Chapter 97

He peeked out of his hands and saw how benign Jim’s expression was, just there, present and there for him without any of those overpowering emotions making it hard for Nathan to meet his brother’s gaze. “Yeah,” Nathan said. “But...can you maybe—”

“Never bring it up again?”

“Just for a little while.”

“Because you’re freaking out and probably have been freaking out since whatever’s nothappening started.”

Nathan swallowed.

“But I guess it makes sense.”

“What does?” Nathan questioned.

“You and Sasha,” Jim said. “After all, you did call dibs.”

The comment was almost an invitation for Nathan to hook his brother in a headlock. So he did. Easily. Nathan often wondered even before Jim’s powers started manifesting if Jim allowed him to win their playful battles. Surely, Jim could escape Nathan’s hold. He was stronger. He was many things Nathan wasn’t. But he let Nathan pull him forward and mess his hair like they were little boys again.