Laurent bit his lips so as not to smile too widely. Yes, Knight. We had sex yesterday. And today. And it was amazing.
Knight grinned. “I’m not a spy! I actually came over ‘cause I noticed Laurent was missing, and I figured you’d like to know. But looks like that mystery’s solved.”
Beast pulled his teeth over his bottom lip and played with Laurent’s hair. “Yeah, we needed to talk some things out.”
“I bet there was a lot of talking involved,” Knight said with a straight face. Beast opened his mouth to answer, but Knight raised both his hands and continued. “I’m not trying to be a shit. You know I love you, man. Good for you. Good to see you finally unblocked.”
Laurent wrapped his arms around Beast’s waist, so unbearably comforted by the protection the heavy arm offered. Everything he was anxious about seemed to disappear when they touched this way.
“What about me?” Laurent demanded. “Good for me too.”
Knight burst out laughing but offered an apologetic gesture when Beast made a face at him. “I know, I know. You have to teach him everything you know. It’s just too cute. Did this guy hide under a rock all this time? What do you say, Laurent? How has nobody snatched you for themselves before, with a face like that?”
Laurent smirked, even though the memory of Fane soured his good mood. “They tried. But it is I who decides who to welcome in my bed,” he said, but it fell a bit flat, because he didn’t actually own a bed.
Beast petted the top of his head while Knight looked between them in amusement. “Good choice then. Anyway, I’ll be off and leave you two lovebirds to it.”
Beast grunted. “Knight, can this stay between the three of us for now?”
Laurent paid attention to the words, unsure if they actually bothered him or if they were a relief. He wasn’t exactly sure how to navigate the minefield of social interactions and what the time spent with Beast in bed actually meant, so it was for the better if he could take his time. Hasn’t freedom been what he wanted from his pact with the devil in the first place? He wanted to never again be bound to someone.
Knight nodded. “Sure, no problem. It’s all good fun as long as everyone’s happy.” The last sentence seemed to be somehow aimed at Laurent, as if it was a question.
“Yes!” Laurent was quick to say. “I would rather take time figuring things out without people asking questions. Especially if that’s what Beast wants, too.”
Knight gave a deep sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. “Oh, man. I wish Jordan was like you.”
Beast put his hand on Laurent’s nape. “You know my opinion, brother. But it’s your woman and your choices.”
Knight slowly retreated to the door. “You know, I’m starting to agree with you. I hate it when people can’t make up their goddamn mind.”
Laurent considered if he should say anything, but his tongue itched, and it wasn’t like Knight could get violent when Laurent was under Beast’s arm, under his protection. “You have to excuse me, but isn’t it you who engages in dirty deeds with other people? Both men and women…”
Knight rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but she knows that we’re not exclusive. Come on. She can’t make up her mind if she’s fine with that or not. No one can tell me to do something I never agreed on.”
Laurent nodded slowly, trying to organize the information in his mind. He’d noticed that the relationships between people in the club were nothing like what he knew from his time, so he tried to take everything as it came.
Beast let go of Laurent and came up to a cupboard. He poured himself some juice and shrugged. “That’s the problem, isn’t it? She likes the idea of a guy like you but still tries to change you. Maybe that’s her fantasy? Domesticating you.”
Knight snorted. “Fuck knows. She’s got another think coming if you’re right. Anyway, I’m off. Take good care of my friend,” he said, winking Laurent’s way.
Laurent felt himself blush a bit and leaned against the edge of the sofa, left to his own thoughts and the glorious sight of Beast’s strong, naked body. “I would never try to domesticate you.” He hoped to have understood the connotations of the phrase correctly. Knight’s anger seemed to be about Jordan trying to tie him down, and it reminded him of Mr. Barnave and having to always do as he was told, never being free to decide about the things that mattered.
Beast’s gaze swiped over Laurent, and for once he wasn’t sure whether he’d said the right thing after all. Knight tapped his fingers against the door and opened it, disappearing from sight after a word of goodbye and leaving Laurent and Beast in a void of silence.