05-05-2026, 01:41 PM
Hayden was glad she was opening up. It merited his own story as a reward -- sorta. But tit for tat, he believed. Even though he wouldn't share the whole bredth of the situation. "At least you were close with your father. I rarely spent good times with the man I call my father. Sure there were good ones -- but most of them were him using me for my gifts. Or pushing me to use them. Kinda how I got into the whole 'listening to folks problems' gig. Though my father would rather I actually finish my PhD and become Dr. Sebastian psychotherapists or whatever he had in mind. I kinda like being that guy behind the bar though."
He was only a few classes away from his PhD one of which was his thesis. Though that had actually already been written -- or at least the premise was. The Minds Inside a Cult. Though he probably could write a whole new paper on Nox alone should he decide to actually do it. But Hayden had been analysing the Atharim since he was first brought into the fold. He wasn't one of them, but he knew all about them, and talked with hundreds of agents with in. They always needed someone to talk to -- Nox certainly had and now here he was pushing his gifts with those of his sorta choosing. Though still just a favor to Nox. Except Tatyana -- that wasn't really a favor for Nox. That was Ashton who brought her in, and his own damn good will. Nox was certainly rubbing off on everyone.
"And there is absolutely no need to thank me. Listening is what I do." He grinned at her as he took her wrists and pinned them above her head with one hand and rolled on top of her in one swift movement. "And I listen to things in all sorts of manners." He press a kiss to her lips wanton and hungry. She could say no, but he had a feeling she was up for round two.
He was only a few classes away from his PhD one of which was his thesis. Though that had actually already been written -- or at least the premise was. The Minds Inside a Cult. Though he probably could write a whole new paper on Nox alone should he decide to actually do it. But Hayden had been analysing the Atharim since he was first brought into the fold. He wasn't one of them, but he knew all about them, and talked with hundreds of agents with in. They always needed someone to talk to -- Nox certainly had and now here he was pushing his gifts with those of his sorta choosing. Though still just a favor to Nox. Except Tatyana -- that wasn't really a favor for Nox. That was Ashton who brought her in, and his own damn good will. Nox was certainly rubbing off on everyone.
"And there is absolutely no need to thank me. Listening is what I do." He grinned at her as he took her wrists and pinned them above her head with one hand and rolled on top of her in one swift movement. "And I listen to things in all sorts of manners." He press a kiss to her lips wanton and hungry. She could say no, but he had a feeling she was up for round two.