“Yeah, well. I know you better than anyone except maybe Arnaud. So, ask him too. After you both get some rest tonight, though. Knowing him, he’s falling asleep in the car right now.”
Reno snorted. “He looked ready to pass out at the airport. He pushes himself too hard.”
“You both do.” Sage was pulling into their neighborhood. “Sterling overworks you. How many tour dates do you have this year alone?”
Reno shrugged. “Eighty-something I think? We did over thirty in the States alone. Before that, we were in Asia. I miss my mom.”
“I know.” Sage gave him a soft look. “When can you go back?”
“I don’t know.” Reno frowned. “What if Luka and me end up like that?”
“What, like your mom?”
“Yeah, not like relationship style, but distance. What if he doesn’t want to leave home, how could I ask someone to leave their home for me?”
“Good Lord, I'd hope you wouldn’t make a younger man your mother.”
“An older man, though?” Reno tried to joke but Sage just scowled at him.
“You can’t know what he wants unless you ask. Do you know if he even likes it there? Where does he even live?”
“Missouri.”
“Where the fuck is that?”
Reno shrugged. “Somewhere in the middle. It’s very green, the houses are all flat and brown. Lots of open land.”
“Sounds… fine?” Sage pulled into the parking spot reserved for Reno in front of his building, even though he didn’t own a car. She used it more than he did. “You know as well as I do that London is an amazing place to live.”
Reno agreed; both of them had moved there from their respective homes when they were eighteen. It was one of the things they’d bonded over, even though Sage had only moved a few hours from the countryside and Reno from across the world.
“You havegotto just start asking this man what he thinks and feels. No more assuming.”
“No more assuming,” Reno promised, then bent down to grab his mask off the floor. “You coming in?”
“Nah," Sage said, the car still idling. “Can you handle your bags?”
“Yes.” Reno unclicked his seatbelt and reached over to pull Sage into an awkward side hug. “Thank you.”
“I’ll always come get you from the airport. Unless I’m working. You got lucky this time.” She pulled away, a big smile on her face. “Oh! Speaking of work. There’s a bag of coffee for you in the back, don’t forget it.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Sage replied easily. “Now go take a shower and a nap, you stink.”
“Oh.” Reno blinked a few times and apologized, bowing his head slightly. “Gomen nasai?2, I didn't mean to stink up your car.”
“I’ve smelled you worse. Here’s your key. Get out.” She handed him his home key and pushed him teasingly, and Reno stumbled out of the car. He collected all his belongings, including the new bag of coffee, then unlocked the front door to his building.
It was a three-story brick building with wrought iron carvings on the corners. There used to be ivy growing up the side, but the property manager for the downstairs flat had removed it last fall. Reno understood it was bad for the brick, but he still hoped it would grow back over the year.
He lugged his things up the narrow staircase, the wood creaking under his feet in a way that was so familiar it pushed everything out of his mind.
He was home.
Even if it was only for a night before they left for Leeds, then beyond on the next leg of the tour, Reno was so happy to be here. His door was made from heavy wood, and the mat in front of it was printed with little jumping foxes.
He pushed the door open, flicked on the lights, and was relieved to find everything how he’d left it. Toeing out of his shoes and dumping his bags on the living room floor, he checked all his plants and found them healthy, thanks to Sage caring for them while he was away. He peeled open the coffee bag and set about using the press in the kitchen, the smell comforting him almost as much as the sight of his home.
