Page 30 of The Sixth Spring

Itori touched Will’s bottom lip. Will had no idea what he was talking about, but he opened his mouth again.

A finger pressed in, just enough to touch his tongue. Another burst of oranges hit him. Will had been expecting something bitter or salty or sour.

Itori’s finger traced the edge of his tongue, then pulled back. Will took a shuddering breath, swallowing the pooling saliva.

“I only taste you,” he said. He felt drugged.

Itori inclined his head. “Your pleasure is good. Filling. I feel better.”

“It helped?” Will licked his lips. Wanted another taste but couldn’t ask for it.

“Very much,” Itori said, the hand on Will’s back was still smoothing over his skin, grounding him.

A breeze brushed by, and Will shivered. He’d been overheated just moments ago, and now was starting to cool. The water was still brisk.

“You are cold,” Itori guessed.

“Yeah. Yeah, the water’s cool now that I’m not, uh, distracted,” Will curled his arms close, rubbing at his goosebumps.

“Then we should get you dry. Can you stand?”

Itori gentled Will to his feet. When he followed, he looked steadier on his own bad leg.

“Your leg?” Will inquired.

Itori turned it, showing where the wound had been. Except now it had faded to a scar. “Much better.”

It was amazing. It had healed in just minutes.

Itori began to pluck Will’s waterlogged clothes out of the water.

“Will you be here tomorrow?” Will asked. He knew it was time to go, but he had to ask. Had to make sure this wasn’t the last time he’d see Itori.

Itori met his eyes. They were still swollen and dark. “Yes. I will need much more energy before I am able to walk dryland.”

Itori rang out his shirt and handed it over.

“The exchange…” Will said awkwardly, and then paused to pull his shirt over his head, the scabs on his hands aching. “If we did… did more, how long would it take, before you could walk?”

“I am not sure,” Itori said. “I have never done this before, but much energy is required.”

“Okay,” Will said. “So I’ll come again. Tomorrow. And we’ll…” He trailed off, unable to say it.

Itori looked at Will closely then. “You cannot force it for me. It does not work like that.”

“I wouldn’t be forcing it,” Will said quickly, because it was true. “I want to help you. And–and I like being with you. You’re–I’ve never met anyone like you.”

Itori tilted his head. “I have never met any like you either, sweet Willowtree.”

Itori wasn’t touching him anymore, but Will could feel that phantom touch on his back.

“Come tomorrow then,” Itori said. “I will find a place to keep you dry.”

Will nodded and tried to repress the way his teeth were starting to chatter. Putting on wet clothes was not a great way to warm up.

He finally managed to get the jeans on, grimacing at the heavy, sticky fabric. “Okay,” he said, “tomorrow.”

When he was ready, Itori walked him down the road to the edge of the water where his shoes sat. Will stepped onto dry pavement, but Itori stopped short, feet still in the water.