Cleaning the plates and kitchen was a quiet affair, filled with lingering touches and stolen kisses between the pair. Kyle couldn't hide the grin on his face, which eventually made Lucas pause mid-swipe with his towel.

"Why are you so happy?" Lucas asked, his tone half-teasing, half-curious.

Kyle tugged the towel from Lucas's hands, tossing it aside. "Because you didn't bail on me," he said, his smile softening. "And we had an incredible dinner—prepared with love, no less."

Lucas's lips twitched, his hand absently brushing against Kyle's wrist. He shook his head, his voice half-teasing. "You're insufferable."

"Maybe," Kyle teased, leaning in for another quick kiss, "but you love it."

Before Lucas could respond, Kyle snapped his fingers. A small ball of fire materialized in his palm, but the flames danced in a vibrant, almost electric blue this time. The light reflected in Kyle's eyes, and Lucas could feel its warmth radiating from the other side of the kitchen.

Lucas's breath hitched, and he took an instinctive step closer, the heat from the flames brushing against his face like a summer breeze. He raised a hand but paused, his fingertips hovering near the blue fire, trembling slightly. "What happened to your flames?" he asked, his voice softer than he intended.

Kyle glanced at the fire, his grin widening as if he'd just noticed the change himself. "It's you," he said with a shrug, the flame flickering as he moved his hand. "Or better yet, your magic. The first time you made empanadas for me, I felt a boost of energy. But this time, it's something else. It's thriving on us—on our connection."

Lucas blinked, his eyes wide with disbelief. His mind raced, scanning for logic to explain it away. "What? But the ingredients were just regular stuff, no magic... Was it the basil?"

Kyle chuckled, stepping closer until they were just a breath apart. "No, just you. Your love. Your magic. Our magic, embedded in the empanadas." He paused, his grin turning mischievous. "I bet you could summon a whirlwind right now."

Lucas huffed, crossing his arms in mock irritation. "But we just cleaned the apartment."

Kyle smirked, tilting his head. "Maybe just a gentle breeze, then?"

Lucas balked, catching the hopeful glint in Kyle's eyes. He relented with a soft laugh. "Fine. But don't laugh if I fail."

Lucas stepped closer to the sink, eyeing the soapy water skeptically. "Maybe something even simpler, like soap bubbles. Let's see if this works."

Kyle leaned against the counter, arms crossed and gaze fixed on Lucas with curiosity and quiet awe. Beneath his teasing exterior, Kyle felt a pang of nervous anticipation. Lucas's progress with magic always filled him with pride, but it also stirred something more profound—a fragile, protective hope that Lucas would come to trust his powers and place in Kyle's world.

Lucas inhaled deeply, grounding himself as he'd learned to do. Slowly, he lifted his hand, focusing on the water's surface. His fingers tingled as he imagined the air dancing lightly through the soapy water, coaxing it upward.

At first, nothing happened. The soapy water swirled lazily, unbothered by Lucas's attempt. A flicker of doubt crossed his face, and Kyle tensed slightly, ready to encourage him if needed. Lucas closed his eyes, breathing heavily. The faint aroma of empanadas still lingered in the air, grounding him in the warmth of the evening and bringing with it memories of recent events and Kyle's unwavering support and love. A bead of sweat slid down his temple, but he pressed forward, exhaling slowly. He opened his eyes, imagining the air flowing freely through the suds.

The water's surface quivered, and a tiny, glimmering bubble floated upward. It shimmered faintly in the golden light, its surface catching hints of blue and green as it rose. The bubble spun slowly as though savoring its moment of existence. Lucas felt a flicker of pride that warmed his chest and made him hope he had the strength to stay with Kyle. His shoulders sagged with relief, and a disbelieving laugh rose from his chest.

The way Lucas's face lit up at the bubble's ascent made Kyle's heartache in the best way. For all his eons of existence, moments like these—small, human, impossibly tender—reminded him why he had chosen this path. "This is worth fighting for," he thought, brushing a stray curl from Lucas's forehead. His voice, filled with warmth, broke the silence. "See? I told you!"

The bubble popped with a soft plink, scattering faint droplets into the air. Lucas blinked, staring at the space where it had floated, his expression a mixture of amazement and disbelief.

"That expression suits you," Kyle teased, kissing Lucas's temple. "But get used to it. You're only scratching the surface." Kyle lingered in the moment, the bubble's pop echoing softly in his mind. It wasn't just magic—trust, love, and a future unfolding before his eyes, one shared breath at a time. No matter what Heaven's and Hell's plans were, as long as Lucas was with him, there was no way he would let them end it all.

Their laughter carried them through the rest of the cleanup, and soon Lucas pressed his head against Kyle's chest, savoring the quiet.

"We need to go to the university tomorrow?" Lucas mumbled.

Kyle ran a hand through Lucas's hair. "You do. New lectures, right?"

Lucas groaned. "New lectures, new teachers... same friends, though." He grinned, his fingers lightly tracing patterns on Kyle's arm.

Kyle kissed his temple. "Five more minutes of this, you can charge your phone and catch up with them."

As Lucas turned on his phone, notifications flooded the screen.

Manuel:
"Bro, did your hot roommate lock you in the apartment? Why is the store closed?"
"Tatiana's sister saw you hugging someone—was it Kyle? Finally, you're moving on from Jacob!"

Victor:
"P.S. We have a new professor tomorrow. Rumor has it he's terrifying. Can't wait to watch you squirm!"

Kyle leaned over Lucas's shoulder, chuckling. "They seem to like me."

Lucas swatted him playfully. "Don't let it go to your head."

As Kyle handed Lucas a steaming mug of coffee, he smirked. "Speaking of squirming, we've got inspections from City Hall coming up. Think you're ready for that?"

"What type of inspections?" Lucas asked, his curiosity piqued.

Kyle leaned back against the counter, the faint smell of dish soap mingling with the lingering aroma of wine and empanadas. He twirled an invisible charm with his fingers, the light from the overhead lamp casting playful shadows on the tiled floor. "Nothing I can't charm my way out of," he said with a wink.

Lucas groaned, laughing despite himself. "You're terrible."

Kyle's grin widened. "But you love me anyway. Shouldn't you prepare materials for your lectures tomorrow?"

Lucas pouted, "I will check them tomorrow. I need to rest today." a flicker of mischief danced in his eyes, leaving Lucas dumbfounded.

The quiet hum of the city drifted through the window as they prepared for bed. Kyle teased Lucas about how much time he needed in the bathroom. "Not everyone is effortlessly handsome and sexy like you," Lucas retorted, a grin tugging at his lips.

Kyle kissed him again. This time, it was bold and deep. They hadn't discussed which bed they would use that night, so Lucas took the initiative and, holding Kyle's hand, went to his bedroom.

Lucas straddled Kyle, his hands braced on either side of his chest. A playful smirk tugged at his lips as he leaned closer, his hair falling slightly into his eyes. "I'm noticing a pattern here," he teased, his voice a mixture of mischief and newfound confidence. You like it when I take the initiative."

Kyle's gaze warmed, his hands resting lightly on Lucas's thighs. "I find it hot," he admitted, his voice rich with sincerity. His fingers brushed against Lucas's sides, grounding them both in the moment. "There's a look you get when you feel confident—it is breathtaking. And knowing you want me regardless is even better."

Lucas chuckled, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on Kyle's chest. "I can't help it. I was doomed since we became roommates, and this place became my home; it slowly became a natural response, even with the supernatural elements at hand. We are a match even in that," he murmured, his tone softening as he met Kyle's gaze.

"Because it is," Kyle replied, brushing a strand of hair from Lucas's face. "With you, everything feels natural. Easy." He smiled, the weight of eons in his gaze tempered by the present moment. "And seeing you like this—open, comfortable... aroused—it's everything I could ask for."

Lucas's cheeks flushed faintly as he leaned closer, their foreheads almost touching. "I didn't think I'd feel like this again," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Safe. Wanted."

"You deserve to feel like this," Kyle murmured, his voice steady. He leaned up, capturing Lucas's lips in a slow, deliberate kiss. As the kiss deepened, Kyle shifted their positions with an easy, fluid motion, rolling Lucas gently onto his back.

Kyle had shared intimacy countless times before, but this was different. With Lucas, it wasn't about conquest or fleeting passion but about trust, which felt like permanence in a life where everything else had blurred with time. "He doesn't know how much I need this," Kyle realized, his hand lingering on Lucas's hip, grounding himself in the moment. "And if the moment arises," he said, his voice low and teasing, "We can take turns taking the lead. There's no rush, no expectations."

The soft glow of the bedside lamp bathed Kyle's face in warm, golden hues, casting shadows that softened his sharper features. Lucas's hand lingered on Kyle's cheek, tracing the faint edge of his jaw as their breaths mingled in the quiet. Lucas looked up at him, his brown eyes searching Kyle's expression. "You mean that," he said softly, wondering, lacing his tone.

Kyle could see the flicker of uncertainty in Lucas's brown eyes, but it didn't frustrate him. If anything, it made Kyle want to hold him closer. "Take your time," Kyle thought, his thumb brushing over Lucas's knuckles. "Of course I do," Kyle replied, carrying the weight of centuries of learned patience. He leaned down, pressing a kiss to Lucas's forehead, then to his cheek, his lips lingering just enough to ground Lucas in the moment. "With you, for you, I have all the time in the world."

Kyle leaned in, brushing his lips against Lucas's temple. "You're incredible, Lucas. Past and all."

Lucas grinned and kissed Kyle's neck, "I can say the same, Morningstar."

Their lips met again, deeper this time, the kiss carrying an unspoken question. Lucas's hand trailed Kyle's arm, his touch hesitant at first, then firmer as he leaned into the moment. His fingers grazed the edge of Kyle's waistband, and he paused, his breath catching.

Kyle pulled back slightly, his gaze searching Lucas's face. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, his voice filled with care.

Lucas nodded, his cheeks flushing. "Yeah. I just... I want to. I'm just not sure how far I'm ready to go."

Kyle smiled gently, his thumb brushing over Lucas's knuckles. "We'll go as far as you're comfortable," he reassured him. "You lead, and I'll follow."

Encouraged, Lucas shifted, his hand trailing down Kyle's chest. He marveled at how Kyle's muscles tensed slightly beneath his touch, a slight, unguarded reaction that made him feel bolder. He let his fingers dip lower, brushing Kyle's hip before faltering again.

Kyle's hand found Lucas's, guiding it gently. "Like this," he murmured, his tone soothing. He showed Lucas how to move, his touch firm but patient.

Lucas mirrored Kyle's movements, their touches syncing like an unspoken rhythm. Each caress built a quiet, deliberate intimacy that left Lucas vulnerable and safe. In Kyle's arms, he found a sanctuary he hadn't realized he needed. "Am I... is this okay?" Lucas asked, his voice tentative.

Kyle's lips curved into a soft smile. "More than okay," he said, his eyes meeting Lucas's. "It is perfect."

As their movements grew more confident, Kyle reached for Lucas, his hand trailing down his stomach. He paused just above the waistband of Lucas's boxers, glancing up for permission. Lucas nodded, his breath unsteady but his gaze unwavering.

Kyle's touch was careful and exploratory, as though he were memorizing every reaction. He murmured soft reassurances, his voice a steady presence that anchored Lucas. "You're doing so well," Kyle said. "Just let me know if you need me to stop."

Lucas closed his eyes, letting himself feel the intimacy of the moment—the way Kyle's hand moved with gentle precision, the warmth of their bodies pressed together, the quiet hum of mutual trust. He reached for Kyle again, their touches synchronized, a rhythm that felt like an unspoken conversation.

It wasn't rushed or frantic; it was deliberate, each motion layered with care and connection. As the intensity built, Lucas found himself letting go of the nervous tension that had lingered at the edges of his thoughts. In its place was a sense of safety, a grounding certainty that Kyle was present and unwavering.

When the moment peaked, it wasn't just about the release—it was about the closeness they'd shared, the trust they'd nurtured, and the unspoken promises they'd exchanged in the quiet language of touch.

As their breathing slowed and the room grew still again, Lucas rested his forehead against Kyle's, a soft laugh escaping him. "That was..."

"Amazing," Kyle finished, his smile tender. He kissed Lucas's temple, his arms wrapping around him. "Thank you for trusting me."

Lucas snuggled closer, his fingers tracing small patterns on Kyle's chest. "Thank you for being patient with me."

They stayed like that, wrapped in each other's warmth. The room was cloaked in shadows, and the lamp's soft glow cast their entwined bodies in golden relief. Outside, the distant murmur of city life filtered in, a faint reminder of a world that felt a lifetime away.

Lucas's head rested against Kyle's chest, his breath still uneven, his skin tingling where their bodies touched. The warmth of Kyle's arms around him felt grounding, like an anchor in a storm. As they lay entwined, Lucas traced absent patterns on Kyle's chest, his mind swirling with thoughts of the moment they'd shared.  It was the first time things with Kyle had escalated to intimate touch, and just as he had anticipated, their connection, the tenderness, and passion of the moment felt surreal.

As Lucas's breath evened out against his chest, Kyle's gaze wandered to the faint glow of the bedside lamp. For centuries, he had sought something akin to this—a love freely given, unburdened by expectations or fear. Yet, beneath the warmth of Lucas's touch, a quiet fear lingered: how much longer could they hold onto this peace before the world tried to tear it away?

The warmth between them was unlike anything Lucas had felt in years, but a flicker of unease crept in. The magic thrumming between him and Kyle—so visceral, so alive—felt eerily familiar. The memory of that night resurfaced with startling clarity: the pulsating rhythm of the concert thrumming through the ground, the scent of rain mingling with something sharp and electric. Lucas remembered how the air had seemed alive with unseen energy, every note of the music crackling with intensity. The crowd had blurred into a haze, yet he had felt entirely grounded when their eyes met—a gaze that seemed to pierce through him like the man saw more than Lucas had ever shown the world.

Lucas shivered. That same charge now coursed through his veins, tied to Kyle, as if connecting the two most surreal moments of his life in an unbroken thread. It wasn't just the sensation that struck him, but the familiarity—an echo of something he hadn't fully understood until now. Could Guy Number Two have been like Kyle, entangled in a world Lucas was only beginning to grasp? The thought sent a jolt through him, part wonder, part unease. He felt guilt for comparing Kyle to this past figure and was simultaneously overwhelmed by realizing how entangled his life has been in the supernatural.

Lucas's grip on Kyle tightened momentarily, and Kyle noticed. He silently wondered if Lucas was doubting him or if he was connecting the dots Kyle had tried to keep hidden. He caressed Lucas's body in silence and gently squeezed in return.

 As they lay entwined, Lucas broke the silence. "Do you ever worry about... how much of our lives are tied to magic?"

Kyle's fingers traced slow circles on Lucas's arm. "Every day. Especially with someone like Michael out there."

"Michael?" Lucas asked, his brow furrowing.

As Lucas asked about Michael, a shadow crossed Kyle's face. He wanted to shield Lucas from the complexities of his family, from the endless push and pull of celestial politics. But Lucas deserved the truth. Kyle reminded himself, his grip on Lucas's hand tightening briefly. "I have to trust him to handle this." He sighed. "My brother."

Lucas remembered the blond man from his dream encroaching at the underworld entrance. He groaned. "Is he that petty?"

Kyle held his hand. "It is a complicated relationship; he is not petty, but Michael might see us as a threat. And if he does, he won't stop until he's torn us apart."

"What about Teufel?" Lucas asked, "Shouldn't he be back soon to trap you again?"

"With Hell's bureaucracy, he must complete weeks of paperwork to explain his failure." Kyle's grin softened. "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't stay vigilant. I'll ensure he doesn't get another chance to hurt you."

Lucas blinked, unsure of believing Kyle's words.

Kyle traced small circles in Luca's chest. "And we also have allies; they will also protect you. I won't let him hurt you." 

Lucas met his gaze, a flicker of determination in his brown eyes. "He won't hurt us. Not if I can help it."

Kyle's hand brushed Lucas's hair in a slow, rhythmic motion, his fingertips grazing the edges of Lucas's temple. He softly kissed Lucas's forehead before whispering, "Goodnight, darling." His voice was steady, but his hand lingered as if unwilling to let go, grounding them both in the present.

"Good night, my love," Lucas whispered, his fingers tightening around Kyle's. He felt grounded not in fear but in trust.

Kyle's hand traced Lucas's back. Kyle's chest tightened as he brushed Lucas's hair. How far would he go to protect this if it came to it? He silently vowed to keep him safe, even if he had to make a deal with his ex.