Daddy's Pet (on hold)

Eighteen

A/N: Comment & Vote!

Tanner stopped into Griffin's office during Luca's nap time.

He was typing away but Marco noticed him immediately. He growled a bit making Griffin look up. The dark haired man looked exhausted and annoyed. "Shut up," he snapped.

Thankfully the were fell silent, saving it from disciplinary action. "Yes?" His tone was riddled with his annoyance.

"Checking in."

"Since when?" Griffin countered. "You're not my Supervisor, Tanner."

"You're in a poor mode." Tanner pulled up a chair. "Trouble in paradise?"

"I don't really feel this is an appropriate place to talk about my personal life Tanner." He retorted flatly. "And I'm very busy so if you wouldn't mind--"

"I would mind actually." Tanner countered. "We've been friends for forever Griffin. You can't box me out. I won't allow it."

"You won't allow it? I don't know who you think you are but your turn in power is long gone." Griffin snipped back. "So please, see yourself out."

The were snarled now--clearly as an attempt to back up his Keeper's orders. His efforts were repaid with a solid kick to the ribs. Tanner scoffed and rolled his eyes. Griffin glared at him. "What?" His voice dripped with venom.

"Nothing. I just don't like seeing you acting like that."

"Acting like what Tanner? Last I checked, you didn't give a damn about weres--but now you have one, suddenly your entire outlooks changed? You can treat yours as special as you'd like--but this one is mine. And I'll treat him how I want."

Tanner was growing frustrated but fought to remain calm. "I don't think you want to treat him like this. I feel because of everything going on with Reagan--"

"He left me, okay? He packed up his shit and he's gone." Griffin's face was drawn into a look of utter fury but his eyes held a sorrow that was simply heartbreaking. "Is that what you wanted to know? He's with that stupid guy from the restaurant."

Tanner felt sick. He couldn't help but blame himself. He hadn't set up the reservation... But if Reagan had wanted to leave, he would have found the means to do so regardless. "I'm sorry." Tanner settled on saying.

"Please close the door on your way out."

This time Tanner respected his wishes and returned to his office quietly. He thought about calling it a day--how was he expected to accomplish any work with his mind a buzz with this shocking news? It wasn't shocking in a way that it was unexpected. But the fact he had actually happened--that his friend was alone for the first time since his rebirth as immortal. Tanner recalled how jarring it could be. But his decision to end a relationship had been just that--his. He'd never been left before and he couldn't begin to understand the pain and rejection. Tanner picked up the landline phone and toyed with it a moment.

He knew Reagan's mobile number but was calling him a good idea? Perhaps it would do more damage than good? Regardless his fingers found their way over the numbers and he brought the ringing phone to his ear.

"What do you want?"

Tanner experience the surge of annoyance he always did when he heard Reagan's snide, entitled voice. But he fought for patience and decided to show some class rather than jumping right into the problem. "Good afternoon Reagan. How are you?"

"Much better now. Thank you. I trust you're still happy with your little were?" Reagan had taken on a faux pleasant tone now.

"He's just perfect. Thank you for asking. Now tell me, why him?"

"Do you want the long answer or the short one?"

Tanner sucked on his teeth. "Let's start with the short one and see where it takes us."

"I chose him because he's not Griffin."

"Come on--you can't mean that. He's your--"

"Sire. I know." Reagan snapped. "That's kind of the point."

"What can Seb offer you that Griffin can't? Besides him constantly cheating on you."

"We have an open relationship." Reagan countered. "Like Griffin and I were supposed to. It's so pathetic he's having you call--"

"He's not." Tanner snapped. He wasn't going to listen to this little bitch call his friend pathetic. "What you did was heartless."

"What he did was heartless and cruel Tanner. I don't expect you to understand."

Tanner blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"He ruined my entire life Tanner. Do you know how beautiful everything used to be to me, Tanner? Back when there was a chance that it could be the last time I would ever see it? Now everything is dull and dark. There's no light. He took my soul--there's nothing left after this endless, meaningless existence. So excuse me if I look for happiness where ever I can."

The line went dead and Tanner sighed, putting the phone back on the hook. Suddenly everything made sense. He hadn't even wondered if Reagan was a willing Sire or if Griffin had turned him intentionally, right before the mass roundup of humans to stock blood banks, so he would have that connection with someone. The decision to give up your soul in exchange for the dark blessing of immortality was one that required a lot of time. Tanner's own Sire had done so to save his life on the battlefield.  When he emerged on the other side as a New Born he couldn't help but be grateful--death wasn't anything he was ready to face.

Not everyone could handle a future of forever. He felt a bit differently about Reagan now--less anger and more guilt. When there was no end, it was hard to appreciate something in front of you. The little things had lost meaning for him at one point as well. But now, with Luca in his life, he was gaining it back. Griffin just needed to find someone who was happier. Someone who could devote himself to him.

That person would never be Reagan and he wasn't sure how well Griffin would take it. "Daddy?"

Tanner looked down as Luca climbed onto his lap and curled up against his chest. "Good morning sleepy."

"Mornin' Daddy. We go home to Fen now?"

When had 'home' turned to 'home to Fen'? wondered Tanner. But he smiled despite it and ran his fingers through his hair. "Daddy needs to finish up an Expense Report and then we'll go. And tomorrow we're gonna go to park so you can play!"

Luca smiled and popped his thumb into his mouth.

QOTC: Do you understand Reagan's feelings?

Goal: 30 Comments for next update :)