Modern Monsters

Elias the Vampire

Female Reader x Male Monster (both cis)

You're the day manager of Aware Ceramics, a store that's part gallery and part shop for handmade pottery. Your boss is, in simple terms, a night person, so you've been hired to work the day shift as well as organize shows. At night, the owner holds pottery classes, hosts shows, and takes care of his side of the business. You often have meetings with him, and even take some of the pottery classes just to learn more about the items you sell.

The owner's name is Elias Treadaway, and he only comes out once the sun has set. He lives above the shop, and once you close the gallery portion of the place, he comes down from his keep. He's tall, bony and long-legged, with a certain willowy elegance, and so pale he almost looks translucent. You've sworn to protect his secret, and also to run certain errands for him during the day, because Elias is a vampire. He shares this secret with the art collectors, but he prefers that the attendees of the night class don't know

Every evening, after you close shop, you help set up the gallery for shows or the art studio for classes. On Thursdays you go over business and discuss future plans for the business. Elias has come to trust your intuition, and pretty much lets you run things the way you want.

"Do we need to hire someone else for the morning shift?" he asks during one such meeting.

"Henry is doing fine. He opens well and customers like him," you explain. "Or do you think we need more than one person until I get here?"

Elias looks over his tablet and turns it off. "There's something about him that just bothers me. You said he can be hard to manage."

"Well, yes," you say with a shrug. "But since customers..."

"You're the manager." Elias stands from his chair. "He doesn't listen to you, even treats you like a hindrance."

You fold your hands in your lap under the table. "How do you know that?"

He taps his ear. "I'm not a fool. I hear things."

You look at the tabletop as you twist a piece of paper in your lap. "He knows what he's talking about. He went to art school, and..."

Elias snaps his fingers. "That's why he bothers me. He's a know-it-all."

You grimace. "I'm not getting rid of Henry just because he's a know-it-all."

"No, you'll get rid of him if he undermines you again." He leans over the table, resting his sharp jaw in his long palm as he looks directly at you. His red eyes are piercing, almost frightening. "If he talks down to you again, I'll eat him."

You look at him and frown. "Please don't."

Elias smirks wickedly at you. "Yes, you're right. I shouldn't. He's vegan, and that can't taste good."

You smile at him. "You're teasing me again."

"Only a little, since I was so vicious during the last meeting." He pulls your chair out and sees the piece of paper contorted between your hands. "Stop being nervous. It's easier said than done, I know. But you've been here for over a year."

You lay your hands back on the tabletop. "I've been doing this since high school."

"Yes, yes, I know." Elias goes back to his seat and turns his tablet back on. "Will you be attending any of the classes coming up?"

You nod, tucking a lock of hair behind your ear. "I'd like to try. I still haven't been able to attend the class about the kiln."

"I'm actually thinking about canceling that class," he sighs. "I feel like people just don't understand the intricacies of its use."