Custom-built Family

"What are you doing?" Zander smirked and crossed his arms as he leaned against the door frame. His hazel eyes were warm with amusement, and his dark brown hair looked freshly combed.

Nick sat up abruptly, snapping his book closed, shoving his notepad beneath his pillow, and regarding Zander with a supremely guilty look. "Nothing."

Zander scoffed. "Sure. You know that you're an abysmal liar, Massey."

Nick's cheeks warmed at the teasing. Lifting his chin, he leveled a belligerent glare at his partner. "I'm reading. About historical stuff in which you have absolutely no interest. So, unless you want me to bore you to death, I suggest you get lost."

The smile that spread across Zander's face was smug. It was a satisfied acceptance of the challenge that Nick didn't know he'd presented. Zander sauntered inside their room and nonchalantly draped himself across the large bed. Nick scowled at him and Zander responded with a radiant grin. "But Nicky, you know I love it when you read me stories."

"You hate history."

"But you make it so interesting."

"This isn't a storybook."

"You can turn anything into a good story."

"Why are you baiting me?" Nick's eyes narrowed with suspicion.

Zander grinned again. "Because it's fun."

Nick folded his arms over his chest. "Maybe I don't want to tell you. Maybe it's a surprise."

"Maybe I hate surprises."

"Too bad."

Zander lifted a dark eyebrow. "Feisty." He sat up and leaned over, planting a kiss on Nick's lips. "You're a lot bolder and more audacious since you came to Firebend, Nick Massey. We may turn you into a Fringer after all."

The corner of Nick's lips curled up. "I'll always be a Domer at heart, Zan. You can't get rid of the wide-eyed city boy entirely."

"Maybe I don't want to." Zander smiled as he leaned in close again, bumping their noses together. "Your wide-eyed city boy quirks are part of your charm." He kissed Nick, burying his fingers deep within his shaggy, light brown hair. "Keep your secret, then. But don't go overboard. I don't need elaborate shows of affection." Pulling back, Zander stood and extended his hand. "I came to fetch you for dinner."

Nick smiled and reached for him, allowing Zander to pull him up. "Thank you. I didn't even realize it was that late."

Zander chuckled. "I know. You'd get lost in your books for days if I let you."

Nick ducked his head with a sheepish smile. Looking over his shoulder, he located Newt, his palm-sized robot companion, who was watching them from the dresser. He crooked his fingers at the android. "Come on, bud. Let's go be sociable."

The little propellers atop Newt's rounded metal head whirred softly as he lifted from the dresser and glided over, alighting on Nick's shoulder, where he proceeded to nuzzle against Nick's neck. Chrrrr....

Zander smiled fondly and shook his head at the affectionate interaction. He'd professed, time and again, that he didn't understand how Nick could be so attached to an amalgamation of parts and circuits, but he seemed to have finally accepted that the bot was an integral part of Nick's life and wasn't going anywhere.

Nick and Newt's relationship was a study in symbiosis-neither of them could get on without the other and Nick knew he could rely upon Newt to watch out for him. He was also glad that the little robot had finally accepted Zander as an ally instead of a threat, as Newt had seen him at their first meeting. Newt had a wicked temper as part of his protectiveness over Nick, and it was good that Zander didn't have to worry about being on the pinchy end of Newt's strong grippers anymore.