Page 198 of Demons Dig Donuts

“I did think of it, decades ago, and thought it was stupid then. Exactly like it is—”

A bird cooed.

Soft, melodic, and sad.

Cher landed in the bird bath, flitting around for a few moments. Then he jumped down to explore and pick at what the feeding tray had to offer. There was a small flash of white in the trees, and Cher cooed curiously.

Mr. Heiss tensed, his hand squeezing Indy’s arm.

The little flash of white appeared again—it was a white bird.

A white mourning dove.

It was Miss Alabaster.

She landed over in the grass near the feeding tray, cautiously approaching with curious bobs of her head.

Cher turned toward her abruptly.

Miss Alabaster took off, but Cher followed.

Indy let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “Holy shit, I am a fucking bird genius.”

“You’re certainly fucking something,” Mr. Heiss said softly, curling his arm around Indy and hugging him close. “I… I can’t believe it.”

“Believe it. And the power of Google.”

They sat there for a long time, listening.

Cher and Miss Alabaster cooed back and forth, their wings fluttering as they zipped around the trees together. It was peaceful, and Indy was soon in danger of dozing off. He must have though because the next thing he knew, he was curled up in Mr. Heiss’s lap and using his shoulder as a pillow, still out in the yard as the birds fluttered above their heads.

“Sorry,” Indy mumbled. “Didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“It’s all right.” Mr. Heiss smiled. “They came back down to eat a few times, once to the bird bath, and I do believe Cher is courting Miss Alabaster.”

“Oh?”

“Mmhmm.” Mr. Heiss rubbed Indy’s back. “I saw them preening each other, and I am certain Cher is already trying to build a nest up there above the window.” He paused, his voice strained as he continued, “I don’t quite have the words to tell you how much this means to me. I wish I did. Saying thank you doesn’t feel like enough.”

“I just wanted to, you know, make you happy.” Indy yawned, shaking his head. “You can show your appreciation with oral sex.”

Mr. Heiss touched Indy’s chin, urging him to meet his gaze. “You are a beautiful, wild thing, and you have healed something in me. Something I’d nearly forgotten was broken because I’d forced myself to live without it for so long.” He took Indy’s hand to press against his chest. “You, Indigo Summers, are truly everything to me. And I am yours. My body, my soul, and my heart. Should you want them, you have but—”

“Fuck, yeah. Give me that shit.” Indy choked on air, his eyes burning with tears. “Because I’m yours too. Okay? I’m yours.”

Mr. Heiss kissed him, a soft and sweet meeting of their lips.

Indy’s head swam, and he wrapped himself all around Mr. Heiss, holding him close as his heart soared. Once they’d finally parted, Indy blurted out, “I think I’ve decided on a deal.”

“Oh?” Mr. Heiss chuckled low. “What is it? Mandatory daily oral? Fisting once a week?”

“Okay, that’s all a given. But, no. I mean it.” Indy snorted. “Here it is. Our new deal. I get to not die. Yay! Oh, and you fix this fucking wrinkle. This fucker right here.” He poked his forehead. “Don’t want any of that, okay? No dying, no aging, none of it. And in return, you get my soul, my heart, and my body too. Same as you.”

“This is truly what you desire?” Mr. Heiss asked, his expression soft and full of hope.

“Yup.” Indy reached up to touch Mr. Heiss’s cheek. “Me, you, forever. Fighting, fucking, talking to your immortal birds. Gotta go give Cher whatever you did to Miss Alabaster. Can’t forget about that.” He grinned. “Oh! Plus no dying and no wrinkles. Also very important.”

“I didn’t forget.”