19. DECLIVITY

nineteen

DECLIVITY

T he urge to grope around for his arm was one Oliver still had to resist. It continued to hurt whenever he attempted to use it. He wasn't sure how he could forget he'd lost an arm almost constantly. Yet there he was, jerking his eyes away from the empty sleeve in shock. It had caught in the wind pulling through the well-timbered path. Should he tie a knot in it, stop it from fluttering? Pin it up?

Oliver sighed and Tau, sitting beside him, glanced down. He offered his boyfriend a smile, following it with a kiss to the muscular arm. Their fingers laced together.

"What's taking them so long?" Oliver muttered, glancing sideways at Benjamin and Samuel sitting on the ground only a few feet away.

Benjamin pointedly ignored him. It was Samuel who looked up and said, "It's a big place for non-city dwellers. Easy enough to get lost."

"Maji's already been there once." Oliver's retort got no response.

According to Maji, they had caught Samuel walking away from the mine with a change of heart. He'd said they were right after all, that the Elders and their stupid Proxies needed to be stopped.

Well, no shit. Better late than never, Oliver supposed. Despite asking though, Samuel refused to explain why he'd changed his mind, or what had helped him do it. All he'd said was that they needed to stick together for Oliver's safety, as word had gone 'round he'd touched a Sentinel.

Benjamin had to know, whatever it was. Since the previous night, he and Samuel always sat with their heads bowed together, their hushed conversations dying off whenever anyone got close. It made Oliver uneasy, in particular since they both kept looking at him with nothing short of contempt.

Had Benjamin not also directed his anger toward Tau, Oliver would have apologised for whatever wrongdoings he might've committed. Watching the two blatantly ignore him again, he hoped the ground was damp enough from last night's rain to get their butts all muddy.

Oliver leaned his head against Tau and closed his eyes, exhausted from a night of travel. They were both perched on a fallen tree, the same he and Tau occupied after he'd killed Lauper.

That felt like such a distant memory now. He hadn't given it much more thought since reaching Bercord Harbour.

Maji and Lucetta were in Clathestead to find Hennessey—Maji's idea, one Oliver wasn't keen on, even if he saw the sense in it. If they wanted to gather the last few remaining Sentinels, they needed someone with the means and sway to get them around the world. Hennessey had never entered the landfill, as far as they knew, making Clathestead their best bet to find the Fae.

"I wonder if that gap-stopper will tell me how I can hear you if I ask again," murmured Oliver.

Tau shook his head. Something Oliver couldn't ponder for long since two large hands cupped his head and dragged him up. He grinned, happy to oblige, and straddled Tau's hips. With his arm snaked around a strong neck, he pressed his mouth to the mask and relished in the sweet tingling along his lips, as if Tau was kissing him back.

Those large hands moved to his backside to knead and squeeze, to bring their crotches into spectacular collision. He sighed, darting his tongue out to taste faint bitterness. Tau seemed to enjoy that, if the way he dug his nails into Oliver's arse was anything to go by. Eliciting a barely subdued, needy groan that had Oliver grind his hips down.

He wanted to continue what he and Tau had tried to start the night before at Marcy's, interrupted by Maji running up the stairs and stopping him from getting much further than a room's doorway. Oliver also wanted to forget the conversation between him and Marcy leading up to that. While helpful, his cheeks still blazed with mortification every time he remembered trying to explain to her just how large Tau was, while dancing around the fact that Oliver worried it might kill him.

The look of Marcy's bulging eyes as he demonstrated using a baton of bread was something he wouldn't forget anytime soon.

His thoughts shifted to the vial of oil Marcy supplied him with, now hidden in the front pocket of his overalls. Relax, prepare, and go slow, she'd said. It would take time.

Time they currently had.

Oliver cast a furtive glance at Samuel and Benjamin to his right. They were making a slipshod effort pretending not to watch him. They barely spoke to each other, sitting strangely far apart.

"Wanna go to those trees, have some fun?" asked Oliver with a brazen roll of his hips that made Tau's hands clench. Oh, how he loved the sting of those nails.

"We need to stay together," said Benjamin.

He was done pretending not to see or hear anything, then. Fortunately, Tau liked to do whatever he wanted, sending Oliver's hair aflutter as he abruptly stood. Oliver twisted his legs around Tau's hips with a smile. Not that he needed to worry, the grip on his arse adamant.

"Good to see you got that infestation taken care of, Sentinel Tau," came Hennessey's drawl, stopping Tau in his tracks over the fallen tree. "Now for the limpet."

Oliver groaned, feet reconnecting with the ground as Tau eased him back down. So much for having sex. He shouldn't have waited so long, damn it.

"Yeah, thanks for the warning," Oliver quipped.

"I said he looked a little possessed."

Oliver narrowed his eyes at the Fae, flanked by the two bears once again, and Maji and Lucetta right behind. Hennessey had said that, and Oliver hated that he'd not picked up on the meaning. Keeping a tight hold on Tau's hand, he walked down the path toward them, ignoring the way Hennessey's gaze dropped to his arm.

"You seem to be missing something."

"Almost like we could've used a hand in Malimoure," Oliver snapped.

"Sorry that took so long." Maji looked winded, her flushed cheeks like rosy apples. She flapped her hands at trees that, while still mostly bare, hid the city's walls from view. "I couldn't completely remember the way."

"At all," Lucetta teased with a smile.

"I got us there eventually!"

Their playful bickering chased Oliver as he rounded the sparse boscage to the road, where two flashy maroon automobiles stood waiting, one with a driver. Oliver's heart stuttered in fear before he realised those were not Pavlov's. They had to be Hennessey's.

"We won't get people gawking at you anymore, Sunshine."

"The deal is that Tau gives them marbles in exchange for ferrying us to all the mines." Lucetta came up to stand beside Tau and looked up at him. "Is that alright? I offered more of Sigma's, but according to Hennessey, the ones I made disappeared."

"And don't forget," Hennessey lilted, "you owe me for the hotel because of that."

Tau turned his head to the Fae. Oliver could only assume they were communicating in that silent way of theirs. His nose wrinkled, jealousy stinging him worse than falling face first into nettles. Maybe he should ignore Tau's head shake and ask Hennessey again.

A slump to Tau's shoulder, barely visible, brought Oliver's hackles up. "You okay?"

"Just dandy!" said Hennessey. "I've just informed dear Sentinel Tau They'll have to travel on the back, where the luggage goes."

"Applesauce!" bellowed Oliver. "He's sitting with me or we're not going!"

"There'll be no room once Tweedledee and Twiddledum are in there. They're not going to fit on the back, either."

This was starting to feel like a bad idea, already. Oliver wished he hadn't thought to suggest it.

Lucetta firmly patted his shoulder. "He'll be fine."

Oliver remained unconvinced, watching her and Maji climb inside the driverless automobile. The Ursidae followed, one in each, metal groaning and springs creaking in complaint. Hennessey was right, again. Bastard.

Samuel claimed the front passenger seat by the driver, while Benjamim sat in the back, hidden entirely with the giant bear beside him. Surprisingly, Hennessey slithered into the driver's seat of the other automobile, flashing unusually white teeth in a smile more unsettling, still.

"Come along, then!"

Oliver's grip on Tau's hand tightened. Together, they walked to the back of the automobile, where one travel chest that had seen some wear was tied down. Oliver held his hand until Tau was properly situated atop it. People walked by. A horse galloped past, and police officers near the city's entrance watched, but he didn't care. Tau was supposed to have expired, nobody had yet figured out who he was.

Much to the hissed chagrin of his friends, Oliver pressed a firm kiss to the centre of Tau's face.

"I love you," he murmured.

A final squeeze to his hand, then Oliver climbed into the vehicle. With Ed, Maji and him in the back, it was a tight fit. Turning around to look through the back window was a painful endeavour. He did it anyway, needing to ensure Tau was alright.

The drive was smoother than a horse-drawn carriage, and faster. As the blackened bricks of Clathestead slipped past and the scenery transposed to lush countryside, Oliver leaned into the wind ruffling his hair.

If memory served, then the closest was the Ikosi Mine, and Sentinel Mu. Another mine he'd considered joining, until he learned it lurked in the deepest depths of a lake. Oliver wasn't scared of water so much as he was worried about drowning.

"Did I ever ask," Oliver began, glancing at Maji next to him, "why did you go to the T. Mine of all the other ones?"

She raised her eyebrows at him. "Because of Tau's light magic, obviously. It's the nearest thing to the sun and the best for my plants."

Oliver gave her a look. "Your plants worth more than your life?"

"Well, when you put it that way, you make it sound stupid!" Maji smiled despite herself. "I would've never met you, otherwise. I don't regret a single thing."

He was about to ask Lucetta the same, although caught himself at the last moment. Her reason sat in the automobile driving in front, the subject as sore now as the day Oliver first asked about her and her brother. Although Oliver suspected it had something to do with some kind of curse, he still didn't know why she despised Samuel so much. Asking only ever led to withering glares. It was safe to assume Lucetta hadn't joined for the adventures, though.

Much to Maji's frustration, Oliver squirmed around to look through the back window again, giving it a rap with a knuckle. Tau's hood flapped in the wind, although never shifted from where it shielded his appearance. His boyfriend glanced over his shoulder, and Oliver blew him a kiss.

The Quiet Deep was a lake surrounding the Ikosi Mine, its waters unmoving and dark. Its depths so vast, it appeared black. Rumours would have Oliver believe it was haunted by the ghosts of miners. In the evening gloam, the last stretches of a pink sky didn't reflect, the water's surface as dense as oil.

They hadn't even come to a stop near the shore, tires grinding across gravel, and Oliver bolted out of the automobile to fling himself into Tau's embrace.

"Are you okay?" he asked, voice muffled against a muscular stomach as Tau curled over him.

His answer came as a stiff nod, face gliding across the top of Oliver's head. At the crunch of pebbles under several feet, he and Tau moved, walking ahead of the others toward the adit. A bridge so long, if it were set upright, Oliver could have climbed up into the clouds. Since it was a bridge though, it led to the very centre of the lake. Sentinel lights lined either side of its railings—large, translucent spheres glazed with a film of rainbow-like colours.

Before any of them could say anything at all, let alone cross the bridge, Tau came to an abrupt stop. He held Oliver's hand, as always, and glanced down at him.

Oliver ached to hear what his boyfriend might be saying, sure Tau was speaking to him. An annoying titter, and he glared over his shoulder at Hennessey, who moved to stand beside Tau.

Ugh. Were they joking with each other? Was Tau laughing too? Oliver glared at the Fae, itching to slap the taste out of their mouth.

"Sentinel Tau says you all need to wait here." Hennessey slid their hands into the pockets of dark green slacks.

"What, why?" asked Oliver.

"Because it could get dangerous and They can only look after so many of you imbeciles at once."

"You don't have to be so rude," snapped Maji while Lucetta, standing beside her, glowered.

Hennessey shrugged. "I'm being paid to get you around, not to be polite."

Oliver turned a pleading look upward. "I don't want to leave your side."

The nod he received prompted a wide grin. Giddy with privilege, he ignored the complaints behind him and hurried along.

Only two guards stood by the bridge's approach, their uniforms navy blue and gazes filled with thrilled curiosity. They were too busy gawking—likely confused at the presence of another Sentinel—to do much else, let alone stop them. Tau glided past with Oliver beside him, whose clomping footfalls scuffed the planks. Beneath creaking wood, the water remained silent in its threat.

Oliver dared a look over the railing, worn and slick with dampened algae under his hand. Much to his relief, he saw nothing at all.

The sun had gone and the sky wisened into a glum shade of purple—and they were only halfway across the bridge. Bright, snowy lights sprang up into the air above the lake's surface, slowing into a mesmerising dance of twirling light-trails as they moved across, their reflections dull in the tenebrosity below.

Oliver stopped to watch, his hand settling back atop the railing. Swirling spheres moved together, the wispy tail ends twinkling like stars. They flew toward the bridge, and he reached up to touch one as it passed overhead. His fingertips grazed its coruscant tail. The wisp stopped midair, while the others carried on.

It looked at him, he thought. A rounded shape within snowy white curls of smoke. Like a fat baby without defining features. It held out a chubby little hand, although could barely hold him around a finger. Oliver smiled, allowing it to guide him forward, previous trepidation about the lake gone entirely. In fact, everything else disappeared, too.

He was blissfully empty, focused only on a misty face. No thoughts, no discomfort. No worries and nothing beneath his feet.

A sharp pain announced itself in his hips, pulling him back. Trying to keep him away from the sweet baby. Oliver wailed, jerking his touch away from the ghostly little hand. He gaped at the wisp as it puffed up in anger, then promptly flew off, snapping his awareness back into place.

He looked down, saw nothing but darkness, and cried out again. Kicked and flailed as if that would prevent the inevitable plunge into the lake's inky depths. Not until his heels thumped old wooden planks and the back of his head connected with something hard did Oliver freeze all movement. He stared up at Tau, still easing him back onto the bridge and against his abdomen. He ensnared Oliver's ribcage in a secure hold.

"That little bastard tried to drag me off!" Oliver raised his hand again, this time to give it the finger, although it was long gone. Then he glanced at his hip, noting the holes and the blood seeping through denim. "Ouch."

He shuffled forward, Tau's hands on his shoulders guiding, as if worried he'd try and touch another wisp. Oliver hated that the urge to do so was still there, especially as they flitted past again.

The bridge reached an end on a rocky outcrop, barely large enough to fit a hut that covered the cage lift. Fish occupied the water by the rocks, glowing vibrant purples and yellows even through the oily murk.

Although this cage was bigger than any within the Tesera Mine, Tau still needed to duck to get inside. Oliver pulled the gate shut and slammed his fist on a large metal button. The bridge and his friends, only silhouetted specks in the distance, disappeared as he and Tau descended into the lake.

All that kept them from drowning in darkness was the bubble-like light. Even so, as glistening stone slipped past and echoes grew, Oliver's heart thudded with fear. Deeper and deeper they went, the cage's rattling doing little to ease his disquiet. He sought comfort from Tau, slipping into an embrace that immediately banished all his troubles.

For once, they were well and truly alone. A realisation occurring to Oliver far too late. He was sure the descent wouldn't last long. With every jostle though, Oliver became increasingly aware of the fact that he and Tau could be doing things other than waiting around.

But, surely, any moment now, they would reach the bottom.

Oliver squirmed away, needing to distract himself from desire. "Wanna play rock, paper, scissors?"

Tau cocked his head.

Explaining the rules as best he could, they lowered to sit with their legs crossed. Tau seemed to understand, extending his fist, metal knuckles brushing Oliver's.

"Ready?" asked Oliver. "One, two, three—aw! Beginner's luck." He grinned, his fist enveloped by Tau's gauntlet. "Best out of three, c'mon. One, two, three—"

Oliver swung forward, wrenched by his hand, slamming nose-first into Tau's face.

He reeled, eyes watering. "Ow."

Hastily, Tau stroked a fingertip across his abused nose and Oliver chuckled. He leaned in for a kiss, only to lurch and crash into Tau again as the cage clanked to a stop. He planted a swift kiss to Tau's cheek, and using a wide shoulder as leverage, pushed himself upright to yank open the gate.

A cavernous darkness lay ahead, the globule lights barely a match, their pastel hues reflecting in ripples along the ceiling in pinks and blues and greens with each echoed drip—quivering more violently at rumbling.

Oliver glanced down at his feet, watching in bemusement as low levels of water drew away from him, retreating into the massive cave ahead. A hand came down on his shoulder and pulled him backward with a force that had him yelping—louder, at the deluge headed directly for them, roaring and churning and shaking surrounding stone.

Freezing cold water shoved Oliver against metal bars, rapidly filling the cage. He held on, craning his neck to keep from being submerged. Kicked against a powerful current that felt more like hands trying to pull him under. Sentinel magic hummed as a force yanked Oliver by the ankles, down into the water and out of the cage.

He struggled to break the surface. Fought to plant his feet to the ground to stop himself from being dragged along by the unnatural tide. Bright lights flashed, refracting in the waves above him. Oliver inhaled a lungful of ice, the need for air too great. Choked and kicked and flailed. There was nothing he could do but struggle. Attempt to swim against the persistent pull holding him under.

Rough stone dashed across his fingertips. He wrapped his hand around it, its grain breaking the skin. He heaved himself out with a violent, stammering gasp interrupted by painful coughs. The soles of his boots slipped against rock formations as he laboured further out of the water, wrapping his arm and legs around a thick stalagmite.

Bubble lights glared as Oliver looked around past waterlogged lashes, ignoring the painful prod of another stalagmite jabbing the top of his head. In the distance was Tau, encased by a circle pushing the waves away from him. And in the crook of his arm was Sentinel Mu, battling to free Themselves from the tight grip around their neck. Mu's mirror-like armour reflected pastel lights, Their distinctive long helmet and clear blue glow emanating from several narrow visors.

With satisfying ease, Tau swung Mu across his shoulder and slammed Them to the ground. He brought his clawed foot down on the elongated helmet. Repeatedly. Oliver wondered how long until Mu's head got squashed like an orange, Their helmet already denting.

Another rumble that had his grip slipping down the stalagmite, and all water flooding the wide cave withdrew as rapidly as it had arrived, swirling into thin slivers around Mu until it diminished into glimmering fabric around Their shoulders and waist. Oliver let go, his ankles zinging unpleasantly and the thump of his boots echoing as he met the ground.

Where had all the Ikosi miners gone?

The thought seeped right back out alongside all the water in his ear as he tipped his head sideways. He didn't dare approach the two Sentinels, happy enough not to get caught in the foray as Tau kept his sabaton firmly planted on Mu's head. Unmoving, completely dry. Once he finally lifted his foot off, the racket of Mu's armour scraping stone echoed loudly as They scrambled to stand and face him. The two stared at one another, the patter of water resonating.

Then, the Sentinels moved away. Each walked in the opposite direction, like Tau hadn't just beaten the light out of Mu.

Oliver sprinted to meet with Tau. His boots squelched with every step back to the cage lift.

"So, uh," Oliver closed the gate, "is Mu going to help?"

Tau shrugged. Oliver chose not to comment further. His Sentinel knew what he was doing. Maybe that was just how they interacted with each other. Oliver himself had certainly exchanged a friendly punch or two with his friends, back in his coal mining days.

Now knowing how lengthy the cage trip was, Oliver quickly pressed himself into Tau. He kissed a strong pectoral and ran his hand down that rock-hard stomach. Only…

Tau became unusually stiff under his touch. Not in a good way, Oliver thought. He glanced up in askance, the hold Tau had on him slack at best.

…Was he put off?

The distinct impression Tau didn't want to be touched became so strong, Oliver backed several paces away and threw his focus onto glistening stone sliding past.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "I guess I am soaked."

Which Tau wasn't, so maybe he just didn't want to get wet.

All the same, it was hard not to take it personally. Oliver rubbed his neck, taking note of the change in colour in the stone. A slight shift from dark grey to grey-ish brown. The cage's metal bars rattled and shook like cutlery under fists banging on tables. Echoes were more hollow in the cave below.

The way up felt a lot longer, the trip across the bridge even more so. All of it made in uncomfortable silence. He didn't even have the wisps to distract him, gone to the other end of the lake.

"You're soaked!" said Maji, delighted, once they reached the bridge end.

Sullenly, Oliver muttered, "It's inside a lake."

"Sentinel Mu's reception was less than favourable, I presume?" asked Hennessey with a sly look.

Benjamin and Samuel lingered by the furthest automobile, both glaring at him so much, Oliver's mood curdled further.

"What's it like down there? Did you recruit Mu?" Lucetta asked, then chuckled. "Nice going with that wisp, by the way."

"Yeah, yeah."

As they split up, Oliver chanced a look at Tau, making himself comfortable on the back without a single glance.

Had he upset him?

An elbow to the ribs prompted the realisation Oliver hadn't answered Lucetta. He clambered into the automobile, sliding down the seat to hide from the back window. Unsure if he wanted Tau to see him, should he bother looking over his shoulder.

"I dunno. And uh, it's pretty. Those bubbles are everywhere. Colourful. Mostly it's wet though."

"Those lights were at the commemoration, do you remember?" said Maji. "I guess now we know who those belonged to!"

"Well yeah, I knew they were Mu's, anyway," said Oliver. How little his friends knew about other Sentinels still baffled him.

"Did you see the statue over there?" Maji's finger nearly jabbed the side of his nose as she pointed at the window. "It's got some information on Mu. According to the plaque, They're the second water-based Sentinel in this world. The other expired in the war against the Ursidae."

He'd known that, too. Glumly, Oliver cast his look out at the bronze statue. He hadn't noticed it before, although it was a good likeness.

There really weren't enough statues of Tau.

"You know anything about that?" asked Lucetta with a snort.

Edward roared—with laughter. "I wish I could take credit! Wasn't me, though."

"Ugh, Ollie, you're too wet. Ed, change seats with me." Maji clambered over the Ursidae's lap, who obliged her without question.

The bear stared down his long snout at Oliver with what he thought might be a smile. It looked threatening more than anything. At least Edward's bottom half was fluffy, furry legs soaking up some of the water. He was warm too, but so large, he blocked Oliver's view of Tau entirely.

Wherever they were going, the drive lasted just long enough for the cold to fully crawl inside Oliver's bones. Oak trees illuminated by gas lanterns lined a gravel path, leading to what looked like a bed and breakfast, an impressive expanse of land surrounding it. Another statue of Mu stood by a wood gate, this one carved straight from a tree. No doubt this place attracted plenty of visitors. Not all mines had the reputation the Tesera Mine did, after all.

Getting out of the vehicle proved difficult, his body so stiff, Oliver struggled to move. He didn't grab hold of Tau, only waited in an endless shiver, unsure. The relief washing over him when metal fingers wrapped around his was so intense, it morphed into a painful throb inside his chest. Sentinel's orbs, he'd thought he managed to ruin things between them.

Columns lined an extended porch, and electric lights dotted exterior walls, illuminating their way through the wide front door. It was a cosy enough place, with navy carpeted floors and light wood walls. The hour had to be late, but a corpulent woman received them at the front desk with barely a smile. She led them upstairs with little to say, directing them down a hallway to their rooms.

The room Oliver walked into wasn't especially big, and everything was decorated in white and—ugh, sky blue. He grimaced.

A grimace he turned onto Samuel and Benjamin, walking further inside and throwing their rucksacks down, each by a separate bed. A clear indication they would be sharing this room.

Oliver didn't know why, but was too tired and cold to care. He let go of Tau's hand and rigidly headed for the shared restroom. Hennessey and the bears were in the room beyond it. The door was closed, but he could hear the Ursidae suggest another round of cards and a cup of tea from the other side.

A glance at the mirror above the ceramic sink, and Oliver caught sight of his thin face and lips as blue as the tiles. He undressed with difficulty, his scraped-up hand too frozen and incompliant.

"Want some help?"

Oliver startled back. He hadn't even seen Samuel lurking by the doorway. "Er… Sure?"

What else was he supposed to say? No, you and your husband are pruned cobs, go away?

Samuel pushed off the doorframe and drew in close. Beyond hints of musk, he didn't have a discernible smell, but his warmth was a solace. Deftly, he undid the clasps of the mantle, helping Oliver out of his shirt and overalls with ease. He even helped peel off his long johns with strong, steady hands, his gold wedding band glinting in the light. Considering Oliver hadn't seen him in over three years, having Samuel this close while he was naked was… Weird .

"Thanks," Oliver mumbled, clutching the mantle against his chest. He hung the rest of his clothes over the tub's rim, then ran his fingers through his damp hair with a sigh. It occurred to him Samuel hadn't left, and was staring at his hip. The hip Tau had dug his nails into.

"What?" Oliver asked, waspishly. "I know I shouldn't have touched the wisp. I'm an idiot."

In an effort not to meet Samuel's likely uncompassionate gaze, Oliver looked into the mirror again.

His heart skipped several beats.

He hadn't seen himself like this in a while. Certainly not without his arm. His appearance was not something he'd ever been keen on, least of all his scrawniness. Worse still after he'd fallen into the habit of not eating. And now he had to come to grips with what he'd done to himself—or avoid mirrors for the rest of his life.

The site was healed thanks to Tau, the scarring minimal. Oliver still didn't regret it, but he strained to take a good look. He wondered how Tau felt, seeing the stump. If he was attracted to him at all, or ever had been.

"Would you like me to draw you a hot bath? I'll help you wash, if you want."

Oliver jerked in fright again, having forgotten Samuel was there. Debating the offer, he caught sight of Tau sitting on the edge of a bed past Samuel's shoulder.

"No, that's alright, thanks."

He swung the mantle over himself and a terry cloth off the nearby rack, ruffling it over his hair to dry. Moving the cloth away, he realised Samuel was still there , watching him. Oliver squirmed and clutched the terry cloth to his groin.

"We care about you," said Samuel.

"Er…" Oliver blinked against the single-toned noise resonating inside his skull. "Thanks?"

"What I mean is," Samuel continued, "you don't need to rely on just one individual to make you happy."

Oliver's eyes narrowed before he could even come to grips with the meaning. "Right. Then you'll be glad to know I don't rely on anyone for my happiness."

He wasn't entirely sure what Samuel was trying to say, but didn't much care for it either way. Keeping himself covered, he brushed past. There were few secrets between him and Tau, but as his head wasn't clouded by arousal and it was cold , Oliver kept his prick hidden. He wasn't exactly at his best.

"Okay if I sit?" he asked, ignoring Benjamin's watchful gaze from the other bed by the window.

He lowered beside Tau at the subtle nod, although kept enough distance so as not to obtrude. The last thing he wanted was to overwhelm. Gracefully, Tau leaned into him, and his eyes fluttered. Oliver eased to lie down under the guide of a large hand curled around his neck, robes a delicate brush across his bare skin. Mingling temperatures didn't bother as that tall body lay atop him, armoured fingers gently stroking him across the forehead, pushing his dampened hair away. He smiled.

Worried for nothing, then.

Quietly, he murmured, "You okay?"

A responding nod followed.

Knowing Samuel had entered the room, that both men were paying close attention, Oliver reached up to stroke the edge of Tau's mask, just by the chin. He craned his head and delivered a firm kiss, his breath catching with the way Tau pressed into him. Swallowing against the need bubbling up was all Oliver could do, when neither Benjamin or Samuel looked to be going anywhere. Too bitter and impolite to give him and Tau some space.

Just what had he done to piss both men off so much?

Reluctantly, he slumped back into the soft bed while gazing into eyes that to any other person, told of nothing.

"You aren't responsible for me or my happiness," Oliver murmured, "but I'm so happy when I'm with you."