Page 10

The days were getting longer again, and Adam still needed a jacket in the evenings, though his favorite way to keep warm was to steal one of Vic’s hoodies. It was one way to have him near without needing to touch him or risk triggering his fight-or-flight response.

“So what are you going to do?” Vic asked. “See a movie?”

“That’s a good idea, and as good a place to start as any.”

He checked the showtimes on his phone and sent a text as Vic parked.

Would you like to watch a film?

Yes, came the reply.

Tomorrow, the usual place and time?

I will be prompt.

Adam smiled.

Dautre had figured out smartphones, a monumental leap for an elf. None of the others had moved beyond landlines. It let the two of them communicate without the others catching on. Adam was pretty certain their texts remained private, but they still spoke in code just in case.

After all, the Guardians had Jack on their side. The technopath librarian at Rogue Community College could crack any system.

“He’s in,” Adam said as they climbed the stairs to their floor.

“Good.”

Adam locked the door behind him.

“Thanks for coming tonight.”

“Anytime.” Vic hung his jacket on the hook by the door. “You hungry?”

“Where did you work today, Wok-a-Holic?”

One benefit of Vic’s job as a chef at a ghost kitchen was that he got to bring home all sorts of takeout at cost. With their schedules, and Vic cooking for work, they took advantage of it.

“Nah. The Greek place, It Gets Feta. There’s some tzatziki and dolmades for you in the fridge.”

“Thank you.”

Vic showed his love through food.

He worried that he’d have to start job hunting soon. People weren’t ordering out as much lately with the rising costs. A few of the restaurants at the kitchen had already closed.

Vic kissed him on the cheek.

It sent a little charge of anxiety up Adam’s spine.

He pushed the feeling down and smiled.

That was the worst thing about his new normal. He could never tell when being touched was going to be a problem.

“I love you,” Adam said, just because he needed to.

“I love you too.” Vic headed for the kitchen too quickly for Adam to tell if he was frowning.

4

The thing Adam missed the most about being the Page of Swords, other than the security of having the blade on his back, was getting to bum the occasional teleport off an elf.