Chapter 15 – A Normal, Goddamn Date
Jakub put it off for as long as he could. He ignored the occasional twinge from his fingers, covering up any fumbles that occurred in front of others. It wasnât that bad, he would tell himself. Better than not having an arm at all.
But eventually it wore him down. He could pretend not to notice when Cheshire restrained a look of sympathy, but ironically, it was when Cheshire mastered not reacting at all to his lapses of dexterity that proved the last straw. Jakub invited Miklos to his apartment, and they spread newspaper over the small work table in his living room.
âYou could just take it back to Hallorran,â Miklos suggested as he pulled a lamp closer. âIâm sure theyâd help you tune it up, especially if you pay them.â
Jakub laid out his tools in easy reach and sat down on the floor. âI donât want Tully to see it like this,â he said, and his face screwed up briefly. âSheâd scold me.â
Miklos smiled with understanding as he joined Jakub at the table. âWell, Iâll help however I can. Just tell me what to do.â
âI only need you to help me keep it steady,â said Jakub.
He disconnected his prosthetic and set it on the table, so that the dented plate on the forearm faced them.
âSure.â
Miklos slipped his hand into Jakubâs, gripping it like he would if it were a flesh and blood hand, still attached to its owner. It gave Jakub a chill which he quickly tried to shake off. âThanks,â he mumbled, and with a deep breath he began unscrewing the metal plate that served as his skin.
âJersey has been pretty quiet lately,â Miklos chatted while Jakub worked. He must have sensed that the distraction was a welcome one. âBut tense. Iâve seen more police on the streets at night. With the Union City Boys gone, I think everyone assumed that Luckyâs crew would make a showing, but I havenât heard anything so far.â
âThey did promise Cheshire they would stay low for a while.â Jakub placed the screws heâd removed on the table in an orderly line. âBut Masterson will be healed up by now. I canât imagine heâll sit on his hands much longer.â
Miklos hummed thoughtfully. âAnd how is Cheshire?â he prodded, a note of gentle teasing in his voice. âI havenât seen him in a long time.â
Jakub removed the last of the screws. âHeâs fine,â he said. Try as he might, he couldnât ignore the expectant look Miklos continued to fix on him, and his cheeks reddened. âWeâre fine.â
Miklosâ smile deepened as he helped Jakub slide the plate free. âIâm glad to hear it.â
He placed the plate aside, and both of them quieted a moment with the inner workings of Jakubâs prosthetic exposed. Rods and pistons replaced bone and muscle, grease smeared across the metal taking the place of sticky blood. Jakub swallowed hard, thoughtlessly reaching for his stump as a feeling of heat swarmed up the limb he no longer had. The last time he had seen his own arm it had looked like this: gruesomely laid open, surreal and unfamiliar to him. He could taste smoke in his throat.
Miklos rubbed his back through the thin cotton of his undershirt. âTake a breath,â he said quietly, and Jakub did so, letting the stale air of the apartment take the place of unwanted memories.
âThanks,â said Jakub. After another moment to steel his nerves, he leaned over the opened arm. âIâm all right.â
âItâs okay if youâre not,â Miklos offered, but when Jakub shook his head, he took the hint. âThe dent was around here,â he said, pointing out the spot halfway down the forearm. âBut this is the closest piston and it doesnât look damaged.â
âMaybe the impact shook something out of place,â Jakub mused. He tugged the lamp closer, and while Miklos held the arm steady he reached gingerly into the mechanisms. As eerie as it was, he forced himself to remember Tullyâs instructions, and the smooth, deft certainty of her hands. By following the piston down toward his wrist, he discovered one of the tension wires had slipped its track and was pinned behind an exposed screw head.
âThereâs your culprit,â said Miklos. âHow bad is it?â
Jakub drew a magnifying glass closer to be sure. âThe wire itself isnât damaged,â he said, and gradually the tension began to unwind from between his shoulders. âI think if I replace that screw, get the wire back in its track and tighten it up…it should be fine.â
âGood.â Miklos grinned and gave Jakub a gentle clap on the shoulder. âSee? Not so bad. How long have you been putting this off?â
Jakub grimaced with embarrassment and began loosening the screw. âToo long,â he admitted. âI should have done this right after, butâŠâ He sighed and confessed the truth. âI didnât want to find out it was something I couldnât fix myself.â
âWould it really be so bad?â said Miklos, but he didnât wait for an answer. As soon as the screw was high enough he twisted it free and compared it to Jakubâs collection of spares. âI know how important your self-reliance is to you, Kuba. But you have people to lean on when you need it.â
âI know,â Jakub replied, meaning it. He threaded the wire back into its proper track and could have sworn he felt his left pinky twitch. âThank you.â
Jakub finished the repair and took the opportunity to apply fresh grease where necessary. Before they replaced the forearm plate, he guided Miklos through carefully tapping the dent out of it. As the last screw was tightened he even allowed himself to wonder if he could reinforce the metal with something stronger, or even possibly to embellish itâŠ
Jakub shook his head. He wound the mainsprings tight and then connected the limb. After a few deep breaths he clenched his fist, and was relieved to see all five fingers respond. He stretched and even wiggled each digit to be sure. Nothing caught or fumbled.
âIt looks pretty good,â said Miklos, leaning back on his hands. âHow does it feel?â
âBetter,â Jakub admitted. âMuch better.â He relaxed and even smiled with relief as he waved to Miklos. âThank you for your help.â
âOf course.â
The phone rang, and Miklos began tidying up their supplies while Jakub answered. There were only so many people who called his apartment, but his heart still skipped when Cheshireâs voice sang through the receiver.
âJakub! Itâs me.â Cheshire laughed as if that itself was somehow amusing. âSorry, this is short notice, but are you busy tonight?â
Jakub glanced to the clockâit was nearing five oâclock. A little late to be planning a job for the same night. âWhy, whatâs going on?â
âCan you come for dinner tonight?â Cheshire asked, downright effervescent. âHerb held a table for us in the Olivierâs VIP room, but it has to be tonight. Are you free?â
Jakub leaned back as his head spun. âDinner with Masterson,â he said slowly, âat the most expensive restaurant in town?â
Cheshire laughed some more. âWild, huh? But not with HerbâHerb adjacent. Itâll be us and Grace. Apparently he wants to sweet-talk her into performing at the Thrones, so itâs a two- birds one-stone kinda thing. Sheâs bringing her new girlfriend.â Cheshireâs voice lowered then to a near conspiratorial whisper. âItâll be like a double date.â
âA date?â Jakub repeated dumbly, and he flushed when he noticed Miklos raising his head.
âYeah. Are you in? Iâll come pick you up, if you are.â Jakub could easily imagine Cheshireâs playful smirk as he spoke. âI wonât even ask you to wear a tie, if youâre that convinced itâs bad luck. Just grab that black jacket and youâll be fine.â
Jakub plucked at his grease-stained undershirt. âIâll have to…clean up.â
âSo, youâre in?â Cheshire pressed. He chuckled, sounding so much younger than himself. âYouâll come to dinner with me?â
âY…Yeah.â Jakub gulped. âYeah, itâs a date,â he said,
and in a fit of self-consciousness he hung up.
Miklos raised his eyebrows as Jakub turned toward him. âChesh?â he supposed.
âYeah. Sorry, Miksa, Iââ Jakub frowned suddenly, glancing to the phone and back. âI just hung up on him,â he realized aloud. âShit. Should I call him back?â
Miklos chuckled as he climbed to his feet. âYou should take a shower,â he said, and he steered Jakub toward the bathroom. âIâll finish cleaning up in here.â
âSorry. I was going to ask you to stay for drinksâŠâ
âWe can do that any time,â Miklos reassured him. âIâll go bother your friend Eggy for booze if I get thirsty.â He gave Jakub a gentle push. âGo get ready for your date.â
Jakubâs face burned all the way to the bathroom. He stripped out of his filthy clothes and set his prosthetic aside so he could step beneath the shower spray. He and Cheshire had shared plenty of meals before, even dinnersâeven dinners aloneâbut theyâd never used that word before. Date. It made him feel silly and ridiculous for it as he scrubbed vigorously.
Dressing wasnât too difficult, as he only had a few items in his wardrobe that would have been appropriate for the Olivierâs caliber anyway. He picked a black shirt that would disguise his lack of a necktie and a jacket to match, then dug around his room for a comb.
Miklos will have to help me here, he thought, taking it with him into the living room. There he stopped, only then realizing that Miklos wasnât the only one waiting for him.
Hannah was seated on the sofa next to Miklos, the two of them chatting about the same New Jersey news shared earlier. She glanced up at Jakubâs entrance and looked surprised; Jakub could only depend on instinct to turn his expression to stone.
âHannah,â he greeted. âI didnât hear you come in.â
âYou look very handsome,â said Hannah, though there was suspicion in her sincerity. âAll this for Masterson?â
Miklos leaned forward against his knees. âI told her about the call,â he said, and Jakub trusted him enough to relax. âWhen Manhattan says âjumpâ thereâs not much else you can do, right?â
âI donât want to make waves,â Jakub said. He waved the comb at Miklos. âHelp?â
Miklos happily moved to assist. Relax, he mouthed as he accepted the comb, and Jakub managed a slight nod before holding still.
âIâm a little nervous about how quiet itâs been,â Hannah admitted as she watched. âBarneyâs been hoping to hear something we can move on, but thereâs no news on a job, and they havenât asked to use the pier for months.â She frowned.
âBut you and Bloom are going to dinner with them?â
âWeâre just making nice,â Jakub said. âBloom saved Mastersonâs lifeâtheyâre showing their appreciation.â
âI know.â Hannah sighed and folded her arms. âThatâs what worries me.â
Somethingâs on her mind, Jakub thought. Did Burke say something to her? He caught Miklosâ eye, and Miklos seemed to understand at once; he handed Jakub back the comb.
âThatâs the best I can do for you,â he teased, and then he straightened Jakubâs collar. âIâll pop downstairs and see if Eggy has that drink for me after all.â
âSure,â said Jakub. âThanks for your help today.â
âYou said that already.â Miklos nodded to Hannah as he stepped into his shoes by the door. âNice to see you, Hannah.â
âYou, too,â she replied, and Miklos showed himself out.
Now that they were alone, Jakub sat down on the arm of the sofa to better face Hannah seriously. âI know weâre all nerved up over Lucky,â he said, âbut Bloomâs just trying to keep the peace. Itâs just us, and them, and Harlem now, and Big Mitts is thrown in with Lucky. Peace is the best we can do.â
âI know,â Hannah said quickly. âAnd I agree. But hell, Jakub you know what Barneyâs like.â She ran her fingers back through her hair; she seemed uncharacteristically anxious over it. âAll he wants is to get even, and I canât blame him. And the more Bloom chummies up to Masterson, the worse it gets.â
âBloom is playing nice with Luckyâs people because Barney keeps trying to rile them up,â Jakub argued. âWe canât go to war with them. They can hit harder than us, and if Barney goes after them without a plan, theyâll do to him what they did to Napoliello.â
âI know,â Hannah said again, frustrated. âBut he and the boss are set on doing something. A plan is what we need.â She uncrossed her arms and turned to face him better. âBarney may not admit it, but you and I know we used to be able to count on Bloom for that.â
âUsed to?â Jakub repeated, and he hoped Hannah didnât think too hard on how sharply it came out.
If she did, she didnât show it. âHe helped us undercut the Foleys at every turn,â she carried on. âAnd this thing with Manhattan started the same way. Iâm justâŠâ She frowned down at the cushions a moment to collect her thoughts. âHe seems more interested now in showing off to them than showing them up. I’m just worried.”
Jakub ground his teeth. He was tempted to glance to the door, fearful that at any moment Cheshire would appear and blunder right into a conversation that required better preparation than either of them had done. ââIf you canât beat them, join them,â you mean?â
âThatâs not an option for Kozlow, we both know that.â
âYeah.â Jakub sighed, and with a day of tension already winding him tight, he found himself resorting to honesty. âBut maybe Kozlow is wrong. Arenât you tired of trying to leash
Barney? Itâs only going to get worse once his father is gone.â
Hannah leaned back slightly, though her surprise twisted soon after into resignation. âI was hoping being a father would help,â she admitted. âMaybe calm him down a little, butâŠâ
Hannah sighed and pushed to her feet. âHeâs family,â she said. âAll I can do is try to protect him. Thatâs all any of us can do until he learns for himself. Right?â
Jakub stared back at her. Her loyalty was as heartbreaking as it was admirable, and it exhausted him. âRight,â he said, but only because he didnât know what else to say. âIf I get the chance to talk to him…Iâll try, too.â
âThanks, Jakub.â Hannah fussed with her hair again, and Jakub offered her his comb. She smiled crookedly and accepted. âIf youâre going through with dinner, keep your ears open,â she said as she brushed her long hair out. âMaybe Masterson will let something slip, if heâs with Bloom. Something we can use.â
âSure.â He accepted the comb back when Hannah finished, and before she could turn for the door, he stood. âJust so you know, what Bloom is doing is also protecting Barney,â he said. âI know you can admit that even if Barney canât.â
Hannah surrendered a long sigh. âI know. But what can I say to him? Whenever someone encourages him, he gets carried away.â She fixed Jakub with a look that was playful, but unmistakably serious beneath it. âEven when itâs you. We donât need that, either.â
Jakub tucked the comb into his jacket as an excuse to break the unwanted eye contact. âIâll try to talk to him, too.â
Hannah nodded, seemingly satisfied. âWeâll find a way through this,â she said. âWe always have.â She gave him a pat on the arm and then headed for the door. âMake sure you order a huge chunk of meat if Masterson is paying.â
âI will,â said Jakub, and as soon as she was out of the apartment, he hurried to find a cigarette.
***
Cheshireâs day had gotten off to a slow start: waking up late to a thrumming headache and a scratchy throat, telltale signs of an incoming spring cold, only to be swamped by piles of paperwork from Burke. The call from Herb late in the afternoon turned everything around. By the time Cheshire arrived at the Kozlow building, he was sure he was glowing, all ailments and concerns long gone. He had settled on his champagne-gold suit for the occasion, determined to give it a good showing after having missed its intended audience at the Morey dinner. Heâll be in all black anyway, he reasoned as he bounded up the steps. So itâll be a good match. He hummed a jaunty tune as he showed himself into the building, only to have the melody killed in his throat.
Miklos Horvay was waiting in the lobbyâin fact, he was standing just beside the elevator, completely unavoidable in his lavender hair. Cheshire gulped. He had only seen Miklos in passing a handful of times since Jakubâs accident, and more to the point, since he and Jakub had started sleeping together. In that time he had yet to develop a decent strategy for how to approach a reunion.
If heâs waiting for Jakub, he wonât be happy to see me, Cheshire thought as he faked a casual smile. He and Jakub used to⊠âHey, Mik,â he greeted. âLong time no see.â
Miklos glanced over and smiled. He didnât look put out or even surprised to see Cheshire heading his way. âHey, Chesh,â he said. âHow have you been?â
âGood! Super good.â Cheshire pressed the button for the elevator, and immediately the doors opened. âYou? You look good!â
Miklos arched an eyebrow and swept his gaze up and down Cheshireâs suit. âSo do you.â
âThanks!â
Cheshire slipped into the elevator and gulped again when Miklos joined him. âGoing up?â he said, and then he chuckled as he hit Jakubâs floor. âI assume youâre here for Jakub, but um, he and IâŠâ
He hesitated, knowing how insensitive it would be to brag, when that was all he felt like doing given the monumental occasion. Miklos watched him curiously, and when he took too long to recover, he prodded, âYou have plans?â
âYes! Dinner plans.â Cheshire rubbed the back of his neck. âIâd invite you to come with, but itâs not my dime.â
âOh, I know,â said Miklos. âYou…do?â
âUh-huh.â
Cheshire eyed him, unsure if he was meant to ask how. âOh. Well, maybe next time, huh?â
The elevator stopped on Jakubâs floor, but when Cheshire moved to the door, Miklos took his arm to prevent him. He stopped, breath held. Though he was prepared for it, he still sometimes got the shivers when their conflicting magics interacted through touch. âYes?â
âGive it a minute,â said Miklos, and just as he said so, Jakubâs door opened. It was Hannah who emerged, and Cheshire ducked deeper into the elevator until she had passed by on her way to the stairs.
âShe was in a serious mood,â Miklos explained as Cheshire breathed a quiet sigh. âI figured you didnât want to be in the middle of that.â
âThanks.â Cheshire flashed him a grateful smile, but then he paused. The mature thing to do would be to say something, he thought, and he cleared his throat. He and Jakub are still good friends, after all. âHey, Miklos. Sorry if this is awkward, but I just wanted to say…well, sorry.â
Miklos looked at him, puzzled, as they stepped out into the hall. âWhat for?â
âBecause you and JakeâŠâ Cheshire squirmed awkwardly and shoved his hands into his pockets. âYou were a thing, right? Right up until, well, he and I were a thing.â He gave a huge shrug. âIâm glad you guys worked it out but I didnât want you to think Iâm, you know, some kind of ratfink forâŠâ
He trailed off at the sound of Miklos laughing at him. âWhat?â
âHe and I were never âa thingâ,â Miklos said, and his hair almost seemed to glitter with good humor. âWeâre just friends, Chesh.â
âButâŠâ Cheshire frowned at him intensely; he could very clearly remember things he had heard through the walls, back when his and Jakubâs apartments were side by side. He had even caught Miklos once or twice leaving Jakubâs place early in the morning in those years before the accident, and the week heâd spent living with him immediately after. âBut you were,â he tried again, thinking Miklos hadnât caught his use of past tense.
That only made Miklos grin wider. âNo, it really wasnât like that.â He gestured past Cheshire with his chin. âAsk him yourself.â
âAsk me what?â
Cheshire turned and was rendered speechless. He had seen Jakub well-dressed before, even recently, but there was definitely something different and striking about himâmore than just that his hair was so neatly combed. He seemed… lighter, even eager, as if he might defy all expectations and break out in a smile at any moment. Cheshire couldnât bring himself to look away in case he might miss it.
It took him an awkward moment too long to realize that Jakub was holding up a cigarette. He lit it with a snap, and the tiny puff of smoke jolted him back to almost half his full senses. âJakub! Wow, you look fantastic.â He grinned and felt himself blushing as he reached into his jacket. âI brought you somethingâI promise itâs not a necktie.â
He tugged out a gold, silk handkerchief, delicately folded, to tuck into Jakubâs jacket pocket. âYou donât have to wear it,â he said, even as he smoothed it into place. âI just thought it might…complete the look. You know?â
Jakub spared it only a glance before returning his gaze to Cheshireâs face. His eyes pinched happily. âThanks.â
Oh, I want to kiss him so bad, Cheshire thought as he dragged his hands back. He knew just how Jakub would taste, of smoke and magic, and it made his fingertips tingle.
âYou match now,â Miklos noted slyly, and Cheshire and Jakub both blushed darker as they followed him back into the elevator.
âWhat were you going to ask me?â said Jakub as they began the descent toward the lobby.
Cheshireâs grin twitched. âOh, nothing! Itâs nothing.
Just a misunderstanding.â
Miklos glanced at him sideways; apparently he was in a mood for mischief. âDid you really think that all this time?â he asked with clearly fake innocence.
Cheshire began to sweat as Jakub frowned curiously between the two of them. âWell, yes! Of course I did!â He lifted his hat so he could smooth his hair back. âBut if I was wrong and everything is fine now, great!â
âOh, itâs fine,â Miklos assured him. âMore than fine.â
âGood!â
Jakub looked back and forth, his brow furrowing. âWhat are you talking about?â
âNothing!â Cheshire laughed, and was saved by the elevator doors opening. âWeâd better get going if weâre going to make it in time. See you later, Mik!â
Miklos saw them off with a wave. âEnjoy your dinner!â
The pair of them climbed into Cheshireâs car and they sped off, into the traffic headed for the Williamsburg Bridge. Cheshire drummed his fingers against the steering wheel in a swift, aimless rhythm. âSorry this is such short notice,â he said. The silence was too daunting not to fill. âI called you right after Herb called me. But itâs just too good of a chance to pass up! Even with a woman on the inside I havenât been able to score the VIP room before now. He must have been saving up for this since the funeral, that prick.â
Jakub rolled his window down so he could flick the ash off his cigarette. âHe canât help but throw his weight around,â he said. âHe only does a favor if you have to rush to accept it. Just like the Morey dinner.â
Cheshire surrendered a crooked grin. âYeah, youâre probably right. But how could I say no?â
âThe fact you canât is the point,â said Jakub, but then he lightened up again. âStill…thanks for inviting me.â
âOf course! Just donât tell Burke, or Iâll never hear the end of it. Iâll make it up to him somehow.â He chuckled, determined to reclaim the joyful momentum that had carried him to Jakubâs building in the first place. âWeâll make a night of it. Grace will be thereâshe has some new beau she wants to show off. Sounds like this one might be a keeper.â
Jakub hummed to show he was listening, but he didnât offer more than that. After a brief silence had passed, which Cheshire spent with more anxious finger-drumming, he realized he couldnât contain his curiosity after all. âSo, um.â He aimed squarely for casual inquiry and fired. âWere you and Miklos ever a thing?â
Jakub snorted smoke through his nose. âWhat? What kind of thing?â
âYou know, you wereâŠâ Cheshire caught his brow wrinkling; he wrangled an easy smile back in place. âI know for a fact you fooled around,â he teased, and Jakub flushed red. âBut Miklos said you were never steady.â
âThatâs what you were talking about?â Jakub asked, exasperated. When Cheshire could only shrug, he took a long breath from his cigarette and let it out. âNo, that was just…as friends. Miklos isnât interested in going steady with anyone.â
âNo? Oh.â Cheshire frowned as the image unexpectedly tightened his stomach. The thought of Jakub that night of the wedding leaving with Miklos, the two of them slipping into bed together⊠He fidgeted. âI guess that makes sense,â he said, and he laughed. âFor a long time I couldnât imagine you going steady with anyone, either.â
Jakub turned to look out the window and fell still. His silence prickled against Cheshireâs skin with an almost nauseating suspense, and when he finally replied, it was so mumbled Cheshire couldnât make it out.
No possible way could he let that pass without knowing. âIâm sorry, what?â
âMe, either,â said Jakub without looking back, though his red ears gave away his embarrassment. âI havenât…before now.â
âReally?â Cheshire blurted out before he could stop himself. He quickly shook his head; it was suddenly hard to think, or even breathe, with the rush of giddy relief bubbling in his chest. âWell sorry, but youâre pretty damn steady now, huh?â He laughed some more and couldnât stop grinning. âI may not be paying for dinner, but this is still a proper date, so I hope I can count on you for dessert.â
His chuckling was cut short by Jakubâs hand coming to rest on his thigh. The firm pressure of metal digits sent his heart pumping and he was hard pressed to keep his eyes on the road.
âMiklos came over today to help me with this,â he said, and Cheshireâs mind buzzed with uncomprehending white until the subtle flex of Jakubâs fingers made his meaning clear. âWe tuned it up. Itâs a lot easier to work, now.â
âReally?â Cheshireâs grin softened, and he lowered his hand to cover Jakubâs. âIâm glad,â he said simply, though he hoped to convey that he understood what an effort that must have been for him.
Then Jakubâs hand squirmed higher, dipping toward the inside of his thigh, and Cheshireâs elation snapped back into simmering excitement. He tightened his grip on Jakubâs hand to keep it from sneaking further. âIf I pull over, weâre not going to make the first course,â he said breathlessly.
âHerb can wait,â Jakub replied, and his steely insistence had Cheshireâs toes curling. He stretched his pinky to press against Cheshireâs groin.
Cheshire made a quick look of their surroundings; they had already moved into the bridge traffic and would soon be over water, with only the shoulder to pull off on. In broad daylight that was a bit too bold even for him; he pulled Jakubâs hand from his thigh and kissed the back of his palm. âSave it for the hotel,â he said, but he kept hold of Jakub as they continued on. They chatted about business for the rest of the drive:
safe, easy topics to keep Cheshireâs mind off the heavy look Jakub was fixing him with. Several times he considered skipping dinner to instead drag Jakub into one of the hotelâs lavish rooms. They arrived at the Olivier in good time and met Herb in the lobby, who was well dressed in a double-breasted jacket and red silk tie.
âChesh!â Herb greeted. He gripped Cheshireâs hand and pumped it mightily, as if he still had something to prove even if his arm was no longer confined to a sling. âI told you to bring a date, and you brought your bodyguard. What gives?â
Cheshire laughed to cover up his momentary falter. He sure wished he had mapped out a clever explanation ahead of time. âWell, Herb, quite frankly, you scare me,â he said, continuing to shake Herbâs hand. âAnd Eggy wasnât availableâ whatâs a poor fellow to do?â
Herb laughed back, and after a few more seconds, he was forced to extricate himself from Cheshireâs grip first. âAll right, all right, Iâll allow it, since he cleans up so well. Good to see you, Freckles.â
He thumped Jakub on the shoulder, who remained still and stony beneath the attention. âThank you, Mr. Masterson.â
âMr. Masterson,â Herb echoed, raising his eyebrows at Cheshire. âIf only everyone at Kozlow was so respectful, eh?â He waved for them to follow him across the foyer. âMs. Overgaard is already seatedâletâs not keep the ladies waiting.â
Jakub cast Cheshire a look that he was, for once, at no loss to interpret: Is he eating with us? Cheshire gave a helpless shrug and felt his fatigue from earlier in the day creeping up on him. But he was determined to make the most of it, and just before they stepped into the elevator he gave Jakubâs hand a reassuring squeeze, which Jakub returned.
The hotelâs VIP lounge was on the tenth floor, and as soon as they stepped out of the elevator they were greeted with sweeping, tall-windowed views of the evening Manhattan skyline. The lighting was soft, warm, and intimate, wooden furniture and cream tablecloths, knock-offs of classical artists on the walls. The clientele was mostly older, and Cheshire thought he even recognized a face or two from the papers.
I guess this is what Manhattan gratitude really looks like, Cheshire thought with a smirk as they followed Herb toward a table near the windows. He was relieved even more so to see that it only seated four. Grace and Camila were already seated there, Grace in a shimmering blue dress and Camila wrapped in a mink stole. They leaned close together as they chatted like fond sisters.
The third woman at the table Cheshire had never seen before: an African American woman with a glossy white dress over her dark skin, thick hair fanned out in tight, natural curls. Her features were soft and elegant. But when she raised her gaze in their direction, her wide, brown eyes gave Cheshire a chill. Long before they were within each otherâs space he could feel goosebumps prickling up and down his neck, not unlike the electric warning of magic. Her eyes narrowedâshe must have felt it, too.
Sheâs a witch? Cheshire thought, and for some reason his throat grew tighter the closer they approached. He dug his fingertips into his itching palms. It feels like Miklos, but…more than that. A lot more than that.
âCheshire,â Grace said warmly once they had reached the table. She stood, and he snapped into instinct, greeting her with a peck on the cheek. âItâs so good to see you! I want to introduce you.â She gestured to her guest, who had also risen from her chair. âThis is Emma Peabody.â
âA pleasure to meet you,â Cheshire said brightly. âIâm Cheshire Bloom.â He braced himself and offered his hand; as expected, the moment they touched the backlash of magic skittered up the length of his arm. His heart skipped and his stomach clenched with nausea, so much stronger than anything he had encountered before.
Emma squeezed his hand, showing no flinch or surprise. âIâm happy to meet you,â she said. âGrace has told me a lot about you.â
âOh, no,â Cheshire lamented, prompting laughter from Grace and Herb. He nudged Jakub forward. âThis is Jakub Danowicz, my…partner.â
Jakubâs shoulders crept up, but he shook Emmaâs hand with only his usual amount of social awkwardness. âHello.â
âPleased to meet you, Jakub.â
Herb clapped his hands together. âWell, everyone acquainted,â he said jovially. âAnd you have your tableâmy work is done.â He helped Camila out of her seat and then moved behind Emma to help her back into hers. âEnjoy your meal, everyone. And go easy on the wine?â He fixed Cheshire with a playfully stern look. âI mean you, mister.â
âItâs your tab,â Cheshire teased back, and had to brace himself again as Herb thumped him on the back.
âTwo-bit thug is what you are,â Herb retorted. âWell, enjoy spending my money, then.â He offered Camila his arm, and the two of them headed toward another table that awaited them. âYou owe me.â
Cheshire rolled his eyes as he held Graceâs chair for her. âThis is supposed to be making us even,â he complained to the table. âI saved his life, you know.â
âOh? He didnât mention that.â Grace sat down and filled her glass from a bottle of wine already on the table. âI thought you were here to help butter me up so Iâll do another gig for him.â
âSince when do you take my advice?â Cheshire moved to the next chair, and was a little disappointed to see Jakub had already seated himself. Even if it might have raised some eyebrows, he would have liked to offer him some gentlemanly courtesy. He cleared his throat and took a seat. âButter can come later. I want to know how you two met!â
âEmmaâs the newest member of the band,â Grace said proudly, and she reached across the table to take Emmaâs hand. âShe plays the meanest saxophone Iâve ever heard! And she has a lovely voice, too, when I can convince her to sing.â
Emma smiled shyly. âIâm not that good; sheâs just being kind.â
âMy ears know talent, believe me,â Grace shot back. She was positively aglow when she smiled back at Emma; Cheshire imagined he knew just how she felt, and he wondered if his face gave as much away as hers did. âIf we do perform at the Thrones it would be a good chance to try out a new set with a duet, so youâd better convince me to do it, Chesh.â
âYou should be careful about doing business with Masterson,â said Jakub. âHe has deep pockets but he has a funny idea of how favors work.â
âItâs not my first time dealing with career criminals,â Grace reassured him, and she cast Cheshire a sly glance. He shrugged innocently. âAt most it only has to be the once. And itâll put me in a good position to renegotiate my contract here.â She tipped her wine glass in a salute.
âWeâll be very careful,â added Emma. âI wouldnât let her do anything reckless.â
âOh, I believe it,â said Cheshire. He glanced between the two women, burning with curiosity. Does Grace know sheâs a witch? He poured glasses for Jakub and himself. What could her magic be like? âI can tell already, sheâs lucky to have you.â Emma returned his seeking look with a brief, tight-lipped frown. âThatâs very kind of you to say,â she said.
Grace doesnât know, then, Cheshire took it to mean. Is it really my place to say anything? He glanced at Jakub, who was taking a ginger sip of his wine. I havenât told him everything, either. He gulped. âItâs just the truth,â he carried on. âIâve known Grace for a long time, and Iâve never seen her light up as much as when she introduced you.â
Grace blushed and gave his shoulder a push. âGod, youâre so embarrassing,â she scolded, but he was telling the truth: nothing could have squashed the happy gleam in her eyes. âBut she is incredible.â
Emma ducked slightly into her shoulders. âWhat about you two?â she changed the subject. âHow did you two meet?â
Jakub tipped his head back in a gulp while Cheshire let out a nervous chuckle. I guess she would be sharper than Herb. âOh, well, thatâs a long story,â he said, caught between cheer and trepidation. âA long and illegal story. We were breaking into peopleâs houses to steal money for booze.â
Emma looked to Grace with surprise, who grinned and said, âSee? I wasnât joking.â
âOh, my.â Emma frowned dubiously despite her efforts to remain polite. âHow…exciting.â
âAre we going to order?â Jakub asked loudly, which raised a chuckle from all of them that left him deeply flushed.
âYes, letâs order,â said Cheshire, and he caught the eye of one of the waiters. âThen I can tell you a few of our tamer adventures.â
As promised, Cheshire filled the time waiting for their food with the mildest of their many criminal encounters: the impersonation trick he and Grace had pulled against the Foleys in Astoria, the inside peeks at Hallorranâs headquarters, and most especially, the Robin Hooding of the Olivier delivery truck. Emma was a gracious audience, expressing interest and congratulations where appropriate. She even put a few questions to Jakub and coaxed answers out of him. Once or twice Cheshire caught Herb and Camila glancing their way, but they didnât make a repeat appearance. All in all, it was a very pleasant evening.
Even so, by the time dinner was finished, Cheshire found himself exhausted. He tried to blame it on the possible onset of a simple cold, but whenever his eyes met Emmaâs, he felt their heat pound between his temples. His palms by then were clammy inside his gloves and he couldnât shake the goose bumps. When the table began debating which expensive dessert to charge to Herbâs tab, he finally pushed out of his chair.
âIâm going to find a washroom,â Cheshire said. âIâll split whatever Jakub has.â He cast Jakub a wink, who blushed and stumbled over a protest as he headed toward the far end of the dining room. Heâs going to be mad I left him with them, he thought with a wince. But I just need a moment to clear my head.
***
Jakub watched, dismayed, as Cheshire abandoned him at the table. He buried himself in the dessert menu. âChocolate cake,â he said, only because after a dinner of expensive dishes heâd enjoyed but couldnât pronounce, he was eager for something a bit more familiar. He peeked over the menu, hoping that Grace and Emma would entertain each other in Cheshireâs absence without any effort from him, only to realize that Emma was also standing up from the table.
âI think Iâll visit the powder room myself,â she said. âSomething light for me, please?â
âOhâof course,â said Grace, who looked half ready to follow her. But she settled again as Emma moved on, leaving the pair of them alone and facing each other.
Grace took in a deep breath. âSo. Jakub.â
âGrace,â Jakub replied, placing the folded menu back on the table in resignation.
âYou look very handsome tonight,â Grace continued, and Jakub did his best not to shift self-consciously. âYou know, when Cheshire first told me about you two, I could hardly believe it! But now that Iâm really seeing you together, I think I understand.â
Jakub frowned. What the hell does that mean? Am I giving us away with my face after all? That time he couldnât help scrubbing the back of his hand across his mouth. âUm. Thank you.â
The waiter approached, and Jakub finished the wine in his glass as Grace related their dessert order. Once the waiter moved away both of them glanced longingly toward the restrooms, and in catching each other in the act, an awkward understanding calmed them both. Jakub picked up the mostly drained wine bottle, and Grace nodded, nudging her glass toward him.
I guess Iâve known her as long as Cheshire has, Jakub thought as he refilled each of them a modest portion. Not…as well, though. He swallowed his embarrassment when reminded of those nights when they were teenagers, and he could hear Grace and Cheshire fooling around through the walls of their apartments. He had tried so hard then, to make himself forget about any hope of having Cheshire for himself. They had simply been too handsome of a couple, too well matched in looks and humor to think he could have ever competed.
This might be your only chance to ask, Jakub thought, and with another sip of drink to build his courage, he faced her. âCan I ask you something? Personal?â
âOh, boy,â said Grace, though she was smiling. âHere it comes. Go ahead, Iâm ready.â
Jakub frowned again in befuddlement and almost lost his nerve. âUm. Why did Cheshire break up with you?â
Grace gave a mighty snort. âIs that what he told you?â She rolled her eyes. âLet me tell you, then, donât believe whatever he said. I broke up with him.â
Jakubâs prosthetic tightened reflexively against the tablecloth. âWhy?â
âWell, it wasâŠâ Faced with having to actually answer, Grace faltered uncomfortably. She took a sip of her wine to stall. âHeâs charming, and attentive, and generousâall those wonderful things. But the one thing he isnât is honest.â
Jakub continued to tense defensively, though the distant hurt she was trying to banish from her expression quickly began to wear that down. âHeâs not…dishonest,â he said. âHe just exaggerates sometimes.â
âAnd thatâs fine!â Grace said quickly. âReally, but it was more than just that.â She scooted her chair closer so that she could lower her voice; the secretiveness didnât sit well with Jakub, but he did lean closer to hear. âYou have to know what Iâm talking about,â Grace continued. âItâs so hard to get him to admit to anything really serious.â She began gesturing with her hands as she spoke. âHe and I were steady for a yearâI told him everything. But in all that time he never said one word about himself that was really real. Not about his family, his parents, why he came here, what he wants to do with himself. He wouldnât even tell me where he lived before Brooklyn, because heâs not from here any more than either of us are.â
Jakub listened, his brow furrowing. âHeâs from Albany,â he said without thinking, remembering their first meeting on the steps of the Kozlow building.
Grace reared back and regarded him with as much confused surprise as if heâd produced a live mouse from his jacket pocket. Then her shoulders drooped, and she laughed weakly. âThere, see? You already know more than I ever did.â
It was such a simple, trivial piece of information, but the thought that he was the only one to know it filled Jakub with an unseemly amount of pride. âHe doesnât like to talk about the past,â he admitted carefully, thinking of Cheshireâs faraway expression from the cemetery. âBut…neither do I, I guess.â
Grace smiled crookedly. âYeah, I guess so.â She lowered her chin into her palm. âMaybe youâre just that good for each other, then.â
Jakubâs chest swelled; the thought that someone would see him and Cheshire as as much of a match as heâd seen Cheshire and Grace was almost overwhelming. âYeah,â he said, eager for Cheshire to return to the table. âI hope so.â
***
Cheshire entered the washroom and was relieved to find it empty. I just need a minute, he told himself again as he moved to the sink. He tucked his gloves into his pockets and turned on the sink. Everything has gone so well, after dessert we can go home and itâll just be us.
He pushed his glasses up to splash some water on his face, letting the coolness refresh his weary eyes. The door opened, but he didnât think anything of it until he heard the click of the lock.
âHerb?â Cheshire guessed, fumbling for a towel. âDonât give me lip about that lobster tail.â But as he straightened up, glasses back in place, he startled to see it was Emma leaning back against the door.
âMs. Peabody?â Cheshire gulped, though he tried not to let his nerves show. âI think you misread the sign.â
âI know what you are,â Emma said, her gentle demeanor from dinner long gone. She faced him with near defiance that made the chill of her magic frightfully pronounced; Cheshire couldnât help but shudder. âLet me see your brand.â
Cheshireâs smile contorted with his efforts to keep it in place. âI donât know what you meanâŠ?â
He reached into his pockets for his gloves, but Emma moved too quickly, with too little space between them; she took his wrists and drew his hands in front of her, forcing his palms up. He was too startled to resist, and given the strength of her grip, he had the uneasy feeling that he wouldnât have been able to.
Emmaâs shoulders sagged in disappointed recognition. It was inexplicably humbling. âGrace told me about your magic,â she said quietly, as if relaying a great tragedy. âAnd she warned me not to tell anyone. I can see why.â
She pressed her thumbs into the center of the sigils branded on each palm; the contact burned, and Cheshire bit back a curse as he jerked both hands out of her grip. It frightened him more than he thought it should, and he was quick to shake out the sting.
âUm, yeah,â he said awkwardly. âIâd appreciate it if you kept it to yourself.â He chuckled. âBetter than Grace did, at least. Are you going to show me yours, now?â
âI donât have brands,â said Emma. She rubbed her thumbs into her palms as if also trying to dispel the pain from their encounter. âIâm not a familiar, like you.â
Is that what I should be called? âBut you do have magic,â Cheshire pressed. Sweat collected along his spine but he clung to his charm. âI guess Grace has a type after all.â
Emmaâs expression darkened with pity that had his skin crawling. âYour magic comes from a demon,â she said, and the last of Cheshireâs laughter died in his chest. âA powerful one. Humans arenât supposed to have magic like that.â
Cheshire stared back at her, speechless. He remembered being on the other end of Detective Aliceâs cold glare and felt just as small as he had then. Magic like that, Alice had said, shouldnât exist in the world. He gulped. âWhat does that make you, then?â
Emma folded her arms. It took a few moments of lip chewing and downward eyes before she straightened up again, and above her head a length of soft white light began to form. Cheshireâs eyes widened as he watched the glow shape into a circlet. A halo.
âYouâreâŠâ Cheshire leaned back, dumbfounded. âYouâre an angel?â
Emma tightened her arms self-consciously. âYes.â
Cheshire blinked over and over; the light from the halo was making him ill, and thankfully it vanished only moments later. He had always known that demons were alive in the world, yet somehow it had never occurred to him that their opposites might be, too. âD…Does Grace know?â he stammered.
âNo.â Emma looked away. âIâm not supposed to be here, either. But I will tell her,â she added quickly. âWhen itâs the right time.â
âOh. Wow.â Cheshire finally tugged his gloves back on. âSo I guess you and I will never get along, huh?â he teased weakly. âNot only your girlfriendâs ex, butâŠâ
âA demonâs familiar?â Emma raised an eyebrow, though she didnât share his levity. âYou understand what youâve done, donât you?â she asked, and again the hint of sympathy in her tone made Cheshire cringe with shame. âYouâve used a demonâs magic against the living. Your soul doesnât belong to you. If youâre not careful, your master will come for you.â
Cheshire shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged. âIâll just have to be really careful then. Itâs not likeâŠâ He couldnât hide a wince. âNot like I can do anything about it now. Right?â
âNo,â said Emma, with an immediacy that gut-punched him. âIâm sorry. If I could break a demonâs contract, I would have done it the moment I saw you.â
Cheshire licked his lips, and with a deep breath he regained his composure. âThere you have it, then,â he said. âCareful it is.â He took a step to her side. âThanks for the concern, but I think we should get back to the table. Jakubâs not comfortable in situations like these.â
Emma didnât budge. âDoes he know?â she pressed. âHe knows enough for now,â Cheshire replied, faster and more sharply than heâd intended to, but the thought of Emma taking it upon herself to tell Jakub anything spread more cold sweat down his back. âLike you saidâwhen the time is right.â
Emma didnât look satisfied, but she nodded. She stood back and let Cheshire unlock the door. âI want to hear more about your story someday,â he said as they left the washroom together. âIâve never heard of a rogue angel hiding out among humans.â
âIâm not a rogue,â Emma replied quickly. âHeaven is complicated.â
âI can only imagine!â
They approached the table, and Cheshire was surprised but pleased to see Grace and Jakub sitting closer together, apparently engaged in an easy conversation. When Jakub noticed them approaching he lifted his head, and the bright, welcoming face he made solidified Cheshireâs confidence.
Maybe we wonât have as much time as we want, he thought as he crossed the dining room behind Emma. That just means we have to make the most of it. By the time he retook his seat, he was smiling easily again.
âSo, what did you order me?â
***
Dessert passed with more pleasant conversation. Jakub enjoyed the cake immensely, taking more than his fair share, though he quickly realized that Cheshire wasnât interested in eating it anyway. By the time they had exhausted the reasonable limits of Herbâs credit and were ready to leave, Jakub could sense that Cheshire had also reached the limits of his exuberance, and he was eager for them to move on. As they bid their farewells to Grace and Emma, and Herb and Camila, Cheshire hesitated to take Emmaâs hand.
âGood luck to you,â she told him, and Cheshire nodded solemnly, and he wished her the same.
They left the Olivier beneath a sky of roiling clouds. The wind had picked up, and its urgency fueled Jakub with anxious energy as they made their way to the car. âDo you want me to drive?â he offered. âYou look tired.â
âDo I?â Cheshire rubbed his face. âIâm fine, but you know I trust you with my wheels, if youâd rather.â
He wasnât particularly convincing for once, and Jakub held his hand up. âI would,â he said, and Cheshire had no qualms handing the keys over. They slipped into the car and sped off back toward Brooklyn.
Jakub tightened his hands on the steering wheel, and watching the metal knuckles of his left hand reminded him of his conversation with Miklos earlier. He took a deep breath. âItâs okay, if youâre not fine,â he said. âItâs just me.â
Cheshire shifted in his seat and surrendered the truth. âIâm a little tired, sure. Even just being in the same room as Herb can be exhausting.â He chuckled and cast Jakub an apologetic look. âSorry about abandoning you with Grace.â
âItâs fine,â Jakub said automatically, only to realize he didnât want to leave it at just that. âWe had a good conversation.â
âOh?â Cheshire perked up with great interest. âShe didnât give you a hard time?â
âOnly a little. Iâve known her almost as long as you have, after all.â
âYeah, I guess thatâs true.â Cheshire fidgeted some more. âEmma was really something, too, huh? They seemed really happy together.â
âThey did,â Jakub agreed, though his mind was still on his brief conversation with Grace. Is that what she saw, when she looked at us together? he wondered, casting peeks at Cheshireâs face. That weâre happy together? It was a dangerous thoughtâif Grace could see it, there was a chance more people would, tooâbut he clung to it. Because we are happy, right? I know him better than anyone.
Emboldened, Jakub took Cheshireâs hand, tugging it closer so he could wind their fingers together. Cheshire tensed at first. If Jakub looked at him, he was sure he would lose his nerve, so he kept his eyes on the road as he squeezed the soft leather of Cheshireâs gloves. âThanks,â he said. âFor the date.â
Cheshire didnât relax; he turned his wrist just enough to grip Jakub back with an urgency that Jakub hadnât expected and which tightened his chest. âThanks for being my date,â he said. He kept hold of Jakubâs hand almost the entire drive back to Brooklyn.
The sky was heavy and starless by the time they reached Cheshireâs building, electricity in the air. Jakub breathed it in; the wind made him restless, and as eager as he was to drag Cheshire beneath cool sheets on a soft mattress, he hesitated. Something about the night felt new to them, and he wanted to hold onto it a while longer.
As they approached the entrance, Cheshire abruptly stopped, and as if having plucked the thoughts straight from his mind, he said, âDo you want to take a walk?â
âYou said you were tired,â Jakub replied. He felt mysteriously guilty, as if he really had forced his wishes on Cheshire subconsciously.
âNot that tired,â said Cheshire, and he hooked his arm through Jakubâs. âJust down to the water for a little while. I havenât been down there in ages.â
âOkay.â Blushing, Jakub leaned into Cheshire and let him lead the way down the sidewalk, toward the waterfront.
Cheshireâs building was only two blocks from the river. They took their timeâhardly anyone was out, and the small park sprawled across the waterfront was dark and empty. The wind throwing waves against the shore served as a perfect backdrop to the flurry of nervous and excited emotion swirling in Jakubâs chest. This is real, he thought, hugging Cheshireâs arm to him, as raw as he had been that first morning waking up in Cheshireâs arms. Itâs really real.
âHey, Chesh.â He took a deep breath and leaned his head against Cheshireâs shoulder. âYouâre from Albany, right?â
Cheshire hummed. âWhy do you ask?â
Jakubâs ears grew hot, and he lifted his head back up; nuzzling was still a little too embarrassing in public, deserted night-time park or not. âYou said you were, the first time we met. Remember?â
âDid I?â Cheshire sniffed and rubbed his nose. âYeah, I was in Albany before I came to Brooklyn. Why?â
There wasnât anything specific in his tone that came across as defensive, but Jakub sensed the hesitation anyway. He understood it so deeply that he ached, and after a long moment of still contemplation, he took another breath. âIâmâŠâ He had to clear his throat and try again. âIâm from KrÄpiec.â
Cheshire turned his head toward him; Jakub ducked again against Cheshireâs shoulder, knowing he wouldnât be able to continue beneath eye contact. âItâs a village,â he said. âWe had a little house there, and some animals. But during the war…I had to leave.â He clutched Cheshireâs arm and forced the rest of the words out. âSoldiers killed my parents, and I had to leave. I just ran and didnât look back⊠Ran until I met Miklos. We snuck aboard a ship together to come to America.â
Jakub stopped. He held his breath, waiting for he didnât know whatâas if the history was a spell he had unleashed, that would somehow take form. But nothing happened. Cheshire stayed quiet beside him, waiting to see if he would say more, until eventually offering, âIâm sorry.â
Jakub waited a few beats longer, just to be sure. âIâve never told anyone that before,â he confessed softly.
âYou donât have to tell me anything you donât want to,â Cheshire said quickly.
âNo, I wanted to.â He hid a smile against Cheshireâs shoulder. âI want you to know me better than anyone.â
He hoped that Cheshire found that as exhilarating as he did, but the tremor that passed through Cheshireâs broad shoulders felt like something else entirely. Before he could put a name to it, Cheshire turned, slipping free of his arm so he could instead draw Jakubâs face to his for a kiss. His mouth was heavier than Jakub was accustomed to, more insistent, and he tasted like wine and chocolate.
Jakub gripped Cheshireâs jacket and wilted. Cheshireâs kisses were strong but his hands were shaking, and he didnât know what to make of it. His knees trembled. But when Cheshire eased back, he was smiling again, his brow slanted with sympathy and understanding.
âYou donât make it easy,â he teased, and before Jakub could duck back in embarrassment, Cheshire kissed him again. He gave up trying to escape.
I know, Jakub thought, and he slipped his arms beneath Cheshireâs jacket to wrap around his back. But youâre still here. Thank you.
Something struck Jakub lightly in the back of the head, but he ignored it at first, too caught up in Cheshireâs uncommonly deep affections. It wasnât until Cheshire pulled back and turned his face upward that he felt droplets against his shoulders and seeping down the back of his neck.
âI guess we should head back,â said Cheshire, and a fat raindrop splattered across his glasses, just before the gentle droplets turned to downpour.
They raced back down the sidewalk together, Cheshire laughing as he tried to protect his hat beneath his jacket. By the time they reached the lobby of Cheshireâs building, they were both soaked through and panting. Inside the elevator, Cheshire pulled out his hat and laughed some more at the soaked, crumpled state of it.
âWell, I tried,â he said. He plunked the hat onto Jakub and then urged his chin up for another kiss. Jakub melted into him happily.
They tumbled into Cheshireâs apartment together and immediately stripped off their soaked clothing between long kisses. By the time they reached the bedroom they were naked and shivering from the night air on their rain-dampened skin. Jakub drew Cheshire down to him on the mattress, wanting his broader body draped over him to banish the chill. Cheshire more than obliged; he pinned Jakub down, nibbled and sucked at the tender skin of his throat. His hands were strong and scorching as they groped down Jakubâs body to his ass. It wasnât often that he employed so much of his strength, and Jakub groaned in encouragement, arching into his every touch.
âCheshâŠâ Jakub murmured, and he drew his knees up so Cheshire could squirm between his thighs. Excitement had been simmering just beneath his surface ever since Cheshireâs first call; their naked bodies twisting together atop soft sheets, Cheshireâs hefty erection stroking his, sent that arousal coursing through him. He clung to Cheshireâs shoulders and was happy to let him take the lead. There was something humbling and new in the hunger Cheshire had fixed on him then, and he was ready for itâso ready that he ached, squeezing Cheshire with his thighs.
Cheshire slid two fingers between Jakubâs ass cheeks. His breath was heavy and panting. âDo you want me toââ
âYes.â Jakub dug his heels into the backs of Cheshireâs
thighs and craned his head to cast a meaningful look at the bedside table. âYesâhurry.â
Cheshire laughed breathlessly. Jakub didnât want to let him go for even a moment, forcing Cheshire to drag them both to the edge of the bed. He pawed a jar of lube out of the drawer and held it while Jakub unscrewed the lidâthen passed it to Jakub so he could slick his fingers, chuckling all the while. Jakub tingled at the mirth in his voice as much as with anticipation. He bit his lip and spread his knees wider as Cheshire eased two fingers inside him.
âYou looked really handsome tonight,â Cheshire said huskily as he massaged Jakubâs hole. âBut I think I like this look even better.â
Jakub groaned through his teeth. He reached between them to tug Cheshireâs wrist; Cheshire took the hint beautifully, stroking and plying him with greater insistence that left him quivering. When he forced himself to meet Cheshireâs gaze, it was almost overwhelmingâhis body throbbed against Cheshireâs fingers and already he felt close to release. He swallowed hard. âCome onâIâm ready.â
Cheshire drew his hand back, but before going further he crawled back to the center of the bed. He grabbed Jakub by the hips to drag him along; Jakub held his breath at the unexpected show of strength, and was still holding it when Cheshire thrust deftly into him.
Jakub wasnât prepared for how different it felt to be at Cheshireâs mercy. So often he had pinned Cheshire down, guided the pace. It felt good to have the man on his terms after so many years of helplessly pining. But Cheshire leaning over him, Cheshire shoving his knees upâCheshire inside him, pushing in deep with every firm pump of his hipsâshook him like nothing heâd felt before. At first he could only moan, startled and intoxicated, as he took Cheshireâs cock over and over. He hardly felt in control of his limbs as he gripped the back of Cheshireâs neck in desperate need of stability.
Then Cheshire whispered his name, and Jakub shuddered with renewed conviction. He arched against the mattress, angling his hips to better meet his partner; he let go of what remained of his self-conscious inhibitions. And he felt Cheshire respond in kind, each thrust becoming more confident than the last. As they sped up, every ounce of tension from the evening was seared away, leaving only white-hot pleasure streaking along thrilled nerves. Leaving only Cheshireâs deep voice, and his powerful body, and the grin tugging at his sweet lips as they rocked, and moaned, and sweated against each other into a blissful, earth-shaking climax.
Jakub collapsed against the bed, skin electric and cock spent, gasping for breath. Long before he had any semblance of composure back he dragged Cheshire down to him for a kiss. Their lips fumbled lazily against each other as he sucked from Cheshireâs mouth a low, rumbling chuckle of contentment. It was his loverâs signature and he would never tire of it.
âYou okay?â Cheshire asked as he helped Jakub stretch his legs back out. âSorryâI got a littleââ
âIâm fine,â Jakub said quickly, and he kissed Cheshire again to prove it. His throat burned with sudden emotion and he turned his kisses instead on Cheshireâs neck and shoulder to hide whatever his face was doing. âMore than fine.â
Cheshire relaxed and nuzzled Jakubâs ear with his nose. âGood. âCause youâre incredible.â Jakub wriggled with the compliment and kissed little thank yous into his skin.
After only a few minutes to catch their breath, Jakub dragged himself out of bed. âIâm going to borrow your bathroom,â he said. âIf you donât mind.â
âBy all means,â said Cheshire.
Jakub took his time in the bathroom. Though he wasnât happy about the hot water erasing the warm imprints of Cheshireâs hands on his body, it did wonders for banishing the rest of the rainâs unwelcome chill. When finished, he toweled off thoroughlyâpaying close attention to his prostheticâand hurried back to the bedroom, eager to be under the blankets. But once there, he was given pause.
Cheshire wasnât still in bed; he was standing at the open bedroom window, smoking a cigarette as he watched the rain falling on the river. He hadnât even bothered to put on any clothes. Jakub watched him for a while, and some of his euphoria deflated the longer Cheshire failed to notice his return. When he moved closer, he even thought he detected melancholy in Cheshireâs far-away eyes. âCheshire?â
Cheshire turned over his shoulder, with an ease that suggested he had known Jakub was there after all. âHey.â He rejoined Jakub and offered the cigarette. âMy turn?â
â…Sure.â Jakub accepted, taking a long drag as he watched Cheshire head into the bathroom. A breeze from the window gave him goosebumps; he closed the pane and hurried back into bed.
Cheshire returned only a few minutes later, without having run the shower. His skin was still cool from the rain. By then Jakub had stripped the top sheet and replaced it with a thicker blanket, and he squirmed in tight against Cheshireâs back, determined to warm him up himself if need be. He must be more tired than he was letting on, he thought, and he tightened his arm protectively around Cheshireâs ribs. Iâll make sure he sleeps in tomorrow. âGood night, Chesh.â
He pressed a kiss to the back of Cheshireâs neck; Cheshire covered Jakubâs hand with his.
âGânight, Jakub.â
***
Cheshire kept still as he felt Jakub gradually relax into slumber. He was exhausted and painfully awake at the same time, the events of the evening playing over in his head. Jakubâs warmth against his back was comforting and stifling. He dug his fingernails into his palm, where his brand still itched from Emma touching it.
Jakub knows me better than anyone, he thought. It frightened himâfrightened him even more thinking of how much more there was to know. What if he knew too much?
He drew his pillow in tighter but couldnât sleep.
***
When Jakub woke up, he slipped out of bed as quietly as he could. Cheshire grumbled in his sleep but didnât stir, so he tucked him in, borrowed a bathrobe, and headed into the next room. Their shed clothing he hung up around the room to better dry, and he started heating water for coffee. The storm had moved on during the night, leaving only a spattering of clouds and a cool breeze from the river. Jakub smiled to himself as he dug through Cheshireâs pantry in search of suitable breakfast ingredients.
Cheshire emerged half an hour later. âYou had eggs,â said Jakub as he prodded them around a sizzling pan. âAnd thereâs some cheese, if you want.â
âSure,â said Cheshire as he took a seat at the kitchen table.
He smothered a harsh cough against his fist, and
Jakub turned to get a better look at him; he had dressed in long underwear and was leaning against the table, his chin in his palm. His eyes were half lidded with sleep and his brow was heavily creased as he stared blearily around the kitchen. Frowning, Jakub poured him some coffee and set the mug in front of him.
âThanks,â said Cheshire, and that time Jakub could clearly hear a roughness in his voice.
âYou all right?â Jakub asked, watching as Cheshire took a ginger sip. âYou look like you should still be in bed.â
ââm just tired,â Cheshire replied, but after having to cover another cough and enduring Jakubâs intense frown, he surrendered the truth. âI might be coming down with a cold.â
Jakub smoothed Cheshireâs hair back to palm his forehead. âYou donât feel warm. Letâs get you some breakfast and then back to bed.â
He carded his fingers back through Cheshireâs hair; Cheshireâs lazy smile at the affection made his heart flutter. âThanks,â said Cheshire. âSmells good.â
Jakub returned to the stove, giving the eggs only another minute before sliding them onto plates. âYou should have dried off better last night,â he scolded gently as he set Cheshireâs breakfast in front of him. âThat rain couldnât have helped.â
âYeah, probably.â Cheshire managed a smirk as he cut the eggs with his fork. âWhat a night, though.â
Jakub blushed, hiding behind a gulp from his coffee. âWhat a night,â he agreed.
âNot only a great time,â Cheshire continued, âbut I think we can call it the first successful evening weâve spent with Herb. Maybe things are looking up.â
Jakub frowned around a bite of his eggs. It had been such a whirlwind evening heâd forgotten Hannahâs marching orders from back in his apartment. âMaybe because we didnât spend the time with Herb,â he said carefully. âIâll have to think of something to tell Hannah.â
Cheshireâs brow rose. âHannah?â
âShe stopped by right after I got your call,â Jakub explained. âIt…would have been hard to explain how I was dressed without telling her something.â
âVery true.â Though Cheshire was smiling, he seemed too tired to disguise his trepidation. âSo? What did she say?â
Jakub stalled with a mouthful of food; he suddenly wished he hadnât brought it up at all. âShe was hoping I could use this dinner to get some dirt on Masterson,â he admitted. âSheâs…concerned. She thinks we should be trying to beat Manhattan rather than playing nice with them.â
âIf she has a plan for that, Iâm all ears,â said Cheshire. âUnless you mean, sheâs still mad I didnât just let Herb die when I had the chance.â
âShe didnât say that.â Jakub frowned, realizing that she had probably been thinking it all the same. âYou did the right thing,â he said firmly. âAnd itâs not fair that they put so much on you. I tried to tell her that.â
Cheshire snorted quietly, which then prompted another round of coughing. âThanks, but at this point I donât know what itâs going to take to prove myself to any of them.â
This isnât the morning I wanted, Jakub thought, his shoulders sinking. Last night was so incredible. He took one more gulp of coffee and then set his mug down loudly enough that Cheshire blinked at him in surprise. With a deep breath he scooted his chair closer.
âDonât worry about them,â Jakub said, and he took Cheshireâs hand for a squeeze. âI trust your judgment. Just keep doing what you think is right.â
Cheshire smiled, still weary but sincere. He turned his wrist so he could grip Jakub back more easily. âThank you.â He kissed the back of Jakubâs palm and then tried to slip free. âYou should take off, though,â he said. âI donât want to get you sick, too.â
Jakub scoffed and pushed to his feet. âIâm not going anywhere,â he said. âWho would take care of you?â He kissed the top of Cheshireâs head to prove it. âFinish your breakfast and go back to bed. Iâll clean up, and if Burke shows up about work Iâll scare him off.â
That provoked a chuckle out of Cheshire, and he drew his plate closer. âYes, sir.â
Cheshire followed orders, finishing his eggs and coffee before retreating back to bed. Jakub, still enjoying the oversized bathrobe, cleaned their dishes and a few more things around the apartment. He still kept a set of tools at Cheshireâs place, so he even felt bold enough to take the forearm plate off his prosthetic, just to make sure the interior hadnât taken too much moisture from the rain. Then he slipped back in the bedroom to check on Cheshire.
He was asleep again, though fitfully so. Jakub watched him for a while, and then at last he crawled back into bed with him. It doesnât matter what anyone else thinks, he thought, sidling in close against Cheshireâs back. Or what they know, or what they do. He has me. He unbuttoned Cheshireâs long johns at the chest so he could sneak his hand inside, and was relieved when Cheshire instinctively reached for him back. And Iâm going to protect him.