Page 24 of The Hummingbird’s Gift

He did notice, though, that Tier was fully dressed in the clothes that they’d collected from the ground last night. He should have realized that. Just because they’d had a festival and slept in didn’t mean that they could take the day off.

“Did you make this for us?” Tier asked.

“Yep. But, um, you could take it with you.” He noticed that Tier’s feet were bare. At least he’d stay a little longer while he found his shoes.

Tier stepped forward and gathered him into his arms. Standing together like this, it was apparent just how much larger Ro was. If he looked up just a bit, he could rest his chin on Tier’s head. That had to bother Tier, as a strength-sharer.

It certainly bothered Ro. When he was working, he appreciated his own sturdiness, but right now he wanted to feel like Tier was taking care of him.

Tier wrapped a firm hand around the back of his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. Tier lingered over it, exploring his mouth and making him feel weak and dizzy as he ran out of air. When they pulled apart, Tier dotted kisses across his exposed shoulders.

Alright, maybe it didn’t matter to Tier so much after all.

“Now why,” Tier asked, “would I want to eat at the office when you made such a delicious meal for us here?”

“I, um, thought you were late.”

Tier tapped his pocket. “I already called in. I only got dressed so I could stop by my house and pick up clothes for tomorrow.”

“So you really want to stay?”

“Rohahen, I want to talk about whose house we’re going to live in together. Of course I’m going to stay.”

“In my kitchen,” Ro breathed happily.

“We should live in your kitchen?”

Ro’s face warmed again. He never felt so shy as he did around Tier, but there was also something that he enjoyed about it. Like he didn’t have to pretend to wash away all of his emotions and could just feel things as a heart-singer.

“No. I didn’t mean to say that out loud. We can live in either place.” Their houses were just a few blocks apart, family members scattered between them. Whichever one of them moved, some other relative would take their place. “I mean… if you don’t think it’s too soon.”

Tier cupped his cheeks. “It’s not too soon. And I think we both know it. We’ve been circling each other for fifteen years.”

“Fifteen?” That had been how long he’d held this hopeless crush, but he hadn’t realized that he was even on Tier’s radar.

“I remember the first time you came up to my office with a plate of food from the kitchen. Someone told you to deliver it, I think.”

Ro could remember that moment clearly, the first time he’d seen the Chief up close, or thought of him as anything but a distant authority figure. He’d stopped dead at the door, stunned by his attraction to the older man.

Tier had been so strong and commanding as he dealt with some difficult business over the phone, but Ro had sensed a loneliness and exhaustion in him, too. It had been a confusing moment, as he was hit by conflicting desires that he now recognized as submission and caretaking. It had taken him weeks to work up the courage to bring him another small treat.

“I didn’t think you remembered that at all.”

“Oh, believe me, I did. You were adorable, all arms and legs that didn’t know where to go. You were so shy that you couldn’t say hello, but so pleased that I liked the squash soup you made.”

“It was my first week helping in the kitchen. I had no idea what I was doing.”

“I know. I asked about you. I heard that you were a strength-sharer, that you were only nineteen, and that you were the best at everything you did. Those recommendations were the reason why I put you on the farm project the next year.”

“Really? I never knew. I mean, I could barely even open my mouth around you back then. You must have thought I was an idiot.”

“No, I thought you were the most gorgeous creature I’d ever laid eyes on. It was difficult stepping back and letting you develop your own projects and interests away from me.”

“Yeah, I tried to stay away, too. That was the year I was gifted my coyote form.” He’d gone on a vision quest to help him sort out his feeling and identity, and that had been the gods’ answer. It hadn’t helped.

“Well, I’m so glad you came back to me. And I think that’s more than enough time for us to wait before moving in together. We already know that we’re compatible in bed. Or, in the forest, as it were.”

Rohahen buried his head in Tier’s shoulder. It was easier when Tier couldn’t see how embarrassingly happy that made him. Especially now that Tier felt comfortable enough to joke around. He liked this new, relaxed and playful man.