Painted in Blood

A/N: I’m looking for a good beta who would be willing to help me out with this. If you are interested please leave a comment or email me at simple_script AT hotmail DOT co DOT uk.


Chapter One

Resting a pale cheek on his palm Gabe scribbled down brief notes on the class’s half term assignment. They had gotten one last year too. Apparently holidays were not applicable to art students.

“The project is titled, ‘student life,’ in which you have to implement everyday student life into an art form.”

The sides of Gabe’s mouth curved downward, hadn’t last year’s class done this too? Snapping his book closed he shrugged it off. No point in complaining really he still had to do the work regardless, especially with Megan as his tutor. The tall, red headed woman took no prisoners and demanded a hundred and ten percent from her students. This often earned her hidden sneers and whispered jibes from the others but Gabe found he liked this aspect of her, he liked it a lot.

Megan summarised that day’s class and allowed them to leave early for the weekend. Gabe guessed that no one would be badmouthing her for that.

Packing away his items and standing to leave Gabe felt his shoulder being tapped gently from behind. Turning his head he frowned at the sight of a very shy and very nervous looking Stacey, or was it Becky? The two had never really spoken before so he forgave his own ignorance.

He watched as a light blush crept onto the corners of her face as she twisted and curled her fingers. The girl darted her eyes across the room to her staring friends, blushed harder and then twitched her fingers again.

“Hi Gabe, I was...I mean we were all talking about that new jazz club that opened last week, you know the one right? It’s supposed to be pretty good, well that’s what the papers say and we were all wondering if you’d be interested in going with us tomorrow.” Linking her hands together she gave him a shaky smile. “It’s not just us girls though some guys will be there too. It’ll be...fun.”

Gabe doubted that she could turn a shade redder than she currently was, not without passing out anyway. Maybe she needed to go and see a doctor about that.

Lifting up his bag he shook his head, chocolate brown locks to falling across his brow.

“I’ll be busy with the assignment all weekend.” It was true, the sooner he got this finished the better. He couldn’t afford to fail the class not if he wanted to get into the University of his choice. So far he had been a top student but things could quickly change if he didn’t stay focused.

Gabe wasn’t a fool, he knew that the girl had a crush on him, that she had wanted him to say yes in hopes of them starting some kind of relationship but he wasn’t cruel enough to give her false hope.

He’d been approached by many girls that year and each time he had rebuffed their advances. Not because he enjoyed the extra attention it seemed to bring him but simply for the fact that he wasn’t interested. He never had been. In all honesty he couldn’t remember a time were a female had held his attention. Whilst other guys had been discovering their sexuality Gabe had been engrossed in a paintbrush and canvas. People had questioned him about his lack of enthusiasm for social and sexual play and then had laughed and jeered at the response given. It seemed that, ‘because I’m just not interested,’ was not a valid answer.

Of course his body was not completely ignorant to nature. Gabe would sometimes awaken with a painful ache between his legs and evidence of a traitorous release marking his sheets. On rare nights he would jolt out of a hot, enrapturing dream that would later elude his memory. His body would be sensitive and sore and crying for release. It was those moments that proved despite what many believed Gabe Levay was in fact human.

Choosing to ignore the crestfallen look on the girls face and the wittering girls behind him Gabe left the room trying not to feel too bad. He’d never given her any signals to indicate he felt romantically inclined; her feeling bad had nothing to do with him.

His thoughts were disturbed by the yelling of his own name. Tightening his hand around the strap of his bag he scowled at the familiar sound and prepared himself for a verbal onslaught.

“Gabe, wait up man!”

Slowing his pace Gabe sighed and waited for the thin, shaggy haired teenager to catch up to him. Who knew that Dominic would end up at the same college as him? Who knew that beneath that hair and mouth he actually had a brain?

Gabe had been made a reluctant friend of Dominic’s in high school. They’d been assigned together as partners in English class. Gabe had found the loud boy annoying at first but as they worked together he realised how eager Dominic was to learn and do better. One day Gabe had offered to help Dominic out with a piece of coursework he was struggling with. The brunette had eagerly agreed and with Gabe’s help had received a B-. From that day forward Gabe had been unable to shake the guy off. He still couldn’t make up his mind if helping the guy with his work bad been a good thing after all.

Dominic had always been popular, social and surrounded by a group of people. By taking an interest in Gabe he had brought him into the spotlight. People had started asking questions about the quiet, pretty boy. Girls had eagerly propositioned him whilst the boys had tried to drag him into their circle. Gabe learned to stay silent and wade through it. By the time high school had ended and college began people went their own way and Gabe found himself in peace, with the exception of Dominic. The brunette had taken a mechanics course and gotten a part time job at a cafe. From what Gabe could tell he was doing pretty well.

“Hey!” Stepping into stride beside Gabe the brunette grinned down at him. Gabe reckoned Dominic had at least four inches on his five foot seven frame. The brunette had undergone a growth spurt over winter but was still as skinny as the first time he had laid eyes on him.

Whereas Dominic was skin and bone Gabe was slender and trim. Gabe’s hair was dark brown and fell messily over his eyes which were a steel grey. The art student didn’t know where he had inherited this colour from. Both his parents had blue eyes but he guessed it was from his mother’s side of the family. He was often being told that he’d gained his looks from her and never knew whether this was a compliment or not. His mother was beautiful, stunningly so but she was a woman. Was it a good for his looks to be compared in such a way? Gabe didn’t think so.

“So what are you doing this weekend man? A bunch of us are going into town. You interested in joining us?”

“I’m busy.”

“Oh come on! You’re always busy. You need to loosen up once in a while you know?”

“No.”

Huffing Dominic searched his pockets before stuffing a piece of gum into his mouth.

“You’re either at that gallery or locking yourself away to work on some project. It’s not healthy for an eighteen year old guy. You need to get a girlfriend to help relive all that pent up tension. Come on you know I’m right!” Gabe glowered at the suggestive nudge to his side. Dominic could be a real ass sometimes. Refusing to get into another discussion about his sex life Gabe lifted his head and picked up the pace.

“I don’t need a girlfriend Dom. I’m fine.”

“Yeah mate, sure you are.”

~*~

Saturdays were always busy at the gallery and today was no exception. Mostly it was couples that passed in and out of the doors but today they had five tours in the morning and six for the afternoon. What made it worse was the receptionist Emily had somehow managed to double book a party of ten and a party of fifteen. It was mayhem and Gabe had been given the job of taking the delayed, pissed off second group around the exhibit. He’d only been here for three weeks and apparently was now a fully trained guide, wonderful.

Sighing Gabe dropped his body into a chair and sipped on his hot coffee. Thank god for lunch breaks.

“You look like your having as much fun as me love.” Gabe watched as the petite, thirty something woman sat herself opposite him with a loud groan. “Oh someone please just kill me now!”

Danielle was the assistant curator and had worked at the gallery for seven years. She knew the story and history to each piece of art inside the building. Gabe had found himself liking her immediately even though she did talk a little too much for his liking.

Kicking out her feet Danielle stretched back and yawned. The action reminded Gabe of a lazy cat.

Eyeing the attractive teenager opposite her she grinned. “Want to know a secret?”

Placing his cup down Gabe shrugged. “You’re going to kill Emily on Monday?” His comment was met with a low, evil chuckle, it was the most unnerving sound he had heard Danielle make yet.

“Apart from that love.”

It was funny how Danielle seemed to end all her sentences with ‘love,’ when addressing someone. Gabe had heard her use it many times on other people but no one seemed to mind. When it came from a freckle faced, bright eyed woman it could hardly be misconstrued as patronising.

Tilting his head to the side he raised an eyebrow. “I give up.”

Another chuckle but this time it was more sincere and less homicidal. Crossing her legs Danielle leaned in close and lowered her voice.

“You know that contract we’ve been after for over a month? The one that everyone has been bending over backwards for? Well we finally managed to secure it yesterday. The new exhibit is due in two weeks! Great news for the gallery right?”

Leaning into his chair Gabe folded his arms and nodded. He hadn’t heard much about the new exhibit except that it had been created by an upcoming artist. Any other details had been kept under tight lock and key by the big bosses. Someone who worked on the gallery floor wasn’t privy to such information.

“Yeah that is good news. Congrats.”

Snorting Danielle lifted her palms upward in disbelief.

“You sound so disengaged by this Gabe. The gallery has just landed the new Yates contract and all you can say is congrats?”

Frowning Gabe jerked his head up. “Wait a second. Did you just say Yates? As in Alexander Yates?”

Smiling Danielle lifted her chin haughtily. “Oh, so that got your attention huh? Yes love the Alexander Yates’ work will be on display right here. Unreal isn’t it? This is going to bring in so much interest from the press and the public. It’s an amazing opportunity for us.”

Picking up the mug of coffee Gabe continued to sip it unaware that it was now partially cold. His mind was racing. Alexander Yates, Danielle was right about this being unreal. He’d been a fan of Yates’ work for years. When he was fourteen Gabe had been in a book store searching for anything that could help him with a realism piece he was working on. He remembered looking through a large book and being enraptured by several images that were all under the same name, Alexander Yates. Gabe had bought the book and any others he had come across with the artists name in since then.

However Gabe never found any images of the guy. Online searches came up with pictures of Yates’ work but nothing of the man himself. Apparently he was very private man and had been born in Britain but apart from that no one knew anything more. The guy was an enigma and his paintings were becoming highly sought after. The last one had sold for a six digit figure.

“On another note my dear what fun activities have you got planned for this evening?”

Finishing his drink he walked over to the sink to clean it out. The first day he had started working there Gabe had winced at the state of the staff’s cutlery. From then on he made sure to bring in his own cup and keep it separate from everyone else’s. Everyone else could do what they wanted but he refused to be struck down by E.coli.

“I have an assignment to work on. It’s titled, ‘student life,’ but I have no clue what to do as of yet.”

“Hmmm. Well pardon me for saying so but I find your project to be highly amusing or rather I find you to be highly amusing.”

Gabe looked over his shoulder at the seated woman. “And why is that?”

“It’s no wonder that you don’t have a clue what to do love. Every time I ask about what you have planned you’re either studying or working. No offence but if you don’t put yourself out there and have a little fun you’ll be getting a nice big fail for this piece.”

Standing up she crossed over him and placed a manicured hand on his arm. “Trust me in order to do a project on student life you have to act like student. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that one out.”

Giving his arm a slight squeeze the small woman straightened her back and walked to the door. Halting she turned around a smile pulling the corners of her mouth up. “How great would it be,” she murmured her eyes alight, “if we actually got to meet Alexander Yates?”

Gabe stayed silent because he knew if that was to happen it would be a very great thing indeed.

~*~

Gabe was cold, wet and wondering what the hell he was doing standing on a dark corner at nine pm. His brow wrinkled as one name came to mind, Danielle. This had been her idea right? To go out and have fun. It seemed as though the two of them had a very different perspective on what the word fun meant.

After she had left him alone Gabe had contemplated her words. Maybe she was right? Maybe in order to get inspiration he needed to go out and get a feel for what his classmates experienced. So he had picked up the phone and called Dominic. The brunette had been more than happy to arrange a night out. Dominic had suggested a mosh pit, Gabe suggested the jazz bar. He’d been met with resistance at first but eventually won Dominic over to the idea. The brunette said he’d arrange for some people to join them and would meet on the clubs corner at nine pm. It was now nine ten and Dominic had yet to make an appearance.

Tightening his arms around his torso Gabe clenched his teeth against the cold. He’d opted for jeans, shoes and a red silk top. What he hadn’t considered was a winter coat with a hood. His hair and clothes were now soaked from the earlier rain and he had lost the backing for the silver stud in his ear.

Checking his watch again he sighed in annoyance. Five more minutes, if he wasn’t here by then...

“Well aren’t you a pretty picture?”

Scowling Gabe pushed himself away from the wall.

“No thanks to you. You said you’d be here at nine.”

Holding up his hands Dominic grinned. “I’m sorry but the taxi was running late due to the weather. Man that was some rain wasn’t it? Anyway I ran into these lovely ladies. I think they’re from your class right?”

Gabe scanned the familiar faces standing with the brunette. A few of them he didn’t notice, he guessed they were friends of Dominic’s but several of the girls he recognised. His eyes fell on the last person in the group and realised it was the attractive blond that had asked him out the day before. Guilt tugged at the pit of his stomach. What was she thinking right now? Probably that he was a lying bastard by the way she was avoiding his eyes. Gabe decided he would try to explain his reason for being here later. Maybe she would come to the conclusion he was crazy and realise she’d had a lucky escape.

Clapping his hands together Dominic ushered everyone towards the clubs door.

“Come on people let’s see what the hype is all about. I vote if its garbage we go to Murphy’s across the road.” Gabe hid a smirk as his friends comment was met with groans of, ‘no way.’ It was good to know he wasn’t the only one who felt that way about the brunette’s music preferences.

They passed by the doorman who gave them a nod of approval and walked down several steps. The club appeared to be underground. Gabe had to give the owner points for originality.

The steps led down to a wide open area with plush chairs and loveseats outlining it. The lights were dim and complimentary of the earthy brown and peach colours. A bar was at the far end of the room and a large chandelier hung in the middle. Gabe had to admit he was impressed this place was classy. It was surprising that the others had suggested this place. They seemed more like the kind who would go out dancing to the latest chart music rather than spend an evening in a place like this.

A live band of four was performing on stage they all looked to be in their mid forties and fifties. Gabe could tell from the way they played that they were well experienced. It wouldn’t have surprised him if the guy with the saxophone had been born with it in his hand. The crowd seemed entranced by the music, deep, personal notes reaching out and drawing them in. Gabe found himself so fascinated by their music that he didn’t hear his name being called until Dominic yelled it directly in his ear. Jumping at the noise Gabe shot him a withering glare which the brunette didn’t even acknowledge.

“Find us a seat man. We’re off to the bar, what you drinking?”

Gabe had never rated alcohol. Once when he was fifteen he’d gotten drunk off champagne at his cousins wedding. The next day when he’d woke up curled around the toilet seat he promised himself to let never get into such a state again. Gabe figured the best way to do that was avoid alcohol all together.

“I’ll have a coke.”

Dominic opened his mouth to complain but then sighed and hung his head. “I should have known.” Walking away to join the others at the bar the shaggy haired teenager turned his head. “Let me guess diet right?”

“No just regular thanks.”

“Oh wow you rebel.”

Gabe ignored the sarcastic remark and went in search of any available seats. The room was full of groups that ranged in all ages. Some looked uncomfortable and out of place with Dominic being one of them but most of the crowd seemed happy and relaxed. The place had a good vibe going on.

He found a large table with surrounding chairs at the side of the stage. It was a good location to see the band but would probably be a little cramped. Sitting down Gabe ran a hand through his now partially dry hair. He’d tried styling it with some products but he was so inexperienced at doing so that it had fallen flat and greasy. Gabe had washed out the gel and decided to leave it as normal.

His sense of fashion had never been lacking. He knew the latest trends and kept his wardrobe up to date with the high street labels. What Gabe couldn’t understand was how Dominic could go out with his monthly wage from the cafe and spend it all on nothing. A ripped up shirt for sixty pounds? Gabe could never justify spending that much on an item of clothing.

As the group returned with their drinks and sat down Gabe found himself squashed between some male friend of Dominic’s and a girl from his class. He didn’t know either of their names but they seemed pleasant enough. Gabe was glad that the mood wasn’t awkward between any of them until one of the girls across the table leaned over towards him. She had cold blue eyes and an upturned nose. Gabe found himself not liking her before she even opened her lipstick streaked mouth.

“So why did you turn down Tanya’s invitation yesterday? She told us that you were busy.” Her lips curved into a sly grin. “Just not interested were you? Well I guess that’s understandable. A good looking guy like you could have pretty much anyone they wanted.” She flashed him a wide smile that revealed big, overly white teeth. The image was similar to that of a hungry shark.

Gabe looked over to the blond from yesterday who had her eyes cast to the floor. There was no red face or shy smiles this time; she looked like someone had just kicked her dog. Fingers tightening around the glass in his hand Gabe fought the urge to pour it over the snide girls head. Wasn’t she supposed to be Tanya’s friend? And why were none of the other girls defending her?

Mouth thinning into a straight line Gabe summed up the shark girl in one word. Bitch. It was tempting to tell her but he doubted it would do any good. If anything it would probably only antagonise her and cause further hassle for Tanya. Instead he thinned his lips, narrowed his eyes and decided to take the higher road.

“Well...I would have said yes but then she told me that you were planning to come along too. It put me off the idea immediately.” Okay, maybe more like the middle road. Either way the insulted look that replaced her spiteful one was worth the little slip.

Gaping open mouthed at his usually stoic friend Dominic cleared his throat loudly. It was the only noise being made at the now silent table.

“Uh...so this band is pretty good right? Not my kind of thing but still...”

Voices rose in agreement and slowly conversation started up again. Gabe stayed silent and cast another look over to Tanya. Her eyes were now off the floor and on him, the small pink blush and smile had returned. Gabe was glad to see it but he realised what situation he’d just gotten himself into. Now that he had implied an interest in spending time with her she was bound to ask again. When that time came he would have to be more delicate with his words.

The song that was now playing became slower and soon began to ebb away, a sign that it was now over. On stage the drummer leaned over to his microphone and addressed the crowd.

“It’s just come to our attention that an old buddy of ours is in the crowd tonight. Now he’s a little shy but if we all put our hands together I think he’ll find it in his heart to come up here and play a song with us.” The speech seemed to work as everyone in the club began to cheer and clap their hands but as the seconds ticked by into a minute and no one approached the stage the raised voices soon died down. Sighing the drummer leaned forward again shaking his head. “Come on up man, don’t make me come out there and get you!”

A soft tapping of shoes then echoed on the clubs wooden floor. The drummers’ threat had done obviously the trick. Arching his neck Gabe watched as a tall man dressed in a black suit approached the stage. The mystery players’ back was turned to the crowd but you could see he had soot black, waist length hair. The dark locks cascaded over his back like woven silk. Gabe bet that this guy could give him some decent styling tips.

The man seated himself at the piano giving the club a full frontal view. After getting a good look at the man’s face Gabe felt his body tense up and his heart jerk. Was this guy real? He was unlike anything Gabe had set eyes on before. A firm jaw framed probably one of the most handsome faces this planet had to offer. The man’s skin was tanned and Gabe found himself wanting to run a finger across it to see if it was as smooth as it looked. Every inch and contour of the man screamed out sexual masculinity, the way he held himself, the way his long fingers reached out to caress the ivory keys in front of him. Gabe drank in every aspect of the man feeling his body grow more and more heated as he did so.

As the silent man began to play and the band followed Gabe found himself being drawn in by the hot, seductive sound. The music dripped with sensuality and it was painful to think that this vibe was being created by just one man.

Gabe didn’t lose himself completely until the players’ eyes lifted their concentration from the keys to the crowd. They were molten green orbs, hot, wild and strangely feline. The art student felt time and reality slip away from him. In this world all that existed were him and the pianist. The man’s tongue darting out to lick his bottom lip as he played, his long fingers reaching out, pressing, touching, stroking...

“You okay Gabe?”

Startled out of his private world Gabe looked at the boy beside him with wide eyes.

“Sorry?” Wait...Was that his voice? He sounded out of breath.

“You look a little flustered. Are you okay?”

Blushing Gabe shifted in his seat and nodded his head. What had just happened and why was his body aching like...like he was...

Mortified at the idea he had just become aroused by a complete stranger Gabe jumped out of his chair. His legs were weak and his mind dazed.

“Hey Gabe you alright man? You look really out of it.” Dominic was getting up and walking towards him.

Afraid that his friend might put two and two together Gabe took a small step back and held up his hand warning the brunette off.

“I-I feel a little light headed. I think I’m going to get some fresh air.”

Ignoring the calls that followed him he hastily moved towards the doors. Had someone spiked his drink? His body had never lost control like that before. He had never lost control like that before. As he exited the club the dull ache in his body began to subside as the cool night air started to sharpen his senses.

Gabe stayed like that for several moments, steadying himself against the wall and trying not to over analyse what had occurred in the past ten minutes. Okay so he had become aroused it wasn’t a big deal. Guys had this problem all the time. A moment of weakness that was all it had been.

A moment of weakness for another man?

Face draining of colour Gabe cursed the voice in his head. His sexuality had been questioned by others before. He didn’t want to date a girl so how about a boy? That was it wasn’t it? It wasn’t that no one held his interest it was that no girl held his interest.

Gabe had denied these accusations. He had never been interested in men. Muscular arms and tight abs did as much for him as large breasts and a slender waist.

But those eyes, those hands, that mouth...

He needed to get away from here.

Fumbling for his phone he sent Dominic a quick message.

Not well. Going home. See you Monday.

Forget the damn research he growled inwardly. He had managed to get by before and he would do so again.

~*~

A week had gone by since the incident at the club and Gabe managed to forget what had happened. Dominic had called him the next day to see how he was and to tell him that he was now dating a new girl. Gabe gave the relationship a week and if Dominic was really fixed on her then he gave it three.

Gabe was pleased with the progress of his project. After many hours of thinking the idea of a paper-mâché student had sprung to mind, covered in a collage of everyday materials. He had finished making the faceless student just yesterday and now collecting bus tickets, student discount cards and anything else he could get his hands on.

Since it was half term Gabe had been spending most of his time at the gallery. He needed the extra money and the gallery needed extra hands in preparation for the new exhibit. Gabe had been more than happy to help.

It was Saturday afternoon when things got interesting. Gabe was arranging the delivery of some new leaflets when Danielle rushed up to him panting.

“He’s here!” She exclaimed between deep intakes of breath.

Placing down the phone Gabe raised a questioning eyebrow her. Rolling her eyes Danielle grabbed him by his sleeve and led the way to the gallery entrance.

“Alexander Yates you idiot,” she hissed, “And you won’t believe it when you see him.”

Shocked at Danielle’s words Gabe let the small woman pull him into circular entrance. Was this for real? Was going to meet Alexander Yates, one of his inspirations and idols? Excitement sparked across his skin.

“There he is.” Danielle pointed to a man standing by the door speaking to the curator. The man seemed familiar, very familiar.

Gabe’s mouth fell open as realization dawned on him. That was ...Alexander Yates was...no wait it had to be a mistake.

A dark head turned in his direction and Gabe found himself staring into the pair of haunting, emerald eyes.

Alexander Yates, the mystery man from the jazz club.