Page 45

Dean

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve started traveling with Nix and Kassian. Already, we have a bit of a routine going. It’s nice. Definitely not something I ever saw for myself but now that I’m in the middle of it, it’s going surprisingly well.

Every day feels like an adventure. We explore every new city we’re in. We eat at new locations. We meet so many people it’s overwhelming and yet, Nix and Kassian were made for this. They meet so many people and somehow, they take the time to learn names, to talk with people, to truly get to know them. They help people accept when they don’t have magic, and help guide the ones that do.

I’m honored that I get to be beside them. I’m honored that I’m the one they ‘come home’ to after all that hard work. I’m the one that gets to see them relaxed, the one who gets to comfort them and take care of them.

My feelings for them have only grown since joining them on the road. What was a little spark of potential has grown into an inferno of affection inside of me. My heart has somehow grown in size, making room for two more people.

I look out the window, seeing the two of them still talking on the phone. The sounds of the washers and dryers going all around me fade into the background as I focus on them. Nix is laughing while Kassian is grinning, shaking his head about something. They’re speaking with their manager about their contract, seeing if they can include my travel fees in with their expenses. I’m not sure how well it’s going but the two of them look completely at ease so I’m guessing it’s going alright. I didn’t ask them to do that but they wanted me to be included.

They said that the three of us are a package deal now. I can’t even begin to describe what that means to me. For such a long time, I was just me and now I’m part of something bigger than myself. Now I have not one, but two partners beside me.

I’m just about to pull my laptop out of my backpack when Nix and Kassian step inside the door. Kassian hip checks Nix. Nix stumbles, catching himself against the back of a mechanic who’s working on the washing machine that says it’s out of order.

Sparks fly, quite literally, as the washing machine cranks to life before it starts to smoke slightly and shut back off.

“What the fuck was that?”

“I am so sorry,” Nix says right away. “I’m an amplifier.”

“Shit,” the mechanic murmurs, shaking out his hands. “My ability has to do with electricity. I must have jumpstarted this thing when you touched me.”

“Serious, I am so sorry. You’re okay, right?”

Kassian jumps in, also apologizing. The three of them awkwardly make small talk for a moment, reassuring each other that everyone is okay, no harm done. Finally, Kassian and Nix make their way over to me.

Nix hums softly as he sits down on my right side, Kassian sitting on my left. They each put a hand on my thigh, my stomach swooping with warmth at the simple touch. I don’t know when I’ll get used to these easy touches. Maybe never. Maybe they’ll always be a novelty.

“What did she say?”

“Everything is all squared away,” Kassian says, smiling brightly at me. “Also, we’ll start staying in rented AirBnB’s from time to time which is gonna be really nice! I want an actual kitchen sometimes so you can cook for us.”

“You just want me around so I’ll cook for you?”

“Among other things,” Nix says with a grin, squeezing my thigh.

The mechanic moves into the back room, leaving the three of us in the main part of the laundromat alone. I turn towards Nix. “What other things are you talking about?”

Nix sputters for a moment, his cheeks turning pink. He readjusts the cap on his head, looking away. “Like companionship or whatever.”

Kassian giggles. “Mhmm, that’s totally what you were thinking about. What’s got you blushing like that, Nix?”

“Shut up! You know what I’m thinking about!”

“You know,” I say, letting out a long sigh. “If you’re not mature enough to talk about it, you’re not mature enough to participate in it.”

“Yeah alright,” Nix quickly says, looking at me. “I like having you around for every reason you can think of. I like your presence. I like that you help out with the chores. I like that you hold my hand when we’re flying. I like that you make sure we’re eating healthy.” Nix swallows. “I really, really like the way you kiss us and touch us. Iwantustohavesex.”

I blink slowly, processing all the lovely things Nix just said. Then I tilt my head to the side. “What was that last part?”

“I think he said he wants us to have sex,” Kassian says helpfully.

“Yeah. That.”

“We’ve had sex,” I say slowly. Which is the truth. Kassian gave Nix oral sex, we’ve touched each other and helped each other come. In my book, we’ve had sex. “Oh,” I say suddenly, “you mean penetration!”

“Oh my gods, don’t yell it like that,” Nix says, tilting his hat down to cover his face and sinking down in his chair. His face is bright red and it’s incredibly adorable.