Page 23 of Five to Love Him

The one across from me was having the sandwich, and he nodded. “You were looking for our kind.”

“Not exactly. I…hey, do you like horror movies?”

“We haven’t seen that many. We like K-dramas and danmei.”

“Fair enough. But if you want to head to my house after this? For a movie?”

“Yes.” All of them said it. “Would you be willing to watch with all of us? We would like that. We would like that very much, Leo.”

“I mean, sure, but my neighborhood isn’t that busy, and people might see you. Quintuplets tend to draw attention.”

“We’ll stagger our arrival. Being small is an advantage when living among humans.”

“Okay.” Their definition of small was really something.

“And we’ll bring snacks. We’re just out shopping—what do you like?”

“You’re shopping. Right now?”

“Yes. But we’re not distracted. You have our attention.”

“Huh. That’s weird.”

“The good weird, Leo?”

They looked hopeful. Still a bit scared maybe. I had an odd little thought then, something about how I’d never have met them if it hadn’t been for almost drowning in a freezing lake. If I held any stock in poetry, I might have mused that it was fate, but I was a realist and knew that it was my own trauma and thick-headedness that had gotten me to this place.

Either way, I was here now. “Good weird.”

They smiled. “And the snacks?”

“Surprise me.”

***

We took the subway back. One of the hivelings pulled up his hoodie. They all stuck close to me, but they were more focused on things going on around me. While I sat and one of them took the seat next to me, the other two were watching, alert. I was glad Instructor Arick had mentioned how protectiveness was often a trait for a hive once they had found something they cared about. If not, I might have wondered if they were afraid.

I took a moment to text Tate. One of the hivelings looked to see what I was doing but wordlessly turned away from my screen.

Leopold

Hey. Breakfast date went okay. Taking them home with me for a movie now.

Tate

?? You’re taking them home with you?

I struggled with a response. It made no sense. Made all the sense.

Leopold

For a movie. Just to hang out.

Tate

Here’s Ez’s number in case you need backup.

Tate sent me the contact. I frowned.