“Or us.” Kaz nodded his head.
“How so?”
“Now who’s the dumb one?” he teased. “I push you to focus on only me and help you come out of your shell. You help me understand concepts and ideas I’ve otherwise never even attempted to, let alone thought I’d get to experience myself.”
Nate tilted his head, clearly finding that curious. “Such as?”
The fact that he wasn’t arguing Kaz’s other point, that he was helping him to cope with his people-pleasing and feelings of burdenism, was pleasing. Nate had supposedly been suffering from depression, but in the few weeks they’d spent together since that last therapy session he’d seemed…lighter. At least to Kaz anyway.
He supposed that wasn’t really saying much when taking into account Kaz hadn’t known him for long. But he was good at reading people, and whenever he was around Nate, that skill only seemed to amplify.
Which was why it was so easy to figure out exactly what it was Nate was hoping to hear from him now. It was tempting to lie or tease him further, make him work for it, so to speak, but Kaz felt weirdly warm standing this close to his pretty racer. He felt accepted in an odd sort of way that he couldn’t explain and didn’t really want to.
So, instead of playing games, he opted to give them both what they wanted most.
The truth.
“I like you, Nate Narek. Physically, intellectually,” he grinned, “romantically. I’ve never wanted a serious relationship before. But I’m glad I have a boyfriend now, and I’m glad that boyfriend is you. I like you,” he repeated more firmly. “Which means I’ll protect you and keep you safe and content. All you’ve got to do is—”
“Let me guess,” Nate interrupted, “be good for you?”
He shook his head slowly. “No, babe. It’s way simpler than that.”
Kazimir captured his chin and held him still as he lowered his mouth, pressing their lips together in a gentle kiss. “All you have to do,” he held Nate’s gaze steady with his own as he finally voiced the message he’d been wanting to deliver for ages now, “is be mine.”
Chapter 23:
“What are your plans for New Year?” Neve asked over the phone a few days later.
Nate was in the car with Kaz on the way to the younger guy’s place for the first time, and his eyes shifted toward the driver while he considered his sister’s words. Dinner had been awkward when he’d returned from the bathroom, filled with meaningless small talk and fast eating. They’d parted ways with a hug as usual, but there’d been an invisible distance there Nate hadn’t liked.
It’d bugged him all week, but between picking up extra shifts at the Velvet Brew and spending time with Kaz, he hadn’t been able to work in calling her himself. Now she was acting like the dinner had never happened and asking about New Year's.
When they’d been younger, they used to celebrate together, but that’d stopped years ago when she’d entered high school and made friends that could stay out past eight o’clock, let alone midnight. In college, they’d sometimes attend the same parties, but that wasn’t too frequent, and they mostly avoided each other.
“I’m not sure,” he ended up replying. “We haven’t talked about it yet. Why?” He purposefully brought Kazimir into it so he could gauge her reaction. The two had seemingly been getting along before he’d gone to the bathroom, but there’d been tensionwhen he’d returned. No matter how many times he pressed him on it, Kaz refused to say what they’d spoken of without him.
Since Neve hadn’t called to openly bash the Devil or beg Nate to dump him, he figured it couldn’t have been that bad. But…He wasn’t sure what he’d do if it turned out Kaz had crossed too many lines.
The Devil wanted Nate to put him first, and Good Light knew all week he’d been trying. There was no rhyme or reason for it, no great revelation that made Nate want to stick with Kazimir despite it all, and yet, something between them had shifted during that speech he’d given. He wasn’t sure if he fully believed that Kaz really was invested in this as a real relationship, but Nate was willing to wait and find out.
If Neve didn’t like him, that was going to complicate matters. She hadn’t seemed bothered by the fact he was Brumal, so at least that was one fear alleviated.
“Haven’t talked about what?” Kaz briefly glanced at him before setting his eyes back on the road.
The vibrant neon lights at the heart of the city glittered and glowed as they zipped by in his fancy hovercar, taking turns a bit more sharply than Nate would have liked. A steady rain was falling, making everything sparkle even more, and people with colored umbrellas crowded the streets. This part of Valeo stayed open until the early hours of the morning, packed with entertainment, restaurants, and more. It was a bit higher end, and Nate didn’t often make his way there, but Kazimir’s apartment complex was located in the thick of it.
The skyrise came into view, a sprawling tower amongst others, though the tallest of the nearby lot. Center Grande was lit up vertically on the side in massive white lettering.
“I picked the most expensive one,” Kazimir said as he approached with the car. “It’s bigger than Kelevra’s even.”
“Sure,” Nate drawled. “But do you own the entire building?” He laughed when Kaz averted his gaze with a scowl. “Bet the Imperial Prince owns his building.”
“Sorry, am I interrupting?” Neve’s voice came through the earpiece in Nate’s right ear, reminding him she was there.
“No, no, it’s fine.” He ran his palms over his jeans as they pulled into the parking garage.
“Don’t be nervous, Pretty Boy,” Kazimir teased. “I’ve already eaten you up. We both know you like it when I bite.”
