Word Count: 338
Orion swallowed dryly, pausing to look in the window of a shop. He doesn't actually care for the gold mask which promises to curse any home it ever hangs in, and the dust that streaks the window and gives the store a grey appearance is nauseating. Still, he doesn't want to look Alley has a reputation for catering to a certain type of people; he doesn't need to draw attention to himself.
"Bit of a dreary meeting place, wouldn't you say?"
He sees Tom's reflection in the shop window, and his heart flutters. Orion turns. The other boy is clutching Orion's letter.
Orion tries to speak, but words fail. His tongue suddenly feels too thick, too heavy, and he can't remember how words work.
Tom simply smirks. "Take a walk with me."
Obediently, Orion follows. Truth be told, he would follow Tom to the end of the world without hesitation. He doesn't know why. It isn't as though he is attracted to men, but Tom is special. His eyes seem to always pierce Orion's defenses and leave him utterly helpless.
"I must say I was surprised," Tom tells him as they walk along the alley. "I have never received a love letter."
Orion's cheeks burn. It was such a foolish thing to do. Is Tom mocking him now? He can't be sure; the other boy's features are stony and impossible to read.
"You know I can never love you back, don't you?"
"You could pretend." Orion hates how pathetic the words sound. He wants to say something better, but he's at a loss.
Tom pauses, causing Orion to do the same. "And why would I do that?"
What does Orion have to offer that Tom could want? As a Black, he has gold and influence and power, but that would crumble if his parents ever found out. Individually, Orion has nothing. Except…
"Loyalty. Undying and unquestioning loyalty," Orion says.
Tom considers this in silence for several moments before nodding. "I believe we could make that work."