But he has to try one more time. For Cass’s sake. “It’s going to be complicated.”
To JJ’s surprise, Cass snorts. “It’s been complicated from the start. We met in an ice cream parlor after mutually kidnapping a demon toddler. Honestly, I think this is the easiest part so far.”
JJ huffs out another laugh. “Yeah. Maybe,” he says, and he curls his arm around Cass’s shoulders again, letting his head fall back and his eyes slide closed. For a few minutes, they lapse into silence.
It feels different now, though. Less warm and fuzzy.
Sadder.
JJ’s heart twists. “Sorry,” he whispers. “For ruining the moment.”
Cass’s arm tightens around him. “You’re not ruining anything. You’re thinking ahead and asking reasonable questions. I—I appreciate that you’re thinking about me, and the future, and a future with both of us in it.” He turns his head, pressing a kiss to JJ’s collarbone. “But, if it’s okay with you, I’m going to ask that we start thinking about that tomorrow. Not today. Today, I just want to enjoy this. Enjoy what we have right now.”
JJ’s chest feels warm. “I’d really like that,” he agrees softly.
He can hear the smile in Cass’s voice. “Good,” he murmurs, and he relaxes against JJ’s side, boneless and content. “Good.”
And this time, the silence feels a lot lighter.
36
So it’s just past twelve-thirty,” Cass says, tugging on his jeans, “and Desi isn’t coming home until tomorrow morning. As such, I propose a schedule that includes going back to the house, shower sex, laundry, and bedroom, in that order.”
JJ looks like he’s fighting back a smile. “Can I assume that the bedroom involves more sex?”
Cass pretends to consider this. “I mean, Iguesswe can take a nap if you’re tired. But we should definitely get naked at least one more time while we have the house to ourselves. Who knows when we’ll have another opportunity like this?”
“I agree with all of the above,” JJ says, pulling on his shirt. “But I would also argue that we should add a lunch break to the schedule?”
Belatedly, Cass glances over at the forgotten bag with their picnic lunch. “Well, the sandwiches are already done,” he says, grinning. “So maybe we can just make some hot cocoa to go with them?”
JJ’s eyes light up. “I’ll always say yes to hot cocoa.”
“Good,” Cass whispers, and he leans forward to press a gentle kiss to JJ’s lips.
And heplansfor it to be a quick kiss—really, he does—but it proves impossible to break away when JJ lets out a contented sigh and melts into Cass’s arms. He loops his arms around Cass’s neck and presses his body against Cass’s like they’ve already done this dozens of times,hundredsof times.
Like they were always meant to end up here. Reluctantly, Cass pulls away. “So, ah,” he says, and he clears his throat. “Do we want lunch before or after shower sex?”
JJ looks a little dazed from the kiss, but he makes a valiant attempt to rally. “Maybe before? Shower sex sounds complicated. Not something I want to try on an empty stomach.”
“Don’t worry,” Cass says, and he intertwines his fingers with JJ’s. “I’ll handle all the little details.”
JJ smiles. It’s a wider smile than usual, a more relaxed smile. A smile that Cass likes to think might be just for him. “Thanks, Cass,” JJ says softly, and he leans over to touch a kiss to Cass’s cheek. It’s light and tentative, barely even a peck, but it still makes Cass’s heart twirl with delight.
They can really do this now. They can reallyhavethis now.
It feels like a dream come true. “Entirely my pleasure,” Cass whispers back, and he hastily snaps open a rift before he can be tempted to summon their cozy blanket and have his way with JJ again right here. “Shall we?”
JJ squeezes Cass’s hand. “Always,” he says, and they step through side by side.
The living room of Cass’s safe house is as familiar as ever, but as his eyes adjust to being back indoors, it feels like he’s seeing it in a new light. The stuffed animals strewn across the couch cushions, the cracked-open paperbacks on the armrests, the half-forgotten cups of tea on the coffee table?—
Everything makes it feel more like home.Theirhome, Cass’s and JJ’s and Desi’s, too.
And with JJ by his side, fingers still threaded through his own, Cass knows that it’s everything he never knew he wanted. “So I vote that we eat our sandwiches while cuddling on the couch,” he announces, strolling towards the kitchen.
“Is there any other way to eat a sandwich?” JJ asks, following in his wake and leaning his hip against the counter while Cass sets up the teakettle. “And can we have the hot cocoa with mini marshmallows?”
