It's Sky Morgan's 22nd birthday. He's unemployed and just had an awkward dinner with his dad. There wasn't even any cake, and Sky loves cake. Angry and morose, he decides to go out for a drink and randomly chooses the Grotto, a nearby gay bar.<br><br>The Grotto's clientele is different from the rest of society in more ways than one. However, they are very kind to Sky. He has a most comforting chat with Everest, an old drag queen, who is the first person ever to understand how awkward family can be. And then she introduces Sky to Slade, a mysterious and attractive young man. The chemistry between them is instant.<br><br>But is Slade a young man? He's more different than just being gay. Just how different, Sky finds out during daylight hours far below ground. As Sky's feelings towards his new friend mount, he learns they have more in common than he could possibly imagine.

Blue Sky

Later, Sky asked, “So there’s a fire pit? For, um, barbeques? Isn’t that, uh, cute.” He didn’t sound like he thought it was cute; he sounded worried, which he was. He knew what his middle name meant.


“The Gates of Hell, actually, but never mind that.” Slade was looking extremely uncomfortable. “Let me show you what I call the steam room and the hot tub. Then, if we go through the yellow tunnel, we’ll get to the Cave of Worms.” At that, Crackers got excited and started off down a hall, looking over his shoulder and whining, his tail wagging in great swaths. The cats jumped down, one landing on Crackers’ big head, standing there as if he did that all the time. Slade followed, leading Sky who was, to be honest, a bit terrified.


Chapter 9