Page 113 of Refraction

“That was fun.” Tucker rubbed their noses together, chuckling softly. “God, you’re going to be my favorite media. Forever.”

“Bring it on. I loved it. Love it. Love you.” He was covered in paint, front and back now. Even Tucker had streaks of purple and yellow on his chest. It reminded him of that night in New York and those beautiful, hideous, wonderful demons.

Tucker grinned and rolled up, encouraging him to stand. Tucker peeled the sheet away, the paint leaving this amazing abstract vision that was pure sunrise.

“Oh, look at that!” How cool was that? He held up part of the sheet so they could look at it. “You’re a clever little artist, and hot too. Did you know? I’m just saying.” He kissed Tucker’s shoulder and then nipped at it lightly.

“Mmm.” The bite made Tucker shiver, lean in against him, proving that his artist was anything but little. “This one is mine.”

“Yep. It is. All yours. You can hang it withHope.” Like maybe this was what was peeking out behind all that gray.

“Mmm.Hopewill come with us, huh? These paintings, I think I’ll hang them where we make them. ButHopeis for us to bring no matter what.”

“Yeah. It’ll come with us.” To New York, back here, anywhere they ended up. “I like how you say it’sours, now.”

“I like how you let me believe in it.”

“I believe in it too.” He slipped around behind Tucker and pressed his lips between Tucker’s shoulder blades. “Dinner, shower… tree house?”

“Sounds like a perfect evening.” Tucker spread the sheet out on the floor, then took his hand and twined their fingers together. “I’m in.”

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