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The moon was jealous.
The stars were too late.
“You really like it when I’mmussedup,” she mocked and laughed as she repositioned herself to sit on my hips.
“I love all of your looks, but yes. If I’m the one who’s ruined the perfection you were raised with, then I really do enjoy the sight.” I ran my hands along her thighs, and the feel of slight stubble was wonderful against my palms. “I have something for you,” I mentioned as I reached for the bedside stand.
I opened the top drawer and grabbed the black box I had tucked away more than a month ago. There was a dainty bow tied in the white ribbon. I placed it on my stomach in front of her.
“For me? When did you get this?” She cautiously reached out as she continued to ask questions. “Am I supposed to have something? Are there new rules to dating?”
I laughed at her light spiraling, and she bobbed with the movement.
“No, there’s no new rules to dating. You really haven’t missed out on much,” I said as I resumed a light massage.
She hesitated before picking it up and eyed me suspiciously as she shook the package. She held the very opaque cardboard up in the sun streaming in.
I barked out another raspy laugh. “Woman, just open it!” I had wanted this to be a bit more romantic, but it almost resulted in tears as I continued. She joined the ridiculousness, and the crinkle at her eyes pushed me deeper into my affection.
We settled down as she pulled the ribbon loose. It fell from the box and tickled as it brushed against me. She pulled the lid off and her eyebrows raised. Her lips parted, but she didn’t speak.
She looked from the box to me, and then back to the contents.
Two rings. A thick, solid band with a cut-out swallow. A thin band with the matching swallow on top.
“Jaiden,” she gasped. Tears welled and threatened to spill over the rim. They weren’t exquisite or entirely unique, but they carried more worth in meaning alone.
“Bexley,” I teased back. She placed the box down and pulled the thicker band from the foam. “Which hand?” I asked, pulling them from her body and presenting them to her. She looked between them, and after glancing at her own, she settled on my right hand. Her hands were slight in comparison as she took my palm in her grasp.
“Freedom in love,” she whispered, sliding the band onto my middle finger. She gave me hers. I didn’t need contemplation as I tugged her left hand away from her chest. It was going to happen one day. We’d chalk this up to a practice run.
“And a home to return to,” I promised, sliding the thin band down her ring finger. She held her hand and continued to stare at the silver.
“How long have you had these?” A tear slipped over the edge and trailed down her cheek. Her lip quivered before she smiled and turned to look at me.
“Uhh,” I stalled and shrugged. I knew exactly how long ago I placed the order. “Probably six months?”And three weeks. Who’s counting?
“You’ve had these for six months?”
I reached out and wrapped my hand around the back of her neck, bringing her to me. Her hands were warm against my chest as she used me for support.
“Do you remember the locker incident some years ago?” She nodded, and I continued, “I would’ve gone out and bought every star, every planet, every universe I could find for youthatday. The day you fell into my life was the day every dark and miserable part felt worth the pain. Everyone who walked out on me, everyone who looked down on me, and everyone who hurt me, they didn’t matter anymore.” Her breath hitched and more tears dropped onto my chest.
“This long, Jai?” she asked as I wiped the tears. I swiped one and brought my thumb to my mouth. I ran my tongue over the pad, and the saltiness bounced over my tastebuds.
“I was content with loving you quietly, even if it meant my forever was another observer in your life. It was enough for me.” All of it was true. If I never started this Halloween game, I would’ve cherished even the smallest allowance in her life. I settled my hands on her hips and massaged small circles on her waist with my thumbs.
Her fingers ran through my hair. Her nails moved with light pressure against my scalp, and it felt better than most sex. I closed my eyes, leaning into that touch and chasing the euphoria.
“You’ll never leave me?” she asked, her voice small and vulnerable. I didn’t open my eyes as she continued to move her hand in a whorling pattern.
“You couldn’t pay me. You’re incomparable.” Her nails slid around my ear and to the base of my head. “Even a divine act of the gods couldn’t keep me from you.” A low groan started in my chest when she ran her other hand through as well.
“It’s not just lust for you?” With that question, I looked at her. Her sad eyes knitted with worry. Her face had fallen from the earlier joy. She wasn’t worried about me specifically. She was worried that it’d happen again. I thought carefully. Her hands stopped, and my normal functioning returned.
“Have you heard of the relativity of simultaneity?”
“I don’t think most normal people have.” She smirked. I bit my lip and continued on. She was my favorite kind of mouthy.
