It was a long and tedious day of riding, during which Simon paid Danya very little mind. In fairness Simon paid little attention to anyone else, either, but it still stung when everyone else was taking the opportunity to be as openly affectionate with one another as they pleased.

But, Danya supposed, that was true of Simon as well. This was exactly as much affection as he wished to bestow upon Danya.

As they reached the outskirts of the city, though, Danya noticed Simon looking back, seeking his eyes. He gave Simon a nod. He was okay. He muscles felt tense, but it was only late afternoon and he was surrounded by competent fighters. They were in no danger.

They dropped their horses off at a stable and unloaded their luggage, and then Roope and Tris led the way to their temporary lodgings.

The demeanor among the group had changed now, in this city where someone might be watching at all times. Hamish, Roope, and Tris still joked amongst themselves, but they were quieter now and there was no touching. Cailan had fallen in a respectful step behind Liam, so Danya went to follow after Simon in the same way.

He received another look, gave another nod, and they continued on silently.

The hotel was a two story brick pre-war building. No care had been given towards any kind of aesthetic details, but new bars had been installed over all of the windows and the front door could be barred from the inside with metal rods.

“Looks solid,” Hamish commented as he examined the door.

“Mm,” Simon agreed. “I’d still like to make sure we have at least one person on watch at all times through the night, but I don’t anticipate any trouble.”

“If there’re any weak points, you can room me up nearby,” Slone offered. “I’m a light sleeper.”

“And practically untrained,” Simon pointed out.

Slone shrugged. “Your boy’s completely untrained. Ain’t always what matters.”

“My boy has magic and he almost died. I’m not putting you in any more danger than I have to, and I’m not letting you put yourself in any more danger than you need to be, either.”

Danya could tell this was frustrating for Slone. Whatever he was, he was stronger than Simon knew and he was unused to concealing it. Still, he relaxed his shoulders and backed down under Simon’s angry gaze. “Yeah, guess you’re right, Captain. I’m a damn fine brawler, but I just ain’t got the experience with vampires.”

“I’ll put you on the second floor with Hamish, Tris, and Roope,” Simon said. “They’ll be clustered, so you’ll provide a bit more spread.”

“Damn right we’ll be clustered,” Hamish interjected.

Simon shot him a look before continuing. “Liam, Cailan, you’ll be on the first floor with me and Danya. I want Danya roomed between yours and mine.”

“He won’t be sharing with you?” Liam asked.

“He’ll share with me as needed, but he should have his own space while such a thing is possible. Cailan, you can have your own room too if you like.”

Cailan didn’t respond, just shrunk back towards his master.

Simon clapped his hands together. “Right. I want a thorough sweep of the building, then pick your rooms and settle in. I’ll be around to make sure everything’s in order soon.”

And then Danya was left alone with Simon, not quite knowing what to say or do. He had assumed they’d share a room. Share a bed. Instead, what he would get was as needed.

Where did a need end and a want begin? Did he need, truly, only to be functional?

He swallowed and looked up at Simon. “I’ve never had a room of my own before.”

“This will be nice for you, then.”

“I—” hate it. “Yes.”

#

Slone still had his pheasant, so Simon had him prepare it for dinner. Cailan offered to take over the task, but he silently retreated to his master’s side when Simon insisted Slone do it himself a bit too grumpily.

Danya stayed in the kitchen and looked through the cupboards as Slone plucked the bird. There wasn’t much in them. There were bowls and plates and cutlery, and there were some jars of salt and spices that still looked good, but that was about it. They had brought some supplies of their own, though, and there was a market where they could buy more as needed. Danya started slicing some potatoes to go with the pheasant.

Simon walked back into the room just in time to see Slone lick pheasant blood off his fingers. “How are you still alive?”

Slone looked up from his half-butchered pheasant. “Hm?”

“You just put uncooked pheasant blood in your mouth. Do you want food poisoning?”

Slone looked back down at the pheasant. “That’s bad, huh?”

Simon stared at him in silence for a long moment, then turned around and called out into the common area. “Cailan, come and finish this mess up before he gives us all food poisoning. Hamish… find some empty space inside and run him through drills until dinner’s ready. Get the others to help if you like. We are not letting this idiot get killed like his brother.”

As Simon turned to leave, Slone stepped in front of him. “How did my brother go and get himself killed, though? I’m still missing a few details on that one.”

Simon stood straight, his jaw tight. After a tense moment, he sighed and forced himself to relax slightly. “You’re right. I don’t know. Maybe it was his fault, but probably not. Our perimeter—”

“Simon,” Slone interrupted. “I’m gonna tell you this, ‘cause I think you’re carrying this whole thing around in your heart. Whatever happened to him, it was his own doing. Don’t know why he snuck out of your camp, but he did. Ain’t no vampire taking that man with any kind of stealth.”

Simon shook his head. “He shouldn’t have been able to sneak past the men on watch, either. He was even bigger than you. I don’t know how it could have happened, and I am so sorry that it did.”

“You weren’t his babysitter. You weren’t even in charge then.”

“No, but I was his friend,” Simon said. “He was a good man.”

“But too impulsive. I know.” Slone placed a hand on Simon’s shoulder. “I’ll be more careful, all right? I promise.”

“Good.” Simon tilted his head towards Hamish, but there was a small smile on his lips now. “You’re still doing drills until dinner, though.”

Slone grinned. “Yes, sir.”

Simon slapped Slone on the shoulder when he went to leave the kitchen. “Wash your fucking hands first.”

Slone clicked his fingers and headed towards the sink. “Oh. Right. Food poisoning.”

Simon sighed, shook his head, and left the room.