Nico's POV

I packed my backpack with Stephen King movies I'd yet to introduce Elijah to along with my copy of The Fireman by Joe Hill, my current read, and zipped it up just as a pair of knocks struck my bedroom door.

I rolled my eyes, thinking it was probably Leon having come up with some bullshit apology.

"What do you want?"

"Can I come in?" Liz's voice responded instead.

"Sure, but make it quick." I answered, hoping not to sound too snappish. I stood, slinging my backpack over my shoulder, as she opened the door about halfway. "Leon send you up here to check on me?"

"I was worried about you, we hadn't heard from you all day."

"GOOD. I mean…I'm sorry to get you worried. You, I should've called. I hope he is though, he can stew in it right now, for all I care. I'm so SICK of this childish little feud he has with the wolves."

"I know…" She answered quietly. "I don't like it either, but…."

"But what?"

"Nothing." She sighed.

I nodded. "I'm sorry to raise my voice with you, you don't deserve that."

"Trust me, I get it. They've been nothing but good to me, his attitude is starting to wear on me too."

"Well, you're welcome to come with me." I offered. "Elijah already agreed to me staying, I'm sure he won't mind one more."

"I wouldn't wanna impose, plus someone's gotta keep Leon in line here…..God knows Imogen won't."

I chuckled. "You know, sometimes I think she's even worse than he is about them."

"No, she definitely is." She agreed. "How long you staying?"

" I dunno." I shrugged, swinging one foot out the window. "Just tonight, so far. We'll see what's happening tomorrow."

She nodded. "Kay."

"I'll call you this time." I promised.

"I know you will. Say hi to Elijah for me."

"Will do. See ya."

I leapt down to where Elijah was waiting before she had a chance to say it back.

Liz never particularly cared for Leon's dumb little feud with the wolves. I didn't always know how close to home the whole conflict was to her or why, but it was always obvious. Even if I did always just look the other way from it.
With how much worse he'd gotten with them, just because I was going out out with Elijah, it was just becoming the last straw with her….and me too, at the risk of stating the obvious.
I always just accepted well, it's a vampire slash wolf thing. Maybe there's a reason we're not supposed to get along with them. Like cats and dogs, if you would. Getting to know Elijah and his side of it, however, just infuriated me. They were able to set aside this petty ongoing feud for one of their own who'd fallen for the other side. Why couldn't Leon? What made him so damn special? Sure, some of them probably didn't like it, Leah's glares weren't ever exactly subtle, they made their little bloodsucker jokes, but for the most part they could shut up about it. It's their law, even, that they just live and let live, if one of them imprints on one of us.

"He's just stubborn." I muttered to myself.

"What's that?" Elijah asked, from behind the tree he'd been waiting by.

"Tell you on the way." I sighed. "Ready to go?"

"Been waiting on you."

"Aww." I kissed him on the cheek, teasing him. "Good puppy."

"Ha ha." He rolled his eyes before noting my backpack. "All that just for one book? You know I'm not taking you on my back again this time."

"Awww…" I whined. "Didn't know that, but I do have more than just one book in here."

"Like what?" He teased. "Pajamas? An extra pair of clothes, maybe? You don't sleep."

"Gosh, really?" I put my hand sarcastically to my chest. "Well thank you for pointing that out. I had no idea!"

"Alright, smartass." He chuckled. "What's really in there then?"

"My book, some Stephen King movies I don't think you've seen. You know, essentials."

"Right." He answered. "What book are you on, again?"

"The Fireman, by Joe Hill."

He put a hand to his chest in a similar gesture. "NOT a Stephen King one this time? Nico Holland, I am shocked at you!"

"Very funny." I chuckled. "Joe Hill is his son, so I'm only venturing slightly out."

"That figures….Is it any good?"

"VERY good." I corrected. "Burn through a couple more King novels, and maybe I'll loan it to ya."

He shrugged. "Fair enough, I suppose."

I nodded. "How are you coming with The Stand, by the way?"

"Just finished it last night, after I thought you left."

"I told you, I did leave." I reminded him. "I just came back before you woke up, remember?"

"Right."

"Anyway...time to find you a new book, I suppose."

"I suppose it is. What do you recommend then?" He asked.

"I'll skim my loaner shelf tomorrow and see what I can find ya...deal?"

"Loaner? Aww, come onnn, don't you trust me with one of your special copies by now?"

"Oh my special copies." I repeated. "As in my signed and/or first edition copies? Nobody, and I mean noooobody touches any of those. I don't care how long we know eachother or how well. Those are my babies."

"Right, your babies."

"But…" I added. "I suppose you are ready to read one of my regular copies."

He touched his hand to his chest again. "I feel so honored."

"You know what, keep up that attitude and I might have to change my mind."

"Awww come onnn…" He whined. "I'm teasing. You know I'm ready."

"My God, you're such a baby, you know that?" I laughed. "So was I."

"Were you?" He snickered.

"Might've been…you're gonna have to wait to find out."

"Nicoooo"

"Alright, fine. Give me a ride back to your place, and maybe I'll consider it sooner."

He sighed. "You just wanna see me try to sneak back in nude, don't you."

"Is that an option?"

"Man, what'd I say about bein a smartass?" He sighed. "No, it is not an option."

"Well, that's boring."

"Deal with it." He smirked. "Come on, let's get goin."

"Lead the way." I chuckled, taking his hand as we walked back through the woods.