When they finished, Kyle let out a sigh.
“Something up?” Stark asked. “You look like there’s something on your mind.”
Kyle’s eyes fell to the floor. “Um,” he said. “To be honest, I’ve been thinking about something.”
Stark waited for Kyle to continue on his own. Finally the omega built up the nerve to say what was on his mind.
“It’s the omega breeding facility,” he said. “I can’t stop thinking about it since I…” He paused. “Since your mother reacted so badly to it yesterday.”
Stark frowned. “Kyle, I’m so sorry. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”
“It’s fine,” Kyle said, although it really wasn’t, but that wasn’t his main concern right now. “It just triggered my memory of the place, I guess.”
Stark didn’t speak but his face was etched with concern. He had his hand on Kyle’s knee reassuringly.
“It’s just so weird,” Kyle continued. “It feels like that happened ages ago, but it was only until last year.” He lowered his voice, deep in thought. “Up until I was kidnapped by Silvercreek back, Ilivedat the omega facility.”
Stark offered a sympathetic glance. “Kyle…”
“It was justmy life,you know? And … seeing your mom react like that when I mentioned it. I don’t know. It made me feel weird.” Kyle looked at Stark with a searching gaze. “Am I undesirable to you?”
Stark looked horrified. “No! Kyle, I love you more than anything. You’re themostdesirable thing in my life.”
Kyle couldn’t help but smile shyly at that confession. “You love me, huh?”
Stark let out a dramatic sigh but he was smiling as well. “I thought that part was obvious by now.”
“It’s still nice to hear.”
“I love you,” Stark said again, kissing Kyle’s forehead. “A lot.”
“I love you, too,” Kyle said. Saying the words made his skin tingle. They felt foreign on his tongue, but not in a bad way.
“Anyway,” Kyle said. “I wanted to ask you something.”
“Anything,” Stark said. He leaned forward on his knee, listening intently.
“I know it’s kind of a weird thing to suggest, but… I want to go back to the omega facility,” Kyle said. Before Stark could sputter his confused questions, Kyle went on. “I know it’s not actually used for that anymore. I know it’s a daycare now, and I’m glad, but there’s just this feeling I have. Like if I go back now, I’ll get the closure I need to move on. You know?”
“Yeah,” Stark said. “I understand.” He pulled Kyle into an embrace, and Kyle didn’t want him to let go. His mate was so warm and soft and smelled amazing. He smelled like home.
“I think that’s very brave of you,” Stark said after he pulled away. “You’re strong, Kyle.”
Kyle just shrugged. “Not really. It’s not even the same place anymore.”
“What matters is what you went through there,” Stark said. “You’ll never forget that. Even if the building’s changed, you still have those memories.”
Kyle knew he was right. He nodded wordlessly.
“Could we go today?” Kyle asked after a moment. “I want to get this out of the way before the baby comes.”
“Are you sure you’re up to it?” Stark asked, his voice gentle.
Kyle knew Stark was just concerned after the debacle with his parents last night, but Kyle nodded. “Yeah. In a way, I’m kind of glad they came over and stirred up these old feelings.” He fidgeted with his fingers as Stark looked on in confusion. “If that hadn’t happened, I probably would have gone on the rest of my life without this closure. I didn’t really know I needed it until now.”
Stark nodded slowly. “Okay.” He stood from the couch and offered Kyle a firm, strong hand. “Let’s go.”
“Thank you,” Kyle said, taking his mate’s hand.
