Oliver's life has been hard—but even so he doesn't need the kind of clients who try to corner him and hurt him, possibly kill him. During his escape from such a man, Oliver meets Theo, a bashful scholar who ends up losing his job because of Oliver—and then inviting Oliver home. Not for sex, not as a client, but as a friend, so he can get out of the cold. ~18,000 words Gay romance Author's note: Theo appeared briefly in "Robert and Louie."