Archive of Our Own

In recent years, Percy wasn’t the most knowledgeable about dreams. Both in a metaphorical and literal sense.

As a boy, fascinated by clicking gears and complicated mechanisms, he dreamed of growing up to be a clockmaker. Sunny days filled his life then. He had a family, a home, and wanted for nothing to follow a dream. Then, on the precipice of adulthood, the Briarwoods came and lightning struck him, fracturing the course of his life. With nothing left but a name, he became soaked in rainstorms, with anger and grief thundering in his heart. Recently, he’s been trying to work through his negativity—wear a raincoat to protect from the storms—and build a real life out of his mess. He even began tinkering with clocks in his free time, repairing old antiques back to their prime. But it was just a hobby. Pursuing a past ambition felt like rejecting how reality had reshaped him. And it was more than Percy deserved.

Needless to mention the nightmares that had haunted his slumber, highlighting each trauma inflicted upon him; a house up in flames, cackling sneers dominating the shadows, blades slicing open his pale flesh, the grasp of a young girl slipping away, and a contract for a vengeance sought. It was hard to recall a night where he hadn’t awoken in a puddle of cold sweat and a smoky demon hanging over his paralyzed form, scorching eyes and a cruel smirk filling his soul with endless guilt. However, as he improves his life, the nightmares’ frequency has lessened. Most evenings now brought peace, though not the kind found within dreams. Rather, it was more like he was drifting in an endless void, where neither good nor bad visions could disrupt the flow.

So he wasn’t the most knowledgeable about dreams. 

Yet, Percy considered the morning following Valentine’s Day a dream.

A meager ray of sun poked at him, attempting to force his eyelids apart and make him rise with the dawn. Percy fought to remain asleep, burying his head further into the pillow, but the light persisted in its prodding. There wasn’t much more he could do to combat the light, given that he could not turn away with the soft, warm mass caught in his arms. Eventually, his mind hatched from its sleep, blurred and unfocused eyes slowly creaking open. It was then that Percy noticed he wasn’t alone in bed.

The smell of pine and sweat wafted into his nose, neither a scent associated with himself. An ocean of dark chocolate coursed next to his head, overflowing onto the cheek of the person next to him. Lying on their sides, a back grazed against his chest, the pattern of two breaths continually in-sync. His arms wrapped around the other form, one hand splayed on a smooth stomach and the other resting on the crest of a hip. Legs intertwined beneath the blankets, heels and toes caught in a pile of fur. 

Vision obscured, surroundings blurred without spectacles, identifying the individual who had ushered him into bed presented no difficulty. There was only one person who could.

Vex’ahlia.

Panic filled him for a moment, and Percy nearly jumped away, confused and embarrassed. He then remembered the previous evening, his words, their actions, softening his unease. But it did not disappear. He had never woken up next to Vex before, at least not after a night of intimacy. What if she woke up and regretted everything from before? What if he messed up and turned her off? Percy had never been in this situation before, had never been so in love before; the idea of losing it now was terrifying.

For once, though, the nerves could not squash the utter bliss that encapsulated his heart.

How many months had he resigned himself to the role of Vex’s friend, never daring to hope for more? How could he? Vex’ahlia was the sun—radiant, confident, and filled with so much passion—while he was a mere cloud that passed underneath. Sure, he could ensnare a few of its rays, but there was no force that could capture it entirely. So why make an attempt? All he could do was sneak a meaningful glance, let her light cast a shadow out of his darkness, and hope the winds wouldn’t blow him too far away.

Then she went and declared her heart his, all while he lay unconscious. Gods, he felt like a madman during the weeks of his recovery, unsure if it was true. Unable to believe it was true.

But it was. Vex’ahlia returned his affection.

With both their hearts exposed, Percy never believed he could be so elated. 

It was a strange reality into which they had fallen. Yet, he was unwilling to snap out of this blissful world.

His arms tensed around her waist, drawing their bodies flush against each other, with their underwear and her white, oversized shirt being the only decency left between them. However, that same shirt had slipped off her shoulder, leaving her collarbone unsheltered. Before he could overthink the action, he placed a gentle kiss on her exposed skin and burrowed his face into her hair.

Just as sleep reclaimed him, two hands jolted him awake, lying on top of his own. “Any tighter and I might start getting ideas.”

Percy loosened his hold immediately. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were awake.”

 “Only for a few minutes,” Vex yawned. She turned towards him, the cozy blanket of her back leisurely replaced by her pillowy breasts. One graceful, golden hand lay atop Percy’s bicep, while the other swept up the back of his neck, fingers curling into his pale hair. “Also, I don’t recall telling you I was uncomfortable.”

He merely huffed, the glimmer of a grin crossing his lips as his arms coiled around her once more.

“That’s better,” she sighed, curling further into his embrace. Then, as quiet as a mouse, “Good morning, darling.”

A small chuckle escaped his throat. “Good morning.”

The two fell back into silence as they relished the serenity of the morning. 

Percy felt Vex’s heedless stare burning his chest, absently searing the numerous scars. He wished he could return her blatant gaze, but his sight was absolute shit without his glasses. Even though he was farsighted, his vision was more like one giant blob. At best, he could make out the woman like an abstract painting—strong lines for her silhouette, with all her features lost in a blur of colors. 

But a vague impression wasn’t enough with Vex. 

No, Percy would rather her portrait be in realism. He wanted to watch the slumber falling from her vivid, almond eyes. Wanted to see the first smile of the day form on her face. Wanted to note every crease and every blemish she carefully hid away. There wasn’t a single aspect of her that Percy didn’t wish to savor. 

Vex’ahlia had a beauty only compared to the Mona Lisa, and he felt honored just to view her from the distance of the Louvre crowd. It would be such a waste not to experience the view when her case opened for his intimate ogle. 

And yet, with her body comfortably slotted against his own, Percy had no desire to move, much less search for his glasses. So instead, he narrowed his sight and hoped he could spot anything beyond the blur.

After a few minutes of effort and little success, her hands shifted again. Soft palms cradled his cheeks, thumbs rubbing beneath his eyes. “Do you really have to squint to see me?”

“Worse, dear,” he lightly chuckled. “I can’t see you even while squinting.”

“Well, I would hate for you to ruin your lovely eyes even more.” Vex broke out of his hold, rising out of the blankets to sit up. Even without glasses, Percy could fathom the sunbeam that peeked into the bedroom, and how it glittered when caught along her olive skin. He thought about following her movements—a shadow that could only trail after the light—but she leaned down, pushed away strands of his pale bedhead, and delicately kissed his forehead. “Let me get your glasses,” she whispered above her breath, despite no one around to eavesdrop. The man found himself stuck to the bed, paralyzed beneath her faint command.

Before he could respond, she leaned forward and buried his face in her collarbone, his lips brushing against an area he had particularly savored. Next, she slowly pulled back, as if she were trying to entice him. 

Scratch that, she was definitely enticing him. Vex had always loved to tease whoever she desired, enjoying her only little game. Though neither was aware, Percy had been a player since the moment they had met—one who resigned himself to a disappointing game over. Now that he had won, earned a prize that many coveted, he never wanted to stop playing. To love the baroness locked in the castle, one also had to love the vexing flirtations of the ranger. So, he held strong against her enticement, knowing the prize would be sweeter the longer they waited.

It didn’t take long for the cool, familiar weight of his glasses to slip above his ears, with Vex adjusting them perfectly at the top of his nose. She sat back up, hovering above him. “Better?” 

He blinked twice, needing to adjust to his clear vision. Then, he looked up, and the steady march of his heart tripped. 

Long brown hair, typically trapped within the confines of a braid, was unkempt and tangled after rest. Remnants of makeup, which had remained stubborn against a washcloth, smeared across her face, dimly staining her cheeks. Dry skin flecked across her forehead, acutely in need of moisturizer. Her almond eyes were alight with a sluggish mirth, outer corners stale with crust, while a lackadaisical smirk crossed her chapped lips. A small, reddish mark traced along the plain of her neck, leading into a cluster across her chest’s hills. ​​

It was then that Percy noticed that the oversized shirt she wore was, in truth, his button-up from the night before. The sleeves, which would have definitely been too long for her arms, were rolled up to her elbows. Her skin glowed against the white linen, the shade blending with her pale, lacy underwear. The front plackets of the shirt were completely open and barely covered her nipples. He quickly concluded that she must have slipped the shirt on after he had fallen asleep. And that conclusion sent a delightful shiver down his back.

The sight of Vex’ahlia, sleep still leaden across her form, was utterly “Breathtaking.”

Vex stirred at his incidental remark, declining her smirk and widening her eyes with shock. 

It wasn’t an expression he was unfamiliar with. In fact, he recalled seeing it at least twice. Once when she had told the story of her ex Saundor, how he had tried to cut her off from Vax and lock her away, Percy immediately dismissed him as an undeserving asshole that left her with a dazed laugh. Second, when she had voiced insecurities instilled by rotten father while modeling her lovely white dress, to which Percy had told that she was worth more than a high-end elite—held back from crossing the boundary of their friendship by that expression. So, he wasn’t unfamiliar with her look of shock. 

However, it was those experiences that rendered him confused to see now. With the previous times, Percy told her the truth to her lived bullshit, as if he were cutting a piece of cake. He understood how disorienting it could be to have others easily see through your smog. But that wasn’t what just happened. Vex’ahlia was a beautiful woman, and she absolutely knew that. She had heard the compliment from him, their friends, and random strangers plucked off the street. Sure, the comment may have been an accident, but it shouldn’t have been a surprise that Percy found her breathtaking. Especially not after he had muttered all of its synonyms when they had been making love the night before!

He almost questioned her, seeking a solution to the conundrum, but then Vex stirred again. An edge in her form—nearly indistinguishable to him—softened, and a genuineness painted her features. Then, like a repaired clock, the answer clicked into his mind.

It wasn’t the statement that had shocked her. It was the sincerity that had shocked her. The vulnerability.

As a silent reward, Vex leaned down and gently kissed him. 

It was not a deep snog. Nor was it a chaste graze. If he had to describe the kiss, it was simply a long, simpering caress. The type of kiss portrayed at the end of romance movies, when the lovers had finally embraced one another after a long journey. 

It was the kind of kiss that Percy had never yearned for until he had met Vex. Now, there was nothing Percy yearned for more than this kiss with Vex.

Except, rather than signal the end of the journey, this kiss would only be the beginning of their embrace.

When she pulled away, one of his hands combed into her hair, fingers twisting in the snarled mess to keep her from drifting too far. With only a few centimeters between their faces, he couldn’t help but smell her wicked morning breath; the sulfuric puff making his head spin. A part of him, selfish but considerate, wanted to release his hold so that her swampy breath wouldn’t fan across his face. Another part of him, taken in by hunger and avaricious, wanted to drag her mouth back onto his and soak in the nasty taste of her dew.

Judging from the tongue that darted between her lips, tasting the scraps of their caress, he would guess that Vex’ahlia was also feeling peckish.

“You know,” Percy started. “I can’t say I have ever wanted to kiss someone before they have brushed their teeth. At least not until now.”

Vex’s faint, wispy cackle filled the margin of their conversation, echoing out into the volume of her room. The giant mass of fur lying at the end of her bed, doubtful to be anything other than Trinket, shifted, intrigued by his mother’s cries. Percy wanted to join in the humor, but the first signs of her zest rising from slumber and the pink clouds brightening her cheeks captured too much of his attention.

Once her hooting lulled to a tweet, she responded, “I feel the same.” Then, with the refinement of an owl, Vex swooped down and captured him in another kiss.

Much more torrid than the last, the two became hurried by their hunger. Vex gnawed on his bottom lip, nearly tearing off the dried peel in her appetite. Percy willingly opened for her, craving to explore the cavern of her mouth deeply. Ravenous passion, a lust that they could only sate together, ached between them, and each touch only stoked it.

Rather than slow and affectionate, this kiss was haggard and sloppy. Nothing more than a muddle of heat and eagerness. Only Vex’ahlia could inspire such a carnal desire from him. 

They parted again, popping their bubble to gulp down fresh air, and Percy noticed a thin sliver of saliva connecting the space between them. He found himself oddly fascinated by the silvery thread. It was impossible to deduce who it had come from. Vex might have started it, and he was a mouse trapped between her talons, unable to escape as she devoured him. This implied that he was solely prey, which didn’t fit the description of a man with his own ardor. Perhaps he, a weary desert traveler, had dribbled when he quenched his thirst at her oasis. But this also dismissed Vex’s agency, her vehemence. In truth, they were partners who had sewn together the connection, crafting it through every press and stroke.

Even as the thread snapped, the mattress releasing a quiet thump as Vex fell onto her back, Percy couldn’t help but chase after her descent, his forearms framing her head. He wanted to match her kindling, so they could burn with a rivaled fervor.

However, so focused on their shared flame, it took him a minute to process their positions. Namely, how he loomed above her. And she made no move to flip him over.

“What’s this?” he lazily muttered, dimly trying to start a conversation. Then, his knee dropped to the mattress and, in a show of power, pressed tightly into her core. A shudder passed through the woman, as well as a sharp inhale. She still made no move to overthrow him. “Are you really relinquishing the top position to me?”

“Unfortunately, my back is a little sore,” Vex said, more so in flattery than in disdain. “So I would rather rest on top of the pillows.”

Percy drew back slightly. “I’m sorry. We don’t have to continue if you’re feeling unwell.” He truthfully wasn’t ready to stop, but he didn’t want to cause her too much burden, especially if injured.

“Trust me, darling, if it were an actual issue, then I would have let you know by now.” 

A Cheshire grin grew as she nabbed his chin between her thumb and index finger. With a small tug, she hauled him back down until he could no longer see her face but could feel her lips sweep along the shell of his ear. “In fact,” she smirked, her flirtatious inflection ringing in his head. “I don’t mind being underneath those I like.”

“I se-EEE!” He gasped as Vex nibbled on his earlobe. Clearly, the backseat wouldn’t make her less active, much to his pleasure. “Then this is quite an honor you have bestowed upon me. Is there anything I can offer you in return?”

Vex didn’t answer. Instead, she trailed down to peck along his neck, retracing her steps over tender skin and deepening the blemish of last night’s hickeys. Her legs curled around his waist, pushing their groins into a sickeningly sweet grind. Fingernails, long and sharp, slowly crawled up the sides of his chest, catching along his ribs until her thumbs could brush beneath his breasts.

A red-hot flush engulfed his cheeks. Gods, how even her simplest actions could leave Percy panting. All he could do to hold himself back was grab one of her hips and hope the pressure wasn’t enough to break the bone. But there was very little that would defend him against her full onslaught.

Especially when that onslaught involved her teeth. For she swooped from her perch on his neck and attacked one of his nipples, nipping at the growing bud. Then, her devious mouth sucked in his tit, demonstrating care after a bit of rough play. Her fingers played with his barren nub, as if making sure it joined in the fun. A moan, boisterous and burdened, escaped his throat, drowning out each of her little wet sighs.

In fact, so swept up in ecstasy, Percy barely registered when Vex stilled her motions and let out a soft, “…Big spoon.”

”Pardon?” he huffed.

“Whoever’s on bottom gets to be the big spoon while we sleep,” she said, conviction growing in her tone. Vex’s head shot back up to meet his, hands cradling his cheeks, and levied him with a bold stare. However, hidden just beneath the confidence, there was the flicker of a plea. “Deal?”

For a moment, steamy lust no longer muddied his mind. But this only led his brain to crash while processing her query, forcing a reboot of his entire system.

How could one person be so good at rattling the very foundation for which he stood? As much as he enjoyed Vex’s flirtatious teasing, sometimes she pushed too far, and he had to scramble himself back together. The first time she had called him darling had been one such time. It probably had meant nothing on her end—it was earlier in their friendship and she had a habit of calling everyone darling—yet, the affection left him mute, held by the very word. Then, there was a slip of the tongue, and he accidentally called her dear. And the label stuck around. Because while he hadn’t been aware, there was no one who fit the term better than Vex’ahlia.

Her teasing only grew bolder with his adaptation. Wasn’t one supposed to grow immune to repeat exposures? Well, Vex wouldn’t be Vex if she weren’t finding new ways to catch him off guard.

Besides, this was different. 

This was an earnest request.

The very notion made Percy’s heart flutter against his rib cage. 

How many times had she requested such a simple thing? Was this something she sought with all her lovers? Or was this something Vex could only entrust to him?

Percy found his answer while he gawked at her, when lines of worry etched across her face—a fear that she had asked for too much.

He almost laughed. What a silly worry.

As if he could ever deny Vex’ahlia.

“No,” he whispered. Before sorrow could burrow within her, Percy tipped forward, touching their foreheads. Then, “A promise.”

Joy sparkled in almond eyes, cracking any shell of disappointment. The ecstatic smile stretching across her cheeks was electric, leaving his nerves fried once she dragged his lips back to hers, where he could feel the shock of it in their kiss. Oh, what he wouldn’t give to always make her happy.

It wasn’t long before passion reclaimed them, easily picking the foreplay again. Hunger and heat pooled between them, each trying to prod the other into furthering the feast.

Percy’s hand, acting on a will of its own, snaked past their grinding hips, thumb brushing against the elastic lining of her underwear. Once his fingers reached her damp crotch, he pushed back the measly fabric and—

BAM

The front door to Vex’s apartment slammed shut, causing the couple to cease their fun and surge, sit up straight in the bed. Silence sprouted through the closed bedroom as the two waited for any confirmation of the intruder's identity. The air stilled, and all Percy could hear was the blood racing in his veins, hoping for nothing.

Then, a nearly indiscernible “Kiki,” rumbled through the walls.

Followed by a much more discernible “Sorry!”

The quickly built tension dripped off their muscles, allowing the two to breathe once more.

Thank the gods, it was only Vax and Keyleth.

However, an anchor of regret sank in the pit of his stomach, all of his pent-up desire drowning with it. There was no way they could continue with her brother and his best friend in the next room. At least Percy would feel awkward with the lingering possibility of someone walking in on them. Besides, the apartment offered poor insulation for such activities.

Vex came to the same internal conclusion, leaning against his body with sagged shoulders and a disappointed frown. “Is there any chance we can be quiet enough to pass as sleeping?”

“Perhaps,” he considered it for a minute. Then with a smirk, “But I would much prefer you with little wherewithal but to scream my name.”

The ghost of a smile buried into his shoulder, “That does sound nice. However, I’m certain Vax wouldn’t appreciate it as much.”

She pulled away from him, sitting along the edge of the mattress with her feet dangling towards the floor and her fingers buttoning the front of her shirt closed. Without support for his weight, Percy fell back into the pillows, fatigue filling his sunken erection. He wasn’t ready to get out of bed. 

Apparently, he was the only one. Vex rose from the bed and sauntered around her room, and his eyes trailed after the all-too intentional sway of her hip. Once she reached the closest, she quickly pilfered through and grabbed a pair of gray sleep shorts. As he watched her yank on the shorts—wishing that it was his hands fondling the curve of her ass rather than the linen—several loud clacks from the kitchen cut through the walls.

Were they cooking breakfast?

“How can those two be up and functioning this early in the morning?”

A soft laugh escaped Vex as she dug through her closet again. She pulled out an older The Clasp concert shirt, balled it up, and struck him right in the forehead. The shirt unraveled, flattening over his face like a curtain blocking out the sun. When he pulled the drape away, Vex stood above him, her fingers pushing back the bangs of his bedhead soon after.

“You know, Percival, I believe most people would consider ten to be rather late in the morning. Not everyone rises around noon.”

A scowl painted across his face. “And that, dear, is the problem.”

Another laugh and walked into the bathroom, swiftly replaced by a grimace when she looked in the mirror and saw her messy appearance. First, she took a spare rag to clean her face, effectively removing the rest of the night’s makeup. Next, she brushed her teeth, scrubbing away his flavor in favor of her minty toothpaste. Lastly, she combed the knots out of her chocolate hair and wrangled it into a long braid.

As her fingers worked through her tresses, he suddenly wanted to complete the task for her. His eldest sister, Vesper, had taught him the art of braiding when he was a young teen, mostly so that he could help her with Whitney and Cassandra’s hair. Though the skill had rusted—what with most of his family gone and Cassandra preferring a shortcut—Percy was certain he could readily reacquaint himself. 

And the idea was just too tempting: waking up, brushing out the night’s tangles, fingers grazing the back of her neck as he twisted and twined, the thankful smile she could gift him. There was a spark of intimacy in the idea. But not sexual intimacy. No, the closest comparison was Vex helping to put on his glasses—the affection that came from helping another prepare for the day’s challenges. It was an intimacy, a closeness, that was not found solely between carnal lovers, nor between friends. It was only partners, private and passionate, that could share in that affinity. And Percy wanted to bask in it.

However, he didn’t ask. While Percy had learned how to braid, he knew Vax had a particular fondness for taking care of Vex’s hair. A love language between the twins. Percy would hate to get in the way, to stamp over a strong bond with his newly formed relationship. Especially with the other man standing in the kitchen, probably waiting for his sister to join for breakfast. So, Percy kept the thought to himself, hoping he would get another opportunity in the future.

Once she exited the bathroom, Percy sat up and tugged on The Clasp shirt. The collar did little to hide the marks from last night, but that was nothing compared to the low-cut Vex had made of his button-up, boldly displaying the love marks he left on her chest. When she was close to the bed, he reached out and fastened the white shirt up to her collarbone.

“What’s the matter?” The woman asked, a crafty smirk beginning to form. “Don’t want the world to know you’re a breast man?”

“Not when it concerns your brother and your tits, fantastic though they may be,” he said in a deadpan.

“You think my tits are fantastic?”

Percy could feel the blood rushing to his cheeks. Oh, how he wished he could hide the flush against his pallid skin in moments like this. He felt embarrassed by how easily all could see his embarrassment. Unattractive, if he said so himself. “Do you really need me to answer that?”

The smirk stretched deeper on her face, with eyebrows wiggling playfully. Her hands frisked over the shirt’s plackets and fiddled with the button he had just affixed, an explicit threat to undo his work. “Yes, I do.”

Damn this woman, he thought in amusement. Two can play at this game.

Percy inched to the edge of the bed and clutched Vex’s hips, dragging her within inches of him. So close that he had to look up to make eye contact. “Vex’ahlia Vessar,” a faint cackle rose from his lungs. “You truly are the most gorgeous woman in Emon, with the most fantastic pair of tits that I’ve ever seen.” To emphasize the point, his head dove into her chest, digging into the dip between her breasts. 

Then, before she could pull away, his hands scurried beneath the edge of the button-up and tickled the sides of her stomach. The sweetest revenge.

In an instant, she let out a surprised shriek, so loud that it left little doubt about exceeding the bedroom’s walls. He could feel her body quiver beneath his calluses. It wasn’t long before her knees hit the mattress, leaving no room for her to escape his onslaught. One of her hands balled into a fist and lightly pounded at his chest, but there was no strength in her fight. Her other hand curled into the small hairs at his neck, holding on for dear life. 

Attempting to deny him any gratification, Vex made to hide her face in his shoulder. However, he headed her off with a kiss, her squeals vibrating throughout him. It was chaste, but long. And at some point his tickling turned into gentle strokes. 

But when they parted, Vex was breathless, and he was all too satisfied with the results.

There was also a knock at her door, significantly less startling than the front door slamming shut. 

“Are you okay, Vex?” Vax asked.

“Y-yes,” she immediately responded, the forced mirth still wrecking her voice. “I’m f-fine.”

Silence passed for a moment, giving Vex time to lean against him and properly recover. He laid his lips on the crown of her hair, obscuring his madman's grin.

“Alright,” doubt was evident in Vax’s tone. “Well, if you’re hungry, Kiki and I are making vegan omelets.”

“Sounds wonderful, I’ll be out in a second.”

Another moment of silence passed before footsteps grew faint with distance.

“If your brother willingly held back his suspicion,” Percy murmured. “Then you should return the courtesy by not showing all your hickeys.”

“Oh, please!” she rolled her eyes. “He didn’t ask further because he knows you’re in here with me.”

“Be that as it may, I would appreciate it if you did not display every motive that your brother has to murder me.”

“Vax will not kill you. He doesn’t hate you enough for that.” 

Gentle strokes stilled as he froze beneath her words. His smirk soured into a lour, expressions of neutrality lost in sullenness. His reaction drained the remaining joy from the air as he stiffened and became taciturn. 

Vex picked up on the immediate shift. “Vax’ildan doesn’t hate you, you know.” 

Yes, Percy knew that the man didn’t abhor him. If Vax did, he would have expelled Percy from their friend group, much less allowed to spend time alone with Vex. 

But that didn’t mean that Vax trusted Percy. In fact, he knew well that any trust he had received became extinct the instant Vex lay on death’s door. Not with all the scorn Vax hurled at him in the hospital, nor with the fury the other man held in his fist as he punched him in the eye. With everything said and done, Percy held no hope of regaining Vax’s trust.

If he was being honest, Percy felt he didn’t even deserve Vax’s trust. Nor Vex’s.

The scene still haunted his memory. Vex, seated in his passenger seat, eager to get done with the meager errand she had enlisted his help for. A tease tipped on her tongue as she gazed at him. The passing second it took for him to truck careening towards her side, both extremely brief and overly long. Tires screeched against the pavement, then a cataclysmic crunch. Shards of glass pierced his arms as the windshield shattered. The sudden jolt of force before an uneasy stillness enveloped his car. The pounding in his head deepened when his limbs stirred once more. How his soul fractured at the sight of Vex, breath too hollow and open irises tittering on the edge of life.

It was something he longed to forget. Yet, he had also let its fiery brand sear the back of his mind, becoming a slave to his own guilt.

How could he not? No matter how many times Vex’ahlia or anyone tried to frame the crash, he could break the brunt of responsibility that weighed on him. From the moment she had sat down, he held her life in his hands, and he failed to protect it. Failed to protect her. There was no amount of hairpins he could craft, or time that could pass, that would allow him to shirk the blame.

How could Vex not blame him? Anybody who was half as wonderful as she would be rightfully enraged. But not her. Instead, she embraced him with loving arms, entrusting him with the gem of her heart. Things he did not deserve. What if broke her? Grounded her into a cloud of dust? Forever dimmed her light in his shadows? He couldn’t—

A golden finger poked the bridge of his glasses, pushing them up his nose and snapping him back to reality. When his mind refocused on the conversation, all he could see was solace in Vex’s almond eyes. Then, her hand sank to his shirt, splayed over the core of his being.

“Don’t forget about forgiveness, darling.”

A warmth, raw and soothing, trickled into his chest, fighting against the cold, ever-present hatred. 

Somehow, Vex always knew what to say.

“Sorry,” he said, a hint of a smile passing his lips. “It's hard to absolve my mental anguish in one night.”

“I know, I know,” she sighed. “I just don’t want you to fall back and regret everything.”

There was a tremor in his heart, almost too minuscule to notice. But he felt it, and he ached leaving her uneasy. Yet, he couldn't help but think of it as another silly worry.

His palm engulfed the back of her hand, his fingers slipping between the gaps in hers. “Don’t worry, dear.” Once her hand flipped to intertwine with his, he drew their connection further and further until his breath could fan over them. And with the slow grace of a man enraptured, he kissed her knuckles and whispered, “Not even the bleakest corners of my mind could make me regret you.”

Even if every ounce of logic screamed that he would never deserve Vex, that didn’t stop every fiber of his emotion from vowing to treasure her for as long as she would allow it.

Percival loved Vex’ahlia. There was nothing more to it. 

If his statement surprised Vex, she showed none of it. Instead, a serene smile bloomed across her cheeks, along with a hint of rose blush. Almond eyes caramelized under the sparks igniting her pupils. With the same deliberate adoration, she kissed his knuckles. “I feel much the same.”

Vex’ahlia loved Percival. There was nothing more that could prove it.

The two stilled in that moment. Nary a flex or mask. Just genuine ardor.

Then, the distant clatter of pots and pans broke the moment. But the feelings didn’t disappear.

“I'd better check on those two before they break something expensive,” Vex straightened out of his lap with a firm, frustrated sigh.

“Yes,” he slackened on the bed, relaxing beneath her shadow. “You probably should.” 

“You will not join me?” 

“Absolutely not. I might have to sneak out the window, since I will not socialize without clean teeth.”

“You didn’t feel that way ten minutes ago.”

Percy blushed. “That's a privilege meant for you alone.”

A honeyed beam crossed her face. With a free hand, she cradled his cheek, thumb brushing a simple pattern along his cheekbone. Tender and snug, like holding a newborn babe. He couldn’t help but lean into her grasp.

“Darling,” she breathed, smile growing too sweet. “You’re making it very difficult to want to leave this room.”

“I would love nothing more than to drag you back down and hide under the covers all day,” a low chuckle freed his lips. Percy stood up from the bed, forcing Vex to release his cheek and step a few inches back. “But we both know Vax will be more liable to break down the door the longer you stay.”

Another sigh, filled with disappointment, “Unfortunately, you’re right.”

As Percy began scrounging for his pants, unable to recall where he had tossed them the night before, he noticed their hands. Still locked together, fingers tangled for a firm grip. The position had changed and molded comfortably to fit the new angle, yet they were still holding hands.

There was nothing stopping Percy from freeing her hand. In that same vein, there was no force commanding his grip. He really didn’t want to let go, though.

Right as he mustered the strength to release her hand, Vex gave a baby squeeze. “You know, I have a collection of free toothbrushes from the dentist…”

 “Why does that not surprise me?” Percy tossed his head back, quick to jest about her hoarding habits.

With her free elbow, she softly jabbed him in the ribs. “All I’m saying is that you are more than welcome to join us in the kitchen. I can even make a cup of coffee and toast.”

It would be a lie to say that this was the first time Vex had ever invited him to breakfast. While their friends were more night owls than early risers, they would occasionally set up a brunch outing. Or a drunken sleepover forced them into breakfast, which lasted until everyone’s hangover subsided. So there was nothing strange about her invitation.

Yet, Percy couldn’t help the giddiness that invaded his senses. This offer felt more personal, more intimate, than the previous times.

It was difficult to keep his feelings private, a smile forming on face. “Considering your apartment is on the fourth floor, joining might be the better option. And breakfast is certainly excellent motivation.”

“Is spending time with me not good enough?”

Percy squeezed her hand back. “Who said I can’t have more than one motivator?”

A smirk was the only warning he received before Vex surged forward and pecked his lips. Faint and tender, and far too quick for his liking. 

Then, as quick as her attack, she slipped out of his grasp and strolled out of the room, a sluggish Trinket following behind. Percy was static, brain too filled with bliss to function. Once the rumbling in the kitchen grew louder with conversation and cooing, he finally realized she wouldn’t come back and that he would have to join in order to see her.

So, the search for the rest of his clothes began. His slacks lay beneath the window, his vest rested atop the bedframe, and his shoes hid underneath. If questioned, Percy would not remember how his clothes ended where they had. Then again, he hadn’t been thinking about the neatness of his clothing.

After a quick change, he popped into the bathroom and finally glimpsed in a mirror. Describing his appearance as rumpled would not do it justice. Aside from the areas Vex had brushed, his hair shot in different directions. Cresses on her pillow etched red lines into his left cheek. His lips looked swollen and ravished. And his blue eyes brightened by the dark bags that hung beneath, making him look more tired than he truly felt.

The fact Vex had made out with him in this state, much less willing to have sex, must have been a good sign because he looked awful.

Percy swiftly splashed cold water on his face, washing away some remnants of his slumber, but none of the night’s most active moments. Next, his fingers combed through his hair, grooming the sloshed snow into a fresh ski slope. Eventually, he rummaged through the sink drawers, discovered the horde of toothbrushes that Vex had collected, and began brushing his teeth. And as he continued to get ready, trepidation leaked through him. 

Yes, breakfast with his friends wasn’t anything new. But breakfast after sleeping with Vex was new, and Percy found it difficult not to overthink. 

How would Keyleth and Vax react to the development? Keyleth would obviously be overjoyed with this recent development, as she had pestered him to make a move since he had recognized his sentiments for Vex. 

Meanwhile, it was less obvious how Vax would react. Even if the car accident hadn’t happened—if Vax still trusted Percy—it would have been difficult to predict the man’s feelings. Vex and Vax were twins, attached at the hip since birth, the only constant in their lives, and the one person neither wanted to lose the most. As such, each had a tendency to be overprotective of the other. Percy remembers when Vax had a mere crush on Keyleth, which led to Vex acting harsher towards the redhead. Vex mellowed out once Vax and Keyleth began dating, but it had been clear that she hadn’t been happy until they were official. 

Percy understood when he was an outsider to the drama, but now that he was with Vex, the thought of Vax’s approval was unnerving. He didn’t want to cause drama between the twins. Percy might die of embarrassment if Vax didn’t approve of…

What… His feelings for Vex’ahlia? A courtship? Bumping uglies for hours?

It was unclear to Percy what his relationship with Vex’ahlia had become. Sure, he had poured out his heart and made an absolute fool of himself to her (and would happily do so again), but there hadn’t been a discussion of what they were now. Vex had given him her heart (which he would always treasure), but did that mean they were dating now? For as long as they had been friends, she had never been the dating type. Hell, he had never dated before, much less been in love. 

These were uncharted waters, and Percy was unsure whether to steer them forward or astern. Ultimately, he was a navigator at the mercy of his captain, and whether Vex’ahlia wanted a casual relationship or something deeper, he would be more than glad to chart that course with her.

He just hopes that Vax and Keyleth don’t ask for a definition of their relationship, otherwise he will have no words.

Once he had rinsed, repeated, and was presentable, internally and externally, Percy ambled out of Vex’s private space and towards the kitchen. Keyleth’s decorations were still littered across the living room, though notably weakened from the previous night. The petals had shifted into piles, allowing bits of the floor to poke through, with the ceiling balloons halfway deflated and several bulbs in the fake candles burnt out. His path through the mess was quiet, avoiding any spot he might trip or creak, not wanting a dramatic entrance. An effort which paid off, as when he reached the kitchen, Vax and Keyleth were turned towards the stove, too focused on serving themselves omelets to notice him.

Vex, however, noticed him right away and didn’t even try to hide her coquette gaze as she leaned against the opposite countertop. “Morning darling. I have your breakfast ready,” she said, tapping one finger on the counter to emphasize the promised plate of toast and a steaming coffee mug sitting right next to her. Her own mug quickly covered her lips, to sip her own drink, yet her almond eyes never ceased their bold ogling.

And if it weren’t for the two new pairs of eyes staring, Percy would have no problem continuing their bedroom fun. But it was best not to make a spectacle.

“Ah, thank you, dear,” he replied, walking towards her. Picking up his coffee, he turned to face Keyleth and Vax. “And good morning.”

Despite being a couple, the two could not help but exude different auras if they tried. Keyleth was bright and exuberant, coming off too strongly or too awkwardly to others. Meanwhile, Vax was grim and serious, could kill with a single look and deceive with another. Yet, it was their differences that complimented each other, ground them in reality. A clumsy relationship, but sweet and wholesome.

As such, the two greatly contrasted in their reactions to Percy.

Keyleth’s eyes were a sunlight meadow, their green shade popping against her red hair and highlighting the ecstatic smile blooming across her face. “Good morning! How was—”

“The fuck?!” Vax exclaimed, his face the very definition of disgust, with a frown and eyes as dark as his shoulder-length hair. “Is that my shirt?”

When a smooth chuckle exited Vex’ahlia’s throat, Percy knew she would explain nothing. He merely looked down at The Clasp shirt he wore, which had fit him too comfortably to have fitted Vex, and blankly stared at her twin brother. 

“That would make the most sense.”

“Well, I didn’t give you permission to wear it. Take it off.”

It was difficult to remain neutral, but Percy tried his best. “Unless you want me to stand here without a shirt, then unfortunately I cannot.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Vax glanced at his sister, and his face became even more offended. “Ew, gross, stubby.”

Weirdly, that was the comment that ticked Vex off. Her beautiful expression soured with annoyance, as did her drink since she had set it down. “Oh, don’t go acting all high and mighty when I have not only caught Keyleth in your hoodie multiple times, but you have worn her renfaire antler crown and Gilmore’s robes.”

“Alright, alright—”

“Besides, you don't get to complain about our appearances or what we did last night, since it directly results from your girlfriend’s scheming. So if you—”

“Okay! I am sorry for bringing it up. I won’t mention it again. Just please don’t talk about your sex life; I really don’t want to know.”

A moment of quiet passed over the kitchen, where the only one making noise was Trinket, relaxing in the center of the tiles.

The twins glared at each other. It was obvious who had won the argument, as Vex brimmed with a smug confidence found in victory or if she had significantly haggled down a price (which Percy couldn’t help but find endearing). Vax, on the other hand, sulked, petulant and peeved. It was only a matter of time before the children started lording it over each other.

Meanwhile, Keyleth’s light skin became as vibrant as her hair, a blush covering her entire face. Percy was positive he looked the same as a feverish heat flooded his cheeks. Embarrassment had taken over the two, neither wanting to be in the middle of the twins’ dispute. 

Normally, Percy would have been more than happy to watch the two bicker for the rest of the morning; he was less fond of being the subject of said bickering. It was best to just move on. 

“To answer your question, Keyleth,” Percy cleared his throat. “Last night was pleasant.”

The redhead perked up. “O-oh yeah! How was The Cloudtop?”

“Wouldn’t know,” Vex interjected. “Percy didn’t make reservations, and I was not about to be disappointed by the lack of Valentine's availability, so we went to the Laughing Lamia instead.”

“What!” Keyleth sent a dagger-sharp frown towards him. “I told you to book a table two days ago!”

His blue eyes flicked towards the ceiling, attempting to control an oncoming scowl, before directing back to the conversation. “And I told you that planning that far ahead would have made it into a date,” he scoffed. “Besides, I hadn’t even asked Vex at that point.”

“I was about to say, I don’t recall you offering dinner until yesterday,” Vex mockingly pouted. “It makes me a little jealous that Keyleth was aware of your plans so far in advance.”

“In my defense, it was Keyleth’s idea to take you to dinner.”

A curious brow furrowed on the brunette’s face. A goading gaze followed shortly after, urging Percy into a further explanation.

“I was trying to think of a proper way to show my appreciation for helping with my recovery,” the remnants of his last flush deepened and expanded once more. Vex opened her mouth, probably to reassure him, but he continued before she could. “And I thought that crafting something wasn’t enough, since I do it for you so often. I asked Keyleth for ideas, and while I knew she was suggesting dinner as a date, I still felt it was the best way to thank you.”

Vex stilled, her expression neutralized. However, there was no relief. There was a tension in her shoulders, a deer caught in headlights. The longer she lulled, the more unnerved Percy became. 

Had she been expecting something different, or did she not like the reason for dinner? 

Before he could ask, Keyleth broke the moment. “Haha, that’s right…” Her wobbly grin and thrown-up hands resembled a criminal caught. “It was all my idea… surprise.”

The redhead glanced at Vax, who chewed on his vegan omelet and remained silent. The man’s disinterest in the conversation was a little strange. Percy figured he would have protested, or groaned at least once. Yet, Vax just remained quiet.

Vex noticed it as well. After a second, she figured it out. “Right, right, and Vax hadn’t suggested to you first, had he?”

“Damn right it was my suggestion,” the long-haired man said. “I love you, Stubby, but your lack of confidence was getting annoying, and obviously, you two would have continued to skirt around the issue until Freddy asked you out.”

“But it wasn’t a date.”

Vax ignored his statement. “I also knew that if I pitched it, then you wouldn’t have done it. But there was no way you could turn down advice from Keyleth.”

Vex glowered at the couple, “How long have you two been scheming this?”

“Since your drunken jealousies ruined my night at The Shade,” the man gibed.

“Wait…that was before Percy got shot.”

“Well,” Keyleth started. “We had to wait for the perfect opportunity to suggest the date.”

“Oh, by the Dawnfather, what did I just say!” Percy exclaimed. “Last night was not a date; I will not repeat myself!”  

He took angry bites of his toast, a child trying to seethe in their tantrum. Sure, his attitude was based on his technicality, but that didn’t make him feel better. It was just frustrating to have other people's goals covering up his own desires. It was too controlling.

Feather-soft, several knuckles brushed against his cheek, grazing the edge of his glasses, guiding him to look towards their owner. Confusion had taken over Vex’ahlia’s face, underlining the tenderness she would never claim to possess. “You know, darling, if you want last night to be a date, then I’m alright considering it as such.”

“By that logic, you could consider every time we’ve hung out to be a date.”

“Yes,” she shrugged. “And?”

Percy sighed, leaning against her fingers. “And it makes it seem like I have kept you a secret. That I intend to conceal what I feel—what we have—away until it’s convenient.” 

Vex’ahlia had had plenty of men in her life: her brother, her father, her ex-boyfriend, and who knows how many flings. Outside Vax, it was difficult for Percy not to judge how each of them had hidden her, suppressed her, instilled doubts on whether she was worth direct fondness. And it was difficult for Percy not to compare himself to her past.

Because she had never warranted being concealed from the world. She deserved to be loved as shamelessly as breathing.

So, he will always strive to be better than her past. To make her aware of his love’s candor every day.

“I want our first date to be earned and obvious. I want you to know my aspirations from the start, not to figure them out in retrospect.” 

A stillness passed between the two, a millisecond of insecurity. Doubt that he had fucked up, or assumed too much. Then, the tips of Vex’s bronze ears reddened and affection shone in her almond eyes, and Percy knew she understood his sentiments.

“I think…” her speech slowed as her lips loosened into a smile, “that I would quite like that.”

Another peck, shorter than the last, snatched Percy’s breath. And with an appreciative aww and a disgusted groan in the background.

Once Vex pulled back, she slipped her coffee as if nothing had happened. She looked at Keyleth over the brim of her mug. “I guess that explains the decorations, which you are still responsible for cleaning.”

“O-oh yeah, I might have gone a little overboard.”

“I told you it would be too much, Kiki,” Vax teased.

“But it felt right last night.”

“And your overenthusiasm is adorable.”

 A string of high-pitched giggles escaped the redhead as she and her boyfriend longingly stared at each other, like a pair of lovesick teenagers.

Percy did not groan because that would have been childish, but he glanced away so the sweetness didn’t ruin his pitch-black coffee. 

His eyes recalled decorations that submerged the living room, and he couldn’t help but notice the quantity. It was certainly a lot. “It must have taken you days to get everything ready, especially the petals.”

“Not really,” Keyleth turned away from Vax, refocusing on the group. “It only took, I don’t know, a couple of hours on Friday.”

Percy glanced at Keyleth, towards the rest of the apartment, back at Keyleth, next at Vax, and finally landed on Keyleth again. Confusion hit him like a ton of bricks.

There was absolutely no way a single evening was enough for two people to plan and prepare the amount of decorations present. It was questionable whether one person would have been able to decorate as much in the few hours that Percy and Vex had been gone for dinner. No matter how dedicated, Keyleth didn’t have the manpower to complete everything she had planned. The logistics between her words and the environment made absolutely no sense.

It almost became the next point of interrogation, but a vibration near his hip and the metal clanging reverberated through the kitchen. Percy plucked his phone out of his pants’ pocket and scanned the caller ID, Vex looking over his arm to check as well. The other couple gave them curious looks while Trinket stood up and repositioned himself on the ground.

The caller was Scanlan. Surely calling for nothing good.

With a shrug, Percy tapped the answer button and pressed the phone to his ear. “Hello.” Vex leaned closer, slouching her head against his raised arm in order to eavesdrop. There was no attempt made to push her away.

“PERCY!” A deep, burly, and decidedly not Scanlan’s voice shouted through the receiver, jolting the two with momentary hearing loss. A small chuckle echoed across the kitchen, signaling that the couple had heard and that one of them—Vax—was entertained by their pain. 

After a second to recover, Percy responded. “Good morning, Grog. How are you and Scanlan today?”

“Ah, you know, it’s fine, it’s fine. Been very… talkative.”

“I can imagine so with you two.”

“Yeah… Can I ask a question?”

“You just did.” And he would have certainly asked even if Percy said no. He took a sip of coffee, awake too early to deal with this conversation.

“Yeah, but…” Grog drifted off, clearly in thought of what to say next. “If you were to raise your fingers to the amount of you and Vex… got your freak on, then how many would that be?” A slap, whether of a forehead or a cheek was impossible to tell, resonated on his side.

A bitter liquid sat behind Percy’s lips, scalding his tongue and staining his cheeks. This was much preferable to spitting out the coffee, no matter how tempted his surprise was. 

Vex’s cackling, the rattle of her shoulders shaking his body, made his effort even more difficult. It was nice to know she found amusement in her eavesdropping.

A gulp and the clearing of the throat were all Grog heard before Percy responded. “Well, I would certainly raise my middle finger to you.” 

“Oh, okay,” Grog said. Then, away from the phone, he whispered, “That means it was only one time, right?”

Another slap echoed through the receiver, and a loud sigh, more exasperated and tawdry than Grog's, came through. “Come on, Percy! Can you cut the sarcasm and just answer the question? We have fifty dollars riding on this.”

“Good morning to you, Scanlan. While it’s nice to know I’ve been on speaker this whole time, and that you two—”

“Hey!” A feminine voice, which was without a doubt Pike's, popped on the other line. “I have money on this too.”

Of course Pike would also be in on this. Why did it not surprise him that their most religious friend would take part in this nonsense?

 “My apologies that you three have made a sex bet on Vex and I. Will you excuse me for a moment?” Percy’s smile tightened as he placed the phone against his chest. He leveled Keyleth with a twitchy glare. “How many people did you tell?”

Suddenly saturated with many emotions, a string of letters and sounds flowed out of the redhead. Each attempted sentence was slightly more coherent than the last, until she could finally say, “I only told Vax… and Pike.”

“Who then told Scanlan and Grog,” Vax followed up immediately. “The five of us got the decorations ready on Friday, and then those three snuck in to help Keyleth after you two left.”

“Actually, it was just Pike and Grog. I think Scanlan and his band had a gig last night.”

That answered some of Percy’s questions. But now he had a host of new ones, as well as needing many deep breaths. “And why, pray tell, did you feel the need to tell Pike? I can accept Vax, since there was no way he wouldn’t have found out from Vex, but Pike?”

“Well, Pike, Vex, and I always discuss each other's dates and hookups, so I had to tell her the news.”

“But isn’t there an unspoken rule of friendship that you don’t reveal secrets?” Coffee set down, to better flail his arms, Percy pointed at himself for emphasis. “I’m your best friend; I’m covered under that rule!”

Keyleth scoffed, as if he were an idiot. “That’s girl code, Percy. And girl code, like the name suggests, does not apply to guys.”

At the moment, the white-haired man had become a cog ticked to its breaking point, ready to rupture the machine enabling his patience. 

Was it a shock to learn how much conspiring his friends had done? Not really. Honestly, he could have expected more.

However, it put last night into a new perspective. The evening was supposed to be for him and Vex’ahlia. Now it felt as if it belonged to everyone but him and Vex’ahlia. It was no longer just theirs.

Would they ever have something that just belonged to them?

A smooth, tan hand slid atop his phone-holding hand, fingers snaking between his own. His gaze tore from Keyleth’s only to meet Vex’s. While she was certainly alight with humor and mirth, her almond eyes held a sincerity that helped calm him. Reassure him. Let him understand that there was nothing between them that the others could steal.

“Don’t worry, darling,” Vex soothed, a tease mixed into her birdsong. “Your secrets are safe with me.”

An honest-to-goodness grin spread across his face. “Never forget that you are my favorite.”

The comment must have pleased her a great deal, for Vex awarded him with a kiss on the cheek. As she pulled away, stealing his phone, another groan rang from the other side of the kitchen.

“Come on, brother, I know you’ve seen me do that before.”

Vax sniped, “It’s different now, and you know it.”

“You’re acting like such a child,” Vex rolled her eyes. Then, she placed his phone up to her right ear. “What were the bets?”

The room was silent as she listened to the call, unable to converse without her. Vax and Keyleth nibbled on their omelets, whispering comments about the quality of their cooking, while Percy finished up his toast, dusting the crumbles off his fingers.

After a moment, Vex said, “Pike was closest.” Tugging the phone away, she clicked the speaker button fast enough for a boisterous laugh to echo out of the receiver and into the kitchen. A cry of anguish and loud clapping came through the line.

“You can’t be serious!”

“Ha, fuckers! I knew I would win!”

“Yeah! That’s my best buddies! High-five!” A resounding slap resonated.

“Now, darling,” Vex spoke up again. “I said you were closest, not that you were right.”

“Closest still gets me a hundred bucks,” Pike cheered. “Thank you, Vex! Pay up, Scanlan!”

Percy raised a skeptical brow. With a free hand, Vex turned toward him, shielded her lips from the couple, and mouthed ‘three.’ 

Any semblance of emotion, whether pleased or displeased, left his face. Or at least he tried to keep it off his face. However, there was no fighting the telltale warmth of a blush that kindled his cheeks. An utterly unsubtle reaction, if Vex’s sneer and the darkening of her own olive skin were any indication.

Why did it not surprise him that their most religious friend was dead right about the amount of times they had fucked?

He was just thankful that she had answered vaguely. None of them need to know how correct Pike had been.

“Alright, alright, you win,” Scanlan whined, followed by crinkling on the other end. “I can’t believe this.”

“Believe it,” Vax piped in. He finally moved away from the counter he leant on to stand near the phone. “I can’t believe you made a bet about my sister.”

Soon, Keyleth followed her boyfriend. “Yeah, that’s really rude, even for you, Scanlan.”

“Hey, why am I taking the heat for this when Pike and Grog took part? Besides, Percy and Vex have an unassuming vibe, which makes betting fun! Unlike the two of you.”

“What do you mean, unlike us?!”

A minor argument broke out, one which Percy was happy not to be the center of, if only so he could finally enjoy his coffee. It didn’t take long for the disagreement to wilt, with a conversation between the entire group sprouting in its place.

It wasn’t anything special. They talked about each of their weeks, the highs and lows of their jobs, days they should meet up, television shows and movies they were watching, stupid things they found funny, and more. It was an average conversation for the group.

But as they chatted, Percy couldn’t help the sense of normalcy that settled within him. The curiosity, the banter, the tomfoolery—it was all the same. There were no awkward pauses, no interpersonal dramas, and no shifts in dynamics. Nothing out of character or disastrous occurred. Everyone of his friends remained the same. 

Nothing had changed.

It would have been a lie to say Percy couldn’t breathe easier knowing that. 

Now there was nothing wrong with change. Life itself was a maze of alterations, each twist and turn hidden within its pathway of decisions, until one escaped into their grave. He didn’t have a problem with changes in and of themselves.

 But after the death of his family and the years solely fueled by vengeance, he became fearful of loss. Of losing the comfort found in balanced relationships, no matter if they were fighting or not. Of losing the commonality shared among similar souls. Losing the place where he belonged. The instability created by loss was too much to handle.

 And losing his friends—the people who had helped rediscover his footing—was the scariest. 

Around them, Percy felt normal. Happy even. There was no doubt in his mind that if he lost his friend, he would not continue. He couldn’t handle the instability again.

That fear was one reason he never pursued Vex’ahlia. She was completely out of his league. Nothing he had done, or could do in the future, would ever be enough to deserve someone as wonderful as her. There had been no point in trying to hunt for her affection, for she would surely let a worthy pursuer capture her. And out of all his friends, Percy feared losing her the most.

Add their friends into the mix and the changes that could occur, and thoughts of a deeper connection with Vex became intangible. A fantasy to indulge at his most delusional.

Yet, as an hour of discussion passed, and no one made a comment on how close the two grew—her body snugly pressed into his side, his arm instinctively slipped around her waist—Percy felt foolish for worrying. 

They weren’t merely friends, but a family. A coupling would not easily tear them apart.

The conversation eventually returned to Vex and Percy’s evening, as Pike and Keyleth wanted to know all the details and Vex was happy to divulge. The walk, the dinner, the dance, the confession, she brought up everything that had happened (except for the creeper and the sex, exclusions he appreciated). There was much sqweeing from the women, while Vax, Scanlan, and Grog would occasionally drop a witty comment.

“It must have been a perfect night,” Scanlan said, semi-sarcastic and semi-serious.

Vex chuckled; however, it held little humor, “It was almost perfect. The only issue was the disastrous state I found my apartment in once we had returned from dinner.”

“I’m sorry!” Keyleth exclaimed. “How long are you going to stay mad about it?”

“Until you’ve fixed your mess. Speaking of which, I think there are more people involv—”

“Wow, look at the time!” Pike abruptly cut in. “We'd better get going, bye!”

Before Grog or Scanlan could say goodbye, static danced between the receivers, showing that the call had ended.

Vax jeered, “Coward.”

“Indeed,” Vex stated, handing the phone back to Percy. Next she eyed her twin and the red-haired woman, beaming from ear to ear. Poised she was, but with malice rather than grace. “Well, since you’ve both finished eating, how about you get to cleaning?”

A pink glow took over Keyleth’s face, now tittering and nervous. “Y-yes Vex. W-where are the cleaning supplies?”

The ladies placed their dishes in the sink and discussed the cleaning supplies stored beneath it and the broom’s location. Soon, they exited the kitchen, Trinket standing up and trudging after them, traveled through the living space, and disappeared into Vex’s room. 

This left Percy alone. With Vax.

The dark-haired man stared at Percy, face cast in a mask of indifference. There was no glare hidden in his chestnut eyes, nor frown marring cool complexion. He did well to keep his true feelings secret. It was more unnerving than if Vax were outright angry at him.

While his groaning ceased throughout the conversation, that didn’t mean he accepted what had happened with Percy and Vex. Just because he had helped in scheming a relationship, that didn’t mean he liked Percy and Vex together. Vax’s approval makes logical sense, but anxiety was currently ruling over Percy.

Percy cleared his throat. “So, how was the weather this morning?”

“For fuck’s sake,” Vax murmured, barely above his breath. The man then walked the little distance separating them, till he was standing right next to Percy. “Look, Percy, I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”

The pale-haired man nodded, resolute to let the other man say his piece. It wasn’t very often that Vax dropped the nicknames. Only doing so for serious conversations.

“It’s just…” Vax started, but glanced away, scratching the back of his neck. “So that…” Between the twins, Vax had always been the better at expressing what he was feeling. “I want…” It wasn’t like him to stumble.

A sigh. “You know you’re getting weirder, right?”

“Probably accurate.” Eventually, Vax looked back and restarted. “For a while now, I realize I have been rather harsh towards you, especially regarding my sisters, and I want to apologize.”

Every breath became trapped within Percy’s lungs as his muscles tensed and his blood chilled. Truly at a loss for words. “You really don’t—”

“But I do. It’s just that, given your history and the crash, intentional or not, I thought you were too dangerous to be around. And it worried me. Honestly, I’m still worried you could get Vex seriously hurt again.”

A grimace crinkled the white-haired man’s face, far too obvious for the other man not to notice.

Vax had a right to worry. Percy had hurt Vex—had nearly killed Vex.

Worry and trust went hand-in-hand in the quake of emotions. Once trust had cracked into a chasm, worry would tremor the foundation. The crash destroyed any trust Vax held for Percy, entirely leaving the worry.

 Besides, it wasn’t as if Percy didn’t worry for Vex.

“However,” Vax continued, shocking Percy back to reality. “I also know that you make Vex happy in a way that neither our friends, Trinket, nor I can.”

Blue eyes widened, yet he stayed silent as Vax spoke. “As much as I love my sister, she is her own woman. If she wants to be in a relationship with you, then I will not stop her. Ultimately, I have to rise above these feelings and—”

“Don’t forget, I have a sister too,” Percy cut off, understanding the sentiment.

Thoughts of Cassandra cycled through Percy’s mind. The carefree, shit-eating grin of her youth, the pain that scarred her teenage years, and the resilient, resourceful woman that emerged from the wreckage. After everything she has gone through, if anyone sought to hurt Cass, then he would spare them no mercy. “You two are far closer than us, but my reaction would be similar in your shoes. It's wonderful how much you care, Vax.”

However, Percy hadn’t expected Vax to be alright with the development between him and Vex. Maybe, as her brother, Vax truly saw something between them that Percy couldn’t, something that made it easier for him to hand over the reins. 

A quivering heart ceased, baking in a trust reforged between the two men. 

“Thank you for giving me the chance.”

“Not a problem,” the dark-haired man scoffed, but it held more drama than venom. However, his eyes held the most ominous glare. “But if you hurt her, know I will not hesitate to stab you in your sleep.”

A forlorn smile popped onto Percy’s face. “That’ll be difficult, since I would most certainly shoot myself before you ever get the chance.”

There was a hum of consideration, then a tan hand patted a pale cheek.

“Good answer, Freddy.”

Embarrassment bloomed in the white-haired man’s chest, as he felt like an obedient dog. However, there was something else glistening. Recognition and acceptance.

The women reappeared from Vex’s room, carrying a broom, a dustpan, and a vacuum between them. Vex scowled at the men, particularly her brother. “Oi, quit threatening Percy and come help your girlfriend.”

Vax’s sun-stripped skin reddened at the accusation. He grumbled to himself as he wandered out of the kitchen. 

Meanwhile, Percy freely chuckled and set the rest of the breakfast plates and the mugs in the sink. As Vex ordered her brother and Keyleth around, Percy strolled to the coat rack by the entrance.

“I believe it’s time I headed out.”

“What?” Vex gasped, eyes shot wide. An attempt to saunter forward was made, but her steps were too hurried to appear casual. “Why?”

“If I don’t go to the grocery store, then I’ll have nothing to eat this week.”

Truthfully, he hated grocery shopping and cooking. If he could survive without having to eat, then frankly he would happily do so. But everyone, especially Vex’ahlia and Cassandra, would get on his case about his health. It was easier not to worry others than to not take care of himself.

And Vex’ahlia knew it. “I see.”

Vax and Keyleth said their goodbyes, but they stayed in the living room for them. Which was fine. They couldn’t tempt him more than Vex could.

Yanking on the long, cobalt coat, his arms slipped through the sleeves, and the tail ends could almost hide his walk of shame. Percy then picked his cane up next, not the most needed at this point in his recovery, but appreciated for the snowy conditions. 

As he looked back over the apartment, making sure he had everything, a sullen, yet attractive, Vex struck. Arms crossed over her chest, fingers picking at the white sleeves, a reminder of how utterly tempting she looked in his button-up. A pout softened her bottom lip; the urge to wipe away her frown surged through his system. Big, round, almond eyes that begged—pleaded—him not to go. It almost made it impossible for him to leave.

Almost.

“Talk to you later,” Percy’s hand gripped the doorknob, acting as the last of his resolve. Attempting to reassure her, a grin he didn’t entirely feel crossed his face.

The woman sighed, creating a false smile of her own, “Of course, darling.” 

Then, as if possessed, Vex’ahlia brushed a strand of hair behind his ear. 

And, with a cracked restraint, Percy seared a kiss into her lips, which she returned with equal fervor. It lasted too long to be considered a mere peck.

When they broke apart, breaths stuttered; he left. 

The speed and strength with which the door slammed open and shut seemed to belong in cartoons, and couldn’t have appeared more suspicious. Though, like an idiot, he couldn’t help but stand at the entrance for a stupidly long time, absently staring into the hallway. It was an internal debate whether to walk away or back in, give up or give in. Remaining in place, wholly embedded, was foolish, as he had left a thousand times before. Yet, he had never abandoned such intimacy in previous times, never pulled away from a sensation that threatened to unravel his core.

Ultimately, reason screamed for him to leave, as his mind dictated that the situation was too dangerous to stay. Vex was so alluring; her gentlest push was enough to shatter his resolve completely. But it was a trap. Pleasant at first, but the proximity of Vax and Keyleth would sour any pleasure into humiliation.

So with a silent lament, he journeyed down the hallway. While brain was still winning, that didn’t stop his desires from adding a new regret with each step, then the list sunk into his heart as he waited for the elevator. The doors slid open, and he slipped in, forcing every impulse to push the first floor button and not to slam his head against the carriage. He really was an utter fool. 

A minute passed before the elevator doors began sealing, and he leaned on the back wall, a sigh escaping his forced composure.

“Percy!” 

Like lightning, Percy shot forward, landing in the center gate, throwing off the sensor and stalling its closure. For her, he was always willing to wait.

Vex came sprinting down the hall, still dressed in her sleep shorts and his shirt, but with a pair of tennis shoes falling off her feet. Strands of her hair had fallen out of her braid, but not enough to ruin its shape.

As her pace slowed, he noticed an object poking out of her grasp. Once she stopped and stood in front of Percy, perched at the precipice of the hallway, a black, endless gap split between them, so close yet could easily tear so far, the dark fabric caught in her clutch became clear and extremely familiar to him.

“You forgot this,” Vex lifted her hand up and fully revealed the tie he wore last night. Crumpled up into a ball, it rolled into a smooth line as she unfurled her fingers. “I snatched it off the floor before Vax and Keyleth could see it.”

Truthfully, he had forgotten all about his tie. How she had cast it off in the living room and hadn’t joined the rest of their clothes in the bedroom. The evidence that they hadn’t started in the bedroom. The molten craving that had emanated from Vex and the wicked gleam flaring in her eyes when she loosened his neck, indicating that she had had plans on how they would use it.

Percy blushed at the memory. And the current desires that came back to him. Clearing his throat, attempting to sound normal, he said, “Thank you.” 

He made to take the cloth from her, a minor hiccup in escape, but as he gripped the tie, her fingers curled once more. They were at a standstill, a motionless tug-of-war that neither sought to win.

“This might sound ridiculous, considering we see each other all the time,” Vex gulped, though hidden by a forced laugh. “But I don’t feel like saying goodbye just yet.”

Logic determined that she did sound ridiculous. They were friends; they saw each other all the time, she shouldn’t be worried about seeing him again. It was the same ridiculousness that had kept him glued to her doorway. 

Irrationally, Vex didn’t sound ridiculous at all. 

“I feel the same way.”

Any nervous clouds that darkened her disposition disappeared, for she beamed at his response. She dropped the tie, the only tether between them, and snuck her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to the gate’s edge. A smile as bright as the sun crested her face. “Then, how about we spend the day together?”

He pocketed the tie, while his free hand landed on the small of her back, fingers tracing circles into the linen. “Oh, and what would that entail?”

“It would entail you starting the car while I go pack a night bag and get Trinket.”

Humor flecked Percy as he rolled his eyes. Of course Trinket would be coming.

Vex pinched the back of his neck before continuing. “Then we drive to your apartment, and we can do whatever we want. Perhaps you can finally fulfill your promise.”

If the lust hadn’t been pooling within him before, it most certainly would have flooded with thoughts of Vex’ahlia acting as a big spoon, and what their promise required. It was so tempting to give in right then.

But he had to keep some rationale. “What about groceries? I was serious about not eating otherwise.”

“Who said we can’t make a stop on the way to your apartment? Besides, this gives you the chance to flaunt your jaw-dropping, absolutely stunning girlfriend.”

Percy froze, a fuse blown in his brain which short-circuited all his functioning. The only thing that worked was his short-term recollection, which bore the weight of her words.

Girlfriend.

Vex used the word girlfriend.

Vex’ahlia had called her his girlfriend.

He must have looked truly encumbered, for Vex’s brows knitted together and she shaded beneath a frown. “Is that not what you want?”

Forced into a system reboot, a shake of his head brought Percy back online. Except, rather than the blue-tint of a computer monitor, his face glowed crimson. “No, no, that sounds lovely.” He squirmed. “It’s just that…we haven’t had a discussion about labels yet.”

Honestly, there was a part of Percy that couldn’t believe that Vex’ahlia could be his. 

Vex was a free spirit. She didn’t need other people to watch over her shoulder and command her life. While her own burdens kept from it, there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that if she wanted to flee from Emon and live off the scraps hunted in the forest, then she could in a heartbeat. That was something Percy could never do. It was the rule of society, the etiquette and manners ingrained in his childhood, that kept him sane. That kept all his mistakes from catching up to him. That kept him from becoming even more of a monster.

To think that Vex would allow herself—would want to be tied to his mess was hard for him to accept. Even after last night, after everything discussed that morning, it was difficult for Percy to believe Vex’ahlia could be his girlfriend.

But she was. 

From her own lips, Vex had labeled herself his girlfriend. Not only had Vex decided she was his girlfriend, but it meant that she wanted to be his. Whatever shambles of his soul remained to be given away, Vex’ahlia would claim every piece.

A butterfly fluttered in his chest. The revelation thrilled him immensely because Percy also wanted the same with her.

A soft, pleasant chuckle snaked off her tongue, coiling through his nerves. It was as if accepting him—wanting him—was the easiest task in the world. “We could make another stop at the courthouse, then you could buy me a wedding ring.”

The suggestion should have alarmed him. Yet, her energy was too infectious to muster up any genuine astonishment.

“As appealing as that sounds, I’m sure Vax would have my head if we eloped today.”

“But not next week?” Vex winked. 

Gods, how could a single person be so fantastic. “That is a discussion for a later date.”

She pouted for a moment, but got over the denial quickly. “Then we’ll just have to define our relationship while we lounge on your couch.” Fingers crawled up his neck, dancing within the tiny hairs at his nape. Vex tipped onto her toes, inching her lips ever closer to his. “Or we could talk about it on a walk, or while I watch you tinker, or when I help you meal-prep for the week.”

There was something so appealing, seductive even, in the way she pitched the ordinary. Sure, sex was nice (better than with Vex), yet it could only last for so long. Once the ecstasy and hormones fade, all that remained was the tedium of everyday life, with its menial chores and humble activities to be finished alone. With a partner, however, that tedium became much more bearable. With Vex, it became not only bearable but enjoyable. 

Percy wanted to do nothing on the couch, go on a walk, tinker with, hell, even cook with her.

If could spend the rest of his life by her side, then he would without an ounce of remorse.

Still too soon for an elopement, though.

He leaned closer, till his mouth grazed hers. “That sounds like a marvelous plan.”

The kiss, picking up where it had left off, became a bruising, intense action. Vex’s nails scratched into hair, tucked at the strands while she nibbled his bottom lip. Slipping under her shirt, his hand dragged along the spinal cord of her lower back as tongue dragged along her own. He pulled her closer, till there was no space left, and his remaining senses were all that kept him from going further—picking her up, trapping her against the back wall, and at his mercy. Or at her mercy if she wasn’t feeling as generous at the moment.

It was a miracle no one in need of the elevator stumbled upon them, because they were acting indecently. Propriety and decency were becoming things he lacked when Vex’ahlia wanted to consume him.

Yet, it didn’t last long, as the moment they broke for breath, Vex gave him the gentlest of pushes, coercing him further into the elevator. Once he was away from the sensor, she stepped back towards the hallway. The last thing he saw was a wicked wink and a playful grin as the doors slammed shut. A promise of what was to come.

Percy’s blood pumped far too quickly for an elevator ride. Bolting through the dead lobby and the parking lot, he hid within his car in record time. There was no need for him to have been so hasty; it wasn't as if Vex would be ready that instant. But excitement coursed through his mind and adrenaline kicked too high to allow for a steady pace.

He needed to stop. Needed to calm down.

The car’s AC blasted away the outdoor chill while his hands drummed along the steering wheel and foot tapped the brake pedal. As the dashboard’s digital clock ticked away, the tapping slowly ceased, the drumming quieted down, and a level head returned to Percy. The thrill was still lit from within, but it became a soft wave rather than a constant vibration. Its full force could activate easily, but not until a decent time. And with decent company.

Company which didn’t include his sister, whose caller ID flashed on the dashboard. With his phone automatically connected to the car’s Bluetooth, he answered the call and talked into the void. “Good morning, Cassandra.”

“Good morning to you as well,” said a serious, slightly snobbish voice. 

Pen scratches and the rustle of papers capitulating through his car. It felt as if they were in the same room, and it created the clearest picture in Percy’s mind. Cassandra, busy in their family home’s office, still dressed in her pajamas, her small stature unable to fill out the leather mold left in their father’s chair, with a stack of documents on the oak desk in front of her, attempting to get ahead of the week’s work. A busybody, much like him, albeit far more productive.

“When can you be back in Whitestone?” She always got starlight to business.

Percy raised a single eyebrow. “Why?”

There was a brief pause, both in conversation and with her work, telling him that there was more to this request. His sister wanted more than a simple, friendly visit.

Then, with a tiny sigh, “Apparently, the Briarwoods gained access to my trust fund and have been funneling money from it. I have been negotiating with the bank to give myself sole ownership, as I am of age now, but they are rather obstinate about the transfer. Yennen has tried to help, but there isn’t much she and her knowledge can do, so I was hoping you would help?”

“You think I could help you? I’m terrible with negotiating and money.”

“Yes, but you could frown until forced to give in,” Cassandra huffed, nearest to a laugh. But her voice fell and turned sincere. “Please?”

A rather humorous plea, at least to him. As if she even needed to ask. 

“I’ll look at flights later and talk to my boss tomorrow.”

Over the phone, Percy felt her relief and could imagine Cassandra dropping her head against the antique chair. The streak of pale locks mixed with her brunette hair, and her perfectly square shoulders sloped forward. “Thank you, brother.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” He rubbed his eyes, the future stress sinking in. “The troublesome part is yet to come.”

“But I can show my appreciation.” 

Work resumed on Cassandra’s end, crinkles echoing through the receiver. He almost said goodbye, ready to hang up since she had finished their discussion. But before he could, it appeared she was in a teasing mood. 

“So, how was your date?”

A groan, and “I told you it wasn’t a date.”

“Yeah, and I’m an only child,” sarcasm dripped from her tongue. “Spill it.”

A quiet grumble left him, just thankful that they weren’t in the same room, if only so she couldn’t see the blush building in his cheeks. Why did everyone have to bother him about it?

Multitasking, Percy removed his spectacles, wiping away the smudges which had gradually accumulated through the morning, and spoke. “It was nice.”

Another pause. Then, Cass stopped her work. “That’s it?”

“What do you want me to say? That I confessed my feelings to Vex’ahlia.”

“Did you?”

Another groan, but came off more as a whine, “Why do you want to know, Cass? It’s not as if my love life affects you?”

The receiver picked up a metallic-woody clang, paltry but sharp. Most likely, Cassandra threw her pen on the desk. “As if I do not care whether my smitten brother finally gained the courage to no longer be an idiot!”

Percy flinched under her displeasure, but wouldn’t let it show in his voice. “All you need to know is that last night was great.” He slid his glasses back on and, out of his periphery, caught an opening to the building’s entrance. Upon closer inspection, he spotted Vex’ahlia, sporting a bright blue winter coat, jeans, brown boots, along with his shirt and a duffle bag, running towards his car, only leisured by Trinket. Joy took over his demeanor, impossible to hide in his tone, “Look, if you want more details, then you’ll have to call tomorrow. I’m preoccupied for the rest of the day.”

Before Cassandra could respond, the back door opened, and the lethargic hound crawled into the car, slumping onto the seats. Vex threw her bag on the ground, closed the door, but rather than go sit in the passenger seat, she barreled into Percy’s lap.

“Hello ag—” Vex cut him off with a snog, even more brutal than the last. The force exhibited from her lips was enough to bring any man to his knees, starved and ready to beg for a single scrap of pleasure. Her fingers journeyed over his shirt, dragging lower and lower, until she unbuttoned his pants and found her prize. Blood pumped beneath her delicate touch, hardening by the second.

Every bit of his practice patience flew out the window, and all that built-up adrenaline flooded his nerves. Unable to still, Percy groped every spot he could, every spot that he knew would elicit her shuddering breath. Her thighs, ass, hips, tits, hair—not an inch left unscoured. 

Once touch became not enough, his teeth traced her back and jaw, rebranding all the hickeys left on her skin. Pecking at her collarbone, he unfastened her shirt, only to discover a lace, skin-tight cerulean bodysuit; tan skin popped against the opaque material, and breasts barely contained within the built-in cups. Vex was wearing lingerie, and his egotistical side hissed it was for him. Percy felt discombobulated; his overactive brain fried.

Taking advantage of his dazed state, she pushed further against him, feasting on his ear. A moan escaped him, drunk on every sensation. He didn’t want to stop, want to unravel right then. But when ocean eyes peeked open and glimpsed the call clock ticking away on the dashboard, Percy suddenly became very sober.

“Vex’ahlia,” he whispered against her ear, pulling her braid back to get her attention. When she dove in for a kiss, misunderstanding his intention, he breathed against her lips, “Cass is on the phone.”

“And the speaker can pick up a lot,” his sister finally spoke up, her knife-sharp voice cutting through the atmosphere.

Vex jolted in his lap, shock stiffening her muscles. For a moment, she tried to fix her disheveled appearance, brushing back the wisps of hair that had fallen from braid, as if convinced Cass could see them. She appeared flustered, a rare display for her. And pride patted him on the back for getting her in that state.

Regaining composure, Vex cleared her throat. “Cassandra! How are you today?”

“I am fine,” Cassandra said. “A little less so after what I just heard.”

“Sorry, darling,” Vex tried to turn toward the dashboard, but the driver’s seat was only so big. “Percy said nothing.” 

“You give me the chance,” he retorted. Vex sent him a glare, which caused him to smirk. “Not a complaint.”

A sisterly groan reverberated through the car before Cass’s professional tone came back in full force. “I take it that last night went well.”

“Yes,” manicured nails scraped against his skull; a shiver sent down his spine. “Your brother was quite charming.”

“Mmm,” his sister uttered, clearly feeling too awkward to say something more supportive. “Well, I don't want to keep either of you long. Vex, it was nice to say hello. Percy, text me once you’ve booked the ticket, and you both have a splendid rest of the day.”

Before Percy or Vex could give their goodbyes, Cassandra ended the call, and the car filled with static before the Bluetooth cut out. Neither moved for the longest time, still shocked at what they had just done. Once his mind truly registered that the call had ended, that Cass wouldn’t redial, his muscles slackened, losing every ounce of strength. His face tipped into the crook of her neck, its warmth acting as the best spot for solace. 

Finally relaxed, or at least not stressed, a muted chuckle escaped his lungs. Vex punched his shoulder, not able to find any humor but with no weight behind her strike. This one spurred more laughter.

“You should have warned me,” she accused, yanking his head out of its hideaway so she could have glowered at me.

“How can I when you’re so quick to pounce?” A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Somehow, you’re much more forward than you were last night.”

Almond eyes rolled to the car’s roof, a pout formed out of swollen lips, and Percy couldn’t help but find her annoyance to be adorable. “Forgive me if I wanted to take advantage of the private space.”

He looked out towards the parking lot, unable to spot a single stranger. “Is my car considered a private space?”

“It is when you have tinted windows and locked doors.” Vex knocked her fist against the glass for emphasis before drifting down. Seized in the moment, he hadn’t even realized she had locked the doors until her fingers landed on the unlock button. “Besides, you may stop me if I am going too far.”

“And not be ravaged by you? I think not.” His eyebrow quirked as absurdity controlled his tone. Then his hand landed on her thigh, not as a lustful grab, but as reassurance.

Tender and sweet, her smile was a single, small cloud in a vast blue sky. It didn’t blow away but descended toward his earth, gracing his lands with a kiss. The caress lacked mounting tension because all their fervor disappeared. A simple adoration, with no expectation of more.

As such, Percy fixed the disarray he had caused, re-buttoning her shirt. The white linen covered her chest, making sure no thief was aware of the cerulean treasure hidden beneath. Yet Percy knew. There was no way for him to unlearn this discovery. His eyes would surely catch a hint of color amidst the snow, reminding him of the prize no one else would discover, as it belonged only to him. A prize he would indeed claim when their desires peaked over the horizon. 

Not if, but when.

Once his work was complete, Vex drifted away, as if she could sense the heat emanating from his mind. If so, then she was most certainly a smart one.

Freeing dark hair from the remains of her hairdo, she brushed through each strand and swiftly fixed her braid. “Why was she calling you?”

Percy scoffed, “Cass needs me in Whitestone. The Briarwoods have been fucking with her money, and she seems to think I can help negotiate the bank into finally giving her full ownership.” 

“You? Deal with a bank?” She giggled, tying her hair together and leaving no trace of their mess. If it weren’t for scarlet, swollen lips, then neither would have any evidence of their lust.

“I know.” Shifting golden frames down the bridge of his nose, he tried to rub the irritation out of his eyes. I wasn’t working. “Honestly, that’s more your expertise than mine.”

Rather than worm over the center console, Vex opened the driver’s door, jumped off his lap, and strolled to the passenger side. As she made the trip, he stared through the front windshield and noticed how her eyebrows wove together and she bit her bottom lip, suddenly in contemplation. When she opened the side door, it seemed she had decided.

“If you want, I can go to Whitestone with you.” She said, but she didn’t look him in the eye, adjusting her seat for comfort. Or faking it, at least. “I could talk to the teller in Cassandra’s favor and convince them to give some of her money back.”

”You don’t have to do that.”

Insecurity rooted in the pit of his stomach, sprouting through his veins. She needn’t bother with his family’s troubles. Vex’ahlia and the rest of their friends had already helped him enough; the bank was a minor issue in comparison.

The scowl she directed at Percy was enough to kill the pesky weed and make him feel like an idiot. “I don’t have to, but I want to.” Her gaze weakened, and her soft, steady hand slipped into his, interlocking with his calluses. “Your problems are my problems, Percival.”

The answer wasn’t wholly surprising, but it warmed him.

“Besides,” she continued, a Cheshire grin taking over her face. “I’m sure Yennen would happily elope us, both as your godmother and as a priest.”

His laugh came out in full force, “You’re really hung up on this elopement, aren’t you?”

“Obviously, darling.” She didn’t cower away. No, her grin only grew more confident, more cocky. “How else can I tell the world that you're mine?”

A conductor may have taken control of his heart, for its steady rhythm suddenly spiked with a silent drum beat, hammering against his ribs. He was also confident that his face had shaded into a rose and stupefied.

Someone had said that Vex’ahlia would have grown more wonderful throughout this morning, Percy would not have believed them. For how could this woman—his sun—become better still? Yet, as he sat there, mind mulling over her declaration, that would be the only way to describe her.

Not only did she accept and love him, with all his flaws and scars, but felt so strongly that she wouldn’t hesitate about tying herself to him, owning him. Never had he hoped for something so magnificent.

It made him want to kick his past foolish self. How had he never realized how strongly she felt? How had that man expected they could only be friends? Had Percy believed he could be happy within that loneliness. Hindsight had a habit of coloring one’s view, and Percy was thankful Vex’ahlia had proved his doubts utterly wrong.

Vex’ahlia was his, heart and soul. And if she was still confident about eloping in Whitestone, then he wouldn’t deny her.

Unable to respond, Percy surged forward and kissed her, no longer wanting to be the passive one. It wasn’t a bruising one, and didn't spur on further desires. But it wasn’t a peck either. Their lips lingered on one another, highlighting how much affection each had for the other.

This kiss was a promise. Of what came later that day. Of what was to come in the future.

For as long as Vex’ahlia wanted, then there was nothing in Tal’dorei, in all of Exandria, that could tear Percy away from her.

Except for Trinket barking in the back seat. The large mutt stood up and leaned his head into the center console, seeking attention from his mother. Vex happily obliged with a scratch behind his ear, barely parting from Percy.

“Ready, dear?” he whispered against her lips, conscious of their passenger eager to depart.

At that moment, everything around Vex was dazzling. The flush on her cheeks, her eyes, her smile, it all shined against the bleak setting. “Of course, darling.”

Shifting out of park, the two drove towards the store, ready to embrace what the day had in store. No uncertainty. No fear. For Percy loved Vex’ahlia, she loved him in return. 

This had been one of the best mornings of his life, without a doubt. And Percy hoped every morning with Vex’ahlia was better than the last.