Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Michelle
Seeing Kip carry Corvus into our room had been surprising. But hearing Corvus sob and watching him cling to Kip as if Kip could keep the entire world away from him had been alarming. It’d lit a fire inside me and a worry so strong it damn near took me to my knees.
I decidedly did not like the sight of Corvus in tears. And when I found out who upset him this much, I would fucking make their lives absolute hell. No one got to upset our boy like this and get away with it. No one.
Corvus shifted, the water sloshing around him a little, and he groaned, pressing his face against my bare thigh.
I paused my movements in his hair, my brows furrowing as I watched him. When he didn’t move, I quietly asked, “You okay, bub?”
“Feel sick,” he slurred.
I quickly got up and grabbed the trashcan we kept in the bathroom then sat back on the edge of the tub, holding it for him in case he threw up.
He’d drank way too much, and it bothered me that I didn’t know why.
He didn’t seem like the type who used alcohol as a way to escape, but all the crying he’d been doing when Kip brought him to me told me he’d been running from something.
Trying to escape whatever was in his mind definitely.
Kip appeared in the bathroom, the scent of coffee strong. Corvus slowly lifted his head, blinking up at Kip. Kip settled on the side of the tub in front of me and held out the black mug to Corvus.
“Here, chibi. Drink this. It might settle your stomach, too.” He glanced at the trashcan then at me. I shook my head, silently telling him he hadn’t thrown up. Yet.
Corvus wrapped his hands around the mug and lifted it to his lips, taking a tentative sip. When he didn’t immediately gag, he leaned back against my thigh once more.
“Thanks,” he rasped before taking another sip.
“My pleasure, chibi,” Kip gently replied.
“Chick-fil-a,” Corvus whispered, giggling and making both me and Kip snort.
“Drink that then try to wash up a little,” Kip gently ordered. “I’m going to find you some clothes to change into.”
Corvus slowly nodded, his soft hair tickling my thigh as he did so. Kip stood and headed back into the bedroom. I restarted my ministrations in Corvus’s hair and along his scalp as he sipped at the coffee until he had it all down and managed not to puke it back up.
He glanced at me, his eyes a little clearer now, though I could tell he was definitely growing sleepy.
“Can you help me?” he asked. “Feeling a little sluggish.” His cheeks darkened at his confession and question, but I just nodded.
“Of course, bub,” I softly assured him. “Here—give me your cup.”
He handed it over, and I set it on the bathroom counter.
Grabbing a washcloth, I dipped it into the water, then grabbed some of Kip’s bodywash, lathering it on the cloth before I gently washed Corvus’s skin.
He stayed against the side of the tub, his eyes closed, until I had him sit up, so I could wash his back.
Once he was clean—apart from where his briefs covered him—I drained the water.
“Need help standing?” I asked, but he shook his head, using the side of the tub as leverage to help him onto his feet. He groaned once he was standing, looking a little green. I quickly grabbed the trashcan, but he shook his head.
“I’m good,” he rasped. Sitting on the edge, he turned so his feet were on the outside. I handed him his towel, pointedly ignoring his lower half and keeping my eyes on his face while I waited for him to dry off. Kip finally returned, holding clothes in his hand.
“I found some clothes from my college days. Might fit. If not, they have drawstrings. I couldn’t do much for underwear, so you’ll have to go commando.”
“Thank you,” Corvus whispered as he slowly dried his skin.
I pressed a kiss to the top of his head, and my heart wept for him when he leaned into me, like he needed more. Like he craved all I could offer.
I wanted to hurt whoever had fucking hurt him. The boy was starved for affection and touch, and he shouldn’t be. He should have always been loved and cared for.
“We’ll be in the bedroom,” I told him. “Want another cup of coffee?”
“Please,” he said quietly. “And maybe some food? Something to soak up the rest of this alcohol. Too much coffee with no food is definitely gonna make me puke eventually.”
“Okay. Get dried off and dressed then meet us in the kitchen.” I turned and walked past Kip, who had already grabbed the coffee mug.
Once we were in the kitchen, I sank back against the counter and blew out a soft breath, my shoulders drooping. Kip cupped my jaw and tilted up my head so our eyes met.
“We’ve got him, tsuma,” he soothed. “He’s going to be okay. He came to us, and that speaks volumes. We’re going to take care of him and fix whatever put him into this state. I promise.”
I nodded, my chest aching for Corvus. We barely knew the boy, but he was already beneath my skin and burrowing into my heart. Seeing him like this hurt. I didn’t like seeing him so…broken.
“Something happened to him,” I said quietly. “I wish we knew what.”
Kip pressed a kiss to my brow. “I know. And we’ll find out, but we need to focus on comforting him first and making him feel safe.” He stepped back from me. “And getting him sobered up, so he doesn’t feel like shit in the morning.”
He headed to the freezer, pulling out a bag of fries. I took a seat at the bar, watching as he prepped the air fryer then dumped some fries inside.
Corvus stepped into the kitchen, looking fucking amazing in Kip’s clothes.
He wore one of the shirts that repped the college Kip and I graduated from, as well as a pair of worn black joggers Kip had worn religiously back then.
I’d thought he’d thrown the pants away, but apparently, they’d just been sitting in the storage room.
“Well, you look good enough to eat,” I teased, winking at Corvus.
He smiled a little, and something in my chest loosened. If he was able to smile—and it reached his eyes—we might be making some progress.
I patted the barstool beside me, my wedding ring knocking against it. “Come sit. Kip is making fries.”
“Fries sound so good.” Corvus groaned as he took a seat beside me. “I’m really tired.” He leaned his head on my shoulder and shut his eyes. My heart flipped in my chest.
“I know, bub.” I wrapped my arm around his broad shoulders. “How’d you get here?”
“Taxi.” He sighed. “Not good to drive drunk, but I didn’t have my phone. Somehow, I remembered your address, though. Don’t ask me how.”
I laughed softy. “Well, I’m glad you remembered it.”
“And I’m proud of you for remembering not to drive drunk, chibi,” Kip praised as he leaned back against the kitchen counter. He crossed his arms over his broad chest, watching us. “Maybe we can reward you for that tomorrow when you’re sober and rested.”
Corvus opened his eyes, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “A reward?”
Kip smiled. “Mm-hmm. A reward, chibi.”
Corvus made a small noise in the back of his throat then tucked his face against my shoulder shyly, surprising me. He was so goddamn perfect. I just wanted to wrap him up in a weighted blanket and cuddle him all fucking day and night long, just to keep him this sweet and needy.
“Someone likes the sound of that,” I murmured.
Corvus just made a small noise again then tentatively wrapped his arms around my waist. When I didn’t say anything, just continued holding him, he relaxed completely, sinking into me and allowing me to really take care of him like I wanted.
I looked up at Kip. His eyes were soft and warm, and a small smile played on his lips. And I knew right then he was right, as usual. Corvus had come to us. We would take care of him and keep him safe. And then, we’d figure out who put him into such a state and handle them accordingly.