It Started With A Vampire

Crossing lines

Filming started early that morning, and the set was buzzing with tension—not from the scene itself, but from the charged atmosphere between the cast. Eva stood in her trailer, brushing a few loose curls back into place, still rattled by everything from the last couple days... and by Leo.

Leo Santiago had made himself known, both on screen and off. He had charm, confidence, and that annoying habit of standing just a little too close when talking to Eva. Disney execs were practically drooling over the chemistry between Nova and Leo's character, Rhys, calling it "marketable magic."

Malachi hated it.

He hadn't said much that morning—his jaw was clenched tight, his eyes sharp every time he saw Leo casually touch Eva's shoulder or flash that too-perfect grin. MK noticed it immediately.

"You're gonna burn a hole through his head," MK muttered as they walked back from craft services.

Malachi didn't answer at first.

Finally: "Why is he even here? We already had the story arc worked out."

MK smirked. "Jealousy looks real nice on you, bro."

Malachi gave him a sharp look. "I'm not jealous. I just think it's messed up how fast everyone's jumping on the 'Leo and Eva' train."

"You mean like how you jumped on the Eva train?" MK teased. "Relax. You're still her person."

"I don't know," Malachi muttered, more to himself. "I don't feel like it."

⸻

The day dragged on with scenes between Eva and Leo. Nothing romantic, but the undertones were there—and Malachi could feel every one of them like a punch to the gut.

By late afternoon, Eva finally slipped away to her trailer, exhausted and emotionally frayed. She hadn't seen Malachi all day, and the weight of everything—the tension, the whispers, the way Leo kept looking at her—was too much.

A knock sounded. She opened the door, and Malachi stepped in without a word.

His eyes locked onto hers.

"Why'd you let him get that close to you?" he said, his voice low.

Eva blinked. "What?"

Malachi stepped closer. "Leo. He's everywhere, Eva. And I get it—he's new, he's shiny, he's got everyone watching. But... you were with me. And now you're letting him be all over you like it didn't happen."

"Malachi—" she sighed, heart pounding. "You know I don't feel that way about Leo."

"Then what do you feel?" he asked, closer now, voice rough with restraint. "Because I'm going crazy. Watching you with him. Watching the media eat it up. Watching you dance with Jace and pretend nothing's happening between us."

"Because nothing can happen between us," Eva snapped, frustration boiling over. "Not yet."

Malachi's eyes darkened. "Then why are you looking at me like that?"

Before she could answer, he closed the space between them, grabbed her waist, and kissed her.

It was desperate, angry, hungry.

And Eva kissed him back.

Her hands gripped his shirt. His fingers tangled in her hair and slightly slipping his fingers on her stomach and the edge of her waist band... The kiss deepened, lips pressing harder, breathing becoming sharp and uneven. For a moment, it was like everything melted away—Leo, Jace, Disney, the pressure.

But then it hit her.

"Stop," Eva gasped, breaking the kiss and pushing him back, breathless. "Malachi, stop."

He stared at her, lips parted, eyes clouded with confusion and hurt. "Why?"

"Because," she said, stepping away, voice shaking. "If we do this again, I won't be able to stop. And I have to stop. You and I... we can't be reckless. Not right now."

Malachi's jaw flexed. "I can't pretend nothing's there."

"I'm not asking you to pretend," Eva said softly, tears prickling at her eyes. "I'm asking you to wait."

He didn't say anything for a long moment. Then: "I kissed you because I had to. I couldn't hold it in anymore."

She looked away.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"I'm not," he said, already backing toward the door. "But I'll wait for you. Just... don't make me watch you fall for someone else while I do."

And with that, he slipped out of her trailer, leaving her in silence—heart racing, lips still tingling, head spinning.