The Human Stain

Frank walked up to me once more and kissed my hand again, before pulling me into a bit of a smothering embrace. I heard Mikey whisper a slight “Oh my God” and usher the two of us out of the room. Frank eventually lets me out of the hug and smiles widely at me. I don’t really have any idea what’s going on but I want Frank to keep touching me for a long time. It feels absolutely indescribably amazing! I can’t even explain how I feel right now standing next to him.

I know I should at least feel slightly wary of him, which I do, but it all seems to be pushed to the back of my mind, while he takes front and center. Now that Frank is no longer touching me the euphoric feeling fades slightly and my mind clears a bit. Mikey pulls us through the halls quickly and I try and ignore the butterflies I get in my stomach every time Frank looks at me. I feel very cliché.

I hear Mikey sigh and he drags us into the library, “I’m guessing you are slightly confused Gerard.” I bite my lip and blush sheepishly, “Well I think it will be easier if Frank explains what is going on…”

I turn toward Frank slightly nervous, but wait patiently for an explanation.

“Oh!” Frank begins, “I forgot that you probably have no idea what is going on. Well a vampire lives his and or her's whole life searching for their mate. The one person who was made specifically for them, and makes them feel complete.” He pauses for a moment looking at me like I hung the moon, “And well…Gerard you are my mate.”

I splutter for a moment, “But!” Frank’s face falls at that one word and a stabbing pain pierces my gut.

“You do not want me.” Frank says forlornly.

“No, no, I do want you!” I reply a bit desperately, “I guess I’m still trying to figure out what is going on, I am sorry.” I play with the ribbons on my dress absentmindedly, and Frank comes around to my side of the table. He rubs my back comfortingly and I smile gratefully at him. Made just for me huh.

Mikey coughs interrupting the moment, “Well as much as I want you two to get to know each other; Gerard has had a long day and should probably be getting to bed. You two can talk some for tomorrow.”

I nod in agreement and smile a bit regretfully at Frank, “Good night Frank.”

Frank blushes slightly, “Good night Gerard.”

I walk to my room and carefully undress myself, remove my makeup, and unpin my hair. I stare at my face in the mirror wonderingly as if it was completely new. Made for him. I blush and grin at myself like an idiot making a noise of delight, and then proceed to jump up and down. I can’t believe it! I already knew about mates a little bit from living at the Grievences and the books Mikey had me read, but this is just one of those things that you just assume won’t happen to you. I get dressed in my night dress and climb into bed still thinking about Frank. He’s the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.

I try to sleep but I just can’t seem to stop my brain from it’s countless thoughts about mates, Frank, and how it’s all happening to me. My brain flits from one topic to another like how stunning Frank’s eyes are, and then immediately to what if he doesn’t want me? I know he seemed heartbroken at the thought of me not wanting him, but what if he gets to know me and decides I’m not worth the effort. I sigh deeply and toss and turn for a while with that one thought still rattling around in my head before falling asleep.

“Master Gerard?” I blearily creak my eyes open, groaning slightly at the sunlight, “Gerard?” The servant I now recognize as Natasha shakes me slightly, “Gerard you need to get up Mr. Iero will be visiting shortly.” I sit up immediately at that.

“Uh…Natasha I am going to need your help.” I’m okay at doing my hair and makeup, but this is Frank I want to look gorgeous and Natasha is magic at that sort of thing.

Natasha just smiles and pushes me into the restroom to wash myself while she picks out a dress for me and readies the makeup and other such things. I soak for a little washing myself making sure I get completely clean. I wouldn’t want Frank thinking I’m some unwashed heathen. Well he might already think that of course given my background. I’m drying myself off when I catch sight of my scars in the mirror. Of course, how could I forget. I run my fingers over them and sigh, even if Frank had some semblance of want for me I’m probably going to scare him away with these if we ever happen to get…intimate. I blush at the thought.

I leave the bathroom and Natasha helps me get ready drying my hair and then sweeping it out of my face. She must sense my uneasiness and tries to make me feel better by cracking jokes about some of the party guests from last night. It works remarkably well. When Natasha pulls the dress she picked out for me from the closet I stare at her in confusion.

“Mister Iero said you would be out riding today.” She smiles slightly and helps me into the dress. The dress is a dark green that reminds me of the forest and is the top is styled slightly military-esque. It hugs my frame like a glove and I do a little twirl in front of the mirror and then hug Natasha who naturally protests; claiming that it’s inappropriate for a vampire to hug a human and I shush her…naturally. I let go when I hear a knock on the door and I smooth out my skirt and then answer.

Mikey is standing on the other side and he leads me downstairs to where Frank is. Frank is wearing a simple black riding outfit that accentuates every curve on him, and those pants are well…remarkably tight. Frank and I both break our staring when Mikey nudges me.

“I know you’ll take care of him Frank, but still I’m watching you.” Despite the tough words Mikey hands me over to Frank with no hesitation.

“Don’t worry Mikey I’ll take care of him.” Frank replies smiling at me and holding my hand. I blush again. I seem to be doing that a lot lately.

We go to the stables and when I mention that I don’t know how to ride; Frank puts me in front of him on his horse and keeps me on by hugging me from behind. We ride in silence for a while neither of us knowing what to say, but eventually we get into a flow of easy conversation. We crack jokes and get to know each other better, and before I know it we’re at the grove of trees I found last night.

Frank dismounts and then helps me off and leads up through the trees. He ties up the horse, who’s name I learned was Kirian, by the water and then retrieves a blanket and small basket from the saddle bags.

When I quirk my eyebrow all he says is, “I thought we could have a picnic.”

Again we sit in silence just enjoyed each other company and the only sound is the occasional whinny from Kirian or birdsong from somewhere back in the grove.

“How did you know about this place?” I ask finally breaking the silence.

“To be honest I didn’t know it existed until last night.”

“Last night…You mean you followed me?!” I say a bit scandalized.

“I…yes.” Frank says a bit guiltily, “But you looked really upset and even though I didn’t know you I wanted to help, but when I saw you crying I figured it was best to leave you alone.”

I nod slowly and bite my lip, “Well I can understand that.”

We lapse into silence again. My mind wanders in the silence thinking of last night. I think of the stars and how I swore I saw Tatiana in the water. I jump slightly when Frank takes my hand.
“You know you’re really beautiful.” Frank says staring at me intently and I blush waving the comment off, “No really you are!”

“If you say so.” I reply.

Frank smiles at me hugging me again, “You know I’m going to convince you of that right? I’m really stubborn.”

“I bet you are.” I say again.

“Come along!” Frank says pulling me up, “We should be getting back before Mikey gets worried, besides we’ve got some business to take care of.”

I nod and he unties Kirian and then helps me back up before taking off at a very fast pace in my opinion toward the house. When we arrive Frank again helps me off and I realize I must look a little ridiculous not being able to get on a horse by myself and I say so. Frank just laughs it off and pulls me into a hug once more and doesn’t let go of my hand.

“Mikey!” Frank calls out, “We’re back!”

Mikey seemingly appears out of nowhere, but I guess he can do that considering how skinny how he is, “I can see that.”

“Are we still going to take care of that business we talked about?” Frank replies.

“Of course you ask Gerard about it.” Frank blushes and mumbles “I was a bit distracted” and Mikey rolls his eyes turning to me, “Gerard you don’t have to say yes but me and Frank have some business we have to take care of and want to know if you want to come along."

“What is it?” I ask getting curious about this business.

“Punishing Jeremiah Grievence.”

Notes

Tada! So yeah little misunderstanding has been going on. I added Blood Splatter-Killjoy as a co-author so she could edit the chapters easier and we wouldn't have to email back and forth, also so the chapters could get on the site quicker. Blood Splatter is an amazing author and if you haven't read anything by her you should, but on this story she is the editor while I'm actually writing the content in the chapters. Thank you.
Song of the Chapter: Short Skirt/Long Jacket by Cake

Note from Blood Splatter-Killjoy: Well I am happy you think of me as a great author I would be lying if I said I wasn't pissed slightly that you thought I had been writing the chapters. As much as I love reading your comments I tend to not reply because this isn't my story I only do the beta work when I find that it needs it.

-Blood Splatter-Killjoy.