Part 2/5:
"Speaking of coexistence, is there anyone special in your life?"
"Let's just say that... Yes there is someone and she makes me very happy."
The words burned in Jason's mind, playing on an endless repeat. 'She makes me very happy.' The very words bothered Jason for reasons he couldn't comprehend.
No more than a week prior Steve had showed up at his house proclaiming he was proudly a gay American vampire... And yet here he was.. denying it? True, Jason had turned him down , explaining he wasn't gay.. But the words still stung. The man had given him such a sincere confession- one that actually sounded like he meant it- and here he was denying it across nationwide tv?
'I mean sure,' Jason thought to himself, 'He didn't directly deny it.. but he said he liked a chick right? And I sure as hell ain't no chick... So... was he lying to me? Or to the media?' The thought of Steve's confession being a lie hurt Jason more than he liked to admit.. He felt betrayed and lied to all at once yet ashamed that such a small thing affected him so badly.
The interview continued its hell-bound path of destruction instead Jason's head for the rest of the week, Steve's heterosexual response igniting an unforeseen pain. The one time he thought someone genuinely cared for him had been a lie. And even if it had been true, it meant Steve lied on national news, unwilling to openly admit his feelings to the public.
Jason found himself cracking open a six pack that night as he went through his usual routine of watching the evening news before flipping to some porn prior to bed. Only four beers deep, Jason sat up from the recliner in search of something to appease his appetite. He bent down to the floor to pick up his disposed cans and as he stood back up he could have sworn he heard a noise outside.
'What the hell was that,' Jason thought as he walked towards the window, forgetting about the cans and instinctively grabbing his shotgun that he kept by the door.
Five years ago if he had heard a noise at night he wouldn't have lifted a finger, assuming it was a deer or some other animal simply roaming about... But after well-After the vampires went public, and especially after his incident with the werepanthers in Hotshot... Let's just say it had left him a little paranoid. That was when he saw him. Only a mere 30 feet or so outside his house.
Steve Newlin stood there simply staring at Jason Stackhouse, A slightly ashamed look masking his face when he realized Jason was aware of his presence.
A rage that had been building in Jason for over a week suddenly exploded and Jason swiftly crossed his family room to the front door, swinging it open forcefully.
"Steve Newlin get the FUCK off my property," he shouted in a pained voice, his fingers pumping the shotgun, itching to fire, "how dare you show up after you lied right to my face you filthy vamp!"
A look of confusion crossed Steve's face as he closed the distance between them in a matter of seconds. Instinctually, Jason stepped back into his house, now pointing his shotgun directly at Steve, the muzzle of the gun grazing on the breast pocket of Steve's shirt.
"I.. I don't get what you're talking about Jason... I would never lie to you."
"Like fucking hell you wouldn't! I saw the interview you did earlier this month," Jason retorted back, venom in his words as Steve realized what interview he was talking about. "Gosh, you really think I'm that stupid? It was all lies- you just wanted to sink yer rotten fangs in me. You ain't gay and you sure as hell don't love me."
A flashed look of pain crossed Steve's face before he turned towards Jason, immediately staring him down.
"Jason... hey... Why don't you be a doll and invite-"
"Oh hell!- don't you try a glamour me now," Jason yelled, slamming the door in Steve's face. "I know you did that last time.. Or least I still think you did. Can't believe I'd let a vamp other than Jessica in my house," Jason thought out loud as he stared at the wooden door magically separating him from Steve.
Newlin, shocked that glamouring had failed this time, stood there a moment, taking it all in before speaking. "Jason... I wasn't lying. Please let me in."
"No"
Steve audibly sighed. "You don't understand Jason... I'm in the news a lot and it's hard enough being a vampire now, but if they knew I was gay? You know people in the south aren't the most open minded... Lord, I'd be tied up and burned on a cross before you can say 'Father Son and Holy Ghost.'"
Jason snorted at the comment. "Still sounds like bullshit, Reverend. Sorry, nice try though."
And with that, Steve left in silence.
About three weeks later Jason was witness to another interview on television featuring Rev. Steve Newlin. A frown framed his features as Jason went to open his second beer of the night. The cold can secured firmly in his grasp, Jason turned to grab the remote and change the channel. That was when he heard it.
"...is there anyone special in your life?"
Jason's heart skipped a beat as he immediately focused on the screen. 'Fucking asshole. Why does everyone care about his fucking personal life,' thought Jason, 'It's not like he's going to speak honestly-lying vamp.'
A look of discomfort flashed across Steve's features for a split second before he spoke.
"Yes.. There is someone.. I love him very much but I might have messed things up with him for good," Steve said as a look of shock and confusion crossed the interviewers face.
"Excuse me Reverend," said the nameless woman on the screen, "but did I hear you say he?"
"Yes. I, Reverend Steve Newlin, am gay. Next question?"
A variety of emotions watched over Jason at these words. Anger that Steve hadn't been honest in his previous interview- yet happiness that he was now openly admitting his feelings. Confusion at the whole situation, including his own reaction. 'Maybe.. he wasn't lying to me then," Jason thought, a giddy feeling bubbling in his stomach, "so maybe he did mean it."
Jason sat there, smiling idiotically at the television, no longer paying attention to the conversation on screen- too lost in his thoughts. Only a moment later did it cross his mind that he was getting a bit too excited. 'Why do I care so fucking much,' thought Jason as he suddenly was terrified by himself, 'it's not like I'm gay... So, the guy was honest with me. Maybe. Big deal Jason Stackhouse- he ain't no belle and last time you checked, you ain't either. Get the hell over yourself and turn on some porn or something.'
Pouting at his own discomfort of the situation, Jason turned off the tv deciding that maybe, just maybe it was best he called it a night.