“So… you had cancer?” Josh asked, snatching noodles with their chopsticks.
“Yeah. It sucked.”
“I had bladder cancer. It sucked too. But now… we can be cancer buddies—a sacred bond forged with beer and video games.”
“I like that. Can we… have a secret handshake too?”
“What kind of sacred bond would it be without a secret handshake?”
“And, of course, an annual trip to Universal Florgia.”
Josh laughed. “Yeah… when my store actually makes money.”
I turned to Robin, pointing at Josh. “I like them.”
“Yeah, they’re alright.” Robin laughed. “All pale in comparison to you.”
“Okay.” Garrett stood, smacking his hands on the table. “You two are way too cutesy. I can see, smell, and feel the sexual tension between you two. Have you even had—”
My chest tightened at the question I dreaded most.
“You’re just jealous,” Robin cut in.
I let out a nervous breath.
We hadn’t.
We’d been together a week. Robin was clearly ready—they made it obvious. I wanted to be ready too, but fear gripped me. What if I blacked out? What if I came too fast? What if… what if… what if? That’s all that ran through my brain whenever sex came up.
It’s exhausting. Pretending to be fine while my mind looped worst-case scenarios.
Josh slammed his empty bowl on the counter. “Another bowl of ramen please?”
River sighed. “That’s your third.”
“Boss loves ramen,” Garrett said.
“That’s true. I shut down a restaurant. All-you-can-eat-ramen my ass.” Josh glanced at Garrett. “Also… it’s rude to pry into people's sex lives. Look at them—they’re happy. He used to come into my store, hood drawn tight, grab his comics, and bolt without a word. Now? Smiling, eating lunch with us… in love.”
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My stomach flipped.
We both looked at Josh. “Love?”
We looked at each other. “Love?”
“Whoops,” Garrett said. “And you said I was rude.”
Josh stayed silent.
“It’s only been a few days,” I said.
Robin nodded. “A few wonderful days. With a hiccup or two.”
Josh quietly slurped his ramen. Garrett watched us like a sitcom.
Love tension met sex tension.
“I have a great idea,” Robin said. “Why don’t we hang out at my place tonight? I’ve got leftover chicken fingers in my fridge.”
“Can’t. Work,” Josh replied.
“I was talking to my partner,” Robin said.
“Rude,” Garrett interjected.
“You know I love leftover chicken fingers,” I said.
“So now he can say 'love’?” Josh muttered.
Garrett smacked the back of their head. “Rude.”
Josh stood. “We have a store to open. Wanna join us.”
I stared into my half finished ramen. Not good leftovers. Just sitting in the fridge, lonely, bacteria and mold slowly taking over, until I eventually tossed it.
“I think we’re good. We might swing by later,” Robin answered.
River and MJ retreated to the studio to work on their comic. The brewery didn’t open for another four hours. Just Robin and me.
“So,” I said.
Robin tilted their head. “So?”
I grabbed their hand and led them to the back office.
What if?
We stepped through the door. I shut and locked it behind us.
What if?
Robin froze. “Are you sure you’re—”
I kissed them like I would cease to exist without their lips. I sank onto the office couch, pulling Robin down on top of me. I slid their shirt off, then mine. They stood, pants falling to the ground, and hungrily yanked mine off.
We looked into each other’s eyes as I guided them to me. Unfamiliar feelings and sensations pulsed through my body. Lust took over as our bodies, intertwining to become one, danced through the sky.
Nothing else existed.
We were outside of time.
Just us, in this moment.
~
Whew. That was hot—all that ramen and leftover chicken tenders! I might need a cold shower.
I hear your question: Didn’t you say this story was about the meaning of life? It's all been smooches and banter.
Relax. I’ve dropped plenty of hints along the way. You just have to pay attention.
I believe in you! You can figure this out.
Unless… you can’t.
~
The River and Friends Series - River and the Bug, The Adventures of Alison Alistair, and The Reaper Wears a Scarf. Please check them out!
