Chapter Text
A grounded vampire is a dead one.
David watched as a stream of blood trickled down Michael’s chin as he finished off the wine. There was the sound of whoops and hollers as the boys circled around him, putting their arms around their new brother. Michael returned their enthusiasm but had a dazed look on his face. David knew the wine was slowly trickling through his blood stream. It would take a while for it to truly take effect. David had to be ready for when it did.
The boys made their way out of the sunken hotel into the pure night. Star stood at the mouth of the cave, her arms crossed over herself protectively. David could hear her slowly dying heart beat faster as her eyes bore into Michael. David gave her a purposely cheeky wave as he revved his bike. Star just turned around.
Why was Star so apprehensive? None of the guys dwelled on the ethics of their situation for too long. They became intoxicated by freedom. They were relieved to have a family to call their own. They became gods.
David couldn’t think about that too much right now. Five bikes sped down the beaches, kicking up sand behind them. The late summer wind cut through their hair as they made their way under the boardwalk. It was tradition; you went under the boardwalk the first night, then you went to the bridge when the transformation was over.
David propped his bike against a support beam and watched as the others did the same. Marko began to scour the dunes in search of drywood. Dwayne was rolling a joint, his tongue stuck out in concentration. Paul was skimming through a collection of tapes he stored in his bag.
But David was more focused on Michael. The curly brunette was clearly drunk, staring around wildly at the sea. That was normal. David wasn’t sure what Max had mixed with the blood, but it always led to stupid decisions and a new thirst for life. Michael grinned like an idiot, giving Marko a pat on the back when he lit the barrel fire. It was kind of endearing seeing Michael this loose and happy.
It was time. David began to shrug off his leather jacket. He threw the jacket into the sand and stretched. David watched with amusement as Michael’s eyes widened at the sight of his wings. Marko, Paul, and Dwayne all followed suit, revealing their own pairs of bat wings. Michael spun around wildly, his eyes only growing bigger as he let out a laugh of disbelief. “Holy Fuck! That’s sick as hell!”
The vampires laughed. Paul hit a few poses, bending his midnight blue wings like a powerlifter showing off his muscles. Marko nudged him with his shoulder, trying to block Michael’s view of Paul with his own flaunting. Dwayne let out a series of ‘oo’s and ‘aa’s as he mimed taking pictures.
These were the times David loved the most. He wouldn’t say he was sentimental, but he enjoyed seeing those he cared for happy. The platinum blond sat in the sand and was immediately joined by Michael. He swayed slightly, tapping his fingers against his own leather jacket. “How did you get those?” He asked, pointing at David’s dirty blond wings.
“It’s a part of a package deal.” David tried to skirt around the big V word for as long as possible. It wasn’t like Michael would remember much of this conversation, but it will be more amusing to see Michael figure it out for himself later. “These wings give us freedom, Michael. We can go anywhere, do anything. You’ll get yours soon enough.”
Michael nodded along slowly. The rest had joined them on the sand. The sounds of the Doors drifted through the sounds of conversation as the joint was passed around the group. Michael’s eyes never left David’s wings. It didn’t matter; let him stare. His wings were cool as fuck.
The conversation jumped from one topic to the next. The boys had developed good chemistry over the years. They could annoy each other and tease but they always had things to talk about. They talked about music, the new movie, The Princess Bandit, or something, the weird kids who spent all their time at the comic book store.
Something hot touched the wrist of his right wing. David flinched like he was just shocked, letting out a small hiss. Michael’s hand jumped back in surprise. “The fuck was that for?” David spat.
The brunette didn’t look him in the eye. “I just wanted to know what they felt like.” He said sheepishly. David could hear the blood rush to his face. Shit, David might have overreacted. He didn’t mean to embarrass him; Michael had no idea.
“I just don’t feel comfortable when people touch my wings,” David said quietly. It wasn’t a total lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth. His brothers all shot him glances full of pity. David hated pity. “Sorry for snapping at you.” Michael nodded back, a small smile on his lips.
“Here, Mike, you can touch mine, I don’t mind.” Marko stretched out a black wing. Just like that, everything was normal again. They began to talk about the news with Reagan and the Cold War. Still, David caught Michael staring at him with those deep brown eyes.
—-
The sun was to rise in an hour. David and Michael rode up the mountain with Paul following them on Michael’s bike. Michael was in no position to drive. His hands were loose around the blonde’s waist. David could feel his own blood seeping its way deeper into Mike. He could feel the bruise on the boy’s stomach heal rapidly.
Michael gave a small wave before he dipped into the old cabin. Paul saddled up next to David, still on his bike, Triumph. “Do you want one of us to grab him tomorrow?”
“No. I got it.” Paul raised a bow at David, but just shrugged before taking off into the sky. David turned to go, looking back at the house before he went.
Welcome home, Michael