He nods once.
"Okay, but why? Because it’s pointless? Or because it involves physical contact?"
There’s a small pause before he answers.
"The reasons are complex. But that is one of them."
"Well, scientifically speaking, humans are full of bacteria," I sigh dramatically. "Me included, probably. Hard to argue with science." I tilt my head slightly. "Still, it’s kinda sad you won’t make an exception tonight because… I don’t know. I thought stepping away from work and routines for one evening could maybe be nice. And harmless."
More silence.
Blue has moments where he talks a lot, but most of the time he just… doesn’t. Right now he looks thoughtful again.
My eyes drift toward his hand hanging loosely at his side, those slender fingers moving slightly now and then. I would give literally anything to know what his touch feels like. Even once.
"You are…" I stop myself. No. He doesn’t want this. If I keep pushing, I’m going to ruin everything.
But then Blue speaks first.
"What am I?"
"You don’t actually want to hear it."
"Don’t do that," he says quietly. "Just say what you think."
"You’ll get mad. You’ll send me back to prison, and I…" I laugh nervously under my breath. "I really don’t want to go back there, please. I want to stay with you."
Our eyes lock.
Again with the silence, and with him studying me so intensely it feels like he’s peeling layers off my brain.
"I won’t send you away," he says at last. "You have a free pass just for now. One time."
I stop breathing for a second.
"You’re way too good for me. So far above my level, and somehow I still keep dreaming about you anyway."
Quiet again, but a crack appears in his composure this time. Tiny, almost invisible. A brief grimace crosses his face, like there’s something happening beneath all that control.
"Please," I say more earnestly now. "Just one dance, Blue. Only one."
I’m completely sure he’s about to refuse again or shut me down somehow, but then suddenly…
"Okay."
A literal shock runs through me.
Wait. He agreed?
Impossible.
"Seriously?"
He nods once.
Holy shit. This feels like winning the lottery and being handed a miracle at the same time.
Don’t ruin this, Gabriel.