An arrangement

This was the worst part, getting people together before Eden got a whiff of what was happening. He felt his heart racing, and he knew Tessa meant well in her assurance, but he was afraid that this would end badly. He just pushed her closer to him while they waited, holding both arms around her as if letting go wouldn't be an option. Her sudden question made him close his eyes as he felt his body wanting to contort in pain. He was ashamed, because he didn't know if it was wise to tell her. "I promised him he could have my body for the night," he whispered, scared to talk too loud and ashamed that he had to admit this. "It was the only way he would let me go find you," he explained, feeling his eyes water, because if this failed he knew what would happen.
"He doesn't play around, Theresa, he's been patient with me so far, but I know that he won't stop - at least not until he finds someone new to obsess about," he said, but he wouldn't wish that on any living soul. What Gerard had been through had been more than enough to know just how toxic he was. "And if he suspect anything is up between us, the deal is off and he won't stop killing until I return to him," he said, feeling a shudder run down his back, holding her a little tighter for a few seconds, just to feel that she was really there.

Eliza felt confused, but since what had happened with the vampyre, she rarely left her house alone. And if she did, she had a clear deal with people where she was heading. "Then let us get going," she said in a serious voice. Even if Tessa and her were merely acquaintances at this point, she still considered her a friend, just like Gerard and Xalvador. If she was coming home, she wanted to be there if Gerard wanted her there - that was how friendship worked. Hurrying off she was grateful that they could at least walk together, and she opted to take his arm as they walked, just to feel safe and protected.

They thankfully didn't wait for long, as a car pulled up, and seeing Conrad behind the wheel made the nephilim feel a bit relieved. That meant that Leona would be at home, and hopefully with Connor. Getting in, he remained silent as Conrad seemed to reach for his daughter, taking her hand and giving it a soft squeeze. It was clear he was moved by seeing her again, the worry still in him, but the worst part was done now. "Let's go home," he said, letting the engine run as he set off towards their home in Northern.
The drive felt almost painful, Gerard having an arm around Tessa, her head against his shoulder as the world passed them by. They were all silent, but it was like they didn't need to speak to understand, however the nephilim wondered if Leona had a scolding for him when they returned. Pulling up to the house, they got out of the car, Conrad leading them to the house and walking in, calling on his wife with an emotional voice.

Gerard felt distant after admitting what he would be giving up for being here right now. He wouldn't enjoy it, but it didn't matter. He couldn't just have let Tessa roam around like this when her parents so clearly cared and worried. Her suggestion was good - if he had been trying to get away from another person who wasn't as sadistic as Eden was. Frankly, the nephilim had probably already annoyed him enough with not granting him any submission. The car ride was only making him more nervous, but alas he had her by his side, making him feel more relaxed than he had been for the past few weeks.
Arriving at the Morgan family home, he let Leona and Tessa embrace, but the heartfelt thanks made him shake his head. He didn't want to be thanked for something he had caused. The talk of staying the night made him pull a pained expression, but thankfully his valkyrie knew just how to reply, even if it made him bitter to think about. Following her in to her former room he stood, not really sure what to do with himself. Normally when they were alone he was the first to seek out her affection, holding her or kissing her, but now he felt lost. "I don't know, an hour maybe two if his meeting runs late," he murmured, looking at her as she came closer. He helped unzip her dress, his fingers brushing lightly against her back and he wished that he could be selfish and pull her in to his arms again.
He took a deep breath, looking at her as she got changed, and he felt that urge to have her close again. This time he followed that urge, walking to her and wrapping his arms around her from behind, burying his face in her golden locks and just breathed in her scent. Even if she smelled of cigarettes and another man's cologne, he wanted her close. "I don't want to leave you," he whispered solemnly against her scalp, digging his nose against her hair as his arms just held around her. He wasn't restricting her from moving, but he felt his body ache when they weren't close. Breathing out, he felt his own warm breath hit him back in the face before pulling away to look at her. His eyes spoke more than words, because it was clear he was in disarray, wanting to stay but knowing it would only come to hurt them in the long run if Eden got his way.
"And I don't want to be with him, I don't want his affection or touch - Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl," he whispered, his breath shuddering. "I want you, but I'm not selfish enough to risk hurting you because of that want," he explained. He loosened his grip slightly, letting her turn around in his arms so that they were now face to face, one of his hands moving up to cup her face. Everything he had done, he had done for her safety, and even if it did hurt both of them, it would hurt more to have her dead. That was something he knew he would never be able to live with. "I haven't broken my promise; I still love you and I'll do that until the end of time, but can you really stand there and say you wouldn't have done the same if the roles were reversed?" Maybe it was naive for him to think that anyone would be as self-sacrificing as himself, but he also knew the love that he and Tessa shared were stronger than anything he had ever experienced.
"What I have with Eden is not a relationship, it's a hostage situation, and yet I needed to break up with you because ... I'm not a cheater, I didn't want him to have that leverage over me," he explained shaking his head because did it really matter now? He didn't know, but seeing as this was where they were, perhaps it did matter in some way. "However I think we need to involve your parents in what comes next," he explained, taking her hand and moving out to the living room where Conrad was sitting with Connor, watching him do his homework and speaking in a low voice. Looking up as the two entered, he frowned, but he could see the nephilim had something at heart.
Then there was a knock at the door, and Gerard felt himself frozen for a moment before he heard Eliza's voice outside. "Hello? - Are you sure this it the right address?" she spoke, and the nephilim went to let his friends in, apologizing to both Leona and Conrad for letting people in to their home, but this was an exception to his normal politeness. "Alright, now that everyone is here, I'd like to catch you all up to speed with what has been going on, and from that I want to find a solution," Gerard spoke rather frankly, taking a deep breath as Eliza and Xalvador entered the living room. Gerard went on to explain everything, how his past had been, how he had met Eden and what had happened before he disappeared. How the vampyre has made his return, threatening the lives of those around him unless the nephilim submitted.
After a long and serious story, he took a deep breath looking at Leona and Conrad. "I never meant to hurt your daughter, my intentions were pure, but I've reached a point where I fear that Eden might grow tired of how I keep refusing him - I think he might lash out as he did on Eliza," he explained, looking apologetic to the human who shook her head and looked down. "I know this is too much to ask, but I need your help," he said.

She nodded at his reply and dressed herself, to then hear him approach her before she felt his arms around her. She leaned back into his embrace and closed her eyes for a second. "I dont want you to leave me," she whispered back in a saddened tone, but she realized that it was just how it had to be. She pulled a sour expression as he spoke of being with Eden, but she knew there wasnt really much she could do about it. She wasnt going to be angry at him for making such a promise to Eden, because she knew it was for her. She turned in his arms and placed a hand over the one he placed on her face. She looked away for a bit as she thought about what it would have been like if the roles were reversed. She wasnt sure what she would have done. "I dont know," she admitted with a deep sigh as she looked back at him.
He went on to explain his situation with Eden and she frowned a little but she nodded as he shook his head, squeezing his hand on her face gently, letting him know that she understood; Even if she couldnt really know what it felt like to be in his place right now. The mention of her parents made her look a little confused, but she nodded anyway. It did make sense to involve them in this as it wasnt exactly a matter that they could just keep for themselves much longer. She followed his lead to the livingroom, drawing in a deep breath as she just held onto his hand. Connor looked up as well, frowning a little as he wanted to say something to his sister but he didnt really know what to say.
Leona heard the voices outside too, frowning a little as she went to check, unsure why she recognized the female voice. She wasnt really angry that Gerard was letting them in, but obviously she was wondering what was going on.
But the last thing she had expected was for Gerard to tell the whole story. A frown was on her brows as she rubbed her temples a little. How many times had she not heard stories like this but instead of a vampyre it was some daemon laying claim on a seraph for fun? "This is a complicated matter. But it's not completely hopeless," she said in a thoughtful voice, scratching the side of her neck as she thought it through. "You cant fight him. I've tried," Xalvador remarked with a deep sigh, his arms crossed as he wasnt exactly happy to hear a recap of the happenings with Eden. "Under the holy law of seraphim, you could be granted protection from anything or anyone that would harm you or your loved ones, your blood allows it" she pondered before she sighed deeply and crossed her arms. "Because I'm only guessing that this Eden wouldnt care what the law would say about his actions?" she said with a frown on her brows. She sighed and looked at Conrad with a worried expression. "But the holy law is also just a law. It could work or it could go horribly wrong," she further thought before looking at Gerard. "You know Eden. What do you suggest?" she asked, thinking she couldnt play expert on something she didnt know about.

Telling everything was perhaps supposed to be relieving him of some tension, but he didn't feel like that now. He waited as Leona took her time to think things through, finding some hope in the fact that she deemed it complicated but not unsolvable. "And you won't fight him this time," Gerard said in a firm voice, looking at Xalvador with a warning gaze. He had almost lost him back then, and he was not letting him do that just to try his strength. "I don't believe in violence to begin with, it never breeds anything good," he said, but it was clear that him and his brother would always have different views of justice.
The Leona spoke of the holy law, but not being raised by seraphim it was clear the nephilim knew little about it. "What does the law entail? Are there requirements for this protection?" he asked a bit curiously, wanting to know more. However if it protected his loved ones, would that extend to his friends as well? And would Xalvador even be considered someone that should be protected in the eyes of the seraphim holy law? Taking a deep breath, he gave Tessa's hand a soft squeeze, letting her know that he was alright, breathing and trying to calm himself.
"Eden is persistent, but not reckless; He considers his choices before he makes them and always want the best deal," he said, not knowing if it helped someone think of something. "He's relentless ... He doesn't stop until he gets what he wants, and right now he wants me," he said, looking down as he felt ashamed about it. If he had just ignored that vampyre on that night, everything would've been easier today. "Like I said, I don't believe that fists are going to solve this issue, but I will have to find something that he wants more than me in exchange for my freedom - Only problem is he keeps his cards close to his body," he pondered.
Conrad got up from the dining table where Connor was, walking over to stand behind his wife, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Legal action could be taken against him; If he has made a threat and also physically hurt the young lady as you said, he could be prosecuted under the court system," he spoke rationally. Even if this Eden didn't care for the law, he would have to answer them, at least if you asked Conrad. "Also, perhaps gathering witnesses; Has he had anyone before you that might be somewhere who would be willing to testify?" he thought out loud.

Gerard found her holding on to him very good, it felt like it was grounding him to the place and he didn't have to worry too much in his mind. Finding himself more clear headed he listened to the others in the room. He knew Xalvador was frustrated, but the nephilim had never thought that using ones fists would solve much.
Eliza placed a hand on Xalvador's back, just to let him know she was there, but also as a way to show her silent support to him. She cared for him, and having stayed with him for a while she knew that he reacted physically, hence why she touched him. Her eyes looked to the blonde man at the table, narrowing her eyes, but taking in what he said, because it made sense. "Well, if he breaks the deal he has, even just a small part, it would be off, right?" Eliza said, continuing the thoughts of the blonde guy. She didn't know his name, in fact she felt a little out of place, but she also knew that this was the safest place for her right now. Turning her gaze to look up at Xalvador, she frowned. "You're picturing scenarios in your head," she whispered, knowing that he was already thinking of ways to beat Eden in to a pulp. Leaning her head against his arm she remained silent unless she needed to - it was just the way she had been raised.
Conrad sighed at his wife's words, nodding in agreement as he leaned against her palm. "Even so, any victims - if enough - could be proof enough in it of itself," he pointed out. He knew he could be very law abiding, but it was a reflection of his work. It was also clear that he was worried about his family, worried that this vampyre would just show up one day, and he would be powerless in protecting any of them. He knew Leona was strong enough on her own to fend off a vampyre, but for how long? He looked at his daughter as she spoke, feeling his heart break for her, because it was so clear that she wanted something else. She didn't want this torment, and who could blame her? She was a young woman who had barely had a start at life.
Gerard pulled Tessa closer at her words, closing his eyes because he knew what she said was true, but just thinking of what his night would be like when he returned made him scared. "Just don't run away, you're much safer here," he whispered, pleading with her because he couldn't bear the thought that she would be out roaming freely with a chance of Eden getting a small whiff of what had happened. However as Xalvador budded in, he looked at him rather surprised. The name didn't spark anything in his memory, but nodding at his warning.
"Maybe we could look for her? You have connections, right? I have some too," Eliza suggested as she looked at Xalvador. She wanted to do her part, help out where she could, and now seemed like a time where her family could be of use. "I have an old friend who might be able to help," she elaborated, looking at Tessa and Gerard for consent. She wouldn't force herself in to this without their approval.

"Yeah, but we need hard evidence that a victim and a witness would be able to back up. And none of us thought to document Eliza's injury," Leona remarked, not to shoot down the idea, but just to point out that they didnt really have anything just yet.
Xalvador seemed to calm down just a little as Eliza placed her hand on his back but clearly it wasnt exactly enough. But what could really calm him when he knew that they had come this far just for Gerard to be caught up in the past? And it wasnt even that he had had a choice, it was just forced upon him. So Xalvador was upset to say the least. "Sorry. This is how I cope," he mumbled, having heard the word from Gerard. He drew in a deep breath as she leaned her head onto his shoulder, not really minding, though he was a little absent minded to realize it was a little intimate of a gesture.
Leona rubbed her temple with her free hand as she thought her husband's words through. "I think what we can do for now is wait for the vampyre to act out. I dont want any of you to provoke him or in any way put yourself in danger," she said, before she eyed everyone around her. She knew it was a bad situation, but they had to be smart and not reckless. She especially eyed Xalvador, knowing already that he seemed like a hothead. "Maldita sea!" he cursed as he rubbed his face and got up to go get some fresh air. He went to the door to the garden and opened it before leaning against the frame with his arms crossed.
Tessa didnt really like to think of what was waiting for Gerard either, frankly the thought alone made her want to cry, but she was trying not to think about it. She sighed at his words and nodded carefully. She didnt want to worry him unnecessarily, but she hadnt really felt like she was in danger when she had been with Maddie. She knew she could always count on the vampyress to check up on her and show up if she thought something was off. Leona didnt like the notion of knowing her daughter was out there doing something that she didnt know about; Because they hadnt really gotten to talk about what Tessa had been doing for the last couple of weeks, and most surely, Leona wouldnt ever agree to it.
Xalvador had been standing by the door as his memory caught up with him. He closed the door again and went to Eliza again, sitting down with a heavy sigh as he nodded at her suggestion. "I have lots of contacts, I'll figure something out," he said in a sure tone, already scrolling through them in his mind. Tessa looked at Eliza with curious but also worried eyes as she mentioned an old friend. "Who is this friend?" she asked, clearly not wanting to leave the human out of this, but she wasnt sure how she would feel if she got hurt again. "Just dont get too involved. He's already shown how easily he would hurt you if he knew you were in this," Xalvador said so the rest of them didnt have to. It was probably just pure luck that the vampyre hadnt hit something important when he bit her. He took her hand and held onto it, just because he felt like he needed to.

Everyone was slinging out ideas and then refuting them. Gerard didn't like the thought of waiting around, because it seemed like he would be the one with the injuries in the end, however part of him also felt happy if it didn't get to hurt the others. He was a very empathic person, always wanting what was best for those around him. It felt like they were at a crossroads, and soon he would have to choose the right one. Only with Eden that crossroad felt more like a labyrinth. At the mention of contacts, he turned his head and looked at Xalvador and then Eliza, narrowing his eyes as he didn't know what she meant, but thankfully it seemed like Tessa asked the big question here.
"Oh, oh no, Tessa, it's a very dear friend of mine, not one who would hurt me if I asked for help," she said gently, shaking her head at the valkyrie. She might be naive, but the friends she did have she knew she could count on. "He's sort of a childhood friend," she said with a warm smile. "But he's quite good at what he does, and he helps find people and such," she went on to explain. She looked at Xalvador as he said he didn't want her too involved, making her frown. He could understand his worry, but as he took her hand she gave it a soft squeeze. "You were there to save me last time, and I'm not going to be a damsel in distress once more," she said, her eyes softening up but she quickly looked away. They were friends, she told herself, no need to get sentimental like that. Letting go of his hand she stepped away for a bit, feeling the need to get some distance before her heart would start aching again.
Gerard noticed what was going on between Xalvador and Eliza, and part of him wanted to smack the hybrid over the head at just how blind he seemed to be in all of this. However now was not really the time for that. "I should get going," he said in a weak voice, trying to keep himself together. He looked at Connor, Conrad and Leona, and he felt confident that they would protect Tessa and each other. He then looked at Tessa, cupping her face gently. "I don't know when I'll see you again," he whispered, looking around before he took her hand and led her out in to the hallway. He had a pained expression on his face. "Go to my room in the apartment ... Look in the nightstand, alright?" he whispered, leaning down to kiss her. That was all he could muster to say in this moment, and he knew it felt weird and cryptic, but he knew she would be there anyways from time to time.

Even if it was obvious, Eliza knew better than what the others saw. She cared for Xalvador, but he had shown no interest, so she stuck to what she knew, and that was being his friend. His words about protecting her made her nod before she wrapped her arms around herself. But why did he have to sound like that? So determined to protect her? She guessed it was the same for Gerard, and she knew she would come to understand at some point.

Gerard felt his heart breaking anew, but what could really be done? Feeling her lips were all he wanted, holding her close as he wrapped his arms around her in a protective embrace. "I just don't want you to hate me for what he's going to do to me," he whispered. He had promised to submit, but he honestly still felt like it would be cheating. Even if him and Tessa weren't together, it was clear that the bond they shared were deeper than that of a friendship. Her sweet whisper made him whimper, "and I love you too, ma chérie," he whispered before their lips touched again. He wanted to stay, hold her just a little longer, but alas when she let go, so did he. "Protect Xal, okay? He needs someone to tell him when enough is enough," he said looking towards the living room. Taking a deep breath he wiped away his tears, although his eyes still looked puffy.
He went outside, feeling the cold air against his skin before popping the sim card back in his phone, calling for a driver to pick him up and drive him home to Eden's place. It was a strange ride, holding back his emotions, though he felt like it was getting worse the closer he got to the lavish house. Stepping out of the car he went up the stairs, a servant ready to open the door for him. "I'll go take a shower - Did he leave a note?" he asked the usual servant who was around the house.

Eliza watched as Tessa came in, looking at her with sad eyes as she couldn't begin to imagine the pain she felt right now. The mother however offered them something to drink. "Tea would be lovely," she nodded, also wanting to elaborate on her contact as Leona put it. Sitting down beside Xalvador, she minded his private bubble, keeping a bit of distance between them, but it was clear that she felt the pull to be closer to him. "When I say childhood friend, I mean it ... My family often visited him and his family on vacation and such," she explained, smiling a bit as she looked at Tessa. "We were actually betrothed at a point, but after my parents passing it just didn't seem like it would work out," she said, folding her hands in her lap. "We still keep in contact, of course, just as friends now." It was clear there was some heartache still lingering in her, but she wasn't willing to show that right now. It was about helping Tessa and Gerard, not about her own feelings.

Gerard sighed, nodding as he looked at the servant. She was always so nice, and he really wished he could do something for her, however he also knew she was stronger than him. "Thank you," he said softly before heading up to have a shower and a change of clothes. He wore something nice, a button up shirt in white with a pair of nice black trousers. Shoes he went for something simple; Leather was always a nice fit and over his shirt he put a nice dress jacket.
Going downstairs he felt like he had gotten himself under control somewhat, getting in the car and nodding to show he was ready to go.

She shook her head lightly at Leona's condolences, but it was nice to hear it, she just didn't want the focus on her. Eliza smiled at the blonde guy, and she seemed to remember Gerard speaking about Tessa's brother. Connor, was it? She at least thought as much. Thanking him for the tea she added a bit of sugar, mostly because she liked sweeter things. "Well, Gerard is a good friend, and even though Tessa and I have barely interacted, I really do like her," she said, her voice gentle as she looked at the sobbing valkyrie. She looked at Xalvador, knowing that he was probably far off in his mind about his next move, but she sent him a reassuring smile regardless. "I'll call him when I get home to my aunt; I've been staying at her place since ..." she said, trailing off as she looked down, her hand instinctively moving up to her neck. For a few seconds her eyes went blank, her breath a little unsure of itself but it was only for a few seconds before she shook her head. She had to deal with what had happened, but it didn't seem like any sort of talking had helped. "Well since I got chewed like a chew toy," she said, pulling a pained smile, trying to make light of it, even if it still scared her.

Eden knew just what buttons to press on when it came to this sort of thing; The hotel, the fancy dressing - everything just had to be perfect, hadn't it? Gerard felt a small shiver run down his back as he entered the hotel, being led all the way to a room with what he suspected had the best view. Getting in, the door was closed behind him, and his brown eyes fell on the vampyre in the chair, watching the wine and blood mixture make curtains on the glass. "She's home and safe for now," he just said plainly, walking over to the minibar, grabbing a club soda and opening it. "I didn't think you were this sentimental," he said, gesturing to the room, but he really meant the hotel itself. Was he trying to spark something in him?

A small smile spread on Leona's lips at Eliza's words about Tessa. But then she spoke of what had happened and the valkyrie looked a little worried as she looked at the human touching her neck. She sighed and pulled a sad expression at the pained smile. "I've tried something in the likes before. It's not something you easily forget. But it does get easier day for day," she said in a encouraging way, stroking Tessa's back gently. The young valkyrie was slowly calming down, but she moved out of her mother's arms and mumbled a distraught goodnight. She just wanted to crawl into bed and sleep for as long as she could. Connor decided to follow her just to make sure she was getting tucked in nicely. He remembered how he used to do that all the time when they were younger. Leona joined them at the table and poured herself a cup. "How do you feel about what happened?" she asked rather carefully, blowing on her tea.

He didnt seem to react to the answer but simply sat up with his glass and took another sip. He placed it on the table next to him and frowned as Gerard called him sentimental. "Sentimental or simple taste. Call it whatever you'd like," he said, getting up from his chair as he approached the nephilim. He looked at the clothes he was wearing, correcting the collar in a rather gentle manner. "The last couple of weeks, you've been nothing but miserable in my home," he remarked as he looked into his eyes, keeping his hands on the collar in a gentle grip. "I thought a change would make things easier for you," he explained, but clearly he was just pulling at straws to see what worked. If this place was nothing but bad memories for the nephilim or actually doing just something to change the bad mood. "I did let you go find her," he reminded him with a deep sigh.

"I just don't like thinking about it," she said, knowing it wasn't the right answer, but right now she couldn't bear to go through it in her mind. She needed time to understand what had happened first, but even that seemed hard with her limited recollection of what had happened while bleeding out. "I'll talk and think about it once I'm ready, but for now I'd rather not," she said in an almost apologetic tone, taking a sip of the tea carefully as to not burn herself. Even if she had gone through this, a small piece of her mind kept reminding her that it could've been worse, that things could've gone so much wrong and she would've bled out in Xalvador's arms. "But thank you for asking," she said, smiling politely, but she knew that they both knew it was a fake smile. Not because she wasn't appreciative of the care the valkyrie had given her, it was more a fact that she didn't like discussing this pain.

Gerard looked at the vampyre with calm eyes, watching him as he got closer. The small tug of his collar made him straighten his back, looking in to the eyes of his captor with blank eyes. There was no more spark in them, because why should there be? He knew what was going to happen. "How considerate of you," he said, but he felt like this was much more of a business transaction rather than an actual way of showing that the vampyre cared. The reminder made him nod, he knew what he was giving up, but frankly it had been worth it. "You did ... Now how do you want me?" he asked, feeling like he couldn't even muster up the way to sound charming or anything remotely human. He sounded more robotic, like this was his fate and he had decided just to go along with it. It wanted to get over with it so that he could go back to a couple days of pure misery.

Eliza agreed to stay over, more so because she didn't want him to be alone. She did however make a call to her aunt, letting her know of her whereabouts, as well as perhaps contacting her former betrothed.

//Eliza out for now//

"What exactly is there to talk about? I got what I wanted, now you can -" he said, gesturing to himself "- claim me as you wanted." Perhaps it was black and white to look at it that way, but it was clear that Gerard had aged very differently from how Eden had hoped. He sat down beside him regardless, feeling like this was worse, it was prolonging the wait, and he hated it. Why didn't he just go for it already? "Sometimes I wonder what goes on inside your head," he sighed, closing his eyes and rubbing his face a bit annoyed, something him and Xalvador had in common it seemed. "Why do you care about me? I'm not that teenager anymore, if that was what you were hoping for, then sorry - Life has a way of becoming sour with time," he said, placing his hands palm down on his thighs.

He decided not to reply, mostly because he didn't know how to answer. He got her home safely, but it would never be enough. Was he growing possessive as the vampyre? Maybe it was just how things went. Shaking his head as Eden tried to put it so simply, because it wasn't. How could he expect him to ask such a thing when everything seemed dependent on the vampyre's mood?
A chill ran down his spine as he moved closer, but he didn't let it show. Even his heart seemed calm, listening to what he said. "I care about my friends," he protested, but deep down he knew he was right. Sure, Gerard cared for Xalvador, but it wasn't that type of caring that the vampyre spoke about. "And as I said, time changes people," he said, looking ahead as the buttons on his shirt were slowly undone. The notion of not settling down made him shrug lightly, turning his head to look at Eden's blue green eyes. It was true that Gerard had had a hard time finding someone who wanted to be with him for more than a few weeks, but he hadn't given up hope that there would be someone for him. "What else have your men told you?" he asked instead, raising an eyebrow at the vampyre, because he was genuinely curious. How long had he watched him before returning?

Getting pushed down was fine, he let the vampyre do as he pleased, mostly because it had been what he had promised him. "You have," he said calmly, looking up at the ceiling as he felt the soft pressure of the mattress against his back. It felt good laying down, but the cold fingers were so far removed from the warm ones he was longing for. He listened, being attentive, but it sounded more like he had kept a record and not really kept up, just had someone else do it because it was easier it seemed.
"I thought you were gone from my life, and at first I could barely handle my body and heart being that broken ... But I started to realize how you treated me," he said, frowning slightly as he felt him tugging a bit at his pants, but it was only because he felt so disconnected from his body right now. "You kept me secluded, away from what I really wanted in life and it was all for your own enjoyment - You just had a way to manipulate me in to thinking you were the love of my life," he spoke, turning his head to look up at the vampyre. His eyes filled with hurt and betrayal, because at one point he thought he had really loved Eden, however without his presence, that idea had crumbled and it was just an illusion after all.
"You don't love me either, you just like having someone to control ... Like Loralei, was that the name I heard being tossed around?" he asked, but it was clear he wasn't trying to be provoking. However he knew it could end badly, Xalvador had warned him. "Either way, at some point you'll stop getting satisfaction from me, and you'll either kill me out of boredom, or seek out something more exciting," he said, turning his gaze back to the ceiling.