Page 20 of Buoy
Soren didn’t snore, but made soft, little contented sighs in his sleep. Rhys wanted to stay in this moment forever. He had to chuckle when he realized Soren drooled as a patch of wetness on Rhys’ trousers grew.
Rhys understood why Soren kept his secrets. It was for both their protection, but he wished Soren would trust him a little more, share his burden. Maybe they could find solutions together.
He found it strange that Soren defended the captain. Soren came outside bruised more often than not. Rhys never said anything because he didn’t want to scare him, but he was concerned, and he had no answers. His parents weren’t any help. They were fine to educate Soren on sex, and allowed Rhys to supply him with food, but once they found out Soren was a pirate, they said they’d help no further. They’ve told him he needed to end the friendship. Said that Soren would drag him down. But he never could, didn’t believe it. Soren, despite being a pirate, was sweet. Soft. Gentle. Entirely too innocent. Curious.
Skies, and Rhys loved him. Loved a secretive pirate. And he didn’t care.
“Sorry,” Soren mumbled in his lap. He sat up and pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes. “Didn’t mean to fall asleep.” When he wiped at the drool on his cheek, his eyes went wide before dropping to Rhys’ lap. “How embarrassing,” he groaned.
“Don’t worry. It’ll dry.” Rhys couldn’t help smiling. Or smoothing Soren’s hair out of his face.
Soren sighed. “The sun is already starting to set. Sorry I fell asleep on you.”
“We still got to be together, and I still got to read. It was a fun afternoon for me.” He dared to cup Soren’s cheek, eliciting a trill from him. Soren blushed and pulled away.
“I don’t know if I’ll be allowed out tomorrow or the rest of our time here.” The words were soft, like he was afraid to say them. “I mouthed off to Vex before I came out. He might retaliate. I don’t know yet.”
Rhys’ heart dropped. He wanted to see Soren every day. For all his days. “I’ll be here after my morning chores. I’ll come back every day until you set sail or I have to leave for the academy.”
“I’m sorry.” Soren pushed to his feet.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” Rhys handed him the leftovers from earlier. “Be sure to eat. Don’t go hungry tonight, okay?”
Soren clutched the food close. Spinning on his heel, he raced towards The Golden Drake as the sun descended.
“I’m such a giant chicken.” Rhys banged the back of his head on the shed.
SOREN (AGE 13)
“Please, take me swimming,” Soren begged on his knees. His body ached and his lungs burned. He had watched when Rhys crossed the docks to get to the shed, and all Soren wanted was to swim, then go to him.
“What makes you think you earned it?” Vex picked at his teeth after eating breakfast.
Bellani sneered from her end of the small table. No doubt trying to make Soren disappear with her mind.
“It’s not a matter of earning it. I can feel myself shutting down.” Soren had to fight for each breath. “You know what happens when—”
“I don’t have time to watch you today.”
Soren squeezed his eyes shut. “Then send me with Bellani.”
She laughed at that. “I’d rather watch you suffocate right here.”
“And you know we need him, love.” Vex reached out and patted her hand.
“Fine…” Dare he say it? “Send me with… Kane.” Soren swallowed back bile that threatened to come up. He was desperate for seawater through his gills.
Bellani sat up, a smile on her face. “He’d like that.”
“I’m sure he would.” Soren had to grit his teeth.
“No. Fine.” Vex breathed out a harsh breath. “I’ll take you, but only twenty minutes. You do extra chores, then I’ll decide if you’re allowed to go play with your dragon again. Understand?”
Soren bent over and kissed Vex’s boots.
“Good boy. We’ll leave in ten minutes. Be ready.”
Ten minutes felt like years as he sat in the corner and focused on breathing. In and out. In and out. By the time Vex had come back for him, he’d passed out on the floor, wishing for air that refused to come.
