Page 102 of Ravenous

Bliss lingered, humming through Ollie’s skin as they lay in a tangle of limbs on the kitchen table, and suddenly Ollie understood. This, right here? This was real beauty - how happy and comfortable he was with himself, and the joy he brought to others. Not his appearance, not his weight, not his sense of style, but his soul. Katrin had reiterated that, or some version of it, too many times to count but it hadn’t sunken in until just now.

Lifting his hand, Ollie’s eyes traced theSon the small silver band Finn had given him. It had moved from his index to ring finger during treatment and fit perfectly once again. Ollie had taken that as a very good sign.

“I love you too,” he whispered, his heart filling with gratitude, because he’d been gifted with a partner that loved and accepted him no matter what. And it was about time he did the same for himself.

“If we do this every day, I won’t be able to walk at work,” Finn mumbled into the table, bracing his hands on the surface and pushing up. With tousled hair, flushed cheeks, and puffy lips, he looked fucked-out, and pride surged through Ollie’s veins. Project Sexy Purple T-shirt had worked beyond his wildest expectations. He felt cleansed, more connected to Finn, and better about himself than he had in a long time. A few intrusive thoughts sprouted in his mind, dread still lurking and feeding them, but Ollie had learned to pull them like weeds and toss them aside. Every time he did, his dread shrunk, little by little, taking some of his fears with it, and one day there wouldn’t be either of them left.

“You drive a shuttle bus, you don’t walk.” Ollie gave Finn a sweet lingering kiss. “Besides, walking is overrated.”

“It is.” Finn gave him a nod and then sobered, his intensity doubling. “Sunshine, I have an important question. I need to know…” He paused and Ollie tilted his head, wondering what in the world could be this serious until Finn raised an eyebrow. “Do you have any more of those shirts?”

“How did you get this?” Ollie stared down at a picture of Finn in Death Beverage, different from the one he had. In his, Finn smiled into the camera, but in this one, Finn’s head was a blur as he thrashed his long hair while strumming a bass.

“I drove Uncle Joe home and he gave it to me as a parting gift.” Smiling, Owen returned it to the pocket of his jacket, which he still wore since it was early at The Pointe. Not a lot of employees had come in yet and Ollie was fine with that; he didn’t want too much fanfare on his first day back. It had been more than enough that Marci and Dylan had waited for him by the front door, smothering him with hugs until Owen had come to the rescue, ushering Ollie upstairs for a catch-up meeting that turned into them just chatting.

“Finn didnotthink that through,” Ollie giggled. “You know, Marci would die if she ever found out that Finn wasactuallyin a garage band.”

“Another reason to have this.” Owen patted the pocket. “Leverage. I’m sure he doesn’t want Marci to know either.”

“You’re too nice to use it against him.” Putting a finger on his chin, Ollie looked at the ceiling. “I, on the other hand-”

“Hi, Owen. Marci sent me up to-” Rain stopped short a few steps into the office, his gray eyes widening. “Ollinator? Oh my fucking god!” Darting forward, he hugged Ollie, hopping up and down with excitement until Ollie had no choice but to bounce with him. Then he gasped, coming to an abrupt halt and spinning on his heel, facing Owen. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to barge in, the door was kinda open.”

“It’s fine, Rain. What does Marci need?” Cordial as ever, Owen grinned, nodding at him to continue.

“The grand tour people? They’re already here.” Rain made a face.

“Of course they are. I guess I better go greet them.” Adjusting his tie, Owen patted Ollie’s shoulder as he passed. “I left The Pointe’s phone on my desk. It’s good to have you back.”

Ollie tried not to tear up. “It’s good to be back.”

“Sorry I missed your party,” Rain said once Owen left. “Three people called out that day and-”

“Are you kidding?” Ollie grinned. “I know how it is here and Tommy told me that you had to work. It’s fine.”

“You look amazing.” Rain struck a pose. “And so do I.” The uniform tuxes did no one any favors yet Rain somehow looked sultry and mysterious in it, especially with his hair pulled back into an elegant braid. “Thank you again for hooking me up with this place.”

“You're super welcome, but they’re always hiring and all I had to do was text someone. You did all the hard work.” Ollie smoothed the collar of his bedazzled button-down, which had become his work uniform. “So, what have you been up to? Did you ever end up moving out?” Rain had stopped at the clinic a few times with Tommy, but Ollie hadn't seen him in a while.

“Yeah.” Rain bit his lip, looking away. “I, um, found somewhere to stay. It’s sorta temporary but I don’t know.” An uncertain, very not-Rain expression crossed his face but it quickly vanished, replaced by a smile that seemed genuine. “And I got a kitten!”

“Oh my god, really?” Ollie squealed. “Name?”

“Mouse,” Rain stated proudly.

Ollie cackled, making a heart sign with his fingers. “I love it.”

“I was walking by a dumpster and heard her squeaking. I thought she was a mouse or a small rat,” Rain shrugged. “And it stuck.”

“She was in a dumpster?” Ollie’s forehead crinkled in concern. “That’s terrible.”

“Right? And it’s not like I could leave her there, Ihadto adopt her.” Rain acted put out but his grin gave him away.

“Of course,” Ollie agreed, raising an eyebrow. “By the way, you haven’t paid the cat tax yet.”

“Oh! Hang on.” Rain pulled out his phone, holding it close as he browsed the gallery. “Here you go.”

Stretching out his arm, he showed Ollie a photo of a tiny black cloud with golden eyes.

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