I love you.

That was the first time.

I love you.

That was the second.

I love you.

That was the third.

I love you.

That was the fourth.

I love you.

Over and over was that the pattern? He could fall in love but never reach it? Vincent held out his hand, trying to grab the image of Adrian here now.

I-

Vincent opened his eyes to see his hand up in the air, grabbed by Adrian. "Are you okay?" he stared down, concerned. Vincent blinked and focused his eyes. Angel and Grell stood on the other side of the bed. They've known him for five minutes but the genuine concern on their faces was refreshing.

"I'm..." Vincent sat up and his vision blurred again. Adrian caught him before he fell to the side.

"Have you been feeding him? Taking him out for walks? Giving him his daily dose of sunshine?" Grell snapped, crossing her arms.

"Ah!" Adrian realized his mistake. He still didn't know what humans ate and he'd forgotten all about trying to get regular food for him.

"I can't believe you want a human as a mate and you don't even know how to feed him properly," Angel let out a long sigh. "Come along, Grell, we have to go to the nearest human village and pick up some things..." he grabbed Grell's arm and dragged her out.

"You didn't have to make such a big fuss," Vincent smiled. "You should be picking out your mate..."

"I don't want a mate," Adrian insisted. He clung to Vincent's hand.

"You can't hide away in your big scary castle forever. You've got to talk to your people at some point."

"Do you not..." Adrian let go of Vincent's hand to fold his own. "Do you not care for me? Have I been mistaken in thinking we've gotten close?"

Vincent should tell him he didn't care for him. That would be the easiest way out of this. But, when he opened his mouth different words threatened to escape. "I lo-" his eyes widened and he slammed his hand over his mouth, tears formed and fell. The agony of wanting more time with him but not being able to tell him he felt the same. It was eating away at him. That's what caused his sickness.

"What's wrong?" Adrian waved his hands about, wondering if it was his question that made him cry.

"We've gotten close," Vincent smiled as he cried. "But I'm still a human. I'll still die sooner than you. And you still need to settle the minds of rebellious vampires. Sebastian can't be the only one against you."

"But I-"

"Do you even know what happens if a vampire has a human as a mate?" Vincent cut him off. "Humans are food for you, no matter how you slice it, and they smell bad too. Grell and Angel might think I smell sweet like you do but what about the rest of them? You can't have a smelly human beside your throne."

"I don't care about that."

"You should."

"I don't." Adrian climbed onto the bed and gently pushed Vincent down. He hovered above him as his long hair surrounded Vincent's face like a curtain. He stared into Adrian's wonderful eyes. "I want you. I like you. I care about you. I don't want someone else. I love you. Tell me if you really don't feel the same. I won't bring it up again. But look me in my eyes and tell me." He leaned down so their faces were closer together.

"I can't..." Vincent felt his own heartbreak into two. "I can't tell you how I feel."

"What?" Adrian's pained expression smashed the remaining pieces of Vincent's heart. "Do you really not care?" his voice cracked. "Just tell it to me plainly if you love me or not. I can't understand unless you say it!" Adrian grabbed Vincent's shoulders, his nails digging into them as he shook him lightly.

"I can't!" Vincent's eyes could no longer shed tears.

"Why can't you?" Adrian asked but then immediately refused to listen. "No, nevermind, it doesn't matter," he stood up and moved to the door. "I'll keep my word. I won't bring up the subject again," he said, closing the door behind him.

"That's good, right?" Vincent wiped his eyes. "Now you can move on with your life and I'll just disappear again..." his voice cracked and he continued to wipe his eyes with the backs of his hands. "I should go..." Vincent stood up and wobbled to the window. He opened it and a cold gust of wind hit him hard. It wasn't very high up and there was something of a railing to grab onto. He held onto it and manuevered himself over the side. He jumped down and started walking. He left the castle, the gate, the vampire and started walking. Through the woods to find whatever humans were closest. But, he never made it that far.

"I knew there was something behind that performance," a smooth voice and a pale hand grabbed Vincent from behind, covering his mouth. "You're human..." he frowned. The blackness of his hair was enough. Vincent knew this was Sebastian. "You smell...sweet?" his eyebrows furrowed as his nails dug into the side of Vincent's face, making him bleed. Sebastian licked the blood, making Vincent cringe.

"Does Dracula not want his pet anymore?" he snickered. "Let's see if that's true..."