The Real You

by N. J. Nielsen

  “Okay, I gotta go, babe. I have errands to run before the night gets here and Dav wakes up. You know where I am if you need me. Later gates.”

  “Later.” Mitch switched off his phone. He got up, walked back to the bedroom and did a quick check on Claudius and Isiah. His heart tugged as he watched them sleep. Realizing he could get side-tracked standing there all day, he forced himself to close the door and go back to his reading.

  * * * *

  Darkness had fallen by the time Isiah and Claudius woke. Isiah tensed briefly until he realized Mitch had covered them with a sheet. Running his hand down his body, he froze. He was naked. He checked and saw Claude was as well. A quick scan of the room showed their clothes neatly folded and sitting on the dresser.

  “Mitch!” Claudius whispered. He leaned across and sniffed Isiah’s cheek. “He kissed you.”

  Isiah spoke just as softly. “He kissed you too.” He pushed the sheet down, revealing their bodies. “We’re naked. I think he likes us,” he said when Claudius removed his arm from around his waist.

  “I hope so,” Claudius said.

  Isiah didn’t want to get his hopes up in case Mitch was like everyone else and only wanted one of them. He and Claudius had waited a long time for their True One to arrive into their lives. Only time would tell if Mitch could accept and love them both.

  Once showered and dressed, they walked into the kitchen and stopped. Mitch had gotten their blood ready and cooked them breakfast. The best part was that their little table was set for three.

  “Hi, guys. I hope you feel like having bacon and eggs. Eric said that you ate real food, but he didn’t tell me what, exactly. Come on, dig in,” Mitch said then sat. He waited until they were seated, then he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and pushed it across the table. “Here, Isiah, some girl named Sara called and asked you to meet her tonight. This is her number. Although she couldn’t remember where she met you, or how she’d even gotten your number.”

  Isiah took and crumpled the piece of paper without even looking at the number it contained. Now that Mitch was living in their house there would be no one else for him and Claudius. Their time of looking for their True One was finally over.

  “Daven and Eric called and said if you want to hook up tonight, they’ll be at the bonfire,” Mitch said. He lifted his cup and took a sip of his coffee.

  “What are your plans?” Claudius asked as he began eating.

  “Lewis is demanding my presence. He wants me to go out with his friends,” Mitch answered tiredly.

  When they finished their meal, both stayed and helped Mitch with the dishes.

  “Don’t you want to go?” Isiah asked.

  “Not really. I’d prefer to meet up with you guys at the bonfire. It sounds like way more fun, but I ditched him last night, and the night before, so I should probably go.”

  Isiah took Mitch’s phone and programmed in his and Claudius’ mobile numbers. “Just in case you need us.”

  Mitch’s heartbeat quickened at the thoughtful gesture. They didn’t even hesitate as they also programmed his number into their phones.

  “Well, I suppose I should go and get ready,” Mitch said. He stood and headed to his room to change.

  “I really don’t like Lewis,” Claudius growled the moment Mitch left the room.

  “Mitch isn’t ours yet,” Isiah reminded his lover.

  “Well, he should be. We would love him more than Lewis ever could,” Claudius retorted.

  “Yes, we would,” Isiah agreed. But they still needed to figure out how to sway Mitch to their way of thinking.

  Isiah was glad he and Claudius had waited until Lewis came and picked up Mitch. They wanted Lewis to see how happy Mitch was with them. All the while, he hoped Mitch would change his mind and spend the night with them instead.

  “Thank you for breakfast, baby,” they said in unison.

  Isiah was happy to see it made Mitch smile.

  “You’re welcome, Isiah,” Mitch said after Isiah leaned in and brushed his lips across Mitch’s. “You’re welcome, Claudius.” Again Mitch appeared happy when Claudius kissed Mitch as well. “Have fun, and I promise I’ll be home so we can gasbag before you have to sleep.”

  “If you get bored, call, and we’ll come get you. Okay, baby?” Isiah added a hint of intimate suggestion to his words for the pure fact that he wanted to see Lewis glare when Lewis realized how close he and Claudius were to Mitch. He and Claudius both glowered right back at Lewis as they passed him. If looks could kill, Lewis would be six feet under twice over, but Eric had taught them that it was wrong to kill humans. Even the idiotic ones like Lewis.

  Chapter Four

  By the end of the first month, Mitch couldn’t believe how easy it was to fall into a routine of living with the two new men he’d rented a room from. He also realized that the rockier his relationship became with Lewis, the stronger the one with the housemates became. Mitch was pissed off tonight because he’d made plans to hang out with Claude and Isiah, and Lewis had rung up, demanding to see him. As usual, Lewis was angry about something, and apparently it was once again Mitch’s fault. Isiah and Claudius had said they understood, but Mitch could tell they were upset, especially when he wouldn’t let them stay home with him for when Lewis was turning up. Isiah and Claudius had even promised to stay in their room out of sight, but Mitch had convinced them to go and meet up with Daven and Eric at the monthly beach party. There, they could have a good time, but they still wanted to stay with Mitch. The problem was that Mitch couldn’t stand to ruin the night for them.

  * * * *

  Daven grinned. He loved teasing Claudius and Isiah about the crush they had on their housemate. Even though he’d been against Mitch moving in at first, Daven finally had to admit Mitch was definitely good for Claudius and Isiah. Their way of life had improved tenfold, and their stark little apartment now looked like a home. “So, tell me, what does Mitch really think about you sharing the same bed? Has the fact that you look identical freaked him out yet?” He knew it hadn’t, but it was fun to get his friends flustered.

  One of them shrugged. He wasn’t sure which one it was. “He doesn’t think anything… Well, so far he hasn’t said anything to us.”

  Daven ribbed his friend. “Come on, Claude, he has to have said something.”

  Claude shook his head. “Mitch is hardly ever home. He’s always out with that stupid Lewis. Every time we make plans to do something, Lewis rings up and ruins everything.”

  “You mean his boyfriend,” Eric said blandly.

  “Lewis is not Mitch’s boyfriend,” Isiah stated coldly.

  “Mitch!” The sound of their roommate’s name screamed out in anger was heard above the music.

  Isiah and Claudius stood and turned toward the steps that led from the beach to the car park. Daven followed their gazes, and saw Mitch crying. Lewis was walking behind him, screaming profanities at him.

  “Mitch is upset,” Claudius frowned and started again. “If Lewis has hurt him—”

  “We’ll hit him,” Isiah finished.

  “Mitch! ” they called out and waved their arms to catch his attention. Both men took a step toward Mitch, only stopping when Mitch turned and raced in their direction. A pissed-off Lewis still followed him, yelling the whole way and apparently not caring that people were now staring at them and the spectacle they’d made.

  “Are you okay, baby?” Isiah asked.

  Mitch launched himself tearfully at Isiah’s chest.

  When Mitch wrapped his arms around Isiah’s waist, Claudius didn’t even hesitate. He stepped up behind Mitch and sandwiched him between their bodies. Claudius and Isiah kissed Mitch’s cheeks to comfort him. This was something Daven knew they had done before, and it had worked to comfort Mitch after other times he’d fought with Lewis.

  “What’s the matter, baby?” Claudius asked.

  Mitch shuddered, and Daven watched on in fascination at the dynamics between the three men. Even though, technically, Mitch
wasn’t in a relationship with either one, Daven didn’t think it would be too long until they crossed the line and took the next step.

  “Get your filthy, perverted hands off my fucking boyfriend,” Lewis shouted in anger as he stopped in front of them.

  The guy was so obnoxious, even Daven wanted to deck the stupid prick. He couldn’t understand what Mitch had ever seen in the idiot. There was definitely something off about Lewis. Daven hoped for all concerned that Mitch found his balls and left the guy in the gutter where he belonged.

  “He’s not your boyfriend anymore, asshole,” the twin at Mitch’s front snapped coldly.

  “Mitch is our boyfriend now,” the other said. They both cuddled closer to Mitch.

  “Great!” Lewis spat. “Not only are you fucking this guy, Eric, who Shelby saw you all over the night you supposedly went dancing with your friends, but now I find out you’re also screwing these two dicks as well.” Lewis made a move to hit Mitch, but stopped when Isiah and Claudius both growled in his direction. “I knew there had to be some sort of reason you moved in with these freaks. Thank you very fucking much. Shelby was right—you’re nothing but a white-trash whore.”

  Daven was stunned when Mitch was shoved at him. The next thing he knew, Claude and Isiah, along with Eric, had set upon Lewis. Daven held Mitch in his arms, facing him. Mitch didn’t need to see Lewis getting his ass handed to him. The slight bruising covering Mitch’s face spoke of what Lewis had apparently already done to the man.

  “For your information,” Eric said after he had punched Lewis in the stomach, “I’ve never had sex with Mitch, and I don’t like you accusing him of it when you don’t have any proof except from the word of a lying and conniving bitch.”

  “Who the hell are you?” Lewis wheezed while trying to catch his breath.

  “Eric,” Eric answered, then he punched Lewis again. “Shelby Walters is the only piece of white trash in this city, but you’re currently following him as a very close second.”

  “And whether or not we sleep with our boyfriend is none of your goddamn business. From now on, you will stay the hell away from Mitch or we will make you hurt,” one of the twins spat softly.

  “Yeah, asshole, Mitch is ours,” the other concluded.

  “You can have the stupid whore,” Lewis said, as he managed to get back to his feet.

  Claudius and Isiah growled and punched him at the exact same moment. The force of their connection sent Lewis sprawling across the sand. Daven was flabbergasted by everything that had unfolded.

  “Claude.” Mitch pulled out of Daven’s arms and wrapped himself around Claudius. “Thank you so much.” He gently took Claudius’ face in his hands and kissed the man tenderly on the lips. “Isiah,” Mitch whispered, then he kissed Isiah as well.

  It all amazed Daven, and by the looks of it, Eric as well, how Claudius and Isiah were so enthralled by Mitch—and the fact that Mitch could so easily tell them apart. What was really surprising was how Mitch could tell who was who from any distance. “How the hell do you do that?” Daven asked when the trio’s hug finally ended.

  “Do what?” Mitch asked.

  “How can you so easily tell them apart, even at a distance?”

  Mitch leaned back against the chest of one he’d called Isiah and stared at Claudius when he stepped up beside them. “I just can.”

  “Can you teach me to do it?” Eric asked, sounding like he was only half-joking.

  “I don’t think I know how. Honestly, I don’t understand how you can’t tell them apart,” Mitch said. He looked toward Lewis, still sprawled unconscious in the sand. “Should we move him?”

  “Nah.” Eric grinned. “It’s a party. People already know what happened, and those who never saw the fight will only think he’s drunk. Ooh…there’s Nell and Poppy. I’m off. I’m going to dance and get my groove thing on.” He jumped up and struck the famous dance pose from Saturday Night.

  “I think I’ll join him,” Daven said then followed his day warden into the crowd. Daven didn’t go far. He doubled back so he could watch the trio without them knowing. Part of his job as a guild member was to keep tabs on anything that had to do with Claudius and Isiah—the two men whom the guild believed the legend was written about. He made sure he was out of sight as he listened to the three men converse.

  “Are you okay, baby?” the man Mitch had pointed out as Isiah asked, concern filling his voice. Both men then tenderly caressed Mitch’s bruised face.

  “You’re not mad at us because we told that dickhead you’re our boyfriend now, are you?” Claudius whispered worriedly.

  “I’m okay,” Mitch said a little sadly. “I’m not mad. I think it would be easier if I was your boyfriend, Claude.”

  Claudius frowned. “My boyfriend?” he asked, pointing to his own chest, “or our boyfriend?” This time the gesture included Isiah.

  Mitch was quiet for a long time before he answered. Claudius and Isiah both appeared terrified about what Mitch might tell them.

  “I don’t think I could have one without the other, but could you both learn to share me?”

  Claudius grinned and pulled Mitch away from Isiah and into his own arms. “Baby, we’re more than willing to share.”

  Claudius appeared taken by surprise as Mitch leaned in and gave him another scorching kiss. Claudius had his arms wrapped around Mitch while the kiss continued. Reluctantly, Claudius pulled away and chuckled when he saw Isiah waiting nervously nearby. Mitch kissed Claudius’ lips lightly twice more, then he turned to give Isiah the same treatment.

  It was beautiful, and more than a few beings stopped to watch the miracle in the making. The three of them were so lost in their love for each other, they seemed completely unaware they even had an audience. Daven knew he needed to let Guild Master Simon Tomas know Claudius and Isiah were finally interested in someone, and that the person was of the same frame of mind. The problem was that he wasn’t sure whether the news would make the guild happy or not, considering the human populace was a no-go area for their species when it came to mating.

  * * * *

  Simon answered his phone on the third ring. He was tired and he hoped the call wasn’t going to take long to deal with. “Yes?”

  “It’s Daven Banks. I thought you’d like to know Claudius and Isiah have found someone they’re both interested in. Also, from all appearances, the person in question seems to be more than willing to accept their advances.”

  That one sentence washed all the tiredness from his body. “Have they found true release?”

  “Not yet. They have not long approached this person, but he has been in their lives for a little over a month. I’ve been watching them as requested, and all the signs are there.”

  Simon couldn’t stop himself from getting excited. “Does this man know who they are? Can he tell them apart?”

  “Yes, and for the life of me, I can’t work out how he does it. Even when they’re not in the same room, it’s like Mitch can tell who it is by the sound of their voice, or something. Distance doesn’t seem to be a problem, either. Mitch just knows. So far, he’s never been wrong,” Daven answered.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive. They could be standing bare-assed naked with their backs to us in a snow storm, and Mitch would still be able to tell them apart,” Daven explained.

  “Have they claimed him?”

  “Yes. Tonight in front of me and Eric as witnesses, they claimed him. Mitch’s boyfriend was yelling at him for something he hadn’t done, and both Claudius and Isiah announced Lewis was no longer Mitch’s boyfriend, that Mitch now belonged to them.” Daven paused. “Actually, they announced it to everyone at the party we are currently at.”

  “What are they doing now? Can you see them?”

  “Yes, sir, they’re comforting Mitch, and he’s kissing them. Mitch treats them differently, but exactly the same. They both get equal amounts of attention from him.”

  Simon rubbed his hands together. “What is this deligh
tful man’s full name, and what species is he?”

  “His name is Mitch Evans.”

  Simon stared at the phone in confusion. Daven must be mistaken. “But that sounds like a human name.”

  “That’s because he is human.”

  Simon sat in shock for a moment. “We need to keep them together as much as possible. This man can’t be their True One, but he might be the catalyst they need to find the one who will set us all free.”

  “I’m not saying you’re wrong, but they believe Mitch is their True One. They told me a couple of weeks ago, but at the time, they’d only recently met him.”

  Simon thought frantically about what he’d been told. Plans had to be set in motion. “We need to work out how to keep them together to see where this leads.”

  “Keeping them together won’t be a problem. Mitch actually lives in their unit with them. Eric got them to rent Mitch their spare room.”

  “So he knows they sleep together and it doesn’t bother him?”

  “Eric told me when Mitch first moved in and began acting as their day warden that Claudius and Isiah wore clothes to bed, and once they fell asleep, Mitch stripped them because he knew that was how they felt most comfortable. Mitch even wrapped Claude’s arm around Isiah, so now they don’t even bother with clothes when he sits with them every dawn. If you want my opinion, it could be because he knows they aren’t true blood relatives, even though they are mirror images of each other in every way.”

  “This is remarkable. We need to set them up in quarters where it’s easy to insinuate a guild member or two into their lives. I think Murtagh will do nicely. He seems to be of the same age as the rest of you.”

  “What do you mean us?” Daven asked warily.

  “You, Master Daven, and your day warden, will be moving into the new house with them. We will have to think of something plausible so no one gets suspicious.”