That was the first time Reyland placed his forehead against Dorien’s.
When he did this, Dorien, filled with fear, doubt, and rage, had calmed. Something about the coolness of the other boy’s skin, about the closeness, about the quiet that seemed to be wrapped around the other boy, had steadied his nerves.
Then, he had wept, and Reyland had wept with him.
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Why won’t you free me?!
The grown Dorien wailed in his broken heart, sliding down to the floor in his brother’s house.
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Reyland ran from his home, leaving Dorien behind.
He moved straight to his lake.
His chest was tight. He wasn’t breathing properly.
His mind was heavy.
He had not expected Dorien to come so soon.
He had not been prepared.
And just like always, Dorien had been a lot to handle.
He unders
