With a rude noise, Toni focused back on the road, and Gem closed his eyes, breathing in Rusty’s spicy tobacco and wild musk. If things between him and Rusty progressed as he hoped, Toni would quickly become a complication. Gem loved the Elas, but sometimes, Toni could be a judgmental douchebag. But Gem would cross that difficult bridge when he came to it.
For now, he was happy and content.
They reached Lust first, and Toni rolled to a stop in front of Gem’s building. Gem gently patted Rusty’s arm, and the Pyclon jerked awake with a startled chitter. It woke Willow, but Oliver continued snoring, unperturbed.
“Do you all wanna crash here?” Gem asked as Rusty opened the car door and crawled out.
Toni opened his mouth, but Jude beat him to it. “Nah, I wanna sleep in my own bed—and by my own bed, I mean Toni’s bed.” The human pointed at Toni, who beamed smugly. “And no offense, Gem, but your couch isn’t the comfiest.”
Climbing from the car, Gem hid his pleased smile in his shoulder before he leaned into the open door to double-check. For courtesy’s sake. “Are you sure? It’s late.”
“I agree with Jude,” Willow said, a conspiratorial glint in her mossy eyes. “If Toni doesn’t mind driving me home, I would prefer to sleep there.”
“As would I,” Zef agreed sleepily.
Toni worked his jaw, sending Rusty and Gem irritated, suspicious glances, but Jude rubbed his shoulder soothingly. He kissed Toni below his ear, whispering something Gem couldn’t catch, and Toni grunted.
“Yeah, I’ll get you all home. Don’t worry about it,” he said at last, casting another heavy look at Gem.
“Thank you for my hatchday surprise,” Gem said, blowing him a kiss, and the Elas softened.
“Anything for you, Gemmy,” Toni said, and Gem preened as he shut the car door.
“Love you all.”
Gem blew more kisses, and Willow scooted to take his spot on the other side of the backseat so she could stretch. Half-awake, Liel slid off Oliver’s lap but curled up against him to go back to sleep. Gem waved as the car pulled away, aware of Rusty shifting his weight awkwardly behind him.
A heavy silence stretched between them. Rusty glanced over his shoulder, in the direction of the station where he lived, like he was considering walking home. If that was what he wanted, Gem wouldn’t fight him. But he wanted Rusty to stay. Even if all they did was share Gem’s bed as they slept, he wanted the Pyclon to stay.
“Wanna come up?” he asked, doing his best not to make it sound like a proposition.
Rusty’s gaze burned into his with an intensity that had his taint tingling. “Yes.”
“Good,” Gem said, taking Rusty’s hand and leading him toward the door.
As they rode the lift up, Rusty rested his furry head on Gem’s arm, their fingers twining, and excitement and nerves battled for dominance in Gem’s stomach. Inside his flat, he removed his shoes and his hoodie, then followed Rusty into the living room.
The Pyclon was standing next to the coffee table, staring down at a small rectangular package resting on it. He picked it up and turned around, clearing his throat. “This is for you. I left it here because I didn’t want to make a big deal about it. Figured you’d see it when you got back.”
Gem bit his bottom lip as he slowly approached. “More presents?”
“Just take it,” Rusty huffed, holding it out.
Letting his fingers drift over Rusty’s claws, Gem took the present. The rectangle was thin and hard, fragile. He handled it with care as he unfastened the wrapping.
“You don’t have to open it now,” Rusty said, like he was embarrassed, but Gem ignored him.
He tore the wrapping free and gazed down at the small picture frame. It was simple dark wood, with a black felt background. Nestled in the middle behind the glass was a playing card, a purple three of keys. The bottom of the frame held a thicker piece of wood, like a plaque. Words had been carved into the wood by hand, in sharp writing Gem recognized immediately.
It read,“From the night I touched your ass.”
Laughing, Gem traced the words, then the card behind the glass. “I knew you stole it back. I fucking knew it!”
Rusty smiled, whiskers twitching. “Sleight of hand.”
Hugging the frame to his chest, Gem beamed down at the Pyclon. “Thank you. I love it so much.”
“It’s just a card,” Rusty said dismissively, but Gem was already shaking his head.
