Finn and Maurice ended up stretched out on the narrow bed in Maurice’s room, the train humming softly beneath them. It wasn’t a big bed—barely enough space for one person, let alone two—but Finn didn’t mind. Maurice’s shoulder pressed against his, their legs tangled loosely, and the closeness felt easy. Natural. Like they’d been doing this for years.
Maurice traced slow lines along Finn’s forearm with the back of his fingers, not really thinking about it, just touching him because he could. Finn leaned into it, letting his head rest lightly against Maurice’s shoulder.
“You know,” Maurice said quietly, “I like this. Just… being here with you.”
Finn smiled at the ceiling. “Me too.”
Maurice shifted, turning slightly so he could see Finn’s face. “You make this whole trip better.”
Finn’s chest warmed. “You make it feel… safe. And exciting. At the same time.”
Maurice brushed a thumb along Finn’s cheek, gentle and warm. “Good.”
Finn covered Maurice’s hand with his own, holding it there. “I like being close to you.”
Maurice’s expression softened. “Then stay close.”
Finn didn’t need convincing.
They stayed like that—quiet, touching, sharing small smiles—until the intercom crackled overhead.
“Attention passengers,” Mr. Santos announced. “We will be stopping for twenty minutes in Reno, Nevada. Please welcome the new people boarding. And tonight, there will be a dance in the Lounge Car until midnight.”
Finn’s stomach dropped a little. He sat up, running a hand through his hair. “Maurice… I don’t think I want to go to the dance.”
Maurice propped himself on an elbow. “Why not?”
“I don’t know how to act,” Finn admitted. “I’m afraid people will ask me to dance. I don’t want that. I only want to be with you.”
Maurice’s expression softened immediately. He sat up too, knee touching Finn’s. “Hey. You don’t have to dance with anyone you don’t want to.”
Finn looked down at his hands. “I just… I don’t want to mess anything up.”
Maurice nudged his shoulder gently. “What if we wear our matching shirts? The black ones.”
Finn blinked. “Matching shirts?”
Maurice grinned. “Yeah. Then if someone asks you to dance, you can just say you’re taken.”
Finn’s breath caught. “Taken?”
Maurice shrugged, casual but not really. “If you want to be.”
Finn’s cheeks warmed. “I do.”
Maurice’s smile turned softer, warmer. “Good. Then we’ll go together. And if you’re still worried…” He reached for Finn’s hand again. “We can dance all night. Just us. No one else.”
Finn let out a slow breath, the tension easing from his shoulders. “I’d like that.”
Maurice squeezed his hand. “Then that’s what we’ll do.”
The train began to slow as they approached Reno, the room filling with the soft shift of motion. Finn leaned into Maurice again, letting the moment settle around them. He wasn’t worried anymore. Not with Maurice beside him.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Finn
Finn and Maurice walkedinto the Lounge Car wearing their matching black shirts—Maurice’s idea, but Finn secretly loved it. The room was dim and warm, string lights draped across the ceiling, the rainbow-striped train swaying gently beneath their feet. Music drifted through the space, something slow and soft, and people were already pairing off on the dance floor.
