Page 134 of Night Fae
"That's just a water filter alert. It needs changing."
"Is that so?" Zev's tone made it clear he remained unconvinced. "Your devices are unnecessarily demanding."
Malik approached, slipping his hand into Zev's and tugging gently. "Come on. I'll show you how to clear the alert."
"I know how to clear it," Zev retorted, but his defensiveness carried no bite. "I simply don't trust that it won't start again the moment I turn my back."
"The mighty fae warrior, defeated by household electronics."
A muscle twitched in Zev's jaw, but Malik caught the gleam of amusement in his eyes. Half a year of living together had taught them both when the other was truly annoyed versus playing along.
"Fine." Zev reached for the control panel. "But if it starts beeping again after I clear this alert, I make no promises about its continued existence."
Malik moved to retrieve the replacement filter from under the sink. "If it keeps beeping after we change the filter, I'll let you destroy it."
Zev looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Really?"
"No." Malik laughed at Zev's expression. "But you can pick the movie tomorrow night."
The doorbell rang just then. Malik pressed a quick kiss to Zev's cheek before greeting their friends.
Adrian and Knox were the first to arrive, bearing drinks and dessert. Adrian embraced Malik warmly while Knox offered a nod that, for him, counted as effusive greeting.
"How's the Jahan Foundation?" Adrian asked as they moved to the living room.
"Growing faster than I expected," Malik replied. "We've secured three properties for youth housing and hired staff for the first counseling center."
"He's working too hard," Zev commented, joining them. "The foundation won't collapse if he takes a day off."
The doorbell rang again, this time announcing Daniel and Caelen's arrival. Daniel bounded in with his usual energy, hugging everyone except Zev, who received a bright smile and a friendly pat instead.
Caelen followed with more restraint, looking oddly elegant in fitted jeans and a black button-down.
"Leon texted," Daniel announced, checking his phone. "He's running late. Something about traffic."
"And Lyrian?" Adrian asked.
"Fashionably late as always."
They migrated downstairs to the gaming room, where Malik had a custom table for his games with inbuilt dice trays.
"You have the best set-up," Adrian observed, picking up some of the dice that lay on the table.
"After the accident," Malik said, arranging his notes, "D&D became my escape. Easier to manage fantasy worlds than face the real one." A small, self-deprecating smile crossed his face. "At one point I ran five different campaigns with random groups I found online."
"And now?" Adrian asked gently.
Malik glanced toward Zev, who was setting down the last pizza box. "Now I don't need to escape. But I still love the game."
Zev drew Malik against his side. "If it brings you joy, it's a good game," he said, even though he still didn't understand the rules, no matter how many times Malik tried to explain.
By the time Lyrian finally strode in and Leon followed twenty minutes later (apologizing profusely about traffic), the group had settled around the table with character sheets, dice, and food.
"Before we start," Daniel asked, reaching for his character sheet, "did everyone come up with back stories for their characters?"
"I'm still not convinced my characterneedsa backstory," Knox said, examining his sheet with narrowed eyes.
"Everyone needs a backstory!" Daniel protested.
