The next day, Valentin took me out to the beach. I was surprised, as I hadn't expected him to be able to tolerate the sunlight. But he explained that he was old enough to be able to handle it, as long as he wore protective clothing and stayed in the shade.
As we walked along the shore, I felt a sense of freedom and joy that I'd never experienced before. The sun was shining, the waves were crashing, and I was with the person I was falling deeply in love with.
Valentin held my hand, and we walked in comfortable silence, taking in the beauty of the ocean. Every now and then, he would point out something - a seagull flying overhead, a shell on the sand, a wave crashing against the shore.
I felt like I was seeing the world through new eyes, like everything was fresh and exciting. And it was all because of Valentin.
As we walked, I realized that I had never felt this way about anyone before. I had never felt so alive, so happy, so carefree.
"Valentin," I said, turning to him with a smile. "I'm so glad I'm here with you."
He smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm glad too, Ava," he said. "I'm glad you're here with me."
We kept walking, hand in hand, taking in the beauty of the day. And I knew that I would never forget this moment, this feeling, this love.
As we sat by the seaside to have lunch, I had to ask the question that had been on my mind since we'd started spending time together.
"Valentin, are you hungry?" I asked, nodding towards the sandwiches and fruit I'd brought.
Valentin smiled and shook his head. "No, I'm not hungry, Ava. But thank you for offering."
I nodded, understanding. I'd already realized that vampires didn't need to eat human food, but it was still strange to think about.
"What do you need, then?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
Valentin's eyes seemed to cloud over for a moment, and he looked out at the sea. "I need...other things," he said finally. "Things that I don't want to talk about right now."
I nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. I wanted to know more about him, about what he needed and wanted. But I also understood that there were some things he might not be ready to share with me yet.
"Okay," I said. "I understand. Let's just enjoy the day, then."
Valentin smiled and took my hand, and we sat there in comfortable silence, watching the waves roll in.
As we walked back to his place, I couldn't help but ask the question that had been on my mind since I found out he was a vampire.
"Valentin, do you still drink blood when you feel thirsty?" I asked, trying to sound casual despite the unease that was growing inside me.
Valentin nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, I do," he said. "It's not something I can just stop doing, Ava. It's what I am."
I felt a shiver run down my spine as I thought about it. The idea of him drinking blood, of needing it to survive, was still hard for me to wrap my head around.
"But how do you...get it?" I asked, trying not to sound too repulsed.
Valentin sighed and rubbed his temples. "I have...arrangements," he said. "People who are willing to donate. And sometimes, when I'm desperate, I'll go to a blood bank."
I nodded, trying to understand. It was still weird to me, but I was trying to be open-minded.
"Does it...taste good?" I asked, morbid curiosity getting the better of me.
Valentin raised an eyebrow. "It's not about the taste, Ava," he said. "It's about the need. The thirst. When I'm thirsty, nothing else matters except for getting what I need."
I nodded, feeling a little overwhelmed. This was all still so new to me, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for it. But I knew I had to try, for Valentin's sake.
I felt a chill run down my spine as I asked the next question, unsure if I wanted to hear the answer.
"Have you killed someone before?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Valentin's expression turned dark, and he nodded. "Yes," he said. "Not just one, but lots of people. Whenever I want to drink blood, I find someone. It's...fun, I suppose, to suck on human blood."
I felt a wave of nausea wash over me, and I took a step back, trying to process what he was saying. I had been trying to convince myself that he was different, that he wasn't a monster. But now, I wasn't so sure.
"How can you say that?" I asked, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "How can you find pleasure in taking someone's life?"
Valentin shrugged, his eyes glinting with a hint of cruelty. "It's just what I am," he said. "I'm a vampire. I need blood to survive, and I enjoy taking it. Don't try to understand it, Ava. You can't."
I felt a shiver run down my spine as I looked at him, seeing him in a new light. I wasn't sure if I could keep doing this, if I could keep loving someone who took pleasure in killing.
"Valentin, I..." I started, but he cut me off.
"Don't say anything, Ava," he said. "Just think about it. Think about what I am, and what I do. And then decide if you still want to be with me."
"Why do you sound like I want to leave you?" I said to him, feeling a bit defensive.
Valentin raised an eyebrow. "Then why do you keep asking stupid questions?" he said, his tone a bit harsh.
"Can't I ask a question?" I shot back. "I'm human, after all. And I have a right to know what I'm getting myself into."
Valentin sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Fine. Ask your questions. But don't say I didn't warn you."
I took a deep breath and asked the question that had been on my mind since the beginning. "What if you feel like killing me one day?" I told him bluntly.
Valentin's expression turned cold, and he looked away. "I won't," he said finally.
"But how can I trust you?" I pressed on. "You've killed before. What's to stop you from killing me?"
Valentin's eyes flashed with anger, and he stood up, towering over me. "I said I won't hurt you, Ava," he growled. "And I mean it. But if you don't trust me, then maybe you should leave."
I stood my ground, looking up at him. "I'm not afraid of you," I lied.
Valentin raised an eyebrow. "You should be," he said, his voice dripping with menace.