Page 24 of Across Space and Time

“That is why your picture has been on the front page of every newspaper from here to Wales?” Hugh said pointedly.

Jack heaved a sigh and tipped his head back. “I had to watch out for you. This is certainly not an unpopulated location.”

“I know,” Hugh agreed. “But please. If there are monsters or strange creatures running around London, the fewer of them that people can report, the easier it might be to pinpoint the others.”

Jack screwed up his face in thought, then nodded. “I suppose that is true. But what if you encounter danger again? There is at least one more of those creatures running around.”

Something in Hugh’s chest warmed at Jack’s concern for his safety. And, he had to admit, if Jack had not been watching him last night, it was very likely he would have been ripped apart by the monster in the alley. “Well, you know my patrol,” he relented. “Can you at least wait until after dark so you’re less likely to be seen? And maybe find a way to cover your horns?”

Jack’s hand slid up to stroke over his horns, as if he had forgotten they were there. “Oh. Yes, I shall find a way to hide them. Thank you. I shall find you after the sun has set.”

“All right. Thank you for making food, Jack.”

Jack nodded, gazing back at him for a long moment. “Hugh. May I embrace you?”

Hugh blinked at the sudden request. Since their attempted kiss in the alley had been interrupted, Jack had made no move to touch him. “You… you want to… hug me?”

Jack was supposed to be his soulmate, whatever that meant. They were working together to solve these gruesome mysteries. And, as strange as it seemed, considering the circumstances, he really did find Jack attractive. Certainly, his appearance was a little frightening, or perhaps a lot to the unexpecting observer. But he was also stunning, and clever, and his dramatics were quite entertaining, which surprised Hugh, who was normally such a stoic person. Had he been a man of fewer principles, he might have already tried to act upon his baser instincts by now. What would embracing mean? Would they be more than just partners in policing? And, if so, would he be all right with that?

Jack looked chagrined. “I’m sorry. That was presumptuous of me.”

“No!” Hugh said quickly. “No, it wasn’t. I just… am not used to people asking such a thing of me.”

Jack gave a small smile. “I promise you that I shall be a gentleman and shall not make advances.”

Hugh felt his own lips curve, though he couldn’t tell himself if it was a smirk or a pout. “You won’t?”

Jack gazed back at him before his grin turned positively lascivious, showing off his pointed teeth. “Well, I shall if you wish me to.”

Hugh laughed, feeling a nervous flutter in his stomach. “I, uh… I suppose embracing for now would be a good start.”

Jack nodded and stepped closer, so that Hugh could feel the unnatural warmth of his skin through his clothing. Jack lifted his arms and, moving them slowly enough that Hugh could pull away if he so wished, wrapped them around Hugh’s shoulders.

Hugh’s arms moved of their own accord, sliding around Jack’s waist, and suddenly they were pressed together from neck to knees. Jack’s arms were around him, holding him close, warm and secure, like a blanket had been draped around him after coming in from the cold. And then Jack’s arms tightened a little, just a small squeeze to keep him close, and Hugh felt like the world had dropped out from underneath him. He closed his eyes, his own arms tightening around Jack’s waist as he leaned his cheek against the firm chest.

He couldn’t remember the last time he had been embraced like this. Maybe he never had. Even his few sexual encounters had been quick and furtive, no long embraces or romantic kisses exchanged, only a hurried exchange of pleasantries in upper rooms or back alleys, followed by a few quick kisses and half-hearted promises to meet up again sometime. That was how men like him had to find partners, anonymous and rushed. But here, in his own rooms, where no one would see them, he could just be. They could just stand like this, holding one another, for as long as they wanted. For all eternity if that was their choice.

It was so nice to be held. He hadn’t really realized it before, but he went through life without touching very many people. When he did touch someone, it was usually because they were in distress, or he was trying to stop them from doing something they shouldn’t. Those were entirely different from physical affection too.

“Jack?” he said softly but did not pull away from the embrace.

“Yes?” Jack asked, also not moving.

“We’re going to solve this case, right?”

“Yes,” Jack replied firmly. “We will.”

“What happens after we do?”

“What?”

Hugh pulled back just enough to be able to look up into Jack’s face. “After we solve this case, what happens to us?”

“Are you asking, will I be leaving?” Jack asked.

Even though that was exactly what he was asking, hearing the words spoken out loud sent a pang through him that he had not been expecting, despite only knowing Jack a short time. “Yes,” he said, forcing the single word out as if it were stuck in his throat. Solving these murders was the most important thing right now. But Hugh found himself wondering. What would it be like to have someone by his side? In his bed? Someone tall and lean and handsome, like Jack? Surely ‘soulmates’ meant more than helping each other to solve a problem.

“I do not know what the future holds,” Jack said thoughtfully. “But once we have completed this task, I am not required to leave.”

---