Page 75 of Threads of Fate

He does, but something about being in the chair has his skin crawling. Like he’s drawing unnecessary attention to himself. Jamie had said Dawson was in jail and that Nix was safe, but it sounds too good to be true; the more he thinks about leaving the safety of this room, the worse the feeling gets.

“No chair,” he says, thinking that causing a slight scene might just be worth it to avoid the chair. He lets go of the pants, puts his hands on his hips, and makes his poutiest, grumpiest face possible. There’s acoo, and he spins his head around to see Gideon looking at him like he’s the cutest kitten ever.

Seizing the opportunity, he changes his grumpy face to a pleading one, just to see Gideon’s eyes go wide and his jawdrops a little. Rowan cackles with glee. “Wow, Gid. Just. Wow. Already? He’s been awake half a day, and you are already—”

“You finish that sentence, Rowan Foster, and we will be revisiting our last lesson.”

Nix wonders what that lesson was because Rowan makes a big show of zipping his lips, nodding sincerely.

“Nix, what if Luca rides with you? Or I can carry you?” Gideon sounds like he’s bargaining with a contrary toddler, andfuck him for being rightbecause riding with Luca seems like a good compromise. Even if it’s more of a spectacle, at least he won’t be alone in it.

“Okay. Just because you have such good ideas and Luca is excited already.” Luca is actually wiggling and making small clappy-hands.

“Yeah, I am. Yesss!” There’s a fist pump as Luca gets comfortable in the wheelchair, and making grabby hands at Nix once he’s settled.

Jamie sighs. “I don’t think this is what the hospital had in mind, you two. But I’m sure they’re just happy to see the back of us already.”

Nix settles onto Luca’s lap with a tiny wiggle, adjusting until he’s comfortable. The movement pulls a sharp inhale from Luca, his breath catching audibly.

“You okay, Luca? Wanna trade places?” Rowan teases, his tone light but mischievous.

“That’s not nice, Rowan,” Nix scolds, trying to look stern but failing to suppress the twitch of a smile. Gideon and Leo chuckle, and Jamie, always quick on the uptake, points at Rowan and mimics Nix’s words silently, lips forming a mischievous smile.

Behind them, Finn grips the wheelchair, ready to steer. He leans down, his voice soft, meant only for Luca and Nix to hear. “Be good, you two.” The quiet command sends a shiver through Nix that he can’t quite suppress.

Then, louder, Finn straightens before calling out, “Let’s go home, Rhodes Pack.”

Leo and Gideon have gone ahead of their little processional to get the vehicles and load the bags of stuff, so Finn takes a more sedate pace. Their elevator is empty and while they’re waiting, Nix leans into Luca’s embrace, tucking the blanket around their legs. Luca’s warmth seeps through, a steady comfort, his arms securely wrapped around Nix’s middle beneath the blanket. Every so often, Luca gives the tiniest squeeze, a subtle gesture that speaks louder than words; offering support and reminding Nix he’s not alone.

“Thanks for riding with me, Luca. It feels really good,” he says.

Finn coughs at Nix’s words. Rowan snorts and Jamie sighs, suddenly put-upon.

The man under him hums, and maybe he’s tired, as his voice sounds a little strained, but his words are happy enough. “Anything for you. This is better than riding by yourself, right?”

“Yes! I’d much rather ride in your lap than by myself,” Nix agrees, and Finn snorts again.

“You okay there, Dr. Merritt?” Rowan teases again.

“Yes, I am. Not as good as Luca, though, I’d wager.” The elevator has that sweet chocolate-y vanilla cookie smell he’d smelled earlier. Maybe it’s an air freshener? It’s a weird choice for a hospital, but he likes it, so he’s not complaining. Maybe Finn could find out where they got them.

“I am pretty lucky. First, a kiss, and now a ride. No wonder Rowan’s jealous,” Luca says with a smirk as they exit the elevator.

Nix blinks, knowing there’s some context he’s missing, but before he can piece it together, they reach the main entrance, and the world outside crashes in.

The noise hits first—a chaotic jumble of voices, footsteps, and distant commotion. Then the smells, an overwhelming barrage of scents layered on top of one another. It’s too much all at once, and the panic rises in his chest.

Maybe being in a coma for a week has made me super sensitive,he thinks, gritting his teeth.Ugh, that can quit anytime now.The overload twists into something worse, paranoia creeping in at the edges of his mind, amplifying everything.

Jamie said Dawson is in jail. He’s not hiding here in the lobby waiting to hurt Luca or Finn or Rowan. Jamie won’t let him. The noise seems to get louder, and it hurts his ears; there are so many voices.Did he hear someone call “Austin?”

“Nix! Look at me.” Finn has pushed the wheelchair over to the side near the revolving door. Nix can feel Jamie’s hot hand gripping the back of his neck, and he’s using the other hand to tilt his chin up. “There you are. Hello, baby. You’re safe.”

Nix smells pine and fruit and mocha, and together, it settles his fear to a low hum. “Luca is safe?” He turns slightly and accidentally elbows the man under him in the chest. Luca looks a bit freaked out, but he nods.

“Jay won’t let anything hurt us, Nix.” He says, squeezing him tight, Nix wants to crack open his chest and put Luca inside because Luca belongs to him.And holy shit. That’s weird.

Gideon is standing there, scanning the lobby like he’s checking for potential threats, and suddenly, Nixwantshim. Someone might think Gideon is scary, but he’s exuding protection, and there’s something in Nix’s brain that wants that now. His black shirt is rolled up to his elbows and open at the throat, and his thick thighs are accentuated perfectly by his fitted slacks. Nix feels the need forsomethingignite in his belly.

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