Helpless Blood

___________________

The last sun's rays of the day beamed through the trees. It was the beginning of Spring and the forest was busy with animals preparing for the night, most of them looking for a shelter. A bird flew away from his branch to another tree, singing something that seemed unfriendly to the human who had disturbed it. The boy stopped. He turned his blue-gray eyes to the bird and chuckled. Brushing a blond curl away from his brow he resumed his walk between the trees.

The sunset was beautiful, but the boy didn't even notice it, too busily searching for a shelter to enjoy what was around him. He was thinking that he would never find a safe place to rest when he saw a path running between the trees. Following it he reached a clearing and saw a big house surrounded by walls. The gate wasn't locked so he decided to try his luck there and followed the path to the house's big wooden door. He was a little impressed by this place. It was peaceful. Maybe too calm to be occupied.

The boy hesitated a moment then finally made up his mind. The night would fall soon and he didn't want to be alone in the forest that late, aware of the fact that thieves had been reported in the region lately. He knocked at the door. He waited but heard nothing. Just when he was about to leave, the door opened.

A young man stood in the doorway. He was in his early twenties from what the boy could judge. He had light brown hair that fell to his shoulders, and green eyes. Captivating green eyes. The boy couldn't take his eyes away from them. Suddenly he realized after what seemed hours to him that he had been staring at the man for too long according to good manners. He blinked and was ready to apologize when he saw that the man was smiling at him. Clearing his throat, he finally broke the silence.

"Good evening, sir. I didn't mean to disturb you, but I'm looking for a safe place to spend the night. Maybe you have a stable where I could sleep. Would you be kind enough to let me use it, please?"

"Of course, I have a stable. But don't stay outside. Come in, you're welcome."

The boy followed him inside, looking around. He didn't expect to find such luxury in the forest! They stopped in what seemed to be the dining room, looking at the size of the table he saw there. The man turned and smiled at him again.

"Let me offer you something to eat. Emma! Dinner for two. We have a guest tonight."

"Yes, my lord."

A woman stood in a doorway leading to a corridor. The boy guessed that she might be about 50 years old. She was the only servant in the room and he hadn't seen any other this far. He was surprised that the master of the house came himself to open the door. He was looking at the woman exiting the room when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Emma is very precious to me. This house would be nothing without her."

The boy turned to look at the man and saw sadness in the green eyes, soon replaced by a smile matching the one he could see again on the man's lips.

"I'm not a good host, I shouldn't let you stand here. Come, sit down. Make yourself comfortable."

They both sat opposite to each other and the boy relaxed.

"So, young man. What's your name? Tell me a bit about yourself."

"Oh, yes, I'm sorry. I didn't even introduce myself. My name is Matthew. I'm 17 years old and I come from the neighboring village. I work with my parents in the fields."

He looked down, sad and silent. The man broke the silence.

"I'm lord Aymeric, the ruler of this house. If there is something to rule here. I live here alone with Emma. And I'm 23 years old... I guess..."

He was the one who seemed embarrassed, now. But once again he broke the awkward silence.

"May I ask you what a young man like you was doing alone, without even a horse, in the middle of the forest at that hour? I'm sure you're unarmed, too."

"I wish I had a horse, sir. I'm not rich. And I was running away from home, I couldn't also steal a horse. And you're right, I don't carry any weapon. That's why I was afraid of spending the night in the forest. There are thieves there, you know."

"Yes, I know. I've seen some of them. But they never came back, and they never will."

"So I guess I'll be safe here."

Emma came back a while later and the man led Matthew to the large table he had admired before. They ate then talked for a while. As it was getting late, the man offered the boy to get some rest.

"I'll show you your room."

"A room? But..."

"Do you think I'll let someone sleep in the stable? If Emma wouldn't be mad at me, I'd let the horses sleep in the house, too!"

The boy laughed. He had felt uneasy with this man, first, but now he was getting confident.

"Thank you, my lord. I'm honored to be allowed to stay in this house."

The man led him upstairs and soon they were facing a door.

"Here is your room. I hope you'll find the bed comfortable. I'm sorry but I have no nightclothes to offer you. I don't wear any. You'll have to sleep naked, but don't worry, there's a fireplace in your room and Emma has lighted a fire, so you won't be cold. Sleep well."

Matthew thanked him. He entered the room and marveled at the warmth there. He quickly undressed and got into bed. There was even a lighted candle and a glass of water on his bedside table. He smiled and blew out the candle. He drifted quickly into sleep.

A noise woke him. He thought he had been asleep for a long time but it was still dark outside. He raised a little and saw that the embers where still glowing in the fireplace. He turned his head towards the origin of the noise and realized it was the sound of the door opening. And Aymeric was standing in the doorway, dressed in a rich dressing gown, a candle in his hand. The boy sat in his bed, wondering what was happening.

"What are you doing here? Is there something wrong?"

The man closed the door behind him and locked it silently, putting the key in his pocket.

"No, there is nothing wrong."

He came close to the bed and lighted the other candle before putting his own on the opposite bedside table.

"I'll see you better this way."

He took his clothes off and dropped them on the chair next to the bed. Matthew was wondering if he was still sleeping and thought that it was the weirdest dream he ever had. He was also getting uneasy and hoped he would wake soon. But when Aymeric got into bed with him and pressed his body against him he knew that he was not dreaming and that something was wrong into all this. He tried to escape but the man was holding him. He couldn't push him away either.

"What are you doing? Get away from me!"

"I thought I could give you some company. And warmth."

"Don't touch me! I think I should go."

But the man still held him tightly. He was looking intently at the boy, but what Matthew saw in those eyes now was lust and hunger. That made him shudder.

"You don't like men, young one?"

"No!"

"I'm sorry to here that. Because you'll have to like me."

Still holding him firmly, he ran a hand along the boy's back and stopped on his buttocks. Matthew was desperately trying to scratch or bite his assailant but every time the man could block his attacks.

"Don't fight, you're no match. And don't expect to get help from anyone. Only Emma can hear you, and as I know her, it's making her sad. You wouldn't want to make her sad, would you?"

He didn't let the boy any chance to answer and kissed him roughly. Matthew struggled again when he felt the man's tongue forcing its way inside his mouth. He considered biting him but the man was holding his jaw open to prevent him from doing so. Resigned, he let the man's tongue play in his mouth. He only tried to push him away, already knowing that the man will be stronger than himself. Suddenly his mouth was free. Aymeric was watching him with a strange smile. Matthew shivered when he felt a hand sliding along his thigh then up to his chest. All the while Aymeric was looking at him with a predatory smile. Then the man lowered his head and began licking the boy's body, tracing a wet path from his neck to his chest. He stopped to suck at a nipple, ignoring the boy's protests. He staid playing there for a while then continued his exploration down the boy's warm body. Pulling the sheet away he looked at Matthew's lack of physical response with disapproval.

"You don't seem to like it. Why don't you try to get some pleasure in this?"

Matthew didn't answer, he didn't need to. His eyes were showing his hate. Aymeric sighed and grabbed the boy's knees.

"All right, young man. I can't force you to enjoy it."

Pulling quickly on the boy's legs, he dragged the helpless body closer to his own. When Matthew realized that he couldn't get his ankles away from the man's shoulders he let out an enraged cry. He was ashamed by the way his body was exposed. He tried to cover himself but a powerful hand closed on his throat.

"Don't even think of intervening..."

Aymeric's voice had become a menacing growl. Matthew dropped his hands on the bed. Something told him he'd better not try anything against this man. He knew what was to come, and he feared the pain and the humiliation he was going to endure. Without any warning the man thrust inside him. Matthew couldn't hold his scream as he felt the unbearable burning caused by this sudden attack. Tears fell from his eyes as Aymeric whispered in his ear:

"You wanted it the hard way. I'm not as bad as you may think. If you try to cooperate I'll make it less unpleasant to you. Do you agree?"

The boy nodded, any idea of pride gone from him. All he wanted was this to stop. Maybe if he could stay calm the man will take the pleasure he wanted from him and then release him quickly. He felt fingers caressing his cheek, wiping the tears away. The man had stopped moving inside him and the pain was slowly beginning to fade. Aymeric gently took Matthew's ankles from his shoulder and placed the boy's legs around his waist before leaning and softly kissing his lips. Matthew felt disoriented by this sudden change of mood. Maybe the man was right, maybe he wasn't that bad. But when Aymeric started moving his hips again, the boy's sudden sympathy died. He fought to remain calm but he felt shame and anger rising in his mind. He had to wait and undergo. But the man's plans weren't the same. Matthew started to worry when he pulled out from him suddenly. What was he going to do, now? The answer to his question came when Aymeric sat on the bed, his back on the pillows, and dragged the boy in his lap.

"You promised to cooperate, remember? Now, do it..."

"Do what?! I've been cooperating, I didn't fight, I stopped screaming, what do you want from me, now?"

"You understand damn well what I want from you, so do it or I'll make you scream again!"

Matthew shuddered at the thought of the previous pain. He knew the man could hurt him again. Certainly more than he did before. He was trapped in this room with a man much stronger than himself and who was determined to make him suffer. He hadn't much choice. The man placed his hands on the boy's waist as though he wanted to encourage him. Matthew complied and slowly rose, his back brushing against the man's chest, his hands pushing on Aymeric's arms for leverage. He felt a hand leaving his waist to caress his thigh then his buttock. He couldn't help shuddering. Aymeric kissed his back. He pushed down on his waist with one hand while the other was massaging his ass. Matthew felt tears fall along his cheeks again. He didn't know if it was from shame or despair. He couldn't move, and he feared the man's anger. But a warm voice tried to calm him.

"It won't hurt you more this way, you know. Let me help you, just lower your body."

Matthew knew that this kind tone was hiding the menacing voice he had heard before. This time he had to obey so he did what he had been told. Feeling the man inside him again made him loose his control and he started to sob. The hand that squeezed his ass made him understand he had better get his control back. Obediently, he resumed lowering himself. But he hadn't expected the sudden thrust of the man who seemed to be getting impatient. Aymeric's hands were urging him to keep moving as he was himself moving to meet him. The man was breathing faster as the speed of his thrusting increased, and his moans gave Matthew a small hope: it was almost over. Aymeric's hands had left the boy's waist to caress his chest. Each time he felt fingers playing with his nipples he couldn't help shuddering with disgust. When the man slid a hand down his belly and finally reached his cock he thought he was going to die from shame. But even with his expert fingers, Aymeric couldn't make the boy get hard. He didn't care, he had only wanted to give him some pleasure too, but if the boy didn't want, he wasn't going to force him. His lips found the boy's neck and he started kissing and licking it. Just as Matthew was trying to break free from this awkward embrace, he felt the man tensing and knew he was coming.

Matthew was sure he would be released, now. But at the instant Aymeric climaxed, the boy felt something piercing his skin under the man's mouth, then a strange and wonderful feeling. He was suddenly feeling really good and nothing else seemed to matter. He could almost forget what had just happened. But he realized that the man wasn't only sucking at his neck. Aymeric was drinking his blood. Matthew's eyes opened wide when he realized what the man really was. He tried to scream but he was already weakened by the loss of blood and his head was starting to spin. Tears fell from his eyes. A single thought turned in his mind: he was dying. If only he hadn't trusted this man... If only he hadn't run away from his home...

The boy had stopped struggling. He had lost too much blood and was now unconscious. Aymeric's hunger was satisfied. Although he didn't feel any repugnance for what he had just done, what he had to do next was disgusting him. He whispered in the too silent room:

"Oh please, will it end one day?"

He then held the boy's head and broke his neck.

"That's the worst part for me, you know. The moment when I take a life. But I must do it..."

Silence answered him. The vampire rocked the body in his arms as if Matthew was still alive, caressing the soft skin of his cheeks, running his fingers in the blond curls. A single tear ran along the man's cheek.

"I'm so sorry. I couldn't keep you with me, you would have been too much trouble."

Cautiously he laid the inert body on the bed by his side. He wrapped an arm around the boy's waist and held him close to him as though he could still protect him this way. He sighed and slowly got to sleep.

The next day was coming to its end when a young boy knocked at the vampire's door. After a moment the door opened on a startled Aymeric. He looked at the boy in wonder. Was Matthew's ghost coming to haunt him? He had the same face, hair and smile as the boy he had welcomed to his house the previous evening. He could have been his twin brother but the boy standing in front of him was younger. Quickly regaining his composure he smiled at the young boy.

"Good evening, sir. My name is Justin. I'm really sorry to bother you but I'm looking for my brother. He has blond curly hair and blue-gray eyes like me. He's about your size. He's 17 years old and his name is Matthew. Have you seen him, please?"

"You seem to be very young. Shouldn't your father be looking for him in your place?"

"I didn't tell him I went looking for Matthew. You see, my brother ran away from home really early yesterday morning, and he didn't come back, so I thought something was wrong. Our father was upset, he never stays away so long. So I left home this morning to look for him. I search in every place he could have been to, and this house is the only one in the area, so... maybe he came here for shelter last night..."

The man looked at the young boy thoughtfully. So he was the boy's young brother. That explained the resemblance. He sight and answered Justin's question.

" I found your brother. He's dead. I buried him in my family's cemetery, in the garden near the house."

The boy's expression turned from a hopeful smile to heartbreaking sadness. He bit his lips but tears fell from his eyes. The man put a soothing hand on his shoulder.

"Do you want to see the grave?"

The boy nodded and followed the man closely. When he was in the hall he stopped and looked around him gaping. The place was wide and seemed even bigger for such a small child. The man turned and smiled at him.

"Would you like to visit the house first?"

"Oh... No, thank you, sir. I was just surprised. It's so... so big!"

The man laughed and led the boy through the house to a large door. When the door opened, Justin could see that what the man had called a garden was a vast field surrounded by a wood thickening away to reach the forest. They crossed the field and went to the wood. To the boy's surprise, there was a clearing a few feet away. They stopped there. Some gravestones and crosses that seemed to be very old where scattered there. There was a small mausoleum, too, but it was a recent construction. Justin noticed a grave with a simple wooden cross and no gravestone.

The boy froze. He felt a lump in his throat and this time he didn't try to hold back his tears. The man was silent beside him. He let the boy cry a few minutes then crouched at his level.

"We should go, now. It will be raining soon and with the thunder we shouldn't stay out, it's dangerous. I promise you I'll arrange the grave later. Come, now."

He stood and offered his hand. The boy took it and followed him back to the house. As they reached the door, the first raindrops were falling around them. They hurried in and headed to the main room where Emma was waiting for them with some hot drinks. It was getting dark outside and the candles had been lit, providing a warm atmosphere to the room. They both sat and drank in silence, the only noise being the claps of thunder.

Aymeric studied the boy for a while, amazed by the resemblance between Justin and his brother despite his young age. He leaned and took the boy's hand in his own.

"Would you be my guest tonight? It's getting late, you must be hungry. Please stay for dinner. Besides I can't let such a young boy wander outside at night. Rainy night, if I hear well."

Actually, the rain was lashing against the panes and the low thunder could be heard in the distance. Justin hesitated. He wasn't supposed to be so confident with people he didn't know and his parents were certainly worrying. But he was afraid of having to go back home in the night and under the heavy rain.

"Thank you sir, I think I'll accept your invitation. I'm not really scared, but... you know... it's dangerous outside at night..."

"Of course, I understand. You've been brave enough for today. Get some rest. Emma, will you bring something to eat to this certainly starving little boy?"

A while later Emma brought them dinner. Justin looked hungrily at the food. Aymeric smiled, looking at the boy with care and admiration.

"I assure you you can eat everything you want. Just ask Emma if you want some more."

The boy started tasting every dish he was offered, under the admiring gaze of his host. When dinner was over they went to seat on more comfortable chairs. Aymeric sat in his favorite armchair and offered the sofa to the boy. They spoke for a while, mainly of Matthew and the boy's life.

"You didn't tell me your age, little one. Are you much younger than your brother? You seem to have been so close to him..."

"He was much older than me. I'm ten."

"Much older? I don't think seven years is that much. I'm sure you'll think so when you'll get older."

Aymeric studied the boy a few seconds then asked:

"Would you like to stay here? You could live here with us..."

"My Lord, you can't..."

The cold glance she received from the man silenced Emma before she could finish her protest. Justin looked at them wondering what he had to do, but he thought he couldn't stay. He had to go back and explain his parents what happened to his brother.

"I'm honored by your offer, sir, but I can't accept it. I must go home."

"Yes, of course you're free to leave. But no one will believe you."

"What?"

"Your parents won't believe what you'll tell them about your brother. They will think you killed him. After all, your left your house without telling anyone. You ran away, as if you wanted to hide something."

"But... But it's not true! You know it! You could tell them!"

"I can't prove them you didn't kill him..."

Justin couldn't believe what he was hearing. He looked at the man with fear and despair. Aymeric smiled at him.

"Of course we both know you didn't kill him. What I wanted to tell you is that I won't be able to help you with this. But if you stay here, no one will find you. Even if someone comes looking for you here, nobody will find you. I promise you."

The boy looked at him thoughtfully. He couldn't decide what to do. Aymeric stood and went sitting next to him on the sofa, putting a comforting arm around his shoulders.

"Can you read, young one? I can teach you. And I could teach you many other things, too. I can offer you a knowledge you would never get in your village. We don't have many visitors, here. Just people passing by, and it's infrequent. You won't be disturbed in your studies. What do you think of this?"

Justin still hesitated. What the man offered was really enticing. And the arm around his shoulders gave him a warm feeling of being cared for, of being loved. No one really cared for him at home except for his brother. But he had the feeling he shouldn't stay in this house.

"All right, Justin. I propose you stay for the night and you'll give your answer tomorrow. Your mind will be clearer after a good night of rest. Come with me, I'll show you your room."

They both rose and were heading to the stairs when Emma dared protesting again.

"You can't do this! He's only a child!"

Justin turned to Aymeric and look at him questioningly. The man gave him a reassuring smile and motioned him to stay where he was then turned and went to face Emma.

"I know he's just a child. But that's what he'll be only for a few years, meanwhile I'll teach him everything a child can learn. Then I'll teach him new things later. More interesting things, I think."

"You lied to him. Nobody would believe he killed his brother. You took advantage of his distress and his childish credulity. All you want to do is shaping him to your liking!"

Aymeric turned his back to her and went back to Justin, leading him to the stairs. He opened a door and motioned to the boy to enter. It was the room where Matthew had slept the previous night, the room where he died. The man looked at the boy sheepishly and apologized:

"I'm sorry but I've no nightclothes to offer you. You'll have to sleep naked, but Emma will light a fire, so you won't be cold."

It was the first days of Fall, and the air was still warm in that end of September. Time had passed and Justin's 15th birthday had arrived. As he did every year, Aymeric had offered him a memorable dinner of rare dishes. When the boy couldn't swallow anymore of his dessert they both headed to their favorite place in the living room, in front of the fireplace. The man sat in his armchair and Justin went to cuddle on his lap, as he used to do. He had quickly become close to the man after he settled in this house, and he had been happy to find here the affection he had always longed for but never dared to ask when he was with his family. Justin's head rested on Aymeric's shoulder and the man was caressing his soft hair.

"It's been a little more than four years since you arrived here. Are you happy?"

"Yes!"

The boy smiled at him and wrapped his arms around the man's neck.

"You look more and more like your brother..."

Justin suddenly pulled away and the vampire thought he was mad at him for remembering such a sad memory, but the boy was still smiling at him, his eyes shining with excitement.

"What's my present?"

"Me."

The boy looked at him questioningly. Obviously he didn't understand what the man was talking about. Aymeric chuckled softly and kissed the boy's cheek.

"Go to bed and wait for me."

"But I don't want to sleep yet. And I hope you're not planning to come and read me a story to help me sleep. Don't you think I'm a little old for this?"

The man smiled, seeing the boy pouting. He motioned for him to stand up.

"Just do as I told you, I'm sure you'll like your present."

He watched as the boy went out of the room then heard soft footsteps behind him. Emma was standing a few feet away from him and he knew she was upset.

"You can't do that, this boy is too young!"

"I know this, Emma. And I can assure you that I'm not going to do anything that could hurt him. Maybe you don't understand this but Justin needs a man's advice for some things."

"You're a pervert!"

He turned his back and shrugged then went upstairs. He entered Justin's bedroom and saw that the boy was already in bed. He sat on the bed by the boy's side, facing him. He leaned and placed a soft kiss on Justin's smiling lips. The boy was now confused. He had never been kissed there and thought that was something that only lovers do. Aymeric's lips were now on his neck, and although it felt delightful he regretted that the man didn't go further on his lips instead. He started at the man's next action. Aymeric had pulled the sheet away and Justin was lying naked under his eyes. This wasn't a totally awkward situation as the man had seen him that way several times before. But this time, there was something strange in the man's eyes. And he suddenly looked so serious... The same serious but kind expression the man had every time he was teaching the boy.

Justin's thought stopped there as long as his breathing when he felt Aymeric's fingers stroking his inner thigh and his groin. He blushed as he realized that his body was responding to the gentle touch. Suddenly remembering that he had to breath, he let out a sigh as the man started caressing the tip of his young manhood. Then the fingers wrapped around his shaft and any rational thought left him. Only the wonderful feeling of these skillful fingers on him were important. Still blushing a little he looked at the man's face and saw he was smiling at him. Justin knew then that everything was alright. He closed his eyes and with a soft moan abandoned himself to the warm feeling in his body. It didn't take long before he tensed and came in the man's hand. Aymeric wait for the boy to catch his breath, gently caressing his cheek.

"Have you ever done something like this before?"

Justin blushed crimson and nodded. Aymeric smiled and leaned to kiss a tender cheek, then whispered in the boy's ear:

"Do you want to learn something better?"

"I don't know..."

"Let me take care of you. If you want me to stop, just tell it and I'll stop."

The boy was slightly confused again. Aymeric had never been so intimate, and he was wondering why he was suddenly acting this way with him. The man's hands were on him again, this time taking the time to caress his body slowly, warm lips following the path of gentle fingers from his chest to his navel. Justin grabbed the sheets when a hot tongue plunged there. He had never thought this small place could be so sensitive. He felt he was getting hard again, but this time he didn't blush. After what Aymeric had done, he thought he didn't have any reason to be ashamed. But then the man set his head between Justin's soft thighs and started to lick and lightly nip them teasingly and the boy felt his cheeks burning again. He moaned softly but when he felt the warm tongue on his balls his moan was swallowed by a loud gasp. And then Justin had the good idea of taking a look at the man to see what he was about to do next, just to see his shaft disappearing between Aymeric's lips. His eyes opened wide as he realized from what he felt that he hadn't dream. The man looked at him and when their eyes met Justin thought he was going mad from the lust he saw in them, though he didn't realize it was lust as he didn't know exactly what lust was. He dropped his head on the pillow and just let himself drown in the wonderful feeling. Aymeric chuckled as Justin pressed his hands on the man's head and started pumping his hips to follow the rhythm. The feeling from the vibration of that chuckle drew another loud moan from the boy. Justin remembered that Aymeric had told him he just had to ask if he wanted him to stop. He smiled at that stupid idea. Why would he want him to stop? But too soon, in his idea, it was over and he was wondering if he had to warn the man. He tried to push the busy head from between his legs but Aymeric didn't seem to be wanting to get away. He squeezed his lips a little around his prey and Justin came with a cry. He tried to catch his breath but felt he was drifting and fell asleep.

When he woke a while later he was resting in Aymeric's arms. The man was stroking his back as he used to do to help him sleep when he was younger. He looked up and saw that smile that always made him feel secured. He tried to say something but the man silenced him with a light kiss on his lips. Justin hugged the man, trying to get closer than he already was. Aymeric held the boy's head up, forcing him to meet his eyes.

"Will you be mine, young one?"

"I'm yours."

Justin didn't even thought before answering. He didn't really know what that meant but something told him that he had answered the truth. There were still something that confused him in his feelings. Aymeric fumbled in his pocket and took out a small wooden box that he gave to Justin.

"This is your material birthday present."

Justin opened the box and gaped at the precious signet-ring that was inside. Aymeric took the ring and placed it around Justin's finger. The boy looked at it and smiled. He turned to the man and hugged him again then whispered in his ear:

"I'm yours..."

They cuddled for a while then Justin drew away and looked at Aymeric seriously.

"Will you teach me how to kiss?"

The vampire looked at his serious face and laughed.

"Of course I will. But we'll start tomorrow. Now you need to sleep."

The boy didn't object. Holding the man's hand he settled back in his bed and quickly fell asleep. Aymeric looked at him with a tender smile and untangled his fingers from the boy's, then headed to his own room.

It was now Justin's 16th birthday. In one year he had grown a lot, but not as much as his feelings for Aymeric did.

Aymeric was sitting in his favorite armchair near the fireplace. Justin was cuddling on his lap, feeling secured by the strong arms wrapped around his body. He ran a hand up on the man's chest to his shoulder where he played with a brown lock for a while. When he got tired of waiting for Aymeric to speak he just whispered in the man's ear.

"You didn't tell me what my present is..."

The vampire kissed his neck.

"Well, my sweet Justin, I think you don't know much yet about the pleasures of the flesh. I'm going to teach you something more."

Justin blushed and looked at him questioningly.

"Do you mean you're offering me a girl?"

Aymeric laughed and kissed the boy's cheek.

"We won't need one for what I'm going to teach you. You've heard of what a man and a woman in love do together. You must know that men can physically love each other in a similar way."

Justin's eyes went wide. He looked at the vampire thoughtfully for a moment.

"You never taught me this. And I've never seen it in any book either."

Aymeric chuckled.

"It's just because I never let you have access to all of my books. You can't imagine how much more things you have to learn about life."

Taking Justin's hand, he motioned for him to stand up.

"Come with me, Justin. We'll be more comfortable in your room."

The boy obediently moved from the man's lap and they both headed to the stairs. A faint cry of protest coming from a corner of the room broke the sudden silence, then Emma stood in front of the vampire, trying to block his way. She looked at him angrily and protested:

"You're going too far, this time, my Lord. Can't you see that Justin is still a child?"

Aymeric stepped aside and smiled at her.

"That will be all for today, Emma. You may go."

Without waiting for another protest he led Justin upstairs where they entered the boy's room. Justin stood in the middle of his room, facing Aymeric. He was still a bit shorter than the man and had to look up to try finding in his eyes a hint for what was coming next. Aymeric just smiled at him but still had a serious expression.

He undressed the boy slowly, taking the time to caress the young body as he did. Justin wasn't surprised, as the man had done this so many times in the past year. Feeling these hands on him has always been a delight. What surprised him was that Aymeric himself started undressing after finishing with the boy's clothes. Justin started blushing, something he hadn't done for a long time. He had only seen Aymeric naked for a few times when they bathed in the nearby lake in Summer. But the man had never been showing himself naked on purpose. And Justin had never been allowed to reciprocate the sweet treatment Aymeric had been giving often to his body since his last birthday.

Aymeric gently pushed Justin on the bed, laying him on his back. He followed him, lying next to him, careful not to touch him with his own body, but trailed a finger along the boy's side.

"I can't force you to do this. I just want to give you pleasure... and get some. If you want me to stop at any time, just tell it, and I'll stop."

Justin started to feel uneasy but remembered that Aymeric had told him almost the same thing just one year before. And he hadn't wanted him to stop then. This time again that will certainly be something pleasant. And Aymeric's lips on his neck in that instant were something really pleasant. The boy decided to simply enjoy whatever Aymeric would do to him. He trusted him enough. But still the fact that he had the man's naked body so close to him made him feel uneasy.

"Why are you naked? You never undressed before me like this."

"You'll see, be patient."

"Can I touch you?"

"Of course. You can do anything you want to me."

Justin's hand was hesitant but he finally placed it on the man's hip. But he didn't dare moving further. Aymeric smiled and moved his hips slightly so that the boy's hand slid on his ass. Justin gasped with surprise and Aymeric chuckled.

"Don't be so shy! I told you you can touch me, why do you hesitate?"

"I don't know..."

The boy looked in the vampire's eyes and tentatively slid his fingers on the smooth skin. Seeing that the man seemed to like it he decided to go on caressing him, drawing patterns with his fingers from the man's waist to his thigh. But as Aymeric's lips were moving lower on him the boy lost his grip on the man's ass. He started stroking his back and shoulders instead. Aymeric stopped and went up to kiss him again. As always when he was the subject of this sweet treatment, Justin's body had already started responding to the kisses and caresses. But as he tried to get closer to the man while they kissed he gasped at what he felt as their bodies touched.

"Is something bothering you, Justin?"

"You... You're..."

"Aroused. Yes. Is it bothering you?"

From the man's look he was truly concerned. Justin smiled and blushed again.

"No. I've never felt or seen you like this before, that's all."

"Good. Can we continue, then?"

Justin didn't reply and pressed himself closer against Aymeric instead. He gasped as their erections touched but quickly understood that he could get more pleasure to the contact. Tentatively he started moving his hips, sliding his sensitive flesh against the vampire's. Aymeric gasped and let him move like this for a short time before making him stop.

"Don't be in a hurry. We have all the time."

"But I need–"

"I understand. Let me help you, then."

He moved his mouth to the boy's crotch and quickly took him in his mouth. Justin gasped. Aymeric seemed to be the one in a hurry, now. He was sucking the boy faster than he usually did, as if he wanted to give him release quickly. But Justin stopped wondering why Aymeric was acting so unusual and let himself be wrapped with pleasure. When the man finally freed him Justin felt a bit sleepy. Aymeric frowned and playfully nipped his neck.

"You're not sleeping yet, I still have to give you your present."

Justin opened his eyes and smiled, a warm and innocent smile. Just like Matthew, the vampire noticed. He won't hurt him, not like he did with his brother. He was ready to accept rejection from the boy, ready to stop this and leave if he was asked. He lied by Justin's side and started stroking his body as he whispered in the boy's ear.

"I hope you're not afraid of a little pain. Don't worry, I'll do my best."

Justin frowned and looked hesitant but Aymeric smiled at him.

"Do you trust me?"

"I think I do."

"Good. You may be a bit... surprised by what I'm going to do, but just let me do it and you won't regret it. Unless you really want me to stop."

He kissed the boy before he could answer then took something from a pocket of his discarded clothes. It was a small bottle and Justin tried to see what it was. He sniffed as the man opened it.

"What's this? It smells good."

"Scented oil."

"Oil? What for?"

"This."

Aymeric pushed one of the boy's thighs, making it rest on his shoulder. He then poured some oil on a finger and gently slid it in Justin's ass. The boy gasped and blushed.

"What are you doing? It's... it's..."

"Shhh... You think it's disgusting, don't you? Relax and try not to think about it. And it's not disgusting, you've always been a clean boy."

Justin frowned but obeyed. Aymeric's finger was slowly moving inside him and the sensation wasn't that bad. Actually, it felt rather good. The boy yelped as sudden pleasure assaulted him. Aymeric was smiling.

"It feels good? Do you want me to do it again?"

Before he could reply he felt the pleasure again. Aymeric poured more oil on a second finger and went on preparing the boy slowly. When he thought he couldn't do more to alleviate the pain he removed his fingers and coated his erection with more oil. Justin's eyes were still following his every move and the boy was starting to get worried.

"What... what do you plan to do with... this?"

"Did you like what I was just doing to you?"

"Yes, but–"

"So don't worry, you should like it too."

He moved to cover the Justin's body, dragging the boy's legs around his waist. Justin gasped and held the man's shoulders as he started pressing against him. Aymeric kissed him, forcing him to relax, then pushed slightly to enter him. Justin's nails were digging in his shoulders but he didn't care. All he wanted to do was concentrate on his task, trying not to hurt the boy.

"Justin, if you don't relax it's going to hurt. If you trust me, you'll get more pleasure than you think."

Justin sighed and Aymeric waited to continue until he could feel the boy relaxing, then he slowly pushed further. This time the boy managed to calm enough to let him go all the way in. Aymeric waited until he felt the body under him shifting slightly.

"Not so unpleasant?"

"Please... move... do something..."

He withdrew slowly then pushed back in and the boy moaned loudly. He started with a slow rhythm, until the boy was moving under him, shifting his hips to meet his thrusts. Then the pace quickened and they were both panting. Aymeric slipped a hand between them and started stroking the boy's neglected erection. Justin muffled a cry against the man's shoulder and held him tighter. He felt pleasure as he had never felt before. Somehow his whole body seemed to be on fire and soon the fire was concentrating in his groin. His cry echoed in the room as he came, muscles clenching around Aymeric's cock. The man groaned and Justin felt him freezing against him. He had never seen the man's face like this, something were pleasure and pain seemed to be mixing, as well as something else, something Justin suspected was love. He closed his eyes on this wonderful site and opened them some time later.

He must have fallen asleep because Aymeric was now dozing by his side, holding him protectively, and he couldn't remember any of them moving. As he tried to turn to face the man, green eyes opened and stared at him.

"Did you like your present?"

"It was wonderful. Why didn't we do that before?"

"Because you were too young and I could have hurt you."

"I don't understand why Emma was mad at you when she understood what you wanted to do."

"Because you're still supposed to be a bit young for this."

"Will we do it again?"

"Anytime you want. Sleep, now. It's late and we both need some rest."

He kissed the boy's forehead and stroke his back until Justin's breathing let him know he was asleep.

As the first sun-beams warmed the room Justin woke up and stretched. Aymeric was looking at him, smiling. The boy turned. Wrapping his arms around his neck, he dragged the man's face to his lips. Light kisses were soon replaced by hungry caresses. They made love again then cuddled for a while. Then Justin yawned and smiled at the man.

"Will I receive a material birthday present this year, too?"

Aymeric looked at the boy and laughed.

"You're greedy, young man."

He grabbed his clothes and retrieved what looked like a simple block of wood from his pocket. He handed it to the boy.

"I carved it myself. It's a symbol of what each of us gave to the other in our physical union."

Justin examined it and said amazed:

"It's a rose and a key..."

He looked at it thoughtfully for a while then smiled and put it back on his bedside table.

"Thank you. It's beautiful."

He kissed the man, tenderly this time.

Justin's 17th birthday has arrived. He had spent the day outside in the orchard watching the first leaves fall. He loved this place. Aymeric had told him how to take care of the trees, how and when to prune them. They had spent a lot of time together in this place in the 6 years he had lived in the house. The man had joined him there in the afternoon to propose him to go horse-riding. A pleasant day, overall. The evening was as enjoyable as the day, both of them enjoying the small feast Emma had prepared them. When they were finally full, they went to spend some time sitting in Aymeric's favorite armchair. And as usual, Justin was sitting in his lap, resting his head on the man's shoulder and enjoying the feel of the fingers in his hair. Aymeric was looking at the boy lovingly, playing with a blond curl.

"You really look like your brother, now."

"Really? He was 17, too, when he died."

A sad look passed on the boy's face, but soft and warm lips on his cheek made him smile. He had mourned enough in the past, his brother's death was an old wound.

"By the way, what's my present?"

This time there was no smile or laugh to answer him. Aymeric hesitated and finally replied.

"I have to tell you the truth."

Justin felt uneasy and stiffened a bit in his arms. The tone of the man's voice was both serious and resigned. He didn't know what to expect but he had a really bad feeling about that conversation.

"You won't like what I'm going to tell you, but I can't lie to you anymore. Actually I didn't lie, I just... hid the truth, somehow. It's true that I found your brother. What happened exactly is that he came here for shelter and I hosted him for the night. It's true that I saw him dead. That was after I took his life. Justin, I'm a vampire.

"I need blood to live. It's true that I don't need to kill. But if I don't, my victims will share my cursed fate. I can't force them to endure this. Besides, I prefer to think they don't really die. As long as I'm alive they live in me, in my blood.

"I needed your brother's blood, so I took it and I killed him. But he's still in me. Still alive, in a way. You may think it's only a part of him but it's the vital part. And as long as he's present in your heart he'll be alive in a certain kind of way."

Justin was silent and motionless in the vampire's arms.

"I love you, Justin. I never lied to you about this. Here's your birthday present: I'm offering to give you eternal life. If you accept, we'll live together forever. If you don't, I'm asking you to kill me before you leave. I can't deny you the right to avenge your brother's death. And I can't live without you."

Silence was his sole answer. The only noise was coming from a corner of the room where Emma was listening and sobbing. Justin was shocked. He was limp against the vampire's body, having stopped struggling at some point of the man's confessions.

"You have all the time you need to take your decision. This isn't something you can answer without thinking. My life is a cursed one, don't forget this. I wouldn't want you to be seduced by the opportunity of been immortal without first thinking about the consequences."

He freed himself from the boy's body and got up, leaving Justin sitting in the chair alone. The boy had a blank expression on his face. He staid there for a while, thinking of what the vampire had just told him. Surprisingly he didn't think the man was lying about his condition. He had learnt to know Aymeric enough to be able to see he had told him the truth. Besides it would be a stupid joke and the man wasn't one for stupid jokes like this. Justin felt betrayed. Worst of all, betrayed by the one he loved and trusted. He felt like he had lost everything he had, now. He got up and slowly climbed the stairs to his bedroom then got to bed and cried himself to sleep.

A knock on Justin's door woke him in the morning. He sat in his bed and looked at Emma who had just entered with his breakfast. The boy looked lost and his eyes were still red from his crying. All those years she had seen him grow but she had never been able to stop seeing him as a child. Now more than ever. She sat on the bed beside him and took him in his arms. He started crying again and let her comfort him.

"Lord Aymeric told you what he is and what he did. There are other things you must know. I am the daughter of his maker."

Justin looked at her in wonder. She smiled and continued.

"Lord Aymeric was a wonderful young man. He was handsome, clever, cultivated, generous. He had everything one could desire. That's why a man noticed him. This man seduced him, invited him to his house and did something terrible to him. This man was a vampire and he wanted a companion, one who'd be like him. He took the young man's blood and transformed him into what you've seen.

"But the young vampire never had the choice to his fate and he was revolted. First he ran away, then he came back to kill the older vampire. There was another person living there, a 6 year old little girl, the older vampire's young daughter, cherished by her father since he was her only family. It was me.

"As he was still a kind man, Lord Aymeric took me with him, as I was now an orphan, and told me he was going to take care off me, as he had taken my father from me. We went to a place I didn't know. Here. He raised me like the father I had lost. He taught me a lot off things, and I learned to take care of the house, too.

"As I grew older, I wanted to meet people, to go to the town alone. The only company we had was the victims he took home for the night once in a while. So one day I decided I had to go. I asked him the permission but he said no. Then I ran away, but after two days I was home again. He had found me. Since then he never let me any chance to go away. He needed me for the house, and I became a sort of servant. But he wanted me here because he hated being alone. I was his only company. Now that I'm getting old, I don't want to go away anymore. The mausoleum you've seen is a present for me. He ordered it for me, he said he wanted the best for me. He's still a kind man, you know. Sometimes. But I wonder if it's not another way to keep me here, to prevent me from going away even after my death.

"I think he wanted you to stay to take my place, in a way. He knows that I don't have much years to live, now. When I'll die, he'll be alone. So he kept you here to become his companion and his lover. He didn't expect to fall in love with you, I guess."

Justin was listening to her in silence. She seemed to be pouring her heart out and he realized that she certainly never had the chance to do so before. He felt miserable. She was stronger than he was. Their lives were alike in many ways, but his hasn't been that hard. He suddenly felt like a spoiled child.

Emma smiled at him and took his hands for a while. Then she stood and went to the door. She turned one last time and told him:

"You know, this house have been alive since you arrived here. It never did before."

Aymeric didn't look very good that day, too, and Emma suspected he had an unpleasant night filled with remorseful thoughts. But somehow she could really hate him for what he had done. When the vampire arrived in the large living-room, Justin was standing in front of the freshly lit fireplace. The boy turned as he heard the man's voice.

"Good morning Justin. Did you made up your mind already?"

Justin nodded and Aymeric paled a little. The vampire took a wooden box on the table. He reluctantly opened it and took the object inside. It was a dagger, nicely chiseled, with a gold and jewels made haft. It seemed to be very old and valuable. He sighed and offered the weapon to Justin.

"Here is your material birthday present. You can take it if you've decided to kill me."

He waited for the boy's answer, trying to look neutral. But a glance at the boy's face told him that he was hated. He suddenly regretted his choice of telling him what he had done a few years ago. But he was ready to die, since it was his beloved Justin who was taking his life.

The boy took the dagger. Aymeric shuddered and looked down sadly, resigned. He had offered this choice to the boy, he could only accept his death. It was too late to go back. Besides he thought he deserved it. He knelt in front of Justin, ready to feel the cold metal ripping his heart to pieces.

" I understand your choice, and I can't reproach it. At least your brother's death will be avenged. I just regret it won't bring him back to life for you. He would have taken care of you, better than I did. I hope you'll find someone to do it, you're still so young..."

"I will."

Justin lifted the vampire's chin with the dagger. He looked in the man's eyes and saw years of pain and sadness. He wondered if Aymeric had ever been happy before the little boy that he has been had arrived in this house. Justin frowned sadly.

" I can't. I can't do it, I can't kill you. I still love you, even if I know I shouldn't. Even after what I've learnt. You've done so much for me... I owe you my life. If you hadn't opened your door for me that evening, if you hadn't offered me shelter, I would have died that night. Like Matthew. I think you've redeemed yourself, now.

" I want to live with my brother again. Inside you, in your blood, as you told me. Take my blood. I want it to mix with my brother's."

He dropped the dagger. Kneeling in front of him, he grabbed the vampire's head and kissed him. Aymeric had expected hatred from the boy but there was only tenderness in his gesture. He thought he didn't deserve the boy's love. They were both crying and Emma couldn't help but smile as she thought she had two children to take care of.

"I don't deserve your forgiveness, love. You'll have to wait for the night, I can't do it now."

The mood wasn't set to fun that day. Remorse and confusion could be felt wherever Aymeric and Justin were. When the night finally fell they forced themselves to eat a bit then went to bed. This time Emma didn't try to argue. Things had changed and she knew she didn't have anything to say about it. She just stopped Justin as he passed next to her and hugged him, something like a farewell to the boy she had helped raising.

Aymeric led the boy to his bedroom, as he had done with Matthew years before. He undressed and took him to bed then followed him there. He took the boy in his arms and kissed him while his hands were caressing the slightly shivering body. Justin was afraid, he could feel it, just as his brother had been, but for a very different reason. The vampire gently raised the boy's legs and locked them on his shoulder. He slowly slid inside the boy and smiled at the sight before him. Matthew's lack of body response had annoyed him, but Justin's love was betraying him. So like his brother but so different in the same time.

Justin's arms had wrapped around his neck as he was leaning above the boy, thrusting inside in in a slow pace. He felt the boy's love and hate fighting inside him. He could almost feel the pleasure building in the boy's body. When he felt they were both close to release he withdrew and dragged the boy in a sitting position against him. Justin looked at him questioningly.

"Let me save Matthew this time."

He lifted the boy's body and entered him again, slowly sitting the boy against him. Justin's head fell back on the vampire's shoulder as Aymeric's fingers were brushing his chest. He was trying to meet the man's thrusts but he found it difficult in that position and thought he would need some training if that was something Aymeric was liking. The hand on his chest slid on his belly and reached his cock. Fingers wrapped around it and stroke firmly. As he knew he was about to climax, Justin felt a new wonderful sensation in his neck. Something he understood was Aymeric's fangs sinking in his throat. The mixing of the sensations in his neck and cock gave him the most powerful orgasm he ever had. He screamed and fell back boneless against the vampire's chest, enjoying both the aftermath and the feeling of his blood being drained.

When he came to his senses he couldn't tell how much time he had been asleep. Aymeric was smiling at him.

"You passed out a few minutes, but don't worry, it's only due to the loss of blood... combined with your loss of energy..."

Justin smiled at the playful tone.

"What's going to happen, now? Do I need to kill someone?"

"No, you don't. Let me be your first victim. A willing one. I know you don't like the idea of taking a life, so it will help you for your first... meal. You won't be able to drink blood right now. You must wait, your body has just started its transformation. When it will be over you'll be able to use your new fangs. You will then be able to take my blood."

The boy frowned.

"How will I know when it's time?"

"You'll know, that's all. Sleep, now. You need to rest. And I need it too."

"I want to see you when I wake. Please, let the candle burn."

"All right, love. Good night."

Justin nestled in his lover's arms and it didn't take long for both of them to fall asleep. Later in the night the boy's sleep was disturbed by something he couldn't identify. He woke up and after hesitating a while to wake him, he put a hand on the vampire's arm. Aymeric woke and asked the boy what was wrong.

"I don't know. I'm feeling... strange."

"It means you're ready. You're a vampire, now. Just like me."

He kissed the boy and offered him his neck, ordering him to bite. Justin looked at him sheepishly.

"I don't have fangs. I can't."

The older vampire chuckled and dragged the boy's face closer to his skin.

"Try breathing in my neck."

It sounded funny to the boy but he obeyed. Suddenly he was aware of a smell that seemed to swallow his will. Then he realized it was the smell of blood, not the dying blood from a wound but living blood, pulsing through the man's veins. The smell of life. And he needed some of this life to feed his own.

His jaw was giving him a strange feeling. He could feel it change, as if it was moving. His fangs were taking their place. Hesitantly he probed them with his tongue. Sharp. Now he would be able to sink them in the other vampire's flesh.

Aymeric was watching him, scrutinizing every sign of any reaction on the boy's face. He smiled when the boy leaned again to reach his neck. He guided Justin's mouth to the vein. The boy kissed and licked the soft skin under his lips but seemed to hesitate doing anything else. The older vampire sighed.

"Do it. What are you waiting for?"

"I don't want to hurt you."

"Did I hurt you?"

"No! But... is the feeling the same for a vampire? It feels good for a mortal, but maybe it hurts when it's done to a vampire..."

"There's only one way to know. Do it."

Justin sank his fangs in the offered flesh and drank, abandoning himself to the blissful feeling of feeding on life. From the delighted moan he heard and felt under his mouth he was sure that the feeling was as good for a vampire as it was for a mortal. Or maybe better. Soon the boy felt a hand gently pushing his head away.

"Enough, you're going to be sick."

Justin opened his eyes. Reluctantly he withdrew his fangs from the man's neck and licked the little wounds clean. Aymeric dragged the boy against him.

"I couldn't let you drink too much for the first time. You're like a baby, you have a new body, even if it can't be seen from the outside. Besides it is said that our blood is stronger, more powerful than mortal's blood."

He looked away thoughtfully then continued.

"I think this could be useful to us. Think of it, darling. We wouldn't need to kill as often as I needed it before. We could exchange our blood, and find fresh blood from outside only to renew our own. And I'm not sure but I think we could survive by drinking from each other only. It will be more often, maybe, but we'll have to take less blood each time."

"What about Emma? Shouldn't we keep her with us, too?"

"I think Emma has suffered enough by my side. Don't be cruel with her. Besides she's too old to become a vampire. Do you think it would be nice to be immortal at her age? Let her die. I think she's waiting for it."

A chilly wind was blowing. Justin shivered and wrapped his cloak tighter around him. Golden and crimson leaves were hitting him as he walked towards the small graveyard. Fall was there for good, and he suspected Winter would be very cold that year. He stopped near Aymeric's sitting form. The man was sitting on the ground, seemingly unaware of the cold, a hand resting on a tomb stone. Matthew's grave. Justin put a gloved hand on the man's shoulder but got no reaction.

"Aymeric, it's cold. You should go home."

"I had to come, I had to see him, to talk to him. Even though he can't hear me..."

"I'm sure he can, somehow. Please, I'm freezing, come home with me."

"Do you think I redeemed myself? I'm not sure it's even possible."

"What you did for me, all these years... It was something I couldn't have received from no one else. Your care, all your teaching, the gifts you gave me. Your love. You offered me all you could have offered to my brother if you hadn't killed him, if you had convinced him to stay with you."

"But I killed him instead..."

"Why did you keep me?"

"I don't know. You looked so much like him. It was... I felt I was given a chance to make him live again, to protect him this time. And I was so lonely... It was selfish, maybe."

"I remember you told me people would think I killed my brother. I believed you, then. But of course I was only a child and children believe what adults tell them..."

"I'm sorry I lied to you. But I was desperate. I didn't want to see you go, you were my only chance to find happiness."

"What about your... preys? Did you never consider getting one as a companion?"

"Of course I did! But they were so terrified when I told them what I was and what I offered them to be..."

"You're not a monster. The monster was Emma's father."

Aymeric turned startled eyes to the boy. Justin sat by his side and decided to get a bit closer to the man as he felt the cold and slightly damp leaves under him.

"She told you everything, then."

"Yes. It's a good thing, I wouldn't have been able to take the best decision, I think."

"My life should have ended yesterday. You should have killed me."

"Then I should have killed myself, too. What do you think I would do if I was alone suddenly? I need you. For many things. Don't be so depressed. I had the choice and I took the decision I wanted. We're together forever, we should think about our future together. Thinking too much about the past can only bring you sadness, while I can bring you happiness. Do you really want to live in the past?"

The vampire smiled and raised a hand to Justin's face, fingers gently brushing a blond lock away.

"You know, that night you appeared at my door, I already knew you were a clever boy. I couldn't let such a child wander in the forest at night and get killed..."

Justin chuckled and the man leaned to kiss him. Matthew's grave was forgotten. It was part of the past, and Justin was right: he had to live for his future with him, not for a past that could have been with Matthew. He dragged the boy to his feet and smiled warmly.

"You know, I never showed you these books I told you I've been hiding from you, remember? What about studying them, now? There are really interesting things we could try practicing tonight. Or sooner..."

The wind took Justin's laugh away as they headed back to the house.

_____________________

Notes:

- I couldn't decide for a title, at first. All I could find was something too long that looked more like a joke than anything. It was:

"Never trust a stranger when you're lost in the countryside and the night is falling (especially if he has green eyes, light brown hair and cute sharp little fangs and offers you to stay for the night)."

- The rose and the key from Justin's 16th birthday present: this is the key to Aymeric's heart, of course. And the rose... well, it's more poetic than a cherry ^_^

- I first planned to write two different endings for this story, a happy one and a sad one. But I decided I had written enough of bad ending ones. So I made a compromise: the end is neither happy nor sad. As is life, maybe...