Out of Character by Annabeth Albert

Chapter Forty-Two

Milo

“I’m getting awfully fond of this toga.” I admired myself in one of the highly polished windows. The expansive event space hosting the launch party was a beyond-swanky loft, and even the back corner where we were hanging out was modern and glitzy.

“You do look…okay.” Conrad had clearly been about to compliment me on my Neptune outfit, but then thought better of it as his über-serious boyfriend narrowed his eyes. “You look fine. Both of you.”

“Why, thank you.” Jasper adjusted his velvet jacket. No mask, but he looked dapper as ever as the Frog Wizard. The invite had specified that cosplay was encouraged, so we’d opted to go in costume. Conrad’s whole department at Odyssey had decided to go as soldier tokens, so he was in a uniform that called to mind World War I. Alden was in a nice shirt and pants, but no cosplay for him.

“You’re not chilly?” Alden asked me.

“Nah. It’s finally spring. And the costume’s grown on me.” I did a silly twirl just to make Jasper laugh. It felt so good to be here with him and his friends. Forget the exclusiveness of the event. Just making it to this point, that meant something.

“Oh my God, I think I spot another Neptune.” Jasper peered around Conrad.

“What? I’m not unique?” I pretended to pout. “At least I’m the best.”

“Yes, you are.” Jasper patted my face.

“I’d tell you two to get a room, but seeing as you’re crashing on our floor, please don’t get a room.” Conrad laughed and shook his head.

“Don’t worry.” Jasper made a dismissive gesture. “We brought sleeping bags.”

“Somehow I’m not reassured,” Alden replied dryly.

“Zippers are sexy,” I teased. Their tiny apartment was way too small for Jasper and me to do more than hold hands and whisper, but I was still looking forward to those quiet moments alone late at night. The whole launch-party experience was another adventure for us, taking the train into the city together that morning, our first little overnight trip.

“That’s all you.” Jasper gave me an indulgent look, and I almost reconsidered the whole no-fooling-around thing.

“I’m surprised no one’s asked for a pic with you yet.” Conrad stretched.

“The Neptune thing? You said there are others here. Maybe they wear the toga better…”

“Never.” Jasper pretended horror at the notion.

“You’re so loyal.” Conrad chuckled. “No, I meant the whole minor celebrity thing. I wanted to ask you for a drawing of us, but I bet your going rate is increasing by the day.”

“Have you seen the website? You fill out the form, and then the calculator I programmed tells you your approximate wait time.” Jasper was only too pleased to remind us that he’d put all sorts of bells and whistles on the website I hadn’t known I wanted until a few weeks ago.

“Okay, okay. I’ll fill out the form.”

“Nah. Don’t do that. I’ll draw you tomorrow morning. You can trade me those bagels you were talking about and we’ll call it even.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Conrad snagged an appetizer from a passing server. I grabbed one too, some sort of little toast thing that was prettier than it was tasty. Knowing the food was likely to be sparse, Conrad had promised us pizza after the event, he and Alden only too happy to show off their neighborhood spots.

“I’ve got another drawing to do on the train back too,” I said to Jasper. “Bruno emailed a little while ago.”

“Bruno wants a drawing?”

Things had been…interesting with Bruno since the homecoming party. Not strained exactly, but not entirely back to normal either. However, it seemed to have more to do with my decision to sell the car than with coming out, as in each message he made a point of asking about Jasper and he’d said he wanted to play a round of cards with us next visit.

“A buddy who has everything has a birthday apparently. Bruno thought he’d get a cartoon-style drawing done as a T-shirt—”

“Merchandise.” Jasper’s eyes went wide. “That’s it. That’s the next step to your empire.”

“He’s certainly your best hype man.” Conrad took a sip of something bubbly. There was an open bar, but I wasn’t tempted to join the line. I’d meant what I’d told Bruno. I liked myself more sober, and besides, this was the sort of night where I wanted to remember each moment.

“He is.” I tugged Jasper closer. The whole public boyfriends thing was easier now, and there were a ton of other same-sex couples at this thing, holding hands and dancing and hanging out in clumps with friends, exactly like us.

“Conrad. Your whole department is looking spiffy.” An elegant older woman flanked by several younger people strode toward us.

“Thanks.” Conrad tweaked his collar. The entourage made the woman look important, but the way Conrad, Alden, and Jasper straightened told me this was the Odyssey boss, the one who made gaming dreams come true. I let go of him so he could pay attention if destiny was calling.

“Excellent work on this set. I hear great things from your department head,” she enthused, making Conrad turn even more pink as he made introductions for the rest of us. She had a broad smile that seemed especially wide for Jasper. “So nice to meet you in person. Excellent costume choice.”

“It’s my favorite character.” Light danced in his eyes. He might be good at playing it cool during a game, but he was clearly starstruck with the Odyssey creator, and it was cute. This was the moment he’d been waiting for, and I was so happy for him that I had to resist the impulse to cheer.

“I saw the Gamer Grandpa episode with the diabolical gambit using quick change. It might be my favorite one yet, although I liked last week’s on defending against Reaper decks a great deal.” She spoke authoritatively, and it was entirely possible that she’d seen more episodes than I had. Which was funny because I got good boyfriend points every time I attended a taping or watched the finished product.

“Thanks. That gambit…it’s useful.” Jasper rubbed his neck as if he were remembering his match with George.

“Graduation must be approaching for you, right?” She had a thoughtful expression, and my pulse sped up for Jasper, who didn’t look nearly as eager as I felt.

“Yeah.”

“Excellent. Shall I have Marsha put you on my schedule for a call Monday morning? I want to discuss your future and how Odyssey might fit in it.”

Jasper shot me a quick look, face more tense than I expected considering that this was what he’d been both wanting and debating all year. He’d be a fool not to hear her out, and my guy was definitely not a fool. I nodded at him, and maybe that was he was waiting for because he exhaled. “That would be good. Thank you.”

“Fabulous. I see some more people I need to say hello to, so you all take care.”

Goodbyes were said all around, and then Conrad decided he wanted a drink refill.

“Come keep me company in line,” he said to Alden, casting a glance at Jasper and me. He was a perceptive guy, and undoubtedly he’d picked up on my burning need to get Jasper alone.

As soon as they were out of earshot, I turned toward him. “What was that hesitation? That was the connection you wanted to make, right? The whole point of this party?”

“Yeah. I guess it was. But I don’t want to leave—”

“Your family. I know. But trust me, they want this for you too. I bet April and your mom will visit, and you can take the train on weekends and—”

“You. I was going to say you. I don’t want to leave you.”

“Oh.” I took a step back, hitting a low bench facing the window. I sank down, and he followed, sitting close enough that our knees touched.

“My family will deal. And chances are good that Kellan will end up with a Broadway job. We can do cosplay at a kids’ hospital here in the city maybe. I’m less worried about leaving my life behind anymore. Except you. I don’t want to leave you.”

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” I said, echoing Bruno’s words. Even though my stomach was wobbling, I tried to smile at him. This might be the most serious moment in my life, and all around us the party swirled, glasses clinking, costumes swishing, but all I could see was him.

“I’m not sure that visits are going to be enough.” He took my hand.

“Me either.” I squeezed him back. “But this is the opportunity you have to take.”

“Maybe. But I was tempted to tell her that we’re a package deal. Dynamic duo. Two-for-one special.”

I flashed back to the Odyssey artist at the tournament in Philly, and I wanted that. Wanted the lines and the iconic cards with my art. Wanted to work with Jasper, make something enduring. A legacy.

“Someday. I want to get better first. Wasn’t that you saying I need to build my empire?”

“Better? You mean the art school idea?”

I nodded. “Bruno was serious about me using the car money to help with that. And you’re not the only one who can use Google. Professor Herrera has been helping me research schools. He says I need to dream bigger than an online course or some community college classes.”

Somehow, I still hadn’t moved out of the professors’ guest room. The group house hadn’t worked out, which was fine because the box sorting was an epic project. Then there was the furniture moving. And the dining room needed painting. That made the living room clash, so it got a fresh look too. Now, it was spring and there was planting to do. Stolen moments in Jasper’s dorm room aside, I’d never been as happy living somewhere. I’d spent the last few years feeling like I didn’t belong anywhere. And now I did. I belonged with Jasper and everything that went along with that.

“You should listen to the professor.” Jasper’s expression was speculative. “What are you thinking?”

I fished my phone out of the little pocket Kellan had thoughtfully included in the toga. “This.”

Jasper whistled as he considered the screenshot I’d saved of a school here in the city. “I don’t know art, but I’m pretty sure that’s—”

“A top ten program. Number five for illustration.” The hand holding my phone wavered right along with my stomach. “It takes a portfolio to get in, not test scores. There’s a whole section about help for learning differences too. And there are scholarships, but it’s still a major reach—”

“No, it’s not. You’re ridiculously talented. I believe in you.” He pulled me close like we were alone and sharing these dreams under the covers in his room. A few months ago, being snuggled up with another guy at a big, fancy event like this would have seemed impossible, but now here we were and anything, absolutely anything, seemed possible.

“And I believe in you. Take the Odyssey job. Dream big. And I will too.”

“You’re going to apply?” A slow smile crept across Jasper’s face.

“Pretty sure the professors will be disappointed if I don’t.” We’d made lists. And then the lists had sublists because I didn’t do great with broad concepts. Little goals and concrete tasks were easier, so Professor Herrera broke it down for me, exactly what had to go in the portfolio. Professor Tuttle took careful notes that I could later review at my own pace. “Deadline’s coming up.”

“When were you going to tell me?” Jasper tilted his head, considering me with cautious eyes. Behind us, someone laughed as there was an announcement over the loudspeaker, but no card reveal or prize package could steal my attention away from those eyes.

“Now. When you decided to go for the Odyssey thing. I don’t want to be the only reason you take it, though. If you truly want to stay close to home, I’ll look at local programs. Keep my job. But my supervisor says they might have hours for me if I put in for a transfer to one of the city locations. Like I said, you’re not getting rid of me so easily.”

“Dynamic duo?” He offered me a fist bump. What I really wanted was a kiss, but I’d take it.

“Always.” I bumped him back, then captured his hand again in mine.

“Think you might need a roommate if—when—they accept you?” Jasper asked, brain going to the same place mine had as soon as I’d seen the pictures of the school. “It’s not too far from Conrad and Alden.”

“I’m not unaware of that fact. And yeah. You asking me if we can live together?” I pretended to need to think about this concept, deliberately wrinkling my forehead.

“Yeah.” Jasper sounded a little wary now.

“I dunno.” I shrugged, enjoying this far more than I should have. “That’s a pretty big commitment—”

“I love you.” Jasper blurted it out, eyes going wide, like he was both pleased and surprised by himself. And a little worried. Which he didn’t need to be, because my entire body thrilled to those words.

“Well. There is that.” Somehow I managed to play it cool, get another smile out of him.

“I know I haven’t said it. But I’ve meant it.”

“I know.” And I did. I’d said it a few times, both joking and serious, and he still hadn’t. But I’d known. Every kiss. Every late-night chat. Every long look and every adventure. But I still had to tease. “And not just because you want student-priced housing?”

“Oh, I’m totally hitching my star to yours,” he teased right back, eyes sparkling and not only from the lights.

“You’re a goof.” My throat was tight.

“And you—”

“Love you back. Yeah. Completely. I love you too.” This time felt more real than the other times I’d said it, because he’d said it back and it meant something. And we had the start of a plan for the future. All those big dreams meant nothing if there wasn’t love to back them up, and I’d known there was, but hearing him say it was a rush, a sudden kick of adrenaline making me even more certain that this was the right path for me. For us.

He leaned in, giving me plenty of time to turn away, but no way was I going to. Party? Who cared? Jasper loved me and he wanted to kiss me right here and so we would. There was a low whoop. Might have been Conrad. I still didn’t care until Jasper deepened the kiss and I had to break away, laughing.

“Hey, now, I’m wearing a toga. None of that.”

“You’re my favorite prince.” He trailed his fingers down my smooth face. I’d done the shave-and-haircut thing for the event, wanting everything perfect for tonight. For him.

“Better be your only prince,” I growled.

“Only one I’m ever going to want,” he shot back before smiling tenderly.

“Promise?”

“Always.”

I caught sight of us in the big window, Prince Neptune and the Frog Wizard, having a moment. We were as cute as our characters. But we were also Jasper and Milo, two guys in love. Two guys meant to be together, meant to be here in this place, at this time, no matter what had gone before us. I wasn’t ever going to stop regretting high school, but when I saw us side by side like this, what I saw was my future, not my past. Jasper wanted us to dream big. And I did too, but I also knew that no matter how far we went, nothing was ever going to rival that feeling in my chest when he said he loved me.

“Say it again,” I whispered.

“I love you.” His eyes met mine in the reflection. Yup. Always and forever, this was right where I was supposed to be.