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He tried to rub the ache out of his chest. If he could just hear her voice... One call. It would be quick and he wouldn't use his own phone. That would be okay, right? He needed to know that she was alright.
"Pretty?"
Porter glanced to his left and met Jaygen's concerned eyes. "What's the matter?"
Quickly, he slapped on a smile. "Nothing. I was watching them and thinking."
"You looked sad for a moment." He frowned and laid his tablet down. "Come here."
"I'm fine, really."
"Now."
Porter sighed and crawled over to Jaygen's spot. The man wrapped him in his arms and Porter almost broke down just from being held in his arms. Jaygen laid him down until his head rested on the tiger's warm lap. As fingers stroked through Porter's hair, he blew out a breath and tried to unwind. They'd all taken a chance leaving the city to bring him here. He shouldn't be moping.
"What's on your mind?" Jaygen asked.
"I was thinking about my sister," Porter said. There was never any point in trying to get out of answering Jaygen. He would simply work it out of you. "And how much I miss her. That's all."
Jaygen gave an understanding hum. "I'm sorry, Pretty. I wish I could do something to help."
"It's fine. Some thingscan'tbe helped."
Despite his words, Porter's eyes clouded. He kept his lips pressed together after that, afraid to speak unless he broke down. His mental health felt fragile, as if he would lose it at any second and he was tired of it. He wanted Amy. Deep down, he didn't say more to Jaygen because he didn't want the man to say no to calling her. He knew that Jaygen would do just that to keep him safe, but Porterhadto hear her voice.
"Hey!" Cyrus plopped down in front of Porter's face and grinned at him. "You're missing out. Come swim with us!"
Porter smiled up at him. Cyrus. His sweet face made everything a little brighter, but he still wanted to cling to Jaygen for a while longer. Or maybe he wanted to mope and wallow in his misery.
Ozni appeared behind Cyrus. Porter had to look up a long way to get to his stoic face. In the sunlight his brown skin glistened as the water rolled down it, his white hair standing out in sharp contrast. And those dark eyes. He could get lost in their black depths. Ozni made his heart hammer in his chest with little to no effort.
"Let's swim, Porter."
Ugh, how could Porter say no to him? Cyrus's wide, doe eyes were filled with pleading and it was easy to fall under their influence. Sighing, Porter sat up and held out a hand. Oz took it, pulling him to his feet effortlessly. At least it would give Jaygen some time to himself.
"Alright, let's swim," he said with more enthusiasm than he felt.
"Race you!" Cyrus shouted.
He took off for the water and Porter raced after him. As soon as the cool water touched his legs, he hissed but threw himself into the water anyway. Shivering he forced himself to stay until his body adjusted and the shuddering slowly faded away.
Porter let every other thought float away as he focused on Cyrus, Oz, and Foi. The four of them swam until his legs were sore and he was ready to drop from exhaustion. Ozni took him over to his own towel and wrapped another around Porter's shoulders before he sat him down and dried him off.
"It's cute when you care about me like this." Porter smiled at the man who avoided his gaze. "Thank you."
"No problem." Ozni shrugged as if it was no big deal.
Porter waited until he laid back and then he curled up against his side. "It's really okay for you to be out in the sun?"
Oz nodded in response.
"Hmm, all I can think about is how many times I've heard vampires can't take sunlight."
Ozni glanced at him. "I'm a daywalker. The sun isn't a problem."
Porter smiled. "Well, I'm glad that's true because I love seeing you out here having fun." He ran a hand over Oz's strong chest. "Is there anything you can't do?"
"Sleep," Ozni said with a small nod. "I don't do that."
