Edwin's complications

The entire ride home for Edwin and Jamie was incredibly silent and awkward. Edwin looked out of the car window once again, watching the street lamps pass by as his mind traveled towards a specific hunter.

Not a word was said as the car pulled up to the front steps of Edwin’s manor. Jamie got out and opened the door for Edwin to get out of the car, looking down at the ground and avoiding Edwin’s eyes.

Opening his mouth to say something, Edwin then decided against it and walked up the steps to his front door.

“Welcome back my lord,” another butler said as he bowed his head to the man. “How was the theater?”

Edwin sighed and smiled down at the butler. “It was as wonderful as ever… a lot more handsome than what I’m used to.”

“Oh please,” Jamie said, finally speaking up and walking past Edwin to start preparing his room for the morning. “He looked as if he hadn’t slept in one hundred years, and he barely combed through his hair,” he huffed before disappearing up the stairs.

The butler raised an eyebrow to Edwin. “What was that about?”

Edwin sighed and set down the items in his hands. “I met a man today at the theater. A vampire hunter.”

A hush fell over the room and Edwin’s cheeks went red and he shook his head. “I promise it’s nothing to worry about. He only came to me asking if I had seen something suspicious because he was told by other people that I am interested in it. He does not suspect a thing about me, I promise.”

The butler couldn’t help his nervous look. “If you say so my Lord. I merely request you be careful when going out from here on out.”

“And I will, I’m not a helpless child.” He took a deep breath. “I think I’m going to go hunting tonight…”

The butler tensed slightly, but he wasn’t about to say no to his friend. “Alright, if you insist. Please just be careful.”

Edwin began the ascent to his bedroom and turned to look at his trusted servant. “I always am,” he said before disappearing into a hallway.

Walking into his room, he made a b-line to his vanity and began to remove all of his makeup. The whole time, he could feel Jamie’s eyes. He pat his face down with a towel, sighed, and shook his head.

“You’re going to burn holes into my head if you keep staring, Jamie,” he said before shifting his eyes and making eye contact with Jamie in the non-silver backed mirror.

“And you are planning on going out and hunting. I know that look.” He walked over and leaned down to get in front of his face to try and make better contact. “Edwin, you can’t. Not with that thing out there!”

“That thing?” Edwin said, narrowing his eyes. “Jamie, how does it make you feel when people refer to you as ‘a thing’? Hm? You saw him, you heard him speak. He’s different.”

Jamie shook his head. “I don’t like it, you’re right. But I am not a murderer. Anyone who can take another creature's life with only the purpose to cleanse the earth, is the real monster.”

“But he’s not like that, he seemed true to his word—”

“That’s all it was Edwin! Just talk, just words to get inside of your head to pity him. You barely know this man, how can you be so certain!” Jamie’s voice was slowly turning to a low growl, his words coming out more and more strained the angrier he got.

“Because you of all people should know that I am an excellent judge of character!” He began to take his hair out to try and calm himself, tearing his eyes from Jamie.

Jamie looked at him in disbelief. “Yes, I do know this, but I also know you have common sense. Open your eyes! His entire purpose in life is to murder creatures like you.”

“And yet here I am, willing to believe Mr. Granton won’t be out hunting tonight. A man like him likes to take his time because I got the sense he doesn’t like being near the church of London or the Bureau he works for.” He stood and began to undress himself.

Jamie watched him get up and looked at him in utter disbelief before growling at him, a deep wolfish growl. He started to steam a little, his pupils slitting slightly and his fangs and nails sharpened. “You like him. Don’t you.”

It was less of a question and more of a statement, and Jamie watched as Edwin froze in the doorway of his closet before moving again and hanging up his dress before grabbing a more mobile outfit with pants and a loose fitting shirt. “Don’t be absurd Jamie.”

Jamie looked at him once again with disbelief. “You do! Edwin!”

“Jamie!” Edwin shouted and looked back at him finally, making direct eye contact. His red eyes glowed slightly. “That is enough.” His normally soft voice came out firm and demanding, and he crossed his arms. “You cannot tell me what is good for me. I ask for your opinion when I want it, and not for you to berate me with anger and disappointment. I can take care of myself.”

Jamie took a step back, the steam dissipating as he hunched a little, like he had tucked a tail between his legs and he looked down. “My apologies, my lord…” he said through clenched teeth. “Your room will be ready for you when you return.”

Edwin couldn’t help but sigh as he went towards his balcony. “Thank you, my friend… go rest, and please try to understand that I know what I’m doing. And all this is is a silly little crush. I’ll be back,” he said in a tone that sounded like a promise before he jumped from the balcony and left towards the forest to hunt.

Jamie merely stood in Edwin’s room, frozen in place. He hated when Edwin raised his voice, but he understood why. He knew Edwin could care for himself, but he also knew how blind Edwin could be when it came to attractive men.

He shook his head; maybe he was just overthinking this. Maybe he was jealous or mad at himself. He knew that no matter what he did, Edwin would never love him the way he loved him. The thought was enough to twist his heart as he let out a frustrated sigh and quickly wiped his eyes as he got to work preparing Edwin’s room for the morning.