“Keep up the attitude, and you’re going home with nothing but your hand to keep you company,” he warned as he stalked toward the entry. He caught the Lupyn’s pout from the corner of one eye, and he wrinkled his nose.
He smoothed his hair down and ensured he wouldn’t flash anyone before he flipped the deadbolt and yanked the door open. “Belami, I swear to the deities—oh my gods, Rusty?”
Clutching his robe even tighter to ensure he was covered, Gem stared down at the drenched, exhausted-looking Pyclon. His black clothes dripped water onto the welcome mat where it had started to accumulate in puddles at his bare feet. His fur was flat and water-logged, sticking to his hide, making him appear even smaller than usual. It took every ounce of Gem’s self-control not to burst into laughter, because Rusty looked like a pathetic, half-drowned vermin, and it was possibly the cutest thing he’d ever seen. In a sad, pitiful kind of way.
“Hey,” Rusty said, husky voice rougher than normal.
“Hi?” Gem said.
Rusty scratched behind his ear, pale eyes looking everywhere but actually at Gem. “Uh, sorry to just show up like this. I would have called, but my phone’s busted.”
Glancing over his shoulder in the direction of his guest, Gem nodded. “Right. Um, now’s not really a great time.”
Following Gem’s gaze, Rusty cocked his head, nostrils flaring like he was scenting for more information, and for a moment, Gem was almost offended at the invasion of privacy. Understanding quickly dawned on Rusty’s face, and his eyes widened in horror and embarrassment.
“Oh shit, you have company. Sorry. I didn’t mean to—you were just the closest, and I—never mind, I’ll just go.” Rusty shifted his weight with a wince, and his hand shot out to grip the door frame as a pained whine echoed in the back of his throat.
Thoughts of Gem’s hook-up flew out the window as he studied Rusty more closely. The pain twisting his features, the hitch in his breathing, the way he favored his right leg. Then Gem saw the puddles of water, tinged red with—
“Unholy shit, you’re bleeding!” Gem cried, making Rusty jump at his sudden volume. “What happened?”
Dropping to a crouch, Gem grabbed Rusty’s ankle, pushing up his heavy jeans so he could see better. When Rusty yelped and teetered off-balance, he easily held him up with several hands.
“What are you doing?” Rusty barked, paws already pushing Gem’s hands away.
“Making sure you don’t fall on your ass,” Gem bit back as he craned his neck to study Rusty’s foot. “Ah, your foot’s all torn up! What the fuck? Come inside so I can get a better look.”
“Wait—eep!” Rusty had no choice but to obey as Gem tugged him inside, brain running a mile a minute. The Pyclon hissed in pain as he put pressure on his injured foot, and Gem offered him an apologetic grimace, releasing the death grip he’d had on Rusty’s wrist.
“Sorry. Here, let me.” Gem bent down to scoop Rusty into his arms, and the Pyclon chittered and raised his hands like he was preparing to fight Gem off.
“What are you doing?” he demanded again.
“I’m gonna carry you inside so you don’t hurt yourself,” Gem said matter-of-factly.
Rusty’s whiskers twitched, and he scowled deeply. “You’re not carrying me anywhere. I can walk.”
“Clearly, you can’t.” Gem motioned to the foot he was holding aloft, crossing two pairs of arms over his torso. “Are you seriously too proud to let me carry you?”
“It’s not about pride. It’s about dignity,” Rusty snapped, and Gem snorted.
“Yeah, okay. Whatever helps you sleep at night, babes.” Turning on his heels, he pointed in the general direction of the living room. “Go sit down. I’ll grab my medical kit.”
“No, Gem, I don’t—”
“What the fuck?” the Lupyn cried, and Gem yelped in shock.
“Oh my gods, I forgot you were here!” He pressed a hand to his chest as the Lupyn scrambled to cover his junk with his t-shirt. Leaning against the wall, Rusty sent Gem a droll stare, and he simpered, mouthing an apology before addressing the Lupyn. “I’m sorry, but we’re having a medical emergency right now. I’m gonna need you to leave.”
“What?” The Lupyn glared at Gem, then at Rusty. “Who’s this guy?”
“Gem, I can go.” Rusty jerked his thumb toward the door. “Seriously, I didn’t mean to… interrupt.”
“Oh shush. You’re not going anywhere in this condition,” he said to Rusty before smiling demurely at his hook-up. “I really am sorry. I’m fully aware this is poor manners, but my friend is legitimately in need of medical care. So we’re gonna have to take a rain check on this. Okay, Drak? Dru? Shit, what was your name again?”
A growl vibrated in his chest. “It’s Brad.”
“Brad? Really? Are you sure?” Gem asked.
