Beginning by Finta The beginning of a relationship is always a delicate moment. In the twilight dark of Matt’s room, Stefan leans forward almost tentatively. He breathes in the scent of Matt’s throat: skin, sweat, blood. Fragile human life, so easily broken, and yet so resilient to the repeated blows dealt by the world. Matt, for his part, seems equally hesitant. He touches Stefan’s shoulder as if he thinks that Stefan’s immortal vampire flesh might break beneath the weight of his hand. With a single finger, he strokes along the curve of Stefan’s collarbone. The heat of yielding human flesh and blood, the cool of enduring vampire bone. Delicate prelude to the coming near-violence, the blood that they both seek. Somewhere in the distance, Stefan can hear a stereo playing, although he cannot make out the words. The music breathes anguish and anger, and it forms a counterpoint to the ache in his lengthening teeth. He touches them with his tongue, savoring the pain that he knows he will soon relieve. The brush of lips, warm ones against cool. The thrust of a human tongue, and the heat of that tongue against the tip of an elongated tooth. His breath catches, his heart pounds, and he jerks his head away sharply. Pale fire runs beneath his skin. His stomach clenches. Then, blind with desire, he allows his mouth to find its place against the other man’s throat.