Chapter Text
1898
It shouldn't have been much of a surprise when Jerry found himself running towards the familiar house of Lacoste. The only thing in Jerry's mind had been get away on repeat, he didn't even notice where he was until he was standing right at Lacoste's door. Jerry's mind and heart were racing and he was having trouble breathing (probably because of how far he had run). He didn't expect anyone to open the door in broad daylight, so he didn't even bother knocking before he opened the door.
Jerry walked bonelessly until he reached the living room and collapsed on one of the couches. He vaguely felt tears starting their descent down his cheeks, though he wasn't entirely sure why they were there.
That's exactly how Lacoste found him several hours later, once the sun had set and the sky had darkened.
He sat down next to Jerry and carded a hand through his hair, which Jerry was barely aware of.
"Oh, mon chiot," Lacoste said, voice smooth and soft, "what happened?"
Jerry melted into Lacoste's arms, and, to his own surprise, the tears doubled. He cuddled closer into Lacoste, burying his face into his chest. Lacoste kept petting his head, itching it at just the right spots.
"Take as much time as you need, mon chéri, there is no rush."
"It's not fair," Jerry mumbled into Lacoste's chest, audibly but not understandably.
"What was that, mon cœur? I couldn't quite hear you there."
Jerry shifted his head so that his mouth was free and repeated what he said.
"I said it's not fair."
"What's not fair?"
"Everything, it feels like," Jerry said through sobs. "It feels like everything is wrong. We can't be public, my friends and neighbors are treated like shit, and no one will take any of us seriously when we try to speak up about it! Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong time. Like maybe if I had been born later, things would be okay."
"Mon loup, as someone who has lived longer than you could possibly imagine, things rarely ever change so drastically."
Lacoste paused for a second, clearly in thought.
"But… you know, if you wanted to…" Lacoste trailed off. Jerry wasn't sure if it was because he didn't want to say or if he wanted Jerry to ask. So he asked.
"If I wanted to what, Lacoste?"
"If you wanted to live forever, mon cher chien, have the opportunity to live in the right century, all you have to do is ask."
Lacoste grinned at Jerry, showing off his fangs. Jerry didn't want to admit it, but the thought of becoming a vampire made him feel physically sick to his stomach. Lacoste has spared him a lot of the details, but even just thinking about being forced to harm someone every month made Jerry want to never even consider becoming a vampire. He'd never blame Lacoste for it, of course, but it was different for him. Jerry would never willingly harm someone.
Instead of answering, Jerry just buried his face further into Lacoste's chest. The lack of hearbeat always unnerved Jerry, but he had gotten used to it. It was just another thing that made Lacoste Lacoste, and Jerry wouldn't trade that for anything.
"It would be so easy, mon cœur. You wouldn't even know anything had happened until it was done. Then we could be together forever. You'd never have to leave me."
Oh how Jerry wished it were that simple.
"Would it even work?" Jerry asked, lifting his head slightly so that he could speak. "Has a werewolf ever become a vampire?"
Lacoste stared at him intensely, his fangs seemed more visible than they usually were.
"Oh, mon loup, there is only one way to find out."
With that, Lacoste bent over to Jerry's neck, fangs fully out. Jerry froze. He didn't know what to do. He didn't want to say no, but he certainly didn't want this, especially since neither of them knew whether or not Jerry would actually survive this whole ordeal.
So Jerry gently placed a hand on Lacoste's forehead, not entirely stopping him but suggesting that he stopped. And he did.
"Lacoste, I think if we were to do this, we need to have a longer conversation. And not right now. Please, I love you and this isn't a rejection. I just need… time. To think."
Lacoste pulled back, fangs still bared, looking a bit surprised.
"Of course, loulou," he said, "The offer will never expire for as long as you're alive."
Jerry didn't have the proper words to say to Lacoste, so he simply wrapped his arms around Lacoste's neck and pulled him into a kiss. It wasn't rushed in the slightest, the two simply sat there and enjoyed each other's company, letting their lips unhurriedly glide over the others'. Even when their lips separated, they still maintained their embrace, not wanting to fully let go.
"Hey… hey Lacoste?"
"Oui?"
"Could- could you come and see the sheriff with me tomorrow?"
Lacoste looked pensive.
"Why do you want me to come and see the sheriff with you?" Lacoste asked carefully.
"This might sound silly," Jerry started tentatively, "but whenever you're with me, I always feel… stronger, I guess. It's like being around you gives me the confidence I need."
"Why thank you, mon chiot, but that still doesn't the answer the question of why you need to go see the sheriff."
"Oh!" Jerry exclaimed quietly, before his expression turned grim again, "The bartender, Rich, went missing last night. He didn't go home and El is worried sick, so I went to the sheriff to file a report." Jerry gritted his teeth, anger burning in his chest, "They didn't take me seriously. I don't know why I thought they would, but they didn't. I can't just do nothing, Lacoste! I've known Rich for as long as my daddy and I have been playing at that bar!"
Lacoste resumed the calming motions on Jerry's scalp. It helped a bit, but Jerry knew the only thing that could truly help was closure.
"Oh, mon chéri, I'm so sorry that happened to you." Lacoste pulled Jerry tighter into his arms. It felt possessive protective. "Of course I'll go see the sheriff with you. We'll make sure to know who they're messing with."
The words irked Jerry a bit, but he was too busy fighting the lump in his throat to care. He felt seen with Lacoste in a way no on else had ever seen him. Lacoste knew every part of who he was, and while it was slightly terrifying to know that someone knew so much, it made Jerry feel loved.
He only hoped Lacoste felt the same way.
