Chapter 17
Seventeen
Pythor
Codie was so damned brave.
His hand held onto mine in a vise grip, and yet he kept walking forward, unwilling to let his fear hold him back.
While the community we lived in wasn't quite in the suburbs, it also wasn't in the populated part of town, so the road we were walking alongside didn't really have a lot in the way of traffic or places to go. We had no destination, but neither of us cared.
"How do you feel?" I asked after we'd been walking in silence for a few minutes.
"Terrified," Codie admitted with a strained laugh. "But also... free."
"You're a brave man," I told him, wanting him to know I saw the effort he was putting in, the way he was fighting off his fears with every step.
"You really think so?" he asked, sneaking a glance at me before focusing on the ground.
"I do. You took the time you needed to heal at home, and now you're working hard to get your life back. I'm proud of you."
"And if I said I wanted to go back and never try again? Would you still be proud?"
"I would, because you'd be doing what you felt was the best for you. I'm here to support you, not to dictate how you should be healing or at what pace."
Codie shook his head in wonder, then shot me a smile. "I'm glad you're my mate."
His words made my chest warm, and I gave his hand a squeeze.
"I'm glad you're my mate too."
"Really? Even if you could have a damage-free, normal guy instead?"
Pulling him to a stop, I glanced down at him, struggling to find the words to say what I wanted to.
"Codie... I like you because of you. Because of the beautiful art you make, the wonderful hugs you give, and your kindness. While I wished I'd met you before you were hurt so I could've protected you, I don't want to be with anyone else."
Codie was silent as he stared at me. After a minute had passed, he nodded, then tugged my hand as he started walking again, Hella happily sniffing away at the weeds and brush on the other side.
After a while, I could sense he was getting tired, so I suggested heading back. Halfway home, I realized the street was empty, and offered to teleport us since Codie really looked like he could use a glass of water and some rest.
Thankfully, he agreed, and we went back to his place, where I fetched him some water while he sat on the couch.
"I think I overdid it a little," he said with a sigh as he sat up and gulped down the water.
"Tired?"
He nodded, and I reached forward to cup his cheek, making him freeze. He stared at me with wide eyes, as if waiting to see my next move, while his heart started galloping.
Staying still, I let my magic seep into him, offering some relief to his tired muscles. After months of inactivity, they must have been protesting the sudden workout. Human bodies could be surprisingly resilient at times, and yet extremely fragile at others.
"Oh wow. I didn't know you could do that," he murmured, and I hummed.
"Demon magic is very strong. As long as my summoner hasn't ordered me against doing something, I can do most things." Before he could ask me what I'd been ordered against doing, I said, "Would you like to take a nap?"
He glanced away, then shrugged. "I guess I could. You must have things to do."
It took me a moment to realize he thought I wished to leave. Instead of correcting him, I said, "Yeah, I do. I want to hold my mate as he naps, if I may."
Codie's eyes shot to mine, wide with surprise as a small smile curled his lips. "I... I'd like that. You're sure you want to stay?"
"I'm sure."
Codie nodded, then took my hand and led me to his bedroom. While I'd been here before, I hadn't really taken the time to look around, and as Codie went into his bathroom with some clothes to change into, I took my time taking in his room.
It was pretty sparse, all things considered, but there were little signs of Codie all over.
Like the sketchbook lying on a desk in the corner, and the mug full of pencils and markers.
There were two large paintings on the two bare walls that I assumed were his.
One was a beach scene, with waves that looked just like the real thing, while the other was a starry night sky.
They were equally beautiful, and showed off my mate's talents well.
The window beside his desk had no blinds, and I would've wondered how he slept with the light from outside spilling in, but I knew he liked sleeping with the lights on. It'd annoyed me, back before I knew him, but knowing why, knowing what he was scared of... I just felt angry.
I pushed those feelings back as the bathroom door opened, not wanting Codie to think they were directed at him. I liked how easily and completely Codie trusted me, and I never wanted to do something that would damage his faith in me.
"Comfy?" I asked, eyeing his soft-looking hoodie and sweatpants. He'd left his coat in the bathroom, and it made me feel something. I felt proud of him, but the look on his face told me mentioning it wouldn't be the best idea, so I simply smiled as he nodded, then waited for him to climb into bed.
Before I could join him and hold him like I'd promised, Hella clambered onto the bed, spread out beside Codie, and went right to sleep. I glared at her, more than a little miffed since she'd taken all the empty space, and Codie laughed.
"Looks like I already have a cuddle buddy," he joked, and I smiled despite myself.
"You're replacing me with this hound?" I asked, making him snicker.
"She is pretty warm. And softer."
Growling softly, I picked Hella up, carried her over to the bedroom doorway, and placed her in the hallway before quickly joining Codie.
She hurried back to the bed a few seconds later, but I was already in. Disgruntled, she decided she'd sleep on our legs, and proceeded to pin us to the mattress.
"That okay?" I asked, not wanting him to feel trapped.
"Hmm..." he agreed sleepily as he curled against my chest, and I wrapped my arm around him as he quickly drifted off to sleep.
Codie
The day before, I'd finally done it. I'd made it out of the gated community. Sure, we hadn't gone anywhere, just walked alongside the road until I got tired, but I'd still taken a step forward. I was slowly making my world bigger, and I was proud of every new step I took.
That wasn't the only step I'd taken. I'd shared my bed with Pythor too. Sure, he'd spent time in my room while I slept before, but not in my bed. Not with his arms wrapped around me.
He hadn't stayed the night, but that nap before dinner had been the best sleep I'd had in a long time. I'd felt so warm and comfortable, so safe, it'd barely taken me a few minutes to fall asleep.
A knock on my door made me glance up, and I wondered when my heart had stopped racing at that sound. When had I stopped fearing it and started expecting it?
Placing my pencil and sketchbook on the coffee table, I stood up and headed to the front door, checking the security feed even though I knew it was Pythor. Unless it was the weekend, he was the only one who visited me, the only one I'd open this door for.
"Hey," I greeted as I opened the door, and he smiled widely.
"Hey, Codie. Do you have any plans for dinner?"
"I was just about to start making something. Any requests?"
"Yep. Will you come over to mine for dinner?"
That wasn't what I'd expected. Pythor loved my cooking, and he usually jumped at the chance to have dinner I made.
"Um, sure. I should change," I said, glancing down at my sweatpants and hoodie outfit.
"You don't have to. You look great."
I doubted it, but I shrugged. If he didn't care what I wore, I didn't either.
"Give me a minute," I said, and he nodded as I headed back inside, grabbed my phone and keys, and pulled on my coat before returning to him, ushering Hella out as I locked up.
The sun had already set, which made me realize some time had passed between when I thought I'd make dinner after I finished a 'quick sketch' and when Pythor came over.
I followed him across the street to his place, then stepped inside. Hella immediately ran off toward the living room, probably to nap on the couch.
"You know, I thought this the first time I came over, but did you use an interior design magazine for reference or something?
" I asked, waving toward his living room.
While it was well-furnished and pretty good looking, there was this.
.. fakeness to it that reminded me of those extravagant homes on TV shows and in magazines.
"Is it that obvious?" he asked with a grimace, making me laugh.
"Not really. It just doesn't feel like you," I explained, and he gave me a curious look, stopping just outside the living room doorway.
"What would feel like me?"
I pursed my lips, giving it some thought since he seemed honestly curious.
"A bigger couch, one of those L-shaped ones maybe?
With deep, soft cushions so you'd fit in both forms and could comfortably nap there if you felt like it.
Maybe some art on the walls, since you seemed to admire the ones on mine.
Thicker curtains for sure. You never said it, but I know your senses are far better.
No way you would've heard my music otherwise. "
Pythor looked... stunned by my assessment, and I wondered if he didn't like it, or if he was surprised because I'd gotten it right.
"That sounds really good, actually," he said at last, and I smiled, glad it was the latter. "I did put up the painting you gave me in my bedroom. I really like it there."
Before I could say anything, he snapped his fingers, and Hella barked as the couch she was sleeping on suddenly changed, then grumbled as she fell back asleep on the new couch, which was exactly like the one I'd described. Thick curtains had also replaced the flimsy ones on the wall.
"No paintings?"
"I was hoping I might commission or buy some from you," he said, and for some reason, it made me blush.
"You want my paintings on your walls?"
"Of course. I was admiring the ones at yours because they were yours," he said, completely at ease admitting something like that. Was that a demon thing, or a Pythor thing?
"Come on," he said before I could figure out how to reply to that, and I was grateful. "I have plans for us. How are you with heights?"
Confused by the question, I shrugged. "I'm not scared of them or anything."
More curious now, I took the hand he offered me, and when he pulled me close, I realized he was going to use his magic to take us. Were we going outside?
I trusted him enough to know he wouldn't do anything I wasn't ready for, so I stuck close as the world around us flickered, and then I was standing on... nothing.
What the hell?
I took a step back, still clutching Pythor's hand as I glanced down at the roof of his house... which was around ten feet below us. I was standing on air. I was in the fucking sky.
Glancing up, I spotted something I hadn't before. A table was set a few feet behind Pythor, an intimate setting with two chairs, a bright, cheerful candle, a vase of colorful flowers, and were those fireflies flying around?
"Pythor..."
"Since we decided we're dating, I thought it was time to have an actual date, don't you think? Do you like it?"
I nodded mutely, letting him lead me toward one of the chairs. He pulled it back for me like a gentleman, and I sat down, waiting until he'd slid it back and walked over to take the other chair before shaking my head in wonder.
"This is... wow. You're wonderful, Pythor."
Pythor smiled widely, his dark skin glowing golden in the light from the fireflies that I realized on closer inspection weren't actually fireflies but small blobs of light. Magic was awesome.