A door clicked shut behind him, a smile lingering on his face – a silly, genuine expression he hadn't worn in a long time. Despite the chilly night air, his face felt warm, warmer than the jacket he wore. This night reminded him of someone... someone he used to long for.
He shivered, shaking his head to clear the thoughts, and continued his walk at a normal pace. With a sigh, he swiped his hair back from his forehead and, in a blink, vanished into the darkness.
He went into a dark, beat-up diner. A waitress who didn't seem to care about anything walked over to him.
"Velorrr," she drawled, her voice dripping with honeyed sweetness.
"Hi, Lily," Velor replied, gently accepting her fleeting hug before pushing her away slightly.
"The usual?" she asked.
"No, just take-out tonight. And 3 juice boxes," he added with a smile.
“Okay, wait a moment” She said and vanished into the kitchen and come back a moment later with a bag of food and 3 juice boxes in her hand
"Here you go," Lily purred, handing him a paper bag. "Burger with a special seasoning." She winked, her voice heavy with innuendo.
"Thanks, Lily. See you around," Velor replied, taking the bag and exiting the diner.
As he walked, he plucked the straw from the juice box and took a long sip. The rich, creamy flavour of blood spread across his tongue, a smile involuntarily gracing his lips. Since the night he was turned, he'd found himself relishing the taste of blood more than anything else.
He wandered the streets, finishing his burger as he made his way back to the mansion. Upon arrival, the twins greeted him, their formal welcome a familiar ritual. Despite living together for centuries, they insisted on this tradition every time he returned. Velor had long since given up trying to convince them otherwise.
"Here," he offered, handing them each a juice box before heading down to the cellar.
He made his way to Dominick's room and flung open the door to find the Vampire Lord lying on the bed, his eyes closed, his robe thrown on the floor. Velor sat on the bed and began to kick Dominick with his foot.
"For fuck's sake, Velor," Dominick groaned, slapping Velor's foot.
"Get up, you lazy bones. Are you going to sleep all day and all night?" Velor chided.
"What else am I supposed to do when I'm not sleeping during the day?" Dominick grumbled.
"I don't know... maybe go for a sunbath?" Velor quipped, tossing a phone onto Dominick's chest.
"Yeah, yeah. Some vitamin D," Dominick mumbled
"Took you long enough," Dominick grumbled, sitting up and staring at Velor.
"What? Did something good happen?" Dominick asked, noticing Velor's unusual silence. A slow smile spread across Velor's face.
"Interesting," Dominick said, grinning like Velor. "Haven't seen that look in a century."
"Now get out," Dominick said, playfully pulling Velor off the bed and pushing him out of the room.
In the cellar, hidden behind a row of old barrels, was a simple, windowless bedroom. It was furnished with only a king-sized bed with a worn wooden frame and a small, antique chair. This was Velor's room, and after his brief interaction with Dominick, he returned to it and collapsed onto the bed. Despite his earlier tease about Dominick sleeping all day, Velor realised he was at a loss for how to spend his own time during daylight hours. With a sigh, he decided a bath might help clear his head. After a quick soak, he crawled back into bed and drifted off to sleep, slumbering through the rest of the day.
As night fell, Velor awoke, stretching and yawning before heading to the bathroom for a quick shower. He then returned to his room, hopped onto the bed, and began scrolling through his phone.
Velor, with his striking red hair and eyes the colour of a stormy sky, frowned as he tapped fruitlessly at the screen. Removing his glasses, he slumped back against the pillows. A knock echoed through the room, and before he could respond, the door swung open.
"Hey, come eat," Dominick said with black hair pulled into a bun.
"What's on the menu today?" Velor asked, his voice laced with boredom.
"Deer blood," Dominick replied.
"Again?"
"Yeah, Aiden says we need to clear it out before it goes bad. So don't be a jerk, Velor."
"I didn't say anything," Velor retorted, lightly hitting Dominick on the head.
"Hey, I'm the vampire lord here! Stop hitting me."
"Or what?" Velor mocked.
"Fuck you."
"Fuck you too, Dominick. Now let's go. I don't want Aiden scolding me again," Velor said, heading out of the room alongside Dominick.
TThe two vampires walked through the cellar, made their way up the creaking wooden stairs to the dining room, where a blond man in an apron was setting the table. He meticulously placed utensils and lit the candles. Two women with amber eyes and raven hair joined them, pushing a food cart laden with steaming dumplings and red, creamy soup. The aroma of spices filled the room.
"Smells pretty good for deer blood," Dominick remarked, helping the women pour water into glasses.
"My lord, please sit. We can handle this," one of the women said.
"Pen, the six of us have lived together for a century. Just drop the title, we're not strangers," Dominick replied.
"I cannot," Penelope insisted, taking the water jug from Dominick's hands.
"Why is everyone acting like Marcus these days?" Velor chuckled, heading towards the dessert table only to be smacked on the hand by Aiden.
"Well, someone doesn't," Velor muttered, rubbing his hand as he sat down.
"Sit down and be quiet, both of you," Aiden demanded
"You look ridiculous, stop that," Velor said. Dominick puffed out his cheeks in an exaggerated pout, making a show of childish defiance.
Aiden repeated his command, adding a final touch of seasoning to everyone's dishes before sitting down himself.
"I really miss Mable," Aiden sighed. "Eat up and then do whatever you want." He fixed his gaze on Velor, who was already sipping his soup.
As they ate, the conversation turned to shared memories and gossiping
"You know who I met last night?" Dominick asked.
"Who?" Aiden inquired.
"Remember that bastard? The red-eyed, grey-haired dude from the 60s?" Dominick asked, taking a long drink of water.
"I met him with some woman, and guess what? He saw me and ran away," Dominick continued, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Who would be scared of you? You look like a dried currant," Velor quipped.
"That's why I regret biting you that day. You've lived way too long," Dominick retorted, pointing a finger at Velor.
"Yeah, you should be," Velor shot back.
"Living for more than a decade and still acting like a child," Aiden sighed, shaking his head.
"No, seriously, they ran away. I really have no idea why. Usually, they always come and mock me about not being able to walk in the sun, or attack me to get my blood, even though they know who I am. But this time they ran, without fear, just... ran," Dominick explained, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
"But why, though?" Aiden asked, genuinely curious.
"Well, I don't know, but something shady might be going on while we sleep during the day," Dominick said, looking at Velor pointedly.
"Maybe we should prepare our kin. Who knows what those freaks might start," Dominick suggested, his voice taking on a serious tone.
"Especially since we have a mortal in our care," Dominick added.
"Did you realise how suspicious that sounded? The only reason Zach, the mortal, is outside is because we have to protect him, right?" Aiden questioned Dominick.
"Yeah, that's the one," Dominick admitted.
"But it's better to be safe than sorry," Dominick insisted
"Well, thanks for the food. I'll go do some paperwork. Velor, you have some business to discuss with the mayor, right?" Dominick asked, tapping Velor on the shoulder.
"Just some old business," Velor replied, taking another bite.
"Alright then," Dominick said, and left the room.
"Aiden, do you want me to contact The Rosie for the blood stock?" Velor asked, placing his napkin neatly beside his plate.
"Yes, tell them I need some more of the special kind this time. They know what that means," Aiden replied.
"Will do. Just call if you need anything else," Velor said, rising from his chair and leaving the room.
He walked through the familiar halls of the mansion and out into the cool night air. The sudden chill caused his body to shiver slightly. With a flex of his ankle and a deep breath, he vanished into the darkness.
In a blink, Velor arrived at the mayor's house, a quaint white wooden structure like every other house in this quiet town. He knocked, and a moment later, the door swung open. The man behind it beamed at the sight of Velor.
"Oh, you're here! Come on in," the mayor said, stepping back to let Velor enter.
"Good evening, Mayor," Velor greeted him, stepping inside. The mayor's wife, seated on the couch, stood up and gave Velor a warm hug.
"Now, let's talk business, shall we?" the mayor suggested, ushering Velor towards a sitting area.
They settled down and delved into discussions about the inheritance Velor had received long ago – the very town they were in. They spoke of the direction Velor wanted the town to take, reaffirming the fact that Velor was, and always had been, the true owner of this place. This bustling town was once a mere village nestled in the foothills of the mountains, transformed by Velor's influence. They talked and laughed, reminiscing about the past and the things they had done.
When they finished talking, Velor gave them a warm hug and walked out of the house, vanishing into the night once more.
Arriving at The Rosie, a cosy restaurant owned by a fellow moonspawned kin, Velor took in the inviting atmosphere. The warm glow of candlelight bathed the interior, highlighting the soothing blend of light browns and blues. Velor scanned the room, a smile gracing his lips as he saw the throng of patrons chatting and clinking glasses, the air thick with the murmur of conversation and the sizzle of food hitting hot plates, a testament to the establishment's success. A waiter, recognizing Velor, approached him with a welcoming smile.
"Mr. Casso-Terlia," the waiter greeted, giving Velor's hand a respectful shake.
"Where's Oliver?" Velor inquired.
"He's in the kitchen. I'll let him know you're here," the waiter replied with a smile, heading towards the back.
Velor made his way to an empty table by the window, gazing out at the bustling street scene. He watched as people strolled along the sidewalk and cars whizzed by. Suddenly, his eyes caught sight of a familiar figure - Zach. A smile tugged at the corner of Velor's lips,and he considered raising a hand in greeting, but the expression on Zach's face stopped him. Zach, who walked past without noticing him, seemed lost in thought, his shoulders slumped and his eyes downcast. He looked... depressed.
Velor's gaze followed Zach to his chosen table, but his eyes met those of the man already sitting there. Though the man's eyes seemed kind, something about his presence made Velor uneasy, a faint sense of disgust stirring within him.
After a moment, Velor shifted his attention to the waiter, who returned with a chubby man. The man, Oliver, smiled warmly at Velor, and they ascended the stairs to a private room.
"Oliver, Aiden said he needs more of the special kind. You know what he means," Velor stated as soon as they entered the room.
"Ah, yes, the special one - horseshoe crab blood. I must admit, Aiden is an exceptional chef," Oliver replied, walking towards a desk.
"He's never ruined a single drop, not even once," Oliver added.
Velor nodded in agreement. In vampire society, horseshoe crab blood was a rare delicacy, its unique flavour adding an exotic kick to their meals. The taste was unlike anything else - rich, briny, with a hint of copper that lingered on the palate, enhancing the depth of any dish it touched.
But not just any vampire could use this seasoning without ruining it. The slightest misstep in preparation would turn the blood's taste unbearably fishy, a culinary disaster in their world.
"He is indeed," Velor said, settling into the armchair.
"Would you like something to drink?" Oliver offered.
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"Just something warm," Velor replied, watching Oliver busy himself at the desk. A moment later, Oliver presented him with a steaming cup of crimson liquid.
"Here, try my new recipe," Oliver said, taking a sip of his own drink.
"Smells lovely. Is it a wild berry?" Velor asked, inhaling the aroma before taking a sip. The taste was undeniably blood, yet it was infused with the delicate floral and fruity notes of wild berries.
"Some of us don't like drinking warm blood because the temperature can affect the flavour, but in cold weather, nothing beats a warm drink," Oliver explained, taking another sip. He then slid a piece of paper towards Velor. "Give this to Aiden. He'll know how to make it."
Velor nodded in gratitude, but suddenly, the wild berry scent faded, replaced by the faintest hint of copper in the air. It was a familiar scent, one that triggered a primal instinct within him. He set his glass down and concentrated, trying to pinpoint the source of the coppery aroma, but it seemed distant and growing fainter by the second.
"What's wrong?" Oliver asked, sensing Velor's sudden shift in focus.
"Send this recipe and the special seasoning to the mansion. I have to go," Velor announced, abruptly standing up and vanishing in a blur.
He reappeared in the restaurant's bathroom, where he saw the same man he'd briefly locked eyes with earlier. The man was grooming himself in the mirror, glancing at Velor with a soft smile before exiting. Velor recognized the familiar scent from before and followed him out but as the restaurant's door swung open, a gust of wind carried the scent more strongly from outside, confirming his suspicions. He went outside.
He paused outside the restaurant, trying to focus on the fading scent. It was slipping away, forcing him to act quickly. Velor took off, sprinting down one street after another, following the faintest whiff of copper. But with each turn, the scent became weaker.
Finally, as he neared a field bordering a pond—the very same pond where he'd been turned by Dominick—the scent exploded. There, sitting on the dew-kissed grass, was Zach. The sharp tang of blood filled Velor's nostrils, sending a jolt of anxiety through him.
Velor took a cautious step closer, careful not to startle Zach. But Zach seemed unaware of his presence, not even reacting to the noise Velor made. Velor's heart pounded in his chest. Was Zach injured? Has the sunspawned found him? He didn't want to upset Zach further, but he couldn't leave him alone like this.
"I could smell your blood a mile away," Velor finally spoke, his voice laced with worry. He prayed that Zach wasn't badly hurt, but Zach didn't look at him or respond.
"Are you alright?" he asked, but the silence hung heavy in the air.
He sat beside Zach, his voice as soft as a whisper. "I'll stay here," he offered. Velor wanted to reach out, to pull Zach into a comforting embrace, but he resisted the urge, instead gently placing his hands on Zach's back.
"Just tell me if you want me to leave," Velor added, his eyes fixed on Zach's slumped body. Zach was crying now, hugging himself tightly as the cold night wind whipped around them. Velor felt a stab of pain - a pain far deeper than any physical wound - as he witnessed the sadness of someone he knew.
He rubbed Zach's back gently, desperately trying to calm him. The smell of blood, sharp and metallic, hung heavy in the air, slowly fading to a ghostly whisper. Time stretched and blurred as Velor sat beside the sobbing man.
Finally, Zach's cries subsided and he lifted his head. His gaze met Velor's, a silent plea for comfort in his watery eyes. In the half-light, his beaten face was a map of pain, a handprint stark against bruised skin. Tears had carved trails through the dirt on his cheeks. It wasn't the injury Velor had feared, but the sight of Zach's suffering twisted a knife in his heart.
He opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat. Zach beat him to it
"You're probably wondering why I ended up like this," Zach said, his voice raspy from crying. He looked exhausted and defeated.
"Yes, I am," Velor replied, the urge to say more warring with the fear of pushing too hard.
Zach offered a faint smile, then began to speak, pouring out the details, the memories, everything Velor had wanted to know but had been too afraid to ask. Each word landed like a punch, leaving Velor stunned. He'd lived for centuries, seen countless horrors, but the depth of Zach's suffering chilled him to the bone. When Zach lifted his shirt to reveal the huge scar that marked his stomach, Velor felt a surge of anger, but he forced himself to remain calm, offering Zach a quiet space to share his pain.
"I... let's go to Dominick's place," Velor blurted out, cutting himself short as he stood up.
"Huh? Why?" Zach asked, looking up at him confused.
"To treat your wounds," Velor replied, extending a hand to help Zach to his feet.
"If you say so," Zach mumbled, brushing the dirt and grass from his clothes. As he stood, he paused, a puzzled expression crossing his face. "But how? Didn't you just walk here?"
Velor froze, realising his oversight. "Right. Maybe a taxi is a better option." He pulled out his phone, scrolled through his contacts, found the mayor's name, and dialled the number.
They waited in the shadows for five minutes until a sleek black car emerged from the darkness. Velor walked up fast, then looked back to see Zach hesitating, clearly nervous about approaching the vehicle. Velor slowed his pace, waiting for Zach to catch up.
The car ride was short and silent. Velor couldn't bring himself to speak, his mind full of the sight of Zach's injuries. As they arrived at the mansion, Velor opened the door, and the twins approached with their usual greeting. However, when they saw Zach, their smiles faltered, replaced with puzzled expressions.
Velor pulled the twins aside, away from Zach's earshot.
"My lord, we thought we were mistaken about the scent," Pearl began, her voice laced with concern. "We thought it was yours, but why is this human here? And with that face?"
"We'll get into the details later," Velor interrupted, noticing the twins' unwavering stare at Zach. "Just prepare a room for him – use my old one. Some clean clothes and hygiene supplies. I'll take care of him."
"Come on," Velor said, leading Zach down a dimly lit corridor. "I've asked them to prepare a room and some clothes for you."
"A room?" Zach echoed, his voice thick with confusion.
"Yes, a room. You need rest and to get those wounds cleaned. Who knows what you might catch if you don't take care of them. Mortals are fragile creatures," Velor explained, a wry smile touching his lips. He chuckled softly at the irony of his own words.
They followed the familiar route, ending at Dominick's workroom. Velor threw open the door dramatically, startling a napping vampire lord sprawled on the couch.
"What the hell?!" Dominick jolted awake, glaring at Velor.
"Must you always do that?" Dominick grumbled, flashing Velor a middle finger.
"And who do we have here?" Dominick stood, his keen senses immediately picking up the scent of fresh blood emanating from Zach.
"Why are you... Did Velor do this?"Dominick asked, only to receive a swift slap on the back of the head from Velor.
"No, not him," Zach offered a weak smile as Dominick gently guided him to the couch. "He found me like this."
"Did you eat?" Dominick asked, his gaze shifting to Velor.
"Why are you looking at me, you idiot?" Velor retorted.
"No, I haven't," Zach said
"Want something to eat?" Dominick asked, genuine concern written all over his face.
"But we don't keep human food here, what do we do?" Dominick walked over to Velor,
Velor rummaged through the cupboard – Mable's, to be exact. It was the one she kept stocked with simple medicines and ingredients: salt, aloe vera, various oils. He snatched a small bottle of salt and then opened the lower cupboard to grab a clean bottle of water. He walked toward Zach, who looked exhausted, slumped on the couch.
"Go ask Aiden, he'll figure something out," Velor said, placing several items on the table.
Velor poured a measured amount of salt into a glass of water and handed it to Zach. "Here, rinse your mouth with this. Slowly," he instructed.
"Okay, be right back." Dominick vanished in a blur of motion
He then left the room, heading to Aiden's bar to request a small pack of ice. Upon his return, he found Zach slumped on the couch, rinsing his mouth as instructed. Velor hesitated, unsure of how to approach, but his instincts took over. He reached out and gently pressed the ice pack against Zach's swollen cheek. Zach flinched slightly at the unexpected touch, and Velor quickly pulled back.
"It's okay," Zach replied, leaning into the soothing coolness against his aching skin.
Velor watched Zach's appearance, now clearly overwhelmed. His shoulders trembled and a sniffle confirmed what Velor had feared: Zach was on the verge of tears and sobbing.
"Cry if you need to," Velor offered softly, his own face softening in empathy.
Zach's eyes met his, and the floodgates opened. Tears streamed down his face, his body wracked with sobs. He slumped forward, burying his face in his lap. Velor's heart ached at the sight of such raw pain. The weight of Zach's struggles seemed too heavy for anyone to bear alone. Slowly, hesitantly, Velor reached out and wrapped his arms around Zach, drawing him into a comforting embrace. The warmth of Zach's mortal body melted away some of the vampire's inherent chill. Words of comfort formed in Velor's mind, but he held them back, instead resting his head on Zach's shoulder and gently patting his arm.
Ten minutes passed, and Velor could feel Zach's body relaxing, his breathing returning to a steadier rhythm. Still, Velor couldn't bring himself to let go of the embrace. Eventually, Zach gently pulled away. Velor looked at his face, the swelling still a purplish hue, but noticed something new: a blush creeping across Zach's cheeks. Velor fought the urge to smile, not wanting to embarrass him further. This new, vulnerable side of Zach tugged at Velor's heartstrings in a way he couldn't quite understand.
Feeling a pang of awkwardness, he squeezed the slightly melting ice pack, then reached out and gently rubbed it against the side of Zach's face. Then a moment later Dominick burst out the door
"Who's hungry?" Dominick announced, holding the bag aloft like a trophy.
Zach and Velor stared at him, momentarily stunned by his enthusiasm. His eyes flickered between them, a hint of curiosity in his gaze. Velor, sensing another inappropriate question brewing in the vampire's mind, shot him a deadly glare. It worked; the vampire clamped his mouth shut, a flicker of unease crossing his face.
"Here, Aiden ordered this for you," he said,
"Eat," Dominick encouraged, his eyes following Zach's movements as he pulled out the contents.
"Thanks, Dominick," Zach murmured,
"You like it?" Dominick asked, a pleased grin spreading across his face as he saw Zach's reaction.
"Yes, I do," Zach replied, a quiet gratitude in his voice as he continued to eat.
Dominick nodded, a soft smile lingering on his lips, then pulled Velor towards a secluded corner. Dominick whispered in Velor's ear,
"What was that atmosphere about?" Dominick gestured towards Zach with his eyes.
"Oh, shut up, I know what you're thinking," Velor whispered back, lightly shoving Dominick.
"No seriously, what's with that face of yours?" Dominick continued, still whispering.
"You idiots, stop it and act normal," Velor scolded, his voice slightly louder than he intended.
"Fine, I'll tell Mable when she's back," Dominick pouted, looking up at a portrait on the wall.
"Do whatever you want, dumbass, just don't be weird," Velor sighed, his gaze also falling on the same portrait.
"Okay, okay, but you better prepare your excuses when Mable interrogates you," Dominick giggled.
"I..." Velor started to speak, but was interrupted by a coughing sound from Zach. He walked slowly towards him, ignoring Dominick's muttering behind him.
Velor gently took the glass from Zach's hand and emptied it into a nearby bin. "See? This is why you need a room here," he said.
"You'll poison yourself if you drink that much salt," Velor explained, refilling the cup with the correct ratio of salt to water. He handed it back to Zach.
"Thanks," Zach mumbled, offering a grateful smile. Velor's eyes softened, a faint blush creeping onto Zach's cheeks
"Well, if you're finished eating, go upstairs and talk to Pearl and Penelope. They'll take care of you," Velor said.
"Who?" Zach asked, a bit dazed.
"The twins," Dominick added with a smirk.
"Oh, okay. Thank you both," Zach said, grabbing the empty food container as he made his way out of the room.
When the door clicked shut, Dominick burst into laughter, snorting as he watched Velor's annoyed expression.
"What's so funny?" Velor asked, raising an eyebrow.
"My brother, you know there are some rules between us, right?" Dominick wiped away a tear, still chuckling.
"I don't obey the rules," Velor retorted, settling onto the couch.
"If you say so," Dominick replied, sitting in his desk chair and swivelling to face the portrait.
"What do you think... what would Marcus say?" Dominick asked, amusement lacing his voice.
"He'll probably scold me with every curse word in the world," Velor sighed, staring at the same portrait.
"Yeah, he's that kind of guy," Dominick agreed. A moment of silence passed between them. "I miss him," Dominick said softly.
"I know, I miss him too," Velor replied, turning to look at Dominick.
"If I had been there that night, he would still..." Dominick began, his voice thick with regret.
"Oh, please, don't start," Velor interrupted, throwing a couch cushion at him.
"Sorry, my bad," Dominick chuckled,
"I'll go take a bath," Velor said, standing up and heading to his room.
He gathered his dirty clothes and stepped into the bathroom, the scent of the previous bath still lingering in the air. He took out his phone, set some music to play, and filled the bathtub with warm water. He lit a cherry-scented candle and eased himself into the soothing bath.
He stared at his hands, remembering the feeling of warmth from Zach's embrace—a sensation he hadn't experienced in ages. The lingering scent of bonded human blood, unfamiliar yet strangely comforting, evoked a flood of memories. Faces appeared in his mind's eye, the smiles from ruby red lips, the warmth of their touch echoing through the years. It had been so long.
He sighed, shaking his head to dispel the memories. After cleaning himself up and getting dressed, he returned to Dominick's workroom, but it was empty. Velor grabbed the salt bottle and headed upstairs to Aiden's bar, where the vampire was enjoying a meal.
"Aiden, can I have two bottles of clean water?" Velor asked, his eyes drifting to Aiden's plate.
"What's that?" he asked, curiosity piqued.
"Tartare," Aiden replied curtly.
"Yeah, whatever. Can I have the water?" Velor insisted, locking eyes with Aiden.
"Go grab it yourself," Aiden retorted with a roll of his eyes.
"Fine," Velor grumbled, walking into the storage room and retrieving two water bottles. He mixed one with the salt, then turned back to Aiden.
"Enjoy your meal, dipshit," Velor said with a smirk.
Aiden responded by flicking an ice cube at him.
He walked out of the ballroom, ascending the grand staircase. A nostalgic smile tugged at his lips as he passed portraits that had watched over these halls for centuries. This mansion had once been his domain, a relic of his mortal life. But he had grown weary of the endless greetings and suffocating formalities that came with ownership, so he had placed it all under Dominick's name, seeking refuge in anonymity.
He paused before a simple white door - his old bedroom, a portal to a lifelong past. He remembered the room he'd slept in during those years, filled with the dreams and aspirations of a young man.
He stood behind the door, listening to Zach's muffled conversation with someone inside. He didn't want to interrupt, he waited until the voices fell silent before raising his hand to knock. The door creaked open, revealing Zach, already dressed for bed. His face was less swollen, and a flicker of brightness had returned to his eyes.
"May I come in?" Velor asked. Zach stepped aside silently, but his gaze remained fixed on the floor. Velor entered, setting the two bottles on the coffee table.
"This one is salt water, and this one is regular water," Velor explained, pointing to each.
"Thanks," Zach mumbled, still avoiding eye contact.
"How are your bruises?" Velor inquired, wanting a closer look but hesitant to push Zach further.
Velor sensed an odd discomfort in Zach's demeanour. He couldn't help but wonder if he had somehow messed things up.
"Have I done something wrong?" Velor finally asked, his voice laced with concern.
"No, of course not!" Zach replied, meeting Velor's gaze directly for the first time.
The tension eased from Velor's shoulders as relief washed over him. His smile returned, genuine and warm.
"In the morning, you can stay here. I know you didn't bring that... rotten juice with you, so it might be too risky for you to go out there," As Velor turned to leave, he noticed Zach fidgeting nervously.
"Could I ask you something?" Zach's voice wavered slightly, a hint of vulnerability seeping through.
Velor's heart warmed. "Anything," he replied, his smile genuine and reassuring.
"How'd you find me, back in the field?" Zach asked, meeting Velor's gaze.
A wide, uncontrollable grin spread across Velor's face. "Long story," he chuckled.
"I have time," Zach said, curiosity sparking in his eyes.
Velor gestured towards an armchair, his smile unwavering. "Let's sit down, then."
Zach settled onto the bed, while Velor took the armchair. He began to weave a tale for Zach, a mix of truth and fiction designed to put the man in front of him feel at ease.