Page 131 of Sixty Meters Under

“I brought you breakfast,” Ryosuke broke the silence. He stepped closer and put the tray on the empty space on the desk.

“I have realized you didn’t get the opportunity to eat.”

Lennart didn’t move, didn’t speak. Ryosuke wasn’t sure what else to say or what to do. He shifted from foot to foot. “I don’t think they had the right to act like that,” he began, hoping to get some reaction.

Lennart still kept his silence. Ryosuke took a deep breath and put his hands on his shoulders and massaged the other man’s back.

“I’m really sorry for your father’s death.”

Lennart’s tense shoulders slumped and his head dropped lower. As Ryosuke kneaded tense muscles, he considered howto lighten Lennart’s mood and make him eat the food. He knew that Lennart needed it.

Ryosuke’s palms made trails on Lennart’s back and he spoke again, “Can I help you somehow? Is there anything I can do at all?”

Lennart turned in his chair and looked up at him. He took Ryosuke’s hand and pressed it to his cheek. Ryosuke didn’t dare to move, he just left his hand to be guided. Lennart then kissed his palm and pulled him closer, Ryosuke ended up sitting in his lap. Lennart’s lips found Ryosuke’s and he kissed him with such intensity, Ryosuke had trouble breathing.

Lennart wrapped his arms around him tightly and they continued to kiss with an urgency as if the world were about to end. Ryosuke forgot about all his worries. Nothing mattered while he was in Lennart’s embrace.

Chapter 34

Anna had to leave the canteen as well. She didn’t even finish her breakfast. She was shaken and Hugo had to escort her to her room.

She sat on the edge of her bed, pressed her face into her palms, and burst out crying. Hugo sat down next to her and ran his hands over her back in a soothing manner.

“Do you want a glass of water?” Hugo asked when she wiped away her tears and blew her nose into the napkin.

Anna nodded. “Thank you.”

Hugo took the bottle from the table and poured it into a glass.

Anna thanked him again, took a sip and said, “I hope this doesn’t compromise our safety in the bunker in some way.”

“I wish I could tell you that no, but–”

“I think we should do a little tour around the bunker.” Anna took a deep breath and stood up. “I’m going to wash my face and we can go.”

“Okay. I’m going to call George and Erica and tell them to keep an eye on the cameras.” Hugo pulled out his phone.

They carefully checked level by level, but everyone seemed to be at their posts doing their assigned tasks. Although most residents gave them suspicious looks, Anna and Hugo pretendedto have some important business in each sector. When they finally reached top level and entered the comms room, Anna slumped into the chair.

“I’m done. I need a break.” She released a heavy sigh.

“Nothing seemed unusual, but even so, we need to be careful.” Hugo stood beside her as if the tiredness was an unknown concept to him.

“Yeah. Now we have one more thing to worry about.” As Anna finished her sentence, the door opened and the group of four entered the room.

“Anything suspicious?” Anna asked right away, her shoulders tense in anticipation.

“No. Nothing,” Liam said and shook his head.

“Everything seemed normal,” Edvin added.

“We have been checking levels too. Same impression,” Anna declared.

Alice asked, looking from side to side, “And where’s Lenny? Is he all right?”

“We went to Lennart’s room, but he didn’t open his door.” Anna looked at Hugo who nodded in agreement. “He just sent me a message after, telling me he’s okay.”

“I would be pissed. Some people are ungrateful bastards,” Liam retorted. “Even in times like these, so selfish.”