Page 57 of The Toymaker
Kit shook his head. “No, Master.”
“He’s in here because I said he could be, and he’s going to sleep with me tonight,” added Riju.
Trig’s mouth dropped a little. “He’s going to sleep with you?”
Riju nodded.
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to try it.”
Trig leaned on the doorway. “You don’t let me sleep in here with you.”
He looked a bit hurt, and guilt pinched Riju’s stomach. He’d never wanted Trig to be in there overnight. “I sleep with you in your bed sometimes. I want to try it with him in my bed now.”
“All right,” said Trig. “Kit, if he doesn’t like it and says to leave, go to your bed.”
“I will, Master.”
They said good night, and Trig didn’t look so hurt as he closed the door. He probably thought it was a one-time thing. It might be if Riju decided he didn’t like it after all, even though he felt differently about Kit so far. Maybe it was because he was the slave. Then again, Riju had a feeling that if the roles were reversed, Kit would still behimself.
Once they got tired of doodling, and their parchment pieces were covered in puppies, kittens, pixies, wobbly birds, and suns, they read the kid’s book together. They both liked it so much, they read it twice. Trig would never do that even though the toys were cute and had such fun adventures at night while the toymaker snored in his bed upstairs. He often didn’t have much patience for stories Riju occasionally made up either.
When they turned out the lantern and snuggled together, Kit fell asleep against him, and Riju stroked his hair. So far, he was sure he could definitely do this again with Kit. That urge to have his private space completely to himself wasn’t there like it was when Trig was in his room.
It wasn’t normal to want to keep so much for himself and away from the one he was in a relationship with.
***
The next morning, Riju helped customers. After a bit, the shop was empty, so he sat behind the counter to play with Red. Even she couldn’t distract him. Trig had taken Kit downstairs for a private session, so he had plenty of time to think. Not that he particularly needed it. He’d been up for quite a while the previous night. Kit’s presence had been soothing, but Riju hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the book and something he wanted.
He’d been secretly considering it for a while without making an actual decision. Kit had said a few things too, so while it wasn’t his dream, he seemed to think Riju was capable. It was time to go through with it.
Trig came back up alone.
“What’s Kit doing?” Riju’s stomach twisted since he might as well say what he needed then. Continuing to wait wouldn’t get him anywhere, and they were alone.
Trig glanced at the windows and the gloomy, empty street beyond it as he stretched. “He’s kneeling in a corner with his hands tied behind him, and he’s holding a din to the wall with his nose.” He gripped Riju’s shoulder and leaned down to kiss his cheek.
Riju leaned away. “No touch.”
He almost wanted to go to his room and make a doll. It would completely take over his mind for a bit and ease him. He’d madethe decision. Going through with it was another matter, and with the moment right there, he didn’t want to be touched.
Trig tugged over a chair to sit by him, and Riju finally said the words.
“I wanted to ask you if I could go out on my own once Kit’s contract is done and he leaves.”
Chapter Thirteen
Riju said nothing else as Trig widened his eyes and was quiet for a few seconds. “This is kind of sudden, don’t you think? Did you just wake up this morning and think of it?”
“I’ve put thought into this. It’s not sudden.”
“I mean, you just suddenly ask?”
How else was Riju supposed to ask?
“It’s not a good idea,” said Trig. “We’ve already talked about this before.”
