“No, it’s not that.” Dex scrutinized the smaller man in confusion. Because the hormonal cocktail he was smelling didn’t make any sense. Jude was a guy, and even though Dex wasn’t a human expert, he was pretty surethat the guys weren’t the ones to bake the buns. But… Well, there really was no other explanation.
Unless—numerous things clicked into place all at once, and Dex smacked himself in the forehead. “Oh my gods, I’m so dumb. I missed, like, all the clues.”
Thoroughly lost, Jude faced him, a bemused smile playing at his mouth. “About?”
“You,” he said seriously, “and you’re transness.”
Jude’s brows shot up.
“Because I was telling Toni about how I ruined Jasmyn’s bra because I put it in the dryer, and apparently, that’s a big no-no. And Toni was like, ‘Yeah, you can’t do that. I’m pretty sure they gotta air dry, but I can ask Jude to be sure.’ And I figured that meant you had sisters or something. But it’s because you had tits,” Dex grinned victoriously, immensely proud for putting it together. “Right?”
Chuckling quietly, Jude nodded. “Yeah, Dex, I did. A long time ago. I thought you knew.”
“No, I did not pick up on that, like, at all. Not until right this second, but it explains so much.” He leaned down to eliminate the height difference and whispered, “Congrats, by the way.”
Matching Dex’s volume and conspiratorial tone, he said, “For being trans?”
“Sure, that too. But also… you know.” Dex winked.
Jude frowned. “My new job?”
“I didn’t know you had a new job.” Dex clapped him on the shoulder. “Congrats on that too. Man, you’re just popping off in life, right now.”
“Thanks, I think?” The human studied him a moment, and Dex started to get a sinking feeling. “But what were you congratulating me on the first time?”
“Oh, I jumped the gun, didn’t I? Sorry. I know better, but I just got excited.” Kicking at the ground, Dex ducked his head, ears flattening. “I won’t say anything to anybody until you do, promise.”
Concerned now, Jude looked around, then stepped even closer. “What are you talking about, Dex?”
Then another realization.
“Oh fuckballs, you don’t know either,” he said, and Jude’s eyes widened.
“Know what?”
“Nothing.” Dex backed away, but Jude followed.
“Um, I don’t think so. You can’t just say something ominous like that and then take it back,” he hissed.
“I’m probably wrong anyway.”
Dex’s back met the patio door, and he cowered away from the small human’s intensity as he said, “Wrong about what?”
“Uh…” Dex glanced up over Jude’s shoulder. “I think I need back-up. Rusty!”
The Pyclon’s head turned in his direction, and he lifted a mauve hand and shielded his eyes from the sun as he barked back, “What?”
“Can you come here for a sec?”
“Why?”
“Just—” Dex motioned violently. “Just come here a sec!”
With a groan, Rusty stood, water soaking the pink fur of his calves and leaving paw prints as he crossed the veranda. A few people watched them,but by the time Rusty closed the distance, they’d all returned their attention to what they’d been doing before.
Pyclons didn’t have as sharp a sense of smell as Lupyns, but Dex hoped Rusty would be able to bring some clarity. Or, at least, tell Dex that he might be wrong.
Hands on his hips above his black board shorts, Rusty said, “What?”
