Of Vampires And Rock Stars (Ch 19)
Title: Of Vampires And Rock Stars (Ch 19)
Author: seraph05
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: Largely Fall Out Boy with My Chemical Romance and appearances from The Academy Is…’s William Beckett, Gym Class Heroes’ Travis and Panic! At The Disco’s Brendon & Ryan.
Warnings: Swearing, Violence, Suggestive behavior
Pairing: Patrick/Pete, Brendon/Ryan
Disclaimer: I want to have Patrick Stumps bunnies. oh sorry this is the 'i don't own' section isn't it? i thought it was things that you want section. sorry, don't own, never have, still don't, wouldn't mind if i didn't have qualms about the whole 'owning people is wrong' thing.
Summary: He’d barely slept at all yesterday, fingernails drumming the wood as the unknown hours ticked away. He blinked, he breathed and he traced the carvings he’d made on the inside with his nails.
“Wentz,” his fingerprints read.
Chapter 1 - Just Another Night…
Chapter 2 - No Rest For The Broken The Beaten Or The Damned
Chapter 3 - Being A Living Sacrifice Is Better than Living a Lie
Chapter 4 - The Unraveling
Chapter 5 - The Ghost Of You Will Always Haunt Me
Chapter 6 - Anagnorisis
Chapter 7 - The Best Laid Plans…
Chapter 8 - The Ivory Tower
Chapter 9 - The Joker And The Thief In The Night
Chapter 10 - Home Is Where The Heart Is
Chapter 11 - Chaotic Souls And Dancing Stars
Chapter 12 - So Kiss Me Goodbye, Honey I’m Gonna Make It Out Alive
Chapter 13 - Calm Before The Storm
Chapter 14 - Release The Bats
Chapter 15 - The Music Or The Misery
Chapter 16 - Take This To Your Grave And I’ll Take You To Mine
Chapter 17 - It’s Almost Here
Chapter 18 - Dead.On.Arrival
Chapter 19 - Goodbyes To Paralyse
He lay in the dark, small space waiting to hear the voice. He resisted the urge, downright refused to get out before he heard it. It wasn’t the usual act of stubbornness that kept him there, pout unknown to everyone but himself. He’d barely slept at all yesterday, fingernails drumming the wood as the unknown hours ticked away. He blinked, he breathed and he traced the carvings he’d made on the inside with his nails.
“Wentz,” his fingerprints read.
He crossed his arms over his chest and waited some more. Again he wondered how long he’d have to lie, ears trained to every sound, sick to his stomach. He combed his fingers through his straight black hair and the same name hung in his mouth and mind. He told himself being up and about the place wouldn’t make time go any faster and he knew he had to wait for the sun to sink below the horizon anyway. He had to wait for that sound.
His eyes shot open, brown irises wide as he heard it. He kicked the door open, practically throwing himself out into the living room. His hands gripped the decaying shagpile carpet and he felt dizzy with anxiety as he watched the old TV gain colour and light. His reflexes always were faster than the timer connected to the TV. He could barely breathe.
“Good evening this is Katherine Prince reporting with Edward McLynn on New Chicago’s news tonight,” The two reporters sitting behind the large desk looked strangely out of place and they exchanged an unprofessional glance, then Katherine continued “We’d like to take a break from the norm to announce some breaking news, this report is being broadcasted over all radio stations and will be the first account of last nights incident.”
“Hurry the fuck up!” he swore through gritted teeth.
“Strange weather activity around the outer suburbs of New Chicago was reported to have happened earlier this morning. Purple lighting, gales and even fluctuations in gravity have been experienced around 4:40 for five to ten minutes. Edward,” Katherine looked to her colleague, beckoning for him to continue.
“At approximately 4:50 am CST, ten minutes after the lunar eclipse concluded, vampires all over the city began to show signs of pain and shortly after, died. Initial reports on death toll suggest 80 per cent of New Chicago’s vampire population has perished. Currently we have little information on what caused this bizarre occurrence, though scientists have suggested the eclipse was not the cause as most vampires in other parts of the world were unaffected. Scientists have also been unable to confirm if either the vampire deaths or the lunar eclipse have any link to the weather conditions earlier this morning. We will bring you more information as it becomes available to…”
The rest of the news report went unheard as the boy jumped up and shouted with joy. He switched off the TV with a brisk jab of the clunky on/ off button. He marched over to the living room door grabbing a soccer gear bag full of his few belongings. He looked around as he walked down the hallway towards the front door. He knew he wouldn’t miss the bad 70’s décor, reminded of it for the last time as he opened the creaky front door with a big opaque orange window in it. It wasn’t till he’d reached the pavement that he looked back at the derelict house he had called home for the past four years and said goodbye. After a few minutes had passed he readjusted the bag strap, pulling it higher over his shoulder so it was more comfortable and flipped out his phone. He dialled a number and began walking. There was a long pause and he pondered the smile he couldn’t remove from his lips.
“Hey…hey pick up the phone…heeey it’s Andrew here…Come on bro pick up the phone. Scrabble through those pockets of yours...ok so you might have your phone off, I don’t see how since generally it’s practically surgically attached to your ear but I had to tell you - you’re an asshole! You should have fucking called me I was lying in my frikin coffin all night having a heart attack over you guys but god damn! You did it didn’t you! You guys beat them! I knew you could…I was just worried you know. I’m sorry Pete; I know I said I’d wait till Sunday but since you didn’t call me right after you put the smack down on Beckett you better smarten up I’m coming over. See you soon.”
* * *
Friends and family were all gathered together in the night. Gerard had turned some of Ivory Towers outside lights on but what lit the scene most was the crisp moon above, already chipped by the shadow of the earth. Days had passed since it had bled above a gory battle scene. The bodies, left to the sun, had turned to dust and blown away. All but the three, the remaining clandestine had taken and shielded from the light. The group looked on, some still wrapped in bandages, others healed but all were scarred on the inside. Most were wearing light clothes as it was a warm night but the attire was black. Three graves lay open, caskets waiting to be lowered and covered, no one wanting to be the one to do it. There was no priest reading or speaking on the bereft groups behalf and the attendants were waiting for someone to talk. It was a beautiful night for a funeral.
“It feels kind of weird…standing here like this…”
A few heads turned but the one who spoke didn’t look up, red eyes bent sourly to the coffins. His glasses were resting too low but he didn’t adjust them letting his black pageboy cap cover his face.
“It’s been so long since we’ve been able to just…enjoy the night you know…just, uh, stand here in our clothes with no plans, no…weapons, no fail safes in case…well I just can’t relax…” He smiled “But I know that will change one day…we’ll be able to…we’ll just wake up and know we can start again without looking over our shoulders everywhere we go. We’ll be able to…live again,” his lips pursed hard as he fought a rush of emotion. Once he composed himself he continued.
“And if it wasn’t for them this would never have happened. We wouldn’t be able to pick up our lives,” Patrick spoke softly walking over to the first casket “Ryan…I never really knew you and I think that’s a big loss. You saved my friends from Beckett’s cellar, you set me free from Brendon’s control and you died so that we could live. If Brendon had kept his control…we would have lost for sure,” He bobbed down and rested his hand on the smooth wooden lid “Thank you for saving us,” he paused for a while, wiped his face with his sleeve and then moved on to the next coffin.
“Brendon…despite all you did…judging by what I saw when Ryan passed away there was a lot of good in you. I get the feeling you had great potential and when we talked…you seemed like you could have been a really nice person. I’m sorry you didn’t get that opportunity…I’m sorry you didn’t get that chance to be with us but if you wanted it I would have forgiven you for what you’ve done,” he looked around and a few heads nodded in silent agreement “We all forgive you man…and if there is place after this I hope you find him there,” Patrick waited another few moments before standing again. However he did not move on to the third coffin. He stood in front of Brendon’s, not looking at the third as his friends and family waited.
“He…”
The word was so singular and alone as a long moment followed it.
“He was…” Patrick’s voice cracked and he went quiet, sobs shaking his shoulders. Joe walked over to him, putting an arm around them tightly. He turned his own raw eyes to the coffin.
“He was a really good dude…” Joe sniffed, looking down, unable to stare for too long “A really good friend to us all…”
“…It won’t be the same without him…” Andy agreed, joining his two friends.
“I wish he wasn’t lost in…in…” Patrick tried so hard to speak.
“In the process of making New Chicago a safer place…” Travis finished off.
“We’ll miss you so much.” Andy said.
Words reverted back to tears as the funeral party mourned their loss.
One of them took a step forward, a rose in his bandaged hand. Andrew watched as he threw the rose onto the coffin.
“Rest in peace, you crazy bastard.” his voice was the most despondent of all that had spoken. He stayed close to the coffin, tears running worn lines down his face. Andrew sighed looking down; it had been a long time since he’d had to be strong for someone other than himself. Andrew joined him putting a hand on his shoulder.
“Hey,” was all Andrew said. He didn’t look around but his head lowered to the boy’s shoulder. Andrew put his arms around him as the man sunk closer still.
“It’s ok” Andrew said, “Its ok. I’ve got you Pete.”
* * * 4 Nights Ago * * *
Gerard looked on as the world of the ashen fading city began to burn into a calm ending night. The silver of his clothes blew away like leaves in the wind, the soil and blood stains beginning to show beneath. Above, the carmine was leaving the moon in the wake of another shadow and Gerard bent his head to the direction of his brothers with a smile. The fading apparitions of his band returned the warmth and Ray was the first to step forward, giving Gerard a heavy hug and a pat on the back. He paused as Gerard told him goodbye. Next was Bob who shook his hand and embraced him quickly. Gerard gritted his teeth as Mikey stepped forward. He grasped his brothers fading jacket and pulled him into his arms, Mikey wrapping Gerard tightly in his own. Gerard spoke into his shoulder, voice broken and though no sound escaped, Mikey felt every word. Gerard leaned back for a moment and kissed his cheek, Mikey returning it. Then the younger brother passed out of his arms leaving Gerard to clutch air.
I love you Mikey
Frank stood alone now as the parade marched away in the disintegrating backdrop. His green eyes looked up, meeting Gerard’s jade irises. They spoke to each other.
I missed you.
You sacrificed yourself for me
I’m sorry I wasn’t there I was…
I know, I would have done it anyway.
Don’t thank me; it’s enough that you’re alive.
I’m not afraid anymore. I’m not afraid to live.
Frank I-
Don’t say it Gerard
I said it to the others
Gerard stepped closer and embraced him for just a moment. Just long enough for the corners of Franks mouth to lift.
Believe it.
Always.
Then he was gone and the last few snowflakes fell around Gerard from that strange other world.
“Goodbye,” he called into the snow “I’ll join you one day. Till then every blood lunar eclipse we’ll march together for a while, no matter where in the world or what time. Wait for me and tell Grandma I love her.”
The snow melted, the moon was glowing white and pure and Gerard felt himself grounded. For hours it had felt like he’d been floating but the eclipse had finished and his strength was beginning to ease to normal. His heart cracked as he felt his band leave but being able to stand with them again and say goodbye had begun to heal a lot of old wounds. He knew they were fine.
A scream ripped out into the night tearing into Gerard’s very soul and he spun to see where it had come from as it flew out in all directions. A few metres from him Patrick was kneeling, knuckles white as he clenched the ground. It seemed like all the muscles in his body were compressed for one purpose. He was holding the sound, feeling it, fighting to keep it. Gradually though, it died out; shorter shocked cries replaced them as the boy gave in sinking his head to the ground. Gerard watched as a dirt-covered hand released its grip on the mulch that was grass a moment ago and reached over, grabbing the denim of Pete’s jeans just below the knees. The fabric creased in his grasp. Gerard walked over and bobbed down, seeing Patrick, Joe and Andy all shaking with misery.
“He’s alive.”
No one heard it.
“He’s alive.”
Patrick’s eyes opened. Fingers held his shoulder. His forehead felt hot against the cool ground.
“He’s alive.”
Over the noise of the roaring pain racking his body, Patrick heard the words. He didn’t want to dare believe it, so afraid that accepting it might break it. Very slowly, breathing hard, the cries quieting in his chest, he looked to his right where Gerard was kneeling beside him. His eyes were warm like friends. Patrick then looked to Pete. He still lay, unmoving, dark lids closed as if he were sleeping. Patrick observed his chest, waiting to see the telltale rise and fall he might have missed but he saw none. A fresh streak escaped his lashes but still he didn’t look away. Eventually Travis asked the question for Patrick.
“What the fuck do you mean Gerard!? He’s not moving he’s not breathing he’s-!” Travis’s anxious voice began quiet but ended loudly and abruptly unable to finish the thought “He’s-!”
“He’s not dead.” Gerard replied firmly.
“How?” Joe asked, blue gaze almost sapphire against the tear-induced irritation. He didn’t look up and his arm remained defensively holding Pete.
“Because Beckett’s blood no longer held Pete’s fate when Pete killed him.” Gerard replied. As Joe and Andy’s heads lifted to view Gerard’s face, still Patrick watched Pete.
“When a vampire drinks a stronger vampire’s blood he takes on the stronger vampires abilities. It was this way when I was born into darkness and took my elders strength. It was still this way the night you took me from the House of Wolves bar.” Gerard continued “My families blood has special traits no other vampire blood has, you know this, but there is one trait that has served us better than the others. It is why our clan has survived so long and is so powerful. The Way vampire blood breaks blood bonds.”
“What?” Travis exclaimed.
“When a vampire is made it is bonded to the one who made it and if its maker dies so it perishes as well. This is one of the vampire’s greatest weaknesses, but we, as one of the oldest clans in the world, possibly the oldest of all, have evolved past that. Our blood is extremely powerful; changes us during a blood red eclipse, allows us to bear the suns light, it gives us the ability to turn humans with a single bite and finally it breaks blood bonds so that when a head vampire dies he is the only one to perish.” Gerard waited for a moment while his bereaved companions caught up, expressions all a mix of confusion, heavy thought and astonishment.
“Many times throughout the centuries our elders have died. I suspect Beckett unknowingly killed the one who made me but I have lived on. I like to think that it was our humility and good nature as a clan that lent us these privileges, much like Pete and his burning hand attack but I don’t really know what it was,” Gerard mused “At first I was worried it wouldn’t make a difference to Pete in the end and that’s why I didn’t tell you but I can feel him, it’s faint and he’s not doing well but he’s alive.”
“What do you mean?” Andy asked, “How can you feel this?”
“Because on the night you rescued me Pete drank my blood.”
The sharp intake of the cold night air was like icy splinters in Patrick’s lungs. Pete had sucked the bullet out of Gerard when he thought he was a human, along with a lot of blood. So many things made sense to Patrick now. All the trouble they had been having with Pete, his moodiness and distance from them had faded to nothing over the past few months. They were all as close as they had been before because Pete’s blood was no longer swayed by William or his tendencies. He could see Pete in his minds eye, sitting up after drinking from Gerard and grinning. He wasn’t even aware how much things had changed for him all in that one moment.
“Beckett’s blood still made up a lot of Pete’s vampire composition but, by the looks of it, he expelled it all when Beckett died. It must have been torture.” Gerard continued eyeing the trail of brown blood splattered over the ground, marking the steps Pete took from Beckett to his current resting place “The sun still burnt him, he didn’t change like me as the eclipse came, his power didn’t drastically increase, he would have to have a lot more blood from me than that to truly gain all my abilities but it’s enough to break him from Beckett and keep him alive even now. Still he needs blood. Your potion won’t do it this time.”
There was a long pause as they weighed up the options. The blood bags were either used or lost in the rubble and there was no time to steal any. They knew what they had to do.
“Well I can give him some.” Joe announced, looking paler for the offer “Andy can’t-” Andy opened his mouth to speak but Joe continued “You’ve lost too much blood already; you actually need blood at this stage dude, just take it easy.”
“Fine,” Andy agreed reluctantly “But I’m not happy about it.”
“I can give him some,” Patrick spoke softly but firmly.
“It won’t be enough,” Gerard said and the three looked back to him as he watched Pete pensively. His gaze was almost condescending.
So many of the privileges Gerard was born to have had been taken away from him in his life and here was another. His heir was being chosen for him. By tradition Gerard was allowed generations to wait for the one he deemed worthy of guarding their ancient clans power and now Pete was going to have it on nearly luck alone. He wasn’t Gerard’s favourite candidate; he’d shown weakness, selfishness, childishness and little poise but in Gerard’s heart he knew Pete was also one of the best. All the same, swallowing his annoyance was a hearty task, it took Gerard a glance at each of Pete’s grief-stricken friends faces to speak again.
“Pete, can have some more of mine too and that’ll be enough.”
“Hey ya’ll it won’t be long till sun up, we should get inside,” Travis piped up watching the sky “Couple o’ hours if we’re lucky.”
“He’s right,” Gerard agreed “It would be better to do this inside anyway.” Joe lifted Pete’s front half up while Patrick grabbed his legs clumsily.
“Hurry up, this is not about the sunrise. If we’re going to save him we have to be quick about this. Take him to, uh, Patrick’s room or Andy’s room, I think they’re far enough from the gym that the light won’t bother him.” Gerard commanded as Patrick and Joe picked up the pace, jogging up the steps and through the front door into Ivory Tower. Gerard gave the battleground a brief look over.
It was a horrific sight. There were bodies littering the destroyed front lawn of the school, trees had been smashed haphazardly, ground had been ripped into, there were gaping holes of plaster, wood and glass in the school’s exterior and Gerard even questioned the hope of having it fixed again. Eventually he came across the lovers together only in death. Travis noticed Gerard’s extended pause and looked to the couple himself.
“What do you think we should do with them?” Travis asked nodding in Brendon and Ryan’s direction. Gerard sighed, pondering this decision.
“Bury them in coffins…” Gerard replied solemnly “Side by side. We’ll find them some or make some…I’ll bring them inside.”
“Alright, see you in there.” Travis agreed. As he moved towards the house, he saw that Andy was not doing the same, but stood swaying slightly and watching the space that Joe, Patrick and Pete had just disappeared through. Travis frowned.
“Andy, are you ok man?” Travis called walking over.
“Yeah, just a bit dizzy,” Andy replied, his pallid expression and clammy skin betraying his composed voice.
“I’ll help you inside, dude.” Travis said, putting his arm under Andy’s and beginning to help him towards the school, finding him a lot weaker than he appeared. Andy’s weight quickly slouched against him and Travis took it with ease. Travis could tell with a sniff that Andy had lost a lot of blood but in his face he noticed something unusual. His expression was weak and the shadows around his eyes couldn’t hide the fear. Travis knew he had to keep Andy’s attention at least until he got him into bed or onto a couch.
“Man I’m hungry!” He exclaimed, “Andy, my man, is that blood on your neck?”
“Don’t even think about it,” Andy managed a snigger.
“For real, it smells good,” Travis said, lifting him up the stairs and into the hall.
Gerard stood over the two vampires lying together. One lay peacefully on his back, eyes closed, dreaming of forever’s on grassy hills in the summer. The other lay beside him, eyes still watching him, fingers loosely entangled in his, head on his shoulder. Gerard sighed deeply. He didn’t want to move them. He bent down and reached a hand out brushing it over Brendon’s eyelids, closing them.
“It’s ok, you can stop watching him now,” Gerard whispered to Brendon “He’ll be fine. You both will.”
As he finally made to grab them he recognised someone lying a few feet away.
“…Oh no…”
“Hey Gerard, do you want some help?” Disashi asked, catching up with everyone. He had been checking the Dandies to make sure they were all dead and was pleased to find none of them had made it.
“Gerard.” Disashi repeated when Gerard didn’t answer.
“…yeah…yeah…” Gerard said as Disashi joined him.
“I need you to carry him” Gerard said, voice thin as though he were getting tired of talking.
“Which one?” Disashi asked, trying to replace chipper tones for solemn ones. He wouldn’t have to try hard. Gerard lifted his chin gesturing to the man not too far from them.
“Dirty.”
* * *
When Gerard finally entered Patrick’s room he found Joe and Patrick sitting beside Pete who was lying in one of the smaller lockers scattered through out the school. They had propped him up with some pillows and taken off his drenched hoodie. Gerard wondered at the irony of the words on Pete’s tee shirt ‘Love can’t save you’ as he sat down opposite them. He decided he would wait till later to tell them about their scruffy friend now lying with Ryan and Brendon on the second floor.
“I’m going first,” Joe said before Gerard could speak. He was shaking.
“Ok,” Gerard said, lifting Pete’s chin up and opening his mouth further, time was still of the essence and there was no sense in prolonging the anticipation.
“Before we do this,” Joe continued quickly “Will he be able to change me with a bite?”
“Well he shouldn’t be able to, I’ll give him my blood last so he’ll have less of my attributes. The ability to turn someone is controllable. The Way vampires choose who they turn so when we bite someone they only turn if we want them to.” Gerard explained “You should drip it into his mouth anyway though so there’s less of a chance he’ll have a reflex action.”
“Yeah ok,” Joe agreed. There was a sudden blur and shout of pain as Gerard’s hand snatched Joe’s, pulled it to his mouth and cut it open with his razor sharp canines. Patrick yelped in surprise but Gerard simply held Joe’s wrist out above Pete’s face.
“What the hell!?” Joe roared, biting his lip and trying not to watch the blood drip into Pete’s mouth “Fuck it hurts!”
“Sorry, I didn’t want you to suffer anymore. It was obvious that you were nervous and no one likes giving blood.” Gerard replied.
“Yes but Jesus you could have told me!” Joe exclaimed “Ah!”
“You seem to be back to normal, Gerard.” Patrick commented, trying to pull attention away from the blood as Joe squirmed beside him.
“Yeah the eclipse is over, my powers are decreasing and my hair’ll probably be long and black in a few days,” Gerard replied, watching Joe’s wrist with more attention than necessary “it was weird…like being drunk…but keeping a great degree of clarity at the same time…”
Minutes passed through the heavy air, the few sounds of movement in the school carried down every corridor. They were ominous and hopeful, chasing away the memories of the battle cries that had waged for hours previously. Disashi’s footsteps walked up stairs and overhead looking for Matt and Eric. The wall outside Patrick’s room creaked impatiently as Travis leaned on it, arms crossed, eyes downcast. Air hushed in Patrick’s mouth, breathing quietly, waiting to burst with sound. Everyone, no matter where they were in the school, was listening out for Pete.
“Guys,” Joe mumbled, looking pale, the pair pulling focus from Pete to Joe with surprise “That’s enough.”
“Whoa Joe, are you all right, dude? Just relax, ok?” Patrick said, holding him steady and Gerard licked across his wrist, healing it immediately. Patrick helped Joe over to the bed, lying him down carefully as he swooned. Gerard stood, deciding Joe had given too much to go unattended.
“Is there any juice or candy in the gym?” he asked Patrick. After a moment of deliberation Patrick’s face lit up and he replied.
“Yeah there should be some Skittles in the shelving next to the cereal…and there might be some OJ in the fridge.”
“I’ll be back in a minute,” Gerard said, jogging out of the room.
“Sorry Joe…take it easy. Just lie there. Gerard’s gonna get you some sugar.” Patrick promised him and Joe nodded in agreement eyes closed.
“Jeez everything’s spinning,” Joe moaned.
“I know, I know. Just wait, he’ll be right back,” Patrick said reassuringly.
He then glanced at Pete, queasiness settling into his own stomach at the thought of Gerard giving his wrist the same treatment. He crawled over to Pete and knelt down, rolling up his sleeves, preferring to do the deed himself. He shoved his wrist against Pete’s fangs, feeling the teeth cut in immediately. His jaw clenched as the slashes drew blood. The liquid began to course down and from where Patrick was sitting, he could see it trickling down Pete’s throat, a whole new wave of nausea taking hold. He looked away, watching his fist clenched white against the coffin door and Pete’s jeans still dusty from outside.
A moment or two passed. Patrick thought he heard Gerard running down the hall, clothes fluttering as he moved, feet pounding, then something happened. His green irises expanded so the black inside could take it all in. Pete’s hand, lying on the coffin bottom twitched.
With a jolt Pete’s chest rose, pulling Pete upright with it, his eyelids, unable to resist the pull, flying open. Air rasped down, forcing itself into his lungs with a soggy gasp quickly followed by a coughing fit. His aching veins contracted, blood dragging through them once more. Pete’s pale skin was wracked with violent trembling and his clumsy hands grabbed Patrick’s bleeding arm that had fallen into lap. He instinctively pulled it back to his mouth, nuzzling the wounds with his nose and the corners of his mouth before sucking on it again. Exquisite flavour like bursts of colour filled his mouth. Then, with a whine, his lips drew back, teeth sharpening over Patrick’s stained skin.
“Pete.”
Pete’s nostrils flared and he breathed heavily, fangs still hovering.
The wind whispered outside.
Pete’s eyes blinked twice, travelling down the length of his legs, halfway up the cupboard on the far wall and to the left. Cuts and scrapes scattered across the milky contours of his cheeks. Lines like ticks drew the corners of dry lips up. Gold hair hung messy and uncovered, bits sticking to his dirt-smudged forehead and around his ears. His warm unheld hand reached out across the distance between them covering a cold shaking shoulder. He saw himself reflected in green eyes that blue moved though like clouds in the sky. Rain escaped them as Pete sniffed loudly, expression crumpling to tearful recognition. His canines dulled and his tongue pressed against the cuts on Patrick’s wrists, tasting them one last time; the biology that healed his own injuries within moments closed Patrick’s immediately. The second his hands released Patrick’s, he leaned in, grabbing the blonde as Patrick did the same with almost violent strength.
“Patrick.” Pete’s scratchy voice spoke into his neck as his hands fisted the back of Patrick’s shirt. Patrick nodded, holding Pete tighter as something flittered in his heart. It was the beginnings of happiness.
“Thank god”
In the dim hall Travis studied Gerard who had paused on the other side of the doorway a glass in one hand and a small bag in the other. They shared a smile and Travis saw the boy he’d seen in the painted hallway portrait what seemed like years ago.
A victory had finally found them.
A/N: So this is the second last chapter of the fic ever, i know i said that last time but it ran long again. This is definitely the second last one. It was hard for me to post this for a few reasons. Because my fic is finally coming to end and well yeah...i think I’ll talk more about that at the end of next chapter. Because I wanted to keep it as motivation to finish the last chapter but in the end I decided that since it was well finished and everyone was waiting and I didn't want ya'll to lose interest so in the end I decided I would post it now and trust that the reviews I get from it will keep me going to the end.
This was a REAL hard one for keeping Pete and Patrick straight again! boy was that a battle. when I decided i was going to have fob give Pete blood to be revived I was like *rubs hands together* a viable reason to have Pete sucking on Patrick’s neck and loving it MWAHAHAHAHAHA but then i wacked myself and I was like 'no! behave! you managed to keep them passably straight for 18 chapters don't break it now' though i am seriously considering doing a spin off one shot fic where they just get it on vampire style for all those times i held back during the fic. like awesome amounts of tension! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA ahem but that'll have to wait cause I have this to finish and am working on two other ferards right now which i may or may not bother finishing (the ferards that is).
Sorry Dirty, i love you man but i wanted this battle to have casualties, you don't go to war for the safe future of New Chicago and not lose a few men. I’m 14 pages into the last chapter and don’t think I’m too far away from finishing it but like I said it’s harder to write now cause I’m getting sentimental, it’s been a huge achievement for me to get this far and write something like this. I never thought I would have the patience or stamina. I will finish it but encouragement will be hugely appreciated. Thank you.
Author: seraph05
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: Largely Fall Out Boy with My Chemical Romance and appearances from The Academy Is…’s William Beckett, Gym Class Heroes’ Travis and Panic! At The Disco’s Brendon & Ryan.
Warnings: Swearing, Violence, Suggestive behavior
Pairing: Patrick/Pete, Brendon/Ryan
Disclaimer: I want to have Patrick Stumps bunnies. oh sorry this is the 'i don't own' section isn't it? i thought it was things that you want section. sorry, don't own, never have, still don't, wouldn't mind if i didn't have qualms about the whole 'owning people is wrong' thing.
Summary: He’d barely slept at all yesterday, fingernails drumming the wood as the unknown hours ticked away. He blinked, he breathed and he traced the carvings he’d made on the inside with his nails.
“Wentz,” his fingerprints read.
Chapter 1 - Just Another Night…
Chapter 2 - No Rest For The Broken The Beaten Or The Damned
Chapter 3 - Being A Living Sacrifice Is Better than Living a Lie
Chapter 4 - The Unraveling
Chapter 5 - The Ghost Of You Will Always Haunt Me
Chapter 6 - Anagnorisis
Chapter 7 - The Best Laid Plans…
Chapter 8 - The Ivory Tower
Chapter 9 - The Joker And The Thief In The Night
Chapter 10 - Home Is Where The Heart Is
Chapter 11 - Chaotic Souls And Dancing Stars
Chapter 12 - So Kiss Me Goodbye, Honey I’m Gonna Make It Out Alive
Chapter 13 - Calm Before The Storm
Chapter 14 - Release The Bats
Chapter 15 - The Music Or The Misery
Chapter 16 - Take This To Your Grave And I’ll Take You To Mine
Chapter 17 - It’s Almost Here
Chapter 18 - Dead.On.Arrival
Chapter 19 - Goodbyes To Paralyse
He lay in the dark, small space waiting to hear the voice. He resisted the urge, downright refused to get out before he heard it. It wasn’t the usual act of stubbornness that kept him there, pout unknown to everyone but himself. He’d barely slept at all yesterday, fingernails drumming the wood as the unknown hours ticked away. He blinked, he breathed and he traced the carvings he’d made on the inside with his nails.
“Wentz,” his fingerprints read.
He crossed his arms over his chest and waited some more. Again he wondered how long he’d have to lie, ears trained to every sound, sick to his stomach. He combed his fingers through his straight black hair and the same name hung in his mouth and mind. He told himself being up and about the place wouldn’t make time go any faster and he knew he had to wait for the sun to sink below the horizon anyway. He had to wait for that sound.
His eyes shot open, brown irises wide as he heard it. He kicked the door open, practically throwing himself out into the living room. His hands gripped the decaying shagpile carpet and he felt dizzy with anxiety as he watched the old TV gain colour and light. His reflexes always were faster than the timer connected to the TV. He could barely breathe.
“Good evening this is Katherine Prince reporting with Edward McLynn on New Chicago’s news tonight,” The two reporters sitting behind the large desk looked strangely out of place and they exchanged an unprofessional glance, then Katherine continued “We’d like to take a break from the norm to announce some breaking news, this report is being broadcasted over all radio stations and will be the first account of last nights incident.”
“Hurry the fuck up!” he swore through gritted teeth.
“Strange weather activity around the outer suburbs of New Chicago was reported to have happened earlier this morning. Purple lighting, gales and even fluctuations in gravity have been experienced around 4:40 for five to ten minutes. Edward,” Katherine looked to her colleague, beckoning for him to continue.
“At approximately 4:50 am CST, ten minutes after the lunar eclipse concluded, vampires all over the city began to show signs of pain and shortly after, died. Initial reports on death toll suggest 80 per cent of New Chicago’s vampire population has perished. Currently we have little information on what caused this bizarre occurrence, though scientists have suggested the eclipse was not the cause as most vampires in other parts of the world were unaffected. Scientists have also been unable to confirm if either the vampire deaths or the lunar eclipse have any link to the weather conditions earlier this morning. We will bring you more information as it becomes available to…”
The rest of the news report went unheard as the boy jumped up and shouted with joy. He switched off the TV with a brisk jab of the clunky on/ off button. He marched over to the living room door grabbing a soccer gear bag full of his few belongings. He looked around as he walked down the hallway towards the front door. He knew he wouldn’t miss the bad 70’s décor, reminded of it for the last time as he opened the creaky front door with a big opaque orange window in it. It wasn’t till he’d reached the pavement that he looked back at the derelict house he had called home for the past four years and said goodbye. After a few minutes had passed he readjusted the bag strap, pulling it higher over his shoulder so it was more comfortable and flipped out his phone. He dialled a number and began walking. There was a long pause and he pondered the smile he couldn’t remove from his lips.
“Hey…hey pick up the phone…heeey it’s Andrew here…Come on bro pick up the phone. Scrabble through those pockets of yours...ok so you might have your phone off, I don’t see how since generally it’s practically surgically attached to your ear but I had to tell you - you’re an asshole! You should have fucking called me I was lying in my frikin coffin all night having a heart attack over you guys but god damn! You did it didn’t you! You guys beat them! I knew you could…I was just worried you know. I’m sorry Pete; I know I said I’d wait till Sunday but since you didn’t call me right after you put the smack down on Beckett you better smarten up I’m coming over. See you soon.”
* * *
Friends and family were all gathered together in the night. Gerard had turned some of Ivory Towers outside lights on but what lit the scene most was the crisp moon above, already chipped by the shadow of the earth. Days had passed since it had bled above a gory battle scene. The bodies, left to the sun, had turned to dust and blown away. All but the three, the remaining clandestine had taken and shielded from the light. The group looked on, some still wrapped in bandages, others healed but all were scarred on the inside. Most were wearing light clothes as it was a warm night but the attire was black. Three graves lay open, caskets waiting to be lowered and covered, no one wanting to be the one to do it. There was no priest reading or speaking on the bereft groups behalf and the attendants were waiting for someone to talk. It was a beautiful night for a funeral.
“It feels kind of weird…standing here like this…”
A few heads turned but the one who spoke didn’t look up, red eyes bent sourly to the coffins. His glasses were resting too low but he didn’t adjust them letting his black pageboy cap cover his face.
“It’s been so long since we’ve been able to just…enjoy the night you know…just, uh, stand here in our clothes with no plans, no…weapons, no fail safes in case…well I just can’t relax…” He smiled “But I know that will change one day…we’ll be able to…we’ll just wake up and know we can start again without looking over our shoulders everywhere we go. We’ll be able to…live again,” his lips pursed hard as he fought a rush of emotion. Once he composed himself he continued.
“And if it wasn’t for them this would never have happened. We wouldn’t be able to pick up our lives,” Patrick spoke softly walking over to the first casket “Ryan…I never really knew you and I think that’s a big loss. You saved my friends from Beckett’s cellar, you set me free from Brendon’s control and you died so that we could live. If Brendon had kept his control…we would have lost for sure,” He bobbed down and rested his hand on the smooth wooden lid “Thank you for saving us,” he paused for a while, wiped his face with his sleeve and then moved on to the next coffin.
“Brendon…despite all you did…judging by what I saw when Ryan passed away there was a lot of good in you. I get the feeling you had great potential and when we talked…you seemed like you could have been a really nice person. I’m sorry you didn’t get that opportunity…I’m sorry you didn’t get that chance to be with us but if you wanted it I would have forgiven you for what you’ve done,” he looked around and a few heads nodded in silent agreement “We all forgive you man…and if there is place after this I hope you find him there,” Patrick waited another few moments before standing again. However he did not move on to the third coffin. He stood in front of Brendon’s, not looking at the third as his friends and family waited.
“He…”
The word was so singular and alone as a long moment followed it.
“He was…” Patrick’s voice cracked and he went quiet, sobs shaking his shoulders. Joe walked over to him, putting an arm around them tightly. He turned his own raw eyes to the coffin.
“He was a really good dude…” Joe sniffed, looking down, unable to stare for too long “A really good friend to us all…”
“…It won’t be the same without him…” Andy agreed, joining his two friends.
“I wish he wasn’t lost in…in…” Patrick tried so hard to speak.
“In the process of making New Chicago a safer place…” Travis finished off.
“We’ll miss you so much.” Andy said.
Words reverted back to tears as the funeral party mourned their loss.
One of them took a step forward, a rose in his bandaged hand. Andrew watched as he threw the rose onto the coffin.
“Rest in peace, you crazy bastard.” his voice was the most despondent of all that had spoken. He stayed close to the coffin, tears running worn lines down his face. Andrew sighed looking down; it had been a long time since he’d had to be strong for someone other than himself. Andrew joined him putting a hand on his shoulder.
“Hey,” was all Andrew said. He didn’t look around but his head lowered to the boy’s shoulder. Andrew put his arms around him as the man sunk closer still.
“It’s ok” Andrew said, “Its ok. I’ve got you Pete.”
* * * 4 Nights Ago * * *
Gerard looked on as the world of the ashen fading city began to burn into a calm ending night. The silver of his clothes blew away like leaves in the wind, the soil and blood stains beginning to show beneath. Above, the carmine was leaving the moon in the wake of another shadow and Gerard bent his head to the direction of his brothers with a smile. The fading apparitions of his band returned the warmth and Ray was the first to step forward, giving Gerard a heavy hug and a pat on the back. He paused as Gerard told him goodbye. Next was Bob who shook his hand and embraced him quickly. Gerard gritted his teeth as Mikey stepped forward. He grasped his brothers fading jacket and pulled him into his arms, Mikey wrapping Gerard tightly in his own. Gerard spoke into his shoulder, voice broken and though no sound escaped, Mikey felt every word. Gerard leaned back for a moment and kissed his cheek, Mikey returning it. Then the younger brother passed out of his arms leaving Gerard to clutch air.
I love you Mikey
Frank stood alone now as the parade marched away in the disintegrating backdrop. His green eyes looked up, meeting Gerard’s jade irises. They spoke to each other.
I missed you.
You sacrificed yourself for me
I’m sorry I wasn’t there I was…
I know, I would have done it anyway.
Don’t thank me; it’s enough that you’re alive.
I’m not afraid anymore. I’m not afraid to live.
Frank I-
Don’t say it Gerard
I said it to the others
Gerard stepped closer and embraced him for just a moment. Just long enough for the corners of Franks mouth to lift.
Believe it.
Always.
Then he was gone and the last few snowflakes fell around Gerard from that strange other world.
“Goodbye,” he called into the snow “I’ll join you one day. Till then every blood lunar eclipse we’ll march together for a while, no matter where in the world or what time. Wait for me and tell Grandma I love her.”
The snow melted, the moon was glowing white and pure and Gerard felt himself grounded. For hours it had felt like he’d been floating but the eclipse had finished and his strength was beginning to ease to normal. His heart cracked as he felt his band leave but being able to stand with them again and say goodbye had begun to heal a lot of old wounds. He knew they were fine.
A scream ripped out into the night tearing into Gerard’s very soul and he spun to see where it had come from as it flew out in all directions. A few metres from him Patrick was kneeling, knuckles white as he clenched the ground. It seemed like all the muscles in his body were compressed for one purpose. He was holding the sound, feeling it, fighting to keep it. Gradually though, it died out; shorter shocked cries replaced them as the boy gave in sinking his head to the ground. Gerard watched as a dirt-covered hand released its grip on the mulch that was grass a moment ago and reached over, grabbing the denim of Pete’s jeans just below the knees. The fabric creased in his grasp. Gerard walked over and bobbed down, seeing Patrick, Joe and Andy all shaking with misery.
“He’s alive.”
No one heard it.
“He’s alive.”
Patrick’s eyes opened. Fingers held his shoulder. His forehead felt hot against the cool ground.
“He’s alive.”
Over the noise of the roaring pain racking his body, Patrick heard the words. He didn’t want to dare believe it, so afraid that accepting it might break it. Very slowly, breathing hard, the cries quieting in his chest, he looked to his right where Gerard was kneeling beside him. His eyes were warm like friends. Patrick then looked to Pete. He still lay, unmoving, dark lids closed as if he were sleeping. Patrick observed his chest, waiting to see the telltale rise and fall he might have missed but he saw none. A fresh streak escaped his lashes but still he didn’t look away. Eventually Travis asked the question for Patrick.
“What the fuck do you mean Gerard!? He’s not moving he’s not breathing he’s-!” Travis’s anxious voice began quiet but ended loudly and abruptly unable to finish the thought “He’s-!”
“He’s not dead.” Gerard replied firmly.
“How?” Joe asked, blue gaze almost sapphire against the tear-induced irritation. He didn’t look up and his arm remained defensively holding Pete.
“Because Beckett’s blood no longer held Pete’s fate when Pete killed him.” Gerard replied. As Joe and Andy’s heads lifted to view Gerard’s face, still Patrick watched Pete.
“When a vampire drinks a stronger vampire’s blood he takes on the stronger vampires abilities. It was this way when I was born into darkness and took my elders strength. It was still this way the night you took me from the House of Wolves bar.” Gerard continued “My families blood has special traits no other vampire blood has, you know this, but there is one trait that has served us better than the others. It is why our clan has survived so long and is so powerful. The Way vampire blood breaks blood bonds.”
“What?” Travis exclaimed.
“When a vampire is made it is bonded to the one who made it and if its maker dies so it perishes as well. This is one of the vampire’s greatest weaknesses, but we, as one of the oldest clans in the world, possibly the oldest of all, have evolved past that. Our blood is extremely powerful; changes us during a blood red eclipse, allows us to bear the suns light, it gives us the ability to turn humans with a single bite and finally it breaks blood bonds so that when a head vampire dies he is the only one to perish.” Gerard waited for a moment while his bereaved companions caught up, expressions all a mix of confusion, heavy thought and astonishment.
“Many times throughout the centuries our elders have died. I suspect Beckett unknowingly killed the one who made me but I have lived on. I like to think that it was our humility and good nature as a clan that lent us these privileges, much like Pete and his burning hand attack but I don’t really know what it was,” Gerard mused “At first I was worried it wouldn’t make a difference to Pete in the end and that’s why I didn’t tell you but I can feel him, it’s faint and he’s not doing well but he’s alive.”
“What do you mean?” Andy asked, “How can you feel this?”
“Because on the night you rescued me Pete drank my blood.”
The sharp intake of the cold night air was like icy splinters in Patrick’s lungs. Pete had sucked the bullet out of Gerard when he thought he was a human, along with a lot of blood. So many things made sense to Patrick now. All the trouble they had been having with Pete, his moodiness and distance from them had faded to nothing over the past few months. They were all as close as they had been before because Pete’s blood was no longer swayed by William or his tendencies. He could see Pete in his minds eye, sitting up after drinking from Gerard and grinning. He wasn’t even aware how much things had changed for him all in that one moment.
“Beckett’s blood still made up a lot of Pete’s vampire composition but, by the looks of it, he expelled it all when Beckett died. It must have been torture.” Gerard continued eyeing the trail of brown blood splattered over the ground, marking the steps Pete took from Beckett to his current resting place “The sun still burnt him, he didn’t change like me as the eclipse came, his power didn’t drastically increase, he would have to have a lot more blood from me than that to truly gain all my abilities but it’s enough to break him from Beckett and keep him alive even now. Still he needs blood. Your potion won’t do it this time.”
There was a long pause as they weighed up the options. The blood bags were either used or lost in the rubble and there was no time to steal any. They knew what they had to do.
“Well I can give him some.” Joe announced, looking paler for the offer “Andy can’t-” Andy opened his mouth to speak but Joe continued “You’ve lost too much blood already; you actually need blood at this stage dude, just take it easy.”
“Fine,” Andy agreed reluctantly “But I’m not happy about it.”
“I can give him some,” Patrick spoke softly but firmly.
“It won’t be enough,” Gerard said and the three looked back to him as he watched Pete pensively. His gaze was almost condescending.
So many of the privileges Gerard was born to have had been taken away from him in his life and here was another. His heir was being chosen for him. By tradition Gerard was allowed generations to wait for the one he deemed worthy of guarding their ancient clans power and now Pete was going to have it on nearly luck alone. He wasn’t Gerard’s favourite candidate; he’d shown weakness, selfishness, childishness and little poise but in Gerard’s heart he knew Pete was also one of the best. All the same, swallowing his annoyance was a hearty task, it took Gerard a glance at each of Pete’s grief-stricken friends faces to speak again.
“Pete, can have some more of mine too and that’ll be enough.”
“Hey ya’ll it won’t be long till sun up, we should get inside,” Travis piped up watching the sky “Couple o’ hours if we’re lucky.”
“He’s right,” Gerard agreed “It would be better to do this inside anyway.” Joe lifted Pete’s front half up while Patrick grabbed his legs clumsily.
“Hurry up, this is not about the sunrise. If we’re going to save him we have to be quick about this. Take him to, uh, Patrick’s room or Andy’s room, I think they’re far enough from the gym that the light won’t bother him.” Gerard commanded as Patrick and Joe picked up the pace, jogging up the steps and through the front door into Ivory Tower. Gerard gave the battleground a brief look over.
It was a horrific sight. There were bodies littering the destroyed front lawn of the school, trees had been smashed haphazardly, ground had been ripped into, there were gaping holes of plaster, wood and glass in the school’s exterior and Gerard even questioned the hope of having it fixed again. Eventually he came across the lovers together only in death. Travis noticed Gerard’s extended pause and looked to the couple himself.
“What do you think we should do with them?” Travis asked nodding in Brendon and Ryan’s direction. Gerard sighed, pondering this decision.
“Bury them in coffins…” Gerard replied solemnly “Side by side. We’ll find them some or make some…I’ll bring them inside.”
“Alright, see you in there.” Travis agreed. As he moved towards the house, he saw that Andy was not doing the same, but stood swaying slightly and watching the space that Joe, Patrick and Pete had just disappeared through. Travis frowned.
“Andy, are you ok man?” Travis called walking over.
“Yeah, just a bit dizzy,” Andy replied, his pallid expression and clammy skin betraying his composed voice.
“I’ll help you inside, dude.” Travis said, putting his arm under Andy’s and beginning to help him towards the school, finding him a lot weaker than he appeared. Andy’s weight quickly slouched against him and Travis took it with ease. Travis could tell with a sniff that Andy had lost a lot of blood but in his face he noticed something unusual. His expression was weak and the shadows around his eyes couldn’t hide the fear. Travis knew he had to keep Andy’s attention at least until he got him into bed or onto a couch.
“Man I’m hungry!” He exclaimed, “Andy, my man, is that blood on your neck?”
“Don’t even think about it,” Andy managed a snigger.
“For real, it smells good,” Travis said, lifting him up the stairs and into the hall.
Gerard stood over the two vampires lying together. One lay peacefully on his back, eyes closed, dreaming of forever’s on grassy hills in the summer. The other lay beside him, eyes still watching him, fingers loosely entangled in his, head on his shoulder. Gerard sighed deeply. He didn’t want to move them. He bent down and reached a hand out brushing it over Brendon’s eyelids, closing them.
“It’s ok, you can stop watching him now,” Gerard whispered to Brendon “He’ll be fine. You both will.”
As he finally made to grab them he recognised someone lying a few feet away.
“…Oh no…”
“Hey Gerard, do you want some help?” Disashi asked, catching up with everyone. He had been checking the Dandies to make sure they were all dead and was pleased to find none of them had made it.
“Gerard.” Disashi repeated when Gerard didn’t answer.
“…yeah…yeah…” Gerard said as Disashi joined him.
“I need you to carry him” Gerard said, voice thin as though he were getting tired of talking.
“Which one?” Disashi asked, trying to replace chipper tones for solemn ones. He wouldn’t have to try hard. Gerard lifted his chin gesturing to the man not too far from them.
“Dirty.”
* * *
When Gerard finally entered Patrick’s room he found Joe and Patrick sitting beside Pete who was lying in one of the smaller lockers scattered through out the school. They had propped him up with some pillows and taken off his drenched hoodie. Gerard wondered at the irony of the words on Pete’s tee shirt ‘Love can’t save you’ as he sat down opposite them. He decided he would wait till later to tell them about their scruffy friend now lying with Ryan and Brendon on the second floor.
“I’m going first,” Joe said before Gerard could speak. He was shaking.
“Ok,” Gerard said, lifting Pete’s chin up and opening his mouth further, time was still of the essence and there was no sense in prolonging the anticipation.
“Before we do this,” Joe continued quickly “Will he be able to change me with a bite?”
“Well he shouldn’t be able to, I’ll give him my blood last so he’ll have less of my attributes. The ability to turn someone is controllable. The Way vampires choose who they turn so when we bite someone they only turn if we want them to.” Gerard explained “You should drip it into his mouth anyway though so there’s less of a chance he’ll have a reflex action.”
“Yeah ok,” Joe agreed. There was a sudden blur and shout of pain as Gerard’s hand snatched Joe’s, pulled it to his mouth and cut it open with his razor sharp canines. Patrick yelped in surprise but Gerard simply held Joe’s wrist out above Pete’s face.
“What the hell!?” Joe roared, biting his lip and trying not to watch the blood drip into Pete’s mouth “Fuck it hurts!”
“Sorry, I didn’t want you to suffer anymore. It was obvious that you were nervous and no one likes giving blood.” Gerard replied.
“Yes but Jesus you could have told me!” Joe exclaimed “Ah!”
“You seem to be back to normal, Gerard.” Patrick commented, trying to pull attention away from the blood as Joe squirmed beside him.
“Yeah the eclipse is over, my powers are decreasing and my hair’ll probably be long and black in a few days,” Gerard replied, watching Joe’s wrist with more attention than necessary “it was weird…like being drunk…but keeping a great degree of clarity at the same time…”
Minutes passed through the heavy air, the few sounds of movement in the school carried down every corridor. They were ominous and hopeful, chasing away the memories of the battle cries that had waged for hours previously. Disashi’s footsteps walked up stairs and overhead looking for Matt and Eric. The wall outside Patrick’s room creaked impatiently as Travis leaned on it, arms crossed, eyes downcast. Air hushed in Patrick’s mouth, breathing quietly, waiting to burst with sound. Everyone, no matter where they were in the school, was listening out for Pete.
“Guys,” Joe mumbled, looking pale, the pair pulling focus from Pete to Joe with surprise “That’s enough.”
“Whoa Joe, are you all right, dude? Just relax, ok?” Patrick said, holding him steady and Gerard licked across his wrist, healing it immediately. Patrick helped Joe over to the bed, lying him down carefully as he swooned. Gerard stood, deciding Joe had given too much to go unattended.
“Is there any juice or candy in the gym?” he asked Patrick. After a moment of deliberation Patrick’s face lit up and he replied.
“Yeah there should be some Skittles in the shelving next to the cereal…and there might be some OJ in the fridge.”
“I’ll be back in a minute,” Gerard said, jogging out of the room.
“Sorry Joe…take it easy. Just lie there. Gerard’s gonna get you some sugar.” Patrick promised him and Joe nodded in agreement eyes closed.
“Jeez everything’s spinning,” Joe moaned.
“I know, I know. Just wait, he’ll be right back,” Patrick said reassuringly.
He then glanced at Pete, queasiness settling into his own stomach at the thought of Gerard giving his wrist the same treatment. He crawled over to Pete and knelt down, rolling up his sleeves, preferring to do the deed himself. He shoved his wrist against Pete’s fangs, feeling the teeth cut in immediately. His jaw clenched as the slashes drew blood. The liquid began to course down and from where Patrick was sitting, he could see it trickling down Pete’s throat, a whole new wave of nausea taking hold. He looked away, watching his fist clenched white against the coffin door and Pete’s jeans still dusty from outside.
A moment or two passed. Patrick thought he heard Gerard running down the hall, clothes fluttering as he moved, feet pounding, then something happened. His green irises expanded so the black inside could take it all in. Pete’s hand, lying on the coffin bottom twitched.
With a jolt Pete’s chest rose, pulling Pete upright with it, his eyelids, unable to resist the pull, flying open. Air rasped down, forcing itself into his lungs with a soggy gasp quickly followed by a coughing fit. His aching veins contracted, blood dragging through them once more. Pete’s pale skin was wracked with violent trembling and his clumsy hands grabbed Patrick’s bleeding arm that had fallen into lap. He instinctively pulled it back to his mouth, nuzzling the wounds with his nose and the corners of his mouth before sucking on it again. Exquisite flavour like bursts of colour filled his mouth. Then, with a whine, his lips drew back, teeth sharpening over Patrick’s stained skin.
“Pete.”
Pete’s nostrils flared and he breathed heavily, fangs still hovering.
The wind whispered outside.
Pete’s eyes blinked twice, travelling down the length of his legs, halfway up the cupboard on the far wall and to the left. Cuts and scrapes scattered across the milky contours of his cheeks. Lines like ticks drew the corners of dry lips up. Gold hair hung messy and uncovered, bits sticking to his dirt-smudged forehead and around his ears. His warm unheld hand reached out across the distance between them covering a cold shaking shoulder. He saw himself reflected in green eyes that blue moved though like clouds in the sky. Rain escaped them as Pete sniffed loudly, expression crumpling to tearful recognition. His canines dulled and his tongue pressed against the cuts on Patrick’s wrists, tasting them one last time; the biology that healed his own injuries within moments closed Patrick’s immediately. The second his hands released Patrick’s, he leaned in, grabbing the blonde as Patrick did the same with almost violent strength.
“Patrick.” Pete’s scratchy voice spoke into his neck as his hands fisted the back of Patrick’s shirt. Patrick nodded, holding Pete tighter as something flittered in his heart. It was the beginnings of happiness.
“Thank god”
In the dim hall Travis studied Gerard who had paused on the other side of the doorway a glass in one hand and a small bag in the other. They shared a smile and Travis saw the boy he’d seen in the painted hallway portrait what seemed like years ago.
A victory had finally found them.
A/N: So this is the second last chapter of the fic ever, i know i said that last time but it ran long again. This is definitely the second last one. It was hard for me to post this for a few reasons. Because my fic is finally coming to end and well yeah...i think I’ll talk more about that at the end of next chapter. Because I wanted to keep it as motivation to finish the last chapter but in the end I decided that since it was well finished and everyone was waiting and I didn't want ya'll to lose interest so in the end I decided I would post it now and trust that the reviews I get from it will keep me going to the end.
This was a REAL hard one for keeping Pete and Patrick straight again! boy was that a battle. when I decided i was going to have fob give Pete blood to be revived I was like *rubs hands together* a viable reason to have Pete sucking on Patrick’s neck and loving it MWAHAHAHAHAHA but then i wacked myself and I was like 'no! behave! you managed to keep them passably straight for 18 chapters don't break it now' though i am seriously considering doing a spin off one shot fic where they just get it on vampire style for all those times i held back during the fic. like awesome amounts of tension! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA ahem but that'll have to wait cause I have this to finish and am working on two other ferards right now which i may or may not bother finishing (the ferards that is).
Sorry Dirty, i love you man but i wanted this battle to have casualties, you don't go to war for the safe future of New Chicago and not lose a few men. I’m 14 pages into the last chapter and don’t think I’m too far away from finishing it but like I said it’s harder to write now cause I’m getting sentimental, it’s been a huge achievement for me to get this far and write something like this. I never thought I would have the patience or stamina. I will finish it but encouragement will be hugely appreciated. Thank you.