“Thélio, can we live here?” I gasped, dropping my suitcases onto the ground of the apartment.

“I am barely an American citizen, Hyacinth,” Thélio laughed, wrapping an arm around my waist from behind after setting his own bags down, “I can't also try to get it in the UK. So unfortunately no. My apartment in Manhattan is nicer. You have seen the entryway. Come on,” he let me go and took my hand, pulling me further into the apartment with a laugh, “welcome to London. Truly. Not just a stop and a stay in a hotel.”

“I love it,” I sighed happily, looking around the large, if not slightly cramped, flat, “the grays and blues. Oh, and I love the kitchen! I always wanted all-black cabinets with white counters. It’s so easy to keep clean.”

“Your genuine excitement makes it so much better. I take things like this for granted because I am used to staying here. I am here twice a year. So we can come back.”

“Thank god,” I sighed happily, “where’s my room?”

“Right over here,” he led me down a small hallway and opened the second door on the right, “I did warn you the bed takes up all of the space.”

Sitting in a small bedroom underneath a beautiful wide window was a massive king-size bed with a gray duvet. The bed nearly touched the door, a small walking area available to get to either side of it. On the left wall was a set of doors and when I opened them I realized it was a closet. Across from that was another door that Thélio opened to reveal my own bathroom, the white of the apartment continuing on as all of the tile and walls were the same flat shade of eggshell. The bathroom appeared larger than the bedroom and I smiled wider when I realized it had a waterfall shower.

“This is wonderful,” I flopped onto the bed with a giggle, “Oh, and a TV thank god. I can’t sleep without it.”

“There is also internet, the password is on the router in the living room so you can stay in contact with your family. We should consider getting you international call and text at some point since we will be traveling a lot once my leg heals. But that is for down the road. I will go get your bags. Just rest.”

“Wait!” I yelled as he started to leave, startling Thélio, “sorry. Come here,” I held my hand out and he took it, gasping when I pulled him down on top of me, “this is better than I hoped it would be,” I whispered, pushing his hair from his face, “I would have been entirely fine with some hovel if it meant I was here. Thank you,” I leaned up on my elbows and softly kissed his nose, “I love it.”

“Well I… I did not do anything special,” Thélio’s face went red, his hands on either side of my hips as he did his best to hold himself up.

“You realize you won’t crush me right? I’m stronger than you.”

“Perhaps. But I do weigh more. I am chubby right now. You have muscle. I can see it when you move. In your stomach and arms. I have it in my shoulders but the rest of me… well I must have at least thirty pounds on you. It is all in my stomach and legs. So I am worried I will crush you. I am also thinking inappropriate thoughts. I wish to not share them and frighten you away from me. Being close like this is a lot for me. I have good control over my impulses, however. I would like to get your things so that we can get ready and I can take you around. Show you off. Please?”

“I’m sorry,” I sighed, disappointed in myself, “I didn’t mean to push you. I just wanted to express my gratitude.”

“I already feel it. You do not need to. Just be yourself. I like that person. Silly, bouncy Hyacinth. I feel as though I am one of few to know that side of you.”

“Oh, absolutely most people think I’m rude or stoic. I’m just shy.”

“I know,” he laughed, wrapping one of his hands in my hair and softly kissing my forehead, “I like it. I will be right back. And I do not mean this rude, but you need a shower. You smell the same as the airplane.”

“Hey! So do you!” I pouted and Thélio laughed, the skin near his eyes wrinkling as his smile was incredibly wide and filled with genuine happiness.

“Then let us freshen up and head out. It is… date day. Coffee date. Then lunch date.”

“Perfect.”

Thélio climbed off of the bed and ran down the hallway and I gently touched my chest, my heart racing.

I like how this feels.

The nerves.

Butterflies.

I’ve never felt this way about anyone.

Not even Ocean and I loved him.

Thélio left my bags in the doorway, blew me a small kiss, and headed to his own room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Forcing myself out of the comfort of the bed, I began to unpack, finding the perfect outfit before running off to shower, leaving my skin care products and things for my hair a scattered mess on the bathroom counter as I knew I was cutting into the time we had together today.

After a quick shower, I braided my hair, washed my face, and finally pulled on a pair of black tights once my skin had dried.

Thank god I don’t grow body hair.

Weird genetics I swear.

When I hit puberty I fully expected that the lack of hair on my legs and arms would start to grow in. But it hadn’t. Neither had my armpits or genitalia. I simply had no body hair outside of my eyebrows and a beard if I wanted. Sparrow took me to the doctor and while there was nothing they could find wrong with my hormones or anything, it was clear I would never grow the hair. This was fine by me as it made showering easier and I never had to shave my legs when I wanted to wear tights.

Once my tights were on properly, I pulled on a set of brown plaid shorts and a white turtle neck, tucking my top in and spinning slowly in the full-length mirror to ensure everything was smooth.

Perfect.

I’m so cute.

Laughing at myself, I slid on my most comfortable boots and grabbed my bag, my tan trench coat, and a brown scarf lying over my arm as I headed into the living room.

“Thélio?” I called, looking around, “I’m ready!”

“Two moments,” he yelled back, “I forgot how difficult it is to pick clothes when you want to look nice.”

“You are literally a fashion designer, you should know how to dress yourself,” I laughed, taking a photo of myself in a mirror I found in the living room.

I’m never this vain.

I feel so good in my skin today.

“Oh shush,” he came stomping from his room and we both froze, staring at each other.

Thélio’s outfit was incredibly simple, a pair of slightly baggy dark wash jeans with a gray and white striped shirt, a white colored button up tucked in underneath that, and a black jacket over the top of everything, his hair pulled into a high knot to keep it out of the way. It was more the way it caused his hair and eyes to stand out that had taken me by surprise. By muting his clothing, you were drawn to look at his face, the way the sun coming from the window caused his eyes to take on a beautiful caramel color.

“Wow,” I smiled, going over to fix his collar as it was a bit uneven, “you look fantastic.”

“Huh! No. No, you do,” he took my hand and had me spin a small circle, “lovely. You are also taller than me now.”

“These are my most comfortable boots. Required to walk as much as we will today. Does it bother you?”

“Not at all,” he took my jacket and helped me put it on, “you might want to reconsider the scarf until later. It is warmer than you think outside.”

“Oh. Right,” I folded it nicely and tucked the scarf into my bag, taking my cane out, “I know you can guide me. But I need it for unfamiliar streets and stairs. Especially if we are going to be apart sometimes. I can’t gauge distances well. I will fall off a curb or trip.”

“Can I still hold your other hand?” He smiled, taking my hand and I nodded happily, “Wonderful. Away we go then!”

We left the flat, both of us giggling, and headed out to the street, the sound slightly overwhelming as I had failed to remember London was always busier than I thought it should be.

“Just hold onto me,” Thélio linked our arms, “I am right here.”

“I know you are.”

Our first stop was the pharmacy, a frustrating affair as I had spelled my name out multiple times before I was finally given my prescription, a startled gasp escaped me when I found out the total was four hundred dollars.

“I hate how expensive health care is,” I groaned to Thélio after we left the pharmacy, “I didn’t think it would transfer here.”

“Is it enough to get you through our time in Japan and Korea?”

“Of course. I had them give me a four-month supply. Probably why it was so much. It’ll be fine. I’m thirsty.”

“We are almost to a cafe. What would you like?”

“Surprise me?”

“That I can do.”

Thélio directed me to a cafe and as I took my seat, sliding my jacket off, he headed to the counter, the tip of his tongue sticking out as he stared at the menu before ordering for both of us and rejoing me.

“Alright. I went simple. We will have a yummy early lunch so I did not want to get food. But if you are hungry…”

“Stop,” I covered his hand with my own, shaking my head, “if I wanted food I would get up and get it myself. I’m too tired for that right now.”

“I just worry about you, I know how often you must eat. Please tell me if you start to feel faint. There are many small shops we can go into to get you a snack. Do not hide okay? That will cause me to worry more.”

“Because you care?”

“Because I deeply care,” he gently kissed my knuckles, “you look lovely today. I am spoiled to go on a date, oh… two dates, with someone as beautiful as you.”

“Thélio stop it,” I laughed, “you’re embarrassing me.”

“It is fun to embarrass you. Your cheeks get so pink I love it,” he smiled gently, softly touching my face and I looked down at the table, trying to hide my own smile, “Oh come on let me see you.”

“No,” I laughed.

“Fine,” he pinched my cheek and I snorted, finally meeting his gaze again, “there you are.”

“People are staring,” I whispered, folding my hands in my lap, “you can’t feel it?”

“Of course I can. But I do not care. They are staring at you. Because you are so beautiful.”

“Stop,” I giggled and kissed his palm, “you don’t need to butter me up with silly compliments.”

“I am not. I enjoy complimenting you. It makes you happy even if you are embarrassed.”

“I want to compliment you too but I don’t know how. I just… find you so handsome. Breathtaking and it’s hard for me to tell you that. But I want you to know that I find you beautiful too.”

“Thank you,” he nodded, “truly. I never get to hear that. I never have. It makes my heart thump.”

“Order for Lio?” The barista called and Thélio jumped up, running over to get our coffee while I pulled my jacket back on.

“My god that took so long,” I groaned, walking with Thélio as we drank our coffee.

“I know it was crazy. I hate that. Is your Pai that slow making drinks?”

“God no Thomas is annoyingly efficient. And his coffee is better,” I grimaced, dropping my cup in a garbage can that we passed, “how much was that? I’ll pay you back for it.”

“No, we are on a date. I am paying for everything today. I am sorry the coffee was disappointing. Can I get you something else?”

“Just your company.”

“I will always give you that.”

We continued to walk through London, taking photos together and of things around us before heading to the restaurant Thélio wanted to take me to.

“Oh, we grab and head outside? They don’t bring it to us?” I looked around confused and Thélio wrapped his arm around my waist, one of his fingers sliding into a belt loop of my shorts.

“No. We carry it ourselves. Or rather I will. The stairs are dangerous you will need your cane. Hello,” he smiled at the cashier, “may I please have the falafel plate? Hyacinth? What would you like?”

“Spinach and mushroom pie,” I nodded, kissing Thélio’s cheek.

“Alright your total is 16 pounds even,” the cashier smiled, “you make a beautiful couple.”

“Thank you,” I giggled and Thélio looked at me surprised but elated, “I like to think so too.”

We waited for our food, Thélio leaning against a wall as I rested my back against him, his hand still on my hip.

“You’re lost in thought,” I whispered.

“You called us a couple. It felt nice. That is all.”

“Didn’t see a reason to correct her is all. We are very clearly on a date. You haven’t stopped touching me. It uh… Thélio. I worry you think you have to guide me so much because of what Eugene put you through. You do know the difference between gentle affection because we can’t resist touching and controlling me right?”

“Of course. I am sorry. I did not want to make you feel as though I was trying to control you.”

“Oh. No, I don’t think that all. I was just making sure.”

“I will never control you,” he whispered softly in my ear, “I want you to be free to be independent, to make your choices. I just wish to be there.”

“I will never leave you behind. I want this life with you Thélio. Just keep growing with me.”

“I promise that I will.”