âWhen you say âtrained for itââŚâ Murph began before pulling the other man to a stop, âFanish. We donât have to do this right now. If youâre not ready. JustâŚâ He patted the nagaâs chest fondly, âKnow Iâm here to listen when you are.â His hands ran easily over Fanishâs shoulders, one of his own lifted into a half-shrug.
âWeâve all got⌠stuff.â A snort, âYou know I do. But the difference between you and I is Iâve got a big mouth and very little control of what comes out of it anymore.â That wasnât necessarily fair. Murph tended to be what other people wanted him to be â He couldnât even be his full self with his ex-fiance, the person he almost married. So maybe they were both helping each other be more open. ââŚThis is the easiest relationship Iâve been in. â I mean Iâm sure weâll get on each otherâs nerves eventually but I donât really have to think about this. Before, well, Wildemount, I remember putting on such a character back in New York and London and wherever. It wasnât me. I donât think I was very happy. At least, I donât remember being. But what do I know, I remember so little.â A pause, âFeels so far away now⌠But a wee couple of years for me is probably nothing in comparison, is it?â
Fanish looked down at the hand against his chest, âI know.â he nodded, âand thank youâ There were things Fanish wasnât sure heâd ever be ready to talk about, but he was grateful to have someone like Murph who would be there to listen if and when he did.Â
âIt is?â he asked as the other admitted this was the easiest relationship heâd been in. It was a sentiment that he was glad to hear. âand youâre happy now?â he asked, moving to take his hands, giving them a squeeze. From the younger manâs words it seemed to be what he was saying, but he still wanted to know that he was happy. Happy in this place and happy with him. âYou make me happyâ he added, giving his hands another gentle squeeze âI think that depends on who you ask. Yes, a couple years is nothing for someone like me, but that doesnât mean they donât feel far away for someone who hasnât lived as long a life.âÂ