Daddy's Pet (on hold)

Forty - Three

A/N: I know! An update after forever. Please comment and vote!

Luca spent the day in his bed.

He did not watch tv or play with his toys. He didn't even cuddle with Sven. He held a stuffie tight and tree to ignored how everything hurt. His little were weak, trembling like dead leaves in the wind. He didn't dare try to get up--even to potty.

And when his bed was wet he didn't have the voice to tell Sven.

Sven was caught up his own problems. He could still feel the faint buzzing of the young life he had nearly taken. There was concerning about the causality of it to Tanner. Of course he had fed from a child at some point--they were prime prey during the Dark Times when vampires hid. But now it wasn't needed. And apparently neither were morals.

Tanner was caught in the thralls of his own issues as he had Griffin sat down for a drink. "The Form went through right?"

"I haven't heard anything back about have you?" Griffin retorted.

The Beast at his side was sitting up proudly, surveying every item in the office. It got to its feet and padded over to a low hanging picture Luca had drawn. He sniffled at it curiously before returning to his spot. If Griffin was bothered by him moving without permission he didn't show it with a disinterested glance at Griffin. "You've stopped bringing in Luca." He pointed out.

"And you've stopped interacting with Marco." Tanner returned evenly.

"He is ill Tanner. I'm not going to waste my time on a dying beast when I've got a specimen like this at my side!" He scratched the top of Saber's head and it let out a rumbling sound Tanner realized was a purr. "Anyway, what else are you up to?"

"Besides constantly reassuring and keeping Sven in check? When did you realize your Influence wasn't working on Reagan?" Tanner regretted asking as soon as he did it but Griffin shrugged.

"It's not something that happens over night. They start to distance themselves, it's harder to get them to think like you want them too, they start to have their own thoughts and make their own choices. Even if it means leaving you." Griffin's tone was hollow and Tanner recalled with disgust when he realized his own Sire's hold on him.

It was natural with such a sacred bond but Griffin had been lucky. Turned in a group of newborns in the early 1900s, right on the cusp of the revolution, he never had that close relationship. He taught himself control and gave himself a sense of purpose. He had never been swayed, he didn't understand how violating it was.

Yet Tanner had done the same exact thing instinctively.

In the beginning it's for their own good. Convincing them thirst wasn't that bad and ignoring the sweet smell of blood running through humans didn't smell that good. But then it comes more. Then it's reminding them how attractive you are and how grateful they are for the immortality you bless them with. And from there all rights and wrongs are shot to hell and the Sired can't separate true feelings from artificial ones. Until they grew stronger and more resistant.

Like Sven was.

That day when he gave him the option to leave Tanner couldn't help but sway him. He truly couldn't picture his life without Sven--but Sven was clearly picturing his life without Tanner. "I want to let him go, I do but even when I start to I pull him back in. But it's not working as well anymore." Tanner shook his head. "And he's so much stronger than I thought."

"That's because he practically drained a human. That's fresh, unprocessed blood. It's going to jack him up a bit but then he'll come right back down." Griffin was always stellar at convincing Tanner he nothing to worry about. "Besides he loves Luca doesn't he?"

"Yes." That was never swayed. That relationship had blossomed naturally--not that Tanner was surprised. Luca melted everyone's heart. Speaking of which... "Can I get the number to your vet? I was hoping to get Luca evaluated."

"Looking for a count down for him huh?" Griffin's tone was sympathetic but his words were still callous.

Tanner's narrowed ever so slightly but a knock on the door paused the words on his tongue. Cayden leaned almost nervously. "Um--Griffin?"

Griffin's eyes rolled as turned to face his new lover. "What?" He spat. "I'm speaking. I didn't invite you did I?"

The pain was obvious as the poor boy didn't understand how the man who was once so sweet, was now a bitter reminder of his Sire. "I didn't mean to bother you I just... I got your message you get mad when I don't reply but my phone's dead and-and--"

"I don't care." Griffin snapped. "Get out from under my feet."

"Griffin--"

"It-it's okay. I'm sorry." Cayden wrung his hands together nervously. "Are you angry with me?"

"I'm going to be if you don't get out here." He snapped.

Cayden disappeared very quickly after that and Griffin sighed out in agitation. "What the hell Griffin?"

"Don't okay. You have Sven and I have that little bitch. We all have our crosses to bare."

"He's not a bitch." Tanner huffed. "Maybe if you didn't treat him like shit..."

"I'm not treating him like shit." Griffin leaned forward. "I saved his life. He owes me."

"Saved his life? Are you kidding?"

"He was an actual whore who ran out on his pimp who my were killed. If I hadn't done something that night he would have taken off his goddamn head. He owes me."

Tanner wasn't sure what to say so he relented with a shrug. After all, Cayden did owe Griffin his life on that case. Not that Griffin should be abusing that power but who was he to judge. "The number?" He reminded him. "He's sick today and I guess I'm just worried."

Griffin frowned. "That's too bad. Probably a cold or something though--weres get sick." He scrolled his phone a moment before scrawling down a number and catching sight of the time. "He does house calls. I'll call you later alright?"

"Alright." Tanner agreed. "And thanks for giving me your thoughts on the Sven thing."

"No problem."

QOTC: thoughts?!