Vax:Me on my knees for you?
Winter:You don’t have to kneel. We can work with another position. I understand the High Lord Heir pride. It’s okay.
Vax:Apparently said pride holds little weight when up against the depth of my desire for you.
Wow.That was unprecedented. Before I could fully process what it meant in context, he sent another text.
Vax:Prior to me devouring your beautiful cock, I would very much like to take you out. Perhaps for a meal? Even a drink? Non-alcoholic, of course, to suit your preferences.
Oh.
My first reaction was to enthusiastically offer up some places, to go all in.
He wanted to draw closer to me, independent of sex. And he was trying to make it clear that this wouldn’t be a replay of the Zayn situation.
But after recent reflections and that conversation with my dad, I’d realized that the dynamic with Zayn and me had existednot just because of Zayn, but because of me as well. I’d also allowed it.
So I couldn’t… I wouldn’t… approach things the same way this time.
I sucked in a breath and typed back.
Winter:Love the idea, but I can’t tonight.
Things had already been progressing incredibly fast as it was.
A step back needed to be taken to… to be emotionally safe.
Vax:Of course.
Winter:In a few days?
Vax:Certainly.
I sighed with relief.
That had gone better than I’d imagined.
I was about to stow my phone away for class, when it buzzed again with another message notification.
Vax:You did it.
I frowned.
Winter:What’s that?
Vax:Made your preference known. Instituted a boundary. Ensured something transpired on your terms for once.
Winter:And that’s just… okay for you? With you?
Vax:It is. I’m proud of you. Keep it up, little death. And enjoy your class also.
Winter:I will. On both counts. Thank you. Enjoy your sparring.
He didn’t have class right now, so he wasindulging—his word—in some hand-to-hand combat, which was apparently a hobby of his, as well as a way to remain sharp and battle-ready. Although he hadn’t spoken to it directly, with what I knew of his species and what we’d discussed concerning the Basilisk people during the party, I suspected his need to always bebattle-readywas a result of the persecution and threat they’d suffered through. The reason behind it was upsetting, but I figured it atleast gave him a sense of control. Not just in the bigger picture sense, but in the fact that he’d been thrown into a foreign environment here at Loxley Academy.
While it was also my first year here, I knew a few people already. He didn’t.
I didn’t want to leave him alone in it, especially after how amazing he’d been with me, so while I knew it was best to slow things down, I’d make sure I still texted him leading up to our date. I mean, I’d still see him in class, but that wasn’t a time to chitchat.
