i swear to merlin, nott cried. i'm being stalked!

everyone in the break room rolled their eyes and a heavy sigh left tom's chest. oh— the useless cries of a self important man.

he refrained from laughing as he took a drink of his coffee, soaking up the sight of nott's downfall. nothing looked more ridiculous than wealth going deranged.

why does nobody believe me! he wailed, burying himself deeper than tom was even planning. tom knows! — his coffee cup froze halfway to his lips.

what?

he had to admit he was caught off guard.

we bumped into each other when i was running away last night, don't you remember? nott was sweating and looked like a rotten tomato, he was disgusting.

everyone eyes turned to tom, their expression glowing like caution signs, urging him to tread carefully.

tom raised a brow at him and continued to drink his coffee, sorry i had just left the pub— he bit back a smile as nott's face crumbled, tom pictured how his bones might sound when they crunch — so i don't remember much.

you're lying!

his eyes caught valeria's— staring right at him. he flashed her a grin, basking in her attention and he wished he could keep her staring at him forever. perhaps he might.

cool air bit at his skin, it's fangs digging into his cheeks and making them bleed. the sharp spark of flame warmed his face and tobacco leaked into his corrupted lungs.

why are you so weird? valeria muttered behind him, hovering back a few feet as if she was the angel who had abandoned his shoulder long ago.

tom laughed, the sound sharp and rough and he watched in delight as she shivered— not from the cold. i'm weird?

yes.

he turned and leaned himself against the railing by his elbows. picking her apart quite contently and he imagined what she was like underneath. wondered what her heart looked like— still beating of course.

most people consider me charming.

she shook her head, rueful smile on her bloody lips and a lust gripped his gaze as he stared at them.

you have the world convinced you're more complicated than you are.

he watched her walk closer— her heels sharp clicks, the stone echoing a warning— run away from him, you should really run— oh silly girl, you've stepped right into a trap.

tom inhaled smoke as well as her as she stepped up to his chest. eyes wide and mind running wild and he wanted to pick her a part in a way he wasn't sure he could handle.

valeria's hand was suddenly on his chest— he froze — she grinned and looked a lot less holy all the sudden.

your heart is racing.

he shoved her hand away— this was an awful idea.

it's the nicotine.

she looked at him in a way that screamed she saw him and it was frightening.

we need a new body— the change in conversation made it feel as if the earth was yanked from beneath him.

tom blinked at her. sorry?

we're at a dead end in the case. she sighed, not looking sorry and he realized valeria wasn't a simple soul at all. we need more clues.

he could see to that— he smiled at her and took another drag of smoke, you're heartless miss malfoy.

and you go wild for it.

dammit, he was smiling again.

this really was truly an awful, horrible idea.