Of Vampires And Rock Stars (Ch 4)
Title: Of Vampires And Rock Stars (Ch 4)
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
Disclaimer: Don't own em. People should never be owned by anyone but themselves.
Summary: He licked his lips nervously as he did not want the question to come off as suspicion.
“Why did you risk yourself for me that night?”
Chapter 1 - http://seraph05.livejournal.com/4296.html
Chapter 2 - http://seraph05.livejournal.com/4704.html
Chapter 3 - http://seraph05.livejournal.com/4964.html
Chapter 4 - The Unraveling
Her dark brown hair trailed down to the curve in her black bare back dress. Sharp dark eyes flashed dangerously out at him and light danced across her supple bronzed skin. Even in the dim lighting of the bar Travis could tell she was a vampire. Though she hid it well, experienced vampires knew how to talk in such a way that the true extent of their fangs weren't shown and she was no exception. She was poised, graceful and beautiful. Travis expected that many poor saps had fallen under her spell and ended up dead for their efforts but this would not happen with him. He was in the enviable position of already being a vampire. She rolled her eyes disapprovingly but the sly smile on her rosebud pink lips didn’t lie. She was defiantly enjoying the attention.
"Yeah Miss, I'm Travis of the Dandy vampire candy" Travis rhymed stylishly, oozing confidence and whispering in her ear "Do you want a taste?"
"How about asking my name first?" she said playfully moving just out of his reach.
"But then I won't get to call you all these sexy nicknames like baby and sugar and-" Travis began but she cut across him.
"It's Ciara, Travi and you can still call me those nicknames if you want" she said lowering her voice to a soft teasing whisper.
"Ohhh baby you are just too hot…" Travis said moving closer and leaning in. The next voice that spoke wasn't her approving tone like he had hoped but the murmur of a smooth male voice.
"Listen sweetie why don't you just take that fine ass of yours off that bar stool and wait for Travis in that corner like a good-for-only-one-thing-girl" Travis's brows met in annoyance to see Brendon standing behind her, chin resting on Ciara's shoulder, lips whispering close to her ear though his voice was cynical and cold. She stood up and shot him an icy glare before storming off back to her friends on the other side of the bar.
"See you later Travi" she said shortly.
"God damn Brendon!” Travis swore unsparingly watching her go "She was the finest thing I’ve seen in weeks!"
"Oh don't worry I think you can win her over again. You're so good at it after all" Brendon sniggered sitting down gracefully on the stool and ordering a drink "Give me a vodka cruizer"
"Well I least I won't have to worry about any competition from you" Travis said voice thick with biting sarcasm.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Brendon said surveying the bar.
"What it's supposed to mean, Urie, is that you may like pretty things but you certainly don't like the ladies" Travis replied with a sneer.
"What?!" he exclaimed angrily.
"I remember my first victim; she was a sweet young girl with porcelain skin, black hair and baby blue eyes. Who was your first victim?" Travis said already knowing the answer but enjoying his revenge for losing such a catch. Brendon sat there glaring at Travis and refusing to answer.
"Let me jog your memory yo" Travis said after it became apparent that Brendon would not answer "Short brown hair, soft cheek bones, skinny, pretty enough to be a girl but defiantly a guy. How is Ryan doing anyway? Taking to vampire life as well as you did?"
"Fuck off I didn't come to talk to you about him" Brendon growled defensively.
"I never thought closeted vampires existed before I met you" Travis continued lapping up Brendon’s embarrassment.
"Shut up" Brendon snarled dangerously.
"Shame he doesn't seem to feel the same bout you. Last time I saw you two together he seemed to be trying to avoid you like the plague. Maybe he's just shy" Travis offered exercising the full extent of his dislike for Brendon now. Travis rarely got the chance to tell Brendon exactly what he thought of him since Brendon was Beckett's right hand man and could really have him punished as long as he could convince Beckett to go along with it. Travis and his clan had been locked in their coffins for a week once after failing to take down one of the punk gangs. They immerged starving and it took them days to regain their strength as prey was harder to catch in their weakened state. It wasn't until later that Travis had heard this torture was thought up by none other than Brendon Urie.
"I know you're working with the Clandestine Hunters" Brendon said tersely and Travis's mouth clamped shut though he maintained his composure well.
"That's a lie" he said after a moment. Brendon was finally passed his drink which he sipped away at.
"I've seen you following them into their base; I’ve seen you chatting with them and in fact..." Brendon continued looking up "Why are you here in the House of the Wolves bar, where they were attacked only a few nights ago" Travis maintained a calm expression.
"I came here because I was trying to find out why Beckett lured the Clandestine Hunters here when he could have easily finished them off in the streets" Travis said flatly "I thought it might have something to do with this bar, maybe what's in it. But I don't see anything out of the usual"
"Honesty…good" Brendon said with a nod "But why would you need to know that"
"I'm curious. Unlike some of Beckett's followers I want to know what kind of leader is in charge of me and my crew. If he is using us for pointless stunts then maybe I won't be his puppet anymore. I'm not here for kicks. I'm here to finish off the Clandestine and take over this city properly so we can really get the vampire scene booming" Travis said his voice unwavering "I talk to the clandestine because I need to keep a close eye on them. You know, keep your friends close and your enemies closer"
"I thought they use to be your friends" Brendon said casually.
"Times change." Travis replied "People change. I'm a vampire now and they are hunters. It's as easy as that"
"You've had plenty of opportunities to kill them. Times when they have been alone, times when they have been wounded" Brendon was unconvinced.
"Plenty of opportunities yes but no advantage to any of them. If I'm going to kill them I’ve got to make it worth my while" Travis grinned rubbing his thumb and forefinger together.
"You're more calculating then I imagined" Brendon said, sounding honestly surprised. Travis stood straightening out his outfit expression utterly unfeeling.
"There is no room left in this world for favors and loyalty. As it turns out you've got to grab what you can even if you have to take it from those you once cared about" Travis spat and walked over to Ciara's table readying himself to try and win her back but not before saying his final farewell "You would know all about that wouldn’t you, Brendon"
Brendon glared at him for a while before allowing his gaze to fall down into his glass, tilting the glass back and forth and watching the ice moving around at the bottom. Then he put it down on the bar, flung his coat over his shoulder and walked out a desire to visit the Dandies mansion growing deeper in his heart.
* * *
Pete marched through the room footsteps heavy and Patrick’s eyes flicked up from his book to note him passing for the tenth time. It had only been a week since they had been supposedly ambushed and while Patrick and Joe were healing well Pete was getting restless for action. Normally when he got into these moods they would let him go out, or he would sneak out, and slay a handful of punks or gangster vampires but at this stage they were still in no condition to help him if something went wrong so he simply had to stay.
“I’m so bored!” he groaned.
“Just watch one of the DVD’s again” Patrick muttered turning the page.
“I’ve seen them all twice already” Pete said exasperatedly “I wanna go out! Can’t I go out?”
“No the preacher is coming in an hour anyway and we need the holy water he brings for your blend which he only gives to you because you confess your sins, you’re supposed to be sorry not bored” Patrick told him “Why don’t you spar with Joe or Andy”
Pete’s eyes narrowed.
“Fine” he walked out of the room once more calling for Joe and Andy as he did.
“Is he always this restless?”
Patrick looked up again from his book to see Gerard in the kitchen making some coffee.
“I didn’t see you there” Patrick said before adding “Not always. Just sometimes. He tends to be more pissed off then restless. This is him on a good day. He never had the opportunity to decide if he wanted to be a vampire or not he was just taken one night and now he has to live with that bad luck for the rest of his life. Naturally he’s unhappy about that”
“Hmm” Gerard said with a nod.
“You said something about sparring…is that what all those steaks and swords and targets are over there?” Gerard asked motioning to the corner of the gymnasium where they practiced fighting.
“Yeah, the swords are Andy’s, the steaks are mine and Pete’s. Joe tends to like to fight more with the guns or his bare hands” Patrick sniggered “Like he’s from some western movie or something”
“Ha, cool” Gerard said grinning when suddenly Pete stormed back into the room tetchy as ever.
“They’re playing cards,” Pete said irately like their happiness was a spurn against his own.
“Pete I’ll spar with you” Gerard offered taking another sip of his coffee. Patrick and Pete looked over at him.
“What?” he asked feeling a little self-conscious.
“Pete’s a really good fighter is all…do you know how to fight?” Patrick said putting his book down realizing that it was fruitless trying to read now.
“Yeah a bit. I’ll be fine” Gerard replied putting down his cup on the bench and rolling up his sleeves “Where do we start?” Pete cocked an eyebrow then shrugged.
“Ok come over here,” Pete said walking over to the sparring mat and cracking his knuckles inviting the chance to work out some nerves. Gerard followed him and then stood opposite him.
“Can I use a weapon?” Gerard asked looking around at the selection.
“Uh sure what do you want?” Pete said.
“You don’t have a croquet mallet lying around do you?” Gerard asked impishly with a grin.
“…dude...are you serious?” Pete said slowly not sure if Gerard was joking or not.
“I’m just yanking your chain” Gerard sniggered then held up his fists “Any house rules?”
“Yeah, don’t get knocked out” Pete replied holding up his own.
"I'll try not to" Gerard replied. Pete jumped foreword and Gerard shuffled back a few steps bringing his knuckles closer to his face to defend. Pete punched again and Gerard threw one hand up knocking the fist so it sailed over his head. With the other hand he shoved the surprised vampire in the chest sending him stumbling into the floor. Patrick issued a laugh, as Pete lay momentarily dazed on his back. Gerard took a few steps back and Pete leapt to his feet with a soft glare.
While it was obvious that Pete had been restraining the full extent of his skill Patrick was still impressed to see Gerard floor him on the first move.
"I'd say that's one for Gerard" Patrick announced. Pete shot him a frown before nodding in acceptance.
Pete ran at Gerard this time and Gerard pulled a fist back ready to punch Pete when he slid to his knee's kicking Gerard’s legs out from underneath him. Gerard coughed as the air was knocked out of his lungs as he hit the ground. The two of them got up and it was on for young and old. Fists and feet were flying and being blocked at such a tremendous rate that Patrick ran to the hall and shouted down it:
"Andy! Joe! Pete and Gerard are sparring! You gotta see this!"
Before long the three boys were cheering and alternating their favorite between the two, mostly depending on who was winning. Gerard wrestled Pete into a headlock but a moment later Pete had pulled out of it leaping un-naturally high into the air and startling Gerard into defenselessness. He landed shoving Gerard over and then leapt on top of him grabbing him by the shirt so he couldn't move.
"Come on say it!" Pete snarled as Gerard squirmed beneath him "Say I won!"
"No!" Gerard snapped stubbornly throwing him off. Pete rolled, turned around and tackled Gerard again. What had been fluid careful moves in the beginning had become a wrestling match/ brawl now with one trying to pin the other indefinitely.
"Come on Pete!" Joe shouted "Last point man!"
"Go Gerard! Pull it together!" Andy cheered.
Finally Pete managed to wrestle Gerard's hands behind his back and was holding him down.
"Give it up dude! I'm the most powerful vampire in this city!" Pete sniggered as Gerard continued to struggle fruitlessly.
"Peter!"
Pete looked up, as did everyone else at the new voice in the room. There next to the half opened roller door was the preacher his face creased with disapproval. They had been so wrapped up in the sparring session that they hadn't even heard the preacher unlocking the door and letting himself in. Pete's hands flew back releasing Gerard's wrists and jumped off him. An awkward silence replaced the lighthearted fun that had been filling up the room. Pete looked down like a child that was about to be punished and Gerard just frowned, confused by the sudden seriousness in the room.
"Shall we go somewhere more private?" The preacher asked calmly and Pete scuffed the floor with his shoes.
"Yeah…we'll go to the front room" Pete said quietly turning away and leading the preacher out of the room.
"What's going on?" Gerard asked turning to the three boys who were all watching where Pete had just disappeared into the hall with the preacher.
"It's one of the conditions of the preacher giving Pete holy water. He is only allowed fight when it's absolutely necessary and he has to be sorry about having to fight and kill" Joe explained.
"Why does he need holy water?" Gerard said sitting up.
"Well when Pete was first turned he didn't want to take any human lives so Patrick came up with the idea of creating a potion to suppress Pete's vampire urges and nourish him without the necessity of blood" Andy continued "Holy water is one of the strongest components of this chemical mix as it is what suppresses the urge to drink and the hyper sensitivity to the scent and taste of blood"
"It doesn't stop it all together though and…" Patrick's voice trailed off momentarily before he continued, his tone more concerned and upset than before "lately it's become less and less effective…he use to have to only take it once a month…then once a fortnight…now it seems he'll have to start taking it every week"
"Maybe it's simply too un-natural for a vampire's body to survive without blood" Gerard said thoughtfully "Even if he doesn't want to he may have to start drinking the blood of living beings, like your friend Travis"
“We’ve managed to get Travis to drink mostly from livestock though and from many so he doesn’t just have to drain one to death” Andy said thoughtfully. Gerard snorted softly with a smile.
“What?” Joe asked.
“Oh nothing he just doesn’t seem like the type to be so…thoughtful,” Gerard said choosing his last word carefully.
“You don’t like him do you?” Patrick said.
“I’m fine with him, I think he’s the one that has a problem with me” Gerard replied his annoyance apparent in his voice.
“That’s just cause you’re new Gerard” Joe said encouragingly.
“Yeah in these times people have to extra careful who they trust. I mean I can see that he would find it weird that you just sort of pop out of no-where and help us out - risk your life to save Patrick for no reason but kindness” Andy mused. Patrick leaned foreword slightly. He had been curious about this himself since it had happened but had not found the appropriate moment to broach the subject. He licked his lips nervously as he did not want the question to come off as suspicion.
“Why did you risk yourself for me that night?” Patrick questioned casually with a kind of tone that didn’t demand any answers. Gerard seemed to go a little limp while Patrick grew tenser for the action.
“Not that I’m ungrateful or anything” he added quickly feeling the extra comment might have only made the situation worse.
“I’d heard of you before…you all know that. I’d heard plenty of things about you kicking vampires asses everywhere, I heard about the time Pete single handedly took down a punk group on the corner of town for trying to force him to drink from a girl, I heard you were the last vampire hunting team left and when I saw Patrick in the bar I knew who he was immediately” Gerard began.
“It was the side burns wasn’t it?” Patrick asked knowingly as Gerard laughed.
“They were a big part of it but the rest of you, the way you carried yourself the way you looked around the room like you knew there were plenty of vampires there yet you still stayed alone and bleeding no less…it was gutsy to say the least”
Patrick smiled smugly.
“Thanks”
“Don’t mention it. Anyway when you started fighting that vampire I knew you were in serious danger and I just couldn’t let you die. I couldn’t let the Clandestine die because… you guys remind me of the way my friends and me used to be, because you’re fighting the good fight even though you are the last hunters left and because you are some of the few people I have come across with any semblance of hope left. You believe things can be right again and despite all the odds against you, you believe you can be the ones to fix it. It’s a beautiful thing. Too beautiful to be destroyed” he finished sombrely.
There was something else that had been bothering Patrick about Gerard since they had met that he felt would also have to wait for a better time. The cause behind Gerard’s pensive moments, far off looks and sadness were a mystery to Patrick. He wished to know what made Gerard so deeply bereft so that he might find a way to help. He sat back again.
“Thank you Gerard, that really means a lot to me” Patrick said sincerely causing Gerard to look up at him. His green eyes seemed lighter in that moment and Patrick smiled.
“Yeah dude” Andy agreed “Thank you”
“It’s nice to know we’re appreciated” Joe added.
“No problem” Gerard replied gently.
* * *
He rubbed his thumb along the worn edge of the black and white photograph tracing the expressions he had seen so many times he could paint them now. They could have easily gotten color or used a digital camera but this had seemed more romantic. More real. The cheery teeth of his that beamed out at him matched hers well. His arm hung comfortably over her shoulder causing her to lean against him. No sunglasses or make up was worn, just a hoodie on a Saturday morning together. A walk in the park seemed cliché and the photo made it even more so but the photographer had promised that it was a moment that they wouldn’t forget. He wasn’t wrong.
“What are you doing?”
Gerard started and looked over his shoulder.
“Oh Frank!” he exclaimed when he saw his friend standing in the doorway behind him and quickly slid the picture back into his wallet “Nothing I was just thinking that’s all, there isn’t too long before we have to head out to the concert anyway so I thought I’d chill alone for a while”
A shadow fell over Frank’s face as he looked to the ground.
“It’s been nearly two years but you still carry around that photo” he stated quietly.
Gerard opened his mouth to deny it but no explanation could cover up for the fact that it was so worn from being held, that the smile he had in the photo was grinned so rarely these days and that he had indeed been unable to let it go like the emotions he still felt for her.
“I loved her so much when I sent her away. I don’t know how I did it” Gerard whispered after a while in an uncommon moment of truth. Most of the time he simply lied, saying he was fine to keep his band mates from worrying. Today Gerard was feeling weak from her absence though and it was Frank he was talking to after all.
“You did it because you wanted her to have a good life and if she’d stayed with you she wouldn’t get that” he defended Gerard’s actions. Gerard faced away from Frank his hand tightening it’s grip on the couch to battle against the pain.
“If she knew…she would hate me so much…wouldn’t she?” Gerard asked broodingly. He heard frank sigh.
“Yeah probably”
A sad simper spread his lips.
“I appreciate your honesty” Gerard replied though it seemed to come off more sarcastically than he meant. He felt fingers rest over his shoulder and squeeze softly. He covered the hand with his own leaning into it. Gerard felt tears prickling in the back of his eyes but was too upset to hide them. Frank knelt down behind him and wrapped his free arm around Gerard’s other shoulder and rested his chin in the curve of his neck.
“Hey don’t worry about crying, I won’t tell,” he whispered.
* * *
Patrick walked into the front room to find Pete sitting alone in one of his lockers in the middle of the room. He was hunched over, hands resting on knees, one hand gripping a small holy water filled nail polish bottle. He looked tired and Patrick could tell this session hadn’t gone well. He wondered if he should just leave Pete alone when Pete spoke.
“I hate him so much Patrick…I hate Beckett so much I think I’m beginning to lose sleep over it. I want him to suffer for making me into this monster” his voice was ridged and brittle and laced with hatred. He looked up at Patrick eyebrows firmly set in a glare “The preacher…he said that’s what I was…I was a monster and had to pay for my sins, I pay for them every fucking day”
All Patrick could do was nod solemnly and listen. He was sure that’s all Pete wanted from him right now anyway.
“Every time I see a hot girl walking past, I have to let her go cause I know if we get too close I might bite her by accident. I have to isolate myself from people. I mean fuck the other night I might have gotten out of control if you hadn’t fixed the blend in time and then what? Then I kill you like Beckett kills?” Pete exclaimed kicking the inside of the locker and making Patrick jump “Maybe I am no better than Beckett…I kill beings just like he does except I kill vampires”
“That’s bullshit Pete and you know it!” Patrick raised his voice to get Pete’s attention “Beckett takes the lives of innocent people, terrorizes the town with no thought for the pain of others. He wants to control New Chicago and besides the vampires we kill chose to be what they are. They chose to suck the lives out of others and they bicker amongst themselves for territory - territory that Beckett rules over. How do they not deserve death!?”
“To them we’re the enemy! To them their lives are the ones in danger, to them what they do they do to survive!” Pete shouted back “How are we any different from them?!”
Patrick was taken back by this retort and had to gather his thoughts before he could reply.
“Is it right to kill an innocent person…was it right when Andy’s dad died defending his family from a vampire attack?” Patrick asked trying to make the question more real by bringing up a part of their past they usually tried to forget.
“No” Pete said “Never”
“Then how can you say vampires are like us?” Patrick asked expression firm.
“Because I’m one of them” Pete answered harshly “I’m a vampire”
“Not where it counts dude, not inside,” Patrick said “Remember when you saved that puppy that was wondering the streets? You didn’t have to but you took care of him. Show me one other vampire that’s done that” Pete snorted disdainfully.
“So I’m alone in both worlds. Not badass enough to be a vampire, not good enough to be a human”
Patrick was getting frustrated.
“You’re not alone! Can’t you see that?! What the hell do you think I am? Why do you think I make you the blend? Why do you think I make sure to monitor your progress? Why did you think I came into this room when you didn’t come back to us?! You’ll never be alone as long as me and Joe and Andy are here - we’ll never abandon you and as long as we give a shit about what happens to you, you can be certain that you’re not a monster” Patrick shouted turning away from Pete and throwing open the door from the front room “And I’m hurt that you’d forget that Pete”
As Patrick walked back down the hall he heard the doors on Pete’s locker slam shut and he knew it must be getting early. He could feel his eyelids growing heavy but he was so aggravated he knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep. All the same he headed to his room saying only one more thing as he passed the gymnasium. He missed the surprised faces his friends, new and old, made as he snapped out the word, storming by.
“Goodnight!”
* * *
Travis walked the halls of the Dandy mansion aimlessly ignoring the occasional muffled screams that echoed through the walls. He mused about how many men and women had wondered down the halls in awe of the beautiful furnishings blind to the horrible fate their new companions would inflict on them. He also was curious as to what was keeping Beckett from seeing him. Beckett had ordered Travis come to the mansion to discuss the new attack plan but when Travis arrived he had been told Beckett was out and to stay until he returned. It was with a great deal of annoyance that Travis had waited for an hour in Beckett’s room before leaving to explore the mansion. It was a very old and elegant place the kind of house that looked better lit by candlelight and spoken of in hushed words. One would almost expect women in ball gowns to pass by laugher mixing with orchestra or piano music filling the air. Perhaps waiters had offered food to guests here 50 years ago but now it was simply a breeding ground for the creatures of the night. The house's lost majesty didn’t sadden Travis so much though he did find himself sighing as he looked upon the many paintings and photographs that hung along the wall side by side. Obviously the original owners of this place had kept the old paintings of the past generations that lived here while adding some modern pictures of their own.
As Travis walked something caught his eyes, like a flash of another pair of eyes watching him and he jumped facing the wall he’d seen it on. He took a deep breath when he realized it was just another painting.
“I never liked these kinds of paintings” Travis said to the picture that watched him with a gentle gaze “Though for a creepy painting you ain’t so bad…” She was a beautiful woman so pale her skin seemed to glow in the moonlight, her eyes glinted out at him with a light green tinge and her black hair was tied into a complicated knot on the top of her head that allowed a few locks of hair to fall over one shoulder. Her smile though wan, was strangely kind and Travis wondered who she was. After a few more moments inspecting her figure he continued on walking in and out of shadow as huge windows broke up the wall opposite the paintings. When he reached the end of the hall he came across another painting that caught his eye. It was a boy of 19 or 20 years grinning out at the dark hall, watching over it like it still belonged to him. The piecing specks of jade and emerald that danced in his irises seemed all the more brighter due to the darkness around his eyes. He was too young to have such dark rings around his eyes and he looked so well Travis could only assume he was wearing makeup. Dark brown locks hung messily about his naughty face. Travis frowned trying to decide what it was about this boy that seemed so interesting.
“He’s cute huh?”
Travis whipped around. Ryan laughed to see the look on his face.
“So it is possible to sneak up on vampires,” he said looking back up to the painting.
“Cute…or a pain in the ass. He looks like he’d be annoying kid to raise” Travis spat hardly believing someone else was able to beat him at his own game “Were you causing any of those screams?”
“No I’ve had my fill for tonight, I don’t need much to keep me going. William always gives me shit for leaving my victims alive half the time but I get so full so quickly” Ryan explained conversationally.
“That’d be right” Travis snorted before sneering “It was a guy wasn’t it”
Ryan looked away embarrassed. Travis swore he almost saw blush on his girly cheeks.
“Brendon would be so pissed” Travis said returning his gaze to the painting to save Ryan further embarrassment and mentally reminding himself to tell Brendon about it later. He hadn't seen Brendon since his visit to the House of Wolves bar a week ago and Travis wondered eagerly when he'd see him again. Ryan wasn’t such a bad vampire to be around as far as vampires went, Travis thought, it was just Brendon he couldn’t stand and by default he ended up finding Ryan annoying as well. When Brendon was around Ryan he seemed gentle as a puppy, playful and friendly despite the constant brush off he received. It was no secret that Brendon had talked Ryan into becoming a vampire for selfish reasons. He wanted a companion to be with him in all the many walks of life undiscovered by the short human lifespan and more then that he didn’t want to be alone. Travis had been told that at first Ryan hadn’t really wanted the dark gift but Brendon had brought him around. While it seemed wrong it was also no secret that Ryan cared a lot about Brendon and Travis couldn’t understand why Ryan just didn’t give in a little and indulge Brendon’s adoration every now and then. It would probably make the mansion a nicer place to be around.
“Throw the bastard a bone sometime it might stop him pestering me” Travis suggested hopefully.
“Whatever” was all Ryan said in response.
“So who is this punk kid?” Travis asked looking back over his face and it was in that moment that recognition sparked in his brain.
“Shit!” he swore his mouth hanging open and drawing closer.
“William has told me all about him” Ryan said “His name’s Gerard Way”
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
Disclaimer: Don't own em. People should never be owned by anyone but themselves.
Summary: He licked his lips nervously as he did not want the question to come off as suspicion.
“Why did you risk yourself for me that night?”
Chapter 1 - http://seraph05.livejournal.com/4296.html
Chapter 2 - http://seraph05.livejournal.com/4704.html
Chapter 3 - http://seraph05.livejournal.com/4964.html
Chapter 4 - The Unraveling
Her dark brown hair trailed down to the curve in her black bare back dress. Sharp dark eyes flashed dangerously out at him and light danced across her supple bronzed skin. Even in the dim lighting of the bar Travis could tell she was a vampire. Though she hid it well, experienced vampires knew how to talk in such a way that the true extent of their fangs weren't shown and she was no exception. She was poised, graceful and beautiful. Travis expected that many poor saps had fallen under her spell and ended up dead for their efforts but this would not happen with him. He was in the enviable position of already being a vampire. She rolled her eyes disapprovingly but the sly smile on her rosebud pink lips didn’t lie. She was defiantly enjoying the attention.
"Yeah Miss, I'm Travis of the Dandy vampire candy" Travis rhymed stylishly, oozing confidence and whispering in her ear "Do you want a taste?"
"How about asking my name first?" she said playfully moving just out of his reach.
"But then I won't get to call you all these sexy nicknames like baby and sugar and-" Travis began but she cut across him.
"It's Ciara, Travi and you can still call me those nicknames if you want" she said lowering her voice to a soft teasing whisper.
"Ohhh baby you are just too hot…" Travis said moving closer and leaning in. The next voice that spoke wasn't her approving tone like he had hoped but the murmur of a smooth male voice.
"Listen sweetie why don't you just take that fine ass of yours off that bar stool and wait for Travis in that corner like a good-for-only-one-thing-girl" Travis's brows met in annoyance to see Brendon standing behind her, chin resting on Ciara's shoulder, lips whispering close to her ear though his voice was cynical and cold. She stood up and shot him an icy glare before storming off back to her friends on the other side of the bar.
"See you later Travi" she said shortly.
"God damn Brendon!” Travis swore unsparingly watching her go "She was the finest thing I’ve seen in weeks!"
"Oh don't worry I think you can win her over again. You're so good at it after all" Brendon sniggered sitting down gracefully on the stool and ordering a drink "Give me a vodka cruizer"
"Well I least I won't have to worry about any competition from you" Travis said voice thick with biting sarcasm.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Brendon said surveying the bar.
"What it's supposed to mean, Urie, is that you may like pretty things but you certainly don't like the ladies" Travis replied with a sneer.
"What?!" he exclaimed angrily.
"I remember my first victim; she was a sweet young girl with porcelain skin, black hair and baby blue eyes. Who was your first victim?" Travis said already knowing the answer but enjoying his revenge for losing such a catch. Brendon sat there glaring at Travis and refusing to answer.
"Let me jog your memory yo" Travis said after it became apparent that Brendon would not answer "Short brown hair, soft cheek bones, skinny, pretty enough to be a girl but defiantly a guy. How is Ryan doing anyway? Taking to vampire life as well as you did?"
"Fuck off I didn't come to talk to you about him" Brendon growled defensively.
"I never thought closeted vampires existed before I met you" Travis continued lapping up Brendon’s embarrassment.
"Shut up" Brendon snarled dangerously.
"Shame he doesn't seem to feel the same bout you. Last time I saw you two together he seemed to be trying to avoid you like the plague. Maybe he's just shy" Travis offered exercising the full extent of his dislike for Brendon now. Travis rarely got the chance to tell Brendon exactly what he thought of him since Brendon was Beckett's right hand man and could really have him punished as long as he could convince Beckett to go along with it. Travis and his clan had been locked in their coffins for a week once after failing to take down one of the punk gangs. They immerged starving and it took them days to regain their strength as prey was harder to catch in their weakened state. It wasn't until later that Travis had heard this torture was thought up by none other than Brendon Urie.
"I know you're working with the Clandestine Hunters" Brendon said tersely and Travis's mouth clamped shut though he maintained his composure well.
"That's a lie" he said after a moment. Brendon was finally passed his drink which he sipped away at.
"I've seen you following them into their base; I’ve seen you chatting with them and in fact..." Brendon continued looking up "Why are you here in the House of the Wolves bar, where they were attacked only a few nights ago" Travis maintained a calm expression.
"I came here because I was trying to find out why Beckett lured the Clandestine Hunters here when he could have easily finished them off in the streets" Travis said flatly "I thought it might have something to do with this bar, maybe what's in it. But I don't see anything out of the usual"
"Honesty…good" Brendon said with a nod "But why would you need to know that"
"I'm curious. Unlike some of Beckett's followers I want to know what kind of leader is in charge of me and my crew. If he is using us for pointless stunts then maybe I won't be his puppet anymore. I'm not here for kicks. I'm here to finish off the Clandestine and take over this city properly so we can really get the vampire scene booming" Travis said his voice unwavering "I talk to the clandestine because I need to keep a close eye on them. You know, keep your friends close and your enemies closer"
"I thought they use to be your friends" Brendon said casually.
"Times change." Travis replied "People change. I'm a vampire now and they are hunters. It's as easy as that"
"You've had plenty of opportunities to kill them. Times when they have been alone, times when they have been wounded" Brendon was unconvinced.
"Plenty of opportunities yes but no advantage to any of them. If I'm going to kill them I’ve got to make it worth my while" Travis grinned rubbing his thumb and forefinger together.
"You're more calculating then I imagined" Brendon said, sounding honestly surprised. Travis stood straightening out his outfit expression utterly unfeeling.
"There is no room left in this world for favors and loyalty. As it turns out you've got to grab what you can even if you have to take it from those you once cared about" Travis spat and walked over to Ciara's table readying himself to try and win her back but not before saying his final farewell "You would know all about that wouldn’t you, Brendon"
Brendon glared at him for a while before allowing his gaze to fall down into his glass, tilting the glass back and forth and watching the ice moving around at the bottom. Then he put it down on the bar, flung his coat over his shoulder and walked out a desire to visit the Dandies mansion growing deeper in his heart.
* * *
Pete marched through the room footsteps heavy and Patrick’s eyes flicked up from his book to note him passing for the tenth time. It had only been a week since they had been supposedly ambushed and while Patrick and Joe were healing well Pete was getting restless for action. Normally when he got into these moods they would let him go out, or he would sneak out, and slay a handful of punks or gangster vampires but at this stage they were still in no condition to help him if something went wrong so he simply had to stay.
“I’m so bored!” he groaned.
“Just watch one of the DVD’s again” Patrick muttered turning the page.
“I’ve seen them all twice already” Pete said exasperatedly “I wanna go out! Can’t I go out?”
“No the preacher is coming in an hour anyway and we need the holy water he brings for your blend which he only gives to you because you confess your sins, you’re supposed to be sorry not bored” Patrick told him “Why don’t you spar with Joe or Andy”
Pete’s eyes narrowed.
“Fine” he walked out of the room once more calling for Joe and Andy as he did.
“Is he always this restless?”
Patrick looked up again from his book to see Gerard in the kitchen making some coffee.
“I didn’t see you there” Patrick said before adding “Not always. Just sometimes. He tends to be more pissed off then restless. This is him on a good day. He never had the opportunity to decide if he wanted to be a vampire or not he was just taken one night and now he has to live with that bad luck for the rest of his life. Naturally he’s unhappy about that”
“Hmm” Gerard said with a nod.
“You said something about sparring…is that what all those steaks and swords and targets are over there?” Gerard asked motioning to the corner of the gymnasium where they practiced fighting.
“Yeah, the swords are Andy’s, the steaks are mine and Pete’s. Joe tends to like to fight more with the guns or his bare hands” Patrick sniggered “Like he’s from some western movie or something”
“Ha, cool” Gerard said grinning when suddenly Pete stormed back into the room tetchy as ever.
“They’re playing cards,” Pete said irately like their happiness was a spurn against his own.
“Pete I’ll spar with you” Gerard offered taking another sip of his coffee. Patrick and Pete looked over at him.
“What?” he asked feeling a little self-conscious.
“Pete’s a really good fighter is all…do you know how to fight?” Patrick said putting his book down realizing that it was fruitless trying to read now.
“Yeah a bit. I’ll be fine” Gerard replied putting down his cup on the bench and rolling up his sleeves “Where do we start?” Pete cocked an eyebrow then shrugged.
“Ok come over here,” Pete said walking over to the sparring mat and cracking his knuckles inviting the chance to work out some nerves. Gerard followed him and then stood opposite him.
“Can I use a weapon?” Gerard asked looking around at the selection.
“Uh sure what do you want?” Pete said.
“You don’t have a croquet mallet lying around do you?” Gerard asked impishly with a grin.
“…dude...are you serious?” Pete said slowly not sure if Gerard was joking or not.
“I’m just yanking your chain” Gerard sniggered then held up his fists “Any house rules?”
“Yeah, don’t get knocked out” Pete replied holding up his own.
"I'll try not to" Gerard replied. Pete jumped foreword and Gerard shuffled back a few steps bringing his knuckles closer to his face to defend. Pete punched again and Gerard threw one hand up knocking the fist so it sailed over his head. With the other hand he shoved the surprised vampire in the chest sending him stumbling into the floor. Patrick issued a laugh, as Pete lay momentarily dazed on his back. Gerard took a few steps back and Pete leapt to his feet with a soft glare.
While it was obvious that Pete had been restraining the full extent of his skill Patrick was still impressed to see Gerard floor him on the first move.
"I'd say that's one for Gerard" Patrick announced. Pete shot him a frown before nodding in acceptance.
Pete ran at Gerard this time and Gerard pulled a fist back ready to punch Pete when he slid to his knee's kicking Gerard’s legs out from underneath him. Gerard coughed as the air was knocked out of his lungs as he hit the ground. The two of them got up and it was on for young and old. Fists and feet were flying and being blocked at such a tremendous rate that Patrick ran to the hall and shouted down it:
"Andy! Joe! Pete and Gerard are sparring! You gotta see this!"
Before long the three boys were cheering and alternating their favorite between the two, mostly depending on who was winning. Gerard wrestled Pete into a headlock but a moment later Pete had pulled out of it leaping un-naturally high into the air and startling Gerard into defenselessness. He landed shoving Gerard over and then leapt on top of him grabbing him by the shirt so he couldn't move.
"Come on say it!" Pete snarled as Gerard squirmed beneath him "Say I won!"
"No!" Gerard snapped stubbornly throwing him off. Pete rolled, turned around and tackled Gerard again. What had been fluid careful moves in the beginning had become a wrestling match/ brawl now with one trying to pin the other indefinitely.
"Come on Pete!" Joe shouted "Last point man!"
"Go Gerard! Pull it together!" Andy cheered.
Finally Pete managed to wrestle Gerard's hands behind his back and was holding him down.
"Give it up dude! I'm the most powerful vampire in this city!" Pete sniggered as Gerard continued to struggle fruitlessly.
"Peter!"
Pete looked up, as did everyone else at the new voice in the room. There next to the half opened roller door was the preacher his face creased with disapproval. They had been so wrapped up in the sparring session that they hadn't even heard the preacher unlocking the door and letting himself in. Pete's hands flew back releasing Gerard's wrists and jumped off him. An awkward silence replaced the lighthearted fun that had been filling up the room. Pete looked down like a child that was about to be punished and Gerard just frowned, confused by the sudden seriousness in the room.
"Shall we go somewhere more private?" The preacher asked calmly and Pete scuffed the floor with his shoes.
"Yeah…we'll go to the front room" Pete said quietly turning away and leading the preacher out of the room.
"What's going on?" Gerard asked turning to the three boys who were all watching where Pete had just disappeared into the hall with the preacher.
"It's one of the conditions of the preacher giving Pete holy water. He is only allowed fight when it's absolutely necessary and he has to be sorry about having to fight and kill" Joe explained.
"Why does he need holy water?" Gerard said sitting up.
"Well when Pete was first turned he didn't want to take any human lives so Patrick came up with the idea of creating a potion to suppress Pete's vampire urges and nourish him without the necessity of blood" Andy continued "Holy water is one of the strongest components of this chemical mix as it is what suppresses the urge to drink and the hyper sensitivity to the scent and taste of blood"
"It doesn't stop it all together though and…" Patrick's voice trailed off momentarily before he continued, his tone more concerned and upset than before "lately it's become less and less effective…he use to have to only take it once a month…then once a fortnight…now it seems he'll have to start taking it every week"
"Maybe it's simply too un-natural for a vampire's body to survive without blood" Gerard said thoughtfully "Even if he doesn't want to he may have to start drinking the blood of living beings, like your friend Travis"
“We’ve managed to get Travis to drink mostly from livestock though and from many so he doesn’t just have to drain one to death” Andy said thoughtfully. Gerard snorted softly with a smile.
“What?” Joe asked.
“Oh nothing he just doesn’t seem like the type to be so…thoughtful,” Gerard said choosing his last word carefully.
“You don’t like him do you?” Patrick said.
“I’m fine with him, I think he’s the one that has a problem with me” Gerard replied his annoyance apparent in his voice.
“That’s just cause you’re new Gerard” Joe said encouragingly.
“Yeah in these times people have to extra careful who they trust. I mean I can see that he would find it weird that you just sort of pop out of no-where and help us out - risk your life to save Patrick for no reason but kindness” Andy mused. Patrick leaned foreword slightly. He had been curious about this himself since it had happened but had not found the appropriate moment to broach the subject. He licked his lips nervously as he did not want the question to come off as suspicion.
“Why did you risk yourself for me that night?” Patrick questioned casually with a kind of tone that didn’t demand any answers. Gerard seemed to go a little limp while Patrick grew tenser for the action.
“Not that I’m ungrateful or anything” he added quickly feeling the extra comment might have only made the situation worse.
“I’d heard of you before…you all know that. I’d heard plenty of things about you kicking vampires asses everywhere, I heard about the time Pete single handedly took down a punk group on the corner of town for trying to force him to drink from a girl, I heard you were the last vampire hunting team left and when I saw Patrick in the bar I knew who he was immediately” Gerard began.
“It was the side burns wasn’t it?” Patrick asked knowingly as Gerard laughed.
“They were a big part of it but the rest of you, the way you carried yourself the way you looked around the room like you knew there were plenty of vampires there yet you still stayed alone and bleeding no less…it was gutsy to say the least”
Patrick smiled smugly.
“Thanks”
“Don’t mention it. Anyway when you started fighting that vampire I knew you were in serious danger and I just couldn’t let you die. I couldn’t let the Clandestine die because… you guys remind me of the way my friends and me used to be, because you’re fighting the good fight even though you are the last hunters left and because you are some of the few people I have come across with any semblance of hope left. You believe things can be right again and despite all the odds against you, you believe you can be the ones to fix it. It’s a beautiful thing. Too beautiful to be destroyed” he finished sombrely.
There was something else that had been bothering Patrick about Gerard since they had met that he felt would also have to wait for a better time. The cause behind Gerard’s pensive moments, far off looks and sadness were a mystery to Patrick. He wished to know what made Gerard so deeply bereft so that he might find a way to help. He sat back again.
“Thank you Gerard, that really means a lot to me” Patrick said sincerely causing Gerard to look up at him. His green eyes seemed lighter in that moment and Patrick smiled.
“Yeah dude” Andy agreed “Thank you”
“It’s nice to know we’re appreciated” Joe added.
“No problem” Gerard replied gently.
* * *
He rubbed his thumb along the worn edge of the black and white photograph tracing the expressions he had seen so many times he could paint them now. They could have easily gotten color or used a digital camera but this had seemed more romantic. More real. The cheery teeth of his that beamed out at him matched hers well. His arm hung comfortably over her shoulder causing her to lean against him. No sunglasses or make up was worn, just a hoodie on a Saturday morning together. A walk in the park seemed cliché and the photo made it even more so but the photographer had promised that it was a moment that they wouldn’t forget. He wasn’t wrong.
“What are you doing?”
Gerard started and looked over his shoulder.
“Oh Frank!” he exclaimed when he saw his friend standing in the doorway behind him and quickly slid the picture back into his wallet “Nothing I was just thinking that’s all, there isn’t too long before we have to head out to the concert anyway so I thought I’d chill alone for a while”
A shadow fell over Frank’s face as he looked to the ground.
“It’s been nearly two years but you still carry around that photo” he stated quietly.
Gerard opened his mouth to deny it but no explanation could cover up for the fact that it was so worn from being held, that the smile he had in the photo was grinned so rarely these days and that he had indeed been unable to let it go like the emotions he still felt for her.
“I loved her so much when I sent her away. I don’t know how I did it” Gerard whispered after a while in an uncommon moment of truth. Most of the time he simply lied, saying he was fine to keep his band mates from worrying. Today Gerard was feeling weak from her absence though and it was Frank he was talking to after all.
“You did it because you wanted her to have a good life and if she’d stayed with you she wouldn’t get that” he defended Gerard’s actions. Gerard faced away from Frank his hand tightening it’s grip on the couch to battle against the pain.
“If she knew…she would hate me so much…wouldn’t she?” Gerard asked broodingly. He heard frank sigh.
“Yeah probably”
A sad simper spread his lips.
“I appreciate your honesty” Gerard replied though it seemed to come off more sarcastically than he meant. He felt fingers rest over his shoulder and squeeze softly. He covered the hand with his own leaning into it. Gerard felt tears prickling in the back of his eyes but was too upset to hide them. Frank knelt down behind him and wrapped his free arm around Gerard’s other shoulder and rested his chin in the curve of his neck.
“Hey don’t worry about crying, I won’t tell,” he whispered.
* * *
Patrick walked into the front room to find Pete sitting alone in one of his lockers in the middle of the room. He was hunched over, hands resting on knees, one hand gripping a small holy water filled nail polish bottle. He looked tired and Patrick could tell this session hadn’t gone well. He wondered if he should just leave Pete alone when Pete spoke.
“I hate him so much Patrick…I hate Beckett so much I think I’m beginning to lose sleep over it. I want him to suffer for making me into this monster” his voice was ridged and brittle and laced with hatred. He looked up at Patrick eyebrows firmly set in a glare “The preacher…he said that’s what I was…I was a monster and had to pay for my sins, I pay for them every fucking day”
All Patrick could do was nod solemnly and listen. He was sure that’s all Pete wanted from him right now anyway.
“Every time I see a hot girl walking past, I have to let her go cause I know if we get too close I might bite her by accident. I have to isolate myself from people. I mean fuck the other night I might have gotten out of control if you hadn’t fixed the blend in time and then what? Then I kill you like Beckett kills?” Pete exclaimed kicking the inside of the locker and making Patrick jump “Maybe I am no better than Beckett…I kill beings just like he does except I kill vampires”
“That’s bullshit Pete and you know it!” Patrick raised his voice to get Pete’s attention “Beckett takes the lives of innocent people, terrorizes the town with no thought for the pain of others. He wants to control New Chicago and besides the vampires we kill chose to be what they are. They chose to suck the lives out of others and they bicker amongst themselves for territory - territory that Beckett rules over. How do they not deserve death!?”
“To them we’re the enemy! To them their lives are the ones in danger, to them what they do they do to survive!” Pete shouted back “How are we any different from them?!”
Patrick was taken back by this retort and had to gather his thoughts before he could reply.
“Is it right to kill an innocent person…was it right when Andy’s dad died defending his family from a vampire attack?” Patrick asked trying to make the question more real by bringing up a part of their past they usually tried to forget.
“No” Pete said “Never”
“Then how can you say vampires are like us?” Patrick asked expression firm.
“Because I’m one of them” Pete answered harshly “I’m a vampire”
“Not where it counts dude, not inside,” Patrick said “Remember when you saved that puppy that was wondering the streets? You didn’t have to but you took care of him. Show me one other vampire that’s done that” Pete snorted disdainfully.
“So I’m alone in both worlds. Not badass enough to be a vampire, not good enough to be a human”
Patrick was getting frustrated.
“You’re not alone! Can’t you see that?! What the hell do you think I am? Why do you think I make you the blend? Why do you think I make sure to monitor your progress? Why did you think I came into this room when you didn’t come back to us?! You’ll never be alone as long as me and Joe and Andy are here - we’ll never abandon you and as long as we give a shit about what happens to you, you can be certain that you’re not a monster” Patrick shouted turning away from Pete and throwing open the door from the front room “And I’m hurt that you’d forget that Pete”
As Patrick walked back down the hall he heard the doors on Pete’s locker slam shut and he knew it must be getting early. He could feel his eyelids growing heavy but he was so aggravated he knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep. All the same he headed to his room saying only one more thing as he passed the gymnasium. He missed the surprised faces his friends, new and old, made as he snapped out the word, storming by.
“Goodnight!”
* * *
Travis walked the halls of the Dandy mansion aimlessly ignoring the occasional muffled screams that echoed through the walls. He mused about how many men and women had wondered down the halls in awe of the beautiful furnishings blind to the horrible fate their new companions would inflict on them. He also was curious as to what was keeping Beckett from seeing him. Beckett had ordered Travis come to the mansion to discuss the new attack plan but when Travis arrived he had been told Beckett was out and to stay until he returned. It was with a great deal of annoyance that Travis had waited for an hour in Beckett’s room before leaving to explore the mansion. It was a very old and elegant place the kind of house that looked better lit by candlelight and spoken of in hushed words. One would almost expect women in ball gowns to pass by laugher mixing with orchestra or piano music filling the air. Perhaps waiters had offered food to guests here 50 years ago but now it was simply a breeding ground for the creatures of the night. The house's lost majesty didn’t sadden Travis so much though he did find himself sighing as he looked upon the many paintings and photographs that hung along the wall side by side. Obviously the original owners of this place had kept the old paintings of the past generations that lived here while adding some modern pictures of their own.
As Travis walked something caught his eyes, like a flash of another pair of eyes watching him and he jumped facing the wall he’d seen it on. He took a deep breath when he realized it was just another painting.
“I never liked these kinds of paintings” Travis said to the picture that watched him with a gentle gaze “Though for a creepy painting you ain’t so bad…” She was a beautiful woman so pale her skin seemed to glow in the moonlight, her eyes glinted out at him with a light green tinge and her black hair was tied into a complicated knot on the top of her head that allowed a few locks of hair to fall over one shoulder. Her smile though wan, was strangely kind and Travis wondered who she was. After a few more moments inspecting her figure he continued on walking in and out of shadow as huge windows broke up the wall opposite the paintings. When he reached the end of the hall he came across another painting that caught his eye. It was a boy of 19 or 20 years grinning out at the dark hall, watching over it like it still belonged to him. The piecing specks of jade and emerald that danced in his irises seemed all the more brighter due to the darkness around his eyes. He was too young to have such dark rings around his eyes and he looked so well Travis could only assume he was wearing makeup. Dark brown locks hung messily about his naughty face. Travis frowned trying to decide what it was about this boy that seemed so interesting.
“He’s cute huh?”
Travis whipped around. Ryan laughed to see the look on his face.
“So it is possible to sneak up on vampires,” he said looking back up to the painting.
“Cute…or a pain in the ass. He looks like he’d be annoying kid to raise” Travis spat hardly believing someone else was able to beat him at his own game “Were you causing any of those screams?”
“No I’ve had my fill for tonight, I don’t need much to keep me going. William always gives me shit for leaving my victims alive half the time but I get so full so quickly” Ryan explained conversationally.
“That’d be right” Travis snorted before sneering “It was a guy wasn’t it”
Ryan looked away embarrassed. Travis swore he almost saw blush on his girly cheeks.
“Brendon would be so pissed” Travis said returning his gaze to the painting to save Ryan further embarrassment and mentally reminding himself to tell Brendon about it later. He hadn't seen Brendon since his visit to the House of Wolves bar a week ago and Travis wondered eagerly when he'd see him again. Ryan wasn’t such a bad vampire to be around as far as vampires went, Travis thought, it was just Brendon he couldn’t stand and by default he ended up finding Ryan annoying as well. When Brendon was around Ryan he seemed gentle as a puppy, playful and friendly despite the constant brush off he received. It was no secret that Brendon had talked Ryan into becoming a vampire for selfish reasons. He wanted a companion to be with him in all the many walks of life undiscovered by the short human lifespan and more then that he didn’t want to be alone. Travis had been told that at first Ryan hadn’t really wanted the dark gift but Brendon had brought him around. While it seemed wrong it was also no secret that Ryan cared a lot about Brendon and Travis couldn’t understand why Ryan just didn’t give in a little and indulge Brendon’s adoration every now and then. It would probably make the mansion a nicer place to be around.
“Throw the bastard a bone sometime it might stop him pestering me” Travis suggested hopefully.
“Whatever” was all Ryan said in response.
“So who is this punk kid?” Travis asked looking back over his face and it was in that moment that recognition sparked in his brain.
“Shit!” he swore his mouth hanging open and drawing closer.
“William has told me all about him” Ryan said “His name’s Gerard Way”