Archive of Our Own

Shady customers are expected when you’re stuck working night shift at a gas station, it’s nothing out of the ordinary. It doesn’t help for the said gas station to be just down the street from a cemetery, and in a bad area as well.

The store was fairly put together, better than the other stores in this area. The outside appearance isn’t the best, it’s hard to tell if the bit of red on the outside is just old paint, or blood, but the workers try not to think too much about it.

Yeah, blood. Bad area, next to a cemetery, it’s not too uncommon for fights to happen outside, and when they do, they usually end up a bit messy. It could be worse, they usually keep it outside the store at least.

It’s common for fidgety guys in oversized hoods to come in nervously, their bones rattling as they shake, and the items in hand almost slipping from them. It’s nothing any of the underpaid employees pay mind to, they don’t usually care.

So when the next guy comes stumbling in, face hard to see behind his hood, and hair, hands shaking like they’re about to fall off, Frank doesn’t see it as anything unordinary. If anything, he gets more confused when he sees a regular guy walking in than he does one of these weirdos.

Frank watches as the man looks around the store, making sure he doesn’t sneak anything into one of his pockets. He doesn’t usually care enough to do anything when he catches people stealing, but it gets on his nerves when they’re too obvious about it.

The way this man is shaking is like he’s freezing, or he’s on something. Usually around this time it’s the latter, it’s such a shame to watch, but Frank doesn’t have a say in the matter. He’s not as bad as most the guys around here, so what if he smokes every day, and needs to smoke to function at work properly, at least he can keep a job.

The strange man, who isn’t that strange here, walks up to where Frank is standing. Frank straightens up, and clears his throat. The man presents nothing on the counter.

“Uh…” The man brings up a hand to point to the back, “One pack of… whatever menthols is the cheapest,” His voice is surprisingly steady, Frank is used to people who can’t even form a full sentence.

Frank nods, and grabs the pack of cigarettes for the man. He probably needs one the way he’s shaking anyways. He rings it up on the scanner, and doesn’t bother to check ID. He doesn’t look young, and if he’s underaged Frank would be more concerned about what a teenager is doing out at this time than the fact he’s buying cigarettes.

“That’ll be $6.56,” Frank says in his work voice that he’s tired of using each night, but it’s what he has to do in order to be paid.

The man nods, and shoves a hand into their pocket, pulling out a ten dollar bill. Frank gives him back his change, and the man grabs the pack of cigarettes, and heads out of the store.

Just an average customer, nothing strange working night shift here. He stood outside the gas station, looking around anxiously as he lit up his cigarette. Frank could really go for a smoke again soon, and he wonders when his break is next. He could join them now if he really wanted, but he chooses not to, it’s not safe.

He wasn’t that strange, could be worse, much worse. Frank has seen worse, and knows he’ll see worse than the worse he’s already seen. That’s just how it is here. The only strange thing about this man is how they later started showing up every night.

Each night he’d come stumbling inside the store, and buy a different brand of cigarettes. Frank doesn’t question it, it’s not his business, but it really is strange to him. Each time the man would stand outside the gas station to smoke one, sometimes two, then disappear into the night.

Maybe he was a bit strange. He was always wearing an oversized hoodie, their hands were always fidgety, and Frank could almost never see any part of his face. His hair would cover his eyes, and his hood casted a shadow at all the right angles to hide their features.

After seeing the same man come walking in for the fifth night in the row, Frank is really starting to wonder what he looks like. They have a nice voice, and nice hands. His skin that he could see was oddly pale, and glows in any kind of light. His hands were cold, Frank found that one out the first night when he handed him his change. They were cold every night, maybe that’s why he’s so shaky.

The sixth night comes around, and he’s buying another new brand of cigarettes. When the man asks, Frank can’t help but make a comment about it finally.

“New brand again? You rating each one or something?” Frank jokes as he grabs the pack of cigarettes.

“Uh,” The man says awkwardly, unable to come up with any words in response.

“Do you get through each pack, at least?” Frank asks, “Total is another $7”

The stranger doesn’t seem to be one for talking, as all he does is pull out another ten dollar bill, which Frank returns the rest to them in coins. He takes the cigarettes and lights one up outside the store again. Frank breathes out a sigh, and steps out from behind the counter. A smoke break tonight won’t hurt.

The man jumps as Frank walks out the store, almost dropping his cigarette. Frank just gives them a nice smile. Frank leans back against the windows, and pulls out a poorly rolled joint from his pocket. Look, he had to rush before work, he woke up late, but at least he rolled it where it’s smokeable. However, he seems to have forgotten his lighter.

“Shit, can I borrow your lighter?” Frank asks, looking over to the man who shows up each night. He glows even more in the moonlight, it’s quite pretty.

“Smoking on the job?” The man says, handing Frank the lighter, “Are you even allowed to work stoned?”

“Probably not,” Frank answers, pausing as he takes a second to light his joint, breathing it in, and holding back a cough. It feels good to finally have more weed in his system, “Haven’t gotten fired, though, so I think I’m good.”

“Can I have that back?” The man asks, holding their hand out expectantly.

“Only if you tell me your name,” Frank smirks, and takes another drag. He’s built up quite a tolerance, so he’s surprised when his body is already starting to relax.

“Um,” The taller man hesitates, “Gerard.”

“Frank,” Frank says back, and hands Gerard the lighter. That’s a fitting name for this guy, “So? What’s up with you buying a new brand of smokes every night?”

“It’s complicated,” Gerard says. How could it be complicated? This man is weird.

“Sure it is,” Frank says, and the rest of his smoke break is awkward. They just stood there in silence. Gerard lights up another cigarette after he finished his first one, and Frank’s almost done his joint, feeling better than he had the entire night.

“You don’t find it strange?” Gerard asks, breaking the awkward silence, but it doesn’t make the tension between the two any less awkward.

“What strange?” Frank questions, finally finishing up. This job will be so much easier.

“Me showing up every night,” Gerard clarifies, and Frank wonder why he’s the one asking.

“No?” Frank answers, and it seems to surprise Gerard, “There’s a lot of strange people here. The more normal someone is, the more strange I find them, if anything.”

“Interesting,” Gerard says softly, and then he takes a long drag of their cigarette.

“I have to get back inside,” Frank says, and stands straight up. He twists his back, hearing a popping noise as he does. He feels refreshed, his body is relaxed, and his brain is numb. He feels good.

“Yeah,” Gerard hums, and then straightens up too. Even when they try to stand up straight, he still hunches over, “See you tomorrow.”

“Sure,” Frank smiles, and walks inside the gas station, taking his usual spot behind the counter.

Frank didn’t expect to be a bit excited to come into work the next day, really, but he was. He knew he wouldn’t see Gerard again for a few hours, he usually shows up at around two in the morning, and his shift is from 9pm-6am.

Eventually, after dealing with annoying customers, some very obviously stealing, some just being groups of friends, the awkward freak Frank has been waiting for walks in. Frank gives Gerard a smile, and the man doesn’t return it, but that’s fine.

“What brand for you today?” Franks asks, his smile staying on his face.

“The most expensive,” Gerard answers, and Frank nods.

“Different from the first time you walked in here,” He grabs a pack for Gerard, just as he always does, “That’d be $23.99” Frank says, and Gerard’s face drops, from what Frank can see.

“I only have…” Gerard reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a twenty dollar bill this time. Frank gives them a sympathetic smile, and rings through the pack.

“I’ll cover the rest,” He offers, and Gerard shakes his head, but Frank is already grabbing his wallet from his pocket.

“After I try it, you better take the rest then,” Gerard says, and Frank pulls out his card, paying the price, then stuffing the twenty dollar bill into his wallet. He then shoves it back into the pocket of his jeans.

“So you don’t finish each pack?” Frank asks, handing Gerard his smokes. He shakes their head as he takes it, “I’ll meet you outside in a second.”

Gerard nods this time, and walks out the store. Frank is now more curious than ever to see what that man’s face looks like. He wishes they didn’t have their hair stuck to his face in all the right places, he just wants to see a face to this strange guy.

Frank sighs, and walks outside. He leans against the store again, and looks to the man in the hood. He just wants to pull it off of them. He won’t, but he wants to.

“What’s your fave brand so far?” Frank asks. After Gerard’s done taking a drag of his cigarette, Frank steals it from his fingers.

“Ah?” Gerard looks to Frank, stunned, “Hey, what the fuck? You could just ask for one.”

“This one was already lit,” Frank hums, smiling.

“It’s not hard to light a cigarette,” Gerard points out, pulling a new one out for him.

“I wanted this one, it was, like, screaming my name,” Frank says, and Gerard rolls his eyes, lighting up their new one, “Answer my question.”

“Jeez,” Gerard exhales, his eyes closed. Frank can see little glimpses of his eyes glowing, but that’s it, not his actual eye, “Don’t have one, none really do anything.”

“You searching for a kind that does?” Frank asks, and it kind of makes sense, only kind of.

“Yeah, I miss the feeling,” Gerard answers, tilting his head down, “Things haven’t been the same since they stopped working on me.”

“T break,” Frank offers, and Gerard shakes their head.

“No, one day any kind of substance stopped working on me,” Gerard explains, which is pretty weird, Frank will admit, “Except red wine. I like red wine.”

“Maybe on a day off I’ll invite you over to my place, and we can have a glass of wine together,” Frank offers. Is it too soon for that? He hasn’t even seen this guys face before, and they’re a total creep, but Frank wouldn’t mind getting closer.

“When’s your day off?” To Frank’s surprise, Gerard doesn’t seem too put off from Frank’s offer.

“Tomorrow.”

“Wow, won’t show up tomorrow then,” Gerard says, then snickers, “Day after?”

“Yeah, I’m working,” Frank says, and Gerard seems to be ignoring his offer, and he feels a bit embarrassed by it.

“I’ll be sure to stop by,” Gerard says, “S-sorry, I’d take up the offer of wine, but…”

“I know, I’m a stranger who works minimum wage at a gas station,” Frank gives Gerard a kind smile, and it seems to calm their nerves, “Don’t worry, I should actually be the one worried about you. I haven’t even been able to properly see your face.”

Frank takes Gerard’s silence as an invite to reach up to their face. Gerard, however, pulls back immediately, and starts his frantic shaking again. They drop their cigarette, and he quickly reaches into his back pocket to hand Frank the pack.

“I need to get going,” Gerard says, tossing the pack to Frank when he wouldn’t take it immediately, “See… see you in two days.”

Then the man ran off, and disappeared into the night like usual. How weird. Frank really didn’t mean to scare him, he didn’t! He just wants to know if their face is as pretty as his voice.

Frank finds he quite likes this strange man, and on his day off he can’t stop thinking about him. He never expected to become attached to one of his customers, but here he is. Frank’s disappointed he doesn’t work today, which is strange because he’s often so grateful for his off days.

Today he isn’t, today he finds it boring. Sleeping is boring, scrolling on his phone is boring. Man, he should’ve gotten that guy’s number. He will tomorrow, or it’d be today as he slept the past day. Bad sleep schedule thanks to his job, but it’s not much different than his sleep schedule before the job.

Waking up the same afternoon, no, it’s evening now, was a good feeling for Frank. He was actually enthusiastic to hear his alarm wake him up from his dream that’s already drifting from his memory.

What’s gotten into him? Seriously, he’s getting all put together for this guy he doesn’t even know the face of. Frank quickly brushes his hair, making sure he looks nicer than usual, and puts on his boring work uniform that was just a short sleeved black button up, and some skinny jeans, and a navy blue apron.

After getting dressed, Frank grabs his bong and packs a bowl. He has to, okay? You expect this man to get through a day of work at a gas station without a little weed in his system? You’re crazy for thinking that.

He does his routine of lighting, inhaling, exhaling, then his coughing fit after. He feels refreshed and ready to go once he’s finished. Frank grabs his phone and wallet, shoves it into his back pocket, and off he is to work.

Frank gets through his usual round of customers, occasionally checking his phone here and there for the time. It’s almost the usual time Gerard comes in, and Frank’s a bit nervous. Okay, what is going on with him, he’s obsessing over some stranger he just met. Maybe Frank’s the weird one all along.

The ring of the bells, followed by the familiar figure walking through the door makes Frank jump up, straightening himself up. He gives the man a nice smile as they walk to the counter Frank is at.

“What brand today?” Frank asks, already knowing what he’s going to ask for. However, today, he apparently doesn’t know that.

“None, I just came to talk to you,” Gerard says in response, looking down at the counter. They seem to be fidgety, more-so than the other times.

“That’s cool, wanna talk as I clean around here?” Frank offers, and Gerard nods. Frank smiles, and grabs what he needs, which is just a damp cloth, and walks out from behind the counter.

He begins wiping down other counters around the store. There weren’t many, but they definitely needed cleaning each night. Frank hums as Gerard walks with him, and their silence is awkward again, and uncomfortable.

“Why’re you always up so late?” Frank asks, and Gerard hesitates to answer. Is he anxious about something?

“Uh… I hate the sun,” Gerard answers softly. Their voice was quiet, and Frank could almost smell his anxiety, it was rubbing off on Frank, too, making his heart race. Man, he needs a smoke.

“You must burn easily with how pale your skin is,” Frank comments, and it just makes the man more nervous. They’re a total weirdo, a huge creep, but Frank apparently likes creeps.

“You- you could say that,” Gerard stutters, cracking their knuckles, then beginning to fidget with the sleeve of their sweater. The same black hoodie with some sort of band logo on the front. Frank likes it.

“So you’re nocturnal, hate the sun, and pale as a ghost,” Frank starts, with each word making the man sway more on their feet, “If I didn’t know better I’d assume you were a vampire.”

Gerard jumps back, bumping into one of the shelves that holds assorted candy. Frank stares at him with wide eyes. He’s just glad it didn’t tip over, leaving Frank to have to clean it up.

“Sorry!” Gerard says frantically, turning around to pick up the few chocolate bars that did manage to fall.

“Not a fan of vampires?” Frank questions, eyes still wide at this man’s reaction, “How about zombies?” Frank smirks, coming up behind the man.

“N-No!” Gerard yells, standing up quickly to turn back around, “I mean, I’m not one, no way, not me. They’re not even real.”

“Dude, calm down, it was just a joke,” Frank reassures, holding his hand out, “Relax. Didn’t know you were so against horror.”

“N…no, no, I love horror, just…” Gerard trails off, “I’m sorry,” He apologizes again, and Frank giggles. Fucking giggling at this man? Seriously, Frank?

“What’s your favourite horror movie?” Frank offers as a conversation topic, and Gerard seems to relax. Good, no more panicking for this man.

“Um, Suspiria has to be my favourite,” Gerard says, and Frank smiles, getting back to his cleaning.

“I really love older horror films, the newer ones are all the same concept redone.”

“I agree, classics are the best,” Gerard smiles, Frank can hear it in his voice, “I love Dawn of the Dead, good movie. I’m not a fan of vampire movies nowadays.”

“Why not? Did Twilight put you off of them, too?” Frank smirks, closing his eyes.

“No, but I’m not the biggest fan of that either,” Gerard responds, and Frank’s happy to finally have a proper conversation with him, “A lot of vampire movies are very inaccurate, it’s irritating. I prefer books, have you read Interview With The Vampire?”

“Seen the film,” Frank answers.

“No, not the film, the book,” Gerard says, and Frank shakes his head, causing the man to sigh, “Of course not.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Frank asks, a bit offended.

“You don’t seem the type to have the attention span to read books,” Gerard shakes their head disappointedly, “Kids these days.”

“I’m not a kid, I’m old enough to sell you cigarettes,” Frank argues, though Gerard would be right, “What are you? A forty year old man or something?”

“Do I look that old?” Gerard seems shocked, and looks down at his own body, “I thought I’m supposed to look young forever,” They mumble, and Frank almost doesn’t catch it, but he doesn’t really understand anyways.

“I have never been able to get a good look of your face,” Frank mentions, “You’re always hiding behind that hood.”

“Um,” Gerard steps back anxiously.

“Can I have a face to your name?” Frank asks, and steps towards Gerard, but he takes another step back.

“Ummmm,” Gerard hums again, turning their head around the store, “Customer, go serve them,” He points over to the door, and isn’t lying, a new person does walk inside.

The same kind of twitchy man who can barely stand comes stumbling inside. Frank sighs, and walks behind the counter. This man is fucking wasted, he smells of it. That’s one thing about Gerard he noticed instantly. Despite him acting like he was on something, he never smelled like it.

While this man who’s asking for a pack of smokes, as Frank watches Gerard sneak off out the door behind him, smells like beer, Gerard doesn’t. Gerard smells of all things that are red. Red wine, red roses, and there’s sometimes a faint smell of blood. Frank tries not to pay too much attention to that, though, it’s not too uncommon here.

That was another night Frank failed to get the man’s number. Of course he forgot, he finally has a proper conversation with them, but forgets their number. Fuck. Going home, he’s glad to just pass out instantly once he hits his bed. He doesn’t want to think for any longer about how he forgot to ask for their number.

Tonight he will though. He’s sure about it, as soon as that man comes walking into the store he’ll ask. He’ll befriend this guy, and they’ll become besties. Bestest friends ever. Maybe more than friends? Hey, Frank wouldn’t mind a hookup after finding out if his face really is as hot as their voice. He’s in need of a good fuck, he hasn’t had one for a while, and this man might be able to give him what he needs.

He needs to stop thinking these kind of thoughts when he’s at work. He won’t forget the horror story of his first job. He was fifteen, a growing boy who had a problem, and that problem was not his fault!

Then, the man of the night walks into the store. Gerard. The creep that Frank’s come to like. Frank smiles at him, and waves, Gerard walks up to the counter.

“Anything today?” Frank asks, and Gerard shakes his head, “Cool, can I buy something off of you?”

“What?” Gerard questions, completely confused, and Frank just smirks.

“Your number, how much would that be?” Frank grins, but that grin falls after an embarrassing silence hits the two of them.

“Are you actually willing to pay me for that?” Gerard asks, breaking the silence, but not the embarrassment of it.

“Um, you want me to?” Frank guesses they couldn’t ask for too much.

“Sure,” Gerard says, “Fifty for my number.”

“Fuck no,” Frank says instantly, not realizing how rude he sounds, “You’re cute, but I don’t even know if your face is.”

“Rude, is my personality not worth that?” Gerard folds his arms over their chest.

“Dude, I work minimum wage, I don’t have that kind of money to give out,” Frank mentions, placing his hands down on the counter, “C’mon, how about ten?”

“Lowballing me,” Gerard says, sounding offended.

“Twenty?”

“Am I that worthless?”

“I’m not going higher than twenty.”

“I guess I am,” Gerard says with a fake whine.

“You’re lucky I’m even offering to pay for your fucking phone number,” Frank’s about to give up with this man, and just accept they’re not interested, but then he pulls out his phone from his pocket, and Frank’s face lights up. He’s excited, more excited than he’d like to admit, and it’s embarrassing, but he’s blaming it on the weed.

“Trade offer, I’ll give you my number for yours,” Gerard says, and snickers at their own joke.

“Yeah, it kind of works like that?” Frank points out, but Gerard just shrugs. Frank sighs, and recites his phone number to the man, and watches as he puts it in his phone.

“Does this mean we’re friends?” Gerard asks, turning his phone off and shoving it into his pocket.

“I guess so,” Frank smiles.

“I haven’t really had friends for a bit,” Gerard says, “I got into an accident with my ex, and it’s made it hard to go out and socialize since then.”

“Yet you decided to come stop by my store each night?”

“Yeah, guess I got lucky,” Gerard says smoothly, and it makes Frank’s heart flutter. No, fuck no, calm the fuck down.

“Sure did, anyone else would’ve thought you were a creep,” Frank goes along with it, still yelling at his heart to stop warming. No, this is a stranger, stop it. He doesn’t even know if they’re into guys.

“And you didn’t?”

“Nah, I did,” Frank admits, “But I like creeps.”

Something seems to spark in Gerard, but Frank’s not sure what. They just stand there, more silence, but this one isn’t as awkward as the rest.

“Thanks,” They whisper, then turns around, “I’ll text you.”

“Cool, I get off at six,” Frank informs. Gerard nods and walks out of the store. Frank’s happy to say he thinks he’s actually building a friendship with this guy.

The rest of the night is boring, not many strange customers, no one with the same charm Gerard has. What is it with that guy that’s so intoxicating to Frank? It’s like they have some sort of power to lure people to them, but that can’t be true.

Maybe being single for a couple years is getting to him. That must be it, right? The only reason?

About an hour or two later, so just an hour before Frank gets off work, he gets a text from his new friend, he assumes. Who else would be this unknown number, anyways?

5:07 am from an unknown number.
“Frank?”

Ominous. Just how Frank likes it, just how this guy always is.

Frank: gerard?
Gerard: Just wanted to check if it’s the right number.
Frank: it indeed is
Gerard: Good to know.
Gerard: When’s your next day off?
Frank: every saturday, y?
Gerard: Wanted to know what day I shouldn’t come in
Frank: still at work ttyl

Frank puts down his phone as his next customer walks in, and sighs. He was texting at work now? Okay, not too strange for him, but c’mon. Frank really needs to get his act together. Frank sighs, and tries to banish all thoughts of the man from
his brain.

Doesn’t work for long, since now he’s at home kicking his feet back and forth as he rolls around on his bed texting this guy. He’s a loser, why is he like this over this guy? Giggling every now and then, too?

First, he’s shocked he didn’t pass out right away, but now he’s here giggling like a teenaged girl with a hallway crush over this guy.

Oh, fuck. Does Frank have a hallway crush on them? It kind of feels like it. Like, no real feelings, but he’s attractive, and Frank kinda wants to be close friends with him, and wouldn’t mind if he got them in his bed.

Frank’s got it bad for this stranger. He’s been lonely since school has ended, and he dropped out of college. He’s glad to have a friend with the same sleep schedule as him, even if this friend is a total freak. He’s a little attracted to him, but it’s nothing serious. He needs to see his face first.

After enough rolling around he ends up passing out mid conversation without meaning to. He yawns, and checks his phone only to
find it’s dead when he wakes up. Fuck. He scrambles around, reaching for his charger, and quickly plugs his phone in.

He better not be late for work, if he’s late for
work he’s screwed and not in the way he wants to be. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Charge faster. This is so nerve racking. Frank’s heart is beating quickly as he waits for the screen to turn on and reveal the time. Thankfully by the time it’s charged up it’s only 7:26 pm, which leaves Frank just under two hours to get ready.

He also sees a few notifications from Gerard. They’re mainly just asking if he’s still there, and Frank not responding since he fell asleep. Frank also sees that he accidentally sent Gerard assorted letters in his sleep, and his body fills with embarrassment.

Weed. Now. No embarrassment is needed when he has weed, haha. Weed saves the day! He doesn’t have to think about until he sees that man later tonight. It’s fine.

Until they show up at the store, and teases him about it, because of course they fucking do.

“What happened to you yesterday?” Gerard asks as soon as they walk up to the counter. Frank sighs, avoiding the question. He walks out from the behind said counter, and leads Gerard outside. He’ll take his break now, that’s a good idea, “You’re not answering.”

“I fell asleep with my phone on,” Frank admits, pulling a cigarette out from his pocket. He offers it to Gerard, but he shakes their head.

“Huh, thought you had a seizure or something,” Gerard says, leaning against the store right beside Frank. They’re closer than usual, it’s like they’re at an actual friend distance this time, it’s nice.

“Dramatic?” Frank sighs, taking a drag of his cigarette, “Not my fault you kept me up past my bedtime.”

“You have a bedtime?” Gerard asks, his voice teasing, but Frank just nods, “That’s kind of cute.”

Frank almost chokes on his cigarette at the comment. Cute? This man is calling him cute? He fights back a blush, and hopes he can blame it on the weed he smoked earlier, “It’s not, I’m just a busy man.”

“Very busy working at a gas station, having to deal with me every night,” Gerard sighs.

“You’re the highlight of my nights,” Frank says, and Gerard smiles, Frank can slightly see it behind all the shadows.

“You’re the same for me,” Gerard says back, the smile can be heard in their voice. If Frank was still in high school he’d be head over heels for this man, but he knows better now than to let himself wander around as a hopeless romantic. That won’t stop him from his hallway crush feelings, though, it’s just him wanting be closer friends anyways.

Their silence continues as Frank finishes up smoking. He sighs, crushing the filter under his heel, and crosses his arms over his chest. He looks over to Gerard, and is once again wondering what their face is like.

“Can I at least see your face?” Frank asks, and Gerard shakes his head, pulling his hood up more, “You can keep the hood up, just move your hair out of your face a bit.”

Gerard just stands there again, silent. Frank sighs, and slowly lifts a hand up, and when he sees Gerard doesn’t pull back, he moves Gerard’s hair out of the way of his face. It was dark, and hard to see still, but their eyes seemed to glow red for just a second before becoming a hazel colour. Frank can’t tell if he was just seeing things, or if their eyes really did just changed colour.

Does that even really matter, though? Frank is stuck staring at this man’s face in shock. From the bits he could see before, he knew he was pretty, but not this pretty. He’s as pale a snow, Frank is sure they’d glow in the sun, or maybe even melt. They had smudged eyeliner just under their eyes, and his features were just perfect. Frank’s heart almost stops, and he swears it does for a second. How is this man so beautiful?

Then, Gerard pulls back, shaking his head to cover his face with his hair again. Frank didn’t realize just how long he was stuck staring, and definitely didn’t mean to scare them.

“Do you have to make it that obvious that I’m ugly? There’s a reason I hide my face,” Gerard grumbles, pulling on the strings of their hoodie so it closes on his face, hiding it.

Frank giggles, fucking kill him, he’s giggling again like a loser, “No need to be so dramatic,” Frank drops his arms to his side, and flips his head dramatically forward. He’d flip his hair, but his hair is short, so it’s not really possible, “You’re not ugly, you’re, um,” So fucking beautiful Frank feels like he’s going to die? “Your eyes,” What the fuck, don’t mention that, don’t do it, he’ll think you’re insane, “They were red for a second.”

Fucking idiot.

Gerard stiffens, and backs up, “That’s not possible,” He says anxiously, still hiding behind his hood, “I have to get going,” Gerard says, and quickly turns around.

Frank wants to reach out, and stop him from leaving, but he lets them go. He made the guy uncomfortable, why make them feel worse? Frank sucks at this, he could’ve just complimented him instead of making them think he’s tripping. No, he can’t even bring himself to flirt with this man, how does he expect to get anywhere with him? Why does he even want to?

6:34 am
Frank: sry for weirding u out
Frank: ur pretty cute lol
Gerard: ? thanks
Frank: sorry

6:57 am
Gerard: You didn’t weird me out
Gerard: You’re cute too
Frank: aw i know
Gerard: I take it back
Frank: damn?
Gerard: Sorry for being a creep all the time, I’m bad at socializing
Frank: ur good i like creeps ;)
Gerard: I don’t know if thats a compliment, but thanks anyways
Frank: always<3

Frank has to constantly remind his heart to calm the fuck down when he sees Gerard each night. Their interactions are fairly short, not much talking, a lot of awkward silence, but for some odd fucking reason Frank really enjoys that. Like, he enjoys it way too much.

He likes watching Gerard sneak off when a customer comes in, even if it upsets him after that they got cut short. He likes hearing Gerard stutter, and be a complete weirdo. He likes how they’re always anxious about things. He just likes Gerard.

Not anything more than friendship, even if his thoughts at home have trailed off sometimes while thinking about them. He really appreciates Gerard as a friend, and he’s glad to have met them, even if he’s a freak who looks like a drug dealer.

Frank isn’t sure how he hasn’t gotten fired yet, must be short staffed.

“Gerard!” Frank beams more excitedly than he’d like to have shown, he doesn’t really care. He can’t really hear any thoughts in his head right now, or feel his body. Yeah, he smoked a bit much before coming here, whatever.

Gerard walks the short distance to the counter, “Excited to see me?” They tease, and Frank nods. He doesn’t mean to, but he does, “…Frank?”

“Mmhm?” Frank hums. He feels good, a bit hungry, but good, he could go for a snack if he’s honest.

“How are you not fired?” Gerard sighs, and Frank just shrugs, “How high are you?”

Frank takes a moment to think, “Im good, how are you?” He smiles, and Gerard snorts.

“You reek of weed,” Gerard waves his hand in front of their nose, “You’re going to get fired, and that wouldn’t be good.”

“Why not?” Frank asks stupidly, he doesn’t have the brain power to think right now.

“I wouldn’t be able to see you anymore,” Gerard lowers their voice, and Frank finds it weird, but he kinda likes that tone.

“Just come over to my place,” Frank offers, “This Saturday? Horror movies, and wine, and… oh, don’t say that Frank,” Frank talks in third person, which would be embarrassing if he could tell what he’s doing.

“Uh,” Gerard breathes awkwardly. Cute, no, sorry, weird, “Sorry, I don’t know. I haven’t been to anyone’s house since my last boyfriend…”

Boyfriend?

Oh?

Oh???

Oh, fuck. Fuck. Boyfriend? This guy is actually interested in guys? Frank has a chance? Maybe it wouldn’t be bad to let his feelings run freely, and try to get him in his bed. That sounds so good, really. Gerard in his bed. Like, cuddling, and kissing, and it escalating… Jesus, fuck, Frank, you’re at work, calm down.

“Boyfriend?” He still blurts out like a dumbass after that short silence. Please don’t take this as him being homophobic, he’s just an idiot.

“Sorry,” Gerard apologizes awkwardly, doing their thing where they back up before leaving, “I know, I’m a weirdo, I’m sorry-“

“No, I don’t mean it like that,” Frank quickly clarifies, “I don’t care, I’m bisexual, I just wasn’t expecting you to also be interested in guys.”

“Oh,” Gerard says, but they are very clearly doing better, “You are?” Their awkwardness is going to kill Frank. KILL HIM.

“Yeah,” Frank giggles again. KILL HIM! “I haven’t dated since high school, but I have hookups here, and there.”

“You don’t look like you’ve even been out of high school for that long,” Gerard comments, looking Frank up and down.

“Hey! I’m nineteen,” Frank defends, and Gerard smirks, Frank can slightly see it behind his hair, and Frank wants to rip it off his face.

“Not even old enough for wine, you expecting me to be the one buying?” Gerard teases, leaning forward against the counter.

“I’d pay you for it,” Frank rolls his eyes, leaning forward too. They’re kinda close, and it’s weird, but Frank likes it? A bit too much?

“Maybe I’ll take you up on that offer,” Gerard smiles, Frank can see it this close, and it’s pretty. His eyes are trapped on Gerards’s lips, and Gerard realizes, of course they do, “I’m just not sure,” His teeth are just as white as his skin as he talks. Frank notices they only talk out of one side of his mouth, too.

“You don’t have to worry about anything, I live on my own,” Frank explains, his eyes still not leaving Gerard’s lips. He knows he should look up, but he can’t. They’re just so close, and he’s baked as fuck, and can’t feel his body, and is leaning in closer. Fucking hell.

Gerard straightens up, stepping back, “I can’t,” Gerard looks away, “I’m sorry, I want to, but I can’t.”

Did Frank fuck up? This guy is leaving the store again, and he’s just standing there confused. What even just happened? What the fuck did he do? Does he need to go home, and search up easiest suicide methods, and cry himself to sleep because he fucked up his chance with this beauty, or is he just high as shit.

Probably the latter, but Frank’s brain is telling him
it’s the first option.

He doesn’t text Gerard first, and Gerard doesn’t text either. He fucked up. Now he’ll never see this man again. Why does he always do this? He always fucks up, of course he did. He hates himself. He grabs his pillow, and screams into it, banging his fists on either side. He feels like a little kid.

He keeps opening his phone and going to his messages with Gerard. He never sees typing, or anything. There’s nothing. Why. Why? He’s such an idiot, he’s a loser, and this loser has to go to work tomorrow still.

What if Gerard seriously doesn’t show up? Frank will go insane. He better show up, they wouldn’t make Frank insane on purpose, right? Right??? Right Gerard?????

He unlocks his phone again, opening to his and Gerard’s messages, and is greeted with nothing. It’s now eight in the morning, and there’s still nothing. Frank wants to die. He screams angrily into his pillow again, then let’s his tears soak it, making it uncomfortable when he eventually cries himself to sleep.

Okay, maybe he has a bit of a crush on this guy. Just a tiny one. Maybe? Like maybe more than just hallway crush. Maybe he’s down a bit bad. Just maybe.

Today, though, Frank decides he actually really hates that guy. He angrily throws on his usual work clothes, doesn’t fix his hair at all. He angrily packs a bowl, and smokes it angrily too. That anger fades once that sweet weed that helps him get through each night is in his system, but he still hates that guy. Fuck him, not literally, maybe literally, they better not show up tonight.

Frank dreads seeing Gerard all night, he thinks it’s the worst thing that could happen to him. He does not want it to happen! Nope, not reverse psychology at all, what do you mean? He totally doesn’t instantly light up as the familiar figure walks through the door, he doesn’t give a fuck. Why is he smiling? Stop smiling!

“Hey,” Frank says with a very angry tone, and totally not one that sounds excited, and kind of flirty.

“Sorry for running off again,” Gerard apologizes sheepishly, and Frank feels any anger in his body leave.

“It’s cool,” Frank smiles. He gives Gerard this lovey look, and it’s embarrassing, but he can’t help it.

“I’m just scared,” Gerard sighs, “Something happened between me and my boyfriend, made me scared of a lot.”

“Oh no,” Frank frowns, that could be a lot of things, “Wanna talk about it?”

Gerard takes a moment to think, he doesn’t seem like they want to, which is totally fine, however, “Yeah,” Gerard smiles. Frank nods, and walks out from behind the counter, and follows him outside the store. Thank the Lord for night shift, so he can just take a break any time he want.

“So?” Frank presses on first, lighting up a cigarette he grabbed from his pocket once they make it outside.

“Um,” Gerard fidgets with their hands nervously, “Well, me and him were together for a bit. Not that long, but, I don’t know. Only like six months? I don’t know… so, like, bad things happened, I ended up bedridden, and we broke up?”

“You seem to be leaving a lot out,” Frank mentions, like the annoying brat he is, but it’s true.

“It’s hard to talk about,” Gerard sighs, bringing a hand up to rub at the back of their neck, “Left me as a completely different kind of being, like, I don’t even feel human anymore,” He continus explaining, and Frank nods, humming a few times to let Gerard know he’s paying attention, “My entire life changed, I never thought one accident could change me forever, but I…” Gerard sighs again, “Lost everything, except my family, I’m so thankful for my brother.”

“That sounds tough,” Frank says, he’s bad at this kind of stuff, but he’s a good listener, “What was the accident?” Gerard stiffens at this question, becoming more fidgety, “Of course, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

“Don’t think I’m- I’m ready,” Gerard stutters, and does his iconic step back, “I- I don’t even… I don’t even know if- if you’d believe me.”

“Of course I would,” Frank reassures in his most honest voice he can manage, why wouldn’t he believe them? “Gerard, I’m here for you, man, you’re my friend.” Frank steps closer to Gerard, and the man jolts back. What’s up with them? It’s kind of frustrating Frank.

“I don’t- no, I don’t think we should be friends,” Gerard rushes out quickly, wrapping their arms around himself. What the fuck? Did Frank fuck everything up again? “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, forget we ever met.”

“Hey, what the fuck?” Frank says, and Gerard turns around, about to run off, “Gerard!” Frank yells, and tugs at Gerard’s hood, the first thing he decided to grab. It falls off of his head, and Gerard is pulled back into Frank.

Gerard stumbles back, almost losing their balance, and Frank helps him steady himself. Gerard’s hood is off for the first time. His hair is a beautiful black box dye that glows in the moonlight. His skin is glowing too, he looks like snow on a cold winter day, and everything about him feels like it too.

Frank gets a good look at Gerard, and his eyes widen at the sight. He freezes, and Gerard looks to meet eyes with Frank too. They’re both there standing beside each other, staring into each other’s eyes in shock, confusion, and fear.

Frank’s gotten himself into a lot of crazy situations, he’s known for that. Running from the police at a young age, almost being kidnapped, crazy exes, stalkers, he’s seen it all. He hasn’t seen this, though, and this has to be deemed as the craziest.

Pointy ears. Gerard has pointy ears that are just as pale as the rest of their body. Frank’s eyes fix on his ears, and he doesn’t know what conclusion to come to, or what to say.

“Are those real?” Are Frank’s first words, which was a total mistake. Gerard’s eyes are still as wide as they can be, they quickly pull their hood back up.

“Fuck,” He breathes out anxiously, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m sorry.”

“Hey, breathe, fucking calm down,” Frank yells at him to get their attention. Gerard whines, and nods, his breath catching a few times. After a few successful deep breaths, he calms down, and Frank smiles reassuring at him, “It’s fine, I’m no stranger to crazy things, even if this is the craziest.”

“Frank,” Gerard whimpers, and it’s cute. Man, Frank still thinks this little, ignoring how Gerard is taller, elf guy is cute, he’s so weird.

“Okay, I have a few questions,” Frank says, and Gerard nods, their eyebrows knitted together, “Are those ears real?” Gerard just nods again, closing their eyes tightly shut, “Can I touch them?” Frank asks next.

“Excuse me?!” Gerard gasps, completely exasperated. Why is he so shocked? Of course Frank would want to touch them. They’re cute little elf ears.

“Can I?” Frank smirks, bringing his hand up.

“I… I guess?” Gerard whines, and Frank pulls his hood back down, then lightly traces the point of his ear with his finger. It wasn’t sharp, not like he was expecting it to be, but it was still pointy.

“Cool,” Frank says, and Gerard noticeably shivers. Do they like him touching their ear like that? Frank pulls his hand away, and Gerard slowly let’s his eyes flutter open.

“So… if I told you I’m a vampire…” Gerard mumbles out, a crooked, anxious smile crossing his lips.

“I knew it!” Frank cheers, raising his fist into the air, “I fucking guessed it! Can I see your fangs?”

“What?” Gerard gasps again, mouth dropping open. Frank’s eyes widen, focusing on how long his canines are. Gerard quickly closes his mouth, and looks away awkwardly.

“So fucking sick,” Frank grins. This is the coolest, it’s not every day a weird friend you make at your night shift job at a gas station is a vampire, but that’s just Frank’s life for you, “Can I touch them too?”

“What? No, I’m not just going to let you shove your fingers into my mouth to touch my fucking fangs!” Gerard shouts, and Frank rolls his eyes.

“I’m just curious if it’ll prick my finger!” Frank defends himself, “Would it?”

“Yes, Frank,” Gerard seems tired of him, but like always, Frank likes that, “I don’t drink human blood.”

“Vegan vampire?” Frank asks genuinely, but it definitely sounds teasingly.

“I’ve only drank human blood once, it was from my brother’s wrist,” Gerard explains, and Frank nods, “It’s not the easiest to find out vampire resources, well, I dated one, but he’d just suck blood from humans. I don’t want to do that, but he also would drink animal blood too, so I do that.”

“That’s not vegan at all,” Frank gasps dramatically, “How cruel.”

“You wouldn’t blame me if you knew more details.”

“Then, tell me details,” Frank smiles, “I have until the next customer.”

“You’re so going to be fired,” Gerard smiles back, and Frank grins now, “I was turned into a vampire. Life advice, never date a vampire.”

“So if I wanted to date you, you’d turn me down?” Frank thinks out loud.

“Huh?” Gerard raises their eyebrows in shock, Frank still not processing what he said yet, “Excuse me? Did you just ask me out?”

“I said if!” Frank quickly says, “If, in concept, I were to…” He groans in frustration, “It was a joke, okay?”

“Well, do you want an answer?” Gerard asks, and Frank’s jaw almost detaches from his face the way it almost falls open.

“Yes,” Frank says way too quickly, and he’s internally yelling at his heart to calm down.

“Yes, I’d turn you down,” Gerard answers, but it’s not the answer Frank wanted to hear, and Frank now decides this is it for him. He is passing away right now. His heart has stopped, and his body is frozen, “Sorry.”

“Uh,” Now Frank’s the awkward one. What was he expecting? This is a fucking vampire in front of him, and Frank, a human who works minimum wage, really thought he had a chance? Of course not, of fucking course he does not, “No, ‘sfine, I didn’t actually want to date. I’m not one for dating, I prefer hookups anyways.”

Is that convincing? You think Gerard can tell how Frank’s heart is struggling to keep beating? Hopefully not.

“Sorry, you… um… I don’t…” Gerard struggles to come up with an excuse for why they’re turning Frank down.

“Dude, it’s fine, don’t worry,” Frank forces a smile, a believable one, “I’m not bothered. Like I said, I prefer hookups, I’m not ready for anything serious,” But he kinda wanted to try with this weirdo, but it’s fine, whatever.

“Yeah, I’m not ready to date again,” Gerard finally comes up with something, “Or a hookup, or anything, really. Barely even ready for this friendship.”

“Let’s just see where this friendship goes,” Frank continues forcing his very believable smile, as if he’s not dying on the inside.

“Yeah,” Gerard smiles back at Frank, “Yeah, thanks, I really appreciate you.”

Frank thinks about how right now would be the perfect time for a kiss, and his eyes regrettably flicker down to Gerard’s lips for a second. He hates himself.

“No need to thank me,” Frank smiles, and Gerard totally noticed his slip up, since they’re backing away again.

“Um, see you tomorrow?”

“You tell me you’re a vampire, then you just leave?” Frank shakes his head, but Gerard just nods, biting their lip to contain his smile, “Get out of here, freak,” Frank pushes at Gerard’s chest playfully, and the vampire turns around, disappearing into the darkness.

Frank is already planning on what he’s going to do when he gets home. He’s going to ask someone to cover his shift for the next night, because he’ll be busy screaming into his pillow.

That’s just what he does. He gets undressed, out of his work clothes, laying on his bed in just his boxers. He texts one of his coworkers asking to swap shifts, then starts screaming into his pillow. He’s so worked up over this guy, it’s embarrassing.

When Frank wakes up after screaming himself to sleep, he stumbles to his kitchen, and grabs the alcohol he has stashed away in his fridge. He needs to get fucking wasted. It’s his day off, and he’s going to drink the entire time. He takes a swig of the drink, which happens to be tequila, and chokes, and gags after swallowing it. Not a good taste, but he doesn’t care.

He’s crying, and ranting to himself in his room by the time his phone starts buzzing. He groans, checking who dares to interrupt the music he has playing. When he looks at his phone, he sees it’s Gerard calling him. Fuck. He forgot to tell them he wouldn’t be at work today.

He decides to pick up, he knows its a bad idea, he’s wasted, and it’s obvious he’s been crying, but it’s Gerard.

“Gerard?” Frank sniffles, clearing his throat. He sounds like a mess, because he currently is one. He’ll be over it by tomorrow, but right now isn’t tomorrow, right now he wants to drown in his sorrows, and who’s saying he can’t?

“It’s not Saturday, where are you?” Gerard sounds panicked, worried even. That can’t be true. Why would anyone ever be worried for Frank?

“Home,” Is all Frank says, and there’s another silence, “You should come over, we can hang out and…” Frank slurs, stopping himself before he says the wrong thing.

“Are you drunk?” Gerard asks, sounding surprised. He really shouldn’t be, it’s not that shocking!

“A little,” Frank admits, and he hears a small chuckle from the end, “Laugh… Your laugh is so cuuuute,” Frank drags on his words, he might’ve drank a bit more than he should’ve. It’s not his fault, he didn’t know Gerard would call.

“Frank, how much did you drink?” Gerard questions next, with a giggle in their voice. Frank’s going to die.

“Mmm, not important,” Frank says. He can hear Gerard sigh, “You should come over… I have wine, I think, if not I’ll pay you.”

“Why didn’t you come into work today?” Gerard asks, worry still in their voice, “I… Is it because I’m…”

“Because you’re a sexy vampire? No,” Frank answers, “I just offered for you to come over, and you think I’m worried about your fangs? Fuck no, I want them in my fucking neck.”

“Frank,” Gerard warns, or thats how it sounds like anyways, “I don’t feed from humans.”

“I knooow,” Frank rolls his eyes although Gerard can’t see it, “Give me some cool vampire facts.”

“Maybe once you’re sober,” Gerard laughs, “You better show up tomorrow.”

“I wiiiill,” Frank chews on his lip, and rolls over onto his back. Bad idea, he feels sick, “I can’t go long without seeing your cute face.”

“You didn’t even see it until recently,” Gerard reminds him, “Drink responsibly, Frank, I have to go.”

“I don’t wanna,” Frank says, and he hears Gerard sigh on the other end.

“Brat,” Gerard chuckles, and Frank hates how much he likes being called that, “Good luck with the hangover,” Then Gerard hangs up, and Franks music starts playing again.

No more sad music. He suddenly is no longer sad over that loser. He cried out all his feelings he had for him, and feels fine. They’re just a friend, nothing more, and he’s fine with that. He feels great.

Until he wakes up with a throbbing headache to his work alarm.

Frank groans, rolling over to turn his alarm off. He just wants to curl up in a ball, and die. His head hurts, his body hurts, and he’s scared if he sent any stupid, risky texts when he was drunk. He doesn’t even want to check, actually, he can figure out later when he can form a proper thought without an aching pain following it.

Frank doesn’t want to get out of bed, and he definitely doesn’t want to go to work. He sighs, and groans once more, as he’s forced to do both of those things. Frank grabs his phone, going to finally check if he’s done anything stupid, but decides against it. He knows he probably did something stupid, and it can definitely wait.

Doing his usual routine for work, except adding two tylenol, and extra weed into the mix, he’s finally ready to go. It’s a short walk to work, which he’s glad about. The shift hasn’t even started yet he already wants it done with.

He’s not even sure if he’s excited for Gerard. Okay, well, he is, but he’s scared if he texted them something stupid, since he hasn’t checked yet, and him while drunk would totally text him some love confession, or something weird.

To Frank’s surprise, Gerard comes walking in with his hood down. His hair slightly covered his ears, and to any normal person who’s still able to believe vampires aren’t real, they’d just assume he’s some weirdo cosplayer, but Frank’s happy to know the truth.

“Hey vampy,” Frank greets this smiling Gerard who’s smile quickly drops at the nickname.

“Ew,” Gerard shakes his head disapprovingly, “I’d prefer some stupid pet name over that.”

“Too bad,” Frank smirks, “You’re the one who turned me down.”

“Do you actually care about that?” Gerard’s facial features are very expressive, Frank learns that quickly, and he likes that too.

“Nah,” Frank lies, folding his arms on the counter, leaning against it, “I have other things to care about, like how you’re a vampire.”

“Not so loud!” Gerard warns, looking around the store anxiously, but there was no one else in here.

“Don’t worry, we’re all alone,” Frank smirks again, and Gerard’s fang hooks onto their bottom lip. His fucking fang, “There’s so much I want to ask.”

“There’s very little I’m willing to answer,” Gerard sighs, leaning against the counter as well. They’re close again, and Frank’s heart kinda flutters, but he doesn’t feel anything as strongly before. It really was just a friend crush, he knew it!

“Well, you don’t have to tell me things you’re uncomfortable with.”

“It’s not really that…” Gerard looks away from Frank’s eyes, and down to both of their arms rested on the counter, “It’s all so complicated. I’m new to this.”

“How long you been a vampire for?” Frank asks, and Gerard’s eyes flicker back up to his own.

“Seven months,” Gerard responds, and Frank nods, not breaking eye contact, “The first month, well, week, but it took a month to get to normal, I wasn’t conscious. I was basically just some monster, my brother tells me my eyes were bright red, and I was either hiding off in a corner, or I was feeding from his wrist.”

“Scary,” Frank teases, but Gerard doesn’t laugh, they just frown. Now Frank feels fucking bad, good going there, Frank.

“It really was, seriously,” Gerard looks back down to the counter, breaking their eye contact again, “All I could see was red. Blood. That was all that was on my mind.”

Frank watches as Gerard’s eyes flick to Frank’s bare wrists, or maybe he was just seeing things, he’s not sure. Gerard’s eyes flash red for a second, though, and Frank feels a shiver run down his spine.

Gerard then stands up straight, “I- I have to go early,” They stammer, and turns around.

“Hey, wait!” Frank calls, but Gerard doesn’t turn back, they just run out the door.

Frank groans, and kicks the back of the counter. Being friends with this guy is hard, he’s a fucking creep, and never stays for long. He sighs, and pulls out his phone to send Gerard a text. Frank stands there for a moment, thinking of what to send.

“my day off is tmrw u wanna come over?”

Frank doesn’t even know why he’s trying again. He’s been trying so hard, but this weirdo always turns him down. Why can’t he just accept that Gerard’s not interested? But who wouldn’t be interested in someone as sexy as Frank? God.

His phone buzzes around twenty minutes later. Frank almost falls back, and drops his phone at the speed he tries to pull it out of his pocket. He looks, and it’s from Gerard! Is this another time of him turning Frank down?

“I’ll think about it”

Frank needs something to scream into. He suddenly got a wave of all his feelings back at once but stronger. He needs this shift to end so he can kick his feet back, and forth, and giggle at his phone like a loser.

He turns his phone off, and flaps his hands while grinning. He’s so glad no one is in the store right now, this is really embarrassing, but he can’t help it.

He bites his lip, and tries to regain his composure. When the next customer comes stumbling in, he struggles to hold back his smile. This guy looks like all the rest of the creeps here. Oversized hood hiding face, shaky hands, and anxious body movements. Frank sees it all the time, but now it’s reminding him of Gerard, and his heart is fluttering at the thought of Gerard.

This job is tough when you end up developing feelings for one of your customers, and that customer just so happens to be a vampire. He wonders how many people walk into here that are vampires and Frank just doesn’t know. That’s so cool, at any second they could tilt his head back and rip his throat out.

Frank puts on his work smile as the current strange man in the store brings up his items to buy. He scans each item, and tells him the total. He meets eyes with the guy for a second, and he swears he sees red in his eyes, just like Gerard.

Maybe vampires are more common than he thought, this job is getting exciting. It’s also getting a bit nerve racking, since now he knows he’s at risk to more than just drunk losers.

This guy just made Frank’s entire life way more interesting.

Frank practically skipped home the way he was so excited to roll around in his bed, and stare at Gerard not turning him down. He knows it’s not a yes, but it’s not a no, and that’s good enough for him.

He giggles in his bed, after taking a couple edibles, and practically hugs his phone. Multiple times he’s had to place it down just to flap his hands in excitement. What if they really do come over? Frank has to get his entire apartment cleaned.

He stands up, but then decided he can’t feel his body enough to care. Fuck it, he won’t care, right? His place is fine, it’s been worse. They can just sit on the couch in the living room, and watch horror films, or maybe in Frank’s room. He has two TV, so that’s not a worry. He sighs to himself as he feels himself drift to sleep.

Frank awakes to the sound of his phone ringing. He sighs, rolling over to where he last had it, which somehow was behind him. He looks at who’s calling and is instantly awake when he sees it’s Gerard. He picks up, and clears his throat.

“Gerard?” Frank’s voice was scratchy, and it was easy to tell he just woke up.

“Good morning?” Gerard giggles, making Frank feel like he’s going to melt, “Um… Frank, about your offer…”

“Yes,” Frank says immediately, before Gerard can even finish, “Yeah, okay, I’ll send you my address. Yes, come over.”

“I didn’t even…” Gerard begins, but then cuts themself off with a laugh, “I’ll be on my way.” He hangs up, and Frank can’t believe this is even happening. No way it is.

He quickly jumps out of bed, and throws on fitting clothes. First time Gerard’s going to be seeing him in an outfit that isn’t just his work clothes, and he doesn’t know what to wear.

Frank looks through all his shirts he has, and his eyes land on his Dracula shirt. It’d be funny to wear, but he’s not ready to annoy Gerard with that just yet, so he decides not to wear it. Instead he chooses a red and black striped shirt. It was a bit too small, and hugged his body nicely. Each time he’d raise his arms it’d show his waist, and it was perfect for tonight.

Not matching his small shirt, he throws on a pair of baggy jeans, and a pink belt. He looks nice, not too fancy, but nice. His jeans fall low on his body, and he thinks he looks kind of slutty, but Frank realizes that’s sort of his goal here.

Man, he’s a whore sometimes for the right people.

His phone starts ringing again, and he picks it up immediately. His heart is racing, almost about to break out of his chest.

“I’m basically here,” Gerard announces, and Frank smiles to himself.

“Rad, I’ll meet you at the doors,” Frank says, and he doesn’t want to hang up. Gerard doesn’t seem
to either.

He leaves his apartment, keeping his phone pressed to his ear, “What if I want to run again?” Gerard asks anxiously.

“I won’t let you,” Frank says, and each step matches a beat of his heart as he gets closer to where Gerard is waiting for him.

“So if I want to run I should do it right now?”

“It’s too late,” Frank grins, eyeing Gerard as he walks up a small flight of stairs. He finally hangs up the phone, and opens the door for Gerard, “Unless it’s true that vampires are super fast, you won’t be able to outrun me.”

“Unfortunately for you, it is true,” Gerard rolls his eyes, walking inside, and following Frank down to his apartment.

“But you’re still not running?” Frank eyes Gerard from the corner of his eye.

“Not yet,” Gerard smiles, and they finally reach Frank’s apartment. Frank opens the door for him, and Gerard walks in first, taking his shoes off, because of course they’re a gentleman like that. Stupid vampire, “Hmm, I was expecting it to be messier.”

“Oh, you haven’t even seen my room yet,” Frank can’t stop his grinning, and he knows his face is pink, but he doesn’t care. He just closes the door behind the two, and leads Gerard to his living room, where they both take a seat on the couch.

“Will I be seeing your room tonight?” Gerard asks, pulling their hood down, and revealing their fucking elf ears again. Frank’s face flushes at the comment, and he knows he’s taking it the wrong way, but…

“Maybe, if you’re good…” Frank looks down to the coffee table in the middle of the living room, grabbing his remote that’s rested on it, “Never mind.”

Gerard sighs, leaning back against the couch. They have a lot of room to sit, yet they’re so close to each other, and it’s totally unnecessary. Frank flicks through different movies they could watch, and stops on Twilight. He smirks over at Gerard who just rolls his eyes.

“We’re not watching that,” Gerard says sternly.

“Hm? Why not? We could watch the first part of Breaking Dawn…” Frank wiggles his eyebrows at Gerard teasingly.

“I know what you’re referencing,” Gerard grumbles, unimpressed, “Not only are those movies totally inaccurate, they’re also gross.”

“Whatever,” Frank sighs, then laughs to himself, “What about Dracula?”

“Frank,” Gerard says, their voice very obviously annoyed.

“Not a fan of vampires?” Frank asks teasingly, “That’s a shame, I’m a big fan.”

“I can see that,” Gerard rolls their eyes once more, “Why not a classic, like Frankenstein?” This time Gerard’s the one smirking, and Frank’s sighing in annoyance.

“I actually quite like Frankenstein,” Frank says.

“Fitting,” Gerard smiles.

“Oo, Human Centipede?” Frank offers as an option, but the way Gerard’s face scrunches up is an obvious no.

“Good movie, but I’m not in the mood for that,” Gerard sighs, “We’re not getting anywhere with this.”

“Because you keep denying everything,” Frank crosses his arms, “Stupid vampire.”

“Stupid human,” Gerard says back, and Frank can’t help but laugh.

“Maybe we should choose a movie later,” He turns off the television, and looks over to Gerard, “I have a lot of questions.”

Gerard sighs once more, “Yeah, get on with it,” He tries to sound annoyed, but they’re still smiling.

“First question,” Frank stands up, and Gerard quirks a brow at him, “You want anything? I have wine, and edibles. Need to buy more weed.”

Gerard stands up as well, and follows Frank into the kitchen. The sight of inside of Frank’s fridge shocks them, “How do you have so much liquor when you’re underaged?” Gerard asks as Frank pulls out a bottle of red wine.

“That’s a secret,” Frank opens his cupboard, reaching for a wine glass. He pours Gerard a glass first, and hands it to them, “Here you go, vamp.”

“Ew,” Gerard says again to the nickname, “Thanks,” They take a few gulps of the wine as Frank pours himself a glass. He walks out into the living room, Gerard following behind, and places the bottle and his glass down on the coffee table.

“Does alcohol do anything to you?” Frank asks, taking a sip from his own glass, then placing it down again.

“Haven’t gotten more than just a bit more than tipsy,” Gerard says, placing his own glass down, that is almost already empty, “Can only drink red wine. It’s not great, but it’s better than anything else I’ve tried.”

“That’s so vampire of you,” Frank comments enthusiastically.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Gerard questions, but all they get is a shrug, “Of course it’s vampire of me, I’m a fucking vampire.”

“Okay?” Frank picks up his glass again, taking a few more sips, “How am I supposed to know if what movies show of vampires is true or not.”

“By asking those questions you have,” Gerard finishes his glass, and is already pouring themself more. Frank wonders if it’s because he’s annoying him.

“That’s what I’m doing, I’m just also reacting to the information given,” Frank may need more than just wine. Something stronger, or, like, ten million edibles, “Can you turn into a bat? Is that real?”

“Um,” Gerard’s hesitation gets Frank’s hopes up for a second, but unfortunately for Frank they are shot down when they continue, “Not me, but I’m pretty sure vampire bats get their names for a reason…”

“So you’re not cool? So there could be a cooler vampire in my apartment right now, but I’m stuck with a loser like you?” Frank’s teasing seems to not be taken as just teasing, and Gerard’s face has him instantly feeling bad. What makes it worse is when Gerard places their glass down to pull his hood back up.

“Sorry, I can go?” Gerard offers, standing up, but Frank is quick to pull him back down, and kind of almost into his lap.

“No, I’m sorry, I was joking,” Frank apologizes, practically holding this man, “Please, stay.”

“Okay,” Gerard whispers, and Frank lets him go, even if he doesn’t want to. Gerard shuffles away a bit, but they’re still sitting closer than before, “I’m not good at detecting sarcasm.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Frank says, and Gerard smiles at him, and the sparkle in Gerard’s eyes is so sweet, “C’mon, don’t hide your ears,” Frank reaches up to Gerard’s hood, but Gerard moves back.

“They’re really stupid,” Gerard says, holding their hood, “I hate them so much. They’re so ugly, and embarrassing and…”

“I like them,” Frank says honestly, “I think they suit you.”

Gerard freezes, eyes wide. His lip trembles a bit, and Frank reaches up again to pull his hood down. Gerard lets him this time. Frank smiles, his face is hurting from smiling so much, but that won’t stop him. He gently tucks a strand of Gerard’s hair behind their ear, and it’s super romantic, and would be the perfect time to lean in for a kiss.

Gerard looks away, though, breaking their eye contact, “Thanks,” He says softly, “I’m glad you’re my friend.”

Friend.

Oh, Frank’s going to fucking kill himse-

“Of course,” He forces a smile, trying to ignore the word friend echoing in his brain, “Can I, um,” He clears his throat, trying to swallow down any bit of pain he feels from the term friend, “Can I ask more questions?”

“Is this like an interview or something?” Gerard groans, and Frank nods, “Fine, go ahead. Stupid human.”

“Stupid vampire!” Frank’s the one saying it back this time, and they both laugh at the same time over it, “Okay, so, will you die if you go out in the sun?”

Gerard can’t stop himself from bursting out into a fit of laughter. It was a genuine question! Can you blame Frank for being curious about that? At least Gerard’s laugh is pretty, but now he’s embarrassed, and it’s making him frustrated.

“That’s a bit dramatic,” Gerard says through his laughter, “No, I won’t just die, but it does burn after a bit. I especially hate the morning sun, shit makes me start hissing like some cat.”

Frank really wants to see that. Not Gerard in pain, but this little, taller than Frank, elf guy hissing at the sun, “So if you have plans to stay the night I should close all the curtains?”

“Please?” Gerard pleads, and Frank looks around, seeing they’re already all closed, “I also glow, it’s embarrassing. My ex was, um, a full vampire, so he didn’t have to worry about the sun. I think it works like that, I don’t know. Different species of vampire?”

“That’s so interesting,” Frank leans closer to Gerard, eyes wide, “You’re so cool.”

“I’m just an ugly blood sucker,” Gerard huffs, leaning back. Frank shakes his head, picking up his glass of wine, and finishing it.

“You’re fucking gorgeous,” Frank is a bit too honest, but it’s true. Gerard stays silent, but Frank can tell they’re appreciative of him, just embarrassed. Frank pours himself another glass, and begins sipping on it, the bottle almost empty, “If it’s okay to ask… What was it like being turned into a vampire?”

“That…” Gerard hesitates, biting his lip again. His fang. Their fang is showing, and Frank wants to lick… okay, his head isn’t on right anymore, “It… It’s hard to talk about,” Gerard sighs, picking up his own glass and finishing it, placing the empty cup down, “He had fed from me before, and nothing happened… But then… He got mad, we had an argument, and he bit me, and… before it was, erm, pleasurable, sorry, but this time it really hurt.”

“I’m really sorry,” Frank says softly, trying not to think about when Gerard said he found being bitten pleasurable.

“Vampire venom…” Gerard whispers, “I could feel it mix into my blood that was pouring out of my neck. My vision faded slowly into white, then red. It hurt, all I could… feel was…” Gerard looks down to his lap, his breathing unsteady. Frank leans over, and begins rubbing his back soothingly, “Pain.” Gerard finishes, and sniffles. He brings a hand up to wipe away a tear.

“I’m so fucking sorry,” Frank apologizes again, “So, so sorry, you don’t deserve that.”

“Everything’s been so cold since then,” Gerard whines quietly, “Nothing’s been the same. My favourite food tastes rotten, my favourite drinks too. I can’t even drink water, and I can’t hear a heartbeat anymore. I feel dead.”

“You’re still alive,” Frank tries to comfort him, “Maybe not as a human, but you’re still breathing.”

“I’m a cold, disgusting monster,” Gerard bites down hard on his lip, their own fang pierces their lip open, causing blood to trail down their chin.

Blood.

Frank, without thinking, wipes away the blood with his thumb. It was cold. He brings his hand down to stare at his thumb, and he couldn’t imagine being cold all the time. So cold, and lifeless. He’s surprised the vampire can even bleed.

“You’re not disgusting, you’re not a monster,” Frank mumbles, “You’re Gerard, my friend.”

“Frank,” Gerard whimpers, and Frank looks back up to him.

“Let’s turn a movie on. How about Beetlejuice? Something fun,” Frank offers, smiling softly at Gerard. They smile back, their eyes sparkling.

“Yeah, that sounds good,” Gerard agrees, and Frank grabs the remote. He turns the TV back on, and flicks on the movie.

The two of them lean back against the couch as the movie begins. There’s no awkward tension between them, and they were both giggling at the movie together at times. Sometimes they would grab their wine glass, taking a few sips until the bottle was empty. By that time, they were both fairly tipsy, and Frank felt good, he just hopes Gerard does too.

He didn’t really realize it at first, but they somehow seemed to be closer than how they were sitting before. Frank can feel the coldness radiating from Gerard, despite his sweater. Frank’s intoxicated brain wonders if he can help warm up Gerard at all. Can he? Is it worth it?

Bit more than halfway through the movie, Frank shuffles closer to Gerard. Their bodies were now touching, and Frank doesn’t miss how Gerard leans more into him. Maybe he can warm him up. He’s going to do something totally stupid, and cheesy, and overdone, but he doesn’t fucking care.

Frank raises his arm, pretending to stretch, but he ends up slinging his arm around Gerard’s shoulder. Gerard looks to him with wide eyes for a second, then they smile, snuggling into Frank’s side.

This feels like more than just friends at this point. Frank’s heart is fluttering in his chest, and his face feels like it’s melting. Gerard hums as he snuggles closer, almost falling onto Frank’s lap. Frank wouldn’t mind that, but he’s not sure if he could control his dick at the moment, so he kinda does mind it right now.

Gerard sighs as the movie’s coming to a close, “Sorry,” He apologizes, sitting up straight, as straight as he can.

“What? Why?” Frank asks, wondering if he did something wrong.

“I… I can hear your heart, I feel like I’m fucking up,” Gerard looks down to his lap, “I’m so sorry.”

“Wha… Shit, you can?” Frank’s eyes almost fall out of his head, and his face almost completely melts off.

“Mhm,” Gerard hums guiltily. They nod as they do, and Frank’s heart just speeds up, “Vampires have strengthened senses. I can hear everything, and I can smell emotions, but they all smell like different… flowers…”

“What do I smell like?” Frank asks curiously, the credits beginning to roll.

“Um…” Gerard moves their head over to Frank, sniffing him a few times, “Frank…”

“Y-yeah?” Frank stutters nervously. That sounds bad.

“You smell like…” Gerard sniffs him again, seemingly just to be sure, “Purple lilac… And fern… Sometimes I can smell orange roses mixed with… jasmine.”

“Um… I’m- I’m sorry, but,” Frank laughs nervously, “What the fuck does any of that mean?”

“Well,” Gerard chews on his lip again, “I’ve never really studied flower language, but now that I’m a vampire I just kind of know? Um…” Gerard hesitates before continuing, letting out a deep breath, “Purple lilac means… first sighting of love, or feelings, maybe not exactly love, but romance.”

“Shit,” Frank breathes out. He’s screwed.

“Fern… secret feelings, but it can also mean fascination, that makes sense,” Gerard continues, “Orange roses is… desire, and mixed with jasmine… well…” Gerard sighs, and Frank gulps down a lump that got caught in his throat, “Arousal, basically.”

“You’ve been able to smell everything I’ve been feeling tonight?” Frank feels exposed, and he hates it. He furrows his eyebrows in frustration.

“Petunia…” Gerard comments as he sniffs again, “Don’t be frustrated, I try not to pay attention to it. It doesn’t- It doesn’t change anything.”

“But it totally does, you could smell when I was fucking turned on,” Frank’s face flushes, he feels so embarrassed, “I’m so sorry. Shit, you should… um…”

“You want me to leave?” Gerard guesses, their face dropping as he asks. Frank feels bad now, “Frank, you don’t make me uncomfortable.”

“I feel bad, we just met, and I…” Frank starts panicking, hyperventilating, “I’m so sorry,” He pulls his arm off of Gerard’s shoulder. He’s never been more embarrassed in his life.

“Frank, it’s only natural,” Gerard says, but Frank’s already backing away, “I’m a vampire.”

“So? You’re a stranger!” Frank complains, feeling disgusted in himself.

“My whole thing is to make people attracted to me,” Gerard tries explaining.

“And it works very well!” Frank admits.

“And that’s okay,” Gerard leans forward to Frank, “Vampires lure their victims with their power to increase sex drive. We’ve been used to scare people away from having sex for a reason,” Gerard continues trying to explain to Frank, “I think it has something to do with our scent.”

“You smell like… Red roses,” Frank says, allowing Gerard to shuffle back closer to him, “All things red, and it’s intoxicating sometimes, but I thought it was just me being high…”

“Maybe that’s apart of it, but vampires are the embodiment of sin, and lust is a sin,” Gerard continues, being reassuring to Frank, “It’s only natural. I don’t mind, it’s not your fault, it’s mine, really.”

“Not your fault,” Frank says, and Gerard gives him another smile.

“I’m, um, more worried about the purple lilac,” Gerard breaks their eye contact, “I… I don’t know, right now isn’t a good place to turn you down…”

“I know,” Frank says, he’s a bit upset about it but he saw it coming, “I’m sorry, I know you don’t feel the same. That’s okay, really, I’m glad to just be your friend.”

“It doesn’t change anything between us, it could just be a mix of me raising your sex drive,” Gerard informs, and it really does make sense. Frank has sort of been more horny than he was before, “Sorry for that.”

“It’s totally fine,” Frank smiles honestly. He feels okay, it kind of hurts, but it’s okay right now, “You just make me feel like I’m back in middle school.”

“Yeaah,” Gerard says shamefully, “Some vampires can control it, but I don’t know how.”

“That’s fine, if it wasn’t for it, I don’t think I would’ve been so lured to you,” Frank admits, “You’re weird, and I know better not to befriend weirdos at work, but you had this… charm…”

“My scent?” Gerard ponders.

“Hmmm,” Frank hums, really thinking about it, “Could be it, I noticed that instantly.”

“I’m trying to learn how to control it,” Gerard sighs, “I… Frank…”

“Yeah?” Frank quirks an eyebrow at Gerard.

“Thanks for being my friend, and… I’m sorry that I don’t want to be anything more than that,” Gerard apologizes again, “I just don’t feel the same, and I feel super bad. I feel like I lead you on.”

“It’s fine, you fucking loser,” Frank giggles. His heart hurts, yeah, it always sucks being turned down, but he still has a friend. Frank wraps his arm around Gerard’s shoulders again, pulling them into him, “Come here.”

“Ah,” Gerard gasps as Frank embraces him, “You…” Gerard sniffs him a couple times, “You smell hurt, I’m-“

“Shhh,” Frank cuts him off, “Of course I am, being turned down always sucks, but it’s fine,” Frank smiles, “I’ll get over it.”

“It’s okay if you don’t,” Gerard says as they make himself comfortable against Frank, “If your feelings stay it’s probably my bad, so it’s okay. It doesn’t change anything.”

“I’m glad,” Frank sighs, he can tell Gerard is being genuine. The two of then end up shuffling about on the couch for them to be spooning, and Frank is more than happy to be like this together.

“Is this really okay?” Gerard asks, clinging to Frank, “You’re just…”

“Warm?” Frank supplies, and Gerard nods.

“Yeah,” He says softly.

“It’s fine, it makes me happy,” Frank says, running his fingers through Gerard’s hair.

“I’m glad.”

“Do vampires sleep?” Frank asks. He’s not done with all his questions.

“Mmm, sometimes? I do out of boredom, really,” Gerard answers, “I don’t often feel tired anymore.”

Frank’s mind trails off again. Extra energy? Long lasting… that’d be sexy, “…Cool,” He breathes, his mind beginning to wander more as he starts drifting off to sleep.

Gerard giggles, “Jasmine,” He whispers teasingly.

“Fucking… Red roses,” Frank says back, inhaling deeply, “Shit.”

“Careful,” Gerard warns softly, “If you end up with a problem, I’m so going to make fun of you for it forever.”

“It would not be my fault, stupid vampire,” Frank grumbles.

“Stupid human,” Gerard mumbles, “Sweet dreams, sorry if I show up in them.”

That’s the last thing Frank hears before falling asleep.

Frank awakes to a throbbing pain in both his neck and his groin. He feels blood drip from his neck as he’s pinned to the couch by Gerard. Their eyes are bright red, with Frank’s blood smeared all over his face. Gerard rolls his hips against Frank, causing the man to moan under him. He’s lightheaded, and bleeding, yet he still apparently has enough blood to rush to his dick.

“Fucking brat,” Gerard breathes over him. Frank feels as his cold, bony hand inches down to his crotch. The smaller man gasps, and bucks his hips up into Gerard’s hand, searching for more friction.

“Gerard,” Frank moans, feeling Gerard begin to mouth at his neck that’s still bleeding.

“Taste so fucking good,” The vampire states, moaning against Frank’s skin, “I couldn’t resist…”

“Fuck,” Frank breathes. He can’t believe this is happening, this is seriously happening right now. Gerard’s hand starts to unbuckle Frank’s belt, unzipping his jeans. There’s no way this is happening.

Because it’s not.

Frank’s eyes flutter open, the chirping of birds waking him up. His heart is still racing, and his groin is still aching. This time he wakes up, though, he’s all alone in his apartment, only the faint scent of Gerard remains.

Frank groans, undoing his belt, though it should already be undone, and he shoves his hand down his pants. He tries to think back to his dream, while also tries to be quick. This is so fucking embarrassing, but he’s sort of into humiliation, so it doesn’t help that he’s embarrassed to have had a wet dream about his friend.

Stupid vampire, stupidly hot, and sexy vampire. Frank moans as he speeds up his strokes, imagining his hand as Gerard instead. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid fucking… Gerard! Ngh!

Frank feels pleasure course through his entire body as he cums hot into his own hand. He pants heavily to himself, slowly coming down, and waking up more. He slowly wakes up enough to realize what he just did. It wouldn’t be the first time he jerked off to Gerard, if he’s honest, but he did that after the man had just been in his apartment, so he still feels the same shame he does every time.

He sighs, standing up, and walking to his bathroom to clean himself up. He wonders where Gerard is, as it’s clear he’s nowhere in his apartment. Frank guesses he’ll have to wait til he sees them tonight. That’s going to be embarrassing, but it’s fine. Gerard probably did it on purpose or something. Stupid bloodsucker.

Getting ready for work, doing his usual routine, except with an edible this time, Frank skips off to work. Today was more busy in the evening, a lot of annoying kids, but as the night went on less people started showing up. Thank God, because Gerard probably wouldn’t show up if there was anyone else here, that awkward loser.

But there he is, the man of the night walking in. His hood was up this time, but when he got inside they pulled it down, and gives Frank a wide grin. The grin actually seems very teasing, especially the way they’re giggling when he leans against the counter.

“What’s up?” Frank questions, only earning him a snort from Gerard.

“Sorry for leaving last night, you had a bit of a problem in your sleep,” Gerard says, and Frank’s face instantly heats up, “It’s okay, it was my fault, seriously.”

“Oh my god,” Frank squeaks, covering his face with his hands.

“I felt bad, really,” Gerard says, and he sounds sincere, but it doesn’t help, “I knew it was my fault, and I felt so sorry when I felt it against me. Had to leave instantly.”

“Oh my fucking god,” Frank just repeats, shaking his head, “I’m the one who’s sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Gerard leans closer to Frank, “Did you dream of me?” He whispers, and it makes Frank almost have a problem at fucking work. Damn vampire.

Frank removes his hands from his face to glare at Gerard. He was burning red, and Gerard snickers at him, but he has to give Gerard the death glare. Death glare because Frank swears he’s about to die.

“That’s not an answer,” Gerard shakes his head, and the scent that fills Frank’s nose this time has him wanting to fall to his knees, bowing in the presence of this vampire. Christ, “Did you?”

“Yes,” He whispers softly, unable to stop himself, “Can you stop with your…” Frank doesn’t even know how to describe it.

“Oh!” Gerard gasps, and Frank’s sudden submission to him is gone, “Didn’t realize I was doing that.”

“So it is true that vampires can control humans,” Frank concludes, but Gerard’s face twists into a thinking one.

“Somewhat, depends on the vampire,” They state, “It’s mainly just forcing humans into submission. I don’t like the idea of being forceful, I really didn’t mean to do that.”

“I forgive you,” Frank rolls his eyes, “Be careful with that, please.”

“Yeah, I’ll get better on it,” Gerard grins again, showing off his fangs. He seems to be in a good mood today, “I feel like we’re becoming closer friends, I’m really happy.”

“Hm, I guess we are,” Frank nods in agreement, and they continue their talking.

Hanging around this vampire for the next week is fun. Frank gets to ask all kinds of questions, and Gerard tries his best to answer. He’s learned that some vampires are able to appear out of nowhere, and hang upside down, but he’s unable to. Old vampires do live in coffins, but he does not. Gerard has told a bit of stories about his life, and each mention of their ex makes Frank’s blood boil with jealousy, but it’s fine. It’s whatever.

Frank also finds he really fucking likes it whenever Gerard uses his power to force Frank into submission. He’s getting better at controlling it, but there’s been times they’ve made Frank weak in the knees accidentally. Sometimes, as well, they use with intention to make Frank embarrassed. It fucking works, by the way. This guy is an asshole.

Frank’s feelings don’t go away. That’s one thing, they always stay, and he knows Gerard doesn’t feel the same, but that’s okay. Sometimes Frank gets super pissed off, and moody over it, but most of the time he just accepts it. Maybe vampires are just incapable of love? That sounds really lonely, so he doesn’t want to ask.

Frank knows his feelings keep growing, and he knows Gerard can tell, but Gerard doesn’t change. Gerard is the same friend as always, even when Frank apparently smells like jasmine, that Gerard likes to point out every time. They’re fucking annoying sometimes.

Frank has really just come to strongly like everything about Gerard. His awkwardness, their fangs, their elf ears, the way his eyes glow red sometimes. Frank loves the way he stutters, and how they giggle, and laugh, and are very expressive. Frank loves teasing them, and making him annoyed, it’s fun seeing his glare towards Frank.

Frank likes when Gerard stops by at his apartment, and clings onto him. He knows it’s nothing more than Gerard just searching for warmth, but Frank can’t help but have his heart flutter at it. Each horror movie with Gerard in his arms just makes his feelings more strong, but it’s fine, and it’s totally not kind of killing him.

He likes having Gerard as a friend, even if it fucking hurts. It’s really starting to hurt to stare into their eyes, and to laugh with him. It’s starting to make Frank more frustrated, but it’s fine. It won’t ruin anything.

Three weeks have passed by, each Saturday Gerard came over to cling onto Frank’s warmth. Frank feels like he’s about to start coughing up flowers from how Gerard doesn’t feel the same way back, but that’s plans for a different story.

Gerard comes walking into Frank’s store again, with Frank wiping down each counter. He stops what he’s doing to greet the vampire.

“Hey, vampire,” Frank smiles, standing up straight.

“Human,” Gerard greets back with an eye roll. Frank sighs, and places his cloth down. He opens his arms, and Gerard walks up to embrace Frank. They hug for a few seconds before pulling back, smiling at each other.

“How are you today?” Frank asks, going back to his cleaning. He’s glad he got paid recently, he got to buy more weed, and was able to pay off rent. His life is going great, apart from the daily heartbreak he gets from staring into Gerard’s eyes.

Gerard just sighs in response, leaning against one of the counters, “Running low on food,” Gerard looks down to his feet guiltily.

“I see,” Frank glances at him, “Isn’t it really dangerous for a vampire to starve?”

“Yeah, but we can go a while without eating,” Gerard informs. Frank’s questions just don’t stop, not like Gerard has a problem with it, though, they quite like the questions, “I usually only eat once or twice a week, but I’m going on my second week of not eating.”

“You must be getting hungry,” Frank states, Gerard nodding, still not looking up from the floor, “Don’t feel bad. You’re already doing good from only feeding on animal blood.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Gerard sighs, “I still don’t think I’ll ever not feel bad sometimes.”

“I get it,” Frank says, although he really doesn’t. He’s not a vampire, he’d never understand, but he tries.

“Animal blood doesn’t taste the best, either,” Gerard admits, and Frank nods understandingly, “I’d never feed on a human again, but I just know it tastes better.”

“Well…” Frank was about to offer his own blood, but the way Gerard looks up at him, his eyes flashing with red, has him seeing that Gerard does not want that offer, so he doesn’t continue his statement.

“I’m scared, I don’t know how vampire venom works,” Gerard confesses, and he stands up to walk closer to Frank, “It can be used for healing, for, um, pleasure,” Frank feels his stomach heat for just a second at that. Damn vampire, “And for harm. I don’t think I can turn others into vampires since I’m not a full vampire, but I think I can still hurt people.”

“I don’t think you could even hurt anyone accidentally,” Frank tries to be reassuring, and the way Gerard lights up means it might be working, “Of course, I’m not just going to make you feed from a human, but I really don’t think you have that in you.”

“But…” Gerard tries to argue, but Frank cuts him off.

“Did you hurt your brother?” Frank asks, and Gerard’s mouth opens slightly.

“No,” Gerard says, Frank smiling at him.

“You were in a state of starvation, yet you still didn’t hurt him,” Frank says, “You’re a good being, Gerard, you’d never hurt anyone, even unintentionally.”

Gerard’s lip trembles, but Frank can tell it’s in a good way. Gerard pulls Frank into a tight hug, burying their face into his shoulder. Frank hugs back, and rubs Gerard’s back gently.

“Frank, I love you,” Gerard says into Frank’s ear. He knows it’s only platonic, Gerard says it platonically all the time now, but it still makes his heart flutter, “You’re the best friend I could ever ask for,” There it is. There’s the friend zone. Ow, it really does hurt.

“You’re the best vampire in the whole wide world,” Frank says against Gerard’s pointy ears, “Cute fucking ears,” He mumbles, not intending on Gerard hearing it, but of course they do. What did Frank expect when he stays it right against his ear.

“Thanks,” Gerard snickers, pulling away from the hug, “You’re the best,” He smiles, “I have to get going now.”

“Already?” Frank tilts his head to the side, but then sees Gerard’s eyes flash red again, “Oh, shit, okay, be careful.”

“I’m sorry,” Gerard turns around, and runs off with crazy speed. Frank could barely see them run out the door, and it will never not shock Frank.

The next time Gerard comes in, Frank instantly notices he’s not as energetic at before. Why is he not getting any blood? Is he okay? Frank frowns, and Gerard’s face matches his. They walk up to Frank, and sigh, leaning against the counter.

“You don’t look so good, vamp,” Frank comments, causing Gerard to sigh again.

“Hungry,” Gerard complains, looking down to the floor again.

“Is there a shortage of vampire supplies or something?” Frank asks genuinely.

“No… Frank,” Gerard looks up, and locks eyes with Frank. Frank’s entire body goes cold with fear for a split second, only just a second, though, then he feels fine, but meeting those fading red eyes was a shock at first, “I managed to drink, but it wasn’t enough… I don’t know what’s going on.”

“Gerard?” Frank says, he’s concerned now, “Are you okay?” Frank leans closer to him, and the vampire jerks back, almost falling down.

“Please, don’t get too close,” Gerard pleads, pinching his nose with his fingers, “Shit, I shouldn’t-“

“Hey, it’s okay!” Frank interrupts, trying to calm the vampire down, but it doesn’t work.

“No, I shouldn’t be here, I’m sorry,” Gerard runs out of the door at insane speed again.

A sudden tension is lifted from the air, and Frank didn’t even notice it was there until Gerard was gone again. He felt like his lungs were closing, but in a way that felt good, but also scary. This man is scarier than Frank thought.

Frank just stands there, not sure of what to do. Well, there’s not much to do after they already ran out of Frank’s store, but he wonders if he should text him, or something. He doesn’t end up doing that, and waits for Gerard to text first, but that text never comes.

The next day at work, Gerard doesn’t show up. Frank’s getting really anxious already. He tries calling Gerard once his shifts end, but there was no answer. What the fuck? What happened? Is Gerard okay? He better be fucking okay, if he isn’t then Frank might just lose his mind.

Frank sits by his phone, contemplating calling over and over again, but instead he just sends Gerard a few worried texts before smoking more weed, and passing out. He wakes up to nothing new from Gerard still, and going to work today is really hard.

He has to go to work each day, despite being so worried he might throw up. What if Gerard ends up showing up? He has to. Today, however, was no different from yesterday. The man that Frank had deep feelings for did not show up. The man that Frank spends each second of each day thinking about did not show up. The man Frank looks forward to each night did not pick up his calls, and the man Frank might be in love with did not answer any of bis texts.

Frank knows it’s bad, he shouldn’t feel this way for a vampire, but he does. He does, and Gerard doesn’t return the feelings, and that’s why it’s hurting so much more recently. It’s hurting more because Frank might just love the guy. Love. Instead of just strong liking, he might fucking be in love. Now this guy he’s so in like with is missing, and won’t respond to any of his texts.

Did Frank do something wrong? Is this his fault? Frank spends his mornings after work ends crying, and sometimes needs to excuse himself to the restrooms at work to cry. The vampire he has these feelings for is just gone out of nowhere. Where did he go? Why? What did Frank do?

It’s almost been a week, and tomorrow is Frank’s day off. Usually Gerard would be here, and Frank would already be inviting him over for his day off, but of course not. The vampire still has not showed up, because why would he?

Frank is losing his fucking mind. All he can do is cry, smoke more weed, and cry more. He’s even been drinking more, and going to work drunk, instead of just stoned. Frank’s also considered relapsing on worse drugs, but he doesn’t want to risk Gerard seeing him like that. Well, he also doesn’t want to risk being fired, but also Gerard. They would not be happy to see Frank on some kind of hard drug, he knows that, but everything hurts, so he’s strongly considering it.

Everything fucking hurts so badly. One second he’s devastated over his friend being missing, the next he’s pissed off, and hates that guy. He doesn’t know what to feel, he just wants him back. What would Frank even do if they showed up out of nowhere? Frank thinks he’ll get mad, honestly. He’ll start yelling, and make it worse, but he wouldn’t care in the moment. He just wants to yell at Gerard for worrying him, but he fucking can’t because Gerard is still worrying him.

It’s almost the end of his shift already, and he’s contemplating fucking killing himself on his off day. What’s the point in living if Gerard is just gone out of nowhere? Frank couldn’t even properly tell him how he feels. Frank had so much he wanted to do with Gerard before this happened, but he didn’t have enough time.

He’s always thrown aside, so he was sort of expecting it, but not this soon. This was way too soon, and Frank hates it so much. He hates himself more than anything else, but he hates hating himself so he’s making himself hate Gerard instead. He hates Gerard, fucking hates that stupid vampire.

He’s tearing up again at work, and is about to excuse himself to the restroom to cry, but that’s when a new customer comes in. He’s walking to the restroom, but has to turn to see who it is, and, well, maybe it wouldn’t be considered a new customer.

Frank recognizes that scent, he recognizes that figure, he recognizes everything about this guy. Frank just freezes, his body filling with so many different emotions, and the strongest on is one that Frank has to fucking calm down.

Gerard is standing at the doors, his entire body shaking, and their skin more pale than ever. Frank’s the first to move, surprisingly. He walks up to Gerard silently, even if his scent is making Frank weak in the knees. He knows that Gerard isn’t doing that on purpose, they look like they’re in distress.

“Gerard?” Frank whispers, the vampires head whipping up to look at Frank. His eyes were bright red, and glowing. This man is starving, Frank can see it, and that’s not fucking good at all.

“Frankie,” Gerard whispers out a new nickname. Frank feels a shock of pleasure, mixed with fear in his body at the same time. His legs are trembling as he walks, and he’s struggling to keep himself standing.

“Gerard, it’s okay,” Frank reassures, and Gerard embraces him. Their arms snake gently around Frank’s waist, and his head is buried into Frank’s shoulder.

Frank can hear them inhaling his scent deeply, all sorts of whimpers escaping their mouth, “Frankie,” He whines again, tightening his grip on Frank, “Jasmine, orange roses, hyacinth… Red roses… roses…” Gerard lists all the flowers he can smell, “So… so good.”

“Gerard?” Frank repeats, his body sending out waves of pleasure. Keeping himself standing is hard, keeping himself from moaning is fucking hard. Frank also may just be fucking hard as well, but it is not his fault.

“I’m so hungry,” Gerard whispers against Frank’s ear, this sending a wave of fear throughout the human’s body, “Frankie,” The vampire whimpers again. Frank can then feel Gerard’s hot breath against his neck, then their fangs slightly grazing their skin, and it feels fucking good.

“Fuck,” Frank moans, he can’t help it. He really can’t help it, and he wonders if he’s dreaming right now, but he knows he’s not. This feels so different than his dreams. Then he feels Gerard’s tongue on his neck, and Frank carefully pulls away from him, “Calm down, vampire.”

“Frankie,” The vampire whimpers once more. Frank can see his hunger in their eyes. Their red eyes that fills Frank’s body with fear, yet he still refuses to run.

“It’s okay, let’s get… Are you okay with coming to my apartment?” Frank asks, keeping his eyes aligned with Gerard’s glowing ones. Gerard just nods his head, letting out another whimper, “It’s okay, vampire, I’ve got you.”

“Feel so weak,” Gerard says, and Frank carefully has him lean his weight against Frank. It’s okay, Frank may be tiny, but he can handle this. Anything for his friend.

“I got you,” Frank repeats. He doesn’t care if he gets in trouble for leaving the store early, he only has around thirty minutes left of his shift anyways, and Gerard is more important.

The morning sun starts peeking out from the clouds, and Gerard hisses in pain just like how he says they do. Frank feels bad, but he can’t do anything about it. Frank’s just glad his apartment isn’t too far away.

Gerard’s skin also does start to glow, it’s so pretty. It almost has Frank mesmerized if he didn’t have to quickly get this starving vampire back to his place.

They make it to Frank’s apartment, and Frank carefully rests Gerard down on his couch. As he was about to step away to try to figure something out, Gerard pulls Frank down onto the couch.

“I… I…” The vampire stutters frantically, “Fr- Frankie!”

“Careful, Gerard, deep breaths,” Frank advises, but that was the wrong advice, as it has their eyes glowing brighter.

“I…” Gerard growls low in his throat, and pushes Frank down against the couch. Okay, woah, where did he get that strength from? “I…” He sputters again, pinning Frank under him. Frank hates how turned on he is, really, but it’s not his fault, right?

He could die right now, and that’s kinda making his jeans tighter. He’s scared, that too. Frank’s fucking terrified. He knows Gerard would never kill him, but staring up into this starving vampire’s eyes is still terrifying.

“Easy, vampire,” Frank tries to console him still, but it doesn’t work.

“I need…” Gerard eyes Frank’s neck that’s still
partly covered by his work clothes. Frank’s eyes are wide, and he knows Gerard can fucking smell his fear, and it’s probably making it worse for the vampire.

“Are you sure?” Frank asks, and the vampire nods, inching his head down, closer to Frank’s neck, “No, not my neck. You’d prefer my wrist ri- AH!”

Frank gasps as his top button is undone in insane speed, and he feels two razor sharp spikes entire the side of his throat directly on his pulse. Frank can not only feel each gulp taken against his neck, he can hear the sick, disgusting wet sounds of Gerard’s tongue running along his neck. He can hear each pull of blood from his throat, and each loud, hungry gulp. It sounds disgusting, it’s so gross, but it’s making Frank more turned on than ever.

Gerard gasps, slipping his fangs out of Frank’s neck, and begins licking like a dog at the blood that flows out. Frank feels so lightheaded, and everything’s spinning, yet he can still feel an ache in his groin, which he’s shocked since he’s losing so much blood.

“Stop redirecting it,” Gerard growls, nipping at Frank’s neck with just his normal teeth, “You fucking whore, how are you even hard right now?”

“Your fault,” Frank tries his best to grin. His neck is fucking throbbing in pain, but each throb of pain just sends another wave of pleasure down his body.

Gerard growls once again low in his throat, and Frank loves to see the man’s animalistic side begin to show. Their fangs slides back inside of Frank’s neck with a nice sound. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Frank has never been more turned on in his life, how is this even possible. Gerard pulls his fangs out once again, and begins sucking on the two wounds, kissing at both of them. Fucking kissing his neck, and leaving marks. Frank’s going to die?

“Gerard,” Frank all but moans, which earns him another growl.

“Shut the fuck up,” Gerard grumbles, “You’re so disgusting,” And Frank moans at that, of course he does, “You like that, huh? You like being a disgusting little slut?”

“Fuuuck,” Frank breathes. He’s never going to be able to face Gerard the same way again after this.

Gerard raises his head to Frank’s ear, whispering against it softly in a low tone, “You fucking brat being turned on by a damn vampire. I can kill you, you know?”

“You wouldn’t,” Frank says confidently.

“Hmmmm,” Gerard hums.

Frank gasps as he feels Gerard’s cold tongue against his ear. His body was pouring out too much burning hot blood for Frank to remember just how cold this man is. This man is dead, he doesn’t even have a heartbeat, but Frank, for some godawful reason, finds that super sexy.

Gerard raises his head, and Frank gets a good look at his face. Their face is covered in blood. Frank’s blood. Frank let’s out a whimper, and he’s not sure if it’s of pleasure, pain, or fear, or all three. Frank weakly brings is hands up to tangle his fingers in Gerard’s hair, and bring their head down to connect their lips together.

The kiss was cold, freezing cold. The only warmness he gets from Gerard’s lips is the taste of his own burning blood against them. Frank moans into Gerard’s mouth, the man slipping his tongue into Frank’s mouth with ease. He’s rough, and aggressive, yet also gentle at the same time. Just how Frank fucking likes it.

Frank raises his hips, searching for something, anything. Gerard moans against Frank’s lips, then rolls his own hips against Frank’s, causing the smaller man to gasp. Gerard was fucking hard, and Frank finds that really cool.

Frank pulls away from Gerards lips, gasping for air as he does, yet he still manages to be a little shit, “How are you hard if you don’t even have blood pressure?” Frank smirks, and Gerard’s glare at him only turns him on more.

“How are you so hard after losing so much blood?” Gerard asks back, trailing his hand down Frank’s body, making him gasp again at the contact of their hand to his crotch, “So hard for me, Frankie.”

“Yeah,” Frank moans, bucking his hips up, against Gerard’s hand. Gerard begins palming Frank over his jeans, and Frank is already almost begging for more. He needs more, but he’s not just going to ask for it this soon.

“You taste so good,” Gerard lowers their head back down go Frank’s neck, licking up the rest of the clotting blood, “So, so good. You’re so good… So fucking good for me.” Frank moans at that too. Shit, he’s a sucker for both degradation, and praise. So what? “So sweet, like lemonade… pink lemonade… pink flower petals… You taste-“ Gerard cuts himself off with a moan, “Oh, God…”

“Stupid… fucking- ah- vampire,” Frank grunts out breathily, “More…”

“More?” Gerard giggles, “More what?”

“Fuck,” Frank whines as Gerard pulls his hand away. How dare they fucking do that? What the hell?

Oh, but in just a second, Frank’s shirt is pulled off. His jeans are also being unbuckled. Woah, okay, when did that happen? Damn vampires.

“Frankie, I…” Gerard hesitates, right as they were going to shove his hand down Frank’s pants. Are they serious? “What do you want, you have to tell me. I don’t care if it’s embarrassing, I need your words.”

“Fuck me,” Frank stares straight up into Gerard’s eyes as he asks, “I need you to fuck me right fucking now. Fuck me into this damn couch, make me unable to walk.”

“That-“ Gerard cuts himself with a laugh, but Frank is too horny to be embarrassed, “I wasn’t expecting that much.”

“I’m seriously going to die if I don’t get a han- aahn…” Frank is cut off with a moan once Gerard finally pulls off his jeans and boxers in also a quick movement, and begins stroking him gently. Holy fucking shit, a vampire is here jerking him off. This can’t be real.

Frank hears Gerard giggle again, “It is real,” Gerard affirms. Frank must have accidentally said that out loud, shit. Stupid vampire, all his fault, “All my fault that I’m making you feel soooo good…”

“Ah, can vampires… mh, fuck!” Frank tries to ask a question, but keeps cutting himself off with embarrassing moans.

“Yes, yes they can,” Gerard teases, and their hand is gone without warning. Actually, Gerard is suddenly gone. What the fuck? Was Frank dreaming?

No, not dreaming. Gerard is now kneeling back on the couch with lube in hand. Where did he find that? Shit, he must’ve seen…

“Nice collection,” Gerard comments, popping the bottle open, “Would love to see you fuck yourself with one of those toys.”

“Shhhut up,” Frank drags on his words, he feels drunk from being turned on, and the amount of blood he lost. He feels so fucking incredible and nothing has even really happened yet.

“I know you don’t actually want me to,” Gerard giggles, and suddenly Frank feels a wet, cold finger against him. Frank gasps, trying to push his hips down onto Gerard’s finger, “Someone’s excited,” Gerard teases, and begins slowly pushing in. Way too slow, Frank knows this vampire can do better than that.

Frank thinks that, but he’s already squirming under Gerard. He’s moaning like a loser from just one finger pressing up, into him, all because it’s Gerard. If it was anyone else he wouldn’t be acting like this, but no, it’s Gerard. It’s the stupid fucking vampire he might be in love with. Fuck. This guys is really doing this, this is really happening.

“So worked up over barely anything,” Gerard hums with a purr in his voice. Their voice is intoxicating, “Such a good little brat, you ready for more?”

“Please,” Frank begs, and the moan he lets out when Gerard pushes in another finger isn’t one he’s proud of. He’s even less proud of the moan he lets out when Gerard hooks their fingers at just the right angle.

“Right there, hm?” Gerard teases, massaging right on the bundle of nerves that continues shooting electricity up Frank’s spine, “Fuck, look at you, you’re so fucking stunning.”

Frank doesn’t even try to hold back his moans, sorry to all his neighbours. He hopes the walls are thick enough to not hear him, but it wouldn’t be the first time. Frank was always loud, that’s just how he is, he can’t help it, but especially now. Now he’s fucking loud.

“Have you fucked yourself lately?” Gerard asks, pushing in a third finger. Frank nods, unable to lie in the presence of this vampire. He wants nothing more than to submit to him, and he doesn’t think thats just because of the intoxicating smell radiating off of them, “Mm, while I was gone?”

“Wanted… nngh, to pretend… fuck, ah, let me SPEAK,” Frank shouts, getting frustrated. Gerard starts laughing, a full, loud laugh. He stops moving his fingers, but they’re still pressed right against Frank’s prostate.

“Go ahead,” Gerard smirks. This guy better not pull anything as he’s talking, Frank’s sure he’ll like the answer better anyways.

“Wanted to pretend it was you,” Frank says, and Gerard presses harder against his prostate, causing Frank’s back to arch almost like it’s going to fucking snap, “Ah! Wanted… To… Gerard!”

“Hmm,” Gerard hums, pulling his fingers out. Frank wants to whine, but he knows why he’s pulling out, and it just makes Frank’s stomach flip.

“Wanted to pretend you were still here,” Frank mumbles, closing his eyes shut, “I missed you so much, you fucking idiot. Never do that again!”

“I’m sorry,” Gerard apologizes, and Frank can hear the slick, wet noises of lube being applied to somewhere, but he decides not to spoil the surprise by acknowledging where yet.

“You should be,” Frank opens one eye to glare at Gerard, only to moan at the way Gerard is fucking looking at him. Fuck. He’s staring at him like he’s some kind of art piece, but also like he’s their favourite food, because Frank is their favourite food. Christ.

“Will this make it up to you?” Gerard asks, and Frank can feel the head of Gerard’s cock against him.

“Yes, yes, yes, fuck, yes, please,” Frank starts pleading, “Fuuuck,” Frank drags out, sucking in a breath as he feels Gerard start to push in. He’s big, Frank noticed that right away. Gerard’s going slowly, and carefully, and despite all of Frank’s horniness, he’s grateful for Gerard’s care.

“Such a good boy,” Gerard mumbles, groaning as they continue pushing in. Frank feels fucking insane, his head is spinning, and he can’t focus on anything. Gerard soon bottoms out, and Frank’s breathing so hard he feels like he might pass out. Gerard realizes, because of course they do, “Careful, Frankie. Slow down on your breathing.”

Frank obeys, because he just has to. He steadies his breathing best he can, and when he’s able to crack his eyes open, the smile on Gerard’s face has Frank fucking melting. He feels so loved, so cared for. Does Gerard love him too?

At that thought, Gerard starts moving. He pulls almost all the way out, then slowly pushes back in. It’s slow, so fucking slow, but Frank is appreciative of it. He feels so fucking loved. Yeah, he likes rough, dirty sex, but this feels like how it’s like to make love, not just to get off.

“Such a good human, taking me so well,” Gerard continues his sweet praise. The degrading was awesome too, but this is a whole different feeling that has Frank at a lost of words. Gerard begins to speed up, bit by bit, “You’re amazing, Frankie… You make me so happy, you do so much for me…” Gerard pushes in harder, and Frank cries out already, “So pretty… So gorgeous… No words that can explain just how beautiful you are.”

“Harder,” Frank chokes out, he needs more. He needs more right now.

“As you wish,” Gerard smiles, and that’s when the fucking really begins. Gerard starts pounding harder and harder into Frank with each thrust, and it’s so fucking good. Frank has never felt better before in his life, “Gorgeous slut,” Gerard sighs, leaning forward to connect their lips together.

The kiss was passionate, but so gentle. Frank’s tongue makes it’s way into Gerard’s cold mouth, and Frank actually really likes the cold now. Their body temperatures are so different in the best ways. They’re so perfect together, so perfect for each other.

Frank can feel the edges of Gerard’s fangs graze against his tongue, and it has him moaning even louder against the man’s lips.

Gerard soon pulls back from the kiss, grunting, and changing angles slightly, pushing Frank further down against the couch. They thrust in once, and that’s all Frank needs to fucking see stars. His vision goes blurry as he cries out loudly.

“Right there, slut?” Gerard moans, and begins angling his thrusts into that spot over and over again.

“Harder!” Frank pleads again, and the vampire obeys, “Show me how a vampire fucks.”

Gerard groans loudly at that, connecting their lips roughly this time. His thrusts become more erratic, and they reach down a hand between the two to grab Frank’s cock. Each of his strokes match their thrusts, and it’s making Frank go crazy. He might seriously pass out.

He’s so close, so fucking close. He can feel pressure begin to build in his lower stomach. He doesn’t want this to end yet, but he doesn’t think he can hold on for much longer, especially not with Gerard hitting his sweet spot with each sharp thrust of their hips.

“Fuck, Gerard!” Frank whimpers, “I’m… I’m!”

“Cum for me, baby,” Gerard whispers so sweetly, and one more just right movement of Gerard’s hips, and he’s spilling all over their hand. The way he moans echoes throughout the apartment, and he hears a sharp ringing noise in his ears. His entire vision goes white, and it takes a moment to fade out, “Yeah, just like that,” Gerard mumbles. He continues fucking Frank through his orgasm, “Shit, Frankie… Can I-“

“Yes,” Frank gasps out, still moaning like a fucking whore. Gerard pushes deep inside him, and groans. The vampire attaches his mouth back to Frank’s neck splitting the wound back open as he cums deep inside of Frank.

Frank has never felt so much pleasure in his life before, it’s too much, way too much. His vision goes blurry, and everything starts to go dark as Gerard begins to lap up the blood spilling from his neck again, and pulling out.

When Frank wakes back up, he’s all cleaned up, and in his bed. What? Was it all just a dream? Frank tries sitting up, but his brain seems to be liquid that crashes against his skull as he does. Frank groans, placing a hand to his forehead, and his body, specifically his ass, is aching.

Oh, shit, it wasn’t a dream, was it? Then where the fuck is Ger-

“You’re awake?” Suddenly Gerard is in Frank’s room with him. Frank yelps out in surprise.

“Jesus christ, don’t fucking scare me like that!” Frank shouts, glaring at the vampire who’s climbing into the bed to lay beside him.

“I’m sorry,” Gerard apologizes, but the cute fucking giggle in his voice says he’s not really sorry, “How’re you feeling?”

“Mmmm,” Frank just hums, laying back down. He doesn’t even know, “So fucking good.” Yeah, that, he feels wonderful.

“Thanks for the blood,” Gerard says, and licks a cold stripe up Frank’s neck, “I might’ve taken a bit more than I should’ve, so you’ll need your rest.”

“Gerard,” Frank breathes, and Gerard nods, “That was the best sex I’ve ever had.”

“Really?” Gerard stares down at Frank, with Frank staring back up at him, “Like, actually?”

“Mhm,” Frank confirms, and he can feel his body going weak again, turning into a submissive mess. He moans, he doesn’t mean to, but he does, and it’s all Gerard’s fucking fault, “Christ, I’m telling the truth, vampire.” Stupid Gerard, stupid vampire.

“Oh,” Gerard stops whatever it was he was just doing. He stares at Frank in shock, “But how? I’ve never really topped before, only a few times, and I haven’t had sex since before I became a vampire.”

“I don’t know, but it was fucking… incredible,” Frank sighs happily, “I just… It felt like more than just sex, I felt… so loved. It was like we made love, rather than we just fucked.”

“Oh,” Gerard says again, this time with guilt in their voice.

“Gerard…” Frank tries sitting up again, and Gerard helps him. He steadies up, waiting for his vision to unblur itself, “I… I have something to tell you…”

“Frankie,” Gerard says, frowning.

“I, okay, I think…” Frank sighs, trying to calm his nerves. He looks straight into Gerard’s eyes, that are back to regular shade of hazel, “I’m in love with you, Gerard.”

Gerard lets out a sob, “I’m sorry,” They apologize, tearing his gaze away from Frank’s, “I’m so sorry. I… I don’t feel the same.”

Frank can practically hear his heart shattering. Then what was the previous night about? Was Gerard just hungry, and that’s it? Frank swears there was more, there was! He could feel it in everything!

“I don’t know why, if I was still human I know I’d be madly in love with you, but I’m just not,” Gerard continues crying, tears slipping down his face, “I don’t understand. I don’t feel anything.”

“Can vampires not feel love?” Frank questions, trying not to let his voice crack.

Gerard just starts full on sobbing, “I don’t feel anything, I only feel the want to take from others,” Frank pulls Gerard into his lap. Yeah, Frank is hurting, but Gerard is going through a different type of pain, “I haven’t been able to properly feel since my heart stopped. I don’t have a heart anymore.”

“I’m sorry-“

“No, I’m sorry!” Gerard shakes his head, “I’m horrible, I’m just like the rest of them.”

“No, you’re not,” Frank states, he grabs Gerard’s chin with his index and thumb, forcing the sobbing vampire to look at him, “You’re able to feel guilt, you’re able to cry. You’re not like them, you still have feelings.”

“They’re not nearly as strong as they used to be,” Gerard whimpers, but Frank just shushes him.

“That’s okay, it doesn’t make you a monster,” Frank reassures him, “It’s okay, Gerard. It’s not your fault.”

Gerard inhales deeply, then leans in. They’re the one who kisses first, they’re the one who presses his lips against Frank’s, and Frank’s the one who hesitates before kissing back.

Frank loves him, there’s no denying it. He’s in love with this vampire. It hurts, it hurts so much, this kiss is hurting, knowing there’s no love attached from the other side.

But maybe there is, maybe Gerard just doesn’t recognize it, because Frank can fucking feel the love against his lips. He could feel it this morning, too. He can feel it. Maybe Frank’s just delusional, but he swears it’s there.

It’s not his right to tell Gerard that, though. Gerard has to come to that conclusion on his own.

Gerard pulls back, tears still falling from his eyes, but also his eyes are full of love. Frank can almost see hearts in his eye. Its there; Gerard just needs time to realize that.

“I’m so sorry,” Gerard apologizes again.

“It’s okay,” And Frank forgives him again.

“I… Frankie, I need to go,” Gerard says, climbing out of Frank’s lap, “I won’t be back for a while.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry, I have to. I…” Gerard bites his lip, “I need time, I’m sorry.”

“Did I fuck up?” Frank might just start crying, this can’t be happening.

“No, you didn’t,” Gerard says honestly, “I don’t know what’s going on. I need… I need time… I’m sorry, bye-“

“Wait!” Frank calls, and Gerard is already at the door to his room. He was almost too late, but Gerard stops, “Promise me you’ll come back?”

Gerard just stays quiet. This silence is hurting more than being turned down. This can’t be happening right now, no fucking way!

“I’m sorry,” Gerard whispers, and then he’s just gone. He’s gone, and Frank’s left in his apartment alone, almost like the vampire was never here in the first place.

Frank bursts out crying, he feels so many emotions he can’t explain. He feels hot with rage, yet cold with sorrow. He wants to die, he feels like he’s fucking dying. Loud sobs echo in his room, that he soon muffles by falling back onto his bed, and sobbing into his pillow.

It hurts, everything in him is hurting. He feels like he’s being ripped apart. His heart has been ripped apart, and Gerard took half of it with them. It hurts, it fucking hurts, but Frank at least hopes Gerard enjoys the meal of his heart.

Going to work the next few weeks, and not seeing Gerard a single night is tough. He almost quits, but he doesn’t because he needs money, and what if Gerard does show up one day?

Frank feels sick every single day without Gerard. None of his calls or texts go through. All Frank does now is cry, and hurt himself. He knows how horrible Gerard will feel if he ever sees the scars building on his thigh, but it’s the only thing that takes Frank’s mind off things.

Apart from drugs. He relapsed, and he feels horrible, but when he’s on them he doesn’t feel horrible anymore, and it’s worth it, but after he feels so fucking guilty. There goes his pay check that he needed for rent this month. He’s so stupid.

He’s in love. He still is. That was the first time he’s ever fallen for someone, and, sure, he’s only nineteen, but it feels like he already met his fucking soulmate, and now they’re just gone.

He’s gone, and Frank doesn’t even know if he’ll ever be back. He couldn’t promise Frank, and that haunts Frank the most. Frank has nightmares of that scene replaying, where he wakes up hurting, and in so much pain he almost calls off work. Frank just takes a pill, and goes anyways, because he has no choice. There’s such a small possibility of them showing back up, but it’s still a possibility, and Frank holds onto that so he doesn’t fucking kill himself.

It’s now been three months, and Frank’s close to just ending it. He can barely function anymore unless his brain is fried on whatever he had enough money to buy that week. His pupils are blown, it’s clear he’s not sober on more than just weed, but he doesn’t care, so is everyone else who walks into this fucking store. No one cares, why would anyone care about some worker at a gas station? Why did Gerard ever care?

This stupid fucking minimum wage job that just so happened to introduce Frank to the love of his life so he can never quit despite how badly he wants to. He really, really wants to.

Today especially he’s considering it. First time he’s working only high on weed in a long time, since he doesn’t have the money for anything else. It barely does anything to numb the ache in his chest. It’s always there, the missing beat that Gerard stole from him. It’ll never leave him unless Gerard comes back, but of course he’d never come back.

Frank’s giving up. He really does give up. Today he’s going to go home, and he’s certain he’ll never wake up again. He’s dramatic, he knows, but it’s hard to live after having your heart be ripped out by the one you love.

The scars on his neck are fading, almost gone. That’s why he’s making this decision. The last remaining proof that Gerard even existed is almost gone for good, and Frank just can’t deal with it.

His shift is almost over, and Frank hates to admit it, but he’s excited to go home. The pain will finally be over. He’s had a really tough life, but he pretends he didn’t. He pretends really fucking well, and he’s good at convincing himself everything is okay when Gerard was around. Now they’re not, though, and Frank was quickly brought back to the reality of his shitty life.

Kicked out as soon as he turned eighteen, losing everything he ever loved, giving up his dream to become a musician. He sold his guitar for drugs, and that was the biggest mistake he ever made. He’ll never forgive himself.

Ten minutes before closing, fifteen before the end of his life. He closes his eyes, inhaling deeply at the acceptance of it, and that’s when a familiar scent hits his nose. He doesn’t want to open his eyes, he has to be smelling things, and he doesn’t want to reveal the truth to himself just yet.

But that’s when the voice he knows all too well speaks, gaining his attention, and forcing his eyes open.

“Frankie?”

“Gerard…?”