Charity Case

“Obviously,” she nodded. “We would be horrible people if we allowed him to walk around ill. It would only increase our attractiveness in his eyes that we care so much about ensure a perfect bill of health,” Adalina teased. “I’m so fucking kind. You’ll see just how kind I am.” 

“Never mind the disservice we’d be doing the public. His illness could spread and before you know it countless people could be turning us and other attractive people down,” Emrys continued with a laugh. “We’re doing everyone a favour. You buying the next round of drinks then?” He joked teasingly, knowing exactly what she had been implying. 

Addison could only roll her eyes at the Bordeaux, arms crossed as she waited for her slip to get picked up and sandwich made, “if she was then I doubt she’d be married to you. And, I don’t know–– these days I’d rather have more friends than not.” With enemies coming from every which way, it wasn’t overstating it to say that having more allies and friends was a safer bet than not.

“I’m the gay one who suddenly has a wife, why shouldn’t she be gay as well. Perhaps we got married because of the benefits before gay marriage had been legalised,” Emrys joked. It didn’t take a genius to know what Addison meant, “I think I’d still rather have a few good friends who I know have my back, rather than a lot who might stab me in the back.” 

“Birds of a feather,” she chuckled, reaching up to pull loose the tie that held up her inky black hair. Mallory made a sound mock offense at her brother’s words. “I wiped your ass for crying out loud. Where is the loyalty?!”

“The problem with being the youngest is that most our siblings could make that argument,” Emrys chuckled. “And, I only have your word on it. Seeing as I can’t quite remember back to the days of being a baby. Let me get you a drink, to apologise and congratulate you on winning.” 

My only enemies are the Davenports and I can assure you I’ve never slept with one of them.

I no longer hate myself for being one... but I wouldn’t go that far. 

Does it come with its drawbacks? Yes. But it also links me to my siblings, and that far outweighs any negative. 

This may ruin my reputation but no. That would definitely be Thaddeus. 

“And yet, he had few friends and was always watching his wife run off with someone else. Hopefully appearances are all you share with him?” Addison quirked a brow before stepping forward to see the board, grabbing one of the papers and pencils beside it where she could scribble down her order and put it on the counter. 

“There’s nothing wrong with having few friends, as long as they are good ones, and the other part doesn’t bother me. Honestly, if I had a wife I’d probably be wanting to run off with her lover too. Unless she was gay... then I wouldn’t be so interested,” Emrys mused with an amused smile. 

“One of my numerous skills,” the brunette said with a little grin on her face before eyeing the male. “It’s kind of a compliment because I wouldn’t have wasted so much energy on you if I didn’t like you a little bit.” Her hand lifted, barely separating her thumb and index to show him just how little that was. 

“And do your other skills include sharpening your nails into perfect little knives, and spotting a person’s weakness in seconds?” Emrys teased. If the vampire had gained anything from his long life it was the ability to find amusement in the little things that would affect others negatively - like some insulting you. “I’m honoured that you like me a whole two millimetres worth.” 

“Ah it’s quite all right. He was just glad to see a familiar face. Nobody likes being detained at a police station. We can’t all compel our ways out of situations.” She chuckled, though knew that the words he spoke had an honesty in them. “Didn’t want to waste your time, Emrys.” 

“Even those of us that can compel our way out of situations don’t like being detained at a police station. Especially when the police station in question is one chock full of hunters on vervain,” Emrys replied with a laugh. “Trust me, the only one who wastes my time is me.” 

“I can’t feel too bad, they knew what they were getting into,” she shrugged, easily. The original unwrapped her hand and flexed her fingers. Her knuckles ache only slightly and the twinge was welcomed. “Besides, it’s not like I was trying to kill them. The fight would have been over faster if that were the case.”

“You would have thought one of their friends would have warned them not to fight an original vampire, especially one who actually learned how to fight,” Emrys replied, watching his sister’s opponent walk back towards their friends. “Although, I won’t lie. I did want them to win. Can’t help but root for the underdog.” 

“Wow,” the brunette said with a little nod when the male immediately stood up for himself and his nose. It was a little impressive since she would have assumed that something like that would have been a person’s one hated trait. “I have to give it to you. It might be big but you own it.”

“Do you often compliment and insult people in the same sentence?” Emrys asked with a raised eyebrow. “Or are you just being particularly cruel to me?... Or kind. You just go around insulting people.” Emrys had many traits he didn’t like about himself, but his looks wasn’t one of them. It may have made him seem arrogant at times, but there was nothing wrong with liking the way you look, in his opinion anyway. 

“That’s your opinion, after all. Besides, your vigorous attempt at flirting makes it all up for the looks. Subtle big dick energy — I’ll take it.”

“I think there’s a compliment in there somewhere...,” Emrys laughed. “I’m guessing big dick energy is a good thing anyway.” 

“If by “Greek god” you’re talking about Hephaestus, then sure, I can see the resemblance, Bordeaux.” The god born so ugly he was thrown from Olympus–– didn’t seem too far fetched. “And I wasn’t staring, you’re in the way,” Addison gestured to the letter board menu he was blocking. 

“I might find offence in that, but I rather admire the clever come back,” Emrys replied honestly with a light laugh. He doubted many of people would have thought of that. “Besides, he may have been ugly but he was also, arguably, one of the more skilled gods.” Emrys glanced behind him before stepping to the side.