tampered | (no subject)

Reeve came out of the bedroom, absently tugging at the cuffs on his shirt. He was dressed about as casually as he ever dressed, which mostly meant that he'd left the the coat on the back of his chair.

"Do you need any help?" He'd already brewed a fresh pot of coffee, since it was generally acknowledged that he was the best at it. But Reeve also had considerable cooking skills, where considerable was either ordered from takeout or only a little burned.

Thankfully, spaghetti was easy to make and it was one of the few things she could make really well. After all, the Executioner wasn't know for her culinary skills.

"You could put the bread in the oven, if you like. It won't take too long to get done and the sauce is almost finished."

This dinner invitation had been unexpected when Anita had first mentioned it. But, he was almost pleased to have been invited as well as having Gren with him.

And, while he had a feeling that this was more of a casual thing, his casual was always a step above everyone else. Yes, he owned jeans. He was even wearing them now. But, his midnight blue shirt was silk and he wore a couple rings on his fingers. And around his neck was a simple silver cross.

He could have worn a jacket but he chose not to considering the cold didn't bother him.

Looking over at Gren, he smiled. "Ready, angel?"

"Ready." He pulls his winter coat on over the white linen shirt Lestat bought for him. Seeing his partner in jeans never fails to make him smile: if he wasn't a couple inches taller, they could share jeans 9yeah, right). A bottle of red wine (a Pinot Noir, from who knows where or when) gets tucked under his arm and he reaches for Lestat's hand.

He's so cold.

"You should eat something." He can't help but be a little bit concerned, even though he knows what's going on and why he's doing what he's doing. "Eventually. In the meantime, I'll just have to take care of you." That makes him smile a little greedily: he'll take care of Lestat in any way, shape, or form he can and they both know it.

"But yeah, ready." The walk over to Building 7 won't take more than a few minutes.

Reeve slipped the bread into the oven as asked, happy to help in any way he could. When that was finished, he brushed off his hand and pulled her into his arms for a brief hug, holding her to him. There was nothing on the stove that couldn't wait a moment.

"I'm sorry I've been such a pain these past few days," he murmured into her hair. He was clinging and he knew it, and if he wasn't careful he was going to drive her away. It was just hard to stay calm and objective when she'd become his entire world, and so fast.

Since the sauce was pretty much done, she was more than happy to lean into the hug. She'd been back and forth between clinging like he'd been and wanting to be as alone as possible, so she understood. If he'd been the one to be found limp and lifeless in the city, she'd be the same way.

"You haven't, sweetheart. I'm just trying to get my bearings back, I;ll be fine."

A quick kiss landed on the side of his neck.

"It'll all be fine."

"I will feed on the first of next month. I will not be told to do so by a group of people who believe they can control every aspect of my life." That is all said pleasantly and then he's leading the way out the door into the hall. Gren has nothing to worry about really. He can go a month without feeding.

Humming under his breath, he looks around them once they are outside. The snow is beautiful.

And when they get to building 7 and finally to Anita's apartment, he stops long enough to kiss Gren on the lips. He may or may not get the chance during this dinner.

Then, he turns and knocks on the door.

Maybe he should moderate his behavior. This is Anita's house, after all, and she and Lestat used to be... but they're not any more, and...

No. He doesn't let go of Lestat's hand. There's no reason. What they mean to one another isn't exactly a secret or anything. It isn't like he can hide it, anyway: his feelings are written all over his face.

Reeve pulled away from her when they heard the knock and, after a last quick squeeze, let her go back to her cooking. When he opened the door it was just a crack, to check who was there, but also because he had to keep nudging Smudge back with his foot.

Smiling, he opened the door the rest of the way, eventually giving up and scooping up the cat to prevent her from running out into the hall. "Come in. Anita's finishing up in the kitchen."

Anita shouted a quick hello when she heard Reeve welcome them in. Sure enough, as soon as she said something, a small white nose poked out of her hair, revealing the kitten perched on her shoulder. It might not be exactly a good spot for little Mercutio, but he liked it there and hadn't left Anita's side since Reeve had brought her home from the hospital.

"Cone on in. I'll be out in a moment!"

A smile then he steps inside. The smell of food is apparent. Though, he won't be eating any of it. He can't after all. That doesn't mean he can't enjoy being here.

Reaching out, he pets Smudge fondly. The cat knows him well and he has a sort of natural connection to animals. Quietly he whispers sweet nothings in French to her.

"The food smells good. I can tell you that easily."

He hasn't been here before, but he knows Smudge; she stayed with them during the whole zombie thing.

(Lestat's so good with animals.)

Stepping in beside him, he closes the door. The last time there were four of them having a meal together, it didn't go well. That was a long time ago and anyway, Reeve isn't Cloud and the situation's completely different.

He's thankful for small things. And the bottle of Pinot is still tucked under his arm, and his hand is still in Lestat's.

Reeve smiles at both men, setting Smudge free to twine around Lestat's ankles. Now that the door was closed, there's no reason to be concerned about her bolting.

"One day I'll get to the bottom of why she behaves for you. Shiva knows she won't for anyone else." He smiles and shakes his head. "Come sit down. Anita won't be too much longer."

There's sounds of motion from the kitchen and a moment later, Anita appears, smiling a little, even if it looks a bit brittle. "She listens because Lestat tells her nasty things in French. He's a pervert at heart. He just hides it under fancy clothes." Even as she's taking liberties with her comments, she crosses the room and smiles at the vampire before reaching out to hug him briefly. She leans up to murmur something in his ear before waving to Gren, the smile a little brighter now.

"It shouldn't be too much longer. I kinda got a bit of a late start."

Yes Anita, taking a nap will do that.

The little 'thank you' keeps him from commenting about him being a pervert. For a moment or two. Then that changes.

"I am not a pervert. If you really would like to know what I was saying it is quite simple. 'You are a beautiful feline. A queen. Etc.' That is far from being perverted." He rolls his eyes. How that topic ever got started is beyond him.

"And you don't have to worry about time for me. I'm not eating anyways."

At the pervert comment he lets out a little laugh. He's got his own opinions on that, and honestly, the term pervert never crosses his mind where Lestat's concerned. Some other people ~~in the room~~ might be a different story.

"Here, Anita. We figured we couldn't let you get by without a present." He hands her the wine bottle -- he's got pretty good taste in wine -- and takes his turn patting Smudge. "Thanks for inviting us over." He nods in Reeve's direction. They've talked a little at the club -- not a whole lot -- but he's always liked Reeve. If there are things about them -- Reeve and Anita -- that he doesn't quite get, it's none of his business.

He's happy for both of them.

Now he gives Lestat's hand a squeeze before letting go. They don't need to be surgically attached all evening. That's what later on is for.

What's not to get? She's a remarkable woman and if she's stupid enough to grace him with her presence, who is he to try and dissuade her.

"I really doubt that's it," he says. "I talk to her all the time and she still takes any opportunity to shred my ankles." Of course, he'll start sweet-talking her and then switch to good-natured grumblings about how she'll make a lovely rug if she keeps that up. Which might be why she enjoys taunting him.

As soon as Anita's back in his orbit, he reaches out and catches her hand, squeezing it very gently. "How's dinner?"

Lestat's roll of his eyes is met with one of her own as she takes the wine. Being around certain tasteful vampires and such has taught her about quality (not that you'd know it by the way she normally dresses) and she knows the wine is indeed a good one. She disappears back into the kitchen, taking time to check the bread and pull out a few good glasses for the wine if anyone would like some.

Once she's back by Reeve, she smiles gently at him, squeezing back. "Dinner's fine. Bread should be done in another couple of minutes and I'll have you know that Smudge takes it easy on you. You want a hellion, you should meet their Katan."

This is the most at ease she's been since she woke up, but it's mostly due to being around people she trusts and cares about.

"Katan spends most of his time in the closet." He gives Anita a grin full of mischief. She may have had trouble with the cat but Gren certainly doesn't now. The smile spreads until the tips of his fangs are showing.

And then he goes over to Anita and reaches into her hair to pull out a small kitten.

"Hello, Mercutio. Such a pleasure to see you tonight. Come now, long enough to greet us all. Once that is done you may go back to comforting your lovely mistress once more."

"Oh, look." It's like he said earlier: every single emotion plays across his face and right now he's just delighted at the sight of the small white kitten. "So you're Mercutio. I've heard all about you." He reaches over, his hand in a ball for Mercutio's perusal. "Look at how pretty you are." Gently, he extends a finger and pats the cat's head. "Sweet thing."

Mercutio reminds him of a cat he had when he was little. The one who used to sleep on top of his head at night.

"He's beautiful."

Reeve likes that they have the good taste to coo over Mercy. He is, after all, the perfect kitten.

The timer in the kitchen buzzes, indicating that the bread is finished. He releases Anita's hand reluctantly. "I'll get it," he murmurs. "You stay out here and safeguard the kitten from conversion." They wouldn't want him to leave with the two men, after all.

Mercy blinks bright blue eyes up at Lestat, squeaking at being moved from his mistress' shoulder. As soon as he gets a good sniff at Gren, he mews and butts his head to the outstretched finger. Anita just smiles a bit and nods towards the dining room.

"It should be about ready. Anyone want some wine with dinner?"

He ignores that one. Anita already knows the answer he'll give. So, he focuses on Mercy. A good petting later, he lets the little feline go back into the thick, curly hair.

That done, he starts heading towards the dining room and the table. "Really, Reeve. You act as if I would kidnap the poor thing. We already have three cats as well as three dogs. Though, that could change with how friendly Bu and Apolline are becoming."

He... loves how Lestat moves around as if he owns the place. Probably, he's like that everywhere but it becomes so much more evident in new places. No slouch at being perfectly sociable himself, he leans over and gives Smudge a little more attention, holding her in his arms as he moves to the dining room too. Equal opportunity for all cats.

"I'll have a glass." The temptation won't be in the drinking. It will be in not sharing it with Lestat as is their custom but... he can behave.

And so can Lestat, even though he hasn't managed to get that in writing... yet.

"Myself as well." Although he'll stop at one, that's his limit. He smiles, watching Mercutio sneak back under Anita's hair.

He helped Anita set up the table before turning back to Lestat, pointedly ignoring the statement about his dogs. "Well, there's always room for one more. And Mercy is quite a find. I wouldn't blame you for trying to steal him."