit]

Tymps (The Sick in the Head Song)- Fiona Apple | BB2- Kamilah Sayeed

[puredoesnotmeankind]

They're actually soooo insane for this, like I'm actually so invested in their storyline

[endlessflame]

Gaius and Kamilah had sex in Kenna’s bedroom! 😮

[violentinecrl]

For all the people you've hurt

Kamilah Sayeed x Mc (Lenore)

Warning: smut at the end (also, I am not sure if that is a good ending, I got stuck there for a while but I mean I've been told it looks good like this so if you don't like it blame the people tagged below 😂)

Rating: Mature

This happens right after Mc goes after Gaius on her own on book 3, and brings him back to the group so he can help them defeat Rheya. However, Kamilah is not as calm as she was in the game... her fear of losing Mc once again gets the best of her, her walls crumbling down...

Thank you @tyrilblue for correcting my english, and thank you @neversleepgaius, @supercorpstuff and @rainbows-ampersand-sunshine for reading this cringe thing ❤️

@choicesficwriterscreations

“So listen, and listen well. This is not your redemption story. You do not get to become some hero in the last act. One good deed does not undo millennia of evil. So we will take your help. Because we need it. But when this is done, you’ll pay for your sins. For all the people you’ve hurt! Understand?!” Kamilah’s voice came out rough, harsher than Lenore had ever heard it. There was no doubt in those words.

“I do.” After a moment of hesitation Gaius answered, his voice fragile, all the anger, hatred, all the violence gone.

As Jax walked over to Gaius, ready to speak his own piece of mind, Kamilah’s eyes darted in Adrian’s direction, as one of her fingers pointed straight at the newest ally of the group, the rest of the room a simple blur to her, the words Jax was now yelling at Gaius drowned in her anger.

“Keep an eye on him! Any kind of suspicious movement and I mean any kind, you strike! I’ll have a word with her!” she said, grabbing Mc’s hand strongly enough for her to understand that Kamilah was not happy, but not strongly enough to hurt her.

And yet, Lenore was not putting them at risk, she believed in Gaius' intentions, she had to if they wanted to finally defeat Rheya. Kamilah needed to trust her just this once. His mind was… polluted, a disorganized mix of dark, evil webs hiding his own thoughts, desires, the true Gaius. That didn’t erase all of the things he’d done, it didn’t erase the sword that had trespassed her chest, taking her last human breath. And even if it didn’t, they needed his help, the real Gaius’ help. They needed his desire for revenge and the regret that now clouded his mind even if no one knew that.

As Lenore was being dragged through the bar to the small and quiet room, the only space that could give them privacy right now, all the arguments she would have to use were running through her mind directionless, confused. Kamilah’s reluctance to work with the person that had hurt her so much was understandable, but there wasn’t any other option. “He’s being honest, I saw it!” she would have to repeat, “I wouldn’t have brought him here, to you, if I wasn’t 100% sure it was safe!”

Finally, as they reached the room, Kamilah harshly opened the door, getting Lenore inside and following after, closing it as aggressively as she had opened it. It was the same room, but it felt colder than it had the night before.

Lenore focused on the other woman’s heart. It was beating fast, drumming inside of her. Had it been like that before, when she first saw Gaius entering the bar? At first, Kamilah just stood there, fists clenched, and eyes shut, trying to calm her breathing and slow her heart.

“Kamilah, listen to me! I-“

But there was no time to talk, Kamilah immediately cut her off, her voice begging for answers, her eyes searching for them.

“What were you thinking?!” she asked slowly, without breaking the distance that separated the two girls.

“Ka, he won’t hurt us, I can assure you that he is-“ she tried to say, remembering all the arguments that had crossed her mind on the way to the room.

“You don’t get it, Lenore, do you? You don’t get it…”

“I do, I do get it!” Lenore got a little closer trying to reach for Kamilah, her voice low and calm, and yet pleading for the other woman’s comprehension, “I understand that you don’t like this idea and don’t trust him, I don’t like it either, I get it, but he will help. We will kee-“

“I don’t give a shit about that! I can see he’s going to help, I’ll kill him myself if he doesn’t! But how did you get to him, Lenore?! Did he come here without any of us noticing? Did he take you with him?! Did he, Lenore?!”

Kamilah knew the answer to those questions… Lenore could see it in her eyes, in the way her mouth formed a thin line, the way Kamilah kept her hands closed in fists. And the realization hit. The problem was not bringing Gaius here to them, it was the fact that she had left, without telling anyone, to face the person that had once killed her, on her own.

“I- I had to… It had to be me. It was the perfect time, we couldn’t wait any longer. And it worked!” her head lifted, looking Kamilah in the eyes, hoping those last 3 words would make her worries cease.

But Kamilah just sighed, running her hands through her hair, eyes closing shut once again, harder than the first time as if to stop all the possible outcomes of Lenore’s actions from going through her head. The image of her dead body next to Gaius in the streets of Tokyo, without her knowing, while she slept with no clue that the next morning she would be alone again.

“But what if it hadn’t?” she said almost in a whisper, “What if it hadn’t, Lenore?!” her voice grew stronger, more desperate, eyes shooting open, pain flooding them, “You’re our only hope of defeating Rheya, and I don’t think you understand the fear that puts me through every day! Every day I fear for the moment we will face her and you’re there, in the front line! Every day I fear that I’ll have to watch you die right in front of my eyes, in my arms again and this time I won’t be able to do anything to bring you back to me! And yet you go out to fight against Gaius, on your own!”

Her eyes were now brighter as the tears started forming, dripping slowly down her face. She held herself, grabbing the sleeves of her suit hard as if trying to force the walls not to completely crumble once again, baring herself and her tears to the one she loved.

Lenore stood there, the weight of those words sinking in, her chest tight, and making it impossible for words to come out of her mouth.

“You should have told me”, continued Kamilah “I should have gone with you just to be sure you’d be safe, that I wouldn’t lose you again… I can’t lose you again, I can’t handle that feeling once again, Lenore! I have lived for 2000 years, I’ve suffered… but that feeling… that was agonizing…”

“Kamilah…” Lenore whispered more to herself than to the other woman, involving her in a tight hug. She had expected the hug not to be returned, but Kamilah’s hands traveled to her girlfriend’s back holding her tight… tighter than she had ever held her, the idea of losing her making it hard to breathe “I had to try… I was ready for it, it had to be now or never. And you forget that if I can avoid putting you in danger, I will… I know you’re strong, stronger than me, but I fear for your safety just as much as you fear for mine. I couldn’t drag you with me. I had to face him myself no matter the consequences.”

Kamilah's tears were now unashamedly falling down her face, soaking her flushed cheeks. Lenore had never seen her so vulnerable. Had she been like this when everyone thought she had died? Had Kamilah held her just as tightly when her limp, dead body rested in her arms? What about the next four days? Had she looked this beautiful crying for her to come back?

“When I saw you with him I started imagining what you had done, how you went to him alone, and all these thoughts of losing you… they just came all at once.” Kamilah swallowed her tears, bringing her face up high again, vulnerability hidden but still there, on those wet cheeks and slightly red eyes from where tears kept escaping, on the way her arms held Lenore as if she might vanish at any moment “So, no more «no matter the consequences». You listen to me girl, you do that once again, and I’m killing you myself” she said, but her eyes were kind, loving, her voice was firm but warm, her hands held Lenore tight but gently.

Lenore couldn’t stop a laugh from escaping her mouth, tears still covering her eyes “Yes, Mom. I’ll behave from now on, promise”.

Kamilah couldn’t handle not rolling her eyes at the sarcasm hidden in Lenore’s words, a little smirk forming on her lips. She was in love with a dumbass.

With her thumbs, she caressed the dark-haired girl, drying her wet cheeks gently, slowly feeling every inch of her hot and flushed skin. And that was the moment she got conscious of her own tears. She tried to reach for them, drying her cheeks as well, but Lenore stopped her, grabbing her wrists gently.

Taking her thumbs just like Kamilah had done, Lenore caressed her cheeks, tracing the path where the tears had flowed.

“You look pretty when you cry, did you know that?” she whispered, as she hid her face in the crook of Kamilah’s neck, breathing deeply, taking in all her sweet scent, her vampire senses making it even sweeter.

“If this is your way of escaping the subject, I have to warn you, you picked the wrong thing to say” even though Kamilah’s voice was serious, Lenore could feel how unexpected it had been for her to hear that, how her heart started beating faster. Not only had she seen those barriers crumble once again, with desperate tears, but she had found it pretty.

“Is it not working?” she teased, hand traveling from Kamilah’s cheeks to the back of her head, feeling her body tensing, as Lenore slid her fingers through her dark brown hair, getting their bodies closer.

“You w- “

Lenore didn’t let the older vampire finish, trailing her lips over Kamilah’s, ever so slightly, kissing her bottom lip once the words had gotten lost on her tongue.

“Trying a different escape route?” Kamilah asked, her voice so low only a vampire’s ears could catch the sound, her breath getting heavier, her lips trying to get closer to Lenore’s who smiled at the question, nodding, and teasingly pulling away.

Kamilah’s eyes flashed at the movement, hands grabbing her lover’s waist, pulling her impossibly close, her lips hovering over Lenore’s.

“Don’t start something you can’t finish, girl” she whispered, her voice hoarse, all the emotion, fear, and adrenaline that she had gone through mixing up with the desire that was now lighting inside of her.

Hearing that, Lenore crashed their lips together, parting Kamilah’s, allowing her tongue to slide inside. Only that touch turned their heartbeat unsteady, uncontrolled, their breath caught in their throats. Their mouths hot and demanding, the kisses getting more and more feverish. The younger vampire’s hands were now all over the place, one of them grasping Kamilah’s hair hard, making a low groan escape through kisses, the other one trying to get rid of the blazer, get it away from the skin she so wanted to touch.

But a quick hand stopped Lenore from removing it completely, letting it hang on Kamilah’s arm, who was shaking her head disapprovingly.

“No, Lenore” Kamilah smirked at her and approached the girl, murmuring low in her ear “Get naked, now”.

That was enough to send a spike of electricity running from Lenore’s spine to her core, fire starting to burn deep down inside of her. Clumsy, she obeyed, taking her black dress off a little too fast for her own liking, but the desire was building just too fast for her to keep up, her eyes never leaving Kamilah’s. Those deep brown eyes followed her every movement, with unspoken desire, hungry as they always were for Lenore.

Finally, her bare body was in display for Kamilah to take in. The woman got closer taking one hand to Lenore’s hip, pushing her closer, leaning her head down to kiss her softly, teasingly. Then, suddenly, she pushed Lenore down on the bed, biting hard on her lower lip, trying to contain the yearning burning inside of her, trying not to devour ever single bit of that pale, white skin, calling for her. She ignored how her thighs started to tense, trying to press on each other to contain the powerful aching building up between them.

“Lay down” she demanded, walking slowly towards the bed, her eyes taking in every single inch of Lenore’s body bathed by the white light of the moon entering from the small window behind the bed “and spread your legs wide for me”.

Lenore gasped at the command, trying hard to spread her legs before Kamilah’s eyes but the desire was way too big, the need for friction screaming inside of her. Laying down, the vampire took one hand to her nipple pressing hard, moaning at the sensation, wishing it was Kamilah’s hand.

In front of her, Kamilah started undressing, not looking at what she was doing, but instead staring at the hand pressed against Lenore’s breast, how it started caressing the rest of her own body, wandering through the middle of her breasts, the length of her stomach, getting too close to where Lenore wanted Kamilah.

“Stop” Kamilah said as she slipped out of the last piece of clothing, head tilted to the side, breath becoming erratic.

Lenore groaned in frustration at the command, her legs starting to get closer, as the tension became unbearable “Please, Ka” she begged, brows furrowing, hands pulling on her skin, trying to get any kind of friction she could.

Kamilah smiled mischievously, getting in the bed, hands on either side of Lenore’s head, and one leg teasingly pressing at her core. Lenore’s hips bucked at the contact, starting to rub herself against it, a cry surging from deep within her “Kamilah…”.

The older vampire took her lips just under her ear, starting to trail kisses down her neck, biting and licking her, her hand pinching the hard nipple under her, grabbing the whole breast, while her leg kept pressing against Lenore.

She wanted to keep teasing the girl under her, to hear the sounds of frustration and desire as she rubbed against her, but the idea of tasting Lenore, after all the worry she had gone through that day was almost irresistible. She wanted to touch her, make her scream and beg for more.

Kamilah took her leg from the middle of Lenore’s, who sucked in a heavy breath at the lack of contact “no…“. Lowering herself over Lenore, Kamilah started kissing along the valley of her breasts, hands roaming lower now, pressing her nails down her hips.

“What do you want, Lenore?” She asked looking up, spreading the girl’s legs wider apart, hands moving to her inner thighs, drawing small circles, slightly scratching her pale skin.

Lenore felt her breath quicken as the anticipation built up inside her, making it hard to speak “touch me…”.

Kamilah smiled “what did you say?” she asked, as her mouth left small kisses at the very top of Lenore’s thighs, so close to where she wanted to be, making the girl bulk her hips up, despair starting to build up.

“Please!” Lenore almost screamed, taking her hands to Kamilah’s hair, grabbing hard, begging for the contact “please, Ka…”

“Good girl” with a smirk Kamilah gave in. Leaving one last bite at her tight, the woman moved, grabbing Lenore’s hips, kissing her right at her core, brushing her tongue up and down her wet folds, tasting her.

As she felt Lenore’s wetness grow, the feeling of herself dripping for Lenore became too intense. The way the girl looked at her in between moans, the way her hand grabbed her hair hard sent sparks of electricity through her body, moans being muffled between Lenore’s thighs.

Kamilah kept tonguing her, slowly, low noises escaping her throat, Lenore bucking her hips against her mouth, her hand still on her brown hair keeping her head in place as she kept screaming Kamilah's name.

“Are you enjoying it, Lenore?”

“Ye-“ Lenore moaned loudly, not being able to finish answering, as Kamilah took her lips to her clit, sucking hard, pressing two fingers at her entering and sliding them inside. Feeling Lenore tighten around her fingers, she inserted one more, speeding up her pace.

“Don’t make a mess, babe, what will they think of you if they see the mess you did?” Kamilah teased, barely taking her lips off her center.

“W-what if I do?” Her voice was a mere murmur, hoarse, as Lenore looked down at Kamilah, her chest rising and falling with each breath she took. Her face was flushed, mouth open, eyes rolling back as Kamliah thrusted her fingers harder inside her.

All of the blood in Kamilah’s brain rushed directly to between her thighs, as she heard the provocation. She couldn’t take it anymore.

“I’mma fuck you so hard you won’t walk for the next week, love” she said, using her thumb to circle Lenore’s nub as her fingers curled inside of her. Her free hand traveled down her chest, to her belly and then lower. Keeping a perfect rhythm, her tongue lapping effortlessly against Lenore, Kamilah started working on herself, feeling how wet she was for the girl trembling under her, her fingers dripping with the evidence. Her back arched against the pleasure surging through her, moans leaving her lips, as she circled her own clit, rubbing faster and faster.

“Kamilah…” hearing her name the woman peaked, facing Lenore, never slowing her pace. Seeing her rosy face, the way Lenore breathed forced her to speed up her fingers, hips moving in rhythm, her legs starting to tremble. The anger and fear she had felt before, all turning into adrenaline as her body gave in to the sensations she couldn’t keep in any longer.

“I wanna see…”

Kamilah’s hips bucked up at the request, the idea of displaying herself to Lenore making it impossible to control herself. The woman could feel herself blush, her hand creating more friction against her core.

“no, you didn’t come yet…” kamilah whispered, because it was true, but also because the idea of Lenore looking at her while she played with herself… that was another level of vulnerability, it made butterflies come to her stomach, the aching between her thighs becoming even stronger.

“Please” the other woman mumbled, leaning on her elbows.

Kamilah eyed her, biting her lip. Slowly, the vampire moved, laying her back on some pillows, parting, shyly, her legs wide.

In front of her, Lenore’s chest was rising and falling faster, her nipples hard, cheeks flushed. Just the idea of what she was about to watch made all of her body tingle and ache, making controlling herself harder and harder by the time.

---

“I love you, Kamilah. More than I’ve ever loved anyone, I hope you know that”.

Kamilah's breath caught in her chest. Hearing those words was never going to stop making her body go tense, her mind spiral, and her heart race like it couldn't spread enough blood through her whole body. She had heard those same 3 words so many times through her 2000 years of living, but Lenore’s… hers had power, felt magical, they would trap Kamilah in her own paradise, anytime, anywhere.

“I love you too, Lenore. I love you”