Page 29 of Jonathon, After All

He had been in the mood to skulk about the building’s forgotten corridors and stairwells, but a whiff of pot stopped him before he dropped onto the balcony below Milo’s. Jonathon followed the smell around the balcony, climbing over the dividing wall and slipping between a row of string-light-covered topiaries.

Jonathon gave his head a shake and rubbed his eyes, afraid he might be sleepwalking, when he found Giles Ashby, reclining on a daybed and smoking a blunt. But there he was, wrapped in a cozy-looking quilt and reading what looked like a romance novel as an outdoor heater burned in the corner next to him.

“Would you care to join me?” he asked, holding the blunt out to Jonathon.

He offered Giles an apologetic grin and waved awkwardly as he approached the bed. “Sorry, I couldn’t sleep and I like to wander the building when I need to think.”

Giles sat up, alert as he reached over the armrest and offered Jonathon another quilt. “Fin made these for me with Luna’s and Milo’s old T-shirts and pajama tops and sweatshirts,” he explained. “Do you wander the building often?”

“All the time,” Jonathon said. “I know all her secrets and all the best hiding places. She’s been my closest companion, most of my life, and she comforts me when I’m feeling down or lost.”

“I love this building,” Giles stated with a fond chuckle. “Can I go with you next time? When I’m not under the influence,” he clarified.

“Sure,” Jonathon said, thanking Giles for the blunt and the quilt. He took a quick drag, then passed it back so he could wrap himself up and get comfortable. “I thought you didn’t like to leave 8B,” he said and Giles shook his head.

“I don’t mind leaving 8B, it’s everything outside of it that I mind. I love old buildings like the Olympia and architecture—particularly stations and terminals—is a passion of mine.”

That was surprising and somewhat ironic, given Giles’s severe anxiety disorder. “Really? I would think that busy places like stations and terminals would be difficult for you.”

Giles coughed and laughed as he nodded. “I can’t go when people are there. I’d have a nervous breakdown or get in a fight or both. But I love to go when they’re quiet. Those busy places are magical when they’re empty and some are architectural masterpieces. Take Grand Central Station!” he said, then ducked and shushed himself, giggling as he handed the blunt to Jonathon. “I can get loud when I’m high and Riley’s sleeping. I love this city and there are places I miss, like Strawberry Fields and the planetarium, so I try to go out when I know they won’t be crowded. When I’m feeling up to it. I just feel up to it less and less these days.”

“I can understand that. I get even more quiet when I smoke,” Jonathon said and took a long pull, smiling as his body became lighter and tingled. The quieting of his thoughts was immediate and the tension seeped from his muscles as he took another drag. “That’s nice. I didn’t realize how much I needed to smoke. I already feel so much better. Thank you.”

“Any time,” Giles insisted. “I like having company when I smoke. But I think I talk too much for Riley unless he’s smoking too. He’s not much of a smoker, though. Says he’d rather be bouncy and bubbly.”

“He doesn’t need it,” Jonathon agreed. “Save it for us sad and stressed boys.”

That made Giles laugh. “I doubt I’ll run out.”

“Good. I’ll probably be sad for a while,” Jonathon predicted, causing Giles to frown.

“I hope not. I know that things between you and the Margrave seem terrible right now, but there’s still a chance you two could work this out.”

Jonathon choked and giggled. “Are you high?” he asked, making Giles laugh as he nodded.

“Very. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t give him another chance.”

“Why should I?” Jonathon countered. “He lied to me and I was destroyed, but I kept waiting and hoping he’d realize he made a mistake or that he might miss me and change his mind. And who says he wants another chance? I doubt he had an epiphany when I threw that drink at him.”

“Depends on how hard you threw it,” Giles said with a finger gun.

Jonathon rolled his eyes. “I should have thrown it harder. He probably wants to tell me he’s sorry and that he did it for my own good. That way he can fly back to Austria with a clear conscience.”

“I don’t know…” Giles took a hit and scrubbed the back of his head as he exhaled. “He didn’t have much of a conscience when he stood you up ten years ago, from the sound of things. Why stick around now so he can apologize if he doesn’t really care?”

“Maybe he wants to hurt me again, for old time’s sake?” Jonathon guessed. “He made me believe he cared before and it turned out to be a lie. I won’t let him have another chance just so he can demolish whatever’s left.”

“No, we can’t let that happen,” Giles agreed.

Jonathon didn’t like how somber Giles looked and regretted bringing down his mood so he decided to change the subject. “I don’t want to talk about Leo anymore. What’s the best airport in the world?”

That worked like a charm. Giles fumbled the blunt as he swung upright, but caught it and gave it another hit before passing it to Jonathon. “The Denver International Airport!”

“Denver?” Jonathon said dubiously. “Denver, Colorado. The Colorado in this United States?”

“Yes.” Giles stated as he nodded, utterly serious. “It’s twice the size of Manhattan. It’s the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere. It has these gorgeous outdoor lounges where you can sit and watch the planes for as long as you want.”

Jonathon widened his eyes, pretending to care about the Denver International Airport. “Fascinating.” He wanted to dwell on Leo without bringing Giles down and so Jonathon was content to listen as he rattled off facts and compared it to his other favorite airports.

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