Page 36 of Finn's Solace

"You mean like showing me pictures of thirteen-year-old Finn?"

"They wouldn't," he gasped, horrified, and I laughed.

"I've seen you at that age, remember? I don't need pictures to remember your cute smile or your forever pink nose."

Finn grumbled unintelligibly, making me laugh.

We talked until my food arrived, and then Finn stayed on as I ate, our conversation never hitting pause. We spoke about whatever came to mind, remembering the nicer bits of our time together as kids, sharing stories about our time apart, and making plans for the future.

It was easy, it was fun, and it felt damned good.

By the time I was ready for bed, I didn't want to stop talking to him. I would've pushed myself to stay awake, but when I yawned for the third time, Finn declared it was time for bed.

"Sleep well, Finn," I agreed reluctantly after he threatened to end the call, and I could hear the smile in his voice when he replied.

"Good night, Levi. See you tomorrow."

All I had to do was get through tomorrow, and I could see Finn again.

Fourteen

Finn

Dinner with Levi the next day was lowkey and fun, and we spent our meal either talking or in charged bits of silence. The only hitch in the evening came when we were outside, walking down the street hand in hand. We'd decided to take a walk since it was a nice, rain-free night, and because I hadn't wanted to leave Levi's company just yet.

We'd been walking for a few minutes when Levi gave my hand a squeeze, pulling my gaze to his.

"Are you ever going to tell me what kind of supe you are?"

I glanced away, and we fell into an awkward silence as I tried to figure out what to say. I wasn't sure why I hadn't told him yet. Maybe because I didn't want him to ask to see my other form? I hadn't shifted in ages, and while my other side was not happy about it, my practice keeping it in check was holding, and I knew it wouldn't be able to force its way out.

There wasn't really anything wrong with what I was. I just didn't feel like that side of me was, well, me. It felt alien to me, always had, which was why I kept it at a distance.

"It's okay if you don't want to tell me. I just remember how we used to make guesses about what you were, so I was curious. Sorry if I was being pushy," Levi murmured, leaning into me as he pressed a kiss on my jaw.

Meeting his eyes again, I knew he wouldn't push anymore, and that if I kept it a secret for the rest of my life, he'd let me.

"I'm a basilisk," I found myself saying, and Levi's brows went up at my confession. He whistled softly, his eyes taking a faraway look.

"Wow, I didn't think they existed anymore. I'm guessing Penny and Dean are the same?"

I nodded, and he shook his head in wonder. "That's amazing, Finn. You're, like, one of the old ones."

"I'm younger than you," I reminded him mildly, and he chuckled. I knew what he meant, though. While 'supes' or 'supernatural beings' was a blanket term for anyone who could possess or manipulate magic, there were nuances. Some beings, like dragons, unicorns, phoenixes, dryads, griffins, gargoyles, and yes, basilisks, had been around for a long, long time, way before humans.

When humanity became the apex predator—as far as they knew—the older supes started taking human form to blend in, and the other supe species originated from that point, when supe species who wouldn't have intermingled otherwise cametogether in the new world. That was how Raiden told the story anyway, and he and Alden were the oldest people around, and the most knowledgeable.

"I have no idea why you didn't want to tell me, but I'm glad you did," he said, shooting me a smile before turning his gaze forward.

I hesitated, then told him what had happened when I first found out about my powers. He listened intently, then squeezed me into a side-hug.

"Thank you for telling me that. I guess that explains the glasses."

I nodded. "I've been practicing for years, but I'm still afraid of what I could do if I lost control."

"I understand," Levi said, then pressed a kiss on my cheek, and we continued our walk in companionable silence. We made another circuit of the block before coming to a stop at Levi's car, and he pulled me closer, his hands falling to my hips as he smiled at me. "I had fun tonight. Talking to you is just as easy now as it used to be before."

"I feel the same," I whispered, and his smile widened as he leaned closer.

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