eighteen
EVEREST
We make our way from the shop, two bags in our hands. Cielo is proudly wearing a pastel pink coat, his cheeks a dusty rose color when the light hits it just right.
“I meant it when I said you look real nice,” I say, and his gaze flicks down to meet mine.
“Niceeee. Yesss.”
I grin and pull him to the right, wanting to see what new shops they’ve added with the expansion a year ago.
“Oh! What’s this place?” I say as I see a sign for a shop called Silk and Secrets. I like silk, and I’m great at keeping secrets. “Looks fun.”
I grab on to Cielo’s arm once more and pull him forward, right into the dimly lit space. It’s when my eyes start to adjust to my surroundings that I let out a disbelieving laugh.
“Oh my god, Cielo. This is a sex shop!”
“It sure is,” a voice says from beside me, making me jump slightly. Cielo’s tail whips out and pulls me into him, his stance widening, looking a little fierce, even in his pink jacket.
“Oh god, you scared me. I’m okay, Cielo,” I say, patting his tail and feeling it loosen around me.
The worker who surprised us is standing near me, his eyes twinkling as he takes Cielo and me in. He’s lean, wearing tight pants and a knit shirt that falls off one shoulder. His hair is dyed pink and braided along the sides of his head, pulled into a small bun at the nape of his neck.
He’s very pretty. Oddly so.
My eyes fall to his name tag.
Dante.
I peer up at Cielo and see his mouth fall open slightly, his tongue poking out of the side. I’m not entirely sure, but I think this means he likes what he sees.
“I haven’t had a monster in here before,” Dante says, his cheeks turning a rosy red.
Cielo’s brows lower, and I lean toward Dante and whisper, “I don’t think he likes that word.”
“Oh,” he says softly and then meets Cielo’s gaze. “Sorry. I meant no offense. I think the Vyastil are very beautiful.”
Cielo’s mouth snaps shut, and his skin flutters.
“Beoooooot…” he attempts, his lips making a very funny-looking “O”. Dante cocks his head as he waits patiently, but when the word doesn’t come out like it should, he just lifts his hand and signs something.
I’ve never seen anyone use ASL outside of a classroom, but the way his hand flits through the air, even with that one word, is alluring.
Cielo’s ears fall slightly, and Dante shakes his head. “I’m sorry. I have a Deaf brother, so ASL is our primary language at home. Sometimes I forget that not everyone knows it. That’s the sign for beautiful.” Cielo’s ears straighten, and his tail tightens around his waist. “Come. Try it.”
Cielo lifts his hand and copies it perfectly.
Dante’s lips turn up, and he gives a slow applause and then one where his hands wave in the air.
“Good work. You’re a natural. Now, how can I help you?”
Cielo is still staring at his hands, his fingers fluttering slightly, as I look around the store. “Shit. I don’t even know where to start. I didn’t know what this place was when I saw it…”
“Oh, that’s fine. We just opened recently. Have a bit of a wander. And come get me if you need any help.” He leans toward me and lowers his voice. “I don’t have anything for the Vyastil, unfortunately.”
“No, no. I know. It would be for me.”
“Ah, are you two…”
