Page 84 of The Frog Prince
“I fear I won’t be able to let go.”
Otto’s heart ached, and he reached behind him blindly, catching Alwin’s trailing wrist and urging it around him.
It didn’t take much coaxing. Soon Alwin’s arms were crisscrossing over Otto’s wide back, fingers curling up over his shoulders as Alwin buried his head deeper into Otto’s neck.
Otto said nothing about the tightness with which he held him, only increasing the pressure to make Alwin feel secure for as long as he needed it. Even when Otto began to shiver from the cold of the autumn weather and cold water and cold body pressing up against him, he didn’t let go.
Only when a large shiver escaped Otto’s tight control did Alwin lift his head. “Otto?”
Otto hummed, not trusting his voice not to waver.
“You’re freezing,” Alwin said, panic flitting across his face.
“I’m fine,” Otto said foolishly.
Alwin pulled back, running his hands all over Otto’s chest and arms. “You are not fine. I forgot you wouldn’t be used to water this cold for such a long time.”
“Alwin.” Otto felt his teeth chatter slightly, but he pushed on because he could see him spiraling. “I’ll be okay. Just a little chill.”
“I’ll fix it,” Alwin said, rummaging through the shirt he was wearing. This one was one of his own—dark blue and thin with wear, but lovely against his light green skin. The buttons on it were plain and wooden, but Alwin reached inside and gave a swift tug before pulling his hand out and opening his palm.
A round golden button glimmered in the light before Alwin closed his eyes and it vanished into thin air in a wisp of green magic.
A tide of warmth washed over Otto, starting in his toes and climbing up his body until he felt like he was under the softest blanket. He gasped at the feeling, his cheeks flushing bright red.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to,” Alwin said. “I need you comfortable and warm. I need…”
He trailed off, and Otto saw him shifting on his feet and looking away for a moment before he looked back into his eyes.
“What?” Otto asked gently, wishing he could pull him back into his arms.
“I need to know I can give you what you need while you’re here,” he said, and Otto couldn’t help but wonder as his heart fluttered, if he was crazy for thinking he’d just stay with Alwin for good.
“I know you can,” Otto said instead of confessing something so impulsive. He ran a hand over the back of his warm neck, fighting for rationality. “How about we head back? As long as you don’t have any more duties? I need to get started on that cure.”
“Anything you want.”
Alwin stepped closer a little shyly, allowing Otto to grasp him around the neck just like he had in the pond before setting off swiftly through the water. It brought on too many visceral memories, and Otto had to bite his lip from reacting exactly as he had then as their bodies pressed together from head to toe.
The problem was that Otto could tell that Alwin wasn’t indifferent to their closeness either. The hitched breaths and barely concealed croaky whines when Otto adjusted his grip around his neck were a little too much to handle.
It made him wonder why Alwin wore such high-necked shirts. Was what was under there really that sensitive?
He pictured regular frogs and how they inflated their skin. Could Alwin do that? Was that why it was sensitive?
More heat that had nothing to do with magic overwhelmed him. He was sure he would be sweating if he weren’t in the water.
Alwin’s breath hitched loudly, his strokes losing their rhythm, and Otto refocused to find his thumb had inched up to press into the crease between Alwin’s jaw and neck.
Otto ripped it away even as his mind spun.
Soft. It was so soft and delicate.
“I’m sorry.”
Alwin’s breathing was rough as he shook his head. “It’s fine. We’re here.”
