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I open my mouth to respond but nothing comes out. I’m not sure what I’m feeling. Something like pride mixed with elation and maybe some relief. I’m so happy that Thane is doing well. Sometimes, just like everyone else, I’m prone to doubting myself, wondering if this relationship is nothing more than a distraction. It sounds like it’s doing the opposite. It’s helping Thane feel free. It reminds him to do things for himself. It helps take some of the worry away from him.

“I’m happy for you guys, but I’m tired of him acting like you’re a dirty secret. We’re going to start getting together more often, alright? Maybe even a double date,” she adds with a wink.

“I’d love that,” I tell her honestly.

“Good.” Then she waves a hand in front of the harpy woman sitting next to her. “Speaking of double dates, have you met my girlfriend? This is Savannah.”

Savannah gives me a little wave. She’s a harpy with lovely feathers around her neck and face, wings on her back. “It’s nice to meet you, Maverick.”

“You too,” I say with a smile.

“She works at Brainz Liquor,” Thane says, squeezing my thigh. “I bet that’s why my sister likes you so much.”

Savannah pretends to think about it. “Is that why you’re always asking to come visit me while at work?”

“You caught me,” Tess says with a giggle, leaning over and kissing Savannah’s cheek. Then she looks over to the center of the room, making a happy little noise. “Oh! There’s dancing! Come on, Savannah,” Tess says, grabbing her girlfriend and dragging her over towards the dance floor.

They sway together and I notice Tess is wearing a pantsuit that matches Savannah’s dress. They’re adorable together. I’m happy for them. I’m happy I get to be part of this little family. I’m just so damn happy, period.

“Dance with us,” Wendy says, taking Simon’s hand. Simon’s face is bright red. He looks at Thane who gives him a thumbs up before finally nodding and allows himself to be pulled away with both Wendy and Percy.

I turn in my seat so I’m facing Thane. He looks at me, an almost shy look crossing his face. Without much thought, I do what I always do when he looks like that; I take his chin between my finger and thumb.

“I can tell you want to ask me something,” I say softly.

“How do you do that? How do you always seem to know what’s on my mind?”

“It’s like anything else in life,” I say with a soft smile. “I study you. I learn you. You’re worth getting to know in every way.”

“Would you dance with me? I know it’s kind of silly,” he starts to say but I cut him off.

“You’re worth being silly with.” I stand up, taking his hand in my own and pulling him up. I lead him onto the dance floor before turning around and placing one of my hands on his shoulder. With the hand still holding his, I bring our clasped hands to my chest, right above my heart. Thane’s free hand goes to my hip, holding it tight.

The music drifts around us and we sway. Thane follows my steps and my chest feels overwhelmed with affection. Even in something as simple as dancing, Thane falls in step with me so perfectly.

We fit together in a way I didn’t even know I needed, didn’t even know was possible. We drift around the room, dancing past couples all around us, and a couple trios as well.

One couple catches my eye, choosing to dance away from everyone else. One of them, the human of the couple, is looking so incredibly serious as he dances, like this is a mission he needs to accomplish instead of something to enjoy with his partner. It’s kind of sweet, in it’s own way.

“Hey, Maverick?”

“Yeah, sweetheart?”

Thane smiles down at me. “Walk outside with me? I could use the fresh air.”

“Of course,” I say, taking his hand and walking outside with him. We make our way through the quad down to the river, finding a secluded spot where we can sit side by side, looking down at the water.

Thane lets out a soft sigh, leaning his head on top of mine. I can feel his earrings digging into my head but I don’t mind it. “I’ve always loved the sound of running water. Back home, there was this little brook where I would sit by myself when I needed a break from it all. It was my own little safe haven.”

“I’m glad you had a space like that.”

“Me too. It’s different now that I’m an adult,” he says, his voice taking on a bit of a wistful tone to it. I tug his hand into my lap, wrapping my fingers around his palm. I rub my thumb over his green skin, a gesture to let him know he’s not alone, that I’m here for him. “This might be forward of me, but I think maybe you’re my safe haven now, Maverick.”

My breath is stolen from my lungs. It’s everything I’ve been feeling, everything I’ve been hoping Thane feels as well. I bring his hand to my mouth, kissing the back of it.

“That makes me really happy to hear.”

“Yeah?”