Page 7 of The Dark Labyrinth

"You know it helps me think." Constantine looped his arm around Zo's once more. "Besides, if you stopped feeding me like I was a calf getting ready for slaughter, maybe I wouldn't have to spend so much time in the gym."

"Are you saying you don't like my cooking?" Zo asked. "Because I can stop feeding you."

"I like your everything, Zo. That's never been up for debate. And I would never want you to stop cooking, but I do worry about how much time you spend in that kitchen."

"I just got it the way I want it," Zo said stubbornly.

"Ah, huh. It looks like delicious procrastination to me. I need you to get writing again so I don't run to fat," Constantine replied.

"You have always been built like a tank. I doubt some extra biscotti is going to change that."

"It won't be an issue if you start writing again. It's your magic, Zo. You can't just turn it off and expect yourself to be fine."

Zo huffed. "Maybe now that Alexis is back, I can talk to him about the magic. It's still on a high tide, and gods know how long it will maintain now that Thevetat and his worshippers are gone."

"Well, if anyone has been overthinking it, it’s Alexis. Doesn't give you an excuse not to write me things," Constantine replied as they made their way back down the Calle dei Cercheiri.

"You aren't going to let this go, are you?" Zo sighed.

"No." Constantine's arm moved to his shoulders and gave him a hard squeeze. "And we know it's always better to give me what I want,amico."

"I have been thinking of a story for a while, but I don't know if it's ready," Zo admitted.

"There you go. It's ready for a start, at least."

Zo didn't push the heavy arm from his shoulder, and Constantine didn't move it. They walked the rest of the way in companionable silence, Zo thinking of a good place to start his new workifhe was to start it.

The blue door with its shimmering flower-of-life pattern appeared, and when Zo reached for the handle, a bundle of mistletoe bloomed above them.

"Someone is feeling the Christmas spirit," Zo said, trying the handle. It didn't open. "What the hell? Let us in!"

"I think it wants us to take advantage of the mistletoe," Constantine replied.

Before Zo could understand what was happening, big hands rested on his face, and lips pressed to his. His unmanly squeak of surprise was smothered by a drowning heat that stretched from his lips to his toes.

He was clearly in the mood for self-harm because Zo found himself leaning into the embrace. His overcrowded mind went blissfully blank, and all he could do was twist his fingers into Constantine's soft curls and let himself burn.

The door to the villa swung open of its own accord, and someone cleared their throat. Zo stumbled down the step inside, almost crashing into Alexis.

"Well," was all Alexis said, his brows high. "I was wondering when you two would be back."

"We were busy," Constantine replied, sailing inside and removing his coat like he didn't just break Zo's brain.

Alexis crossed his arms. "I can see that."

"Don't be a mother hen now that you are home, Alecto," Constantine chided.

Alexis's brows lowered into a frown. "Don't give me a reason to. Zo, get out of the way so the door can shut at least."

Zo was still standing frozen in place, his whole equilibrium still shattered.Constantine kissed me.

"But...you're straight!" he stammered, the beginnings of a panic attack starting to grip him.

"Since when?" Constantine put his hands on his hips. "I've never put my spirituality in a box, so why would you expect me to do the same to my sexuality? Really, Zo, I thought you, of all people, should know me better."

"But..."

"Consider it inspiration for that book you are going to start writing for me," Constantine replied with a devilish grin. "And don't just stand there gawping. You have dinner about to burn, and I'm starving."

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