Heart swelling, Obie turns to his hunter. Chester is still kneeling next to the bed with just his head and chest visible, his shaky legs probably not recovered enough to support his weight yet, but his grip is steady around Obie’s hand and his eyes are soft and concerned.
And this is real. Obie gets to have this, gets to have someone he loves, gets to have someone who loves him in return?—
Gets to have Chester Locke, the hunter who was willing to run headfirst into Tamaros to save a demon god.Better now,Obie pushes through their telepathic link, and he shifts forward on the mattress, slips a hand behind Chester’s head, and pulls him in to kiss him.
Chester melts into the kiss like there aren’t nearly a dozen people watching them, pressing back against Obie and framing Obie’s face between still-trembling hands. Obie takes his time, breathing Chester in, committing the warmth of his lips to memory, savoring the taste of him?—
It’s not the same heady rush as last night. This time, it feels like comfort and safety and familiarity. This time, it feels like affection and devotion and loyalty.
This time, it feels like coming home.
Obie breaks the kiss first, pulling just far enough away to meet Chester’s eyes. “I love you, too. You know that, right?”
Chester’s eyes are shining. “I mean, I’d kind of hoped so,” he says, hugging him tightly. “But yeah. Yeah, I know that.”
And, with his newfound family gathered around him and the love of his life—ofallhis lives—holding him close, Obie closes his eyes and lets himself relax for the first time in what feels like years.
45
Little four-year-old Desi is fussing over Obie. It’s probably the cutest thing Chester has ever seen. “And make sure you drinkallyour hot cocoa,” she instructs him firmly, closing his fingers around the steaming mug. “It’ll make you feel better. Okay, Uncle Obie?”
“Okay, Desi,” Obie says dutifully, pretending to take a sip of the still-too-hot beverage. Chester’s heart warms a little at the sight, and it absolutely melts into a puddle when Obie nudges Chester’s side. “But can I share some with my boyfriend, too?”
Desi pouts. “But it’s foryou,Uncle Obie.” Her eyes brighten. “But I can makeanothermug for Mr. Chester!”
She dashes off before either of them can respond, busily climbing up on a chair to grab another packet of hot cocoa mix. JJ hustles over to make sure she doesn’t fall off the aforementioned chair, and Chester fights back a laugh, resting his temple on Obie’s shoulder and letting his gaze drift around Obie’s safe house.
Honestly, Chester would describe it as more of a safemansion.Itmight not be ostentatious—that’s not Obie’s style—but Obie casually mentioned that it has eight bedrooms and four bathrooms between the two levels, plus a common area on each floor and a massive kitchen on the ground floor.
A safe house where Obie can protect all the people he cares about under one roof. And it doesn’t even feel crowded, even though it’s currently housing Bryant, Maggie, and the Conspiracy Fam in addition to Obie’s usual fugitive besties. Plus, Cass rifted back to his own safe house to grab Desi shortly after they confirmed that no one would be dying today—although JJ tried to coax Roma into opening a human-magic rift for him, because that’s apparently a thing she can do now.
Chester wouldn’t trade his ridiculous friends for the world. Obie, either. Contentedly, he shifts closer to Obie’s side. “So it’s back to ‘Mr. Chester’ with Desi, huh?” he mumbles. “Not ‘Uncle’?”
Obie cards his fingers through Chester’s hair. “Give her time. I don’t think we’ve actually explained to her that you’re the same person as Kyle yet. She probably thinks you’re my side piece or something.”
Chester snorts indelicately. “Why does the toddler know what a side piece is?”
“ThatWyvern Academycartoon got pretty weird sometimes,” Obie says. “And handled some relatively mature themes for a show aimed at elementary schoolers.”
“Huh,” Chester says. “And, uh. And what happened to the side piece in this dragon-themed cartoon?”
“Wyvern-themed cartoon,” Obie corrects, giving Chester a sidelong glance. “And I… think it was fine? Polyamory was a topic under discussion.”
“Huh,” Chester repeats awkwardly. “Always nice to see good representation in kids’ shows.”
“It is,” Obie agrees casually.
And, in the next moment, his smooth voice winds through Chester’s head.Hey. You know that’s never going to happen, right? I mean, it took me fifteen damn millennia to find you. I’m officially off the market until further notice.
Contentment swirls through Chester.I know,he pushes back, snuggling unabashedly against Obie’s side.But my sleep-deprived brain appreciates the reassurance.
You can probably take a quick nap now. Who even knows how long it’s going to take Desi to find enough marshmallows for your hot cocoa?
Chester obediently lets his eyes slide shut, hugging Obie’s arm to his chest.You know, I’m really going to miss this part of the binding spell when we finally break it.
Me, too.Obie’s voice turns considering.But maybe Ez could jury-rig a telepathic link for us? Maybe even one where we don’t have to be touching?
Chester fights back a grin.That could be dangerous, Obie. You don’t know what scandalous things I’ll say to you if you leave me unattended.
