Raider:Give me a kiss goodnight?
Rune:How?
Raider:Touch your finger to your lips
Raider:Then touch the phone screen
Something flutters in Rune’s chest. Touching his lips with a single fingertip, he’s never been more aware of his own physical form. The texture and heat of his own skin. When Rune touches the phone, the screen is warm too. He presses his finger next to Raider’s tiny photo.
Raider:Did you do it?
Rune:Yes
Raider:Good boy
Raider:I did too. Sweet dreams ;)
Then Raider goes offline, leaving Rune huddled around the glowing phone. Rune doesn’t move, but he could float away on the thrill.
He talked to someone. A real person. And that real person wanted to talk to Rune too. Even if nothing else happens, even if Raider forgets or changes his mind about talking tomorrow?
This is already the best day Rune remembers.
4
Raider can’t wait until after his meeting the next morning. He dashes off a quick “Good morning, cutie” through a bleary squint at his phone, before he even makes coffee. Seven in the morning shouldn’t be a real time.
Rune’s reply is immediate.
Rune:Good morning!
Raider:Wow, you’re up early
Raider:Or maybe not. What time is it for you?
There’s a long pause after that. Raider’s coffee and loaded bagel are ready by the time his phone dings again.
Rune:7:30 AM
Raider:Cool, same time zone :)
Raider sends a photo of his coffee and bagel. Nothing fit for social media—the bagel’s a delicious bacon-y mess on the garage sale plate. The coffee is in a chipped, sickly green mug that says I Robbed the Royal Museum and All I Got Was This Cursed Mug.
Not actually cursed. Raider thoroughly tested it after Val gave it to him five birthdays ago.
Raider:Have you eaten yet?
Rune:Not yet.
Raider:Then I can’t ask what you’re eating… awesome. What are you wearing? ;)
There’s another long pause. Raider doesn’t mind. He imagines the pretty young man in the photo staring at the phone screen and squirming—and the mental image is appealing. Rune is clearly nervous about this whole Cupid match thing, but being patient with him is easy.
Raider’s phone doesn’t ding again until he’s already downstairs. The empty shop front is serene, all gold and shadows in the early morning light. The pale wood shelves and cabinets are still empty, filled only with possibilities. Raider unlocks the front door, then leans against the counter to open the Heart2Heart app.
Instead of a message, there’s a photo.
A blurry, soft photo of Rune standing in front of a full-length mirror. The photo cuts off at his neck, showing just a hint of long hair sweeping over his shoulders. He holds the phone with both hands in front of his chest, and he’s wearing the same tie-dye shirt as in his profile photo.
