Mark didnt know how long he cried there. At some point he had fallen against the chair, laying limp with his eyes focused on nothing. That was how Felix found him.

Felix kneeled in front of Mark, shaking his shoulders and calling Mark's name, rousing him from the stupor he had been in. It took a minute but Mark slowly became aware of his surroundings. His mind registered Felixs hands on him and after a couple moments his body acted, moving to sit up. He looked at Felix properly, who was looking at him concerned, and Mark felt tears stinging the back of his eyes once again as he recalled why he was in this state to begin with.

Felix, Mark rasped out, trying to keep his unending tears at bay.

What happened Mark? Wheres Sean? Felix gripped Marks shoulders, fear creeping into Felixs eyes, assuming the worst.

Hes gone, he left. Marks eyes moved back to the door, the image of it slamming behind Sean playing over and over in his head.

Like he went home?

Mark shrugged. He assumed thats where he went. He had to resist the desire to call or text to confirm. Sean obviously wanted nothing to do with him.

What happened? Did you two talk? Felix relaxed his grip, but his eyes were still full of concern.

He woke up a-and- Mark broke off as he drew in a ragged breath. He clawed at the floor, hands forming fists as he brought them to his eyes, pressing hard.

Shh, Mark, its okay. Take your time. Felix wrapped a comforting arm around Mark, scooting beside him. Mark took a moment to compose himself, leaning into Felix before he explain what had happened.

Mark spoke in monotone, detached as he told Felix of the way Sean had woken in pure terror at the sight of Mark, how his mouth had spat the word monster, before bolting, door slamming behind him. His voice held no emotion, even though his insides were churning like the ocean during a storm.

Felix listened, his face showing his surprise and sorrow.

Hes just afraid, Mark. Afraid and confused. When he has had time to calm down and process you can explain it to him, Felix spoke softly.

Mark scoffed. What is there to explain? He nailed it on the head. Mark grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest, then yelping as Felix smacked him across the head. What the hell, Felix? Mark rubbed his head where Felix had hit him.

I dont give a shit what the skinny Irish twink said, or anyone else, yourself included, Felix pointed at Mark, his voice angry. You are not a monster. You are a good man who has had some very bad things happen too, and you have done the best that you can in the circumstances. We all make mistakes Mark, you've just had a lot more time to make them. Felixs voice softened at the end, but still held his stern expression. Mark swallowed, ducking his head as he tried his best to believe Felixs words. He tried to be a good person, but just because you try something doesn't mean you are any good at it.

Look at me Mark, and say the words I am a good person.

Mark grunted, hesitating before he dragged his eyes up to Felixs determined ones.

I am a good person, Mark grumbled, wishing Felix would drop this subject.

Yes you are. Now, being the good person you are, get up and have a shower. Marzia will be here soon, she left earlier to go feed her dog, and we have to explain everything to her. And you smell.

Mark groaned, shoving Felix as he moved to stand up. Fuck off, he glared at Felix but he could feel his lips twitch. Fuck him and his ability to make Mark smile.

You have half an hour. Go make yourself presentable, Felix called after him as Mark made his way upstairs to the bathroom. He went through the motions, paying extra attention to what he was doing so his mind would not wander. He was back downstairs in twenty, Felix making eggs and toast. Mark grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and checked the clock on the stove. It was almost eight a.m., about five hours since Sean left. Five hours of sitting on the floor like a kicked puppy.

Mark shook his head, pushing the negative thoughts away. He would deal with that later, right now they had to get Marzia caught up and deal with the aftermath.

Feeling better? Felix asked, not taking his eyes off the food in front of him.

Yea, Mark commented as he snatched a piece of toast from the toaster, sitting at the island, munching on it.

He did feel a bit better, more in control. His emotions, even after four hundred years, were still a train wreck.

You will feel things stronger than before; anger, sadness, happiness, love, hate. Again, all things you will learn to control in time.

Lukass words from so, so long ago, rang clear in his mind. In time, hah. Four hundred years and he still didnt have an ounce of control over them. It was better for sure, he had been impossible to reign in once upon a time, but still.

Times like this he wish Lukas was still here. He would know what to say, what to do. And he would understand, more than anyone else.

Stop worrying about Sean, we will handle that together. It will all be okay Mark. Felix placed a plate of eggs down in front of Mark, sitting across from him with his own and a cup of coffee.

I wasnt worrying about Sean. Felix gave him a pointed look. I mean, it wasnt the forefront of my thoughts then. I was thinking about Lukas. How I wish he was here. Hed know what to do.

Hed be telling you exactly what I am, Im sure. Mark hummed, not really able to disagree but not wanting to agree either. So, how much did you tell her last night?

I told her that vampires had kidnapped Sean. Mark choked on his toast. Coughing a few times, he looked at Felix over his hand.

Im sorry, you told her the truth right off the bat and she didnt think you were crazy? Mark asked incredulously.

At first she did. But she was willing to listen to me. She puts more stock into this supernatural stuff than most people but she still wants proof, Felix stated, like it was normal.

Mark, on the other hand, was still trying to comprehend how she seemed to be A-Okay with this.

So youre telling me you told her vampires exist and that you have proof for her, and she didnt call the madhouse?

I knew she wouldnt freak out, and I knew she would find out eventually. So I didnt bother beating around the bush. Felix took a bite of his eggs, eyes still on Mark.

Wish I had that knowledge for last night. Mark grumbled. Felix choked on his eggs as he tried not to laugh, Mark sending him a glare, though he had a smile playing on his lips.

So I guess Im your proof then? Mark sighed, finishing off his toast.

Felix winked at him. Yes sir.

The dogs began to bark, followed by a knock on the door.

Well, lets get this show on the road, Felix spoke with a smile, pushing up from the island to get the door. Marked waited in the kitchen for the couple to walk back in. Marzia looked a little worse for wear, but she gave Mark a small smile, hand gripped in Felixs.

Mark's eyes flicked down to their joint hands, happy that this whole mess hadnt destroyed all the happiness.

They decided to sit in the living room for a more comfortable setting, Mark in the armchair, and Felix and Marzia seated together on the couch. Felix kept a respectable distance but was still close by, Marzia unconsciously leaning slightly towards Felix.

Mark always forgot how in tune soulmates were with each other. He never really got to watch soulmates up close before, and he hadnt allowed himself that close to his own since Jaq, besides Sean. He took a shuddering breath, knowing that he will probably never have that.

So Felix here told me Sean had been taken by vampires, Marzia glanced at Felix before back to Mark. First off, is he okay?

Yea, hes fine, Mark figured that was close enough to the truth. Hes gone home. Or the police.

Okay, Marzia looked a little skeptical but seemed to accept the answer for now. Im inclined to think you two are both just crazy but I dont see Felix making this stuff up and he said you had proof. Marzia raised an eyebrow at Mark. He held back a smile. For all her bravado, he could tell she was still scared, but Mark could also see her curiosity.

Mark looked at Felix who gave him a nod, then he let his teeth extend, his lips drawing back so Marzia could see.

Marzia jumped back into Felix who was quick to steady her. Mark was going to retract them so to relax her, but Marzia then leaned forwards, bring her face right to Mark's to inspect his mouth.

Wow, Marzia murmured in quiet awe, and Mark felt himself blush a little at both the praise and awkwardness of the situation. He had never had this kind of reaction to him baring his teeth.

Mark pulled back, eyes wide. What else can you do?

Mark stuttered a bit, his teeth retracting as he stared at her, dumbstruck. Uh, I, Mark was at a loss, but Felix came to his rescue.

We can talk about that later, right now we need to explain to you what's happening. Felix spoke to her softly, a smile in his voice.

Right, yea. But after, I want to know everything, which myths are true and which are fake. Marzia looked positively excited and Mark was again, speechless.

Felix took the lead and they spent the next hour explaining everything to Marzia; who they were, who had taken Sean and what they knew about them. They also explained who Sean was to Mark, though it was a heavily edited version of it. Mark didnt like the idea of telling anyone his story, but he knew she had to have a basic knowledge of their history.

They also only briefly touched on the soulmate factor, Felix not wanting to have that conversation with Marzia just yet, wanting to have that in private.

By the end Marzia previous enthusiasm had dwindled and she had some of her initial fear back. Mark was worried they were going to scare her off, but Felix had said earlier that Marzia was going to find out and he seemed relaxed and unworried, so he tried to take comfort in that.

So, essentially these evil vampires are up to something bad and youre both trying to stop them and Sean is involved because he is your soulmate and has been reincarnated over and over again but he has no idea about any of this or who you even are- a vampire slash vampire hunter and a guy who remembers every life hes lived? It all tumbled out of her mouth, laced in both awe and disbelief. Marzia looked between the two of them who were nodding, then she let out a breath and dropped her head to her hands.

Are you okay? Mark asked her.

I just need to process. Mark nodded, understanding. It was a lot of information and hes genuinely surprised she was handling it as well as she was.

Im still trying to get past the fact that my boyfriend is basically over a thousand years old.

Felix barked out a laugh and Mark snorted. Of all things to be hung up on, thats what's getting you? And I am not that old, Im only twenty-eight. Felix retorted.

You might as well be, even if your body isnt.

She has a point, Fe, Mark commented.

Shut up, I still look better than the four hundred year old vampire. Felix grumbled. Marzia and Mark both giggled, then Marzia turned her attention to Mark.

So when they took Sean, and you saved him, did you tell him? She questioned.

Mark felt his smile drop and the room grew tense. Mark didnt speak right away, and he heard Felix say Marzias name before he cut him off.

He figured it out himself, and he ran. Mark deadpanned.

He ran? What do you mean?

Marzia, lets leave it- Felix started but Mark cut him off again.

No, its fine Felix. Mark sighed, dropping his eyes. Sean saw me for what I am, and he was scared, as he should be. When he woke up, he saw me and his eyes held so much terror. After being kidnapped by monsters then finding himself alone with me when I killed the guard in front of him, I dont blame him. I just wish I could explain everything to him. Marks voice hitched at the end and he took a breath. He was tired of being weak. He knew this was always going to be the outcome. But he had allowed himself to hope and now he was paying the price.

He was lost in his turmoil and jumped when he felt something touch his hand. He looked up to see his Marzias hand, her eyes boring into him.

I may not know you very well Mark, and I dont know your past, but Id like to think Im a pretty good judge of character and the last thing Id consider you to be is a monster. Like you said, he was scared. Give him some time and hell come around. Hes your soulmate after all, that has to count for something. She smiled and squeezed his hand.

Mark was touched by the sentiment, and he allowed himself to smile back in thanks, even letting himself believe it for a moment. But Marzia didnt know him and she didnt understand their world. Not yet. But still, he appreciated it.

They talked for a bit longer, answering Marzias various questions, specifically about Mark's biology. Mark was still amazed that she seemed to accept this as the truth. He could still see the underlying concern in her eyes, the fear of the unknown, which he supposed was where all these questions were coming from. She was trying to understand everything that she could. Felix looked on in adoration. Mark could see the pride on his face for her, along with his love.

Eventually Felix accompanied Marzia home, and Mark knew theyd have their own private conversation. Mark wondered if he was going to tell her about them being soulmates, or leave it for another day, one where she hadnt just had her entire world turned upside down.

Marzia left Mark with a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek, causing Mark to blush a little which Felix snickered at. The two left and Mark was left alone in the house. The silence quickly became suffocating and he could feel himself slipping into his earlier despair. Deciding that he was not about to go back down that road, he whistled and called the dogs and grabbed their leashes.

Stuffing some bags into his pocket, he put their leashes on and they set out for a walk into the warm California sun. It was early afternoon on a Sunday, and there were many other pet owners walking their dogs. Mark greeted them as they passed, chatted with the more familiar ones and Edgar and Chica sniffed the other dogs. Between the two of them, Mark took the dogs out far more than Felix, so he knew most of the people on the block.

It was therapeutic. No one knew who he was, what he was. He was just a regular Joe, out walking his dogs on a sunny day. He could grumble with them about another weekend gone, and having to push through another Monday. He could listen to them complain about healthcare and pretend it affected him the same way, and cheer over the home teams win this past week, like he actually did something as mundane as follow sports.

He could be human.

Then he would enter the confines of his house and the pretense dropped as he was forced to confront the truth. He hadnt been human in a long time and he never would be again. Not until the day he died, whenever that may be.

If it werent for Felix finding him every lifetime, it probably would have happened already. And Sean.

Always Sean.

It occurred to Mark just then that he had stopped referring to his soulmate as Jack, but as Sean. He had become such a sole focus in so short a period of time. It almost felt like he was betraying his first love, but they were the same person. Especially now.

Mark let the dogs loose in the backyard and he plopped down on the couch. Looking at his phone he hovered over Seans contact name, debating on what to do. He didnt blame Sean for his words, not in the least. And he didnt want to try and change his mind. But he wanted to explain, to make him understand that he would never hurt him and he needed to make sure he was safe. It was taking everything he had not to go right to his apartment and make sure he was safe with his own eyes but that would probably just end up with a call to the police.

Growling, he tossed his phone on the table and he flopped back, looking at the ceiling.

He would take both Felix and Marzias advice and give him some time. Tomorrow. Give him the night to sort through his own thoughts. Until then, Mark figured he had better deal with Brian. When he had turned his phone back on earlier he had a few missed messages from him, some not so nice. At least it was something that would keep him occupied for the rest of the night.

The next day after spending hours on the phone with Brian in which he gave him an earful for not getting back to him sooner along with discussing the situation - which was mainly Brian telling him to sit still while they handled it, big surprise - Mark sent off some texts to Sean.

Can I explain? I dont expect you to trust me but there are things you need to know.

Please, Sean, Ill never hurt you. But you could still be in danger.

Sean?

Just tell me you are safe.

After getting no response, Mark decided to visit the shop the following day. Ken greeted him cheerfully and they talked about Mary and Layla. They were doing well, and while they were both sleep deprived, they were happier than ever. Mark asked if Sean was here.

Jack called in sick yesterday, said he wouldnt be in for a few days. Said he came down with the flu. Not exactly the best time, but sickness hits us when we least expect it. Besides, gives Ethan more chances to work with more clientele and build up his portfolio.

Mark felt his stomach drop. Sean was avoiding work. Was it because of what happened or because of something else? He thanked Ken and promised that him and Felix would stop by the house and visit the family soon. He pulled up his phone to call Sean. It rang twice then was sent to voicemail.

Hi! Youve reached Sean McLoughlin. Cannae come to the phone right now but leave a diddy and Ill catch ya soon!

Mark snorted at the over the top and completely Sean message. Sean, please, just give me a chance to explain, and let me know you are safe. I know this is terrifying and you have every right to hate me. But there is so much you dont know and I just want to keep you safe. Please believe that. Mark paused for a minute. Just call me. Please.

He hung up the phone, and headed back home.

After a few more days of radio silence from Sean, who had still not come back to work, Mark, worried out of his mind, went to his apartment. He needed to know he was okay.

He parked out front of his building and waited for a tenant to let him in. He didnt bother buzzing, not wanting to give Sean a reason to book it if he was in his apartment. After practically running to his door, Mark listened first for any signs of life. He could hear the quiet sounds of music in the background and what sounded like pencil on paper.

He took a breath and knocked on the door. The sounds from inside halted and Mark heard tentative steps come to the door. Mark heard Seans almost inaudible gasp.

Sean, please. Let me explain.

There was no response.

I know you are in there. Im not going to hurt you, I would never hurt you. But you need to know what's going on. Come on, Sean. You must know I wont. In the time youve known me, you must have realized this. Mark hesitated, planning to leave it at that before he pushed on. Youve had to feel it too, the connection between us. I know I do. Sean, please, youre youre too important to me to-

Ill say it one more time Mark, Seans voice cut him off, and Mark felt his body cave in on the harsh and detached way he said his name. Stay. Away. I want nothin to do with you or whatever explanations you have. Just leave an never come back. Mark thought he heard Seans voice hitch at the end but it was overshadowed by the immense amount of sorrow and anguish he felt.

Sean please- He began but was startled when something hit the door, stepping back.

I said leave! Sean screamed and Mark quickly turned and ran back to his car. He heard Seans voice echoing in his head as he got into his car and started the ignition, peeling away from the curb.

Leave me alone. Stay away. Monster. Never come back. Monster. Monster.

Mark felt tears run down his cheeks, and he held back a sob. What was he going to do? Sean hated him. He was disgusted by him. His mind was haunted by the look of pure fear and disgust Sean had when he first woke up. That look would forever be seared into Mark's brain for as long as he lived. He could see it in every single incarnation of him, and he could see is on Jacks face. His Jack, the one who died all because Mark fell for him. Because he loved a monster.

Mark looked at his hands that gripped the steering wheel and he could see blood on them. Jacks blood. He yelped, and the car swerved. He looked back up in time to avoid hitting the oncoming traffic, horns blaring at him. When he looked back down his hands were clean, physically. They hadnt truly been clean in years.

He kept driving until he was on the outer edge of the city, away from pedestrians and traffic. He pushed down on the petal, speeding along the highway in the desert. There were few cars as he made his way onto a gravel road, one that he knew was rarely used anymore, containing mainly abandoned farms and houses. It was approaching night, the sun setting and Mark knew he was being reckless, stupid. But he couldnt stop driving. His body was shaking and he didnt know what he would do if he stopped the car now. He had to keep driving, keep moving forwards. Keep focused on something.

He was still going along, lost in thought when a person stepped out in front of him.

Mark swore as he hit his brakes and craned his wheel. Due to his speed he felt the car tip as it skid along the road, flipping as he hit the ditch. He screamed as the car rolled, ears filled with the sounds of creaking metal and shattering glass. The airbags went off, his head bouncing off it, and as quickly as it started, it stopped.

It was silent, the only thing he could hear was his laboured breaths and a ringing in his ears. The car was on its side and he was being held up by his seatbelt alone which was biting into his skin. He felt blood dripping down his forehead. Mark groaned in pain, as he tried to get his bearings. He heard footsteps, and there was a shadow, a person, looming over above him. Mark couldn't make them out, the blood dripping into his eyes and he couldnt keep focused. Black spots danced across his vision. He felt himself drifting off, the person above him speaking as he lost consciousness.

Oh Markell, how far youve fallen.