Page 58 of Midnight Ink

“I got you a pair. Here.” He hands me soft red ones. “They’re pretty worn but soft as hell.”

I hesitate for a second then kick off my jeans and tug them on. They fit almost too well.

Julian isn’t wearing a shirt, and I peel mine off over my head. I’m hyperaware of every inch of his exposed skin. “These are dangerous.” I tug on the pants. “Soft. I could live in them.”

“Told you. I don’t splurge on a lot of things, but I spare no cost when it comes to comfort.” He grabs the remote and pulls up the app. “I picked a few movies. You know I don’t fuck with blood and gore, but I picked Jurassic Park⁠—”

“Technically a horror.”

“It’s dinosaurs,” he says defensively. “Dinosaurs are awesome.” I laugh. “I also picked The Incredibles, and Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

“Rocky Horror Picture Show?”

“Are you going to question every choice I make?” His eyes narrow with an amused spark. “I love musicals. And then I picked Ponyo.”

“What’s Ponyo?”

He exhales dramatically. “It’s Studio Ghibli. The art and animation are insane. They’re beautiful movies. Which one do you want to watch?”

It’s just after lunch now and I have no plans except to lie in bed with him. “Why not watch them all?” I shrug, sitting close enough that our knees brush. “We’ve got nothing else to do.”

He studies me for a second like he’s trying to decide something. “Okay,” he says quietly. “We’ll start with Jurassic Park and work our way down.”

“Sounds amazing, Jules.”

He fidgets with the hem of his pants. “Do you mind if I draw while we watch?”

“Draw?”

“I just can’t sit still if I’m not doing something with my hands. I get restless watching movies. I want to watch them. It’s not that I don’t. I just need to do something else while I watch TV.”

There’s something fragile in his tone, like he thinks I’d find that weird. “Of course. That sounds perfect.” He looks up at me, surprise or relief heavy in his eyes. “I wish I had mine,” I add.

“You can use some paper. I brought a couple.” His voice softens. “We can both draw.”

With our knees pressed tight together neither of us says a word. I hear faint footsteps somewhere down the hall. “What’s wrong?” I ask as his dark brows pull together. “What?”

He shrugs. “I’ve had guys I’ve dated get annoyed by it. I just can’t sit in front of a TV and not do anything. It makes me want to jump out of my skin. Sometimes people think it’s rude.” He swallows. “I don’t want you to think I don’t want to watch.”

“I don’t think that.” Those dicks. I don’t know much about the guys he’s dated. I’ve seen a couple over the years but never made a move to get to know them. Maybe it was jealousy or instinct, but I never liked any of them. None of them were good enough. “We’re going to have an awesome movie day.”

A soft knock lands on the door. It’s enough to make Jules pull away like he’s been caught doing something he shouldn’t.

I get up and go to the door, and Xia’s standing there with a giant tray. “Holy shi—” I bite my lip. “Wow. This is—wow.” I look at the spread and take the heavy tray from her. Crackers, various cuts of pepperoni, salami, and cheeses. There are also a few small bags of chips. What I don’t see is⁠—

Alexander walks upstairs with a what looks like a pitcher and a basket of various packets. “What is all this?”

“Well, I thought you might both like some snacks for your movie. There are chips, crackers and cheese, some packets of popcorn. You’re welcome to use the microwave in here, and Alexander has the water boiler so you can choose tea or hot chocolate. There’s plenty more downstairs if you run out.”

Julian thanks Alexander and takes the pitcher and basket of tea, setting it on the cabinet with the microwave. “Thank you. This is—wow. Thanks.”

“Just be careful with that water, it comes out boiling hot. Just let it cool.” Xia smiles, looking around the room then at the TV with the movie queued.

“Jurassic Park,” Julian says quickly.

“Dinosaurs,” I add.

She smiles, softer now. “Good choice.”