Chapter 14 Nerion
Nerion
Despite my cool and confident exterior, my heart was racing as I led Teddy around the gallery.
With wine in hand we perused the other student’s work, making hushed comments here and there about what we really thought of it.
I tried to steer the topic of conversation away from personal things.
It was easy to see that both of us were still trying to desperately hold onto our anonymity, despite the lack of physical masks.
But it was easy to tell that both of us wore a mask every day, just not the kind you could see.
“Do you want to get some air?” Teddy asked suddenly, nodding toward the door. “Just for a moment. I won’t steal you away or anything.”
My heart skipped a beat, but I didn’t dare show it. “Sure. It’s getting stuffy in here anyway.”
Outside, the crisp autumn air felt good against my heated skin. The gallery building had a small courtyard with stone benches and a few strategically placed magical lights that floated above our heads, casting everything in a soft blue glow.
“Better?” I asked, watching as Teddy took a deep breath.
“Much.” He leaned against the stone wall, looking up at the night sky. “I’m not used to... this kind of thing.”
“Art shows?” I raised an eyebrow.
“No, I’ve been to plenty of those with my parents.” He gave a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I meant this... whatever this is between us.”
I tensed slightly. Here it was, the conversation I’d been avoiding all evening. The one about feelings and expectations and all those dangerous things that could spell my doom. This is why I never talked to people again after a hookup. They always wanted more.
“Look, about that night...” I began, not entirely sure where I was going with it.
“You don’t have to explain,” Teddy interrupted quickly. “I know it was just a one-time thing. The masks, the punch, the anonymity... it was perfect for what it was.”
His words should have relieved me. He was giving me the out I always took. The clean break. No strings, no complications, no risk.
“Right,” I agreed, though something in my chest tightened uncomfortably. “Just a one-time thing.”
Teddy nodded, his face carefully neutral. “Though I have to admit, seeing that painting... seeing me in your work...”
“That was just artistic inspiration,” I said too quickly. “You know how it is.”
“No, I don’t actually,” he replied, a hint of challenge in his voice. “I’m not an artist. Remember?”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I don’t normally paint people. Ever. But after that night, I couldn’t get you out of my head. It was annoying, actually.”
That made him laugh, the sound warming something inside me that I thought had frozen over years ago.
“Well, I’m flattered to be such an annoying muse,” he said, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my mouth go dry. “And I’m glad I grew enough of a backbone to dance with you that night.”
I couldn’t help but grin, remembering those words I’d said in the natatorium that night.
I was just being a dick as usual, but clearly they made an impression.
We stood there for a moment, silence stretching between us.
It was obvious we both wanted to speak, wanted something we couldn’t have.
I knew I should walk away. Go back inside.
Keep things casual. But I found myself stepping closer instead.
“I’ve never done this before,” I admitted quietly.
“Done what?” Teddy asked, his voice equally soft.
“Wanted to see someone… again. That’s not usually my style.”
His eyes widened slightly. “Are you saying you want to see me again? Like... not just tonight?”
The question hung between us, heavy and daunting. This was the moment where I should make a joke, lighten the mood, steer us back to safer territory. But instead, I found myself nodding.
“I think I do,” I said, surprising myself with my honesty. “But I need to be clear about something, Teddy. I don’t do relationships. I can’t. I won’t.”
His smile faded immediately, but his expression told me he understood somehow. “So what are you suggesting then?” Teddy crossed his arms, looking both interested and wary.
I hadn’t planned this conversation, had never imagined having it with anyone. But now that we were here, I knew exactly what I wanted to propose.
“Friends,” I said firmly. “Friends who... fuck.”
“Friends who fuck?” Teddy repeated, his cheeks reddening even as he maintained eye contact.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, exactly. No strings, no expectations, just... fun. When we both want it.”
“Friends with benefits,” he nodded slowly, considering. “I’ve never done that either.”
“Is that a yes or a no?” I asked, suddenly aware of how desperately I wanted it to be a yes.
Teddy studied me for a long moment, those hazel eyes searching mine as if looking for something hidden there. Finally, he uncrossed his arms and held out his hand.
“Yes,” he said, his voice firmer than I’d expected. “I’m in.”
I took his hand, intending just to shake it, but the moment our skin touched, electricity shot up my arm. Before I could think better of it, I pulled him closer, my free hand going to the back of his neck.
“Should we seal the deal?” I murmured, my lips hovering just above his.
“Here?” he whispered, glancing nervously toward the gallery door. “Someone could see.”
“That’s half the fun,” I grinned, feeling reckless and alive. “But we can go somewhere more private if you prefer.”
Teddy hesitated only a moment before his hand fisted in my shirt, pulling me the rest of the way to him.
His lips met mine with a hunger that took my breath away.
This wasn’t the punch-induced courage of Halloween night.
This was pure, undiluted Teddy, making a choice with clear eyes and full awareness.
And gods help me, I couldn’t get enough.
Our moment of bliss felt like it could go on forever and was too short at the same time. Teddy pulled back, his pupils dilated as he looked me over. Reluctantly, he pulled his hands away and stepped back.
“Just so you know,” he said breathlessly. “I need to keep this private. My parents… they can’t find out.”
“They not into the gay thing?” I asked, figuring that was the answer.
Teddy shook his head. “It’s not that. It’s just that… they have a lot of expectations. And if they find out I like men or that I’m seeing someone, they’ll force their way in and manage it. And I don’t want my sex life managed.”
“That’s fine with me,” I nodded. “Nobody needs to know.”
“Thank you.” He gave my hand one last squeeze before taking a step back. “Let’s go back inside,” he suggested, smoothing down his shirt where my hands had rumpled it. “I should probably talk to some other people too. I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea.”
I nodded, trying to ignore the strange tightness in my chest at his words. This was exactly what I wanted, something casual, private, and with no expectations. So why did it sting to hear him say he didn’t want to be seen with me too much?
“Yeah, good call,” I said, forcing a casual tone. “I should mingle anyway. Professor Aurelia expects me to talk to the donors about my work.”
We walked back into the gallery, careful to maintain a respectable distance between us. There were points where I lost track of Teddy completely and found myself searching him out. But I forced myself to stay on task and chat with people who came the little corner where my paintings hung.
After a while, Teddy returned, waiting for the older Beastkin couple of finish their conversation with me. As soon as they were gone, he leaned in, his voice quiet.
“When can I see you again?” he whispered, his breath warm against my ear.
The question sent a shiver down my spine. “The swimming pool is open again,” I suggested. “Midnight?”
I felt my heart quicken at Teddy’s question, the excitement of our new arrangement already sending heat coursing through my veins.
“Midnight,” he confirmed with a nod. “I’ll be there.” He bit his lower lip, his eyes darting around to make sure no one was watching us. “I should go. I have... homework.”
I knew it was an excuse, but I played along. “Of course. Very important, homework.”
“Don’t mock me,” he said, but there was no heat in his words. Instead, a small smile played at the corner of his lips. “I’ll see you tonight.”
As he walked away, I couldn’t help but watch him go, admiring the confident way he moved through the crowd.
It was different from how he’d been at the party.
There was less desperate abandon and more controlled purpose.
I liked both versions of him, I realized.
The wild one who’d surrendered to pleasure without restraint, and this more measured one who calculated his risks.
I turned back to my paintings, trying to focus on the remaining guests, but my mind kept drifting to what would happen at midnight.
Friends who fuck. The arrangement was perfect.
It had all the pleasure with none of the risk.
No chance of love, no danger of turning into seafoam.
Just mutual satisfaction between two consenting adults.
So why did something still feel unsettled in my chest?
“Your work sold,” Professor Aurelia’s voice interrupted my thoughts as she approached with a small red sticker in her hand. “The one with the figure on the ship. Someone was quite taken with it.”
“Really?” I was genuinely surprised. My work rarely sold at student exhibitions. “Who bought it?”
She placed the sticker beside the painting’s description card and smiled mysteriously. “Theodore Voss. He paid the full asking price without even trying to negotiate.”
I stared at her, momentarily speechless. Teddy had bought my painting. The one with him in it. The one I’d jokingly priced at five thousand dollars. And he hadn’t even mentioned it to me.
“When?” I finally managed to ask.
“Just now,” she replied, studying my reaction with interest. “He seemed quite determined to have it. Said something about it being the first piece of art that ever spoke to him.”
I swallowed hard, unsure how to process this information.
It was just a painting, right? It didn’t mean anything.
Nearly all the witches at Widdershins came from wealthy families, so the money probably didn’t matter to him.
And yet, the thought of Teddy wanting to own my work, wanting to keep that piece of me with him, stirred something tempestuous inside me.
“Well,” I said, trying to sound casual, “I hope he enjoys it.”
Professor Aurelia’s knowing smile told me I wasn’t fooling anyone, least of all her.
“I think he will. Very much. It’s a beautiful piece.
” She gave me a nudge with her elbow. “See what happens when you take my advice and talk to people? This could be your entire career, Nerion. You have a future in art, I promise you. You just have to be open to new ideas.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “Like pretending all my work is some deep, dark, traumatic well of feelings?”
“Maybe a little less dramatic than that,” she grinned, despite my jab. “You could just admit that it means something to start, then figure it out from there.” She patted me on the shoulder. “Anyway, congratulations on the sale. I’ll have a check written out for you on Monday.”
With a small wave, she headed back into the crowd.
But I didn’t care about the money or her advice about my work right now.
Instead, I found myself staring at the red sticker beside my painting.
Friends who fuck didn’t buy each other’s artwork, did they?
Friends who fuck probably didn’t paint each other in the first place. What exactly had I gotten myself into?
And more importantly, was I already in too deep to get out?