After a moment, Clyde pulled away.
He took Ryley's hand, lifting it just enough to press a lingering kiss against the ring before his fingers slid up, cupping Ryley's cheek with a gentleness that didn't match the heaviness in his gaze.
"I'll be back soon," he murmured.
Then his hand lowered.
This time, he didn't hesitate.
His gloved palm rested over the small, barely-there curve of Ryley's stomach, touch slow and deliberate, as if grounding himself in it—in them.
"I promise," he added.
And despite the quiet steadiness of his words, his voice still trembled.
Ryley barely had time to react.
His lips parted in surprise when Clyde suddenly leaned in, capturing his mouth in a deep kiss before pressing another, softer one against his forehead. It left him momentarily breathless, his thoughts scattering before they could even form into words.
All the questions sitting at the edge of his tongue— Where are you going? Why like this? —they vanished.
His heart felt too full.
