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Let’s address the raven in the room.

“We need to talk about what happened earlier,” he muttered, taking a step closer to me. “About the kiss.” His gaze dropped to my lips then hastily returned to my eyes.

I didn’t know what to say.

“I’m not angry or upset or anything, yeah?” Arne reached out and gripped my forearm. “But we can’t do this. I’m sorry. We’re teammates, and it’s better if we stay that way. Fuck, I am your captain. I shouldn’t have…”

“No,I’msorry, Cap. I overstepped. I shouldn’t have…Forgive me.”

“It’s not that I didn’t like the kiss,” Arne added in a whisper, completely ignoring what I had said. “Fuck no, Max. You know the truth. But we can’t.”

What the fuck is the truth, Viking? Did you love the kiss?

“Yeah, I understand.”

I did not understand a fucking thing.

He nodded, way too close to me, and his eyes searched my face and dipped to my lips every few seconds.

Don’t fucking kiss me now, Viking. Don’t you fucking dare.

“Good night, Arne.”

He swallowed hard, licking his lips as he nodded. “Yeah, goodnight, Max. Sleep well.”

Three

Arne

I’d been moments away from kissing Max again.

Fuck fuck fuck!

I bumped my forehead against the shower tiles, hoping the hot water would clear my head.

Sweet raven.

I was so sure he’d wanted it, too.

The shower didn’t have the effect I had hoped for. For at least an hour, I tossed and turned in bed but eventually fell asleep. And woke up with a start after what felt like only ten minutes. I sat bolt upright.

A tall figure stood at the foot of my bed. It was darker than the darkness in my room, as if a piece of the night had solidified and come to visit me.

The faint shimmer from the emergency lighting out in the hall cast a glow around the figure.

I should be scared out of my wits; I should scream for help or demand they leave. I did neither of those things. They didn’t scare me. Their presence felt familiar.

“I waited for you.”Wait, that was my voice! Why did I say that?

“I know.” The creature stepped nearer. Its outline blurred a little, and something smooth brushed over my cheek. It wasn’t a hand.

What is that?

“I’ve been waiting for you, too, Arne.” Its voice was velvety and deep, a caress.

The smooth thing trailed over my chin and throat. It followed the line between my pecs down to my navel.

Why aren’t you pissing yourself? There is a monster in your room!