The statement was so unexpected, so matter-of-fact, that Corin found himself laughing. A real laugh this time, not the brittle sound he'd been making all day.
"I'm not technically human."
Jamie shrugged, the corner of his mouth quirking up. "Close enough."
The tension that had been coiled around Corin's chest began to ease. He crossed to the bed, hesitating for just a moment before sliding under the covers.
"Are all humans this understanding, or are you a particularly evolved specimen?" he asked, settling onto his side facing Jamie.
"I'm pretty average," Jamie replied, lying down and turning toward him. "Maybe running a bookstore teaches you that everyone's carrying around messy motivations and complicated feelings."
"Rectangles with feelings inside them," Corin murmured, remembering his earlier dismissal of books.
"Something like that."
They lay in silence for a few minutes, close but not touching. The quiet wasn't strained like it had been at dinner—it felt comfortable, expectant.
"The nightmares," Jamie said quietly. "Do they come every night?"
"Most." Corin licked his lips. "But they're worse when I'm alone."
"You're not alone now."
Something about those four words—the certainty in them, the quiet offer of connection without demand—made Corin's chest draw tight. Before he could think better of it, he rolled toward Jamie, closing the distance between them.
"Can I..." He swallowed, suddenly unsure.
Jamie extended an arm in silent invitation. Corin moved into the space offered, pressing against Jamie's side, head coming to rest on his shoulder. A strong arm wrapped around him, steady and warm.
"Better?" Jamie asked, his voice a low rumble Corin could feel as much as hear.
"Yes." Corin relaxed fractionally, allowing himself to absorb Jamie's calm. "You're good at this."
"At what?"
"Touching. Closeness." Corin's fingers traced idle patterns on Jamie's chest. "You're not afraid my emotions will overwhelm you."
"Should I be?" There was genuine curiosity in the question.
"Most people are." Corin shifted closer. "My projections make them nervous. Makethememotional. It can get... messy."
"I can handle that." Jamie's hand moved to Corin's hair, fingers combing through the strands with gentle pressure.
The touch sent warmth cascading through Corin. How long had it been since someone touched him with such casual tenderness? Azelon held him during nightmares, yes, but always with a certain rigidity, a carefully maintained distance even in physical closeness.
This was different. This was touch for the sake of connection, not just to prevent a magical catastrophe.
"Jamie," Corin whispered, tilting his face up.
In the darkness, Jamie's eyes found his. "Yes?"
Corin pushed himself up on one elbow, heart racing. "I want..."
He couldn't finish the sentence. Instead, he closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to Jamie's in a kiss that started gentle but quickly deepened.
Jamie made a sound of surprise that melted into something else entirely. His hand tightened in Corin's hair, not restraining but encouraging. Corin shifted, moving over him, chasing the heat building between them.
Jamie kissed with the same focused intensity he brought to everything—fully present, responsive, taking control. His hands slid down Corin's back, pulling him closer.
