“Red flag,” Felix shot back.
Demarien laughed. “No, they’re so bad they loop back around to being funny.”
“I’ve heard some of them,” Felix said, shaking his head. “Still a red flag.”
They both laughed, some of the tension easing.
“It’s not justlike, is it?” Felix asked. “You’re in love.”
Demarien opened his mouth to argue, then paused. His smile turned quieter, more thoughtful. “Maybe,” he admitted.
“Maybe my ass,” Felix said, grinning.
“Hello, hello.” A voice came from outside. Soon, Boone stood in the doorway of the kitchen. He had clearly come straight from a lesson since he wore athletic clothing under an army hoodie.
Brownie waddled to him, begging for attention. Demarien kinda wanted to follow him.
“Hey there, little buddy.” Boone awkwardly knelt, then began a rigorous round of scritching and scratching. Demarien moved closer and tried to be patient.
After a while, he stood and smiled at Demarien, his whole face lighting up. “Hey, lovely.” He pulled Demarien into his arms and pressed their lips together in a gentle kiss.
Demarien enjoyed the moment, reveling in his warmth and the strength of the arms around him.
Once the kiss ended, Boone pulled back and waggled his brows. “You look nice and dirty.”
“Oh no, my innocence has been soiled,” Demarien replied, grinning.
“Red flag,” Felix yelled, wiggling between them and shoving them apart. “Red flag.”
Demarien and Boone both laughed.
“Sorry, Felix,” Boone said, grinning. “We can’t help ourselves.”
Felix sighed, looking tired. “You two are exhausting.”
“Is that Boone?” Milo yelled, running into the kitchen. The omega, covered in dirt and grime, was eating a large sandwich. Behind him, Puck yawned. He had mostly worked outside that day, so he was covered in mud and leaves.
“Two more soiled omegas,” Demarien said, snickering.
“Ugh, you are disgusting.” Felix covered his ears.
Boone laughed and smiled at them all. “You all have been busy today. How about we place this countertop and then I’ll take you all to dinner at Wilma’s?”
“I could eat,” Milo said, stuffing the last bit of sandwich in his mouth.
Puck groaned. “Food and rest would be nice.”
“Okay,” Felix said, standing back with his hands on his hips, squinting at the cabinets like they might shift if he stared hard enough. “I want food, so this is the moment of truth. Let’s lift that heavy fucker.”
“I feel like we should practice this with something less… expensive.” Milo gave the countertop a pinched look.
Demarien grinned. “What, like a cardboard countertop?”
“I’m serious,” Milo said, though his smile gave him away. “If we drop this, I’m moving out of state.”
“You live here,” Felix pointed out.
“Exactly. I’ll go. Start over. New identity.”
