Page 44 of Hummingbird and Kraken

Geir thought for even longer. “No.”

Well, that was certainly confusing. He couldn’t have been waiting for Declan, because he wasn’t expecting to come here. Waiting for the sun, like the brothers in the story?

“It’s a you thing, then? Like, you might do this again?”

Geir shrugged.

He did that a lot when he didn’t want to talk. Or, as Declan was learning, when he didn’t know what to say. Sometimes it could be impossible to pull words out of him. Declan was becoming increasingly aware that their brains didn’t work in the same ways.

Maybe it was a kraken thing, just a different one than Geir was thinking of.

“I’ll try not to,” he finally answered.

“Thank you.” Declan gave him a kiss. “Will you take me home?” It had been a long, overwhelming day. He just wanted to forget everything and let Daddy take care of him.

With only a bit of a wobble, Geir stood, Declan still clasped in his arms. Declan had meant it metaphorically, but this was much, much better. He nuzzled into Geir’s neck.

“I’m sleepy. Can we take a nap together?”

Geir shook his head. “No naps. It messes up your sleep cycle.”

Declan smiled into his neck. Geir was taking care of him, just like he’d asked.

He didn’t want to think about Mike or money or anything right now. He just wanted to be with Geir. “Then will you hold me on the couch?”

“Of course.”

Chapter 14

Geir

Geir stepped onto the bleached, warped boards of the porch. He was still dripping from the lake. He’d pulled his jeans back on but hadn’t dried off or bothered with his shirt.

He could feel his heart speeding, just a little bit, at the thought of seeing Declan. A smile tugged at his lips. Would his hummingbird jump into his arms and kiss him at the door? Or would he find him curled up and snuggly soft with a book? What adventures had he gone on today?

Declan met him before he even reached the door. His eyes lit up, and then fell. “You went swimming without me.”

It sounded less like a complaint, and more like disappointment. That wasn’t right.

“Would you like to go swimming with me? We could go back together.”

“No,” Declan sighed. “I made dinner already.” He sounded sad, though.

Declan was supposed to be smiling. He was always smiling.

Geir looked up at the sky. It was later than he’d realized, practically night. “I’m sorry,” he tried. “I lost track of time.”

Without Declan nearby, time had no meaning. But he could do better.

Declan shrugged and went inside. He put two plates on the table and began spooning something onto them. Potatoes, it looked like. A fresh salad, bright with colors from the farm. Beans that Declan had left to soak last night before they went to bed and which were now cooked with a medley of herbs.

Geir sat. “Thank you. That looks good.”

Declan nodded, uncharacteristically silent. Where was his hummingbird?

They both started to eat.

After a few bites, Declan set down his fork. He watched Geir. Then he looked at something behind him.