Page 26 of Knot My Type

“Sounds delicious!” I respond enthusiastically, my excitement bubbling at the thought of treats.

As I follow him into the kitchen, my pulse races and the warmth from the fire feels alive around me. I catch him pulling out a plate full of freshly baked cookies, cracked and dotted with chocolate chips, the edges golden and inviting.

“Here we go, your typical comfort food,” he says, placing the plate on the counter. “These are my specialty: warm chocolate chip cookies that could make anyone feel whole again.”

I bite into one immediately, letting the gooey sweetness roll over my tongue. The flavors burst in my mouth, and I can’t help but squeal with joy. “These are incredible, Rhys! I didn’t expect anything less; this is a serious skill!”

Rhys beams under the praise, a glimmer of pride shining in his eyes. “Why, thank you! Always a pleasure to impress your taste buds.”

As we share the cookies and the atmosphere livens, I feel more alive than I have in a long time. The tension that once filled the cabin begins to disappear, replaced by laughter and the warmth of camaraderie that tightens our bond.

Rhys passes around cookies to everyone, and the four of us settle into shared moments of indulgence, voices rising and falling in a harmonious symphony of comfort.

“Are you all ready for another round of adventurer tales?” Rhys suggests, jumping back into the fun. He grins, infectious energy bouncing off him.

dirt and debris as they all laughed at my expense. I realized then that perhaps my skills were better suited for a playground than for the wilderness. I ended up spending the rest of camp in a corner, contemplating my survival skills and whether or not I had any at all.”

The room bursts into laughter again, a comforting sound that warms my heart. Fen's usually composed exterior momentarily slips, revealing the amusement beneath—and I find it utterly charming. I wonder about the layers that each of these men hides behind their tough facades, just as they’re beginning to peel back mine.

As the laughter settles down, a comfortable silence fills the air, punctuated only by the crackle of the fire.

“See? It’s not so scary to share, is it?” Rhys encourages, glancing between Kael and Finn, who both nod in agreement, their usual stern expressions softening with amusement.

I look at Kael, who returns my gaze, the warmth of the moment vibrating through the space. “Your turn again, Kael. Something not embarrassing but genuine this time. What’s your guilty pleasure?” I prompt, wanting him to take another step into openness.

Kael hesitates, and I sense a veil of vulnerability cloaking him again. It's an invitation wrapped in trepidation, and the room is charged with anticipation. “Alright, I suppose...” he starts, fidgeting slightly. “I’ve been known to enjoy rom-coms when I'm trying to unwind. There’s something about the simplicity of love stories that makes me feel good.”

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise, competing with the widening grins on Fen and Rhys's faces. “You really?” I ask, my disbelief genuine. “You’re all rugged and tough, but you watch girlie movies?”

“I don’t watch them for the romance,” he defends quickly, the hint of a smile breaking across his rugged features. “Some of those stories are genuinely heartfelt. Plus, they remind you that it’s okay to be vulnerable, just like we’re discussing. Not to mention you can predict anything after a while—makes things kind of relaxing.”

“Wow, that’s a curveball!” Fen exclaims. “I never expected the intimidating Kael has a secret love for rom-coms. What’s your favorite?”

“Honestly? ‘10 Things I Hate About You.’ Classic,” Kael says, a hint of playful embarrassment coloring his tone.

“Wow, I’m impressed!” I say, laughter bubbling up inside me, making my cheeks warm. “What a choice! I think I could see you as a Heath Ledger character.”

“Yeah, but I’d like to think I’m not quite as soft as him,” Kael shoots back, feigning indignation, but his eyes dance with humor. The laughter around us erupts again, filling the room with buoyancy.

The night stretches on, full of sharing, laughter, and newfound revelations. These men, they’re growing on me, and it becomes evident that this connection isn’t just casual.

“Eliana,” Kael’s voice suddenly turns serious, breaking through the light atmosphere but in a way that draws me in. “We’re all here for you. We’ve shared our stories, but I think you bring a very real weight to our little group. You give us life and a reason to search for hope.”

I feel my heart swell at his words, a tender expression shining through the gregariousness. The warmth of what feelslike acceptance bathes me. Not merely acceptance of what I am but the idea of personhood I can be amongst them.

“So, what’s your guilty pleasure?” Rhys prompts, cutting through the sincerity with a cheeky grin. “We just bared our souls here!”

I sigh, feeling the spotlight eagerly shift to me. The vulnerability surrounding the room makes it feel much safer for confession—almost freeing.

“Okay, um… for me, I love exploring art, especially painting. It’s something I can lose myself in. It helps me process everything, all the chaos around me. But my guilty pleasure? I like to binge-watch cosmic horror movies—completely bizarre and out there!”

A laugh escapes me, and I quickly distract from the awkwardness of confessing. “It’s silly, but nothing like watching something that scares you to your core. It makes me eager to feel alive again!”

“But they don’t scare you too much, do they?” Fen asks, playfully feigning concern. “Aren’t those films a bit down?”

“Sometimes they are, but sometimes it’s an escape. The thrill of just wondering what could happen next! I guess it’s a way of dazzling myself with the unexpected.”

As I finish, I steal a glance at Kael again; the connection deepens between us, the air crackling with unspent energy.

---