We’re watching anime again, are we?
Yes. We watched my BL last night, so now we need to watch the violent, bloody one you suggested.
I don’t mind BL.Chainsaw Manis kind of intense, so it’s cool if you don’t want to watch it.
I’m braver than you’re giving me credit for right now. Plus, I’m curious what kind of violent anime show would call itselfChainsaw Man.
Rusty replied with several laughing emojis before his next text came through.
I won’t spoil it for you.
Fine, be that way. Come over this weekend. I’ll provide food. You provide the contact lenses. We can get high and watch anime gore.
You’re not going near my eyes unless you’re sober.
We’ll practice with the contacts first. Then we’ll get high and watch anime gore.
Fine. Saturday?
It’s a date. *winky emoji*
Why do you always have to make it weird?
“What are you laughing about?” Toni asked, interrupting Gem’s laugh and making him jump at his sudden proximity. “Who you texting?”
For some reason, Gem swallowed the truthful answer dancing along his tongue as he tucked his phone away. Toni was his best friend, and they didn’t keep secrets from each other. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to admit that he and Rusty had been hanging out more. Not because he was ashamed, but because Toni and Rusty didn’t get along, and Gem didn’t want to get dragged into an argument.
So, for what might have been the first time, he lied straight to his best friend’s face. “No one. Just… some rando on Cock’d who wants to rearrange my guts this weekend.”
With a bark of laughter, Toni slapped Gem’s ass. “That’s my boy! Get those guts rearranged.”
Honestly, the idea of getting his guts rearranged sounded less appealing than it usually did, given the happenings of last weekend, but Gem blamed it on the lingering effects of the drugs. He just needed a few more days to bounce back, and he’d be having meaningless, casual sex again in no time. He refused to let some dickbag ruin his favorite hobby, after all.
On the train ride back to Lust, Gem finally had a chance to text Rusty back.
It’s not weird to have a friend date. Toni and I do it all the time.
Friend date?
Yes, like a platonic date with a friend.
That’s weird.
It’s not that weird.
Can’t we just call it hanging out?
No. It’s a friend date or it’s nothing.
It took Rusty a long time to respond, and Gem could practically hear his dejected disgust when he finally did reply.
Fine. I’ll bring my contacts to our… friend date.
I knew you’d see things my way.
Rusty replied with a single middle finger emoji, and Gem threw his head back and laughed.
Chapter ten
