IHaveNoName and IDC: the idea came to me a few weeks before I started writing it, can't remember where from. And no, I'm not working with anyone

INeeadAUsername8: there's still more to come

Ilikehats2: every individual has had a reason to become the way they are

Plasma57: thank you

Chapter 27: More Than A Feeling

(In Dracula's castle)

Peter is frozen, utterly speechless. Dracula had taken him to a secret chamber that the king of vampire had made to honor someone: Maria. Maria is Vlad's dead wife. They had a love which Dracula cherished more than anything in his life. Dracula had told the newborn about his history with his dearly-departed. The widow had lost her twice to vampire 'hunters', both times a pain which is indescribable. But this wasn't what left the turn-blood vampire mute temporarily. The vampire king had revealed to the newborn that the reason why Peter was able to resist the lord of vampires when he was told to feed on White Tiger… Dracula had revealed Peter loves Ava Ayala.

"I…. I… love Ava…?" Peter stuttered, utter shock in his voice. "You are surprised? Why?" Dracula said, confusion in his voice.

The king of vampires didn't expect this; he thought Peter would be more… active in his response.

"She… She doesn't…" The newborn started to say, but the lord of vampires interjected, "That she doesn't seem like the one? My boy, she is. It might have taken time to develop, but she is the one you do love. It was the same with Maria. She couldn't stand me at first… Well... actually... even after we started our relationship… she still acted the same… But still, the truth is revealed. You do love Ms. Ayala."

Peter could feel his cheeks burn like wildfires, and he felt like he couldn't breathe. He still couldn't comprehend it: Ava Ayala, a.k.a. White Tiger, the one who scared him more than… well… anyone and anything… is… the one? The revelation hit him with more force than one of Hulk's 'angry' punches. IT was just still so shocking, he didn't know what to say.

"I-I-I don't know what to say… Can… I don't know what to think…" Peter gasped. "You're still shocked, that's natural… When I read your memories, I saw the moments you've had with Ms. Ayala. She's like my wife… except I don't think Maria is a fearsome as the girl…" Dracula said as he rubbed his chin with his free hand. "But… But she… she acts like…" Peter stammered.

Dracula chuckled at his confusion. He recalled feeling the same, but remembered him accepting/embracing the truth far faster than Peter. At first, Maria could partially stand to be around Vlad. He was a bit of a trickster. But she eventually fell for him.

(Me… in love… with Tiger?... If she and the others come here… and Dracula tells them that… I'm so dead… TIGER'S GOING TO PUT MY HEAD ON A SPIKE!)

Peter paced around the room, trying to calm himself of what the lord of vampires told him. Why would… Is it possible…?

"You want to have some… evidence?..." Dracula said. "Evidence?" Peter said, confusion thick in his voice. "Before you and your mortal friends arrived at the factory in Alaska, you and Ms. Ayala had a moment." Dracula said. "A moment?" The newborn said. "You hugged then held hands. As you looked into one another's eyes, this feeling of… peace or happiness, which every works, overwhelmed you. You felt like time slowed down, your heart beating faster. A feeling which is shall be forever present in your memory." Dracula elaborated.

Peter's mind was cast back to that moment. He remembered feeling something strange, yet… good at that time.

"That…" Peter stammered. "That was more than a feeling my boy. It was the instant where your life would be changed forever. It was a symbol of the beginning of your arising connection and bond with the girl." Dracula continued. "I… I... I need some air." Peter gasped. "Of course, you need time to think on this. You will embrace this truth." Dracula said.

He put back the torch from the 'holder' it was on. Then the lord of vampires teleported them to the castle's front door. Dracula put a hand on Peter's right shoulder and smiled genuinely at the newborn.

"Take the time you need to realize the truth my boy. You should also feed; it's been some time since you last fed." Dracula said. "… Thank you…" Peter said. "Of course." Dracula said.

Peter opened the castle doors and Dracula informed the guards it was ok for him to pass; but the vampire king reminded Peter he had to return. The turn-blood nodded and took off towards the woods.

'I'll admit it was hard for me to realize my feelings for Maria… But Mr. Parker seems… He'll figure it out, I know he will… Perhaps… maybe both species… no… we have to do this… I can't let any more of my people die…' Dracula thought to himself as he walked away.

(In the woods)

Peter is walking through the woods. He's alone with his thoughts. Still, the revelation of him loving Ava is still… shocking… White Tiger is a fierce warrior and on-nonsense individual. He couldn't understand how someone like him… could love her… truly 'love' love her.

'Ava and me… Ava and I…. Me and Ava… Ava and I…' He repeated in his thoughts. "But how?... How could I…?" He mumbled to himself.

As time passed, Peter eventually found another animal carcass and fed on it. But most of his time is preoccupied with him contemplating him loving Tiger. He still couldn't understand it. When they first met… Ava couldn't stand him. Peter thought at any moment she would tear his throat out.

"Why?... Why her?..." He said to himself.

Then it came to him. All that both had been through: their private moments, their times of working together in combat, their time living together, and the moment of holding her. That's when reality set in.

'I… I… I understand it now… Dracula is right… It is more than a feeling… I love her… I love Ava…' Peter gasped in his thoughts.

Peter originally thought it was shocking, strange, and suicidal to love Ava. But now… He didn't… He could feel his cheeks burn like the sun, his limbs went numb, his breath caught in his throat, and he felt like his heart was going to burst out of his chest. He realized it: he's in love with Tiger.

"I love her…" Peter gasped.

The thoughts of Ava killing him for this vanished. And the biggest grin that ever spread across his face appeared. He leaped into a tree, and climbed to the top. Then he started running/jumping across the very tops of the trees.

"I LOVE HER! I LOVE WHITE TIGER!" Peter shouted with joy.

With a powerful thrust of his legs he jumped towards the clouds.

"WWWWOOOOHHHHHOOOOO!" Peter screamed to the heavens.

To be continued…