Page 124 of Oh No! There's an Incubus in my Hot Spring
Apollo’s posture hasn’t changed so Mark mustn’t be giving off any aggressive vibes.
“Because I’m spending time with Apollo?” I ask.
He shakes his head like I’m an idiot. “You strolled into this town and charmed fucking everyone in a matter of days. You made friends so quickly, like it waseasy. Not only that, but you did actually work hard, notjustuse his magic.”
I shrug. “Well, you didn’t really give me an option but to use magic, so…”
“I know. I put down every obstacle in your path that I could without physically harming you or damaging the property, and you just steamrolled right through them.”
“You’re making it sound a lot easier than it was,” I say.
“Why didn’t you out me on Halloween?” he asks suddenly.
I look at Apollo and back to Mark. “Your personal business is not ours to tell.”
“You could’ve damaged my reputation,” he says, like it’s obvious that I should’ve done that.
I try to give him a kind smile, but it feels motherly. “Why would I waste my time on something that doesn’t bring me any happiness, or value?”
His brow wrinkles in confusion. “You could’ve gotten my clientele.”
“I don’t need them.”
“But you could’ve embarrassed me,” he argues.
“Why would I want to do that?”
“Retribution for what I put you through.”
“Mark, take note, my dude. For one, you put me through much less than Jason did, and yes, I know you sicced him on me, but hechoseto be the colossal fuckbag that he was anddoit. While I am still a little bitter about you blocking the contractors, it forced me to depend on Apollo. If I hadn’t, who knows what would’ve happened between us.”
Apollo squeezes my hand and smiles softly. “I would’ve won you over eventually.”
I huff. “I see where Mark gets that cocky confidence.”
We all laugh and the air in the room changes. It’s like something clicks into place that was out of alignment. I look at Apollo, his eyes singing with warmth and joy. He’s only ever wanted a family because his siblings were not like him. They shunned him. He’s been alone for so long and he just wanted to be loved. Seen.
I see you,I say with my eyes.
“He can’t hear you, buddy,”Charlie quacks.
No, but he can feel me.
“Ah, truth…Hey, can I come to the table? I’m feeling left out.”
I chuckle and get up, grab Charlie from the kitchen counter, and set him down between me and Apollo.
“That’s not strange at all,” Mark says sarcastically.
“The rubber duck is sentient. He was feeling left out,” Apollo says.
Mark’s eyes narrow on Charlie. And then they go wide and he sits back with a dopey grin. “Huh. Magic.”
“What happened to Jason, anyway?” I ask.
“I stopped paying him after the almost bar fight.” Mark finishes his wine. “Haven’t heard from him since. Thank god, too. Fucking kid was whiny as fuck.”
I snort and pour him a refill. “You know he’s in his thirties, right?”
