for me to tackle by myself, I think. I might have wished a little too hard for one. It’s why I want the strength of my clan to back yours. All of the Sodalicium. We certainly have enough manpower—and firepower—to do some good here. But on a personal note, I came here for something else, too.”
“I love personal notes.” Ravi waggled his eyebrows in a mischievous manner. “Do tell.”
“Despite the size of my clan—which, as you know, is sizeable—I never found a personal connection there. I hoped that in another clan my odds might improve and I’d find someone I would like.”
Here Sora turned, orienting to face Ravi more directly. His expression was sweet, but a touch of nerves flickered across his face. “I found that far more quickly than I’d dreamed I would.”
Ravi found himself holding his breath. He thought he understood why Sora had pulled away earlier. Why he hadn’t kissed him. Because he wanted to be honest first, which was cool, Ravi now forgave him for the disappointment. They had that moment back, the tension and promise in full force, and Ravi found himself once more hanging on this man’s every action and word. Was Sora going to say what he really, dearly hoped he’d say? Because Ravi would be very much on board with it. Truly. Pleeeease say the right magic words. Like, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars, just ask right now because he couldn’t take the suspense for another second.
“I couldn’t ask this under a false name. I can now, since you know precisely who I am. Ravi, would you agree to—”
“Yes,” Ravi blurted out, no longer able to keep his mouth in check.
“—court?” Sora finished, nearly doubling over with laugh.
“Yes, yes, yes, come here,” Ravi demanded, grabbing his hands and tugging him in closer. “Why the hell are you a full foot away from me, what’s wrong with you?”
“Apologies, my cute dragon.” Sora stepped all the way in, framing Ravi’s face with both hands before leaning in and kissing him with sweet, smoldering heat.
Ravi might have melted. Fuck yes, that’s what he wanted. He kissed back, sinking into the moment. Ravi’s dragon reared its head and got all jittery and excited.
Oh. Say what now?
Ravi stilled for a heartbeat, startled. His dragon never voiced excitement over anything like this. Normally it stayed curled up, content to watch through human eyes as Ravi had his fun or did whatever he needed to in order to take the edge off.
Well, hot damn. Dragon also saying me likey. Ravi could work with that. He dove back into the kiss with enthusiasm, finally getting his hands into that awesome hair, which was as silky as it looked. Would Sora be into hair pulling? Ravi really wanted an answer to this question, and he’d like to ask it soon.
His seduction skills were maybe a tad rusty, but surely, he could get this man into bed with lube soon. Surely.
Ravi absolutely loved the confident way Sora kissed him, the needy little groans the man made as Ravi tangled their tongues together in a hot, slick glide. It proved to be too much for his fragile willpower.
On instinct, he tried getting a leg around Sora’s hips, really wanting them plastered together.
And then his ribs screamed in protest.
Ravi broke the kiss with a wince. “Oowwww. Sorry, ow, ow, not a good idea.”
Sora went into healer mode so quickly Ravi almost got whiplash. “Did you injure yourself? Tell me you didn’t aggravate the wound.”
“No, I’m good, just ribs saying no climbing you.” Ravi made a frustrated face, his nose crinkling up. “But I want to climb you.”
“Absolutely no climbing me—”
Ravi made a high-pitched whine of protest, already shaking his head.
“—until the bandages come off,” Sora finished, amused again. “You’ve really got to let me finish my sentences, dear heart.”
“But you start off saying really awful things,” Ravi protested. “Just checking, but I can totally climb you later, right?”
“Yes, I would love for you to. When it doesn’t cause you pain to do so.” Sora said that last part sternly. Like he didn’t trust Ravi’s willpower or something.
Which, fair. Ravi didn’t trust his own willpower most days.
And, really, could you blame him? Sora was the epitome of everything Ravi had ever wanted. Who wouldn’t want to tap that?
“I take it, from your enthusiasm, that you agree we should court?”
Ravi wound his arms back around Sora, tugging him in. “A thousand times yes, absolutely. I’m really glad the flirting was for