Chapter 13Vincent woke one late November morning, three weeks before the solstice, with his arms full of his warm, still-sleeping husband, and an equally warm feeling in his chest that he could not identify, but which made him inexplicably nervous. He made to get out of bed, but Eiji grumbled and shuffled closer, and Vincent subsided, wondering suddenly why the thought of disturbing him was more dreadful than his need to relieve himself.
Eventually Eiji did wake and release him, and they made their way downstairs for breakfast. Eiji hooked his foot around Vincent’s ankle as they munched on toast and jam, and twinkled whenever Vincent smiled at him or made a joke.
They had started receiving rent payments for the new year already, so Eiji spent the day in the study. Vincent answered what l
