Page 52 of Vexing the Viper

"The whole Halloween Ball thing. It's a time when monsters all over the university get to celebrate being in their shifted forms. King, I'm always in this form. That's the reason I didn't want to go. Everyone was going to be out and happy, and I just haven't felt that at all. It's something I've struggled with my whole life. Not being able to shift, having to deal with all the stares and whispers. And, I mean, I deal with it. But each year, they have the Halloween Ball, and each year I've ditched it. I've found excuse after excuse to not attend, but this year there was you." I smile, my heart beating wildly. "You asked me to go, andI didn't know how to explain my insecurities to you. I know you would have understood, but it's hard for me to admit it to myself, let alone talk about it."

"I've known you've felt this way. Remember the day in the quad when you lost your glasses? You told me you hate always being in your monster form."

"I know, but still. It hasn't gotten easier for me. Everyone will be ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ over everyone's form, and I'll just be… there. I feel like I don't fit in–with monsters or humans. But I need you to know this: I amnotashamed of being with you or the fact you're a human. I promise you that."

King turns to face me, grabbing my other hand so he's cradling them both. "Niko, I am not ashamed of you or the fact you're a monster."

Tilting my head, I raise my eyebrow. "Thanks?"

"And I think you're forgetting something many others can't say at all."

"What's that?"

"That you're such an amazing monster, you always get to be in your monster form. Do you know there are probably monsters who crave the same thing you do? You want to shift, and I bet there's monsters who wish they were always in their shifted forms."

"I never thought of that. Kovi had mentioned something similar, but it's hard for me to change how I feel. To feel as though I’m worthy of being called a monster, but look so much like a human."

"I fell for you, monster and all. The fact that these guys," he pets Bo and Coby smiling softly before continuing, "are a part of you, is a bonus. I love you for who you are, and I will make it my mission to show you how amazing you are."

"You love me?" I choke out, tears filling my eyes.

"I do. I probably fell in love with you way before I should have. Your hatred was definitely a turn on. But I'm sorry about these past few days, too. I should have talked to you as well. All I wanted to do was show you off. I wanted to walk into that ball with you on my arm and show everyone what an amazing man I have."

"I'm sorry I didn't talk to you. My pride got in the way. But when Sam told me why you thought I didn't want to go, I had to find you. I promise you, one hundred percent, it was never about you. It was all me."

"Are you sure?"

"Kingston, I am sure. I could not be more proud to be with you. That is, if you still want to be with me."

"Of course, I still want to be with you. It's one of the reasons I was avoiding you for the past few days. I wasn't going to give you the chance to try and break up with me. I just didn't know how to talk to you about the fight."

"I love you." Smiling, a tear slips free, falling down my face. King sweetly wipes it away with his thumb before gripping my chin and pulling me close. He places a soft kiss onto my lips before pulling away. "I want to go in and show you off."

"Niko, we don't have to go in there. I wouldn't want to put you in an uncomfortable position."

"See, that's the thing I should have realized earlier. I always feel so safe with you. Not only the way you care for me, but the fact you care about each of my snakes. You make me feel seen and you love me for who I am, even with how grumpy I can be. I'm who I want to be when I'm with you. I'm a confident monster who isn't scared to walk into the world with you by my side." I snicker, wiping at my tears. "I may have figured this out a little bit too late, and I'm sorry, but better late than never, right?"

"I have loved you foryouthis whole time. I want to be your safe space. I want to be the one place you and all your snakes lay your heads at night knowing you're protected and cared for."

"We do know that. And I am grateful you love them as much as you love me."

"Of course, I do."

"Come on." Standing up, I dust off my jeans and reach my hand out to him. "I wanna show you off. I can do this. With you by my side, I can do anything."

While I know all my insecurities aren't going to magically disappear, it's a good first step for me to take. I haven't gone to one of these yet, and my feelings are too big and unfamiliar, but with my hand in King's, I know I have the support to do this. Taking a deep breath, I squeeze my boyfriend’s hand and walk up the stairs. Right before we reach the door, King pulls at my hand, dragging me into his body.

"I am so proud of you. And I am so turned on right now, knowing you're walking in there with your head held high and doing something that might make you uncomfortable."

"Thank you," I whisper, looking into his eyes. "Let's go, and then we can rush back to the dorm."

"Deal."

Walking into the banquet hall, I'm blown away. There are so many decorations everywhere. The university went all out for this. The hall is coated with Halloween decor, but it looks so much like Creelin U, I can't help but smile. The floating candelabras give off a light glow. The usually modern interior now matches the gothic architecture of the outside. I turn around in a circle, pausing when I see a photo booth.

"Would you want to take a picture with me?" I ask shyly, hoping he says yes.

"Hell, yes, I do. Come on." King drags me by the hand, my laughter filling the space around us. My emotions have been ona rollercoaster, but I am so damn happy right now, and I want to capture it as a memory.

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