Chapter 22
I’m so whipped, Ash thinks resignedly, as he watches Kieran annihilate a stack of lemon-poppyseed pancakes like he’s just been rescued from a deserted island.
Nothing new; but the sheer extent of his, well, whippedness, still shocks him.
He just can’t help it. Seeing Kieran’s cheeks bulge out like a chipmunk’s while crumbs cling to his lips should be gross, not cute or endearing.
He just loves watching Kieran eat, especially when it’s something he’s made.
Maybe he has an untapped feeding kink? Nah, that’s not it.
He likes seeing Kieran enjoy himself, period.
Even if the source of enjoyment is carb overload.
To be fair, Kieran deserves it after everything he’s been through.
Ash is impressed by how quickly he’s bounced back from yesterday’s whirlwind of supernatural revelations.
Yeah, sure, he holed himself up in their bedroom until dinnertime, but at least he’s still communicating. He hasn’t closed himself off.
To be honest, Kieran’s reaction to finding out about Cal’s true nature, and his friends’ supernatural traits, wasn’t what Ash was most worried about.
What terrified him was Kieran’s reaction to the truth about them, to finding out that what they have goes against everything he has built his personality around.
But Kieran surprised him. He might not have liked it, might have struggled coming to terms with it, but he didn’t refuse it. He didn’t run away. He’s still here, with Ash. Facing his fears.
He’s so brave.
I love you so much. The words nearly burst out of him again, so he shovels a forkful of pancakes into his mouth to give his senses something else to focus on, then washes it down with coffee.
“I need to drop by Cal and Dawson’s place today,” he says, almost snorting the coffee out at Kieran’s expression, frozen midchew. “Wanna sit this one out?”
Kieran resumes chewing, taking his sweet time to swallow. “What are you going there for?”
“I need to pick up Tequila.” He chuckles when Kieran’s eyes light up, and clarifies, “They were cat-sitting for us while we were away.”
Kieran’s shoulders slump. “I got excited for a moment. Forgot we have a cat. That hates me, apparently.”
“It’s not your fault. She’s just very possessive.”
“Of you?”
Ash shrugs. “What can I say; I’m popular with the ladies too.”
“Sure you are.” Kieran polishes off the plate, then says, “I’ll go with you.”
So brave. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
“To face the entity from the afterlife that is currently married to my best friend? Sure, no problem.”
“Well, you’re dating a mind-reader. That’s scary in its own way.”
“Mind-seer,” Kieran corrects. “But you’re right. Let’s get this over with.” He throws back the rest of his coffee and stands up.
Ash planned to go for a run first before heading over, but instead he just follows Kieran’s lead, his mind stuck on the fact that Kieran never objected to the dating part.
Standing on the doorstep of Cal and Dawson’s house, Kieran doesn’t seem as confident anymore. His right foot won’t stop tapping, and he’s definitely holding his breath.
“Guess Dee finally got his dream house,” he says, failing to sound casual. “Just missing a few screaming rugrats.”
Ash doesn’t tell him it’s going to happen sooner rather than later. Dawson hasn’t said anything, but his mind has been filled with the thought of kids for a long time. Given what a simp Cal is, there’s no way he’ll say no.
“You’ll end up being the godfather when that happens, so better brace yourself.”
Kieran does a double-take. “Hell no. I can barely take care of myself.”
“That’s true.”
“Hey!” Kieran slaps his arm. “You’re supposed to argue the opposite.”
“Didn’t I tell you I’d never lie to you?”
“You could lie a little.” He pouts. “Maybe you will be the godfather.”
“No, thanks. I already have one baby, I’m all set.”
Kieran frowns, confused, then glares when the meaning registers. “Screw you. I’m not a baby.”
“You are my baby, though.”
“Shut up,” he orders, his face resembling a strawberry.
“Aww, is my baby angwy?” Ash coos.
Kieran bares his teeth, but all he achieves is looking like a displeased honey badger. “I swear to god—”
The door swings open, Dawson’s beaming face greeting them.
“I thought I heard bickering.” He scoops Tequila up before she can bolt. Inside, Cal is wrestling Donut, who waddles over the second he’s released. “Come in, quick. These two are a flight risk.”
“Birds of a feather.” Ash drops into a crouch, scratching behind Donut’s ears before grabbing Tequila from Dawson. “Come here, you little menace. Been a good girl?”
Dawson’s smile twitches. “She has.”
“Well…” Cal starts.
“She has.”
Ash scoffs. He loves Tequila, but she’s no angel. Basically, she’s Kieran’s spirit animal.
“What did she do?” He boops her nose. “What did you do, huh?” She answers with a suspiciously innocent meow.
Dawson sighs. “Ate some cookie dough I left on the counter, then threw up on Cal’s side of the bed.”
Cal looks aptly displeased.
Kieran barks out a laugh, then suddenly goes silent. And a little green.
Ash puts Tequila down, reaching for him. “What is it? Are you okay?”
Kieran shivers. “I suddenly got a flashback.”
“Oh right!” Dawson snaps his fingers, face contorting into a grimace. “Second year, was it? But that was brownie batter.”
Now, that finally explains Kieran’s hatred for brownies.
“How much did you eat?” Ash asks. He can’t decide whether to comfort him during his traumatizing flashback or laugh at the imagery.
Dawson speaks first. “It wasn’t regular batter.”
Ooh. And that explains why Kieran gets nauseous whenever he gets an accidental whiff of weed.
How come Ash never knew?
“You never told me that.”
“I didn’t?” Kieran looks just as surprised as him.
“Not exactly something you brag about,” Dawson comments. Judging by his haunted face, he was there for the aftermath.
“What’s in non-regular brownie batter?” Cal asks, voice filled with curiosity.
Dawson bites his lip. “Um, I’ll explain later.”
Cal looks disappointed, and very much not like a being from beyond whose gig used to be ripping souls out of their physical containers.
“This is so fucking bizarre,” Kieran says, clearly sharing the sentiment.
“What is?” Dawson asks.
“This.” Kieran spreads his arms as if to encompass the whole reality, then jabs a finger in Cal’s direction. “Him. You two.”
When he only gets two confused frowns in response, Ash steps in. “I’ll take it from here. Let’s sit first.”
Dawson reluctantly leads them to the living room, gesturing at the sofa. Tequila demands access to Ash’s lap before he even fully sits down, curling herself into a fluffy ball. Kieran watches them with a face full of judgement.
“Don’t be jealous. Your turn next,” Ash teases.
Whatever colorful insult Kieran is about to throw at him is interrupted by Cal.
“You’re different.”
“What do you mean?” Dawson asks before Kieran gets to.
“His aura is different.”
“My what?” Kieran squeals.
“Kieran got time-zapped here from the past. From two years ago.” There. Like a bandaid.
“He what?”
“I see. That makes sense,” Cal says, nodding to himself, like it’s not disturbing news, but a completely normal, everyday occurrence that people get sucked through a time vortex. “You’re still you, just a little different.”
“What is he talking about?” Kieran demands, becoming frustrated now.
“After Cal regained his memories, he also regained some of his more…esoteric abilities,” Ash explains. “He can see beyond the physical dimension.”
“Of course he can,” Kieran says in a very tired voice. “Perfectly normal. For a reaper.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m lost,” Dawson interjects, eyes growing wider by the second. He picks Donut up and cuddles him to his chest, like he used to do with the plushie during their therapy sessions.
“Welcome to the club.” Kieran leans forward, offering his fist.
Reluctantly, Dawson bumps it.
“Because Kieran is from the past, he doesn’t know anything that’s happened in the last two years,” Ash answers his question.
Dawson’s jaw goes slack. “Anything?”
“Anything.”
“Oh. Shit. So, about Cal…”
“We’ve told him. He’s…adjusting.” Ash feels a little bad talking about Kieran as if he’s not there, but his boyfriend seems to be stuck on processing the fact that he apparently has an aura.
“We?”
“We saw Gabe, Ellis, and Zeke yesterday. Told Kieran everything.”
“Oh my god,” Dawson exclaims as the picture comes together. He hands Donut to Cal so he can scooch over to Kieran and wrap an arm around his shoulders. “That must be so confusing and freaky. Are you okay?”
Knowing Kieran, he’d probably snap at such a ridiculous question if it came from anyone else. How could anyone be okay in this situation? But coming from Dawson, the question is so full of empathy and concern that Kieran just smiles, his whole face softening like a marshmallow.
“Not really, but I’ll cope.” And then he’s pulling Dawson into a hug. “Good to know at least one thing never changes. Wait.” He pulls back, eyes narrowed. “You don’t have any secret superpowers, do you?”
“Well, I’m great in the kitchen,” Dawson jokes before clasping his hands together. “Oh! I made a little something since I knew you were coming.” He jumps to his feet, scurrying towards the kitchen.
Ash touches Kieran’s shoulder to get his attention. “Okay?”
Kieran’s smile is a little shaky, but he nods. “All good.”
“Let me know if you get overwhelmed. Just say the word and we’ll go home.”
Kieran smirks. “Kombucha?”
“Sure, that works too.” Ash chuckles. Before he can say anything else, a small, round glass container without a lid is pushed into his and Kieran’s hands.
“Tiramisu!” Kieran cheers so hard he nearly drops the thing. He wastes no time snatching the spoon from Dawson and digging in.
“Yeah, go easy. My hand slipped a little when I was adding the amaretto.”
“Even better,” Kieran mumbles through a mouthful.