With a shrug, Cecil mumbled, “I guess I could.” Hopping off the stool, he walked over to stand beside him.
Sin carefully scooped up a bit of the substance onto a spoon. With his hand hovering underneath it, he blew on it softly to cool it down before holding it inches from Cecil’s lips.
Cecil’s cheeks flushed, but he leaned forward and took a bite. When he pulled back, he licked his lips. “Tastes good, but it could be a bit hotter.”
“Hmm, then it is perfect,” Sin hummed.
“What?! Why did you even bother asking me if you weren’t going to listen?”
“Oh, but I am. You prefer a kick to your food, but most of the group does not. If I make it hotter, they will not eat it. I’ll make sure to put out a small dish of cayenne pepper, so you can make it to your liking.”
“And you would know I like spicy food, how?” Cecil asked with narrowed eyes.
Sin let out a bark of laughter. “No need to get suspicious, Cecil. I am just observant. I also know you prefer melted cheese over cold, that you prefer loose clothes to tight, that you love history, and that as much as they all irritate you, you do not hate everyone here.”
“Why? Why would you even bother to learn that stuff?”
And wasn’t that a question. Why indeed? There were various reasons, of course. But the main one was that he wanted to know who Cecil was. Sin wanted to know what his interests were, his favorite foods, he wanted to know everything. Sin wanted to know how to make Cecil smile, and how to keep that smile there.
“I…want you to be happy,” Sin admitted hesitantly.
A rather odd expression overtook Cecil’s face. Lips parting, his brow wrinkled. Sin would say it was a cross between confusion and disbelief.
And then Cecil was on his toes, pressing his lips against Sin’s. Sin froze, his muscles tensing up in shock. And for a brief moment, he remained in that state.
But those soft lips quickly drew out the urges he had been suppressing, and the wooden spoon slipped from his hand, clattering to the floor. He moved to wrap his arms around Cecil, to deepen the kiss, but he never got the chance.
At the sound of the spoon falling, Cecil jerked away from him. The man stared at him with wide eyes, the soft glow of them seeming brighter than ever before. His cheeks were flushed, and a slight tremble was running through him.
Cecil’s mouth opened, as if to speak. He even appeared to be mouthing words, but nothing came out. And then he fled.
As Sin watched the swinging doors close behind Cecil, he hesitated. He knew he should follow, Sin really wanted to follow, but he wasn’t sure what he would say. But did it matter?! Sin swiftly decided it didn’t, and took off.
His hesitation cost him. Sin reached Cecil’s room in time to have the door slammed in his face. The lock clicked into place before he even had a chance to turn the knob. Sin heard something slide against the door.
Heart racing, he knocked. “Cecil,” Sin called out softly. “Cecil, please, open the door.”
All he heard beyond was heavy breathing, a soft groaning, and a speeding heartbeat. The smell of fear seeped out from under the door.
“Cecil, please. We…we should talk about this.”
Nothing.
He knocked again. “Cecil, please, come out.”
Still nothing, but there was a light pounding on the other side of the door.
“Cecil…”
Oh, fuck, what had he done?! How could he have been so stupid?!
Covering his face with his hands, he groaned. In the moment, Cecil had mistaken Sin’s kindness for interest.Like that was even possible, he thought with disgust.
If the way Sin had frozen up was anything to go by, Cecil had shocked the hell out of the vampire. He banged his head against the wooden door in frustration—Gods, he was so fucked.
Cecil was apparently an idiot, and instead of keeping his distance, he had ignored all of his own rules. Dammit, he felt something for Sin, and he didn’t want to. Cecil’s heart ached as Sin continued to call out for him. He didn’t answer, because he didn’t know what to say.
Fuck, the man hadn’t even turned him down, he hadn’t said a word, but it hurt. Cecil felt like he had lost something, which was ridiculous. Sin had never been his to begin with. To Sin, Cecil was no doubt just a charity case that he felt sorry for.
