Page 167 of Reinventing Cato

“That would be brilliant!”

“I’ve not found it easy being away from you,” Vigge whispered. “I thought I could cope. Iamcoping, but I miss you so much. I miss your smile. I miss you making me laugh. I miss your cooking. I miss playing the violin with you. I miss holding you, kissing you, touching you. I miss everything about you. Thank you for being you.”

Cato smiled at him.

“I know I’m touchy and distrustful,” Vigge whispered.

“That’s all right. I’m perfect.”

Vigge laughed. “Pretty close. But you’re the biggest, brightest star in my world. And I… I love you.”

“Oh God.” Cato threw himself at him and Vigge pulled him onto his lap.

“It is so easy to want you,” Cato whispered. “You make it easy. I love you too. I love you when you’re grumpy, when you’re smiling, when you’re bossy, when you tell me off for squeezing the toothpaste in the middle and when you’re touchy and distrustful. I thought you were a bit of an arsehole when we first met, now I know you’re a bit—”

Vigge put his hand over Cato’s mouth. “Hold onto that.”

Cato pulled his hand away. “I’ve not finished the reasons why I love you. But in case a snake interrupts us, I’ll keep it short. I love you when instead of stopping me from doing something stupid—you do it too. I love that you’re open-minded. I love the way you look at me. I love that you understand whengo awaymeanscome and hug me.I love that you understand thatfucking bugger offmeans you might lose a limb if you don’t leave the room. I love that you can change my mood in an instant. I just love you to V762 and back.”

Vigge smiled. “Which is?”

“The most distant individual star visible to the unaided eye. 4,000 light years away. It’s faint but it’s really a supergiant star over 100,000 times brighter than our sun.”

Cato kissed him, the sweetest, gentlest kiss and Vigge melted.

“You are my world, my sun, my stars,” Cato whispered.

Vigge pulled him to his feet and hooked his fingers in Cato’s belt loops. “Come on, star boy. Let me show you how much I love you.”

“You mean there’s more!” Cato widened his eyes.

“Always.”

“Provided you don’t fall asleep.”

Vigge laughed. “Wake me if I do.”

The End