Leo

When we got back to the island, Kayden and Rhys were at a barbecue spot on the terrace, grilling meat. The moment they spotted us, they pointed at us and burst into laughter.

"What the hell are you two talking about?" I demanded as we climbed the terrace stairs to meet them. The wooden steps were still warm from the day’s sun. "I hope it’s not about us?" I added, tightening my hold on Miller’s hand, our fingers fitting together perfectly after the night we had just shared.

Kayden smiled at us, then exchanged a knowing look with Rhys and high-fived him. "I told you they were going to make up."

I rolled my eyes as we reached them, the smell of grilled meat and charcoal smoke wrapping around us. "You two are acting like seers or something. Of course we were going to make up. Miller is my... uhm..." I paused, trying to find the right words without sounding overly clinical like they always accused me of. "Let’s just say we’re soulmates."

"Soulmates!" Kayden squealed, his eyes lighting up as he bumped fists with Rhys. "I knew it. Pay up, babe."

These two, I thought, chuckling as I shook my head at their ridiculousness.

The terrace lights cast a warm golden glow over everything, making the moment feel lighter than it had in days.

"What are you guys grilling?" Miller asked as he stepped closer, our hands still entwined. He gave my fingers a gentle squeeze, like he wasn’t ready to let go yet.

"It’s Osea Sunset Grill," Kayden replied, flipping a piece of meat with a satisfied grin. The flames crackled and popped, sending rich, smoky aromas into the night air. "We’re having it with drinks tonight. You know, the best way to catch up after everything."

"That’s great," I said, feeling the last of the earlier tension melt away. "I’ve been craving alcohol."

Miller immediately turned to me and placed a hand on my forehead, his touch warm and teasing. "Alcohol? Are you not worried about your hepatic parenchyma?"

I chuckled, knowing he was using my own words against me, but I wasn’t about to let him win that easily. "A few drinks won’t compromise my hepatic parenchyma. Moderate alcohol consumption in healthy adults can be metabolized efficiently by the liver through alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase pathways without causing significant oxidative stress or inflammation—especially when paired with proper hydration and nutrient-dense food like the grilled meat we’re about to eat."

"Oh, we know, we get it," Rhys cut in immediately, waving smoke away from his face as he laughed.

Everyone burst into laughter with him, the sound echoing across the terrace.

"Now let’s drink until we drop," he announced, heading toward the table while I stayed back to help Kayden with the plates and sides.

The meal went on smoothly, and I couldn’t stop eating and drinking like the world was about to end if I didn’t. The meat was perfectly charred, juicy, and rich with smoky flavor. Every bite paired dangerously well with the cold drinks, and for the first time in days, I let myself fully relax.

At some point, Miller and Kayden stood up, grabbed each other’s hands, and started singing while Rhys and I just watched.

"Grow as we go! Boy you better!" they sang off-key. It was probably the worst sound I had ever heard, but somehow, it made me smile anyway.

I stood up, walked toward the edge of the terrace, and leaned against the railing. The wood was still warm beneath my palms.

I felt someone step beside me.

When I turned my head, it was Rhys.

"Hey, ice boy."

Rhys scoffed, clinking his glass lightly against mine. "I’m glad you and Miller made up."

"I assume you’ve already talked about us, right?" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

He nodded.

I took a sip of my drink and let out a slow breath. "Anyway, you must have played a huge role in helping us sort things out, so... thank you."

Rhys smiled, then glanced back at Kayden and Miller, who were still singing loudly with their arms thrown around each other like idiots.

"I want to propose to Kayden before I leave this island," he said quietly. "And I need your help. Maybe Miller’s too."

My eyes widened instantly. There was no way I had heard that correctly. He was going to propose.

"You’re going to—" I nearly blurted it out but stopped myself just in time. He didn’t want Kayden to hear. "I can’t believe it, Rhys. You..."

"Me what?" he challenged. "You think I’m joking? That I can’t actually propose to Kayden?"

"Yes," I said honestly. "You’re exhibiting signs of acute romantic impulsivity combined with elevated oxytocin and vasopressin levels that are clearly impairing your usual rational judgment. This level of commitment readiness is highly atypical for someone with your previous attachment patterns."

Rhys chuckled and looked up at the stars. "Maybe. But I want to be with Kayden forever. He’s the only man I truly care about—or ever will. He’s the only one for me."

I punched his shoulder lightly. "I knew I could trust you," I said with a small laugh. "From the first moment I saw you."

Rhys frowned and turned to me. "You hated me the first time."

"Did I?"

His frown deepened.

"Alright, fair," I admitted. "You were acting like a complete douchebag toward Kayden. But I wasn’t wrong about you. I always knew you were the right person for him."

I nudged his arm again. "So when is this happening, and how are you planning it?"

"I—" Rhys started, but before he could finish, Miller and Kayden rushed toward us, singing loudly again.

"Grow as we go! Boy you better!" they belted out, completely off-key and twice as loud as before.

Miller, clearly the drunker of the two, climbed onto the terrace railing with surprising speed, spreading his arms wide. "I feel like I’m flying!" he shouted into the night, swaying dangerously.

I lunged forward and grabbed him around the waist, yanking him back down to safety. "Miller, if you fall from this height, the sudden deceleration upon impact would result in severe cervical fractures, traumatic brain injury, hypovolemic shock, and very likely instant death!"

Kayden, not wanting to be left out, tried to climb up too. "I want to fly too!"

Rhys reacted faster, wrapping both arms around Kayden and pulling him firmly back against his chest. "Alright, that’s enough. You two are both drunk. We should probably get some sleep and talk about this properly tomorrow."

I glanced at Rhys. "When?"

"Anytime," he said with a grin. "Kayden’s been sleeping a lot lately."

I nodded and pulled a still-protesting Miller toward the stairs. "We’re heading off to sleep."

Miller kept singing at the top of his voice as I dragged him along. "I feel like I’m flying! Boy you better! Grow as we gooo!"

I shook my head, laughing despite myself, while he continued trying to spread his arms like he might actually take off.

Behind us, I could hear Rhys chuckling as he guided a sleepy but happy Kayden in the same direction.