Killian sighed again.Not today… Tomorrow, he’d deal with it, before the two idiots ruined two hundred plus years of friendship. He had to build up his energy to do it first. Wine…Killian needed wine, and maybe chocolate…
Limping, Seri followed Severo into the man’s apartment. Skya was asleep and strapped to his chest. She’d refused to let Severo take her, but had fallen asleep on the drive over. They ended up having to drive in pregnant passenger mode because he hadn’t been able to bear letting her sit crying in her car seat.
“It’s not much, I know. Only two bedrooms, and kind of small,” Severo said as he took his jacket off and hung it on a coat rack near the door.
Seri looked around, and there honestly…wasn’t much to look at. The front door led right into the living room. While it was an open concept, like their last apartment, the kitchen and living room combo wasn’t even half the size of the living room in Alaska. The place was also…oddly bare. Even without much space, Seri would have thought that the man would have shelves on the walls full of knick-knacks, or even artwork hung up…or just things that made one think of home, or warmth…but there was none of that. It didn’t even look like someone lived there.
Maroon carpet, beige walls, there was a black couch, a coffee table, and a TV…but pretty much nothing else… He supposed…not much else would fit though, furniture wise.
The kitchen was set in a semi enclosed area, starting after the hallway, no doubt leading to the bedrooms. Though, it wasn’t so much a kitchen as a kitchenette. Against the wall was a black stove, set into what looked like dark wood cabinetry, with a sink, a single section of counter over an instant dishwasher, and a full-size fridge.
In front, there was a large black marble kitchen island, open on both sides, leaving two entrances into the area. Which was a good thing. Because if the island was flush against one of the surrounding walls, they’d likely have to squeeze past to get around each other.
“It’s…fine.” He froze on catching sight of the man’s arm. “W-what happened?” Seri gasped.
Severo gaze flicked down. “Ah, it happened when we went through the floor. It’s almost healed, so no need to worry.”
“Are you sure?” Seri asked with a frown, eyeing the clear bandage on the man’s arm. He couldn’t see the wound because there was flesh tone gauze underneath.
“I’m sure.” The Dweller cleared his throat and turned away, walking towards the kitchen. “So…while…it’s not much, as I said…” The man leaned on the island, hands flat on the counter. “You can…” Severo hesitated a brief second before saying, “Stay as long as you want.”
Seri's heart clenched. So, the man wanted him to leave eventually…?
Severo spun, stuttering out nervously. “B-but if you want, it can be forever!”
He blinked, his emotions whiplashing from hurt to his heart racing like crazy as the hope came rushing back.
“I-I…” The Dweller cleared his throat awkwardly. “I didn’t—don’t want you to feel trapped. I know you are starting over, Seri. I know you must feel extremely vulnerable right now… So, I gave you the first option. But I want it to be forever, if you want it to be too…because…” Severo paused and took a deep breath. “I love you!” he blurted out, before clearing his throat again. “I love Skya. I love you both. These months were insane, but…”
“Yes,” Seri gasped.
Severo’s eyes widened. “Yes?”
“Yes! I want to stay…forever,” Seri said with a laugh, sniffling a bit as his eyes teared up.
“G-great! Umm. Umm…we can get a better place though.” The Dweller looked around almost frantically.
“Severo,” he said, stepping closer.
“It really just worked for me because I was on my own.”
“Severo!”He tried again to interrupt the man’s rambling, because he hadn’t gotten to finish all he wanted to say.
“I was never home much. But we can find something that works for all of us. Maybe?—”
“Hush, you dork,” Seri said with a laugh. “I’m trying to say I love you back!”
“You are?! You do?!”
“Yes!”
Severo let out a laugh, and swept him up into his arms, swinging him around. “You do?!”
“I do!”
The Dweller stopped spinning them. Setting Seri’s feet on the ground, Severo cupped his face and pressed his lips to his. The kiss was sweet and brief. The man pulled back, a wide smile on his face as he rested his forehead against Seri’s. Severo's eyes began to gloss over with tears.
“I love you… I love you so much, Seri.” The Dweller swallowed hard. “When you were taken…” The man’s face crumpled.
