Page 16 of To Fall for a Dragon

Poe fought against Hakko’s grip but was unsuccessful. He fell into the same breathing pattern as Hakko, and it helped. The red haze of thirst and rage faded away. He struggled for release, but Hakko’s heat was there, and Hakko was so comfortable to rest against. “Let go.”

“Are you going to bite me?” Hakko asked. He didn’t seem concerned, only interested. His muscles never twitched, and his scent, already familiar to Poe, never changed.

Something about what Hakko said hit Poe wrong. He scowled and pushed out of Hakko's loose arms. “Why the fuck would I do that? I don’t do that.”

“No reason. It was a joke.” Hakko brought Poe in and kissed his forehead. It was horrific what that bit of affection did to Poe. It settled a piece of him that worried he’d never be worthy of anyone’s heart. “Anyway, Caden, the man you scared with your behaviour, said most of the spirits are willing to settle. The more aggressive ones will take some time to clear off. Caden placed crystals to draw their energy. You should be able to enter the main part of the museum without issues.”

“But I don't understand why you'd think I'd bite you. Have I ever gave you that inclination?”

Hakko’s easy acceptance rankled, and Poe couldn’t let it go. He thought Poe was so crass, so monstrous? Poe retreated, his hand going to his forehead.

“Poe, no. I was teasing you.” Hakko reached out for Poe, but he dodged those big hands. “Horribly, obviously.”

“That's not kind. It's rather mean. I'd never do that to you.” Hurt filled his heart. He had hoped that Hakko trusted him and saw beyond the vampire. He had a dream where they were great friends, long distance, of course.

“Poe, I was trying to lighten the mood, and I failed. You were all…bestial, and I needed you to focus on something other than Caden and your distrust,” Hakko explained, and the request annoyed Poe. “Come sit.”

Poe’s head was filled with static, and everything Sawyer said about him danced and swirled together. Poe wasn’t worth the effort. He was a monster. He was bestial. He'd scared a bloody human with his appearance and his actions.

He grabbed the doorknob behind him and twisted it open. The cold wind at his back reminded him of where he belonged. He never should have?—

A roughly gentle hand curled around his jaw, and Poe’s knees weakened. A pair of soft lips pressed against his, so careful and protective. Hakko was demanding in his caress, but still he gave Poe freedom to escape if Poe desired. Did he? Hakko’s touch was the first in a long time that was always kind, always affectionate. Poe leaned into Hakko's embrace, sucking in as much positivity he was allowed. Hakko swept his thumb across Poe’s cheek slowly, creating a chain of shivers down Poe’s back. A low moan sounded in the room, and Poe winced. He wrenched his mouth away, forcing himself because it was all too much.

“I can’t do this,” he gasped. Poe’s heart hurt, as this was something that could never be. Hakko was too much for Poe. “You’re not?—”

Hakko swooped in and kissed him hard. His tongue traced the outer edge of Poe’s lips, stealing Poe’s ability to speak. Poe flexed his fingers but kept his arms at his side. He wasn’t going to encourage Hakko. He opened his mouth against Hakko’s to say no, but Hakko licked him sweetly, begging Poe with actions. The kisses were gentle and asked Poe to accept Hakko’s apology. Hakko slid his fingers up the nape of Poe’s head, tickling him. His touch did so many things to Poe. Hakko pulled back, his breath heavy as he waited. “This is me telling you that you’re a good man. You are worth it. I’m sorry, Poe, but I want this. I want you.”

Poe shook his head miserably. Words stuck in his throat as he tried to work out how wrong Hakko was. He clenched his fists from caressing the craggy face. He was a beast. His incisors were sharp and dangerous, yet Hakko had kissed him without hesitation.

Hakko gathered him carefully into his arms. His head was pressed onto a hot shoulder covered in soft wool. The fiery scent of Hakko filled his soul, drowning out the negativity. Hakko rocked him briefly before letting him go. “I’m going to talk to Ethan about some museum things and confirm Caden’s okay. Will you still be here? I’d like that, but I understand if you need to leave.”

Hakko’s gaze of hope twisted the knots in Poe’s stomach even tighter. Poe ran a shaky hand through his hair, trying to say something, but his thoughts were scattered across the room. “I don’t know.”

“My door is always open to you.” Hakko kissed him lightly on the mouth before disappearing into the black hole of the museum.

Poe scratched his head, baffled by the weird turn of events. He was sure he was mad at Hakko, that Hakko thought Poe was going to bite him. But those rough moments were gone, and what was left was being in Hakko's arms.

He touched the delicate points of his fangs and winced at the sharpness. Everything had happened so fast. He’d come to thank Hakko for the blanket and found the strange man standing very close to Hakko and laughing. This red film of anger and possession had filled Poe with urges. Something in Poe had shifted and cracked. The fear in the witch’s eyes was delicious, and Poe longed to taste his blood and discover its delight.

But Hakko, he stood there with his smiles and acceptance. He waited for Poe and teased him for Gods' sake about bites. It set Poe’s ire off because Hakko should have known, likely did know, what they meant.

Frazzled and unnerved, Poe left the small cottage. He had to ponder about Hakko’s actions and how much faith Hakko had. Who would trust Poe? It was preposterous! The walk to the cemetery calmed him as it always did. The land and the trees greeted him, sharing their peace under the stars. He dropped his head and allowed their grace to wash over him.

“Oh, it’s my little monster. Look at you, you’re glowing. Cheeks are flush, eyes are bright. Hmm, did you actually nibble from the source? My goodness, Poe. You rebel.” Sawyer’s teeth shone under the moonlight as he circled him as a predator. “It’s only taken you two hundred years to become a fully fledged monster. If I had known you had such lofty ambitions, I would have gotten you to bag a dragon long ago.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but go away,” Poe demanded. He didn’t trust him any more than he could throw him.

“Tell me about the letters, Poe. What are you two hiding?" Sawyer needled, and Poe scowled. Having Sawyer near his space was the worst thing that could happen. “Oh, there is something to them. I can see it in your eyes. Come on, tell me. Tell Papa Sawyer.”

“Oh fuck off, you douche. Why the fuck would I share anything with you?” Poe snapped, unable to rein his wayward mouth. Hearing Sawyer call himself papa was disturbing on so many levels. “You are the scum beneath my shoes. You’re disgusting.”

Sawyer moved in a flash, gripping Poe’s throat tight enough Poe could feel his windpipe as air whistled through it. “Really? You, my dirt maggot, are calling me scum? Where would you be without me? I kept you alive. If it wasn’t for me, you’d be another statistic lost to the annals of time.”

“I’d be happy,” Poe muttered. The words resonated deep in his soul. As much as Hakko intrigued him and made him feel accepted, he still wished for the day he died.

Sawyer twitched slightly, his brow furrowed imperceptibly. He squeezed Poe’s throat tighter as Poe stared down his sire. He'd spoken his truth. He never hid from it. “I can send you there right now. But… you’re needed. The mayor wishes to speak to you.”

Poe waited for Sawyer to let go first. He wasn’t going to say or do anything until he did. When Sawyer released him, Poe resisted the urge to touch his throat. Showing weakness to Sawyer wasn’t part of the plan. Sawyer shoved a hand between Poe’s shoulder blades to get him moving.

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