Page 68 of Starlight

“But it’s okay to lie?”

Akai grimaced. “No. You make this very difficult.”

“This whole thing is difficult.” Was that a sign to stop or push harder? Sometimes it was hard to tell the difference. Was it an injury that could be run off, or one that needed treatment and rest? “I don’t want to argue on an empty stomach and without coffee. Can we agree on that?”

Akai nodded. “Can you clarify what we are arguing about?”

Cole shot him a glare. “No.”

“That is very unhelpful. How am I to construct arguments?”

“That right there. You don’t construct arguments, you talk about how you are feeling.”

“Oh.” Akai’s shoulders dropped. “That is definitely better on a full stomach, as it stops your opponent from flying away, so the issue must be resolved.” He glanced at Cole, then at the truck. “Perhaps I should hold onto the keys.”

“Not a chance, but I will not leave you by the side of the road.”

“I didn’t leave you.”

Cole blinked. Akai had left him on the side of the road seven years ago.

“I waited until the ambulance arrived.”

“I didn’t mean that.” It wasn’t that he’d forgotten; it was very hard to forget lying broken on the road. “Do you feel guilty about that?”

Akai shrugged, his wings opening slightly. “I do not know what else I could’ve done. I was too hurt and angry, and you were innocent. Perhaps I shouldn’t have done anything.”

“Then I’d be dead.”

“I meant before that. I should have left the car alone. Revenge didn’t change anything, but it caused me worry that someone might find out and I’ll be in trouble.”

Akai carried guilt about it, even if he didn’t call it that.

Cole gave his hand a tug, leading him toward the house. “While we are standing out here talking, they will be eating all the bacon.”

“They will not eat all the food. There will be more than enough.”

“And how much will we owe?”

Akai shook his head. “I have it covered.”

“How much do I owe you?”

“At least one blowjob, maybe two, and at some point, a fuck in the woods.”

Cole’s eyebrows lifted. “I am not fucking in the woods where monsters might stumble on us.”

“That is half the fun.”

“No. I already feel like a short, hairless freak.”

Akai kissed the top of his head. “Because you are. Although most of the water monsters have no hair, so you will be in good company with them.”

“So not helpful.” Cole forced his lips into a smile and stepped inside, following the scent of bacon and coffee, still leading Akai.

He stepped into the dining room and stopped. Akai ran into him, and the only reason he didn’t fall over was because Akai placed a hand on his shoulder.

One monster in his bed. Fine.