He darted from shadow to shadow, searching for the young man. His scent was weak but it flowed all over town, seemingly strongest at the bar.
He pushed the heavy door open, looking around at the patrons. Jamia greeted him warmly when he walked forward. Frank was nowhere to be seen.
“Well, Gerard, hello! What can I do for you, dear?” she asked, bright smile on her face.
“Um, Frank Iero,” he said, shifting uncomfortably. “Has he been in here today?”
Jamia nodded, “Yes, he left here I’d say nigh one hour ago. He was rather upset, by the look of him.”
“Upset? Why? Did he say?” Gerard asked.
“Oh yes! He said he was leaving for Castellammare, to start on his journey back to England. Shame, too,” she sighed. “He was a cute one-I mean, I appreciated his patronage.” Her face flushed brightly and she hid behind her hand.
Gerard felt his heart stop. Leaving? Shit! “Thank you, Jamia,” he said quickly, kissing her hand and hurrying out the door.
Castellammare? That’s about two hours away and Frank has an hour’s head start. Shit, I need to hurry, Gerard fretted. He dashed to the closest home with a stable, rushing inside quietly. The three horses watched him, ears back and hooves stamping into the soft dirt. What if I don’t make it to Castellammare in time and Frank’s already on the train to Naples? What if he doesn’t want to see me?
He moved towards the closest horse, a tan mare, and patted her neck, cooing gently. The horse relaxed, nudging into his hand. Gerard led her to the stable doors, opening them quietly and walking her out before closing the stable back. “Don’t worry. I will return you to your home,” he whispered.
Gerard mounted the mare with ease, hands on the sides of her neck as she started to trot towards the road heading east. He ushered her into a gallop, hoping, praying that he wasn’t too late to stop Frank.
~
“Take care on your journey home, Francis,” Francesco said, hugging his grandson.
Frank smiled, patting his back. “I will, Poppa.” They pulled away and Francesco adjusted Frank’s hat. “And you have a safe journey back too,” he said.
Francesco nodded as they said their goodbyes. He walked over to his cart, climbing up and snapping the reins.
Frank watched him for a few moments, until the darkness swallowed him and all that was left was the small lantern on the cart. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly and turned around, walking over to his trunk. The train to Naples wasn’t due for another twenty minutes, according to the schedule posted up next to the ticket window.
He sat down heavily on the trunk, grunting softly and leaning back against the wall. There was a light breeze in the air and he was relieved to be dressed warmly when it bit at his ears. He sighed and closed his eyes.
Frank didn’t know how long had slept for but the sound of a horse galloping up awoke him. He blinked, rubbing his bleary eyes and looked around. A dark haired man slid off a tan horse and strode quickly into the light of the train station.
“G-gerard?” he gaped, eyes wide. He stood as Gerard walked over to him, wondering what the older was doing there and how he found out Frank was leaving. “How did you-“ he started, Gerard cutting him off.
“I had to see you,” Gerard said quickly, reaching out for Frank’s hand. He grasped it gently, their fingers sliding together. “I’m sorry. Michael found out that you-you do something to me and he is going to take me away to America, but I just had to see you one last time. T-to ask you something,” he said, voice trailing off. He looked down, watching as Frank’s fingers tilted his chin up.
“What did you need to ask of me?” he asked, eyes scanning over Gerard’s features. They stopped, widening when he started to focus on his right eye. “Gerard? What happened?” he asked, lightly touching the swelling skin. “Did someone strike you?”
Gerard frowned, turning his face. “I-I was having a fit and Robert, he sort of, um.” He bit his lip, thinking of how to phrase his sentence. Frank’s fingers were gentle on his skin, tracing over the bruise, and he leaned into the touch. “Stay with me? Forever?” he whispered, looking Frank in the eye.
“But- two men? It’s wrong, Gerard,” Frank answered, tightening his fingers around Gerard’s. “W-we can’t. And you said your brother does not approve of me.”
“Michael does not control my life,” Gerard spat, cupping Frank’s face with both hands. “And I want you in my life.”
Frank flushed, feeling the heat rush down his face to his chest. “But-“
“Please,” Gerard said, resting his forehead on Frank’s. “Say you’ll stay with me forever? If you do not wish to, I will leave you, never to bother you again,” Gerard whispered.
“What do you mean by forever?” he asked, heart beating rapidly in his chest. His breath mingled with Gerard’s and he fought the urge to close the gap between their lips.
Gerard closed his eyes for a moment, speaking softly. “I am a vampire, cursed to live an immortal life.” He paused, opening his eyes, expecting to see fear in Frank’s eyes. He was surprised to see curiosity and even a little excitement. Frank didn’t speak; only waited for Gerard to continue. “My brother and I were, turned, in the year 374 BC. By two vampires who were plaguing our village. The village of Sorrento. They murdered countless souls and had planned to murder us as well.”
Frank gasped, hands flying up to hold Gerard’s wrists.
“I asked them to change us, so that we might be spared. We had fled from them not long after, taking up residence in Greece where my brother and I lived for just over one year before leaving the country to a new one. We travelled all of Europe and even to northern Africa in our time,” he said.
“And your makers? Have you seen them since?” Frank asked and Gerard shook his head. Frank took a breath, swallowing before speaking again. “A-and have you ever, um, killed anyone?”
“Once, but it was not my intention. It was my first feeding and I was not in control of my instincts yet,” he replied and Frank nodded.
“Okay,” he said softly, closing his eyes.
Gerard frowned, his brow furrowing. “Okay?” he asked and Frank opened his eyes.
“Okay, I’ll stay with you,” Frank answered and Gerard felt his heart swell. He surged forward, capturing Frank’s lips in a soft kiss. “Will you turn me?” Frank asked against his lips and he nodded. “Will is hurt?”
“More than you can imagine,” he said, grimacing as he remembered the pain.
Frank nodded to himself, sliding his hands up Gerard’s arms to his shoulders. “What about my family?”
Gerard sighed, voice soft and full of regret. “They will be told that you died in an accident and your body was never recovered,” he said. “They cannot know about what you will become.”
“I understand,” Frank said. He looked down, fighting back his tears. He’d never see his family again. But people have been known to die while abroad. It’s not unheard of.
Gerard tipped his head up, kissing him lightly. “I won’t do this if you don’t want it,” he said.
“I do want this. I want to be with you,” Frank said. “I-I think I might be i-in love with you,” he flushed, looking away.
“Frank,” Gerard whispered, catching his face and turning it back, kissing him. “I am in love with you. I know it.” He kissed Frank once more, hearing the younger whimper softly. When he pulled away, he caught a scent in the air and he stiffened. Michael and Robert!
They were close, perhaps ten minutes away. He needed to turn Frank now before his brother tries to stop him.
“Is something the matter?” Frank asked.
“Michael. He’s coming,” Gerard replied, looking back at Frank. “I must turn you now, before he arrives and stops me.”
Frank nodded quickly and he was led over to his trunk where he sat with Gerard next to him.
Gerard opened his jacket, removing his scarf and pulling the fabric away from his neck. “You must obey my every instruction. I’m sorry, this will hurt much more than normal,” he said and Frank tensed. Gerard pressed his mouth to Frank’s neck, licking at his jugular and feeling the blood rush. He placed one hand on the opposite side of Frank’s neck, the other gripping his waist as he bit into the flesh.
Frank whimpered, hands grabbing roughly at Gerard’s shirt sleeves. His blood flowed quickly into Gerard’s mouth and he felt his body grow weak. “Hnn- Gerard…” Gerard held fast, sucking on the wound in his neck as his vision faded. White noise filled his ears followed by Gerard’s voice, faint and tinny.
He heard the words ‘drink this’ as something warm was pressed to his mouth, a metallic liquid flooding passed his lips. Frank lapped greedily at the substance, feeling Gerard’s fingers carding through his hair.
“You’ll be asleep soon and then the pain comes,” Gerard said softly. He pulled his arm away from Frank, who whined but did not try to get it back. He held Frank close, resting his chin on Frank’s head as he passed out.
A light appeared in the distance, growing brighter until Gerard could make out the carriage with Robert sitting up front. He pulled the reins and the horse came to a stop not fifteen feet from him and Michael jumped out.
“Gerard! What in the name of God do you think you are doing?!” he shouted, running up the steps towards him. He stopped when he saw Frank, unconscious in Gerard’s arms. “What-what did you do?” he asked, eyes darting between the two.
“I turned him,” Gerard said softly, looking down at Frank. His face contorted with pain for a few seconds before relaxing again.
“Y-you turned him?” Michael stammered. “Why?!”
Robert walked up behind Michael, arms crossed over his chest and Gerard swallowed the lump in his throat. “I-I love him.”
Michael froze, mouth falling open and eyes wide, focusing on Gerard. “Is that why he had such an effect on you?” he asked softly, walking closer. Gerard nodded, thumb running over the back of Frank’s neck as he grimaced again. Michael watched his brother for a few moments, silently working things through in his head. “We need to get him back to the manor and prepare someone for his first meal,” he finally said, nodding to Robert.
Gerard glanced up at him. Michael was still upset, but he knew he could not leave Frank in his current state. He lifted Frank into his arms, his head resting against Gerard’s collar as he carried him to the carriage.
Robert grabbed his trunk, lifting it with ease and sliding it on top of the carriage, strapping it down tightly. He called the mare over to him, patting her nose softly before taking out the spare harness and hitching her to the carriage. Michael followed Gerard to the carriage, climbing in after him and shutting the door with a soft click. “You didn’t even bother to dress properly when you left the manor,” he tutted, sitting across from his brother.
Gerard ignored his comment, choosing to focus on Frank. He held him close, placing his hand on Frank’s chest and feeling his erratic heartbeat. His breath became shallow as the carriage started down the road, back towards Sorrento. “How long do you think he will be out for?” he asked.
Michael shrugged. “I’m not sure. Could be a few hours, could be a few days.”
Frank whined in his sleep, hands tightening into fists and relaxing again.
The remainder of the ride home was quiet, save for Frank’s whimpers.
~
“Robert will be taking the mare you stole home,” Michael said when they stepped inside the manor. James greeted them with a bow and took Michael’s coat from him, hanging it on the rack.
Gerard was unabashed, merely nodding and heading for the main hall.
“Master Way, should I take Mr. Iero’s coat and hat?” James asked, following him into the hall.
“No, I can bring them down later,” Gerard replied, seeing Michael frown. “I would like some warm water brought up to my room though. Thank you.”
James nodded, turning towards the kitchen.
Michael watched Gerard ascend the staircase before he walked into the drawing room.
~
Michael stood on the dock, thick umbrella in hand as he waited in the queue for the steamship. There were four people in front of him, a family with two small girls. He smiled, tipping his hat when they both looked back at him and giggled. They were ushered on board and the man smiled to Michael, holding his hand out. Michael handed over the envelope, admiring the ship in front of him as the man opened the envelope, removing the tickets. He stamped them, placed them back in the envelope and returned it to Michael.
“Enjoy your journey, sir,” he smiled and nodded.
“Thank you,” Michael said, nodding back. “We will.” He started up the ramp, hearing an excited squeal from behind him.
“Oh my word! Gerard! First class on a steamship to America! I can’t believe it!” Frank grinned, holding his umbrella tightly. The sun was hidden behind thick clouds but still dangerous for their skin. “It’s like a dream come true!”
Gerard chuckled, pushing Frank along ahead of him. Robert followed along behind Gerard, umbrella unnecessary for his skin.
Their luggage had been stowed on board, most with the rest of the passengers but their essentials were in their rooms. Michael had opted to share a two bed room with Robert while Gerard and Frank had a room with a queen bed just for them.
They stepped on board, quickly finding the inside hallway and closing their umbrellas as they searched for their rooms. They found them, across the hall from each other. Gerard unlocked the door to his room and Frank gaped at the size. He ran inside and dove to the bed, hugging a pillow and hissing at the sun's rays coming through the window.
Robert walked over and closed the thick curtains while Gerard looked around. “We’ll see you at dinner. Try to get some rest,” Michael called into the room and Gerard nodded.
The door closed and Gerard walked over, turning the lock. When he looked to the bed, he saw Frank had already fallen asleep. He smiled and moved to the bed, removing Frank’s shoes as well as his own before lying back on a pillow.
America. I wonder if we’ll like it there?
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