December
It had been three weeks, and Franklin was growing more and more worried.There were Christmas lights all over the bar, but he couldn't enjoy them.He spent as much time as he could in his office to avoid ruining everyone's Christmas cheer.
Couldas soon as I canmean three weeks?What if something had happened to Axar?What if he were sick or injured and couldn't get out?
"Go!The open door to your left."The urgency in Elvin's voice as it traveled the corridor had Franklin leap from his seat behind the desk and walk toward the door.
In the corridor, Axar came walking toward him.His jeans were ripped on one knee, and today's sweater had Santa reaching for an elf, and over the image, there was the text:When I think about you, I touch my elf.Franklin shook his head but couldn't help but smile.
Then he smelled blood, and all humor left him.Before he knew what he was doing, he was hurrying toward Axar."What happened?"He ran his hands over his upper arms up to his shoulder, only to gently grab his chin and tilt his head, so he could get a proper look at his face.Axar more or less melted against him, and heat shot through Franklin.
"Franklin."Axar's tone was pleading.
There was a red mark on his cheek, but it wasn't what caused the scent of blood.
"Where are you bleeding?"Franklin did nothing to conceal the growl in his voice, but maybe he should have.Axar tore free of his grip and stumbled backward.
"I didn't do anything."The scent of fear was thick, and Franklin forced down a calming breath.
"I believe you, but, sweetie, you're bleeding."
Axar's eyes grew impossibly wide."What?"
Franklin tapped his nose."I have a very good sense of smell, and you're bleeding."
"It's nothing.A scratch.I've already put a band-aid on it."
Franklin fought a war with himself.He wanted to rip every piece of clothing off Axar and inspect his body, but as he took in his defensive stance, he didn't think touching him right now was a good idea.
"Okay, I'll drop it, but only if you promise me you'll tell me if the small scratch continues to bleed."He was aware of his eyes shifting, but he couldn't help it.The thought of Axar bleeding had him ready to tear down the world.
Axar gave one small nod.
"I'll be able to tell if you're lying, so don't try with me."He might not be able to tell if he was lying, but he'd be able to tell if he continued to bleed.
Axar paled and gave him another minuscule nod.As the scent of fear intensified, Franklin forced himself to shake loose his muscles and appear calm.
"Good.Come on."He gestured at the office."Are you hungry?Thirsty?How did you get here this time?"He wasn't sweaty or out of breath.
"Hitchhiked."
Cold filled Franklin's core.Fuck.Hitchhiking wasn't safe.Franklin wasn't sure Axar could fight off an attacker."Did the driver hurt you?"Was it why he was bleeding?Red overtook his vision.How would he hunt down someone who was only passing through?
"No, it...eh...happened before."
Franklin watched him, but Axar wasn't meeting his eyes.
Silence stretched, and the more Axar squirmed, the more Franklin searched for something to say."Hungry?"
Axar looked at him, surprise written all over his face."Eh...no, I'm okay."He grimaced."This is the room."
The room?Franklin looked around."What about it?"
"It used to have a table in the middle."
Franklin nodded.
"The last thing Neoma remembers is being in this room."
