Chapter 25
On Sundays, Pyxlevir liked to relax and allow his brain to recharge for his upcoming work week.
But after two fantastic dates and a thoroughly satisfying make-out session with Gramlithyn the previous night, Pyxlevir wasn’t only calm but on top of the world.
Even in his barely remembered dreams, Gramlithyn had been there at his side.
Pyxlevir hummed to himself and wondered how close it was to dinner.
Although he’d eaten plenty at breakfast and lunch, he was already starving.
Out of nowhere a hand darted out and grabbed his upper arm.
Pyxlevir opened his mouth to shriek but fell silent as he recognized the pretty green skin of his mate hauling him into the bathroom.
“Sorry, I know I scared you shitless,” Gramlithyn said once he’d encouraged Pyxlevir into the room and shut them inside.
“Damn right you did. What the fuck?”
Pyxlevir’s hands itched to touch Gramlithyn despite the way his heart was thudding heavily in his chest thanks to his fright. Instead, he crossed his arms and stared narrow-eyed at his other half as he waited for an explanation.
“I can’t believe you didn’t see me before I grabbed your arm,” Gramlithyn said, clearly amused at Pyxlevir’s soul nearly vaulting out of his body.
“Excuse me for being lost in my thoughts.”
“All I’ve been thinking about today is how much fun I had with you this weekend.”
A little mollified by Gramlithyn’s words, Pyxlevir made no attempt to scoot away as Gramlithyn gently caressed his silk-clad hips.
“I was actually looking forward to dinner,” Pyxlevir confided. “But I was also thinking about how much I enjoyed making out with you last night.”
“It was fantastic, wasn’t it?”
“Yep. Did you drag me in here so we could practice some more?”
Gramlithyn chuckled. “No, but I like where your mind is at. The reason I wanted a moment alone with you is that we need to confront our roommates. Last night was weird.”
“Oh right, I was going to ask them about it, but my head has been in the clouds all day.”
“You won’t hear any complaints from me. I know exactly how you feel, but we need to talk to them because they were being odd at lunch too. Each one of them basically has plans at night forever, but they can’t tell us why.”
Pyxlevir grimaced. “I wasn’t paying attention at lunch. But okay, want to help me get to the bottom of this?”
“Of course, what’s the plan?”
“Hmm, Dasan is your bestie, so let me confront him. It’ll hopefully catch him off guard and he won’t have a chance to craft any stories. Want to talk to the twins?”
“Yeah, let’s see…I think I’ll tell them I need Pyx wooing advice to get them alone. Then you can approach Dasan in the living room. I’m pretty sure that’s where he is right now.”
“Perfect,” Pyxlevir said. He lifted his chin. “Kiss first.”
With a grin, Gramlithyn licked his way into Pyxlevir’s mouth. Pyxlevir clutched Gramlithyn’s biceps as they used what they’d learned the previous night to tease each other with pleasure. Head swimming, Pyxlevir blinked heavily at Gramlithyn as the hybrid pulled away.
“I want another date with you Friday,” Gramlithyn murmured.
“Any night you want.”
Gramlithyn brushed their lips together. “Okay, let’s get this roommate issue fixed so we can get some carrots in you.”
“Like a green zebra-elf carrot? Or the ones used for nutrients and shit?”
With a chuckle, Gramlithyn pulled away and opened the door. “Not that I want to get into the habit of disappointing you, but the nutrients and shit kind.”
“I’ll get the other one eventually,” Pyxlevir muttered as he followed Gramlithyn out of the bathroom.
The twins were chatting about something in the kitchen, so he allowed Gramlithyn to tackle his part of their plan.
To get started on his own confrontation, Pyxlevir headed to the living room and found a hummingbird focusing intently on the television as he fiddled with a set of magnets.
Dasan appeared to keep them on his person constantly.
“Hey, Dasan,” Pyxlevir said as he waved at Gramlithyn, who was already heading down the hall toward the bedroom the twins shared.
“What’s up, Pyxlevir?”
“Not much, I was thinking about dinner. It feels like it’s been hours since we ate lunch, and I’m starving.”
“If I’m being honest, I’m almost always hungry. I could eat. For some reason, I’m craving pineapple; I hope there is some on the menu.”
“My dad hates pineapple, especially if it’s grilled. He’ll eat it, but he gets this expression on his face like it’s offended him,” Pyxlevir said. “What game did you guys play last night?”
“It was a wrestling game; the twins kicked my ass, but we had fun.”
“How long have you wanted to play it?”
Dasan’s gaze whipped to Pyxlevir’s face. “Oh, I guess for a while now.”
“Are you a big gamer?”
“No, not really. Money has been an issue for me, so I couldn’t afford games or stuff like that.”
“Did the twins suggest the game to you?”
“Sure,” Dasan replied, his brow furrowing slightly. “You’re asking a lot of questions.”
“Am I? Hopefully I’m not being too nosy, I was just curious.
I’ve never heard you guys discussing games before.
I’m a bit of a gamer myself. In fact, I’ve spent many hours with the twins playing wrestling games.
But I swear someone said last night that it wasn’t one Gramlithyn and I would like.
We’ve played those kinds of games since were kids. ”
“I didn’t know that. Gram never played games with me.”
“Gramlithyn and I had plans to watch a movie, but they were flexible. I think we would’ve both liked to have some gaming time with you guys.”
“But I’m sure you’d rather be alone with your mate than hang out with us,” Dasan replied with a wobbly smile.
“Did you guys run off and lock yourselves in the twins’ bedroom so I could be alone with Gramlithyn?”
“Look, you can’t blame us for wanting to be respectful of your matebond.”
Thrilled to have the truth and touched by the thoughtfulness of their roommates, Pyxlevir offered Dasan a smile. “I appreciate your kindness, but this apartment belongs to all of us. Let Gramlithyn and me worry about how to balance our privacy.”
Dasan shifted on the sofa so he was facing Pyxlevir more directly.
“I didn’t grow up with you guys, and until we arrived in Vegas, I wasn’t aware that Gram had a mate.
The Council is new to me, but I love the way matebonds are celebrated.
I want that as part of my life. And because Gram has been my friend for six years and you’re my pal now too, I feel like it’s my duty as someone who cares about you guys to give you every opportunity to be together. ”
“You’re a wonderful friend, Dasan, but the last thing I want is anyone going out of their way for me. This is your home. We share it. You shouldn’t have to alter your evenings because Gramlithyn and I decide to put a movie on.”
“Okay, here’s the truth. Colby, Crispin, and I discussed it, and we plan to do everything we can to help you guys because the last thing we want is for you two to get a separation agreement.
We’d love you and Gram to honor Fate. She’s a cool-ass goddess that gave you each other, but we want you to be happy together too. ”
“Don’t worry, that’s exactly what I want as well. I hate the thought of a separation agreement. Shit happened, and we were apart for years, but I don’t care. Gramlithyn is my mate, and I want to honor Fate.”
Dasan smiled. “Good, you two look good together.”
“Anyone would look good with Gramlithyn, he’s hot.”
“According to the Council book, I’m not supposed to say shit about your mate, but you’re right. He is totally hot. But I think he’s the lucky one because you’re honestly the most beautiful person I’ve seen in real life.”
Pyxlevir’s cheeks were burning, and his grin was sheepish.
“Okay, no complimenting me. For the record, it’s never going to hurt my feelings for someone to notice how sexy my other half is, and your mate is going to be a lucky person too.
I don’t want to assume you’re gay just because you’re mentioning men. ”
“Gay, but with little experience.”
“Unless kissing counts, I have no experience,” Pyxlevir replied. “But whatever choices you make about having sex or not are valid. Go with what makes you happy; nothing else matters.”
“I’m glad we met; it would’ve been awesome if we were all the same age and I’d been able to go to school with you guys. Is it okay if I call you Pyx?”
“Of course you can. I wish we’d had you around then too, but I’m so happy you’re here now.”
“Wonderful, should we go find our roommates so we can have dinner?”
“Gramlithyn has cornered them to find out why you guys were being weird last night, so we have to wait until they spill the beans.”
“You guys are the weird ones. Be grateful we’re nice enough to take our snacks and run.”
Pyxlevir chuckled. “Okay, point taken. But I want it understood that we need group time too.”
∞∞∞
Gramlithyn closed the door to the twins’ bedroom and faced the two hybrids as they got comfortable on Colburn’s bed.
“So, how can we help you?” Colburn asked.
“By telling me what was up with you guys locking yourselves in here with Dasan last night,” Gramlithyn said, leaning against the wood behind him as he crossed his arms. No one was leaving until he could return to Pyxlevir with a thorough report.
“I guess telling us you had some questions about Pyx was a ruse,” Crispin muttered.
“Not that I’d ever throw away advice about Pyx, but yeah, it was,” Gramlithyn conceded. “We asked you guys to join us for a movie, and suddenly the three of you announced you had prior plans to play a video game. Which one was it?”
“We played more than one,” Colburn retorted. “Why does it matter?”
“Because I’ve never seen Dasan play a video game or mention one. So, what’s up?”
“Why does it matter what we were doing? Enjoy being with Pyx and don’t worry about us,” Colburn responded.
“I’m grateful to be with Pyx and always appreciate his company.”
“So, what’s the problem?” Colburn asked.
“Pyx and I thought it was odd. We want to find out if there was a reason you guys bailed on us.”
“To play video games,” Crispin muttered. “Like we said.”
“Okay, what was up at lunch? Every time I mentioned doing something as a group, the three of you threw out plans. I’ve never known any of you to have such busy schedules.”
“Gramlithyn, we want you and Pyx to work on your matebond,” Colburn stated firmly.
“That’s our top priority. Cris and I moved out of our home to be here for you both.
But we hate the thought of a separation agreement.
We talked to Dasan. He feels the same. The three of us are perfectly content to excuse ourselves to ensure we’ve done everything on our end to give you two chances to reconnect. ”
Gramlithyn sighed, and his zebra snorted with approval.
“There’s no fucking way I’m agreeing to be separated from Pyx.
Not unless he’s absolutely miserable. And even then, I’d have to somehow rid myself of my feelings for him to dissolve our relationship completely.
I don’t know if that’s possible. I’ve loved him since I was six.
The day we met remains one of the best in my life, and the other impossibly wonderful ones include him too.
Don’t worry, I promise not to fuck this up with him.
I won’t do that to him or myself again.”
“He doesn’t realize it, but he changed when you left,” Crispin remarked. “I can’t explain it perfectly, but part of his light died. The spark is returning. Each time I look at him, he’s brighter again. You’re doing great, don’t overthink it.”
“I’m struggling with fully letting the past go. Guilt isn’t easy to overcome. But I can’t let it ruin our future, so I’m working on taking your advice and not allowing my brain to become an obstacle.”
“Good, we’re here for you. And yes, we talked to Dasan.
The three of us will give you space. That’s what friends do.
We support you unconditionally, and we had fun last night,” Colburn said.
“Dasan is a great addition to our little friend group. None of us were complaining about being in here with our snacks.”
“I’m relieved everyone is getting along,” Gramlithyn replied.
“Especially you and Pyx,” Colburn answered with a grin.
“Yeah, that’s definitely my favorite part,” Gramlithyn conceded.
Since the day he’d stopped avoiding Pyxlevir and started approaching their relationship the way he should’ve from the beginning, everything had changed for the better.
They were quickly rebuilding a friendship, but this one lacked the buried awkwardness of years past when Gramlithyn had had to hide his true feelings for Pyxlevir.
It encouraged Gramlithyn to continue to be honest with his mate and accept that he’d made mistakes without drowning in sorrow.
There were still things they had to work out, and nothing had changed much in the other avenues of Gramlithyn’s life, barring the new job he was learning, but he had to take things at a reasonable pace so he wouldn’t get overwhelmed.
And his indisputable priority was Pyxlevir.