Page 149 of Puck Me Back to Life

He shakes his head.

“I'm sorry.”

“No.”

“I—”

“No.” I cup the back of his head, running my fingers slowly through his hair until I feel some of the tension begin to melt beneath my hand. “Don't apologize for crying.”

“I can't help it. I feel...” His voice catches. “I don't even know what I feel.”

“You don't have to.” Another tear slides onto my chest. I kiss the top of his head. “You don't have to explain anything to me tonight.”

For several minutes, neither of us says anything. I simply hold him. My thumb traces slow circles against the back of his neck while his breathing gradually settles into something steadier. His body is still trembling occasionally, the leftover adrenaline making it difficult for him to fully relax.

This is why aftercare matters. Not because there's a script. Not because somebody once told me it was important. Because moments like this exist. Because vulnerability doesn't end when a scene does. Sometimes this is the hardest part. This is where the real trust lives.

Kai slowly uncurls one hand from where he'd been clutching the sheets and grips the front of my shirt instead. Just enough to anchor himself.

“You did so well,” I tell him quietly.

He shakes his head immediately. “I don't think I did.”

I smile into his hair. “I wasn't asking what you thought.”

His shoulders loosen a fraction.

“And even though you tried to seduce me,” I pinch his ass lightly. “You did as I asked.”

I feel him listening.

“You trusted me.”

Another shaky breath.

“You listened.”

His fingers tighten slightly against my shirt.

“You stayed with me.”

His voice is barely audible. “I wanted to.”

“I know.”

That might be the part that means the most. Not obedience. Not compliance. The choice. Every step tonight had been his.

He'd looked at me with frightened eyes and chose to trust me anyway.

That isn't submission.

That's courage.

“I'm so proud of you, baby.” The words leave my mouth before I think about them.

Kai goes completely still. He slowly pulls back just enough to look at me.

His eyes are swollen from crying. His cheeks are flushed. He looks completely unconvinced.