Page 26 of Knot Forever

Ah.

Glancing down, we both stare at the BLT. Definitely not a sub.

“That’s okay,” I say easily. “I can have this for lunch. Can I come with you to the kitchen? I’d like to see how you make yours.”

His shoulders relax as he nods, the tension in his face lifting. “That sounds good. I don’t… I have a routine during the day.”

We fall into step together as we head back into the kitchen, and I watch as Marcus pulls out the items he’s looking for. Turkey, lettuce, tomato, cheese, all of it gets lined up in a certain position on the counter before he gets a roll out of the cupboard and begins to build his sub with meticulous precision.

I have to smother my smile as I watch him work, carefully making a note of the way he builds it, focusing on setting each layer in the right way.

I wait until he sits down in the same space he sat in last night, and he gives me a crooked smile as he lifts the sub in both hands. “Thank you for making me the sandwich. I’m sorry if I was rude.”

Shaking my head, I take a bite of the BLT, swallowing it before I respond. “You weren’t rude. You have a routine, and I should have checked.”

He shrugs. “I like to eat a lot of the same foods. I have some sensory issues, so I don’t like anything too strong. Asher makes sure that we have the right food in the house.”

It’s another little insight into this pack, into the way Asher watches over them, and it makes my heart clench as I watch Marcus eat his sandwich.

“Will you tell me more about your routine?” I ask carefully. “I’m guessing you have a routine with laundry, too?”

If I’m going to be any help at all here, I need to learn. I don’t want to upset Marcus, or make him feel uncomfortable in his own home.

“I do.” He looks down at his empty plate. “I know it’s strange.”

My pulse thuds. “Marcus, no.” Carefully, I reach out, testing his reaction as I carefully put my hand over his. “It’s just part of you. There’snothingwrong with that.”

He stares at it, before he slowly turns his hand over, our palms pressing together.

“It feels nice when you touch me,” he murmurs. “Your skin feels like velvet.”

I swallow back my blush. “Thank you.”

His fingers slowly close around mine until he’s gripping me, firm but not painful. “I’m autistic.”

“I know,” I whisper. “Thank you for telling me.”

He nods absently, studying our hands intently. He swallows mine up, strong and tanned against my pale skin. “I’ve never liked being touched, but I enjoy it when you touch me.”

His eyes flick up to mine. “Will you touch me more?”

Heat turns my face into an inferno. “Touch you…where?”

Marcus looks wistful, his honey brown eyes skittering away from me. “Maybe… a hug?”

Sudden affection tingles in my chest at his shy request. “Of course. Now?”

When he nods, I slide my fingers from his, getting down from my chair and walking around to him. He turns to face me, his hair tousled as he swallows.

I stop a few steps away from him. “Do you ever hug Seth? Or Asher?”

Marcus tilts his head. “Sometimes. Mainly Seth. Asher touches my shoulders.”

Nodding, I think quickly. “Okay. And when you hug Seth, do you prefer it to be a softer hug, or a firmer one?”

“Firmer,” he says quickly. “I don’t like contact that’s too soft.”

I blow out a breath. Marcus watches me, his chest lifting up and down as his breathing quickens. “Nova?”

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