He loathed this place. Loathed the darkness, the stench of alcohol, and the rank, dirty bar at which he sat. He loathed the intoxicated men and women who, like him, had come to escape and wallow in their drunkenness. Most of all he loathed the bitter, watered-down beer in the glass before him. He detested the taste as he swallowed it down in large gulps. But it was cheap, and it got him drunk.

He was drunk now, and consequently did not notice the young man, beautiful with his angelic face, long, light brown hair and piercing blue eyes, sit beside him. He didn't notice the young man order a drink he'd never touch. The young man stared at him, smiling slightly to himself. "Daniel? A pitifully common name for one such as yourself."
Daniel looked across at him and smiled politely as he drained the last of his beer. He wondered how this man had known his name, but it didn't strike him as a concern, such was the state he was in. Daniel threw some change onto the counter before walking carefully to the toilets.

He grimaced as the reek of stale urine hit him. He relieved himself quickly, wanting to be on his way as soon as possible. As he washed his face and hands he noticed another presence in the room. He turned to see the young man who had sat by him at the bar. Daniel rolled his eyes, wiping his wet hands on his jeans. "Look, what do you want?"
The young man smiled, his eyes gleaming strangely in the dim light. "You."
Daniel watched him cautiously. He sized the young man up, preparing for an assault.

The young man's smile broadened into a grin as he locked the door behind him. In an impossibly fast movement the young man was at Daniel's side, one arm hooked around his waist, the other over his shoulders as his hand clutched Daniel's neck. Daniel heard the low gentle laugh in his ear before the pain in his neck, as the young man's teeth pierced his flesh. His mind swirled fiercely as the blood was drawn from him. It gradually worsened, until his body could take it no more and he blacked out.

Daniel woke suddenly, sitting up quickly, and quickly regretting it. His head spun wildly and he wanted to vomit. This was one hell of a hangover. "Shit. How much did I drink?" He spoke to himself quietly. He struggled to remember the events of last night. His hand shot up to his neck and his eyes widened. Stumbling out of bed to the bathroom, he examined his neck thoroughly in the mirror. Not one mark, scratch... or bite. He placed his hands either side of the basin, hanging his head as he laughed softly. "Oh Daniel, you're losing it." He languidly ran a hand through his blonde- brown hair before shoving his toothbrush in his mouth.

As he washed his face he heard keys rattle outside his door and Chrissy walk in noisily. "Danny? Where are you honey?" She stuck her head into the bathroom and beamed at him. "Hi baby!"
He looked at her confused. "You're early."
She looked at her watch. "No, actually I'm five minutes late."
He looked at his own wristwatch. "Shit." It was five past six in the evening. He'd slept through the whole day.
She cupped his chin in her hand. "Are you alright? You don't look too good."
"I don't feel all that great either." He sat on the edge of the bathtub.

She looked down at him concerned. "We can stay in tonight, if you want. I don't think you should be going out. I can make you some soup." She smiled at him adoringly.
He forced a smile. "It's all right. You go out and have a good time. There's no point in both of us being holed up here. I'm really not hungry either." He wasn't hungry, but if he had been, the thought of eating one of Chrissy's concoctions would have put him off food for months. Not that he didn't appreciate the gesture.
She looked at him sweetly. "You're sure?"
"Yeah. Go have fun. We can do something when I'm feeling a little better." He stood up carefully.

She kissed him hard on the mouth, squeezing him tightly around the chest. Strangely unable to tolerate her contact, he pushed her away gently.
She looked at him, slightly hurt.
He smiled at her reassuringly. "Wouldn't want you to catch anything." That wasn't entirely true. He just couldn't seem to stand her at the moment, which was unlike him. Usually he'd want to throw her onto the nearest bed and screw her senseless as soon as he laid eyes on her. He must be sick.
"Always the gentleman." She patted him on the cheek, her smile returning. She made her way out the door.

He breathed a silent sigh of relief, glad to see her leave. He walked back to the bathroom, stripping off his boxers as he turned on the shower taps. The warm water felt good on his chilled skin, and he stood motionless for a few minutes under the spray. He felt the light pressure of a hand on his back.
"Chrissy, I told you to go. I don't need you to look after me."
He felt the delicate hand move around to his chest. Then a little lower. Some of his old desire rekindled, he spoke softly in an unusually husky voice. "Or you could stay."

The hand dropped away and he heard the distinctive low, soft laugh from last night. Daniel momentarily froze before turning around quickly. "You!" He realised he was naked and quickly grabbed a towel to cover himself. His cheeks flushed violently. Shit, he thought, he's given me a fucking hard-on. He looked up into the seemingly innocent face of the young man. "How the fuck did you get in here?!"
"I brought you home didn't I?" He began to walk to the lounge room.
Daniel gaped at him angrily, following him to the lounge. "Who the hell are you?"

The young man sank down into the couch and stretched out his legs, crossing his ankles as he put his feet on the coffee table. He extended a hand to Daniel. "Zechariah Evelyn Lennox."
Daniel ignored the hand offered to him, but sat down cautiously, and a little haughtily, in a chair opposite Zechariah. "What do you want?"
"We've already discussed this."
Daniel looked at him disdainfully. "Fuck you."
"If you really want." Zechariah spread out his arms invitingly, eyebrows raised.
Daniel sneered. "Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not that way inclined." He spat the words acidly at Zechariah.

Zechariah chewed his thumbnail, his hand half hiding his smile. "As if it mattered." He spoke softly in a voice as melodious as it was alluring. "Besides you seemed to like it well enough before."
Daniel shook his head slightly. "I though you were someone else, okay?"
Zechariah folded his hands in his lap. "Ah yes. Your darling Chrissy."
Daniel stared at him. "How do you know her name."
He smiled. "I know everything I choose to know. That's how I knew your name, hers, and where you live. It's how I brought you home." He spoke the last sentence in a voice softer and more deliberate than the others.

Daniel squirmed in his seat slightly, swallowing hard. "We didn't... do anything last night, did we?"
Again Zechariah broke into a grin. "No."
Daniel breathed a silent sigh of relief.
Zechariah's grin broadened. "Well, not quite anyway." He watched the expression change on Daniel's face gleefully, desperately wanting to laugh.
Daniel glared at him. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"
Zechariah's smile faded. "Oh for God's sake Daniel, stop worrying. We didn't fuck if that's what you wanted to know. Happy?"
Daniel felt the harshness of Zechariah's words, and cautiously softened his own tone. "Then what happened."
"You honestly don't remember?" Zechariah gazed at him, calmed.
Daniel frowned. "You bit me."

Zechariah's smile returned. "That I did. And I think I'd like to do it again." He darted to Daniel's chair, stopping briefly before biting deeply into his neck.
Daniel gasped softly as Zechariah pulled the blood out of his arteries, veins, heart. His hand found Zechariah’s long tresses, and he let his fingers pass through them tenderly. As abruptly as he had been bitten, he felt the gush of blood stop. Zechariah pulled away from him, cutting his own finger. Daniel tried to focus on Zechariah's face, but his eyes refused to remain open. He felt Zechariah's fingertip gently trace his lips, and the blood searing his tongue. This was better than any drug he'd ever tried. He never remembered feeling so good. And oh, the blood... it was so sweet and warm. Zechariah pressed his bloody lips to Daniel's cheek and smiled before leaving him alone in his apartment.

Daniel woke groggily. He was still in the chair. He felt his neck instinctively. This time there were two small holes surrounded by dried blood. He wiped at his cheek, the blood flaking off. He licked his lips, feeling that surge of adrenalin again, as he tasted the faint traces of blood. He checked his watch. Midday. He struggled to his bedroom, pulled the blinds and lay down in bed. His eyes closed and he had soon fallen asleep once more. He woke again to the sound of someone pounding on the door. He stood up slowly, and glanced at the clock as he walked to the door. This time it was five thirty.

He opened the door and saw Chrissy's concerned face.
"Shit Daniel. I've been calling and calling all day. You never answered. You look like hell." She reached out to touch his face.
He allowed her to stroke his unshaven cheeks.
"I really think you should see a doctor." She noticed he was naked. "Do you always greet people this way?" Her hand dropped away.
He smiled slightly. "No. I've been to a doctor. I've got the flu real bad. And I have a fever. It's hot in here." He lied through his teeth.
She nodded. "Do you want me to stay?"
"No." He shook his head adamantly. "Believe me, you do not want to get this. I'll give you a call as soon as I'm feeling better. Alright?"
She smiled. "If you insist. Take care of yourself. Call me if you need anything, okay?"
"Sure." He forced a smile as he closed the door in her face.
He walked slowly to the lounge room, still tired, and sat back down in his chair.

"Evening, Daniel."
Daniel sat up. He was now very much awake. "Jesus Christ! You scared the hell out of me!" He gaped at Zechariah, his heart pounding in his ears. "When did you get here?"
"Same time as Chrissy." He smiled. "Fever indeed."
"Yeah well, I had to tell her something. I don't think `I've been bitten by a Vampire and he drank all my blood' would have sufficed."
Zechariah glanced at him. "All your blood? I've barely touched you."
Daniel looked away, his mind wandering briefly back to Chrissy.

Zechariah smiled. "You can't stand her, can you?"
Daniel began to protest, but Zechariah stopped him. "Don't try and tell me you love her. We both know very well that you don't. Sure, you loved her legs and the way she fucked, but that was all it was." He smiled triumphantly. "A walking fuck. That's exactly what she was to you. Now, you've tasted something better, and she's nothing to you. You detest her for all her flaws, because you can no longer see any good in her." He looked away from Daniel. "The pleasures of blood will always come before the pleasures of the flesh. Not to say it's completely out of the question." He eyed Daniel, sitting before him naked.

Daniel grabbed a cushion, covering himself as best he could. "Don't look at me like that."
Zechariah pouted in mock hurt. "Oh, why not."
Daniel met his gaze. "Because I'm more than a 'walking fuck'."
Zechariah laughed. Again, that low and unconsciously seductive laugh. "Of course you're not. You're special. That's why I drank from you."
Daniel looked away. "Yeah, well, of course. That's exactly how normal people express themselves. `Excuse me, I think your hair looks nice, can I drink your blood?'" He sighed. "I'm sorry." He looked back, but Zechariah was gone. He shook his head, wishing he hadn't said what he had. He rubbed his temples, then stood up and walked to the bathroom.

He stared at himself in the mirror. His hair was a dishevelled mop from which his bloodshot blue-grey eyes peered out. His face was gaunt, pale, and he desperately needed to shave. Basically he looked like shit. He stepped into the shower and washed himself slowly. He wanted to get drunk. Well, that was half true. It's not what he really wanted to do right now, but it's what he was going to do. He dried and dressed himself quickly, grabbed his wallet and walked out the door. They night air was cold against his face, and the wind tousled his hair as he walked. It wasn't long before he found himself sitting down in the wretched, but warm, bar he frequented.

After three beers the bar tender set a cocktail down in front of him. He stared at it. A Bloody Mary. He looked back up at the bar tender, which still stood there. "I didn't order this."
The bartender smiled at him sheepishly. "Yeah, that guy over there ordered it for you."
"What guy?"
The bar tender went to point, then stopped. "He was there a second ago. I swear. Where the hell did he go?"
Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose. "Don't worry about it." He drank the red cocktail before leaving the bar. He presumed the drink had been a gesture of forgiveness, and surprisingly he felt a great relief. He walked home, his hands shoved deep in his pockets.

The blow hit him before he saw his attackers. He tumbled to the ground, clutching his head. On the verge of passing out he barely felt them searching his pockets. He tried to struggle against them, earning him another blow to his face and a kick in the ribs.
"What the fu-"
Daniel heard them being pulled away from him. He struggled to open his eyes. Quickly he glimpsed Zechariah, his mouth against the assailant's throat. Zechariah dumped the dead body next to the other one. He gazed down at Daniel. "Looks like I'm going to have to take you home. Again." He smiled before picking Daniel up. Daniel passed out.

Daniel woke, his head pounding. He was really sick of this. All he seemed to be doing these days was passing out and waking hours later only to pass out again soon after. He turned his head and saw a glass of water and some aspirin on his bedside table. He smiled slightly. "Thankyou Zechariah."
"You're welcome."
The voice startled Daniel, even though he thought he should be used to this now. "Are you ever not there?"
Zechariah smiled and walked to where Daniel could see him. "No, not really. I'm never far away."
"Thankyou. If you hadn't been there I might be dead."
"I doubt that." He gently touched Daniel's forehead. "I cleaned you up as best I could."
Daniel nodded and sat up gingerly. Zechariah helped him take the aspirin. His jaw ached viciously and he found it hard to swallow.

Zechariah placed the glass back on the table and moved to a chair facing Daniel's bed. He sat, arranging his limbs in an elegant manner. Daniel examined him properly for the first time. He was good looking, but more accurately, he was compelling. His long, mousy hair framed his pale face, spilling over his shoulders onto the simple silk shirt he wore with faded jeans. In fact the only thing that made him look like an archetypal vampire was his pale skin. Not that that would even mean much now days. Daniel realised how little he really knew about this man, who had undoubtedly been watching over him. There was so much he wanted to know. "How did you become what you are?" Daniel peered at him curiously across the room.

Zechariah waved his hand dismissively. "It's a long, boring story. How did you get to be what you are?"
Daniel was taken aback by this question. "What do you mean?"
Zechariah moved to sit on the foot of Daniel's bed, leaning against the wrought iron bed end. His expression darkened somewhat. "What led to this lifestyle? Why don't you live to your full potential? Why do you spend every second night getting drunk in a place you hate? And how in the name of God did you end up with a girl like Chrissy?!"
"What bothers you more, that it's a girl like Chrissy, or that it's a girl?"

Zechariah smiled. "You missed my point."
Daniel shook his head, his tongue pressed into his cheek. "You know, I haven't had a conversation like this since high school. There was this chick there that was into vampires. She was going to make me if she ever became one. And she thought I was gay."
Zechariah nodded. "Sounds like a wise girl."
Daniel frowned slightly. "No. She was a nut."
Zechariah shrugged nonchalantly. "You still haven't answered my question."
"I thought you said you knew everything you wanted to." Daniel eyed him curiously.
Zechariah's lips twisted slightly into a small smile. "So I embellished a little."
Daniel laughed quietly at that, but soon stopped when it began to make his sides ache.

Zechariah watched him, concerned. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just sore."
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But I'm happy to listen if you do."
Daniel nodded. "I guess I just don't know where I'm going, or what I supposed to do." He looked at the wall, his face contorted by thought.
Zechariah leaned back, an understanding but sad smile on his face. "You're waiting for some direction, a 'calling' if you will?"
"Exactly." Daniel turned back to him, then looked down at his hands. "Jesus."
"I understand what you're going through, Daniel. I went through it myself. I think in some way everyone does. You just need to find your niche, so to speak."

Daniel nodded, still feeling a little downcast and useless.
Zechariah picked up on his mood. "You're hair looks lovely."
Daniel smiled amusedly. "Now I suppose you want to drink my blood."
Zechariah stroked Daniel's hair gently, a faint smile upon his sweet face. "Among other things." His hand moved down and stroked the side of Daniel's face.
Daniel looked at him, seemingly hurt and confused. "Why am I letting you do this?"
Zechariah let his hands fall away from Daniel's face. "Because you know that really, you want me to."
Daniel knew in his heart that Zechariah was right. He reached out and gently touched his fingertips to Zechariah's cheek. He pulled away quickly, as if burnt. He frowned and looked away.
"Would you give me immortality if I asked for it?"

Zechariah sighed quietly. "Would you take it if I offered it to you?"
He thought on this for a long while. "I don't know." "Then there's your answer." He gently took Daniel's hand.
Daniel snatched his hand back. "Why me? Out of everyone at the bar that night, why did you chose me? Was it an accident? Would it have mattered if I hadn't been there? Would you have seduced another? Because that's what you've done. You've seduced me into a world of darkness, blood and-"
"Daniel..."
Daniel shivered to hear his name spoken so softly, so despairingly, so lovingly. Such intimacy. It silenced him.

Zechariah continued. "None of that matters. The only thing relevant is that I'm with you now, and whether you realise it or not, you've made me love you."
"How can you say that? You've known me for a few days! I've been with Chrissy for two years, and only now do I know that I don't love her. How can you make that judgement after three days?!" He looked at Zechariah imploringly. "How?"
Zechariah frowned thoughtfully. "Daniel."
Again the intimate speaking of his name. It gave him chills.

Zechariah struggled to find the right words. "I've seen you in a way few others could. I have drunk down your very soul every time I've taken your blood. I've noticed every detail about you. I know everything you've ever felt or known. Everything. I love you're thoughts, your personality, your beauty, your strengths and even your weaknesses. I've wandered more or less alone for the last three centuries. I need companionship, and I want it to be yours." He gazed upon Daniel adoringly. Then turned away. "I've been watching you for longer than you realise. I sometimes think I know you better than you do."
Daniel let his hands rest in his lap. "That wouldn't surprise me. Everyone seems to know me better than I do."

"Oh but you can learn, Daniel. So easily"
"And I suppose you will teach me?" Daniel spoke these words a little more coldly than he had wanted.
"No. You learn from yourself. Let go of your insecurities and your obstinacy. Let yourself see everything for what it is, and begin to understand yourself. Don't run into everything blindly, without thinking, but don't hesitate so much or for so long. If you get too caught up in fear of living, you may forget to live." He smiled reassuringly.
Daniel carefully drew his legs up, and gently swung them over the side of the bed. Zechariah moved to be beside Daniel. He kissed his cheek softly. Daniel's eyes closed, Zechariah's lips were cold against his burning skin.
Zechariah pulled away. "Think on it." With that he was gone.

Daniel stood up, the pain in his side causing him to wince. He staggered to the bathroom, got undressed and stepped into the shower. As his headache began to fade he felt a hand on his back. He smiled wryly as it slid around to his soapy chest, then inevitably down between his legs. "Zechariah, I thought you would have given me a little more than a few minutes to `think about it'."
The hand dropped away. "Who the fuck is Zechariah?"
Daniel grimaced and turned around.
Chrissy stared at him, obviously pissed off. "Why the hell did you think I was someone called Zechariah? Do you often have men I don't know give you hand jobs in the shower?"
"Not often, no." He whispered under his breath, avoiding eye contact with her.

"What?" She glared at him angrily.
He looked back at her. "Nothing. I think you should go."
"You want me to go?!" She put her hands on her hips.
"Yeah. You're a 'walking fuck', Chrissy, and I don't want you in my apartment." He looked at her passively.
"What?!" She screeched at him, her cheeks flushed.
"Get out!" He rose his voice for the first time.
She turned and stormed out, slamming the door deafeningly.
Daniel smiled slightly. "Fuck you too." He closed his eyes. His face contorted slightly as he felt anger at himself for treating her that way. He let it pass quickly, taking a deep breath.

Upon opening his eyes he saw a shirtless Zechariah sitting on the edge of the bathtub. Daniel laughed softly. "Back so soon? Do you know what just happened?"
Zechariah nodded innocently.
"Of course you do. You know everything." He placed his hands on his hips and hung his head defeatedly. He slowly looked back up, the still running water pouring over his shoulders. "What happened to your shirt?"
Zechariah looked down at his bare chest. "It must have come off."
"How exactly does a shirt just 'come off'?"
Zechariah ran a hand through his hair. "I move really fast, you'd be surprised how often that actually happens."
"How fast?" Daniel folded his arms over his chest.
"Blink." Zechariah smiled.

Daniel did as he was told. He found Zechariah by his side, under the water, when his eyes opened.
Daniel nodded. "Oh, okay, that fast."
Zechariah watched him, head cocked slightly to one side, as the water drenched his hair and tight jeans. "There's something about this shower, isn't there?" Daniel leaned back lightly on the glass shower wall.
Zechariah grinned. "Apparently so." His hand reached out for Daniel. Much to Zechariah's surprise, Daniel didn't flinch, move away or chastise him for the contact. Daniel merely smiled, tugging Zechariah towards him. Their lips met in a tender, but heated kiss. Zechariah broke away and gazed upon Daniel. Daniel's smile broadened. Zechariah, needing no further prompting, swiftly dropped to his knees.

Having used all the hot water, they sat on the couch, Daniel's head resting against Zechariah's chest, his hair being tenderly stroked. Zechariah let his head loll onto the back of the couch, as he thought carefully and silently to himself. He leant forward again and gently kissed the top of Daniel's head. "Come with me, Daniel." His voice was a whisper, barely audible.
"Where are you going?" Daniel looked up at him, misunderstanding Zechariah's suggestion.
Zechariah smiled sweetly, patiently. "Eternity. I'm offering you immortality, Daniel. What are you going to do?"
Daniel smiled faintly. "You know everything, so you tell me."
Zechariah kissed Daniel's cheek graciously. He laughed softly in Daniel's ear, before biting deeply into his warm, blood-filled, neck.