"Now you're worrying me. What happened to rattle the gargoyle inside you?"
I crack a faint smile. That's our thing. I joke he's the city's werewolf, protective of everyone like they're his pack. And he calls me a gargoyle because I'm mostly unshakable and unfazed by things.
"Sebastian," I say with a sigh.
Nico frowns. "Is that supposed to ring a bell?"
"Yes. A very, very loud bell."
Nico's a smart guy. I'm sure he'll figure it out without me spelling it for him. It takes him another minute, but I watch as his eyes widen comically.
"Aziel's little brother?"
"The one and only."
"I'll be honest. I'm not sure I'm following."
"I want to fuck him, okay?" The words rip out of me. "Fuck, no. I mean, yes, I do want to do that, but it's more that I want."
"I've seen the boy-"
"Man. He's already a man," I interrupt him.
"He was a boy when I saw him," he raises a brow at me and continues, "I've seen the boy. He seemed like a good guy, but I need to ask… is this some twisted way to get revenge?"
I recoil like he physically delivered a punch to my jaw.
"What the fuck?" I explode. "You know me better than that. I wouldneverdo that to Sebastian."
Nico holds up his hands in surrender, but I glare anyway. The thought of using Sebastian like that has never crossed my mind.
I've left Aziel behind. The past is where he belongs. I'm not seeking revenge.
I'm no longer the boy, or even the man, who used to love him. I'm no longer the person I was when I was with him. I've changed. I've grown. I've seen darker sides of this world, and I've learned that sometimes all you can do is take one hit after another.
"I apologize," Nico says. "I shouldn't have said that. It just came… as a big surprise."
I decide to let it go. I know it's Nico's strong justice compass and his overprotectiveness speaking.
"And how do you think I'm feeling? This is the same Sebastian who used to hide in his room or watch us from afar, thinking we didn't notice him."
"You said it a second ago, he's no longer a boy. He's a man. How old is he?"
"Twenty-two."
"What's the issue then?"
"Did you forget he's Aziel's little brother?" I ask.
"And?"
"What do you meanand? Here I am losing my mind, and you're just shrugging like it's no big deal."
This conversation isn't helping me at all.
"It's a big deal only because you're making it one. Tell me, what's the real reason you're panicking?"
"I told you."
