The Academy Vampire

{ Chapter 20 } - Last of the Fights.

A/N: I was wrong about who's POV this chapter was, but not the events that happen in it. Hope you enjoy ;) 

P.S. - The song above, which is Melanie Martinez's "Pacify Her" is my theme song for Nikolai :D

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Nikolai's Pov

Gabriel refused to speak to me after Sang went upstairs. I had no clue what his problem was, as it seemed like we just stopped fighting and everything seemed fine. But, before I could take a breath to talk to him, he was already rushing up the stairs.

'I can't believe it. I can't believe he would admit he feels something between that girl and him. Sure, I told him it was alright. Yeah, I told him once she went upstairs that I was alright with him trying to understand his feelings. What I didn't tell him that I hoped that he realized he doesn't need her. He needs me, not her. She can't appreciate him like I can, especially when the rest of the Lee team is vying for heart. Why would he want to compete for her, when he has me?'

However, once I got to our room, I decided that I would leave the topic alone for tonight. There were too many fights today, that it would be pointless to try to talk to him and risk getting into another one.

Gabriel already had the lights off and was under the blanket, so I decided to follow suit as I got clothes out of one of the dressers. I closed it softly, hoping to not disturb him if he already fell asleep.

Leaning against the closed dresser, I watched him for a few minutes.

Sean had allowed me to stay here with Gabriel because he didn't want to leave him alone to roam the house and possibly escape, but he also knew that I wasn't fond of the idea of leaving him alone period. I didn't want to admit how I feel about him, no matter how many times Sean, Cody, and Elijah have badgered me about it.

What I felt was just that. It's what I feel, and I didn't want to hear about their attempts to label it. No, we aren't Elijah and Cody, but we aren't Sean and Owen, either. We wouldn't be who we are if we tried to fit everyone else's description of what our relationship should be like.

I didn't expect him to chase after me. I expected him to grumbled about it later, but he surprised me when instead of staying with the group, he came after me.

'I slapped his hand, and he came after me? Why would he do that? He was touching that other guy, but he chased after me? Then after the whole tantrum I threw, he lets me bite him? What's going on in his head?'

"Are you going to stand there and stare at me all night, or are you going to lay down?" Gabriel mumbled.

Shaking my head, I cleared it from my train of thought. I got up from my position against the dresser and decided he was right. Standing here was impractical when I could be cuddling with him.

After quickly changing into the clothes I grabbed to sleep in, I laid down and swung my arm over his side, pulling him closer to me.

However, I felt him move before my arm was lifted off his stomach and pushed back toward me as he scooted away, creating space between us.

"No, you really embarrassed me today," he grumbled.

'What did I do now?'

"I thought I apologized. If I didn't, then I'm sorry that I stormed out and slapped your hand in front of your team. It was childish and I wasn't thinking."

"I'm not embarrassed about that, dumb-ass," he sighed.

"Then what is it?"

"How you acted in front of Sang. You could have told me how you felt instead of storming off after the meeting and then later creating a scene in front of her. Then you told her I possibly had feelings for her?" he whispered loudly before letting out a huff. "Fuck, I've never been so embarrassed in my life."

"You know," I said, now moving into a sitting position on the bed and turning on one of the side table lamps, "This is exactly what I was talking about. Everything was fine until she walked through the door. Now, you suddenly care about what everyone thinks of you. Especially her. Why do you care what she thinks?"

"She's important to me, just like my team is. I didn't want to tell her about my feelings until I knew what I felt, exactly."

"I don't understand why you want to compete for someone like that. She's got enough her plate with finding her father, and then the rest of those boys are going to rush to see which one she has feelings for and if they can share her. Why would you put yourself through that? Especially when it's her."

"Why are you getting so worked up about this?" He yelled.

"Because I don't understand what I did to make you think I wasn't enough for you! Why her, when I've been the one that's willing to protect you. Was she concerned for you when you were lying in a heap on the ground when she rushed in with that gun? Or did she immediately seek out North and defend him? What about coming to save you? Did she rush in with the rest of the guys, ready to stand with them and save you? Or did she stay in the car until Olivia worried her enough to go in there? Then, did she come back here to get you, or did she just come because Sean had information that she wanted. That's the type of girl you want to involve yourself with?" I asked.

"No, you're looking at it all wrong. She cares about me, at least a tiny bit," he insisted, but his frown told me that he was unsure of his own words.

"She fits in with your team well, actually," I continued, "Always trying to make sure you're absolutely the last choice."

"You know what, asshole? I like her because she's kind. She wouldn't sit here and tell me how I'd be a last choice. I like her because she understands me. She wouldn't take my insecurities and rub them in deeper. She wouldn't act like this if she was in your position. She'd happily tell me that it's okay to be confused and tell me to take my time to figure it out. She'd support me while I figured out if I'm the changeling she's talking about that she's fated to be with!" He abruptly stopped, breathing hard as he thought over what he said.

"You think you're a changeling? How do you know?" I asked softly, reaching out to touch him, but he moved away before I could.

"No, don't touch me. When you decide that you actually care about me enough to consider how I feel, we'll talk."

"Wait, Gabriel," I said.

"You asked me how I could want someone like her, but you should be asking yourself why I would want someone like you," he growled as he got out of bed and exited the room before I could chase after him.

'How do I manage to fuck everything up with him every time I open my mouth?'  

I knew I should go after him and explain myself, but we were both too worked up right now. He wouldn't want to hear what I had to say. He'll run to Sang or someone, and he'll be fine by morning.

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A/N: How do you feel now? I wasn't going to end this chapter here... but it seemed like it was a better place to end than where I originally planned :)

I plan to update tomorrow, most likely. Just to let you know :)