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I glanced up at Braz. He was blushing, too.
They were both adorable.
I grinned at them. “I’m sorry for interrupting you. I came here for a drink on my run.”
“It’s alright,” Theon said, settling his lower back against my chest.
“Nica,” Braz hissed.
I looked up at him. “Are you angry I interrupted your time with Theon? I’m sorry. I’ll drink some water and be on my way.”
“No,” he said with a frown. “That’s not… I… you…” He waved at my body, then sighed and rubbed his eyes. “It’s fine that you’re here, Nica, but why are you still lying on my leg?”
“Uh, because you’re comfortable.”
“He really is,” Theon agreed, making me grin at him.
Braz sighed, his hand hovering over me like he didn’t know where to put it. When his obvious stress over something so simple became too overwhelming to watch, I reached up, grabbed his hand, and put it on my shoulder, giving it a good few pats. It seemed to relax him a tiny bit.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to leave?” I asked.
Theon and Braz exchanged a look over the top of me. Theon turned sideways to see and reach us better, then leaned over and met Braz for a small kiss right above my head, then he leaned down to press a quick kiss to my lips before saying, “We don’t want you to leave.”
When Braz nodded in agreement, I settled in with a sigh. “Okay, good. I like this spot.” I poked Braz’s leg so he’d know I meant his thigh. A few minutes passed before I said, “Are you unhappy here, little bird?”
He shook his head. “No, that’s not it. It’s been wonderful spending time with you all without looking over our shoulders.”
“But?”
“But I’m not wanted here.”
I grimaced and opened my mouth to respond. To say what? I didn’t know because he wasn’t exactly wrong.
“Kasper wants you here,” Braz said before I could say something that made him feel worse.
Theon sighed. “Yes, I know, but… he’s one person. The rest of the camp is scared of me.”
“It’ll take some time, but I’m sure they’ll realize you’re on our side soon,” Braz said.
I rubbed Theon’s back. “Braz is right, little bird.” I hesitated before adding, “I’m not a big fan of anyone else here, either.”
Theon’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re not? But everyone loves you. You’re always so friendly and know the right thing to say to others.”
A bark of laughter came out of me. “I never say the right things.”
“That’s not true,” Braz and Theon said together, making all three of us chuckle.
I thought about that for a moment. “I talk a lot, everyone knows that, so maybe it seems like I enjoy talking to other people, but”—I shrugged—“I truly only enjoy talking to our family. And sometimes Ced and Seph. I don’t trust anyone else. I know we’re safer here, but I don’t like…”
“You don’t like what?” Theon asked quietly.
“I don’t like the way the two of you are being treated,” I admitted. “If they’re going to judge you for what you are, they’re not worth my time—or either of yours.”
We fell quiet for a few minutes, so I closed my eyes and relaxed between two of my favorite people.
Eventually, Braz asked, “Why did you punch that wolf shifter two days ago?”
I stiffened, and Theon turned to me in surprise, asking, “You punched someone?”
