“Yes.”
“Like a tree?”
“Yes.”
I lose it. A full, unrestrained laugh that pulls at the knot in my arse, but I don’t even care. “You were a playground.”
“They found it enjoyable.”
“I’m sure they did,” I say, grinning at him, wondering if many Nyxerians were jealous about that. “Did you at least make it difficult, or were you just letting them win?”
“I adjusted resistance based on their development,” he replies.
“Of course you did,” I say through a big smile. “God forbid the giant, growly cupid doesn’t maintain proper training protocols during playtime.”
There’s that rumble again, softer this time. “You are amused.”
“Yeah,” I admit, my grin lingering as I look at him. “Yeah, I am.”
The image takes shape in my head—Varek, younger, surrounded by kids climbing all over him like he’s some kind of living jungle gym—and all the emotion I store away for Varek in my chest blooms.
Because it all fits, the different versions of him that I’m discovering, more than I expected it to.
“You’re good with people,” I say after a moment, quieter now.
His gaze holds mine. “I am… patient,” he replies.
“Yeah,” I murmur. “That too.”
Silence stretches again, but it’s easy now and so comfortable, I could easily stay this way forever—wrapped in his arms, listening to his deep rumble as he tells me stories. The big knot locking me to him is simply an added incentive.
The bond hums low and steady between us, no longer overwhelming, just… there. The certainty of it fills my soul in a way I’m struggling to comprehend, so I don’t question it. I shift slightly closer without thinking, my hand coming up to rest against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm beneath it.
“Don’t move,” I mumble. “This right here… is perfect.”
“I will not,” he says, angling down and pressing a soft kiss on the top of my head.
And I believe him without question as we stay this way, connected, breathing in sync, with the world narrowed down to just this space between us.
“You know,you’re very different from when I first met you.”
I peer over at Sonny as he sips at his weird, toxic-smelling version of moonshine. “What, because I’ve not punched Varek?” While my tone is light, my gut twists because I hate that I did that.
The shit history I have with violence warped me in ways I don’t think I’ll ever get over, but actually striking Varek is something I regret. Something I’ve apologised for. You don’t hit people you love. Period. You don’t hit any?—
My heart stutters.
The fuck?
Love?
“Well, I suppose, yes, that,” Sonny continues, completely unaware that my brain has just derailed spectacularly. “But also… this.” He gestures vaguely at me with the hand not holding the drink. “You’re… lighter.”
I let out a breath, dragging my attention back from wherever the hell it just went. “Lighter,” I repeat.
“Yeah,” he says, taking another sip and immediately making a face. “Less like you’re about to bite someone’s head off.”
“That’s still on the table,” I mutter.
