Jason grinned at the Lar.“Actually, it’s convenient.And I’d never have met Raven if it weren’t for the dorm, so that’s nice.Although maybe we would’ve met through the power of queer friendship.Right, Raven?”
“You’d have found me, if only to reel me in to help with your party planning.”
Jason nodded.“It’s true.”
Maxim crossed his legs.“Jason, you have such hidden skills.Party planning?”
“Honestly, I just buy booze and invite fun people.I’m a little bit like Clement, only not as grumpy.”
Clement very nearly frowned—Maxim saw that, but in the last moment, the Lar shifted the expression into a glowering stare.
“Clement is actually quite an outgoing Lar and quite calm, considering Bryan guards this home.”
Clement offered Maxim an unambiguous glare.“Is that so, master hunter?Then why present tangerines to that babe of a Lar and leave me with scraps when my outgoingness is to be commended?”
Maxim felt Raven’s rapt attention on the conversation, possibly because he was picking up on Clement’s emotions, no matter how much the Lar was attempting to hide them.
Maxim sighed and lowered his head.“Well, you are correct.You have tended to this bar so well, and never has a drinker wanted for conversation or your gentle attention.Isn’t that so, Jason?”
“Mr.Vallois, I think you’re looking to throw me under a bus, only I can’t see the bus yet and didn’t know there was one until two seconds ago.”
Maxim put a hand over his heart.“Me?Oh, Jason, I would never.”Umeboshi, who possibly was part demon, decided to weigh in with a melodramatic whine.“Even Ume hears the truth in my words.”
“Maybe he wants dinner,” Raven said.
Maxim tsked.“Oh, youth.Food is your comfort and a soft bed your only desire.I shall offer you all of that.Say, Clement, instead of a tangerine or three, would you be willing to find Jason a bed for the night?Make sure his room is aired and all that?”
Clement’s sharp features softened marginally.“I don’t shy away from a guardian’s chores.”
Jason raised a hand.“Uh, excuse me.”
“The night is dark and cold, and shadows thicken.You must stay here until the morning.”Maxim gripped Jason’s shoulder.
“Mr.Vallois, do you want me to walk the dog again in the morning?It’s no problem.I get that sunlight isn’t going to be fun for Raven for a while.”
“I’m fine, actually,” Raven said.
Maxim clapped his hands.“It’s settled, then.Jason, let Clement find you a bed, Ume can walk you in the morning, and that way everyone can get some rest.”
Jason yawned.“I’m fine with that, actually.Rave, you staying up in the penthouse?Or want to bunk down with me?”
Maxim forced himself to tip his mug of blood back once more even though there was barely a drop left.Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Raven shift in his seat, then slide off it.
“The penthouse is okay.”
Jason nodded.“Cool.See you in the morning, then.”
“Indeed, and a good night to you.Raven, you are quite full?”Maxim said.
The fledge nodded.“Yeah.It’s…nice.Not too bad.The blood, I mean.It’s not too bad drinking it.”
“Ah, how good to hear.”
They took a bowl of dog food upstairs with them, and Maxim left the downstairs area of the penthouse to Raven and the dog, retreating to his office and leaving the door open so he could listen.It didn’t take Raven long to climb back into bed, and from the sounds of it, Umeboshi followed.
Perhaps he knows Raven needs protecting in his sleep right now.
Maxim waited until he was reasonably certain that they were both sleeping before sneaking downstairs and to the elevators, which opened silently thanks to Bryan’s precise hold on everything in the building.
