Nightfall (G) One shot - Challenge #143

[MickLifeCrisis]

Disclaimer: I don't own Moonlight, any of its characters or dialog.
Rated G
A/N: Hugs and thanks to PNWgal for checking this over for me!


Nightfall


Nightfall, twilight, sundown, eventide, dusk. It doesn’t matter what it’s called or what time zone I’m in. When it happens, my body just knows.

Hearing is the first sense to awaken. The hum of the freezer creeps into the edges of my consciousness. The traffic noise on the street below gradually resumes its normal level.

Scent comes next. I inhale deeply, taking stock of my surroundings. I reassure myself that all is as it should be.

Then I feel the familiar ache in my jaw as my fangs extend, reminding me I need to feed. A huge yawn stretches my mouth and allows for full extension, relieving some of the ache.

And finally, I open my eyes. I push open the lid of my freezer and sit up, looking around at the same pale tile walls that surround my secret. Climbing out of my freezer I reach for the towel hanging on the nearby hook and rub the remnants of frost from my body. I slip into my drawstring pajama bottoms; the cool silk caresses my skin as I pad barefoot to the kitchen and its hidden supply of the only nourishment my body craves – blood.

Some nights the blood lust can be sated with a glass or two. If I’m stressed about a case, I’ll work out in my loft until the tension has been spent, gulping blood as others would gulp water. Other nights the blood lust is so strong it can only be satisfied by mainlining. The rush is euphoric and I lean back in a stupor until my fangs recede and the vampire definition of normality returns. To hell with exercise.

Tonight is one of those nights. I inject the blood directly into my vein. While warm blood may taste better, mainlining is always best when it’s ice cold. I can literally feel it running through my body, cooling the lust in my veins. As I come down from my high, I flip on my computer, wondering what the rest of the world has been up to while I’ve been in the deep freeze.

“A promising life cut tragically short. Tonight, a killer is on the loose.”


The end.

[PNWgal]

This is just so awesome, MLC. This is a perfect Mick.

I love how you have him slowly waking up...first hearing, then scent, then finally opening his eyes.

I can literally feel it running through my body, cooling the lust in my veins.

I love this line.

[Marigold]

What a great response to the challenge!

I enjoyed reading about Mick's nightly routine. Ending off the story with Beth's line was a fabulous idea.

Thank you, MLC!

[BlueEyedMonster]

And so it all begins ..... Thanks for the lead up MLC. Well done

[Lucy]

Nothing like a tale from the beginning.... What a vivid response to the challenge!

[nutmegger911]

I like this, MLC. What a wonderful tale of the waking of the beast.

[MickLifeCrisis]

Thank you all very much for the wonderful comments! I'm glad you liked it and that it feels like Mick.

The other night I wrote the first few lines and then just sat and stared at the computer. Nothing. I sighed, shut it off and went upstairs to get ready for bed. In the middle of brushing my teeth, all these ideas suddenly came at once. I got into bed with a notepad and pen and started scribbling everything down, so I wouldn't forget.

Apparently my muse hangs out in my bathroom.

[nutmegger911]

Apparently my muse hangs out in my bathroom.

Good a place as any. The important part is that your muse hangs out with you. Once again, great little story.

[jen]

Perfect!

What a wonderful description of what we saw on screen in those first few moments of the first episode.

Thank you!

Jenna

[Luxe de Luxe]

This is terrific. I felt like we were slowly coming awake with him. Waking up with Mick, now there's a thought...

[MickLifeCrisis]

A very nice thought indeed!

Thank you Luxe and Jenna!

[allegrita]

Oooh, what a wonderful description of what it's like to be an angsty anti-vampire vampire, waking up. I love this, MLC--it's such a great description of Mick before he showed himself to Beth. He was different before the fountain... and this is a gorgeous depiction of Mick on the verge of becoming the Mick we knew on the show. Really beautifully done!

[francis]

I love this detailed description of the few frames we saw of Mick waking up. Makes it all so much better. I love the explanation why he's mainlining and the descriptive way you have to get us into his head. Love it.

[librarian_7]

Apparently my muse hangs out in my bathroom.

Those muses...they grab you at the most inconvenient times and places! Glad you llistened...this ia a lovely picture that amplifies a scene we all know well.

Lucky

[MickLifeCrisis]

Thank you so much for the lovely comments Alle, francis and Lucky! I'm happy you liked it and that you felt it fit Mick and those scenes from the ML beginning.