This new photo shows that the shirt is baggy, comfortably shapeless, all blurry pink and purple and teal. It’s too big for Rune’s narrow frame, and the hem falls midway down Rune’s thighs.
Rune’s smooth, bare thighs.
Raider’s mouth waters at the sleek lines of brown skin. He wants more than anything to reach under the hem of that baggy shirt to see what—if anything—Rune is wearing underneath.
Operating on pure horny reflex, Raider saves the photo to his phone before replying.
Raider:You know how you were worried you weren’t good at this dating app thing?
Raider:Stop fucking worrying
Raider:You’re a master
Rune types for a full five minutes before sending a simple smile emoji.
***
A few weeks pass, until Raider doesn’t know what he was worried about either. Why did he resist Val’s amazing ideas for so long? Not that Raider intends to tell her that. But online dating is a fucking breeze.
At least, talking to Rune is easy.
They switch to texting after the first few days. There’s something weird about Rune’s phone number—it shows up as Unknown Number and Raider can’t figure out how to see the actual number. But Rune can text Raider’s number just fine, and replying in the same thread works like texting anyone else.
Talking to Rune feels so natural. Raider’s a month away from opening Artifacts, Alchemy, Etc., but some nights, he’s more excited about talking to Rune than about his new business.
Even telling Rune about the immortality thing is easier than expected.
Rune:You asked why I don’t have a boyfriend… why don’t you?
Raider:It’s a little complicated. Val and I sort of accidentally drank from the Fountain of Youth on a job
Rune:Accidentally?
Raider:We thought it was another fake, lol. There are a bunch of knockoffs that just rejuvenate you a bit. Clear your pores, firm up your ass a bit. But turns out no… we’re actually immortal now
Raider:I’m not complaining, but it makes long-term relationship planning tough. My long-term is different than most people’s
Raider:It’s fine if that’s a problem for you
Rune:No, it’s a good thing.
Rune:I like the thought of you living forever :)
Val knows something’s up. Raider meets her at least once a week for beer and pizza, and she picks up on it immediately. She’s very intelligent and dangerously good at reading people. She always picked out the right person to bribe for information about local legends.
But Val doesn’t need to be intelligent with the way Raider grins sappily every time he sets down his beer to answer a text. “So, what do you say?”
“What?” Raider asks, looking up from his phone.
Val points. “You’re smiling like an idiot.”
Raider rolls his eyes and hitssendon one more message to Rune. “Okay, fine. You were right. That app was a good idea.”
“Holy shit.” Val covers her mouth on a mocking gasp. “That should have takenwaylonger to get out of you. Who is he, and when’s the wedding?”
“Right after yours. How many vampire brides have you collected now?”
“What? No!” Val waves her hands. “I’m not marrying Grizelda or Severina, and you aren’t changing the subject. Are you at least doing something for next week?”
