There was something guilty in the back of Kieran's mind, a Jude-shaped guilt that tugged at his chest. He shoved it down. Jude did not love him (at least - not in the way that Kieran loved him) and just because Kieran had feelings for him did not mean that Kieran should suppress everything, forever.

Ishmael did not love him; Kieran was not delusional. But Ishmael would at least touch him, and Jude would not do either.

Kieran downed the whiskey and reached to grasp Ishmael's wrist with his fingers, loose and gentle. "Come with me," he said.

---