Aeglaeca stared me down while Briar worked on breakfast. I looked up at him with a puzzled expression, but he didn't say anything. I pouted and crossed my arms, just putting my head down on them.

It had been a couple hours after Briar and I had our time together but, like the rest of my possessive lovers, Briar didn't want me to heal myself from my aches and pains. It was proof of our lovemaking, or so they say. I think they just enjoy watching me hobble around before they pick me up (if they have the strength to do that).

"Aggie," I started, and Aeglaeca flinched. "It's your nickname."

Aeglaeca relaxed and slowly nodded. "Okay," he replied, then took a seat next to me at the island. "Are you sure you do not want to put me under a contract?"

I eyed him. "Are you thinking about doing something that you promised you wouldn't do?"

My demon companion shook his head. "I just wanted to be certain that you were, in fact, not planning on contracting me into absolute servitude anytime soon."

"Hopefully never 'cause you're my friend now, Aggie."

Aelgaeca hummed and dipped his head as a nod of understanding. Briar was just flipping the second omelet onto the plate to cut and share with everyone. Weirdly enough, Kyler didn't seem to be awake yet. He should be awake now because it's actually lunchtime.

"Bri, should I go check on Ky?"

Briar shut off the stove and glanced back at me with a nod. "That would be good. Thank you, Ann."

I smiled happily, then gingerly eased my rear end off the chair and slowly shuffled over to Kyler's room across the living room. It was on the opposite side of where the guest room is located because, as Briar told me, it was a really big master bedroom and ensuite bathroom. I didn't wonder why Briar knew that because he'd known Kyler for a pretty long time, so he must have hung out at Kyler's apartment before.

I gently knocked on the door and quietly called out his name. There was no response. I did sense him in there because of my magic wavelength and he is most definitely alive because of that, but maybe he was asleep?

I knocked a bit louder and I heard a gravelly response, "C-come in."

I opened the door a bit and slipped inside, although Kyler told me to close the door before I wandered deeper into his space. I was really surprised when I noticed how normal his room looked in comparison to his wacky, crazy, and flamboyant wardrobe. His room was still very stylish but, instead of lime green drapes on his windows and a zebra print bedspread like I was expecting, he had slightly off-white drapes with cornflower-blue bottoms and a matching bed set. His furniture was wood with a lighter design instead of the usual blocks I'd see and the color of the wood was a bluish gray.

Kyler was curled up in bed as I approached him and he didn't move to get up when I took a seat on the edge of the mattress. His super long light brown hair was splayed out on the pillows and he seemed at peace with me beside him. Kyler slowly exhaled as my fingers gently tucked a stray hair behind his left ear. He opened his blue-gray eyes and rolled slightly onto his back so he could look at my face.

"How are you feeling?" I asked softly. "Any abnormalities?"

Kyler shook his head. "I still feel a bit tired, but I might have slept too much. Thank you for checking in on me."

"You're welcome, Ky." I smiled happily, gently rubbing the underside of his jaw and watching him snuggle deeper into his bedding. "Bri made omelets. Do you want some?"

Kyler nodded. "I should get up. Want to help me pick something to wear?"

I hesitantly glanced at his walk-in closet. "I-I am not too familiar with your kind of fashion. Would it still be okay if I tried?"

He chuckled as he pushed himself up and now towered over me while sitting. I pouted and he snickered again, although I could see that his cheeks and ears were red for some reason.

"Of course it's okay, Anwyll." he replied quietly. "And you don't need to choose anything too wild since I'm just going to hang out in my own home."

I giggled. "That's true."

Kyler slowly pushed off his bed and yawned, then tousled my hair and headed for his bathroom. I got up off the bed and peeked at it, noticing a dark colored cloth underneath the covers. I frowned but didn't touch it. It might be Kyler's shirt because he'd been shirtless in bed.

I hurried over to the walk-in closet and slipped through one open door, then tapped on the light switch. My jaw dropped when I saw his closet. It was like Gavin's closet except that there were so many bright colors and patterns that it all made my eyes sting.

Focusing on one area that had more muted colors, patterns, and designs, I picked out a pair of cropped jeans with lighter wash with tiny faded stars for a pattern. I almost thought the stars were polkadots at first. For a shirt, I picked out a soft cream-colored hooded shirt that had a three-quarter sleeve and a big pocket on the front. The bottom hem had strings that were laced and tied into bows. I think Kyler won't say no to the outfit because he does have the items in his closet.

Kyler was just coming out of the bathroom with a fresh face and his waist-long hair pulled back when I set his clothes on the bed. I grinned at him and his cheeks warmed.

"I hope you like it, Ky. I'll let you pick out your socks and underwear."

At the mention of underwear, Kyler's face flooded with heat. He turned his head and I tilted mine. I chuckled and grasped a couple of his long fingers in my right hand, which made him tense. I hugged Kyler's arm, then let go a few moments later.

"I'll be out in the kitchen, Ky. Take your time!"

He nodded but didn't look at my face. Kyler was probably just embarrassed that I saw his collection of crazy underwear. I left his room and shut the door behind me, then hurried over to Briar and hugged his side. Briar chuckled and petted my hair, my tail wiggling while he purred. Aeglaeca looked down at his plate when Briar curled down to kiss me, but he met my curious gaze right afterwards.

"Anwyll," he murmured, and my ears perked up. The corners of his lips lifted slightly. "I know you are powerful enough to free both Kyler and myself at the same time, but was it too much extra trouble to soundproof the guest bedroom?"

My face paled in an instant. Briar stiffened and his skin flushed a deep red. Now my face went from being pale to red hot in an instant. I let go of Briar and nervously went around the island. Aeglaeca turned to look at me, but he was surprised when I hugged his waist and uttered a long string of apologies that were somewhat jumbled from my utter embarrassment.

My demon companion suddenly laughed and patted my head. I peered up at him with a flushed face, but Aeglaeca was too caught in his laughter to respond to my curious expression.

Briar came around the island and picked me up, tucking my body against his left side. My stomach growled the second Briar sat down with me on his lap at the island, so he stuffed my cheeks with a big bite of the cheese and tomato omelet. I hummed happily, chewing on the tasty food Briar made. My Emerged black jaguar purred and kissed my right temple, his tail holding my wiggling one against the chair's legs.

"Is it tasty, Ann?"

"Mmhm!" I replied with a close-lipped smile. Once I swallowed the bite, I said, "It's really yummy, Bri."

Briar's purring increased and he stabbed another bite of the omelet, continuing to feed me until I was comfortably full. I offered to feed Briar, but he refused and just had me snuggle in his arms while he began to eat the portion he prepared for himself.

Kyler came out of his room just as Aeglaeca was finally able to calm down. He thanked Briar for the food and plopped down between Aeglaeca and Briar, then stuffed his mouth to avoid talking.

"Um, Ky?"

He glanced at me and his eyebrows lifted slightly. "Hmm?"

My face turned red again and I clutched Briar's left side. "U-um, did you happen to, uh, hear Bri and me earlier?"

Kyler inhaled sharply and choked on his eggs, but I reached over and slapped his back. Kyler coughed a few times and breathed deeply of the air. Briar was blushing because now he knew his close friend and subordinate had also been privy to what Aeglaeca had heard.

"I-I'm sorry," I whispered, rubbing Kyler's back. "I forgot to soundproof 'cause I was still a bit tired."

Aeglaeca snorted to Kyler's left. "Tired? You were begging Briar to continue even with a hoarse voice."

"Aggie!" I exclaimed, and he shrugged.

Briar petted my head and calmed me down, but my embarrassment was still clear as day on my face. I think, although we were both reflecting on our mistakes (because he forgot to ask and I forgot to do it), Briar was still really pleased that he had claimed me as his lover.

Kyler had to take a few swigs of orange juice from a glass that Aeglaeca sent his way before the older man was well enough to talk. I did apologize for my forgetfulness and he accepted it, although his face was still burning like mine. Kyler leaned over and gave Briar and me a quick hug.

"Thanks for breakfast, Boss."

"Thank you for letting me stay here for a week and not kicking me out after..." Briar trailed off, his face on fire.

"I wouldn't do that, Briar." stated Kyler, on a more serious note. "You've done so much for me—both you and Anwyll."

I was already very curious to know his story, but now I was even more so at the mention of Briar helping Kyler. I wonder how they met and what they do together for a job. Briar returned the quick hug, then kissed my lips and handed me over to Kyler. Our friend was very startled as he tucked my back against his chest. Briar smirked and squeezed Kyler's shoulder, then whispered something to him that made his arms curl tighter around me.

"I'll get ready. Finish eating, Kyler."

"A-all right."

Aeglaeca collected Briar's and his own dishes, putting them into the sink before leaning on the counter. "I don't think I was meant to be here during this time, Anwyll." he remarked, crossing his arms.

"That is true, but that doesn't mean I don't want you here."

Aeglaeca hid his smile by looking away and pushing his fingers through his hair. "I bought some things I need for my stay here, but I don't feel comfortable sleeping on the couch."

Kyler ducked his head and tucked his nose down against my crown. My ears and tail flicked when he silently exhaled since the hot air ghosted over both my nape and scalp. But now Kyler wasn't eating, so I turned around a bit on his lap and prepared a bite of food for him. Kyler stared blankly at my face, then opened his mouth. While I fed Kyler, I petted his head and he smiled ever so gently.

I looked back at Aeglaeca, then grinned at him. "Then do you want your own space?"

My demon companion straightened. "You can do that?"

"Mm, yup." I said with a smile. "After you meet my family, I can connect your space to my home."

Aeglaeca silently agreed, then asked, "Can it look similar to this with less space? There's only me after all."

I smirked and tossed him a key I'd made in an instant. Aeglaeca lifted his hand and caught it between his fingers. He looked down at the black skeleton key and glanced up at me with a curious expression.

"Try it out, Aggie." I said with a smirk, gesturing to where he was standing. "I think you'll like it."

"What do I do with this key?"

"Well, it's what forms the door to your separate space." I replied, gently rubbing Kyler's chest with my left hand's knuckles. Kyler was quiet with his head resting on top of mine. I didn't mind it since I quite liked Kyler.

"What if—?"

"If you need anything, let me know. I can add anything you're lacking."

Aeglaeca was a bit bewildered, but he held up the key and hesitantly pushed it forward into the air. We all heard a click and then a clunk as my demon companion turned the key. A deep red door with cream-colored trim appeared in the middle of Kyler's kitchen. Kyler inhaled sharply but then relaxed after my left hand kept moving. Aeglaeca turned the doorknob and opened the door inwards, his eyes widening as he peered inside.

"What in the world?" he breathed, looking around the door from the outside and then through the doorway. "Anwyll, this is astonishing."

"Astonishing and all yours. Go check it out."

Aeglaeca's crimson irises gleamed with a childlike expression of happiness on his face. He slipped through the doorway and disappeared, so I turned fully sideways on Kyler's lap. I hugged his neck for a moment, then he nuzzled my shoulder.

"Are you coming with us, Ky?"

"Mmhm," he hummed.

He didn't seem to be interested in getting changed, which surprised me a bit. Kyler is definitely acting weirdly. He was much, much more energetic yesterday than today. But he wasn't sick. I could sense his physical health due to our magic-based connection, and I would never pry into his mind. Even so, I was really concerned about Kyler.

I tilted my head as I stroked his nape with my fingers. "What's wrong?" I asked softly. "Are you tired?"

"A bit, yeah."

"Are you sure you want to come?"

Kyler nodded. "I'm sure." he replied, although he sounded like he was resigning himself to something as Briar strode into the kitchen.

Briar stopped short when he saw the doorway, then sighed and shook his head. He moved around to the front, then peeked his head through the doorway. He let Aeglaeca know that we would be heading out soon, so I heard my demon companion's response increase in volume. Briar stepped back as Aeglaeca burst free and almost ran around the island. He grabbed me from Kyler and hugged me tightly.

"Thank you!" he exclaimed into my shoulder. "You have most certainly made my dream come true."

I giggled and hugged his neck. "Well, we did talk about it before."

"We did, but I did not think you would remember. Thank you so m-much, Anwyll..." he whispered in a choked voice, rocking back and forth. "You gave me my perfect home in my dream environment."

"Of course. Thank you for being my friend, Aggie."