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Instead, I wrapped my arms around his head and fingered his hair as he dozed on top of me, deciding to just enjoy this. On top of his usual mouthwatering scent, there was an unfamiliar sweet smell clinging faintly to his hair. I’d never smoked shade, but I’d walked past demiurgus in parks or outside cafés smoking it, so I could vaguely recognise the scent.

My lips quirked as I tried to imagine Nuni high. What was his brother Greid like? Or any of his siblings, for that matter. I supposed I’d be meeting Laki today, if they decided to come in after dropping off Nuni’s car.

As if summoned by the thought, there was a knock on the front door. Nuni jolted, sucking in a breath as he lifted his head and peered at me blearily.

I smiled and rubbed his cheek with my thumb. “Door. I’ll get it. If you don’t me getting it, that is?”

“Mm.” He was already lying back down, trying to snuggle deeper into me.

I somehow managed to manoeuvre out from under his gigantic dead weight—I had pilates to thank for the flexibility it required. Nuni didn’t move, his long limbs sprawled on the couch as I paused the movie and padded quietly to the front door.

The demiurgus standing in the hallway looked similar enough to Nuni that I immediately knew this had to be Laki—or one of the siblings, at least—but aside from the shared features, they were clearly nothing alike.

This demiurgus had gorgeous turquoise streaks in their hair, which was thrown up into a messy bun on the top of their head. Their yellow eyes were a little hooded—maybe they were stoned too?—with thick, dark lashes that made them look sultry. A small silver ring pierced their septum.

They were wearing a baggy, short-sleeved button-up shirt in an extremely bright tropical leaf print. It was cropped, the hem a little ragged, showing off their flat stomach and the ring through their navel. Their worn, faded jeans were ripped, and their heavy work boots were caked in mud. Pale tattoos decorated their arms—abstract swirls and shapes interspersed with leaves and plants, insects, crystals and mushrooms.

This had to be Laki.

“Hi,” I whispered a little awkwardly as they gave me an easy smile, revealing a hint of their sharp white teeth. “Nuni’s sleeping.”

“Oh, shit.” Their gaze darted over my head toward the living area. “I’m just dropping off his car. I’m Laki. Sorry, I’m on his pre-approved visitor list so they just let me through.”

“No problem.” I stepped back. “I guess… I mean, it’s not my place, but come in?”

They chuckled, and when they lifted a hand as they stepped inside, I finally noticed the cardboard cupholder they were carrying. “Brought him a drink. Wasn’t sure what you’d want, so I just got you the same as his. Rice milk matcha latte.”

“Oh.” I blinked in surprise, wondering how Laki had known I’d be here. “Thank you.”

“Shit, sorry.” They stopped and turned to face me, holding out their free hand. “Anita, right? Sorry, I just assumed but… I’m guessing I’m right.”

“I—Yes.”

I shook their hand, which was twice the size of mine. Their claws were tinged a deep turquoise, and they were all clipped short. Nuni had told me Laki was a landscaper, so I wondered if that was why. I doubted it was much fun scrubbing dirt out from under claws every day.

“Nice to meet you,” I added belatedly as I followed Laki over to the kitchen island. “Nuni talks about you a lot.”

“Oh yeah?” They chuckled, setting down the cupholder and sliding onto a barstool. “You too.”

I froze for a split second, wondering what they meant. You too, as in ‘nice to meet you too’? Or as in ‘he talks about you a lot as well’?

I couldn’t ask. Definitely not. So instead, I slipped into a seat and said, “So Nuni’s drink of choice is a matcha latte, huh?”

Laki chuckled, popping one out of the cupholder and sliding it over to me, then taking another for themselves. “Yeah, but he acts like it’s a shameful secret.”

I laughed, trying to keep my voice down as I glanced back at the couch behind us. “Why?”

“He thinks it’s a ‘guilty pleasure’.” Laki rolled their eyes, but shrugged. They spoke in hushed tones as well, to not disturb their brother. “I’m not gonna argue with him about his dietary choices, though. At least he still lets himself have them.”

I nodded, fiddling with the plastic lid on my cup. “He is very regimented. I don’t mean that in a bad way,” I tacked on quickly, not wanting Laki to think I was criticising their brother. “His self-control is impressive.”

“He does like a routine,” Laki agreed, then subtly side-eyed me as they took a sip of their drink. “So. Anita. What are your intentions with my brother?”

I blinked. Sweat immediately broke out in my armpits. “I—What?” I asked, flustered.

Laki snorted. “I’m just fucking with you.”

“Oh. Okay.” I smiled uneasily. I was pretty sure Nuni would have told Laki about our situation, which meant they knew this wasn’t a real relationship. Just a casual arrangement.