For some reason, the tone sent a shiver down his spine, more so when Harlow cringed back like a frightened animal.
The dhampir’s eyes slowly slipped to the vampire and he gave the man a weak smile. “No, Foxx…I don’t think that! I think what I did was wrong. I was stupid, and I should have listened. I am fully in the wrong. And as I said before this, I am sorry. I didn’t do it on purpose, and I will make sure it never, ever happens again.”
This…was not about broken things. He would assume the dhampir had accidentally hurt Foxx, yet… He frowned and eyed the smaller man…
The vampire looked fine, besides looking slightly homicidal. Which was a feat with the bright smile and dimples. Though, Wes supposed the incident could have happened a few weeks back. Foxx could have healed since. Yet…it didn’t feel like this was a two-week-old problem. This felt like a ‘just happened’ problem.
“Oh, you’re sorry? For what? For breaking my things, breaking our bedroom door…or…” The smile turned demonic as the vampire hissed, “For fucking dislocating my shoulder during sex?!”
“All of that!” Harlow gasped. “Definitely the shoulder thing though.”
Oh…fuck. Yep, that would heal quickly. Just a quick…pop…back into place. Oh, hell. This was where calling ahead…to inform him of what he was walking into would have been the best option. But he doubted Harlow had even thought about it.
And as much as he felt and sympathized with Harlow, due in part to his own clumsiness, unfortunately, on multiple occasions, causing minor harm to his past partners…Wes could understand why Foxx was, well…enraged.
Wes cleared his throat. “I… Yes…I see the issue now. Did I say…lenient? Umm…yes, no, that is not an option anymore. What I think would be best for you both is to consider how you want to move past this. I understand you are angry, Foxx, and you have a right to be, but staying angry won’t solve anything. The problem will remain, and the only thing it will do is create a gap between you, which I am sure is not something either of you wants.”
Foxx was no longer smiling, not even demonically. The vampire’s mouth was pressed into a tight line and he was just glaring at… Wes was pretty sure the man was glaring at both of them now…
Harlow motioned with his eyes for him to keep going, or more likely telling him to fix this.
“Right, so the problem is that Harlow is having trouble controlling his strength. But let’s—now I’m not blaming you,” he quickly made sure to say. “But let’s consider, before this, Harlow assumed he was human. And holding back wasn’t something he usually needed to do in a fight. Sure, if he was against humans that he had to bring in, he knew not to take it too far. But back then, a single hit wouldn’t be a problem, while now, a single hit from him can kill that same human. Foxx, you are used to adjusting your strength to your actions, am I right?”
“Yes,” Foxx ground out.
“Have you had to do so multiple times throughout your lifetime?”
“I have…”
“Which is why, when you were telling him to practice holding back, with the understanding of what it meant if he didn’t, you expected him to realize the importance of it, and to do what you were telling him.”
“Yes,” the man hissed.
“Which isn’t wrong of you. His strength is greater, so learning to hold back so he doesn’t accidentally hurt anyone he shouldn’t is a given. However, sometimes we, as people, when we have more experience with something, set expectations at a different level than the inexperienced person we are instructing. And we sometimes forget that while for us hearing words like ‘practice’, ‘hold back’, and ‘adjust’, may bring up a wealth of knowledge in our mind on both how to do that and how to achieve that…it doesn’t for those who have no experience.”
Foxx’s expression wasn’t as pinched, but he was still glaring. “So, it’s my fault that I assumed he’d know what to do? Is that it?”
“No. That’s not what I’m saying. What I’m saying is that there was a miscommunication here, on both expectations and just a lack of follow through, perhaps on both ends. You asked him to do something that he needs to do. I feel maybe you assumed that he was doing it, at least in part. But let’s clear that up now. Harlow, were you practicing?”
Harlow, the big man that he was, seemed to shrink where he sat as the conversation was directed towards him.Where was the scary murderous hunter now? he thought with an inner eye roll.
The dhampir cleared his throat. “I was…trying… But I maybe didn’t really understand what was being asked of me…”
Foxx hissed.
Wes held his hand up. “I understand you’re angry. And while maybe you could have followed up and asked if he didn’t understand, maybe even kept track to see if he was making progress, the fact is, he is an adult with a working set of vocal cords. His lack of progress right now isn’t on you, it’s on him. Because I'm sure you kept bringing it up, and each time, he said nothing. If he didn’t know what he should be doing, and I’m sure he knew that what he was doing wasn’t working weeks before now, then it was his job to open his mouth and say something.”
The vampire huffed, his bottom lip popping out as his gaze finally softened. “I would have helped if he’d just asked. I know all these changes can be confusing…”
“I… Sorry, Foxx. I was trying, just… I’m…not used to asking for help… And it honestly…didn’t occur to me to ask for you to explain what I should be doing. Which really just means I’m a dumbass.”
Foxx sighed. “You are a dumbass…but you are my dumbass.”
Harlow smirked. “Always, brat. Again, I’m sorry for hurting you.”
“Don’t let it happen again, old man. Or I’ll be burying a fifth boyfriend.”
Beyond all belief, at the first actual threat Foxx had vocalized, the dhampir laughed.
