“Okay.”
His ears flutter as we finally step up to the counter and place our orders, Everest making sure to order way more than I could afford on my salary. I’m sure if I refused, Rathyn would be offended. But even though I try not to listen to the total, I end up hearing it and blanch.
Holy hell, that’s almost as much as my damn electricity bill.
We end up walking down the hallway with our arms full, Cielo leaning into me, trying to sniff everything I have in my grasp.
“Are these ancient artifacts?” Rathyn asks as he marches toward our theater number. “They cost far more than expected.”
Everest shrugs. “Movie theaters are notoriously expensive. It is what it is, babe.”
“I do not understand why you would spend so much money to chew in the dark.”
“It’s the experience,” Everest says, stopping near the theater door. Rathyn uses his tail to open it, and we step inside. “Now hush. Do not get us kicked out, or you may have to live with just thirteen tonight.”
The telltale grumble Rathyn makes means he’s not happy with this arrangement.
“Do you think he’ll be able to behave himself?”I ask Cielo through our connection.
His eyes meet mine, and they twinkle. “I do not know. He has always behaved with decorum on Erethar, but here on Earth, your ways are not ours. It is hard to conform.”
That makes sense. It is hard to move between cultures. I learned this with my brother and Deaf culture. Some things are just different. It must be hard for Cielo. I know he’s adapting, that he’s made friends, but it has to be exhausting.
He hasn’t brought up my offer to go through that secret portal, and I’m too afraid to bring it up again.
“Come on,” Everest says as the screen changes to the first preview. “Let’s sit in the back.”
“Why would we do this when we could sit in the front?” Rathyn asks. “The back is for the peasants.”
Everest ignores him and takes the stairs two at a time. “Maybe I’m a peasant. Have you thought of that?” he snaps when Rathyn follows a little too closely.
Someone in their seat turns to glower at us, but the stare Rathyn gives them makes them turn away.
Off to a good start, I think with a small laugh.
“Look, four seats right here,” Everest says.
“These are not adapted for those of us with tails,” Rathyn says lowly.
Everest peers down at them and chews his bottom lip. “Are you not going to fit?”
The way he says it has Rathyn’s face softening. “We will fit. Even if I have to rip the arms off the chairs.”
“Please don’t do that,” Everest says and then flops down, waiting anxiously for Rathyn to take his seat. He does it, the arms cracking slightly as he goes.
“I would like to remove these very much, my Everest.”
“And then we’ll get thrown out and probably taken away for destruction of property,” Everest snarks back.
Rathyn growls loudly. “I would not let them touch you. They would lose limbs before they set a hand on you.”
Everest sighs loudly as I take the seat next to him, and Cielo perches carefully on the one near the aisle. He twists his body so his tail drapes into the aisle, and I know it can’t be very comfortable, but he seems content.
Settling the popcorn and candy at my feet, I take his hand and press a kiss to his clawed tips, to his palm, to his wrist. He purrs softly, and his head droops toward mine.
“Want to try some of the snacks?” I ask him.
He nods, and I pick up the popcorn, looking over in time to see Everest trying to get Rathyn to take a bite of what he ordered. Rathyn bares his fangs and shakes his head, looking like our little possum when she’s disgruntled.
