Raider:Sorry, cutie, I got caught up in work. Besides, you should let me be the judge
The wordcutiespins through Rune’s soul with shocking warmth. Stunned, he closes the app and turns the phone off.
He turns the phone back on, reopens the app, and finds the message still there. Leaning against his kitchen counter, Rune carefully types back.
Rune:What should you be the judge of?
Three dots immediately dance next to the tiny picture of Raider’s face.
Raider:How great your ass is ;)
Rune nearly drops his phone. Heat flushes his face, along with a stunned elation. Raider has to be real, because Rune never imagined his first remembered conversation would go likethis.
Raider:Shit, don’t let me scare you off. I saw you don’t want to meet in person, and that’s fine. Consider that boundary respected. Super respectfully
Rune:I’m not scared.
Raider:You sure? I can be very scary
A smile tugs Rune’s lips. Typing on the little screen is getting easier. Is talking to people always this fun? He slides down the cabinets to sit on the floor, elbows braced on his knees.
Rune:I’ve heard of this conversational practice. You’re flirting with me.
Raider:Guilty as charged :)
Raider:Have you really never dated anyone before? You’re cute, you’re funny. Regardless of great ass status, you’re a catch
Rune:I don’t get out much, and there aren’t many options here.
Raider:Small town?
Rune:Small is an understatement. Or an overstatement?
Lying hurts, even through the glow of praise. The first real conversation Rune remembers and he’s already behaving terribly. Guilt twists his stomach, but he can’t bring himself to tell the truth. That he’s trapped down here, that he doesn’t know where he is, that he barely knowswhohe is. That he’s probably evil. That he’s been alone for so long.
Rune changes the subject instead.
Rune:What were you working on today? I don’t know anyone who’s started a business.
Getting Raider off track is easier than expected. Rune clings to the phone, genuinely fascinated, as Raider fills the screen with a series of enthusiastic essays. Raider describes his recent retirement from treasure hunting—which sounds thrilling enough. But Raider’s genuine joy in his new relic shop is even more interesting. Rune has read and watched plenty of adventure stories. The connection is new. The emotion.
Basking in Raider’s passion warms Rune just as much as the occasional—okay, frequent—flirty comments.
Rune could listen for days, but eventually, Raider interrupts himself.
Raider:Fuck, it’s almost 1. Bedtime for Old Man Raider. I have another contractor meeting in seven hours, and I can’t pull all-nighters like I used to
Rune:36 isn’t old, but you should still sleep.
Raider:You get some sleep too. Talk to you tomorrow :)
Rune:Will you?
Rune sends the question in surprised delight—but realizes as soon as he sends it that he might soundneedy. One of the phone apps purports to be an internet browser. While waiting for Raider to reply earlier, Rune had looked up a guide to online dating. The guide said not to sound needy, along with avoiding self-deprecation.
Rune:Sorry
Raider:You’re free to ignore me, cutie, but I’m definitely hitting on you again tomorrow ;)
