"Oh no," one of the girls whispered loudly. "He's giving us the death glare again."
"I'm not even looking at you," Nine mumbled, voice muffled against my shoulder.
"You looked in our direction," another said with a teasing gasp. "Which is basically flirting."
"That's a bold claim," I added helpfully, sipping my tea while keeping my other hand resting on Nine's thigh. "Maybe you should apologize."
Nine made a noise like a strangled huff. He lifted his head just enough to glance toward them with that unmistakably sullen expression he got when he didn't have a good comeback—but desperately wanted one.
"I'm not flirting," he said firmly. "I don't like them. I like you."
Nyx howled with glee inside my head.
Goddess, he's so mad. Look at him! That little pout—Rhea, I swear, if you don't kiss him right now I will.
We're in public, I reminded her, laughing inwardly.
So what? Assert dominance. Rub his ears. Bite his neck. Do something!
I stifled a grin and turned my attention back to Nine, who was now stubbornly refusing to look anywhere except my knees.
His ears were pink.
His entire face was pink.
"I know you like me," I murmured, leaning in. "I just didn't realize you were so bad at hiding your jealousy."
"I'm not jealous," he muttered.
"You're sulking."
"I'm not."
"You're pouting."
"I'm not—!" He cut himself off and crossed his arms in the most dramatic little huff I'd seen from him yet.
One of the hybrids made a heart shape with her hands. Another made kissy noises.
Nyx was screaming.
Nine buried his face in my lap again and groaned.
I stroked his hair softly. "You're cute when you sulk."
"That's bullying."
"It's not. It's love."
That got him quiet again. Still. But the bond between us rippled with warmth.
Embarrassment, yes.
But also affection.
Even contentment.
I moved his hair gently behind his ear. "You want to head back soon?"
"No," he said without lifting his head. "Your lap is safe. I don't like them. They make fun of me."
"They're not doing it to be mean."
"They're mean."
I chuckled, sipping the last of my tea while Nine slowly sank deeper into my hold like he was trying to become part of my skeleton.
Nyx was still bouncing around in my head like an overcaffeinated puppy, muttering, He's so possessive. I love it. I love him. Rhea. Marry him. Put a ring on it. Right now.
Later, I told her, smiling faintly to myself. Let him sulk in peace first.