Page 33 of Night Fae

Why would Malik be dreaming of wolves?

Zev pushed the thought aside as he focused on freeing Malik from the wreckage.

The human clung to him as Zev lifted him. Zev didn't mind. It wasn't an emotion that he let himself linger on, but there was something comforting about feeling the weight of Malik's body, warm and alive, against his own.

The scene around them flickered, the shadows twisting as the car and corpses wavered at the edges of Malik’s mind. But the dream didn’t collapse entirely. Malik was still holding on to him for dear life. It didn't seem that he had entirely realized that he was dreaming. "I'm so glad you came for me," he said. "I was so scared you wouldn't. I was so scared that they would break you." A half-sob ripped from his throat.

Zev stared at the human. He was that scared for Zev's sake?

Something inside Zev twisted. In his dream-state, Malik was terrified of many things, but Zev hadn't expected his own well-being to factor in.

Malik buried his face against Zev’s chest, his breath warm and unsteady. "Run away, just run away," he whispered. "I can't... I can't be responsible for ruining another life."

Zev’s throat closed. So that was what this was about. Malik blamed himself for the deaths of his family, and now he was also blaming himself for whatever the Night Court might do to Zev. That was what motivated his selflessness.

His dreaming mind didn't hold back any uncomfortable truths.

Was it rude of Zev to intrude on him in this state?

Maybe, but he'd tried to tell Malik he was dreaming. What else could he do?

He gripped his shoulders. "Malik," he tried again. "You're dreaming."

Malik's fingers twisted in the fabric of Zev's clothes. "Of course I'm dreaming," he murmured. "You'd never let me get this close in real life."

The human wasn't thinking clearly. How frustrating. Zev should--

His thoughts cut off when Malik lifted his head to look at him.

His expression was open, raw in a way Zev rarely saw on anyone. There was no caution, no hesitation—only something hopeful and yearning.

Before Zev could do anything, Maliksurged forward, his lips brushing against Zev’s in a soft, desperate kiss. A hesitant kiss, like a wish Malik never expected to be granted. A dreamer's gamble.

It shocked Zev all the more for its honesty.

While Zev froze, Malik's warmth melted into him,trusting him, leaning into him the way no one had done since... since...

Malik’s hands curled against Zev’s chest, clinging, as if afraid he would disappear.

Something inside of Zev cracked. Just for a moment, he allowed himself to linger in the kiss. Allowed himself the ghost of a response, the briefest press of his lips in return, before he forced himself to break away.

"Malik," he murmured, his voice rough, uneven. "You don’t mean this."

Malik’s dark lashes fluttered, his dream-drunk gaze filled with confusion. "Why wouldn’t I?"

Zev exhaled sharply, his grip tightening on Malik’s arms, grounding himself. "I'm your second favorite, remember?"

The dream wavered around them, flickering at the edges. "Oh God." Malik exhaled. "I'm dreaming... but you're not a dream."He pulled back. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean..." His face flushed. "I just thought..."

The human was stuttering.

How annoyingly adorable.

Oh shit. He'd kissed Zev. He'dkissedZev.

Malik wanted to sink into the ground and disappear.

Unfortunately, the dreamscape around him followed his command, and the next thing he knew, a sinking feeling pulled at his stomach and heactuallyplummeted downward.