Page 123 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
Kip chewed. Joe popped a tart into his own mouth, thenoffered another. Although he accepted it, Kip didn’t immediately put it in hismouth. By some miracle, was he actually full?
“You should probably stop feeding me.”
“But you’re always hungry.”
He chuckled. “No doubt. And food is always welcome. But Ishouldn’t be letting you hand-feed me. It means stuff.”
Joe mumbled, “I didn’t know.”
“Howwouldyou if I didn’t say something.”
“Umm … sorry?”
“Nah.” Kip waved off the apology. “I know you’re notflirting. You’re trying to comfort me, and I’m grateful.”
Great. Now Joe was bleary, slightly buzzed, and blushing.
Kip kindly changed the subject. “While I’m here, can I add afew more sigils?”
“You already put them everywhere.” He fidgeted. “Justabout.”
“Overlapping more would be even safer.” Kip started clearingaway the remnants of their feast. “Change for bed. This will probably put youright to sleep.”
It certainly had the last time.
Within the first twenty minutes, Joe was in a blissful haze,unbothered by little things like the tip of a claw tracing patterns across bareskin. “Is it terrible?” he murmured.
Kip responded with a soft, “Hmm?”
“Being in love.”
“Oh.” After a few moments, he asked, “Have you ever been?”
“Not really.” Joe quietly admitted, “But I’ve always beenafraid to lose Tami to some guy.”
“Makes sense.”
But that wasn’t an answer, so Joe asked again. “Is itterrible?”
“No. Not at all. I gained more than I can ever lose. AndI’ll keep everything that was ever ours, including a lifelong friendship.”
“But you’re sad.”
His finger stilled. His voice softened. “Only for a littlewhile. My sadness will pass, and their joy will continue. Loveendures,Jiro.”
Joe really hoped he meantenduresas in ‘going on andon forever’ and not ‘suffering in silence,’ but he didn’t have the heart toask.
“Speaking of enduring,” said Kip. “This sigil would be strongerif I used blood.”
Opening an eye, Joe asked, “Mine or yours?”
“Both would be best.”
Kip looked uncomfortable … or perhaps unsure. Joe tried tomake light of the suggestion. “Will that make us blood brothers?”
The redhead took more time than usual to form an answer.“The meaning probably varies by clan,” he said carefully. Too carefully.
Joe studied Kip’s face.
