Page 94 of Hollow

The group dispersed, and Dimitri turned to Jack with a grin.

“Would you look at that? My introvert has found a way to get rid of people, too.”

“It is a useful skill. Humans are exhausting.”

“Yes, well, we’re not here for the people.”

“You are. You will likely talk to everyone.”

“Maybe just a little bit.”

They explored the convention, and true to his word, Jack only talked to everyone just a little bit. They bought merch, they sat through panels, they wandered every inch of the venue until Dimitri complained his feet were sore. It was a first for the both of them. Jack always tired on their walks—well, grew too bored to continue—but now it seemed he’d tuckered out Dimitri.

Jack decided to call it a day, preferring to spend what was left of Dimitri’s energy back at the hotel. If he tired out his boyfriend too much, he’d pass out the second they stepped through the door. They headed back for some peace and quiet. Dimitri went to clean up after they returned, while Jack made it his mission to run out and grab some food. Plus, it let him explore the city a little on his own.

When he returned, Dimitri had just started running a bath, so Jack went to work arranging dinner with a bit of privacy.

Dimitri spent over an hour soaking in the tub. While Jack contemplated diving in to join him, he ultimately had to pass so he could finish dinner preparations for the evening.

“You missed out,” Dimitri called out from the other room.

Water splashed and sloshed. Jack hurried up his final touches as he realized Dimitri had hopped out of the tub.

“This bath is amazing,” Dimitri continued. “I did not know they came this big.”

“That’s what she said,” Jack muttered as he arranged a few candles around the room.

“It is like a swimming pool.”

Jack made a mental note to look into updating their tub at home. Bubble baths weren’t exactly his speed, but he wouldn’t mind getting all squeaky clean alongside Dimitri from time to time.

Dimitri strutted into the main room wearing nothing at all. Oh, how he loved to air-dry. He wore a towel over his head, drying his hair and antlers—also his ears. Dimitri always hated getting water in his ears.

For the briefest of seconds, Dimitri’s green eyes went wide as he took in the sight of dozens of candles spread across the room, illuminating a very sensual ambiance. But he didn’t see everything Jack had arranged—that much, Jack made certain of.

The bounce of Dimitri’s bubble butt captured all of Jack’s attention. He locked in on Dimitri as he made his way over to the dresser. It was almost disappointing to see Dimitri slip on a tight pair of boxer briefs.

“That is not dinner attire.”

“I am getting there,” Dimitri said with feigned exasperation. “You always rush me.”

Dimitri tossed the towel into a corner and shook his head until his dark curls didn’t appear as damp.

“Do I have to put on the suit and tie for dinner?”

“You know what, let’s be fancy, and stick with the birthday suits,” Jack teased.

“Ah, then you are the overdressed one.” Dimitri nodded to Jack’s ripped jeans and leather jacket.

He’d changed when picking up food. It was hard enough playing off the pumpkin head mask; he didn’t need to wander into restaurants wearing his cosplay costume, too. Although most New Yorkers didn’t seem to care. The only folks gawking at him were fellow tourists.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get there.” Jack removed his pumpkin head and stuck out his tongue. “First, let’s eat.”

“What did you get?”

“A little bit of everything.” Jack gestured to the empty table with a fancy silk cloth he’d arranged for the room.

Shadows opened and revealed brown-bagged dishes from eight different restaurants.