Chapter 25 #2
“Well, we can’t both be muscly boys, Charlie.
How am I supposed to impress you with my physical prowess if you’re as strong as me?
” Kip flexes one of his obscene biceps. “Anyway, I’m going to go dish up dinner, and then we can eat.
I guess, actually, you’ll eat, and I’ll watch you.
Since apparently human food is a no-go for me. ”
“Don’t worry, handsome, I’ll feed you later.” I cringe, realizing I failed at sounding sexy and simply sounded awkward.
But even though I came off as weird, Kip seems to like my comment anyway, shooting me a wink before heading to the kitchen to grab dinner.
“Oh my god, Kip, this is so fucking good.” I moan around another bite of chicken parmesan. “Oh shit, sorry. I guess I shouldn’t rub it in that you can’t eat it, huh?”
Kip smiles at me. “It’s fine, honestly. Watching you enjoy it is enough for me. It’s burgers that break my heart every time I think of them, not Italian.”
I swallow another mouthful. “Maybe eventually your body will adjust and you’ll be able to have people food again? I mean, have you seen Tyson eat food? That would tell you.”
Kip sighs. “No, but that’s because vampires can’t digest human food. I’m not sure how I know that, but I know it’s true. It’s okay though, nothing I can do to change it anyway. Besides, Tyson was always weird about his diet around other people. Maybe that should’ve been a clue.”
“That sucks. And Tyson is sneaky. There’s no way you’d ever have guessed he was a vampire who only drinks blood and booze.” After a sip of wine, I continue, “Anyway, I’m surprised dickhead isn’t here right now, glaring at me for daring to be with you.”
Kip snorts, resting his chin on his fist. “He disappeared after I was released earlier. No idea where to, and I don’t really care either. As long as he leaves us alone.”
“I’ll toast to that.” I raise my glass. “Don’t you find it interesting that you can drink alcohol just fine, it’s just food that you can’t stomach? Like who makes these rules.”
“It’s almost like we’re in a simulation or something. Like it’s The Matrix. And we’re at the whim of our sadistic creator.” Kip looks thoughtful. “That’d be kinda fucked up. Like if we were really in a simulation, and they purposefully took away my ability to eat burgers as a vamp.”
“Is this the point where I find out you’re a conspiracy theorist? What next? You’re gonna say that birds aren’t real?” My lips tip up in a playful smile.
“I mean, can you prove that they are though?” Kip looks dead serious when he says this, and I honestly can’t tell if he’s fucking with me.
“Sweetheart…princess…baby boy…please tell me you don’t believe that birds aren’t real?” I plead with my eyes, reaching my hand out to cup his.
He guffaws, a deep chuckle vibrating between us. “Nah, I’m fucking with you. I’m dumb, but not that dumb. And also…princess?”
“Am I wrong? You are a princess. A pretty, pretty princess.” I’m teasing, but by the look on Kip’s face, I think he likes me calling him princess.
Kip smiles shyly, ducking his head to peek at me through his thick, blond lashes. “You think so?”
I dab my mouth on a napkin, and then push back from the table.
A surge of confidence like I’ve never felt before overtakes me as I saunter over to Kip’s chair.
Slinging my leg over his thighs, I slip into his lap, wrapping my arms around the back of his neck to play with the curls of hair at his nape.
I lean down, brushing my nose softly against his. “I know so. You’re very pretty, Kip. And I think you like it when I call you princess.”
Kip gulps, his eyes widening and black pupils overtaking the silver of his eyes. “C-Charlie? Can I uhh…can I tell you something?”
I pull back, confused about Kip’s shaking voice and insecure demeanor. Sure, he’s been a bit bashful at time, but always with an air of confidence. It’s like he’s taken off a mask, revealing the timid guy underneath. But I…like it…is this the real Kip? Underneath all of the bravado?
“Sure, Kip. You know I’ll listen.”
He blows out a wobbly breath, looking over my shoulder. “You make me feel vulnerable. Everyone’s always just thought I was dumb old Kip. But with you I feel like that’s not all I am.”
“Kip, you’re not—”
He stops me. “It’s okay, Charlie. I know.
People have always told me I’m all brawn and no brains.
It’s fine, I’ve accepted that I’m not super smart.
But you’ve shown me that’s not all I am inside.
Just because I’m not bright, doesn’t mean I don’t have other things that I’m good at.
But anyway, the point is, I feel safe with you.
And I uh…well, I wanted to ask you something. Or tell you something? I don’t know…”
“Princess…” He melts at the word. I lean in to kiss his clean shaven cheek.
“I feel safe with you too. You’re right, I do keep up walls to keep everyone out.
It keeps me from getting hurt. But that also means it keeps everyone away too.
And I’ve decided that I don’t want to have those walls around you, or keep you away.
I’m pretty sure you’re my person, Kip. So yeah, you can ask me anything. Tell me anything.”
Seeing Kip vulnerable and soft like this makes my heart ache, but not necessarily in a bad way.
Just like me, he’s put on a persona. His is that of a himbo, a playboy, a dumb jock.
Mine is of something who is cold, prickly, and doesn’t care.
But neither of those personas are who we actually are on the inside.
Maybe everyone wears a mask, afraid of being judged for who they really are.
Afraid of being hurt. Scared to be seen as they are.