And One thing Lead To Another

Gerard was right, the car ride was agonisingly painful. It made him feel like a complete monster. All he could think about was the alluring scent of blood wafting through his car, and even though the smell was dry, stale and musky, his mouth watered. He couldn’t believe a part of him had already calculated how he could use Tyler as a blood bank. It wasn’t so much him, but the predatory instincts that peeked unreasonably high when he was thirsty.

Gerard had skewed the numbers on Mikey. In reality, he hadn’t fed in just over two weeks now and was surprised his younger brother hadn’t been able to tell. Either way, Mikey was right, he needed to stop stalling and feed.

This afternoon was one of the few times Gerard actually drove over the speed limit. Thankfully, Mikey was too busy discussing some sort of math task with Tyler to notice they were travelling twenty kilometres over the limit.

When they arrived home, Gerard had never felt so relieved to escape his brother before. He pulled into the driveway at a speed even he knew was a little reckless, but it didn’t matter. What would be reckless would be staying in the car any longer with Tyler. It smelled like one of his wounds had opened up, and the alluring smell of fresh blood began to invade the air inside the car. The thought of how Tyler had acquired such injuries didn’t even surface his mind.

Gerard didn’t bother locking the car, he could do that later. Instead, he wrenched himself out of the car and closed the door with a little too much force and strode swiftly inside. He knew Mikey would scold him for being rude later, but he didn’t care. Not now.

Down the other end of the house, Frank woke with a start at the sound of the front door being slammed. He felt groggy, disorientated and sore. God, he ached everywhere! Last week’s transition had been long, gruelling and fucking painful. His muscles left him feeling like he’d been thrown into a tumble dryer.

With another groan, Frank sat up and looked around, unsure of how he had even gotten into Gerard’s and his bed. The last thing he remembered was flopping down onto the couch after Gerard said he was going to go scare Mikey. Though, if he really thought about it, he could vaguely recall being lifted off the couch and put into bed. Kind of.

He shook his head, rolled over and planted his face into the pillow he was sleeping on. Gerard’s pillow. It smelt entirely of him: cigarettes, coconut shampoo, coffee and his own unique aroma. Frank inhaled it greedily, relishing the scent invading his senses. There was something so different about Gerard’s smell. It probably had something to do with his being a vampire… but the werewolf was too tired to think about that now.

Frank could hear someone fumble around in the kitchen, banging cupboard doors and what not, but decided to try and ignore it. Knowing his luck, Pete was staying over and being his loud, energetic self. Don’t get it wrong, Frank liked Pete, the two of them ganged up on the Way brothers from time to time, but he was not in the mood to listen to the rambunctious teenager’s non-stop chatter this evening. Although come to think of it, Frank couldn’t actually hear Pete talking, which was quite unusual. He shook his head and buried his face deeper into Gerard’s pillow. Sleep was ever so close… Bang!

Frank yelped in surprise as the sound of the en’suite door slamming yanked him out of the sleep he apparently wasn’t allowed to have. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, wondering why the hell someone was banging everything today.

Frank opened his mouth to scold the culprit but stopped short of any sound. Only him and Gerard use this bathroom, so why was Gerard slamming doors? Frank could hear people mumbling in the kitchen and could tell one of the voices was Mikey but didn’t recognise the other. But there was another sound, and it was coming from the bathroom.

Frank jumped off the bed, ignoring his protesting muscles, and raced over to the bathroom door, only to find it had been locked.

“Gerard, are you alright? Why’s the door locked?” No answer. “Gee? C’mon baby, talk to me.”

Frank pressed his ear to the door and heard Gerard whimper. Frank was beginning to feel a little frantic and couldn’t imagine why his boyfriend had locked himself in their bathroom.

“Gerard, please? You’re worrying me here,” pleaded Frank. If the pleading didn’t work, he was going to go outside and break in through the small bathroom window. So what if it was a good four feet above his head and they didn’t own any sort of ladder? Frank had a habit of being able to do just about anything when determined.

“Please. What’s wrong?” Frank asked for the last time. He paused and pressed his ear against the door once more, hoping for an answer. He heard Gerard sniffle and sigh before the door clicked.

Frank tested the handle to find it now unlocked. Gingerly, Frank opened the door and stuck his head inside the bathroom. He saw Gerard sitting on the tiled ground next to the doorway, his legs brought up to his chest, elbows resting on his knees with his face in his hands. It broke Frank’s heart.

“I’m sorry,” mumbled Gerard, shaking his head.

Frank knelt down in front of Gerard and placed a hand on his head, “There’s nothing to be sorry for. Don’t apologise for having emotions. Everyone has them.”

Gerard exhaled, a breathy laugh escaping his lips, “Yeah, just not like me.”

Frank furrowed his brow, “What do you mean?” He asked as he crossed his legs and sat on the cold tiles, succumbing to the pain in his stiff legs.

“Everyone has emotions, but mine aren’t always mine, are they?” Gerard shook his head again, his face still buried in his hands while his black hair fell around it, covering it completely.

“Gerard, did something happen?” Frank asked, concerned that Gerard’s state had something to do with his actions and unfortunate diet.

“No, nothing happened. But something… something could have.” Gerard choked the words out as small sobs began to overtake him again. He felt so guilty and so thirsty at the same time, it was sickening. Gerard thought that locking himself in the furthest room away from the kitchen would work, but he could still smell Tyler. Could still smell the freshly drying blood, and it was driving him insane with thirst. His senses were heightened to near the max. Another side-effect that came with the hunting instincts Gerard possessed.

Once the mere scent of blood was detected, a vampire’s senses will become more sensitive, ensuring the hunt is practically effortless, and that the vampire is easily alerted of any opposing or threatening parties. Call it instinctual evolution if you will; Gerard called it torture.

“Oh. Well you’re okay now, right? There’s no one else here. It’s okay.”

“I wish,” whimpered Gerard.

Frank was confused. He knew someone else was in the house but… oh. He concentrated on the smells in the house. Even though his senses were also supernaturally heightened, they were nowhere near as keen as Gerard’s. Especially after a full moon. However, his sense of smell was still twice as strong as a normal human at the moment, and it helped pick up the problem: the subtle aroma of blood. While maybe subtle for Frank it was pulling Gerard apart.

“Gerard, baby, look at me.”

Gerard shook his head, but Frank wasn’t taking no for an answer. He gently pried Gerard’s icy hands away from his face, and placed a tattooed hand under Gerard’s chin, lifting it into view.

The sight Frank was met with was still something that shocked him, even if he had seen it tens of times before. Although Frank thought he hid it well, Gerard saw the flicker of shock on his boyfriend’s features. He heard it in his pulse.

The shock was caused by Gerard’s eyes. Although he looked almost entirely human, his eyes were chilling. As cliché as Gerard thought it was, his irises turned red when he hunted, drank or become crazed with the supernatural instincts. Now was the latter.

His irises were a deep red, his pupils blown and the whites starting to look as though they were stained with black on the edges. Frank had seen the full morph of Gerard’s eyes a handful of times, so he knew this was only half as bad terrifying, as it could have been.

Gerard whipped his chin out Frank’s grasp, turning his head to the side. He clenched his eyes closed and sighed before leaning his head on the wall behind him with a thud.

“I know. I’m a mons-”

Before Gerard could finish the sentence, Frank placed a finger over his lips.

Frank wasn’t having it. Not again. Gerard opened his still supernaturally affected eyes and stared at the younger man. And although they still, only slightly, unsettled Frank, he could see the torment and sorrow that hid within them.

“We’ve been over this so many times before, you are not, and never will be, a monster. Okay?” Frank placed a hand on his boyfriend’s cheek, knowing it helped calm him.

Gerard sighed and nodded absentmindedly, pressing his face into Frank’s slightly warmer than average hand. As Gerard had sighed, Frank saw Gerard’s teeth were morphed somewhat too.

It was one thing Gerard was happy about. He didn’t have to deal with the sharp, double fang-like incisors in his mouth at all times. They just came out for the hunt.

“You’re not a monster,’ Frank repeated, stroking Gerard’s chilled cheek with his thumb. Gerard didn't agree with Frank, he was just appeasing him, but Frank didn’t need to know that.

The tattooed man leaned forward and kissed Gerard’s forehead, causing the vampire to hum in response. Frank shuffled next to him and rested his head on his shoulder. Gerard turned his head and rested his cheek on top of Franks' head and tried to focus on him alone. His scent, his pulse, his warmth, his very presence. It helped, but then again, it always helped.

At the other end of the house, Mikey and Tyler had all but forgotten the math homework they were meant to have done by tomorrow and were currently watching Let The Right One In and critiquing every detail.

“Isn’t there an English version of this movie?” asked Tyler. Watching a non-English speaking movie, having the read the subtitles, made it hard to get into.

“I mean, we’ve watched it, but we didn’t get it. Besides, it’s Gerard’s, and he liked the Swedish version better. The original version” Mikey answered.

“Liked?”

“Yeah. He used to love vampires. Absolutely obsessed. Not so much anymore.”

“Why’s tha-”

“Shhh,” interrupted Mikey, “this bit’s good.” He didn’t want to try and answer that. Thankfully, the scene coming up was a perfect distraction.

Tyler shut his mouth and watched as the girl, Eli, jumped at a man under a bridge, ravaging his neck. The camera shot changed to a man patting a cat, his apartment full of them watching the scene below in horror. Tyler saw how it was humorous, but he wasn’t sure the movie was for him.

When the movie was finished, it was well past six, but Mikey and Tyler continued to talk. Eventually, Mikey decided to bring up the inevitable.

Pete had been pestering him about asking Tyler how he got the bruised eye and busted lip all day and texted him more than once this evening. Mikey knew Pete meant well, but his curiosity would get the best of his friend more often than not, which meant Mikey had to censor what came out the guy's mouth regularly, but what could Mikey say? He was a little curious too.

“Hey Ty, can I ask you a serious question?” Mikey saw Tyler’s jaw clench and a look of fear flash across the boy’s face.

“Um, yeah,” choked out Tyler, “Fire away.”

“Um, well, I was wondering how you got the black eye… and the busted lip?”

“It’s nothing,” shrugged Tyler.

“Because if it’s someone at school, Pete and can help you out. We’re not popular, but we have connections.”

“No seriously it’s nothing. I stacked it when I was riding the other day.”

“Are you sure? Because we can help.”

“It’s fine,” Tyler said, looking away, “Can you drop it? Please?” He asked, looking down at his watch.

“Yeah sure, sorry.” Mikey was going to anyway, but as soon as Tyler had asked him too, he couldn’t help but think something else was going on.

“Oh shoot! I’m late.” Tyler exclaimed, jumping off the couch and running to the kitchen bench where his things lay.

“What?” Asked Mikey, shocked at the other boy’s sudden outcry.

“I’m meant to be home by six if I didn’t tell my uncle where I’m going after school.”

Mikey looked out the window to see it was nearly dark and blowing a gale. He glanced at the clock on the wall, it read 6:45 pm.

“Oh… it’s okay, Gerard can give you a lift to yours. I’ll just tell your uncle we got into our math stuff and worked ahead.”

“We barely did any,” retorted Tyler, shoving his books and pencil case into his bag.

“But we did in class, right? You can show him that if he wants to look.”

Tyler slung the bag over his shoulder and looked at Mikey, his eyes full of worry. He took in Mikey’s words and tried to calm down, breathing in and out slowly a few times. He needed to calm down.

“And you’re fine with explaining what happened?” Asked Tyler after a few moments.

“Yeah, of course. I’ll go grab Gerard.”

Tyler nodded as he sat down on one of the kitchen stools and watched Mikey leave the kitchen.

Mikey frowned as he headed to his brother’s room, mulling over everything that had just happened. Tyler seemed on edge. Really on edge.

“Gerard?” Called Mikey, knocking on Frank and Gerard’s door. He always knocked now, even if it was open. He’d made that mistake once before, and it made for a very awkward week for the entire household.

Gerard opened the door halfway for Mikey, his hair in more of a mess than this afternoon but still fully clothed.

“You two weren’t…” Mikey asked, his eyes narrowing.

Gerard’s eyes widened comically, “No! No of course not. Not with someone else in the house,” he whisper-yelled.

“You do it when I’m home,” mumbled Mikey as he crossed his arms, scowling.

“Can we not do this right now?” Pleaded Gerard, shaking his head and squeezing his eyes shut. “Frank’s asleep, so, just… what do you want?”

“Tyler needs to get home. Like, really badly.”

“Oh. Right. Yeah, just let me grab my keys.”

Gerard waited for Mikey to turn the corner to the kitchen before whimpering and thudding his head against the door frame next to him. Of course Tyler needed a lift, and of course, he could smell him from the bedroom doorway! As he took a deep breath, Gerard felt a pair of arms snake around his waist.

“You’ll be okay Gee. You’re strong enough,” soothed Frank, kissing his boyfriend’s shoulder.

“Well I have to be,” Gerard whispered shakily.

“Hey, don’t worry. I’ll put some clothes out for you so you can go feed okay?”

“What’s wrong with the ones I’m wearing now?” Asked Gerard, confused.

“Baby, you and I both know the easiest way to feed will be to go to a club.”

“It’s Monday,” argued Gerard.

“They’ll be a few open. There always are.”

“Frankie, you know the only way I can… you know I have to flirt and… well, you know.”

“Gee baby, it’s okay. I would rather you kiss a stranger’s neck to feed than be in pain. It’s okay. I know it’s an act.” Frank knew giving his permission was the only push Gerard needed, his instincts would have already made the decision for him.

Gerard turned around, giving in, “Fine. I’ll make it up to you though. And before you say I don’t have to, it’ll make me feel better. Just don’t put out the extra skinnies okay? They’re for your eyes only,” Gerard added, trying to lift the mood

“Oh, I’m counting on you to make it up for it. And no... you only wear those my pants when I'm around,” said Frank mischievously, yanking Gerard closer to him using his belt loops on his jeans. “Just don’t feel guilty okay? It’s alright,” continued Frank, smiling softly.

“What did I do to deserve you?” whispered Gerard, cradling Frank’s face with both hands and kissing him gently.

Frank moved his hands to Gerard’s hips, “Show me tonight,” he said before deepening the kiss.

“Gerard, you left the keys out here!” Yelled Mikey from the other end of the house, reminding the two Gerard had to be somewhere.

Frank let out a sound of annoyance causing Gerard to smile into the kiss before breaking contact.

“I’ll see you later.”

“Oh, I’m counting on it,” sighed Frank.

“Coming Mikes!” Yelled Gerard. He pecked Frank on the cheek and ran down the hallway.

Frank smirked and headed back into the bedroom. He knew exactly what clothes would help Gerard score on a Monday night and exactly where to send him.

When Gerard got the kitchen, the scent of dried blood wafted into his face even though the two younger boys were already at the front door waiting for him, both in coats. Gerard remembered he was only wearing jeans and a three-quarter sleeve shirt which was almost a little small for him. By the looks of what Mikey and Tyler were wearing, it was cold. But they were obviously in a rush. Besides, the cold didn’t bother him. Not anymore.

Mikey tossed the keys to Gerard who snatched them out of the air a little faster than humanly possible and headed out the door, both boys following. When they walked outside, they were met with a wind that whipped at their clothes and hair and nipped at their skin. Tyler and Mikey jumped into the back of the car, shivering.

Mikey was confused by the weather. Yes, it was unpredictable, but there was no mention of a storm, which was precisely what it felt like. It was autumn for god’s sake! Tyler, however, was perplexed as to how the older Way casually hopped into the car as if the sun was beaming. He didn’t look fazed by the cold at all.

Tyler also knew that he needed to calm down.

Get a grip Tyler. Just breath. He closed his eyes and exhaled through his nose. The boy gave Gerard his address after he asked and sat in the car, biting his lower lip trying to control his nerves.

Gerard gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning even whiter. He tried to concentrate on the road as much as he could. Concentrate on anything but the smell of Tyler. Thankfully, the boy stayed still, ensuring the scent wasn’t being swept around the enclosed space.

Why did the first new friend Mikey bring home have to have been beaten up? Usually, he’d be more sympathetic. Asked if Tyler wanted an ice-pack when they got to their house earlier, but usually, Gerard wouldn’t be as thirsty as he was, but he and Frank had to leave earlier to avoid road closures last weekend, so he hadn’t fed.

As Gerard turned the final corner faster than any others, Tyler bit his lip even harder causing the already precariously healed split to open again. Tyler winced, unaware of the small drop of blood beading on his mouth.

Gerard gasped as the red liquid’s aroma filled the car. He wanted – no – needed it. Gerard clenched his jaw and held his breath, speeding up so he could get Tyler out of the car.

Mikey noticed Gerard was driving far too fast for him to read the numbers on the houses. Well, Gerard could probably read them, but he certainly couldn’t. Something must’ve been wrong. The younger Way tried to see if he could see Gerard’s face in the review mirror, but it seemed Gerard had adjusted it. However, he could see that his older brother was gripping the steering wheel far tighter than his usual relaxed grip. Something was definitely wrong.

Mikey turned to see if Tyler had noticed anything only to widen his eyes in horror as he saw Tyler dab at his lip with his knuckle and it come back slightly smudged red. It wasn’t much, but in Gerard’s state, it’d be torture. Like putting a recovering drug addict in a room full of world-class substances.

Both Tyler and Mikey were wrenched forward and flung back into their seats as Gerard came to a sudden stop. The raven-haired man didn’t even look back or utter a goodbye to Tyler. Instead, he stared ahead, jaw clenched and hands tightly gripping the wheel, staying as still as a statue.

Mikey proceeded to hastily push the passenger seat forward and exit the car, the wind still howling around them. He slammed the car door shut after Tyler clambered out and let the other boy walk past him. Mikey watched Gerard lower his window and turn his head toward the opening. Why hadn’t he noticed earlier?

Mikey had been ready to tell off Gerard for being rude, but he never even thought of what Tyler had on him. All he had been thinking was that he found someone who he got along with… a new friend. How could he have been so selfish?

Mikey shook his head and jogged to catch Tyler before he got to his front door. It had been dark for a while now and only fifteen minutes past seven. He was ready to use his most charming persona; the one that gave him respect from teacher’s and parents alike. Even his own, to this day, still fell for it. Mikey didn't mean to brag, but he knew how to wrap an adult around his little finger.

The two boys stopped at Tyler’s front door. The house was on the bigger side. Two stories with a nicely kept garden. All the curtains were drawn, so Mikey wasn’t able to catch a glimpse inside.

“I don’t think your brother likes me very much,” mumbled Tyler, rubbing the back of his neck and looking down at his feet.

“No, it’s not that,” sighed Mikey, looking inside the car to see Gerard leaning on his arms on the steering wheel, “He’s just stressed, and not feeling great. He’s got somewhere to be tonight, so I guess he’s in a rush.” Mikey looked to see a doubtful look on Tyler’s face. “Trust me, he’s usually really great. It’s just been a long day is all,” reassured Mikey.

Tyler nodded and looked at his front door.

“Well, I guess I should get going. I’m guessing my uncle’s asleep.”

“Are you sure? How do you know? Are you sure you don’t want my help to cover for you?”

Tyler laughed at Mikey’s questions. It reminded him of someone else, “Yes, it’s okay. Thank you, Pete.”

Mikey looked down and laughed, “Yeah okay. Sorry. You’ve got my number so just text if you need any covering yeah?”

Tyler smiled and nodded.

“Hey, um… thank you. For coming over. It’s been a long time since I’ve, uh, Pete and I have really had anyone else to hang out with,” said Mikey, stumbling over his words a bit.

Tyler realised Mikey was nervous. All day, he seemed so confident, and never once did he trip over his words, but here Mikey was fumbling with sentences while thanking Tyler for merely hanging out.

This time, Tyler gave a genuinely pleased, closed-mouth smile. There was no shy demeanour to it. He was happy.

“It’s okay. I had fun,” Tyler replied.

Mikey noticed the two of them didn't have to raise their voices over the howling wind as much as before.

“Oh good, because I was worried Gerard’s driving scared you off,” joked Mikey, his confidence back.

“No. It’s not that terrible," Tyler retorted, rolling his eyes.

Mikey laughed in response.

“Okay, I do have to go. See you guys tomorrow?” Asked Tyler, getting fidgety again.

“Yeah, see ya’.”

Taking a deep breath, Tyler opened the front door and giving Mikey a final smile goodbye and Gerard a quick glance, closed the door.

Mikey frowned again. He had a feeling Tyler was hiding something, he just wasn’t sure what. Suddenly remembering Gerard, he jogged back through the resumed angry gale of wind to the car to find Gerard laying his head on the steering wheel, face turned towards his open window. Mikey wrenched the car door open and jumped inside, feeling terribly guilty.

“Gerard I’m so sorry. I thought you were just… I’m sorry.”

Mikey continued to ramble, and Gerard tried to interrupt twice and still couldn’t shut his younger brother up.

“Mikey!” He tried again, putting a shaking hand on his brother’s shoulder, “It’s okay.” He kept his gaze low. He knew what his eyes were doing, and it was something he’d tried to keep from Mikey. Of course, the younger Way already knew, he saw it just this morning after all, but Gerard hated it. In his peripheral vision, he saw Mikey snap his mouth shut and turn towards him.

“I feel so selfish,” whispered Mikey, so quietly, anyone else probably wouldn’t have been able to hear it, but Gerard did, and it broke his heart. He whipped his head up to look at his brother was looking down at his hands, wringing them together.

“Mikey, I don’t ever want you to feel selfish when it comes to me,” consoled Gerard.

Mikey looked up to see Gerard’s eyes still tainted red and pupils blown.

“I’m serious okay? Don’t ever feel like you can’t do things because of me. I’m not your problem, and my diet certainly isn’t. This,” Gerard waved his hands around his face, “is my fault. Not yours. Okay?”

Mikey nodded, offering a weak smile.

“Okay, good. Now I’d offer an ice-cream trip, but I really need to… go out. So, buckle up,”

“You’re not gonna stop driving like you do, huh?” Mikey realised as more a statement than a question.

Gerard only grinned in response and took off.

The two Ways didn’t get home any faster than when they got to Tyler’s, but Mikey still felt it was ridiculous.

Once they’d arrived home, Gerard gave Mikey the keys to lock the car since he was too humanly slow for Gerard to take. He sped inside more swiftly than was safe when out in their very visible driveway, but he didn’t care. He needed to feed.

As he entered the bedroom, Gerard smiled seeing Frank sprawled out in the middle of the bed, laying on both his own and Gerard’s pillow.

Frank had put out an all-black outfit for Gerard to wear. Skinny jeans, a black, button up shirt and a dress-vest. It seemed Frank had also found a popular club open tonight that apparently, according to the scrawled note, were packed every night. Good, Gerard thought, won’t have to worry about drawing attention.

As Gerard did his hair, he thought about how long it had been since he’d hunted in a club. He hadn’t tried to flirt with anyone in a long time. It made him incredibly nervous if he was entirely honest.

Usually, he’d go after a drunk on their way home. He’d follow them until they were back and would attack after they had unlocked their door. That way, he was able to feed, take them inside, lock the door and leave. It gave him peace of mind knowing his victims were safe in their own house rather than in a daze on the street.

Gerard decided eye-liner was a go tonight. He felt like he needed an edge. He had dark rings under his eyes, looked far too pale to be considered even remotely normal and was also beginning to look a little gaunt.

Yeah… I need an edge.

After smudging the eye-liner around his eyes and grabbing his things for tonights… outing he left, already dialling the taxi’s number.
***
The cab ride had been quick and comfortable despite the stench of fear running through the car. Gerard guessed the club Frank had sent Gerard too had a reputation because the cabbie gave Gerard the most disgusted of looks when he gave the name and address. It was fine. Gerard merely returned the favour, giving the driver a stare that made his blood run cold. Gerard didn’t care much that he had scared the guy. He didn’t like that everyone seemed on edge around him, and he certainly didn’t like using his supernatural abilities to get what he wanted out of people, but he had quite the exception when it came to homophobes. When Gerard left the cab, he made sure to really ruffle the driver’s feathers and give him a chilling smile.

Gerard chuckled as he walked towards the club doors when he heard the taxi drive off too fast to be safe. Gerard spied the line-up for the club he’d assumed was a gay club, but there were around the same amount of both men women. Then it hit him. Frank had spoken about a bar/club that was split into sections and known as a “safe party space” for all LGBTQ couples. Now Frank was sending him.

Of course, he was. Frank tended to hint precisely what he wanted by making Gerard go somewhere or do something that was only obvious when he was doing it.

It was only 8:30 pm on a Monday, but the line was already growing. Gerard didn’t want to have to wait. The prospect of feeding soon had him on edge. As he entered the line, he checked his pockets to make sure he had his everything.

Phone? Check. Money? Check. ID? Check. A scrunched up piece of paper? Check. Wait, what?

Gerard pulled the ball of paper from his pocket and opened it up to find a yet another scrawled note from Frank.

Yes, this club is fucking ages away, but I also know the bouncer tonight.
Remember Bob? Big dude. Blonde. He owes me one. He’ll let you in quick. Just tell him who you are, I sent you etc.
Be safe. Don’t feel guilty. Can’t wait for you to get home baby ;) Love you.
Frnkxo
P.S. scope out the place would you? I heard it’s funnnn xx

Gerard smiled. How he loved his boyfriend. Frank did want to go so, of course, he would scope the place out, but only after he fed.

Gerard left his spot in the queue, up past the line-up that most likely would have had him waiting for over an hour and spied the bouncer Frank described. Tall, burly, blonde haired. Typical bouncer material.

As Gerard approached Bob, he figured he should start to look a little more confident than his usual ‘trying to stay unnoticed’. If there was one thing he learnt, it was that willing singles looked for the confident ones.

He relaxed his face and walked up to Bob. (If Frank were there, he would have dropped back to watch Gerard behind. He may or may not be partial to the way Gerard “sashayed”.)
Gerard saw Bob talking to another man in a suit from inside over what looked like paperwork. He decided to wait. He wanted to look confident and alluring, not rude.

“Hey, get to the back of the line punk. It’s that way if you needed the help,” some jerk at the front snapped, jerking his thumb back and glaring at Gerard. The vampire merely rolled his eyes, smirked at the guy and shook his head, returning his attention to the still preoccupied bouncer.

“I said move it,” Jerk continued.

Gerard sighed. He really was not in the mood for some idiot’s shenanigans and decided to ignore him this time.

“Are you listening to me, emo freak?”

Now that really hit a nerve. Gerard knew he was wearing all black, eyeliner and died black hair, but they were adults. He hadn’t been called that since high school. Maybe once or twice in college?

Gerard rolled his head side to side and exhaled slowly. He turned towards the idiot and looked him up and down. He wasn’t much taller than himself, but he was buff. If Gerard were human, he’d back off and called out to the Bob guy. However, Gerard wasn’t human and certainly wasn’t feeling patient.

“Alright jerk,” Gerard said in a low, threatening voice, “first off, yes I heard you. Just unlike you, I don’t see a point in any conflict. Second, we’re adults, no need to use schoolyard insults. And third, please shut up.”

The other man was clearly rattled but also knew he had a crowd. A few people in the line were watching the exchange with interest while Bob was having a now slightly heated conversation with the suited man.

“Are you threatening me?” The jerk responded, squaring up. He looked confident on the outside, but Gerard could smell the unease on his skin.

The strange thing with Gerard was that around Frank and Mikey and a few of his friend’s he was very emotionally open, before and after being turned. Before, Gerard was very reserved around people he didn’t know. Polite. Quiet. He liked to avoid attention. Vampirism had given him a new type of confidence, and although he still wanted to remain unnoticed, when he was challenged, gossiped about for long periods or thirsty, he liked to put on a bit of a show. Not just because of the instincts, although they were certainly a contributing factor, but because he knew he could now. Gerard wasn’t so scared to be judged anymore. Although, maybe that was because he was in close relationships with people who didn’t judge him. Either way, giving a show was exactly what he was going to do now.

Gerard looked back at Bob, making sure the bouncer was still preoccupied. Happy with the results, Gerard turned back to the man. He walked close enough to be intimidating but made sure he wasn’t invading his personal space. Not just yet anyway. Like he said: confident, not rude.

“What’s your name?” Gerard asked the man, crossing his arms and leaning on one leg, cocking his hip out slightly.

“What’s it to you?”

“Okay then. Jerk it is,” Gerard shrugged.

“Now you wait a min-”

“Bup, bup,” Gerard interrupted and walked closer to the man, “You asked if I was threatening you?” Gerard pretended to fix Jerk’s collar and tie, glancing up at the man’s clearly ruffled demeanour only to look back down and pretend to concentrate on the task at hand. “I wasn’t, and if you really want to keep it that way, just stop trying to pick a fight.” Gerard stopped fiddling with Jerk’s tie and placed a hand on his shoulder, applying a little more pressure than necessary. The vampire looked directly into the human's now fearful eyes and let the thirst control his stare, “Because if I was threatening you…” Gerard leant in and whispered into the man’s ear, letting his unnaturally icy breath brush past the man’s ear and neck, “you would know.”

Gerard stepped back and smirked at Jerk’s now petrified face. So maybe he had exception towards assholes too. The vampire turned, told Bob who he was and was easily let into the club. Finally, the hunt was on.

Notes

This chapter's a longer one. I'm finding this story is really carrying itself. Hopefully I can keep it that. Thanks for the comments guys, I really appreciate.
KayXx