The quickest way to thin out Eddie’s patience was fear, but a close second was anger, irritation, and whilst he’d been entirely prepared to look after his very drunk charge that evening, handling two other drunk men he’d never met before was an entirely different game, one he was very clearly losing. They were all on the same side, they were all Adrian’s friends, yet they were both making it difficult for Eddie to remember that. Despite his warm reception, frustratingly, Luke didn’t answer his most important question and nearly threw Eddie off course entirely with his comments. 'The Eddie’? They’d heard ‘a lot’?
The dhampir’s smile tightened, only nodding stiffly in response. He knew better than anyone Adrian had a tendency to run his mouth when inebriated, often playing up, exaggerating — their recent trip to the infirmary was more than proof of that. Irritation began hurtling towards fear, Eddie now concerned about what Adrian might be telling other people. Albeit, there wasn’t much to tell, Eddie downplaying everything they’d done for the sake of his own feelings, but if anything ever got out, became exaggerated, they’d be completely fucked. Feeling his cheeks begin to warm, Eddie tried his best to waylay his worry, figuring the comments could still be applied to a guardian and charge dynamic. He was certainly very present in Adrian’s life, anyone could see that. Plus, Adrian was a known flirt. It could all be explained. Eddie was still working on convincing himself of that when Henry finally spoke up.
Considering how kindly Luke had responded, and how highly Adrian spoke of him, Henry’s apparent attitude was unexpected. He didn’t know the man enough to confirm if he was being goaded, but it certainly felt like it, Eddie’s pretense of a smile falling completely as their gazes met. It confirmed his fears. Adrian had been talking. But Eddie still couldn’t be sure of the context, of the details, and it certainly wasn’t the place, nor the people, to confirm anything with. Better to talk it it out privately.
Eddie cleared his throat, attempting to calm down. He’d only approached the pair for help, but he’d been sent nothing but curve balls and he was still no closer to finding Adrian. Now Henry was challenging his own relationship? Questioning their trust in one another? It didn’t register to the guardian that Henry had actually made a good point — Eddie wouldn’t hear it, not when it came from someone he didn’t know, not when it was thrown at him like some kind of accusation of failure. “Right,” the blonde nodded, glancing around them again in hopes of spotting Adrian, finding it difficult to maintain his cool. “Well, to me, it sounds like you’re getting involved in something you don’t know anything about. I believe what I see, and I don’t see Adrian. So, where is he?”
Henry couldn’t help but smile when he noticed Eddie move closer, fronting up to him. As exhausting as time travel and fighting was, he couldn’t deny the thrill of adrenaline, and was always morbidly pleased when his negative assumptions about someone proved true. He didn’t need to jump eras to trust his instincts, and his instincts told him Eddie was controlled by his own fear and would always remain too stubborn to ever work that out. He’d break Adrian’s heart, of that Henry had no doubt.
Turning his head to address Luke, he echoed Eddie’s question. “— Lukey? Any ideas?” His friend shrugged, swaying on his feet, barely comprehensible, and Henry decided to push that narrative, admittedly enjoying watching Eddie defend himself when they both knew better.
“Yeah…” He winced, acting disappointed as he patted Luke and let him go. It was done in an unconscious effort to protect his friend, Henry allowing Eddie to zero in on him only, the traveller tilting his head in interest. “And I’m afraid I don’t know where he’s run off to either. But that should be fine with you, seeing as it’s not our business?” Noticing the tightness in Eddie’s jaw, Henry shrugged, satisfied he’d made a point. “Guess you better go do your job and find him, then.”
