"You are so subtle…" Summer murmurs, getting dressed quickly, and rather nervously.
Moon’s eyes slide over me in slight shock.
"Oh my. You look… interesting," he mutters under his breath. "Nice to meet you in your naked… person."
I shake his outstretched hand, and he grins.
Summer, however, frowns a bit as Moon’s eyes flicker briefly toward my dick.
"A good…um, handshake. Very solid."
Summer growls low, Moon giggles.
"So… did Snow convince you to go back?" Summer’s brother tilts his head as I pull my clothes on. "Or are you still being silly with the whole Iceland trip thing?"
Summer’s face looks kinda grumpy now. "Thanks for such a compassionate summary of my struggles…"
"Oh c’mon, you belong with him, Summer. There’s no need for you to run away."
Then I say, even if it kinda stabs my heart, "But if you still want to visit your parents, you should, Summer. It may be something to think about if you need to put things in perspective."
Summer sends me a strange glance.
There is a moment of silence.
Moon frowns, and Summer stares at the sand.
"A True Mate would never say it. He would never send me away," he whispers bitterly.
"I’m not sending you away, Summer. I don’t want you to stay with me against your own heart. I only want you to stay with me if you really want to."
"A True Mate would never say this!" he repeats, his voice breaking. "I would have to stay no matter what!"
Moon rolls his eyes. "And you still have to, it’s only a matter of time before you understand it, silly!"
Summer bites his lip, sudden determination on his face.
"I want to visit my parents! We haven't had time to meet since my kidnapping. They deserve… our reunion."
Moon makes a disappointed snort, but I nod.
"I will drive you to the airport. You still have two hours to make it there."
"You’re an idiot, Summer. An absolute moron," Moon throws at his brother, then he swings the backpack he was holding on one arm onto the sand and growls, "But fine. Call me when you grow your brain cells back," he says, turning away, striding off with a frustrated look. "The process is gonna hurt!"
Summer still stands with his head low.
"You really won’t try to stop me from leaving?" he whispers.
"I believe in free will and free choice. And I want to be chosen by you. Really chosen. Not forced on you."
There’s a long pause.
Then I reach out my hand. "Come on, Summer. Let’s go."
He takes it, his fingers trembling. We get off the beach in silence and go to my car, leaving Moon behind.
The whole road to the airport, Summer is dead silent, staring at his hands, deep in his thoughts, his aura gray and sunken.
