A great wave of relief rushed through him when Arawn seemed to relax, and it felt like the weight on his shoulders evaporated. “Well, I could try to carry you. But I guess we could hold hands instead. I need to practice more in these shoes so you can’t use logic against me.”

He peppered his face with kisses quickly, keen to get in as many as he could before they started moving again. “You were very brave, though.” He leaned forward so he could whisper it in his ear, and kissed more gently on his cheek.

“Don’t sell yourself short. I think you’re amazing. I always know I’ll be okay when I’m with you.”

They’d made it this far, anyway, hadn’t they?

He could have stayed close to Arawn and just soaked in his warmth, but there was a growing list of reasons why that wasn’t a good idea right now.

After they got dinner. And milkshakes. After they got home and cleaned up his hand properly. After they got a shower.

Then, they could just spend the rest of the night in bed. And he could hold Orien until he knew he was all right.

Guine