Chapter 26 Sexting and Kisses
Chapter twenty-six
Sexting and Kisses
Bryce
“You sure you’re gonna be okay?” Bryce asked for what felt like the thousandth time.
“Yes,” Zef said confidently as they hiked their backpack higher. “I have my noise-canceling headphones, my new book about the Japanese art of decluttering and organization, and my shirt—you must thank Nan again for gifting it to me.”
They parted their cardigan to show off the t-shirt Nan had given them as a going away present. It read, “I’m touch-averse and don’t like flying. Please leave me alone.” The antisocial statement was offset by a cartoon smiley face.
The airport was busy, and Bryce had walked with them as far as he could before they hit security.
They held their I.D. and phone, digital boarding pass already pulled up on the screen, in two hands.
A third was laced with Bryce’s as the fourth gripped their backpack strap.
They were putting on a brave face, but their antennas were curled up close to their head and their wings buzzed every few minutes, giving away their unrest.
“I must go,” they said, staring down at their boarding pass. “My plane boards in less than an hour.”
“Okay.”
Bryce released their hand with one last squeeze, but instead of heading to security, they stepped toward him until they were toe barb-to-toe. “I will miss you,” they said sincerely, and his chest crackled with warm affection.
“I’m gonna miss you too.”
“It is a bit silly because I will see you in a week.” They smiled sheepishly as they placed their top hands on his shoulders. “But I will still be sad.”
“Me too,” he agreed as he swiped a thumb over their chin. “I’ve gotten used to having you around.”
With a happy chirp, they hugged him, and his whole body lit up as he pulled them close.
He nuzzled their neck as they pet the back of his head, and he breathed them in, memorizing their scent of tea leaves and homemade soap and home.
They smelled like home now, not only because they had spent the last two weeks in his parents’ house but because they had become home to him.
His eyes burned, but he blinked away the sudden onset of tears. It was only a week, and then he’d head back to the Pentagram. Only a week, but his heart still hurt. Long-distance was going to suck so much, but for moments like this one, when Zef melted into his arms, it would be worth it.
“Good practice,” they said, like they were on the same mental wavelength.
“Saying goodbye?”
“It is not a goodbye,” they said as they pulled back enough to meet his glossy stare. “It is a see-you-later.”
Nodding, he tucked a chunk of hair that had escaped their ponytail behind their ear. “See you later.”
Their throat bobbed. “See you later.”
Tentatively, they leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek above his beard.
He wanted to turn and meet their lips with his, but he fought it.
Instead, he captured their chin between his thumb and forefinger before they could retreat too far and returned the gift, kissing them as close to the corner of their mouth as he dared.
Their wings, trapped between their back and the backpack, fluttered, and they thrummed deep in their throat. Heck, he loved that sound. It sent his heart into outer orbit. And sure, it turned him on, but that was easy to ignore.
“Let me know when you land,” he said, painting their cheek with his words.
“I—I shall,” they said in a wobbly voice, and he smiled. He loved witnessing the effect he had on them; flustering them was becoming his new favorite pastime.
“I’ll see you in a week.”
“Yes.” They stepped back, cheeks flushed dark green. “Give Shula a pat between the eyes for me.”
Trinket’s foal, which Zef had named Shula, was a lively little filly, even at two days old. Since Zef had been there during her birth, she never showed signs of being afraid of them, and Bryce had teared up watching her nuzzle into Zef’s hand.
“I’ll give her extra love and attention on your behalf,” he promised, and they smiled at him.
Reaching out, they grazed their knuckles down the side of his face before they turned and strode confidently toward the security line.
He waited until they were through, waving to be seen above the crowd separating them as they headed deeper into the airport.
They waved back as they disappeared into the masses, but Bryce didn’t move until they were completely out of sight.
Back home, he texted Oliver and Toni, letting them know Zef was on the plane and reminding them both of their arrival time in Chicago.
He knew Zef could have navigated themself back to the Pentagram, but since this would be their first time traveling in the human dimension alone, he’d asked for back-up and both Oliver and Toni answered the call.
He got a text from Zef later that day, a picture of them with Oliver and Toni at the airport.
I do not need babysitters. But thank you for your thoughtfulness. I am relieved to have them with me.
You’re welcome. How was the flight?
I was anxious, but the headphones helped. I am tired but feeling otherwise good.
Good. Miss you already.
Zef didn’t immediately respond, but eventually their text pinged on his screen.
And I, you.
His last week in the human realm sped by faster than he expected, and he lay awake in his childhood bed on his last night, unable to sleep over his excitement at seeing Zef the next day.
He read through their text thread, smiling at the picture they’d sent of them and Gem, Zef with large curlers in their hair as Gem wore his silk bonnet.
They were hosting a slumber party with Willow, Tad, Gem, Enfys, their newest coworker, Abi—a timid demon with short white-and-gray fur, black, mouse-like ears, and a scaly, rodent-esque prehensile tail, who loosely resembled, strangely enough, an opossum—and, surprisingly, Dex.
How the wolf demon had landed an invite Bryce didn’t know. Not that he was a bad kid, but he was a bit too high-energy for Zef to deal with a lot of the time. But he was in one of the pictures, tongue lolling as he showed off the colorful manicure Gem had given him.
We are watching a rom-com because Gem insisted it is the necessary genre of film to fit the slumber party aesthetic.
Sounds fun. I’m already in bed, like an old man.
You are not old. You are younger than I am. Also, Gem says I need to ask what you are wearing, though I do not understand why.
Oh God, of course Gem would try and get them to sext.
I’m wearing a t-shirt and boxers, but to satisfy Gem, tell him I said I’m wearing nothing but my good looks. *winky emoji*
I am wearing my muumuu, but Gem insists I should lie and say I am naked in the bath. I do not understand sexting.
Naked in the bath, huh? How scandalous.
If you were in the bath with me, I’d jerk you off with my toes. *evil demon emoji*
Gem, give Zef their phone back.
[Gem?] OMG, Bryce, you’re good. What gave me away? Was it the use of contraptions?
You mean, contractions? No, it was the blatant sexual proposition.
[Gem?] Damn, I thought I was being subtle.
[Zef] I am sorry. Gem took my phone and would not give it back.
I assumed as much.
I hope you know that, should we ever share a bath, I would not assault you in such a way. I do not have toes, and my barbs would hurt your manhood.
Laughing, Bryce hooked a hand under his head as he typed with the other.
Don’t worry, baby. If we’re ever in the bath together, I’ll just hold you. Maybe wash your hair if you let me.
I would very much like to cuddle in the bath together, and you may always wash my hair.
Sounds good.
Is this sexting? Because I may like it, after all.
Sure, this can be sexting.
Excellent. We have reached a new level of relational intimacy. I am pleased.
Sometimes, he couldn’t handle how adorable they were.
You’re cute.
YOU are cute. And handsome. And kind. And I like your body hair and your big hands.
Good grief, how could such innocent compliments get his blood pumping like this? He had a half-chub already.
Thank you. You’re beautiful. I like the way your hair glitters and how smooth your skin is. I like the way your brain works and how you say exactly what you’re thinking.
He hesitated, before adding:
I like the way your body felt against mine when we showered together.
Okay, they were actually encroaching on sexting territory now, and he wasn’t sure if that was allowed. But he trusted Zef to tell him if they were uncomfortable.
I am flattered by your compliments. It makes me feel warm and tingly all over. Or maybe that is the margaritas Enfys made.
I like the way we fit together and the intimacy of being naked with you.
Yup, he was hard now, but Zef had been drinking, so he had to nip this in the bud.
Me too. Maybe we can shower together again sometime. But for now, I gotta get some sleep before my flight tomorrow.
Of course. Sleep well. We will speak tomorrow.
Goodnight.
Think of me when you blow your load.
Gem, get off Zef’s phone!
The next day, Bryce didn’t get to Envy until the evening, but Zef was waiting for him at the station, wearing their overalls and what looked like a crop top underneath. He could see the barest hint of their midriff as they waved exuberantly at him from the other side of the ticket gates.
Their hair was in a loose braid, and they wore heeled ankle boots that added several inches to their already impressive height. When they hugged him in greeting, he could tuck his head under their chin easily.
“Hello,” they said as they rubbed their cheek on his head. “I am so happy to see you.”
“You too.” He risked a peck to the underside of their chin, and they clicked in playful reprimand. “Missed you.”
“And I, you.”
He hooked an arm around their waist as they headed toward the trams, fingers teasing their exposed skin. Their cheeks flushed, but they didn’t push his hand away.