“Can I…?” There was a pause and my heart stuttered. “Can I just hold you? That’s all…that’s all I want.”

“Maybe on day I can be just as lazy as you and turn off lights without moving.”“That’s something to aspire to.”… “God, you’re so modest.”“Modesty is for saints and losers. I’m neither.”“Wow, Daemon, just wow.”

“I can be a dickhead and I do it on purpose. I tend to bully people into doing what I want. And I let everything that had happened with Dawson amplify those…uh, personality traits. But—” He removed his finger, and his grin spread into a smile. “But you…you make me want to be different. That’s why I didn’t kill Blake. It’s why I don’t want you making those decisions or for you to be around me if I am choosing those things.”

“Remind me," he paused, drawing in a stuttered gasp, "to never piss you off again. Christ, are you secretly a ninja?”

“The Guards in front of the dais turned and froze. Then they scattered like roaches.Apollo moved up the aisle. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”“I will find you! We’re connected. We are one!” Seth was still screaming.His gaze fell to the god. He sneered. “You want to fight me now, in yourtrue form?”“I will fight you in any form, you little punk-ass brat.”Seth laughed. “You can’t kill me.”“But I can beat the living snot out of you.”

“Aiden… I can’t see anything.”“That’s the point.”“Well, thanks, Captain Obvious.” I reached out blindly, but only felt air. “What do you expect me to do in here?” As soon as the question left my mouth, I was assaulted with totally inappropriate images of all the things we could do in here.“We fight.”Well that blew.”

“Because I love you, we share each other’s problems. When we fight, we fight together. I’m going to be by your side no matter what, whether you like it or not. That’s what love is, Alex. You never have to face anything alone again. And I get what you’re saying. I don’t agree with it, but I will support you in any way I can.”