Page 94 of Should Our Stars Collide

“Not exactly something you brag about,” Dawson comments. Judging by his haunted face, he was there for the aftermath.

“What’s in non-regular brownie batter?” Cal asks, voice filled with curiosity.

Dawson bites his lip. “Um, I’ll explain later.”

Cal looks disappointed, and very much not like a being from beyond whose gig used to be ripping souls out of their physical containers.

“This is so fucking bizarre,” Kieran says, clearly sharing the sentiment.

“What is?” Dawson asks.

“This.” Kieran spreads his arms as if to encompass the whole reality, then jabs a finger in Cal’s direction. “Him. You two.”

When he only gets two confused frowns in response, Ash steps in. “I’ll take it from here. Let’s sit first.”

Dawson reluctantly leads them to the living room, gesturing at the sofa. Tequila demands access to Ash’s lap before he even fully sits down, curling herself into a fluffy ball. Kieran watches them with a face full of judgement.

“Don’t be jealous. Your turn next,” Ash teases.

Whatever colorful insult Kieran is about to throw at him is interrupted by Cal.

“You’re different.”

“What do you mean?” Dawson asks before Kieran gets to.

“His aura is different.”

“My what?” Kieran squeals.

“Kieran got time-zapped here from the past. From two years ago.” There. Like a bandaid.

“He what?”

“I see. That makes sense,” Cal says, nodding to himself, like it’s not disturbing news, but a completely normal, everyday occurrence that people get sucked through a time vortex. “You’re still you, just a little different.”

“What is he talking about?” Kieran demands, becoming frustrated now.

“After Cal regained his memories, he also regained some of his more…esoteric abilities,” Ash explains. “He can see beyond the physical dimension.”

“Of course he can,” Kieran says in a very tired voice. “Perfectly normal. For a reaper.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m lost,” Dawson interjects, eyes growing wider by the second. He picks Donut up and cuddles him to his chest, like he used to do with the plushie during their therapy sessions.

“Welcome to the club.” Kieran leans forward, offering his fist.

Reluctantly, Dawson bumps it.

“Because Kieran is from the past, he doesn’t know anything that’s happened in the last two years,” Ash answers his question.

Dawson’s jaw goes slack. “Anything?”

“Anything.”

“Oh. Shit. So, about Cal…”

“We’ve told him. He’s…adjusting.” Ash feels a little bad talking about Kieran as if he’s not there, but his boyfriend seems to be stuck on processing the fact that he apparently has an aura.

“We?”