"I don't support Robert and his obsession with dragging Alan to a brothel," Alma said, "but he's not entirely wrong. I've seen the way people look at you, Alan—and most of those looks come from men." She gave a bitter huff. "Trust me. I know those looks."
She glanced at me.
"Maybe you should just get a girlfriend?"
"Or a boyfriend," Nick added quietly.
"No. No—he needs a girlfriend," Robert cut in immediately.
"Who the hell would date me here?" I snorted. "I'm an outcast to both elites and specials. Anyone willing to get involved with me would have to be insane."
"I can name at least two," Matthew said calmly, his gaze moving between me, Nick, and Alma.
"Here," Alma said, holding out her phone.
Robert leaned in.
"Whoa—this you, Alan?" He frowned, then looked at me. "Same face, sure—but this guy?" He shoved the screen closer. "I wouldn't even look twice."
"Yeah… you've changed," Nick said, leaning over Alma's shoulder. "Especially your eyes. Before, you looked like—"
"A psycho," Alma finished.
"Exactly!" Robert barked a laugh. "Crazy what a look can do. Come on—try it."
I actually did.
And everyone burst out laughing.
"Yeah—this version of you wouldn't have any problems," Robert said. "But the one we've got now?" He pointed at me. "Easy target."
He leaned back.
"So. Matthew. Alan. We're going into the city today."
"No way!" Alma and Nick said at the same time.
"Guys, maybe I decide that myself?" I cut in.
"You're the youngest here," Robert said, suddenly serious. "We're responsible for you."
Then his expression shifted—mock solemn.
"My boy," he intoned, "I shall introduce you to the world of pleasure. Once you taste a woman—your world will never be the same."
I stared at him.
"…I don't get it. Why is everyone so obsessed with sex?"
"Because you haven't had it," Matthew said flatly.
I exhaled.
"Yeah, okay. I'm going to train. I'm definitely not going to the city today. I'll… think about it in a couple of days."
"Don't wait too long, Alan!" Robert called after me in the same ridiculous tone. "Or I won't be able to help you anymore!"
Nick followed me out.
"You're going to train?" he asked.
"Yeah. I want to understand my power better."
"Want help?"
I thought for a second.
"…Actually, yeah. I want to test how much weight my strand can handle."
"Then let's go," he said, smiling. "Can I ask you something?"
"After that whole conversation?" I smirked. "You're still asking?"
He hesitated.
"Have you really… never been with anyone?"
"As far as I know," I laughed. "Though who knows—maybe the old Alan was a professional."
"And you actually want to go to a brothel?"
"Not really," I admitted. "But Robert won't drop it."
I stopped.
"This spot works."
I pointed at a stone ledge near the roofline.
"You'll help?"
"What do I need to do?"
"Nothing complicated."
I released the strand.
Wrapped it around the ledge.
Pulled.
Held.
Good.
Then turned to him—
and hesitated.
"…Right."
Nick stepped closer.
Too close.
His arm slid around my waist.
Pulled me in—firm.
"This should work."
My face ended up pressed against his chest.
"…Yeah," I muttered.
I started pulling us up.
Slowly.
Off the ground.
"Wrap your legs around me," he said.
I did.
Had to.
Otherwise he'd slip.
We rose.
Second floor height.
I stopped.
"I need to check if it can hold both of us," I said, already feeling how close we were.
Too close.
One arm around his neck.
Bodies pressed together.
Breathing shared space.
After that conversation—
this was already bad.
Then—
it got worse.
I felt it.
His body tensed.
And then—
something hard pressed against me.
I froze.
Shifted—
mistake.
That only made it worse.
"Sorry," Nick whispered, voice tight, breath warm against my ear as he pulled me closer instead of away. "It's just—Robert—and all that—and I—"
"It's fine," I said, a little too quickly. Too tight. "Let's just go down."
He nodded.
I released the tension.
We dropped.
His feet hit the ground—
I followed—
pulled away—
but he didn't.
I looked up.
His eyes—
dark.
Almost black.
"Alan…" His voice dropped. "Listen. About what Robert said."
A pause.
"Don't go."
He swallowed.
"If you want to—if you don't mind—I could…"
He forced it out.
"I want to help you."
Everything in me locked up.
Heat flooded my face.
I knew.
Of course I knew.
I just—
pretended not to.
And now—
he was waiting.
For an answer.
And I had nothing.
I had considered Robert's idea.
Just to test it.
Would my body react to a woman?
Would I feel anything?
I never—
planned this.
Not like this.
Not with a man.
Not—
like this.
And the only person I actually—
felt something for—
was Andrew.
Pointless.
Completely.
I knew that.
Still—
no one else came close.
"Nick…" I said slowly. "I haven't really felt… physical attraction. To anyone."
Lie.
"But I don't know if I—"
"Holivan."
Clyde.
Cold.
Sharp.
Cutting straight through everything.
I flinched.
Nick let go.
Reluctantly.
I stepped back.
"I already did your task! I'm training!"
"I can see that," Clyde said.
His gaze dropped.
Brief.
To Nick.
Nick immediately covered himself.
Clyde looked back at me.
"You're coming with me. I have another task."
"…Sorry," I muttered to Nick, already backing away.
"Later," he said quietly.
I nodded—
and followed Clyde.