Page 32 of Gratification in Gluttony (Passing Through Cafe #2)

Gem wasted little time getting ready. He scrubbed his face clean in the bathroom after donning a cropped hoodie, six sleeves ending just past his elbows, and a pair of sweats he’d cinched high on his calves so most of the leg fur from his knees to ankles wasn’t smothered by the fabric.

“Okay,” he said as he shook out his black and red curls. “I’m ready.”

Twirling the keyring around his finger, Toni said, “Let’s go.”

Outside, the group gathered around the large Town Car and once again, glared at Toni.

“What? I told you, I couldn’t get a van on such short notice!” Toni snarled, calming when Jude placed a hand on his arm and squeezed.

“It wasn’t short notice,” Oliver mumbled, hissing when Toni smacked his arm.

“We can fit,” Gem said confidently.

“I’ll take the trunk again!” Tad crowed as she waddled toward the back of the car.

“Rusty, you go with her,” Toni said, making Rusty huff.

“I am not getting in that trunk with her.”

“But you’re the next smallest.”

Pointing at Jude, Rusty said, “I’m taller than Jude!”

“Barely. Besides, Jude’s riding up front with me.”

“Perks of sleeping with the driver,” Jude said.

“Godsdamned right.” Without looking at each other, Toni and Jude high-fived perfectly.

“I’m not riding in the trunk!” Rusty yelled.

“That’s fine, you can sit on my lap,” Gem said easily, grabbing Rusty’s wrist and yanking him around the nose of the car as he chittered.

“Wait, what?” both Toni and Rusty exclaimed, with nearly matching tones of horror.

Snickering, Jude crawled to the middle of the bench seat and straddled the gear stick once more. Oliver, Liel, Quin, Glyma and Willow managed to squeeze into the back again, Liel on Oliver’s lap, Quin on Glyma’s. Zef curled into the trunk with Tad, and Toni could hear them whispering and giggling conspiratorially.

Toni started the car, checking the rear-view mirror to find the backseat glaring back at him.

“Should have gotten a van, man,” Oliver said.

“Toni delivered!” Toni barked back. “Now shut up and let me drive.”

He glanced at Jude beside him, then to Gem, who’s ginormous ass took up the rest of the bench seat. Rusty looked extremely uncomfortable perched on Gem’s lap, hands clutching his tail to his chest as he avoided looking at anyone, ear twitching wildly.

“I still think he should go in the trunk,” Toni muttered.

Gem hooked several arms over the back of the seat behind Jude’s head. “Just drive, Toni.” He dragged several fingers along Toni’s gills soothingly, and Toni grunted wordlessly but obeyed.

Thankfully, the drive to Wrath passed quickly and uneventfully, and they pulled into the parking lot at the base of the trail that would lead them up to the cave entrance a little behind schedule but not by much. The moment the car rolled to a stop, the doors flew open, and everyone scrambled out, stretching and wincing.

“Wait a minute,” Gem whispered, reading the sign at the base of the trail. “Wait a minute!”

“We’re cutting it kinda close,” Rusty said, motioning to the clock on his phone.

Gem turned glistening eyes to Toni, but he shooed the Araknis toward the trail. “Walk first. Cry later.”

They followed the trail up a rather steep incline until they made it to the entrance of the caverns. Jude took Toni’s hand, lacing their fingers at the base of the trail and didn’t let go. Toni didn’t mind that one bit.

As the night worker scanned the code to their tickets, Gem bounced in place, gazing longingly into the maw of the caverns. “How did you even get tickets? It’s always sold out.”

Toni shrugged. “I know a guy.”

“Seriously, it’s almost time,” Rusty said.

The group rushed as quickly as they could through the dark tunnels of the caverns until they arrived in a vast room. Stalagmites and stalactites made of clear minerals covered the floor and ceiling, and they had to pick their way through them like a maze. In the center, the ceiling opened and tunneled up until they could see the night sky above them.

The room was full of people, but it wasn’t packed uncomfortably tight. They managed to find a spot close to the center where they could gather. It was cool and damp, moisture dripping from the sharp formations above their heads. Mist clouded in front of Toni’s mouth with every exhale, and goosebumps pebbled along his exposed arms. Jude snuggled closer into his side, rubbing warmth into his arms.

“Should have worn a jacket,” his human chided.

“Don’t like sleeves,” Toni retorted.

“I know.” Jude looked up at him with a smile. “Just don’t want you to be cold.”

Leaning in, he ghosted his lips over Jude’s. “I ain’t worried. I got you to warm me up.”

“I can’t believe this is happening. I’ve wanted to see this since I was a kid.” Turning to face the group, Gem blinked rapidly, all eight eyes watering. “Seriously, this is amazing. Thank you so much.”

“Well,” Jude said, a mischievous smirk curling his lips, “it was Rusty’s idea.”

And Rusty stiffened, eyes widening as Gem rounded on him. “No, it wasn’t,” he denied, pointing at Oliver. “It was Oliver’s idea.”

“I mean, it was my idea for the kidnapping, but it was Toni’s idea to throw a surprise party,” Oliver said.

“That’s true,” Toni said smugly. “It was my idea.”

“Yeah, but Rusty suggested the caves,” Jude said, and Toni scowled at his betrayal.

Rusty made a disgruntled chittering noise as Gem, once again, turned toward him. “It was collaborative,” he said dismissively. “We all planned it.”

“But how did you know about the caves?” Gem asked.

“I don’t know, you talked about it once,” Rusty said, glaring at everyone else. “Why is everyone staring at me?”

Before anyone could respond, Gem said, “And you remembered?”

“Uh, I guess,” Rusty said, tail flicking anxiously. “It’s not a big deal.”

Gem pressed two hands to his chest with a simper. “Thanks, Rusty.”

“Seriously, it’s whatever,” Rusty tried to dismiss it again, but Gem shook his head.

“I’m gonna hug you now,” he warned, marching toward the Pyclon.

“Oh, come on, Gem. Don’t—okay, this is happening.” Rusty huffed as Gem bent at the waist and hugged him with all six arms. He didn’t hug Gem back, his hands splayed to the side as he weathered the embrace with a grimace. “Are you done yet?”

“Almost,” Gem said.

Rusty rolled his eyes. “Awesome.”

“Thank you, Rus,” Gem added a moment later, in a whisper Toni assumed was only meant for the Pyclon. He heard it because it was impossible for him not to, and something heavy and uncomfortable settled in his gut as he watched his best friend tuck his face into Rusty’s furry neck and sigh.

With an air of exasperated amusement, Rusty placed his hands on Gem’s sides and patted twice. “Happy birthday, Gem.”

Gem’s leg fur vibrated with a pleased hum, and still smiling widely, he pulled back just enough to make eye contact. Well, his two largest eyes gazed into Rusty’s as his smaller eyes roamed over the Pyclon’s face. Faster than a blink, Gem leaned in and touched the tip of his nose to Rusty’s.

Toni frowned. That wasn’t an Araknis custom. It was a Pyclon’s. Well, Toni had seen Nykos and Lupyns do it too, but it wasn’t common outside of those circles. So, it was weird that Gem had initiated it.

Rusty must have thought so too, because he blinked in shock, his body jolting as his whiskers twitched wildly. For a moment, the weirdest purr-like vibration rumbled through his chest, and Gem’s entire face lit up at the sound.

Then Rusty pushed Gem off him, the purring coming in fits and spurts, like he was trying to stop it but couldn’t. “Cut it out. You’re being so weird right now.” Rusty’s tail was flailing anxiously as he glared at the entire group, as if it was their fault Gem had lost his fucking mind. “Why is everyone still staring at me?”

Throwing his head back, Gem laughed joyfully, before beaming at the group and saying, “I’m gonna hug everyone now.”

And he did just that. He made his way through the group, embracing everyone who allowed it. Zef touched Gem’s shoulder briefly and nodded. Tad, who’d climbed onto Zef’s shoulders, reached out and ruffled Gem’s hair.

“I wish I could have used my chloroform,” she said, “but this is okay too, I guess.”

Gem’s brows rose at that, but he didn’t address it, instead giving Willow a kiss on her cheek before they touched foreheads, Willow’s eyes wet. Glyma kissed both Gem’s cheeks, making the Araknis fan himself.

“Careful, honey, you’re gonna turn me straight if you keep that up.”

They laughed as Quin accepted a hug too, though she didn’t offer kisses. Oliver squeezed Gem exuberantly and Liel patted his back, more reserved but fond. Finally, Gem pulled Toni into an embrace. Gem squeezed him within an inch of his life, but he gave as good as he got, kissing Gem’s fuzzy cheek as the Araknis sniffled.

“Thank you, Toni.”

“You’re welcome, Gemmy. Happy birthday.”

“It is starting,” Zef said, and Gem pushed off Toni, turning with wide eyes as the moonlight started to filter down into the cave. A hush fell over the cavern as the light strengthened and spread until it hit the crystal formations, refracting and covering the room with color.

Many people gasped, and even Toni was struck mute for a moment by the sheer beauty of the sparkling rainbows bathing everything in sight. It was enchanting and magical.

Gem covered his mouth with his upper hands, a few stray tears trickling down his cheeks as he laughed wetly. “Toni, it’s so beautiful.”

“Yeah, baby, it is,” Toni agreed as he pulled Jude closer, leaning down to kiss the top of his head, inhaling his bergamot and sandalwood.

Everyone was entranced by the dancing colors. Well, everyone but Rusty, since he couldn’t see the colors the way the rest could. But while everyone was watching the magical light show, Rusty was watching Gem.

What a little creep, Toni thought, wanting to march over there and kick the punk’s ass for reasons he couldn’t quite articulate.

“It’s incredible,” Jude breathed, tearing Toni’s focus away from the Pyclon. He smiled up at Toni and wrapped his arms around Toni’s waist.

“You’re not wrong. I can’t believe I haven’t seen it before. It’s pretty special.”

Jude settled his head on Toni’s chest and sighed. For long minutes, they all stood in silence, captivated by one of the Pentagram’s natural wonders. Gem spread out all his limbs, giggling as the colors covered him in sparkles. At Tad’s urging, Zef opened their wings, and the effect the refracted light had on them was just as beautiful.

“You know,” Jude said, tightening his arms around Toni’s waist, “You have a really great family, Toni.”

Toni gazed out over the group. Oliver stood behind Liel, arms wrapped around his shoulders, pointing at the glittering colors on the wall as Liel smiled contentedly. Quin’s head rested on Glyma’s shoulder, their fingers twined snugly between their bodies. Tad’s legs dangled down Zef’s torso, her webbed fingers playing absently with Zef’s hair as the Mantodea closed their milky eyes and breathed.

Willow swayed to a melody Toni couldn’t hear, a soft smile playing at her mouth. Gem spun in circles, grin wide and lovely, watching the colors dance over his spread limbs. Rusty stood off to the side, like he was still unsure of his place amongst them even after all this time, hands tucked into the pockets of his baggy, black jeans. But Toni swore he was smiling.

Looking down at Jude, Toni traced the shape of his dimple, then cupped his jaw, heart so full he thought he’d burst. “ We have a really great family.”

As the colors played across his human’s face, Jude’s eyes glossed over, and his throat clicked with a heavy swallow. “Yeah,” he said weakly. “We do.”

And when Toni dipped his head and pressed his lips to Jude’s, they both were finally home.

The End