Frightful Reunion

Untitled Part 12

You don't remember waking in the night; you don't remember slipping into one of Jerry's t-shirts and padding downstairs into the kitchen; you don't remember chugging the last three jugs; you DEFINITELY don't remember the primal hunger that took grip on your entire being.

Something snaps you out of it just as you begin licking the spilled blood off your hands. Like reality suddenly clicked back into place, and your brows knit as you look down at the mess you've made. There's blood splattered across the floor where you had thrown the jugs after emptying them, and the thick liquid starting to cake in the crease of your neck where it has messily trailed along to soak the front of your shirt.

The realization that you had lost control wrecks through your body as you slide to the floor in a fit of spasms.

You bring your hands to your face, trying to steady them as the shaking worms its way into your emotions like a strange virus taking hold. The anxiety blooms across your chest as it heaves with each labored breath. Were you turning into something else? Was there a side effect Jerry didn't know about? Was this the end?

Jerry rounds the corner, still blinking sleep from his eyes as he wonders where you'd gone. He notices the blood first, and then the crumpled, shaking figure on the floor. Calling your name seems to go on deaf ears, so he cautiously moves closer.

The sudden touch of someone's hand on yours startles you, seeming to scare away whatever had been plaguing you. You look up to meet Jerry's eyes, his brows knitted together as he kneels before you, gently taking both of your hands in his.

A single tear spills over the brim of your eye. "I don-don't understand." You move to look around again but he moves a hand to your cheek, keeping your eyes locked with his own. "I don't even remember doing this... it was like I just woke up down here and I was- I ... I'm just so hungry."

Another tear trails down your cheek.

Jerry wipes it away with his thumb, softly tugging you forward into his arms as he wraps them around you. "I didn't expect the bond to be so strong. I'm so sorry, love."

Leaning slightly to get a better view of his face, you tilt your head. "What?"

With a sigh, he kisses your forehead, then your temple, then your cheek before meeting your gaze again. "I think you're feeling some of my hunger. I've had to learn to control it, but you ..." He runs a hand through your hair, taming some of the stray fly-aways by tucking them behind your ear. "You're not used to it yet... I'm sorry, I didn't know the extent of what we would share."

"I thought you'd heard stories?"

He pulls you with him as he stands, easing you onto your feet and helping to guide you back upstairs. "Each bond is different; some are a lot stronger than others."

He makes sure you're steady as he moves away to warm the shower for you. Still feeling confused, but knowing it was both the best, and ONLY answer that he had, you try to accept that you'll have to figure things out as time goes on.

A smile gently warms across your face at the reminder; Jerry is yours; you're Jerry's; you have an eternity to spend together.

When Jerry returns, his worried expression softens at the sight of you smiling again. "Feeling better?"

You stand and remove the bloodied shirt before wrapping your arms around him. "Thank you."

"For what?" He leans back slightly, moving a hand to caress your cheek. "Are you sure you're feeling ok?"

Giggling softly, you smile up at him, taking in all of his beautiful features. Each handsome curve of his face, the cute twitch of his brow in curiosity. "For being here. For being mine. For having patience with me."

A soft chuckle sounds in his chest as he squeezes you tight again. "I'm not sure I could ever explain how much you've done for me already, but you saved me." He kisses the top of your head, then your temple. "Over 400 years of feeling empty and lost, being angry at the world, not knowing how to cope... until I saw you."

With a soft sniffle, you push away gently. "I'm gonna cry if we keep getting sappy like this."

He laughs and shakes his head, bringing a smile to your face as he presses his lips to yours. "Go take a shower, I'll clean up the kitchen."

You catch his arm before he can fully turn away, bringing him in for another slow kiss. "I love you."

Smiling, he gently nudges you toward the bathroom. "I love you too, now go relax and clean up. I'll be right back."

The hot water feels amazing on your skin, even with the blood long gone, you can't bring yourself to leave the steamy comfort of the shower.

You hear Jerry stirring in the room, and reluctantly twist the water off before stepping out to wrap yourself in a towel. "Hey Jer -"

Brows furrowed, you tilt your head, listening intently at the sounds from the next cabin over. Tires on loose gravel, a familiar squeak of brakes that you kept telling them to replace, and then the muffled voices you had never thought would bring dread.

Jerry steps into the bathroom. "I guess he called them."

Before you can say anything, he warps his arms around you and guides you into the bedroom. Some of your clothes already laid out on the bed as he shrugs on a shirt of his own. "What will I even say?"

"Well," he finishes buttoning his shirt. "Charley might try to kill me again." He chuckles, but you're less than amused.

You slip on the rest of your clothes in a huff of frustration. "I'm serious. What if he actually does? What if you get hurt while we're trying to explain everything?"

Grabbing your hand, he starts to lead you toward the door. "Come on, your dad ended up listening, I'm sure we can get them to listen too."

"How are you so calm about this? They literally tried to kill you before..."

With a soft kiss to your knuckles, he continues leading you down the stairs and out the front door. "I've got you with me, for one. But I'll stick back a bit while you go inside and try to smooth things over."

He opens the door to his truck, helping you inside before moving around to get in the driver's seat.

Seeing the anxiety plainly written across your features, he again takes your hand and presses another, lingering kiss to your knuckles. You look up to meet his eyes, finding a deep sense of comfort in them, like knowing even if everything goes wrong, Jerry is here for you no matter what.