“Is it okay if we stay like this?”Marin asked.
“Of course,” Blake told him, leaning back into another kiss.
He grew sluggish as their kisses became slow and sleepy.With the last of his energy, Blake found a sheet that had been kicked out beside them, encasing both himself and Marin in its embrace.He tucked the merman close to his chest.
“Thank you, Blake,” Marin whispered.“That was incredible.”
“Thankyou,” Blake returned.He tucked Marin’s head beneath his, pillowing his chin on his crown.He covered the small of Marin’s back with the expanse of his palm, drawing him even closer, as if the proximity would prevent him from ever slipping away.“Is there anything else you need?”
“No, this is perfect,” Marin said, voice syrupy with sleep.“Please keep holding me, Blake.”
“Always.”Blake smiled into Marin’s hair.“I’ll never let go.”
Fingers twisted together between their chests, legs entwined, Blake and Marin eased into a deep sleep.
27
Thursday, August 4
(Day Four)
Although Blake had wanted everyone to see him and Marin off, Ryan and Matt had departed before any of them had woken, so when it was time to leave, only Celeste and Noel followed Blake and Marin out to the parking lot in the middle of the apartment complex.
Celeste tucked themself below Marin’s chin, burying their face into the hollow of his throat, squeezing handfuls of his shirt.
“You come back, okay?”They sniffled.“I’m sorry I was such a bitch to you.”
“This isn’t goodbye,” Marin told them, placing their hands on Celeste’s shoulders and pulling away to meet their eyes.“One way or another, we’ll see each other again, okay?I promise.”
Celeste’s lip trembled before they produced a wet cough, looking away.“I’m so sorry for putting you through this.”
“We still don’t know what’s going to happen,” Noel spoke up, setting a hand on their back.He leaned in to hug Marin as well, glancing past him at Blake.“I have faith in Blake’s worthiness.If anything is enough to save you, it’s that.”
Blake glanced away, trying his best to conceal his blush from his friends.Noel was the last person he’d ever expected to get a compliment from—and such a large one at that.Noel pulled away from Marin, shyly opening his arms to Blake, who stepped comfortably into the embrace.
“I want you to know that if anything happens,” Noel said in a voice pitched low enough that only Blake could hear.“It’s not your fault.Even you can’t fight time.”
“I don’t take those words lightly.”Blake gave Noel a brief squeeze.
Blake pulled away after clapping Noel once on the back.He glanced between him and Celeste, trying to piece together the right words.
“Thank you.”He landed on, but it felt weak in comparison to what the two had given him and Marin.“For everything you’ve done for us these past few days.For your company.I’m…we’rereally lucky to have friends like you.”He reached out to take Marin’s hand, giving it a firm squeeze.
“Don’t get too sappy with it.”Celeste punctuated their words with a loud sniff, wrapping themself around Noel’s arm.“Jesus.”
“I want to thank you both, too,” Marin said, reaching out to take one of Noel’s hands and one of Celeste’s in each of his.“I’m so happy to have gotten to meet you.I can’t put into words how much I appreciate your help.Blake is right—we’re really lucky.”
Celeste turned to bury their face into Noel’s arm, obscuring their tears.“I’mthe lucky one here, dammit.”
Blake watched as Noel squeezed Marin’s hand once before releasing it, indicating to a package of Tupperware he’d set on top of the Camry.
“I set these aside so Matt wouldn’t get into them,” Noel said, handing it over to Marin.“I wanted to see you off with breakfast.”
Marin popped open the lid and Blake leaned over to view the contents—within were a variety of tiny quiches and berry tarts, separated by a little cardboard divider.
Blake shot Noel a warm smile.“I really appreciate it, Noe.”
“It’s the least I can do,” Noel said, stuffing his hands into his front pockets and ducking his head.
