Page 36 of Nix
Evan had broken away from Laney to pull Nix off Crowly.
A short but well-earned fight for Nix.
The playbacks were already making their way around the internet and social media. Evan had silenced Nix’s phone when it wouldn’t stop with calls and notifications. He had sent Gem a message assuring Nix’s brother that Nix was uninjured and would talk to everyone the next day then quieted the device.
Ignoring his own messages, Evan placed their dinner order, adding three treats for Nix. The boy deserved them, after all.
With food on the way, Evan headed to the living room. He stopped and tapped the top of a new ceramic pumpkin decor piece that hadn’t been there the last time Evan had been in Nix’s condo. With fall now here, Evan had been seeing pumpkins popping up all over the place. In every store he visited. They all reminded him of his boy.
Evan had even bought a rainbow pumpkin that was still in the box. He hadn’t decided whether to keep the piece or give it to Nix. Now, after tonight, he would be spoiling his boy. The rainbow pumpkin would belong to Nix.
Stepping around the couch, Evan stared down at the little shifter that had somehow wormed his way under Evan’s skin. The boy had first appeared so carefree and playful but there was so much more. Nix was a kind and loving person. He wanted to make everyone around him happy, which wasn’t always possible.
Nix shivering caught his attention.
“Cold?” Evan asked concerned.
“No,” Nix said. “I just—” He didn’t sound like he had the words to explain.
Evan didn’t need them. He shuffled to the end of the couch, lifting Nix so he could slide under him. Settling back, Evan repositioned Nix so his head was resting in Evan’s lap. Right where he belonged.
Nix blinked up at him but remained quiet. Just watching Evan with those unique orange eyes. He would give the boy all the time in the world. Nix didn’t normally mince words. Nix was thrown off by his own behavior, that was obvious to Evan, andNix needed to understand that Evan wanted him just the way he was.
Picking up the remote, Evan found Nix’s streaming service and clicked on his Prime account. Nix was still staring at him. Evan was starting to get nervous while searching the movie selection.
“This one?” Evan asked.
Nix moved his eyes to the screen and nodded but immediately peered back up at him.
Evan hit Play then set the remote on the table. His hand went from the remote to Nix’s hair. He began to scratch gently.
Nix sighed as his eyes fluttered closed.
“Aren’t you going to watch this movie with me?” Evan teased. He gently pulled Nix’s hair.
Without opening his eyes, Nix smiled. “I’ve seen this movie so many times I have it memorized.”
“A favorite then,” Evan said with a hum.
“I love cheesy movies. They just make me happy.”
And Evan loved to see his boy happy. So cheesy movies would be in his future. Evan imagined there were plenty of them to keep Nix settled and Evan would just have to suffer through them.
“Scratch again,” Nix whined.
“Bossy.” Evan didn’t mind and gave Nix what he wanted. Being able to touch the boy so openly meant a lot to him. Nix wasn’t asking Evan any questions even though the boy musthave so many. This wasn’t like Evan. He didn’t cuddle and touch Nix. Or at least he hadn’t. Things had changed. Majorly changed. Evan’s feelings for Nix had been bubbling under the surface but seeing Nix wailing on Crowly had busted the dam open. His dragon was nearly as obsessed with Nix as his human side was.
Dragons were fierce protectors. They took any threat against something that they considered theirs very serious. Nix’s reaction when he’d believed Evan had been purposely hurt called to Evan and his dragon. Nix had reacted on instinct. A true partner.
Ours.The dragon’s deep voice rumbled in his mind.
Unlike shifters that could transform into their animal, dragons and humans shared a body. Two souls that were meant to be one. His dragon was as independent as Evan’s human half. They both had dreams, wants, and needs. Luckily, dragons were happy once they began collecting their hoards and didn’t require much else.
Dragons, his dragon at least, wanted books, peace, and quiet. Evan was able to give his dragon that on the off-season. Keeping his dragon content was Evan’s biggest job. An angry or dragon fully in control of their human side caused quite a ruckus.
Ours, the dragon repeated.
Yes, ours,Evan agreed. He continued to scratch Nix’s scalp.
