“We’re talking about Dick the character,” Kaiden explained. “Comic book superhero.”
“That explains it.” Dylan nodded. “Not ready for my superhero deep dive yet.”
“But yeah, I’d give Astarion pretty much whatever he wanted to hear him tell me he’s happy.”
“Oh, what about the way he purrs, daaarrrrling, at you,” Dylan added with a poor British accent, shoulder bumping Rus. “That’s pretty hot.”
“It’s just a shame the only poly option is with the bear.”
“Wait, what?” Kaiden blinked in confusion.
“Druid. He shapeshifts into a bear a lot,” Rus explained. “I mean, he’s cool and all, but he doesn’t do it for me. I don’t got the daddy issues for it.”
At that comment, Kaiden sank into the bed, locked on his phone while his friends spent the evening lost in a video game. Eventually, it got late, and Kaiden convinced them it was time for something else. Reluctantly, they stopped their game and gave Kaiden free rein in picking a movie.
“I should probably get going,” Dylan said with a stretch.
“Oh, hell no.” Kaiden playfully popped him on the chest and pushed him back onto the bed. “You made me sit through hours of your game; the least you can do is sacrifice a little sleep for a fantastic film.”
“I don’t really like cartoons.”
“Perfect,” Kaiden replied with a slick smile. “It’s Claymation. And it’s almost Halloween, so you were bound to watchThe Nightmare Before Christmassooner or later.”
“Wait, you’ve never seen it?” Rus asked with wide eyes.
“He doesn’t watch much TV,” Kaiden said almost on top of Dylan’s reply.
“I don’t watch much TV,” Dylan said with a sweet smirk as Kaiden read his mind.
There were few people who knew Dylan so well, but Kaiden had learned through Rus that, despite initial protests, Dylan was much more open to new experiences than previously considered. Kaiden rarely pushed people past their boundaries, figuring if someone showed disinterest, that meant no; however, it seemed they weren’t boundaries, merely reservations with some reluctant curiosity underneath.
“This isn’t scary, is it?” Dylan asked.
“No, it’s for children,” Kaiden replied.
“I don’t know, it gets pretty creepy.” Rus made a face and growled.
Dylan shuddered. “I’m using you as a human shield if it gets freaky.”
With that, Dylan grabbed hold of Kaiden’s bicep and used his friend as a body pillow while he lounged out on Rus’ bed. About halfway through the film, Dylan passed out, which left Kaiden and Rus to enjoy the movie.
“He’s going to kill me,” Kaiden said, slowly adjusting Dylan’s sleeping body in the middle of the bed. “He wanted to go home, and now he’s knocked out.”
“Meh, when aren’t you guys passed out in my bed?”
Kaiden stared at Rus, studying his expression, but finding him difficult to read as he watched the movie.
“Sorry for kind of invading your place.”
“You’re not invading.”
“I mean, kind of. I know it. You were hospitable, and I have definitely taken full advantage of it.” Kaiden paused, doing his best to avoid complaining about his family.
He might’ve relied on his sucky family as a way to persuade Rus into these regular hangouts. It wasn’t like he didn’t enjoy Rus’ company. He did. A lot. But the more he crashed here, the more he avoided his family and problems, the more he felt like a leech in his own right.
“If I had a problem with you here, you’d know it,” Rus said, turning his attention to Kaiden. “We haven’t known each other long, but do I seem like the type of person to bite my tongue? To politely avoid confrontation?”
Kaiden snorted in response and shook his head.
