Vampire lore - Carmilla/First Kill

Chapter 27

The group trudged back to the house, the weight of everything that had happened clinging to their steps. The night had been brutal, chaotic, and no one was untouched by the aftermath. Kirsch, ever the gentle guy, carefully helped Danny up the stairs. She was weak, still shaky from being pulled out of that terrifying vortex, and he was determined to make sure she rested. He led her to her room, laying her down with a tenderness that belied his usual goofy demeanor.

— You good, D-Bear? - he asked quietly. Danny just nodded, exhaustion written across her face. She didn't need to say anything more, the look in her eyes said enough.

Downstairs, Perry moved with a sense of urgency, her eyes scanning the kitchen as she pulled out pots and ingredients.

— I'll get started on dinner - she said, her voice clipped but steady, trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy. - Kirsch, come help me when you're done. We need to keep everyone fed and strong.

Kirsch, ever loyal, although he knew it was way too soon to start cooking dinner, gave her a quick thumbs up as he walked down the stairs.

— You got it, P.

Meanwhile, Laf and Mel descended into the basement, where Laf had a treasure trove of equipment stashed away—security cameras, lasers, even makeshift weapons they'd been tinkering with over the years. Laf immediately started gathering the security feed, adjusting the cameras to be installed around the house.

— We need to be ready for anything - they muttered, a determined edge in their voice.

Mel stayed silent, her eyes sharp as she picked up a blade, testing its weight in her hand. She didn't need to say anything, her actions spoke volumes. They would be ready.

Upstairs, Juliette excused herself, her face drawn with worry. She needed to call her parents, to warn them about Oliver. As much as she hated her family drama, this was something far worse. Elinor already having the Malkia was bad enough, but knowing that Oliver was planning to take it from her for something dark, something truly evil—it was too much. She clenched her phone in her hand, bracing herself for the conversation ahead.

In the living room, the tension between Carmilla and Laura was palpable. They were the last ones standing, their eyes locked as the silence stretched on. Neither of them seemed to know what to say at first. The air was heavy, the unspoken words swirling between them, charged with emotion.

— Hey - Carmilla finally spoke, her voice quieter than usual. She shifted awkwardly, her gaze softening as she looked at Laura. - I'm really sorry for earlier... I just...I snapped at you.

Laura, always the more forgiving of the two, shook her head as she took a step forward.

— Carm, don't apologize - she said gently, reaching for Carmilla's hands. The familiar warmth of her touch grounded Carmilla, easing some of the guilt that had been gnawing at her since they'd gotten back. - I know you were just worried about me.

— But I was way too harsh - Carmilla insisted, her voice thick with regret. She squeezed Laura's hands, her eyes dropping to the floor. - You don't deserve that.

— You weren't wrong, though. Not completely - Laura murmured, surprising her wife.

Carmilla's head snapped up, her expression confused.

— Wait, what? You think I was right? - Carmilla asked, her brow furrowed in disbelief. Laura admitting she'd made a mistake was almost unheard of, especially when it came to her impulsive, heroic streak. - What do you mean?

Laura took a deep breath, her eyes glistening as she struggled to find the right words.

—I didn't just put myself in danger tonight... I put all of our friends in danger too. - Her voice cracked slightly, and she looked away, unable to meet Carmilla's gaze. - I was selfish.

— Selfish? - Carmilla repeated, her confusion deepening. - You went to the docks to help us, Laura. How is that selfish?

Laura shook her head more firmly this time, her voice dropping to almost a whisper.

— No. I went there to help you. Because I can't lose you, Carm.

The admission hung in the air between them, heavy and raw. For a moment, Carmilla was speechless. She knew how fiercely Laura cared for her, but hearing it so plainly, so vulnerably, hit her in a way she hadn't expected.

Without another word, Carmilla cupped Laura's face in her hands and kissed her. It wasn't just a kiss, it was an outpouring of everything she'd been holding in—the fear of losing her, the guilt, the overwhelming love she felt. The kiss was soft at first, tender, but it quickly deepened as Carmilla pulled her closer, her hands sliding down to wrap around Laura's waist.

She needed Laura to feel what she couldn't always put into words, needed her to understand how much she meant to her.

When they finally pulled away, breathless, Carmilla rested her forehead against Laura's, her hands still holding her close.

— I love you - she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

— I love you too - Laura whispered back, her fingers brushing the nape of Carmilla's neck.

Carmilla chuckled softly, her thumb tracing a line along Laura's jaw.

— You wanna go upstairs and take a shower before we have to think and strategize?

Laura raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at her lips.

— Take a shower, or take a shower? - she asked, her voice teasing.

Carmilla smirked, the corners of her mouth curling up as she leaned in a little closer.

— What a dirty mind you have, Mrs. Hollis-Karnstein - she murmured, her voice low and teasing.

Laura's grin widened.

— So, am I right?

— Of course you are - Carmilla replied, her voice dropping even lower as she closed the gap between them again, her lips brushing Laura's with a promise.

The second kiss was hotter, more urgent, as Carmilla's hands pressed against the small of Laura's back, pulling her impossibly close.

Just when the tension between them seemed to reach its peak, Carmilla suddenly pulled back, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

— Let's go upstairs already - she said, breathless but smiling, her hand slipping into Laura's as she tugged her towards the stairs. - I need you. Now.

Laura grinned, letting herself be pulled along.

— Lead the way, Mrs. Hollis-Karnstein.