Page 122 of Should Our Stars Collide

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Ash wakes first, as he always does, although it’s way later than usual. Even on his days off his internal clock wakes him up shortly after sunrise, but this morning the actual clock reads half past seven.

He knows why he slept in. Kieran is next to him, softly snoring away. After weeks of having to fall asleep and wake up by himself, cold and missing Kieran’s grumpy face like a kidney, having him in his arms feels like a dream. Well, not quite in his arms.

Kieran’s flat on his stomach with his limbs flung in every direction. One arm is stretched above his head, the other bent at such an unnatural angle it givesTheExorcistvibes. His legs mimic the chaos, the sheets kicked off and twisted between them, leaving his boxers-covered ass exposed. He’s a far cry from the man who used to keep one eye on Ash at all times in case he tried to pull some pervy shit. He trusts him now, and fuck, it’s like putting a starved dog in front of a steak and telling him to be good and stay put.

But that’s okay. Ash can be good. Hecan.

Kieran stirs, his return to the land of the awake accompanied by a guttural noise of complaint. He flops onto his back, an arm thrown over his no doubt frowning face.

Smiling like the idiot in love that he is, Ash wiggles close, dropping a quick peck on Kieran’s downturned mouth.

“Morning, sunshine.”

“Fuck off,” comes an immediate—andexpected—response. Kieran’s arm shifts, and he peeks at him with one eye. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

“Afternoon shift.”

“Hmm.”

Ash rests his head on Kieran's chest, smiling at the way Kieran’s heartbeat quickens. “How about joining me for a run?” He never asks, simply because he values his life and Kieran has threatened to unalive him if he ever wakes him up for something like that. But now that he’s awake already…

“Kombucha.”

Ash chuckles. “That wasn’t an order.”

“Consider it an enthusiastic no. Plus, if I went, I’d just be slowing you down.”

“You’ve run with me before. You’re not as out of shape as you believe, you might surprise yourself.”

Kieran purses his lips, letting his arm fall to the side. “I’ll consider it.” Wow. That was easier than he anticipated. “But I want coffee first. And a Danish roll.”

Ash rolls his eyes, trying not to think about the amount of sugar Kieran has consumed since the time-vortex spat him out. “Alright.”

Kieran grunts and turns onto his side, making himself comfy. “One more hour, though.”

“Seriously?”

“I need my beauty sleep.”

“You’re already beautiful, though.” He grins at the flush slowly spreading across Kieran’s shoulders. He snuggles in close, snaking a hand around his hip. “How about I help you wake up?”

Kieran shoots up like a spring, getting tangled in the sheets and almost face-planting. “Fine, fine! I’m up. Keep your grabby hands to yourself.”

He stomps to the bathroom, but not so fast that Ash misses his boxers tented at the front.

Ash slides his gaze down, finding himself in a similar predicament. Not that he’s ever not in this predicament. As always, Kieran’s defianceis just making itharderon everyone involved.

He smiles, then sighs. The run is very much needed.

A peaceful morning and breakfast at the café doesn’t quite pan out. Once they arrive atLost and Ground, Ash is met with a familiar female voice that brings with it a promise of chaos.

“Ash? Why is that lady trying to asphyxiate Gabe? And why is no one helping?” Kieran asks, watching Gabe being strangled—hugged—by his mother, while Zeke and Ellis stand by. Zeke has his phone out and it’s aimed suspiciously at the two, likely recording the scene to aggravate Gabe with it later.

“I wouldn’t wanna get in Carrie’s way either,” Ash says, knowing he’ll be next.

“Who?”