Over the next few weeks, I learned a lot about vampires.

"We're not exactly burned by the sun, it's just really, really hot, like standing in an oven. And, as you may have noticed, we don't sleep in coffins, or are warded away by garlic, but yes- a stake through the heart will kill a vampire- A crucifix, to us, is like touching a white-hot knife. It burns like hell and actually leaves a mark."

"So that's why you were so afraid of it when I first met you?"

He nodded. "Mhm. That and I have a horrible history with it. I've been burned with one before, and believe me, it does not feel pleasant."

"You have?"

"Yeah. Want to see?"

"Uh, sure, why not?"

Without hesitation, he pulled his shirt over his head and…dear God.

He grimaced. "I know. It's not pretty."

"It's horrible."

The word FAG was burned into his stomach.

"When did this happen?" I asked softly.

"Right after the other vampires found out I was gay. They're really homophobic, and this one guy Devin found one and put on gloves and…"

He trailed off, looking distraught.

I inched closer, putting a hand on his shoulder. He smiled at me gratefully.

"I still don't understand why you haven't fucking killed me yet."

"Because I care about you. In any case, I don't think you deserved this life. By the way…"

"Hmm?"

"How did you become a vampire?"

"Ah," he chuckled darkly. "I was wondering when you were going to ask that. Well, let's see…"

He paused for a moment, lips pursed, and I tried not to acknowledge the fact he was still shirtless.

"The last human memory I have is of my 19th birthday. I'm frozen at nineteen. Anyway, my friends had brought a bunch of alcohol, and I watched them al get drunk before me, not liking the taste so therefore not drinking a drop. I drove them all home, but my car died on the way back. My house was only about a block away, so I decided to just walk.

"That was definitely where I went wrong. On a deserted road, I heard rustling in the bushes, so I reached for my cell phone for light, and realized I had left it in the car. I was completely vulnerable."

"I broke out in a run, and suddenly this huge, black thing swooped down on me and…"

He winced, clutching at his neck as if experiencing it all over again.

"The worst part was that he had dragged me into the woods, away from any help, not that there was any, and the pain was so intense I didn't even have the strength to scream.

"After a whole day and night of this torture, the pain finally subsided. My senses were sharper, my reflexes faster, but I had a burning desire for something I didn't recognize, and only when I smelled another person's blood did I realize what I had become.

"To me, male blood has always been more physically attractive than female blood. As a human, I was definitely straight, but the venom may have changed my sexuality. It's just a theory, though. And my coven found this out because I refused to drink girls' blood."

"Wow. I didn't realize…"

"What part are you referring to?"

"Oh," I blushed. "The part about how you became a vampire."

"Don't worry about me," he scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "It's over and done with."

"Yeah, but still, even if you are gay, you don't deserve to have that burned into your stomach.

"Thanks," he half-smiled.

I smiled back, but then dropped my gaze back to his scar. "Does it still hurt?"

"Nah."

"Can I…?"

His eyes widened a bit, but he nodded.

Slowly, ever so slowly, I glided my hand from his shoulder down to his stomach, lightly tracing the three letters. Wherever my fingers touched him, they left goosebumps.

I tried not to notice.

Suddenly, he stood up.

My hand dropped limply onto my lap. "Where are you going?"

He smiled down at me sadly. "To eat. You should, too. It's almost six."

I looked at the clock while Gerard put his shirt back on, and realized with a start that he was right. We had been talking for almost two hours.

"Later, Frank," Gerard called as he opened the front door. I heard it slam shut and sighed.

Suddenly, it opened again, and Gerard all but marched back in, looking determined. He walked right up to me, took my face in his hands, and planted a hot, fast, passionate kiss on my lips before wordlessly turning around and leaving just as quickly as he had come.

I stood, utterly frozen with shock, my lips still slightly parted and tingling from the touch of his.

Gerard didn't show up until midnight.

When he did, he was probably hoping that I was asleep, and silently tiptoed into my room.

Like he was going to get away that easily.

"Gerard."

He froze mid-step, and hung his head.

"Yeah?"

"What was with that?"

He sighed. "Nothing. Just some stupid idea. Go back to sleep. It meant nothing."

"Stupid idea?"

"Fine," he huffed. "You want the answer?"

"Sure."
"Well, I may have thought that you…liked me, so I kissed you to see if I was right. I was wrong, of course, because no one ever loves vampires except for Kristen fucking Stewart. I'm just a monster, and I can think of a shitload of reasons of why you'd want me gone. Now go to sleep."

I flinched at his harsh tone. "But I don't want you gone."

He turned his head to look at me.

"You don't?" he whispered.

"No. I really like having you around. I'm lonely, too."

He stepped closer, and I wasn't even afraid.

I felt, in that moment, we were connected.

I threw off the covers and stood up, getting so close to him we were nose-to-nose.

His eyes widened.

"Gerard, I wouldn't care if you killed me. I like having someone else to talk to, vampire or no."

"But I'd care."

"I know you would. That's why I know you won't."

"Not willingly," he breathed.

We stood there, face-to-face for another moment before I exhaled and sat back down, looking up at him. I patted the bed beside me, and he looked at me questioningly before sitting down.

"Why don't you…lay down with me. Since you can't sleep."

He shook his head. "I don't know if that's a good idea."

"I trust you."

His resistance broke and he climbed in next to me, snuggling down into the warm covers. I curled into him, and up until now I thought vampires were supposed to be cold. He was just…room temperature. But he was warming up under the blankets.

"It's so comfortable," he moaned, face-planting into the pillow and laughing.

Wow. He was a lot more fun to be around than he had been at first.

He must have had some weird vampire instinct that let him know I was surprised, and he raised his head to look at me.

"What's up?"

"Nothing. You're just a lot different than you were at first."

"In a good way, or a bad way?"

"Good way," I smiled. He grinned.

"'Night, Frankie. Sweet dreams."

"You too, Gerard. Uh, well, oh you know what I meant!" I laughed. He snorted.

"'Night."

I was silent then, eyes closed but wide awake. I wanted to see what he would do.

After about twenty minutes, he must have finally decided I was asleep, and gently detached my body from his, rolling over to face the ceiling.

I opened my eyes just enough to see what was happening.

His face was in his hands, and there was a crease between his eyes, his forehead bearing lines of worry.

"What am I doing?" he whispered.

I almost asked him what was wrong, but then remembered I was supposed to be asleep.

"I think…"

You think what, Gerard?

"I think I love you, Frankie."

Oh my Frank Gerard. I love this chapter. It's my favorite. IT'S SO FLUFFEH :'D

Anyway, I hope you liked it as much as I do :)