“I like video games and anime!” Levi shouted, offended.
Nico’s lips twitched, his eyes darting to Shiloh and back again. He was definitely just trying to rile Levi up. “Yeah, but you’re into the dark, edgy shit likeDemon SlayerandFullmetal Alchemist. Mal said we can watchPonyoandPrincess Mononokeand he didn’t even make fun of me.”
Levi’s mouth fell open, affronted, like he was considering smacking Nico in the face with a glove for besmirching his character. “We never made fun of you.”
Nico crossed his arms over his chest, clearly having the time of his life winding Levi up. “You made fun of mySpirited AwayNo-Face plushie,” Nico countered, pointing at Levi like this was a hill he was willing to die on.
“We made fun of what you were doing with your Spirited Away No-Face plushie because having a full on conversation with a stuffed animal at twenty-two is fucking weird, man. That’s just facts.”
“Mal doesn’t think I’m weird,” Nico said, giving a delicate sniff.
Shiloh snickered. “I don’t think that’s the compliment you think it is.”
“You’re just jealous,” Nico said.
Levi gave him a flat stare. “You’re being so dramatic right now. I kind of wish you were just hooking up.”
Nico stopped short. “Hooking up? I mean, he’s hot. Smoking hot. Like, he’s sexy as fuck but also really pretty, which is like the definition of ‘I can do both,’ but I’m not looking for a sex toy, I’m looking for a body pillow and Mal is really comfortable and he smells amazing.”
Shiloh bit down on his lip to keep his laugh from escaping. Levi looked like he was about to rupture a blood vessel. Nico’s bedroom door creaked open. They all watched as Mal exited. He was wearing a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt like Nico.
“Is that my t-shirt?” Levi gasped.
“Maybe?” Nico said with a wave. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have dinner and a movie marathon to get to.”
Mal took the bag from Nico then crouched down enough to circle an arm around his thighs, picking him up like he weighed nothing. Years of dance and boxing made him way stronger thanhe looked. As he walked back to Nico’s room, Nico leaned over Mal’s shoulder and stuck out his tongue, making a face like a toddler.
“Real mature,” Levi muttered just as the door shut.
“Are you okay?” Shiloh asked gently, patting his arm.
“What the hell just happened?” Levi asked, dazed.
“Malachi happened,” Shiloh said with a sigh. “I think my brother just stole your best friend.”
Levi wrapped his arms around Shiloh and buried his face in his neck. “This is bullshit. I still cuddle him all the time. It’s not my fault he requires more cuddles than other humans. His mother made him touch-starved, not me. I do my best,” he complained.
Shiloh patted his head. “I know, baby. Let’s go to your room and you can cuddle me.”
“Just cuddle you?” Levi asked, his mouth moving against the column of Shiloh’s neck as he walked them in the direction of the bedroom.
“I’m open to negotiation,” Shiloh said, stumbling.
Levi picked him up beneath his thighs and tossed him on the bed, closing his bedroom door before crawling over him. Shiloh liked where this was going. But then Levi dropped, starfishing on top of him, dead weight. “Your brother stole my best friend…in an hour.”
“I’m sure that’s not true,” Shiloh said. “Malachi is just a…novelty.”
“He said he was hot…and pretty,” Levi muttered, sullen.
“You’re hot and pretty, too, baby. I promise.”
“You’re just saying that,” Levi mumbled.
Shiloh tugged on Levi’s hair. “Stop pouting and I’ll prove it,”
Levi popped his head up to look at Shiloh. “I’m listening.”
“Are you going to stop sulking?” Shiloh asked. Levi nodded eagerly. “Fine, take off your pants.”
