It had to have been a dream. He tried to shake it off as he cast his gaze nervously around the bedroom. It was still dark, so they couldn’t have been asleep that long. They had gone to bed at five a.m as usual, and the spring sun was due to emerge around 8 a.m.
Everything seemed fine. Sam had just convinced himself he was imagining things, when he saw it. In the shadow between the closet and the wall, a pair of glowing amber eyes stared at him balefully. Sam shrieked and scrambled to a sitting position on the bed, clutching the duvet to him, as if the cloth could save him.
Tally jolted awake and looked around. He saw the glowing eyes and, to Sam’s astonished horror, got out of bed and strode up to them. Sam opened his mouth to shriek again as Tally reached into the shadows and pulled someone out.
Complete shock stole Sam’s shriek away, rendering him mute. He had just seen the impossible. The tiny gap between the closet and the wall was far too small for a person to hide in. Yet there was now a stranger in his bedroom.
The intruder had long dark hair that spilled down to their narrow waist. They were young, male, and very naked.
“What are you doing here?” demanded Tally, with nothing but annoyance in his voice. Sam couldn’t fathom why Tally wasn’t terrified.
The newcomer just pouted. Sam stared at his face. The stranger was incredibly beautiful. All flawless skin, high cheekbones and defined jawline. Long lashes and large bright amber eyes. Plump lips on a generous mouth.
Sam tore his gaze away, feeling guilty for admiring the stranger. Then he chided himself. He wasn’t actually in a relationship with Tally, he wasn’t doing anything wrong. Then Sam realized with a shock, that while he could objectively see the intruder’s good looks, he wasn’t drawn to them. He felt no flash of desire. It seemed he only had eyes for Tally. Sam swallowed dryly, a little shook by that revelation. He was in far deeper than he had realized.
“Someone summoned you?” asked Tally, his tone shifting to concern.
The stranger nodded solemnly. His gorgeous amber eyes wide and sad. Sam felt a flash of pity through his fear and bewilderment, adding to his confusion. This strange, late night encounter felt like too much to cope with.
Tally swore vehemently before pulling the young man closer. “Let’s have a look at you,” he said and spun the stranger around in a complete circle.
“You’ve gained a damn fine body, you lucky bastard!” exclaimed Tally after his inspection.
The newcomer grinned delightedly. Sam had to agree with Tally’s assessment. Their visitor’s body was very fine indeed, but so was Tally’s.
“Everyone was wondering where you were,” said Tally.
The stranger sighed and looked forlorn. Suddenly Tally was prizing the visitor’s mouth open. “Did they cut your tongue out? Why can’t you talk?”
The stranger calmly let Tally look in his mouth and then shrugged by way of an answer. Tally sighed and put his hands on his hips.
The visitor held up his wrist to proudly show Tally a brightly colored bracelet made of beads.
“Jinx?” said Tally, reading the bracelet. “Is that your name now?”
The stranger nodded happily. Setting his long hair into vibrant motion.
Tally huffed out a breath and turned to Sam. “This is Jinx, he is an incubus.”
Sam swallowed, “Hi,” he managed to say weakly. He almost added ‘pleased to meet you,’ as his panicked mind fumbled for security in the comfort of manners. Sam was glad he was able to stop himself. He didn’t want to sound like a complete idiot.
“It’s too late to deal with this now, get into bed,” ordered Tally. Sam’s heart rate spiked even more at this turn of events.
Jinx grinned excitedly and stepped forward but Tally caught his arm, “Just for sleeping, you can’t have him, he is mine.”
Sam blinked. He really should object to Tally calling him ‘mine’ and staking his claim. But it brought him such a perverse pleasure, he couldn’t do it. Besides, on this occasion, he definitely appreciated the protection.
Jinx scowled, but nodded his understanding. His disappointed look did nothing to help Sam’s nerves. Sam couldn’t help but wonder what the stranger would have done to him if Tally hadn’t said anything. Sam shuddered.
“Can… um he put some clothes on first?” asked Sam as if a piece of cloth would make the situation better.
Tally sighed wearily, as if Sam was being ridiculous, but he opened up the closet. He grabbed one of Sam’s white tee shirts and thrust it at Jinx. The young man obediently put it on and it was like a nightie on him. A very short, skimpy nightie, but just about decent.
Sam groaned in defeat and lay back down. Tally climbed in next to him and positioned Jinx on his other side. With Tally in the middle, Sam could pretend that Jinx wasn’t there. The double bed really wasn’t big enough for three, but it wasn’t too bad.
He closed his eyes. Jinx must be one of Tally’s friends. Another lost boy. He had found where Tally was staying and had come to see him. That was the rational explanation. He must have just been seeing things in the shadows. Jinx had somehow broken in. It was all fine. Sam told himself he was just collecting waifs and strays.
He ignored the part of himself that was trembling with unease and quite adamant that he was telling himself lies. Why was he naked? He asked himself. Sam resolutely ignored that question. There had to be a rational explanation, he was just too tired to think of it.
