Page 50 of In Darkness and Dank

“Time of the pozzo, yeah?”

“Huh.” Shu fidgeted. “Not asking Kitty to be pozzo, no, but asking… to be with me. For mate time.”

“Are you asking me out on a date?” Kittisak smiled.

“A date?”

“A date is a special time you want to be, ahem, romantic with someone.” Kittisak batted his eyes.

“Oh! Yes!” Shu smiled shyly. “That is what I want. Romantic time with Kitty.”

“Then it’s a yes.”

“Oh, Kitty.” Shu cupped Kittisak’s cheek and kissed him.

It was a long and deep press of lips that left Kittisak absolutely breathless, his heart thudding hard in his chest. “Damn. Mmm, you know, you’re really good at that bejo thing.”

“So is Kitty.” Shu smiled, kissing Kittisak one last time before standing up.

“Where are you going?”

“Make ready.” Shu beamed. “For our date. Kitty wait here.”

“Okay. Kitty will wait.” Kittisak waved as Shu dove back into the water, and he leaned back against the sandy shore to watch the sun continue to set.

When he’d first come to the Amazon, he’d been sure it was hell on earth. He’d hated every second of it, from the giant bugs to the awful heat and the abundance of deadly critters lurking behind every tree and bush. But after being here with Shu for so long and getting close to him, learning about the lagoon and his people, Kittisak had found his opinion of the rainforest had changed drastically.

As long as he was with his creature, Kittisak was pretty sure now it was heaven.

8

Kittisak shouldn’t have been surprised he fell asleep.

Playing with Hue had really worn him out, and he was still technically recovering from being shot twice. He zonked out right there on the shore beside the fire pit, flat on his back with his arms behind his head.

He was warm, comfortable, and he dozed away until Shu returned to wake him up.

It was almost dark now, and the last rays of sunlight caught Shu’s eyes and turned them into glittering jewels as he gazed down at Kittisak.

“Hi, Kitty,” Shu said.

“Mm, hi.” Kittisak stretched, smiling sleepily. “Sorry.”

“Is okay.” Shu petted his hair. “You need rest.”

“You just wait until I get my strength back,” Kittisak grumbled. “You’re gonna be the one passing out all the time.”

“No. Kitty pass out.” Shu smirked. “I don’t have the tired.”

“Okay, fine, maybe.” Kittisak laughed. “Your stamina is pretty endless.”

“Yes. Ate much today. Endless stamina.”

Kittisak’s smile turned sly, and he remembered their date. “Guess that means you’re extra ready for tonight, huh?”

“Very ready.” Shu beamed as he offered his hands to help Kittisak up.

“So. To the cave?”

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