Title: Angel of the Snowdrift
Authoresses: NoChristmasJokesPlz and ANT-chan
Fandom: ORIGINAL
Rating/Genre: Romance/Drama/NC-17 (for SLASH/YAOI/BL/GAY, sex sex and more sex, language, a bit of angst, and threesome.)
Summary: 'Life hates me. It always has. ...I'm really going to die here.' Neither Sin nor Draca ever thought finding a boy in the snow and doing a good deed would lead to so much. A Shadows & Seraphim story. M/M/M

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Angel of the Snowdrift

Chapter 6: Crystalline

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Draca was so busy plotting and delighting over this new discovery that he didn't hear the Madam urge Milo to go try on his other outfits. He only looked up again when a squeal of mortification came from the changing room. Milo shuffled out, his face deep, cherry red, and Draca let out a low whistle. "Sexy, kitten!"

The boy had come out in tight, form-fitting pants that left very little to the imagination and a soft, flowing top that clung to his chest. It laced up the sides to make it even tighter (though Milo had left them undone) and had long sleeves that flared out at the wrists. It made him look slightly more feminine, but the combination of that and the pants gave him the look of a very pretty, but undoubtedly, male.

"I figured you'd like something to wear out," Brigsbee chuckled, pacing briskly over to him. "Something to make you look sexy and sweet for anyone who... takes an interest?"

Milo went white at her words, and shook his head wildly. "Nononono! I don't want to take anyone's interest! I'm fine with the clothes I had..." He liked his other clothes. They were loose and shapeless enough on him that it kept him relatively invisible to any man who may have pursued him otherwise, just the way he liked it. They were warm, comfy, free, and... They usually smelled like Sin or Draca. They had warm scents, comforting scents. The only reason he could fall asleep at night with minimal nightmares was because he felt safe, wrapped up in an oversized, borrowed shirt from Draca or Sin.

He didn't want to look like this - sexy and desirable. Just thinking of those words brought a bitter, disgusting taste to his mouth. It made him want to shred these pretty clothes with his claws.

Madam Brigsbee seemed to sense this, for her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Don't even think about it," she said sternly, making Milo flinch like a child being scolded by its mother. "I worked hard on those clothes for you!"

Milo wanted to say that he didn't care. But he was far too much of a coward to, and he knew it.

It was Draca who stepped in, a small, amused smirk on his lips. "Hey, no need to get embarrassed, right? They look good on ya. And you can always mix and match. You could... wear something longer with those pants. Like you usually wear the stuff we give you."

Milo nodded and bit his lip. "Yeah... I could do that. It'd be like... like wearing leggings." With an irritated frown, he glowered down at the ridiculously tight trousers. "It's pretty much all these are," he added, tugging them in a vain attempt to make them loosen.

"Stop that!" Madam Brigsbee snapped, swatting his hand away. "Don't stretch them!"

Milo jerked his hand back and shuffled away from the annoyed seamstress. "I... I'm sorry. I'm just... I'm not the kind of person who wears this stuff... I... I like big, loose clothes. I don't want to look... sexy."

At this, the seamstress sighed. "Clothes are clothes," she said, her voice for once not stern. It was soft and steady, but firm. "They're meant to be whatever you want them to be. They're meant to say something about you. All these do is show off your shape. That's not saying that you have to wear them wherever you go. Wear this outfit to a festival or something. Or if you end up meeting someone special. It makes you look nice."

Milo opened his mouth to protest. He didn't want to meet anyone, or look nice if it meant he'd have men pawing at him.

"Look, just keep it. You never know what you'll need it for." And that was all she was willing to say on the matter, for she nudged him back towards the changing room. Milo obeyed, but reluctantly. He was dreading what the Madam had in store for him next.

To his relief, the extra shirts and pants she'd made for him was more to his liking. They looked nice and were made from soft, durable material, and she'd even stitched pretty patterns into some of them. She'd made him a few comfortable, loose shirts in bright purple, black, and deep gold; a few tight undershirts in white, black, and even one in shimmery silver; and the prettiest one that took his breath away as soon as he unfolded it. It was a silk tunic - light weight and made for spring. But she'd embroidered the deep blue fabric with pink cherry blossoms at the hem and at the tips of the long, billowy sleeves, interwoven with delicate leaves and branches.

It was too pretty. Milo shook his head, poking his head out to look at the Madam. "I... I can't accept this... It's... It'd be a waste of your work! I'd never wear it anywhere... I don't go out all that often, and I can't pay for something this nice, and--"

Madam Brigsbee clamped a hand over the boy's mouth, glaring at him forcefully. He quailed under her gaze. "Hush. This one's on the house. And I don't care if you wear it out, I'd just like to see you wear it. There's probably some Navit festival or something you could have Draca and the gang celebrate with you. Wear it then, and come see me, 'kay?"

Milo looked stunned. "How... How do you know I'm Navit?"

Madame Brigsbee winked. "Your accent. There's not a language out there that sounds quite like it. Now, take your clothes, and go put them on, so I don't have to suffer another second of seeing you in oversized hand-me-downs. You're too pretty not to wear nice clothes."

The poor neko was stunned speechless. "Oh... okay... um... thanks..."

Unsure of what else to say, Milo darted back into the changing room to take off and carefully fold his new clothes - even those tight leggings (because that's all he'd allow himself to see them as.) With them cradled careful in his arms, the nekojin shuffled shyly back into the room. "U-Um," he stammered. "Thanks again..."

He squeaked as the Madam suddenly embraced him. "Don't mention it, kiddo." Her voice was light, airy, and utterly amused, and her hold on him tight. But it didn't set off the thoroughly ingrained panic in him. Milo hesitantly leaned into the touch before Brigsbee released him, her pale eyes sparkling deviously. "I expect to see you in that tunic next week."

Milo didn't get the chance to ask. His clothes were gently taken from his hands by a smirking Vampyre, and a lithe arm draped itself over his shoulders. "He will. No worries. Kira's been planning on dragging him to it with Gwen. See ya around, Madam B."

"Drag where?" Milo asked as Draca led him back out into the street.

"Huh? Oh. Next week is the Spring Equinox. And on the west end of the city they hold a festival on Equinox night. Kira'll probably drop this on the day of, knowing her. She goes every year with Gwen, since it's Gwen's last week before she goes to Espyra to cultivate her plants."

Milo's eyes went wide. A festival? As in a celebration? As in large groups of people? Oh, no. Nononono! It was bad enough to walk down a few streets where people were milling about! He could only imagine how bad it would be to have all of Haven pressing in around him. He shivered and peered up at Draca with wide, imploring eyes. "She... She won't make me go, will she?"

Crimson eyes gazed down at him with blank confusion. "Probably. You know how she is. You don't want to?" When the boy shook his head, he frowned. "Why not? It's pretty interesting." And then he made a small sound of comprehension. "Because of the crowds, right? Don't worry too much. They hold the festival in an area made for it. Wide streets and plazas and all that."

Milo was still unsure. Just the thought of being around so many people made him jittery. He edged a little further away from the road on instinct, not willing to look out at all of them walking past in close quarters. "But... I..."

A warm hand settled on his shoulder, electrifying him with the most simple of touches. "Really, kitten, don't worry. If anything, Kira will keep the crowds back. You've seen her. She's a damn good crowd repellent."

Milo was struck by the image of the fire Fayth, loud and obnoxious and strangely endearing, and how she somehow managed to gain everyone's attention and make them rear back in shock at the same time. "T-That's... heheh... that's true."

He smiled up at Draca, almost warily, and bit his lip. "Um... Will you be there?"

Draca snorted, as if the very notion were completely ridiculous. "'Course I will! I'd rather Kira not set my pants on fire. Trust me when I say it's only funny the first time."

Milo giggled, his mood lightening considerably at the idea.

"See?" The Vampyre chuckled. "You won't have time to think about the crowd. You'll be having so much fun." Then his eyes turned impish. "I'll need to convince Sin to come. Festivals aren't usually his thing." Though, he said it innocently enough, it still made the nekojin blush to think about how Draca might convince Sin to come to the festival. He jumped as Draca's long arm went around his shoulders again, tucking him securely into his side to protect him from the press of the city crowds. "Come on, kitten. Let's head back, yeah?"

The blond led him easily back through the city streets, keeping him close the whole time. It was comforting in the dizzying, suffocating throng of people. They turned off into a densely populated market street lined import stalls. They spent some time wandering from stall to stall, where Draca toyed with and browsed through the various fabrics and wines and jewels there. He was so animated and eager about the finery and luxuries, that Milo found himself forgetting about the people and even about how close he was to the Vampyre. He simply allowed himself to be led around the market and took enjoyment in the thief's antics.

"Wait," he squeaked as they neared the end of the street, "where are my clothes? You took them from me and..." He'd clearly seen Draca take them from his arms as they'd left Madam Brigsbee's shop. But now the blond wasn't holding them.

Had he ever been?

"Hm? Oh, I've got them."

Milo lifted one corner of Draca's duster, looking worried and befuddled. "Where? I don't see them."

Draca chuckled. "'Course not. I hid 'em."

Milo blinked and lifted one ear. "How? Where?"

A slow, devious smirk spread over the thief's lips. Milo turned an abrupt shade of crimson as the man leaned down close to one furry ear. "Secret of a Master Thief, kitten," Draca whispered. His low, crooning voice was almost seductive with amusement and dark promise. But strangely, where this tone would have made Milo flee if it were anyone else, it only made him shiver. His stomach was doing that curious flopping again, making him tingly and jittery.

Draca leaned back before the feeling could take hold, and Milo heaved a quiet sigh of relief. "Don't worry about it," he said, as if he hadn't noticed the neko's reaction. "They're safe." In truth, the Vampyre had seen the boy's reaction. Quite clearly, in fact. Draca turned his face away to hide his smirk as he led Milo out of the market and back in the direction of the flat. The vivid blush was utterly adorable on the boy. And he obviously wasn't immune to Draca's good looks - which only served to stroke the Vampyre's considerable ego.

Ah, but the boy was so fun to tease.

Milo tried desperately to quell the squirming in his stomach, to will down the blush on his cheeks. But he could feel the Vampyre's eyes on him, his hand on his shoulder, his body pressed close, close enough that Milo should have felt his instincts screaming at him to run, but he didn't. He felt a deep-rooted affection and longing for the blond, to know what those thin lips felt like, to know if he'd be gentle if he-- Milo shook the thought out of his head before it could go any further. These thoughts should have disgusted him, should have had him fleeing in terror. But it didn't, and that scared him even more.

He was so lost in his thoughts and worries that he didn't expect it when Draca pulled him to an abrupt stop. Molten gold eyes blinked, and he flushed faintly. "U-Um... where are... oh!" Comprehension dawned as he took in the familiar store front that belonged to Gwen right next to them. "Are we... stopping in to see Gwen?"

Draca peered at the open door, his head cocked as if he were listening to a distant sound. "Nah, she's gone to market. We're going to see Agana, here." That was the only explanation he offered, beckoning him instead towards the shop next door. Milo could barely make out a few of the runes engraved above the door, and surmised that it said Crystalline. He'd never been into this shop before, though Gwen had mentioned the shop owner a few times.

He gasped softly as he stepped into the little shop, causing Draca to chuckle from beside him. The shop was filled with shimmering crystals. They hung from the ceiling on thin, silken strings and ribbons. Baskets on shelves and displays were filled with crystals and gems, all shining with magical light. There was barely a surface in the entire store that didn't glitter. Milo's ears went back. His tail flicked slowly back and forth as his attention was glued to the many hanging crystals above their heads.

"Draca!" He barely heard the jubilant call from the back of the shop. Draca went forward, and embraced the tall woman that came to greet him. Her long, raven-black hair was pulled back out of her deep, cherry red eyes. Her skin glittered in the light of the crystals, a soft olive gold.

"Agana, beautiful," the blond purred in response, "how are ya?"

"Wonderful as always!" the woman chirped. "It's been too long since you've come into my store. That man of yours has been keeping you busy, hmmm? And-- oh. Who's this?"

Milo didn't even hear her as his eyes caught sight of a large, amethyst stone dangling from the ceiling, just out of reaching distance. It swayed slightly, probably stirred by the breeze from the door when they entered, and his gaze followed its steadily slowing movement, rapt with fascination. His tail began to switch back and forth, and his ears flicked back against his hair.

At first, this behavior went unnoticed by Draca. "That's Milo. Mine and Sin's new roomie," he said cheerfully. "Cute little thing, ain't he?" As he said this, he glanced over, and furrowed his brows curiously at Milo's strange, almost predatory gaze on the particular glowing crystal. One eyebrow rose as the neko's slim body bent, until he was crouched on the floor in a very catlike position. Even Agana paused to watch as his muscles visibly bunched, as if gearing up to leap. He sprang up suddenly and swatted with a curved hand at the crystal, which began to sway more violently due to the rush of air as the small fingers swept past. The neko made a feline growling noise low in his throat, backed up a few feet, heedless of the faint snickering of the Vampyre behind him, before crouching, rushing forward, and lunging again. This time, his outstretched hands caught the crystal. The ribbon attached came loose from the ceiling, and the petite Fayth landed in a ball, tumbling until he ended up in the same crouching position as before, uttering a pleased little mewl of delight as he swatted his prize from hand to hand.

Agana stifled her giggle behind her hand. "A nekojin! How cute!" She turned her deep cherry eyes back to the amused Vampyre. "How did you ever pick up such an adorable little roommate?"

Draca barely dared to look away from the playful Fayth. "We sorta found him a while ago. Poor kid got mugged on his first day in the Haven. He's been here ever since." He shrugged. "We really don't mind him bein' there, so he's welcome as long as he wants, I guess. Kyris has him working at Flamesoul now."

"Ohhhhh," the woman uttered, recognition lighting her eyes. "So he's the one Gwen mentioned." Her nose wrinkled in delight as the gem slipped between Milo's fingers and rolled across the floor, causing the boy to go skittering after it with a distinctly feline determination. "He must be so entertaining to watch."

"Actually," the thief chuckled, "this is the first time I've seen him do this. He's shy. We don't see much of him." They watched Milo pounce and bat at the shimmering crystal for a few more moments, quietly snickering. Draca glanced up as the shop owner nudged him. She nodded up to one of the hanging crystals, which had caught the light from the window and was casting a bright reflection on the nearby wall.

Milo seemed to notice it just as she did, and his ears perked up, his eyes glowing and his tail sticking up straight, before he crouched again, charging forward on surprisingly light feet, and leaping powerfully. His fingers brushed over the reflection, and he landed on the ground, stock-still, head cocked, as if he wasn't sure why he hadn't caught the shimmery light, when his hand had clearly closed over it.

Draca had to bite his lip to keep from laughing, and Agana leaned heavily against his side as she attempted to stifle her own. They continued to hide their laughter as the neko continued to paw at the reflection on the wall a few more times. His feline instincts seemed to have completely overtaken him, and his eyes were bright with almost childish glee.

'Gods, he's cute.' The thought came unbidden to the thief's mind. He'd been thinking that a lot today. Not that he could help it, with things like this going on. Milo had such an expression of delight on his face, his smile faint and eyes bright. His were ears and tail flicking this way and that as he focused on the beam of light that he sought. His slim little body bunched and coiled with every spring, accentuating the fact that beneath that soft, pale flesh lay a bit of wiry muscle. And dear old Brigsbee hadn't been kidding when she talked about that pert little backside of his.

The boy was pretty. Perhaps slightly feminine at times in his looks, but it in no way hindered him. If Draca were anyone else, he would have felt a tad bit guilty over looking at the Fayth like this. But Draca was of the mind that he was not dead and had perfectly functioning eyes. Just because he found Milo pretty to look at didn't make him unfaithful.

He snorted in amusement at the abrupt turn his thoughts had taken. With a casual flick of his hand, a shadow detached from the ceiling, winding around the reflecting crystal. Why worry when it was all in good fun?

The shadow directed the crystal's reflection about the room, causing the little nekojin to dart after it. As Milo skittered here and there, chasing the reflections and stray glimmers with such determination, Draca couldn't help but snicker. And when the nekojin crashed into a basket of shimmering white stones in his haste and knocked them all over the floor, the Vampyre and Agana burst into laughter. Milo sat bolt upright and stared at the blond and the shopkeeper, who were laughing so hard that they had to hold onto each other for support.

The haze of his feline instincts broken, his ears flattened against his hair and his tail drooped. Tears as bright as the crystals scattered on the floor welled up in his suddenly overbright honey eyes. "I... I... I'm sorry!" he wailed, curling in on himself in shame and embarrassment.

'Such a shy little kitten,' Draca sighed mentally. Guilt started to sink into him as the boy trembled and sniffed in embarrassment. Agana made a soft cooing sound, causing the Vampyre to glance at her. "Ohh, no, little kitty!" The tall woman rushed to his side, dipping down and hugging the distressed Fayth about the shoulders.

Milo let out a shocked squeak, tensing in her arms. His first instinct was to wrench out of the woman's arms and flee. 'Too close!' his brain screamed, 'Tooclosetooclosetooclose!' But it all stopped in the next instant, when nimble fingers dipped into his hair and gently brushed against the base of his ears. A sound very close to a feline mewl left his mouth. Oh. Oh. That felt... really good!

"There, there. Milo, right?" Agana leaned back, which Milo was very grateful for, her smile kind. "You were just so cute. Don't mind us, okay?"

"B-But I..." Milo cast a downtrodden look at the crystals scattered over the floor.

"Don't worry about those. In fact, you can have one. Here." She plucked a small, pale crystal from the bunch and offered it to him. "This one will emit a small beam of light when you activate it. You can make it as small as you want. So, if you ever get bored at Draca's, you can play with it." Before Milo could protest, Agana pressed the stone into his hands. "Just don't hurt yourself while playing, Milo."

He blushed at her playfully chiding tone and ducked his head. "I... I'm--"

The shopkeeper pressed a hand to his mouth. "Hush, little kitty. Take your crystal. I'll clean this up in a bit."

Milo shuffled to his feet and tucked the stone into his pocket, bowing his head respectfully. "Th-thank you... very much, Miss Agana..."

The dark-haired woman twittered girlishly at the honorific. "Oh, look at that! You'd better be careful, Draca," she giggled, eyeing  the Vampyre teasingly. "With respect and manners like that, he may be the one all the girls flock to!"

Milo blinked in utter shock and dismay at the statement, ready to protest. But an affronted gasp from the blond by the counter stopped him. "What?! No way in hell! I'm the charmer of this city!" What sounded like it should have come out as outrage was nothing more than a petulant huff, and Milo bit his lip to keep from smiling.

"Yes, yes. You're the number one Casanova here. But this little cutie..."

"Um," Milo piped up shyly. "I'm not really..." He was abruptly swept up in another crushing hug, making his protest end in a squeak. What was it with women and hugging him?

"And so shy and modest! Yup! He'll have women doting on him constantly!"

Draca noted the way Milo's face flushed even brighter red, and he smirked darkly. "Oooh? You got a little ladyfriend we should know about, kitty?"

Milo's eyes went wide, and he tried to protest, but Agana had already backed away to look him up and down, a similar smirk growing on her lips. "Oh? Look at him! He's so pink! Who is she, little guy? Do I know her? Is she cute?" The two began to bombard the poor neko with questions, until he was shaking and wishing the floor would open and swallow him whole so he wouldn't have to endure the mortification. At last, his sensitive ears couldn't take anymore, and he shoved away with a mortified wail.

"I don't. Like. Girls!" he blurted.

His suddenly raised voice caused the pair to falter, staring at him in blank shock. For a moment, through his intense mortification, there was a glimmer of satisfaction in getting them to shut the hell up!

That feeling died quick enough. The grins returned, only sharper this time. Two pairs of red eyes glinted wickedly at him, and Milo suddenly had the feeling he was being targeted by a couple of predators.

"Likes men, does he?" Draca purred.

"That's what he said. So who's the man, kitty-kitty?" Milo's eyes widened to the size of saucers, his voice failing him. "Hmmm... I bet it's Sin," Agana whispered secretively.

"WHAT?!" the blond gasped with a mock-snarl of annoyance.

"Oh, it has to be. Master Sin is quiet beautiful."

"Now that's where I draw the line. That beautiful bastard is mine!"

Milo squeaked loudly and backed away very quickly at the playful outburst, his eyes wide and fearful. "N-no! I d-don't like anyone! R-really! D-don't be mad! Please don't be mad!"

The pair immediately quieted at such a vehement reaction, their grins dropping as Milo seemed to shrink before their eyes. His eyes were suddenly glued to the floor, his shoulders hunching defensively and his ears drooping. Draca and Agana shared a glance, both of them wincing. The shop was dreadfully silent for a few moments as the boy quivered in panic.

"I'll come back another time, 'Ana," the Vampyre murmured at last.

"...Yeah. See ya..." The woman shuffled back towards the counter, leaving the thief to walk slowly towards his terrified housemate. Milo nearly leapt out of his skin when the man's lanky arm slid around his shoulders, his wide golden eyes darting up fearfully. Draca winced, and tightened his grip a little before guiding him towards the door.

"We were just kidding, Milo," he explained quickly, before Milo could get any more distressed. "I don't actually think that you're after Sin, or that you like anyone. We were just joking... okay?"

The neko didn't speak for a long time as they walked back towards the flat. It did nothing to help the guilt that was roiling within the Vampyre. Hadn't he promised himself and Kyris that he wouldn't terrorize the poor kid anymore?

'God, Kyris is gonna kill me if she hears about this.'

Eventually, Milo looked up at him, though it didn't seem like he actually wanted to. "...I don't like your jokes," he said, his voice soft and dejected.

Draca ducked his head a bit and glanced sideways at the neko, whose bright, amber eyes were locked on him, sad and shining, as if the poor kid would burst into tears any moment. "I know.... And I'm sorry." It wasn't often the Vampyre apologized to anyone (and meant it), but, now, with those eyes on him, he couldn't help but feel true remorse. He could tell he'd hurt Milo, scared him, even, and that didn't quite sit well with him. He didn't understand it at all.

Usually he saw a great opportunity for entertainment in people who were so shy, or someone that was far too uptight for their own good. Something about those people just made Draca want to tease them. To annoy them to the breaking point. It was an impulse that he rarely, if ever, regretted. But Milo made him feel no such enjoyment. It wasn't like with Sin, where tormenting him relentlessly only caused the Vampyre delight at his lover's expense.

All this managed to do was make him feel like an asshole.

Draca heaved a quiet sigh of dismay as the nekojin stayed silent at his apology. He carefully tightened his hold, hoping it would surprise some comfort. Anything to make the sudden silence between them lift. It didn't. But at least Milo didn't tense up or jerk away from him.

'When is Sin going to get back? At least he can hold a bloody conversation with the kid without hurting him.'

The irony that Sin could be more successful than him socially with even one person was not lost on him.

When he laughed dryly to himself, large, fluffy ears flickered in his direction, and Milo glanced at him out of the corner of his eyes. "What's so funny?" he asked, his tone decidedly petulant. Draca snickered again and gave the neko a one-armed hug about the shoulders.

"Just thinkin'," he said lightly, oddly glad that the slim boy didn't seem too upset. "You ever notice how antisocial Sin seems?" The petite Fayth blinked, as if the thought had never once crossed his mind.

"Um... He's quiet, but he's never seemed antisocial," he said, softly and sincerely. The Vampyre let out a sharp, barking laugh.

"That's exactly what I mean!" he said, squeezing Milo's shoulder again. Now, the boy's brow furrowed in confusion, and a tiny smile touched his lips.

"I don't get you sometimes," he said.

Draca grinned, his mirth getting the better of him. "Most people don't. Not even Sin does." He let his voice drop to match his lover's usual tone, forcing his expression flat. "What do you think you're doing, Vampyre?"

The imitation was passable, and Milo let out a soft giggle despite himself. He could just see Sin saying that with a similar expression. He'd witnessed Sin say that to Draca more than once since he'd been living there. "Is he really like that? ...Antisocial, I mean?"

Draca snorted. "He acts relaxed here, but he's a real asshole to most people. You should've seen how he treated me when we first met."

The neko tilted his head, trying to imagine the assassin actually being mean. He couldn't do it. He'd never seen the man act like that. Stern, yes. Quiet, yes. But never hateful or cruel. "I don't see it."

Draca closed his eyes and waved his free hand airily. "You wouldn't," he said lightly, watching how Milo's ears pricked up with interest. It was quite cute when he did that. Especially with how his eyes twinkled with curiosity and how his pretty pink lips curved into a slight O.

"What's that supposed to mean?" the shorter asked, more curious than annoyed. The Vampyre snickered.

"Just sayin' that you're too cute to be mean to, kitten. Sin still calls me stupid and tells me t'shut up and all that, and I'm sleepin' with the guy! But you? Ha! Anyone whose mean to you deserves the worst sort of punishment. It should be a capital crime to even look at you cross-eyed."

Despite the brief, inexplicable lance of pain the Vampyre's words caused, Milo couldn't help but blush, flattered and pleased beyond belief. He couldn't remember a time when someone wasn't trying to hurt him. And now, here was a near stranger who said he should be protected! Without thinking about it, Milo wrapped his arms tightly around Draca's thin waist and squeezed. He buried his face into the Vampyre's side so that he couldn't see the tears forcing their way past his tightly closed eyelids, and mumbled, "Thank you," in a tiny, broken whisper.

Milo sniffed back his tears. 'You're crying again,' he scolded himself. 'Why can't you go five minutes without crying, you wuss?' But not even that could dampen the joy in him. A warm vice had clamped around his heart, making him feel like it would explode from the happiness alone. He shook, from happiness, relief, sadness, and a thousand different conflicting emotions as the Vampyre's large hand slowly rested in his hair.

"You're... you're welcome?" Draca sounded so strangely hesitant that Milo let out a giggle. It came out giddy and just bordering on hysterical. He pulled away, knowing that there were tears welling in his golden eyes and knowing that his face was pink from embarrassment. He didn't care.

Draca could only stare in confusion and wonder as the nekojin beamed at him, laughing softly once more before darting down the street towards the apartment. What had just happened? He followed the boy, not knowing why his heart was suddenly jumping in his chest and why he felt warm - in a sense that had little to do with actual heat.

"Draca!" Milo paused at the door, his lightly flushed face drawn in a confused pout. Draca almost frowned. The sound of his name was... different coming from that pouting mouth now. Even Milo had actually said it differently.

'What the hell was wrong with me?' the Vampyre thought.

"Where are my clothes? You said you had them." Draca pulled himself from his thoughts, a faint smirk curving his lips.

"They're in your room, kitten." Or at least, they would be soon. He set his shadows to work in that, taking the clothes he'd hidden away with his powers and sending them off to the boy's room.

"They're... what? No they aren't!" Milo puffed out his cheeks in annoyance. "Are you teasing me again?"

Draca smirked mysteriously. "Master Thief, remember? It's there, kitten."  His crimson eyes followed the boy's hesitant form as he stepped into the flat. Draca padded in after him, listening expectantly as footsteps ascended the stairs.

He actually found himself waiting in excitement to hear Milo's gasp when he found his clothes.

'Sin, get back quick. I think I'm going insane.'