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“Ah so like a guest house or studio apartment.”
His forehead wrinkled. “I don’t know what either of those are.”
I plucked my phone from my pocket and showed him some examples. He swiped through each one, his eyes so big and full of awe.
“My place looks nothing like these. But it’s home, and I’ve made it my own little sanctuary over the years. Those might be fancier and newer, but I don’t think I’d trade it for the world.”
“I bet it’s a great place, and it’s always nice when something feels like yours. I’m not at mine enough to feel that way, I guess. Mostly just for sleep. The hospital has been more my home than anywhere else.” I imagined myself being wherever Nova was more often too, sitting or lying comfortably in his warm presence. Talking to him really was better in person than on a computer or phone. Getting to look into those multi-colored eyes and seeing his smile. Yeah, none of that had been possible when we were in different places.
“That’s kinda sad. Maybe you need to do what I did and fill it up with things that make you happy. You might want to be theremore once you do. Unless you have to be at the hospital all the time and it’s not a choice?”
“I don’t actually. I pick up extra shifts when I don’t need to, and I offer to cover for other people before they can ask. Saying things out loud really does help see them for how they really are, and I think I go there because I feel more connected with what I do for a living than anything at my house.”
“Well, hopefully what I got you today will help a little. I think they’ll make a great addition to your kitchen or bedroom. I would too though.” He grinned, and I didn’t miss the heat in his eyes.
“I bet you would.” I smiled.
“Can I see pictures of your house and work?”
“Sure.” Going through my gallery made me realize I didn’t take many photos. I did have at least one of the outsides of both my house and work. None of the insides of either though. I’d have to take some for him. I wished he could show me what his place looked like. I could just picture him listening to his music under the glow-in-the-dark stickers.
“You only have twenty pictures on your phone. We can change that right now.” Nova grabbed my phone and took two of us sitting together on the bed. He wore a goofy smile in the first one and stuck his tongue out in the second. “There. Two more for your collection. We can add more later.”
“Can’t wait.” I set my phone on the nightstand and got up to tidy a little around the room. He positioned himself against the headboard and I brought him his satchel when he asked for it. As I set the full trash bag outside the door, he laid several colorful flowers out on the bed. Purple, pink, and one that was different variations of tan. It wasn’t until I got close enough, that I finally noticed the stitches around the petals.
“Did you do that to it?” I took a seat next to him, lifting my legs onto the bed.
“No.” He held the odd flower between us, spinning it in the air. “It’s copying my appearance the best it can. A way of it scaring off unwanted predators. It sees me as the most dangerous threat in the room.”
I stroked one of the petals. “We don’t see the same thing then. Nothing that’s caused me harm ever brought me flowers first.”
“There’s a first time for everything.” He winked, taking a stack of leaves out of his bag. “I got you your flowers, some roots, and a surprise. Some of these leaves can be used as bandages, while others make a great tea that helps with nausea and sore throats. The roots can be used to grow flowers that leak oil resembling human perfume. They can make any room smell better. They grow within minutes after planting and watering.”
“Does that mean I’ll have to pay you for the flowers and surprise today?”
“It would save you a trip.” He waggled his brows.
“Yes, but after my sisters come over for a visit, I just know they’re going to want some of those perfume flowers, so I’ll have to set up another trade with you and return anyway.”
“You’ll come back here just for a few flowers?”
I was more than sure I’d come back for more walks with him alone, but it was probably too soon to tell him that. I had to figure out what was happening inside me first. What this and he meant to me before I could find out if he felt the same. Was what I felt lust? Curiosity? The result of being alone too long? Was it temporary or here to stay? Whatever I was experiencing was new, and not being able to understand where it suddenly came from terrified me a little. I went from struggling to feel what others did, to feeling it all at once. It was almost too much. What if it left as fast as it had come?
“I’d come back here for a petal of a flower from this place.” It was true. Everything that grew here fascinated me.
“I’m not really sure I could get what I need with such a small trade.” His lips hovered over mine when he scooted closer. “What about a few more, different surprises, in exchange for one of those toys humans use to pleasure themselves with?”
“You mean like a dildo, or vibrating plug?” My chest rose and fell heavily.
“Either will do. Then you can show me how to use it.”
“Yeah.” My voice shifted to a higher octave. “I think I can manage that. I’ve never played with any before but I’m sure it won’t be hard to figure out.”
“You can always send me pictures of you teaching yourself first.” He rubbed his lips along my jaw.
“Pictures. As you could probably tell before, I’m not too great with those.”
“Any you can take will do. As long as I’m able to see how you do everything clearly enough.”
