Page 40 of Shade
"What is it? Did you need something?" Liam asked, his eyes sliding over Diego's face as if trying to figure out what was up.
"No, nothing like that. I just wanted to ask you something."
"Go ahead," Liam said as he spooned some cake into his mouth.
"If you could hug Shade right now, would you want to? Even if it took attention off you and Haruto for a bit?"
Liam blinked, then glanced down at me. "Of course! That would be like the best gift ever."
"See?" Diego asked me, not the least bit hesitant to rub it in my face.
If Liam said it was okay...
Taking a deep breath, I rose out of Diego's shadow, sticking close so the lights wouldn't hurt me.
Liam's eyes were wide as he watched me, then he quickly placed his plate on a nearby table before throwing his arms around me as Diego grabbed my hand to keep me close.
I hugged Liam back with one arm, and wondered why I'd ever thought he would mind this. Liam was simply too good for that.
Sixteen
Diego
Like Shade had expected,he became the center of attention... for a whole five minutes before everyone returned their focus on the newlyweds, and to dancing their asses off, leaving us to our devices.
"Oh, that wasn't so bad," Shade murmured, sounding surprised and delighted.
I chuckled. "I told you. They might show up at your place tomorrow with a ton of questions, but they know who this party is for, and it's not you."
Shade went quiet, and I wondered if I'd said something wrong. "Shade? You okay?"
"Hmm? Oh yes. I just... I wanted to ask you something."
Extremely aware of the fact that he wouldn't be able to stay in this form for long before it started hurting him, I tugged him toward the dance floor. "Can you ask while we dance?"
"Sure."
Shade stuck close as we found a spot near the edge, and I linked my arms behind his neck as he wrapped his around my waist, holding me close. I'd turned my back to the lights so Shade would have the most protection, and we swayed in place as our friends moved around us.
"So? What did you want to ask?"
Shade was quiet for a moment, and I wondered if he hadn't heard me over the music. It wasn't too loud, since most of the people here were supes and had sensitive ears. Just when I opened my mouth to ask again, he started speaking.
"Earlier, you called itmyplace. I was wondering if you'd be interested in calling it ours?"
I stopped short, bringing Shade to a halt as well. I opened my mouth, then closed it, then opened it again.
"We should talk about this somewhere... private," I said, not wanting everyone to hear what I had to say.
"Oh, okay," Shade said, and he did a shit job hiding his disappointment. Did he think I was going to let him down gently?
"We're in Darkness," he murmured as the music suddenly cut off, and was then replaced by the familiar sound of the crickets and the river in the distance. A familiar meow preceded the furball that started rubbing herself against my legs, and I quickly leaned down to give her a few pets before wrapping my arms around Shade again.
I didn't want to let go of Shade, even though it was safe to do that here. The headmaster had already fixed the glitch, though Shade had told me more and more had been popping up all over the place.
"Moving in together," I murmured, raising my face so Shade could see it. "It's a big step."
"It is. But we spend most of our time together anyway, don't we? I can get you to work through my shadows, so you wouldn't even have to walk to the bus stop."
