A clatter in the living room woke Ferris with a start. Images of dirt, bare feet, and car trunks dissipated as every sense in his body centered on the bedroom door. He reached for the nightstand, aiming the handgun that rested beside the alarm clock. His heart raced, churned, ready to launch into orbit, to snap every muscle into action. He could see nothing but the blurred surface of the door, hear nothing but muffled footsteps past the wood.<\/p>\n
The safety clicked off, his hold tight enough to imbed the grip panel\u2019s texture into his palm. He listened, his pulse still pounding, eyes desperately trying to focus.<\/p>\n
A voice came through, one loud and bright, one much too cheerful for such an early hour. Someone was singing. Singing \u2014 in a exceptionally British accent.<\/p>\n
Ferris lowered the gun, burying his face in his hand. \u201cSeamus.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The song continued amidst more clanks and steps. Apparently the Brit was cooking something. Daisy Bell. He was singing Daisy Bell.<\/p>\n
It was only then Ferris noticed it was raining. He went to the nightstand once more, trading the firearm for his glasses. They slipped up past his nose, bringing the room into clarity. Droplets of water trailed down the windowpane, trickling past a haze of gray. A lovely day for work.<\/p>\n
Finally gathering the strength to stand, Ferris shambled into the living room. Past the kitchen island he could see Seamus had wasted no time exhibiting his finest skill \u2014 making a mess.<\/p>\n
\u201cCould you maybe hold off on the singing until I leave?\u201d Ferris said, making a groggy attempt to scratch the back of his head.<\/p>\n
Seamus cracked another egg on the counter, only managing to get half of it into the frying pan. \u201cWell good morning to you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can see you found my kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou told me to make myself at home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was delirious from a lack of sleep. No one in their right mind would ever say that to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, half of this is for you. How d\u2019you like your eggs? Over hard?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferris squinted at the mess of eggs in the pan. It would be a wonder if Seamus could manage anything but \u2018unintentionally scrambled.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to get ready for work. You at least made coffee, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, yeah. Took me a few tries to figure out this old-timey pot you got.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIts a moka pot,\u201d Ferris said. \u201cDemos gave it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I thought it looked fuckin\u2019 Italian.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust clean everything up when you\u2019re done, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
Seamus snorted, scraping the mass of eggs onto a plate with some turkey bacon. \u201cI\u2019m a guest, not your wife. You want me to cook you dinner, too?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re an unemployed miscreant whose housing status is dangling by a thread. And I\u2019ve got plans after work, so you\u2019re on your own for dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOn my own? The hell am I supposed to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a brisket in the fridge,\u201d Ferris said, heading to the bathroom. \u201cHeat it up first.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seamus waved a hand at his host. \u201cYeah, yeah. Got it, mum.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferris closed the bathroom door, catching sight of his reflection and immediately regretting it. He had only managed two hours of sleep, and it showed. Luckily, Seamus hadn\u2019t inquired about his plans. The last thing he needed was to be teased about having a date at a museum.<\/p>\n
The Southport Natural History Museum wasn\u2019t what most would call romantic, yet Ferris couldn\u2019t remember the last time he\u2019d heard such affection in Alex\u2019s voice. She had transitioned into a child, racing him up the steps and straight to the Hall of Meteorites.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, these are iron. Fe, like you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferris could feel his heart swelling to uncomfortable proportions. Alex glanced at her date, who had somehow lost his capacity for speech.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you okay?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026 I just\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, look at the fusion crust on this one!\u201d<\/p>\n
She held his hand through the halls of ocean life and North American birds, not letting go even when they reached their final destination \u2014 the Fossil Halls.<\/p>\n
Alex gazed at the two entrances, rubbing her chin in serious contemplation. \u201cShould we start with Ornithischian or Saurischian?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I like to save the best for last.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOrnithischian it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
By the time they got to the theropods, the museum was dangerously near closing time. It was then that the simple gesture of hand-holding had turned into something of a desperate tug. Alex dragged him past a set of glass cases, making a beeline for the apex of the Fossil Halls \u2014 the Carcharodontosaurus and Spinosaurus display.<\/p>\n
\u201cHurry,\u201d she said. \u201cBefore we get kicked out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prominently exhibited at the end of the hall was a massive arrangement of towering bones and teeth. The fossils had been positioned in battle, a snapshot of a violent duel between two of the largest predators to ever walk the earth. Ferris had seen the display on countless occasions, yet each time he found himself staring in reverence. That evening, however, he couldn\u2019t seem to take his eyes away from Alex. She was talking with her hands, each gesture a tribute to the passion in her voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis plaque is bullshit, Carcharodontosaurus would have so kicked this thing\u2019s ass.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferris folded his arms, egging her on with a simple shrug. \u201cWell, Spinosaurus was bigger. It actually had arms, unlike those little baby limbs your guy has.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThose sizes were just estimates.\u201d Alex gave him a dangerous glare. \u201cSpino had fish teeth. For eating fish!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with eating fish?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, right. You like fish, too. And you\u2019ve got that long nose \u2014 you two are like brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I\u2019ve seen you tear into a lamb chop, so I can understand why you\u2019re so fond of that thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe you\u2019re defending him,\u201d she said. \u201cLook at that fragile skull. I could probably punch a hole right through it.\u201d<\/p>\n
By then, Alex was bristling. Her brow had tightened and Ferris could have sworn he could hear her pulse. He could hear his own, as well. With a swallow, he took notice of mouth \u2014 set into a frown with the slightest hint of amusement at the corners. The museum lights, a brilliant white, seemed dull against the temper in her eyes. He couldn\u2019t remember the last time such a warmth had dared to reach his face.<\/p>\n
She was too good for him.<\/p>\n
His palm moved before he could stop it, taking the side of her face to draw her in for a kiss. Her hands stilled in midair. Their figures were suspended in the moment, caught in time like the fossils that loomed behind them. An era passed, or perhaps a mere moment, before her mouth drifted from his own. Her next breath grazed his skin.<\/p>\n
Alex opened her eyes. \u201cWas that to shut me up?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d he said, keeping his forehead against hers. \u201cKeep talking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout dinosaurs?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout dinosaurs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay.\u201d She leaned back in, smiling against the corner of his mouth. \u201cAfter this.\u201d<\/p>\n
A voice chimed over the museum speakers as she tilted her head against his, yet neither of the two paid any attention to the closing announcement. As far as they were concerned, they had all the time in the world.<\/p>\n
The rain had gotten worse. The pair huddled under one umbrella, despite having two at hand. They stood shoulder to shoulder, sleeves brushing as they considered their next move.<\/p>\n
Ferris eyed the rushing gutters. \u201cDo you still want to go to that cafe?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019d rather just go home and eat pizza,\u201d Alex said.<\/p>\n
He gave her a sideways glance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re willing to join me,\u201d she said, returning the look. Droplets began to dot on her arm, as the umbrella wasn\u2019t quite large enough for two figures. She didn\u2019t seem to notice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know, you got pretty scary back in the fossil halls.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI promise not to murder you and bury you in the woods.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferris\u2019 laugh was much too forced. He sucked in his next breath, wondering if his face was as red as it felt.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally,\u201d she said, offering her little finger. \u201cPinky promise.\u201d<\/p>\n
He considered her for a moment. They had gone one step further that evening and now, Alex was offering another. He wondered how many steps they might take before she figured it out, what might happen to that fondness in her voice \u2014 that trust. He knew exactly what he should do \u2014 to tell her, to give her a chance to get away while she could. It would be the right thing.<\/p>\n
It was a shame Ferris rarely did the right thing.<\/p>\n
He smiled before hooking his finger with hers. \u201cLead the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once they were in Alex\u2019s apartment, the pizza was utterly forgotten. The umbrella clattered to the floor, spilling drops of rainwater on the entrance tile. Ferris found himself forced backwards past the kitchen, his mouth caught in hers. Their awkward waltz was only interrupted when a mess of fur bumped Ferris\u2019 ankle. He narrowly avoided tripping, glancing back just in time to see a vague shape dart beneath the sofa.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, sorry,\u201d Alex said, momentarily allowing him to breathe. \u201cThat\u2019s my cat \u2014 she\u2019s a coward.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s her name?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNye.\u201d<\/p>\n
He leaned back in, speaking against the warmth of her lips. \u201cYou fucking nerd.\u201d<\/p>\n
She returned the kiss, deepening it as she reached for his shirt. Her hands fumbled with the damp cloth, only freeing one button before he tensed beneath her.<\/p>\n
Ferris caught her wrists, barring her from moving further. His skin felt suddenly cold, as if his blood has frozen solid in his veins. He said nothing, only staring down at the button \u2014 the one button that hung loose over his belt.<\/p>\n
Alex looked equally panicked. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
He was still for a while, attempting to put the words together in his head. In the last two years, only one person had seen him without a shirt. Ferris had forgotten how to explain it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, this is stupid.\u201d He took a breath, closing his eyes to avoid seeing her reaction. \u201cDo you think we could turn off the lights?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy, do you have some kind of horrible scar under there?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alex stiffened, nearly choking on her next breath. \u201cOh. Holy shit, I\u2019m sorry, I\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine.\u201d Ferris shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s just\u2026 it\u2019s pretty ugly. It might ruin the mood.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was then he realized the mood was probably long gone. Fortunately, Alex seemed keen on rekindling it. She eased her wrists from his hold, returning her fingertips to the second button.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to see,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferris gave her a wary look. \u201cYou sure?\u201d<\/p>\n
She nodded. With a light sigh, he allowed her to work at the next button. He looked away as the shirt parted, only aware of her when he felt hands trail over his waist. The sensation was lost as her fingertips found the burn scar, the skin dead and rutted beneath her touch.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferris scoffed through grit teeth. \u201cYou\u2019re full of shit.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d she said. \u201cI want to know every piece of you \u2014 even the bad parts.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was no winning against her. He weakened, closing the space between them to touch his mouth to her forehead.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d he said, closing his eyes. \u201cYou really don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next morning, it was Alex who woke first. There was a sound coming from the living room \u2014 an unfamiliar ringtone. She glanced back at Ferris, still throughly unconscious against her back. He hadn\u2019t stirred at all, clearly too exhausted to be roused by a simple phone. It would be cruel to wake him now.<\/p>\n
She carefully slipped out from under his arm, dropping her bare feet on the cool, wooden floor. The apartment was swathed in blue, the windows still spotted with droplets. It seemed the rain hadn\u2019t stopped.<\/p>\n
Ferris\u2019 bag had been discarded in the living room, with several of its contents lying scattered across the floor. One of these was a phone, buzzing over the planks like a child\u2019s toy. She struggled to find the proper button, hoping to silence it before it woke him. With a faint click, the ringing stopped, dropping the room back into a pleasant silence. It was then her eyes adjusted, the letters on the screen focusing in spite of her half-conscious haze.<\/p>\n
4 missed calls \u2014 Demos Giorgetti<\/i><\/p>\n
Alex stared at the name. \u201cGiorgetti?\u201d<\/p>\n
She shook her head, lifting the bag to slide the phone back into the front pocket. She returned his keys as well, only stopping when her hand found a plastic bottle. A handful of pills rattled against the bottom, the side bearing the name in plain block letters \u2014 Paxil.<\/p>\n
She was quiet as she gazed at the letters, only looking away when she heard a voice from the bedroom.<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, fuck.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alex shoved the bottle into the bag. \u201cFerris? You okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour cat is beating me up,\u201d came a groggy voice in response.<\/p>\n
Sure enough, she returned to the bedside to find Ferris weakly fending off a calico, who had chosen that moment to walk up his shoulder and halfway across his head. He grimaced as Nye began to knead the side of his face, her throat rumbling with aggressive purrs.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, she likes you.\u201d Alex sat on the edge of the bed, too amused to come to his aid.<\/p>\n
\u201cWonderful,\u201d he said as a paw flattened over his eyes. \u201cI \u2014 wait, what time is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlmost 7.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShit.\u201d He sat upright, sending the cat tumbling onto the duvet. \u201cOh, shit<\/i>, I have work.\u201d<\/p>\n
He hurried from the bed, nearly tripping over the sheet that had tangled itself around his ankle. In a crouch, he began to pick up every piece of discarded clothing from the floor.<\/p>\n
Alex winced. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I forgot about\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be sorry.\u201d He sat beside her, taking both of her hands in his own. \u201cNot even a little. Yesterday was incredible \u2014 you\u2019re<\/i> incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The concern in her features softened. She watched him for a while, tightening her fingers over his.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut seriously,\u201d he said, then gave her a light kiss. \u201cI have to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
She watched as he managed to dress himself in yesterday\u2019s clothes, fumbling with a spare toothbrush and half a glass of water. He made it to the front door without a second to spare, yet still paused to give her one last look.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll see you soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re lucky,\u201d she said. \u201cNow go account those moneys.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll be thrilling. I\u2019ll tell you all about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The door closed behind him, leaving her with only a cat pawing hungrily at her side. She stared at the entrance, somehow maintaining her smile long after he was gone.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026Even the bad parts.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A clatter in the living room woke Ferris with a start. Images of dirt, bare feet, and car trunks dissipated as every sense in his body centered on the bedroom door. He reached for the nightstand, aiming the handgun that rested beside the alarm clock. His heart raced, churned, ready to launch into orbit, to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-330","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fishbones-book-02"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4oWx8-5k","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=330"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":580,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330\/revisions\/580"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}