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Jackson's hand covered Barrett's hand that covered the wound. "You said Thorne left. How long ago?"
"I don't know," the words were strained as a wave of pain washed over Barrett. "Long enough ago that he should be back soon. The giants stopped attacking hours ago. They had no idea I was out here for them to take." He paused and took a deep breath. "The castle is warded against those without the blood of a citizen. It will be warded against you, too."
"I don't give a fuck right now. I'll wait outside if I have to, but I need you to keep talking. Don't stop."
The worry seeping through the words should have made Barrett nervous, but he couldn't seem to find the energy to worry. Only to be happy that Jackson had somehow returned.
"They started uprooting the trees and swinging them at the castle. Towns and villages were crushed under massive feet - the smaller ones along the way to the kingdom." Barrett said, his voice cracking with emotion. "The suffering. . . it was unbearable."
"We'll figure it out. We caused this. We'll stop this. I don't have a single idea how, but I can't think around this fucking fear clenching around my heart."
"Fear?"
Jackson gave a barked laugh. "In case you didn't notice, there's a giant hole in your right side—large enough to have been a broadsword stuck through you."
"He spared no one," Barrett added, a hint of disbelief still lingering in his voice. "Neither royal nor commoner, old or young, all were considered expendable in his relentless pursuit of. . . of me."
He should have seen this rage coming. He had merely hoped the giant would have assumed he lived in the Realm Below. But not knowing why the creature stole him in the first place made his response unpredictable.
And you should have predicted it.
"Can I ask you for something?" Another wave of lightening-hot pain overtook him.
"Anything except to take over the fight if you die right now."
Laughter drew immense pain through Barrett, but still, he felt his lips tug up into a smile.
"Kiss me. I need to know you're really here and not a figment."
Thunder rumbled as Barrett turned slightly towards Jackson, his heart hammering in his chest, and suddenly all else faded away. The cold sting of the wind that caressed his wounded side was forgotten as he felt warm fingers brush against his cheek. He closed his eyes, savoring the intimate touch, their bond growing stronger with each beat of their hearts.
Their lips met in a heated kiss that sent shivers down his spine. It wasn't just passion. It was relief and gratitude mixed into one. The bite of hunger somewhat subsided by the taste of earthy determination lacing Jackson's lips.
Barrett deepened the kiss, somehow pulling Jackson closer, wanting to feel more than just the warmth of his body against his own. His hands traveled up to grip the back of Jackson's neck possessively, kneading the tension from his shoulders as they sank deeper into each other's embrace.
As they drew apart, both men panted heavily as if they had run a race together instead of just sharing air mere inches apart. He gazed deeply into each Jackson’s eyes— seeing reflected not just desire, but also unwavering commitment to protecting his home from this new threat.
"I am here," Jackson murmured hoarsely after several long moments had passed. "And you're not going anywhere without me."
His strong arms wrapped around Barrett's waist gently but firmly, shielding him from any possible harm or adversary that might approach them on this perilous cloud-top perch while helping him stand upright once more despite the swaying movements caused by fierce gusts of wind that raged round them both.
The sky above was an endless canvas painted with hues of violet and indigo, dotted with stars that twinkled like diamonds in an ethereal canvas above them - a sight unlike anything seen on Earth below, where dusky skies usually cloaked the land after sunset.
The scent of lavender mixed with dust and ash filled the air as lightning danced across their skin.
"You know," whispered Barrett between heavy breaths as he leaned into Jackson once more feeling safer than ever before in spite of everything., "I always thought this world was some kind of fairy tale when I would get glimpses of yours below. . . now look it."
"Yeah," he agreed softly, "But we aren't supposed to die. We're supposed to fight off the bad guy."
"Jackson!" Thorne's voice broke through the moment.
Barrett let his eyes close as he leaned on Jackson's chest. He wouldn't be able to go inside the castle, not without someone to remove the magical boundary.
"Barrett!" Jackson bolted, gently knocking him away. "Sorry. But I have an idea. Can you become big? Will the injury stay small or change sizes with you?"
Barrett smiled, always impressed by how Jackson seemed to look at things. "If I had the energy and power I could try it. I've never tried before. I imagine the wound would grow with me." He gave Jackson a lopsided smile. "I'll have to get a paper cut later and try it."
"Later," Jackson agreed. "Thorne, thank god!"
