but a stern no kept him inside until Kane clipped a leash to the dog’s harness. Miki swung his legs out and winced when he struck the car door with his foot. A cane sprouted up from the back seat as Kane jostled it over the console.
“Take this, it’s dangerous out there.”
“Funny. I’m sure they laugh their heads off down there at the end of the rainbow.” He took the cane, leaning most of his weight onto it as he got out of the car. “You win a prize. Temporary custody of my dog.”
“Well, at least you’re admitting he’s your dog now.”
“Only when you’re walking him and people come over to coo at you.” He batted his lashes, widening his eyes in mockery of some of the women they’d met during their infrequent strolls. “Oh, what a lovely puppy. What breed is he? You must be really good at training him because he’s so well behaved.”
“Yeah, so well behaved he just took a piss on my sneaker.” Kane shook a few droplets off of his foot and glared down at the blond dog laughing at him. “You, boyo, are damned lucky he loves you, because I don’t let just anyone piss on my foot.”
“You better not let anyone piss on your foot,” Miki warned him, hobbling alongside of Kane. “Or anything else of yours, for that matter. Why would you do that? It’s disgusting.”
“Some people believe urine is a panacea.”
“A what?”
“Something that can cure all their ills.”
“Shit, why didn’t you say that to begin with? And if it did, why do people get kidney problems? That’s where piss is stored, right? Wait, no… that’s the bladder. What do the kidneys do? Filter stuff out?”
“About that.” Kane chuckled. “Not up on biology much, are we?”
“I know where your dick is,” Miki shot back. “And your mouth. Pretty much all the body parts I need to worry about. If any of those moves, then I’ll have a problem.”
They walked, slowly and not very far. To ward off the cold, Miki’d layered his clothes as much as he could and still bend a bit, but the chill worked its way into his bones and he faltered, nearly toppling over a pylon. Kane grabbed his elbow and jerked him back upright. He’d pulled too hard, throwing Miki off balance in another direction, and the lovers bumped one another, nearly stepping on Dude, sitting on the sidewalk between them.
Dude grunted his displeasure, then got up to sniff at a nearby wrought iron fence post while Kane untangled Miki from his arms.
“Hey, that’s Old Lady Finnegan’s place.” Miki jerked his chin toward an Irish pub set nearly up against the edge of the pier. “Man, wonder if she’s still around. Wait, Finnegan. You said your aunt or something used to own a pub before she died. Your aunt’s Old Lady Finnegan!”
“Well, she was. Passed now, remember? My cousin, Sionn, owns the place now.” Kane tugged on Dude’s leash to get his attention, but the dog ignored him, preferring to continue his sniffing investigation of the pub’s outdoor tables. “He’s been scarce, our Sionn. Da says he’s back in town, but I’ve not seen him.”
“That’s ’cause he’s hiding from your mother,” Miki muttered. “We’ll have to come back. She used to kick me out of here all the time. Me and Damie. She hated musicians playing in front of her place. Used to beat us away with a broom.”
“Yeah, she’d do that to her own kin too if you didn’t move fast enough.” Kane smiled, hooking his arm around Miki’s waist. “Come on, let’s go home. I’ve got a mind to warm you up some and put a smile on that face of yours.”
“Today’s the day, you know?” Miki moved slowly, the cane tapping along the sidewalk.
“The day you lost your boys?”
“Yeah.” He used to refuse to cry, but in the warmth of Kane’s embrace—even a half embrace—Miki let his tears go, hot and bittersweet on his face. “I’m glad I have you. I mean, fuck—I love you, Kane, but I miss them. I just fucking hate not having them with me.”
“They’re always with you, Mick,” Kane whispered, then kissed at a tear welling up along Miki’s lashes. “And someday, you’ll see them again. I know it. I can feel it in my bones.”
After A Whiskey Shot
“YOU’RE HAVING Doritos and coffee for breakfast, Sinjun.” It wasn’t a question for Miki, not in Damien’s mind. More of a statement, especially since his best friend shot a disgusted glance