Gore: Winterwidow

Chapter 13: Box

The second that the vampire knew that Lanna was asleep, James carefully untangled himself from her and picked up his clothes, slipping back into them silently. His crimson eyes seemed to glow in the dark slightly as he gazed at Lanna, moving over to her side of the bed like a shadow. He reached down and took the corner of the blanket, tugging the covers back over her and he leaned down to place a lingering kiss on her cheek before he walked out the door. Heartbreaker. Well, Natasha was definitely right about that.

James shoved his hands into his pockets as he trudged through the snowy sidewalks, feeling disgusting. The air fogged and the black sky shook loose a few snowflakes as he walked, and he started thinking again. He did what he had to do, but he just couldn't bring himself to go back to Natasha like this. The vampire wanted to feel worthy enough for her, but what could he do or give to her to convince himself? He'd have to think about that as he prowled the streets.

The brunette found himself entering the same stingy bar he had encountered Natasha at, and where he usually did his hunting. As he opened the door, he saw a familiar blonde sitting gloomily at the counter with a shot of something good and James cocked his head to the side slightly, contemplating whether or not he should join him. As annoying and stupidly loyal as he was, Steve didn't deserve to be alone looking all down like that. But that was only because the vampire owed him for sticking it up to Davis.

He sighed heavily and walked over to sit next to him at the bar, startling the blonde when he nudged him slightly. Steve looked miserable, in all honesty. Whatever happened, it couldn't be good.

"What the hell's wrong with you?" James growled and Steve sighed as he went back to gazing down at his drink, biting his lip slightly as the vampire ordered himself a little vodka. "A marshmallow like you doesn't belong in a dark place like this..."

Steve stirred his cup around distractedly and only stopped when the vampire pushed his hand back down with a glare.

"Me and Tony are... taking a little break..." he said quietly and looked away to hide what James was sure to be a heartbroken face. "We had a stupid fight and he left saying he needed some space- oh, it's all my fault!"

"Quiet, moron," James hissed as he sipped his vodka and let his fangs graze the edge of the glass with satisfaction. "The rest of the guys in here don't need to know. Besides, anyone who walks away from a guy like you is a blind bastard."

Steve sniffed and looked back to James with a hopeful look in his sad blue eyes. "Y-You really think so? Wait- why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden? I think that's the kindest thing you've ever said to me..."

James rolled his eyes exasperatedly as he placed his shot glass down again and watched the clear liquid ripple slightly. "I'm returning the favor. You saved my ass, so it's a one time offer- that is, until you inevitably do it again."

Steve nodded slowly and sighed. "I should've known it wasn't just you being nice." He then frowned confusedly. "What's that supposed to mean? You're not planning to go against Davis again, are you?" Steve suddenly gasped and lowered his voice with a small, mischievous smile. "You took her home, didn't you!"

James couldn't help but let his lip curl slightly, knowing that he could trust Steve and he nodded, making the blonde grin as if his relationship was still stable. "Aha! I knew it! I've heard there's been a little talk, but I didn't know if it was really true! Davis is gonna kill you!" he hissed as he glanced around.

"Not if he doesn't find out. But enough about me, we need to clear the air about the boyfriend. What did you do to piss him off so bad?" James rested his cheek on his hand and gazed at Steve expectantly who looked down again.