Quiet, that was what the night was like as Nathan walked through the park. Wearing a skin tight blue t-shirt and black jeans underneath a winter jacket that was blue with black trim, he was a vampire dressed for the weather. True he didn't feel it, but he kind of felt like he had to look the part.

It was the night of the blue moon, one of those strange nights where there was a second full moon in the same month. The moon wasn't necessarily blue, but it was one of those rare occurences. It was just one of those things that Nathan felt should've been on one of those 'do-before-you-die' lists. It wasn't spectacular, but it was rare enough that you'd feel good about seeing it at least once.

Moving along the path Nathan could feel the thirst nagging him like a gnat. He hadn't fed, and he was getting pretty thirsty. Though what he couldn't get off his mind was someone dear to him. Nikki...the vampire hadn't seen Nikki in a while. Hell Nathan even called the boy's home, but every time it was something else, either Nikki wasn't feeling well or he was out. Even over the phone Nathan could tell that it was a lie, and knew that something had happened. Nikki'd eventually talk to him, but he just felt so lonely. Nikki was a good friend, though the vampire would even go as far as to say he loved the boy.

His arm was still in the sling, not because his arm was injured, but because he broke his collarbone. Well, he didn't break it, the kids at school did.

His mom had been telling him a lot that Nate had been calling recently, and yeah... He'd been telling her excuses... But... But it was because of Nate that he'd gotten beaten up... Even after Nate said that everything would be okay, that everything would be alright.

Well it wasn't.

They'd ganged up on him after school, pushed him to the ground and stepped all over him. His nose had been broken, he had a black eye and a broken collarbone as well, along with a few stitches on his chin. Well at least his nose was still straight...

They'd laughed and called him names as they kicked him, stomped on him... Homo... Fag... Fruit... Dick sucker... Flamer... They'd hit just about every one they could think of as the beat him. A store owner across the street had called the cops when he saw what was going on, but cops only got there fast enough to take him to the hospital seeing as all he had was a bloody nose and a broken something in his shoulder.

He hadn't told anyone what happened and he's stayed home from school for the rest of the week... But he'd been avoiding Nate for over a month. Granted this past weekend he'd been legitimately sick with a stomach flu. But he was doing some make up work from a day he'd missed recently at his favorite place in the park... The same place where he met Nate actually. He wasn't going to change places just for him. Besides... He must have gotten the idea by now.

Sighing he was just grateful that they'd broken his right collarbone and he was left handed... The moon was really pretty tonight though... He'd have to go home soon, but it was so quiet, he'd just wait for a few more minutes...

Nikki's scent wafted through the air to Nate's nose. It was unmistakeable and he knew it by heart. Even after a month or so of being pushed away Nate wanted to see Nikki, he wanted to see the boy again. Even if Nikki didn't want to see him, Nathan wanted to see Nikki.

With a sigh he found Nikki in the same place that they had met. Walking so Nikki couldn't see him Nate noticed the sling. Instantly he knew that some kids had beat him up pretty damned good if his arm was in a sling. Taking a deep breath Nate let it out slowly and kind of coughed to get the boy's attention. "I'm truly sorry Nick." He asked as he stopped a few feet from Nikki. No reason to get all close and everything, not now. "I didn't mean for you to get hurt like this."

He did some digging around, and all he found was that Nikki skipped out of school for a little while. It was easy for Nate to find out pretty much anything, but sometimes he just liked doing detective work without depending on his powers.

Nikki's eyes went wide for a second and then narrowed as he saw Nate.

Without a word he clumsily gathered his books, shoving them into the backpack. Hoisting it over his good shoulder he began to walk off. Well, until Nate said he was sorry.

He turned around, his face filled with pain and anger. "Sorry?! Sorry Nate? You... You said it wouldn't happen!" He didn't care how Nate knew, he really didn't. "You... You promised me that it would be okay. You promised me that you wouldn't let anyone hurt me." He choked up slightly and turned away. "You lied to me... You lied Nate."

He rubbed at his eyes quickly before walking off.

Why did he have to run into him now? Why did he have to come here?

"I thought they were going to kill me... Just... Just because they saw us holding hands! And... And I thought it would be okay... Because you said that you wouldn't let them do that to me. You promised... And... And you lied to me!" He couldn't hold back the sob.

"I was so scared... And you weren't there for me, like you said you would be..."

Nate was following Nikki as he walked off. "I couldn't be there Nikki! You know I couldn't!" His hands balled into fists and he slammed his fist into the tree, of course he restrained himself, otherwise the tree might've fallen. "I wanted to...You said it yourself that I couldn't be there during the day!"

He followed Nikki and caught the scent of the tears. Nate gently grabbed Nikki's good shoulder and spun him around to face him. "I won't let them get away with this." He said calmly. "I want to make up for not being there for you...Please give me a chance." He could feel tears forming but he blinked them away. "I never meant to lie to you."

Nate wanted so much to embrace the boy, to comfort him, but he held himself back. There was no time for that. "Tell me who did this to you, and I swear that I'll make them pay." Nate would make sure of it. He would do anything for Nikki.

Nikki knew that he couldn't be there durring the day... But still. Nate had promised him, promised him that nothing would ever happen, that he wouldn't tell and no one would ever find out.

Nikki whiped at his eyes with his sleeve as Nate asked who did it.

"I... I don't know." He lied. "And it wouldn't matter even if I did Nate... I don't want to hurt anyone or... Or you to hurt anyone for me... I don't want anyone hurt and I didn't want to be hurt. That was all I wanted. I wanted someone who'd be there for me... And... And you weren't Nate. You... You didn't even call me that night."

He shrugged his shoulder out from Nate's hand, turning to walk back home.

"I've gotta go... Otherwise my mom's gonna be even more worried." He muttered.

Nate could taste the lie, but didn't say a word. He shook his head and let out a sigh. "Nikki...I won't hurt them...I just want them to know that they can't do that to you." He said sadly. "I don't want anybody to hurt you...I truly don't, but I can't do it unless you tell me." Of course he could force it out of Nikki, but that wasn't the way he wanted to do it. "I'm sorry I didn't call...I wanted to, but I just couldn't." It was hard to explain to Nate that he was a vampire, and that his feeding methods were certainly different than Nikki's.

"Nikki..." Nate reached for Nikki, and then he felt it. He felt Nikki's heartbeat, saw the pulse at his neck. He wanted it so badly. "I'm sorry." He grabbed Nikki's shoulder again spinning him around to him. Wrapping his arms around the boy Nate kissed Nikki gently on the lips. He couldn't help it. He wanted to feed before he lost full control over his bloodlust, where he'd probably end up hurt Nikki badly, or even kill him. Then before the shock could wear off Nate gently kissed at Nikki's neck right on top of the big pulse, and gently pushed his fangs in making two small holes that started seeping blood right away. With a sigh Nate let the blood run into his mouth and he swallowed it deftly licking at the wounds. Nikki's blood was delicious, but Nate stopped himself after he got enough to satisfy his thirst. A quick flick of the tongue and he healed the holes using his own blood. "I'm so sorry." He pressed his face into the crook of Nikki's neck and started crying into him.

"Just leave me alone... You've done enough." He sobbed softly.

As Nate spun him around though, his eyes were filled with tears, and as Nate pulled him close, Nikki hugged him best he could. He really started crying then as he leaned his head onto the boy's shoulder. He even responded gently to the kiss kissing Nate softly, almost lovingly.

But he gave a groan as Nate kissed at his neck. "Nate..." He whimpered. "Please don't..." But then his fangs sank in and he gasped as a wave of sheer pleasure washed over his entire body.

He was panting, moaning as Nate drank from him. It felt so good... It took the pain of his shoulder away, the pain of the abandonment... Every pain he had was gone in the wake of the pleasure that was swarming over him.

"Oh God..." He moaned as Nate pulled away but he held the boy close to him. "No... Don't stop. Nate, please, don't stop! Do it again, please." He whimpered helplessly, his eyes were closed as he clutched to Nate for support. But he started to cry and appologize.

"No... Don't. Nate don't stop I loved it... I I loved it." he repeated. He'd never known anything that strong before, never known anything as sure as that. He loved whatever Nate had just done, He didn't care... "Nate... It's Okay. I want it... Please, don't stop..." He begged.

Nate felt Nikki relax in his arms. He had a tendency of making it an intimate moment. When he fed he wanted them to feel pleasure, not pain. It was kind of one of his gifts. He could make anyone feel pleasure from feeding.

Nate balanced Nikki as the boy clutched at him for support. Even through his own crying he could hold Nikki there all night. "Nikki..." He wiped at his tears and sighed. Nate still needed more blood if he didn't want to feed sooner than he could. His fangs hovered over the spot he bit Nikki before. He wanted to, he really did, but he knew that if he wasn't careful, that he got drunk off of the boy's blood, that he'd probably end up killing. He didn't want to kill, but he wanted more.

"Stop me when you feel light headed." Nate whispered against Nikki's neck. He kissed the boy's neck, and then made two neat holes with his fangs drinking the blood, not sucking, sucking would leave a bruise, like a hickey. He didn't want to leave any kind of evidence. Nate let the blood fill his mouth and swallowed. It was truly something he loved. It was a necessity and a bliss for him. Feeding was almost as good as sex.

What was going on? Nikki was clueless. He didn't know what Nate was doing to him, what was really happening, but he didn't care. It felt so good, so... So right, that he just wanted it, not caring what it was or what would happen.

"I don't care..." He whispered.

Nikki moaned softly as Nate kissed against his neck. He gasped and whimpered softly as Nate bit in once more.

He was helpless, helpless in Nate's arms, wanting nothing more than to stay there, stay forever and ever. Nothing mattered anymore... Nothing but Nate mattered right now and it... It was all he needed it.

Whatever was happening he felt lightheaded... Dizzy. But he didn't care. He didn't care what happened to him. "Nate..." He whispered softly, kissing against Nate's shoulder with little whimpers. "Don't stop... Please don't." His voice was a light sigh, an aching tremor.

Nate could feel every part of Nikki as he drank from the boy. He could feel Nikki's pulse, the warmth of his flesh. Nikki was his for the taking...he could drink forever from the boy...he could make it all go away.

As Nikki whispered for him not to stop, Nate came back to his senses. A quick flick of his tongue and the holes were healed again. He collapsed breathlessly in a heap keeping his upper body up with his arms. "Nate...that was too close...I could've killed you..." Licking at some blood that dribbled from the corner of his mouth Nate could still taste the big pulse.

"I don't want to hurt you Nikki...that was too close." Nate almost lost himself to the bloodlust, almost killed Nikki. He reached back to where the boy kissed his shoulder and sighed with a soft smile creeping across his face.

He was panting hard, trying to get more air to his brain. But he was so dizzy...

Nikki couldn't move... He was so weak he was laying in Nate's arms, breathing heavily. He needed to lie down... Lie down and rest before he passed out. "Wha... What was that..." The boy whispered, his eyes closed lazily. "I... I didn't want you to stop... it... It felt so good... So good Nate.." He murmured, pulling away before sinking to his knees.

Nikki lay down slowly, laying on the grass on his good side.

Breathing heavily he curled up with a murmur.

"It felt so good... I want more... Please... Please Nate. I want more." He begged softly.

Nate sighed as he felt Nikki's body on top of his. How did he know that he'd end up on the bottom? With a soft sigh and running his hand through the boy's hair Nate smiled. "I was drinking your blood." He said softly. "I'm a vampire, and I could've killed you if I kept on going." Nate turned to the side as Nikki laid down in the grass. "I can make feeding feel as good as sex Nikki...that's why it felt so good. I know how good it feels...I was there." He remembered how his first time felt like he was having sex.

"It can become an addiction." He looked sadly at Nikki. "If I take any more there's a chance you can die." Nate didn't want to kill Nikki, not in the least. "I can give you more, but you need to wait a few nights...you need to wait until you build up more fluids." Nate kissed the boy gently and let out a soft sigh.

His body felt so good... Every nerve was tingling, just... On fire with pleasure. "Blood... Huh..." He murmured, curling up against Nate as he lay down next to him. "Yeah.. Keep going." Nikki whispered, as if not hearing that was really said. "It felt so good... So good Nate..." Like sex? Well... he'd never have sex... But... God... This was the best... Best he'd ever felt....

"No... No, I want more Nate... Please?"

Nikki returned the kiss softly, eagerly... Pleadingly. "Please?" He whispered against the boy's lips, kissing, nibbling then at his neck. "Nate... I want it." He continued to kiss, as if begging for more.

Nate knew that Nikki hadn't really heard a word he said. If he took some more the boy would most likely pass out. He didn't want that to happen, but Nikki kept on begging him.

The vampire wrapped his arms around the boy and smiled. "I can't keep going." He knew that Nikki wanted more. Sometimes it got to the point where it became an addiction. He didn't want to get Nikki addicted to it. "I know you want more...how about when we get back to your place." He suggested as he felt Nikki kiss him. Nate returned the kiss and the nibbling at his neck got a slight moan from him, and he sighed.

Wrapping his arms around Nikki, Nate sat up bringing them both up. "When we get back to your place." Nate kissed Nikki again, and sighed. "At your house. I don't feel like carrying you back home." He said with a soft smile and running his hand through the boy's hair.

Laying there in the grass, wrapped in Nate's arms, Nikkie couldn't have been happier. His body was tingling with pleasure still, and he wanted more, more than before and still more.

"When we get to my house? Uh.. Sure. I guess we can do that." He murmured, nuzzling against Nate's neck. He hadn't even felt the pain from his shoulder as they sat up.

Nikki sighed as he felt Nate's hands through his hair, his fingers running against his scalp. "Just promise me... Promise you'll... You'll bite... me again? I... God... That felt so wonderful. I've never felt anything like it before." His voice was still a whisper, as his head was still swimming from when he sat up.

He didn't really understand what was going on, but god... If it felt so wonderful, he didn't care.

Nate nodded as Nikki said that they could go back to his house. He patted Nikki's head as the boy nuzzled into his neck. Nikki was pretty cute, though he didn't realize exactly what was happening.

The vampire smiled softly as Nikki asked him to promise that he'd bite him again. "I promise that I'll bite you again Nikki." He said with a smile. "Though I'm not gonna be able to do it as long as before."

He stood up and made sure that he could stand then offered his hand to Nikki. "Can you stand?" He asked, though after taking that much blood Nikki would be lucky if he could stand on his own.

"No... Bite... Bite and don't stop. I love it Nate... I want it I do." He murmured as he staggered to his feet, his head swimming. He nearly fell over, but leaned against Nate, panting softly. He wanted more... He wanted more than that too. But... But Sex? No... He knew that he wouldn't do that. Girls didn't like him anyway. Well, they did, but just always as a friend.

"I... I've never known anything... Anything as wonderful. Really Nate. I want... Want it. So much..." He said, his eyes having trouble focusing on Nate's face.

He wanted to curl up in Nate's arms, feeling his bite. He wanted to feel Nate hold him tight, tight so that no one could ever hurt him again.

"Don't... Don't ever leave me... Never again... Please..." He whimpered pleadingly.

Nate let Nikki lean agasint him, and sighed. "I'll bite you Nikki, but not right now." He knew that the boy was truly drunk off of his bite, and feared that Nikki was going to become a blood pet, that he'd do pretty much anything for it. It was better if Nikki was Nate's blood pet, some vampires had a habit of making their donors suffer. It was better this way.

"I know you do Nikki, you just have to wait a little while." Nate kissed the boy's cheek and smiled. "When we get back to your place." Nate looked at the boy and smiled. "I won't leave you Nikki. Go to sleep." He used his powers to push the boy into a deep restful sleep.

_______

It took them a little longer than usual to get to Nikki's home, and Nate told the boy's mother that he found Nikki in the park like the way he was. After a little manipulation through his powers Nate was able to stay with Nikki. Helping the boy into bed Nate smiled and ran his hand through the boy's hair. "I'll bite you Nikki...just not tonight." Nikki needed time to recover, otherwise Nate might kill him. Nate wouldn't forgive himself if he killed Nikki.

Nikki curled up against Nate as best as his injured shoulder would allow, panting slightly. He couldn't focus on anything really, and his vision would get blurry after a few moments of not blinking.

"Wha.... Nate? No... Please... You... You promised you would." He whimpered helplessly. "You promised you would Nate... I want you to. Please... Please bite me. I... I don't care." Tears were starting to form at the corners of his eyes.

Was Nate lying to him again? Just lying to get him home even though he didn't want to be here.

He began to whimper almost uncontrollably. "You promised Nate... You promised..." Began to cry softly as he moved away. He was lying again... He was lying again just like he had before. But this time... This time it felt so much worse.

He wanted it. He did. He didn't care what happened, he didn't care. The sensation was just so wonderful, so delicious that he wanted it now... He wanted it more than anything, to be held tight in Nate's arms feeling that wonderful thrill in his body. Pain was nothing... But having something so sweet and wonderful taken away from him like this... Oh it was too cruel.

It hurt Nate to hear Nikki. "Nikki...If I bite you now there's a chance I can kill you." Tears were starting to form in his eyes. "If I kill you...I would never forgive myself. You know that."

Nate kissed at the tears and licked the saltiness away. "I want to bite you more than anything Nikki...I want to make you happy, but I can't trust myself right now."

Nate moved closer as the boy moved away. "Nikki...If I feed from you now...I don't think I could stop." He kissed the Nikki and smiled sadly. "It thrills me...feeling you slowly dying. I lose control the closer you get to death." He shuddered. Even though he was older than some vampires here he still feared his thirst. He had control over it, but when people were on the brink of death, it was like a drug for him, he'd lose control and end up killing them. He didn't want to kill Nikki.

He wrapped his arms around the boy's body and pulled him close. "Nikki...I swear to you that I will feed from you tomorrow...I don't want to risk killing you...If I was sure I wouldn't kill you I would." Kissing him gently Nate blinked away his crimson tears. "I swear I would...I want you."

“You wouldn’t. I know you couldn’t kill me. Please, just try” Nikki begged. He didn’t want to hear no. He didn’t want to hear Nate break the promise he made.

“You don’t understand… You don’t Nate.” He nearly cried out. “I’ve never felt so wonderful, nothing else mattered! I want it… I want it so much Nate. I want it… I want it more than anything I’ve ever, ever wanted. I want to be with you… I want you.” He let a sob escape him then as he nearly clung to the other boy.

“I… I don’t understand why… Why you keep lying to me Nate… I was so scared, when those other boys were attacking me. I was so scared they were going to kill me. I was just hoping you would come and save me. Come and pull me away from them… But you never came.” He could remember the fear, the pain of being left all alone… He remembered crying out in pain as the officer lifted him to his feet. The trip to the hospital, his mother’s frantic worry and the doctors rough hands.

“I… I don’t understand… I don’t know why they care so much… Is… Is it so wrong?”

Nate couldn't stand listening to Nikki beg. It was such a desperate sound that raked at his mind. He wanted the boy more than anything, but he couldn't. He couldn't trust himself not to kill Nikki. If he did he'd kill himself from the guilt. It wasn't something that he wanted to do, but he knew that he had to do something.

"Nikki...I know how it feels." His hand caressed Nikki's cheek. "I know all too well how good it feels." After his sire turned him, Nate was addicted to the bite as much as Nikki was. His sire helped him through it, but it was like a heroin addict going cold turkey. It was horrible sometimes.

"I don't mean to lie to you Nikki...I truly don't." He wrapped his arms around the boy and squeezed their bodies together. "I would've helped you if I could." He kissed the poor boy gently.

"People are always scared of what's different...it's always been that way." He kissed the boy's neck wanting to bite. He held himself back taking a calming breath. He'd need all of his strength to keep himself from killing Nikki. "I'll be here for you Nikki...I'll always be here in the night for you...You have to promise me that you'll stay in bed tomorrow. I don't want you to get up until you've recovered." He sank his fangs as gently as he could into Nikki's neck and drank slowly making sure that he wouldn't kill the boy. It was a pretty quick drink, just enough so Nikki passed out.

Healing the marks Nate sighed and curled up against the other boy. Closing his eyes he fell asleep against Nikki. He was amazed that he was able to control himself enough to not kill the boy.

But he didn't know that for sure... He didn't know if Nate was lying or not.... He'd broken two promises now. That he would... Bite him again when they got home, and that he'd protect him. How did he knew that Nate was telling the truth?

Nikki gasped softly though as he felt the wonderful sensation of Nate's fangs in his neck again. His body shuddered and relaxed, moaning softly as he drank.

He was asleep in no time, his body still and helpless, making soft noises of sleep as his body relaxed fully against Nate's.

His sleep was dreamless, painless even, as he lay curled up against Nate, and it was nearly three in the afternoon when Nikki woke up. Good thing it was Sunday huh?
Groaning he sat up and rubbed his face. Things were kind of swimming, but he'd be okay.

Oh... Nate was still here. Well... it was okay since his dad wasn't going to be home this weekend. His mom usually didn't come in his room either, and well, she probably just thought he was having a friend over for the night or something.

"Hey... Nate..." He said softly, shaking the boy's shoulder. "Nate? You okay?"

Nate had fallen asleep as close as he could get to Nikki. He didn't want to leave the boy, and it'd be cutting it very close if he left for his apartment anyway. He slept soundly through the morning with him.

Waking up as Nikki shook him Nate groggily looked up at the boy. He could still taste Nikki's blood. He had had his fill the night before, and he'd be good for a couple of days. "Hey...I'm fine Nikki." He looked up into Nikki's eyes. "How're you feeling?" His priority was to replenish Nikki's fluids. If Nate hadn't controlled himself he would've killed the boy. "I'm gonna get you some food and drink. You don't want you to move from this bed alright?" He started to slip out of bed.

"Huh? Oh... I'm good..." Nikki mumbled just as groggily. "Just... Just a little dizzy is all." He said with a tired smile.

"Food? No... I'm okay Nate. Not really hungry. Uhm... Besides, I dunno what my mom will think if she sees you here. I mean... Did she see you come in last night? Does she know you're here? I don't really remember what happened." He admitted.

Nikki remembered passing out, or falling asleep or something in the park, leaning against Nate. And then the next thing he remembered was laying here, curled up beside him. "Besides... I... I don't want you to go. Not yet."

He was a little confused at the moment, and he wanted to know just what it was. And he had a feeling that if Nate left now, things would only get worse, confuse him more really. He wouldn't be able to think through things like usual and it... Well, it bothered him really.

"Just stay with me a little longer okay?"

Nate nodded looking at Nikki. The boy would need fluids, but he was willing to wait. "Are you sure? I can get you something pretty quickly."

"She knows I'm here." This time he didn't use any powers on her. He told her the truth, well what he could tell her anyway. He said that after talking things through Nikki had passed out, and that he brought the boy back. "I told her that I'd stay here to make sure you're fine. I kinda insisted on it." He said with a slight smile. "Don't worry I didn't use any weird hypnosis like I did the first time we met." That time he wasn't sure what could happen.

Nate smiled a little wider as Nikki said that he didn't want Nate to leave. "Alright Nikki." He laid back down in the bed, and touched the boy's cheek. "Let me know if you want anything. I'll get it for you." He leaned a little closer just close enough where their faces were only inches apart, but he didn't try to go any further.

Nikki gave a little murmur as Nate pulled him back down on to the bed.

"Okay... Just stay." He said with a slight smile. "My dad's out of town this weekend.... So it'll be okay. But... It wouldn't be good if you came when he was here. He doesn't like it that I'm... Well... That I might like other guys." He said biting his lip slightly as he closed his eyes.

"Mom... She's okay with it sort of. She thinks its unusual, but she still loves me. Grandpa... Well he doesn't really know, and it's probably better that way." He sighed, curling up against Nate as he rolled over, pressing his back against Nate's chest.

He didn't know what was going on, but he didn't know how feelings could be wrong. How it could be wrong to have certain emotions towards one person, but okay to have them towards another. And how could he really control it? That was what his mother always told his dad. He couldn't control how he felt, even though his dad seemed to think he could.

Nate nodded listening to Nikki. "I will." He said a she wrapped his arms around the boy. "Alright I won't try to come over when he's here." He said with a sigh. He smiled as Nikki spoke about his mom and grandpa. Nate didn't understand why people were so against people liking the same gender. It was stupid to say the least. Nothing had really changed since he was turned. He didn't believe that anything would.

"Alright I won't say a word to your mom or grandpa." He said as the boy turned so his back was against his chest. Nate pressed his body against Nikki's so they fit together. "Nate...I like you...I like you a lot, and I want to have you as a friend..." He said closing his eyes.

"Good... I... I just don't want him mad at me. Even if I'm not... Well... You know... He'll still get mad if he thinks I am or thinks that I'm thinking about it." He murmured.

"But yeah, we could be friends. Just as long as... As people only think we're just friends. Otherwise... I don't want to get hurt like this again. People have been looking at me funny. I... I just don't like it." He said quietly, before drifting back into sleep.

He was still tired, still lightheaded and was just... worn out.

Yeah... Worn out. He'd been under so much preasure, thinking about so many things and trying to avoid speculative glares...

Nate nodded listening to Nikki. "I won't be around when he is Nikki. This is a real promise Nikki." He said as he leaned his head into the pillow. He wouldn't need another drink for a while, so he'd spend some time with Nikki. He'd leave when it was night. It was best for both of them.

"That sounds good to me." He said with a sigh as he took in the boy's scent. Of course no really creepy way, but with his incredible sense of smell he could catch Nikki's scent a hundred yards away. "We're just friends." He said more to himself. He understood the concept, and he accepted it. Now he had to protect Nikki by being his friend and nothing else.

Running his hand through the other boy's hair he let out a sigh. "I don't want you to be hurt again Nikki...I don't want you to suffer anymore." He said with a small smile.