They drove for hours, the landscape shifting from coastal cliffs to dense forest to rolling hills. The sun climbed higher, then began its slow descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold.
Timothy pulled the truck to a stop at the edge of a small clearing, surrounded by towering pines. "We'll rest here for a few hours. The road gets rougher ahead, and I want to drive it in daylight."
Sebastian's jaw tightened. "We can keep going. I don't need rest."
"I know," Timothy said, his voice patient. "But the truck does. And I do. And Shane's about to bounce out of his seat from all that energy."
"I'm fine!" Shane protested.
"You've been talking for six hours straight."
"That's not a flaw. That's a talent."
Timothy ignored him, climbing out of the truck.
The others followed, stretching their limbs after the long drive. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the scent of pine and earth.
Zachary hovered near the truck, his hands shoved in his pockets.
Casper stood a few feet away, his posture relaxed but watchful.
They were the only two not moving, not stretching, not doing anything but standing there in uncomfortable silence.
Shane bounded over to them, his energy undimmed. "Alright, you two. Talk. Bond. Become friends."
"We're fine," Zachary said quickly.
"You're not fine. You've barely spoken to each other the entire drive."
"We've spoken," Casper said.
"About what?"
Zachary opened his mouth, then closed it. "We talked about... the weather?"
"The weather, right." Shane repeated, deadpan.
"You talked about the weather for six hours."
"It was very interesting weather," Zachary mumbled.
Shane sighed dramatically.
"Okay, this is painful to watch. I'm going to help."
He grabbed Zachary by the arm and shoved him closer to Casper.
"There. Now talk. I'll be watching from over there." He pointed to a spot near the truck, then bounded away.
Zachary and Casper stood in silence.
Casper broke it first. "You don't have to talk to me if you don't want to."
"No! I mean—I do want to talk. I want to talk." Zachary's voice was too loud, too eager. He winced. "Sorry. I'm not good at this."
"At what?"
"Talking to people, especially—" He stopped, his face flushing. "Especially new people who are very tall and impressive and vampires."
Casper's expression didn't change, but something in his eyes softened. "You're nervous."
"Very."
"That's okay. I'm not going to bite you."
Zachary let out a shaky laugh. "I know. I just—you're very... you."
"Thank you?"
"I meant that as a compliment. You're—" He stopped again, clearly flailing. "You're very calm and collected, and you have nice eyes. Wait...I didn't mean to say that out loud."
Casper's eyebrow rose. "My eyes?"
"Forget I said that. Please. Pretend I didn't say anything." Zachary covered his face with his hands. "I'm going to stop talking now."
Casper studied him for a moment, then a small smile, barely there, barely real, flickered across his face. "It's fine. I've been called worse."
"Who would call you worse?" Zachary asked, his hands lowering. "You're perfect."
The word hung in the air between them.
Zachary's face went pale. "I didn't mean—I meant...not perfect like that. I mean, you're obviously not perfect... Wait, that came out wrong."
"Zachary," Casper said, his voice calm. "Breathe."
Zachary took a shaky breath. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I don't know why I keep saying things."
"It's okay." Casper's voice was quieter now, almost gentle. "You're not bothering me."
Zachary stared at him, his eyes wide. "I'm not?"
"No."
There was a long pause. Then Zachary smiled, small, tentative, but genuine. "Okay. Good. That's…that's good."
From the truck, Shane was watching them with barely contained glee. He turned to Sebastian, who was leaning against the hood, his eyes fixed on the distant mountains.
"Did you see that?" Shane whispered. "They're bonding. I'm a genius."
"You're something," Sebastian muttered.
"Jealousy doesn't look good on you, Sebastian."
"I'm not jealous. I'm just…" He sighed. "I want to be there already."
Shane's expression softened. "You will be. Two days. That's nothing. I bet you've waited for so many years already. You can wait two more days."
Sebastian didn't answer. He just stared at the mountains, the bond in his chest pulsing steadily and warmly.
The sun had fully set by the time they reached the next stop, a small town nestled at the base of the mountains. Timothy pulled the truck into a quiet lot near the edge of town, killing the engine.
"We'll stay here for the night," Timothy said. "Find somewhere to rest. There's an inn a few blocks over."
"Vampire friendly?" Casper asked.
Timothy's lips twitched. "The owner owes me a favor. You'll be fine."
They climbed out of the truck, the air cool and crisp. The town was quiet, lit by the warm glow of streetlamps and the occasional flicker of candlelight from windows.
Zachary stuck close to Casper, his nervous energy undimmed despite hours of travel. "Elijah mentioned this town in his letters. He said the innkeeper makes a mean stew."
"You don't eat stew," Casper pointed out.
"I know. But I like the smell."
Casper glanced at him, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Fair enough."
The inn was small and cozy, with a crackling fire in the hearth and the scent of woodsmoke lingering in the air. The innkeeper, a round, cheerful woman with silver hair, greeted them warmly, her eyes crinkling when she saw Timothy.
"Timothy! It's been too long." She glanced at the others. "And you've brought guests."
"Just passing through," Timothy said. "Need a place for the night."
"Of course. I have rooms upstairs. Two should be enough?"
Shane's hand shot up. "I call dibs on sharing with Casper."
"You can't call sharing," Sebastian said. "That's not how it works."
"It is now. I'm making it a rule."
Casper sighed. "I don't care who I share with."
Zachary's face fell slightly, but he quickly masked it. "I'll take whatever room is left."
Timothy shook his head. "Zachary and I will take the other room. You boys can figure out the rest."
They made their way upstairs, the wooden stairs creaking beneath their weight. The rooms were small but clean, with soft beds and windows that looked out over the quiet town.
Sebastian stood by the window, staring out at the mountains. They looked closer now, their peaks dark against the star-scattered sky.
"Can't sleep?" Casper's voice came from behind him.
"I don't sleep."
"Neither do I." Casper moved to stand beside him. "But you're still thinking."
"I'm always thinking."
"About him?"
Sebastian was quiet for a moment. "Yes."
Casper nodded slowly. "What are you going to say to him? When you see him?"
Sebastian thought about it. He'd been thinking about it for years, turning the words over in his mind. But every time he tried to put them together, they felt inadequate.
"I don't know," he admitted. "I've made too many mistakes after getting imprinted by him. I don't think a simple "sorry" or "I will change" or "I will leave Beatrice" or just "Please come back, I love you" would suffice."
Casper studied him for a long moment. "Maybe you don't need words. Maybe you just need to show up."
Sebastian looked at his brother. "Is that what you think?"
"I think you've spent years hiding behind words that don't mean anything." Casper's voice was quiet but firm. "Maybe it's time to stop hiding."
Sebastian opened his mouth to respond, but no words came. Because Casper was right.
He had been hiding. For years. Behind stories and manuscripts and carefully constructed walls.
But not anymore.
"Thank you," Sebastian said quietly.
Casper nodded, then turned to leave. At the door, he paused. "Try to rest. We have a long drive tomorrow."
"Yeah, goodnight."