Page 96 of Jinxes and Drumsticks

“Hey,” I say, my voice soft.

“Hey,” he says, the fry in his throat making his voice sound ever so slightly richer. My skin ripples with goose bumps in response,

“So, what are you doing up?” I ask.

“Euuuh, well,” he says. “Going for a half-awake piss, actually.”

I snort a laugh. “Nice.”

“I guess I should have done that before I called,” he says.

“You a nervous pee-er?” I ask.

“You don’t need to hear the thunderous stream of my broken pee-fast,” he says.

“Majestic,” I say.

“Who needs waterfalls when you can just call me for my 5:30 pee each day?” he teases. “Anyway. I can hold it.”

“I can’t believe we’re joking about peeing. Isn’t this, like... year three material?”

“When you know, you know,” he says. “For you, I’m willing to share the vulnerability of my mid-morning pee. You’re welcome—Oh shit, hang on—”

I hear the slide of a glass door and then hear it shut before he continues. “Sorry, Tosh was starting to stir. I didn’t want to burst the bubble.”

“No worries,” I say through a yawn. “You miss me yet?”

“Duh,” he says. “You sleep okay?”

“Yeah. I went to bed super early. I guess I do that when someone isn’t keeping me awake,” I say.

“Don’t worry, we’ll make up for all the sleep when I get back to Del Lune. What are you getting up to today?”

“Mmm, aside from the shop, I’ll probably head down to The Buried City and get some work done with Bastion,” I say. “It’ll make the hours feel shorter. I’m already counting them down until I get to see you again.”

“Me too,” he says through another yawn.

I chuckle. “Damien, go pee and get back in bed.”

“I’m fine, I promise,” he says and then yawns. Again.

“Don’t you have a show tonight?” I ask.

“Yeah...”

“Go to bed. I’ll be here when you have time later,” I promise him. “You need to get sleep if you’re going to do the thing later.”

“Well, maybe I don’t want to do the thing,” he says. “Maybe I just wanna sit on this deck and watch the sunrise while I talk to my girlfriend. Who I’m in love with.”

My cheeks hurt from smiling, my stomach bottoms out in the best way. “And maybe I want my boyfriend, who I’m in love with, to sleep well so he can blow everyone’s eardrums out later tonight.”

“I can still play loud when I’m tired.”

“Nothing like a yawning drummer to get an audience in the mood.”

“You’re being a little shit,” he teases. “Let me be obsessed with you, thanks.”

I chuckle before giving a begrudging, “Alright. Fine.”