"Stop moving," Reid reprimanded quietly.

He received a bloody grin for his curt tone, but his patient stilled, which let his thoughts continue to spiral. Past the shake in his fingers, he focused on washing the blood from Lucas's face with a wipe from the first aid kit laid out on the bench.

He'd seen Lucas beaten up before, but never this bad. His nose was broken, and he had a split on his bottom lip that looked deep. Bruises covered his face, some black and others already purpling.

Tomorrow, Lucas would look more than rough.

He hated it.

And he hated that Kenneth looked just as bad. The crowd had dispersed back upstairs now that their bloody entertainment was over. On a bench far to his right, Kenneth was being looked over by Milton, who was giving him a reaming while cleaning him off.

Kenneth was acting totally nuts. And it made him uneasy that it wasn't him stealing the title this time. Reid could feel the man's gaze on his back. Suppressing his darker impulses awakened by vampirism didn't mean he wasn't aware he was being hunted. A shiver up his spine told him so, and the whispers sang happily.

They wanted him to turn Kenneth: powerful, strong, and if they were blood-bonded, his forever. But he wasn't so ecstatic. The Kenneth who was in the ring with Lucas wasn't the boy he'd grown up with or the man who killed monsters with a menacing grin.

He was afraid he was losing his friend.

"So," Reid said, swallowing. He took a gentle hold of Lucas's jaw, moving the man's face so he could better wash away the drying blood near Lucas's ear. "Did your talk work?"

Lucas shrugged, gaze averted. "Didn't think he'd explode like that, but it's a step forward—hey, look at me a second." He caught Reid's hands and pinned his wrists together between them. Mingled with Lucas's affectionate gaze, it made the hold intimate, and the bloody wipe slipped from Reid's fingers, falling to their feet.

He rebelled against the warm feeling.

He had for months.

Because every time he let the damning flutter in his heart remain, he thought of fiery red hair, green eyes, and a pretty smile. He loved Rowan so much. He didn't want anything to mess up what they had. Especially Lucas's intense copper eyes and soft-looking lips that never failed to get his heart racing when they upturned into his signature cocky smirk.

Lucas's gaze flickered over Reid's face with concern. "Are you alright, love?"

"I should be asking you that," Reid replied quietly.

"I'm good."

"No, you're not."

Lucas smiled up at him, but there was no warmth. It was as if the man was looking through him, and Reid wanted to shake Lucas awake and rid him of the coldness he was constantly carrying nowadays.

He didn't know what happened to Lucas once he'd gone to bed the night that they agreed to be friends. But whatever it was, it had iced the man's gaze.

"Hey," a familiar voice came from his right, and his heart quickened.

Holding a cloth to his bleeding mouth, Kenneth was keeping his distance. Green eyes stared at Reid from under dark, curling lashes, flickering to Lucas's hand holding Reid's and sparking with an unreadable emotion. Kenneth looked unsure, and Reid's stomach plummeted right down to his boots. If either of them were to take control of this situation and fix it, it would have been Kenneth.

"Can we talk?" Kenneth asked.

"Yeah," Reid replied quietly. He turned back to Lucas, retaking his hands with a forced smile. "Well, I'm off. Just so you know, you're the worst patient I've ever had."

Lucas grinned. "Maybe, but I'm the sexiest."

He hadn't seen Kenneth getting stitched up while eating cereal. He didn't even wince, even though Reid was a novice and had only stitched fabric, taught by his mother when she went through a sewing phase. He'd thought he was in love with the man for a moment. So steadfast, stubborn, and, well, sexy. But he realized quickly at sixteen that he could get aroused from anything, and Kenneth was no exception.

Not that he'd ever admit that aloud. He'd rather die.

But Lucas, with his bourbon eyes, dusky skin, and wicked grin, was the definition of sexy. Reid gripped Lucas's jaw. "Stop that, or I'll beat you up," Reid warned darkly, but the huskiness of his voice was telling.

Lucas's laugh said he read it loud and clear.

Reid followed Kenneth around the cage, trying to figure out what to say to break the awkward tension between them. And then Aaron said his name, and he swiveled his head to find the werewolf approaching.

Amber gaze flickering to Kenneth nervously and then back, Aaron said, "I meant to ask you..." He snorted as if at himself because confidence took his previously unsure posture. "Why didn't Presley come with you today?"

Reid shrugged. "I don't know."

"He didn't offer?" Aaron asked, lifting his ball cap and running a hand through his black hair. Because Reid didn't know the man well, it was hard to say, but he thought Aaron might be agitated.

Cloth held against his bloody mouth, Kenneth said, "He wanted us to apologize for Maria."

Aaron nodded, putting his hat back in place, and looked a tad forlorn. "Yeah." He shifted as if to walk away but didn't move beyond staring off. Even standing over six feet tall, he looked so boyish. His wild gaze snapped back to Reid, resolved. "Could you tell him something for me?"

Reid nearly grinned. "Yeah, sure." He knew what this was, and his inner imp was ecstatic. Presley, who hid in closets, insulted him over coffee in the morning and wore a perpetual glower on his face: Aaron was soft for the guy.

Oh, Reid was cackling evilly on the inside.

Even his whispers were laughing, which was mildly disturbing.

After a lengthy pause, Aaron said, "Tell him I'm sorry about what happened last time he was here. I feel like shit about it. If he just came here, we could talk." He was stammering. "I want to talk... If he does."

"We'll tell him," Kenneth assured gruffly before gripping Reid's arm and pulling him away. When Reid glanced over his shoulder, Aaron had leaned against the cage and hung his head.

"I wanted to know what happened," Reid whined. The grip on his arm tightened. "Ow. Mean."

He needed to know. It was in his head, and now, he was coming up with so many scenarios. Was there a fight? An argument? Did Aaron and Presley have a thing? Friends with benefits? Hard to believe when Presley was ice cold. And that would throw a wrench in his Presley's in-love-with Rowan surety.

As they reached a quiet corner of the basement, he heard Henrik and Milton talking near the benches. They were whispering about the visit to Calmar's Bluff tomorrow, and Henrik offered to give them a few werewolves. Milton was thankful for the offer but strict about not bringing attention to themselves. Henrik was trying to convince him to err on the side of caution.

Inhaling, Reid shook off Kenneth's hand gripping his arm and took the bloody cloth from the man's hand, holding it to Kenneth's mouth. He gave Kenneth's cocked eyebrow a strained smile. "We're back here again."

He and Lucas were a pair of morons—bruised, sporting split lips and shallow cuts.

Kenneth's red-rimmed green eyes darted around and then back with a fond snort.

This was the same corner they'd hidden in to talk strategy before his fight with Aaron. He'd bitten Kenneth then, and the memory ached his fangs. But that might be because of the excess amount of Kenneth's blood he could scent.

Did the man realize he smelled so amazingly that they'd had to have a meeting about him a week ago?

Kiernan wasn't bothered, but he was highly aware of it.

Axel had a more difficult time. With the birth of his baby coming soon and stressors high, he'd been staying far away from Kenneth, afraid that he might lose his logic and do something crazy, like bite the man.

Claiming that it did not affect her because she bit Kiernan when it brought her vampire side out—too much information—Gianna had promised to keep her grandfather in his room until Kenneth stopped giving off a perfume that screamed, Bite me!

Anna and Uriah kept their distance and spent a lot of time outside in the yard or upstairs in the attic. Wyatt was having the most challenging time out of all of them. Even more so than Reid, which was a feat because he had to suffer sleeping with Kiernan and Gianna since that biting incident with Kenneth. He could've slept with Rowan on the couch but couldn't risk being sleepy, waking up, and finding himself with his fangs in Kenneth's neck before he could stop himself.

Out of all of them, Wyatt was a vampire through-and-through. He was not monstrous like some of them, but he gave in to his impulses and wasn't bothered by the darker aspects of their lifestyle. He thought they should tell Kenneth and then turn him.

Reid had refused. Kenneth would agree, but only because he was turning. Reid had been the same: logic left, and the only thing he'd wanted was blood, so he would've done anything to get it. He couldn't take Kenneth's consent away like that. And, selfishly, he didn't want to know what Kenneth's expression would look like when Reid confirmed the man's worst fears.

They'd wait until there was no other choice.

Or, Milton found a cure. He'd been poring through tomes for weeks, searching for a way to stop the process, but, so far, came up with nothing.

"Was it worth it?" Reid asked tightly.

Would it be mean to cover his nose and mouth with his hand? Every day that passed, Kenneth smelled better, and the scent was becoming cloying.

"Punching Lucas is always worth it," Kenneth rasped.

The bleeding from Kenneth's mouth had stopped. Reid lowered the bloody cloth, inhaled deeply, and leaned flush with the brick of the wall. He saw Kenneth battling with his words and forced a grin. "You mean rolling around with Lucas is always worth it?"

Kenneth rolled his eyes.

"What?" Reid laughed, and it was genuine. The urge to tease and make light of the situation was too powerful to resist. "You were all over each other. I kept thinking, any minute now, they're going to start making out, and Milton is going to die of a heart attack."

The punch to his arm had some anger behind it. "Ow," Reid complained, rubbing at his aching bicep. Redness took Kenneth's face, and Reid simpered. "You would've won, you know."

"He kicked my ass," Kenneth grumbled.

"If you weren't rushing at him impulsively, you would've had him."

Kenneth had left a bunch of openings, and Lucas took every opportunity he could. Not that Lucas wasn't a force. Reid would've been squashed within two seconds of stepping into the ring with the guy.

Kenneth scoffed. "I was fighting impulsively?"

"He did seem off." Reid didn't like to admit it, but witnessing Lucas shift into whatever cold place he'd fallen when the fight became grisly had been terrifying.

They both glanced at the cage.

Through the bars, they could see the others. Lucas had his elbows on his knees and was staring up at Aaron. Focusing his hearing, Reid caught the werewolf asking Lucas to attend their weekend fight. Aaron wouldn't brawl with Kenneth, but would get in the cage with Lucas.

Did the werewolf have a death wish?

Kenneth frowned. "Are you okay?"

Reid smiled, eyes finding Kenneth's. "Yup." He had never felt less okay in his life. "Just peachy."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah."

Kenneth inhaled. "What happened back there... when I said you were mine."

Reid gave Kenneth a wary look. His heart pounded against his chest. He was the one who'd always been possessive, but switched, truthfully, he didn't know how to deal with it. "What did you mean by that?"

He knew what it was, but did Kenneth?

The man's nature was pushing him to find the strongest vampire to give him blood and, thus, turn him. Reid had noticed Kenneth giving Kiernan's back longing looks, but he didn't think the man was even aware of it. And Reid felt those eyes on him, too, hunting him like a hungry predator.

Kenneth ran his bloody fingers through his hair. "I meant you're my responsibility." He gripped Reid's arm as if to stop his expression from morphing into hurt. Responsibility? Would he always be a weak boy who needed to be protected?

"That's all?" Reid whispered.

"You're my best friend."

"I don't think you've ever admitted that aloud before," Reid teased, smiling shakily. He knew there was more, but didn't push when Kenneth looked so unsteady. "So, what, I can't have another best friend?"

"No."

Reid laughed. "No?"

"You can't have two best friends."

"Who says?"

"Me."

Smiling, Reid laid a hand on Kenneth's fast-rising chest. The man's heart was beating rapidly. His fingers hooked on the collar of Kenneth's shirt, grazing warm skin. "Are you going to tell me what you really meant so I don't have to dominate you?"

Kenneth glared, pushing Reid's hand away. "Try it, and I'll poke out your eyes, twerp." But at odds with his words, the scent he was giving off so temptingly grew thicker.

"Then," Reid said gently, "tell me."

"The idea of you with Lucas makes me feel insane."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

Reid's face heated up. "Do you..."

Kenneth looked pained. "If you're about to ask if I'm suddenly getting a hard-on for you—just don't. I'm not in the mood for jokes."

"Fine," Reid huffed.

After a short silence, Kenneth whispered, "This thing with Lucas..."

"We're just friends," Reid said exasperatedly. It was getting irritating. Was this how he acted? Possessiveness was fun until it became a headache.

Kenneth dipped his head, staring into Reid's eyes intensely. "Something is going on with you. Don't think I haven't noticed."

Reid smirked. "You're changing the subject. We're supposed to be talking about you and the erections you keep having about me."

The tease got what he wanted, and Kenneth's expression of concern shifted to fury. "I told you, I'm not getting hard-ons for you." He was blushing. "This isn't like that."

Reid hummed. He'd let Kenneth off the hook for now. The man was so red his head might explode if pushed. "But you are jealous."

"It doesn't matter."

"It does if you're constantly beating up everyone I date."

"Just Lucas."

"Because he's a guy?"

"No." Kenneth was blushing. "I would have no issues with you dating Presley."

"Presley?" Reid grimaced.

"He's small."

Reid smirked. "So, what? Lucas isn't small, so I can't date him?"

"Presley isn't small. I meant he's..." Kenneth was stammering, and Reid was having the time of his life witnessing the man's flushing cheeks. "A gentle guy. Lucas is big—rough. He was an agent, Reid. You just saw me fight him. He's dangerous. He's not going to treat you—"

Kenneth's expression shadowed, realizing all at once.

"Yeah," Reid said, laughing nervously.

"No. I won't let you."

"What? I'm chasing men that look like you." Reid ran his tongue along his lips suggestively and laughed when a large palm whacked his cheek, leaving a sting. "Ow! See? You made me like this!"

Kenneth shook his head, exasperated, but couldn't hide the twitch of a smile on his lips. "You're so annoying." A deep sadness took his expression. "I know what this is."

"Yeah, it's my love confession. I'm trying, but you're just not hearing it."

"You're chasing self-destruction again."

Reid sighed. He was an addict, just not to drugs. Kenneth thought it was Lucas, but it was pain that made his fingers twitch in temptation. It hurt deeply that Kenneth was aware of how pathetic he was, but he didn't show it, smirking. "But why is self-destruction so hot if I'm supposed to stay away?"

"Shit, Reid." Kenneth groaned softly. He looked away, gripping his hair. "Don't make me think about you being manhandled."

Reid laughed. "I never said Lucas manhandled me."

"I'm going to think about it if you're with Lucas all the time."

"Why can't I be the one manhandling?"

Kenneth grasped Reid's arm and held it up. It was awkward, and Reid laughed, feeling silly with his hand dangling above his head.

"See?" Kenneth frowned. "You'll let me do anything I want before you ask why."

Reid yanked his arm back, pouting. Shame heated his face. "Mean." He rubbed at his wrist, and even though Kenneth hadn't held it hard enough to bruise, his skin ached. "Is this about you shouting that I'm yours?"

So easy to deflect, Kenneth sighed. "I hated when you said that mine shit, but I get it now." He stared intensely, and Reid's heart pounded against his chest.

Reid's traitorous tongue nearly blurted everything he'd been keeping, but he couldn't make words beyond soft inhales and exhales.

"I meant it," Kenneth declared passionately. "You're my brother—my best friend. I love you." He slipped that in there casually, pretending not to see how Reid's face lit up. He sighed heavily. "I'm learning that I don't share well."

That was true. But Kenneth always shared with him. Food, his bed, his shower, his privacy, his life. Kenneth had never had another friend for the decades they'd known each other.

"But I think it's more than that..." Kenneth rasped. "I think something might be happening to me..."

"Yeah," Reid said sadly.

Kenneth looked away, swallowing.

This would be a perfect moment to tell Kenneth he was definitely turning, but the forlorn expression on the man's face hurt Reid deeply. He wished he could do something for the man. Ease his suffering somehow. Taking pity, Reid changed the subject. "You can't be scaring away everyone who I fall in love with."

Kenneth swallowed. "You're in love with Lucas?"

"I think so." Reid laughed, grabbing Kenneth's arm before the man could stomp across the room and challenge Lucas to another fight. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to kill him."

Reid felt exhausted. "Why?"

Kenneth shut his eyes, breathing deeply. "Because..." He opened them, and Reid stared into the green, smiling. "I'm jealous."

"Yeah," Reid huffed fondly. "I know—everybody knows."

"I've totally gone off the fucking deep end," Kenneth murmured, giving Reid a wary look. He sighed. "Shit. I can't ask you not to completely fall for the guy, but..." His chest rose faster. "I'm asking you not to. I know it's selfish of me."

"Be selfish. I like it."

Kenneth smiled tiredly. "I can't promise I'll be alright with seeing you with Lucas...or anyone else who hurts you."

"Me neither, for you."

"But I like Rowan. She's nuts enough to keep up with you. When you're with her, I see how happy you are. Let yourself be happy, Reid. Please."

Reid smiled warmly. "I like her, too. That's why Lucas and I broke it off." He laughed tiredly. "For the hundredth time, we're just friends, I swear."

"Even if you were more. I know I need to back off." Kenneth inhaled deeply. "We've been together for so long, just us, letting other people in... It's hard."

"Sometimes, I miss when it was just us," Reid whispered.

Everything felt simpler.

"Me, too."

"Will you be honest with me?" Kenneth whispered, his smile faltering. "Are you hiding anything from me?" He gripped Reid's arm, forcing his back flush against the brick for Kenneth's intense green eyes to scrutinize without him slipping away. "I look at you, Reid, and I keep feeling like I've missed something. Are you hurting yourself again?"

Reid sputtered, "N-no." The guilt he felt ate at his gut, aching and churning. The cuts healed before Kenneth ever saw, but of course, he'd stare into Reid's eyes and just know. The man wouldn't understand that pain was the only way he kept his sanity. "I told you about the voices. What else is there to hide?"

"You've been sneaking off." Kenneth unzipped Reid's jacket and lifted Reid's t-shirt without asking, and when he found no wounds, he exhaled in relief. Meeting Reid's eyes, Kenneth frowned deeply. "Where do you keep going for hours?"

"Just for some time alone," Reid lied, pushing Kenneth's hand away and shoving his shirt down. "The house is full of people."

"Promise?" Kenneth asked.

"Yeah. I...promise." Reid zipped up his jacket.

The relief he saw pass behind Kenneth's green eyes nearly had him falling to his knees and confessing everything, but he stood tall, smiling.

"Alright," Kenneth whispered. He took in a deep breath, gripped Reid's wrist, and said, softer, "I know I'm not great at emotions, but I'll always be there for you. You can't do anything to change that. Okay?"

Nodding, Reid tried not to cry.

Kenneth laid a palm on his shoulder. "Reid?"

"I'm just tired."

"I know you're keeping something from me."

Reid smiled, past his misery. 

Kenneth gave him a handsome one in return.

With a tired sigh, Kenneth put his arm around Reid's neck, pulling him down so that Reid had to bend over and endure the smell of Kenneth's sweaty armpit.

Reid squirmed as fingers dug into his ticklish spots, choking on laughter.

He slapped Kenneth's bicep. "Mercy!"

"Huh?" Kenneth goaded, laughing a little. "I can't hear you."

They were so focused on each other that they almost didn't hear the gunshots.