Don't Leave Me

Don't Leave Me:: Part 5

"Is that really the only reason you were acting so weird? You were worried about me?" I ask, sitting on the counter and leaning over the stove to look at Baz. He keeps his eyes on the pan, pushing me back with one hand.

"Back, Snow. You're going to catch fire and kill us both," he says, glancing up briefly. I sit back a bit, but not much.

"Is it?" I repeat. Baz sighs and twirls the spatula he's holding around his slender fingers.

"Not exactly. I... I talked to my dad the other day. He phoned, just to check in, you know, as he does, " He huffs and flips the sandwich in the pan, "...We got into a bit of a row. It's been stressing me out all week." My forehead creases, and I reach out to play with his silky black hair.

"What did you get in a row about?" I ask, a bit concerned. Baz and his dad almost never fight. And if they do, Baz doesn't usually let it bother him. Not like this.

Baz tips his head a bit so his temple rests in my palm. I brush his hair off of his face, then curl my fingers in the back of his hair.

"You. We fought about you," his voice is soft, and tinged with anger at the edges. But mostly, it's just disappointed and bitter. And betrayed. He slides the now-toasted sandwich onto a plate and starts another.

"Why'd you fight about me? He's not still pissed that we're together, is he? I thought he'd gotten over that ages ago," my voice is lowered too, almost to the point that it's hard to hear over the sizzling of the pan. Baz shakes his head, his hair rustling against my hand, tickling my palm.

"He is over that. It was... well..." I've never known Baz to be as short on words as he is right now, "I was telling him about Bunce leaving. And... and I told him... I was thinking of moving in with you," he looks at me, his eyes dove grey and hopeful. I raise my eyebrows, a grin spreading across my lips.

"You want to move in with me?" I ask, my voice quiet and excited. Baz nods once.

"I'd like to, if you're okay with it..." he answers tentatively. The grin takes on full force, taking over my entire face and making my cheeks hurt.

"Let's see, live alone or let my old, antagonistic, vampire roommate that's now my boyfriend move in with me... Of course I want you to move in with me," I reply. Baz smiles, and I lean in to kiss the corners of his eyes and lips.

"Really?" he asks happily. I nod, pulling away.

"Really. Don't leave me alone with myself, Baz. We both know it'll end in disaster. And besides... I miss living with you," I agree. Baz laughs.

"That's the most pathetic thing I've heard all day..." I join in his laughter.

"Well, what can I say. I'm pathetic-- you've told me so a million times."

"Well it is true."

"I'm not denying that. Now, what made you and your dad fight?" Baz's face falls at the question, and he takes his time flipping the second toasted sandwich onto a plate before answering.

"He... for some reason, he didn't want me to move in with you," his voice is quiet and angry, and filled to the bones with disappointment. My brow creases again. Why on earth would his dad be acting like this?

"What? Why would he make such a fuss over that?" I ask, nonplussed. Baz shakes his head.

"I can't fathom why. He said he 'just wanted me to be happy', and he seemed to think I was going to... to starve if I moved to the city. Too far away from 'edible wildlife' or some shit. It's utter nonsense." He grabs the plates and I hop down from the counter to grab some glasses.