Will sat by the pond. He skipped a rock across the surface, trees rustling in a soft breeze around the clearing. Frogs plopped into the water as it skidded too close.
The town’s manor house peaked over the forest, watching him enjoy the soft summer evening. Even in their sanctuary, the high-borns maintained their reach. He sighed, grabbing his watch from his pocket. It was a gift from Mrs. Mathews during their last Lux Diem celebration. Among the few items he considered his, it was one of the most treasured.
The chain rattled as he flipped the cover open. Late. It shouldn’t come as a surprise. Chleo’s propensity for distraction rivaled even Mops—
Will shook his head. He was from another life… a life that had no place next to Will and Chleos’ pond. He refused to think about it.
“Sorry, I’m late,” Chleo said, giving him a welcome distraction. Will turned, his frown lifting.
Chleo smiled back. The same green jacket and horribly disorganized belt. The same goggles resting never quite centered on her hat. The same Chleo. He’d never get tired of the sight. She eyed his watch.
“Have you figured it out, then?” she asked an excited gleam lighting her face.
Will groaned. Of course, not. It was impossible. There were too many variables, too many options. How would he know what Melody Mathews thought made him tick?
“No,” he said, “it seems your mother has devised the perfect torture device. Give someone what they want most then refuse to tell them the Twist.”
Chleo laughed. “Well, you did steal some of the duchess’s fish. Be happy, Mom punished you instead of the Guard. A hidden Twist is much better than a yanked tooth.”
“Fishing isn’t stealing.” He crossed his arms. She raised a brow. “Fine,” he said, “but it was still a great gift. There’s nothing better than watching the Lux lights with a good meal. It’s hardly worth the torment she’s putting me through.”
Every year, the moon’s atmosphere spent an entire cycle erupting in a kaleidoscope of colors. The inhabitants used it as an excuse to cook feasts and spend time with family. The celebrations would last through the night and grew more extravagant the closer a person resided to the manor. As a family on the outskirts and shunned by most of their neighbors, the Mathews’s gathering was a quiet affair with Will as the only guest. He wouldn’t trade it for the moon.
Chleo laughed, presumably at the petulant look he allowed to cross his face, and took pity. “Relax, Mom’s not that devious. Dad on the other hand…” She shook her head. “She saw you were saving up for a watch so she geared one specially for you. If she made your Twist harder to find than the others, there’s a reason. It wasn’t to punish you.”
“Right,” he grumbled, “maybe she thinks patience is what makes me tick.”
“Or complaining.” Chleo smirked, tugging on the hover board’s leash. It floated to her side, and she started moving through the preflight checklist they’d created.
Will let his mouth fall open, exaggerating an offended gasp. “It’s like you don’t know me at all. How long have we been friends?”
Chleo pushed the first pedal. The board jumped a centimeter higher. She flicked a glance at him, still smirking.
“You’re right,” she said testing the second pedal. The fans kicked on, pushing the board forward. She pulled the pedal back, and they reversed. “You were all lost and alone, no food, no clothes-“
“I had undershorts,” Will grumbled.
“You didn’t complain once when I marched you back to my parents.”
Will smiled at the memory, eyes drifting to the rock she’d found him on. Cold, hungry, half-naked, and a crazy girl wearing men’s clothes who didn’t blink twice at the sight, he had no idea what he was in for. The Mathews never had food to spare. They fed him. Mr. Mathews only had one change of clothes. They clothed him. Will’s hand ghosted over the same pair of patchwork pants he’d given him the day they'd met.
“Speaking of,” Will said, moving to help her check the board for valve leaks and blocks to the exhaust, “when is our next family dinner?”
“Why?” she asked pulling down her goggles and turning the gear to magnify one of the pipes. “You thinking about catching more fish?”
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He raise his hands mocking innocence. “I’ll buy them this time.” She turned, eyes searing the side of his head. “I swear. I just finished a job for my landlord. It covered rent and a little extra.”
She turned back to the pipe, and he let out a sigh of relief. From the corner of his eye he thought he saw something flash green. When he looked it was gone.
“I’m getting our next box from Ol’ Man Jimmy on Monday,” she offered. “Mom said we could plan something if you don’t have anything lined up by then.”
Will beamed. Dinner at the Mathews was the highlight of his week. What they lacked in food, they made up for in company.
Chleo flipped the service flap back in place. She switched her goggle lenses back to normal and stepped into her harness. He felt her eyes on him when he moved to do the same.
“Are you still staying in Denison’s lean-to?” she asked. His back straightened. Her tone was innocent, but he knew where the conversation was going.
“Yes,” he said, pulling a strap tight.
“Will, it’s barely a building. You know my parents would let you stay with us.”
He took a breath, settling in for the familiar argument. “Chleo, there isn’t enough room for me in the Shack.” He tilted his head, shooting her half a smile.
Chleo stepped closer to check his harness. “You could have a spot on the floor. It’s not the best, but at least you wouldn’t wake up drenched every time it rains.”
“With your couch pulled out?” he asked, raising a brow. She jerked one of his harness straps tighter. He suppressed a grimace. “I found some tarp on one of my jobs in town. I’m using it for walls, and I fixed the leak in the roof. It’s getting better.”
“We could share the couch then. It’ll be tight, but we can both fit.” She tugged the leash, nodding when it stayed attached. He moved to check hers.
“Why Miss Mathews, are you inviting me to bed?” he asked, slipping into the palace lilt he’d learned since birth.
She sputtered. “That’s not- That wasn’t…”
“It’s what they’ll say,” he said, sliding one of her straps a little tighter so it fit snug.
“You know I don’t care about that.” She scoffed.
He checked the other strap, his brow furrowing. “And future suitors?” he asked, stepping back. Her harness was secure. “You don’t care about them either, I suppose.”
She huffed. “If they’re worth pursuing, they’ll understand. I’d rather you not freeze to death when winter hits.”
He hummed, turning toward the pond. She had enough trouble in town. He refused to add to it.
“I think I know how to shave off a bit more of my time,” Will said changing the subject. Chleo’s glare burned the back of his head as he eyed the new track he’d marked on the shore. He heard her shift, then sigh.
“Actually, I thought we could try something different today,” she said, letting his current accommodations drop. “Fancy a trip into town?”
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