Ezra slipped underneath the cover, going back to balancing on the edge of the bed, and Rourke, who normally slept spread eagle, did his best to keep to his side.
* * * *
Ezra stared at the ceiling, waiting for Rourke to wake up.He wasn't sure if he'd slept at all during the night, but Rourke sure had.How could he sleep with another person in his bed?Ezra had never shared a bed with anyone, not since he'd been old enough to sleep on his own at least.He was sure he'd shared a bed with Shixyll at some point.
"What are you thinking about?"
Ezra jerked so hard he almost fell over the edge."Nothing."
"It sure looked like you were thinking about something."
Shaking his head, Ezra grimaced.Maybe avoiding to answer would annoy Rourke, and then he'd have reason to punish him."I was thinking about home."
Rourke hummed, rolled out of bed, and headed toward the bathroom without looking at him."Get dressed."
Ezra dove for his bag and pulled out a black long-sleeved button-down.He quickly pulled off the shirt he'd slept in and pulled the clean one on.He'd wash off later.With a glance at the closed bathroom door, he rapidly switched his underwear for clean ones, then he reached for the jeans.
"Do you need the bathroom before we head out?"Rourke walked into the room, wearing nothing but underwear, and Ezra gulped at the muscled torso.Holy hell, he'd been curled over him, sliding into him.With all his strength, he could've crushed him.But he hadn't.He'd been careful.
He swallowed hard."Where are we going?"
"Breakfast."
Dumbly, Ezra gestured at the kitchen area of the room.
"You're free to eat here, but you still have to go get whatever you're eating in the dining hall.I don't have any food here.Or you might find some popcorn or a pack of crackers if you're lucky."
Dining hall.Around the others in the pack.Who all knew he'd been in Rourke's room all night.He dug into his bag and pulled out one bracelet after the other.He'd need all the armor he could get if he was to face a pack of monsters.The bracelets didn't mean much, but they were all he had.Small tokens Jiprix had given him, most of them in leather with one or a few metal beads.They hardly jingled at all.
Feeling around at the bottom, he searched for the four silver cuff bracelets Jiprix had given him after he'd tended to him the last time he'd been injured.They weren't decorated in any way, but there was a soft clink when he moved his hand.
Rourke watched him with a thoughtful expression."They mean something?"
"Tokens of appreciation."
He nodded without saying anything else, and Ezra escaped into the bathroom.He eyed the shower.Would Rourke be annoyed with him if he took one?Before he could second-guess himself, he ripped his clothes and bracelets off and stepped into the shower.
Washing in record time, he was soon dressed and out in the room again.He self-consciously fingered his braids he hadn't taken the time to undo before jumping in under the spray.There was nothing he could do about it now.
Rourke raised an eyebrow at him.
"Sorry."He lowered his gaze to the floor.
"It's okay to shower, Ezra.Come on now."He strode toward the door, and Ezra contemplated jumping back into the bathroom, but when Rourke slowed his steps, he moved forward.
"What did you eat yesterday?"
Ezra's stomach growled."I didn't."
He sensed Rourke looking at him and studied the floor more intently.
"Jesus Christ."There was a rustle as if Rourke ran a hand through his hair, or maybe he rubbed his neck.Ezra followed him out into the corridor.
"There is always food in the kitchen.Everyone grabs what they want.If you've bought something special, you put your name on it, but everything without a name on is free for all."
Ezra didn't have any money, so he wouldn't be buying anything.
When voices reached him, every muscle in his body tensed.He waited for slurs to hail and maybe a few shoves as he trailed into the room after Rourke, but the voices didn't falter for a second.
