Title: A Demon's Fate

Author: Annie Newton

Fandom: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (book!verse/AU)

Genre: Angst, Romance, Drama, Horror

Summery: When a letter from Henry calls Abe back to his old friend, feelings blossom. But an old enemy lies in wait, ready to destroy the Hunters' new found happiness.

Pairing: Abery, Crowley/Henry, a bit (a teenie, weenie little bit) of Crowley/Abraham, Henry/Edeva

Rating: NC-17 (overall) / PG-13 (chapter 1)

Warnings: Language, Violence, Gore and Blood-Play, Graphic M/M Sexual Content, Non-Con/Rape, Torture and Character Death

Disclaimer: I do not own Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter nor any characters contained within.

Word Count: 1,752

Chapter 1: Friend's Reunion

Limbs creaked, the dry bones of the trees rattling high above the lonely path. Winter was coming early this year, the chill turning the leafy vegetation to vibrant hues of rusty reds, bright yellows and burnt oranges. He knew it wouldn't be long before the branches would be barren.

As the autumn wind blew through the forest, fingers of cold found their way through the layers of his of clothing and he turned the collar up on his coat. He would have to find a way to insulate his attire against the oncoming season if his stay was to be longer than expected.

Halting his horse, he looked around him, ensuring that there was no other soul, living or otherwise, close by. Satisfied that he was alone, he signaled his mount off the trail and headed west, entering a small, neat valley.

The song of a trickling stream and his horse's padded footfalls were the only sounds that accompanied him as he wove his way through the dense wood. The setting sun was low over the edge of the hill, throwing the tress' elongated shadows into stark contrast against the golden rays of the waning light.

He kept the pace steady at a leisurely walk, plodding through the thick undergrowth. After a half mile the valley widened out into a grassy meadow and he knew he was close. It had been nearly five years since he'd last lain eyes on the area and he searched for a landmark to guide his way.

There. A large, split boulder sat partially obscuring a rutted deer trail, the moss growing thickly at its base. An unconscious grin split his face as he urged his big gelding onto the dirt path and up a curvy slope.

The cabin was just as he had remembered it. Sturdy and plain, the inhabitance was as common as they came, a trait he was sure its builder had intended from the start. Nothing set the home apart from the countless others in the region. Nothing, except perhaps for the gentleman within of course.

As he pulled up before cottage, the door opened and a darkly-speckled man stepped out, a relaxed smirk upon his pale lips. "Abraham," he spoke, his voice like rough silk, "it is nice to see you again, my friend."

Returning the open smile, Abraham Lincoln dismounted and moved to join his host under the porch's shady over-hang. "Likewise, Henry. Likewise."

The two shook hands.

oOo

"'Chasing you sir? What meant you by running!'"

Henry gave a rather undignified snort at this, his shoulders beginning to tremble with pent-up giggles.

"'Well, sir …I thought you a vampire' he said."

That did it. Unable to contain his laughter for another second, Henry burst into a loud guffaw that had him doubling over in his seat.

"So I say," Abe continued as he cocked his hip, plastering a dumbfounded expression upon his face in imitation of that long ago moment in time. "I say, 'Forgive me, sir, but…am I to understand that you are not a vampire?'"

Reeling from his laughter, Henry grasped at the arms of his chair. "Tell me it's not the truth!" he panted, fighting to regain his composure. "I believed I had taught you better than that!"

"Well," muttered Abe, shuffling his feet in mock embarrassment, "he did look like a vampire…" Retaking his seat, Abe sipped at the glass of water beside him. "He was all pale and gloomy."

"Oh, Abraham," said Henry as he sat back, crossing a leg and holding his knee. "You do not know how it pleases me to hear your voice, to see you again. I have missed our conversations."

Abe nodded, only a little sheepish in response to his friend's warmth. Truthfully, he was more relieved to see Henry acting so comfortably within such a short amount of time. The vampire had been a little too reserved all evening, igniting not only Abe's curiosity but his concern as well. Henry had never been one to be overly jovial, preferring instead the quiet reverie that marked most of his kind. However, there was a mighty difference between eternal patience and the somberness that his friend had been exhibiting throughout the night.

So Abe had worked hard at easing Henry's distress, telling stories and making jests as he had done when he was a boy. He was glad to see some of the tension ease from Henry's face and hear a return of the usual, calm tenor of his voice. He was proud too, for he felt that it was a testament to the strength of their friendship that he was able to lessen whatever stress was plaguing the vampire.

"I am delighted that life has, on the whole, been good to you these last few years," Henry continued, drawing Abe's attention back to the man before him. "You have grown into a fine man, Abraham. Physically strong, mentally confident and emotionally pleasant; these qualities will serve you well in the future."

Abe averted his gaze, the tips of his ears turning a revealing red. "Yes, well, I am afraid that I cannot take all of the credit. I had some help, along the way."

"Humble too," said Henry with a knowing smile. His eyes sparkled with something akin to pleasure, though Abe consented that it could have been a reflection of the flame within the oil lamps. "You have done well."

"Um… Thank you." Abe stood, fumbling with his glass. He really hated such praising attention for it mortified him to his core. But Henry's admiration, in his smooth tone made Abe's nerves quiver with an odd thrill. Taking a large swallow to satisfy his suddenly parched throat, he rubbed at his temples. "I'm afraid that I must retire, Henry. I've had a long journey and I am tired."

"Of course," Henry said as he gestured to the door off to their left. "There are extra blankets in the spare room but if you are still uncomfortable, you may prop the door open for the woodstove heat." He rose and extended his hand, "Again, it is good to have you here. I thank you, Abraham."

Taking hold of Henry's palm, Abe smiled, "A pleasure, Henry. Please, think nothing of it. We will talk in the morning?"

"Yes," affirmed Henry, a trace of the melancholy returning to his countenance. "Yes, the morning will suffice."

Abe pursed his lips slightly as he studied his friend. "Very well," he said at last. "Good night, Henry."

"Good night, Abraham."

With a stretch, Abe made his way to the spare bedroom, gave a final wave to Henry and closed the door.

oOo

It was dark, a blackness that was pitch and clung to him like tar. A blanket of heat smothered him, sticky and moist, as oppressive as the silence. Sight was not an option, and breathing an arduous luxury.

He backed up, away from the infinite void and into the Hands. He struggled, trying to pull free but the Hands were firm, unyielding, holding him steady. No! Fighting, he kicked blindly and struck with his elbows, hitting nothing but empty air.

The Hands moved, exploring his chest before migrating to his stomach, tracing the ripped muscles there. He jerked violently, attempting to wrestle out of the Hands' grasp. No! Please! His cries went unheeded and the Hands journeyed ever southward, caressing his firm buttocks and squeezing his manhood. Stop!

As a familiar weight pressed against his inner thigh, one of the Hands came around to cover his mouth. Please, no!

The world was no longer bare and black.

The world was now raw and red.

And Henry screamed.

oOo

Henry bolted upright, gasping for breath. His arms flailed and in his panic he upset the candle by his bedside. As the flame was snuffed out, darkness engulfed the room and Henry let loose an audible cry.

"Henry!"

Feet pounded to his door. Abraham?

"Henry!" Abe's anxiety was discernible despite the thick door. "Can you hear me?"

"Abraham…" Henry meant to speak clearly, strongly, but his constricted throat made it sound more like a tortured moan. Without another moment's hesitation, the door was flung wide and Abe hurried in, a look of utter fear on his features.

Henry quickly averted his face, his dignity making it so that he did not want to be seen in such a flustered condition. He hoped that Abe would think he was only trying to shield his eyes from the sputtering candle that he had rushed in with, that the fire was too painful for his vampire sight. Henry hoped.

"Henry?" Abe asked worriedly, looking around at the upset candle and books scattered about. "Are you alright?"

"Fine, Abraham," breathed Henry, a little too quickly. He cleared his throat, turning back to the young man, "I do apologize for disturbing you. I am fine, you may go now."

Abe knitted his eyebrows, staring at his friend in doubt. "Are you sure, Henry?"

"Yes," Henry sighed. "Yes I am quite sure."

"Is there anything that I can do?" An idea struck Abe and he eagerly stepped forward to offer support. "We can talk right now if that would hel-"

"I said I was fine, Abraham!" Henry shouted, standing up from the bed in a rage.

Eyes going wide, Abe's mouth gaped before he clenched his jaw shut. Gradually, his expression softened to false neutrality and he wordlessly retreated back to his original position.

It was a moment before Henry realized what he'd done, what exactly had happened. Whether it was a remnant of his fear, a push from his wounded pride or an instinctual flash of predatory anger, Henry's eyes had dilated fully and were as black as a moonless midnight.

Unclenching fists he had not realized he'd made, Henry drew a deep, calming breath and pointedly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were returned to their rich, dark cocoa tint and full of infinite shame. "I am sorry, Abraham. I deeply regret my actions just now."

Blinking, Abe slowly nodded, responding to the sorrow woven into Henry's words.

"I would like to rest, now." Henry sat back onto the edge of the bed. "In the morning, we will talk. I promise you."

Abe watched Henry, undecided. "Very well," he said finally, perhaps too calmly. Turning his back, Abe walked out of the vampire's bedroom, taking the flickering candle with him. "In the morning," he muttered as the door closed, leaving Henry engulfed within the cold dark.

oOo

Author's Note:

I'm permanently handicapped; I can't ever finish a story. That's what my professors say, at least. Or, that's what they did say, before I graduated. Well, I can't say that they're entirely wrong.

I've begun and abandoned about a couple dozen stories within the last year, and only published two, both of which are "stalled" at the current moment. So yeah, I'm a bit lazy or maybe too anal about my writing… One or the other.

But I really, really will try to finish this one, because this fandom has captured my heart and imagination more than any other in recent memory! And this pairing… Is absolute perfection!

Truthfully, this story was inspired by a number of things. As I searched for Abery fics, I kept seeing Henry being portrayed as all confident and strong and aggressive (in the bedroom). While I have absolutely no problem with that ('cause it's hot as hell!), I was beginning to get a little bored. So it is my goal in this story to bring a little vulnerability and shattered innocence to Henry and a bit of command and control to Abe, while still keeping them as much in character as possible.

I'm pulling from the films The War Boys and The Devil's Double, a couple of Disturbed songs and a couple of Within Temptation songs. And of course, from my own angst-controlled mind.

Let's see… I'm not too sure about the timeline, but this story is set right when Abe leaves home, at what…21? 22? I'll check, but if someone knows right off the top of their head, let me know, would you? So, this story is canon right up to that point but it will diverge from then on out. Just throw out everything from the book, for this will be an AU.

I do hope that you've enjoyed this enough to follow me on this journey. It'll be a bumpy ride but it will, I hope, also be a blast.

*wicked grin*

Buckle up.