Page 10 of To Fall for a Dragon

“I don’t know. I think it’s okay. Sawyer was babbling about his boss, me, and how I was required to meet them. Fuck it’s cold.” Poe shivered, and Hakko draped his coat over Poe’s thin frame. His teeth chattered, and Poe had a hint of blue to his already unhealthy-looking skin. “I fell because of you.”

“I’m sorry. I have some clothes at my place that’ll warm you right up. I can make you a cup of tea or something.” Hakko hustled Poe along the slight incline toward his cottage. The ice crystals in the air told Hakko how cold it was. He needed to get Poe warm.

Poe blew out air and ducked his head before speaking. “I wouldn't turn down your offer if it still stands.”

Hakko nodded vigorously, but his mind was still sorting out possibilities to keep Poe from freezing. Once in the cottage, he pushed Poe to the small guest bathroom. He found a pair of fleece pants and a hoodie. He knocked on the closed door to let Poe know before zipping to the kitchen. Coercing Poe to ingest blood had turned into a full-time job.

“Thank you for the clothes. I’ve left mine in the bathtub,” Poe said as he entered the kitchen.

Hakko jumped, lost in his thoughts. He had hoped he’d be ready for when Poe was finished changing. “You startled me. I didn’t expect you so soon.”

“Just a quick warm-up. Nothin’ special.” Poe’s dark eyes were penetrating as they tracked Hakko’s every move.

“Poe,” Hakko began before stopping. Poe was stubborn enough. If Hakko tried to press a point, Poe would explode. So, he’d find a different way to get the information he needed. “So, can you tell me what you’re here for? You mentioned yesterday the museum had it.”

“Oh, right. That.” Poe drummed his fingers on the cool counter. His head was down, but Hakko could see a hint of colour on Poe’s cheeks. “You have a letter exhibition going on, and I saw something familiar in the ad.”

“It’s for Valentine’s Day. Just some love letters. I wouldn’t think such things interested you,” Hakko blurted out. His heart hurt as he downplayed the beautiful words. They spoke to his soul. Every person who wrote a letter had poured their hearts out onto the paper. But too many times people had mocked Hakko's more romantic nature. It was now to the point where Hakko hid that side of himself.

“Letters weren’t like that though. They carried the weight of the sender and the receiver. Emotions were attached to the paper. Sometimes, it was the only way you could say something.” Poe was quietly passionate. It was then Hakko realized that one of his letters was by Poe.

Hakko swallowed and nodded, biting back the words that longed to come out. “I apologize. I hadn’t meant to make fun. I wasn’t sure what your reaction would be, and I became defensive. Would you like to see?”

Poe peered into the dark hallway leading to the museum, fear and longing in his eyes. He shook his head. “I’m fine, thank you.”

“If ever you decide to visit, you can,” Hakko offered. Keeping Poe happy was his greatest goal.

Poe smiled softly at Hakko, his eyes bright with emotion. “I appreciate it.”

Floundering, Hakko offered his thumb to Poe. “Would you like to um… blood?”

Poe barked out a surprised laugh. Amused horror covered his face as he blinked at Hakko. “I am not sucking your thumb.”

An unbidden image of Poe doing just that entered Hakko’s mind, and his brain short-circuited as unbidden lust swamped him. The idea of Poe flirting with Hakko was a dream, a hope, a wishful desire.

“How can I help you though? You require blood now.”

“I know.” Poe sounded so defeated. He was wiped out, and having Poe admit he needed blood was terrifying to Hakko. “If you cut the side of your thumb, where the meatiest part is, it’ll bleed a lot, but will still allow you to do things with that hand.”

Hakko pursed his lips and nodded. Taking a small paring knife, he sliced a shallow cut along his thumb. As Poe said, the blood flowed freely. He caught most of it in the mug Poe had ready. “Can you get me a towel?”

Poe had everything ready, a towel and some medical tape. He bandaged the wound before returning to his side of the island. Poe's attention was drawn to the mug, but he never said or did anything. His eyes had changed to a rich red colour, and Hakko was sure he could see delicate points peeking out from his mouth. He ignored the mug of blood, and it pissed Hakko off.

Hakko scowled. Why couldn’t Poe just take the mug and knock it back? Why did he insist on being so stubborn? Hakko cut himself with no complaints so Poe could have nourishment. “You can have that now.”

“Would you back off and let me do this on my terms?” Poe snarled. Hakko growled before subsiding. This was Poe’s decision, and it was obvious Poe had issues with his food.

“You’re still pale as pale. Drink the bloody drink or so help me.” Hakko’s beast inside was frustrated with the vampire. Poe's stubborn nature fought with Hakko's caretaking self, and it was irritating.

“So help you what? What are you going to do? Huh?” Poe's body seemed to grow larger and pricklier.

Hakko held his hands up in surrender. He would never threaten or harm Poe for any reason. “Cry? Beg? I’m happy with either.”

Poe brought the mug to his mouth and sipped. He glared at Hakko while he drank the blood. “I’d prefer tea.”

Hakko leapt up and put the kettle on the stove. He could do tea. Anything to make Poe relax. “Did you want to see the letters? I can take you now or once the tea is made.”

Poe glanced at the mug in his hand, then at Hakko. He seemed very indecisive. “After the tea. I don’t think—I’m not there yet.”

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