Chapter 22 Very-Much-Intact Virginity
Chapter twenty-two
Very-Much-Intact Virginity
Zef
“The evil, transphobic wizard queen, JKR, falls,” Rusty said dramatically as Bryce, Jude, Oliver, Liel, and Toni cheered in victory. “She shrieks her rage as she sends one last spell into the sky, but when the magic dissipates and the smoke clears, her body is still and lifeless.”
“And ugly,” Jude crowed, high-fiving Toni. “Fuck JKR!”
“I don’t know who that is, but I agree,” Toni said vehemently, kissing Jude’s cheek.
“The party embraces,” Rusty continues, voice growing somber, “grateful to be alive, but their joy is dampened by the loss of their bard.”
Pouting, Gem slumped in his seat, all six arms crossed over his torso. “I cannot believe I died at the end! Fucking bullshit. I don’t care if she was a bigot. My magical puss should have beaten her.”
“You should have rolled higher than a four,” Bryce said, and Gem’s arm and leg fur vibrated in aggravation as he bared his small fangs.
“If the fantasy game is over, shall I prepare dinner?” Zef asked from the kitchen.
Toni rose from the table, clapping Oliver on the shoulder. “Yeah, I’ll come help you.”
“I love winning,” Liel said smugly, admiring the colorful dice. “When can we play again?”
“Hey, I’m not done. I have a whole epilogue written,” Rusty muttered, frowning at everyone.
“Shut up, and listen to Rusty’s epilogue!” Gem snarled as Zef and Toni adjourned to the kitchen. “He worked really hard, and you all better appreciate it.”
As they wrapped up their game, Zef chopped vegetables for the fresh salad, and Toni cooked the couscous. Since summer was in full swing, they had decided on a cold meal of vegetable salad with couscous and legumes. Zef mixed the salad dressing, offering Toni a taste for feedback.
“Ooh, baby, that slaps,” the Elas said.
“And that is a good thing?” Zef clarified, making Toni laugh.
“Yeah, it’s a good thing.”
Bryce entered the kitchen, trailed by Gem who was still arguing that he should have had another roll since the dice had slipped out of his fingers. Coming to a stop behind Zef, he put his hands on their hips and shifted them over a step so he could open the cupboard and retrieve a glass.
“Thank you,” he said in their ear, breath warming the metal pierced through their cartilage.
“Would you like to taste?” they asked before he could move away, offering him some of the dressing on a small spoon.
Bryce opened his mouth so they could slip the spoon in and hummed. “That’s good. Sweet but nutty. Nice job, darlin’.”
“Thank you,” they said loftily, antennas dancing in satisfaction.
He patted their waist before he headed back into the living room, saying, “You can’t reroll, Gem. That’s not how it works.”
Apparently, Gem had lost interest in the argument because he did not respond. Zef tossed the vegetables with the leafy greens, slowing their movements as the silence in the kitchen stretched. Checking over their shoulder, they startled at the wide-eyed, gaping stares of Gemae and Toni.
“What?” they asked.
“Um—” Toni started, before Gem shrieked, “Bryce just manhandled you right in front of us is what! I feel like I just witnessed something inappropriate, and I should go wash my eyes out with bleach or something.”
Zef frowned. “Do not exaggerate.”
“It was practically pornographic,” Gem insisted.
“He was all over you,” Toni said, backing him up.
“You are being dramatic.”
“Oh my gods,” the Araknis breathed, placing all six hands on the kitchen island and leaning in. “Did Bryce pop your Mantodean cherry?”
Rearing back, Zef’s wings buzzed a warning. “I beg your pardon?”
“That’s not a no,” Gem said smugly.
“Zef, you dirty girl,” Toni said.
“I am neither dirty, nor am I a girl,” Zef said.
Toni rolled his black eyes. “In this context, girl is gender neutral.”
“Agreed. Also, I have so many questions. When did you two smash—and when I say smash, I mean whatever version of smashing Mantodeas consider smashing. Secondly, was it good? Thirdly, why didn’t you tell us immediately?
” Gem scolded, counting off on his fingers.
“Lastly, and this one is important, is he hung? I have a bet going.”
“Why is everyone gambling on Bryce’s genitals?” Zef demanded, furious and offended on their suitor’s behalf.
“Just answer the questions. Inquiring minds gotta know,” Toni said.
“I can give no details on Bryce’s genitals, as I have not seen them. Though even if I had, I would not tell you,” they said crossly. “And not that it is any of your business, but, no, Bryce and I have not engaged in any type of sexual interactions. Rest assured, my virginity is very much intact.”
Gem narrowed all eight eyes. “I mean, I figured about the sex stuff for obvious reasons. But what about your Mantodean virginity, ’cause I know there’s a difference.”
“Yeah, there’s more you’re not telling us,” Toni said.
“We should get Ollie in here to investigate; he’s a great detective,” Gem said.
Resigned, they set the bowl of salad aside and crossed their top arms over their chest, tucking their lower hands into their onesie pockets. “If you must know, we have held hands.”
With a squeal, Gem grabbed Toni by the shoulders and shook him. “Oh my gods.”
“Zeffie, you little slut.” Toni grinned viciously.
Feeling bold and a little daring, Zef smiled, antennas flicking. “And we hug.”
Gem screeched, shaking Toni harder until the Elas nearly lost his balance. “Oh my gods!”
“Absolute whorish behavior. I’ve never been so proud,” Toni said weepily.
“Do you like it? The hugging?” Gem asked eagerly.
“And what kind of hugging are we talking about? Like a side-hug or full-frontal?”
“Ew, Toni, don’t make it sound porny or Zef might stop doing it,” Gem reprimanded.
Fins fluttering, Toni scowled up at his best friend. “You’re the one asking about Bryce’s junk!”
Zef laughed soft and light, and their two friends fell quiet. “We embrace as suitors do because we are courting, and I like it very much. He is warm and squishy, and when he touches me, I feel good tingles all over.”
Moisture welled in all eight of Gem’s eyes as Toni sniffled, wrapping both his arms around Gem’s waist. “That was so beautiful. I’m hugging Gem, but in my mind, it’s you.”
“Same,” Gem agreed as he squeezed Toni tightly. “I’m so happy for you, Zef.”
“Thank you. I am also very happy,” Zef said.
Entering the kitchen, Rusty slowed to a halt, nostrils flaring as his whiskers twitched. “Why does it smell like feelings in here?”
“Because Zef is being precious, and you know Toni can’t handle that,” Gem said as Toni nodded miserably.
When dinner was ready, they all sat outside in the garden as Zef proudly showed off the human flowers they had planted and cultivated with Bryce.
Gem and Rusty told everyone about their vacation renting a cabin in the Wrath mountains, and Jude announced that he’d officially been hired by an architecture firm in Greed.
“I’m gonna be his trophy husband,” Toni said proudly.
“Still not marrying you,” Jude said, not unkindly.
Unperturbed, Toni leaned in and kissed him, whispering, “I’ll wear you down eventually,” against his lips.
“When are you two heading to Montana?” Oliver asked, and Bryce perked up immediately, straightening his anti-migraine glasses on his nose.
“Two more weeks. I’m so excited. Our mare is hopefully going to foal while we’re there—”
“Which I am very excited to observe,” Zef interjected.
“—and we’ll watch the Fourth of July fireworks show, and Zef wants to go to Catholic mass with my parents.” His excitement waned slightly. “I think it’s boring, but I don’t mind going if you want to.”
“I am curious to experience one of your religious rituals,” they said, and Bryce shrugged and splayed his hands at the others.
“Well, there you have it. I guess we’re going to church.”
“Gross,” Jude muttered under his breath.
“If you see my parents while you’re there, give them a hug from me,” Oliver said.
“And give Nan a hug from me!” Gem added.
Zef adjusted their wide-brimmed hat when they felt the prodding of the vines slithering over the top. “We shall pass on all appropriate greetings and affections, though I shall leave the physical embraces to Bryce.”
“Don’t worry, darlin’. I got you covered,” Bryce drawled as he playfully tugged on their hair, making Gem and Toni simper embarrassingly.
The evening was still young when Bryce, who had grown more and more subdued, excused himself and went back inside.
Under the guise of refilling everyone’s drinks, Zef followed him a few minutes later.
He was not in the kitchen or living room, but the bathroom door was ajar.
Through the crack, they watched him throw two pills back and chase them with water.
“Are you getting a migraine?” they asked, and he startled but didn’t turn.
Meeting their gaze in the mirror, he swallowed and nodded. “Yeah, I felt it start to creep up when we went outside, but I thought the glasses would keep it at bay.”
They could see the strain already in the tightness around his eyes and between his brows. As he stepped out of the bathroom, they smoothed a thumb over his forehead, then cupped his cheek. He nuzzled their palm and sighed.
“Can I do anything?” they asked, and he shook his head.
“I’m just gonna go lay down. Maybe I can fall asleep before it hits too hard.”
Following him to his bedroom, they pulled back his sheets and fluffed his pillow, wishing they could aid him in some substantial way, hating that they could not.
They heard the clink of his belt and the rustle of his jeans falling to the floor, but they kept their back to him.
Of course he would not want to sleep in his jeans, but the ease in which he undressed with them in the room made their wings flutter anxiously.
He crawled into bed in his undershirt and underpants, and they tucked him in, rubbing his shoulder and arm in comfort. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“Thanks, Zef,” he said with a wan smile.
They ran a hand through his hair before they took their leave, shutting the door quietly behind them. Back in the kitchen, they gathered drinks for their friends and rejoined the group in the backyard.
“Bryce is getting a migraine, so he went to bed,” they announced. “Please keep the volume controlled so as not to make it worse for him.”
“Does he get those a lot?” Oliver asked, and Zef see-sawed a hand.
“It is not uncommon. I think with the end of the semester coming, he is studying more and feeling a higher level of stress, which affects his sleep.”
“My mom got migraines,” Jude said as he typed on his phone. “She used this cooling mask thing that you keep in the freezer and then wear on your head. It doesn’t fix it, but it helps.”
Their phone chimed, and they checked the link Jude had sent. “He does like having a cold washcloth over his eyes when it gets very painful.”
“Yeah, the mask-thing adds cooling pressure to the eyes and stuff,” Jude said, and they immediately placed an order for one.
“Thank you, Jude.”
“Hope it helps,” he said as he sipped his beer. “Migraines suck.”
Zef had never experienced a migraine themself, but they knew the pain was so much worse than the worst headache they had ever had. They did not wish that kind of suffering on anyone, especially not their Bryce.
An hour later, everyone took their leave, moving through the house quietly.
Zef cleaned up the dishes, then took a shower, dressing in their summer muumuu for bed.
They did their skin care routine, then settled into their bed to read.
They could not focus on the book, though, too worried about Bryce.
They gave up on reading and crawled out of bed.
They retrieved a washcloth and wet it with cold water, then wrapped a squishy ice pack in it.
Not wanting to hurt his head with a knock, they forwent manners and carefully opened his door.
It was dark and quiet inside, but they could tell by the cadence of his breathing that he was awake.
“I have an ice pack for you,” they whispered as quietly as they could.
Bryce made a pained noise, then he croaked out, “Thanks.”
Tiptoeing to his bedside, they placed it on his forehead, over his eyes, and he groaned. They crouched beside him, leaning their lower arms on the mattress so they could run a top hand through his hair, massaging his scalp. Another broken sound scraped his throat, then he sniffled.
With a sad click, they wiped at his silent tears and continued rubbing his head. He took their hand in both of his and squeezed it, communicating without words, and they ducked their head and pressed their mouth to his knuckles. Not quite a kiss, but almost.
It got worse before it got better. Bryce was just starting to nod off when he bolted upright and ran for the bathroom. As he threw up, Zef replaced the ice pack with a fresh one, then joined him in the bathroom. They rubbed his back as he choked and cried, spitting bile into the toilet bowl.
“This is gross,” he said, trying to wave them away, but they whirred at him chidingly.
“Let me aid you,” they said as they wiped his face with a cool cloth, cleaning away the sweat and spit.
When the nausea passed, they helped him back to bed, placing the new ice pack on his brow.
They held his hand and sifted their fingers through his hair, knees complaining as they knelt beside his bed.
But they did not abandon him. They remained at his side until he finally fell asleep, his pained breathing deepening as his strained expression went slack.
Only then did Zef finally rise, risking a light kiss to his brow, before they crept silently from his room and headed to bed.