Page 87 of Office of the Lost

Leopold blinked.“You’rewhatnow?”

“Order, Leo.Just like you’re Chaos.Yin and yang.We belong together because neither of our natures is any good all by itself, but combined we can do anything.”

“Oh.”Leopold blinked a few times.That made sense.

“But you know what?It doesn’t matter.I don’t care how we got here or even why—I’m just really, really glad that we got here.Together.Because there’s no place that I’d rather be than with you.”

It was kind of hard to hug and kiss someone with a squirrel on your shoulder and a whole audience watching, but they managed it, and it was even better than before.Usually Leopold felt swirly and wild in… well, in his soul, or whatever equivalent he possessed.When he kissed Crispin, though, his inner tornado settled into something calmer and more soothing, like a warm breeze on a tropical beach.At the same time, he could feel Crispin’s inner self, usually as carefully stacked as a wall of interlocked Legos, jiggle and warp a little into pleasing curves and interesting swirls.Judging from his tight embrace, Crispin enjoyed this as much as Leopold.

Then someone cleared her throat and Leopold remembered where they were.He drew slightly apart from Crispin and turned to eye Minkis again.“Okay, fine.If Crispy’s okay with this… situation then so am I.But at least give us an explanation.Why was it so important that I get collected?”

Minkis and the other squirrels made exasperated noises, but before they could answer, Cerillia stepped forward.She didn’t look as shiny and glamorous as the last time he’d seen her, but honestly, he liked this version better.She seemed more real.And she wasn’t staring imperiously at him, which was a nice change.

“Leo,” she began.He was going to interrupt and explain that no, his name was Leopold, but maybe that ship had sailed.There were worse fates than being stuck with a nickname given to you by a beloved.Besides, ifCrispycould handle it….

Leopold managed a small smile.“Yes?”

“My son is capable of great things?—”

“Of course I am!”interrupted Aspin.“Last week I slew an entire flock of cockatrices, and?—”

Cerillia stopped him with a raised hand.“Myotherson is capable of great things.Just as you are, in fact, Leo.Alone, however, each of you would likely cause more damage than good.Buttogether!”She pressed her palms against one another, her eyes glittered, and she was more beautiful than ever.“Together you can create so much joy, and prevent so much sorrow.”

Crispin puffed out his chest a little and Leopold felt an unusual surge of pride.And something more: possibility.Which was, in his estimation, infinitely more precious than perfecality.

But Leopold had more to say.“You could have just introduced us, though.Would’ve been a lot easier.”

She looked a little stern.“Proper introductions were on the agenda, in fact.But the Oracle suggested that we send Crispy to collect you, so we did.”

“Crispin,” muttered the former desk fae in question, but without much real heat.He did, however, furrow his brow at Minkis.“Why couldn’t everyone have been straight with us from the start?”

“The best trees aren’t straight, Acorn Man.They twist and turn.”

Cerillia laid a hand on Crispin’s arm and gave him a gentle smile.“To be honest, I had reservations about the wisdom of you partnering with Leo.Chaos is dangerous and unpredictable.And I had doubts about what he was like as a person.I wouldn’t want my son married to a schmuck.”

“Leo isnota schmuck!”Although Crispin was impressed that she knew the word.He wrapped a protective arm around Leopold.

“I know that now.I didn’t then.”

Her explanation didn’t make perfect sense.But Leopold was hardly the type to demand consistency and solid logic, and if he remembered his mythology properly, the fae weren’t exactly famous for careful, cool-headed decisions.

However confusing Cerillia’s motives had been, however irritating the Oracle, however bullheaded Bidulla, and however obnoxious Aspin, here they all were.HereCrispinwas, holding him tightly and looking a lot more sure of himself than the guy who’d knocked on Leopold’s door one rainy Sacramento day.

“I think,” Leopold said to Crispin, “it’s okay.If we hadn’t gone through all those adventures together, I’m not sure we would have fallen for each other.I would have blown you off as a bore with a stick up his, uh, butt.And you would have been horrified by the walking disaster zone that I am.”

Crispin gave a slow nod.“But this way we showed our true selves, bit by bit.And Leo, I love your true self.Even the messy parts.Maybe especially the messy parts.”

“And I love you.”

The squirrels cheered.Cerillia beamed.Aspin rolled his eyes.Bidulla saluted.

Juzir popped his head into the doorway, loud booms announcing that Fromlith wasn’t far behind.“Hey, what did I miss?Where’s Bidulla?And… hey?Why are there so many squirrels?”

Crispin and Leopold laughed together.“I’ll explain later, Juzzy.”

Thea started played Etta James.

Leo and Crispy stared at one another, and Leo saw the true beauty of Order in Crispy’s eyes.They kissed again—the very best kiss so far, with even better yet to come.

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