anakiddwrites

Celebrating an anniversary can be tricky for immortal beings, but being creative is part of the fun and keeps the boredom at bay.

written for ficwip A Picture in 1000 Words Challenge: Prompt November 2025

Solomon opened the bathroom door after showering, letting the steam escape to the suite. Wearing a simple formal white shirt and black pants, he was ready to start the nightly round of his anniversary date with Karl. After spending the week exploring Scotland together, they reached the final stop all the way up to the charming North East of the country.

“Karl? I’m ready...”

But he didn’t feel his husband’s presence anywhere in the house they rented in the town. Instead, the bedroom’s window was open and a lone scented candle rested on the frame as a silent message.

“What do we have here... ~” Solomon hummed, holding the candle carefully and looking outside with an amused smile. The full moon was gorgeous in the night sky, watching over the asleep Aberdeenshire.

And amidst the beautiful view, his sharp eyes quickly noticed another candle’s flame fluttering in a tree near the house.

A gracious jump was enough to reach it, all while holding the first candle and protecting its flame. And a look around revealed many orange lights fluttering across the town, creating a “breadcrumbs path” only for his eyes to see.

Solomon chuckled to himself, endeared and curious about the charming surprise Karl had planned for their celebration. And the only way to find out was to follow that delightful path of candles illuminating the darkness.

Leap after leap, Solomon crossed the city like a quiet shadow, holding the first candle like a luck charm. It didn’t take long for him to understand the rendezvous was taking him out of the urban area and closer to the northern sea, where the ruins of the Dunnottar Castle emerged on top of the shire’s highest cliff.

Solomon admired the ethereal atmosphere for a minute before heading to the candle on the entrance. Naturally, the castle was closed for visitors now, but such a detail would never stop Karl. Solomon smiled fondly imagining him preparing each step of that dance just for the two of them.

He had to admit the whole expedition was exciting as he crossed the entrance to the gate, climbing the irregular cliffs to reach the main part of the ruins.

Even though he felt a little bad for breaking in, there was something soothing about wandering in a place so much older than himself.

“27 candles... now 28.” Solomon hopped inside the building, unbothered by the darkness and starting to guess where Karl was going with it. “And 30.”

He looked around the hall he landed, taking in the pleasant aroma of candles mixed with endless yellow petals covering the old stone floor.

Not roses, never roses.

But the real star were the countless candles decorating the whole hall, its flames dancing in Solomon’s fascinated green pupils. He could watch such a work of art for hours, if his senses haven’t caught a more interesting presence in the room.

The familiar scent that never failed to make his heart race and skin shiver in delight.

“You were fast ~ ♪”

Solomon turned around to find Karl bouncing upside down from a chandelier, his long brown hair cascading like sateen and wide smile reflecting his sheer amusement.

“The path was easy to follow.” Solomon approached him smiling just as wide and infatuated with his figure in a royal blue tuxedo. “Hopefully not too soon?”

“The party starts with you, so...” Karl landed graciously, offering Solomon a hand. “Just in time, here we are.”

“Just in time.” Solomon smile was peaceful as he accepted his hand, charmed by the flames dancing in Karl’s dark pupils. “How many candles..?”

“Take a guess.” Karl’s fanged smile widened, like he was waiting for that question.

“Oh... could it be...” Solomon’s eyes brightened up in understanding. “One for each year?”

“For each year of ours, yes!” Karl’s voice was full of pride as he kissed Solomon’s hand. “This is the only place so many would fit! And yet, it feels like it was last night...”

“Indeed.” Solomon wrapped his free hand around Karl’s waist, having the move immediately mirrored and whispering to him face to face. “I still can feel your fangs in my flesh...”

“... and your blood on my tongue...” Karl followed, staring at his partner with the same infatuation. “That night when our fate changed under the full moon, and I was reborn.”

“So was I.” Solomon bumped their foreheads with a sweet sigh. “Happy anniversary, dearest. I’m simply overjoyed.”

“Happy anniversary, dearest... I’m delighted to please you... because it’s just starting, right?” Karl wrapped arms around his neck, taking a deep breathe and shivering at the smell of Solomon’s blood so close to him.

“Hmhm.. and every year it gets better... ~” Solomon pulled him in a tight hug, tilting his head and loosening his shirt before sliding a thought directly to his mind. “I’m all yours, darling.”

He didn’t close his eyes, happy to watch the wall of candlelights while his husband hovered his lips on his skin without rush, giving his shoulder and neck a trail of gentle kisses before claiming a generous share of his blood with a ravenous bite. The sight of candles slowly blurred and Solomon bounced back, unworried with the dizziness since Karl would never let him go.

And as usual, after their moment of eternity he found himself landing safely, sitting in the carpet of petals with his head comfortable on Karl’s chest.

“I’ll have to work hard... to surprise you next year...” Solomon whispered with a drowsy smile, pleased with Karl's pounding heartbeats in his ears.

“Heh... if someone can awe me, it’s you. For now, just take a moment before your turn... I can barely wait.”

And Solomon knew exactly how he felt, looking again at the candles around them.

No matter how many times they renewed votes in countless different ways, the love and devotion never faltered, reaffirming what matters and strengthening their bond.

A bond that can make even the unstoppable march of time easier on their shoulders.

Once again, it’s just starting.