Heart of a Vampire

Tough Times

Keith was the first to wake up. The moment he did, the witch ate some fruit for breakfast.

Once he finished eating, Keith tensely glanced over at Lance. He neared him and took a deep breath.

"Troubled blood with sleep's ease. Remove the cause of this disease. Sleep eternal nevermore and shift the source of illness borne. To this poppet, whom none shall mourn."

Quickly, Keith scampered to the other side of the room, holding his dagger. Ready to defend himself in case anything happens.

The vampire groaned and stretched his arms. Then Lance panicked when there was no rope keeping him down. His eyes made it over to Keith, watching at him with wide eyes.

"Do anything, and I will stab you in the heart!" Keith threatened, pointing his blade at him.

"Woah, Woah, Woah, I'm not going to do anything!" Lance held his hands up as if Keith was aiming a gun at his head.

Keith shakily held out his other hand, reaching out for him. Lance mimicked his actions, leading their hands together.

The second their skin made contact, Lance hissed in agony and withdrew his hand, clutching it with his other. Keith flinched back, not foreseeing that kind of response.

He remembered what Shiro had told him the night before.

"It is to help prevent that vampire from touching you. It will burn him if he does."

"W-why did you untie me?" Lance mumbled, still sitting on the chair.

"I-I, uh... don't question me!" Keith huffed as he crossed his arms.

"Right, okay." Lance snickered but immediately settled. A ping of guilt weighted down in Keith's chest. He shook his head to dismiss those feelings.

To change to tense vibes in the room, Keith took a large jug labeled "Bear Blood" and gave it to Lance. The vampire reluctantly took it from him but didn't drink from it.

"It doesn't have any holy water." Keith crossed his arms and favored his hips.

"O-okay." Lance tipped the jug into his mouth, letting it seep down his throat. The taste wasn't that good at all. It was like the school lunch of blood.

While Lance was chugging it down, Keith silently observed with a sad expression on his face. Once the vampire finished, Keith snatched it from him and put it away.

"I deserve this," Lance mumbled under his breath.

____

A short while later, Keith started making another potion, hoping to create a new one that he could invent. Lance wordlessly waited, remaining in his chair, never allowing himself to stand.

Surprisingly, Keith stretched his hand out toward the vampire. Lance didn't take his hand, making the witch glance back at him with confusion.

When Lance realized he was trying to help him up, he stood up by himself. He kept his distance away from Keith.

"Give me the Wolf Whiskers."

Lance did what he was instructed, placing the container in Keith's hand. He carefully avoiding touching him in case he would get stung again. Then the witch pinched some of it and sprinkled it in the cauldron.

The cottage had this dreary atmosphere throughout the house. There was hardly any noise. Lance lingered near the chair if Keith wanted to tie him up again.

In some ways, the vampire wanted to be tied up. He couldn't forgive himself. He just couldn't.

Keith realized how isolated he was before he met Lance. Before, he never noticed how quiet his cottage was.