Edge of seventeen

Chapter 75

The automatic doors of the hospital slid open with a soft whoosh, releasing Elliot and Asher into the cool evening air. As they stepped out, Elliot felt an overwhelming sense of relief wash over him, like a heavy weight finally lifting off his chest. The tension that had been coiled within him for days began to unwind, and he could finally breathe again. Keith was no longer an immediate threat—at least not for the moment—and that was enough to allow Elliot to let his guard down, just a little.

Elliot paused just outside the hospital's entrance, turning to Asher with an intensity in his eyes that made Asher's heart skip a beat. Without a word, Elliot closed the distance between them, cupping Asher's face with his hands. He leaned in, pressing his lips against Asher's in a kiss that was both desperate and tender, pouring all of his emotions into that one moment. Asher responded immediately, his hands finding their way to Elliot's waist, pulling him closer as their lips moved together in a heated, passionate dance.

They kissed as if they were the only two people in the world, oblivious to everything else. The cool air, the city sounds, even the distant hum of hospital activity—all of it faded away. It was just them, together, and nothing else mattered. Asher's fingers threaded through Elliot's hair, and Elliot's grip on Asher's face tightened, pulling him deeper into the kiss. Their lips parted only for a breath, and then they were back at it, more fervent than before.

Minutes passed, though it felt like mere seconds. The world around them ceased to exist, and they reveled in the electric connection between them. Elliot felt like he was drowning in Asher's presence, his scent, his warmth, and he didn't want to come up for air.

Eventually, they broke apart, both breathless, their foreheads resting against each other's. Elliot's chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. His eyes were alight with a mix of relief and joy.

"I missed you," Elliot confessed, his voice thick with emotion. "I missed you so damn much, Ash. I can't even begin to tell you how glad I am that this madness is over."

Asher's smile was faint, his eyes softening at Elliot's words. But deep down, a knot of unease tightened in his gut. He wanted to believe that it was over, wanted to let himself be swept up in Elliot's optimism. But he knew Keith too well, knew that the darkness within him wasn't something that could be dispelled so easily. Keith was dangerous, unpredictable, and Asher couldn't shake the feeling that this was just a temporary reprieve.

Asher reached out, brushing his thumb gently across Elliot's cheek, his heart swelling with affection. "I missed you too," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "More than you know. But, Elliot... we need to stay on guard. Keith isn't someone who just gives up. He's... he's not like other people. This might not be over."

Elliot's expression faltered slightly, a flicker of concern crossing his face as he studied Asher. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

Asher sighed, taking a step back, though he kept one hand on Elliot's arm, not ready to break the connection entirely. "Keith... he's not just going to let go. He might say he's sorry, that he's going to get help, but that darkness inside him? It's still there. I've seen it before. We can't let our guard down, not completely."

Elliot's gaze hardened, determination flashing in his eyes. "Then we'll face whatever comes, together," he said firmly. "I'm not letting him come between us again, Ash. Whatever it takes, we'll get through it."

Asher wanted to believe that, wanted to let Elliot's confidence wash over him and drown out the fear gnawing at the edges of his mind. But the memories of Keith's cruelty, his manipulative nature, were too vivid, too fresh. Still, Asher nodded, squeezing Elliot's arm in a gesture of reassurance.

"Together," Asher echoed, forcing a smile.

They stood there for a moment longer, their breaths mingling in the night air, before finally, Elliot pulled Asher into another kiss—this one slower, more deliberate, as if trying to memorize every detail of the moment. When they finally broke apart again, both of them were smiling, a shared warmth between them that hadn't been there in weeks.

Elliot chuckled softly as they started to walk away from the hospital, side by side. "You know," he said, his tone lighter now, "we should probably stop making out in front of hospitals. It's not the most romantic spot."

Asher laughed, the sound easing some of the tension that had been coiled tight within him. "Noted," he replied, bumping his shoulder playfully against Elliot's. "Next time, we'll find somewhere a little more private."

"Deal," Elliot agreed, slipping his hand into Asher's as they walked into the night, leaving the hospital—and the darkness within it—behind them.

But even as they walked away, the shadows of Keith's presence lingered in Asher's mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that the nightmare wasn't truly over, that Keith's parting words were more of a promise than an apology. Asher held on to Elliot a little tighter, hoping against hope that when the darkness came again, they would be ready.