Page 40 of How Not to Date an Angel

“I like to be cautious,” Rami said. “We don’t have that far to drive, anyway. My property is a hidden gem just close enough to the city so I can have privacy, and far enough to be out of the direct bustle of city life.”

They were correct. Even at the slightly slower pace, it was only a handful of moments before they directed the car into a lot. A building that was all shapes and sharp blue edges stood tall, and statues of some fishy-looking creatures acted as guard.

Julian followed Rami’s lead, getting out of the car and walking through the last dregs of warm air from summer’s fragile hold.

He caught Rami staring, gaze inexplicably drawn up his dark form. Julian smirked.

The blast of cold air as they walked through the doors was nice, and Julian stuck to the angel closely.

Rami took care of leading him to a little booth, where they exchanged money for two wristbands.

“Capitalism. Fun,” Julian teased as they walked away to make room for the next people in line.

“It was an unfortunate development, I know,” Rami drawled. “Don’t rub it in.”

Julian stared at them as they wiggled their fingers at him. “Your wrist,” they beckoned, lifting the other hand to show off the blue bands.

With a scowl, he lifted his hand, palm up. Rami’s fingers curled around his wrist, and Julian wondered if the angel could feel the pulse beneath his human skin.

Was it racing? It felt a little warm in there suddenly.

The heat from outside must be catching up to him. Yeah, that was it. Totally.

Rami ripped a little piece of paper off the blue strip and then placed it evenly together.

“Now, my turn, please,” Rami said, holding both their hands out now.

Julianforcedhis hand not to tremble as he slid the band from the angel’s grip and then curled it beneath their wrist.

He peeled at the white sticker, and tried to place the sticky part evenly. He missed, and frowned at the little silver hairs that got stuck against it.

The angel winced and ran a finger beneath it, and Julian suddenly wanted to rip it off and demand a new one.

“Thank you very much. Now, where would you like to start?” they asked, and waved their hand out—

“Holy shit,” Julian whispered, as he turned and followed the gaze of the angel.

As they walked beneath the archway, ahugedome of a room stretched out before them, hallways extending in multiple directions, along with a hundred different signs depicting words likedolphinsandpenguinsandwhales.

“I have… no clue,” Julian admitted.

He vaguely recognized the words and some of the symbols, and a few images even came to mind when he tried to recall their familiarity.

“Alright, then, let’s just work our way from one side to the other, yes?” Rami suggested.

Eyes wide and taking in all their blue-lit surroundings, Julian followed them absently.

They took the first hallway to the left, and Julian’s attention scaled up. He gasped.

Above them was a clear shield, filled with water and all kinds of shimmery, colorful fish.

“Holy—”

“Please stop saying that,” Rami bit out. “Choose another phrase, please.”

“Fucking hell,” he muttered as he stopped right in the middle of the walkway to stare up at the multitudes of swimming little creatures.

Rami grumbled at him, but there was a gentle smile gracing their lips, so Julian supposed it was alright.

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