— next place.”

“Hah. ‘Under new service.’ That’s one way to look at it,” she commented with a laugh. “I have nothing else to look for here.”

Marlene lifted an arm and traced a circle; within that circle began to form another realm altogether. Stars twinkling in the darkness, beckoning them to enter. “Off to the —

Hmm….

— admit, I feel the same way. Maybe we did meet under different circumstances….” Silence took over for a brief moment before she inquired, “Should we get going now?”

“Tired and lost. Just like an old dog,” she said with a small laugh. She couldn’t help but make note of the similarities between Gallagher and a well-loved mutt.

Marlene tilted her head, a gleam of newfound curiosity glimmering in her eyes. “I’m glad you’re not lost anymore. Though, I have to —

— much of a ghost as I am. Do you need to get some rest before we leave? You look… tired.” Her smile shifted, the corners of her lips tugging downward. “It’s going to be a long journey.”

Marlene’s eyelids lowered, a relaxed smile sent his way. Her eyes shut, her vision plagued with darkness, with the only light she knew emitting from Gallagher’s soul. A warm light that felt like home after a walk in winter’s realm.

A sigh slipped past her lips before responding, “You’re as —

— know your worth in some places. Ahem. Name’s Marlene.”

She was quick to correct. “Not like you.” A lifted brow hid behind her fringe, curiosity piqued even further. “I guess the modern vampire is really making a breakthrough.”

There was a bit of a struggle with her laugh. Something cautious, something strange. “Keep yourself safe, Hugo. You don’t —

Supplemental art by burusukofafever and tokidoki_game, both on Twitter/X.

— since I’ve been here. Well, Gallagher, I just have one question to ask you.” Her hand reached for his, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. “Are you okay with never coming back? When I’m done here, I won’t be back. Neither will you.”

“I guess so,” she responded in kind, her voice faltering just a moment—a flutter like a newborn hummingbird, clumsy and inexperienced. His touch left her yearning; she leaned into him until the space between them was no more.

“I move around a lot, as you know… considering it’s been a hot minute —

“There’s only so much you can say before you end up repeating yourself,” she mused as she stopped in front of him, her gaze flickering back to meet his eyes.

“Are you some kind of elf? Your pointy ears say so. Or you’re a cosplayer.”