((You thought Ukrainian is bad? Have some Welsh! We'll ignore for a moment that this is a carol, right? Translation is All Through the Night. It was a pleasure!))
Epilogue
Ar hyd y nos
Adam awoke to a whisper of warm breath against his neck. It was enough to make up for the dull ache that suffused his entire body. They had to drive back down to Glasgow to pick up Adam's car. They would also have to testify eventually. Right now, Adam couldn't bring himself to care. All that mattered was his partner cuddled against him, already awake and looking at him with such affection. 'Hey,' Adam said.
A small smile formed on Francis's face. The difference between it and the disgusted smirk he'd had for him all that time ago was like night and day. 'I need to tell you something, Adam,' Francis said.
'Spill.'
'I'll never forget how I realised I actually cared about you. On your way to Singapore, you were just … gone. Everyone thought you're dead. I refused to accept it, kept waiting for something, some life sign.'
'That early?'
'I wasn't in love with you then, but I wasn't indifferent, either, and I was so angry how everyone just accepted that you were gone.' He snuggled closer. 'I realised that I did more than care when you were in Prague. I was too scared to do let you know, of course. So I lured you here. Not exactly under a false premise, but I didn't realise how big this would get. I'd never have done it if I'd known. I wouldn't have asked you to risk your life.'
'Thing is, Francis, this is my life.' Adam shrugged. 'I did tell Miller I'm not going back to Prague. I told him that I have a family and have no intention of leaving that behind.'
'What did he say?'
'Asked if I wanted a recommendation to the local police.'
'Well, then one of us would have a regular job, at least. I … between meeting deadlines from Picus and keeping the MANES in check I won't have the time or the need. It scares me a bit, being self-employed, but if I take a regular job on top of it I won't have time for us and I refuse to do that.'
'The MANES that demanding?'
'At times. I need to do research, keep it up to date and offer support. You know, I got a request from the home office to sell to them.' Francis sighed deeply. 'The problem is, of course, that they do need to be able to use lethal force, and I refuse to change the program to allow that. Also it's not what I wanted: an AI security for normal people, affordable and reliable. So I told them no. I don't want to think of the amount of credits I could have got out of that deal.'
'Well. If it's any comfort, I took Miller's offer.' He sighed. 'I was in his apartment once. He was married, two kids. I found photos of him and his husband on the wall. I also found divorce papers. He told me that his ex-husband contacted him after Miller nearly died from the Orchid, apparently frantic. I hope for them that they can work it out, if that's even possible.'
'Yes, nearly losing the one you love can be a wake-up call. They wouldn't be the first couple to get back together after a divorce, either. If there's still love between them, maybe the near-tragedy helped them see what counts.' Francis propped himself up and looked down at Adam with a serious expression. 'Which is where I was going. I nearly lost you. And your line of work isn't without risks. I'll be the whisper in your ears as long as you'll have me, but that can only help you so much. But … even if I'll lose you, even if all I'm in for is pain because you're going to die on me, I want … I want you in my life as long as I can, Jensen, and I want it to be official. I want to marry you. Because I want to be whom they call if something happens and I wasn't aware. I want to have a right to know how you're doing if you land in hospital rather than rely on you muttering my name while you're semi-conscious.'
'I did that?'
'Yes. Before I arrived even, so they got that you actually wanted me there.'
Adam smiled and turned, pushing Francis on his back and settling on top of him between his legs. 'I can't believe it, but I'm actually going to answer this completely unromantic proposal. I'll marry you, but there's something I need to know. Do you really want this because it's practical?'
Francis glared up at him. 'I'm keeping my name. Just so we're clear.'
'Me too.'
Francis's scowl transformed into a smile. 'Do you actually have to ask why I want to marry you?'
Adam couldn't help himself. He smiled back. 'No. You show me the real reason every day.'
((Thanks for reading! And special thanks, of course, for anyone who leaves me a comment.))
