“You are out. Why didn’t you say anything?” Lycus asked.
“I don’t want you selling yourself. I hate their smell on you.”
“It’s just sex. It’s no big deal,” Lycus said before he sighed.
“To me, it’s not! They are using you!” Kalen screamed, and Lycus seemed startled by his outburst. Kalen hardly raised his voice, and he was quick to apologize.
“I’m sorry. Forget I said anything,” Kalen muttered, rubbing his temples. He could feel a headache coming on.
“I don’t mind. It is fine,” Lycus told him. “I will speak to Bill about doing more shifts.”
Kalen cursed, getting to his feet to storm out of the tent.
Only Lycus gripped his arm, tugging him back. “What did I say this time? What is wrong?” This time he was becoming angry with Kalen’s lack of answers.
Kalen’s face heated with embarrassment. “I’m being stupid. It must be my meds,” Kalen told him with a shake of his head, turning to leave the tent so he could shower. Kalen froze in the shower, and by the time he got out and returned to the tent, he was shivering and regretting showering in the first place. His teeth chattered as he rubbed his arms, and tonight it was snowing, making it just a little chillier. Kalen hated the cold.
Lycus was reading with a flashlight between his teeth when he entered. Kalen fell onto the sleeping bag beside him, and Lycus looked over at him before lifting his blanket and throwing it over Kalen. Lycus would sometimes shift, knowing his fur would keep him warm and help warm Kalen.
“I’m fine,” Kalen growled.
“You’re freezing,” Lycus told him as Kalen wriggled beneath his blanket. Lycus placed his flashlight down before sighing and moving closer to Kalen.
“I can shift?” Lycus offered, but Kalen felt guilty about their argument and believed he didn’t deserve a friend like him.
“Man, this tent is fucking boring when you are so quiet,” Lycus said, lying down.
“Why don’t you go sleep with one of your whores? I am sure they will keep you entertained,” Kalen spat bitterly, not meaning for the words to spill from his lips.
“What the fuck is your problem?” Lycus snapped at him before gripping his shoulder and flinging Kalen on his back. He glared down at him.
“Fucking answer. I am sick of your snide comments. Do you think I want to fuck them? It’s a job. It keeps us fed,” Lycus snapped at him.
“Well, you seem to enjoy it, or you wouldn’t keep doing it,” Kalen growled.
“Ah, for fuck’s sake. If you have something to say, Kalen, fucking say it. I am sick of guessing where your head is at,” Lycus said.
“I don’t want you fucking them. You earn enough without fucking them,” Kalen told him.
“Your medication is expensive. It’s the only way to cover it.”
Guilt smashes into Kalen. “I don’t need them,” Kalen said, but Lycus growled.
“Yes, you do. We tried that, and you went into withdrawal and had a fucking seizure.”
“Not if that is what you have to do for them. I hate that you fuck them!”
“It’s just sex, Kalen. It means nothing to them or me.”
Kalen shoved him back and sat up. “You keep saying that, but I can’t stand knowing the person I love is fucking some bitch just to keep us alive. I fucking hate that they use you. I hate living like this. I hate seeing you with them!” Kalen yelled, blurting everything out, only realizing what he had said when it was too late to take it back.
Lycus tilted his head to the side curiously. “You love me?” he asked.
Kalen’s face heated, and his eyes widened in fear. “No, you know, like a bro—”
His words were cut off when Lycus pounced on him, a scream bubbling up his throat. He had pushed Lycus too far. Lycus would abandon him, too, he thought, then Lycus kissed him.
“You love me?” Lycus mumbled against his lips.