บททั้งหมดของ Coming Out of the Deep : บทที่ 51 - บทที่ 60

Reed's POVI stumbled out of the shower, dragged the towel tighter around my waist, and made my way into my bedroom. For a second, I just stood there, dripping onto the floor, staring at nothing. My mind felt blank as if someone had severed the wires inside my head, and I had no idea what I was supposed to do next until it finally clicked.Clothes; I needed to get dressed, grab some things for Kairos, take them to him, and then head over to Alec’s. I probably needed to call Alec before getting dressed to let him know I was coming and to reassure him that Lake would be fine because, if my head was a mess, his had to be a complete disaster.Dropping to the edge of the bed, I ran a hand through my wet hair as everything that had happened swirled around in my head like a tornado. Knowing Lake would survive gave me some relief, but to be honest, Lake was never my biggest concern.It was Kairos and Darian. It was the fact that they almost destroyed each other tonight—and that the fallout wa

Reed's POVReturning from the mall, I found Kairos freshly showered, back in his place at Lake’s side, looking a little more composed than before. He turned when I entered, and I walked over to him, handing him his aeruna first. "And then I got these," I explained, passing him the gift bag.He opened the bag and took out each item one by one: an insulated tumbler, a puzzle book, a massage ball, and a hot-cold gel pack to relieve some of the tension I knew Lake would be feeling when he woke up. I had no idea what to get when I got there, so I chose these because I knew Lake could use the gel after the trauma his body experienced.Kairos stared at them, not saying much, and I could tell from the look on his face that nothing made sense to him. To him, it was probably like purchasing toys and cups, which were useless human trinkets. Things that did not actually heal."I know they appear silly," I gently told him, "but believe me, these are good. Lake will like them. He will appreciate th

Lake's POVMy eyes were still fixed on Alec, my heart racing, when Kairos spoke next to me, prompting me to turn back to him. “I’ll be outside,” he softly said, swinging his legs off the bed, but then he did something that made me freeze in place.He leaned down and pecked the side of my head as if he wanted to clear up any confusion Alec may have had about the situation, and I froze for the second time. My gaze met his, and he smiled, his eyes screaming the answer to the question that echoed in my head as a result of his actions: was this him coming out?He walked out, and as he passed Alec, my gaze shifted to Alec, who still had a look I could not put into words; perhaps the closest description would be... surprise? I swallowed hard and couldn't find my voice for a moment.I told Kairos hours ago that I didn't care who knew about us, and I meant it, but Alec was my cousin; he was my family, and no matter what everyone else thought, no matter how I could still live my truth even if h

Lake's POV Kairos's words hung in the air, and I could feel them soaking into my skin and lodging deep in my chest. “Please don’t leave me.” His voice cracked at the end, and his eyes misted with emotion as he pleaded with me without pride or armor.I stared at him, my heart racing faster than it had ever been, faster even than when I was drowning, before my body moved on its own and leaned in toward the boy I loved, the one who had left an entire kingdom for me.Everything fell silent the instant our lips met. The anxiety and the hypothetical thoughts—gone. There was only the warmth of his lips on mine, the soft tremble in his breath, and the desperate way I gripped his collar as if I could melt into him and never come apart.How could I ever abandon him? How could I have thought I could?Pulling back, I was out of breath, and our heads leaned together as I whispered, "I want out of here." He smiled faintly. "Me too. I didn’t bring my car, though; I need to call Reed.”He added that

Lake's POVI was startled awake by a slightest shift beneath me, my eyes snapping open as the sensation of movement registered. It took me a moment to realize where I was, the scent of bath salts clinging to the steam in the air... and Kairos's arms wrapped around me. I had fallen asleep in the tub with him.My skin felt pruney as hell, and I knew I had to look it, so I raised my hand out of the water, but my fingers were not wrinkled. “That’s the first,” I muttered, shifting slightly and looking up at Kairos, my voice coming out hoarse while he smiled.“I didn’t mean to pass out on you.” His smile spread as he brushed his thumb across my arm. “It’s okay.” And I let out a breath, returning the smile. “We should probably get out. I’m starving.”I hadn’t eaten since waking up in the hospital. Between the trauma and the adrenaline, food had not even entered my mind. But now it hit me all at once, and my stomach churned, craving something solid.We got out of the tub and dried off, and I