I don't even realize I've fallen asleep until I wake up to the golden afternoon light streaming through Gideon's curtains. I'm alone, still naked, and the first thing I realize is that I'm sore and sticky. A grumble works its way through me as I bury myself deeper into the covers that smell just like Gideon.

Gideon.

Oh my god.

We finally slept together.

I don't feel some overwhelming sense of realization as I lay here staring at the ceiling. I'm happy – thrilled, even – that he and I got to do that together. But those experiences women have in romance movies or what Zelda had said to me about how I'll realize my feelings for him once he took my virginity...

None of that is happening.

I don't feel any different towards Gideon. Everything is the same as it had been yesterday. Except maybe I want to have sex with Gideon again. More than I did before now that I know what it feels like.

A stupid grin overtakes my face and I make some unintelligible noises as I try to clear my head from the incessant replaying of the events. Of Gideon groaning into my ear. Of his naked body rubbing up against my own. Stretching me.

"I guess I don't need to ask if you're awake," I hear Gideon say from his doorway.

I peek at him from the edge of the covers. He's got on a black pair of sweatpants and a loose white shirt. Unlike me, it appears he's already showered.

"Hi," I squeak.

"Hi," he teases back. "I've already left stuff in the bathroom for you. A towel and whatnot."

"Thanks."

"You feeling good?"

I pull myself up now, clutching the blanket to my chest but the feeling of my bare back exposed to the air still makes me strangely self-conscious considering he's seen all of me already.

"A little sore, actually," I admit. "But good. Really good, honestly. I can see why you like sex so much."

He walks over and starfishes out at the bottom of the bed near my feet. His head turns so he can look at me from around my knees.

"Sorry. I tried to be as gentle as possible. It had been a while, so I think I got a little too rough towards the end."

I poke his side with my blanketed foot.

"It's fine, dork."

"Have you had any romantic revelations?"

I snort. "No. I think I'm pretty positive romantic attraction is not what I'm feeling for you."

"Do you still want to do this? With me?" His voice is smaller and softer than I expect. "I mean, I get it if you've realized it's just sexual attraction for you so I'll respect it if you think you're not wanting a QPR or whatever as long as we can stay—"

"Gideon."

He stops abruptly but doesn't meet my eyes.

"I'm perfectly happy trying this QPR thing with you. I already told you. It's not just about sex for me. Though, now that we've done it, I'd like to have sex pretty often," I grin. "I can admit that I don't really understand this all yet and there's a lot of things I need to look at differently. It's hard because everything we do is looked at as romantic, but I know that it's not. I think it's just that I'll have to remind myself that just because it's not romantic doesn't mean it has any less value. I just want us to be – well, us."

"Okay. Cool..." he says. "Let's just do us."

After I push Gideon out of the room so I can dart into the bathroom not being on full display, I take quite a long shower. I can see the parts of my skin that he gripped a little too hard. Little purple-ish blue marks along my hips, neck, and calves. I'll just need to remember not to wear shorts anytime soon.

I don't think Gideon'll mind if I steal some of his clothes, so I throw on a pair of shorts and a shirt before meeting him in the living room to freshly delivered pizza and X-Files paused on the TV.

"Hurry up," Gideon calls over his shoulder when he hears me shuffling about. "I can't start without you."

***

It's almost hilarious how little changes between Gideon and me. Not long after we slept together, we sat down to discuss what a partnership would look like. Gideon seems more than comfortable with whatever makes someone happy, even if some behaviors are more romantically coded despite not feeling romantic attraction, but I'm quickly learning that's not me. It's clear that there are certain things that'll send me running for the hills, but thanks to Gideon I'm learning I don't have to do those things.

He had me list all the things that make me uncomfortable. Every gazing, hand holding for the sake of hand holding in public, dinner dates, flowers, pet names, the whole boyfriend/girlfriend labels, etc. Things like that I find give me immediate turn offs. I remember reading something online about being romance- repulsed, but at this point who knows if that's just me or just what makes sense right now.

We both know that we enjoy sex with each other and we're both fine and comfortable with affection, more often than not in private. He made sure to remind me that the simple explanation is that we have a bond, and we can change this and how it works as we need to fit us.

Early May rolls around when Gideon and I agree that we should at least let everyone know that we're in a partnership. Not because they need to know, but because we want them to know.

I hop off the train and head out of Union Station, grateful for the warm weather. Arms bare for the first time in months in my little black tank top and jean shorts being held up by a black and gold belt. I've grown out my bangs enough to safely style a middle part, my dark locks pin straight for once and spilling down my back. With the sun out like this, I'm itching for a tan.

"Wal!"

I glance towards the river and see Zelda waving at me with an infectious grin, her white purse hanging loosely off her arm. A matching white sundress hugs her form and her hair is styled in a way that reminds me of a forties movie star.

"Hi!" I call back with equal enthusiasm, wrapping her in a hug before we continue over the bridge towards whatever restaurant we're meeting at. I forgot to ask. "How's everything?"

"Fantastic. I just got a bonus at work yesterday, so I'm dying to spend it on some really nice food." Zelda keeps up a steady pace despite the crossing light not changing to "walk." "Oh, and John and I just booked a trip to Vegas next month."

"That'll be exciting," I grin. "Keeping that New Year's resolution going strong, huh?"

"Yeah. He wants to try out the buffets there and I want to say I gambled in Vegas at least once. It's something you have to do."

"Just don't go and get married by an Elvis impersonator. At least not without us all there," I joke.

She tosses me a toothy grin. "So, what's new with you? Are you keeping up your resolution?" Her tone is a little suggestive.

I mimic a key at my mouth. "That's news for lunch."

"Oh?" she curves up an eyebrow. "Now I'm excited. Can't you just tell me now?"

We bob and weave through the thickening crowd as we head in the direction of State Street. The weekend crowd of teenagers and sports fans clog the sidewalks, desperate for some sunny fresh air.

"I'll give you a hint, and that's it."

"That's all I need."

"I've stuck to my resolution yes."

"With Gideon?" she asks.

"Yep."

"Did you—"

"Lunch!"

The walk to the restaurant takes about twenty minutes, though I'm sure Zelda would've made it there faster if I hadn't been there. Everyone else is already seated by the time we arrive and meander into the back of the pub. It's an old-style pub, probably been on the same street corner for fifty years. Will raises his pint glass up to us when he sees us heading over to the table. Zelda slides in next to John with a hello kiss and I take an open chair between Harper and Gideon.

"Took you long enough!" Will complains.

"Some of us just off work, kid," Zelda says in mock annoyance. "And didn't want to let our gorgeous Wallace walk alone."

"Have you guys ordered yet?" I ask grabbing a menu.

"Nope," Gideon replies. "Want to split some wings?"

I glance over the menu a bit more before nodding. "Only if they are barbeque."

Our get together follows the usual routine. The roundtable of beers, plethora of food, and laughs abound. Will tells us about the three people he saw on the way over here gambling on the Red Line and how some woman got all upset about it, nearly starting a fight for no reason. Reese talks about he went to the dentist for the first time in years and has four cavities.

I stick a thumb in my mouth to lick off the excess sauce and toss Gideon a quick look while Kento describes his latest fiasco with Chicago police (somethings stupid about him being a nuisance on his skateboard) and Gideon offers me a bemused expression followed by a shrug.

"I have something I want to share with you guys," I say at a good point when Kento seems to be trailing off.

"Oh yes! The news!" Zelda squirms giddily in her seat.

"News?" Harper turns to me in surprise. "What news?"

"It's nothing crazy. I just want to let you guys know since I know you're going to be curious, but uh—"

I don't know what to say now that I find myself here. When Harper called to tell me that she and Reese had gotten together, it seemed like such a simple statement. Being official. How am I supposed to explain a non-romantic relationship to people when I'm still figuring it out myself?

Gideon saves me the trouble.

"Wal and I are seeing each other," he states plainly. "We're partners. Not romantically, though."

There's a moment of silence that falls over the table. Confusion? Shock?

Then, suddenly, Harper wraps her arms around my shoulders and shakes me with a squeal that almost knocks over my beer.

"What he said," is my lame addition.

"Non-romantic?" John tilts his head to the side.

"Yeah. Like you and Zel have all those romantic feelings for each other – Gideon and I don't have that part. I guess that's how I'd explain it?" I look to Gideon for reassurance.

He nods and gives a half shrug. "It's like when I was with Margo."

"Yes!" I snap my fingers. That'll help it make more sense to them. They should know all about that dynamic.

"Okay," Reese says firmly with a gentle smile on his face, dimples peeking through. "As long as you two are happy, right?"

I offer him a matching expression. "Right."

"Just lay off the boyfriend girlfriend talk, okay?" Gideon presses. "It's – that's not what this is even if it looks like that sometimes."

Everyone nods and offers their kind words of support when Will shoots up from the table, grabs a pitcher of beer, and starts to refill everyone's glasses. Once he retakes his seat, he lifts his glass up in the air with the conviction of a man about to declare a life changing statement.

"To Gideon and Wally," he grins. "Here's to a sick ass partnership."

I bark out a laugh and raise my glass, clinking it with the others around the table.

"Now that I've been polite," Will's eyes twinkle dangerously as he speaks, "here's the real question everyone has been dying to ask well before this. Are you guys sleeping together? Doin' the old tango?"

"Will!" Zelda hisses, kicking him from across the table.

"Oh shush, Zel. You and Harper probably know everything but Gideon here's been keeping his mouth shut."

He's right about that. Zelda and Harper do know everything, except for the fact that Gideon and I finally had sex. Haven't had a chance to sit down with them and talk about it since I've either been working or enjoying my new recreational past time with Gideon.

"You're one nosey motherfucker, aren't you?" Gideon taunts, grinning ear to ear.

"I tell you guys everything!" he whines.

"Not that we want to know," John mumbles into his beer.

"Will," I say sweetly, leaning forward on the table. "It's like Gideon said: sometimes it might look like a romantic relationship."

"So," his grin grows wide, "you are?"

"Take that as you will."

Harp [1:24pm]: you guys totally fucked didn't you

Wal [1:24pm]: perhaps

Zel [1:24pm]: AHHHHHHHH

Zelda giggles at her phone and when Will leans obnoxiously in some fruitless attempt to see over the table, she kicks him harder.

"Rein it in or you won't be getting action later," Kento threatens.

I roll my eyes at the whole thing and Gideon bumps the tip of his shoe against mine. When I toss him a look, he merely grins, shakes his head, and offers me the rest of his fries.