Before The Sun Goes Down

He didn't know how many days he'd laid there for, twitching and in agony. As soon as the thing had pricked his neck... he'd felt something burning along his veins, in his heart, in his eyes, his brain. He couldn't cry out, he couldn't do anything but lie there.
He was completely defenceless, but he could feel himself getting stronger, by the second. As soon as he was out of this hell, he'd murder the one who put him through it. He hoped desperately that it was Miles.
He'd felt himself die. He was aware of his heart slowing down, of his blood leaking out of him. He wasn't sure how he was aware, it was like there was someone else controlling him. A distant presence.
All he can do is twitch, his fingers, his legs, his head. He could feel the wound on his head knitting itself back together, repairing itself. He could feel himself growing leaner, perhaps taller, too. Changes were happening. He wasn't even sure if he'd look in the mirror and recognize himself.
Another twitch; his fingers outstretching. He feels something. Some bedsheets, perhaps. This is the first time he'd felt anything since it happened. Perhaps this meant he was coming out of this hell. Evil happiness spread through him, making him forget about the fire coursing through his veins for a second.
Slowly, he starts to have some feeling back in his limbs. He can tense, curl his hands into fists, and make his eyes flutter.
He gets ready to fight. There could be anything waiting for him.
He sees light through his eyelids. Before, it was complete darkness; he was scared he was going blind.
The fire retreats, slowly, taking a number of hours to leave each limb and his face. The fire stops in his throat and stomach. He swallows, making the fire roar even more.
He still can't open his eyes.
He can hear things now, his hearing acute and powerful. He tries to lift his arm, making it off of the surface for a second before it collapses back. He lies, waiting. Waiting for what, he doesn't know. Perhaps to be able to speak, open his eyes, move.
Or it could be to get something to dull the fire. He can still feel the embers burning slightly in his face and limbs. He hears footsteps, his head automatically trying to turn to the sound. A sigh, he hears fabric being rubbed against skin. Footsteps walking away, a door closing and being locked. Footsteps against the pavement.
Silence in the room.
The light gets brighter, his eyes flutter more. Suddenly, he can open them. He breathes in, but it feels weird. He feels empty, but he can't stop breathing in and out, like a habit. The air feels like gravel going down his throat, so he holds his breath.
A thousand thoughts run through his head, but he can't sort them out. There's too much information coming in and out. He closes his eyes again, his eyesight making him feel dizzy.
He can see even the tiniest of details, like a hair on the floor by the door. The color, the way it shines, how long it is, and the split end. It's red.
Like Gerard's, he thinks.
He'd forgotten about Gerard while the fire was roaring, but the memories were coming back to him. The memories with Miles had never left.
He pushes upwards with his arms, but they're too shaky. The fabric he's lying on almost assaults his skin, the feeling of his clothes and the bedsheets rubbing against him becoming too great for his heightened senses. He lies still again, getting used to the fabric.
He tries to sit up again, this time succeeding.
He looks around the room, moving his neck freely, for the first time in what feels like forever. Plain. White walls, basic furniture. His house.
Gerard and I's house...
A smile creeps onto his face.
He stands up, testing his legs by walking a few steps. He swallows, making the fire jump up and attack him again. His legs drop him to the ground, surprised by the fire. He craves for something, but he doesn't know what.
He hears whistling, a few hundred metres away. Footsteps, too. The sounds get closer, then a key slides into the door and it opens. He creeps closer to the bedroom door. The footsteps stop by the door, the keys dropping to the floor.
Creeping down the stairs, he cranes his neck to see the figure. They have their back to him, so he doesn't know who it is. Instincts take over; the need to survive. He jumps over the bannister, landing silently behind the figure.
They have their hood up.
He leaps, landing on the person's back. They topple over, The person struggling underneath him.
He's strong...
He digs his legs into their side, each hand gripping one of the person's; holding them to the floor. The person stops struggling, they go still. He hears laughter.
“Get the fuck off me, you stupid fuck,” They manage to get out between laughs. He recognize the voice; Gerard.
He slides off, feeling sheepish.
Gerard tuns around, sitting up. He searches Frank's face, smiling.
“Frank, baby. You're awake.” Frank nods, finally remembering his name. It was on the tip of his tongue.
“I...” He coughs, feeling his throat protest. He points to it, wincing.
Understanding passes over Gerard's face. He nods, a smirk creeping onto his lips.
“You're thirsty...” He reaches for a bag. “Here, I got you these,” Gerard pulls a bag full of blood out. “The bag's full of them. And I can get more, which you'll probably need.” Frank looks at the blood, his teeth getting sharper.
He wants to refuse, the idea of drinking blood making his skin crawl. But he craves it. His entire being is singing out for him to grab the bad and rip it open. He does, making Gerard jump slightly, then laugh.
“Easy, tiger,” He laughs, shaking his head.
Frank barely hears him, the bag already half empty. The fire dulls, but it doesn't go out. He breathes, the feeling more comfortable, like swallowing down some chips whole, instead of gravel.
“I need more,” Gerard nods, kicking the bag to him.
“Take as many as you need, I'm just going to get changed.” Frank waves him off, already too occupied with the blood.
It spills down his chin, wetting his clothes around his neck. He doesn't care. He drains that bag, feeling a whole lot better now. He decides to not drink any more. He licks his lips before wiping his mouth on his sleeve.
His hands catch his attention; his tattoos have gone. He rolls up his sleeve, the ones on the have gone, too. So have his scars. His skin is as unblemished as a baby, and soft like one, too. He runs his fingers down his arm, the feeling of the skin nice, but cold.
He pulls his sleeve back down, standing up. He grabs the bag, walking into the kitchen. He puts the blood in the fridge. Gerard walks through, making Frank jump at the noise.
“It'll take a while for your senses to dull a little. It's just because you're young, you're more sensitive than me. A few months, I'd say. Clothes will probably bother you, too,” Frank nods. “Thought so. And I can really let you out of the house, in case you attack someone. It'll take up to a few years for you to be in complete control of your bloodlust.”
“How come you managed?” Gerard shrugs, smiling.
“I'm a good vampire, I guess...” Frank rolls his eyes, coming closer to Gerard.
“Aren't I... stronger than you?” Gerard's smile fades a little as he nods. “Well, perhaps you shouldn't cheek me, then, otherwise I might beat your ass at an arm wrestling competition.” They both grin, Frank suddenly overtook by longing for Gerard.
“I'm still really strong. I think I'd be able to hold my own, you know.” Frank shrugs, his smile gone.
“Can I try something?” Gerard nods, a little wary.
Frank grabs Gerard's collar, pulling him close. Gerard's eyes widen, he freezes. Frank's eyes close. Gerard realizes what Frank's about to do and tries to stop him.
“Frank, ba-” He's cut off by Frank's lips. They still taste of the blood. Frank starts to panic slightly, but it isn't as bad now.
He doesn't know what's changed, perhaps it's just because he's a vampire now.
They kiss, both of them melting into it. They haven't kissed like this for a long time. You can feel the love, like electricity, between them. All they can both think about is the other.
The kiss lasts for a long time, because neither of them have to breathe.
Gerard pulls away first, the smile growing on his face making it difficult to kiss. They open their eyes, staring at one another. Frank looks the happiest he's been in a while. Since Gerard met him. Perhaps even before that.
Frank laughs, letting go of Gerard's shirt. Gerard pulls him to him, both of them holding each other tight.
Gerard kisses the top of his head, then he pulls away.
“I really, really fucking love you, you know? I freaked the fuck out when I saw you, lying in the bathtub, bleeding out... I'm sorry I turned you into this, but it was the only thing I though I could do.” Frank shakes his head.
“Don't worry about it. You had to turn me at some point. I wasn't going to die in a couple of decades or whatever and leave you behind,” Gerard smiles.
“Don't worry, I wouldn't have been left behind. I'd die with you, baby.” Frank throws him a puzzled look.
“How?” Gerard shrugs.
“I'd find a way, I guess.” Frank smiles.
“That's actually really cute, you know? You little sweetie pie..” Frank pinches Gerard's cheek, making him swat Frank's hand away.
“Get off of me... You're the cute one, anyway.” Frank rolls his eyes.
“With this hair? I don't think so...” He trails off, a smile growing. He pulls off his t-shirt. “Look! I don't have any scars!”
Gerard beams at Frank's happiness, nodding his head.
“You sure don't... that's great, baby. But you don't have any tattoos, either...” Frank shrugs, pulling his t-shirt back on.
“I'll just have to get more or something, I guess.”
“Yeah, sure. Might be a few years, though.” Frank nods, shrugging again.
“I don't care. As they say, 'great things come to those who wait',” He pauses, looking around the house again. “We really need to decorate. The house looks pretty shit..” Gerard laughs, nodding.
“Yeah, I know. I didn't just sit around and wait for you to wake up, you know? I got a moving truck and some paint and shit. We have everything we need, I think, plus some dust sheets for the furniture.”
“Okay, great. Where is it all?”
Gerard points over his shoulder. The paint is in the car, the moving truck is still outside. I put the dude to sleep for a while, and I've hired it out for a few days.” Frank smiles. He looks out of the kitchen window, to the driveway. Sure enough, the truck was out there.
“Let's do it then, darlin'.”
They end up having a paint fight in the lounge, create some kind of art on the walls. The paint, the first layer black, has all sorts of colors splattered over it. They stop flinging paint at each other, both of them struggling to stand because they're laughing too much.
Gerard is the first to notice the walls. After he stops laughing, out of slight awe, Frank does, too. They grin, at each other, at the décor.
“This looks awesome...” Frank breathes out.
“It sure is...” He looks at the dust sheets. “Good job we put them over the furniture, they'd be wrecked by now.” Frank nods. They're silent for a minute, looking at the walls.
“We should get cushions that match the walls for the couches. It'd look pretty awesome.” Gerard nods, agreeing with the idea.
“I'll look for some soon.”
Frank has some more blood, the dryness in his throat easing again. After that, neither know what to do. Frank grows restless, hating to be cooped up.
“Please, baby... I won't attack anyone,” Gerard raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms.
“And how can you be so sure of that? I stayed well clear of any humans when I was a youngling...” Frank huffs, his shoulders drooping.
“What should we do, then? I'm so damn bored.”
“You're acting like a child. I know I call you baby and all, but I don't mean it literally, you know?” Frank sarcastically laughs, but his smile is real.
“We've got no more decorating to do, I can't go outside, there aren't any books or shit in here. There's nothing to do.” Gerard sighs, looking around.
“You could have a shower...” He pauses, smiling. “We could cut your hair!” Frank stares at him dubiously.
“Are you serious? You, cut my hair?” A smile tugs at his lips.
“Yeah! Hey, I'm okay at cutting hair. I managed to do a pretty good job for myself.” Frank shrugs, looking at his hair.
“Okay, let's do it. If you fuck up, I'll kill you.” Gerard rolls his eyes, smiling.
“Eh, okay. You try it, baby.” He smirks at Frank.
“Oh, just get on with it!” Gerard laughs, holding his hands up.
“Okay, okay. Calm down, babe.” Gerard walks up the stairs, looking for his scissors.
He comes down a minute later, holding a mirror and the scissors. He pulls up a chair in the middle of the kitchen.
“Sit down, then,” Frank sits, sighing. “Okay, how short do you want it.”
“I don't know,” Frank shrugs. “Surprise me, darlin'.”
Gerard rests the mirror on the counter top, starting to cut at the hair.
“Well, you can't blame me if you don't like it now, at least. You'd look good whatever hairstyle, though.”
“Thanks, Gee,” Gerard shrugs, narrowly missing a chunk of Frank's hair. “Watch it!”
Gerard laughs, playfully snapping the scissors near Frank's ear.
“You're a little bastard, you know that, right?” Gerard laughs, nodding.
“Oh, I know I am, baby,” Frank rolls his eyes, closing them and relaxing while Gerard cuts his hair.
Soon, there's little piles of hair scattered around them, the hair sticking to the black of their clothes. Gerard hands Frank the mirror.
“Okay, it isn't as bad as I though it was going to be...” Gerard leans closer, a mock perplexed look on his face.
“What's that? Sorry, I couldn't hear you. You'll have to speak up.” Frank sighs, turning around.
He grabs Gerard's t-shirt, bringing Gerard's face closer to his. He pulls it down a little more, so his lips are by Gerard's ear.
“I said, babe, that you're a dick and that you should go fuck yourself, okay?” Frank smile sweetly at him, kissing him on the cheek. “Now, if you'll excuse me, Gerard, I'm going for a shower.”
Frank turns and runs up the stairs, laughing at the speed of it.
Gerard laughs, too, at what Frank said to him.
“Fuck you, too, baby!” He hears Frank laugh, making him smile.
Gerard puts the chair back, and gets a dustpan and brush to sweep up the hair. He vacuums the last of the hair, then sits down.
Frank comes down the stairs to see Gerard with his eyes closed, but a smile on his face. He tries to be as quiet as he can, and sneaks over to Gerard and sits on him. Gerard doesn't even flinch, he just wraps his arms around Frank and pulls him closer.
“I've missed this, you know? I've missed us.” Frank nods, his head where Gerard's heart is.
“I thought I hated you for a while. In the hospital. They kept saying you weren't real, and I was so mad at you for murdering Craig and just... leaving me. I guess I started to believe them. And then Miles came, and he said he loved me. The only person that had told me that then was Donna... I think,” Frank pauses, looking up. Gerard was looking at the ceiling. “I though I was going crazy. Like, genuinely crazy. They said I did things, really bad things, but I couldn't remember anything of what they were saying. Mile got me out, I don't know how, so I guess I just followed him because of the affection he showed me. I couldn't remember anything bad that had happened if I just looked in his eyes. He was the only thing I trusted” Gerard's jaw clenches.
“I'm sorry, baby. I panicked. I didn't mean to leave, but I couldn't stay. I fucking detested myself for leaving you. I just... I didn't know what the fuck I should have done. I'm so, so sorry for even touching Craig. If it wasn't for me, being a complete dick, none of that would have happened. I was just so... damn jealous. I though you didn't want me, and that... that made me into something that I never want to be, even if you do stop loving me.”
“I slept with Craig.” Gerard tenses, his mouth set in a line.
“You did? I though you were just fucking with me.” Frank shakes his head, curling up more. Gerard pulls him closer, stroking his cheek.
“I'm sorry. I can't even remember what happened. It's all just a blur. Everything back then is, almost.”
“I get it. I've had times like that. I can hardly remember most of my teenage years. We all do stupid things when we're fucked up.” Frank nods, falling silent. A few minutes later, he speaks again.
“I'm still fucked up. I don't know what changed in me when you turned me, because I can handle things better. I'm still fucked up,” He pauses, looking up again. “I think we're both fucked up... for the same reasons.” Gerard bites his lip, nodding once.
“Probably. I think that's why we're so good together.” Frank jolts slightly, narrowing his eyes.
“Because we're so messed up? So... what? What if one of us gets better? If we're only good together because we're fucking crazy or something, then I don't think that's good. I think that's what you'd call toxic.” Gerard shakes his head frantically.
“No, I didn't mean it like that... I meant, we're good together because we've been through the same shit. Our dads, the sexual assault, the drugs and alcohol. All that shit. We know what the other feels like, because we've been through it.” Frank settles back into Gerard's chest, sighing.
“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you...” Frank grabs Gerard's hand, holding onto it. “I'm just... terrified at the though of losing you again, I guess.” Gerard smiles, the smile bitter-sweet.
“Same here. These past months have been absolute hell for me, baby. I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. I knew how bad things were... I just...” He trails off, his voice guilty.
“I get it. I know how you feel. You didn't want to do anything. You just want to sit and cry or die or something, not go and be a hero. I've been there, done that.”
They for a while longer, their eyes closed.
“It's weird not being able to sleep...” Gerard smiles down at him, reminiscent.
“Yeah, I know. I hated it. I still miss sleeping now. Just completely forgetting about things for a while.”
“Yeah... Except I have nightmares a lot, so I guess I won't miss it too badly.”
“Uh-huh,” Gerard opens his eyes, looking out a window. “The sun's coming up, baby. What should we do today?” Frank lifts his head up. He shrugs.
The sunrise brings back memories.
“I really fucking hate the sun now.” Gerard's eyebrows raise.
“How come?” Frank shrugs, looking down.
“I spent a lot of time looking at it when I was with Miles. Just reminds me of some bad shit, I guess. It's... ugly to me now.”
Gerard becomes curious. He shifts slightly, sighing at the though of Frank being put through whatever he was put through.
“Frank?” Frank makes a noise, so Gerard carries on. “What exactly happened with Miles? I know bits and pieces, but...” He shrugs.
“Can we go upstairs? I'll tell you there.” Gerard nods, standing up. He carries Frank, much to Frank's protests, up the stairs and puts him on the bed.
Frank's silent for a long time. His eyes, faraway and almost expressionless, show Gerard almost nothing of what he's feeling of thinking.
“I'll start at the hospital. It'll be easier to say everything, instead of starting somewhere in the middle.” Gerard nods, lying down next to Frank. Frank grasps his hand, holding it tight. He sighs, closes his eyes and starts telling Gerard.
It takes a while for the whole story to be told.
By the end, Frank is barely holding it together. He almost lost a few times, but Gerard calmed him down. Sorrow is something he's feeling, but a burning desire to seek revenge on Miles is something else.
“Gerard... I want him dead. I want to fucking tear him limb from limb. He needs to feel the pain I felt. I can't live with this burning hatred inside me. It'll make me bitter and it'll drive us apart.” He talks rapidly. Gerard searches Frank's face, Frank's eyes showing only some of the hatred. Gerard's trembling with anger.
“Frank... we can't just go and give that bastard what he deserves... we need to plan, we need to think it through. We don't even know if he can be killed.”
“I... lost it. He touched me, and I lost it. He was scared. I chased him down the stairs, like I told you, and I stabbed him loads of times. He was so weak after it, so weak, he was almost dead. This black shit came out of him. I think that's his... power.” Gerard's eyes shine as he thinks about it. Frank could practically see a plan forming in his head.
A few minutes later, Gerard sits up.
“Okay... do you know the phone number? The one I called you on while you were there?” Frank shakes his head. “That's fine, that's fine. I think I know it,” He pauses, a slightly twisted smile on his face. “So... right, we call the number. You speak, say you want to meet him, that you're sorry and... want to go back to him. You go and meet him, I'll wait for your signal. I'll ambush, you attack. He'll go down if we make him bleed long enough. Once he's weak enough, I'll leave the two of you alone for a while so you can say what you need to say or do what you need to do. Once he's dead, we'll burn him. If he's just ashes, he can't come back, can he?”
Frank thinks about if for a second, a smile spreading on his face. He looks up at Gerard, nodding.
“Yeah... yeah, I think it'll work. That's if he even meets me and doesn't bring back up or whatever...”
Gerard thinks for a second, nodding.
“Yeah, I hadn't though of that...” He shrugs again. “We can take them. We're some of the most powerful beings on the earth right now, baby. You're almost as powerful as anything can ever be, because you're a youngling, and I'm one of the most powerful vampires on this planet. Together, nothing a match for us. And, you might have powers.”
“Powers?” Frank's eyebrows are raised. “I wouldn't have powers.”
“And why not?” Frank shrugs, rolling his eyes.
“I don't know... I'm just... nothing special. I'm a nobody, I'm nothing.” Gerard laughs, shaking his head.
“Frank, you were never a 'nobody'. You've always been a somebody. Someone special. Even the school bully wanted to sleep with you, in the end.” Frank laughs, almost sarcastically.
“Shut up... What sort of powers would I have, then?” Gerard shrugs, looking him up and down.
“I'm not sure. It's something you have to work out on your own.” Frank sighs, exasperated.
“But how?” Gerard shrugs, lying back down.
“We'll figure it out somehow. We'll go to the woods or something tomorrow and test you.”
“Why not today?” Gerard shrugs. Frank gets to his knees, crawling over to Gerard. He straddles him, making him smile. “God, you're so boring. You can't even keep your eyes open for five minutes.” His smile grows wider as he shrugs.
“I know I'm a vampire and I don't need to sleep, but I feel kind of tired,” He laughs, squirming away from Frank, whose tickling him. “Stop it!” He laughs, throwing Frank off of him. “There, I'm 'awake'. Happy now?” Gerard sits up, smiling at Frank.
“Yeah, sure.” They stare at each other for a minute, both just happy to be in the other's presence.
“I love you, baby.” Frank beams at him.
“I...I love you, too.” Gerard kisses him, their smiles disappearing as they lose themselves in the kiss.
Gerard is relieved that Frank can say it now. Frank was right, something inside him did change when he became a vampire. He seems to be happier. Still deeply sad, but happy at the same time.
They pull away, their smiles appearing again.
Frank gets ready for the day while Gerard has a shower. He drinks some more blood, then gets his clothes on. He really doesn't want to disappoint Gerard by actually attacking anyone, so he makes sure the fire has been completely put out before they go to the woods.
“You ready, baby?” Frank calls up a 'yes', and puts on his shoes.
Gerard walks down the stairs, with his hair still slightly damp. Frank and him smile at each other before Gerard bends down and puts on his shoes. They walk out the house, Gerard staying close to Frank. They drive for a while.
When they reach the woods, Gerard tells Frank to stay in the car while he hears out for anyone in here. He comes back, saying the coast is clear, and they walk for around an hour, until they reach a clearing.
Gerard tests Frank for hours, using the techniques of both the Council and his old group. They can't find anything overly special about Frank.
“Look, this is pointless. I told you, I'm nothing special.” Gerard shakes his head, perplexed.
“No, there has to be something. Let me try some mind tests.” Frank sighs, shrugging.
“Fine. Whatever.” Gerard rolls his eyes.
Thrusting his mind out towards Frank's, he attacks. The attack is light and wouldn't do any damage. Frank manages to make it rebound back towards Gerard, twice as powerful than what it was. Gerard stumbles back while Frank looks around alarmed.
“How did you do that?”
“Wait, that was you that attacked me? I was scared for a second there, you dick,” He pauses, thinking for a second. “I don't know how I did it. I just did.” Gerard smiles, his eyes lighting up.
“Okay... that's fantastic. I think we've found something. I'm going to try it again, just try not to make the energy rebound back to me.” Frank nods, closing his eyes.
Gerard does the same as he did before, just making the energy greater. Frank brushes it off once again, the energy rebounding off of him and onto a nearby tree, denting it and knocking several branches off.
“This is really good. How do you feel after that, baby?” Frank shrugs.
“I feel fine...” Gerard nods, grinning.
“Okay, let's try it one more time, then we'll try something else, okay?” Frank nods, once again closing his eyes, readying himself.
They go through the same process, the attack from Gerard larger than the first two put together, but Frank manages to rebound it off him, again, and the tree that gets hit with the energy actually falls over.
“Holy shit... Did I do that?” Gerard smiles, walking closer to Frank.
“You sure did... it seems like you have some sort of gift with your mind. It might just be rebounding attacks, but it could be several other things, too. Like clairvoyance, for instance, or-”
“Like... you?” Gerard nods.
“I've never had to use it, though. Anyway, I don't really know how to test you. That was all that was done with me, but I know people who do...” Alarmed, Frank shakes his head.
“No way. I'm not going to the Council! They-”
“No, no! Not the Council. Ernest. My old group... I don't think they'll even give us the time of day, though. I just... abandoned them.” Gerard looks down, his eyes downcast.
“They'd understand. You did it for someone you love. Darling, it's worth a shot,” Frank pulls Gerard's face towards him, making Gerard look at him. “Isn't it?” Gerard sighs, nodding.
“Yeah, sure. It's worth a shot, but it's a long drive. You'd need a lot of blood, perhaps we should just wait until you can control the bloodlust.”
“What? I'm in control. I can control it, I'm not a baby.”
“You've never been near human blood, baby. You have no idea what it's like to smell it. You just want to go and suck whoever it is dry...”
“So... the shit I've been drinking isn't human?” Gerard shakes his head, smirking.
“Of course it isn't. It's animal blood. I wasn't going to get you hooked on human blood, was I?” Frank rolls his eyes, shaking his head.
“Of course not,” He sighs again, stepping back from Gerard. “Can we just go home please?” Gerard nods.
“Why are you pissed at me?” Frank shakes his head, looking away.
“I... don't know, okay? I think I just need some more blood. I'm sorry,” Gerard pulls Frank into a hug, kissing the top of his head.
“Hey, it's okay. The first few months are really tough. It's kind of like you're a heavily pregnant woman with all the mood swings.” Frank giggles, nodding.
“Yeah, I guess.” Gerard smiles down at him, grabbing his hand and entwining their fingers.
“Come on, baby, let's go home.”
When they get home, Frank drinks two more bags of blood.
“I'll get you some more tomorrow or something. You have enough to last for today, don't you?” Frank counts the bags left, nodding.
“Yeah, I think so...” He pauses, shutting the fridge. “You know, I kind of miss human food. Drinking blood for the rest of time or whatever seems kind of boring.” Gerard nods, an understanding look on his face.
“Yeah, I know how you feel... But, blood is like human food. There are different flavors and shit like that, depending on what animal you feed from. A cougar is different from a deer, for instance.” Frank nods along, thinking about it.
“Yeah, that makes sense. I mean, a cougar is a carnivore, so wouldn't it taste more like a human?” Gerard smiles, nodding.
“Yeah, that's right! I tend to stick to the herbivores, though, because feeding from too many carnivores gets me worried I might be tempted drinking from a human, because I'd think I'd be able to handle it.”
“Well, I think you could handle it. I've bled in front of you loads of times, and you handled it really well.” Gerard shrugs, bending down to take off his shoes.
“I guess. I just hope I never get so hungry that I have to do that.”
He throws his shoes down to the shoe rack, the throw being aimed perfectly.
“But... haven't you already tried human blood? With... that guy,” Frank almost snarls. “You brought back to Donna's that time?” Gerard looks embarrassed at Frank mentioning him, and shrugs.
“Human blood that is mostly saturated with drugs and alcohol isn't really 'blood', so to speak. So, yeah, I guess I have, but the blood was more narcotics than actual blood.” Frank nods, taking off his shoes, too. His curiosity peaks over what they'd been doing that night, but if Gerard wanted him to know he'd have said something by now.
“Okay... well, I'm going to take a shower.” Really, Frank wants to get out of the now-awkward atmosphere.
“Okay.”
Walking up the stairs, Frank berates himself for bringing it up. He berates himself even more for being mad at the fact Gerard brought a guy home, even though they technically weren't together or anything at that time.
He tries to calm himself down, knowing that if he went back down in this mood, they'd end up in an argument, but to no avail. He stays as long as possible in the shower, then takes his time getting dry and dressed.
“Frank? Are you okay, baby? You've been up there a while...” Frank rolls his eyes.
“Yes, I'm fine!” He snaps back down to Gerard, making the house fall silent.
“Okay... okay,” Frank sighs at himself, sitting on the top stair. He hears Gerard making his way up the stairs, so stands up and quickly goes back into the bathroom. Gerard knocks on the door. “Baby? What's wrong?” Frank sighs again, sitting down on the edge of the bathtub.
“Nothing, Gerard. Absolutely nothing.” Gerard opens the door, making Frank jump up.
“Frank, don't be shitty to me. I don't deserve it.” Frank rolls his eyes, crossing his arms.
“Make up your mind. One minute it's all 'it's my fault', the next you haven't done anything?”
“I never said that. I've done plenty. I've admitted to it, unlike some.” Frank's mouth falls open.
“What do you mean by that?” His voice is sharp, but Gerard looks at him with wide, innocent eyes.
“Nothing, Frank. Absolutely nothing.” He smiles sarcastically, turning around and starting down the stairs. Frank follows him.
“Don't mock me! If you have something to say, damn say it!” They reach the kitchen. Gerard spins around, his eyebrows furrowed.
“I could say the same about you! You're bubbling like a cauldron, you can see the anger in your eyes! I know you have a million things to call me out on!”
“Shut up, Gerard. I have a right to be angry, don't you think?” Rolling his eyes, Gerard spits out a humourless laugh.
“And I don't? I think we both have plenty to be angry about, don't you?” Frank groans, shaking his head.
“Oh my God, just shut up. I love you, Gerard, but you can be such a whiny little bitch!”
“What about you?”
“What about me?” Gerard snorts, shaking his head.
“It doesn't matter. Just... forget it. I'm going out.” Gerard tries to push past him, but Frank blocks his way.
“I don't think so. You can't just keep running away when things get rocky. You've already pulled that trick a few times, haven't you?” Gerard stops, his head dropping.
“And I'm fucking sorry! I've apologized so many fucking times! Do you know how I felt when I did that?" He pauses, but not long enough for Frank to even formulate a reply. I felt like handing myself into the Council and getting them to murder me! Okay? Are you happy now?” Frank is speechless, his mouth opening and closing a few times, like a fish.
“Gerard... I...” Gerard shakes his head, pushing past him.
“You always fucking do this. You push people to their limit until they can't take it any more, then you try to make them pity you. It's not going to work this time, Frank.” Gerard slides his shoes on, opens the door and slams it.
Frank watches him walk down the drive, and out of anger screams 'Fuck you!' at him. Gerard doesn't react, he just carries on walking. He carries on walking until he reaches the forest, where he spends the night, calming down. The animals help.
Frank starts smashing things up, but stops and thinks. Gerard is right. He spends the rest of the night calming down, much like Gerard, by trying to fix the shit he smashed or cleaning. The house almost gets back to what it was before, but they'll need some new things.
They don't see each other until around mid-day, when Gerard comes back with a few sacks full of blood bags and some flowers. They embrace, both of their guilt and anger vanishing when they see the other.
“I'm so sorry,” They say together, making them both laugh. Gerard hands Frank the flowers.
“Look, I really am sorry. I know you need time. You need to sort yourself out, and I keep forgetting that.” Frank shakes his head, kissing him.
“No, I can't just keep blaming everything on the fact my head's all over the place. What happens when I lose it and hurt you or something? You were right, and I'm going to try and change it. I look online at some local therapists, and I booked a consultant meeting with one next year. Hopefully by then, I'll be in control of the bloodlust and everything,” Gerard smiles at Frank admirably, kissing his forhead.
“Okay, if you think that's best. We'll train you to control it by then, don't worry.” Frank nods, looking around guiltily.
“I... Last night I smashed some shit up, and some of it need a replacement. I'm really, really sorry.” Gerard's smile drops a bit, his eyes look disappointed.
“Don't... don't worry about it. I'll fix it,” He sighs, almost silently. “Here, have these. I forgot about them.” His face perks up a little, but Frank still feels terrible.
“Thanks, Gee...” He sighs, turning around and pulling the blood bags out of the sacks. He slots them into the fridge. “Look, I am going to get better. It won't be like this forever," He stops, his voice trembling when he next speaks. "If it is, I'll leave. You'd be better off without me.”
For once, Gerard doesn't disagree, he just stands in silence.

Notes