"Where've you three been?" Vince asked as he stood on the porch with his arms crossed.
"Buying ice cream," Jack quickly said and Kevin snorted. Mekhi waited for the two to walk pass Vince first before following them inside.
Normally he would stand and wait for Vince to give one of his short lectures that he never won, but he was not in the mood. Plus, he promised Yama he would check on Amiire once he got home.
Mekhi pass the boys upstairs before making his way to Yama's room. The man was at Amiire's bed side, checking his pulse.
"Don't tell me you killed him already."
"He was breathing fine this morning. His pulse is weak again for some reason."
The slight fear his magic might have been the cause shot through Mekhi. He used the same healing technique with the other boys whenever they were severely injured, but Amiire was sick. He never used his abilities to cure an illness before.
His fear subsided the minute he felt Amiire's forehead. Not only did he begin to breathe normally again, but he turned over on his side to sleep once more. Yama glanced up at Mekhi as he drew his hand away.
"What did you do?"
"I just touched him. I didn't use my powers or anything." At least not like last night.
The kid seemed to have an immediate reaction to Mekhi. Yama grabbed his hand again and pulled it closer. His fingers brushed the kid's hand, making him take Mekhi's hand in a gentle grasp.
Years passed since he felt such a generous touch, despite the person being knocked out. His hand flashed a golden glow before he drew it back, uncomfortable with the new feeling.
"Screw this. I'm taking a shower."
"Make sure to come back soon. It looks to me he gains strength just by your presence."
"That's not creepy at all. What next, you gonna ask me to cuddle with him?"
As Mekhi left the room, he stared at his hand, conflicted. Did he give Amiire some of his powers last night? Was that why he responded better when Mekhi was near? There was so much he had yet to learn about his true strength. Something Yama aimed to find as well. But he never thought passing on his powers were possible. Can I take them back?
There was the small chance his powers were keeping the kid alive. And if that was the case, he could not harm him. He could not harm any of the boys in the Sanloft, keeping him bounded to them.
With the kids downstairs, Mekhi came out the shower and straight to his room. A black towel around his waste and another loosely on his head. Water dripped down from his hair onto his shoulders. Right when he locked his door to change, Mekhi froze at the unexpected guest in the room.
"What the hell are you doing in here?"
Amiire glanced over his shoulder to find Mekhi with an agitated gaze. One he knew meant he was in danger should he say something wrong. Setting the book he was analyzing back on the desk, Amiire faced Mekhi with a genuine smile. One he was not prepared for.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. When I woke up, Vince encouraged me to meet everyone else before dinner. You were the last one."
"For good reason, get out." Mekhi said as he tossed the top towel onto his bed and scavenged his drawer for clothes.
"I was told you were the one who took care of me while I was unconscious."
"You were out for two days. I hardly did anything to help and didn't I tell you to get out?"
