“Ow.” Onyx unstuck his face from Nico’s thigh and glared at him.
“Don’t complain. You like it when I pull your hair.”
“Doesn’t mean you can do it whenever you want.”
“My mistake.” Nico released him, then smiled at the look of disappointment that must have been obvious on Onyx’s face.
Onyx looked away, busying himself cleaning the sticky mess he’d made with a spell, and tucking his cock away. He stood and buttoned his jeans, turning away as Nico righted his clothes.
“I’m off home. Think I’ll fly unless you need an escort back to your place.”
“I can manage.”
Onyx shot Nico what was hopefully a condescending look. “Good.”
He followed Nico out of the shop. Nico locked up, pulling the metal grate down over the door and windows. They both hesitated, neither making a move to leave.
Nico glanced in the direction of his apartment, then back at Onyx. “Can I see your wings?”
Renewed heat flooded Onyx’s traitorous face.
“You don’t have to show me,” Nico hurried to add. “I, uh, wasn’t kidding about wanting to see you. But I’m sorry if it’s presumptuous to ask.”
Onyx’s chest warmed.
He should shut Nico down. It was the smart thing to do, so why couldn’t he successfully push Nico away? Nico was being so genuine and respectful, it was sickening. Onyx hated it. Or at least he tried to convince himself he hated it because really, he loved Nico’s interest.
He wanted to enjoy it before Nico got bored.
Onyx silently cast an invisibility illusion over himself, allowing Nico to see through it. “You’re not being presumptuous. Here, I’ll show you. Since I’m going to fly anyway.”
Nico grinned, and it was annoyingly wholesome. Then he looked quickly up and down the quiet street. “Wait, you can’t show me here. Someone could see.”
Onyx waved a careless hand. “It’s fine. I’m invisible to everyone but you right now.”
Nico gaped. “You can be invisible?”
“Did no one tell you invisibility was another demon trick? I can also let select people see through the illusion, like you, Dante, Ash, unfortunately, and of course, the little mates.”
Nico blinked like this surprised him.
Onyx didn’t ask why. He rolled his shoulders and whipped off his shirt.
Nico’s gaze turned hungry as he took in Onyx’s bare chest. “Your nipples are pierced.”
“Oh, shit, really?” Onyx looked down at himself in mock surprise.
Nico laughed. “How did I not notice that through your shirt?”
Onyx braced a hand on his hip. “Have you been checking out my nipples?”
“I’ve been checking you out in general.” Nico’s gaze dropped back to Onyx’s chest. “You’ve worn shirts tight enough that I should have noticed.”
Onyx suppressed the smile threatening to break free. “It’s called magic. Thought you’d be familiar.”
Nico cracked up, shaking his head. “Little shit. I didn’t realize piercings were worth hiding with magic.”
Onyx wouldn’t explain why he hid them. He didn’t care if people saw his piercings beneath a tight shirt. This wasn’t some embarrassing thing. It was more that he’d gotten the piercingsfor himself. They weren’t for other people to notice unless he wanted them to. Like everything else about Onyx, he chose when to reveal them.