“Thanks,” he rasped before taking another sip.
“My pleasure,chibi,” Kip gently replied.
“Chick-fil-a,” Corvus whispered, giggling and making both me and Kip snort.
“Drink that then try to wash up a little,” Kip gently ordered. “I’m going to find you some clothes to change into.”
Corvus slowly nodded, his soft hair tickling my thigh as he did so. Kip stood and headed back into the bedroom. I restarted my ministrations in Corvus’s hair and along his scalp as he sipped at the coffee until he had it all down and managed not to puke it back up.
He glanced at me, his eyes a little clearer now, though I could tell he was definitely growing sleepy.
“Can you help me?” he asked. “Feeling a little sluggish.” His cheeks darkened at his confession and question, but I just nodded.
“Of course, bub,” I softly assured him. “Here—give me your cup.”
He handed it over, and I set it on the bathroom counter. Grabbing a washcloth, I dipped it into the water, then grabbed some of Kip’s bodywash, lathering it on the cloth before I gently washed Corvus’s skin. He stayed against the side of the tub, his eyes closed, until I had him sit up, so I could wash his back. Once he was clean—apart from where his briefs covered him—I drained the water.
“Need help standing?” I asked, but he shook his head, using the side of the tub as leverage to help him onto his feet. He groaned once he was standing, looking a little green. I quickly grabbed the trashcan, but he shook his head.
“I’m good,” he rasped. Sitting on the edge, he turned so his feet were on the outside. I handed him his towel, pointedly ignoring his lower half and keeping my eyes on his face while I waited for him to dry off. Kip finally returned, holding clothes in his hand.
“I found some clothes from my college days. Might fit. If not, they have drawstrings. I couldn’t do much for underwear, so you’ll have to go commando.”
“Thank you,” Corvus whispered as he slowly dried his skin.
I pressed a kiss to the top of his head, and my heart wept for him when he leaned into me, like he needed more. Like he craved all I could offer.
I wanted to hurt whoever had fucking hurt him. The boy was starved for affection and touch, and he shouldn’t be. He should have always been loved and cared for.
“We’ll be in the bedroom,” I told him. “Want another cup of coffee?”
“Please,” he said quietly. “And maybe some food? Something to soak up the rest of this alcohol. Too much coffee with no food is definitely gonna make me puke eventually.”
“Okay. Get dried off and dressed then meet us in the kitchen.” I turned and walked past Kip, who had already grabbed the coffee mug.
Once we were in the kitchen, I sank back against the counter and blew out a soft breath, my shoulders drooping. Kip cupped my jaw and tilted up my head so our eyes met.
“We’ve got him,tsuma,” he soothed. “He’s going to be okay. He came to us, and that speaks volumes. We’re going to take care of him and fix whatever put him into this state. I promise.”
I nodded, my chest aching for Corvus. We barely knew the boy, but he was already beneath my skin and burrowing into my heart. Seeing him like thishurt. I didn’t like seeing him so…broken.
“Something happened to him,” I said quietly. “I wish we knew what.”
Kip pressed a kiss to my brow. “I know. And we’ll find out, but we need to focus on comforting him first and making him feel safe.” He stepped back from me. “And getting him sobered up, so he doesn’t feel like shit in the morning.”
He headed to the freezer, pulling out a bag of fries. I took a seat at the bar, watching as he prepped the air fryer then dumped some fries inside.
Corvus stepped into the kitchen, looking fucking amazing in Kip’s clothes. He wore one of the shirts that repped the college Kip and I graduated from, as well as a pair of worn black joggers Kip had worn religiously back then. I’d thought he’d thrown the pants away, but apparently, they’d just been sitting in the storage room.
“Well, you look good enough to eat,” I teased, winking at Corvus.
He smiled a little, and something in my chest loosened. If he was able to smile—and it reached his eyes—we might be making some progress.
I patted the barstool beside me, my wedding ring knocking against it. “Come sit. Kip is making fries.”
“Fries sound so good.” Corvus groaned as he took a seat beside me. “I’m really tired.” He leaned his head on my shoulder and shut his eyes. My heart flipped in my chest.
“I know, bub.” I wrapped my arm around his broad shoulders. “How’d you get here?”
