Page 82 of This Mate Thing

"Good."He smiles, and it takes my breath away.My beautiful mate.

Once Ira excuses himself to go brush his teeth, Simon turns on me."You let me come in here with a bite on my shoulder when he was here."He speaks quickly through clenched teeth.

"What?"

"When I went back to get dressed, I remembered the bite.Ira was here."

I chuckle."Honey.I don't think he noticed, or he'd have said something."

"Still."

"What would you have me do.Ban you from entering?"

He grumbles, then sips on his coffee.I chuckle.Humans.

"You want me to take him to school?"I caress his calf with my foot underneath the table.

"Nah, I'll take him."

"I'll miss you when you're gone."

He glares at me.Then he sighs."I'll miss you too."

I grin at him.

"This is stupid.I've been alone with Ira for years, and now I can hardly keep from touching you."

"Music to my ears, darling."

"I'm serious, Boris.How do people go about their lives with this...need?"He gestures jerkily at his chest.

"Hey."I take his hand in mine."It's fine.You'll grow used to it, and you will be able to live life as you did before.It's not a prison sentence."

"I didn't mean it was.I only...I don't know."He drops his shoulders.

"Tell you what.You go drop Ira off, and I fuck you silly when you get back.It'll make you feel better."

He throws his fork at me."Boris!"

I laugh, jump off my chair, and hug him from behind."I love you, Simon Towne.You can throw as many forks as you want at me, I'll continue to love you till the end of time anyway."

He turns his head and kisses me."Till the end of time, huh?"

"You and me forever, babe."

He nods."Yeah, doesn't sound too bad."

"It's because it isn't bad at all."

* * * *

Epilogue

Boris

A month later...

I put three cups of hot cocoa with whipped cream and marshmallows on the living room table.Ira is buzzing with excitement as he looks at the presents underneath the Christmas tree.