Page 68 of Vampire's Cupcake
Thano was stirring the oatmeal.Eli was in the shower.He'd been surprised when he'd seen the bathroom behind the kitchen.Thano had shown him where he kept his towels and told him to wash up.
He had to get more food.Could he go to Eli's shop?He didn't want Eli back in Last Hope.Either they'd have to clear out the board again or he'd have to keep Eli here.Since they'd agreed to leave the people of Last Hope alone at the last meeting, he was leaning toward keeping Eli here.Romeo most likely didn't want his coven to stay with him for an extended period, and he feared Ciar would end up biting one or two of them, but he wasn't sure what to do about it.
There was a soft knock on the door, so Thano pulled the pot off the heat and went to open it.
When Emeric looked at him with wide eyes, he realized he'd only put on pants before they left the bedroom.He never showed himself undressed.
"Yes?"
Emeric said nothing, he simply stared.
"Emeric."
Wide eyes jumped to his."Sorry.I...eh..."
The bathroom door opened, and Eli walked out dressed in nothing but jeans.His hair was wet and tousled and there were a few droplets he'd missed on his shoulder.
"Oh..."Emeric's gaze was fastened on Eli, his pupils widening, and before he could stop himself, Thano snarled.
"Don't look at him!"
Both Eli and Emeric jumped at the outburst.Thano ignored them."What did you want?"
Emeric's gaze almost reached Eli again before he yanked it back to Thano."We're...eh...are a few who'll go into Last Hope to feed.You said we were allowed to if we stayed hidden."
Thano took a calming breath."Yes, be careful."
Emeric's gaze moved toward Eli again, but Thano sidestepped to block it.Eli snorted behind him, but Thano ignored it."You'll be back in time for the meeting."
Emeric nodded."Of course."Then he gathered the shadows around him and disappeared.Thano shut the door.
"Come eat."Thano moved toward the kitchen where he grabbed a bowl from one of the cupboards.Eli pulled on a shirt he'd left draped over a backrest of one of the kitchen chairs and stepped closer.He was boxing Thano in against the counter.He could get away of course, but he didn't want to.
"What made you turn into a grumpy bear?"Eli kissed his bare shoulder.
"I'm not a bear."
Eli sighing against his skin shouldn't make him shiver."What's wrong?"He snaked an arm around Thano.The motion surprised him.No one ever touched him, and no one ever cared if he was being grumpy or not.He blew out a breath and poured the oatmeal into the bowl.
"I think we're gonna let Last Hope be."
Eli grew still behind him.He wasn't breathing which was unnerving.
"Let it be?How do you mean?"
Thano nudged him a little, gesturing at him to sit at the table.He placed the bowl in front of Eli."I don't have anything to put on it, sorry."He should go back to Eli's and get the apple sauce.It would go bad where it was and he could use the vitamins or whatever.
Eli only stared at him, not acknowledging the oatmeal."What do you mean with let be, Thano?"
"Leave it as it is.We don't need Last Hope.We've allowed it since they've never harmed us and the vampires need somewhere to hunt.The crows find joy in watching the humans do their weird things, but we don't have to be involved."
Eli stared at him."I need it."His voice was nothing more than a whisper."My life is there.The shop, my house, my things."
Thano weighed his words."You can't go back."
"What?"Eli's voice bounced around the kitchen area.
"It's not safe.I want you here."Thano could see it was the wrong thing to say, so he pulled out the chair next to Eli and took his hand."Eli.I want you with me at all times.I know it's overwhelming at the moment, but Romeo is happy here.You can be happy here too, with me."
