“Good, then we’ll go shopping for the materials while Maurice and David work and make bracelets.”
They took the elevator to their floor. Finn pushed open the door to the suite, juggling two shopping bags and a box of deli cookies Theo insisted he “absolutely needed for later.” The room was quiet except for the low murmur of voices. Maurice and David were sitting at the small table by the window, laptops open, papers spread out like a miniature courtroom had exploded between them.
Maurice looked up first.
The second he saw Finn’s pastel-blue wig sticking out of one bag and rainbow fabric peeking from another, his eyebrows shot up in a way that was half surprised and half fond.
David grinned. “Oh good, the boys have returned.”
Finn held up a bag. “We went shopping for Pride outfits.”
Maurice leaned back in his chair, arms crossing over his chest in that relaxed way that always made Finn’s stomach flip. “Yeah? What’d you get?”
Finn pulled out the pastel-blue wig first.
Maurice blinked. “Is that… hair?”
Theo, who had followed Finn inside, answered for him. “It’s a look, Maurice.”
Finn laughed and set the wig on the bed. “We got outfits too. Rainbow shorts. Glitter eyeliner. Theo said I need to embrace my inner chaos.”
Maurice’s mouth twitched as if he were fighting a smile. “I like your outer chaos just fine.”
Finn felt his face warm. He set the bags down and walked over to him. “You’ll see the whole thing tomorrow.”
“Oh, I’m sure I will,” Maurice said, eyes softening.
Theo plopped onto the couch. “Finn also had a dramatic family phone call during lunch.”
Finn groaned. “It wasn’t dramatic.”
“It was very dramatic,” Theo insisted. “He told his parents he’s thinking of moving in with a new man.”
Maurice’s head snapped up so fast David actually laughed.
Finn held up his hands. “Okay, okay, let me explain.”
Maurice closed his laptop, giving Finn his full attention. “I’m listening.”
Finn sat on the edge of the bed, facing him. “My parents called. I told them about the Pride Train. And San Francisco. And… you.”
Maurice’s expression softened immediately. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Finn said. “I told them I’m thinking about moving in with you.” Maurice didn’t breathe for a second. His chest went still, his eyes widening just a fraction, the reaction hitting him before he masked it.
“And?” Maurice asked quietly.
“They were happy,” Finn said. “Really happy. They said I should keep my apartment for six months just in case.”
Maurice let out a breath that sounded like relief, and disbelief tangled together. “I’ll pay your rent.”
Finn nodded. “You don’t need to do that. They want me to feel secure while I figure things out.”
Maurice rubbed the back of his neck, looking down for a moment before meeting Finn’s eyes again. “And… you told them you want to figure things out with me?”
Finn smiled. “Yeah. I did.”
Maurice didn’t move toward him—not physically—but something in his expression shifted, like a door opening. Warm. Steady. A little overwhelmed in the best way.
