‘Only because you think it will impress me but still be able toimplythe business part.’
He wrinkled his nose. This was too true to refute—an annoying feature of their arguments that was becoming far too common. ‘What would you have me term you then? Boyfriend sounds ridiculous.’
‘Really?’
He’d only said it so he could add, smirking inwardly, ‘Because it reduces your true status.’
‘And as usual you are entirely missing my point.’
This floored him slightly. Ben usually gave up arguing when he got a compliment, however surreptitiously it had been offered. ‘What do you mean?’
‘My God, are you really so dumb? Why any label? Why not just sayand this is Ben? By always tacking on some dumb addition you’re only showing that you’re twisted up inside about it—what people will think. If you were with Tim you’d just introduce him with his name. Hell, if you were with Radulf you wouldn’t sayand this is Radulf—my dog, would you? Like…don’t think he’s anything else—he’s just mydog.’
He leaned back in his seat. ‘You have thought about this a lot.’ Before Ben could reply, as he was fortuitously swallowing, he continued, ‘And I would not do that on either count, obviously, for he is not called Radulf and he is not my dog.’
Ben’s knife and fork paused for a moment. ‘If you think I’m still stupid enough to fall for that pathetic distraction you’ve another think coming.’ He took a long drink of his beer. He started emptying the bread basket, buttering furiously. Summoned another. Then he muttered, resigned, ‘Speak.’
It was too easy sometimes. ‘Because when we are alone I give him the courtesy of calling him by the name he gives himself. All dogs name themselves. Did you not know this? Radulf is He Who Guards Against the Wolf in Man.’
‘Oh, God. So, what, he goes up to other dogs and while he’s sniffing their butts he tells themI am He Who Guards Against the Wolf in Man? But then he has to squeak out as you’re dragging him awaysorry, gotta go, that’s my owner?’
‘Of course not. He would never refer to either of us as his owners.’
Ben gave him a furious look but there was a smirk hidden in there too.
‘I am He Who Breathes Fire in the Watches of the Night. You were He Who Moves Swift as Wind in Trees.’
‘Uh huh.’ Ben continued to eat steadily, but it was burning him up, he could tell. ‘Whywere? My times are exactly the same, give or take a few seconds, as they always have been. And if they’re not it’s only because I’m carrying more muscle now. So what does he call me now then?’
‘I have no idea. You would have to ask him. Ow.’ He rubbed his shin. ‘You are now He Who Soars with Eagles.’
‘Jesus. He Who Guards Against the Wolf in Man has never even seen a fucking eagle.’
‘How would he know what they were then? And don’t swear at me.’
‘Sometimes I get why you had a difficult childhood. Sometimes I even pity your bloody father.’
Aleksey chuckled. ‘I would like to have met your father. I think he and I would have something in common.’
‘Incest?’
He stilled his hand and replied a little testily, ‘I meant loving you.’
‘Oh.’ There was nothing but the sound of cutlery scraping the plate until, ‘I definitely don’t want to meet your dad.’
‘Well, no.’ He added inwardlynot as he’s now hopefully mouldering in his grave with no facial bones.
‘I’m going to order pudding. Do you want any?’
Aleksey glanced up. Ben’s plate was empty. He had not taken one bite yet. ‘You do know mackerel is full of bones.’
‘Not if you eat it fast enough it’s not. Pudding?’
As he watched Ben order, he reflected amused that next time he introduced him he should just sayand this is Ben, my owner, and see what reaction that essential truth of the situation got.
* * *
When they emerged into the rapidly cooling afternoon, Ben suggested, ‘Take a swing up to the top of Kit Hill?’
