Chapter Text
Ignis looked at himself in the mirror for what had to be the eighth time. He checked his hair and face to make sure it was perfect, worrying slightly over the beginnings of a blemish on his jawline. Ultimately he decided yet again that it was not noticeable enough to warrant concealer. His skills were not that impressive with makeup so he only used it when absolutely necessary. Besides it wasn’t like the one he was trying to impress would really notice. Gladio had already seen it early today and he'd probably be so surprised at Ignis’ unusual appearance at the bar he worked to even notice any makeup he tried to apply.
And that he had taken a Friday night off.
Well that hadn’t been true. He couldn’t afford to not work despite both Gladio and Noctis offering to pay his bills if he was ever in a bad financial pinch. Instead he had swapped shifts with one of the other girls who worked at the library. He told her it was a surprise for his boyfriend’s birthday and she had eagerly agreed to the switch. When he went to work Monday for her, it was under the guise that he had an important test the next day for one of his summer courses and had to study for it distraction free. None of his friends had picked up on his ruse nor questioned his seemingly usual dedication to his class work.
Though Gladio had pouted a bit about not being able to see him that night and made a point to have a lunch date with him out on the commons the following day.
Still, as he stood before the bathroom mirror, ignoring how one of his housemate’s and his current flavor of the week were arguing in the kitchen downstairs, he couldn’t help but feel a little foolish. Especially as he fretted about his looks like a young girl about to go on her first date with a secert crush. He knew it was just his nerves talking. He was about to jump off the deep end of his comfort zone. He was about to go to a rather popular bar downtown, probably filled with his classmates who’d he could live with not seeing outside of school, all in an attempt to seduce his boyfriend who worked there.
Who -granted- just happened to be a vampire.
After a rather traumatic introduction to what his boyfriend actually was and the secret life he led, Ignis continued to reel from the implications even almost a month after the attack that had nearly taken his life and had thrust him into a world that was there as long as an individual knew what to look for. Gladio had saved him, protected him, walked him through the first few days hardly moving more than three feet from his side. His boyfriend had dutifully answered each one of his questions and done everything within his power to alleviate his fears. It had been rough but they had managed to make it through still in a relationship together which Ignis was thankful for everyday. No matter how terrifying the experience of nearly having his throat ripped out by an unknown supernatural entity that wanted him dead was; the thought of giving up Gladio instead was even more terrifying.
And while Ignis did feel closer to his boyfriend because of the dramatic rescue and the next several days of bedrest had provided, it had been awhile since they had done anything intimate. Gladio was always one for cuddles on the couch and sleeping curled protectively around him but they hadn’t done much beyond kissing since that fateful night. Ignis felt like Gladio was waiting for him to initiate their next sexual encounter.
At least he hoped the vampire still wanted to have sexual relationship with him.
Gladio had always taken the lead on their sexual romps in the past. After recent events it wouldn’t surprise Ignis if Gladio was trying to make him more comfortable with what he was by letting him take the lead from here. It was rather sweet -and if he was pressed hard enough Ignis would have to agree that he needed the physical space for a bit at first- but he’d also be lying if he said it wasn’t frustrating. Ignis had almost no experience with dating or flirting in the first place and while he knew Gladio wouldn't mind if he walked right up and demanded the vampire to jerk him off, it seemed rather rude. No, after everything that Gladio had done for him, Ignis felt that he should at least attempt to be a little more subtle than that. Romance him like Gladio had before his life was turned upside down.
Besides, just him showing up unexpectedly and blowing Gladio a kiss would mean the world to him. Hell the surprise that he even walked into a bar wearing the tight pants that drove Gladio crazy and the dark purple button up that Gladio had commented on more than once would probably be enough to get his point across to his boyfriend. He could then go hide from prying eyes in a corner or even retreat back to Gladio’s apartment after coyly asking him to meet him there after his shift.
He could do this, for Gladio. He could walk into a bar at least once in his life. He get a drink, flirt with him a little and then head back to his place until he came home. It didn’t matter that he had never been to a bar or flirted or really done anything like this before. He had looked it up online and knew what to expect.
How hard could it really be?
-Break-
It turned out to be a lot harder than Ignis had thought it would be.
Just approaching the bar turned out to be a challenge. He stood on the side of the street about half a block away and stared at the edifice further down the road with a bouncer at the door and music thrumming so loudly that he could easily hear it from there. He fidgeted as his stomach twisted itself into a knotted ball of anxiety and his mind pointed out all the things that would make this night end horribly.
This was a mistake. He should have known that this would be a mistake. Why had he thought this would be a good idea in the first place?
No, he could do this. It wasn’t like the building was going to leap out and attack him. It was just nerves with a dash of social anxiety and agoraphobia on the side. He forced himself to take a calming breath and stride towards the building with purpose in his step.
A single, bored look from the bouncer out front nearly sent him skittering all the way back home.
How he persevered and walked up to him Ignis would never know but somehow there he was, standing before a rather imposing man with a beard dressed in all black. He looked amused and Ignis had no doubt that he had been watching him since he stepped onto the street and dithered about, working up the courage to walk over to him. “ID?” He asked as he gave Ignis such a hard look he wondered if he wasn't trying to intimidate him now just on principal.
“Of course sir. Here,” he pulled out his driver's license, nearly flipping it out of his bi-fold as his trembling fingers somehow tangled around themselves. He fumbled it but managed to catch it before it fell to the ground and offered it to him.
He got a snort of amusement from the bouncer as he took the card and began to look over it. “First time at a bar?” He asked offhandedly.
“Is it that obvious?” Ignis half mumbled embarrassed.
“Painfully.” He handed Ignis back his card, “Word to the wise: Keep your wallet in one of your front pockets not the rear, harder to take out without you noticing. The bouncers in duty in there Philp, Dominic and Gladio, all dressed in black with the word bouncer wrote on the back of their shoulders in white. You got a problem seek out one of them, they'll help you out.”
“Thank you very much,” Ignis said respectfully, slipping his wallet into his front pocket along with his phone, before stepping through the doorway into what he could only describe as hell.
He had thought the music was loud outside the building but now he wondered how Gladio wasn't deaf already. The music was way too loud and there were cheering and shrieking echoing in counterpoint to it as the dance floor seemed to be everywhere there was space. The room was also dark and hazy though Ignis contributed the haze to a smoke machine more than someone smoking. Trying to move through the throng of people was more than a little difficult and there was more than one time he found himself pressed against various people that seemed exceedingly inappropriate to him but completely normal to them.
Finding the actual bar was a blessed relief.
Ignis didn't know what to do now that he was here. While he was at the bar he supposed he could get a drink but finding Gladio in that mass of people was going to be nearly impossible. There had to be some kind of event going on for it to be this packed.
The bartender was suddenly in front of him, a sweet young blonde with a bob cut that looked a bit out of place if it wasn't for the bright blue tube top and tight leather pants she wore. “What are you having?!” She had to scream to be heard over the music and crowd.
Now this was not good, Ignis’ tastes tended towards wines but at a bar it was more common for a beer or some kind of cocktail. The handful of ales he had tried in the past were good so hopefully it wouldn't turn too bitter in his mouth as he drank. “I'll have an ale!”
“A what?!” She asked leaning forward to try and make out what he was saying. Blast his accent sometimes. With all this noise she probably couldn't make out what he was saying.
“An ale!”
“What?!” Now she was half laying on the bar give him and everyone around him a very good look at her… assets.
“An ale!” A quick glance around the bar and he saw someone two seats down with a pale beer that was the same color as some of the ales he had drank in the past so he pointed at it. “Like that!”
She looked to the side and her eye lite up in recognition. “One sec!” And then she was gone. Ignis breathed a sigh of relief. That had been a unnecessarily difficult.
He turned slightly to the side and looked over the crowd. About the only way he could hope to find Gladio was to spot him from a distance and then try to make his way over to him. Gladio had at least a head of height on almost everyone in here. It was a wonder he hadn’t seen him already.
Of course there was a chance Gladio would find him first. He had just been yelling at the top of his lungs. With Gladio’s abnormally good hearing he had probably heard him. Maybe. He wasn’t sure if Gladio would be able to hear him shouting in a room that was this loud. He would like to think he could just so his search would be easier bu-
“Here!”
The bartender was back with a vibrant blue cocktail in a hurricane glass that she held up for him. He glanced to the side and realized that the person to his immediately left was drinking the bright blue something as well. Bloody hell… he wasn’t going to argue the semantics. Hopefully the... whatever was good enough for sipping.
He paid for his drink and stepped away from the bar to make room for anyone else looking for alcohol. The drink was a punch of so many flavors that Ignis couldn't tell what from what and it had enough sugar in it to give an elephant diabetes. He was assuming it was extra boozy, probably all rum with a splash of juice. It did have a rather pronounced taste of coconut.
Ignis didn’t bother trying to transverse the room again. The improv dance floor was too crowded and he doubted that he would be able to make the journey again with a drink in hand. He probably end up wearing what he was sure was an overpriced drink. He’d doubted he’d need more than one to be more than tispy anyway.
He stayed near the wall where it was a little quieter. At least no one was jumping up and down and flailing their arms around wildly in a weak facsimile of dancing. The music was still too loud and there were still too many people in here. The wall at his back also meant that Gladio had to be somewhere out in front of him, in the throng of people.
Oh bloody hell, did this place have a second level? He could make out a balcony on the far side of the room where people were dancing behind railings and what looked like plate glass. That had to be the reason he hadn't seen Gladio, it was because he was up there.
Ignis took a sip from his drink for a bit of liquid courage so he could step away and look for the stairs. He'd barely put one foot forward when a blonde girl suddenly stumbled off the floor and into him, pushing him back into the wall. It was a small miracle that he managed not to spill his drink all over the two of them as he managed to catch her and his balance at the same time.
She laughed as her arms wrapped around his shoulders and she giggled into his neck. Ignis was trying to think of a polite way to shove her off him when she leaned back, staying close to him but definitely moving away. “Good catch handsome,” she smiled. While there was alcohol in her breath she didn't seem that drunk. “Honestly thought I was going to end up going face first in the wall.”
“You're welcome,” she was maybe a year or two younger than him in a little long sleeve black dress that surprisingly had a modest cut in the neckline even if it was a bit short in the leg. She had on a pair of red pumps that matched her lipstick. Her blonde hair was pulled back on the sides but fell loosely down the back of her head in a cascade of curls. The green tint in her hazel eyes were highlighted more by the green smokey eye makeup she wore.
Overall a very stunning lady…
“As thanks for the catch,” she smiled, the way her eyes crinkled in the corner drew him in deeper. “You get your choice.” She pointed at the drink in his hand, “Another drink or a dance.”
Well, he wasn't that much of a dancer, especially with the strange mash up that was currently on the dance floor, and he’d rather find his boyfriend instead of dancing with a stranger. A drink seemed to be the easier of the two choices. “A drink would be nice.”
She laughed and pulled away, arranging herself so that she was leaning against the wall next to him. “First time in a long time I've been turned down over booze.” She nodded her head at his hand, “You mind if I wait till you're done with that one?”
“Not at all,” he took a sip of his drink, eyes darting off to the side to scan the room quickly for his boyfriend before returning to her. Might as well make small talk so he didn't snap this entire concoction back at once. “So, are you from the University?”
She shook her head before looking back at him. “I'm visiting a friend who goes there though. Alice Meserve?”
He didn't recognize that name at all. “I'm afraid I don't know her.” That's when he remembered that they hadn't been formally introduce. “What's your name?” He held out a hand for her to shake, “Ignis Scientia.”
She laughed, her eyes were captivating as they sparkling in mirth. “Crystal Jenkins,” her hand was soft in his. “What are you taking for a major?”
Ignis took a sip of his drink before talking about his dual major. She was a very attentive listener, eyes locking with his as he spoke. It was almost unnerving how focused she was on him but even he had to admit he liked her eyes. Really liked them. They were beautiful. That fact that he was able to stare at them while he spoke was an added bonus as far as he was concerned.
“Oh!” Crystal looked away from him and he was immediately disappointed. “Shots!”
Another girl who had been walking passed stopped before them. In her hand was what looked like a tray of test tubes, all but three of them were filled with a deep purple or vibrant green liquid. “Three dollars each,” she half yelled.
Crystal pulled a small wad of bills from the pouch on her wristlet that he was just now noticing on her left wrist. The wristlet blended smoothly in with the material of her dress making it nearly impossible to see. Her eyes met his again, “What color do you want?”
“Green,” if only because it matched her eyes.
“Two, a green and a purple,” she said as she hand over the money for their shots. The waitress let her pick them out as she tucked the money away. Crystal turned back to him with a green and a purple shot in either hand. She nodded to his drink which he hadn't realized was mostly gone already. “Finish that up and let's have a toast.”
He drained his glass, chugging back the contents before turning around and setting the empty on a small table off to one side also littered with empty glasses. He turned back and took his drink from her holding it up and tapping the edges together. “To new friendships,” she said before taking her shot.
Ignis followed her lead. As he was lowering the glass from his lips, he realized he was feeling decidedly off, as if a thin film was covering his eyes and muffling his ears. The bar sounded and felt miles away from him even though he was still inside.
Crystal took the glass from him and set it off to the side, the waitress having long since left already. She then invaded his personal space, arms sliding around his neck and shoulders as she pressed her lips against his. He didn’t mind as slid his arms around her waist. Holding her closer to him. She arched her back a bit so that other parts of her anatomy were pressed firmly against his chest leaving him no question about where this would eventually lead. “Want to get out of here and go somewhere a little more quiet?” she whispered in his ear before her tongue traced along the outer edge of it.
“.... Yes,” wait… what no! That was wrong. Why did he even say that? What was he doing? Even as her eyes met his again and she smiled seductively, Ignis knew this was wrong, he didn't want to go anywhere with her, he had no interest in her, but here he was, following her as she weaved her way towards the back of the bar. He had a boyfriend, somewhere in this very establishment, that he was supposed to be looking for. Why was he leaving with her?
The air outside was cool and brisk compared to the stuffy air inside the bar. Crystal tugged him along the alley by his hand, leading him towards the cars in the parking lot. The fresh air gave him a bit of clarity. There was something about this situation that was seriously wrong, other than the fact he was exceedingly drunk after only a drink and a shot. He knew he was a lightweight but he didn't think that he was that bad.
He managed to stop walking even though everything inside him screamed to keep following Crystal. He didn't want to follow Crystal. He wanted his boyfriend. He stumbled off to one side, letting go of Crystal’s hand so he could catch himself on the wall of the bar as he fell into it.
“Are you okay?” Crystal was there, helping him to stand and lean back against the wall. He looked right up into her eyes, half mesmerized by them as she pressed close to him. “Need a moment to unwind?” she purred.
She didn't bother waiting for his answer, pressing herself up against him as they kissed deeply. This wasn't right. Her left leg dragged up along his and wrapped around his hip. He couldn't stop his hands from sliding down her back to cup her ass and help support her weight. He was letting her plunder his mouth, make soft moans in the back of his throat as she worked him over.
This was definitely wrong. This wasn't right. His head was a mess and he was having a hard time focusing. He pulled his head away even as he began to grind himself up against her. Gods above... had she drugged him? “Gladio…” he whispered as she nipped lightly at his throat.
Oh shit… Was she a vampire?
“That's it Ignis. Think about whoever you need to while you're with me.”
He shook his head as tears gathered in the corners of his eyes. This was wrong. She'd done something to him; drugged him or took control of his mind or something. What exactly it was he wasn't sure but this wasn't him . “No…”
“Yes… it's alright. Keep going,” she whispered against his throat as she pressed closer to him. “Take what you need,” she licked a strip up his throat, sharp teeth pressing against the side of his throat.
“S-stop…” he whimpered terrified with what was happening but unable to stop his body from responding to her advances.
She pulled back, eyes even more gorgeous in the low light. “Babe don’t be like that.”
The pet name caused a surge of anger to cut through him. Gladio was the only one allowed to call him ‘babe’. She had no right to call him that.
'Closing your eyes work too. There's an old vernacular that say 'eyes are windows to the soul’ which is partially true. Most vampires can't do anything to your mind if your eyes are shut and the few who can would have you out before you even realize they're there. Closing your eyes is your best defense really.'
Thinking of his boyfriend caused him to remember words that had been said so long, back when Ignis was still struggling with coming to terms on just what his boyfriend was. They had been talking about Ignis resisting being put to sleep then but hopefully it worked the same for this situation. It had too.
It took more effort than it reasonably should have to look away from her and close his eyes.
“Oh baby, don’t be like that. Look at me,” she cooed, a hand tracing along his jaw to cup his cheek. “It’s alright. Nothing's wrong.”
For every moment he has his eyes closed, Ignis felt a little bit more like himself. He still felt woozy and shaky, his stomach rolling uneasily, but gone was the feeling of complacency. He was starting to feel sick and he was even too weak to lift his arms. He wanted to be anywhere other than there, pinned against a wall in an alley with an unknown vampire that was trying to take him somewhere.
… she had to be a stalker…
Ignis still only had a basic understanding of how the Lucius Clan operated but he knew that they didn’t prey on people like this one was trying to do to him. She wasn't part of the clan. Gladio had mentioned that they had ‘food stores’ in the past so that they didn’t need to... do this.
He also knew that stalkers were not tolerated by any of the Lucius Clan.
“Tell me how you know to do this.” Gone was the sweet voice she had been using. The tone she used now was quiet and full of an underlying menace that sent a surge of fear right through him. “Who do you know.”
She wasn’t asking but Ignis didn’t dare say anything either. The hand that had been cupping his face now had a painfully tight hold on his hair. The other hand close to the base of his throat. If she had half the strength that Gladio did it wouldn’t take much effort on her part to snap his neck.
Oh gods… was she going to kill him?
“Who do you know.” If the voice before had scared him this tone terrified him. It was a snarl more than anything, with a silent promise of pain if he didn’t answer.
He couldn’t stop the sob that escaped him but he only squeezed his eyes closed even more.
The hand in his hair tightened, pulling harshly, “Tell me.”
“Gl-dio,” Ignis knew that at some point in the future that he would be appalled he had whimpered but right then he was too scared to care.
He could feel her getting ready to say something else. The deep intake of breath as she pressed his head back against the bricks with the hold she had on his head… it was all a build up for something. What he wasn’t sure but he knew it wouldn't end well for him.
And then suddenly it all stopped.
The only thing he could still hear was the thundering in his own chest and the weak noises escaping him at odd intervals in his hitching breath. The alley itself was silent. She still had a painfully tight hold on him but she wasn’t moving. There was an air of apprehension around them and he desperately wanted to open his eyes and see what had changed but didn't dare. It might just be a ploy to get him to open his eyes again and be sucked back down under her thrall.
There was a single footstep, loud in the otherwise quiet alley as gravel and concrete were ground together under the heel of a boot a ways down the alley from them. Then another a moment later, like whoever was approaching was walking at a leisurely pace. The next step was only half a stride, a creak of leather as weight was shifted back on one foot.
“Get your hands off him.”
It was more snarled than spoken but he’d recognized that voice anywhere.
“Gladio,” he whispered, his voice weak and thready.
The vampire holding him let out a snarl that reminded him of an angered wildcat but she didn't let him go.
Another shift of leather, another half step. “I won't say it twice,” was the growled response.
Ignis wasn’t sure of what happened next. He doubted he would have known what had happened even if his eyes were open given how fast vampires could move. He had the impression that something was suddenly on their other side with Crystal letting out a shriek that was loud enough to break glass and rattle his skull at the same time.
Then he was airborne.
He didn’t go far before he was crashing into a muscular chest. Strong arms wrapped around him, cradling him even as the person holding him fell to one knee. The familiar cologne put his mind at ease even as he opened his eyes. He knew exactly who held him.
“Are you alright?” Gladio asked even as he looked Ignis over. “What did she do to you?” he asked seemingly more to himself than to Ignis. A hand pressed gently against his right shoulder and Gladio made a disapproving noise in the back of his throat as it came away with blood on it. Crystal apparently hadn’t let go of his shoulder and shirt before he was tossed, the fabric and skin ripping from her tight grip.
Gladio pulled the torn shirt back and bowed his head to the series of scratch marks on his shoulder and collarbone. As he began to lap at the wound to seal it, Ignis eyes strayed to the blur of movement back near the wall where he had been. Crystal and another vampire were rolling around on the ground as they fought, snarling and spitting at each other in a way that reminded Ignis of a pair of cats fighting.
It was painfully obvious who was winning. Even as he watched, Ignis could see Crystal slowing. She couldn’t have fed in a while if she had gone after him while the other vampire obviously had fed recently. Crystal was trying to wiggle free, trying to make a break for it but every time she gained some ground, the other vampire kept grabbing and dragging her back to him. It was a battle of attrition she was sure to lose.
It was the second time he pulled her back that the vampire twisted a wrist in the air, causing a short sword to appear out of thin air in a small shower of crystals. Stunned Ignis watched as he plunged the blade through Crystal's hip, pinning her to the ground. She shrieked and reached for it only for him to slam her down, summoned another shoulder and thrust it through her shoulder.
Gladio suddenly stood, holding Ignis pinned to his side while he summoned a sword in the same matter as the other vampire had. It looked vaguely like a katana but was too long to be of any practical use. He took the three steps necessary to press the blade to her through and force her head back, making it clear to her to stop fighting. The six plus foot long blade easily bridging the gap between them.
“Don’t you ever touch what’s mine again.” Gladio warned her in a soft voice that seemed more terrifying than when he was growling earlier. “I won’t be as gentle as Andrew was,” he said with a barely noticeable nod towards the vampire getting to his feet next to her.
He then shifted the blade enough to slit her throat.
Ignis twisted his head away from the gruesome sight, swallowing back at the wave of nausea that bubbled up his throat. A whimper escaped him as Gladio shifted his weight and rearranged him in a more comfortable hold, cradled to his chest.
“It’s alright Ignis,” he said, his tone warm and comforting which was the exact opposite of what it had just been. “I got you.”
Ignis could only choked back a sob in reply.