For a full ten seconds after Lucas finished speaking, Axel simply stared at him, his expression frozen somewhere between disbelief and dawning comprehension. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken implications.
Then he exploded.
Laughter burst from him so violently he nearly choked on it. His whole body shook with the force of it, the sound echoing off the walls in uncontrolled waves.
"You?!" He pointed an accusing finger at Lucas as he doubled over, struggling to catch his breath. The irony was too rich, too perfect.
"I seriously can't believe you're the one saying this!" The words came out strangled, half-swallowed by another wave of mirth. Of all people, Lucas… the man who'd sworn off emotional entanglements like they were a contagious disease.
He wiped tears from the corners of his eyes, his face flushed with amusement. "Are you possessed or something?" The question emerged between gasps, genuine bewilderment mixing with his hilarity.
