I watch as Naomi practically bounces out of the café, bubble tea in hand, her curls bouncing with every step.
Cecil looks like he's just witnessed a ghost walk through the wall.
I can't help it—I laugh, reaching over to pat him on the back. The contact is brief but even that small touch sends warmth through my chest.
Steady. Don't be weird about it.
"Looks like you've got a fan," I say, grinning.
Cecil shakes his head, laughing in that awkward way he does when he's flustered. "What was that about?"
I shrug, playing it casual even though my mind is already cataloging every detail of his reaction. "No idea. But Naomi's got a thing for you, Cecil."
Pretty sure she's not alone in that.
Is it too late to just... keep him here? Lock the doors? Never let him leave?
I shake off the thought. That's creepy, even for someone who's been pining for literal years.
Cecil raises an eyebrow. "You think?"
"Yeah," I nod, keeping my tone light. "She's like her mom—energetic, direct, doesn't hold back."
Cecil's expression shifts—something curious and knowing passes through his eyes. "Nalani's her mom, right?"
I nod again. "Yeah. Small circles, huh?"
He knows. He already knows about Nalani. Which means he knows about the Celestians. Which means...
I watch as Cecil stares down at the piece of paper Naomi gave him, turning it over between his fingers like he's trying to decode some hidden message.
"Guess I'll text her sometime," he murmurs, so quietly I almost miss it.
Something hot and uncomfortable twists in my chest.
No. Don't text her. Don't get close to her. Don't look at anyone else like—
I force a laugh. "Yeah, do that."
Liar.
I take a sip of my coffee to hide whatever expression is trying to break through.
The truth is I don't want him texting Naomi. I don't want him getting close to her. I don't want anyone else having pieces of him that should be mine.
Possessive much?
Yes. Absolutely. Completely.
I've waited years for this. Years of watching him from a distance, of holding back, of pretending I didn't feel like my entire world tilted on its axis every time he smiled.
And now he's here. Right in front of me. Close enough to touch.
And I still can't tell him.
I watch him stare at that paper and something in me snaps into decision.
"So, what's the plan?" I ask, nudging him gently with my elbow.
Cecil looks up, slightly distracted. "Huh? Oh, I don't really know."
I grin, but even I can hear the edge of possessiveness creeping into my voice. "You don't need to rush, Cecil. You've got my number if you need anything."
Anything. Everything. Whatever you want, it's yours.
Cecil raises an eyebrow, catching something in my tone. "Yeah, I do."
Does he know? Can he tell?
I lean back, trying to look casual even though every nerve in my body is hyper-aware of how close he's sitting. "Just saying. Don't go getting too caught up in Naomi's antics."
Cecil chuckles—completely oblivious to the undertone. "Don't worry, I can handle it."
Can you though? Because I'm not sure I can handle watching you handle it.
I study him for a moment, letting my eyes trace the familiar lines of his face. He looks the same. That same gentle smile, those same eyes that always seemed to see more than they should.
But there's something else now. Something I can't quite name.
His aura feels... fractured. Like a piece of glass that's been broken and carefully glued back together. Still whole, technically, but with cracks running through it that weren't there before.
What happened to you, Cecil?
The urge to ask is almost overwhelming. To reach across the table and demand answers. To pull him into my arms and promise that whatever hurt him won't touch him again.
But I can't.
Not yet.
Not when he's looking at me like I'm still just Keith. His childhood best friend. Nothing more.
Patience. Mum said to be patient. Let him settle in. Let him feel safe.
But gods, it's hard.
"So, what do you think about Naomi's whole deal?" I ask, forcing my thoughts back to safer territory.
Cecil shrugs, tucking the paper into his pocket—why does that bother me so much?—and his expression turns thoughtful. "No idea, but she's Nalani's daughter, right? Guess that explains the energy."
"Yeah," I say, keeping my voice light. "Naomi's got her mom's spark."
Cecil goes quiet for a moment, his fingers drumming absently against his tea cup. "I wonder if Aethera sent her here or if it's just a coincidence."
I tense slightly at Mum's name but keep my face carefully neutral.
He knows Mum. He's met her. Which means he knows more about this world than I thought.
"Haven't met her," I lie, and the words taste wrong in my mouth.
I hate lying to him. I've never lied to him before.
But what am I supposed to say? Oh yeah, Aethera's my mum and you're my fated partner and also I've been in love with you since we were eight?
That'll go over well.
Cecil doesn't seem to notice the lie. "Naomi said we'll meet soon again... guess I'll just have to wait to find out."
Good. Change the subject. Move on.
"So, want to do something this weekend?" I ask, maybe a bit too eagerly.
Cecil's eyes light up—actually light up—and something in my chest melts. "Like what?"
Anything. Literally just sit in a room and exist near me, I don't care. As long as you're by my side.
"Don't know. Grab some food, maybe hit up that new game place they opened?"
Or we could just stay at my place where I can make sure no one else looks at you like Naomi did.
Cecil grins. "Sounds like a plan."
I smile back, making sure he sees how happy I am.
How safe he is with me.
I don't know when I started having these feelings. Maybe I always had them. Maybe they've just been growing stronger every year we were apart.
But I know one thing for certain—the more time I spend with him, the deeper I fall.
And I don't care that he's my childhood best friend.
I don't care that it complicates everything.
He's mine.
He always has been.
Even death won't take us apart.
Literally. Because we're fated partners and immortal and—
Focus, Keith.
I pull out my phone, needing something to do with my hands before I do something stupid like reach across the table and never let go.
"I'll send you the details," I say, typing quickly.
Cecil nods, taking another sip of his tea. "Cool."
My phone buzzes—Naomi's number lighting up the screen.
An idea forms.
Actually... maybe having Naomi there isn't the worst thing. She can be a buffer. Make it less intense. Less obvious.
"Hey, you wanna add Naomi to the group chat?" I ask, looking up.
Cecil pauses mid-bite of a cookie. "Why are you asking?"
"She seems like she'll come anyway. Better to invite her than have her show up without acknowledgment."
Cecil laughs—gods, I love that sound— "That's true. Feel free to add her."
I grin and type out a quick message. "You in for food and games this weekend?"
The response is almost instantaneous. "OMG YES!!!"
Cecil leans over to look at my screen and chuckles. "Guess that's a yes."
"Told you."
I set my phone down, an even better idea forming. "Actually, let's do it at my place instead."
Cecil looks at me, curious. "Why? Thought we were gonna check out that new game place?"
Because I want you in my space. I want to see you comfortable in my home. I want—
"Oh, I just want to introduce you to my roommate," I say, which is technically true. "Plus my place has a better setup anyway."
And I can control the environment. Make sure you're safe. Make sure no one gets too close.
Cecil nods easily. "Works for me."
Relief floods through me.
My place. Where Dylan will be. Where we can both watch over him.
I text the group chat quickly. "Change of plans—my place instead. Want you guys to meet my roommate."
Naomi responds immediately. "Keith's place it is! Can't wait to meet the mystery roommate!"
Cecil chuckles. "Guess it's settled then."
"Yep. Does this weekend work for you?"
Cecil nods, then glances at his watch. His eyebrows furrow slightly. "I think I should go now."
No. Stay. Please stay.
But I stand up too, stretching to hide the disappointment. "I'll walk you out."
Cecil doesn't argue and I fall into step beside him as we head toward the door. The afternoon sun hits us as we step outside and for a moment I just watch the way the light catches in his hair.
Beautiful.
"Need a ride home?" I ask, nodding toward my car.
Cecil looks at me, then the car, then back. "Sure, thanks."
Yes. More time. Even if it is just ten more minutes.
"No problem. Hop in."
We settle into the car and I pull up the route to his place on my phone, even though I already know the way by heart.
I've driven past his house more times than I care to admit. Just to make sure he was okay. Just to feel close to him even when I couldn't talk to him.
"So, any ideas what time we should meet?" I ask as I pull into traffic.
Cecil shakes his head. "No idea."
"How about six?"
"Sounds good."
The rest of the drive passes in comfortable silence. I sneak glances at him whenever I can—the way he looks out the window, the slight furrow between his brows when he's thinking, the way his fingers tap absently against his thigh.
Everything about him is familiar and foreign all at once.
The fractured aura around him pulses faintly—invisible to human eyes but clear as day to me.
Something happened to him. Something that cracked his soul and left shadows I can't quite see through.
What hurt you?
Who hurt you?
And how do I make sure it never happens again?
I pull up to his house and put the car in park, turning to look at him. "Here you are."
Cecil unbuckles his seatbelt and smiles—that soft, genuine smile that makes my chest ache. "Thanks for the ride, Keith."
"No problem." I keep my eyes on him, memorizing this moment. "See you at my place this weekend."
Cecil gets out, waves, and heads toward his door. I watch as he unlocks it, steps inside, and the door closes behind him.
A weird sense of relief washes over me.
He's home. He's safe.
For now, that's enough.
I sit there for a moment longer, staring at his closed door, before finally pulling away.
Time to deal with Dylan.
I pull out my phone at a red light and open the group chat, adding Dylan before I can second-guess myself.
Dylan: "What's going on?"
Naomi: "Game night at Keith's! You in?"
Dylan: "Depends who's coming."
I smirk. Of course it does.
Me: "Cecil's coming. Naomi's bringing snacks."
There's a pause. Then—
Dylan: "Good. I'll make sure he's safe."
Naomi: "Dylan's gonna guard Cecil like a bodyguard!"
Me: "Yep, he's on it."
Cecil's gonna be surrounded by very protective people. He has no idea what he's walking into.
I exit the group chat and my phone buzzes immediately with a private message from Dylan.
Dylan: "You sure you want to introduce him to me already?"
I grin, typing back quickly.
Me: "He's gonna find out about us both being his fated partners eventually. Might as well be with Naomi around as a buffer."
Dylan: "You think she's enough buffer?"
Me: "Nah, but you're gonna behave."
Dylan: "You really think I'll behave just because you asked me to?"
Me: "Guess we'll see."
Dylan: "Doubt it. He's mine too, you know."
I chuckle, shaking my head even though he can't see me.
Me: "Guess we'll see which one of us he gravitates toward."
Dylan: "Doesn't matter. We can have him to ourselves for the rest of eternity anyway."
My smile widens.
I never thought I'd be okay with sharing Cecil. With anyone. Ever.
But Dylan... Dylan earned his place. And somehow the idea of both of us loving Cecil, protecting him, being there for him—it doesn't feel like sharing.
It feels right.
Me: "Sounds like the perfect plan."
I lock my phone and lean back against the headrest, staring up at the roof of my car.
Saturday can't come fast enough.
Cecil's going to meet Dylan. He's going to be in our space. In our home.
And eventually—when he's ready, when he feels safe enough—he's going to be ours.
Completely.
I start the car and pull back onto the road, the sun warming my skin through the windshield.
This is going to be very interesting.