“Let us know if either of you need some time off to… get things sorted,” Glyma said from the sidewalk, and Dex nodded.
As Hemersyn pulled away from the curb, Dex texted his mom with a very short rundown so she’d be prepared for their arrival, immensely grateful Jasmyn was at a friend’s house for a slumber party tonight. He wanted to be a kid right now and let the adults handle things, and he couldn’t relax completely if he had to worry about his sister.
Instead of dropping Cya off like he had so many times before, Hemersyn parked and followed them to Dex’s flat. His mom was waiting at the door, having tracked his location, and she immediately enveloped Cya in a tight hug. They didn’t immediately reciprocate, but eventually, they lifted their arms and returned the embrace.
Inside the flat, Cya sat on the couch between Dex and Hemersyn, dry-eyed and detached, picking the nail polish off their thumb in little flecks that peppered their lap. Scooting closer, Dex snuffled against their temple and ear, nosing at their jaw until they turned toward him. Their golden eyes were dull and lifeless, and he pressed his forehead to theirs, whining deep in his chest. They cupped his cheek with one hand, touching the raised bump between their nostril slits to the tip of his nose.
Dex’s mom offered food, then drinks, both of which Cya and Dex refused.
“You wouldn’t happen to have a bottle of sherry, would you?” Hemersyn asked.
“No, but I have cheap whiskey,” she said.
Hemersyn rubbed the back of his neck and shrugged. “Sounds like a fine alternative.”
Four tumblers with a finger of whiskey each found their way to the coffee table, and even though Dex wasn’t much of a drinker, he nursed one slowly. His mom clutched her glass between her hands but didn’t drink it. Hemersyn took a healthy sip, eyes closing as it went down.
Cya stared at the fourth glass on the table, eyes glazed over. Then they grabbed it and threw the whole contents back in one go.
“Whoa,” Dex said as Cya slammed the glass down, face screwing up as they coughed.
“Good gods, what is that?” they wheezed.
“Whiskey,” his mom said.
“It’s ghastly,” they said, pointing at the empty glass. “Can I have another?”
“I don’t think that’s wise,” Hemersyn said.
“Yeah, you should probably—oh, okay, or just take mine,” Dex said as Cya snatched his tumbler out of his hand and downed that one too.
They shuddered at the taste, coughing again, and Hemersyn took the glass from them, quickly drinking his own empty to ensure Cya didn’t steal it too. “That’s enough of that,” he said, setting both glasses on the coffee table.
Blinking at Hemersyn, Cya’s brow furrowed, then their eyes widened. “Oh my gods, Hemersyn, your job! You lost your job!”
“Tut, tut,” he waved away from their concern. “I didn’t lose anything. I quit. There’s a difference.”
“But… but… your livelihood. You shouldn’t have sacrificed it for me.”
“Did you really think I would stay? After what they said to you? Come now, I know you’re smarter than that,” he said with an almost patronizing curl to his mouth. “Besides, how much longer did you expect me to remain under their employ? You’re grown now, and I’m not getting any younger. It was only a matter of time.”
Like the thought of Hemersyn not being around forever had never crossed their mind, Cya slumped into the back of the couch and frowned. “But you don’t have a job now.”
“Don’t worry about me. I know your parents’ financial situation, which I used to my advantage at every salary negotiation.” He winked. “I have a very modest nest egg. I’ll be fine. Perhaps I’ll even retire early.”
“But—” they tried again, and he quieted them with a talon to their lips.
“Hush now. I’m fifty-four years old, and I’ve been handsomely compensated for over two decades. I will be more than comfortable as I search for new employment.” The talon at their mouth flipped to tap under their chin instead. “Right now, let’s focus onyournext steps, yes?”
“Cya’s welcome to stay here as long as they need to,” Dex’s mom said, and Dex sent her a grateful smile.
“Thank you,”he signed.
She blew him a subtle kiss, then refocused on Cya. “Jasmyn can sleep with me, so you can take her room. Or you can stay in Dex’s room, of course. Whatever you prefer.”
Cya chin wobbled. “That’s very generous.”
Clearing his throat, Hemersyn placed a hesitant hand on their shoulder. “I had hoped you would consider taking my spare bedroom, but if you’d prefer staying here, I understand.”
