Page 8 of Damian & Jun, Episodes 13-16

He texted back.

He got a cartoon character blowing raspberries in response.

A text from Gigi popped up a few seconds later.

Jun texted.

“Should we offer them complimentary membership when we open the dungeon?” Damian mused.

Jun flopped onto his back. “We might have to schedule which days we’re there or not there. I’m not sure I want to see them getting it on.”

Damian shrugged. “Someday I’ll introduce you to some friends. It’s different in a club or during a play party. What happens in those spaces stays in a different space, different mindset, even afterward.”

“Have you played with a lot of people outside of the Residency?”

“A few. I’ve participated in a couple primal takedowns as support. Jackson and his crowd have good events. I haven’t chased anyone for myself since I met you. It felt like we were together, but I hadn’t told you about them. Couldn’t ask you when I met someone. So I didn’t play. It felt like you’d consented to the Residency, but not to random people.”

“Is that why you told me about Collin so fast? Before you knew if he would stay or not?”

Damian nodded.

Jun blinked slowly. “I didn’t realize you were asking permission.”

Damian shrugged. “I knew I wasn’t really, but I wanted you to be able to say no.”

“So when do we celebrate our anniversary then? From the first night in the club, from this past Christmas?”

“For me, the club.”

Jun smiled. “You know that means we have some celebrating to make up.”

“I’ll add it to Bak’s lists of crimes.”

Jun chortled, trying not to bust out laughing, but failing.

They rested a while, cleaned up the room from the morning hunt, and reset the cave. Damian found a book he’d been meaning to read, and Jun brought his lyrics to the couch. They sat together, each engrossed in their own work. Damian’s back felt good against Jun’s. He leaned his head on Damian’s shoulder and stared at the lyrics in his hand.

This upside down world

The sun too bright, you my respite

Lovely shadow of need, your merciful decree

All these shadows protecting me

Truth lives within the heart that no one sees

But you and but me

Our kingdom three

A stray thought crossed Jun’s mind. “You never told me what you thought of the Russian mafia guy when you saw him.”

“When he came to my office?” Damian turned a page in his book.

“Yeah.”

“I threw out all the food he handled.”