Page 31 of Static/Cling

Kassian shook his head. If he was going to help Bjorn, he’d own up to being there.

“Suit yourself.” And Leif turned and left.

The door didn’t hesitate to let him out, Kassian noticed.

After another minute, another pair of boots appeared in his line of sight. “You coming?” Bjorn asked.

Kassian looked up to his big hand being offered. He let Bjorn pull him to his feet, noting the distinct lack of sizzle. “Listen?—”

“We don’t have to talk about this.”

“As in you don’t want to, or?—”

“As in we don’t have to talk about it. And you don’t have to walk me home. I’m good.”

“I wasn’t going to walk you home.”

“Fine.” He squared his shoulders and started to turn his back.

“I could offer you a ride, though.”

Bjorn’s shoulders slumped slightly. “Yeah?” He sounded almost pathetically hopeful.

“Yeah.” Kassian studied him. His cheeks were pale, his smile lines etched deep at the corners of his eyes but missing around his mouth entirely. He looked like someone who’d just put in a hard day’s labour and was ready to drop. “Come on.”

When he reached the corner store on Bjorn’s block, Kassian pulled the car to a stop in a spot along the curb. For a moment after he shut off the car, he thought Bjorn was asleep, but after a heartbeat, the big man sighed. “Thanks.”

“Sure.”

Still, Bjorn didn’t move.

“Here.” Kassian undid his own belt. “Gimme the cash.”

“What?”

“Milk and bread, right?” He held out a hand. “Fork it over.”

For the barest moment, it looked like Bjorn was going to argue, but then he handed over the money and let his head fall back onto the headrest. “Thanks. Leif likes two percent and whole wheat.”

“Sure.”

When he came back out, Bjorn was leaning on the side of the car, arms crossed. Kassian handed him the groceries and change. “I can take you home.”

“It’s half a block. I’m good.” He tilted his had. “Unless you meant?—”

“No!”

One of Bjorn’s eyebrows rose. “Message received.” He pushed off the car.

“I mean…”

Bjorn paused, waiting.

“I just meant no, thank you. I… am flattered?”

“You’re not sure?”

“I’m… processing. Can I process a minute?”