“That’s right.”
“Huh.I’m just asking because we’d be equal then.And maybe it would be easier?I don’t know.You wouldn’t tell me to stay at Celeste’s and simply hang up on me because I get hurt too easily.If I were a vampire, I mean.”
“Dearest, you do not get hurt too easily.There is no such thing.It’s about you being precious and me wanting to keep you out of harm’s way.”
“Right.Whatever.I was just wondering, okay?You’re not going to make a big deal out of this, are you?In fact, forget I even asked.”
Peter smiled at him.“Asked what, beloved?”
Theodore snorted.“Oh, you’re full of shit sometimes.Faerie shit, which probably sparkles.”
“It’s fair to assume that, yes.Now then, should we continue our walk, or did you want to jump in the lake for old times’ sake?”
“Hard pass on the lake.Uh, Peter?”
“Yes?”
Theodore’s cheeks heated, almost like they did in pleasure, but it was a more tender color, a softer hue.
“I really, really like you, and I…I don’t want you to get hurt.Or to hurt you.”He looked down.“I’m sorry.It’s the best I can do.”
Peter’s heart beat loudly in his chest.“Beloved, may I touch you?”Theodore nodded, and Peter reached over to push his chin up.“It’s precious like you are precious.It’s cherished.I never wanted anything more than you were willing to give me, Theodore.I never will.I would like to kiss you now, if I may?”
Theodore huffed.“Sparkles.Yeah, go ahead.”
With the park around them bathed in golden light, Peter closed Theodore in his arms and kissed him deeply.It lasted for a while.Other people stared.Ducks stopped, wondering whether the kiss was a prelude to dropped food.Eventually the ducks passed.The other people shrugged and moved on.
Peter and Theodore had each other, not handfast or forever, but for now, and the moment after.
Epilogue
“Itisexcitingthatwe shall be training together!”Cloudtree stood on the other side of the bar at the Boudoir—the customer side—wearing a very glittery outfit that Cleste had to have loaned him.She was the only person at the Boudoir who even came close to Cloudtree’s broad frame.
“So exciting,” Theo said as he assembled the garnish skewers.
Cloudtree wiggled around.The sequins on his top moved, catching the light.
“Celeste says she has not decided in which way I shall labor.”He leaned in.“But I have indicated a preference.”
Theo glanced at the neckline of his top.“Let me guess.”
“I wish to give pleasure to all those who seek it.”
Theo sighed.“You didn’t let me guess.”
Cloudtree blinked.“Oh, apologies.Celeste asked the same thing earlier, and she says it’s hyperbolic, which she says means it’s rhetorical and to ignore it.But go ahead.Guess.”
Theo picked up a lime slice with just a bit too much force, and the squeeze of juice hit him square in the eye.
“Motherfucker!”
“Are you well?”Cloudtree puffed out his chest, clearly unable to not do so when he thought someone needed help.
Lilo, the bartender-in-chief came over.“Hey, you good, old newb?”
“Perfect.Just lime juice in the eye.”
Lilo sighed, his purple lipstick looking gorgeous with his olive skin, even with the corners of his mouth turned down.He was wearing false lashes with tiny pink hearts at the tips of the feathery hairs, which to Theo looked about as painful as the juice.
