Chapter Text
Brian inserted the quarters Jack gave him into the slot. He dialed the house number just in case so everyone could hear it. It took a while before anyone answered and he was beginning to think that something got them too.
He held the cord tightly and leaned his head against the payphone. Rain fell hard on him and he was beginning to feel that his time in the building had been a waste of time.
“Hello?”
Brian gasped, “Kevin?”
“Brian?!? Where the hell are you? We’ve been worried sick!”
“Kevin, can you listen to me for a moment?” He mumbled, glancing in the direction Jack was standing, “Is there someone in the house?”
“…What do you mean? It’s just us.”
Brian took a shaky breath. Maybe he was going crazy.
“Besides you guys… I just….someone pushed me down the stairs.” He said, “And before you say anything, it wasn’t AJ.”
“Brian. Explain.”
He sighed. At least this time Kevin was listening to him.
“There was someone outside of Howie's room and they pushed me down the stairs. It’s why I even ran out in the first place. I’m sorry. I was scared.”
“Brian, there’s no one here besides us, I— shit.” Kevin said.
“I’m telling the truth.” Brian said, frustrated, “I wanted to warn you guys so you could get out!”
“I’m not saying you’re a liar. I fucking believe you, fuck!”
“Kevin? What’s going on?” He asked.
“Listen, where are you?” Kevin said.
He swallowed and looked around, “Um, I don’t really know. I’m in front of a payphone. A homeless man helped me find one. Uh, there’s a store here, I think it says Chocolate on the sign.”
He heard him say something to one of the guys, telling them to write something down.
“Who helped you?” Kevin asked.
Brian frowned, he sounded stressed.
“The homeless man.” He replied.
“I know. What’s his fucking name?” Kevin raised his voice.
Brian swallowed, once again looking at Jack who was completely drenched in water. The man gave him a gentle smile and a wave.
“He said it was Jack.”
He heard him curse.
“Kevin?”
“Does he have scars on his face?”
Brian’s eyes widened, “Y-yeah. Hey, have you seen him before?”
“Brian, I need you to listen to me carefully right now. You need to get the hell out of there, now!”
“What? Why—?”
“I’m serious, Brian. Run! He’s gonna kill you!”
Brian was frozen in his spot, and looked over at Jack once more.
“Y-you’re kidding.” He said weakly, “Maybe you got him mixed up. He was really nice to me—”
“Brian.” Kevin said, “I’ll find you, don’t worry, just get the hell out of there.”
Fear coursed through his body, “Kevin…?”
“I swear I’ll find you. Please run and hide. Don’t let him catch you.”
“I—”
“To continue your call, please add—”
Brian stiffly set the phone back on the receiver. He tensed up as Jack walked back over to him with a smile.
“Are they coming?”
He nodded, feeling lightheaded all of a sudden, “I have to go. He told me to meet him up there—" he said, pointing in a random direction.
“Cool. I’ll walk with you.”
“N-no, that’s not necessary.” Brian stammered, “Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Well then, I guess this is goodbye.” Jack said, holding his hand out.
“Y-yeah.” He moved to shake his hand.
The hand gripped his arm and roughly pulled him close. Brian gasped and turned his head away from him.
“Did Kevin tell you about me?”
His eyes widened.
“You know, when people tell you something for your own good, you should listen.” Jack smiled, “Because this is what happens to people like you.”
“You’re all staying here.” Kevin growled, almost smashing the phone back on the receiver.
“What’s going on?” Howie asked.
“He’s with the killer. I’m bringing him back.” He said, looking around for his shoes. He spotted them near the couch and slipped them on.
“What?!” AJ exclaimed, “H-hey, if he’s in danger, we want to help!”
“No! You’re all staying here and that’s final!” He yelled, his heart racing. He looked around the room until he found what he was looking for.
There was a cross at the top of the tv that Brian placed himself. He reached up and grabbed it, hissing when it burned his hand. He dropped it and curled up in pain for a moment. This one hurt worse than Brian’s prayers.
“Kevin? Kevin, what’s going on?” Nick asked.
He pulled his sleeve down and grabbed it again. The pain was still there, but it was less severe. He smashed it hard against the floor, breaking it until there was a sharp point at the bottom.
“If I don’t get there, Brian’s going to die!” Kevin said, “Howie, is Keith still in the front?”
Howie hesitantly checked through the peephole, “Um, no. I think he went around—"
“Good. I’m going now. I’m serious, stay here.” Kevin said.
“Let me come!” Nick exclaimed, “You’ll have a better chance if there’s two of us, I mean, you heard how Howie described the victim!”
“Trust me it’s better if it’s only me.”
“But why?! How come you can go, but we can’t?!” Nick yelled, “We want to help! You’re not the only one that cares about Brian!”
Kevin’s eyes blurred with angry tears, “You want an answer?!” He ran upstairs to his room and snatched his water bottle up from where it rolled under the bed and went back down.
The guys looked at him, confusion written on their faces.
He smashed the water bottle on the floor, causing the remaining blood to spill everywhere.
He watched them take several steps back in shock.
“There’s your answer! Brian wasn’t injured. That blood is my food!” Kevin yelled, “I’m a fucking vampire! That piece of shit you call Jack turned me almost a month ago! He’s responsible for the murder this morning and now he’s got Brian!”
“Kevin…” Nick said, his eyes wide in disbelief.
“This isn’t about who cares about Brian most. I’m the only one who can fight him. You’re all staying here where you’re safe. I’m gonna get Brian and I’m fucking killing that man.” He said, “That’s what’s gonna happen.”
Nick stared at the blood before shifting his teary eyes to Kevin.
Kevin’s breath hitched, “I told you I wasn’t good enough. You should’ve listened.”
Brian ran through the small town, pushing past people who were walking about with their umbrellas, unaware of the world around them.
“I’ll let you have a head start. Go ahead and run. It’ll be fun.” Jack smiled, “Like playing tag.”
“Hey, aren’t you Brian?” Someone called.
Brian ignored them, he had to get out of here. He had to find the police. He had to find someone that was willing to help.
His ankle was killing him, each time his left foot hit the ground there was a shot of pain running up his leg, tempting him to fall. But he couldn’t stop now.
Suddenly he bumped into someone hard, causing him to fall backwards on his butt.
“Ow! I’m sorry!” Brian said, then froze in fear when he saw who it was.
“That wasn’t very nice,” Jack said.
He scrambled backwards to his feet, “What do you want?”
“Oh, just you.” He smiled, “I’m hungry.”
“What?” He whispered.
Jack smiled widely and Brian could finally see his fangs and frowned in confusion.
What?!
Suddenly the man lunged at him and Brian dodged before running away as fast as he could, pushing through the crowd of people that appeared out of nowhere.
Laughter penetrated the air, surrounding him like he was stuck in a room full of speakers. It became distorted like a worn out VHS tape. His head spun, and his chest hurt.
There was no doubt in his mind now. This was the figure that pushed him down the stairs and he so foolishly followed him into that abandoned building.
“Help!” He screamed, unable to take it anymore, “Someone help me, please!”
No one turned. They just continued about their afternoon, covered by their umbrellas. Friendly conversations and laughter continued as if Brian wasn’t screaming in their faces.
“Why can’t you hear me?!” He cried, “Please!”
He tried grabbing onto an older man walking with his wife.
“Please you’ve got to help me, someone’s chasing me—”
But the man only frowned and looked around, as if he wasn’t there.
“Sir?” Brian said.
“What is it, darling?” The wife asked.
“Ma’am there’s someone chasing me—"
“Not sure. It feels like someone grabbed me.” The man replied.
“Perhaps it was the wind.”
“Perhaps.”
Brian took several steps back, feeling as though he was going to pass out.
What is going on?!
Everything slowed down for him there. The rain fell softly and all conversation around him disappeared. He could see people’s mouths moving, but no sound came out.
The only thing he could hear was his own steps and breathing.
It was all too much and he broke into small sobs, grabbing his hair.
“Hello, Brian.”
He gasped and turned around.
“Don’t hurt me.” He whispered, unable to raise his voice from the pure fear he was feeling, “What do you want?”
The man got closer, “I’m hungry.”
Brian reached down and grabbed a rock, “Get away from me!”
He hit him square on the forehead before he bolted once again. This time he headed straight for the forest, knowing full well he could get lost but at this point he preferred that if it meant getting away from him.
His chest burned from all the running and his ankle was killing him.
Kevin, where are you?!
His cousin's words rang through his head like a broken record player. Don’t let him catch you.
Brian ran through trees and bushes, falling many times but got up each time. It was so dark, with only the moonlight allowing him to see what was in front of him.
I just need to keep running. Oh, God, please help me.
There was a river in front of him. The water seemed low and it was moving rapidly. Brian slowed down a bit, wincing as the cold water touched his feet through his already soaked socks.
He sneezed and wiped his nose with his arm before reaching down and using a large rock to balance himself as he crossed the river. Once he reached the other side, he picked up the pace again.
Brian wheezed, his lungs unable to take it anymore.
I just gotta hold on until Kevin finds me.
He cried at the sudden force that hit him, making him crash into a tree. He felt his arms and part of his face get scratched up.
“No!” He cried out, curling onto his side. There were hands grabbing him, trying to pin him to the ground.
“Jeez, you sure put more of a fight than your cousin. Then again, he didn’t have that much room to run.”
Huh?
“Don’t worry, I’ll make it fast.” Jack said.
“Get off me, please.” He cried.
“Sorry, but your cousin betrayed me and you’re the next best thing.”
“I didn’t do anything to you!” Tears streamed down his cheeks. He coughed a bit, his chest heaving. “Please, my chest hurts, I can’t—”
Cold hands lifted his shirt up, making him panic even worse.
“No!” He scratched and hit the man, “Get off me, please!”
“Stop moving.” Jack said, using one hand to pin his arms up. A knee was placed between his thighs, making him freeze up completely.
“Y-you’re not going to— please don’t— please.” He pleaded.
Jack gave him a look before stroking Brian’s scar with his free hand, “I thought you said you were healthy. Why does it hurt?” He whispered, his mouth near his scar. Brian could feel his hot breath against his skin.
He struggled against him, only to moan in pain as the man tightened his hold on his arms.
“Don’t make me ask again.”
Brian sobbed, “W-when I’m scared, or doing something w-where I have to move a lot, I — my heart starts beating so fast, that it hurts. I— I— feel like my heart will give out. I never got used to it again. You’re scaring me, please—”
He felt a cold tongue run up his scar, “And you never told Kevin? Or the others? Your parents perhaps?”
Again with Kevin? How does he know him? Is my cousin in danger too?
“H-he’d worry.” He whispered, “Please don’t….”
“Don’t what?” Jack chuckled, raising his head to look at Brian. His hand slid down until it rested against Brian’s inner thigh, smiling when he whimpered, “Don’t worry I’m not doing that. I’m not a complete monster, though it’s very tempting right now.”
Brian looked away, tears sliding down his face, landing on the soft wet grass underneath him.
“This time I won’t make the mistake of letting you continue your day to day life. Look where that got me with Kevin.”
“What did you do to Kevin?!”
“Let’s say you’re about to find out.”
Brian attempted to close his legs in an attempt to kick him off, only for Jack's large hand to push down hard on his pelvis.
“I said I wasn’t doing that. Kevin didn’t even give me a chance.” He growled, “I was going to wait until he completely accepted the way his life was now, and I was so excited you know. Kevin threw me out like I was trash after all I did for him.”
Brian flinched at his sudden change of tone. He’s never in his life heard someone sound this furious. Not even Lou Pearlman reached this level of furious or frightening.
“I just wanted company!” He yelled, “And he refused me!”
Brian watched, wide eyed, as the man’s face contorted into pure fury.
“I promised him I’ll get you if he refuses me. Once I’m finished with you, I’ll kill him and me and you can be together forever.” He whispered, “I’ll definitely do it with you. I’ll make you feel good.”
Brian shook his head, not understanding anything this man was saying. He was confused and afraid and hoped to God that this was just a nightmare.
Jack's expression softened into a calm one. That switch up bothered him. It was pure insanity.
“You said you felt like they were suffocating you.” Jack said, “The thought of going back to a hospital frightens you, and yet you hide those feelings to appear strong to them.”
“Sometimes I can catch glimpses of people’s futures.” Jack continued, “It’s hard to control, but I saw some of yours.”
“I don’t understand.” Brian whispered, flinching when the man stroked his chin. His thumb reached up to his lower lip and pressed gently.
“You’re never going to be healthy. Once one problem is fixed, another will arise.” The man said, “but I can save you.”
“What?”
“I’ll save you. You’ll be free of any illness.” The man said, “That scar on your chest will disappear, also. I can take your memory of it too if you’d like.”
“What do you mean?” he whispered.
“Say yes and I’ll save you.” He replied, smiling as if he didn't have a frightened man under him.
Brian shook his head.
“It will hurt more. Just ask your cousin.”
“What did you do to him?” He asked again.
“He struggled at first. He spent days and nights falling into depression. I’m sure you noticed. I simply showed him a superior way of life and he couldn’t appreciate it.”
Brian was hit with memories about Kevin’s concerning behavior. His panic attacks, his weight loss, and his constant dissociation during performances.
“Do you believe in vampires?” Jack asked.
Brian didn’t reply.
“Kevin didn’t either until I came along.” Jack said, “But enough talk, it’s better I just show you.”
Before Brian could even think of a response, sharp fangs attached themselves to his throat, sinking in painfully to the point he couldn’t scream.
But just as quickly as it happened, Jack was snatched off by something.
Brian cried out, feeling as though a chunk of his skin had been ripped off. He placed a hand over his throat and curled up on his side, softly sobbing and praying this would all be over soon.
His vision was blurry and he was feeling lightheaded, but he still managed to take a look.
There was a figure attacking Jack, shouting something he couldn’t make out. He could hear Jack screaming in pain loudly, making him curl up further.
Make it stop! Make it stop! Make it stop!
Kevin heard Brian from afar. Hearing him cry broke his heart in a million pieces, and seeing the man sink his fangs into his cousin shattered what was left of it.
He wasted no time in pulling him off, hoping to God that the turning process hadn’t started yet.
“You piece of shit!” Kevin yelled, “I’ll fucking kill you!”
He never gave the man time to respond, using the broken cross to stab him everywhere he could, enjoying the way the man screamed in pain.
The man started laughing maniacally, “I told you, Kevin, didn’t I?”
Kevin didn’t stop, not even when the man pushed him off and delivered blows on him. Kevin scratched, punched, and stabbed. He wanted this man dead.
“Calm down will you?” The man said, pulling out the steaming cross out of his chest, pining Kevin against a tree. “That fucking hurt, you little shit.”
Kevin struggled hard, digging his nails in the man's arms.
The man growled in annoyance and slapped Kevin hard on the face.
“This happened because of you. Don’t forget that.” He said.
“Brian doesn’t deserve this. Not even I did. Turning him into one of you will destroy him far more than it did to me!”
“You know, my original plan was to drive everyone out of the house until you were the only one left.” The man said, sounding out of breath with each word, “Brian was the easiest. I would’ve let him go, but his fear. His fear smelled so good, I just had to get a taste!”
“You’re sick.” Kevin said, looking around but found the cross too far to grab. He had to improvise now.
“No, I’m just doing what comes naturally to me. You humans will never understand.” He growled.
“Oh, I understand.” Kevin said, letting go of his arms and grabbed the collar of his shirt instead, pulling him close, “I understand perfectly.”
Kevin sunk his teeth into the man’s throat, enjoying the way he began to panic, pushing against him, struggling to get out of his hold. Once he got a taste of his blood Kevin couldn’t stop, he had to have it all. It was delicious. Far more than those blood bags with human blood.
The more he sucked the more the man weakened, almost falling limp.
Kevin knew this wouldn’t be enough to kill him, but it was enough to render him immobile for a while. He snapped his teeth together before pulling off him, dragging his skin off slowly. He spat out the chunk of skin and smiled. The man's body fell back, creating a splash of rain water around him.
He felt refreshed and now he understood why fresh blood was better. He assumed humans would taste just as good, but there was something about a vampire's blood that was even better. Perhaps it was the age, like fine wine.
He stood up and grabbed the cross with his sleeve down, hitting it against a tree to throw off the mangled skin that got stuck on it.
Kevin straddled the man's body and waited until he made eye contact with him.
“Your strength doesn’t make any sense.” He said.
He shrugged, “You made me, didn’t you?”
“Still….former humans…shouldn’t…”
“Maybe it’s my blood as a descendant of a vampire hunter.” Kevin laughed, his eyes wide, “Now, isn’t that funny?”
The man glared at him and shifted his gaze to the sharp cross he was holding.
“You know that only works in movies?” He coughed, blood splattering on Kevin’s face.
“I know. But it hurts like hell doesn't it?” Kevin said, “Hurts so much you’ll end up killing yourself instead.”
“Don’t…”
“Why?” Kevin smiled, “There was no mercy on your part for me, so why should I give you any?”
“I’ll leave you alone. I won’t get close.” The man said, his voice no higher than a whisper.
Kevin grabbed the man’s arm and bent it until he heard it crack. The man was too weak to even scream. He moved onto the other arm. This time he felt it break it two places, making him wince.
God, what am I doing?
“Liar.” Kevin mumbled before stabbing the cross into the man’s heart. This time the man screamed in pain. Steam poured out like a fire, making him cough.
Kevin delivered the final blow by kicking him in the face, rendering him unconscious.
He stood there for a moment, staring at his unconscious face. He could feel the adrenaline wearing off the longer he stood.
Suddenly a faint cry snapped him back to reality and he gasped. Brian!
Kevin ran over to his cousin, who was sobbing quietly, his hands against his ears. He knelt beside him and placed his hand gently on his shoulder, “Hey, it’s me.”
Brian went stiff, “Kevin?” His voice was weak.
“Yeah. I’m sorry I was late.”
His cousin let out a heavy shaky sigh before uncurling and launching himself around Kevin, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist.
“Kevin…” he sobbed.
“It’s alright now.” Kevin said, embracing him tightly, “It’s okay.”
“D-don’t leave me.” Brian whispered.
“I won’t. I promise.” Kevin said, his voice breaking, “It’s over. I’m here now.”
He ran his hands through Brian’s hair, checking for injuries, dreading what he’d see once he got to his throat.
“You’re okay. You’re okay.” Kevin whispered when Brian let out a loud sob, “It’s over.”
Brian’s grip on him was almost deadly. His body shook like a leaf in a storm.
His heart broke in a million pieces once he saw the open wound on his cousin's neck.
“How long did he bite you?” He asked, pressing his hand over it. He wasn’t bleeding terribly, but he couldn’t see that well due to the rain. “Brian?”
“N-not, long.” Brian said.
“Okay.”
Kevin moved to stand up but stopped when Brian panicked.
“Don’t! Don’t leave me!” He cried.
“I’m just standing up, Brian. I’m not leaving you.” Kevin said, before breaking down into small sobs, “I promise I’m not leaving you. It’s okay, I swear.”
He slowly stood up, allowing Brian to adjust. He glanced behind him, relieved the man was still in the same position as he left him.
“Kevin, am I dying?” Brian asked.
“No, you’re not.” Kevin said, turning back to look at him.
“I feel like I am.” He gasped.
Kevin froze, “Brian?” He brushed his hair away from his face, his heart pounding. Brian looked pale, his eyes unfocused and his skin felt too hot.
Brian fainted.
Oh, God. Please.
Kevin bent down, placing his arms underneath Brian’s back and legs and lifted him up before breaking out into a run in the direction he came from.
It actually wasn’t far from the house they were staying in. As soon as he spotted the house he broke into screams.
“Keith! Keith!” He cried, “Someone call an ambulance, now!”
Brian isn’t dying. He won’t die on me.
The bodyguard was returning from the other house and ran towards him as soon as he heard him calling.
“Shit! What the hell happened to you guys?” He asked, placing his arm around Kevin until they reached the front porch.
“He needs an ambulance!” Kevin said, “Call one, now!”
“Okay, okay. Take a deep breath.” Keith said, “Q, go inside and get some blankets, I’m calling 911.”
Kevin sat on the stairs, holding Brian tightly, keeping an eye on his chest to make sure he was still breathing. He was, but it sounded rough.
This is all my fault.
“God, I’m so sorry, Brian.” He whispered, “I’m sorry.”
He felt a large blanket get placed over his shoulders and he wasted no time in getting Brian wrapped up in it too.
“What happened?”
“Shit, Kevin, you’re bleeding!”
“Is that Brian?”
“Kevin, are you okay?”
He knew it was the guys but for some reason he couldn’t bring himself to respond. Everything was happening all at once and he could only focus on his cousin.
“The ambulance is coming, Kevin.”
It’s all my fault. Brian had no reason to end up in the middle of all this.
“Kevin…”
He could hear a siren in the distance, getting closer with each second. Soon, flashing lights blinded him and a pair of hands took Brian away from him.
He remembered how the man’s blood tasted. Remembered how he enjoyed how it felt going down his throat. He remembered relishing in his pain.
Monster.
“Kevin?”
It was Nick.
Kevin moved away and bent down, expelling everything from his stomach onto the grass.
Kevin sat uncomfortably in his hospital bed, his eyes never leaving Brian’s unconscious form in the bed next to his. The constant beeping of the heart monitor was a reminder of today's events.
Brian developed a high fever and an infection on his throat. He was given antibiotics and hooked up to many machines Kevin didn’t recognize. He looked worse than he was, but the doctors repeatedly reassured him that he’ll wake up once the fever goes down.
The blood all over Kevin worried the paramedics and he was rushed to the hospital in a separate ambulance. Once they found out it wasn’t his, they treated his cuts and bruises, but he still had to stay for observation since they worried he might have a concussion due to the bruising near his head. Kevin knew he didn’t have one but didn’t say anything so he could stay in the same room as his cousin.
Nick shifted next to him. AJ was sitting right next to Brian, his head resting near him and holding his hand tightly. Howie paced near the door, unable to stay still due to his anxiety.
Nick looked at him, “So you’re a vampire.”
Kevin winced, “Yes.”
“That explains so much yet so little.”
“I wouldn’t expect anyone to understand.” Kevin replied, “It’s not exactly normal.”
“I wish you told us.” Howie said softly, “We could’ve helped.”
Kevin smiled sadly, “How? Even if you could help, how on earth do you expect me to explain to my friends I’ve been turned into a monster?” His voice broke angrily at the end, “I can’t even say it properly now.”
“I said I’ll listen.” Nick said, “I intend to keep that promise.”
“Tell us what happened, from the very beginning.” Howie said.
Kevin sighed. For a moment the urge to lie again hit him, but he quickly shot it down. He couldn’t lie anymore. They already knew, so what’s more details going to do?
He told them about that early morning when he was turned and how his sun allergy was healed. He told them about the first time he drank blood and his refusal to drink anymore until he was on the verge of attacking them. He told them how the man threatened Brian and what led to him getting Brian in the end. The only thing he decided not to tell, was how he drained almost all the blood out of the man. He wasn’t going to tell them that he enjoyed it. Kevin himself had yet to even fully process his actions.
“That is… a lot.” Howie said, “I’m sorry we weren’t there for you as much as we should’ve. We saw how badly you were taking it, but we just didn’t…didn’t know how to deal with it properly.”
“It’s not like I wanted you to know.”
“Yeah, but still.” Howie said, “I feel bad.”
“How did you find Jack if he had that silencing power thing?” Nick asked.
Kevin scratched his head, “That’s what I wish I knew. I figured I could do it also since I unknowingly blocked all sound when we were talking in the room, I think maybe…I’m no longer as affected as a regular human person would.”
“Oh.”
Kevin frowned, “Why aren’t you guys mad at me? I put Brian in danger. I’m the reason he’s here.”
“Just shut up, will you?” AJ said, “You brought Brian back alive, didn’t you? I think that’s enough to forgive your lies.” He was sitting up now, looking Kevin straight in the eye.
“But…”
“The way you were talking about him…there was no way there was consent on your part.” AJ said, “You didn’t want any of this, right?”
Kevin shook his head, “I didn’t.”
“Then it’s only his fault. Stop blaming yourself for shit he caused.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I mean we are a bit surprised.” Howie said.
“Surprised is an understatement.” Nick chuckled.
“Shocked, then. What I mean to say is, it almost doesn’t seem real.” Howie said, “I don’t think any of us expected vampires were real.”
Kevin looked at his fingers, “It’s not as great as the stories make it out to be.”
“Yeah.”
“But…you’re still Kevin.” Nick said, “Even with–” he gestured at him, “– everything. You’re not a monster. I don’t think you’re like him.”
Kevin smiled bitterly. But I sure enjoyed hurting him.
“I guess.”
“Look, you may not believe me now…but I know you. I’ll do anything to make sure you don’t think about yourself like that anymore because you know what I see?” Nick said.
Kevin’s eyes widened.
“I see a hero. I see someone strong. Someone who went out of his way to rescue his cousin and made sure we were all safe.” Nick said, “That’s not the behavior of a monster. That’s a hero.”
His face heated up and he couldn’t help the teary grin that spread on his face.
“Really?” He whispered.
“Oh, no, you made him cry.” AJ joked.
Nick leaned to his side and pulled Kevin into a warm hug.
“And don’t you ever think you’re not good enough for me, you dumbass. I don’t care if you’re a vampire. I still fucking love you, okay?”
Kevin let out a sigh of relief. He immediately felt a hundred times lighter, like the weight of this entire mess had finally been lifted off his shoulders.
“Me too.” He whispered.
Nick slumped against him.
“Hey, now, don’t get too mushy on us.” AJ said.
Howie was covering his face.
Nick pulled away, his face tired but calm.
“It’s late. You all should go back.” Kevin said.
Howie looked at the clock, “He’s right. Visiting hours are about to end.”
AJ looked upset.
“It won’t be long until he wakes up.” Kevin said, “You heard the doctor. Go get some sleep.”
Nick helped Kevin lay back down.
“We’ll come back in the morning.” Howie said, gently pushing Nick and AJ out the door, “Sleep well.”
Kevin waved at them tiredly, and waited until the door closed to burst into quiet tears.
He couldn’t believe how well they took his transformation. They didn’t care that he was like this. They still thought of him as the Kevin they’ve always known and they had no idea how much that meant to him.
He looked to his left where Brian laid.
Kevin wondered if he turned or not.
Brian woke up the next morning feeling completely exhausted. He stared at the blurry white ceiling and immediately knew where he was before he became conscious of the beeping of the heart monitor.
“Hospital again…” he whispered.
He looked to his right where Kevin was sleeping and teared up in relief. He sat up slowly, wincing at how sore his entire body was. He tried not thinking about what happened yesterday but it was hard not to when the pain he was feeling was evidence of it.
Brian slowly slid off the bed, blinking in surprise when he felt the thick bandages on his foot. He looked down, smiling at the small happy face drawn on the bandage, immediately recognizing it as AJ’s doing.
He felt dizzy and weak but that didn’t stop him from climbing onto Kevin’s bed, dragging all the wires and tubes with him.
He wrapped his arm around his waist and took a deep breath. He was safe now. Kevin found him just like he promised.
Kevin shifted and flinched. Then there was a familiar hand running itself through Brian’s hair gently.
“You’re awake.” Kevin said, sleep still in his voice, “I have to call the doctor.”
Brian shook his head, “I just…I just wanna be with you, please.”
Kevin moved until Brian was under the covers with him, making sure he didn’t pull off any important wires.
“Do you feel okay? Do you feel hot?” Kevin asked, stroking his cheek.
Brian shook his head, “I’m fine.”
“Are you really?”
“I’m just tired.” Brian said softly.
“Me too.” Kevin said.
Brian bit his lip hard, and sucked in a shaky breath, “I thought I was gonna die.”
Kevin turned to his side. He could feel him momentarily touch the bandage on his neck before settling his arm around his shoulders.
“You’re okay now. I promised, didn’t I?”
Brian nodded, “I think I figured it out….when he bit my throat. I didn’t think they were real.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” Kevin whispered.
“No, I…I understand.” Brian said, “If I were in your shoes, I don’t think I would’ve been as strong as you.”
He felt Kevin move his hand to rest on his forehead. It was cold, but it felt nice.
“You still have a fever, but I don’t think it’s as bad as before.”
“I want to go home.” Brian said softly, trying hard not to let his tears spill, “I hate it here.”
“It’s only until your fever goes down, Brian.” Kevin said, “Will you let me call the doctor now?”
Brian finally nodded, listening as Kevin moved to press the button. At this point he had the buttons memorized, he could see it in his head. Now all they had to do was wait.
“He said something to me.” Brian said, “Before he bit me.”
“What?”
“That I was never going to be healthy. He said there will always be something wrong with me.” Brian sniffed, “I don’t want to be here anymore.”
Kevin sat up, “What are you talking about?”
“He said he was going to save me from ever being sick again... I woke up and I’m here again. You think I should’ve said yes?” Brian whispered.
Kevin shook his head, “You’re not going to get sick again. You shouldn’t believe him.”
“Oh.” He looked away, “Is AJ okay?”
“…Yeah, he’s fine. He’ll be going to rehab soon, but I figured you wanted to see each other before that.”
Brian smiled softly, “That’s good. Is he coming today?”
Kevin stroked his hair again, “Yeah. It’s almost visiting hours again.”
Brian closed his eyes, feeling even more tired.
“I’m sleepy.”
“Stay awake, the doctor is almost here.”
Brian buried his face in Kevin’s pillow, “Okay.”
“Good.”
“Kevin?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you.”
He didn’t get to hear a response, but he knew the feeling was returned. It always went unsaid.
Doctors and nurses burst into the room and Brian couldn’t help but roll his eyes. He was so over hospitals.
“I guess I’ll see you in 30 days.” AJ said, shuffling his feet slightly.
Kevin smiled, “I’m proud of you AJ.”
AJ looked away, “Look, before I leave, I wanted to apologize for everything I said about you. You’re not easy. That was fucked up for me to say.”
He shrugged, “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not, it was mean.” AJ said.
“I didn’t say it wasn’t.” Kevin said, “Just that it’s okay. I accept your apology.”
“Oh. Well. Thanks.”
Kevin pulled him into a hug, “We love you, Alex. Don’t you forget that. We’ll try our best to visit.”
“Well, I’ll see you then.”
Kevin nodded and stepped back, allowing the other three to say their goodbyes.
It’s been hectic leading up to AJ’s rehab. They postponed the tour until AJ was back and well. The media was having a field day running reports on them left and right. Rumors spread about the group breaking up which led to Kevin having to do damage control once more.
“We’re not breaking up. Just taking a small break.”
He watched with a smile as AJ and Brian hugged. Howie ruffled AJ’s short hair and gave him a kiss on the forehead while Nick gave him words of encouragement.
They stayed for a good while even after AJ checked into the rehab center.
Nick walked next to him as they headed back to the bus. Brian and Howie walked in front of them. Kevin kept a close eye on his cousin, making sure his ankle wasn’t hurting him.
Brian never showed signs that he’d been turned, but Kevin couldn’t help but wonder at times.
“Hey, so….” Nick started.
“Yeah?”
“You’re walking in the sun.”
Kevin looked up, “I guess I am. It doesn’t sting anymore.”
“That’s great.” Nick blushed.
He raised a thick brow, “Do you want to ask me something, Nick?”
“Do you think you’d want to go out with me later? You know, see a movie or something?” Nick asked.
Kevin stopped and gave him a curious look, “Does it really not bother you? That I’m like… this?”
Nick stepped close to him, “I told you it didn’t, didn’t I?”
“Well, yeah, but…”
“Besides, it’s kind of hot.” Nick said, “So what do you say?”
Kevin couldn’t help the blush creeping up on him, “3 o’clock?”
Nick's eyes became huge, excitement practically radiated out of him, “I’ll pick you up at 3.”
Kevin smiled and watched him practically bounce into the bus. He looked up at the sky again and closed his eyes, feeling the breeze like it was the first time.
He felt happy for the first time in a month. Like, truly happy, given the circumstances.
“Hurry up, old man!” Nick called from the bus.
Kevin opened one eye and gave him a look.
It was like nothing changed. Not that much, at least.
Everything was going to be okay.
Well, it was wishful thinking.