Page 102 of Unclench Me Softly

Jonah brushes soil dust off his pants like he’s erasing evidence.

Seb moves with the calm of someone who’s been emotionally cleansed via fire and hand rake.

Miles looks like he’s already composing his intention word in Latin.

And Asher lingers.

He stays kneeling on his mat while the others file out, his fingers trailing over the etched sunburst on his tool as if it might offer him courage.

I tilt my head, caught between curiosity and the suspicion that whatever’s about to happen might derail my entire post-breathwork snack plan.

He finally stands, slowly, like he’s still unsure he’s allowed to, and takes a careful step toward me, not quite looking at my face.

“I didn’t know if the feathers would be too much,” he says softly. “But it just… felt like you.”

The honesty in his voice nearly topples me.

“They were absolutely too much,” I say, smiling. “Which is why they’re perfect.”

He lets out a breath of laughter, relieved, and looks up.

And it happens in the space between that glance and the one that follows, a pause so full it feels like breath held between stars, a pull in the air that catches me off guard and drags something loose inside my chest before I even realize I’m moving.

A current of quiet heat draws him closer before either of us decides if we’re ready.

He kisses me, softly, reverently, like he’s afraid he might break the spell, or me, or both.

It’s not like Jax, who kissed like he was claiming territory.

It’s not like Jonah, who kissed like he knew all my secrets and wanted me to beg for more.

It’s not even like Seb, who didn’t kiss me at all, just held me close enough to make the whole world stop spinning.

Asher kisses me like I’m hope.

And gods help me, I kiss him back like I’m starving for softness.

When we part, barely a breath between us, he swallows hard.

“I’ll see you after lunch,” he says, and turns to go without another word.

I stand there for a moment, blinking at the air where he used to be, unsure whether I’ve just been blessed or undone.

Probably both.

Void Fillers™: Spiritually Questionable Wisdom for the Pages the Universe Forgot

(Because chapters start on odd numbers, but your healing is nonlinear.)

Bliss-ism #86/g

Sometimes what you leave behind walks right back in holding a plush lynx and emotional support pancakes.

Bliss-ism #73/b

Let go of what no longer serves you, unless it’s hot and emotionally available.

Bliss-ism #45/k

---