Page 35 of Farborn

“Why is that?” I ask as I cross the room to join him in bed. After our third night sharing a bed, I picked up a couple of pairs of undergarments called boxer shorts, even though Davies didn’t ask me to. They are not a garment I would wish to wear regularly, but they are not too uncomfortable to sleep in.

It is only fair, since I asked him to not be totally naked in bed.

“I think you know why,” Davies softly says.

I settle in bed, facing him. “Please do not make drastic decisions based upon me at this time.”

“Do you realize you are the longest relationship I’ve had with someone?” he asks.

“Is that what we have?” Fear trills through me that perhaps I have misled him in some way.

“Sure it is. Even though we’re only friends.”

Only. That is a very charged word, because it feels like we are on the cusp of something far more than that.

A cusp I would greatly like to explore more with him.

Tomorrow my leave starts, and I will travel down to Pfahrn to see my family.

Usually, I would be filled with excitement over that.

Right now?

I feel…sad.

“We do not have a contract,” I remind him. “You are not tethered to me in any way beyond our friendship.”

He snorts. “Sure.”

“I do not understand.”

He looks at me. “Four weeks there, one to two weeks for load-ops to empty and refill us, and four weeks back here.”

“Unless you decide to change ships once you are there.”

He stares at me. “Are you trying to talk me out of returning?”

“No, I am simply reminding you of your options. You do not have to get back on your vessel tomorrow. You said you could cancel your commission with them since you are a freelancer, and this is a Maxim Colonies space station.”

Davies rolls onto his side and stares into my eyes. “You going to want to see me when I return?”

“Of course I will. I have enjoyed our time together immensely. I do not recall when I have ever enjoyed friendship this much.”

He looks a little sad over that. “Friendship, yeah.”

“I will never lie to you, Davies. Friendship is what I offer to you at this time, and under these circumstances.”

He sighs as he rolls onto his back again. “I know.”

“When you return, we can continue this, if you wish.”

“Idowish.” Except he is staring at the ceiling as he says it, andIwish his voice did not bear such heavy sadness within it.

* * * *

“Still won’t let me buy you dinner, huh?” Davies teases as he walks up to where I am standing outside the restaurant.

He is wearing that familiar, cocky smile I will no doubt be thinking about as I pleasure myself in my shower tonight.