[ sacrifice ] +
TREAD CAREFULLY | [ACCEPTING]
[ SACRIFICE ] + for my muse to get hurt protecting yours
It’s been well over two months, going on three, since Joshua took Noel under his wing. The vampire’s brought the boy over to his place countless times or visited the bartender at work, keeping a watchful eye as Noel smiled and made small talk with patrons. Joshua never liked going to China Town, loathing the influx of demons that had his gut uneasy and acid ever present in the back of his throat. But for Noel? A means to an end.
Such a night it was, with him standing outside as Noel and the others grabbed their belongings to skedaddle. Joshua stood near the door as a man staggered forth, reeking of booze and who knows what else. A slur, at first, as the stranger got his bearings. “The b’tender. L’mme see the b’tender,” the human grunted, one foot stomping forward as a hand lurched for the wall.
“He’s busy,” Joshua deflected simply, distracted by the drunk to pick up on the loaded gun further down. The man ran forward and brought out a metal glint from his pocket, voice hoarse while features warped in anger.
“L’mme see ‘im..!” he growled, just as a shot rang out the alley and Joshua’s body shoved against the wall. He bit his lip as the bullet wound smarted with pain, bleeding dark blood. The vampire managed to snag the drunk’s blade and slice his throat open, kicking the threat away so he could choke and drown on his words.
For now, Joshua focused on the wound with a firm press of his hand, just in time to see Noel and his associates sprint out the front.
So much for a quiet walk home. Damn demons.
“We will need to take a stop on our way back,” he instructed in a casual tone, despite the underlying pain weighing his words.
@noelxgardner
