Middle Of The Night.

[Alexander Caius]

It was a rather relaxed night at the club.

The first floor, as per usual, was a mass of writhing bodies. People drinking, and dancing, and searching for a partner to leave with. Muggles were an interesting breed. So sure of their evolution but still so privative, carnal, and completely predictable. Perhaps it was the still relatively new apex predator that lingered below Lex's skin...but as his eyes danced over the bodies...he could already tell each of their next moves.

Smirking, he moved away from the banister and back toward the crown on the much more exclusive second floor.

Hair pulled into a messy ponytail and sporting a more casual look for the night, Lex made his way to the bar. Checking in on Vesper, he patted the bartender on the back before checking in with Nico. The two were his newest hires...but they were doing amazing. Vesper was fast and precise. Nico was a crowd favorite. The customers loved him.

He didn't need to worry about them.

So he made his way to his own private section, settling in on the couch and sipping at a drink he didn't even really need. Eyes dancing across the crowd of people dancing, he grinned as he saw a figure he didn't fully expect to see in his bar. Sure, they had talked about it...but she had followed through. So he stood, approaching her with a smile.

"Evie..."

[Evelyn Brown]

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Alexander Caius

i'm not tryna live forever, i'm just tryna be right here

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“Thanks, Paul.” Evelyn smiled warmly at her coworker. He just agreed to switch her shifts tomorrow so she could rest, which she might need if she planned on dancing tonight. Paul just sputtered out a ‘you’re welcome’ and shuffled away. A soft sigh escaped her as she watched him go, her brows pulled together in puzzlement. He always acted so strangely around her, but she couldn’t figure out why. “Ms. Brown?” The faint voice brought her out of her reverie and she turned to her patient. “Yes, Delores?” The witch blinked up at her through her bandages. “You won’t be here tomorrow?” Evie offered the witch a half-hearted smile, patting her gently on the hand. “I will be here bright and early Monday morning. I’ll bring the paper and read it to you.” This placated the young girl and she visibly relaxed. Poor thing had gotten on the wrong side of a powerful boil hex. It would take a few more days to get rid of all of them. [break][break]

Soon, her shift ended and Evelyn made her way to the girl’s locker room. Alexander had invited her to come to his club the other day and she thought hard about it. It would be nice to sit down with him again, and he said the second floor was more sophisticated… besides, she could use a drink. Evie stripped off her mint green robes and put on a pretty floral dress, trading her sneakers for heels. If it was as sophisticated as he said, she couldn’t show up in jeans and a T-shirt. She grabbed her handbag from her locker, tucking her wand inside, before closing it. “See you Monday, Ophelia,” she said goodbye to her other coworker before leaving the room and heading to the streets of London.[break][break]

It wasn’t that long of a walk from the hospital to the club and when she arrived there was a line around the block waiting to get in. Evie chewed on her bottom lip, feeling apprehensive about what she was about to do. She hated skipping this line to get in, but she’d never get in if she waited. Evelyn walked up to the bouncer and cleared her throat. “Evelyn Brown,” she said shakily, unsure if this was going to work. The bouncer looked her over before checking the list. “Go on in,” he said after a few moments, lifting the barrier and allowing her to pass through it. “Second floor,” he huffed before turning back to the line of muggles. She held her handbag in front of her, her feet carrying her inside the Vampire Den.[break][break]

It was noisy and hot. Evelyn’s jaw dropped when she saw all the muggles dancing and… fornicating. She averted her eyes and headed straight for the staircase, climbing it quickly to get away from all those sweaty bodies. The second floor was more to her liking. There were creatures, witches, and wizards all mingling together with drinks in their hands. Some were dancing in the middle, but unlike the unsightly muggle dancing, this was more elegant. Evelyn flashed small smiles at people as she passed them as she headed to the sleek bar. She hopped up on a bar stool, placing her handbag on the bar, and scanned the room for Alexander. A flash of movement caught her eye and she smiled brightly, seeing him walking toward her. “Alexander.” Evie kissed him on each cheek in greeting. “You were right about the second floor. This place is amazing!”

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[Alexander Caius]

Lex smiled as Evelyn made herself comfortable at the bar. She looked absolutely lovely in her flowery little dress. She commented on the second floor and he grinned, nodding and glancing around. The crowd in this level was never as bad as the first. Occasionally, Thomas Darling would make an appearance and hunt for a woman to leave with.

But he wasn’t here tonight and Lex was grateful. Waving Vesper over, he offered the bartender a smile and placed a hand on Evie’s shoulder.

”Her drinks are on me tonight. Anything she wants,” he instructed, looking at Evie for her to order her drink.

Lex pulled up a barstool next to her and perched himself on it. Evelyn was always stunning…but under the low purple lights, she looked positively alluring. But Lex tore his thoughts from that.

As far as he knew, she was still involved with that guy from Gryffindor. And he needed to remain respectful.

”So how has life been?” he asked over the music. ”I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.”

[Evelyn Brown]

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Alexander Caius

i'm not tryna live forever, i'm just tryna be right here

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Heat rose to her cheeks when Lex told Vesper drinks were on him. She opened her mouth to protest, but she decided to leave it be for tonight. She smiled softly at the witch and ordered a glass of red wine. She wasn’t much of a drinker, but she did enjoy drinking wine. Evelyn watched as Vesper poured her glass and slid it over to her. Evie took it with a grateful smile and raised the glass to her lips, taking a small sip. Oh, it was divine! Lex had sat down beside her and she turned her attention to him.[break][break]

“So how has life been? I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.”[break][break]

Evie let out a small laugh. It really did feel like ages since she saw him last. Save for their brief meeting the other day, she didn’t think she’d seen him since he told her he was now a vampire. The news was hard to take at first, she couldn’t imagine the pain he had been through, but she’d be there for him no matter what. “Well,” she started, taking another sip of wine. “Like I already told you I’m a Healer now. It’s nice to be able to help people, really make a difference.” It wasn’t until she graduated that the career crossed her mind. Truthfully, it was the Hogwarts healer who gave her the idea. “I’m living on my own; in a townhouse in Brighton.” Evie chewed nervously on her bottom lip, debating silently whether to divulge more. “Daniel and I are no longer an item,” she said quickly, raising her glass to her lips again. It had hurt, but it was the right call. Their lives were going in entirely different directions and she didn’t want to hold him back. “But that’s enough about me,” she smiled softly, setting her glass down to reach out and grasp his hands. “Tell me about you.”

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[Alexander Caius]

Lex watched with a smile as Evie ordered a glass of wine. He spared no expense on his choices of beverages for his clientele…but he was particularly proud of their house wines. Another of the vampires living at the manor had opened a vineyard about the same time Lex began drawing his plans for the club. The had decided then to show support for each other…

Marcus giving him a good deal on bulk orders…and Lex making the wine his house choice.

And it worked well for the two vampires. So he was glad to see the look of approval pass over Evelyn’s features. She spoke for a while…telling him about her work. Her home. And then…

Daniel and I are no longer an item.

Lex couldn’t help the look of surprise that passed over his features. He was under the impression that Evie had really been into that guy. But…perhaps life had just changed for them. It happened sometimes.

Lex himself had been rather enthralled with Theodora. But…Life took them separate ways.

Evelyn took his hands in her own and Lex silently steeled himself. She had just confessed her breakup. Now wasn’t the time to let those old feelings bubble up. But one thing about becoming undead at the age of seventeen…was that no matter how wise he became, he’d always feel those late teenage desires and hormones.

But he just smiled, offering her hands a squeeze.

”The club is doing better than I ever imagined. I’ve been able to hire some amazing staff to help me run everything. I still help Charles out over at the library…I feel like I owe it to him. I’m still living over at the manor. It’s nice to come home to people who are…like me.”

He paused and tilted his head.

”Being a vampire isn’t so bad when you just stop listening to the people telling you it is…but I do miss flying,” he teased with a laugh.

It was really good to see her and talk with her again. Lex made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t let himself get too busy to reach out to his friends anymore.

[Evelyn Brown]

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Alexander Caius

i'm not tryna live forever, i'm just tryna be right here

[attr="class","itsover"]

Yes, he was surprised. Everyone was. It was okay, though, she had gotten over the pain of it. Now she just feared other people’s remarks. She was glad that Lex ventured none. Evelyn straightened up in her seat as he started telling her about the club, how he still helped out at the library, and that he still lived at the manor. Another thing that Evie was grateful for. She didn’t know what it must be like to undergo such a transformation. She imagined it would be a little lonely. It was nice that he had others like him under one roof, people to share his experiences with, that understood what he was going through. It was something Evelyn could never provide for him.[break][break]

The brunette quietly sipped on her wine, smiling when he said he missed flying. “Well, you were very good at it,” she replied. “I understand from Catherine that you still brew potions?” Her dorm mate and friend had told her of her visit to the manor where the pair of them brewed potions for fun. “I’d be happy to brew with you anytime you’d like.” Did the prospect of entering a manor filled with vampires scare her? Maybe a little. But she knew that so long as she was with Alexander, she’d be safe.

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[Alexander Caius]

Alexander certainly had the funds and means to leave the manor any time he wanted. And sure, he had toyed with the idea of getting his own apartment or house. But...why? There was something to having a family. And right now, the vampires were the only family he had. He still wrote to his parents...but he was still afraid to be around them.

So living in the manor was just...a comfort.

At her comment about how he had been good at flying, Lex grinned, no longer making efforts to hide his fangs. Only did that around the muggles, these days. And even then, if they noticed...they always assumed it was part of the club aesthetic.

I understand from Catherine that you still brew potions?

Lex grinned and nodded.

"It's about the only thing left that I can do...and even then, I need help sometimes cuz...well...no wand."

He shot her a wink and when she offered to brew with him, he looked at her in surprise.

"You're not worried about walking into my home?" he asked, shock evident. "Don't get me wrong...they're all perfectly harmless...but most people would rather avoid us."

[Evelyn Brown]

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Alexander Caius

i'm not tryna live forever, i'm just tryna be right here

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The sight of his fangs didn’t bother her in the slightest. Evelyn smiled brightly along with him, raising her glass to her lips for another sip. It was nice to hang out with Lex again. He brought up the fact he no longer had a wand and Evie nodded solemnly. She tried not to focus on his past, but it was hard to forget the wizard he was. This Lex was different in more ways than one, however. He seemed more confident in his identity than the last time they met. It was refreshing to see.[break][break]

Alexander appeared shocked at her offer and questioned whether she was worried to go to the manor. Evelyn’s fingers drummed on the stem of her wine glass nervously. “I know you won’t let anything happen to me,” she said at last, offering up a small smile. “Besides, it would be good for me to experience new things.” Most of her life she stayed safely in her comfort zone, never venturing outside of it. Since her relationship with Daniel came to an end, she realized that she should expand her horizons.[break][break]

Evie sipped more on her wine, a warmth spreading throughout her body as the alcohol started to affect her. A small giggle bubbled out of her at the feeling. “I think I should slow down,” she said innocently. Her glass was nearly empty. She hadn’t realized she was drinking so much. Cheering sounded to her right and Evelyn turned to look. A couple was dancing together with a crowd around them. Her lips curled into a smile as she watched their movements, the music seemingly taking over their bodies and commanding them to dance. “I think I’d like to dance,” she told him, turning to gaze at him. Evie set her glass down and held out her hand. “Would you do me the honor?”

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[Alexander Caius]

As Evelyn confirmed that she knew Lex wouldn’t let any harm become her, he smiled warmly. His kind got an awful reputation. And part of him understood. By nature, they were predators. Lex knew that all too well.

He had had to put effort and time into getting a control on his thirst. But it was worth it. Lex wasn’t sure he could have lived an existence being a monster. He was proud to be apart of the movement to prove to the world that not all vampires should be avoided.

Evie was nearing the end of her first glass and she mentioned probably needing to slow down and Lex just chuckled. The alcohol didn’t affect him the way it used to. Now, his body just burned it off almost instantly. The cheer off to the side caught his ear and he watched a pair as they danced. It was a couple of regulars and he grinned as he watched them.

But then Evie said something unexpected and as Lex turned his eyes back to her, she held out her hand.

Lex smiled and took her hand in his own before leading her to the dance floor. Once there, he slinked a hand around her waist…nothing too scandalous. Just enough to guide her a bit. His smile was clear. He was really enjoying this time with her.

[Evelyn Brown]

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Alexander Caius

i'm not tryna live forever, i'm just tryna be right here

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With a warm smile, Lex took her hand and led her to the dance floor. The crowd parted to let them through and Evie could feel the eyes on them, heat rising to her cheeks. Of course they’d want to see who the owner was dancing with. Her face only got hotter as he placed his hand on the small of her back, a strange stirring starting up in her belly. Their joined hands hovered near his shoulder and Evelyn found herself stepping closer to him, her other hand resting on his bicep. She could feel how strong he was underneath his shirt, her cheeks burning at this point. They swayed slowly to the beat of the music, her feet following his lead. Her hazel eyes were fixed on his face. His skin was so smooth, his features handsome in the faint purple lights, a few locks of hair that had escaped his ponytail framing his face so elegantly. For the first time since she’s known him, she felt enthralled by him. Was it his own powers doing this to her? She had read that vampires could appear desirous to humans in order to draw them in. Perhaps that was what was drawing her to him. Or perhaps it was the alcohol.[break][break]

As they danced together, the rest of the world started to fade away. Evie couldn’t sense the crowd around them anymore and it felt like they were truly alone. A soft sigh escaped her lips and she turned her head, resting it gently on his chest. She felt so at home with him. There was no place safer for her than here in his arms. Her mind was spinning or maybe that was them, twirling around in circles. Her heart sputtered in her chest and she started to feel confused. What was going on? Evelyn lifted her head and looked up at him, her lips parted. “I’m starting to get dizzy,” she admitted quietly. She didn’t know what she was feeling at the moment, but it was driving her crazy.

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[Alexander Caius]

The stares never bothered Lex. He often danced with patrons who were bold enough to ask him so he wasn’t too phased by the onlookers watching them. But…he’d be a liar if he said he was elated to finally have Evelyn in his arms. Even if it was just a friendly little dance.

They swayed and spun and danced for a bit until…Evie mentioned feeling dizzy. Lex felt his brow furrowed slightly in concern and he tightened the arm around her waist to support her a bit as he helped her walk to his personal VIP area.

Seating her on the plush sofa, he signaled for Nico to bring some water. And once it was there, he handed it off to Evelyn.

”Are you alright?” he asked attentively, never taking his focus off of her.

[Evelyn Brown]

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Alexander Caius

i'm not tryna live forever, i'm just tryna be right here

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She didn’t know what came over her. Even though she was sitting perfectly still, everything around seemed like it was still spinning. It wasn’t the alcohol, she didn’t even drink that much, so it had to be something else. Evie took the water gratefully and quickly gulped some down. She felt a little better, but still unsettled. A dainty hand came to rest on her forehead and she nodded feebly to Lex’s question. “I’ll be fine,” she replied softly, moving her hand so she could see him properly. His concern for her was touching, her heart softening at the look in his eyes. “Truly,” she assured him, moving to place her hand on top of his. Her fingers tingled strangely at the touch. Slowly, she moved her hand back to her lap. What was that?[break][break]

The music shifted to something more upbeat. Evelyn thought that it was out of place with how she was feeling. She hadn’t realized she’d been staring at him. Her gaze flickered to the glass of water in her hand. “Thank you,” she smiled. “For tonight. It’s been lovely.”

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[Alexander Caius]

It wasn't uncommon for someone to feel faint in a situation such as this. The club was a rather steamy environment...pair that with dancing and alcohol. It could be easy to lose your wits. But Lex took care of his own. He always would. As Evie assured him that she would be fine...Lex smiled at her, the soft touch of her hand against his feeling quite lovely.

It never mattered how long time went by...or how old they got...Evie would always be the first girl Lex fell in love with. And he was certain he'd always love her. He had just accepted that she wouldn't see him like that. And that was fine. She was never obligated to return his feelings.

She broke their prolonged gaze and her voice was soft as she thanked him.

He smiled a sharp, toothy smile and nodded.

"You're welcome here anytime," he assured her. "And if you ever wish to come by the manor, your invitation there has no expiration."

[Evelyn Brown]

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Alexander Caius

i'm not tryna live forever, i'm just tryna be right here

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The room slowly stopped spinning and Evelyn could think straight again. She listened to him as he spoke, a small smile forming on her lips at his words. He was too sweet, truly. Here she had embarrassed herself and he was as kind as he ever was. “Thank you,” she repeated. “I’d love to come by sometime. Whenever it is convenient.” Evie sipped on her water, letting the cool liquid soothe her as it traveled to her stomach. She didn’t know if she wanted to get back on the dance floor. These couches were quite comfortable. Evelyn set her glass down on the table in front of her and leaned back into the cushions, her gaze fixing on Alexander once more. “I’ve enjoyed my work as a Healer. My coworkers have been very kind and accommodating.” She had some familiar faces at St. Mungos as well. Cara had been one of her first friends at Hogwarts. “How has Charles been? I’ve not been to the library in some time.”

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[Alexander Caius]

She thanked him for the invitations and Lex nodded, his nose scrunching slightly as he smiled at her. Even if she never loved him back the way he would be doomed to love her for all eternity, she would always be his best friend. It didn't matter where life took them...he would always find her when she needed him and he would always protect her with his life. Or...at least what was left of it.

She told him about her work and he listened intently. Perhaps in a different life...one where he wasn't technically dead...he might have pursued a career in the healing arts if quidditch didn't work out. But life was funny and often worked in ways difficult to understand.

Perhaps he was just where he needed to be. Perhaps him becoming a creature and learning to live proudly and unashamed right in the midst of a time where his kind were persecuted...was important.

But she asked about Charles and Lex smiled again.

"He's fantastic...still bringing in souls looking for a bit of respite from our personal storms...still always happy to share his knowledge and home with whomever seeks it."

Truly, Charles De Luca had been a god send. Lex wasn't sure where he would have ended up without the man.