“Not at all,” Rory said quickly. “You’re not that kinda drunk. You’re cute, actually.”
“Cute.” There was a word he didn’t often hear applied to himself. Arthur rubbed his aching temple. He didn’t want the answer to his next question to be yes, because he wasn’t at all ready to give up Rory’s company again, or possibly ever, but he made himself ask. “Do you, ah, have to work?”
Rory shook his head.
“Oh.” Arthur’s heart lightened. “Well, if you’re free and interested, maybe we can—”
“I quit.”
Arthur blinked.
“I quit my job.” Rory hugged himself tightly. “I called this morning and left a message for Mr. Baker, told him I’m not coming back.” He shrugged, and there was nothing easy about the gesture when he looked tense enough to snap. “I, uh. I got a little savings from Mrs. B, so I’ll be okay for a few weeks. But, um. I don’t have a job now.”
Arthur’s heart did a funny flip. “Teddy—”
“I mean, I hated that job. Worst I ever had. It was gonna pay my bills, though, so I don’t know what I’m gonna do without it.” He hunched further into himself. “But supposedly I’ve got this boyfriend who says I can ask him for help. Or at least, I hope he isn’t gonna let me starve—”
“Christ, get over here.” Arthur didn’t wait; he reached for Rory, snagging his wrist and tumbling him down into the covers. “Oh, baby, you’re shaking.”
“I don’t know why this is so hard, it’s just a job,” Rory said plaintively, unusually pliant as he let Arthur hold him tightly. “A really awful job. Theworstjob. I can find another—probably—aw, Ace, what if I can’t find another job?”
“If I could remind you that you are surrounded by people who care about your well-being—”
“Maybe I could work at the Magnolia.” Rory buried his face against Arthur’s chest. “Jade’s too sweet to leave me on the street.”
“Um, excuse me,Idon’t intend to leave you on the street.”
“But I’d be great at bootlegging, I could make her lots of money. Or I could wash all the dishes for Zhang’s family.”
“You could do all of that. But working and making money is not why any of us want you around.” Arthur scooted down the bed to see Rory’s face, reaching for his glasses so they could both be comfortable. “You’re very brave.”
“Oh sure,” Rory said, with heavy sarcasm, as he tilted his head to let Arthur pull his glasses off. “That’s why I’m falling apart over quitting a bad job.”
They were nearly nose to nose on the mattress, the borrowed dressing gown bunching under Rory’s chin. “It’s understandable,” said Arthur. “America traps the working class in wretched positions because they are desperate for a wage and afraid to quit.”
“Oh, how would you know, you Fifth Avenue prick,” Rory muttered, but not meanly. “You’ve never had to ask for help.”
“Please. Iinheritedhelp.” Arthur kissed him once, Rory’s mouth trembling under his. “I had wealthy parents, wealthy grandparents, and a trust fund before I was born. Through no effort of my own I was given a safety net, while you’ve worked since childhood and still walk a tightrope without one.”
He ran his thumb over Rory’s chapped lower lip. “It isn’t fair. But you do have people to catch you now.Iwill catch you.”
Rory swallowed. “You might have to,” he said, barely more than a whisper. “And I feel so guilty. You said I wasn’t a burden, but Ace, I feel like one.”
“Baby,” Arthur said again, and cupped Rory’s face. “Do I look like a man who feels burdened?”
Rory swallowed again, searching Arthur’s eyes with his beautiful, unfocused brown ones. Then, finally, he bit his lower lip and shook his head.
Arthur stroked his thumb along Rory’s jaw. “What do I look like?”
“Happy,” Rory whispered, his voice breaking on the word.
Arthur kissed him, sliding his hand to the back of Rory’s head and threading curls between his fingers. Rory’s hands found their way to his face as they kissed, and he went easily over onto his back when Arthur pushed him.
“I missed you.” Rory’s voice was hoarse as he wrapped his arms around Arthur’s neck. “I missed you so much, I scried your postcardsevery day.”
Rory’s kisses were turning needier, making Arthur’s head spin. “And I know you’re gonna leave again,” he said against Arthur’s mouth, “’cause you’re saving the world. But you gotta know how much I miss you—”
Come with me, Arthur opened his mouth to say.Come with me, no more goodbyes—
