Chapter 14: Reunion
“Wait, you better not tell me I’ve gotta thank you for the kiss.”
Almost two weeks of silence, and the second thing out of his mouth was giving them shit. Cole grinned. “Hell no, we drew straws and Miles lost – poor bastard.”
“Lost?” Miles shook his head with a devious chuckle. “I personally reckon it’s more like won. Full Diddy, no pause.” He sat down beside Mack and gave him a good-natured shove on the shoulder. “For real though, it’s damn good to see you up an’ kickin’.”
Ethan stepped forward and clasped the man’s hand. For a moment his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes – that same look whenever he thought about his family back home; that facade of a smile that often accompanied funerals. But he caught himself and got it right for Mack. “Glad you’re awake, man.”
“Fuckin’ A, bro.” Mack’s voice was rough but the relief was clear. “Been hearing voices for… shit, I don’t even know how long. Good to actually see y’all too.”
He glanced around the room, finally recognizing the glowing runes on the walls and the magic AC units strewn throughout. “But uh… you seein’ this shit? Tell me I’m not dreaming right now. One of the docs told me we’re in some Kingdom of Celdorne, and that I’m a… a hero?”
Mack looked between them. He brightened up a bit, despite how much he looked like shit. “This an isekai?”
Cole nodded. “Sure is.”
“Huh.” A grin started to spread on Mack’s face, then caught halfway as he laid eyes on Ethan. Hell of a juxtaposition – Ethan forcing a smile to reach his eyes while Mack couldn’t keep his smile from showing in them. “How long has it been?”