Chapter 2

“I do and there’s no reason why it doesn’t fit Zach.”

Aron smiles a tad sheepishly. “There’s possibly a connection with your…ah, strong moral code.”

“I can see you are a fan of codes considering that you were just talking in one.” Aron lifts his eyebrow, careful to keep his expression unimpressed. “You’re saying that my strong moral code makes me stuffy.”

“That’s not what I’m saying,” Aron denies.

“No?”

“Honestly, it’s like you’re not listening at all,” Aron complains.

Zach glares, even though a swell of fondness sits barely restricted in his chest.

“I’m saying it makes you Zachariah.” Aron smiles winningly. “See, totally different.”

Zach chuckles and shakes his head. “Why are you here, Aron?”

“Aren’t you happy we met? Found each other again? Reestablished our connection?”

“Of course, I am which is why I need to know.” Zach looks at Aron with his best work with me hereexpression. It consists of an open posture and a hand cupping his jaw, giving the impression he’s willing to listen and take it seriously.

Aron, with his characteristic uniqueness, doesn’t react as he should. His eyes fall on Zach’s lips and stay there. He licks his own lips and leans forward as if mesmerized.

Oh, well, it might still work.

“I’m escaping prison,” Aron says, his eyes not moving from Zach’s lips. “You have very nice fingers, has anybody told you that?”

“Yes,” Zach answers instinctively. “Wait, you are what?”

“Mm-hmm, and was there any talk of somebody sucking them? Maybe them, maybe you?”

“What.”

Aron jumps. “What?”

“No, no, no.” Zach takes a deep breath. “You are not distracting me. Am I or am I not aiding your escape?”

“Don’t worry,” Aron dismisses. “I’m keeping you hostage.” And out of his clothes comes a weapon. Full cartridge, porcelain weapon with silver and steel alloy, fully automatic.

Zach blinks at the gun. “…What?!” He has seen those old-fashioned weapons; his clients use them all the time. It’s a tradition.

“I’m not actually.” Aron rolls his eyes. “You see, I didn’t exactly plan on us knowing each other, so things have gone a little topsy-turvy but it’s nothing I can’t explain.”

“And yet.” Zach’s tone gets progressively colder. “You’re still not explaining.”

“I’m sorry,” Aron winces. “This must be annoying.”

And Zach knows he should stop answering and let Aron speak but Zach can’t help himself. “Hold on, it gets worse,” Zach says dryly because his self-control is fading.

Aron snickers. He leans in and suddenly, Zach is being kissed. It’s just a peck, barely there. “How can you be so adorable?”

Zach rolls his eyes. “The explanation Mister…ah, I’m sorry, I don’t recall your surname.”

“I go by Paddle now.”

And Zach notices that’s not the same as Aron saying that’s his name but it’s the same as one of his clients dancing around something illegal they did. Zach sighs. He gestures at Aron broadly, as if inviting him to talk.

“Okay, okay, I’m pushing it,” Aron says with a mischievous smile. “I’m a White Hat, a person who—”

“Is hired to do criminal acts to improve the security,” Zach interrupts. The relief he feels is disproportionate to the situation and it occurs to Zach that he might’ve been disappointed. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?” He asks because it’s a good policy to ask, not because he has any doubts. He doesn’t think there’s a—well, anyway.

“I have a Republic ID and everything,” a beaming Aron tells him. “Can I show you?”

Zach lifts an eyebrow and nods. “I suppose.” Pfft, I suppose. Like he doesn’t believe Aron. Like Zach wouldn’t help him even if he was a real escapee. I suppose. Zach was telling the truth, things have changed and they haven’t. Maybe, the real truth is that Zach is more nuanced.

“Here, let me show you.” Aron’s delight is child-like. The holo-pad processes his request and a golden hologram of a badge appears. “They gave me a badge!”

Zach laughs. It comes out much warmer than intended but he lets it go. “They did, you are indeed…” He closes his eyes. “Paddle as in up shit’s creek without a…” He rubs his forehead but that does nothing to stop the laugh that’s building.

“Exactly like that!”

And Zach can’t stop it. He laughs. Amused and free and with his heart full. Because the world can’t be as grim as he’s imagined it in his darkest moments if people like Aron exist. It can’t be as pressing if people can get away with that. And sure, not all people, not even most, just a few, but…they exist.