#tlb1987

David

I think David is a little tricky when it comes to love languages.. He's definitely a bit of a feline; it takes a while for the guy to outrightly love you anyways. He's not necessarily skittish, it's just hard to earn his trust.

David definitely leans towards acts of service. He dislikes asking for help, so when you're able to sense what's wrong without him talking is when he knows you're the one.

He's willing to compromise and lean to your love language as well.

David's personal favorites when it comes to reciprocating are words of affirmation and paying back the service fee <3

Sometimes, David will be in the mood for physical affection, but it's not 24/7. This man is only a cuddle bug on certain occasions.

Dwayne

Dwayne is just an absolute sweetheart.

He might seem brooding due to his quiet nature at first, but he's definitely the most physical of the pack aside from Marko.

Dwayne's personal love language is a mix of physical touch and quality time.

His favorite way to spend his nights when not with the pack are definitely just having a small, intimate date night; whether its watching movies, baking/cooking something, playing board games... It doesn't matter to Dwayne. He's most content with whatever, as long as you're spending time together.

Paul

Paul is definitely the most vocal about his emotions out of the pack.

He's the first to say 'I love you'

Paul's love language is a mix of words of affirmation but also gift giving.

He loves spoiling you. Those shitty carnival boardwalk games? He'll play them for hours on end just to get you that dumb oversized teddy bear that he noticed you were eying earlier. He's always picking up your favorite snacks or sweets <3

There's not a single day where 'I love you' isn't said. This man will go crazy if you don't say it back as well btw be warned

Paul can get a little obnoxious with how often he's mumbling how much he loves you. But it's the good kind of annoyance. It's a nuisance that you miss dearly whenever he's gone.

Marko

Easily the wildest of the pack but still loving and fun in his own way!

I like to think that Marko's love language is physical touch. Hands down. This man's PDA game is insane.

Standing together? Gotta be holding hands. Sitting? Hand on your thigh, or reverse. Riding on the back of his motorcycle? Arms around his waist, squeezing extra tight for the cool tricks he does. Expect kisses on the neck or behind your ear whenever ya'll walk together on the boardwalk too <3

Marko just can't get enough of you. Expect some frisky touching too. He's gonna grab your ass at least once a night (if you're comfortable).

He's actually super good about boundaries though. If you're visibly not okay with him being touchy, he respects it, and talks to you to work around his love language and learn how to respect your own as well :)

flower's taglist <3

@ithopi0s 🎭

He flew to the Boardwalk silently and quickly. As far as he could from the boys. He wandered around people, igniting his cigarette. He didn't see people around himself, as he wondered aimlessly, surrounded by loud noises and music. He remembered it was loud that night too.

It was a fair. And he, mortal little boy, who just got out of the family house and got his first job... How proud of himself and how naive he was back then. David remembered music, children's laughter and fair games. He was watching the fun all around, as it became night. That was when he noticed them. Y/N. Beautiful, nocturnal. They came with night, bringing coldness of their skin and their musical voice in his life.

He didn't remember the bite. He remembered pain and then blissfull coolness and numbness that took over his body. David remembered them. Their laughter and eyes, flickering from their usual colour to yellow. He remembered their embraces and kisses. Cold and biting and at the same time irresistable.

Poison torments my soul with a temptation

Y/N was like a dream. They were perfect, they answered all his questions. They were loving and caring, and David almost forgot they turned him forcefully.

"You are just lost. My sweet lost boy." They cooed, embracing David before going to sleep, entangled together in the cave.

He learned how to see and divide people from non-humans pretty quickly. That was how he learned that Max, who he thought was just the man, who started the fair, was a vampire as well. And man wasn't willing to let go of David.

"They forced you into this, David. And now they are just trying to force you to stay with them. Can't you see that?" Max told him, seeing him feed on one of the nights. David didn't believe him. Y/N was sweet. They were kind. They loved him.

But he was right. Y/N loved him and was sweet, but minor inconvinience or something not going in the way they wanted, and sweet and nice facade was breaking down. They immediately tore any enemy or human in pieces, terrifying David, still new to all of it.

I sold my dreams and revelations,

Destiny has my salvation in its hands

He was becoming more mature with every day, with every night, when he had to feed. But constant Max' nagging and constant Y/N's nerves were getting to him. And in the end, quiet, calm and insistent Max won. He promised more calm life, more hidden and not open, dangerous lifestyle.

Eternal Ethereal Stranger

Would be able to save me

David stopped at the railings. He looked at the beach. At people walking there. He saw them. Almost every year he saw them. In the girl, whose laughter sounded like music. In the boy, who got angry and fought someone. In sweet delicate blood he took from his victims. In the lovers he found for the night, and whose embraces were sweet at least for some time. Almost like theirs...

His mind was betraying him, and every time he saw some traits of theirs in other people, his dead heart was flattering in his chest. He remembered them and almost believed it was them every time, as if some madman. That they were alive somehow. And guilt was eating at him alive.

She is devoted to me

And she is betrayed by me

He should have stayed with them. Or rather left with them. But he decided to choose Max. More stable, more calm, promising him family and strength at the same time. David left them and went to Max.

Y/N came for him. They came, trying to reason, sure that Max spoiled his mind with lies. Confident that David needed saving from him. They embraced David, happy, that he was alive, that he was alright. And he staked them.

Their surprised and pained eyes, betrayal and hurt in their face still haunted his nightmares for many years to come. He never forgot how limp and even colder than ever they felt in his arms. He hated himself immediately for that choice.

He couldn't change it. The day of their death was the day of his hate towards himself began. Flourishment of his pain and anguish. David wanted to touch them just once more. Just hold them and know he was safe. But he killed them. Boy lowered his head, closing his eyes. Cigarette burned in his fingers, almost burning his skin. And yet he didn't move.

"It seems to me you are still lost, my sweet boy." He snapped his head, turning around to see their smiling face and oh so familiar silhouette. But once David stepped forward, there was noone before him. He was going crazy, he thought, stepping back and sitting on the deck. They couldn't be alive. It was his mind punishing him for everything that he did. And yet he sensed their smell.

David would see them again, he thought, burning another cigarette. No matter if it would be in his pained mind, a year from that day, on another day of his worst mistake. Or in the other person's traits. Or if they would be alive by some miracle

He would see his eternal ethereal stranger once again.

Dwayne

You had been sitting with your friend for a long time. He was very insistent that you needed to meet up. You agreed with him, so now you sat at some bar, catching up on some news.

But your attention wasn't on him. You looked at some biker in the corner of the bar, who sat with his three friends. Tall brunette with deep dark stare... He was just your type.

"Earth to Y/N, hello!" Will snapped his fingers before your face. You looked up at him again and smiled.

"Sorry, I... Got distracted." You glanced at the biker one last time. You already met him couple of nights ago in the bookstore. But now his eyes were different. Almost darker... Hungrier...

"Oh hell no. Y/N, not another bad choice in the guys. He is the walking red flag! Like the one on his belt" Will groaned, noticing your stare at the bikers.

"Don't worry, I doubt he would consider me seriously. Dwayne is good though, but only as a friend." You noticed, sipping on your drink. You didn't lie to yourself. He was hot, he was dark bad boy. He had way better choices than you. And you could only hope to be a good friend. Or at least an acquaintance.

"Please, don't fall for his charms. The dude is pratically bad news. I heard nothing good about him or his friends. Fights, disappearances and broken hearts following them around." Will said to you, looking at you, fully convinced in his words and trying to convince you of it as well. You knew that he had your best interests in heart, and yet you thought he was overreacting just a tiny bit.

"Will, you are paranoid. If I listened to you, I would be locked up at home and was afraid of every person that lived on the Earth."

"But you would be alive." Your friend scoffed. He put a hand on your hand. "I am just worried. They are bad news. I mean, dude is walking with his bare chest out in the open, he is practically walking girls' magnet."

"Are you jealous that you are less attractive?" You chuckled. Will glanced at the biker and rolled his eyes.

"I would have attracted more girls than him anyway. I am smart and can speak with girls." He scoffed. You nodded, your face expression almost mocking him.

"Right... Because girls can see your wits before they see his tits." You joked. It had to be a coincidence, that Dwayne's company laughed at the table right after your phrase. Will kicked your leg under the table in retort.

You parted your ways late, after the midnight. You waved your goodbye to Will, promising you would get home safely. You lived not so far away from the Boardwalk, so you walked there by foot. You were strolling along the road, when you heard the roar of the motorbike behind you. You glanced around, seeing Dwayne slowing down near you.

It is a pity that you couldn't believe me that day

That your new friend isn't like everybody else

"Hello, Princex." He smirked at you. You smiled in response, not really stopping. "Need a ride?"

"I live not far from here, thank you." You looked at him, meeting with his dark eyes.

"But I can see how tired you are and how pained your legs are." Dwayne said in a low voice. Strangely, you didn't notice it before, but as soon as Dwayne told you that, you felt heaviness on your shoulders and you breathed out heavily.

"Alright, you can give me a ride." You agreed with a slight smile, getting on Dwayne's bike behind him, as he smirked. You explained to him where to ride, as the bike started from the spot. Soon he already parked at your house. You got off his bike, as Dwayne did the same.

"I must ensure that noone would snatch you as you walk to the door." Biker said. You laughed at that, smacking his shoulder.

"Oh, and they say knights are gone." You joked, walking to your front door, Dwayne following closely behind you. As you opened the door, you stepped inside, contemplating if you should or should not act on your thoughts. You turned to Dwayne, who stood on the porch. "How about some tea? I have no coffee and I don't really drink anything strong."

"Sounds good." Dwayne nodded, but made no move to step inside your house. You looked at him strangely, Will's warning still in the back of your head, before tugging on his hand.

"You already here, don't be shy, come inside." Dwayne immediately gave in and went inside. You closed the door behind him, leading the boy to the kitchen in the empty and quiet house they were alone at.

"You live alone?" He asked, looking around your kitchen, as you took out two cups for the tea. You nodded in response, putting on the kettle.

"Yep."

"Isn't it too dangerous?" He asked, stepping closer to you. You laughed, pouring you both tea.

"Why should living alone be dangerous? I know we live in 'Murder capital of the world' and yet you can't seriously thinking that there are some monsters in our town." You gave him cup, taking yours and smiling at Dwayne, who watched you carefully and without any smirk. Almost too serious.

"You don't believe in monsters." He didn't ask, just stated a fact. You sipped on your tea, shrugging a bit in response. You stepped away from him and turned your back to him, facing the counter again, as he watched you, almost not blinking.

You stayed with him alone, not knowing anything about him

You don't care about the fact

That he is dangerous for everybody

"Monsters are real. Maybe I am one." He said, his voice low and serious. You chuckled, shaking your head.

"You are knight in shining armour, you are not some mon..." You turned to look at him and... His eyes were red. You stepped back, watching in shock and horror as his whole face transformed and morphed into something horrible. Your hands let go of the cup, letting it fall down and shatter, as you stumbled back.

"I thought you said there are no monsters." Dwayne smirked, as you saw fangs in his mouth. You acted before you could realise it, running away from him, as he laughed coldly. You ran to your bedroom, locking the door. You had a phone, maybe you could help someone for help. But as you turned to the table, where the phone was, you bumped into Dwayne's chest. His hands tightly gripped your shoulders.

"No!" You exclaimed, struggling in his grip. He easily grasped your waist with one hand, the cold fingers of another hand gripped your chin, forcing you to look at him.

And you got into real warlock's hands

He ruined more than one like you!

"Look at me, Y/N!" He demanded. You tried to fight him, but he was like a wall, impossible to move or fight. "Look. At. Me!" His voice was almost a growl, as you looked into his red eyes.

Strange weakness overwhelmed you. He was some kind of monster. Someone who would easily kill you, and yet you felt some kind of relief. Some kind of freedom in his hands. As your struggled subsided, his grip on you loosened, as he put both of his hand on yur waist, caressing your sides.

"That is it... Don't worry. It is alright, princex... I promise I won't hurt you much. I will take you with me and everything would be good. You want me to take you with me, right?" He asked, his voice dropping to almost whisper. You nodded.

"Right..." You whimpered, her voice quiet. Your heart was racing in your chest, and yet you were slowly calming down.

"Good... You will be like me. Strong, beautiful, free. You want it." He said, leaning closer to you.

He can control you like a puppet in the night hour now

"I want it." You repeated. Last thing you remembered - Dwayne's grin and his cold laughter, before everything you could feel - pain in your neck, resonating along your body.

Paul

You sat on your bed, rubbing your eyes with a heavy sigh. You couldn't sleep as of late. You felt tired, as sleep hadn't come to you at all at the last nights. Always nightmares and no calmness or relaxation.

Growling, crimson blood everywhere, the closeness of some beast. Always one and the same nightmare. You sighed, lowering your legs on the floor, hiding your face in your hands with a groan. You wanted just a peaceful sleep. Not something like that.

I am here, I came to you

Came despite the destiny

Once again after this dream you felt someone's presence in your room. And yet you knew that if you look around or even turn on the lighting, you wouldn't see anyone. How many times you already tried to find some kind of intruder and how many times you remained just a silly paranoid person, who couldn't find anyone. You sighed, standing up. In the nearest hour you wouldn't fall asleep again, that much you knew.

You turned the light on, going to the kitchen, your bare feet making sounds, as you walked across your flat to your kitchen, that was lit only by the moonlight, shining through the window. You poured yourself some water, sighing. You didn't know what all of that meant, no matter how much you tried to understand or analyse this dream.

What beastly presence was it? Why so much blood? Was there any meaning at all to any of it? Or was it all just a freaking coincidence with how much horror movies you watched and how hard you worked at your job? Perhaps it was just a dream without any meaning. But then, why so repetitive?

Moonlight pours from heaven

I am a Beast, I have no rest

You never saw the figure that chased you. You just... Knew it was some beast. The beast that would eat you whole, that was nothing but death, unmoving, unflinching, unavoidable. And at the same time... It never touched you in the dream. You sighed heavily, leaning onto the counter.

"Why should I see that?! I ask of one night of sleep, is that so hard?" You groaned, closing your eyes, addressing noone in particular.

I sneak in the darkness, like a shadow

Cursing the daytime in my soul

Your head snapped up, as you heard the creak of the floorboards. That wasn't something you made up. That wasn't some 'mysterious presence'. That was a sound. Loud and clear, physical.

You could swear there was someone else in your flat. Now, for real.

You looked around, opening the drawer next to you to take out the knife. At least you should have some kind of weapon to protect yourself with. You carefully and slowly went into the corridor. You looked around, wishing to turn on the light.

But as you were about to turn on the light, someone pushed you to the wall. You groaned, pushing the attacker away and stepping back into the kitchen. You could see the silhouette of some man in your kitchen. He had something in his hand, and you guessed it was a knife.

"If you scream, I will kill you." He warned you in whisper. You pressed your lips together, looking at him warily, squeezing your fingers on the handle of your knife. You would definitely lose the fight, you weren't exactly that much efficiet with the knife, other than chopping some vegetables, but damn if you wouldn't try to protect yourself.

"Dude, I had a terrible day. And even worse sleep. Please, get out and I will forget all about it. And won't even call anyone." You hissed in response. The man groaned and stepped to you. You stepped away and noticed how the itnruder suddenly froze in his tracks.

There is a shadow of the Beast behind you

You are together always and everywhere

"What the hell is that?!" He exclaimed. You didn't have the time to ask what he was talking about, hearing the growl behind you.

You didn't have time to turn around. That something that was growling behind you, immediately pushed you aside with the strength that made you fall to the floor.

Next thing you knew, you heard scream of this guy and shattering of the glass. When you raised your head, all you could see - emptiness in your kitchen and corridor and shards of broken glass from the now broken window. There was no intruder or anyone else for that matter in your flat anymore other than you. Only broken glass on the floor and heavy, almost deadly silence.

Your heart was beating out of your chest, while you tried to process everything. Was it your... "Beast"? Jumping from your spot, you rushed to the window, but there was noone on the ground aside from shards of broken glass. Like nothing had ever happened at all. You stepped back, your shoulders falling in exhaustion. You couldn't wrap your head around what was going on and had just happened. Especially after the lack of sleep. You groaned, looking down at the shuttered glass. You thought it would be better to clean it at once and not delay this.

Now believe me

This beast is Me

You had to clean it up and have some sleep. At least some of it. You and your close friend Paul was going to meet tomorrow, you couldn't be sleepy, when you two hang out. He didn't like it.

Paul agreed with your decision to go to sleep, licking his tainted bloody fingers, as he watched you through the window, floating above your flat.

Marko

You wandered around the Boardwalk, trying to distract yourself from your everyday problems. From problems at home with parents, from problems at your summer job, from petty drama and problems with your friends. You wanted to applicate for the college, and yet you were still doubting everything, plus lack of money didn't help.

In your thoughts you wandered to the beach away from the main crowds. You glanced back at the Boardwalk. Nothing could happen. Like, surely, Santa-Carla was "Murder capital of the world" and all other things, but you didn't think it was that bad. Or perhaps you just got used to it.

You walked around, listening to the ocean and night silence, when... You heard some scream. So horrible and bloodcurdling, that you froze on your spot. You glanced in the direction of the scream.

I have a dream, that creatures with glowing eyes

Tore into my wings high in the sky

You shivered, stepping closer to the source of scream at first. But rational part of your brain won. "Idiot, what are you doing? If there is someone screaming so loudly and desperately, what makes you think you wouldn't scream next?" You stepped away at once. The screams stopped and silence that followed was deafening.

You stepped away again. Once, twice. Before you just turned around and started running. You ran across the beach, your feet sinking into soft sand, but you tried your best to be quiet.

Once you heard cold cruel laughter high above your head, you understood that you failed in being quiet.

You were suddenly swapped in someone's hands. You screamed, fighting someone's strong grip. You felt coldness and wind as you... Flew? You struggled in his (you only guessed it was he) grip, trying to free yourself.

"Little birdie wants to fly?" Sinister chuckle sounded right in your ear. You smack the creature in the face, making him drop you. You fell down quickly, hearing... Screams and argument?

I fell down awkwardly, like I am fallen angel

I don't remember the fall, I only remember

Dull thud on the cold stones

You woke up hours later. Your whole body was aching. You looked up at the still dark sky, not understanding what had happened. You couldn't remember what had happened.

Slowly you sat up on the ground, groaning. Every movement made you feel awful and nauseous. You pressed your hands into your face, only now noticing that... Your sleeves were tore up. Some of your clothes was bloodied. You furrowed your brows.

Air. Fall. Laughter and screams.

You slowly were remembering. Those creatures... You jumped to your feet and instantly regretted it. You bent over, closing your eyes, as your chest and stomach responded with pain and spasm. After several seconds you slowly opened your eyes again.

It had to be a dream. Should some creatures attack you and drop you from the height, you would have been dead, right? You had to think logically. You leaned onto the tree... How did you get from the beach in the forest was another question, one of myriad swirling in your head. You carefully and slowly stepped down the path. It had to be a dream. And you just got drunk and didn't remember it. It had to be

Straight down, to the place where we hungrily looked up

At the blue sky

You followed stars that you could see up high. They were blinking and shining so bright... You never thought the night could be so bright, that your eyes hurt from the mere look at it.

You were slow in your movements, clutching your middle and leaning onto the trees for support. With every step of your way you felt yourself a little bit better. Your body slowly stopped feeling sore and painful. And yet it changed into burning.

You burned from inside out, like it was your blood that burned your body. The burning was especially strong in your throat. You put a hand on your neck, rubbing it, as if it could help it. In your discomfort you didn't notice the steep cliff you went closer and closer to. You stumbled down, falling right off of it, into the opening, the night sky high above you.

"Hey!" You suddenly heard someone's voice that was extremely loud for you for some reason. You slowly turned your head to see the boy with curly blonde hair in colourful jacket. "You good? Need any help?"

Straight down, to the place where we come out from

With hope for a new life

"I think so..." You answered in a whisper, but the boy heard you. He grinned, you could see it in the night light perfectly for some reason. He gave you his hand, helping you stand up on your feet.

"You look... Rough. Don't worry though. I am Marko. I will help you." The boy promised you, as you finally let yourself fall asleep once again, falling right into his hands.

Michael

Michael sat in the kitchen. The coffee had already cooled down, and now sat in his mug almost sadly. He looked down at it, memories of the days long gone swirling in his mind.

Boys were gone. Well, at least he thought so. Mother was peacefully living her old age somewhere on the beach, Sam disappeared after his graduation. And Michael and Star lived together in some house in Florida. They started a family and were still... Not very good in it.

"Michael?" Star appeared in the door of the kitchen, turning up the light. He squinted his eyes, blinking several times and getting used to the light. "Why are you up?"

"Couldn't sleep." He shook his head, forcing a smile out of himself. Star sighed, stepping closer.

If you wanted to say something to me for a long time

Just say it

"I wanted to speak with you actually. You are... Not like yourself lately." Star said, going to the table and sitting near Michael. Man sighed.

"What did you want to say?"

"That you are not yourself now, Michael." Star said with a sigh. "You sleep little, you are silent almost all the time. What is wrong? Tell me, please."

"I just... Think a lot about the past and everything." He tried to explain. Star sighed, putting her hand on top of his.

"Michael, it is in the past. How long will you remember Santa-Carla for? They are all gone. David, Paul, Dwayne, Marko, Y/N, they are dead. They can't touch us anymore. How can you still think of them?" She looked at him slightly frustrated and annoyed, as she spoke with Michael.

"You don't understand." Michael sighed, taking his hand away. How could he explain all of the things that was in his head, in his heart? No, she couldn't understand what was between him and Y/N, between him and the boys. She just wanted to get away from them. To forget all about it and never mention it again, to forget it like some simple nightmare dream.

"You always say that, but never explain." Star groaned. She leaned back. "Michael, please..."

"No, it is of no use." He shook his head, standing up and going away. He couldn't explain this to Star. She wouldn't understand. She didn't understand it back then and wouldn't understand now. Michael locked himself in his bedroom. Not long ago he and Star stopped sharing one room. Perhaps it was all in his mind...

Any sound is deceptive

"Michael..."

He turned around. It was as if he had heard your voice. You were the only spot in the whole story with the boys that remained light and warm. Michael breathed out. How many times he imagined taking you with him? Saving you?

He went to the bed, taking the box from under it. There were little things, reminding him of the past. T-shirt from mom. Jacket from Sam, who disappeared recently. Old things from grandpa's house and... Your letter.

Several simple lines. With how you can't wait to hang out with him again. Something about the shenanigans of the boys, apology for something Paul did... It all seemed so far away.

But he silence is so much more scarier

Michael moved his fingers, almost caressing old paper. Line, where you wrote a number. Phone number. Shop, that you were frequent at. Where he could call and ask for you. Oh, how you spoke for hours, at nights when he stayed at home. He smiled sadly and lowered his head.

He wanted to hear your voice just once more. Just one word, and he would be calm. And nightmares would stop. But... You were dead. You were gone with the boys... It was impossible dream.

As if in the dream, he took the phone. Michael looked at the phonesilently for some time. He didn't say anything, as he dialed the number. He still looked at the phone, as the beeps were heard from the phone.

And there are still only beeps in the phone

Even after all these years

He put the phone to his ear, almost scared to hear something else. What was he doing anyway? The number could have been terminated after all those years. Or it could have been given to another business rather than this little shop. And even if it was still this shop... What was he going to say? You were dead, it had been years.

"Chen's Corner, good night." He heard a woman's voice on the other side. Still the same place. Almost the same voice. Michael felt like a teenager once again. "Hello?"

"Hi, I... Um..." He was dumbfounded, feeling himself stupid. Why would he call a chinese restaurant across the country from him? What would he even say? "I... I am Michael. Michael Emerson and..."

"Oh! Just a minute." He furrowed his brows, hearing the sound as if the phone was placed down on the counter. What was going on, Michael wondered, almost forgetting about his worries and depressing thoughts. In a minute there was another sound, as if the phone was taken from the counter.

"Michael?" Came the voice, and Michael felt his blood running cold. It couldn't be real. It couldn't be... "I know you think you went crazy, but..."

"Y/N... You... You are dead..." He mumbled, looking at the wall before him, not even realising what he was saying or thinking anymore.

"I am not. Otherwise, you would be in the madhouse." You chuckled on the other side of the line. Michael instinctively smiled in response. "It is a long story. If you want to, you can come back. And I will tell you everything. Or... You can just hang up and never return or talk to me again. After all it had been years..."

"Y/N, I... Wait for me, alright? Even if you are a vision and I am going crazy, wait for me, please." He pleaded quietly, holding the phone in his hand tightly. You only chuckled on the other side of the phone.

"Then you should hurry probably. I can already tell you are giddy, just from the voice alone. I will wait for you, Mikey..." She mused with a giggle, before hanging up.

It was madness. He was married. He lived several states away from California now. He grew up from being a teenager. He had a family. He had a life. And yet the mere sound of your voice. The only thought and possibility that he could see you again was enough for him to return to that old 'Mikey' boy.

And someone will slam the door somewhere

And the wires will tremble

He was gathering his things almost as if he was in some dreamy fog. Simple one bag with necessities. Sleepy, angry and frustrated and worried Star, trying to stop him and screaming at him to stop. Yet Michael still slammed the door behind him, as he strided to his old bike. A bit rusty, but still in riding condition.

Road was long, exhausting. Crazy for one person to go through alone. And yet he rode and rode, with rare stops for sleep and for more fuel, ignoring calls from Star on his simple cellphone. When he passed familiar sign of 'Welcome to Santa-Carla', his heart was beating out of his chest as loud as possible.

It was as if the time and progress walked past Santa-Carla. Same old shops, fairs, attractions... Only people wore slightly different things now and some of them had cellphones. But mostly town remained the same.

Michael spent the rest of the day on the beach, his bike laying near him, as he just sat and watched the ocean, full of thoughts, feelings, emotions, regrets, doubts and fears mixed in with the hope. He almost crossed the country just to get here because he heard slightly familiar voice on the phone... What the hell was he thinking?

Hello! We will be happy together now

And forever

"Never thought that several years can change you so much." He froze, hearing this voice. You. Alive. He didn't even notice when day changed into night. And yet here he was. Sitting on nightly beach, with a vampire, who was supposed to be dead, but was somehow alive, behind his back. "If you intend to leave, I will go away before it become too painful for us."

"No." He hated how his voice sounded so pleadingly. "I am here now. And forever." He whispered, too afraid to turn around in case it was his madness and there was noone. But hand on his shoulder felt real.

And so Michael turned to face the only person he should have never left.

Star

She danced with ease. In the crowd of drunken rowdy people Star moved effortlessly, to the rhythm that current musicians on the scene chose. She was light and mingled with everyone else, and yet you saw only her out of many on the beach, even sitting aside from it on the warm sand.

Who showed you the stars in the morning sky

Who taught you to see in nighttime

Who is not me

You could never stop admiring her. She was perfect. Dancing, laughing, even when pouting and being angry. Star was perfect in your eyes. From stargazing, to late night walks, to ruling down the boys, to everything else.

You had been with the boys for significantly longer time than her. Little sibling, less rowdy, but still as fitting into their chaotic dynamic, as everyone in their little coven. You clicked instantly, and you protected her from the boys and Max, as she protected you. It felt like you two were meant for each other from the start.

Me? I will always be with you

Me? I will always be on your side

No, I will not let you go

And lately, with Emersons in the town and Michael shenanigans and Max' obsession with their mother, everything became more tense tenfolds. You tried to keep your cool and keep everything under control, including your so-called brothers and your bond with Star.

But that boy. That damned Emerson boy. That Michael and his puppy eyes, focused on Star. Like she was his sun. It irritated you. It angered you. Every smile she sent his way, every wave of hand, every glance in his direction made you feel almost threatened. As if she was your territory, and he was daring to step too close.

"You look like you want to tear through the crowd." Star fell down on the sand next to you, her skirt jumping with the move and riding higher to her knees. Your eyes slided up her ankles and bare feet right to her face. You watched her silently, thoughtfully, making her chuckle and smile in such manner that eased your mind even if you didn't want to ease up and strived to hold onto this grudge for some more time.

You spent time without her. You lived without her, before her. But now, knowing her, feeling her warmth, her light, her smile, hearing her laughter... You couldn't imagine living without her again. Let alone an eternity without her. Or witnessing her being with someone else.

How much time has passed

How many more will pass

"Now you and your silence are scaring me." Star noted, tilting her head, her unruly wild curls falling o one of her shoulders, as she leaned into you, grasping your hand almost unceremoniously. "Talk to me."

"Do you like him?" You asked her, causing her to furrow her brows, not understanding what you meant at first. " Michael. I know Max... Almost ordered us to take him. But you seem so... Fond of him."

"Wait... You are jealous?" Star asked you in sudden understanding. You hated this feeling. When she could see right through you and your facade you put up to not show your real feelings. You leaned away from her touching, furrowing your brows.

It is hard for me to be without you

Let's just be friends

Friends with kisses

"You like him!" You almost accused her, even if it was desperation in your voice and not some real accusation. "You like him and you don't even hide it! I..." You turned away from her and stood up, walking away from the dancing crowd, so you wouldn't take it all out on someone else. By the hurried shuffle of the skirts, it seemed that she followed right after you. "We can be friends, I know, if you like him more than me, I can... I can live with it, just don't leave me and..." She interrupted you with a strong tug on your wrist, turning you around and kissing you desperately and passionately right on the lips.

"Silly vampire... You are the only one for me. Michael is cute, I can't argue with that. But he isn't you." She murmured, cupping your face. "I rather go mad and act up against Max and attack him than leave you." You shivered at comparison of almost deadly act and leaving you. You embraced her, leaning into her.

"Promise?" You whispered, way more relaxed now, as you let her press her forehead against yours.

"I swear... Who else can be your personal star?" She smiled, making you smile as well. Of course you trusted her. How could you not believe in your personal star.

Poly

You were used to being alone. Even being a vampire, you preferred more harmless way. Donor blood from the hospitals or animals. You didn't like hunting humans, you thought it... Inhumane and too cruel for your liking. You always tried to keep your stash of blood with you and search for different ways of feeding once in the new place. However this town proved to be more hard to find something of sort you ate. Santa-Carla had a lot of humans, in and out of town. But there were little number of animals around and there were small amount of blood banks. You didn't want to take the last stashes of blood from them.

You started the night

And everything anyone could afford

At least you found yourself some company. Boys, or rather, five boys and a girl - David, Paul, Michael, Marko, Dwayne and Star - were as wild, free and cool as they were beautiful, hot and alluring at the same time. Your being acquainted quickly turned into friendship and then... Potentially into something more. You didn't notice how smoke breaks with David at some polite distance turned into smoke breaks with David with his hands around you. How discussions with Dwayne about books turned into talks or even silent sessions of braiding his hair or just chilling together with Dwayne. How mindless fun with Paul turned into him constantly throwing his arm around your shoulders and clinging to you at the first possible moment. How attraction rides and adrenaline rushes with Marko turned into practically the whole nights of spending time together. How Michael teaching her things about motorcycle and nerding out about it turned into long and adventurous rides together. How chatting from time to time with Star turned into girl nights, away from the boys, giggling, gossipping about everything else.

Your ties to all of them somehow became stronger than friendship and even without formally discussing your relationship together. You just were together. You were theirs and they were yours. It was as simple and as complicated as this.

You tore off the masks aside

Kept the soul imprisoned

Of course you noticed something was off with them. But never really got into thinking about it. And you tried to be as secretive about your own being as possible at the same time. Hiding blood, trying to eat way before you met up with them to hide any potential smell or slip up. Seemingly they didn't notice anything, but you were still wary about everything. And you did notice some things about them as well.

They had no worries about money or clothes or gas for their bikes. They had no arguments about you meeting up with them only at night. They rarely insisted on going somewhere to eat, despite spending hours doing something active or not. It was not normal. And slowly, as first wave of infatuation and flirt fell off of you, you started noticing those things more and more.

David's sharp eyes and how he noticed little things about other people. Dwayne's strength. Paul's out of control wilderness. Marko's insatiability. Michael's impulsiveness and Star's aloofness to the other people. Or how sometimes they didn't even need words to communicate with each other. It was inhumane... Almost as if they were vampires.

Even if there is blood on your cheek

You would say it is just a lipstick

"We have a gig in the mechanical shop, what, you think we steal money and gas?" Michael scoffed at your question about how they sustain themselves, glancing at David.

"We just spend so much time together, we don't need words sometimes, princex." Dwayne reassured you at another time, when you wondered aloud how they communicated silently.

"Blood? No, babe, it's... Star tried new red lipstick, that's it." Paul nervously explained, before Marko tugged you away from him, distracting your attention from the red spot on his cheek.

Something was off. You knew that. They knew that you knew. And it was only a matter of time before you all found out truth about each other.

We are not the angels, mate

No, we are no angels

You stood in shock, watching from distance the horrible picture that unraveled before you. Your boys. Your beloved boys and Star whom you already thought to be your partners. Attacking and ripping through some teens, who were partying around the bonfire. Feeding, breaking, killing and then burning bodies in the same bonfire. You stepped back in shock, your eyes wide, flickering between your natural colour and that yellow of your wild vampiric side.

Shuffling of your feet attracted attention. Star raised her head, noticing you, and you, even in darkness, shuddered from how twisted her usually calm and friendly face looked, morphed into vampiric traits, with smeared blood all over it. You stepped back again and again, almost darting into the air, but in your shock and drastic change between how you usually saw them and how they were now didn't notice how quickly they moved themselves.

Before you could leave, you crashed into someone's hard chest. You turned around, seeing Dwayne, his face morphed and tainted in blood as well. Before you could step away from him, he grasped your shoulder, his face gradually morphing into human-like.

"Stop it... You are like us. Why do you look so..."

"Scared?" David finished for him, walking to you, along with Michael. The brunette boy and Star, perhaps, looked the most worried. Blonde duo continued with wrecking chaos near the bonfire, and David looked almost irritated. "It is part of us. Of you."

"I am not like this." You argued. "I have never done this." You motioned for the dead bodies scattered across the sand. "This is wrong. You can't just... Kill people left and right!" You exclaimed.

We are the dark monsters

And all of our boundaries are gone

"We are vampires. Don't tell me you are one of those pacifists. It is stupid, how would you survive without killing?" David rolled his eyes.

"Animals. Donors. Anything. Not this... Massacre!" You breathed out, hearing Dwayne's scoff.

"You are a bit dramatic, princex. You kill animals. People kill animals. We kill people. It is part of the foodchain." He mused quietly, sighing and rubbing your shoulder, almost trying to be reassuring. "Stop it... Don't run away from me. From us. We can just talk it out..."

"No!" You freed your arm from his grip, glancing around and then stepped away from them, more and more.

"Y/N..." Michael stepped after you, looking at you worriedly, almost twisted image considering blood on his face.

"Don't. Let them go." David stopped him, watching as you scrambled away from them over the sand and getting into the air. "They will come back... Sooner or later."

You have been sleeping for so long

Way too long for a monster

It had been couple of days already. Or rather, nights. You didn't go out, staying in your room you were renting, feeding on the rest of your stash... You should have moved on. Away from Santa-Carla. To some big city, where there could be some blood banks or to some foresty location, where animals were at large. But...

The thought of leaving quietly, without saying goodbye was heartwrenching. To never see Paul with his stupid jokes. To never braid Star's hair. Never play another arcade game with Marko. To never argue with David and Dwayne about some book or stupid movie. To never ride with Michael through the night... They felt like part of you already. Even if they were vampires who never argued with the bestial part of themselves, like you did. Who never went against their nature and who harmed people, going against every rule you yourself tried to follow.

You should have talked with them, like Dwayne asked, you thought, pacing your room. Should have talked, discussed, perhaps argued and screamed, but still talked it out...

Maybe you should come down from the sky

To the place where you can breathe with your whole body

You stopped near the window, looking at the night street. You wanted it all to go back to how things used to be between all of you. It was simpler. To not think of how they murdered those teens. How horribly they looked with the blood on their faces and hands and even neck and chest (good God, Paul, how did he manage to get that dirty?). To the time where you worried most about not letting them guess anything bad about you and not that they knew the truth all along and were, honestly more free with this part of their nature than you were.

You turned away from the window, looking at the fridge, where you held your stash of blood. Only one last bag remained. It would last you couple days. Four, if you will not do much and waste much energy. You spent days, thinking over everything, and now you had practically no choice. Either leave them to find another blood bank or hunting grounds with animals. Or stay with them. Learn from them. Let them be with you, like they pleaded you to in your every dream and waking moment. They were 'giving you space', as David told them to. However you could still feel them nearby your building, where you rented the room. Lingering, whispering, showing how willing they were to accept you in their arms, to accept you into their coven without any second thought or doubt...

Drop your clear sheet

Monsters don't wear white

When you came to the Boardwalk on the next night, you could see how relieved Marko, Paul and Michael were. How supportive Star and Dwayne's eyes were. How arrogant smirk of David changed into calm expression. He outstretched his arm to you, welcoming you to take it. And you finally accepted the invitation to join them once and forever.