The quickest way to thin out Eddieās patience was fear, but a close second was anger,Ā irritation, and whilst heād been entirely prepared to look after his very drunk charge that evening, handling two other drunk men heād never met before was an entirely different game, one he wasĀ veryĀ clearly losing. They were all on the same side, they were all Adrianās friends, yet they were both making it difficult for Eddie to remember that. Despite his warm reception, frustratingly, Luke didnāt answer his most important question and nearly threw Eddie off course entirely with his comments. 'TheĀ Eddieā? Theyād heard āa lotā?
The dhampirās smile tightened, only nodding stiffly in response. He knew better than anyone Adrian had a tendency to run his mouth when inebriated, often playing up, exaggerating ā their recent trip to the infirmary wasĀ moreĀ than proof of that. Irritation began hurtling towards fear, Eddie now concerned about what Adrian might be telling other people. Albeit, there wasnāt muchĀ toĀ tell, Eddie downplaying everything theyād done for the sake of his own feelings, but if anything ever got out, becameĀ exaggerated, theyād be completelyĀ fucked. Feeling his cheeks begin to warm, Eddie tried his best to waylay his worry, figuring the comments could still be applied to a guardian and charge dynamic. He was certainly veryĀ presentĀ in Adrianās life, anyone could see that. Plus, Adrian was a known flirt. It could all be explained. Eddie was still working on convincing himself of that when Henry finally spoke up.
Considering how kindly Luke had responded, and how highly Adrian spoke of him, Henryās apparent attitude was unexpected. He didnāt know the man enough to confirm if he was being goaded, but itĀ certainlyĀ felt like it, Eddieās pretense of a smile falling completely as their gazes met. It confirmed his fears. AdrianĀ hadĀ been talking. But Eddie still couldnāt be sure of the context, of theĀ details, and it certainly wasnāt the place, nor theĀ people, to confirm anything with. Better to talk it it outĀ privately.
Eddie cleared his throat, attempting to calm down. Heād only approached the pair for help, but heād been sent nothing but curve balls and he was still no closer to finding Adrian. Now Henry was challenging hisĀ ownĀ relationship? Questioning their trust in one another? It didnāt register to the guardian that Henry had actually made a good point āĀ Eddie wouldnāt hear it, not when it came from someone he didnāt know, not when it was thrown at him like some kind of accusation ofĀ failure. āRight,ā the blonde nodded, glancing around them again in hopes of spotting Adrian, finding it difficult to maintain his cool. āWell, toĀ me, it sounds like youāre getting involved in something you donāt know anything about. IĀ believeĀ what I see, and I donātĀ seeĀ Adrian. So, where is he?ā
Henry couldnāt help but smile when he noticed Eddie move closer, fronting up to him. As exhausting as time travel and fighting was, he couldnāt deny the thrill of adrenaline, and was always morbidly pleased when his negative assumptions about someone proved true. He didnāt need to jump eras to trust his instincts, and his instincts told him Eddie was controlled by his own fear and would always remain too stubborn to ever work that out. Heād break Adrianās heart, of that Henry had no doubt.
Turning his head to address Luke, he echoed Eddieās question. āāĀ Lukey? Any ideas?ā His friend shrugged, swaying on his feet, barely comprehensible, and Henry decided to push that narrative, admittedly enjoying watching Eddie defend himself when they both knew better.
āYeahā¦ā He winced, acting disappointed as he patted Luke and let him go. It was done in an unconscious effort to protect his friend, Henry allowing Eddie to zero in on him only, the traveller tilting his head in interest. āAnd Iām afraid I donāt know where heās run off to either. But that should beĀ fineĀ with you, seeing as itās not our business?ā Noticing the tightness in Eddieās jaw, Henry shrugged, satisfied heād made a point. āGuess you better go do your job and find him, then.ā
Luke was completely oblivious to the conversation at hand, too busy riding on the dizzying wave the alcohol had delivered. Heroin was far superior of an experience of course, but he was still elevated from the fun night theyād just had, and the fact he was surrounded by people who actuallyĀ likedĀ him, not just tolerated him. Or even totallyĀ despisedĀ him. It was staggering how even just a little show of love went such a long way for a man so deprived of it. The other two were far too caught up in their discussion to even notice Adrian exit the club, but Luke saw him, expression immediately brightening when he did. āAdriannnn! There he is!ā He stumbled on the pavement trying to get closer, and for a second, the dizziness grabbed him. āāĀ Woah. I think I need⦠I better - sit.ā Luke slid ungracefully to the ground, giving his head a moment to right itself before he chuckled. āJeez. Anybody got a smoke?ā


























