He paced the streets for nearly an hour after leaving the station, annoyed at how slow he was now, how tired simply walking left him, until he found himself at his wits end, standing in a convenience store far from his own neighborhood, staring at the aisle of condoms and lube, and a few things he wasn't even sure the uses for.

There was specific lube for anal? Why had he never known that? And what made it different exactly? Did he need specific condoms to fit him properly? Would his magic even let him use one, like ... what if he accidentally generated lightning or fire when his powers came back and melted it?

What if his powers came back right as he climaxed and went haywire? He couldn't just pick someone up at a bar! He was doomed.

"And here I thought you were avoiding me today, or were you just waiting to get me alone?"

Marlow flailed back as he turned to see Remy standing in the condom aisle, wearing dark jeans and a black leather jacket like he just woke up like that every day, gorgeous and smoldering and flawless.

Remy was smirking and nodded at the condoms. "Think fate's trying to tell us something?"

Fuck, Marlow hated him. Who did he think he was being all smooth and sexy and ... right there when Marlow was thinking about sex? And after he'd given Marlow a hard-on last night and left him unsatisfied.

Not that Marlow wanted Remy to satisfy him! That would be a terrible idea.

Wouldn't it?

"Cat got your tongue, your highness?"

Marlow stared rather than answer, contemplating Remy with his effortless attractiveness even while carrying a basket filled with mundane essentials like milk, bandages, and ... was that a Skor bar? Marlow loved those.

He had to focus. He couldn't ask Remy to take his virginity. Remy did not have a thing for him, and he didn't have a thing for Remy!

Only damn it, maybe he did.

Remy teased him all the time, had ever since the academy, so of course that would increase after last night's debacle. But as much as Marlow knew the idea was insane, the longer he stood there and regarded the man before him, the more he couldn't help thinking that Remy was the perfect choice.

If Remy was interested, and Marlow thought he marginally might be, then Marlow wouldn't have to tell him anything about the rogue Mage or being a virgin, same as if he'd found a stranger. If she showed up, or if Marlow's powers kicked in as he orgasmed, it wouldn't be a big deal, because this was Remy; he could handle himself.

Plus, it could just be sex, no expectations, no ruining any friendships. He and Remy weren't friends; frenemies at best. With Remy it could be easy. It could be everything he needed ...

Remy stared back at him expectantly, eyebrow raised, since Marlow hadn't said anything.

Swallowing back his nerves, Marlow stepped into Remy's space, trying his damnedest to be bold, maybe even seductive, despite the way Remy's eyes flicking down and up his body made his face feel hot.

Made everything feel hot.

"What if fate is trying to tell us something?"

Remy visibly swallowed, staring at Marlow's lips. "That hard up, huh?"

"If I say yes, will you shut up and get out of here with me?"