It wasn't very common for you to spend the evening out drinking these days. There was something more enjoyable about it when you were younger, perhaps the recovery time made it less appealing. On occasion though, you would get together with close friends from college.

This night was a little bit different.

You'd spent most of your time consuming virgin drinks. No, you weren't the designated driver this time, but you did have business to attend to. You decided to stay behind and finish your drink as your small group hopped to the next bar. This was your last stop, it was well past midnight and home was calling your name.

While you closed out your tab a couple of men caught your periphery at the other end of the bar. They had been watching you and speaking to each other. Clumsily you slid off of the barstool catching the counter to steady yourself.

"Do you need me to call a cab or something for you?" the bartender asked, handing your debit card over.

"I-can-walk~" you slurred sending him a playful smile.

The fresh spring night air blew your hair off of your shoulders as you stepped out onto the sidewalk. Swaying a bit, you made your way down the block. It didn't take long to feel a presence behind you. Something dark and powerful, it sent a chill down your spine.

Humming loudly and off key, you continued down the vacant street - that's when you heard them murmuring behind you. Two males making plans in hushed voices. Your steps continued to be unsteady while they quickly grew closer. The once light crisp night air grew heavy and dangerous. Your insides shivered anxiously and goosebumps flashed down your arms while you swiftly turned left down an alley. Dumpsters and overflowing trash bags flanked you, a filthy brick wall blocked the opposite side.

A dead end.

Perfect.

"Excuse me," a pleasantly deep voice floated between the buildings, "we couldn't help but notice you were out here all alone."

"We're good company." his companion added.

You tilted your head back to glance over your shoulder as the street light at the entrance to the alley flickered, "Who said I needed company~?"

"She might be a little too far gone." the shorter of the two pointed out glancing at his friend.

"That'll just make it more fun." he replied, never looking away from you.

"It seems you're mistaken boys," you straightened yourself out and smiled as you turned to face them completely.

Both men looked over you in utter confusion. Hadn't you just been swaying down the street? They'd seen how many drinks you'd consumed at the bar.

"I'm not alone."

Only the soft sound of shifting fabric gave warning to what was about to happen in the split second that followed. Long jet black claws dropped down from above snatching the taller man up into the darkness. A terrified shriek was cut short as a downpour of blood fell over the nameless person that stood in front of you. The rusty scent you'd grown accustomed to wafted through the alley.

Everything happened in such quick succession you didn't have time to register the horror and confusion on the other man's face before the claws appeared again. He wasn't given the chance for a pleading cry. More blood crashed down splattering your shoes.

"Such messy eaters." you murmured, shaking your head.

"I do wish you'd find another way to lure in meals." his soft voice was behind you now, "What if we weren't fast enough?"

"You're always fast enough, master." you turned just in time to see his golden eyes roll.

"What have I told you about calling me that, F/N-ya?"

"It's proper familiar etiquette." you retorted, handing him a wet nap from your purse.

"What would the council say if they heard her addressing you by name?" a redhead appeared next to him adjusting his shades.

"Who fucking cares?" he cleaned his face as the third member of his small coven hopped down.

"Shachi is right, they frown on that kind of stuff."

"Ya know you're wrong when these two sound reasonable." you chuckled handing them wet naps as well, "Ready to get home? It'll be dawn soon. I don't need you turning to ash on me, though you'd be much easier to clean up after."

"Oh F/N, you're so funny." Sachi commented with a chuckle.

"Not as funny as she thinks she is." Law smirked cheekily before passing you to lead the way back to the street.

"Oh, that guy had more to drink than I thought." Penguin laughed and rubbed his eyes.

"Catch a buzz?" you asked, slipping an arm around his torso for support as he swayed.

"He was a lightweight even back in our pirate days when we were human," Shachi laughed, pulling him away from you, "I got him, F/N. No need to annoy the captain by fussing with us."

"I'm not annoyed but it would do you some good to remember who you are bound to, F/N-ya." Law wasn't far ahead of you but he didn't wait for you to catch up.

You had been Trafalgar Law's familiar for the last almost five years. A position bound by a blood contract. You were to serve his every need and in return he would, on the day of his choosing, offer you eternal life. That of course required him to turn you into a vampire. You'd assumed it would have happened by now. You weren't all that great at your duties - especially in the first couple of years. Admittedly, you should have read the fine print. Basically murdering humans wasn't something you had considered - much less cleaning up the mess. Now, it was fun on occasion to surprise local law enforcement by taking the house out for dinner like you had on this night. It would be all over the news for a couple of weeks, strange killings where the body was completely drained of its blood. Of course, vampires couldn't be real. It was laughable to even suggest it.

You always sought out... well, deserving was probably not the correct term for it, but they weren't good people. Most wouldn't even be missed.

Your fifth anniversary as Law's familiar was upon you and you were hopeful that would be the day. Though he'd expressed some trepidation recently.

Humanity wasn't all it was cracked up to be. And Law didn't actually treat you like a true familiar - the two of you had gotten very close. There were lots of quiet evenings spent just reading together, even cuddling occasionally. Sometimes you wondered if he just wanted someone to spend time with. You couldn't say you didn't look forward to it. You absolutely enjoyed your alone time with him. Shachi and Penguin had fairly active private lives and spent a good amount of their time out. Vampires were surprisingly social creatures always throwing parties and raves - taking impromptu trips. You very much wanted that life. You wanted to do what you wanted when you wanted and truly be free... with Law.

"F/N-ya," Law murmured from his seat on his bed while you latched the shudders and drew the black-out curtains.

"Yes master~?" you sing-songed jokingly.

"For the love of -" he grumbled, "stop calling me that."

"But your reaction is always so fun." you turned with a smile that made him glance away briefly, "What did you need then, Captain?"

His eyes widened before he put his hand over his face, "Somehow that's worse."

"Then what do you suggest?" you chuckled crossing the room, "I'm just trying not to get us in trouble."

He straightened up and motioned for you to sit with him, "When we're alone call me Law. In public, you merely have to answer me. There's no need to address me with any honorific or reverence."

The tone he used made you feel warm and comfortable, "Understood," you smiled softly,"now, what can I do for you?"

"Would you perhaps mind staying here..." his eyes trailed away from you, "... to read for a bit."

"As you wish." you chuckled, "Feeling clingy tonight? You seemed concerned for me earlier."

"Clingy?" he made a face at you,"I've never been clingy in my life."

"I don't believe it." you teased getting settled against the pillows on the other side of the bed.

He removed his t-shirt revealing all of his tribal-like heart tattoos and handed you the book from his nightstand, "F/N-ya, please just read?"

Reaching over he switched off the lamp next to him leaving the warm glow from your side to light the pages in front of you. Law yawned and laid his pillow against your thigh as you began to read aloud from where you'd left off the morning before. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep. After you set the book down and turned out the light you scooted down into the blankets and let his soft snores lull you to sleep.

______________

You woke to Law's breath tickling the nape of your neck making you shiver. His arms were wrapped around you securely.

"F/N-ya," he murmured, pressing his cold nose against your skin,"you're so warm."

"Is that something you miss?" you asked, keeping your eyes closed.

He hummed taking a deep breath and enjoying the way your heart rate sped up for him.

You couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Sure, you found yourself waking up like this often. Law enjoyed your company and listening to you read soothed him to sleep - something he didn't do much of before you came along. For some reason you felt more vulnerable than usual. His aura was more intense and he was very focused on you.

"I'm hungry," his lips brushed against your ear.

"That's not funny." you chuckled finally opening your eyes.

"Who said I was joking? You wanted that, didn't you?"

"To be eaten? Not so much for breakfast." you shifted to face him.

Those normally half lidded golden eyes were looking over you with an energy you hadn't really experienced before. That pang of excitement and danger shot down your spine. Even in the dark you could see his lips curl into an amused simper while his hands moved down your back.

"Tell me, F/N-ya... why aren't you afraid?"

You gently brushed your finger tips along his jaw stopping at the scruff on his chin, "You make me feel safe."

His smirk dropped into a sort of pout.

"Like earlier with those guys in the alley. Even if things had gotten more out of hand - you wouldn't have allowed them to harm me."

"You put too much trust in me." he moved to loom above you.

"Perhaps." you settled watching him as best you could without light, "And if you'd wanted to hurt me you're playing a very long game."

"That's true," he nuzzled just under your jaw, stealing your breath, "you've become quite important to me."

"Because I'm breakfast?" you teased squirming beneath him running your fingers over the tattoo on his chest.

"Not funny." he murmured bringing his knee up to press between your thighs.

The soft moan that you let out made him shudder. He needed more.

"I want you to be mine."

"I'm a little offended you didn't already consider me to be yours." your gaze never left his face.

A soft smile bent his lips before he leaned in letting them brush against yours as he spoke, "More than my familiar, F/N-ya."

Finally he closed the small space between you and captured your lips in a tender but desperate kiss. He could feel the heat rush through your body and hear your heart beat rise.

It made him feel alive again.

A/N : This is an entry for Quinloki 's 100 followers contest. It's 1977 words - which is a lot for me lol.

I did something a tiny bit different here, so I hope you all enjoy it.