Luc and Izzorah are sitting side by side, with Izzorah leaning against Luc's chest while Luc talks about his recent breakup with a previous lover. Izzorah is not only listening, he's also using his gift of kahlah to interpret the scents related to Luc's emotions, because he wants to understand.
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"You didn't know what to do when he left, did you?" Izzorah played with one of Luc's buttons. "Should you forget him? Try to win him back?"
"I tried making him jealous by having an affair with a Kin male named Jawk." A tinge of lavender and bitter nutmeg sparked, showing Luc's regret. "What a pointless attempt that was. I doubt anything I did would have kept Wulf from leaving. He was already in love and we were finished." Luc faced Izzorah. "Pardon me for rambling. I shouldn't have burdened you with that."
"No, you needed to tell it. You're glad it's over, but it still hurt."
"It did. I tried telling myself it wasn't happening. That I didn't love him anyway, but--" Luc stopped. "I did. Wulf and I lived in the same house but led separate lives. It was pitiful, the way things ended. No final conflict. No big blowup. More like air leaking from a balloon. I let him go. Gave him my blessing. Then moped because I was alone. I was pathetic."
"No. You'd never be that. Breakups are a kind of death. The loss aches. Slowness doesn't make it less painful."
"True." Luc's focus made Izzorah's mouth go dry. But then the man smiled, and it warmed Izzorah's soul. Luc leaned his head against the wall. "You have incredible insight. And you're right about the pain. With you, I'm at peace. Last thing I need is to fall in love with another heartbreaker. I'm hoping you don't turn out to be that, because it's too late."
The truth was in Luc's scent, a faint smell of sweet grass, along with fresh linen, showing respect. The mixture meant what Luc felt surprised him.
"I don't understand." Izzorah understood all right, but Luc needed to admit it to himself. That was in his scent too. And Izzorah wanted to hear the words. "Too late for what?"
"Too late for me to turn back. I've already fallen for you."
Izzorah scooted closer to Luc. "I promise."
Luc shifted a bit, allowing Izzorah to fit against him. "Tell me what you mean by that." He looked down.
Holding Luc's dark gaze, Izzorah smiled. "That I'll be what you need."
"Will you, now?" Patience and amusement eddied through Luc's scent in an appealing mixture. With one hand, Luc stroked Izzorah's hair and then he coiled a strand around one finger. "Suppose you tell me what you think that is."
Izzorah curled up against Luc's chest and wrapped one arm over Luc's waist. "A shelter for your heart."
