Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Jake flickered out of perception, snapped into existence again at Ethan’s side, a record skip and a flash of light; a ghost, Ethan remembered all over again. Something about these positions felt different. Himself kneeling on crushed grass, still barefoot, with Jake on both feet above him. Himself looking up, vial of powdered flowers in one hand.

He could hear his own heartbeat. He held those wide blue eyes with his own gaze. Tried to promise: yes, I would, I want to help. I want you. I saw you and I wanted to get on my knees for you.

To believe it when someone so self-assured, so gorgeous, so at home in any century, calls me peaches and says I’m good.

Jake put out a hand. Hesitated before getting close. “Will this hurt you?”

“No. Or…I don’t think so. I think you just need to…to, um…make me, um…”

“You need me to do it?”

Yes, Ethan nearly said. For at least two reasons. “…yes? I think,” he explained, “for this to work, you have to—to be involved, and I—”