Page 64 of In This Iron Ground
“You always talk about guys that way. I honestly think you talked about Tom Hardy for a straight hour the other day.”
“Um, because he’s—”
“Please not again,” Koko moaned.
“Whatever.” Damien looked at Gonzalo and Olive.
“Yep. We knew too,” Olive said.
“And I’m bi, dude,” Gonzalo said.
“And I love vagina,” Koko said.
Damien looked at her. “Yeah, I knew that.”
“Yeah, I know. I just like saying it once a day.”
Damien laughed. They all looked at Olive. She held up her hands.
“I only get wet for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,” she said, pressing her palms together. Gonzalo covered his face with his hands as Koko and Damien laughed.
They went on rides until they couldn’t take it anymore and then sat down until they could stomach food. Damien convinced Gonzalo to split food with him and they ate at the picnic tables set out in the dining area, under the black sky.
They headed over to the carnival games when they were done, Gonzalo and Damien complaining that they couldn’t take another ride, especially with their stomachs full.
They all watched as Koko tried to hit a series of targets and missed almost every one.
“I thought werewolves were supposed to have good eyes for movement?” Damien teased under his breath.
“You do better, then!”
Damien paid for the privilege and then picked up the pellet gun. He missed the first two, but the next eight he landed, one after the other. Damien whooped out a cheer and then gleefully chose a giant stuffed wolf to give Lallo and Dee when they got home.
Gonzalo whistled under his breath, impressed. Olive clapped as Damien brandished his prize. Koko scowled playfully.
“What the hell. That thing was totally rigged!”
“Yeah,” Damien agreed. “The pellets went slightly to the right, so I adjusted.”
“Damn,” Gonzalo said. “You’re smart, huh?”
“Nah, not re—”
“Yes, you are, you fucking dumbass.Don’t. Say anything,” Olive said, putting her hand up as Damien opened his mouth. He clicked it shut.
“Right, let’s see how many other games Damien can unrig,” Koko said, pulling him along.
Damien let himself be dragged, not thinking to hide his smile.
**********
Hakan arrived for the summer holidays on the day of a full moon night. They all greeted him, the family members embracing him tightly and rubbing their scent on him with cheeks and hands.
Damien gave him a quicker hug, although no less tight. When Hakan pulled back his nose wrinkled slightly.
“Who do you smell like?” he asked.
Damien sniffed at his own shoulder. “How should I know?”
