These Cages We Build for Ourselves

Chapter 18

Steam rises from two pots of pumpkin soup as Nash and Niko work side by side at the stove. They've been cooking together most nights recently. It started with Nash watching Niko cook, wanting to learn without getting in the way, but it's evolved into informal cooking lessons. Nash has noticed Niko cooking fresh meals more often now, doing less meal prep. It feels like maybe he actually enjoys the company.

Not that Niko's ever made him feel unwelcome, but Nash hadn't expected a place to live when he took this job. But then Niko found out that Nash was living in his car, and since Niko lived on his own in a four bedroom house, it made sense. Niko said it was more convenient to have Nash close at hand anyway, plus a little extra home security in the form of a werewolf roommate never hurts.

Still, Nash is careful not to overstep. However comfortable it's becoming, this is Niko's home, not his.

The kitchen fills with the rich smell of soup, and Nash is already anticipating burning his tongue on soup he's too impatient to let cool when Niko's phone rings. Niko checks the screen, frowns, then turns it to show Nash the caller: Sable.

"Niko," Niko answers. As he listens, an amused smile creeps across his face. "Oh, hello, Aster. Yes, Nash did mention that." His smile widens. "I advised against it, but he's an adult. He can make his own decisions." A pause, then a laugh. "Believe me, I don't disagree. Did you just call to berate me, or would you like to talk to Nash?"

After another moment of listening, Niko holds out the phone. "It's Aster," he says, unnecessarily.

Nash takes the phone, half-aware of Niko taking their food off the burners behind him. "Hey," he breathes.

"Hey," Aster echoes, and something in Nash's chest tightens at how normal it sounds.

"What's up?"

"Oh, not much," Aster says. "Just working on this enchantment."

"For the necklace?"

"Mm."

"It's good enough, then? The sentiment?"

"You really have to ask?"

Nash leans back against the counter, one hand braced on its surface to steady himself. "Well, like I said. It's hard to quantify."

"Not for me."

"Ah," Nash says, heat creeping up his neck as it suddenly hits him that putting all of his feelings into something and then giving it to someone who's especially magically attuned to feelings might be a tad revealing.

"What are you up to?"

"I'm—" Nash turns to find Niko ladling soup into bowls. "We just finished cooking dinner." He catches Niko's eye, gesturing at the phone then the stairs with a questioning look. It's Niko's phone, after all. When Niko nods, Nash grabs his bowl with a grateful smile. "I'll take it up to my room and we can keep talking if you want."

"Mmhm," Aster hums.

"You know, I'm starting to get suspicious," Nash says once he's safely up the stairs, out of Niko's hearing range. "The only other time I've seen you this friendly was when you were messing with Niko."

"That obvious, huh?" Aster's voice holds no bite, just quiet amusement.

Nash laughs, settling at his desk. "Well, you're either up to something or you actually like me, and I know which one seems more likely." He lifts a spoonful of soup to his mouth.

"It helps if I can get a read on you, for the enchantment. A strong connection. What are you wearing?"

The soup burns its way into his lungs as Nash inhales in surprise. "Fuck, Aster," he sputters between coughs.