Page 108 of Guiding Desire
Of then and tomorrow
sleeping with us
In this flower seed ship.
The waking will come, for
Without, the seed-hungry earths wait
For our waking
For the ice to break and
Time’s shackles to shatter.
It rang strangely, like poetry always did, though it had a melody. Yet, the book was so old that Orrey couldn’t quite decipher the metaphors in those words contained within it. It didn’t matter. He could still tell that they were beautiful.
After closing the book carefully, Orrey made his way to the kitchen, where steaming mugs of coffee had already been set out.
“You look good in that, kitten,” Senlas said.
“Thank you. And thank you for footing the bill.”
“I’m getting a bargain, considering the clothes come with you in them.”
Which forced Orrey to hide his pleased smile behind a wonderfully large mug while he leaned against the kitchen island and watched Senlas put together a cold breakfast, consisting mostly of leftovers.
Taros joined them. Coming up from the pool. He stopped behind Orrey, walked this way and that, then gave a satisfied look. “This’s the right style of pants for you. Brings out your ass. Don’t let anyone talk you into these loose-fitting abominations.”
“Huh?” Senlas said. “I didn’t even see that.” Senlas walked around the kitchen island to join Taros. “Oh, yeah. You’re right. Nicely done.”
“Are you two seriously standing there and staring at my ass?”
“I’m assessing it objectively, and your Guardian is admiring it,” Taros said. “Are you seriously standing there and pretending you don’t feel flattered?”
Orrey sipped his coffee. “Yes.”
“Careful, kitten,” Senlas said, leaned in, and kissed Orrey’s neck. “It is a beautiful ass.”
Orrey had to bite his lip to keep his “thank you” from escaping, hoping that remaining silent would come across as flirting, something he had attempted with middling results.
Taros pulled out one of the bar chairs. “I’d like to date a Conduit with a beautiful ass too. Ah, cruel fate.”
The three of them ate quickly after which they all filed into an auto-drive, Senlas grumbling, “One of you better remind me to take my vehicle on the way back. I can’t believe I forgot it on the Grounds again.”
“You’re getting old, Senlas,” Taros said.
“Actually, it’s more like I distract him,” Orrey said.
Taros looked taken aback. “Huh.”
Senlas put his arm around Orrey. “Nice, no? And he’s mine. You can’t have him.”
“Oh, is this a good time to tell you I watched Taros in your pool, naked?”
Taros cackled.
“Not smart, kitten, making me want to claim you like that.”
