Page 51 of The Lost Art of Finding Where You Belong

“We’re glad,” Arvus said, speaking collectively, and they all nodded.

“You’re all really good friends,” Perian said, a little choked up. “Thank you.”

Molun nudged him in the side. “Speaking of ‘good friends,’ what’s up with you and Mr. Abs?”

Perian laughed. “You mean Bennan? Absolutely nothing physical. But we have a kind of mutual appreciation going on. He doesn’t mind that I ogle because it’s very positive appreciation.”

“So much so that he strips off his shirt in the middle of training?” Molun asked skeptically.

“All right, first of all, it’s getting hot, and he is absolutely not the only one who does that. You all have training; don’t tell me you don’t sometimes take off your clothes, I won’t believe you.”

They all shrugged, because they absolutely did, Perian had seen it.

“And second of all, you’re entirely right,” he agreed. “It wasn’t to benefitmein particular.”

“Ooh,” Molun said, sounding intrigued, “is there another interest in the air?”

“I think so,” Perian admitted. “But I’m still assessing. And, let’s face it, I need something to fill my time since I’m not allowed to actually train again until I’m all healed up. And Brannal isn’t here to distract me.”

“It’s good to have things to keep you busy,” Molun agreed, saying it like it was something that people had said to him a lot.

Perian laughed. “And, you know, amidst all the ogling and attempts to figure out who likes who, I might actually notice something that will stand me in good stead when I do start training again.”

Arvus rolled his eyes, but his expression was fond. “It’s good to know you have priorities.”

“Right?” Perian agreed. “Such firm priorities.”

Molun repeated, “Firmpriorities,” and they all laughed.

“On that note,” Nisal said, still smiling, “that’s enough for mefor tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

They all nodded and waved them off.

“You’re coming back with us, yes?” Molun asked like it wasn’t really a question.

Perian eyed the two of them. “You sure you don’t want some time to yourselves? We’ve just spent lots of time together.”

“You’re still healing,” Arvus said. “You want more cuddles.”

“To be honest,” Perian admitted with a sigh, “I’m not sure there’s a time when Idon’twant more cuddles.”

Molun slung an arm across Perian’s shoulder. “So you’re definitely coming back with us.”

Perian gave in to the inevitable, not at all sad not to have to face an empty bed.

They swung by Brannal’s room so he could change into sleep trousers and grab medical supplies. Back in their room, Molun and Arvus insisted on helping take care of him again, unwrapping and cleaning his arm. Thankfully, there was still no evidence of infection. To his admittedly entirely untrained eye, it looked like it was healing well.

“How’s the pain tonight?” Arvus asked.

“Fine. Still sort of achy and maybe a little bit itchy, but nothing terrible.”

“Tonic,” Molun said, holding it out.

The doctorhadtold Perian to have it today and then check in tomorrow, so he swallowed it down.

Molun smiled brightly at him. “Now, what can we do to pass the time until we need to bandage you up again? Any ideas?”

Perian felt his breathing pick up. He’d tried not to think about what might or might not happen tonight so he wouldn’t have any hopes dashed. This was entirely up to them and not something Perian wanted to impose. But from Molun’s question and the indulgent expression on Arvus’s face, it was something they were entirely happy to do.

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