“No, it’s neither of those things.But it is for something.”Ry stepped back to better see his reaction.“Besides, I had to get it for you.”
Alex flipped it over a few times in his hands.“It’s a book.”
“It might or might not be a book,” Ry said.
Alex looked at him, his lips pursed in feigned annoyance.Then he peeled the wrapping paper off.Alex carefully thumbed the spine,A Wizard of Earthsea.
“I have this one already, goober,” Alex said, confused but still smiling.
“Go on,” Ry said.“Open the cover.”It was a signed first edition copy.
Alex stared at him, then looked back at the odd, flowing script of the author’s name, Ursula K.Le Guin.Ry had found it several weeks ago, when Alex and Brand had dragged him along a used bookstore crawl.Bored, Ry had dug around the shelves and found this one in good condition.He bought the book without Alex or Brand even noticing he’d gone missing for ten minutes.
“Goddamn, Ry, thank you.”Alex set the book on the nightstand and sat on the bed.Ry closed the distance between them.At least now they were eye-to-eye.Ry looked into those green eyes, lost in the sea of them.He let his thumb brush across Alex’s cheek.Even so many months later, a sketch of pain held on in the corner of his eyes.
Alex pulled him in.“Why?”
“Because I wanted to.”Ry pressed himself against Alex, kissing his cheek.“Because I know you’re a giant queer nerd.”
“I am not a nerd,” Alex said.His hand roamed up and down Ry’s back.“I just like reading.”
“And that makes you a nerd,” Ry replied, booping Alex on the nose.“By default.”
Alex laughed and pulled Ry on top of him, both falling back onto the bed.Ry giggled and kissed Alex twice.
“Doesn’t read,” Alex said, pinning him down.Kiss.“Doesn’t eat veggies.”Kiss.“Stubborn and lazy.”Kiss.“How are we even compatible?”
Ry batted at him playfully.“It’s because I’m the hottest, most charming man you’ve ever met.”
Alex chuckled.“That sounds like something I might have told you before.Maybe I should be more careful with my words.”
Footsteps came from just outside his room.He’d forgotten Lon had been downstairs making a snack before their big gaming session this afternoon.
“Hey how’d it—shit, sorry!”Lon said.“I guess he liked it.I’ll be downstairs then.Okay, bye!”
They both laughed as Lon’s footsteps retreated down the hall and then scurried down the stairs.Lon would have to wait longer.
“I loved it.”Alex kissed him again.
“Yeah?”he asked, still unsure if had overdone it.He slipped out from under Alex and sat up on his bed.He took Alex’s hand and rubbed circles.“You asked why earlier.I do have a reason.”
“Are you gonna tell me?”Alex said.His smile softened his face.To everyone else, he looked much older, maybe early thirties at the youngest.When he smiled, he looked more his age: barely old enough to drink.
“Only if you agree not to make fun of me.”Ry stopped rubbing circles.
“Can’t promise that, so you’ll just have to tell me.”The gleam in his eyes let Ry know he’d be safe no matter what.
“Okay,” Ry said.“There are at least a half-dozen reasons.The first major one: this is the anniversary of when we first met.”
“And you’re the one calling me a nerd?”Alex laughed, squeezing Ry’s hand.He rested his other hand on Ry’s leg.“How did you even remember the date?”
“The second major reason is that you deserve it.”Ry tried to will his meaning through his words, his eyes, the points where they touched.“You deserve good things.”
Alex’s smile slipped.“Ry, I—”
“You deserve it,” Ry said again.“I know I said a half-dozen, but there’s only one other reason I’ll share.It’s been one year, nine months, and two days since you came through those doors and told me you loved me for the first time.”
“You are insane, I’ll say that.”Alex smiled and caressed Ry’s face.“Maybe that’s why I like you so much.I’m curious about the other three reasons.”
