Free Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7 by Various Authors Page B

with Jacob was a fun task, leading him everywhere, subjecting him to the new environs while watching his face turn from passivity, to curiosity, to wonderment. However, walking him through the library was hilarious! Jeremy did not realise that for all Jacob's abilities and prowess, he was so clumsy. So, after the fifth consecutive bookcase shattered and ejected its dusty contents on the floor that Jeremy decided it would be for the best if he led Jacob.
    After all , Jeremy thought with a smile, Jacob will only be forced to clean it up later .
    Jacob was thankful to Jeremy when he began to lead and direct him again, as he had no idea where he was going – already lost and out of his depth, between precariously placed shelves and random piles of books all over the place. He also felt relief at their partnership as he interpreted the promise the sadistic gleam sparkling in Jeremy's eye cemented every time a bookcase fell, prophesising some sort of cleaning later.
    He supposed there was some order, but it would be an order of which only Jeremy would be able to understand the complexity and dynamics. Therefore, to be on the safe side, and not wanting to ruin that tempting smile on those moist lips, he said nothing and followed Jeremy's lead.
    Jacob sneezed as he was abruptly led past a camouflaged corner and into a dusty passage descending into darkness. Before he could sniff away the tingling irritation in his nostrils, Jeremy opened yet another door, revealing the light of the next floor down. Minding his step carefully, and traversing through even narrower passages of laden bookshelves, Jacob found himself breathless from the stressful excursion, yet proud at reaching their destination without any more leather-bound casualties.
    Jeremy unlocked a drawer in an iron cabinet hidden at the end of a bookcase row, just inside Jacob's sight. Jeremy reached in and pressed a button. Jacob started at the mechanical hum and ticking as a bookshelf slid aside to reveal yet another room. With enthusiasm, Jeremy grabbed Jacob's hand firmly to bring him forward into the unknown space it revealed.
    For Jacob, this room was yet another incomprehensible thing; filled with contraptions that resembled the display screens in large homes like Jeremy's, but in an unbelievable number. While he stood aimlessly in the room, Jeremy began to fiddle with the display on one screen in the corner. After a while of pensive mechanical prodding, Jeremy turned to stand in the middle of the map displayed on the floor as it dispersed around his legs, before materialising the normal stone floor. Jacob had no time to be amazed as he predicted a presentation from the enthusiastic Jeremy, shivering and grinning, before him.
    "This is the main control room for all my Duties – a little cheat of mine if you will." He strolled over to lean against Jacob, pointing at equipment as he explained them all.
    "… those screens are linked to cameras that monitor and record any suspicious movement around the Wall and the entrances to the library. On that one, I am sure you may be able to guess whom that is – I don't know why I haven't reset it yet – but I thought you might find it interesting how, in hindsight, I had my eyes on you from the start" Jeremy digressed.
    "Technically now that I have done my Duty for the day, and ordered emergency supplies to replenish food stocks and ordered some other items – like clothes – for you, we can go back now." Jeremy ended with a huff of breath, breathing heavily after his prolonged explanation.
    Jacob ignored the myriad contrasting and exaggerated expressions of Jeremy and merely smiled and squeezed Jeremy's hands together in encouragement.
    He was in awe of Jeremy; nothing was given to Jacob with restriction, not even government secrets, divulged like the show of a painting. He felt so much trust. So kissing the warm hands felt right, giving a part of him in return, without any hesitation.
    Jeremy's wide eyes met Jacob's as they