Page 23 of Dance in the Stones

“You were.” Duncan’s expression turned knowing. “But not anymore. That’s what matters.”

After Duncan finally left - promising to stop by the pub immediately to share the news - Damon returned to find the contractors taking their lunch break. Malcolm waved them over to where he and his assistants had set up near the partially restored western wall.

“Congratulations,” Malcolm said, his tone genuine. “You two seem good together.”

“Thanks.” Redford’s hand found the small of Damon’s back. “I think we can all agree it happened faster than either of us expected, but when you know you know.”

“Sometimes that’s how it works.” Malcolm unwrapped his sandwich. “My wife and I knew after two weeks. Moved in together after three. Married within the year. That was thirty years ago when things like that were frowned on, but we still did it.”

One of the assistants, a younger man named Jamie, shook his head. “See, I don’t know if it’s like that now. My sister dated her boyfriend for five years before they moved in together. Everyone’s different.”

“True enough.” Malcolm studied them both with the careful assessment of someone who’d seen plenty of relationships come and go. “But you can tell when something’s right. The way you two work together, move around each other - that’s not something you fake.”

Damon felt Redford’s quiet pleasure as if it was his own. “You could be right about that.”

They ate lunch in companionable silence, listening to the contractors discuss the next phase of work. Damon found himself relaxing into the normalcy of it, the simple pleasure of sitting beside his mate while the contractors discussed foundation repairs and material orders.

This is nice, he sent through the bond.

It is. Redford’s fingers brushed against his. Though I’m already thinking about tonight.

You can stop thinking like that right now. We’ll never get anything done.

Can’t help it. Amusement and desire pulsed through their connection. You’re distracting.

After lunch, they split up to tackle different sections of the castle. Damon helped Jamie clear debris from what would eventually become a kitchen area, while Redford worked with Malcolm on the foundation repairs – they were clearly the biggest issue with the renovation. But even separated by stone walls, Damon could feel his mate’s presence. It was like the pack bond, but so much more intense.

Every so often, Redford would send something through the bond - a flash of satisfaction when they made progress, mild irritation when a stone wouldn’t cooperate, and warmth whenever his thoughts drifted to Damon, which seemed to be often. Not that Damon was any better.

“You’re smiling a lot today,” Jamie observed, hauling another load of broken masonry toward the growing pile outside.

“Am I?”

“Yeah. Not that there’s anything wrong with it.” Jamie grinned. “Just different from how you’ve been the past week. You seemed pretty intense before.”

“Intense?”

“Like you were trying really hard not to notice Mr. Stone.” Jamie wiped sweat from his forehead. “Which was funny because he was doing the same thing. Malcolm and I had bets on how long it would take for you two to get together.”

Damon raised an eyebrow. “You bet on us?”

“Malcolm said three weeks. I said one.” Jamie’s grin widened. “Technically I won, since it’s been about ten days.”

“I hope it was something worth winning.” Damon couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hey, we’re happy for you. Malcolm especially - he’s a romantic at heart, even if he pretends not to be.” Jamie hefted another stone. “Plus, you’ve been good for the work. Mr. Stone’s way more relaxed now. Earlier this week, he kept looking like he wanted to say something but couldn’t figure out how.”

Through the bond, Damon felt Redford’s embarrassment at being so transparent.

They noticed, Damon sent.

Apparently everyone noticed.

We weren’t subtle.

No. Affection warmed their connection. But I wouldn’t change anything.

Me neither.