When your life becomes Hell

1

Athan stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out over Hell like a proud emperor over his empire.
The analogy wasn't that far off, really.

The sun was just setting over the horizon, the sky painted in beautiful shades of red, pink, orange and yellow, with a few blue patches visible behind grey clouds.
People milled about in the streets below.

Contrary to popular belief, Hell wasn't a dark cavern with an ominous red glow and demons torturing souls, screams being the only sound.
It was a reflection of the world above, almost like a lake. Souls acted as the people. The really bad ones were tortured for eternity, of course, but most were given a second chance after a short sentence, and the trial rooms and jails were located in a specific part of the underworld. Demons weren't the only creatures to occupy Hell, and Lucifer had retired millenia ago.

He felt a rush of nostalgia standing by the window. A memory from his last life surfaced, where he was holding his hand by a window much like this, both of them laughing until they choked.
Athan's smile was part wistful, and part fond.
He missed him, even though he probably had no right to. He missed waking up and watching him sleep peacefully as colour slowly bled into the sky, the light glinting off his metal arm or creating a soft halo around him; missed when he would wake up all grumpy and cuddle him with all fours, like a cute but deadly Koala; his cheeks reddened as he remembered his smirk, all sharp and dangerous.

Athan shook his head. He was dating someone else now. Some ones. They didn't deserve him clinging onto the past.

The thought of his new boyfriends made him grin.
Clint and Tony were something for sure. They had a heart not even most angels could boast of.
They had both faced too much, and he had vowed that anyone who so much as try to poke them would face his wrath.

Athan chuckled darkly.
A vampire's rage was not something you should ever bring upon yourself. Vampires could be very friendly when they wanted to be, but they were still one of the most powerful supernatural creatures to ever exist.

Speak of demons, and they shall arrive.
The door opened loudly and he could hear his two boyfriends bickering. If he strained his ear, he could probably make out the words clearly, but he let them be.
For now.

". . .and I'm telling you, that is not how you waste, sorry, eat a pizza!"
Clint made an indignant sound. "How dare you, you heathen, you. . . Athan! You're awake."

Athan hummed in acknowledgement, but didn't turn around, lest they see his smile.

"Tony is verbally abusing me, Thanny!" He could clearly visualize the pout that accompanied his complaint.

He huffed. What was his life now? "I'm sure you abused him twice as much, and how many times should I say this - Don't. Call. Me. Thanny."

Clint dramatically put his head on his shoulder. When had he come so close?
"Conspiracy. You both are ganging up on me. I hate you." The hands sneaking around him spoke very differently, he thought, amused, but not the least surprised at his boyfriend's antics.

Athan brought him in for a proper hug. "Hush, my Zaros."
Clint was a bit taller than him, which was impressive, since vampires were quite tall by nature, but Athan was perfectly content in resting his head in the crook of the other's neck.

Before Tony could start whining, he opened one arm in a silent invitation. Tony wasted no time in jumping over and into the hug.

He sighed contentedly and nuzzled into Clint's neck, breathing in his scent. It smelled like forests, and a bit of cologne and so Clint.
His fangs started to grow in interest, and before he could retract them, Clint tilted his neck.
"You sure?" His voice came out a little muffled, but still audible.

Tony answered in a honest-to-devil annoyed voice, his head buried in Athan's chest. Compared to his boyfriends, he was tiny, but he liked it. "Yes, we're sure, Drakey. Just get on with it."
"I'm gonna be very sad if you don't." Clint added helpfully, with what he assumed was another pout.

He rolled his eyes, but complied, baring his teeth; his fangs grew to their full lengths, and he bit into the soft skin.

Vampire bites, depending on the vampire's mood, could be painful, pleasurable or even stress relieving. Vampires had different hormones that could be injected with the bite for specific reactions.

Clint gasped at the momentary pain before moaning, and Athan relished both the sound and the delicious taste, his eyes falling shut.

Blood might taste like metal to others, but to vampires, it tasted like a delicacy. And again, contrary to rumors, blood wasn't the only substance vampires did, or could consume. They very much did eat normal food, and they did not just sink their teeth into every person or creature they came across. Seriously, what was wrong with humans?
Bites were considered very special, especially between lovers. It was the greatest sign of love and trust for vampires. Unless someone had pissed off a vampire. Then it was just used to cause pain, almost like the offender was burning from the inside out.

Suddenly, he felt a tug in his stomach, much like during teleportation.
Next moment, his feet were touching a different surface than the soft carpeted floor of his - their home.

Athan slid his fangs out and licked the two tiny puncture wounds. Vampire saliva had healing properties, not that Clint much need it.

He ran his tongue over his still dripping canines and turned around, about to ask if either demon had teleported them, but the words died in his throat when he saw the two wide-eyed men standing by a couch.

Dracula help him.
_____________________

Word count: 994

This is the only story I (somehow) managed to complete. Never thought this would see the light of day, but here we are. This is my Christmas present to you, dear readers.
Hope you liked this!
And comments and votes encourage me to write more.

Also, 'Zaros' means 'little hawk'.