Page 79 of Found in Obscurity

Kit mourned the loss of skin to skin contact but he didn’t pester him. Instead, he observed the repetitive motions of his hands over the mortar and pestle, wondering if there was a way he could help out. He was Lorin’s familiar, after all.

“One thing I’ve been wondering about,” Lorin said suddenly, breaking Kit from his musing. “How did you find me?” A blush was sitting high on his cheeks, like talking openly about how they belonged to each other made him shy.

Kit smiled at him and set to writing.

After failing to find my family I had this idea that the safest thing for me was to try and find my mate as a witch, like I told you. I knew my fox would be a familiar for them, so we’d have a deeper bond. Easier way to communicate.

I spent whatever time I could traveling to bonding ceremonies in larger witch communities whenever and wherever I knew they’d be having them. I’d lay low and wait, but there was never anyone that felt like mine. Until you.

Kit hesitated there, his pencil hovering over the page.

I know you weren’t happy

“I’m glad it was me.” Lorin interrupted him with a hand over the pencil he was holding. Kit met his gaze, seeing so much in it. “I’m sorry I made it seem like I didn’t want any of it. Didn’t want you. I spent half of my life running away from my powers. You’ve probably overheard some of my conversations with mygrandma, and you’ve definitely been around for my numerous breakdowns reliving my trauma about being back in this town and this house…”

Kit shuffled closer and laid his head on Lorin’s arm, much like he would have done if he was a fox.

Lorin responded the same way, reaching up to card his fingers through the hair over his ear.

Lorin cleared his throat. “I’ll tell you about it another time, I promise. Right now, you’re my priority. And I have a kettle to boil.”

I want to know everything about you,Kit wrote.I’ll wait.

Lorin read the words, emotion making his eyes swim a little before he turned suddenly and placed a swift kiss on Kit’s forehead. A hand half cupped his jaw and neck, and Kit let out a shuddering breath, feeling the tips of Lorin’s nails tickle his nape. The hot dampness of his lips branded his skin, and Kit’s own lips begged for touch in response.

Lorin pulled back as quickly as he’d come though, grabbing the heavy bowl of ingredients and hurrying down the stairs without a word. Kit stared at the empty space for a few indiscernible moments before he came back to himself.

That was…so unfair!

Kit hurried after Lorin, nearly tripping on the edges of the blanket and barely remembering to double back and grab the notepad.

By the time he reached the lower floor he could see Lorin braced over the stove where a kettle was already boiling, a cup next to it. His arms were braced wide on the counter and his head was hanging between his shoulders.

Kit marched directly over to him and Lorin jumped in fright.

“Kit,” he squeaked, eyes darting anywhere and everywhere.

Kit glowered at him and puckered his lips pointedly.

Lorin’s eyes bugged out of his head. “Um…ha…what?”

Kit rolled his eyes and pointed to his puckered lips. He would not be robbed. He was not that kind of fox.

“There’s something wrong with your mouth?” Lorin said, being deliberately obtuse.

DO I HAVE TO SPELL IT OUT FOR YOU?!Kit wrote in exasperation before shoving it at him.

The kettle screamed in answer and Lorin hustled back to it.

Kit groaned, only to have that irritate his throat again and make him cough. It turned into a small coughing fit that had him seeing stars. Lorin sent him a worried glance, hovering, and the mood was officially killed.

Dammit.

“Go sit down,” Lorin said gently, rubbing small circles on his heaving back. “Rest. I’ll bring it to you.”

Kit sulked away, curling up on the sofa to wait. He sat sideways with his legs tucked up, his temple against the headrest as he watched Lorin move around with more haste after witnessing his coughing. His long, beautifully marked fingers were measuring out what he needed into a strainer before he brought the boiled water over to pour. That earthy pungency filled the cabin in moments, the water releasing the smell further.

After the tea, Lorin will have no excuses, he told himself. Maybe he’d be able to ask for a kiss instead of writing it down.