Oliver Mellors and Desmond Hume
He could not believe he was fluffing throw pillows. Or that he even had them. Or had actually bought them to begin with. But, damnit all, Desmond was coming over, on his word nonetheless, and Mellors would be dried in the sun if he let his friend feel unwelcome in his home.
His pace was slightly hurried as he walked the wooded path. It had been far too long since he had seen Mellors. Unfortunately for Desmond, he was still too young to have adopted a vampire's sense of time, so years still felt like years.
As he approached his friend's home, a smile lit his face. "Brotha," Des called out, "are you going to come out and greet your guest?"
Flipping the pillow over his shoulder, Oliver smiled widely and hurried toward the door. "Not so sure a kilt-wearin' vampire could be called guest!" Once outside, he moved across the gravel path and wrapped arms around the other man. "Damned good to see you." And it was.
Inhaling his friend's unique scent, Des couldn't agree more with the sentiment. He was glad his friend had convinced him to move to New Orleans. While he could be quite content alone, he was lonely in Europe. "Thanks for putting me up, its good to be here."
Squeezing tighter, Mellors inhaled as well, under the scents of travel was Desmond. "Glad you came. Even happier you're staying here for a bit," Pulling back, he showed fangs with the cheek to cheek smile, "figure you can give me some advise on grapes."
His head flew back as a loud, amused laugh bubbled up out of his throat. "I knew you had to have an ulterior motive in inviting me to the States."
Dragging the other vampire close for a hug, Oliver then turned them toward the house. "Lets get you settled for a bit. I've put a bed in my room until we can light-proof something for you. Okay?"
"There was no need for all that fuss," Desmond spoke as he followed his friend. "All I need is a dark corner to myself. You know me, brotha, I could sleep in a closet."
Giving a good squeeze to Desmond's shoulder, Mellors laughed. "Yes, and from what I've heard, you're good at comin' outa them." Once inside, he waved the free hand, "Not much, but comfy and mine. Ours for as long as you need."
"It's a good place you have here Mellors," Desmond said while taking stock of his surroundings. "It smells something foul though... What are you growing these days, Titan arum?"
Lightly cuffing the other vamp on his shoulder, Mellors scowled. "Had an injured Were in here a few days ago. Though I'd aired it out enough." He wasn't embarrassed or ashamed of what he'd done, but certainly wasn't sure how Desmond would react to that.
"Well that explains the smell," Desmond smiled, glad that the mystery was solved. His friend was a nurturing sort, so the news of nursing an injured were did not surprise him at all. "Is he going to be alright?"
"He's... he's fine." Turning away, he headed toward the back stairs that led into the root cellar. "Come on down." Averting his face, Mellors hoped his flush wouldn't show.
"I just bet he was," Des mumbled under his breath as he followed his embarrassed friend. "Let me know if I need to disappear for a few."
"We didn't... I mean, he's not been down here." Moving across the dirt-packed floor, he stopped before a heavy metal door at the other end of the room. "In here is where I sleep... where we sleep."
Desmond placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "I meant no harm, brotha. I don't expect that you would jump into bed with the first wounded puppy that you meet." Quickly taking stock of the room, Desmond smiled. "This is perfect... safe... Thank you for making room for me, taking me in."
Mellors relaxed, he wasn't offended, but the way the Were had run off still left him feeling a bit lost. Shaking his head, he stepped into the room as well. "It's pretty well equipped for us. That door there is the bathroom, and that one there, is a large freezer... I uh, have some blood in there if needed." Scratching at the back of his head, Mellors offered a half grin. The room they stood in was more than half the size of the entire house, and was dug further into the ground beyond the house walls. Roughly 20 x 30, it held two large beds, chairs around the TV and DVD player. "If you need anything down here, let me know, okay?"
"Perfect. You are too good to me." Desmond smiled. "Just let me know which bed to crash on and I'll be good. You don't mind if I set up a desk upstairs somewhere? Got inspired on the trip."
"No, not a problem at all. The uh smaller third bedroom is where I pay my bills, but you can have the one next to it as yours; it's empty." Oliver didn't mention the first bedroom and the large bed in it.
Taking a seat on the bottom of one of the beds, Desmond sighed in relief. "Its good to be welcome, it’s been awhile since I could relax." He flopped backwards onto the soft surface and looked towards Mellors. "So, why don't you give me the lay of the land. I don't need to make any enemies on my first day in town."
"Lets leave most of that for tomorrow, okay? It's closing in on dawn and I was wondering if you need to feed?" Sitting on the edge next to Desmond, Mellors smiled down at his friend. "You look a bit tired my friend."
Pausing briefly to take stock of his own body, Desmond nodded. "I am tired. It's been a long journey."
"Do you want some bagged blood, or... I mean, it's not as good as fresh, but it'll hold you through the day?" Mellors had made a friend with one of the regional managers at the local blood bank, and for a donation to the bank itself - not the human - he could pick up some blood when needed. Which luckily, wasn't needed too often. "We can heat... never mind, getting into too much detail."
"Always prepared, aren't you Mellors?" Desmond chuckled as he continued lying on the ever more comfortable bed, eyes closed. "How far would we need to travel for fresh?"
"Twenty minutes if we go slow." Shaking his head, he moved toward the door leading to his underground 'kitchen'. "You're too tired for that, I'll get you some and then we sleep." Moments later, a soft ding could be heard and Mellors returned with a glass.
Accepting the glass, Desmond took a cautious sniff. A bit stale but not horribly off putting, Desmond raised the glass to his thirsty lips. "That’s.... interesting," Desmond replied, eyes locked on the lukewarm glass while his nose scrunched in slight displeasure. "It’s a good idea brotha, but it proves a bit lacking in flavor." Tipping the glass once more to his lips, Desmond quickly consumed the remaining liquid.
Once the glass was returned to the 'kitchen', Mellors closed the door, and then moved to the entrance. Through some intricate locks and levers, he secured it for the night. "Upstairs is safe, alarm and all controlled from down here. This door however, has only one set of controls, and they are in this room." Moving toward his own bed, Mellors began unbuttoning his shirt, "I'm telling you this in case you need to lock yourself in. Tomorrow I'll show you the escape route..."
"You worry too much, Mellors," Desmond sighed as he shifted his body to fully lie on top of the bed. Though too tired to fully undress at this point, he kicked off his shoes and pulled off his own shirt. "What has you so concerned? Will the big bad wolf come back while we slumber behind lock and key?"
"No, but his prince might." It was softly spoken, as much to keep it to himself, as it was to not disturb his near to slumbering friend. Walking on bare feet, Mellors pulled a blanket from the drawer under the bed; softly draping it over Desmond, he leaned down and kissed the other vampire on the forehead, "Sleep, night will soon be here my friend."