Page 26 of Starlight

It had been more meaningful than many conversations over the last five years because it had been about something other than work, football, or the accident. He wanted to learn more about monsters and abandoned mines. If he went back, and Akai was feeling up to it, perhaps they could go for a hike to the stream or the mine.

He’d definitely take more food.

“That must’ve been very pretty from up there.”

He smiled. “It was…I’m thinking about going back this weekend. I need to cut wood and get it ready for the colder weather.”

“Maybe I should come with you. Keep you company and make sure you don’t cut anything off.”

Cole laughed, then stopped when he saw her face. Oh god, she was serious. He could not take his mother to the cabin while Akai was there. “It’s fine, Mom.”

“No, you’re right. I should come and see the cabin now that it’s finished.”

The microwave beeped, announcing that his dinner was done. “Um…” He rubbed his hand over his hair. “The thing is…I’m meeting someone there.”

“Oh.” She put her hand over her heart. “I don’t want to intrude. I thought you might be lonely up there.”

That was kind of the point. To be alone.

“I didn’t realize you were meeting someone up there.” She stared at him as if expecting him to fill in the blanks about who it was he was meeting.

“It’s a recent development.” And it would end as soon as Akai could fly…wouldn’t it? How could it continue? Not only that, what would they be continuing?

They were barely friends, accidentally tied together by fate. But he couldn’t deny that he was interested in learning more about monsters. Or at least one monster. There’d been a few times when Akai had watched him a little too closely, making his heart beat a little too quickly.

It was ridiculous to think that a monster was attracted to him. Or that he could be attracted to a monster. He wasn’t. He was just curious. Yeah, curious about what it would feel like to run his fingers through that silvery fur and feel those claws against his skin.

They were the thoughts that had kept him up last night. He was pretty sure they were thoughts he shouldn’t be having. Normal people didn’t think about the monster sleeping in their bed and wonder what it would be like to sleep with the monster. That was, of course, assuming the monster wanted to sleep with him. Maybe he was projecting.

“I will take you up there. Just not next weekend.” He had put the invitation out there, so he shouldn’t have been surprised that she’d finally accepted.

“No, no, it’s okay. I’m glad you’re not up there alone. It means I’ll worry less about you.”

He smiled. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

“You’re still my kid, and you’ve been so unhappy lately.”

Not unhappy, dissatisfied like he was stuck in a trap and couldn’t figure out how to escape. But he couldn’t say that, because once he started, he wouldn’t be able to stop, and he didn’t want his parents drinking the poison that was slowly killing him.

Cole shrugged, not wanting to admit anything.

“I hope whoever you are meeting makes you smile again.”

He grabbed some cutlery, thinking about drinking beer and playing games on the deck, and even this morning as he’d walked around with Akai while he foraged for some plants. A simple activity—with him carrying everything—but he had enjoyed the ease of conversation and the sun on his skin in a way he hadn’t for a long time.

He couldn’t imagine Akai coming grocery shopping with him or eating dinner with his parents. Standing in the kitchen, it was almost like he made everything up. A fantasy so he didn’t have to exist in this reality. The pendant was warm against his chest, reminding him that it was real. “We’ll see.”

He could at least enjoy the little time they had while their paths crossed. And the knowledge that his cabin was on a route that Akai liked to fly, so he’d see him again at some point.

“You’ll need to let your father know you’re not available on the weekend, so he doesn’t schedule any work.”

“Why doesn’t he hire someone for the weekends specifically?” Then he’d be able to reclaim a bit more of his life.

She pressed her lips together and looked away. “It’s a family business.”

“I know that…I’m only asking for the weekends. Maybe his brother can get out on the tools for a bit?”

“I don’t think that’s going to work,” she said with a sigh.