Like a ruler.
Like ameasuring stick.
My brain supplies the horrifying implication a full second before my face goes nuclear.
“Patricia,” I whisper, scandalized, “no.”
Patricia’s notebook flickers again.
Oh gods. She is. She’s literally measuring them.
Aspen steps into the water beside Torric, catching my expression. He glances at Patricia. Glances at me. Glances back at Patricia.
“…Should I be concerned?” he asks.
Finn nearly chokes trying not to laugh.
Finnick does a little flip near Linda, clearly showing off. More Eds gather. I’ve lost count now.
The pool’s edge is starting to look crowded.
Kieran takes longer.
He stands at the edge of the pool, golden eyes fixed on some middle distance, and I watch his throat work as he swallows.
“Kieran,” I say softly. “You don’t have to—”
“I want to,” he says. His voice is rough. “I just…”
He doesn’t finish. He doesn’t have to.
He’s been alive for centuries. Loved me for most of them. And somehow, this moment — stripping down in front of me, vulnerable and bare — feels like more than any of that.
He undresses slowly. Deliberately. Like he’s giving himself to me piece by piece.
And I watch every second of it.
His body is lean, elegant, built for speed rather than brute strength. Pale skin marked with faint silver lines — old scars, old battles, old lifetimes.
Mouse settles at the pool’s edge, tail curling around his paws. Watching with ancient, knowing eyes. The Eds part for him like he’s royalty.
Because he is. Shadow royalty. Obviously.
When Kieran finally steps into the water, there’s a tremor in his hands that he can’t quite hide.
I reach out without thinking and catch his fingers under the surface.
He squeezes once. Doesn’t let go.
“This is very romantic,” Finn stage-whispers. “I’m not crying. You’re crying.”
“Finn,” Torric growls.
“What? I’m supportive.”
Malrik goes next to last.
He meets my eyes as he reaches for his shirt, and there’s a challenge in his gaze.Watch me, it says.I dare you.
