The first time he braided my hair.
The smile on his face when I held his magic in the palm of my hand.
The fear I felt when he was sick.
Holding him through his fever, feeding him. Braidinghis hair.
Every time he gently coaxed me forward, showing me things I didn’t know were possible.
The way he’s taken the separate pieces of my life—like two separate timelines—and sewn them together, all with asking nothing in return. Except for me. Like just that, justmeis enough.
The highlight reel flashing through my mind ends with the memory of his face, only the other day at the shop. I came downstairs after waking to find him. He was talking to a customer, explaining some magical doodad or whatever. I couldn’t have said even then what the customer looked like, or who else was in the store.
There was only Willan. The colourful lanterns overhead lit him up like a spotlight, showcasing his brilliant intensity as he talked.
Then, he turned to me. The moment his eyes found mine, his face transformed from his professional mask into tender affection. All for me. And only for a single, fleeting second—over before I could snap my fingers.
It hit me with the power of a thousand suns, and I stumbled on the steps. I think Egbert caught the whole thing because he gave me a knowing smile before he disappeared into the storeroom. Apparently, he knew before I did.
Or maybe more correctly, before I let myself acknowledge.
I’m deeply, spirit shatteringly, ass backwards in love with Willan.
“Is he only just catching on?” Finn whispers, though not at all quietly.
“I think so?” Kai whispers back just as loud. “And after all the shit he gave me, too.”
The scene in my mind clears, my eyes focusing again on the pair of them on the couch, snickering away like they weren’t the world's biggest dumbasses before they got over their shit.
“You okay there, bud?” Dislodging Finn from his side, Kai leans forward to pat my hair condescendingly.
Batting his hand away, I scowl half heartedly up at his gloating smile.
“Knock it off. I’m fine. I just…” I grapple to put it into words. “I think I knew, but didn’t understand?”
Finn, much perkier and awake now that he’s got some blood in his system, nods like he understands what I’m trying to say. Kai nods too, but somehow, I think the subtlety has been lost on him.
“You know what this calls for, right?” Like usual, his effervescent smile is contagious and I find myself smiling back at him.
“I have no idea.”
Kai smacks his hand on his thigh, and nods. “We gotta go shopping.”
Finn uncurls himself from Kai’s side, pulling back to give him the full effect of his ‘what the fuck?’ face.
“Why are we going shopping?” I might be questioning him, but I’m definitely not saying no.
“Uh, because you need new clothes to look hot for yourlover.” Kai scoffs like it’s obvious.
“That makes no sense.”
“Fan-fucking-tastic idea.”
Finn and I say at the same time. He turns to look at me, cocking his head like I’ve grown two of them. But I mean, whatabout my extensive, sexy as fuck wardrobe suggests Idon’tlove a good shopping trip?
“Done.” Kai leaps to his feet, holding out his hand. “Finn, come on. Let’s go shower and get ready.” He leads his boyfriend to the bathroom.
“Don’t use up all the hot fucking water!”
