Page 123 of Why Cheese?
Slipping the sign back into the window, Roq shudders. His shoulders quiver as he places a hand on the glass and peers out. “Go,” he barely whispers. The window catches Roq’s reflection, his face water-stained with centuries of swallowed pain. “See the world. Live whatever life you want either alone or together. Your lives, despite the mess I’ve made of them, are your own.”
The three men go quiet as they stare questions at each other.
“What about you?” Cam asks.
“I…” Roq stands tall, his head nearly touching one of the pipes on the ceiling. “I will remain here.” His eyes soften and he looks at me. “With the first woman I’ve trusted in an age.”
“But she’s selling the place,” Cam argues.
“Even still. I’m tired of running and hiding. Whatever the world throws my way, I choose to meet it head-on instead of rotting away in my cave.”
“Is he serious?” Cheddy asks.
“As sunshine,” Roq says with an ironic laugh.
“But…but we need to move. To go somewhere else.” Cheddy’s trembling at the thought. “You always find the new place. Make the deal.”
“Not this time, my friend. The door is there, the night is young. Go on, if you want.”
Cheddy eyes up the whole world just past the glass. Then he shakes his head. “No. I’m not leaving you.”
“But he lied to us, for centuries,” Brie argues.
“I know, but…” Cheddy crosses his arms and widens his stance. “You don’t abandon the castle just because a few parapets are on fire. He’s my friend. I’m staying with Roq and Vi.”
“This is madness,” Brie fumes. “Come on, Cam. Let’s get out of here before he changes his mind.” With a jerk of his head, Brie makes for the door.
Cam glances at Roq then me. His eyes close and he softly chuckles. “I’m sorry.” Turning, he faces Brie who’s gripping the door handle. “But I’m remaining here with that damnable fool.”
“What?” Brie gasps.
Instead of meeting Brie’s look, Cam gazes at his other friends. He pats Roq’s hand, then takes mine, before smirking. “Without me, this place won’t survive to the morning. I fear it’d be less than an hour before Chedward drowns in a vat of milk and poor Roq burns off all of his hair in rage.”
“I do not rage,” Roq thunders.
Cam licks his fingers, hops up, and pinches a tuft of Roq’s hair between them. “Got the spark. You’re welcome.”
Roq glares at him, but as he looks down at Cam’s non-singed fingers, he suddenly takes the nape of Cam’s neck. Pulling him close, Roq whispers, “Thank you,” and kisses him.
“Woo!” Cheddy cheers. “We haven’t seen that since Marseilles. Right, Brie? Oh, you’re leaving.”
Breaking his unexpected but enthusiastic kiss, Roq takes in the odd man out. “Brie…?”
“You don’t think I can do it. That I won’t be able to survive? That I’ll…I’ll get eaten on the first day. Or wind up in a gutter.” He sputters, his fingers clamping so tight to the door pull they turn bone white.
“No, I know you can, Brie. You fought through so much to reach us.” Roq sighs and collapses his hands together. “I only wish you didn’t have to.”
Brie gulps.
“But if you want to go, I hope you find all the joy you deserve out there.”
A slow shudder warps Brie’s breaths. He starts to swivel his head and I stand up taller.He’s coming back. He has to. They love each other. He’d never…
Brie walks out the door.
“Oh,” Cheddy moans.
“I see.” Roq drops his head.
