Page 29 of In Your Light

“So you weren’t talking to yourself?” Fyn asked.

“Not exactly,” Hadeom said. He nodded to Fyn’s rucksack. It was much bulkier than it had been on his previous visits. “Does the fact that you’ve packed your life into your bag there mean you moved out?”

“I did.”

“And how did Pax take that?”

Fyn made a face. “About as good as expected. He wasn’t happy.”

“Did he...” Hadeom grimaced. “You were worried he might hurt you.”

“No, he didn’t. But he told me not to come back.”

“Really?”

“Zaq said Pax didn’t mean it, but...” He shrugged. “He’ll calm down, maybe. But it doesn’t matter much. I don’t know when or if I’ll be going back.”

Hadeom studied him for a second. His bright eyes, the way the sunlight highlighted his hair, his full lips....

He was so beautiful. And young.

“It’s not a decision you need to make right now,” Hadeom said. “I’m sure you can reassess as you need.”

“Is that your eons-old philosophical way of telling me I made a mistake?” Fyn smiled, but there was a glimpse of seriousness in his eyes.

“Definitely not a mistake,” Hadeom said. “I think you did what was right for you. It’s not a permanent decision; our needs change over the spans of our lifetimes, and we must adapt. If you decide staying here is not what you had hoped, I’m sure your brother will have you back. He’ll miss you, and⁠—”

“I’m not staying here,” Fyn said. “Not right away, anyway,” he added quickly. His cheeks flushed pink. “I think it’d be best if I stayed at the village first. You’re supposed to be resting anyway, and you don’t need me disrupting you.”

“You’re not disrupting me.”

“I’ll still come over every other day or so. It won’t take me as long to get here now, so I can stay for longer. I can bring you supplies or even teach you how to forage.”

“Forage?”

Fyn laughed at Hadeom’s expression. “Yes. Forage. This forest has everything you could need.” Then he jumped to his feet and held out his hand. “Come on, old man. No time like right now.”

Hadeom stared at Fyn’s offered hand, his heart thrumming. And before he could stop himself, before he could tell himself this was a terrible idea, he slid his hand into Fyn’s.

It was warm and strong, and it sent sparks up Hadeom’s arm. Fyn pulled Hadeom up to his feet with a little too much ease, and because Hadeom was still reeling from the jolt of whatever that fucking was, he almost fell into Fyn.

He caught himself barely an inch from full-body contact, but oh, he could feel Fyn’s warmth. Like sunshine personified.

His green eyes lit up with his smile, and his hand still held Hadeom’s, so warm and wonderful. The spark was now a residual buzz, a tingle of possibility, and⁠—

And he pulled his hand free, stepping back. “Sorry,” Hadeom mumbled, trying to look anywhere but at Fyn’s full lips. “You’re stronger than you look.” He wasn’t blushing. He was embarrassed at being hauled to his feet, that’s all.

The wind howled with laughter, and Hadeom shot a glare up the river. Shut up, old man⁠—

Then Hadeom shot Fyn a look. “Hey, did you call me old man?”

Fyn laughed. “Is it incorrect?”

“Well, no,” Hadeom replied, sounding pathetic. “Not incorrect, but uncalled for, perhaps.”

He thought Fyn might apologise, but no. He threw his head back and laughed again, then made his way off the jetty. “Come on, while it’s not raining.”

Hadeom followed him. Against his better judgement. Against every rule he’d ever set himself. Probably against some unwritten law of the universe.