She shakes her head no. “More like the whole situation.”
I nod. “Ian can be intense.”
She smiles. “I actually like that about him. It’s just, a lot to take in and well, I’m just really hurt that my mom didn’t even call to check up on me and this was decided without me.”
“But you want to be here?”
She smiles and nods. “Yeah, I really want to be here.”
“I want you here,” I say softly, taking Ezra’s advice. She needs to know where I stand. I’m not one for making a first move, but for her, I find myself willing.
She nudges my shoulder with hers, and I wish I could hold back my smirk, but I can’t. “You have to let me know if I cross any lines. You’re already bonded and—”
I cut her off and shake my head. “They need you, I need you.”
Her brows furrow as I wait for the light on the vaporizer to turn green. “I don’t understand.”
“They need an Omega who is affectionate, who needs them, who is less greedy with their time. I want Ian and Ezra to be happy, and that’s what they need.”
She shakes her head. “But what about you?”
“I’m still figuring that out.”
“But you’re happy I’m here? For more than just Ian and Ezra?” she says softly, trying not to show that I’ve hurt her feelings. I groan, hating how I can’t just communicate properly.
“I’m happy you’re here for Ezra and Ian and for myself. I just don’t know what I bring to the table for you.”
She shakes her head. “Maybe we could start by being friends and getting to know each other?” The answer is so sweet and simple. I nod and bring the vape to my lips, inhaling and holding it till my lungs burn before exhaling.
I hold it out to her. “Do you want to try?”
She shrugs. “Sure.”
“Just put this part on your lips and inhale. When it hits the back of your throat, stop inhaling and hold it until it doesn’t feel comfortable anymore.”
Luna nods and brings the device to her lips and inhales. She holds it for longer than I expect. But when she exhales, she’s in a coughing fit. Her one hand grips her knee while the other is balled in a fist as she coughs.
“You good?”
She coughs again and nods. “Yeah.”
We pass it back and forth a few more times. She continues to be a trooper, even though she coughs every time.
“Mmm, so you don’t like affection?” she asks, clearly feeling more confident after smoking and asking me questions.
“It’s not that I don’t like affection. I like it on my terms. When you don’t have bodily autonomy at some point, it can be hard to seek and give affection sometimes.”
She gasps. “Can I touch your arm?” she asks, and I smile and nod. She squeezes my forearm. “Is it okay if I just ask to touch you?”
“I’d like that.”
“And it won’t bother you if I’m affectionate with Ezra and Ian?”
“No, I’ll enjoy it. It will make them happy, which will make me happy.”
“But what do you want?” she asks.
“I’m honestly happy with how things are. But I think I could always be happier.”
