Chapter 7

Shane was happy; deliriously happy. There was no other word that could describe how he felt. He could still feel the cold arms that had embraced him throughout the night. Michael had never moved, never moved his arms from around Shane. Every few minutes his arms would constrict around Shane's body as if he was checking he was still there. It was kind of cute in a strange, messed up way how Michael always needed him there.

Twisting in Michael's arms, Shane froze when he felt the sharp stab of pain in his neck. The bite. Shane swallowed thickly. He hadn't known that Michael would do that. He'd never expected him to otherwise he would have told him not to. Cautiously, Shane ran his fingers over the raised marks. A dull throb came from the mark when he touched it.

Michael had marked him.

He'd marked Shane as his own.

At the thought, Shane somehow managed to pull himself out of Michael's arms. Thankfully the vampire didn't wake. Probably last night's activities and a full stomach had something to do with it. Stumbling across the room to the large mirror on the wardrobe door, Shane bared his neck towards it.

It was a faint silver circle that held the clear outline of teeth. Around the edges his skin was red from the bite but it would soon fade. Hopefully. The bite marks were deep, the two fang marks the deepest of all. It looked rough and bumpy, not smooth and artistic. Surely it would fade? All scars faded over time. But something told Shane that it wouldn't fade, that it would always look like that.

He sighed as his good mood began to fade. He really did belong to Michael. Closing his eyes, he thought back to when Michael had bit him. The bite had hurt. He wasn't going to lie. Shane had felt Michael's teeth slice through the skin of his neck, he'd felt the pull as his blood left his body, and yet, he'd done absolutely nothing to stop it. He'd just lain there, submissive and docile, letting the vampire do what he wanted to his body.

And now he was left with this; an ugly bite mark that clearly said 'I belong to Michael Glass.'

Glancing over at Michael, he saw that the vampire was still asleep. He didn't look as peaceful as he had done when Shane was lying with him, but he was still asleep. It would give Shane enough time to get dressed without being harassed. As he crossed the room, Shane kept a close eye on Michael. Michael's arm was stretching across the bed and his hand was grasping empty sheets and there was a frown on his brow.

Shutting the bedroom door behind him, Shane crossed the hall to his own room. He didn't look in the mirror again as he crossed the room, instead he went straight to his wardrobe and pulled out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt with a collar. The collar should hide the bite mark somewhat…

Hearing his stomach growl loudly, Shane ducked out of his room and walked towards the kitchen. Biscuits: he'd need the sugar rush after all the blood he'd lost yesterday. The packet of double chocolate chip cookies from last week was still open and discarded on the counter. Picking up the packet, Shane walked back into the living room…only to see a shirtless Michael studying him with critical eyes. Feeling self-conscious, despite last night, Shane quickly sat down on the nearest couch.

Michael's eyes followed him. The crystal blue never left the mark that Shane had tried to cover up. Shane saw annoyance flicker over Michael's face as he saw the collar of the t-shirt covering it. When Michael stood, Shane forced himself not to flinch. God, Michael could be so damned quick sometimes…

In a faction of a second Michael stood beside him. Cool hands settled on Shane's shoulders before moving towards the t-shirt's collar. "Fold it down; it looks scruffy when you have it like that…"

But Shane knew better. Normally Michael didn't care about how he wore his clothing. Michael only wanted it down so everyone could see the mark. As Michael's hands pulled away, he purposely brushed the mark with one of his hands. The feeling that shot through him caused Shane to gasp. It was filled with warmth, comfort, love and a mixture of other things that made Shane relax into the couch in a boneless heap. Michael continued to run his fingers over the bite, making Shane gasp with each wave of pleasure. But with each touch, Shane could feel himself becoming exhausted. It was as if Michael was draining his energy.

Shane yanked himself away from Michael's hand.

"What the fuck was that?"

In front of him Michael looked hurt and confused. "What?"

"That – that – whatever you were doing just then!" Shane spluttered with his heart racing.

Michael couldn't meet Shane's eyes but he sat on the couch beside him. "You don't know any of this, do you?" Michael asked, lounging back on the couch; an open invitation for Shane to lie beside him.

Shane shook his head slowly.

"It's hard to explain it," Michael said. "The feelings you get when I touch your bite are supposed to protect you. Whenever I touch it you'll feel drowsy and exhausted, it's so I can stop you from doing anything stupid…" Michael trailed off when he saw Shane's facial expression. "But I won't control you; it's only in emergencies or to calm you," he added quickly.

"Then why did you do it just now? I was perfectly fine without your help." Shane didn't snap at him despite how much he wanted to. He had to get along with Michael. At least Michael was trying. Perhaps he could? Slowly Shane moved across the couch and leant back until his back hit Michael's are chest. It wasn't…so bad. Especially when he could feel Michael's arms hugging him and he could practically feel the happiness rolling off him.

"I could feel your emotions. You don't like the fact that I bit you…" mumbled Michael against Shane's neck.

"You can feel emotions?"

"Only yours," said Michael slowly before he changed positions. This time Shane was sprawled awkwardly on top of him. "And not all of them either. Only the ones that might mean you're in danger: distress, extreme shock, pain, fear…"

"Is there anything else I should know?" Shane asked as he pushed himself away from Michael. But when he tried, cool arms wrapped around his waist. Annoyed with the restrictions, Shane struggled against Michael's hold. At first it was kind of funny, but when Michael's arms tightened around him, Shane began to have second thoughts. "Michael…please, let go." He continued to wriggle in Michael's hold. This seriously wasn't funny no more. "Let go!" said Shane more forcefully.

When Michael didn't let go, Shane began to panic. Why wouldn't he let go? If he continued to struggle then Michael could accidently break something. "Michael…let go!" His eyes darted around the room. There was nothing close by he could use to make him release his grip. Nothing.

Beneath him, Michael smirked. "Why?" he taunted. "You're only going to move away."

Shane still struggled. "No shit, Sherlock."

Instead of releasing him, Michael began to gently lick the mark on Shane's neck. He didn't press on too much because he knew the bite must still be sore, but he put enough pressure on so Shane would feel the full effect. And it did.

Within seconds Shane was a squirming mass above him. Gasps and pants left his parted lips as he ground himself roughly against Michael. Abruptly Shane pulled away. "You said you wouldn't do that!" he snapped, his brown eyes blazing. "Stop it! And let me go!" he added quickly.

When Michael didn't let him go, Shane forcefully rolled himself off the sofa…along with Michael. Instead of shocking the vampire into letting him go, Shane ended up trapped beneath him. It was never a good position to be in.

But the way Michael was looking at him, as if he was the most important person in the world, changed his mind. Pressing his lips to Michael's, he felt him freeze for a second. Despite Michael's lack of response, Shane continued until the vampire unfroze. This kiss wasn't passionate, fierce, or a battle. No, it was loving, caring and…sweet. Heat ran through Shane, warming his bones as it did. Slowly Michael began to respond. Strong hands trailed over Shane's sides, ticking his skin as they did. They slid under his shirt, tracing patterns over his flesh.

Shane pulled away abruptly.

"We can't do this," he said slowly while trying to get Michael's attention.

"Why?" Michael's voice was muffled because his mouth was latched firmly to Shane's skin.

"I need…" he trailed off as he tried to think of an excuse. Claire! He still had to see Claire! "I need to see…Claire," Shane said hesitantly, hoping Michael wouldn't snap at him or do that weird but wonderful neck thing.

Michael had stilled. Shane could feel the possessive growls vibrating in his chest though Michael held them back. He heard Michael swallow loudly before saying, "fine, but I'm coming with you."

Shane didn't like Common Grounds. Well, if he didn't like it before, he hated it now. Everybody stared. There was no other word for it. They just…stared. And what made it worse was the fact that Michael always had to have contact. His hand would rest on the small of Shane's back or he'd be touching his arm in one way of another. In other words, Michael was clingy.

Clingy vampire + people staring = horrible day.

Holding his head high, Shane walked over to the counter where Oliver was standing. Shane didn't know where Eve was, but after their last encounter Shane was glad she wasn't here. Then again, he wasn't happy about having to talk to Oliver either.

Oliver was wiry and made up of odd angles. A fake smile – one to comfort humans – was plastered on his face and his greying hair was pulled back into a pony tail. He smirked at Shane in a knowing manner before his eyes locked on the bite mark. An odd look crossed his face before he smiled once more. "How did he manage to catch you?" Oliver's voice was low and there was something else laced into it but Shane couldn't be sure what.

He scowled at Oliver's words and ducked his head when he felt himself blush. This could not be happening… Hopefully Michael wouldn't have heard and cause a scene…

It was too much to ask for.

Michael's arm immediately tightened around Shane's waist to the point that it was painful to breath. He saw Michael's knife-like fangs grow and he flared them at Oliver. Loud, possessive growls came from deep in Michael's chest and he quickly pushed Shane behind him. "He's mine!"

Around them people had put down their drinks and were watching them with a morbid fascination. Every face was on them. All Shane wanted to do was have the ground open up and swallow him whole. How humiliating could one thing be? He tried pulling away from Michael, but a pale hand came out and grasped the edge of his shirt.

Oliver nodded sarcastically. "We'll see how long that lasts."

Without ordering drinks, Michael guided Shane away from the counter and to a small table. Except it was occupied; by one person.

Claire.

"Hi, Shane, I didn't expect to see you this early."

Shane fought the urge to roll his eyes. Let the music begin…