« WAM book two point five » A lifetime of training, routines, rituals, all thrown away. Ten of his elders, his own parents, telling him he's worthless, a disgrace. Aidan might have been able to live with that if not for the knowledge that his brothe...
Setting down his book, Aidan swung his legs to the floor and rose with a groan. His body ached from their run the night prior that had taken them nearly to Val-d'-Or and back Cain was up to his elbows in flour and dough, and a timer on the stove was beeping steadily. Aidan shut it off and retrieved the tray of muffins from within as his stomach rumbled in appreciation.
This was the last of the muffins, and the third round of baked goods Cain had turned out since Sam and Ada's departure—double batches, at that. It didn't happen often, but when he was stressed, Cain cooked. Or, in this case, baked. Aidan had helped with the cookies some; he still couldn't understand why his weren't as soft as Cain's. Aidan did everything exactly like he had, and yet his were never as good.
Bored with sweets, he had moved onto bread. By the time he finished with all this baking they would be able to feed the entire street. Aidan had already taken portions to their neighbours in the building—with mixed reactions. They were running out of counter space, limited as it was. Aidan squeezed past Cain to get to the drawer of storage containers and packed up some of the cooled treats.
So yeah, Cain wasn't coping so well. Aidan couldn't imagine how he'd be acting if Antoine was around, if he'd be able to keep it to himself. It was for the best that he couldn't make it this time.
Aidan knew Charlotte was home, so he sent her a quick text to see if she would mind if he stopped by for a minute. He figured he might as well give her some or they would go bad; there was no way they could eat all this. Okay, they could, but they shouldn't. Aidan would see about taking some to the shelter, as well, though he wasn't sure they would take something homemade.
Was he using this as an excuse to see Charlotte? Absolutely. Did he care? Not really. He, too, was hungry for answers, and the chance for a distraction, no matter how brief, was much needed. Aidan excused himself with a container of mixed goodies and a little smile.
Aidan waited in the bitter wind with bounding nerves. They made the moment feel like an eternity. When Charlotte got the door, she was in another comfortable day-off outfit, this one unsuited to the temperature. She wrapped her arms around her middle as she backed up to let him in.
"Hey! What's that?" Her gaze was already locked on the container in his hand.
"Cain's been baking."
Aidan's grin grew. A few steps up, Charlotte's shadow from the pot light on the upper landing fell over him. The unfamiliar sensation of looking up to meet her gaze was amusing.
"You drove all the way here to bring me cookies?" She took it with a wide, slightly bewildered smile.
Aidan shrugged. "And muffins, and tea biscuits." She started to climb, and he followed, adding, "I can only stay for a few minutes, though."
Charlotte paused with her hand on the door, taking in his hesitation. "Will you come in, at least?"
Aidan joined her on the landing as the door swung wide. The temptation was immense, nearly overwhelming.
"I shouldn't," he said slowly, tearing his gaze away from the cosy space.
She sighed, giving away the disappointment she tried to hide by leaning around the frame to set the container on the television stand. Aidan leaned against the wall, then let his feet slide to touch the opposite trim. When she turned, they were at eye level. She grinned and perked up. She leaned against him, palms coming to rest below his collar. Aidan drew her near until her perfume was all he could smell. Soft lips and a softer sigh sent a chill down his spine.
Time got away from him. For just a moment he was without stress, burden, responsibility. He could just be. Still, Charlotte had a way of getting under his skin. The next thing he knew he was trailing kisses down the side of her neck. He could both feel and hear the swiftness of her pulse.
Aidan's morbid mind latched onto the revelation of how fragile her life was. One bit could end it, or change it forever. Granted, not in this form. At worst, a bad bite from him just then would cause nothing more than a fever. Still, it was enough to give him pause, to restore some sense. Aidan drew back and was met by a sigh, half content, half disappointed.
"You have to leave."
"Yes," he chuckled.
She seemed to stare right through him for a moment. "This whole waiting thing kind of bites."
Aidan laughed harder, cupping her cheek; she leaned into it. "Patience, trust me."
"If you say so." She sighed again an instant before he kissed her once more. "I do, by the way. Trust you."
Aidan's grin seemed permanent as he made his way downstairs with eyes on his back. He was starting to really think he could manage this. His fears hadn't gone away, not at all, but they were easier to ignore now. If the nightmares could ease next, perhaps he would even get a decent night's rest.
The clear blue sky seemed a little more vibrant as he drove home, the snow a little more brilliant. As tired as he was, perhaps another run would help Cain calm down. The views would be great on a day such as this. Aidan wasn't sure how else to help, really. There wasn't much he could do. Until he got some answers, he couldn't formulate a plan. Without that, Cain's spiral would continue.
One step at a time. All he needed to worry about was how to keep Cain occupied until they knew more. Everything else was unnecessary. Still, knowing that and truly accepting it were different fears entirely.
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