Saint stared at his nails when Knight was done. Knight couldn’t quite make out his scent, just that his heart was beating so fast. He dropped his hand onto the mattress between them, clenching it into a fist as if it’d keep the warmth of Saint’s palm from dissipating too quickly.
Saint stood abruptly. “Okay,” he said, seemingly to himself. “All right.” He picked up his phone and his wallet, then turned to face Knight.
And Knight could smell it clearly now; his nerves, his anxiety.
“All right,” he said again. He squared his shoulders. “I-I need ...”
Knight stood, coming up to him. “What do you need? Name it and I’ll give it to you.”
Saint’s throat bobbed, his eyes widening slightly at Knight’s candidness. The line of black on his lids made his brown eyes look larger, luminous. And his painted lips—fuck, he was so pretty.
Knight wished so badly that he was allowed to touch him. It seemed like Saint desperately needed some kind of reassuring touch right now; a hug, or a comforting kiss to his brow.
“I’m going to ... a party. An exclusive party. Aqueerparty.”
“Okay,” Knight said encouragingly.
“They’re not ... I don’t know how it is in Hell, if you know what queerness is ...”
“We know what it is.” Knight paused. “I’m guessing from your behaviour it is frowned upon in the mortal realm?” Knight had seen things in the dreamscape, but of course, the dreamscape wasn’t a perfect replica for reality.
Saint laughed, the sound short. “You could say that. It’s literally illegal to be queer in Nigeria. Well, technically, it’s illegal to perform “queer acts” or visibly be trans, but—anyway, I’ve never—I’ve always—” He stopped, making a sound of frustration. Fuck, his heart was beating so hard Knight was worried it’d soon break out of his ribcage. “I’m going to this party,” Saint finally said, his shoulders squared up again. “And I want you to come with me.”
“Of course,” Knight said, like there was any question about it.
Saint blushed. Almighty, but Knight wanted him.
“No, I mean—I mean, if it’s all right, if you don’t mind—I want you to comewithme. As my plus one.”
Knight blinked. “Oh.” A sweet ache built underneath his ribs. Saintwanted—
“It’s fine if you don’t want to—”
“I want to.” It felt like Knight had never truly known what wanting was until right that second.
Saint’s eyes widened again at the fervency, his blush deepening.
He sucked in a sharp breath when he blinked and Knight had put on his “human” skin. He’d made his kaftan fancier, in a black, silkier material with shimmering gold thread lining the neck and hems. His locs had been done up into a bun, with golden chains attached to the ones by his temples.
“Oh,” Saint breathed, his pupils blowing wide.
Fuck. “All right?” Knight asked roughly, trying not to sway helplessly forward, like Saint was a special kind of Knight-magnet.
“Yes. You look—I mean—yes.” Saint ducked his head. “DoIlook all right?”
“You’re perfect.”
Saint’s breath hitched again. He glanced up at Knight, his lips tilting up in the corners even though he was blushing. “Flatterer.”
Knight’s lips quirked, mirroring Saint’s. “Maybe. But I would never lie.”
“I know this might be weird, but do you think you could maybe ... make us not very noticeable when we leave?” he asked shyly.
“Not weird at all. And done.”
“All right. Thank you.” Saint wiped his seemingly sweaty hands on his shirt. “Let’s go.”
No one looked twice at them as they walked up to the main road, hailed a cab, and began making their way to the location. The party was located on the outskirts of town, so the drive was going to take a while. Saint silently thanked God for Mrs. Efezino and the generous tip she’d given him.
