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Chapter Text

Summer brought out the cicadas, a choir louder than any other on earth. Their incessant drone is doing Remmick's head in as he perches on the branches of a tree.  He grabs one and hurls it to the ground, only for another to take its place. 

Cursing, he fixes his attention to the small cabin below him. There is a warm glow emanating from the windows, golden and inviting. In front passes a tall shadow and Remmick's breath hitches. He watches the shadow pace back and forth for a while, imagining Eoin humming as he goes.

Then the shadow stops and approaches the window. The branch creaks beneath the vampire as he leans in. Eoin appears, draping himself out over the sill. One long arm hanging down, the other bent and cradling his chin. The lad shines like silver under the moon. 

'That branch is loose; you shouldn't put too much weight on it.'

How did he know? Remmick was sure he'd been quiet. Eoin looks up at the branch where he sits, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. 

'You can come down now, Remmick.' 

The vampire pauses, suddenly unsure of himself. It's not like he'll die if the branch snaps, it's more that he didn't think Eoin would notice his presence. And yet there he was, leaning out his window calling him down. Not for the first time, Remmick is left stunned by this boy. He jumps down, landing heavily on the ground. While he could have been more graceful, he'd yet to reveal his vampiric nature for fear of losing Eoin. 

'To what do I owe the pleasure?' he asks as the vampire approaches the window. Hand reaching out to catch Remmick's and help pull him up. 

'Just- wanted to visit. I do that with other members of the congregation. It's your turn now. ' 

'Oh, I see. Church business.'

Remmick climbs up to the windowsill, claws digging into the soft wood. Up close he can hardly breathe, the light in the room is giving Eoin a halo. He can count the freckles that sprinkle the lad's face, each long lash and speck of colour in his irises. He's never been one for poetry, but if he could, he'd compose a hundred verses just on the way Eoin smiles at him. 

Eoin leans in closer, inches from the vampire's lips. 'The front door is open.'

Remmick tries not to run, but the invite drags him around and over the threshold. He forces himself into one of the chairs at the table. Eoin's cabin is small but homely, a neat pile of loved books balanced on old shelves, an armchair by the fireplace with a knitted blanket hung over the back. Trinkets and rocks line the back window and a few tools hang on hooks along the wall. 

Behind a faded Japanese style screen is a small bed with a few more blankets. His clothes hang from a coat rack and pile in a suitcase at the foot of the bed.  Eoin had told him that he hadn't been able to bring much when he left Ireland, but this was less than Remmick thought. Nevertheless, Remmick watches as Eoin potters around his cabin, opening cupboards of chipped crockery, assembling what food and drink he can muster. The vampire also watches the way his shirt pulls tight over his shoulders and chest each time he moves. His heart begins beating faster. 

'I didn't expect a visit this late, so you'll have to forgive my under preparedness.' 

Remmick couldn't care less, he can't eat anyway, so as soon as Eoin gets close enough Remmick grabs him, pulling him onto his lap.

Eoin huffs in surprise but doesn't struggle. 'Here I was thinking you were a man of God.'

'Beware thee, of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, for inwardly they are ravenous wolves,' Remmick recites. Eoin wraps his arm around his neck with the other braced against his chest. 

'And are ya a ravenous wolf?' 

Eoin grabs his face, fingers pressing hard enough to bruise and exposes his throat, for a dizzying second Remmick thinks he is like him, but the teeth biting into his flesh are too dull and his tongue is too warm.  He's getting high on the smell of his blood through his skin, the rich crimson that he knows will taste like home. But he can't do this, not to him. Eoin is an angel; he didn't deserve to be dragged into darkness purely because Remmick wanted him. No that wasn't quite right. He craved him.

Eoin shifts, straddling him properly. Self- control isn't something Remmick is very well versed in, and Eoin is playing dirty, pushing the vampire to the very limit of restraint. 

'I know what you are,' Eoin teases, nipping his ear. 

'I don't think you do,' he throws Eoin off. The lad lands on the other side of the room in a crumpled heap. 

In a panic at his own strength, he rushes over and picks Eoin up, carrying him to his bed.  A thin dribble of blood streaks down his forehead, Remmick's eye latch onto it. Transfixed by its slow slip down the lad's pale skin. His stomach lurches, reminding him he hasn't fed yet. 

Take him.

Eoin groans, Remmick jumps back.

'What the fuck happened?' Lazily Eoin brings his hand up to his forehead, fingers smearing the blood. 'Remmick?' 

'I can't trust myself around you, you're bad news.'

Eoin shakes his head. 'You insult me if you think I don't know.' 

He reaches out, catching Remmick's leg and pulling him down next to him. 'Midnight mass, always asking to be invited in, the way you're looking at me like a parched man.'

'Eoin, I ain't gonna do it. Not to you.'

'Do what?'

When Remmick doesn't answer, Eoin snatches up his hand and presses it against his own throat. His pulse roars under Remmick's fingers that naturally begin to curl. Eoin's eyes droop, a needy smile playing on his lips. 

'I won't scream.' 

'It ain't the screamin' that concerns me.'

'Then what? 'Cause the way I see it, you want me. Like I want you.' Eoin presses himself further into Remmick's hand. In his eyes is a pleading stronger than any hunger he's ever seen. 'Make me your companion.' 

Remmick had heard people beg before back in  the tent when the congregation were clawing at each other, bodies twisting with religious fervour as they turned to him for salvation and he had revelled in it. Played with the power he had over them with sick satisfaction. But this, soft and almost lost to the night air, it disarms him. He feels small against it looking into Eoin's liquid eyes that are filled with trust and desire. With shaking hands, he draws Eoin in. 

'It's gonna hurt,' he warns, Eoin only wraps himself around Remmick's shoulders tighter. 

'Only for a little bit, then I'll be okay,' the lad whispers with a soft kiss to his cheek. 

Pushing aside his reservation, Remmick tilts Eoin's head to the side, the other going willingly while tracing lazy circles on the small of his back. Grazing his teeth along his skin, a shiver runs through both, before Remmick lets his fangs sink in. 

Eoin grabs him. 'Fuck.'

He could stop, but the first drop of his blood has hit Remmick's tongue, and all sense leaves him.  Words cannot describe how sweet he is, better than straight sugar. Moaning as he drinks in mouthful after mouthful of this ambrosia. Remmick has just enough restraint to stop him tearing Eoin's throat open. 

Eoin meanwhile is scratching his nails down Remmick's back, the pain is near unbearable as he feels himself being pulled further and further away from reality. Soon his fingers start going slack, his legs jitter and his breaths become rapidly shallow. Black spots merge in his vision, then he slumps forward held in the embrace of this thing quickly killing him. 

When Eoin goes limp, Remmick knows to stop. Despite how much his hunger urges him to finish the job, drain him to the last drop and leave him a husk. But Eoin had asked to be turned, and deep down Remmick wanted him to be turned. He withdraws, lapping at the wounds on Eoin's neck. All he has to do now is wait for him to wake up. Gently, he picks Eoin's body up and manoeuvres them so that he is propped up in his bed with Eoin curled up on his chest.  

'Ya gonna be the prettiest damn vampire,' he whispers tenderly, combing Eoin's curls back from his half open and unfocused eyes. 

Remmick waits, moonlight falling on his boy, making him paler. He has no time for thinking about what he's done, how he had broken the promise he made as soon as he first saw Eoin. When he stepped into his church and completely surpassed the God that Remmick claimed he was the messenger of. Instead, he turns to their future. They will have to leave soon for a new town; he hopes Eoin didn't have any ties here. 

'I'll let you choose where we go. Just not Alaska, too fuckin' cold up there,' he laughs quietly. 'Ya taking your time Sweet Thing.'

Normally they would be awake by now, panic flutters in his chest, he'd walk into the midday sun if he's killed him. 

'Oh, come on now,' Remmick lightly shakes his shoulder. A finger twitches and the breath Remmick unknowingly was holding releases as a relieved sigh. 'There he is.' 

Eoin's head feels completely detached from his neck, slowly he drags it up Remmick's chest to meet his loving eyes. Was it just him or was the room suddenly brighter. He blinks, eyes feeling gritty. 

'Rem-Remmick?' 

'Yeah, Sweet Thing. Give us a look at ya fangs.' Gently Remmick opens Eoin's mouth, drawing back his top lip to expose his canines. He presses a finger down, puncturing the skin. Eoin surges forward, eager after the blood.

'Ah ah, not from me, Sweet,' Remmick moves his finger away. 'Not till you've had your first feed. Come on.'

Carefully, they stand up. Eoin sways a little leaning heavily on Remmick's side before standing to his full height. 

'Where will we hunt?' his eyes light up with the red sheen of hunger. 

Remmick smiles. 'Follow me darlin''

They end up in town where only the dregs of society are out at this hour. 

'The perfect targets, no one misses them in the morning,' Remmick explains as they lurk in the shadows between a brothel and general store. 

'Won't they become like us though?' 

‘Don’t you worry about that,’ Remmick pats his shoulder. ‘Ya get them at this hour, and they are ash pretty soon.’

Eoin doesn’t seem too pleased, swallowing hard and casting cautious glances at the end of the alley. ‘Shall we go then?’

‘Aye, come on.’ 

Remmick leads Eoin into the street then up the stairs of the brothel. ‘Evenin’ mind if we come in?’

The man on the door gives them the once over. ‘You two got money?’ 

Remmick sighs, digging out a handful of gold from his pocket. The toothpick the man had been swirling on his tongue drops. 'Welcome gentlemen. '

Dawn is half an hour away by the time the pair start the trek back to Eoin's cabin, each with a girl hanging on their arm. Eoin starts to itch, incoming sunrise and the warmth of the girl giggling beside him making him feel like he's crawling with ants. 

'Can I kiss you?' he asks, stopping behind a tree. He can't take it anymore and she's more than willing to oblige him.

'You can do a lot more than that, honey.' Then she's on him, pressing herself against Eoin in an attempt to turn him on. For his part, he plays along holding her slim waist tight, moaning when appropriate. Somewhere else in the woods he hears a scream, sharp and bright before it's abruptly stopped. 

'What was that?' the girl asks. Eoin can hear her heart thundering, calling to him like a siren. 

The young vampire shrugs. 'Coyotes?' 

"We should get out of here,' her high voice quivering. Twigs snap around them. Above her shoulder Eoin spots a pair of glowing red dots. There you are. 

'Come for the show, have you?'

The girl makes a questioning sound that Eoin ignores. Instead, he tips her head to the side, runs his tongue up her neck then sinks his fangs in. The high is instant, blood spurting from a severed artery and straight down his throat. He thinks about how he ever ate food before this. 

Remmick watches as Eoin loses himself to the blood. Eyes rolling back, body arching over his struggling victim. Blood drips down his chin. God what a sight. The fledgling vampire. His fledgling. His Eoin. As if he'd heard, Eoin looks up, holding Remmick's gaze as he slowly laps at the wounds he's made, digging the tip of his tongue in.

'Come 'ere Sweet Thing,' he calls.

'Why do ya call me that?' he asks in that curious tone that makes the vampire’s knees weak.

Remmick cups his chin, bringing him close to lick the blood from his cheeks. 'Cause you are. From your blood to them damn curls. Been calling you that since I first saw ya.'

 'I knew you were soft on me,' Eoin giggles. 'Never let the snakes near me.' 

He turns his head to kiss Remmick properly. 

'What can I say, I like pretty things.' He pushes the lad against a tree, rocking his hips into him, noting with satisfaction that both of them are hard. 

Before anything can happen, Eoin draws back and yawns. The sky is turning rosy, air filling with the first of the birdsong. Sympathy twinges Remmick, he remembers those early days and how the sun’s narcoleptic pull was stronger, even the barest hint of sunlight made his arms weak. Fulfilling desire would have to wait for now, Eoin wouldn’t last long if they stayed here.

'We gotta get back now, Sweet Thing.'

It is bright enough by the time they reach Eoin's cabin their skin is beginning to sting. There is some confusion when it comes to how Eoin is meant to cross the threshold.

‘Well, it’s still technically my house,’ the young vampire shrugs. He steps up to the door, hand gingerly turning the handle. It clicks open. Remmick breaths another sigh of relief, he’s safe from another day spent in a shallow grave.  

'Will we need coffins?' Eoin asks. Remmick almost laughs. 

'Nah, just a bed and a thick enough blanket to cover us will be fine.'

They curl up around each other, Eoin pulling Remmick into his chest. Already the young vampire's arms are heavy, locking the other in. Remmick sighs contently he's forgotten the last time he'd fallen asleep in the arms of another but is already addicted to the feeling, letting Eoin's heartbeat ease him to sleep. 

***

Chapter Text

Eoin wakes to empty arms. For a moment he thinks he's dreamed it all until suddenly there is someone incessantly nuzzling his neck.

'Got something for ya, Sweet,' Remmick whispers. 

Eoin rolls over. 'What are you on about?' 

Instead of getting an answer, he is dragged out of bed and into the main room. In the centre is a chair with a young man tied to it. The vampire rocks on his heels, grinning with pride. 

'Rem, what is this?' Eoin eyes his gift. Clearly it is taken the wrong way as Remmick glances nervously at the unconscious hostage. 

'I can turn him loose. I'm sorry if -' 

He is cut off by Eoin kissing him. 'I didn't say to do that.'

'Oh, well, in that case. I brought you dinner,' he flourishes his hand and stands a little straighter. Eoin pats his hair lovingly, knowing exactly what this is about. You want a show do you? 

The young vampire approaches the man, kneeling down in front of him and lifting his head up. 'My my, what a fine one you are.'

Remmick takes the chair by the fireplace. 'Picked him special for ya.'

Eoin sweeps his fingers through the man's hair. 'You know my type. Dirty blonds.'

At that moment the man wakes up screaming in Eoin's face and trying desperately to kick the chair back. Remmick fights the urge to knock him out again, letting the young vampire calm him.

'Shh, there's no need for that,' he soothes, drawing him into his shoulder. 'Nothin' bad is going to happen to ya.'

The man glances up at Remmick. 'You're the bastard that brought me here. The fuck you want with me?' 

Playing the innocent, Remmick merely shrugs before Eoin redirects his attention.

'Never mind him,' he says, cradling the man's head again. 'I'll take care of you. That's it, you just settle.'

Eoin exposes his throat. Remmick feels a shiver run through him as his fledgling prepares himself, grazing the skin with the smallest hint of his teeth.The young man jerks at the contact. Eoin tells him to ask for it. 

'Eoin,' Remmick sighs, body burning, restless hand wandering. God this boy was a tease and he knew it.

'Ya like that?' Eoin asks, eyes pinned on Remmick. 'Yeah, c'mon ask me. Tell me what you want.'

The man nods, moaning his answer into Eoin's shirt. The vampire collapses out of the chair onto the floor. 

'Do it, Sweet Thing.'

Eoin's eyes harden as he tears into the man's flesh. He hardly has time to react before he is knocked backwards and a hungry vampire starts draining him dry. When he realises his screams are gurgled, blood spraying out of the hole in his neck. Eoin is savage, growling and tearing at him. The girl's blood was nice last night, but this is so much better. Thick and rich, sliding down and warming him like whiskey. 

Eventually the blood stops and Eoin sits back. The mess around him is something from a slaughter yard, the young man unrecognisable from where bits had been torn out and his head has been completely detached. The air is vile with the sent of spilt viscera. Lumps of pulpy flesh litter the floor, now stained a shockingly bright red. 

He'd be revolted if he didn't feel so satisfied. His body heaves with each breath, veins flooded with the remnant traces of alcohol the young man had drunk earlier. He begins cackling with his head tipped back to the ceiling. Besides him, Remmick is a mess himself. Face flushed and trembling, he whimpers Eoin's name as he rolls on his back. 

'You right there, Rem?' Eoin laughs, crawling towards him. 

Remmick can't stop staring, the young vampire looks feral, gore up to his eyes and all over his arms. 

'You don't regret turning me?' Eoin asks, face looming above him and fangs flashing. Stray blood drips from the tip of his nose. 

'Thought I would, but how can I?'

They should be cleaning up the mess, but they become heavily distracted by each other. Eoin tries to get on top, but Remmick pins him down with hands and mouth. 

'Can't let you win all the time, my Sweet.' Silencing the young vampire's protests with a bruising kiss. Eoin writhes under him, his desperate movements driving Remmick into a frenzy. Buttons are neglected as the vampire tears his companion's clothes off and throws them over his shoulder.

'God, look at you,' he muses. Sure, he's dreamed of what Eoin looked like naked, but actually seeing him like this? Pale, but with the flush of a fresh feed about him. 

'What do I look like?' Eoin props himself up on his elbows.

'I don't know, an angel. Saint?' he trails his mouth over Eoin’s chest, feeling him bloom under him. ‘Perhaps the devil.’

He starts slowly, treating Eoin like he's an object of worship, but also because he's never done this before.  Though, he must be doing something right as Eoin hasn't thrown him off or told him to stop. Quite the opposite, he's tugging Remmick's hair and moaning incoherent nonsense. If he'd thought about this a little more, he'd be able to read Eoin's body more and probably wouldn't have choked in surprise when Eoin comes.

'Fuckin' hell,' the vampire coughs. Remmick wipes his mouth on the back of his hand, unsure if he likes the taste or not. It certainly wasn't as nice as blood. But he can admit it did nice things to Eoin. 

'Darlin' where'd you learn to do that? Christ,' Eoin says breathless. The vampire turns away, blushing furiously. 'If you say that's your first, I'll call you a liar.'

The silence is telling. Eoin drags Remmick up by the collar. 

'What if I asked you to make love to me?' lust drips like honey in Eoin's voice. He curls his fingers around the back of Remmick's neck, just catching the skin on his claws. That truly stuns him, all he can do is blink like an idiot. 

'I'd ask how,' he confesses. Eoin draws him into a hug burying his head into his neck. 

'Oh, precious.' Gentle fingers card through his hair. 'There'll be plenty of time for you to learn.'

Remmick shifts, meeting his companion's eyes. 'You could teach me.'

'Of course,' Eoin nods. 'But first, we clean up.'

There was little chance of Eoin's dinner becoming a vampire, but they still shove the remains into a bag and throw it in a canal. The floor will take longer, the blood has sunk in deep. They set to work scrubbing as much as they can out. All the while Remmick is quiet, casting glances as Eoin's curves and graces as he leans over the brush. He's only wearing his trousers and his hair is still damp from where he washed the blood out.

'Quit ya staring,' he says, blowing errant curls from his eyes. 'You're distracting me again.' 

'Can't help it,' he shrugs. 

Eoin gets up and offers his hand, pulling his companion up and over to his bed. He's a patient teacher, even when Remmick is sure he's done something wrong. The young vampire's encouragements settle him  as he gets closer to the edge. After, Eoin draws him close settling him in the hollow of his chest. 

'You really need to stop doubting yourself, Rem. That was-,' he can't find the right word, so simply crushes Remmick in a hug.

'Alright?' he offers. 

'Better than alright. So much better than that.' 

***

'Pastor!' 

Remmick stops in the middle of the street, the familiar voice setting him on edge, Eoin shrugs. Very supportive.

'Yes Ms Annie?' he turns to face the enthusiastic middle-aged woman. His most devoted sheep, who he didn't understand why she joined. She always said it out her love of the Lord, but Remmick was beginning to suspect that it was more. 

'I been seeing you around, but we've not had a mass in so long!' she explains then realises Eoin. 'Oh, good evening young man.' 

'Evening,' he tips the brim of his hat. Eoin had given up trying to remind Annie of his name, even when she was the one who pulled him along to his first mass. 

'Well, you see I've been busy. Out on missions,' Remmick lies, his companion looks away to stop himself from laughing. 

Annie's eyes light up. 'I look forward to hearing all about it this Sunday. God bless you, Pastor.'

She's gone before Remmick really has a chance to argue. Eoin starts quietly giggling, only getting louder when Remmick shoves him. 

'Fuck’s sake.' 

Eoin shoves him back. 'Dust off your Bible, Pastor, you got a sermon to write.'

~

Dusk has just started to fall when Remmick wakes, for a moment he forgets the day until it comes back with crushing disappointment. He briefly contemplates packing up here and running away.  

'Don't,' Eoin holds him tighter. 'The honeymoon has been nice, but you have a job.' 

He's right, it had been two weeks since the last mass. If he was honest, Remmick didn't miss it. He only did it to feel close to people and out of the necessity for fresh blood. Now with Eoin, he didn't need anyone else. 

'I wasn't gonna do anything,' he argues.

Eoin snorts. 'Forgive me for calling bullshit, Rem, but I know what you're thinking.'

'I was actually thinking that there's still a few hours to midnight,' he says playfully, already pinning a giggling Eoin under him. 

~

The congregation are loitering outside the tent when they arrive. The blood of the railway worker he'd drained earlier spoiling at the sight of Annie holding a tin with what he can only assume contains another God awful fruitcake. He turns to Eoin, who gives him a gentle smile and nudge. 

'You got the rattlers?' 

Eoin holds up a bag that moves and hisses. 'Aye, and they're angry.'

Inside they take up position, watching the flock walk willingly into their arms. With a sick grin, Remmick prepares for the final sermon. He starts simple enough, the regular dross about not giving into the temptations of the flesh before slamming his hand on the pulpit and raising his tone. 

'Now the serpent was the most cunning of all of God's creatures, it did poison the hearts of the weak. Turned man to sin! I call you my brothers and sisters, in Christ's name, we shall confront this vile beast and prove our hearts remain untouched!' 

He reaches into the bag and draws out a large rattlesnake. The serpent wraps its way up the vampire's arm and neck. The air is still and silent, save the snake's rattle. The congregation are already leaning forward, all except Eoin who starts playing with the flame of a lighter. 

'But God so told that His faithful would take up serpents. Only the ones blessed by our Lord shall be shielded. I ask you, my brothers and sisters, are you willing to test your faith? To prove that you are free from the clutches of sin?' he raises the snake above his head, shaking it like a ragdoll. It hisses, baring its fangs. 

The flock surge forward, eager to grab the enraged creature. Remmick nods to Eoin, he calmly unties the bag again, tipping the remaining snakes out onto the ground. They quickly slither between the crowd. The first scream causes everyone to freeze. Then chaos breaks out as snakes tangle around legs and panicked faithful trip over one another in an attempt to get out. 

Eoin drops the lighter, it catches the on the side of the tent sending the wall up in a column of flame. The screaming reaches fever pitch. And Remmick howls, grabbing his banjo and Eoin's hand as they bolt from the fire. Giddy with the smell of smoke and panic. 

'Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned'

***

'You're a hypocrite you know,' Eoin says, swinging their joined hands between them. 

'How'd you figure that one?' 

'Your sermon tonight. 'Bout the sin of carnal desires. As if not half an hour earlier you'd made love to me.'

Remmick laughs, bringing Eoin's hand up to kiss. 'Ah, see Sweet Thing, the preacher rarely practices.'

The young vampire snorts. 'So, it's just the rest of us that are sinners.'

Remmick nods, smug smile teasing his companion. 

'Well then, forgive me father,' Eoin stops and faces him. There is a brief of moment of silence, and he is again lost in his companion's eyes, deep and warm with stars trapped inside. He takes Remmick's face in his hands and tenderly kisses him, mouths melting into each other. In moments like this, Remmick forgets himself as something close to humanity is restored to him. He hadn't thought it possible to feel love, but Eoin had thoroughly proven that theory wrong.

'Perhaps we need a change of scenery,' he suggests as they resume the walk back to their cabin.

'Oh yeah, where were you thinking, Sweet?' 

Eoin pauses. 'New York or Chicago?' 

'The big cities?' Remmick laughs. 

'Big city, lot of murders. Two vampires would fit right in,' he explains. 'Or what about New Orleans!' 

Remmick shakes his head. 'Nah, that place got enough problems. Too many moving shadows.' 

'Fair enough,' Eoin concedes. 'Will ya take up preaching again?' 

The vampire considers. 'Depends. Didn't really believe that stuff anyway, I've broken enough commandments that it don't bother me.'

'Well, whatever we decide, we'll have to leave soon. Won't take 'em long to figure out what happened,' Eoin says, tone suddenly sober before the light returns. 'S'all a bit Bonnie and Clyde.'

'Who?' 

'Them outlaws, saw 'em in the paper the other night,' the young vampire explains . 'Runnin' 'round the country.  Stealing money and lives.'

Remmick nods. 'Well, you're Bonnie, on account of being the pretty one.'

'Fuck off.' 

Ahead is their cabin, behind it is the moon rising from quivering horizon. Remmick climbs up a tree, offering his hand to drag Eoin up beside him. Idly Remmick picks at his banjo, it's late Summer now, and the cicadas have silenced. Soon Fall would be here and all Remmick knew was that they were gonna give Bonnie and Clyde a run for their money. 

~*~