Second Place - Action/Adventure

Beck Striker felt like a strung-out junkie who was quickly running out of options. Therac was in L.A. Unannounced. That was never good. Especially when Beck owed him a lot of money. He hadn't quite gotten around to paying Therac for his last container shipment. He'd just been so distracted these last few months. Surely Therac would understand, right? Beck's shoulders slumped. No. Therac would not understand. Especially since Beck didn't have the money to pay him. He'd been . . . distracted these last few months.

Thank god for Severus. Severus had forewarned him that Therac was looking for him. Expecting him for a little chat. So far, Beck had successfully avoided him for most of the night, but he knew the longer he waited, the angrier Therac would become. Therac, Beck knew, was not someone you pissed off. He would literally bite your head off---or your neck, take your pick. Beck was not quite ready to leave the living world. He was going to have to talk with him tonight. Maybe they could work out a deal . . .

Beck stood and started pacing�his muscles were twitching and jumping. In addition to the whole Therac problem, he felt like he needed something. He needed. . . he needed. Fuck! What did he need?? The light caught on his ring. He'd found it in that last shipment and had been astonished when it fit perfectly. Like it was made for him or something. A warm flush enveloped him. It was like the damn thing was calling to him. Telling him what he needed.

All of sudden, he was assaulted with images of Chestnut grinding into him, of Blondie looking haughty and smoldering at the same time, of Angel . . . Beck shivered. Thoughts of Angel made his entire body feel as though an electric shock had just gone through him. Those eyes. Those fucking, haunting eyes. Angel scared the piss out of him�there was something about him. He couldn't control himself around Angel�he acted differently, said stupid things, was desperate for him. Beck didn't like that at all. Not one fucking bit. Still though, there was Chestnut�familiar, beautiful and oh-so-goddamned willing. And, there was Blondie. Thinking about him made Beck's heart race�how he couldn't wait to muss that perfectly coiffured hair and make him beg and writhe like a little bitch in heat. And Angel. Oh, holy Christ, the things he wanted to do to that sinful little creature. Beck started panting at the thought of the sounds he would wrench from him. He wanted to mar that perfect, creamy skin. He wanted to poison that glimmer of goodness he could smell wafting from him. Beck sat down. All of this panting and heaving wasn't helping matters. He had to pull himself together to meet with Therac. He'd have to think about his boys later. If he wasn't dead.

It was still early when Beck steeled his nerve to face Therac. His feet felt leaden as he walked up the stairs. Therac was settled in the far corner, shrouded by the shadows. In fact, all Beck could see were Therac's maliciously glittering eyes.

"So, you've finally come," Therac said. "I was beginning to think you were a complete coward instead of only half of one."

Beck opened his mouth to explain.

"Silence. I care little for your explanations. Now. This is what is going to happen. You owe me seventy-five thousand dollars. You are going to give me fifteen thousand tonight, and don't even try to pretend you don't have it. I know all about the secret compartment in the bottom of your desk. As for the rest, I will take half your receipts every night until you've paid the remaining balance. Given your boasting about how profitable your little club is, that should only take a few weeks or so. During that time, you will supply me with anything I request. Is that clear?"

Beck was astonished. As far as he was concerned, that was more than fair. Sure, he'd be hurting financially for a while, but at least he'd have all of his limbs. And his blood. Beck blew out a long held breath. "Thank you, Therac. I swear I'll never miss a payment like this again."

Therac smiled cruelly. "No. I don't think you will."

Beck smiled nervously and quickly left, knowing a dismissal when he saw one. He saw Severus standing on the catwalk, and quickly made his way over, hoping that one of his boys would take his mind off of Therac. Beck whistled low as he spied Harry.

Severus instinctively followed Beck's stare. He looked down and saw a familiar head of wild black hair. Harry was dancing with some Muggle. Severus's knuckles went white and his lips pursed violently as he watched the Muggle's hand reach up and graze Harry's torso. Harry's back arched as he let out a little moan. Just like he had last night when Severus had touched him.

"Tell me more about Angel. What do you know?" Beck asked

Severus's eyes snapped back to Harry who was arching his back again and baring his neck. Severus wanted to throttle that stupid Muggle. Maybe Harry as well.

Beck thought he saw Severus hesitate for just a second before answering, but brushed it off as nothing more than the man simply gathering his thoughts.

"He is an orphan. No family to speak of. He's drifted around the world from one place to the next. He's from an upper crust family, but has been on his own a very long time. He is rather experienced from what I gather, but I get the sense that a lot of his experience is little more than schoolboy fumbling. He's not accustomed to your particular level of intensity," Severus said flatly.

Beck nodded. He was tempted to dance with Angel tonight, but he could feel Therac's cold stare digging into his back.

"Shall I make him available to you?" Severus asked.

Beck looked mournfully at his boys, Angel in particular. All three of them were there�Blondie was at the bar, Chestnut was strolling into the club and Angel was doing what he did best�looking like an incredible vertical fuck. "No. Not tonight, Severus. I find that I'm not particularly in the mood at the moment. I've, uh, got some things to take care of. I may not be back for a few days."

Severus nodded, trying desperately not to grin at Beck's predicament with Therac. He waited for Beck to leave before returning his gaze to Harry. Merlin, he was beautiful. The Muggle was kissing his neck now. Severus was seized with irrational anger, but he couldn't turn his gaze away. He could make a lifetime study of that neck. It was delicate and slender and begged for a not-so-gentle nip. Severus fought hard to keep himself under control. He tried desperately to look away, but couldn't. That neck. Fuck. That goddamned fucking neck transfixed him. It had only been two fucking days, and already he could feel the bloodlust rising in him. He struggled to keep it at bay, but when Harry fell back into the body behind him and craned his neck to kiss his partner, Severus couldn't hold back any longer. He literally moaned, which earned him a concerned glance from Draco, who'd heard it, and one from Harry, who'd felt it. Severus knew he had to get away. He immediately withdrew and headed down the back stairs, only to be joined by Therac.

"Ready for dinner, I see," Therac said with his fangs extended. His eyes were gleaming with delight.

Severus merely nodded, baring his own.

"I haven't felt a bloodlust like that in a long time. When was the last time you fed?"

"Yesterday, but I find I am in need of something a bit stronger," Severus said, his eyes and skin glowing with lust.

Therac laughed. "I have just the thing, old friend. Come with me. Can't have my oldest clansman becoming anemic, now can I?"

Therac laughed again and Severus followed hoping that whatever, or whoever, Therac had would obliterate all thoughts of Harry.

Severus stared, bleary-eyed, into the bottom of the glass. The sickly-sweet remnants of firewhiskey clung to its rim. He'd given up counting how many glasses he'd had. However much he'd had hadn't been enough, though. The beautiful and willing squib with which Therac had presented him with hadn't been enough, either. Even as he'd sunk his fangs into that supple flesh, he'd heard Harry's keening cries. He'd desperately wanted that neck to be Harry's. He'd wanted that blood to be Harry's. The fact that he still wanted those things was the reason for this little bender. Severus shuddered as flashes of Harry from last night and tonight flooded his mind. In a fit of frustration, he threw the glass towards the wall, missing it entirely, and winced at the solid thump it made as it landed on the worn carpet.

He stood and began staggering towards the bed, hopeful that the green-eyed devil wouldn't invade his dreams as well. It was futile, he knew, but sometimes Severus liked to pretend he was an optimist.

The crack of Apparition startled him. He turned and faced Draco's critical eye. Severus sighed and staggered back to lie down on the couch, tacitly inviting Draco to sit as well. He thought he should say something pithy, but couldn't bring himself to make the effort.

"You look like shit," Draco said.

"It must be after midnight. You've turned back into a mannerless guttersnipe," Severus drawled. Apparently he could make the effort.

Draco settled himself in the chair and began deconstructing Severus with his stare.

Severus pretended not to notice, but Draco became bothersome after a while. "What," he snapped.

Draco hesitated. "What happened tonight?"

Severus paused. "What do you mean?"

"Fuck you, Severus, you know exactly what I mean. You, the white knuckles, staring at Potter, moaning like some sort of homicidal freak. What the fuck was that?" Draco asked in exasperation.

"I needed to feed, Draco. I wasn't staring at Potter, I was staring at the lurid display of sweaty flesh. I'm not made of stone you know."

"Could have fooled the rest of the world," Draco muttered under his breath.

Severus sighed. "Why are you here, Draco?"

"I was worried about you, you prat." Draco's nose wrinkled in disgust as he picked up the empty bottle of firewhiskey and spied the overturned glass on the floor. "And I can see, or rather smell, that my concern was well placed. Jesus, Sev, why not just drown yourself in this shit instead of drinking it? The death is just as swift and far more pleasant."

"Go away, Draco," Severus said tiredly as he shifted slightly and stared at the ceiling.

"No. Not until you tell me what the fuck is going on."

Severus said nothing.

"Fine," Draco began tightly, "Let me tell you about my night then, shall I? I had a lovely time with Brian Metts�you know the other potential victim? The one you told me to get close too? Turns out he's American. Quite funny and definitely interested. Of course, why wouldn't he be? I am a Malfoy, after all." Draco cut his eyes to Severus, who was just staring at the ceiling. "But the highlight of the night was watching Potter practically fuck that Muggle on the dance floor." Draco snorted. "And he wonders why he winds up in abandoned buildings and whorehouses. He has all the couth of a common whore."

Severus sat up abruptly and stood, his fists balled at his sides. "Be quiet, you piece of high-priced trash. You wouldn't know couth if it bit you on the arse!"

Draco smiled. "So, I was right. It's all about Potter. You know, you only get this worked up when he's somehow involved. Oh, and you're right. He has far more couth than a common whore."

Just as abruptly, Severus sat down and hunched over, his head resting in his hands. "You know nothing about him."

"I rather think I know a lot more than you would believe," Draco said softly.

Severus looked up and stared at Draco.

Draco found he had to look away after a moment.

"You love him," Severus said softly.

Draco's head whipped back around. He chose his words carefully. "Not in the way that you are implying, no."

Severus continued to stare.

Draco found himself fumbling for words. "I mean, I fancied that I did once. But�"

"But what, Draco," Severus growled.

"But, I knew he loved you," he whispered.

"He doesn't love me," Severus said dismissively.

Draco chuckled. "The two of you are going to drive me to drink. What happened tonight, though? Why tonight? I mean, he's been here, what, two days? And, already both of you are acting strange," Draco whispered.

Severus looked up at him with a ferocity in his eyes that Draco didn't like. He tensed, waiting for the verbal blows. They didn't come however. He watched as Severus re-situated himself on the couch.

"Do you know, Draco, what it feels like to want something so badly that you are afraid you'll destroy it should you finally get it?"

Draco said nothing, hoping his silence would prompt Severus to go further.

"His scent, his skin, everything about him calls to me. I want nothing more than to take him in my arms, kiss him gently, and then sink my fangs into his beautiful neck and drink him."

"Okay," Draco said slowly. "You know, Severus, there are people who get off on that. Have you considered asking Harry�"

"Stop. Don't. I will not take that from him. He would have no control over it. He would be mine to do with as I pleased in those few minutes. I cannot ever do that to him. Besides, beyond that things would never work. Neither of us is built for a normal relationship like that."

"Normal is highly overrated."

Severus didn't respond.

"How long," Draco finally asked.

"How long what, Draco? Really, I tire of your riddles."

"How long have you loved him?"

Severus was silent for a long moment. "The war. Since the war," he said softly.

Draco nodded. "You know he's only acting when he dances with those other people, right? He doesn't truly desire them."

"He desires you, does he not? Are you implying that he acts with you as well?"

"Yes. And no. Frankly, I don't know if Harry even knows. He's�he's never really there, I think. You have nothing to fear from me, Severus," Draco said flatly. �Unless you bollocks this up and hurt him,' he mentally added. "Harry and I . . . .we just give each other what we need. No strings attached. No questions. No baggage. Well, not much baggage, anyway," Draco whispered.

Severus still said nothing.

"So this is it, then? You won't go after Harry because you're worried about the bloodlust thing and Harry won't go after you because, . . . well, I'm not sure about that part, actually."

Severus waved his hand dismissively. He knew why. He'd found Harry. He'd saved Harry. Of course he'd be grateful. Of course he'd confuse his feelings. There was no bloody way Harry Potter was in love with him. Not that it even mattered. Severus simply couldn't trust himself around Harry. "It doesn't matter, Draco. All that matters is that it can't happen. He may think he loves me, but he doesn't. He couldn't. Now, if you will excuse me, I believe I am about to become spectacularly ill followed quickly by a direct pass to unconsciousness. Please leave me and do not think of discussing this again."

Draco stood, heeding the warning this time, but remarking nevertheless on the idiocy of martyrs.

Finally having thrown up the entire contents of his stomach, Severus began to stagger towards his bed for the second time, when he was stopped by another crack of Apparition. He didn't even turn around this time, so sure of who it was.

"For fuck's sake, this is not a bloody therapy session, Draco. Get the fuck out!"

"Severus?" Harry said tentatively.

Severus stiffened. Fuck. He didn't need this, not tonight.

"What do you want Potter?" Severus asked as he was hit with an overwhelming sensation of d�j� vu.

"I, uh, just wanted to check on you. You seemed a bit out of sorts earlier."

"I assure you, Mr. Potter, I am fine. I distinctly recall not inviting you in this evening, I would appreciate it if you would take your leave." When Harry didn't leave, Severus barked, "Now would be a good time, Mr. Potter."

"No," Harry said.

Severus sighed. "For fuck's sake, why must they always say no," he muttered under this breath as he walked jerkily towards the couch. "Let me save you some time, Mr. Potter, as I am loathe to repeat myself anymore than necessary. Our esteemed colleague, Mr. Malfoy, has already visited me and voiced his concerns. As you can see, he is not here. This should tell you that I have satisfied his morbid curiosity and that I am indeed quite safe and in no danger of flinging myself from the rooftop in a crazed fit of bloodlust or drunkenness. So, Mr. Potter, for the third time, please leave. The door would be fine. It's that rectangular thing cut out from the wall just there in case you been fucked so thoroughly that you've been struck dumb."

"It's not like that," Harry said quietly. "They . . . I, sometimes I just want to feel something, I guess. I don't want them that way. And, what happens at the club is just for the assignment."

"And Draco?" Severus asked.

"Don't drag Draco into this. What I do with him has nothing to do with this."

"If you say so," Severus said waspishly.

"Why must you always be so difficult," Harry asked while he chewed the inside of his cheek.

Severus quirked his brow. "Do you even need to ask?"

Harry ignored him. "What happened tonight?"

Severus fell to the couch and muttered to himself, "They are in cahoots. It's a sinister plot to make me think I've gone mad."

"What?" Harry asked.

"I said you're driving me mad with these ridiculous questions! You of all people should know what happened tonight. I am a vampire, Mr. Potter. At times I need to feed in order to maintain my tenuous grasp on my small part of this pathetic mortal coil. My body has come up with an ingenious way to let me know when I need to feed. It's called bloodlust," Severus said sarcastically.

"Stop talking to me like I'm an idiotic child," Harry spat.

"Stop asking questions that only idiotic children ask!"

"Does this have anything to do with last night?" Harry blurted.

Severus tensed and stood. He took a few steps towards Harry. "Oh, yes, Potter. Because, Merlin forbid, the world�the entire fucking world�not revolve around you!"

"Shut up, you overgrown bat!" Harry screamed as he took a step closer to Severus.

"Resorting to childish name calling, I see. Didn't you call me that when you were eleven, Potter?" Severus retorted, taking another step closer to Harry.

"Fuck you, Severus. What the fuck is going on!?" Harry roared as he strode forward and clasped Severus's shoulders. Both men were red-faced and panting.

"You insolent . . . little . . . brat. How dare you manhandle me!" Severus said as he pulled Harry closer to him, rather than push him away. "You always leap headlong into danger, Harry, what will it take for you to learn? What will it take?" he whispered harshly as he leaned down close to Harry's face.

"Show me, you stupid sod. Teach me," Harry panted as he captured Severus's bottom lip in his teeth and bit.

Severus yowled and yanked his lip away only to ferociously attack Harry's mouth.

Within seconds, they were pushing and pulling against each other and wobbled back and forth before finally bumping into the wall. Feeling lightheaded, Harry wrenched his mouth away and sucked in a few deep breaths before attacking Severus's neck and shoulder with violent kisses. Severus pushed Harry against the wall further and found his nose and mouth resting in the cradle of Harry's neck. His stomach fluttered and a familiar feeling pooled within him. His tongue slipped from his mouth involuntarily and laved the side of Harry's neck. Harry moaned and turned to give Severus more access. Severus began panting harshly. He could feel Harry's heartbeat. He could hear the blood rushing through his veins. His fangs itched to unsheathe. He was about to descend when Harry, oblivious to what was about to happen, turned his head and attacked Severus's mouth again. Severus felt his fangs retract and was silently grateful as he kissed Harry senseless, the bloodlust finally retreating.

Harry pulled back, trying to catch his breath. "Are we okay?" he asked uncertainly.

Severus gently touched the side of Harry's face and let his fingers slip down his jaw. He deliberately avoided the question. He couldn't bring himself to say that nothing could ever happen between them. That goddamned optimism was rearing its ugly head again. "Go home Harry. I'm fine. You're fine. We're both fine. It's just the assignment. It's getting to all of us," he murmured.

Harry looked at him before leaning in to kiss him again.

Severus stopped him. "We need to get back into the assignment. Beck has been asking about you. You need to be ready. Will you be ready?"

Harry nodded and slipped from Severus's grasp. "I was just worried, you know. After last night."

Severus nodded tiredly. "Good night, Potter," he said broaching no room for argument.

"See you," Harry said quietly before Apparating away.

Severus stood there for a long moment simply staring at the place where Harry had just been wondering if the whole night had been a rather pleasant nightmare.



Artificial Life - Chapter 6

Back to Chapter 4

Back to Results