Chapter Text
CARNELIAN
The air is thick in the club, body’s hot and sticky, sweat and alcohol seeping through people’s pores causing skin to stick at the slightest of touch. Gin and Tonic swirling through his veins. He likes his drinks light and clear, with a hint of lime, makes him feel like it’s better for his body. No unnatural chemicals. Body’s grinding and rubbing up on other bodies. Release, is what people are looking for on nights like tonight.
Release
Release from their careers, their responsibilities, their worries, and their stress. Louis Tomlinson is no different than every other man and woman in this club. It feels…well, it feels good, the man rubbing his crotch against Louis'. The feeling rushing around his brain makes it impossible for him to be anywhere other than this moment. There’s no time to think about a dead end job or being broke three days after getting paid. Being lonely and alone. Grief holds no weight here in this moment.
There’s no time for such thoughts when the handsome man in front of him is gripping him tight and rubbing against him just right that he’s half hard in his pants. Louis’ eyes drift closed, he inhales what smells like expensive cologne. Judging by the man’s clothes—he drooled over that exact Burberry sweater in a catalogue a few months back—and his manicured hands he’s probably correct on the expensive part. Louis likes expensive. Louis wants to be fucked by expensive.
The man shifts causing Louis to snap his eyes open, the man gently turning Louis, his ass now pressed tight against that man’s zipper. The dance floor is packed tight with bodies. His eyes scan over the crowd, Louis’ pauses for a brief second when he catches a pair of dark brown eyes glaring into his own. The stare is intense and it does something to Louis’ heartbeat. His heart flutters at the intensity. There’s a power and demand behind the stranger’s eyes. Louis wants to look away, but is almost in a trance, he can’t seem to turn away. The man, dark and extremely handsome, flicks his head towards the exit door, as if he’s giving Louis a command. Like, he’s asking Louis to come, as if Louis’ some sort of dog and the handsome man is his owner.
“I’ll be right back.” Louis says before he can stop himself.
His dance partner stills for a moment as if to question what Louis’ doing but thinks better of it and turns back to the crowd behind him. Finding a new body to press against.
Louis can see the man exiting the club doors, he can see the haze from the hot air hitting the cooler night air outside. The purple and green strobe lights catching the haze just right, making it appear almost magical.
Louis gets to the door right before it’s about to close, the handsome man slapping it with his palm while Louis slithers out. The door hits with a thud, causing Louis to jump. The cool air hits him fast, goosebumps prickling his skin right away.
“Smoke?” The man takes out a cigarette.
“Yeah.” Louis says, before taking the cigarette out of his hand. The man lights Louis’ cigarette with a gold zippo that seems to appear out of thin air. “Thanks.” Louis says, before blowing smoke out of his mouth.
Louis watches as the man pockets the pack without taking one himself. “You don’t smoke?” Louis comments.
“No, that shit will kill you.” The man frowns. “M’ name’s Zayn.”
“Zayn?” Louis nods. “The man with cigarettes but doesn’t smoke them.”
“That’s me.” Zayn steps back to lean against the brick wall, the thumping from the music sending vibrations through the thick brick. “Your name?”
“Louis.”
“Louis” Zayn hums.
Louis leans back against the wall before adding, “That was intense in there.”
“I’m an intense guy.
“I’ve noticed.” Louis laughs, feeling awkward and still not fully in control of himself.
The double doors swing open as a bouncer is throwing what looks like two very drunk men out of the club. The larger man still cursing about how he’s “ not that fucking drunk you dickhead .”
“So Zayn.” Louis says, turning his body towards the man next to him. “What do you want? A blow job? To fuck?”
Zayn lets out a dry laugh, “No, none of that.”
“So, no sex?” Louis’ eyebrows raise at the question.
“This isn’t about sex.” Zayn tells him. “Plus, you’re not my type.”
Louis feels himself turn red at the comment and if Zayn notices he doesn’t give any acknowledgment that he cares about offending someone he just met.
“Then what is it about?” Louis questions.
Zayn pulls out a shiny gray business card from his back pocket, handing it to Louis, it reads:
Carnelian
Zayn Malik
Lead Recruiter
“What the fuck is this place?” Louis questions. “A strip club or something?”
“No.” Zayn shakes his head. “It’s not a strip club.”
“What the fuck is it then ?”
Zayn doesn’t answer for a second before he says “It’s a male donor matching center.”
“A male donor matching center for what?” Louis kicks off the wall now, his stance getting wider as he starts to become annoyed.
“It’s a donor matching center for human and…vampires.”
“Vampires.” Louis snorts. “Like pretend vampires, like for people who think they are vampires.”
The humor clearly lost on Zayn as he answers calmly, “No, real vampires.”
“There’s no such thing as vampires.” Louis rolls his eyes. “You’re fucking with me or something.” Louis flicks his cigarette to the ground.
“I’m not.” Zayn speaks, his tone harsh and deeper than Louis remembers. “There are vampires all around you. We are quite civilized beings. We have careers, business, and we enjoy nights out on the town just like humans do. We aren’t savages. We blend in with the rest of the world. However, no advancement in science has fixed our one problem that makes us different than humans. We still need blood to live and we love it fresh.”
“Look...Zayn.” Louis turns. “You basically cockblocked me in there and now you’re fucking with me. So if you don’t mind I’m going to go back inside now.”
“No.” Zayn says, eyes glaring into Louis’ ”Just hear me out first.”
There is an invisible power that causes Louis to take a step back against the wall.
“Okay.” Louis squeaks out.
“What I am about to offer you is something many could only dream about. Carnelian is an exclusive club and it’s my job to search out males that have all the right…assets to belong to such a club. What I’m offering you is an opportunity that many humans can only dream of.”
“What do you mean, assets?” Louis asks.
“Looks.” Zayn eyes narrow. “Smell. Desperation and desire for better.”
“And you think I have all those things?” Louis blushes.
“Yes.” Zayn continues. “It’s easy to find women to join, something in the biological make-up appeal to almost any male vampire. The desire to be nurtured and cared for by a mother figure tends to know no bounds. Plus, straight male vampires, just like human men, are easy to please. However, it’s harder to find gay men for our gay vampires.”
“So it’s only for men.” Louis asks.
“Yes.” Zayn answers. “We have a sister property for our female vampires called Magenta. Keeping the sexes separated at different centers helps the process and it keeps things even keeled. Keeps things from getting messy.”
“So let me get this straight.” Louis slowly blinks. “You match me with a male vampire who will what…drink my blood? Have sex with me? Like a prostitute?”
Zayn interrupts. “Hold the fuck up! I never said anything about sex! This isn’t about sex, it’s about matching vampires and humans with a compatible genetic makeup, as well as desires. There is a whole formula to this process that is lengthy and frankly too scientific for many to understand. To sum it up, we match you with the vampire that’s right for you and they pay you to drink your blood…handsomely. Our clients are the richest of the rich and must also go through testing to insure they are meeting our high standards of living, as well as being mentally stable and not at all animalistic”
“For how long is the contract?”
“A year contract to start.” Zayn continues. “Then after that it’s up to you and your match. We have people who have been each other’s donors for twenty years. Some go their separate ways after a year or two or five. It’s whatever works and every match is different.”
“So, they just go about their life…getting married and raising a family while letting a vampire suck their blood every day?”
“It’s not every day…three times week minimum. And the type of money involved tends to make many people’s spouses… understand . And of course we have those who just lie to their loved ones about the donor program.”
“Fuck.” Louis huffs. “You’re fine with people lying to their loved ones?”
“I don’t give a fuck about anything but keeping my clients fed and my donors happy.”
“What would I have to do?” Louis exhales like he can’t believe he’s even entertaining this idea.
“Come down to the center, the locations on the back of the business card. You’d met with our founder, his name is Dr. Payne. They run some blood test and ask some questions and after seventy two hours you’d be match with one of our waiting members.”
“And that’s it?” Louis looks at Zayn again. “That simple.”
“That simple.” Zayn smiles for the first time since they starting talking.
“What’s the going rate to get your blood sucked?”
“Our clients pay each donor a thousand dollars a feeding, minimum three times a week so you’re looking to make about one hundred and fifty six thousand in one year. All under the table.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Louis snorts. “How the fuck do you get away with that?”
“We’re vampires who have been around for centuries, we are powerful beings in powerful positions. Our clients are rich and exclusive. They want quality donors that taste good and are also pretty to look at. We have the formula to help our clients find the perfect match. They are willing to pay what they need to be a part of that. This is an offer that many do not turn down…Louis.” Zayn says, pausing for effect.
“What’s your job?” Louis interrupts.
“I recruit.” Zayn breathes out slowly. “I go out to places and look for those qualified enough to be donors.”
“And tonight you’re recruiting me?” Louis smirks.
“Yes.” Zayn says, waiting for Louis to stop smirking in his direction. “You are very pretty to look at and your blood smells very good. Almost like cinnamon and dark chocolate. It will be appealing to many of our clients.”
“Maybe you and I can become a match.” Louis laughs.
“No.” Zayn shakes his head. “I have my own donor and I care very deeply for him. Plus, I don’t like chocolate…I’m more citrus and honey.”
Louis lets out a laugh. “Okay. I was just teasing anyways.”
“I know.” Zayn answers. “I could sense your attempt at humor…even if it was a shitty and failing attempt at it.” Zayn says dryly.
“Will it hurt?” Louis rubs his hands down his arms. “The biting?”
“For a second.” Zayn nods honestly. “But after that it will be the most incredible rush of pleasure you’ve ever felt in your life. That’s why the program works. When you’re a vampire nothing will taste as amazing as being paired with a perfect match…nothing will feel as amazing as being bitten by your perfect match. It’s why the program works and it’s why it’s so expensive.”
“It sounds like that can be a dangerous game to play though.” Louis ponders for a moment.
“That can be a downside.” Zayn nods. “Once you’ve tasted how good it can be...it can be hard to let go of that. Which is why many of our clients will do all it takes to keep their donor happy. You’ve got nothing to worry about Louis.”
“But like does anyone ever get hurt?” Louis frowns. “Like if they want to walk away and the client doesn’t want to lose their donor.”
“No.” Zayn says. “That’s never happened. Vampires can control their emotions better than humans."
“What if I don’t like it?”
“Then you walk away.” Zayn adds like it means nothing to tell a fucking vampire you’re not interested in giving them your blood anymore.
“How can you guarantee?” Louis asks, honestly curious about how they can guarantee a human safety over a powerful vampire. “That I won’t get hurt?”
“Vampires that overstep are dealt with…fittingly.” Zayn assures. “Think about it Louis. Come in anytime. They’ll be expecting you.”
“Okay.” Louis answers. “I’ll think about it.”
Zayn turns but stops before pulling something red out of his pocket. “I almost forgot this.” Zayn says while handing what looks like bracelet to Louis.
“What’s this?” Louis asks, while accepting the red gems strung together.
“It’s a Carnelian Stone bracelet.” Zayn nods. “It’s the crystal of confidence and courage. Energy too. It’s also said to help monitor your blood pressure.”
“Is that like a vampire joke?” Louis frowns.
“No.” Zayn shakes his head. “I give them to everyone I recruit. Either way you can keep it.”
“Thanks.” Louis says before placing the stones around his wrist. Louis’ isn’t sure if it’s his imagination or the stones that cause him to suddenly feel energized.
^^^^
A week later, Louis finds himself standing in front of a large building. The red lettering against gray background reads, Carnelian . The font is sophisticated and clean, the windows are tinted, and there are two security cameras positioned on both sides of the awning. The door is locked, a call bottom positioned to Louis left. He pushes the silver bottom labeled ‘call’…it beeps twice before he hears a female voice on the other end say “Hello, how can I help you?”
“Ugh.” Louis stampers. “My name is Louis Tomlinson. I met Zayn a few nights ago and he gave me his card.”
“Ah yes, Louis.” The female voice answers. “Yes, Zayn mentioned you. Come in.”
The door buzzes as it’s unlocked from the inside. Louis’ nervous as he walks inside. The office looks…well it looks rich . It smells like Green Tea and lilies, and it’s rather calming to his nerves. Two leather couches sit on top of marble floor, and what looks like expensive art adorns the walls.
“Hi, Louis.” A blonde woman says from behind the front desk made of rich mahogany. She’s young and rather beautiful. She has perky tanned breast peeking out from her fitted shirt, and bright red lips. “I’m Nellie, the office manager at Carnelian.” She says while reaching out her neatly polished hand.
“Louis.” Louis’ smiles. “Pleasure.”
“Zayn was beginning to worry you might not show.” Nellie laughs.
Louis fidgets with his fingers before stroking the bracelet still on his wrist, not sure how to answer her.
“It’s okay.” Nellie senses his nervousness. “Lots of people are nervous at first. But I’m glad you came by. We aren’t very busy on Tuesdays so this was a good time.”
“Oh.” Louis nods. “I don’t work on Tuesdays. So I guess that just worked out then.”
“Well good!” Nellie says, before gesturing to Louis to take a seat. “I see you’re still wearing the stones.”
“Oh.” Louis says, blushing a little. “Yes, it sorta seems to work. I think. Maybe.”
“Good.” Nellie smiles. “Carnelian is a powerful stone, hence why Dr. Payne choice it for his practice. The shade of red is also quite lovely too.”
Louis watches as Nellie picks up the black phone in front of her before turning her back to Louis to speak to someone on the other end.
“He’ll see you now.” Nellie says while gesturing towards the dark double doors.
^^^^
Louis is sitting on a leather chair, tapping his foot, a rather nervous habit he has. The room is a soft shade of blue, the view from the large windows is calming, the river in Louis’ direct line of sight. The water is calm, ripples from a boat having past leaves small waves, a duck bounces up and down in the wake.
“So Louis?” A voice to his left speaks. The man is handsome with dark hair and eyes. “As you know I’m Dr. Payne. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Louis offers a small smile. “Do you have to be attractive to work here or something?”
Dr. Payne let’s out a small laugh. “Of course not. Just sorta happened I guess.”
“First Zayn then Nellie and now you.” Louis raises his eyebrows. “I don’t believe you.”
Dr. Payne reaches for a clipboard before turning his attention back to Louis.
“So let me explain how this will work.” Dr. Payne shifts in his seat. “I will ask you some questions and then you will ask me some questions. I’ll have my nurse, she’s very good, take some blood and that’s it.”
Louis nods, biting his lip. “Okay.”
“Your age?”
“Twenty four.”
“Your profession?”
“A waiter.” Louis frowns. “I’m sorta in-between jobs right now. Feeling out some options.”
“It’s fine.” Dr. Payne writes something down. “I don’t judge.”
“Family? Are you close?”
“My mom. Yes.”
“Siblings?”
“A sister but she ugh…ugh she died about a year ago.”
Dr. Payne makes contact with Louis’ face, “I’m sorry to hear that Louis.”
“Yeah.” Louis looks down at his hands. “Thanks.”
“Exercise?”
“Sometimes” Louis says, face cringing at the fact that Dr. Payne surely does exercise…a lot by the looks of it.
“Ugh.” Louis starts. “I mean I do exercise just not as much as probably you and like Nellie.”
“Not here to judge.” Dr. Payne assures. “Just need the truth that way we can assure the best match. Okay, do you smoke?”
“Yes.” Louis frowns. “Is that a problem? Does it like taint my blood or something?”
Dr. Payne lets out a soft laugh. “These questions, there are no right or wrong answers. And to be honest some of our clients have certain preferences for things. Smoking can be attractive to our clients who smoked during their human years. They enjoy the hint of taste in the blood.”
Louis lets out a breath he didn’t even realize he had been holding. Somehow relieved that he wasn’t about to be turned away from a program that is about to link he to a fucking vampire that’s going to suck his blood for at least a year. Or longer. Jesus Christ.
“Medications?”
“Sometimes.” Louis says. “Sometimes sleeping pills if I’m struggling to sleep. It’s not like all the time or anything. Just since my sister’s death I’ve seem to have trouble settling at night. Weed sometimes too.”
Dr. Payne stops for a moment and then begins to write again, “that shouldn’t affect your match. Medication and drugs sometimes affect us but not in ways it does humans. Often it’s about taste. Personal preference of the clients, really.”
Louis readjusts himself in the leather chair, feeling like he’s relaxing for the first time since stepping into Carnelian.
“How about questions for me?”
“I’ve got some.” Louis nods.
“Good.” Dr. Payne smiles. “Too be honest I’d be worried if you didn’t.”
“Really?”
“Yes. If I’m being honest with you…I’ve turned donors away for not asking any. Humans are ruled by emotions and money far too often, and anyone not asking questions when it comes to something like having a vampire suck your blood…that’s unsettling for me.”
Louis nods. “Why did Zayn pick me?”
“Zayn is our top recruiter here. He has an ability to sense good in people. Passion. Desperation for something more…something better. He also has an amazing sense of smell. That is important to vampires. Smell. It’s about having a taste of what we can’t have physically. We only drink blood…we can’t indulge in the finer objects in life like food and wine. It makes smell important. Plus, he knows what our clients are looking for, and you are what some clients are looking for.”
Louis blushes at his comments. “What if I don’t like it?”
“Then you are out. And we find someone else for our client.”
“That simple?”
“That simple, Louis!”
“I did some research and it says that I might enjoy it…like sexually.”
“Yes, that can happen.” Dr. Payne nods. “It can be arousing to humans. There is a primal desire in both the vampire and human. Blood, bringing two different beings together. Vampire’s holds the power but in that moment the human becomes powerful too. Almost even more powerful than the vampire. It’s an intense moment. And yes it can be arousing to some but not all. It’s dependent on what the client and the donor are really looking for in the situation.”
Louis’ attention is drawn to a boat floating past the window. Dr. Payne snaps Louis focus back by saying, “you should bring an extra pair of clothes with you to the first meeting just in case. It would be unfortunate to have to travel home in messy pants.”
Louis lets out a laugh. “Right.”
“Any more questions for me Louis?”
“Um yes. How about you? Do you have a donor?”
“Yes, yes I do. The same one for the past twenty years. She’s the reason I started this program. I found something in her that I wanted to give to others. I owe her a lot. Plus, she gets on swimmingly with my wife. So it works out?”
“You’re married?”
“Yes! My wife, Sophia, she runs the Magenta center across town. She too has a donor. Although she is one of expensive taste and often fickle. She tends to become bored and desires new tastes…new experiences.” Dr. Payne smiles. “Different strokes for different folks.”
“And you don’t mind that other men may get off on your wife biting them, sucking their blood?”
“My wife needs blood to live. It taste the best when she is with someone she is compatible with. If they get a burst of pleasure from keeping her alive then so be it. Sometimes we sacrifice for the ones we love.”
“That sounds easier said than done.” Louis says. “If I’m being honest.”
“Well, vampires are often more sensible than humans, we tend to think with our brains and not our hearts. That’s a little vampire humor…because we don’t really have hearts anymore! Plus, I’m the only one satisfying her emotionally and physically.”
“You mean sex?” Louis smirks.
“Yes.” Dr. Payne says, adding a lightness to his tone. “Humans are rather prude, aren’t they?”
“I think that’s it for now.” Louis interrupts. “Question wise, I mean. Actually, what about vacations and stuff? Three times a week is hard if you have family to visit or places to travel”
“Excellent question. In cases like that, the donor would have their blood drawn in our center and the client would be able to take the blood home with them. Plus, we have regular generic blood donors incase of emergencies.”
“Why not just do that all the time?”
“There is nothing better than blood fresh, directly out of the vain. That’s what makes our program so exclusive. We are giving vampires the luxury that many aren’t able to afford. If they want mediocre they can pick up blood from a variety of donor sites around the city. Our clients want fresh. Of course a week here and there of unfresh is no biggie. Our clients are paying for the luxury.”
Louis nods. “That makes sense I guess. I think that’s it.”
“Okay.” Dr. Payne places his clipboard on the desk. “My nurse will be in to draw blood and then you will be free to go. You’ll be hearing from us in about three days. We will send you home with a packet of information to read. Basic information about the first meeting between client and donor, what to expect, how the money exchanged is handled, etc. Also there will be a NDA, non-disclosure agreement, for you to sign on the way out. Privacy is very important to us here.”
“That means what exactly?”
“An NDA keeps everyone’s privacy safe. It protects everyone involved and it keeps our lawyers happy. We do have very good lawyers so please take it seriously. I’d hate the idea of going after someone in the court of law because they aren’t able to keep personal information to themselves. Understood?”
“Yes.” Louis nods, crystal clear.
“Great.” Dr. Payne stands, hand reaching out towards Louis’. “Nurse Aubrey will be in any moment. It was a pleasure getting to know you, Louis. I look forward to seeing you again.”
“Same.” Louis tries to grip Dr. Payne’s hand just as hard. Fuck.
A short minute later, in walks a brunette nurse carrying a silver tray that looks to be holding a needle and two vials. She’s also attractive and Louis hopes she wasn’t only hired for her ass and tits. That she at least has some skill with a needle.
“I’ll be gentle.” She rubs Louis’ arm with a cotton ball, wet with alcohol. “I promise.”
Louis thinks she’s flirting with him. Which is nice and all. He’s sure it could probably get a few guys heart racing, he’s just not one of them.
Surprisingly, the needle stick is painless and before he knows it he has filled two vials of blood. He’s sent off into the day with a red lollipop and a folder full of information.
Louis spends the night reading and re-reading the information. Memorizing it, front and back. He contemplates calling Carnelian tomorrow and telling them he’s changed his mind. But, it only lasts a few seconds when his mind thinks about the money, getting out of his shitty apartment and being able to finally help out his mom.
Louis decides to call his mom, and if Louis cries when she tells him how proud she is of him and how much she loves him it’s just the lack of sleep that getting to him. That’s all. He doesn’t tell her about the program. Fuck knows she’ll think he’s using harder drugs again. He doesn't need to stress her out more than she already is.
^^^^^
Almost three day’s later Louis receives a call on his cell phone. There’s a familiar voice on the other end…
“Hi Louis.” The cheery voice says. “It’s Nellie from Carnelian”
“Yes, I remember.” Louis says, nerves fluttering in his tummy like dancing butterflies.
“Well we have your match.” Nellie sounds excited.
“You do?”
Yes, and actually Dr. Payne was thrilled to find out that your match has been the most compatible he’s ever done. A ninety six percent match is unheard of really. The largest he’s ever gotten was eighty nine in the past twenty years of him running the program.”
“That’s good then?” Louis questions.
“That’s very good.” Nellie sounds like she’s smiling through the phone now. “It should be an amazing experience for you both.”
“That sounds…nice.” Louis laughs. “I think.”
“The client is just lovely. I think you will be very happy…and I know he’ll be happy too.”
“His name?” Louis asks, curiously.
“Harry Styles.” Nellie answers.