He eyed her. “It’s fruit.”
Her lips twitched. “…and Canadian bacon.”
His lip curled in disgust as he picked up a slice, holding it as if the pizza might bite him. She held back laughter at his genuine concern. “Try it before you judge!”
Hypnos bit into the crust, avoiding the toppings altogether. When she cleared her throat and gave him a pointed look, he grimaced. Then took a proper bite. Pineapple and all.
A dozen emotions crossed his face before he muttered, “Not bad.”
She smirked. “Told you.”
“I will eat all this pizza if you don’t hurry.”
Iliana saluted. “Yes, sir!” Hypnos, mid-bite, arched an eyebrow at her. She winked, stuffing her face with another slice.
They ate without any awkwardness hovering over them. Just quiet. When she finally leaned back, her stomach full and limbs heavy, she sighed. Nothing was better than a well-earned food baby.
She snorted, resting her hands on her extended belly.
“What’s funny?”
“Just laughing at my miserable state,” she replied.
His brows furrowed. “Do you need a healer?”
“No, I’m fine. I just ate too much.”
Hypnos looked between his final slice and her stomach. Then he put his partially eaten pizza back in the box before it disappeared.
“Where does it go?”
Amusement shone in his eyes. “Back to the restaurant. Or sometimes competitors’ kitchens, just to mess with them.”
“You didn’t…”
He shrugged innocently. “It keeps life interesting.”
Hypnos studied her, his usual guarded expression returning. “Iliana…I can’t.”
Her brows pulled together. “Can’t what?”
“I can’t be like Thanatos.”
She sat up straighter.
“He’s the good one,” Hypnos said quietly. “The one who can give you what you need.”
“I don’t—”
“He’s not broken,” he interrupted. “I am.”
Ilianakept her tone gentle, not wanting him to close off. “Did I ever ask you to be like him? Why would you assume I wouldn’t enjoy being with you as you are?”
“Your smiles from earlier…” He shook his head. “You don’t smile at me like that.”
“I smile when I want to. You were an ass, and I was wary of you at first. Can you blame me?”
He shook his head. “No.”
