Page 30

FINN

“How many packages do you think there are?” Finn stared up at Mason’s house, arms crossed. The last time he’d been here, he and Owen had been shoving Ollie’s mattress through the front door, and the time before that he’d broken in, so he hoped to run this errand with minimal fuss.

Hopping up the porch steps, Ollie glanced over his shoulder. “Not too many? I know I had all my mail forwarded, but some stuff got sent here through courier and I haven’t had time to grab everything until now.” Opening the screen door, he knocked. “Plus, I want to drop off my key.” When no one answered, he tried again and then checked his phone. “I texted Mason yesterday that we’d be stopping by but he probably doesn’t care. I’ll let myself in.” Ollie fiddled with the doorknob. “That’s weird. My key doesn’t fit.”

“Maybe he changed the locks?” Finn shrugged, gesturing toward the side of the house. “We could try the basement door?”

Ollie frowned at him, confused. “But we have to get inside first to use the basement door,” he explained carefully, as if Finn had just hit his head.

“No, Mr. Sassypants, the outside door to Mason’s apartment.” His eyebrows scrunched as Ollie’s confusion deepened, and he looked at Finn like he’d started speaking French.

“The what to Mason’s what?” Ollie practically shouted, and a flock of birds scattered out of a nearby tree. “He has, like, a bed down there but it’s just a dark room, right?”

“Yeah, there’s a dark room and a bunch of shiny, very modern rooms that need windows. But it’s a little too sterile for me.”

“How do you know this? Why didn’t you tell me?” Ollie stepped closer, staring up at Finn as if he were trying to read his mind.

“I thought you knew?” The day he’d found Ollie at the lookout and then rushed to his uncle’s bedside was still a chaotic blur, and even if Finn did remember specifics, why would he bring up Mason’s living situation? “I found it when we broke in. Owen and I were looking for another way into the house since you managed to sneak by me that night, and we found Mason’s cave instead.” Finn tilted his head. “How did you get in?”

“I cut across the neighbor’s yard and climbed through one of the kitchen windows, the lock was broken. But I’m not doing that again, I like this outfit.” In tight pink pants rolled slightly above his ankles and a flowing patterned shirt that had been expertly faded, Ollie looked like a peony in bloom. Even his curls shone, hinting at Ollie’s good health, and while they weren’t nearly as full as they’d been before, Ollie had the skill to make them look fabulous, trimming and styling them so it seemed like he hadn’t lost much at all.

“Well, if your key doesn’t work, I’m pretty sure he’s fixed the kitchen lock.” Finn put a hand on his hips. “How did you not know about Mason’s apartment? Didn’t he give you a tour of this house when you rented?”

“Yeah,” Ollie’s eyes veered off in thought, “but he said the basement was banned, that he works down there.”

Finn shook his head, glad that he was now in charge of Ollie’s safety. Renting a room from a strange photographer who took candid pictures of him while keeping the basement off-limits? The red flags were endless. “He does, and he lives in a very nice apartment too.”

“Show me!” Ollie ordered, but the front door opened as they were about to leave the porch, taking the wind out of their sails.

“You two are always so noisy,” Mason monotoned from the doorway.

Finn made a face at him. “Hello to you too.”

Stepping back, Mason turned inside the house with a shrug. “Come in, I guess.”

“Why doesn’t my key work anymore?” Ollie asked as they walked into the foyer. Some of the portraits were gone and there was a different feel to the place, like it had become less of a museum and more of a home.

“I changed all the locks. Someone other than him tried to break in.” He flicked his odd sea-green eyes at Finn, who winked.

“Your family?” Ollie tilted his head.

Ignoring Finn, Mason nodded, pointing at a pile of boxes stacked neatly in the corner. “There’s your stuff.”

“Thank you for hanging onto it!” Ollie said brightly, his eyes full of curiosity. “Oh, and also? When were you going to tell me that you have a full apartment downstairs?”

Mason stared at him. “I told you that.”

“No, you didn’t!” Ollie frowned, indignant. “You said the basement was-”

The entire room ground to a halt as a fluffy black kitten pranced out into the foyer, competing with Ollie for the Cute As Fuck trophy. Heading toward Mason, it stopped by the stairs, tried to lick its back, and fell over, its golden eyes widening in shock.

“Aww!” Squatting down, Finn tapped the kitty on its nose and it swiped a paw at him, twisting as it tried to get back up. “You didn’t strike me as a cat guy, Mason. I guess the Tin Man does have a heart!” Standing, Finn brought the kitten with him, waving its tiny paw at Ollie, who wasn’t paying attention; instead, he was carefully scanning the foyer, his gaze traveling to the living room and then the dining area beyond, where it lingered. “Are you looking for more kittens, Sunshine?”

“No, just a table I saw in a picture somewhere.” Ollie’s voice wasn’t quite right, but he recovered, taking the kitten from Finn and sauntering over to Mason, an odd gleam in his eye. “What’s this gorgeous girl’s name?”

That stoic expression flickered, and suddenly Finn knew for certain that something was up, and his suspicions were confirmed as Mason looked away. “I don’t know.”

Finn squinted. “You don’t know what her name is?”

“It doesn’t need a name, it’s a cat.” Irritated, Mason’s voice rose in pitch, and Finn’s eyebrows just about flew off his forehead, but Ollie stood there unruffled, grinning as he held up the squirmy black fluffball, studying her.

“You know what’s a good name? Mouse,” he declared. Fear rippled across Mason’s face as Ollie started shouting. “And you can come out now, Rain!”

Stunned into silence, Finn strained his ears and eventually heard the soft footsteps of someone padding toward them. Although Ollie had called for him, it was still a shock to see Rain turn the corner, hair up, barefoot, and clad in a white bathrobe as if he lived here; if he didn’t, then he’d certainly made himself quite at home. The entire scenario gave Finn déjà vu, and he blinked as a memory emerged from the longest day’s blur.

“But I have a quick question. Why do you have pictures of Rain?”

“Oh!” slipped out of him, embarrassingly loudly, but it certainly summed everything up.

“Sorry, Mason,” Rain sighed, standing so close to him that there was no doubt in anyone’s mind. “But you didn’t close the door all the way and she went looking for you.”

Proving Rain’s words, Mouse wiggled free from Ollie’s hold and scampered to Mason, who didn’t acknowledge her at all until she took out her claws and climbed him. Making significant eye contact with Rain, he huffed, pulled the kitten off the bottom of his shirt, and placed her on his shoulder. After kneading a few times, she settled down, her eyes falling shut.

“I guess Mason’s taken in two strays, huh?” Ollie didn’t seem mad, upset, or even surprised. Meanwhile, Finn had to lock his jaw so his mouth wouldn’t hang open because he had so many questions. Questions and concerns.

Mason and Rain? They must’ve met at The Pointe, but when? Although Finn drove the shuttle bus he was still around and he’d never seen them talk to each other. Did Mason even talk to Rain? And did Rain know that Mason was an alien who took photos of him? Did he care? And did Mason know that Rain had worked his way through most of the staff in under three months? Did he care?

Also, how in the fuck did Mason have enough game to land someone like Rain? His personality was a bug, not a feature. Was it the house? Finn might say yes but there was something in Rain’s eyes that made him think it might be more than that.

“I needed a place to stay and Mason kindly offered me a room.” Rain shrugged in a very Mason-like way, as if that was all there was to it, but everyone, including the cat, knew that was crap.

“Sure…” Ollie raised an eyebrow at him and then turned his attention to Mason, who remained silent, his back rigid, in either anger or defeat. “So, Rain’s here, you have an apartment in the basement, and you got the cutest kitten ever? What the hell, Mason? You said I couldn’t have any pets!”

“Then get a cat, you don’t live here anymore.” Mason’s tone had returned to its normal irritated timbre and Finn couldn’t help himself, he laughed.

Ollie shook his head at him, placed his hand on his hips, and issued an order.

“I want to see the apartment.”

Breathing hard through his nose, Mason stalked to the basement door and opened it. Mouse remained adorably perched, moving with him, and Finn grabbed his phone, taking a quick photo. Mason’s glare was pure hypocrisy and Finn enjoyed his little revenge all the way downstairs.

“Okay, now I understand why I never saw you. This is nice.” Striding out into the living room, Ollie spun, taking in the space.

“Happy now?” Mason groused and Finn didn’t miss the way Rain hovered beside him.

“I guess.” Moving to the kitchen, Ollie ran his hand along the stainless-steel appliances and winked at Finn. “You need windows in here though. Can I see the bedroom?”

“No.” Mason’s tone implied that he was done with all of this. Pulling the kitten from his shoulder - which turned out to be an arduous task as she held on for dear life, meowing in protest - he plopped her into Rain’s hands and then strode to the darkroom, closing the door behind him.

“I’m going to need details. Lots and lots of details.” Ollie pounced on Rain like the paparazzi as soon as Mason vanished.

Eyeing Ollie up and down, Rain gave him a smirk. “Then I need some information in return. I heard from Angelo who heard from Dylan who heard from Marci who heard from Liam that you two are engaged?” He counted off everyone on his fingers and held four of them up to his face, raising an eyebrow. “Inquiring minds want to know.”

They hadn’t been hiding it, Ollie just wanted time and space to settle back into life before making a public announcement; however, when asked, Finn couldn’t help but gush.

“Yes, it’s true! He’s going to make an honest man out of me.” Grabbing Ollie’s hand, Finn showed off the silver band that had meant so much to him, on someone who meant even more. “It’s my mother’s ring.”

“That’s so pretty!” Rain gasped, studying it. “Congratulations!” His genuine smile had a hint of longing in it, and Finn empathized, more than familiar with that feeling. Before Ollie had come into his life, he’d been certain that love wasn’t in the cards for him. Yet fate had worked overtime to bring him his soulmate, someone who complimented him, who completed him, and he couldn’t be more grateful.

“Thank you!” he beamed, wrapping an arm around Ollie. “We are officially a permanent thing.”

Rain burst out laughing but Ollie looked up at Finn with wide adoring eyes that held the future, their future. “Yeah. We are.”

OLLIE

“Okay lovelies, there’s one question left and then I have to skedaddle.”

It was amazing how quickly Ollie’s life had become normal. That is if normal was going to day treatment, working at a quirky wedding hall, and running a still-popular online identity that now focused on eating disorders. He’d settled in, adapting to Finn’s townhouse like he’d been there for years, and had established a healthy routine. Some days were better than others but he knew that he’d improve over time, especially when he could lean on Finn instead of running his worries out on the pavement alone.

He wasn’t going to lie, he missed running, feeling like a gazelle leaping through the plains and savoring the endorphin rush that blasted through him after, but his foot ached whenever it rained and he knew that going out there could stir up old coping patterns. He’d find new ways to exercise once he was cleared for it; Liam had already reserved a hike with him and Ollie found himself looking forward to it, exercising not for aesthetics or control, but for fun.

Ollie looked at the tablet to his right, which held his notes, acting like a teleprompter. “The final ask is from TheNeptooneNoon and they want to know when I’ll be fully recovered.” Taking a beat, he let his followers think about it for a moment before speaking. “That’s difficult to say. First, I don’t want to put a time limit on my healing because that would create pressure and anxiety, which I’m trying to avoid. Second, it’s important to work on the issues that created the disorder in the first place, like anxiety, a toxic environment, control, etcetera, so that you can fully recover. Third, an eating disorder can be lifelong or you can heal from it and there are a lot of factors at play in that, but if you work on what you can work on? You’re at least trying to get better, and that’s the direction you want to go in. I think of recovery in percentages, and the percentage will go higher the longer I work on myself. But one thing I’ve learned? Progression isn’t linear. It’s a series of ups and downs that hopefully go more up than down. I’m not going to say it’s easy, because it’s not. But…”

Blinking, Ollie tried not to cry. “But it’s easier than hurting yourself, than counting every calorie that goes in your mouth, than trying to outrun your fear. Trust me on this, it is. In the beginning, when you start therapy, start healing, and you’re getting out all the negative garbage inside? It sucks. But one day you feel kind of better? And you start to carve out these moments where you’re okay, and those moments stretch into hours and then days, and one morning you wake up and you’re like ‘Wow, I don’t feel like garbage.’ I know I’m lucky, I’m privileged, because I have people around me who care about my well-being, and I know there are many of you out there who don’t. That’s why I’m here, to support you on your journey.”

Taking a few seconds, Ollie read the chat that scrolled up the side of the page. Love and encouragement poured from the stream, an array of hearts, flowers, and sparkles lighting up the screen every few seconds, but there were also people agreeing, commenting with a piece of their own stories, and twice, Ollie saw someone say they were considering getting help.

“So, you see, I can’t give you an answer on when I’ll be fully recovered, but I’m slowly climbing up, aiming for that one hundred percent. And when that happens? Not if, but when, I’ll let you know.”

Blowing a kiss at the camera, Ollie sat back. “And that’s all for now! If you feel you need help, please reach out to someone you trust, and if there’s nobody you can talk to I have a list of vetted helplines pinned to the top of my page. Remember, you’re worthy of love, you deserve to be here, and you deserve to be happy! Bye, lovelies.” With one more kiss, he shut off the stream, the numbers not as great as they were in the beforetimes but, considering his topics, he still pulled a sizable audience. And the numbers didn’t matter because this felt right. He didn’t care if his audience was ten people; he wanted to make a difference in whatever way he could.

Clapping grabbed Ollie’s attention and he whipped around, finding Finn off to the side, who applauded like he’d just seen the best concert ever, and Ollie basked in it, pretending to fan himself.

“Thank you, thank you, no autographs please.” Giggling he turned back, shutting off the ring light and the tablet. “How long were you back there?”

“Enough to hear the end. I like the new you. I mean, the old you was fine but I like what you’re doing now, the message you’re sending. And it’s not interfering-”

“It’s not. I asked Katrin again last week and she said that as long as I maintain good boundaries with it, and put it last after mental and physical health, then I’m fine.”

“Good.” Approaching, Finn held out his hand. “Are you ready to go?”

“Always, anywhere, as long as it’s with you.” Taking the offered hand, Ollie stood, letting Finn lead him to the garage. “Even if you never tell me where we’re going.”

“I promise, this is a good surprise.”

“So, no mimes then.” Ollie still took shots at himself for crying in the back of the same car they were standing in front of.

“Are you really afraid of mimes?” Finn gave him a sidelong glance, locking up.

“Kinda. You have to admit they’re pretty creepy.” Getting in, Ollie looked around for clues, stopping when he saw the picnic basket sitting in the back, secured by a seatbelt. Ollie’s old self would’ve immediately panicked at the food implications, but now? He was excited, not bogged down by having to hide things; he trusted Finn, he trusted himself, and he knew that adventure lay ahead.

“But mimes are like…” Starting the car, Finn adjusted the mirrors. “Low-budget clowns.”

“Low-budget clowns! I never thought of them that way,” Ollie laughed. “I think I’m not afraid of them anymore.”

“Then we’re off to a good start!” Finn declared, pulling out of the driveway.

As usual, they switched off being DJ and while Finn took a roundabout route, Ollie knew exactly where they were going once they turned onto the dirt road.

“I haven’t been to the lookout since…before.” When he’d slept for a day in his car and Finn had to hunt him down and drag him back to life.

“Me too.” The car squeaked and rumbled as it bounced around but Ollie still heard the soft confession. “It didn’t feel right to come back without you.” The trees opened up, giving them a familiar view of the town below and Finn parked away from the edge. “You know, I always thought of this as my place but somewhere along the line it became ours.”

“Finn…” Ollie’s heart thumped in his chest.

“I thought that since our last memory of this place was a little um…intense? That we should make a new one. A good one.” Finn’s earnest gaze had Ollie falling in love with him all over again and he nodded, putting all the joy he felt into his smile.

“I like that idea.” Leaning in, he pressed his lips to Finn’s, giving him a lingering appreciative kiss. Then he pulled away, unbuckling the picnic basket and pulling it into his lap. “You were right, this is a good surprise.”

“You think so already?” Finn touched his lips, stunned, like he’d never been kissed before, the wonder in his eyes always there.

“Mmhmm.” Ollie squinted at him. “And what do you mean, already? Is there more?”

“I have no idea?” Finn looked up at the roof of the car, barely hiding his smile.

“You have no idea?” Hampered by the picnic basket, Ollie couldn’t push into Finn’s space, but he did bat his eyelashes and attempt his cutest pout. “So there is something? You don’t want to tell me noooow?” He drawled the last word, trying to make it sexy. “I’m your sunshine, you can-”

“Nope, nope, none of that witchcraft. Picnic first while we watch the sunset!” Turning off the car, Finn got out and opened Ollie’s door, chivalrously taking the basket and helping him up. While Ollie still wanted to tease, he knew that Finn had put a lot of thought into this, so he savored his anticipation, kicking back and letting himself enjoy.

Most of the basket had been taken up by a checkered blanket that Finn placed on the ground and adorned with a few pillows. Comfortable, Ollie explored what Finn had packed with curiosity. Naturally, a bit of apprehension lurked, but its voice had become so small that it was easy to drown out.

“You made all of my favorites!” Ollie bit his lip, trying to keep his smile in check. He had a regulated diet designed to help him gain and maintain, and Finn had been going the extra mile to help Ollie introduce new foods and keep track of what he liked, most of which sat in front of him right now. Without thinking, he grabbed a fork and began to dig in, eating for over a minute before becoming distracted by Finn’s pleased stare. “What? Do I have something on my face?” He wiped the corners of his mouth.

“No.” Finn slid over to him. “You just…you make me happy.”

“Me too.” Ollie bumped his shoulder, looking down at Finn’s plate, which held buffalo pizza bits. “Did you chop those up from slices?”

“Of course.” Finn speared one with his fork, holding it up. “Want one?”

It was nice to be able to nod. To take that bite and savor it. To enjoy this night with Finn and not worry about food or dread. To be himself, not Olleelicious. To be in love. To live.

“Let me guess,” he pressed alongside Finn, enjoying his body heat as he pointed his fork at the basket. “There’s carrot cake in there too.”

“You don’t know me,” Finn groused.

“No carrot cake?” Ollie pretended to be disappointed. “At least tell me there’s a cucumber in there so I can watch you practice-”

“Okay, okay, yes there’s carrot cake you brat,” Finn laughed, reaching into the basket and pulling out a container with two pieces inside.

“Nice!” Ollie snuggled against Finn even more. “Thank you for this. I don’t even know what to say. I feel very lucky.”

“Remember, I’m the lucky one here.” Putting an arm around Ollie’s shoulders, Finn pulled him closer.

Making a soft happy noise, Ollie nestled in, enjoying the food, the pink sunset, and the warm cradle of Finn’s body. After the cake had been demolished and the plates set aside, Ollie drowsed in contentment, listening to the songs of the crickets around them.

Until the cozy surface beneath him shifted and something fell into his lap.

“What’s this?” Picking up the box, Ollie studied it. It was about a foot long and expertly wrapped, crowned with a bright purple bow.

“A present for you.” Finn kissed the top of his head.

“The other surprise!” Giving Finn a quick excited glance over his shoulder, Ollie pulled at the edge of the ribbon, removing the cover and dropping it next to him, then carefully peeling back the tissue paper. A printout sat neatly in the box and Ollie stared at the barcode first, reading the words above it. “Arthur Ashe Stadium, US Open Tennis…”

First, he let out a gasp and then he shrieked so loudly that it probably echoed all the way to The Pointe. “You got us tickets to the US Open? That’s a slam! The best tennis players in the world will be there! And I’ll get to see them?”

Twisting around, he tackle-hugged Finn, who nodded as they both fell back onto the pillows, laughing. “Yes, yes, all of it, yes. It’s kind of a selfish gift because I’ve always wanted to go but I never had anyone to go with until now.”

“It’s not selfish, it’s amazing! And you’re amazing! I’ll be your plus one to any tennis tournaments you want to go to!” Ollie exclaimed, going straight past excited into euphoric. Getting up, he did a little dance, his frilly shirt flowing around him. Finn had told him to dress up and he relished that request, wearing a pair of lilac slacks and a vintage blouse that fit him like a dream, in such a pale shade of pink that it was practically white. And he thanked his past self for choosing this fit because he needed to take a picture. The horizon pierced the glowing orange sun, streaking the sky around it, creating a stunning backdrop to this perfect moment and Ollie wanted to freeze it in time, not so he could have a memento when things went wrong but so he could add it to the growing pile of things that had gone right.

Taking out his phone, Ollie put the sunset at his back, adjusting a few settings until the colors were crisp before waving Finn over.

“I can’t believe a single car ride changed my entire life,” he murmured, looking at them on the screen as Finn wrapped arms around him from behind, kissing his temple.

“I’m so happy I brought you here that night,” he whispered against Ollie’s skin, lighting him up. “I love you, Sunshine.”

And Ollie shone like a star, his heart full and his future hopeful, at home in the arms of his soulmate - a place he never wanted to leave.

“I love you too, Just Finn.”

THE END