Page 67 of In Darkness and Dank

Shu purred as he wrapped his arms around Kittisak. He pressed little kisses into his hair, rocking him gently. “Yes. Your idiot, Kitty.”

Kittisak couldn’t stop the tears from coming now, his heart about to explode from the waves of emotions rippling through him. He sobbed into Shu’s chest, and he listened to each and every beautiful purr. It was the most lovely sound in the world, and it was one he’d been terrified of never hearing again.

“Oh, meh almae,” Shu whispered. “I dreamed of the moon. It wanted me to come to it, but I told it no. I wanted here. I wanted you.”

“Almae,” Kittisak repeated, gazing up at Shu. “I was so fucking scared. I’ve never been so scared in my entire life—”

Shu kissed him.

Kittisak leaned into the sweet kiss, trying not to cry again and ruin the perfect moment. He failed. Tears ran down his cheeks as they kissed, and he sobbed softly, clinging to Shu as closely as he could and still trying to find a way to be closer still.

“I love you,” he whispered. “Shu, I love you.”

“I love you,” Shu repeated. He then nodded in understanding, saying more sincerely, “I love you too, Kitty. Meh almae. Always.”

Kittisak laughed in delight, his happiness bubbling over as he kissed his beautiful creature again.

“Brother!” Bal screamed as she snatched Shu away into a crushing hug.

“Sister!” Shu squeaked, flailing helplessly.

“I need fish! I go fish! I get fish!” She shook him. “I come back! You gone!”

“Wanted Kitty!” Shu squeaked.

Kittisak grinned as he watched them embrace. “Careful! He just woke up! Don’t hurt him.”

“Won’t hurt,” Bal promised. “Squeeze a little.”

Shu grunted, clearing his throat until Bal finally put him down. He growled at her, but he was smiling.

“Come!” Bal declared. “Eat! I call sisters. I call mates. We feed you. We get food. Yes, come!”

Shu took Kittisak’s hand. “No. Not yet. We swim.”

“Swim?” Kittisak blinked. “You miraculously woke up from being shot, and the first thing you wanna do is swim?”

“Yes. With Kitty.” Shu led Kittisak down to the water.

“Hmmph. Go swim.” Bal narrowed her eyes. “But you come back. Sisters coming. Mates coming. Food ready soon.”

“Huh, Sister.” Shu chuffed and then dove into the pool with Kittisak.

The water was perfectly cool, and Kittisak opened his eyes so he could follow behind Shu. He’d always loved watching Shu swim. There was no creature on the planet as graceful or as fast, and Kittisak stayed under for as long as he could to see Shu’s looping acrobatics in the deeper parts of the pool.

Shu would spin as he dove deep, and then he’d come rocketing back up like a spear. He’d twist and turn, cutting through the water with the same beauty as a ballet dancer flying over a stage. Today’s dance was particularly exuberant, and Kittisak admired every delicate twirl for as long as he could.

Needing to come up for air much sooner than Shu, Kittisak swam to the surface while he finished his routine. Kittisak headed to the side of the pool opposite the canopy, and then he found a good spot that looked safe to sit.

He was still naked from bathing, and sitting on something pointy or with teeth was a legitimate concern.

No sooner had he sat down, Shu poked his head above the water.

“Come, Kitty,” Shu called.

“What?” Kittisak laughed. “Ready to head back?”

“No. We go to cave.”

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