Page 78 of The Lion's Hurricane

"You had anger and suspicion and a concerning comfort with violence. Now you have actual emotions. It's weird." But he's grinning. "I'm happy for you, you know. You and Jason. You're good together."

"Thanks."

"And I'm happy you want me here. Even if you won't admit it's because you missed me and you were sad and lonely."

"I'm already regretting this."

"No you're not."

No. I'm not.

"Same rules apply to Jason, by the way," Robin adds. "I don't want to walk in on anything either. Keep it contained to your room. What happens in the kitchen stays in the kitchen, but I don't want to know about it."

I feel my face heat. "Robin."

"What? I'm not an idiot. I can see the bleach bottle on the counter." He grins, wicked and delighted. "Establishing boundaries. You said ground rules, I have ground rules too."

I throw the napkin at him, and he laughs, and the house feels a little less empty already.

The End