Page 31 of Midnight Sun
“What’re you doing out here,sæti?”
Jamie rubs his sleeve over his eyes as if Finn couldn’t see how pale and red-eyed he looks. But he wears one of Finn’s hoodies, which pleases him immensely.
“What doessætimean?” Jamie sidesteps his question, though his slightly-off pronunciation makes Finn smile.
“It means ‘darling’," Finn answers honestly, not ashamed of how smitten he is with Jamie.
“You must be using it lightly. You called mesætiafter knowing me for barely a minute,” Jamie’s tone is challenging, his lips turned downward unhappily.
Finn steps closer as if approaching a cornered animal. He had suspected that it would be difficult for Jamie to come to terms with his craving for submission. He needs someone to help him navigate through the feelings of denial and shame. Perhaps that’s what his dream was about.
“I told you I’m not interested in meaningless sex. And I don’t flirt with every handsome stranger who crosses my path, making a fool of myself by giving him my number.” Finn sits down next to Jamie and puts an arm around his shoulder. To his relief, Jamie snuggles up to him. “But I happen to be very eager when it comes to you,sæti. I didn’t want to miss the chance to see you again.”
“You didn’t know me back then,” Jamie argues.
Finn strokes gentle hands through his hair. “You think I’m not really interested in you as a person, that I’m just here for your looks and money and fame, am I right?”
“No! That’s not–”
Finn kisses further denial from Jamie’s lips. He takes his time, cupping Jamie’s face with both hands, pouring all the tenderness he feels into the kiss.
“I get it. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to never be sure if someone meansyouor justthis construct, this dream that you embody for the rest of the world to admire.”
Jamie’s eyes well up, and he buries his face against Finn’s shoulder, sobbing quietly. Finn suspects that it’s the pressuring situation along with a bit of sub drop.
“I can promise you that vanity and shallowness aren’t among my many flaws,” Finn says.
“What if they’re among mine?”
“I don’t believe that’s true. But if it is, I can handle it. Your pride is rather endearing to me.”
Jamie laughs shakily.
“You think it’s hot, you mean.”
Finn presses kisses against the side of Jamie’s face. “That, too. It’s even better if I can take you down a peg or two.”
Jamie’s breath evens out a little, but he stays curled against Finn’s side for several long minutes.
“I texted Bev again. I told her that I won’t come to her birthday party in case she was still wondering.”
“Did she reply?”
Jamie sighs and snuggles even tighter against Finn. “No. I think she hates me, and I can’t even blame her. I decided to break up with her months ago, but instead of telling her, I just did the convenient thing and kept my mouth shut.”
“You didn’t betray her, though. Yes, you could’ve told her sooner, but you’re allowed to make mistakes.”
“Aren’t you jealous?” Jamie asks. “Aren’t you afraid that I’m going to treat you just as badly? Maybe I’m not made for relationships.”
Finn ponders Jamie’s words, hiding a smile in his hair. It’s just like Jamie to behave arrogant and insecure at once.
“I’m none of your little starlets,” Finn answers eventually. “I want you, and if pursuing you means taking the risk of failure, I’m more than ready to take it.”
Jamie giggles, but he can’t hide how pleased he is. “Pursuing me? I thought you were a Viking, not a Victorian gentleman.”
“Let me have my language issues, will you? How’s your Icelandic coming along, by the way?”
Jamie laughs even harder, and Finn rests his head atop Jamie’s, idly caressing his back. He loves seeing him relaxed and happy. Finn thinks about his dream again, about the panic he felt knowing that Jamie was in danger. He needs to do something about this stalker. But Jamie doesn’t take the threat seriously. It’s time to call Dagur, Finn realizes.