Page 112 of Something Like Hail
“Yes, sir, it is.” Noah’smornings were slow enough that it was made. The sheets were freshlylaundered too. Just in case. “I’ve got another bathroom over there.No photos of that one. The public isn’t allowed to see it. Strictlyconfidential.”
“Ha ha ha!” Felix said,sounding a little manic. “So…”
So indeed. Noah felt stuffed from theirdinner, and he still hoped to take a shower before anythingintimate happened. “The tour’s not over yet,” he said, returning tothe hallway to lead them to a closed door. “I really should havegotten a smaller place. This was supposed to be an office. Don’task me for what. I just like the idea of sitting behind a big deskand getting things done. Probably because I’ve never had a job likethat.”
He opened the door to reveal the empty room.He expected to close it again after a brief glimpse, but Felixwalked inside to inspect the space in awe, even though there wasnothing to see but blank walls and carpet. Noah realized how greedyall of this must seem. Felix and his family didn’t have enoughpersonal space to be truly comfortable, and here Noah had moresquare footage than he would ever likely need. “I really should geta roommate,” he admitted.
“How much would rent be?”Felix asked, spinning around.
Noah stared in shock. Then he laughed. “Isee what all this is about. How many customers have you gone homewith in the hope that they have a spare room for you?”
“I got lucky on my firsttry,” Felix said, grinning at him. “Don’t worry, I’m onlyjoking.”
Noah wanted to invite him to stay there. Whynot? People on the streets shared with each other. Not always, buton some nights at the shelter when someone had gotten a largehandout—fifty bucks on one occasion—the lucky recipient had broughtback treats for them and the staff to share. Candy bars and chips.Junk food that anyone with healthy eating habits would turn theirnose up at, but to them it had felt like a fine feast. Noah hadn’tforgotten that gesture, and he had tried to do the same when hecould, buying donuts on one occasion, and on his last night atJerusalem, ordering pizza and soda for everyone. Right now he hadmore than he needed, and he felt like sharing.
All that stopped him was his occupation.Sometimes he hosted. That would be uncomfortable, if not downrightdisastrous with Felix around. Still, there might be something hecould do.
“If you end up sharing aroom with your sister and don’t have enough space for your things,you can bring them here.”
Felix brightened up. Then he shook his head.“I couldn’t.”
“Nothing’s stopping you.Also, I know a guy who owns a used furniture store. I’m sure hewould be willing to trade the bed you have for a set oftwins.”
“Are youserious?”
“I’ll call him tomorrow andask.” In truth, the client of his dealt in new furniture as well,and that’s what Felix would get, even if it meant paying more. Noahwould take care of the difference. He wanted to help withoutappearing to be a sugar daddy or anything questionable likethat.
“You’re the best,” Felixsaid, slamming into Noah to give him a hug. “I love you!” He pulledaway just as suddenly. “I guess that sounds crazy, doesn’t it? I’mmoving too fast.” His chin raised defiantly. “I don’t care. It’sthe truth!”
Noah chose his response carefully. “There’snothing wrong with saying how you feel. Not if it’s somethingpositive.”
Felix’s features hardened withdetermination. “In that case, I wish we were still in yourbedroom.”
Wow! He definitely moved fast! “It’s been along day. Do you mind if I take a quick shower?”
“Okay,” Felix replied, eyessearching his.
He might not have asked the question, but hestill wanted an answer. Confessing feelings took bravery, sure, butsticking around to hear how the other person felt in returnrequired nerves of steel. Noah took off the baseball cap, rubbedthe messy blue hair affectionately, and kissed Felix to reassurehim. Then he donned the cap. “I won’t be long. I promise.”
He left the room as casually as they hadentered, even though he was eager for privacy to figure out how hefelt. Was this venturing into unhealthy territory? Should helecture Felix about leaping before he looked? Then again, as heundressed in the privacy of the master bathroom and pulled theshower curtain shut, he remembered falling even faster. That partywhen he had first met Ryan, by the end of it, Noah had beenconvinced he was in love. His heart had started beating faster thatday and kept on pounding into the next. That’s all it had taken,one night of talking to a complete stranger. Youth was either morecapable of love, or perhaps more honest about expressing suchfeelings, no matter how quickly they developed. Noah wondered if hewas holding back on his own emotions now. He cared about Felix. Alot. He wanted to take care of him, guide him, ensure that he washappy. He received much in return because the admiration wasflattering, and getting to participate in Felix’s life made Noah’sfeel more grounded. They could give a lot to each other. That was apositive thing no matter what words they used to describe it, orhow little time had gone by since they met.
Noah had soaped up and was rinsing offbeneath a hot spray of water when he heard the shower curtain ringsjostle together. He wiped the water from his eyes and saw Felixstepping into the tub. His nude body was lithe and mostly hairless,but it was his expression that endeared Noah most, since he wasclearly fighting against the terror he felt. He could almostimagine Felix pacing the bedroom, trying to work up the guts toabandon his clothes and join him like this. Noah wouldn’t let himdown.
“Come here,” hesaid.
Noah took the slender body into his arms andpulled him beneath the water to warm up. They kissed, the blue hairappearing darker when wet and clinging to the sides of his face.This only made the ears stick out more. Noah moved his attention tothem, licking, nibbling, and not letting Felix escape his grasp, nomatter how much he squirmed. In fact, that felt pretty good. Noahfinally released him so their bodies could part. They stepped backand eyed each other.
One of them gasped. The other laughed.
Felix’s equipment was fine. Noah wasn’tconcerned with size, maybe since he was used to being bigger thanmost guys. The saluting dick was straight and earnest, just likethe person it was attached to. What was above it though…
“You dyed your pubes?” Noahsaid.
“Seemed like a good idea atthe time,” Felix murmured distractedly, still hypnotized by what hesaw. Then he moved his attention upward to meet his gaze. “Mysister didnothelp me with that, by the way!”
“That’s good to know,although I could use a hand.”
“To dye your—Oooh!”