Chapter 14 Borja
Borja
Hours have passed and I swear I’m going cross-eyed from staring at my phone screen.
Farnsworth is just as alert as always, soaking up everything I tell him about the internet.
He took over the search a while ago, clicking every link related to the hotel or Lady Brent, but so far, we haven’t found anything.
I’m not hungry, but I’m craving the comfort of a decent burger and a cold beer. I guess I can eat if I want to, and I do.
“Do you mind if I get some dinner ordered?”
Farnsworth looks up. “No, of course not.”
“Do you want something? I’m gonna get a burger.”
Farnsworth looks away for a moment, thinking, but then lifts his gaze again. “We could go out. If you want to.”
“Uh, yeah, that would be good. There’s a pretty good place about a block from here.”
“Very good.” He hands me my phone. “We can continue our research later.”
“Sounds good.”
We rise from the couch and I stretch my arms above my head, noticing how Farnsworth’s eyes follow the movement. The world must be so different from when he was around. As we step out into the cool evening, I decide to ask him a few questions.
“What was your favorite thing to do when you were alive?”
His expression shows brief surprise before it settles.
“I haven’t thought about that in many years.
” We walk a bit before he continues. “I suppose it was my father’s annual hunt.
It was the one time his attention was mine.
Away from work and other duties, it was our time, though I often disappointed him and I refused to kill an innocent animal. ”
“Are you a vegan?”
“A what?”
“A vegan. Do you not eat animal products?”
“I don’t eat at all, Borja.”
I chuckle. “Okay, but when you did.”
“I don’t understand the correlation.”
“When someone is concerned about the well-being of animals, it can lead them to be a vegan, a person who only eats plant-based food.”
“I see. Well, I took no offense to the consumption of animals. I merely wasn’t able to look one in the eye and end its life. I was cowardly in that way.”
“It’s not cowardly, Farnsworth. A lot of modern folks wouldn’t be able to do it either. Fortunately, we don’t have to.”
He nods, looking introspective for a moment. “You’ve never hunted?”
“Nah. Wasn’t my thing or my family’s. We’re just regular folks who get our food from restaurants and grocery stores.” He doesn’t say anything, so I continue. “Were you close with your mother?”
His brow creases and he’s silent for at least a minute. “I don’t recall, sadly. From what I remember, she was a distant woman. Pious. She was often in prayer, reading, or keeping the home.”
I want to know more about him but I have a feeling he’d just tell me he doesn’t remember. Like how did he die? He was born in the sixteenth century. I can’t imagine the things he’s seen.
“Do you—”
My words are cut off by a boisterous group of kids running past us on the sidewalk. Farnsworth is knocked into me, but I grab his arms before he can topple over. I expect him to be annoyed, but he actually smiles, watching the children run off with a wistful look on his face.
“Ah, the joyous and carefree world of the young.”
“Yeah.” I look ahead. “The bar is right there, across the way.”
We enter the borderline dive bar, finding a small table with a metal light fixture hanging above it.
The light flickers every few seconds, but it looks like the best option.
A few tables have customers already seated at them, and the bar area is crowded.
A group of guys are playing darts in one corner while the latest pop hits play over the speaker.
Farnsworth sits, his expression one of awe. Should I have told him that, while not specifically designated as one, this is a major gay hangout? That’s why I like it here. I can be myself and not worry about any displays of bullshit toxic masculinity.
A waiter I recognize pops over to our table, grinning as he sets down two sticky menus. “Hey, Borja, what’s good?”
“Life. How are you, Tony?”
“Can’t complain.” His eyes move to Farnsworth, dressed in his still-pristine suit. Tony’s brow creases, but then he shrugs. “What can I get you guys?”
Farnsworth looks up, studying Tony, but I can’t tell why. Does he think he’s cute? My stomach twists with ridiculous jealousy. Even if Farnsworth does think Tony is hot, doesn’t mean he’d do anything about it.
“What is your father’s name?” Farnsworth asks.
“What?”
“Your father.”
“Uh, Thomas. Why?”
“Thomas,” Farnsworth says softly. “Sorry. Mistaken identity.”
Tony nods. “It’s cool. Want a drink?”
“Whatever Borja is having.”
“Two drafts, whatever you got,” I say.
Tony nods, glancing briefly at Farnsworth, before walking away.
“What was that about?” I ask once the waiter is gone.
“His father is dead. I thought he might be a Chaser for a moment, but no. His death was intentional.”
“How the fuck did you know that?”
“He looks like his father, and also, I sensed it. His father’s soul was attached to him, but it’s gone now.”
“Whoa. Can I do that?”
“I don’t know. I think I can due to my role and how many souls I’ve interacted with over the centuries.”
“That’s pretty badass.” I glance at the bar. “You decided not to tell him.”
“No. There’s no good reason to. I’m not a medium. I can certainly receive messages, but it’s just lingering energy.”
Tony returns, dropping off two beers. “Food?”
“Yeah. I want the bacon cheeseburger and rings. Farns?”
He raises an eyebrow but looks up at Tony. “I’ll have the same.”
“Want fries instead of rings?” Tony asks. “The fries are wicked good.”
“Sure,” Farnsworth replies, clearly unsure of the difference.
“It must be hard feeling so out of place.”
Farnsworth shakes his head, folding his hands on the table. “No, it’s fascinating. I have no idea what rings are, but I imagine fries are some sort of fried delicacy.”
Chuckling, I shake my head. “Rings are onion rings. Fries are just sliced potatoes that have been fried, but yeah, they’re good.”
“Very well.” He glances around the bar, his eyes lingering on certain individuals.
Two men stand up from the bar and walk over to the tiny open spot that’s become a dance floor over time. They stand close, dancing suggestively to the upbeat song that’s playing, and Farnsworth can’t take his eyes off them.
“Do you want to dance?”
He startles, turning his head sharply toward me. “No.”
“You sure? I like this song.”
“Do you want to dance?”
“Yeah. Come on.” I offer my hand and he takes it, following me shyly to the dance floor.
Once there, I put my hands on his hips and sway them back and forth. He’s stiff as fuck at first, but after a few seconds, I see his shoulders drop and feel the laxity in his hips.
The song changes to something even sexier, so I spin around him so his back is to me, sliding my arm around his waist and pulling him into me. His breath hitches, but he doesn’t run away, even as my cock swells. I’m positive he can feel it.
Taking a chance, I slide my hand up his belly to his chest, leaning close so my breath is on his neck. I can just see his expression in profile—frozen like a deer in headlights.
“Is this okay?”
Farnsworth nods. “Yes.”
I spin him around again so he’s facing me and step closer until our chests are pressed together. “How about this?”
“Yes,” he whispers, flicking his tongue out to moisten his lips. He doesn’t seem to know what to do with his hands, letting them hang awkwardly by his sides, so I offer a solution.
“You can touch me.”
“Oh.” Slowly, he raises his arms and puts his hands on my shoulders, very properly. “Like this.”
“Whatever feels good to you.”
Holding my gaze, he slides his hands to my back, gently gripping my muscles. He swallows hard before going just a little lower to my waist. With my arm around him, I shimmy and grind just a bit, waiting for his reaction to tell me whether I should continue or stop.
“Is this… n-normal?” he asks.
“Normal?”
“For colleagues. Or perhaps friends.”
“Sure.” I brush my fingers under his chin, gazing into the cloudy skies of his eyes, my thumb rubbing against the stubble on his cheek. “There really aren’t rules. We can do whatever we want.”
“But, I mean… I suppose what I’m asking is…” He pauses, obviously flustered.
“What?”
The song changes again, and it’s a slower one, so I make no attempt to let him go. He smells good, feels good.
“Dancing is not solely for courtship?”
Ah. I get it now. Societal rules. “Nope. Remember the guy who wanted to blow you in the bathroom?”
He chuckles. “How could I forget?”
“That wasn’t courtship either. It was just a hookup. You probably never would have seen him again.”
Farnsworth nods, running his hands up and down my arms. “Is it fun?”
“Hooking up?”
“Yes.”
“It can be if you find the right person.”
Does he want to? ’Cause fuck yeah, I’d more than happily unravel his tight composure. Only one way to find out.
“Is that something you think you’d like to do?”
“What?”
“Hook up.”
His jaw drops and he steps back slightly. “Oh. I shouldn’t. I have so much work to do. There’s a mission, and that should be my focus.”
“I heard a lot of shoulds, but never a want. What do you want to do, Farns?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s fair. Shall we sit?”
He nods, letting me take his hand and guide him back to the table. This is probably pretty overwhelming, and I should check my libido and not stress the guy.
Farnsworth takes a sip of his beer, wrinkling his nose for a second before drinking again. He sets his glass down. “If I said yes?”
“To?”
“Hooking up. Then what would happen?”
I lean across the table. “I’d volunteer as tribute.”
His brow crinkles. “What does that mean?”
I chuckle. “Sorry. Movie reference.” I take his hand. “What I meant is I’d offer.”
“You mean…” He looks slightly panicked. “Hook up with you?”
“Unless that idea is gross. Maybe you’re not attracted to me.”
Farnsworth opens his mouth, but just then, Tony shows up with our burgers. “Rings for Borja, fries for the gentleman.” His eyes linger on my partner. “Can I get you anything else right now?”
“We’re good, Tony.” I make it clear from my tone he should get lost now.
Tony nods, hurrying off. When I look at Farnsworth, he’s staring at his plate, but his teeth are embedded in his bottom lip.
“Maybe there are rules against that,” I say, offering him an out. “I’m sure any guy here would—”
“There are no rules. I wrote them.” A shy smile tugs at his lips. “I don’t know though. It could complicate things.”
“Yeah, of course. Offer’s there if you want it. If not, I won’t be offended if you find someone you’re into.” Jealous maybe, but not offended.
Instead of responding, he nibbles on a fry. We eat quietly, and I can tell he’s thinking about everything, but I have no clue if he’s interested.
After a few bites of his burger, he flashes me a big smile. “This is tasty. It’s been so long since I’ve enjoyed mortal food, and never anything like this.”
“Glad you like it.”
We finish eating and I pay with some of the money Farnsworth gave me last night. Or whenever the hell that was. It could’ve been a week ago for all I know. It feels like time isn’t real anymore. I should hit the ATM now that I have actual funds.
Farnsworth is quiet on our way back to the apartment, still people-watching, and I’m dying to know what’s on his mind, but I’m not a creep. He’ll tell me when and if he wants to.
Inside the apartment, I kick off my shoes and hang my jacket on the coat tree. Farnsworth lingers behind me, doing the same.
“Should we do more research?” I ask on my way to the couch.
Farnsworth walks over too, pausing in front of me. I can’t tell what he’s thinking from his expression, can’t even tell if he’s happy or not, but I definitely don’t expect him to lean forward and press a quick, rough kiss to my lips.
He gasps softly, clearly ready to bolt, but I grab his wrist to prevent him from getting too far. “Hey. It’s okay.”
“I…” He blinks rapidly. “Perhaps, uh…”
“Tell me what you want, Farns. Just say the words.”
“I’ve never… asserted myself. I’ve never…” He huffs. “I have no idea what I’m doing, Borja.”
“You don’t have to know. You just have to want to.” I cup his cheek. “Do you want to, gorgeous?”
“Gorgeous?” A smile tugs at his lips. “You find me appealing?”
“Hell yeah.” I step closer. “Are you attracted to me?”
He nods, just barely, but it’s there. “I don’t know if I should, but…”
I wait for him to continue since I can tell he’s working through what he wants to tell me.
“There are no opportunities for me, you see.”
“I get it. You want to experience things while you’re Above.” I lift his hand and kiss his knuckles. “I’d be honored.”
His Adam’s apple bobbles in his throat. “You want to… to hook up with me?”
Smiling, I nod. “I sure do.”
“What if I’m not very experienced? What if I don’t know—”
I press my finger to his lips. “Hey. It’s okay, Farns. I get it. If it makes you feel better, it’s been a while for me too.” I kiss his hand again. “I don’t mind showing you the ropes.”
Farnsworth exhales slowly, holding my gaze. “Yes, please. Show me.”