Page 71 of Wings of Strife
I do as he says, grumbling to myself as he leaves, which only causes him to laugh. Rude.
While I shower, I can’t stop thinking about what it means to have all three of them here with me. I’m honestly not sure what to make of it. It feels like a big step, but maybe with everything that’s happened, we’re all ready to get along. I fucking hope so. After today, I don’t think I can handle any more confrontation.
In record time, I’m clean and freshly dressed in a pair of sleep shorts and tank top when there’s a knock on my door.
“Open up, firefly,” Theo calls, and I rush to answer it.
Raphael hands me a bag of snacks, then opens the door as far as possible for Theo and Zeke to carry in a mattress. A fucking mattress. What the hell?
I laugh. “What is even happening right now?”
The three of them share a look, but it’s Zeke who responds. “We thought it was a good idea if all of us hung out. Are you down for a group movie night? We’ll even let you pick the film.”
“To be totally honest, sunshine, the options are limited, but you still get the final say.”
This feels like an alternate reality. The last time I watched a movie was at the park when Raphael did delicious things to my body. Alone in my room with the three of them, I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep my cool.
“What’s that for?” I ask, my voice coming out squeaky. Fuck. I bet they know what I’m thinking already. But it’s too soon. We don’t even know if everyone can get along, let alone if they’d all want to be naked at the same time.Get a grip, Hayles.
“I figured we’d crash here tonight, if that’s alright with you. Your bed is way too small for all of us to sleep on,” Theo says.
“Why?” Raphael teases. “What were you thinking it’s for?”
“Uh …” Heat rises to my cheeks.
“We’re all here because we want to be near you, firefly. Don’t get me wrong, we want the other stuff too, but it’s just to make sure this can work first before removing any clothes.”
“Right,” I say breathlessly, already picturing them naked. Shit.
“See?” Theo elbows Zeke playfully. “Told you.”
“Movies!” I blurt like an idiot. “For the love of the Archangels, someone show me the damn options so we can move on from this awkward conversation.”
“You mean the one where the three of us fuck you?” Raphael says with all the nonchalance of a news reporter. “Because we will, sunshine. But tonight is just about bonding and relaxing. The ravishing will come later.”
“I’d like that,” I whisper, locking eyes with Zeke. Theo hands me a list of movies, and I skim over the titles. They all sound romantic except for one calledJohn Wick. Probably best not to add any more fuel to the raging fire that is my desire for these guys.
While they’re setting it up, I mention how I’m surprised Seraphina and Cadriel have been acting mostly civilized lately. Weird that it’s the Fallen giving me more trouble than those two. Oh, how things have changed.
“I heard their parents threatened to cut them off if they made another scene,” Raphael says, snorting a laugh at my bewildered expression.
“No fucking way!”
“I’d have loved to witness those conversations,” Theo says, and I nod in agreement.
The movie begins, and we all keep our distance. Slowly, we gravitate toward one another until Raphael rests his head in my lap, while Theo and Zeke sit on either side of me. We all share occasional soft touches that have my heart singing with joy.
This is what I was missing. All of us in the same room getting along. Laughing and talking like nothing in the world could harm us as long as we stay together.
31
Last night feels like a dream.
Zeke was on his best behavior, and so was Raph. The two of them got along far better than I expected for our first official hang out as a group. I know they’re only doing it for Hayliel’s benefit, but it’s nice to see that we can all put aside our differences.
All morning I’ve thought about how we can keep this momentum going and push forward. Not that I want to rush anything, but seeing how happy Hayliel was to have us all together really put things into perspective.
I consider our options while I wait for Castiel in the cave.
