{"id":7484,"date":"2018-12-16T16:04:34","date_gmt":"2018-12-16T21:04:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/?p=7484"},"modified":"2018-12-16T16:14:24","modified_gmt":"2018-12-16T21:14:24","slug":"local-flavor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/local-flavor\/","title":{"rendered":"Local Flavor"},"content":{"rendered":"

written and illustrated by Ptarmigan<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The summer in Minnelaskwa\u2019s Iron Valley has finally come to its merciful end, where the weather transitions from \u2018hot enough to where it\u2019s only tolerable to sit around the house drunk in your underwear\u2019 to \u2018cool enough to sit around the house drunk in your underwear and an open flannel shirt,\u2019 which incidentally, is what Cicada happens to be wearing right now. \u00a0In other words, it\u2019s comfortable; an ideal climate for lounging on the couch with his laptop wired into the TV, stoned out of his gourd and wasting the day watching dashboard videos of drunken dwarves careening into each other and swearing in their native tongue before walking away unscathed and\/or engaging in a fistfight with the other driver. It\u2019s the perfect entertainment as the end of the logging off-season draws near.<\/span><\/p>\n

If Cicada didn\u2019t already know a litany of dwarvish swears simply by necessity of working alongside them for so many years, he\u2019d have certainly learned the whole gamut just by watching so many dashcam videos from them. \u00a0The invention of the internet is truly the most wonderful thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

He laughs as he watches blurry footage of a small, square vehicle bounce off the side of a freeway on his screen, skidding across three lanes before ricocheting off the side of an oncoming truck and flipping on its side, the dwarven driver stumbling from the hole where the shattered windshield once held, clutching his head and shaking his fist at the truck before angrily stomping off and flipping off the driver recording the incident. \u00a0Cicada\u2019s laughter as the man takes a swig from a hip flask is interrupted by a sharp, loud knock at his door, prompting him to look back from the armrest of the couch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho in th\u2019 fuck…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada rarely got visitors, and when he did, it was usually hapless religious youth from the Firewalker Church trying to regale him of the glory of the Mother of Elves, or more rarely, local law enforcement. \u00a0Neither were particularly great, but if the person (or people) at his door were Firewalker kids, he could at least have fun trying to shock them into scurrying along to proselytize the neighbors instead of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

He gropes along the floor, brushing aside empty beer cans for his prosthetic leg to reattach it and make his way to the front door, taking a cursory glance out the window to see if there were any unfamiliar vehicles and\/or cop cars parked along the dirt road. \u00a0A station wagon of some sort \u2013 likely of mainlander origin, dark green in color and covered in mud \u2013 sits outside, a highly unusual sight for the area as most cars were dwarven in design around here. Could someone have moved in from out of town while he was busy getting inebriated and pigging out on boiled sausages for the last two months and he just didn\u2019t notice?<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada exhales an agitated sigh as he grips the doorknob and pulls it open, leaning heavily against the frame in expectation that he\u2019d have to tell a bunch of religious weirdos just how much dick he\u2019s sucked in his long and illustrious life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, the man on the other side of the door definitely looks like he\u2019s not from around here, and is probably not representing a church. \u00a0A compact but muscular elven figure with glossy black hair that cascades over his shoulders and skin the color of supple walnut wood stands before him, a paper \u00a0diner napkin in hand. He\u2019s most likely either from the mainland or one of its far-reaching colonies, wearing a high-collared silken vest dyed a rich yellow, crisp clean black short leggings, flats that match his top, and a messenger bag hanging at his hip. \u00a0His features are softly hewn with almond-shaped amber eyes and a thin beard, likely just starting to grow out, that gives his chin a scruffy look despite obvious attempts at grooming it into something more presentable. His tall ears stand up perfectly straight and bow slightly inward at the ends, framing his high ponytail almost like a halo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada, feeling self-conscious of his listing ear for the first time in his life, presses his hand to the side of his head in attempt to prop the ear upright. \u00a0The moment he lets go to put his hand back on his hip, the ear goes back to tilting out at an angle like a broken antenna.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He doesn\u2019t even know what to say to the man at first, regarding him with a look of confusion as he brushes his messy red hair out of his face. \u00a0Before he speaks, he briefly threads his tongue through the gap where one of his teeth used to be just to see if he\u2019d react to that. \u201cYou lost, buddy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite himself, he finds the stranger strikingly beautiful in a way that elves tend to be conventionally considered in popular media. \u00a0In his mind, this is a man who truly has no place on his doorstep, because people like that do not intentionally go to rural ex-penal colonies in the literal middle of nowhere on the other side of the world just for the sake of visiting. \u00a0People like that do not just randomly show up like the Mother of Elves personally delivered one of her finest children to someone who might as well look like what happens if you let an elf get hit by a car and then released into a barn full of raccoons that raise him as family. \u00a0People like that are usually the furthest from what Cicada tends to consider \u2018his type,\u2019 and yet here he is, desperately trying not to swoon and clenching tightly onto his eponymous title as the Trash King of Minnelaskwa.<\/span><\/p>\n

And Trash Kings do not swoon at incredibly pretty men, at least not until they get to know them better.<\/span><\/p>\n

The stranger seems equally starstruck, likely in awe of how an elf like Cicada could possibly allow himself to get this badly maimed in his relatively short life, or perhaps he\u2019s been mesmerized by the coarse carpet of ruddy body hair that blankets his chest and all but covers his bilateral surgery scars before running down his stomach all the way to and past the waistband of his tacky novelty boxers with the words \u2018MOOSE DICK\u2019 sewn into the elastic (Cicada is nothing if not a man of pure class). He blinks himself out of the trance and looks up at the numbers nailed to the front of the cabin, then back down at the diner napkin in his hand. \u00a0Cicada catches a glimpse of his own damn address and name scrawled on it in ballpoint pen as the man awkwardly clears his throat. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you Cicada?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada would offer him a handjob on the spot if he didn\u2019t think greater spiritual forces were testing him somehow, and he\u2019s not even that religious.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe one an\u2019 only,\u201d he says, putting a thumb to his chest. \u201cWhat can I help ya with, bud? \u00a0M\u2019not in trouble, am I?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEr, no,\u201d the other man says, chuckling cordially he pockets the napkin. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m here on behalf of the Imperial Thalassean Bureau of Statistics to update the demographic data on this particular outpost.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cY\u2019mean like a census guy, eh?\u201d Cicada asks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose it\u2019d be something like that.\u201d \u00a0The man smiles pleasantly and extends his hand to Cicada. \u00a0His wrists are heavy with carved golden bangles and his nails are painted a striking, shiny maroon that surely must have been done this morning. \u00a0\u00a0The stranger\u2019s nail job certainly made Cicada feel conscious of his own nails, practically slobbered over with a thick and uneven coat of metallic purple that\u2019s already starting to flake off. \u00a0\u201cDara Majaan.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

A census guy. \u00a0Of course. While Cicada can\u2019t remember the last time anyone from the mainland came up here to take census, if they ever did in his lifetime at all, the realization brings him back down to reality even if momentarily because that <\/span>would<\/span><\/i> be a pretty valid reason for a person from the mainland to come here.<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019s a little thankful Dara <\/span>wasn\u2019t<\/span><\/i> personally delivered to him on the Mother\u2019s brightly burning tail. \u00a0He\u2019s just some guy. Some incredibly handsome guy, but just some guy nonetheless (the fact that he has black hair instead of some ghastly shade of silver also redeems his mainland status a bit). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, Dara,\u201d Cicada says as he accepts Dara\u2019s handshake with a firm grip and a grin, then goes back to leaning against the doorway as soon as he lets go. \u00a0\u201cWhaddya wanna know?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad you asked!\u201d Dara rests his hand on the strap of the messenger bag, which is adorned with colorful buttons of various leaves and small plants. \u00a0\u201cYou see, the information for Iron Lake is nearly a century out of date–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c–Rust Lake,\u201d Cicada corrects him, folding his arms across his chest. \u00a0\u201cWe uh, stopped going by that name a while ago, eh. Your records don\u2019t show that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRust Lake! \u00a0Sorry,\u201d Dara sheepishly bows his head, then continues. \u00a0\u201cLike I said, our information is almost a hundred years out of date and that update was apparently never logged with the census data. \u00a0We have plenty of records on the outpost\u2019s lumber production each year, but there\u2019s almost nothing about the people that live here. I asked around locally and got pointed your way as someone in charge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Someone in charge\u2019? \u00a0Seriously? In the back of Cicada\u2019s mind, he resolves to to find out whoever led this poor, beautiful man astray to his door and told him he was the leader of anything is getting the absolute shit knocked out of them to ensure they never do it again. \u00a0On the other hand, Dara <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> cute, so it might be worth attempting to humor him for a while by pretending to be mayor, or whatever it is Dara got told he is. \u00a0He might get in trouble with his mom for impersonating an authority figure, sure, but that just meant spending more time listening to the pretty census man talk and he is willing to accept his fate of a disappointed look and a possible ticket.<\/span><\/p>\n

Needless to say, the revelation about the town\u2019s records being wiped on the mainland\u2019s end after a certain incident is hardly surprising to him. \u00a0\u201cI can\u2019t imagine why the ol\u2019 chairman\u2019d leave that stuff out, eh.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Dara doesn\u2019t say anything for a while, and Cicada catches the briefest flicker of a frown on his lips before he puts on a convincing smile. \u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m here, I suppose. I\u2019d like to get things up to date so we can connect your outpost to more mainland resources.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d say we\u2019re more of a town than an outpost these days,\u201d Cicada replies. \u00a0The way Dara keeps referring to his home as an \u2018outpost\u2019 raises his hackles a bit, but he\u2019s going to give him the benefit of the doubt for now and assume it\u2019s more out of ignorance than malice. \u00a0Dara\u2019s been nothing but pleasant so far otherwise, so Cicada is willing to be a little patient with him instead of just telling him to fuck off back to where he came from. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt seemed that way when I drove in.\u201d Dara nods in agreement. \u00a0\u201cA lot of the remote communities are still flagged as outposts or colonies, even in spite of obvious growth. \u00a0Yours stuck out due to a total information blackout.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a few snide responses Cicada could pull from the back of his mind \u2013 from pointing out that the town has a website (that he even helped set up, and he would have put in some sick flaming skull gifs if that weren\u2019t immediately vetoed by the town secretary in favor of some much more boring, \u2018friendlier\u2019 animated flags) to perhaps even asking if the mainland blocks access to online encyclopedias where information about this town is <\/span>extremely easily accessible by search engine<\/span><\/i> or if this dude was just secretly 200 years old and doesn\u2019t know how to operate a smartphone despite looking like he was born in the last half-century or so. \u00a0Hell, there was a murder last year where a mainland official was killed in cold blood in his office, so surely that would have made the news back home when it happened, or was government censorship so aggressive that even that information vanished into the void? \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s innerestin\u2019,\u201d he finally says after a long silence. \u00a0Alas, he must keep all those other thoughts to himself because Dara still has given him no good reason to be an overt asshole.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is really strange,\u201d Dara says, looking unsure of himself. \u00a0\u201cI was honestly expecting a ghost town when I saw the official records, but your town is in much better shape than I was anticipating and positively thriving compared to some of the places I\u2019ve surveyed in recent years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, Cicada finds himself biting his tongue. \u00a0He\u2019d argue that it was likely the <\/span>lack<\/span><\/i> of mainland interference that Rust Lake is doing so well, and he\u2019d really prefer it to stay that way. \u00a0Not that he\u2019d have any real say in it given that he\u2019s just a seasonal logger and not an elected official or anything, but if it ever came up in town hall he\u2019d raise a ruckus about it and probably end up starting another fucking war just to keep the mainland elves from turning this place into a prison again (he has a proud legacy of rebellion to uphold, after all). \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGotta give credit to the dwarves for helpin\u2019 us find our way here,\u201d Cicada carefully says. \u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re a pretty organized town and we make sure everyone gets their fair share, for sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad to hear things seem to be working out overall,\u201d Dara trails off distractedly as he turns his head to look around him, then back at Cicada as he takes a deep breath in through his nose as he fidgets with his bag strap a bit. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada looks at him expectantly. \u00a0He wouldn\u2019t expect a government official to ask him for sexual favors on the spot like that, but he wouldn\u2019t turn Dara down if he <\/span>did<\/span><\/i> ask. \u00a0He settles into a slightly provocative pose with an arm raised behind his head as he looks at Dara with lidded eyes and a lazy smirk. \u00a0\u201cGot somethin\u2019 else you wanna ask me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis\u2026 this is a little off script,\u201d Dara admits, nervously stroking the thin hairs on his chin before moving his hand to the back of his neck.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d Cicada arches a brow, scratching the hair on his stomach and \u2018accidentally\u2019 letting his fingers to slip under the waistband of his underwear before moving them back up his chest, watching Dara\u2019s gaze following him with amusement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara clears his throat and straightens his shoulders, folding his hands together and putting them in front of him with a cryptic smile. \u201cYou seem like you\u2019re familiar with the area and I couldn\u2019t help but notice the natural beauty while I was driving in,\u201d He says as he flashes an incredibly charming grin at Cicada. \u00a0\u201cIf it\u2019s not asking too much, and if you\u2019re not doing anything at the moment, I\u2019d love to be shown around if you have time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada really just wants to tell Dara he could just ask for a handjob if he wanted one, but if he\u2019s going to go on this \u2018town leader\u2019 charade he might as well go along with it and keep even the thinnest veneer of professionalism until the moment is right. \u00a0Sometimes being the town snowmobile has its unexpected challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, for sure!\u201d \u00a0He gives Dara a wide, toothy grin, straightening himself up. \u00a0\u201cBut I kinda think I should get dressed first. Can\u2019t go out lookin\u2019 like this, y\u2019know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Dara says, doing a terrible job of trying not to sound disappointed. \u201cI suppose you\u2019re right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada laughs. \u00a0\u201cI mean, I could, but I wanna at least get some boots on.\u201d He opens the door wider and motions for Dara to come inside. \u00a0\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t wanna keep you waitin\u2019 outside, though. Wanna come in and take a seat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you don\u2019t mind,\u201d Dara says, smiling pleasantly as he follows Cicada inside.<\/span><\/p>\n

Either Dara doesn\u2019t watch a lot of horror movies, or he\u2019s way too trusting from the get-go (the fact that he was led here in the first place points to the latter). Thalassean pop culture tends to promote the depiction of forest elves like Cicada as dangerous hicks out to prey upon any pretty sea elves that finds themselves lost in the woods, luring them into a cabin full of rusty murder tools under the guise of hospitality. \u00a0Not that Cicada or any of his peers would dream of doing such a thing to anyone, mind you, but an offer to enter a forest elf\u2019s abode would make most mainlanders hesitate before going in simply because of those movies imprinting on their perceptions of other people.<\/span><\/p>\n

The air in Cicada\u2019s living room is heavy with the scent of stale pot smoke and musk, and the dashcam videos are still playing on his TV screen. \u00a0The walls are practically covered with various animal skins, fading band posters, and tie-dyed tapestries draped over the windows to keep the brightest of light out. An enormous blue, pink, and white pride flag mounted over the fireplace, standing watch over the various bleached animal skulls and carved wooden creatures resting on the mantle. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also on the mantle are a few framed photographs: a tiny black and white photo of two positively glowing women, one much taller than the other and an iron collar around her neck, bending over to meet her partner\u2019s height and holding a fox kit still fluffy with down fur in her arms; and next to it, a larger black and white photo the shorter of the women in a winter sweater with her arm around the shoulders of a dour, lanky young child with messy hair and a listing ear. \u00a0Other photos include more recent but faded color pictures of Cicada with his various logging crews over the years, cheerfully posing in front of timber stacks or sitting in front of their bunkhouses, and finally a picture of him in a hospital bed, his chest heavily bandaged, with the short woman beside him holding his hand and beaming at the camera. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHelp yersself to the sausages on the table there, buddy,\u201d Cicada says, clearing the area of empty potato chip bags and pastry wrappers. \u00a0\u201cThey should still be warm, I just pulled \u2018em off the pot before you came by. You want somethin\u2019 to drink? Coffee, water? Tea?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI, uh…\u201d Dara looks overwhelmed, although it\u2019s unclear if it\u2019s because of Cicada\u2019s unexpected displays of hospitality or the smell or both, and he gingerly sits down on the uncomfortably warm couch Cicada leads him to. \u00a0He cranes his neck over to the small kitchen along the wall behind him, noting the ancient-looking coffee press on the counter is empty. \u201cWater should be fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was just thinkin\u2019 I was gonna start some coffee for myself,\u201d Cicada says, swiping his kettle off the counter and filling it with water in the sink. \u00a0\u201cI mean, you probably could use some too, you came up here on a pretty long drive, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara makes a face, smirking with perplexed amusement as one of his ears swivels slightly back. \u00a0\u201cWell if you\u2019re already making some for yourself, sure, I could go for some coffee.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGreat!\u201d \u00a0Cicada beams proudly as he scoops some beans into the coffee grinder as he waits for the water to boil. \u00a0He then dumps the grinds into the press and moves to the fridge, gripping the handle. \u201cYou want a bar?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA bar?\u201d \u00a0The question catches Dara slightly off guard, both of his ears pulled back in worry as he tries to puzzle out the exact nature of what he\u2019s being offered this time. \u00a0\u201cI-I probably shouldn\u2019t be drinking, or taking recreational drugs, or–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c–I just made \u2018em last night,\u201d Cicada opens the fridge and reaches inside, pulling out a glass casserole dish covered in plastic wrap. \u00a0\u201cThey\u2019re like, graham cereal and marshmallows and chocolate chips and all that good shit gooped up together. You don\u2019t have a nut allergy, do ya? \u00a0I might\u2019ve put some peanut butter in there but I don\u2019t fuckin\u2019 remember. But I thought I\u2019d warn ya in case I did, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The kettle starts to rumble on the stove. \u00a0Dara\u2019s shoulders slump, and his ears slowly go back to standing up straight as all the air in his lungs exhale silently out in relief. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not allergic to nuts, no,\u201d he says after a long pause.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGreat!\u201d Cicada walks over towards him, putting his hand on the back of the couch and leaning over Dara to put the snack dish on the table. \u00a0\u201cHelp yourself, buddy! These aren\u2019t medicated by the way, but if ya happened to want some like that, those are in the <\/span>green<\/span><\/i> container in the fridge!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Dara murmurs, starting to sweat again as Cicada draws back and heads back towards the kitchen. \u00a0He decides to focus on the TV screen in front of him, watching the dashcam videos in morbid fascination as he picks up one of the cereal bars off the tray and bites into it. \u00a0A truck is shown onscreen pulling up ahead of the driver to reveal that one of its back tires had been removed completely and replaced by a log dragging along the asphalt. Dara mutters under his breath in a language that Cicada does not understand, but if he had to guess, it probably meant something along the lines of \u2018what the fuck am I looking at?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet!\u201d \u00a0The kettle is boiling. \u00a0Its shrill whistle screams through the air in a rapid crescendo, going on for too long because Cicada, too, has distracted himself with the video. \u00a0\u201cHey, I know that guy! He works at the nearby mill! Anyways, ya want some sugar in your coffee? Cream?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He finally takes the kettle off the stove, pouring the water into the coffee press and clicking the dial of the burner off. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh.\u201d Dara briefly glances back at him with the look of a man whose soul has been ejected from his body. \u00a0A car collides with a parked truck, reverses itself, and speeds away like nothing happened on a backdrop of bad techno music. \u00a0\u201cYou don\u2019t need to do anything special, just black is fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBuddy, this shit\u2019s like tar by itself,\u201d Cicada says as he scoops a bunch of sugar into a mug. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll put some sugar in for ya.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara makes a noncommittal noise, turning his attention back to the TV. The video cuts to more old techno music and a stocky dwarven driver getting out of his car to yell at someone steering a bulldozer onto the road, something that surely will end well for him. \u00a0Leaning forward, Dara\u2019s ears pull back and his fingers lace together in anticipation as he watches the bulldozer\u2019s rather cross driver push the car of his aggressor off the road and rolling down the hill. \u201cHow is any of this legal?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIunno,\u201d Cicada shrugs as he pushes the filter down through the coffee press. \u00a0He conspicuously only has one cup on the counter that he pours the coffee into, bringing it over to Dara and setting it down on a warped paper coaster that he probably took home from the bar. \u00a0\u201cDwarves, eh. Anyway, coffee\u2019s done so I\u2019ll go get some pants on and we can go see some attractions, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight!\u201d \u00a0Picking up the mug from the table, Dara sniffs at it briefly before taking a cautious sip and evidently not finding the drink too disgusting (or maybe he\u2019s just a master at having a killer poker face). \u00a0\u201cI appreciate the hospitality. Thank you again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust bein\u2019 a good an\u2019 gracious host,\u201d Cicada says as he puffs out his chest and taps his fist to his heart. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBy the way, if ya need to use the bathroom or anythin\u2019, I\u2019m right here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The slip makes Dara\u2019s eyes widen with the mug frozen to his mouth as he chokes mid-sip, just barely able to prevent the spray of coffee out of his mouth. \u00a0Cicada looks equally mortified as his words catch up to his brain amid Dara\u2019s coughing fit, his face turning a deep red as he lamely motions over to the nearby door. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI, uh, it\u2019s right here, to the left. \u00a0I\u2019m, uh, I\u2019m gonna go get dressed now,\u201d Cicada points over his shoulder before he rapidly strides back into his room, slamming the door behind him. \u00a0He starts rummaging through his drawers for a fresh change of clothes, dumping what he\u2019s wearing on top of the overflowing hamper and trying desperately to forget what he said just moments before.<\/span><\/p>\n

Settling on a faded band shirt (incidentally the one with the least amount of holes!) representing his favorite sludge ska concept album by Nuclear Shark, <\/span>Toilet Ghost<\/span><\/i>, he pulls a fresh flannel shirt on over that, leaving the front unbuttoned. \u00a0Of course it was well within his power to stop there and stride on out wearing only that while announcing to Dara that lunch was on the house, but that could be considered in extremely poor taste and not something an ambassador for the town would do in the presence of someone working for the mainland government unless he wanted to run the risk of getting arrested. \u00a0With that in mind, he decides it\u2019s prudent to throw on some hideous pink camouflage briefs (because hey, you never know when you need to hide your junk and only your junk in a magenta forest hellscape) and a pair of old jeans patched up with floral print material from several old couches he\u2019d harvested from the dump.<\/span><\/p>\n

Satisfied with his choice of an outfit, Cicada then moves on to the arduous task of brushing his hair so it doesn\u2019t look like he was lazing on the couch all day prior to Dara\u2019s unexpected arrival. \u00a0It\u2019s extremely fortuitous that he showered this morning or he\u2019d have to reconcile with venturing out with wet hair, which isn\u2019t fun for anyone. He briefly entertains the idea of taping his listing ear up so it stands up straight with the other one, but that would probably be obvious and Dara already saw it fall down once so he probably figured out that ear\u2019s fucked by now. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, he feels strange about the fact that he cares about his appearance at all. \u00a0It took a lot of convincing for him to even wear nice clothes going to court, and that had a lot more on the line than whether or not he can make out with a mainlander elf who came down here to take census on behalf of a detached government that has, for as long as he\u2019s been alive, pretended that his hometown did not exist in official records than as a source of lumber and furs. \u00a0All the other men he\u2019s fucked didn\u2019t mind how he looked, and those that did were those he couldn\u2019t stand spending time around to begin with for a variety of reasons. <\/span><\/p>\n

Fuck it, a messy updo will do for now. \u00a0It\u2019ll keep his hair out of his face and make him feel less like a slob, which is really what matters most in the end. \u00a0He ducks into the bathroom for a look in the mirror in one last quick pass as he brushes his teeth (a joke could be made here about the effects of giving head with sausage breath that is absolutely going to remain festering in his brain for the sake of everyone until the next time he takes his phone to the bathroom with him), then squares up his shoulders and goes back out to face Dara like nothing\u2019s happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks up from a makeup mirror he\u2019d been peering into to tidy up his hair, his lips curving into a smile as he folds the mirror shut and slips it back into his bag. \u00a0Cicada awkwardly smiles back, briefly flashing his teeth like a weird robot attempting a grin as he ambles up to the couch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, uh, d\u2019ya eat lunch already? \u00a0\u2018Cause I know a good place,\u201d Cicada says, putting his hands in his pockets. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s, uh, free range, organic, dwarven\u2026 local\u2026 fusion\u2026? Cuisine?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The string of bullshit restaurant blog buzzwords seems to catch Dara\u2019s attention as his ears perk up. \u00a0\u201cOh, I haven\u2019t had lunch at all today! I love dwarven food,\u201d he cheerfully says as he takes his phone out of his bag and enters the code to unlock it. \u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019s the name of it so I can look it up for directions?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s uh, uh, I\u2019ll take ya there in my truck, eh,\u201d Cicada quickly interjects, \u201cYou look like you need a break from drivin\u2019 anyways.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, sure,\u201d Dara says, lowering his phone. \u00a0\u201cWill it be all right where I\u2019ve parked?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPfft, nobody\u2019s gonna tow ya, buddy,\u201d Cicada snorts. \u201cS\u2019long as you\u2019re not blockin\u2019 anyone\u2019s driveway, anyways. \u00a0Nobody\u2019s gonna bat an eye at a weird car parkin\u2019 outside my place, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThats, uh, good to know,\u201d Dara says, getting up and picking up the coffee cup and tray of cereal bars to walk them back towards the kitchen. \u00a0\u201cWhere do you want me to put these, by the way?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, just set \u2018em on the counter,\u201d Cicada says, collecting the dish of uneaten sausages off the coffee table and stuffing them into the fridge. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll take care of \u2018em when we get back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He snatches the keys to his truck off the counter and goes towards the door to put on his favorite pair of boots, a set of battered, clunky black leather beasts that have served him for many a season. \u00a0Dara joins him at the doorway after leaving the dishes on the counter, and they make their departure for the restaurant. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Cicada\u2019s truck is a fading, hulking beast plastered with various decals and stickers on the back window and tailgate, most notably a decal of his insect namesake with its wings spread across the back window, with a glittery pair of purple plastic testicles hanging up between the back tires (if you\u2019re gonna put homoerotic bullshit on your truck, you might as well go all-out). \u00a0The hood of the truck is poorly welded on from another vehicle and held down by fraying bungee cords, with a rack of antlers glued to the front of the vehicle acting as a figurehead overlooking a set of bull bars over the truck\u2019s grill and headlights. It\u2019s his pride and glory, a marvelous frankentruck assembled from the corpses of other trucks welded and screwed together into something that shouldn\u2019t be, its various parts spanning decades, makes, and models.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sure, the option is always there for him to buy a newer truck when he finished the log drive all the way into the human territory in the spring, but that wasn\u2019t nearly as fun as taping something together and getting it to work after many, many, <\/span>many<\/span><\/i> failed attempts. \u00a0When you spend all summer building a shitty truck for the sake of building a shitty truck, there\u2019s a sense of parental pride when you turn the key and get the son of a bitch to start without bursting into flames. \u00a0It\u2019s just not the same as handing someone a sack of cash in exchange for a functional vehicle that isn\u2019t trapped in an eternal cycle of replacement parts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara runs his hand along the obviously spraypainted side of the truck\u2019s cabin as he walks along to the passenger door, waiting for the sound of the lock to click before pulling it open and climbing into the positively enormous, cracking leather bench seat (some of the more obvious cracks had been repaired with rainbow duct tape and there was absolutely no attempt to get them to match). \u00a0The decades-old foam sinks under his weight, air hissing softly out from beneath him.<\/span><\/p>\n

A thick, folded blanket sits in the driver\u2019s seat, and its purpose quickly becomes apparent when Cicada climbs into the vehicle and plops himself on top of it. \u00a0Without it, he wouldn\u2019t be able to see over the steering wheel (although it has its other uses too, of course), since this truck\u2019s chassis was designed with taller people in mind than relatively petite elves. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, you might wanna hold onto that door, it doesn\u2019t always wanna stay shut, eh,\u201d Cicada warns Dara as he buckles himself in and puts the key in the ignition. \u00a0\u201cI thought about gettin\u2019 some tape for it but never got around to it, and uh, that\u2019d kinda suck for anyone tryin\u2019 to get in, so I kinda just leave it…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks at the interior of the truck\u2019s door for something to grab onto, slightly jarred by the lack of an armrest. \u00a0\u201cHow do you keep the door shut when you don\u2019t have a passenger, then?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBy clenchin\u2019 my ass and prayin\u2019,\u201d Cicada says with a smirk as he turns the key. \u00a0The truck\u2019s engine roars to life and rumbles loudly as he moves his hand to the stick shift to put it in reverse, then to the hand control next to the steering wheel to pull back on it and set the vehicle in motion. \u00a0The air fills with crackling static as the muffled, warped sound of some alien-sounding ambient track wafts from the radio.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have a repair shop you can go to to get it fixed?\u201d Dara asks, tightly gripping the door\u2019s handle as it rattles against the frame.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, there\u2019s a repair shop for sure, but you only go there when your car\u2019s so fucked up even you can\u2019t fix it,\u201d Cicada says, fluidly pushing the control lever forward to brake and changing levers to shift into drive onto the road. \u00a0\u201cOnce that door comes off I\u2019ll just tape it back on long enough for me go to the junkyard to get another, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d \u00a0Dara pauses to consider Cicada\u2019s answer, likely realizing there\u2019s probably nothing else that could be said about the state of the passenger door. \u00a0A short jingle plays on the radio followed by a female dwarven voice calmly reciting strings of random numbers on a backdrop of high-pitched frequency noises and static. \u00a0His ears pin back at the eerie, half-scrambled sound. \u201cYou listen to a numbers station while driving?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWendigo Radio, buddy,\u201d Cicada grins, leaning back into his seat, \u201cOnly the best damn station in the valley.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Eight\u2026 Zero\u2026 Zero\u2026 Eight\u2026 Five\u2026 Six\u2026 Nine…\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Dara looks at Cicada and back at the radio, noticing how the call numbers appear to be scrambled on the digital stereo panel as the monotonous recital of numerals drones on between screeches of static. \u00a0He takes a breath and straightens his ears back up into their normal positions. \u201cYour community doesn\u2019t have other stations?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada shrugs nonchalantly. \u00a0\u201cWell I mean, there\u2019s like three different accordion stations that all got weird beef with each other, eh, and then there\u2019s the country station which is your go-to for when you\u2019re too depressed to do anything but get drunk an\u2019 pass out on the couch with your face in a fast food bag, and the dwarf stations\u2019re pretty good sometimes if you got a strong enough antenna\u2026 uh, there\u2019s the police scanner, but that\u2019s pretty boring \u2018round here \u2018til around happy hour, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that happen a lot?\u201d Dara looks at Cicada with concern, relaxing his grip on the door handle until the door pops itself open, prompting him to catch the handle and pull it shut with a surprised flash of teeth. \u00a0\u201cI mean, uh, yeah, I think I see the appeal of the numbers station now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot as much as I used t– I mean, I can only stomach so many boohoo songs about some guy cryin\u2019 in his beer \u2018cause his wife left \u2018im for a tractor or whatever.\u201d \u00a0Cicada laughs as he makes a face and takes his hand off the wheel to make a jerking off motion. \u201cAnd if you\u2019ve heard one accordion song you\u2019ve heard \u2018em all, no idea why anyone would need <\/span>three<\/span><\/i> stations for that. \u00a0S\u2019not my thing, personally, an\u2019 I know one of \u2018em\u2019s all in Skogish so that\u2019s <\/span>definitely<\/span><\/i> a station for old people, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good there\u2019s at least one Skogish station here though,\u201d Dara says, looking at Cicada as they pull into the closest thing Rust Lake has to a downtown, a cluster of shopfronts, a couple dispensaries, and the Moose\u2019s Uncle diner that they drive right on past. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s important to hold onto what culture you can when you have no choice but to leave everything behind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada is quiet for a while, letting Dara\u2019s words sink in. \u00a0Even though it seemed obvious, given the town\u2019s history and where many of the ex-convict transports that populated the town were sourced prior to his birth, he had never learned Skogish beyond its colorful litany of swears and a handful of songs \u2013 one of his mothers barely knows any of it, having also been born here like him, and his other mother, who was a transport that did speak the language, was killed when he was little so he never got a chance to properly learn it. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, \u00a0I guess you\u2019re right about that. \u00a0I shouldn\u2019ta said that,\u201d He says. \u201cA lotta the folks I crewed with were transports y\u2019know, and they always talk about how they long for goin\u2019 back, and they could now, but\u2026 s\u2019never gonna be the same as what it was when they left.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara doesn\u2019t say anything, frowning as he looks in Cicada\u2019s direction but gazing past him to the other side of the road. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean,\u201d Cicada continues, glancing at Dara again, \u201cWhat would <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> do if ya had to leave your home for who knows how many years \u2013 decades, centuries \u2013 \u2018fore you could go back? \u00a0Ya can\u2019t just walk into the place like you\u2019ve come home from work an\u2019 expect everythin\u2019 to pick up where ya left off. \u00a0You might not even be able to recognize your home anymore, your house might not even be standin\u2019 if ya had one, or someone else could be livin\u2019 in it, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s an uncomfortable silence in the truck as the dwarven announcer on the radio continues reciting numbers. \u00a0Dara puts his free hand to his mouth and looks down, turning his attention away out the passenger window at the aging storefronts and colorful graffiti murals painted on the alley walls between the buildings. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018<\/span>Three\u2026 Three\u2026 Zero\u2026 One\u2026 Four\u2026 Two\u2026 Zero\u2026 Six…<\/span><\/i>\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada reaches over to pat Dara on the shoulder. \u00a0\u201cAh, sorry to get all political on ya there, bud. Boy, am I good at killin\u2019 conversation, eh? \u00a0Phew. S\u2019like fartin\u2019 in church, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019re fine.\u201d Dara shakes his head as if to clear his thoughts. \u00a0\u201cI was just thinking, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The numbers station recording ends with a repeat of the jingle it started with, then a scratchy track of slow, dreary parlor music starts to play, the audio quality sounding like the record was left in a damp basement for the better part of a century before being unearthed to play over the radio. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018\u2026 <\/span>You have now died and are listening to Wendigo Radio<\/span><\/i>,\u2019 a smooth, masculine voice softly announces over the dirge. \u00a0\u2018<\/span>Broadcasting for the free people of the greater Minnelaskwa area for over 70 years, we\u2019re bringing you the finest in curated recordings from around the globe \u2026 Please, enjoy the music and be sure to drop us a line at our PO box if you have any requests \u2026 We are always out there listening and always watching. \u00a0Thank you for tuning in to Wendigo Radio …<\/span><\/i>\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

The purring sound of a bong rip is heard over the radio as Dara quickly turns back to look at it in disbelief. \u00a0\u201cThis programming is very eclectic, isn\u2019t it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada starts to laugh. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an <\/span>independent <\/span><\/i>station, donchaknow,\u201d he says, briefly glancing at Dara to wink at him before turning his eyes back onto the road. \u00a0He\u2019s thankful for the change of subject \u2013 discussion of transportation is always a huge downer, and talking about it with a mainland elf is invariably going to be a delicate conversation topic if he ever saw one. \u00a0\u201cWhat we just heard was probably some field recordings by the guy that runs it. There\u2019s nobody in the valley that knows who in th\u2019 fuck he actually is, but what he doesn\u2019t get submitted to \u2018im he just goes out and records it \u2018imself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally? \u00a0Not one person knows who he is?\u201d \u00a0Dara looks back at Cicada, putting his hand back into his lap. \u00a0The truck rumbles to a stop at an intersection as their eyes follow an old RV that\u2019s been spraypainted entirely black rolling past them, its windows too tinted to clearly see who\u2019s driving it. \u00a0The strength of the radio signal briefly surges and becomes crystal clear for a few seconds, then goes back into crackly, static-smothered music, surely by pure coincidence. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes he\u2019ll just drop off the tracker for weeks at a time \u2018fore he comes back with more weird shit he probably dug out of an ambient noise cave or somethin\u2019,\u201d Cicada says. The truck rumbles past the downtown area towards another short but empty stretch of road, save for the smallish building on the side of the road. \u00a0\u201cAn\u2019 sometimes he changes frequencies so authorities can\u2019t catch \u2018im even though the cops here don\u2019t give a shit and we\u2019re too remote for the TCC to bother with.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo it\u2019s a pirate radio station,\u201d Dara says. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou shoulda been there when he recorded \u2018imself partyin\u2019 with the trolls,\u201d Cicada says, looking absolutely chuffed. \u00a0\u201cI wish more people got to know \u2018em \u2018round here, they\u2019re real nice folks when ya get past the initial grumpiness.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTrolls?\u201d Dara asks, dubiously lifting a brow. \u00a0\u201cI thought they ate people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019ve been eaten by a troll and survived just fine, eh,\u201d Cicada winks at Dara, then takes a sharp turn and steers into the parking lot. \u00a0He shows no regard for the faint lines on the pavement as he parks his truck right out in front. The building, a squat brick structure with angular glass windows and an oddly-shaped blue metal roof invoking memories of an old franchise pizza chain, proudly boasts a wooden sign on its roof featuring a cheerful cartoony elk with tire tracks across its midsection, its front hooves held out to present the name of the business: \u00a0Khurt and Murt\u2019s Pavement Pasties and Meats<\/span>. <\/span><\/i>\u201cBy the way, we\u2019re here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A slightly larger letterboard sign sits out front by the road with mismatched plastic letters, advertising that valley sausages are back in stock. \u00a0The truck shudders and silences as the engine is shut off, its key pulled from the ignition as Cicada rests his elbow on the back of the bench seat with a great big grin. \u00a0\u201cUh, just make sure to slam the door when ya get out, okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNoted,\u201d Dara says, releasing the door as he carefully steps down out of the truck and onto the weathered asphalt. \u00a0It takes a few attempts to get the door to shut completely, clicking into a locked position after a couple bounces off the frame. \u00a0The fact that it doesn\u2019t just fall off the hinge right then and there is nothing short of a miracle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2766<\/b><\/h1>\n

A bell chimes as the two men enter the restaurant, and Cicada is quickly mobbed by the waiter \u2013 a lanky, tall elven man around Cicada\u2019s age whose light-colored hair cascades out from beneath a dirty orange toque that may as well be fused to his head. \u00a0He wears a baggy striped shirt and equally slouchy jeans, the black apron covering his front being the only indicator that he works here. Giving Cicada a big grin, the man is totally unfazed by the row of missing front teeth in his mouth. \u201cEyyy, Cic-o! \u00a0I was wonderin\u2019 when you\u2019d show up again, bud!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKhurtyr, eyyy!\u201d Cicada gives the skinny man a strong hug, then pulls back and waves to the balding dwarf back in the kitchen. \u00a0The dwarven chef looks up and waves back, his smile obscured by the great bushy brown beard around his face. \u201cMurtagh! How ya doin\u2019, buddy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Murtagh doesn\u2019t say anything, opting to give a thumbs up and a shrug while nodding. \u00a0He rarely if ever spoke for as long as Cicada\u2019s known him, but he and Khurtyr both are good friends of his from the old logging crew before they found their calling as restaurateurs. \u00a0If Murtagh had anything to say he preferred to sign it, or let Khurt do all the talking instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood ta hear, buddy,\u201d Cicada replies. \u00a0Murtagh nods, touching a flat hand to his chin and lowering it down in Cicada\u2019s direction. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou pickin\u2019 up somethin\u2019 to go or sittin\u2019 down with dinner for two?\u201d Khurtyr asks, nodding his head towards Dara. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada puts his hands on his hips. \u00a0\u201cEatin\u2019 in, buddy!\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot eatin\u2019 out?\u201d Khurtyr chuckles, winking at Cicada. \u00a0\u201cI kid, bud. Sit wherever yous all like, I just got done wiping all the tables down in fact and I\u2019ll be right back out with some menus, alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As Khurt dashes off to the counter, Dara pulls his phone out to double check the time with furrowed brows. \u00a0\u201c\u2019Dinner\u2019? It\u2019s only noon…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere d\u2019ya wanna sit?\u201d Cicada asks, extending his arm out towards the dining area. \u00a0The gaudy floral wallpaper is an attempt to make what was obviously an old pizza restaurant look a little more homey after Khurt and Murt transformed it into the hybrid bakery\/butcher\/diner it is today, complete with a framed photo of Khurtyr cheerfully holding a fish hanging on the wall next to the cash register. \u00a0The carpet is original, threadbare and patterned with triangles, circles, and weird squiggles.<\/span><\/p>\n

The dining area\u2019s tables are spaciously laid out and draped in white tablecloths, each one decorated with a variety of vases holding different local wildflowers, likely picked off the side of the road and the vases probably originating from rummage sales over many years. \u00a0Gauzy old curtains drape around the windows in an attempt to cover up the weird shape of them to mixed success, with the original booths still in place and earnestly reupholstered with more floral patterned fabric. The walls are lined with mounted racks of antlers from various local fauna, framed old advertisements and vegetable crate art, and a couple dusty CRT televisions strategically placed to be viewed from pretty much anywhere in the room, currently broadcasting a local sports game. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara hesitantly looks over to Cicada, then looks in the direction of one of the tables by a window. \u00a0\u201cWould one of those be okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada finds the way he\u2019s asked that to be a little odd, but his chipper demeanor doesn\u2019t change. \u00a0\u201cAnywhere you want!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVery well,\u201d Dara smiles as he looks back again at Cicada, walking ahead towards the table in the back corner in light, measured steps that hardly make a sound even in spite of the creaky floorboards beneath the carpet \u2013 the very floorboards that groan under Cicada\u2019s feet when he follows Dara to the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow d\u2019ya do that?\u201d Cicada asks him as he pulls out a wobbly chair to sit down at the table, knitting his fingers together.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara takes his seat across from Cicada, his head at a slight angle. \u00a0\u201cDo what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet across that entire floor without makin\u2019 a single noise,\u201d Cicada says, leaning back into his chair and crossing his arms behind his head. \u00a0\u201cThis place creaks like a motherfucker, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI could be a ghost.\u201d \u00a0Dara puts his chin in his hand as he leans on his elbow, having that same cryptic smile that he did when he asked Cicada to take him out in the first place. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada snorts and blows a strand of stray hair out of his face. \u00a0\u201cA ghost, uh? Fine by me s\u2019long as you\u2019re not sprayin\u2019 blood all over the damn walls or leavin\u2019 feathers all over the place, that shit\u2019s hard to clean, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara straightens up, looking taken aback. \u00a0\u201cWhat sort of ghosts have <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> encountered?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBuddy, don\u2019t even get me fuckin\u2019 started,\u201d Cicada holds his hand out from the elbow, fingers splayed in emphasis. \u00a0\u201cI almost got framed for murder \u2018cause of ghost fuckery last year and m\u2019not about to repeat that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c–Then I\u2019m not a ghost,\u201d Dara suddenly interjects, his eyes widening. \u00a0\u201cMaybe \u2013 Maybe I am a deer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen that means I must eat you,\u201d Cicada purrs as he slouches forward, propping his elbow up on the table and smiling lazily as he flutters his eyelashes at Dara. \u00a0\u201cAnd then I mount you on my wall by the fireplace.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou eat deer?\u201d Dara hooks a finger into the collar of his shirt and glances away, his cheeks flushing, yet the smile does not leave his face. \u00a0\u201cThat would be a terrible fate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada jovially laughs as he pulls back, crossing his arms over his chest in satisfaction of getting a noticeable rise out of Dara. \u00a0\u201cI mean, I\u2019ll eat anything, donchaknow!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI-I-I\u2019m sure you do!\u201d Dara quickly runs a hand over his hair and puts his hands together on the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sound of the floor creaking in their direction announces the return of Khurtyr, a tray of water glasses in one hand and a pair of yellowing plastic folders containing menus tucked under his arm as he strides in their direction. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry for the wait, fellas, I had to type up the specials today and print \u2018em out,\u201d Khurtyr says as he passes the menus out and sets the glasses out on the table. \u00a0Dara looks relieved to be spared yet more flustering as he hides his face behind the menu, and Cicada can\u2019t wipe the smug look off his face as he holds the menu open to peruse its contents. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJeez, Khurt, you weren\u2019t kiddin\u2019,\u201d Cicada says as he runs his fingers over the inserted page with the day\u2019s specials, still warm from the printer and written in three languages \u2013 Dwarvish, Thalassean, and Skogish. \u00a0\u201cGot some last-minute additions to the roster today, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, donchaknow someone brought in a big ol\u2019 elk this mornin\u2019,\u201d Khurtyr says, scratching under his hat and wiping sweat off his brow. \u00a0\u201cPoor thing looked like he ate the grill pretty hard eh, took me \u2018n Murt all dang mornin\u2019 cleanin\u2019 the buddy up. We <\/span>just<\/span><\/i> got done puttin\u2019 the last of it in the freezer \u2018fore yous all came in but Murt\u2019s thinkin\u2019 it\u2019ll make great booyah in a few days.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJeez, can\u2019t beat that for freshness!\u201d Cicada licks his chops, then pats the table. \u00a0\u201cEy, Dara, you see anything you like yet?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks up from the menu with wide, owlish eyes, having flipped it over to read the blurb on the back about the history of the restaurant and its contributions to the local community in the form of food donations to local families in need. \u00a0\u201cDo you truly serve roadkill at this establishment?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada holds his breath, and Khurtyr attempts to keep his composure at the sudden question and the smotheringly formal way it was asked. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe sure do, sir!\u201d Khurtyr says without skipping a beat, proudly putting a hand on his hip. \u00a0\u201cMe an\u2019 Murt have been at this for thirty years bringin\u2019 the people of the Minnelaskwa area a good hearty meal <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> keepin\u2019 our roads clean at the same time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For a few tense moments, time slows down as they wait for Dara to react. \u00a0Dara looks up at Khurtyr with eyes full of wonder, still holding the menu in both hands. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s so resourceful!\u201d He blurts out, apparently unaware of the enthusiastic volume of his voice. \u00a0\u201cYou guys are truly pioneers of ethical food!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada damn near falls out of his chair and Khurtyr briefly staggers in disbelief as he claps a hand to the side of his head, and he spots Murtagh peeking around the corner of the kitchen, equally bewildered by the mainlander\u2019s joyous declaration. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, we don\u2019t really have anything like this in Thalassea\u2026\u201d Dara quickly shrinks back into himself in self-consciousness, smiling timidly. \u201cDo you have any recommendations?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the speedbump burger\u2019s real popular,\u201d Khurtyr says, reaching behind his ear to grab a pencil. \u00a0\u201cThen of course we got the famous homemade hotdish on the curb, deep-fried battered deer oysters on a stick, the salad\u2019s kind of an acquired taste if you\u2019re not from around here– Oh! \u00a0I just baked up some pothole pot pies this morning, nice and fresh!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou should try the salad,\u201d Cicada urges Dara with a devious smirk. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara shoots him a skeptical look, then back at Khurtyr. \u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019s different about the salad?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, our salads are, uh, peas, carrots, corn, spinach, bananas, and cured fish,\u201d Khurtyr begins, smiling nervously. \u00a0\u201cSuspended in aspic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada can almost see Dara\u2019s soul ascending from his physical body at the mention of the word \u2018aspic\u2019, and his shoulders start shaking with laughter. \u00a0Dara\u2019s lips twitch, most certainly an attempt to formulate a response that doesn\u2019t sound too revolted or condescending or otherwise impolite.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of all the things to put a crack in Dara\u2019s mask, it took <\/span>aspic.<\/span><\/i> \u00a0Not the prospect of eating roadkill, not Cicada\u2019s dubiously street legal truck, not even Cicada himself \u2013 but <\/span>aspic. \u00a0<\/span><\/i>There are just some culinary crimes that cannot be abided by across cultures, that for some reason, is still unironically enjoyed as a dish (because otherwise, why would it even be offered on the menu?).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome people think it\u2019s good,\u201d Khurtyr says in an attempt to ease the shock, trying his hardest not to grimace. \u00a0\u201cAnd they are valued customers who are entitled to their opinion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s more that they saw it in a human recipe book and thought that shit was exotic,\u201d Cicada points out. \u00a0\u201cBut not even humans eat that shit anymore. They learned from their mistakes sooner\u2019n we did, and we live way longer\u2019n those guys!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll pass on the salad,\u201d Dara quickly says, still looking shellshocked. \u201cThe pothole pie sounds good, and I\u2019d like to get that with a side of mushroom soup, please.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEh, I\u2019ll get a speedbump,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0\u201cLotsa fries and drowning in ketchup, eh!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou fellas got it,\u201d Khurtyr says as he scribbles the order down in his notebook. \u00a0\u201cWe\u2019ll have those bad boys right out for ya in a few. Y\u2019want anything to drink?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Dara folds up the menu and hands it back to him. \u00a0\u201cTea would be nice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGimme that well pop,\u201d Cicada says, confidently putting his elbow on the back of his chair and leaning it back on two legs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Khurtyr picks up the menu from in front of Cicada, straightening up and putting one arm behind his back like a waiter at a more high-class establishment. \u00a0\u201cI regret to inform you there\u2019s no such thing as \u2018well pop\u2019, sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhaddya mean \u2018there\u2019s no such thing as well pop\u2019, buddy?\u201d \u00a0Cicada mockingly punches his palm at the absurd notion of being denied the ability to consume trash. \u00a0The audacity! \u201cThen whaddya call that congealed syrupy shit at the bottom of the pop fountain, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to lick the drain catch of the pop fountain you can come by and do that after we close, alright?\u201d \u00a0Khurtyr tucks the menus back under his arm, laughing. \u201cAnd while you\u2019re at it you can empty the grease trap, too!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBuddy, I empty the grease trap every night,\u201d Cicada purrs as he lurches his chair forward, returning it to its normal all-fours position. \u00a0\u201cSometimes even three times a night, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEy, sure. \u00a0I\u2019m gonna go back and help Murt out with youguyses\u2019 orders.\u201d \u00a0Khurtyr playfully rolls his eyes at Cicada, then leans over to Dara to stage-whisper to him on his way back to the kitchen. \u00a0\u201cBuddy, don\u2019t get your hopes up with \u2018im, he\u2019s a one-hit quitter, eh!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEy, I heard that!\u201d \u00a0Cicada withers in his seat with folded arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara laughs behind his hand. \u00a0\u201cA grease trap, huh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada immediately gets over his bruised ego and rests his arm on the back of the chair, perking up with a wide, toothy grin. \u00a0\u201cFor sure!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds very appetizing,\u201d Dara nonchalantly says as he takes a sip from his glass. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Khurtyr briefly returns to leave a stoneware teapot and cup on the table for Dara, rushing back to the kitchen as soon as he\u2019s thanked with a murmured \u2018you bet.\u2019 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada awkwardly puts his chin in his hand as he glances out the window, scratching his short beard. \u00a0He\u2019s never been one for going on dates, if this could be called one, preferring anonymous encounters or paid work to get his kicks if he\u2019s not just going it alone. \u00a0This is what it is, isn\u2019t it?<\/span><\/p>\n

Fuck.<\/span><\/p>\n

He suddenly finds himself relating to all those guys he\u2019s fucked in the past who\u2019d then bore him to death talking about fishing or something because they probably couldn\u2019t find something else to talk about and they probably felt, like him, that they probably had no common ground with their sexual partner when it came down to it. \u00a0Does Dara like shitty movies? Does he like bugs? Has he ever eaten a bug? Would he shove fistfuls of bugs in his mouth if presented the opportunity? He seemed pretty unfazed about the roadkill thing, something Cicada thought for sure an out-of-towner would be at least a little skeeved out by. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to ask me if I wanted to help clean it out?\u201d Dara smirks, casually pouring himself a cup of tea as a thick plume of steam rises from its surface. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI–\u201d Cicada gets snapped away from his nervous thoughts and narrows his eyes suspiciously, feeling the heat climbing up from his neck all the way to the tips of his ears. \u00a0Dara notices this, the wry smile not leaving his face. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think you\u2019d be so easily wound up,\u201d Dara continues, bringing the teacup to his lips and crossing one leg over the other. \u00a0He shuts his eyes, parting one open just enough to watch Cicada squirm. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cM\u2019not,\u201d Cicada grumbles half-heartedly as he curls his fingers against his lips. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMm-hm. \u00a0Sure,\u201d Dara teases as he sips his tea.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS\u2019was just thinkin\u2019 of conversation topics, eh,\u201d he says lamely. \u00a0He\u2019s not lying, but it sounds so bad when he outright admits it like that. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara flicks one of his ears. \u00a0\u201cLike what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike, uh…\u201d Cicada feels like he\u2019s at a job interview for a position he\u2019s outrageously unqualified for. \u00a0\u201cY\u2019ever gone campin\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe kind with pitching a tent, right?\u201d Dara asks without skipping a beat. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFuck you,\u201d Cicada growls, blushing. \u00a0\u201cI mean, yeah.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span>Dara snickers. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve thought about it before,\u201d he says. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve never really gotten a chance to yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I mean, if y\u2019ever wanna go for it while you\u2019re in the area, the weather\u2019s prime right now, eh,\u201d Cicada says, pointing a thumb over his shoulder. \u00a0\u201cLotsa good places \u2018round here to do it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHm!\u201d Dara definitely appears to be interested, his ears up and alert as he looks at Cicada. \u00a0\u201cIt seems like the kind of thing to do with another person than by one\u2019s self, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, yeah,\u201d Cicada grunts. \u00a0He\u2019s absolutely cornered with no way out of this and Dara probably knows it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara leans forward, setting the teacup down and reaching across the table, gently resting his hand within easy reach in the middle. \u00a0\u201cI mean you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada looks at Dara\u2019s hand like he had just put a snake on the table and he\u2019s not sure why he feels so startled by the proposition. \u00a0Dara\u2019s intentions seems sincere, but Cicada\u2019s thoughts are clouded by wondering just what he could possibly see in someone who\u2019s barely a step above a wild animal in his own mind. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS-Sorry.\u201d \u00a0Dara quickly withdraws his hand, noticing Cicada\u2019s discomfort as his ears pull back apologetically. \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t mean to be so forward.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Cicada says reassuringly as he reaches his hand out where Dara\u2019s once was. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re fine. No need t\u2019apologize for somethin\u2019 like that, eh.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs it because you\u2019re already mated?\u201d Dara asks, frowning with concern. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m so sorry, I should have asked that earlier!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh jeez,\u201d Cicada groans as he puts his face in his other hand. \u00a0\u201cMother\u2019s tail, no! I can\u2019t think of a single person that\u2019d wanna– I mean–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m surprised,\u201d Dara says softly, lowering his gaze. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada finds himself wanting to ask, \u2018Are you really?\u2019 but decides it\u2019s better to keep his mouth shut and not say anything at all. \u00a0He sighs loudly and folds his arms over his chest, staring out the window and trying to convince himself he\u2019s not just some freakishly tall goblin that happened to be raised by elves.<\/span><\/p>\n

The floorboards creak once more as Khurtyr strides towards their table, his arms full of trays carrying their respective meals. \u00a0Cicada looks grateful for the interruption because he really didn\u2019t want to have Dara to suss his shitty thoughts out of him and make him spill his stupid feelings and insecurities out in public at the roadkill restaurant to someone he only just met.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s probably more that he just hadn\u2019t eaten recently and his mood will improve after some proper nourishment. \u00a0He uncovers his face and sits upright as the plastic trays are set down in front of them, thanking Khurtyr and waiting for Dara to start eating because he sure doesn\u2019t want to continue the conversation the way it\u2019s going right now. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Apparently he\u2019d been too stuck inside his head because he hadn\u2019t even noticed that Dara had already started on his soup, likely wondering why Cicada\u2019s just staring vacantly at him right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is really good,\u201d Dara says, offering a spoonful of his soup to Cicada. \u00a0\u201cWould you like to try some?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The offering of food puts Cicada in a different headspace now, one of an animal being coaxed with food to earn his trust, like a strange and skittish horse at the fence. \u00a0He leans over and accepts the spoon into his mouth, closing his eyes and fantasizing about gentle head pats and soothing words. The tinkly piano music and dramatic movie trailer voiceover could practically be heard over them, talking of how a young, beautiful man inherits a farm or something and manages to befriend the filthy, mangy fox that happened to be living in the trash can out back, in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure moviegoers won\u2019t soon forget.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamn,\u201d Cicada says as he pulls away. \u00a0\u201cMurt\u2019s gotten really good at his soup game lately.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara seems pleased at Cicada\u2019s reaction, smiling tenderly as he withdraws the spoon and plunges it into the crust of the pot pie. \u00a0His gentleness makes Cicada feel a bit like a dumb baby kit, placated by gifts of food handfed right into his dumb baby face. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh…\u201d Cicada picks up his burger, half of it wrapped in paper, holding it out to Dara. \u00a0\u201cYou want the first bite of this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not hungry?\u201d Dara asks, an ear swinging forward as he hesitantly reaches for it. \u00a0He probably thinks it\u2019s one of those weird Minnelaskwan hospitality things again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, try it,\u201d Cicada urges him on with a wave of his hand and a playful grin. \u00a0\u201cI bet they don\u2019t make burgers like this in Thalassea, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks at him with suspicion as he takes the burger in both hands and primes himself to bite into it \u2013 carefully, mind you, he didn\u2019t want to take too much off. \u00a0Immediately his eyes widen in confusion and pulls the burger away, trailing a long string of gooey yellow cheese oozing from the center of the patty. He utters something in an unfamiliar language as he breaks the cheese string and puts it up in his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m stealing this,\u201d he declares. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTh\u2019 hell you are, buddy!\u201d Cicada leans over the table, holding out his palm to Dara. \u00a0\u201cGive it here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo way,\u201d Dara grins as he holds the gooey sandwich out of Cicada\u2019s grasp. \u00a0\u201cYou can have my pie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBuddy!\u201d Cicada gets up and lunges forward at Dara, who stands up and casually twirls past him to effortlessly plant himself where Cicada was just sitting, primly crossing a leg over his knee. \u00a0He sits down in Dara\u2019s seat with an exasperated huff, tugging the chair forward and leaning back in it. \u201cAlright, jeez.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Without a word, Dara offers the burger back to Cicada. \u00a0Cicada hesitantly reaches out to take it back, watching Dara affirmatively nod at him as the food is surrendered to its rightful owner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada eyes him warily, ignoring the vulpine part of his brain that tells him to trot off with the burger in his mouth to retreat into a hidey-hole, bury it for later, and then piss all over it to make sure <\/span>everyone<\/span><\/i> knows it\u2019s his. \u00a0\u201cUh, thanks.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

He turns to the side and starts to eat, if only to satisfy those stupid vestigial instincts that told him there was less of a chance of his food getting stolen if he faced away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara covers his mouth as he chuckles. \u00a0\u201cI hope you realize how adorable you\u2019re being right now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada gives him a baleful, high-pitched growl before going back to eating, tugging at the cheese strings with his jaws like he would hypothetically do to disembowel prey. \u00a0\u201cSo, like,\u201d he begins, still chewing. \u201cWhat do you do for the census?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara reaches across the table to retrieve his pot pie, setting the basket of fries in front of Cicada. \u00a0\u201cIt depends on what my boss wants,\u201d he says rather neutrally, picking up his spoon. \u201cSometimes I\u2019m compiling data, sometimes I go out somewhere and go door-to-door asking questions and then enter the answers people give me into a database when I get back.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuh.\u201d \u00a0Cicada turns back around to face him, shoving the last of the burger into his mouth. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019d think they\u2019d send someone local to do the information gatherin\u2019, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn most places they do,\u201d Dara says. \u00a0\u201cFirst they mail out forms for people to fill out and return. \u00a0Those that don\u2019t then get visited, but some communities \u2013 like yours \u2013 are too remote for the Thalassean mail system to reach without bloating up postage costs due to international shipping and it\u2019s cheaper to just send an enumerator out like me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid they only send you here?\u201d Cicada asks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara nods. \u00a0\u201cFor now. Once I get a better idea of the amount of people here I can hire locals to assist me in collecting data.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, hell,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0\u201cI got nothin\u2019 to do \u2018til the first snow, count me in on that. \u00a0Don\u2019t even hafta pay me, just buy me snacks or somethin\u2019, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara laughs. \u00a0\u201cReally? You\u2019d do that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost people here already know me,\u201d Cicada shrugs. \u00a0\u201cSo most of \u2018em <\/span>probably<\/span><\/i> won\u2019t tell me to fuck off while answerin\u2019 their door with a gun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s reassuring,\u201d Dara says while looking decidedly not reassured. \u00a0\u201cI can\u2019t really blame the people here for not having a lot of love for mainlanders, honestly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, for sure,\u201d Cicada says, sopping up ketchup with his fries. \u00a0\u201cI mean, you might wanna recruit at least one person that speaks Skogish, though. \u00a0I only know like a few things in it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI took a few years of Skogish at university,\u201d Dara says. \u00a0\u201cIt was part of the exchange program I was in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo shit,\u201d Cicada says, genuinely surprised the language of the forest elves would be taught in any capacity at a Thalassean university. \u00a0\u201cSay somethin\u2019 in Skogish for me!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, well,\u201d Dara clears his throat and switches languages. \u00a0\u201c<\/span>I am <\/span><\/i>Dara Majaan<\/span> from the lake country, I am seventy-six years old, the weather today is sunny and clear. \u00a0Are you well today?<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI only understood \u2018bout halfa that,\u201d Cicada says, smiling dumbly, then switches to about the only Skogish he knows with a big wide grin: \u201c<\/span>I have a devil pussy.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Tell me about the devil pussy<\/span><\/i>,\u201d Dara says, trying not to laugh.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Devil pussy is big<\/span><\/i>,\u201d Cicada says, sticking his tongue through the gap where his missing tooth is. \u00a0\u201c<\/span>You can do a suck on it.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara casually puts two fingers on the corners of his mouth, purposefully looking at Cicada. \u00a0\u201c<\/span>I would not mind to suck on your devil pussy<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada\u2019s face and ears turn red as he looks away, bashfully hiding his face behind flannel sleeves. \u00a0\u201cOh jeez,\u201d he says rather plaintively, starting to get up to his feet. \u201cI, uh, I\u2019m gonna go to the bathroom.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Dara says, inclining his head and lowering his voice. \u00a0\u201c<\/span>Can I join you?<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Dick<\/span><\/i>,\u201d Cicada spits. \u00a0\u201cYes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara follows Cicada into the single occupancy bathroom at the back of the restaurant, clicking the lock behind them and taking in a deep, nervous breath. \u00a0\u201cI hope I wasn\u2019t–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re fine,\u201d Cicada says, fumbling with the zipper on his jeans and pulling his pants down, putting his back to a urinal. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re quicker on the uptake than some folks \u2018round here, I\u2019ll give ya that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI, um.\u201d \u00a0Dara swallows as he lowers to his knees before Cicada, helping push his jeans further out of the way. \u00a0\u201cI saw the flag in your house. And the stuff on your truck. And, um.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He draws lines across his chest with his finger, indicating top surgery scars. \u00a0\u201cThose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, s\u2019not exactly somethin\u2019 I keep a secret for sure,\u201d Cicada says, hooking his thumbs in the waistband of his underwear. \u00a0Most people were oblivious to the meaning of the pride flags, or they just didn\u2019t care.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen the \u2018devil pussy\u2019 thing came up and the way you reacted when I went along with it pretty much confirmed my initial impressions,\u201d Dara says as he runs his hands to the top of Cicada\u2019s waistband, pulling them down inch by inch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh-huh,\u201d Cicada says, sounding detached as he stares away from the mirror. \u00a0He can feel his heart racing as his waistband goes further and further down.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you okay with this?\u201d Dara asks, hesitating as he seems to be picking up on his discomfort. \u00a0\u201cI can stop if you\u2019re not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS\u2019fine.\u201d \u00a0Cicada makes a vague gurgling noise. \u00a0\u201cM\u2019just used to bein\u2019 on the other end of the equation, is all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to stop, just say something weird, like \u2018aspic,\u2019\u201d Dara says calmly. \u00a0Cicada only nods, not even looking down. He\u2019s not used to other men taking an immediate interest in his \u2018devil pussy\u2019, and there were days where he preferred that he didn\u2019t have it in lieu of something else, and today is one of those days where he\u2019s on the fence about his true feelings about his junk. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Like Dara said, if he hates it he can just say \u2018aspic\u2019 and he can pull his pants back up and do something he\u2019s more comfortable with, like getting on his knees for Dara instead. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara swears in the unfamiliar language when he drags Cicada\u2019s underwear down over his thighs and comes face-to-face with his engorged clitoris, his face turning a full shade darker. \u00a0\u201cHow long have you been on the potions to get it like this?! Mine\u2019s–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada suddenly looks at him, very interested in the slip that Dara just caught himself with. \u00a0\u201cYour what now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara takes a long time to answer, frozen in place for a few seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy– You know,\u201d He says as he looks away, his ears pinned back as sweat beads on his temples. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s small,\u201d he says ashamedly. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada\u2019s eyes search the crotch area of Dara\u2019s pants, noticing a conspicuous lack of tent or bulge and making an understanding noise. \u00a0So it turns out they had more common ground than he had initially realized, from the looks of it. If Dara had a dick, there\u2019s no way it wouldn\u2019t be visible in some way right now. \u00a0\u201cI see,\u201d he says, reaching down to affectionately stroke Dara\u2019s soft, black hair. \u201cSo that\u2019s why you took an interest in me, uh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome of it, yes.\u201d \u00a0Dara leans into Cicada\u2019s hand, closing his eyes. \u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s not weird, is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIunno,\u201d Cicada says, shrugging. \u00a0\u201cIs feeling inspired to give someone head in a bathroom after swearin\u2019 at each other in another language weird?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPoint,\u201d Dara says, smiling nervously as he looks back at Cicada\u2019s decently-sized clit with a mixture of admiration and awe. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS\u2019not gonna bitecha,\u201d Cicada says reassuringly as he opens his legs more and reaches down to pull the hood back with a finger. \u00a0\u201cThis your first time suckin\u2019 dick in a bathroom?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is,\u201d Dara says, getting spit on his finger and stroking it onto Cicada\u2019s tiny dick head \u2013 on some days he felt it looked close enough to a dick that he felt comfortable calling it that \u2013 then slides his fingers between Cicada\u2019s slick cleft and pushes them upwards against his entrance. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m no stranger to this anatomical configuration, though.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo kiddin\u2019,\u201d Cicada gasps as he involuntarily clenches against Dara\u2019s fingers. \u00a0Even his nails are the perfect length for this kind of thing, which really shouldn\u2019t be a surprise to Cicada. \u00a0He grabs onto the urinal for support as Dara moves in to kiss him right on the little dick, dragging his tongue along the bottom of it and pulling it into his mouth. \u00a0\u201cFuck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara\u2019s silver tongue didn\u2019t only just apply to his words, apparently, and Cicada being plenty worked up beforehand certainly made it a lot easier for Dara to navigate the finer parts of his anatomy. \u00a0He hooks his fingers along Cicada\u2019s inner walls, pressing hard against his G-spot and opening one eye just to watch him short the fuck out at the sensation. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada\u2019s legs wobble as he curls his fingers into Dara\u2019s hair and presses his hips up against his face, prompting Dara to suck him like he\u2019s trying to get a marble through a plastic straw. \u00a0\u201cAw, jeez– Buddy–\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s embarrassing how little it takes for him to feel like he\u2019s getting close, and he can feel the pressure building in his head as his knees buckle against the tile floor. \u00a0Dara continues to finger him, massaging him hard from the inside while lapping up and lightly pressing his clit against his mouth, his bracelets rhythmically rattling as he works Cicada to a fast, messy orgasm. \u00a0The dizzying rush that ensues feels like a really solid bong hit, putting his mind in the air as he imagines his spirit rising from his body and looking down at himself from the ceiling before getting pulled back into his mortal shell.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara withdraws from between his legs, licking his lips and wiping a string of musky cum from his chin, then licks that off his fingers. \u00a0Cicada can feel more running down his thigh, his chest heaving as he attempts to regain his breath. The bathroom positively reeks of the heady smell of fox rut now thanks to their shenanigans.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you\u2019d be louder than that,\u201d Dara teases him as he gently strokes Cicada\u2019s twitching little cock, still so sensitive after the treatment it got. \u00a0\u201cI must be out of practice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBuddy,\u201d Cicada pants, slumping against the urinal. \u00a0He holds up his finger like he wants to say something, but he can\u2019t even think of a snappy comeback right now. \u00a0He can barely even remember his own damn name at the moment, let alone construct coherent sentences. \u201cYou can practice on me anytime y\u2019like, for sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara gets to his feet and dusts himself off, leaning over to Cicada and getting close to his face. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019d love to,\u201d he says, cupping his hand between Cicada\u2019s legs as he presses his lips to Cicada\u2019s mouth, something Cicada is all too eager to receive. \u00a0\u201cAnd I\u2019d like to see more than just your grease trap next time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmph.\u201d \u00a0Cicada snorts as he smiles at Dara, bowing his head down in submission to him. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ll see that\u2019n more for sure if you chance to stick around, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara plants a kiss on Cicada\u2019s forehead as he withdraws his hand, wiggling his finger against his little dick. \u00a0\u201cIn the meantime, though, we should probably get cleaned up and head out.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHead out?\u201d Cicada repeats, frowning. \u00a0\u201cBuddy, don\u2019t think I\u2019m gonna let you absolutely fuckin\u2019 wreck me without gettin\u2019 anything back for that, eh!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d love to now, but I\u2019ll need to take a rain check for that,\u201d Dara says, sounding apologetic. \u00a0\u201cI really should find out who actually heads up the town so I can get some addresses and people to visit and do what I actually came into town to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0Right, he almost forgot about the bullshit that lead Dara to his doorstep to begin with, and the dumb charade of pretending to be an important figure that was so paper thin that he probably should have been figured out from the start. \u00a0\u201cYou knew I wasn\u2019t a leader guy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara chuckles. \u00a0\u201cOf course, you goofball,\u201d he says affectionately. \u00a0\u201cI figured that out when I pulled up to a guy\u2019s house instead of an office and he answered the door in his underwear in the middle of a dashcam video binge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada stares at him incredulously, smirking a bit. \u00a0\u201cThen why\u2019d you stick around, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou were cute.\u201d \u00a0Dara shrugs, \u201cI thought I\u2019d go along with it and see what would happen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuh,\u201d Cicada says, crossing his arms. \u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s funny, eh. I thought you were cute too, but really lost, so I thought I\u2019d go along with it and flex my bullshittin\u2019 skills, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, don\u2019t get me wrong, I\u2019m still pretty lost,\u201d Dara laughs, \u201cBut I found you, at least, so that\u2019s something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada finds himself blushing again as he averts his gaze toward the ceiling. \u00a0\u201cAw, jeez!\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou are <\/span>so<\/span><\/i> adorable,\u201d Dara coos as he smooches Cicada\u2019s freckled cheek. \u00a0\u201cAnd I just want to walk around wearing your scent all day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAw come on,\u201d Cicada says, his blush remaining on his face. \u00a0Being told that one wants to wear your scent is a huge romantic compliment, and it can communicate some concepts better than words can, more readily. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re just layin\u2019 it on real thick now, buddy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

By default, an elf\u2019s scent has been compared to that of violets, and thus fairly inoffensive for the most part. \u00a0But a randy elf, much like their vulpine ancestors, smells a heck of a lot like weed. It\u2019s no shock so many of them have such an affinity for the plant, and saying that you or someone else lit a joint in the bathroom is a convenient way to socially cover up the smell of a good fuck if you don\u2019t carry any neutralizing sprays on you.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t help it,\u201d Dara says, putting his face behind Cicada\u2019s ear and breathing in. \u00a0\u201cYou have an incredible smell. I want to roll in it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, okay,\u201d Cicada says, shifting his weight and finding himself stuck in the urinal. \u00a0\u201cCan you help me get down outta this thing so I can get my pants back on? Unless, y\u2019know, you wanna help wash me down while I\u2019m here…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada winks at him, patting the side of the urinal. \u00a0Hey, if he\u2019s serious about that \u2018wearing your scent\u2019 thing, it\u2019s worth a shot. \u00a0At least Dara now knows the feeling is mutual, however crassly worded Cicada put it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara curls a finger under Cicada\u2019s chin and lifts his head up, holding his other hand out for Cicada to grab for leverage. \u00a0\u201cWould that I could were there a more discreet way to go about that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada takes Dara\u2019s hand and hoists himself up, getting to his feet and starting to pull up his pants. \u00a0\u201cEh, fair \u2018nuff. Maybe later, uh?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Dara gently reaches over to straighten up Cicada\u2019s shirt, flashing a smirk at him. \u00a0\u201cYou would like that, wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada looks up, then down, having only now registered that Dara is actually shorter than him now that they\u2019re standing close together. \u00a0Huh. He thought for sure the other man was way taller, but he\u2019s just the right height to kiss on the forehead. \u201cIf y\u2019ever feel inclined that way, buddy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The two of them wash up (and Cicada had the foresight to bring some spray with him so the bathroom wouldn\u2019t smell like a musk bomb when they left) and leave a big tip when they exit the restaurant, getting back into Cicada\u2019s truck. \u00a0He starts the ignition, the truck roaring to life as the radio now plays some cheerful cowboy yodeling.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Cicada focuses on reversing the truck and steering it out of the parking lot to set course for the Chairman\u2019s Lodge, he\u2019s quiet for a few moments. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cY\u2019know,\u201d he starts, glancing over at Dara. \u00a0\u201cI woulda never guessed you were on the potions, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it was pretty obvious.\u201d \u00a0Dara\u2019s expression considerably lightens, but he still looks a bit bashful. \u00a0\u201cI should have said something sooner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re an elf,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0\u201cYou can be born with a dick and still be the prettiest asshole on the planet wearin\u2019 killer eyeliner and no one\u2019ll bat an eye just \u2018cause you\u2019re an elf and you\u2019re expected to be pretty no matter what you got in your pants. \u00a0Or you can be born with a cunt and look like a junkyard dog if ya choose to. People\u2019ll think that\u2019s weird, but it is what ya make it, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut look at you,\u201d Dara says, putting a hand to his chest. \u00a0\u201cYour hair\u2019s so thick it could host a metropolis of fleas. I\u2019ve barely got anything on my body.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGive it time,\u201d Cicada assures him. \u00a0\u201cHow long you been on \u2018em?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks down to silently count on his fingers. \u00a0\u201cJust about two or three years, I think.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada snorts. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re just gettin\u2019 started, then! \u00a0Couple more years\u2019n you\u2019ll be bristlin\u2019, for sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow long have you been on yours?\u201d Dara asks. \u00a0Cicada tilts his head back to think.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUhh\u2026 \u2018Bout ten years, I think? \u00a0Maybe more? I lost count after a while, eh,\u201d he says. \u00a0\u201cIt was right around when we first started gettin\u2019 internet in the valley so I ordered an herb kit online and a crappy li\u2019l junior alchemy set and a <\/span>lot<\/span><\/i> of trial n\u2019 error, lemme tell ya.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI-I guess you wouldn\u2019t have access to a doctor to help you with that sort of thing, would you,\u201d Dara says. \u00a0Cicada laughs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Fraid not,\u201d he says. \u00a0\u201cWe had a cleric at the lodge for any basic medical stuff but they didn\u2019t really know the first thing about gender stuff, or they didn\u2019t care.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really sorry,\u201d Dara says, frowning. \u00a0Cicada takes a sharp turn on a road going up a hill, where the old Chairman\u2019s Lodge sits. \u00a0The lodge is draped with a plastic banner boasting about being under new management, with free and open voter registration during regular business hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be.\u201d \u00a0Cicada shrugs. \u00a0\u201cYou got nothin\u2019 to apologize for, you weren\u2019t involved in the decisions that made the town what it is or was or what we got access to. \u00a0All I wished was that I\u2019d known about it sooner, woulda saved me\u2019n mine a whole lotta grief, for sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not much of a consolation,\u201d Dara says, looking out the window, \u201cBut it isn\u2019t that much better on the mainland, either.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuh,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0He thought for sure the mainland would have better access to care and information than here. \u00a0\u201cDo they censor it up there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, nothing is censored about it.\u201d \u00a0Dara shakes his head. \u201cIt\u2019s just not very talked about, I\u2019m not sure why. \u00a0I\u2019d only known about it from going online, myself. It was…\u201d He pauses, blinking away tears with a wistful smile. \u00a0\u201cElucidating.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada draws in a deep breath, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. \u00a0Memories of long, tearful, and drunken nights spent surfing scattered online forums and personal websites come to the fore of his mind, of people just like him talking about their experiences and discussing the alchemical formulas needed to change their bodies to make them feel more congruent with what\u2019s inside. \u00a0It made him feel so much less like an aberration knowing there were others out there dealing with the same shit, the shit he never felt like he could talk to anyone about except for on those sites. It\u2019s a very suffocating kind of loneliness that bled into every aspect of his life, and he had no doubts Dara went through a similar hell before coming to his own conclusion of self-actualization. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTell me all about it, bud.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He pulls into the parking lot of the lodge, driving up to the front door and holding the brake pedal with his left foot as he reaches over to comfortingly put his hand on Dara\u2019s shoulder. \u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re here. You need a few minutes?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Dara says, exhaling through his nose as he rubs his eyes. \u00a0\u201cYour town leader\u2019s Miss Omdahl, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYah, Lyyli Omdahl,\u201d Cicada nods. \u00a0\u201cShe\u2019s nice. Kinda weird, but I think that\u2019s \u2018cause the last guy overworked her so much \u2018fore she took over, eh. \u00a0But she\u2019ll be able to get ya what ya need, or connect you to someone who can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good to know,\u201d Dara says. \u00a0\u201cShall I contact you to pick me up when I\u2019m done, then?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou betcha,\u201d Cicada says, reaching across Dara\u2019s lap to get a notepad and pen out of the glove box to write down his number. \u00a0He could have just as easily entered it into Dara\u2019s phone himself, but he felt the pen and paper approach had a bit more of a personal touch as he rips out the page and hands it over to him. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara accepts the number and takes the pen and paper from Cicada to write down his own, handing them back with a nod. \u00a0Cicada glances at it \u2013 of course Dara\u2019s number would be an international number, the communication infrastructure in Rust Lake and its surrounding areas was put in by the dwarves and thus the phone numbers were in line with dwarven regulations, not Thalassean. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, do I gotta put in a one in front or somethin\u2019 \u2018fore I call ya?\u201d Cicada asks, pointing at the foreign number. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Dara says. \u00a0\u201cI should have known to pick up a burner phone with a local number at the gas station earlier. \u00a0Will texting be okay?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada shrugs. \u00a0\u201cSure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGreat!\u201d \u00a0Dara leans over to give Cicada a kiss. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll let you know as soon as I\u2019m out, then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure,\u201d Cicada says, smiling fondly as he returns the kiss. \u00a0\u201cLemme know how it goes, eh.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly.\u201d Dara pops the truck door open and looks over his shoulder as he waves goodbye. \u00a0After giving the truck door a hard slam shut, he walks up to the double doors of the lodge, turns around to wave again, and disappears into the building. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2766<\/b><\/h1>\n

It wouldn\u2019t be until a time where it normally gets dark in other parts of the world when Cicada\u2019s phone pings him with a text from Dara letting him know it\u2019s time to come get him, and he makes the journey out to the lodge. \u00a0Dara waits outside under a light, clutching an enormous binder to his chest as he runs up to the truck. Cicada reaches over and pops open the door \u2013 really, opening it was more like a nudge considering how flimsy the lock is \u2013 so Dara can climb in, tossing the binder onto the seat first so his arms are free to balance himself as he pulls himself up into the truck. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry it took me so long to get back to you,\u201d Dara says, pulling his seatbelt over himself and reaching for the door so he can hold it shut. \u00a0\u201cMayor Omdahl had a <\/span>lot<\/span><\/i> to say and a lot to print out for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJeez, no kiddin\u2019,\u201d Cicada says, looking at the binder sitting between them, all but bursting to the seams with paper. \u00a0\u201cLooks like you got your work all cut out for ya, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026 in a way, yes,\u201d Dara says. \u00a0\u201cThe legal status of this town is\u2026 well, messy, let\u2019s put it at that–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh for sure, that\u2019s an understatement,\u201d Cicada says, steering the truck out onto the road to take them back down the hill. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c–But what I didn\u2019t realize was that you guys already <\/span>had<\/span><\/i> census data on file, taken by the government of Feromont,\u201d Dara continues. \u00a0\u201cRecent data, too!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah, the dwarves,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0\u201cThey come around every few years, eh. \u00a0You\u2019re the first elf I\u2019ve seen doin\u2019 it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s the thing,\u201d Dara says. \u00a0\u201cLegally, you guys are on dwarf land. When Thalassea set up the penal colony here centuries ago, they were leasing the land from Feromont. \u00a0That\u2019s where things get kinda sticky when it comes to citizenship and how the laws are handled here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo kiddin\u2019,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0He doesn\u2019t feel even remotely smart enough to think about what that\u2019s going to mean if he ever gets the inclination to go get a passport, or even if that sham trial he was tangled up in last year was even more bullshit than it already was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut the point is!\u201d \u00a0Dara excitedly holds up a finger. \u00a0\u201cMayor Omdahl gave me a copy of the most recent census data from Feromont and all I\u2019ll have to do is enter it into the Thalassean system!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada reaches over to briefly flip open the binder and glance at a couple pages while at a stop sign, noticing the thing is stuffed to the brim with printouts of spreadsheets. \u00a0He sees lots and lots of spreadsheets, each little line containing demographic information for every person residing in the incorporated township of Rust Lake. \u201cNot t\u2019 ruin your day, but this all looks like shit that coulda been put on a thumb drive, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

All the color drains from Dara\u2019s face, and in that moment, Cicada can practically smell his enthusiasm for the project evaporating on the spot as he slumps into the seat of the truck. \u00a0He could have saved <\/span>so much time. <\/span><\/i>And <\/span>so much paper. <\/span><\/i>\u00a0And not have had to sit for hours getting infodumped on the legal grey area this town occupied (which, okay, that actually was kind of interesting) while waiting for the printer to produce each and every sheet in that binder. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d Dara says, mostly to himself as he puts a hand on the binder and drums his fingers against it. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll just– I\u2019ll just drive back up there first thing in the morning, with a flash drive, and then I can just copy that data over and not make my RSI even worse than it already is manually entering all those pages…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada can hear Dara doing breathing exercises and whispering mantras to himself under his tongue from the other side of the truck. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it right now, buddy.\u201d \u00a0He pats Dara\u2019s hand, running his fingers over it to give it a squeeze before returning it to the control lever of the truck. \u00a0\u201cIt sounds like you need a break from that stuff today anyways.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara takes in one last long breath, holds it, and exhales slowly as he recomposes himself. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re right. There\u2019s nothing else I can do about it today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada chuckles as he turns down a side road. \u00a0\u201cY\u2019know,\u201d he begins, looking at Dara with a smirk. \u00a0\u201cI thought you mainland guys would be a little more savvy with tech.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m usually more on top of things,\u201d Dara says defensively, sounding melodramatically wounded. \u00a0\u201cBesides, I was <\/span>distracted.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDistracted, eh,\u201d Cicada purrs, arching a brow. \u00a0A neon pink cowboy hat erected on a tall sign comes into view on the horizon. \u00a0\u201cI can\u2019t imagine why.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou kept sending me those pictures,\u201d Dara huffs, crossing his arms. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada quickly jerks on the steering wheel, grinning like a jackass as he pulls into the fast food restaurant bearing the neon hat sign. \u00a0His truck is ushered into the drive-thru lane by a faded and cracking animatronic statue of a rat in a hot pink cowboy hat waving at them from the store\u2019s entrance. \u00a0\u201cListen, buddy, I thought it was <\/span>important<\/span><\/i> that you saw that eight-legged cow!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara wails. \u00a0\u201cIt was disgusting!\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cC\u2019mon, it was cool,\u201d Cicada says, feigning disappointment. \u00a0\u201cWhat about the cyclops goat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHorrible!\u201d \u00a0Dara flails his arms in front of him, scrunching up his face. \u00a0\u201cBy the way, where are we going?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m buyin\u2019 a little lunch,\u201d Cicada says as he drives up to the menu board and turns the crank in the truck\u2019s door to roll down the window. \u00a0\u201cI kinda figured you\u2019d be starvin\u2019 with as long as you were up at the lodge, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara sighs as his stomach makes a very loud and unflattering noise, as if on cue. \u00a0\u201cI suppose you\u2019d be right.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

A crackly voice comes out of the speaker. \u00a0\u201c–khrrt– Welcome to Scarby\u2019s, we\u2019ll take your order whenever you\u2019re ready! \u2013khrrt–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGreat! \u00a0Can I get a twelve-sack and uhhh, surprise me on the drink, uhh,\u201d Cicada leans over to Dara. \u00a0\u201cYou want anythin\u2019, bud?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara quickly shakes his head. \u00a0\u201cI-I dunno. I can\u2019t really see the menu from here.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d Cicada says, leaning back towards the window. \u00a0\u201cTwo large fries and a ratshake–\u201d He leans back towards Dara. \u00a0\u201cWhat flavor d\u2019ya want on the ratshake?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe <\/span>what<\/span><\/i>shake?\u201d \u00a0Dara looks bewildered. \u00a0\u201cUh, does it come in strawberry?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStrawberry ratshake,\u201d Cicada tells the speaker. \u00a0\u201cThat\u2019ll be it, thanks!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c–khrrt– You got it! \u00a0I\u2019ll have your total for you at the window. –khrrt–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2766<\/b><\/h1>\n

After getting a sizable quarry of food to bring home in Dara\u2019s lap, Cicada pulls up to the cabin and into the driveway, parking the truck and shutting it off. \u00a0He looks over at Dara, holding the paper bag that\u2019s nearly as tall as his torso, noticing how it seems to have not been touched.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t like eatin\u2019 in the car, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuh?\u201d \u00a0Dara gives Cicada a look of utter perplexion. \u00a0\u201cNo, I just– I didn\u2019t want to get crumbs in your truck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada slowly blinks at him, then wordlessly looks around the interior of the truck at all the accumulated crumbs, dirt, receipts from the gas station and fast food places, condom wrappers, and paper straw sleeves that have been strewn about the seats and dashboard over the years with an amused, toothy grin. \u00a0He could say something or start laughing, but he doesn\u2019t want to make Dara feel hurt for doing something any decent person would do. His intentions are as sincere as ever, even if his desire to keep crumbs out of Cicada\u2019s truck is like holding an umbrella over the ocean when it\u2019s raining.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara\u2019s eyes follow Cicada\u2019s, noticing even in the dim light from the porch lamp how utterly unpristine the truck cabin is. \u00a0His ears twitch and start tugging back in embarrassment, and he looks like he\u2019s about to apologize until Cicada reaches across to rest his hand on his shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS\u2019no need to feel bad for bein\u2019 decent, eh,\u201d Cicada says with warmth in his voice, patting Dara for emphasis. \u00a0\u201cEven <\/span>if<\/span><\/i> the truck\u2019s a landfill on wheels.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara sheepishly rubs the back of his neck. \u00a0\u201cI guess that was kind of silly of me, huh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA little.\u201d Cicada smirks as he leans over to give Dara a kiss on the cheek. \u201cNow c\u2019mon, let\u2019s go inside and eat some garbage food, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight!\u201d \u00a0Dara reaches down to pick up his binder, quickly realizing he can\u2019t carry both that and the food. \u00a0Cicada scoops it up in his arms, surprised at how fucking heavy the thing is and finding himself wondering just how much toner the mayor had burned away as she was printing this all out for Dara\u2019s sake. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis\u2019ll make a pretty decent doorstop, for sure,\u201d Cicada says as he hefts the binder against his chest as he waits for Dara to get out to lock up the truck. \u00a0\u201cSay, d\u2019ya already got a hotel booked for your time away here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no, not yet,\u201d Dara says as he follows Cicada to the front door. \u00a0\u201cI was going to look that up later. Do you know any good ones around here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIunno. \u00a0There\u2019s probably at least one around here that <\/span>doesn\u2019t<\/span><\/i> have roaches if that\u2019s what you mean.\u201d \u00a0Cicada looks back at him, smirking again. \u00a0\u201cBut if ya wanted to stay the night here an\u2019 save yourself the trouble for right now, my couch is open to ya, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly the couch?\u201d Dara pouts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada shrugs a shoulder as he unlocks the front door and holds it open for him. \u00a0\u201cAlright, you can use the sauna too, I guess.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a sauna?!\u201d \u00a0Dara practically teleports to Cicada\u2019s side now, standing on his toes in wonderment. \u00a0\u201cOkay, I\u2019m sold. I gotta check out this sauna after we eat. –Uh, assuming it\u2019s not another euphemism for something again!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNah buddy, I actually got a real sauna in the backyard,\u201d Cicada laughs. \u00a0\u201cLotsa people have \u2018em \u2018round here, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He sets the binder down on the mudroom bench and goes over to the living room to pick up his bong off the floor and carry it to the kitchen. \u00a0After taking out the bowl and the downstem, he dumps the bong water out into the sink and puts a few pumps of soap into the chamber.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEy, Dara, your job\u2019s not one of those that collects your piss, is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara makes a disgusted face as he sets the Scarby\u2019s bag on the kitchen counter and starts taking out its contents to lay them out and divvy them up. \u00a0\u201cNo, that\u2019s disgusting! Why would anyone do that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada slowly turns around to stare in amused bewilderment as he\u2019s scrubbing up the soapy bong with a bottle brush. \u00a0He shrugs a shoulder. \u201cIunno, some places still do that \u2018cause they care way too much about what you do in your off time, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara doesn\u2019t look like he follows, but is afraid to ask more. \u00a0He points to the bong. \u201cY-you aren\u2019t gonna have me pee in that thing, are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWait, what? \u00a0No!–\u201d Cicada drops his jaw in shock and damn near drops the bong too, barely catching it by the neck and holding it up for him. \u00a0\u201cD\u2019ya not know what this is, buddy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara walks over to take another look at the glass piece in Cicada\u2019s hand. \u00a0\u201cOh, it\u2019s an alchemy thing, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDara,\u201d Cicada says with exasperation. \u00a0\u201cDara, you sweet, kind, gentle, loving soul who is uncannily good at giving head…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mother of Elves grant him patience, he\u2019s going to find out Dara was homeschooled, isn\u2019t he? <\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, Dara starts to laugh. \u00a0Cicada is at a loss for words, largely because he doesn\u2019t want to say anything too mean, but also because he just doesn\u2019t know what to do with a man that apparently doesn\u2019t recognize one of the most iconic tools of weed paraphernalia. \u00a0He\u2019s going to have to sit Dara down on the couch and ready this whole spiel about weed and how it\u2019s safe to use and legal here and it\u2019s not scary and he\u2019ll have to dispel all these myths and <\/span>ugh.<\/span><\/i> \u00a0All this when he just wanted to get high and eat shitty food and make out and put his fingers in Dara\u2019s pie and then go to sauna with him and make out some more until Dara realizes how gross and sticky making out in a sauna actually is. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s a bong, dude.\u201d Dara stops laughing long enough to catch his breath, wiping tears from his eyes as he leans on Cicada. \u00a0\u201cAnd no, my job doesn\u2019t involve operating heavy machinery, so it doesn\u2019t drug test.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDara.\u201d \u00a0Cicada just stares at him, his jaw slack and his ears laying flat as he slowly fills his lungs with air and exhales back out. \u00a0He puts the bong back down in the sink and puts his arm around Dara. \u201cYou amazing, wonderful, perfect creation of the Mother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara rests his head on Cicada\u2019s shoulder, looking up at him and fluttering his eyelashes. \u00a0\u201cYeeees?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re gonna kill me, buddy.\u201d He kisses Dara\u2019s forehead. \u00a0\u201cCan you bring some of the food over to the coffee table? I\u2019m gonna finish cleaning this thing up an\u2019 I\u2019ll be right over, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course!\u201d \u00a0Dara gives him a squeeze before separating and gathering a handful of the foil-wrapped sandwiches. \u00a0\u201cWant me to put something on the TV?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUhh…\u201d Cicada thinks for a moment as he rinses the bong out, setting it on a towel on the counter to dry. \u00a0He doesn\u2019t even remember what day it is, so it\u2019s hard to guess if there\u2019s going to be a wrestling match on tonight or not. \u00a0Shrugging, he starts working on cleaning the downstem and bowl. \u201cIunno, go put somethin\u2019 up on the laptop. Whatever y\u2019want, since you\u2019re a guest n\u2019 all, eh!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever I want, huh? \u00a0Alright, let\u2019s see…\u201d Dara neatly folds his legs up beneath him in front of the laptop, which is sitting on a milk crate just so it\u2019s close enough to be plugged into the TV. \u00a0Cicada can hear him typing incredibly quickly but he doesn\u2019t look over, since his mind tends to wander when he\u2019s at the sink and a part of him wants to be surprised by what Dara puts on the screen. \u00a0After all, he\u2019s spent pretty much the entire day with the man and still barely knows anything about him. <\/span><\/p>\n

Were it not for the fact that Dara had spent literal hours at the lodge today waiting for spreadsheets to print, Cicada could have pegged him for an extremely charming burglar casing his house, except for the fact that he has nothing of value unless Dara wants a laptop held together with tape and\/or happens to be a connoisseur of bootleg DVDs of shitty movies and exotic mantises. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOy, you like music videos, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada\u2019s ear swivels towards the sound of Dara\u2019s voice, and he turns his head to look over from the sink. \u00a0One he\u2019d finished cleaning the bowl, he had started doing the dishes without really thinking (might as well use the water while it\u2019s hot, right?). \u201cEh, yeah! \u00a0Put some music on, buddy!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He puts the last dish on the drying rack and reassembles the bong, filling it with water as he comes over to the couch with the bong in hand. \u00a0Dara has something on fullscreen as he hovers the cursor over the play button, waiting for Cicada to sit down with an impish grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada gives him a dubious look as he pushes some of the wrapped sandwiches aside to put the bong down on the coffee table, noticing there\u2019s some colorful characters from feature animated films frozen behind the play button. \u00a0He motions for Dara to start, reaching for the glass jar he keeps under the table to fish out a good-sized nugget of weed for the grinder. \u201cAlright bud, let it rip!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara clicks on the play button and sits back, putting his hands in his lap and glancing from the screen to Cicada. \u00a0An angsty love song starts to play, not immediately familiar to Cicada but sounding like something that he\u2019d hear in the credits of a sad romance movie or playing on the sound system at a grocery store, interposed with bizarrely competent editing featuring the animated human protagonist of a well-known animated movie meeting a deer from an entirely different renowned animated movie. \u00a0It starts with a longing gaze from man to beast (because who hasn\u2019t had a moment where they exchange smoldering gazes with a large hoofed animal in the woods), and before long, they fall in love.<\/span><\/p>\n

The man\u2019s village don\u2019t approve, as most sane cultures around the globe tend to condemn romantic relationships with animals, but that doesn\u2019t stop the man from charging off into the woods to live with his nasty deer boyfriend and presumably have some freaky man-deer sex offscreen. To compound on the overall surreality of the video, its editor throws in a villain from a completely different movie for an element of suspense, antagonizing the human-animal couple to swells of the music until he sends them to their dramatic, overwrought deaths on a backdrop of fire. \u00a0But wait, don\u2019t be sad, dear viewers! The interspecies couple is then shown ascending to the sky as spirits and being reunited in death, closing on a note of whimsical chimes and a \u2018THANKS FOR WATCHING :)\u2019 notecard at the end. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell? \u00a0What did you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada looks at Dara, then back at the screen where it\u2019s autoplayed into another music video, this one concerning the forbidden love between a lion and a mermaid. \u00a0Dara\u2019s huge stupid grin tells him enough; he\u2019s trying to get a rise out of Cicada by showing him something weird he found on the internet. Setting the grinder down on the coffee table, Cicada folds his hands together and nods his head as though deep in thought. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly? \u00a0I\u2019d let a deer fuck me,\u201d he says with an air of casualness and a nonchalant shrug. \u00a0\u201cHell, I\u2019d eat the deer\u2019s ass if he asked me to, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara\u2019s smile wavers a bit. \u00a0\u201cReally? You\u2019d fuck a deer?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? \u00a0Could be a shapeshifter,\u201d Cicada grins, picking the grinder up again to unscrew it and grab a good-sized pinch of weed to pack the bowl. \u00a0\u201cI mean, I\u2019ve definitely never jerked off to the thought of a huntin\u2019 buddy bendin\u2019 me over a log, pullin\u2019 down my pants, and stringin\u2019 me up to use me as bait for a buck or nothin\u2019 before. \u00a0Nuh-uh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNone of this should surprise me,\u201d Dara says, resting his hand on the laptop. \u00a0\u201cAnd yet, here we are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada steadies the bong in his lap, groping around on the coffee table for the lighter. \u00a0\u201cNah, that video was weird as fuck, buddy. Deer aren\u2019t really my thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks relieved. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m glad I don\u2019t have to worry about you running off into the woods after a deer, then.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Having successfully found his lighter, he brandishes it in the air. \u00a0\u201cYeah, I\u2019m more of a moose guy donchaknow! They got a li\u2019l more to offer for us size queens, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara gives Cicada a dead-eyed stare, groaning loudly. \u00a0\u201cGive me the bong, Mr. Moosefucker.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada is nothing but cheerful when he passes the bong and lighter over to Dara, who takes it carefully into his hands. \u00a0He puts his lips inside the mouthpiece and lights the bowl, filling the chamber with smoke as the water purrs and bubbles on the draw. \u00a0As he takes the bowl out to clear the chamber, the smoke vanishes and gets sucked into his lungs and held there until it erupts from his mouth in a coughing fit. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, I\u2019m gonna get you some water, eh.\u201d \u00a0Cicada sets the bong down and filling up a glass in the kitchen, returning to offer the drink to Dara.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara claps his chest a few times before slouching against the fireplace, accepting the water and taking a drink. \u00a0\u201cUgh. Thanks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet.\u201d \u00a0Cicada sits back down and takes his turn with the bong, torching the bowl and milking it for all it\u2019s worth, holding the smoke in his lungs and closing his eyes before exhaling it out through his nostrils like a tiny gay dragon. \u00a0He then starts to pack another bowl. \u201cWant more?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHm.\u201d \u00a0Dara looks around himself and rises to his feet, holding out an arm to steady himself as he assesses his state of inebriation. \u00a0\u201cSure, a little more can\u2019t hurt.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada pats the couch next to him as Dara ambles over and sits down, and taking the bong again for another rip and this time succeeding in not scorching his throat. \u00a0Dara exhales through his mouth, tilting his head back so the smoke billows up towards the ceiling, and watches it dissipate in the air.<\/span><\/p>\n

He passes the bong back to Cicada, coughing into his elbow as Cicada finishes off the bowl, belching smoke into the air. \u00a0Now it\u2019s time to set the bong aside somewhere safe to keep it from getting accidentally knocked over. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, uh, kind of a weird question.\u201d \u00a0Cicada puts his arm on the back of the couch, holding up a finger at Dara.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara shifts his eyes to Cicada, studying him intently. \u00a0\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There are many different questions on Cicada\u2019s mind mind, all popping up and scattering sort of arbitrarily in his mind: Questions like \u2018do you actually like me\u2019 and \u2018why are you so nice to me\u2019 quickly get dashed; he doesn\u2019t want to bring the mood down too much and he doesn\u2019t want to seem like he\u2019s fishing for praise. \u00a0Besides, there are more important questions to ask, one that\u2019s been at the back of his mind (one could even say it\u2019s been bugging him) since their outing at the roadkill restaurant: \u201cHave you ever eaten a bug?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh…\u201d Dara seems to consider his question, his eyes squinting and his mouth held slightly open as the weed takes its hold. \u00a0It takes him a few long moments to process the question, and perhaps why Cicada even asked it in the first place. He grins widely. \u00a0\u201cI ate you, didn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh jeez!\u201d Cicada\u2019s ears turn red as he puts a hand on his burning hot cheek. \u201cI meant like, real bugs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat is, ah, hm.\u201d \u00a0Dara studies him for a bit, an ear swiveling back unsurely. \u00a0His speech becomes slower and slightly more accented, but no less formal. \u00a0\u201cI guess bugs would not be common in a cold place like this to eat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot usually, uh, this is gonna sound really dumb,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0He could just as easily say he\u2019s a complete manchild for wanting to know this, but saying he\u2019s a terrible conversationalist is also pretty accurate. \u00a0\u201cBut uh, I keep insects as pets, and I breed crickets to feed \u2018em with, and uh, I guess I was wondering if that was weird or made me a bad person for wondering what it\u2019d be like if I ate \u2018em when I had too many, but I\u2019d also feel really bad if I like put a bunch in a skillet and wouldn\u2019t they all just jump out and–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He stops himself, noticing Dara is staring at him, and sheepishly looks away. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With laughter, Dara\u2019s hand lands on Cicada\u2019s shoulder, patting him reassuringly. \u00a0\u201cYou silly tod! You freeze the crickets before you fry them, of course. There is no jumping out of the pot that way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada looks at him, both dumbstruck and relieved his impulsively dumb question went over better than expected. \u00a0\u201cFor sure? That\u2019s all it takes?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara enthusiastically nods at him. \u00a0\u201cDo you like spicy? They\u2019re really good spicy,\u201d he says with a sense of excitement. \u00a0\u201cThey are very crunchy!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo way!\u201d \u00a0Subconsciously, Cicada reaches for one of the sandwiches Dara had put out on the table earlier and unwraps the thin foil covering from it, taking a bite out of its soft, ambiguously meaty goodness. \u00a0All this talk about crunchy, spicy crickets was revving up his appetite, and it seems Dara\u2019s on that same wavelength as he too goes to claim a sandwich of floppy, greasy meat in a smushy white bun. \u201cDo you, like, know any recipes?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara shakes his head. \u00a0\u201cI do not remember off the top of my head, I\u2019m afraid. \u00a0But, maybe there are some online?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCool,\u201d Cicada says, his mind taking a while to catch up with his speech. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll have to look that up later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A whole new culinary world has opened up for Cicada as he idly wonders what seasoning would work best, perhaps starting with something basic like sugar and salt and chili powder to get a feel for the baseline flavor of the crickets and adapt from there. \u00a0He\u2019s not even the world\u2019s greatest culinarian but he\u2019s going to <\/span>try,<\/span><\/i> gosh darn it, and that\u2019s what matters!<\/span><\/p>\n

But also: Presenting a Cricket Surprise Hotdish at the next potluck he\u2019s invited to, and he will probably never get invited to another potluck again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut um,\u201d Dara speaks up. \u00a0\u201cWhat would make you a bad person for wanting to eat the crickets?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada stops mid-bite, the gears whirring in his brain as he momentarily dedicates his energy towards thinking because chewing <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> thinking is too demanding right now. \u00a0\u201cIunno, it\u2019d feel like I\u2019d be like\u2026 betraying \u2018em, I guess, \u2018cause I\u2019m kinda like their dad or somethin\u2019. \u00a0Seems wrong to just raise a society and then pour \u2018em all into the deep fryer, eh.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Dara thinks over Cicada\u2019s words, looking simultaneously amused and baffled by his declaration. The thought of a cricket tank being a society tended to by a strange ginger-haired god that sees no problem in arbitrarily selecting a few to sacrifice to his pet mantises but draws the line at claiming some for himself is a point both of their minds are too hazy to really think about. \u00a0\u201cThey\u2019re crickets, they just make more, don\u2019t they?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span>\u201cEh, yeah, I guess,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0Even if crickets can\u2019t comprehend concepts like betrayal or fatherhood, there\u2019s still a part of him that feels a bit bad about it. \u00a0He likes having them in his room to sing at night even when the population starts to become a bit too bustling inside the tank and he has to release a few of them into the wild (which, in hindsight of Dara\u2019s suggestion to freeze them and mentioning that the valley is too cold to sustain most edible insects, may as well have been just as much of a death sentence as eating them). \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He will certainly never have a shortage of crickets, and for now, they have a glut of fast food sandwiches to work through. \u00a0Dara neatly folds the aluminum paper wrappers and sets them in an equally tidy pile on the table as he finishes his share, then turns to Cicada with ears up and an eager look on his face. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicad notices his gaze lingering, tilting his chin up at Dara and smirking at him. \u00a0\u201cWhatcha lookin\u2019 at me like that for, buddy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara crawls closer to Cicada, pulling his legs up onto the couch as he leans forward and rests his head on his shoulder, his reddened, squinting eyes glittering with adoration. \u00a0\u201cCan I touch your beard?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy beard, uh?\u201d Cicada plants his lips on Dara\u2019s forehead as he puts his arm around his shoulder. \u00a0Even while stoned, Dara manages to collect himself so tidily it strikes Cicada as almost impossible. \u00a0\u201cThat all you wanna touch?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara bashfully buries his face in Cicada\u2019s neck, carefully placing his hand over his ratty band t-shirt and running it down his chest and back up again. \u00a0\u201cNoooo…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada takes in a deep breath, the sensation of Dara\u2019s hand running up his body heightened by the effects of the pot. \u00a0He\u2019s ready to roll over for Dara like something tamed; unwittingly realizing just how touch-starved he\u2019d been lately and wondering if Dara was in that same boat as him as he feels blood rushing downward for hardly the first time today. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen you can do with me whatever you wanna do, bud.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVery well.\u201d \u00a0Dara rolls his shoulders and inhales loudly, pulling himself out of the crook of Cicada\u2019s neck to carefully climb into his lap, facing him as he steadies himself on the back of the couch and standing on his knees. \u00a0Even though Dara is small, his diminutive height hides an impressive muscle density that practically pins Cicada to the couch (as though the leadening of his body from being stoned wasn\u2019t already weighing him down enough). \u00a0Cicada\u2019s eyes widen, and he can catch a whiff of faint musk as he rests his hands on Dara\u2019s hips. <\/span><\/p>\n

Also, the way Dara\u2019s positioned himself has made him tower over Cicada, and he <\/span>really<\/span><\/i> likes that. \u00a0If half of his blood\u2019s already flown down to his dick, the rest of it\u2019s gone up to light up his face as he tilts his head against the couch cushions to look up at Dara in awe. \u00a0He wonders how much chest hair that top of his is hiding, and hopes Dara will let him see eventually, knowing all too well the emotional barriers standing in place that may make him feel uncomfortable sharing just yet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here, he\u2019s fine with letting Dara explore him while he gets to enjoy the feeling of being small and vulnerable, but in a spot where he knows no harm will come to him for allowing Dara to lay hands on him (and other parts, if he so desires). \u00a0Had Dara been cis, there would have absolutely been no chance they\u2019d be on the couch sharing a bong and entangling themselves in each other or offering anything more intimate than a handjob. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not that Cicada had a problem with other men, but there always sat the nagging fear that they\u2019d treat him differently once they got to know him or experienced parts of him that weren\u2019t his hands or various orifices. \u00a0Although he certainly couldn\u2019t be the only person in town to have rolled over the hazy lines of gender, and he\u2019s been with men on his crews over the years who, under various influences, would confess to him that they\u2019d trade certain body parts with him if they could, and those women-in-wait were often the ones he felt closest to. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some would take to the potions and blossom into fully-realized expressions of their hearts\u2019 true selves, while others shied from the prospect because they didn\u2019t want to upset the order of the workplace or make things uncomfortable with their families. \u00a0And the women he bedded \u2013 most of them prior to his discovery of bodily-altering alchemy \u2013 never expressed such thoughts to him, possibly because they were silently existing in the same hell he was or didn\u2019t think he would understand, unaware that the answer to their problem lied in a concoction of herbs in a small glass vial much like him.<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019d occasionally see guys around town that looked familiar, and he to them, but neither spoke to each other despite the silent agreement that they did, at one point, meet in a distant and now unfamiliar past and few things are more awkward than approaching someone you think you know in a bar all like \u2018Hey, remember that time we were both still girls and fucked drunkenly on that pile of burlap sacks behind the general store like thirty years ago? \u00a0Good times, buddy!\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re okay with this, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara\u2019s voice draws Cicada back out of his thoughts, feeling his hands on either side of his jaw gently stroking the hairs of his sideburns.<\/span><\/p>\n

He blinks up at him. \u00a0\u201cYah. M\u2019fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara smiles down at him, looking relieved as he bends his neck down to kiss Cicada on the forehead. \u00a0\u201cYou looked a bit out of it, so I wanted to check in on you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, uh.\u201d \u00a0Cicada blushes, tilting his face away with a vacant grin. \u00a0\u201cS\u2019was just enjoyin\u2019 the view, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes. \u00a0I can smell it on you,\u201d Dara teases as he curls a finger under Cicada\u2019s chin and guiding him into his chest. \u00a0\u201cCan you smell mine?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada breathes deep of Dara\u2019s musk through the fabric of his top, a pleasantly masculine, violet scent. \u00a0\u201cMmm. Sure can, bud. S\u2019nice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t get much of a chance back at the restaurant to really familiarize himself with Dara\u2019s scent, so he\u2019s glad he can experience it now. \u00a0He cranes his head up to sniff along Dara\u2019s neck, impeded slightly by the high collar of his shirt, as Dara patiently tilts his chin up to give him more room. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you like it?\u201d Dara asks. \u00a0Although Cicada can\u2019t see it right now, he can <\/span>hear<\/span><\/i> the eager smile in Dara\u2019s voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada flicks his tongue out against what bare skin he can, causing Dara to softly whine. \u00a0\u201cLove it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

His hands wander, finding the bottom hem of Dara\u2019s top and sliding beneath it to push it up, exposing his waist and toned, flat belly. \u00a0Dara pulls away, startled at first, then relaxes as he hikes the bottom of his shirt up more. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWouldya look at that fluff,\u201d Cicada grins as he looks down, stroking the black hair latticed under Dara\u2019s bellybutton. \u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s some good fluff right there, buddy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019s not sure why he feels so compelled to tickle Dara on his bare skin, but he gives into the impulse to do so because it\u2019s right there and it\u2019s <\/span>cute,<\/span><\/i> darn it, and he wants to see Dara curl in on himself and laugh. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh no,\u201d Dara plaintively giggles, brushing Cicada\u2019s hand away and starting to push his leggings down. \u00a0\u201cMaybe you should work on this instead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t mind if I do!\u201d Cicada obediently puts his hands on either side of Dara\u2019s hips, helping his leggings down the rest of the way and noticing his star-printed underwear with an amused smirk. \u00a0\u201cThose undies are <\/span>adorable<\/span><\/i>, buddy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI like them,\u201d Dara pouts defensively, looking away in embarrassment. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNah, buddy, I like \u2018em too!\u201d \u00a0Cicada reassuringly pats him on the leg. \u00a0\u201cThe star motif is like, really fun an\u2019 stuff, eh.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Dara glances back down at him, smiling shyly. \u00a0\u201cIf you really think so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, really, they\u2019re fine.\u201d \u00a0Cicada smirks at him, casually pressing his finger up between Dara\u2019s legs and lightly dragging them across his mound. \u00a0He can\u2019t help but notice the poor guy\u2019s a thurible of horny dude musk right now, realizing his digits are brushing against decidedly wet underwear fabric and smelling like a dense, sticky cannabis bush in full summer bloom. \u00a0\u201cJeez, buddy, looks like you\u2019re already seein\u2019 more stars\u2019n what\u2019s all on your skivvies, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHmpf.\u201d \u00a0Dara bucks his hips at his touch, widening his knees and quickly bracing himself on Cicada\u2019s shoulders with a loud clattering of bracelets. \u00a0His expression is caught somewhere between being mortified and deeply flustered, his ears held low and back as he presses himself into Cicada\u2019s hand. \u00a0\u201cCan you\u2026?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada starts to lightly massage Dara, feeling his arousal grow through the fabric. \u201cYou bet. \u00a0Want me to take \u2018em off for ya?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara nods at him, attempting to steady himself and concentrating on breathing as if he\u2019s actively trying not to make any noise as he\u2019s being fondled. \u00a0Cicada tugs on the waistband of his celestially-printed underwear, sliding them on down his thighs and idly wondering to himself how far down he\u2019d have to pull them to break that string of clear cum that\u2019s adhered itself to the fabric. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot of things he could say here, all of them jokes and all of them more terrible than the last: That Dara\u2019s so wet he could get in a boat and go fishing in his great lake, that talking about cricket cuisine must\u2019ve really riled him up that much, that his phone just alerted him to a flood advisory warning. \u00a0Instead, he goes to his usual standby when he sees something simultaneously impressive and hot: \u201cJeez louise!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s Louise?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara\u2019s question catches Cicada off guard, taking a few seconds for his words to catch up to his brain to fully process what he was just asked, a dumb, stoned grin sprawling across his face and he begins to laugh. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s a figure\u2019a speech, bud.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026 Oh!\u201d \u00a0Dara facepalms in embarrassment. \u00a0\u201cI-Is that good or bad?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada chuckles warmly at him as he invites himself in to play with Dara\u2019s junk, spreading his labia with his fingers and pressing the butt of his hand against his clit (Dara lied or was in denial about his size earlier, Cicada realizes). \u201cS\u2019good, bud, s\u2019good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Dara pants as he starts to grind against Cicada\u2019s hand, lowering himself even further as Cicada turns his wrist and starts circling his thumb over his clit. \u00a0\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Okay,\u2019\u201d Cicada echoes, smirking. \u00a0He puts his other hand on Dara\u2019s hip, gliding it up his side and over to the exposed hair on his belly, running his fingers through it and wishing he could just bury his face in it and breathe in his musky sweat to the point where he can taste it on his tongue. \u00a0There are other things he wishes for right now, like having a fat cock he could unzip his jeans and have Dara sit on and ride, but his fingers would have to do for now and Dara certainly doesn\u2019t seem to mind them one bit. <\/span><\/p>\n

Occasionally he can hear muffled whimpers and whines coming from Dara, who\u2019s now hunching over and grabbing onto Cicada\u2019s shoulders for dear life. \u00a0Not to mention he\u2019s got some arousal of his own to deal with now, fumbling one-handedly with the button of his jeans as he slides down a bit to make that easier. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara notices him being distracted (or more likely, he was forced to resituate himself when Cicada sunk further into the couch), realizing what he\u2019s trying to do. \u00a0He shimmies back a little, his legs trembling, as he helps Cicada unzip his jeans and make an earnest attempt at pulling them down despite being pinned to the couch. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I\u2019ve an idea,\u201d Cicada says, toning down his rubbing of Dara\u2019s pussy into lighter, gentler strokes to try and bring him back down a bit. \u00a0It seems to work, Dara\u2019s breathing slowing as he pushes himself back enough to look at Cicada, his face still quite flushed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh-huh!\u201d \u00a0Cicada nods at him. \u00a0\u201cWanna getcher pants all the way off, an\u2019 I take mine all the way off, an\u2019 we rub our dicks together? \u00a0Could be fun, eh!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks at him like he just suggested that they go to the 24 hour diner <\/span>right now <\/span><\/i>and gorge on a shitload of eggs. \u00a0\u201cThat sounds <\/span>amazing.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS\u2019cuz I get the best ideas when high, buddy!\u201d Cicada grins. \u00a0Dara awkwardly cowboy-walks with his knees out of Cicada\u2019s lap as quickly as he can manage, pulling his leggings down over one leg and kicking them away, visibly panting as he looks at Cicada. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lurching up off the couch is a laborious act for Cicada, but he manages to stand up and lets his jeans drop to his ankles and steps out of them. \u00a0Dara doesn\u2019t even wait, he leans over and grabs Cicada\u2019s underwear by the waistband and yanks them on down, getting them briefly caught on the metallic joint of his prosthetic leg, which Cicada frees with a finger. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now having been successfully depantsed, he gets back down on the couch, resting his back on the armrest as he spreads his legs and pats the area directly in front of him for Dara to sit. \u00a0Dara clamors over, somewhat clumsily as he attempts to figure out where to put his legs so he can get closest to where he wants to be. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow do we\u2026?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUhh.\u201d \u00a0Cicada tries to scoot himself forward towards Dara, reaching out for his hips to try and pull them closer together so their legs can lock together and allow their clits to touch. \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t really plan this far ahead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell it\u2019s a really hot idea,\u201d Dara says, leaning his torso over and stroking his beard as he assesses the situation. \u00a0\u201cMaybe if one of us laid on our side?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, yeah! \u00a0And like, put your leg over mine\u2019r somethin\u2019, eh.\u201d Cicada\u2019s face lights up as he rolls over on his side and pops off his prosthetic leg, leaning it against the couch on the floor (after all, accidentally kicking Dara in the head without realizing it would be a terrible thing). \u00a0Dara straddles his thigh, his knees on either side of his waist, as he slides in and locks himself into place.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two of them pause in a moment of confused, horny silence as they both try to figure out how the fuck any of this is supposed to work \u2013 but hey, their clits are touching and that\u2019s a thing! \u00a0And so is the rest of their vulvas, which is a weird fucking sensation that neither of them seem to have experienced before \u2013 it\u2019s weird and wet and slippery, like a really sloppy kiss between two very drooly mouths that happen to be wearing erectile tissue as a hat. \u00a0Dara is the first to start trying to make something of this, slowly rocking his hips against Cicada\u2019s. Cicada follows suit, closing his eyes as he tries to focus on the sensation of their awkward rutting together, licking his lips and clenching his teeth as he breathes through his nose.<\/span><\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t take too much grinding together for him to feel his walls clenching and pumping in orgasm, although he\u2019s pretty sure he felt Dara go off before him despite the ungainly positioning the two of them shared. \u00a0When there\u2019s a will and two very stoned, horny elves, there\u2019s absolutely a fucking way even if it takes frotting against each other in the weirdest imaginable position to accomplish the mutual goal of getting off.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara is panting loudly as he looks at Cicada with one ear pulled back, laying back on his half of the couch and starting to laugh hysterically, his slippery wet vulva jostling against Cicada\u2019s with each jolly howl in floaty, intoxicated, post-coital bliss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was the weirdest sex thing I\u2019ve ever tried to do,\u201d Dara says, hiding his face in his hands as he tries to muffle his chortling. \u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t even know what I\u2019m <\/span>doing.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut it sure fuckin\u2019 worked, dinnit?\u201d Cicada wheezes, joining in the joyous, uproarious laughter. \u00a0\u201cHow did we even fuckin\u2019– s\u2019like we\u2019re knotted without a single fuckin\u2019 knot between us, eh!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFuck!\u201d \u00a0Dara laughs so hard he coughs, hitting himself in the chest to dislodge the phlegm stuck in his airways. \u00a0He bobs forward then back, pounding his chest more as he clears his throat. \u201cFuck. Fuck knots.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFuck knots!\u201d Cicada emphatically agrees, punching his hand. \u00a0\u201cY\u2019ever get tied to some boring fucker who can\u2019t talk about nothin\u2019 else but his fishin\u2019 boat while he\u2019s stuck in yer pooch for twenty more minutes?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds awful!\u201d \u00a0Dara drags his hands down his face before folding them over his chest in a full body shudder. \u00a0\u201cI think if I ever got tied to someone like that I\u2019d chew his dick off and run away like my leg were stuck in a trap.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The mental image makes Cicada sit upwards in tear-inducing mirth, slapping his knee as his throat rasps and chokes on phlegm from cackling so much. \u00a0\u201cY\u2019know, I should\u2019ve done that, for sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou should have.\u201d \u00a0Dara nods sagely at him. \u00a0\u201cJust\u2026 just gnaw that thing right off and scurry off into the bushes to squat and ploop it out into the dirt. \u00a0Just leave it there, he\u2019ll come back and get it later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFuckin\u2019– \u2018ploop it into the dirt\u2019!\u201d Cicada\u2019s laughing so hard now that the muscles in his head are starting to go sore, his eyes wet with tears as he sighs and relaxes his neck on the armrest of the couch. \u00a0\u201cI can\u2019t even fuckin\u2019 see right now from laughin\u2019 so much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks around with an amused curl of his lips, then back to Cicada. \u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t even remember what we were trying to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t remember either,\u201d Cicada admits, inclining his head back and noticing how pretty the overhead lights are. \u00a0He shifts his weight, starting with his hips, when that weird, wet sensation between his legs reminds him. \u201cOh, hey. \u00a0Our cunts are makin\u2019 out, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks down, noticing how their pubic mounds have been so elegantly mushed together, and breaks out into helpless peals of laughter again before falling back on the couch and sinking into its cushions. \u00a0His chest heaves as he tries to regain his breath, his eyes squinted and watery, with an enormously stupid grin on his face. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cY\u2019wanna know what I like about dwarves?\u201d Cicada asks Dara, holding up a finger. \u00a0Dara lifts his head up at him to listen, his ears up. Cicada grins at him once he has his attention. \u00a0\u201cNo knots.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara snorts loudly and lays his head back down. \u00a0\u201cDo they really?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo fuckin\u2019 knots,\u201d Cicada repeats himself, smiling blissfully. \u00a0\u201cThey tip great, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmm.\u201d \u00a0Dara closes his eyes and exhales peacefully, relaxing into the couch and into what parts of Cicada he can from this incredibly awkward angle. \u00a0\u201cAlthough if I\u2019m being honest, I don\u2019t think I would mind being tied with you, actually.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada wiggles his hips against him, his ears pulled back with amusement. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re really sure about that, eh?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Dara nudges him back, smiling languidly. \u00a0\u201cI already like spending time with you, what\u2019s another twenty minutes stuck on your dick or having you stuck on mine?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHeh. \u00a0Alright,\u201d Cicada murmurs as he pushes himself against Dara. \u00a0He feels corny actually admitting the feeling is mutual, so he just lets the lazy grin on his face say it for him. \u00a0\u201cFair \u2018nuff.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They lay in relaxed silence for a few tranquil moments, their legs locked together until Dara shifts his weight and attempts to twist himself upright. \u00a0He could have just as easily pulled himself away, since there\u2019s nothing physically holding them together but the gravity of their own bodies, but just the mere thought of the two of them being tied together is a strongly instinctual, comforting impulse. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOy, Cicada.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada looks up from the hazy half-nap he was taking on the armrest of the couch. \u00a0\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCould we do sauna after this?\u201d \u00a0Dara flashes an eager, playful grin at him as he curls his upper body upwards, bending his knees around Cicada\u2019s waist. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, y\u2019wanna see more of my naked ass, doncha?\u201d \u00a0Cicada grins, winking at him. \u201cYou\u2019ve done sauna before, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span>Shaking his head, Dara leans forward and holds onto Cicada\u2019s leg for support. \u00a0\u201cNo, I\u2019ve never been. I\u2019d like to try it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s sauna,\u201d Cicada says, looking a little stunned. \u00a0Dara never having been to sauna is probably the biggest cultural shock he\u2019s had to deal with so far \u2013 around here, <\/span>everyone<\/span><\/i> made sauna a part of their life. \u00a0To imagine a life without it is profoundly alien to him \u2013 sauna is a reflection of an elf\u2019s instinctive nature to nestle in a dark, warm den for birthing and raising their kits, and it didn\u2019t take much for them to realize it was a great way to keep warm in their sapient, furless forms, thus enshrining it as an integral part of elven culture. \u00a0\u201cYou guys don\u2019t have sauna in Thalassea?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is sauna in Thalassea, but…\u201d Dara trails off as he swivels back an ear as he looks aside in thought. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m always too shy to go. But everyone makes it sound so fun!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCould always wear a towel if you don\u2019t want people checkin\u2019 out your junk,\u201d Cicada shrugs, smiling at him. \u00a0\u201cEh, I get it though. I don\u2019t think people care as much as y\u2019think, but I get it. If half the town didn\u2019t already seen my cunt in some way or another, I probably wouldn\u2019t\u2019a care much for public sauna, either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, good thing we\u2019ve already seen each other\u2019s, then!\u201d Dara releases Cicada\u2019s knee and lays back down on the couch, snuggling against his legs. \u00a0\u201cI just need a few more minutes here before I can get up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure.\u201d \u00a0Cicada sighs contentedly as he squeezes his thighs against Dara\u2019s pelvis, resting his head down on the armrest again. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He wonders if Thalasseans ever get to experience the post-sauna joy of jumping ass-naked in a freezing lake in winter or sitting nude outside in a lawn chair with a cold beer in summer and watching the stars before going back in to cook themselves all over again and repeat the process. \u00a0There had to be lakes out there, surely, and even those in apartments could sit out on their balconies with a towel at their waist to cool off. <\/span><\/p>\n

If they don\u2019t, then Dara\u2019s next experience in a sauna could probably never hold up to a simple backyard sauna in a small rural town in the middle of nowhere. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2766<\/b><\/h1>\n

Once they manage to pry themselves off of each other and make it to the backyard, Cicada enters the sauna first to start the fire in the woodstove to begin heating it up so it\u2019s ready by the time they\u2019ve undressed and showered. \u00a0The sauna is a small wooden outbuilding a short distance from the house just on the edge of the woods, almost resembling a large shed to an outsider\u2019s eye with only a tin chimney on the roof to indicate its actual purpose. <\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier in the summer, Cicada had the foresight to weave bundles of birch leaves as well having already cut as a good supply of firewood to warm the stove as well as the cabin itself once the biting cold of winter comes around. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The entrance to the sauna is a small dressing room with a bench, its cubbyholes stuffed neatly with clean towels, next to an equally tiny shower with sturdy handrails, a handheld shower head, and a shower seat. \u00a0Dara\u2019s offer to help him set up is greatly appreciated; when Cicada is by himself he usually sets up the towels and birch bundles beforehand as he needs to remove his leg prosthetic to shower (and, often, he keeps it off when in sauna itself since he\u2019s not moving much in the first place). \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After showering and carrying himself inside on a crutch, Cicada takes his seat on a towel in the back corner closest to the little cylindrical woodstove topped with a basket of stones, his stump against the wall and his leg off the side of the bench to hold himself upright. \u00a0It\u2019s not long before Dara comes in from the shower room with a bucket of water and birch bundles in hand, setting it down next to the stove. The lighting in the sauna is dim, its only sources of light being the lit stove, a tiny window near the roof, and the sliding glass entry door that takes no time in getting fogged over as Dara shuts it behind him. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He eyes the suggestive thermometer nailed up on the wall, watching the little needle tilt upwards as the room\u2019s temperature climbs. Dara lays out his towel next to him and carefully sits down with his arms held close to his body, slightly hunched over as he tucks a leg under the other. \u00a0For all his excited chatter about wanting to go to sauna earlier, his disposition is a lot more shy now that he\u2019s been shed all of his clothing and jewelry in contrast to Cicada\u2019s super casual sprawl in his favorite corner. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS\u2019just a body, nothin\u2019 I haven\u2019t seen before,\u201d Cicada says as he gives him a comforting pat on the knee. \u00a0\u00a0\u201cBut if you wanna go back and get another towel to cover yourself, you can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ll be okay.\u201d \u00a0Dara pulls an ear back as he glances over his shoulder towards the door, then shakes his head. \u00a0From what Cicada can see, he has a nice layer of guard hairs growing in on his chest at the same rate as what he saw on his stomach earlier, and a pair of scars along his chest that look like they could have been done in the last year or two. \u00a0Even his forearms \u2013 previously mostly hidden by those bangles \u2013 have a good coating of hair on them. The alchemy\u2019s been <\/span>good<\/span><\/i> to Dara, if he\u2019s only been on the potions for as long as he said \u2013 Cicada\u2019s first years on the potions were full of acne, wispy facial hair that looked like pubes growing on his neck, and even more acne until his skin decided to chill the fuck out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adolescent male elves could <\/span>easily<\/span><\/i> be mistaken for goblins that way, and he\u2019s glad that phase of his transition is long over.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBuddy, you\u2019re gonna look so damn good in a few years,\u201d Cicada says, thinking out loud. \u00a0\u201cI mean– you look amazing now, but those potions\u2019re gonna turn you into an absolute fuckin\u2019 prince in no time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou flatter me so,\u201d Dara laughs awkwardly, running a hand over his thin beard as he blushes. \u00a0\u201cBut thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean it.\u201d \u00a0Water hisses into steam as Cicada leans down to scoop up a ladle full to splash onto the stones, setting it back into the bucket and fishing out the wet birch branches. \u00a0One is kept for himself, the other handed off to Dara. \u201cYou\u2019re gorgeous.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou really are kind.\u201d \u00a0Dara turns an ear back as he\u2019s handed the bundle, his first instinct upon taking it is to hold it to his face and sniff at the leaves. \u00a0\u201cDo you… eat this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada gives him a look, starting to laugh as he raps the leaves against his chest and shoulders. \u00a0\u201cIf you\u2019re a deer, maybe!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Both of Dara\u2019s ears pull back as he rears his head up in surprise, watching Cicada lazily transfer the bundle to his other hand to smack the leaves along his other side. \u00a0\u201cYou strike yourself with them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada nods, grabbing onto the nearby handrail as he leans forward, steadying himself with his foot, to get his back with the birch leaves. \u00a0\u201cYeah, s\u2019posed t\u2019 open up your skin, or somethin\u2019. Smells really good too, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara watches him for a few moments, then imitates what Cicada is doing, whisking the leaves against his bare skin. \u00a0It\u2019s an unfamiliar sensation as his ears involuntarily twitch with each strike. \u201cMy coworkers never mentioned anything about hitting yourself with a branch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah? \u00a0What\u2019ve you heard about sauna up on mainland?\u201d Cicada pours water over himself from the ladle, then throws more onto the rocks for more steam. \u00a0He\u2019s practically melted into his little corner with relaxation now.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019re sweaty and naked like this,\u201d Dara says, gesturing to himself before excitedly holding his arms out. \u00a0\u201cBut then cute girls come out and massage you! But, you know, they massage you <\/span>everywhere<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTh\u2019 fuck?\u201d Cicada\u2019s expression sours as he stops mid-ladling. \u00a0Sure, he\u2019s the type of person to willingly and eagerly give someone a blowjob in church, but doing something like that in sauna makes him feel weird and uncomfortable for reasons he can\u2019t adequately explain, and not just for the physical unpleasantness of sexual contact when you\u2019re a molten glob of sweaty flesh at the peak of relaxation. \u00a0Sauna was something you did with your family as a kit, and then with your friends (and strangers) when you become of age. He quickly laughs off his discomfort. \u201c<\/span>That\u2019s<\/span><\/i> different.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo they not do that here?\u201d Dara asks, tilting his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, there ain\u2019t gonna be no cute girls comin\u2019 out to give us backrubs <\/span>or<\/span><\/i> handjobs out here, I\u2019m afraid,\u201d Cicada says, smirking. \u00a0\u201cI mean– the public ones got a lady who comes out to scrub your ass down with some soap n\u2019 water but I think if you were dumb enough to ask \u2018er for a handjob she\u2019d grab you by the scruff a\u2019 your neck and throw your ass out, for sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara considers the mental image of that and starts to laugh, grinning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if I\u2019d want something like that in here anyway,\u201d he says, slumping against the back wall, tilting back his head. \u00a0In the dim firelight, Cicada can make out a distinct mark on either side of Dara\u2019s neck as he watches him sink into the bench. \u201cIt\u2019s so warm, it makes feel like a little kit in the den. \u00a0I just want to laze around with my siblings until Mom and Dad come home with food.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure,\u201d Cicada says, somewhat distractedly as he subconsciously touches a hand to his neck to rub the unmarred skin there. \u00a0\u201cDidya ever hear about how the first sauna was built?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara shakes his head. \u00a0\u201cNo, I\u2019ve not heard that story.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you know when Ketunaiti stole the flame from the Creator\u2019s middens, she was just an ordinary-ass fox at the time,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0He takes his hand off his neck and uses it to support himself as he leans back against the wall. \u201cAnd as you know, contact with the flames was what made her a person. \u00a0An elf. And as <\/span>we<\/span><\/i> know, bein\u2019 a person means you have no fur to keep warm and no good claws to dig yourself a den in the earth, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight.\u201d \u00a0Dara nods, listening intently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, she was swollen with kits at the time when she and her mate came to stand on two legs and this was a long, freezing fuckin\u2019 winter, y\u2019know. \u00a0S\u2019not like she could stop bein\u2019 pregnant, and spring wasn\u2019t anywhere near on the horizon so she had to do <\/span>somethin\u2019<\/span><\/i>, as any sensible fox-mother would do,\u201d Cicada continues. \u00a0\u201cSo she and her mate then built a den <\/span>above<\/span><\/i> the ground, using branches from the trees, and dug what they could so that they could build a fire pit, which they then covered with loose rocks an\u2019 stuff to keep it goin\u2019 and keep it hot as long as they could.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Ketunaiti, she realized that the fire on its own made everything too dry, which isn\u2019t good when you\u2019ve got yourself no fur and a bushel o\u2019 babies on the way. \u00a0So she got the idea, then, to bring spring into her den, and went out to collect snow from outside in her arms, knowing that warmth would melt the snow and make it become spring. \u00a0Her mate questioned her motives when she brought the snow into the den, for the purpose of the den was to keep snow <\/span>out<\/span><\/i>, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo she threw the snow onto the burnin\u2019 hot rocks, \u2018spectin\u2019 it to just melt, y\u2019know, \u2018cause they were just foxes and didn\u2019t know science stuff or nothin\u2019 yet. \u00a0So they didn\u2019t expect steam at <\/span>all<\/span><\/i>, and they realized, y\u2019know, that made things really nice with the warm wet air, not to mention the ideal conditions for havin\u2019 a litter, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so the first elves were born in sauna,\u201d Dara concludes. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure, and that\u2019s why we have sauna today!\u201d \u00a0Cicada nods at him, smiling brilliantly. \u201cAll \u2018cause the Mother of Elves wanted a nice, cozy place to have her kits, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a good story,\u201d Dara chuckles pleasantly. \u00a0\u201cWe never had such traditions where I grew up. It was way too hot for sauna, and we never had such severe winters to prepare for or anything close to a winter. \u00a0The Mother of Elves did not do such things in our stories, but she would do other things, like sacrificing her tears to flood the rivers so that we could have a good harvest every year, and, uh, becoming the sun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never heard that take on the story before,\u201d Cicada says, stroking his beard with a grin. \u00a0Ketunaiti becoming the sun was never a part of the tales he heard growing up, but Her association with fire didn\u2019t take much of a stretch to link the two, he supposes. \u00a0\u201cAnd y\u2019know, I\u2019ve never heard anyone describe Thalassea as too hot for anything \u2013 I thought the place was cold and damp. You\u2019re not from there, then?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not from Thalassea.\u201d Dara shakes his head, lazily fanning himself with the birch brush and smiling. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m from Samoutea. Very hot, very humid. Imagine a whole <\/span>country<\/span><\/i> of sauna.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWow, you\u2019re a long way from home, then,\u201d Cicada says, resting his chin in his hand as he leans forward with interest. \u00a0He doesn\u2019t know much geography, but he knows Samoutea is somewhere far to the south, somewhere in the tropics on the furthest side of the ocean. \u00a0It definitely wasn\u2019t on the same continent as Minnelaskwa or even Thalassea itself. \u201cWhat brought you to Thalassea, then? Got tired of the hot weather, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSchool, mostly,\u201d Dara says, sounding vague as he looks up in thought and brushes his fingers against his neck without really being aware of it. \u00a0\u201cThen after that, work. I\u2019ve always just been too busy to go back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure, for sure,\u201d Cicada nods, his eyes lingering on Dara\u2019s neck again, looking back up when he notices Dara leveling his head. \u00a0The scarring on Dara\u2019s neck is not as wide as the ones he\u2019s used to seeing on the older folks, the iron-collared convicts that arrived at the colony prior to his birth, which has him wondering if there\u2019s been a recent resurgence of the cruel practice under a bullshit \u2018kinder, gentler\u2019 shell. \u00a0\u201cNever did too much schoolin\u2019 myself. The church taught us basic stuff like readin\u2019 and countin\u2019 and all when we were kits but I pretty much jumped straight into the work as soon as I was big enough to carry an axe, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo have work is good.\u201d \u00a0Dara is quiet for a moment, deep in thought. \u00a0\u201cAnd to have education is very lucky. My parents saved for years so I could get an education abroad when I was old enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure.\u201d \u00a0Cicada nervously drums his fingers on the side of the bench, his ears tugging back. \u00a0It\u2019s not that Dara being a convict bothered him \u2013 he could hardly give a fraction of a fuck what his criminal record was because he knows full well the reasons for many convictions in Thalassea were bullshit \u2013 but Dara is <\/span>younger<\/span><\/i> than him by almost two decades, born well after the practice of collaring prisoners to keep them from using magic should have been abolished. \u00a0\u201cLotsa folks \u2018round here didn\u2019t even know how to read for the longest time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He swallows, feeling his throat move beneath his fingertips. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara notices him staring, lowering his ears and angling his head down in an attempt to hide the collar-mark as he casts his eyes to the floor, folding his arms over his chest as he curls into himself. \u00a0\u201cAh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS-sorry,\u201d Cicada says, blinking quickly and looking away to stare at his reflection in the bucket, halfheartedly scooping up some water to pour on himself to try and distract his thoughts. \u00a0At least the damn thing isn\u2019t still burning on Dara\u2019s neck, but it hardly makes him feel better about the fact that it was there on him at all. <\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot he wants to say \u2013 and a lot he doesn\u2019t want to know \u2013 but he\u2019d really rather lighten the mood right now. \u00a0Seeing Dara sad like this makes him feel like an ass just for noticing the mark, so maybe he could deflect things a bit and try and cheer him up with one of his favorite comedy routines when the atmosphere at the bar got too depressing. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Squaring his shoulders, Cicada takes a deep breath as he tries to force a huge dumb smile, loudly patting himself on the thigh where he\u2019d been amputated below the knee. \u00a0\u201cWanna hear about how I lost my leg?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara seems taken aback by Cicada\u2019s suddenly chipper mood, his ears flat on the sides of his head. \u00a0\u201cEr– that sounds really personal. You don\u2019t have to tell me if you don\u2019t want to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a funny story,\u201d Cicada says, grinning widely as he shifts his body and straightens up. \u00a0\u201cI promise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks unconvinced as he glances down at the stump. \u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019s funny about losing a leg?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh– Well–\u201d Cicada\u2019s smile wavers. \u00a0This is going to be a hard fucking sell, isn\u2019t it? \u00a0\u201cSo, this\u2019s some forty, fifty years back, eh, y\u2019know, late in the fall, y\u2019know, as logging crews tend to go out into the woods to stake out spots to start settin\u2019 up camp while we wait for the first snow, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d Dara nods, looking unsure as he bends past Cicada to grab for the ladle, splashing water over his chest. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight, so, we\u2019re settin\u2019 up camp, but we need to get some meat for provisions, right? \u00a0So me n\u2019 a couple dwarves go out and we set up some traps and leave \u2018em overnight,\u201d Cicada says, pantomiming as though he were walking in the woods. \u00a0\u201cSo we get back to camp, and donchaknowit, it\u2019s startin\u2019 to snow! Now, if you know dwarves, you know they\u2019ll find any cause for celebration, right, and they\u2019re not ones to leave anybody out if they can help it, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Steam hisses off the hot stones as Dara throws more water on them. \u00a0\u201cI guess?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, uh, so it\u2019s snowing, and everyone\u2019s all gettin\u2019 drunk off their asses and dancin\u2019 around and by the time the last embers go out we all go back to the little bunkhouse we have, and the next morning everything\u2019s just fuckin\u2019 <\/span>covered<\/span><\/i> in snow!\u201d Cicada excitedly holds his arms out. \u00a0\u201cSo, uh, as you can imagine, traps got snowed over, and of course, we got drunk the night before so we kinda, uh, forgot where we put them…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara glances at Cicada\u2019s stump again, frowning. \u00a0\u201cSo you found one with your foot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEh, yeah.\u201d \u00a0Cicada falters, feeling the wind rapidly draining from his sails as his shoulders droop and his hands fall into his lap. \u00a0\u201cI guess it\u2019s a lot funnier when I got my fake leg on and I can act it out, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d Dara says, gently putting his hand on Cicada\u2019s knee and smiling softly. \u00a0\u201cI appreciate your attempt at amusement nonetheless.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Weirdly, Dara\u2019s tone comes off as a lot less condescending than it probably should have been. \u00a0Cicada\u2019s delivery of that story was <\/span>terrible<\/span><\/i> and he knows it, but a part of him feels like even <\/span>if<\/span><\/i> he had his prosthetic leg on the comedy would\u2019ve fallen flat with Dara. \u00a0Maybe self-deprecating amputee humor just isn\u2019t his cup of tea, and truthfully, there\u2019s nothing wrong with that either. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, that story sucked.\u201d A long sigh drags through Cicada\u2019s lungs from the depths of his chest as he puts his hands in his lap. \u00a0\u201cWhat really happened was nothin\u2019 special, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d Dara curls his fingers against Cicada\u2019s leg. \u00a0\u201cWhat did happen?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEh, s\u2019kinda dumb, honestly.\u201d \u00a0Cicada inhales slowly, lowering his gaze and smiling sadly. \u00a0It\u2019s not that he has an aversion to telling the truth, but this story was one he never liked telling. \u00a0He\u2019ll keep it succinct. \u201cGot hit by a car.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara considers this as he gently strokes the top of Cicada\u2019s forearm, his fingers running down the coarse hairs. \u00a0\u201cI see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, not as good a story as the bullshit one I made up to tell people.\u201d \u00a0Cicada tries to grin. \u201cNobody wants to hear a story \u2018bout someone bein\u2019 sad and doin\u2019 stupid shit \u2018cause they\u2019re sad, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight.\u201d \u00a0Dara\u2019s eyes wander up from Cicada\u2019s hand, noticing the small, fox-sized bite marks along the inner side of of his arm \u2013 long healed over, but distinct in what they are. \u00a0He quickly looks up from them, gazing into the fire burning in the stove for a moment before looking back to Cicada. \u201cYou don\u2019t want people to feel sorry for you, so you make them laugh instead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMore or less, yeah,\u201d Cicada sheepishly smiles as he looks towards the ceiling. \u00a0\u201cThere\u2019s enough depressin\u2019 shit in the world and I don\u2019t wanna add to it if I don\u2019t hafta, y\u2019know?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They look at each other in a knowing, weighty silence, with Dara gently running his fingers over Cicada\u2019s leg. \u00a0In the dim light, thin, raised lines, also healed over and spaced out methodically, lay faint on the underside of his wrists that are definitely not imprints from his bangles upon second glance. \u00a0Cicada sighs, giving him an understanding nod. While their methods were different, the intent was the same \u2013 a primal, maladaptive expression of pain and self-loathing to which they saw no other outlet in a faded and almost forgotten past.<\/span><\/p>\n

Those signs of what their lives were like before actualization are always good reminders of what they went through to get to where they are now \u2013 signs of realization, signs that they no longer would have to lay another tooth, claw, or blade on themselves, that they weren\u2019t changing themselves because of an external stimulus but to quell a storm that raged within for so much of their lives that they now live in relative peace and comfort and to share that with someone else who <\/span>gets it<\/span><\/i> is such an intense feeling of unspoken closeness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOy.\u201d \u00a0Dara gives Cicada a squeeze, smiling tenderly as he gets his attention. \u00a0\u201cIs it alright if we cool off for a bit?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yah, sure,\u201d Cicada says, wiping his forehead and grabbing for his crutch, transferring it to his right hand as he turns his whole body to hop off the bench. \u00a0\u201cS\u2019probably due time to have a sit outside, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2766<\/b><\/h1>\n

After putting out the stove, the two of them wash up in the shower and put towels around their waists, Cicada putting his prosthetic leg back on before exiting the sauna. \u00a0His backyard isn\u2019t the grassiest lot in the area, much of it worn down to bare dirt from heavy travel with any remaining grass overgrown and speckled with weeds. An old stone fire pit sits in the middle of the yard, a small ways in front of the sauna, showing all the signs of regular use and a pair of metal tongs laying on the pit. Plastic lawn chairs are set up next to the pit, facing the woods that surround the yard.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada briefly returns to the house to get a pitcher of ice water, some plastic cups, and a small package of sausages, setting them out on the brick sides of the fire pit as Dara sits down. \u00a0Normally, he\u2019d be grabbing a six pack of beer to share with his guests after a session in the sauna, but he decided that would probably be a terrible idea right now given the conversation he and Dara had earlier. \u00a0Elves and alcohol typically meant a higher chance of emotionally raw conversations and thus a dangerously high chance of blubbery tears and that\u2019s just downright not good for anyone. <\/span><\/p>\n

He pours Dara a glass before sitting down himself, sinking into the lawn chair and enjoying the cool evening air on his warm, wet skin. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Dara says, bringing the cup to his nose to sniff it before taking a sip. \u00a0\u201cJust water?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS\u2019fresh from the well,\u201d Cicada says, holding his hand over the fire pit to start a small cantrip flame before grabbing for the sausage pack. \u00a0\u201cIf you want booze or somethin\u2019 I could go to the house and get some, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara shakes his head, holding up his hand. \u00a0\u201cA beer might be nice, but you don\u2019t have to get up again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was just goin\u2019 back to the house to get condiments,\u201d Cicada says, tearing the package open and laying sausages out on the charred grill laying over the pit. \u00a0\u201cAnd, like, napkins n\u2019 shit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Eyeing the sausages on the grill for a while, as if he\u2019s trying to determine that Cicada wasn\u2019t just inventing a reason to go back to the house solely for the sake of him, Dara smiles at Cicada. \u00a0\u201cHow about I help you carry some stuff out, then?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The offer to help catches Cicada slightly off guard, having been accustomed to passive, pleasant banter centering around offering to do something nice and being told \u2018oh don\u2019t go out of your way just for me\u2019 but replying \u2018oh but I was going to do the thing anyway\u2019 to \u2018well alright then, but you don\u2019t have to\u2019 ad nauseum for at least half an hour before finally just doing the thing, frozen in shock for just a second. \u00a0He could easily drag on the charade by saying \u2018you don\u2019t hafta\u2019, but Dara is not fluent enough in Minnelaskwan politeness theatre to be put on the spot like that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, he really was going back to the house to get condiments anyway. \u00a0At least with Dara helping, he\u2019ll have to make fewer trips because he only has so many arms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d Cicada concedes with a shrug and a smile. \u00a0\u201cSure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara gets up first, offering Cicada his hand to pull him up out of his chair as they walk back to the cabin and head for the kitchen, gathering necessary supplies to bring back outside. \u00a0He briefly checks on his phone while he\u2019s in the kitchen, leaving it plugged into the charger as he turns back around with an armful of sausage buns and plastic-wrapped paper plates.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think my phone might be going screwy,\u201d Dara says, holding open the screen door for Cicada. \u00a0\u201cIt says it\u2019s almost ten right now but it\u2019s still daylight out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada looks at him, then looks up at the pink sky. \u00a0The sun looks like it\u2019s about to set, casting a warm tone on everything. \u00a0\u201cS\u2019just summer, days\u2019re long as hell this time a\u2019 year, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara yawns as he sets the paper plates and bag of buns on the ground by the pit. \u00a0\u201cAnd here I thought my phone just had a latent case of jet lag.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, right, that jet lag thing,\u201d Cicada says, yawning after Dara. \u00a0\u201cIf you wanna go t\u2019bed instead\u2019a sittin\u2019 around out here with me, you\u2019re more\u2019n welcome to head back in, for sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can stay up a little longer,\u201d Dara tells him, sitting back down and stretching his limbs out in the chair. \u00a0\u201cI have no other plans tomorrow besides going back up to the lodge to get those files transferred over, so I can sleep in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada picks up the metal tongs, using them to rotate the sausages on the grill while watching Dara rest his head on his hand. \u00a0\u201cIf you\u2019re sure, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t be able to sleep if it\u2019s still light out, anyway.\u201d \u00a0Dara smiles serenely as he closes his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFair \u2018nuff,\u201d says Cicada. \u00a0He\u2019s used to staying up late into the night during the off-season, often going to bed just before the sun rises, but he\u2019s feeling more languid than usual tonight and Dara\u2019s yawning is absolutely not helping. \u00a0Reaching for the six pack he put down on the thinning grass, he breaks one off and offers it to Dara. \u201cHere y\u2019go, bud.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, thank you!\u201d Dara opens his eyes again, taking the cold can of beer and noticing the somewhat outdated ring tab it has, pulling it up and out with a satisfying hiss of carbonation. \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t even know they still made cans like this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you know dwarves,\u201d Cicada says as he turns his head towards the pit and watches the flame flicker and stir on the coals, its burning tendrils licking upwards towards the grease dripping off from the sausages on the grill. \u00a0The food looks about done, just one more flip and a couple more minutes should do it. \u201cIf the machinery\u2019s still good, why throw it out, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you\u2019re right,\u201d Dara says, taking a swig of his drink and watching Cicada for a few moments. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re not having any yourself?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuh? \u00a0Oh!\u201d Cicada looks up from the fire at Dara, who\u2019s holding up his can and nudging what\u2019s left of the six pack with his foot. \u00a0He hadn\u2019t planned on drinking tonight, but if Dara insists, surely one can won\u2019t be enough to turn him into a weird, sobbing idiot. \u00a0\u201cSure. Alright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019s about to turn the ring up and pull, deciding against it as he stares at it and sets the can down on the bricks of the pit with a hollow clunk. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to if you\u2019re not feeling it,\u201d Dara says as he smiles at him. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEh, yeah.\u201d \u00a0Cicada leans on his elbow, putting his chin in his hand. \u00a0\u201cS\u2019probably better I didn\u2019t right now, to be honest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The sausages on the grill look almost done, and Cicada picks up the tongs to prod at them to test the crispiness of the casing, rotating them one last time just to get a look at the fresh grill marks. \u00a0Maybe his mood will improve after he eats, and then he might be better equipped emotionally to drink than on an empty stomach. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs the food done?\u201d Dara asks, putting his beer down on the pit and stooping over to get the paper plates and buns ready. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like,\u201d Cicada says, picking up a sausage with the tongs and dropping it into the open bun Dara holds out. \u00a0The rest he lays out on another paper plate to keep them from burning to a crisp on the grill, taking no time to stain the plates with grease. \u00a0\u201cThough, uh, might wanna wait a bit before diggin\u2019 in, of course.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Dara says, putting the paper plate in his lap and carefully squeezing mustard out onto the light brown sausage. \u00a0\u201cAre these from the roadkill place?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDarn tootin\u2019 they are, bud,\u201d Cicada says, beaming as he pulls one off for himself and spreads soggy onions out over the meat. \u00a0He\u2019s not even gonna front, he\u2019s fucking starving right now and a big fat greasy mystery meat deer sausage is exactly what he needs after an intense sauna session. \u00a0Dara offers the mustard bottle over and he gladly accepts it, squirting the pungent yellow gunk all over his meal with not even the fraction of the precision Dara applied to his. \u00a0It\u2019s not like he didn\u2019t care– okay, he actually <\/span>doesn\u2019t <\/span><\/i>care. \u00a0It\u2019s all going into the same place and coming out the same way, so long as it tastes good and doesn\u2019t burn his mouth going in. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara\u2019s face lights up as he holds the sausage up to take a bite out of it. \u00a0\u201cI thought I smelled venison!\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure, for sure,\u201d Cicada says before messily chowing down on his food and going to collect seconds while Dara is still meticulously eating his first, stopping every few bites to dab at himself with a napkin before setting the empty plate down on the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot gonna go for the last one?\u201d Cicada asks, motioning to the lone remaining sausage. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at it in consideration, Dara shakes his head. \u00a0\u201cYou can have it if you want.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada nudges the plate in Dara\u2019s direction. \u00a0\u201cY\u2019sure? S\u2019just gonna go in the fridge if you don\u2019t want it, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks between Cicada and the greasy meat tube sogging up the paper plate, gingerly patting it down with a napkin to wick away any surface grease before putting it in a bun on a fresh plate. \u00a0\u201cAlright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Evidently satisfied with this outcome, Cicada reaches for his still unopened can of beer and cracks it open once he devours the rest of what\u2019s on his plate. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, uh\u2026 Dara,\u201d he says, taking a deep breath as he dusts crumbs off his chest and leans back into his chair. \u00a0He knows he probably shouldn\u2019t say anything about it, but it\u2019s been on his mind since he saw Dara\u2019s neck in the sauna. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks up at him from starting on his second sausage, still chewing as he nods in acknowledgment. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI dunno if this is gonna make you feel better \u2018bout your neck mark \u2013 and I really hope it does,\u201d Cicada begins, briefly pausing to take a swig of his beer before continuing. \u00a0There\u2019s a lot he wants to say, and a lot he\u2019s praying won\u2019t result in him tripping over his own ass and making Dara walk out on him. \u201cBut, uh, \u2018least \u2018round here, nobody\u2019s gonna bat an eye at you for it. \u00a0Lotsa people here got convict marks, donchaknow, an\u2019 I bet they\u2019ll be more likely to talk to you knowin\u2019 you went through all the same bullshit they did back then, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara stops chewing and swallows his food but doesn\u2019t speak, he only looks at Cicada with an unreadable expression. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever you did to get that thing doesn\u2019t even fuckin\u2019 matter, an\u2019 obviously your criminal record can\u2019t be that bad \u2018cause you got yourself a nice government job, eh?\u201d \u00a0Cicada nervously touches the crook of his collarbone \u2013 had he been dressed, it\u2019d be about where his shirt collar would be for him to tug on it. \u201c\u2018Least I don\u2019t care watcha did, anyways\u2026 \u00a0Anyways, s\u2019all I\u2019m tryin\u2019 to say is–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara holds up a hand signaling for Cicada to stop talking. \u00a0Cicada grips his armrest, expecting Dara to get up and leave as he feels his heart pounding in his throat all because he couldn\u2019t resist the temptation to run his dumb mouth and reopen some old wounds he had no business fucking with. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was not a convict.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara\u2019s tone is neutral, measured, and completely devoid of emotion. \u00a0Cicada can\u2019t even read the expression on his face, other than deeply tired eyes that don\u2019t seem to be focusing on anything. \u00a0His words rang in Cicada\u2019s ears, clear yet vexing in their context.<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span>\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Cicada says, his ears lowering. \u00a0\u201cWhatever you did, you don\u2019t need to tell me. I\u2019ll believe you had a good reason for it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara pulls his chair up closer to Cicada, putting him within reach to put his hand on Cicada\u2019s knee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was not convicted of anything. \u00a0I have no criminal record. This,\u201d he says with an upsetting calm, touching his neck with his other hand, \u201cCame from my old job.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada\u2019s eyes linger on the thin marks, up to Dara\u2019s face, suddenly feeling like there\u2019s something stuck in his throat and making it harder to breathe. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour old job,\u201d Cicada repeats, his expression grim. \u00a0\u201cYour <\/span>job<\/span><\/i> put a collar on you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks away, lacing his fingers together as he puts his hands in his lap for a second before pulling them apart and yanking another beer can out of the six pack with a long, regretful sigh. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s not as bad as you think.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s not as bad as you think\u2019?<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada mouths the words \u2018what the fuck\u2019, his ears pulling back in disbelief. \u00a0\u201cWhat kind of job makes you wear a fuckin\u2019 <\/span>collar?<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The beer can hisses as Dara pulls the tab ring up and out, tossing it aside in the dirt as he tilts his head back and takes a big drink from it, not stopping until the can is empty and slamming it down on the walls of the pit. \u00a0He looks at Cicada, wiping his mouth, looking unsure if he should say anything more or spill out his emotions or is simply doing his best to not just vomit all over the place because Cicada was dumb enough to ask him an uncomfortable question about a topic that was undeniably sensitive for him. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Good job Cicada, you\u2019re the number one conversational minesweeper!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry. \u00a0S\u2019not my business to know. \u00a0If you don\u2019t wanna talk about it, I won\u2019t ask no more questions. \u00a0I\u2019ve just– I\u2019ve never met no one that had those marks that <\/span>wasn\u2019t<\/span><\/i> a convict, or a transport, or whatever. \u00a0I didn\u2019t even think they still <\/span>did<\/span><\/i> that, y\u2019know, puttin\u2019 iron collars on people–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara holds his hand up again, shaking his head. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I understand. \u00a0It\u2019s shocking to see marks from a collar on someone my age.\u201d \u00a0He pauses, carefully thinking about his next words. \u201cSome families in Thalassea want it to be known to all who you\u2019re in the direct employ of.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara\u2019s words make Cicada\u2019s stomach heave, and he covers his mouth. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Samoutea was still a colony of Thalassea\u2019s, they were good allies to us, even after our country became independent from them. \u00a0I think we\u2019re probably the only country in the world that\u2019s ever decolonized on good terms with its invaders,\u201d Dara laughs sardonically, rubbing the side of his head. \u00a0\u201cWe had no idea that they used iron to subjugate their own people, because they sure never used it on us.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmph. \u00a0Thalassea, doin\u2019 good by other elves,\u201d Cicada snorts. \u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s a new one to me, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. \u00a0I know,\u201d Dara sighs, propping his elbow up on the wall of the pit and leaning his head on his hand. \u00a0\u00a0\u201cI know that now. I didn\u2019t know that then when I was offered the job and signed the contract. When I first had it put on, I thought it was a piece of jewelry at first. \u00a0I didn\u2019t know what it was, or what it could do to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Contracts, collars, and Dara, a student from abroad, who likely did not know enough Thalassean at the time to understand the fine print of a dubious job offer from a noble, got signed away into what more or less sounds to Cicada like some sort of servitude. \u00a0He can already feel his blood starting to boil.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. \u00a0Shit\u2019s fuckin\u2019 poison,\u201d Cicada says, kicking at the dirt. \u00a0He thinks to himself how lucky Dara\u2019s people must be, to have never been on the receiving end of Thalassea\u2019s infamous \u2018iron therapy\u2019 until Dara came to visit their land himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSeriously! \u00a0I thought I was having an allergic reaction at first!\u201d \u00a0Dara runs his fingers over his neck, flashing his teeth in a grimace. \u00a0\u201cIt was literally burning my skin and I couldn\u2019t even take it off because they had welded the damned thing on. \u00a0When I told Madame about it, she only smiled and told me that was normal and I\u2019d get used to it once some scar tissue had built up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Madame\u2019?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fucking disgusting,\u201d Cicada says, his expression darkening. \u00a0He doesn\u2019t know who this \u2018Madame\u2019 is and suspects that\u2019s not information Dara is going to be quick to part with, but he <\/span>does<\/span><\/i> know that the more Dara talks about his collar and how he got it, the more he wants to rip \u2018Madame\u2019s throat out with his teeth. \u00a0\u201cSo how\u2019d you get it off?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara slowly breathes in, then exhales to collect his thoughts. \u00a0\u201cI asked her to remove it. So she did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, this\u2026 \u2018Madame\u2019 lady put a collar on you, then told you getting sick from it was <\/span>normal<\/span><\/i>, then took it off just \u2018cause you asked.\u201d Cicada counts the points out on his fingers. \u00a0\u201cHow long\u2019d it take for her to finally pop it off, then?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

An uncomfortable silence passes between them. \u00a0Dara shamefully hangs his head, knitting his fingers together. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFifty years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada\u2019s eyelid and ear twitches as he grips the armrests of his chair. \u00a0\u2018Madame\u2019 clearly knew what the collar was doing to Dara, and it took her <\/span>fifty fucking years<\/span><\/i> to take it off? \u00a0\u201cYou don\u2019t say.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt really wasn\u2019t that bad,\u201d Dara quickly adds, looking nervous. \u00a0\u201cMadame liked me, she treated me well. She gave me room, board, a full education beyond what my parents paid for. \u00a0I got to perform, I had full run of the house when Madame didn\u2019t have guests over. She would take me with her when she went on trips. \u00a0People in my country would kill for that kind of job–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c–Dara,\u201d Cicada cuts him off, holding up both hands. \u00a0He\u2019s breathing slowly, mostly to contain his anger, feeling the familiar burn of tears pricking at his eyes as his whole body trembles. \u00a0\u201cPlease tell me this was some fucked up BDSM thing and you guys broke it off \u2018cause you just weren\u2019t feeling it anymore. I won\u2019t judge you on that shit if it was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo. \u00a0It was nothing like that.\u201d Dara glances up at Cicada, then back down, keeping his head low and ears back as he crosses his arms over his chest and curls in on himself as though he had been scolded. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sorry if anything I said upset you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDara…\u201d \u00a0Seeing Dara like this causes an overwhelming amount of sadness and anger to well up in Cicada\u2019s being. \u00a0He snorts back a truly unflattering amount of snot, getting out of his chair to kneel on the ground before Dara, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. \u00a0\u201cDara, you don\u2019t need to apologize for <\/span>shit<\/span><\/i>. \u00a0S\u2019not your fault you got tricked into wearing a fucking collar, alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara lifts his head, barely meeting Cicada\u2019s gaze, with tears running down his face. \u00a0\u201cIt really wasn\u2019t as bad as you think it was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Dara…\u201d \u00a0Cicada moves his hand to Dara\u2019s cheek, carefully wiping his tears away with his thumb with a tearful smile. \u00a0\u201cWhy\u2019re you cryin\u2019 then, if it weren\u2019t so bad?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Dara says, wiping the other side of his face. \u00a0\u201cBecause you\u2019re crying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cM\u2019not cryin\u2019,\u201d Cicada says defensively, knowing full well he\u2019s full of shit given there are giant ugly tears presently coming right out of his snotty, sniffling face. \u00a0\u201cB-But what happened to you\u2019s not right, y\u2019know, no matter how \u2018not bad\u2019 you say it is. <\/span>Anything<\/span><\/i> that involves fuckin\u2019 iron gettin\u2019 put on you\u2019s bad, no matter <\/span>how<\/span><\/i> well you\u2019re treated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A heavy sigh pushes its way out of Dara\u2019s lungs as he hiccups and sobs, loosely throwing his arms around Cicada\u2019s shoulders. \u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t even know why I said all that stuff. Normally I just lie and say I got arrested for jaywalking if someone asks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJaywalkin\u2019, huh.\u201d \u00a0Cicada smiles sadly at him, blinking out more tears. \u00a0\u201cYou don\u2019t drink all that much, do you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara shakes his head, sniffling. \u00a0\u201cNo. Not often.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS\u2019what I figured.\u201d \u00a0He crawls closer to Dara, hugging him as best he can from where he\u2019s crouched, patting his back and planting a kiss on the scarring of his neck. \u00a0\u201cS\u2019alright, buddy. S\u2019gonna be alright. You got that thing off you now, s\u2019all that matters in the here\u2019n now, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara buries his face in Cicada\u2019s shoulder, wetting it with his tears. \u00a0\u201cBut the scars are still there, and they\u2019ll always be there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, buddy, I know,\u201d Cicada says, petting Dara\u2019s back. \u00a0\u201cBut they\u2019ll fade in time, y\u2019know. Maybe not completely, but enough to where you won\u2019t hafta parade around in a turtleneck all summer, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was that obvious, huh?\u201d \u00a0Dara slowly pulls himself away from Cicada, sitting upright in his chair as he wipes his eyes and weakly smiles. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone coverin\u2019 their neck in a former penal colony when it\u2019s not the season to be sensibly wearin\u2019 somethin\u2019 like that? \u00a0You betcha,\u201d Cicada says as he pushes himself up to his feet and sits back down in his chair. \u201cThat draws attention to convict scars like <\/span>nothin\u2019<\/span><\/i>. \u00a0At least wearin\u2019 a bandanna looks a li\u2019l more normal, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have to keep that in mind for future outpost checks,\u201d Dara says. \u00a0He\u2019s stopped crying for now, but his face is still splotchy and puffy. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0He wipes his drying eyes, smiling tenderly at Dara. \u00a0\u201cY\u2019wanna go back in? It\u2019s startin\u2019 to get dark, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHm.\u201d \u00a0Dara looks around, noticing how the light has considerably dimmed since they\u2019d gotten out of the sauna. \u00a0\u201cYeah, I should probably start getting ready for bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure,\u201d Cicada says, dumping the rest of the water pitcher onto the fire to put it out and collecting the condiments and things to go back inside the house. \u00a0\u201cDon\u2019t forget your clothes in the sauna, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2766<\/b><\/h1>\n

Late into the night, Cicada lays in his bed, wide awake as he scrolls through social media on his phone on a backdrop of cricketsong coming from the tank inside his room. \u00a0There\u2019s too much on his mind to even begin to hope for a restful sleep, thoughts of Dara and wondering if he\u2019d gone too far in obliging his request for alcohol. <\/span><\/p>\n

His ears twitch involuntarily; he can faintly hear the sound of creaking floorboards from feather-light steps. \u00a0Dara must be up already from his deep alcohol-induced nap, probably looking for the bathroom or raiding the fridge or something. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That little guy really <\/span>does<\/span><\/i> sound like a ghost when he walks. \u00a0Had Cicada not built this cabin himself with his mother and some friends many, many summers ago, and thus is absolutely certain that nobody\u2019s died in it but countless generations of insects and a raccoon under the porch a few years back, he\u2019d be pretty convinced he was getting a visit from the other side right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

He sees something move out the corner of his eye, glancing towards the doorway to spot a pair of eyes reflecting the light from his phone standing just under five feet off the ground, and the vague, elflike shape of what couldn\u2019t be anyone else but Dara. <\/span><\/p>\n

The eyes blink and look away when Cicada notices them, and Dara\u2019s voice timidly calls out from the darkness. \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t wake you up, did I?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada rolls over to lay on his back, putting his arm behind his head as he turns the phone face-down on his nightstand. \u00a0\u201cNah, bud. Y\u2019doin\u2019 alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks at the floor, then back to Cicada as he stands in the doorway. \u00a0\u201cIs it alright if I come in?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYah, sure,\u201d Cicada says, moving over to the side of the bed and patting the area next to him. \u00a0\u201cEverything okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara nods as he quietly steps across the floor of Cicada\u2019s room, climbing into bed in such a way that the springs of his mattress barely squeak. \u00a0Wearing nothing but a fresh pair of boxers, it\u2019s too dark to see what sort of pattern has been printed on them. He sighs heavily and lays his head on Cicada\u2019s shoulder. \u00a0\u201cYeah. I\u2019m just tired.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada puts his arm around Dara, gently petting him. \u00a0\u201cI bet. S\u2019been a long day, buddy.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMm-hm.\u201d \u00a0Dara nods into his chest, yawning softly and closing his eyes. \u00a0\u201cI was thinking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada nuzzles the top of Dara\u2019s head. \u00a0\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter I go back to Town Hall tomorrow and get that census data copied over,\u201d Dara begins, draping his arm over Cicada\u2019s chest, \u201cI\u2019m going to have a lot of free time before I have to go back to Thalassea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure are,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0\u201cFigured out what you wanna do up here, then?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d \u00a0Dara nods, stroking the hair on Cicada\u2019s body. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019d like to go camping with you. I-I-If that\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course it is, Dara,\u201d Cicada says, squeezing him. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019d love to take you out campin\u2019. In fact, I know a great spot we could go, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, that\u2019s lovely,\u201d Dara sleepily murmurs as he snuggles against Cicada. \u00a0\u201cThen let\u2019s do that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure,\u201d Cicada yawns. \u00a0The warmth of Dara\u2019s body against his is rapidly intensifying the desire to sleep, and he settles into the bed to a more relaxed position, inviting Dara to lay with his back against his chest as he feels himself starting to drift off. <\/span><\/p>\n

In the dark, Dara laughs against him. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re not gonna take me on a date to the dump, are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlways ruinin\u2019 my surprises,\u201d Cicada playfully groans, patting Dara\u2019s chest. \u00a0\u201cBut I can if ya want, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf it were anyone else, I\u2019d tell them to go piss up a rope,\u201d Dara says. \u00a0\u201cBut you being you, I bet you\u2019d find a way to make it fun.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBuddy, there\u2019s a lotta cool shit you can find at the dump!\u201d Cicada huffs. \u00a0\u201cYou know that couch we fucked on today? <\/span>That<\/span><\/i> came from the dump! \u00a0And like half of my truck? \u00a0<\/span>Also<\/span><\/i> from the dump!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for proving my point,\u201d Dara murmurs happily. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019d probably, like, give me a lesson on town history just going by the strata of trash and then pull out a perfectly intact bike horn to tape onto your truck\u2019s side mirror later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada starts to laugh. \u00a0\u201cDon\u2019t give me ideas, buddy.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wiggling against Cicada\u2019s chest, Dara takes a big yawn. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll give you all the ideas I want and there\u2019s nothing you can do to stop me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMm-hm.\u201d \u00a0Cicada puts his arm over Dara\u2019s and hugs him close, feeling himself starting to succumb to the siren call of sleep. \u00a0He closes his eyes, yawning one last time, absently stroking the skin of Dara\u2019s wrist and the back of his hand as he slips into peaceful repose.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2766<\/b><\/h1>\n

Sometime over the course of the night, Dara and Cicada had turned over, leaving Cicada held in Dara\u2019s arms and snuggled against his chest when the morning light bleeds in through the gauzy tapestries he hung up over the windows. \u00a0He groggily reaches for his phone off the nightstand to glance at the time, feeling Dara stir and sigh behind him. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada stretches what he can without breaking Dara\u2019s grip, groping around over the side of the bed when he realizes his prosthetic leg isn\u2019t on his side of the bed. \u00a0Carefully rolling over to look over on Dara\u2019s side, he sees it laying against the opposite nightstand on the side he usually sleeps on, where he usually leaves it when he doesn\u2019t have guests over to sleep with him in his bed. \u00a0His brain is still catching up to him from the morning grog and it makes sense in hindsight that it wouldn\u2019t be on the side he\u2019s at now. <\/span><\/p>\n

Despite all they talked about the night before, the expression on Dara\u2019s sleeping face is one of serenity. \u00a0It\u2019s hard for Cicada to resist gently brushing his hair out of his face, kissing him on the forehead, and bidding him a good morning, but the man is probably stone tired between all the travel and emotionally taxing conversations of yesterday. \u00a0Cicada\u2019s surprised he doesn\u2019t feel like he\u2019s been run through the wringer himself, given everything that happened. <\/span><\/p>\n

If he can manage to sneak out of bed without waking Dara up, that\u2019ll give him some time to shower and make breakfast for the both of them before Dara has to drive back up to the lodge (and hopefully not get caught up in all day another lecture about the minutiae of the town\u2019s history), while giving Dara some well-needed and well-deserved rest. \u00a0Even still, there\u2019s at least another hour or so before the lodge even opens its doors to the public. <\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Cicada does not possess Dara\u2019s grace or ability to move quietly. \u00a0There is <\/span>nothing<\/span><\/i> about Cicada that is either graceful or quiet. \u00a0In fact, this is something he should have accounted for when he got up on his hands and knees to attempt to lean over Dara to retrieve his leg, instead slipping on the sheets and flopping unceremoniously across his stomach with a plaintive \u201cAw, jeez.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara yells out in surprise, jostling awake and sitting up as best he can with Cicada\u2019s body draped over him. \u00a0\u201c–Cicada?! What are you doing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A truly pathetic noise gurgles out of Cicada\u2019s mouth as his arms dangle uselessly over the side of the bed, his face hidden in a tangled mess of red hair. \u00a0\u201cLeg.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019Leg\u2019?\u201d \u00a0Dara blearily rubs his eyes, yawning as he lightly puts his hand over Cicada\u2019s back. \u00a0\u201cWhat about your leg?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With nothing else but a sigh, Cicada points in the direction of the nightstand, not even looking up. \u00a0\u201c<\/span>Leg<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d \u00a0Dara leans over the side of the bed, noticing the weathered prosthetic propped up against the nightstand within comfortable reach. \u00a0\u201cOh!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada nods, placing his hands on the corner of the mattress to push himself up off of Dara and sitting up. \u00a0He shakes the hair out of his face and awkwardly tries to smile at him. \u201cDidn\u2019t mean to fall on your ass n\u2019 wake you up, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI-I-It\u2019s fine!\u201d \u00a0Dara quickly reaches over to collect Cicada\u2019s leg, cradling it in his arms like a newborn kit as he hands it over. \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t know you had left it over here or I would have passed it over to your side when we went to sleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought about pogo-stickin\u2019 around to your side of the bed an\u2019 gettin\u2019 it, but I figured that woulda made a lotta noise an\u2019 wake you up,\u201d Cicada grins sheepishly as he takes the prosthetic and suctions it to his stump. \u00a0\u201c\u2019Course, I wasn\u2019t expectin\u2019 to keel over like that on ya tryna climb over ya, either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExpecting you to hop on one leg for my sake is completely unreasonable.\u201d \u00a0Dara cups Cicada\u2019s chin in his hand, stroking his jawline with his fingers. \u00a0\u201cIf it happens again, just wake me up the normal way and I\u2019ll get it for you, alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lowering his ears, Cicada makes a low, grumbly whine as he leans into the Dara\u2019s hand. \u00a0\u201cM\u2019not a helpless li\u2019l baby, y\u2019know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Dara coos, moving on to affectionately pet his hair. \u00a0\u201cBut it\u2019s okay to ask for help when you need it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t wanna wake you up,\u201d he says, folding his arms over his chest. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was going to wake up eventually either way, so a few minutes wouldn\u2019t have made that big of a difference,\u201d Dara tells him as he pulls him into a hug. \u00a0It\u2019s like he could <\/span>tell<\/span><\/i> that Cicada\u2019s been beating himself up for awakening him from the moment he lost his balance on the bed. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFair \u2018nuff,\u201d Cicada sighs as he leans into Dara. \u00a0It takes another tight, affectionate squeeze from Dara to get him to unfold his arms, and as much as he hates to admit it, Dara is really, <\/span>really<\/span><\/i> good at getting him to feel a tiny bit less shitty about himself. \u00a0\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d \u00a0Dara nuzzles into his shoulder. \u00a0\u201cBy the way, what time is it?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Dara is only gone for an hour after taking a quick shower and having a breakfast of eggs and canned ham that Cicada had cooked for them. \u00a0With the whole rest of the day ahead of them, and the census data safely uploaded into Dara\u2019s laptop, Cicada loads his truck up with various camping supplies and canned and dried food.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, Dara, what kind of clothes did you bring with you?\u201d Cicada asks, stopping mid-trip as he\u2019s carrying a cooler to the truck.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks at what he\u2019s wearing, holding out the bottom hem of his top. \u00a0It\u2019s similar to what he wore yesterday \u2013 sleeveless, high-collared, and made of some thin, fancy material. \u00a0\u201cMostly stuff like this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, hm.\u201d \u00a0Cicada swivels an ear back in thought \u2013 those are definitely not garments suitable for camping, he feels, and probably pretty spendy to boot. \u00a0They would likely not stand to last if caught on a bramble or branch if Dara took a fall or brushed against something, let alone keep him warm at night. \u00a0\u201cY\u2019got anything more practical?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I mostly brought dress clothes.\u201d \u00a0Dara\u2019s eyes flick to the side, and he shakes his head at Cicada. \u00a0\u201cWill that be a problem?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor your clothes, maybe,\u201d Cicada says, ushering Dara back to his room. \u00a0\u201cI might have some stuff that\u2019ll fit you if you don\u2019t want to take the chance of those gettin\u2019 ripped up or dirty, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh! \u00a0I hadn\u2019t even thought of that,\u201d Dara says, his ears perking with interest as he follows Cicada into the bedroom. \u00a0Cicada opens his closet and reaches deep inside, pulling out a cardboard box full of old clothes from his pre-potion days and setting it out on the bed. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Its contents are more or less the same as what he wears now, just a couple sizes smaller \u2013 t-shirts, flannels, jeans, and a pair of hiking boots that he\u2019d ordered online and were too expensive to ship back. \u00a0Dara eagerly takes one of the flannel shirts out of the box to sniff at it, his ears twitching in minor disappointment upon discovery that it doesn\u2019t carry Cicada\u2019s smell.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada laughs good naturedly at him. \u00a0\u201cHaven\u2019t worn those in a long, long time, sorry!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re still good shirts,\u201d Dara says insistently, hugging the flannel to his chest and pulling out another. \u00a0\u201cI can wear these?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHell, you can keep \u2018em if you want,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0\u201cThey don\u2019t fit me anymore, but they\u2019ll do you well in the woods for sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara quickly unbuttons and pulls his top off over his head, folding it up and putting it on the pillow before putting a white t-shirt on. \u00a0It\u2019s a bit loose on him, but he doesn\u2019t seem to mind terribly as he puts his arms into the sleeves of the flannel shirt over it with fervor. \u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s so soft!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada laughs, covering his face as he smiles. \u00a0\u201cJeez, you\u2019re like a kit at festival,\u201d he says. \u201cI take it you like the clothes, then?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will wear these and I will absorb your masculine energy,\u201d Dara says completely deadpan, turning around to face Cicada. \u00a0\u201cAnd then I will have chest hair so thick strangers will mistake it for armor!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa, buddy,\u201d Cicada laughs, holding out his hands. \u00a0\u201cThey\u2019re just old work clothes, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara grins widely at him and turns back around, gathering up armfuls of the clothes and hugging them as though they were an extension of Cicada himself before stuffing them into an empty backpack. \u00a0Cicada smiles and shakes his head, rubbing behind his ear in bewilderment \u2013 he didn\u2019t expect Dara to take to his old clothes <\/span>that <\/span><\/i>well, but hey, it\u2019s good they\u2019re getting some use and some love than sitting in a musty closet for years.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI love them. \u00a0\u00a0Thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet,\u201d Cicada says, grinning at him. \u00a0He turns around and reaches into a drawer, taking out a couple bandannas and offering one to Dara with a warm smile. \u00a0\u201cHere, for your you-know-what.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks over to Cicada, studying the bandanna and touching his neck subconsciously. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ve already seen it,\u201d he says, smiling gently. \u201cI don\u2019t need to cover anything with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure?\u201d Cicada asks, slowly withdrawing his hand. \u00a0Dara nods at him. \u201cI\u2019ll wear one for me, then,\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He folds the bandanna diagonally in half and ties it around his neck with the widest part out front. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara quickly seems to be reconsidering. \u00a0\u201cThat looks really cute on you,\u201d he says, snatching the other bandanna from Cicada\u2019s hand. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll try it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJeez, when\u2019d you become such a li\u2019l copycat?\u201d \u00a0Cicada laughs, watching Dara fold the bandanna over and over until it\u2019s a suitable size for him, tying it loosely around his neck and looking proud.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause we\u2019re going camping and I wanted to look like someone who actually spends time outdoors,\u201d Dara says, smiling broadly. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada finds Dara\u2019s enthusiasm infectious, putting his hands in his pockets and shrugging. \u00a0\u201cAlright, fair enough.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Dara stands on his toes and presses himself up against Cicada\u2019s chest. \u201cI am<\/span> wholly prepared to roll in the dirt.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow you\u2019re just bein\u2019 weird,\u201d Cicada says, playfully blowing a puff of air in Dara\u2019s face. \u00a0\u201cGo put your new duds in the truck an\u2019 let\u2019s get goin\u2019, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2766<\/b><\/h1>\n

It\u2019s early afternoon when they take off down the old highway leading away from town.<\/span><\/p>\n

At this time of year, few other vehicles are on the road, most of them belonging to deer hunters or people going out to fish. \u00a0It\u2019s not until the logging season does the highway become busy with trucks driving to the crew sites and taking back lumber to the mill, so it otherwise sits overgrown and untended to until fall. \u00a0Cicada\u2019s eyes are locked on the side of the highway, scanning for certain, well-remembered landmarks until he puts on the brakes and stops, looking towards the woods.<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s little to indicate that there\u2019s a road going off it at all but a barely-visible ingress obscured by tall grass \u2013 there\u2019s no signage of any kind, nor any pavement or gravel. \u00a0The only proof a road was here at all was the telltale tire grooves in the ground that have now been mostly overtaken by grass, surrounded on one side by trees and a fenced-off, empty field the other side that looks to be part of a farm, its buildings well away and hidden from the road by sheer distance. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s not a single other vehicle around them, but Cicada flips the turn signal on anyway as he dives his truck onto the bumpy, well-worn path. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara clings to the passenger door for dear life as the truck growls over ancient potholes and tears its way through muddy puddles, past the field, to where now both sides of the road were flanked by a dense copse of trees that eventually lattice over the road and block out all but the smallest specks of light where the sun pokes through the boughs. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He stares out the window, agog at every tree and shrub they rumble past. \u00a0\u201cWhat did this road get used for?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOld site road,\u201d Cicada says, swerving to avoid a particularly deep-looking puddle. \u00a0\u201cUsed to go to a logging camp out here a ways back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks on in disbelief at how vibrant the forest is up close, packed with so many different types of trees \u2013 from varieties of evergreens bearing rich green needles to more deciduous trees boasting the vibrant, fiery colors of fall on their leaves, with the ground carpeted by ferns and blackberry vines so dense they form a solid mass of greenery and thorns that is taller than the truck at points.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>This<\/span><\/i> was a logging site?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure it was,\u201d Cicada says, glancing at him before looking ahead. <\/span><\/p>\n

A clearing comes into view at the end of the road that gives them a view of cottonwood trees towering in the distance, swaying in the breeze well above the rest of the forest on the other side of a stream. \u00a0He parks the truck by a blocky concrete structure that\u2019s been covered in plush green moss, shutting off the engine. <\/span><\/p>\n

At the edge of the clearing opposite of them sits a dilapidated cabin, its roof caving in and one side of it covered completely in shaggy moss. \u00a0A maple tree stands next to it in defiance, its lowest boughs and trunk showing clear signs of being sawn off decades ago, with new growth emerging from the stump growing out many more branches bearing simply enormous leaves as if regrown out of sheer spite for the damage inflicted upon it.<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span>Dara nudges the passenger door open and steps out into the shaded clearing, hearing only the sound of birdsong, wind in the trees, and the lazy flow of the creek. \u00a0He walks slowly towards the maimed tree, his head angled back to see how tall it grows, stopping at the trunk to run his hands over the moss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where Cicada parked is about the only patch of bare dirt they\u2019ve seen that entire drive, broken only by the most stalwart of weeds and thin grass snaking through cracks in the compacted earth. \u00a0Cicada hops out of the truck and slams the door behind him, striding across the clearing with his hands in his pockets as he approaches Dara. A circle of stones is piled up in the middle of the clearing, a makeshift fire pit that Cicada had put together years ago when he first started camping out here.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cY\u2019know, just a few decades ago this whole darn place was cleared out,\u201d Cicada says, bending over to pick up a maple leaf off the ground by the stem, offering it to Dara. \u00a0\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t even think it lookin\u2019 at it now, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara takes the large leaf, finding it to be bigger than his head, running his thumbs over its soft, leathery lobes in thought as he looks deeper into the woods and notices more decaying bunkhouses and buildings, the remains of one being only a brick chimney standing on a crumbling foundation. \u00a0The structures are blanketed in dense moss, ferns, and vines, leaving only the voids created by the windows to be the immediately noticeable things about them, otherwise nearly indistinguishable from their surroundings. He shakes his head at Cicada. \u201cNo, not at all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada takes a breath as he looks up at the tree before them. \u00a0\u201cS\u2019funny what a little time can do after somethin\u2019 like that, innit?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara turns to Cicada, swallowing as he holds the leaf close to his chest. \u00a0\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Putting his hand on Dara\u2019s shoulder, Cicada gives him a pat before letting it drop to his side and turning to go back to the truck. \u00a0\u201cM\u2019gonna go set us up, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Muffled music from the truck\u2019s radio can barely be heard over the grinding whine of the tire pump inflating an air mattress that Cicada\u2019s laid out on the dirt, filling the air with a strong rubbery smell.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I\u2019m being honest, I thought camping was more stuff like sleeping bags and tents,\u201d Dara chuckles, standing next to Cicada as he watches the mattress slowly expand and fill out. \u00a0\u201cI wasn\u2019t expecting an air mattress in a truck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho wants to wiggle around in a li\u2019l nylon sock on the ground all night an\u2019 get bugs in their hair? \u00a0Not me,\u201d Cicada says as he points a thumb at his chest, grinning at Dara. \u201cThey make tents for trucks but honestly I think havin\u2019 a tent defeats the whole entire purpose of sleepin\u2019 in the woods, s\u2019far as that goes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara smiles skeptically at him. \u00a0\u201cAnd what if it rains?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS\u2019not gonna rain,\u201d Cicada says affirmatively as he stoops over to test the firmness of the mattress, looking over at Dara. \u00a0\u201cAn\u2019 if it does, we\u2019ll just sleep on the bench seat, eh.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Looking to the overcast sky, Dara seems to be extremely okay with the idea of being nestled up against Cicada in the cabin of the truck with a sly look on his face and a finger curled under his chin. \u00a0\u201cYou have a very good point.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Satisfied with the state of the air mattress, Cicada flips the pump off and goes to unplug it from the truck\u2019s cigarette lighter, unhooking it from the mattress\u2019s valve and throwing it into a bag on the floor of the truck.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you bring with us, anyway?\u201d Dara asks, peering into the bed of the truck at the various backpacks and cooler that Cicada piled up in the back. \u00a0Cicada looks over, walking over and pulling the tailgate down, climbing over it to drag the bags out, clearing the bed to make room for the mattress.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStuff,\u201d Cicada says as he effortlessly hefts the air mattress up and chucks it into the bed of the truck, pressing it down so it fits snugly between the wheel wells. \u00a0\u201cI hit the convenience store for snacks while you were out, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara unzips one of the duffel bags to peek inside, pretending not to see the plastic freezer bag containing a big purple dildo, wrapped condoms, and a bottle of lube sitting right on top of the rolled blankets as he quickly zips it back shut. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I trust that you know what you\u2019re doing,\u201d Dara smiles pleasantly, unfolding the camping chairs next to the stone circle. \u00a0He pauses to look around more, gazing at the small meadow across the stream. \u201cIt really is beautiful out here.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada hoists the heavy duffel bag back into the truck bed, wedging it between the mattress and the walls and unrolling the blankets over the mattress, opting to leave the toys until their time is ready. \u00a0The mental list cycles through his head of the other important stuff he has to do \u2013 set up a cooking pot, collect kindling for the fire, figure out which bag he stowed the travel bong away in for later tonight. \u00a0He at least had the foresight to bring jugs of water from home because honestly, fuck having to boil water for drinking if he doesn\u2019t have to. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEy, Dara, y\u2019know how to identify good firewood?\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2766<\/b><\/h1>\n

The drive out here was definitely longer than Cicada remembers it being, because he wasn\u2019t expecting it to be so late when they arrived. By the time he and Dara get back to their campsite with arms full of dead branches collected from the woods, the sky is starting to take on warm evening hues as the air fills with the sound of buzzing insects heralding the arrival of dusk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara kneels to deposit his kindling into the stone circle, his ears twitching at the sound as he looks around in an attempt to pick up where it\u2019s coming from.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I didn\u2019t know better, I\u2019d have guessed those cicadas were the ghosts of distant buzz saws coming from those old buildings or something,\u201d he says, sitting down. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m assuming those are cicadas, anyway.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey do sound a bit like a busy mill, don\u2019t they?\u201d Cicada drops his kindling in a pile to feed into the fire over the course of the night, going back to the truck to get a cooking stand and a pot. \u00a0\u201cI like that, though. The ghosts of the folks manning the saws.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe cicadas back home are the embodiment of tinnitus,\u201d Dara laughs. \u00a0\u201cIn Samoutea, I mean. They just sit and scream all day and blow out your ears.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t cicadas do that everywhere?\u201d \u00a0Cicada smirks as he looks over his shoulder, carrying over the stand and unfolding it over the pit. \u00a0\u201cScream all day and make your ass deaf, I mean.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been pretty quiet with me so far,\u201d Dara says, winking at him. \u00a0\u201cWhich is what most shocked me about you, to be honest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBuddy, it\u2019s called bein\u2019 discreet,\u201d Cicada scoffs, his cheeks tinging as he flicks his thumb to start the campfire. \u00a0\u201cYou don\u2019t want the whole crew knowin\u2019 you\u2019ve been jackin\u2019 off in your bunk, alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, they could probably smell it,\u201d Dara points out, leaning towards him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmph.\u201d Getting into his chair, Cicada smirks at Dara. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ve never been in a bunkhouse with a bunch\u2019a sweaty-ass loggers, have you? \u00a0S\u2019like livin\u2019 in a pent-up, horny sock for three t\u2019 five months, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d \u00a0Dara makes a disgusted grimace. \u00a0\u201cI guess that\u2019s fair.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, s\u2019not that bad honestly,\u201d Cicada says, shrugging. \u00a0\u201cAnd if I like \u2018em enough and they\u2019re willin\u2019 to pay up, y\u2019know…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He smugly rubs his thumb and index fingers together, causing Dara to hide his smile behind his hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you don\u2019t think I\u2019m laughing at you or anything,\u201d Dara says, looking away in embarrassment. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m just imagining you getting bent over by some big muscular logger guy and it\u2019s really hot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBuddy, you have no idea,\u201d Cicada purrs as he exaggeratedly fans himself. \u00a0\u201cY\u2019ever do any of that kinda work, Dara?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, never.\u201d \u00a0Dara quickly shakes his head. \u00a0\u201cI honestly didn\u2019t even so much as look at anyone else in that way until I started the potions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada tenses up for a second, only just now realizing how the answer to that question could have gone a <\/span>whole lot worse<\/span><\/i> given what he knows of Dara\u2019s past circumstances. He relaxes his shoulders in relief and smiles at Dara. \u00a0\u201cHah, yeah. Those first few years on the potions just turn you into a rutty li\u2019l buck, don\u2019t they?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so much,\u201d Dara says, covering his face again. \u00a0\u201cEverything is hot now and it\u2019s terrible!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS\u2019just how it is, innit?\u201d Cicada laughs. \u00a0\u201cY\u2019ever go on the internet and see somethin\u2019 weird a buddy posts on your timeline an\u2019 suddenly your dick starts twitchin\u2019 at it and you\u2019re like \u2018jeez, really?!\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span>Dara lets his mouth hang open, giving Cicada a wide-eyed, mortified stare. \u00a0\u201c<\/span>Yes.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTell me the weirdest thing that you\u2019ve gotten horned up about in recent memory,\u201d Cicada says, leaning towards him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hiding his face, Dara shakes his head. \u00a0\u201cNo! You\u2019ll laugh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cC\u2019mon, I won\u2019t judge!\u201d \u00a0Cicada can make out the distinct curve of a smile on Dara\u2019s cheeks as he gently nudges his arm. \u00a0\u201cBuddy, if you knew even <\/span>half<\/span><\/i> the shit in my browser history…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara parts his fingers to peek at Cicada, lowering one hand to extend a finger over Cicada\u2019s shoulder. \u00a0Following where Dara is pointing, Cicada turns his head, his eyes settling on the truck sitting behind them. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuh.\u201d \u00a0He slowly looks back at Dara, looking simultaneously very confused and very flattered. \u00a0\u201cMy truck, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara silently nods, closing his fingers again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a pretty sexy truck for sure,\u201d Cicada says with amusement. \u00a0\u201cWhatcha like about \u2018im, eh? His nice, roomy cabin? His big muddy tires? \u00a0His swingin\u2019 purple sack an\u2019 his twelve-point rack?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara sits frozen and silent for a long while before sighing and speaking, shaking his head. \u00a0\u201cThe suspension.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuh, the suspension? \u00a0The shocks on that thing\u2019re fuckin\u2019 terrib–\u201d \u00a0The realization hits Cicada that someone whose butt hasn\u2019t gone numb like his to the constant growling of the engine, on top of feeling every single bump and pothole in a thinning foam seat, would probably feel like they were sitting on a giant vibrator. \u00a0\u201cOhhhhhh!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He chuckles happily, patting his stomach. \u00a0\u201cWell, then! I\u2019m gonna hafta take you whippin\u2019 shitties in that thing before you go back to Thalassea, for sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara lowers his hands and blinks a few times, looking at Cicada, then the fire, then back at Cicada. \u00a0\u201cI realize the answer to this is probably going to be more innocuous than it sounds, but what\u2019s \u2018whipping shitties\u2019?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s just a local drug concoction made by combining nitrous oxide with reindeer shit after they\u2019ve been fed hallucinogenic wild mushrooms. \u00a0Most folks \u2018round here inject it directly into their balls,\u201d Cicada says extremely casually, pausing just long enough for Dara\u2019s entire body to freeze back up in horror before playfully patting him on the shoulder. \u00a0\u201cNah, I\u2019m just fuckin\u2019 with you, bud. S\u2019just drivin\u2019 circles in the mud for the fuck of it, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara clutches his chest and slumps into his seat, looking like he\u2019s already expired. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m glad that\u2019s not actually something people do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, there <\/span>is<\/span><\/i> a thing where reindeer eat those mushrooms and get fucked up and then drink their own mushroom piss and get high off the piss, though,\u201d Cicada helpfully adds, holding up a finger. \u00a0\u201cAnd I heard <\/span>people<\/span><\/i> can get high off the mushroom piss too!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a long pause as Dara just <\/span>looks<\/span><\/i> at Cicada, his mouth open and his teeth bared in disgust.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo do they just feed it the mushrooms and then sit under it all day waiting for it to relieve itself?\u201d Dara finally musters the courage to ask, curling and uncurling his fingers as he attempts to process this new information. \u00a0\u201cThat sounds like so much unnecessary effort to get high.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDunno,\u201d Cicada says, looking thoughtful. \u201cHaven\u2019t really had the chance to see how that\u2019d work, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, feel free to do that if the opportunity ever presents itself,\u201d Dara laughs. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019d rather just do a couple bong rips myself and achieve the same effects without drinking magic mushroom reindeer urine straight from the source.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, don\u2019t knock it \u2018til ya try it, eh!\u201d Cicada winks at Dara. \u00a0\u201cBut buddy, you\u2019re in luck if you happen to be in the mood for bong rips…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After eating a meal of shitty canned soup over the fire, they retire back to the truck, climbing over the tailgate and on top of the air mattress with a new objective for the night: Get high as fuck and jack each other off until they pass out under the stars. \u00a0The sun has dipped below the horizon, the fire still crackling but slowly dying, giving them just enough light to see each other and their surroundings. The call of the wild cicadas has dimmed down and given way to the song of crickets to take over on the backdrop of night.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada pulls his silicone travel bong out of a backpack along with a bag of weed, setting it out between himself and Dara and pouring some water into it from a plastic bottle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cY\u2019know, if I didn\u2019t need gas to get us back home later, I\u2019d leave the engine on just for you, eh,\u201d Cicada teases him as he starts grinding up the weed. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019d be able to feel it through this mattress, anyway,\u201d Dara says as he takes the grinder from Cicada and loads the bowl. \u00a0\u201cI saw some of the things you brought with us, though. Does a vibrator happen to be among them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou betcha,\u201d Cicada chuckles as Dara holds out the bong for him to light. \u00a0He flicks his thumb, producing a small enough flame to light the bowl as Dara pulls in a hit. \u00a0\u201cBrought us a harness too, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara\u2019s eyes flick up at Cicada as he finishes milking the bowl, pulling it out to clear the bong of smoke and hold it in his lungs before exhaling it through his nose. \u00a0Coughing the rest of the smoke out into his elbow, he shakes his head to get his bearings and passes the bong over to Cicada. \u201cYou really planned ahead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, didn\u2019t wantcha to get bored while we\u2019re out here, eh!\u201d Cicada cheerfully grins as he accepts the bong and holds it in his lap to torch the rest of the bowl. \u00a0After cashing it out, he opens the grinder to refill it, starting the cycle anew of passing the bong to Dara a second time until both decided they had their fill and tuck the bong away behind one of the wheel wells. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s going to be a problem,\u201d Dara says, tucking his legs up under him and leaning heavily on his hands towards Cicada.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their bodies and limbs start to feel weighted down to the mattress, their eyelids leaden and ears slack as the telltale smile spreads across their faces like unfurling buds in the morning sun. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, whaddya wanna try out first?\u201d Cicada asks, leaning forward to meet Dara and touch their foreheads together. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara hums thoughtfully, angling his head so their noses brush against each other. \u00a0\u201cYou mentioned a harness. Would bending you over be something you\u2019d like?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWas hopin\u2019 you\u2019d wanna try somethin\u2019 like that,\u201d Cicada says cheerfully as he grins at him, licking his lips. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They share a kiss, somehow both lazy and forceful at the same time, before pulling apart to reach for the duffel bag and sift through its contents for the harness and related objects. \u00a0Dara picks up the loosely tangled mess of leather straps, shaking them out and turning an ear back in thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I should uh, take my pants off for this to work, huh?\u201d \u00a0Dara laughs, setting the harness aside to start pushing his leggings down. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada laughs, unzipping his jeans to work his own pants off. \u00a0\u201cProbably, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He watches Dara attempt to put the harness on, reaching over to help him fit the straps over his hips and thighs. As the harness is fitted on, Dara slips fingers under the straps to ensure they\u2019re stable and snug, but not enough so that the leather\u2019s edges bite into his skin. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, nifty thing about this harness,\u201d Cicada says, taking a small egg vibrator out of the bag and handing it to Dara, patting the side of his leg where some empty, seemingly random elastic straps hang from the harness, \u201cS\u2019that you\u2019re gettin\u2019 somethin\u2019 out of it too, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was wondering what those were for!\u201d \u00a0Dara puts the vibrator\u2019s controller into the elastic and threads the egg under the harness and between his legs so it sits right where he needs it to be. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve never worn one of these things before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTechnology is fuckin\u2019 great, idnit?\u201d \u00a0Cicada lays back, spreading his legs as he watches Dara shake the plastic bag from earlier with the dildo, condoms, and lube in it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are the condoms for?\u201d Dara asks, unzipping the bag to take the dildo out. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, y\u2019know, we got more\u2019n one place to put that thing in your hands there an\u2019 no bathroom sink to clean it with,\u201d Cicada laughs. \u00a0\u201cAn\u2019 if you\u2019re askin\u2019 me, I probably wouldn\u2019t wanna put somethin\u2019 in my pooch after it\u2019s been in my butt and I figure you wouldn\u2019t wanna either, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara almost drops the dildo in shock and embarrassment. \u00a0\u201cOh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, could always boil it in the pot between ruts but fuck waitin\u2019 for that honestly,\u201d Cicada says, shrugging and idly massaging his clit. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight! \u00a0Uh…\u201d Dara passes the dildo and a condom to Cicada. \u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t know how to put this on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS\u2019fine,\u201d Cicada says, sitting up to tear the wrapper open and unroll the condom over the toy before passing it back. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll actually show ya how t\u2019 do it when it\u2019s daylight later. For now just, y\u2019know, focus on the fun stuff, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight!\u201d \u00a0Dara nods eagerly as he unsnaps the O-ring to put the toy in place, stroking it with his hand as though it were really his and looking down at himself in quiet awe. \u00a0\u201cAlright, um\u2026 how do you want to do this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHowever y\u2019want,\u201d Cicada says, letting his head droop onto his shoulder. \u00a0\u201cEasiest way would probably be bendin\u2019 my ass over the tailgate and standin\u2019 up, or puttin\u2019 me on my hands n\u2019 knees up here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUgh, those both sound really hot,\u201d Dara whines. \u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t know if the tailgate thing would work without me having to stand on something, though.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada laughs. \u00a0\u201cBuddy, you\u2019re not even the shortest guy I\u2019ve fucked, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d \u00a0Dara looks aside to think, then turns back to a nodding Cicada, laughing. \u00a0\u201cOh, right! Dwarves!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut eh, you\u2019ve got a point about probably needin\u2019 to stand on somethin\u2019,\u201d Cicada says, grinning and turning around to get on his hands and knees to present himself to Dara. \u00a0\u201cWe can figure that one out later. Let\u2019s just do it up here, then.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara walks on his knees towards Cicada, running his hands over his bare skin and giving his butt a squeeze and slipping a finger or two between his wet folds as though to test them. \u00a0\u201cDo you, uh, have any preferences for this sort of thing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhichever one you want,\u201d Cicada says, smiling over his shoulder as he shifts his knees apart. \u00a0\u201cJust remember t\u2019use lube if you\u2019re goin\u2019 for my butt, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a deep breath, Dara steadies the toy and centers it on Cicada\u2019s pucker, picking the bottle of lube up and letting its contents dribble out onto the shaft and between Cicada\u2019s cheeks. \u00a0Cicada gasps in pleasant surprise, feeling the cold lube against his asshole as Dara presses the tip of the toy against his entrance and carefully starts to push himself in. \u201cIs this alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada groans under his breath as he pushes himself against Dara to invite more of the toy into his ass, feeling himself opening up. \u00a0\u201cGood choice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara reaches towards the vibrator\u2019s controller to turn it on for himself, then places both hands on either side of Cicada\u2019s hips to pull him down the rest of the shaft until they hilt.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUff da!\u201d \u00a0Cicada shouts out in surprise and moderate pain, his eyes widening as he starts to laugh. \u00a0He didn\u2019t expect Dara to really know what he was doing, but he can save the lessons in stretching for later \u2013 after all, his asshole isn\u2019t made of cellophane, and he\u2019s definitely taken much bigger before. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re just goin\u2019 right on in, arencha?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara quickly yanks his hips back, pulling the toy out of Cicada. \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t hurt you, did I?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cS\u2019fine, s\u2019fine, nothin\u2019 that\u2019ll ruin my day,\u201d Cicada says, visibly panting as he backs himself up towards Dara. \u00a0\u201c<\/span>Loved<\/span><\/i> that way you grabbed me, though, so maybe do a bit more of that, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara smiles nervously at him, nodding and giving Cicada\u2019s hips a firm grip and pulling him back onto the toy and starting to build himself up into a good rhythm with Cicada pushing back in sync with him. The sensation of his ass filling causes Cicada to whimper and moan, inciting Dara to push harder into his ass with each oncoming thrust.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2019s how I get my little cicada to sing,\u201d Dara says huskily, leaning over Cicada to growl into his ear after a deep and forceful thrust that sends him bouncing forward and groaning loudly. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMore,\u201d Cicada begs, dropping his entire upper body onto the mattress and hiking his rear up as he closes his eyes. \u00a0He can feel his juices running down his leg, his heart racing, his sweat running down his forehead as Dara shifts behind him and starts rutting him more aggressively, refusing to let him go. \u00a0When Dara turns the vibrator\u2019s strength up for himself, Cicada can notice its energy transferring to the toy and into his body. \u201cOh, jeez…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He buries his face into the mattress, muffling his whines and moans until Dara gently takes a fistful of his hair to pull his head up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me hear you,\u201d Dara purrs breathlessly, leaning down to kiss his upper back. \u00a0\u201cYou can\u2019t hide it from me, you rowdy tod, I can smell it all over you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFuck off,\u201d Cicada laughs and snarls blissfully, laying his head on its side. \u00a0\u201cShut up an\u2019 keep fuckin\u2019 my ass, ya hoser.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGetting feisty, aren\u2019t you?\u201d \u00a0Dara notices Cicada trying to reach between his legs to rub at his clit, grabbing his arm and pinning it against the mattress. \u00a0\u201cAh, ah, ah, my wild little tod, you\u2019re not allowed to cum until I say you can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFuck,\u201d Cicada huffs, feeling his cock twitch in agonizing need, the pressure building and building and sitting on the edge until waiting to burst. \u00a0Dara must surely be close himself, and he feels the strength of the vibrator increase once more as the pace of the thrusting increases until he makes one final, hard push, crying out and shuddering in a heap over Cicada\u2019s back, the toy lodged deep inside him. \u00a0The buzzing eventually dies away as he turns the vibrator off.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara lay panting on top of Cicada for a few moments, then pulls out and takes a step back, pinching Cicada\u2019s clit between his fingers to stroke it. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWanna cum,\u201d Cicada groans, widening his legs and trembling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet,\u201d Dara says, inserting a few fingers into his vagina with his other hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFuck,\u201d Cicada says, clenching his teeth. \u00a0\u201cPlease.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span>\u201cHmmmm,\u201d Dara loudly hums in consideration, taking his sweet time in weighing whether or not he should let Cicada get off as he lazily teases him. \u00a0\u201cNo.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUgh.\u201d \u00a0Cicada whines, his entire body feeling like a taut rubber band. \u00a0\u201cNow? Please?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me think…\u201d Dara smiles at him, intentionally delaying his answer as he curls his fingers around Cicada\u2019s fully engorged clit and milking him with his thumb. \u00a0\u201cYou may.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With permission to finally finish, his vaginal walls squeeze and pump around Dara\u2019s fingers as nectar pours over his hands and he slumps forward in panting, shivering ecstasy, his legs giving out. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks immensely pleased as he pats Cicada on the butt as though he were praising a dog. \u00a0\u201cGood boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Cicada whispers as he lay face-down and twitching on the mattress. \u00a0\u201cFuck. Asshole.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara undoes the straps of the harness, letting it fall to the mattress with a wet thump and crawling over to lay beside Cicada and hold him in his arms. \u00a0Cicada rolls over and leans into him, his legs feeling like rubber and his mind still spinning from that incredibly, incredibly cruel and wonderfully delayed orgasm as Dara nuzzles his cheek. \u00a0\u201cDid you like that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada noses Dara and kisses him on the cheek. \u00a0\u201cI think I had fun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou \u2018think\u2019 you had fun?\u201d Dara pleasantly rumbles with laughter as he gives Cicada a squeeze. \u00a0\u201cIt sounded to me like you were really enjoying yourself back there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou got me there,\u201d Cicada sighs happily. \u00a0\u201cDamn near ripped my ass in half. An\u2019 what about you, eh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI quite liked it!\u201d Dara says, his voice chipper. \u201cI\u2019d be up for trying some more later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re a fuckin\u2019 natural top, didya know that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAm I?\u201d \u00a0Dara seems genuinely surprised by the revelation. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, yeah?\u201d \u00a0Cicada playfully bats at him. \u00a0\u201cThe way you grabbed me, that fuckin\u2019 bit at the end? \u00a0How\u2019d you even pick that up, buddy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t even really know, to be honest,\u201d Dara says, blushing. \u00a0\u201cI saw it in some porn once and I wanted to try it, it seemed like the right thing to do.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell keep fuckin\u2019 doin\u2019 it,\u201d Cicada says, resting his head on Dara\u2019s chest. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you insist,\u201d Dara says, kissing the top of Cicada\u2019s head. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The trees rustle in the night breeze as they gaze up at the night sky together in relaxed silence, admiring the enormous swaths of stars above them in the clear patches of sky not obscured by boughs. \u00a0Cicada closes his eyes and listens to Dara\u2019s lungs filling with air then emptying as he breathes and the calm, relaxed beating of his heart as the crickets sing around them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so glad I came out here,\u201d Dara says, smiling. \u00a0\u201cThis has been such an incredible experience and I\u2019m so glad I could share it with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0\u201cS\u2019beautiful out here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot just that,\u201d Dara says, looking at him. \u00a0\u201cI mean, I\u2019m glad I took the assignment to go out to Minnelaskwa in the first place. \u00a0And I\u2019m glad I got lost on the way, and that the waiter was just messing with me at the diner when he gave me your address.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He turns on his side, hugging Cicada close to him and gently pressing his hand against his chest. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m glad I met <\/span>you<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAw jeez,\u201d Cicada says, blinking tears away and sniffling as he tilts his head back to avoid Dara\u2019s gaze. \u00a0\u201cYou don\u2019t have to say that out loud, buddy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Dara asks, tilting Cicada\u2019s head back down by the chin. \u00a0\u201cYou deserve to know how I feel about you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDunno why,\u201d Cicada says, tears now fully rolling down his face. \u00a0\u201cS\u2019just me bein\u2019 dumb, I guess.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Cicada…\u201d Dara touches the back of his finger to Dara\u2019s cheek, wiping his tears away. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re not dumb. Would a dumb person be able to build a whole, entire, <\/span>working truck<\/span><\/i> out of random parts they found at a garbage dump?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAw, shut the front door!\u201d Cicada happily buries his face in Dara\u2019s chest, rubbing his dumb, tear-stained face into him. \u00a0There\u2019s definitely some element of not feeling worthy of this praise as well as feeling lifted up, as his emotions are both conflicting and overwhelming in a way that can only manifest in tears. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m\u2026 I\u2019m glad you randomly showed up at my house and decided you wanted to suck my dick in the bathroom at the roadkill place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Love truly does seem to find itself blossoming in the most unlikely of places, like a flower persistently growing out of a urinal cake left in a ditch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would have worded that more romantically,\u201d Dara laughs, rocking Cicada and petting his messy hair. \u201cBut if any sort of florid language came out of <\/span>your<\/span><\/i> mouth I\u2019d have to check and make sure you weren\u2019t some sort of doppelganger.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada smiles despite himself. \u00a0\u201cFuck you, buddy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI love you too, Cicada.\u201d Dara laughs, patting his back. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m so glad we met.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

They spend the rest of their time at the campsite nearly inseparable, enjoying each other\u2019s company in more ways than one as they go fishing, swimming, and exploring the woods and meadow. \u00a0They spend their nights by the fire as Dara talks about the stars and outer space, filling Cicada\u2019s head with thoughts of how great and vast the universe is and how incredible it is that they live on a planet so teeming with life and how elves would make the ideal candidates for space travel if they weren\u2019t so skittish about technology.<\/span><\/p>\n

On one of those nights, Cicada brings out a banjo from the truck\u2019s toolbox \u2013 a wooden, open-backed instrument with four strings, a popular dwarven instrument that oft accompanied logging crews to be played at campfire for musical entertainment when the day\u2019s work was done.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara\u2019s ears swing forward with interest as he listens to Cicada idly strum it in his lap, leaning forward in his camping chair as he concentrates on the notes. \u201cWhat instrument is that? I\u2019ve never seen one before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve never seen a banjo?\u201d Cicada asks, tilting his head. \u201cWell, I guess it\u2019d make sense not knowin\u2019 one if you don\u2019t hang around dwarves, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d Dara pauses to listen to Cicada play for a bit more, then holds out his hands. \u201cI would like to try something, may I see it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHuh? Well sure,\u201d Cicada says, holding the banjo out for Dara with a smile. Dara takes it into his hands, experimentally plucking each string a few times with curiosity. \u201cM\u2019no expert but I figure I could probably teach you some of the basics–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He stops himself when he hears Dara try a few chords then subtly turns one of the tuning pegs and tests the strings again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI knew it,\u201d Dara says, satisfied with the perfected tuning of the banjo. \u201cThis is the exact same tuning as a viola, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026 I guess?\u201d Cicada has never played a viola before, but given how Dara is already capably plinking out melodies, he supposes Dara is right. \u201cYou\u2019ve really never seen nor played a banjo before, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara shakes his head. The test riffs he plays sound more classical than anything that banjo\u2019s ever been used for, favoring soft, high notes. \u201cNo. I\u2019ve just had a lot of musical training. Would you like it back?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can keep playin\u2019 with it if you want,\u201d Cicada says, putting his chin in his hand. \u201cS\u2019nicer than anything I\u2019ve ever played, for sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVery well.\u201d Dara smiles at him and continues playing strange, beautiful music that sounds almost like a lullaby, quietly humming along.<\/span><\/p>\n

Closing his eyes to listen, a calm smile crosses Cicada\u2019s face as he imagines himself at home next to the fireplace, his head in Dara\u2019s lap as his hair is being stroked and they\u2019re watching some trashy rubber monster movie on TV while swearing cozy sweaters.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cD\u2019ya like singin\u2019 at all, Dara?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The strumming stops, and Dara looks quietly into the fire for a long moment as he rests his arm on the drum of the banjo. Cicada opens his eyes, noticing Dara\u2019s expression has changed for the melancholy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, yeah, the voice changes.\u201d Cicada reaches over to gently pat Dara\u2019s forearm, smiling gently at him. \u201cYour hummin\u2019 was nice, anyways. I\u2019m sure your singin\u2019s fine, but you don\u2019t hafta sing anything if you don\u2019t feel okay with that right now, alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara looks at Cicada, forcing a smile as he shakes his head. \u201cIt\u2019s not that. My singing is awful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBuddy, don\u2019t even talk to me about bad singin\u2019,\u201d Cicada chuckles. \u201cI can clear out a family a\u2019 raccoons from a garbage buffet in a single verse with mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to hear that,\u201d Dara says, smirking as he passes the banjo back to Cicada. \u201cPlay me your worst song.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you betcha!\u201d Cicada grins, taking the instrument and plucking a jaunty little tune about a six-legged opossum (the joke is because opossums have two dicks, get it) and playing into the night every terrible, bawdy camp song he\u2019s ever been taught to Dara\u2019s great amusement before they both retire to the bed of the truck for sex and sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2766<\/b><\/h1>\n

Before long it\u2019s time for them to head back to town, and the time for Dara to take the long drive back to the airport to depart to Thalassea is fast approaching. \u00a0It\u2019s been at the back of Cicada\u2019s mind the entire drive home, even more than his desire to take a real good shower which is usually what he craves most after a camping trip. \u00a0He thinks about all the cool things in the valley he wanted to show Dara, all the friends he wanted to introduce him to, to eventually maybe even meet his mothers both living and dead, and so much more.<\/span><\/p>\n

He pulls into the driveway, stopping the truck and sitting silently in the driver\u2019s seat, trying to make the lump in his throat go away as he stares ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFlight\u2019s tomorrow morning, eh?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Dara nods at him, his ears lowering. \u00a0\u201cUnfortunately.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada sighs, giving him a wistful glance. \u00a0\u201cWell, if y\u2019ever get any PTO you gotta burn off and y\u2019wanna come back out here, I\u2019ll be more\u2019n happy to put ya up, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what? \u00a0I <\/span>do<\/span><\/i> have paid time off stored up,\u201d Dara muses out loud as he looks at him in realization, seeming to be seriously considering this. \u00a0\u201cI think I\u2019ll see if I can\u2019t swing it before the year is out. I like it out here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d \u00a0Cicada blinks, his lips pulling into a smile. \u00a0\u201cWell, you\u2019ll wanna bring a jacket for sure, it gets pretty cold here, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt can\u2019t be that cold with you around,\u201d Dara says, undoing his seatbelt and crawling over the bench seat to kiss Cicada. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll see about that, Mr. Out-of-Towner,\u201d Cicada chuckles, kissing Dara back. \u00a0\u201cMight hafta set you up t\u2019 live in the sauna so ya don\u2019t freeze dry into a li\u2019l stick a\u2019 jerky when ya go outside, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh! \u00a0Can we jump in a frozen lake afterwards?\u201d Dara pulls back from him, sitting on his legs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure,\u201d Cicada says, looking fondly at Dara. \u00a0\u201cBy the way, next time you come up here\u2026 we got a mountain train that goes all the way down through the pass, s\u2019way cheaper than takin\u2019 a rental all the way from the airport, for sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara gasps. \u00a0\u201cNobody mentioned a <\/span>thing<\/span><\/i> about there being a train here!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot to mention the view\u2019s just fuckin\u2019 incredible,\u201d Cicada says, dramatically sweeping his arm out. \u00a0\u201cDamn near my favorite thing about the end of the log drive, comin\u2019 home aside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell I\u2019m definitely going to have to look into that now,\u201d Dara says with determination. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat airport are you goin\u2019 out to, anyways?\u201d Cicada asks, tilting his head. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMartelo International,\u201d Dara says. \u00a0Cicada pulls his lips and ears back in a grimace. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAw jeez! \u00a0That\u2019s a <\/span>drive<\/span><\/i>,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0If he ever meets whatever Thalassian officials are in charge of travel arrangements for its employees, he has <\/span>a few choice words<\/span><\/i> for them, chief among them firmly-worded instructions on how a search engine works and other ways to not subject their more technologically illiterate people to longer than necessary drives to and from the airport. \u00a0\u201cIf the train doesn\u2019t work out, next time just hire a guy with a utility plane to take ya up to Feradomo from there, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara facepalms, groaning. \u00a0\u201cI really wish my boss told me these things before I left.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour boss didn\u2019t even know the actual name of this town,\u201d Cicada laughs. \u00a0\u201cI wouldn\u2019t \u2018spect \u2018em to know we even got a train, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good to know this for the future, at least,\u201d Dara sighs, running a hand through his dirty hair. \u00a0\u201cFor now though, I think I could use a nice, hot shower.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a coincidence,\u201d Cicada says. \u00a0\u201cI need to take a shower too, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They unload the truck and head straight for the bathroom, shedding their clothes and crowding into the shower stall to scrub off a week\u2019s worth of dirt, pine needles, and leaves (sure, they bathed in the stream while they were out in the wilds, but nothing beats scalding hot water and actual, proper soap and shampoo). Cicada sits in the shower chair and detaches his prosthetic leg as Dara comes in behind him, wedging himself behind the chair and finding it to be more than a little cramped with two people in there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhose idea was this?\u201d Cicada laughs, turning on the water as hot steam fills the room, scooting his chair up to give Dara more space.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara grabs the shower handle, soaking water into Cicada\u2019s hair and palming shampoo over his scalp. \u00a0\u201cI distinctly remember it being yours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell…\u201d \u00a0He trails off, blissfully closing his eyes at the soothing feeling of Dara massaging his head and working the lather through his mane. \u00a0\u201cIt coulda been worse, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hesitate to ask how,\u201d Dara chuckles as he directs the shower handle to rinse the suds out of Cicada\u2019s hair. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada is quiet for a few moments, thinking about whether or not he should say what\u2019s on his mind to Dara as he takes the bar of soap out of the caddy and starts scrubbing himself up. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The pressure builds as he starts cracking up, pursing his lips together and smiling like a jackass. \u00a0\u201cWe coulda tried using the toilet at the same time instead, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m already showering with a toilet, so what\u2019s the difference?\u201d Dara stops lathering up his own hair long enough to switch the shower handle into jet mode, aiming it squarely at the back of Cicada\u2019s head and hitting him with the water.<\/span><\/p>\n

They both laugh, then resume cleaning each other up in relative peace until they feel like they\u2019ve successfully scrubbed away all the dirt and grime, changing into fresh pajamas and collapsing exhausted in bed to watch dumb videos until they pass out, too tired to do anything more in their last hours than cuddle each other until it\u2019s time for Dara to wake up to leave.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s definitely earlier than Cicada would ever voluntarily get up, but he wants to see Dara off before he goes. \u00a0The sun\u2019s not even up yet and won\u2019t be for another few hours, and his entire body\u2019s still sore from camping. Dara\u2019s out of bed before him, plucking his clean dress clothes out of his suitcase to put on and whisking around the house for his personal effects in one final sweep. \u00a0His suitcase is now bulging with the addition of the flannels Cicada had given him before the camping trip.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada follows him out to the car, doing his damnedest not to start crying as he helps carry Dara\u2019s bags out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cY\u2019sure you don\u2019t have any time for breakfast?\u201d Cicada asks, putting the suitcase in the back of the station wagon. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t, but thank you.\u201d \u00a0Dara shakes his head. \u201cI\u2019ll grab some drive-thru coffee and then eat at the airport.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHold up,\u201d Cicada says, raising his finger as he quickly strides back to the house, returning with two sandwich bags \u2013 one clear and one tinted green, both of them containing his homemade dessert bars.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis one\u2019s for the road,\u201d he says, handing Dara the clear bag first, then hands him the green bag with a wink. \u00a0\u201cAnd <\/span>this<\/span><\/i> one\u2019s for the flight. \u00a0Try to take it an hour or so before you board, eh.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see, thank you.\u201d \u00a0Dara takes the baggies, smiling knowingly as he tucks them away into his messenger bag. \u00a0He holds his arms out to Cicada for a tight hug, lingering for a long time before he lets go. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m going to miss you so much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada sniffs, kissing Dara on the cheek before he pulls back. \u00a0\u201cSame, buddy, same.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll let you know as soon as I can about vacation time,\u201d he says, holding both of Cicada\u2019s hands. \u00a0\u201cMaybe you can help me pick out a winter coat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure,\u201d Cicada says, smiling. \u00a0\u201cYou have a good trip home, alright? \u00a0Drive safe an\u2019 all that stuff.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d Dara says, taking a breath as he lets go of Cicada\u2019s hands and ducks into the car. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll let you know when I get to the airport, okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor sure,\u201d Cicada says, taking a step back to the curb as Dara closes the door and waving to him as he starts the car. \u00a0Dara waves back at him, blowing him a kiss as he pulls out into the road and drives away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rust Lake is a small town with nothing to do, until you meet someone new and get to experience it all over again through their eyes and get to vicariously live through their joy and what they find in it that you might not have considered yourself. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicada wonders if he\u2019ll ever see Dara again once he drives off in that rental car, standing outside until the car is totally out of view. \u00a0He turns around and goes back inside his cabin, collapsing face-down in his empty bed until he goes back to sleep with nothing else to do, until he\u2019s woken up by his phone vibrating hours later. \u00a0He blearily grabs his phone off the nightstand to see who it is that\u2019s messaging him, fumbling the phone in surprise and rolling on his back immediately to open the message and respond with a huge smile on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

A few weeks later, Dara sits in his cubicle, supportive splints on both of his hands as he rapidly enters data into the beige, chunky computer from an old binder taken from one of the elven colonies. \u00a0His phone vibrates unexpectedly as the words \u2018My Tod\u2019 surrounded in heart emojis flashes on the screen, causing him to glance away from the computer for a second, then looks around to see if anyone\u2019s got their eyes on him before unlocking the phone and opening the message.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a picture of a truck tailpipe, familiar bumper stickers just out of frame. \u00a0\u2018feelin cute today\u2026\u2026.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Dara does another check to see if he\u2019s being watched before he thumbs a reply, trying not to look too distracted by the lewd message. \u00a0\u2018You know I\u2019m at work right now\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

The message indicator shows \u2018My Tod\u2019 typing a reply. \u00a0Another picture loads in, showing a familiar hand suggestively putting his middle and ring fingers into the tailpipe with his palm facing up, accompanied by an eggplant emoji and a winking tongue emoji. \u00a0\u2018oops i slipped haha\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Feeling his face turn hot, Dara only responds with a flustered emoji before turning his phone face-down on his desk and pressing his legs together, hoping nobody saw that. \u00a0The phone vibrates once more as he resume entering data, and Dara resolves not to open it until he\u2019s on break lest he get too preoccupied with embarrassing thoughts and get frowned at by his manager for goofing off on his phone when he should be working.<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides, his vacation is right around the corner.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n<\/i>Love2<\/span><\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

written and illustrated by Ptarmigan The summer in Minnelaskwa\u2019s Iron Valley has finally come to its merciful end, where the weather transitions from \u2018hot enough to where it\u2019s only tolerable to sit around the house drunk in your underwear\u2019 to \u2018cool enough to sit around the house drunk in your underwear and an open flannel […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[672,425],"tags":[651],"class_list":["post-7484","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bangbang-no-76","category-text","tag-ptarmigan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7484","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7484"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7484\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7494,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7484\/revisions\/7494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}