Between Worlds

Chapter 14

The water was brisk but not as cold as Malyn had anticipated, sending a refreshing chill through his body. That was alright with him; he often took cold showers to wake up, and after staying up all night, he certainly needed a bit of that. Once they managed to get the bus fitted with a rack, he was taking a nap.

Tyla edged closer, hesitating as the water began to lap at the hem of his shorts, dampening the fabric. Malyn couldn't help but notice how out of place Tyla looked in human clothing, which only accentuated his distinctive features. His bright copper hair and emerald eyes seemed even more striking against the mundane backdrop of everyday attire. He was such a beautiful man.

"You're going to soak your clothes," Malyn called out, floating leisurely on his back. A playful tone crept into his voice as he added, "Or... you could always take them off."

Malyn had expected Tyla to be coy and decline, but instead he immediately headed back to the shore and began stripping out of his clothes. There was a brief moment of hesitation, a fleeting internal debate, before Tyla decided to keep his boxers on. He was so soft spoken and unsure of himself in general that Malyn had just assumed he'd be shy about getting undressed. He'd always changed in the bathroom.

As Tyla returned to the water, Malyn found his feet and stood up, watching him approach. Their movements synchronised almost effortlessly, each reaching out towards the other. Tyla's hands came to rest gently on Malyn's shoulders, while Malyn's found their place on Tyla's waist.

"Hey," Malyn said.

A shy smile crept onto Tyla's face. "Hi."

"So, we haven't really had a chance to talk about this, but it seems like..." Malyn trailed off, leaving the thought hanging.

Tyla nodded, acknowledging the unspoken words.

"I'm not complaining, obviously, but I am kinda surprised. I spent like two months flirting with you and nothing, and now suddenly you seem to have come around. Do you just want me for my really good lungs?"

Tyla's expression shifted to confusion. "You were... what?"

"The flirting? Like when I'd tell you that you have really nice eyes? Or when I drove you up to that lookout to watch the sunset together? Or that time I looked up pick up lines on my phone and spent an entire evening using them on you?"

"I thought you were joking."

"I was joking, but in a way where my real feelings were the punchline. I thought I'd been pretty obvious about it. Too obvious, if anything."

"I'm sorry, I guess I'm just oblivious," Tyla admitted. "I thought I was crossing a line when I first cuddled up to you, but then you didn't pull away."

Malyn's grin widened playfully. "Feel free to cross my boundaries any day, baby."

Tyla laughed. "I'd rather respect them, thank you."

"I'm not sure I have any boundaries, but I'll keep that in mind," Malyn said. "What about you? Any boundaries I should be aware of?"

Tyla shook his head, then moved closer, their bodies now pressed together in the water. His arms encircled Malyn's neck in a gentle embrace.

Malyn responded by wrapping his arms around Tyla's waist, drawing them even closer. "I would definitely be embarrassing myself right now if this water wasn't so fucking cold."

Tyla's laugh, soft and warm, floated between them. "It's a bit of a shame we didn't figure all this out when we still had a private room."

"I've thought about that too," Malyn admitted with a wry smile. "Especially with Luther around. I don't hate him as much as Finch does, but he'd know everything that went on and I don't think I want his commentary on... well, whatever might happen between you and me with the curtain on one of those bunks pulled shut."