A long, loud, and tired-sounding sigh rang out around them, turning Brownie’s blood cold, and by extension, his. Lucifer lightly dropped from the sky to stand over them. His long wings brushed the ground.
“Ugh. I can’t take it. You two have been very tiresome these past months.” He focused on Brownie. “Do you genuinely think a damn thing gets by me?” His eerie light blue gaze shifted to Yuri. “Do you honestly think hellhounds are blessed with mates? My sister never gives mates to any of my creations without them working for her. That’s how she so easily gets people to betray me.”
He felt the way Brownie searched for something to say. His shoulders fell. It was obvious Brownie never meant to betray Lucifer. He didn’t see it that way at all. Love had driven him to ensure Celeste knew Lucifer was safe. She couldn’t help him if she couldn’t see him. It was extra protection Lucifer needed. She was his twin. Lucifer mattered to her.
Lucifer focused on Brownie again. “I know.” He sounded soft in a way Yuri had only heard with Riku.
Yuri didn’t know if Lucifer commented on the same thoughts he heard or if they held a secret conversation.
Lucifer’s tone turned stern. “Where are you supposed to be right now?”
Brownie didn’t hesitate. “At home, in bed with my mate.”
“Exactly,” Lucifer said, sounding annoyed.
“Where am I supposed to be?”
“In bed with your mate.” This time, there was a bit of humor in Brownie’s answer. Relief poured through Yuri. Brownie and Lucifer could speak telepathically. That meant Brownie saw a side of Lucifer only Riku did. If he relaxed, that meant Yuri could too.
“Damn right. Now, I shouldn’t have to climb my ass from bed and fly all over Hell to keep your mate safe because you’re sneaking away. You’re lucky he didn’t rip Desir to pieces and eat your heart. It would’ve been within his rights to do so.”
“I know.” Brownie sounded so calm and sure—like he believed Yuri could do those things if tested.
“Don’t pull this shit again.”
“I won’t:”
Yuri heard the truth in Brownie’s voice and felt his pride in serving Lucifer. It fully hit him. Celeste had blessed him with an amazing mate. He hadn’t really slowed down and let reality sink in. Now that it had, he was nearly moved to tears. Surely she didn’t see him as his father’s son if she gave him such a great partner to share forever with. His throat swelled.
Brownie stood. He still didn’t set Yuri on his feet, which was good, since he didn’t think he could stand. Life had really been a rollercoaster for a while now. He just wanted to rest and be held.
I’ve got you.
The sweet words caressed his brain and warmed his skin. Lucifer took to the sky—like a rocket. Yuri rested his head against Brownie’s chest and listened to his heart beating. That was his. He couldn’t believe it.
Brownie’s pulse beat in his ears. He could barely breathe. First, that door exploded beneath Yuri’s fury. If he hadn’t been fast enough, Brownie would be begging Lucifer to take away Yuri’s demon sickness right now. He had barely recovered from Yuri’sfury before Lucifer had been there, forcing Brownie to face the reality of Lucifer knowing about his meetings with Celeste all along. Fuck. He could barely think. Everything about the night could have gone so differently. The collar around his neck felt heavier than usual. He wasn’t so sure he deserved it. Lucifer had trusted him. Maybe he wasn’t a good guardian after all. He obviously wasn’t a good mate either. It seemed everyone he cared about deserved better than him.
“Your thoughts are hurting my chest. I'm so fucking embarrassed about the way I handled things. When things go wrong, I really just default to fighting.”
Brownie carried Yuri inside and headed straight for their bedroom. He didn’t respond until he set Yuri on the bed and worked to remove his shoes. “Of course you do. Anyone who has ever been made to feel powerless understands that. All it takes is one time of feeling like you should’ve fought to make you choose that option for the rest of your life.” He stole Yuri’s shirt because he loved Yuri’s body, and it should never be covered. “Plus, you weren’t wrong. If the shoe had been on the other foot, there would’ve been a bloodbath. As Lucifer said, it was your right.”
Yuri cupped his face and stopped him, forcing Brownie to focus on him rather than his hands. “Maybe, but that’s not who I want to be with us. I am so, so blessed to have been given you. All I want is to peacefully savor that.”
Brownie turned his head and pressed his lips to Yuri’s wrist. He dragged his scent into his lungs. Brownie loved him so fucking much. He didn’t want to fail at being his mate.
“You’re not.”
Brownie automatically met Yuri’s stare at the love that sounded in his voice. His chest swelled at the sight of that same love staring back at him.
“We’re learning together. The two of us walked into this blind. I’ve never known a loving home, and you had to fight your way into one.” Yuri made a helpless gesture. “At least we’re fighting to keep each other. That says a lot, I think. That’s definitely the type of mate I prayed to have.”
“Me too.” If it had been anyone else, Brownie would have been horrified to admit he prayed for anything, especially when no one heard him here. But it was Yuri, and he wanted Yuri to see all of him.
Yuri placed a sweet kiss on Brownie’s lips. It did something to his chest he liked. He didn’t know how he had gone from being the most feared hellhound to needing this affection to survive. Brownie had no complaints. He nuzzled Yuri, marking him with his scent. Brownie couldn’t help it. The move was instinctual.
“You’re still the most feared hellhound. I’m sure if I wasn’t your mate, I would’ve been eaten alive when I walked into that club. I saw the way they bowed to you.”
“It’s only because Lucifer watched. If I hadn’t been so terrified of you, I would’ve felt him too.” He tumbled Yuri backward and crawled on top of him.
