“It’s okay,” Frankie murmured, cradling Snod’s face and pressing their lips together. “There... it’s
okay to miss him. It’s okay to feel pain.”
“He told me to tell you that he loves you,” Snod said, the sadness digging in deeper as he thought of
his best moments with the old man. “He wanted me to take care of you.”
“We’ll keep each other warm,” Frankie said softly, a playful smile lighting up his face.
“How did you...” Snod stared awkwardly.
“You’re my progeny,” Frankie explained fondly. “Our bond is even stronger now. Thoughts,
memories... they’ll pass between us without even trying. You were remembering that night with Rees,
and I saw it.”
“I do miss him. I know I miss him.”
“I know. We’ll make sure he has a proper burial decked all out in Chanel or he’ll come back and
haunt us both.”
“Will I be able to go?” Snod asked, suddenly aware that there were extreme limitations with this new
life.
“I’ll make sure we hold it at night. I know he’d want you to be there.”
“No sunlight for me,” Snod said with a click of his tongue.
“No,” Frankie said with a quick shake of his head. “I don’t think you would have inherited my
immunity... maybe. It’s certainly possible. But I’m not willing to test it right now. We need to be safe.”
“I trust you,” Snod whispered. “I know you’ll help me... you love me.”
Despite so many of his memories and emotions seeming so far away right now, what he felt for
Frankie hadn’t dwindled in the slightest. He was more drawn to him than ever, and their love was a
palpable living force.
He could sense it pulsing between them, vivacious and beautiful, whispering, “You love me so
much...”
“Yes, I do,” Frankie said with a warm smile, finally turning the water off and grabbing towels to dry
them with.
Snod closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth of the friction from Frankie’s vigorous rubbing. Each little
thread of the towel was squishy and soft, invigorating to his sensitive skin.
A new hunger was beginning to grow from Frankie’s attentive efforts, Snod reaching for his hips and
pulling him close.
