Page 37 of Midnight Sun
“Oh, nothing.” Finn smirks. “I just appreciate your protectiveness. It’s cute.”
“I’m not cute,” Jamie hisses through his teeth, hoping against hope that Bev will miss their little conversation. “Blair is just a B-list actor thinking he’s a superstar. He has no manners.”
Bev can barely contain her amusement. They continue their breakfast, but Jamie’s mood has clouded. Meeting Blair reminded him of how difficult it’s going to be for Finn and him to make this work. Iceland is a bubble. Even in the streets of Reykjavík, Jamie barely gets recognized while people smile and nod at Finn all the time. It’s like a breath of fresh air, being the less famous one. And people don’t treat Finn like a celebrity, anyway. It’s more like they’re walking through a particularly large village where people just know each other. Yes, there have been some teenagers taking photos of them, trying and failing to do it subtly, but there has been no screaming and running after them. Jamie isn’t sure if Finn is willing to put up with this twisted side of his life when they enter the real world again.
After saying goodbye to Bev, they walk to Finn’s apartment. The city is glowing in the sunlight and Finn leads him through back alleys to avoid the thickest crowds. It’s so peaceful it makes Jamie a little sick to know he has to leave all of this behind, eventually.
Finn bumps their shoulders. “You’ve been quiet. Is something bothering you?”
Jamie bites his lips. It’s been so long since anyone paid attention to his feelings and cared enough to ask about them that he can’t even remember when that was. It’s not like Bev didn’t pick up on his moods. They just silently agreed not to dig too deep into the other’s heart. It’s one of the business’ unwritten rules Finn doesn’t seem to understand. Maybe he doesn’t care. Jamie knows it’s unwise to open up to him so readily, but he finds he doesn’t care, either.
“You won’t like LA,” he says, probably not making much sense to Finn.
A slow smile spreads over Finn’s features.
“Do you want me to come and live with you in LA? Making plans for our future already?” Jamie registers on some level that Finn's tone is teasing, not mocking, but he bristles nonetheless, feeling the familiar impulse to lash out to protect himself. He rounds on Finn, a scathing retort already on his tongue, but Finn pulls him in by his hips and kisses him.
“That’s good,” he whispers into Jamie’s ear. “Very good.”
Jamie has a strange swooping feeling, like the floor is moving under his feet. He grasps Finn’s arms to steady himself. Finn rests his forehead against Jamie’s, the tender gesture silencing Jamie’s urge to backtrack on his words.
“I’ve survived three years in LA already. I can do it again.”
“You did?” Jamie is a little embarrassed. Of course, Finn lived in the States. Jamie keeps forgetting that he’s not new to the industry.
Finn hums. “And you’re right, I have no particular love for Hollywood. But I can make do.”
Jamie feels a stab of something in his gut. He makes a dismissive sound.
“My boyfriend shouldn’t just ‘make do’.”
Finn’s expression turns very soft as he traces calming patterns over Jamie’s arms. “We can figure something out then. But don’t worry, I’m used to traveling and living abroad.”
Jamie exhales softly, both more reassured and on edge due to Finn’s words. A thousand thoughts are whirling through his mind.What if Finn eventually gets tired of living far from home? What if he gets fed up with the red carpet lifestyle?Hell, Jamie isn’t even sure ifhecan handle living like this for much longer. But he can’t tell Finn that if he doesn’t want to let on that he’s getting way ahead of himself, and wouldn’t that be pathetic?
“Do you want to go home?” Finn offers. Jamie nods.
Chapter 10
Thorfinn
Snjórwagshistailimpatiently while Finn puts on his running shoes. It’s early, and he left Jamie to sleep in. Finn closes the door to his flat and leads Snjór down the street towards Tjörnin. He wants to take a quick jog, so he’ll be back with breakfast when Jamie wakes up. He sets his pace faster than usual as he reaches the walking path around the lake. A foreboding feeling crept under his skin that morning on the terrace with Bev and hasn’t left him ever since.
Finn breathes in the fresh air and cherishes the chill of the morning. The rhythmic tapping of Snjór’s paws on the gravel and his harsh panting are soothing in their familiarity. Finn’s mind wanders back to Jamie, and warmth drowns out the uneasiness for a moment. It’s barely been two weeks, but Jamie hasn’t mentioned moving back into the hotel even once, although Finn makes sure he doesn’t only train but eat and sleep properly. It’s probably an indication of how much the pressure of the business has drained Jamie that he barely argues. He seems relieved each time Finn tells him what to do. So eager to please him. So starved for affection. Finn looks forward to bringing him to the Westfjords soon. Jamie deserves a break.
A flurry of motion further down the path interrupts Finn’s musings. It’s there and gone in the blink of an eye. Snjór whines.
“Hush,” Finn says, slowing his steps and gripping Snjór by the collar.
Finn’s gaze searches the sparse vegetation lining the path. He’s the only one around this early. Still, he can feel a presence saturating the air, not threatening, but ancient and powerful.
“Do you wish to talk?”
She appears near the water, wearing the same unassuming clothes as in his dream. Finn’s veins flood with adrenaline. It’s been years since she came to him in his waking hours and he has never seen her this far from home. Unlike the younger members of her people, she seldom walks the realm of men.
“What is it, Auntie? Is Jamie all right?”
She smiles at him.