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We all ease back

“That was…” she says in soft breaths “…so fucking…a” Her eyes close fully “I can just sleep here”

Akara and I share a smile

“I’ here now,” she yawns “The tub is my new home”

I stretch my arm over Sulli “Rent will be cheaper”

“Spacious,” Akara quips “I can definitely fit my whole office in here”

“You would be thinking about your fuckin’ office,” I laugh at him

He splashes water at me as the tub fills

Sulli curls up against him “Mmhhh So many donuts”

“Sad to say, we can’t live here, mermaid”

“The water though…”

Akara and I exchange another look This ti to a real close too soon

We wash off Dry off Sulli is half-asleep

Akara says, “We’re taking you to bed, string bean”

I stand up and easily lift Sulli into my arms She cocoons her head into my chest “I can sleep here, too”

I’d like that, but she needs an actual bed I step out of the tub, careful not to slip Akara tosses the used condorabs a couple towels, and follows me into her bedroom

He knocks off the ently on the mattress She curls up into the velvet quilt, and sudden-fear springs open her eyes “You two are staying over, right?”

I boblove to her I crawl in next to her on the bed and wrap an arm around her broad shoulders

“Of course,” Akara says, but he’s texting on his phone

“Kits…” Sulli’s concern mounts

“I have to set an alarht come back early They can’t see us leave”

That sobers the roo What feels like a forever type of moment is just an illusion Forever ends tomorrow

She pushes wet hair off her forehead, turning on her back “Can you set it for 5 am? I’ll just wake up at that time too”

His eyes flit to her “We’re not running out on you”

“I know But this way it won’t feel like you are”

I kiss the top of her head