him. Void means the world to me. He’s been my rock since I arrived, and I wish he would lean on me as I do him.
“You’re deep in thought?” Void sighs, looking across at me as we sit on the sofa watching West World.
Inhaling, I blink a few times. “Am I?” My voice goes higher in the end.
Real convincing there, Ivy.
“You’ve been quiet since we got back.”
I sit up taller. “Just reliving riding your bike for the first time.”
“You sure that’s all? ‘Cause I thought it would make you happy, but you look… pensive?”
“Pensive, hey? Didn’t think you’d know how to use a big word like that.” I try to hold in my laugh.
He scowls and hits me with the soft plush of a cushion. I giggle, deflecting it, then lay my head on his lap. “I’m good, just thinking about things.”
Void’s fingers come out tenderly stroking my hair. “Like what?”
I sigh. “My place in this club.”
His fingers stop in my hair, his body tensing under me. “What do you mean?”
“I dunno… maybe I’m coasting.”
He doesn’t reply, but he inhales sharply. I turn to peek up at him, his complexion turning pale.
I bolt upright, frowning at him. “Void?”
“Y-You wanna leave the club?”
I gasp. “No! Shit, no! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”
He lets out the breath he was holding. “Shit, Ivy! Then what the hell do you mean?”
I weakly smile. Void wraps his arm around me, his cheek resting on my head. “I mean, I feel like I should be doing more. I wanna… I dunno… be more a part of the club. Do more for it. Riding Reva today made me so freaking happy, so damn excited, that I felt like a part of myself was forming. Oh, hell, I can’t tell if I’m making any kind of sense right now.”
Void pulls me closer. “I understand completely. I know the feeling all too well. The first time I rode a bike, something clicked inside me, too. Let me talk to Nycto. You’re already running the crops and maintaining the Bricking Room, I’m not sure what else we can have you do when you’re not a patched member, but I will try.”
Gnawing on my bottom lip, warmth floods through me. I’ve never been more excited at the prospect of finding my place here. I thought I’d found it, but I want more. I don’t exactly know what more is, but after taking that next step and riding today, I have a buzz, a thrill for this life. I want to live like these Bastards do, I want to feel the rush of everything they conquer. I just have no idea about how that can even happen.
As I snuggle into Void, loving the fact he’s going to check into it for me, I hear footsteps pound outside the Brick Cell. I peek up just as Dash walks in. His eyes are bright when he spots me, but then they dim when he sees me wrapped up in Void. He clears his throat, glancing up to the television as if to appear uninterested. “It’s time to cultivate if you’re up for it?”
Void groans as I detach from him. I plant a small kiss on Void’s cheek, then stand. I walk out of the cell toward Dash, and we head for the crops. Contentment swarms through me when Void stays put in my room, he’s obviously going to wait for me to come back later.
“So, is this a new thing? You and Void?” Dash asks, his voice sounding somewhat forlorn as we enter the crop area.
“Kinda… the kissing is new.”
Dash scrunches up his face, and he’s definitely coming across a little jealous. Still, I have no idea what to say to alleviate his concerns.
We get to work, starting the process of harvesting the mature plants. I keep to myself while pondering Dash’s actions. I can’t understand why he’s envious of Void? I’ve never had a guy jealous over me before. There’s definite tension in the air as Dash keeps to himself on the other side of the room.
Actually, I’m a little deflated that my good friend is keeping me at arm’s length when we’ve been nothing but good pals up to this point.
The tension in the air is thick, but we’ve gathered what we need to take to Whiskey who will ship it to Trixie’s café.
I box the items up and turn to Dash. “Are we okay? I don’t like this…” I wave my hands around, “… us not talking.”
Dash exhales,