Page 59 of In Darkness and Dank

Shu nodded, and he seemed to relax after a moment. “I trust Kitty. Your friend mine too.” He kissed Kittisak’s forehead. “I get mud. I help.”

“Thank you.” Kittisak wanted to kiss Shu, but he felt a little shy knowing Browning was there staring at him. He wasn’t sure what Browning might have to say about him making out with the creature.

Fuck it.

He kissed Shu.

Shu purred. “Mmm. I go. Come back soon.”

“Okay.” Kittisak accepted the big fish as Shu handed it off to him before diving back into the pool. He watched Shu’s figure vanish as he swam off, and he turned around to face Browning, hoping he looked confident. “So. That’s Shu.”

“He is stunning. Truly.” Browning cleared his throat. “I suppose you two have… hmm. I’m not sure how to…” He cleared his throat again. “You two are…” He gestured vaguely.

“Yes.”

“Oh my word.”

“You just sit right there, Prof.” Kittisak grinned now as he took the fish over to the fire pit. “I’ve got a hell of a story to tell you.”

Shu had thankfully cleaned the fish already, so all that was left was for Kittisak to season it. As he salted it and stirred a thick glaze of sriracha and honey, he chatted with Browning about his time here at the lagoon with Shu.

Well, he didn’t tell him everything, but he told him what he’d learned about the Rife people, Bal and her new son, Hue, and the beautiful caves hidden under the water. He made sure to emphasize Shu’s kindness and how he’d saved Kittisak’s life, hoping to give the best impression possible.

When Shu returned with sopping handfuls of stinky mud, Browning looked at him with a new respect—though he did still flinch when Shu cut off the dirty bandage with his claws.

“And, uh, how long exactly must this… poultice… stay?” Browning asked, wrinkling his nose at the smell.

“Until better,” Shu replied with a shrug.

“Trust me,” Kittisak said. “This is the stuff that saved my life. And let’s be real, your leg already stunk like hell. No offense.”

“None taken.” Browning smiled wearily. “I’m afraid the leg and everything else that comes with it probably reeks to high heaven. I may try to take a dip in the water when I’ve got some strength back in these old bones. Thank you. Both of you. Very much.”

“Of course. The water’s awesome. You can just splash in whenever you feel up to it.” Kittisak laid the fish into the pan over the fire, glancing back at Browning. “Are you hungry, Professor?”

“Famished.” Browning stared at the pan intently.

“More fish?” Shu asked. “Feed friend?”

“If you wouldn’t mind,” Kittisak replied. “Pretty sure he’s been starving out there.”

“I go. More fish.” Shu kissed Kittisak’s forehead.

“Thank you.”

Browning squinted. “Is that… sriracha?”

“Hell yeah it is.”

“Will wonders never cease.”

Kittisak cooked the fish plus the new ones Shu brought back, and Browning ate until he looked like he might throw up. The sriracha and honey glaze was delicious, and Kittisak ate until he was left in a similar state and had to stretch out on the ground to ease his full stomach. Shu sat with him and put Kittisak’s head in his lap, playing with his hair while they chatted.

It was surreal.

Having his two worlds collide like this was strange to say the least, but at least Browning didn’t seem afraid now. His curiosity had clearly overridden any fear, and he peppered Shu with questions about the lagoon. He was especially interested to hear how the egg shells of the Rife dissolved as their dead did.

Even after almost dying from exposure out in the rainforest, Browning was determined to find the acidophilic bacteria he’d been searching for.

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