Chapter Seventy-four

“Gavin... please, just open the door. Talk to me.” Tyler’s forehead the wooden door again. “Please, let's just talk this through. I didn’t lie to you. We’re not like that. We haven’t been for a long time. Let me explain.”

“Piss off,” Gavin said from the other side of the door. Tyler could tell he was just on the other side, possibly leaning against the door like he was. “If I was still in love with someone else and didn’t tell you, then went after him and let you walk away, I wouldn’t be crawling at your fucking door. At least have the decency to make a decision, you dick. I know you’re only here because he told you to back the hell off, and you had nowhere better to turn to!”

“That’s not true. I knew I was making a mistake. You seemed so angry... and I thought he would need my help. He did need my help.” Tyler hit his fists against the door. “The elders sent assassins to his apartment. But that could have been so dangerous.”

The door slammed open, Gavin was standing there, his dark brown hair a mess, his face red and even his eyes looked bloodshot. “You know even better than I do that he doesn’t need us. He can do just as well, if not better, without us bogging him down. We do nothing but—”

“Hey!” Another door, to the left, slammed opened, and a beefy old man thundered out. “You assholes stop screaming and have some respect for others!” Suddenly, a tiny white snowball of a dog came prancing out, yapping at them. To watch the burly man turn from a thunderstorm to worry as he chased after his little dog made both Gavin and Tyler chuckle. “No, no baby, come here!”

Tyler stepped back, as the dog lunged toward them, the furball diving into Gavin’s apartment at the last moment. Gavin seemed completely shocked as the little thing pawed at the cuff of his pants. He bent low, lifting it into his arms. “I’m really sorry, Sir. I didn’t mean to be a bother. My friend here was just leaving.” He said, holding the dog out. The guy was wearing an old, holey white t-shirt and red flannel pants.

“Hey, I could be reading the room wrong, but if this is a lover’s spat, sometimes it’s best to sleep on it and not talk while you’re both spitting mad.” He turned to Tyler, “And, take it from an old dick, it’s usually better to just be honest about your feelings. Your partner will appreciate it. And handle it better than if you try to sugar coat it to protect their feelings. I’ve been married for thirty years, that’s the best advice I can give. Now, quiet down. I’m going to bed.”

They both stared after the guy until his door closed quietly. Gavin turned around, glaring at Tyler. “Did you need something else?”

“I... no. No, I guess not.” He turned around, heading down the hall.

“Where are you staying?” Gavin asked, stepping into the hall. He was whispering now though, not wanting to inconvenience his neighbors.

“I guess I’ll go squat at one of Bram’s safe houses. They usually suck, but, I can’t be too careful right now. Both of my apartments have been compromised now.” Tyler turned, stuffing his hands into his pocket.

“Are you in danger?” Gavin asked, leaning against the door frame.

Tyler chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “No more than I’ve had to face before. It’ll be fine. I’ll be fine. Have a good night, Gavin. And for the record, I am a dick, and I’m sorry.” Turning back around, Tyler swore this time he would actually leave. He didn’t want to burden Gavin. He’d never wanted that.

He felt Gavin’s soft hand wrap around his. “Stay the night here then. You can sleep on the couch.” Gavin pulled him back to his apartment. “Talking once I’m not angry might be a good idea. I think that human was pretty smart considering.”

Tyler wasn’t about to argue. He followed behind Gavin, who led him into the kitchen. “I assume you’d like a glass of whiskey before you hunker down?” He offered, already pulling the decanter from the bar and setting aside two glasses.

“Please.” A hundred things wanted to come out of Tyler’s mouth at the moment, but he decided that he wasn’t going to push his luck.

“Stop looking at me like a scolded puppy. You’re already driving me crazy.” Gavin snapped, pushing the glass into his hands. “Well, if you have nothing to say before bed then—”

“I like you.” Tyler said, grabbing Gavin’s arm and spinning him back around. “Like, a lot. Gavin. I’m so sorry, but Bram has been the only person I’ve cared about for half a millennium. This is still really new to me. You are important in a way... in a way, I can’t even fully understand yet.” His hand went up, holding the side of Gavin’s cheek. “All I know is that I really want to find out.” He leaned into Gavin, slowly, giving him enough time to stop him if he wanted to. When he didn’t pull away, Tyler let his hand wrap around the back of his neck, and kissed him deeply, slowly.

Gavin stepped into him, grabbing the front of Tyler’s shirt, and kissing him back. When they broke apart, Gavin scowled at him again. “Is he your mate?”

Tyler shook his head, “I won’t lie. I thought so for a really long time, but I can’t say I believe that anymore. Since our first night together, I can’t get you out of my head. I want you desperately. I am a dick. You are the one I should have chased earlier, and I’m so damn sorry I didn’t see it in time.” He held himself back, he wanted to lift Gavin into his arms. To kiss him. Carry him to bed. To make love to him all night long. But he also wanted to make sure Gavin could take him seriously, and wanted to make a point, this wasn’t about just wanting to have sex. This time, he wanted a whole hell of a lot more than that.

“You really know how to sweep a guy off his feet. I fucking hated you as I walked away and you didn’t even call out to me.” Gavin’s hands clenched at his shirt, poking him in the chest with his finger.

“We’re both having some pretty strong feelings when it comes to each other, huh?” Tyler chuckled.

Gavin wrapped his arms around his waist. “I’ve never felt like this before. If you’d asked me a week ago if I believed in mates, I would have laughed at you. I’ve met two people over the last hundreds of years, that claimed to have mates. I thought they were just romantic idiots. But...” he pressed his head against Tyler’s chest, wrinkling his brow.

“I know, you can’t deny it when a glance makes your heartache. When you’re apart, the only thing you can think about is your lover. I get it.” Tyler finally bent over, lifting Gavin into his arms, walking to the bedroom with him.

“I said you could sleep on the couch.” Gavin sighed, but that didn’t stop him from resting his head on Tyler’s shoulder or letting his hand play with his golden locks. “I love your hair.”

Tyler smiled down at him, “I’ll still sleep on the couch, I just wanted to tuck you in. You smell heavenly.”

“Because I showered.” Gavin smiled, pulling Tyler down onto the bed with him. “You should go do the same, then come rub my back until I fall asleep.”

“Yes, Sir.” Tyler leaned over, kissing him before ducking into the bathroom. He was giddy with excitement. No wonder Bram had been off since he met Izabella.