Avriel Kaplan: Well dressed, well groomed, beautifully handsome, quiet and brooding and exactly the kind of man Ariel Declan doesn't need to know. But, that is not for her to decide.
Alexander Kirk: wickedly handsome, well known and well liked, egot...
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Alexander skulked away only mildly beaten. He would heal overnight if he did nothing, much more rapidly if he did. Avriel expected that Alex would deploy discretion whatever his choice was. He wiped Alex's blood from his hand and set the broken bones without so much as a wince. He hoped that Ariel would arrive soon. He had a choice to make. He could let the wound heal in the several hours that it would take to mend on its own, or he could direct his energy into healing it. If he waited he wouldn't have to do anything. If he forced it he would need to pull energy from somewhere, someone or something to replenish what he used. He wanted to keep as much energy in as he could. He didn't know if he'd need it and he didn't want to feel like he did when he was alone with Ariel. She was far too tempting for him.
He watched Austin approach and smiled. Austin was thoughtful and kind he adored him very much.
"Well, that didn't go as planned now did it?" Austin didn't bother with smiling. He didn't expect much in the way of an answer either. He turned and looked at Avriel with a look of stunned confusion on his face when he got one.
"What? I do know how to string together more than five words at a time, you know?" Avriel laughed. The expression on Austin's face was more than amusing to him. "People talk. I listen."
Austin's face showed shock and embarrassment, "I didn't mean to offend."
"You didn't. I don't talk much. It's a choice. However, I like talking to you."
"You do?"
"Yes. I do. I know. Doesn't happen often." He closed his eyes and focused on Ariel for just a moment while another part of his mind reached out to Darius. Avriel's mind gently touched his and a soft smile formed on their faces. He could see Ariel through Darius' eyes. She was just wrapping things up inside and they were preparing to head out together. He retreated into himself. "They are on their way."
"Good. Will you ride with her or are we to leave her car here?"
"We will follow her to her home. I will escort her in to get a few things while you wait in the car. If she chooses we will leave her car there. If you don't mind, will you take her to the places she needs to go tomorrow and watch over her?"
Austin nodded. "Your hand?" He gently inquired.
"Broken."
Dismayed, Austin looked at him. He opened his mind to Avriel reflexively. If Avriel had a need he would see it taken care of. He did it out of loyalty. He did it more out of love. 'Take whatever you need.'
"What I need is for you to be strong enough to watch over Ariel tomorrow while I rest. It's just a break. It is already mending. Thank you, Austin. You amaze me," Avriel said gently as he smiled a frim smile. If a black man could blush, Austin would have been blushing. Avriel didn't speak much. When he did one never knew what kind of words were going to come out of his mouth. It felt good to know that he enjoyed talking to him and it always felt good when Avriel gave a compliment. Austin prided himself on hard work and loyalty. He was fiercely loyal to Avriel for a million reasons and extremely grateful to have him in his life. He would do anything he asked. He was thankful to have an employer that never asked him to do anything illegal, or explicit and who had no problems fighting his own battles.
