They hobbled through the science faculty building, both of them with walking aids. It was one of the rare times Kai felt as though he had something in common with the professor.
“We make quite the pair,” Davis remarked as a couple of students tore past them, shoes thumping on the ground. “Is this your first bad injury?”
“One this serious, yeah.” Kai couldn’t wait to ditch the crutches, and walk normally once more. He’d never take his mobility for granted again.
Then he looked at Micah Davis, and wondered what it was like, knowing you were stuck with a walking cane for the rest of your life.
“Do you wish that never happened?” Kai asked, nodding at Davis’ leg.
Davis smiled crookedly. “All the time.”
Even now, years after the fire? What kind of weight did this omega carry on his shoulders?
He imagined Davis going through months of physical therapy, learning to walk again. It must’ve been one hell of a journey—a painful one. And yet, Davis was here, hobbling along next to Kai, never once complaining about his limp.
Sure, Davis was embarrassed about the way he looked. But he was also one hell of a person, building his life back after the fire. He was a single dad. He’d raised York by himself, with no alpha providing support.
Davis was here, holding his own, possibly one of the strongest people Kai had ever met.
Kai had had an inkling what sort of person Davis was, but right now... it felt as though Micah Davis was way out of Kai’s league.
Was this what Spike felt, when he looked at Davis? Why was Davis even sticking around with the two of them?
Kai looked up when Davis slowed to a stop.
The only elevator leading to the professors’ offices had broken down. Which left the stairwell, and a damn lot of steps. Kai sighed.
“I can carry my bag,” Davis said with a frown, heading for the stairwell.
“It’s fine,” Kai said. “I can do this.”
“I’ve been hobbling a lot longer than you’ve had your sprain, you know.” Davis was still worrying.
“And I’m not about to have an omega carry heavy shit. Especially when he’s pregnant.”
A tiny smile twitched at Davis’ lips. Kai’s heart swelled in his chest. I made him smile.
Two flights of stairs later, and almost tripping twice, Kai hated his crutches and his sprained ankle, and the broken elevator, and everything. I can’t let this get me down. I’m better than this.
“Let me help,” Davis said, reaching out for him.
Kai shook his head. He balanced on his foot, got the crutches to the next step, and heaved himself up. Except his foot caught on the stairs. He lurched forward, his stomach plummeting as he lost his balance.
He shoved his bandaged foot down to catch himself. Pain shot through his ankle. Kai released his crutches, shielding Davis’ laptop bag instead of catching himself.
He landed clumsily, slamming against the hard edges of the stairs. “Damn it!”
Why did this have to happen to him? Why did he have to sprain his ankle? If he hadn’t fallen that day, if he could’ve just kept that damn scholarship, he and Spike wouldn’t be a damn liability to anyone right now.
Kai breathed out his frustration, his chest too tight.
“Kai!” Davis yelped, limping back down the stairs. He crouched next to Kai, curling his fingers around Kai’s arm. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” he said through gritted teeth.
“No, you’re not.” Davis studied him from inches away, his eyes a bright, worried blue.
Kai wanted to lash out. Wanted to just punch the wall, and yell at something. “I wish I didn’t fuck up my ankle. Damn it. Fuck.”
Davis hesitated, before touching his shoulder. “You’ll heal. Give it time.”
“I can’t get my scholarship back even if I gave it time,” Kai snapped. Then he regretted it, because it was none of Davis’ business, anyway. He breathed out. “Sorry.”
Davis winced, though. “I understand. There are some things that won’t heal, even with time. If you’d like to vent, I’ll listen.”
Then Kai looked at Davis—really looked at him—and he felt like a jerk. His ankle would heal. Davis’ scar tissue never would. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to lose my temper. Wasn’t your fault.”
Davis cracked a smile. “That’s okay. Can you walk?”
“Think so.”
Davis hobbled down the stairs, retrieving Kai’s crutches. Then he heaved Kai to his feet, more strength in his hands than Kai expected.
“You’re pregnant,” Kai muttered, balancing on his good foot. “You should be looking out for yourself, not me.”
“Stop it with the pregnant thing. Spike would do the same in my place.” Davis smiled wryly. “I don’t want to see you injure yourself more.”
“But I’m not pregnant.”
“Do you want to be?” Davis’ eyes glinted with mischief.
“Hell, no,” Kai said.
Davis laughed. It lit up his eyes, the years on his face falling away. Kai’s heart kicked.
No person should have a right to look that good.
Kai found himself wondering what Davis would look like, if Kai kissed him. Not that Kai would, but... Would Davis like it? Would he look surprised?
Kai muttered his thanks when Davis handed his crutches back, concentrating on getting himself to the next landing. Davis stayed a step behind him the whole way, in case, what, he could catch Kai if he fell again? Kai would probably topple him over. So Kai made each step with twice as much care.
They got to Davis’ office. Davis pointed Kai toward the visitor’s seat, then pulled out a first aid kit.
“You have a first aid kit in your office?” Kai asked, surprised.
Davis chuckled. “I have a teenage son on campus. It’s best to have supplies around, just in case.”
Kai fell silent. For most of his life... he hadn’t been able to count on his dad for help. There had been times when he’d fallen and his scrapes had gotten infected, and he’d gotten fevers as a result.
With the help of some of Dad’s random boyfriends, Kai had learned to wash his cuts, and get them treated as soon as he could.
“York’s lucky to
