Page 18 of Soren

five

Gabe

Gabeblinkedawakeslowly.Something was off. He could hear the gentle chatter of birds in the pines behind the house. There was no blaring alarm rousing him from sleep.

Meaning he’d forgotten to set one.

Fuck.

He reached blindly for his phone and winced when he saw the time. Five p.m. He hadn’t meant to sleep that late at all. Usually the first day of a stretch of time off, Gabe tried to wake up as early as his body would allow him. Sleeping this late after a night shift meant he’d probably end up staying up all night again, and his sleep schedule would be fucked for the next few days.

And then there was Ferdy. He hadn’t even walked his brother’s puppy before falling asleep, too exhausted to do anything but throw some food in the dog’s bowl and crawl under the covers.

Fuck.Fuck.

Gabe rolled himself out of bed, looking for a pair of sweats in his suitcase, to throw on over his boxers. He stumbled down the stairs, blinking blearily. His eyes didn’t want to open fully, but his body knew the way, even if he was only half-awake.

“Ferdy,” he called out. “Here, puppy.”

No answering bark. No clacking of puppy paws on the hardwood. He turned into the living room and stopped short at the sight in front of him. There was Ferdy, ears cocked and tail thumping slowly. He was snuggled up in a lap.

Soren’s lap.

The petite blond vampire was curled up in a corner of the couch, petting the little bundle of fur lazily, his blond head resting on his other hand. “Good evening,” Soren purred. “Or is it morning for you, Highness?”

Gabe hadn’t seen much of the vampire in the past few days, despite staying in the same house. Gabe had been either working or sleeping, and Soren had, strangely enough, not been taking advantage of the opportunity their close quarters provided to pester him. And Gabe for his part hadn’t sought the vampire out, not wanting to bring up the very necessary conversation of trying another visit with his mom.

Familiar guilt coursed through him.Bad son. Bad brother. Coward.

He pushed the thoughts aside and blinked blearily at the puppy Soren was holding. He’d never known the energetic dog to not come when called. “Is he sick?”

Soren took a second too long to tear his eyes off Gabe’s bare chest—Gabe was so used to living alone he hadn’t even thought to put a shirt on—before answering, “I tired him out. Used my vamp speed to run with him in the woods behind the house.”

The image of Soren—fashionista, club hopper, literal monster—running around with a puppy in the forest made Gabe laugh out loud.

Soren pursed his lips in annoyance. “What?” he asked defensively.

“Nothing. Just the thought of you on puppy duty.”

“What about it?” Soren narrowed his eyes.

But Gabe was too foggy-headed just now to properly tease the vampire. “Just…thank you. You didn’t have to. It was, um, nice of you.”

Soren shrugged casually, but he looked pleased by the thanks. “You’re welcome, Highness.”

Gabe sighed. He was never getting rid of the nickname.

Feeling more alert, he was struck still for a moment by the picture Soren presented, all curled up in the couch. The vampire was wearing some sort of knit loungewear that looked unbelievably soft.

Gabe had had no idea the little monster could look so…domestic.

He cleared his throat. “You hungry?”

Poor choice of words. Gabe held his breath as Soren’s pupils dilated, a new heat filling his gaze. “You offering?” Soren asked, arching a brow.

“Shit.” Gabe blanched. “I didn’t mean… I just need to eat some dinner. You interested?”

“Just messing with you, human. I drank a few days ago. Don’t need yours.” Soren grinned his usual grin, but the heat left his eyes in an instant.

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