I’ll make you mine

The sense of relief when the vampyre promised that this was it was almost alarming, but he felt safe once again. There was no pressure to perform more than this, there was no expectation that this would lead to a more intimate thing. Gerard wasn't sure that was what he wanted right now, but he did like the affection he got, and he wanted to return it. So as the vampyre took his hand once again, he smiled, a bit from relief but also at the question posed. Nodding as a reply they perused the exhibition hand in hand. It had never been this nice to just walk silently, casually talking when the mood was right. Before he knew it several hours had passed by, and he knew he would have to go home soon, at least if he didn't want to get jumped on the streets. Besides leaving Xalvador to his own devices wasn't always a good thing.
He stood outside the art gallery, still holding Eden's hand, but it was more of a comfort thing than anything. "I really enjoyed this today," he said, feeling that rush of butterflies in his stomach. He didn't really know what to do now. Usually he would be handed the cash he was owned, he would count them and he would hurry home. However he wanted to linger a bit in the presence of the handsome vampyre. "But for next time, if you'd like, I would want to pick a spot for us to visit?" he said, a little hesitant, but he still had to get used to the whole ordeal with actually being able to have a say as well.

It did surprise Eden a little to realize just how fast time could pass by when he was spending time with Gerard. It was only something he had experienced with his sister, so it was a little weird to know that some stranger could have the same effect as the person he presumed to be his soulmate. He noticed how they were still holding hands and he didnt really mind it. "Me too," he assured him with a soft smile over his lips, giving his hand a soft squeeze. The question of being allowed to pick the place next time made Eden look rather curiously at the other man but he nodded and chuckled. "Of course. You are free to decide," he said with a warm tone, while he ran his thumb over the back of Gerard's hand. He made a short sigh, looking shortly at their hands before it was time to let go. He hadnt come unprepared, pulling out a closed envelope of cash that he handed Gerard. "Put it in your jacket and count it when you get home. I'd rather have you get home safe than being robbed right after you go from here," he said, but it was also because he wasnt going to accept if Gerard thought that the amount was too much and wanted to give him back some of the money.

Gerard didn't like that they had to let go, but alas it was just how it was. In fact, he was surprised at how attached, for lack of a better word, he felt towards Eden. He was nice and genuine, he held his hand and didn't cower away like some clients did. But most importantly, he had actually put up with his ramblings once he had opened up a bit. He took the envelope carefully, stuffing it in his inner pocket, making sure it couldn't be seen from the outside. He nodded at the words of wisdom, mostly because he didn't want to count the money. Even if Eden turned out to only have left coins in there, he would've liked this day anyways.
Gerard moved closer to the vampyre, placing a soft yet quick kiss on his cheek. His scent up close felt almost intoxicating, but luckily he had been around Xalvador enough to try and ignore the pheromones that lured him closer. "Feel free to call or text ... Au revoir," he said, sending the vampyre a warm smile before he knew he had to take the first step and go home.

-- time skip hahaha---

As time had passed, they both seemed to have opened up more and more. Well Eden seemed to always keep his cards somewhat open, but it was nice to see the nephilim trust him more and more. He had decided to be bold this time, inviting Gerard to his mansion where he had his servants prepare a rather pleasant meal. He had realized by now that the way to impress the nephilim wasnt by flaunting his wealth. So the meal wasnt preposterous in other sense than utilizing even the simplest of ingredients to a pleasant combination. He sat in the garden, smoking a cigarette while he was looking at some flowers that his servants had wanted him to pick out for the monthly decoration. He was conflicted between the white roses and the yellow ones, mostly because their sort seemed to be the prettiest of the ones that been picked out. It wasnt even that he really cared which colour it would be, because he barely noticed either way. But then it struck him that it would actually be the perfect opportunity to hear more of what the nephilim preferred.

Gerard felt a little anxious, not because he didn't trust Eden at this point, rather he felt it was a big step to actually visit the vampyre's home. In the time that had passed, both him and Xalvador had been fortunate enough to get a better apartment - sure it was a bit smaller, but it didn't pour inside when it rained outside. Of course his brother had been very hesitant, and the nephilim didn't expect the hybrid to understand, but he also knew that he was glad not to have to drink his blood every other night. Gerard had even gained a healthy amount of weight, his cheeks not as hollow as they used to, though his body was just as lanky as always.
He was standing in the hallway in the apartment, adjusting his shirt with shaking hands. Gods he was a wreck, but he would manage. "I promise you that nothing bad is going to happen; He's been treating me good all this time, so I think you're overreacting," he told the hybrid. He didn't want to discuss this any further, because frankly it was his way of making money. However with this came the complication that he was beginning to feel something for Eden, whether it was an attachment or legitimate feelings was yet to be known, but he felt more courageous for every time they saw each other. And yet a few things had been left out of their meetings. They hadn't kissed, not unless it was a peck on the cheek or hands, but somehow the nephilim had told himself that today was the day. He was going to kiss the vampyre, and figure out what emotions he really had.
He bid Xalvador goodbye, telling him not to wait up, before he headed downstairs and out on the streets. A car was waiting for him, a habit from Eden's side after a night where Gerard had been harassed on his way home. This option was safer, but sometimes he felt it was a bit overprotective. Either way he got in to the car, the driver already knowing the route.

"You say that now. But it's very weird that he's been giving you all that money. I'm an idiot and even I get a bad feeling about this," Xalvador argued, laying on the mattress as he scratched his scalp. The vampyre was danger, he couldnt be anything else in the hybrid's eyes, even if he was the best thing that had happened to Gerard in a long while. A deep sigh left his lips, closing his eyes as he laid down and sent Gerard off with a small wave of his hand. He had also found some sort of work that were giving him a bit of his own wealth. Wealth being a few coins to buy himself some new yet used clothes. He hadnt really discussed it with Gerard, but quite often did he return home with a few new scars, though it didnt seem that the nephilim was noticing just yet. Xalvador was doing his best to hide it either way.

Eden leaned back into the lawn chair, smoking his cigarette as he felt himself get a little impatient. It wasnt too bad, he was just rather excited to see Gerard. He had spoken to his sister a few hours prior to this and they had gotten into a sort of argument. That being her wanting Eden to come with her, but he was still a little angry about her sudden departure. And with the thing that was going on with Gerard now, was he far more set on staying in Churchill. The whole conversation had just ended on a bad note and as bad as he felt, he definitely was feeling more rebellious towards her, even if she didnt know. Or maybe she did, he didnt care.

Gerard pulled up the driveway, the huge mansion and subsequent grounds making his jaw drop, feeling a bit overwhelmed. Stepping out, he suddenly felt too underdressed. Sure, Eden had provided him with clothes to wear, but he had no idea how to style anything. He felt sheepish walking up the giant stairs, reaching the door where he barely got to knock before a servant let him in. Thanking them in a hushed voice, he started to wonder if you even thanked the staff when you had this much money. Of course he knew that Eden was loaded, but it was only seeing this that made him realize what a life in luxury truly meant. He turned around, bending his neck back to look up at the giant chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It was like taken from a fancy movie, but only in real life.
He was led through the mansion and out in to the gardens, his eyes widening at the setup of everything. He walked carefully along a stoned pathway until he stopped, watching Eden by the roses. His heart started beating faster; Nervousness or affection? It was hard for the nephilim to distinguish at this point. "Bonsoir," he greeted the vampyre with a warm voice, walking closer and letting him have a look at the newest set of clothes he had gifted him. "Is everything to your liking?" he asked, a teasing smile on his lips.

He was feeling up one of the petals of the roses when Gerard approached him, turning his head with a charming smile over his lips. It was a relief to see him again, like he was just what the vampyre needed right in this moment. He chuckled at his question, letting his eyes wander up and down for a bit before he exhaled deeply. "Yeah. You look exactly like I thought you would," he said in an approving manner. He then looked at the flowers again after a bit and gestured towards them. "My servants wants me to pick out a colour to place inside. But I cant decide which one I want. I'm struggling between white and yellow," he said, stepping back as he drew in another drag of his cigarette. He then looked at Gerard and shrugged. "I dont really care much for either in the end, I was simply looking at which petals have suffered less from the weather changes. So let me ask you this. What's your favorite colour?" he asked, tilting his head to the side as he looked at him with curious eyes. Then something seemed to come to mind which made him scoff and shake his head at himself. "Where are my manners?" he asked before he stepped closer to gently grab the nephilim's hand and lift it to kiss his knuckles as a greeting. "It's good to see you again," he said against his knuckles before letting go.

Sometimes it felt like watching Eden could take his breath away, how he so effortlessly moved and just standing there he looked like a piece of art, not a living person. Of course it could be argued that the vampyre was not alive simply because of his still heart, yet Gerard sometimes felt like he saw a glimmer of raw emotions in his eyes. Softly the nephilim chuckled, walking closer to look at the roses. Winter would come soon enough and with it these flowers would no doubt wither and die before new could grow in the spring. The question made him shrug, not really something he had thought much of before. "I guess I like pink; Although not like cotton candy or bubble gum ... More like someone blushing?" he said frowning as he didn't know how else to describe it. It was a warm color to him, the sense of having a stomach full and warmth around you. "But I think the yellow ones will bring a bit of sunshine in to your house," he finally said, knowing that the vampyre would eventually ask anyways. He looked a bit confused, however his expression softened up as Eden took his hand, lifting it and kissing it ever so delicately. The greeting he should've been used to at this point, but it did still make his heart race and his cheeks redden. "Likewise," he managed to choke out of himself before needing to look away. Sure enough, the man before him bore supernatural beauty, but it was more the fact that he seemed to be beautiful in other ways too. Perhaps Gerard was a bit vain after all, because he really did like looking at Eden. If things had been different, would they even had known each other? Or if they did would they had known each other like this? "Pluck a bit of both," he said, touching a petal carefully, not wanting to cut himself on the thorns. "I think they will compliment each other, and you won't let one of them simply succumb to the cold," he pointed out, tilting his head a bit to the side as he smiled to himself. He liked flowers, but he didn't dare waste money on buying a bouquet. Even if him and Eden were a steady duo right now, no one could be sure in a few months time.
Gerard then widened his eyes as he seemed to realize something, digging in to his pocket and fishing out a small envelope. "Here," he said, a small chuckle on his lips. He hadn't spoken much about photography, at least not to the extend of him getting a camera, but he had actually found one at a flea market. It was an old one, so he had to pay to get the film developed, but this picture had been the first he had taken that had come out how he liked it. "I wanted you to have it; I know it's not much, and I don't expect you to keep it, but I still felt like I owed you," he said a bit shyly. Inside was a rather simple picture of a lake, nothing crazy, but the way he had captured it, it looked almost like the trees were mirrored perfectly in the lake, making it look rather fairy tale like.

He noted his answer, looking a little at the pink roses. Sadly they had suffered worst of all, so if he wanted those, he would have to order them. And it didnt seem to be the pink that the nephilim liked anyway. He shrugged a little at his answer regarding the yellow ones, "Afraid I'll miss the sun too much?" he chuckled because it was rather humorous to him. He felt a bit rude for forgetting to greet the nephilim, but seeing him blush and then look away made up for it completely. He smiled softly and let go of his hand.
The thought of plucking both made Eden consider it for a bit before he nodded. It would definitely solve the whole indecisiveness that he was dealing with. "Both it is," he smiled, placing his cigarette in a tray on the table to let it burn out. He noticed the change in the nephilim, frowning a little as he began to worry but then he pulled out an envelope that Eden accepted. He looked at it for a second before he opened it and listened to Gerard speak about it. He pulled out the picture and a broad smile spread on his lips as he inspected it. "Did you buy this?" he asked, looking at Gerard with his eyes slightly narrowed, but then he realized. He chuckled and looked closer at it. "It's pretty good. You've got a good eye for photography," he remarked, watching the mirror effect in the lake closely. "Werent we here a few weeks back?" he asked a little curiously.

"Now that you mention it, you do look a little pale," he teased slightly, but it was only because he was so comfortable with the vampyre. They both jested with each other and it had made a good bond spark between them. Sure they had little in common, but they found that their humor was very much alike at times.
He shook his head, not really knowing how to say that he had actually been the one to snap this photo. However as he realized, he couldn't help but look down, a bit flushed once again because of the kind words. The place had been so beautiful when they had visited, and it had made him want to go there and snap what photos he could afford to develop. "Yes we were," he confirmed. That day it had been lovely weather, but suddenly it had started to rain. They had taken cover under a large oak tree, and Eden had pulled him closer as they just watched the rain. There had been nothing innately sexual about it, but the feeling of the vampyre pulling him in and wanting to keep him safe and dry had just made Gerard feel something grow in his chest. "We were there so long that when I got home my toes and fingers were blue from the cold," he chuckled. He hadn't wanted the day to end, even if he was cold, because he had barely noticed it in the presence of him.

He scoffed at the tease and shook his head at the nephilim. He actually quite enjoyed how they could joke with each other, it was like Gerard always seemed to know how to put a smile on his face. He really liked the picture, even if it seemed a little simple for his liking. It was more the memories that sprung from it. He had realized that he had in fact started to enjoy Gerard's company more than he first had anticipated. Maybe it was dangerous, but he didnt really care that much at this point. The good seemed to outweigh the potentially bad.
"Maybe next time it's better to pick some place indoors to lose track of time in," he chuckled softly, looking at the picture again before slipping it back down into the envelope. "Like now. Let's head inside," he remarked, gesturing for Gerard to follow as he went back inside. He went to the living room, as dinner wasnt quite ready yet. He sat down on the couch with a sigh and looked up at Gerard. "So how has your week been?" he asked curiously. He cared a lot about Gerard and how he was doing when he wasnt here with him.

Gerard chuckled lightly at the remark, but he nodded in agreement. At least until the weather changed it would be better for indoor activities, he just thanked the gods that he was not a fenix. He followed the vampyre, watching the house as they passed a few rooms until they entered what he presumed was the living room. It was quite nicely decorated, paintings on the wall, a fireplace crackling which made him smile. He knew that Eden didn't feel the cold, but the thought of him asking for a fire to be lit regardless gave him a bit of comfort for some reason. That perhaps he liked the warmth despite it not mattering very much in the grand scheme of things. Gerard watched as the vampyre sat down, the couch looking brand new, and he felt a little hesitant to sit down anywhere, not wanting to ruin anything.
"I've been good, mostly passing time with figuring out the camera I bought," he confessed. It wasn't like he had much else to do now. Before he had gone out every night, trying to scrape together some money for his next meal, but after Eden had come in to the picture he didn't have to worry about it. "I've missed you," he said in a softer voice, stepping closer, leaning forward to remove a loose strand of hair, moving it back to the rest of his hair style. "How about your week? I am terribly curious to hear how your trip went," he said with a smile, finally deciding to sit down beside him, resting his hand on the other man's thigh. He had started doing it mostly to show that he cared for Eden, just touching him and giving him small affectionate looks. Eden had told him that he would be going on a small trip, but Gerard didn't know it had been a cover up to keep him from writing with him while Eden was actually in correspondence with his sister.

He smiled a little at the confession and nodded. Even if it was something seemingly simple, he was just glad to hear that the nephilim was doing anything. It was a nice change compared to the conversations they had had at first. The soft words made him look at him with intrigued eyes, especially as he leaned closer and moved the loose strand of hair. His smile turned a little brighter, but then he asked about his week and it made the vampyre frown and draw in a deep breath. "I'd rather not talk about it, if I'm honest," he said in a rather serious tone, looking at Gerard's hand on his thigh. He placed his own over his to just feel his warmth against his palm. "It was far more tense than I had expected it to be," he said, making a short smile to make it seem like it wasnt that big of a deal. But in reality it was, it always was when it came to Loralei. Eden just couldnt start telling Gerard of her, because that meant that he would have to know everything and it was hard enough to keep Loralei in the dark as it was. "I've been looking forward to seeing you though. Even more after that trip," he remarked, giving his hand a soft squeeze with a gentle smile on his lips.

Frankly Gerard just thought it was a simple case of Eden being fed up with work, but he still took an interest in his well being. He felt the cold hand on top of his, and despite how it made his body react, he remained seated, listening carefully to the words the other man spoke. "Well I can't not say that I'm happy to hear you've been looking forward to this, but I do worry that you might be overworking yourself?" he said, though work was not a subject they spoke about often, he did see how much of a work load Eden truly had. Not that it mattered much in the nephilim's every day life, but he did think of Eden more than just a client at this point. Some days it was harder for him to accept the money than other days.
"And then how about we focus on tonight? What have you lined up for me?" he asked, turning his hand to entangle his fingers with the cold ones. He had of course been curious to see how he lived, perhaps it was just to understand him better, or maybe it was to catch a glimpse of a life that Gerard could've had if he had been born in to the right family. "A tour of the property? You putting on one of your favorite records and we just listen to it?" he asked, getting more curious as time passed on.

Gerard shrugged, trying to hide his blushing yet again, but he wasn't that successful in doing so. He just thought about the vampyre when he wasn't there, thinking of what he might be doing, but he was far from brave enough to text him and ask. When Eden was especially busy they would have phone calls, just talking about what had been going on in their respective lives, but that was as far as it had gone. He just kept holding his hand, feeling the cold clash against his warm skin, but it wasn't unpleasant, mostly because the room around them was warm.
He chuckled a bit at the fact that it always had to be a secret, but he had never been disappointed before, giving Eden's hand a soft squeeze, shaking his head at his words. How could he not live up to the expectations Gerard had? He had done much more than anyone had ever done for him, so no matter what, he would always regard him as a lifesaver. He looked at their hands, feeling his heart stop for a moment at the mention of staying over the night. It was clear the vampyre noticed his nervousness, trying to assume what worry it could be but he shook his head slightly. "No, I ... I'd like to stay over," he confessed, feeling a little brave, but also like his heart was in his throat. "It's just ... Do you even have a bed?" he asked, because he knew that vampyres didn't need sleep. He felt stupid for asking, looking at their hands instead, just to not feel the pressure of eye contact.

Gerard looked at the vampyre, his cold hand almost burning against his blushing cheek as the question made him feel like he was falling over his own words. "I - Uh, I thought ... I mean vampyres don't and ..." he mumbled, feeling like he was stupid for thinking like that. He honestly thought that he didn't even have a bedroom, so the disclosure of there being many beds in the house just made him more flustered. Was it weird that he wanted to share a bed with Eden, even if it didn't end up sexually? He just felt so comfortable around him, even if he could make the nephilim flustered and blush every other minute.
The mention of sleeping in a coffin made Gerard pull a strange facial expression, not knowing if he was joking before he chuckled. He liked the notion of autonomy, that he could choose where to sleep, but he also felt needy if he said where he actually wanted to sleep. "But can you sleep then?" he asked a little confused, because if he had beds, surely he would use them for something, right? Even though there was a dirty thought in there, he tried not to think too much of it, instead looking at the hand that had just moved away from his face. Sometimes it felt like a slow burn when he touched him, other times Gerard felt more like a moth to a flame. It was all about how alluring the vampyre could be.

He nodded, though not fully understanding, he guessed he could always get to know more later on. The next thing the vampyre uttered, made Gerard's eyes widen a bit, blushing hard as he just stared at him in disbelief. Alright, he had set that up himself, but why did it feel so intense? Like he wanted to skip the eating and go straight to whatever Eden was thinking about right now? His breath slowed a bit, feeling the blue green eyes on his lips. He wanted to say something witty in return, but what could he really say?
The servant sticking her head in felt like a bubble being burst, and Gerard realized that they weren't alone. Something about that made him a bit unsure of himself for some reason. "We should - Uhm - Go eat," he said, carefully letting go of Eden's hand before being led towards the dining room. He could feel his heart in his throat, his pulse pumping in his ear from just thinking about what Eden had eluded to.

Gerard had wanted that moment to last a bit more, but alas he just had to take it as a sign from the universe to wait for the right moment. He liked spending time with Eden, and sitting down he listened to him talk about the food. Frankly it was a bit funny that the vampyre was so interested in sustenance like that, because frankly he had no need for it. But regardless, Gerard appreciated every part of it. Taking a careful bite, he felt it was a bit too warm, burning his tongue as his face twisted in a pained expression. He however shook his head, saying that he liked it, mostly because he didn't want to see Eden worry or get frustrated with his lack of patience.
The conversation as always was pleasant; Gerard spoke about what had been going on with the camera he had bought, and how he had found a few old manuals online for it. He also explained how him and Xalvador had been celebrating Halloween for the first time, and had children come to their apartment for trick or treating. He was liking his life right now, even if he was conditioned to be by Eden's side, it didn't feel like he was forced. Of course without Eden's financial surplus, this wouldn't even have been happening. "Xally almost fell backwards when he saw one of the kids dressed up as a hero from one of his comics," he chuckled, shaking his head at the memory. It had been good, and with Solstice fast approaching, it felt like they were actually going to have money to buy some decorations or presents this year. "Do you get trick or treaters here, or is it perceived as begging?" he asked frowning a bit.

As he explained about the food, he did notice how impatient the nephilim had been to just dig right into it. And by the way he was trying to play it off like it wasnt that big of a deal, Eden could tell that he shouldnt make some big scene out of it, simply asking if he was okay before he told a servant to send Gerard's thanks to the chefs. A servant came in with a glass of blood for Eden, which almost looked like red wine but only slightly thicker. He was quite interested in hearing what Gerard had to say, even if it was about the camera or something he had done with Xalvador. He chuckled as Gerard did, nodding a few times. "I guess it's only a good thing that you can go out and do these things together now," he said, not to rub in that they couldnt before. The question made him hum as he leaned a little back into his chair, touching the neck of his wine glass. "It's not perceived as begging. But it doesnt really happen either. I think they head off to the other districts as it's easier to trick or treat when you can ring the doors rather than ring the gates, so to speak," he explained, scratching his neck a little. "We do have halloween events, but it usually entails some sort of charity and someone trying to boost their self image," he remarked, frowning a little as he found it rather silly. "Everyone's so snobby here anyway. The kids would grow tired of waiting for a servant to come to the gate with candy. I think it's much more fun to be greeted by the people who own the homes," he pondered but then shook his head and scoffed. He thought he was rambling at this point. "Was it all treats or did you get tricked too?" he asked, smiling softly as he lifted his glass to take a sip off the blood.

Gerard still didn't fully know how he felt about the fact that the people around him drank blood. Of course he was used to it by now, but maybe it was just something in him lingering over the fact that that blood had to have come from someone else - even if it was a donor. It wasn't disgusting to him, in fact he had been the one to encourage Eden to eat his meals alongside him. "Well charity is still charity, right? I mean the money goes to people who need it," he said with a small shrug. Part of him knew that the orphanage him and Xalvador had grown up on had received a lot of donations over the years, it was just pocketed by the self appointed rulers of the place.
He chuckled a bit at the question, shrugging as he chewed on his latest bite. He had never been a fan of food, but getting with Eden had shown him a whole new world of culinary expression. "We didn't get anyone doing anything crazy, but the small tree out front was covered in toilet paper," he chuckled. A few of the people living in the apartment complex were elderly grumpy people, so of course they had refused to hand out anything, but the kids of course had a hard time understanding. "I guess I envy those kids a bit, I never really got to go out like that," he chuckled, taking a sip of water. He didn't complain, he had come to accept that everyone's lives were different, but that didn't stop his mind from wondering what could've been.
"Regardless, I actually think I like handing out the candy," he added, looking at the vampyre with a smile. He finished up the dish, and it seemed like Eden had stretched his glass to last for as long as he was eating. Leaning back in his seat he smiled. "It feels like I never have to eat again with how full I've gotten," he chuckled.