“In some ways, we are very alike.Both of us, for example, enjoy Nero’s company very much,” Kaito said and there may have been a faint flush on his cheeks.“But for different reasons.”
“Nero?Are you and he–I thought I might have sensed something–”
“Together?Yes, we are.We live together.Have several homes in Kyoto and Andalucia.He loves his olives and I still love my fishing.”Kaito said, tilting his head and smiling.
“I’m so happy for you, Kaito.”Grayson reached over and put a hand on top of Kaito’s nearest one.
“Thank you, Master.After losing you and all that occurred afterwards…” Kaito’s lips flattened.“Some of us fled one another.Not able to bear the memory of what had been.But Nero and I grew closer.Soon, it became clear to both of us that our lives and hearts were intertwined.”
“That’s truly wonderful.I’m only sorry that Eiji cannot join in your family–”
“On the contrary, I think he will fit in.He and Nero are comparing their younger days running gangs.They are as thick as thieves together already.”
“I always forget that I met Nero when he was practically retired from being a boss of several criminal organizations,” Grayson grinned.“So you think that Nero might be interested in Eiji as a fledgling?And would you find that acceptable?”
Grayson knew that Kaito agreeing to it was just as important as Nero doing so.He couldn’t imagine either himself or Ryder bringing in a fledgling that the other did not care for.
Kaito nodded briskly.“It would be ideal.With us having a romantic attachment, any fledgling we brought in would have to understand and respect that connection.Goda-sama, being older, will not need Nero either as a father-figure or a lover, but as a teacher and friend.”
“I’m glad.That does, indeed, seem ideal. One thing has worked out.”
Grayson’s honest pleasure about that allowed him to start eating his sandwich instead of having his stomach filled with knots.It was delicious.Roast turkey, dill havarti cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and a ton of fresh mayo.The bread was rustic with seeds that added a nutty chew.
Kaito shifted so that his elbows rested on top of his thighs.“May I speak freely, Master?”
“Always,” Grayson told him, meaning it.
“You have always valued loyalty above all things.Skills can be taught, you’ve always said, but loyalty is innate and more precious,” Kaito reminded him.
Grayson nodded.“Seeing how close the Weryn were always impressed me.Working together, knowing that someone had your back, feeling secure that you could trust them… it is invaluable.Especially when you are asking them to do something dangerous and difficult that takes discretion.”
“Your mother in this life…” Kaito paused, rolling his lips together.“You thought she was disloyal to you, yes?Before you spoke to the reporter?”
Grayson grimaced.“I thought she had rejected me, which would have been understandable after what she saw I did–”
“Before that,” Kaito pressed.“By bringing that man into your home, she showed poor judgment.By allowing him to remain she showed that she was more loyal to him than you.And when you defended both of you, she showed more disloyalty by rejecting your act of defense.”
Grayson hadn’t considered it that way, but Kaito wasn’t wrong.He nodded.“I hate that kind of weakness, Kaito.To put a lover over one’s own children… I know some would say I did that when I got together with Weryn.”
“He only did what he did because he went mad after you were gone,” Kaito argued.“We all did.And it was a mad time.Now, we can see things more clearly.”
“Rachel said that my mother tried to take the blame for my stepfather’s death.They didn’t believe her, of course.There was no way to think a human being had done that,” Grayson paused and grimaced.“It’s like losing control when we’re young Vampires and ripping someone’s throat out.We have people to cover that up.But I was alone.”
“Except you were not.She covered for you.Unsuccessfully, but she did,” Kaito pointed out.
“Rachel says that she’s never given up looking for me.”Grayson’s hands fisted in the blanket in his lap.“That she’s even kept my room the same and spent thousands on detectives… I thought I had nowhere to go, Kaito.I lived my whole life hiding because I believed there was no safe place for me.But therewas.”
Kaito put an arm around his shoulders.Grayson tucked himself against his fledgling’s chest.
“All that pain and loss was unnecessary,” Grayson said as Kaito stroked his hair.“And I don’t know what to do about that.”
“You must forgive yourself and her,” Kaito advised.
“What if I had justwaiteda moment, an hour, a day?Why did I just assume one look of fear meant it was all ashes?”Grayson asked.
“You were angry at her,” Kaito guessed.“For bringing him into your lives in the first place.”
“I was.”Grayson nodded, drawing tighter to his fledgling.“It had just been her and I for so long.We were doing well.We had each other’s back.And then she brought him home and Iknewthe moment I saw him that he was a scumbag.I told her, but she wouldn’t listen.”
