26 parts Ongoing Mature"I gotta go," he said quietly.
The words felt harsh but he said them softly, I nodded slowly at him trying not to let the disappointment creep too far up my face.
"Of course," I said, looking away. "I get it."
I walked him to the door. And we stood there a while.
He didn't move toward the door. Just watched me like he was waiting on something.
I swallowed hard, then asked it anyway.
"You gonna disappear again?"
It came out quieter than I meant it to. But real.
I didn't want to chase him. Didn't want to beg. But I also didn't want to pretend like he walking away tonight didn't stir up all the things I thought I buried last time he vanished.
Kingston stepped closer. The other hand finally came out of his pocket and touched my jaw, soft as a sigh. He angled my face back toward him, his thumb brushing under my chin.
"Nah," he said. "Not this time."
"Promise?"
"I don't say shit I don't mean, India. You'll see me again. Soon."
I nodded, even though my chest felt tight.
The space between us narrowed without either of us moving.
For a moment, the world slowed. His forehead lowered to mine, deliberate, patient. My pulse jumped. We stayed like that, breaths mixing, eyes locked.
"You wanna kiss me, India?" he asked, voice low, teasing but not.
