Page 100 of Wristlocked

“Shut up. You’re gonna like these.”I hope.I cross the kitchen and bend to suck Gia’s pouty lower lip into my mouth before she can laugh at me. It’s slick and swollen from Lyot being there before me, and I savor the taste with a swirl of my tongue. She hums against me, and Lyot pulls a hand from the back of her shorts to squeeze my hip, his thumb dipping into the groove of my V. Gia extracts herself before I get too distracted, turning around in Lyot’s lap so they’re both facing me fully.

“Let’s see these presents,” she says, eyes aglow with mirth and desire.

I pull the velvet box from my pocket and place it on the table.

“Gale—” Gia sucks in a breath, and Lyot stills beneath her.

“Open it.” I shove my hands back in my pockets in case they do something stupid like start shaking. Gia throws a quick glance at Lyot and then reaches out to snap open the box.Herhands are rock fucking steady, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad.

Three white-gold bands, flat and simple enough to wear on the straps, wink up at us. Gia draws her hand back slowly and threads her fingers into Lyot’s, squeezing hard enough to whiten her knuckles.

“Look,” I say before one of us totally freaks out. “I know none of us had amazing role models in the happily ever after department, but if I’m gonna be hanging out with horny college kids all day, I’m wearing a fucking ring.”

“Are you—Is this aproposal?” she asks. “You want to get married?”

“Fuck no.” I scrub a hand through my hair. “We couldn’t do it legally, and I don’t give a shit about religion or paperwork or taxes.” I glare at her.Why is she making this complicated? “We already belong to each other. This is a way to make sure the rest of the world knows it.” To prove my point, I pluck the first ring from the box and slide it on the third finger of my left hand. We all stare at it.

It looks…too new for the way I feel about them. The shiny metal should be nicked and scarred and worn smooth with constant contact. I close my fist and let it fall to my side. It’ll get there.

“Very romantic,” Gia says faintly. Lyot shoots her a warning glance.

Fucking hell. I should have let him do this part. He’s always better at the grand gestures. But fine.

I can do romantic.

I scoop the box off the table and drop to my knees. I’ve been kneeling at their feet since I met them, in one way or another, and I’ll do it for the rest of my life if it means they’ll keep me.

“It’s not about the rest of the world,” I admit. “It’s aboutus. Every time I think I’m broken, you prove to me that I’m whole.” I take a breath. The truth is easy after all. “Smalls.Gia. You’re the wildfire that burned away the cage I was trapped in. You’re fireworks and beautiful carnage and the sacred center of our world. We wouldn’t be here without your stubborn, fearless heart.”

Her eyes shine, and Lyot drops his chin on her shoulder, pressing a kiss beneath her ear.

“Lyot.” My voice sounds too husky, but I can’t stop now. “You took our monsters and gave them a place to prowl free. You’re surrender and salvation and a haven in the dark. There’s no future if you’re not taking care of us.”

Gia’s eyes spill over, and I hesitate, reaching up to brush a thumb across her cheek. She never cries. Not even when I make her bleed. She’s confessed a dozen times that she hates the way crying makes her feel helpless.

“Good tears,” she assures me, turning her face to kiss my fingertips. “Keep going.”

I sit back on my heels and turn the little box over in my hands.

“You own me,” I tell them, and after all this time, it shouldn’t make me feel so raw. “Every ravaged piece and hidden scar. Together, you’re my art, and my battle, and my sanctuary.” This is what they do to me. They peel me open and bathe all my dark corners in their light.

This is how we love.

Gia is wearing one of those rare, radiant smiles that turn her into an angel, and Lyot’s eyes have the dark, familiar look that means I’m not gonna be in charge tonight. I can’t keepthe grin from breaking over my face. “How’s that for fucking romantic?”

“Pretty good,” Gia admits.

“I’m definitely swooning,” Lyot agrees, giving me a crooked smile. But theystilldon’t move to take the rings.

“Andyou both take my dick in every hole you have,” I finish, because fuck it, they love my dirty mouth. And this is also how we love. Lyot buries a snort in Gia’s shoulder as she laughs delightedly. I hold up the velvet box. “So you can sure as hell take the damn rings.”

Together, they hold out their hands.

Fucking finally.