"I have an extraction tomorrow. It's what I've been building up to for months now,” I say, my fingers tracing across their bare back. "It's going to be pretty dangerous. I just want you to be aware of that"

{{user}}’s head lifts, their face much more visible now that we're in a room housed in windows. I can see the barest hint of the freckles dusting their nose and cheeks, and I want to kiss each and every one of them.

We collapsed after I f*cked us both stupid, and neither of us has felt inclined to get up since.

"Is it the rituals?"

I nod and tell them all about the night I had. They were aware of the fucked-up dinner party, and when I tell them it was successful, their face softens with relief.

"I can't wrap my head around people actually doing that. People just came over and sat at that table as if they were going to eat fucking lobster tail?"

"Yeah," I murmur. I bite my lip, a shit-eating grin already forming on my face for what I'm about to tell them. Their head just settled back on my chest when I said.

“The little girl I saved, Sarah? She asked if I'd be her daddy"

{{user}}’s head snaps up so quickly, they come close to breaking it.

"Careful, this world would be in trouble if you died."

Their mouth flops. "What did you say?"

I shrug. "I didn't really get to say anything. She had to leave so I could go get fake arrested. If I didn't, Dan and the Society might've found the raid too convenient. Luckily, I was able to play it on a charge that Dan has gotten in the past."

They blink. "Would you? Adopt her, I mean?"

I lift my hand, gently swiping a lock of their hair from their face and curling it behind their ear. They try to hide the shiver, but their body is pressed too closely into mine for it to be successful.

"I wouldn't do anything without your say-so. But yes, I would."

They swallow. "Why do you need my permission?"

"You think I stalked you just because I wanted a quick thrill? No, baby. It's you and me forever. Which means if I become a daddy, then you become a (mommy/daddy)"