Chapter 6
six
DANTE
‘This library?’ Cielo asks as he ducks through the automatic door and steps into the warm space.
He’s dressed up for the occasion, his pink coat stretched across his shoulders, a matching scarf of mine around his waist, and I can’t help but feel a little pride that he’s wearing something of mine.
His chest is bare, showing off his healed scars, and my eyes watered when I first saw them.
“You look so pretty,” I couldn’t help but tell him when he showed himself off before we left.
His ears had fluttered, and his skin shimmered at the compliment.
And now we’re here, his fingers grazing mine as his eyes take it all in. He glances from corner to corner, his fingers trailing over the paneling on the wall as if to memorize it.
I stand close to him, linking my arm with his, wanting to feel his first experience in one of my favorite places. For me, the library started it all. Those worn historical romances with busty women and shirtless men.
Completely shameless.
Forbidden fruit.
Things my mother insisted I wasn’t allowed to read, so I’d come by on weekends when she thought I was at a study group and I’d devour them in squashy chairs by the big, tinted windows. I would imagine myself in those books, kissing the bare-chested man who came to the damsel’s rescue.
I wanted to be loved like that. Saved like that. Some giant hero swooping into the small town to protect me from everyone who ever wanted to hurt me. Someone who wanted to love me even though I was different and a little strange.
I wanted to be someone’s soulmate. Their fantasy. And while I started to lose hope in this tiny town, the books were a comfort. They helped me embrace who I am and what I want.
And they emboldened me when I realized I wanted to take those pent-up feelings and create and sell things that help other people who are exploring themselves.
Cielo glances down at me and says, “Leeeebarrry.”
“Yes. Perfect.” It’s far from perfect, but there’s not a chance I’ll ever tell him that.
He grins, fangs showing.
There are a few people milling around, and I can feel the weight of their stares, but I don’t give a shit. The Vyastil are part of society now, and people have to get over it. Especially with how much they’ve done for humanity as a whole.
There is some grey area with the whole compulsory cum donations. I don’t love that. I don’t love that they’ve discriminated against my brother for being Deaf, cancelling his service before he even got started. But I can’t deny the fact that humans overall are happier, healthier, and safer.
I wish it were less complicated, but it’s hard for me to think they’re all bad when I have Cielo’s fingers carefully and absently playing with mine.
My phone beeps loudly, and I wince, pulling it out and shooting an apologetic face to the few librarians who make eye contact with me. And of course it’s Everest on the other end of the line, so I answer, using my quietest voice.
“Hey,” I whisper. I’m leading Cielo toward the video section, but before we get there, he comes to an abrupt stop. His eyes catch on a section of books, so I let him peruse while I speak to Everest.
“Hey, how is Cielo? Sorry to obsessively check in on him, but I’ve been so fucking worried.”
“He’s really great, actually. We’re at the library looking for some ASL videos.”
Everest pauses and then asks, “We can meet you there if that’s okay? I’d like to check in on him again.”
I hear Rathyn on the other end of the line. “Human libraries? A waste of trees.”
Everest sighs. “Rath, babe, please…”
“Go for it,” I say before Everest can get distracted by his monster. “We’re not too far from you.”
“Give me five,” Everest says, then starts to speak to Rathyn again as the call cuts off.
I can’t help but smile as I shove my phone back into my pocket, and I move over to Cielo. He’s holding up a thick book with a half-naked woman wearing a corset and a man leaning over her on the cover.
Hell yes. I think I’ve even read this one.
‘Ooh, you found the historical romance section,’ I sign. ‘You want to read one?’
‘Yes. I can take one?’
‘Get two or three,’ I tell him. At the very least, it’ll keep him occupied while I’m at work, and maybe I won’t worry so much about him being bored.
He bounces on his clawed feet and trills with happiness before his eyes go back to the shelf, giving each book serious consideration before choosing his next one.
My cheeks ache from smiling as I hold up a finger, and I return a moment later with a tote bag he can add the books to. He’s still taking his time, so I lean against the bookshelf in an attempt to take some of the pressure off my feet.
My pain is better, but it isn’t gone, and I’m starting to wear out. There’s not a chance in hell I’ll let Cielo know how I’m feeling. I’m not going to ruin this for him, but I do hope we’re not here all night.
As Cielo adds two more books to the bag, I see Rathyn striding through the doors, looking domineering and regal as Everest hurries in beside him. His eyes flick around the library before landing on me.
“Hey!” he says, in a dull shout, before striding toward me and pulling me into a hug. Rathyn lets out a low growl, which Everest ignores. “Ooh, books!”
“He’s obsessed with romance novels,” I tell him.
Everest grins widely. “Of course he is. They’re the best.”
Rathyn slides up next to Everest and wraps his tail around his waist, tugging him close. “I am the best.”
Everest rolls his eyes and swats at the tail surrounding him. “Oh my god, stop. Let me go. I want to see my friend.”
“Say it,” Rathyn growls.
Everest huffs loudly. “Fine. You’re the best. Now release me. I want to hug Cielo.”
As if hearing him say that, Cielo turns around and drops the last book into the bag, grinning at Everest. “Hug…friennnnd,” he says lowly, and Everest sniffles as he drags Cielo into his arms.
“You added the ‘d’. Oh my god.”
“Do not cry, my Everest,” Rathyn says more softly and tenderly than he usually speaks. It’s…different. And interesting.
Everest seems unbothered, so it must happen all the time in private. “You look so good, though. So much better.” His eyes catch mine. “The herbs and stuff are working?”
I flush. So is the cum, but I can’t tell him that. “Yeah.”
Rathyn leans down and pulls Everest into his arms for a squeeze before letting him go. It’s interesting to see the intense way Rathyn is possessive. I can’t help but wonder if it will ever be like that for Cielo and me. I want it to.
I want to feel the way Rathyn makes Everest feel. But I don’t know if I’ll ever get that chance.
Everest leans back in for another hug, and Cielo wraps him up tightly, his tail lifting him up slightly, cradling his ass as he does. It makes something ugly unravel inside of me.
It feels a lot like jealousy, but I tamp it down. If Rathyn can cope, then so can I.
“That is enough,” Rathyn says after a long moment, and Cielo quickly puts Everest down.
When Everest sees the bag of books, he gasps. “Oh my god, you got some of my favorites.”
“Boooks,” Cielo adds, then nods with a grin.
Everest smiles back. “I love romance novels. Like, I’m literally obsessed.”
“You are not,” Rathyn says loudly, earning a shush from a very disgruntled elderly librarian with bluish hair.
“I am too,” Everest says, lowering his voice as Rathyn continues to glare at the old woman. She’s not deterred, just purses her lips more tightly. “Oh my god, stop staring down old ladies. You’re going to get us kicked out.”
Rathyn huffs and turns his gaze back to Everest. “As you wish.”
I change the subject, wanting us to move somewhere where we’ll have a little more privacy for Rathyn to be…well, Rathyn. “We were just headed to the DVDs, to find some more ASL videos for Cielo to watch,” I say.
“Oh, that’s so cool. Yeah, let’s go. I want to grab some, too.”
I slide up to Cielo, and he glances down at me, the overstuffed bag in his hand. His claws have poked out slightly, and I stare at them. They aren’t always out, and I wonder what triggers them.
Nerves? Anger? He doesn’t seem like he’s feeling either of those here.
We round a corner, colorful trees painted on the walls, cartoonish birds and owls sitting in their branches.
“Looks like Erethar,” Everest says, and Rathyn scoffs.
“It looks nothing like my home. Erethar is majestic. This was obviously done by a child.”
“Oh my god. Please stop talking,” Everest hisses and then shakes his head when Rathyn just curls his tail around him a little tighter. “You know what, let’s go find those DVDs, Dante.”
We step into the audiovisual section, and I scan the shelves with Everest, looking for a specific set that was done by certified Deaf teachers. When I find one, I hold it up.
“Yes! Found it.” I wave the DVD cover around, showing off a man with a bald head and glasses.
“There are like ten more here, too,” Everest says.
“Yeah, this is Dr. Ross. He does a lot of vocabulary within the context of sentences. It’s kind of like an ASL grammar and lexicon immersive lesson.”
“He is bald,” Rathyn interjects.
“So what?” Everest says, pulling the rest of the DVDs off the shelf and cradling them in his arms.
“To be bald in Erethar is to be likened to the orbs of Crytalin. They break and fracture easily. They are weak.”
Everest sighs loudly, sets the DVDs down on a shelf, and then scrunches up his nose. “Excuse us for a moment.” He pulls Rathyn into the men’s bathroom, and when the door closes, I look at Cielo. He’s peering down at me, and I let out a small laugh.
“They’re really funny.”
“Funnneeee,” he says and signs at the same time.
“Yeah, your speech is getting a lot better, you know. I love hearing your voice.” His ears flutter, and I squeeze all the DVDs into his tote. “I think we have enough. What do you think?”
He looks down at the bag in his hand and then back at me. “Yessss.”