"We both do," Caleb acknowledged, soft against the kiss, even as he went in for another. Things would not be easy overnight. He would not wake in the morning immune to worry or fear, unburdened from the things that had been done to him or more capable of carrying, and neither for Essek. But they were a step closer to each other, lying here.

He twisted wrong and put too much pressure on one of the burns, inhaled sharply and had to pull away from the kiss to tilt back and stare at the ceiling for a moment to compose himself. After a second, a bitter laugh slipped out of his mouth.

His hand found Essek's again. He squeezed gently.

"Thank you," he murmured. "For cleaning me up."