Shattered

I woke up the next morning tucked up the covers of my bed in the guest room. All the fond memories came back to me in one wonderful flood. Right now, I was here in Aus’s house and had made it. A small yawned escaped my lips as I closed my eyes to the golden ribbons of sunlight.

“Good morning, baby.” He whispered in his hot morning voice. I shivered under his cool breath as his warm lips kissed my neck. I smiled as my nerves were frazzled. He was the only one that seemed to be able to do that. His arms tightened around my waist and laughed when he heard my heart fluttered.

“Aus!” I complained as he pecked my neck again. Before he could attempt the move again, I turned in his arms and caught his face and kissed him on the nose.

“Hey! I wasn’t done!” The man whimpered. I stared into his golden brown eyes that were illuminated by the morning sun.

“You two are so adorable, but the rest of us agreed to let Kynder have the first piece of French toast and so far, you’re holding up the process.” Alan grumbled as he leaned against the door frame. The gingers hair radiated in the room as I buried my face in Austin’s shoulder.

“A few more minutes.” Aus grumbled. A few savory smells of breakfast in the kitchen wafted up to my nose. Okay, maybe I could go for some food. Pulling the covers off my body, I untangled myself and started to get up before Aus pulled me back down.

“NOOO!” He yowled. I laughed and struggled to get out. Alan came over and managed to dislodge me before Aus came after him.

“GIMME BACK MY KYN!” He growled. Alan took my hand as we ran downstairs, laughing and yelling. Right before we reached the kitchen, Aus caught my arm and spun me into his.

“Finally!” Tino and Phil both sighed. Aaron was about ready to dig in when he handed me a plate filled with syrupy, toasty, and powdered sugary goodness! Together, the six of us ate and teased each other over the silliest things.

“So, how’s the business going?” I asked Aaron as soon as he was finished stuffing his face.

“We’re nearly out. Just one more thing to do and we’ll be all gone!” He exclaimed happily. I looked at his happiness oddly.

“What would that be?” I asked curiously. If they had only one more thing to do….then maybe they would let me stay here for a while longer!

Or permanently?

“The bonfire!” Alan called gleefully. So now we were about to light the surrounding dry grass on fire?

“We’ll be burning any material objects like paperwork and other reminders of the business. Phil wanted to buy dynamite, but we figured that we didn’t have a legal permit for that, so I think we’ll just settle on leftover fireworks.” Austin explained. That sounded like a spectacular ending.

“Speaking of business, how long did you want to stay here?” Tino asked after helping himself to a third round. Syrup pooled all over his plate.

“Well that would depend on how long you wanted me here.” I shrugged. Austin smiled.

“As long as you need.”

“Eternity.”

“Forever.”

“To infinity and beyond!”

“I dunno, a couple days?” Tino shrugged. Phil punched him in the shoulder.

“Tino!” He reprimanded. The man held up his hands.

“I was kidding!” I laughed along with him. Tino was always joking around and I knew he didn’t mean that. It made me exceptionally happy that the boys wanted me to stay around for quite a while.

“You know what you should do?” Alan hinted. I raised an eyebrow and smirked.

“What?”

“Move in.” He grinned. I took my plate and washed it in the sink before placing it in the empty dishwasher. I kept all of them waiting for the answer as I washed the sticky golden liquid from my fingers.

“Really?” I asked them. They all nodded.

“Please?” Austin begged. Two months ago, I had turned down his offer to stay with him. His hope was beginning to resurface and I didn’t want to decline this time, but I did have a duty to visit back with the others.

“Well, I did promise the runners back in Denver that I would visit sometime, so I’d have to leave for a couple weeks every so often so no one panics….”I warned them. They all nodded.

“It’s not like we’re going to force you to stay here.” Alan laughed. I smiled. No, they were well beyond that.

“Well, I guess, sure!” I told them. They all smiled. It seems like everyone was infected with happiness recently.

French toast, moving in, and hanging with the boys-what could be better?

Notes