They were back on the bus. "We're hunting later. When we find a good spot." Lee informed Harper.

Harper smiled. "Okay."

"You have an hour. Two probably." Charlie winked at Anders and they all disappeared.

Anders growled. "I hate them all."

Harper laughed. "Me too. I think Charlie is too happy about this. Well, whatever this is or was? I don't know!"

Anders smiled. "I agree and I don't know either. Our next concert is in two days. I think we will get there early enough to see some sights." He wanted to take Harper somewhere special to him.

"Okay?" Harper didn't know what to say.

"Sorry, I was thinking out loud. Three more concerts and then we will deal with my dad." He was dreading that.

Harper sat on the couch. "What is the deal with your dad?"

Anders sat beside Harper. He touched his hand and found himself holding his hand. "Uh, he's human." Anders said that like he explained something.

"What?" Harper was trying to sit up but he was jelly or goo. Anders was holding his hand. Harper could feel all of Anders' rings. He loved them and his long fingers wrapped around his hand. He didn't know why Anders was appealing.

"When I was turned, my dad kicked me out of the house. He told me never to come back. He disowned me." Anders looked sad. "I went to ask for help and he kicked me out. I was no longer his son."

"Really or are you trying to get pity sex?" Harper couldn't stop himself.

Anders laughed. "I wish that would work with you but I know better, Harper." Harper would never have pity for Anders and Anders didn't want that to be the reason they had sex. He wanted to show Harper what he felt for him. He hoped no pity was involved.

"No. My father and I haven't talked since I was turned... Like I asked for this. He hates vampires. He hates me. He told me I wouldn't amount to anything and never come back. Now, Eve is putting me in a very difficult situation. First with you and now my dad. I'm freaking out just a little. Eve knows my rule with humans." Anders took a breath when he was done. It didn't help to calm him down.

Harper felt his hand wrapped in Anders' hand. "Really. I think you are handling everything very well." He gave Anders a light squeeze. He had the need to comfort this man. He hated to see him upset.

Anders laughed. "Really? I think I'm doing a terrible job so thanks."

"So, are you experimenting now?" Harper teased him.

Anders smiled and nodded. "Sure. How about you?"

Harper shook his head. "No. I have dated vampires but most are jerks. Guys with pointy teeth are just as jerky as the guy without them. The last one cheated and that was over two years ago." Harper saw Anders' expression. "I know that look. You were going to ask. I gave up dating anyone. I was sick of bad dates. I'm sick of guys that suck." He thought about. "No pun intended. They all suck."

Anders nodded and chuckled. They sat in silence for quite a while. It was a nice, comfortable silence. Harper just enjoyed the feel of Anders' hand in his. Harper loved just sitting by him. This was heaven. Anders' thumb was rubbing Harper's knuckle and he was close to letting out an accidental sigh but Harper heard Anders sigh. Harper looked at Anders. He smiled and shook his head.

"That was an accident, not a compliment." He was referring to the sigh. Harper nodded and laughed. He watched Anders smile.

"Glad you did it. I was close." Harper had to admit that.

Anders nodded. He wanted to hate this but he didn't, this was awesome. He loved the feel of Harper's hand. He wanted to be close so he scooted over at the same time that Harper did. They collided and both laughed. Anders was screwed.

Harper broke the silence. "So, how do you know Eve?"

"Oh, well...She helped me adjust to this new life when I was turned. She kept me safe and kept me from humans. I try to stay away from humans. I haven't been alone with a human since I was turned and before you ask, it was twenty-five years ago this fall."

"Wow. I had no idea that she found you. She's great like that. Taking people in and helping them." Harper smiled. He missed his mom.

"So, how, in all of creation, did she get a hold of you?" Anders asked.

Harper looked at the wall and thought about that story. He only knew the parts that Eve told him. "I was a baby when vampires killed my mom and dad and older brother. Eve saved me and kept me. She raised me and adopted me."

"I knew what she was at an early age. She never kept anything from me. We always had a very open relationship but she never talked about work. She never brought it home which sucks right now because I don't know how to help her. I wish she had told me a little. She probably figured she could handle it herself. She is so stubborn like that."

"So, she taught you to fight?" Anders wondered about Harper and Eve's relationship.

Harper smiled. "Yes, to protect myself, really. She figured I would be part of both worlds and I didn't want to depend on anyone else. So, I took self defense classes everyday after school. I'm sorry about that."

Anders smiled as he remembered Harper beating him up. "No. Nothing to be sorry for. You can kick my ass anytime, Harper."

Harper laughed. They were silent again. "So, can I ask how this happened? Uh, you becoming a vampire?" He clearly didn't want it.

Anders looked sad. "Well, it was a very bad date with the wrong girl. You know the song, Black Soul? She inspired it. She turned me without asking me, well, she didn't mean to turn me. She was just going to kill me but it didn't work."

"We were making out in my car at the end of a date when she attacked me. Eve heard me calling for help. The girl left me for dead on the road. I had no idea vampires existed at the time. That's the reason that my dad and I don't talk."

Anders paused. "Well, there are many reasons that we don't talk. Mostly, he doesn't like me or the decisions I make. I'm a vampire, the tattoos, the make-up. Although, that is just for show. All of this." He gestured to himself.

"He hates it all. So we don't talk. I'm curious about what he has to do with any of this. Does he know Eve?" Anders was thinking out loud. "I know I'm not getting those answers. My dad probably won't even talk to me."

Harper stared at Anders and that wasn't a chore at all. "I'm so sorry. Really."

"Hey. I have this family. Krista and Lee and Charlie. Pierce sometimes. This band is my family." Anders sighed. "I have a brother that I love. I see him sometimes too."

"What about your mom?" Harper couldn't help but ask.

"She died when I was little. I don't remember much about her." Anders looked at Harper's hand in his. He was still holding this human's hand.

Harper enjoyed this conversation. Anders had a nice voice. It sounded like how sliding into a hot bubble bath felt. His voice had that effect on Harper. "Okay. How do you go on stage like that? You look so...."

Anders looked at Harper. "What? Hot, sexy and irresistible?" He showed off his devilish smile again.

Harper glared. "... Confident. I was going to say confident." He blushed. "I would be comatose scared."

Anders smiled and inhaled deeply. "Oh, I love it. I love the people, really. Because of them, I get to do a job I love. I go out there for them and give them everything I have. I love to entertain them. I have loved to sing ever since I was a kid. Three, I think."

"I enjoy helping people forget about a bad day, bad breakup or a bad situation. I want to give them somewhere to vent their frustrations. I also love to see pure joy from some songs that we write." Harper loved how Anders' face looked at the moment. He looked relaxed.

"How did you guys even find each other?" Harper was curious. "How did the band even get started?"

Anders smiled and realized that he had talked to Harper all night. "I knew Charlie since we were in kindergarten. I turned him." He said it quickly to get it over with. He waited and looked at Harper. He just looked at Anders with patience.

"Okay? He wanted in when I told him what happened to me. I told him I couldn't be his friend because I was so scared that I would hurt him and he chose to stay with me. I didn't want to lose my friend. That was before that law about not turning humans. I figured that question was coming."

Harper nodded his head. "It was. Sure."

"Charlie knew Lee and Krista from college. Lee and Krista are married but we don't advertise that. They want to keep that a secret so please don't say anything." Anders had to start trusting Harper.

"Of course. I can't believe they're married. I had no idea! They are cute together!" Harper smiled.

"Right. They're gross is what they are." He chuckled. "Lee and Krista love to hide the marriage. They want to keep it a secret. They were vampires when I met them. We began practicing and found a guy who wanted a shot at managing a band... Pierce."

"We mostly got lucky. We played clubs and bars, the usual start ups. We did fairs and got a huge fan base pretty quick and by the time we got a demo out to the record company, they had heard of us. They signed us on and here we are playing to huge crowds. We even did some talk shows." Anders had to slow down. He hadn't had this type of conversation with someone. Ever.

Harper thought that was amazing and he realized that his life wasn't that interesting. He was glad he was here, sitting beside Anders, talking to him. "That is really cool. Glad it all worked out for you guys. Your fans seem pretty great. I couldn't imagine having that many people know me!"

Harper thought of another question. He had never asked someone so many questions. "Okay. I have another question. I have to ask about the bat?" He loved that bat tattoo on the back of Anders' head and had to ask about it.

Anders ran his hand over his head. "Mostly, it was funny. Bat. Vampire. Krista said it would be creepy. It's very popular. I get asked about it from fans. They take pictures of it. They enjoy it. Sometimes, I feel like that bat, which is really why I got it." He paused and took a breath.

"It's alone and fierce. Everything it hunts, dies. I can relate to it. Don't tell anyone that I said that!" Anders would beg for that request.

Harper looked him in the eyes, which was difficult. "Anders. Not a soul, I promise. I'm sorry you feel alone. If you ever do get lonely, call me. Anytime...As soon as I get a new phone."

He smiled and Anders chuckled. Anders kept smashing Harper's phones. "You can call anytime and we can talk when this is over. Really. I would love to talk to you." Harper could listen to Anders all the time. Him and his 1-900 voice.

"Thanks, Harper. Be careful. I don't sleep much and I just might take you up on that." He warned.

Harper nodded. "I know. I mean it too. I enjoy talking to you." He cleared his throat. "I can't remember ever having a conversation with someone that didn't involve money."

Anders looked at him like he was crazy.

"Oh, let me explain. On every date I go on, I say accountant and here come the money questions. Retirement or savings. I don't mind most of the time but it's a drag on a date. I end up writing them off as a business lunch or dinner. I haven't had a decent date in..." Harper thought about it. "Well...years. I'm a disaster. Sorry. I..uh. Maybe I'm boring?"

Anders laughed. "Trust me. You're not boring. You're hanging out with the coolest band and a bunch of vampires. Hell, you kicked my ass! I don't think you're boring, Harper. You are very interesting." He was very interested in him.

Harper blushed and smiled. Anders thought he was interesting. "Thanks. I'm not as interesting as you are. I don't even have my ears pierced."

Anders sighed. "I have mine pierced enough for both of us." He smiled at him. Harper blushed. "I need to take you out on a date when we get to the next town. I know a place. It's quiet and gets us out of this bus." He was really just talking out loud.

"What? You actually want to take me on a date? I don't know if that is a good idea!" Harper was worried. "What if you don't like me? What if you find out I am boring but you're afraid to hurt my feelings?" He was nervous.

Anders laughed. "Trust me. You're not boring and I don't care about your feelings!" He put his hands on Harper's face and pulled him in and kissed him hard without any warning then Anders backed away. "Does that feel like I don't like you?"

Harper made a noise and kissed him without any warning. Anders wasn't stopping this man. Anders pulled Harper close and pinned him to the couch. His body wanted to press against Harper's body. He loved the feel of his body. Anders didn't want to hurt Harper but he didn't want to move either.

"I don't want to hurt you." Anders mumbled in between deep kisses.

Harper groaned. He pulled away just a little. "You won't. I'm not that fragile! I don't care if you do hurt me, Anders, kiss me again!" He was going to beg but Anders' mouth was on his. Anders slid his tongue in Harper's mouth and Harper's tongue met Anders' tongue.

Anders sighed. He broke contact. "Sorry." He looked at the door. "If you open that door I will kill you! I will eat later." He growled and looked at Harper. He was afraid he was going to scare his man. Anders knew that he looked like a vampire right then.

Harper started laughing. Anders was surprised and joined him. Harper watched as the laugh reached Anders' eyes and Harper swore they almost sparkled. Harper rose up and kissed him. "You should go eat, if you're hungry."

Anders shook his head. "I'm just fine right here. I can heat up something later. Much later. Maybe we can have a late dinner or very early breakfast. I don't actually know what time it is and I don't care."

Harper shook his head. "I can eat later. Sounds..." He didn't get to finish the sentence because Anders was kissing him again. Harper let himself melt into him.

Anders kissed him nice and slow and stopped. "I don't want to have sex with you right now...well, that's wrong. I do want to have sex with you right now. All night. But...I think it would be best if we didn't. However, I want to kiss you for the rest of the night." He wanted to rip Harper's clothes off but they needed to wait for now. Wait. Who was he? The normal him wouldn't have that thought.

Harper smiled. "We are waiting? Oh, waiting for the bondage toys!" He teased.

Anders laughed. "Oh, human. When I get you alone...Shit!" He took a breath. "Uh...I probably won't know what to do with you!"

Harper laughed. "I have been dreaming of what I want to do with you so I can take it from us being alone." He laughed and blushed.

"So, you were looking at my ass!" Anders smiled his devilish smile.

Harper loved that smile. "How could I not! Have you seen your ass in those jeans! I almost drooled when you were wearing those leather pants."

"Good. I was afraid you didn't notice and I would have to work harder." Anders smiled as he gazed into Harper's eyes. "I'll have to get you a pair of leather pants. You are desperately in need of some leather." Anders said but Harper heard a threat in there somewhere. He wanted this man to threaten him.

"I'm taking you shopping. Get you some decent clothes. If you are going to hang out with us, you should at least look nice." Anders smiled a wicked smile.

"What's wrong with my clothes? Well, hold on. These aren't really my usual attire." Harper started to explain as he glared at Anders. He loved that smile.

Anders interrupted. "What's your usual attire?" He smirked.

"Uh, dress pants, suits and ties. Business attire. I'm an accountant!" Harper looked at Anders. His face was close. Harper never wanted to move.

Anders closed his eyes. "Sexy lace underneath? Please say yes!" He opened his eyes and his black eyes were staring at Harper.

Harper laughed. "Yes. I love pretty things." He hadn't had anyone to wear them for and the last guy didn't like that stuff. He wore the pretty stuff for himself. He loved to feel pretty.

Anders sighed. "I could be in love!" He took Harper's mouth with his mouth. He kissed him like no one ever had. Harper didn't want anyone to ever kiss him again. Just Anders.

The rest of the band took all night to hunt. They were trying to give the lovebirds some space. Anders was glad about that. He was getting too hungry to be laying on a human. He needed to eat. "I hate to but I need to eat before I kill you."

Harper smiled. "Okay. I'm hungry too."

Anders reluctantly rolled off and helped Harper up. He put his hands on Harper's waist and pulled him close. Anders growled and kissed Harper. "A freaking human!" He kissed him again. The kiss got intense.

Harper didn't know what changed but this was hotter. More desperate. His hands were touching him everywhere and Anders almost ripped Harper's shirt off. He pulled away. "I need to eat!" He was out of breath and out the door.

Harper was shaking as he walked down the aisle of the bus. No one had ever kissed him with that much intensity. Ever. He didn't even know that was possible and he wanted that to happen again. They were at a bus stop waiting for the band to return.

Anders was in the kitchen already, waiting for the microwave to finish heating his food. Harper pulled out some turkey and cheese and made a sandwich. There was even lettuce.

"Okay. Who is this food for?" Harper didn't have a clue why there was food in here.

"The bus driver. He's human." Anders sounded a little rough. "Sorry. I waited a little too long. I'm sorry." He opened the microwave door and pulled the bag out. He shook it to get rid of the hot spots and let his teeth out all the way. He sunk them into the bag and moaned. He was too hungry. As he was drinking that bag, he put another one in the microwave.

Harper sat with his sandwich. "I should have made sure you ate. You should have hunted with them."

Anders sat with the second bag. He was drinking this one slower. He let go of the bag. "Did I hurt you?"

Harper looked at him and swallowed his bite. "No. That was intense."

"Harper, I'm so sorry. I can't let that happen again. I'm so scared that I'm going to kill you!" Anders was worried and Harper could see concern on his face.

"No. You didn't even hurt me."

"Please tell me if I do."

"Well, I hope we can finish that kiss when we are done eating. That was hot!" Harper blushed.

Anders laughed and drank the rest of his meal. He threw the bag away. "I have never sat with a human and ate. That doesn't gross you out, does it?"

Harper smiled. "No. I'm used to Eve. I have shared a bunch of meals with her. Trust me. I don't notice. Vampires are normal for me, Anders. Really. I'm not afraid of being alone with you and I don't mind eating with you. I have business lunches with vampires and aunts and uncles that are vampires. I'm the only human in my family. This is fine."

Anders shook his head. "You are...How did you even find me? How did this happen? Two weeks ago, if someone told me I would make out with a human and have dinner with him, I would have laughed and then punched him but here we are." He laughed at how absurd this was.

"I know what you mean."

"So, on a scale of one to ten. How was the kiss? Any good?" Anders was teasing him. He loved to tease Harper. He was hoping to make him blush again.

"Barely a one. It's terrible." Harper smirked.

Anders laughed. " I wish it was and I wasn't as interested in doing it some more. My life would be easier if I wasn't attracted to you. If you were a bad kisser, I would shove you off the bus and drive away!"

"Right! I would stake you. But here we are." Harper smiled and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. He took a big drink and another. He took a deep breath. If this was a dream he would love to never wake from it.

It had to be real because his imagination wasn't that good. Anders was perfect. How did someone look like that? He was very appealing to him. Tattoos and piercings and leather. Bald! He was bald and wore more jewelry than anyone he ever met and he found him sexy.

"Are you done eating?" Anders looked impatient.

"Yes. Why?"

"Oh, Harper. I need to kiss you some more. Sorry about before. I damn near tore your clothes off. I still might." Anders stood up and pulled Harper to him. He bumped him gently against the fridge and kissed him.

This kiss was like the last one. They were picking up where they left off and Harper was on fire again. He wanted this vampire. Anders pressed him harder against the fridge and Harper couldn't move if he wanted to. He didn't want to. He could feel that Anders was very aroused.

Harper heard someone walking onto the bus. They were back and trying to be loud. Harper started to let go.

"No. They can go away." Anders growled and kissed Harper deeper and softer. They were one person and Harper moaned when Anders grinded into him. their hard ons rubbed together and sparks flew through their bodies.

"Hey! You can't have sex in the kitchen. Everyone eats here." Charlie teased. Well, he was serious. He was sure his friend was about to take this human against the fridge. He laughed.

Charlie watched a vampire and a human making out in the kitchen and heard the human moan. He was surprised that there was no fear. He sat at the table and waited. Lee and Krista sat also.

"Damn, it is about time!" Lee said. Nothing. Anders didn't even acknowledge them. "You know we are all here right?"

"Don't care!" Anders growled.

"At least go to the back. We aren't moving." Charlie laughed. This was fun. "Hey, I thought you hated each other. What happened?" He knew this was a one sided conversation.

Harper broke the kiss. "We do hate each other. I'm going to stake him later and he is tossing me off the bus."

Anders laughed as he kissed him again. Harper felt the bus moving again.

Anders turned to his band. "Oh, we are taking him shopping when we get there. I can't have him looking like this much longer. It's embarrassing!" Anders teased.

"Just for that you are paying and I am buying all of the expensive stuff!" Harper threatened.

"Deal." Anders smiled at his man. "We are going to bed." He pulled Harper out of the kitchen and down the hall to his cot.

"It's about time!" Charlie yelled.

"Not like that you perv. Sleeping. We are sleeping." Anders said and smiled. "Right?"

Harper glared. "Yes." Then he melted when Anders kissed him again. Maybe. He turned and looked at the sleeping area. "That is a small space."

Anders laughed. "Yes. I know. How do you sleep? Are you a side sleeper or back, belly, What?"

"Side sleeper. I sleep on my left side. Why?"

"I was hoping you were a belly sleeper." He smiled as Harper blushed. "I'm planning. Okay. Climb in." Anders half shoved Harper on the cot. It was on the bottom bunk. He could feel the sun coming up and wasn't ready to see it.

Harper slid over and laid down on his side facing the wall and felt Anders climb in beside him. He closed the cover around the bed and zipped it. Vampires could be out in the daylight but they preferred night time and slept in darkness. Anders preferred total darkness most of the time. He wrapped himself around Harper.

Anders sighed. "I normally sleep naked."

Harper laughed. "So do I."

"Damn it. That backfired." Anders was trying not to picture that but he failed. "Are you comfortable?"

"Uh. No actually, it's not you. These jeans suck. I don't think I can sleep in them." Harper sat up and slid his jeans off and kicked them to the end of the bed and took off his shirt. It went with the jeans. He was wearing underwear to bed, that was more comfortable.

"Holy shit!" Anders was dying.

"Oh calm down. I had to get comfortable." Harper wasn't trying to tease him. "I'm not trying to tease you. I can't sleep with jeans and a shirt."

"You are killing me. Maybe I can't sleep in my pants either." He sat up and took off his leather pants. He was happy that he never put a shirt on after the concert. "Much better." He pulled Harper closer and he gasped.

"Are you naked?" Harper was afraid to turn around.

"Mmm. Yes."

Harper got goosebumps. "You are killing me."

"Now we are even. Sweet dreams." Anders smiled into his hair.

"I hate you so much!"

"Me too. You should be careful. Those briefs are very thin and easy to rip." He was surprised to hear Harper giggle. Anders chuckled and kissed his neck. "Shit!" He felt Harper melt into him. "So, are we doing this?" His lips were on Harper's neck again. Kissing him.

Harper turned and he was wrapped around him. "Please!" He was about to pant for him. Anders' body was naked against his and there was nothing more Harper could do. Anders' body deserved to be loved.

"Damn it!" Anders cursed as he rubbed his hands down Harper's chest. He sighed with pleasure. "Harper. I'm going to kill you!" He smiled and kissed him hard. "You are just beautiful."

"So are you. You feel...so...Holy hell!" Harper gasped. Anders tore his underwear away. Like they were ripped off.

"This is not going to be very good. I will try harder later!" Anders was breathing heavily. "Sorry if this is bad."

"I don't care. Anders, I..." Harper was in love with this man. He couldn't stop himself.

"Turn." Anders demanded and shivers tore through Harper as he obeyed. He turned to his side as he felt fingers sliding inside him. "Let me know if I hurt you." The voice was smooth but the nibble was rough on his ear.

Harper moaned. "Don't care!" He was lost. He moaned as fingers pleased him. "Anders...now!" He was getting demanding. "I'll kick your ass if you don't!"

Anders chuckled. "I'm too turned on to challenge you!" He kissed Harper's neck and adjusted himself as he slowly slid into Harper. They both sighed and moaned at the same time. "Oh, man!"

Harper nodded. "Good!" He was breathless as Anders began to move. He bent over more to get a better angle and that was it. Sparks again. "Anders!"

"I know it!" Anders grabbed onto Harper's brown hair and tangled it in his fist as the movements got rougher. Their bodies jerked into each other. "We'll do this better later!"

Harper was going to agree but the pressure finally exploded as the orgasm hit him hard. Anders was with him. They collapsed on the cot together with nothing but their breath.

Anders felt himself fall in love as Anders slid into him. The second time created the same feelings of love.

Harper woke from a blissful sleep. He was still wrapped in Anders and he wasn't moving. Harper smiled and sighed as he kissed Anders' arm. It tightened around him and Harper moaned. He adjusted his position and they were one person, moving together. Harper heard Anders' sigh in his ear. "I love you, Harper."

"Damn you! I love you too."

"Good." Anders smiled into Harper's neck and sped up. He was screwed but at least he wasn't alone. Harper was screwed too. 

***************************************************

A/N: I hope you are enjoying the story so far... don't forget to vote and leave a comment if you want. I love reading them!