* * * *
Thano woke, warm and cozy, with his head on Eli's chest.Oh, this was nice.He ran a hand over Eli's abdomen and glanced out of the window.Daylight.Did it mean they were late?
He pushed up."Are we late?"
Eli opened one eye and grunted.
"Eli, what time is it?When do you open the shop?"
"Saturday."Eli pulled him down again.
"What?"
"It's Saturday.Everything is closed."
Thano relaxed.Perfect.They had all day to figure out cupcakes.He had to get someone to drive Romeo's car here to pick them up.
"How many eggs do we need?"He tilted his head to look up at Eli.
Reluctantly, Eli opened his eyes."Eggs?"
"For the cupcakes.I figured I'd ask Conal or Tuur to come get us, then we'll go to my place and we'll make the cupcakes.I guess we'll have to tell Fala, which will result in the house being packed with crows, but they'll be mad if we make cupcakes without them.And I have my strawberry slicer."
Eli stared at him, then rubbed his eyes."What?"
Was he confused?Had he taken too much blood?Maybe Eli looked healthier than he was, and Thano had hurt him.Ice filled his gut.He had to feed him, but there wasn't anything to feed him.Eggs in all shapes and forms were still only eggs.
Thano climbed over him and hurried out to the kitchen, shivering slightly at the cool air, but he could get dressed later.He opened every cupboard again.Flour.He could've made pancakes if Eli had any milk, but he didn't.
He quickly washed the pot he'd left in the sink in the middle of the night and poured water into it.Then he placed three eggs in it.He wanted Eli to eat more than three eggs, but he didn't know how many eggs they would need for the cupcakes, and he doubted Eli would want to eat ten boiled eggs and nothing else.
Eli stepped into the kitchen, looking more asleep than awake.
"No, you should've stayed in bed."
"Why?"He ran a hand through his tousled hair.
"You're tired."Thano grabbed his arm and steered him back toward the bedroom.Eli frowned at him, but Thano ignored it.He held up the blankets and motioned for Eli to get back inside.
"Thano--"
"Shh."
"The chickens and rabbits need to be let out and fed."
"I'll do it.Stay here!"
Eli stared at him."You'll do it?You can't let them out-out, only in the coops or the rabbits will run away and the chickens will dig up the entire garden."
"I'll do it."He hurried out of the room and was halfway through the living room when Eli called his name.He shadow walked back and poked his head through the doorway.
"Yes?"
"Clothes."
Thano looked down at himself.He was only wearing underwear.Before he could pick up his clothes, Eli was out of bed again."I'll let out the animals."
"No, you should rest."