I liked this easy thing I had with them. I couldn't get enough of Meri's sweet personality and strong opinions. I adored Omden in a way that was much more than a friend but had nothing to do with being lovers. And Drozel? He was big, strong, gentle, oblivious - and much too aware - all at the same time.
Every trait that drew me in was here, in some way. All the things I'd told myself would be impossible to find were right inside that house, and I'd just been told I was welcome to take as much as I wanted. So why was I standing here, much too quiet, and trying to convince my heart to stop hammering?
"Less?" Drozel asked, cupping my face to make me look at him. "Nothing's changing. I'mnotleaving Omden, okay? It's just easier for you to stay a little closer while we handle this Mole. Omden and I still have to work. That means Meri would be alone otherwise.Sheneeds you."
"Yeah," I said, pushing out a tense breath. "That helps."
"So, bad time - " Omden tried.
But Drozel cut him off. "Yes. Very bad, Om. Don't push her into a panic attack. No one is dying, Less. This is fine. We're good, just friends, and none of us care what anyone thinks. Doesn't mean we can't care about you as a friend."
"And neighbor," Omden added. "I mean, we've got a few years of figuring this shit out, right? The helping each other bit. See? That's all this is."
I pulled away from Drozel and wrapped my arms around Omden's neck. "Thank you, Ommy. I care about you too, and we are good neighbors."
His tail slid around to hook loosely against the end of mine as he hugged me back. "No panicking. None of it's needed." Then he leaned back so he could smile at me. "I just need someone to fuck his brains out so my ass stays in one piece."
I grunted out a laugh and slapped his chest just hard enough to push him back. "Asshole."
"And we still have a Mole in the house with my little sparrow," Drozel said. "No offense, you two, but I don't trust that guythatmuch yet."
"He's wounded," Omden pointed out.
"And a Mole," I said, seeing what Drozel meant. "A man who doesn't understand Meri's a strong and capable woman who doesn't need a man."
"She kinda does," Drozel said.
I grabbed his arm and towed him toward their house, jerking my head for Omden to keep up. "She does not."
"She does," Drozel insisted. "Meri needs a man to get her friend out. Only a man can do that, and sheneedsCallah to survive that place."
"He's got a point," Omden mumbled.
And while I hated it, he did. "Only because Moles are stupid," I grumbled.
"They are," Drozel agreed, grabbing the door to open it for me. "So why don't you help us convince Sylis that our women aren't helpless, hm?"
"And Meri too," I added.
But he caught my wrist, preventing me from storming into the house. "She's one of us. That means she's not helpless."
Shifting my hand a bit changed his grip from my wrist to my palm, and then I stepped back into him. "Keep this up, Droz, and maybe the panic thing will stop happening."
"Yeah," he breathed, shifting even closer. "That's why I haven't mentioned how much we missed you."
But he didn't kiss me. Drozel just met my eyes and held them, letting me read whatever I wanted on his face. And when I pulled away, my heart decided this mess might actually be fine.
Forty-Eight
Meri
Sylis gripped my shoulder a little too hard when we went up the steps, and he moved slowly, proving his wound had to hurt, but when we made it inside, he didn't slow down. His head turned, taking in the Dragon version of a home, yet the man made no move to resist my directions through it, down the hall, and into the empty bedroom.
Somehow, I got him into the bed while Drozel, Lessa, and Omden were still outside, but removing his filthy clothing wasn't as easy. He had no problem with his boots being removed, but his shirt? That made him blush, stammer, and mumble about how improper it would be.
Eventually, I heard someone come in. I waited a bit, but there was some movement in the living room, yet none of it headed this way at first. I was about to yell for Drozel to come threaten this man when a soft tap finally sounded at the door.
"Meri?" The voice belonged to Lessa.
