Page 66

Keahi

That went so much better than I could have hoped for.

Not to praise myself too much, but Malia seemed to have really enjoyed what I planned.

There was the little Eteri-hiccup at the end, but other than that, things played out smoothly. Not to mention what happened in the car-

I’ll definitely dream about having those plump lips around my dick again, and I mean that in the most respectful way possible.

Who knew I’d enjoy being at another person’s mercy the way I was with Malia.

The best thing is, she did seem to enjoy it just as much as I did. The way she looked at me, oh skies – She knows what kind of power she has over me and she loves it.

I can’t wait for our next date, whenever that may be.

But before I can plan that, I need to ban Malia from my mind for tonight and go to sleep so I’m ready for my session with Wystan tomorrow.

It’s bad enough that they’re an equal opponent on a good day. I don’t want to face them off completely sleep deprived.

It feels like forever since I last saw them.

I still need to apologize and catch them up to speed about everything.

They won’t like me dating Malia, but to shit if I care about their opinion. I’ll tell them so they know not to talk badly about her anymore. At least not around me because I’d rather not have to kill them.

"Look who’s alive."

"I’ve missed you too, Wystan." My partner and I are in training room 25, and Wystan is already getting ready to fight when I interrupt to spill all the beans.

"I have to say a few things before we start.

First things first, I’m sorry I’ve been a jerk the last few days.

That misunderstanding with Malia was getting to me and I took it out on you. You didn’t deserve it and you’ll be glad to know it won’t happen again because things are all cleared up now though."

Silence.

That’s all I get.

Silence and a disapproving shake of their head.

"What?" I prod.

"A misunderstanding? Sure."

"Say what you have to say or shut up so we can do what we came here for.

I don’t have time for backhanded insinuations."

"I spoke my mind a few days ago and I haven’t changed it."

"She is not manipulating me.

You don’t even know a fraction of the story or what she’s been through since you last talked.

And I mean really talked, not the stunt you pulled at the facility before the battle. I get that you blame her for what happened to Dustin, but she didn’t kill him, Wystan. I think you know that too. Now you’re bitter because you lost her as a friend, so you use her as a punching bag."

"If I know nothing, fill me in.

Go ahead, make me understand," they mock me, not at all responding to my gentle approach.

It’s not my place to tell them about Malia’ s time at the fraction, so I merely give them a short summary of Malia’s reason to push me away and Flint’s involvement in our last fight.

"Point is, she let herself become a prisoner again to protect me, and if you knew her history, you’d understand how big a fucking deal that is.

Of course, you don’t because you were so blinded by your own grief that you didn’t think to talk to your former best friend. You’re not the only one who’s lost something in that time, you know. I get the feeling you could both use a friend.

"Anyway, let’s just start training.

I don’t need you to understand or change your mind about her right here.

We can agree to just not mention her as long as you don’t talk shit about something you don’t know anything about. If you want more answers, you can always ask her."

After a short pause, Wystan speaks up.

"I’m not going to like her just because you’re – I don’t know, dating her?" I nod.

They groan and go on as if the words they’re saying hurt to get out. "You could be right about me not having caught up with Malia, but I do know that she was on that mission when Dustin was killed, fighting alongside the enemies. I won’t forget that, never, but I can agree to not talk about her."

I sigh but chalk it up to somewhat of a win.

Grief can be a tricky maze to navigate, and Wystan needs someone to blame for their pain.

Put a face to the cause, like I did with the Dark Fraction after my parents were murdered. Malia is the next best thing to use, and while it may not be right, I understand that it can’t be changed simply because I ask them to reconsider. If they change their mind about their former friend, it’ll be their decision.

"If that’s all out of the way, let’s start training," I say, flashing a smile.

Today, they brought the weapons as promised.

To my great delight, I win most of the fights regardless.

That is only adding to my good mood, and I’m grinning like a fool by the end of our training session. I guess my emotions do contribute to my performance. Even those that aren’t anger.

My winning streak could also come from the fact I slept better last night than I have in a long time.

Whatever it is, I’m happy about it.

"You are seriously pissing me off with that stupid smile.

It was more fun to be around you when we were both wallowing.

Misery loves company and all that." I help my partner to their feet after our last round, and we start packing up. "How long do you think it’ll take Flint to let us go on actual missions?" they change the topic when I do nothing to smother my grin.

"Soon, I hope.

How would that even work, by the way? I’ve been on missions but always alone.

At least the spontaneous ones."

I can imagine working with a partner is more complicated.

When it was just me, Flint could just give me a call and I could leave.

I don’t even know where Wystan lives. Where would we meet? Who would Flint call?

I’m reminded again of how much of a pain in the behind having a partner will be.

I’ll have someone to look out for in fights and can’t just do as I wish since the consequences of my actions will concern not just me.

What am I going to do when there’s a spontaneous change of plans? Have a meeting about it first?

"I don’t know how this will work, honestly."

"How can you not? You’ve had a partner before." I feel like I’ve said something I shouldn’t have because my partner goes rigid all over.

I understand them.

When I thought Malia had died because of my mistake, I couldn’t and didn’t want to talk about it.

Think about it. Hell, I barely functioned at all for a while. The two of us weren’t even together and I couldn’t handle losing her. Not permanently. Not like that. The connection between Wystan and their deceased partner ran a lot deeper than what Malia and I had as kids.

"We lived together.

This is different, so I know as little as you do." Their tone is dismissive enough for me to stop pushing.

I might be curious, but I’m not trying to torture them. They are kind of my only friend, apart from Eteri, perhaps. Or my only partner, not friend, but what’s the difference, really?

"I’ll ask Flint when I get the chance.

See you." With that, our ways part outside the guard’s facility.