Midas actually nodded like it made all the sense in the world.
“So you’re giving up,” he asked, hand movements sharp and determined as he signed. The look on his face challenged Wren to say the words out loud.
It made him want to fight. Defiance was always his strongest trait. But this was Teddy he’d be defying. The one person Wren would listen to and follow to the ends of the earth if he told him to. It felt unnatural. It felt impossible.
“I…” He sat back up to sign again, his hands freezing mid-air because he didn’t know what to say. “He doesn’t want me to fight anymore.”
“I call bullshit,” Midas said.
“He said so. He said it’s too dangerous and he can’t risk it but we can be friends.”
“And it never occurred to you he might be…lying…a bit,” Midas asked.
Wren shook his head. “He doesn’t lie to me. He never did.”
“Right.” Midas was clearly not convinced.
Wren slumped back into the uncomfortable position he’d been in before Midas arrived, biting his lip to stop himself crying. He hadn’t thought anything could hurt more than losing Teddy. Turned out finding him, then losing him once again hurt twice as much. He wrapped his arms around himself and tried to hold the fraying edges together so he wouldn’t fly apart.
“I hate seeing you like this,” Midas said.
“I’ve always been like this.”
“And I’ve always hated it. You’re so closed off and alone all the time.”
“Like you’re any better,” Wren said.
“I enjoy this. I opt to be alone because I find solace in it. You hide, Wren. And it’s not healthy.”
“Yes, well…”
“I think it’s time they found out,” Midas said, and Wren balked.
“Absolutely not.”
Midas actually pushed Wren’s hands aside to stop him signing. “I left you alone for ages because there was no point. Buthe’s back now. You know where he is, and you and I both know you won’t be letting him go again, despite what he said.”
“What does that—”
“You need a support system.” Midas cut him off again. “You need people in your corner and you need to showhimthat they’re there too.”
“And if they aren’t?” Wren asked, and Midas gave him a look that called him a moron without him lifting a finger. “Hart hates breaking rules.”
“Hart is fucking a convicted felon,” Midas said and Wren didn’t think his signing could get dryer.
“Reformed.”
“Please.” Midas waved that off and Wren bit his lip. “Now, if you’re done buying time, call them.”
Wren shook his head.
Midas nodded.
He shook his head again.
Midas gave another nod.
“I—”
