26
Kylo
“…Yeah, they’re over here. Hi, guys!”
Eunice walks up to their table with a petite girl at her side, who is clearly the fae girlfriend she mentioned earlier. The small, pale frame shies a step behind Eunice, holding her arm. Short, platinum, pixie-cut hair only highlights her dainty features—her tall pointed ears, her small, upturned nose, her triangular jaw and icy eyes. Kylo lights up as their potential new friends walk closer to their table.
“I didn’t know if we’d actually find you. Isn’t this cute?” Eunice asks as she gestures around the room.
“It’s really nice. Do they put this together every year? This is my first time staying on campus during the holidays,” Kylo says, to get the ball rolling, as the two sit down across from them.
“Yeah, they started a few years ago, I think. More students have been coming into town, so it makes an event like this worth it,” Eunice says, shimmying out of her fuzzy coat. “What made you decide to stay on campus this holiday?”
“Oh, my parents went on vacation this year. They figured it’d be nicer if I stayed with this guy”—he jerks his head toward Lathan—“than being at their place all alone.”
“Did they even know that I stay all year?”
His attention turns back to his partner and he offers him a shrug. “Probably made the assumption after explaining your family history.” Kylo is careful not to repeat details that the girls don’t need to know. Turning back to the two, he stretches out his hand toward the fae, now settled in her seat. “I’m Kylo, by the way.”
She gives a slight wiggle in her seat with a timid smile, extending her left hand to shake. “Ellie,” her sweet, and somewhat quiet voice squeaks before she turns to Lathan with her hand still out, politely introducing herself to him as well.
Lathan pulls his hand off his beer and takes her small hand gently, holding it rather than shaking it. “Lathan,” he states with a curt nod, then looks between the two. “Want me to grab either of you a drink from the bar?”
Eunice shakes a hand. “Oh, no, I’m not having any tonight. Have to be up early to do gifts with family, and we can’t handle a lot,” she says, and shares a mutual knowing smile with Lathan. It takes a moment for Kylo to process her words, but it clicks.
Right, vampires and alcohol. Got it.
Eunice then looks to her girlfriend. “You can stomach more than I can, though. Want anything, El?”
Ellie shoots her big eyes between the two vampires, her words tumbling out in knots. “Oh…I, uh… Tequila sunrise, please!” she blurts out, as if the thought bubbled to the surface as unexpectedly as the question had been.
“Good choice! Make that two!” Kylo winks at Lathan, sticking his tongue out between his teeth. Lathan nods and taps the surface of the table with his hand as he lifts from his seat and walks away.
Beaming on the other side of the table, Eunice bumps her shoulder softly against Ellie’s. Ellie raises her shoulders and smiles as she warmly side-eyes her girlfriend.
“So, how long have you two been together?” Kylo asks, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the table.
“Oh, about a year and a half now?” Eunice looks at Ellie for confirmation. “It feels so much longer, though, honestly! Like, this is only our second Yule together. That’s crazy.”
“It feels like I’ve known her forever,” Ellie breathes, looking at the table and nodding happily before raising her eyes to gaze at Eunice in romantic awe.
“That’s so sweet.” Kylo sees the way they look at each other and recognizes that same feeling. “Lathan and I have only been together this term, but I know what you mean. It feels like it’s been ages.” He looks over his shoulder at Lathan, waiting for their drinks, thinking about how truly crazy it is that they’ve come so far in such a short period of time. Though, all the chaos they’ve been through together has only made them stronger—has only made them realize how much they adore and value one another in this messed up world. They are each other’s rocks.
“So that night at the bistro really was your first date, huh?” Eunice wiggles, as if loving that she was a part of it.
“Yep. That was our first date. A pretty good one, might I add.” He smirks to himself, remembering that day of bliss.
“I knew it. You two were so cute. I told Ellie about it after my shift,” she laughs. “I was so excited to see another interspecies couple. I know they’re out there, but people need to see us more in public to get out of their heads about it!” As she talks, Lathan appears quietly at Kylo’s side and sets down the drinks in front of him and Ellie. Kylo acknowledges his presence as he listens to Eunice’s outpour.
“I totally know what you mean,” he says before looking down at his glass—noticeably less in his cup than in Ellie’s, missing a third of its volume. “Did they stiff me, or did you drink some?”
“Well I can’t give Ellie the one I tried,” Lathan says, taking his seat. “I didn’t mean to drink that much, but it was good.” He smirks in a warm way that isn’t quite like him—the alcohol is beginning to set in his system. Kylo’s face twists into an amused smirk, finding Lathan’s early drunkenness both endearing and entertaining.
“Fair enough.” Kylo chuckles, turning back toward Eunice and their conversation. “I’m just grateful to have the support system I do. My family welcomed him with open arms. Being a cross-species couple definitely has its challenges, but more so at the hand of others.” He shrugs a shoulder. Even with the biological obstacles they’ve encountered, Kylo’s starting to believe that it’s just like any other couple: you have to learn each other’s quirks.
“That’s so good. Ellie’s folks are still upset with her and I being together—they don’t get it. My dad was weird at first, but he’s coming around.” She turns to Ellie with a soft smile.
“My parents don’t get it either, but they don’t really matter.” Lathan sets down his glass. His parents aren’t a topic he talks about easily, especially with strangers. The alcohol is working. “I met Kylo’s family at visitation, and they acted like the family I never had.”
Kylo opens his mouth, hesitating to interject, unsure if he’s about to divulge information that a sober Lathan might want to keep private.
“Did you know he’s an uncle?” Lathan continues, sticking a thumb over at Kylo. “Because I didn’t. But Mateo is so cute. I could’ve played with him all day.”
Kylo’s urge to redirect the conversation dissipates and he listens on with a smile.
Lathan leans back and looks hopefully at Kylo. “Maybe we’ll have kids someday.”
That sentence fills Kylo’s heart with warmth, his smile lifting his gaze as he explores the light in Lathan’s eyes.
“Have you tried it yet?” Lathan points at Kylo’s untouched glass, suddenly distracted. “You’ll like it. It’s sweet.”
Kylo chuckles then grabs his drink. “Yes, love, I’ve had it before. But thank you.” Shaking his head at how adorably talkative the reserved vampire has become, he takes a sip of his drink.
“Oh, okay,” Lathan says, pulling his pointing finger away and tucking his hands in his leather pockets.
Across the table, Ellie is taking her last sip. “I-I’m going to get another,” she declares, her tone an odd mix between nervous and confident as she pushes from her seat and the lights cast down on her rosy cheeks—maybe she can’t actually handle more than her vampire girlfriend. Placing a gentle hand on Eunice’s shoulder, she asks, “Would you like water or soda?”
“Mm… Maybe a soda. Whatever they have is great. Thank you!” Eunice chirps; her smile seems to be permanently glued on her face. Before Ellie can leave, Eunice touches her arm to stop her and looks at Kylo. “Do you want another? Since yours came half empty?”
She laughs. Lathan pouts not-so-subtly.
Kylo chuckles again at Lathan’s demeanour. I should probably stay clear-headed to watch over this silly goose. “No, that’s alright. Thanks.”
Ellie hops off toward the bar. Without her long coat covering her, her prosthetic right arm shines, catching the light beneath her puff-sleeved, forest green mini dress. It’s sleek and ivory white—not too much lighter than her skin—appearing almost like porcelain, with delicate gold details around the seams and joints. Kylo smiles; it looks like art.
The music switches to pre-recorded songs over the speakers as the band takes a break, leaving the stage. Eunice looks toward the empty stage then stretches up in her seat to look past the boys. “Oh, they’re setting up for the Yule log decorating contest. Ellie and I were gonna try it. Are you guys?”
Kylo turns to see the hosts setting up a long table with roll cakes and edible decorations. “Oh. No, I don’t think so.” He rubs his nape sheepishly, not sure if Lathan would be interested.
“Oh, that’s okay. I’ll be decorating Ellie more than the cake anyways,” she laughs.
“I’d fuck it up for sure.” Lathan pipes up, swirling the ice in his empty glass. “Kylo’s the creative one. He writes amazing poetry. It’s how he told me he loves me.”
Kylo’s face glows bright red. It wasn’t a secret, but it is cheesy and intimate. “That’s it. We’re doing it,” he decides, standing up and grabbing Lathan’s hand.
As they tuck in their chairs, a chipper Ellie bounces back with a singular cup. “Eunie!” she sings, “I got you root beer!” It’s obvious from the duration she was gone—the line at the bar being quite short—that she may have had more than one drink at the bar for some extra courage.
“Thanks, baby!” Eunice takes the drink and kisses her cheek, which makes Ellie immediately scrunch up with giggles.
“Are we decorating log cakes or what?” Kylo yanks Lathan toward him. “Winner gets to take home both cakes.”
“I literally just said I’d fuck it up,” Lathan says, blinking with confusion. “Did no one hear me?”
Eunice slides off her seat with her root beer in one hand, resting the other on Lathan’s shoulder sympathetically. “And that’s why I’ll be taking both cakes tonight.”
Lathan’s eyebrows compress, but before he can retort, Kylo is dragging him to the table where other groups of two gather. Staff boldly announces a final call for the contest over the stage microphone, and someone else explains the rules to the players on the floor. Each duo stands facing each other on opposite sides of the table, allowing each their own half of the cake. Beside each roll cake are bowls of chocolate frosting, decorating tools, and a variety of themed sprinkles, cake toppers, and piping bags with red, green, and white buttercream icings.
“You’ll have ten minutes,” the lead staff member shouts from the head of the table. “On your mark, get set… Go!”
Each couple rushes to start, grabbing supplies and getting to work.
“What the fuck is happening?” Lathan mumbles. Eunice snickers and Kylo watches as she leans closer, situated at the setup beside him, and slides her thumb across her throat in a joking threat.
Kylo shakes his head and laughs at the gesture, leaving his boyfriend evermore confused. “You’ll be fine, it’s just a cake,” he soothes, reaching over for the bowl of chocolate frosting. Lathan watches him and the two girls carefully before grabbing a piping bag, his face rumpled with concentration as he squeezes swirls onto his side.
Time ticks by as they focus meticulously on their logs. Kylo using a palette knife to make bark-like texture into the frosting before topping it with various goodies. While Lathan’s fine motor skills are less effective, he is giving his best effort despite his drunkenness—Kylo doesn’t know if anything would look much better if he hadn’t been drinking.
He notices Ellie dip her finger into her bowl of frosting and bring it up to Eunice’s lips for a taste. Eunice leans forward and wraps her plump lips around the dainty finger, smiling sweetly as she pulls the icing off. Lathan must’ve followed Kylo’s stare, because he scoffs.
“You’re gonna fuckin’ lose if you’re dicking around,” Lathan says to the two eyeing each other romantically.
Eunice’s attention is drawn to Lathan and she gives him a sneaky, narrow-eyed look. She scoops some of the chocolate icing on her spatula, bends the silicone with a finger, and releases. The small amount splats on the side of Lathan’s cheek, hitting her target. Kylo’s eyes widen and a hand shoots to cover his mouth as he holds in his laughter with a snort.
“Yeah? That’s funny?” Lathan scoops icing with the curve of his finger and tosses it at Kylo’s face, some landing on his hat.
“Hey! Friendly fire!” Kylo shrieks, giggling. “Get her, not me!”
Just as Lathan is scooping more frosting, one of the supervisors passes by and Kylo holds his breath as she quickly says, “Please refrain from a food fight.” Lathan stops and smears the icing onto his cake cockily, holding the woman’s eyes with a dark leer. Once she walks away with narrowed eyes, Kylo belly laughs.
“Okay, that was hot,” he lets slip about Lathan’s defiant icing smear. His eyes widen and locks them onto his cake. “That was supposed to be an inside thought.” As he looks back to his boyfriend, Lathan gives him a smirk and a wink which causes his cheeks to burn bright.
Gods, we’re in public. I need to keep my cool.
In the background, Eunice and Ellie laugh, delighting in them both. It’s not long before the timer rings out and the contest ends.
“Hands up, frosting down!”
Lathan steps back with his chocolatey hands in the air dramatically. Glancing around, Ellie and Eunice’s cake certainly turned out better than their own, but the others across the table were true works of art—Kylo assumes they competed in previous years.
When one of the other groups is declared the winner, Lathan kicks the table leg, rattling their own abstract yule log. “Shit’s rigged,” he grumbles. Kylo laughs and tries to hush him as they walk back to their seats, ignoring the same woman glaring after them again.
“You did great,” he says sweetly to his grumpy man, then looks over at the girls to shake his head and mouth the words ‘it was so bad.’ The two giggle and ignore the daggers Lathan sends their way.
As Kylo sits, Lathan hovers above him. “You still have icing on your face,” he hums, then pinches Kylo’s chin, leaning close, and dragging his tongue over the small patch beside his nose. “There,” he breathes, meeting Kylo’s eyes with a cheeky look before taking a seat.
Every hair stands up on Kylo’s body. “L-Lathan!” he exclaims nervously, his heart racing like a rabbit, now even more flustered. Grabbing a napkin off the table, he wipes himself of frosting and spit, then slams a handful of napkins in Lathan’s lap. “Wipe your own face off, you creep,” he laughs, trying to calm down in front of their new friends.
Once the coordinators clean the cake station off the dance floor, the band enters the stage once more.
“You wanna dance?” Lathan asks, now cleaned of any lingering sugar—his ears and the sides of his neck are blushed a gentle pink from what he’s consumed.
“I wanna dance!” Ellie’s sweet voice answers first, and she bounces happily in place.
“How about you two start, and we’ll catch up with you in a bit?” Kylo says with a smile. Lathan slides out of his chair and offers a hand to the elf, who places her fingers like a princess before laughing at herself and pulling him to the dance floor excitedly.
Kylo sighs and relaxes into his seat, watching them leave. “They’re quite something, aren’t they?”
“Yeah, they are.” Eunice is warm with glee, resting a cheek on her hand. “Lathan’s pretty funny.”
“He really is,” he says, admiring Lathan as he twirls the petite woman. “Though, he’s not usually so upfront about it. Think we can thank the alcohol for that.”
“I’m guessing you’ve never seen him drunk. A lot of vampires don’t drink because it hits us so fast. Can’t enjoy it with friends as long as everyone else.”
Kylo shakes his head. He’s seen Lathan high, but never drunk. “Can’t say I don’t like it.” It’s funny to see him so unfiltered and carefree. It might not happen often, so he’s enjoying it while it lasts.
“I’m glad Ellie’s had a few, too, honestly. She can get in her head too much and get stuck there. I love seeing her comfortable enough to be herself.”
“She’s a really sweet girl. I see the way she looks at you. She really loves you. It’s heartwarming, to know that there’s hope out there for couples like us,” he says softly, letting himself be a little vulnerable about their shared experience. He didn’t think much about it in the beginning, but after everything, he just wants to know they aren’t destined to go up in flames.
She looks at him with a softer smile than she normally wears. “Honey, Lathan’s clearly obsessed with you. Everything he’s said tonight came back to you and your future together.” She pauses to take in a deep breath, nodding, as she revels in her own thoughts—maybe her own related traumas. “There is a future for couples like us.”
Kylo’s heart swells with her words. “I honestly didn’t know what I was getting into with him. I just knew, the moment I met him, that he was important. Summer passed without seeing him, then, suddenly we were roommates. It’s like the gods knew what I felt that day and pushed us together—despite all the odds.” He lets out a long breath, watching Lathan and Ellie sway, dance, and laugh. “Divine intervention or purely coincidence, he’s my life now, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
“I was scared at first with Ellie,” Eunice confesses. “She’s the first relationship I’ve been in with a woman. So that was new, on top of feeling like a creepy monster holding her back from her kind. It was hard. And without the blessing of her family…it’s a challenge. But she still makes me happier than any relationship I’ve forced myself into before because I thought it was ‘the right thing to do.’”
Listening to a brief snippet of her story makes him feel seen—validating his own life experience. Kylo looks at her now with a deeper level of understanding, which makes him want to confide in her about everything he and Lathan have been through—but it’s too soon. So, he gives her a knowing smile. “I know what you mean. But you made the right choice.” His eyes slide back to their partners. “We both did.”
Kylo watches as Lathan slinks out of the small group of dancing bodies, Ellie still twirling behind him, and snakes his fingers into Kylo’s empty hands, pulling him off his chair. “Come on, baby,” he purrs, “join me.”
He stands with Lathan’s gentle tug and looks over his shoulder to shoot Eunice a look of surprise and excitement. They saunter to the dance floor, near Ellie, and begin to groove to the beat of the band. The three of them dance and laugh for a while, until the music changes to something slower. That’s when Lathan wraps himself around Kylo from behind, gently pulling him back and forth to the melody, snuggled into his neck. Kylo tilts his head away from Lathan to allow him in closer. Eyes closed, he breathes into this moment beneath the dimmed lights, their hearts beating in tandem to the slowed song as the world feels as if it’s melting away.
“Forever my favourite,” Lathan hums.
“Mm,” he hums in return with a smile. “I love you.”
“I love you more,” Lathan replies, kissing Kylo’s neck before pressing his smooth cheek against his skin again.
It’s not long before the ballad comes to an end, replaced with something more upbeat. The night is almost over at this point, and a handful of partygoers have excused themselves from the venue.
“Alright,” Kylo whispers to his clingy boyfriend, and rubs his arms with encouragement. “How about we get going?”
“Is the party over already?” Lathan lifts his head and looks around the room. “Okay. We can go then. This was fun. Did you have fun? I had fun.”
“Yes, I had lots of fun tonight.” He chuckles, placing his arm around Lathan’s waist as they walk over to their table to grab their jackets and say goodbye.
“We had a great time with you both tonight,” Kylo says to the girls, slipping on his coat. “If you ever wanna hang out”—he scribbles his details onto a napkin—“here’s my number.” He slides it over to Eunice.
“Oh, great!” Eunice takes her phone out to take a quick picture of the napkin in case it gets ripped or lost. “I’ll definitely text you sometime!”
They exchange pleasantries and wave their goodbyes before sauntering back out onto the pretty streets of Ridley. Lathan’s jacket is tossed over his shoulder, his free hand intertwined with Kylo’s. The night air is refreshing and crisp, their breaths fogging in front of them.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Lathan says to the sky, stars twinkling calmly overhead. “That you could be with me this holiday. It’s selfish, but I always spend it alone. So I’m glad I could have you once.
“Baby.” Kylo slows to a stop and turns to face him, placing a hand on his cheek. “You’ll never spend it alone again. I’m yours until my last breath,” he says confidently, hoping his words sink in, even if he doesn’t remember them tomorrow.
Lathan’s eyes soften. Under the moonlight, the dark void of his irises seems lighter, opalescent somehow. “You really mean that?”
“Every word.” His lids lower, flicking between his eyes and his lips as he slowly leans in.
They kiss in the middle of the sidewalk, slow and long and deep. Under the displays of little lights, in different colours, fading in and out with different patterns. It’s a pledge of unconditional love, of commitment, of a future together.
Interrupting their moment, Kylo can smell the crowd of werewolves exiting the bar a few shops down. The men and women laugh daringly into the night, hanging off one another. He straightens immediately, recognizing the scent of his ex.
“Shit,” he says under his breath, and Lathan stiffens beside him. Jake is by far the loudest in the group, boasting drunkenly as he stumbles forward on the sidewalk, leading the pack.
“Kylo?!” Jake yells, echoing between the buildings, his eyes narrowing to focus as they draw nearer. He probably smelt him as well.
Jake laughs, turning to pat one of his friends on the arm before returning his gaze. “How’s it going? Haven’t seen you in a while.” He lumbers forward; one look at Lathan and he pouts dramatically. “Aw, still with the bloodsucker?” He hiccups and laughs again, the group chiming in. “Whatever, that’s fine. But you’re missing out.”
Lathan’s upper lip twitches. “Gods,” he groans quietly. “I really didn’t feel like dealing with trash tonight.” He grips Kylo’s hand tighter and turns a shoulder to the group. “Let’s just cross the street.”
Jake howls into the air, and the others do as well, as if they mimic everything he does. Seeing Lathan turn away, and pull Kylo with him, seems to shift his attitude.
“Come on, man, it’s just a joke.” Jake snorts. “We all know this is just some weird experiment or game. But whatever, have your fun while it lasts.” He looks behind him to roll his eyes to his friends. “He’ll come back around sooner or later,” he adds under his breath, though Kylo’s amplified hearing catches it, and if heard it, he knows Lathan did too.
Kylo bares his teeth at the utter disrespect and shifts himself defensively in front of his partner. Lathan, however, turns his head toward the group of boisterous wolves.
“The fuck did you just say?” he spits, though his voice is eerily calm as he directs a menacing look at Jake. Releasing Kylo’s hand, he steps in front of him, as if protecting him from his ex.
“Nothing, man. Forget it.” Jake says, rolling his eyes again as the group slows to a stop.
“No,” Lathan says simply, “this isn’t some fucking game. You’re just an alcoholic that couldn’t keep his partner, and now you’re jealous that he’s found someone who treats him right.”
“Hah! You’re funny.” Jake cocks his head, puffing his chest and advancing a step. “Why would I be jealous of a filthy bloodsucker when werewolves can provide our own with so much better?” His head tilts up so he’s staring down his shadowed nose. Kylo steps to Lathan’s side, snarling at the disgusting sentiment—a warning to his ex to watch his tone.
“He isn’t missing out on anything,” Lathan hisses. The second he does, Kylo knows what’s coming—just as his fingers pull at the neckline of his waffle-knit sweater.
“Full moon and all, baby ,” Lathan mocks, the same words Jake once sneered at him. The lights buzzing quietly above them on the sidewalk illuminate the jagged mating mark purpling his skin with bruises.
Kylo witnesses as the whole group is hit with shock.
“Woah,” a man breathes.
“A mating mark,” a woman whispers in surprise.
All of their eyes drift from Lathan to Kylo. Though, it’s Jake’s expression that is particularly shocked. They all know how that mark was made, but none of them have seen it on anyone other than a werewolf—that, Kylo can guarantee. The details of what that implies is precisely what is on each of their minds now, gathered from their hushed comments.
“You marked him?” Jake asks, exasperated, brows furrowing, his mouth agape—a rhetorical question laced with absurdity. Kylo squares his shoulders, taking slow steps around Lathan to stand in front of him—protecting him.
“How is that possible?” the other woman wonders aloud.
“Must’ve fit,” the first responds, eyeing Lathan like a snack.
Kylo looks over his shoulder at the vampire as well and sees his obvious discomfort. It’s that look, that shying away, that raises every hair on his body and fills him with rage. He whips his head back to Jake, his fangs flared and domineering.
“I did. And when it heals, I’ll do it again”—he lengthens his spine, walking closer—“and again”—closer—“and again. Until that scar proves to each of you that he’s mine. ” He steps right up to Jake, and although he’s much shorter in height, somehow he’s staring down at him. “He’s my mate. If you have a problem with that, go fuck yourself. ”
The tension hangs in the air as they standoff—the rest of the group dead silent. Kylo is showing his dominance; Lathan is now his territory to be protected. And it’s not long before Jake recognizes the hierarchy here and turns his head to the side, looking to the street.
“Whatever,” he snarls. “Let’s go.”
Kylo stays put, his body following in turn to watch them leave, flowing onto the road to go around him and his mate. Jake’s group follows in the wake of his defeat wordlessly.
Although Jake was a respectful lover to Kylo, he always made sure to keep his lovers beneath him—common for werewolves that want to stay at the top of a pack. Meanwhile, Kylo just climbed his way up within a matter of minutes. Since Jake is a popular guy, news of this will get around fast.
“That,” Lathan breathes, “was so fucking hot.”
With the pack far enough down the street, Kylo finally lowers his guard and faces Lathan slyly, arching an eyebrow. “I told you I meant every word, didn’t I?”
“Mhm. You did.” Lathan takes Kylo’s face in his hands and kisses him. “I want you to mark me, like you said. Again and again. I want them to know not to fuck with us. That I’m your mate. ” He grins, an all-consuming expression that reflects in his eyes. “Fuck, I love that. I’m your mate. ”
Kylo goes hot with Lathan’s words, his chest full and confident and warm. Reaching his arms around the back of his head, pulling his body in close, he kisses his jaw, his cheek, and then his lips. “You’re all mine, baby,” he whispers an inch away from his mouth, his smile too big to hide, even this close.
Kylo can feel a shiver vibrate through Lathan. “I never thought I’d be this hot for a werewolf,” he sighs heavily, “but you do something to me that I can’t even explain.”
Kylo’s grip strengthens, his breaths jagged. “Us. Dorm room. Now,” he demands as his heart begins to race—the warmth of the moment spreading lower.
“Yes, my Alpha,” Lathan purrs.