“Because somehow part of that sounded somewhat romantic even though logically I understand it was anything but,” he disclosed, unable to keep it to himself now that his heart rate was increasing again, this time less to do with the darkness and more to do with the man currently sealing his front over his, chest to chest.
Baikal made a pleased noise, clearly liking that comment, and wrapped both arms around Rabbit’s waist to pull him close and keep him there. “The proposal?”
Rabbit snorted. “No, that was a terrible marriage proposal, if you can even call it one. The other thing. The part about how you’ll avoid calling me Possessio if I really don’t like it—which I don’t, and yes, it is because I don’t like the idea of being a possession. Not just yours. In general. To clarify.”
He’d spent his entire life feeling like nothing but an object to his mother. The last thing he wanted was for that to be his future, for him to constantly doubt that he was seen as a living, breathing being.
After everything that Baikal had already put him through, it made no sense that Rabbit wanted to be seen as something more by the Brumal Prince, and yet…If he was going to be trapped for now, the least the other guy could do was help him not feel so horrible about himself.
“I have self-worth,” he said a bit more resolutely. “You’re not the only one who grew up praised for their brilliance and told they could have the world on a silver platter if they wanted.”
“Mine was diamond studded,” Baikal teased, “but I get it. If your fear is I don’t recognize your value, you’re mistaken, little bunny. I know it all too well. I’m about to be a king, Rabbit. I deserve only the best, and you, you’re the best of the best.”
“I’m damaged goods,” he reminded. “Case in point, can’t you feel my heart beating a mile a minute? I’m a grown man who’s afraid of the dark.”
“So much for that self-worth huh?” Baikal brought his mouth to the curve of Rabbit’s ear. “Are you sure your heart’s not pounding for other reasons? Like, the fact I’m standing so close to you? Think about it. You stopped hyperventilating the second you heard my voice and realized I was here with you. Subconsciously you know I’d never let anything bad happen. I’ll protect you, little bunny.” He nipped at his ear lobe. “Just obey.”
“You mentioned you were here for a reason.” Rabbit cleared his throat. He wasn’t about to fall into that trap and admit he’d noticed how his body had calmed with Baikal near. Especially not after all that heavy talk about things like marriage.
Sure, he’d been willing to tie his hand to a random girl his mother had selected, but that’d been different. Somehow.
“Turn the lights back on,” he demanded, only to feel the brush of Baikal’s hair across his cheek as the other man leaned back. For a second he removed all touch and left Rabbit standing there on his own, and just like that, his blood started to thrum. “Void?”
“I’m here,” Baikal replied from less than a foot away. “I’m just getting the basket.”
“What basket?”
“The one with your lunch in it.”
“My…” He frowned. “What?”
Baikal returned and then something chilled pressed against the seam of Rabbit’s lips. “Open.”
He hesitated but not seeing a reason to fight, tentatively opened, humming when something sweet settled on his tongue. When he began to chew, the flavor of the oj berry got stronger, the aftertaste a little sour.
“How did you know I like these?” he asked after swallowing, dutifully allowing another berry to be pushed into his mouth.
“It’s the only thing you don’t just pick at and move around on your lunch tray,” Baikal stated dryly. “We need to work on that bad habit, by the way. I won’t have you starved or passing out on me from lack of energy.”
Rabbit stuck out his tongue.
“I saw that.”
He blinked. “…How?”
“I made these shadows,” Baikal said. “Of course I can see through them.”
“Stupid Shout abilities,” he mumbled, then chomped down a little harder on the next morsel that slipped past his lips. He ended up wrapping those lips around the end of Baikal’s finger in the process, pulling back instantly.
“My power just means I’m perfect for you,” Baikal disagreed. “Who better to help you overcome your fear than someone who can manipulate the thing you’re so afraid of?”
“Don’t recall asking anyone to do that.” Rabbit continued to eat despite his haughty tone.
“Considering you can’t even be bothered to feed yourself, that’s not surprising. Did you even eat anything today?”
He glanced away.
“That’s what I thought. Here,” something plastic poked at his bottom lip, “it’s a straw. Drink.”
