We were dozing, naked, on the couch when the door opened. We both jumped up, panicking. MJ walked backwards and re-locked the door. I looked at Robin, Robin looked at me. We kissed. Then got dressed.
“So,” I said.
They looked at me, eyes sparkling. “So.”
“That was amazing! Is it always like that?”
“I hope so.” They smiled. “We’ll have to try again to find out.”
Awkward silence. Then we looked at each other and said in unison, “leftover chicken fingers.”
I’d never been to Robin’s place before. I had an image of it in my head: a one-bedroom apartment, full of boardgames, Sorcery cards, and art plastered over the walls. That was my setup.
“We’re here.”
I looked around, expecting an apartment building. Not a single one. This was a quaint little neighborhood—pride flags in every window, electric cars in front of every house, each house unique in its own way.
“You own a house?”
Robin pointed. “That one, right there.”
It was a little ranch-style house painted a lovely forest green. A pride flag swayed in the wind over a small vegetable garden.
“Impressive.”
“Not really. I inherited a little money from my grandparents. I used that to move here, then bought this house.”
Robin opened the door. “Let’s go. Chicken tenders await!”
I followed them. The house was nothing like I imagined. The walls were a flowing mix of colors, each blending into the next seamlessly. They had a nice couch and gaming setup. Decorations were sparse: framed comics, a few figures, and a shelf of books.
“I like it. Very boho minimalist.”
“What’s that mean?”
“I just wanted to sound like I knew what I was talking about.”
They chuckled then kissed me. “I’ll go grab the chicken. Make yourself at home.”
As they walked away I swear I heard them whisper, “Or move in.”
I wandered around the house. The hallway had more decor than the living room. Lots of fandom posters, a few concert ones. I found the bathroom and then came to the bedrooms. Two of them. Both closed. I stared at the doors, pondering the implications of opening them, when a hand touched my shoulder.
“It’s the one on the right. The one on the left is…” she paused and opened the door.
Inside: Shangri-La.
“My nerd room.”
“Holy shit,” I said, mouth agape.
“You’re the only person besides me to see this. I might have a collecting problem.”
They had built-in comic shelves, rare, signed comics and video games framed on the walls, every gaming system from Nintendo to modern day, and so much more.
“Thanks for sharing it with me. It means a lot.”
They wrapped their arms around me from behind. “It felt right.”
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
I grasped their hands. “This feels right.”
Robin started backing me out of the room.
“Chicken time.”
“I almost forgot!”
We went to their table: freshly microwaved chicken fingers, a variety of dipping sauces, and two Rubber Duck IPAs.
“Amazing,” I said. “Just amazing.”
They grabbed some chicken and ranch. “I know.”
We ate mostly in silence. I could feel the ‘L’ word hanging over my head. I looked at Robin—nothing hung over theirs.
I honestly didn’t know how I felt. My heart felt like a butterfly, and Robin was all I thought about. But is that love? Infatuation? Horniness? I’ve never really had any of these feelings before.
“Don’t look so intense.” Robin laughed. “It’s just chicken.”
“I’m just thinking,” I said, dipping my chicken.
“What about?”
“Us, life, the universe, everything,” I answered.
“That’s a lot to handle all at once.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Let’s start with what you can control. Us.”
“Us is amazing,” I said, looking at my half-eaten chicken. “But what is us?”
“We’re partners. Partners who like each other, perhaps like-like, maybe even love.”
I looked up meekly into their sapphire eyes. “Which would you choose?”
“That is a trap, good sir.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re asking because you don’t know how you feel.”
I nodded, “You’re right. I think I know, but—”
“I’m not going to leave just because you’re confused. Take your time, figure it out.”
“Thank you.”
“Okay. Now, life, the universe, and everything.”
“Don’t say it,” I said.
They smiled. “The answer is…”
I sighed. “You’re gonna say it.”
“42.”
“I hate you.”
“No you don’t.”
“I know. I—”
We both knew what I was going to say. I wanted to say it. But I couldn’t—not until I knew for myself. It’d be unfair to Robin.
We cleaned up dinner, the word floating between us the entire time. The tension had to break. Good thing I slipped and fell on my ass.
“Are you okay?” Robin shouted, running toward me.
I laughed. “Yeah, I’m good. Embarrassed, but good.”
They helped me to the couch.
“Sit right here and don’t move. I’ll grab beers and chips.”
They walked away before turning around, grabbing something near the TV.
“Here.” They tossed a controller at me. “Fire up the PlayStation. We can start a new Fallout save.”
They walked towards the kitchen as my mind decided to overthink. A Fallout game is a hundred-plus-hour commitment. Do they believe we’ll be together that long? What if we break up? What happens to the Fallout save? Does it go with me, or stay with them? What if we—
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m just thinking,” I replied.
“Again? About what?”
“Us.”
“What about us?”
“I don’t know. This is a first for me.”
“Guess what? Me too.”
“You said you had partners before.’
“Yeah. In high school. It wasn’t even real dating. Just holding hands and what we thought was kissing.”
“So you never…”
“No. You were my first.”
“Same.”
They lightly punched my shoulder. “Duh.”
I snuggled up to them. “You know, I really—”
“Pick a game. What’re you waiting for?”
“As you wish.”
They looked at me, eyes sparkling like stars. “I love you too.”
I chose Fallout: New Vegas.
~
A lot happened in this chapter. Were you able to keep up?
There was chicken, ranch, a prat fall, The Princess Bride, and Fallout!
I bet you were never expecting all of that in one book, let alone one chapter.
You’ve definitely figured out the type of story—and possibly the meaning of life.
No!
Pay better attention!
~
The River and Friends Series - River and the Bug, The Adventures of Alison Alistair, and The Reaper Wears a Scarf. Please check them out!
