As the final word left Kev's mouth, Fang did something unexpected: his tail wagged slightly. "Oh, it was exciting then?" he asked, a surprisingly relaxed laugh rumbling in his chest. "Was it just some hotheads? I run a tight ship here, but seeing a fight out in the city isn't too unexpected."
"Well, uh," Kev said, his voice dropping, "there was some guy who tried to take my joints."
Fang's tail stilled. His grin quickly faded from his face.
"It turned out fine, though, and no one got hurt," Kev said quickly, rubbing Fang's arm.
Fang growled and stood, stalking over to Talon. He said quietly, his voice a low, dangerous murmur, "No one was hurt?"
Talon looked down, avoiding his employer's angry gaze.
"Who?" Fang nearly whispered.
Kev jumped up from the bench too and said, "It's really nothing! Talon sent them packing, and Skippy and Twitch helped too!"
"Talon, tell me exactly what happened," Fang said. Kev was a bit surprised that Fang completely ignored him.
"At the park. I wanted to get to know Mr. Twitch and Mr. Skippy," Talon said, his eyes fixed on the ground.
Fang growled, "I don't care why you were there. Why was no one hurt for accosting my assistant?"
Kev cocked his head. "What?"
Talon looked up at the simmering wolf and said, his voice a low, even rasp, "Mr. Skippy said it was best for me not to kill the antagonist."
Fang growled, "Do you find it difficult, keeping Kev safe?"
Talon maintained eye contact and said, "Yes."
"Then why did I hire you?!" Fang howled and got into Talon's face. "You have one job and one job only! I do not ask you to follow anyone's orders but mine, and as simple as I've made it, you find it hard!"
Talon frowned, keeping his expression passive.
"That's not fair, Fang," Kev said.
Fang turned and said, "Be quiet, Kev."
"No," Kev said, his voice firm. "It's not Talon's fault I stick out like a sore thumb."
Fang whirled back to Talon and yelled, "That's why I hired him!"
"What is he supposed to do, keep me in arm's reach every waking hour?" Kev said, his voice rising with a desperate frustration. "I'd hate that, and I'd probably hate you for making me feel like a prisoner."
The fur all over Fang stood erect, his tail stilling and tucking tight against his legs. His angry growls caught in his throat. He slowly turned to look at the human who was now walking to the bench under the oak tree. "No, that's..." Fang said, his voice trailing off. He quickly walked over to Kev and sat beside him.
Kev looked away, his cheeks burning with shame. It wasn't a lie, but hearing the words out loud, flung at the very person who was trying to protect him, felt profoundly ungrateful. How could he complain about being so cherished that the thought of him being harmed sent a powerful wolfman into an uncontrollable rage?
"I would never cage you, my love," Fang said, his voice quiet, almost wounded. He held his large hands out, hovering in the space between them, a hesitant, open gesture.
"I know, Fang," Kev whispered, looking up at him, his own eyes glistening. "I didn't mean to say that."
Fang closed the distance, pulling Kev into a firm, grounding hug. It wasn't possessive or angry; it was a simple, solid embrace that spoke of reassurance. "Please," he murmured against Kev's hair, "tell me what happened."
Kev leaned into the warm, safe circle of Fang's arms and recounted the entire chaotic event. He described the razorback's initial taunts, Sabrina's theatrical escalation, and the sudden, terrifying grab. He explained how Skippy and Twitch had intervened, their day-off workout turning into an impromptu security detail. He didn't soften the details of Talon's reaction, describing the cold fury in the eagle's eyes, the brutal efficiency of his attack, the way he had pinned and choked the hog man until Sabrina, bribed with joints, had called him off.
As Kev spoke, he could feel the subtle shifts in Fang's body. A low growl rumbled in the wolf's chest when he mentioned the hog man putting his hands on him, and another, deeper one when he described the kick to Sabrina. But when Kev described Talon's vicious takedown, he felt Fang nod against his head, a slow, approving movement.
When Kev finished, Fang didn't pull away. He just held him for a moment longer before saying, "You're right, he did what was necessary. The situation was handled." The approval in his voice was unmistakable.
Kev caught a glance at Talon, who seemed to be sighing a breath of relief. Fang offered Kev his hand and said, "How about another lap around before we head back inside?"
Kev nodded eagerly and stubbed out the blunt that had been smoldering since they got outside, taking his hand as they began to retrace their steps through the lawn. As they walked, a thought struck Kev, something from the opera, something about the sheer transactional nature of the world. "Uh, Fang," he said, "I'm not sure if this is the right time to bring this up, but I realized yesterday, at the ticket counter with Cindy, that I don't have any money."
Fang laughed. "Why would you need money, my love? If you want for anything, you need just ask me."
Kev grinned and squeezed Fang's hand. "I know, big guy, but..." Kev sighed as he tried to put his feelings into words. "What are we?" he finally asked.
The easy, strolling rhythm of their walk came to an abrupt halt. Fang's hand, which had been holding Kev's in a relaxed grip, tightened almost painfully. The low, happy rumble in his chest ceased. In the sudden silence, the chirping of the crickets seemed to amplify, a chorus of tiny witnesses to Kev's audacious question.
Fang didn't answer immediately. He let go of Kev's hand and turned to face him fully, his tall frame a dark, imposing silhouette against the moonlit pool. His amber eyes, usually so warm and expressive when he looked at Kev, were now unreadable, searching.
Kev's heart hammered against his ribs. He'd done it now. He'd pushed too far, shattered the fragile, unspoken understanding they'd built. "It's a stupid question," he said quickly, trying to backtrack, the words tasting like ash. "Never mind."
"It's not a stupid question," Fang said, his voice quiet, almost rough. He took a step closer, his gaze still fixed on Kev's face. He seemed to be wrestling with the words, a rare and startling display of uncertainty from the usually confident wolfman.
"You are my personal assistant," he stated finally, the words sounding formal, almost clinical in the intimate darkness.
Kev's stomach dropped. Of course. That's what he was. An employee.
"But that's not... that's not all," Fang continued, stumbling slightly over the words. He ran a hand through his thick hair, a gesture of frustration. "Dammit, Kev." He took another step, closing the space between them completely. His hands came up to cup Kev's face, his calloused palms warm against Kev's skin.
"You are my lucky charm," he murmured, his thumbs gently stroking Kev's cheekbones. "You are my peace. You are the only thing that has made sense in this fucking chaotic world in years." His gaze was intense, a raw vulnerability in its depths that took Kev's breath away. "You are mine, Kev." The words were a low, possessive growl, a declaration that was more profound than any simple label. "That is what we are. You are mine."
Relief, so potent it made his knees weak, washed over Kev. A small, watery smile touched his lips. He leaned into Fang's touch, his own hands coming up to rest on the wolfman's wrists. "Is 'mine' a job title?" he whispered, a hint of his usual teasing returning.
A low chuckle rumbled in Fang's chest, the tension finally breaking. "It's the most important one." He leaned down and captured Kev's lips, not with the fiery passion from before, but with a deep, tender kiss.
"I want to be yours, Fang," Kev said, his voice firm despite the tremble of emotion running through him. "And that's what I want to talk about. I don't think I can look at you as my boss, just like I don't think you really see me as an assistant." He took a shaky breath, his eyes locking with Fang's. "I know I haven't said it, but I love you too, Fang."
Fang's tail wagged so hard the plants behind him swayed in the breeze.
"I know talking about money is awkward," Kev continued, the words tumbling out in a rush, "but I don't want you to worry about paying me like the other employees. It would feel weird getting paid, you know, as long as we are, uh, a couple."
Fang let out a loud belly laugh, a deep, joyous sound that echoed through the quiet garden. "Why would I not pay you, my love?"
Kev's eyes widened. "No!" he nearly shouted.
Fang's laugh subsided, and he grinned down at Kev. "Everyone needs money, and you deserve it more than many."
Kev shook his head frantically. "Fang, what are you talking about? If you pay me to be here, it feels... it feels... gross."
Fang raised an eyebrow. "Gross?"
"Yes, it feels wrong," Kev said, his voice laced with a desperate earnestness. "I don't know, but paying your, uh..." Kev blushed. "...boyfriend who's already living with you just sounds crazy to me."
Fang scoffed, a playful glint in his eyes. "Let's not call it 'pay.' I'm just providing you with things you want by giving you little green coupons."
Kev laughed and said, "Come on now, Fang, be serious."
"Fine, fine," Fang said, a warm smile spreading across his face. "I'll have Horns take you off the payroll if you really feel so strongly about it." He looked down at Kev, his amber eyes twinkling. "If you change your mind when you run out of money, just let me know."
Kev sighed and leaned back into Fang as they continued to walk. "Run out of money? I'd need some first."
Fang reached into his pocket and passed Kev a crisp note. A roaring bear face met his eyes, with the number "4000" printed elegantly in the corners. Kev's eyes bulged. A four-thousand-dollar bill? Who would even carry something like this around? He looked up at Fang. "Really? What's this?"
"Oh, just some pocket change," Fang said with a casual air. "I'm surprised you used all your paycheck. Did you pay all the buskers at the park earlier?"
"Paycheck? I never got one," Kev laughed, still looking at the extremely valuable bill that had been handed to him.
Fang growled, "I guess I'll have to really talk to Horns now."
"Relax, Fang," Kev said as they reached the patio entrance, the club's music leaking out of the door. "There was no paperwork for me, remember? How would Horns have cut me a paycheck?"
Fang shook his head and said, "I know I saw a payment for my assistant last week when reviewing the numbers." He pushed open the door and led Kev into the raucous club, the serene atmosphere of their quiet walk quickly melting away.