“I see I should have kept my compliments to myself. Males and their obsession with their own endowment,” they lamented. “Yet another part of your penis-brain that I do not understand.”
“I adore you,” he said, and they could not continue their act of disinterest, not when he was being so sweet.
“I reciprocate the sentiment,” they admitted, and he grinned.
When the water began to cool, he sent Zef from the shower. “Let me finish up in here,” he said, the tips of ears burning red.
“Are you going to masturbate?” they asked as they wrapped a towel around their shoulders.
He glared at them through the crack in the shower door but grudgingly admitted, “Yes.”
“May I observe?” they asked, antennas wriggling in interest.
An odd choking sound scraped his throat as he wiped a hand down his face. “You wanna watch me jerk off?”
They nodded exuberantly. “As long as I do not have to engage physically, yes. I understand the mechanics of it, as I have read anatomy books, but I would like to see it in person.”
“For science?” he asked playfully.
“Yes, but also because it is you.” They stepped forward, reaching out to cup his water-warm cheek. “I care about your pleasure, Bryce, and I wish to experience it with you in whatever way I can.”
Turning his head, he kissed their palm, making their breath hitch. “Okay, you can watch me, but maybe not this time? Feels a little weird in my parents’ house.”
The idea of sharing intimacy under Toa Sian’s roof made them grimace, and they nodded. “Yes, I understand. Perhaps when we are back home, if you are feeling amorous, then I could watch as you pleasure yourself.”
“Good God, the things that come out of your mouth,” he groaned into their palm. “Get out of here before I combust.”
Far too pleased with themself, they dried off, feeling the heat of Bryce’s gaze on them the whole time. It was thrilling and satisfying, even with the sexual undertones of the situation. Because there was safety here, a security that they could express sensuality without expectation of sexual engagement.
And, of course, the affection, connection, and consent shared between them. Yes, Bryce was sexualizing them in this moment, but they were giving him permission to do so. Instead of feeling violated or used, theyfelt powerful as they pressed their back to the bathroom door and watched Bryce watch them.
“Get out,” he practically growled as his arm behind the opaque door moved to—Zef assumed—touch himself.
“You may fantasize about me if you like,” they said, another wave of delight rushing through them when Bryce released a pained noise. “Though I expect you to keep it wholesome.”
That lightning storm was back, flashing in his gray eyes, and he smiled roguishly as he looked around the glass partition. “Get. Out.”
With a half-manic laugh, Zef obeyed. They checked the hallway, ensuring no one was there to see them in nothing but a towel—how utterly scandalous they were. Then they made sure the lock on the knob was engaged as they slipped out of the bathroom.
Before they shut the door, they met Bryce’s gaze through the crack of the shower door. “I am almost ready to kiss you. Perhaps you can fantasize about that.”
“Keep talking, and I’m dragging you back in here to kiss you myself,” he said, an edge to the playfulness that made Zef almost believe him.
“Enjoy doing penis-brain things,” they said as they shut the door firmly, giggling like a child as Bryce groaned.
Chapter twenty-six
Sexting and Kisses
Bryce
“You sure you’re gonnabe okay?” Bryce asked for what felt like the thousandth time.
“Yes,” Zef said confidently as they hiked their backpack higher. “I have my noise-canceling headphones, my new book about the Japanese art of decluttering and organization, and my shirt—you must thank Nan again for gifting it to me.”
They parted their cardigan to show off the t-shirt Nan had given them as a going away present. It read,“I’m touch-averse and don’t like flying. Please leave me alone.”The antisocial statement was offset by a cartoon smiley face.
The airport was busy, and Bryce had walked with them as far as he could before they hit security. They held their I.D. and phone, digital boarding pass already pulled up on the screen, in two hands. A third was laced with Bryce’s as the fourth gripped their backpack strap. They were putting on abrave face, but their antennas were curled up close to their head and their wings buzzed every few minutes, giving away their unrest.
