"Okay."
We washed each other, then went back to bed, though Zamir stopped to unlock the door and open it a little before joining me.
It didn't take long for the cats and dogs to find us, and before long, our bed was crowded with barely any room left to maneuver.
"I don't want to go back without you. I want to live with you," Zamir murmured after a few minutes, and I sighed.
"I want you with me too, believe me. But I..."
"You're worried about the headmaster."
I hummed. "I know what happened in the past wasn't my fault, but I still feel guilty. I should've tried harder to find him. I shouldn't have given up."
Zephyr had been a kid back then. He'd needed someone to help him, rescue him, and I'd promised to be that guy. I'd failed him, and I had no idea what he'd gone through because of it.
His anger, his pain... it'd been clear on his face.
"Okay, I'll go back. But I want to come here in the evening so we can all sleep together like this. Is that okay?"
"Of course. You're welcome here anytime you want."
Zamir smiled, then snuggled close. He shut his eyes, and I leaned over to turn off the lamp before following suit.
I pushed away Pebble's tail from my face, then lowered my head, pressing my nose into Zamir's riotous curls as I breathed in his soft, warm scent and let it fill my lungs.
It made me feel relaxed and drowsy, untethered, and maybe that was why the words slipped from my lips.
"I love you."
I felt Zamir go still, and held my breath. He was quiet for a moment, and then I felt his lips on my chest, right over my heart.
"I love you, too."
