Каран Андерс - The Book of Firsts

"Make sure to let us know your level of delirium tomorrow morning."

"If I’m delirious, I’m not sure I’d even manage my phone password, but I’ll try."

The trip that usually took twenty tedious minutes by bus was already over. Unable to find parking, Rin let me off at the curb, simply saying: "Save the first dance for me, Cheshire," before he drove off.

I watched him go, then shook my head. The chances of me getting anywhere near him at that dance were dim. But I’d like it very much.

After getting home, I immediately felt more awake, but still carefully prepared as if I would be able to get to sleep at a proper hour. I set two alarms, checked my school bag, and nested on the couch with some light snacks and my revision notes. And woke at four in the morning. Other than the stiff neck, this suited me fine, and I cleared my mind with a yoga session and a long shower. Carefully choosing a breakfast unlikely to upset my stomach, I checked my bag again, then caught an early bus. Only after it had arrived did I send a message over the Cheshire app: "Safely reached school after over ten hours of sleep."

Three return messages arrived within a minute, all variations of good wishes for the exam. I spent the remainder of the time before the bell reading my notes, and then checking on Lania for good measure. My mood was extremely good, because the day’s first exam was Helios U’s first year Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus, and a major part of my plan for getting into my Engineering Physics degree. Tuesday and Thursday were also important, but a good day today would very likely create a virtuous circle and help me through the rest of the week. And that wasn’t even factoring in my afternoon sleep aid.

"I don’t even need to ask how you went," Kyou murmured, after locking the gate. "You’re positively glowing."

Relief hit me all of a sudden, and I wrapped my arms around his waist, squeezing tightly. I think I startled him, but then he squeezed me back.

"Feels like I’m getting the reward for Rin’s achievements. I’m sure he’ll forgive me. Eventually."

"Sorry," I said, relaxing my hold. "I had a flash of how this day might have gone."

"Believe me, I have no problem with you hugging me. Consider permission permanently granted. Are you more confident of getting into your course after today? I have been wondering what you will do if this professor you idolise has feet of clay."

"If she turns out to be a certified Karen or something? Her personality isn’t the reason I want to take her course. Some things would bother me, but probably not enough to make me regret the choice of school. I think, if I keep up today’s performance, I have a very good chance of getting in." I followed him into the summer house. "Is the Fine Art Department at Helios U good?"

He shrugged. "Possibly not quite so elite as your Engineering course, but not too bad. There’s a couple of teachers there I want to spend some time with. Formal instruction isn’t absolutely necessary for an artist—if I was job hunting, my portfolio would matter more than any degree—but I think structured classes will challenge me in interesting ways. Push me out of my comfort zone. What kind of tea would you like today, Cheshire? I brought a variety."

"Liquorice or ginger."

"I guessed right," he said, and quickly conjured a faint scent of liquorice.

"Do you think you’ll beat Rin and Bran in the exam rankings?" I asked, after he handed me a cup.

"Not with Bran in his current form. If he was still in deep brood, perhaps. But while Rin and I have some measure of brain, Bran is a genius—at least in the various subjects we’re being tested on. And can match Rin in music, for good measure." He sat down next to me, and looked at his cup contemplatively. "I’d almost forgotten the whole reason we got into this. It worked out better than we ever expected."

"Is there any chance he’ll revert?" I asked. "When this is over?"

"He says no," Kyou said. "And Rin and I think it’s unlikely. If Meggan had simply broken up with him, I don’t think he ever would have reacted so badly. But Bran is loyal to the core, and she was asking for something impossible for him." He let out his breath. "I’m never not going to be furious with her. She watched him fall apart. And has the gall to regret it now he’s finally recovered."

"Meggan’s trying to win him back?"

"Does that bother you?" he asked, looking interested.

"I doubt a day goes by without someone trying to get with you three, but I’d be bothered if Bran agreed to Meggan. She seems very wrong for him."

"I’m not sure they would have been together if they hadn’t been neighbours. Not that Meggan doesn’t have her good points. I seem to recall being a little jealous of Bran, back when we were around twelve. When he was being crushed by family ambition, she made a real difference to him emotionally. But…I think she’s devoted to an idea of Bran that’s only a small fraction of who he is. Sensitive, vulnerable, creative. And, if she had her way, hers in a way that excludes us."

Grimacing, I drained my cup. "This is a depressing subject."

"A better one being why do we still have clothes on?" he murmured, leaning close to my ear.

"Your voice is a crime against nature."

"Triumph. Triumph of."

He’d dropped an octave, and vibration sent a shiver down my spine. It took sheer force of will to not visibly melt as I said: "You practice doing that."

"Pure natural talent. And, if I remember correctly, today is everything you like, and I’d like to see you deny enjoying listening to me."

"Is there going to be French poetry?" I asked, interested.

Kyou chuckled. "That wouldn’t be half as fun for you when we both know you understand what I’m saying. Instead, I’m actually going to take a suggestion from the peanut gallery."

While I tried to work out who the peanut gallery was meant to be, Kyou brought in one of the café chairs, and methodically stripped off his clothes. Then he pulled out silk rope and a blindfold from his backpack, handed them to me, and said: "Treat me kindly."

I remembered a conversation with Rin, smiled slowly, and said: "So which do you think you’ll enjoy more: being tied up, or breaking free?"

"I think how tightly you tie me will tell me a lot about your tastes."

"Or my knot-making abilities. Sit down."

There was no denying my excitement level had gone through the roof. Kyou is such a game player, and this one suited both of us extremely well. I put the blindfold on him immediately, then paused to contemplate my treat.

Kyou’s physique sits roughly in between Rin’s slender elegance and Bran’s cut level of fitness. His skin has a wheat tone, and there were blue shimmers in his black hair. The short ponytail suited him incredibly well, and the blindfold only emphasised his clean jawline. I traced a finger along it, and watched him smile.

"Are we going to skip the tying up part? I thought you’d like that especially."

"Are you sure you’re comfortable with it?" I asked, very serious. "What about your hand? Are there still stitches?"

"Gone," he said, lifting his hand to show me a vivid red line. "Not even sore. And I don’t know how comfortable I am with being tied up, but I trust you to let me go if I ask. Or even look mildly unhappy."

This was perfectly true, and so I smiled, and dropped a light kiss on his forehead. "Going to drive you out of your mind," I murmured.

If I’d known Kyou’s plans, I would have studied up on knots, but basic knowledge was enough for me to secure each arm straight down the wrought iron back of the café chair. Then I stepped away and shucked my clothes, knowing he would hear the faint rustling. He was already hard.