They played in the water for what felt like forever. Neither wanted to leave, neither wanted the moment to end.

  Eventually, Noah climbed out and sat on the edge of the pool, legs dangling in the water as he watched Micah swim. Micah noticed his gaze and drifted over, pulling himself up to sit beside him — close, but not quite touching.

  For a while, they sat in peaceful silence. Then Noah broke it.

  “You know… we’ve been living together for a while now, but I don’t really know much about you. Except for the part where you got lost from home.”

  Micah’s ears perked slightly. His wet clothes clung to him, his ears still fluffy despite being soaked, his tail dripping behind him. “You never asked,” he said simply. “So I didn’t bother saying anything.”

  “Yeah… sorry about that. But I’m here now, so you can tell me!” Noah said, excitement bubbling in his voice.

  Micah chuckled. “Alright. What do you want to know?”

  “What do you guys eat?”

  “Fish.”

  “How big?”

  “Big enough.”

  “What kind of fish?”

  “Noah!”

  “Okay, okay! I thought you said I could ask questions!”

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “Meaningful ones, silly human.”

  “Stop calling me human.”

  Micah tilted his head playfully. “What should I call you then?”

  “I don’t know… my name maybe?”

  “Alright hu— I mean, Noah.”

  Silence settled again, softer this time. Then Noah asked quietly:

  “Do you miss home?”

  Micah’s expression softened. “I do. That night I asked to sleep with you… that was why. I got homesick. And I felt… alone.”

  Noah’s smile faded into something gentler. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.”

  Another quiet moment. Noah groaned dramatically.

  “I hate awkward silence!”

  Micah only grinned.

  “Say something then,” he teased.

  Noah smirked. “Okay, you asked for it.”

  “Shoot.”

  “Do you have superpowers? Like in the books? Humans say you guys are evil or like demi?gorgons or something, but what do your ea—”

  “Woah, slow down.” Micah laughed. “We’re not demons or whatever you just said. But we do have twice the strength of a human. Usually twice the height too. We can hear things from miles away. And we run really fast.”

  Noah stared at him, wide?eyed. “That’s so much cooler than what I learned in books… you’re amazing.”

  Micah scratched the back of his neck, flustered. “There’s a reason humans and werewolves don’t mix. Humans see what they don’t understand as a threat.”

  “Yeah, well… it’s unfair. You’re so cool.”

  Micah’s ears twitched. “Glad you think so.”

  “Okay, last question.”

  Micah braced himself. “What now?”

  “Can I touch your ears again?”

  Micah flushed bright red. “N-no… that was a one?time thing. There’s a reason I don’t let people touch them, it’s bec—”

  Noah tugged his tail.

  “OW!”

  “Oops… sorry.”

  “Can I touch them? Please? I’ll be gentle.”

  Micah hesitated… then nodded.

  Noah’s fingers brushed his ears. They twitched shyly at first, almost trying to hide, then slowly relaxed under his touch. Micah sucked in a breath, cheeks still burning. Noah couldn’t help noticing how adorable he looked.

  “You’re cute,” Noah murmured.

  “A-am not!”

  “You are.”

  Micah didn’t argue this time. Noah kept playing with his hair for a moment longer before Micah stood and offered his hand.

  “Wanna go home?”

  Noah nodded. Micah scooped him up effortlessly and took off — running faster than the fastest cars on the road. Within minutes, they were back at the apartment, breathless and laughing.