Chapter Six

Things were still weird.

Perseus had expected them to get better now that he and Teddy had talked, but he still felt tense and awkward and didn’t know what to do. It didn’t make sense. Teddy had told Perseus that he didn’t care that he’d been a hunter and that he accepted him for who he was, and Perseus believed him, but at the same time, he was terrified that if he did something wrong, Teddy would change his mind.

He watched as Teddy moved in front of the stove. Perseus had never been able to cook. He didn’t know what it was, but when he tried, he set things on fire. Even when he didn’t, he often managed to overcook things and not cook them enough at the same time. It was a gift, albeit not a good one.

But Teddy was great at cooking. He and Orion had been taking turns since the three of them had moved in together, which meant that Perseus had eaten better than he had for most of his life. When he and Orion still lived with their father, they’d survived on microwaved food and takeout. Their father believed that it was beneath men to cook and that women should be the only ones to do so, and since Perseus and Orion’s mother had died, no one had used her kitchen. Perseus and Orion’s father had never remarried, thankfully.

Perseus couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to marry him, but it had happened once, after all. Things had been different back then. Perseus didn’t have many memories of his parents together, but he did have a few. They’d seemed happy, and his father hadn’t been as extreme as he was now. Maybe it had been easy for Perseus’s mother to fall in love with his father. Maybe they’d been happy.

At least until she died.

Perseus swallowed. The thought of losing Teddy the way his father had lost his mother was terrifying, and he didn’t know what to do about it. Teddy hadn’t gone on raids since they’d moved in together, but he would eventually, and Perseus would have to learn to deal with that. When his father had fought, he hadn’t cared, but Teddy was his mate. He mattered.

For some reason, Perseus had thought this would be easier. They were mates, so things were supposed to be easy, right? They weren’t. Maybe it was Perseus’s fault, but every time he opened his mouth, he was afraid he’d say the wrong thing, and Teddy would decide it wasn’t worth it. Teddy already knew the worst things Perseus had done, and he was still there. Perseus couldn’t think of anything that would send him running, but the fear was there anyway.

Teddy felt like home. As Perseus sat at the table in the kitchen and watched his mate, he could see them like this for decades to come. It might be too soon because they’d just met, but at the same time, they were mates.

He knew that being mates didn’t guarantee happiness. Teddy had been clear about that, and he’d told Perseus it would be a lot of work. Thankfully, this was worth working for. Perseus wasn’t afraid of that. He would give Teddy his everything and pray it would be enough.

“You’ve been quiet today,” Teddy said without looking at Perseus.

Perseus swallowed. “I’m sorry.”

Teddy turned around. “You don’t have to be. It’s fine if you’re quiet and need to think. I just wanted to be sure everything was all right.”

Perseus stared at him. He’d been so incredibly lucky. Not only was Teddy gorgeous, but he was a good man. After everything that had happened to him, it would have been easy for him to be bitter. He could have pushed Perseus away and decided he wanted nothing to do with a hunter. Instead, he’d welcomed Perseus into his life, and while things were still awkward and a bit tense, as long as they both wanted this, Perseus thought it would work. They just needed to find a way.

Perseusneeded to find a way.

“You can talk to me,” Teddy continued. “I know you might not trust me yet, but I won’t judge, and I’ll listen to whatever you have to say. I can help you find a solution to what’s on your mind.”

Perseus wasn’t sure there was anything Teddy could do about what was on his mind. It was a fear he needed to get over by himself. It didn’t matter how many times Teddy told him that he was in this for the long-term and that they’d work things out, that he didn’t care that Perseus had been a hunter and that he wanted them to be together. Perseus would only believe him when he believed him, and there was nothing Teddy could do about that.

But there were other things he could help with. When they’d talked, he’d been angry because people hadn’t given Perseus a chance. Perseus didn’t know how they could solve that, but it might help to talk about it.

“I was just thinking that it’s time for me to find a job, but I can’t imagine doing anything,” Perseus confessed. “If I try to find something in town, I doubt anyone will give me a job.”

Teddy’s expression set. “They will,” he said.

“You can’t force them to, Teddy.”

Teddy scowled, and it reminded Perseus of the way they’d been before. He was still plenty grumpy, but it was easier not to default to it every time Teddy entered a room. Now that Perseus understood why he felt so drawn to Teddy and that Teddy wasn’t ignoring him anymore, Perseus didn’t have the instinct to glare all the time.

“I can be convincing when I want to,” Teddy said in a threatening voice that made Perseus snicker.

“I can see that. You have to say hi to my mate because if you don’t, I’ll beat you up.”

“It’s not funny, Perseus. You’re part of the village and the tribe. It’s official. That means they should give you a chance, but they aren’t.”

Perseus got to his feet and moved closer to Teddy. It was still strange to be allowed to touch him, and Perseus felt exhilarated every time he did. He skimmed a hand down Teddy’s back and settled it on Teddy’s hip. Teddy leaned closer as if he wanted more.

The thought made Perseus smile.

“You can’t force people to accept me,” he said. “I won’t say it doesn’t hurt to see people pull their children away from me, but I deserve it. I was a hunter. I hurt people, and the tribe members know it. They don’t want to risk me hurting them and their families, and I get that.”

Teddy’s shoulders slumped. “But it’s not fair. You might have been a hunter, but you’re not anymore, and you were one only because you were forced to be. You didn’t have a choice.”

“I don’t know if people know that, but I’ll find a way to make it work. I’m sure I can come up with something.”

Perseus was worried because he wasn’t good at anything. He didn’t have the skills or any experience that he could offer. He didn’t know what to do with himself, but staying inside the house for the rest of his life wasn’t an option. He wanted Teddy and Orion to be proud of him, and this wasn’t the way to make that happen.

“Maybe you can work with Orion once he opens his bakery,” Teddy offered.

“Maybe.” Perseus didn’t know what he’d do there since he couldn’t bake, but he was sure his brother would give him a job. It might mean having fewer customers at the bakery, though, and that wasn’t something Perseus could allow.

Teddy leaned forward to kiss Perseus, startling him. “Whatever happens, we’ll find a way to fix it. I promise that you won’t have to hide in this house for the rest of your life. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Don’t go around threatening people on my behalf, Teddy. It’s not worth it.”

But Teddy’s expression told Perseus that he thought it was. He didn’t want Teddy to start fighting with half the village, but it felt like he might, and Perseus didn’t know how to stop him.

* * * *

Teddy didn’t like this. He understood why the tribe was wary of Perseus, but the news that he was Teddy’s mate was making the rounds now that they lived together and that several of Teddy’s friends knew about it. Teddy hadn’t expected anyone to keep it a secret. He’d known people would talk as soon as they found out what was happening, and he’d thought it would help the village welcome Perseus. Instead, he was still hiding, terrified they’d run him out of the village with pitchforks or something.

Perseus still viewed himself as a monster. Teddy wondered if he’d always see himself like that, and he didn’t like it. He knew that Perseus had made peace with what he’d done in the past but didn’t expect anyone to like him. It was easier for him to keep everyone at arm’s length and hide.

Teddy didn’t believe things were that dire. Orion had been a hunter, too, yet people had welcomed him with open arms. He was making new friends every day, and the contrast between the two brothers was stark.

It was a question of personality, but not just that. Orion was giving the village a chance, but Perseus hadn’t yet. He’d left the house once, had a bad experience, and had decided that was it.

Teddy kissed Perseus’s forehead. He needed to do something to help his mate. He wanted their relationship to be successful, but he couldn’t be Perseus’s only person. Well, he had Orion, too, but it still wasn’t enough. Even though Perseus was a private person and seemed to be fine on his own, he needed a support system. That meant meeting people, making friends, and finding a job. That wouldn’t happen if he hid in the house. The thought of going out on his own was probably intimidating, so it was good that he didn’t have to do it.

“I want to take you out on a date this afternoon,” Teddy declared.

Perseus stepped away and frowned. “Where? Outside the village?”

“No. I know you haven’t seen much of the village, and I’d like to show you more of it. We can take a walk in the park, maybe have some coffee or ice cream. We did things the wrong way around. I should have taken you on a date first, then fucked you on the table.”

Perseus’s cheeks turned red, and he carefully avoided looking at the kitchen table. His expression made Teddy want to throw him on top of it, but he resisted the urge. They would have time for that later. Maybe they could use a bed this time. At the very least, they should stay away from communal spaces. Orion didn’t know what had happened in the kitchen the other day, but he might walk in on them, and that wasn’t something Teddy wanted him to see.

“You don’t have to take me out on a date,” Perseus mumbled. “If you want to spend time with me, we can watch a movie here.”

It hurt Teddy’s heart to see Perseus like this. It was clear that even though he acted as if he didn’t care what the village thought of him, he did. He wanted to be accepted and to be part of something that wasn’t the hunters. Teddy didn’t know if he could change anything about the situation, but he could definitely try.

If he could accept that his mate was a hunter, others should be able to do the same. He was the one who would have to live with Perseus, after all. He was the one who would be bonded to him.

Even more than that, Teddy wanted Perseus to have a home here. He was afraid that Perseus would leave the village if he couldn’t settle down, and he’d follow him, but he didn’t want that to happen. Besides, what about Orion? He was still the most important person in Perseus’s life, and Perseus wouldn’t want to leave without him, but he couldn’t stay and make himself vulnerable.

The best way to solve this was for the village to accept Perseus, and while it wouldn’t be easy, Teddy knew it could happen. At the very least, he could show everyone that Perseus wasn’t dangerous. He was just a guy trying to fit in.

Teddy fully turned toward Perseus and pulled him into his arms. He was slightly shorter than Perseus, but they fit together perfectly. He kissed the edge of Perseus’s jaw, smiling when Perseus shuddered. “Let me take you on a date,” he murmured. “I don’t care what the people in the village will think or say. You’re one of us, and it’s not fair that you have to stay in the house. It won’t be easy, but I need you to trust me.”

Teddy hoped he wasn’t asking too much of Perseus and that he’d succeed. He didn’t want Perseus to have people staring at him and badmouthing him, but he might have to withstand that. Eventually, they’d get used to seeing him and would stop talking about him. New gossip would arise, and Perseus would be forgotten. If he stayed in the house, though, he’d always be a novelty. People would always talk about him.

Perseus sighed and kissed Teddy’s forehead. Like always when he was spontaneously affectionate, Teddy’s heart soared. He hadn’t been sure in the beginning, but now, he knew they could make things work. He just had to make Perseus see that he wasn’t a monster and that no matter what others thought of him, Teddy wasn’t going anywhere. Even if the village never accepted Perseus, he’d always have Teddy and Orion, as well as Teddy’s friends. Callum and Leon didn’t hate Perseus, even though he’d kidnapped Leon. Hayes and Rikar were also ready to give Perseus a chance.

“Fine. You can take me on a date. I suppose it’s useless to ask to have this date outside the village?” Perseus said.

“That would defeat the purpose of it.”

“I thought the purpose was that we spend time together.”

“Yes, but I want us to spend time in the village. I want to show you the place and for people to see you. If they get used to seeing you around, they’ll stop talking about you so much.”

“I hope you’re right. I want to make you happy, Teddy. If you want to go on a date every afternoon, we can.”

Teddy didn’t want Perseus to do anything he was uncomfortable with just because he wanted to make Teddy happy, but in this situation, he felt it was for the best. Perseus needed to be pulled out of his comfort zone. If Teddy had to use their bond to make that happen, he would.

“Not every afternoon,” Teddy promised. “Just every so often. Trust me, Perseus. I promise that everything will be all right.” Teddy would make sure of that. He didn’t know how yet, but he would.

“I do trust you.”

Teddy thought it was the truth. It shone in Perseus’s gaze, and it made Teddy feel all squirmy inside. They truly were doing this, weren’t they? They were working things out together, being there for each other, and being mates. They weren’t bonded, and Teddy didn’t know when they would be, but he wasn’t in a rush.

He wanted Perseus to settle down first. He was Perseus’s mate, so of course, they’d always be at the center of each other’s lives, but he didn’t want to be the only person Perseus had. Besides, he didn’t think Perseus was ready to bond. It would take him time to settle down and believe he was welcome here. Once he did, once they’d spent months getting to know each other and falling in love, they could bond. There was nothing Teddy wanted more, but he could tell it wasn’t what Perseus needed right now, so he’d wait.

He’d wait decades if it meant Perseus was happy.

He kissed Perseus on the lips, then gently pushed him away. “Let me finish lunch. We can go out later.”

Perseus looked a bit wary, but he nodded. He wanted to make Teddy happy as much as Teddy wanted to make him happy. They both had a lot of power over each other, but Teddy didn’t mind.

Perseus would never use it in a bad way. He wasn’t a monster. He wasn’t even a hunter anymore. He was a good man, and Teddy would show everyone in the village that.

* * * *

Perseus wasn’t sure what to think of the date. He wanted to go because it would make Teddy happy and because they’d never been on a date, but he could already feel the stares of the people they’d be around, and it made him itchy.

He could see he wouldn’t be able to convince Teddy not to go, though. Teddy had gotten it in his mind that people needed to see Perseus to accept him, and he wouldn’t let go of that idea. He might even be right. Perseus didn’t know, but he wasn’t looking forward to it. Even if people did eventually get used to seeing him around, it would take time, and until then, they’d continue staring and gossiping.

Perseus watched Teddy as he put two plates of food together. He couldn’t say no. If Teddy wanted a date, then that was what they would do. Besides, Perseus could admit, at least to himself, that he was a bit excited. The village would be his home for a long time. He wanted to explore it, to poke around and find out where things were. He tried not to hope that he might even find a job. That would probably be too much to ask for.

He and Teddy were mostly silent as they ate. Teddy kept staring at Perseus, making him slightly uncomfortable because he couldn’t tell what Teddy thought. Was he thinking about their date? Was he wondering how people would react to his presence? As far as Perseus knew, only a few people were aware that he and Teddy were mates. He doubted any of them had spread the news, but it was possible. It was also possible that no one in the village knew he and Teddy were mates and that they’d be shocked when they saw them together.

But Teddy was willing to claim Perseus as his. He wanted everyone to know they were mates. Perseus wouldn’t have thought much of it before, but he understood better how important the village and the people who lived here were to Teddy now. This was his home, yet he was willing to lose it because of Perseus. That had to mean he truly cared about him, right?

Perseus hoped he did. He cared about Teddy, and they were mates. Teddy didn’t want it to be a secret, and honestly, neither did Perseus. He just didn’t have as much to lose as Teddy.

“Ready?” Teddy asked once they were done eating and they’d cleaned up the kitchen.

Orion hadn’t returned for lunch, but he seldom did these days. Perseus had no idea what his brother was doing. He should probably ask, but he suspected that Orion enjoyed his independence. Before, they’d only had each other to rely on. They’d been in each other’s pockets all the time because they didn’t have a choice. Now, Orion was free, and Perseus loved to see it. He wouldn’t lose his brother, even though the distance between them was growing. Orion was finally spreading his wings, and he would do marvelous things now that he had the opportunity. Perseus was proud of him.

“Perseus?” Teddy asked, sounding hesitant.

Perseus realized he hadn’t answered, so he forced himself to smile. “We can go whenever you want.”

“We don’t have to if you don’t feel up for it. I just thought it would be something nice to do.”

“I want to do it. You’re right. I should stop hiding, and I’m sure that once people get used to seeing me around, they’ll stop staring at me. Besides, if I’m with you, it’ll be easy to ignore them.”

Teddy smiled gently. “I’m that distracting?”

“In the best of ways,” Perseus promised.

He might hate the thought of being stared at, but for Teddy, he’d do this and so much more. It was a small discomfort, but if it made Teddy happy, Perseus would do it.

He’d spent his entire life protecting his brother. There hadn’t been space for happiness. He and Orion had been forced to do things that still gave them nightmares, and Perseus would never forget that.

But it was in the past, and now, there was space for happiness in their lives. They could finally make themselves and others happy, and Perseus didn’t want to lose that. He also didn’t want to lose Teddy, and he was afraid that if he didn’t change, eventually, he would. He’d never be as outgoing as Teddy, but he didn’t need to be. As long as he tried and was there for his mate, everything would be all right.

It had to be.

Perseus raised his hand, offering it to Teddy. “Let’s go.”

Teddy hesitated for a moment before taking it. He squeezed, and Perseus squeezed back.

This was it.

Perseus sucked in a breath when they left the house. He was tense as they walked down the sidewalk, heading toward Main Street. Whenever they turned a corner or crossed paths with someone, he expected them to start yelling at him that he didn’t have a place here and that he needed to leave. He got a few glances, but nothing as bad as the first time he’d left the house on his own.

He was starting to relax by the time they reached the coffee shop. Teddy pulled him inside, and it was easy to follow him.

“When October comes, you’ll have to get the pumpkin spice latte. I know it’s cliché, but it’s delicious, and for Christmas, they make one with peppermint that I love.”

Perseus couldn’t help but smile at his mate’s enthusiasm for coffee. “I’m sorry to break your heart, but I take my coffee black.”

Teddy gasped. “I can’t believe it.”

He was smiling, and Perseus wanted to kiss him. He wouldn’t have hesitated if they’d been at home, but here, he felt too exposed.

But Teddy was his mate. If Perseus wanted to kiss him in public, and if anyone had a problem with that, he didn’t care. They’d have to fight him to make him stop.

He leaned forward, loving the way Teddy’s eyes sparkled.

“It’s you!” a woman shouted.

Perseus stopped moving and swallowed. He’d expected this to happen. He’d just hoped it would take a bit longer.

He turned, ready to take whatever this woman was about to throw at him. If she yelled, accused him of being a monster, and demanded he leave, he’d let her. That didn’t mean he’d do what she wanted, but if she recognized him, she deserved to yell at him.

He faced the woman. She looked to be in her early twenties. Her long brown hair was tied back, and her brown eyes were wide behind her glasses. Perseus steeled himself for whatever was coming.

He didn’t expect the woman to throw herself at him.

He took a step back when she did, expecting a punch, but instead, her arms went around him. She squeezed him hard, but he had no idea what was happening, so he looked at Teddy. Teddy appeared both confused and amused, possibly because instead of hugging the woman back, Perseus’s hands hovered over her back.

He tentatively put his arms around her. He might not know what was going on, but it was better than her punching him and demanding he leave.

The woman leaned back. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again, but I wanted to thank you. You saved me and my family.”

Perseus blinked. Maybe he should have expected this, too. He’d been told that the village housed a lot of people who’d been rescued from labs. He and Orion had helped people escape, but for some reason, he hadn’t thought they’d end up here. “I did?”

The woman stepped away, nodding. “You and your brother. You helped me and my family escape just before we reached the lab. We didn’t know where to go, but we couldn’t go home, and we ended up here. I thought I would never be able to thank you, and I’m so glad you’re here.” She looked at Teddy. “He saved us.”

Teddy’s smile was gentle. “He saved many people. That’s why he’s a tribe member now.”

The woman beamed. Perseus tried to remember her, but he couldn’t. He’d always told himself not to get too close to the prisoners. If he and Orion managed to free them, they’d never see them again, and if they had to hand them over to the labs, it was better not to care about them. He wished he could remember her, though.

“We’ll see you around, then,” the woman said. “I can’t wait to tell my brother and my parents that you’re here. They’ll want to thank you, too.”

Perseus didn’t know how to deal with that, but he nodded. “I’ll be happy to see them.”

The woman eventually went back to her table, leaving Perseus alone with Teddy. The coffee shop was full of people, and Perseus knew they were all staring, but this time, he couldn’t feel any hate coming from them.

He couldn’t say they loved him or even that they were happy to have him here, but hopefully, seeing one of the people Perseus had saved would help the villagers soften toward him. That was all he needed. Perseus didn’t need to be accepted. He just needed to be left alone to live his life.

* * * *

Teddy kept an eye on Perseus as they walked home, half worried about what had happened at the coffee shop and half unable to believe his eyes. Perseus held himself like a completely different person, as if talking to the woman he’d rescued had made him realize he truly wasn’t a monster.

He’d probably been torn before. He’d been helping people, but he was also a hunter. If he felt he wasn’t doing enough, it would have been easy for him to feel that he was as bad as his father. Teddy didn’t think that anyone could have convinced him otherwise, but seeing the woman and knowing he’d saved her life and that without him, she wouldn’t be here, had made Perseus lighter.

It was what Teddy wanted. He needed Perseus to feel good about himself and to understand that Teddy wouldn’t be with him if he didn’t believe he was a good person. It would take time. Teddy was aware of that, and he wouldn’t complain. He’d found his mate, and as far as he was concerned, he couldn’t be happier.

It was too soon for him and Perseus to bond, but Teddy was fine with that. They had time. Perseus was human, but he was young, so even if they waited a few years, he’d be fine. He wouldn’t fight anymore, so Teddy wouldn’t have to worry about him getting hurt. Perseus would have a peaceful life in the village.

With Teddy.

It was hard to believe this was really happening. When Teddy had been in the lab, he’d tried not to think about a future he’d believed he wouldn’t have. Even after he’d been freed and had found the mutants, he’d believed that no one would want him. Why would they when he was a weirdo? He could not only shimmer people around and heal them like every Nix, but he could also make them explode.

Sometimes, the line between healing and exploding was incredibly fine.

Perseus didn’t care about that. Things might be weird and tense between them, but Teddy was sure he didn’t. Perseus might not have been a victim of the labs, but he’d been forced to do things that had hurt him and others. He had scars. They might be inside while Teddy’s were on the outside, but that didn’t change the fact that they were there.

No matter what Perseus had done in the past, it didn’t matter. He was doing what he could to fix it, and now that he had a true opportunity to do so, Teddy knew he would turn his life around. He wouldn’t be forced to do anything by his father anymore. He wouldn’t be forced to do anything by anyone. He had a chance at a future he couldn’t have dreamed of before, and Teddy would be part of it.

Because Teddy wasn’t giving up on his mate. He wasn’t giving up on their bond.

Maybe Perseus needed to hear that. He was human, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t feel their bond or that he wasn’t anxious because of it. Teddy would never forget how he’d felt when he first realized Perseus was his mate, and he could imagine that, in some ways, Perseus felt the way he had back then.

He waited until they got home to bring it up. He didn’t want Perseus to get anxious or angry, and sometimes, it felt it would be better if he kept his mouth shut, but he didn’t want to in this case.

“You know you’re not a bad person, right?” he asked as soon as the front door was closed behind them. Luckily, Orion was out, so Teddy and Perseus had space to do this.

Perseus frowned. “Why are you telling me that?”

Teddy grabbed both of Perseus’s shoulders so they’d look at each other. He wasn’t surprised when Perseus’s gaze skittered behind him instead of stopping on his face. They were still awkward with each other, but that would pass.

Eventually.

“Look at me,” Teddy murmured.

Perseus did, but he was visibly uncomfortable. Teddy didn’t want him to feel that way, which meant he had to be quick. “That woman was right. No matter what you were forced to do in the past, you’ve done everything you could to counteract it. You wouldn’t have been able to save so many people if you hadn’t been a hunter, and I need you to remember that. You were forced into the hunter life, and you did what you could to help people. That’s what matters. The fact that you never felt the same way your father does about me and people like me matters. You were never really a hunter, Perseus. You were a sweet man who was forced to do things that gave you nightmares.”

Teddy probably shouldn’t have mentioned the nightmares, but he’d heard both Orion and Perseus cry out during the night. It had been hard for him to stay away. It reminded him of the months after he left the lab and how much sleep he’d missed because of the dreams. He still had them sometimes, but when he did, he reminded himself that he was safe and that he had a home.

He wanted Perseus to do the same. He wanted him to know that whatever happened, no matter what he needed, Teddy would be there for him and would do everything in his power to protect him. Teddy prayed that Perseus would understand that from his words, but maybe he should be clearer.

“It’s not just the bond speaking,” he added. “I feel the same way about Orion.”

Perseus snorted. “Everyone knows Orion never wanted to hurt anyone. He’s a sweetheart.”

“I think you are, too, deep inside, under that grumpiness. You just need to allow people to see that.”

“People like you?”

Teddy licked his lips. “If you want. I know things have been awkward, probably more so than they should be considering everything, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t care.”

“Good, because neither do I,” Perseus said as he leaned forward.

Teddy remembered their first kiss well, even though that moment had been a blur. It had been quick and full of passion, but it had left him feeling both confused and wanting more. He knew this time would be different because this kiss was softer and felt more like an exploration than what they’d shared before. Perseus was more careful, almost as if he expected Teddy to push him away.

Teddy had no plans to do that.

He moved carefully as he stepped closer. Their chests touched, and Perseus sucked in a breath. He didn’t lean back, and he didn’t stop kissing Teddy. Teddy thought it was a good sign.

He deepened the kiss as he wrapped his arms around Perseus’s waist. Perseus leaned against him as if he trusted him. Teddy hoped he did, but even if he didn’t, he would eventually.

Teddy could wait.

Well, he could wait for Perseus to trust him, but not to get his hands on his mate. He didn’t know what Perseus had in mind, but after what had happened the first time they’d kissed, Teddy had a good idea. He grinned against Perseus’s lips and shimmered them straight to his mate’s bedroom.

Perseus blinked and stepped away, but Teddy didn’t allow him to move far. Now that he’d gotten his hands on his mate, he wasn’t done.

“We could have taken the stairs,” Perseus grumbled because he’d always be a grumbler at heart.

Teddy pulled him back into his arms. “What would be the fun in that? Besides, it would have taken a lot more time, and we might have hurt ourselves falling down the stairs or something.”

Perseus snickered. “Or maybe you’re just too lazy to take the stairs.”

Teddy kissed Perseus’s jaw, then his neck. “Or maybe I was so excited that I couldn’t wait one second longer to get my hands on you.”

Perseus mumbled something, but Teddy didn’t pay attention. He slid his hands under Perseus’s t-shirt, grinning when his mate shivered. He wanted to explore more, so he pulled the t-shirt up, happy when Perseus didn’t try to stop him. He threw it to the floor, then dropped to his knees to look up at his mate.

Perseus looked glorious. He didn’t smile often, but when he did, like he was now, he made Teddy fall for him a little bit more. Teddy knew that if he told Perseus he was beautiful, Perseus would tell him to fuck off, so he didn’t. Perseus didn’t like compliments. He didn’t know how to take them. That meant Teddy would have to show his appreciation in a different way.

He unbuttoned Perseus’s jeans.

Perseus shuddered and stared down at Teddy. Since he didn’t ask Teddy to stop, Teddy lowered the jeans, his mouth watering at the sight of what had been hidden under them. His mate still wore his boxer briefs, but Teddy could see he was hard. The head of Perseus’s cock peeked from the elastic band, and Teddy couldn’t wait to get his hands—and his mouth—on it.

He did. Perseus still didn’t say anything when Teddy slid down his boxer briefs. He was still silent when Teddy helped him take off his shoes and then his clothes. He continued staring even once he was naked.

Teddy leaned forward and captured the head of Perseus’s cock between his lips. Perseus shuddered and buried his fingers into Teddy’s hair, pulling slightly. Teddy didn’t mind, so he didn’t try to stop him. He continued his exploration of his mate’s body, eager to find out what made Perseus cry out in pleasure and what made him beg.

“This would be better if you were naked, too,” Perseus said.

His voice was rougher than what Teddy was used to, a sure sign that this was having an effect on him. Teddy loved that.

Perseus’s cock was hard in his mouth and jerked every time he played with the slit in the head. He sucked as he moved up, then paused at the swollen head to play with it. He grinned at Perseus, who rolled his eyes and leaned down. The movement pushed his cock deeper into Teddy’s mouth, but that was fine. Teddy could take whatever his mate gave him.

He whimpered when he felt Perseus’s fingers slide into his jeans. He quickly opened them, eager to have his mate’s hands on him. He didn’t know what Perseus had in mind, but he would be up for pretty much anything as long as it meant that Perseus was touching him.

The position was slightly awkward, what with Perseus curled over Teddy, but Teddy was unwilling to let go of the cock in his mouth. He continued slurping at it, gripping Perseus’s thigh with one hand while playing with Perseus’s balls with the other.

Perseus stroked his hand up and down Teddy’s back a few times, then went lower until he reached Teddy’s hole. Teddy shuddered.

Thiswas what he wanted.

He’d been dreaming of this since he’d met Perseus, even before he’d committed to give their bond a chance. He’d spent a lot of time with his favorite dildo, so he wasn’t as tight as he would have been normally. That meant that Perseus’s finger slid inside of him smoothly, but they couldn’t go much further without lube.

Teddy let go of Perseus’s cock so he could go and grab it, but Perseus had something else in mind. He helped Teddy to his feet, then pushed him toward the bed. Teddy hadn’t thought he would like having someone else in charge. He usually didn’t.

Perseus was different because they were mates, and Teddy trusted him. Maybe that was why the thought of Perseus having his way with him made him feel so hot, but if it could happen yesterday, he’d be happy.

He thought Perseus would lower him onto the bed, but instead, he pushed him down until his knees hit the mattress. Teddy crawled onto the sheets, stopping when Perseus grabbed his hips with both hands. His jeans were still tangled around his ankles, but he didn’t care. He was also still in his t-shirt, and since he could do something about that, he quickly took it off as he felt Perseus pull his ass cheeks apart.

He cried out at the first swipe of Perseus’s tongue against his hole. He hadn’t expected that from his mate but wasn’t about to protest. He wanted Perseus all over him and inside of him in any way he could get him.

Right now, that was Perseus’s tongue in his ass.

Perseus knew what he was doing. He teased Teddy until Teddy’s legs felt shaky, and only then did he push his tongue inside of him. It made Teddy yearn for something much bigger that would stretch him as much as his dildo did, and he was way past caring about what Perseus would think of him if he demanded to be fucked.

“More,” Teddy moaned as he reached back with one hand and held his ass cheek open.

He felt Perseus lean away, and while part of him wanted to push his ass back against his mate’s face, he knew something even better was coming.

Teddy didn’t dare look back as he felt Perseus reach for the nightstand. He was afraid that seeing what was about to happen would send him hurtling over the edge, and he wasn’t ready for that yet. He kept himself open to entice Perseus to move faster, but he probably didn’t need to. Perseus wanted this as much as he did.

That was obvious in the way Perseus finally took Teddy. He didn’t waste time stretching Teddy too much. He shoved two slick fingers inside of him, moving them in and out. The fingers didn’t linger, and the next thing that pressed against Teddy’s ass was much bigger.

He savored the moment. He wanted to shove back, but he trusted Perseus to take care of him.

Perseus pushed inside of him in one smooth movement. He didn’t pause to ask if Teddy was all right, and he didn’t go slow. He didn’t stop to give Teddy the time to get used to his girth.

He set a hard rhythm that made Teddy want to scream. Instead, he wrapped his fingers around his cock. He wouldn’t last long, but he’d never had plans to. He needed to come, and doing so with his mate’s cock in his ass would be incredible. He felt full and like Perseus was making him his. They wouldn’t bond, but this was good, too.

It was more than good.

Perseus squeezed Teddy’s hips so hard it hurt, but Teddy didn’t complain because his mate’s cock jerked inside of him. The thought that he’d made Perseus come, that he was milking his cock, sent him over the edge.

Well, that, and his hand. He came, spurting all over the sheet. Thankfully, Perseus didn’t let go because he would have fallen flat into the now wet spot. Instead, after pausing for a few seconds, Perseus moved them. His cock slid out of Teddy, and Teddy collapsed as soon as he was away from the dirty spot on the sheet.

They were both panting, and Perseus was still on his knees, looking down at Teddy. Teddy rolled so they could look at each other, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to say. Thank you?

“I didn’t expect it to be like this,” Perseus said.

“Neither did I.”

Perseus grinned. “But I liked it.”

Teddy found himself grinning back. How could he not? “That’s good, because I’m planning on doing this many, many more times.” For the rest of the long lives they’d have after they bonded.