Twelve

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When Tanner returned with the bottle, Luca was sitting on the couch.

He passed the drink to his friend and helped Luca dress. The boy was awfully squirmy however. "Marco not play with Luca," he pouted. "Daddy let Marco be person like Daddy and Grif and Luca?"

"He can't pumpkin. His job is to stay in that shape."

Luca's bottom lip pushed out. "Daddy no!"

"Daddy doesn't like it when you whine. Would you some water?" He gestured to the cup that had been set aside.

"No. Water tastes bad."

"What do you mean pumpkin?"

"Luca not want it!" The were's voice rose several octaves. "Luca not want, Luca not want, Luca not want--"

"Enough!" Tanner's voice was low. The were obediently silenced him. "Why don't you want you the water?"

Luca's thumb found its way into his mouth. "Water smells bad."

"That's all you had to say sweetheart. Daddy doesn't like it when Luca whines." Tanner took the cup and dumped it. His nose couldn't pick up the chemical stench but the were's superior sense of smell could. He filled the cup with water from the fridge and brought it back.

Luca took the glass carefully cupped in both hands. Water sloshed dangerously and Tanner narrowly saved Luca from dropping it. "Daddy take away water?"

Tanner had stupidly forgotten about getting drinkware that would be Luca friendly. Another thing to add to the list it seemed. He went to the kitchen and splashed half the glass into a bowl that he slid carelessly in front of the Beast on the floor. It hit his snout but Marco didn't react. He dippers his face in, struggling to get the low level of water with the muzzle on. Tanner had expected such--a subtle punishment for the were and amusement for Tanner.

"You could give him more water." Griffin's voice was riddled with annoyance but Tanner wasn't bothered.

"Once he finishes that he can have more."

The four sat in silence until Luca spoke. He had a water droplet on his chin. "Marco be like Luca now? Put on shoulders?"

The wolf hadn't given up on trying to drink. He used his paw to tip the water and pool it on one side. Tanner was waiting for him to dump it on his carpet--it would be an excellent reason to have him chained outside for the remainder of the evening. "His shots won't wear off for a good six months I guess. But I sprung for the new kind so hopefully we can go a whole year before we have to redo."

The 'shots' kept the weres in their animal form. It was a handy invention that had revolutionized and solidified their roles as protection Beasts. Constantly redoing the shots every six months was a headache for vampires so they'd been working toward finding a serum potent enough to last a year and hopefully, eventually, a Beasts entire life.

"Daddy?"

"Sorry cupcake. Marco can't in his other shape anymore."

Luca frowned and plopped down beside the were, stroking his fur. Tanner watched in dissatisfaction and worry. Marco didn't move. He had given up in the water and now laid dejectedly on the floor at his Master's feet. "Luca bored."

"Would you like to watch some TV?"

Luca beamed. "Yes Daddy."

***

"He texted me."

It was quite late. Luca wasn't showing signs of exhaustion but Marco was in the sleep state weres went it. Occasionally his eyes would move as if he watching. Tanner couldn't shake a relentless agitation at his mere sight. The fury from his actions had yet to lessen. "Oh?" Tanner was surprised Griffin had heard from Reagan so soon.

Reagan liked to let Griffin stew. "He said not to expect him until tomorrow." His friend's voice was tense with fury.

Tanner almost felt bad for him. "Don't let him treat you like this. End it."

"No I can't. I love him."

"Then you're a fool." Tanner stroked Luca's hair. "You let him act like this."

"I'm not his keeper Tanner. Besides we have an open...ish relationship."

"Openish?" Echoed Tanner. "I assume that means he sleeps around and you put up with it?"

Griffin rolled his eyes but didn't offer another definition. "Whatever."

They lapsed into silence until Luca looked up at Tanner. "Luca wanna play with his toys."

"It's a little late, don't you think?"

"Luca thinks time for toys." The boy replied promptly. "Daddy play with Luca!"

"If you really want to cupcake."

Tanner went upstairs to retrieve the train set and sat down on the carpet with Luca, setting it up. Griffin grabbed the remote and changed the channel to a news station. Luca whined loudly. "No! Luca watching shows!"

"You can't watch and play," scowled Griffin.

"Luca can so!" Luca pouted at his Daddy.

"Luca you need to share," Tanner replied. "Let him watch TV while we play with the train?"

Luca whimpered in defeat. "Daddy play?" He asked, seeking reassurance.

"Of course pumpkin."

***

Luca fell back asleep around five am.

Griffin also decided to retire to his empty house. Tanner was left in peace and quiet as he cleaned up the small explosion of toys Luca had created. Tanner tucked Luca in and went to his own bedroom.

Wrapping his head around the drastic change in his life was difficult. He didn't know what to think. That and bringing Luca to work with him, surrounded by possible threats and other vicious beasts? He was feeling uneasy about it.

Tanner rested his body for a few hours before regaining his consciousness and preparing for his work day. With his briefcase packed he began to hunt for Luca's collar, harness, leash and muzzle. He wasn't in the mood to be ticketed for an improperly kept Beasts. However it killed him to think of how uncomfortable his little one would be.

In the living room there was no Luca.

There was a wet spot on his couch much to dismay. It was expensive suede that had antique value as well as it being his favorite piece of furniture. He didn't dwell on it, catching a housekeeper and gesturing to it wordlessly. The small demon woman turned his crimson eyes on the couch and nodded curtly.

She was the only non-vampire on his staff. She was part time who did the morning grunt work. Tanner knew she was harmless and she accepted pitifully low wages. That was the best part about demons. There was no minimum pay for them. He followed Luca's scent to a closet where they kept the fine linens. He was curled beneath a pile of silk sheets, sniffling dejectedly. "Why don't you come out of there sweetheart?" Tanner asked softly.

The boy shook his head. "Luca bad boy."

"No, no. Accidents happen."

They did right? As a vampire he had very little to no experience with bodily functions. His body absorbed every bit of what he consumed. Demons and weres, the 'uncivilized' species still engaged in those basic, primal actions. "Daddy mad Luca?" Luca whispered. "Daddy make Luca wear collar and muzzle?"

Tanner regretted leaving it in the open. He didn't want Luca to connect the necessary equipment as punishment. "No honey. This is so we can go on a trip!"

"Bringing Luca away!" the boy weeped.

"Daddy won't let Luca go anywhere," replied Daddy firmly. "Now come get cleaned up so Daddy can give you cuddles."

"Cuddles?" Sniffled Luca hopefully.

"That's right cupcake."

Now Tanner just needed to figure out what to do with Luca's problem.

QOTC: How do you like the story so far? Anything you want to see in it? How should Tanner tackle Luca's accident?

Goal: 20 comments for next update