And Aspen grimaced. "How do I know? I mean, I can tell Keir's hot. He has pretty eyes, a nice jaw, big muscles, and all that stuff. I can objectively tell he's handsome."
My face was getting a little warmer. I tried hard to make it stop.
"But you just aren't into him, or guys in general?" Rain asked. "I'm not judging, and Keir won't care. I'm just trying to figure it out. I mean, for me, I never was into girls before, but I also never really took the time to see. I knew some were pretty, but it was like the popular ones? Girls everyone wanted to be like, not get naked with."
"I think," I said gently, not wanting to shove my way into this if they didn't want my opinion, "it's really more about the touching. If you want to touch their hand, their hair, brush arms, and that sort of thing. Because liking guys and girls is very different for me."
"Oh my god, same!" Rain said.
Aspen just flopped one arm against my chest. "I always thought guys were gross, but they weren't fae. I mean, human boys? Eww!"
"I dunno," I said. "Some of those guys are kinda hot."
"I happen to like human boys too," Rain said with a smirk.
"Stick with us fae," I told her. "Trust me, Aspen and I are way better than any mere human boy. Never mind that they get better muscles than us."
"They aren't as pretty," Rain said. "And I do kinda like pretty."
So I tugged her over me and shifted to the wall, effectively dropping Rain in the middle. "That's why you're supposed to be in the middle, Rain."
"Oh!" Aspen squealed. "I like this!"
"Mhm," I agreed, shifting in so I could kiss Rain's neck.
Aspen lifted up and rolled closer, claiming Rain's mouth. I could feel Rain tense, clearly nervous, but she didn't pull away. Instead, I pressed a hand over her belly, making sure she couldfeel where it was and that it wasn't roaming, and kissed her neck again.
"You two make me happy," I whispered in her ear.
But it was Aspen who pulled back to look at me. "Yeah?"
I nodded. "Yeah. You're good to our girlfriend."
"And she's good to us," Aspen said, sliding down to snuggle up against Rain's side. "Just don't be jealous when she becomes friends with Torian?"
I shook my head. "Nope. I already know he kissed her. I also know she didn't mind. I figure whatever happens there is all good with me. I mean, we're one court, right?"
"No," Rain groaned. "I was just - "
"Helping him with Harper," Aspen finished for her. "But Rain, I can feel the lie hanging at the edge of that."
"You liked kissing him," I said. "We're just making it clear there's nothing wrong with it. That way, if he's a dick and tries again, you won't feel pressured to respond one way or another. Be his friend, his lover, or anything else. I think we're all ok with however this goes."
"One big happy family," Aspen said as she slid her fingers between Rain's. "But I'mnotsleeping with my brother. And I mean in any arrangement!"
"Nope, not a turn on," I agreed. "Now, putting Rain between me and him?" Thrusting out my lower lip, I nodded.
"Keir!" Rain groaned, pulling her hands free to slap them over her pink face. "You two are ganging up on me again!"
"Mhm," I said. "Mostly because your reactions are just too cute."
I decided I wouldn't remind her that we couldn't lie. No, she'd remember that part if and when she needed to. Just knowing Aspen and I were on the same page was the part I'd been going for. And across Rain's body, the Winter Queen met my eyes and smiled.
"She calms him down," she mouthed.
I nodded. "He needs her." There was no sound with my words either.
"So do we," Aspen agreed.
