“Look at me, Star.” Slowly he raised his head to meet the other man's intense gaze. “Do you want me to?”
Star hesitated, uncertain of what answer to give. He was conflicted in his thoughts and emotions. He wanted Anubis, yet he was afraid of what would happen to his career if he gave in to his desire. Star also didn’t want a repeat of his past, where he had to do favors to get screen time. Granted, Vivienne was good at her job, but there was always that what-if.
Star gasped when Anubis cupped his cheeks, leaned over, and kissed him on his forehead. “Call me when you don't feel that hesitation in your heart.” He sat back but didn’t remove his hands from Star's face. “But know this, Star Rueng. Next time, I won't let you go.” He gently pecked Star on his mouth and released him. “Go on up before I change my mind and take you right here.”
Star nodded, mumbling good night, and walked inside the apartment building on shaky legs. He looked back just in time to see Anubis's car drive away. Star hissed and rubbed his chest, where he felt a slight fluttering and wondered if he had heart problems at a young age.
* * *
When he leftStar's apartment, Anubis did something unexpected. He didn’t feel like going home. He considered visiting his brother Horus, but he and his mates were out of the country, Thor was doing something for Odin, and Sobek was on a business trip. He drove around aimlessly for a bit and thought about visiting the one person who wouldn't do anything unless his mate ordered it. Anubis chuckled, heading to his destination. He’d never imagined the day when the great demon angel Azazel would be subdued by his mate Uriel.
But with his surprise came a little jealousy. In all the times and years he had been alive, sadly, Anubis had not once experienced love that would make him change how he viewed the world. He would never regret his union with Anput since it brought forth their Kebechet, who was now living a life of her own and visited him when she needed her father's love. Their father-daughter relationship was solid, and he could track her through their connection, so he never worried about her.
“Do you want children?”
The answer was yes. In Anubis's heart, he wanted to have as many children as there were stars in the sky. But realistically, three or four would do. Finding a lover who fit his criterion was the problem. Truthfully, until Star came into the picture, Anubis hadn't really thought about finding his forever one or his desire for children. But since that night, he couldn't stop thinking about either possibility. It wasn't the first time he wondered if Star could be his forever one, yet the uncertainty of his past lingered in his mind. Anubis looked over the passenger side when there was a knock at his window and saw Azazel peering at him through the glass. Instead of speaking, he unlocked the door and waited for his friend to get inside.
“How did you know Uriel was your mate?” Anubis asked, getting to the crux of his thoughts.
“I didn't in the beginning. Kind of hard to figure that out when he was trying to kill me.”
“Yeah, that could be a problem.” Anubis rested his elbow on the window and looked out at the moon.
“Did you find your forever one?”
“I don't know.”
“Tell me what you know, and maybe I can help.”
Anubis looked at Azazel to see if he was serious. He knew he was the one to bring up the subject, but Azazel could be an asshole sometimes.
“Hey, when it comes to us finding our mates, it's not a joking matter. So talk to me.”
Anubis nodded and gave Azazel the short version of his interactions with Star, even the part where they slept together, leaving out the spicy details, ending with their sweet moment earlier that night.
“Anubis, my friend, you're good at business and protecting the ones you love, but in this instance, you're an idiot,” Azazel said, chuckling.
“What the fuck is up with the backhanded compliment?”
Azazel flicked him on his forehead.
“I'm not your fucking kid,” Anubis growled. “Do that again, and I will chop your damn fingers off.”
“Then think, for Dio's sake.” He narrowed his eyes and stared into Anubis's face. “Or maybe you already know the answer and are unwilling to admit it to yourself. What the hell are you running from?”
“I'm not running from anything. I'm just uncertain about his past. I think my father sent him. Hell, I think even the mothers are in on it.”
“Who the fuck cares about his past or who sent him? All that matters is how you feel about him. Answer me this. How many times a day do you think about him?”
“I think about him every hour.”
“And when he's near you, what do you want to do the most?”
“Hold him and never let him go. I was just with him, and it took everything in me not to kidnap him and hide him away from everyone.”
“That sounds a bit mental, but honestly, I get it. It’s how I feel about Uriel.”
“I feel like I’m going crazy, Az.”
