Anubis had been the god of mummification and the afterlife as well as the patron god of lost souls and the helpless. Noah had been in favor of giving the puppy his name because of the latter connotation but Malik said Anubis had bad juju and it would creep him out. They decided on Horus, son of the god Osiris and the goddess Isis, who took the form of a falcon. His right eye was the sun and his left the moon; healing personified.

The name was perfect.

Over the next weeks, the trio was busy. Malik had midterms and Noah helped in as much as could while evading Malik's hints about enrolling in college. When Malik jogged in Windsor park, Noah took to walking and training Horus. Horus came out of his shell rather quickly. He adored his master and obeyed his commands and whenever passersby stopped to pet him, he'd cock his head to where Noah stood and allowed strangers to fawn over him after Noah okay-ed it. Although blind, dog and master had no trouble communicating.

Which could not be said when it came to Malik. Noah couldn't put his finger on it but the air sometimes would become thick with tension. Malik had said he came from a loud family that invited platoons over weekends so Noah should be able to roam as he pleased. Except he couldn't. Malik often took his coat and shirt off the moment he came into the apartment, stripping to pants and an undershirt.

"What?" Malik asked when he caught Noah gaping.

The biceps were on display. "I. What happened to your tattoo?"

He'd noticed earlier it had disappeared, leaving smooth tanned skin unmarred. He'd meant to inquire about it. It should explain the heat rising to his cheeks. Shouldn't it?

"It was semi-permanent," Malik opened a bag of peeled baby carrots that was left on the kitchen counter. "It washed off."

"Oh,'' Noah scratched behind Horus' ear. Since his nervous breakdown, they had not spoken of anything remotely related to the investigation that brought them together in the first place. It was not clear if Malik believed him to be a basket-case who had grand illusions of healing faster than any normal person could or if he was the average disturbed teen. Sometimes Malik treated him too gently as if he were a bomb about to detonate. That drove him insane. He was eighteen, a man by right. He could sign up for the army, open a bank account, and get a girlfriend or a boyfriend.

Boyfriend.

"...Chinese."

Noah had zoned off. "Pardon?"

Malik laughed. He tossed a carrot to Horus who snapped his jaw and caught it mid-air. "We could get Chinese but I'm too lazy to go pick it up.''

Noah got up. "I'll do it."

"Yeah?"

He felt horrible about his inability to go anywhere near a stove and cook for them. The memory of his flesh burning to a cinder remained fresh. "I don't mind."

Malik nodded. "I'll have-"

"Grilled orange chicken, steamed vegetables, and sauce on the side. Wontons?"

"Nah.''

Noah sheepishly took cash from under the green paperweight on the coffee table. He intended to buy a double portion of wontons because Malik always said he didn't want any then proceeded to annihilate the dumplings.

Dashing to the nearest local Chinese, Noah placed their orders. It was not the fancy Wong where Malik and that Eugene character had their pretend date, it was authentic, humble, and busy. He chose to wait outside rather than inside the overcrowded restaurant. The weather had been tempestuous; he huddled inside his coat, watching a homeless boy beg for a few bills.

In a trance, he found himself crossing the street to the homeless youth. He was haggard, chapped lips, and ugly bruises decorated his attractive face. If it weren't for the glittering silver high heels, Noah wouldn't have recognized him.

"Hey, Pink."

Pink scowled. "Came to gloat?"

Noah took off his ice cap and scarf. "Here."

"What your granny made these?"

"Do you have to behave like this?"

"Bitch, please. Go back to your keeper and your stupid dog," Pink snorted. "I saw you in the park. Gaga. Fawning over a guy out of your league."

Noah threw the ice cap, hitting Pink's nose. "At least I'm not wearing a t-shirt."

Pink shuddered, though Noah wasn't sure if it was the biting cold or his sharp tongue.

"I'm sorry," Noah said. "What happened with Gold?"

Pink muttered something incomprehensible.

Noah glanced at the Chinese place. "Don't go anywhere."

A jog later and Noah left with the order. He took the sweet and sour tofu and steamed rice and set them on the curb next to Pink.

"I don't need charity like you."

"You need this or you will freeze. I almost did."

"And the knight in shining Nikes saved you?"

Noah let out a long breath. "I am trying to help you.'

"I didn't ask for it."

Noah turned to leave. "Fine."

"Run along," Pink called out. "Just like you ran away from daddy and from Gold. Keep running, coward."

"What. Is. Your. Problem?"

Pink peeled the lip off the rice. "You wanna know what happened? I stood and fought. I didn't run when shit hit the fan."

"You know nothing about-"

"Shh. I know enough. Go back to where you came from. Remember me when you run from your Boo."

Noah gaped at him, his frail frame, sneer, and ripped jeans. He halted in his mind the bitter comeback he was about to say.

"Pink?"

He glared.

"I...always liked your shoes.''

Pink shook his head. "Retard.''

***

Malik snapped his fingers. "Yo!"

"Hmm?"

They munched their dinner in amiable silence. Noah's head swam, it kept relaying what Pink had said over and over again. He couldn't think and talk at the same time.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

Malik arched an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. Did you get mugged?"

"No."

"You forgot your scarf?"

Noah cleared his throat. "I gave it away to someone who needed it more than I do. Please don't feel inclined to lend me another."

"And the tofu?"

Noah shrugged. "Are you mad?"

It was not courteous to give away items Malik had given him or what he bought with his money. Nevertheless, it would've been far too cruel to pass by Pink. He was thinking of going back, to try to convince him to try a shelter.

He frowned, remembering the ambush at his boss' house. Pink wouldn't have like that either.

"No. It's cool. Just take care of yourself, yeah?''

"I know how to."

Malik leaned across the table and ruffled his hair. "I know, buddy."

Noah flinched out of reach. "Don't."

"Shit. You hate being touched."

Noah grabbed a discarded plastic bag and began stuffing the empty cardboard boxes. "Don't make assumptions on my behalf." They hadn't touched since his birthday. ''And don't call me buddy."

Malik raised his hands in mock surrender. "Oh...kay."

Noah simpered. It was so like Malik to take everything lightly, in stride. He didn't want to be friends. He should be content to be friends. But they held hands. They had a dog together. Or was Horus just his? Ian, the homeless guy at the old factory district, was the proud owner of three dogs. Noah could provide for Horus on the streets. It wouldn't be running after all when Malik rejects them. Or would Horus be Malik's and Noah would be the one taken back to the shelter? He knew the Egyptian was a Christian; he'd look kindly on the blind.

He took out the garbage and swept the kitchen while Malik edited content for his channel. His shoulders were squared, eyes focused on the screen and lips moved to form letters of the language of Malik's native tongue.

He knew he was definitely being the child Malik thought him to be, but he despised the channel and the laptop. He yearned for his attention, for the ghost of desire he thought he'd sensed.

Why won't you touch me? Have I already been cast aside?

"I'll take Horus out."

"I thought you already did?"

"I need air."

He left the apartment on his own and paced. He had a roof over his head yet he was restless. Pink had been right; he always ran. From his father, school, and Malik. He was pining for him and again couldn't understand the truth because he'd never wanted anything as much as him.

Sooner or later he will tire of him. He had to speak up.

When he got back inside Horus was sprawled on the couch. The bedroom door was closed.

He pumped himself full of courage and knocked. Malik wore a towel, his hair was wet and trickles of water ran over his washboard abs.

Noah swallowed. "Ne me quitte pas.'' He begged him not to leave him.

"I didn't pay attention in French class back in Egy—"

Noah tiptoed, cranked his neck, and pressed his lips against those of the man who owned his heart and soul.

The world held its breath.